The Challenge
Snaggle, noble leader of Legendary 12 was troubled. His band of adventurers had grown and prospered into an epic fighting force. The road had been rocky at times, but the path steadily upwards. He sat in counsel with his closest advisors, munching on a gnome-pop.
The challenge of their closest rivals of the Clan of Vexare was clear. Advance or lose face, with new guilds Science of War and Europa advancing to tier 5, it was time to move up once more. Vexare had faced the Champion of War many times in the arena before they succeeded. This was not going to be easy.
Arguments about the battle readiness of his forces raged back and forth; should we? could we? "Do you know how much damage that thing can do?" "It dropped us like a flaming sack of dog poo when we tried it after Tier 5 test".
Snaggle knew that it was his alone to decide, he pushed away his heavy chair and silenced the council.
"We will test" he said in his low rumbling voice. "Though it may take several times to defeat him, we will best the Champion of War in the arena". "The sands will run red with blood, but we will not stop until he has fallen to our might".
A hushed determination fell over the council, and they left to make ready for battle. The word was spread through the ranks, the bold move bolstered the will of Legendary 12, and all set about their tasks with vigor and purpose. They would face the Champion of War.
The Lair
The cold wind howled outside Kerafyrm's lair. The eternal snow of the Eastern Wastes was blowing fast beyond the entry portal. A human in shadowy armor and a knight sat on the cold floor exchanging worried looks. The knight had come to rescue the shadowy figure from the icy lair when his scouting mission and gone wrong. They sat and talked of the challenge ahead while they both regained strength.
"Think we going to win?" Kalorad asked the shadow figure.
"It depends", Vexx said streching the sleeves of his armor over his arm, "let me say this, we CAN win, we have the ability to win". "People have to be focused, and believe we can", he finished.
Kalorad said "You have seen raids. sometimes people hardly focus heh"
"You know what the difference is?", Vexx asked. "Watch how people act when Snaggle is there. When he is not around much for a few weeks, morale goes in the crapper. When he can show up, we win".
With the wind blowing harder the two made their way out of the lair and back towards the Plane of Knowledge, there was still much to be done before the test. Both knew the next day would decide the fate of Legendary 12 for many cycles to come. Courage and determination were in ready supply, would it be enough to carry the day?
The Gathering
The weather was bright and clear in Antonica, the wind played over the sparkling surface of Lake Rathetear. The peaceful setting was shattered by the rumble of an army on the move. The members of Legendary 12 marched to the Arena, to the sands of blood, and the land shook with their passing.
Member of all form and level, from the might bulk of Thug's Ogre frame to the nimble spite of Velior. They filed into the arena, and stood before the great door, quietly waiting and joking among themselves. Nearly 100 strong they counted down their fate.
The fair and lovely Pugigi arrived to administer the test, and a great cheer of welcome rang through out the arena. Snaggle and the leadership began to prepare for battle. Groups were formed and powerful enhancing magics were cast by clerics, enchanters and mystical shamen. With each spell the power and focus of the army grew.
The First Attempt
The fight would take place out of the central area of the arena. With only round walls there was little advantage to the terrain. It was decided that one of the spires would serve as a place to try and wedge the Champion to allow better access by healers and rogues alike. With the forces in position Snaggle called the brave monks to pull the golden monstrosity to the waiting forces.
The clash of weapons upon his metal skin rang with terrible fury. Many died, but many more lived. Shamen and Enchanters stripped him of his vital energy. Frubblestump stepped up to face the attack, rippling waves of healing energy surrounded him, but the power of the Champion was too much, and he fell.
The bodies were stacked like lumber when Pugigi called off the first attempt. We had only taken half his life with the best we could do. We resurrected our dead and re-focused our efforts with grim determination. Our confidence was shaken, but we were determined to try again.
The Rematch
Discussion flew back and forth between the leaders and advisors. We had failed to control our target and he had roamed free slaughtering the healers and support casters. If we were to succeed this had to change. Quickly tactics were declared, and we made ready for the second attempt. Careful study had shown a small crease in the wall of the arena that might allow us to "park" the Champion of War similar to our fights with the Vindicator. We positioned our forces and waited with hushed silence.
Pugigi once again spawned our golden tormentor. With a final moment of preparation, Snaggle called for the pull, and Felong the fearless went to bring the Champion to the waiting army.
With a look of determination, Thug stood toe to toe with the Champion of War, who tore into him with relish. By the power and coordination of our skilled clerics and our enchanters the punishing blows of the Champion could not defeat him. With skill he turned his back to the wall until the Champion was perfectly placed, he called in the attack. The hum of bowstrings filled the air and the sky split with magical force as we threw everything we had at this abomination. The fight raged for many minutes, we were hurting the Champion slowly but surely, could we last?
Laughing with delight the Champion of War crushed Thug the mighty to the sand, and turned his anger on the healers.
As we passed the half way mark the battle seemed all but lost. Our warriors had been dispatched and the Champion was roaming the battle area killing at will. Brave Torain of the elves stood forward and drew the ire of the monster. Surrounded in a tidal wave of healing energy and protective runes, the fight once more was under control. The order to re-engage was given and the battle resumed.
With Torain in place as the focus of the Champion's anger, Vexx called to his rogues "Engage and attack Champion of War - Max melee range" and a torrent of flashing blades descended upon him. Again the cleric's skill was unmatched as they allowed Torain to withstand the punishment of the god given form.
Then with a thunderous blow Torain fell dead to the sand. Brave warriors stepped up to face the Champion, but all fell before the healing power could protect them. Brave Naydu expended her skill to deflect blow after blow as the Champion frenzied to destroy her. She fell in a final act of defiance.
Clerics worked quickly to bring the fallen back to life, many grabbing only their weapons to spring into battle naked, and being swept away by the Golden nightmare's thunderous blows. All seemed lost, our warriors dead, our goal within reach, but slipping from our grasp.
From the back of the battle bounded a mountain of Ogre flesh, Thug returned to life stepped into the breach. The Champion of War roared in anger that his hated foe had returned. With the skill of a dancer, he turned the Champion's to face the wall, and the attack continued. Mighty bolts of magic crackled through the air, and squadrons or arrows flew to their mark.
The Champion of War shrugged off the blows with no regard for the slow but steady damage they were doing.
So angered by Thug was this abomination that he was nearly dead before he realized the battle was lost. In a final act of cowardice, he tried to flee from us. With a final blow from Indygo, he fell to the sand. A hush fell over the arena, as the surviving members starred in disbelief. The foe was dead. We had won.
The Day of Legends
Cheers and good wishes poured in from all corners of Norrath. Guilds both above and below us on the tier ladder passed along their congratulations. For the members of Legendary 12, the remainder of the day was spent adventuring in small groups, triumphant in thier accomplishment.
