Rosenkrantz 31

	Rosenkrantz_GM	Your party is escorted to the second arena. The prize for this match is listed as 10,000 Sabre-Wolf pelts. The Rosenkrantz Dynasty has put up another of its mutants to fight for it. This time, the setup is different. Blunt weapons are allowed, and two teams of two fighters each face one another. As such, you are seated in a private booth, shared with one Colonel Akerlund - owner of the
	Rosenkrantz_GM	pit-fighter teaming up with the abomination out of Josef's labs.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Akerlund is accompanied by a servant, and a bodyguard. The "Colonel" himself dresses in lavish attire, loosely based off of Calixian noble party garbs of a century ago. He has a think brown beard, which covers a good portion of his chest, and his fingers are decorated in assorted rings. The man clearly likes to wear his wealth... even if taste is lacking.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	His bodyguard, a large, broadshouldered man, with a thick protective vest covering only his torso, looks at you cautiously. He has the tattoos of a mercenary band on him, along with other less symbolic and more overt depictions of his violent personal experiences.
	Makh_Chomun	gives both the men his best glare as he sizes them up. He says not a word and let's his costume speak for itself as he stands behind Friedrich.
	Vivian	was rather displeased by the fact that she even had to tag along. But, captain's orders. Sitting quietly in her seat, her legs were crossed, her dataslate in hand, her free hand idly fiddling with her monocle as a light frown graced her lips. Every so often, she'd look upwards to survey the area. The match.
	Baine_Mort	"So what are we going to do with 10,000 sabre-wolf pelts if we win these as well?"
	Vivian	"I imagine the general idea is to barter with them."
	Vivian	looks towards Mort with a bit of a stare that indicated a bit of boredom.
	Baine_Mort	"That or make the largest fur coat."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Way I see it, we can make things extra interesting in here," Akerlund says after downing his drink.
	Vivian	perked up a touch, looking at Akerlund as her brow raised. "Oh..?"
	Josef	"My experiments has met the minimum requirements and the results are interesting."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"As this is set up, we stand to win 5,000 pelts, and you stand to win the other half..."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	he shifts his position on his seat.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I say we let the Ringmaster know that if both our fighters survive, they fight eachother for the full haul," he smiles
	Vivian	watched the man intently, a slow smirk starting to form on her lips. Intrigue was aroused, as she'd bring her chin to rest on her palm. Her elbow resting on her arm rest as she listened. "Hmm.. A fun little extra wager on who's fighter is better, hm?" Then she'd idly look to the side, towards Mort. "It is not my call- but if it were, I'd always be delighted to play."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Purser with you nods his head, running numbers on parchment.
	Baine_Mort	"Could be a good wager, through half and half still sounds good as well."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++I WELCOME YOU TO ANOTHER EXCITING ROUND IN OUR ARENA!++
	Baine_Mort	looks to Vivian, "What do you think, though half and half is profitable, winner take all is all very profitable."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++BUT THIS IS NO SENSELESS BRAWL! THIS IS A MATCH OF PAIRS, ARMED BY THE ARENA!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++COMING OUT OF THE FIRST GATE, WE SEE THE FIGHTERS OF THE MERIOCH LUDUS, AND THE SILVERNCOIN CARTEL!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The crowd cheers them on.
	Vivian	nodded in agreement. "It is, though I'd be more fascinated by what the terms are, for the fight." Then she'd look towards Akerlund. "What would you have our fighters do, if conditions were to work out to the point that we could establish our wager? Would this be a 'all-out-brawl', no rules..? Or would you prefer a more traditional approach?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Armed, following the rules of this competition. Until fighter incapacitation."
	Vivian	tapped her fingertip on the edge of her dataslate, then looked back to Mort. "..I think I would be game for this. It's a little more fun than just half, wouldn't you say?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++OUT OF THE SECOND GATE, THE FIGHTERS OF THE AKERLUND CONSORTIUM, AND OF THE ROSENKRANTZ DYNASTY!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Colonel Akerlund taps on his Chronos teasingly.
	Baine_Mort	"Yes I would be as well."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Akerlund smiles, and extends out his hand.
	Vivian	looked to Akerlund with a gentle smirk, then simply took hold of his hand. "May the best man win. Now, while we wait. Why don't I call for drinks, hm?"
	Makh_Chomun	grunts menacingly.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"A fine idea!" he says, with a laugh.
	Josef	makes the sign of the Omnissiah and watches in anticipation.
	Vivian	goes on to call for drinks to be brought up for all in the present room, paying for it, of course.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Shortly after the match has begun, amid the opening moves of the fight, a short servant enters, with some refreshments.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	At first, there is little in the way of teamwork. The mutant and the mercenary slave each part ways as soon as it all begins, going for their respective opponents.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The mutant goes into a frenzy, striking its opponent with the weapon provided dead in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Before its opponent can get away, a second brutal strike hits him in the chest, breaking ribs, forcing him to curl up and protect his chest.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The "colonel" jumps from his seat, seeing his team's successes so far.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Proper hit!"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The mutant, now seeing no threat in the badly beated man feebly curled up before him, turns.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	It charges straight at the two men engaged on the other side of the put.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	pit*
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Caught in its rage, however, the enormous mutant does not distinguish friend from foe, hitting its ally at full swing, forcing the mercenary slave to drop his weapon from the shredding attack, while screaming in pain.
	Vivian	flinched slightly, looking to the side as the sight unfolded. "Hmmh."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"That shit!" Akerlund bangs the armrest on his chair, rising to his feet in anger.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He turns to Mort menancingly, finger pointed just inches from his face, "YOU!!"
	Baine_Mort	"Yes?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"YOU FUCKING CHEAT!"
	Vivian	shook her head and sighed softly. Then offered a gentle, apologetic smile. Moving to stand, she'd hold her hand up to try to persuade Akerlund to calm down. "Please, I understand your anger, but hear us out."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	His bodyguard approaches, standing just behind Akerlund, and to his side.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The Colonel turns his head, meeting Vivian's eye. He blinks, and sighs, patting back his hair.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Forgive me, I forget myself," he says.
	Makh_Chomun	folds his arms and turns his Raven helm to make it seem like he is staring at the bodyguard.
	Vivian	stepped on over to place herself between Mort and Akerlund. "Mutants are what they are- mutations. Ours is unfortunately a little more feral than intended. I do apologize, but it looks as though our bet will have to go the wayside. We can still keep to our winning, half and half.. And how about as compensation, I personally see to the medical treatment of your fighter?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The mercenary bodyguard meets the Raven's glare, unblinking.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Concede another thousand pelts to my side, and I will call it fair," he says, suddenly much more composed.
	Vivian	opened her mouth to speak- though she would pause. Then she'd sigh, before offering a warm smile. "Who am I to protest. There are bigger prizes to obtain. I'd rather keep our interactions civil and happy. So be it."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++WHAT A TURN OF EVENTS! THE ROSENKRANTZ REPUTATION PROVES TRUE!++
	Makh_Chomun	chuckles at the man's obviously greedy offer.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"I am glad to be speaking to a sensible lady such as yourself. May I pour you another drink?"
	Baine_Mort	whispers to Vivian, "Maybe I can persuade him other wise?"
	Vivian	"Please. That would be delightful."
	Vivian	turned her head to Mort, raising a brow. Then immediately shook her head no.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Grabbing for the bottle, he raises his brow to Mort. Clearly displeased by the comment.
	Baine_Mort	shrugs his shoulders and returns to watching the fight
	Vivian	gave a gentle, dismissive wave of her hand, giving a low laugh. Then she'd move to take her refreshed drink before she'd take her seat. "Let's see how the rest of the events unfold! For better or worse, we're all having a great time!"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Great time, indeed... though it appears we are several thousand pelts richer!" he points to the pit.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Indeed, the mutant appears to have his opponent locked by the neck, gripping tight.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A wet snap signals the end of the match, as the man's body goes limp, falling to the ground.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++TEAM TWO WINS! 10,000 PELTS, TO THE AKERLUND CONSORTIUM AND ROSENKRANTZ DYNASTY!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Your purser scribbles down a new agreement to be shown to the ringmaster's men, signaling the distribution of the pelts on a 60/40 split, favoring Akerlund.
	Vivian	took a long sip of her drink.. Almost finishing the glass in that gesture, before she would move to stand up with a smile, giving way to proper applause. Then she'd turn and sweep into a polite curtsy to Akerlund. "A pleasure to share your companionship, Colonel. I do hope that we can continue to have a friendly interaction, at future crossings."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"And you. I look forward to spectating your participation in the more challenging events."
	Josef	"My experiments need some /adjustments/."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"My Lords," the purser's mate says when you're finally alone, "the next match for the Heart of Majesty's location has been postponed... damage to the arena from the previous match. Allowing psykers appears to have been a mistake."
	Vivian	"How unfortunate."
	Baine_Mort	"Must of been one hell of a match."
	Vivian	"Heretical."
	Makh_Chomun	chortles. It's muffled but still rather loud.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Casualties among the audience are still being counted."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"This means..." he continues, "that the next match we are involved in will include one of the relics, in the Grand Arena."
	Vivian	"Then it means we have a match to prepare for. Shall we, gentlemen?"
	Baine_Mort	"Yes we should, lets be on our way then."
	Makh_Chomun	uses his cloak in a very melodramatic display to his 'masters' the way out.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Due to the incident, now a large crowd is making its way to the Grand Arena. The construction of this place is legendary. The pit itself is modular, and able to adapt in the middle of a fight. The pit is as unpredictable and dangerous as any opponent. As such, it's said every fighter must also prevail 'against' the arena in order to survive, and she's an unforgiving mistress.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You are given your own small quarters, under the arena. You are able to relax and prepare.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Every team is allowed to make ready before they are called to a levatus that brings them up.
	Josef	"So.... /Raven/, how are you feeling?"
	Baine_Mort	stands against the wall waiting the fights to begin.
	Vivian	would be standing next to Mort. Arms crossed, her foot resting against the wall as well. A lho-stick loosely hanging from her lips. Unlit, for now.
	Makh_Chomun	"Like I'm visiting my old home, some good memories, many bad." Makh replied gruffly to mask his voice.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A cart arrives with the equipment for the warriors.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A notice comes with it- the arena has been prepared, and the people are enjoying an opening act, of the sorts only Spacehulk can deliver... "bloodying the pit" as he calls it.
	Josef	"New toys, Lady Vivian?"
	Vivian	gave a nod. "Have at it, and please. Enjoy."
	Makh_Chomun	"He still does that...some things never change."
	Josef	equips his new attire for this evening. He orders his mutants to do the same.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A tall, robed man enters your preparation chamber. "Handlders" Spacehulk employs in his events.
	Vivian	brings her hand up, giving a gentle kiss to the tips of her fingertips- blowing both Josef and Makh a good luck kiss. "The one with the higher kill streak will be rewarded a fine meal of his choice. Good luck, boys."
	Makh_Chomun	tenses up at the familiar sight of the 'Handler.' He keeps his cool thankfully, years of service to the Dynasty has forged his will to be as strong as steel.
	Makh_Chomun	gives the Acquisionist a gladiatorial salute.
	Josef	"This will be an interesting series of tests."
	Baine_Mort	"Good luck to both of you."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Rosenkrantz, is it? Your warriors will follow me to the levatus. As soon as you are called, you will be lifted into the arena where you will salute the Ringmaster and the guests of honor on the platform above the lower pulpits. The signal to commence fighting will be the drop of the Host's handkerchief.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"For those of you too dense to understand that, a warhorn will sound at that very time."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Guests and patrons," he says, looking at Vivian and Baine, "will follow the valet waiting on the far end of the levatus chamber, and up to your viewing balcony."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Are there any questions?"
	Makh_Chomun	shakes his head once.
	Vivian	gave a gentle shake of her head, before drawing away from the wall to follow the valet.
	Baine_Mort does the same and follows Vivian.
	Josef	"No."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Good." With that, he turns, and leads you to your places.
	Makh_Chomun	follows along, new weapon and armor equipped and ready to go.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The way you are taken to is a dark, cramped passage. To either side, you get glimpses of slaves operating cranks and large turn-wheels controlling mysterious mechanisms from under the arena. The sight is one all too familiar to Chomun. A life he once knew all too well.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You are finally left on a metal platform, with large thick chains on every corner. Above you, beams of light filter through the loose opening to the arena, from which the cacophony of the crowd rattles all around you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++AND NOW, THE TIME HAS COME!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++THE FACTIONS BEFORE YOU WILL BE ARMED, ARMORED, AND WILL FACE NOT JUST ONE ANOTHER, BUT THE CHALLENGES OF THE ARENA ITSELF!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Your gods be with you."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Wheels turn, and the chains rattle around you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Slowly, your platform beings to rise.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++SPACEHULK'S FIGHTING EMPIRE BRINGS YOU THE GREATEST WARRIORS IN THE EXPANSE!++
	Makh_Chomun	sends a soft prayer to the God-Emperor as the elevatus rises.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The light beams above you widen.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Sand falls on and around you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Soon, the platform fills the space of the opening once above you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The roar of the arena greets you.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Thousands of spectators.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Most are packed in the common seating, but several viewing platforms line the seating above.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The guests of honor, and the Ringmaster, sit on the largest and most grandious of these.
	Makh_Chomun	breathes in the sights and smells of the arena, something that brings back a very nostalgic feeling for him. It brings a shiver to his spine as he relives the many memories of glory and horror he's faced in the ring many times in his past.
    Makh_Chomun	"Did you miss me, oh old bloody ring of sand and gore?" He asks himself.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Then, he appears. Spacehulk stands, and moves forward to address the crowd, and the warriors.
		Rosenkrantz_GM	"PEOPLE AND HONORED GUESTS OF FOOTFALL! THESE MEN, SOON TO DIE, AND HONOR THEMSELVES IN BLOOD AND GORE FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT!"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Spacehulk, gives a gladiatorial salute to the men below.
	Baine_Mort	takes his seat to watch the fight.
	Makh_Chomun	salutes Spacehulk, though he loathes to do so. At the last moment he decides to use his old trademark salute from years long gone. Something to spook the man.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As the Ringmaster pans his salute and gaze to every team, he appears to briefly pause when saluting the Rosenkrantz teams.
	Vivian	settles into her seat as well, lighting her lho-stick before relaxing back with a sigh.
	Baine_Mort	"So how do you think the fights are going to go." Mort says to Vivian.
	Vivian	"It's hard to say. I've never seen either man in a fight before. It's like trying to figure out what a cake tastes like, before you've ever had cake. It'll be a treat either way."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	With little more, Spacehulk unties a bit of cloth from his arm, and holds it out. The crowd roars in anticipation.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	He finally releases it, and the warhorns sound the start of it all.
	Baine_Mort	"It really can go anyway just like any fight, I've been to a few fights here back in my days before I joined the Dynasty."
	Baine_Mort	"Well I've watched a few fight."
	Makh_Chomun	"Shall we Genetor?"
	Josef	"Let us continue."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Around you, the Arena shows a landscape with several dunes.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Some of them appear to hide mock ruins. Some sort of story the increasingly theatrical Spacehulk is trying to tell.
	Makh_Chomun	"Let's head to the nearest ruin." At that he starts trotting towards it, shock maul in hand, energy crackles from each spike as it's activated.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The mutants, oblivious to their surroundings, mindlessly follow.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	As the group makes it towards one of the ruins, the sound of sand being distrubed near them catches Josef's attention, but he is unable to make anything useful of it.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The tip of the 'ruin' is accessible with a series of metallic bars on one side, the view would certainly be better above, though room for only one man exists.
	Makh_Chomun	motions for Josef to search the ruins as he makes his way up the 'pillar.'
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The mutants stay relatively close to the Genetor.
	Josef	leads his mutants to investigate the 'ruins'.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Once at the top of the pillar, "the Raven" is visible to all. The crowd cheers him on.
	Makh_Chomun	drinks in the crowd's cheers. Ahhhhh the memories it brings, it almost fills him with determination.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	From this point of view, Chomun is able to see a good deal of the arena's area. Far to the opposite side of the arena, one of the teams appears to be making its way up a 'tower' of sorts, with two fighters from another group apparetly stalking them. It's at that moment, that Chomun notices movement underneath him... a large creature, with shining skin rushes into the ruins Josef has entered.
	Makh_Chomun	descends back down the makeshift ladder and stalks the stalker.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++DIRECTLY FROM THE SANDS OF VAPORIUS! WE BRING YOU EXOTIC BEASTS OF GREAT FEROCITY AND VALUE! BEHOLD THE SPECTACLE TO UNFOLD AS THEY ARE RELEASED!++
	Makh_Chomun	"Josef! Behind you!" He roars out as he makes it to the entrance of the ruin.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The sounds echoing inside make Chomun's warning undecipherable. Josef continues forth...
	Makh_Chomun	advances inside after the warning to hopefully pincer the creature.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Out of seemingly nowhere, one of the mutants trailing behind Josef gets pounced by a hideous creature or a pink-crystaline skin and a rounded mouthful of teeth.
	Josef	charges at the creature, but the creature dodges it.
	Vivian	quietly sits back, pondering upon ordering a snack. Looking at Mort, she'd chime out. "..Are you hungry? I could go for a light snack."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"My Lady," a familiar voice calls to Vivian sheepishly.
	Vivian	immediately perked up and looked back to the voice. "Yes?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Standing on the doorway is the figure of the young vallet, Dennis.
	Josef	Mutant 001 strikes at the creature inflicting some damage with his warhammer
	Baine_Mort	"A little bit, though I don't mind waiting either." Mort says in response to Vivian as he watches the match.
	Makh_Chomun	charges into the dim interior just in time to see one of the mutants attack the creature. He swings in with his shock maul, putting all his strength behind it. It smacks into the thing's arm with such force that it rips it off in a welter of gore, and the thing dies almost instantly. From the shock, Makh supposes.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Dennis approaches Vivian, and places a small note on the small table next to her seat.
	Makh_Chomun	"Hahahaha, that's a warm up, oh yeah."
	Vivian	quietly picks up the note, opening it to read it.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	While the creature lay writhing in agony, dying, you hear the shouts and calls of other men.
	Vivian	simply.. Smiled. Then nodded in appreciation to Dennis, before tucking the note away into a pocket. "Thank you, Dennis." Moving to stand up, she'd bring her hand to rest on Mort's shoulder. "I'll go and acquisition our snacks, then. Be back in a bit."
	Baine_Mort	nods, "See you when you get back."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The young vallet stays with the Master of Ordnance, waiting on his needs.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Meanwhile, the calls get louder... closer. The mutants are uneasy.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	At least three distinctive voices can be heard.
	Makh_Chomun	whispers to Josef to quiet his mutants down in rogue cant.
	Josef	"Silence, my pets. Soon... we will strike."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	They breathe heavy, looking to the entry passage and back to the Genetor.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The voices get louder, and cleared, "...weapons anywhere. In here?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Forget it. Don't want to run into another creature."
	Makh_Chomun	"Too late!" Makh roars as he charges into the nearest man.
	Josef	runs and follows near Chomun.
	Makh_Chomun	The Lord-Protector, incognito, slams his shock maul meatily into the first man he comes into contact with. Through luck the maul finds a chink in the armor as bolts of electricty arc out and seem to petrify the man. Makh swings his weapon back, dislodging it form the man as he prepares for his next victim.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The fighter nearest all of this, is large, covered in tribal tattoos. He quickly turns around, for a moment confused by the situation. His insticts kick in, and he braces, as though by reflex, ready to strike at the raven.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Charging up the dune, however, he nearly loses his footing, completely failing in his attempt.
	Josef	runs past the group of foes, turns around, and charges at them. He strikes one of the fools whom attacked Lord Chomun.
	Baine_Mort	watches as Josef, Chomun, and the mutants fight the other competitors.
	Makh_Chomun	charges at the remaining gladiator, swinging his maul yet again with a cry upon his lips. "Feel the Raven's claw!" Alas he misses the man by mean inches.
	Josef	tries to strike at the opponent, but he dodges.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Likewise, the fighter misses his retaliatory strike.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Josef's opponent takes a chance to strike at him, hitting him in the arm to... no effect.
	Makh_Chomun	slams his maul in quick succession into the man's arm then head. When the head of the mauls impacts upon the scum's skull is explodes in a welter of gore, splattering his helm in blood and bone chunks. He roars in victory as he feels the hot sting of blood in his eyes before blinking it away.
	Josef	strikes at his foe's chest, destroying the rib cage and leaving his foe on the ground.
	Josef	calls for his mutants to finish the job.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The mutants now arriving at the scene from the ruins spot the paralysed man just outside the entrance.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	What follows is a hideous display of violence, as he is torn apart, to the grotesque enjoyment of the crowd.
	Josef	"Was the arena always like this, Mr. Raven?"
    Makh_Chomun	"Yes. Sometimes worse, sometimes better. Depended on the event. I remember once we had a mock battle, ten of us versus fifty feral mutants. We had nothing but pipes and bricks to start. Only three of us survived."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++AND NOW... THE RACE TO THE DEVICE!++
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++WHO WILL WIN?! WHO WILL DIE?!++
	Josef	"A Race?"
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The ground beneath you begins to shake; the sand moving as though a fluid. The landscape begins to change, and in the center, a pyramid rises.
	Makh_Chomun	"Huh, Spacehulk has really gotten melodramatic."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Already, you see two rival groups fighting at the base of the slopes.
	Josef	"Shall we, Mr. Raven? It is rude to keep them waiting."
	Makh_Chomun	"Of course." Makh then starts leading the way.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The sands continue to shift underneath you, it's as though the arena truly is alive.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Sand appears to turn to liquid, but Chomun, The Savage... the Raven - is able to navigate his way.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Josef and his mutants, however...
	Rosenkrantz_GM	they begin to sink uselessly.
	Makh_Chomun	starts cursing. He turns back to help his team navigate the semi-quicksand.
	Josef	gets saved from the sand pits by Lord Chomun. Afterward, they attempt to save the mutants and fail to save the injured one.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The one left behind soon disappears beneath the surface of the sand.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	By now, there are at least three opponents well on their way to the top.
	Makh_Chomun	"Rotten luck." He looks to the pyramid. "Alright, double time!"
	Josef	"Indeed."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	You reach the pyramid, and begin to ascend. However, you are not alone. You can hear the struggle on a level higher above.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	From what you see, the pyramid itself is a hazard. You encounter at least two bodies caught in vicious traps as you push your way forward.
	Baine_Mort	begins to wonder what is taking Vivian so long with the space nachos.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	The party pushes through a level infested with psychic abominations. These "unquenched" are able to hurt Josef, but soon retreat into the secret passages of the pyramid as the structure begins to rattle.
	Josef	"I should have researched more into this events prior to my involvement."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	++WE HAVE A WINNER! THE LAST TWO OF THEIR TEAM HAVE CLAIMED THE DEVICE! THOSE WHO HAVE FAILED MUST NOW FIGHT NOT FOR THE PRIZE, BUT FOR THEIR LIVES!++
	Makh_Chomun	"Intersting."
	Rosenkrantz_GM	A horrid, bone-chilling screech fills the arena. For a moment, it even silences the spectators.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Seconds later they erupt in shouts and cheers and excited calls, as they realize they are about to be given a deadly spectacle.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	"Emperor preserve them..." Dennis says, suddenly catching a glimpse of the vile creature clawing its way up the pyramid.
	Rosenkrantz_GM	Mort sees it, too. A hulking beast of terrifying aspect. Emperor preserve them, the thought echoes in the Master of Ordnance's mind.
	Baine_Mort	puts his hands together and preys the the emperor to protect Josef and Chomun from this vile beast."
WHO WILL SURVIVE!?

Other Session:

<Rosenkrantz_GM> The note is a short report. It simply states that the relics are known to be on Spacehulk's ship, and that the schedule for their transfer to the arena for ceremony is now known to the Dynasty's agents.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> Dennis follows you out, as is his duty.
<Vivian> "Dennis. Will you please see to it that Mort is comfortable for now?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "My Lady," he says, with a bow.
* Vivian looked to him, giving an approving nod with a smile, before she would make her way along to seek out a place of relative silence. Leaving her as alert as can be, for the time being.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> The people around you are unsurprisingly focused on the fight.
* Vivian frowned, but was all the same, thankful for the distraction of the fight. Activating her Micro-bead, she'd tilt her head to cup her hand over her ear, intent to make contact with one of the agents she had at the ready, for this mission. The goal was this- Find the crew responsible for the transport- bribe/threaten and replace them, then have a mock-relic at the ready for a switch. Swift, quick, and hopefully painless.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> A quick double click on her commbead signals that her intent to communicate is known to those listening in.
* Vivian spoke softly, her voice gentle and smooth, barely able to be heard for now, save for those who are intent to hear it. +The battle is on, our time is growing short. I am making my way to extraction point. Is everyone in place?+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> +There is information that requires your attention. Comms lines not secure. Will contact in person.+
<Vivian> +Affirmative. Awaiting contact.+
<Rosenkrantz_GM> A man in the uniform of an arena employee walks past you. You notice a small raven pin just under his collar. He walks towards an empty entry booth.
* Vivian perked up slightly at first- her head tilting to the side. Turning on heel, she'd casually start to head in the direction of the arena employee. In her effort to look as casual as possible, she would follow to establish contact.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He looks down to the entrance logs as if reading through them. Instead, however, the words he says are of an entirely different nature.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "The shuttle and crew all belong to Spacehulk. We were unsuccessful in our attempts to infiltrate; our agent is now thought to be under interrogation. We are sorry."
<Vivian> "It is unfortunate, but sometimes our plans will not always work. ..Please make certain that arrangements are made to compensate our agent for his efforts." Then she paused, before leaning forward a touch to look as though she was peering over the list as well. "In terms of security, how much power is there to deal with? With his best in the arena, he wouldn't have enough on hand to be a big issue, would he?"
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "His best are not to fight until the final stage of the blood sport. They will take on the prevailing team, the prize being the centerpiece of the relics. But he has a ship. Armsmen, and crew in the thousands."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "However..."
<Rosenkrantz_GM> He now looks up at you.
<Vivian> She would look back up to him, watching intently as she listened carefully.
<Rosenkrantz_GM> "Should subtlety be deemed unnecessary, we have gathered information on Spacehulk's ship. It's systems and weaknesses, and wavering loyalties of his crew. An engagement with the Consequence will almost certainly be lethal; his crew likely to mutiny."
<Vivian> "The consequences of engagement, however.. Hmmh. There's also a likely chance the relics would be destroyed, and we'd gain the ire of any that favor the games to follow. ...It'll be a last resort, if those in the arena now, fall."