Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
Opening Ceremony Introductions
Present Day
Ollie Gory ascended to the "Crows Nest" as the standing room only crowd stood to their feet with thunderous applause from beyond the magical barrier Dark Arena Dome that surrounded the 220 foot square Dark Arena battle sands area.

The Dark Arena Dome had the effect of a twilight atmosphere where no direct sunlight was able to penetrate, allowing for gladiator opponents possessing night vision to have a distinct advantage of not being impaired with their night vision, or for those "Rare Occasions" when Undead Opponents would roam freely within the Dark Arena wreaking their unnerving brand of terror against the unsuspecting gladiators who had the misfortune of drawing the Undead as Surprise Opponents in their Battle for Freedom.

Slowly, the 20 foot square portion of the center of the Dark Arena Sands that served as the Elevator for transporting gladiators and their opponents [from their chambers far below the Dark Arena to the Battle Sands above] ... ever slowly for maximum effect ... the Elevator bearing Ollie Gory made its ascent to the 15 foot high Crows Nest.

The Crows Nest was a 5 foot wide Runway Area immediately encircling the 20 foot square Elevator area where the Fight Announcer could walk around observing the progress of the battles while describing the action to the surrounding spectators, by means of a Magically Amplified System that caused the Announcer's voice to be heard over the din of battle and the riotous cheers of the revelers viewing the fights.

After a lengthy dissertation from the Half-Ogre Bard embelllishing the generosity and virtues of the Dark Arena Consortium for hosting such an unprecedented awesome spectacle in the Dark Arena ... and then went into a rather lengthy and humorous diatribe ... extolling the benefits of the innumerable amusements, refreshments and wagering stalls provided for the enjoyment of each and every Dark Arena spectator, customer and consumer.

Ollie Gory then raised his Composite Long Bow in his left hand and his Staff of Evocation in his right hand to further dramatize the importance and rarity of this much anticipated Dark Arena Emancipation Sand Dance that was declared to be a Battle to the Death and officially sanctioned by the Dark Arena Consortium.

Ollie Gory had brought his own small arsenal of weapons to the gala event including a Finger of Death Wand [50 Charges], Staff of Evocation, Composite Long Bow, Quiver of 20 Arrows and a Javelin.

He also brought 16 more Javelins and 6 more Quivers of Arrows which he placed facing the South End of the Dark Arena to signify that he was indeed covering the backs of ThunnGarr the Mighty and his South End team of gladiators!

The Bard chose to wear Soft Boots and was clad in Studded Leather Armor and a Leater Coif Helm.

"Citizens of Nefaria and Those from Beyond the Borders of the Roxas Isla Realm! I Too Shall Aid These Gladiators in Their Fight for Freedom and Thus Obtain My Own!"
The crowd went wild at this unsuspected news!

After several minutes had passed as the roar of the exuberant crowd finally subsided, Ollie Gory pointed with his Staff of Evocation to the arena sands below where the first team of gladiators had emerged.

Walking in a complete circle a few yards from the center of the arena sands, for all the spectators around the Dark Arena to get a good view of the participants ... and place their bets on this group's chances for survival ... while carrying their individual burden of extra weapons as the crowd roared its collective approval before the first group proceeded to take their positions at the East End of the Dark Arena.

Introducing the Halfling Monks from the Order of the Golden Dawn!"
The Halfling Monks each deposited their Extra Weapons ... including 16 Javelins and 4 Quivers of 20 Arrows ... at the base of the Dark Arena Wall 10 feet behind their assigned positions.

Then they stood at attention in their Bare Feet, wearing nothing but Fighting Trousers ... armed with a Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows, a Javelin, a Club, a Hand/Throwing Axe plus a Dagger ... as the second group of gladiators made their entrance upon the Dark Arena sands.

"Introducing the Gnome Clerics from the Clan of the Copper Caverns!"
The Gnome Clerics also walked in a complete circle with their burden of extra weapons as the crowd again roared its collective approval ... while wagering more on bets ... as the Gnome Clerics made their way to the West End of the Dark Arena to deposit their Extra Weapons ... including a Quarterstaff, War Hammer, 2 Clubs, 6 Quivers of 20 Arrows plus 20 Daggers.

Equipped with their inherited Gnome Illusion Spells of Dancing Lights, Ghost Sound and Prestidigitation ...their deity had also bestowed upon them the following Cleric Spells: Create Water, First Aid, Light, Purify Food & Drink, Cure Light Wounds, Shield of Faith, Sound Burst, Consecrate and Spiritual Weapon!

Then they too stood at attention at their assigned positions in their Bare Feet ... wearing Scale Mail Armor and a Leather Coif Helm ... armed with a Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows plus a Club ... as the third group of gladiators made their rather boisterous way onto the Dark Arena sands.

"Introducing the Human Fighters from the Free Booters Society!"
The Human Fighters raised their weapons with menacing looks towards the cheering throngs as they marched boldy in the same circle as the other two groups of gladiators had done previously.

While passing in front of the Clerics and later the Monks, they looked with disdain and voiced their derision at the piles of Extra Weapons the Clerics and Monks had brought with them to the Dark Arena Emancipation Sand Dance.

These were a Proud and Arrogant Group of Fighters who thought of themselves more highly as a Fighting Unit than any of the other groups of participants could ever hope to become.

They were the Heavy Favorites and when the crowd saw that the Human Fighters of the Free Booters Society only carried Heavy Cross Bows, a Quiver of 12 Bolts, a Two-Handed Axe, a Hand/Throwing Axe plus a Dagger ... while wearing Soft Boots with Plate Mail Armor and a Normal Helm ... and had NO Extra Weapons to place in a pile 10 feet behind them as the other two groups of gladiators had previously done ... the wagering frenzy increased as multitudes placed their bets on the Human Fighters who bore NO Extra Weapons!

There were those who wagered against the odds of the Human Fighters failing to gain their freedom ... for surely the most astute of Dark Arena Historians had either read, heard or witnessed in their youth the accounts from years past that led them to believe that the Dark Arena Consortium must have some sort of Nasty Surprise in store for those Fighters who had defied their orders and refused to hunt and enslave other intelligent creatures and exotic prisoners for the Dark Arena gladiator rosters ... not to mention those Clerics and Monks who had refused to reveal the whereabouts of the fabled Dragon Treasures that the Dark Arena Consortium and many others had so desperately coveted to fill their coffers with unspeakable wealth and treasured magical items!

The Human Fighters of the Free Booters Society took their assigned positions at the North End of the Dark Arena battle sands with Exceeding Arrogance and Pride in Regards to their own Legendary Ferocity and Ability as Mercenary Fighters ... Convinced that the ONLY Weapons Needed were the Weapons that they Carried into Battle during the Dark Arena Emancipation Sand Dance!

Finally ... the Most Popular of the Dark Arena Gladiators among the Population began making their way into the Dark Arena.

"Introduuucing Those Who Need No Introduction! ThunnGarr the Mighty and His Band of Other World Wonders!"

"Bumble Brew the Elf Wizard ... Cunning Fox the Human Cleric ... Sir Yder the Human Knight ... Ullrich Uppsdrada the Human Ranger ..."
Then pausing once more for the greatest effect as the Dark Arena crowd rose to their feet as One Great Gleeful Assembly ... as their hero from the past 10 years of Dark Arena Glory made his Last Grand Entrance to the Battle Arena Sands in His Quest for Freedom ... the Bard waited as long as he dared before declaring ...

"ThunnGarr the Mighty!"
The place went wild as the Dark Arena shook with excitement ... and Ollie Gory waited patiently before continuing ... for this was a Grand Historical Moment Indeed ... the Final Fight Featuring the Fabled Giant Dwarf ... who had defied his captors all these many long years of captivity ... for refusing to exterminate his own people!

Finally ... the Bard Announcer was able to continue and complete his introduction of the immensely popular South End gladiators ...

"Sirae Amberlyn Foxfire the Human Knight ... Shandra the Elf Monk ... and Last ... But Certainly NOT Least ... Ariane Arvendre the Human Paladin!"
As the Final and Most Popular Group of Gladiators made their way around the circle ... they absorbed the adulation of the Blood Thirsty Crowd ... and nodded their acknowledgements of appreciation to the crowd ... as best as they could do while bearing the burden of carrying their Extra Weapons ... as well as nodding to their fellow gladiators who were already assembled in their assigned positions ... awaiting the festivities to subside and give way to their anticipation of the inevitable Battle for Survival ... and their Promised Freedom!

The Halfling Monks bowed as the South Enders filed past them ... only to be greeted with disdain and derision as the South Enders passed by the Proud and Arrogant Human Fighters who taunted them unmercifully for bringing Extra Weapons to the Dark Arena Emancipation Sand Dance Battle Sands!

But as they passed by the West End group of Gnome Clerics ... each of the South Enders could sense a confident reassurance from the Cleric Competitors that bringing the Extra Weapons would prove to be their Key to Survival ... as a Stark Contrast to the Inevitable Downfall of the Proud and Arrogant Human Fighters ... who had refused to do so!

ThunnGarr the Mighty and his group resolutely made their way to the South End ... depositing their Extra Weapons at the Base of the Wall 10 feet behind their assigned positions ... then pausing ... and solemnly saluting the crowd immediately behind them in the South End section ... before standing at attention in their assigned positions ... awaiting the First Wave of Opponents to Emerge!

Bumble Brew deposited 10 Clubs, 20 Daggers plus 2 Quivers of 20 Arrows each for one of her teammates to use if they needed the Extra Arrows!

Then after bowing to the crowd, she went to her assigned position ... wearing only Soft Boots and a Fighting Robe ... armed with a Ring of Fire Elemental Command, a Staff of Power [50 Charges], a Wand of Cure Critical Wounds [50 Charges], a Club and 4 Daggers.

Her deity had granted the following Wizard Spells: Ghost Sound, Mage Hand, Message, Prestidigitation, Burning Hands, Magic Missile and Shocking Grasp!

Cunning Fox wore Soft Boots with Plate Mail Armor including a Normal Helm and was armed with a Bag of Tricks [Rust Colored], a Ring of the Ram [50 Charges], a Staff of the Woodlands [50 Charges], a Composite Long Bow and a Quiver of 20 Arrows.

The Human Cleric had brought as his Extra Weapons 15 Clubs, 6 Quivers of 20 Arrows and 10 Daggers.

His deity had also granted the following Cleric Spells: Create Water, First Aid, Light, Cure Light Wounds and Sound Burst!

Sir Yder wore Soft Boots with +2 Plate Armor of Fire Resistance with a Normal Helm of Telepathy and was armed with a +2/+4 Dragon Slayer Longsword, a Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows, a Hand/Throwing Axe and a Spear.

The Human Knight had brought as his Extra Weapons 10 Javelins, 10 Spears, 5 Quivers of 20 Arrows, a Club and a Hand/Throwing Axe!

Ullrich wore Soft Boots with a Full Chain Suit of Armor including a Chain Mail Coif Helm and was armed with a +2 Oathbow Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows, a +3 Sylvan Blade Longsword, a Shortsword and a Dagger.

Trusting his Ranger instincts and the peace from his deity, the Human Ranger laid his Special Gift Quiver of 20 Slaying Arrows [Kobolds] with the rest of his Extra Weapons that included 15 Quivers of 20 Arrows, 10 Spears, 2 Daggers, 1 Short Sword, 1 Club and 1 Hand/Throwing Axe!

ThunnGarr the Mighty wore Soft Boots with a Hide Armor and Leather Coif Helm and was armed with a +2(+3)Dwarven Thrower War Hammer, a +1 Shield of Bashing and two Javelins.

The Giant Dwarf Barbarian brought as his Extra Weapons 20 Javelins plus 2 Quivers of 20 Arrows in case one or more of his teammates could use the extra ranged ammunition!

He is setting the example for the rest of his teammates that they are all in this battle together and should help each other survive and win their freedom!

Sirae Amberlyn Foxfire wore Soft Boots with a +1 Plate Armor of the Fathom including the Normal Helm of Comprehend Languages and was armed with a +3 Feathered Sword [Long Sword], a Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows, a Small Wood Shield, 1 Hand/Throwing Axe and 1 Dagger.

The Human Knight brought as her Extra Weapons 1 Small Wood Shield, 1 Medium Wood Shield, 1 Battle Axe, 10 Quivers of 20 Arrows, 10 Daggers, 5 Clubs, 5 Spears and 5 Hand/Throwing Axes!

Shandra wore Soft Boots with a Fighting Robe and was armed with Bracelets of Deflection, a Staff of the Woodlands [50 Charges], a Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows, 1 Club and 1 Dagger.

The Elf Monk brought as her Extra Weapons the 10 Javelins of Lightning she received as Special Gifts, 5 Quivers of 20 Arrows, 5 Clubs and 6 Daggers!

Ariane Avendre wore Soft Boots and the Special Gift of Elvin Chain Mail with the Chain Mail Coif Helm and was armed with a +2(+5) Holy Avenger Long Sword, a Wand of Cure Critical Wounds [50 Charges], a Composite Long Bow, a Quiver of 20 Arrows, a Small Wood Shield and 2 Daggers.

The Human Paladin brought as her Extra Weapons 6 Quivers of 20 Arrows, 5 Clubs, 5 Spears, 5 Javelins and 5 Daggers!

"Remember To Wait For My Signal Before We Attack Our Opponents!" bellowed ThunnGarr the Mighty to his teammates as the Dark Arena spectators roared with anticipation as the South Enders stood at attention in their assigned places ... awaiting the First Wave of Opponents to begin the Emancipation Sand Dance!

A hush came over the crowd as Ollie Gory began playing his Bone Flute ... the Half-Ogre Bard's signal that the Dark Arena Emancipation Sand Dance was about to begin .....


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Assigned Positions 1. Bumble Brew the Elf Wizard
2. Cunning Fox the Human Cleric
3. Sir Yder the Human Knight
4. Ullrich Uppsdrada the Human Ranger
5. ThunnGarr the Mighty the Giant Dwarf Barbarian
6. Sirae Amberlyn Foxfire the Human Knight
7. Shandra the Elf Monk
8. Ariane Arvendre the Human Paladin

Ollie Gory the Half-Orc Bard is roaming around the Crows Nest which is 15 feet above the squares directly next to and surrounding the 20 x 20 foot square Elevator in the center of the map!

[As Crude and Basic as the Map is!]

New Maps will Only be Posted for the Beginning of each New Wave of Opponents!
Therefore PC Character Players will have to pay attention to the Movements Described by the Castle Keeper as well as their own!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
As the last tones of the Bone Flute echoed eerily throughout the Dark Arena ... the mesmerized crowd began to murmer with expectation ... as Ollie Gory raised his Composite Long Bow in his left hand ... and his Staff of Evocation in his right hand ... to signal that the Emancipation Sand Dance was finally about to begin ...

Positioning himself in the southeast corner of the Crows Nest ... facing his South End friends ... the Half-Orc Bard declared:

"Contestants and Combat Connoisseurs! May I Have Your Attention Please!"
Everyone in the Dark Arena became involuntarily silent as they hung upon the Bard's every utterance!

"By Special Proclamation of the Dark Arena Consortium ... For His 10 Years of Service as the Senior Gladiator ... ThunnGarr the Mighty has been Granted the Distinct Honor of Striking the First Blow Against the First Wave of Opponents to Enter the Dark Arena!"
Almost as one entity, the Dark Arena audience turned their gaze towards the Giant Dwarf at the South End of the Dark Arena, who had become a well respected Living Legend among most of the Nefaria populace.

Even the Human Fighters from the Free Booters Society raised their weapons in a respectful salute to the Giant Dwarf ... as they too Roared Their Approval in Unison with the Raucous Revelers!

In spite of all their Pride and Arrogance ... the Fighters were well aware of the popularity the Giant Dwarf had gained for Refusing to Exterminate His Own People ... who had Despised and Rejected the Giant Dwarf Barbarian those Many Long Years Ago!

To the Free Booters Society, ThunnGarr the Mighty was a Kindred Spirit ... worthy of their Respect and Honor!

Raising his weapons once again, the crowd quieted down to a Dull Roar as Ollie Gory continued his oration:

"Every Great Historical Moment is Marked by the Spectacle of the Occasion!"

"The Emancipation Sand Dance Has No Difference!"

"Every Great Occasion Should Be Celebrated With A Parade!"

"So the Dark Arena Consortium Gives You the Parade You Will All Remember for Countless Generations!"

"The Parade of the Giant Worker Ants!"
The Dark Arena onlookers gasped in collective awe as a Small Army of Giant Ants began climbing their way out from the Elevator Shaft ... marching in all 4 directions!

ThunnGarr the Mighty tensed his muscles as he gripped his Dwarven Thrower War Hammer in anticipation of the First Strike to begin their Battle for Survival on the Dark Arena Sands!

The Giant Ants advanced in companies of 5 ... standing 3 feet high, 2 feet long and 1 foot wide.

The first line advanced 50 feet ... a mere 40 feet away from the competitors at the East, West, North and South Ends ... but ThunnGarr the Mighty stayed his hand to observe how many ants would march in all 4 directions ... and especially where they would position themselves!

In mere moments the Giant Ants were grouped in lines of 5 "side-by-side" so to speak in each adjacent 5 foot square ... with a 5 foot square space between each of the 5 lines that marched relentlessly towards each of the 4 groups of combatants!

A total of 25 Giant Worker Ants were advancing towards each group of gladiators ... Meaning that a Grand Total of 100 Giant Worker Ants would have to Be Eliminated ... Before the Second Wave of Opponents would be Allowed to Enter the Dark Arena battle area!

ThunnGarr the Mighty secured his Large Shield of Bashing on his left arm ... as he began swinging his Dwarven Thrower War Hammer with his right hand ... quickly moving forward 10 feet ... Suddenly ... with a Great Grunt ... the Giant Dwarf Barbarian hurled his Dwarven Thrower at the Giant Worker Ant directly in front of him!

The Dark Arena spectators erupted with a Roar of Blood Thirsty Approval as the Giant Ant absorbed the shock of the full force of the Dwarven Thrower!

Time seemed to stand still as the Giant Ant wobbled unsteadily ... seemingly shuddered uncontrollably ... then fell to the Dark Arena sands ... twitching as it lost consciousness ... But Very Much Alive!

As ThunnGarr's Dwarven Thrower boomeranged back into his waiting hand ... the rest of his teammates ... along with the Clerics, Monks and Fighters to the West, East and North Ends of the Dark Arena ... sprang into action in response to ThunnGarr's signal ... as their Fight for Survival and Freedom had begun!


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NOTE from the Castle Keeper ThunnGarr the Mighty is 2 squares in front of the #5 position square.

The Giant Ant that is 6 squares in front of ThunnGarr has been knocked unconscious by the force of the blow, but is Very Much Alive!

I am ruling that both Cunning Fox and Ullrich have the ability to fire 2 Arrows per Combat Round due to their Backgrounds and Primes!

Sir Yder, Sirae Amberlyn Foxfire, Shandra and Ariane Avendre can shoot Only 1 Arrow!

Bumble Brew will have to rely upon her Staff of Power to take 1 shot at the Giant Ants with whatever Spell unleashed from her Staff of Power that she chooses!

Post your thoughts on the Q&A and in the next few days I will post the outcome of how Ollie Gory the Bard ... plus the Clerics, Monks and Fighters ... fare with their first shots!

Ollie Gory is watching your backs this First Combat Round as he will fire 1 shot at the Giant Ant on the back row on the right end 8 squares behind the Giant Ant that ThunnGarr knocked unconscious!
REMEMBER The Giant Worker Ants are able to move 50 feet at a time [10 squares] or can move up to 25 feet [5 squares] and then Attack an Opponent by Biting!

Each PC Character may move 30 feet [6 squares] or up to 15 feet [3 squares] and then attack the Opponent of their choice!

There are instances where you can Charge and Attack an Opponent between 30 to 60 feet away with a penalty to your Armor defense!

You can also Jog twice your 30 foot movement rate [up to 60 feet] or run 4 times your 30 foot movement rate [up to 120 feet] but you must declare such action!

Castle Keeper's NOTE:
DOH I Deleted the Note due to a mistake from adding +4 BtH to Damage Dealt instead of to the roll to determine if the target was a Hit or a Miss!

The Fallen Giant Ant has Only Passed Out and Needs to Be Dealt 10 More Points of Damage to Die!

Your Arrows Only Deal 1d8 points of Damage so it will take from 2 to 10 Arrows for the Ant to Die Instantly depending upon the Damage Roll that I make for Your Characters Attacks!

It is currently at 0 and when it reaches -7 it will Bleed to Death after 3 Rounds!

ANOTHER NOTE: Something to keep in mind about your Movements is that once the 100 Giant Ants are Slain ... the Second Wave of Opponents will Emerge & quite possibly attack depending upon the location of the NPC & PC Characters!

ONE MORE THING: Note that I have adjusted the Size of the Giant Worker Ants to 3 feet high, 2 feet long and 1 foot wide!

Just in case some Giant Soldier Ants show up at some point in the adventure!

Giant Worker Ants Only Bite!

Giant Soldier Ants Bite and have an Acid Sting & are Larger than the Workers!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
Ollie Gory the Bard
Combat First Round
A sense of pride surged through Ollie Gory as he witnessed the drama of his friend ThunnGarr the Mighty striking the first blow of the Emancipation Sand Dance ... knocking the Giant Ant unconscious with one mighty heave of his Dwarven Thrower War Hammer!

But there would be time enough later to compose songs and orations of this momentous feat ... for there were 99 other Giant Ants marching to destroy their prey!

Ollie Gory instinctively reached for the Wand of the Finger of Death in an effort to aid his friends at the South End of the Dark Arena ... there were 50 Charges in the Wand ... and Ollie Gory was determined to do his part to thin the ranks of the Giant Ants as quickly as possible!

Pointing the Wand towards the Giant Ant positioned at the end of the last line on the sands below ... a scant 25 feet away ... representing a possible future threat to the Giant Dwarf who stood a mere 70 feet further away ... the Half-Orc Bard focused his energies to ridding the sands of another potential danger!

"Die Hideous Vermin! Vanish Foul Monstrosity! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!"
Whether it was a Roar from the Wand discharging its Death Sentence ... or the Roar of the Dark Arena Spectators ... Ollie Gory could not fathom ... for his entire focus was upon the Giant Ant at the end of the line ... as he witnessed "the end of the line" for his first targeted foe!

Instantly the Giant Ant lay dead upon the sands ... as the Half-Orc vented a victorious blood curdling cry of triumphant joy ... for the First Kill was his ... and his alone!

"Be Careful." Amberlyn calls out loudly (those Ants are communicated with each other and they are dead set on killing every non-ant out here.

~Ah...~ The young paladin heeded Amberlyn's words; second thought, she had the same idea hanging onto her. For the Higher-Ups to intently utilize these type of creatures in an arena battle, it was all about who dies and who doesn't. The bugs quickly advanced towards her group and the others; she saw the huge dwarf dispatch one of them and it was only natural to follow along. Ariane's initial step was to use her Composite Long Bow and aim at one of the ants in the second row.

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
The Roar of the Dark Arena crowd washed over the Other World combatants who seemed to be momentarily mesmerized by the impact of ThunnGarr the Mighty's Dwarven Thrower knocking the monstrosity [on the far right of the first row] unconscious on the sands!

The Giant Worker Ants were making a low buzzing noise and Amberlyn Foxfire suddenly realized that her Special Gift of the Helm of Comprehend Languages and Read Magic was somehow revealing to her that the Giant Ants were Extremely Hostile and Communicating Orders to Exterminate Every Non-Ant upon the Dark Arena Sands!

"Be Careful." Amberlyn calls out loudly, "Those Ants are communicating with each other and they are dead set on killing every non-ant out here!"
Sir Yder sensed the same thing with his Helm of Telepathy and quickly responded by aiming his Composite Long Bow at the Ant directly in front of him [1st Row - 1st Ant] and sending an Arrow straight and true into its intended victim!

The Knight held his ground as he realized that it may take several more arrows to vanquish this one foe alone!

Ariane the young Paladin heeded Amberlyn's words as she had the same idea hanging onto her. For the Higher-Ups to intently utilize these type of creatures in an arena battle, it was all about who dies and who doesn't.
She chose her target well, knowing that every Ant in the Dark Arena must die for her and her comrades at arms to survive and face the next set of foes!

Her Arrow found its mark [2nd Row - 4th Ant] but Ariane realized as did the Knight Sir Yder that these Ants seened to be as resilient as their size!

Ullrich the Ranger had selected two Arrows and drawn a bead on yet another Ant further away [3rd Row - 5th Ant] ... his first Arrow doing Maximum Damage, yet his second Arrow somehow only managed less than half the effect of the first, but the Giant Ant was injured enough to stop its forward progress as it tried to use its high intelligence to figure out which creature had caused it so much pain?

Amberlyn chose to fire upon the Ant in the middle of the front line [1st Row - 3rd Ant] with her Composite Long Bow.

Her shield was at the ready for any close quarters combat, as was her Feathered Long Sword, which stood at the ready point down in the sands when called upon for melee combat.

But Amberlyn fared not so well with her first shot, as it caused only the minimum amount of injury to the Giant Ant ... whether it was a case of nerves ... a reluctance to take a life ... or a badly crafted weapon she was forced to use ... the young Knight in training would have plenty more opportunities to slay these opponents ... and whatever else was sent to destroy the prisoners!

Shandra the Monk fared only slightly better as her chosen Arrow bit into the Ant [1st Row - 5th Ant] that lay unconscious from ThunnGarr's Dwarven Thrower!

However ... her action resulted in a Grievous Wound to the Giant Ant as the unconscious opponent now lay with its life blood slowly oozing from the Arrow point in its underside!

She kept her Staff of the Woodlands at the ready, but stood ready with her Composite Long Bow and Arrows to help keep the Giant Ants at bay!

Cunning Fox knew the importance of eliminating their fallen foes!

With his first Arrow, the Cleric fired a shot at the Grievously Wounded Ant [1st Row - 5th Ant] that imbedded itself mere inches from the Arrow that Shandra had sent ... with just enough force and accuracy that combined with the Monk's shot resulted in Mortally Wounding their unconscious foe!

This Giant Ant Will Die in 3 Rounds from Mortal Wounds! No Need to Strike It Further!
Cunning Fox then loosed his second Arrow against the Giant Ant that Sir Yder had targeted [1st Row - 1st Ant] that further proved what the Knight had already concluded ... that it may take several more Arrows to Exterminate this Foe!

Bumble Brew realized that she would have to move into a better position to assist her teammates in this battle to survive!

She quickly ran 15 feet to the North East and then the young Wizard pointed her Staff of Power at her intended target [2nd Row - 1st Ant] that was now in an unobstructed straight line view!

Uttering a quick prayer to her God of Greater Hope ... Bumble Brew was surprised that the FireBall unleashed from her Staff of Power had either luckily ... or by divine design ... struck the Giant Ant with a Full Force of Power!

Time had seemed to stand still as a small ball of fire emanated from the staff ... hurtled through the air ... then struck the intended victim with a low roar ... almost muffled by the roar of the Dark Arena blood thirsty crowd ... the explosion mushrooming out with intense fire and heat ... striking All the Giant Ants on the 2nd Row ... the first 4 Ants on the 1st Row ... the first 4 Ants on the 3rd Row ... plus the first 3 Ants on the 4th Row!

This Unexpected Explosive Attack Caused ALL the Giant Ants to Freeze in Their Tracks ... Affording the South Enders to Gain the Initiative for the Second Round of Combat Before the Ants Could Move Further!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
The Clerics from the Clan of the Copper Caverns seemed to have a plan in place as 25 Giant Worker Ants marched towards them in the same manner as the ones menacing the South Enders.

At least their time in captivity had provided the Clerics plenty of opportunity to remember how to work as a team from their years of defending the whereabouts of the Copper Dragon Treasure.

Cleric #8 and Cleric #1 wasted no time in expelling their Sound Blast Spell as their comrades stood ready to loose a lone Arrow against their advancing opponents.

Twin thunderclaps of sound erupted above the noise of the Dark Arena crowd as Cleric #8 struck Ant #3 dead center on the first row, while Cleric #1 struck Ant #5 dead center on the first row.

Cleric #8 succeeded in inflicting the bare minimum of damage with his Sound Burst Spell as did Cleric #1.

The Sound Burst from Cleric #8 spread to all 5 Ants on the first row and the third and fourth Ant on the second row; Stunning Ants 1,2,3&5 in row one and Ant 3 in row 2.

Cleric #1 succeeded in striking Ants 3,4&5 on row one plus Ants 4&5 on the second row; Stunning Ants 3,4&5 on row one and Ants 4&5 on row two.

Cleric #2 loosed an Arrow true against Ant # 2 on row one that found its mark for nearly maximum damage; while Cleric #3 had the opposite result against Ant #1 on row one.

Cleric #4 did as well as #2 against Ant #3 on the first row; while Cleric #5 scored half damage potential against Ant #5 on row one.

Cleric #6 matched #4 against Ant #4 on row one; while Cleric #7 could only match #3 against Ant #3 on the first row.

The Clerics have succeeded in stopping the Ants from advancing further, providing another opportunity to strike their opponents before they are able to move any further!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
The Monks at the East End calmly drew upon their inner strength as devotees of the Order of the Golden Dawn as each readied the 2 Arrows that their discipline talent allowed them to fire in a single combat round against their advancing opponents.

Monk #3 ironically had the best success of his teammates as his 2 Arrows fired into Ant #1 on row one found their mark for maximum and near maximum damage!

Monk #4 was nearly as successful against Ant #3 on the first row as his 2 Arrows bit for maximum damage and 3 quarters potential damage!

In the excitement of his first strike Monk #5 only managed to score the minimum damage potential and half the damage potential with his 2 Arrows against Ant #5 on row one; while Monk #8 targeted the same Ant as #5 and struck both times with half the damage potential of his 2 Arrows!

Monks #7 and #6 each targeted Ant #4 on the first row as #7 struck for half plus one quatre the damage potential with his two shots; followed by #6 scoring maximum damage plus a bit better than half the damage potential with his 2 shots, rendering Ant #4 Unconscious and Grievously Wounded by their combined efforts!

Monk #2 chose Ant #2 on the first row as his target with a fair amount of success as his 2 Arrows struck for nearly maximum damage and a tad better than one quarter damage potential respectively!

Monk #1 chose to fire upon Ant #1 on row one in an effort to render his opponent unconscious. He succeeded as his first Arrow caused half damage potential, rendering the Giant Worker Ant Unconscious and Grievously Wounded , followed by a quarter damage potential hit that forced more of the life to slowly escape his opponent’s body!

The Monks have succeeded in preventing the Giant Ants from advancing any further as their opponents choose not to break their formation, affording the Monks another opportunity to fire 2 Arrows!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
The Fighters of the Free Booters Society bathed in the glory of the cheering throngs as they faced their opponents and took aim with their Heavy Cross Bows.

Perhaps it was just misfortune, or perhaps it was a product of their arrogance and pride, but more than half of the Fighters were unable to inflict even half the possible damage potential against their advancing opponents!

CASTLE KEEPERS NOTE to PC Players and Lurking Readers that the Fighters are attacking their opponents from their left to right, meaning that Ant #1 on row one from their position will appear as Ant #5 on row 5 from your perspective when looking at the Dark Arena map!
Fighter #3 looses a Bolt against Ant #1 on the first row with the bare minimum of potential damage; Fighter #4 targets Ant #3 on row one with slightly better than one fifth potential damage dealing; Fighter #5 inflicts two fifths potential damage against Ant #5 on row one and Fighter #2 scores three fifths potential damage against Ant #2 on the first row!

Fighter #7 fires upon Ant #4 in the first row with two fifths damage potential; Fighter #1 looses a Bolts against Ant #3 in the first row, striking his mark for one half potential damage dealing; Fighter #6 also looses a Bolt against Ant #3 in the first row, scoring three fifths potential damage and Fighter #8 likewise targets Ant #3 in row one and inflicts an additional two fifths potential damage!

Ant #3 falls to the sands Unconscious and Grievously Wounded as a result of the combined teamwork of the final three Fighters!
The High Intelligence of the Ants collectively realizes that one of their number has fallen in the front ranks! They instinctively pause before advancing any further, affording the Fighters of the Free Booters Society the opportunity to reload their Heavy Cross Bows and firing another shot during the Second Combat Round as their abilities allow them to do so!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
Ollie Gory quickly assessed the situation, knowing that the entire army of Giant Ants no matter where they were located on the Dark Arena sands, posed a threat to the safety and welfare of his South Ender teammates!

Glancing about in all four directions in a matter of seconds, the Half-Ogre Bard decided that the Fighters of the Free Booters Society were in dire need of his Finger of Death to reduce the odds against them!

Although these were proud and arrogant Fighters, the Bard realized that the Humans needed to stay alive as long as possible, to help reduce the number of potential opponents that could endanger his friends if these proud and arrogant Free Booters were overcome!

Besides, the South Enders seemed to be holding their own against the Giant Ants, so Ollie Gory swiftly moved 15 feet towards the northeast corner of the Crows Nest to unleash another Finger of Death charge!

“Die! Vermin! Die! Exterminate! Exterminate! Exterminate!”
Pointing the Wand at the nearest Ant within range of the Finger of Death attack, Ollie Gory unleashed the sudden stroke of death upon Ant #1 on row five!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
As the Fighters reloaded their Heavy Cross Bows and prepared to fire upon their selected targets, they were surprised to see Ant #1 in the fifth row fall to the sands in an instantaneous death convulsion from the unexpected attack by the Half-Orc Bard Ollie Gory!

In spite of their arrogance and pride, the Fighters were inspired by the action that eliminated one of their immediate opponents, selecting their immediate targets with renewed vigor!

Fighter #3 aimed once more and fired a Bolt into Ant #1 on the first row that scored half the potential damage while Fighter #4 drew careful aim against the unconscious Ant #3, imbedding a Bolt with such power and accuracy that the Giant Ant Died Instantly!

Fighter #5 grunted a quick congratulations as the full damage potential of his Bolt struck Ant #5 on the first row, but his target remained standing!

Fighter #2 took careful aim upon Ant #2 in the first row and his Bolt added another two fifths potential damage, but Fighter #7 only managed to inflict the minimal amount of potential damage against Ant #4 on the first row!

Since Ant #3 had been eliminated, the remaining three Fighters chose new targets as Fighter #1 targeted Ant #1, inflicting a mere one fifth potential damage; Fighter #6 chose Ant #5 on the fifth row, but cursed his luck as the bare minimum potential damage found its mark although Fighter #8 swiftly followed with a Bolt that added slightly more than a fifth potential damage against Ant #5 on row one, but it was enough to render the Giant Worker Ant Unconscious with a Grievous Wound upon the Dark Arena sands!

The Fighters await the response of the Giant Ants as they are ready to respond with either Bolts or Melee Weapons, depending upon the movements of their opponents!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
The Monks at the East End of the Dark Arena drew upon their inner strength and discipline to eliminate their foes as a team!

Monk #3 aimed again against Ant #1 on row one, his first Arrow inflicting a minimal amount of potential damage against the Unconscious and Grievously Wounded opponent, but his second Arrow found its mark well as it drove the life force forever from the Giant Ants body!

Monk #4 showed no signs of acknowledgement for his brothers of the Order of the Golden Dawn were all expected to do the same! He fired upon his chosen target Ant #3 on the first row as the first Arrow flew straight and true, inflicting a bit more than one quarter potential damage, but enough to cause the Giant Ant to Pass Out upon the Dark Arena sands!

Calmly he drew his second Arrow and let it fly, inflicting the full amount of damage, leaving the Giant Ant writhing in the sands in an Unconscious, but Mortally Wounded state!

Ant #3 will Die in 2 more Combat Rounds, so there is No Need for Further Attacks!
Monks #5 and #8 renewed their attacks against Ant #5 on the first row as #5 loosed an Arrow that dealt just under half the damage potential, followed by a second Arrow that dealt half the potential damage to render the Giant Ant Unconscious and Grievously Wounded upon the Dark Arena Sands!

Monk #8 matched his Golden Dawn brother arrow for arrow! The first Arrow found its mark well enough to set the stage for the inevitable kill and the second Arrow drove the final traces of any life force from its body!

Monk #7 followed suit with his first Arrow instantly killing Ant #4 on the first row with a full measure of damage, but his second Arrow found its mark against Ant #2 on the first row with the opposite extreme of potential damage dealing!

Monk #6 had to select a new target so he chose to follow up on Ant #2 in row number one, loosing his first Arrow with just barely over one quarter damage potential, followed by a near perfect damage dealing blow that rendered the Giant Ant Unconscious and Grievously Wounded upon the Dark Arena sands!

Monk #2 decided to finish the job against Ant #2 on the first row, but his first Arrow only drew the bare minimum! However, his second Arrow dealt the Killing Blow with the maximum amount of damage!

Monk #1 looked upon the dead and dying on the first row with great satisfaction in the accomplishment of his Golden Dawn brothers, before taking aim against Ant #5 on the second row!

His first Arrow found its mark with only a quarter damage dealing potential while his second Arrow did a bit better than half the potential damage dealing!

The Halfling Monks have eliminated their first row of opponents as Ant #3 will die in two more Combat Rounds! They await the response of their opponents and will choose how to defend themselves after the Giant Ants make their move!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day
The Gnome Clerics of the Clan of the Copper Caverns had formulated a repetitive plan of action for the first two Combat Rounds. They hoped that their initial opening strategy would at the very least buy themselves some time to find a way to defeat their opponents, without being overwhelmed by the sheer number of Giant Ants advancing upon them!

Their strategy was to use half of their Sound Burst Spells to help inflict enough damage, while leaving a number of the Giant Ants stunned upon the Dark Arena sands long enough to eliminate some of them, before they got close enough to attack the Gnomes physically!

Only time would tell if the Gnome Clerics had chosen wisely!

Clerics #7 and #2 prepared to unleash Sound Burst Spell attacks against Ants #3 and #5 as their brothers had done previously, while the other Gnomes would follow their attacks with their Arrows, choosing their targets as strategically as possible!

Cleric #7 breathed a silent prayer to his deity as the Sound Burst erupted with a thunderclap of force that momentarily drowned out the sound of the Dark Arena spectators! For all the force emitted, only a minimal amount of damage struck the Giant Ants on the first row and Ants #3 and #4 on the second row!

However, the Stun effect of the Sound Burst Spell saturated each of these Giant Ants for another Combat Round as Cleric #2 unleashed yet another that managed to strike Ants #3, #4 and #5 on the first row, plus Ants #4 and #5 on row two with a quarter damage dealing potential while saturating all these Ants with another Combat Round of Stun!

Cleric #1 took careful aim against Ant #1 on the first row and spoke an audible prayer to his deity as the Arrow connected for half the potential damage dealing; Cleric #3 loosed his Arrow with a similar prayer against Ant #3 on the first row, but only managed a minimal amount of damage dealing potential as Cleric #4 with a momentary prayer chose to attack Ant #1 on the first row, dealing a tad more than a quarter of the damage dealing potential with his Arrow!

Cleric #5 prayerfully weighed his options and chose to take a shot at Ant #2 on row one with the same result that #4 had gotten with his Arrow; Cleric #6 took prayerful aim against Ant #4 with only a minimal amount of damage dealing potential exacted by his Arrow and Cleric #8 prayerfully decided to spread out the final attack by choosing Ant #5 as his Arrow found its mark, but only dealt a tad more than a quarter of the damage dealing potential he had hoped to inflict upon his chosen target that still lay stunned upon the Dark Arena sands!


Although the Gnome Clerics have yet to slay a Giant Worker Ant upon the Dark Arena sands, their only opponents capable of advancing against them that are Not Stunned are Ants #1 & #2 in row two and all the Ants in rows three, four and five!

Depending upon how the Giant Ants react to having several of their number Stunned and Not Moving at the present time, the Clerics will defend themselves by either Spells or Weapons once the remaining Giant Worker Ants make their next move!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day

Bumble Brew realized that her best chance for survival was to unleash the force of the Staff of Power upon the same group of Giant Worker Ants she had targeted the previous round; however, the result of her second shot was only half as effective.

At least the first Ant on the first row was rendered Unconscious with a Grievous Wound and Sir Yder drew a steady aim with another Arrow with the intent of eliminating this foe! However, either in his excitement or due to a faulty Arrow, he was only able to inflict a minimum amount of damage!

Ariane the Paladin decided it was time to protect herself and her teammates as she targeted the Giant Ant on the first row next to the Mortally Wounded Ant. She fared no better than Sir Yder.

Ullrich had a grim feeling that the time for melee combat would soon be upon the South Enders no matter which Ant he targeted, so he opted to use his two Arrows against the Giant Ant number 5 on row 3.

His first Arrow scored Maximum Damage, rendering the Giant Ant Unconscious with Grievous Wounds! He hesitated a mere split second as he calculated where his second Arrow would be the most effective, but decided to concentrate on one opponent at a time!

His second Arrow found its mark next to his first, imbedding into the Giant Ant with almost the same damage effect, but it was enough to Mortally Wound the Giant Ant and ensure that it would Die without the need for inflicting any further damage!

The Giant Ant #5 on Row 3 will Die in One More Combat Round so there is No Need for Further Attacks!
Meanwhile, Sirae Amberlyn Foxfire held her ground as she aimed her Arrow at Ant #3 on the first row in an attempt to aid her teammates by crippling the middle Ant; however, although the Arrow inflicted three quarters of the potential damage dealing, the Ant was still able to advance.

But Shandra the Monk let loose an Arrow at the same target that did the same amount of damage, knocking the Ant Unconscious with a Grievous Wound, thus ensuring a margin of safety for her teammates!

Cunning Fox had 2 Arrow shots and a decision to make! Should he try to eliminate one or possibly two of the fallen opponents? Or should he try to incapacitate one of the advancing Ants?

He chose the latter and took careful aim against Ant #2 on the first row! He fired his first Arrow and as it flew straight and true he was already taking aim with the other! As the second Arrow took flight the first impacted with a tad better than a quarter of the damage dealing potential, followed by the impact of the second Arrow that dealt twice the damage as the first, rendering the Ant Unconscious with Grievous Wounds!

As for ThunnGarr the Mighty, the Giant Dwarf moved 5 feet deliberately to his left to get a straight shot at Ant #4 on the first row with his Dwarven Thrower War Hammer!

With a loud grunt and a mighty heave, the Dwarven Thrower struck quick and true and was already on its way back to ThunnGarr as the Giant Ant crumpled to the Dark Arena sands Mortally Wounded, no longer a threat to his teammates!

Ants #1, #2 and #3 on the first row are still alive, but Unconscious with Grievous Wounds! Mortal Wounds have been inflicted upon Ant #4 in row one who will die in 3 rounds! Ant #5 on the first row will die in 2 rounds! While next round Ant #5 in row 3 will die!

There is no time to celebrate as the remaining Ants with mobility use their High Intelligence to advance upon the South Enders to position themselves for an attack at close quarters!

Roxas Isla
City of Nefaria
Dark Arena
Emancipation Sand Dance
First Wave
Present Day

The Giant Worker Ants seem to have a plan to try to prevent the South Enders from utilizing their ranged weapons!

Ant #1 from row 2 moves diagonally 30 feet to a position diagonally next to Bumble Brew and 20 feet diagonally from Cunning Fox and Ant #1 from row 3 moves diagonally 40 feet to a position diagonally next to Bumble Brew and 10 feet from Ant 1-row2.

Ant #5 from row 4 moves 30 feet diagonally to a position 40 feet directly in front of Ariene the Paladin, while Ant #4 from row 3 moves diagonally 25 feet to a positon 35 feet directly in front of Shandra the Monk.

Ant #2 row 2 moves forward 45 feet to a position diagonally next to Sir Yder and Ullrich and Ant #2 row 3 moves forward 50 feet to a position directly behind Ant 2-row2.

Ant #3 row 2 moves forward 45 feet to a position directly in front of Ullrich and Ant #3 row 3 moves 50 feet forward to a position directly behind Ant 3-row2 and next to ThunnGarr.

Ant #4 row 2 moves 35 feet forward to a position directly in front of ThunnGarr and Ant #5 row 2 moves 35 feet forward to a position diagonally next to ThunnGarr.

Ants #1, #2, #3 and #4 from row 4 move 50 feet forward to a position 20 feet in front of the Unconscious Ants on the original first row!

Ants #1, #2, #3 and #4 from row 5 each move 50 feet forward exactly 10 feet in front of the Unconscious Ants on the first row in an effort to protect their fallen comrades!


Warning! Warning! The Giant Ants Won the Combat Round 3 Initiative!