Our heroes return, bringing new glory to the Guild and themselves, but are left with a problem: read here to find out! OUT AND ABOUT Following their busy work clearing out dangers on behalf of the City, the Tusks, and the Guild, the party takes a few days well deserved rest, during which many of the city newcomers explored the marvels of New Adtham. Cade has been making himself at home, and looks to be a long term resident with his new lodgings around town (SEVERAL new lodgings, in fact). Varis was spotted in various...unseemly watering holes; we can only guess he was spreading the good and laid-back word of Deep Sashelas. Truda went back to the Guild and checked on her son. Noggal and Cade both spent some time at Fafa's getting some custom gear. We're not sure what, but Fafa seemed even more excited than normal, and a local leather tanner was seen giving odd looks to an order. Also looking into crafting, Noggal decided to put his...(carved? chopped? I don't know) treant face to use, looking to get a shield worthy of terror. Flynn went on the hunt with Thyrsus for the better gear available in the city. He discovered Hobb's Place, hunter's lodge and hunting supply store, and found the best of the best: an Oathbow, available for a MERE 20,000 gold. However, just as he was counting his coin and planning a savings or layaway plan, he realized it was a LONGbow, and as a halfling, that would be a problem. With a sigh, the dynamic duo returned to the Guild. Nymeria, Branok, and Octavia all spent their time relaxing and training for their next adventure. BREAKING NEW GROUND AT THE HIPPO Back at the Guild, at Noggal's inquiry, the party discovered that the great City Arena was about to begin an extended festival in the Hippo, and it would be good to put up a Guild presence with the new blood. Heading down, they registered themselves (with Flynkin, Thyrsus, and Branok watching the first round, and managing the bets of the rest of the party). As Thyrsus discovered the joys of popcorn (enthusiastically bought for him by many interested spectators), the rest of the party, under the orders of Commander John, left the pit, hit the sands, and were formally introduced to the city proper. Cade brandished the Sparkjaw, little flashes of electricity linking between the teeth lining the blade, and Noggal performed an impressive acrobatic entrance. The rest of the party meandered in as the crowd cheered, and they awaited their opponents: City favorites of the entry tier, The Mobile Siege Crew, TEAM HOWDY. With a crash, the opposite doors blasted open, revealing the Ogre Battering Ram charging through, followed by the massive Ogre Howdah (mispronunciation of which gave the team its name) and squad of goblins atop. Unphased, Octavia pulled out her longbow, and loosed an arrow, swiftly eliminating one of the goblins atop the Howdah to cheers. A second arrow missed narrowly, but there's no doubt the goblin looked down at the arrow just stopped by the protective walls of his basket and realized his peril. Varis loosed his divine magic at the Ogre Ram, but it did not strike quite true.
With the situational awareness she was known for as a Guild trainer, Truda combined plans of the previous two: she took out a longbow like Octavia, and followed Varis' evaluation of the Ram as the biggest threat. Loosing two arrows, the Ram foolishly watched one sail over his shoulder, lowering his guard on the other side, allowing the second shaft to bury itself up to the feathers, resulting in roars from the Ogre and the crowd alike. Noggal and Cade both charge in, with Noggal throwing two javelins resulting in a light hit and miss as he closed range, and Cade unleashing his furious rage and closing in as far as his powerful legs would take him. The newest member of our heroes' party, Nymeria, immediately made her presence and power known. As a reminder to all who think of those of the Cockled Moor and Singing Marsh as nature-loving weaklings, Nymeria unleashed the power of nature on the fields of battle, raising almost invisible spikes across nearly a quarter of the field. The Howdah panicked, and took swipes at what spikes he could see, causing one of the goblins to fall directly upon a spike, instantly designating it for the tender care of the Hippo Clerics, and removing it from the battle. One of the remaining goblins takes a shot at Cade, sticking him with an arrow. This small damage may have been a mistake. A flurry of attacks took swift and deadly retribution. Octavia removed the Goblin that hit Cade with a swift arrow to the nest atop the Howdah. After careful repositioning, Varis and Truda continued to focus on the Ram, and when Truda sent an arrow into the back of the head of the Ram. After pawing at its mouth dumbly, the Ram toppled forward with Noggal nimbly rolling through its legs as it fell. Noggal was unphased by the spikes in the ground (or didn't notice, it's unclear), and charged through to the Howdah, scraping and tearing at his flesh. On reaching it, a triple axe attack tore the Howdah's legs to shreds, nearly bringing it down. Nymeria, once again showing the raw power of nature, brought a beam of moonlight down on the towering Howdah (and the tower atop it). Cade brought the terrible Sparkjaw into play, catching the Howdah on the flank, and with the dreadful hum, pulled the trigger as it buried itself into the Ogre's flesh. With a zipping, tearing sound, blood, sinew, and bone sprayed out from the wound, covering Noggal in the viscera (who, it must be said, seemed to enjoy it). EDITOR'S NOTE: FOR ARE MORE DELICATE READERS, REMEMBER THAT THE ARENA IS A NON-LETHAL VENUE. (doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, though) The roar of pain from the Howdah was echoed by a moan of shock from the crowd, and the Howdah was no longer able to stay standing fully. The last remaining goblin was able to remain in its nest, but this was no blessing, for it remained in the moonbeam...and promptly exploded into flame. Octavia ended the battle with a well placed arrow into the eye of the Howdah, and it's fortunate that in the wild cheers of the crowd, not many heard her weak cry of "are you not entertained?", at which Commander John in the pit sighed, pulled out his chalk, and added another mark to the wall containing a large number of marks. For those betting, "are you not entertained" still has a commanding lead over "there can be only one!" so far this season. Our heroes leave triumphant for a day of well-earned rest, preparing for day two in the arena... END PART 1
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