?? PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT
Interlude — The 412th Pinnacle Arena Competition (Official Decree)
Hear ye! Hear ye!
Let it be known across every district of Eryndor
the 412th Pinnacle Arena Competitionnight of the next full moon!
?? WHERE
Pinnacle Arena
?? WHEN
At moon’s height on the next full moon night
?? WHO MAY ENTER
All souls above sixteen years
of age may test their fate.
No rank is required
Ten thousand entrantsfirst come, first marked
Only two hundred
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Only one will leave crowned beneath fire and storm.
??? FIRST TRIAL
The Cave of Death.
Few return. Fewer speak.
?? DECREE OF LORD GORATH
“By command of Lord Gorath
The 412th Pinnacle Arena Competition shall begin at the next full moon!
All who dare may enter.
There is no rank, no birthright, no chain to hold you back.
The first trial will be
Survive, and you may face the trials that follow.
Fall, and your names shall scatter like ash on the wind.”
?? NAMES IN THE WIND
“Talon of Harrowfen
“The marsh-king who spears crocodiles longer than a man!”
“Brathon the Brute!
“He bends iron barehanded and laughs like thunder!”
“The Silent Monk of Shavak
“Hears arrows in flight. Fights blindfolded.”
“Rynna Windmark!
Princess of Realmor
the wolf-queen’s daughter herself enters the blood and dust.
And beyond all, a whisper like steel being drawn:
“Varrick, Prince of Eryndor.
?? LET THE GAMES BEGIN
The horns will sound. The gates will open.
Let Eryndor remember those who dared.
Let glory, blood, and fate decide.
??
Episode 11 – “The 412th Pinnacle Arena Competition”
?? Royal Road
??
Distributed throughout the streets of Eryndor the week before the Games. Read aloud in taverns, nailed to walls, whispered through markets.
All proclamations regarding the 412th Pinnacle Arena Competition are to be considered binding under royal law.
— Issued under the authority of Lord Gorath, Keeper of the Eastern Gates.