Xerxia looks around at Sam's pseudo-question to get an idea of the general atmosphere of the rats. Hadn't even considered that... Thanks a lot, Mr. Cynic, for reminding me of the lightsaber fight at the end of Episode 1...
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Xerxia looks around at Sam's pseudo-question to get an idea of the general atmosphere of the rats. Hadn't even considered that... Thanks a lot, Mr. Cynic, for reminding me of the lightsaber fight at the end of Episode 1...
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Exiting the tent, the Lost can see that a large circle has been cleared before the Throne of Leather and Bone. A three foot tall ring of scrub and dry wood has been constructed around its perimeter. The Diablo Rat Warlord is just finishing his warm-up routine as they walk up to the barrier. He executes a complex finsishing move that appears to incorporate primitive aspects of western boxing, kung fu and krav maga. In contrast, Mrs. Rosemary simply rolls her shoulders and cracks her neck from side to side as she enter the ring... then waits.
"Once again, the Champion of Cheese City has arrived to test our strength through the Trial by Combat. The winner shall reap the spoils of conquest, while the loser shall sleep upon a bed of her own bones. The only weapons that shall be used are those provided by Nature. Any interference or aid given to either opponent shall be cause for an immediate forfeit. The Trial begins... now."
Rats come forward with torches and set the low barrier on fire, separating the spectators from the combatants with a wall of flame. Relaxing into a fighting stance, the Warlord circles the Ogress, appearing to have the upper hand as he sees an opening in her defenses and draws first blood. His sharp claws rake across the woman's shoulders and chest as she lunges toward him, leaving wicked wounds. However, Mrs. Rosemary grimaces past the pain as she wraps her arms around the enormous rat in a crushing embrace.
Combat Rolls
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Presence
Striking Looks
GoodwillNightfall watches with interest, mainly focused on the Warlord. It was for practical reasons; if it came to it, he wanted to know how these rats fought. The Ogress surprised him; why, he didn't know. Maybe he'd been expecting her to whip out a stirring spoon the size of a warhammer, or cleaver fashioned into a lochaber axe.
Or uncover some leftovers.
Unlike some of the other Lost, Nightfall didn't have much of an appetite for the exotic. Certainly some might consider Russian or Jewish fare exotic enough, but they were the norm to him.
And McDonald's.
Turning his attention back to the fight, he scanned the crowd, to make sure there wasn't going to be any outside interference from the rat masses.
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The brute force of Mrs. Rosemary's grapple stuns the Warlord, and he gulps at the air as he tries to regain his breath. Seeing an opportunity she just can't pass up, the Gristlegrinder opens her jaws wide. Chomping down, she rips the Warlord's throat out with her terrible teeth. Releasing him, she watches his body spasm as he falls to the ground and hopelessly clutches at his neck. After a moment or two, the fallen rat's eyes cloud over and he twitches one last time as the last of his life bleeds into the harsh mountainside. Mrs. Rosemary lifts her blood-stained chin to glare at the assembled rat horde as she finishes what she started and removes the Warlord's head from his shoulders. She watches the carefully, unsure of how they will react to the death of their leader. The rats are frozen with shock for only a moment, but soon regain their senses and surge forward in a furious attack... upon each other. Fighting for dominance, the Changelings are mostly ignored as the strongest of the rats fight for the right to take the Warlord's place upon the Throne of Leather and Bone. Mrs. Rosemary leads the other Freeholders back the way they came, dodging a few random attacks that may or may not have been actually intended for her. Carrying the Warlord's head, they reach the gate and quickly relate the news of her victory to their waiting escort from the 1st Cavalry, who congratulate the Ogress on once again keeping their city safe. Mounting the mice, the group makes its way back to Cheese City and enjoys the ensuing celebration for the triumphant heroes before returning to the bus and driving back to Sacramento.
Terrible Teeth Indeed
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