Comparing versions of The Trial of the Champions
Showing changes between February 28, 2023 at 8:48:42 pm (crossed out) and February 28, 2023 at 8:54:30 pm (underlined)
Keen to avoid the creature the eastern route is taken, down a narrow,steepflight of steps. Fagen throws the corpse of Sir Hugh down the stairs, the body tumbles down into the darkness out of sight. This route is soon revealed to be into a catacomb, with skulls and mouldy bones piled into stacks in various alcoves. The troops overhears the grizzly sound of rending of flesh up ahead andSteff the Unbeaten is ordered in front. He reveals a low ceilinged room and two sets of blood red eyes. The heroes quickly pile in and dispatch the ghoulish creatures with sword and bow.
It is determined the southern exit has a slight whiff of wholesome air, and the company take that path up out of the graveyard. After 20 minutes of trudging a t-junction is reached, from the east a man, possibly Dirk the thief, is crying in agony. Keen to avoid his ugly fate the mages take the western path which leads them into a circular room with a sandy floor. The floor has odd S shaped marks all over and the ceiling has 4 metal trapdoors. Fagen sends Steff to investigate and observes some small movement in the roof. A light spell reveals a pair of eyes peering from above. <Kethrans man> also enters and at that point the trapdoors are thrown open, blasting light and noise into the dungeon, and 4 baskets are tossed down. From out of the baskets slither dozens of snakes, Steff is bitten and dies writhing in agony. In angry Fagen shoots a toothless old man who is grinning from the skylight above. He tumbles into the pit, wounded but alive, only to be horribly killed by the serpents. The crowd is much amused and there are occasional shouts of "Go Codgers!" <Kethrans man>'s new plate armour protects him from the snakes for a little while until one slides up the unfortunate man's legs. Flaming brands are applied to force the snakes back and now successfully corralled are shot with arrow and dart.
Being annoyed by Grimgor's insistence staying at the back of the pair demand he lead. The barbarian shrugs, nods and immediately walks towards where Dirk's cries ones emanated. The rogue is found slowly dying, some acid having sprayed onto his face after falling victim to a trap. He splutters out knowledge of hidden secrets he alone is party too. Reluctantly healing potions are applied and as Dirk recovers he explains the Baron will never pay the prize, the competition is impossible, however there is a secret door that the animal handlers and guards use which can be accessed to freedom. The thief explains he is a freedom fighter and plans to escape show the baron for the fraud he is and win over the restive crowds with the help of his organisation.
The now blind Dirk leads them to an ancient thrown room where a seated rotting corpse wears a golden crown. Our heroes remain excessively suspicious and refuse to touch the treasure. To the east they can hear the crowds chanting "Codgers! Codgers! Codgers!" Dirk fumbles with his fingers but finds a small switch behind the chair and opens a secret door with stairs leading upwards. There is an empty barracks and the sound of guards at their leisure beyond. The watchmen are ambushed, but appear to be a gang of champion body builders, such is their constitutions, and are not easily overcome. Grimgor holds the warriors off while the scholars, now without any magic and badly wounded flee. Dirk is left to his fate as he stumbles about in the barracks room. 2 guards sent down to chase are ambushed with lucky shots back in the throne room.
the rear of the Swaying Donkey Inn where, pressing their ears to the greasy glass panes, the unplesent sound ofVahlok the traitorous innkeep can be heard. Fagen throws a cobblestone through the window andKethran follows with a torch.Vahlok flees through the back door, only to be turned into a pin cushion and poked with oil soaked torches.
Festival week ends, and the Trial of Champions remains yet unconquored. Two minor mysteries are debated over in the tap houses and markets of Blackrock. Who killedVahlok the Shady, and what ever happened to those two codgers?
