Session 11

PCs (lvl 5): Gardain, Terric, Thana, Toruk

The ziggurat is completed, and the celebrations at the arena take place. The stadium is packed to overflowing, and all the exits are barred and guarded, as if the templars want to make sure no one leaves the arena before the end of the festivities.

The PCs fight in the initial matches before the Grand Melee, winning every battle among the cheers of the gathered crowds. When the main event begins, the most talented champions of Tyr fight for the entertainment of the sorcerer-king. The mul Rikus and his companion Neeva are gaining the upper hand, when something completely unexpected takes place.

A magical explosion dissolves whatever arcane barrier was surrounding the king's balcony, and Rikus throws his spear at Kalak. The spear, apparently a magical artifact from the Forest Ridge, pierces the king through the chest. As his half-giants bodyguards remove the king from sight, chaos spreads in the arena. Rikus and Neeva disappear from sight in the tumult.

The PCs fight to escape the arena, while trying to manage the panicked mob. To make matters worse, some sort of arcane ritual is draining the life force of those trapped inside the arena. Judging by the still present magical abilities of Kalak's templars, it's obvious that the Tyrant is still alive, and he's enacting whatever mad plan the ziggurat was the focus of.

Having fought their way through escaped beasts, templars and half-giant guards, the PCs and their entourage of slaves reach one of the main gates, barred by more templars and guards. They prepare themselves to face the magical assaults of Kalak's priests, but then suddenly the life-draining magic emanating from the ziggurat ends, as a roar of pain and anguish echoes across Tyr, as if the Dragon himself had suffered a mortal blow. The templars are unable to harness their magic, and the PCs realise that the Tyrant, wherever he may be, is dead.

Kalak's former lackeys run for their lives, and a great crowd gathers back into the arena. High Templar Tithian adresses the crowd from the king's balcony, backed by the champions of the arena and the leaders of the rebellion. He places Kalak's crown on his head, and declares himself King of Tyr.