Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight

"Good afternoon, how may I help you?"
The elderly man with the kind look was not exactly what Manalagna Hammer had been expecting ... but then again ... given the Orc and Xira ... Manalagna really had no idea what to expect at this point.

"I have accepted the challenge to fight your champion Xira ... your announcer told me that my reward for victory ... was a special gift from Xira ... and two thousand golden crowns ... from you sir!"
He waits politely for a response and adds, "I was also informed that a spell over this arena ... apparently created and maintained by you sir ... will spare both your champion Xira ... and myself ... the indignity of dying in battle ... is this true?"

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Abandoned House
Seven and a Half Hours before Twilight
Tristan picks up the bunny statue, and as soon as he does, he just senses a feeling resonating from the bunny. It is fear.

(provided you still search)

Apart from the large dust pile on the floor and a few other things, the house is actually spotless and perfectly clean. Only from outside does it look run-down and abandoned. There are also what look like dust carrots and other such bunny-related items lying scattered around the place, but nothing really of interest apart from the statue.

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight
"I have accepted the challenge to fight your champion Xira ... your announcer told me that my reward for victory ... was a special gift from Xira ... and two thousand golden crowns ... from you sir!"
"Yes, that is true, and I strongly recommend you don't accept what Xira will give you... it is a terrible thing, and I wonder if it is what made her that way. The poor girl... However, I don't believe that's the only thing you came here for, am I right?" The elderly man says intuitively.

"I was also informed that a spell over this arena ... apparently created and maintained by you sir ... will spare both your champion Xira ... and myself ... the indignity of dying in battle ... is this true?"
"Ah yes, the spell... yes, it is true. I have managed to keep even those ones that stay fighting until their last breath from dying. I'm afraid I cannot offer any proof of the spell's existance, since it is not a physical thing like the hourglass I use, but if you have the capability and you feel with your mind's eye, you will find that there is a strong magical aura on the field. It took me several years of my youth to develop it, this spell. You see, what it does is it senses for when a person is dying, and then it infuses them with wholesome positive energy, keeping them alive. They remain unconscious for an hour or two, but they will not die. Simple, but sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to form and maintain. I personally take care of the fallen as well, using my healing abilities. I can heal any person." The elderly man says, exuding a strength of spirit found in those who look after other people's lives.

The man then winces, however, and adds, "Well, not any person... Xira is the only exception I've encountered. Her hands, and perhaps her mind, I cannot seem to heal. Don't get me wrong; I have tried my hardest, but it just doesn't do anything for her." The elderly man says bitterly, shaking his head.

Tristan takes another look at the statue, trying to figure out some way to calm the aura of fear it is resonating.
"Fear not" chimes the monk. "Whatever you are, I shall not bring any harm to you so long as you bring no harm to others." Tristan almost feels obligated to stroke it, caressing it gentely and hoping for some kind of effect to settle in.
All the while, tristan walks out the door and onward in the direction of the boy... hoping that he is alright and that he can find him. It was almost night fall and more dangerous beasts lie in wait for the setting of the sun and the rising of the moon...

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Abandoned House
Five and a Half Hours before Twilight
Somehow, the small life-size bunny statue seems to understand, or perhaps something else happened. Either way, it no longer showed fear. It still seemed lonely though.

Stepping outside, Tristan notices the doormat for the first time. It is rather plain, with a pattern of bunnies running around the edge of it, but written on it in dirt can be made out the following, provided you can read bad handwriting: 'The Bunny's House, Please Don't Disturb!'

The boy had stayed true to Tristan's instructions, and was hiding, albiet not all that well, in the tall grass down the road.

"Oh! Did you get them?" The boy asks eagerly, almost too eagerly...

"I need to know something." States the monk as he looks down at the boy. "Why is it that that house has an explicit warning not to go in, yet you did anyways?" Tristan peers into the boy's eyes, trying to see if he is about to lie.

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight

Manalagna Hammer was certain that the Cleric Manager was telling the truth about the reward and spells, but he still had some questions to ask the kind-faced man.

[Attention DM: the following questions are asked in sequence with appropriate polite pauses for the Cleric Manager to answer]

"What can you tell me ... or are willing to tell me ... about this gift that Xira offers?"

"Thank You! I Understand Completely! Now what can you tell me ... or are willing to tell me ... about Xira's hands ... and why they are wrapped in bandages?"

"I See! Now what type of reward ... if any ... do I receive if Xira defeats me in the arena ... not that I intend to let her win just to gain a reward from anyone!"

"Yes ... I Understand Your Position! Are there any battle rules in the arena I need to be aware of ... and what battle gear am I allowed to employ in this Sand Dance?"

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Abandoned House
Five and a Half Hours before Twilight
"Huh?" The boy says, "There was?"

His look of innocence is so terribly fake that he even sheepishly realizes and averts his eyes.

"There was a rumour that there was a bunny statue in that house worth quite a bit." The boy says simply, "No one bothered to check, so I thought I would..."

Tristan ignores the fact that the boy tried to lie to him, and decides to continue questioning the boy.
"So where are your parents then? To be sure they would not be pleased with this state of affairs."

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight
"What can you tell me ... or are willing to tell me ... about this gift that Xira offers?"
The man shakes his head, "Don't speak of it lightly. I'm afraid I won't tell you much right now, seeing as Xira will likely use it in your battle against her, but if she does you will definitely see what it is. You cannot mistake its dark aura."

"Thank You! I Understand Completely! Now what can you tell me ... or are willing to tell me ... about Xira's hands ... and why they are wrapped in bandages?"
The man winces visibly, "That child bears a lot of pain when she fights, and both weapons she uses hurt her as well as the one she uses them against. Her hands are just where she is hurt the most by... that one weapon.

"I See! Now what type of reward ... if any ... do I receive if Xira defeats me in the arena ... not that I intend to let her win just to gain a reward from anyone!"
The man smiles, "Of course, of course. You do attain a consolation prize consisting of five hundred golden crowns."

"Are there any battle rules in the arena I need to be aware of ... and what battle gear am I allowed to employ in this Sand Dance?"
The man grimices, "So many fighters have different fighting styles that all follow incoherent rules and regulations. Given this circumstance, I technically cannot ban anything in the arena. The one thing fighters are commonly consistent with though is they do want a one-on-one battle, and so that's the only rule in place. As for gear, you can use anything you have."

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Abandoned House
Five and a Half Hours before Twilight
The boy averts his eyes again, this time out of sorrow than actual embarrassment.

"Parents... I don't have any." He says.

His apparel matches his statement, consisting of a worn shawl and torn, baggy pants.

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight

Manalagna Hammer was pleased to know that his 4sp would at least have the company of 500 golden crowns ... even if he were to lose to this mysterious champion Xira.

He then apologizes for not properly introducing himself and politely asking the Elderly Cleric Manager's name. He now asks the Cleric Manager to forgive this oversight that he has made in his enthusiasm to enquire about the upcoming Sand Dance.

He also asks the name of the Charismatic Orc announcer, so he can properly address him when he meets Xira in the arena.

Finally he concludes, "Thank you for your kindness and patience in answering my naieve questions sir! Now if you would be so kind as to direct me to my battle chamber so I can prepare to entertain the masses ... and prove myself a worthy opponent against your champion Xira!"

"But one last question if I may ... would Xira be your daughter?"

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight
The elderly man smiles at Manalagna's request for introductions, despite it being so late in the conversation, "I don't mind; when emotions run high, the only thing that matters is the moment, not the details. I am called Fahinn Wencor, and we all just call the announcer Ken. He does a very good job at what he does." Fahinn chuckles.

"Thank you for your kindness and patience in answering my naieve questions sir! Now if you would be so kind as to direct me to my battle chamber so I can prepare to entertain the masses ... and prove myself a worthy opponent against your champion Xira!"
Fahinn nods solemnly, "Your chamber is on the western end of the arena. You can't miss it."

"But one last question if I may ... would Xira be your daughter?"
Fahinn breathes in sharply, "One time, long ago, yes, I knew her as my daughter. Her name was Morganna. Who she is now..." Fahinn's hands shake, and he quickly steadies himself in his chair.

Taking in a deep breath, Fahinn finishes, "To answer your question, no, Xira is not my daughter."

In this single statement, Manalagna can truly see just how old Fahinn is.

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena Main Office
Six Hours before Twilight

Manalagna Hammer politely excused himself and proceeded to the battle chamber on the western end of the arena.

The Dwarven Druid promises himself that if there is any way he can use his own powers to help Xira ... and ease the obvious pain borne for untold years by Fahinn Wencor ... then he will gladly do so ... no matter what the outcome of his Sand Dance with Xira.

He begins to ponder which items from his battle gear that he will use to battle Xira as he approaches the chamber.

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Chamber B
Five and Three Quarter Hours before Twilight
Whoever did the decor of Fahinn's office certainly did not do the decor of this room. Archetectural worksmanship line the room with furnishings of maple wood, marble stone and even golden trim. Along one side of the room is a wide shelf supposedly for the long-term gladiators to keep their weapons, and indeed, there are universal stands within the shelves to hold all manner of weapons. Along another side is a wardrobe, specifically designed to hold armour and even shields. A well-made four poster bed lies in the corner of the room, and in the center of the room lies a beautifully carved table and set of chairs.

An attendant stands at the door, ready to help Manalagna with setting up armour, weapons or anything else. The man, named Tenarr, seems to be very knowledgeable of weapons and armour, and admits that he had some experience as a blacksmith.