Martial Madness

Sporting Event / Competition

Mirian competes in a dueling tournament against Cole Mirari.

With the plan to inform the military about Sable and Merielle, the party including a now bandaged-faced Mirian, discovers a poor chump named Carson trying to make his way to Camp Midway. The chump is carrying a large pile of heavy books and can barely move his feet forward. The party offers to help the chump, and look badass doing so via Indigo turning into a war bear and taking them all to the Camp.   Upon arriving at Camp Midway, they find that the military is hosting a tournament dubbed “Martial Madness” which calls upon any would-be gladiators and duelists to compete for a great reward. The party manages to persuade an extremely reluctant Mirian to compete in the tournament so they can gamble happily. At the registration desk, Mirian learns that his rival Cole Mirari is competing in the tournament as well, and instead of going under his old moniker “Hummingbird”, Mirian decides to go under a different one: “Silverhand”. He then asks Indigo to create a makeshift wooden mask for him to don.   While Danger and Daryl concoct a mischievous plan to take all the gold upon winning their bracket, Mirian begins the pre-game of Martial Madness by showing his prowess on the field against other opponents. Still traumatized by the incident with the black dragon, Mirian falters a little against his battle with the other duelists but manages to beat them all the same. A female Goliath nicknamed, “Earth-Shatter” impresses everyone at the pre-game. Meanwhile, Indigo talks with the Chump and meets High Commander Renier of the Bonner military. The chump has been researching the old Hobgoblin War to find ways to fight the dragons. Renier is reluctant to commit to killing them. That night, Earth-Shatter commands Danger to sleep with her and he happily obeys.   At Martial Madness, Mirian defeats his first opponent and advances to the second round. Cole and Earth-Shatter also advance to the second round where they are to duel each other. In a stunning upset, Earth-Shatter knocks Cole “The Red Ranger” Mirari unconscious and advances to the final round. Mirian also defeats his opponent and advances to the final round.   After the bracket ruining upset, Indigo, Daryl, and a very bitter Danger sneak into Renier’s war room. They overhear Chump and Renier continuing their argument from earlier. Daryl probes Renier’s mind and uncovers a point of interest called “The Forge” within Kriegcastel, where special weapons that turned the tide of the Hobgoblin War were made. The Chump wants to make dragon-slaying arrows, but Renier would rather weaponize the dragons themselves. When Renier senses someone probing his mind, the three flee back to watch the final round of the tournament.   Waiting for the final round to begin, Mirian comes upon a rare sight: a somber Cole Mirari disappointed with his loss at the hands of Earth-Shatter. Mirian gives him a brief pep-talk with the message that he’s still a hero to many people all over Bonner and that “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. The horn is blown signaling the final two warriors to come forward onto the battlefield.   Mirian and Earth-Shatter meet each other on the battlefield. Mirian wishes her a good duel, and Earth-Shatter does the same, just having a fun time. The horn is blown and the battle begins. Perhaps he was still weak from the acid breath, or perhaps he simply wasn’t a match for her, but Mirian loses the final duel against Earth-Shatter, crowning her the winner of the tournament.   Renier reveals her reward: a new opponent dubbed a “Helmed Horror”, a new technology that the military had created to replace their soldiers on the field. They are constructs, operated via control rod from afar, without tiring or the need for food or drink. This particular Helmed Horror had analyzed the best fighters in the tournament and learned their moves. Renier challenges Earth-Shatter to face it in combat to display its prowess. Like a badass, she declines the offer and leaves. The general then offers the challenge to Mirian, but angry about being kept in the dark, he declines the offer as well and leaves with his party for Hearthstone City.