Standing from the judges booth, because she is one of the judges of this race, Jaenelle easily greets everyone as they settle. She extends her hand towards the track and announces, "if you wish to participate please join the field and announce yourself." There are chariots already stationed on the field as well as a few borrowed horses from various stables around the city if the participants dont have one of their own. "And your horse," Jaenelle adds afterwards, because without the horse there would be no race and they deserve some recognition as well.

Princess Sabella Grayson arrived early so that she could claim a seat among the the general seating area, ensuring the People's Princess would be with people while watching the chariot competition. This, necessarily, means that there are a half dozen Grayson guards scattered throughout, all watching the royal blonde and the crowd around her. She seems not to notice them at all, and her smile is bright and cheerful where she sits - upon a blanket that was placed for her by a guard so that her dress would be protected from whatever might have been on the seat she's claimed. Anyone who makes eye contact within her vicinity is greeted with a bubbly, "Hello!" Then, her attention is on the field to see who joins it when Jaenelle announces the start of the event.

Theo is standing next to Jaenelle. He being the second judge or just Jaenelle's shadow. Whatever she needs he's right there. He is looking at each contestant as they pick a spot and their horse. Inclining his head in greeting as they past. Those he knows a little more familiar gets a prince wave. You know the wave.

Adalyn has joined the Field.

Jeffeth is ready to party in minimal armor. Which is to say, he's clad in a loose v-neck shirt whose sole design concept is to make his already massive chest and arms appear even larger as the fabric struggles to keep itself together on an atomic level as it stretches around his physique.

Walking tall and waving to the crowd - it's clear that Jeffeth is here to beast on the competition. But it's all in good fun and all for show. Not even his facial deformities can hide the kindness and good humor in his eyes. So, no, this is not a heel-turn for this kindly, famous Champion - but some amount of kayfabe is absolutely necessary. For the crowd! Because this isn't just about the warriors and competition, it's about the spectators and the entertainment - and Jeffeth came to please!

He bellows out in a deep, raspy stentorian voice, "I am Sir Jeffeth Bayweather, and this..." he slaps a giant mit to the haunch of a large painted horse, "...is Smurfness Fraglerock McFerngully the 2nd!"

Ferrando ends up wandering out towards the field. Did he lose a bet? Unlikely. Was that cider like 12% ABV or something? Possibly. Did he just whimsically decide to see if anybody would let him get away with joyriding in a chariot because it looks fun and he's always wanted to try it just once? Apparently so! He strides onto the field, confidently acting like he totally knows what he's doing, picking out a chariot that absolutely does not belong to him and leading a horse that also absolutely does not belong to him over to it. "Ferrando Artiglio, ready for competition," he declares. "With... Rhubarb." That horse probably wasn't Rhubarb three seconds ago, but it is now.

Mattheu's bells sing under any motion he makes as he takes to patting at the gelding before him, whose bells are also singing through the wind and movement. The Rivenshari lord looks around the track with a small mixture of worry while watching where a certain apple cart might be. "Okay Camp. If you /have to/ and Only, /have to/ we can head for the apple cart. Got it?" There's an obvious worry for that apple cart if any of those here today hear him.

Ferrando has left the General Seating.

Ferrando has joined the Field.

Jeffeth has joined the Field.

Adalyn was here already, she come early to look things over and watch the crowed fill in. Moving to braid and pin her hair up at the last moment she moves out onto the field. "Lady Adalyn Clement." she calls out to the crowed.

Mattheu has joined the Field.

Mattheu finally looks as if the horse and him are in an understanding as he takes to the field, with a small wave dipping into a deep flourished bow. "Lord Mattheu Rivenshari." He looks up to Jaenelle with wave of his hand, then to Sabella with a grin.

Jaenelle calls out to those in the field once last time before things begin. "Please try to be safe, dont kill anyone, and the winner gets a beautifully cut dragonweep stone. Good luck!"

As the race begins the first part of the track is a long stretch, no surprises or tricks as the horses barrel forward and the riders get used to the chariots they stand within. Each rider knows there is a turn ahead and must decide what sort of rider they'll be as the coarse begins and they have to take advantage of the smooth sailing.

@oldcheck Dexterity + Ride at 20

Not all is what it seems though and you have another choice to make. Everyone is head to head, but you could very well ruin that for someone else. Do you sabatage so early?

If you want to sabatage someone @check luck at normal, is you succeed, @check/vs dexterity vs dexterity=Person you are aiming for. If you suceed you gain 5 yards, if you fail you lose 5!

Ferrando checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher.

Mattheu checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 106 higher. Mattheu rolled a critical!

As the contestants take their place and Jaenelle explains how this will happen and what the grand prize will be the Velenosa Prince can be heard saying loudly and clearly, "The best of luck to you all!" A little lower, "And entertaining." Telling Jaenelle, "There should be a prize for who entertains us most." But either way he knows this will be a good run and he's steadily keeping his eyes on the competitors.

"Hyah!" Ferrando declares as the race starts. That's how you start a race, right? He doesn't horse very much but it seems to be working out for whatever reason. Evidently sabotage is not in the cards as he's mostly just having fun now that his joyriding dreams have become a reality! Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be very difficult not to crash into a wall.

Adalyn checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Once all the competitors have been announced - with a quick fingerwave to Mattheu in return for his smile, Sabella sits forward a bit to watch everything kick off! "This is all so exciting," she says to no one in particular, but a few of the other people in the crowd around nod or speak up with agreement.

"Okay Cam..." Mattheu doesn't get much more of his words out when he picks up the reins for that first hard dash down the straight. The gelding horse has plans of its own and is seeking to charge at full speed leaving the Rivenshari lord to start shouting in Ravashari at the horse while ducking down into the chariot seeking as much speed as possible.

Whoever constructed Jeffeth's chariot did an appreciable job as the suspension does not completely collapse underneath his weight. Riding only approx 2 inches above the ground at this point (was about 6-8 inches without the load) proves to be PLENTY OF GROUND CLEARANCE as Jeffeth seems to pace himself at the outset of this track. He and Ferrando make faces at each other.

"I do like being entertained. There is a good chance I might award all the racers with something, a you didnt die prize." Jaenelle tells Theo with amusement as the call for the race to begin and the horses shooting from the starting line. "It seems Master Ferrando is off to a good, steady start, not overly fast out of the gate yet not doing too poorly. It is always important to create a base line I think, you dont want to put a target on your back."

Theo is pointing out in the field as he keeps track of who is doing what. Smiling as he sees Jeffeth and then Ferrando and what it is they are doing. "Look at that!" Who is he pointing at? Who knows but someone is full speed ahead and he looks gleeful. "This is exciting!" Telling Jaenelle, "That is a good prize to win also. That whole you didn't die business."

Adalyn clicks her teeth and snaps the rains and her horse is off, not as fast as the Rivenshari but her horse does seem to want to try and keep up.She is in her leathers so its easy for her to move and duck low." Come on!" she calls to the horse, this...This has a familiar feel to her like it was something she did once before.

The first turn is the hardest, as racers attempt to maintain speed while also keeping control over the horse and chariot. It takes a stong leader to keep control and not allow the curve of the track to throw you off. Clearly each racer must show everyone who is boss here, and the crowd is certainly watching.

@oldcheck command + leadership at 20

Not everyone is easily composed and you could certainly try your luck and attempt to rattle someone.

If you want to sabotage someone @check luck at normal, if you succeed, @check/vs dexterity vs dexterity=Person you are aiming for. If you suceed you gain 5 yards, if you fail you lose 5!

Ferrando checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 14 lower.

Mattheu checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 10 lower.

Jeffeth checked command + leadership at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Jeffeth checks luck at normal. Jeffeth is successful.


*** Jeffeth has called for an opposing check with Mattheu. ***
Jeffeth checks dexterity at easy. Jeffeth is successful.
Mattheu checks dexterity at easy. Mattheu is successful.
*** Mattheu is the winner. ***

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

Sabella's eyes are wide as she watches Mattheu's horse seem to fly forward at the start, but she does peel her gaze away from him to watch the rest of the competitors. The princess allows an amused smile when she notes how low Jeffeth's chariot is riding. There's a lot going on! And her eyes are darting from one person to the next.

"Hyah!" Ferrando repeats. Unfortunately he has also discovered that part of not being good at horse is that he's not entirely certain how to make a chariot-racing horse turn outside of its own decisions. "Hyah?" he declares again. "Hee-yah! Hoo-yah!" Subsequent slight variations on hyah-ing have little other effect and in the end he mostly last minute grabs the front of the chariot and assumes a crash position as his chariot veers into the track's retaining wall and drags along the edge with a discordant scrape of wood on brick or whatever. "Hyah already, Rhubarb!" he yells a bit irritably.

Jeffeth uses ground gained on this first turn to attempt to make a play at the current leader of the pack - Mattheu!

Coming around the bend, Jeffeth reaches into his pants and pulls out a thick, long, orange carrot! Yes. A carrot!

He snaps the reigns! "Hyah!" and brings Smurfness Fraglerock McFerngully alongside camp. Jeffeth grins as he passes alongside Mattheu and positions his chariot in front of Mattheu's steed.

The large man reaches out and tries to tempt Camp with the carrot! "Here horsey horsey...here horsey... Go get it!" and tosses the carrot askance, away from the track!

But Mattheu's stallion is far too loyal to its charge and has none of it!

Jaenelle winces as Ferrando drops into last places after she just spoke of him, leaning towards Theo to say, "perhaps I am bad luck." This doesnt seem to stop her though as she motions towards Adalyn, "but look at Lady Adalyn! She has taken the opportunity around the bend to move from last place She is so close to second as well, especially considering Jeffeth's daring attempt to slow Mattheu down. Why did he even have that! That turn looked rough though."

Mattheu simply stares at that curve and ducks down. Still rambling on in Ravashari when Jeffeth throws a carrot in front of Campanilla. The track already filled with bells singing out between the two, he's left to laugh hard as he looks to the carrot then horse. His yell lost under the wave of bells and corners which he tucks into.

Mattheu mutters, "You'd have ... use ... laced in ... to get his ... ... ... ... ... will ... seek ... ginger ... ... small children that have ... ... ... ... hair..."

Alberico, the Malespero aide, 1 Malespero Guard, Louis, a Malespero Armsman, Mar, the Magpie arrive, following Pasquale.

Pasquale has joined the General Seating.

"That Rivenshari Lord looks like he knows what he is doing." Theo tells his cousin. His focus still on the field. Laughing when a carrot comes out to play and shaking his head for it. "I thought Rivenshari's only knew about water and not land. This leaves me in bewilderment. Maybe I need to go back to my studies." Leaning forward from the judges spot to see where everyone is placing.

Now that the racers have learned the ins and outs of how to properly not die while they lead a horse around an unnatural oval coarse, the next straight section comes into view and now its time to show off your talents a little. Here each racer is expected to charm the audience, as they are another very important part of the show. Without them cheering for their favorite no one would care if you won or lost anyway! Make friends, inflience people.

@oldcheck Charm + Performance at 20

If people are paying attention to you they cant pay attention to someone else. Do your best to distract another rider so they cant work the crowd.

If you want to sabotage someone @check luck at normal, if you succeed, @check/vs dexterity vs dexterity=Person you are aiming for. If you suceed you gain 5 yards, if you fail you lose 5!

Ferrando checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Adalyn checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 49 higher.

Mattheu checks luck at normal. Mattheu fails.

Jeffeth checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Mattheu checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 36 higher.

Pasquale comes up into the stands somewhat after the event has started and settles down near to Sabella. He leans towards her and murmurs "anything notable happened?"

Ferrando hasn't broken somebody else's chariot's axles yet, at least! So his chariot adventure hasn't gone completely sideways yet. As far as charming the audience goes, rather than charming them per se he manages to induce Rhubarb to stop dragging the chariot against the walls to get back to the middle of the track and the audience will just have to settle for not being subjected to that awful scraping noise any longer. "Hyah!" he shouts again to Rhubarb despite it effectively being proven that this has no effect on anything one way or the other anymore. He's having fun, at least.

Jeffeth turns to the stands adjacent to the straight away and waves, and blow kisses! He drops the reigns (McFerngully knows what he's doing) and grips two fistfuls from the middle of his shirt. He riiiips it into two halves, giving a yelling grunt as he does so to make it appears 10x more a feat of strength than it actually is! He twirls the now tattered thing above his had and tosses it to Sabella in the stands.

Sabella is on the edge of her blanket covered seat, laughing at the attempted carrot-sabotage by Jeffeth of Mattheu. "Did you see that? Where was he keeping that?" The person in front of Sabella is the person who got an earful of those questions. Then there's a pasquale beside her, and she turns to him beaming! "My lord, hello! It's /so/ good to see you, congratulations! I recently took on your brother as my protege." Probably not the notable thing he meant. She then looks down at the field and gestures, explaining cheerfully how Mattheu had an early start, Fernando scraped the wall, Jeffeth had a giant carrot in his pants and... A shirt has just landed in her lap. "Oh!" She waves at Jeffeth.

Adalyn watches Jeffeth and Mattheu go back and forth she shakes her head, she cracks the reins again, "Hyah!" she calls out as she rounds the bend and then on the straight away she waves to the people, she is a champion and knows how to play the crowed up, smiles and all. She does not rip anything off like Jeffeth did but she is trying to show the others up, she does love to hear the sound of the crowd.

Mattheu is still laughing in how Campanilla refused the carrot only to try to offer a small dance from his chariot. Showing off sometimes works and other times, such as stuck upon land, and still trying to sort out where the jingling horse heads for. Where ever they are going the horse has a better idea than he does. Waving to those in the stands, a hand wrapped to reins and a song while hanging on.
"Carrots won't deter these racing hearts,"
"Thunder and lightning tearing apart."
"In the realm of the track, where legends are born,"
"Horses and riders, together, sworn."

"Carrots may tempt in the stable's embrace,"
"But on the racetrack, it's a different race."
Speed and passion, a dance on the course,"
"Carrots are sweet, but they can't alter the force."

"Through the wind, through the dust,"
Horses and riders in a passionate thrust."
"Carrots may beckon, but the race is a call,"
"A challenge to conquer, to rise or to fall."

Pasquale looks to Sabella briefly as she speaks but his eyes are mostly on the events going on down below.

Jaenelle is charmed by the small things sometimes, like when Ferrando manages to stop the scraping and the noises and sparks that accompany it. She cheers for him loudly before her attention is directed towards Jeffeth and his show boating. She looks amused though when he rips his shirt she starts laughing and clapping for him as well. Pointing towards Adalyn, Jaenelle tells Theo, "see, Lady Adalyn has confidence, it is quiet but undeniable. It probably makes her very good on the sand during a duel. A song!" she then motions towards Mattheu, impressed.

Ferrando shouts up ahead from somewhere way in the back, "Is that song REALLY about carrots, or was that a metaphor?"

Poor Ferrando but he's having fun right? Theo cheers on Adalyn as she looks to have taken second place with no ripping of shirts. Laughing when Jeffeth's shirt ends up on Sabella's lap. Theo did mention there had to be entertaining prizes to. It seems he wasn't wrong in saying that. Jeffeth third and Mattheu first. Talk about an exciting race. Shaking his head and grinning when he hears Mattheu and his song. Telling Jaenelle, "I do not envy you at all." Because we all know who the real judge will be even if Theo is the second pair of eyes. Nodding his agreement to the Archduchess as she gives him her own commentary.

Even with tattered fabric in her lap, Sabella's attention shifts from Jeffeth to Mattheu. He has a song! She loves songs! But then there's Adalyn. So very much embodying the charm and confidence of a Champion. She gestures to her guards, a few of which take up hooting and hollering for the Clement lady. A princess does not hoot or holler.

"Is a carrot ever only a carrot? That is the question of the day," Jaenelle says seriously upon hearing Ferrando's shout. "I will have to ask anyone I come across for the next few days."

All that is left between the racers and the finish line is another curve of the track and a sprint to the end. This is where it is important to have held back just enough to be able to pull ahead of the other racers at the last minute. Where you, the horse, and chariot all have to be one with the universe. Which racer will win!

@oldcheck Stamina + Ride at 20

Its all on the line here and the stakes have been raised. Do the racers focus on themselves or attempt to knock another down a peg?

If you want to sabotage someone @check luck at normal, if you succeed, @check/vs dexterity vs dexterity=Person you are aiming for. If you suceed you gain 5 yards, if you fail you lose 5!

Jeffeth checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Mattheu checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Adalyn checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Ferrando checked stamina + ride at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Jeffeth checks luck at normal. Jeffeth is successful.


*** Jeffeth has called for an opposing check with Mattheu. ***
Jeffeth checks dexterity at easy. Jeffeth is successful.
Mattheu checks dexterity at easy. Mattheu is successful.
*** Mattheu is the winner. ***

Down the straight away, is it needful? Probably not! But those spinny drill thingies protruding from the chariot wheels were put there for a reason!

Jeffeth snaps the reigns on Smurfness Fraglerock McFerngully the 2nd with a sharpness! The horse veers to the right. The spinny drill things on Jeffeth's wheels edge in, threatening the spokes and axle mount of Mattheu's conveyance!

But the knight misestimates the speed necessary and is unable to make them connect! He gives up and focuses on the finish line instead!

"Ya ya! YA YA YA!" spurring his horse to its maximum output of power. Dirt, rock and dust kicking out behind the mighty beasts as they race toward the finish line.

Who will win? WHO WILL WIN???????

"Hyah!" Truly, the soul of chariot racing is just to be able to repeatedly scream 'Hyah!' in public without anybody thinking you need a nice quiet room with padded walls. Ferrando confidently repeats a "Hyah!" and Rhubarb being just fine at straightaways charges for the finish line, perhaps realizing that once that happens the horses get to stop and then maybe the oddball rider back there might go find something else to do. Ferrando might not be racing particularly successfully but he does get a pretty good view of Jeffeth and Mattheu jostling for position up ahead, though. Turns out being IN the chariot race is a better spectating spot than the stands. "Ooh! Exciting," he enthuses appreciatively.

If Sabella knew what Ferrando was thinking, she would heartily disagree - being in the stands is great, thank you! You get to talk to people, like Pasquale, which she's been doing quietly while keeping most of her attention on the competition.

Mattheu is left to stare again at Jeffeth. The knight's charge to seek out fellow Champion is one which Mattheu shakes his head and pulls at reins. More Ravashari shouted at horse as he kicks back at the incoming wheels to ram against him. Staring at Jeffeth with a wicked grin and shake of his head. "We'll have to settle your wishes to see me sideways another day!" His foot pushing off against Jeffeth's chariot allowing him to get a small edge forwards. Campanilla shaking his head and taking to charge onwards the chariot is in far better shape than last as he calls out in laughter for their charge towards finish line.

Adalyn watches the two go back and forth and she attempts to take advantage of this and again starts to shout, "YA! YA!" as she starts to try and inch past Jeffeth. "Hyah!" she yells at her horse, "You boys should be careful." she grins a very sweet smile to both Mattheu and Jeffeth as she catches up on them both.

"You all performed so well and were good sports in the competition that I can not exactly ignore that. I am honored that you attempted this and did your best throughout that I wish to award all of you something. In forth place we have Ferrando Artiglio!" Jaenelle claps for the little engine that could turned chariot racer. A servant approaches him once he wont run them over and produces a pouch. "In third place we have Sir Jeffeth Bayweather!" A different servant approaches his chariot and hands him a prize as well. She looks towards the last two, "in second we have Lady Adalyn Clement!" She is not given a pouch but a small wrapped package. "And in first place, the man who got a wide head start at the very beginning, Lord Mattheu Rivenshari!" A sragonweep in a small box is handed over to the man.

There is applause that comes from Theo when each person comes up front to get their prize from Jaenelle. If they want their hand shook his hand is extended to that and he can be heard saying, "Well done! Well done! So proud." He keeps his smile as he goes back to being quiet.

Ferrando is, in fact, somehow able to induce Rhubarb to a stop and makes his way away from horse and chariot as expediently as possible before their actual owners arrive to lodge some extremely strenuous complaints about the treatment they suffered through the whole thing. Somehow the chariot also does not immediately collapse into a pile of bolts and splinters after he walks away. He accepts his pouch prize with a word of thanks and applauds the other riders sportsmanlike-ably.

Ferrando is overheard praising Mattheu: Hyah!

Ferrando is overheard praising Adalyn: Hyah!

Ferrando is overheard praising Jeffeth: Hyah!

Pasquale looks to Sabella. "It has been far, far, too long since we had chariot races." he moves to his feet as Jaenelle speaks of the winners and offers some applause to go with all the cheering and other symbols of affection happening around him.

Ferrando also applauds the host! But not the co-host because he's only got four praises. Doh

Ferrando is overheard praising Jaenelle: Hyah?

Pasquale is overheard praising Jaenelle.

Sabella makes sure that her guards cheer for each and every one of the competitors when their names are announced, and she offers applause for each, too. When Jeffeth's name is called, she holds up a bit of tattered shirt and waves it, laughing. Is there an opportunity to mingle after? The princess gets to her feet

Jeffeth steps off his chariot, sweaty shirtless and exhausted. He bows to the crowd and waves. He accepts his third place gift gracious and rumbles a hearty congratulations to the victors!

To Mattheu's horse, he gifts a carrot.

Mattheu looks to be worn out as he lets go of the reins and steps off of chariot only to fall to a seat and look back to his horse. "Camp. When you seek to run. you seek to run." Slow to get up and reach to satchel to pull out a small apple when he is approached by Jaenelle and is handed the shiny red stone. A momentary lapse in which hand has what and the stone ends up in his mouth.

Theo is overheard praising Mattheu.

Theo is overheard praising Adalyn.

Theo is overheard praising Ferrando.

Theo is overheard praising Jeffeth.

Once they have stopped she bows to Jaenelle and then waves to all the watchers as they cheer, its something she does love hearing! Hzaahs and the like! When she is handed the prize she smiles brightly. "It was fun to race against you all." she smiles. Adalyn is excited and full of energy right now.

Mattheu checks luck at hard. Mattheu fails.

Once all the cheering and the like start to happen Theo looks to be stepping away. But Mattheu is approaching Jaenelle with an apple and there is an exchange that happens and he's nudging Jaenelle, "I think the lord just swallowed that stone!" He's quick to go to Mattheu's backside and starts pounding on the poor man's back!

A cough and a hard swallow Mattheu is gasping for air and then looking at his hand as Theo hits him in the back. Another cough and the Rivenshari lord stares wide eyed at the prince then back to where the apple is. In a gravel gasp of soft voice, "Oh. Fuck."

Jaenelle watches Mattheu when Theo mentions something. There is a pause as her head tilts slightly in thought before she says, "well. When it comes back out I am sure it will feel like winning all over again. That is a lovely thing, to get to enjoy the fruits of your labor twice!" She doesnt look too worried for the man. "And if you lose it, someone might find it and be very happy."