[ ORP ] The Colosseum Trials (EXIT P 8)

[Zoobey]

The Lair itself was quiet.

And then a voice spoke, rumbling throughout the expanse of the cavern. "We have a ssspecial pressentation today. A contesstant in the Collossseum! All sssspectators are invited, we will be taking betssss at the door."

The 'Colosseum' itself was the very centerpiece monument of the Lair, a large archaic structure build entirely out of stone formations. Jagged rows, seats, ran all along the side of the round structure, and in the middle, several feet below, a circular platform. The arena.

Famine clans members and a smattering of Lost Clans spectators were already filing in, taking a seat, whispering loudly and excitedly amongst themselves. A contestant was always fun to watch. It was live entertainment. Bets were already being passed as to how long the contestant would live.

Medea arrived as well, taking a seat in the regal podium in the front, the Famine Elder next to her. They both seemed relatively interested, talking amongst each other.

And then, as the seats practically filled, said participant came in. A single figure. A female human. Several Famine colony soldiers flanked her, cuffed her foot to a long chain that linked directly into the center of the floor, and then walked away.

Silence. Anticipation for bloodshed.

The Elder stood up, and waved his hand in approval.

"Let the trialsssss begin!"

There was a loud clank as a cage opened in the bottom gladiator's arena. A large chimera-type creature, sizzling black smoke, frenzied to the point of half-dissipation emerged. Its saliva sizzled as it hit the ground, raising a single scorpion's tail, poised at the opponent. There was no recognition in its eyes, simply hunger as it coiled its muscles together and took a swipe at the Hunter.

OOC

IF YOU ARE A HORSEMEN/ LOST CLANS INITIATE

- You are all invited to watch the spectacle! Simply post SPECTATOR at the top of your post and then write an rp reaction to the events going on. You are WATCHING the event, so you can comment to other spectators, jeer, shout at the event, take bets, so on so forth. It is pretty obvious as to what kind of event this is.

- Spectators can shout suggestions at the event going on. For example, they can request stronger monsters, more monsters, they can request a time out, they can request healing items for the contestant, anything. Some suggestions will be taken. That means, the Elder famine member deems them interesting, and they will be added to this event. (OOC: that means your character can ICly make suggestions to the fight that will be ICly implemented/ gmed in)

That means you'll also be watching the rp reactions from the gm posts and Sasha (the Hunter) to see what she does. The game is considered OVER if she dies, so really, it would be best if she fought as hard as she could for entertainment, right?

pinchmonster

- You are roughly dragged and hauled until you reach what seems like a giant, circular arena. You are pulled inside, into a deep pit, right into the center. As you look up, at the horsemen faces leering down, you realize you are the entertainment. You cannot escape, a chain is tied to your foot, roughly twenty feet long.

From the side you hear a growl, and then mere seconds later, a blur of tan and black run towards you. You need to fight now, and perhaps it is only a small saving grace that you can summon your weapon.

- OOC: Sasha can roll her USUAL dice mechanics. The monster has 30 HP. She will need to KILL IT/ dissipate it, in order to survive. All damage hurts more than usual. The monster does 5 auto damage. Charge attacks can be used. This is a self-run series of boss fights, so Sasha can simply roll/ attack/ take auto-damage as need be. You can rp it out however you please. SPECTATORS ARE WATCHING.
- Make sure you post your character's HP, damage you have done, and HP of boss in your OOC comments. You can gm the boss as well as it attacks you!

- Also watch out for GM posts. Occasionally spectators will make suggestions, which may be implemented. If you see a GM post, react to it accordingly and adjust whatever mechanics need be.

 

[medigel]

SPECTATOR

It was nice, for once, to watch someone else fight for their life.

Mort took a seat towards the mid-lower section to better see the action in its finer details, face set in a smooth mask as they brought out the Hunter. She was vaguely familiar. Medea's power had rendered their golems useless for a brief time at the fake lake, and after a few seconds he realized this was the ghoul he had initiated a gang attack on before sending her on her way. She hadn't seemed very eager about the whole prospect before; wonder how she'd react now.

But the zomboil pushed away his opinions and thoughts on the matter, including the rather satisfying situation the Hunter was now in. He was not here for something as petty as that - no, it was for research. He had his own experiences fighting the humans, yes, but atmosphere, social pressure, and the fear of actually dying: ah, that was a different experiment entirely.

Resting his elbows on his knees, Mort leaned forward in anticipation, his fingers lacing themselves idly. There was always something to be gleaned, if he was observant enough.  

[santime]

SPECTATOR

Trials. Eisheth loved that concept. It amazed her actually, when she realized it wasn't a long time ago, when students were passing the Four Clan trials, but the situation was very different back then: they were looking for possible allies, and those trials were aimed to determine whether or not Amityville was good enough to be considered as possible ally. But now, the Trial would be a simple and delightful entertainment, - and what could be more delightful than watching your natural enemy struggling and suffering? That was a proper place for a human being: bowing before them and trying their best to just keep them a bit amused. That's all they should exist for.

Eisheth did find herself a convenient place between other viewers, and looked for Mei: the ghoul looked a bit more relaxed, as far as she could judge. "Mei! Get here, I've reserved a place for you!", she called.

Yayoi

The alchemist watched in amusement as the female hunter was escorted to the arena by a Famine elder. A cute chimera looking creature emanating some pure Hunger would be her opponent, - it was actually a kind of animal Eisheth would rather hug and take home, so she really hoped the beast will win. or at least hurt the girl badly.

"Hey, hunter,", she shouted to the girl. "You should try your best to keep us entertained. Try to survive at least 10 minutes, or we might get bored".

pinchmonster

smile

Actually, it just came to her mind that the trial can have one more interesting usage aside of pure entertainment: the will be able to see and examine hunter's battle capabilities, which might be handy in future.

Eisheth looked around searching for familiar faces.

Boozver

xoxomenai

Smerdle

Ol-j-man

Now, let the fun begin!  

[bipolar bee]

Sasha was not prepared for the sight that greeted her upon her entrance into the arena. She was not prepared to be the entertainment - that the fight for her right to live would be providing those who watched with fun and games. Sasha realized something, in that moment; her life was worth nothing to those who jeered and leered and shouted derisive comments down at her.

It was a humbling, humiliating moment.

As a blur swept past her, black and tan and moving so fast that she couldn't really tell what it was, Sasha fumbled for the barrette at her temple - Nona's de-summoned form - almost dropping the hooked blades of her bonded as she tried to block out everything around her.

<Focus.>

I'm trying.

Nona let out a lamenting cry, one that echoed soulfully in Sasha's mind. The huntress took a leap forward, slashing out at the beast that attacked. It swept out in turn, clawing at Sasha's calf with bloodthirsty intent - though Sasha had done her fair share of damage, as well.

<Again, little dove. We fight for our freedom. Do not listen to these beasts around us. They will fall - they will all fall.>

Quote:

HP: 45/50
DMG: 4
TAR HP: 26/30
CHG: 1/3 || 0/2

Quote:

Sasha and her weapon, Nona.

 

[Yayoi]

SPECTATOR

The Jiang Shi was certainly more relaxed than she had been previously. Though a slight tinge of tiredness still lingered in her eyes. Not so much from all the goings on before now, but from things she had been working through once she had gotten back to the school. She had been keeping herself fairly busy, but still put up a strong front.

She wore a fairly formal, yet comfortable outfit for the outing today. Apparently they were to be watching some fighting. It would be nice to be the one watching and not the one fighting for once. To just sit back and relax. A small glimmer of satisfaction seemed to shine in her eyes as a Hunter was tossed into the ring as she made her way towards where Eisheth was calling her too. The fragment in her choker seemed to pulse lightly in anticipation and hunger before she clasped a hand over it to quite it down.

Anyone who knew her though could see a slight change in the ghoul. Well, perhaps her hair was a bit more obvious as it had begun to fade to white leaving the ends still a dark brown and was a bit longer in the front.

Smiling at Eisheth, she took a seat next to the Horsewoman, lacing her fingers with the others before casting a small smile over to Mort, dipping her head in recognition without a word.

santime

Ol-j-man

 

[Molten Tigrex]

SPECTATOR

Aymet didn't recognize the hunter - they all looked pretty much the same to the dracolich, differentiated far more by the weapons they wielded. She was in a white and gold coat and that was a good enough reason to see her cast down into the colosseum pit by the horsemen.

And fitting, too, to finally see one of them ripped from their home, their fellow humans, and given a taste of their own medicine. For what they had done this was hardly enough retribution. But it was a start. It was nothing like the interrogation of Stacey. SEEDS had been too gentle, in retrospect. A clean death. No wonder he had no fear of them even in his dying moments. Killing hunters, killing humans, was easy. With the horsemen, it was not a case of if, but how. And the how was very entertaining today. Maybe he could learn a thing or two about what humans, even these hunters, feared above all else.

The dracolich flapped a few times and came in for a rough landing beside Mort.

"Hey... Mort, right?" Aymet recognized him from the horsemen islands, a friend of Amrita's. That was good enough for him, so he moved a little closer to speak over the ecstatic cheering of horsemen all around them. Aymet gave his skull pin a tap, casually indicating his Halloween origins. "Great to see another one of us here."

It was certainly hard to pin down a good word for themselves, the students who had joined the Lost Clans but were not horsemen. A code name would help outside the lair.

Ol-j-man

 

[bipolar bee]

She couldn't block them all out. There were still some jeers that got to her - and in a lapse of determination, a moment of weakness - Sasha's next attack was a glancing blow at best. A gouge at her thigh from the beast's sharp claws, and Sasha took a limping step back, tightening her fingers on Nona's hilts.

Quote:

HP: 40/50
DMG: 1
TAR HP: 25/30
CHG: 2/3 || 0/2

Quote:

Sasha and her weapon, Nona.

 

[Miliardo Kason]

SPECTATOR

Black wings wrapped around her waist as she moved through the crowds, eventually she found a seat. All around Lost Clansmen moved about discussing bets hedged against the hunter. Some said seconds, others minutes. She simply waved them away leaning over thoughtfully to watch the fight, brown hair hanging loose over her shoulders without her usual helm.

The stinging bite of a hunters weapon still echoing in her mind as she watched the one below fight.

For a moment though she felt a fondness for the hunter. Had her hair been a shade of brown, perhaps a bit taller and born with wings she might have almost passed as her youngest sister. Alas that ghoul was dead all thanks to there kind.

"We have taken them as toys for our amusement?" She cocked her head slightly watching her continued to fight. "Have we gained all we need from these captured mortals that we toss them to the pits now?"  

[medigel]

SPECTATOR

It wasn't apparent at first that Mort saw Mei's greeting, so intent was his gaze on the fight. It wasn't until the Hunter's blood was drawn that he came out of his brief reverie, blinking once before turning his head to the student-horseman pair - and then blinking again at both the ghoul's colorless patch of hair and the very familiar manner she composed herself with towards the alchemist (namely their held hands). Huh. He returned her smile with a nod of his own. "Is strange not being one fighting for once," he observed as he turned his attention to the fight again.

Though not for much longer, as the flap of wings heralded a new conversational partner.

"Mrrrr. Yeah." He pushed his glasses up with one finger, one corner of his mouth lifting. "Same. You're, ah . . . Aymet, yes?" The dragon skull was hard to misplace. "Merope said was into D&H. Was hoping to meet sometime." Though he never would've imagined it would be in a setting like this - if anything, it would've been during a game set like this, not an actual one to experience.

Mort turned once again back to the action as the Hunter barely scratched the chimera in the second round. "Think is weird, sitting n' watching like is skellyvision. Like isn't really happening f-for once."

-Yayoi

-santime

Since Eisheth can hear

-Iizbot

 

[bipolar bee]

Nona sang through the air as Sasha dove back into the fray, her blades a whistling edge of silver as they connected and slashed into the beast's sturdy body. The creature let out a bellow of pain, a shrieking sound that rose above the chatter of the horsemen and students alike.

Nona's voice lifted as Sasha abruptly pulled back, seating the hooks deeper and deeper still into the creature's giving flesh.

She did not come away unscathed. The beast lashed out weakly, catching Sasha at her hip. The huntress was forced to break away, leaving the black and tan creature to limp away. She was panting softly, but there was an icy fire that glistened in her eyes.

Sasha had made the correct choice, she knew that now. She would not die forgotten in an underground prison. She would die fighting - as a hunter should.

Quote:

HP: 35/50
DMG: 13
TAR HP: 12/30
CHG: 3/3 || 0/2

Quote:

Sasha and her weapon, Nona.

 

[bipolar bee]

Like a true predator, Sasha could sense that her prey was weakened, and terribly so. There was no sense in using Nona's charge, despite the cries the weapon gave for release. Not yet. This one would soon be finished - and while Sasha did not know if a new foe would descend upon her, she could only plan for the moments that followed the death of her current opponent.

The beast moved into defensive mode, lashing out at Sasha with sharp claws and teeth alike. She could not avoid it - not if she wanted to deliver another blow.

Shrieking with rage, Nona's blades connected once more with the beast's body. Once more Sasha pressed - took - destroyed.

The beast was nearly done. Sasha could not help but feel pity; it was merely a source of entertainment, just as she was.

Quote:

HP: 30/50
DMG: 9
TAR HP: 3/30
CHG: 3/3 || 0/2

Quote:

Sasha and her weapon, Nona.

 

[medigel]

SPECTATOR

There was a tell-tale rustle of wings near the Death horseman to signal someone else's arrival. "Or perhaps she hopes to gain something for her willful rebellion," Shik suggested as he landed. "The reason should not matter for a fight such a this - their species has had far worse coming for their actions. To be able to fight for one's life is a rare honor the high priestess has given."

And frankly it was a much more fun solution. The executioner's stern face broke into a feral grin as he crossed his arms and nodded in greeting to Eisheth, ignoring her friend as his eyes swept over the jiang shi to the combatants. It looked as though the beast was beginning to tire, sadly.

Miliardo Kason

santime

herp double quote

 

[Boozver]

SPECTATOR

There were quite a few familiar faces, so deep in her mind Heidla wished for having two shows at one - one in the very centre of the arena, the other on the faces of the spectators. The priestess leaned back on her seat trying to make herself comfortable. The experience was akin to a trance - for a change, you were not the one to battle, but you watch from the sidelines - you won't need to make your move, but will be able to judge the situation from within. Good practice, for a change.

Watching a Hunter suffer - oh, that was quite a study! The one on the arena seemed quite small, though. Fragile and humble. Would she make it?

Heidla was curious. Of course, judging by appearance was bad, and un-wise, but she couldn't help it. She darted a look around to see if anyone else had the same doubts about the quality of the show. She met Eisheth's gleaming eyes and grinned.

"Enjoying it, Famine?" she hissed. "Wanna make a bet on how many rounds she will last?"

Betting was an old though a bit lowly amusement, but sometimes it added fuel to the excitement.

The show has begun, and despite initial ennui Heidla was drawn. Mixed feelings were fighting in her mind - at some point she was even afraid she would feel pity. Pity - that would be her downfall - how unhorsemanly! She definitely needed more bloodshed to get herself back into a better shape. Well, probably she'll manage to push herself into higher spirits if the Hunter does something unexpected.

santime

 

[Miliardo Kason]

"The hunter? She is hardly rebelling she is simply surviving, primal, pure, almost beautiful in a way how she struggles so hard." Her arms crossed and she sat back in her seat eying the horsemen of war. An Executioner at one point judging by his looks.

"We'll see if she dies with honor. For now," she turned back to the fighting tilting her head the other way. "It seems like honor will be hers."

Ol-j-man

 

[santime]

Eisheth was quite surprised by Mei's new appearance: it even took her away from the fight. "What happened to your hair, Mei?", she wondered casually. "To tell the truth I like it even better this way, but that was a bit unexpected", she smiled, and took the ghoul's hand placing both of them conveniently. "Isn't it amusing to watch this little thing", - she pointed at the hunter. - struggling?"

The alchemist turned her head to a familiar figure landing nearby. "Say, Shikoba, I just thought it might be more useful to study the fight attentively: it's the first time we can examine a hunter fighting, their strong and weak sides. ".

She sighed, being interrupted by Heidla: the alchemist was wondering would the priestess ever be able to remember her name and stop addressing her Famine, as if she was a Queen. "Well, I would say this thing down there is quite good. Perhaps, we would even need to bring more beasts for her. Let's relax and see. Though, I feel pitty for a little beast: looks like it won't get the diner today", she pointed her finger at chimera.

To be honest, the hunter wasn't bad at all: of course, she wasn't one of the leaders, her power was young, and she didn't seem to master it to the full strength, yet she wasn't bad at all. Eisheth narrowed her eyes watching the hunter's weapon with a growing interest. She could never in her life understand, how one a proud Fear creature can so easily associate itself with a lowly human, and more than that, be so faithful.

She also noticed a student eyeing herself and Mei suspiciously, and simply nodded to him: may be it's one of Mei's friends? "Is it your friend?", she decided to ask the Jiang Shi.

Yayoi

She's pointing at Mort XP

Boozver

biggrin

Ol-j-man

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