Asmodeus was becoming awfully put out with band life. Travelling sucked, camping sucked, not having a real home sucked. He'd been forced to leave the ravine and the lake behind, the place where his uncle had died and where he had come face to face with a messenger from his God. His mother had been forced to abandon her gardens and greenhouse, and where she had discovered her faithful companion that day in the field. Most importantly, he'd no longer be permitted to live in the den that was once his sister's, had to turn away from the half-finished projects that still hung on the walls, and from the bed where she once slept. Change hurt. Why did they have to leave at all? It was easier to feel physical pain then this emotional bullshit, and so naturally Deus gravitated toward the battlefield. He was here for a friendly spar, something to get his heart racing and his blood pounding. Maybe he'd be lucky and come across an old friend, or a stranger looking for a home. After all, Eligos did say that a part of their issue had been their numbers. If Deus could recruit more powerful mortals, perhaps they could all return home that much sooner. Tilting his head back, he sang out a call welcoming any who fancied a fight to come and meet his strength. "Speech"

March had approached this change with animosity, the same she gave most pack matters. It wasn't like she didn't care, she just didn't feel too strongly either way. A part of her noticed this deficit, and it worried her to some degree, yes. This was supposed to be her pack, her people, but that thought didn't stir up any pride or feelings of affection. It was better than defensive hostility at least, but the feelings she had delegated to outsiders had begun to encroach upon her normal life too. The line in the sand was blurring. March didn't like it. She hadn't had much to leave behind, nothing but bad memories and moist earth. Others had more tangible connections, the loss of such taking a visible toll, but March was slowly discovering how little she actually cared. She'd let the mourn, sure, it wasn't in her place to say that they shouldn't. Just don't go looking for her sympathy.

March did not know Asmodeus, and he most likely did not know her, so it might as well have been a stranger answering the call. She did recognise the scent, the one they both carried. This would earn him a more respectful interaction at least. "Hello." She padded into view, eyeing the man, cogs ticking in her brain. "I'm March- one of Proserpina's children. And you?" It was more words than any of her previous spar partners had gotten. She took a steady stance, head lowering and muscles beginning to tense. She'd had her ass handed to her twice before, and was certainly looking to break her losing streak. Her blunt aggression had been tempered however, by the fact that this was 'one of her own.' That, and he was visibly older than previous combatants, and assumedly more experienced. A loss to him would be another blow to her ego, but a lesser one.

She'd let him initiate, having taken the offensive twice before. Maybe her luck would shift with her strategy.

Marchosias vs Asmodeus for Spar
Round x/x
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Navigator

The individual who answered his call was neither long lost friend nor stranger fit to be recruited, and instead was one of the yearlings he'd seen scampering around pack lands as children. His brow raised, his head cocking slightly as he surveyed her - was this one suffering from some fungal parasite like the other, the one Ina seemed to be trying to hide? Deus did not see anything outward on this child, but that did not mean she was healthy. He'd caught sight of the mushroom-y pup on more than one occasion around the lake, but had pointedly kept his nose on his own business. He was an Abraxas, yes - taught the importance of strength and might, and of the quality of their blood - but he was also a Nightingale. His mother had taught him the importance of the mercy and of the kindness of mortals, and Deus held those lessons close to his heart. "It's nice to put a name to the face." He replied smoothly, giving the yearling a friendly smile. "I'm one of your many cousins, Asmodeus. Pyrrhic is my father." Dipping his head respectfully, he completed the exchange of names and moved onto the task at hand. This yearling had come for a challenge, and Deus would happily provide the young Abraxas what experience he could. "Prepare yourself and give it your all, today we give the Fallen God a show." He waited, ensured March was ready, and initiated. It took only a few short strides to close the distance between them, and Deus immediately moved to leverage his extra size and weight over her. His right foreleg came up, aiming to come down upon the yearling's left shoulder in a partial grapple, his jaws parting in an attempt to grasp her muzzle between his teeth. Deus' goal was to wrestle her to the ground quickly, hoping her youth and inexperience would prevent her from reacting quick enough to prevent a quick end to the fight. Asmodeus vs Marchosias for Spar Round 1/? Age: over 1 year Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked leather wrist cuffs Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced cowboy hat Companion 1: Belgian Malinois, Female - Battle - Boosted Companion 2: Belgian Malinois, Male - Battle Mutation 1: Crystal quills - Defensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter "Speech"

Though she'd treat him with more respect than most she encountered, she did not return his smile, that was reserved for her close family. Even so, March observed him with renewed interest as he mentioned they were cousins. While the names were familiar, yes, the meaning behind them was lost on her. They did not waste too much time on introductions however, which the girl did appreciate.

The man took the offensive as desired and expected, surging forward suddenly. The attack was straightforward, a charge to overpower her completely. Given their difference in size and build, the task wouldn't be difficult. Still, it was obvious enough to give March a little time to react, having already had her fair share of failed strength contests. She wasn't planning on getting crushed underneath anymore wolves, thank you.

While she was given some time to react, it hadn't been a lot. She used this opportunity to swivel around so that Asmodeus missed his intended mark, his teeth instead scraping down her left flank, as she surged forward in her own counter, aiming to wrap her teeth around the side of his neck (his left).

OOC: Sorry for the short post!

Marchosias vs Asmodeus for spar
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Navigator

The yearling moved quickly to counter and Deus' teeth missed their mark upon her muzzle. As soon as he noticed that she'd moved into the attack, Asmodeus began to pivot. His rear end swung away from her, his neck turning inwards sharply towards the advancing teeth. The sharp sting of pain upon his neck told him that he'd moved too slow to avoid the attack entirely, but he'd prevented her fangs sinking deep enough to win her control and turn the tide of the fight. Recentered and facing her once more, Deus shot forward for another bite. This time rather than come from above her, he crouched low at the last moment and aimed his jaws upwards towards the underside of her own neck, hoping a solid grab along with the momentum of his movement might knock her off-balance and put an end to the match. It was not a move he had tried in any spar prior, but with the added utility of his obsidian quills it would be a more defensive position as well. Asmodeus vs Marchosias for Spar Round 2/2 Age: over 1 year Size: Dire wolf Build: Medium Offensive Battle Accessory: Spiked leather wrist cuffs Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced cowboy hat Companion 1: Belgian Malinois, Female - Battle - Boosted Companion 2: Belgian Malinois, Male - Battle Mutation 1: Crystal quills - Defensive Skills: Expert Fighter & Expert Hunter "Speech"

March felt the contact of skin against her teeth, before her grip on him was wrenched away before she could really take hold. Instead, her opponent moved back and then shot forwards again, the counter hitting home exactly as intended as he took hold of the underside of her neck, the momentum of it lifting her front paws from the ground and almost toppling over before her back legs found a place in the earth to properly brace herself.

There wasn't much she could do in this position, so she moved her front paws to push down on her cousin's shoulders as hard as she could, hoping something would give and he'd fall to the ground. It was a tactic likely to fail, her weight against his strength, and it was safe to say she was on the skinny side. little spines on his back pricked at her paws, drawing blood. She felt like she was fighting a porcupine.

Marchosias vs Asmodeus for spar
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Navigator

And the winner is...

ASMODEUS

MARCHOSIAS must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: ASMODEUS Attack Roll: 35 Defense Roll: 83 Agility Roll: 67 Perception Roll: 9 Total: 194 Attack[35] + 75% Bonus[26.25]: 61.25 Defense[83] + 20% Bonus[16.60]: 99.60 Agility[67] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 67.00 Perception[9] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 9.00 Total[236.85] + 20% Bonus[47.37]: 284.22 MARCHOSIAS Attack Roll: 45 Defense Roll: 14 Agility Roll: 34 Perception Roll: 47 Total: 140 Attack[45] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 45.00 Defense[14] + 5% Bonus[0.70]: 14.70 Agility[34] + 5% Bonus[1.70]: 35.70 Perception[47] + 0% Bonus[0.00]: 47.00 Total[142.40] + 10% Bonus[14.24]: 156.64