Rupert, the Laurent Archivist, 2 Valardin Knights, 1 Laurent veteran guards arrive, following Cristoph.


Though the winter weather creates a chilly backdrop for the race, the tournament grounds are prepared to accept any who might wish to test their luck on the track. Jaenelle stands on the Judging Booth, watching from high as people begin to filter into the area, partcipants and spectators alike. With a raised voice she announces, "the race shall begin in a moment. All those who would like to join, please state your intentions and move to the track." Also describe your awesome chariot and the horse that is your partner.


Nadine, Persimmon, the darling fainting goat, 1 Laurent veteran guards arrive, following Jael.

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, Rocco, the rascally assistant leave, following Thea.

Dycard mounts the steps into the Judging Booth with a wide grin on his face, rubbing his hands together before offering a bow to Jaenelle. "Good morning, Your Grace - i'm flattered to have the opportunity to work with you today," he offered while standing back upright and running a hand through his hair to brush stray locks from his face. Approaching the edge of the booth, he leaned forward to rest his elbows on booth to observe the competitors arrival. "I can't say I envy them this weather though. I suppose we can hope for a good, sporting, physical race."

"I, Prince Lenard Valardin, will compete." Lenard says as he drives a finely made chariot painted white, sculpted to resemble a dragon. The slender horse which pulls the chariot is adorned in blue. The Prince waves cheerfully to the crowd, and glances to the other participants to gauge their chariot and horse.

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, Rocco, the rascally assistant, Soxette, the fiesty soxy chestnut mare, with a white blaze on her forehead arrive, following Thea.

Mabelle slips into the ground CLEARLY not dressed to ride, it is also evident from the lack of animal escorting her, particularly no horse. She does however makes a beeline to the drinking stand, because you need a drink to watch this show.

"I'm competing!" Cristoph calls out as he makes his way through with his horse and chariot, a very handsome palomino steed from Artshall that the person leading him explains is named 'Honeycomb'. Yes, laugh. He'll head straight on down to the track. He's had riding lessons recently from Norwood and clearly this is very similar and won't end in disaster.

Cristoph has joined the Field.

Lenard has joined the Field.

Marena arrives at the tournament grounds, bundled into a warm coat over her black leather, accompanied by no one. She doesn't appear to be here to participate, but instead, moves to find a place in the stands, her booted feet tramping up the steps until she finds a place to settle. She leans back, crossing her legs at the ankle and resting her gloved hands to etiher side of her on tbe bench, a foot bobbing as she waits for things to get started. Her dark hair is pulled back into a severe ponytail, mostly hidden beneath the hood she wears, save for a few glossy tendrils that tumble out over her left shoulder.

Marena has joined the Far Stands.

Thea ventures onto the tournament grounds, leading Soxette carefully. Rocoo COULD she supposes, but no. He HATES horses. "I'll be competing,"Thea tells Jaenelle, with a shake shrug. Soxette is a well--she's a bit of a strong strong willed mare, much like the Malvici herself. She appears to have socks on her legs, except the one. It really IS a sock. A aterna sock. A HORSE LEG WARMER! Because you have to match! The chariot itself appears very, Soutportian, all the spears and swords engraved upon it.

Jael is a tall dark smudge against the snow as she makes her way onto the tournament grounds. It's been some time since she's been seen in the city outside of the Laurent grounds. To the stands she goes; her widows weeds are not suited for charioteering.

"What? Why would you think I would join?" Volya says walking into the stands. "Right, because there's a ton of horses in Nilzana. A small island. In the middle of the ocean. Oh sure, I had *plenty* of riding lessons as a kid. So, unless the horse suddenly comes with a rudder and sails, and if they did, I'd probably be all about that, nah, I can't say I feel like making a complete mockery of myself today." The man with him says something in return. "No. Wait, yes. I know I'm good at making a complete mockery of myself, but let's try to keep that down to just one a day, yeah? Good? Good."

Not far behind from Mabelle is Kaia. She's also not dressed to compete and evidently is also headed for the drinks stand. "Cousin!~ Here to watch the chaos that was promised?" she chimes with a merry grin. Her wintery eyes parting from the Laurent to look at the field.

Thea has joined the Field.

Mabelle stares at Cristoph as he rides in, seems a bit shock when Jael wanders in, and smiles to Kaia as she joins her, "Is it too early to drink? Or take bets?", the mumbling Volya gets a call from Mabelle, "Participate and I'll reward you with bolts of honeysilk!"

"How much?" Volya's head swings over to the fellow with him. "You'll bet me *how much*?" A particular number is repeated. "Okay well, even if I said yes, and I'm not saying yes, it's not like there's a spare horse and chariot just...*laying around*, is there. So this is a completely moot point. I know you're in the mood for some comedy today, you couldn't of just gone to a play instead? Why do you laugh at my expense? Again." The man with him, points out Mabelle's offer. "Horse. Chariot. What do you want me to do? Put on some ears and also play the role of the horse too?"

2 Sanna House Guards, Bear arrive, following Cirroch.

Thea looks up when she hears Kaia. Lifting her hand in a wave, she greets her sister in law,"Hey Kaia,"she says with a brief smile.


As the horses line up on their mark, the chariots checked to make sure they are properly connection and riders written on the score cards, the tension for the start hangs in the air as the crowd falls silently. Two men on either side of the starting line lift a flag, a way to indicate the race has started without startling the horses and riders while doing so.

Round One: The first quarter of the track is a straight shot down, where the riders and horses need to find some balance in their desires to either sprint ahead or take their time in playing a longer game lest the horse become too tired to finish.

@oldcheck Dexterity + Ride at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 2 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck strength at 15 then choose another racer to sabatage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabatage Options, choose one:

1. There is a whip located in every chariot, slap them.
2. Ram them with your chariot.[Optional]




Taking note of Thea's entrance and her call, Kaia lifts a hand to wave in her sister-in-laws' direction. "Good luck out the Thea!" Her eyes return to Mabelle with a chcukle. "If there's something I've learned in the south cousin, is that it's never too early for a drink." She laughs louder at the sound of Volya's words. "Or for bets."

Shocking or no, Jael lifs a gloved hand in a brief wave to Mabelle before settling in to a seat in the stands. A murmur to one of her attendants and a hot drink is soon brought to her. Her pale gaze falls on Cristoph and the bridge of her nose crinkles ever so slightly.

Marena pulls a flask out of her coat pocket, and unscrews it, taking a long drink from the brandy within to keep her warm. She huddles in her coat, watching as three ride forth to answer the call of the Archduchess to ride. Her cool blue eyes survey the participants. She leans forward a bit to watch, tucking the flask away again.

Dycard blows a rush of air up his face, scrutinizing the competitors as they arrayed themselves and reaching into his jacket pocket to retrieve a flask from within. He spoke as if offering idle speculation on the race but raised his voice enough for the architecture to carry it across to anyone trying to listen. "I'm thankful to see Lady Malvici out there, Your Grace - otherwise i'd worry we were in for a rather dull and clean affair between the Valardins. While i'm not -too- much a gambling man I think if I were I think i'd put my money on Duke Laurent though with the blue horse there, and not just because he's rather scary." He took a pull from his flask and licked his lips waiting for the race to take off.

Cristoph checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Lenard checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 22 higher.

Volya gives a wave to Mabelle. "Welp, looks like we'll have to try for next time, huh. Thanks for the offer though. I should've given this a lot more thought. But I appreciate the vote of confidence!" he calls up to her before going back to watch combat race. Or the race combat. Either.

It's probably not entirely surprising that the Duke of Artshall doesn't start this thing off with trying to sabotage anyone, much the disappointment of people probably looking for a good show. What is surprising is that he doesn't immediately topple out of the chariot or face some sort of major catastrophe as they head down the first leg of this race. He's in last place, but all in all, it could be a lot worse!

Two Sanna guards stop near the side of the grounds and track laid out for the riders as Cirroch follows wearing a mass of fur, the bear head hood is loose and pulled back. With an echo to all present, "Riders! Smash your opponent's wheels and be victorious!" A large smile as he claps his hands together before spotting the drink tent and heading towards it with long strides.

Cirroch has joined the the Beverage Tent.

Lenard is similarly not interested in sabotage, he wants a good clean race and he gets off to a decent start, though behind Thea. He spurs on his horse to try to catch up to her and create some more distance between him and Cristoph. He's clearly more used to riding on horseback than racing chariots, however.

Soxette is rearing to go. She's young and excited, with more energy than well--did we mention she's young. And because of that, the speed she gives shouldn't be too surprising. It may be to Thea though. The Malvici grips the reigns tight, eyes wide for a moment--which still isn't a great idea. Everything blows in her face. "Not that this isn't great, but you're going to tire yourself out,"she mutters over the wind. Not to mention, she really isn't accustomed to chariots, so she's holding on for dear life.

"See, now that's the spirit!" says Kaia with an amused glance given to the Marquis. A kind smile directed to her cousin as she immediately move to make introductions. A hand extending to Cirroch. "Marquis Sanna." she repeats in greeting.

Jaenelle looks over towards Dycard when the racers begin the first quarter of the track. "Lady Thea is the scary one? Or Duke Cristoph? The all look quite terrifying as they race with those speeds, though I have my money on the horses. Its really up to them whether they they care to finish or not. If I were a horse, and I am not saying I ever wanted to be a horse, I would go find a lovely piece of grass to eat."


Round Two: The first long bend in the track, and the perfect place to outsmart the other racers by attempting to huge the curves and slide out in front or take the outer ring and hope the avoid the fray between the other competitors. It is harder to turn a horse with a chariot, and takes a bit more control and focus.

@oldcheck command + leadership at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 2 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck strength at 15 then choose another racer to sabotage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabotage Options, choose one:

1. There is a whip located in every chariot, slap them.
2. Ram them with your chariot.[Optional]




Lenard checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Cristoph checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 55 higher.

Thea checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Mabelle cheers upon Cristoph, "Show them why we're called stings!!", he calls toward her cousin, likely trying to derail him to not so Oathlandery behaviour.

Kaia shouts from nearby, "Wooooo! Go Thea!!"

Lenard's lack of experience with chariots comes to bite him, and he needs to slow down in order to convince his horse to follow the track, losing precious time and falling down to last place. Still, he makes no effort to engage in sabotage even though it's starting to look really bad for him.

Jael stands up as the chariots take a turn and peels off one glove to stick two fingers in her mouth and whistle shrilly. "C'mon Honeycomb!"

"Well, if we're basing fear on speed I suppose Duke Cristoph is the least terrifying - but look at that move! I've heard slow and steady wins the race but it seems he's abandoned that school of thought!" Dycard called out as the racers rounded the bend. "You can't have a comeback unless you're behind though and I don't know if it's wise to count Prince Lenard out just yet! Even without any 'fun' I don't know if anyone is going to be falling asleep with this race!"

So far, so good! To make up for lost time and yards however, Cristoph decides to veer his chariot off and hug the curves of the track and attempt to cut around the others as best that he can. It's a generally successful move and the chariot eats up the yards with impressive speed. His horse whinnies because honestly? Honeycomb didn't sign up for this. This is not jousting.

Asphodel finds an out of the way spot amongst the seating, tucking herself in some corner with a decent view of the contest. She crosses her arms and hunches slightly against the cold.

Thea tries yelling at Soxette to slow her roll. Literally, the wheels are turning! "Seriously, you're going to tir--"she starts, and low and behold, there's a corner. A CORNER. One that is taken too fast, causing her to lose balance a bit. The chariot rattles a bit, causing them to lose momemtum. A perfect opportunity for someone to catch up. Anyone! "Soxette, you're going to lose that sock!"

There's something that Volya has to stifle a laugh about that almost kind of sounds like a 'who just said that' sort of way. But he's content to keep watching the race continue. "I have no idea who want to win, I don't think I know anyone out there. Wait, I do think I know one person out there." He uses a hand to shield over his eyes. "Oh hey! That's ah, shoot, what was her name?" he snaps his fingers a couple of times trying to pick out the name. "Prankster Malvici! I'll remember your name later, promise! You got this!"

Jasper, an unflappable scoundrel, Aspen, a pale seraphinite green snake arrive, following Deva.

Deva has joined the the Beverage Tent.

Jaenelle watches as Cristoph manages to pull away at the turn, "that is a man who knows how to lead. Though perhaps he just announced to the other riders 'Behold me and move out of the way!'. Either way, he has managed to pull into first place, though Lady Thea is not far behind him. I would never count Prince Lenard out of this though, and it is still anyone's race. There are two more areas of the track they have to get through and as we've seen already, there is no sure thing."


Round Three: The third part of the track is another long, straight, area where those behind can catch up, those ahead can fail to keep that momentum, and the crowd gets a great look at the riders and their beautiful chariots.

Speaking of the audience, this is the perfect time to impress them while the riders dont have turns to focus on or any other obstacles to get in the way. Sometimes the boo of the crowd can hurt more than the broken wooden shrapnel that flies from another chariot into your face that you can't seem to avoid. Play up your role, engage with the crown, entertain the,.

@oldcheck Charm + Performance at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 2 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck strength at 15 then choose another racer to sabotage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabotage Options, choose one:

1. There is a whip located in every chariot, slap them.
2. Ram them with your chariot.[Optional]


Thea checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Lenard checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 10 lower.

Cristoph checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Moving more slowly and carefully than usual, slightly favoring one leg more than the other, Deva steadily aims for a seat where all the drinks are. "You know, I thought I was going to be early. Instead, I'm late. I can't believe someone let me lose track of time." Her eyebrows rise as she gives an exaggerated look to her assistant, Jasper. He shrugs.

Marena has left the Far Stands.

Having cleared that latest obstacle, Cristoph can actually breathe and let Honeycomb just gallop on straight ahead while pulling along the chariot! Which is blue and gold, and of course, has the bee motif all over it in various places. Are those fancy bee wings on the side inside of feathery wings others might use for decoration? Yes, yes they are. As he passes along at a point where he can see Jael and Mabelle he announces, "I haven't fallen off yet!" Yet. Realism!

Trying to keep an eye on the Arx 500, Thea is trying to speed up her hose at the next straight away. With a flick of her wrists, she speeds him up. Clearly she isn't in first---yet. But as she passes by her family and well--not really any fans, but that's okay, can't win them all, she gives a dramatic wave that screams Thea, as well as a slight smile. That chariot, you can make out the bare chested southportians. And spears. And--Is that Finn on there?

Jael, who hasn't sat back down yet, snorts when her brother passes by and...plays to the crowd, if it can be called that. But she's surpressing a little smile as she claps. "Uncle Norwood will be so proud," she shouts as the bee chariot passes.

Mabelle calls toward Cristoph, "One more round! Hold on tight!", after which she welcomes Deva to their booth and leans somewhat to whisper something in her ear, while the conversation continues in the booth.

Lenard is too focused on trying to catch up to his competitors to worry about crowd pleasing right now. This does not please the crowd, and as someone throws something to him, he almost falls over, managing to recover just enough to keep making progress, but he's falling even further behind.

Deva looks REALLY confused by something Mabelle tells her. As she sinks into a chair, drink in hand, she tilts her head in an exaggerated fashion and squints at the fashionable Laurent before whispering a few words of her own. Her hands briefly smash together to join the applause for the competitors racing by.

Asphodel joins in a round of applause and shouting that sounds for Thea and Christoph, adding her quiet, restrained contribution to the clapping.

Dycard joins in the excitement of the crowd, hammering on the stands as the racer's make the next straight away. "I'm only a naval racer myself, Your Grace, but at this point I think it may be time for some drastic action! If boats aren't rubbing it's not racing in the Isles! I'm really pulling for Prince Lenard here and there's nothing look a good run on the straight away - unfortunately, that was nothing like a good run on the straight away! Perhaps he has a dragon he can pull out of the figurative hat here on the last corner!"

6 First Legion Centurions arrives, following Patrizio.

"I should've put money on you, Joker!" Volya calls out to Thea, a fan by default since, well, she's the only racer he's actually met during his brief time thus far in the city. "Don't let my imaginary coin go to waste!"

"I might have to apologies for creating a diplomatic issue where in my event had someone throw something at Prince Lenard. What should I gift the Valardin's?" Jaenelle asks Dycard, head tilting ever so slightly as they pull through the third leg of the race. "Oh, I have a boat race once it turns into spring and warms up. Would this something you'd race in or are you looking to be a co host? You have done beautifully!"


Round Four: The last part of the race, where the track curves once more. leading into a short sprint towards the finish line. The last moment to find glory, to urge your horse to find whatever energy its reserved and go all out in their attempt to gain first place. The horse, the rider, and the chariot all need to be one to pull this off.

@oldcheck Stamina + Ride at 20

[Optional] @check luck at hard (If you fail, you will lose 2 yards. If you succeed, @oldcheck strength at 15 then choose another racer to sabotage, they lose yards depending on roll).

Sabotage Options, choose one:

1. There is a whip located in every chariot, slap them.
2. Ram them with your chariot.[Optional]


Patrizio has joined the the Beverage Tent.

Thea checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Cristoph checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 16 higher.

That Patrizio's late to whatever festivities are happening at the tournament field probably goes without saying - there's the air about the man that he's perhaps been too buried in his work for a change, if only from how his eyes glance about for where's a good locale for him to be watching from, but he's quietly enough trying to figure out what it is that's afoot and, perhaps, who to root for....

Lenard checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 44 higher.

She tried to get Soxette in check, tried to warn her. But nope, Thea couldn't get her stubborn horse under control, and so by the time the turn appears, Soxette is losing momentum and speed. She's having a hard time. "Come on,"Thea urges. "You can do it. Extra food when we get home,"she tries.

Honeycomb is just glad that this is almost over, he picks up speed and hauls this chariot along the very final leg of the race. Meanwhile, Cristoph remains glad that he hasn't actually fallen over the side or anything as they speed along at pace that is really kind of frighteningly fast. Ahhhhhhh.

Dycard laughs, waving a hand about at the idea, "I'm sure if only one thing was thrown during the race we can consider it a win - I plan on breaking into my private stock and sending Orrick about to deliver some booze," he explains and then leans out of the judging booth as the racers make their final corner to get a better look down the track, hair whipping about his face. "Look at him go, trying to close that gap! I don't know if it's going to be enough though with Duke Cristoph's lead - what're the Laurents feeding those horses?! Lady Thea and Soxette are close behind but i'm kicking myself now for not placing a bet on my instincts!"

At least with all the troubles Lenard has so far, his horse has plenty stamina remaining and so does he. He catches up some near the end, but it's probably not enough to give anything better than third place.

Jael whistles again, this time for Prince Lenard Valardin's rally. But she knows what Laurents feed their horses and her main focus is her brother on the straightaway.


Promises are made, Gods are prayed to, and finally all three racers move across the finish line where water and feed is left for the horses while the drivers are left to face the crown and all the fans they have managed to make during the race. Looking towards Dycard as her co-host, they confirm the numbers with the judges before Jaenelle stands to announce the winners.

"In third place with a beautiful last minute drive home, is Prince Lenard Valardin! In second with a consistant if naything race, is Lady Thea Malvici! With a strong showing throughout, despite a somewhat slow start, the winner of the race is Duke Cristoph Laurent!"


Mabelle raises her glass from the tent entry, "Well match everyone! Cousin, you made the Laurents proud!", she cheers onwards to all three contestants.

Patrizio applauds at the declaration of the placement of the racers, mindfully handing off his cup for a moment to one of his centurions before he's taking it back to draw a sip. "I wish I'd seen more of it," he says quietly to those closest, as if admitting to his detriment that he'd been tardy.

Dycard whoops, perhaps a little too excited for one of the co-hosts, as the racers cross the finish line and he bounces on the toes of his boots. "Hey hey, whadda ya say!? That's chariot racing there, my lords and ladies! What a show from everyone!" The younger Blackshore brother laughed as he settled down and shook his head, turning toward Jaenelle to confer just before she announced the winners. "What a day, I beg your forgiveness, Your Grace - this was certainly more exciting than I had anticipated."

Lenard smiles as he comes to the end, bowing to the crowd with his dignity and honor intact, though his pride may have taken a hit. "Well-raced, Lady Malvici, Duke Laurent." He offers cheerfully, clearly not bothered by his loss.

"Oh, thank you, but that's alright," Deva is almost too quick to tell Mabelle with a shake of her head and an awkward smile. "It's fine. Just stepped the wrong way. I've had so much worse," she promises firmly. "But thank you," she repeats warmly. As the race draws to a close, she joins the whistling and clapping for the competitors. "Nicely done!"

Thea pulls her chariot and horse to a pause. Hopping out of her little not buggy, she gives a nod to her competitors. One of respect of course, and a smile, since it was fun. "That was well raced and fun. Thank you,"Thea tells them. "I need a drink,"she says, handing the reigns over to Rocco. "Get her water and extra treats anyway,"before heading over to the drink tent. Seeing Volya, Thea chuckles,"Probably a good thing you didn't place any bets. You would have lost."

When the race is over and Cristoph exits the chariot, he pats Honeycomb gently on the neck and gestures for their attendant to come and tend to him. This horse will be getting lots of treats today! "Well-raced!" he calls out to the others as he looks over to his sister and cousin, giving them both a thumbs up. "We did it!" This seems to include them as well. To Jaenelle and Dycard he calls out, "Thank you for hosting this lovely competition!"

Cirroch has taken the tiniest of sips from the top of the drinking horn, then as the winners are announced proceeds to take a Sanna size sip from the horn before raising it to the winners from the drinking tent with a loud (for everyone else) bellowing cheer.

Standing up, Volya grins. "Probably, but I would've felt confident anyways about it. And it's just coin anyways, not like I have any real need to buy anything. That said, you still did us all proud. Second place in the race, but first place in all our hearts, Joker." Striding down the steps of the seating, he gestures towards the drink tent. "Get you that drink, eh?"

Asphodel adds once more her smattering of quiet applause, including for the hosts, and remains a hunched black figure in the stands, bent in her seat to better withstand the cold. She seems content to observe.

Small pouches are passed out to the winners while the horses are settled and the racers move from the track so the attendants can clean up any debris which might have fallen from the chariots while they traveled. "Thank you all for attending, thank you to those who came to partcipate, and thank you to Lord Daycard for being my co-host. Hopefully more of these can happen in the future should there be interest, as I found this to be quite enjoyable." Jaenelle offers a bow towards those gathered in way of thanks, ending the competition.

Dycard is overheard praising Cristoph.

Kaia has left the the Beverage Tent.

Bastien, a strapping Malvici escort leaves, following Kaia.

Dycard is overheard praising Lenard.

Dycard is overheard praising Thea.

Volya is overheard praising Thea.

Volya is overheard praising Cristoph.

Volya is overheard praising Lenard.

Jael gets to her feet and makes her way down out of the stands. "Does this mean we're going to have to start a breedling line of chariot horses?" she calls to Cristoph as Honeycomb is taken from the field.

Dycard offers a bow from the booth to the racers and a wide grin from beneath tufts of hair, his cerulean eyes flashing in delight, before turning and inclining his head to the Archduchess. "You honor me, Your Grace, and I assure you if you do hold a naval race i'll have The Intrepid in the lineups somewhere. I have to send some of New Hope's stock around later today though."

Dycard is overheard praising Jaenelle.