Seasonal Fur Coats and Cut Throats ❆ Grand Frostfall Showdown

[deplorable]

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❆ Tokmia | Aboard the Solar Strider | Music ❆

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The planet of Tokmia was covered in abandoned mines from up to hundreds of years ago, they always came and went leaving ruins all over the mostly icy planet. However, if looked upon closely it could be seen that it wasn't just abandoned mines that could be found on the planet, no no no. An abandoned battle arena in a valley between beautiful snowy mountains was renewed as a center for those who practiced Ice-boarding, parked starships were not uncommon in the area year round. This season the arena would be used once again for it's original purpose, the ultimate display of physical strength and power, the none other blood sport of gladiator style fighting. Of course, rather than the typical one-on-one fighting, this year's Grand Frostfall Showdown would host five courageous fighters who were well known in the colder parts of the fighting world. Despite being old and without much touch ups, the battle arena was still perfect and absolutely functional for the battle that is to come.

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For this season the none other galactic luxury cruiser Solar Strider will be hosting for all spectators, the ship will open its doors to not just the high class but everyone! The season is all about giving and the Solar Strider will not make exceptions, well- except children... No children allowed whatsoever! Alcohol, gambling, bloodspill, and all sorts of spectacular activities are awaiting adults only.

The Solar Strider, not only known for its golden embellishments but it's extensively planned seasonal decor has changed everything just for this event. As you take step into the cruise you will find yourself mesmerized by unparalleled luxury and festive wonders. The grand holographic displays have seemed to be adorned with extra golden sparkles, the gold lines that covered the ship seemed to now be ombrés of red and green, and even the casino tables were covered in red stripes.

Staircases, pillars, and ceilings were covered in faux green plants that exuded scents that were familiarly like the pine trees from Chandrilla or Naboo, the holly cascades that went downward were holographic to avoid complications and yet they were just as beautiful. The most obvious scent though, were the dishes coming from all over the place. Between the casino tables there were plenty of floating snack bars- galactic eggnog fountains, rich creamy chocolate fountains, assorted frostfall fruit parfaits, snowflake shaped pastries, stellar spice bite cookies (that did not have actual spice), and many more delights could be found. In the heart of the casino atrium, a large holographic display of a tree could be seen almost reaching all the way to the ceiling. The tree was covered in golden orbs that seemed to sparkle, and what was most noticeable was that the tree seemed to be covered in stars that mimicked the galaxy itself.

The lavish festive decor did not stop in the atrium though, much more could be seen in arguably the most important parts of the star cruise- the spectator windows. Holographic stars and flowers covered the edges of the windows, and the seats had luxurious cushions in patterns of red, green, and gold. The most amusing touch to these spectator areas were the randomly placed mistletoes, one could only imagine the giggles that escaped the staffs lips as they watched couples notice the plant hanging above their heads.

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The guest singer for the night was Chessashai Umianai , a well known bourgeoisie singer among those who listen to lovey dovey jatz tunes, higher end guests would probably find themselves recognizing her from previous events.

The Grand Frostfall Showdown would begin after Chessa Bossas first performance of the night, for those who weren't familiar with the showdown event and it's participating fighters there would be holographic posters all over the ship displaying their information:

1. Hailstorm Hurricane (Species: Zabrak): A Zabrak known for wielding a pair of electrified staffs with unparalleled speed. Hailstorm Hurricane combines acrobatics and martial prowess to overwhelm opponents. (Originally a trapezist who recently became a star in bloodsport for her unique style.)

2. Arctic Temptress (Species: Human): A skilled and cunning Human gladiator who uses a combination of icy daggers and charm to deceive and defeat her adversaries. Arctic Temptress is as dangerous with her words as she is with her blades. (Red and white striped candy in the shape of her well known blades can be found at snack bars.)

3. Glacier Mauler (Species: Gamorrean): A hulking Gamorrean gladiator armed with a massive cryo-maul, capable of delivering bone-chilling blows. Glacier Mauler relies on brute force to crush opponents in the arena. (An up and coming face in the world of blood sports, not much is known of the Gamorrean other than he loves violence.)

4. Frostbite Phantom (Species: Chiss): A mysterious Chiss gladiator proficient in stealth and subterfuge. Frostbite Phantom navigates the arena using a combination of icy traps and hidden weapons to surprise and disable opponents. (A total hunk, even Solar Strider staff passing by holographs of him find themselves swooning... Posters of him are provided around the atrium.)

5. Polar Siren (Species: Mon Calamari): A Mon Calamari gladiator who captivates the audience with polearm attacks. Polar Siren is a skilled polearm combatant, using her long ranged weapon to fend off challengers. She has participated in both underwater and land fights. (Blue-red ombre alcoholic drinks named after her are served at bars.)

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Everyone will begin and stay in the atrium for the sake of making interactions simpler, the atrium has 3 levels, please check out the floor plan in the factory post for details! This is a festive event so please have fun and interact with others, I encourage drama and all the juicy stuff.

Objective 1: Schmooze- Just interact with others... maybe gamble or eat your heart out

Objective 2: Spectate/Place bets- As the event goes on I, the narrator, will be posting updates on the actual gladiator fight so feel free to place bets on who will win!

Objective 3: If neither of these apply to your character, then that's alright, bring your own objective

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[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

In a place this flamboyantly ornate, Ashin felt the urge to blend in. She wore the mask of Anger, of course, but over her black armorweave she'd picked a hooded red-and-gold robe that matched the mask. She walked unarmed.

It was in vogue among the younger generations of her peers, she knew, to project one's presence in the Dark Side to the maximum extent so one's power couldn't be mistaken. This had never been her way. A Force-sensitive sharing a room with her might feel a shiver, or sense the Dark Side in her upon a closer look. She didn't stifle her presence any more than she blared it. Moderation, restraint, dignity.

She paused near the atrium's lowest floor and took a long look at the holographic posters for each of the five champions. She found herself wondering the usual things: if any of them were Force-sensitive; if any hailed from worlds she'd conquered; if any had served among her armies, in times so far back they were more likely to be her old comrades' children than anything. Or grandchildren. That thought earned a wry smile under her mask.

The scent of baked goods, the flavors of a thousand worlds, filtered through. She thought of Spencer Varanin and all the horrible fates met by so many pastries in better days.

 

[Leon Nerrac]

Nearby: Ashin Cardé Varanin (by holographic posters near lowest atrium)
Objective: 1&2
Clothes

What an interesting event! Fighting and party! He left his crew and even his Exterminator droid aboard his corvette of course. Afterall if things did go sour, he wanted to deal with it more personally. This wasn't in his fathers territory and his muscles ached to fight. However for the sake of the party, he also left his weapons. He didn't necessarily need them, while he loved his ritual brand he was quite proficient unarmed as well.

He was disappointed in advance at the probability he would not be fighting of course, but still. It was a social event for amusement and socializing and fun, and while he was eager for more brutal fun, he could still try to enjoy himself. The half echani wandered the decks with a smile on his face, his every move bled echani to those that recognized it. He made sure to pick up some pieces of food here or there, to savor them. Toss some credits at gambling. But dedicated himself to nothing, for now.

Then a sense, a presence, a difference. Leon was no knight of the force, he was only just beginning in his skills. But he had a few that stuck out for him. And one was awareness, he sensed this one. Combination of intrigue and excitement as he searched, ah. Well....that shouldn't be surprising. Ashin Cardé Varanin posed an interesting figure. His eyes gleamed like he caught sight of a toy, that warp in his mind wishing it was there to fight yet the resolution not to start it kept his emotions under heel. Mostly.

He still approached her, glancing at the posters, the smile wide across his face, "Ever join one of those? Always wanted to, never did. Maybe some day." he began as casual as could be given the fact he was quite confident if his father or his mother knew what he was sensing they'd probably advise against even talking to her unprompted.

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

He still approached her, glancing at the posters, the smile wide across his face, "Ever join one of those? Always wanted to, never did. Maybe some day."

ATRIUM — BOTTOM LEVEL

Ashin glanced over and took the measure of the man. Based on her long association with the Echani people (the Queen of Eshan was Ashin's daughter; the previous Queen had been Ashin's wife) she wondered whether Leon Nerrac was Echani; he had that general look to him, dark hair or no. "Yes, I've fought in a few. I was a duellist once upon a time."

Her memories of those years were patchwork and fuzzy, but clear as day she remembered fighting Alen Na'Varro to a draw deep in the Unknown Regions among the Lords of the Fringe, and fighting Sochi Ru and Rasu Gan alongside her wife. The other duels, the tournament ones, were lost to the mist of time. All the other duels she remembered were for blood, for pride, for instruction, for conquest, or to the death.

"Then I moved on with my life - this was still long before you were born - and shifted to organizing tournaments for a while. Tournament fights may have been a small fraction of the violence I've taken part in, but I still feel tournaments have their place. Punch far above their weight, you might say. Any fool can take a swipe at someone, bloviate, call in backup, and run away, but in a tournament you need tenacity."

 

[Chessashai Umianai]

♧ Inventory: Outfit - Purse - Credits - Giggledust - Vibroblade - Lipstick ♧
♧ Interactions: OPEN ♧
♧ Location: Lowest Atrium, casino/1st floor ♧
Objective 1 & 2
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It felt great to be finally invited to a large public event as entertaining as this, blood sports were fascinating to the Mirialan singer. For the past couple of days she had been enjoying her stay at the Solar Strider, it was truly magnificent despite the fact that she had been given one of the smaller rooms. Although the past two days have been quite wonderful, today was going to be much more different, it was absolutely shocking how the staff of the star cruise managed to change everything up into such festive decor. Walking into the atrium casino made her feel giddy, the scents that reached her nose made her heart flutter. Chessa turned away from the snack tables and made her way to the stage area, after she completed her first song of the evening she could go ahead and have as much fun as she wanted.

Chessa held onto the standing microphone, it was her specific request since she preferred it the more old fashioned way. She could see that a lot of individuals continued whatever they were doing, the singer somewhat regretted not taking her spice sooner. Either way, whether the crowd wished to pay attention or not, the Mirialan proceeded to sing the first song of the night.

"I love the winter weather
So the two of us can get together
There's nothing sweeter, finer
When it's nice and cold..."

She enjoyed the performance, one thing she didn't expect as she sang was for holographic snow to sprinkle around the atrium. It was a rather lovely touch. After the clapping stopped, the announcements for the showdown began and she walked back into the crowd to enjoy the rest of the evening.

As Chessa wandered around the atrium she saw someone looking at a unrolled poster of one of the contestants- Frostbite Phantom. She felt her heart flutter at the sight of the poster, it was rather... spicy. It made her even more excited to watch the showdown from the spectator windows, Chessa regretted not making any bets for the event.

The singer made her way to a seating area decorated in flowers and indulged herself into inhaling some spice capsules. Why not wild out for the night?

 

[Leon Nerrac]

Nearby: Ashin Cardé Varanin (by holographic posters)
Location: Lowest atrium
Objective: 1&2
Clothes
Bet placed on Gamorrean.

He smiled nodding his head to her answer, curious. He wandered how she fought then, what was the style? Was it power, was it raw skill, a perfectly even mix. Not that such a thing was a rational goal. Leon chuckled especially at the comment of these being before he was born, wasn't like he was old, but it still felt a funny choice. She organized them apparently, very curious, for who? What were the rules? Would she do them again? Too many questions to politely ask buzzing in his mind.

Leon was further engaged in her ending thoughts on the matter, "Yes, a good knowing to to knowing fight. Everyone knows what they're there for. Ahhh what a lovely thing they are." he continued his eyes dancing onto the images of the fighters, he decided as he was there to send in a bet on the Gammorean, not out of any highly thought out plan. He wasn't really doing it for the credits. But apparently he loved violence a sentiment he felt. Even if his actual combat style far more resembled the zabraks. He was mostly just doing it to do it. "First mandalorian I met I got into a fight with, oh that was exciting! It wasn't to the death of course, I'd have gotten in trouble for that in the specific circumstance. But it was quite the time! First real teacher of the force I had too, not much. But it was a start. Still prefer most attacks and such to be done by a body or weapon but hey, a skill's a skill."

His eyes drifted with interest as he saw Chessashai Umianai "Oh...my..." well that was certainly a figure, and an outfit. He was distracted by the song for a bit even if he continued with his eyes on her and attention somewhat split between the woman singing and the curious Ashin Cardé Varanin . "Uh...right...anyway." he worked himself back into discussion, "You still just do tournaments? Or personally get into spars or fights? Love to see how we match up some time, assuming time away from it hasn't weakened your own tenacity." the final comment did bring his eyes back to her if only for a moment with a grin.

 

[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

If Leon Nerrac hadn't chosen that specific moment to so obviously ogle Chessashai Umianai , Ashin might have made different choices. More generous ones, perhaps. She judged him a dilettante.

"There are skills and there are lifestyles," she said, returning her attention to the posters. "The difference is commitment. Which isn't to say you can't seriously pursue a path, grow from it, and then discard what doesn't work for you - but commitment comes before you can be strong enough to move on. There are so many traditions worth exploring beyond the Jedi and the Sith. For your preferences, have you considered the way of the Matukai? Their discipline and focus on the body might do you good."

 

[Leon Nerrac]

Nearby: Ashin Cardé Varanin (by holographic posters)
Location: Lowest atrium
Objective: 1&2
Clothes
Bet placed on Gamorrean.

"Oh I never had much interest in either jedi or sith. Sith are angry, jedi are...well boring I guess. Restrictive. I only accepted the little bit." he shrugged, but genuinely listened about the Matukai part, shaking his head, "I'm afraid I don't know them enough to do so. Or where to begin such a process if I did decide. Echani's always been the thing for me, works well, makes the fight feel personal. Like you learn from each one and about who you fight. Not averse to learning new things outside of that though."

He answered as he looked over the posters still, muttering, "Wish we could get snippets at least before they start. Hardly can judge their skill off just an image."

 

[deplorable]

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❆ Tokmia | Aboard the Solar Strider | Music ❆

ROUND I​

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The buzz of excitement as guests rushed over to the spectator windows became quite loud. The sound of a horn going off made everyone go silent until everyone erupted in cheers as the gladiators began to run around the arena.


The Zabrak, Hailstorm Hurricane twirled her electrified staffs as she seemed to be going for Arctic Temptress. The human did not shy away, her icy daggers glimmered under the lighting of the sun.

Glacier Mauler suddenly charged forward towards the two women, he swung his cryo-maul fiercely. The crowd cheered even more as he almost hit the human.

Rather than running into the middle of the arena, Frostbite Phantom seemed to stay on the edges where the shadows lingered. He was clearly buying time before making his moves. The audience watching the holographs of him marveled at his sneaky abilities, unaware of the chaos he will cause.

Polar Siren gracefully moved through the arena, scanning the area with her polearm. Keeping her distance from the three gladiators engaged in combat, the Mon Calamari seemed to have made a discovery in the arena. She held her polearm tightly and tapped the floor, sweeping loose snow aside to reveal ice. Spectators looked curiously at her discovery through the holographs and binocs. The arena proved to certainly not be as simple as it looked. If water truly hid beneath the ice, the entire competition could go in an unexpected direction.

Suddenly, a blow was struck between Hailstorm Hurricane and Arctic Temptress. They both tried to get away from Glacier Mauler whilst also attempting to hit each other, the electrified staffs and daggers were a surprising match in this battle They clashed over and over, the speed of their movements were mesmerizing.

A fierce war cry escaped from Glacier Mauler, the dance between the human and Zabrak ended as he swung with such brute force that absolutely demolished Artic Temptress. For merely a second, Hailstrom Hurricane stared in shock as the human was flung a few feet away. She was close to losing, but she didn't.

The crowd cheered and screamed as Hailstorm Hurricane ran away and the Gamorrean held his arms up in victory.

Looking down from the spectator windows, the red that covered the white snow was quite prominent. A few curses and arguments could be heard amidst the crowd, although excited, a lot of individuals were not surprised that the only human had been eliminated in the first round.

The red and white striped candy, in the shape of the humans well known blades, seemed to lose its sweetness as the snow became red in the arena below.

The cheerful festive music stopped as the announcement was made;
ARCTIC TEMPTRESS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED

Those inside the atrium who might haven't been paying attention, cheered and clapped.

The music continued once again as pods shot up beneath the gladiators, stopping them from moving. This would mark the start of a five minute break before round two commenced. Frostbite Phantom crossed his arms and sat down, annoyed at the pod that surrounded him.

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The Gladiators

Spoiler

1. Hailstorm Hurricane (Species: Zabrak): A Zabrak known for wielding a pair of electrified staffs with unparalleled speed. Hailstorm Hurricane combines acrobatics and martial prowess to overwhelm opponents. (Originally a trapezist who recently became a star in bloodsport for her unique style.)

2. Arctic Temptress (Species: Human): A skilled and cunning Human gladiator who uses a combination of icy daggers and charm to deceive and defeat her adversaries. Arctic Temptress is as dangerous with her words as she is with her blades. (Red and white striped candy in the shape of her well known blades can be found at snack bars.)

3. Glacier Mauler (Species: Gamorrean): A hulking Gamorrean gladiator armed with a massive cryo-maul, capable of delivering bone-chilling blows. Glacier Mauler relies on brute force to crush opponents in the arena. (An up and coming face in the world of blood sports, not much is known of the Gamorrean other than he loves violence.)

4. Frostbite Phantom (Species: Chiss): A mysterious Chiss gladiator proficient in stealth and subterfuge. Frostbite Phantom navigates the arena using a combination of icy traps and hidden weapons to surprise and disable opponents. (A total hunk, even Solar Strider staff passing by holographs of him find themselves swooning... Posters of him are provided around the atrium.)

5. Polar Siren (Species: Mon Calamari): A Mon Calamari gladiator who captivates the audience with polearm attacks. Polar Siren is a skilled polearm combatant, using her long ranged weapon to fend off challengers. She has participated in both underwater and land fights. (Blue-red ombre alcoholic drinks named after her are served at bars.)

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[Ashin Cardé Varanin]

Leon Nerrac 's comments on combat were familiar ground to Ashin, whose wife and children were Echani. When he gave his comment about wanting a better sense of the fighters before the match began, she found she agreed. "But on the other hand," she said, moving toward a nearby window within sight of a holoscreen for closeups, "it seems it's starting."

She watched each fighter in turn, systematically, as the match began. Her goal here was to assess whether any of the gladiators might be Force-sensitive; win or lose, individuals like that could have value. Her attention sharpened as one was eliminated with extreme prejudice and significant blunt force. She flagged down a staff member.

"Could you please inform the event organizers that Ashin Varanin will sponsor the eliminated fighters' medical care? Nothing but the best - kolcta, cybernetics, whatever's needed."

deplorable