Wardens of Heroes Gate

The Frozenfar Fray – Skirmish in the Stones

] Five of you have made your way to Dougans Hole. It is the day of the first event of the Frozenfar Fray Games and the crowds have gathered outside of the small village. A guard of locals has built a thin perimeter, asking everyone to remain outside the proper boundary of their quiet hamlet on Redwaters lake. Just south of town you see the massive megalith structure known as the Twenty Stones of Thruun. These twenty granite slabs, arranged in a perfect rounded triangle that overlooked the town. They are surprising large – nearly 20 feet tall. Rivereye is with you Kildar as your armiger and Shent is with you Dawndra. Hocus has left to attend to some business and suggested Mo Ka Bu stay to enjoy the games.

] A judge quiets the crowd for the reading of the rules. No weapons and no magic are allowed within the stones during the event. Anyone caught breaking this rule will be disqualified from the games. The horn will sound three times – with equal spanse between. With the first sounding, contestants (and only paid contestants) will gather within the stones. With the second sounding, the fray begins – push, shove or otherwise remove others from the circle without stepping foot outside of it yourself. The boundary is clearly marked and judges are monitoring all three sides. At the third sounding, all hostilities must stop. Failure to cease will result in being disqualified. There will be a sweep for magic and weapons – any caught with either will be disqualified. Those still standing within the stones win the round. Win all three rounds and only one round need be won in the next event. Win two rounds today, and two rounds will be required in the next event. Win only one round today, and all three rounds must be one in the next event in order to stay in the games. Win zero rounds today and you will be out of the Fray Games. After the rules are read, the volume of the crowd increases once again.

Kildar] “They sure like taking rules serious-like don’t they.”

] Shent “It wouldn’t be a game without rules… and there is a lot of money to be won.”

] Looking around the crowd, you see a few who are familiar to you. Saarvin and Sabyss have seen you and are walking your way. The obnoxious half-orc and her two little kobolds cronies, Axe and Pax, are there in the crowd. You spot Samsam and Melthor together and with the Red Drakes come to watch the games. After what seems to be long wait, a judge stands on a makeshift podium with a large horn raised overhead. The crowd quiets and shifts in the heavy snowfall.

Kildar] I hand Titans Tooth and the rest of my belongs to Rivereye to hold for me.

Dawndra] I give my ice pin and bracelet along with my pack and my cloak to Shent. The cold air and thick flakes of snow on my bare body feels wonderful, energizing. I crunch the snow between my toes, feeling a connection to the frozen ground beneath.

Kildar] “Oh, I didn’t know we had to go naked.” I take off the skins I am wearing, leaving only my boots and bloomers. “Roog, that does feel whirly don’t it! Let’s get this thing going!”

] Shent “The rules don’t say anything about collaborations. If you two stay close, you might have a better chance at it. I wouldn’t make it too obvious though – don’t give the judges any reason to add  more rules. Good fortune to you both!”

] The first horn sounds and over two hundred contestants rush into the stone formation. Many of them are human men from the barbarian tribes of Icewind Dale, but you see a surprising diversity… lots of women from the tribes – some of who appear far more fierce than the men. You briefly think you see Ellerika among them. There is just one other goliath besides yourself Kildar, but you do not recognize him. Saarvin is not the only dragonborn in the mix and you see a few from the catfolk too. A drow-looking woman with white hair and dressed in black leather stands near one of the stones, calmly watching competition all shove to get nearest the center for advantage. There are several halflings in the fray as well, including your old friend Dawndra – Mr Cinderfoot… aka… Pakbak the Burnt.

]] Is Dawndra double-teamed? 1dAny = odd (No) Who is her next opponent? 1d6 = 3 (+1) ]]

] The second horn sounds and chaos erupts all around you. A lanky human slams into you Dawndra and attempts to shove you towards the boundary. He smells of rotting fish and rotting teeth and a fair amount of alcohol.

Dawndra]

] Dawndra – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Dawndra] I attempt to use his momentum against him but the stinky human is surprisingly agile and gives me some challenge. I am both larger and stronger and with an upward push he loses his footing. I see him kick backwards and then fall to the ground. He disappears as several others fall over him.

] A half-elf girl is thrown right into your granite-like belly Kildar. She looks up at you. A slight wave of concern crosses her face and she panics. She pushes to get away from you.

Kildar]

] Kildar – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Kildar] At first, she is slippery but I manage to get a hold on her arm and swing her around. I feel bad about what I’m about to do… but then I wonder why she entered the competition in the fist place. I trust the healers will do their job so I spin again with enough force and release her so that she flies right out of the gamefield.

]] Is Dawndra double-teamed? 1dAny = odd (No) Who is her next opponent? 1d6 = 5 (Str-based +3) ]]

] Dawndra turns and is faced with a human barbarian dressed in grey furs. He is wide-eyed and yelling words you cannot understand. Gobs of spittle fly from his mouth and spray your naked breast.

Dawndra]

] Dawndra – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Dawndra] My disgust and anger at being spit on uncenters me for a moment. The barbarian is strong and tackles me to the ground. Straddling my chest he attempts to bash my face but I bring a knee hard into his spine and then hammer-fist his ear. He falls off me and I try to get to my feet. He somehow manages to wrap himself around my legs from behind and I lose balance. As I fall, I attempt to direct all of my weight towards his skull. My elbow makes first contact. He goes motionless, face-first in the snow.

]] Is Kildar double-teamed? 1dAny = odd (No) Who is his next opponent? 1d6 = 6 (Str-based +4) ]]

] As you watch the half-elf girl fly, you notice a 6’3 half-orc wearing less clothing than you and covered in a white grease. He has targeted you and starts running your way.

Kildar]

] Kildar – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Kildar] “You are one ugly Roog!” I say to the half-orc as he approaches. He jumps into the air and tries to flatten me with a bare-footed kick but I manage to block his leg with a twist upwards, sending him to the ground. He recovers quickly and sweeps my legs out. We struggle on the ground – a mess of snow and grease and blood. An elbow to the face, a knee to the gut, knuckles to  skulls. The half-orc stops struggling but I wallop him once more anyway.

Dawndra] I spot Kildar kicking a downed half-orc. “Kildar! We must stand together!”

Kildar] I grab Dawndra by the shoulders. “I’ve got a better idea M’Bella, why don’t you and I put on like we are opposing. Who is gonna interfere?”

Dawndra] “We must make it look serious then…” I pull Kildar towards the center of the stone-circled arena. I plant my feet and use the leverage to throw him to the ground.

Kildar] “Uff! No ones ever flung me like a doll before.” I flip back up and charge Dawndra’s torso with my shoulder, lifting her up like a sack of grain.

Dawndra] “Eww… Why are you covered in grease?” But it gives me an idea. Hanging upside down, my face to Kildars back, I wrap his torso with my arms and then kick my legs straight up in the air breaking his hold on them. I slide down the back of his greased body and then drop to the ground and roll away.

Kildar] “Tricky girl! If I ask real nicelike, would you do that again sometime?” I leap to wrestle her back to the ground.

Dawndra] “Depends on what kind of grease you got then I suppose.” I let out a delighted laugh as we roll in the snow trying to pin each other.

] The third horn sounds. Several in the arena either do not hear it, or ignore it and keep fighting. The judges remove them from the field. Others are dragging bodies, lifeless or seemingly so, out of the stones and over to the healers tent. Three Priests of the Winter Palace roam through the remaining contestants, checking for the presence of magic. Two more are expelled from the circle, a human and a dwarf, for the use of magic. Those who remain standing are joined by their tag-flag bearers and accounted.

] Shent “You did real good Dawndra! Although I must admit to a bit of blushing when I saw you two get into it. It was a great idea – but you both looked to be enjoying it a bit much.”

] Rivereye “Yes, Kildar… careful with that tactic… you will be vulnerable and not even notice.”

Kildar] “Right on Mata. Did you see that little one I swung? I hope she is not like seriously hurt… but it was sure fun seeing her fly wasn’t it?”

] Rivereye wraps furs around you “Just prepare yourself for the next conflict Kildar. We shall review the day later.”

Dawndra] “Rivereye has wisdom there. Excuse me while I center my flow.” I get into a centering stance and breathe in deeply, aligning my legs, hips, spine and neck with the exhale. With the next breath I slowly raise my arms up in front of me to shoulder height and with the exhale I let them float back down. Breathing in, I circle my hands around an imaginary ball of energy in front of me. Breathing out, I press down. With my palms facing the ground, I again lift my arms in front of me, upward until my palms press the sky. My hands circle outwards and press down to my sides. I repeat Heavens Orbit until the next horn sounding.

] You gain and additional 1ki from your extra practice. The horn sounds and competitors all rush again for the center of the Stones of Thrunn. For a brief moment, you see Sephek Kaltro leaning up against one of the massive stones.

Dawndra] “Sephek! There Kildar… I saw the Ice Rune Killer there by that menhir!”

Kildar] “We shall pull his legs off his wicked frame Dawndra! Let me know if you seen him – we will fight together!”

] The horn sounds again and the chaos begins.

]] Is Dawndra double-teamed? 1dAny = even (Yes) Who are her next opponents? 2d6 = 6 & 3 (Str-based +3 & Dex-based +1 = +4) ]]

] A dwarf and a dragonborn come at you from either side Dawndra. The golden-haired dwarf is heavyset and slow in movement compared to the red dragonborn who darts around another conflict to engage with you specifically.

Dawndra]

] Dawndra – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Dawndra] I get the impression from the attack that neither the dwarf or dragonborn collaborated beforehand so I assume I might use them against each other. The momentum of the dragonborn is my first weapon. I grab for her shoulder as I being turning my hips and torso. I slam her right into the dwarf who is attacking from the opposite side. They always looks surprised when their own movements are turned against them but that is the downside of aggression and it is a hard lesson to learn. The dragonborn recovers quickly and lands a squared kick against my thigh. I manage to grab the leg and so I step back with it, snapping it down, forcing her into a split. She remains silent but her face tells a story of pain. I spin and fall directly on her with my back and roll up to face the dwarf who has finally recovered. She is not silent this time, her scream is likely heard by all twenty stones. I use my rolling momentum to leap up and attempt to drive my knee into the chest of the dwarf, but I misgauge my jump and I’m covered in blood as my knee bursts the nose of the poor fellow. His head snaps back hard and I’m afraid I killed him with the blow – he flops backwards into the snow.

]] Is Kildar double-teamed? 1dAny = odd (No) Who is his next opponent? 1d6 = 5 (Str-based +3) ]]

] Kildar, a golaith about your age confronts you. You do not recognize him, but he seems to hold you in his hard stare with contempt.

Kildar] “Hey there Roog! Wanna go?

] Kildar – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Kildar] My fellow is just humorless… while I’m still trying to get a smile back, he tries to clobber me. I laugh as his fist falls short but then he is on me with a barrage of blows. His speed is impressive and his power, painful. I retreat from his rage briefly and engage my own. “You Yeti-stink! I bet your mum still licks your bum!” I charge the goliath and wrap his middle with my arms. Lifting upwards I remove his ground and then I jump, kicking my feet forward so he lands face first under me. The loud crack must not have been his neck because he scrambles trying to recover. We wrestle in the snow, each trying to lock the other down. I realize we are getting close to the stones and I get an idea… I back away and feign losing my balance long enough to sucker him into a charge. I roll deftly, kicking up as he is in range and then I fling him over me and out of the arena.

] The goliath screams in uncontrolled anger. He charges back inside the stones to punish you but is suddenly airborn when an invisible force bounces him 30 feet backwards into the crowd.

Kildar] “Ok so like… Do not try to reenter… got it!” I turn to find Dawndra

]] Is Dawndra double-teamed? 1dAny = odd (No) Who is her next opponent? 1d6 = 2 (+0) ]]

] Dawndra you are still looking down at the dwarf you may have just killed when a Barbarian hurls a scrawny Half-Elf against you. He nearly bounces off of you. Looking down at him, you assume him to be a magic user – and a likely a much bigger threat in the next event.

Dawndra]

] Dawndra – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Dawndra] While I trying to decide what to do, the half-elf looks up at me with pleading eyes. “I just need to survive one round!” he says. “While I am usually inclined to mercy, this is a competition… and an exception.” I pick him up like a lost sheep and carry him towards the nearest stone. “Have you heard the saying… no good deed goes unpunished? I’m sorry but I expect it might apply and I must heed its wisdom.” I throw him, one-handed, outside the boundary of the stones.

] Something about the nearby stone catches your attention. It appears to have slight glow. You quickly glance around at the 19 other menhirs and notice some of the others have the same bluish aura and others do not. Your attention is switched when you see the bugbear Tronk… He is charging into the blindside of Kildar.

Dawndra] I jump over a few fallen competitors to rush to Kildars aid.

Kildar]

] Kildar – even with Dawndra’s aid, you lose the skirmish with the towering bugbear. Describe the action.

Kildar] I hear Dawndra yell a warning just as a huge bugbear is about to tackle me. The warning was not enough for me to brace myself and I go down under the beasts attack. He pounds me near senseless before Dawndra can knock him off of me. She helps me back to my feet and together we face the creature. She seems to know him, and his name, because she offers a friendly “Pleased to see you again Tronk.” – no doubt trying to distract him from his fury. It doesn’t much work. He and I lock in a shoulder grab. His strength is incredible and it takes everything I have to hold my ground against him. Dawndra suddenly slams a shoulder into Tronks back, giving me a chance to slam him to the ground. I drive my knee into his forehead, stunning him – but not for long. He rallies like he was shot out of a pirates canon. His forehead nearly caves my chest in as I fly backwards, landing nearly unconsho on my backside. I hear the bugbear gurgle some sort of gobliny victory yell just as Dawndra steps inbetween him and my flattened self.

] The 3rd horn sounds just as Tronk and Dawndra have faced off. The bugbear’s whole demeanor changes and he almost smiles. “Tronk glad to see white lady too.”

Dawndra] “On your feet Kildar – you may yet survive this round.” I help him to his feet.

Kildar] The world is still spinning and I lean heavily on Dawndra.

] The judges enter the arena to inspect. One person is removed for an unknown violation. They approach you.

] Judge “Step away. He must stand on his own or be ejected.” [Constituion Save]

Kildar]

] Fortitude is with you and the judges allow you the win. Moments laters, your tag-bearers enter and the winners of the second round are accounted. All competitors are ushered out of the arena for the rest.

Dawndra] I use  Lissewin’s Liniment Tin

] You regain any lost HP as well as 17 Temporary HP. Kildar – Rivereye heals you and grants a Battle Blessing

Kildar[

] Dawndra, from the corner of your eye, you catch a menhir take on a glow like the others you have seen.

Dawndra] “Some of the stones are glowing… have any of you noticed? Look. In fact, now most of the stones have a faint aura around them.”

] Shent “I think I can see it – it is indeed faint. What do you think it means?”

Dawndra] “I can’t say, but something about the energy feels familiar. I’m going to take a closer look.” I go Investigate a nearby glowing stone.

Dawndra]

] As you get close, the aura around the stone is less visible. Touching the stone gives a slight jolt. Feeling the magical charge causes you to see the ice-blue aura with more definition – familiar rune shapes are spiraling around the menhir.

Dawndra] “Ice Runes! Oh no…” I run back to the others. “Ice Runes… this could only be Sephek – I saw him leaning against a stone during the last break. I don’t know what he is doing, but I’m confident it cannot be good. We must find him before he finishes whatever he…

] Your words are interupted with first sounding of the horn for the third and final round of The Skirmish in the Stones. Competitors charge back in towards the center. You catch another sighting of Sephek and you witness the stone he is touching take on an aura.

Dawndra] I say to Kildar… “There! Do you see the man with the long black hair by that stone? That is Sephek Kaltro. That is the Ice Rune Killer and no doubt he intends to kill us all.”

Kildar] “I’ve got him!” I make my way towards him.

] The second horn triggers chaos once again.

Kildar] I nab a human by his neck cuff and attempt to throw him into Sephek. [Athletics Check]

] The barbarian is caught surprised and you easily hurl him beyond the boundary and into Sephek Kaltro. They both fall to the ground.

Dawndra] I call to Shent… pointing at Sephek… “There! He is over there!”

] Someone slams into your back while you are trying to get Shents attention. You keep your feet which cling bare against the frozen ground. You hear a familiar crazed yell and turn to see Yazga the half-orc coming at you. She is also nearly bare except for a loose skirt of chain-mail and boots of plate armor. Her green skin painted with dark blood-red stripes like a tiger. She releases a fierce war-yell and daggers into you with her eyes [Wisdom Save]

Dawndra]

] You remain quiet and calm in response to her frenzy and, if it were possible, she becomes even more angry.

Dawndra] “Your emotions undo your skill Yazga. ”

] Dawndra – you win the skirmish. Describe the action.

Dawndra] I meet her onslaught with a defensive stance. She strikes with all her weight but I am no longer in the path of her momentum. It is easy to direct her strength into empty space and with a small hook of a foot, she is in flight – landing on her face in the snow. She is quick to recover and slashes out at me with a claw fist. I step into the attack this time and unbalance her again. I drive an iron knee into her gut. Most opponents would crumple with the blow but she seems barely pained. She leaps into the air spinning and plants the backside of a fist into my jaw. She is as strong as she is quick. “Nice recovery!”. I decide it is time to end the skirmish if I can. I advance and release a Flurry of Blows – a weighted front kick removes her lazy root, and fist after fist follow, pushing her back. It is a simple two-handed push which finishes her… suddenly she finds herself standing outside the boundary. “You would make a fine student Yazga, once you learn to control your emotions.”

] You turn back to the frenzied brawl and are suddenly reminded that you had more important matters to pursue. A quick scan and you again see Sephek Kaltro pressing against one of the Stones of Thrunn. Shent is not in your sight.

Dawndra] “Shent! Here! To the eastern Stone!”

] The menhir begins to glow and suddenly all of the twenty stones are bright with swirling rune shapes. The entire arena is bathed in ice-blue light and the majority of the fighting stops to understand what is happening. The spinning strands of rune shapes reach upwards and towards the center over the arena and when they meet there is a crackling of energy followed by an explosive rip in the sky above you. A portal has opened and through it falls a massive Frost Giant – nearly 25 feet tall. His armor is made of sharp glassy scales. On his back is a massive battle-axe. He falls to the ground in the center of the stones and the all shudder as you feel the ground wobble beneath you. You see the look on his face – a mixture of surprise and anger – as he bellows something in a language you have never heard. He winds back a foot and kicks into the stunned crowd of competitors – spraying bodies into the air.

Kildar] “Roog! I’m gonna need my Tooth… Mata!” I run to where I last saw her. “Mata! My Tooth!”

] Rivereye is way ahead of you – she throws you your maul – Titans Tooth

] Shent “Dawndra! Here! Quick!”

] As you turn and make eye contact, he lofts your hair pin towards you.

Dawndra] I snatch it from the air – it almost feels like it were steel and my palm were a powerful magnet. I extend it to full length.

] The crowd of spectators is dispersing madly into the surrounding snow. Many within the arena are also running for their lives. Dawndra – you notice Sephek standing alongside the blackened halfling Pakbak – they are both staring up in awe at the giant, and smiling.

] Roll Initiative

Kildar] I rage. “Let’s see if we can bust a knee!”

] Your maul glances off the giants nearly transparent armor.

Dawndra] I position myself behind the giant and peek for a vulnerable target under his armor. “Oh but that is immense!” I say as I attempt to spear his most sensitive parts

] You pierce his inner thigh from behind but he hardly seems to take notice. The giant grabs one of the mammoth Stones of Thrunn with one hand and hurls it into the retreating crowd. Then he grabs the Greataxe from his back sweeps the ground around him. [Dex Save]

Kildar]

Dawndra]

] You both manage to dodge out of the way as the giant clears the ground around him. He raises his axe overhead and slams it down toward [()] Dawndra [()] but barely misses and you dive out of the way. The ground again thunders and you hear the sound of ice cracking somewhere beneath you. Shent and several other fighters charge back into combat but none appear to really make any difference against the giant until a fireball is hurled at him from somewhere by the judges podium. The hit is square in the chest of the frost giant.

Kildar] Going back for the kneecaps again

] You successfully whack the side of the giants knee but your maul barely leaves a mark. If he even felt it, he surely was able to ignore it.

Dawndra] I run a wide circle and I try again to position myself behind him, looking up between his legs. “All men crumple with a good gonad shot right?”

] Your ice pike plunges into one of the giants exposed goolies. You are sprayed with a mixture of blood and white stickiness as the giant lets out a scream that shakes the battlefield every bit as much as his axe did. He kicks blindly backwards [Dex Save]

Dawndra] “Well that got his attention!”

] You duck and roll and avoid the kick but his axe is coming for you now Dawndra. [()] You are struck hard with the blunt side – you take 33 bludgeoning damage and are thrown backwards nearly 20 feet. [Massive Damage 4 – you have Disadvantage on all rolls for 1 min.] The Giant swings again and splits some poor barbarian longways like an apple.

] As you are preparing for your next attack Kildar, you observe a small halfling with a burnt face running towards the giant. It is comical until you see his unsheathe a small dagger that glows with intense moonlight. He throws the dagger [()] and it sticks into giants leg just above his boot. Suddenly the frost giant is convulsing. He falls to his hands and knees, nearly pinning you to the ground beneath him. As you lie on your back, you watch as the skin and bones of the giant deform with loud cracks and snaps. He howls, roars, and retches as you scramble away. The frost giant transforms into a dragon-like beast. It has four legs and no wings. Its spine a huge ridge of spikes and its tail a giant spike-ball. “Dragon!” you hear somebody yell… but this is no dragon. This is a creature never before seen in the Realms… The Razordon! And a Giant one! Any who were left trying to fight the frost giant have turned tail – scurrying for safety. The Razordon is 15 feet high even on all fours. It spins and sweeps its sharp tail – demolishing several of the Stones of Thrunn along with a few of your fellow Fray Game competitors.

Kildar] I get to my feet and charge the Giant Razordon

] You slam your Titans Tooth into the neck of the beast. Upon impact, the hide of the Frost Giant-turned-Razordon sprays you with glass-like needle spikes. [Dex Save]

Kildar]

] Your flesh is sliced open as the creatures spike reaction hits you [Piercing Dmg 5d8 = 23 ]. As you are still recovering, you see a barely familiar wood elf leaping towards the Razordon

Mo Ka Bu] “What the Jackjack is this thing?!” I try to manuever under its belly and strike hard where it might be softest.

] You successfully land one of your strikes and your suspicion was correct – you avoid the spiked hide reaction which just hit Kildar

Dawndra] My head is still reeling from that last blow. I try to understand what I am seeing now… what happened to the Frost Giant? I look around for Shent.

] You think you see Shent lying motionless near one of the standing stones.You also catch sight of Pakbak running towards the town of Dougans Hole. Kildar and Mo Ka Bu along with just a few others are still engaged with the Razordon.

] Then you see Sephek Kaltro. He steps calmly out in front of the spiked giant and runs his hand around in a circle. Within the circle, a thin sheet of ice appears, runes glowing within the surface. The circle spins, mesmerizing massive creature. The edges of the spinning circle pull back, creating a funnel with a sharp point facing the Razordon. A moment later the spinning shape transforms into a dagger and as if released from a bow, it drives straight into the head of the creature. I huge plume of mysterious mist floods out of the entry point. It floats in the air above Sephek until he makes another circular motion with his hand and the mist rushes into the enchantment at his fingers. Sephek collapses to the ground unconscious. The giant Wererazor stands frozen like a statue – its eyes emptied of life.

] After a moment of calm hesitation, there is cheer… followed by several others. Many rush to help Sephek as he slowly regains consciousness. They applaud him for defeating the giant razordon singlehandily.

Dawndra] I yell into the crowd “No! He is the one who caused this! He is the Ice Rune Killer!”

] You get a couple of confused looks but no one really heeds.

Dawndra] Louder I yell  to everyone… “Listen! You have it wrong! He is the one who summoned the giant! And he killed twenty people to do it! [Persuasion Check]

] They lift Sephek Kaltro into the air and parade him in a circle around the now ice-solid Razordon. He catches your eye and gives you a smile that convinces you beyond doubt that evil is real.

Mo Ka Bu] I go up to Dawndra “I believe you… but what exactly just happened?”

Kildar] I run up to the others. “Gnarlity! What kind of power can do that!?”

] Shent “We’ve been tracking that kack-devil for days now. He killed Hlin and many others. We saw him use that same magic on the merchant, Torgga Icevein.”

Dawndra] “Did any of you see how the stones of Thruun were glowing with ice runes just before the portal opened?”

Kildar] “So he like had to kill people to summon that frost giant?”

] Shent “These stones have summoned monsters before – but never like this. I heard rumors not long ago, some five or six years only, that the beast called Thruun was summoned and sent it to attack Good Mead. They say that severed hands were found lying at each of the twenty stones – as if a sacriface had to be made.”

Mo Ka Bu] “Twenty lives were lost to bring this monstrousity here? But why would he do it, only to kill it himself? That is a deperate way to get free drinks at the tavern…”

Kildar] “That was no ordinary frost giant. When he started to transform, I thought he was stricken with the fur-frenzy! Did it right before my eyes!”

] Shent “Fur-frenzy?”

Kildar] “You know… lycan-beast stuff.”

Dawdra] “If that frost giant was a lycan of some sort… could that be what Sephek has really been after this whole time?”

Kildar] “You mean he like magically cursed himself? On purpose?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Some do see the lycan infliction as a blessing. Just south of the Archwood, there is a whole village of people living there hoping to get inflicted and join the Black Bloods.”

Kildar] “Black Bloods?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Lycan wolves… fur-frenzied…. Malar-worshippers… Most of the initiates become lunch before they become lycans.”

] Shent “So are we thinking Sephek is now a lycan… and can turn into one of these spikey land dragons?”

Dawndra] “Just a guess on my part. Perhaps we will know for sure upon the next full moon.”

Kildar] “There wasn’t no full moon today… I saw a halfling fellow fling a glowing dagger at the frost giant just before he transformed.”

Dawndra] “Mister Cinderface… I really wish I had killed Pakbak when I had the chance. You think the dagger glowed moonlight to force a lycan to change?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Where is the dagger now?”

Kildar] “It was stuck in the giants leg last I saw. It either fell to the ground or it is still in the beast. Let’s take a look?” [Perception Check]

Dawndra] I help look

Mo Ka Bu] I also look around in the snow

] You all three search bloodied snow in the arena while the crowd of contestants and spectators gather back together to praise Sephek Kaltro for defeating the would-be doom of Tentowns. Mo Ka Bu – you spot a glint of the glowing dagger under a mess of rubble and guts.”

Mo Ka Bu] I call to the others “Here!” I pull the dagger from the rubble and hand it to Dawndra.

Dawndra] “Sure looks like moonlight to me, but we should see if we can find a Lore Master to identify it for us. Let’s keep it hidden for now. ”

] Rivereye joins you. “I was just over listening at the judges tables… they decided to give everyone a win rather than trying to run another round… So congratulations Kildar – you won three of three for this event.”

Kildar] “That gives me three chances to win but one round in Good Mead.”

] Rivereye “Shent – you should go bear Dawndra’s tag else they think she is among the dead.”

] After registering your victories, you all stick around Dougans Hole for a few hours to help sort the dead and otherwise cleanup. You do not again see Sephek Kaltro or Pakback Cinderfoot the rest of the day. A couple of hours before Last Shadow, you all catch a transport sled bound for Easthaven but ask to be let off in Good Mead. Shent finds a place secluded enough to open a portal to Fireshear and the five of you spent the rest of the evening in the warmth of Crotta’s tavern.

The Frozenfar Fray – Ice Pit Riots

] The three of you, along with Shent and Rivereye, are early to arrive in the small town of Good Mead – along with hundreds of others – to participate in, or spectate the second event of the Frozenfar Fray Games – The Ice Pit Riots. Two days ago you were in Dougans Hole for the first event – Skirmish in the Stones. The serial killer you had been chasing, Sephek Kaltro, summoned a Frost Giant named Skenscarn from another plane – right into the middle of the event. Nearly 70 people lost their lives in the chaos that he created, especially after transforming into a scaled and spiked land dragon (a Razordon). Sephek cast a powerful rune spell and turned the rampaging giant into a massive ice statue and, you suspect, absorbed its transforming power somehow. Sephek was praised by the crowd for saving all of Tentowns – but you know the truth no one seems to want to hear, he was behind the chaos. Sephek has not been seen since as far as you know.

] The five of you spent the following day in Fireshear, resting on Shents vessel, Kirn Kuldihr, and resupplying your needs in town. Thanks to his portal magic, you were able to avoid the now-crowded town of Easthaven and spend some down time preparing for the next event. Dawndra – you spent time in meditation and flow practice on the docks overlooking the cold ocean waters south of Fireshear. Rivereye magically grants both of you what she calls a ‘Battle Blessing’ (3d4 Temp HP).

] As you arrive at the event location just north of Good Mead along Redwaters Lake, you see a large arena – three round shallow pits with sheer walls. They are each about 5 feet deep and 25 feet wide with ice coating the surface and walls, in fact you see workers spraying a thin layer of water from Redwaters over the surface and smoothing it out as it freezes over. In the center of the fighting pits is a large wooden platform. Shent points and tells you Dawndra that there is where the tag-bearers stand, and when he is selected for a ring, he will stand along the edge to signal you to enter into the fighting pit. Around the outer circle of the arenas is a rising bank made of snow and ice so that spectators can easily view the action.

] Rivereye “I just overheard someone saying that there are more competitors for the Ice Pit Riots than ever before… a lot more. It is going to be a long day Kildar. ”

Kildar] “It must be due to the judges, like, awarding everyone a win in that last round. Gladly we each only need like one win today.”

Dawndra] “I am ready.”

Mo Ka Bu] “I’ve seen pit fights before, but this arena is something new. Let’s just hope the crowd doesn’t get a fireball to the face.”

] Shent “Oh that can’t happen… they raise barrier shields around the pits. In the stones, the barrier would not let anyone or anything enter the arena…”

Kildar] “Except Frost Giants from some totally odd plane of existence.”

] Shent “Excepting them of course… In the Ice Pits, no one and nothing leaves the pit until the third horn sounds.”

Dawndra] “I see more healers from The Winter Palace here today. I am grateful for their services – I have no wish to kill someone for the sake of a game.”

Mo Ka Bu] “I think I shall place a few gold on you to win anyway.”

Kildar] “You are betting on the games?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Technically yes. It is not my stake however… Hocus is the gambler… He wanted to be here today. Told me he was going to win big on you Dawndra… he had one of his ‘feelings’ about it. Too bad business is keeping him busy.”

Dawndra] “Have you known Hocus long?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Not too long. We have been traveling together for the better part of a year. He pays me for protection services he says, but I think he only keeps me around for someone to tell his stories to. Thankfully, his stories are usually worth hearing a few times over.” I laugh to myself.

Kildar] “He does seem to be a character. What is his business?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Thievery. He would call it something else of course… Artifact Acquistion is his favorite description. He has also referred to himself as ‘The Finder’, and truth is, he really does excel at finding things. Folks who are looking for specific artifacts hire him. Often these artifacts were stolen and Hocus is hired to merely steal them back. Other times we have chased after legendary weapons or armor – things hidden for hundreds of years. That is how I first met him – he hired me and several others as protection as he delved beneath the Obsidian Chapel searching for some legendary halberd – enchanted by Loviatar herself.”

Dawndra] “This is why Hocus was meeting with Nim Bragos I wager.”

Mo Ka Bu] “The Calishite halfling? Yes, we have done a few jobs for him. And…” I catch myself and realize I have probably shared more details than I should. “and he seems a good fellow. And how about that Tronk! What a beast of a bugbear!”

Kildar] “Tronk nearly took me like… totally out in the last event! Strong, fast and fierce! Surely I would prefer to call him friend than foe.”

Dawndra] “Well let’s hope your friend Hocus makes a big winning on his gambles.”

Mo Ka Bu] “He usually does.”

] The crowd grows thick around the arena and soon Shent and Rivereye go to join the other tag-bearers. Judges take the platform and explain the rules of the event. Three competitors will enter each pit with the first sounded horn. With the second, the fighting begins. The third horn will not sound until there is a single victor in each pit. The competitors are chosen by random lot. The tag-bearers with their numbered flags all gather on the far side of the arena and the Ice Pit Riots event is officially commenced.

] Nine tag-bearer are selected from the group to stand on the platform. Shent and Rivereye are not among the first group. You watch as they toss lots and are assigned to one of the three fighting pits. On the platform is a familiar gnomish face – Sabyss Dapplenick. The first horn sounds and the competitors jump down into the arenas. In the closest arena, you see Saarvin there pitted against two local Reghedmen of differing tribes. Around the platform, the tag-bearers each announce their competitor by name and origin while raising their flag. The tension inside the pit grows, waiting for the announcing to circle all three arenas, waiting for the second horn to blow.

] Saarvin has his bow in hand, an arrow loosely nocked. His posture appears calm but you can tell his eyes are intensely focused on every twitch of his opponents. Shent lets out a cheering cry just before the horn sounds. Within a blink, Saarvin has released two arrows. The first is just a little high, as though he were going for a headshot. The arrow bounces off of the invisible barrier and does not even fall to the ground before the second arrow thunks into the chest of the other Reghed warrior.

] Shent “Watch – they are going to team against Saarvin first.”

] As if on queue, they both charge towards Saarvin. You can see they have claws built into their boots to prevent slipping on the ice, but they are slowed by them. Saarvin has time to release two more arrows before dropping his bow and pulling handaxes. Both arrows find barbarian flesh. Steel clangs a second later and blood is splashed from the gold dragonborn. He responds by diving to the side and as he roll-slides back to his feet, he releases a cone of flame from his breath which envelops both Reghedmen. One emerges with a battle cry, his clothing still afire but the other has dropped to the ground and is frantic in flames. Saarvin takes another damaging blow from his opponents blade and appears to faulter for a moment but then slams his foot down on his opponents foot, digging his clamp-on boot claws into the ice. Saarvin spins to the outside and flanks the barbarian. His axes whirl and cut the smoking man down before he can regain his footing, Saarvin begins to skate his way to the far side of the pit to await the next horn.

] Shent leaps in celebration “Woo! Saarvin!”

] You hear many others in the crowd also cheering Saarvin’s name. The third sounding sends healers into each of the pits to undo the damage just done in the name of the Fray Games. Minutes later, more tag-bearers are called onto the platform and another fight ensues, and another and another. Nearly an hour of fighting passes before you see Rivereye step up onto the platform. She tosses lots and stands on the edge of the platform on the far side.

Kildar] “Roog! It looks to be my turn to  bloody and bleed.” I race to the pit and leap down in.

Dawndra] “Luck go with you Kildar!” I shout as he leaves.

] As you jump down into the pit, you see the lots have already choosen one of your opponents… The crowds cheer wildly for the famed dwarf – Gornrik Snowguster. He leaps down into the pit and you notice he is small for a dwarf – perhaps only two thirds the height of Shent. He wears thick hide armor and carries a battleaxe that appears too large, too heavy for him to possibly yield.

Kildar] I make eye contact with the dwarf and give a welcoming smile.

] Gornrik gives a slight nod and goes back to testing his footing on the slick ice. The lots choose your second opponent. You see a male half-elf take position next to Rivereye and moments later a familiar face stands at the edge of the ice pit. It is the young half-elf girl you encountered in the Skirmish two days ago. She is dressed in furs dyed with crimsom and gold. She looks to be trying to figure out how best to get down into the pit.

Kildar] I slide over to where the half-elf girl stands on the edge and lift my hand to her. “Can I give you aid girlie?”

] She reaches for your hand but then recognition sweeps over her face. There is flush of anger as she withdraws

] Half-elf “You! You’re the one who treated me like a ragdoll!”

Kildar] “Yes girlie, and I will say it was a good bit of fun. Also I am like, glad, you didn’t get like, seriously hurt. We are about to clash again… but until that horn sounds, we are friends in my eye. My name is Kildar Dalar.”

] Alyrora “I am Alyrora Neri…” She reaches back out for your hand. “and I always welcome the aid of a friend.”

Kildar] I help her down into the pit. “Good then. I wondered about you… and hoped I would get to see you fight in this event. Didn’t expect to be in the pit with you… but I suspected you would be fully-formidible today.”

] Alyrora “It appears I will need to be.” She thanks you and takes a place on along the wall across from you and Gornrik to await the horn.

] From the platform, the tag-bearers are announcing their competitors. “Gornrik Snowguster” Yells a hardy female dwarf, “of Pelvuria!” and the crowd again escalates its praise and adoration – so much that you cannot hear the young half-elf announce his competitor… “Alyrora Neri of Crimmor!”

] Rivereye “Kildar Dalar of Icewind Dale!” she yells proudly

Dawndra] I cheer Kildar’s name loudly in support.

Mo Ka Bu] I am worried about the bet I placed on Kildar… Gornrik Snowguster is famous for slaying giants… Kildar may be in trouble, and so might be my purse.

Kildar] This hardly appears a fair fight, I think to myself… a young girl and tiny dwarf. Still I best not underestimate either of them. “Ready friends?” I yell across to them as I prepare for the horn. I artificially build up the rage inside as my mata has taught me. I consider that, given my size, I may be teamed-on. Should I start with offense or defense? And if I go with offense first, should I target the mini-dwarf or the girlie? The spectators are still shouting the dwarfs name… surely he is the greater threat.

] The second horn sounds. Roll for initiative.

Kildar] At the last second, I decide on defense. I rage and take the Dodge action and wait for my opponents to act.

] Gornrik advances on you, keeping the young girl in his peripheral. He is surprisingly adept with traversing the slicked ice. With a battlecry louder than you might ever muster, he swings his axe at you [()] but you easily dodge. You risk a glance over at the half-elf but you can barely see her behind the 9-foot figure running at you. She is a giant of a woman with long gold-colored  hair and glimmering crimson skin. Her large eyes appear the very texture of fire. Muscular and agile – she traverses the ice like it were a well-paved roadway. She leaps into the air – an impossible height – and is falling down upon you with a weaponized knee [()] which hits you hard in the chest (12 blg dmg). The woman gentles down on both feet and delivers a side-kick to Gornrik [()] who hardly needs to duck to avoid the attack.

Kildar] “Whoa girlie! Who’s your beautious friend here?” I attack back with an overhead hammer-blow

] The crimson-skinned woman just reaches for your maul as it comes down. Effortlessly she touches the side of Titans Tooth and redirects the angle of your blow, smashing the ice at her feet. You notice her face remains expressionless the entire time – her nostrils do not even flare and you wonder if she has ever drawn a breath.

] Gornrik sees an advantage and attacks the strange beauty of a construct from behind [()] slicing heavy into her back but she does not bleed… she does not even wince at the cleaving blow but you think you hear Alyrora yelp from the other side of the pit. The giant spins with another knee attack [()] hitting Gornrik square in the face and as he faulters backwards, she drives a bare heel straight forward [()] crushing into his chest. Gornrik flies across the ice on his back, slowing about 15 feet away. She turns back to face you.

Kildar] “Roog!” I yell in excited amazement. “That is some deft it is!”

] You swing your maul sideways this time but the crimson woman again reaches out for the weapon with her hands. Using Titans Tooth as a ground she does a tremendous cartwheel over your blow. You barely feel her weight on the end of your weapon and suddenly it’s momentum threatens to unfoot you, but you wrestle back control. You hear the spectators go crazy at the display.

Kildar] “No way! What are you?”

] Gornrik has decided on a different tact. He has gotten back to his feet and is charging Alyrora directly who is still against the ice wall. [()] She almost escapes but his battleaxe finds her flesh beneath the furs. She makes a somatic motion which you notice is mirrored precisely by the crimson woman in front of you. Three glowing darts leap from the finger tips of the construct and fly to assault Gornrik.

Kildar] “Let’s try this again…” I swing upwards this time, putting all of my weight recklessly into it

] Titans Tooth smashes square into the torso of the crimson giant and she dissolves into faint mist. You hear Alyrora cry out and fall to the ice as the mist of the crimson construct retracts back into her body.

Kildar] Enough defense, I think to myself. I hurl myself recklessly across the ice to attack Gornrik

] Gornrik begins charging you as are raging towards him. Your wind-up is timed perfectly with your approach and let yourself slide into range as Titans Tooth sweeps upward into the face of Gornrik. The mini-sized dwarf is airborn, rolling ass over tit in flight and landing on his belly. The crowd gasps…. But Gornrik is not done-in. He smoothly snatches his battleaxe to hand as he charges back towards you [()] swiping your midsection and nearly spilling your guts (16 sls dmg).

Kildar] “Ouch! You Pizzle-tit!” I use a bonus action to cast Frostvine to increase my AC and add TmHP. Wispy vines of magical ice snake from the ground and cover my body. I again deploy Titans Tooth  recklessly. I hammer-down like I was wanting to drive the little guy into the ground like a post.

] Still a bit dazed from your last blow, Gornrik is slow to evade and Titans Tooth pounds the top of his skull squarely. Blood sprays in all directions and you realize you more than crushed his skull. The third horn begins to sounds even before his tiny body finishes folding to the ground.

Kildar] “Oh Troll Spit! What did I do!?” I scoop up his body and look for where the healers are. I snatch up Alyrora as well and rush them both over for healing. “Can you heal them!?! Please hurry!”

] The white-clad priests of Auril seem hardly concerned. They cast Regenerate on both Alyrora and Gornrik. You watch as the ooze of brain and skull fragments are knitted back together. Alyrora is already conscious but struggles to climb to her feet through the daze of the magical awakening. Gornrik remains unconscious even as the healers walk away. Several other race in to carry him somewhere to rest.

Kildar] “I’m sorry I killed you.” I say to Gornrik as they carry him away.

] Alyrora thinks you are talking to her “That’s okay hulk-boy, I would have done the same to you.”

Kildar] “You, Little Roog…. are fantastic! Wow what a power-walloper! See, I knew you to be a formidible one.”

] She smiles at you and then runs into the crowd to find her tag-bearer. Rivereye is suddenly by your side, and already casting a healing spell on you. (10 HP + 3d4=9 TempHP)

] Rivereye “Well done Kildar. You only needed one win, and you snagged it right off.”

Kildar] “It could have gone quite differently… had they committed to team against me… but done is done.”

] Your party gathers back together in the crowd. Several more rounds of fights go by. The sun is in its crux when you see a familiar figure enter one of the fighting pits… Ellerika! She is armored in an expensive looking breastplate and has her chain weapon draped over her shoulders.

Dawndra] “Look! It’s Ellerika!”

Kildar] “So she is alive! She might be more surprised to see us… since she left us for dead!”

Dawndra] “We don’t know that. We don’t know what happened to her… but she obviously escaped Fastpaws Mantle.”

] Another competitor leaps lithely down into the ice pit. A vaguely familiar drow woman with long white hair and dressed in black leathers. She carries a simple looking bow made of blackwood. When Ellerika turns to see her, you notice her demeanor change. The drow knows her too – she is staring daggers into in Ellerika. They exchange some words you cannot overhear but the tension between them is obvious.

Kildar] “Heh! Maybe she left that drow for dead once too!”

Dawndra] “You are going to side with the drow?”

Mo Ka Bu] “She is not fully drow. Surely a half-elf… Rare sight… a half-drow… Most never survive to birth. The drow will not accept them – and are just as likely to kill them on sight just for being mixed. The half-elf communities won’t accept them either, nevermind human cities… they are about as outcast as one can get. Even with her peculiar beauty, I would guess she has had a hard way in the realms.”

Dawndra] “Ellerika surely seems afraid of her, doesn’t she? I wish we could hear what they said. Lets get closer?” We move up to a closer spot.

] A third contestant has dropped down into the ring. A human in full plate wielding a greatsword. He is announced by his tag-bearer as The Paladin Marsden Ilvastarr of Waterdeep. The half-drow is announced by a young human boy as Koza of Far Someplace. A Reghed tribe member announces Ellerika Riganeg. Koza is still shooting hate-daggers with her eyes and you hear Ellerika say “What do you want Koza?”

] Koza “I want my chain back. Oh, and I want to see your blood… all of it!”

] The second horn sounds and Koza releases an arrow high into the air, nearly straight up. A second arrow is released, plunging into Ellerika’s thigh just above the knee, hobbling her movement speed. The paladin charges towards Koza but is ill-practiced on the ice. He swings the massive greatsword with such strength that, when it misses Koza entirely, it spins him sideways on the slick pit base. Ellerika howls a warcry, snaps the arrow in her leg and begins swinging her chain weapon.

] Seconds later, a vortex of black mist shoots down upon Ellerika, engulfing her in darkness. Koza has moved twenty feet away from Marsden. She stops with a controlled slide and fires two more arrows into the black cloud that conceals Ellerika. You hear both arrows sink into her armor. Ellerika cries out in apparent terror. Marsden chases after Koza – again with little control. Without even looking at her oncoming attacker, Koza perfectly times a tight crouch and rolls into the legs of Marsden, his gangly momentum causing him to tumble forward. His greatsword is loosed from his hands and scatters across the ice as he falls hard. Ellerika emerges from the black cloud, swinging her chain this way and that. She is apparently blind and panic’d. Blood runs, mixed with piss, down both of her legs.

] Koza retrieves the greatsword and hurls it to the far side of the arena. She says to Ellerika, loudly… “Your father should be the one to repay your treachery Ellerika! But since you left him to die, the task now falls to my anger.” She runs and leaps into the air, planting a flying sidekick into the back of Ellerika head. She staggers forward, weeping now and bleeding excessively. She switches back to anger and blindly lashes out where Koza had just been – the chain in her hand flashing magical power – but hits only air.

Kildar] “I told you! She left us for dead, just like she did her own father!”

Mo Ka Bu] “I should have known to put gold down on the half-drow. She is peerless in this fight! So controlled… so devised…”

] Marsden finally makes it over to his weapon and turns to locate his opponent. Koza has positioned herself on the far side of Ellerika from Marsden – as if tempting him to cut Ellerika down to get to her. She has another arrow nocked, but appears to be waiting. Ellerika is still obviously blinded and swinging her chain overhead, waiting for a clue where to strike. Marsden takes a few seconds to clue into the game Koza is playing with him… Will he strike down Ellerika? It appears he has decided yes. Koza lets a smile appear on her face as Marsden rushes Ellerika. His sword thrusts into her gut and out of her back. Ellerika falls.

] Koza shoots her nocked arrow again straight up into the sky, but only after she saw Marsden look down to withdraw his blade from the corpse of Ellerika. He has no idea of the magical arrow somewhere above him. She nocks another and aims on Marsden but holds.

] Koza “I think the judges will allow you to play dead, will they not?”

] Marsden “It is no wonder you drow are so hated across the realms!” He advances on Koza, but appears to have learned a lesson and does so with slower controlled steps.

] Koza “Trust me… the drow hate me more than you ever will.”

] She waits, locking her eyes to Marsdens as he approaches. The arrow in flight returns and Marsden is wrapped in the black vortex. Koza releases and begins to circle the magical darkness. She fires another arrow and another arrow – only one of which misses its target, flying out the other side of the cloud. Marsden emerges as Ellerika previously did – blinded and in a panic. He swings his weapon in front of him, feeling for something to hit. Meanwhile Koza and retrieved the chain weapon and symbolically beats the corpse of Ellerika a few times with it. She then drops her bow and begins what looks like a forms practice with the chain – deftly swinging it with both hands in intricate air-figures.

] Koza “Your eyes will soon return human. I will wait.” she keeps practicing while keeping at least 20 feet between her and Marsden.

Dawndra] “She is skilled in forms. But what monastery would accept a drow? Do they have monastery’s in the underdark?”

Mo Ka Bu] “Not likely… if there were – she would sooner be accepted into the Family Ilvastarr of Waterdeep.”

] The other two pit arenas have one standing winner as Marsden shakes off the blinding effects of the magical blackstorm. Koza seems to be unaware of the crowds watching. She taunts Marsden further – obviously trying to remove whatever edge he might have left. He doesn’t bite. In fact he seems settled and calm as he grips the hilt of his blade with both hands and advances slowly on Koza, controlling his footing and his emotions. His attack is swift and for the first time he appears more than a clod with a cleaver. It is not enough – the chain Koza holds in both hands blocks each attack. Koza narrowly escapes a powerful thrust for her face by bending backwards and rolling away. As she does, she somehow managed to wrap Marsdens ankle with her chain. She yanks on it with her full body weight and forces the heavily armored noble into splits which he has obviously never practiced. Before he can recover, her heel has broken his nose – both ways. She relents again and goes back to forms practice with the white chain, nearly turning away while Marsden picks himself up. This time it is a ruse, before he can reset his thinking, she is on the offense, her chain wrapping around his blocking sword to strike ribs and spine repeatedly on either side. With another maneuver, she wraps the greatsword and from an awkward angle rips it from Marsdens hands. The heavy metal once again clangs across the ice. A second later, the chain is around his throat. Lighting sparks through the white chain and the body of Marsden seizes and falls limp. The third horn sounds and the crowd grows intense. Koza walks over to the pool of quickly freezing blood which contains Ellerikas body. She gives it a symbolic kick, picks up her bow and then gracefully leaps the 5 foot pit wall and disappears into the cheering spectators.

Kildar] “Wowz! Am I ever glad I didn’t have to fight against her!”

Dawndra] “Her technique appears flawless. I should like to be her student for a time…”

Mo Ka Bu] “I wouldn’t mind spending some time with her either.” I smile with a little unhidden mischief.

] The healers restore both Ellerika and Marsden to life, though only Marsden is able to walk and leave the pit without being carried. A small crew with barrels of waters resurface the ice pit floors and within ten minutes, the bloody mess is a mere shadow under fresh ice. The tag-bearer platform fills and several more fighting rounds go by. You have seen several competitors fight more than once now. Yazga lost a match to Reghedmen from the Elk Tribe and then returned a round later to take a win from a dragonborn and a member of the Good Mead guard.

] Last Shadow is only a few hours away and the crowds have thinned around the arena – some having left to find warmth, most to find drinks in the Mead Hall. The platform is again filled with tag-bearers and the lots are thrown. Two halfling women enter the near pit and they appear to be waiting on a third contestant. The tag-bearer, an older human, is now yelling “Warlen! Warlen where are you son!”. Before long, he is removed and another tag-bearer is called. Shent steps up on the platform.

Dawndra] “Really? They are going to pair me with two halflings?”

Kildar] “Go step on them Dawndra!”

] Shent announces you. “Dawndra Norlandr of Treyvigg Monastery!”

] The young halflings are announced… “Jixana Leafwhirly of Black Raven Monastery!” is unarmed and wears simple black robes beneath a fur-lined cloak which she casts to the ledge of the pit. She has long strawberry blonde hair wrapped into braid. “Linli Wallberry of Memnon City!” is a busty halfling who could be mistaken for a dwarf. She stands about a foot taller than Jixana and is dressed in well-fitted leathers and large black boots. She draws two curved short swords from her sides and does a little warm-up dance with them.

Dawndra] I remove my robes and jump down into the fighting pit. My ice pin remains in my hair. I offer a short bow… “Ladies”

] Neither seem the slightest bit intimidated by your size and the blonde named Jixana even seems pleased to be seeing your naked form. As the second horn sounds, you see Melthor run up to the fighting pit and flag you down. He looks urgent and out of breath.

Dawndra] I wave to Melthor quickly and return my attention to the moment.

[Roll for Initiative]

Dawndra] I fully expect they will team up against me – it is the wise tactic after all… so I ready Freezing Burst to be triggered when both are within 10 feet of me.

] You correctly anticipate their first moves – both charge you but the monk is significantly quicker and, like you, appears quite at home on the slick surface. [()] Her fist strikes are quick and she lands one of three attacks against your mid-section. You notice there is something powerful about the blow – it is not just a punch, it is accompanied by force damage. Linli enters into 10 feet range as Jix attempts a 3rd blow.

Dawndra] I case Freezing Burst

[()]

] Cold Damage radiates out from the Frostspawn Ramstone. Linli is visibly jolted by the effects and halts her progression to process the pain. You hear Jix say something under her breath but does not appear to be as damaged.

Dawndra] I release an attack series on Jix, kick, knee, hammer-fist

] The radiant halfling ducks your kick but is surprised by the speed with which you deliver your follow-up blows. Your pounding fist staggers her but she springs back to action. [()] Driving from her legs, she gets you in the gut with a double-fisted bash. Her two follow-up attacks miss as you block with a knee. Linli slashes at your backside [()] both of her blades cutting into your bare skin (dmg 12 sl)

Dawndra] “Dretch balls!” I pull my hair pin as I circle to keep both halflings in sight. I need to drop one of them quickly – I cannot defend my backside being flanked like that. I decided to focus on Jix first.

] You pierce Jix with your ice pike and spin to place her between yourself and Linli. As you pull back on the massive needle, she is dragged towards you. You step and snap a sidekick hard to her face, clearing her from the end of your weapon and sending her flying into Linli who [()] falls prone under the now lifeless body of Jix.

Dawndra] I take the opportunity to distance myself and regroup on the far side of the pit.

] Linli gets to her feet, strengthens her resolve, and advances towards you.

Dawndra] I take a ready stance and the Dodge action.

] Linli gains speed and apparent confidence – a second later her curved blades are trying to find a way around your defenses [()]

Dawndra]

] You successfully dismiss one of her attacks but fail your reaction as the other blade slices into your leg

Dawndra] “Memnon city eh? You must hate the cold up here.” I say, trying to distract her as I release another series of attacks

] You attempt a straight thrust which Linli easily parrys with both of her blades but then you step out and spin, bringing the edge of your weapon all the way around with skilled speed to strike Linli hard in the spine. As she jolts forward you skewer her body and pin her to the ice – finishing the match with a win. Moments later the horn sounds and the healers revive the daring halflings. You feel a warm flood of magic as your own vitality is restored by the priests of Winter Palace. Shent cheers for you from the platform as you are announced as winner.

Dawndra] I search the crowd for Melthor.

] You quickly find him along the edge of the fighting pit. He is applauding you for the win but carries a worried look. As you exit the arena he approaches you.

] Melthor “I am so glad I found you. Samsam is in trouble!”

Maud Maud… Chewed and Chawed