Arena – Session 4

System Resources: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Second Edition.

Oracle Resources: Mythic Games Master Emulator second edition.

Generative Resources: Story Engine cards. Gamemaster’s Apprentice cards. Worlds Without Number worldbuilding tables.

Sardis is a region approximately seven hundred miles south of Gallacia and a thousand miles west of Cadia, comprised of coastal city states that have evolved over the last four centuries into a federal monarchy. Seven city sovereigns, known as the Cortas, rule their domains under allegiance to the Arcant, a hereditary over-monarch.

During the time of the Exodite Imperium, Sardis became a maritime trade hub for merchants eschewing the dangerous overland routes through the interior of the continent. Alongside the wealth this brought, many creatives found themselves drawn to the region, and the resulting cultural golden age left Sardis with a legacy of exquisite architecture and ingrained lust for the artistic.

Sadly, the history of the nation is threaded with incompetent leadership, often due to hedonistic extremes of greed and gluttony amongst the nobility. The greatest period was during the reign of Ilian the Stoic, who took the position of self-restraint to extreme levels. Arcant Ilian’s leadership was level-headed and pragmatic, resulting in almost eighty years of stability and peace. This created an era of wealth and prosperity which was swiftly squandered during the following century.

It is said the Sardic peoples are ruled by their passions. They certainly have a strongly decadent streak, and many possess a seductive charm. The basic unit of society is the familial clan, with many laws and traditions evolving out of family alliances and enmities. The nation is marked by dramatic displays of pageantry and the locals tend to place great significance on such ritual exhibitions, finding them inspiring, meaningful, and of spiritual import. Unsurprisingly, music and the arts are a vibrant part of the Sardic cultural identity, along with fashion and proudly diverse cuisine.

Scene 06 – Expected.

After his show of defiance, Marcus fully expects to be murdered in his sleep. But nobody comes for him. In fact, the guards give him extra food and medicinal supplies, which he shares with Aurora, Orion, and the remaining captives.

After some discreet inquiries, Marcus learns the supplies were sent by a Helian soldier known as Raz-Neben. The man is a champion of the Empire and is going to be Marcus’s next opponent, defending the honour of his commander in a duel to the death. Raz-Neben wishes for a fair fight and is thus making sure the Gallacian is well fed and rested.

A few days later the robed stranger reappears with news for the surviving group. She tells them there is to be a day of games, by the end of which the Helian commander wants all prisoners dead. The highlight is to be the execution of Cortus Aldos, the former sovereign of Argallas, followed by the duel between Marcus and Raz-Neben.

The shadowy ally refuses to give the name of her patron but tells the group that an orchestrated disturbance will occur during the duel. Most of the Helian authorities will be in attendance, making it the most opportune time for an act of violent rebellion. The stranger goes on to say dissident infiltrators will release as many prisoners as possible, drawing soldiers away so that assassination attempts can be made on high ranking Helians.

Orion is eager to cause as much carnage as possible but is told that the group is needed for another task. The stranger’s unnamed patron has gathered intelligence regarding the disposition of Helian forces and needs her to take it to Kas-Gorga. In return for aiding the group’s escape during the chaos, she asks that they escort her through the wilderness to the fortress.

Marcus, Orion, and Aurora agree. They just have to survive the next few days.