Session 03

General Summary

The evening arrives. Nex Pervenio have rested and cleansed themselves following their introductory gladiator trials. They make their way to the Moribundus Minotaur tavern. Entering, the place is indeed packed with gladiators. Everyone stops and stares when the door opens. Nex Pervenio stand awkwardly in the doorway. The ice is broken by Rutu of the Primitives who strolls over from the bar and offers to buy a round of drinks. He congratulates the team on beating him fair and sqaure earlier.   Nex Pervenio spend most of the evening stood at the bar chatting with the Primitives, picking up useful info. They are clued in about some of the other teams. The Scorpions are described as the best team around. There are plenty of other gladiator teams but out on missions, training, etc. The Ensigns are present. They are grumpy, sore losers who feel like they were robbed of victory. Not looking forward to sewer detail.   The next day dawns, 2nd January. Nex Pervenio are up bright and early, eager to taste some newfound freedom to roam. Breakfast and rations are requisitioned and they hit the road. The morning is spent travelling west along a wide, straight highway passing between long rows of grape and olive vines. Soldiers patrol the highway but don't give the gladiators more than a glance. After lunch, the farmland is exchanged for scrubby woodland. The road is left behind and the search for lions begins in earnest. Mika spots the odd paw print. The search goes on all afternoon and it's now dusk.   Ahead through the trees is a glimpse of a ruined building. Sneaking closer reveals it to be a small chapel to Erathis, roof missing and fallen columns around a couple of surviving walls. Flickering firelight can be seen. Creeping ever closer, Nemesis spots someone concealed behind a pillar. They look like a bandit. The urge to kill is strong.   Nemesis and Shinobi dash from the trees and swarm the bandit. The bandit is not alone! A couple more step out of the shadows and land dizzying strikes with maces. A bandit leader emerges from the shadows and sticks a dagger into Shinobi, dropping him to the floor. A kobold bolsters his comrades and a pseudodragon flits overhead. Time to call in the cavalry. Varro restores Shinobi to fighting fitness while Argus leaps into the fray. Nemesis goes nuts and drops two bandits. The pseudodragon continues harrying and the kobold breaths out a great blast of fire. Shinobi obliterates the bandit leader. The pseudodragon takes the opportunity to flee and the remainder are mopped up handily.   Searching the bodies reveals an Holy Healer's Mace and some cash. The leader also carried a note:    
"My dearest Lareth Our research goes well, though some traps have delayed us. The infiltration is more successful than expected. I will report further soon. Xavier"
  This will be puzzled over later. It is very nearly dark and still no lion. Nex Pervenio press on, finding a watering hole. Over the far side they spot a collection of bones. Lurking next to them is a lion! As they approach, it springs up and leaps on Argus. Varro weakens it and it is pummelled into submission. All over in the blink of an eye.   The lion is trussed with rope and slung over Argus' broad shoulder. Nex Pervenio return to the bandit ruins to make camp for the night. It passes quietly. They return to Londinium by lunchtime the next day, 3rd January.   When delivering the lion, it is learned that the Ensigns failed to capture a crocodile during their sewer trip, though they did find a giant spider instead.   Sister Valerius calls Nex Pervenio for an audience. She thanks them for the lion. She has a new task for the following day. During their sewer trip, the Ensigns uncovered signs that someone or something had been tunnelling into the sewers. Nex Pervenio are to go and investigate these tunnels. They secretly plan to find a crocodile, to further embarrass the Ensigns.   News of the bandit note is kept quiet for now. Perhaps some research and enquiries are called for.
Report Date
10 Apr 2024
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