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Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 5:30 am
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This was a good day for the rodeo.
Sh'shi stood at the training ground with a rare smile on her face. What a day for it. The rodeo was one of those few events that that entire Weyr seemed interested in. She could already see dragons gathering on the ledges nearest the grounds and people gravitating to the edge of the fence. But really, who wouldn't want to see a Weyrling get thrown around? Especially with the grounds in the state they were. It had been raining for several days, finally breaking in the early hours of this morning. As such the grounds were essentially a mud pit. Sh'shi's high boots were already caked as she surveyed the arena. Be a shame if their soft muddy fall was interrupted by an unearth rock in just the wrong place. She didn't want any concussions today.
A week prior each pair had been given a set of riding straps. Each set had a number of flaws, ranging in severity and number. Alongside their classes they had been responsible for maintaining or repairing them. The halls tanners and smiths could assist, but only if the Weyrling specified the problem and exactly how it needed to be fixed. If they had done everything correctly then the straps would see them safely through this event. That was trial one.
Trial two would to correctly strap themselves in. Most of the class would know which straps they needed, but usually a fair number of the class wouldn't do it tight enough. Underestimating just how much force a bucking dragon could generate. Then there were the dragons themselves, who could easily get carried away and send themselves sprawling. The old Weyrlingmaster chuckled at just how much cleaning her charges would be doing by the end of today.
The time came and her class gathered, this was probably one of the happiest moods they had seen their master in as Sh'shi gestured for them all to huddle together. "Well class, this is it. Do your last checks and beg for your dragon's mercy." Sh'shi held in her hand an hour glass. "Three minutes, that's how long you've got to stay in the seat of your harness. For round one at least." They needed some kind of incentive to go through this frankly unpleasant experience, so why not make it a competition? "You get knocked out of your seat and in round two you go a minute longer. Fall off your dragon entirely and you're out. Round one though I'll be nice and falling off will only count as a slip. Don't want any of you getting out of this too soon. The prize? Winner's choice. " Within reason, obviously, but none of the class were stupid enough to try and go too far overboard.
Quote: In this we encourage non-weyrling spectators to have a giggle at the newest dragonriders' expense. How to playEach round roll a number of 10-sided dice equal to the number of minutes in the round, so for round one it's 3 dice. 1 - 6 - Rider stays on 7 - 9 - Rider slips (+1 next round) 10 - Rider falls off (You're out!) IC prize: Winner's choice for the weyrling (Exemption from chores, something shiny etc) OOC prize: Winner's choice for the player (One free item from the shop)
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Posted: Sat Jun 10, 2017 9:37 am
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Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2017 11:06 am
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V' grinned as sharply as something that lived in southern jungles or perhaps in the depths of the ocean. "I like that prize!" It had been a hard two weeks but winning something of her choice? That would make it all worth it... As would beating the others come to that.
The two weeks of prep had dragged by in fits of frustration, checking every shaffing stitch and buckle twice over or more. V' did not like sitting around, she knew the value of maintaining gear that kept you alive - she knew it well - but all she'd had to worry about before was a good knife and a thick leather jerkin. A riding harness - or the straps or whatever you called it - was a whole other kettle of fish. She hated doing it. She hated knowing that it was important enough that she couldn't shirk it even more.
Lithustoth's enthusiasm had been about all that got her through the checks, the talks with the crafters as she tried to explain what she thought was wrong, the repairs, the re-checks, and the waiting. Today though she shared her dragon's excitement and shared a grin with her green as she tightened the harness around her. "That alright for you? Not pinching?"
//It's fine, but I think the one here could be tighter?//
V' grunted, nodded, and checked the strap Lith had called her attention to, it did seem like it wasn't as flush against her hide as the others and so V' tightened it up another notch before mounting up and starting to fasten the straps around herself. //Are you ready to show the others how it's done?// she grinned, leaning over Lith's neck in anticipation and taking a grip of the harness.
//You and them both!// Lithustoth replied with a mental laugh that crackled through V's mind and damn near took her breath away with its intensity. Lithustoth winced. //I'm sorry, too much? I can take it easy...//
//Never too much for me!// V' replied, grinning broader and slapping her dragon's neck for emphasis. //I'm the toughest out here, can't show them that if you don't put your back into it!//
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TawnyAngel rolled 1 10-sided dice:
3
Total: 3 (1-10)
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 12:54 pm
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Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 1:03 pm
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magnadearel rolled 3 10-sided dice:
7, 3, 10
Total: 20 (3-30)
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Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 6:52 pm
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It didn't take long for V' to jump right in. M'li took the chance to study what V's dragon put her through, so she'd know somewhat what to expect from Starelth. Oh this was going to be a rodeo for sure. She waited for the three minutes to count themselves down. With one final check on her straps, she nudged her dragon in to take her place. She clamped her teeth and took a fresh grip. Alright Starelth. Do your worst.
The green rumbled and twisted her head just enough to peer over her back at her rider with a wicked look. Then it was on. Starelth jumped and twisted; bucked and leaped. M'li felt like she was being shaken, rattled, and rolled! More often she felt she was going in one direction while Starelth was another. If it hadn't been for the straps, she'd never have kept her seat in the first minute. As it was, she felt the straps give a bit, and she started to slip.
Desperately, M'li grabbed a strap. Clamping her legs tightly she managed to right herself. In the second minute, she stuck with her dragon fairly well. It was almost fun. But she noticed she was getting tired. Three minutes was a long time! Sweat trickled from her scalp and into her eyes, her fair didn't even bare mentioning. It probably looked like a used mop head.
Just as she believed she might make it through all three minutes, she felt it. Starelth bucked, the tension went out of a strap. M'li knew she'd not be able to save herself this time. She still tried as the green gave another tunnel snake like twist and sent her into the mud. "Pah!" The teen wiped her face as she sat up. Are you ok M'li? The green trotted anxiously over to her fallen rider. "Aye, well enough." She picked herself up out of the mud, and moved out of the way for the next pair, leading Starelth. At this point, she believed she was more covered in mud than her dragon.
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TawnyAngel rolled 3 10-sided dice:
3, 3, 3
Total: 9 (3-30)
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 11:32 am
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Posted: Mon Jun 19, 2017 9:34 pm
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Shaddaling rolled 3 10-sided dice:
1, 1, 9
Total: 11 (3-30)
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:05 pm
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J'in was nervous, facing possible public humiliation, doing something dangerous and just not the most pleased to be here. He sighed, fingers tracing over the straps, up and down, fiddling with the repairs. Not enough done, at least he didn't think so. The repairs just seemed so noticeable. Well done, at least what he had figured out and worked with.
And this depended on Flueth actually trying to throw him.
J'in took a deep breath and let it out, starting the process of tacking up Flueth, fingers checking to make sure the bronze's abundance wasn't pinched and they were clinched closed and tight. Sort of like a runner beast, though Flueth at least didn't attempt to suck in air.
He took a deep breath and slid onto Flueth back and checked to make sure his seat is secure, grip settle. And waited.
Flueth replied, sleepily and stretched out, yawning widely, Flueth suggested, hopeful.
J'in grumbled, and gave a startled noise as Flueth bucked, starling him and making him slip.
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Faerie Princess Meeka rolled 3 10-sided dice:
1, 7, 4
Total: 12 (3-30)
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 7:43 pm
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Faerie Princess Meeka rolled 3 10-sided dice:
7, 5, 8
Total: 20 (3-30)
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Posted: Wed Jun 21, 2017 8:59 pm
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Deldowth was low to the ground, not amused by those who had come out to watch them. His clutch mates were taking turns trying to get their riders into the air or stay on their backs for as long as possible. He wanted to stay firmly on the ground. And not make a fool of themselves. I'sko, we are going to fall. The others will laugh at us. I will hurt my wings. I don't think this is a good idea.
I'sko, personally agreeing with Deldowth, tried to be the braver of the two. He coaxed Deldowth into standing, causing the brown beast to tower over him. Carefully, without word, he went over the straps, the saddle, and everything else on the list that they had learned. "It will be fine. We will have to fall before we get the hang of things. I had to crawl then walk. But first I had to fall."
Yes, but you did not fall so far before and now we have an audience. I wish we were by ourselves. Deldowth replied.
"No choice in the matter. Up we go, okay?" I'sko climbed onto his brown's saddle and settled into place. Once again, he checked everything once he was in the seat. "Let's just get it over with and go."
All right. And then, the brown jumped into the air and gave a toss of his body before landing solidly on the ground. I'sko was still hanging on but not by much before Deldowth launched into another buck and side step which caused I'sko to lose balance and fall.
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Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2017 10:44 am
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The_Muffin_Puppy rolled 6 10-sided dice:
8, 3, 5, 9, 9, 7
Total: 41 (6-60)
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Posted: Sat Jun 24, 2017 2:02 pm
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Sh'shi leaned against the fence as her charges made their first attempts. She'd been impressed with their diligence. They weren't all perfect with their straps, but that was the point of today. It made them realise how they needed to keep their straps in good condition. Today it was a mud puddle, but in the future it was a mile high drop. They couldn't afford to fail then.
"Very nice, V', good grip." Honestly, Sh'shi had expected Lithustoth to send her rider flying. The green was such a whirlwind. As Starelth began her attempt to knock of her rider Sh'shi noticed the give in the straps. A slight frown crossed her features for a moment, but quickly went away. As the pair left the space Sh'shi nodded to M'li. "Very good, M'li, you settled into Starelth's rhythm well considering the loose strap." It was good to see a young pair beginning to harmonise their motions. By the time they were flying in a wing they would be in perfect sync.
Next up was the largest dragon in the class. Part of Sh'shi had expected the lump to try and hold off to the last possible moment. J'in had done well to get him to start without too much hassle. "You have to expect the unexpected in flight, J'in, never know when your dragon will have to make a sudden turn," she said as the pair finished their run. Next up was Wanjouth, would be interesting to see if E'dal managed to get through this without some whiplash. As the pair's turn ended Sh'shi smiled slightly. "Too tight can be just as dangerous as too loose, given the dragon." Then there was Deldowth. Another one that Sh'shi had thought might try to wiggle his way out of the activity. The brown's movements were more controlled than his sisters', but there was considerable strength behind his jolting. "Move with him, I'sko, don't fight the force that he's creating, let it flow through you."
"Right!" Sh'shi called once they'd all gone through round one. Some muddier than others. "Round two starts at five minutes. Plus an extra for every slip or fall. Good luck!"
Round 2 - 5 dice V' - Stayed on M'li - Slipped once, fell off +2 dice J'in - Slipped once +1 dice E'dal - Slipped once +1 dice I'sko - Slipped twice +2 dice C'ai - Slipped once, staff rolled +2 dice D'vika - Slipped three times, staff rolled +4 dice
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TawnyAngel rolled 5 10-sided dice:
7, 2, 10, 5, 6
Total: 30 (5-50)
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Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2017 10:02 am
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