Oaken, a massive Oakhaven bloodhound, Marigold, a cheeky pygmy goat, Marie, chef of Keaton Hall arrive, following Reigna.

Edain puts Valor, the fierce Oathlands redsteel spear in Valardin Belt.

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon, Ursa arrive, following Marian.

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon have been dismissed.

Ursa have been dismissed.

Champion, a large white warhorse have been dismissed.

Echo, an adult Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

Oaken, a massive Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

Marie, chef of Keaton Hall have been dismissed.

Phantom, the Great Grey Owl, Bear, an giant dog, Sir Tyrus, Redrain Knight arrive, following Darren.

Christine arrives followed by Aida, and the lady is dressed in leathers instead of her usual dress! She looks for a sport to sit and look at the competition.

The Prince of Sanctum arrives quietly, his young squire, Serad in tow. The Prince looks up at the structure, and especially the rope that is final obstacle. "Not today... not today!" Serad, with couple of apples and some bread craddled in his arms breaks off from his Knight, and goes to have seat in the stands. Looking around to see if anyone wants him to slice them off a wedge of apple or tear of a piece of bread before he digs. Edain meanwhile faces west and kneels to offer a quick prayer as he readies himself.

Fashionably late, but not by much, Theron arrives, after asking for directions to a friendly guard, clad in his leather armor, as usual.

Jhond wasn't late, he arrived exactly when he had intended to. though dressed in wools and cotton to move freely he goes to find a good vantage point and settle down instead of looking to participate.

Alis looks thrilled, of course, as people file in to The Gauntler. Whether to watch or participate, she's fine with both thank you! A big wave goes out to the people she knows. Extra big for family, and so people can actually see her. "Welcome to The Gauntlet! If you haven't been here before, it may become your new favorite epithet once you've run it yourself." she quips, from where she stands. "If those wishing to participate would form a line near the entrance to the obstacle course, we will call you when it's your turn to run." For that, she looks over at Ansel and nods.

"Our grand prize for the winner, is something made by our very own Dame Alexis. So make sure to do your best!"

Champion, a large white warhorse have been dismissed.

Squire Serad promptly slices of a chunk of one of his apples and offers it to Jhond.

Cristoph shows up! It's a thing happening five feet from his doorstep, so of course he's here. He strolls into the gauntlet and looks around. Catching Alis' little speech, he waves at her and then heads to the line. Nothing like running the gauntlet to set your mood for the day.

The Redrain contingent arrives a little late, Darren and Marian strolling up to the Gauntlet grounds and chatting quietly the whole way. Darren looks a little worse for wear, Morrighan's party last night obviously still 'hanging over' him. "Are you going to be entering the contest?" Darren asks of Marian, "Or just observing?"

Kael arrives arm in arm with Reigna, though there is not the typical poise of the Keaton couple. No, today they happen to be making with the jogging about, as though warming up. Let's face facts though, this is not a serious competition. This is Kael and Reigna running around in a circle, tugging this way and that, and generally laughing at one another. Nonetheless when they approach the gathering they are more serious. Minus twitches of lips. They do however go to the line to the obstacle course. The pair of them. Eventually their arms will unlink.

The Gauntlet is one of Gawain's absolute favorite things in Arx, so of course the country bumpkin knight shows up for this paricular event. And because it -is- a compeition and he doesn't want to handicap himself, he shows up sans-armor.


Arriving along with many others is a woman dressed in simple trousers, boots, and a leather cuirass resembling the style of House Redrain but not quite the same as what soldiers wear. Vena stops to listen to the announcement by Alis and then makes her way over to join the line of competitors.


Wilhelm the Iron Messenger, 3 Iron Guardsmen arrive, following Sparte.

Edain stands from his prayer and bows his head to his sister and goes to start forming the line. Greetings for Kael and Reigna as they arrive as well as Christine, "Count and Countess Keaton, Lady Kennex good to see you both." As he sees Cristoph arrive he says, "Going to run I hope Duke Cristoph?"

Edain has joined the line.

Theron has joined the line.

Kael has joined the line.

Sparte has joined the line.

Cristoph has joined the line.

Reigna has joined the line.

Leta has joined the line.

Gawain has joined the line.

Vena has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Marian has joined the line.

Darren has joined the line.

"Of course! I need to burn off my breakfast. Hopefully by not falling flat on my face." Cristoph replies to Edain from his spot several people down the line. As the Keatons arrive, he lifts his chin and calls out, "Hello Keatons!"

Graham enters into the busy scene with many entering or arriving and talking and what not. He looks about to see any he may know well enough to join though for the moment just steps off to the side to clear the door way for others to arrive the same as him.

%It's a pleasant fall afternoon. A light breeze causes leaves to skitter across the dusty ground of the Telmar training grounds, specks of red and gold on a backdrop of brown and grey. The dark outline of the Telmar Tower looms in the near distance, like a great middle finger rising above the landcape in stark defiance against some distant threat. The shadow of the structure nearly reaches to the training grounds themselves.

"I'll take the names of folks entering the line!" calls out Ansel, raising a hand demonstratively. A nervous-looking young Telmarine stands at his side, ink and paper in hand, ready to take down names. "We'll be doing the competition in a series of three rounds! The lowest scores of each round will be eliminated, and the highest scorers will advance to the third, final round!" he explains, starting to get a count of those getting in line.

Leta arrives quietly. As far as sound goes, anyway, she's quiet. Visually, a bit loud, in a playfully vivid show of colors. No armor. She stands there a while, hands on her hips, and pushes back the cloak off her shoulders to glance around the course with a quiet whistle. The cloak comes off and she does a few stretches. Maybe she's warming up, maybe she's just preening. At last, she removes her feathered hat and struts towards the line forming up.

Vena has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Reigna is pink cheeked and breathy from running and laughing with her husband. As they slow and join the line she is still laughing, leaning in to bump her shoulder against his bicep. "You're going to mop the floor with me!" She beams that smile to Edain and then to Cristoph, "Hello and good afternoon!"

Ian mostly watches his feet as he takes careful steps inside. With his odd marionette's gait, he walks to the stands. It would appear that he's just here to spectate, today.

Ian has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Christine waves to Edain. And oh, look, a Marian. She waves to her too. And all those she knows, actually. "Oh, dear! Hello. Hello, there. I don't really know what to do, I think running it would be fun, but I have no possibilities or even finish it, so I may leave it from after the contest!"

Vena has joined the line.

Sparte is once again showing up to compete incognito. Wearing full Iron Guard armor including the helmet with the fox style visor, it is another appearance of the often losing Iron Fox.

Edain looks back from his spot on the line and says, "Lady Christine the Gauntlet is not about finishing it.. it is about falling and getting back up to try again."

Marian gives a grin to Darren, "Oh I totally plan to enter." She gives him a nudge, "Come on, I'm sure you'll have fun." She gives a wave to Edain, Alis and a few others as she gets in line herself. When Christine greets here, she lets her know, "Oh it's a lot more than running."

"Your Grace!" greets Kael, exuberant this morning likely due to the consistent play with his wife. He nudges her with a broad shoulder, then ducks forward and finds himself dodging to Cristoph's side. "My Liege," he greets most amiably. "I heard a rumor that your birthday is around this time." His voice most definitely deepens with 'birthday' even as his eyes sparkle. He flashes a grin toward the other man, then slips back to his wife. "Not at all," he assures her.

Darren just makes a grunting noise as Marian elbows him, "This is going to kill me." He says, shaking his head, but following Marian to get in line with her.

Marian has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Theron nods once to Marian, with a grin, as he gets into line, giving his name to the nervous Telmarine. "At the very least I'll see what this is about," he remarks, to no one in particular.

Edain smiles and calls out to Darren as well, "Join us your grace! You wrestle live bears in the north! This should be easy compared to that!"

Jhond grins to Leta and waves from his position in the stands, "Do me proud, Dame Leta!"

Christine winks to Edain and then to Marian. "Oh, I know! I run it once... with the girls... But, you know, with less public to see my falls..." She laughs.


Vena watches the various other contenders, as she seems to be one of the oldest taking part, and offers a nod to Marian whom she had previously seen in passing, "Hello again sweetie." with a warm smile.


"You did not witness my first and only attempt before. No one did because I snuck in before the sun rose. I do this today because we all need a good laugh." Reigna's eyes are filled with mirth as she grins at Kael. She looks back to Edain, though as a certain name is called, her attention shifts and she starts looking up and down the line curiously, even as she nudges Kael gently with an elbow, murmuring something to him quietly. Though as she spies Marian, there is a wave and a call of, "Princess Marian!"

Ansel offers nods and bows in greeting when necessary, and knowing him, probably when unnecessary as well. "Is there anyone I've missed who's to compete, my lords and ladies?" he asks, loudly enough to be heard. The Telmar checks the list from the young Telmarine against the faces he recognizes in the line.

Catching Theron's remark, Kael is pitching his voice toward him and offering a merry, "It is about fun, my lord. Grueling fun, but fun nonetheless." He tips his head toward the other man and flashes a grin that-a-way to punctuate his words. When the nervous fellow comes forth to gather the names, he supplies both his own as well as Reigna's. Of course he is also nudging her once more and maybe leaning his weight a bit against her at the same time. It's just nudge for nudge with these two. He raises a hand to wave toward Princess Marian as well.

The young man of Stonewood moves over and nods to Ansel "I will likely be a feel but I will join in the running of the gauntlet." He comments with a chuckle

Darren wanders over towards Edain, "Sure, sure. Wrestling bears. But I don't go and compete in a Northlands drinking contest the night before." Darren points out, "I described the feeling in my head this morning as an army of your knights riding over my skull." Darren notes, clasping the other High Lord on the back. "How you doing?" he inquires, offering the man a genuine smile.

Graham has joined the line.

Caspian has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Leta raises a hand and waves back in Jhond's direction, flashing a bright smile as she shrugs, hands up to ward off any expectations, "I wouldn't get my hopes up, but we'll see, won't we?"

"It's all in good fun." Alis assures everyone. "We won't even ask any of the realms artists to sketch the most interesting of the tumbles." She's not even crossing her fingers when she says it, eyes scanning the line to see who is up for testing their mettle. "Prince Edain, you were first to reach the line, so it will be your good fortune to run the course first." She mouths 'good luck' to him, and takes several steps back from the course and towards the nerest benches. "Whenever you are ready, Your Grace."

Gawain has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Christine clicks her tongue, but she eventually gets comfortable. "I think I'll pass today... Maybe the next time!"

Ian sits in the spectator seating, his cane tucked under the bleacher where nobody's going to trip on it, and watches as the line gets longer.

Edain shakes his head to Darren, "I cannot complain I suppose, I think I am looking forward to some good honest exhaustion to clear my head..." of course he hears Ansel call him, "Oh.. that's me. Good luck your Grace!" and he turns and breaks into a run towarsd the obstacle

Christine has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Whispering, whispering Keatons. There is a brief back and forth between Kael and Reigna and soon enough the Countess is nodding, flashing a beaming smile to Kael before looking back over to Alis and sending a happy grin towards the Princess as she waits for her turn to run the course.

Edain checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Edain checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Edain checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Edain checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Edain checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Edain checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Edain checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Theron checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Theron checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Theron checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

Theron checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Theron checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Theron checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Theron checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 7 lower.

Marian waved to a few folks when she arrived but once Edain takes the course, she focuses all her attention on him and then on the following folks that take the course.

Sparte checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Sparte checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Sparte checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Sparte checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Sparte checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Sparte checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 9 lower.

Sparte checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 11 lower.

Kael checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Kael checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Kael checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Kael checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Kael checked dexterity at difficulty 20, rolling 12 lower.

2 Igniseri scarlet phoenix guards, Philomel, the Nightingale, Micana, the efficient amanuensis, Golden, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound arrive, following Lucita.

Cristoph checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Kael checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

And the Prince of Sanctum is off like a shot. The signle bar and the and the low hurdles he clears with deft ease. The Wall he sails over with the momentum he has built up. The V logs cause him to slow.. his footing unsure as he comes off them at the end.. and then he gets to the hurdles *CRASH* *CLATTER* as he knockes them a few over as he tries to clear them and finally the rope...

He ascends as best he can, slipping barely having a grip and finally he tries to jump down and land on the other side... his feet slip and he falls backwards, splashing into the water but managing to just keep his left foot on the finished side. Treading water with his arms he raises his head up and gasps for some hair, "I'm on the other side.. this counts as a finish right?"

Ansel nods to Alis as she gives Edain the ready. The Telmar moves over to a spot along the side of the course, the Gauntlet's wooden hourglass in his hand. The young Telmarine stands nearby, ready to jot down scores. As the Valardinian highlord makes his way up the final rope, Ansel turns the hourglass over and calls down the score. "Twnety-nine marks above, Your Grace! Very impressive start!"

Christine waves at Ian and then she looks at the people running. Each time anyone starts the course, she greets and cheers, clapping her hands and shouting encouraging words to them.

Caspian has left the East Spectator Seating.

1 Grayson Guardsmen, Justice, an elegant hunting falcon arrive, following Reese.

Justice, an elegant hunting falcon have been dismissed.

Lucita wanders into the event and moves to watch the event in progress. She gives an admiring glance toward the people starting their runs over the course.

Ian sits in the spectator seating, just watching today, it looks like. He nods to Christine, and then Lucita.

Reese arrives at the event while adorned in lost of pink. She seems to be still be rather somber in her demeanor. A polite smile of greeting is given to those gathered here.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Lucita has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Alis claps encouragement the whole way. "Over them, brother. Not through them!!" Because Edain doesn't know that of course. And she flashes him a dimpled smile when he has to tread water at the end there. "Come on out, you did great." Sir Rhys stands beside her stone faced of course. /He/ isn't going to oke fun at the Prince. He just reaches beside him to the pile of towels and holds one out.

Lucita lifts a hand, waving toward Reese and indicating an empty seat if she should care to jsit with them.

Reese has joined the line.

Taking in a deep breath before he follows after the Prince of Sanctum, Theron follows the course adequately, although he does marginally better as the course progresses, showing remarkable endurance where endurance must be called for. It's at the end, though, that things start to get messy, as he follows Edain into the fall, barely making the finish line, himself.

"I hope it does, Your Grace, or I'm in trouble, too," the Sword of Ostria mentions with some humor.

Lucita has joined the line.

Kael starts strong with the obstacle course, he really does. He goes through the single bar with ease, rushing across them, leaps across the low hurdles, manages the wall with ease, and then it is clear that fatigue is putting in. Perhaps he can still continue on like a trooper at the V-Logs, but by the time the high hurdle comes into play, he is tripping over a series, stumbling about, and has to clear his head a few times in a haze from the rope. He may have stopped to catch his breath for... a long time there. "I think I am going to be sick," is his 'triumphant' finish. Nonetheless he moves back to the side so that he can cheer for the others. There'll be less 'tournament cheering' going on as he catches his breath though!


The woman looking to be in her late twenties, maybe early thirties at the most watches the Prince of Sanctum do his run, Vena moves up along with the rest of the line, and offers a nod and warm smile to Reese as the late-comer joins the back of the line nearby.


Edain does this wierd one armed paddle with his right arm, trying to direct him self to the 'done' side of the water pit beneath the rope, where he's still trying to not let his left foot slip into the water. Once his left side bumps the edge, Edain rolls out of the water pit and scrambles clear so he's not in the way of other runners, "29 you said Lord Ansel.. Thank you." And as he fades back to watch other's run, Squire Serad meets him with a towel, because he knows his knight well, and he knew how this would end.

The Iron Fox is off to a lowsy start, struggling with the single bar right out the gate. He has a bit more luck with the low hurdles, clearing them despite his armor, only to get halfway up the wall - and fall flat on his back. Shaking it off he gets back to his feet, clearing the wall the second time and maintaining enough momentum to get through the double bars without faltering again. It looks like me might actually be on a roll as he does the V-Logs without showing any sign of faltering.

Then the Iron Fox catches a high hurdle with the back of one leg and is left in a tumbled mess on the gauntlet floor. He is slower to recover this time, taking far longer than a fit man should to conquer the rope. He then wanders off to the side, to lie down and do a fair imitation of having died in battle. One hand contorts into a thumbs up as confirmation he isn't actually dead.

Lucita thinks a long moment then says to Ian and Christine. "Don't expect much but will give this a try."

Reese puts her name down on the list to run the gauntlet. She then moves over to Lucita, taking a seat close to her. She gives her a gentle smile that touches her blue eyes. "Lady Lucita." She greets. "How are you?" Se then smiles over to Venta as well.

Darren lets out a cheer for Edain as he complets the race, "You couldn't have messed up a little more?" Darren asks Edain, "Come on, we're all guests of your ward here and you're making us... well, me, mostly look bad." He grins, bowing his head to the man. "Well done my friend. Well done."

Graham awaits his turn, to run the course. He is watching as the others go about it trying not to look nervous or anything he will look towards the door waving to Lucita and Reese as they enter the room. He is glad to see a few familure faces at least.

Christine laughs and waves to Lucita. "Perfect!!" She doesn't sit so long. She stands to keep cheering and clapping. "Well done!"

Marian shakes her head as folks get caught up on the last few obstacles. As she stands in line with Darren, she warns him, "The worst is the last couple. So make sure to pace yourself or you'll run out of steam before you get to the finish line." She grins over at Edain and compliments him, "You did pretty good there...not ba at all." Theron also gets a thumbs up for his efforts.

Ansel chuckles a bit, continuing to jot down scores as folks give the course a go. "Lord Theron is leading the pack so far, at thirty-nine marks above!" he calls.

Darren laughs, "Marian, I love you think I have any steam in me to begin with."

Cristoph checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Margerie has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Cristoph checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Cristoph checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Cristoph checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 46 higher.

Cristoph checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

"Doesn't whiskey give you amazing powers? If your still sauced from the night before you should be /fine/ no problem." Edain says as he stands and dries his face. Looking the Theron that runs after him he bows his head, "Very well run. Lord Theron yes? That was a great run."

Cristoph checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Cristoph checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard arrives, following Eirene.

Cristoph kicks off the gauntlet doing alright through most of it, but when gets towards the end, he begins to become a little winded. Not quite so agile! Getting a little winded. He makes it to the end, huffing and puffing as he wanders back out into the crowds. "Maybe I /shouldn't/ have ate before this."

"And Duke Laurent takes the lead, at sixty-three marks above!" calls Ansel, making a note of the latest conut from the hourglass, just as Christoph scampers up the final rope obstacle. "Lord Theron remains in second, then Prince Edain, Count Kael, and Sparte."

Eirene has never watched this, so the Malvici medic in her black leathers and crimson steelsilk makes her way over to join the show. She looks slightly edgy as she moves into such a large crowd and already sips from her flask before she even gets to a spectator stand.

Theron grins at Edain. "Indeed. A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace. Yours was excellent as well. Congratulations." He winks at Marian after the thumbs up, offering her a knightly salute in turn.

Reigna checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Eirene has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Reigna checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Reigna checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Reigna checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Reigna checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Alis continues to cheer everyone that tackles the obstacles, rather boistrous in her shouted encouragements which they may well not appreciate. Especially those who are hungover from the night before. In fact, they may note that she's a little /louder/ for them then the others. But her expression throughout stays entirely innocent and encouraging. "Nicely run, Duke Laurent! I will have to ask what motivates you to run so fast."

Reigna checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Reigna checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Darren is dead pan serious when he tells Edain. "No. No, that's a lie we tell people in the North." Darren says, "Whiskey makes you think you have amazing powers. And then it makes you think, 'sure Marian I will go with you to the Oathlander torture track. Sure Marian, I will run the Oathlander parade of pain, no problem.' " Darren sighs and figures he better start getting ready, so he drops down, starting to stretch out his muscles. "Marian, you are carrying me home after this."

Leta checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Margerie may joke about the frequent need for a drink with recent conversations, but it is purely a coincidence that she enters the area when someone mentions whiskey. She makes her way over towards the spectator seating, barely able to settle in before rising to cheer on her Duke, and then to clutch at her neckline (no pearls) as she watches Reigna set off.

Leta checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.


As the line moves once more and the second takes their run, Vena watches and then looks back again to Reese, "Cheer up a bit more sweetie, the point is to beat your opponents in this one. If you don't cheer up I'll have to knock that look off your face till you smile." as she scrunches her nose teasingly as she offers the playful and not at all serious threat.


Leta checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher.

Leta checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

Leta checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Marian claps for Cristoph as he takes the lead, "That man is amazing. I did a run against him and he blew me away." She looks to Darren, "He's going to be one of the ones to watch out for." She sends a wave to Eirene as if to let her know that participating in this contest is fine. Marian is all healed. She can afford to put her body through the paces. She laughs at Darren's words, "Oh fine, I'll carry you back if you can't make it on your own.

Leta checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 11 lower.

Leta checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Christine laughs as she hears Darren. "Oh, Lord, I can lend you my cane if you need it!!"

"Countess Reigna finishes at thirty marks below!" calls Ansel, clapping approvingly as the woman races through the end. Then, resetting the timing glass, Ansel tracks Leta's progress through the Ganutlet. "And Dame Leta at fifty-eight above! Nearly catching Duke Laurent," Ansel says, resetting the timing glass again.

Reese murmurs quietly with Lucita, having a whispered conversation with the songtres She then lifts her gaze to Vena, giving her this expression of bafflement for a moment. "Oh, I am not worried, you have no chase against me." She says a bit of playfulness entering her tone, but the somber look never completely leaves her blue eyes.

As his wife goes up for her gauntlet run, Kael is once more finding his outside voice. "Go Reigna!" he calls, lifting his arm triumphantly so pump it in the air. "Wooo!" He is... a little loud, even as he is sweat-covered. He continues his cheer, moving along the outside of event so that he can keep pace and then greet her at the end.

Conker, the Ornery Red Squirrel, Dame Barkley, a chocolate tri beagle arrive, following Joslyn.

Jhond cheers on folks as they run, grinning happily at the completion.


Vena giggles softly and says, "That's the spirit sweetie. We'll see if you can beat me, though if you do I might demand a rematch on my own terms." with a playful wink.


Edain is overheard praising Reigna for: It doesn't matter what your time was, the Gauntlet didn't conquer you!

Watching the others go in front of her, Reigna starts to lose a little of that joviality as the nerves set in. She looks around to see all the spectators and her throat swallows a little thickly as her time draws near. She starts off... not great. The single bars thwart her noodly arms and she slips, but she gets up and tries again! The low hurdles are better, she makes it over those with long legged strides and with that momentum is up and over the wall in a move that clearly shocks herself. She takes a victory arm pump and "Wooo!!" before continuing on to the double bars. Maybe it is her mini victory that fuels her on, but despite the single bar problems, this time she makes it! But adrenaline only takes her so far. The V logs throw her, the high hurdles send her sprawling and the rope, well. The rope defeats her. But she never stops trying and when she is finally across the finish she lays there. Panting. Possibly dying.

Graham turns to look to Lucita giving a warm smile her way listening to her words before responding in soft tone as well before looking back towards the event for the moment.

Cristoph cheers for Reigna when she makes her run. "Good showing, Countess!" Loudly, he claps his hands and moves closer to where the rest of the runners are gathering again.

Eirene gives Marian a 'sup' lift of the chin because she approves of people getting back into doing things. "Reigna is met with a laugh and a lift of the flask instead. "Drinks are on me, cause damn you need one, girl!"

Marian claps for Reigna at her good effort, giving her a wide smile as she comes off the course. Leta also gets a few whistles and for a moment, Marian thinks that she over took Cristoph's score but then he announces the Duke is still the one to beat. She cracks her neck as the line continues to move up.

Reese looks over to Vena, giving her a playful smile. "Oh, challenge away, I won't refuse and I will win, whatever the terms." She says, maybe being infected with Grayson pride.

Ansel continues marking down times as folks take their turn at the course. A barrel of drinking water is positioned helpfully nearby, attended by a few helpful Telmarines who direct, help, or sometimes carry tired competitors over to get a drink or splash some cool water on their face.

Lucita is busy talking with those closest to her in line, still intently watching the others facing their physical challenges of the course, studying it and looking a little anxious.

The Iron Fox slowly gets up, twisting his left arm across his body in a stretch before adjusting his belt. He begins to wander away from the gauntlet, perhaps to change out of that heavy armor and catch his breath properly.

Lucita has left the East Spectator Seating.

Alis finds Kael and Reigna adorable of course, and claps for the Countess as she finishes the course. "There is a basket of muffins for anyone hungry after the run." And there really is - it's right there behind Alis and on a table beside the barrel of drinking water. "I believe if you ask Lady Margerie, she will agree this are very special muffins. I'm sure they'll help you feel better." Glancing at the Redrain entrants, she adds. "I'm not sure how they do against hangovers though."

Joslyn has joined the line.


Vena giggles once more and says, "Okay then, if you win we'll face off at a later date, no armor or weapons then sweetie." She may not be making a serious challenge given her light and playful tone. She might even be trying to motivate her opponent, or to get her mind on something other than whatever is darkening her mood.


Arriving perhaps a little late, Joslyn eyes Reese and than grins a little bit. "Last I heard I was among the top for the gauntlet," she says, overhearing a little bit. "What do you say we put a friendly wager on which of us bests the other?" Joslyn grins.

Ansel looks towards the new addition to the line, flashing a quick, friendly smile and giving a thumbs-up, as though to confirm that no, you're never too late to take your run at the Gauntlet.

Christine grins and waves when she spots Joslyn. THe Kennex lady is cheering to all as they run the course.

Leta stands in line, preparing for her turn. She stretches, flexes, adjusts her belt and runs her fingers through her hair to make sure it's optimally tousled for running around. She hums a little tune, barely above her breath, and leans off to the side to watch the others ahead of her. When it's her turn, she bows with a flourish and takes off. The poor grip on the first bar can likely be attributed to less-than-perfect hair tousling, so she busies herself raking her fingers through her hair as she heads into the next series of obstacles, all of which go without a hitch, picking up some time as she hauls up the wall and over the double bars. Sure, she trips a few times over the hurdles, but she's still only a little red-faced and gleaming when she climbs up the rope, making it to the top without even falling on her face once before she staggers off, panting and looking back over her shoulder to listen to her times.

Derovai has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Reese has quite a bit of weapons on her person and she looks over them in a moment insecurity as she hears Vena's challenge. Still the Grayson Princess lifts her gaze a moment later. "Challenge accepted." She says, giving this longing look to the sword she depends on so very much. She then turns to Joslyn. "Wager..." She says, seemingly once again, having a hard time turning down a challenge. "Sure!"

Eirene takes a look at Ansel and the last person getting in line and... turns her thumb to the course as if asking 'Sure why not?' She starts to shrug out of her jacket and weapons to POSSIBLY give it a shot.

Reigna pushes herself back to her feet and lifts a noodle arm in victory, "Never surrender!" And then she moves to Kael and flops at him, "Carry me, I'm done. My work here is finished." She looks at Eirene and laughs, "I'll take a drink!" Alis and her muffins are looked at. She looks up at Kael. Then to the muffins. A plea is made with eyes alone. Muffin. "My arms have been replaced with string."

Gawain checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Gawain checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Gawain checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Gawain checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Gawain checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Gawain checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Gawain checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 10 lower.

Margerie is the embodiment of 'the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat' as her (somewhat tired) facial expressions twist between proud joy at Reigna's perseverence and wincing empathy for her more painful moments. By the end she is cheering vociferously with the others, albeit with an aside to those seated in the spectators area. When Alis mentions the muffins? There's a wry smirk. "Oh, aye. Lifesaving muffins. Also effective projectiles. Reigna deserves half a dozen after that impressive show!"

From where he sits in the stands (his cane stowed under the bleachers where nobody is going to risk tripping on it), Ian nods to Eirene when she arrives. He's not much of a cheerleader, but he's watching with interest.

Eirene has joined the line.

"Friendly wager, so nothing too drastic. How about 5000 silver?" Joslyn suggests, smirking. Just how rich is she? It's a wonder for sure, and Joslyn looks back to those competeing, and than wiggles her fingers to Christine in good cheer.

"I have Lord Gawain at..." calls Ansel, moving a little slider on the hourglass. "..thirty-three marks below!" he says.

Derovai strolls in, studying the goings-on. After a moment or two, he climbs onto the east side bleachers, taking a seat, speaking quietly to the others gathered there.

Reese actually fidgets for a moment, suggesting she isn't sure about that bet. Joslyn is a well known champion after all. Still Grayson pride is a powerful and sometimes a foolish thing! She gives Joslyn a smile a moment later. "It will be my great honor to beat you, Lady Joslyn."

Gawain does... not a very good job. The knight has difficulty with most of the course, which is unusual for him. At least he seems to think so! And while he's usually in high spirits about everything in life, its quite clear he's very unhappy with his performance, and after acknowleding his score with a nod, he turns to make his way out.

The Prince of Sanctum cannot help but wince as Gawain just has a tough run. But he claps for the man, "The Gauntlet, humbles us all some days, Lord Gawain. It takes more courage to gut it out and finish a bad run than it does to coast through a good one. Well done!" He leans over then to Darren and Marian who he is linginger near him, "You should see Lord Gawain ride. He is a fabulous mounted warrior."

Marian checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Marian checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Marian checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 51 higher.

Marian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher.

Marian checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

Marian checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Marian checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Darren watches Marian run the course basically blindfolded, shaking his head. "You are kidding me." Darren just says, looking at Edain. "Did you guys feed her something special when she was growing up, or something?" He asks curious, folding his arms over his chest.

Edain shakes his head to Darren, "No we do not. She is just a force of nature, I have been telling people this for years."

Ansel actually has to double-check the little hourglass after Marian's run, as though making sure he's reading the measurement correctly. "Princess Marian clocks at one-hundred and thirty-three marks above!" he says, eyebrows raised. "That marks as the highest score I've ever validated on the course myself.."

Lucita claps for Marian as she breezes through the course so smoothly. "Wow."

Cristoph claps his hands as Princess Marian essentially blows him completely out of the water. "Well done, Princess Marian! Very well done!"

Jhond applauded loudly for Marian, "Well done!"

Marian gives Gawain a thumbs up to let him know that he did a good try. Then she sets her sights on the course. She comes out of the gate like a beast, attacking that course like it's one of her enemies. She takes the single bars, sails over the low hurtles, and practically flips over the wall like scaling an enemy castle is not big deal. Then she starts to slow a little as she's careful on the v-logs, moves down the double bars and hurtles to make sure that she's running a clean run. When finishes with the ropes, she looks to Ansel to see how she did. She does a little woot and then moves over to where Edain is.

Darren checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Darren checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Darren checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Darren checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Darren checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Darren checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Darren checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 2 higher.

Gawain has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Alis watches Marian run the course with an entirely awed expression on her face; can't help it. "Well done, Princess Marian." That's about all she can think of to say. She's still shaking her head.

Darren checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Kael makes with the huffing sounds, the grunting, as though he was being clearly put out on. It may just be for show though, even if he does happen to drip a bit of sweat on his wife (ew). Reigna is gathered up in his arms, and after deliberation he swings her over his shoulder barbarian style before treading toward the muffins. He snares two, one for himself and his wife, and swings her about playfully so that he can see about acquiring water for the pair of them as well. Not oblivious to the course, when the score is announced, his eyebrows lift. "Well done, Princess Marian!" he calls in that deep, booming voice of his.

Theron applauds Marian, nodding repeatedly when she clears her course the way she does. "That's nothing short of impressive, Your Highness!"

"Prince Redrain comes in at seven marks above!" calls Ansel, turning the hourglass over once more and getting it reset for the next challenger.

Reese woots and cheers for Marian. "Red Princess Badass!"

Edain says, "She was a blue princess first!" Edain feels compelled to point out. "Though.. I guess she was green before... Can we just agree on all around bad-ass Princess Reese?"

Margerie finds herself at a bit of a loss to do much more than slowly applaud for Marian. It's that sort of awestruck applause that slowly gets louder and uproarious as the impressiveness of the performance sets in.

Darren knows that short of levitating over the entire course while lighting crashes around him and some killer music plays in the background, he isn't going to outperform Marian - but he will give the course his best effort! The hurdles seem to be his enemy, knocking them over as he runs, a stupid grin coming on to his features the whole way. If nothing else, Darren seems to be enjoying himself! Thankfully, the Redrain High Lord does manage to complete the course, heading back towards Edain and Marian, breathing heavily through his mouth. He leans over, resting his hands on his knees, "Oh yeah..." Darren says, finally standing upright and wincing. "Very bad idea."

Alis looks about to say something, and Edain beats her to it. "Rainbow Princess?" She sidesteps to half hide behind Ansel after that, just in case.

Sparte reappears sans the Iron Fox armor to see how the competition is going. He is still flushed in the face from the exercise. He manages to catch the tail end of Marian's performance, falling in with the applause of the people around him.

Marian gives a wave to Jhond, the current course champion, "I just wanted to run a clean run but I'm more than happy with how that went." She has a big grin, she can't help it. As Cristoph, Alis, Theron, Kael, Reese and others, "Thank you all." She then turns to watch Darren's performance and winces here and there where he struggles but makes a point of tell him, "Not bad...good. You did pretty good out there."

Ansel is not a large man to hide behind. But since it doesn't take much to hide the pint-sized Valardinian knight, even the Telmar Sword might provide enough cover.

Reese looks over to Edain with this expression that is playfully uncertain and she muses it over a moment. "Rainbow-Green-Blue-Red-Over all Princess Badass!" She then cheers.

Ian unbuttons his beat up leather coat just enough to slip a flask out of an inside pocket. He's looking entirely unsurprised by Marian's performance, although he does wait until it's over to take a drink.

Eirene claps for Marian. "Damn, nice work," she says as she moves down into the field, starting to stretch her lanky body out.

Eirene has left the East Spectator Seating.

"Congratulations Princess Marian!" Comes the muffled voice of Reigna from her position draped over Kael's shoulder. THere's also a muffin involved in the muffling. But that just makes sense.

Eirene has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Christine claps and cheers. "Well done, Marian! Well done, guys!! Wooohooo!!!"

Vena has rolled a critical success!
Vena checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Vena checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Vena has rolled a critical success!
Vena checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 62 higher.

Vena checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Vena checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Vena checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Vena checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 14 lower.

Leta stands off to the side to recover, tunic a little damp as she gives it a few tugs away from her skin. She whistles low while watching some of the other performances, bringing her hands up to clap loudly for Marian. That done, she plants her hands on her hips, takes a deep breath, and circles around to the muffins. She daintily reaches out to pluck one, then not-so-daintily stuffs it in her face and munches.

Ansel waits until Vena has clambered up the rope and rung the gong atop the structure's peak. "I have seventy-five marks above!" Ansel calls out, cupping a hand to his face in order to be heard down at the end of the course.

Joslyn grins to Reese, nodding her head towards her. "You're on, Your Highness," Joslyn grins, eyeing Vena and opening her eyes curiously and wide. "That was impressive," Joslyn says. "I'm not sure how I'll do, but hey, best place to show off the steelsilk," Joslyn grins, giving Reese a little grin. "What do you think?"

Derovai adds something quietly to the fellow spectators, waving a hand to the goings-on down below him. The only indication he at all knows the difference between a good run and a bad run is a raise of his brows -- but only at the less successful ones, when they occur.

"I'm pretty sure she would have drunk us all under the table last night, Prince Darren!" Theron calls out to the Redrain High Lord, grinning at the man. To Marian, he nods once, still in respect of her record.

Darren smiles, putting a hand on both Edain and Marian's shoulders, "Well, I think it is clear that I have been soundly defeated in this competition." Darren says, grinning. "But, it was a lot of fun. Thank you for getting me to go." Darren tells Marian. "I am going to head back to the villa and get some rest before the meeting this afternoon." Darren lifts a hand to Theron, grinning. "I think you are right!"

Marian gives a round of applause for Vena when she steps out of the field, "Pretty impressive." She has to give her competitor, "Your action on the double bars was just stunning." She gives a nod to Darren as he mentions that he's heading out, "Well I'll see you later. I want to see where this plays out." she gives a wink to her current High Lord, "I'll let you know later how I placed."

Edain bows to Darren, "Rest well your grace." And he doesn't hassle the poor hung over prince further.

Phantom, the Great Grey Owl, Bear, an giant dog, Sir Tyrus, Redrain Knight leave, following Darren.

Kael, muffin and waters in hand, makes with maneuvering toward the west spectator seating. Given that Reigna is still slung over his shoulders, it is likely for the best that the pair of them are seeking to find a spot away from the others gathered. This is not due to the pair behaving like newlyweds, but more due to the fact that Kael has the audacity to spin in a circle once he's set the items down. He is about to have a dizzy wife. Said spin is mercifully short however, and with a laugh he falls to the seating with Reigna.

Kael has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Reese looks over Joslyn's and her blue eyes widen. "Wow, very nice." She says and reaches out, trying to touch the steel silk. She then turn smiles over to Vena. "That was very impressive."

Graham checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Graham checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Graham checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.


Finally it is Vena's turn to run the course. A few stretches to limber up and once confirming the course is clear she bolts forward. The single bar and the wall provide so little resistance it is almost like they aren't even in her way. The second, fourth, and fifth obsticles are handled but not with as much ease as the first and third obsticles. By the sixth she is showing that she is slowing as the high hurdles get the better of her a bit, and by the final obsticle she ends up falling from the rope hard enough to be winded if ringing the bell, but she is able to regain her breath and gets to her feet to clear the course for the next opponent.
She doesnt seem to be aware iof how well or poorly she performed as she breathes heavily to fully regain her lost breath and rest. She does nod to Joslyn as she is praised and says, "Thank you sweetie, good luck in your own run." She then gives Marian a warm smile and says, "Thanks sweetie. I was hoping to pass all the obsticles a bit better this time, but I suppose age and inexperience still wear at me as this is only my second run on this course." She then giggles softly at Reese and says, "Don't you try to butter me up sweetie, you better put on a good show if you want a taste of my fists." winking playfully as she scrunches her nose again.


Graham checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 16 higher.

Graham checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Graham checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Graham checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

"Oh, it will be quite the show. None Greater!" Reese says, but she sounds more playful than serious.

Eirene watches the competition with what looks like dread. She's not the strongest, nor the fastest, and she's more alcohol than stmaina. The medic puts her hands on her hips and observes, still steading herself to take a turn.

Ian was expecting excellence out of Marian. Vena he doesn't know, and so his eyebrows climb at her performance. He may or may not surreptitiously slip some ten sided dice into his pocket.

The squeal from Reigna is like a mild siren, the doppler effect making the tone shift as she is spun. Thankfully it stops when she does and is replaced by laughter as she is finally set down. She sprawls inelegantly on the bench and devours her muffin, chortling between bites.

Reigna has joined the West Spectator Seating.

"And Lord Graham finishes at forty-four marks above!" calls out Ansel, nodding approvingly as the Stonewood makes his way up the final rope. "No negative marks at all. Very solid run," he comments, nodding as he jots down the nobleman's number.

"Thanks! I saved for so long to get this, and than Lord Bisland sponsored the rest, which is why I have the bisland crest on it. He doesn't want me to wear plate like other knights!" Joslyn grins. "So, this is what we're working on. I hope I serve him well," Joslyn says, smirking a little bit. To Vena, Joslyn nods. "You'll be a tough one to beat!"

Reese cheers on Graham. "Lord Graham! Representing Stonewood and the Green Ward!" She says, seemingly getting rather into this. "Very nice, Lady Joslyn, congrats."

Derovai stares down at the Gauntlet, a pensive look on his face. Maybe he's thinking of signing up to do a run.


Vena smiles warmly to Joslyn and says, "You should have seen me in my prime sweetie. Still by the look of you two I'm almost old enough to be your mother, so there is youth in favor of you both."


Marian gives Graham a hearty clap for running such a clean run, "Very respectable." She calls out to the young man. She shakes her head and tells Edain, "In a few years, young men like that are going to be running circles around me." She gives a look at Reese, "And I'm curious to see how you take to the course." She might be in first at the moment but Marian has no illusions there are still some tough competition to go.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reigna before departing.

The young man is nervous, but he will try his best not to show it as his name is called as next up, Graham will take a deep breath as he moves to the entry of the course. The run is good perhaps better than he expected, though upon reaching the end he'll scoop around and make his way back "Thank you your highness, I am glad simply to have run it well." He comments "You were amazing as well. I must say." He moves to watch the others now though moving to joing the group.

Reese smiles over to Marian at her words. She then murmurs softly to Lucita.

Reese checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Edain nods to Marian, "And in those few years you will have the experience and battle savvy that you'll waste no movement, expend no unneeded energy and knock them down when they wear themselves out." Edain says with a nod. "I don't think you have to worry about being overshadowed any time soon."

Alis has simply been watching each of the participants, and having Sir Rhys hand out towels or a drink, or food. Occasionally he'll clap someone on the back in an ecouraging manner. "Well done, well done!" She is there to be everyone's cheerleader, and occasional snark vendor. Yes, that's right. Snark vendor rather then snack vendor.

Reese checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Orathy has joined the line.

"Princess Reese! you're not even wearing armor this time! easy peasy!" Jhond calls in support of the pink princess as she gets ready to run.

Derovai has joined the line.

Reese checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

"I doubt it, Princess Marian," Theron grins at the Redrain Princess, before mentioning to Edain, "Your Grace, I'd like an audience with you soon, if I could. Just a proposal I have, but this isn't the time or the place, so a later occasion might suffice." He grins at the man, then. "Do you happen to know if they happen to have wine on hand here?"

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Reese checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Despite the fact that Joslyn has a bet running on the outcome of this race, Joslyn cheers as Reese is called up. "Come on, Reese! Princess Ribbons! You can do it!" Joslyn shouts, jumping up and down in excitement.

Lucita claps for Reese, cheering her on as she makes her run.

Eirene is going to suck at this, so says the facial expression she wears. She tips back her flask again.

A rough and tumble non-silk wearing (because that's important) ruffian by the name of Orathy Culler arrives and slips into the crowd, slowly making his way toward the obstacle course to get a good view of the situation.

Orathy has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Derovai murmurs something quite serious to the bleachers, before he stands up, making a little show of readying himself as he strolls down to the Gauntlet. "Is there a Mercy around? Can we get one?" It's dry.

"Princess Reese comes in at sixty-eight marks above!" calls out Ansel, noting the score on the small pad he keeps. "Next up is Lady Lucita."

Reese looks over to Jhond, giving him a warm smile that touches her blue eyes. "I am not in my steel. This is going to be a piece of pink cake!" She says and then steps up to the gauntlet. Reese has a pretty solid run, seeming to be in over all good shape and quite agile. She finishes and smiles over to the crowd, even giving a bow, like that is part of the show.

Derovai has left the East Spectator Seating.

Derovai has joined the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Lucita checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Lucita checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Lucita checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 32 higher.

Lucita checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Lucita checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Lucita checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 11 lower.

Lucita checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 20 lower.

Derovai checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Christine chuckles to Derovai. "Thinking on dying on the course? I'm not Mercy but I think I can manage with a bit of exhaustion..." She winks.

Reese turns to watch Lucita as she runs the course, seemingly quite interested in her performance. "Lady Lucita! She can sing and run a gauntlet!" She cheers. "Not many can do both." She adds more softly to those nearby.

Margerie wears a bit of a smirkas Derovai makes his way down to the stands. There's a huh as she sees the Butler in line next to him. "One of those things is not like the other." She glances over at Chrstine and chuckles, edging a bit closer to the other woman to strike up a chat.

Cristoph is hanging around, watching the people running the course until a messenger comes up to him. He reads the missive in his hand before he begins to shake his head. Stopping by Kael and Reigna, "I need to get back the manse. Duty calls, send along my apologies?" Then he's quickly ducking out of the grounds.

Estaban is late so is the life of a Baron and Iron Guard with Patrols, but sneaking in he leans against a wall in the back his arms crossed over his chest watching Lucita with a big old grin on his face.

"I have Lady Lucita at thirty-nine marks below!" he calls out, once more noting down the new score.

Joslyn checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Joslyn checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 58 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Joslyn checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 16 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Joslyn checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

Eirene checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Lucita rubs her hands one against the other as she is told it is her turn. "playing in front of a crowd is easier than this." A deep breath is taken and she starts her run, grasping the single bar and...dropping off, she manages the hurdles, and wall, the double bar and stops looking at the V-logs, panting. The effort is made, but awkardly, just unable to manage that obstical. In the effort to clear the High hurdles she manages to "OOOF" as her belly slams into it, having to almost crawl over it instead of leap. The rope? Forget that sucker, hands wrap around it, she pulls, manages to get her legs and feet there but after inching up no more than a couple of feet off the ground she is sprawled flat on her back. "Hey, someone carved initials way up there or is that just the shadow on the wood?"


Vena looks to Reese as she finishes and gives genuine applause and says, "Well doner sweetie, though I believe I won. That means you're spared the taste of my fists." winking playfully as she then raises an arm and tries to give the younger princess a warm single-armed hug.


Orathy folds his arms across his chest, his dark eyes on a slow slide as he looks around his present surroundings. His gaze may stop on some individuals, like Sparte and Estaban. Although his attention is drawn back toward the course, going to make the run in his leathers and wearing all his gear.

Derovai offers to Christine, "Duly noted. Ready your kit. You may want to send a messenger for a real Mercy just in case." But he's eyeing the gauntlet curiously, determined if nothing else. And genuinely, it seems from the rather unimpressive look of him, nothing else.

Alis notes Cristoph's departure, and quickly makes a note on Ansel's scoresheet. She's absolutely crowding his clipboard to do it too. Because she can! "Nicely run, Lady Joslyn!" she cheers her friend, and then double takes when she looks back at the waiting line. Is that? He is. In the line.

Ansel lets out a low whistle. "Lady Joslyn very nearly passes Princess Marian, with one-hundred and twenty-eight marks above!" he calls out. The Telmar sword turns, and chuckles at Lucita's comment. "Perhaps you have an admirer, my lady. And one that's strong enough to carve initials in the top log?" he suggests. With Alis' maneuver to the clipboard, the Telmar, unphased, just reaches right over the Princess, writing down the new mark on the scoresheet that she's now holding.

Reese leans into Vena's hug. "You won?" She says with all this surprise at not having not won herself. Princesses! Grayson Princesses especially. She gives her a smile a moment later, seeming to recover, although her cheeks are a bit pink though. "Maybe I should be glad then."

Reigna opens an eye and looks at Kael, "They aren't going to make those with the worst scores run again, right? I do not think I would survive a third attempt. The noodles that were my arms would disengage from my body. I can barely eat my muffin." Reigna, despite her protests, pushes up into a proper sitting position to watch the current runner. Oh look! Derovai. This gets her watching more keenly.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

Giving Lucita a congraulatory grin as she moves to make her way to the course like the rest, she smoothes out her skirts and she starts her run. Maybe it's the cut of her skirts that leave her legs far more free than usual, or just the large crowd to perform for, but she glides the the course with an ease that she never had before. She seems surprised herself when Ansel calls out her marks. "Really?" Joslyn asks, disbelieving. "Well that is great!" She smirks, and than looks to Reese as she returns back to her place with the Grayson Princess. "I do believe I won as well, but... we'll see if you qualify for the next round. You may have your chance to beat me next round," Joslyn winks. "We'll do silver on that round."

Eirene checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 12 lower.

Eirene checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Eirene checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Eirene checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Eirene checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Eirene checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Eirene checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 17 lower.

Ian drinks from time to time from his flask while he watches the people run the course one by one, continuing to be an observant, but otherwise terrible, cheerleader.

Reese looks over to Joslyn, giving her a nod. "Oh, I hope I make the final eight then." She says in her direction. "You are very gracious." She adds.

Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly arrives, following Delilah.


Vena giggles softly and says, "Against you at least sweetie." She then gestures to Marian adn Joslyn, "They still rank higher than I did if I'm hearing the calls right." She then gives the princess an extra friendly squeeze and asks, "Would you prefer celebratory drinks for how well we both fared instead of my fists then? Also yeah you should be glad, I've dent plate a few times. It hurts like crazy, and I've not done it often but I have in the past. Just remember now, cheer up more next time sweetie and we'll see who wins yeah?" As she playfully attempts to flick her finger under Reese's chin, almost like a loving mother tellign her child to 'buck up'.


Eirene folds her arms over her chest as she watches Joslyn run, unmoved despite the remarkable run. She takes a final sip from her flask before handing it to her waiting guard. A literal 'hold my booze and watch this' move though she doesn't look too thrilled at the fact she's about to give it a shot.

Can we say 'the worst?' She's never done this before and clearly isn't very good. Panting and exhausted by course's end, she waits only long enough for her score to be counted before she has another drink.

Kael decides that play shall continue! He tears off a small morsel of muffin and tosses it at his wife. Yes, he has been reduced to food fighting, evidently. Perhaps he is aiding her with the consumption of said muffin, for he *was* aiming at her mouth. "I believe we are both quite safe," he points out before sliding in closer and wrapping an am around her.

"I'm a doctor, not a fucking gymnist," she pants.

"Lady Commander Eirene finishes at fifty-three marks below!" notes Ansel, writing the score onto the clipboard, now perched helpfully atop Alis's head. Perfect writing height.

Dammit Jim, I'm a doctor, not a gymnist!

Orathy smirks underneath his whiskers toward Eirene when she comes back from running the course. Then he's up and grunting, "See if an old man can do this eh?"

Orathy checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 44 higher.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 3 higher.

Eirene just flips Orathy off. Too tired for retorts.

Reese turns her attention to Vena, listening to her words. "I probably should try to cheer up." She says. Reese doesn't seem quite as somber as if when she first arrived. She cheers on Eirene. "Can't forget to cheer her, she keeps me alive." She says to Vena and Joslyn as they are nearby. "Yeah, Lady Eirene!" She says, cheering like she just won or something.

"And that's a score of seventy-six marks above," calls Ansel, nodding approvingly. "After that, the last competitor in the first round will be Derovai," he says.

Alis acts as if this is a totally normal occurance, having a clipboard perched on her head. It's just when Ansel starts writing that she casually elbows him. But it's with a smile, so it's all good! "We appreciate you, Lady Eirene! Especially your innovative language on the battlefield and medical tent." she calls out, because she's here to help.

The flip off makes the man bark a rough laugh as he jogs toward the first. Orathy doesn't do half bad but there's a part of the course that nearly trips him up, well, it does ... Who jumps high hurdles anyway! One or two of them might tumble up as he tries to vault them the same way one would try to vault a wall and they don't stay up because of that. Once he comes off the course he notes to himself, "Not quick enough."

Derovai speaks loudly enough for at least some to hear, as he watches the runs in front of him, "Lady Margerie Keaton made me do this!" before offering a pointed look towards the woman in question over in the bleachers, before he peels off his gloves for once, letting them drop to the ground. Fingers flexing.

Reigna watches Eirene run the course, though there is a distracted as she has a muffin chunk tossed at her mouth. The pastry bounces off her teeth and she laughs, swatting at her husband before he is pulling her in close. Keaton cuddling in the stands, yes, it's gross, no Reigna doesn't care. She cheers loudly when Eirene finishes, "Lady Malvici!" and then goes back to snuggles.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

Derovai checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Derovai checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Derovai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 11 lower.

Derovai checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Derovai checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Derovai checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 18 lower.

Lucita cheers for the others who compete and claps for them.


Vena giggles softly to Reese and says, "That is more like it sweetie." SHe then gives the princess another warm squeeze and adds, "Sorry. You can call me Vena, it's less of a mouthful than my full name." smiling warmly to Reese and Joslyn both as they are in conversation range of the two taller women. Heck Vena seems about the same height as Princess Alis.


Estaban spots sparte moving to claps him on the shoulder with a nod and then moves over to get inline to wait his turn.

Eirene double-birds. She stands when she can finally catch her breath and just glares. "My own fucking fault for thinking I can move quickly. I'm a wuss," she admits, no excuses.

Aaron joins the crowd, smiling a good-natured smile as he arrives in time to watch the end of the first round. He gives a little bow to Reese, recognizing her amongst the rest.

Edain murmurs something to Marian before making his way over to speak quietly with Ansel and Alis briefly.

"I just want this to be fair, if you do better than me next round, you're the overall winner, so you should get the silver! And do try to cheer up, this is all for fun anyway, right?" she grins to Vena. "It's nice to meet you Vena. I'm Lady Joslyn Stonewood."

Margerie cheers on the resilient, trying so hard Eirene. "Good effort! We'll let you show off the doctoring on Master Voss!" Then she gestures towards the field as one of the other 'seniors' takes to the field. Orathy's up for team 'too old for this ish.' "We'll let him take the bumps and bruises this time to stand up for those of us old enough to know.." She trails off, frowning just a bit. "Better. Well that worked out differently than expected!" As for Derovai? Well, she stands to acknowledge the 'accusation.' "He's running for charity! Of a sort."

Painbow, a militant pygmy goat, Rupert, the Laurent Archivist leave, following Cristoph.

"And that's a final score of eighty-six marks below," calls Ansel, a good-natured chuckle given at Derovai's comment. "Our last entry, Baron Estaban, will finish out the first round here, and then the final eight challengers will compete for the prize!"

Delilah quietly sneaks on inside and steps off to the spectator seating area.

Derovai, somehow, through some blessing from the gods, makes it through the single bar. But this is clearly not his forte, as he's done his best to make clear. Particularly tragic are his attempts at the double bars -- maybe one is all he can do -- and the rope, where he gets a few inches up before he makes a wrong grab and goes plummeting to the ground. He lies there, taking a moment to catch his breath. "... ow."

Marian had to get pulled aside to deal with a messenger but when she gets back, she murmurs something to Edain and then looks at the board to see how everyone is doing. She looks over at Reese and makes a point of asking, "How did it go?" She clearly was hoping her friend did well. She glances over at Estaban as he looks to be the last one, "Hmmm, almost done with round one?"

Christine waves to Delilah and keeps cheering for the runners.

Reese looks over to Aaron, having a gentle smile for him that touches her somber blue eyes. "Greetings Master Aaron." She says in his direction. "How are you?" She adds, before looking over to Marian and giving her a smile. 'I think I did good. I hope I made the final round." She says.

Lucita good luck Baron Estaban! She starts clapping even before he starts.

Delilah has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Leta takes a seat by the spectators, drinking and nibbling on a muffin as she watches the other performances with the occasional appreciative sound, whether that's a whistle or brief clapping. But she seems to relax after a while, breath recovered, hair combed back into a decent state. She's swearing, so she wraps her cloak around herself to keep from getting cold.

"Don't suck like me." This is Eirene's encouragement to the Baron Saik.


Vena nods to Joslyn respectfully and says, "Forgive my manners MiLady." simply, a bit more rigid and formal... Or at least trying to be. Seems the woman should find out who she's addressing before gettign chummy.


Edain gives a few quite nods of 'goodbye' as he quietly makes his way out of the Gauntlet.

Squire Serad Iron Foot leaves, following Edain.

The laughter, was from Orathy. Something about Derovai's run make him howl with it. Though he is the one that steps back onto the course to offer Derovai a hand, "Kid, you need work-" hand is offered down to the man.

Theron is dealing with a series of messengers, frowning slightly. They don't seem to ever stop.

Estaban checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Estaban checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Estaban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 3 lower.

Estaban checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Estaban checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Estaban checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Estaban checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Derovai takes Orathy's hand, gripping it tightly as he hauls himself up, wincing all the while. "At this, yes," he admits without much difficulty. "You were the one at the sermon, offering your opinions." A faint, perhaps appreciative smile flickers across his face. "Thanks for doing it for me."

"That's a final score of twenty-six marks below for Baron Estaban!" calls out Ansel, making the final entry to the scoresheet. Said clipboard is then passed from atop Alis' head down to the mini-Knight, for her to double-check the entries that the Telmar has advancing to the final round.

Margerie dashes off a quick note, folding it up and handing it off to a child to bring to Orathy. All innocent amusement.

Luigi arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

"Oh no manners, it's quite all right. I prefer people be candid," Joslyn says, beaming a bit towards her. "You're quite all right, I promise," Joslyn looks to Reese and than with a little blink she waves to Delilah, spotting her entry. "What are you doing all the way over there?"

Eirene's out. They're done. She sucked. No point in staying. She gives a 'whatever' style salute to the ladies in the stand who had cheered her and makes her way out. Probably for more alcohol judging by her mood.

Eirene has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard leaves, following Eirene.

Reese smiles over to Delilah upon noticing her. "Lady Delilah." She murmurs softly.

Sparte watches Eirene head out, a little bit of disappointment on his face. He turns his attention instead to Estaban, grinning at them and giving a thumbs up.

A corner of Delilah's lips tugs upwards into a grin and she wiggles her fingers out towards Joslyn as she's spotted. "Cheering you on, of course." She dipped her head politely and waved out to Reese as well, "Your Highness. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of this."

Orathy has no problem wrenching Derovai up onto his feet, giving him a good clap of a hand to his shoulder once he's found his feet again. "Aye but this-" he points to the gauntlet, "mimics life eh?" For the mention of the sermon he shrugs his shoulder, "Aye well, reckon they be willing to spend silver on people who ain't even live here. But aye, hopefully you can be finding a trainer if you be needing it, which clearly ya do."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Orathy before departing.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Orathy before departing.

Estaban had a tuff time going through the gauntlet maybe he was just not keeping his mind where it should have been and let himself get distracted a bit.

"I'm all right, Princess, thanks for asking," Aaron replies back to Reese. "Nice to see you smiling a bit, not looking so somber. I've just been working fabric, minding the lighthouse. Little things to keep busy. And you?"

Alis is mini, but mighty, dammit. She huffs a breath up at Ansel and then starts going down the list to double check the match. And with a final flourish or waving her arms in the air to get everyone's attention she busts out the Military General voice. So it can be heard. "Not in order of final score, but making it to the second round are: Lord Theron, Dame Leta, Princess Marian, Mistress Vena, Lord Graham, Princess Reese, Lady Joslyn, and Master Orathy." Each of the lucky people who get to do this a second time are directed towards a second lineup.

"Please give a round of applause to everyone who joined in round one! The Gauntlet is unforgiving. Running it, and finishing it, is a victory in itself!"

A few messengers catches up to Orathy and one has him looking around in the crowd in particular. There's a wry tough of his lips and a shake of his head. He turns his back to the audience, maybe in time to hear that he just skated into the finals.

Jhond applauds!

"That wasn't exactly my thoughts, but close enough. We should talk about it some time." The message the small child brings up makes Derovai lean in to look that way too. " 'Need' is relative," he points out. Alis' comment about 'finishing' the gauntlet earns a quick look her way, and he holds his hands out helplessly.

Lucita says, "That is a hard course." She claps for the others. "I need to sit down a while to catch my breath, you want to sit down, too?"


Vena smiles to Joslyn and says, "Thanks sweetie." as she relaxes more and then nods to Delilah and says, "Hello MiLady." likely assuming Joslyn's friends are all nobles. SHe then hears the call go up and starts makign ehr way back towards the line.


Lucita has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Orathy checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Reese turns to Aaron. "I have been busy, working rallying the Grayson banners. I would love to see you work sometime." She adds to Aaron. "This is Mistress Vena near me. She is a wresler and Lady Joslyn. She is a champion. They love contests."

Marian grins as she makes it to the next round and gives waves to anyone that claps for her. She immediately jumps back in the line, ready to do this again.

Alis has a consolation muffin and drink of something sent over to poor Derovai.

Marian has joined the line.

Vena has joined the line.

"Well, that's a surprise. I made the cut?" Theron looks around to confirm, and he's stepping around to the start of the course again, laughing in the meantime.

Theron has joined the line.

"Hello," Delilah says with a gentle dip to her head towards Vena. "Lady Delilah Whitehawk." As Vena moves back to the line, she offers, "Good luck on the second round."

Ian sets aside his flask long enough to applaud the contestants when bid to do so. Then he picks it up and takes another drink.

Reese has joined the line.

Reigna spies the Pink Princess herself and calls out, "Well run, Princess Reese!" SHe then goes back to indolently lounging on her husband, taking a bite out of her own muffin.

For whatever reason... Orathy suddenly ducks his shoulder and head, twists into Derovai, wraps his arms around the other man and hoists him up and tosses him over his shoulder .... and SPINS him around. What the hell has gotten into the Culler? After a significant spin about with poor Derovai over his shoulder, he sets the man down with a grunt, "That type."

Orathy has joined the line.


Vena calls to Delilah as she moves to the line, "Vena is fine MiLady!" and then to Reese adds, "I'm not really a wrestler, truth be told I'm a retired pit-fighter. I suppose it is close enough though."


Leta apparently was under the impression she hadn't made it to the second round. So when she hears her name she blinks, and hastily shoves the last of the muffin into her mouth before standing. She undoes and tosses her cloak with a grand, artful flourish - which apparently makes the cloak flap and drape itself, somehow, across Delilah's lap. "Oh! Sorry. Sorry, m'Lady!" she apologizes, bows, and reaches out to gently, delicately tug her cloak away. "Sorry, I was - they're callin' me," the woman points a thumb back to the course, bows again, and flashes the woman an apologetic smile.

Joslyn has joined the line.

Reese seems happy when her name is called and she joins the line. Her attention then strays to Orathy and Derovai. Reese looks concerned. She studies Derovai for his reaction, maybe trying to make sure he is okay.

Leta has joined the line.

"Ladies," Aaron greets Joslyn and Vena, settling back as all three women move to join the line. He casts about, looking for other familiar faces.

Kael nudges Reigna when he spies the spinning tactics of the Culler yonder. "Reigna," he points out, chuckling quietly before chinning toward Orathy and the spun about Derovai. "Do you think he might be some long lost kin?" he asks with amusement. To be fair, he just performed a similar maneuver with his wife a short time ago.

Delilah's cheeks redden somewhat and she blinks up at Leta before letting out an uneasy laugh. "No worries!" She lowers her head in a bow and folds her hands neatly in her lap -- After the cloak was withdrawn -- And shot Leta a grin. "Good luck!"

Derovai was already out of sorts from his stunning (almost literally!) performance at the Gauntlet, so being picked up and slung around for a second, perhaps similarly to someone earlier, is a rather disconcerting experience, all told. He catches himself as he's set down, his legs buckling a bit, but willpower more than anything makes him stay upright. He scoffs at Orathy's words, but his gaze drifts back to Margerie, somewhat accusingly.

"I did so well before you got here, now I imagine I will clear the course with your encouragement!" Joslyn claims towards Delilah, looking to Vena and grinning a moment. "I should introduce you more properly to my beloved," Joslyn says. "And hello there," she dips her heads towards Aaron.

Reigna spies Orathy's treatment of Derovai as Kael nudges her and there is a lengthy fit of gigglesnorts. It's very ladylike. "Yes! Clearly there is a long lost connection." She giggles some more, though there is a light of vague sympathy sent to Derovai.

Orathy shakes his head, looking back up to the stands with a raised brow, his arms going out to the side as if checking with someone if they were satisfied. Then he's clapping Derovai on the shoulder, with a chuckle, muttering low to him, before he friendly-pushes Derovai toward the stands. There's another laugh, following Derovai, one of amusement.


Vena laughs loudly at Aaron, and takes a few moments to settle before saying, "Sorry, but I'm far from a Lady. I'm just an untitled woman trying to stay in shape as she gets older." She then nods to Joslyn and says, "Long as it doesn't take too long, a friend of mine won't be happy with me if I take all day." giggling softly.


Ansel turns over a page in his pad, getting ready to record the final round's scores. "Up first is Lord Theron!" he calls, nodding to Alis. "Good luck to all of our finalists."

Theron checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Theron checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Theron checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Theron checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Theron checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Theron checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Theron checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Margerie has just about turned back to the stands after that little shake of the head from The Butler. So she only catches the poor young Voss ending up, yes, slung over someone's shoulders like a sack of potatos. For some reason she glances up at the sky in amusement before looking back at the display and bowing her head. Yup. Completely innocent figure who did not do anything to stir that particular pot at all. That said. "You see? Amusing, Master Potato! I do believe he might have saved you a bit of silver there." Okay. Innocent may be a fib as she inclines her head in acknowledgement of Orathy.

"Lord Theron finishes with a score of sixty-eight marks above!" calls out Ansel, with a nod. "Very impressive start to the final round."

Derovai mutters back to Orathy for a moment, grimacing a little, before his gaze goes to Margerie again, and her laughter. "i thought we were even already from my performance here!" he calls out. But he moves aside from the friendly shove to reclaim his gloves, abandoned at the start of the gauntlet. He pulls them on with a little snap of the leather each time, as if a bit defiant about the movement.

Leta checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Leta checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Leta checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

"Well," Joslyn gestures towards Delilah. "She's my beloved," she winks. "So really we wouldn't take all that long!" Joslyn assures, watching THeron then, and applauding the run, it's a solid one and she gives a little bounce. "Okay, I just hope I don't choke," she says, blushing a moment.

Leta checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Leta checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Leta checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 11 lower.

Leta checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

This time, Theron does much better at the horizontal bar, then barely managing past the high hurdles. After that first series, he manages to climb that wall, drop down to the other side, scaling the metal bars with some effort and overcoming the metal bars affixed to the logs, scaling them, rolling overtop the uppermost bar. The rest of the course goes all right, save for the second-to-last challenge, which he has some trouble overcoming, before a recovery at the end.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Orathy before departing.

Estaban has joined the East Spectator Seating.

"Dame Leta comes in at sixty-two marks above!" calls out Ansel, resetting the timer once again. "Very close to Lord Theron's effort. Two strong performances to start the final round..."

Christine eventually picks her cane, waves bye and she's gone, after Aida whispers something ti her.

Christine has left the East Spectator Seating.

Aida, an old woman leaves, following Christine.

"You'll do amazing," Delilah assures Joslyn. Her gaze travels towards Leta and she brought her hands together for the solid performance before turning towards Vena and offering, "You've made it thus far, that's actually rather incredible. Good luck, all."

Marian claps for Theron's performance, giving him a smile as he makes it off the field, "Not bad at all. And no shame taking a hit on the high hurtles. That gets everyone." She pauses to watch Leta's performance.

Lucita claps for those competing in round two. "How do they have the energy to even do another round after the first one?"

Orathy glances at Derovai with a scowl for the words, but he does bark louder when the man exits, "You be missing out!" Though he does tip his head to Margerie. That's all before he takes a stance before the grueling obstacle course and starts to warm up his legs for a second go of it, kicking them out back and forth, rocking on foot to foot. He's stretching his arms out and flexing his hands.


Vena giggles at Delilah and says, "Thanks swee... I mean MiLady!" SHe's clearly not used to spending a lot of time around nobles. Then looks back over her shoulder at Reese and says, "If I beat you again you're paying for the drinks." as she scrunches her nose and sticks her tongue out childishly.


Aaron applauds the finishers, looking wistful at the course itself.

"I can pay for the drinks, I am very rich after all." Reese says teasingly to Vena. "But all the drinks I buy are going to be pink and from Magpie's shop." She teases.

Derovai finally manages to take the muffin and drink from the servant who has been hovering nearby for a minute or two and watching with some bemusement at the spinning. He takes a sip of the latter before making his way back to the bleachers, sitting at the first available seat, still winded.

Derovai has left the The Gauntlet Obstacle Course.

Derovai has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Ian gives Lucita a puzzled look when she whispers something to him. He asks her a question in return.


Vena laughs and retorts to Reese, "If you're so rich, we're going to the finest establishment in town sweetie." with another playful wink.


Leta was delayed b her cloak mishap, and barely has time to rake her fingers through her hair before running at the first obstacles. Her time's slightly improved at the start as she clears the bar without a hitch, and performs the rest of the course at a steady clip - until she hits the hurdles. Again. And trips over them. Again. One might almost think she's convinced there are points for perfect repetition of the earlier exercise, down to tripping over the exact same hurdle. She recovers and staggers off the course, panting and shaking her head, "Ah well!"

Marian checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Marian checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Marian has rolled a critical success!
Marian checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 135 higher.

Marian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Marian checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Marian checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Jhond before departing.

Delilah flashes a grin towards Vena and Reese's banter, straightening out her back as she crosses her legs by her ankles. "This'll be fun to see."

Marian checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Theron smiles back at Marian, offering a bow of his head at her compliment. "Thank you," he murmurs, watching Leta, and then Marian as she goes, applauding her amazing performance.

Alis nudges Ansel again. Maybe twice. Okay, three times. "Are you seeing this?" Again Marian, on a second round of the Gauntlet no less, shows a burst of strength that certainly makes /her/ proud.

Orathy's eyes move from Theron whom posted a great score, muttering, "Going to be hard besting you..." though that's when his attention turns toward Marian who he watches with a faint grimace, "Nevermind, reckon she just did."

"Princess MARIAN!" Well, Reigna has her breath back, and she cheers for her friend, drumming her heels on the ground. "Well run!"

Once again, Ansel sort of tap-taps on the hourglass, as though trying to make sure he's read the timing device correctly for the Princess again. He gives Alis a friendly elbow for her nudging. "Princess Marian comes in at.....one hundred and seventy-nine marks above!" calls Ansel, whistling low in appreciation.

Vena checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Vena checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Reese looks over to Vena. "We are doing to the Badger Boarding House then, no greater than Grayson." She says teasingly, but then gets distracted by Marian's run. Her blue eyes widen and her mouth hangs open for a moment. "Wow..."

Vena checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Vena checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 37 higher.

Sparte's eyebrows go up and stay that way.

Vena checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Margerie turns from the stands to the Gauntlet again and whistles low. "Do we need to begin composing prayers to a new member of the pantheon, goddess of athletic endeavors?"

Vena checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Vena checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 8 lower.

Marian doesn't run a clean run. Her palms are sweating when she takes the single bars causing her to barely get over that. She recovers when she hits the low hurtles and the wall...her performance on the wall is breath taking. Clearly, if anyone ever needs to scale a wall, they should take Marian. She does the double bars and v-logs at ease but as she tackles the high hurtles, she hits a few problems. Manages to get through the rope course without falling in the water pit.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Ian before departing.

"Forty-four marks above!" calls up Ansel, nodding again as he resets the hourglass and notes down the time. "Princess Marian retains the lead, with Lord Graham up next!"

Graham checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Graham checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Graham checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Derovai had been murmuring something to a certain person in the stands, but as Marian sails up the wall, even his mouth drops open, his fingers tightening on a kerchief he's obtained.

"Well done," Leta says to Theron as she passes by, then looks over her shoulder to watch Marian's course, arching an eyebrow as the woman climbs up the wall, "That's something. Ah, she did beat my woman, anyway, stands to reason," and with that the weary, colorful woman turns and wanders over towards the seats once more, a little energy sapped from her swagger. She still has a jovial smile as she approaches her things, and her cloak, abandoned near Delilah's seat, "Pardon that earlier, m'Lady."

Graham checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Leta has joined the East Spectator Seating.

Graham checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Graham checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Sparte has joined the West Spectator Seating.

Graham checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.


Vena follows Marian's amazing performance with one of her own that isn't as good as her first. Still she clears all but the last two properly, the last two havign roughly the same results as the first. This time at least she doesn't end up widned on impact after falling from the rope after the bell is rung. It is still a bit of a rough landing, she just doesn't get winded as she makes her way out of the course for the next opponent.


A messenger comes with... a rather long letter for Ian, which he takes with a puzzled expression. He glances at the signature on the bottom, and then sighs and, rather than tuck the letter away, he settles in, with a hint of resignation, to read it.

"Lord Graham comes in at thirty-nine marks above!" calls out Ansel, adding the latest addition to the scoresheet, just below Vena's name. "Princess Reese is up next, with Princess Marian still in the lead!"

"Oh it's no worries," Delilah says with a warm smile, gesturing to the seat next to her, "You performed well, I'm actually quite surprised." She cants her head towards Leta, looking over at Graham's performance and looking genuinely surprised, "Seems like a lot of people are hiding their talents. Or I just don't look hard enough."

Marian does a few claps for Vena as she comes off the field. She's a bit sweaty herself, wiping her brow with a towel that was given, "Not bad...but that course is twice as hard when you go a second time.

Reese checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Reese checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Reese checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

Graham looks back to the course. It was indeed tough, and doing it again is none the easier. He doesnt do quite as well this time, but does avoid making a complete fool of himself so there is that. He is smiles for his marks all the same and turns to watch "Get it your highness." He calls for Reese's start.


Vena nods to Marian and says, "Seems so, though seems youth is on your side sweetie with how you cleared the one challenge." with a warm smile and showing clear respect for Marian's skill.


"Congratulations," Theron tells Marian, when she comes off the field. "You're impressive, as always."

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Reese checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 0 higher.

Marian grins at all of them, giving Graham a thumbs up and tells him, "Don't feel bad the 2nd run wasn't clean. It's a pretty hard thing to do." She smiles at Vena, "And I'm not that young. Crossed thirty not too long ago." She motions to her fit form, "And had a baby last year."

"Princess Reese finishes with thirty-four marks above!" calls out Ansel, adding the score to the list. "Only two competitors remain to challenge Princess Marian's mark!" he calls out. "Lady Joslyn, the course is yours."

Delilah has left the East Spectator Seating.

Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly leaves, following Delilah.

Reese steps up and one thing that might be clear to those watching is that she is a bit exhausted and maybe isn't as strong as she sometimes thought to be. She really struggles with the single bar, her arms give out and she even falls down! Reese is pink cheeked as she gets up to continue. She does an okay run when its all said and done, but it is far from great. Reese looks sheepishly and breathless.

Orathy glances to Joslyn, "Reckon you be the only one in league to challenge that mark. Good luck eh?" He folds his arms now as he looks toward the course, glad he was dead last. He could use the breather!

"I think you for your kind words.. your run was still a thing to watch your highness. You have not lost any of your step I must say." Graham comments to Marian as she speaks kindly to him he will clap politely for Reese "Well done indeed."

Reigna watches Reese's run and cheers loudly, "Princess Reese! Good show!! You finished, that's what counts!"

Derovai murmurs something quietly at the stands, stretching his legs out and taking up as much space as he can under the circumstances. He's still trying to get his bearings, it seems.

Ian reads and re-reads the letter that was delivered to him. Then he puts it into his pocket with a sigh, takes a long drink from his flask, and puts that away, as well. He rises to go.

Joslyn checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Joslyn checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Joslyn has rolled a critical success!
Joslyn checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 7 lower.

Joslyn checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Reese smiles over to Graham and Reigna. "Thank you." She says in their direction.


Vena nods to Marian and says, "I only have a few years on you then. Less than half a deade by the sound or it, or close to that." Seems she is a little older than she looks. She then looks to Reese and throws her arms out for a hug, "Come on sweetie, you'll get me next time." SHe may or may not be aware Reese is a princess, that or simply more comfortable because Reese has already allowed a hug. She then cheers on Joslyn as well, as she's up next.


Ian has left the East Spectator Seating.

Reese returns Vena's hug, not seeming to mind such at all. "One day, I will best you, Vena." She murmurs softly.

"Thirty-five marks above, Lady Joslyn!" calls over Ansel, clapping politely at the performance. "And we're down to our last challenger..." says the Telmar, looking back to Orathy, nodding to the man at the ready line. "Good luck."

Leta has left the East Spectator Seating.

Orathy looks toward the course as it's finally his time to go. Joslyn put in a fair performance, grumbling to himself, "Reckon this is going to be hurting..." He strolls up toward the start line of the obstacle course, inhaling a breath. He's debating the whole thing, with a glance to the judges. Then he begrudgingly starts to work his way through the course again... his movements reading 'why am I doing this'...

Orathy checked strength at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Leta pulls the cloak over her shoulders and bends down to rub the knee she may have banged-up slightly trying to clear one of the hurdles. There were muffins around, so that's where she's headed. In passing, she already has a muffin in her mouth and her cheeks puffed out as she comes across Reese and bows her head. Chew, chew, swallow. "Your Highness, well done."

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 32 higher.

Orathy has rolled a critical success!
Orathy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 56 higher.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Orathy checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 0 higher.

Orathy checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Alis seems impressed that people are getting through the second run of this obstacle course at all. And brows raise when Orathy looks to be pulling quite quite a second run through. "Nicely done!" she's calling out, then leaning over to confer with the tall Telmar beside her.

Alis gets The Gauntlet of the Victor from Princess-General Berry-Bum belt.


Vena giggles softly and squeezes the near half a foot taller princess a little tighter and warmer and says, "I'm sure you will sweetie, after all I'm becoming more and more of an old woman every year compared to you." She then leans back enough to reach up and tries to give Reese a playful boop on the nose and says, "Drinks on you, I pick the place." then scrunches her nose giglging good-naturedly.


Aaron applauds some more and then slips out of the packed event.

Margerie chats amiably with the other folks in the stands, but Orathy's performance? She ends up groaning. Whatever she was saying end with, "And her I was going to use my age for an excuse, but I think that's right out now!"

"An effort of ninety-four marks above!" calls out Ansel, impressed. "A very impressive performance, but Princess Marian's mark still holds!" says the Telmar, finally closing the cover on his little scorepad. "I believe we've found our winner, Princess Alis!" he says, stooping over to confer with the mini-Valardin. "Princess Marian?" beckons the Telmar, gesturing for her to come forward.

Hurting is right. Orathy manages the single bar no problem... but those hurdles, he rebels against them and nearly wipes the whole lot of them out, grunting over his shoulder, "Walls don't tumble like that... bullshit!" Though he regains his form and tackles the wall not as exceptionally as Marian, but he puts on a damn good show that he's a spider monkey too, hauling himself up at a high rate of speed.... which immediately shows when he goes for the double bars and slips. The rest of the course he works through... grumbling along the way, curses heard griped out here and there.

Marian claps for the last competitor as he makes his run. She whistles through her teeth at his performance on the second obstacle, "Fine performance on the low hurtles." Once he makes it through the course, she gives a rowsing clap for Orathy because that's a fine score. Then she's announced the winner and jogs on up to Ansel and Alis to find out what they need. She gives waves to folks that are celebrating her win, "Thank you, thank you all."

Alis cheers again for everyone who got through this, whistling sharply even. "You all did fantastic!" Her tone encouraging, and smile even brighter when Marian is called forward. "Our Gauntler Champion for the year. Princess Marian Redrain!" First, she holds up the pair of redsteel gauntlets that have been crafted. And then, she offers them to Marian. "For you, to commemorate your victory. I don't know how you do it."

a tiny man with a BIG unpronounceable name arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

Alis adds, in just as loud a voice. "The Gauntlets were crafted by our own Dame Alexis Wyrmfang!"

Theron applauds Marian, flashing her a bright smile. "Congratulations, Your Highness! Beautiful performance!"

Ansel gives a dip of his head towards Marian, and offers a friendly smile. "Congratulations, your highness," he says. "And congratulations to all of our competitors! Thank you all for coming to challenge the Gauntlet. On behalf of House Telmar and House Valardin, we hope you come to challenge the course many more times to come."

Orathy decides that the ground looks exceptionally comfortable. While the awards are given out he'll just sprawl on the ground, tumbling there in a defeated flop and roll, chest heaving.

Margerie is overheard praising Marian for: It is a rare and impressive thing to be at the coronation of the newest 'member' in our pantheon. All hail the goddess of the gauntlet

Derovai applauds. Sort of. He's got drink and food, and he's chatting at the stands, and he's still winded. Clap, clap. But at least it's not sarcastic! When Orathy lies on the ground, though, he abandons his food, trudging his way over to extend a gloved hand in mute exchange.

Derovai has left the East Spectator Seating.

Marian gives a deep bow to Alis when she announces her the Gauntler Champion and accepts the guantlets with a deep smile, "Thank you Princess Alis, I will wear these in good health." She then raises a salute for Alexis for her fine craftsman ship. She does tell the crowd, "The important thing to get out of today's contest is that physical fitness is important. The Gauntlet is a part of my daily routine." She then makes an offer to all present, "I will be teaching a survial course this week at the Lodge so I hope to see many of you there."

Reese is overheard praising Marian for: The Red-Blue-Green-Rainbow Gauntlet Champion Badass Princess!!!!

Kael ceases his quiet conversation at the spectator seating to applaud toward the victor of the day, offering forth a, "Well done!" call to go along with it.

Graham turns to listen and smiles clapping for the winner. "Well run, all a good sport to see us all in such shape." He comments quite glad to have taken part.

Marian turns to Ansel and tells him, "Thank you House Telmar for providing such a challenge to tackle."

Reigna turns as the winner is announced, "Princess Marian! Peerless athlete! Remember she was a dragon first!"

Jhond is overheard praising Marian for: An excellent run! She's an eye for the top spot in the scoreboard for sure.

Orathy squints open an eye, spots the gesture, and clasps the gloved hand and pushes himself back up onto his feet, huffing out a breath to Derovai, "Not so bad for a grey-beard eh?" He notes, "I need a drink."