This Is Quacia!!!!!!

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 79th, 718 蛇
蛇 Mood: Exhilerated, Excited
蛇 Current Thought: This will be fun for sure
蛇 Current Theme: Tsukimi

蛇 They say fanaticism is a deadly thing, they say pouring all your faith into a belief can lead you astray, that blindly following is the quickest way to end up dead. If they are saying that, then they haven't been to good ole' Quacia. We live, breathe, eat, sleep, & shit for our Wounded God. If there is one thing we do fantastically, we as a people bleed for him.

Throughout Quacia there are many places one can bleed for him. The Theocratum has plenty of churches where the faithful come to shed their blood in praise to him. Some share too much and end up dying, but many offer what they can in hopes to appease our injured deity beneath our feet.

Other places, however, exist as well, places where it is not only praising his wounded excellence but offering a way to make money and entertain the masses. That's right, Quacia is known to have many dens both in the Lair and in Gleam where the sport of spilling blood is common.

In one such den, a viper slithered his way in, hoping to quench his need to let the red rivers of life flow. Dosan willingly signed up to be a participant in a blood sport game within the Casino of the Lair. He was robbed of his chance to shine during the coronation party and was looking to redeem that.

Standing atop the balcony overlooking the pit below, a wicked smile crept onto his features, excited to get to work. He decided that for this game, however, he would use that sword his mentor left for him. It seemed like it could do some damage but he wouldn't know until he tried it out.

The building was alive with bodies and anticipation, everyone eager to make some coin, and some worried they would lose more than day's work worth of nel. Dosan wasn't worried however, he had begun to get into the crimson belief a little more and used one of the throwing knives he kept on hand to carve something into his forearm.

If anyone noticed it, it would resemble some sort of star, and it made him feel good to wear it. Turning to the participants behind him, he decided to take in who he would be possibly killing to-trial. 蛇

"Speech"

[Kaelrik]

Kaelrik stood with his arms folded over his chest observing the crowd eager to either watch or partake of the blood sports in front of him. He kept his focus trained on each of the men and women who entered the ring. He watched their movement closely and made an effort to try and decipher each maneuver. His every thought was concentrated on learning something from watching drunk, thrill-seeking, violence hungry people brawl with each other. Most had no sense of coordination. Most were just venting pent up aggression in a place where it was both acceptable and encouraged. There was neither technique nor purpose behind most of the fights that had taken place thus far but he didn’t mind.

More than once a potential fighter came up to him and tried to goad him into joining them in the ring. He ignored them. His arms remained crossed firmly across his chest, his indigo eyes trained on the on-going scraps that were the center of attention. Those who got closer than he was comfortable with he simply fixed with a cold stare and a slight baring of his teeth, the sharp canines aiding to the overall menace that he projected. Some laughed and wandered off, seeking different outlets for their frustrations, unimpressed by his display. Others went wide-eyed and raised their hands to placate his outward show of aggression. None of them got so much as a word from Kaelrik though a few did warrant a growl.

It was just as he was about to take his leave as the sixth brawl unfolded that he caught something in the air. A whisper that drifted in on the soft current of wind that floated lazily through the enclosed space. It made the fine hairs on Kaelrik’s forearms stand on end. He felt a shiver run its way up his spine. Kaelrik narrowed his eyes and reached for the voice of the element that seemed to speak most readily to him. It danced away from his senses and remained indistinct. But he would take that gentle caress for what he believed it was.

A warning.

He dropped his arms, turned to go…and found himself meeting the gaze of a smiling man. His dark hair reminded Kaelrik of the darkness of night. Kaelrik noted a bloody star carved into the man’s forearm. The man stood proudly and with an air of excitement around him. The whole of his form and the way he moved reminded Kaelrik distinctly of a serpent searching for prey. Those things were not what made Kaelrik narrow his eyes and stand up straighter.

It was the look in the man’s eyes. He’d seen it before, in the dirt and sand of the Blood Pit as he was fighting for his life.

This was a man hungry for death. The Lotharro smirked.

Kaelrik had found his sparring partner.

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 79th, 718 蛇
蛇 Mood: Exhilerated, Excited
蛇 Current Thought: FOR HE WHO BLEEDS!!!
蛇 Current Theme: Yinyang

蛇 Dosan looked over the warriors if one could even call them that, who had come to this specific den tonight. They were all underwhelming, to say the least, and it would be quite interesting to see how they faired given as to what was to come tonight. His eyes slithered about, catching hints to many personalities.

each person was drenched in fear, arrogance, caution, or in Dosan's case, delight. This was like a second home to the little psychopath and he truly loved the smell of blood in the air. In his mind, any place that relishes in the spilling of blood was a place of worship for him, a place he could show his devotion to He Who Bleeds

Amidst the sea of warriors, there was one that caught his fancy, one that didnt look like the rest in the viper's own opinion. Among those present, he found his venomous gaze falling on a particular male. He had the look of a warrior, one that had seen battle plenty of times over, and more importantly, he looked like he knew how to spill blood.

Sadly though, the viper wouldn't get the chance to investigate his prey, as the crowd and its roaring volume were dulled down by the presence of the Master of Ceremonies. With the final amateur bout over, Dosan smirked, knowing that the real event was to begin now.

Welcome ladies and scumbags to another helping of blood and carnage. We hope you have had your fill of the opening skirmishes as now the main course is ready and piping hot. Tonight we have a real treat as usual. Like most Blood Games there are several rounds and the last two standing and are made to fight till only one is left alive. Tonight, however, is different, as tonight we are having a new game.

The rules are simple. Any and everyone may enter and face our local champion, Serci the Wicked. You can fight her alone, or you can form alliances and take her as a team. No matter the course of action, the game is not over till one of two things occur. Either Serci is killed or she is the last one standing.

If it so happens that a group wins the game then the prize money will be divided evenly among them or if its a sole winner they et the whole pot. Now that the rules are out of the way, WHOS READY TO SPILL SOME BLOOD!? FOR HE WHO BLEEDS!!!!!

The crowd chanted the same phrase as the mc had "For He Who Bleeds" over and over again. It made Dosan's blood boil as he joined the many eager warriors in the arena, his doa sword in hand, waiting for the champion to enter the ring. Soon enough there she was, Serci, her aura wreaking of malice, blood, and death.

Not wasting much time, Dosan poured ether into the necklace he wore, activating the ability to echo the blood bat the totem was made from. The question now, which ability would he copy from the animal. 蛇

"Speech"

[Kaelrik]

Fate decided they were not to fight each other in that moment. Kaelrik’s interest was piqued as he listened to the announcer declare a battle to the death between competitors and a champion. He resisted the urge to scoff at the inane chant that circled around the room.

And they call Lotharro barbarians…

That thought drifted through his mind as he sent a silent prayer to Thetros. The Immortal of Rebirth would either smile upon him or usher him on into the next life. Either way, Kaelrik was not going to miss out on this opportunity. He turned to face the fighter’s ring. In it stood a woman who possessed all the menace that he would have expected for someone declared champion of a blood ring. Nevertheless, Kaelrik fixed her with a cold stare. He had no weapons. It would be his fists that he fought with. He was not much of a martial artist but he at least knew how to throw a punch and how to brawl. With arms held loosely at his sides he vaulted over the small wall that encircled the fighter’s ring.

Kaelrik took a deep breath. He reached for the piece of himself that was always listening for the elements. He cast out his voice searching for a friend in the natural world. Dimly he felt the stirrings of an answer. The smallest of breezes brushed over the locks of hair that hung in front of his face.

Hello, old friend.

Kaelrik focused on the touch of the winds. If he was to fight with fists and kicks, let them fly faster. He cast a glance to the fighter beside him, the dark haired man with serpentine movements. He would have to be mindful of the man standing next to him in the ring. He had no doubt that this one would search for every opening available to him. His focus was directed back to the woman. Her name, whatever it was, was irrelevant to Kaelrik. She was an obstacle to be overcome, assigning her anything more than dispassionate traits would yield itself to showing mercy. If the set of her brow and ferocity of her gaze was anything to go by, mercy was not something this woman would accept or appreciate.

Another breath.

The bloodbath began. Fighters surged forward, some shouting, some simply barreling forward hoping to do damage by virtue of sheer numbers swarming down on her. His focus remained on the movements of the champion. Her face broke into a grin as the challengers darted toward her. He watched as she raised a wicked blade and struck at one of the first attackers. The man barely had time to scream in pain before he was shoved back into another oncoming challenger and trampled.

The woman’s movement had been fast and precise. Kaelrik found this to be unsurprising. One didn’t become champion of a blood ring for lack of skill. Not in a city filled with people pining for bloodshed. Kaelrik remained standing tall. His hands had come to rest loosely behind his back as the champion continued to cut down haphazard brawlers trying to get in easy strikes. All the while, he felt the caress of the winds gusting lightly over the back of his neck. To the man beside him he said only a single word.

“Wait.” Kaelrik blinked. In the span of that moment another challenger had been cut down. He traced the woman’s actions. She did not bumble. Her movements, while not elegant, were effective. She went for what worked. That was something to take note of. She rolled away from a swing that would have taken her head off. Drawing a dagger from her boot she thrust it into the gut of the man who had tried to behead her. She was resourceful. Also something to take note of. And so it continued for a solid minute as the champion suffered wounds but also dealt out death as though it were natural for her. When finally it looked as though the clutter of fighters who would be more in the way than truly present a challenge had been dealt with, Kaelrik spoke again.

“Now.” Kaelrik sprinted forward. He put all of his forward momentum into propelling himself toward the woman as she rose to her feet and took up a fighting stance of her own. It did not take her long to see Kaelrik coming. Kaelrik reached out to the winds. He coaxed them into gathering around his feet and push him forward faster. He felt the gatherings of the air around him but it wasn’t much to give him quite the edge he was looking for. Nevertheless he closed the distance between himself and the champion in short order. Not bothering with any bluster or show of bravado, he jabbed out with his fist aiming for the woman’s jaw. She easily ducked out of the way, rolling to the side and dropping to the ground. With a shout, she kicked out with one leg aiming for the ankle of the foot Kaelrik had anchored to the ground to hold his balance.

Kaelrik jumped back, feeling her foot graze along the prominence of his ankle. He would be bruised later. But better bruised than broken.

Sliding back, he planted a foot to bring himself to a stop then jumped forward bringing his leg around to land a kick to her shoulders. Instead of dodging, the champion planted herself and braced for the impact. She dug herself in, dropping her arms to protect her core and hunkering down to take the full force of Kaelrik’s kick as it landed squarely on her left flank. Kaelrik grunted as the impact reverberated up his leg. The woman didn’t let the hit stop her. She wrapped her arms around Kaelrik’s leg and with a scream of effort, yanked the Lotharro to the side sending him sprawling to the ground.

Kaelrik felt the wind get knocked out of him. He took a deep breath and, feeling his leg still in her grasp, yanked it toward him. He heard a shout of surprise and with as much speed as he could muster, he rolled, grabbing the woman around the waist, tumbling through the dirt with her. With ease, she took control of the fall and sprung away from Kaelrik. He brought himself to a stop, kneeling in the dirt. There, he took a moment to assess the situation. It was a standoff. She was a skilled fighter.

And this fight was far from over.

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 79th, 718 蛇
蛇 Mood: Excited
蛇 Current Thought: This should be fun
蛇 Current Theme: Yinyang

蛇 Remembering that those bats could stick to walls, Dosan opted for that, using it to scale the walls of the arena and wait. The herd of competitors needed to be thinned, and in waiting, it allowed the viper a chance to study this champion, as she was such for a reason.

So many poor unfortunate souls rushed head first into her and found those heads taken as recourse for their foolish and impulsive choices. She was a monster given human form, taking life after life, felling one fighter after another with little effort on her part. As she ran her shorter blade through the neck of an aukari that thought to catch her from behind, the gurgle of the woman choking on blood and steel singing in his ears, Dosan took a breath and climbed the wall, focusing on sticking to it.

To his surprise, he stuck! Delighted, he scaled the wall and found a vantage point in which he could plot. Like a cunning predator, he watched her movement in how she fought and by using his sticky hands he had run along the walls till he was behind her.

She was occupied with one fighter who was keeping pace with her....odd....yet advantageous. Seeing his chance while she tussled with the man, Dosan drew his blade. Angling himself, he launched forward, sinking the steel of the blade into her left shoulder as he flew by.

Rolling into a skid, he found himself kneeling beside the one who was fighting her, a few of the remaining combatants rallying behind them.

"This is fun don't you think, i got a hit on here, a minor flesh wound but a hit nonetheless"

he said, looking to the warrior woman with a calculated smirk, plotting his next move.

Serci was not having any of this, licking the blood from her shoulder, then smirking at the group before her. With both her swords back in her possession, she let out a warcry, that was accompanied by the rowdy roar of the cheering crowd. The real fun was about to begin. 蛇

"Speech"

[Kaelrik]

Kaelrik let out a grunt as he got to his feet. He felt his ankle throb in pain from where the woman had grazed him. He narrowed his eyes. Without looking at the man who had managed to strike her with a dagger, he spoke calmly.

“I think we’re only getting started.” Kaelrik picked up the discarded blade of one of the unfortunate souls who’d fallen to the warrior-woman. He took up his stance briefly before sprinting forward. The champion saw him coming easily enough. He wasn’t trying to be stealthy with his maneuvering. Kaelrik swung his sword in a wide arc, slashing across the woman’s midsection. She parried the blow with one of her blades and then thrust forward with the other obviously intending to gut Kaelrik. He rolled to the side and spun out of the way of her attack.

Stepping into her personal space, Kaelrik brought his blade down in a sweeping arc. The champion jumped back. From the look on her face she was preparing to lunge forward and bombard him with a series of blows only for another challenger to rush her. Kaelrik let them. He was not what one would call a skilled swordsman. He knew enough to be able to perform the most basic of maneuvers but she was clearly the more practiced of the two of them. It was better for him to let others tire her out and then simply move in for a more straightforward assault. Kaelrik paced around the edges of her brief skirmish then darted in to add to the attack.

He engaged in a series of simple flourishes, matching her blades as she fended off both him and the other challenger. The ring of steel meeting steel filled his ears, like the hollow song of war on a battlefield. It was when he was going in for a backswing that she caught his arm and cut along the bicep and tricep. Kaelrik let out a shout of pain as the cut dug deep. He spun out of her reach leaving the other combatant to spar with her. Hissing, he placed a hand over his cut and glared at her. The other fighter screamed in pain as she plunged both of her swords into his gut. He collapsed onto the ground, curling in on himself.

That left only himself and one other. The smaller man with the snakelike disposition. Kaelrik looked to him. He gave the man a brief nod before charging the champion once more. It was all or nothing at this point.

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 79th, 718 蛇

蛇 Mood: Focused, Exhilerated
蛇 Current Thought: Its Killing Time!
蛇 Current Theme: Shakuhachi

蛇 Dosan watched as the others attacked her, some rushing to their deaths against her skill and blades. He needed to find an opening on her, weak spot in her defenses. She had to have one, all good warriors did and trained to surpass that weakness.

He eyes watched her intently looking for something, anything that could be exploited. Staying low and out of her line of sight, he tried his best to find an opening on her. Seeing his chance he sprinted from her left side, to which she noticed him coming, and swung back to embed her blade in his skull.

ducking into a slide he sank his blade across the back of her knee, as he slid by barely missing her sword. Rolling to his feet he entered the fray as the other male ducked out for a bit. It was Just Dosan, another challenger and Serci. With the weapon held firmly in a reverse grip, the blade along the length of his arm, he and the other challenger charged her.

Against the better warrior, it was a surprise they had lasted as long as they did, and the crowd was surely loving it. Cheers and roars of the arena echoed in his ear, but he could only focus on the grunts and screeches of metal around him. When Serci impaled his fighting partner he took that opportunity to attack from behind, aiming to sink his sword into her skull.

Even in her bloodlust as she killed the fodder, she could sense his intent and sidestepped, causing Dosan to recalibrate his strike midways ram it straight into her shoulder. As he ripped it away, taking out some key tendons in her arm, she made sure to give him a nice gash across his chest in retaliation for her shoulder. He couldnt care less about his injury, he was happy she was injured.

Even a champion wouldn't be able to fight with that wound in her shoulder and he knew it. Now it would be easier to kill her. Getting some distance he wiped the blood from his chest and licked his fingers, looking to the only other warrior left. Acknowledging his nod, he joined him in one final push to take her down. 蛇

"Common Speech"

"Vahanic Speech"

Mark

Mark of Prowess:
A slash in the shape of a cosmic star identifies the Mark of Prowess. Believed to be a fleshy sigil which allows the Wounded God to funnel power into the person who possesses it, the Mark of Prowess supposedly grants a greater degree of skill and ability to its user. Typically, this increase in skill exerts itself in a martial competence, though it may also apply to less violent works such as artistic pursuits or craftsmanship.

[Kaelrik]

Seeing Serci move was like watching a wounded animal with its back against the wall. Her every swing was one of growing desperation. Her attacks were less precise and more reckless as she leaned on her uninjured limbs to compensate for the mounting difficulties and fatigue. Kaelrik was forced to feint left and then roll to the right as she swung her blade attempting to lop off whatever body part she could reach. He heard her yelling swears and promises of a brutal death, shouts for surrender, he paid them no attention.

What did he have to fear of this mortal woman? She was nothing. A challenge before him that he was soon to overcome. He had faced a Lurker. A true beast without mercy or restraint, a force of nature that killed with chilling precision and cunning. In the face of that monstrosity, this woman was nothing. Kaelrik tapped into the essence of his Defiance. He reached out with his voice and called for assistance from the element of Wind. The assistance was given as air compressed around one of his fists. He charged Serci right as she was raising her sword to bring it down on him. Side-stepping slightly he brought his fist up to crash into her wrist. He released the compressed air and heard a sickening snap as the tendons were strained.

Kaelrik felt the bite of the blade in his shoulder as it dug deep into the muscle. He grit his teeth in pain but did not let up as he shoved Serci with another punch to her gut. The woman’s sword went flying from her grasp. She gasped in pain and scrambled away from Kaelrik, ready for him to deliver whatever finishing blow was in order.

Kaelrik’s indigo eyes regarded her. Her face was flushed. She was bloody and had numerous injuries. His counterpart had yet to make his move. Reaching up, Kaelrik pulled the sword from his shoulder with a stifled cry of pain. He shuddered and dropped it before grasping his wounded shoulder.

This fight was over and there was no honor in killing a foe in this state. Not when Kaelrik had another choice. Turning from her, Kaelrik made his way out of the ring. He was accompanied by a chorus of boo’s. He looked up to see people crowding his way, jeering at him to get back into the ring and finish the fight. He glared at them. With a narrowed look, Kaelrik summoned the assistance of the elements once more. He gathered the air in the area around him and then released it in a concentrated burst of force in the path in front of him. People were sent sprawling. There were screams of surprise, shout of fear and some were knocked clean off their feet. Silence pervaded the room for a moment.

Kaelrik said nothing. He cast a glance back over his shoulder to the remaining fighters in the ring. With that, he walked out. His part in that bloodbath was over. He’d challenged himself and he’d won. That was all that mattered to him.

Alistair was not going to be happy to see him in such a sorry state. But Kaelrik had learned something. That would have to be enough.

[Nasod]

蛇 Vhalar 79th, 718 蛇

蛇 Mood: Exhilerated
蛇 Current Thought: THIS IS QUACIA!!!!!
蛇 Current Theme: Shakuhachi

蛇 Biding his time the viper waited for the opportune moment to strike, watching as the man and Serci danced in combat. She was waining in her ability to fight, must not realizing how capable some of her enemies were. Though his plan was going as planned.

let the eager ones fight and tire her out, then when the time came, finish her off in a spectacular fashion. Using others under the guise of a common enemy was an easy thing to do, and Dosan was no stranger to this tactic. He was used to others doing it to him so he felt it only right to try it on those beneath him as well.

This man that was fighting with her was more capable than he realized, and was a valuable asset to taking her down. Where this man took the focus of her swings, Dosan would come in and slash at her ankles and wrists whenever the chance was available to him. It was the best tactic to face a warrior like her, and she knew it.

The fear that seemed to creep into her facial expression showed as much. She was on her last leg and with there only being a few alive in the ring now, she was getting desperate. It was only the ones left that were giving her the most issues.

His blade at the ready Dosan circled to her left as the other charged right at her, delivering a nice blow to her sword hand. Whatever he did, you could hear the snap in the air as his fist connected. She was now without her sword and was starting to panic and that was when the viper chose to move.

He at least thought he would, but watched as the man he had been fighting with did something so unimaginable even he was speechless. He just left her there, cowering beneath him like a wounded animal. No finishing blow, no bleeding her dry or anything like that? This was truly something unseen in a blood pit before.

Dosan watched as the man turned and went to leave, and the crowd was not all too happy about that at all. He had shown mercy in the blood pit, unacceptable. It did pique the viper's interest however, at how the man made the crowd move from his path. Was that wind that just blew them away? Was this man a mage?

He'd have to figure that out at another time, now he had to focus on finishing this match. Slinking up behind the broken warrior Dosan ran his blade clean through her neck. He smirked as she struggled, but he wouldn't let her from his snake grip. Wrenching her head back by her hair, he made sure the blade ran all the way to the hilt.

Leaning down, as she was within her final moments, he spoke into her ear.

"May He Who Bleeds find the blood of such a fine warrior pleasing. I don't sacrifice you in vain, but in the hopes that your blood helps in his recovery after all. So be grateful that you die in service of a greater cause other than glory among the heaps."

With those words and the roar of cheers from the crowd, Dosan severed the woman and held her head high as a sign of victory. 蛇

"Common Speech"

"Vahanic Speech"

Mark

Mark of Prowess:
A slash in the shape of a cosmic star identifies the Mark of Prowess. Believed to be a fleshy sigil which allows the Wounded God to funnel power into the person who possesses it, the Mark of Prowess supposedly grants a greater degree of skill and ability to its user. Typically, this increase in skill exerts itself in a martial competence, though it may also apply to less violent works such as artistic pursuits or craftsmanship.

[Korva]

Rewards!

Name: Kaelrik

Knowledge:
Unarmed Combat: Swift Jab
Unarmed Combat: Sweeping Kick
Unarmed Combat: Leaping Kick
Unarmed Combat: Feinting Maneuvers
Endurance: Working Past Pain from Sword Lacerations
Unarmed Combat: Concentrating Attacks On Vulnerable Joints
Acrobatics: Tuck and Roll

Loot: NA
Injuries: Some spattered bruising, deep gash on shoulder and slice along bicep/tricep area that will need medical care to heal--without medical care it is likely to get infected--and will take about 10--14 trials to seal up completely.
Renown: 10
Magic XP: NA

Points: 15

- - -

Name: Dosan

Knowledge:
Blades{Dao Sword}: Cuts through flesh like butter
Blades{Dao Sword}: Is better suited for an agile fighter
Blades{Dao Sword}: Perfect weapon for a killer
Tactics: Allowing others to wear down a threat
Tactics: Guerilla warfare is key
Becoming{Echo}: Can be used in tandem with Combat
Becoming{Echo}: Is an easy advantage over an opponent
Becoming{Echo}: Is easy to use on the fly
Acrobatics: Leaping off walls
Psychology: The Power in Faith

Loot: NA
Injuries: Bruising, scrapes, etc that will take a handful of trials to heal
Renown: 10
Magic XP: Yes

Points: 15

- - -

Comments: I'm always a sucker for a good action threads, its easy to get sucked in and ya'll did a great job! Considering their skill level I would have like to see a bit more failings from Dosan but since he mostly watched, it wasn't too bad, enjoy your rewards!

If you feel I've missed anything or if you have questions about your review, please don't hesitate to send me a quick PM or ping me in Discord. Thanks!

**Made by the magnificent Kes