Grande Tourney of Kaionar :: Dragons

Measle gave a slight gurgle as the sword dragon managed to get the sword a little further into his stomach, before falling on his side as he managed to oull away a little. The pause his opponent gave told him that neither of them were doing too well, but it took what felt like all the energy he had to pull himself upright. However, with a mammoth effort that left his legs trembling, he managed to lift his upper body back into an almost defensible position. "Damn you're good." he cursed under his breath, before wincing as the deep cut in his stomach throbbed. For all that he had some practise in fighting from his years in the wilderness, he had never had to face such a ferocious opponent, and was unsure how to continue. He wasn't ready to just give up, though. Of course, if his opponent managed a good attack and pin his opinion might change, but not yet.

With a strangled roar he spat a spark at Zykolos, grunting as it took more precious energy from him. It wasn't enough to do any damage, however, and would stun his weakened opponent at best.

(i think we should start bringing this to a close now?)

She was beyond the point of wishing to harm Jitt and shook her head. "Sleep, Jitt. . .It will be over when you wake up." she assured him. She climbed off his tail and limped over to what was left of the pond, hoping the large dragon would just lay down and pass out. Once the pool of water had cooled enough she lay her burned wing in the icy slush water to alleviate the searing pain that prevented her from flying. "Sweet relief. . ." The other wing, which had been cut by one of Jitt's talons, received the same ice treatment.

Upon looking around she noticed that most of the fights had been over for some time and that apparently she'd been against Jitt for ages. Once totally cold again she wandered onto the hot ground and heard the water on her paws sizzle as it evaporated. Everything started to spin and she steadied her stance to make sure she didn't fall over, because if she did she knew she wouldn't get up for a long while. 'Stay awake Hydra, you can do thing.' she thought to herself and she locked herself in place beside the larger dragon.

Hone squealed as Sill tugged ferociously on the few feathers he had managed to catch hold of in his teeth, feeling a couple wrench themselves out of her wing. Ow, that bloody hurt! She whirled round with a growl, shaking both her wings as he let go to ruffle them back into place (and keep them right out of the way, she was the only one allowed to pull her feathers out), but when she saw the shade runner had collapsed onto the ground, she straightened up from her crouch and shook herself back to her normal sprightly self.
“Y’don’t look so good no more,” she said, surprisingly breathless. Huh, that had taken a bit out of her. Well, a lot, but she was quick to recover. There were things to be done, stuff to see, dragons to annoy! She couldn’t be hanging around recovering from just one fight all day, now could she?

“Uhm, hello?” She snuffed close to Sill as his head flopped onto the ground, her eyes widening and her nose wrinkling as she realised he’d passed out. Well, that seemed to erm… be the end of that, then. She stepped back and looked round back and forth a bit, then picked herself a nice dusty patch of ground to lie on, rolled onto her tummy, then busied herself with trying to lick the scratches on her face with her tongue.


((Hone has won her fight against Sill-Vitas))

Well, he was none the wiser as to who this little dragon was, but he was happy enough to do as she bid him. With great difficulty he limped his way out of the pool, flopping down on the dusty ground scarcely a metre away from the water. It took a few moments to find a tolerable position, but once he had he found that the pain of his wounds didn’t seem to matter so much. He was vaguely aware of something cold brushing past him before settling by his flank; he just ignored it. A little cold wasn’t going to do him any harm, right? The scythe claw cracked a huge yawn and flexed his joints before letting his eyelids slip shut to block out the world. Scarcely ten seconds had passed before he fell into unconsciousness, ignorance of his surroundings so much sweeter than the pain which had preceded it.


THE FIGHT BETWEEN JITT AND HYDRA IS A DRAW BY MUTUAL SURRENDER. But ahm, Jitt will refuse to fight in the next round anyway as long as nothing pisses him off and there are no bets on the fight so... for all intents and purposes Hydra won I guess.

As he flopped his way along like a fish out of water- or, perhaps, a little less functionally than that- Zykolos became dimly aware of a scuffling noise behind him which suggested he was being followed. Truthfully, at this point it was amazing that either of them were able to keep themselves moving. He paused, now, twisting his head very slightly to give a feeble hiss in Measle’s direction. It was hardly worth the effort; exhausted from the small act of aggression, he relaxed into the ground, less parched than the rest of the arena due to its proximity to the pond. Really… why should he continue? If he just gave up now, then most likely a draw would be declared. He would be healed and then get another chance to take on the lightning storm. Next time, he wouldn’t let himself be caught out. He knew his opponent better now. Surely there was something, anything, that he could use to his advantage. A different arena, too… hopefully not so dry, he would fight better than. Caught up in blurry daydreams of his beloved, humid Yarrowitz, and entirely unable to move even if he had the will to, Zykolos wilted into the dust and forgot all about his fight.


THE FIGHT BETWEEN MEASLE AND ZYKOLOS IS A DRAW

Attention all Ye Folk!

The first round of the dragon half of our tournament has drawn to a close! Everyone, please give a round of applause for the winners, and look forward to the next exciting round! For now, the arena will have a one hour break to be reset for the semi-finals of the competition and in the meantime our contestants will be healed by our experts behind the scenes. During this time, make sure to place your bets on next round's brackets!


-Gerris
1) The first part of your battle seemed to be an epic stare-off. Can you tell us what your strategy was in simply waiting your opponent out?
2) Fume Dragons are legendary for the deadly gasses they can produce. Knowing this, what do you think your chances are in the next round? Would you be bold enough to say that you very well might be this year's tournament winner?
3) My sources tell me that you're a local Kaionarian. Is there anyone in the crowd here you'd like to give a shout-out to?

-Hydra
1) You seemed to have entered the Tourney with a handicap; a bad leg. What was your strategy to avoid aggravating your wounds?
2) Scythe Claw dragons are notoriously dangerous when they're attacked from the front, and you took quite a bit of damage at the end of those claws. Were you nervous at all about facing off with a dragon equipped to kill?
3) Your opponent was looking for blood from the second the bell rang. Do you have any arena experience prior to this? You seemed to take that scythe claw's murderous charges right in stride.
4) What were your thoughts when Jitt suddenly seemed to give in? Did you ever think that he was setting a trap, or were you confident that you could force him to quit the match without a killing blow?
5) Your match with Jitt ended in a surprisingly peaceful way, given that this is a Tournament. Do you have any comments about your opponent's surrender?

-Hone
1) Your opening move in this round was… quite interesting. Did you plan to make your opponent let down their guard by doing that?
2) The match you had was quite a bit of a knock-down drag-out fight. Do you have any experience with arena fighting?
3) The match in the bracket next to you turned out to be a draw so in the next round you'll be facing a three-way battle. What are your thoughts on the upcoming match? Do you think that you'll be able to beat the other two and advance to the Finals?

-Measle
1) As a lightning storm, most of our audience expected a great amount of thunder in this match. Could you tell us why you chose to enter close-combat with a sword-tailed dragon and the strategy behind that move?

-Zykolos
1) Your fighting style seems very polished and professional. What do you do outside of the arena to hone your skills at combat? There's a rumor that you're an Elite soldier. Is that true?

- Measle &. Zykolos
1) The last half of your match was quite the slug fest! Why don't you tell the audience what it was like down in the grotto battling so desperately? It made quite the show!
2)Your match was quite fierce! But in the end, it seems like you both have passed! Due to this, the next round will be a little different. What are your thoughts on going into a three-way match and knowing that only one can come out to fight in the Final round? Nervous? Insecure? Excited? With the two of you tangling again in the next match, do you think that things will go differently?

Q) Your fighting style seems very polished and professional. What do you do outside of the arena to hone your skills at combat? There's a rumor that you're an Elite soldier. Is that true?
A) Well, you're right and wrong on that count. I'm not a fully fledged Elite just yet, I'm in my fourth year of training. I'm not sure that I should say too much, and it would take much too long if I listed all the training I've done, but Elites-in-the-making undergo three years of full time training before taking another two years on the job. I've been assigned my patrol now, and I'll probably be there to stay.

Q) The last half of your match was quite the slug fest! Why don't you tell the audience what it was like down in the grotto battling so desperately? It made quite the show!
A) I can't speak for Measle, of course, but "desperate" is the right word for me. Even though I've done a lot of training, I've never had my life on the line before, and it puts things in a whole new perspective. Obviously there was a lot of pain with so many injuries, and I have to say I'm glad for the healers- they've done an excellent job!

Q) Your match was quite fierce! But in the end, it seems like you both have passed! Due to this, the next round will be a little different. What are your thoughts on going into a three-way match and knowing that only one can come out to fight in the Final round? Nervous? Insecure? Excited? With the two of you tangling again in the next match, do you think that things will go differently?
A) I'm really not sure what to think- it's going to be interesting fighting another trainee elite and somebody I've already fought once. I suppose- Hone is it, the third dragon?- I suppose she'll be at the disadvantage, seeing as both Measle and I will already know how Elites fight to a certain extent, whereas she's never met Measle. I'm sure it's going to be very different from the last fight. I'm a little nervous, a little excited. Knowing that there are no more draws- well, I don't want to surrender, but I know I'm not ready to die either, so if it comes to that...

1) You seemed to have entered the Tourney with a handicap; a bad leg. What was your strategy to avoid aggravating your wounds?
Staying in flight seemed to be the best way to avoid walking around, and/or being stepped on by a giant fire breathing dragon. Once I got into the air it was "fairly" smooth sailing.

2) Scythe Claw dragons are notoriously dangerous when they're attacked from the front, and you took quite a bit of damage at the end of those claws. Were you nervous at all about facing off with a dragon equipped to kill?
I was terrified when he came barreling at me like a bat out of Hades, but at that point the fight instincts took over and all I wanted was to incapacitate him. It didn't matter how much damage I took.

3) Your opponent was looking for blood from the second the bell rang. Do you have any arena experience prior to this? You seemed to take that scythe claw's murderous charges right in stride.
I had zero arena experience before that fight. What I did have was years of experience hunting prey larger than myself, so I used my usually unhelpful size to my advantage. I took it in stride? Hadn't really thought about it that way, I just wanted to stay alive so I could go home to Measle after this is over.

4) What were your thoughts when Jitt suddenly seemed to give in? Did you ever think that he was setting a trap, or were you confident that you could force him to quit the match without a killing blow?
That was the most confusing thing that happened in the entire battle! I couldn't be quite sure what he was on about, but once he stopped trying to roast me it was clear that fighting wasn't going to be an option anymore.

5) Your match with Jitt ended in a surprisingly peaceful way, given that this is a Tournament. Do you have any comments about your opponent's surrender?
I'm happy that he didn't decide to tear me to pieces, and I'm also happy that we didn't have to resort to killing to end the match. Don't know what the next battle will bring, but it probably won't end the way this last one did.

1) Your opening move in this round was… quite interesting. Did you plan to make your opponent let down their guard by doing that?
Aren’t interviews s’pposed t’be in like, a fancy room with tea an’ biscuits an’ stuff? I thought they were. Y’got biscuits anyway? No? Awh, well, this ain’t a good interview at all, wotcher playin’ at? I demand biscuits! Chocolate ones!
-scuffling noises and pauses, Hone is eventually placated and reminded of the question again-
Oh, y’mean me rollin’ in the sand? It looked too invitin’ not to, I mean, I’m a desert dragon, right? An’ Kaionar’s not bad, not too far from t’desert, but it’s a trek t’get out to t’good sand. Couldn’t gar all t’way out there s’mornin’, ‘cos I didn’t have time. So, y’know, when I saw it was all nice an’ hot lookin’, and proper geet good sand, had to!
Tha’ Sill, he shouldha tried it too, wouldha calmed him right down- bit het up, he was, angry right at t’end there. I say, chill out and relax, tha’s the way t’gar. Everyone’s pretty friendly, if y’don’t gar an’ jump ‘em right off. Y’not found that?

2) The match you had was quite a bit of a knock-down drag-out fight. Do you have any experience with arena fighting?
Knock-down, drag-out? I not heard o’that before. Is tha’ some fancy new term f’somethin’ cool t’fight like? Djur Elites teach it? Man, I’mma jump Zeal in t’night when I get back t’my patrol, make her teach me tha’ one. She’s big, but we’ve scrapped loadsa times, it’s well fun. Bit different t’this though, ‘cos she ain’t as bitey.

3) The match in the bracket next to you turned out to be a draw so in the next round you'll be facing a three-way battle. What are your thoughts on the upcoming match? Do you think that you'll be able to beat the other two and advance to the Finals?
Y’mean I get t’meet even more people? Awh yeah, this’ll be fun! Are they big, or me-sized? Cos it’s kinda nice seein’ dragons my size, when m’Elite patrol’s kinda big dragons.
No wait, tha’s not even important. Do they like sand baths? If they don’t like sand baths, tha’s no good, no good at all. First I’ll teach ‘em t’do sand baths properly, then we can have a proper sit down an’ talk ‘bout stuff. Oh wait, this is fightin’, innit?
Well, we can talk about which biscuits are best, an’ then that’ll work it all out? If they don’t like chocolate digestives t’best, then I’mma knock it into them that they’re the best.
Wait, ista reason y’not got biscuits ‘cos they ate them all? The fiends!

1) The first part of your battle seemed to be an epic stare-off. Can you tell us what your strategy was in simply waiting your opponent out?
I could tell my opponent was a moron and I was simply waiting until he made the first move. Though if I'm going to be completely honest, I was deciding which poison to kill him with. I do so like the nerve ones, but perhaps I should have settled for a hemorrhagic one. It took him forever to die. Such a waste of time.
2) Fume Dragons are legendary for the deadly gasses they can produce. Knowing this, what do you think your chances are in the next round? Would you be bold enough to say that you very well might be this year's tournament winner?
My fumes make dragons appropriately fearful of me, and henceforth it means they never want to get close enough to touch me. This is good, because I don't like getting too physical. However, just because my main strength is my gasses doesn't mean I don't have other talents. Bold? My competition is stacked with incompetent dotards. This competition is like pushing the bad eggs from the nest.
3) My sources tell me that you're a local Kaionarian. Is there anyone in the crowd here you'd like to give a shout-out to?
Heh. Not at all. Kaionarians make it a point not to point out other Kaionarians. I wouldn't want to incriminate myself, after all.

Q) As a lightning storm, most of our audience expected a great amount of thunder in this match. Could you tell us why you chose to enter close-combat with a sword-tailed dragon and the strategy behind that move?

A) Well, to tell you the truth, I’m not especially practiced with lightning – in the particular circumstances that I’ve encountered, close quarters fighting has been more sensible. I underestimated the threat of Zykolos’ tail, and I hadn’t been expecting such a pre in the first round. However, with two apparently physical fighters in the next round, I dare say the crowd can expect a few more fireworks…

Q) The last half of your match was quite the slug fest! Why don't you tell the audience what it was like down in the grotto battling so desperately? It made quite the show!

A) To put it bluntly: it was brutal. We were both running out of energy, so I know that I at least was trying to inflict what damage I could whenever I could. My level of training was no where near enough to prepare me for that, so I’m going to have to really rethink that before the next round. I can honestly say I’m lucky to have made it out alive.

Q) Your match was quite fierce! But in the end, it seems like you both have passed! Due to this, the next round will be a little different. What are your thoughts on going into a three-way match and knowing that only one can come out to fight in the Final round? Nervous? Insecure? Excited? With the two of you tangling again in the next match, do you think that things will go differently?

A) Nervous, I’d say. One elite I could just about hold off, but two? That will be an undertaking an a half. However, I think I have Zykolos’ strategy sussed now – I’ll be back with a vengeance in the next round. As for this Hone, we’ll have to see. Hopefully a change of fighting style will have them both in hot water. Or hot Thunder.

Hades and hellfire and all things unpleasant! Did they HAVE to make this place into a bog?! So many bad memories from places like this flooded into her head. Hydra was an ice dragon for pity's sake! This Gerris she was up against was likely to fare better here than she was going to, but at least her small size would make getting a hold of her difficult. Thankfully the less liquid-like patches froze when she walked across them, and she figured she could use that to her advantage if she ever found her opponent. "It just had to be a swamp didn't it. . ." she muttered as she iced over a bit of semi-soft ground.

This was far beyond anything she'd ever do on her own, and to that point she hissed at the muck around her. "Bloody mud. . ." She couldn't stand it any longer! With a frustrated growl she took to the air and looked for a place to perch and scope out the scene in front of her. Sadly all she did was clear out some fog, but that was a start. At least now she knew that if she'd continued going forward she'd have gotten stuck in a mud pit. "Well, now to see where this Gerris is. . ."

A cough and a sneeze later and she started to think something funny was going on. Fog had never made Hydra sneeze before, but then again she also avoided swamps like the plague. Heaven forbid she be up against a Fume, if she was then this would be tough indeed. After sneezing frozen snot a handful more times she flapped her wings to repel the gas. "Just my luck I'm dealing with a dragon three times my size, and it's a Fume on top of that." she muttered as she moved backward.

She was hesitant to descend and walk along the ground, but she felt staying in the air wasn't an option either, so what was left? She certainly wasn't going to go swimming in this muck! No point in changing her direction, she simply gained a bit of altitude and tried to see the ground from where she was, hoping she was above the gas layer, but then remembered that being high up would only spell trouble since it was about unbearably hot in that arena. Best thing to do would be to get close to the ground and assess her opponent that way, so down she went to a slightly hardened patch of mud to have a look about. "Hmmm. . ." she muttered.