BSG | Event 0041 - The Summer Games
General Summary
The Summer Games have begun! The royal yacht glides into port at Thalassus. Anxious servants lay out the red carpet while shooing away seagulls.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:Ho there, Your August Majesty! Beautiful day, isn't it? Come with me, your carriage to the Grand Arena is waiting!King Calimaco Bladesong:
Let's go.
There must be thousands of people in the Arena, peasants and Patricians alike, but the Monarch has the best view in the house. As they step out and wave, the crowd chants their name.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:We have two different events that we could show yuou today, Your Esteemed Highness. Which would you prefer to witness? A gladiator fight? Or a monster battle?King Calimaco Bladesong:
Tell me more about the gladiator fight.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
King Calimaco Bladesong:Two of the most fearsome fighters from acros Celest Ath will clash for the title of Golden Champion.
No rules. No limits. Cheating encouraged. Blood and heartbreak guaranteed.
Tell me more about the monster battle.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
We've sailed the furthest oceans and delved the deepest jungles to bring back exotic beasts for our gladiators to fight. One human fighter's mettle will be tested against a creature from your nightmares!King Calimaco Bladesong:
I have made my decision.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
I positively shiver with anticipation, Your August Majesty.King Calimaco Bladesong:
We shall witness the fight of two of your greatest gladiators.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
Excellent choice, Your Serene Highness!King Calimaco Bladesong:
Bring out the gladiators!
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon steps up to the podium, speaking into a bronze tube that projects her voice across the entire Arena.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:Out first competitor has undertaken the perilous journey from Valamyr to be here, so let's give her a warm welcome!
She was trained as an assassin by the Viper's Children, but she failed her final exam! Now she's got somethign to prove! Give it up for... Moyra The Snake!
Out into the circle of sand strides a strocky woman as wide and robust as a beer-barrel, her broad belly criss-crossed with scars. She is confident enough to forego armour.
Her only weapon is a primitive-looking wooden club with nails hammered into it. She clasps her hands and offers up a quick pre-fight prayer.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:Ladies and gentlemen, Moyra The Snake can smell the Golden Champion title at this point! But first, she'll have to get through our other competitor...
Some call them wandering vagabonds, some call them murderers-for-hire, but they prefer the term 'adventurer', and we have one such specimen here today! All the way from the Tatterlands, it's the one, the only, Arthur The Hardy!
A small man somersaults into view, then runs a lap around the Arena. Though small of stature, he swaggers like a born warrior and wears hardly any armour, his oiled skin gleaming in the sunlight.
He wields a long spear with a cruel barbed tip, twirling it for the crowd. He looks like he hasn't washed in months, and flies buzz around his tangled scalp.
As the two gladiators drum up the crowd's support, Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon turns to King Calimaco Bladesong with a gleam in her eye.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:Half the fun at the Summer Games is the gambling. Why don't you go place a bet before the fight begins?King Calimaco Bladesong:
What are the odds?Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
King Calimaco Bladesong:Bookies mostly look at the fighter's capabilities, but they also take the opinion of the crowd into account.
These two are pretty evenly matched, but the bookies' favourite is Moyra The Snake. Bet on her and you'll only get your money back plus half.
Arthur The Hardy is the underdog - a successful bet on him means you'll double your cash.
Can you give me any insider tips?Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
Oh, of course... For a small price. A hundred gold?King Calimaco Bladesong:
Are you serious?Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
I never joke when it comes to money.King Calimaco Bladesong:
Fine, here. Give me the scoop.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
King Calimaco Bladesong:Moyra The Snake has a terrible glass jaw. She'll be in trouble if her opponent is using a blunt weapon.
Now, why don't you go place a bet?
I'll place a bet. Why not?
The bookies look distinctly nervous that the Monarch themself is placing a bet, but they're also salivating at the sigh of the gold.
King Calimaco Bladesong places a bet of 1000 gold.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:And on who will you place your 1000 gold bet?King Calimaco Bladesong:
Moyra The Snake.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
In that case, just to make things interesting. I'll bet on Arthur The Hardy. Shall we begin?King Calimaco Bladesong:
Let the fight... commence!
The crows roars and stamps until the whole colosseum shakes Moyra The Snake and Arthur The Hardy circle each other warily, each waiting for the other to make the first move.
King Calimaco Bladesong watches in grim silence.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:BORING! One of you cowards better spill some blood soon or I'll release a few wyverns into the Arena!
Spurred on by Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon's mockery, Moyra The Snake and Arthur The Hardy launch themselves at each other, weapons swinging! Sparks fly as club meets spear!
The two fighters clash again and again, neither gaining the upper hand. Soon enough, both gladiators are gasping for breath, soaked in both sweat and blood from a dozen minor wounds. The audience is hushed - you could cut the tension with a knife.
Then, finally, Moyra The Snake spots an opening...
With a grunt, Moyra The Snake swings her brutal club and makes contact with Arthur The Hardy's skull. A sickening thud echoes across the Arena. He falls to the floor, stunned but still alive.
Moyra The Snake looks up at King Calimaco Bladesong, awaiting a verdict. Should Arthur The Hardy be allowed to live?
King Calimaco Bladesong gives a thumbs down.
Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:A harsh judgement, Your August Majesty... But such is the way of the Arena.
With a weary nod, Moyra The Snake smaesh down her club, shattering Arthur The Hardy's skull.
The audience roars their appreciation. Moyra The Snake spits in the sand and strides out of the Arena without a backward glance.
King Calimaco Bladesong:A warrior's death.Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
King Calimaco Bladesong:And the winner is... Moyra The Snake!
By all that glitters, what rotten luck... Congratulations, Your Esteemed Highness.
What now?Lady Patrician Nezetta Seamoon:
Oh, the Summer Games has many more diversions to offer, Your Esteemed Highness! All in good time... For now, shall we break for lunch?
The next week of the Summer Games is packed with entertainment - athletic competitions, chariot races, copious amounts of wine, and above all, blood in the sand.
On the journey back to the Palace. King Calimaco Bladesong reflects that their attendance at the Games has certainly helped cement the Patricians of the Coast support.