2 Kennex corsairs, Jane arrive, following Catalana.

Jaenelle stands up within the judge's booth, looking across the field as people being to arrive and settle in to either compete or watch. There are people moving throughout the area, collecting names of people who wish to race as Jaenelle announces, "if you wish to race today, please state your intention to do so and we shall add your name to the list and get you set up with a chariot."

Victus has joined the Judges Booth.

Artorius approaches, "I wish to compete today. I'm Count Artorius Magnotta." A bow is included.

Prince Victus is at beside Jaenelle, having a teeny tiny square table to himself for stacks of parchment. The High Lord looked unusually happy for the occasion. Usually there isn't a lot of joy around him in general, but today's different. Today he is smiling. A whole smile. "I'm going to be yelling at everyone consistently and constantly. If you fuck up, I will let everyone know." He waves to the competitors as he finishes saying so. "Good luck!"

Has anyone ever seen Lucrezia near a horse since returning to Arx? No, but that doesn't stop her from sauntering over to the area to join the race. With a wild, mad grin she says, "I want to join." That look in her eyes, she's probably just here for the blood even if she has no idea what she's getting into!

Noah moves to sit near the Judges booth and kick his feet up on the nearest surface. He's here to watch and be near Jaenelle, like good eye candy.

Jingling bells sing out as Mattheu steps towards the field, Thesbe following along behind him as the Rivenshari lord turns and bows in a flourish with his arms spread out, catching his hat as it rolls off his head then standing back up. "Lord Mattheu Rivenshari." He quirks his lip to a smile and waves to Keely then looking back to Jaenelle, "I would like to do.." He waves behind him towards the chariots, "Whatever this madness is." He then looks to Thesbe, "And I'm told that Lady Thesbe would like to destroy my chariot and watch me eat her dust."

Catalana is most certainly not racing. Dressed in jewels and gown, she isn't stepping near those beasts. Instead here to watch the Thraxian high lord in his element and likewise gleam a little brightness from the event. She instead makes her way up the stands to find a spot to watch.

Catalana has joined the Quiet Booth.

Thea makes her way to the grounds, her stride long and with purpose. She's not participating this time around, no. She's going to WATCH. Looking into the stands, she spies her family and climbs up to join. Hearing that Artorius was going to join however, she gives a low but loud whistle.

Ilira has joined the Quiet Booth.

Eirene is quietly watching and keeping an eye on Artorious. Her kids, sitting alongside, wave a little flag with his house colors on it.

Tove does not appear to be here to compete, especially as she's made her way to the general seating area to observe. The various nobles passing by as well as those who are joining the competition earn at least a passing glance. Maybe more depending on who they are.

3 Last Watch Sentries, 2 Redrain Guards, Old Nan, a mostly harmless old woman arrive, following Donella.

Keely is sitting between Renata and Ilira, chatting softly to Eirene and the others sitting among them at a quiet booth with an excellent view. She glances up as Artorius and Mattheu announce their intentions to participate, cheering barely audibly and lifting her gloved hands to applaud silently.

Thesbe lets out a soft snicker at what Mattheu says but she nods. "Yes, I would like to participate." she squeaks out amidst everyone gathered, "But making people eat dust works too." She leans in says something to Mattheu.

Donella doesn't want to sit in the stands, and looks salty about it. Until she hears of a last minute drop-out. "Donella Redrain, to drive," she calls out, on impulse, causing her Last Guards to muppetarm, probably.

Jaenelle looks towards Victus with amusement, brows lifting at his words. "I am sure they will appreciate you giving them all constructive criticism to bring back home with them for the next time they decide to run around a circle in a chariot." She gives a nod towards Artorius and Lucreziam then towards Mattheu and Thesbe as the four step forward. "Last call!" her voice travels for any who might wish to join. "Those who have already signed up, please pick a horse and chariot and prepare for the first stretch of the track."

Donella has joined the Field.

Lucrezia has joined the Field.

Ilira glides across the grounds, a slight figure of wild hair and colorful wools amongst the throng. Though smaller than most, she cuts her way through the crowd with her head held high and her smile wide and vivacious. She gives a little shake of her head at one of the agents who asks her if she is here to race, her reply soft and laughing. Her azure gaze skims the stands, in search, before the face of the one she seeks catches her eye. "Princess Keely!" she bubbles warmly as she bounds up the steps, sliding in beside the young princess and sprawling back in her seat. "/Look/." From behind her back, she produces something that appears from afar to be a package.

Audrey trudges her way in through the ever-present snow, bundled up in her cloak with the hood pulled up against wind and cold. She pauses near the entry to the tournament grounds, watchful blue gaze scanning across the field, the tents, the stands, before charting a course for the general seating area.

Audrey has joined the General Seating.

Noah wiggles his seat a bit closer. He's going to be on the Judging Bench in no time.

Artorius doesn't need to pick one of the horses out from those already done up. He is Malvici. He practically has a chariot in his great hall. He doesn't, but that's without saying he likely brought his own chariot too! The Count pivots at the call to get to the horses, his own, Trident - a dark coal black destrier has already been prepared behind his chariot, which if it has a name, it has one now as it's entered as 'Kraken.'

Remus has left the Field.

Marie, the Warlord's Assistant have been dismissed.

2 Proscipi veteran guards have been dismissed.

Mattheu heads over towards the horses and with some difficulty manages to slip a bell upon a mane then slips a few more onto the chariot. Beaming he pets the horse carefully upon its nose trying to lure it forwards while muttering to the animal in Ravashari.

Mattheu says in Ravashari, "Come along, what is your name anyway? Is it buttercup? No, you look like a Za...?""

Eirene's three kids continue to wave Magnotta colored cheer sticks as their mother watches, only barely paying attention to those around her. She then says, "5 grand on Artorius to win," loudly, asking who around her wants that action.

Donella goes over the railing with a last-second snatch at an apple from a concessions purveyor, coin-purse lobbed over her shoulder. That is the most expensive apple in the history of the Hippodrome. It out to do a little dance. But the concessioneer is happy, Donella is happy, and the horse she settles on... motivated. Or pissed off. Hard to tell with those generally very horsey features. "Lets have a chat... Dukesa," she can be heard saying, as she checks over the traces, bit, and the horse's fetlocks and hooves, and finally the wheels. Meh. Who needs 'em?

After exchanging a few, what seems to be bantering with laughing between Mattheu and Thesbe, Thesbe would opt for an all white horse named Whimsical. She thought it fitting especially with the Chariot name painted on the side of the cart, 'Riding on a Dream.' She wasn't sure this was going to be like riding on a dream.... maybe a nightmare but it's the fun that counts right? She has no problem in ushering the horse to do what she needs it to do. Making sure all the tack was set up properly and it was secured well to the chariot. A pat to it's mane as she waits and the winks to Mattheu.

Noah has joined the Judges Booth.

Catalana considers loud enough for those to hear, "I'll take that bet, but I am placing my money on Princess Donella."

No pressure. Artorius looks toward the loud call that may or may not have bet on his name. NO pressure! Artorius steps around the chariot to check the riggings, as his hand then makes a smooth motion down the back of the horse Trident, coming up to his face, checking the bit and the reins, thumping the beast's neckline as an attendant keeps the horse stilled until the games are to begin.

As the horses line up on their mark, the chariots checked to make sure they are properly connection and riders written on the score cards, the tension for the start hangs in the air as the crowd falls silent. Two men on either side of the starting line lift a flag, a way to indicate the race has started without startling the horses and riders while doing so.

Round One: The first quarter of the track is a straight shot down, where the riders and horses need to find some balance in their desires to either sprint ahead or take their time in playing a longer game lest the horse become too tired to finish.

@oldcheck Dexterity + Ride at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 5 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck strength at 15 then choose another racer to sabatage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabatage Options, choose one:

1. There is a whip located in every chariot, slap them.
2. Ram them with your chariot.[/Optional]

Mattheu checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 9 lower.

Mattheu checks luck at hard. Mattheu fails.

Artorius checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 43 higher.

Donella checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Thesbe checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 15 higher.

Lucrezia checks luck at hard. Lucrezia marginally fails.

Thesbe checks luck at hard. Thesbe is successful.

Donella checks luck at hard. Donella is successful.

Donella checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Lucrezia checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Thesbe checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Artorius checks luck at hard. Critical Success! Artorius is spectacularly successful.

Artorius checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

"It's a beautiful winter day here upon Alarice's Tournament Grounds. Cold as fuck, which I'm sure is going to make ideal conditions for safe racing." Victus begins his commentary, leaning over the judge's booth for the optimal view of the playing field. "Luckily, looks like no ice to slip n' slide on for horses and wheels alike. The all noble lineup will /not/ be left horribly injured by nature's wrath. I'm certain there's enough of them out for blood that we will still see carts and wood just fucking /demolish/ each other."

Things are getting cozy at the quiet booth. Half its occupants are now nestled in a large, warm quilt, with a box of still-steaming cookies set out for snacking. Keely looks delighted by the company and conversation... until Victus begins his announcements, at which point her face pales and she does everything in her power to not watch the race everyone is here to see.

Eirene claps at Victus' announcing. Clearly, a man after her own vocabulary. Her children whistle and hoot as well because they're likely here for the wrecks too. (Their 'uncle' Artorius not included in that). She calls back to Catalana, "Done! You got the princess, I got the Count. Any other takers on this action?"

Catalana almost gives a soft half snort of amusement at Victus's commentary but stops short. Instead she reaches for a cookie and focuses on the race and cheering for Donella now and then. "I'm certain she'll win. How can she not? Born to the isles and now living with bear wrestlers. She's got to have the toughest skin."

When the race starts and Artorius already is ahead, Thea cheers for her cousin. She looks to Eirene, and tells her,"Oh, I already put up coin for Artie." Hearing Victus, she lifts her flask in his direction. Because--there's ALAWAYS a flask.

Ilira snuggles in beside Keely and Renata at the booth, but sits forward at Victus' commentary, her blue eyes alight with an anticipatory luster.

Noah kicks his feet back up and then watches the showing on the ground. He glances over towards Keely's bench and lifts his head to this. He's just invited himself to the Judge's Table. Of course, Noah likes to judge. A pipe is pulled out of his belt and as he lights it, there a 'haze' of smoke that snakes upwards. Still nothing really spoken.


Artorius pulls out quickly into the lead, though that puts a target on his chariot as Donella aims for him in an attempt to stop him from getting too ahead too quickly. She misses her attack, though Artorius's chariot and horse are in total control of their movements and Donella's charity takes some damage in her attempt. Poor Mattheu doesn't make it out of the gate, and to add further insult, as Thesbe pulls out she side swipes Mattheu and causes his wheels to loosen and people rush out to tighten before he is able to even start. Thesbe takes advantage of Donella and Artorius' issues by passing the now damaged Donella and moves into second place behind Artorius. Lucrezia keeps to herself, pulling up behind everyone but in front of the Mattheu who has only now been given the go ahead and is in dead last as he attempts to catch up.


Artorius is not new to being in a chariot. That's practically have he's been raised, if not on the back of one, behind one. His stance in the chariot is wide, his knees bent, his frame braced for the turbulent ride that's expected. Trident has a quick burst off the line and he howls at the animal, "HAH HAH HAH!" snapping the reins in his fingers, threaded like he kind of knows what he's doing. Unlike dancing. His attention swings back to the swipe that Donella takes at him in the first burst of speed and yet, he doesn't hesitate at defending himself and turning the tide upon the woman. If anyone expects to come at the Count, expect him to hit back. What he does is swing his chariot into her horse's path to spook the beast and then he gestures toward her, friendly but at the same time competitive. His long hair is flying and his tasset armor looks like it belongs. The Magnotta, former Malvici, represents with a further crack of the reins, hollering to get his animal ahead of everyone else before the dreaded turn. He's already bracing for it, already wrapping his arms around the reins and ready to drift that bitch around the corner.

Splinter, the golden-eyed osprey arrives, following Desma.

Donella looks pleased, in fact, when the sabotage attempt is fended off and others pull ahead. Less so about the damage. But the wind takes her breath, and her laughter away as she careens on steering sharply into a position to try and pick up lost yards in the first turn.

Catalana hops to her feet at the slight scuffle. Hands cupped around her mouth she hollars encouragement to the princess.

Desma races into the tournament grounds at a run, craning her head as she tries to see where the chariots are at.

"I get to drive?!" There's almost childish glee in Lucrezia's expression as she jumps into a chariot at random. Maybe it wasn't the one intended for her, but a shearing glance assures that no one's going to stop her. As the race starts, though, it is readily apparent she hasn't the least idea what she's doing. At least she gets the horse to move forward with a mighty shout like she's at the wheel of her ship and relaying orders through a storm. The reins are flapping loose and her horse is mostly just running by itself for she's watching the others go at each other and getting terrible, terrible ideas.

Catalana shouts from nearby, ": Wiggle that whip! Run that horse! Go!"

Mattheu nudges at Zafi with a soft coaxing whistle, then watches as the horse just stands there and farts at him, its tail wiping back. While Mattheu is attempting to not gag, his cart suddenly falls apart! Looking up to why the wheels have come off of the cart he watches Thesbe take off and he starts laughing. "Come On! Zafi! We can do better than that! Use that gas to move!"

Renata watches the start of the race through a slit in her fingers, since her hands now cover her eyes and her cheeks are flushed with concern for the amount of side-swiping going on. "Is that allowed?" she can be heard to ask, faintly, watching her cousin Lucrezia with deeper concern.

"HA!" Eirene claps her hands once in celebration as Artorius blasts ahead of the competition. "Show 'em what you got, Art!" The two Malvici and one Riven kids are jumping on their bench in happy celebration until Eirene motions for them to sit back down so they don't block people's views.

"We got some head starts and violence is already underway! That's my cousin coming in to dropkick somebody off the track-" Victus looks fiendishly excited for a moment, but uickly covers his face upon the unfortune outcome. "DONELLA, YOU GOTTA RAM 'EM LIKE YOU MEAN IT! C'MON!" The Prince huffs. "I assure our audience I am not biased -- anyway. Looks like we have some piddling going on at the starting gate, somebody's not even out on the track. That looks like Lord Mattheu. There's still an ample opportunity to blame the horse if he so desires. I would.--" He glances sidelong at Noah. "Some weirdo just came into the booth. Ahh-, anyway-- man with the Trident has pulled out in front with a strong lead! It's It's Islander on Islander struggle just behind him between Thesbe and the bloodthirsty Donella! Trailing behind is Lucrezia who is quite safe and out of the gate. It's anyone's race. I hope they keep trying to fuck each other over, that was fun."

Nudged by Ilira, Keely looks up just in time to see Donella take a swipe at Artorius. She lifts both hands to cover her face, peeking out between her fingers after a moment and gasping when she sees how far ahead the Count has pulled. She cheers out a soft, "Hooo!" in support, lowering her hands again to clap before settling back in beside Renata and the former Whisper. "I believe it is encouraged," she assures the softest Pravus, just as Victus affirms those words.

"Yep," Ilira tells Renata with a wink, all smiles as she observes the opening carnage of the race. A little gasp and a round of applause follow Artorius's clean dispatch of the first attack. Laughing, she remarks to the two princesses, "Uncover your eyes, silly!"

Thea looks at Catalana, eyes squinting. "What do you know about whips?" Climbing to her feet her however, she regretfully admits,""I have to head out, but let me know how this ends and how much money we win,"murmuring the latter part the Malvici kids. Then she jogs down the bleachers and darts out

Thesbe had some inkling of what to do. Or at least knows how to properly drive a cart with horse attached. Maybe not so much the chariot part but she does seal the deal on her words of Mattheu eating some of her dust, quite literally leaving him behind at the starting line. About to lean in on the curve, she laughs, catching up to Artorius in 2nd place. She shouts to her horse with encouraging words; like free sugar cubes for life. Maybe? The horse doesn't understand her but it looks like it does because it's getting faster and faster.

Thea has left the Quiet Booth.

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, Rocco, the rascally assistant, Strawberry Pupcake, the Graypeak Mountain Dog leave, following Thea.

Desma has joined the Quiet Booth.

Eirene isn't too far behind Thea. The kids are left with a nanny, a box of chocolate chip cookies, and instructions to be good little monsters. "Kick some ass, Art," she yells as she leaves. She walks backward as she exitrs, calling to Catalana, "Just send me my silver when this is done!"

Eirene has left the Quiet Booth.

Carissa, a Southport bodyguard, Planchet the Lycene maggiordome leave, following Eirene.


Round Two: The first long bend in the track, and the perfect place to outsmart the other racers by attempting to huge the curves and slide out in front or take the outer ring and hope the avoid the fray between the other competitors. It is harder to turn a horse with a chariot, and takes a bit more control and focus.

@oldcheck command + leadership at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 5 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck Dexterity at 15 then choose another racer to sabatage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabatage Options, choose one:

1. You also have a spear. Try not to aim for their head.
2. Ram them with your chariot.[/Optional]


Catalana visibly rolls her eyes and mutters softly "Lycenes." before focusing back on the race.

Artorius checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 50 higher. Artorius rolled a critical!

Mattheu checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Mattheu checks luck at hard. Mattheu fails.

Donella checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Thesbe checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

Lucrezia checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Tove has left the General Seating.

Tove has joined the General Seating.

Donella checks luck at hard. Donella fails.

Artorius checks luck at hard. Artorius is successful.

Artorius checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher. Artorius rolled a critical!

Desma spots Thea leaving one area and pushes through the crowd to sneak into the booth alongside some others she knows. Her eyes sweep over the track before she sees Artorius at the lead and she cups her hands around her mouth and calls out. "MAGNOTTA!"

Lucrezia checks luck at hard. Lucrezia marginally fails.

Mattheu has gotten Zafi to move, but it is not along the track and appears to be towards the stands where a food stand is. The concession stand has several large apples, gleaming in their red and yellow fruit and Zafi has no interest in running today. But Apples... Now that's something Zafi can head towards, and thus drags Mattheu along for the ride, stopping only to start biting at those delicious apples. Those working the concession stand don't appear to think that feeding Zafi dragging Mattheu along in his falling apart chariot is good for business and start to move the cart, only for Zafi to follow along behind them at a slow pace, while Mattheu laughs loudly from the chariot as it drags and cuts a path into the groomed snow alongside the stands.

Keely is overheard praising Mattheu: He is always a good sport no matter how the game goes.

Donella salutes Victus personally as they streak by. It is a peculiar salute, as it only involves one finger. She yells something that MIGHT have been, "CAT-HERDER," but it's very hard to tell as she is trying to block the path to the inside ahead of her.

A flock of ladies-in-waiting arrives, following Alarissa.

Catalana gasps and covers her eyes for just a moment. She peeks out between a few splayed fingers but she calls out a cheer for Donella when she sends a one finger salute Victus's way.

Ilira breaks into a fit of giggles at the debacle of Mattheu and his horse. "If I were betting, I still would have on you!" She grins and sits back in her seat, the only one at the booth not covering her eyes, which glimmer with delight.

Alarissa has joined the Quiet Booth.

Artorius, having prepared for the roll and shifting of weight to drift that bitch of a chariot around the corner, is prepared to look back at the chariots closing in around him. Unfortunately for Thesbe, that mean she's in line of sight when he takes a shot with his spear. The man is equally equipped with throwing spears as he is one-armed driving the chariot around the corner. The spear is aimed at the chariot's wheel house and thankfully not the animal itself or Thesbe. He doesn't want to harm them if he can and somehow he has amazing control to do so. He doesn't have time to watch exactly what happens next, as he pivots back and snaps his reins against Trident to keep a long stretch between him and the others. Although he looks over his shoulder to see Donella starting to catch up again.

Used to commanding something which doesn't have it's own mind and is more likely than not to go on the course set for it, Lucrezia releases the reins to pick up the spear as they're headed into the turn. She's just about to throw it when her horse keeps running straight like a mad thing, making her think it isn't going to make the turn. She throws the spear down and it clatters out of the chariot to fall on the ground behind. Tripping hazard! Flailing and yelling curses at her horse, she gets it to go about the curve without crashing them into the wall, but the ride is bumpy. When they're through the curve she declares to her horse, "I'm going to eat you."

Late is late but Alarissa slips in none the less and makes her way to the booth bear family, friends and former protege. " Did Donella just give my husband the middle finger?" Alarissa asks Catalana.

Catalana smiles fondly as her friend comes and joins her, "Yes. To be fair, he is coaching from the sidelines. He likely deserved it."

Noah is overheard praising Donella: All she needs is one finger to speak, she's going places. I don't think it was about cats.

Noah glances over at Victus and leans to Jaenelle to offer a comment. He's put his feet up and he's just smoking that pipe. That normal pipe. Nothing to see here. However, he looks up at Donella. "Why is she flipping me of--oh, not me. Go Donella!"

Keely gasps again, this time at the sabotage Artorius has wrought. She looks away from the carnage that no doubt ensues, giving it a good long while before resuming her barely-audible cheers for Artorius. On one side, she is leaning lightly and companionably against Ilira, while Renata hides her face against the young Grayson's other shoulder.

"Holy shit that guy's actually trying to kill someone!" Victus shouts, wide-eyed as the spears go flying. "That's a bold strategy and I like his spirit! Let's hope nobody gets a javelin in the shin, I'm not sure we have the grounds booked long enough to include honor duels to the death. I wonder which noble family's Swords are on standby? The attempted murder by Trident-guy has left Lady Thesbe awfully sore and pushed to the back. Donella is yelling at me rudely, but I'm more of an otter person than a catherder these days, so really she's only making herself look out of touch for not following the hip new trends. Also she's in second place, but you could all see that for yourselves. Now let's check in on Mattheu, has he managed to gain the first inch?" His attention swings to the sidelines. "Lord Mattheu and horse appear to be headed for catering. Smart move, I'm also pretty fucking hungry. There's nothing to eat up here. This weird guy is smoking and it smells fucking awful. I hope Jaenelle handles this because I don't want to." He slams his fists on the rail of the booth. "Who's getting speared?! Who's getting a broken neck? Who's going to have a regular race without incident?! We could still see a dark horse!"

Donella throws the weight of her body by one hip against the inside of the chariot called HAZARD to keep that outer wheel down. Flipping over in a crush would be bad, and likely be on the exit to grievous bodily harm. And she is very protective of her body. The reins snap once as she looks toward the straightaway and the oncoming opportunity to accelerate. Possibly she is humming something to herself. Something about 'Coming around the Mountain when she Comes' keeping things cheerful.

Jaenelle looks towards Noah and sighs, "Victus, my husband Noah, the one who is alive." She is so good at introductions.

Donella shouts from nearby, "Hey, you keep your airborne shafts to yourself, you menace!"

Keely watches the booth for judgmental people momentarily before remarking to those at her table, "I hope Highlord Victus does not fall down again, like he did at the Assembly of Peers."

Mattheu has a lovely view from the side of the track, closer than any within the stands. He cheers for Thesbe as she starts to pull ahead, then calls out to Artorius as he places his attack, "Well placed Count Artorius!" There's a shrug back to Thesbe then he looks back to Zafi, and realizes he can probably out pace the horse, hopping off the chariot and walking ahead to the apple concession stand to grab a couple of apples tossing silver at the workers before turning back to his horse and starts to juggle the apples. "Come along Zafi. Follow the shiny apples. I'll even give you one if we head back to the track."


Round Three: The third part of the track is another long, straight, area where those behind can catch up, those ahead can fail to keep that momentum, and the crowd gets a great look at the riders and their beautiful chariots.

Speaking of the audience, this is the perfect time to impress them (looking at you Donella) while the riders dont have turns to focus on or any other obstacles to get in the way. Sometimes the boo of the crowd can hurt more than the broken wooden shrapnel that flies from another chariot into your face that you can't seem to avoid. Play up your role, engage with the crown, entertain the..

@oldcheck Charm + Performance at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 5 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck Wits at 15 then choose another racer to sabatage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabatage Option:

1. If people are looking at you, they aren't looking at another racer. Be your wittiest! Your horse will love you more.[/Optional]


Desma cries out "Magnotta!" repeatedly, hollering her support for Artorius, while idly wondering if her Count is going to take to battle in a chariot from now on! "Sea and Sky!"

Mattheu checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 49 higher.

Artorius checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Lucrezia checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Donella checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Welp there goes Thesbe's chance at 2nd place. There was a sort of cringe like hunch of her shoulders when she sees the spear come flying towards the wheel house and then everything stopped. Did she stop or everyone else stop? The chariot came to an abrupt stop as one of the wheels came off. Wood splintering and going all sorts of directions as the wheel house was definitely smashed to smithereens with that critical throw. The horse whinnying and dragging the rest of the cart to the sidelines. For Thesbe it all seemed like slow motion, and then in a split second she was sent flying into the air. What happened afterwards sounded like a crunch of bones? Maybe..

Lucrezia checks luck at hard. Lucrezia is successful.

Noah looks over at Victus and offers him the pipe. Chances are that Noah has more. HIGH chances of that.

Mattheu checks luck at hard. Mattheu fails.

Noah is overheard praising Thesbe: YOU GOT THIS. HERD.

Lucrezia checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Artorius checks luck at hard. Artorius fails.

Thesbe is overheard praising Artorius: Great at Chariot races and throwing spears... Ouch!

Ilira is overheard praising Donella: She looks so free.

Mattheu isn't even /really/ in the race anymore, though he is going to at least entertain the crowd and in juggling the apples tosses one under his leg then starts passing the apples back and forth. Calling out to those at the concession stand to throw more apples at him, with each one become more of the juggling act. Zafi doesn't appear to be impressed in any of this and has stopped following Mattheu, now eyeing only the apples the Rivenshari lord is juggling. Mattheu keeps going by calling out to the crowd to toss him something to add into the mix with flying fruit, a tankard full of cider is thrown at him and he catches it though most of the liquid is gone before he does. Still juggling he takes a bite of an apple, then sip of the mug. An apple is thrown back to the one that threw their mug, and then his whole act is ended by Zafi deftly marching into the flying fruit and taking a nip at one of his scarves. Mattheu laughs and drops most of the apples, holding onto one to hold out for the horse to lunch on while he nods to the crowd and looks back to those actually on the track with their chariots still in on piece.

Ilira plucks another cookie from the box at her table and tosses it to Mattheu with an elegant flick of her wrist.

Donella is an ex-politician, not a trick-rider. She also just flipped off her former "boss" if she can ever have been said to have such a thing. Authority, yes. Charm? Mmmmm, not so much. Also she is driving a chariot with a little too much play in the axle's pivot bar after the damage taken at the beginning, trying to repair the damage with a slam of her boot into the well. With supreme diplomacy, the princess consort of Farhaven pulls out her hair binding, to take advantage of the most outstanding blowout to be had in ground transit. Whooosh!

Oh no, the table, it's broken! Or Chariot, in this case. Artorius glances back to see the wreck that his spear caused with Thesbe and he slows at least a little bit to look back, double checking no one is completely dead. His hair flies in his face though, so he has to pivot back around eventually to see anything. He doesn't snap the reins as hard down the back stretch, giving Trident a bit of a breather, even if the horse is still flat out running, but he's not pressuring it to go harder than it can take. Maybe the man might not be comfortable on dance floors or in great social events that are all about introducing each other and smiling, but out here, he was in his element. The cold air whipping his cheeks, hair flying, adrenaline pumping, a pink ribbon fluttering on his arm. He glances toward the secondary corner and trying to see in the distance if Mattheu is clear of the track - aimless wandering horses and chariots cause countless issues racing. But then he goes again to wrap his outer arm from the railing of the interior track with the reins, muscles flexing to prepare for another tight corner.

Lucrezia has no idea what she is doing, but it's obvious that there's a need to try to stop Artorius from getting further ahead. Come upon another flat stretch she takes up her whip and whirls it around her head like a crazy person. Maybe some people think it's part of the show, until she lets it go to hurl through the air towards Artorius and his chariot. Look, she's way too far away to use a whip like it should be! Confused by this action her horse slows almost to a halt, though. "..." She glares at it. "What in the Abyss do you think you're doing, I didn't tell you to stop! Get going!" She flaps her reins, trying to scare it into going forward again.

Keely cringes as she looks over to where Thesbe has pulled off of the track, closing her eyes for a moment and blindly pawing around for the cookie box on the table. She finds it eventually, and a cookie within, munching her way through before daring to focus on the track again. Seeing Artorius still will in the lead, she applauds cheerfully, beaming with a glance from Ilira to Renata.

Thesbe is definitely alive. She pops up much like gopher with blonde hair, even if a little dazed. A few of the staff from the ground would go to remove the horse and help the woman up carrying her to the booth to tend to her injuries. A broken arm maybe and some cuts and bruises already forming.

Never mind the horse, Ilira throws up a cheer for Lucrezia's raw display with the whip. She beams right back at Keely, and turns from the track a moment to respond to something, too low for others to hear.

Noah is speaking in low tones to Jaenelle. Then he puts his hand to his heart. "WAIT!" The words after are given lowly to his wife. Then he looks back up at the chariots as if just now realizing they are there.

“After a quick snack-stop, Mattheu is back in the game! ... I think! I don’t know what technique that is, but-” Victus tilts his head at the... hybrid performance of juggling and chariot riding. “I guess if it works, it works. Don’t let your dreams die.” He turns his eyes toward the front of the track. “Still with a hefty lead, the Magnotta Marvel is keeping a long breadth from his opponents. Lucrezia comes in for a hhhhwhippin’, but it seems she’s confused it for a spear! Her horse is unfortunately very confused. Horses are naturally dumb, stupid, dumb animals so I am not surprised. Excuse me, I’m being offered illict substances.” Victus takes the offered pipe, puffs it once, and proceeds to toss it onto the track. “I’ve handled the situation to the full extent of the law. Seriously though, are you seeing this juggling thing? That is absurd!”

Jaenelle watches the pipe go sailing before her attention moves back to Noah to see if he has paid attention of not. Chances are he has no idea whats happened and that causes Jae to smile brightly.


Round Four: The last part of the race, where the track curves once more. leading into a short sprint towards the finish line. The last moment to find glory, to urge your horse to find whatever energy its reserved and go all out in their attempt to gain first place. The horse, the rider, and the chariot all need to be one to pull this off.

@oldcheck Stamina + Ride at 20

As it stands: Artorius in first, Donella in second, Mattheu in third, Lucrezia in forth, Thesbe in fifth.

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 10 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck Perception at 6.

This is not about sabatage another, but focusing on your horse and chariot on the last part of the track. If you fail you lose yards, if you pass you gain 5 + whatever your perception check is.[/Optional]


Artorius checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 41 higher.

Donella checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Lucrezia checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Donella checks luck at hard. Donella is successful.

Lucrezia checks luck at hard. Critical Success! Lucrezia is spectacularly successful.

Lucrezia checked perception at difficulty 6, rolling 4 higher.

Donella checked perception at difficulty 6, rolling 7 higher.

Mattheu checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Noah checks composure and etiquette at normal. Noah marginally fails.

Mattheu checks luck at hard. Mattheu fails.

Tove's attention seems focused on Thesbe from her seat in the general stands. Even as she watches the injured woman carefully she responds to someone on the bench near her.

Mattheu stops to look around at the field and track, Zafi seems rather happy with the pile of apples that have suddenly landed at his feet and is working on eating them. When Thesbe's chariot is not spotted, he is quick to look around the field to spot her at the medics tent. A pat to Zafi's nose, a few soft words of encouragment, possibly to hope that the horse doesn't try now to head out into the track. He then runs over to the medic tent.

Noah smiles fully to Jaenelle. Look he can be charming! He nods to Victus as he takes the pipe. He takes a hit and then he...... WHAT IN THE GODS... Noah's feet come down from their spot to THUD to the ground before him. His body propels upwards as his hand reaches out as if in slow motion. The pipe moving past his fingers to sail to the den of destruction. Noah's lips form 'Noooooo' but he doesn't quite say it. He just looks a bit dumbfounded before he slowly tracks back towards Victus. He gives the High Lord the one finger Thrax Salute that Donella just taught him. Then he drops down in his seat. Silence. A sigh and he pulls out a cigerette rolled thing and starts to smoke that instead.

Donella is a bad influence.

Desma whistles, hollers and howls her approval at watching Artorius storm home to victory on the chariot. If she had a little Magnotta flag she would have waving it wildly.

Artorius handles the corner with a little less urgency this time considering, but that's not to say he isn't focused on the end, perhaps just not as focused as everyone else behind him was. He does watch out for Mattheu however, since there's literally no telling what sort of direction that one was going to go in. He keeps his pace steady, flicking his reins, looking over his shoulder, checking, before he gives a nice arm lift in salute to the stands as he rolls by, eyes looking for a certain Grayson Princess. It's hard to see all the faces in the blur of a chariot racing by with the heavy sounds of a horse panting and exerting itself. There's no need to pressure the horse to go faster than it can in the last stretch, and it's clear that Artorius is already encouraging it to slow up nearing the finish line. Did someone say he could do donuts? He does direct the chariot away from the race and back toward the stands, to do a slower trot-walk. That's the best he can do for showmanship, as the animal froths and tosses its head, still eager for more with nostrils flaring.

Lucrezia steps out of her chariot and stalks over to grab her horse's bridle and yank its head down to stare at in the eyes. Does she sweet talk it? Probably not. Threaten to eat it, oh certainly. Offer it booze? Maybe. Any way she releases it and hops back into the chariot. There's no way she's going to win, but it wasn't like she was here with the idea to win. She seems happy enough as she crosses the line in the middle of the pack. She hops out of the chariot and starts to lead the horse away like she is going to make good on that eating threat.

Keely draws in a deep, excitable breath as Artorius crosses the finish and circles back for his victory lap, carefully releasing Ilira and Renata and rising to her feet to applaud heartily for the Count and Trident. She is all smiles, bouncing lightly on the balls of her feet and releasing more soft, "Hoooo!"s that really don't cut through the wild cheers of the crowd.

“I have been given another one fingered salute. Well you should’ve expected that, because whatever was in that pipe was bad and I hated it. Now it’s on the ground.” Victus swings his arm out to point down to the track. “You did that. That’s *your* fault.” Back to the races! “It looks like we’re coming down to our final moments. The violence of today was more than I expected but less than I’d hoped. I am begrudingly content with he amount of blood on the field. Here comes our finalists -- Trident Man, wanted for attempted murder crosses the line first! What a winner, what a warrior! Here comes Donella, rolling in second place on the podium. Fantastic race she put on, she’ll have reason to be proud when she returns to freezing to death in the North. Coming up in third, without a whip to her name, it’s Lucrezia! Big hand for her. Nobody expects to get a whole-ass whip thrown at them, I would’ve been befuddled as well.” He gestures off toward the tents. “Taking home the Apple Pie prize will be Lord Mattheu, alongside runner up Lady Thesbe! They might not have won the race but they have surely won our hearts. Rest up and heal well, red delicious dream team! My throat fucking hurts. How long have I been doing this? Can I sit down now?”

It's over? Renata finally unburies herself from Keely's shoulder, which Keely helps along by rising. From between the slits of her fingers, the gentle Pravus Princess scans for signs of blood and carnage. Finding now, she exhales deeply and reaches for a cookie, though Lucrezia's horse is eyed with deep dread. No cousin, don't do it, her wide luminous blue eyes say from afar.

Donella drives hard, but not hard enough to overtake Artorius But she does push, according to the fealty motto. "To the last!" It is a good result. She can hold her head up. She lets the horse have its head to slow down, and enjoy its second-place apple. "Oh, go sling your hook, you neckless wonder," she lovingly calls to N'uncle Victus. "Hey, Magnotta? Go again?" she jokes, and gives the stands a blown kiss.

Jaenelle reaches over to pat Noah's arm before the same action is done to Victus as if she is allowing him to sit down. "Beautifully done." Now it is her turn to stand, "in honor of our racers, I will be donating a sum of money to the charity or organization of their choice. First place will receive 300,000 silver in donation. Second 200,000 silver. Third will get 100,000. Forth and Fifth will receive 50,000 silver each. Please tell the attendants your organization of choice and it will be handled."

Renata is overheard praising Jaenelle.

Renata is overheard praising Victus.

Renata is overheard praising Artorius.

Renata is overheard praising Donella.

Renata is overheard praising Lucrezia.

Ilira tosses back her hair and bounces to her feet, laughing as she claps for Artorius's victory, her voice a happy ring above the rest. Her grin is wide and wild with the energy in the space, her applause unending as each contestant pulls into place after the winner. For the two princesses, she might get just a little louder, and when Donella blows a kiss, she presses her fingers to her lips and fans them outward to blow one right back.

Ilira is overheard praising Donella.

Ilira is overheard praising Artorius.

Ilira is overheard praising Thesbe.

Ilira is overheard praising Mattheu.

Keely is overheard praising Artorius: What an amazing race!

Ilira is overheard praising Lucrezia.

Keely is overheard praising Jaenelle: She puts on the most exciting events.

Keely is overheard praising Noah: For being Noah

Ilira is overheard praising Victus: That commentary was actually pretty fun for me.

Ilira is overheard praising Jaenelle.

Lucrezia The announcer, Victus, shouting her name makes it quite difficult to abscond with the horse. Pretending like she was just going to hand it to a stablehand, she whispers fiercely that she'll be back for the horse. Waving her hands in glee at the showing after her name, she walks over to where the other winners are. Jaenelle saying to donate to a charity earns a blank stare from Lucrezia. She puts a hand on her hip and glowers about like she's looking for whom to blame her for tricking her into joining a charity race. No one except her own whims. Screwing her face up like she's just been given something she wouldn't be caught dead wearing, she says to Jaenelle, "Academy of War." Giving money away, so painful.

Keely is overheard praising Victus.

Alarissa is overheard praising Victus: Because that's how he throws.

Alarissa is overheard praising Donella: Second is still darn fine!

Artorius does his victory lap and then turns the animal back toward the stable hands ready in the wings to take over and care for the animal, grinning over at Donella, "Any time. Though let's give the animals a rest eh? And ourselves a drink. Well done..." he regards her, "Donella I believe it was?" He hears the prize money to go to the organizations and he bows toward Jaenelle, sending off a steward to tell her the organization of choice - which was his home. Ruffling out his long hair with a hand, cause it's all tangled, he looks for a victory drink.

Keely excuses herself with a squeeze to the arm of Ilira and Renata each, murmuring soft farewells as she scoots to depart the booth and bustle after the victor of the race, all bright smiles and rosy cheeks.

Noah is overheard praising Artorius.

Noah is overheard praising Keely.

Noah is overheard praising Mattheu.

Noah is overheard praising Lucrezia.

Donella half-bows to Artorius in agreement, and turns to call up to Jaenelle and the box, "For Heart in Hand, your grace! Because there is not limit to what goodness can provide!"

Ilira leans up to brush a kiss against the Grayson princess's cheek just before she escapes.

Donella says, "You just might have to be a little naughty to get it there."

Tove has left the General Seating.

Donella has left the Field.

Artorius has a hand around a pint of ale in short order, hoisting it up in a good cheer for the donations, before he chugs a victory drink, foam dribbling down his beard a bit, but he guzzles it! When Keely comes on over, he reaches one arm out toward her and hahs loudly, "I've been driving since I was a young man." He notes with a showy kiss, because it happens after victory, before smirks, "I need to make sure that Lady is alright. I thought I saw a glimpse of her getting up." He's looking for Thesbe.

Catalana cheers for the entire race process, albeit a bit late. Standing, she stretches and sighs. "Best I go fix up my bet with those Malvici's."

Jaenelle dips her head towards the winners as they announce where their prizes are heading before she then announces, "and each of you will get something else later in thanks for joining. And not dying. Someone would have likey been upset. Thank you all!"

Noah kisses Jaenelle's temple and then vaults onto the field to get his pipe. He might be a little unsteady on his feet. Then he moves over towards Jaenelle. "Poison, I think I'm going to head out."