[Game Thread] The Haunted Palace

[jbear]

Skyball? This was how they decided how to distribute missions? He had seen them playing. It certainly was quite spectacular, but he had never given it importance. He cursed himself now for this lack of judgement. It was obviously some kind of ritualised show of ability with far more reaching significance than getting the ball inside the circles.

"I stand with Balroga. I am ready and able."

[Sir Alex]

At first, Gavin was annoyed that there would be yet another hoop to jump through before they'd be off on a real mission. But then he laughed softly, clenching his fists. What a wonderful way this would be to prove the superiority of their own squad. A bit unconventional, but skill at Skyball surely translated well into skill at arms.

He stared at his companions, sizing them up. They would be worthy teammates all. "I'm in. I've been reading books all week and could use the excitement. When does the game begin?"

[Quince]

Scar didn’t flinch at the captain’s words. “A soldier should never have to fear attack from his chief. I do not show respect to you, Commander. Bowing my head, shows trust. When I throw the dagger at your feet, I respect you. You have not proven yourself of my sword yet. I respect the spirit of your father and of your drake by placing my sword at your feet. His spirit is still very close to you, especially here. ” Scar did not smile sarcastically. He did not flinch at the possible repercussions of his words. Everything he said was genuine. It was the truth and he would speak it. Despite Hark’s wishes, Scar stayed exactly where he was. It was exactly this sort of behavior that had gotten his company in so much trouble during their training.

“Harmony and I gladly welcome the challenge.” Scar smiled widely, he knew that Harmony could out-fly any drakes in his squadron and his pulse quickened to see how she stood against the other drakes.

[BloodyDove]

Skyball?! Awesome! Oh yeah, this sounds like a blast! Though Lyn had never played it before, she'd witnessed her fair share of games from the sidelines, and was ecstatic she'd finally get a chance to play. At the same time, it would be a good exercise for them, as the teamwork, mobility, and close formation flying the game required would be good practice for their squad.

"I love this idea sir! What rules will we be using? Hopefully it would be a single ball game. Games with multiple Baskulls were... hectic, to say the least,

[MalchiorTheForgotten]

"Single Baskull, 2 minutes. It's not a lot of time, but I'm hoping we'll do just fine. Tempest has never let me down." He pushes off the desk and leads you out of the barracks, stopping you all at your squadron's arms room. "So, let's put our weapons in our lockers and get that armor on, for those of you who have it and haven't put it on yet." At this point he puts on his helmet, a finely crafted purple adamantine piece that matched his armor. It had horns crafted onto it and the mouth guard was crafted in the shape of a fanged mouth. He placed his hand on the side, twisting a hidden mechanism that lowered a hardened myca visor that would protect his eyes from the sun. You notice his backplate has spines and shoulder hooks, making him look all the more draconic. He placed his weapons in his locker and waiting for you all to be suited up, before leading you outside where Lucius' men were waiting.
They were positioned across the canyon in a line with Lucius at the center. All of them seemed tougher and more experienced than you. That's when another rider, wearing the black and white helm of a referee showed up at the head of the canyon with a Baskull in hand. Tempest saw Hark emerge from the barracks and swooped down and low to get under him. Hark leaped and was instantly mounted. He waited for you to file in.

[jbear]

Able suits up in silence his excitement growing. He follows Hark out towards the field allowing his face to show his unbowed challenge as he glowers at the other team. He curls back his tongue against his teeth and sounds out a piercing whistle. Echo appears sometime later with slow and lazy beats of his wings and lands awkwardly near Able, losing balance and almost knocking his rider off his feet. Able's discomposure sends a ripple of laughter throughout the opposition, which only intensifies the look on his face.

"You will swallow your tongues!"

Able mounts with a fairly decent show of grace, his determination setting like hardening steel.

[Sir Alex]

Gavin calls Neleseth and the green drakes settles to earth several paces away. He slaps the beast's flank affectionately and then boosts himself up into the saddle. The young rider crosses his arms and glares smugly across the canyon at the opposing team. Gavin takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. A two minute exercise, and then we can be off and about our mission.

[BloodyDove]

Lyn glared over at the opposing side's riders before giving Able a reassuring smile. "Forget about them Able, we'll shut them up soon enough when we win the game. They won't know what hit them!"

She gave him a thumbs up, then moved away making the sharp whistle that she had taught her drake to respond to. Soon enough, her green drake had appeared and landed to the side of Echo. Sky Dancer seemed a little too restless and eager, so Lyn gave her a reassuring pat on the head before climbing into the saddle. She leaned down, her head resting on her drake's neck, and she whispered to her encouragingly. "Easy girl, don't get so worked up yet. Time enough to get excited, so just calm down. We'll be flying soon enough, and then you can get as excited as you want."

[jbear]

Able nods at Lyn's reassurance though his face glowers still at their opponents and he chews at his lip hard enough to make it bleed.

[MalchiorTheForgotten]

"You guys ready?" Hark asked, just before the referee tossed the Baskull high into the air.

Init and first round actions.

[Sir Alex]

Dice Initiative:

1d20+4

(13)+4

Total = 17

Gavin urges his drake upwards in a elevated sprint, aiming to catch the Baskull but trying to avoid enemy attacks. "Come on," he whispers, "come ON."

[jbear]

Too focused to respond to Hark's question, Able

Dice Initiative:

1d20+6

(8)+6

Total = 14

launches into the air beneath his drake, on a path directly towards the ball.

Actions Able will fly straight for the ball in the hope of catching it

[orangehatter]

After putting away is well-kept temple sword, the monk walks out alongside everyone else. While the opposing team looks well prepared, Balroga shrugged with surety. Though he had to refrain himself from laughing at his own teammate's moment. With a simple series of whistles, he calls Dyne from the sky. The young drake, unlike many others of his kind, is quiet silent. No cream to mark his arrival, nor fidgety movements; the exception was its head, which moved about constantly and taking in the sight. Balroga stroked its neck, saying an old mantra in a rhythmic way, before

Dice Initiative:

d20+3

(11)+3

Total = 14

smoothly tossing himself atop his drake.

Once the baskull was in the sky, Balroga and Dyne zoomed into the air with a silent intensity.

OOC Balroga will probably ready an action with his drake to block an opposing team member (if that's possible) or knock the ball out of the opponent's grip.

[BloodyDove]

Lyn gave Hark a nod. "Ready when you are, commander!"

She squeezed Sky with her legs, the trained signal for him to take off, and with a flap of his wings they were aloft. As Sky manuvered around, Lyn shouted to the rest of the team. "Stay close guys! Watch each other's backs, and guard the baskull carrier!

Actions Dice Initiative: 1d20+1 (16)+1 Total = 17 Actions: Move to the center of the group's position. Using the Tactician ability to grant everyone within 30ft of me (which should be the entire team I think) the benefits of the Cavalry Formation feat for 3 rounds (can end the turn in the same space as another teammate with the feat, can charge through a square with a teammate in it).

[MalchiorTheForgotten]

Lucius moved forward charging your team. Hark intercepted, Tempest slamming into Lulu with a roar. Gavin flies up and snatches the Baskull out of the sky. Lyn moved to position and gave her team strength. Lucius' men also charged forward, one barely missing Gavin, another slamming into Hark. Able moved up to protect Gavin. Balroga intercepted an enemy flyer on it's way to the Baskull and Gavin. (I need a ride check from Balroga as well as a strength check.)

Initiative order:
Lucius
Hark
Gavin
Lyn
Enemy team
Able
Balroga

Round Two:
Lucius moved away from Hark, rounding about to his team's goal. Hark flew to Gavin to act as a blocker. "You got this!"