The Gate of Lords

"Is everybody ready to pick their teams? Due to the complexity of the Trials, I'm sure you all understand we want to complete this as fairly, quickly, and accurately as possible."

With her arms still resting behind her head, Megan merely grinned at Vann's proposal "Sure thing! Though, are you sure, pressure man? You don't even know what I can do"

"Tell me again why do I decide to team up with her?" Vann sighed slightly, "Then it will help us, as a group, to understand each other's capacity."

Vann stepped closer to Megan and lowered his voice, "Although a private space to discuss these matters is preferred, my element is one associated with pressure, namely, water."

He put his hands in his jacket pockets, leaning slightly forward, "Although I can attempt to deduct your element and fail laughably, it will save all of us much, much trouble if you inform me of it right now."

edited 11th Jun '12 12:46:56 AM by LimitRemoval

I have to pick a teammate? Great. Just great. Who could Greg pick? He didn't have any friends. He knew almost nobody. He spent most of his time training and studying his Orb. He had no time for socialization. Would anybody even want to be with him? But, wait... there could be one person... not a friend, per say, but an acquaintance at the very least.

Greg ran through the crowd, looking for that person. "Hey, Billie!" he shouted. It's sad when that's the first person I think of off the top of my head...

edited 11th Jun '12 2:58:37 AM by Collen

Adam patiently listened to the rules of the first trial. He started thinking about the implications of the 4 man team and the zone conquering idea. Adam stepped up and said: "For the purposes of team choosing, I'll show you guys my element, and discussion can begin from there." Adam transformed, and hefted his two hatchets. "Mine is an orb of metal. Overall, it's pretty sweet. I know what a couple of you guys do, but maybe we should get it all out in the open."

Khaine spoke up once more at the subject of anymore questions. "Yeah. Say two teams of four get four areas each and place one person on each area. Do we do the whole barter/tricking/fighting thing there as well, or is there a special rule in place for that occasion? Also, are there any limits on transformation?"

Megan had to chuckle when she heard of Vann's element "nice one, I can definitely see how pressure can help with that element in particular"

She then looked around conspirationally before que put her hands in the pockets of her jacket, imitating Vann before she spoke in a whisper... More to amuse herself than to avoid others to listen, really "While it would be fun to have you guess and I figure you'll build up a whole lot more pressure that way, I figure I better tell you, as requested. Element Wind here and may I look it or not I'm a skilled practitioner of Orbless Magic as well as an inventor with a few toys down me sleeves. I'm in good shape, but in a close range fight I'll be nothing against the crazy stuff people around here tend to pull off physically" she then grinned as she added "Though fortunately I'm light on my feet and an expert in blowing people away"

"Yes, you still use the things you've learned in that situation. As of this Trial, there are no transformations, since that would be an unfair advantage to your team. Also, this test is not about power, it is about tactics."

Maelt pulled out a stopwatch, glanced at it, and said, "Since there are no more questions, I will now start the two minute timer for team formation. Remember, teams of 4 and if at all possible, avoid injuries."

With that, he raised his arm as if to start it ... and made a false start.

"I wanted to say this before I start you all off. From one student to some younger ones, about these Trials. I am sure you all know why this Academy is here, the Demon Wars, all that kinda thing. Let me tell you now,the war is real; they are stronger than you think. We need strong Orbweilders, and many of them, but more than that, we need to be able to work as teams to achieve a higher goal, and to coordinate with other teams to do much more. These Trials are a small problem compared to the one we face out there. We don't want the brute strength of one person, but the greater power and efficiency that a team can produce. Keep that in mind as you complete these Trials - it helped me a hell of a lot."

"With that said, once you form your teams of four, move to your starting areas and wait for the signal that designates the start of the trial. Thanks for your patience."

When he finished saying that, Maelt started the timer and used his power to fly back up to the Master's box.

edited 11th Jun '12 9:35:30 AM by Rockonman

Khaine was a bit surprised that they weren't allowed to transform at all, but got over it quickly. He was sure the Masters had their reasons, perhaps even beyond that which the proctor had stated. After the timer on team finding started, he turned to Andel and said "Well, my attribute's Blood. You?" Khaine wasn't sure how well he'd do on a team, but at the very least he had to try to not let them down.

edited 11th Jun '12 10:05:42 AM by AkenJizo

"I believe you forgot to answer some questions, Maelt." Master Gregory said. "In answer to the questions, if we limited what you could transform into that would be completely unfair. However, no flight over enemy zones is allowed, but that is a restriction on how you use the form, not if you can assume it."

"As for the other question, there is no alternate rule for that situation."

He waited, watching as the four students that usually followed Ford Clenn around joined one team, while he looked for another to join. "I have to wonder what he's up to now."

"Sorry about that, Master. My thought was to teach them to rely on their wisdom and learning instead of their powers and transformations.

Would you want me to tell them of this? There is still time before the Trial officially starts."

"Yes, I think that would be best."

He looked down, examining the teams so far. "So few, and yet so promising." he said. "I hope those that pass will be enough. It's a shame they have to face the seventh trial, really."

"Ok, master, I'll tell them.

Yea, it is a small group this year. A few of them are promising, but I really do worry about some of them, especially Lionel Kenner there."

Maelt floated down and landed in front of the group of students.

Talking to all the students, he said, "Since I am still learning to judge these Trials, I have gotten one small detail wrong on the matter of transformations. You may transform, but the limitation is on how you use the transform. You can't use the transformation to do such things, like flying, that would give you and your team an unfair advantage in lieu of the current Trial's structure and intent. Sorry for any misunderstanding."

"Greggo, my man." Billie said jovially. She's gotten bored of all the talking about halfway through and was currently juggling with her orb. "What can I do you for?"

Greg tried to control his annoyance. He couldn't let himself be aggravated like this. "Billie, I think we should team up. You're one of the few people in here that I know. Please. I need someone powerful as a teammate."

"Powerful, eh? I suppose since I've got more experience than most I could be called that..." Billie shrugged. "Why not? I should warn you though, I'm not particularly bothered about whether I do well or not. I cannot guarantee that I won't get bored and take a nap during it."

"Whatever. I just need someone older to work under the cover of. People will aim for you while I'm doing my work." Greg grinned toothily. "Now, where's my Orb...?"

Greg hot out the bag that held his Orb again and removed the knot of the rope that held the bag closed. It opened, letting out a soft glow. Greg reached in and pulled out his Orb. The Orb was rather odd in that it did not look like glass. Instead, the outside was half-black and half-white, each half curving around each-other. It appeared to look like a yin-yang ball. Greg held it carefully, as if it were a bomb. "Alright. Here we go..."

When Greg held his Orb, he felt a pressure within. It felt like he was bloated - but Greg knew it was something else. The energy he held within. Greg closed his eyes and focus. His shoes started to glow, letting light flood the area around him. The glow moved up his legs, up over his pants, his shirt, his neck, and eventually his head. Finally, the glow dispersed, and suddenly Greg appeared to look like a glass statue. He opened his eyes, revealing that inside of them was not more glass but instead to solid-colored orbs: one black and one white.

"I'm ready," Greg said, his voice slightly echoing.

"My element is Life, I can enhance and weaken people basically" Andel responded to Khaine. Hmm, Blood eh? that could come in handy if it came down to it though he did not know quite how it would work. "It would seem we need a team and I think we could do fine if we could find two more." So this was to be about tactics, if he teamed up with Khaine they should find someone who could move quickly and someone who could defend very effectively. Andel's mind quickly began examining the others for someone who could maybe manipulate the wind or some other generally agile element.

After he said his piece, Maelt went back to the Master's booth.

"Master, I have a question - how are we to watch for rulebreakers? I sense that we have a few edgy ones in this group, though I'm not quite sure."

"Use your logic. Those who do not leave when they must are to be dragged away, or to fall away, considering your power." Master Gregory said. "Anyone who flies over enemy territory is disqualified as if they had touched it. No other cheating is possible."

He heard a call from the doorway. "That sounds like Gratso. Let me know when the timer runs out."

With that, he jumped into the arena with surprising agility and ran through the door.

edited 11th Jun '12 11:57:34 AM by Speedchesser

Khaine had never heard of a Life user before. Nevertheless, he accepted it immediately. In the strange, strange world of the Orbkeepers, it was best to leave your skepticism at the door. Khaine considered their options. Andel didn't look particularaly fast or slow, but looks meant very little in the face of the power of the Orbs. Khaine knew his own limitations, however. He wasn't slow, by any means, but he wasn't fast either. And speed would count for a lot, early on at least.

Khaine then had a thought. He turned to Andel and asked "What happened to that guy you were sitting with in the lunch room? You think he'd be a good choice?"

edited 11th Jun '12 12:16:39 PM by AkenJizo

Andel looked for Phoebus as he responded "Well, Fire would be useful in forcing people into or out of territories from a good distance if the opponent was not using wind or water." Phoebus would be a fine addition to fit the defender role Andel thought, but we'd still need a speedster of some kind who could swoop in and take territories. He turned to Phoebus as he thought. "Care to join our little team then Phoebus" he asked.

"Now, why won't we search for the other two members?" Vann motioned to Megan. "We're running out of time."

"I wouldn't mind, Andel Orlay." Phoebus replied. Taking out his spear from the sheath on his back, Phoebus gave it a spin over his head before letting the butt rest on the ground.

"So, what's the plan?" he asked. Phoebus wasn't one for making his own strategies. He'd rather obey orders from someone he believed to be more competent than himself than do that. Also, he probably needed someone to read him the rules again.

"Oh, and I might need you to tell me the rules again."

edited 11th Jun '12 2:46:54 PM by Insano

"Hmm? Alright, alright then" says Megan before turning towards the rest of the people gathered to take the test. Then she took a deep breath before she loudly called...

"Hey there! We're short two people! So if any one of you feels like making it through the trial you may step up over here!"