Stylish? Man? Lycene? Well, not exactly Lycene. But it totally counts. Prince Augustus 'Screw You I'm Charles Dance' Grayson arrives shortly thereafter, wearing a lovely ensemble of bland dark grey clothing. He ignores almost everyone in the area as he makes a b-line right to the High Booth. Why? Because Screw You, I'm Charles Dance.

Natalia has joined the High Booth.

Dawn settles into her seat at the judges booth, a spot of verdant green and copper. Accessories are limited to the gleam of her bright hair, and the smile she wears as she lifts a hand to in a very ladylike wave to the growing crowds. The Voice of Grayson is quite practiced with making public appearances. Wave, nod, smile, all done with gracious authenticity.

Silas drops several wooden ring targets standing at varying distances.



    Joscelin Arterius's short, plump, shapely form is garbed in golds, in honor of the so-named competition. The tunic is backless, though modestly high-necked at the front, the whole garment clingy in all the right places and flowing gracefully in others. Her trousers are made to match, tight to her strong, thick thighs, ending just below the start of her buckskin boots. Her thick, long curls are bound up and pinned artfully, the only ornamentation on the jeweler, despite her profession, the leather and gold bracelet on her wrist. She stands carefully and smiles at those that have joined to compete, and then turns to greet those that have attended to watch, before moving out further to address the field.

"Can those competing please move to the field?" she calls, her voice carrying clear.

Lightly gripping her bow, Deva heads straight for the edge of the field. She leans - slumps, really - against the railing and looks skyward for a moment. There's not much to her expression at the moment. As Joscelin calls for competitors, she lifts a hand slightly and accompanies the gesture with a casual lift of her chin.

Deva has joined the Field.

Saedrus dips his head, a single glance to the Booths before stepping off to the field.

Viktarkim arrives, the tattooed and scarified Prodigal dressed in his usual leathers with bow and quiver case, as well as his arming sword. With his black hair tied back from his sharply planed face, the tribesman who serves House Grayson surveys the gathering ground upon the Tournament grounds. There are many here he now knows after having been in the city some weeks now. After the pause, he starts to walk out onto the field where he sees others gathering as they had done before for previous events. He sees Deva immediately ahead of him and offers her an incline of his head, his baritone low, "Princess, are you competing?"



     Joscelin waits patiently, ready to explain the rules once all contestants are out in the field.

Aureth is wearing his best vest, which is starting to see enough wear lately that it may not remain his best vest forever, but never mind. He has an old crossbow with him that looks well-loved and well-used. He hooks a faint self-conscious smile as he contemplates the idea of himself as a competitor of any sort rather than a man doing this for a lark or for the sheer desire to, apparently, make a fool of himself, but he tips his hat in Joscelin's direction just in case she notices him in particular as he lopes (saunters?) toward the field.

Viktarkim has joined the Field.

Aureth has joined the Field.

Lydia rises from her seat in the high booth to give Augustus a small squeeze in greeting and then she's settled back down again, exchanging polite words with those around her while waiting for the event to begin.

Lou has joined the Field.

Saedrus has joined the Field.

Niccolo enters the tournament grounds, his arm linked with Sylphie's. Along with the two is the usual retinue of guards that tends to follow the duke around whenever he's not at the Velenosa estate. Once they reach the grounds, however, the duke silently gestures to them with his free hand, and they all step away to do whatever bodyguards do when taking a break. He finds a place to sit down at, claiming and waits for Sylphie to sit down first, before doing so himself.

Niccolo has joined the General Seating.

She doesn't venture out often, but it figures that an archery contest would be what lures Lou Grayson out into a public event. She's wearing adventuring gear. Mostly leathers that... have certainly seen better days. Really, if her being an adventurer weren't quite so well-known, she might be missed as a Grayson and just another in the masses.

Sylphie has joined the General Seating.

"Aye," Deva confirms, free hand lifting to gesture toward Viktarkim as he speaks up. "May your arrows fly straight and all that," she cracks the smallest of fleeting smiles before it fades, head dipping slightly toward the Prodigal.





Greetings, participants! Welcome to the Golden Arrow Archery competition! Thanks to the combined efforts of Lady Dawn Grayson, Sir Silas Mercier, and myself, we've put together an event for those of you that prefer arrows over blades.


The rules are simple! You choose a target


(determines which difficulty you @check at and how many extra points are added to your score if you hit it)


and fire. You may choose to change targets after each shot.


(How well you roll determines which ring you hit and how many points that arrow scores.)


Contestants will be called forth in alphabetical order.



After your three rolls/arrows, pose, and then the next person gets their three rolls/arrows. This will hopefully keep things from going on too long.


Rings and Points Rewarded
-1 or below = miss
1-10 points over difficulty = 1 point (outermost ring)
11-20 points over difficulty = 2 points
21-30 points over difficulty = 3 points
31-40 points over difficulty = 4 points
41-50+ points over difficulty = 5 points (innermost ring)
Bullseye = Roll a 0 at any difficulty, 6 points

Targets and Extra Points
40 yard target: 15 difficulty, no extra points
60 yard target: 30 difficulty, 1 extra point
80 yard target: 40 difficulty, 4 extra points
100 yard target: 50 difficulty, 8 extra points


(If you need to refresh yourself on the rules and look at examples, please LOOK at the BIG SIGN right here in the arena.)




Valkieri has joined the General Seating.

"Fortune favors the bold, or so they say," Aureth says lightly. He smiles a little wider as he nods to Viktarkim, whose fortune he read once, and then he reaches up to tug at the tail of his hair just to make sure it's still in place (it is, but not if he keeps doing that).

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

Sylphie seats herself at the chosen bench with a sweep of skirts of embroidered matte gold silk. It isn't until Niccolo has taken his seat next to her that she leans closer to murmur a question to the lord, touching her fingers once again to his arm and then pointing towards the field.

Ianthe arrives at the tournament grounds and stops to glance over the gathering crowd. She chuckles to herself before sauntering over to the general seating area to watch the competition.

Ianthe has joined the General Seating.

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

Dawn's smile lifts to Joscelin, an open display of encouragement as the jeweler takes the event in hand.

Donella has joined the General Seating.

There's a happy looking fellow, though, quite a bit of doubt if hes going to join the shooting (hes not) instead there is that red robed Jarek who walks in like he just wandered in and has no idea whats going on. And, to be fair, he might not. Hes going to watch, and if he can find something to drink, all the better.



     "So! That means, Master Aureth Grayhope, you are the first to draw your bow," Joscelin directs, and gives Aureth a bright smile.

Silas sets aside a piece of parchment from the pile he's gathered and lifts his quill. He doesn't speak, letting Joscelin direct the competition. He gives her a grin of approval. "You're doing great."

Jarek has joined the General Seating.

Mostly, Prince Mason came here to support his wife, happy in the fact that something would eventually get her to come out of hiding. It's so rare that Lou decides to leave the manor house. So he's more than enthused to be here. Seriously, if he had a little Lou flag, he'd totally be waving it around wildly at the moment. But right now, he's still not sure where to even sit. Trying to pick out some kind of familiar that's not currently already occupied with judging. But sitting doesn't seem to be all that horrible, for the moment, he leaning against the barrier between the seating and the field, keeping an eye on that wayward wife of his.

Aureth checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 13, 2 lower than the difficulty.

Aureth checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 17, 2 higher than the difficulty.

Aureth checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 45, 30 higher than the difficulty.


There sure are a lot of people here! Viktarkim smiles a little to Deva. He happens by chance to catch Aureth's nod and returns it, most of his attention to listening as the rules of the event are explained. So many colorful Ladies here, a feast for a man's eyes so he lets his own roam. If he happens to catch their eyes, he inclines his head with great respect to Lady Dawn but she'll be too busy for him to approach directly. And Joscelin up there co-hosting this event. She gets an encouraging smile from the Prodigal and a nod to Sir Silas. Then his attention moves on, noticing Mason arriving, and many others. As for himself, he walks slowly around the field, seeing who all looks to complete and getting off to the side to watch.

Aureth sketches a little bow towards Joscelin, flips off his hat and drops it on the ground -- what, is he expecting people to tip? -- and hoists his crossbow. "Huzzah," he says. "May I shoot true. The future is, of course, closed to me on the subject." He closes one eye, sighting between targets, and then selects one of them as he draws a long breath through his teeth, opening his eye again as he steadies his aim. No pressure or anything. His first shot skews wide, so that bodes well. His next one plinks the outermost ring sedately. He kind of shakes out his shoulder, summons up his performer's spirit, and fires the third right through the innermost ring. Yay! Some points.

;'s eyes go back to drifting over the crowd as they enter, with small waves given to those that she recognizes. She seems to be soaking up the energy of the crowd, all bubbly enthusiasm and the very opposite of Augustus as she speaks to Calypso. "Oh? You use swords mainly then? Honestly, I think they're much more practical, not that I have much personal battle experience?" Then her green eyes land on Natalia and she's leaning over to offer a hand to the other noblewoman. "Hello! I'm not sure we've met. I'm Lady Lydia Nightgold. This is my grandfather, Prince Augustus, and this is..." Lydia pauses as she peers at Calypso, "I'm not sure I got you're name?"

Jarek catches a nod in his direction, and Calypso's small nod is returned with a bright smile directed at the high seats as he finds a place to settle in in the common seating. There's a Niccolo, he knows that one, and a Valkieri who hilairously doesn't seem to like him, so, Jarek will settle in to the seating behind his uncle and make himself comfortable.

Dafne has joined the General Seating.



     Joscelin stands and grins at Aureth. "Well done, Master Grayhope! A total of four points!" She looks to Deva. "Your Highness, Princess Deva of House Redrain, you are next." She inclines her head and smiles.

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

Silas gives Viktarkim a fingered salute when the prodigal looks his way - perhaps wishing him good luck - before his gaze drops back on the parchment and he scribbles down Aureth's score. His handwriting is terrible, of course.

"Best get it over with," Deva murmurs, pushing off and away as she heads for the firing line. With a crisp bob of her head for the judges, she strings her first arrow and takes aim.

Aureth nudges his hat to the side with his foot and steps aside to give his fellow competitors more room. "Indeed." Since he didn't even manage to hit the near target all three times, he can't but be vaguely relieved that he didn't try for any of the harder ones out of bravado. Instead, he watches with his hands loosely clasped behind him.

Deva checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 31, 16 higher than the difficulty.

Deva checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 42, 27 higher than the difficulty.

Deva checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 30, resulting in 53, 23 higher than the difficulty.

It is very possible that the bastard member of the judging panel lets out a very quiet, "Woo!" when Princess Deva steps up to take aim.

Deva's first two shots are at toward the first target. She shakes her arms out a little between them, head tilting from side to side in an effort to loosen up. For her final shot, she pushes herself a little further, focusing instead on the 60 yard line. While not elated, she seems satisfied with her performance, and takes a step back to the side with a wordless nod.



     Joscelin looks delighted. "Princess Deva! Well done!" And she grins when the princess takes the challenge of a harder target. "Very, very well done!"

     The jeweler stands, a figure in soft golds and yellows, and inclines her head to Deva. "Well done, my Lady Deva! A total of nine points!" She looks to Lou and gives a small smile, eyes warm. "Your Highness, Princess Lou of House Grayson, you are next," she states, and gestures to the firing line.



Lydia is overheard praising Deva for: Well shot!

Viktarkim grins at Deva's passing, "You'll do well, I expect." Then he's quiet to watch - and indeed, she gets things off to a pretty good start! The tattooed Shav lifts his hands and claps, "You set the bar for us, I see, Princess!" His dark eyes look carefully to double check precisely where her arrows struck and to count up her point tallies in his head. He has come to stand by Princess Lou, giving her a nod of respect, "Your Highness. You are competing, I hope?"


     Joscelin takes a moment to confer with an assistant for the name of the fourth contestant, noting it down and mouthing the name a few times so she doesn't murder the name with poor prep.

Silas scribbles some more hieroglyphics on the parchment then sits a bit straighter when Lou is called forth.


Oh, it's her? Lou was more focused on watching those before her that it takes a second before she ralizes it's her go. Partially it's Viktarkim stepping up to her. She gives a tilt of her head in a nod. "So it seems." A bit of a smile and a slight clearing of her throat as she steps up to the line to aim at the targets.

There's another suspiciously unladylike, "Woo!" when Lou is called.

Lou checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 30, resulting in 31, 1 higher than the difficulty.

Lou checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 30, resulting in 25, 5 lower than the difficulty.

Lou checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 40, resulting in 28, 12 lower than the difficulty.

Augustus is overheard praising Lou for: Graysons never lose. We simply choose to win in an unexpected direction. Keeps them guessing.

Dawn is overheard praising Deva for: Woo!

Dawn is overheard praising Lou for: Woo!

Augustus is overheard condemning Dawn for: Stop your bloody wooing. You're a Grayson, somewhat, not a Whisper.

Donella is overheard condemning Augustus for: I'm sure you are an expert in how to be a ladylike Grayson. Let the woman enjoy the sporting event.

Augustus is overheard condemning Donella for: I'm a Grayson. I'm an expert at everything.

Mason has joined the High Booth.


There's a frustrated twist of lips as Lou's second two shots fall short. She shakes her head slightly, stepping back and moving to crouch down on one knee to work at checking over her bow. There's just a brief glance towards Saedrus and a tilt of her head in acceptance. "I overthought things. I felt it might be better to not play it safe-" a glance down the field. "Or maybe I'm just rusty."

Donella is heard laughing at her place at the benches, saying, "Theory is one thing, and practice another. What an adorable old man? Which one is he?"

Valkieri ...is late. He moves quickly onto the grounds and into the stands, scanning quickly and spotting Sylphie and Dafne nearby. He pauses the briefest moment when he spots Niccolo in the seat next to Sylphie, but finishes closing the distance to sit nearby.



     Joscelin inclines her head respectfully to Lou. "Princess Loucia of House Grayson, an attempt well done." She looks impressed, despite the misses.

     The jeweler stands again."Well done, my Lady Loucia! A total of two points." She looks to Saedrus and smiles brightly. "Master Saedrus Cicisbeo, you are next," she states, and gestures to the firing line a fourth time.



Leave it to his wife to risk big on the targets, deciding that playing it safe was never really her thing in life. Learned that a couple ways. "You're doing just fine, Lou!" he calls out. Yeah, that's Mason, because that accent is sorta easy to pick out. After seeing Lou's taken her turn, he takes this moment to retreat up to the high both to get a better view of things.

Saedrus checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 26, 11 higher than the difficulty.

Saedrus checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 24, 9 higher than the difficulty.

Saedrus checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 15, resulting in 21, 6 higher than the difficulty.

Lou is overheard condemning Joscelin for: We do not speak that name in public!

Saedrus smiles calmly as he steps to the mark, a bow of his head to the judges before drawing the first arrow through the bow. A tilt of his head eyeing off the target in his focus. Remarkably for someone who trades in performance, there is no great fanfare. He keeps a straight and practiced posture, taking his time it seems in lining up the shot. Once the first arrow flies the other two follow in quick succession. With all had landed, he held the posture a moment longer before lifting his head fully and lowering the bow -- at least they landed at all. A smile pulls at the man's lips as he steps back with another bow of his head.


Viktarkim chews his lower lip as Princess Lou shoots and misses two of her longer distance targets. He claps for her anyway and when she comes back, he smiles and speaks low to her. His dark eyes however are on the next man to shoot, Saedrus, whom the Prodigal doesn't know. Thinning his mouth a little he adds, "Wish we had more competing."



     Joscelin pales, but! She was trying to be formal! Dammit!

Lydia is overheard praising Lou for: But it's such a pretty name!

"I could perform some juggler's tricks and tumble about if you'd like more entertainment," Aureth suggests lightly to Viktarkim, his hands still folded loosely behind his back. "I doubt standing on my head would improve my aim any, however."

Augustus is overheard praising Joscelin for: Stronger will than all of Thrax's armies, navies, and that guy that sells pie down by the shore, to bring that name up in public.


And then Lou hears her scores. Well. In truth, she hears her name... Her //full name//. There is a long glare cast towards the judging booth. She straightens, satisfied with her bow, and murmurs something to Viktarkim, her eyes on Saedrus.

Dawn does not slump down in her chair to avoid Lou's glare but it's a near thing.

Donella says, "And he's old enough that of all people, he should know..."

Oh my, who used that name? Mason looks around, as if trying to pinpoint the particular person in question. "Well, note to self: do not mention that person to Lou. Brave soul, I would think." It wasn't Dawn, was it? No, she wouldn't be that suicidal.

Silas seems blissfully unaware of the faux pas which had just occurred. Maybe he's too busy jotting down scores.



     Joscelin doesn't flinch, at least she doesn't appear to at that distance, but she does look apologetic. She bows her head to Saedrus, looking impressed and pleased for him "Well done, Master Cicisbeo! A total of four points!"

     She looks to the Shav, Viktarkim. Her smile is pleased and warm. "Master Viktarkim," she says, addressing the firing line. "If you please, the last but not the least to compete."



Viktarkim checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 30, resulting in 39, 9 higher than the difficulty.

Viktarkim checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 30, resulting in 55, 25 higher than the difficulty.

Viktarkim checked dexterity + archery against difficulty 30, resulting in 30, 0 higher than the difficulty.


When it is his turn, Viktarim slips off his bow, strings it, and goes forward to take up the position Saedrus formerly occupied. His tattooed and scarred face twists his mouth into a smirk for Aureth, "Maybe later." His dark eyes focus down range and reaching back, he draws an arrow to nock to his bow string. He lifts his recurve and with his left arm, pushes the beautiful wood out with his left arm to full extension while the fingers of his right hand draw back the pheasant feather fletching all the way ... past his cheek to along side his ear.

First one arrow flies... then the other... and smoothly, the third. The Prodigal dares to aim for the 60 yard targets and see if boldness and skill, with perhaps a dash of luck, can win him any favour on the field today. No pressure!

And down field fly his arrows...

Cara has joined the General Seating.

Rook's arrival is that of a courtier trying to remain inconsequentially subtle and failing remarkably. The young Bastion gentleman arrives with his chaperone-- a mountain of a man in in steel and a gold and white tabard-- an noting nothing of it. After a moment he settles into a seat, looking left and right, smiles for all. "Am I late?" he asks, looking only mildly amused by his question.

Rook has joined the High Booth.



     Joscelin is conferring with the judges, making sure she has all the numbers right before she states the score, tallying the numbers of the contestants again just to be sure.

Dawn reaches out to rest a hand on Joscelin's shoulder, quiet words offered to the woman. And then? Yes, for the Prodigal, a quiet, "Woo!"

Silas nods twice to Joscelin and points at the last target Viktarkim hit with his arrow, which was consequently a bullseye.

Viktarkim stands there a second, his pulse maybe a little high but pleased. Too many people watching. He lowers his bow and turns from the line to head back to the edge of the field where the others are and let's out a slow, deep breath. Then he unstrings his bow and waits with the rest. A little uneasy, he watches the stands.

"Damn good shots," Deva gestures toward Viktarkim, clapping firmly after his impressive round. She leans against the railing, looking up as she waits for the judges to tally the scores.



     Joscelin clears her throat and steps from the booth, voice raising clear and pleased, her smile joyous. "Master Viktarkim! You've obtained THIRTEEN POINTS and the title of Archery Champion! Congratulations!"

The woman couldn't look any more proud, grinning at Viktarkim. "Splendidly done! Please, approach to receive your prize!" She shifts to grip the item handed to her; a gleaming, beautiful -rubicund- bow.

Rook says, "Oh my! Is that red steel?!"

Augustus says, "No, it's purple cauliflower. Do be quiet."

Rook says, "Excuse me, my lord?"

Silas is overheard praising Viktarkim for: Taking chances can sometimes pay off!

While Deva joins in on the applause and cheering for Viktarkim, it's only a few moments later that her disappointment is written all over her face. "Congratulations, well done," she calls out simply, despite her somewhat pained expression. She slips her bow into place against her back, and looks to be attempting to back out and withdraw from the field as quickly and quietly as she can.

Dawn is overheard praising Viktarkim for: Woo!

Deva is overheard praising Viktarkim for: Well done.



     Joscelin presents the The Crimson Star-Child to be seen and witnessed by those in the Tournament Grounds.

"A well prize well won." Saedrus says looking to Viktarkim, applauding with the rest.

Lou is overheard praising Viktarkim.

Joscelin is overheard praising Viktarkim.

Silas is overheard praising Deva for: It takes character to be gracious in defeat.

Eos is overheard praising Viktarkim.

Mason is overheard praising Viktarkim for: You've just spurred Lou into practicing day and night now. I hope you're pleased with yourself.

Eos is overheard praising Joscelin.

Dawn is overheard praising Aureth for: A fine performance!

Dawn is overheard praising Saedrus for: A good show!

Joscelin drops The Crimson Star-Child.

Aureth applauds the superior archer, with a faint, crooked smile on his face. "Very well done. Amazing eye."


Deva is given a nod, "Thank you. Never been in an archery contest before." Viktarkim keeps his calloused hands lightly upon his bow until the judges have conferred and the winner announced. The Prodigal archer smiles a little, but he looks maybe unused to the attention a favourable light. He clears his throat and goes up to the railing, leaning his regular bow there before he up to accept the prize. His dark eyes go a bit wide with surprise at such a fine, ruddy bow gleaming in the sunlight. He inclines his head politely to Joscelin, "My thanks, Mistress." When he turns and comes back down the steps, Vik picks up his old bow as well and rejoins the field!

Any frustration that Lou has is more inward than anything else. She gives a nod for Viktarkim as he's awarded the title and the bow. Others may start to crowd, thus she starts to angle towards the side. Crowds, ew.

Silas pens the final scores down. The quill is set aside so he may applaud the prodigal for his well-earned victory. "The best was saved for last, apparently! Well done, Master Viktarkim." Two of his targets remained blissfully unwounded, but they could simply be re-used once more. He departs from the booth to begin dismantling them.

Silas picks up several wooden ring targets standing at varying distances.

Rook is overheard condemning Augustus for: One must be officialy introduced and when one is interrupted so rudely it is hard to do much but assume.

Mason slats a look over at Augustus. "As did I, I was looking for more rounds than just the one. Though, I have no real idea how these tournaments here work. Games a sport where I'm from are a bit more for keeps, as it were." Then a shrug. "Though, if I know my Lou, she will be spending the next couple of weeks practicing day and night. She will not be exactly....ah, what's the word..." he ponders a moment. "...enthused? Right, yes, enthused about it."

Dawn rises as well, a last whispered comment made to Joscelin, before she descends from the judges booth to be met... well, by Grayson guardsmen. At least they don't surround her, giving her a moment to tilt her head back and scan the competitors and the crowds.

Viktarkim gives Saedrus a nod, "Thank you." and to Aureth, a hint of a grin. Aye, he's much surprised himself! Sir Silas gets eye contact as well and with all the attention, the Shav falls quiet as is more his usual custom. Too many people crowding around, aye! He heads on over to where Lou and Mason are together, "I hope that we can go hunting. It is good to escape the walls for a while."

Viktarkim picks up The Crimson Star-Child.

"Well played everyone," Deva tells the others on the field, her tone almost solemn. Then, with a crisp nod, she makes her final retreat.

Deva has left the Field.

Valkieri is looking out at the tourney grounds when Dawn scans the crowds. His gaze lingers for a moment on her, and there might even be the slightest bit of a wry, crooked smile on his lips.


     Joscelin stands before the competitors and the crowd, raising her arms, pleased beyond words. "Congratulations once more to VIKTARKIM!"

     She joins in with the applause.

     "Thank you once more, for attending!" And grinning, she waves.