July 09, 2005.07.09.05. - MoC challenge [july moot pt 6][forum]
(grand elder)
Balance without Fault - Grand Elder of the Sept, stands before the challengers for Master of Challenge; Tashna'heca of the Uktena and Twilight Judgement of the Shadow LordsAfter a moment's consideration, he grunts, and crosses his arms.
"While you both may be adept in residing over challenges of might, it remains to be seen if you can reside over challenges of other types. As such, your challenge is this:
You are faced with two Garou. The first has been victorious in a great battle, and thus has claimed a powerful fetish that was in possession of those he defeated. The second, while he had no part in the battle, claims the fetish as his own, that it has been passed down his lineage for some time and is rightfully his.
Who has rightful claim to the Fetish, and how do you, alone, come to your decision?"
[OOC whatnotery: We'll give you a day or so (aka - not forever! Try to have it in 24 hours) to come up with your answers. Please email them to me @ werewolf@chicagodusk.com, so that they can be posted at the SAME TIME, and leave no room for complaints of any sort from anyone. *chuckles* Once I have both of the answers in my possession, I will post them, and put it up to the vote of the Council. One with the most votes, wins.
Thanks! I'll post the replies, and open it for voting, asap.)
(tash)
He considers it carefully and nods, he'd heard of a thing such as this before. The Rattlesnake spirit around his throat utters his judegement.
(edited)He nods and looks to the other, awaiting her reply.
(ge)
((HERE ya go. First, Tashna'Heca's reply))"The fetisssh won in battle issss a trophy to the victor, and by right
he dessservessss it, but if it issss truly an item of important
lineage to another, then the other may parley the victor and offer a
substite fetish of equal power and renown in exchange for the item of
precious lineage. Possssssessssssion is the key, however, and the
claim by the victor issss correct, but much renown can be gained with
this gesture for both sides, and nothing issss lost to the one who by
right of battle claims it, and the claimant may gain hisss precioussss
item without ressssorting to war."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------((and now Twilight Judgement's reply))
Twilight Judgment is a tall creature, of a height greater than most tall
woman in the solid and heeled boots that she wears, she manages to
breach just over six feet. Those black boots that ride up to her knees,
the stretch of dark and figure-hugging pants that are like a second skin
to her legs drowning beneath the leather of those shoes, the jacket that
she wears a leather trench tied at the waist, and her hair severely
pulled back into a sleek pony-tail, emphasising the high-slashing bone
structure of her cheeks, the width of her mouth, the play of shadows
across her face. A feline sleekness to her reminiscent of a jaguar on
the prowl, yet more compelling for the stillness she exudes. A
distance. A hauteur. A ruthlessness. And the flash of those deep
tiger-eyes.The Lord listens carefully to what is said, though it does not take long
for her to give her answer at the end of it. When it is her turn, to
each she speaks, quiet and compelling her voice carrying though never
raised. To the Council, she watches."The garou who claims it to be rightfully his would have lost it for it
to have come into another's hands. Whether the loss was by his fault,
or those before him, the garou who would claim a right to the fetish
through his ancestors would also claim a legacy to that failure, and
must re-establish his worth - if he is capable of doing so. That he was
unable to, nor attempted to, join in the battle to reclaim it is a heavy
strike against him."The smile that now hooks sharply at the corner of that pale rouged
flesh, close-lipped before she opens it for sound, is glacially amused.
It marks her voice as she murmurs, "If it were my opinion only
that you asked, then I would state that he who holds the fetish now has
claimed it fair. And he who would claim the fetish by right can attempt
to obtain it by challenging the garou who holds it now: proving that not
only can he take it back, but that he has now learned to keep it."She pauses for a moment and she could be finished in the exhalation of
that breath, in the fade of that curve. However, there is an edge about
the half moon, the glint in her eye suggests something quite different.
Confirms it, when she adds, "But that is my opinion, and not that
of the Master of Challenge."Distinct.
"If, for example, this were a fetish lending might in battle, whether
that were additional gifts in martial prowess, or the strength of arm,
or even speed - then terms could be set that enable this use. But, we
are all Gaia's warriors here, if not all with the same strength of the
full moons, and as such - we could all use such prowess in battle,
ne? It is not enough for a challenge to be set or issued where
simply the strongest will endure."Not only must one win, but they must prove that the boon that they hold
is not merely for enhancing their effect as a killing machine." Lips
quirk once more, again in that humourless smile, as if she utters a joke
for her own private amusement. Dryly, "As much of a wanted advantage as
that may be." Natasha's voice remains at that low volume, and these
more words that she was wont to give, each precisely anunciated despite
the Czech accent that remains in her speech."The Master of Challenge must be honourable and fair in judgment, and
not think the way of one tribe alone, as my answer would. Therefore,
this is the challenge this Master would give --"The stake of the Fetish is that of the glory of battle from one garou
and the long line of ancestors of the other. To settle it for a
challenge merely lasting a day undervalues its value, and does nothing
to let us know the true strength, honour and character of he who would
wield it. I propose that for a full cycle of the moon each should hold
the fetish and be watched for their actions. Who best wields it for the
good of themselves, their pack and the sept, should at the end be judged
as worthy of keeping the fetish. The challenge will last two full lunar
cycles: a time each with the fetish, and without; a time twice during
their own moon. And though long, it is a time where the fetish will be
constantly used, and the two garou constantly and comprehensively
tested."Through this way, it is not merely the prowess of one, or the lack of
the other, where the determination will lie, but how they use the fetish
and in what effective ways. They need not merely be an ahroun to use a
fetish of might, or a theurge to use a fetish of healing, though their
auspice will certainly aid them. For he who would find himself out of
auspice, attempting to utilise a strength he ordinarily would not have:
it is on those occasions I would closely watch and learn, because it is
then and the decisions they make which could determine them as equal or
even greater than a more advantaged other. Make them worthy of the
spirit's boon within."For the garou who claims ancestral ties to the fetish, he is advantaged
in knowing the extent of its uses as has been learned by his family
through years past. Through the time set, he can prove the extent of
that bond, and the depth of it, in the way he chooses to wield that
legacy with that previous knowledge. Show through this that he is
worthy of it the more and absolve the dishonour of its loss."So motionless is she, this tall figure covered in black, emphasised more
by the bare flick of that ponytail, perhaps a shiver, while she speaks.
Or the slow turn of her head as sight may demand, gaze resting on each
of the elders in turn. Unsettling, in that steady gaze, to rest lastly
on the Grand Elder, with her final words. Softly uttered; yet never to
be mistaken for soft."This is why and how I would set the challenge and determine who should
keep the fetish."Twilight Judgment falls silent.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Grand Elder listen's impassively, and then nods. "Your votes, Council?"
(fenrir - decker)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the warformed Modi comes to his decision quickest. He's Ahroun. His life hinges on split-second decisions. He doesn't like spending more than a few seconds making a choice."You forget, Uktena," he growls, "the title is Master of the Challenge. You are the referee. The rulesmaker. You make sure the playing field is level. A Master of the Challenge is not biased. He does not pass judgment. Yet that's exactly what you've done.
"Twilight-Judgment, you have my vote."
(coggie - leroy)
"I said it before and I'll say it again. I believe the Shadow Lord will fill that position in a better capacity than you Tashna'Heca-yuf." A glance towards the Shadow Lord. "Twilight-Judgement has my vote of confidence"
(uktena - yu)
Yu, in his Lupus form sat and listened. A tilt of his head and flickerof his ears. Wordy tonight wern't they.A long moment and he conciders the replies.
Leaning down he nibbles a long forleg with those small sharp teeth in the front and thinks a bit more.
A yawn then. Lupine jaws opening wide and even got that tongue curl in there. Standing up he shakes out his furr. Speaking in the language of wolves.
"Shadow Lord."
As frightening as that is. Gaia save them all.
(walker - nelly)
"Shadowlord..." voted.
(fury)
The Fury spoke simply. " Twillight-Judgement has my vote. "
(gnawer - james)
the Bone Gnawer's chosen Elder is perhaps among the last to speak
it may be that he takes time to carefully weigh his decision
it may be that he recognizes his Tribe's expected place among the others
it may be that he's simply struggling to choke out his next words"Twi'ligh'." a partial smile apologizes to the half-moon in question, surely she'll forgive his abbreviation's intention of avoiding mangling her proper name "Th' Shada'Lor's goh' my vo'e."
whatever beer remained in the Adren's grasp - quickly disappears
what functions as a toast, perhaps, rather than sought solace in the public eye
the decision was fairly made on the basis of presented ability
resolution most likely coming quickly as his packmate's own
word, wit, understanding, intelligence, resourcefulness, creativity.... all taken into account
Tashna already having proven his prowess at the other position he tries to fill
(.... it was something about compassion, wasn't it, O Mighty Eagle?.....)it's just that any that know the raggedyman well enough..... know what it took to cast such a vote...... irregardless of what the facts declared logical outcome
(fianna - sandman)
The Fianna elder listens carefully, and in his typical brogue speaks thus:"Twilight Judgement's got m'vote."
(shadow lords - milo)
Milo's hands go behind his back, and he is stoic as the two give their answer to the Challenge. After others of the Council have spoken, he too chimes in."My tribe supports its own, Twilight Judgement, in this challenge."
(ge)
(I believe Katya is holding her vote, as she also plays Natasha - as such:)Balance without Fault nods. "It is decided then. Twilight's Judgement will serve as Master of the Challenge until such time as another steps up, or she steps down."
Two unanimous decisions - it must be a Sept record.
(decker/vasek)
Unanimous vote. That was impressive. Though, Decker's only response is to work his jaw a few times, as though something were stuck between his teeth. As he turns to go, he spits casually to the side, and has no further words of congratulations.--
Vašek, who had been watching from afar at Maelstrom's edge, now rises to his feet as the Grand Elder speaks to Natasha. He can't hear them from this range, but he can certainly read body language. The black direwolf -- lit ghostly blue and white by the totem's diffuse sheet-lightning glow -- pads unhurriedly down from the hill to his packmate as the crowd disperses. Each step is deliberate, the huge paws carefully placed.
As he approaches, he butts his head into her with obvious affection. Huge as the Hispo form is, he needs only raise his head to lick at her chin. Then the Shadow Lord winds a tight circle around his packmate, brushing her with shoulder and flank, sweeping with the brush of his tail. It's conflicting behavior; the under-jaw lick similar to that of a submissive wolf greeting the alpha; the crowding, space-intruder display of affection more the behavior of an alpha. But then, their pack was always so: sometimes tipped one way, sometimes the other, a yin-yang of ever-shifting neutralities only they really understood.
Then, as abruptly as that, congratulations is finished. He shakes out his fur, licks his chops, sits on his haunches to scratch an ear, and then stands to pad for the edge of the bawn. Celebration's over. Back to business.
(twilight judgement)
The announcement does not stir a muscle on that impassive face, the features so neutrally cast as if to be from stone. Just a glance in the direction of the other challenger, before head is inclined to the Grand Elder and those of the council - acceptance of the position she deserves.
Then, motionless - until her brother and packmate approaches.
Many disperse and do not see the swift stretch of that mouth, the slide back of those lips, the glimpse of the ivory teeth beneath. The flash of emotion on a face so often reserved, shared in the affection of her packmate.
Before Relentless-Foe turns to leave to the edge of the bawn, her hand would graze against thick pelt of fur at his neck, across the cheek of that great head, as she murmurs, "Let us hope I do not have to speak so much again, hmm?" in their native tongue. He knew her to not be fond of speeches.
Then the grin slides away to the calm indifference of that mouth, the high slash of those cheekbones lose their amiability, and the eyes fade back to reflecting a starless, contained night. Flecks of gold in the currents and shadows. A hand to now rest on her brother's back, to play atop that shift of muscle and spine, as the Mistress of the Challenge leaves with him.
[end]
Posted by james at July 09, 2005 12:00 AM