Season 6, Episode 1: "The Initiate Trials" Report
General Summary
The Starwatch gathered in downtown Absalom, marveling in the first morning of the Sunburst Festival and the upcoming Initiate Trials. With the Archive Stone in tow, Ez and Aziz signed the rolls, leaving their friends in the stands, and forming a new party with some of the Stone's prisoners. With little time to worry about the future, they were thrust into the arena with over a hundred other hopefuls, and the Judicant of this year's Trials was revealed.
No other than the Lord Commander himself, Ricard Hatamash.
He presented to them a mighty, wooden obstacle course covering the first half of the arena, built over strange pools of purple ooze, eddies of wind, and hidden beasts. In the latter half, Ricard stood alone in an artificial forest, a magical circle at his feet, and pointed to a barrow hill in the woods behind him -- the destination all applicants must reach, if they wished to become initiates.
With little more explanation, the horn sounded, and our humble crew dashed forth. Two things quickly became apparent... The first, that Ez and Aziz were going to be hindered at every step on the path, due to their respective Goblin and Orcish blood. Contestants wasted precious time getting in their way, claiming to protect the "honor" of the Knights of Mystic Fire. Second, these other contestants were woefully unprepared for the trials, with dozens failing out by the second.
At the end of the first half, only four applicants remained -- Ez, Aziz, a Tortle cleric named Quatol, and Human ranger named Hector Fletcher. As they arrived on the forested path, Ricard revealed his next grand surprise...
A Purple Worm, controlled by the magic circle at his feet.
The monstrosity seemed to target Ez and Aziz more than the others, with Ricard going out of his way to hinder Ez, but only within the rules of the trials. He showed his true face as a bigot against Goblins and Orcs, whispering that they would never rise in the ranks with him at the helm.
Despite his claims, or perhaps in spite of them, our heroes dug in their heels, nearing killing the Purple Worm on their way to the finish line. All four remaining applicants pass, with Quatol showing himself to be a real team player, and a potential ally for Ez and Aziz.
The crowd erupted in cheers -- with none louder than Euridice -- and the Initiate Trials came to a close.
Rewards Granted
Tarot Deck
- No changes.
- No changes.
Created Content
New and updated articles for:
- Odium
- Sunburst Festival
- Initiate Trials
- Feeling Sheepish
- A Vault With No Key
- Archive Stone
- Twelve Two
- Off Tune
- Criminal Cakes
- The Interim Crew
- The Monster Hunters
- Come Together, Right Meow
- Hush Now Children
- Keep It Cool
- It Won't Be Long - Season 6
- Hot Fuzz
- Ancient Dreamer // Fallen Angel
- One Eye Open
- Zip It Up
- Pin It Down
- Buy One, Get One Free
- Callin' All Survivors
- Her Majesty's Flame
- The White Owl of Dylath-Leen
- The Hollow Blade
- Inception
- Daemon Ex Machina
- The Pyric Coven
- Chop Chop
- Moon Maiden
Flame in the Night
Tesin Movahesh
Thunder in the Mist
Lockette Endrinmaster 12 2.0
Isra
Report Date
02 Nov 2021
Primary Location
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