Bandaluthia Session 36

Bandaluthia: Session 36

The crowd in The Pony pub had paid handsomely to see blood. The contract had been written and to the winner came a peaceful Monterey. Bookies took bets on all sorts of possibilities on all probable outcomes. No one noticed Siberius making a large wager, but the bookies stopped taking bets on that outcome. The door to the small arena opened and in went the warriors for the New Thieves Guild. Jagger lead the way followed by Grey, the man who had captured Jacob. Next in was Jimmy, the guy who had insulted Ti Ying and Jacob whilst running away from a fight. In came a wizard called Melvin, a cleric called Austin, and then the muscle bound meat heads called Logan, Corozo and Ryan. The audience cheered and jeered, clapped and chanted names at those both loved and despised. In amongst the crowd sat a vast array of infamous characters built into the delicately woven structure of the underground within Palanthia. This fight was so much more than the lives and deaths of those in the ring.

In to the arena came the Animals representing the old Guild. Ti Ying, Dreizach, Elodee, Jacob, Ratsel, Shaniqua, Siberius and Tyler stepped into the arena. The atmosphere rose to fever-pitch as the Master of Ceremonies finished announcing the participants. More that one Animal was surprised at the remaining strength of the Guild, for they were well-supported with powerful allies. N’Thaal-Dar and D’Jarra Leon were joined by a host of assorted Guild associates. Perhaps it showed the power of the New Thieves Guild, as their leaders had not shown, or at least were not known to the Animals.

Anti magic shields went up to protect those watching from stray arcane death dealing magicks. The NTG bundled up behind four very large shields. Siberius distanced himself from the others. The shields advanced some twenty feet, they parted slightly and crossbow bolts flew out. They struck the first line of the Animals. The Animals had not anticipated this and initially stood their ground. But, this was not a viable solution. The shields closed, but opened again within a few seconds and more missiles found their mark. As the shields closed again Siberius ran at them, he jumped and hit the first one square with a kick, but he kept moving, and ran across the face of the shields, which fell. Two of the NTG fell over and the Animals let out a barrage of arrows and spells. Ratsel let off a lightning bolt and Jacob plugged a few with arrows. Elodee felled one with her, now trademark Deep Slumber and the crowd went wild as the first man, Corozo, fell to the Enchantress.

Siberius grabbed Ryan but the head, dragged him in front of Anastasia and severed the unfortunate head from Ryan shoulders. He threw it at Anastasia, not in hope of hitting her, but as a signal of his intent for her. During this he bellowed at her that she should have had the minerals to be in the ring, and not send her minions to their slaughter. The crowd bayed for more gore. The NTG called for the rest to regroup and reorganise their tactics. Melvin started to bark orders and Jagger and Logan fell in line. The Animals moved in to attack Austin, Jimmy and Grey. Ti Ying fists flew, Dreizach’s flaming trident seared past Tyler as she hacked at the cleric. Shaniqua went invisible and followed Siberius who told her to flank with him. Elodee was now alarmed that no one stood before her for protection. Ratsel started to let loose his magic missiles.

Shaniqua moved in for a surprise attack, and all but killed her mark. Ti Ying took damage but Coolio had cast a spell that meant he consumed at least some of the monks’ wounds. As the Animals moved in for their own purposeful meanings and revenge of the atrocities of 22, no body remembered to protect Elodee. Melvin had cast, which saw a dimension door appear just behind Elodee. Through it came the wizard but also Jagger and Logan. Menacingly, Jagger smiled as Elodee realised the horror of what was about to come. Death was virtually instantaneous as Jagger bought his sword crashing down upon the unprotected shape-shifters body. Another roar from the crowd bought another death to the attention of the combatants.

Booooooom!

It was as if an earthquake had hit. Fire encompassed the arena, all trapped within the magic shield. An ear splitting explosion saw most of the people within thrown about by the almighty shock blast. N’Thaal-Dar and D’Jarra-Leon were chuckling to themselves. Logan was the only person who did not get up. The fight started afresh as people who were locked in battle now found themselves several feet apart, and with a different enemy closer. As more swords clashed off of each other, or swords bounced off armour or magical protection, Dreizach lunged forward with his flaming trident; he was caught off guard from the side. Grey had pushed his sword into the exposed flank. Dreizach too, fell. By now Ti Ying and Jacob had formed a partnership and offered safety in numbers. Just as Austin had cast another divine spell, he pointed out that Dreizach was not yet dead. This was his final act as Jacob killed him utilising his sword of wounding to devastating effect.

Shaniqua had finished off Corozo, just the Delayed Blast Fireball hit. She went to follow Siberius and helped him to finish Grey. Another look from the assassin to Anastasia, as he knew full well, that Grey was her brother. He then went to sit down opposite to stare at her, much to the annoyance of the Animals. Tyler battled with Jimmy now and was starting to lose, but Jacob and Ti Ying came to her aid. Jacob was filled with piss and vinegar as he verbally chided Jimmy faster than his swords could dance. Just as Jimmy lost the fight against the three, his sword flashed and caught Tyler and she fell, not dead but dazed.

Booooooom!

Another delayed blast fireball rocked the entire pub, again all the fire was kept within the magic of the barrier between gladiators and crowd. Again, the Animals were protected from the searing heat, but their opponents were not. Just Jagger and Melvin were left, and the explosion had knocked them both towards Ratsel. The tiefling was prone as the blast had knocked him down. Ratsel cast Mirror Image and six other Ratsel figures lay beside the original. Jagger and Melvin opened a volley of offensive attacks. Each time the hit, a fake Ratsel dissipated. Lady smiled broadly down on the tiefling, as they attacked each of the illusionary before exposing the real one. Ratsel was now desperate. He pointed to his own forehead and cast fireball. A seemingly pointless act of suicide, but as the arena was engulfed with flame once more, Ratsel cast Darkness. He rolled away and stood, and as Melvin dispelled the Darkness, Ratsel stood ready, his Kaleidoscope out and pointing at Melvin. The crowd roared their approval for the bluff and the class of the tieflings pen chance for entertainment. Unfortunately the magic missiles from him failed, as Melvin had Shield up. Melvin and Jagger fought desperately, but too little avail. Shaniqua joined the fray, but fell to a great move from Jagger. He seemingly slipped, but he spun round at the last second to deal a short sword through her stomach. Shaniqua might not have survived, but the magical protection linking her to Valerian served her with more life. Shaniqua was down, but not out. Just out of the fight.
As she fell, Siberius became interested once more. He leapt besides Ti Ying and asked if the monk was still ok for front line fighting. The halfling said he was so it took but seconds for Siberius, Ti Ying, Ratsel and Jacob to take down the last two. As the group were leaving, Ti Ying ran to Jimmy’s corpse, he punched a hole through the thieves’ chest and pulled out his heart. In another second he had leapt over the scattered corpses, and those who were now robbing them, and pushed the heart deep into the throat of Grey. A promise that the monk had made both the previous day was now kept. Ratsel cast Detect Magic and fleeced bodies as quick as he could. Siberius urged them all out. Tyler came conscious and wanted to walk out of the arena, but Siberius’ eyes widened in surprise and quickly caught her across her check bone with his elbow, sending Tyler back to her unconscious state. As the Animals and Siberius left the arena, another explosion rocked the foundations of the pub. N’Thaal-Dar laughed toward the New Thieves Guild and shouted that they would have difficulty in raising their dead now. As the dust and smoke cleared, there was nothing left in the arena.

Monterey was once more in Guild hands, and the Animals were mainly responsible. They returned back to the Sword of Orlathry and invited all of their Guild associates for a party. Valerian returned a little later after having the brave dead resurrected. As the party the Blade of Orlathry began in earnest. The Animals began to divide the spoils, when Siberius turned up; he apologized to Tyler for knocking her out but explained that he had done so to win his bet. He had bet that there would be just four Guild members left standing. Tyler got a little miffed at this, as she had lost her money as she had not been able to walk out herself. Siberius grinned and gave her the money she lost and enough to compensate her for her winnings that were lost through the assassins actions. As he paid up, he noticed Ratsel holding a nice sword. All humour fell from him. He asked for a sword which Rätsel was holding. The tiefling declined the request. Siberius lowered his voice and offered 5,000gp just to hold the sword for five minutes. There was more than a little menace in his voice. Still Ratsel declined the offer and Siberius turned and stalked off, but Tyler ran after him with the blade, offering it to him. This time it was Siberius who said no, and that it was useless to him now. She discovered why, as the she felt powerful magic flow through her. The sword offered her a wish. Tyler wished to be more competent at swordplay.

Discussions went on through the night about each animal having regular jobs. Elodee’s desire to have a tattoo parlour was talked about, and when she mentioned that she might practice upon pigs, fifteen barbarians from Kifco’s tribe ran off into the night in search of such beasts. As the party wore on, the barbarians came back with a pig each. The roasted some, and the party had hog roast. The barbarian contingent got a little rambunctious, but the night went well. Tomorrow will see a hangover or two.

Next time will see the Animals prepare for a trip to Jonger to have an old friend resurrected. It will also see the mystery behind Elodee’s new dress solved….
All in the next chapter of life within Bandaluthia.