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Post by M'kel on Jul 24, 2009 16:25:28 GMT -5
Eligibility: Bronzes and browns
Materials available: Riding harness.
Activities: Each dragon will have 1/6 of a candlemark (ten Terran minutes) to perform this challenge. A pile of boulders is sitting on the beach, 10 dragonlengths from a giant wheel (resembling a Terran ferris wheel XP). The dragons will need to lift one boulder at a time, fly with it to the top of the wheel and drop it into the topmost bucket. The weight of the boulder will cause the wheel to turn, pumping water from the ocean into a device that will then spray the water in a light mist over the Allure competition. The competing dragon will then need to quickly get the next boulder to keep the wheel moving! Their performance will be judged on two measures: the speed of the wheel (increases with boulder size) and the number of boulders dropped (more are possible if smaller ones are chosen). Thus, it will be a trade-off for each dragon whether they use mostly large or small boulders, but this also allows the smaller browns to have as much of a chance of winning as the largest bronzes.
Finally, each dragon will need to land on the top of the hill at the end of their ten minutes, and their rider will need to secure a large stretchy band to their riding straps. The dragon will then stretch the band as far as possible, until the rider releases it. This will fling a sack of flower petals over the Allure competition for each green/blue's grand finale!
The winner will be determined based on the distance the flower petals traveled, as well as the factors from the boulder challenge described above.
Procedure: Everyone wishing to compete will have 3 days to post in this thread starting July 25th. At this point, the winners will be determined from those who have posted by dice rolling.
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Post by B'kay on Jul 25, 2009 12:47:37 GMT -5
I'm not so sure about this Rho--
I will be fine, Mine. I am strong and can--
That's not what I meant, Rhobith. I'm sure you'll do fine in the competition, C'train said as Rhobith deposited him on the hilltop. I'm just not sure I should be away from our weyr for too long....
Oh, you are feeling much better! the brown said with enthusiasm, eyes whirling with delight as he looked over the Strength course. You have been going much longer between trips to the necessary!
C'train's belly rumbled at the thought of how he'd spent the last few days, the blasted flu having hit him below the belt. Literally.
Well, let's try to hurry, then--
The large brown, his amber-gold streaks gleaming in the rich sepia hide, launched before his rider had finished the thought, for the starter had yelled "Go!"
Rhobith, confident in his power, grabbed the largest rock he could fit his maw around and headed, straining, for the wheel. The satisfying clunk as the rock fell into the bucket and started the wheel spinning encouraged him, and he raced for another rock.
Rhobith flew to the top of the wheel, dropped the second stone ... and missed!
It is much harder to hit the target when it is moving! he called out, suddenly uncertain.
Pretend it's Thread, Rhobith! You hit that when it's moving!
Aye! he called back, suddenly encouraged.
The wheel spun faster and faster, and the fine spray of water flew outward and down toward the beach below. Rhobith managed three very large stones, and felt the muscles in his jaw and neck tiring. He backed off at that point, continuing with smaller stones to keep the wheel's momentum going, until the starter called Time!
C'train was dancing from foot to foot, a look of white panic in his eyes, when the brown landed near him.
What is wrong, Mine?
Never mind, the rider thought back, and quickly attached the stretch straps. He raced back, grunting and moaning as Rhobith stretched the band, hooked the flower sack, and Rhobith had just time to duck as he let it fly.
C'train was astride within a breath, throwing the stretch band aside, and shouted, "Weyr, NOW!"
But I did not get to see where the flowers--
"NOW!"
And the brown and his most distressed rider went Between--
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Post by M'kel on Jul 27, 2009 15:48:48 GMT -5
M'kel was chafing at the bit, so to speak, as he waited eagerly for his and Tirenth's turn in the Strength competition. The pair had secured themselves a silver medal at last year's Tournament, and they were eager to claim the gold medal at this year's. After all, Tirenth had only been growing stronger with all of the Threadfall and training. They had lost some prowess when Tirenth failed to catch either gold, and it was time to reclaim their glory. There were many more younger dragons to compete with this time around, but Tirenth was far from old! They were both still young and strapping.
Right?
The bronzerider rubbed at the scar on his cheek, watching Rhobith's progress speculatively. The brown had chosen to use his jaws to carry the boulders, it seemed, and was doing quite well. Still, he was just a brown. As the competing pair reached the grand finale, sending the flower petals flying, M'kel took a few steps to congratulate the rider, C'train, when both rider and dragon vanished between. M'kel stood for a moment, staring with one brow raised at the clear sky where the brown dragon had been moments before, then swiveled back to Tirenth.
"They sure left in a hurry."
Never mind that, it's our turn!
With that, the bronze leapt into the sky, making a few powerful downsweeps to carry himself higher. He circled the boulder pile before selecting the ideal one, sweeping down to latch onto it with all four limbs. Tirenth could feel the strain as he laboured back into the air, claws scraping along the sides of the boulder as he struggled to maintain his grip. A few more flaps and he reached the wheel, depositing the boulder gratefully into the stationary bucket at the top. Much to his dismay, however, the wheel seemed to hesitate, wavering back and forth, before it slowly began to rotate in the correct direction. It picked up momentum, of course, but the slow start had caused quite a delay!
Try dropping it from higher up next time, so the boulder's speed will make the wheel turn faster, M'kel suggested, squinting at the wheel thoughtfully.
Tirenth swerved back towards the boulder pile, grabbing a smaller specimen this time, and tried that very thing. He climbed higher, aimed carefully, and released. The boulder landed successfully in one of the rising buckets just as it reached the top, and the wheel spun quickly as the bucket slid downwards. Mist was now spraying across the beach, and M'kel gave a small whoop of glee.
Again, the bronze proceeded back to the boulder pile, gaining speed with his growing confidence, though his wings and limbs were starting to ache. The fourth boulder slipped entirely from his grasp, as his sore claws lost their grip, and the out-of-control boulder almost took out the wheel as it spun down the hill.
Finally, time was up, with numerous boulders successfully bucketed, and the bronze dragon landed back on the hilltop. M'kel secured the band quickly and stood back as Tirenth heaved forward. When the band was stretched thin and quivering, M'kel let it loose, and the pair watched proudly as the flower petals rocketed forth.
"Not a very dramatic ending, but it'll do," M'kel grinned.
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Post by Journye on Jul 27, 2009 16:41:15 GMT -5
H'ter leaned lightly against Bediverth's foreleg as he and the brown watched Rhobith and then Tirenth take their turns. He and Bediverth hadn't competed in the previous tournament so they hoped to at least place. H'ter smiled and straightened up as M'kel and Tirenth finished their turn.
Very good turn Tirenth,[/color] Bediverth told the bronze as he moved forward to take his turn. H'ter saluted M'kel before turning his attention to his brown. Bediverth took to the sky and looked the boulders over carefully before selecting one. He picked one of the smaller ones and flew over the spinning wheel, flying high as Tirenth had and dropping it.
He continued to select smaller boulders, using all four feet to grab hold. It wasn't that he couldn't pick up larger stones, but he was able to keep the wheel spinner faster by using smaller rocks.
Once the time was up Bediverth landed on hill top, looking over the Allure competition with a rumble of appreciation of the green on the beach at the moment. H'ter shook his head and fastened the band to the straps. Bediverth stretched the band as far as possible then let fly the flower petals.
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Post by C'lyn on Jul 27, 2009 17:27:01 GMT -5
L'kas nodded to himself as he watched H'ter and Bediverth go through the course. grinning at the young brown. Seath watched as well, but was more focused then his rider. The two had not placed in the last tournament and Seath wanted to win the gold this time.
Then it was their turn and Seath took to the air. He circled the pile of boulders twice before making his selection, selecting one of the larger boulder, his claws leaving marks as the slipped slightly. He flew to the wheel and dropped it, not pausing to watch the thing spin after the stone hit its mark.
The next one he selected was a smaller one. He kept this up, alternating large and small stones to keep the mist going over the shore.
After time he landed on the hill top and knelt so that L'kas could fasten the band on his riding straps. He pulled with all his might, struggling to get the ban farther the Tirenth had, but managed to get the same amount of distance before letting the flowers fly.
L'kas grinned and patted his bronze on the neck as the two moved down from the hill top so that the next pair could take their turn.
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Post by Skye on Jul 27, 2009 17:37:12 GMT -5
Mine, are you sure you want to do this as well. Wasn't the one competition enough?[/color] Ferth asked as he and his rider as the two of them watched.
"Of course I do Ferth! I'm the only girl signed up and I plan on showing them that my wonderful brown is just as strong as their dragons!" she said, scratching the racy brown's eye ridge lovingly. Ferth rumbled softly and resigned to his riders.
"Alright love, its our turn," Kimber said cheerfully. Ferth took to the air and looked the stones over carefully. He tried to pick up one of the larger stones, but his longer, sharper wings were built more for speed then lifting power so he wasn't able to get it high enough to hit any of the buckets.
Its perfectly fine mine heart. Do the best you can, thats all I can ask of you. I love you Ferth, Kimber sent love and pride to her brown as he tried again, choosing a smaller boulder and making it to the wheel. He was able to get a good rhythm going with the smaller stones and was a bit disappointed when time was up.
He landed on the hill and looked over the Allure competition as Kimber attached the band to his straps. He leaned fully into pulling the strap forward, straining and struggling to get it as far as possible. Kimber grinned and let the flowers fly.
That wasn't so bad mine,[/color] Ferth commented as they moved down from the hill.
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Post by D'gellin on Jul 27, 2009 23:35:40 GMT -5
"I still don't see the point..." Fallen sighed as he fixed a loose lace on his boot. The bronzerider glanced up as Seath and his rider sent flowers into the air. The point is to prove our worth, our strength, Fallen, and I will not back down like a coward.[/color] Vicroth snorted, lifting his head to watch as Ferth began his turn. Fallen raised a brow at Vicroth's determination but held his tongue after that. This argument was old news and, truth be told, he wouldn't really mind showing off Vicroth's abilities either.
Ah, it is our turn now, Fallen![/color] Vicroth announced as he reached for his first boulder.
"Vicroth." The bronze hesitated, large eyes glancing over to his rider. "Take a small one first. Work your way up." His rider suggested. He ran a hand over his mouth as he spoke, as though thinking, but upon pulling his hand away, the meditative frown had become a thin smirk. Sensing Fallen's growing enthusiasm, Vicroth rumbled an assent and snagged a relatively smaller rock in his foreclaws before winging over to the wheel. "Steady..." Fallen warned, but Vicroth's first drop was a success, starting the slow motion of the wheel. Both dragon and rider shared silent mental grins before Vicroth returned for his next boulder, larger than the last. "Just build yourself up." Fallen encouraged, feeling the little grate this method had on Vicroth's pride. The bronze understood the logic...but he wanted to prove his strength now!
As the rocks wore on, Vicroth had become more daring, until he'd finally taken up the largest boulder. "Easy - " This is nothing to your Vicroth! The bronze admonished, and Fallen was surprised to realize that, although Vicroth was speaking to him and should be focusing on the mist-spitting wheel, the bronze's eyes had unmistakeably drifted to the Allure competition. Oh! Elinth is up now![/color]"Vicroth." The mental response was more of a distracted brush, as though trying to push someone away when they didn't want to be woken, and Fallen rolled his eyes as Vicroth made a great show about dropping the boulder with his chest puffed forward. This, by the way, didn't work well, considering how heavy the rock was. "Vicroth." Whoops...[/color] In his eagerness to impress his favorite green, the bronze failed to measure where he was dropping the stone. Both watched in dismay as it rebounded off the edge of the bucket, spinning the wheel but costing them what could have been a much more forceful hit had it been on target.
...You do not think Elinth saw that, do you? Fallen grinned but otherwise ignored the whispered comment, making quick calculations as Vicroth tentatively reached for a somewhat smaller boulder. "Tsk. Not enough time for another, Vicroth. Over here - " The young man waved an arm as he jogged over to the sack of flower pedals and stretchy band. Vicroth waved for a moment, distressed to end on a poor note, as Fallen collected the band. "Well you did want to be the one to shower Elinth in flowers, didn't you?" Stifled chuckle.
In little time, Fallen was pulling back the strap, judging distances and weights. He didn't pull all that hard in comparison to some of the other competitors, and aimed it slightly up higher, so that the pedals had time to separate and rain down gradually. Beautiful..[/color]
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Post by M'kel on Jul 29, 2009 22:42:39 GMT -5
TADAAAAAAA!
THE RESULTS!
First Place: H'ter and Bediverth (ability: 16, die: 6)
Second Place: L'kas and Seath (ability: 16, die 1: 5, die 2: 3, die 3: 4)
Third Place: M'kel and Tirenth (ability: 17, die 1: 4, die 2: 3, die 3: 3)
Fourth Place: C'train and Rhobith (ability: 16, die: 4)
Fifth Place: Kimber and Ferth (ability: 16, die: 1) and Fallen and Vicroth (ability: 16, die: 1)
Congrats to everyone!
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