ooc:  Looking to do a melee battle of pups under 6 months of age!
edit: ok we have 6 pups now, thanks guys!

Dagrún bounded after Valdís, listening as the older woman explained that she'd need to learn to fight off multiple opponents. In some battles the numbers weren't fair. She could kind of understand that. With a number of siblings some times they'd gang up on each other. The duo settled in on a flat place of land on the battlefield. Dagrún bounded forward, tail wagging as she tipped back her head and howled for an opponent or two… or more. She was willing to fight all the pups! She was even willing to fight a bunch of adults but Valdís had insisted she start with wolves her own age for a melee. Dagrún unsheathed the claws of her right paw and licked lightly at her toes to remove some debris before the fight would start. She wanted to be at her best. Setting the paw back down she prepared

Gossamer scrambled ahead of Natha. She was eager to get to the Battlefield and find an opponent but the lynx was taking her sweet time and much like a cat was going at her own pace. There was no hassling the lynx to go faster. Finally they arrived just as another puppy howled for an opponent. "Yes, yes, c'mon Natha!" She bounded forward as the lynx sauntered after. When she arrived she found another pup and an adult wolf. She recognized the pup as one she'd met before. "Hey! I'll spar you." She bounded across from the other pup and quickly set her defenses. She was eager to get going and gain more experience. She had a lot to learn and it was almost winter now. Natha said travel would get more difficult when winter happened and Gossy was worried she wouldn't be able to go on as many trips.

Malachai was definetly not meant to be leaving the pack lands, but that wasn't about to stop him! He'd heard the call and without a second thought had set out over the pack borders towards, whever it was that call had come from. Young as he still was Malachai had been born a big pup and his legs were longer than an average pup's his age so while he certainly wasn't as fast as a fully grown wolf he moved faster than one might assume a child his age could. He'd still arrive a little after Gossamer, late enough he didn't hear her declaration. He recognized the Armada girl but not the other one, he approached with his tail high, and though he didn't have a particularly thick coat he approached looking somehow distinctly spiky. "I'll take both of you on!" He declared loudly. "speak"

What was this? Dagrun was getting into something without her? Perish the thought! Skadi was at her sister's side in an instant. There was a boy and another girl there already that she didn't know so she took a moment to size them both up. Both were bigger than her, but that was nothing new. Everyone was bigger than her and she was learning not to take it so hard. Upon hearing their words Skadi scoffed and puffed out her chest before bumping her sister's shoulder in solidarity. Until told otherwise, in the presence of others she was going to assume her and her siblings were always allies. "We'll take you both on! Right, Dag?" If her sister got them high, she'd get them low!

Dag and Skadi didn't get far without Fin noticing, and as they declared their intent to join the melee the pup couldn't resist springing out of hiding and zooming up to their sides. "Don't forget me! I want to fight too!" Feline paws flexed and his claws extended, a wide daring grin playing on his features. "I want to fight on Skadi and Dag's side, or we can do every man for himself that's cool too!" His tail whipped through the air happily and he shot a glance skyward to where his hummingbird buzzed softly. Fighting versus so many opponents would be hard, but he knew his familiar would help him see it through victorious.

Rushing after her big sister - this was becoming a trend it seemed- Ophie was the last pup to appear on the scene. Whilst she wasn't the most rough and tumble girl she really did want to become a better fighter, even if only to fit in with her family. So if it meant she had to run all the way to the battlefield and fight strangers to improve then so be it, count her in! If nothing maybe she could meet other puppies of her age and make friends...That'd be nice, she thought. Brushing up against her sister, Ophie spared a glance around the gathering of pups and nodded to herself, as though mentally readying herself. Mimicking Gos', Ophie puffed up and stood as tall as she could manage without losing her balance.

"Yeah! This will be easy, won't it Gos?" She asked, half in boast and the other in a subtle hope for reassurance.

Dagrún didn't have to wait long at all before another girl answered her call, a girl with saber fangs. However, this girl wasn't the only pup to show. A boy appeared along with her sister Skadi and brother Tyrfing. She grinned. It would be fun to do team versus team however she was having a hard time resisting the mess of chaos it would be if they were all fighting at once. Another girl appeared, a sister to the fanged one. Dag eyed the gathering for a moment then yelled out a the top of her lungs. "Free for all!" She swiftly set her defenses, including pinning her ears and tucking her tail. She then bounded for the last girl to show.

Dag attacked Ophelia straight on, seeking to bite onto the left side of the girl's neck about half way between the girls head and her shoulder.

Dagrún Finnvi vs Gossamer vs Malachai vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia for Spar
Round 1/?
Age: Under 6 Months
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Companion 1: Kestrel, Female - Flying
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Gossamer watched as more pups filtered in including the boy who tried to take her stick and her sister Ophelia. Gossy figured they do teams but then the little pup that had called for a challenger screeched out that it was going to be a free for all. Everything quickly devolved into chaos. Gossy set her defenses including pinning her ears and tucking her tail. She fixed her sight on the boy she'd played tug of war with then she bounded straight towards Malachai. Her little jaws opened as she attempted to bite onto the boy's left cheek. She hadn't really learned to strategize yet and was going completely on impulse. She sought mainly to do some damage and see what happened rather than getting a solid hold. She hoped this was going to be fun!

Gossamer Fatalis vs Dagrún vs Malachai vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia for Spar
Round 1/2
Age: Under 6 Months
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Fox, Female - Battle (Boosted)
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Healer
Specialty: N/A

Every man for himself? Tyrfing could handle that. Immediately some small brawls broke out and the pup took a step back, before realizing that there was no way he was going to let this devolve into a cluster of puppies one - versus - oneing themselves. If this was to be a melee, it was going to be a melee damnit. The purple boy threw himself forward, aiming to bring his upper body down upon the black and white speckled girl [Gossamer] with claws unsheathed and zoning in towards her rump. At the same time his jaws pried open and he aimed to bite her upon the butt where her tail met her spine. She was distracted with her own target, so Tyrfing figured it was a solid a first move as he could do. From above his hummingbird gave a low whistle of a sigh. Tyrfing Finnvi vs Dagrún vs Malachai vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia vs Gossamer for Melee Spar Round 1/2 Age: under 6 months Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Companion 1: Black-chinned hummingbird, Male - Flying Mutation 1: Cat paws - Offensive Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Hunter Specialty: N/A "Speech" "Thinking" "You." table art by nightauctor

Malachai hardly had any chance to process that he was about to face down the whole group as a whole, a free-for-all before chaos erupted. The girl he'd taken the stick from earlier, Gossamer suddenly bound towards him, her teeth bared and he reared back, her teeth still managing to snag at his cheek skin, though. He wrinkled his nose and struggled to pull himself free, his weight shifting backward, hoping to rise onto his hind paws if he managed to get free, his forelegs flailing as he did so, not really aiming for any particular part of Gossamer, but simply hoping to hit her in some way, maybe even tag-teaming her with the purple boy that had launched himself at her rump. Malachai Cain Klein vs Tyrfing vs Dagrún vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia vs Gossamer for Melee Spar Round 1/2 Age: Under 6 months Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Hunter Specialty: N/A "speak"

Any sense of anticipation Ophie felt soon rushed away when it dawned on her that this would be a free for all, that her sister wouldn't have her back. Her ears flicked back as her lips twisted into a worried frown as she took a cautious step back, neck and tail tucked as she glanced between the sparring pups, who would attack her first? Since it was a given that Ophie wasn't going to aim for the first blow. She nervously glanced over her shoulder at Natha, no doubt looking for reassurance, before turning her attention to the pup that had set it's sights on her. This was supposed to be all fun and games but Ophie felt as though there was a lot on the line, that the others would all laugh and mock her if she didn't hold her own. And what would her dad think if she lost? Would he be mad?

The Fireside pup rushed at little Ophie straight on, looming over her as she made to grab at the left side of the Fatalis' neck. Ophie eeped in alarm and scrambled to duck out of the way, knowing full well that if she let the stranger grab a hold of her neck it would be really hard to shake her loose. Taking advantage of her crotched posture and as quick as a whip Ophie struck out with her feline claws as she attempted to swat at Dagrún's reaching muzzle. That'd show em for trying to bite her, right?


Ophelia Fatalis vs Malachai vs Dagrún vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Gossamer for Melee Spar
Round 1/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Cat Claws - offensive
Skills: Beginner Hunter & Advanced Fighter
Specialty: N/A

Skadi blinked and suddenly there was a tangle of puppies on the ground in front of her. As the only one without someone attacking them, she panicked briefly as she looked at the biting, clawing group. What did one do in a moment like this? She ran around the tangle briefly trying to decide who to go after. Who did she bite? On the one hand Tyrfing's unprotected butt was right there. On the other, Dagrun was about to get smacked in the face. What was a naughty sibling but a good viking supposed to do??

In the end she decided to compromise and do nothing with either of them. She could always bite Fin's butt later and Dagrun had gone after that other girl. There was a dark boy (Malachai) who was kind of cute and for some reason that made him very attackable.

Skadi leaped at Malachai and since the boy was big like her siblings she did what she did best and tried to jump onto his back. If she got her way she'd wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his ribs. The rearing up would be a problem, but that's what claws were for! If she had to climb him like a beanstalk by golly she would!

Skadi versus Malachai vs Dagrún vs Ophelia vs Tyrfing vs Gossamer for Melee
Round 1 of 2
Age: Under 6mo
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Companion 1: Great Horned Owl, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Magpie, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Spicy blood - Defensive
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter
Specialty: N/A

Chaos blossomed all around her and it was hard to stay focused but she did her best. As she tried to bite at Ophelia the girl suddenly swatted at her with cat claws. Hey she had cat claws to! Dagrún pulled her head back just in time to avoid the brunt of the swat though a few of the claws cut into the top of her muzzle. Ok, so she wanted to play rough huh? Dag's hind legs bunched beneath her as she launched herself forward again, seeking to rake the claws of her right paw across the other girl's face, seeking to cut her left cheek. As she attacked she kept her ears pinned but her tail out for balance. She hoped there wasn't anyone sneaking up on her though she tried to keep her ears alert for any sounds of approach.

Dagrún Finnvi vs Gossamer vs Malachai vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 6 Months
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Companion 1: Kestrel, Female - Flying
Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Intellectual
Specialty: N/A

Gossamer felt a thrill as he teeth connected with the boy's cheek and she latched on for all she was worth. However, a cheek is not a great place to try and hold on. The thin skin against the bone meant that as soon as Malachai reared back he pulled himself out of her grasp and the force caused her to be yanked forward suddenly and fall belly first in the mud. In some ways this was a good thing. As she'd been jerked forward so quickly it pulled her out of the way of Tyrfing's attack, causing him to miss. But now she was in the dirt! Gossamer quickly rolled to the side to try and get out from under the boys. She then twisted around and tried to bite onto Tyr's left knee. She hoped to get a good hold and then… well, something would happen.

Gossamer Fatalis vs Dagrún vs Malachai vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia for Spar
Round 2/2
Age: Under 6 Months
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Companion 1: Fox, Female - Battle (Boosted)
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Beginner Healer
Specialty: N/A

This was not a fantastic start to Fin's first melee, and though he had confidence to spare, his first attack on Gossamer fell dramatically short. His paws hit the ground hard and he growled his frustration. Suddenly the black and white girl was spinning back at him to grab at his knee, and that other guy [Malachi] was coming after her two. This was his opponent, damnit! Tyrfing unsheathed his cat claws, lifting his right leg with intent to slap the boy right across the face as his attention was diverted, and then kicking out with his left leg to hopefully dislodge the pup attached to his knee. He'd all but forgotten to listen for his hummingbird companion, who had given up shouting advice to the novice pup below. Tyrfing Finnvi vs Dagrún vs Malachai vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia vs Gossamer for Melee Spar Round 2/2 Age: under 6 months Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Companion 1: Black-chinned hummingbird, Male - Flying Mutation 1: Cat paws - Offensive Skills: Beginner Fighter & Intermediate Hunter Specialty: N/A "Speech" "Thinking" "You." table art by nightauctor

Malachai had to admit there was a bit of exhilaration to seeing the girl fall flat onto the ground, the boy behind her missing his own attack on her, he assumed, wrongly they could tag team the girl. But the boy would suddenly slap out his forepaw, sharp feline claws drawing blood and Malachai drew up short for a moment. What the fuck was wrong with him? Was he being territorial? The girl had attacked him first! Not that he had much time to focus on that, a force suddenly clinging to his form. Dropping onto all fours again he twisted wildly to try and view the climber. Did everyone here have sharper than average claws? Well, whatever, he'd leave the shitty purple boy with Gossamer, who seemed to have a grip on his knees, and instead, Malachai would deal with his clinger-on. The boy reared again, this time letting his weight shift backward, hoping to trap his attacker with his move and crush them under his weight, allowing himself to fall backward. If they managed to jump off? Well, this was going to hurt. Malachai Cain Klein vs Tyrfing vs Dagrún vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Ophelia vs Gossamer for Melee Spar Round 2/2 Age: Under 6 months Size: Dire wolf Build: Heavy Skills: Beginner Fighter & Beginner Hunter Specialty: N/A "speak"

There was a lot to focus on and Ophie couldn't help but feel a little overwhelmed, even though she knew she needed to remain focused and keep her eye on her opponent. Too concerned with being a worry wart, Ophie didn't notice that Dagrún had her own set of kitty claws till they were unsceathed and speeding right towards her muzzle. It was far too late to dodge, she'd just have to take the hit in a way that didn't hurt as much, right? Steeling herself, Ophie jerked forward in a headbutt, the top of her head meeting Dagrún's paw with a bonk that left the Fatalis wincing. Ouch! She wasn't bleeding but it still hurt, maybe she'd have to get Ma or Da to kiss it better later, just in case.

But two could play at this bonky game! Shaking off the ache, Ophie extended her front leg to give Dagrún a boop in return. Compared to the others her method of fighting was by far the most...juvenile but she had heart and spirit and surely that would be enough to get her through this. Hopefully.


Ophelia Fatalis vs Malachai vs Dagrún vs Skadi vs Tyrfing vs Gossamer for Melee Spar
Round 2/2
Age: under 6 months
Size: Medium
Build: Medium
Mutation 1: Cat Claws - offensive
Skills: Beginner Hunter & Advanced Fighter
Specialty: N/A

Skadi whooped excitedly as the boy she was clinging to reared back like an angry horse. This had happened to her once before with one of her brothers. Actually now that she thought about it this had happened a couple times with different wolves...maybe she should start to take it into consideration when deciding to leap on. Not that that would stop her. This was so much fun! She loved this part.

As the boy started to tip backwards Skadi sought to half climb half drag herself up and over his shoulder. If she managed to hang on it was likely she'd make it about halfway over before the boy hit the ground which meant her lower half would be trapped underneath him - at least temporarily. Her claws had proven to be lovely little weapons so far and Skadi was pretty confident she could use them to drag herself out from under the boy and fully onto his chest.

Skadi versus Malachai vs Dagrún vs Ophelia vs Tyrfing vs Gossamer for Melee
Round 2 of 2
Age: Under 6mo
Size: Extra small
Build: Light
Companion 1: Great Horned Owl, Female - Flying
Companion 2: Magpie, Male - Flying
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Spicy blood - Defensive
Skills: Intermediate Fighter & Intermediate Hunter
Specialty: N/A

And the winner is...

SKADI

Dagrun, Gossamer, Tyrfing, Malachai, and Ophelia must give up by submitting, fleeing or passing out. Totals: Dagrun: Rolls:    92, 71, 9, 11 Adjusted rolls:    105.8, 74.55, 9, 12.1 Total:     161.16 Gossamer : Rolls:    33, 24, 62, 96 Adjusted rolls:    37.95, 25.2, 62, 96 Total:     199.04 Tyrfing : Rolls: 94, 30, 63, 30 Adjusted rolls: 122.2, 31.5, 63, 33 Total: 199.76 Malachai: Rolls: 86, 73, 22, 30 Adjusted rolls: 94.6, 76.65, 22, 30 Total: 178.60 Ophelia: Rolls: 1, 7, 52, 32 Adjusted rolls: 1.2, 7, 52, 32 Total: 87.59 Skadi : Rolls: 86, 88, 25, 87 Adjusted rolls: 111.8, 96.8, 28.75, 95.7 Total: 299.75