The adventurers began their hunt for Enoch's Acolytes in the northern city of Portus Magnus. Upon Arrival, the group split to cover more ground. Peanut, Frost, and Watcher headed toward the Colluseum, while Hagatha, Solstice and Dathron went to procure lodging and learn more about the town.
Entering the Inn, it was clear to the party that services had not yet begun for the day. The Innkeeper greeted them. "How can I help you folks? We haven't yet opened the bar, but can I interested you in some Lodging?"
Dathron hands him some papers. "We are travelling as protection for a merchant, just passing through, though we will be here for a few days. Do you happen to have group or weekly rates?" "Sure, we can work out a weekly rate. How Many Rooms do you need?" "Well, there are 6 of us, would 3 Beds suffice?" Hagatha chimes in. "Any chance you'd also be willing to adjust our rate if I were to perform a few nights?" "Sure! If you agree to 4 performances, I'll give you 3 rooms for the week at 15GP." Dathron hands the innkeeper the gold, then turns to leave. "I'm going to go check out the town. By the way, is there a job board nearby?" "Oh, there's no job board here. We really have no need for one." said the inn keeper. Dathron raises an eyebrow; "Why is that?". "There's an inventor that lives on the edge of town. Whenever something in town needs to be taken care of, he either sends his assistant, or builds a contraption to solve the problem. We've really had no need for freelancers." Dathron pauses and considers this information. He turns to the group "I'll catch up with you later.". He leaves the Inn. Hagatha and Solstice decide to join the others at the Arena.
Approaching the arena, Peanut, Frost and Watcher immediately see a group of workers carrying crates and other supplies in through a large door. Without pause, Peanut continues walking straight up to the door and tries to push through. Frost gets in front of him. "What are you doing?!" "Uh, I'm going inside?" "But, the way is blocked, you can't just walk over people! They'll get hurt!" "They'll move." "How do you know that?!" "Well, they always do" "What if they don't this time?" "Only one way to find out" Frost steps to the side and watches Peanut walk into the building. He then hears a noise behind him "Psst". He turns to see Watcher motioning to another gate. "This is the main entrance.". As Frost joins Watcher, they turn to see Peanut being escorted out by two workers, a rope around one of his horns. "You can't be in here! Come back for the fight!". Peanut looks at them in disgust, then longlingly looks at the door, having seen all the gleaming armor and freshly sharpened weapons.
He joins the other two at the main entrance, and decides to enter. Peanut approaches the empty ticket counter. "Hello. I'd like to buy a ticket please.". Frost just looks at him. "Uh, Peanut, there's no one there.". Peanut looks around, peeks over the counter, and around the corner. No one in sight.
Peanut throws his hands up. "Aw, this is boring! I'm going to go somewhere else!" and begins walking toward the market district. Watcher announces he is going to go find somewhere to study the local history, and also heads off. Solstice and Hagatha join Frost.
Dathron had been wandering around the busy part of the city taking in the sights and sounds. The city was at peak excitement for the upcoming event at the colluseum. As he walked around, Dathron heard notes about a mysterious fighter slated to fight "The Champion". No one knew who he was or what he looked like, so Dathron seized the opportunity. He approached a particularly excited pair arguing over who the stranger would be. "Ah, I happen to have some inside information! The mystery fighter is none other than an ENORMOUS Minotaur! He carries a great axes as long as he is tall, and has never lost a fight in all his years of competition! Now he wanders the countryside looking for someone who can best him." The villagers look at him. "Are you sure? That doesn't seem right. No one ain't heard of no minotaur in the arena in years. They just ain't that excitin'" The other villager speaks up "Nah, I heard t'was one o' them shifters. You know! Them fey folk that can channel strength of a beastie!" The two villagers begin to bicker with eachother again, and forget all about Dathron. He continues to poke into conversations to spread the rumor of the Minotaur fighter coming to compete against The Champion.
A while later, Peanut arrives in the market. He approaches a stall and makes some smalltalk with the shop owner. Getting information on where to find acorns for his squirrel, Jelly. He purchases a few bunches of Bananas, and beings to meander through the market, looking for a magic shop.
As he walks along, he hears some rumors of a Minotaur with a Fighting Squirrel competing in the arena. He thinks to himself /could that be me and Jelly?…. Nahhh, Jelly ain't a fighter./. A bit later, an excited passerby cheers at him and gives him a high-five. "Way to go, This will be exciting!". Peanut turns and gives him a confused look as the man disappears into the crowd.
Back at the Arena, Hagatha, Solstice, Frost and Watcher decide that they should keep an eye on the service entrance that Peanut had been tossed out of earlier. Solstice sneaks up from a corner to eavesdrop on the workers as they unload. She doesn't hear anything of note, but sees an abnormally large amount of spears for any arena fights she's ever seen. After a bit of watching, she releases her pet mouse into the building, tasked with finding The Champion and their quarters.
The others overhear a conversation between the workers. "That's the last of the gear. Get it to the smithy in town. Boss said money's not important, he wants them all fixed for the fight!". The workers hop on the wagon and head into the city center.
Dathron joins the group and gets caught up to speed. He then proceeds to enter the arena and go to the Manager's Office. "Oh, Hello. You here to fight?" "Well, I'm not" handing the manager a piece of paper. "I'm the escort for a fighter though. My employer is the indefeated champion of whole realms! He's a fiersome Minotaur who fights along side his ferocious fighting squirrel!". The manager stares for a moment. "A squirrel? How big we talking?". Dathron responds "Well, it's normla size, but it's a fighter for sure!" "Well, I'll tell you what, entry fee is 20GP. You can sign here." "I have a better proposal for you. Instead of the entrance fee, you will wave it because of the croud my employee will draw. The town is already talking about him! He will handily win each round, then fight your Champion." The manager laughs. "Tell you what, If your boss can land 3 blows on The Champion, not only will I waive your fee, I'll give you 100 Platinum Pieces!". He chuckles again. Dathron considers for a moment. "If the pair of them land 3 blows on The Champion, 100 Platinum?" "Fine, I'll do you one better. The Champion keeps a stash of magical items. I'm sure I can convince them to add one to the pot.If your Minotaur AND his Squirrel can /each/ land 3 blows, You can have it all. That item is worth more than the Platinum itself." Dathron extends his hand. "Deal". He signs the contract and leaves.
Outside, Peanut is returning from the market. He seems to be on a mission and bound directly for the arena entrance. Dathron sees him approaching and hurries to intercept. "Hey Peanut. Good news! You're going to compete!" "Huh?" "Yea, all taken care of. I signed you up." "But Why?" "Well, that's what you do,right? Fight? I even convinced the manager to pay up if you and your Squirrel can each land 3 hits on The Champion. We will be rich!" "But Jelly can't fight. He's my buddy." "Well big guy, you have 2 days to teach him." Peanut pauses for a moment, then Nods. "Alright.". He walks over to the nearest tree, A medium sized pine. He sets Jelly on a branch. "Alright Jelly, I need you to show me what you got. Hit that tree like you mean it." The squirrel just stares at him. After a moment, he begins to scurry up higher in the tree.
Hagatha approaches. "Mind if i give it a try?". She closes her eyes for a moment, then turns to Jelly. "Hey there little guy. It's not his fault, but Peanut and you are signed up to fight in the Arena. He's very worried about you, and wants to see how you fight, so you better start sharpening those teeth!" Jelly stops dead in his tracks. He turns downward and starts at Hagatha intently for a good moment. He then turns and scurries up the tree to the nearest pinecone, which he grabs and immediately starts chewing frantically.
The group decides it's getting late, and begins to walk toward the Inn. As they leave, Peanut swings his great battle axe with all his might into the pine tree, making a sizeable gash. Two guards run over shouting.
"Hey, You can't do that!"
"But why not?"
"It's public Property!" Hagataha turns to the guards. "He's sorry, surely you can let him off with just a warning?" The guard looks at them both. Peanut Stands his axe up vertically, the head of it even with his own, and leans on it gently, grinning. "I'm sure we could overlook this.. for a small price.." Frost clenches his fist and pushes between the goblin and the minotaur. "How dare you?! You scold our friend here for breaking the law, then demand /a bribe?!/". The guard considers the small dwarf before throwing his hands up. "Fine, just get out of here. Next time there won't be a warning!".
Back at the inn, Hagatha is playing bawdy songs on stage while the others mingle with the tavern patrons. Dathron is loudly chatting up a group about Peanut's fighting, swinging his ale mug around wildly as he speaks. Peanut approaches the bar. "Barkeep, your strongest drink!" The barkeep pours a foul smelling drink and slides it to Peanut, who downs it in 2 gulps, then wipes his arm across his mouth. "Ahh". Peanut turns away from the bar toward the patrons "Who wants to arm wrestle?! All challengers welcome!". he sits down at the nearest table. A large bugbear pushes through the crowd, shouting "I'll do it!" and sits down across from the minotaur, his oddly proportion long arms slapping on the table. Dathron shouts "2:1 on the Minotaur, who's a taker?!". A few patrons hand Dathron some silver before the match begins. Hagatha begins singing a song about the formidable minotaur who felled a giant three times his size. Both challengers struggle for a moment before the Bugbear finally overpowers Peanut. Dathron pays out the winnings, and Peanut shows "Who's next?!". Several challengers later, Dathron is holding a large bag of winnings, and multiple patrongs are holding their arms in pain. Peanut calls "Hey Bugbear! How about a rematch?!", but the patron is no longer present.
Early the next morning, Dathron walks downstairs and is stopped by the innkeeper, who hands him a letter with a wax seal. "Hey, you got some mail, here you go". He breaks the seal and opens the letter. It's an invitation to a banquest at the Colluseum for the Minotaur challenger and his entourage of 5.
"That's odd" Dathron Muses, before storing the letter in his pack.