krytie
Joined: Aug 16, 2007
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 Posted:
Sep 15, 2013 - 13:13 |
 
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As they prepared to leave Pox, Kra-iti found a strange note which had been slid under his door during the night. It contained mysterious directions with no explanation. Never one to let fear enter the equation, Kra-iti roused his men and set off. Before long the skies grew dark -- odd because by Kra-iti's reckoning it was around midday. Soon they were shrouded in a thick fog and could see no more than a few metres ahead. They had followed the directions which had now expired, so Kra-iti took the lead and stepped unfazed into the gloom. He couldn't quite explain it, he just knew where he needed to go.
After what seemed like hours, the fog suddenly lifted. The gloom remained but all could see well enough -- directly facing them were another band of warriors, calmly observing the Dawi-Zharr as though they too had no idea what just happened. Both coaches espied the arcane markings on the ground between them and instantly knew their calling. They had been drawn to an ancient ball field, and it was time to play.
As the teams prepared to begin, a strangely dressed man approached Kra-iti and donated a large bag of coins. Before he could consider this, a long strong arm reached over Kra-iti's shoulder and rescued the bag from him. "I'll help you with that!" said a booming deep voice. When Kra-iti turned, he saw the largest Bull Centaur he had ever seen. Not that he'd seen many, but he must've weighed about the same as both of his Centaurs combined! "Hthark be my name". Let's kill some humans!"
"Fine by me" thought Kra-iti, and returned to his preparations, which consisted of procuring more beer. Moments later a distant voice.., no it wasn't distant, it just carried for a distance before bouncing back. It seemed to repeat itself 3 or 4 times before fading. Amongst the inane ramblings Kra-iti thought he heard mention of the opening match of the Shadowspires Tournament. Then from nowhere a crowd cheered.
And with that the game was on! The Graveshade Grandmasters received first and the fighting began. These soldiers were more organised than those previously encountered by the Dawi-Zharr. The quickly made an impression on him and his team (and their armour).
As things started to look bad for the dwarves, Hthark made a hasty retreat with his tail (and bags of gold!) between his legs. Kra-iti cursed himself for trusting the outsider. From now on he would place his faith only in his own kin (with the exception of slaves of course, who were equally useful with or without training, bravery, or intelligence).
The Graveshade females had a devastating effect on both teams. After the superhuman stars had knocked over the dwarven players, those femmes fatales delivered blow after blow to the fallen warriors. But they also distracted their own colleagues to the point where they found it increasingly difficult to pay attention to the ball. Finally after 6 rounds of possession the Grandmasters took the lead.
This seemed to please the crowd who celebrated for so long that there was no time for a reply from the Dawi-Zharr.
They got another chance with the ball after the break, and after a slow controlled march Pesu equalised with a quarter of regulation time remaining. The allure of the females was increasing, causing much consternation in the Graveshade ranks.
It increased further still as the play commenced. The Grandmasters were so ravenous they did not realise the dwarves starting to attack, and were briefly swamped. They soon recovered however, pushing the dwarves back and giving some breathing space to gather the ball. Of course Xod'lek still found time to devour another thrall... Graveshade still had plenty of time to equalise but the dwarven defence did just enough to prevent the score and the game went to Overtime.
With the vamps electing to receive there didn't seem much hope for Yantai. They did what they could, trying to force a mistake from the Grandmasters but their resolve held. The dwarves managed to first divert the offence and then sack the ball-carrier, but it was only delaying the inevitable. Darkushrak Xanic finished what he'd started in the first half, giving family Xanic a 2-1 OT win. They will progress to the next round. Yantai will go home.
Although the loss was a sore one, it saddened Kra-iti even more that the vast array of nubile slaves on offer also escaped their grasp. His quest continues unresolved. |
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OenarLod
Joined: Jan 26, 2011
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Sep 15, 2013 - 17:11 |
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Excerpt from a Council letter to Krurger:
We expect a lot better from the team we setup.
We expected new travel routes and we got none.
We expected less crimes and we got murders.
We expected a ordered transactions and we got explosions and panic.
Get this damn tournament thing done and then get back for commands,
the Council |
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Rabe
Joined: Jun 06, 2009
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| Posted:
Sep 15, 2013 - 18:07 |
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This was it. The Shadowspires. They were the reason why he had finally been allowed to leave Graveshade and travel the outside world - after more than 80 years. It had been a long journey, and not a pleasant one. Not that he had to suffer from any physical inconvenience, but now that he actually saw Orymm, it appeared pail, hostile and not the least bit appealing to him. As court jester he had accompanied the lord of Gallhain on his journeys many times, gathering the manifold impressions he was allowed to experience that way. Now he could not see bright colors, smell, taste or feel beauty anymore. It was no longer his world, and the life that filled it everywhere was mere painful mockery, fueling his hatred against his own will.
He was in charge of both, the Jesters and the Grandmasters right now, as Ebon Xanic had commanded. The vampire lord expected one of the teams to return in glory, although it was not hard to guess which of them he highly favored. His general felt the pressure and it bugged him. After all, it was just a silly game! At least the Grandmasters had one their first match... And yet, what would be his gain? Only time could tell, as always.
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U'bognthaotur, Lord-Commander of the Graveshade Guard, waited in the stands for the shadows to retrat. Not even his undead eyes could penetrate the mysterious veil that cloaked the pitch and the teams. If he was right, both of them were already in position. Not knowing the opponent ahead of the start was part of the special thrill in this particular competition, the Black Wolf had explained to him. Well, he did not feel thrilled at all. More annoyed than anything. Not being able to prepare appropriately was a major disadvantage and plain stupid in his book. But since leading the Jesters to victory was not up to him (he had briefly considered to take over control for the duration of the tournament, but quickly realized that he still had no real clue how the game worked), he did not bother too much. At least that's what he told himself over and over again. He had not even cared about the who tournament, until his trusted minion Black Wolf had explained to him, that proceeding in and maybe winning it would lead to a magnificent boost of fame and countrywide acknowledgment. He could only hope that it would also mean a hire grade of independence from Ebon Xanic and his wishes - at least in respect of the Jesters. More freedom, more options... If nothing else, it would be a chance to meet people from all over Orymm. Gather knowledge, clues...
A whisper went through the ranks and he realized that the shadows were fading. He saw players emerging on both halves of the tiled playing field. He recognized his team's Jester as a huge logo on the left side. Beyond the half-way line, the opponents stood equally motionless, equally dead... He had seen the shape of their armor before. He recognized the logo and he did not need to see the colors to know that yellow, black and red were predominant. Eyer.
As the opening whistle resounded, a single, high-pitched, terrifying screech echoed through the halls of stone. It told of nothing but pure, blind hatred. |
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krysskroz
Joined: Dec 05, 2009
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Sep 16, 2013 - 01:40 |
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Hetepka-teti surveyed the stadium, but could make out nothing but cursed darkness. His has been an existence spent too long in darkness already. It was time to begin the resurrection in earnest. In the years of their slumber the Onyx Guard had missed much in a changing world. The old ways, conquest on the field of armed battle, had given way to this new sport, Blood Bowl. What an odd custom, but it was a means to an end. It is mostly for the better, as the ritual to bring back the armies of Eyer had succeeded only in bringing back the Onyx Guard. The wills and souls of the rest had been too weak, tethered to strongly to their afterlife. Thutothmes approached the elder vizier, "Baokthis is ready to devour one of these 'refs' brother. In fact we have several grumbling that rules are meant for women. Men should meet face to face on the field of battle. At least, that is what I could make out between the grunts and grumbles."
"Fear not little brother, we shall not repeat the mistakes of our last battle, or match, or whatever these fools call this competition." replied Hetepka-teti.
"See that it doesn't old man, or it may be my blade that you must fear the most."
"Old grudges Thutothmes? Still your mind and your treacherous tongue. It was just such intrigue that cost us all those years ago."
The Onyx Guard took the field as their leaders squabbled. Bakothis, the brute that had been raised in the wilds, strained to make out who their opponents would be. Elves would taste good about now he thought, but as the mist parted a scorching sun shone down, Baothis' mouth parted in a knowing grin. This would be he day that the Guard would truly begin their march to glory over the backs of those that had stood against them so long ago. |
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"Most of us regard good luck as our right, and bad luck as a betrayal of that right."
William Feather |
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Dunenzed
Joined: Oct 28, 2011
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Sep 16, 2013 - 06:37 |
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They had seen no one in the days since they had arrived, and it would have been easy to dismiss this event as a cruel halfling hoax. Yet there was the faint cheering, drifting from some distant crowd in the early hours of each morning, and the constant sense of something watching, close yet hidden in the frozen shawdows. A contest was being determined here, although to the Burning Talon it seemed as if it was less a battle of iron grid, and more a fight for their very souls.
Each day they had set forth to find the stadium and demand their match, and each day the twisting streets had returned them to their dorm, another layer of frost settled on the furs Tzatza had had them acquire at Ryders Cove. Apparently they were to wait until the right time, and the waiting was almost as painful as the icy frost for the lizards of the Burning Talon.
Eczlat's facial spines had been bristling with rage for hours, and as they marched through the fog of frost, trying once again to reach the stadium, he reached breaking point again.
"We should not be here!" he shouted, half at the gloom around them, half at the one who had lead them here. "This is no place for the Champion of Flame! This place is dead, and does not burn!"
"Careful, brother", warned Ankhali, as Tzatza lead them around a corner into another narrow tunnel of a street, the buildings to each side looming over to come together above their heads.
Eczlat would not be calmed, "This was not what we were promised! This is not a place for the Fire Lizard! Where are the enemies to fight? They hide and watch from the dark! And glory? Where is our glory?"
The skinks dropped a step further back at this comment, instinctively looking for a bit more distance from the larger Sauri. Yet, Tzatza didn't even turn, continuing to lead the group forward.
"Are you sure you didn't mean ice, Tzatza?" needled Eczlat, still pushing for a response he could battle against. "There is nothing here but ice."
"There is purpose", Tzatza replied, as he stopped and turned to face Eczlat. The street had opened up suddenly and they had walked out into what they assumed was a town square, and had lost sight of any walls with which to orient themselves.
Eczlat spat on the frozen ground, "We could have had the Half-masters at Ryders Cove. How do we even know if they are here? We should have fought them and burned their treemen when we had the chance!"
Goquax and Chiccitza had fallen in behind their oracle, but the other Sauri stood to the side as Tzatza eyed Eczlat, measuring the weight of the challenge in front of him.
"The Fire Lizard wants to you to open your eyes, Eczlat. Look around you, is this very place not what we must fight against? We must unleash the eruption, or surrender our world to the Cult. Those heretics would have us live amongst frozen ashes. This is our purpose, to see and feel what the Perputal Existance would mean for us if they are successful."
Eczlat blinked, looking around at the gloom, there was nothing, he could barely see the ground beneath his feet. "It is too cold. We must fight soon."
"We will. And we will warm ourselves as our enemies burn." |
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cowhead
Joined: Oct 22, 2006
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| Posted:
Sep 16, 2013 - 16:00 |
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---Newsflash---
Interupted Journey
Days out of Pockara deep into the Bahaal Canyons, the Night Terrors came across a strange site. Before them appeared a group of raging Ogres holding aloft a ball and pointing towards what can only be described as a ramshackle Blood Bowl pitch. The Night Terrors always up for a game happily obliged them. The Butchers as they liked to be called, brought a mean looking Morg 'n' Thorg with them to bolster their team.
Warick Mortison was the star of the show and has started to show real promise. He took out the Butchers Captain with a boot to the head followed shortly later with a rather harrowing stomp to the side of Morg's jaw taking them both out for the rest of the game. James Frobisher and Harvey Klattenberg managed to score three touchdowns between them as the Ogres defence crumbled. There was some cause for concern in the second half though as both Tom O'Boyle and Captain Luther Jones took paricularly brutal blocks from which they almost never recovered.
Councilman Frederick Rotbottom had this to say
"What can I say. The boys did their job admirably and players are picking up new skills all the time." |
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mister__joshua
Joined: Jun 20, 2007
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As they stepped out onto the field, the Cult waited for the Spire's thick fog to clear, wondering who they would face.
For a moment it appeared they had no opponent. Were they the lucky team with a bye? Then a tree lumbered out of the shadows in front of them. Wind whipped around their feet stirring the low, curling mists. Suddenly they realised they were surrounded. Beset on all sides by miniature pirates, hidden in the low cloud cover. Then, without warning, the whistle blew..... |
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ilpars
Joined: Nov 14, 2012
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Sep 17, 2013 - 00:55 |
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Something has changed inside Elendil when he saw his closest friend was eaten by a giant frog. He was always known by his silent demenour but recently he become distant to all.
Then the match against Lizards happened. During the match he played as if he was posessed by something. He become as this is even a Word shadowy. He could not be catched, he could not be blocked. Only the time will show waht will transpire in him. |
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easilyamused
Joined: Jun 06, 2008
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Sep 17, 2013 - 22:57 |
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We search shadows. I seek.
New foes. Green skin. Strong. We attack. Rage kick. Rend Hit. Gnaw Steal.
Rage impress me and family. Anyone down he hurt.
Screech and Gnaw score. They fast. They run. No-one stop us.
I search. I seek. Shadow jewel be mine. Man-things no stop us now. |
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Dunenzed
Joined: Oct 28, 2011
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Sep 24, 2013 - 06:51 |
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The decision to leave the Shadowspire was welcome, and a sense of urgency drove the lizards of the Burning Talon as they gathered their belongings.
Tzatza had announced the decision when it became apparent that the frozen dead city would not offer them another chance to prove their worth on the pitch. They had marched to find the stadium again but it never revealed itself. Their travels were not without success, the Burning Talon now had first hand experience as to what it would mean if they let the Cult of Perpetual Existance prevent them from achieving their mission.
A brief ceremony was held at the docks to burn the branch ripped from the Treeman during their defeat on the pitch, after which the Burning Talon embarked, assisted by the crew of their ship who were as keen as they were to leave. In a few days they would return to Ryder's Cove, a city which even Adohitza would now welcome the sight of.
Ryder's Cove now only ranked the second most miserable city in all of Orymm according to the Burning Talon. |
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easilyamused
Joined: Jun 06, 2008
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Sep 24, 2013 - 14:41 |
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As they searched the ruins of the Shadowspires, Deaden spotted something lurking. His curiosity got the better of him and he slowly made his way through the door into what appeared to be a large cavern. Suddenly the shadows lifter and it was revealed that Pox Ascendance had found themselves on a bloodbowl field. Stood across the pitch was the team of Graveshade Grandmasters. With the team already thinned out the rats tried to back track to safety.... But too late....
The entrance sealed and the Vampires spotted Deaden. After 2 previous titanic battles the enmity had built between the teams. Rage infused Deaden and he rushed onto the field to play.....
The Vampires used the shadows to get an early advantage and Blitzed the Rats but after some daring plays and sacrificing a few players Pox managed to secure the ball and move it to safety for an early score. Screech almost fell to the same fate as the other fallen GR's after a failed dodge but the apo managed to save her with only a small decrease to her speed. The Vampires tied the score going into half time but the Rats had done their job and were taking out thralls, waiting for the bloodlust to kick in but it wasn't to be.
The second half started as brutally as the first half finished with players falling at every turn and the Vampires scoring earlier than they wanted. This time Deaden managed to harness the powers of the shadows and turned back time to allow the equalising score after some brave blocking and blitzing.
OT loomed with Graveshade Grandmasters down to just 1 thrall and 4 Vampires. Ripper saw an opening to the ball and took it, knocking it loose and Deaden saw his chance to claim it. What happened next has caused a hatred in Deaden that will never be quenched. The Vampires popped the ball loose, collected and handed off to another player. Ignoring all the rats surrounding them as if they didn't matter and their grabbing hands were of no consequence. A dodge and sprint later and the Vampires had stolen the victory, handed Pox Ascendance their first loss and dumped them out of the tournament. |
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easilyamused
Joined: Jun 06, 2008
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Sep 27, 2013 - 22:44 |
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Pox, they had come home. After leaving the Shadowspires empty handed Deaden wanted to take stock of the team and recruit some new players. Blaze, Hex and a disturbing new construct, Type 1 joined the band to raise the rats to greatness.
But something was spotted, Rambling Roses of Borosia had also come to Pox. They were not welcome, they must be forced to leave. Deaden led the troops to the field and the frustration of the last game boiled over.
Rend went for the man-things with reckless abandon and scored 3 CAS, Blaze and Hex opened up their scoring accounts and Weep even scored after an interception.
At the end of the game Deaden inspected the field. The man things has been beaten into the ground. They had been humiliated. They learnt an important lesson. When Deaden speaks, man-things listen. |
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krysskroz
Joined: Dec 05, 2009
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Sep 28, 2013 - 04:45 |
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Hushed whispers bring delightful news for the Guard this eve. It has been discovered that the lords of Castle Gallhain are the most likely next match for the Guard. Hetepka-teti grinned, a grin filled with malice and good tidings. Hetepka-teti well remembers the siege during his time in the field serving Eyer. This had been the first defeat he had witnessed, one that saw Lord Eyer himself bested that day by a man with inhuman speed and strength. Eyer's forced had been forced to retreat, but Hetepka-teti had learned many valuable lessons that day. He relished the chance to field Eyer's chosen on the pitch against the nefarious undead lords. Ironic that Hetepka-teti now shared more in common with his foes than he had all those years ago. Perhaps if some of this altered flock could be persuaded to follow the Guard instead of their masters........ |
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"Most of us regard good luck as our right, and bad luck as a betrayal of that right."
William Feather |
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cowhead
Joined: Oct 22, 2006
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Sep 28, 2013 - 10:33 |
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The Night Terrors arrived at the battlefield in weiry silence. Councilman Frederick Rotbottom gathered his cloak around him as if it would protect him the darkness ahead.
'So this is where Eyer fell' said Warwick in reverence
'Let us be about this quick this place gives me the creeps, find the grave, perform the ritual and move on' said the Councilman
The team spread out wary of the shadows and the things that moved in them.
'How many bodies do you think are buried here?' asked Warwick
'Thar be more bones 'ere than Davy Jones' Locker, if ye're askin' me' replied Samuel
'Here it is boss' said one of the Janus brothers
And there it was indeed the Tomb of Eyer and his children. It was an imposing site, even to the citizens of Pockara who have witnessed much these past few decades.
'Ok gentleman, let us find her chamber and get on with this. It has been a long time since this has been done. Let us hope we are not too late. stated the Councilman
'While we are here it would be best if we pay our respects to Eyer himself, lest we draw the wrath of whatever lurks out there' said James
'Aye 't would be wise nay t' anger 'em' said Samuel
'Ok here it is. Warwick if you please.' Said the Councilman ushering Warwick into place
The Night Terrors gathered around Dahra's last resting place, each of them whispering a prayer for those that are lost.
'Let us begin' Said Warwick |
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krytie
Joined: Aug 16, 2007
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Sep 29, 2013 - 01:50 |
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Kra-iti and his band once again found themselves staring through the fog at the faint Pockaran skyline ahead. It seemed like days since they had seen the Sun (or Moon for that matter). They had been enveloped in a perpetual blanket of fog and mist since their loss to the Grandmasters. Seeing the end of it raised their spirits and gave them the strange sensation as if returning home, even in this godforsaken place. Soon enough, thought Kra-iti. We will see the golden tower of Yantai before the new Moon rises. He did not like the thought of returning home without a prize, but he realised the need to recruit fresh warriors and slaves was higher than any selfish need to save face. No-one would call his brief sortie a failure - it was a first scouting after all, but he would have preferred to have some kind of trophy to celebrate his greatness on his return to Yantai. He resolved to stay a few nights in Pox. It would give his men time to recover from their recent trials and enjoy the Pockaran hospitality once more. If they can arrange a few sparring matches in Pox then Kra-iti may still find a prize to present to his father.
After a good night of drinking and a good afternoon of rest, Kra-iti bumped into a few petty officers from Borosia. He noticed Japh was not among them. After brief negotiations a rematch was agreed, to take place before sundown to allow more time in the inn afterwards.
And so to the match. The Dwarves from Yantai begin the game with a safe kick to centre-field. 1st officer Smaye shows how it should be done with a much stronger kick. He catches Deap in the groin so hard it fractures his own leg! The crowd obviously love it because after the match both team's MVPs went to the pair involved!
A pincer move from the Yantai Bulls fails to bear fruit as Ayadaragalam repeatedly falls over. Not looking so clever today.
Vaunai paces slowly upfield with her enormous bodyguards standing firm against all attacks. She finally breaks away from her guardians but falls as she does so! There is no danger though as Mizgob helps her overpower the only dwarf standing between her and the endzone.
There is something about this female that rankles deep within the Dawi-Zharr. Not content with scoring, she seemed to slow down just out of reach of the defenders, moving only as fast as she needed to keep a safe distance, taunting her inept pursuers. Kra-iti's men felt nothing but cold hatred towards her, and wished to turn her into their first champion slave. Unfortunately it clearly distracted them from the task at hand and they achieved neither goal.
The Rambling Roses seem to be a much tougher proposition than last we met. The team is much more disciplined and mobile, making it hard for the Dawi-Zharr to land a blow on them. This is demonstrated at the start of the second half with a well executed blitz penetrating deep into the Yantai half. Soon there is only a single hobgoblin standing, not that the Dawi-Zharr seemed to care! Beatha did all he could to hold onto the ball, keeping it safe from his foes rather than making any visible attempt to score. Once he is flushed out by the Roses, he adds to the melee in the centre of the field as all remaining players are drawn together for a slugging match. There is no clear winner in the punch-up, but Borosia definitely come out on top in terms of ball control, and succeed easily in preventing the Yantai equaliser. |
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