Hello and welcome to another RetRollSpective, where we reflect on the history of marble sports teams that have competed in the tournaments of Jelle’s Marble Runs. This time, we’re going to uncover the history of the Strixes, a team that debuted in Marble ManiaX, but rotated their sights 270 degrees from being classical musicians! Read on to find out how this team has hunted the competition!
The Strixes come from the bustling and creative city of Olkinhem, home to the very large and grand Royal Olkin Hall, the most spectacular venue among the city’s vast array of esteemed musical and creative establishments. Marbles from all around the world visit this famous theater to listen to the music performed at it. Nearby, surrounded by glorious rolling hills and valleys, a magnificent large white mansion was perched on the outskirts of the respectable city, a mansion that would later become the home and practice grounds for the team.
From a young age, each of the Strixes had been fascinated by music and strove to perfect their skills in the art. Tawny and Screech were the first to meet, growing up as very close friends, though Tawny was the older of the two. They had been members of the famous Olkinhem Youth Orchestra together for as long as they could remember, where they were joined by Specs in later years. Upon transitioning to the Royal Olkinhem Orchestra when they reached adulthood, they met Pygmy and Barn who were excellent additions to the friendship group, and while performing alongside the orchestra they formed their own smaller string ensemble, in which they named themselves the Strixes. Scops was the group’s close friend, who strove to act as their leader, and was in close relations with Tyto, the Orchestra Conductor whom the group had known for many years. The group’s agent, Eagle, lived in the middle of Olkinhem, a short distance from the group themselves and their grand mansion home. It was in this mansion home that the group of marbles practiced their esteemed instruments for many hours of the day, striving for classical perfection through dedication and passion. Seven marbles in total lived in the beautiful mansion: each of the group members, Scops, and Tawny’s younger sibling, Little. In this house were seven marbles who led a close-knit and luxurious lifestyle, yet never strayed from the path of friendship and determination which they valued far more than their success (as important as that almost was).
The Strixes followed their values through all that they did, working to improve their friendship while fine-tuning their musical inclination and deep knowledge of music theory. They had a strong sense of logic and as a group would complete escape rooms and hold quizzes amongst themselves in their free time. This sense of teamwork in the face of adventure prompted them to begin recreationally participating in marble sports, where they took visits to their local sports stadium.
At the beginning of 2021, Screech caught wind of an upcoming unique sport and puzzle-based competition, Cranthym Challenges. The decision to take part was unanimous, and the group set to work immediately, training alongside their busy performance schedules. In the excitement of a new adventure, the group styled a new name for themselves, “Team Strix”, and selected a hashtag of “Flight and Fight” to accompany their determination.
This competition was to consist of ten different challenges, completed by 16 different teams.
“For the first time, I will admit we are nervous,” designated captain, Tawny, explained to a reporter outside the Royal Olkin Hall, a week before the team was set to leave for the challenges. “We’ve never done this kind of thing before; we train musically, and we’ve just discovered that renowned sports teams such as the Hazers, O’rangers, Savage Speeders, and others are going to be in attendance alongside us.”
(Photo Credit: Pesky)
Despite the prominence of many teams competing in the challenges, the competition itself was less well known, with many teams choosing to keep the reporting of it to a minimum alongside training for the upcoming 2021 Marble League. Full of nerves, unlike any musical performance they had ever undertaken, Team Strix made the journey to the location of the competition, a fairly isolated venue with accommodation and plenty of nature surrounding them at all times.
An introduction to the challenges had Team Strix silent for the first time in a long time, surrounded by reputable Marble League teams alongside others such as Guild of Wit, Amber Skies, and the Whizlers, who were teams that the group knew of from news of their respective local puzzle competitions. The competition was to be fierce and difficult, with each team truly testing their teamwork and perseverance to try to earn the Cranthym Crown, the ultimate prize. Although nervous and hesitant, an excellent start to the challenges saw Team Strix earn their first silver medal in the first event, featuring a maze.
“It was remarkable really, Specs really helped us out on this one, they were amazing, but we all did our part,” Screech admitted afterward. For their excellent performance, they earned nine points, only a single point behind the esteemed Marble League team of the Hazers, and a point ahead of the O’rangers. On the evening of the first event, the team chose to head into the nearby stretch of woods with their instruments, where they were able to practice in peaceful solitude, a reminder of what bound them together whatever their results.
The next few events didn’t go so well for Team Strix, as the second challenge, involving code breaking with a piece of paper that Pygmy hastily misread, saw the team place 13th earning no points. The next few events told a similar story, with the third challenge of navigation using a confusing map and the next two baffling the team with physical activity that they were not used to. It was the sixth event, a highly complicated quiz, that saw Team Strix’s next success, and they finally achieved a bronze, earning them eight points.
Joyous at finally having placed well, Team Strix decided to celebrate through an impromptu performance of their instruments in the dining room of the accommodation house, where all the other teams were able to dance and enjoy the music. Specific praise came from the Pinkies, a team who Tawny discovered were dancers, and glad to have the chance to demonstrate their passion alongside Team Strix.
“I don’t want to say this, but we aren’t doing that well. Only the places up to tenth actually earn points, and we’ve only earnt 22 points so far,” Screech confided to the sole reporter, Strigi, who had traveled with them from Olkinhem. Despite the difficulty of trying not to lose faith, the team continued to work together to get through, spending free moments playing music together as inspiration. Surprisingly, this tactic of dedication worked, and although there were only four events left, the team was able to clinch another 18 points leading up to the final challenge.
The dawn of the final challenge arose, dreary and miserable. Rain poured down, unrelenting, as the marbles made their way out in small huddles toward the large forest beside the stadium.
(Art Credit: Toffeeshop)
“And so, it all comes down to this…” the distorted voice of the host boomed down, while Team Strix shivered and peered into the forest, only to be met with darkness. “Make your way in, complete the puzzles, and they will lead you to victory…” Whispers broke out amongst the 16 teams, but Tawny rolled closer to the others in Team Strix. “Stick together, and we can do anything. Let’s put on our best performance yet.” Unanimously, they nodded and while other teams stared into the forest with looks of dread and fear, Team Strix broke out into smiles of dedication and the same adrenaline that took them through their many music concerts.
It was hours later, as the sun began to set, when the first team, the Whizlers, emerged from the darkness in the trees that seemed to swallow everything in its path. Just as the team realized that their hasty completion may secure their chance of winning, Team Strix rolled out in satisfied exhaustion. Upon noticing that they were finally finished, they broke out into cheers, congratulating the Whizlers on their win while celebrating a second-place finish. As the rain slowed to a halt, the two finished teams huddled under warm blankets, being provided with warm drinks as they discussed the challenge with each other.
“It was enjoyable, really, but I can’t say I’d have wanted to stay there much longer!” Tawny was overheard saying to the captain of the Whizlers, who nodded and laughed in agreement.
Amber Skies were the next to exit the forest, sometime later, closely followed by the O’rangers. Eventually, the Hazers also emerged, and the other teams remaining joined them in the following hour or so. Finally, it was time to return back to Cranthym Hall, as Specs was the first to notice that there was still one team to leave the forest. Putting aside the slight concern after being assured that there was a search party on the lookout, the teams all headed back to warmth with a now growing excitement to find out the final results.
Seating themselves a few rows back, Team Strix found themselves sitting aside two reputable Marble League teams, the Hazers, and Balls of Chaos, both teams who had also performed admirably and were excitedly awaiting the closing of the challenges. The three teams shared polite discussion, reminiscing over the challenges that they had had to face in their time at the Cranthym Stadium.
“That last challenge was a bit unexpected,” Anarchy of the Balls of Chaos said to Hazy, of the Hazers. “We actually really enjoyed it though. The thrill of potential danger; but the danger that can be avoided by working together. Honestly, I wonder if something could be done…” Tawny leaned over, laughing in agreement, as the rest of the team smiled and watched. “Count us in, we…” They stopped suddenly, looking out at the door where the Guild of Wit had suddenly appeared, wrapped up in blankets but looking cheerful. The captain, Witley, grinned at the Hazers, and Team Strix returned the relief that their fellow competitors were safe.
It was now that an elderly marble that Team Strix recognized only in passing, appeared and rolled to the center of the stage.
(Art Credit: Phoenix)
“It has been so great to have you all here. Every single one of you has proved that with quick thinking, teamwork, and logic, even the hardest problems can be overcome. While I hope you take this knowledge with you where you go in life, the awarding of the Cranthym Crown is yet to occur.”
Team Strix smiled; while some of the challenges were new to them, friendship and loyalty as a team was something that they each valued massively through every task in life. With 54 points in total, the first team to roll up onto the stage was the Whizlers, which had impressively achieved the first position. Spectacular prizes including a marvelous crown, as well as a large trophy, were handed to the beaming team, who returned to their seats while their captain remained on stage. The Hazers were the next to head to the stage, having placed second. It was then that Team Strix was called up, with a total of 49 points that earnt them third place. Ecstatic with a wonderful result, Tawny led the team up to the stage where they all grinned endlessly to receive their flowers. Fourth place went to the Balls of Chaos, with the Green Ducks in fifth.
Although not the winners of the competition, the Strixes, ready to return to their original name, were satisfied immensely with their excellent performance.
“I’ve never been prouder of my fellow group members,” Tawny commented upon the team’s return to Olkinhem. “It makes you think a lot about who you are and what you value, when you’re away from home, competing. We’ve started composing a great piece, ‘Strigi Flolkin’, which summarizes our experiences and values.
Despite the Strixes’ impressive showing at the Cranthym Challenges, the group returned to their ordinary life of hours of musical practice and performance, with frequent group outings as they had once done, participating still in recreational marble sports, escape rooms, and other fun and low stake puzzle-related activities. It was for this reason that it came as a surprise to the Strixes when later that year, Eagle informed the team that they had received an invitation from the esteemed Balls of Chaos, remembering their interest in a more dangerous styled sports competition, to participate in an upcoming competition. Marble ManiaX was to be hosted by the Balls of Chaos, where they had been granted input on teams that could be invited. The Balls of Chaos requested that Team Strix be invited to compete, citing their natural majesty as musical performers and enjoyment of the puzzles offered in the Cranthym Challenges. Immediately knowing that they would accept, the Strixes were overjoyed and began planning at once. They confirmed their participation in Marble ManiaX as the “Strixes”, honoring their priorities and staying true to themselves. In an attempt to fit in better with the theme of extreme sports, Scops suggested a hashtag change to “Silent Kill”, a change that strove to inspire confidence among the marbles entering new territory.
Joined by Coach Scops and Manager Eagle, the five athletes flew to Hunluen with every intention of fighting for the championship, alongside maintaining their musically inclined backgrounds. They, of course, brought their instruments with them and continued the reputation that they had received during Cranthym, of dedication to both the competition and their music.
Marble ManiaX, an extreme sports competition of eight teams participating in five events, began with Extreme Diving. This was a dangerous event that was to involve the entire team taking a dive off of a diving board, with a long fall to the water. Having never approached this type of event before, the team was hesitant, but encouraging words from Coach Scops convinced them that it was okay having a go and that working together would be enough. Despite this, their uncertainty caused a difficult start to the competition, and the Strixes only earned 61 points in this first event, which was enough for a fifth-place finish. They had three points on the overall standings and were rather disheartened.
Unfortunately for them, this continued into the second event, where Specs and Screech were selected as the duo competitors for Domino Bowling. A final bowling result of 73 points was again only enough for another fifth-place finish, and another three points towards the overall standings, where they remained in fifth.
“It wasn’t our best, I’ll give you that,” Screech commented briefly, before hurrying away, leaving Specs alone with the reporters.
“They’re right. We could have done better. But it’s alright, we aren’t going to give up hope. Tawny is competing in the next event, and I’ve never seen them work at something so hard since they tried learning to play Mrollin’s Third Symphony in one day! I think we’ve still got a chance.”
True to Specs’ confidence, Tawny excelled at the next event of Extreme Funnels, having turned up in complete silence with nothing more than an entirely dedicated expression in an event of physical battles to be the last to exit a funnel. Tawny was able to use speed and skill to defeat the Constrictors, Noxious Ivy, and Shining Swarm within the event bracket to win, earning the team ten points towards the standings, and lifting the team into third place overall. A gold medal in a competition of only five events was excellent going, and the team celebrated relentlessly with hours of music that encapsulated their joy.
This wonderful success was not the last, as the fourth event of the Obstacle Run yielded an excellent performance from Pygmy, the reserve. A difficult course featuring lots of uncontrollable bouncing was light work for the young marble, who ultimately earned bronze, and the team rose again, up into second place in the standings. There was one event left in the competition, and it was one that the Strixes feared most, due to its unpredictable nature. Although they were used to recovering from mishaps and working together to ensure smooth runnings of musical performances, they were not used to events that demanded physical strength in a confrontation.
“We are worried, yes, but in the end, we will just try to work together and see how it goes,” was all that the captain, Tawny, could offer the reporters in the tense hurry before the event began.
Their fears were well represented in the Super Collision results. Participating in the second match against the Marble League team Shining Swarm, they were unable to win a single round of the match and failed to move on beyond the initial heats. Their competitors went on to win the event, while the Strixes ended Marble ManiaX in fifth overall, due to placing seventh in Super Collision.
Still, the team was happy with their results of 23 points and spoke highly of their competitors, although fans theorized that a small rivalry was forming between them and the Constrictors.
In an interview discussing their performances and results, Barn spoke up first, “We’re glad we took part in this. It’s okay that we didn’t win, although we understand if other teams don’t have the same view. But for us, it isn’t about winning.”
Tawny agreed, and continued, “Winning is important, of course, but ultimately just like with playing music, it’s about giving things a go and doing them to the best of your ability above anything else. We aren’t a team really trained for extreme events, and we are barely even a sports group, but anything can be achieved if you work together.”
Following their appearance in Marble ManiaX, the Strixes returned to Olkinhem and received praise comparable to their standing ovations after performances at the Royal Olkin Hall. To honor the Strixes’ newfound success in marble sports, Tyto commissioned a sculpture of the team to be displayed outside of the Hall, to inspire marbles living and traveling around Olkinhem to give things a go and do them to the best of their abilities, following the wise words of Tawny. The Pinkies performed a dance routine with the Strixes’ string orchestra accompanying them at the sculpture’s dedication ceremony, which marble athletes and personalities from across Marblearth, including Jelle Bakker, attended.
In RetRollSpective, the Strixes are a team that has played their way to a number of small successes within sports, music, and logic, while edging their way up in the ranks of great marble sports teams. Best of luck to the Strixes in the near future, keep on rolling!
Credits
- Writer: Phoenix
- Editors: Edu G.J., Smacg13, Stynth
- Artists: Phoenix, Toffeeshop
- Graphic Designer: Jelle’s Marble Runs, Stynth, Tim Ritz
- Photographers: The Emperor, Jelle’s Marble Runs, Pesky
- Release: 01/09/2022
Project Marblearth 