Sarne had been helping around the Fighters' Guild most of the day. It was nothing too complex, but it was a break from the noble duties of his land. He always came to the Fighters' Guild to hide or relax. Most knew not to make a big deal about his noble title. As others said, Sarne just wanted to be one of the guys. To most, that was fine, and there was no trouble. Being one of Shaa's close friends helped detour any trouble.

But today was the day of dealing with recruits. It was fun at times, and the sparring was the best part of evaluating the new recruits. Sarne could not hurt the recruits but could give them some bruises. He got his gear and walked out to the sparring pit. Walking, he saw only two for the day. Sarne thought about it. He wanted a workout, so he thought, make it a free-for-all brawl.

Sarne walked in front of them and stood tall. "I am Lord Sarne Sequoia of Silvermyist. I am here to evaluate your ability to fight, " he said, his a loud authoritative voice. People outside the fighting pit started to form a crowd of watchers.

---

Combat every one gets two actions per post if you have any questions let me know so all of us can talk about it.

Things that count as Actions

Casting a Spell
Activating an ability
Using an ability that has a Duration, Post Limit, or Recharge
Making an attack with an item or ability
Interacting with an object using an ability (ie. lockpicking a lock)
Activating a function of an object or item (ie. lighting a torch or a lamp, gaining an effect from a potion or other consumable)

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Get in a Fight
Chapter: One
Description: You, the hopeful guild initiate, need to find another member character to pick a fight with. This fight can be anywhere and consist of anything you wish, as long as you put on a show. You don't need to win the fight, just show us you have the guts to fight strong opponents.
Requirements:
Requires at least two people (you and one other, the other does not need to be interested in the guild).
Must be a PvP topic with another member's character
You must make at least 10 posts with each post being 150 words to complete the mission.
Win or lose, you must complete the fight.
Once you complete this mission you have finished this quest line.

    Glorious, the Fighter's Guild! Something that his mother enchanted little Baird with for years as she taught him how to defend himself. It feels like so very long ago, with all that has changed. Now wasn't the time for memory, however, it was the time for earning some lumps!
    
    In concert, each pair of arms wreathes Baird's fists in leather wraps. He ducks through an archway that was shading his patient waiting. A few stretches to ensure he was limber, deep breaths. The sheer invigoration gives Mors the strength to flap his wings a bit. Even though the unkempt twisted beastman towered over twice the height of Lord Sarne, the auras they exude could not be more juxtaposed. Even the quickly forming audience murmured with an electric energy, further adding fire to Baird's blood.

    Mors squawked in gleeful anticipation into the arena, "Don't forget to say 'uncle' once the fists come flying!"

    Baird oinks in amusement, "Don't forget where we are, Mors. The odds are not in our favor, even in a duel with either opponent. Time to make the donuts!" Baird looks to get eye contact with Ambika, giving a jovial wink and smile before focusing up. The paired heads shower the area with bellowing roars.

Ambika made sure to warm up as best as she could before arriving at the sparring pit today. Her old age meant she needed every preparation she could muster, and bring everything she could to the table. And she was right to be wary, as her opponents today were a reputable Lord Sarne Sequoia of Silvermyist, and Baird Sickleclaw - fellow ally who'd helped her take down a Morphleon plaguing the grounds of Sol City, though he appeared even more abominable now, with a bald vulture head and a pair of stiffened wings on his back. If this were a battle to the death, then whomever acted first would have the advantage, but this was a free-for-all brawl, the main purpose ostensibly to assess her and Baird's capabilities. Though in practice, it was entertainment for the rowdy Fighter's Guild members looking to see who their new buddies will be. So perform she shall, beginning with a courteous bow and then pulling out her crossbow from her back with a snappy flourish. She eschewed her instrument case for today. No point in bringing that.

Ambika was not particularly inclined towards the atmosphere of the Fighter's Guild - per it's namesake, it's a guild for fighters, which would normally bring to mind hot-blooded, jovial folks, and that was practically the polar opposite of Ambika as a person. But she absolutely needed to get into shape, and where better to rehabilitate than a guild filled with people always rearing for a fight?

Still though, Ambika was never one to charge into a fight empty-handed, so she came ready with a trick up her sleeve.

---

Actions

[1]Quick Palm

[2]Improvisation Engineer: Glass Sphere + Crude Gunpowder + Flash Powder

Sarne watches them both momentarily, thinking about his best course of action. He is told about their interview and what some of their abilities could be. Sarne loosens his grip on his shield. He will see how they react first. The big one was going to be the problem. Sarne needed to figure out how much Sickleclaw had. The pig sound and screech sound made him wonder about Sickleclaw.

On the other hand, Ambika would fight smart, being a little older and with a more petite frame than Sarne Sickleclaw. Pulling a crossbow out made Sarne raise an eyebrow. What did Ambika think? The area is small for crossbows, thought Sarne. He also wondered what magic domains she knew with what spells. He would have to be careful.

Sarne looked relaxed. He did not even have his sword out. His stance could have been better, even. His shield just hung on his arm. But his armor looked terrific. He gleamed knighthood otherwise. Sarne waved at the crowd. "Thank you for coming to witness this brawl between me, Lord Sarne, Sickleclaw, and the beautiful Phairot. This challenge is not to the death." when the crowd boo's more in a joking fashion than malice. Sarne waves his hand, dismissing the crowd. "Let us get this started!" announced Sarne loudly and loudly.

Sarne moved, getting everyone's attention [1] with a blinding light that flashed from Sarne. For a brief moment, it looked like the sun. He changes spots, moving a little to one side to avoid being in the same place. [2] Sarne has light radiate from him as his strength grows.


[1] Solar Flare
You give off an instant flash of light from your body, illuminating the surrounding area. This light is extremely bright and will attempt to blind anyone who is looking in your direction. If anyone sees this flash, they will be unable to see for the next two posts, their vision being filled with white light.

[2] Inspiring Presence
An aura of energy radiates from your person, filling your allies with hope and strength. You begin to inspire those around you to continue fighting, filling them with the will to continue going. Anyone who you consider to be an ally standing in your immediate area will feel their strength grow. For the next three posts, any ally affected by this spell, including you, will deal double the damage caused by their physical attacks. (does not affect spells)

    Baird was looking about, totally unfamiliar with being surrounded by a cheering crowd. Mors yearned for the fight itself. Either way, the flash got their attention and then stole away sight. A giant splotch of burn-in made them each make wincing cries at the discomfort. A hand on each side rubbed at the untouchable white, the other pair held up in case more danger was already on the way.

    Unable to fight adequately in this state, the chimera was quite easily left on the back-hoof. Putting a proper guard up, Baird kept his cool and waited to retaliate if anyone approached. Knowing Ambika brought her terrifying crossbow sat unwell with his current state, but there was little he could do aside from form a wall with his arms. Besides, her badass skills wouldn't shield her from such a flash. He hoped. Having given up the first move will be costly, but this was always going to be a hazing. Besides, he had a couple cards up his non-existent sleeves should a tide need turning anyway.

---

Blinded: 1/2 posts

The blinding flash meant that Ambika's sight was useless for the time being, but that was merely an annoyance in the face of her years of training and heightened senses.[1] Still, blindness could make for surprising entertainment, as the helpless flailing certain types would resort to in times like that. Not her. But she could pretend. Flailing around randomly to the sides for a brief moment, she would send herself towards the floor with her crossbow landing first and the bolt firing by "accident" towards the high wall at an angle diagonal to where Lord Sarne stood after repositioning. It was no ordinary bolt, no, it was a bolt designed to explode on impact with another harder than stone.[2] Needless to say, the sparring pit's walls were most definitely sturdier than stone for all the violence it would have to withstand, and shards of obsidian flew out, scattering in all directions. She could only hope to draw first blood, considering what a difficult opponent Lord Sarne was obviously going to be.

---

[1]Shooters Sense (Passive)

You have spent so much time behind a ranged weapon that you have started to form a sixth sense, able to read your enemies movements and predict the shot, even without being able to see them. You are now able to passively aim at your target, even if your sight is obscured by things like mist, smoke or even the darkness. Vision impairing abilities or effects no longer prevent you from shooting at your enemy.

[2]Obsidian Arrow (x1)
Long, slim pieces of carved deadwood fitted with thin, obsidian arrowheads. These obsidian arrowheads can be used like a normal arrow, but are crafted and fine-tuned to explode upon impact with hard object(s). Shooting an obsidian arrow into any surface as hard, or harder than stone, will cause the arrowhead to explode— sending sharp scatterings of shrapnel and splinters of deadwood into anyone and anything within a 5 foot radius.

Sarne was impressed by Ambika's move with the crossbow. Sarne was in a pit about 40 feet across. It also works as an animal corral when needed. Sarne was upset at himself for being too close to the building. As the shrapnel hit his armor, he thought the shrapnel was not going to make it through. Sarne had some of the best armor made. "Nice," Sarne replied. [1]He threw his sword into the air. He reached into his cloak.

[2] Sarne moved so fast that he could not be seen by anyone there. He was in Ambika's face in the blink of an eye. [3] Sarne's sword appeared in his hands when he approached Ambika. With tremendous force, Sarne will hit Ambika with his shield. Sarne's celestial features start to show. His blond hair turns silver and shines like metal. His complexion turns tan-colored with a lustrous skin tone. Sarne's eyes change to a piercing gold. The light radiating from Sarne looks to make him stronger.

-1 hit prevention Sarne's armor
[1] passive skill: Welcome to the Jungle
Glass Sphere+Crude Gunpowder+Powdered Capsaicin
[2] Rushing Charge/shield spikes.
[3] Passive skill spell blade Always There
[4] Holy Avenger / Inspiring Presence 0\3

Hit incoming to Ambika

    Alright, no sight. Lots of noise, cracks and movement, but nothing has headed their way. Dammit, the fight is practically getting started without them! Mors chided, "What are we doing, Baird? What's the plan?" 

    The boar replies, "Repaying the insult with a cold dish. Allow me."

    As the splotch of white was slowly fading into a pale beige, Baird decided it is time to get a move on. Still without vision, he charged in the direction of the conflict. A guttural rumbling reverberated out from within their chest, building into a hideous crescendo. Baird and Mors release a wave of deafening sounds.^[1] A pile of squeals and screeches pour out into the air, prompting the crowd to shift from covering their eyes to slamming shut their ears.

    The body of the chimera, meanwhile, took on overt changes. Mors' eyes eke a phantasmal fire the color of jade, their physique creaking as bones and muscle stretched and grew. The previously numb wings during Baird's control now heed the whims of their original master with gusto.^[2]
   
    "Alright, buddy.. Tell me what I miss when I.. get.. back..." With the last words, Baird's eyes lose focus and his jaw goes slack. It seems like he has just been tranquilized. He slumps into a deep slumber.

    Mors patted the dangling boar's snout, speaking from a suddenly much more jagged beak, "You got it. Let's do this!"

---

Blinded: 2/2
Transformed: 0/3

SPOILER: Click to show

[1]Howls of the Damned

You let out a normal scream, triggering this spell on anyone who hears you scream. Their hearing will instantly be filled with extremely loud howling, crying and screaming, making them unable to hear anything else for the next two post. They will also find it hard to focus, losing concentration while the screaming persist. This spell can be cleansed by a mind altering cleansing spell.

[2]Werebeast Transformation [Sky Domain]

Once per topic you can summon forth the ancient beast within you and allow it to consume your physical form, taking on the physical appearance of the chosen animal. If the activation happens during the day, this form will last for 3 post, however if it was activated during the night the duration is increased to 5 post. While transformed you are unable to cast spells but can still use martial or stealth abilities, can activate prestige or sub class abilities and still have access to your gear and weapons, which can still be used. While transformed you gain minor physical features related to your animal which can be used in combat, such as claws, fangs, talons or razor sharp teeth. Additonally, your senses become heightened, incresing your ability to see, smell and hear twice as well. You can now see in non magical darkness and are able to track scents that normally go undetected. Your physical strength is also increased, making attacks with your natural features, such as claws and fangs, twice as powerful.

A cacophony of scratchy screams, horrendous howls and crackling cries would inundate Ambika's ears, causing her to lose focus for an instant, enough for Sarne to connect his shield charge and send her flying backwards. Gods, the pain coursing through her veins was excruciatingly agonizing and the unwelcome sounds simply would not leave her head! Now she remembered why she absolutely dreaded going up against people in a fair fight - it was never her thing, ever. Her eyesight hadn't recovered yet, but she could sense a transformation in Baird - an unwelcome one at that, as the hairs on her skin stood sharp and tall. Taking deep, laboured breaths, she forced herself back up using the crossbow as support and strained, truly strained herself for a cast of Long Stride[1] to make sure she was ready to move away from whatever was coming for her next, and spent the rest of whatever moments she had to herself simply recovering.

---

Ambika - Minor Damage

Howls of the Damned 1/2

[1]Long Stride

Second turn unused due to Howls of the Damned

Sarne wondered if Ambika was made for the fighters' guild. She was intelligent and quick, and the crossbow bolt was a stroke of genius. Still, Sarne wondered if he had hit her a little too hard. Fighting Shaa Sarne could go all out and not worry about it. he cleard his mind as was going to press the attack when Baird charged.

The defining screams, horrendous howls, and cries caught Sarne by surprise. [1] Sarne's ears started to ring with the defining sound that Baird was putting out. Sarne's heightened senses were tuned so that he could smell and feel the ground and the air move. Sarne stepped to angle himself to take the charge from Baird. Sarne waited until Baird got close, sweeping Baird's arms to the side with his sword and dipping down. When Baird's body hits, Sarnes's shield spikes. Sarne pushes upwards, using the momentum to roll Baird over top of him, flipping Baird and slamming him onto the ground.

[1] passive: Intuitive Bloodhound
[2] Shield Roll/ Tattoo (Bulls Strength) x2 damage and strength.
Holy Avenger / Inspiring Presence 1\3
Baird-Minor damage inbound.

    The digging spikes break skin and bruise bone as Baird's own weighty frame collides with the staunchly wielded shield. The tumble was somewhat mitigated as Mors used his wings to roll into a soaring leap, beating them until the billowing winds carried him aloft.^[1] He rubs at the trickling pits that made it harder to breathe for the moment. "Haha- ah, fuck." Mors quietly hoped Baird wouldn't be too upset with the aching pain once he wakes up.

    Circling overhead, Mors blinks heavily at his restored eye-sight. Readied for a proper strike, he redirects down, and then curves his trajectory into a flyby above Sarne. Each arm balling fists at his side, he would collide a blow from each in random order.^[2] A brute-force strategy befitting a creature who has only practiced tree-felling, overwhelming attack. Afterward, he would try returning to the skies as a similarly simple defensive measure. Sarne being such a capable fighter, Mors braces to see what incredible manner he might retaliate, or if Ambika might take to cracking the overgrown clay pidgeon.

---

Transformed: 1/3
Minor Wound: Chest

^[1]Werebeast [Sky Domain] Wings
^[2]Fighting Wraps (small, unarmed, bludgeoning, hand-to-hand, Double Strike) Attack x2

Sarne - 4 minor wounding attacks incoming [Bludgeon]

A Lord Sarne and a Baird... Or well, whomever the hell is helming the body fight one another, and Ambika was not one to not take advantage of the lack of distance between the two. Taking the moment to finally observe what she was dealing with, she would observe that Sarne was using a relatively standard sword-and-shield combo, while Baird was even bigger and his previously stiff wings were now spread open fluidly and soaring in the air.

Ambika doubted anything they could do could deal any serious harm to either of them, and that was precisely why she felt zero hesitation in loading yet another obsidian bolt[1] and aiming it at a hard stone surface jutting out amidst the sandy pit floors adjacent to both opponents, the cacophonous assaults bombarding her ears and the probability that this would lead to her being tag-teamed be damned. Not like either of them has shown her any lenience with their blinding flashes and ear-overloading howls anyway.

---

Effects:
Howls of the Damned 2/2

Actions:

[1]Obsidian Arrow x1 (3 remaining)

Minor Damage inbound for Sarne, Baird

Taking a few steps toward Ambika would keep him close to her. Watching Baird dive on him was not the first time things had happened to him like this. He spoke a few words, moved his sword, and dropped back into a stance that did not make sense. [1] His body had a glow to it. Sarne’s celestial features started to show. His blond hair turned silver and shined like metal. His complexion turned tan-colored with a lustrous skin tone. Sarne’s eyes changed to piercing gold. A pair of feathery angelic wings grow out of Sarne's back. They can be used in offensive and defensive ways. The Celestial light pulses out in waves that bounce off objects and illuminate them to a 500-foot range.

Baird makes his strikes, Sarne stikes all most simultaneously Sarne strikes, giving Baird little or no time to counter with the speed and expertise of exalted swordsmen that Sarne is. He focuses one of the strikes on his chest, trying to cut through it. Then, cutting the same place again on the back-swing, cutting deeper into the chest."Do not underestimate me!" shouted Sarne.

---

Divinities Blessing absorbs Baird's and Ambika's strikes.

[1] Divinities Blessing 0/2
You target yourself or an ally, coating them in a shield of divine protection. Until your next post, they will ignore all damage received from any source, absorbing the damage as energy. They can then release that energy from their body in a burst, healing all allies in a 20-foot range and dealing light damage to all enemies in that same range. This spell can only be used once per topic.

Graft Feathery Angelic Wings 0/3

passive Holy Avenger celestial

Inspiring Presence 1\3

[2] Stike (Double Strike) Attack x2 Momentous Cleave X1 /double damage.
A technique that applies massive amounts of strength and energy into the attack. This skill allows your next attack to cleave off any unarmored or unprotected limb, such as an arm or leg. (will just knock out if struck in the head) If the attack is blocked or guarded with armor of any kind, this attack will consume all of the hit preventions that armor or defensive source has, and can not obtain any new ones for the rest of the topic. Can only be used once per topic.

Slashing encompasses a wide variety of edged or bladed weapons.  Attacks with a Slashing weapon inflict more damage if the targeted area already has a minor or major wound. When you attack an already damaged area possessing a minor or significant wound with this weapon, the attack causes a new major wound. 

As Mors' fists are crushed like he was hitting an immovable stone, two swipes like the unstoppable nail of Solaria passed through his chest. The once trickle of blood showers like a geyser as small cuts turn to butchering gashes. Simultaneous to that is a wall of obsidian shards. The spikes sink like fish back beneath the waves. A large chunk embeds into one of the chimera's arms deep enough that it instantly loses strength. So much vitae lost at once, Mors crumples from the strikes and crashes heavily into the ground, unable to ascend after such devastation. An attempt at overwhelming offense to make up for a lack of defense has totally backfired. It will leave just as deep of cuts into Mors' psyche as the huge future-scars rent from collar to rib.

With the last bits of his pride and dignity leaving vivid red stains across half the arena, Mors can only get on his knees to reach into a pouch in desperation. From it comes a wiggling root vegetable making quiet sounds into the air.^[1] As feeling was already growing cold at his fingertips, one arm refusing to bend properly, Mors greedily chomps the potato down to a single bite left on a bundle of bitter eyes.

In that short moment, even such a magical thing can only staunch a fair bit of the bleeding. Down from a geyser to a fountain. Baird groans and stirs, still in a groggy state too deep to awaken. Mors would have a lot of catching up to do with his pseudo brother in a bit. As it is now, Mors would be surprised if they get out of this pit in one piece.

---

Transformed: 2/3

Minor Wounds: Arms, Chest x2

Major Wounds: Chest x1 (-2 Healing)

[1]Enchanted Potato

A seemingly normal potato that never rots or spoils. However the potato is actually alive, animated by a weird type of dark magic. The potato does not do much and will just hang out most of the time, however it comes with a weird quirk. The potato wants to be eaten, or at least bitten. Anyone who eats a chunk of the potato will heal a major wound, and appease the potato. The potato will regrow after a few days, replenishing its usage. Comes with three bites per topic before the potato needs to recharge.

Divinities Blessing. Oh, Ambika couldn't forget that spell even if she wanted to. Part of the reason the raid on her old guild, the Gilded Delphinium, went as smoothly as it did was because of the commander-in-charge successfully baiting most of the assassins to go after him by exploiting their individual greed whilst playing the part of a suicidally overconfident noble who was way in over his head. She could still recall how obscenely insufferable Florentio acted that fateful day.

Sarne taking to the air meant aerial escape wasn't going to fly, and Divinities Blessing being what it was meant there was no point in trying to play offense right this moment. Her best option right now was to be as far away from Baird as possible and brace herself for whatever Sarne might do. So for that, she finally jumped into the air while throwing an improvised hookshot[1] at the top of the pit walls, using that momentum to walk along the wall away from Sarne before coming to a stop once she was starting to get too close to Baird, and taking a moment to help herself to another cast of Long Stride[2] so that she would be at the ready.

---

[1]Improvisation Engineer: Spidersilk Wire + Anchor + Carabiner

[2]Long Stride