Training crash course in the cold
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
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#1
LOREN
Even in the heart of Deepfrost, Loren needed to keep up his skills. Actually, he might need to keep them up now more than ever: quite a few people were relying upon him to be able to combat the monsters when LongNight finally rolled around and, while he was trying to keep his spirits up, it was hard as the pressure built. So he’d come out, despite the snow, to build up his physical and mental strength. Of course, he was bundled up in a fur-lined cloak and thick leathers, because he wasn’t a complete idiot.

After his morning tasks were complete, he’d come outside and stamped down the snow in a wide area in the streets just outside the Manor. That done, he picked up the staff he’d brought, and started moving through a series of basic blocks and strikes. He’d already meditated right after he woke up, so he probably could’ve jumped right into his magic, but he wanted to loosen up his limbs and his mind a little bit first. Getting the kinks out always helped him remain focused during spell casting.

Cera
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
Cera Novik
Metalsmith / Medic

Age: 29 | Height: 5'5 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 1 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 12 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 6 - Int:
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#2
Cera
you save everyone
but who saves you?


Deimos' warning about longnight had not escaped the golden-haired sunchild. It was a daunting prospect, one that reminded him of when they had to hide beneath the earth in Helovia, forcing their loved ones into the healing waters within even as they tried with all their might to hurt and kill them. If this was anything like that, he was ill-prepared to say the least. Though he had hoped for more time to build the hostel he had been envisioning, it was clear he would have to wait until the end of the sunless days to begin building. In the meantime, he would have to find shelter, stockpile food and furs, perhaps visit the forge he'd helped Caiside build and make some weapons...

Keeping himself in shape was a little easier. He was certainly no mountain of muscle, a runner's build more than anything. Still, he had held strong against Are in their spar, but it wouldn't do Cera any good to let that go to his head. There were so many others out there with greater gifts and skills. Not to mention the monstrous creatures that would seek them out, whose powers and strengths remained unknown. Despite his constant traveling and wandering keeping him in shape, he needed to knock off the rust from his old skills. This body was still new to him, he couldn't afford not to know its limitations.

As if the fates themselves are listening in to his musings, he comes across a man in the snow not soon after. He is going through a series of staff katas, his motions loose and likely meant for warmup. Cera reaches for his own quarterstaff, a simple weapon but one that matches the simplicity of his own soul and fighting style. "Hello!" he calls, tentatively approaching with one hand still resting on his bo where it's strapped to his back. What can he say? It's also a great walking stick in the snow. Versatility! "Mind a partner?"
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
ASTRA - Mythical - Luxere
Played by: Crooked Offline
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Posts: 5,165 | Total: 9,913
MP: 3415
#3
LOREN
An unfamiliar figure approached through the snow: he had long blonde hair, and was certainly much healthier looking than Loren, though that wasn't saying much. The summoner eyed the arrival warily, but the cheerful greeting dispelled any concern the Launceleyn might have had. ”Not at all. Just staves, or anything goes?” Rolling his neck as he waited for the stranger’s response, the Launceleyn walked forward and held out his hand. ”I’m Loren. I don’t think we’ve met.”

Regardless of how the stranger replied to the librarian’s question about rules, Loren would back up to a short distance away. Then he beckoned for his partner to make the first move. The summoner preferred to play defense whenever possible, especially when facing an unknown opponent.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
Cera Novik
Metalsmith / Medic

Age: 29 | Height: 5'5 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 1 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 12 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 6 - Int:
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#4
Cera
you save everyone
but who saves you?


The wariness is justifiable, though definitely a different greeting than he'd received at his last spare with Are. Still, there was little Cera could not mend with the warmth of his smile, and in time the man melts and presents his hand to shake. Cera steps forward confidently to accept it, shaking firmly without his kindly expression ever faltering. An impish grin twists at his lips at the idea of more to this particular battle. He is certainly at a disadvantage with his singular talent, but he'd been outmatched against Are and still come out victorious. Cera had being an underdog down to an art.

"Whatever you're willing to use," he confirms instead, glad he feels battle-ready and well-rested if he's going to be subjecting his body to magical hell. It wouldn't be the first time, and certainly not the last. Cera had never really learned how not to jump into fights feet-first, blind and foolhardy. He blamed his upbringing, truly.

"Nice to meet you Loren, I'm Cera," he says instead as their palms depart, smile growing at the prospect of friendship. It mattered little to him how it was struck, during battle or booze or some other variety of embarrassment. He was quite the collector of people.

Loren paces backwards, and Cera slides his bo from the simple strap holding it to his back, spinning it idly a few times to remind himself of its reach and weight. The gesture to commence is signaled, and with a sudden fierce change to his expression he lunges forward, dragging the end of the bo through the snow and flinging as much of it as he can at Loren in hopes of blinding him. Useful things learned living in the desert, eh? As the range of the bo ends, he reverses the motion to hopefully bring down the topmost part of it down towards Loren's left shoulder. Disabling it in any way would only prove fortuitous for the rest of their spar.



1/4
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
ASTRA - Mythical - Luxere
Played by: Crooked Offline
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MP: 3415
#5
LOREN
As the other man agreed to let Loren use his full range of talents, he nodded in acknowledgement. ”Sounds good.” Although he could’ve just summoned a monster right at the start—and obviously would in the event of a real fight—the Launceleyn wanted to get the measure of the long-haired man first. Plus Loren could use a workout, and using his magic wouldn’t get him that. ”It’s nice to meet you too, Cera.” The summoner gave the other man a smile as they shook hands and squared off.

Then the sparring match began in earnest. Unfortunately for Cera, Peter had tried a similar trick—blinding Loren with water, though in its liquid not its solid form—in the last sparring match the summoner had participated in, so the Launceleyn was wise to such tricks. He ducked out of the way of the snow, then eyed the other man warily. Cera was already swinging his staff towards Loren’s shoulder, but instead of trying to block it directly, the summoner stepped aside from the strike, and slapped at the end of the other man’s staff with the Launceleyn’s own, hoping to force Cera off balance. Secretly, Loren also pushed at the end of the staff with his telekinesis, in the off chance his own parry didn't land.

The summoner followed up by reversing his strike and sweeping the bottom of his staff at the other man’s legs starting from the summoner's right. Again, Loren wasn’t entirely trying to hit the other man, just force him off balance and give the Launceleyn space to use his superior reach.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
Cera Novik
Metalsmith / Medic

Age: 29 | Height: 5'5 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 1 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 12 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 6 - Int:
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#6
Cera
you save everyone
but who saves you?


Kindness and acquaintanceship gives way to calculation and machinations. Cera is as comfortable here as he has ever been, though this body remains a mystery. What better way to discover its limitations than battle? So he wastes no further breath on introductions, not when they have the gist of the situation figured out. This is a time for movement, for speed, not for chatter. Why else would the man be seeking a partner?

Cera cannot conceal his pleased grin when Loren dodges, unoffended at being caught out. The swift rebuke of colliding staffs forces his grip to tighten, refusing to drop his weapon. The strength behind it is surprising, not that Loren is underdeveloped per say, but his telekinesis has no visible signifier. Cera lets the force shove his bo down, the farthest tip hitting the hard earth. But he's no child either, and his eyes remain locked on Loren, aware that focusing on his weapon conceals his awareness of future movements.

It happens in rapid succession, the swipe towards his calves and the resonance of impact up his arms. Cera jumps instinctively, using the tip of his staff as a counter-balance. When his feet reconnect he wobbles slightly on the slick compacted snow, but there's no time for hesitation. Lifting his bo back from where he'd planted it into the ground, he hopes to catch Loren during the last half of his swing, and jabs straight forward with the end of his staff aimed for Loren's sternum. There's not much reach to the movement, so it wouldn't herald as much damage as he'd normally like in a spar, but hopefully it would at least force the man back a few steps.



2/4
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
ASTRA - Mythical - Luxere
Played by: Crooked Offline
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#7
LOREN
Loren’s strike failed to connect as Cera pulled off a slick maneuver and vaulted away from the Launceleyn. No matter. They’d exchanged blows, and the summoner was feeling more confident about his chances. So instead of parrying the other man’s bo, Loren took a small step to the side and swayed out of the way, hand reaching for the end of Cera’s staff. The summoner simultaneously jabbed forward with the end of his own staff. He was planning to yank the other man forward into the path of Loren’s weapon.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
Cera Novik
Metalsmith / Medic

Age: 29 | Height: 5'5 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 1 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 12 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 6 - Int:
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#8
Cera
you save everyone
but who saves you?


The man is swift and battle-hardened, and Cera is only able to partially react in the small time between his own jab and the man's bold move of grabbing onto his weapon. He twists sideways in parallel of Loren, but the man's staff scrapes across the front of his torso and under his left arm, nearly taking his shirt with it. Loosening his grip on the bo, Cera clenches his jaw through the pain and throws himself bodily at the larger man, hand running up the length of his weapon in preparation to tighten once more. Simultaneously he brings his left arm close to his body and jabs out with it in close quarters, sharp elbow aimed for the man's solar-plexus to both try and wind him and to shove him backwards, hopefully releasing the end of Cera's staff.



3/4
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
ASTRA - Mythical - Luxere
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#9
LOREN
Cera, instead of faltering, falling back, and dropping his weapon, charged forward. At this unexpected move, Loren’s eyes widened. Immediately, the summoner let go of the other man’s staff and tried to sidestep, but in his rush he didn’t see the jab coming his way. His dodge caused it to slam into his ribs instead of his solar plexus, and pain blossomed there, which Loren ignored. While the other man was strong, the Launceleyn didn’t think anything was broken, and if it started to bother him he’d just heal it. His own staff was still tangled with Cera’s body so Loren shoved it forward towards Cera’s chest, trying to push the other man over or at least send him off balance or on a course away from the summoner.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
Cera Novik
Metalsmith / Medic

Age: 29 | Height: 5'5 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 1 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 12 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 6 - Int:
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#10
Cera
you save everyone
but who saves you?


The sting of connection from his elbow is both satisfying and painful, glancing off the hard ridge of bone. Not enough tow ind him like he'd hoped, but he'd likely have a nice little bruise. His staff is released, and Cera swings it quickly halfway behind him, held loose and at the ready but harder to reach. It wouldn't do to get into a tug-of-war match with the man, he was certainly stronger. And speaking of stronger...there's no room for Cera to move, to dodge away again when Loren shoves his staff between them. He stumbles in the snow, a little winded from the shove, but quickly spins his bo and positions it defensively in case Loren hopes to take advantage of his instability.



4/4
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
ASTRA - Mythical - Luxere
Played by: Crooked Offline
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#11
LOREN
Loren definitely intended to take advantage of Cera’s momentary instability. Although the summoner hadn’t exactly been expecting his little shove to work, he was quick enough to pick it up in a firm two-handed grip, lift it up, and swing it down towards the other man in as hard a blow as he could manage, though the Launceleyn aimed it at the other man’s shoulder rather than his head, not wanting to actually injure Cera. Of course, it became a moot point as the other man’s bo staff was suddenly in the path of Loren’s own weapon.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
Cera Novik
Metalsmith / Medic

Age: 29 | Height: 5'5 | Race: Attuned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Hollowed Grounds
Level: 1 - Strg: 16 - Dext: 12 - Endr: 12 - Luck: 6 - Int:
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#12
Cera
you save everyone
but who saves you?


Cera braces his arms as he lifts his bo in both hands, watching how Loren's body twists, eyes catching the signaled movement swiftly. He lifts the staff, catching the downward strike upon its surface and feeling the sting of reverberation as the wood jerks against his palms and rebounds the attack. Cera's palms are going to be feeling the tingles of that particular hit for a while, but it also seems like a good place to pause and take in their current state. Slowly lowering his bo, he grins a little breathlessly at Loren. "You're quite good," he compliments. "Sufficient warm-up or would you like to continue?" No sense in beating the hell out of each other for the entirety of the evening if he just needed to get back into the groove of battle.
the Firebrand
Headmaster / Grand Healer

Age: 29 | Height: 5' 11' | Race: Attuned x Abandoned | Nationality: Outlander | Citizenship: Halo
Level: 11 - Strg: 32 - Dext: 33 - Endr: 35 - Luck: 39 - Int:
ASTRA - Mythical - Luxere
Played by: Crooked Offline
Change author:
Posts: 5,165 | Total: 9,913
MP: 3415
#13
LOREN
Their staves locked together, the vibrations going through the summoner’s admittedly weak arms. As Cera paused, so did Loren, appreciating the break. Though he wasn’t tired—a fact that would’ve surprised him once upon a time—he still wasn’t at full strength.

Well not his body. His magic was stronger than ever, and it sang in his veins, ready to be unleashed. Although he’d been waiting for Cera to display some incredible feats, maybe that was all the other man had in him. If so, it would be cruel to take the unsuspecting man by surprise.

But also kinda fun.

Still, he should probably give Cera a choice. ”Thanks. You’re pretty good yourself.” Disengaging, the summoner stepped back to a good distance before grinning at the other man. ”Though you haven’t really seen what I can do yet. So if you wanna continue I might stop holding back.” Maybe that was mean, but the Launceleyn made sure to keep a cheerful tone in his voice, so hopefully the other man wouldn’t be too offended. And if Cera did choose to keep fighting Loren would take it easy on the other man.

Well, probably. He’d avoid doing any real harm at least. And if he did, he could always heal it.
A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood


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