Knights of Anathaeum The Gauntlet

[Dal]

Building the thing was a part of the training all it's own. Having spent some time building palisades and defences for old mercenary companies when need demanded, it was an easy matter conceptually. And what's more, he had done this before, before the soldiering days, when he had worked on a project on a far smaller measure for himself when he was an adolescent in the orcish tribes. That had been a simple gym setup, weights, ropes, natural resistance training. Building this now was a form of nostalgia to Dal. He nodded in satisfaction as he slotted the final piece together and kicked it.

It was soothing in a way. Fashioning the wood. Sealing the joints. Ensuring the work was not warped. And then hefting the solid wood into form. No magic. Just hard graft. Hard graft that made Dal feel some sense of accomplishment. He had been lumbering for two weeks to develop what he needed. Turned down arcane short cuts from his comrades with a slow shake of the head. Hammer and nails were applied with rhythmic assurance. Dal was relentless in pursuing this construction, where his education in becoming a knight potentially one day was lacking traction in the arcane, he understood what it was to live by their own merits alone. And so, dedicated his time to providing something his fellow squires, and indeed, knights could test themselves upon.

The construction had numerous parts and sections. The parts you might expect from an obstacle course. Swinging weights to avoid. Swinging weights you had to stop with your brawn and throw aside, or if one were dexterous enough, avoid via jumping. Winches that one can calibrate to the right ratio for one's own strength to lift a weighted door and crawl through. Slamming pillars of wood that must be avoided. Walls that needed to be climbed, as well as ropes to pull oneself up, before taking up wooden sword to deflecting randomised sword strokes as one descending upon sliding platform, and then jumping down to run into cover from a timed arrow strike from an automated crossbow contraptions, before having to break down a door to get through to the goal before the arrows reloaded and fired again. And then the final test. Could one throw a longsword as a weapon to prevent another barrage of arrows with no cover to find?

It was designed for his strength and endurance, but also to push his speed when exhaustion might kick in. It was difficult. But not impossible. He had read of the knightly virtues. Courage, resilience, bravery. But he also knew the virtues of the warrior. Determination, brute strength, endurance. He hoped to instil this into his fellow squires.

“I can't do magic. But I can do this. I can do this.”

He made his final mark upon the sign at the front.

“NO MAGIC ALLOWED ON THE GAUNTLET”

And folded his arms and admired his work. Now all to do was to wait for the curious to try their hand at this.

 

[Ophelia Tirion]

Ophelia had been on of the first to show up at the obstacle course, keen to try her hand at the challenge. Flexibility and agility was her strong suite, pure brute strength was something she lacked.

From where she assumed would be the starting point, the squire scanned the rest of the course in assessment. Lifting weights was where Ophelia could defiantly see herself falling behind.

Hands on her hips she paced slightly, thinking of ways to turn her weaknesses into strengths.

 

[Dal]

Dal was glad to see that someone was interested in his contraption. While the prospect of setting up the thing just for himself had crossed his mind, he was glad that his community was aspiring to take up the challenge already, moments after the final kick and signage had been delivered and written.

Might not be able to do the weights. But that's what the winch is for.

"Now," Dal said slowly and methodically, "When you reach the winch, you can set the gears up so that you can have a chance to lifting the door. In fact, let me talk you through the whole thing," Dal said as he walked by the side of the gauntlet. "First, the swinging weights, of which there are four, where you must walk across a thin platform with all speed and timing to avoid being shunted off. Next section. The two slower weights that must be grabbed and brought to stillness before continuing, those ones go up the platform lane instead of across it. You can avoid them entirely if you're fast enough to manage such a feat. Moving on. The weighted door. This is where the winch is. Move the winch further across if you want more of a mechanical advantage, but it'll be slower and take more out of you in the long run. Go through the door. Then you've got the pillars of wood that'll try and knock you off, then a wall to climb, a further rope to clamber up, and then sliding down on a platform while fending off slashing dolls that'll try and hit you with wooden swords. Then we have the test of surviving. Arrows will fly down once you get to this section, which you must take cover, and then move onto the next obstacle, smashing down a door. There's a hammer in the far corner for that, or just," Dal said, and looked at Ophellia's build, "Yeah, the hammer. And then, once you get into the final room, you pick up the longsword, or whatever weapon you prefer, and then throw it at the target to prevent the final volley. This all clear? Think you can manage all that?"

Ophelia Tirion

 

[Sosi Gnax]

Sosi arrived shortly after Ophelia, and ran over to greet her with a hug. "Miss Ophelia! Are you doing the obstacle course too?! Good luck! Sosi is gonna win, you know!" She let go of the elf and took a few steps away.

Sosi pulled off her coat, discarding it carelessly onto the ground. She smoothed out the simple clothes that she wore underneath and set a fierce determined look on her face. Reaching as high as her stubby little arms could reach, she slowly reached forward and touched her toes. Sosi repated the motion a few more times, before stopping and patting her cheeks to psych herself up.

Adjusting her hat, Sosi stared out over the course, wondering how she would pass the combat sections.

 

[Innis]

No magic allowed in the gauntlet? Really?

It felt like a rule made up specifically to spite her.

As she approached the dangerous assembly of metal and wood, Innis was glad to see that she wasn't the only one around. The new squire Dal focused his explanation on Ophelia, letting Innis merely nod along and sulk in peace.

Innis understood that a strong body was the foundation that magic was built upon, if only because Syr Damir kept telling her that was the case. He was worried that she was starting to rely on spellwork too much to make up for her physical faults. Sub-consciously, Innis flexed the scarred right hand hidden underneath a long coat and gloves.

If she could complete this obstacle course, could she convince the Pursuant that she was taking her sword practice seriously?

 

[Amelia Hawthorne]

Amelia had arrived in plain leathers. Having heard the word throughout the Monastery that the contraptions that some had thought Dal mad for building without magic, were now finished, Amelia was eager to test her mettle against what she hoped to be a challenging course for her skills.

But as she had learned so well in her studies, the better thy knew thy enemy, the better one was prepared to defeat it. So while people began to gather at the starting line, the studious squire found her way into the course and sizing up the obstacles from a brief distance. Making note of strategies in her head that she might use to best perform to her own abilities and shortcomings.

 

[Hector]

Hector looked on at the perilous course Dal had lead them in constructing. A hint of wolfish pride gleamed in his eye, and his muscles still ached some from all the work, his palms raw.

"I'll go first!" he volunteered, and stepped up to the line, rolled his shoulders, kicked his feet and gave them a shake.

He was still getting used to missing a whole half of one of his proud ears. While the wound healed well, his balance and coordination still felt lagging. This sort of training, he felt, it was exactly what he needed.

He got on line. Bent down at his knees, and went for it.

His feet bound off of the earth, and he bolt forward. Perhaps, over eager, as when he came to the swinging weights, the first knocked him, not clean off, but glancing, he had to take a moment to recover before he carried on. Found his balance off, slowed, got bumped again. No worry, just the first obstacle, he would make up for it.

He pushed on to the second, was walloped right off. "Fuck me," he said, in a cloud of dust, flat on his back. He grunt, scrambled back to his feet and faced off with the big weights once more. He could do this. He caught the weights, slowed them, and moved on.

The door came next. He grabbed the winch, and brute his way with the winch. His muscles feeling tired, he raised the door high and ran through before it slammed behind him.

He watched the pillars, saw their rhythm. He was good with rhythm. Good with timing. He just needed to catch his breath some. He went through it at steady, careful clip. His lungs filled with wind, and his muscles felt warm.

The wall came and went. Handholds and footholds he had placed, easy enough to get up. The rope too. He felt his speed picking up. He grabbed up a wooden sword, and looked down the ramp. Nod. He raced down! Clack, thwack, crack! He deflected most of the hits, only took one across the arm as his feet kept their pace.

His eye caught the glint of the arrows, he dove for cover, the string twanged and the padded bolt arced overhead. He grinned, got up off his belly, and too the door. Grabbed up the hammer. One, two, three, steady strikes and the door was near off its hinges. A kick with his boot and it fell off.

The last obstacle. The sniper in waiting. He saw the dummy and with both hands still on the heavy hammer, he spun and flung the weapon across! It smashed into the firing dummy, and knocked it over.

He let out a long breath. Felt sweat trickle down his brow, and his heart pound in his chest. He gripped his hands and smiled. "Alright!" he shout, with a pump of his fists.

He turned to his fellows. "Whose next?" he grinned with challenge as he stepped to replace the wooden door.

Definitely room to improve, but damn did it feel good to get moving.

---

Rolling Prompt/ Breakdown!
Rolled 9 D 6 for a total of 36! Golf rules, so the lower the number the better!
Each dice roll helps determine how well Hector did on his attempt at the obstacle.

 

[Kaida]

Excitement shivered up the young dragonette's spine, an obstacle course had been set up by Dal, and she loved to try new things! In all the haste she could muster, she she bolted to where the contraption had been erected.

Eyes were alight with pure curiosity and anticipation as she breached the group that stood before it. She tried to skid to a stop, but her boots seemed to be just a tad cumbersome, and sent her sprawling to the earth with a thud.

Kaida barely acknowledged the fall, quick as she was to get back up. The grin had never left her face as she watched Hector finish his circuit. Oh, this was gonna be fun!

 

[Dal]

Dal refused to let himself wince for his comrades. He was more concerned that the obstacle course might not be enough of a challenge for the others, but it seemed like this was more than enough of a test for his fellows. He nodded and gave small mutterings of approval as each challenge was overcome. He didn't shake his head when Hector fell off, for such a gesture was fit for higher ups. Not equals at this training lark.

Dal approved as the winch was used properly, not too much distance, but enough of a test of time and strength. It was designed so anyone with any strength could hoist the thing, but the stronger would be rewarded for their boldness.

Hector seemed like he knew how to survive arrows incoming. Perhaps learned from being in the field, Dal thought. There was something fluid about Hector's movements, something firmly engrained by combat which made Dal appreciate the squire's efforts.

The final snipers were disabled by a solid throw of the weapon. Dal nodded firmly at this, and welcomed Hector back with a goodly smile. "Well done Hector. You've conquered the thing. We'll look at the times once everyone has had their attempt at it," he said, and pointed at the device which Hector himself had installed to record the times. A series of automatic hourglasses that triggered as soon as someone walked upon it. There would be more than enough for everyone, and could be gathered at the end, and had accurate to the second measurements at the bottom etched in runes that shifted and twisted. The only magic that this gauntlet needed, it had been decided.

"Next up?" Dal called and folded his arms.

"How'd you find it?" Dal asked Hector casually as he gestured to anyone at all to go on it next, and stood in line with Hector to observe.

Hector

 

[Innis]

With a lot of self confidence that he'd definitely earned over the years of training, Hector stepped up to the challenge of the Gauntlet first. He looked like he was going to kill it, until the first weight slammed into him. Innis winced at the blow, squinting through one eye to see if he could recover.

"C'mon Hector, you can do it!" she cheered.

And he could! Innis wasn't going to fawn over Hector, there were plenty of other people who could do that. But she did nod approvingly at him when he came back victorious from the end of the course. If not a little bruised up.

"I want to go next," she announced when Dal asked for another volunteer. Whatever excitement Innis had felt before was masked by her usual pouting frown as she pulled her gloves off one finger at a time. "Might as well get it over with."

She stuffed the gloves into a loop of her belt and stood upon the line that marked the start. Flexed her hand as she honed in on her breathing. Then, with deliberating cantor, hopped up onto the narrow platform that marked the start.

---

The first bit of the course was familiar to her, at least. A simple feat of balance, her soft leather boots had no trouble with the narrow plank, and it felt like the swinging pendulums were built with broader shoulders in mind. Innis only had to shimmy to the side a bit to avoid them. But then, the last weight swung down the path instead of across it, right at her.

Feet as flat as they could be on the narrow platform, she braced herself to catch the swinging weight, just like Hector had done. But even from here she could feel the way the weight moved the air around it, and nevermind! That thing was heavy!

At the last moment, Innis dodged out of the way. She lost her balance, but if being an ice mage taught her anything, it was that losing balance wasn't the end. Falling was. Innis clawed at the moving weight with her bare hands and used its momentum to swing herself round the other side of it. She let go before it dragged her too far, and the balls of her feet found the plank again.

Next, was the split second decision of the winch. Go slower and save one's strength, or heave more weight up all at once at the risk of losing one's breath. Someone like Torche or Kaida could probably lift all that weight without breaking a sweat, but Innis was just trying not to break any bones. This part would be really boring for others to watch, as Innis worked the lever bit by bit to raise the door slowly.

She ducked through the door as soon as it was wide enough to fit her, and had all the energy in the world to breeze through the rolling logs (which honestly barely rolled under her weight) and the climbing rope and the wall.

"Who in Arethil let you install arrows!" Innis wasted the breath to shout at Dal as she dove for cover on the downslope of the wall. They weren't tipped, but one still stuck into a nearby wooden barrel, hurled from whatever cruel mechanism with alarming accuracy. "Are you trying to get us killed, Dal?"

Complaining aside, Innis made it through in one piece. She wanted to get out of the arrow section as quickly as possible, so she didn't even register picking up the hammer and prying the door open with a few clean, precise jabs at the looser bits of wood. Her heart was pound fast at this point, both from the effort and the fear of getting thwacked by one of the practice dummies.

"Damnit Dal," Innis scowled as she got through the door and realized the mechanism of the last challenge. There was a longsword nearby, and a bunch of other weapons that were not at all designed to be thrown. There was no way in the Vale that she was going to chuck any of those at the dummy with any kind of accuracy.

Fuck that.

Innis stretched out low and bolted for the finish line. The volley of arrows were loosed. Yet, somehow, not a single one managed to hit her. She dove the last stretch, skidding underneath the dummy and past the danger.

Breathing heavy, she rolled onto her back and splayed out in the grass. "That sucked," she said.

 

[Petra Darthinian]

Petra had ventured down when the news of the course had filtered throughout the Monastery that morning.

Never had she met a more gossiping clutch of hens than her fellow Knights.

Granted, she was grateful for it. For she was able to make it down in time to at least witness the second half of the squire named Innis's run.

The songweaver hadn't had the pleasure of interacting with as many Squires as she would have liked. And she figured what better way to introduce herself to many of them and give guidance and praise alike than to watch them get their asses handed to them by some cleverly built pieces of wood.

And when Innis had ran the course and collapsed, Petra walked over and crouched next to her, handing her a canteen of water that she had added herbs to to help with recovery.

"You say sucked. But do you know what I saw? Someone who survived traps and arrows and made it out alive. You have good reflexes."

Innis

 

[Innis]

Billowing clouds above parted, and the sun shone on Innis' face. She squinted up through it at the figure who came to squat next to her. Squinted even more as the elven woman began to give her a pep talk.

Innis propped herself up on two elbows. As she spoke, she watched the next victim step up to the start of the course. "Thanks," she said as she accepted the canteen of water. Taking a swig of the herbal mixture, her nose scrunched up at the bitter taste. "Sorry, but, have we met before?"

Somehow, all the rumors of the dragon at the monastery and its rider had escaped her.

 

[Petra Darthinian]

The elf's face scrunched sympathetically as Innis passed the canteen back.

"Yeah, sorry, it doesn't taste great. But it IS good for you. Which seems to be the unfortunate way of things."

Petra's eyes followed the young squire's attention to the starting line. Where another squire, this one with short red hair, one that Petra didn't know yet, stepped up to the line, her face calm and determined.

Turning back, Petra extended the palm of her scaled hand, a warm smile pulling at the scars on her lips.

"No, I can't say that we've had the pleasure. I am Petra, sworn Knight of Dawn. You may have seen my dragon flying about once or twice."

Innis

 

[Amelia Hawthorne]

Amelia, stood at the starting line, her frenetic energy concealed by a calm exterior.

She was fully aware of the eyes that watched her—the fellow squires, the seasoned knights, and even the curious onlookers who had gathered to witness her attempt at conquering Dal's course. In that moment, she felt the weight of her own expectations, and the self-induced worry that the people here who knew of her had lingering perceptions of her as a noble's daughter born with a silver spoon in her mouth.

But Amelia was determined to prove herself as more than just a product of her upbringing. She had heard whispers of her known relation to the late Master Hawthorne of the Monastery, a revered figure who had left a lasting legacy. It was a legacy she carried within her, a legacy that fueled her desire to do him proud and carve her own path—one that went beyond her noble lineage.

With a resolute heart and focused gaze, Amelia set off, purpose and determination driving her steps. The swinging weights stood before her, but she approached them undeterred. Her analytical mind discerned their patterns, remembering how each squire might have stumbled before her. It helped her to weave through with calculated precision, each swing and hurdle was anticipated, her keen eyesight guiding her every move.

Ascending the climbing walls, Amelia's body moved with practiced grace that had been won over hours of hard work. Her callused fingers finding purchase on the rough surface as she pushed herself higher, muscles straining but strong. Her senses heightened, absorbing every detail—the next handhold, the whispers of wind that whispered guidance in her ears.

The slamming pillars tested her reflexes and agility, but Amelia remained poised and focused. A few pillars grazed her torso, but her calculated sidesteps and graceful leaps kept her on course. Her movements like that of a dancer's.

Approaching the winches, Amelia's analytical mind sprang into action once again. Understanding the intricacies of ratios and forces, she calibrated the mechanisms with some trepidation, transforming the weighted door into an obstacle tailored to her strength. Her sense of touch and spatial awareness guided her, ensuring that her application of force was exact.

With each obstacle conquered, Amelia's confidence grew. The sliding platform demanded quick thinking and agile footwork, to which she responded with split-second decisions. Her body flowed through the course, her mind sharp and instincts honed. Although the vibrations of the wooden sword deflecting random sword strokes shuddered through her arms, a reminder of her own limitations of strength without the aid of magic.

And as she landed on the ground, slightly winded, the automated crossbow contraptions sprang to life, arrows zipping through the air. She barely saved herself from the onslaught as she darted and weaved in slight desperation, utilizing her agility to find fleeting moments of cover, the wind of the arrows grazing her skin as she pushed forward.

With a burst of strength, she crashed into the door, channeling her determination into every forceful blow. She wasn't a large person, so success was stacked against her at this obstacle. But with gritted teeth she slammed against it, splinters flying as the door slowly buckled under her assault, revealing the path to the final test, alarm coursing through her at the familiar sound of arrows being renocked behind her.

There, a longsword awaited her, a weapon to be wielded with competency. And with the sound of approaching arrows igniting the need for haste, she scanned for the optimal path, hoping her judgement was true. And with a burst of speed and audacious leap, she evaded the projectiles, narrowly escaping their deadly trajectory before She finally grasped the longsword, feeling the weight and balance in her hand. With a mighty heave, she hurled the blade toward the impending barrage of arrows, each breathless moment suspended in time.

The sword sliced through the air, intercepting most of the arrows with a resounding clash.

And so it was, crossing the finish line, that a shy and triumphant smile graced Amelia's lips, the only reward she would allow herself. Hard work had carried her through the course, a testament to her unwavering resolve and adaptability.

But holy shit, was she tired. Doing this course without magic was humbling at best. Already she was picking apart her performance and pragmatically dissecting where she could have done better. What she failed at and why.

For now though, she reasoned she had at least earned a break. And found herself walking over and collapsing next to Innis, trying to ignore the growing list of aches and pains that started to shout for the most attention in her body.

Dal Innis

 

[Kaida]

Kaida watched her fellow squires with awe, she wanted to be just like them! They were so neat, and the thrum of individual's magics made her tremble with excitment. Even if the magic wasn't being used, she could taste it in the air, and she wished to see it all in action. She bounced on her heels as she took in the gauntlet and what she'd have to do. No fear on her face, and she put her hands on her hips.

She bounded forward as her turn came up, excitement flushing her face. It was so fun they were including her! This was great! She took her spot at the mark, and like an eager puppy, she bolted forward. The weights did their best to throw her off, a little oof as she was almost knocked off. Upon reaching the second, she tripped clean over her feet, but managed to catch herself and make it through.

Stronger than she looked, Kaida raised the door with ease. She began to run through, when again her feet tied her up. She managed to roll through before the door slammed shut. A heaving breath left her and she looked to the next challenge with determination.

Somehow, Kaida managed to move through the pillars, the rope, and the wall. Hey, this wasn't so bad! A grin split her lips, finally finding her feet beneath her. Kaida managed to dodge the arrows with a finess that startled her. A gleeful laugh rang out over the course as she plunged onwards.

She heard the bolt release and she slid to the dirt as it whizzed past her head, clambering to her feet to the door that awaited her. She hadn't even bothered with the hammer, her palms sending the door off its hinges. Whoops! Hopefully I didn't wreck it!

The last obstacle awaited, and she raced to grab whatever she could. She hurled the sword, or what she thought was a sword, at the dummy, her eyes plastered shut as she ran for the finish line. Once more, she found herself faceplanting onto the ground. Though, when she finally opened her eyes, she found that she had made it over the line, and she grinned widely. "I did it!" The physical exhaustion made her shift, and where once was a girl, a dragon lay.

 

[Dal]

Dal watched as each contestant made their way through the Gauntlet. He nodded sagely as the traps were evaded, as feats of dexterity and strength made each person push their resolve by the device of simple fashioned wood. All the while the sand filled with each person's time spent in the ordeal.

“So,” he said to the group which lay panting and recovering from their test, he said and folded his arms, a small smile upon his face at the amount of exertion that everyone had made on the device.

“How'd you all find it?” he began looked at each of them in turn. “Enough of a work out? Let the sand settle in the time capture and I'll tell you your times shortly. It's a testament to the Order, to each of you that you all made it through first time. Thought at least one of you might...well, you didn't. When I built something similar years back only two made it through first time. Here you all are, standing, well, lying, successfully. That's good. That's good. I've got a few other configurations in mind, but you'll have to give me a few more days to make adjustments.”