Jericho arrives in his armor, sword sheathed on his hip and bow on his back as he enters the seating grounds. Clearly he was in a more focused...yet saddened mood. He knows what this is about, and it doesn't make things any less painful. A deep breath then as he smiles to all present, taking his seat.

Waldemai clanks in, looking to do what he can to show some honor.

Madeleine just... finds a spot, cheerfully waving to people in the crowd and offering gestures of blessings and good cheer, even with the solemn focus. The plump woman seems perfectly at ease and serene.

3 Grayson Guardsmen, Philip, an overworked assistant, Crown Observer Barcus arrive, following Calarian.

Metzger, a great grey shrike, Calarian arrive, following Dominique.

Esoka comes dressed in her leathers, steel sword at her hip, face drawn in a somber expression. A bow of her shoulders is offered to the others filing in, before she goes to find a place to plant herself.

Katarina strolls into the grounds, her form tense and her head bowed. She takes a seat on the western spectator seats, glancing around to see who has arrived. She shifts to be more comfortable in her armor, waving at Alis from her seat.

Genevieve quietly takes a place on the east spectator seating. Bow on her back and a sword at her belt, she's dressed in plain greys and blacks. She sits with her back held upright, scanning the gathering, but remains silent for now.

Lord Corban Telmar stands out on the field of the Gauntlet, facing the spectator seating that has begun to fill up. Next to him, his wife, Lady Monique. At the appointed hour (and not a moment before), he clears his throat and projects his voice. "On behalf of the Duke and all House Telmar, we welcome you to the Gauntlet. Lady Eirlys was the Sword of the Greenwood, and we remember many a time that she joined us here in the Gauntlet to train and, if I am honest, beat me to the dirt." Pause for polite laughter. "So instead of speeches and rituals, we ask you to come out to the field and have a spar in her honor. Or to run the Gauntlet and see if you might be added to our book of record holders. We think it the best way to celebrate her memory."

Aric enters and moves over to the eastern seating, dropping into a spot close to the front to get a good view of the proceedings. He carries a bottle of something dark and likely alcoholic, if not downright toxic and sets it in his lap and he leans back with no regard for proper posture or bearing.


It seems that the Marquessa Wyrmguard is ready to spar in honor of warriors! As such, Dominique comes in dressed in her dark blue leathers, glancing about for any familiar faces. At her side is the more princely sort, as her arms is hooked with Calarian's, walking alongside him. "Do you think there's any way I can convince you to try to take up the sword? It's for honor and glory." she says teasingly as she starts heading down towards the sands.

%Ansel is seated over in the WEST SPECTATOR STANDS. Well, standing, actually. The Telmar Sword is positioned just in front of the bottom row of the spectator seating, ready to welcome folks to the cooler side of the seating area, ushering to seats and helping orient folks to the Gauntlet area.

The Gauntlet area itself is fairly well-known to most of the folks who've arrived thus far. The center area consists of a large pit of mulch and dirt, suitable for jousting, spars, or larger melees. The two specatator stands and arrayed on opposite sites of the area, affording a view of the fighting grounds. Off in the near distance, the dark outline of the Tower looms, like a giant middle finger raised in defiance against a distant foe.

And some twenty yards to the side of the main area is the Gauntlet's namesake, the infamous obstacle course of iron and wood. The bars and ropes bear signs of use, worn smooth from the sweaty palms of challengers to the course.

Khanne walks onto the grounds in a rather floral colored gown, looking bright as she can, and not at all like she is about to spar. She heads over to one of the spectator areas, upon seeing Alis and Margerie amongst the others there. She gives a soft smile to Alis and rests her hand on her shoulder once she approaches, but then, after a pause, leans down to hug her. "Mind if I sit with you?"

Merek comes to the Gauntlet with his coat on that is adjusted about him, cape shifted around it. He looks a bit thoughtful and somber, as he moves to find a seat for the time being, the hood of the coat covering the Knight's features as he looks towards the gauntlet curiously.

Alis gives Kat a fleeting smile, lifting a hand to wave back at her. But she's already seated - and there's no way she's going to struggle back up to waddle all the way over to the Western side seating. She thinks about it! But then she groans. Just no. Corban's speech definitely deserves some applause though, and she gives him his due until a hand squeezes her shoulder and then a hug is being given. "I don't mind at all, Khanne. Please do." she offers, returning the hug with an extra squeeze. Yes, lifeline please!

Standing with Corban, Monique pitches her voice in support of his. "There is a basket of tokens in memoriam. Please take one and hold it dear to your heart as we do the memory. Tonight is a night for celebrating the life of Lady Eirlys Greenmarch, and making the ears of the Spirits and the Gods ring in her memory! Thank you, all, for coming to celebrate with us!"

Merek gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Derovai gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Genevieve has left the East Spectator Seating.

Genevieve has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Derovai has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Khanne gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Merek has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Alis gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.


Tesha arrived a bit earlier given it's not a long walk from her room in Telmar Tower to the Gauntlet. She's not there to spar or to run the Gauntlet, but she's there to support her family. The redhead is dressed in crimson today and she makes her way down from talking with Cora, her guard, before she spots a familiar face and heads down to where Arice is seated. There's a soft clearning of her throat, "Do you mind if I sit with you?" she asks him.


Genevieve picks up a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Waldemai has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

"I wouldn't say there is /no/ way you can convince me, my lady. But, I would prefer if you took up the sword and left convincing people to me," Calarian tells Dominique with a small grin as he walks with her arm in arm. He heads where she leads him and then unfurls his arm to squeeze her shoulder. "I know you will do wonderfully. I will be watching..." He says to her as he leaves her then to head towards the stands.

Genevieve drops a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Simone enters, arm tucked through Marius', obviously not dressed for combat, and pauses to look around. Seeing Ansel by the western spectator stands, she moves off in that direction with Marius in tow, giving her brother a brief hug before taking a seat to listen to Corban.

Genevieve picks up a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Genevieve drops a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Esoka gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Waldemai is prepared to test himself against the Gauntlet

Tesha gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Dominique has joined the Fighting Pit.

Genevieve gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Calarian has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Katarina has left the West Spectator Seating.

Katarina has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Genevieve puts In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch in an embossed leather belt.

Derovai strolls in, black-clad, gloved, eyeing the Gauntlet as if sizing it up. He glances towards the crowd, and then back towards the dueling pit, before he makes his way over to the obstacle course, clearly ready to run it again. He looks a little sturdier than he did the last time, at least, and he flexes those spotted gloves to make sure they'll still grip. They haven't fallen apart yet!

Esoka has joined the Fighting Pit.

Kat gets to her feet and moves over to sit near Alis, giving her a brief hug before she settles down. "How are you doing Alis?" She eyes the gravid woman quietly and leans in, her voice pitched lower. "How much longer now?"

Katarina gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Madeleine starts passing around homemade cookies and a waterskin full of lemonade. The Archlector isn't going to make a fool of herself with her bare feet and fine silk robes but she'll enjoy the scene.

Marius gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Aric spins the cap off the bottle and stands up, lifting the bottle of rum for a long, deep drink, letting overflow drip down his chin and onto his leather armor (for curing purposes, of course.) He recaps the bottle and sets it down nest to his seat and hops over the railing into the fighting pit and wipes his mouth with the back of his right hand. Eying Dominique, he grins and gives a lopsided shrugs of his shoulders. "Now, be gentle?"

Simone gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Aric has left the East Spectator Seating.

Aric has joined the Fighting Pit.


With Calarian unfurling from her, there's a little frown. Still, Dominique beams, seeming energized nonetheless as she bows her head towards Ansel and then of course to Lord Corban and Lady Monique. "Hopefully we all do our best in honor of Lady Eirlys." she says with a curtsy before beelining towards one of the fighting pits.

Ansel leans over to give his sister a quick embrace as she arrives. Marius is given a friendly handshake, and a quick clap to the shoulder as his brother-in-law passes by to take a seat alongside the elder Telmar sibling. The Sword, for his part, remains standing down at the base of the stands, perhaps looking for a small fruit or nut to lob over at the pint-sized Valardin Princess seated in the (lame) seating section.

Merek stands up and shifts his coat about him, while he moves towards the Gauntlet if there are already people milling about. He looks around some, while he seems to be in his thoughts, but also intent on taking the course in Eirlys' memory in any case.

Corban has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Aric gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Esoka does not immediately sit, but files down to the fighting pits as the sparring memorial begins. She aims to do a little fighting today, in honor of the fallen. "Lord Corban. Lady Monique. All honors for putting this on. It seems very fitting."

Dominique wields majestic lily of the oathlands steel blade.

Margret arrives, her silk dress and distinct limp ensuring that she probably isn't going to be doing any gauntlet running or sparring today. Spotting Marius and Simone heading towards the Western seating she heads in that direction, and settles into a seat.


Tesha looks down to the spot where Aric was and then as he goes hopping over the rail. Did he even realize she had said anything? Probably not. The Telmar just gives a shrug of her shoulders and takes a seat by herself and quietly watches as things get started.


A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Jericho gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Aric has left the Fighting Pit.

Marduc, a tattooed Prodrigal leaves, following Aric.

Marduc, a tattooed Prodrigal arrives, following Aric.

Marduc, a tattooed Prodrigal leaves, following Aric.

Aric has joined the Fighting Pit.

2 House Wyrmguard Guards arrives, following Desiree.

Marius does all the customary greetings and so forth as he enters and passes by people he knows, and those he doesn't, before taking his seat by Simone.

Aric has left the Fighting Pit.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Desiree arrives to the event a little late. She quicly heads to the stands.

Desiree has joined the East Spectator Seating.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Monique before departing.

Derovai checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Merek checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Waldemai checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Genevieve checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.


Glancing towards Aric as he enter, Dominique lets out a soft chuckle of amusement. "Oh, I'm sure you will be fine, my lord." There's a curtsy and even a proper bow as she wields her blade and looks towards her opponent. Bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet to get all limber, she rushes in, starting the spar in earnest. "Let's give honor to Lady Eirlys, no?" There's a smile. This is her kind of socializing.

Jericho takes one of the trinkets in memoriam. He sits down then and he holds it close to his heart....taking such a deep breath as he grips it almost as hard as he can. Before he heads to the Gauntlet, ready to run it!

For Eirlys.

Jericho checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Aric takes minor damage.

Aric takes moderate damage.

Merek checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Waldemai checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Derovai checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Jericho has left the East Spectator Seating.

Jericho has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Jericho checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Esoka steps off to the sidelines where she can watch the match between Dominque and Aric. A knight's salute is offered to the pair of them with her blade. "Gloria's favor to both of you. I'll take the next bout, with whoever will honor me with a cross of blades."

Derovai clears the single bar, still surprisingly undefeated at that first obstacle, for such a not-quite-strong fellow as himself. He laughs a little, amazed at it as well. But it seems confidence gets the better of him, and when he reaches the hurdles, he misjudges, not quite clearing a couple. Still, he's back on his feet in short order, his spirits undefeated even if his legs clearly are, heading for the wall with the same determination as ever.

Aric moves a little drunkenly, the Lord having started the evening before the memorial, which is likely why his first few strikes fail to land with any impact and as he shifts to the side to change stances, Dominique slips in a hard strike into his side, making Aric stagger a second as he drops to a knee and then stands up and backs away, watching more closely now.


The earlier swings and strikes were more tests. Dominique was looking for patterns, opening, anything that she could use to her advantage. If anything, she was more floating like a bee, stinging like a butterfly with thwacks here and there with her blunted blade. A wry grin curls onto her lips as she rushes in once more, trying to take advantage of their size difference.

Jericho clears both of the first obstacles with relative ease. he gets past the single bar and easily seems to hop over the low hurdles with fair easiness. Though there was still much to go.

Merek is at the Gauntlet and moving forward, not doing well with the first he falls forward, only to do his best to continue on towards the next obstacle which he manages to clear.

Genevieve clears the bar with little difficulty despite her unintimidating height, pulling herself over it with slender arms strengthed by years of farm-work and archery practice. She lands lightly on her feet, but apparently the momentum of her descent throws her somewhat off blance, she she stumbles across the hurdles, only just managing to clear them. Nonetheless, she recovers quickly, dashing towards the wall with a burst of speed.

Merek checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Jericho checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 30 higher.

Derovai checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Waldemai checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Genevieve checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Stumbling on into the Telmar Tower, Echo comes running on in. Like, she's at a half-run at least. "Sorry I'm late!" She directs to nobody in particular, "Sosorry." A demure smile, then, for whoever might be looking her way. It only grows into a more nervous one as her gaze drifts along the sea of people, most of which whom she's not too familiar with.

Waldemai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

Derovai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Genevieve checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Monique catches Echo's arrival with a fond smile. "Not at all, Princess Echo. Will you take a token of memoriam?" She gestures to the basket on the table near by. "There's sparring and a group running the Gauntlet, as well. You're just in time."

Waldemai is a short man and he looks up at the Obstacle course's wall with a small frown. But his muscles strain and he manages to pull himself over it. The parallel bars are less trouble to him, surprisingly light on his feet for a man with bandy legs.

4 Thrax Guards, Stojan, the assistant arrive, following Denica.

Derovai isn't winning any top-score contests at the Gauntlet, but he's doing surprisingly all right! He makes his way up the wall, only almost losing his grip once before he recovers. The double bars are much easier, and he just about sails through them like a born athlete. One-two, one-two, and he drops lightly on the sand, sizing up the V-Logs, a grin on his face at his own steady improvement.

Khanne looks up and upon hearing Echo's voice, she waves towards her, and in a manner that invites her to join them at the spectator seating.

Echo gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Jericho checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 49 higher.

Alis claps for the Gauntlet challengers, whistling out her encouragement and looking quite impressed. Especially with the distinctly non-combat participants getting such good scores. She MAY even be jealous.

Jericho just keeps on moving! though Echo does get his attention and a small little wave. But he manages to clear both the Wall and the Double Bars in a quick and orderly manner, but he knows the real challenge is just ahead. This was wear the fun began...but he knows he can do it. He does give a little wave without looking at those who cheer for the Gauntlet challengers.

Turning on the ball of her foot to the familiar voice, Echo waves out to both Monique and Khanne before following the gestured hand towards the basket, dipping her hand inside and retrieving a token. Her eyebrows lower and she gathers a deep breath as she inspects it thoroughly before squeezing it tight in her hands and making her way over to East Spectator Seating. "Hello everyone!"

Echo has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Merek conitunes with the course and keeps on, while he looks to the others that have come to this place a moment, then back to the Gauntlet. Something is pushing him to move on, whether he fails or not, but what it is would be hard to tell.

Esoka is idling on the edge of the fighting pit, watching Dominique and Aric while she awaits a bout of her own, though her attention wanders to the obstacle course as the competition goes on. A low whistle escapes her lips at some of the runs in progress.

Tesha settles Aric's bottle of rum down. Empty. The Telmar woman then stands up, dusting her hands off gently as she starts to head off towards the exit of the gauntlet and back towards Telmar Tower.

Waldemai checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Derovai checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Genevieve goes up that wall like a squirrel up a tree. Apparently her small calloused hands give her an advantage at climbing, since they grip onto the boards hard and fast. Hoiking herself up with a combination of toned arms and legs, she then tackles the bars easily, her light frame moving easily.

Fashionably late, of course, Denica is arriving with a sketch pad in hand and a curious expression on her face as she looks over the festivities and the competitors. She grins easily, and spotting Alis from the corner of her eye, she waves excitably towards the Valardin princess.

Merek checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Jericho checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 11 lower.

Madeleine cheers. For everyone. For no one. For lemonade!

Having settled comfortably at the seating somewhere near Khanne, Echo crossed her legs by her ankles and tucked them underneath her seat as she flashed a warm smile Jericho's way. "I trust everyone is doing alright?" She winces, then, for probably distracting Jericho and averting her gaze. Whoops!

Derovai checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 15 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Monique has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Waldemai checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Orathy has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Margerie has left the East Spectator Seating.

2 Novice Keaton Huntsmen, The Second leave, following Margerie.

Alis waves back at Denica! "Welcome, Princess Denica! Are you sketching the challengers?" The seating is gestures at, and the woman is waved over if she would like to join them.

Merek checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Derovai stares at Merek for a few long seconds as he readies himself for the V-logs. Once more, he has a bit of strange luck, as he runs through the V-logs with surprising speed. But hurdles get him once more. He's no better at the high ones than he was at the low ones. In fact, he's exactly as bad. For some reason, leaping isn't connecting with him today. Maybe something else is on his mind that is making coordination not quite work all of a sudden.

Oaken, a massive Oakhaven bloodhound, Marie, chef of Keaton Hall, 2 Novice Keaton Huntsmen, Gigi, an apprentice physician's assistant arrive, following Reigna.

Orathy is late... but these things do happen. He watches those running the gauntlet with a grumble following his wake. He'll just drink his face off... and take a seat to watch.

Waldemai is beginning to slow to a crawl by now. His idea of exercise is bicep work in the forge. He pulls himself across the v-logs, slowing noticeably. He stops to measure the high hurdles by eye, shakes his head, wipes some sweat out of his eyes, and then limps over the hurdles.

Tesha has left the East Spectator Seating.

Denica nods eagerly to Alis and makes her way to settle in the seating nearby. "Oh yes! There's nothing quite like a feat of strength to fuel my muse. There is so much going on as well, I'd like to ask you something later perhaps if you have the time?" she wonders, settling down and resting the pad on her knee, crossing her legs gently.

Denica has joined the East Spectator Seating.


Cling! Clang! The sounds of sword hitting sword and of leather plate armor can be heard from the combat pit. Dominique is seeming to have a grand old time, just testing Aric's defenses as she rushes in for a quick swipe, parries and/or dodges, then jumps back to repeat the process. It's the circle of life.... or something.

%Merek loses momentum in his mind and will to push forward, as he is now covered in the dirt and mud, while he stands back up, and looks then from beneath his hood, as he continues to march forward and move through it all.

Merek checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Jericho keeps moving, and yeah, sure, Echo briefly distracted Jericho, so he loses some steam after the V-logs, even briefly tripping before he very quickly regains his stride to conquer the high hurdles. Now there was only the Rope next....

Waldemai checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Jordan has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Derovai checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

Reigna enters and starts heading towards the east spectator seating.

Genevieve keeps her eyes ahead on the Gauntlet's course, frowning with extertion and focus. Clearing the v-logs steady but quick, this time she seems far more prepared for the hurdles. She leaps over them, if not with lightning speed, then certainly enough zip to keep her sprinting once she lands the final one. .

Reigna has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Alis inclines her head. "Of course, Your Highness." she agrees. "I look forward to speaking with you. /And/ seeing what those sketches look like!"

Jordan joins the spectators watching the obstacle course, settling down comfortably upon his seat. He leans forward to watch the contest.

Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Ansel before departing.

Merek checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Jericho checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Derovai leans in, jabbing a gloved finger at Merek. "You can do it. Keep going. Intent. Even if you don't succeed, you'll get better. I fell off all obstacles but one the first time I ran this." He places his hands on the rope, starting to climb. And here's where the gloves might prove a problem, as the surface of the rope and the surface of his gloves don't seem to want to connect. He makes some progress, before he loses his grip, sliding down the rope with a bit of a burn to his arms on the way down, falling on his ass in the sand. Thud. "Shit." But it's not /too/ annoyed, at least.

Merek pushes with all his might and lets out a growl as he manages to clear the rope somehow. Whatever is driving him seems to be doing it for him, even if he won't score at all, it seems worth it to him.

Waldemai stands at bottom of rope in his homemade chainmail. He grabs the rope, and hand over hand, slowly, inch by inch, with a great gnashing of teeth and a ridiculous amount of groaning, manages to pull himself to the top.

Aric takes a few steps as he catches his balance and waves a hand at Dominique. "Another, once I rest up a little?" Stumbling slowly back over to the eastern seating and sits down next to his bottle, which he hugs to his chest like a newborn then regrets it immediately as the pain in his side from the sparring match sends a spark through his body, almost enough to sober him up.

Jericho keeps moving, jumping onto the rope, but just -barely- messing up the obstacle itself. Sliding a little down the rope, which causes a bit of a burn to his hands, he pulls himself to the top before he slides back down, whewing softly as he worked up a sweat.


There's a phew as she nods slowly. "Of course, Lord Aric." Dominique replies as she looks towards Esoka and then Corban. "I heard good things about you from the compact crew. May we?" she asks, motioning towards the pit. It seems she can still keep going.

Alis destures briefly to Laurene, murmuring something to her and passing a note.

Calarian stands and calls out to Dominique from the stands, "Good showing, Lady Wyrmguard! I told you that you would do well!"

Derovai has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Esoka flashes a grin at Dominique, at mention of the crew competition. "I grew up on the rivers. I do all right at rowing. And all right at sword work, I'd like to think." She steps forth, that knight's salute offered to the marquessa. "For Gloria! And for Lady Eirlys, whose sacrifice embodied the virtues of the goddess of War." She squares up with that.

Waldemai has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Once Merek is finished he adjusts his attire a bit, "I'll be back."

Merek has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Aneka, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Meeka leave, following Merek.

Orathy has left the West Spectator Seating.

Orathy has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.


Oh look! There's her betrothed! Waving to Calarian, she beams. "I will hopefully do a good showing on this." Dominique says as she continues to bounce on the soles of her feet, looking towards Esoka, giving her a knight's salute. "Of course, let us honor Gloria and Lady Eirlys."

Having taken a leap onto the rope and swinging down, Genevieve falls on her butt for a few moments, breathing heavily. Then the small woman wipes sweat from her brow with the back of one hand, hauls herself off to the ground, and goes to get a big swig of water from a waterskin.

Waldemai wanders away from the gauntlet, feeling good that he finished the (*bleep*) thing. He goes over to watch Esoka fight.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

It's not long before the Culler starts to head for the gauntlet, brow lifted, "For Gloria 'n fer Lady Eirlys, reckon I'll try this aye..." The old grizzled sellsword looking pirate-seque Culler, prepares with a few arm stretches to manage the gauntlet run.

Dominique takes minor damage.

Derovai pulls himself up from the sand, grimacing. He glances sidelong at Merek, uncertain, and then nods quickly at Orathy. "Better than I did last time, you'll admit," he tells the familiar figure, before he starts towards the benches, just a little bit beaten up. True to his word, at least, he /is/ improving, and that seems good enough for him. He grabs one of the memorial tokens, glancing up into the stands for a moment.

Dominique takes moderate damage.

Dominique takes moderate damage.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

Dominique takes minor damage.

Monique rises, giving her family and the Archlector a salute. "I think I'm going to give the Gauntlet some of my blood, in Eirlys' honor." She heads that way, in a dress, even. A proper memoriam!

Dominique takes moderate damage.

Monique has left the West Spectator Seating.

Monique has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

Dominique takes moderate damage.

Dominique takes minor damage.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Dominique takes minor damage.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Dominique checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 6, rolling 37 higher.

Dominique remains capable of fighting.

Dominique checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 65, rolling 18 lower.

Dominique checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 32, rolling 9 higher.

Dominique remains alive, but close to death.

Dominique falls unconscious.

Waldemai applauds for the fighters. "Well done! Well fought!"

Aneka, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Meeka arrive, following Merek.

Veronica has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Ansel has left the West Spectator Seating.

Ravana the tawny eagle, Good Arn the Badger leave, following Ansel.

It's a long match between Esoka and Dominique. The prodigal knight takes some early blows that make her stumble, but Esoka keeps swinging. She gets sweaty and winded during it all, but she rarely flags, and manages to find advantages to press as the match goes on. Finally swinging low at Dominique's legs, to try and knock them out from under, when she sees an opening.

Aric watches Dominique go down to the dirt of the pit and shakes his head, grinning a little bit to himself as he murmurs quietly. "Karma always is best when someone else does it for you."

Corban watches as the runners line up once more at the starting line, including his lady wife. "Ah, my dear. I thought it was Marian who taught us to run the Gauntlet together, and not Lady Eirlys." But it is just a small smile. "All right! Second run! On your mark! And -- go!"

Ravana the tawny eagle, Good Arn the Badger, Lourche the Butler arrive, following Ansel.

Orathy checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Merek comes back with his cloak flitting about him, while he moves to the Gauntlet once more, if he is allowed to do so. He then nods a small bit.

Good Arn the Badger have been dismissed.

Genevieve checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Merek has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Merek checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 12 lower.

Merek checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Monique checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.


There's the cling and clang. But it's clear DOminique is winded. Perhaps she needs more claisthenics. Still, even when she lands on her back with a loud thump, she lets out a hearty laugh. "That was fun, Dame Esoka! Thank you for honoring Lady Eirlys and bringing GLoria honor. I have plenty of work to do still." she says, rather cheery. A loss is a loss. And wiping the beads of sweat form her brow, she extends out her hand towards Esoka for a knightly handshake before heading up to the stands, giving Aric a look. "It's much better when you are able to do it yourself though, my lord."

Dominique has left the Fighting Pit.

Dominique has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Monique checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Genevieve checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Ansel continues to watch the action at the main pit, and the challengers over at the obstacle course. With a glance up towards the opposite seating area, and towards a specific mini-Valardin, there's a fleeting smirk on the Telmar's features. He leans over to a nearby Telmarine armsmen, whispering some instructions in the man's ear. Shortly, the soldier scurries off, back in the direction of the Tower.

Jericho checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Derovai slips out, moving quietly for the exit. As Merek re-emerges, he remarks, "Told you you could do it," as he starts for the streets beyond.

Jericho checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

The old man must have drank too much, it doesn't seem that Orathy Culler is really making much out of the gauntlet course. He doesn't wipe out or anything, but he's no puma either! The low hurdles he makes a run at, clearing them, barely. He snorts back at the hurdles once he's over them, "Come on damnit..." he curses to himself and makes a run for the wall.

Marigold, a cheeky pygmy goat, 2 Novice Keaton Huntsmen arrive, following Amari.

Perhaps a minute later, there's the appearance of a familiar looming, darkly-clad presence, not three feet from Alis' seat. There's not a clue of how the hulking figure of the family butler has arrived so quickly, and so clandestinely. His hood is drawn, as though trying to block whatever sunlight possible, shadowing the giant's hallow-colored skin. His arms support a small tray bearing a pitcher of chilled water, and a few wooden cups.

"Mmmmmmmfffffor the Princess," intones the Telmar family butler, slowly extending the tray down to Alis, doing his best to stay out of arm's reach.

Genevieve runs into almost exactly the same trouble as before; she manages to clear the wall thanks to her toned arms and shoulders, but the landing (a long way down for a short woman) seems to throw her off balance. A little grunt of annoyance bursts out of her lips when she stumbles over the last hurdle, but she pushes herself up with a grimace and runs runs runs some more!

The memorial continues with the Gauntlet being run and sparring a nigh-constant, all in honor of the Lady Eirlys. There are tokens in a basket on the table, free to any who wish to remember.

Dominique gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Reigna gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Esoka claps Dominique's hand firmly. "Was my honor, my lady." Her bright blue eyes sweep the fighting pit, taking in what others might've gathered there. "Who's next? I'd not mind go, if there aren't another pair who wants the field. I feel I'm getting warmed up yet."

Jericho already conquered that course! so what does he do? He does it -again- because he knows Eirlys would have dared him to. So he lines back up and he starts running again! getting past the single bar and killing the low hurdles!

Jericho checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

Genevieve checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Merek checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Madeleine has left the West Spectator Seating.

Monique checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Merek is exhausted with the first Gauntlet run, and no longer has the momentum to keep with it at all, as he starts to slow down and fals face first, at this point trying to crawl to the next obstacle.

Orathy has rolled a critical success!
Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 100 higher.

"Lourche! It's been so long since I've seen you. Have you been hiding whenever I come to the Tower to visit?" Alis chides, eyebrow raised before she grabs a cup and fills it, handing out some water to whoever wants it before she will take a cup for herself. "You're such a dear. I will make sure you find you and hug you next time I'm over." She's obviously hoping for a twitch, attention split between this conversation and the quieter one in the benches.

Jericho checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 15 higher.

Monique checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 16 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Veronica and Amari arrive in the midst of the festivities - maybe the cousins are speaking to each other again! Veronica stops briefly to look at all the action happening on the field, before heading to the spectators' stands.

Aric lifts his bottle up to he can see through it to a close torch and shakes it, his forehead wrinkling with deep concentration as he turns the bottom over slowly and nothing comes out except one tiny drop that falls to the floor. "I must be more drunk than I thought... Could have sworn this was half full before the bout?" Aris sighs and sets the empty bottle down beneath his seat and looks over at the Gauntlet with a head bobbing slightly from mild inebriation.

Genevieve checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 49 higher.

Jordan heads down the stairs, inclining his head to Esoka. "Steel or better?" Is his question to her, though he glances around and admits, "I am lacking for rubicund, so if you go that, I will draw steel," he offers.

Teonia Redreef, 4 Thrax Guards, Aryka Wyrmfang arrive, following Sorrel.

Amari arrives at some point, if only to casually get her gawk on. There's a lot to look at, and a lot of people to check out. Her and Veronica seem to be on good terms at least, so when the taller blonde moves, she follows in her wake like a slim, darker haired shadow. "This looks dangerous and fun, but also very dangerous." She quietly observes.

Esoka flashes a broad grin at Jordan, presenting her blade to him. It's well-maintained true steel. "This is the first castle-forged sword I ever earned, and I still favor it for sparring. I would be honored, Sir..." She suddenly realizes she does not have a name to go with that. "Anyhow, I'm Dame Esoka Greenblood. And happy to spar with anyone. Gloria likes a good little fight, and I think Lady Eirlys would've enjoyed something like this."

Amari has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Jordan wields a polished steel longsword.

Genevieve falls on her hands and knees after that last obstacle, panting with shoulders heaving up and down. With another grimace she shakes her head, however, using hands and heels to push herself to her feet again. She's off again, not as fast as last time, but she's up and running. Apparently the second run is testing her to the limit.

Cursing at one's self is a must! But also is hearing laughter of certain people in the crowd. Orathy glares over at... well, someone over there was laughing! HE HEARD. All the same, he roars charging forward at the wall, scaling it with ... incredible speed and strength that an old man like him, shouldn't have? He's not that old, but hold onto your baubles! The man leaps down the other side of the wall and tackles the double bars as if he were running from the law. Really, he's here to honor Lady Eirlys!

"Mrrrrrrrmmmmmm," rumbles the tall, bored-looking butler. This is likely Lourche-speak for confirming exactly what Alis has suggested, but it's open to interpretation. The towering ghoul dutifully holds the tray while the little Valardin takes her fill of the water, doing his best to shy away from any sunlight as well as any Princess-hugs, tiny as they may be.

That dispensed with, the towering butler sloooooowly retracts the tray, and turns to head back off in the direction of the Tower. "Nnnnrrrrrrr," he rumbles, seeming to hover slowly over the ground, rather than actually walking on it.

Monique left some blood at the beginning of the Gauntlet, but picked up steam towards the middle! It's nothing compared to Orathy, though, and she watches the man go flying by with wide eyes.

"Jordan Ober," the knight completes the sentence for Esoka, offering a bow towards her, his steel sword drawn, then. "May Gloria honor our display, though really, glory is hers. It will be a good match nevertheless." There's a confident grin to the Sword of House Riven as he gets into guard.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Waldemai watches the new fight break out. Oooh. Dame Esoka against the guy who whupped him in the gauntlet.

Merek continues to try and move through the Gauntlet, as he pushes to stand up, and then reaching the next obstacle he simply hits the dirt and mud once more. Afterwards he tries his best to stand up and push onwards again.

Sorrel has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Jericho watches Orathy as the man just gets his ass moving! He whistles then. "Atta boy!" he calls after Orathy as he starts killing this course.

Merek checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Jericho checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Esoka nods, salutes Jordan, and squares up for another go in the sparring ring.

Monique checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Alis before departing.

Sorrel comes to watch the goings on, heading over to the spectator seating and settling herself in with a cheery smile on her face. There's a lot of action going on here, so much to see and observe.

Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 11 lower.

Jericho checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 10 lower.

Merek checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Monique checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

1 Trained Telmar Armsmen, Good Ansel the pocket-sized dog arrive, following Arn.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Genevieve checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 7 lower.

Left with no rum, Aric stands up and gives wave to those he knows around him on the eastern side and quietly strides outside of the tower to go find suitable replacement. Memorials require drinking. It's in the rulebook somewhere.

Ansel watches as Lourche floats on over to Alis' position, does Lourche things, then disappears off in the vague direction of the Tower. Seeming satisfied with the day's trolling efforts, the Telmar Sword walks bac over to his seat in the stands, overlooking the next spar.

Orathy wobbles and waves his arms around like a dope on the v-logs, keeping his balance as he runs along the obstacle. But it's those high hurdles that catch him up. He tries to jump over the one and... goes down in a pile of fighting words that come with a graphic warning label! In the end, he thrusts his leg out and boots the hurdle that he got stuck in, before he proceeds onward to the rope, showing a bit of a slow down for the hurdle death trap. Want to catch someone - set up high hurdles!

Jordan takes minor damage.

Merek checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Graham had been at the meeting previous to this and so was running late. He looks to enter into the area though and is glad to still see people here. He will move further in and is wearing his armor and his helm hanging at his side. The young Stonewood will take in the people here moving towards where the sparring is taking place.

Jericho starts to move onto the v-logs...moving with a fast stature, but it's too fast. he takes a light breath as he stumbles just a little bit! he takes a deep breath then as he corrects himself and tries to keep going!

Monique checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 10 lower.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Jericho checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Merek can't keep with it even after a small success, and manages to just roll into the dirt at the end of the course, as he looks up at the skies, cloak shifted about the coat he has on.

Alis eyes Ansel while Lourche walks away, and does that double eye gesture thing at him. She sees you.

Monique is leaving blood, sweat and tears on this obstacle course in her cousin's honor. And a great deal of Oathlands Shav cursing.

True to form, Jordan's surprisingly fast even in plate, and that translates into a lot of sidestepping and parrying, even as his counterattacks bring punishing blows dealt to Esoka. The first is a jab that skims at her torso, the second is an overhead chop after parrying a thrust, and the third is a side-swipe, which hits the other knight on her side. There's a grin to her as he steps back, and readies himself in a similar guard as before.

Orathy used everything he had in the tank... in the middle of the course. The man flags at the end and curses glorious words some more before he turns back to the course and gives it a two finger salute.

"Gods above, what the hell is going on here?" had the Duke of the Telmarch known his gauntlet were overrun with people and Greenmarchers, he likely would not have made his way down from his tower. Affixing upon his already craggy face a deep and furrowed frown, he squints severely and attempts to search his memory for the reason his normally orderly domain is so crowded. It eventually comes to him. So rather than make an enormous deal of his disdain and displeasure, he merely grunts to himself and stalks aggressively in a direction he choose randomly. Both body posture and a scowl suggest he's not here for socializing. The first family member he sees is his daughter and so he marches over toward her and Marius at the west side of the gauntlet.


Esoka isn't so much fast as a willing to throw herself very hard at Jordan and see what she can hit. Not much, on their first passes. The knight is a swift one. She stays on her feet, though, her smile crooking. And on she rolls.

Genevieve is just 100% done by this point, a fact made clear by the searing redness of her cheeks and the wet sheen of her forehead. She tackles the v-logs with wobbly legs, which just has the effect of sending her falling off the end of them in a slump. Again, she's up, determined not to be defeated by the course, but the hurdles are too much. She gets her foot caught on one of them, hitting the ground once more. It's a miracle that she manages to hop over the last few, dragging herself along in a shaky half-run.

Arn has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Signe Nightgold, a Redrain Shaman, is dashing towards the spectator's seating in the middle of the event. Unaware of how much she has missed thus far she's trying to find a seat while observing the spectacle below.

Genevieve has rolled a critical success!
Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Ansel looks so innocent, Alis. He doesn't even know what you're talking about. He gives her a -very- convincing expression, which very quickly disappears at the sound of Footsteps. Ominously loud footsteps that very shortly bring a very displeased-sounding Telmar Duke to the area. The Telmar Sword glances over, doing his best to seem busy with the folks sitting on his end of the bleachers that Arn is now at, fortunately focused on another Telmar sibling.

Signe has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Jericho finishes the course just barely on that rope again! that thing is the bane of his existance, but once he finishes the second heat, he wipes at his forehead. "Whew!" He curses slightly under his breath before he looks to Orathy, bowing his head softly to the other Beastmaster of this course. "Well done, well done."

Alis gives Arn the most cheerful wave possible, fully expecting a scowl in return. "Look, even Ansel is here!" That's payback for Lourche. And then she stands briefly to clap for the next set of Gauntlet runners.

Desiree has left the East Spectator Seating.

2 House Wyrmguard Guards leaves, following Desiree.

Monique drags her poor, battered hide over to her husband and practically collapses. "Your turn," she mutters to him. "Go, go. I've got bruises enough to honor my cousin and make her smile. I'll run the next one."

Esoka takes minor damage.

Jordan takes minor damage.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

Simone watches the competitions, cheering for Monique slightly louder than others, smiling as she watches. On seeing Arn her smile fades slightly and her right eyebrow arches, but as she realizes he is stalking towards them, her face becomes passive and she nods a greeting to him and speaks in a cool, controlled voice, "Hello, Father."

Esoka takes minor damage.

Genevieve manages to grab onto the rope somehow, remaining dangling there for a good few moments in hard-breathing exhaustion. Eventually however, her arms give out and she drops to the ground with more grace than the last time. Standing up slowly, she wobbles off again to find another waterskin. Then she swigs from it like a dying woman in a desert.

Orathy glances at Jericho, "It still bloody well got me at the end..." He grouses a little, "Reckon who in the abyss thought of those contraptions and thought they'd be fun anyway?!" He up nods to the contraptions, "Reckon I would be liking to get through without falling on me face though. Aye, that be the true test."

Jordan takes moderate damage.

Reigna has left the East Spectator Seating.

Oaken, a massive Oakhaven bloodhound, Marie, chef of Keaton Hall, 2 Novice Keaton Huntsmen, Gigi, an apprentice physician's assistant leave, following Reigna.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Khanne has left the East Spectator Seating.

Drysi, a young shaman apprentice, GusGus, the fluffy Whitehold Mountain puppy leave, following Khanne.

Jordan takes serious damage.

Esoka takes minor damage.

Jordan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 6, rolling 53 higher.

Jordan remains capable of fighting.

Esoka takes moderate damage.

Jericho takes off his upper body armor then so that he's free....but he's also shirtless. revealing all that muscle for anyone to see! he stretches a moment before he lines back up, brushing at his beard as he looks forward, deep breaths as he ties his silver hair into a ponytail. Round three baby! push the limit.

Esoka checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 22, rolling 55 higher.

Esoka remains capable of fighting.

Esoka checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 64, rolling 2 higher.

Esoka remains capable of fighting.

Jordan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Jordan remains capable of fighting.

Esoka checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 80, rolling 31 lower.

Esoka checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 44, rolling 29 higher.

Esoka remains alive, but close to death.

Esoka falls unconscious.

Waldemai applauds the fighters. "That was a good one!"

Orathy eyes Jericho up, but unlike that guy, he's not stripping down. Yet. "If yer going to run it again, aye, reckon I will too..." Of course his gaze does flicker to the spars, "Course a good fight wouldn't hurt none either." Choices. He won the last gauntlet heat, but, is going back for more torment.

Marius glances sideways at Simone at the attention and approach of Duke Arn. It's merely a second of a flicker, however, before he looks back with a polite smile. The Marquis raises up to a stand as Arn gets closer, giving a dip of his head. "Always a pleasure, My Lord." He intones to the Duke, that same polite smile given to him.

Signe's clapping, cheering as loud as she could from the stands.

Merek stands up and looks around a bit as he pulls his cloak about the coat of his. The knight looks towards the sparring area, and looks about for a moment, "Would anyone like a match after them?" he asks, still exhausted as he sighs.

Proving to be fast on his feet and dealing somewhat punishing blows even as the weight of plate and tiredness slows him down, Jordan takes a few strong hits by Esoka, ones that have him off his balance for a time until he starts to strike back. Then it's a series of strong blows, one followed by another, that they exchange. He's got a bit of an advantage in armor, she has more mobility. And somehow he manages to find resolve in his fatigue to strike a last time at her hip, seeking to throw her off balance, turning his torso with the swing to deliver as much power in it as he can manage.

Echo has left the East Spectator Seating.

Echo has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Signe has left the West Spectator Seating.

Graham will clap along to those fighting, it seems he is an admirer of watching just as much as anything though he will glance about to those here. He will look to see if others are waiting to enter while he does so though.

Signe has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Veronica has left the East Spectator Seating.

It takes many blows to fell Esoka, but fall she does, eventually. Going sprawling on the ground with a solid thump. She lays there a moment, tired and dazed, before shoving her way back to her feet. Reaching out to offer Jordan a hand. "Well fought, Sir Ober! You are fun!"

Esoka has left the Fighting Pit.

Seeing this as a potential way to detach himself from Arn's approach to Simone and Marius, Ansel stands, raising a hand at Merek's offer. "I'm happy to take my turn in the Pit," says the Telmar, certainly more eagerly than normal. He begins to make his way towards the center pit, down the spectator stands.

Veronica has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

"As are you," Jordan grins at Esoka, taking her hand and giving it a firm shake. "Let's spar again, anytime you want." Bumping his shoulder playfully to his fellow knight, he upnods to the Gauntlet. "Time for me to do that. Wish me luck!"

Merek has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Merek has joined the Fighting Pit.

Arn sits beside his daughter, either not noticing or taking mercy upon Ansel and Alis, his attention focused on Simone and Marius as he mutters gruffly at them.

Merek notices Ansel, and then lifts up his hand as he moves towards the Pit. "I only have my diamondplate blade on me, unless you'd have me borrow someone's steel," he states, as he prepares a bit and stretches, shifting his cloak about at a shoulder and preparing his shield, as he waits for word on what weapon to use.

Veronica follows Echo down to the Gauntlet Obstacle course, clearly because the princess told her/dared her to? She's pulling her blonde hair into a ponytail as she goes, because no one wants to see her hair in a storm when she runs.

Esoka considers the obstacle course, but she's still out of breath from her bouts, and she retires to the stands to watch. And yell loud and encouraging things at the runners.

Signe Nightgold raises the ends of her garment to mid-calf as she's making her way down to the obstacle course to join the others. "This is going to be exciting!"

Pressing away from the east spectator seating, Echo emit a low whistle as Jordan proved to be quite the capable warrior. "Well fought, Gloria be with you two!" The Redrain chevalier flashed a grin over to Vernoica as the two stepped over to the obstacle course. "I'm not going to be pulling a 'Rath --" She glances over to Orathy, "-- But I'll do my best."

Jordan has left the East Spectator Seating.

Jordan has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Amari before departing.

Corban checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Echo checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Veronica checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Esoka has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Genevieve checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Jordan checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Orathy has rolled a critical success!
Orathy checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Signe checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Jericho checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Ansel slips over the railing at the edge of the center fighting area. A Telmarine armsmen paces over, carefully relieving Ansel of the ancient-looking blade slung behind his shoulder. "Unless anyone has a steel blade to lend you, I'll just go with my steel on your diamondplate," says the Telmar, dipping his head to Merek as he nears. Seems he prefers wapon mismatch to lingering in the stands at his former place. "No matter."

Merek wields Diamond Nightsong.


Easing on up from the stands, Dominique looks out towards the runners. There's a brief glance towards Calarian at something he said, then she motions for him to lead the way.

Dominique has left the East Spectator Seating.

Calarian has left the East Spectator Seating.

3 Grayson Guardsmen, Philip, an overworked assistant, Crown Observer Barcus leave, following Calarian.

Metzger, a great grey shrike, Calarian leave, following Dominique.

Corban checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Echo checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Genevieve checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Jordan checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Merek reaches for the cerulean decorated smooth rubicund and leather hilt of his weapon, then he draws the black sword as he places some material on it as to make it viable for sparring, then he shifts his weapon over his shield, "As you wish, my Lord," is offered, while he prepares for the combat.

Jericho checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Katarina sits up straight, cheering for Ansel as goes to spar. She gives her attention to the fighting ring, a smile on her face.

Aneka have been dismissed.

3 Iron Guardsmen have been dismissed.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Ansel wields crimson mountains of The Telmarch Oathlands steel longsword.

Signe checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

See, after a spar, you generally don't stand too much of a chance at recovering your strengths so Jordan lags behind in the first course of the gauntlet, which is to be expected. He has a lot of trouble with those pesky single bars, only to surprisingly recover his wind in the low hurdles, showing that his swiftness isn't just applicable to combat. Nevermind that Jericho is surpassing him in the speed category, though; he's just happy to compete.

With his wife taking over the master of ceremony duties at the Gauntlet, Lord Corban lines up at the start line. And like one who owns the place (sort of), he motors over the single bar and across the low hurdles, making his way towards the wall in his clanky, clanky armor.

Something about hurdles and Orathy don't get along well. He did amazing on the single bar, but it's the hurdles that catch him up again, he trips and staggers, falling behind the rest of the heat.

Alis will undoubtedly fake a scowl at Ansel's way on her way because her trolling failed to garner results, but when she suddenly finds there's a tiny foot kicking her ribs she figures it's time to go. "Lord Corban, Lady Monique. Thank you both for hosting this event. Lady Eirlys obviously means a lot to all of us." She makes sure to get that word to them somehow, struggling up to her feet and then sticking her tongue out at Katarina on her way out. Hnph!

Veronica checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Genevieve is breathing raggledly as she steps up for another run on the Gauntlet. Face shiny with sweat, she still manages to give Veronica a respectful bow when the blonde woman takes her place. Then she's running at the bar again, clearing it easily as she did before. This time she lands properly and lightly, however, and it would seem like the third time's a charm because she springs up from her kneeling position into a smooth srint that sees her over the hurdles with good speed.

Like clockwork, Orathy pulls another Orathy. Echo is probably thinking about actually coining the phrase as she rolls her eyes skyward. The knight-princess didn't do too well on the single bar, but she more than makes up for it at the low hurdles. She's got quite the jump for her stature!

Ansel gives Merek a quick nod in return, making his way out into the Pit, a few paces opposite the man. The Telmar reaches to remove the more perfunctory-looking longsword at his belt, turning and tucking it under his arm, like one might a book, in order to wave a farewell to Alis. That done, he takes up the sword's hilt, holding it loose to his side, such that the point nearly drags in the dirty underfoot. The Redmarcher gives a ready nod.

Jericho brushes himself off before he ends up running through the caourse! Like clockwork, he completely nails the single bar and destroys the hurdles with excellent speed, keeping a good pace for now!

Alis has left the East Spectator Seating.

Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight, Laurene, a military adjutant leave, following Alis.

Corban has rolled a critical success!
Corban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 124 higher.

Echo checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 35 higher.

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 43 higher.

Merek nods to show he is ready, and even with all the exhaustion from the Gauntlet, he moves forward to engage with Ansel as his weapon comes about once the other is ready, with smooth motions.

Genevieve checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Jordan checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Merek takes moderate damage.

Veronica gives Genevieve a quick clasp on the shoulder as she takes over her spot -- and then the race is on! She may not be the fastest, but Veronica is /consistent/ at the hurdles and the low bar, at least, keeping a good pace as she goes.

Jericho checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher.

Veronica checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Ansel takes moderate damage.

Merek takes minor damage.

Signe bends down to gather up the fabrics of her kirtle all the way up to mid-thigh. She charges to keep up with the group but once the arrives at the first hurdle and completely trips over her own feet. She's fumbling all over the place and even starts running the obstacle course backwards. No matter, she's having a grand old time making up her own rules of the game.

Signe has rolled a critical success!
Signe checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Merek moves with a fluid motion and strikes towards Ansel, managing to land at least one strike, while taking an equal one in turn, as he is then parried away from the man, and takes another more glancing strike to him through the first exchange in combat. He seens to be intent on remaining in it, as he twirls his blade and shifts it above his shield.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Amari before departing.

Orathy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Lyros arrives, following Michael.

Echo checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Jordan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 35 higher.

Jericho checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Genevieve has rolled a critical success!
Genevieve checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 44 higher.

Veronica has rolled a critical success!
Veronica checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 67 higher.

Signe checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Ansel waits for the man to move first, the Telmar's blade coming up in a sharp arc when he nears. There's a glancing blow to Merek's shoulder, but the Telmar is unable to parry away the counter, and takes a shot to his side as he sidesteps out of range.

Merek takes very serious damage.

Corban checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Though he scales The Wall, he is not quite as good as Corban and the others who manage to do it much faster than him. Jordan falls nicely on the other side, just in time to try and do the Double Bars. Once again he performs well but not admirably so. Lots of better competitors making good on their time!

Laurene, a military adjutant arrives, delivering a message to Arn before departing.

This time Orathy isn't the fastest up that wall but he's still flying at it. He watches others by pass him, or wait, was he at the back and another heat already started? Huffing and puffing, the old Culler drags himself over and then swings through the double bars at a steady pace but nothing that will win him this race!

Merek manages to take a blow that is more than glancing, while he reels back and is shifted, his shield not managing to catch it. Even so he shifts his stance a small bit and meets his blade with Ansel's, the sound ringing about as he does his best to try and keep another like that from landing. He seems to be putting his all into this.

Veronica is clearly not the greatest in wall-crawling, but she manages to keep pace and not fall behind too far. But once the racers get to the Double Bars, she manages to do surprisingly well and makes up for any lost ground. Probably because she did up her ponytail!

Scaling the wall with relative ease, probably from all that mountain climbing up north, Echo drops down onto the other side before rushing off to take on double bars. And judging by that silly little grin on her face, she's more than happy with the results of efforts. Until she takes a quick moment to glance at the others around her, who have more or less zoomed off with her in the dust. Except Signe. Redrain represent!

The Wall for the young Shaman Signe somehow did not prove too challenging when she eventually made it back on course and with the others. Not the swiftest on foot she's laughing all the while until she reaches the double bars. Feeling confident it's all shot to hell when the noblewoman leaps, misses the grasp and falls flat on her face onto the ground.

Amari is momentarily distracted by a delivered message or two, but otherwise she watches everyone involved as they try to best the Gauntlet, especially her cousin, Veronica. There's some soft, polite applause from her and a wide smile as though she's thoroughly entertained.

Well, then! Corban seems to feel a need to try to beat Orathy, and so he SAILS over the wall, his feet barely touching the ground. It is still solid, but not AS good after that, moving through the double bars with ease.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

Echo has rolled a critical success!
Echo checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Again, Ansel backsteps away from Merek's reaching blade. The Telmar reaches up to push aside a stray bit of hair from his vision, looking for another opening. He moves in, but this time, the pair's blades meet with the singing crash of metal against metal. Once more, they circle and re-engage

Signe checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Jordan checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Ansel takes minor damage.

Graham watches the sparring match and looks back and forth as they move around nodding when he sees a good move or dodge or strike. He will stop to clap though in encougement to the fighers as they move around one another.

Corban checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Up the wall Genevieve goes again -- toned shoudlers, strong legs and small calloused hands making light work of the climb. When she lands, it's with a renewed determination etched across her face, grey eyes glaring at the double bars like they killed one of her pets. A rather unladylike little grunt bursts from her mouth as she all but /charges/ at the hurdles, jumping over them, wheeee!

Veronica checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Jericho checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Corban checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Echo checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Genevieve checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Signe checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 17 lower.

Jericho checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 2 higher.

Merek comes once more towards Ansel and manages to land a small strike, as he shifts his shield up and catches one of the movements towards him, parrying another, as another glances his leathers. Meanwhile past that only hit he managed, seems he can do little else, but he hasn't taken a hit this time, still he knows he is likely to be defeated, still he pushes on.

Veronica checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Jordan checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Esoka settles into the stands quietly, elbows on her knees as she watches the run through the Gauntlet. With half an eye on the sparring as well. Merek and Ansel earn a cheer from her as they get into it.

Barely competent at the V-Log, Jordan doesn't manage the high hurdles without significant challenges. He shakes his head as he keeps pace, resolutely.

Orathy has rolled a critical success!
Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

Signe raised her head from the ground, spitting and coughing up dirt. Rather than give into failure she's still laughing. There was no way she'd be able to conquer the bars but the next challenge, the V-log, she managed to not entirely fail. Just barely. The high hurdles were impossible so the young Shaman just walked under them. Still counts.

Jericho manages to make it past the V-logs AND through the High hurdles. Keep it going!

Again, the pair meets, and again, metal crashes against metal in an echoing song. There's a bit more care to Ansel's movements now, circling and looking for a better opening, given that he hasn't managed to find his way past the man's guard. He shifts his grip on his sword, looking to reengage.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Katarina watches the back and forth in the circle. She cheers for both men, but every time Ansel lands a strike she waves her hands over her head.

Echo managed to bring herself back into the race with the v-logs just fine, but geez those hurdles are really high up there. And she's getting a /bit/ tired, sweeping back her damp hair as she tries her best to keep up with the others.

Ansel takes minor damage.

What the hell has happened to Genevieve? The second run seemed like it had come within an inch of finishing her, but here is running and jumping like some kind of crazy-ass deer. That said, she's slowing down a little at the v-logs, perhaps in an attempt to conserve energy for the last stretch. V-log cleared with another grunt, she just about manages to skip over the high hurdles. But she did it, that's all that matters. (Never mind the sweat that's saturating the back of her tunic.)

Apparently, Lord Corban spent most of his energy on his fantastic run over the wall, for he finds himself stumbling through the later things. But he is straightening himself up and eyeing that rope, wanting to finish strong!

Corban checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Echo checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Jordan checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 11 lower.

Jericho checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Merek notices that the change in Ansel's guard is a look for an opening. He then shifts his shield, knocking away one of the blade strikes as he comes around with one of his own to manage another small strike. Not much, but he then moves back and prepares for the engagement further. For all of that Gauntlet running, he just will not let up as his stance is maneuvered.

Genevieve has rolled a critical success!
Genevieve checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 32 higher.

By now Veronica is sweating quite profusely as well, and like many of the racers, she makes a leap over the high hurdle -- but she fails to make it, just so. She backs up and attempts another leap, but still failing she just bypasses it and keeps going.

Signe checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 10 lower.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 3 higher.

Veronica checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

By now, the fight has hit its stride, with both men trading parried blows in sequence. Clang, clang, crash crash. The Telmar's sword glances off Merek's shield before the Redmarcher ducks under a swipe from that diamondplate blade. It hums low in the air as Ansel moves juuust out of reach.

Laurene, a military adjutant arrives, delivering a message to Arn before departing.

Jordan sucks at the Gauntlet. It is his first run, to be fair, but then again, he doesn't seem too enthused at the end, so much as absolutely tired. With a distracted nod, he heads on over to the eastern benches again. "I'm up next for sparring!" No, he won't stop, not today.

Merek takes minor damage.

Merek takes minor damage.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Arn before departing.

Signe pushed over the last hurdle instead of walking under it as it was impossible for her short stature to jump that thing. Mount it perhaps but not jumping. Next was the ropes and while goal was to climb the rope to the top to finish the race she grabbed onto it and started swinging. Her legs kicked at the air to gain momentum while singing aloud, "I came in like... something. That comes in....."

Genevieve makes one final, crazy dash towards the rope, and with a nimble leap grabs onto it like something out of a swashbuckling novel. Sailing out in an almost elegant way (completely unintentional) she lets go at the last moment and lands with a light thud of her feet against the ground. Painting like she's about to expire, the small woman then straightens up and lifts the memorial token just a little above her head. Then she's half limping away to get a waterskin, which she swigs deep, deep from before dumping the rest of it over her head.

Merek comes around and prepares to take on Ansel, and with all the exhaustion he makes his mistake and takes two glancing blows that are enough to knock him back a bit. His own assaults are parried, like before, it seems that it is a trade with the exchange. He then shifts his blade a bit forward, and shifting his stance he prepares once more.

Jericho ends up going straight through the gauntlet ahead of Echo! panting a bit now as he rests his hands on his knees, he chuckles after going through the whole thing three times! "Whew...that was some good stamina training." he sighs a little bit more with that grin of his. standing up straight with a stretch.

Consistency served Veronica well, evidently! Somehow she manages to finish second place, although by the time she crosses the finish line she is panting breathlessly, bending over with her hands grabbing her thighs.

Jordan has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Jordan has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Veronica has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Fatigue begins to settle on both men now. Ansel's swings come just a bit slower, and it takes just a moment or two longer to counter after being blocked by that shield again. The Telmar sidesteps another sword swipe, managing to catch Merek lightly on the counter, but still, not finding quite the purchase he did earlier.

Genevieve has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Monique has been applauding the Gauntlet competitors wildly, shouting along encouragement as she records scores, and each runner gets their score as they come off the course followed by a hearty congratulations and thanks from the Minx of the Marches.

Orathy finishes well that time, with only the one minor stumble in the beginning. The scores? Identical actually. He puts his hands on his sides and shakes his head at the results.

Merek checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 10, rolling 60 higher.

Merek remains capable of fighting.

Signe has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Merek checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 22, rolling 33 higher.

Merek remains capable of fighting.

Corban gets more than a hearty congratulations, leaning over and taking the liberty of kissing his wife slash scorekeeper on the cheek. He then turns and looks towards the ground where Ansel and Merek are sparring, remarking: "Do you think she would be proud, dear?"

Echo might've come in 6th place, but she sure as heck looks happy about it. Tired, too. The knight princess has to stop for a long moment to gather her breath before grinning over at Genevieve. "You're something else, y'know that?" She shook her head and straightened herself out, gathering a deep breath as inclined her head to Jericho and Veronica. "Well done. That was something else! I'm pretty sure some of you broke records today." That all said as she smoothed out her dress before making it up to Signe's side, dropping a hand on her shoulder. "You did wonderful, too. Thank you for joining me, but I'm -- Dead tired." As she shifted to turn to the exit, she nodded, overhearing Corban's comment. "Definitely."

Merek shifts back and takes another two blows as he tries to defend, and looks like he is about to Yield, although he does not. Exhausted now along with Ansel, he looks to try and shift around and come for another assault, momentum put into it as he does so.

On the cheek? Oathlanders. Monique turns to her husband, surveying the carnage and the exhilaration. "I think she'd love this. There's so much /life/ here tonight." She reaches out to squeeze his hand hard.

Esoka has left the West Spectator Seating.

Esoka leave the stands, approaching Corban and Monique. "Lord Corban! That was a fine run! I cannot stay much longer, but my thanks for putting this on. It felt good doing something /active/ to remember Lady Eirlys."

Monique is overheard praising Corban for: RIP Eirlys. Best co-host.

Orathy has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Orathy has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Michael is overheard praising Monique.

Corban is overheard praising Monique for: The co-hostess with the mostest.

Merek is overheard praising Corban.

Merek is overheard praising Monique.

Michael is overheard praising Corban.

Echo is overheard praising Corban.

Michael is overheard praising Ianna.

Margret is overheard praising Monique.

Margret is overheard praising Corban.

Echo is overheard praising Monique.

Signe's swinging was starting to slow down as Echo placed a hand on her shoulder. "Oh, the race is over already?" Finishing enough of the sport the shaman dropped off of the rope. "That was fun. Besides eating of the dirt which does not taste well."

Fatigue continues to slow the struggle. Ansel manages to catch Merek's side after the man swings wide and leaves his shield lagging behind a bit, but is forced to jump back in order to avoid being caught while in close quarters. HIs hair, slick with sweat, sticks to the front of his face now, almost blocking his vision. He looks too tired to care, though.

Genevieve is breathing harshly, a drowsy-eyed mess of wet hair and tunic, but she manages a tired smile for Echo along with a thumbs up. Apparently she's just too ragged by now to keep up her usual soldierly composure, because she's back to swigging at that waterskin like a loon.

Veronica looks up when she hears Echo, grinning fiercely at the princess. "Thank you." She manages between breaths. "And thank you for telling me to participate." Once Echo has moved on, she straightens up and moves to join Genevieve. "You are quite swift on your feet!"

Simone is overheard praising Corban.

Marius is overheard praising Corban.

Marius is overheard praising Monique.

Simone is overheard praising Monique.

Corban bows his head to Esoka when she comes over. "Thank you, Dame Esoka. And I am so glad that you agreed to be interviewed for my work on chivalry. I so look forward to speaking to you about it." He then glances back to Monique, squeezing her hand in return. "I am glad, my dear. I am glad we could do this."

Ansel is overheard praising Monique.

Ansel is overheard praising Corban.

Veronica picks up a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Veronica drops a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Veronica picks up a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Veronica drops a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Orathy gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Merek checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 34, rolling 18 higher.

Merek remains capable of fighting.

Jericho walks up to Echo, putting her shoulder and even pulling her into a hug if she allows! "You did good too ya know." he teases her lightly then. "She'd be proud of both of us." he whispers to her softly then.

Signe gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Veronica gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Merek checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 101, rolling 55 lower.

Merek checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 60, rolling 9 lower.

Merek is incapacitated.

Merek falls unconscious.

Michael gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Waldemai applauds the fighters. "Well done, both of you!"

Signe is overheard praising Monique.

Amari gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Jericho is overheard praising Monique.

Jericho is overheard praising Corban.

Jericho is overheard praising Orathy.

Veronica is overheard praising Monique.

Genevieve manages to croak out a brief, "Thank you, my Lady," and gives Veronica another smile. Wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, she then says, "Good job, everyone."

Merek eventually takes a few more blows after his are parried, and is knocked clean onto his back, his cloak swishing in the winds about that coat which he wears. The Knight looks up at the skies for a moment, and seems to be about to drift off, then he sighs and tries to keep his bearings, "I Yield," he states then to Ansel, "Good match."

Monique smiles earnestly to Esoka. "You were an avid fighter, Dame Esoka. Eirlys would have been proud. Thank you so much for coming. It means a great deal."

Esoka lingers long enough to watch the conclusion of the sparring between Merek and Ansel, yelling out heartily to the pair of them. Then, off she goes, fingering her memorial token as she departs.

Bumping her shoulder into Jericho's side in a show of affection, Echo pressed a hand over her chest and gathered up another breath. "Definitely proud of us. Thanks for joining me out here." Her lips pulled into a lopsided smile before she dipped her head in a polite curtsy and made her escape.

Echo has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Ansel seems all too glad to call it, leaning over on his sword, point down, breathing heavily. He reaches up to tip his helm off his head, wringing his hair back over his head. A few Telmarine medics hurry on over to him and Merek, checking on any bumps and bruises.

Arn shouts from nearby, "That man is as skinny as a sapling! What took so long to knock him down, boy!?"

"Before the night closes!" calls out Lord Corban, looking around the field. "We will do one last run on the Gauntlet! Us know if you would like to join by coming to line up with us!"

Simone tries to hide a smirk but doesn't quite succeed at hearing Arn yell next to her and yells out, "Well fought, brother!"

Graham has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Once the medics have tended with him, Merek stands up and offers an incline towards Ansel. He then stretches a bit and sighs while he moves to take a seat, not before noticing that Katarina is around, who he waves to and inclines, then he looks to Simone and moves to where she is, settling in, might as well meet new people while he's here and old friends, "Evening, Marquessa."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Michael before departing.

Ansel is too busy being out of breath and unable to see to reply back to anyone for a few moments. He gives a glance over to Merek, dipping his head as politely as he's able, before finally standing back up straight, catching his breath. He gathers up his helm then heads to the edge of the pit, accepting Vowkeeper back from the nervous-looking Telmarine who's kept it for the fight.

Katarina perks up when Merek waves, and she raises a rounded arm to wave back at at the Knight. "Nice to see you Merek, good fight!"

Orathy has left the West Spectator Seating.

Orathy has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Michael has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Arn has left the West Spectator Seating.

Orathy has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Orathy has joined the Fighting Pit.

Monique has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Something's happened along the way to the gauntlet course, it seems that Orathy Culler has called out Prince Jericho Valardin! It was definitely over the praising or something. "Aye come on White Wolf-" he grumbles toward the Prince, "Reckon ya need to show 'em what sort of sword arm ya got. What we fightin with?"

"How are you, Your Highness?" Merek asks Katarina from where he is, voice a husky purr which somehow carries when he wishes for it to do so. He also looks towards Simone, and also back to the other people around, seeing who all is about.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Michael before departing.

Monique gives Corban a last squeeze of the hand before heading away from the Gauntlet and towards... Arn! "Duke Telmar," she greets with a befitting curtsey. "I wished to thank you personally for allowing us to host my cousin's memorial here. Truly, it shows how far Telmar has come and how much more accepting it is. I know Lady Eirlys was fond of you, and fond of the Gauntlet."

Katarina gets to her feet and nods towards Merek. "I'm doing quite good, I hope you are as well. I caught most of your fight, it was very well done."

Monique is overheard praising Arn for: Such an accepting Liege!

Jericho has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Jericho has joined the Fighting Pit.

Jericho wields Eclipse, Blade Of The White's Wolf.

Michael shows up in boots and breeches and a black linen undershirt, over which armor is usually worn. He is rubbing his hands back and forth over one another as if warming them up may help in the gauntlet.

Orathy wields a brutal battle axe with a wicked crescent blade.

Simone turning her head away from watching her father and brother, she smiles warmly at Merek, "Greetings! Well fought against my brother." She flashes him a slight grin then turns to watch Ansel and Arn once more.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

"I need to improve quite a bit," Merek tells Katarina, as he offers a nod. When it's back and also towards Simone he nods, "Thank you, he is very skilled as a combatant, as far as I can tell."

Jericho was about to leave when he hears Orathy call him out, and he can't help but grin then a moment. Eirlys would want him to. So he walks back to Orathy, grabbing his sword on the way and drawing the curved blade. "Now...I'm a far better archer than I am a swordsman, so I won't take it too personally when I barely lose to you." he teases then with that smile, entering a stance as he points his blade at Orathy.

Merek has left the Fighting Pit.

Corban has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Jericho takes moderate damage.

Orathy takes minor damage.

Jericho takes serious damage.

Simone laughs softly and nods, "trust me when I say that he had no choice in that matter."

"No one is fond of me, girl. Don't sugar coat it. Just like I won't sugar coat how I feel about your departed cousin. Lady Eirlys died a warrior. She put herself in the line to protect her people and the Compact and for that I honor her and I'll remember her. Maybe the first Greenmarch I'll care to recall. Her sacrifice won't be forgotten. In fact." he pauses, frowning and stopping by Monique rather than barreling right past her as he was going to do, "New tradition. Commission a statue of Lady Eirlys and we'll put her here in remembrance." then he barrels past toward Ansel. He is distracted again, however, by Michael, "You! You're Gabby's boy, aren't you? Tell your father that I haven't seen him in a while and that I intend to." that sounds ominous. But so does a lot of what he says. OK, on to Ansel.


Katarina smiles at Merek and waves her hand at him. "You'll get better, that's why we practice." She glances back at the seats and speaks quietly.

Ansel has only overheard parts of what was said, but it sounded almost like Arn Telmar was telling Monique Telmar nee Greenmarch to put up a statue of Eirlys Greenmarch on Telmar land. He must have heard wrong. But unfortunately for Ansel, he's caught about half-way to his elder sister by Arn's sudden turn in his direction. The Telmar Sword's paces come to a halt.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Arn before departing.

Jericho rushes at Orathy, trading sword-clashes with him on more than one occasion. He's good, but Orathy might just be superior in this instance. While Jericho manages to leave a good cut on Orathy, Orathy hits him like a tank all of a sudden, causing him to roll backwards until he rolls back to his feet, holding his blade in his hand. "Whew...solid strike. I'm far better with the bow..." he groans lightly to himself before the WOlf is back on the hunt! lunging at Orathy to enter the fray once moe!

Orathy shrugs his shoulders at the choice of weapons and the old man puts his boots in the dirt, rolling out his shoulders and wobbling his neck side to side. He digs into a stance and smirks across at Jericho, "Aye, for the Lady, eh?" He raises his axe a wee bit in salute, before he charges at Jericho. It's not without that display on the gauntlet he showed earlier. He has speed when he wants to and he comes at Jericho with the strength of a bull, hammering into the Valardin Prince, not once, but twice. All non-lethal but enough to stagger the other, taking a grazing glance for the last attempt, "Reckon I mean to earn some new clients today Prince!" He grunts a bit at the lunge, silk wolf against the street wolf, the teeth of their weapons crashing.

Margret stands up from the spectator seats and says to Marius and Simone, "I'll see you at home later." She starts towards the exit leading out of the gauntlet, careful to skirt around the walls to avoid those engaged in sparring.

Katarina has left the East Spectator Seating.

Quiet, a Valardin champion, Aioni, a regal snowy white owl, Pawn, the courtier's apprentice leave, following Katarina.

Jericho takes moderate damage.

Margret has left the West Spectator Seating.

Jericho takes moderate damage.

Jordan looks over at Arn, considering the Duke for a moment. So he rises, and bows in the sovereign of the Telmarch's direction before settling back down in his seat.

Michael is left stunned by Arn Telmar's passing, his eyebrows lifting and mouth hanging open. Nobody calls his father Gabby. He'll snap it shut eventually. Ready to get runnin

It's very possibly the first time Monique has ever been left entirely speechless.

Graham seems to have decided to try his hand at the gauntlet before trying to clash blades. It had been a while since he'd done so. The young Stonewood moves over to the starting line giving the others there a nod in greeting and wish of luck in good sportsmamship.

Jordan gets In Memoriam - Lady Eirlys Greenmarch from a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Monique picks up a Basket of Memoriam Tokens ii Please Take One.

Jericho grins softly then to Orathy at his words, but he does't let um! coming at Orathy with a flurry! though he just cannot break that iron guard. It's like a rabid wolf striking at an older...craftier wolf. The clash of wolves continues! He gets hit quite a few times though, and Jericho takes a moment to gather himself before he just barely dodges one, backbending under the blade Matrix-style. before he twirls away, back into a defensive position. "Whew...truly, you are a good swordsman."

"Is Monique just standing there looking stupid?" Arn mutters to his son without turning around. "Sounds like she is. Good. Maybe I'll get some peace. Good fight, boy." that's the only praise Ansel gets from his father, but it's something. "Here's what I need. A big push for military writs. Joint manuevers, training exercises, all that. Work with the other houses over the city, get others to do the same on behalf of Telmar. Organize the house. We have plenty but I want to assist the marches in rebuilding their forces like we'll have to rebuild ours. They answered the call and upheld their obligations. Now we do our part, right?" he claps a hand on Ansel's shoulder and dips his head, looking up at his son through bushy gray brows, lesson imparted. "Right. It's symbiotic, boy. We don't just take, they don't just give. Obligation. Duty. Responsibility."


Monique's mouth might even be hanging open, staring after Arn.

Orathy doesn't let Jericho hit him. The Culler has learned a few tricks by the looks of it. He dodges and parries, weaves around like he wasn't just some street thug who used a cudgel. He was proving his merit by the way he flaunted the use of that axe, swinging deftly to sustain Jericho with bruises he'll quite remember come morning. The clash of weapons once again is vicious, with that moment where Jericho bends backward to avoid a hit causing Orathy to snort at the fanciness of it all, "Aye, had to get sharper teeth."

Corban makes his way up to his wife, a bit confused. "Everything okay, dear?" he asks, looking from her to Arn. He might not have heard just what went down. Or else he might be as confused himself.

Ansel seizes up a little bit as Arn nears. He doesn't really nod in reply to that first question. The Telmar Sword listens as the Duke imparts, first instruction, then advice. He moves as though to reach for a pad of paper to write down the first part of instructions, but whether to avoid a clubbing or because Arn's already moved on, stops mid-way through and just gives a quick nod of understanding. "I..Organize, assist, Our part.." he repeats, nodding quickly, seeming at once both confused by the volume of instruction, and the sudden impacting of an almost fatherly lesson. There's another nod. "Our responsibility," he repeats.

Jericho checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 13, rolling 47 higher.

Jericho remains capable of fighting.

Jericho checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 31, rolling 28 higher.

Jericho remains capable of fighting.

Monique blinks mossy green eyes at Arn and then swings them to Corban. And then back to Arn. And then to Corban. "I... think Arn might have just suffered a brain rupture... I cannot be certain. Perhaps we ought to call the Mercies... is Princess Sophie around?" She looks back to Arn, somewhat concerned. "He told me I ought to commission a statue of Eirlys for the grounds here... I don't... I'm not sure... I don't /think/ he was joking..."

As Ansel's hand moves and Arn quickly picks up on what he's doing, he gives he's son's hand a slap with his free hand. The other remains firmly upon Ansel's shoulder. The younger Telmar is taller, but the height difference likely doesn't feel like much of an advantage here. Leaning in close, almost touching his forehead to his son's - and pulling the boy down to do so - he gives him the Treatment like some shorter version of LBJ. In his face, speaking quietly, wagging a finger in Ansel's face. He doesn't seem angry, just very serious.


The young soldier has taken the moment to stretch and hopefully remain able to move properly. Graham listens to the words spoken at the starting line of the obsticle course nodding. "Perhaps a round of sparring afterwards if we both are up for it?" He speaks to Michael.

Jericho has rolled a critical success!
Jericho checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 54, rolling 24 higher.

Jericho remains capable of fighting.

Dressed in flowing blue and delicate in bearing, Tabitha appears without any fanfare and somewhat hesitantly weaves through the crowds, glancing here and there. Swiping a curling lock of golden hair behind her ear, she then lowers her hand to entwine it with the other one, fingers laying flat over her collarbones.

"Well, I would perhaps go ahead and do it before he comes to his senses and takes back the permission," recommends Corban, gently, under his breath. "But I ought to go into the Tower and make sure that things are taken care of there. You can oversee the last bit, I hope?"

Jericho checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 118, rolling 76 lower.

Jericho checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 74, rolling 30 lower.

Jericho is incapacitated.

Jericho falls unconscious.

"Of course, love," Monique tells Corban, leaning in to give the man a proper kiss. None of this cheek stuff, and murmur something before he departs.

Merek eventually stands up and nods towards Simone, "You take care m'Lady," he offers, then he pulls his cloak about the coat he has on, and shifts a it so he looks more regal and proper, as he moves towards the exit for now, still tired. He looks to the Gauntlet and considers it, mentioning to Corban, "I'll be back around sometime likely to take the course until I place," he nods, as he looks to the scoreook.

Deputy Clerk Anya arrives, delivering a message to Michael before departing.

Simone smiles warmly at Merek and nods, "Be well!" Turning her attention back to Arn and Ansel, her eyes twinkle with good humor and pride as she watches them.

Aneka, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Meeka leave, following Merek.

Ansel just sort of stands there, kept in place by both the strong knotted hand of Arn, and whatever the Telmar Duke is muttering to him. The young Telmar's expression is, for once, very difficult to read. He's listening closely, and there's actual thought behind those pale eyes of his, brought upon by whatever Arn's said to him. It's clear it's a lot, coupled with what the Duke was saying before, but the Sword seems to be listening, taking it in. When Arn finishes, there's a firm, confident nod from his son. A promising nod, uncharacteristically certain. "I will."

Graham glances back while they wait at the line. It may be lucky he does as he spots a glance of a well known figure and will turn offering a warm smile and a wave to Tabitha, though he isnt sure if she'll see him in the crowd though he will continue to glance that direction for the moment at least.

The night continues with sparring and Gauntlet-running until everyone is too tired or too injured to do anymore, all in praise and celebration of the life of the Lady Eirlys Greenmarch.

R.I.P.