Session 5: The Grand Melee

16th day of Gather in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
After getting everyone back on their feet, they left the crypt. The traproom wasn't without hazzle, but they did manage not to lose anyone going across the narrow wall with darts flying all around. Dante, Po, Evevan and Aram decided to get some much needed rest. They slept for most of the day, and by nightfall, they climbed up and out of the canyon and headed straight back to Silver Springs.

On the way home, Po ran out of water and contracted Sun Sickness.


20th day of Gather in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
Arriving back in Silver Spring, the four heroes quickly sought out Toramund to pay him his 10%. After settling the debt amiably, they picked up Amanda who had been busy training with her sword. Po also found an old woman who cured him of his Sun Sickness.


After taking care of the most immediate needs, they asked around and hooked up with Jose, a merchant, and his family who were going to travel to Tyr. 

22nd day of Gather in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
Setting out from Silver Springs, the caravan made its way across the red rock desert of the Tablelands, then penetrated to sandy dunes of the Sand Wastes. Amanda was still training with the sword, and showing a good understanding of fighting, but lacking the raw power to challenge Amar, Dante and the others.

29th day of Gather in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
After 7 days of peace and quiet, the caravan was attacked by a group of Silt Runners. The fight was quick, and before the PC's could kill their enemies, other Silt Runners had killed Jose and his family. They were now all alone in the middle of the desert. Fortunately, they had plenty of water. 

1st day of Festival of the Cooling Sun in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
After making their own way through the desert for a couple of days, Dante suddenly spotted something he first thought was clouds, but turned out to be a huge sandstorm. They tried to find a refuge, somewhere with walls, but failed and were instead forced to dig in, and ride out the storm. 


3rd day of Breeze in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
After almost 8 days, the sandstorm disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Some mounts had time, some water had been destroyed, but they still had more than enough to get home. 

9th day of Breeze in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
After 6 more days of finding the way through desert and rocks, the PC's finally arrived back to Tyr, tired, tanned but happy. On the way, they had encountered yet more Silt Runners, but those had not been a problem.

Back in Tyr, they settled their business with Argul, who was very happy to get more tablets with ancient house symbols and text written in an ancient common tongue. He promised to call on the PC's, should there be more they could do for him.

They also called on Vrylar, or rather Dante did, to hear what had happened regarding the Black Snake. And this is what he said:

Three men, all heavily cloaked came here a fortnight ago, looking for the Black Snake. They let know that they wished information about said assassin, and possibly where to contact him. But no word was left where they could be found. The templars have been looking as well. A couple of days ago, both an Iron Rat and a Toothcutter came here, asking about you, Dante, and your friends. They didn’t know your names, but an elf, thri-kreen, halfling, mul and an eladrin was what they were looking for. I can’t see it could be anyone but you guys. What on earth have you gotten yourself in to?
 
Dante left Vrylar after arranging that he contact him if anyone else should show up.

Then, at evening, as they were eating, they were joined by Omar, a friend of Amar and one of the arena-masters of the Stadium. He told them there would be a grand melee in a couple of days, where the winner could walk away with 10.000 gold pieces. Tithian himself was arranging it, to soothe the masses, who had begun being afraid. How was the 200 sacrifices to the Dragon to be chosen? Omar also told them that he could get them in, if they were interested.


They were.

9th day of Breeze in Sun Descending, Year of Priest's Defiance
They were seeded 21 out of 32. They got a lucky draw, facing number 29, then number 19, then number 17 before running into the top seeded, Mari and Grako, (a half-giant fighter and a half-elf psion) in the semi-finals. They put out a good fight, but eventually lost anyhow. Mari and Grako went on to beat the eladrin psion twins, V'kala and D'kala , in the finale.