It's been a hard year. The physical and mental demands of the Academy have broken you down and rebuilt you into a skilled assassin and spy, but this final year was exponentially harder than anything you've ever endured. Not everybody made it, either. Some were injured so badly not even the healers could fully restore them. But you have succeeded where so many others failed. And now it is come to this - the Apex Test.
A combination of individual and team trials, "The Ape" is a practical application of your skills and abilities. Successfully completing the trials allows you to advance to field operations, finally letting you outside the walls of the Academy. It also gives you a standing, and some notoriety, amongst the other students. Finally, and most importantly to some, you will have finally earned the nickname "Bastard."
Now you sit in the antechamber with other young men, women, and even a construct, with various levels of excitement or apprehension on their faces.
Please introduce yourselves to the group, including a physical description and any info from our backstory that is common knowledge to others. Do any of you have a closer connection than just an acquaintance in this small place? There are two additional students in this room - a changeling and a dwarf. They sit nervously in a corner and do not speak to anyone. Finally, each of you needs to make a series of rolls:
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Kira is a young gnome woman, standing at about three and a half feet tall. She has pale skin and large, bright blue eyes. She has short pink hair in layers, the longest of them stopping an inch or so shy of her shoulders. Originating from Zilargo like much of her kin, there have been rumors that she's a spy for her people, and all the hours she spends tinkering aren't just out of curiosity and passion, but to further Zil interests in one way or another. Others say she has a dragonmark on her, though given that that rumor was started by her ex-girlfriend, it may have been started for petty reasons. She's a private person, not really talking to most, so it's anyone's guess what's true and what isn't. She isn't really notable enough for most to actually bother guessing.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
You all know Pepper. She's 5'6", with long, unnaturally silver/white hair, braided now into a combat bun at the nape of her neck. She sits in the antechamber, loose as always, lean and tough, her two longswords on her hip, chain glinting beneath a simple tabard. She sees you looking and flashes a big smile, her eyes bright. "You ready?" she asks with a grin. She's so ready.
Pepper is friendly with everyone. Even after she gave Fenny a beatdown for bullying one of the new recruits she pulled him up off the floor and bought him a beer. She's fair, takes no backtalk from anyone, is always willing to listen when someone needs to talk. But she doesn't talk about herself. You know she got snatched pretty young, she's been here a while. You've heard all the stories about how she fought to escape the Academy for a long time, that she's seen the inside of the cold cell more times than anyone, that it took four guards to overwhelm her when she tried to escape when she was twelve. But those days seem to be over. You think. She won't talk about them, and all it takes is one warning glance for people to stop asking. She's all business when it comes to her duties, all play when she's off duty, and intense at both. There's a rumor going around that she keeps a vial of perfume from an old lover, but nobody has seen it. Last time someone tried to smell her she broke their nose. Then she bought them a beer.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ashe tightened a strap on his leather armor. The young man stands at 5'10", his dark hair is swept to the side so he can see clearly out of his steely gray eyes. Those who know Ashe are familiar with his reputation as something of a golden child in the Academy. Some of his instructors and fellow students looked upon him favorably for his leadership skills, friendly demeanor, and strong loyalty to the ideals of the Academy; others despised him for it. He never was close to anyone, though, save for his sister Cinder, but that was only because they shared a blood connection - and because they bickered and fought, clashing like oil and water. He seemed to enjoy keeping others at arms length, especially since Cinder was declared missing following a brief (and highly classified) trip the twins took outside of the Academy's walls about half a year back. Some believe she finally deserted after years of near insubordination - others seem to think Ashe had killed her, either on his own accord or by demand of the Academy's brass. But at the end of the day, no one knew the true reason. All they knew is that if anyone brought up Cinder to Ashe's face, all they'd get in response was a soft smile that would never reach his piercing eyes before he turned away without giving an answer, all of this accompanied by a soft sizzling noise. Indeed, it seemed anytime Ashe was in a stressful or difficult scenario, an audible hiss would follow him. Most in the Academy have no idea why this is, but some joke that it's the invisible smoke coming out of his ears from anger as though he's some Korranberg Chronicle comic strip character. Or a tea kettle. Someday, certain people theorized, he would explode under enough pressure.
For now, though, Ashe was simply making his final preparations before the Ape. Once he finished making sure his weapons and armor were secure, he began to fidget with a beaded bracelet on his left wrist, that faint hissing noise creeping up around him once again. He gives a smile and a nod to each of his fellow cadets, hoping to shore up some additional confidence in them before they began their test. That trademark friendly distance at work once again.
He is quiet, simply seated on the floor, his legs loosely folded beneath him. His body, clothed only in loose pants and a sleeveless shirt, is long and lean and defined. His stark white hair falls effortlessly to one side revealing the shaved sides. Cyril's almost aqua blue eyes move languidly around the room from time to time, looking over the others and pausing almost imperceptibly when they reach Pepper before moving on.
He has never spoken much about his time before the Academy, but his elven race and often unhidden Dragonmark have led many to surmise of a possible past with House Thuranni. Confident, affable, determined, and utterly loyal to all eyes.
Cyril's hand strays to the small silver skull that hangs at his throat, an odd trinket of some kind, one that he never speaks of but is never seen without. The short blade gifted to him by the Academy itself rests in plain view at his hip, while a solid metal baton of sorts is secured along the back of his belt. He seems to carry nothing more than this, although those familiar with his abilities know that his body itself is often weapon enough.
When he speaks, it is a soft voice that emerges, almost sing-song in its pace and tone, and perhaps a touch higher than one might expect for his height and build. "I wonder what happens next? What sort of test might lay before us this time..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The warforged on the back wall is a semi-familiar sight from around the Academy, although this is the first time seeing him up close for several of you. It's a bit hard to tell when they are seated, but they look to be a bit over six and a half feet in height, and solidly built. The eyes are a light azure, and their expression is a bit hard to gauge due to the...severe resting face of most warforged.
They are dressed in a plain, loose one-piece garment that flows like a tabard. There is a handaxe on each side of a a belt, and a greatsword in it's scabbard held loosely in front of them. You've heard that Pernach is...unusual and that the Academy artificers have several different theories as to where they originated, and what causes the occasional odd magical energy outbursts.
Strength: 22
Dexterity: 6
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 20
**I left off one of the brackets on the Dex roll so it didn't actually roll. Correcting that triggered the manipulation warning**
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Sitting on a chair staring at the floor is Caelyn. A slender elf, about 5'8 tall. Sitting in the room her hood is down displaying her blond hair which flows freely reaching just slightly past her shoulders. As she stares at the ground her light goldenbrown eyes are clearly visible. Wearing an outfit of mostly leather and cloth fitting on her like a second skin. Her tight outfit serving multiple purposes for those that know Caelyn. One to move more gracefull and agile and the other to help gather information from those that are distracted by her looks.
She carries arrows and a shortbow on her back. Strapped against the arrow quiver is her rapier, a thin blade positioned a bit strangely to some. But with Caelyn everything has a purpose. Should the rapier be on her side it would bounce to much possibly making sound, which is why she has placed it on her back. At her sides small daggers are kept strapped along her thighs on both sides.
She is always friendly but often with a serious undertone. Caelyn has been at the academy since she was close to 7 years old. She will have known Pepper for a while as she has been here for a long time too (as well as anyone else that has been here for years). The ones that knew her when she was young will know Caelyn was looking for her parents, trying to figure out what happened to them. She does not speak of it anymore but that does not mean she does not think about it anymore. The more recent additions would still know she always looks to help others, knowing she would be building up favors that she might need in the future.
Caelyn is known for trying to piece information together by asking around and persuading people to help her. For this reason some dont trust her, as she always looks like she is hiding her true intentions. Her stare comes to an end as her thoughts drift back to the present.
Caelyn turns towards Pepper and as their eyes lock Caelyns lips curl to a grin as well as she replies Are you?
Pepper laughs warmly as Caelyn challenges her. “Oh, girl, you know I am.” Pepper arrived at the Academy at twelve, so Caelyn has always been part of her experience here. She’s like family.
Pepper glances over at the dwarf and the changeling, then back to the group. Her eyes fall on Cyril. “What happens next is that they tell us what to do, and then we do it. Isn’t that right?” She glances at Ashe.“It’s what we always do.” Pepper had been friends with Ashe’s sister, Cinder, before she disappeared. She and Ashe where friendly, but that friendship had been strained since then. That was about when Pepper straightened out and stopped trying to escape. Maybe the two are related.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
The side door opens, and Mist steps in. A cold and demanding trainer, the warforged monk teaches Advanced Melee techniques at the Academy. From hand-to-hand to weapons, you have spent countless hours under Ashe's unemotional, yet always vaguely disapproving, tutelage.
"The first examination will test your ability to get into, and out of, trouble. You may use any weapons or magic in the combat circle. Points will be awarded for victories, and bonuses for unique combinations and tactics. Although this is live combat, dying is not authorized. Any questions before I reveal the brackets and your opponents?"
The combat circle is well known to you all - a seven-foot diameter circle on woven grass mats where all close-combat training occurs. You know that points are subtracted if you step outside of the circle, so positioning is always in your minds. New students begin training in hand-to-hand combat only, then progress to wooden practice weapons and scoring points while wearing heavy pads. But the advanced class uses real weapons and armor, often fighting to "first blood." But it is well-known that Apex rounds are always to submission - it is up to the individual to tap out and end the fight before they are knocked unconscious. The Academy healers are nearby to help students between rounds, but they cannot resurrect anyone if actually killed...
Nobody remembers ever seeing Pepper tap out of a fight. She’s lost plenty, but she’s always had to be dragged off the field, whether it’s in training or at the bar. She bounces to her feet, her face serious. “We know the score. Let’s go.”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
As Mist enters the chamber, Cyril stands respectfully. He has spent many, many hours with the Warforged, to the point of all but forgetting the teacher's artificial nature. His eyes drift to Pepper for a moment, weighing thoughts and what he knows of her prowess and nature in combat. Then, wordlessly, he looks back to their instructor and nods once.
As Mist explains the challenge Caelyn rolls her eyes and sighs in disappointment. Knowing this type of challenge highly favors others and offers nothing for her own skillset.
She will have to try and get through it as best she can and focus on what comes after. Caelyn sets down her bow and quiver as this is a melee challenge and leaves her rapier attached to the quiver. Making herself as light and nimble as possible.
Moving her head around she loosens her neck then moves forward, ready to participate.
Ashe does his best to surreptitiously look around the room at his fellow cadets. It was quite apparent that out of all of them, he was probably the least skilled combatant. He isn't strong like Pepper and Pernach, quick like Caelyn and Cyril, nor quick-witted like Kira. All he could rely on was instinct and experience - but would it be enough to make it through the combat trial? That hissing sound grew a little stronger before he cleared his throat and smiled to Mist.
"I think we're all ready - we've been working hard for this, after all. Time to put all we've learned to the test," He says, the hissing noise having disappeared.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Mist waits another moment or two (still time for any questions if you have them) before announcing the brackets.
"Very well. Matches are based on your performance this year and points earned or penalized. Each match lasts for five rounds, unless you tap out or are knocked unconscious. Round 1 consists of the following matches:
On mat one, Pernach vs Thinkhammer.
Mat two, Kira vs. Carcan.
Mat three is Cyril vs. Pepper.
On mat four, Ashe vs. Caelyn.
Take your positions. You will fight at the whistle."
(Here we go! Everybody roll initiative and make your first-round melee attack. Thinkhammer is a dwarf wizard student with initiative 5. Carcan is a changeling fighter with initiative 10. I'll make their attacks each round after Pernach and Kira post.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Pepper lets out a short bark of laughter when her match is announced. "I guess it's time to sort the bastards,"she says with a smile, looking at Cyril.
When it is their turn, she makes her way to the contest mat, longswords in both hands, swinging them to loosen up her arms. Her every move is focused, and as Cyril makes ready, she brings her swords in, one high, one low, wary of the other's unarmed prowess. She knows she's not as fast as Cyril, but everyone knows she's looking to strike first. Pepper never holds back.
Initiative: 11
...and yet, this time she seems to wait to see if Cyril will strike first.
When she does go, she steps in, aggressively, both sword flashing...
Action: Swing primary longsword: 12 to hit, for 11 slashing damage. Bonus Action: Two Weapon Fighting style and Dual Wielder feat: 13 to hit, for 12 slashing damage.
Pernach's eyes seem to light as Mist tells of their first trial, and he stands up and draws his sword. He clips the empty scabbard to his back and steps into the ring.
He swings the large blade up in a salute to Thinkhammer
Initiative: 6
Attack: Attack: 19 Damage: 15
The flat of his blade catches Thinkhammer; ringing his bell throughly.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Cyril nods at the match, his lips twitching slightly. Of those present, Pepper was, perhaps, the one he would least like to have to fight in the ring. Not that he feared her, but rather if he wished to do well, going against the competent sword wielder first was tactically... poor. Regardless, he returns the woman's smile with a dip of his head.
"I suppose so. I've certainly been called worse..."
5
Cyril steps into the ring opposite Pepper, his fingers flexing for a moment before drawing the steel baton from behind his back. He grips it like a tonfa and drops into a crouch, eyes narrowing in focus. And yet, at the last instant, he hesitates, his gaze snapping off to the side, distracted. It is enough for Pepper to move first, her blades flashing. The first strike rings off of the metal of his own weapon, but before he can answer the second blade rakes across his thigh, drawing blood and strength from the limb all at once. He falls back, biting off a curse and clutching at the damning wound opened up in his flesh. For a moment he tries to stand, but Cyril's leg collapses again, unable to support his weight. With frustrated growl he lifts a hand, signalling that he yields.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ashe made his way to Mat Four as per Mist's command. A fight against Caelyn. This match between them wasn't going to be a slugfest; it would come down to who has the quickest draw and the most precise strikes. A swift affair. To be honest, he was not sure if he would even be able to outspeed her. The boy removed the rapier from his hip - it would be useless at this close range anyway. Opting for magic might be a good idea, but he wasn't confident his spells would work on the elf. Instead, he assumed the position on his side of the mat and put his two hands on his sheathed daggers - one his masterwork, the other standard - and Ashe put on a smile.
"Good luck. And please, don't hit my face. It's the only thing I've got going for me," Ashe murmurs to Caelyn with a wink.
At the whistle, as quick as he can, Ashe draws his two daggers and rushes Caelyn, that Sovereigns-forsaken hissing noise following him like an angry serpent.
Initiative: 7
ACTION - Main hand Dagger Attack: 22 Damage: 7
BONUS ACTION - Offhand Dagger Attack: 9 Damage: 4 (Should be just 3 damage - forgot my modifier cannot be added to an offhand attack since I don't have the dual weapon fighting style)
(Pretty meh initiative roll - I guess I was right and it'll all come down to if Caelyn rolls higher, whether on initiative or damage!)
As soon as he yields, Pepper sheathes her twin blades smoothly and goes to help Cyril stand and move to the healers. "We both hesitated, I'll take that as a compliment,"she tells him. "This is the best I'll do all day, the test I'm most suited to. It's a shame to start at the top because there's no way but down."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he). Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Cyril grunts as he gets to his feet with Pepper's help. With one hand clamped over the wound and the other around the shorter woman's shoulders, he limps towards the healers with only a touch of complaint. "Nonsense, you sell yourself short. You're smart, quick, and people like you. Those are all important things for a Bastard. You've just as much as chance of doing well as any of us." He drops onto a waiting stool as one of the healers immediately begins fussing at his leg. He only sighs and stretches out the leg as best he can, giving Pepper a look of wry acceptance. Both had been in that same seat in the past - or worse - and knew there was no arguing with those in charge of fixing the unavoidable damage from their sometimes harsh training.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
It's been a hard year. The physical and mental demands of the Academy have broken you down and rebuilt you into a skilled assassin and spy, but this final year was exponentially harder than anything you've ever endured. Not everybody made it, either. Some were injured so badly not even the healers could fully restore them. But you have succeeded where so many others failed. And now it is come to this - the Apex Test.
A combination of individual and team trials, "The Ape" is a practical application of your skills and abilities. Successfully completing the trials allows you to advance to field operations, finally letting you outside the walls of the Academy. It also gives you a standing, and some notoriety, amongst the other students. Finally, and most importantly to some, you will have finally earned the nickname "Bastard."
Now you sit in the antechamber with other young men, women, and even a construct, with various levels of excitement or apprehension on their faces.
Please introduce yourselves to the group, including a physical description and any info from our backstory that is common knowledge to others. Do any of you have a closer connection than just an acquaintance in this small place? There are two additional students in this room - a changeling and a dwarf. They sit nervously in a corner and do not speak to anyone. Finally, each of you needs to make a series of rolls:
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Kira is a young gnome woman, standing at about three and a half feet tall. She has pale skin and large, bright blue eyes. She has short pink hair in layers, the longest of them stopping an inch or so shy of her shoulders. Originating from Zilargo like much of her kin, there have been rumors that she's a spy for her people, and all the hours she spends tinkering aren't just out of curiosity and passion, but to further Zil interests in one way or another. Others say she has a dragonmark on her, though given that that rumor was started by her ex-girlfriend, it may have been started for petty reasons. She's a private person, not really talking to most, so it's anyone's guess what's true and what isn't. She isn't really notable enough for most to actually bother guessing.
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 18
Charisma: 20
Pepper is friendly with everyone. Even after she gave Fenny a beatdown for bullying one of the new recruits she pulled him up off the floor and bought him a beer. She's fair, takes no backtalk from anyone, is always willing to listen when someone needs to talk. But she doesn't talk about herself. You know she got snatched pretty young, she's been here a while. You've heard all the stories about how she fought to escape the Academy for a long time, that she's seen the inside of the cold cell more times than anyone, that it took four guards to overwhelm her when she tried to escape when she was twelve. But those days seem to be over. You think. She won't talk about them, and all it takes is one warning glance for people to stop asking. She's all business when it comes to her duties, all play when she's off duty, and intense at both. There's a rumor going around that she keeps a vial of perfume from an old lover, but nobody has seen it. Last time someone tried to smell her she broke their nose. Then she bought them a beer.
Str: 16
Dex: 11
Int: 2
Cha: 11
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Ashe tightened a strap on his leather armor. The young man stands at 5'10", his dark hair is swept to the side so he can see clearly out of his steely gray eyes. Those who know Ashe are familiar with his reputation as something of a golden child in the Academy. Some of his instructors and fellow students looked upon him favorably for his leadership skills, friendly demeanor, and strong loyalty to the ideals of the Academy; others despised him for it. He never was close to anyone, though, save for his sister Cinder, but that was only because they shared a blood connection - and because they bickered and fought, clashing like oil and water. He seemed to enjoy keeping others at arms length, especially since Cinder was declared missing following a brief (and highly classified) trip the twins took outside of the Academy's walls about half a year back. Some believe she finally deserted after years of near insubordination - others seem to think Ashe had killed her, either on his own accord or by demand of the Academy's brass. But at the end of the day, no one knew the true reason. All they knew is that if anyone brought up Cinder to Ashe's face, all they'd get in response was a soft smile that would never reach his piercing eyes before he turned away without giving an answer, all of this accompanied by a soft sizzling noise. Indeed, it seemed anytime Ashe was in a stressful or difficult scenario, an audible hiss would follow him. Most in the Academy have no idea why this is, but some joke that it's the invisible smoke coming out of his ears from anger as though he's some Korranberg Chronicle comic strip character. Or a tea kettle. Someday, certain people theorized, he would explode under enough pressure.
For now, though, Ashe was simply making his final preparations before the Ape. Once he finished making sure his weapons and armor were secure, he began to fidget with a beaded bracelet on his left wrist, that faint hissing noise creeping up around him once again. He gives a smile and a nod to each of his fellow cadets, hoping to shore up some additional confidence in them before they began their test. That trademark friendly distance at work once again.
Str: 8
Dex: 19
Int: 11
Cha: 11
He is quiet, simply seated on the floor, his legs loosely folded beneath him. His body, clothed only in loose pants and a sleeveless shirt, is long and lean and defined. His stark white hair falls effortlessly to one side revealing the shaved sides. Cyril's almost aqua blue eyes move languidly around the room from time to time, looking over the others and pausing almost imperceptibly when they reach Pepper before moving on.
He has never spoken much about his time before the Academy, but his elven race and often unhidden Dragonmark have led many to surmise of a possible past with House Thuranni. Confident, affable, determined, and utterly loyal to all eyes.
Cyril's hand strays to the small silver skull that hangs at his throat, an odd trinket of some kind, one that he never speaks of but is never seen without. The short blade gifted to him by the Academy itself rests in plain view at his hip, while a solid metal baton of sorts is secured along the back of his belt. He seems to carry nothing more than this, although those familiar with his abilities know that his body itself is often weapon enough.
When he speaks, it is a soft voice that emerges, almost sing-song in its pace and tone, and perhaps a touch higher than one might expect for his height and build. "I wonder what happens next? What sort of test might lay before us this time..."
Strength: 19
Dexterity: 7
Intelligence: 9
Charisma: 7
The warforged on the back wall is a semi-familiar sight from around the Academy, although this is the first time seeing him up close for several of you. It's a bit hard to tell when they are seated, but they look to be a bit over six and a half feet in height, and solidly built. The eyes are a light azure, and their expression is a bit hard to gauge due to the...severe resting face of most warforged.
They are dressed in a plain, loose one-piece garment that flows like a tabard. There is a handaxe on each side of a a belt, and a greatsword in it's scabbard held loosely in front of them. You've heard that Pernach is...unusual and that the Academy artificers have several different theories as to where they originated, and what causes the occasional odd magical energy outbursts.
Strength: 22
Dexterity: 6
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 20
**I left off one of the brackets on the Dex roll so it didn't actually roll. Correcting that triggered the manipulation warning**
Sitting on a chair staring at the floor is Caelyn. A slender elf, about 5'8 tall. Sitting in the room her hood is down displaying her blond hair which flows freely reaching just slightly past her shoulders. As she stares at the ground her light goldenbrown eyes are clearly visible.
Wearing an outfit of mostly leather and cloth fitting on her like a second skin. Her tight outfit serving multiple purposes for those that know Caelyn. One to move more gracefull and agile and the other to help gather information from those that are distracted by her looks.
She carries arrows and a shortbow on her back. Strapped against the arrow quiver is her rapier, a thin blade positioned a bit strangely to some. But with Caelyn everything has a purpose. Should the rapier be on her side it would bounce to much possibly making sound, which is why she has placed it on her back.
At her sides small daggers are kept strapped along her thighs on both sides.
She is always friendly but often with a serious undertone. Caelyn has been at the academy since she was close to 7 years old. She will have known Pepper for a while as she has been here for a long time too (as well as anyone else that has been here for years). The ones that knew her when she was young will know Caelyn was looking for her parents, trying to figure out what happened to them. She does not speak of it anymore but that does not mean she does not think about it anymore. The more recent additions would still know she always looks to help others, knowing she would be building up favors that she might need in the future.
Caelyn is known for trying to piece information together by asking around and persuading people to help her. For this reason some dont trust her, as she always looks like she is hiding her true intentions.
Her stare comes to an end as her thoughts drift back to the present.
Caelyn turns towards Pepper and as their eyes lock Caelyns lips curl to a grin as well as she replies Are you?
Pepper laughs warmly as Caelyn challenges her. “Oh, girl, you know I am.” Pepper arrived at the Academy at twelve, so Caelyn has always been part of her experience here. She’s like family.
Pepper glances over at the dwarf and the changeling, then back to the group. Her eyes fall on Cyril. “What happens next is that they tell us what to do, and then we do it. Isn’t that right?” She glances at Ashe. “It’s what we always do.” Pepper had been friends with Ashe’s sister, Cinder, before she disappeared. She and Ashe where friendly, but that friendship had been strained since then. That was about when Pepper straightened out and stopped trying to escape. Maybe the two are related.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
The side door opens, and Mist steps in. A cold and demanding trainer, the warforged monk teaches Advanced Melee techniques at the Academy. From hand-to-hand to weapons, you have spent countless hours under Ashe's unemotional, yet always vaguely disapproving, tutelage.
"The first examination will test your ability to get into, and out of, trouble. You may use any weapons or magic in the combat circle. Points will be awarded for victories, and bonuses for unique combinations and tactics. Although this is live combat, dying is not authorized. Any questions before I reveal the brackets and your opponents?"
The combat circle is well known to you all - a seven-foot diameter circle on woven grass mats where all close-combat training occurs. You know that points are subtracted if you step outside of the circle, so positioning is always in your minds. New students begin training in hand-to-hand combat only, then progress to wooden practice weapons and scoring points while wearing heavy pads. But the advanced class uses real weapons and armor, often fighting to "first blood." But it is well-known that Apex rounds are always to submission - it is up to the individual to tap out and end the fight before they are knocked unconscious. The Academy healers are nearby to help students between rounds, but they cannot resurrect anyone if actually killed...
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Nobody remembers ever seeing Pepper tap out of a fight. She’s lost plenty, but she’s always had to be dragged off the field, whether it’s in training or at the bar. She bounces to her feet, her face serious. “We know the score. Let’s go.”
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
As Mist enters the chamber, Cyril stands respectfully. He has spent many, many hours with the Warforged, to the point of all but forgetting the teacher's artificial nature. His eyes drift to Pepper for a moment, weighing thoughts and what he knows of her prowess and nature in combat. Then, wordlessly, he looks back to their instructor and nods once.
As Mist explains the challenge Caelyn rolls her eyes and sighs in disappointment. Knowing this type of challenge highly favors others and offers nothing for her own skillset.
She will have to try and get through it as best she can and focus on what comes after. Caelyn sets down her bow and quiver as this is a melee challenge and leaves her rapier attached to the quiver. Making herself as light and nimble as possible.
Moving her head around she loosens her neck then moves forward, ready to participate.
Ashe does his best to surreptitiously look around the room at his fellow cadets. It was quite apparent that out of all of them, he was probably the least skilled combatant. He isn't strong like Pepper and Pernach, quick like Caelyn and Cyril, nor quick-witted like Kira. All he could rely on was instinct and experience - but would it be enough to make it through the combat trial? That hissing sound grew a little stronger before he cleared his throat and smiled to Mist.
"I think we're all ready - we've been working hard for this, after all. Time to put all we've learned to the test," He says, the hissing noise having disappeared.
Mist waits another moment or two (still time for any questions if you have them) before announcing the brackets.
"Very well. Matches are based on your performance this year and points earned or penalized. Each match lasts for five rounds, unless you tap out or are knocked unconscious. Round 1 consists of the following matches:
Take your positions. You will fight at the whistle."
(Here we go! Everybody roll initiative and make your first-round melee attack. Thinkhammer is a dwarf wizard student with initiative 5. Carcan is a changeling fighter with initiative 10. I'll make their attacks each round after Pernach and Kira post.)
Love God. Love Others. Any Questions?
Pepper lets out a short bark of laughter when her match is announced. "I guess it's time to sort the bastards," she says with a smile, looking at Cyril.
When it is their turn, she makes her way to the contest mat, longswords in both hands, swinging them to loosen up her arms. Her every move is focused, and as Cyril makes ready, she brings her swords in, one high, one low, wary of the other's unarmed prowess. She knows she's not as fast as Cyril, but everyone knows she's looking to strike first. Pepper never holds back.
Initiative: 11
...and yet, this time she seems to wait to see if Cyril will strike first.
When she does go, she steps in, aggressively, both sword flashing...
Action: Swing primary longsword: 12 to hit, for 11 slashing damage.
Bonus Action: Two Weapon Fighting style and Dual Wielder feat: 13 to hit, for 12 slashing damage.
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Pernach's eyes seem to light as Mist tells of their first trial, and he stands up and draws his sword. He clips the empty scabbard to his back and steps into the ring.
He swings the large blade up in a salute to Thinkhammer
Initiative: 6
Attack: Attack: 19 Damage: 15
The flat of his blade catches Thinkhammer; ringing his bell throughly.
Cyril nods at the match, his lips twitching slightly. Of those present, Pepper was, perhaps, the one he would least like to have to fight in the ring. Not that he feared her, but rather if he wished to do well, going against the competent sword wielder first was tactically... poor. Regardless, he returns the woman's smile with a dip of his head.
"I suppose so. I've certainly been called worse..."
5
Cyril steps into the ring opposite Pepper, his fingers flexing for a moment before drawing the steel baton from behind his back. He grips it like a tonfa and drops into a crouch, eyes narrowing in focus. And yet, at the last instant, he hesitates, his gaze snapping off to the side, distracted. It is enough for Pepper to move first, her blades flashing. The first strike rings off of the metal of his own weapon, but before he can answer the second blade rakes across his thigh, drawing blood and strength from the limb all at once. He falls back, biting off a curse and clutching at the damning wound opened up in his flesh. For a moment he tries to stand, but Cyril's leg collapses again, unable to support his weight. With frustrated growl he lifts a hand, signalling that he yields.
Ashe made his way to Mat Four as per Mist's command. A fight against Caelyn. This match between them wasn't going to be a slugfest; it would come down to who has the quickest draw and the most precise strikes. A swift affair. To be honest, he was not sure if he would even be able to outspeed her. The boy removed the rapier from his hip - it would be useless at this close range anyway. Opting for magic might be a good idea, but he wasn't confident his spells would work on the elf. Instead, he assumed the position on his side of the mat and put his two hands on his sheathed daggers - one his masterwork, the other standard - and Ashe put on a smile.
"Good luck. And please, don't hit my face. It's the only thing I've got going for me," Ashe murmurs to Caelyn with a wink.
At the whistle, as quick as he can, Ashe draws his two daggers and rushes Caelyn, that Sovereigns-forsaken hissing noise following him like an angry serpent.
Initiative: 7
ACTION - Main hand Dagger Attack: 22 Damage: 7
BONUS ACTION - Offhand Dagger Attack: 9 Damage: 4 (Should be just 3 damage - forgot my modifier cannot be added to an offhand attack since I don't have the dual weapon fighting style)
(Pretty meh initiative roll - I guess I was right and it'll all come down to if Caelyn rolls higher, whether on initiative or damage!)
As soon as he yields, Pepper sheathes her twin blades smoothly and goes to help Cyril stand and move to the healers. "We both hesitated, I'll take that as a compliment," she tells him. "This is the best I'll do all day, the test I'm most suited to. It's a shame to start at the top because there's no way but down."
ey/em/eirs, or they/them works, too (just not he).
Role-playing since that keep on those borderlands. I love it so.
Cyril grunts as he gets to his feet with Pepper's help. With one hand clamped over the wound and the other around the shorter woman's shoulders, he limps towards the healers with only a touch of complaint. "Nonsense, you sell yourself short. You're smart, quick, and people like you. Those are all important things for a Bastard. You've just as much as chance of doing well as any of us." He drops onto a waiting stool as one of the healers immediately begins fussing at his leg. He only sighs and stretches out the leg as best he can, giving Pepper a look of wry acceptance. Both had been in that same seat in the past - or worse - and knew there was no arguing with those in charge of fixing the unavoidable damage from their sometimes harsh training.