The Heroes and the Female Combatant emerge from their huddle, and turn back toward the center of the arena. The Jester muttered something to himself, and sat down upon the sandy ground. He placed his hands flat on the ground behind him, leaning back to take in the sun. The Female Combatant looked at him confused, then thought better of trying to de…

The Female Combatant watched as the opposing groups of fighters formulated plans for the upcoming trial. She turned back to the Heroes to get started and realized they had their backs to her, already figuring out their next move. She puffed her cheeks in frustration, then pushed her way into the huddle. Eager to be a part of the team, she wanted to…

The Heroes follow their attendant off of the stage and into a small, marked area near the interior wall of the arena. The female combatant followed right behind them happily, much to the disdain of the Heroes. They were directed to stay within the marked area, and as the Jester tested this the attendant quickly slapped him across the face with a sm…

The man continued to address the crowd, explaining what the competition would be. The combatants would be split up into different areas of the arena. Each group would be given a small stone tablet with a marking on it. There were two versions of these tablets, and the combatants would battle it out to find the opposite version of the tablet to thei…

The fantastically dressed man held his hands up, inviting the audience to cheer even louder. They roared their approval, and the man reveled in it. He turned in place, allowing himself to bask in the noise. When he had his fill, he motioned for the crowd to silence themselves. He waited for the noise to recede, and began to speak. He played to the …

The combatants grouped together atop the central platform, turning around to view the entirety of the arena. The crowd roared with excitement, ready to cheer on the violence that awaited the opening horn. The Heroes gazed into the stands, spotting a larger seating platform likely reserved for royalty. They noticed a display featuring a large red je…

Stepping out into the arena, the Heroes wait for their eyes to adjust to the sunlight. The thunderous roar of excitement from the crowd sent electric bolts of energy coursing through them. As the brightness cleared, the Heroes gaze up into the crowd, their eyes passing across the faces of thousands of excited onlookers. Audience members of all ages…

The Heroes sat up and turned toward the female combatant. The Jester - though grinning as always - was annoyed at her arrival, pointing at her and emitting a slight hiss. This alone was enough to cause a number of the room's occupants to slowly shift further away. The Woman had stopped aiming her bow around the room and held it directly at the fema…

With the group of combatants around them looking on in frustration, the Heroes had decided to make themselves comfortable. The Jester had stretched out across the bench, and begun to take a nap with a large grin across his face as he slept. The Swordsman Hero had gone through multiple pieces of bread, an apple, a small fry pie, a few pieces of jerk…

The Heroes find a place to sit down and prepare to wait until the beginning of the events. A gruff looking warrior gave an uncertain look of worry as the Jester sits down beside him with a wide grin. When they had entered, the Heroes were simply newcomers to the space. Now that a moment had passed, they felt the eyes of everyone upon them. They wer…

Walking through the back entrance, the Heroes pretended to act surprised as they saw familiar individuals and creatures. Their previous escapade into the arena had already prepared them for what awaited them in this area, though they had never been able to get a clear picture of what trials would await them in the main arena. They continued forward…

The Heroes force their way through the crowd and up to an entrance of the arena. They are stopped by a guard, clearly agitated at having been put on duty on such a frantic day. They ask him how they can get in as combatants, and he directs them around to a different entrance. They turn to make their way there and are greeted by a screaming hoard of…

Finishing their meal, the Heroes thanked the barkeep and stepped outside. The crowd continued to grow rapidly, flowing like a strong tide through the city streets. The Heroes are pulled into the throng of people, unable to work their way across the street. They continued being pulled along, unsure of what would happen to them at the end of the stre…

Knowing they would need their rest, the Heroes turned in for the night. With the sound of the city rabble just outside of their windows, the Heroes found it difficult to fall asleep. Having grown used to camping on the road, they had experienced more difficulties in the city. The growing number of people arriving in the city due to the tournament w…

The Heroes make their way back to the Inn they were staying in, eager to rest for the evening before continuing their preparations for the upcoming tournament. As they weave their way back through the winding streets they feel a buzz throughout the city. With the start of the tournament quickly approaching, everybody was busy preparing. Vendors wou…

With the young guard having finally calmed down, the Heroes assured him that they would allow him to be free if he agreed to let them leave without fuss. He agreed, and so the Jester undid his magic. The Swordsman Hero helped the young guard out of the mud and to his feet, with the ground solidifying behind him. He dusted himself off and looked bac…

With the young guard racing towards them, the Heroes quickly decide what to do. The Jester whispered a few words to himself before placing his hands upon the ground. As the young guard ran, the dirt before him began to bulge and he fell into a murky pool of mud. As quickly as the ground had become soft, it hardened back up and held the young guard …

After sneaking their way through the bars of the gate and out into the arena, the Heroes glance around the spacious area. The steep seating rose high into the sky, allowing for massive audiences to cheer on the combatants below. The Heroes could easily imagine the roar of the cheering onlookers as each sword was swung, and each fighter fell. As the…

The Heroes approach the gate, peering out between the bars. The arena was packed full of large walls, likely a maze of sorts. There were also cages along the outer perimeter containing creatures of all shapes and sizes. The one nearest them held a large bear, and the next contained a trio of snarling wolves. The Heroes assumed that contestants woul…

Climbing out of the pit, the Heroes examine the cages and cells surrounding them. Various creatures lay slumbering inside the largest cages, with some rough individuals sat inside the small cells. The area appeared to be a holding space for imprisoned combatants, as well as beasts that would fight in the arena. The Heroes carefully crept forward, n…

The Heroes crept through the damp tunnel, watching their step as they moved around rats and scraps of what could only be described as "debris" scattered about. A small stream of what they hoped was water flowed through the center of the tunnel, carrying with it a less than pleasant aroma. The air was damp and hung heavy over them, urging them forwa…

Working their way around the perimeter of the arena, the Heroes searched for an alternative entry point that would be unguarded. Entry after entry had guards stationed at them, so sneaking in was proving to be difficult. After circling what seemed the entire arena, they eventually came to the water's edge at the docks. They looked around and spotte…

The Heroes asked around and were able to find out that the arena was near the edge of the city along the harbor. This was likely done to ease the arrival of warriors from afar via ships, as well as bring in exotic beasts for display. They made their way through the winding city once more, spotting various criers announcing the start of the tourname…

The Swordsman Hero returned inside the orphanage to find that the female combatant had arrived. She nervously looked at the Heroes, awaiting their decision. The Heroes looked amongst themselves before the Swordsman Hero stepped forward. He informed her that they would take part in the tournament, though she would need to join them. She leapt up and…

The Swordsman Hero handed the small doll back to the small girl and looked around the area. Other than the roughly designed cemetery, the surrounding buildings were formed of cracked walls and constricting vines. It was quiet here, and very few people must have made the trek toward the edge of the city to get here. The scraps around the orphanage w…

The Swordsman Hero approached the small child and knelt down beside her. She turned to look up to him, and handed him a small doll. It was crudely constructed, made from scraps of cloth with broken buttons for eyes. It appeared to be stuffed with various bits of grass and weeds. He handed it back to the girl, and she gently placed it upon a freshly…

After cleaning up the orphanage for a while, the Heroes finally decide to take a break. The Swordsman Hero stepped outside to investigate the area. It was a run down part of the city, with no foot traffic. The surrounding buildings were cracked, with vines slowly consuming their exteriors. He noticed a small form moving behind the orphanage, and so…

Waking up the next morning, the Heroes said goodbye to the disgusting innkeep and made their way back to the orphanage. Walking along the city streets, they noticed how lively the city was for so early in the morning. Children ran around playfully, guards made their morning patrols, and shopkeepers cleaned the front of their shops. Upon arriving at…

The Heroes pondered whether it was really worth their time being sidetracked by an entire tournament. They told the female combatant that they would consider it and return to the orphanage with their decision. She wasn't happy with their delayed answer, and begged them to agree. The Swordsman Hero explained that she couldn't demand anything of them…

The Heroes continued to look around the crumbling building, quickly realizing that it was entirely unsafe for the children to be there. Chunks of the walls were missing, and dust held thick in the air. The children coughed continuously and some sat shaking in corners. Makeshift beds had been crafted from old rags of clothing and blankets. The femal…

Realizing what he had done, the Swordsman Hero helped the female combatant to her feet. She quickly came to understand that they were being chased, and urged them to follow her. The did so, and made their way through the maze-like streets. Eventually they reached what appeared to be a run down old building in a forgotten part of the city. Entering …

The Heroes made their way back out of the tower and into the main hall of the cathedral. What greeted them was a swarm of people with horrified looks on their faces. Apparently the screaming of the monsters and subsequently the religious leaders has echoed down into the main area of the cathedral. The Heroes realized they needed to be as inconspicu…

With the remains of the creatures still smoldering in the next room, the Jester shut the door viewer to contain the smell. Turning back to the religious leaders, they shook in fear at the Jester's sinister grin. The small skeletons wriggled around in a way to force the leaders to move. The skeletons around the burned door pulled it off its hinges a…

After allowing the Jester to politely ask a few questions, the Heroes were satisfied that they had gotten at least some of the truth out of the men. They turned to look back at the door which held in the group of creatures. The Jester peered back through the small slat in the door and figured the rough whereabouts of all of the hideous beasts. Turn…

With a wave of his hand, the Jester summoned his small skeletal minions. They grabbed the bishop and other religious leaders, holding them in place. The men screamed in terror, shocked that the Heroes would act against them. The Swordsman Hero walked between them, eyeing them up. He stopped at one of the oldest looking men in the bunch. Staring the…

The Jester held his ground as the forms in the room rushed at the door. Unfazed by the commotion, he watched as they passed into the light from the door. Even from just the glimpses he could tell what was contained in the darkness of the secluded tower in the massive cathedral. About a dozen feral vampires scurried around in the room before them, e…

The bishop gestured for the Jester to assist in opening the door, and the Jester obliged. Small skeletons emerged from around the hinges of the door, pulling it off of its hinges. The Jester caught the door before it could fall and injure the group behind him. He checked the door, and then placed it gingerly back on the hinges. Opening and closing …

After climbing what felt like a thousand stairs, the Heroes notice the bishop and leaders stop in front of them. They murmur amongst themselves a bit before the bishop gestured for the Jester to come forward. The Jester looked around uncertainly, and then awkwardly pushed his way up the stairs. He first passed by the slender Woman, and then easily …

Climbing up the stairs, the Heroes could see that each step they took grew less and less worn, as though those that had used it had lost their nerve and turned around. Each step had fewer cracks, and wore more and more dust, as nobody had bothered to climb far enough to clean them. The Heroes heard a muffled noise from further up the staircase. It …

The door wouldn't budge. The attendant tried pulling again, but it made no difference. He put his foot on the wall, putting all of his strength into pulling, and still the door wouldn't move. The Jester motioned him to step aside, and so he did. The Jester placed his hand onto the door, and small skeletal fingers crept out from around the hinges. T…

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the Heroes are finally called upon by the bishop. They turn to see him standing with a few religious leaders. They look at the Heroes cautiously, unsure of what to make of them. The leaders looked wary of the Jester in particular, though there was probably good reason for that. The Bishop waved the He…

The Heroes explained to the bishop what had occurred to them on their travels. They told him of the cave with the massive beholder in it, and the ritual being performed on the Woman. They spoke of the town with the sinister lord, and what ill fate had befallen him. Finally, they discussed the mishap in a small village that had been taken over by va…

The Heroes stood over the small man, who identified himself as a bishop. His face still pale from encountering the Jester, he carefully continued to look over the Heroes. It appeared as though he was still quite shaken up, and so the Swordsman Hero stepped forward to calm him down. He assured him that they were merely there to provide information a…

The Heroes walked out of the alleyway and back onto the main street. Behind them, the female combatant sat with her back up against a wall. Her face bore a disgusted look, brought on by what the Jester had spoken to her. She no longer wished to join the Heroes on their adventure. They continued down the road until they saw one of their destinations…

The female combatant panicked, swiping at the small skeleton around her leg. She gasped again as two additional skeletons came out of the ground, as though they were plants growing from the earth. They wrapped their arms around both of her legs, causing her to lose balance and fall to the ground. As she fell onto her face, she scrambled to stand ba…

The crowd cheered as the female combatant continued to celebrate. She tossed coins from the chest up in the air, with the crowd rushing to pick them up off of the ground. The Heroes watched on, entirely unamused by what they had seen. They had been chatting amongst themselves during the fight, commenting on how poorly they believed the combatants h…

The female combatant put her entire strength behind the blow, bringing her axe down with a thundering force. The spearman raised his spear to block it, but the axe split the spear in two. Shards of the splintered wood went flying in every direction, and the axe found it's resting place in the man's chest. He gasped for air as his lungs collapsed in…

The axe wielding woman turned to face the spearman, yanking her axe from the dead man's head. She looked around for her other axe, which had inexplicably found its way into the chest of an onlooker. Nobody had panicked, as this was merely the result of watching an arena battle up close. A man in the crowd walked over and pulled the axe from the scr…

The Heroes watched on as the few remaining combatants eyed each other up. One of them was a hulking man wielding a large spiked mace. Blood dripped from its end, staining the sand at his feet. Another man held a large spear in one hand, and a small wooden shield in his other. His shield was cracked and chipped, but he was prepared to use it. The fi…

After hiding the bodies of the thugs, the Heroes continued through the alleyway. It was winding, and brought them through a more run-down part of the city than they had anticipated. Small, scrawny children peered out of their windows at the Heroes as they passed by. The Jester smiled up at them, causing them to flee back into their homes. Eventuall…