Arena – Session 3

System Resources: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Second Edition.

Oracle Resources: Mythic Games Master Emulator second edition.

Generative Resources: Gamemaster’s Apprentice cards.

Scene 04 – Altered – Add Item & Remove Character – “Reward” + “News”.

Seriously wounded, Marcus and Orion know they may not survive another week in the dungeon, let alone a third fight in the arena. Resigned to their fate, they bind their wounds as best as they can and try to conserve their strength.

After a few days languishing in their cells, they are visited by a hooded stranger who has bribed her way into the prison. Speaking with a soft Cadian accent, she tells them their victories have enraged the Helian authorities and led to an increase in petty acts of defiance throughout Argallas.

“From a friend,” the stranger whispers, passing a small bundle to the pair.

Inside the bundle is an assortment of salves, tinctures, and medicinal supplies, which they use with the help of a fellow captive, Aurora, who wears a vicious Helian mageslave collar and seems well versed in herblore. Marcus and Orion give the remaining supplies to anyone else in need, and the three move through the dungeon, tending to as many wounded as she can.

Days pass, and once again the guards come. But this time, only Marcus is taken, which incenses the taurok to such an extent that Helian soldiers must shackle him to the wall or risk a rampage.

Scene 05 – Expected.

Whilst feeling revived by Aurora’s ministrations, Marcus’s wounds are still extensive. He knows he cannot carry on fighting in the same defensive manner, so forgoes his usual selection and instead arms himself with two blades.

His opponent is waiting for him in the area, a dwarf called H’alang. Marcus recognises him, as would most dwellers in the south Sardic reaches. H’alang is a cutthroat who plagues the region with his special brand of savage, merciless banditry. Known to be sadistic and bloodthirsty, H’alang regularly indulges in the senseless butchery of travellers and merchant caravans as they move along the trade routes between Aras and Kas-Gorga.

He is also quite mad, prone to outbursts of song and laughter as he goes about his gory work.

As the master of ceremonies drones on, Marcus deduces that for H’alang to be captured alive, Helian patrols in the area around Argallas must be frequent and formidable.

However, his train of thought, and the announcer’s monologue, is interrupted when H’alang casts his head back and howls at the sky, before raising his axe and running headlong at the Gallacian.

Round 1

H’alang seems to stagger and slow as he charges, and Marcus intercepts him with ease. Axe and blade clash, the ringing of metal and grunts of the combatants floating across the arena. Marcus is surprised at the sluggishness of the dwarf, who is renowned for his fighting prowess, and ducks under a clumsy swing to draw first blood with a deep cut across H’alang’s arm.

Round 2

They dance across the sands, trading blows, but H’alang is already visibly tiring, allowing Marcus to land another hit. Whilst not a mortal wound, the dwarf falls to the ground and vomits into the sand. Marcus realises he has been deliberately weakened with poison.

The Gallacian kneels next to H’alang, who smiles manically.

“Blind trust brings death on every tide,” grunts the dwarf through bloodied teeth.

Marcus helps the debilitated creature to his feet, hands him his axe, and steps back. A deathly silence descends on the arena.

Round 3

H’alang grips the haft of his weapon tightly, staring off into the middle distance, seemingly unaware of his surroundings. A beat passes, then the miasmic silence is shattered by inhuman screams as he snaps into focus, bellows a war cry, and charges.

Marcus nimbly sidesteps the attack and brings his sword down, cleaving deep into H’alang’s neck and killing him before his body comes to rest on the death-soaked ground.

The eruption of cheers from the onlookers doesn’t register as Marcus turns towards the cortas’ box and levels his bloodied blade at the Helian commander. The challenge is obvious to all, and the crowd again falls to silence.

“If you want me dead, come do it yourself, dog!” he spits, throwing his weapons down and striding towards the entrance doors.