Desert Delvers
Session 11
Gladiators
Chunk, Coine, Dorian, Urzein and Vaelen
Short Synopsis
The party travels aboard the Sand Swan to Manshaka. Along the way, they fight off a young serpent and two large merrows.
Upon arriving at Manshaka, Vaelen tries to find a friend, Qamar, who can help them with overland transportation to the Monastery of Alban. Unfortunately, Qamar has been abducted by Dalim and forced to fight in the gladiatorial arena. The party arranges to take the place of Qamar. They defeat a number of tigers, saber-toothed tigers and a chimera.
Long Synopsis
The adventurers take the Sand Swan to the port city of Manshanka. While Urzein and Coine relax atop, they see two large merrows climb onto the ship. Urzein confronts them. Coine summons a magical sea horse and calls for the others. Vaelen and Dorian come up and do their goth-magic thing. Although terrified of the sea, Chunk overcomes his fear to help his comrade. The barbarian goes into a rage and a giant spiked tail emerges from his body. The adventurers manage to slay the merrows and the sea serpent wisely retreats into the sea.
After two days of travel by sea, they arrive at Manshaka. Upon deciding to travel overland to the Monastery of Alban, Vaelen offers to introduce them to Qamar, who runs caravan routes. Unfortunately, Qamar’s wife reveals that Dalim, a local boss, has taken Qamar to satisfy a substantial debt owed. When the party finds Dalim, the see that Qamar is being prepared to fight in gladiatorial combat. The party suggest that their martial prowess would draw greater crowds than Qamar, and offers to take his place. Dalim agrees. After all, the beating heart of Manshaka is not the marble of the Senate, it’s the sand of the Colosseum.
On the next day, the adventurers stand ready for gladiatorial combat. One of the party members utters: “Whatever comes out of these gates, we’ve got a better chance of survival if we work together.”
They watch as gates open to unleash tigers and saber-toothed tigers upon them. Coine summons a wolf to intercept one of the tigers while Chunk and Urzein confront the others. Dorian is surrounded by tigers and *thunder-steps* away to help Chunk flank a tiger. Vaelen casts blindness and other warlock spells. Coine casts *jump* upon himself and leaps away from the fray. He hears the clinking of chains and sees the nearest gate open to reveal a hideous chimera. Urzein challenges the chimera to let Coine escape. Meanwhile, Chunk draws the concerted interest of all the tigers and saber-toothed tigers. While Chunk is surrounded, Dorian and Vaelen coordinate their attacks on the feisty felines. Urzein faces the chimera with assistance from Coine, including a magical hummingbird.
After Chunk, Dorian and Vaelen finish off the tigers, they turn their eyes towards the heavily wounded chimera. Dalim, realizing that his prized chimera might not survive, asks whether the party will grant mercy to the chimera. Dorian asks the crowd: “Are you not entertained?” Coine agrees to be merciful and Dalim’s servants take the wounded chimera away. Dalim seems pleased with the result – he drew in a large crowd and his expensive pet remains alive.
Bonus: Flynn’s Side Story
And where was Flynn all this time? He accidentally wandered to the helm of the Sand Swan and meets the First Mate.
First Mate: You ever been at the helm of a ship before?
Flynn: No sir, I’ve never been up in a ship like this before.
First Mate: Flynn, have you ever seen a grown man naked?
Second Mate: Do you want me to check the weather?
First Mate: No. Why don’t you take care of it?
Long Pause.
First Mate: Flynn, do you ever hang around a gymnasium? Do you like movies about gladiators?
[Flynn just stares in silence.]
First Mate: Flynn, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?
