Arena – Session 2

System Resources: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Second Edition.

Oracle Resources: Mythic Games Master Emulator second edition.

Generative Resources: Gamemaster’s Apprentice cards.

Scene 03 – Expected.

Given no medical attention and left to rot in squalor, the prisoners can do nothing but wait. Every morning, Helian guards, in their familiar red and white armour, round up an assortment of captives and take them to the arena. Most are never seen again.

The taurok, whose given name is Orion, begins to form a begrudging friendship with the Gallacian. Their orcan comrade, however, is taken away on the second day and doesn’t return. No doubt similar punishments await the others for having the temerity to survive their encounter with the anak warriors.

A week passes and the pair are once again brought to the arming chamber, but this time the taurok is freed from his chains before being forced into the entrance corridor alongside Marcus and two other humans.

Round 1

The combatants step out into the sunlight but see no apparent adversaries entering through the far doors. There is a sudden clatter nearby, as two iron grates ratchet open and four mountain lions pace out onto the blood-spattered sand.

Marcus raises his shield whilst the other humans take a step back. Orion, seemingly unfazed by the danger, lowers his head and charges. His battleaxe bites deep into the nearest loin’s side and the creature yelps in pain, leaping back from the sudden onslaught.

Round 2

The lions scatter, regroup, and pounce.

Two flank the taurok, fangs and claws mauling his already wounded torso in an orgy of savage bloodletting. Another lashes out against Marcus, whose shield absorbs the brunt but fails to stop a stray claw raking across his thigh. The fourth lion circles and attacks from the rear, dragging one of the humans screaming to the floor before crunching through his neck and face.

Refusing to give ground, Orion brings his axe down in a short chopping motion, opening a deep wound between one of his attackers’ shoulder blades. Meanwhile, Marcus tries to manoeuvre to defend against the two nearest lions, battering one with his shield and stabbing the other with his sword.

Round 3

Skittish now, the two mountain lions attacking Orion circle him cautiously, darting in and out to swipe with extended claws whilst he attempts to land a blow with his axe.

The other cats are merciless, the first ripping another human to shreds, whilst the second leaps at Marcus, clamping down on his shoulder and dragging him to the ground. He screams at the pain and stabs repeatedly into the creature’s neck, managing to kill it before it does any more damage.

Round 4

The Gallacian rolls out from under the corpse and quickly gets to his feet, turning just in time to meet the other lion’s attack. The sound of rending metal and wood echoes around the arena as his shield is ripped from his grasp in an explosion of splinters.

Orion, finally seeing an opening, decapitates a lion with a single powerful swing. The other cat takes advantage and sinks its fangs into his side, attempting to pull the mighty taurok down.

Round 5

The beast continues to attack Marcus, its sharp claws rending armour and shredding flesh. Bleeding, exhausted and on the verge of death, the Gallacian falls to his knees, unable to land a hit against the frenzied creature.

Orion drops the battleaxe and grabs his opponent’s jaws, prising it’s fangs out of his side and lifting its head up high. In a panic the thrashing lion claws at the taurok, ripping gobs of flesh from his chest. With a rage filled bellow, Orion rips the creature’s head apart, a fountain of red gore blossoming in the air above him.

Scooping up the axe he charges the last lion as it circles his comrade, quickly crossing the intervening distance and slashing into its side.

Round 6

The last mountain lion attempts to flee, but Marcus slices his sword across its hind legs, slowing it long enough for Orion to land the killing blow, cleaving down through spine and ribcage.

As the creature collapses onto the ground, spilling guts across the sand, the arena is once again filled with the sound of a cheering crowd. As Orion helps Marcus limp back towards the gated entrance doors, the Helian commander’s face flushes with anger.