The session begins with the party settling in the Minotaur to his new Druidic Grove home and returning to Zico for their reward.
Returning to the city there is more guards on the gate as it is clear a Festival is under way. Allowed passage to go and see the Baron, the party advise him of their completed mission. 60 gold is their reward.
The Baron is happy but distracted, planning the highlight of the Festival, delegating the party requests to his Lieutenant. Of his main concern was the battles between the Duchy of Prona and Zico, culminating in arena battles to determine the champions of the respective cities.
The officials from Prona were on full display:
• Night Captain Vesna Restevski who in the last Battle was just bested by Zico Captain Luiw Hao
• Baronessa Shorah Vetho, who manages the daily affairs of Duke Bravir Morton
• The Duke himself
• Brem Morton (Eldersdorf Duke Dravir)- the dukes son and heir who is brashly waiting for his father to retire and take command
The Stormbringers decide that this is their day to become the battle champions of Zico, choosing to enter the arena with their 3 best of Kildrake, Squall and Ereborn. Up against them were:
1. Dwarven crew- The stonecutters. Formidable looking Fighters
2. Gnomes crew - The Destruction Crew. Comprising a swashbuckler, an Arsonist (wielding bombs) and a Barbarian
3. Human Barons Crew - the Bosses Boys (including 1 girl)
Before the battle they pool 100 gold and Salazar makes way to the bookmakers, obtaining an 8:1 odds bet, paying out 800 gold on a win. A ripple goes through the crowd as Zico residents pile money on the Stormbringers, bringing the odds down to 2:1!
The Stormbringers are announced by Zorron, not before the lead Stonecutter Dwarf insults Ereborn as being with a “ragtag bunch”. Ereborn replies by spitting on the ground, proclaiming “Ye will find out why they call me Breakshield!”.
The party discusses first their strategy and wisely engage with the Bosses Boys as the Stonecutters and the Destruction Crew slog it out. Landing significant damage, as they both taking heavy hits from bombs detonating both on the dwarves and on the arsonist itself, blowing his own arm off whilst trying to take out one of the dwarves!
Meanwhile the party held up well and despatched the Bosses Boys with ease, and relatively unharmed! Wisely, They stand and wait in formation to take out the remaining combatants.
The dwarves take out all but the gnome Barbarian, who decapitates the last Dwarf, hungrily turning to the party who were still relatively unscathed, savouring the challenge.
However, he did not contend with the might of The Stormbringers. Trying to take out Ereborns legs, whilst hitting him, backfired, with the Warpriest hitting him then called a Lightning Destructive Wrath rebuke, battering him. Fittingly, he was finally bested by Squall the Barbarian, dealing the final blow.
Zorron sang a victorious tune as the The Stormbringers prevailed, earning a one on one champion battle.
The next challenge awaits with the spellcasters battle......coming soon to a Zico Arena near you!