Fiction | Game | Medium Adventurers League ⚔️

Facing Blackbottle’s Champion

The Queen, the Forest, and the Goblin Lord, cont’d

This is part of a story that works as an interactive game. You’ll need to have some paper and dice at the ready! Click here for the beginning of the story, and the beginning of this quest here.

Go back to the previous chapter if you wish, click here to go back to Hearthstone Hideout, or here for the rules.

“I will take this role,” you say. “I’m always ready for a fight, and besides, against this dude” — you eye Blackbottle up and down — “it will be my absolute pleasure.”

“An outsider to our people!” cries Blackbottle. “Have you no honor?”

“The Laws say…” begins Chantilla.

But the elven lord scoffs, and raises one hand to cut her off. “I know the laws, girl. Fine! So be it. The outsider is your challenger. And they must fight alone.”

“To the fighting pit, then,” says Polkin, guiding you by the arm. “This way. It is where all of our ritual challenges take place.”

Your elven companions guide you along a forest path. Many of the queen’s loyal supporters are close behind, whether out of an eagerness to watch the battle or just wishing to be close to someone well-armed, you can’t say for sure.

“I can’t wait to kick the crap out of Blackbottle,” you say, rubbing your hands. “He’s a real dick. And I wonder who has been helping him to gain power..?”

“How do you mean?” Polkin asks.

“That armor that his followers wear — it’s not from around here, is it?”

“No,” says Chantilla thoughtfully. “And their spears look like goblin weapons.”

“Then it is as I suspected,” says Queen Arriana. “He is in the pay of Lord Rotter, the goblin chief. We need to win this fight not just for the throne, but for the future of our people.”

You grunt, then give a nod. “I will help to stop Lord Rotter,” you say. “I will do what I can, certainly. Then, after that, how the elves rule themselves is not my business. I suggest that you have an open conversation about how to run the place, and who should be in charge. Perhaps you need a council of leaders, I’m not sure.”

“Interesting idea,” says Chantilla thoughtfully. “It does specify in the Book of Laws that the…”

“Okay, enough of this chit-chat,” says Queen Arriana peevishly. “Let’s get this fight over, and then we can talk.”

“Agreed,” says Polkin.

You have now reached a large round pit in the ground, about fifteen yards wide. There is a wooden archway on each side, and each one is connected to a set of very narrow steps leading down into the pit. You peer over the edge; it’s at least four yards deep. Once you are down, it will be hard to get up again without winning the fight.

Perhaps impossible.

“Here goes,” you mutter, readying your weapons. “Wish me luck.”

“I’ll do more than that,” says Queen Arriana. She mutters a few words, then rubs her hand across your forehead. Her fingers sparkle, and you have the feeling that she has engaged in more elven magic.

For the next encounter, you can re-roll two dice rolls of your choice.

You are not entirely sure if the queen’s help counts as cheating… but if you get out of this alive, you’ll take it. A part of you is starting to regret your earlier bravery…

Soon, you are standing alone at the foot of the pit. Blackbottle still hasn’t arrived, but an increasing number of elves are in position up above, ringing the pit and staring down at you. There is tension in the air.

As you wait, nerves start to rise. In the heat of a battle, there is no great problem. Or often there is, but you are too busy to think about it.

But this waiting around, especially with an audience, well… you’re not used to it… and you don’t like it!

At last, there is a murmuring from above, and then a hush runs through the crowd. Blackbottle has arrived it seems. And indeed, he appears at the top of the pit, now on foot. He stares down at you, framed by the afternoon sun.

“Behold — my champion,” he calls out.

“Wha…” you murmur, before it dawns on you: Blackbottle can also name a champion, just as Arriana did.

So who will it be?

Then you hear a thumping noise, followed by several alarmed screams from the crowd above. None of this is helping to calm your nerves; you are picturing a hugely muscular elf, ferocious and fast, with sharpened teeth…

When the champion appears, you are even more alarmed — and the reaction of the crowd starts to make sense. For this is no elf at all, nor human, but an enormous ogre; a creature of legend that are said to serve the goblins and be used as fodder for their armies.

More evidence linking Blackbottle to Lord Rotter… but that is not your primary concern.

The ogre takes a step down, then another… He is half clad in fur armor, which has spikes emerging from it, as does his big bald head. He carries a vast wooden club and spears. He’s stupid looking but very fierce, and is twice the height of you or any of the onlookers.

Less than halfway down, the ogre apparently decides that the steps are too small… and leaps the rest of the way. He lands with an enormous thump, looks at you, and growls.

Encounter: Battle of Champions.
Challenge rating: Hard (roll 19+).
Roll using brawn or magic.

If you succeed, you hit the ogre.
He's a tough brute; you must hit five times to kill him.

If you fail, he hits you.
Roll d20; on a 1–10, you lose one point of health, and on 11–20 you lose two.

If you die, click here.
If you win, read on.

Aftermath

Chantilla and Polkin help you from the pit, and briefly tend to the worst of your wounds. Soon, you are surrounded by jubilant elves… but you know there is still work to be done if peace is to reign in the forest.

Pushing past your new fans, you march towards Blackbottle and his loyal black-clad supporters. “Look at that thing!” you cry, pointing a figure down at the slain ogre. “What kind of elven leader allies with a foul ogre? And surely you can see that your weapons and armor are goblin made. Is this how you want your people to live?”

“This is a modern world,” pipes up one. “We can’t stick to the old ways. Trade in armor is only commerce. Besides, goblins don’t mean us any harm.”

“Yes they do!” cries Queen Arriana, coming to your side. “Lord Rotter wants to take over all of Primatria, and you are his useful idiots.”

“She’s right,” you say, stepping closer. The lieutenants flinch from you, having just seen you kill an ogre.

Then, after a moment’s standoff, Blackbottle draws a dagger, and tries to stab you!

But as the knife goes in, it turns into a handful of bees. He yelps, waving his hand in the air; the surviving bees fly off, and his hand is covered in multiple stings.

“Evil witch,” he murmurs, giving Arriana the side-eye. But Polkin kicks him firmly in the crotch, which causes him to fall to the ground and stop talking.

Then you look at Blackbottle’s followers again.

“We’ve made it very plain,” you say. “You’ve been infiltrated by agents working for Lord Rotter and his goblins. Who rules Fey Serene should be down to you elves, not down to him.”

Encounter: Persuading the elves.
Challenge rating: Easy (roll 10+).
Roll using charm.

If you succeed, add +5 to your next roll.
If you fail add nothing.

Now, roll d20 to determine how many of Blackbottle's most loyal followers
lay down their arms and agree to work with their fellow elves.

If the number is over 10, add +1 to your reputation.

Soon, the elves have assembled back in the great Circle of Gathering. You spend an hour enjoying your fill of the finest food and drink that they can offer, and having your wounds tended to further by elvish magic.

Restore your health to its maximum.

“I’d better leave you now,” you say. “You elves must have a lot to discuss.”

“And we have a lot to thank you for,” says Queen Arriana. “Everyone here thinks you are very brave, and smart, too.”

Add +1 to your reputation.

“Why, thanks. It was my pleasure. But there is clearly still work to do to stop Lord Rotter’s schemes,” you say.

“Right.” She nods, thoughtfully. “You know, you gave me an idea. The council thing. I think it would be best if the elves were ruled by a group of elders, rather than a single monarch.”

You raise your eyebrows. “Wow. That’s quite the change of heart.”

She smiles. “I’ll still be queen, thanks to you. But in more of a ceremonial role.”

“Got it.”

“A role that allows me to visit The Bastion more… and to tackle the goblin menace.”

It’s your turn to nod thoughtfully. “I think we’ll both have work to do, then,” you say at last. “For now, I should get going.”

“Safe travels. Chantilla is needed here, but Polkin will accompany you to the edge of the forest. And here — another emerald for your time and trouble.’’

Add an emerald to your inventory.

“Many thanks, your highness.”

And before long, you are returning back to base…

Click here for Hearthstone Hideout.

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