Trial and Error

As the cool morning is warmed by the sun's first rays of light, Hun'rar walks a wide sand layered circle meant for personal combat bouts and training. The tiem has finally arrived, a big test for his new powers. Still unsure about what happens to his clothes, Hun'rar is dressed just in sturdy breaches, broad chest and shoulders bare to the cool air as he moves his arms around for warmth, pacing the edge of the ring preparing for a match.

This early in the morning, Seldan would normally be on the other side of town, but today he walks into the festival grounds, looking around as if for someone or something. It does not take him long to find it, and he approaches the wide sand circle. "Good morning, Hun'rar," he greets, and if there is a touch of apprehension there, he makes every effort to hide it.

Seeing Hun'rar's current state of dress, he nods, and looks at the brightening fair-weather sky, frowning as his apprehension becomes more open.

Shin had heard something about something happening. Contests were something that he didn't happen to be a stranger to. It was good practice for soldiers, warriors, and others. And with it being some test of new abilities supposedly? Well, the short cavalier with a white tiger has made his way to see. Dressed in his usual fashion of wearing his armor when out and about, the tiger that accompanies him is at least enough for people to give him a bit of a wide path as he moves to the edge of the contest circle. Resting himself on his odd polearm as he looks to see what is going on. "Hm... Hun'rar... and Seldan? Interesting."

Raising his voice, Shin calls out, "Good morning, you two! What brings you two to test your might against each other?"

Erendriel is zapping rocks rather freely, and is going to be using fire even MORE now that it's getting cooler. Might even start using more magic to that end. Seeing activity, she slowly starts moving in that direction.

Munch buzzes quietly to himself as he strolls through the festival grounds. Spying a small gathering near one of the bout circles, the metal man shifts that direction, idly curious.

Hun'rar nods to Seldan "Thanks for coming, I have to admit.... I am a bit nervous. But I am sure it will be fine. No claws, no teeth, no fire." he says before holding out his hands, palms up. Each hand suddenly bursts into flames along with his feet, the flames quickly traveling up his limbs to consume him and as the orange and red flames clear there stands a medium sized red dragon. Hun'rar was strong before but this scaled form is long, sleek and obviously powerfull in the way only dragons are. "Its like stretching a muscle... I never knew I had." Dragon-Hun'rar says, his voice deeper and like the crackle of a fire.

Shin takes a step back from that one. And the tiger actually moves, looking ready to attack. But then the dragon-Hun'rar speaks and Shin has to pause, thinking it seems. Then reaches down to put a hand on the tiger. Who sits down. "That's an interesting ability." Shin says, looking carefully.

Munch blinks with a click at the transformation, the leathery 'dreadlocks' around his head wiggeling to rise on their own in a loose halo, much like antenna perking up. Exactly like antenna perking up. They're antenna perking up. "Didn't know -he- could do that too."

Erendriel sees that he recognizes some of the opeople. And then... it happens. Hun'rar does his thing, and she jogs closer. "Wow!"

"I trust you, Hun'rar," Seldan says simply, stripping off his own cloak, shirt, and boots to match Hun'rar's attire and setting them aside. He looks out at the gathering audience for this, still with that apprehensive frown, but as Shin speaks up, he looks over that way. "He wishes to ..."

And then, Hun'rar transforms, and stands waiting.

"...test his powers," he finishes, a bit lamely, simply -staring- at the transformed creature with no little amount of awe. _ What has he gotten himself into?_ his expression reads, but then, he shakes himself and finishes laying aside the rest of his gear. Shirtless, one can see that there is a large and complex tattoo running down his spine, from the back of his neck and disappearing into the waistband of his trousers. It is a mix of complex arcane and divine symbols, centered by the crescent-and-sphere of Eluna in its center, at heart-level.

He hesitates a moment more, then removes the silver headband holding his red-blonde hair in place as well. As he does so, it instantly shifts into a hat of red velvet, with silver embroidery around the brim - and his fair skin turns completely pitch-black. The only piece that is not is a half-inch of skin around that tattoo on his back. He pretends to ignore it, laying the hat aside and turning to face the dragon. "A moment, Hun'rar." Same voice, though. He puts his hands together, and murmurs a brief prayer, and a silvery-white light ripples over him and disappears. He then raises a finger and draws a rune in the air, then speaks an arcane phrase. The rune bursts into red, glowing light before him, and he puts his fist into the middle of it. The red travels up his arm and disappears into the black skin, and he nods satisfaction, flexing a little as if to test.

Hun'rar grins, if a dragon could grin and paces a bit, long claws scratching at the dirt. "Prepare as much as you like." he says, half a growl as his green eyes watch Seldan and his magic.

Without much pre-amble Hun'rar lunges for Seldan, powerfull limbs out wide to embraces his target and use his bulk to carry him to the ground.

GAME: Hun'rar rolls cmb+2: (6)+19+2: 27

Shin looks over to Munch as he speaks. "What do you mean? Do you have that ability as well?" The young human looks curious on that one.

Munch buzzes happily and hurries forward to the very edge of the ring, drawing his massive greataxe and slaming it into the ground at the line of the circle. "Dragonfight! I call next with winner!" Yes, he just called dibs on battle. It's a Korrite thing. And a barbarian thing. And a Munch thing. It's a thing. Buzzing he glancing back to Shin. "Sorta! I'm green!" ...he -does- have metallic green scales... and mithril plates... and some sort of rubber/resin stuff?

Erendriel nods to Seldan's explanation once he finishes it, and finds a place to sit on the ground. Watching them begin to test, and train, she giggles, and sends a couple more saps around to the ground.

Impossibly strong and impossibly fast. Startled, since he was only just within the circle, Seldan starts to dive to the side and away from the lunging dragon. Almost there, but not quite quick enough! He goes down under the creature's weight, finding himself grabbed and held firmly, even with his newfound, magic-aided strength, and twists himself, trying to wriggle free.

GAME: Seldan rolls cmb+2: (12)+11+2: 25

Impossibly strong and impossibly fast. Startled, since he was only just within the circle, Seldan starts to dive to the side and away from the lunging dragon. Almost there, but not quite quick enough! He goes down under the creature's weight, finding himself grabbed and held firmly, even with his newfound, magic-aided strength, and twists himself, trying to wriggle free, to no avail.

Shin shakes his head, "I see. So... how often do people turn into dragons around here?" He asks the two spectators with him. Blinking at what Erendriel is doing, he comments, "Please do not set my companion's fur on fire. She grooms enough as is and I don't want to hear her growling for a few months after last time."

Hun'rar eyes Seldan, his maw, lined with razor sharp teeth open and very close, his breath like a furnace before Hun'rar blinks and backs off, getting up and pacing to the other side of the ring. "That was close... " he says "You nearly dodged the tackle." he says pacing like a predator ready to pounce again.

Munch remains right at the edge of the circle, despite the violent thrashings just on the other side. Either he utterly trusts the combatants to remain fully inside the circle, or he's perfectly okay with getting whapped by an errant limb. Likely considers it part of the show. "Not often, no. Most are wizardly types who cry when you try to tackle them." He buzzes softly, considering. "I hear Sandy does... but Sandy is dangerous when she's an -elf-."

Erendriel looks at Shin. "Not... very often do people change into dragons. That's just something that's born in him, very special. And what? SEtting on fire? I'm just... shooting rocks?"

Now covered in sand, Seldan rolls to his feet, eyes never leaving the dragon. He is overmatched, and he knows it, but perhaps .... He says nothing in response, only assuming a ready pose, his full concentration on Hun'rar and ignoring the chatter around him, including the whispers of those staring at him as well. It's only a moment before he lunges at Hun'rar this time, looking to catch him and pin him by finesse rather than raw strength.

GAME: Seldan rolls cmb+2: (15)+11+2: 28

Shin looks thoughtful, "I have not met this 'Sandy' before." He looks to Erendriel. "Ah, my apologies, then." He looks to the tiger, "Mirai, best to stick to the other side just in case?" The tiger moves around to Shin's other side, sitting down again as her tail flicks back and forth. Looking to Erendriel and Munch, Shin shakes his head, "Sorry. She's quite nimble, but I'd rather not have her spooked in a crowded place. It takes forever to calm her down."

Erendriel nods to Shin, eyeing the large animal. "Are you sure it's safe to bring an animal like that around, if the animal is easily spooked and dangerous to kids?"

Hun'rar eyes Seldan and when he comes rushing at Hun'rar he flexes the wings of his form to push Seldan aside enough for him to slip forward, out of his grasp. As he lands he turns and takes a deep breath. Even as he does he appears to catch himself and releases a powerfull gout of flame from his maw but straight up into the air to avoid hitting anyone. "I... am having second thoughts." Hun'rar says as he circles again. "I think I might accidentally hurt you, the urge to burn and rend is... difficult to resist. This form is built for it, wired to dominate and burn."

Munch pffts. "A couple scars are good for kids. Builds character." Turning to regard Hun'rar and his words, he looks to Seldan. "Tag in? I'm up for it."

Now that he is well and truly into the fight, Seldan has lost the apprehension and remains focused. When Hun'rar hesitates, though, he straightens and watches the fire plume go up into the morning sky. "Had I feared injury, I would have turned you down when first we spoke," he answers calmly. "Hold your control for as long as you can, for you will want its mastery on the field of battle, lest you slay your allies unwitting."

He does look over at Munch's offer, then back to Hun'rar, questioningly. "I am no match for you in that form," he admits. "Dragon on dragon might be a better test. What say you?"

Shin looks at Erendriel, raising an eyebrow, "She is fine around children. It is mostly the more dangerous types that she hates. She almost chomped an over eager goblin's hand off if I hadn't stopped her. Otherwise, she's pretty friendly."

Erendriel chuckles in disbelief at Shin's explanation. "Are you serious?" She then is entirely distracted by Hun'rar BREATHING FIRE into the sky. She then claps, and shoots her own little ray of fire at his fire, adding to it slightly.

Shin shrugs, "She's a good judge of character. Said goblin was going on about fitting her with something or other." He looks to the ring, then seems to consider, "Perhaps we should expand this ring a bit before you two do that? Make sure this doesn't get too out of control?" Oh, he had been listening alright. The sight of Hun'rar breathing fire does earn a bit of a look there.

Hun'rar shakes his head "My match is with Seldan, I will take on Munch another time." he growls as he continues to pace. "I do have to learn to control this... its not like I don't feel it regularly. Its just... a lot harder to control." his eyes sweep across the spectators like a predator looking at prey before he returns his attention to Seldan and leaps again.

GAME: Hun'rar rolls CMB+2: (8)+19+2: 29

Munch buzzes in disappointement, but nods, and takes a half step back. He -wants- to fight, but he doesn't -need- to fight.

Seldan nods his understanding at that, but has only a moment to prepare before Hun'rar jumps at him again. This time, though, the dragon is quicker, and there's no question who is the superior one physically as the dragon grabs him again. Again, he tries to twist out of the grip, heedless of claws and teeth, trying to use leverage where raw strength will clearly avail him nothing, even with the magic.

GAME: Seldan rolls cmb+2: (9)+11+2: 22

Erendriel sits up, glancing once more at the tiger, before returning her full attention to the fight, paying close attention to any fire as it goes."

Hun'rar once again tables Seldan to the ground, his pwoerfull legs propelling him against the other warrior. As he takes Seldan down though his claws reach out for Seldan's exposed flesh, claws like hot knives as flames lick along his fangs and claws as he snaps out. Less poised warrior and more savage animal as he snarles.

Shin shakes his head as he looks at Seldan, then to Munch. "So... seems like he might be losing a bit of control?" The snarling definitely has Shin looking a bit concerned. He can't stop a dragon, after all!

Seldan screams openly as the claws rake across the flesh of his chest, night-black skin parting to reveal flesh and muscle beneath as blood spills crimson into the sand. He tries to roll away from the creature and to his feet, now thoroughly covered in blood and sand and abruptly throwing all caution and rules to the wind. He's got to get Hun'rar back under control, or the man will kill him without meaning to!

Munch buzzes again, a deep rumble sound. But he holds his place... some bouts draw blood... some are to the death, though the metal man is pretty confidant this isn't one of those, he's not clear on how far things are supposed to be going.

Erendriel jumps to her feet when she sees this has gone FAR beyond simple sparring. "Hun'rar, stop!" she calls out in Draconic, before then shouting something arcane, pointing at him, and covering Hun'rar in a layer of grease to try to slip him up.

GAME: Hun'rar rolls reflex: (2)+11: 13

Hun'rar goes to leap at Seldan again, although this time coated and slippery and instead of leaping he lands on the sand with a thump. This time he turns back into his human form, not wanting remain in the dragon form for longer in this situation, although still coated in grease. "I... I am sorry. This was a poor idea. Are you ok?" he says catching his breath, as much as from shock at what he did as exertion.

It takes a minute or so for Seldan to realize that Hun'rar is no longer a threat, and drop to one knee, clutching his chest. The claw wounds left are long, jagged, and bone-deep, but he's already on it, murmuring several lines of a meditative prayer to Eluna to help. "I - will be," he manages once the first is done. "It is no matter. You must - learn to control that, lest you injure allies and enemies alike."

Munch buzzes once more, and strides into the circle, offering Hun'rar a hand up. "This was practice. You screwed up. Better to happen in practice than sometime when it gets people killed. People who aren't supposed to be killed, I mean." He glances to Seldan, eyeing the mostly healed wounds, and nods. "Rub some dirt on it, you'll be okay." Korrite healing... if it didn't kill you, you'll be fine. If it did kill you, head to Vallhalla, grab a pint, and wait for me to join you!

Shin shakes his head, "It is hard to control, I imagine. Instincts, at a guess? You are turning into something not like your original form, after all." He considers, then looks to Erendriel. "Nice save with that spell."

Erendriel glances back to Shin and murmurs a quick thanks, before she reutnrs to circling around Seldan and Hun'rar, making sure everything's okay. "Do either of you need anything?"

Hun'rar takes the offered hand from Munch. "The thing is... if I had people I did want to take down I think it less of an issue. Its like a cart going down hill, as long as I have something to aim it at... but you are right. I need more control." he says with a nod. "Thank you Eren, that was timely intervention. I think I need a drink."

Shin moves over to Seldan, looking at his injuries. "Do you need help back to Eluna's Temple for treatment?" He asks. The tiger moves with him, of course.

Munch considers, and shrugs. "Nothing wrong with hurting people. You hurt the people who deserve it, avoid hurting the ones who don't, and run fast when they break out the torches and pitch forks." ...he doesn't sound like he's kidding.

"My thanks - as well," Seldan adds, although he seems to be continuing to work, and lapses into silence to continue his prayers. It takes him several seconds and several repetitions to repair the damage done, while the others talk, but once he is whole, he looks up. "This much, I can do," he tells Shin, "and I would not trouble the Seers needlessly." That done, he murmurs another spell likely familiar to many here, and begins to clean the blood and sand off himself. That takes another few seconds, but when it is done, he will accept a hand up, if one is offered. "But ... I should dress and return to the Temple, and rest for a little. I would appreciate the company."

Shin considers, then nods as he offers a hand up to Seldan. "I will escort you back to the Temple at least. Resting would be a good idea after going one on one with a dragon like you did."

Erendriel nods to Hun'rar and Seldan, smiling and quietly taking the thanks for what she did. "I twas nothing, just one bit of grease... but yeah, I'm glad it's over."

Hun'rar nods. "Right, I will talk to you later Seldan." he says to Seldan and Shin as they head out. "And thank you, Munch, Eren." he says looking to the other two. "I think some breakfast will do me good after that." he notes as he begins to gather his belongings.

Seldan nods his agreement with Shin, then looks over at Hun'rar. "Do not trouble yourself over it, Hun'rar. We will talk later." With that, he takes himself over to his clothing and dresses quickly. As he puts the hat back on, it resumes the appearance of the silver headband, and his skin resumes its usual fair tones. Nothing else changes, and once he is dressed, he looks at Shin, preparing to return to the Temple.