you learn, or you die [c]

The huge bolder for which this area was named was warm beneath Spottedfrog's paws. Halfstone was not a place she'd ever frequented, outside patrols and casual pass-through, but she'd been here a time or two with her own mentor, and it seemed to be a good place for training.

Willowpaw was an eager youngster, full of vigor and enthusiastic to learn, and truth be told, since coming back to SkyClan, Spottedfrog had been missing having something to occupy her time.

"So, hunting is important, and we'll practice that in time, of course, but the most important thing to know, Willowpaw, is how to defend yourself. Anything could happen while you're out - alone, or even with a patrol. Foxes, dogs, other warriors... even twolegs, they can all pose a threat. So fighting... that's what we're going to learn first. I'm an enemy warrior, about to pounce - show me your best defensive stance."

Willowpaw had enjoyed the walk to Halfstone. There was so much to see outside the camp! She was excited to begin her training and the only thing she could think of that was better than hunting was fighting training instead.

She didn't really know what a defensive stance was, but she dropped into what she thought was a pretty good estimation of one.

It seemed that at least defense came naturally to the youngster, and though she definitely had some learning to do, Spottedfrog imagined it wouldn't be a struggle. From her position atop the rock, the warrior surveyed her apprentice. "Alright. That's good, but - shift your weight more evenly... you want to be able to move any direction at any time, and it'll only slow you down if you're too heavy on one side."

She slid down from the rock and approached, half-circling Willowpaw with a critical eye. "I'm coming for real this time, so prepare!"

Spottedfrog used Leap and Hold on Willowpaw, dealing 10 (training) damage and costing 15 stamina.

Willowpaw was surprised by the firmness that her mentor pinned her with. She wriggled trying to roll onto her paws, but Spottedfrog held her too tight. After a few moments, she gave up and relaxed, knowing that she would have to wait to get free.

Willowpaw attempts Duck and Twist for -5 sp, but fails, remaining pinned and dealing -4 damage.

The tenacious youngster put up a valiant fight, but as predicted, Spottedfrog's bulk and experience had the apprentice pinned fast. Once Willowpaw went limp, Spottedfrog stood, allowing her to, too. "You did well," she said simply. "When fighting another warrior, the Code dictates that we do not kill... so giving up in that manner can work." Spottedfrog walked some ways off from Willowpaw, eyes slightly distant. "But you won't always be fighting warriors. And when you do, they won't always be warriors that follow the code."

She turned back to look at her apprentice, brow furrowed. "So I will tell you this once, and only once, Willowpaw: never give up the way you just did." Spottedfrog's tone was serious, but not aggressive, and she pinned the young cat with a gaze that left no room for argument.

"One wrong move, one hesitation, could mean the difference between life and death in battle. If a fox has you pinned, you don't go limp. If another warrior has you pinned, you don't stop fighting. You scratch and you bite and you battle until you are exhausted and cannot continue... and if after all that, you still lose... you'll have died a true warrior's death knowing that there was absolutely nothing that could have changed it."

She paused then, allowing it to sink in as she slipped down into a crouch, feathery tail flicking. "Alright then - come at me, now. Show me what you've got."

Willowpaw took in her mentor's words, nodding her head all the while. She was determined to rembeber everything Spottedfrog taught her: as she had just said, it could be the difference between life and death in a fight.

She got into a crouch, and looked at her mentor, wondering how she was going to do this. Spottedfrog was probably expecting her to start with something simple, like some paw blows or a headbutt. So, Willowpaw decided, she wasn't going to do that. As quickly as she could manage, she nipped round her mentor and grabbed her tail between her teeth and yanked it sharply until her mentor was off balance.

Willowpaw used Tail yank on Spottedfrog, dealing 7 training damage and 15 stamina

Willowpaw
20/20 HP
45/60 SP

Spottedfrog
53/60 HP
140/140 SP

(One last question- how do you do a dice roll?)

catlover wrote:

(One last question- how do you do a dice roll?)

To do a dice roll, you hit "preview" instead of "send" on your post and there will be a drop down menu for rolls. You just choose the one you want to use! So for hunting you use "hunting dice" and for battle you'd use "effect dice" if the move you're trying to use has a possible effect.

Thanks!