Gladiators of Zirnakaynin PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Feral

Earlier that day...

ops.. Me apologies , as well as fer the floor the other day. Dwarves don't know there own strength sometimes.

Striding over to examine the damage to the training equipment, Pharnox gives a rather noncommittal grunt... but he's clearing impressed as he retorts,

'Don't apologise, dwarf... just do that to your foes in the arena.'

Ivan also earns Pharnox's Favour for the month (1 Fame).

Later...

Narsius's eyes flicker between the hulking form of Segovax and the strange arcane energies swirling about Hull's hand for a few seconds as he stands, breathing heavily, hands clenched tightly into fists...

... before lowering his arms and pushing past them both as he abandons the fight. He briefly stops into his old room (now Hull's by right of @$$-whooping...) to gather his few paltry possessions (his wooden 'footlocker' and a few crudely carved small figurines) before unceremoniously moving into Aspexia's room, taking just a moment to offer Ivan a nod of acknowledgement for his words as he passes the dwarf on the way.

For her part Aspexia sits up on her sleeping pallet as the Taldan man enters, frowning a little as she takes in his fresh burns, but saying nothing. When Radric appears at the door to question her, she quickly stands and walks over, indicating that the halfling should follow her as she heads off to the (empty at this hour) meal hall, commenting quietly as she goes,

'Apology accepted... anything to be spared that Taldan brute crying himself to sleep over his broken heart...'

Meanwhile, the drow women manage to gather an audience of fellow gladiators, jostling for position to peer through the bars of their cell door, as they ‘practice their performance’... And Elysium knows what Kyzrak – whom I recall was sharing their room – is making of the whole thing... :o

Actually, I didn't realize there was room for more than two per cell (and Kyzrak wouldn't have shared a cell with female drow if he could help it), so he's in the cell adjacent.

"Interesting... Sure, I think we can work something out. I'm not used to a trident personally, but I'll ask around. And I'd be happy to give you some pointers about how to use magic and fight in melee at the same time; that is, if you have any spells you can use without a rudem."

He jingles the silver coins he'd slipped out of his footlocker. Best keep their location hidden at all times; less likely for them to get stolen that way. "As for the betting, I was actually wanting to bet on myself to win my next bout... if you can tell me the odds against me," he adds, not wanting to simply take her word when it came time to collect. The way he sees it, if he lost, being poor again would be the least of his worries-- if he was alive to worry about anything at all. "Do you know the schedule?"

With the brawl handled, Segovax gives Hull a nod and then returns to his own room. Passing by Lorelei and Nathrae's room he hears something like a muffled cry but dismisses it in favor of getting some much needed rest.

Assuming everyone eventually gets some sleep...

The next morning (or, at least, when the new day begins... as keeping track of such things proves difficult in the sun-starved Darklands...) Narsius keeps his distance from Hull... and the other gladiators appear to shun the Taldan as well, fearing, perhaps, to be associated with the losing side. Pharnox clearly notices Narsius's fresh burns when training begins, but says nothing. Aspexia appears to be trying hard to master the trident (she throws the net a few times, and her aim isn't bad, but she seems to be more concerned with the melee aspect of her newly assigned style). Ragnar appears to be in better spirits that he has been in the past (muttering something about 'a good night's sleep') and spars with gusto, seeking out Segovax, Ivan, and Nathrae in particular with whom to trade blows.

Mid-morning, Loscivia appears at the balcony, casting a discerning eye over her stock for a few minutes, before calling out,

'Pharnox,' Her son dutifully bows his head towards her, but she's already heading back into the villa as she orders, 'attend me.'

Pharnox keeps his head inclined respectfully for a few moments after she's gone, then looks up, sighs a tired sounding sigh, and cracks his cat-o-nine-tails for attention,

'Rest for few minutes until I return,' he instructs, before heading off.

Most of the gladiators happily drop sparring equipment and slump down in corners or against the wall, happy to indulge in the extra break. Narsius pointedly refuses to look anyone in the eye, and just keeps working the palus with wooden training scizore and dagger. Ragnar shrugs and goes to sit quietly, his eyes quickly closed. Aspexia, on the other hand, approaches Jade...

'I know we haven't really spoken much,' she begins politely, 'but I was wondering about the slip,' she nods towards Radric, 'you've tumbled him... is it an experience you'd recommend?'

There's a few minutes during which the characters can talk... or whatever... before Pharnox returns. When he does (assuming nothing's gone insane at that point)...

Pharnox gestures for a guard to attend him, then calls over,

'Hull! Come here...'

Eager during training as always, Segovax readily spars with his cellmate both as a sign of good faith and as a way of testing his own strength. With Dron gone the hearty ulfen, Nathrae, or the dwarf were the next strongest but the dwarf was only a fighter – not a champion – and the dark elf was always busy elsewhere. He doesn’t hold back during his spars with Ragnar but he doesn’t try to hurt him necessarily either.

Sparring Check?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Damage: 2d4 + 6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 6 = 11

He watches the pale human woman struggle with her new assignment with a mix of pity and disdain. She was a coward, that much was clear, but she was still a gladiator and it would bring shame to the ludus to see her butchered like a slave during her first real bout with Retiarius armaments. She’ll never get it like that. She doesn’t have the strength to drag an opponent with her net.

When the break is called for, Segovax lowers his weapons and joins the rest of the gladiators. His stamina was far from spent but a break was always welcomed.

Hull curls up with Rich on what remains of his bed post-burning hands and thinks about the fight. Well, that seemed to go fairly well. I've made sure they know that I'm not to be trifled with, for sure. And it seems that several of others were supportive; that's important. Alliances help keep you alive.

The next day during sparring practice Hull works extra hard, determined to prove he's worth the trouble he causes. When the break is called, Hull ambles over to Segovax. "Thank you for intervening yesterday. I don't guess it's something you have much experience with, but I've had to learn the hard way that the only way to deal with bullies is to show them that you're tougher than them. I didn't want to kill him, though, that would probably get all of us in trouble. So, thanks for getting him to back down."

When Pharnox calls for him, Hull walks over somewhat tentatively, "Yes?"

sparring main hand: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
'damage': 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

sparring off hand: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
'damage': 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Kyzrak offered to spar with Aspexia, thinking that the training in training, so to speak, might serve him well, even if she didn't manage to learn enough to save herself. They circled around and between the palii, feinting and daring each other to commit to an attack. Finally losing his patience, Kyzrak obliged. While she managed to catch his main hand in her net, Segovax's prediction came true: she wasn't able to hold him with it, and in a pattern of footwork much like a dance he was able to slip past her trident with his off hand and hold his blade to her throat.

"What you need is someone to help you pounce once you've got your opponent entangled," he opined, pulling away without drawing blood. "Or maybe to blow someone away with that rudem before Pharnox realizes you have it, ha! Not that there's many places to hide it," he chuckled, looking her up and down.

He settled in a pleasantly shadowy corner when the break was called, resting his eyes from the annoying lights.

After helping Lorelei find her clothes, Nathrae drifts off to sleep after giving only a cursory glare at the audience she and Lorelei drew.
-----------
The next morning is more of the same for Nathrae--wake up, have breakfast, start training.

Watching Segovax and Ragnar spar was an... educational experience for her. The half-orc was much more focused on overpowering his opponent with sheer force, with style seemingly as an afterthought. Brutally effective, but not exactly entertaining to watch. Ragnar's style was essentially Seg's polar opposite--turtling up behind his tower shield, focusing on dodging and waiting for his opponent to tire before striking back. Effective, but boring to watch--as it turns out, the two had more in common than she thought.

At least they look bloody good doing it. I wonder how good Ragnar is in bed... She finds herself wondering. She shrugs and turns to Lorelei.

"Care for a quick spar? Segovax & Aspexia are already taken." Nathrae taps her practice gladius against her thigh, looking around the training yard.
-----------
Nathrae takes her break without complaint, eying Pharnox's form as he leaves to attend to his mother's business.

"Care for a quick spar? Segovax & Aspexia are already taken." Nathrae taps her practice gladius against her thigh, looking around the training yard.

Lorelei shrugs. "I suppose I should get in a some practice without any of my magic. It never hurts to be prepared for when I run out of spells."

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Lorelei will attempt to spar with Nathrae, but it is obvious that she needs some more work on her non-magical fighting skills.

During the sparring Ragnar practices hard to master his defenses against Segovax's onslaught, proving quite unassailable when on the defensive then, when the barbarian's attack lets up for a fraction of a second, lunging forwards with a swift boot to the chest that sends Segovax sprawling to the sand (trip attack)...

'Is easier when opponent not jotunn, yes?' he comments with a brief smile, before bashing his practice sword against his shield and suggesting, 'Again, yes?'

"What you need is someone to help you pounce once you've got your opponent entangled," he opined, pulling away without drawing blood. "Or maybe to blow someone away with that rudem before Pharnox realizes you have it, ha! Not that there's many places to hide it,"

'What I need,' retorts Aspexia, sounding more annoyed with herself than the dark elf swordsman, 'is someone to show me how to use this damnable thing!' she gestures with the trident, adding, 'I mean some proper, one-on-one, training... not just getting whipped every time I mess up... that stops being fun after a while...'

When Pharnox returns...

'Here,' Pharnox hands Hull a couple of sheets of parchment covered in arcane writing, 'Mother says you're to learn these... write them down... whatever you wizard types do. They should aid in letting you... practice...' he glances towards the burnt Narsius as he concludes, '... with the others without costing the ludus too much...'

Turning to the guard he says,

'When the halfling is ready, give him access to his book of magic and the supplies he needs to record these... incantations.'

Segovax grunts in surprise as he’s toppled by the defense-minded murmillo. I assume he’s got improved trip.

Scrambling to his feet, the hulking greenskin growls. ”Yes…”

This time Segovax lets his fury boil over when he slams into the ulfen shieldwall. His crushing blows smash into Ragnar’s shield arm with unrelenting force.

Rage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Damage: 2d4 + 9 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 = 16

Nathrae blocks Lorelei's (disappointingly clumsy) swings with her shield before attempting to sweep her legs out from under her!

Trip! (AoO Provoking): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Come now, you'll need more practice than this if you're to get Pharnox's attention!

You assume correctly... after all, everyone needs some way to trigger those precious performance combat checks! :)

Segovax's rage seems to do the trick, as Ragnar is forced down to one knee behind his shield... then knocked out cold when one of the half-orc's blows batters past to clip the Ulfen on the side of the head! It's all training weapons - weighted wood - so non-lethal damage all round. Plus, I guess we now know why Ragnar had his eyes closed during the rest period! ;)

As Pharnox hands him the parchments, Hull says: "Thank you, sir; I won't be ready until tomorrow--I wasn't expecting such a gift. Should I have the guard hold onto them for me, or may I take them back to my room?"
If they'll let me, waiting until tomorrow so that I can read magic seems to be the way to go. Divination is one of my forbidden schools, but all wizards can prepare read magic without it being in their spellbook. It will take up two cantrip slots, though, so for tomorrow I only have touch of fatigue and read magic. Do you allow "taking 10" on the Spellcraft check to write the spells in my book?

Heh. Ragnar is dedicated to his craft. 13 int on 15 point buy is tough!

Segovax takes a few deep breathes to come down from his rage, pausing to see if their bout was observed.

After he realizes that the ulfen is down for the count, he chuckles.

”You should be more careful around this jotunn”, he says to his unconscious cellmate while dragging him someplace he can come to his senses safely.

Hull: Yep, he can wait, and hold onto the pages until he's done as well (you get the impression that Pharnox only has a minimal concept of how the process works, so will just let you 'study' them as long as you need). Taking 10 is fine too.

Ragnar: LOL... well the massive two-hander strength-monster slot was taken! ;) Besides, the extra Int lets him waste Skill points on Profession (sailor) which he'll never get to use in this campaign...

Ok. Taking 10 gives him a 17, so I'll go ahead and add the spells to the spellbook on my profile, though I won't prepare them for two days (learn them tomorrow, prepare them the next day).

Did Pharnox or his sister happen to catch Segovax and Ragnar’s spar?

After getting the ulfen someplace safe, Segovax is quick to return to training. He sets his sights on a palus and goes to work on it with his signature brutal style.

AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Lorelei flails at Nathrae with the dagger as she goes down onto her shapely ass. Assuming Nathrae will let her, Lorelei will get back up with a sigh.

"Allright, now you see how badly I need practice at this physical stuff. Let's try it again"

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

There is a bit of improvement with her next lunge, though it still misses Nathrae.

"I guess I should just plan to never run out of spells. I really suck at this."

Nathrae helps Lorelei back to her feet, letting her eyes take Lorelei's nubile form in again before parrying her next lunge.

"Come now, if that's how you feel, you'll never get better. You can do this." Nathrae puts her shield away.

"Let's see if this'll help--you take three free swings at me with my shield down. If you miss with all three, I'm striking back." She goes into a ready stance. "Whenever you're ready, Lorelei."

AC is 15 now. Let's see if RNGesus is feeling charitable.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

omg I can't roll for shit tonight.

Lorelei is clearly getting frustrated with her inability to connect a blow.

Ivan notices the female drow struggling with her sparring, and in a hope to be, slightly, apologetic walks over to offer help.

oy lass, would ye like some advice? Not that Ima' thinkin' ye need much O' it, I never understood magic and props to ye for figuring that stuff out, and I might not be as graceful as yer folk and other, less graceful, elves but there are some basics all warriors know, and share. Ifin' ye would here it. Fightin' is one O' the things I'm good at ye see.

how much of a lair will the RNG make me tonight!

"..."

Nathrae barely even moves as she parries Lorelei's clumsy swings.

She sighs, then swings her gladius in a retaliatory strike!
Attack!: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Damage (Non-Lethal): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Her wooden gladius clocks Lorelei upside her head, sending her to the dirt. Presumably with little stars circling her head.

"This is going to be a loooooooong training session..." She says as she bends over and touches Lorelei's head with a softly glowing hand.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Evidently, Flauros is too busy laughing his scaly ass off to provide much healing. Nathrae tries again, this time laying her hand on Lorelei's chest.
CLW #2: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
"Alright, Flauros, would you please stop messing around and let me heal her?" She reluctantly moves her hand over Lorelei's belly, channeling another healing spell into her.
CLW #3: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
This time, Nathrae's healing is effective enough to fix the damage.

At first, Lorelei was momentarily rendered speechless that the dwarf would dare to come up and talk to her. She was trying to think of a suitably scathing reply when she changed her mind and decided that maybe she should try using her anger at him to help her fight.

Lorelei nods to the dwarf curtly and speaks in undercommon. "Very well then." Too bad I can't 'accidentally' cut your balls off with a practice dagger.

Using a wooden practice dagger
attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Ivan smiles as the stick swats his cheek, leaving a bright red mark,

BWHAHA, thats the way lass, Ye got me good that time! Find yer Center and keep it in yer middle. Balance is the key to any fighting Stance! Lets give it one more go.

The dwarf readies his shield once more.

Segovax pauses between drills to watch the dwarf and Lorelei carefully.

After breakfast, he looks for a sparring partner out in the yard. The others are already paired up at first (except Jade, who gets pulled aside to talk to Aspexia, but the noise in the yard prevents him from hearing the conversation), so he toys with the practice dummies for awhile. When the break is over, he finds Kyzrak. "Practice?" He twirls his wooden kukri and assumes a stance, relaxed but prepared.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Perhaps Lorelei is so thrown off by the dwarf trying to be helpful that she misses him.

Nathrae smiles as Lorelei lands her first hit on Ivan, but cringes when she sees her completely whiff her second strike.

Progress, at least. She retrieves her shield and continues watching the two spar.

Ivan places his weapon hand on his hip.

I told ye, ye got to keep ye balance, Don't try to put so much force in the blow, no matta if ye got the strength of a giant, ain't no use if ye can't hit the enemy. Watch yer opponent, find an openin' and when ye strike don't take yer eyes off that spot, an' when ye hit, go through it.

he pauses, then seems to have an idea, and adds with an eyebrow raised

Like a dwarf hittin' a wall O' stone. Don't envision strikin' the spot an' stoppin', envision yer weapon going THROUGH em, Lets give it anotha' go.

This is actually Ivans way of apologizing, well, sorta, as much of an apology as you can get from a dwarf. We are a stubborn lot. lol.

attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Lorelei frowns as she gets lectured by the dwarf, her annoyance seems to help her to land a blow on the mouthy dwarf.

It is ok, now she just thinks you are being patronizing :)

Ivan doesn't even flinch at the blow, dwarves truly are tough as stones.

In fact, he smiles.

BWHAHA, Now there we go, that one hurt! Ye'll make a warrior yet! Let's see how ye do vs ye friend in anotha' match. Maybe sometime ye can show me a bit of the tricks of magic, though I doubt I'd be any good at the sort.

the dwarf will back off a little bit allowing Nathrea to take a spot infront of Lorelei if she wishes.

Of course, Ivan thinks he is being as polite as can be :P doesn't understand at all lol. In his head pretty much He is just back in his caves teaching another trainee who has not even a stub of a beard yet.

Nathrae can't help but smile. "As uncouth as he is, he's doing wonders for your skill."

She pats Lorelei on the back.

Jade spends the first morning after the arranged combat communig with her mask. She decides it's long ibex horns are a liability, so she carefully snaps them closer to the skull, thinking perhaps a choice headbutt or eyes-piercing coup de grace is in order.

Kowing her fate is not yet in Rann's hands, Jade commits herself dutifully to practice, enlarging herself and chopping at the palus with a rough, unstudied air.

CHOPP!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
SPAPKTCH!: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

She shakes her head, and stares at her falchion. She assumes an appropriately deferential attitude and, when time permits begs Pharnox attention.

in Undercommon
"Lord Pharnox. My magic is what it is - that is evident. My swordplay is rude. Cans't thou instruct me briefly, though my blade be barbaric and my station deplorable. If I wish to learn, might I learn from the alpha?"

There is no guile in Jade's eyes, only a slight abandonment of...every emotion.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

'What I need,' retorts Aspexia, sounding more annoyed with herself than the dark elf swordsman, 'is someone to show me how to use this damnable thing!' she gestures with the trident, adding, 'I mean some proper, one-on-one, training... not just getting whipped every time I mess up... that stops being fun after a while...'

Kyzrak shrugged. "I fear I make a poor teacher with trident and net - swords are what I'm best with. Maybe one of the others more trained in your new style might be willing to help." He eyed the other gladiators - not just his fellow new recruits, but the 'older' ones as well, looking for those using her style. Turning back to Aspexia, he mused, "Though some training is better than none, of course. I might be able to help, if you made it worth my while..."

***

When he was approached by Radric after their rest, Kyzrak nodded and hopped to his feet. "You have good eyes, for an uplander," he noted, circling the halfling. "Most of them stick to the light."

gladius #1: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
NL damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

gladius #2: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
NL damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Unable to break through Radric's skilled defense, Kyzrak stepped back into a defensive posture. He looked at the halfling with new respect in his eyes, and beckoned him to go on the offensive.

Pharnox nods his approval as he watches Segovax spar: however crude the half-orc’s style may seem, he at least performs it well, and it’s very much in keeping with the image of brutality expected of an orcish peregrinus.

Jade no more has free access to her mask to regain spells than Hull does to his spellbook... or any of the gladiators do to real weapons and armour, for that matter... so she won’t be communing with her mask until her owners deem it necessary, I’m afraid. That aside...

"Lord Pharnox. My magic is what it is - that is evident. My swordplay is rude. Cans't thou instruct me briefly, though my blade be barbaric and my station deplorable. If I wish to learn, might I learn from the alpha?”

A slight hint of a smile twitches at Pharnox’s mouth as he replies,

‘Truthfully, in your case, barbarism is the point... your role is to play to the crowd’s expectations of the brutality of your people. When the crowds look to the likes of Segovax and yourself, they want simpleminded physical carnage... or at least, the appearance of such. That said, there are always ways to improve, no matter what the desired appearance...’ he takes a few moments to give Jade some hands-on instruction, shifting her stance a little, wrapping his arms around her from behind to adjust her grip... When he’s done he steps back to observe his handiwork, nodding to himself, then adds, ‘... but perhaps a softer, more animate, target to practice on?’

Pharnox looks towards the drow females and calls out,

‘Lorelei: attend.’

Once Lorelei approaches, Pharnox steps around her as he addresses all the gladiators in a clear, commanding, voice,

‘When fighting, it is to your advantage to know your enemy. Take elves, for example: our people are built for agility, but with the height for ample reach,’ as he talks he uses his coiled cat-o-nine-tails to lift Lorelei’s arm out to demonstrate what he’s explaining, the cruel leather instrument brushing or prodding her form in various places as he continues, ‘but all creatures have weak points... even us... here, below the...’ he proceeds to expertly outline the various weak points of an elf, and the best ways to exploit them, using Lorelei as his model of choice. Once done, he steps back and orders, ‘Lorelei, pair with Jade. Nathrae, pair with Segovax. Radric, you stick with Kyzrak. The rest of you, observe closely. Now, let’s see if simple instruction has made it through any of your thick skulls... Begin!’ he punctuates the last with a crack from his cat-o-nine-tails.

Anyone paying attention to Pharnox’s instruction gets a +2 bonus to their weapon attack and damage rolls against the drow during this sparring session.

"I fear I make a poor teacher with trident and net - swords are what I'm best with. Maybe one of the others more trained in your new style might be willing to help... Though some training is better than none, of course. I might be able to help, if you made it worth my while..."

Aspexia sighs,

‘I’ve no pressing concerns about the net: I’ll just throw it and be done... they’ll be time to learn fancy moves later, if there proves to be a “later” at all for me... but your instruction with the trident would be... appreciated...’ she offers Kyzrak a smile, then adds, ‘I offered the slip a discount on my interactions with the guards – buying and selling... that sort of thing. I hear you’ve been trying to learn Taldane? The common language of the surface world? I’d be happy to share tongues with you, in exchange for your instruction...’ her smile slips a little then, as she hurriedly adds, ‘... although the Fates have seen fit to defecate upon me from a great height as it is... I’d not invite another such downpour of misfortune by being caught toying with the First Daughter’s favourite pet... if that would be an issue?’

At this point I'm mostly just waiting to find out if anyone does take Aspexia under their wing, or of anyone has any specific plans they want to enact, before moving forwards...

‘I’ve no pressing concerns about the net: I’ll just throw it and be done... they’ll be time to learn fancy moves later, if there proves to be a “later” at all for me... but your instruction with the trident would be... appreciated...’ she offers Kyzrak a smile, then adds, ‘I offered the slip a discount on my interactions with the guards – buying and selling... that sort of thing. I hear you’ve been trying to learn Taldane? The common language of the surface world? I’d be happy to share tongues with you, in exchange for your instruction...’ her smile slips a little then, as she hurriedly adds, ‘... although the Fates have seen fit to defecate upon me from a great height as it is... I’d not invite another such downpour of misfortune by being caught toying with the First Daughter’s favourite pet... if that would be an issue?’

"Unfortunately, I don't think I'm anyone's favorite anything at the moment," Kyzrak sighed aggrievedly, casting a glance towards the balcony. "I seem to be having trouble standing apart from the crowd. But I suppose there's no reason we can't make the best of our respective ill fortunes. The trident, then, in exchange for your Taldane tongue, and perhaps a bit of trade now and again? A fair deal, I'd say."

If/when Aspexia agrees, Kyzrak will spend some time attempting to help her get control of the trident to an acceptable degree.

instruction?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Nathrae's face turns grey when she learns Segovax is her opponent for her sparring match. Oh, great...

Still, she squares her shoulders and faces the half-orc berserker with a smile. She salutes him with a twirl of her gladius, and as soon as Pharnox tells them to start, she leaps into action!

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
With lightning speed, Nathrae leaps forward under the cover of her shield and attempts to knock Segovax's practice falchion out of his hand!

Disarm Attempt!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17

attack: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Lorelei pays careful attention to the instruction offered, though she looks less than pleased to be facing the female half-orc. She is so massive. If I hadn't seen her naked, I would have sword she was a he. I bet she hits really hard.

Lorelei will take a stab at Jade with her practice dagger.

Init: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Segovax squares off with Nathrae as instructed and finds his eyes lingering on her athletic feminine form. Vivid memories of their coupling in the dark elf villa come to mind. He's so distracted that he doesn't have time to react before his opponent has stepped in and knocked the wooden weapon from his hands with a meaty *thwap*.

He growls in anger, both with himself for being distracted and at Nathrae for capitalizing on it, before bearing down on her with his bare hands.

Rage-Grapple (with anti-drow instruction): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 2 = 25

Which will provoke. Any damage you do is applied as a bonus to your CMD for the attempt.

AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage (Non-Lethal): 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Nathrae manages to hit Segovax squarely in the gut with her gladius as the half-orc bears down on her, but it doesn't help her much as he grabs her sword arm and pulls her off-balance!

Dangerous with or without his weapon. Bad idea.

She writhes about, trying to get free of the grapple...
CMB (Break Grapple): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
...but it's clear that her efforts aren't doing much.

He dodges and weaves around Kyzrak's swings, dancing his dance just like he was taught. Having had no experience with anyone not practicing the same style before being brought here, he was sort of surprised himself with how well this seemed to work. When given the opportunity, he darts in for a jab himself, not taking the time to properly attune himself beforehand.

Kukri attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

He slips past his opponent's defenses, though of course the blow it deals is negligible. When Pharnox gives them their assignments, he nods and prepares himself again.

Segovax grunts slightly as he's belted in the gut for his sloppy approach. Still managing to secure a tight hold, and with the beautiful dark elf unable to escape, he reels her in closer and secures a tight bearhug. This time the hulking greenskin is all business despite the sensation of their two sweaty, nearly naked forms, grinding against each other. Through the haze of his fury he recalls a bit of their instruction and shifts one arm a little lower as he crushes Nathrae.

Rage-Grapple (with anti-drow instruction): 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 2 + 5 = 18
Damage (Non-Lethal): 1d3 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9

Nathrae flails about as Segovax crushes the wind out of her before going limp and passing out from the pain...

Letting the limp dark elf slip from his embrace, the big orc pounds his chest and wills away his rage.

For the next few days, the ludus falls into the routines of training: all the more intense as the House Sardavic games at the city’s grand arena approach, and with them the opening of a new season of monthly games, each hosted by one of the noble Twelve Houses in turn. The recent fates of Dron and the others also help spur all to greater efforts...

With Kyzrak’s aid, Aspexia trains hard, devoting much of her meal times to extra practice, and often staying to work the palus late into the night. After a week or so, the effort is noticeably paying off as she starts to handle the trident with, if not mastery, then something at least approaching skill. Kyzrak, for his part, soon begins to mangle out simple words and phrases in the common Taldane of the surface world, Aspexia schooling him even as they spar together in the yard, trident versus twin blades. Ragnar keeps pushing himself against the strongest of the new gladiators, seeming to have a fine time doing so as well. Narsius stays out of the way, but appears to be working himself as hard as he can... whether to further his own standing, or simply to help him blot out bad memories, is anyone’s guess.

Pharnox makes an effort to keep Nathrae and Lorelei separated during training, generally praising the former, but seeming to treat the latter more as a practice target for those with real martial skill... He also appears pleased with the form of Segovax, Radric, and Ivan, and spends a little more time instructing Jade than he does the others (and appears to be quite the expert at two-handed weapon styles as well). He doesn’t seem to have much to teach Hull, but as long as the halfling holds his own with his spells and cantrips, doesn’t seem concerned over his progress.

Ilvaria watches the gladiators practice most days, though seldom appears until after the mid-day meal. On some occasions she hosts a wealthy looking guest or two... most notably Segovax’s buxom fan Adindra, who starts to appear at the balcony on a semi-regular basis, where she and Ilvaria take in the sight of the half-orc barbarian showing off his... craft... and giggle between each other in conspiratorial tones...

Loscivia is seldom seen, but appears to take in everything that’s occurring with just a few minutes observation when she does so, often calling her son for conference afterwards, only for him to reappear with new directions for practice drills, or new pairings for sparring.

***

It’s after one such conference, ten days after the recruits’ début demonstration match, when Pharnox appears with a parchment in hand, and calls the gladiators to attend to his words...

‘ The House Sardavic games are in five days time, and the listings have finally been posted,’ he confirms, ‘this ludus being honoured by being asked for a dozen of our finest to take to the sands. Those so chosen will fight in venationes, beast fights, in the morning; the survivors will face the gladiators of rival ludi after the midday ludi meridiani – executions and other entertainments. There has been a request for some of you to take part in the entertainments as well,’ he casts a brief glance towards Lorelei, before looking back to the parchment and continuing, ‘so that has been, I’m afraid, a consideration in our choice of gladiators. So the attendees will be: Segovax, Nathrae, Radric, Ragnar, Ivan, Jade, Narsius, Kyzrak, Hull, Zandu, Aspexia, and Lorelei.’

Rolling up the parchment, Pharnox looks around the assembled gladiators, his expression serious,

‘Our offerings are early in the afternoon matches, far removed from the glory of the primus, but for those of you attending, this is the opportunity to start forging your legends, and to repay your Mistress and this House by bringing us success and the elevation that follows. Do well and all of us will benefit... if nothing else then die well, and see the reputation of this House for the finest stock grow, even in your deaths. For those of you who aren’t to attend...’ he glances across the yard towards the pit, then concludes, ‘... see yourselves to improvement, or the pit will be the least of your concerns.’

As Pharnox departs, the gladiators crowd round to congratulate those chosen (including Zandu, a half-elf youth of Varisian stock trained in the thraex style), although there’s also the expected shades of jealously from those not attending.

***

During the next five days, training is stepped up for those attending the games, but at one evening meal Aspexia manages to report some additional information,

‘One of the guards who regularly worships in the temple of Socothbenoth mentioned that the beast fights this year are all going to be serpent themed, to honour House Sardavic’s patron Demon Lord. He didn’t get any more details than that, but there have been numerous large covered cages seen being moved into the storage area under the Cyclic Sublime – the grand arena.’

She pauses to let the news sink in, then continues,

‘The afternoon will see us... or those of us who survive the morning... facing an equal number from the ludus of House De’lyl. There have been rumours that they have a new ludus champion called “Omargos – The Tattooed Beast” whom they’ve been touting as the next big thing.’

She glances at Lorelei, and smiles,

‘As to your “entertainment” duties: it seems that it’s going to be some sort of re-enactment from drow history – so I expect all three of you dark elves will be joining in... personally, I’m not familiar with drow history, but... how bad could it be?’

Casting Radric a grin, the Chelish woman adds,

‘I’ll be taking bets of all sorts, of course, but with such scant information I’ll have to leave exact odds until we reach the arena...’

***

When the day of the games arrives, those chosen are taken up through the villa and loaded into covered cages on waiting lizard-drawn wagons. The bustle of the city can soon be heard as the wagons make their laborious way through the streets of Zirnakaynin. Eventually the wagons are uncovered, and the chosen gladiators find themselves offloaded in the hypogeum tunnels under the grand arena itself. Already the chants and cheers of the excited crowd can be heard filtering through from above, the occasional fall of dust from the ceiling testament to thousands of feet stamping in unison as the people demand to be entertained. Slaves, gladiators, beasts of various kinds, arena officials, and more bustle around as the group is directed to the small chamber set aside for the gladiators from Loscivia’s ludus to prepare. No weapons are issued yet, but there are facilities to wash, and armour to be donned. Pharnox, who travelled with you, looks over the room,

‘Get ready... don’t wander too far...’ he comments as he moves to leave, adding, ‘... I’ll see if Mother has any last minute instructions.’

Once he’s gone, Aspexia quickly finishes strapping on the leather greaves and manica she’s to wear as a retiarius, adjusts her balteus and breast-band, and ties her long red hair back in a simple ponytail. Winking to Radric, she slips from the room, saying as she goes,

‘Time to check the odds...’

So... nearly time for your first arena fight. Prepared spellcasters will have had a chance to prepare spells in readiness for the day of games, of course. Kyzrak’s common tongue is getting along nicely (only 5 days left before he gets it as a bonus language). If there’s anything anyone wants to do before they head into the beast fights, now’s the time...