Aurielle Adravendi

It was the dead of night, and she padded at the head of her wolves, fully armored and with Loshir and Ayodele at her side and on her back, through an utterly vicious blizzard. She’d known from the moment she’s scented the air that this night, a few days early of her estimated date given to the pack, was the night. And so, knowing the storm would roll in come the next few hours, she had made preparations, calling the pack in a way that said it was time, and then rolling in the piles of wood ash and black soot they’d been gathering from the fires since autumn. She’d dampened her own light, and had to deal with the surreal feeling of almost being blind at night. The soot wouldn’t last forever, but it would give them an edge with her bright white light covered. She had bidden Ardyn to dirty up as well, and now she could barely catch a glint of fire in his soot-laden coat as the harsh wind buffeted it. The healer’s camp was set on the edge of the Moor, beside the passage in the wall into Valhalla’s lands, with tents having been set up with practiced efficiency – Paladin’s training among the Nomads. The healers would wait there, ready to lay on paws and poultices. At Aerie’s border, she paused, taking in the scents she could catch on the whipping, snow-thickened wind. Where would the flag have been planted, she wondered… It was most logical to slip in and steal it, however… Her tail flipped in a gesture to follow, and she padded across the border into Aerie lands. It was a bizarre feeling, trespassing, and she forced aside the apprehension. She’d have to get used to this. Her canines flashed in a silent snarl, ears flat against the howling wind. Then she sang a battle cry that carried a challenge to the Aeriens. Valhalla was here to raid, and she dared the wolves of Aerie to try and stop them as she padded forward, senses on a hair trigger and questing for an answer or attack through the dour weather. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

His nerves were on edge, but he pushed through the wind and snow with a relaxed gait, ears flicking to catch the sounds as Aurielle paused at the border, before stepping across. He followed, hackles prickling under his armor. Chrystal clung to his straps, and Enito padded alongside him, looking rather annoyed at the choice of raiding weather. Cairo drew to Aurielle’s hip as she threw out the challenge, and her war cry heated his veins with a fresh burst of excitement, enough to send up his own howl, tail flagging just over his hips as he padded after the Spirit. She was harder to see than usual, almost black with the soot she and her son had rolled in to dampen their personal lights. He was pretty sure Taliesyn had rolled in mud, because though he could hear the horse, he wasn’t lit up like usual. The Adravendi was on his toes, ready for a fight that was certainly going to come for them, eyes squinted against the snow and searching for any figures that might come popping out of the white-out. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

The boy was vibrating in his armor, excitement and adrenalin thrumming in his veins. It barely showed on the outside like it normally would. The soot was working well enough. He knew the wind and snow was take it all off eventually, especially during fights but by then, the need for stealth would be out the door. He fought hard to keep his excitement under control as he followed hi mother over the border. He hesitated for a beat as well, knowing that this was going against every rule he’d had drilled into him, and yet, this wasn’t against the laws right now. They were raiding. True, just for practice, but still. His finger-like toes flexed, claws slipping in and out of their sheathes as his breath puffed in the air, eyes searching for the first figures to arrive in defense of their territory, or flag. His mother had a love for blizzards, and it was just typical that she’d pick the nastiest one of the year. Maybe it was a defiant cry from Winter that defied the coming of Spring. Her voice sang, followed by Cairo’s, and Ardyn let his own float free, hackles rising under his armor. Where would they come from first? Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The stallion had indeed rolled in mud. It was a bit chilly, but he’d be working off the chill soon enough. Wangui had helped paint the mud over places he couldn’t reach, and his mane and tail hung in dreads of mud, feathers caked to the skin. His horn was presently wrapped in a long strip of doeskin to cover the light, but once the fighting started it would be removed. For a horse, he moved stealthily, surefooted from a life of travel and chases over hard, difficult terrain, both from chasing stallions, and fighting off predators from his harems. He was excited, and fought the urge to prance as the Spirit crossed the border. He couldn’t resist the slight rear in his steps as she sang a challenge and Cairo and Ardyn joined in. The horse kept silent aside from a snort, ears pricked against the wind and his muddy mane, teal eyes searching from his height advantage. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

After being informed of the impending raid against them Iroh had taken to patrolling at odd times. The new habit disturbed Elise a slight bit, but he was glad for the sacrifice when he heard the call ring out. Massive black paws were suddenly hurried as he barked his command to the mandrill upon his back. Sarabi leapt from her position and hurried to the den to fetch the cast iron teapot that Iroh carried into battle. Unorthodox certainly, but the weapon wasn’t to be underestimated.

He had yet to adorn himself with any kind of armor, but he was half hoping to make a set alongside his crafty woman. The armor would protect him but also serve as a reminder of what he was in turn protecting. As he arrived on scene blue and lavender eyes fell upon the invading party. He hung back in the darkness of the trees and allowed the snow to mask his presence as he waited for Sarabi to return to him along with his pack and leader.

Skælingr was anxious and eager for practice raid. He'd mostly stuck to patrolling but he was eager to test his skills again. He'd been rather pleased with himself after his victory over the trespassing youth with the numerous mutations and he hoped to gain another victory to prove his worth to the rest of the pack mates he hadn't really gotten to know yet. He was working his way around the border of the lake when he caught sight of the trespassers. Skæ slowed, working his way carefully through the brush as he examined them. He knew his wife would not be far behind him and the sounds of battle were likely to draw the rest of the pack in short order on such a quiet night. As such he opted to stay silent before charging violently out of the brush toward the oldest male that had arrived so far. Skælingr sought to attack the male's left side, coming in at an angle from behind as he sought to latch onto the left side of the male's face, upper fangs seeking to land just behind the left eye and his lower fangs just below the left corner of the man's jaw. Skælingr Nalin Catharsis vs Cairo for Dominance Round 1/? Age: Over 1 Year Size: Medium Build: Medium Companion 1: Indri lemur, Male - Battle Companion 2: Lesser kestrel, Male - Flying Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter Specialty: Knight "Speech"

Ragna had opted to stagger her patrol after her husband's so they could better cover ground and increase the chances of catching something amiss. Of course, tensions were high due to the expected raid. It had been ages since she'd participated in a raid, particularly on the defending side. Her ears flicked forward at the sound of sudden movement ahead and shortly after she saw her husband darting toward a group of intruders. That had to be Valhalla. Ragna sounded the alarm, calling the rest of the pack and no doubt drawing the attention of their mock enemies. Good. Ragna fixed her sights on the saber-toothed woman in the group and she barreled head on toward the other as if she meant to collide right into the other woman. At the last moment she ducked low, seeking to force her way underneath the woman and bowl the front legs out from under her, at the same time Ragna's jaws lanced forward as she hoped to bite at the other woman's belly, in between the straps that held her armor on. Ragna Shaelyn vs Aurielle for Dominance Round 1/? Age: Over 1 Year Size: Large Build: Medium Companion 1: Japanese macaque, Female - Battle Companion 2: Cougar, Female - Battle Skills: Master Healer & Master Fighter Specialty: Anatomist "speak."|  | 'Thoughts' |

Dómari strode through the night, walking through the snow as the clouds moved across the moon and cast everything into deeper darkness. He crossed the border into Aerie without a second thought. A moment later they were under attack as two lighter colored wolves bolted for Cairo and Aurielle. Dómari knew the duo could handle themselves, instead he kept his senses peeled for whatever else might be lurking in the darkness and that's when he saw a dark pelted man lurking in the shadow of the trees. Dómari snarled and took off toward the man, kicking up snow and mud as he barreled toward the other. A straightforward fellow Dómari attacked head on seeking to slam his chest into the other man's chest while at the same time biting the Aerie wolf's face. Seeking to have his upper fangs land above the man's left eye and his fangs below the left cheek. Dómari Xanilov vs Iroh for Dominance Round 1/? Age: Over 1 Year Size: Large Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Leather harness with shoulder spikes Defensive Battle Accessory: Deer hide cape Companion 1: Red fox, Male - Battle Companion 2: Red fox, Male - Battle Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Knight "Speech"

Káti tried to quiet his nerves as the Valhallan warriors moved toward Aerie for the raid. His last experience in a raid had been particularly brutal but he kept reminding himself that this was a practice raid, but perhaps that was part of the problem. The point was to be prepared for an actual raid and he was doing himself a disservice thinking of it as just practice. He took a deep breath as they arrived at Aerie. Barely a minute later they were under attack. Káti braced himself and kept as alert as he could considering the conditions. There was no way to know if someone was going to go for him next. His companions gave him some space while also keeping their eyes peeled for oncoming attackers. "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Chrystal hissed a warning, eyes spotting the Aerien male as he burst out of the whiteout. Cairo backpedaled to his right, and Skaelingr’s jaws sailed past his nose, close enough to leave the older man’s breath in his nostrils. Cairo moved quickly, aware of battle breaking out around them as he surged forward, aiming to keep side by side with the shorter male, jaws parting and seeking to snap shut on the scruff just behind the man’s skull behind Skaelingr’s right ear, hoping to grip the man tightly and hinder his mobility. Simultaneously, his weight shifted smoothly to his other three limbs as his left foreleg snapped up, from the ground, and he sought to drop his left forepaw over Skaelingr’s shoulders at the base of the man’s neck and rake the sharpened bear claws over the man’s right shoulder. He wasn’t too brutal with it, but he hoped to deal some moderate lacerations that might prove a distracting sting as time went on. Enito dove in as Chrystal surged into the air, battling to keep steady on the harsh blizzard winds, ready to drop in if needed and keeping watch in case the man had companions or a packmate tried to join the fight. Enito, meanwhile, sought to capture the Aerien’s right hind leg in his monkey hand just above the hock, hoping to grasp it tightly and jerk it from under the man to unbalance him. Cairo Lanze Adravendi vs Skaelingr for Dominance/Raid Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Large Build: Heavy Offensive Battle Accessory: Bear claw bracers Defensive Battle Accessory: Bison armor Companion 1: Barn Owl, Female - Flying Companion 2: Mandrill, Male - Battle Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Weaponsmaster Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Aurielle Adravendi

It wasn’t long before she felt as though they’d gained an audience. There was no attack, initially, and then, out of the blizzard bounded two wolves, and she caught Domari surging to engage a third – the first, maybe? – before she spotted her first opponent. Her adrenaline surged, but she steadied her blood as the larger woman barreled in head on at her. At the last breath she sidestepped to her own left in a graceful bound, tail flicking for balance and sending a plume of soot billowing from her hair, blazing cracks of blue-white light piercing through in spots as the soot began to fall away. Her choice of movement was the most ideal as it seemed she would have been bowled over had she braced to meet the charge head-on. The taller woman ducked low, but her attacks found only air. Aurielle pivoted to her right on her hind end, front paws lightening their hold on the ground and hind paws bracing to balance herself, tail sweeping in a flowing rudder as she sought to slash the sharp claws of her new front bracers over the top of the woman’s head and muzzle with both paws, though she was careful not to let herself get anywhere where Ragna could pop up beneath her and use her height to an advantage. For the moment, she left her fangs out of the equation, alert to attack from her peripherals. Ayodele and Loshir watched her back, the mountain lion’s white teeth bared in his inky black features. Aurielle Rhiannon Marie Adravendi vs Ragna for Dominance/Raid Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Medium Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Clawed leather bracers Defensive Battle Accessory: Bison hide armor Companion 1: Mountain lion, Male - Battle Companion 2: Ringtailed lemur, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Long upper canines - Offensive Skills: Master Intellectual & Master Fighter Specialty: Bard Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Iroh was joined by a couple of his fellows and Sarabi followed up right behind them. She was just in time it seemed too. The mandrill dropped the heavy teapot at Iroh’s feet and as she leapt to his back Iroh took hold of the ecast iron weapon. Massive paws started him forward as he raced to meet the man whose eyes fell upon him as an opponent. Iroh aimed to get more momentum beneath his feet so when his larger form hit the smaller man the other would feel more effects than he did. As it was Iroh knew his chest would bruise. Thankfully the adrenaline of battle stayed him off for now. At the same time Iroh swung his muzzle back in an attempt to build momentum so that he could slam the teapot into Domari’s head. He would get iron instead of face in his jaws.

Iroh Abraxas vs Domari for Dominance
Round 1 of 2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Iron battle teapot
Companion 1: Mandrill, Female - Battle
Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Intellectual

Rhaegara was nervous, and that nervous energy was brimming in the way she carried herself, staying low to the ground as the Valhallans made their way onto the Aerie territory. This was another new experience for her. The tribes had lived in relative peace, and she had never invaded another land like this before. Wolves were quickly jumping into the fray, and her eyes darted around, her heart thumping in her chest. She simply watched and waited, not sure where she should jump in. She had her bracers secured to her limbs, the bear claws lightly scraping into the dirt as they sheathed over her own duller ones, ready to sink into whoever came at her. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Armando had accepted the news of a "raid" grimly. He'd told himself before joining that he would offer his services however and wherever the wolves needed him which did include fighting. While he was willing he would never be giddy over the prospect as he knew exactly what he was and what he would be up against. He was prepared, however. From his years as a brigand Armando had amassed a wealth of knowledge when it came to sedatives and poisons. Even though this thing was friendly he saw no reason to not use his darts as the wolves would be inflicting as much harm as, if not more than, he would with his sedatives. So after hearing about the event he'd set aside a small pouch of sedative and prepared his darts.

...and then promptly forgot them when the time came, only remembering their existence when he was already within sight of the "raiders". Balls. Next time, he told himself. He'd strap them to his back and carry them everywhere if he had to. At least he'd remembered his armor.

The first thing he did upon arriving was climb a tree. It seemed unlikely that the wolves, thinking they were fighting wolves, would look up. Once there he hunkered down at the base of a big limb and waited. Through the snow he could see the shadows of the wolves below and watched as one after another they paired off, but he couldn't bring himself to jump. This was a lot harder than he'd thought it would be. Jumping onto the back of a big thing with teeth was almost as foolhardy as running up to one.

His eyes fell on the muted figure of the horse. Armando was almost baffled by its inclusion and then he remembered that he was also here and had no grounds for surprise. A wolf fighting a red panda was ridiculous. So too was one fighting a horse. So why not put the two weirdos together and go for broke in the ridiculous department? His extreme diminutive size might help him here, as the horse would have to seriously rein itself in (pun definitely intended) to avoid hurting him in this friendly raidy thingy. No doubt the other side had been told to play nice too. Granted, there wasn't much he could do to hurt it either, but whatever. His was embracing the ridiculous.

Armando leaped from the tree aiming to land on the horse's shoulders. He intended to use his claws to hold on for dear life until he was confident in his balance. His knowledge of horses was limited to 'it has hooves' and 'it goes neigh' so he had no idea how stretchy its neck was and if it could reach its shoulders, but he was hoping not as he had no idea if he would be able to fend it off with the spikes on his harness.

Armando versus Tailsyn for Dominance
Round 1 of ???
Age: 1+
Size: Other species
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked vest
Companion 1: Tufted Tit Mouse, Female - Battle
Skills: Intermediate Intellectual & Advanced Fighter
Specialty: N/A

Dantalian raced to the raiders at a fast and happy clip. She'd been looking forward to this since her uncle had called the meeting. Since the raid by Armada, Dantalian had been itching for a chance at vengeance. This wasn't it, but it was practice, which she welcomed gladly. Someday she hoped Aerie would take the fight to those sniveling bastards and when they did, she would be ready. Today was a step in the direction of preparedness and she relished the opportunity.

She was on the scene and blinking into the falling snow in search of an opponent in no time. Dantalian lunged at the first unchallenged wolf she saw. It was a female and bigger than her, but who wasn't. Approaching the woman's left side at a right angle, Dantalian sought to slam her right shoulder into the woman's left elbow in the hopes of buckling the limb and upsetting her balance. It was probably too hopeful to think the move might take the woman to the ground, but even if she could just unsettle her it would be something.


Dantalian versus Rhaegara for Dominance
Round 1 of ???
Age: 1+
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Skills: Novice Hunter & Beginner Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Upon arriving on the scene Pyrrhic paused just outside the bubble of skirmishes to take stock of it all. It was wretched weather for a fight, which he welcomed as it would give them all a taste of what it was like to fight in ill conditions. Through the falling snow he could see that already a number of their wolves were engaging the raiders. Good. He wasn't late by any stretch of the imagination which meant their members had been quick to respond. That spoke well of their preparedness. If this was to be a learning experience it would seem the wolves of Aerie were off to a good start.

Spying an unoccupied wolf, Pyrrhic began to move towards him. A male, only slightly smaller than himself, and roughly the same build. He would do. Pyrrhic leaped at him and sought to ram his chest into his right shoulder. At the same time he sought to use his right paw to grab for the male's right wrist in the hopes of catching it and dragging it out from under him.


Pyrrhic versus Kati for Dominance
Round 1 of ???
Age: 1+
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Companion 1: Mandrill, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Macaque, Male - Battle
Skills: Expert Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty: N/A

A horse’s eyes weren’t so well situated that the stallion was able to catch the impending .. um… doom from above. It was Wangui who spotted it and acted quickly, yanking the leather from the stallion’s horn and letting it blaze with all it’s silvery blue-white light, stunning in the darkness of the white-out and swirl of snow. The red panda landed on the stallion’s back, but Wangui hoped that the sudden addition of a bright light source would dazzle the creature as Taliesyn reared, twisting his head around with a snap and aiming to snag the creature on his back by the tail or a back foot in his blunt teeth and yank him free, intending to sling the animal bodily away from him and let go at the peak of the toss. He’d be gentle about it, naturally, but he hoped to achieve a yard or so of air time. His ears were flat to his crest, but his eyes, while narrowed against the wind and snow, were alight with curiosity. He’d not yet met a red panda, and he set aside a note in his mind to ask the little creature what it was if he got the opportunity. Taliesyn Trystan Tempestien vs Armando for Dominance/Raid Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Size: Other species Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened Horn Ornament Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked Leather Faceplate Companion 1: Red tailed Hawk, Female - Flying Companion 2: Red Ruffed Lemur, Female - Battle Mutation 1: Unicorn horn - Offensive Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual Specialty: N/A Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

As they waited for Aurielle to begin the raid, Eligos was as tense as the rest of his pack, and he had to sharply remind himself that he had asked Aurielle not to tell him when the raid was so that he too would be taken by surprise. A pleasant side effect of having told Aerie of the impending raid was that many of the fighters had taken it on themselves to increase their patrols, and Eligos took care to work his and the malinois pair's patrols onto whenever there was no patrol. That meant he had already been out, and was sleeping off the long day in the snow while others patrolled, when Aurielle's howl woke him. He was instantly alert, though he groaned a little. Neither the ache in his head nor his body had lessened, but his eyesight was nearly as good as it had been before and was still improving, so he couldn't complain about the new aches and pains. Well, normally maybe. He could definitely complain about the aches and pains as he had to drag his aches and pains back oit into a blizzard. He quickly donned his armor - frowning a bit at how tight the helmet was feeling against his forehead, increasing the ache into a dull throb. Little did he know of the thickening skull and growing knobs beneath the skin...

Ignoring the vague increase in discomfort he started off towards the sounds of battle, Cypher and Kids falling in behind him a moment later. He paused as he approached the battle, peering through the blizzard to get an idea of who was where, and how everyone was doing. He hoped Riva had the healers setting up and ready for injured - fighting in a blizzard was going to increase the likelihood of someone making a mistake and badly injuring their opponent. It would be good practice for poor weather battle, but he worried for his pack nonetheless as he stood their getting a feel for the flow of the battle.

The pack had been informed of the upcoming practice raid, and although she knew it wasn't supposed to be serious, she still treated it as such. Just because it was a faux event didn't mean she was going to go lax in her work, so she increased her patrols and trained with her companions in an effort to get stronger. Tonight, she'd been resting in her den, her nights restless as she remained aware, even in her sleep, as she waited for them to come. And finally, that call came. Without a word, she swiftly donned her armor and weaponry and she slipped out into the blizzard with her companions. Though it was hard to see in such weather, she followed the sounds of battles that had already started. She drew close enough, keeping herself hidden behind the trees on their side of the border. She spotted a few of the packs warriors already engaged in battle, though she didn't see Eli among them. "Here's there," The barn owl whispered as she perched on the tree above her. Indeed, Eli was biding his time as well, though she wasn't too worried about him now that his sight had returned. Turning her attention back to the fights at hand, she waited for her opportunity to dive in. "Speak"

Though he had been informed of the upcoming practice raid, Zagan still felt rather uneasy in a way. He hadn't done too well in the last one, and the scars on his muzzle proved that. He had been training, but it never seemed like it was enough. Even now, he trained from dawn until he was about to pass out, and just as he was starting to fall asleep after a long day, he heard the call. He groaned as he slowly rolled over, almost on the verge of not even bothering. But as he lied there for a few moments, he figured he could use this opportunity to vent and let out some steam. He wasn't a happy creature, far from it. But what was there to be happy about? He hadn't talked to his brother for a while, though he'd been seeing him around with a girl. Though he had to admit, while he was jealous, he was also glad Iroh had someone there for him.

Pushing that from his mind, he got up and made his way through the elements. He followed the sounds of the fighting, nothing but one goal in mind. Win or lose, at least he'd get flesh in his teeth. As he approached the battle zone, he stopped. Most of those that had arrived so far, appeared to already be in a fight, so he hung back and waited for his turn.