A younger woman charged at her and she snarled, instantly dropping herself, lowering her center of gravity closer to the ground to stabilize her as she sidestepped so she was more on a 45 degree angle from her opponent. She took the hit, shoulder to shoulder, but digging her claws into the ground and the other defensive measures she had taken moments before prevented her from losing her balance, though she would most certainly be sore in the days following this fight. Her jaws snapped as she sought to lock in on the woman’s shoulder near the base of her neck, hoping if she could get a good grip, then she would be able to force the woman down to the ground. Carlys watched from the skies above, just waiting for the right time to strike. They both had a thirst about them, a hunger to prove themselves as an apt member of the War Circle of Valhalla and to prove themselves as warriors who were capable of raiding with little complaint. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think Rhaegara Ravyne vs Dantalian for Dominance Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 year Size: Medium Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Bear claw bracers Defensive Battle Accessory: Back leg bracers Companion 1: Raven, Female - Battle Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Intellectual Specialty: N/A

Skælingr's fangs missed their initial target and he skidded on his front paws as he arced around sharply to bring them face to face as Cairo lunged for him. Skæ's jaws dove down as Cairo seized the back of his neck half way between his head and his shoulders. It wasn't enough to stop Skæ's attack as he rotated his head and attempted to bite into Cairo's left armpit, seeking to damage the sensitive area. He felt a paw upon his back but he steeled himself, kicking off with his hind legs as he attempted to throw his shoulders forward and throw the man off balance now that he was on three legs instead of four. He didn't know of Enito's attack as his lemur, Indri, charged forward to intercept the mandrill, aiming to slap the other in the face and keep the fight evenly matched. Skælingr Nalin Catharsis vs Cairo for Dominance Round 2/2 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 no intention of just standing around in awe while her opponent moved. As soon as Aurielle side stepped her attacks, the Aerie woman was onto her next set. As Aurielle pivoted to her right, Ragna skidded to slow herself then leapt forward for the woman's right elbow, seeking to snag it between her teeth with the help of gravity. Because Ragna had slowed she had managed to stop her head from coming in line with Aurielle's claws so they would pass through the air harmlessly in front of her. As she attacked, Ragna did her best to keep her defenses set. Ragna Shaelyn vs Aurielle for Dominance Round 2/2 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' |

As he neared Dómari realized his opponent had some sort of weapon in his jaws. The younger man swung it for Dómari's head so he swiftly adjusted his attack, ducking his head to aim for a lower target. As he did so he felt the teapot just graze the top of his head. It wasn't enough to halt him as he twisted his head in an attempt to bite into the inside of the man's left arm, into the crevice where the shoulder connected to the man's chest. Keeping his defenses set he hoped to slash his fangs in the sensitive area and do damage without really trying to get a hold. Dómari Xanilov vs Iroh for Dominance Round 2/2 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 peered through the snow, trying to stay alert to the movement going on all around him. It was getting crazy now as one fight after another began. Laksha jabbed him suddenly and he turned to see a large and solidly built male charging for him. He swiftly set his defenses and as the other man neared Káti pivoted on his front legs, swinging his rear to his left and pulling his right shoulder out of the line of attack. He stumbled slightly as he pivoted, feeling the man's paw catch his right. Almost instinctively his jaws shot forward, desperately seeking to seize hold of the outside of the man's right shoulder, just over the deltoid in hopes to grab a hold and catch himself. Káti vs Pyrrhic for Dominance Round 1/2 Age: Over 1 Year Size: Large Build: Medium Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked helmet and chainmail Companion 1: Red-bellied lemur, Female - Battle Companion 2: Bobcat, Male - Battle Skills: Master Healer & Master Fighter Specialty: Field Medic "Speak" ---- "Hear" ---- Think

The man was quick, coming face-to-face with Cairo. As Skaelingr ducked under, Cairo sought to pivot to his left with a hop of his hind paws, even as his teeth caught scruff and fur, though not where he would have liked, and he felt a quick nick on his elbow as the man’s teeth met him, though with his movement, the scratch was minor. His paw landed on the man’s back, and he flexed his toes, aiming to dig the bear claws’ points into the man’s back as he sought to rake his left paw down on the way back to the ground, letting the smaller man shove forward as he pivoted and aimed to slam forward into the male, brisket aiming to drive into the point behind Skaelingr’s right foreleg and use the man’s own momentum against him should he be successful. Enito, meanwhile had spotted the lemur and ducked under the slap, and barreled forward, aiming to bowl the lemur over, upper lip flipping up and canines baring with a screech. Cairo Lanze Adravendi vs Skaelingr for Dominance/Raid Round 2/2 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

Aurielle’d spotted and judged the skidding brakes Ragna put on and as her paws hi the ground she quickly dropped her right side. Ragna’s teeth scraped over hardened, metal-reinforced leather and Aurielle sought to push off and up to her right and into Ragna’s teeth, leading with the point the woman’s teeth had just met, hoping to jar her teeth uncomfortably. Her right front paw left the ground once again and she sought to rake the sharpened claws of her bracer’s toes again for the woman, this time aiming to gouge the larger woman’s toes on the right front paw. Loshir kept a watch, while Ayodele snatched for a healthy-sized branch and sought to slap the length over Ragna’s left hip, mostly to buffet her and distract her, since she was too small to really deal damage with a branch longer than she was. Aurielle Rhiannon Marie Adravendi vs Ragna for Dominance/Raid Round 2/2 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

Following along through the blizzard that threatened to knock her off her feet with every wind gust despite Anja putting herself downwind of her to give her support and made Tay hunker grimly down into the fur at the base of her neck instead of the swift's usually perch on the quills of her head, Aoife was nonetheless excited as all get-out to be allowed to participate in a raid. Yes, just a practice raid so it was safe and all and literally right next door to Valhalla so they weren't even going far but still, a raid. She wondered if Deus was going to be there, or his sister that he'd mentioned that she hadn't gotten to meet yet. Getting a rematch with Deus would be great! But as the Aerie wolves began to materialize out of the snow, she didn't see him yet, and there were other wolves there already lined up for her to take them out! So she decided not to wait.

Tay took off despite the wind to circle grimly determined over her in the falling snow. The swift didn't want to be crushed accidentally and she was more suited to watching overhead and warning rather than fighting. Anja prowled alongside the bounding Aoife with a predatory grace that the much smaller wolf didn't have, but she was taken by surprise when Aoife broke into a sprint - they had very little experience in moving and fighting together, and the green-eyed amur leopard had occasion now to wish that they'd had the time to practice more as she could not yet predict the young wolf she was sworn to protect and was left behind for a moment with the suddenness of Aoife's charge.

Aoife flung herself like a prickly furry cannonball at one of the Aerie wolves, an angry looking dark colored male. With her kittenish claws extended she sought to use her dextrous paws heavily assisted by the claws on her back paws to scramble up his right leg like a sharp little monkey-cat (we're using a lot of weird metaphors here but go with it) in an attempt to sink her long fangs into the scruff of his neck near his shoulders and cling there like a cannonball-monkey-cat-burr.

Aoife vs Zagan for Dominance (raid)
Round 1/?
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra small
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Common swift, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Amur leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Porcupine mowhawk - Defensive
Mutation 2: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Saberteeth - Offensive
Skills: Intermediate Intellectual & Advanced Fighter
Specialty: N/A

Caelia was eager for the impending raid, though she wished they'd chosen more favorable weather to initiate it during. She had to remind herself that any potential enemies who might strike them in the future might use such things to their advantage, so it was in their best interest in practice in unusual circumstances. She was reminded of her lessons early on with Aurielle as they fought in the mud, and she found herself grimacing slightly at the memory as they neared Aerie's borders. This raid was for practice, sure, but that didn't mean she wouldn't put all her effort into it.

Their presence didn't go unnoticed for long, and the fights began to break out seamlessly. Though she knew there was nothing truly at stake she felt adrenaline begin to course through her. Caelia held back at first, carefully assessing the opponents who didn't quickly leap into the fray. Shifting to adjust the bracers strapped to her forelimbs, she picked a target and dove in, hoping her light build would work to her advantage. She squinted hard against a gust of wind that threatened to nearly topple her, lunging toward Proserpina with little warning. Her jaws parted as she aimed straight for her muzzle, hoping to force the larger woman's head down and into a less advantageous position.

Caelia Blythe Adravendi vs Proserpina for Spar
Round 1 / ???
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Bracers
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty: N/A

Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi

Fights broke out all around him, and for a few minutes, Ardyn watched his mother, Cairo, and Domari fight, getting the feel for things. Other fights broke out, and his littlest sister barred by, struggling against the blizzard. And then, he spotted a target to pick out who wasn’t already in a brawl. Ardyn surged forward, head low and ears back, aiming to come in at Eligos’ right front shoulder. He was almost as big as Cairo, by now, yearlinghood just around the corner, and he was already lean from training hard and leading an active life, and he sought to crash front paws first into the man’s shoulder, padded palms outward as his hind legs pushed off. His claws were sheathed, out of habit mostly. He hoped to stagger the older wolf enough to give him time to string together a better attack. He’d spotted the two dogs, and Lyr, glowing plumage fluttering in the harsh wind, clucked above the gale, watching for the dogs as well as he found a tree and clung to it. Ardyn whipped his head to his left and sought to rake the tips of his canines over the right side of Eligos’ neck, at about mid-point. Ardyn Cadeyrn Aodhán Phoenix Adravendi vs Eligos for Dominance/Raid Round 1/?? Age: Under 1 Year Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Bladed bracers Defensive Battle Accessory: Bullhide armor Companion 1: Raven, Male - Flying Mutation 1: Saber teeth - Offensive Mutation 2: Retractable claws - Offensive Mutation 3: Dexterous paws - Offensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Advanced Hunter Specialty: N/A Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

Only once his paws struck horseflesh did the weight of his foolhardiness sink in. This was a very big animal. He probably weighed less than its head. No, scratch that, he definitely weigh less than its head. Yikes. Welp, too late to back out now seeing as he was on it and all. Speaking of, he'd landed further back than he'd hoped, which wouldn't do as he suspected the beast could reach its back. To the shoulders! Armando was mid scamper when a strange light suddenly blared from in front of him. Weird. He had no time to ponder it at the beast was rearing up suddenly forcing Armando to take action lest he slide free like a baby seal over ice.

Armando made a desperate upwards leap in the hopes of reaching the horse's neck which saved him from the bulk of Taliesyn's grab. The horse's teeth caught the very end of Armando's puffy tail and though he was trying to be gentle, Armando's leap in the opposite direction ensured that the horse ended up with a mouthful of fur as countless strands were ripped free. The loss of hair and the feeling of a sudden stinging, bald patch was the worst Armando suffered from the attack. Unbeknownst to him he'd barely escaped getting flung.

Oh, fuck, fuck, fuck. Hopefully all these weeks of clean eating had made a dent in his flab because he needed to hustle. If he could just hook his claws in the skin of the horse's lower neck maybe he could army crawl his way up onto the head. To do what exactly he had no idea. Pet it? Brush its snarled hair? Pat its pointy ears? Ask it to submit? He'd just have to sort it out when he got there. If he got up there.

Armando versus Taliesyn for Dominance
Round 2 of 2
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

Coran had been excited for his first chance in a raid and knowing it was for the best it was just a practice raid.  This time at least no one should be risking death or serious injury.  However, the brindled pup would take it just as seriously.  He had trained hard for just this sort of thing and wasn’t going to be put to shame now.  As the ‘enemy’ came into sight and the fighting broke out he felt the weight of multitudes of targets and who to attack when there was no time to just stand around and think. Coran's eyes scanned the area as he ran forward searching for any signs of those in his pack that might be overwhelmed by another wolf or someone not of their pack that wasn't engaged to take on before it could aid its friends. The pup was full of adrenaline and ready to prove himself, not just to his parents but to himself. The battling everywhere certainly also helped to fuel his energy with wanting to battle. Walk ---- "Speak" ---- "Labhair an Sean-Teanga." ---- "Hear" ---- Think

He caught only a tuft of hair in his teeth—hair that quickly lodged into the little pocket of his inner lower lip like a wad of chewing tobacco. It was an irritation, but quite minor. The creature made for his front end, and Wangui, clambering to cling to the stallion’s crest, grabbed tight to his mud-clotted mane and lifted a long hank of it, twirling it to gain swift momentum before lashing the heavy rope of hair and mud at the panda’s face. Then she clung tight as Taliesyn threw a heavy, full body shake through his frame, nearly dislodging the lemur and rattling the length of his massive form. He hoped to jostle the creature free with the violent horsequake, and compounded on the effort with a sudden sideways bolt, hooves thundering. He’d been further back from the group of Valhallans, so there was little worry of trampling any wolves in his quest to throw the wannabe cowboy from his back. Taliesyn Trystan Tempestien vs Armando for Dominance/Raid Round 2/2 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

Iroh was thankful for his companion’s swift arrival, Sarabi saved him from a face full of teeth. Unfortunately his swing missed and the older man ducked down to get a better grip on his elbow. Iroh would aim to use his superior weight and height once more. Like a massive tank, Iroh wanted to bowl Domari over. With all four paws Iroh would dig his claws into the ground as he aimed to push and hopefully bring his opponent to the ground so he could sit on him until he was proclaimed the winner. This was most certainly a practice raid, and his mind shifted briefly to their fight against the Armada. Banshee didn’t often find her way into his head, and as she arrived Elise pushed her out. This may have been practice but Iroh was playing for keeps.

Iroh Abraxas vs Domari for Dominance
Round 2 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

He was eager to fight, though it couldn't come soon enough. He watched the others and was perhaps only a little distracted enough that he missed the tiny little banshee that came racing towards him, and by the time he realized she was there, she was already starting to climb him like a tree. He felt claws piercing his skin on his right leg, and he growled in anger (and his own frustration for not seeing her sooner). However, he would twist his head towards her just as she reached his shoulder - his own jaws opening wide - and he sought to grab her by one of her legs and yank her off of him. If he succeeded, he knew it would hurt like a bitch with those claws, but it was a risk he was willing to take. Since he had been caught by surprise, he felt that was all he could do at the moment and hoped his own reach for her would be enough to throw her off.

Zagan Abraxas vs Aoife for Dominance (raid)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1yr
Size: Large
Build: Heavy
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Beginner Hunter
Specialty: N/A

She'd been observing the ongoing fights, though unlike Zagan, she'd been keeping a watchful eye knowing that not all of Valhalla's fighters were here yet. She was smart enough to know not to let her guard down and lucky for her, she spotted someone coming towards her with the help of her owl companion's sharp eyes. Caelia came barreling towards her and Ina swiftly opted to shift her position by moving to meet her in one quick burst- hoping to potentially throw Caelia off with her sudden movement forward, though, at the last moment, Ina feigned a head-on collision by bounding one hop to her own left. She knew this was all practice, but she wouldn't throw away a chance to show off her skills. She swiftly reached out with her forepaw closest to Caelia and aimed to trip the Valhallan woman. Simultaneously, Ina aimed a quick bite to the woman's ribs, seeking to cause discomfort more than causing pain. She kept her tail tucked as a grin played on her lips. Oh...she recognized this scent. This woman's scent reminded her of Viviane...was this her sister? Proserpina "Ghost" Abraxas vs Caelia for Dominance (raid) Round 1/2 Age: over 1yr Size: Large Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Eagle talon gauntlets Defensive Battle Accessory: Helmet Companion 1: Honey Badger, Female - Battle Companion 2: Barn Owl, Female - Flying Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual Specialty: N/A "Speak"

Eligos shifted as Ardyn came at him so that they would be directly face to face, chest to chest, and braced himself against the smaller, lighter boy's charge, taking the bulk of it on his breastplate and keeping his footing with ease, even pushing back sharply with the strength in his hindquarters in an attempt to set the boy back on his heels. The young Valhallan heir was large for his age, clearly going to grow to every inch of Eligos' height, but Eligos was a man grown into his full height and matured into his full weight already, and until Ardyn came into his adult strength and experience his charge held no worries for Eli. As Ardyn's fangs flashed toward him, Eligos moved his helmeted head and brought it down in a headbutt, seeking to slam into Aryn's forehead and drive his head down and away to prevent the bite, and possibly stun him with a hard blow to the head though he kept his angle so as to not bring the sharpened ridges into play. It was a practice raid, and there was no need to risk scarring a child's face in what was essentially a game.


Eligos Abraxas vs Ardyn Adravendi for dominance (raid)
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Centurion Helmet
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Armor
Companion 1: Malinos, Male - Battle
Companion 2: Malinois, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Eland horns - Defensive
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Though Caelia had gotten a bit of experience fighting wolves that weren't her family, this was different. The stakes were low of course, but that didn't mean her desire to win wasn't as high as it would be had the circumstances been different. She believed her skills were high enough that she could win and help ensure Valhalla's victory, which she fully believed in. Though they kept to themselves more often than not she knew Aurielle wanted them to make a name for themselves; having the respect of an ally who knew their strength would only help aid in that process.

Her opponent didn't shy away from her attack, instead leaping toward her and then shifting to the side quickly in a show of her agility. Caelia did her best to redirect her movements, paws swiftly moving to keep her balance as the collision was avoided. Her attack failed to land, Proserpina instead lashing out to try to trip her, a move she narrowly avoided - but in the process she inadvertently leaned further into her bite. Her own tail whipped out behind her as her back straightened, trying to keep her posture rather than crumble under the discomfort of her jaws. Twisting around sharply she aimed to pull out of her grasp, knowing she'd inflict more pain on herself in the process, aiming to bring her forepaws up and down on the other female's shoulders and grapple with her more directly, jaws parting and seeking her muzzle.

Caelia Blythe Adravendi vs Proserpina for Spar
Round 2 / 2
Age: Over 1 Year
Size: Medium
Build: Light
Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather Bracers
Skills: Advanced Intellectual & Expert Fighter
Specialty: N/A

It was with triumph that Aoife found herself clinging to the male's shoulder with her teeth clamped into his scruff. She hadn't entirely expected that to work but it had! Yes, her mother's particular lessons on how to fight larger opponents had largely gone out the window as soon as she'd attacked, but her way had work just fine so far!

But then the male's teeth clamped around her upper hind leg and pulled. Aoife let out a shriek that was mostly muffled by bite she'd obtained and that she sought now to sink her long fangs into, and she sought to dig her claws in as well in the hopes of holding on and not being tossed. Right when she was needed, Anja leaped into the fray, grimly throwing herself onto Zagan, claws extended as she swiped at his face as she tried to get him to let go of his grip on her young ward's leg.

Aoife vs Zagan for dominance (raid)
Round 2/2
Age: under 1 year
Size: Extra small
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Common swift, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Amur leopard, Female - Battle
Mutation 1: Porcupine mowhawk - Defensive
Mutation 2: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 3: Saberteeth - Offensive
Skills: Intermediate Intellectual & Advanced Fighter
Specialty: N/A

She had succeeded in nipping her opponents side, though her attempt to trip Caelia hadn't been so lucky. Nevertheless, Ina continued to focus on the task at hand as she hoped to secure a win just like in the last raid against the Armada. Only she hoped this time, her opponents wouldn't forfeit out of what she presumed to be cowardice. She had no respect for those who opted to bow out of a fight for no clear reason, but the Valhalla woman she was fighting was putting up a fight, unlike the infiltrating alpha she had fought in the previous raid.

Caelia tried to pull away and Ina released her, allowing the woman to move freely while she readjusted herself as well. As Caelia sought her muzzle again, a quirk of Ina's lips showed she was ready once again. She swiftly lowered her head as she charged at her opponent. Caelia's teeth would connect with Ina's upper left shoulder, drawing a suppressed growl from the siamese marked woman, though instead of allowing the pain to make her falter, she used it to fuel her as she continued to fight with all thr grace and power she could muster. Since her head was lowered, she thrust it upwards and she sought to headbutt the underside of Caelia's jaws in an effort to force the Valhallan woman to release her, and lastly, she would attempt to pin one of the womans forepaws with one of her own weaponized paws, seeking to use the eagle talons in her gauntlets to cage Caelia's paw to the ground while ensuring the talons didn't stab her opponents foot.

Proserpina "Ghost" Abraxas vs Caelia for Dominance (raid)
Round: 2/2
Age: Over 1yr
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Eagle talon gauntlets
Defensive Battle Accessory: Helmet
Companion 1: Honey Badger, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Barn Owl, Female - Flying
Skills: Expert Fighter & Intermediate Intellectual