Session 15
General Summary
It was the final of the Rodinian gladiator tournament. At stake was freedom itself. Despite their
numerical disadvantage, The Obliterators showed their mettle as defending champions. The ettin
in particular inflicting horrific injuries on Argus and Valun especially. All the while Mika and
Shinobi harried their foes while Dash rained arrows. Riya pulled Valun back from the brink of
death, enabling him to unleash a potent curative blessing to all his companions. Nex Pervenio
were exhausted and almost out of tricks. Yet somehow they found the determination to take out
more of their foes. There was a huge cheer from the crowd when the ettin fell. Soon enough there
was just one Obliterator left, a ranged specialist who'd been taking potshots and dodging back
behind a wall the whole fight. Even after summoning a devil to his aid he didn't last long against
the combined might of Nex Pervenio. The crowd went wild and cheered for the new champions.
After a short break to catch their breath and clean themselves up, it was time for the prize-giving
ceremony and then the festival closing celebrations. The whole city partied long into the night,
raising many a toast to the brave gladiators.
Although first prize had been freedom, they would not be legally freed until after a ceremony back
in Londinium with various official paperwork completed. Still, as reigning champions, they were
treated like royalty for the rest of their stay in Rodin City and indeed for the whole journey home -
plush inns, fine wines and luxurious feasts abounded.
The day after the tournament came news that Wilfred Fizzlebang had been raised from the dead, at
tremendous personal expense. Then came the night of the new moon. There then followed news
that Wilfred Fizzlebang was dead once more, assassinated in a gruesome manner. He was not
raised again.
After a couple of weeks on the road, Nex Pervenio arrived back in Londinium on 8th July. They
expected a heroes welcome but were concerned to find panic in the city. Mad prophets and doommongers infested the place, sowing discontent and superstitious fear with threats of impending
disaster. There were unconfirmed rumours that a legendary Catoblepas stalked the city - the Raven
Queen's traditional herald of calamity. The return of the gladiator champions did lighten the mood
somewhat but still the victory parade was more sombre than anticipated.
After a day of pampering and being made presentable, on 10th July it was time for the longawaited Freedom Ceremony. This was held in the great hall at the Temple of Erathis. High
Priestess Cordius was conducting the ceremony. The audience included Sisters Valerius, Aponius,
Florens and Litorius along with most of the clergy and members of the temple. There were fine
speeches, a choir performance and plenty of pomp and ceremony.
Suddenly there was a rude interruption. Several small portals opened throughout the hall and
horrific elemental oozes seeped out. Then an image of Lareth appeared, mocking and taunting. He
boasted that similar portals were opening throughout the temple and even the city too, with many
of his forces emerging to wreak havoc. Sounds of combat and panic elsewhere in the building bore
out his claim. Sister Valerius shouted to Nex Pervenio to protect the High Priestess while she went
to help elsewhere. Sisters Aponius, Litorius and Florens all departed to assist in defending other
areas of the temple.
As the High Priestess cowered back in a corner, the gladiators bravely faced their abyssal foes.
The oozes mindlessly assaulted anyone within reach so Argus, Shinobi and Mika grabbed their
attention allowing their comrades to operate safely from a distance. The oozes leeked energy
whenever hit or seriously damaged, hurting anything nearby. The oozes near the High Priestess
were swiftly dealt with and it seemed the temple forces had the others under control.
Lareth seemed disappointed with how things were going. But he warned that yet more of his
forces were incoming and that the city was being ransacked. His image then winked out.
Bracing themselves for further combat, the gladiators faced the double doors, from beyond came
the sound of many rushing feet.
Report Date
11 Apr 2024
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