For 7 weeks I have called upon the many clans of the lands to do battle. There have been some glorious battles. I present the current standings to you for your review.

Malice 21-0 Valor 17-4 Shalonesti 17-4 Wargar 13-8 Eclipse 11-10 Knighthood 11-10 Armada 6-15 Conclave 5-16 Pirates 2-19 Slayers 2-19

2 matches that may interest you Lord, are the Wargar versus Eclipse in which the #4 playoff spot will be up for grabs if Wargar doesn't show well. Also, Malice takes their unbeaten record against the mighty Elves of Shalonesti. And for your humor, m'lord, if you do enjoy that sort of thing, The Slayers will fight the Pirates to see who will be names Algoron's worst fighting clan of this year.

May you bless me and all who do battle in your name.

(ooc: next week, levels 15, 38, and 51)

Riakenis was in his early 20s with extremely pale skin and a very noticeable limp. The limp had prevented him from entering military service in Nordmaar where he now ran the cities local news postings. Not being in the military in Nordmaar meant he had much less of a standing among his people. Riakenis wasn't by any means shy, but he was very timid and cowardly and for good reason. He was skin and bones and could probably be beaten senseless by women 40 years older.

"Aye, ah called yae 50 damned minutes ago! Whute yae bae doing? Shagging sume mutt yae found at the Black Rose?" Rupert replied.

Rupert was a stout bald headed man well into his 70s. He sports a white goatee and wore an eye patch over his left eye. Rumor has it that no man has EVER seen him smile. He has also been Nordmaars minister of defense for as long as anyone could remember.

"No sir, I wouldn't.."

"Shutup lad, it was a joke! I swear to Cliath thute ahve near found ah lad more dense than yae!"

Riakenis blushed and said nothing else.

"Ah called yae here because there bae ah announcement thute wae bae most interested in happening in Althainia tomorrow. Yae need ta bae there for it. Tha Baron Randorf bae announcing if thute mutt champion bae stayen in thae Gladiator League. Since Arcana bae tha number one contender, wae need ta knuwe!" Rupert shouted with a frown.

"Minister, how do you expect me to be there by tomor.." Riakenis said before being cut off.

"Find someone with tha magic, use ah portal if yae need to, juss gaet there and then gaet buke to us! No excuses!!"

The next day at an office in the Algoron Gladiator League, Althainia.

The Baron wore expensive silk clothing and plenty of gold jewelry. He made sure everyone knew he had more money than entire kingdoms and wasn't shy about it. He had long red hair and a long traditional dwarven red beard. Members of several kingdoms news organizations surrounded a table while artists sketched the scenes before them. The Baron began to speak.

"Greetins and welcome to tha Algoron Gladiator League Coliseum. As many of yae knuwe, I have recently outlawed the participation of Gladiators who possess the powers of tha Manatonics and the curse of the Vampires. This left mae with a dilemma. Our own champion, Maxx from tha Slayers, removed Deykans head in their last title defense thus taking his manatonic powers frume him for himself. We have given Maxx the decision ta stay as champion if he's willing ta lose his new found powers, or hae cune leave penalty free with his powers if he wishes, with all rights an privileges a champion deserves. And, well ahll let the Champion make his announcement himself."

Randorf motioned towards a couple of servants who then opened a double door. A Yinn with pitch black fur walked into the room. He stood over 7 feet tall and wore armor that matches his fur color. The only real distinction one could make out was several scars that stretched across his face.

Maxx stood proudly before the news people and Randorf a moment before saying a word. He took special notice of Riakenis, who stood before him in awe. It was no secret to anyone in the world that Nordmaar and the Yinn of Daetok have been through a grueling and bloody war for many years now. Riakenis wished to himself that he would have wore something that concealed his kilt and tartan'd shoulder wrap that showed the world he was from the Wallace clan of Nordmaar.

Maxx begin to speak. "I was offered a choice. Have these new powers removed and leave with full honor or have them removed and stay as champion. I never intended to join the AGL, much less become its first champion. Someone pissed me off and I went to the Arena to poke my dagger in him. Since then, I have taken pride in my accomplishments there. However, I won the championship without these powers. I defended the championship without them as well. They have helped me in my war against dragon kind however, and the demons and winged feigns of the world. Never the less, I have come to a decision."

"I want all of you to look at me closely. I am NO coward. I will fulfill my obligation as champion without these cursed powers. So you tell your people and the other gladiators' two words for me. Bring it. If I die as champion, let it be said that I ran from no man. Randorf is always asking me who do you want next? And my answer is ALWAYS the same. It doesn't matter. Bring one, bring them all, whoever shows up will get my daggers up their arse!"

Randorf smiled. Something told him this was great press. Smiling, Randorf turned toward the news representatives. "You may ask a few questions if you like."

A tall dark man with an Arabic rag over his head raised his hand.

"You there, frume New Thalos ah presume." Randorf said.

"Yes, Maxx, rumor has it that your next fight will be against the undefeated Nordmaarian Arcane. Do you have any hard feelings towards simply because he is from Nordmaar?"

Maxx looked the New Thalos man with contempt.

"Yes, indeed I do. Their people are cowards. He's already been running from me. He doesn't want to face me. Randorf should lock his arse up now as his slave. But that's no surprise. These are the same people that killed innocent people and burned Daetok settlements. This means women, children and the elderly. They have no honor and should be treated as such."

Maxx turned towards Riakenis. "You make sure you relay that for me."

Another man raised his hand and spoke after the nod from Randorf.

"Any predictions on the outcome of your next fight?"

"I predict my dagger will need to be cleaned afterwards. Don't ask me stupid-ass questions like that. It really pisses me off."

Another man spoke. "Maxx, you have spared both gladiators from permanent death that you have defeated so far. Why, and do you intend to change this trend in the future?"

"If they bring it and show me that they are not cowards, I will continue to spare them. Both Troen and Deykan faced me like men and gave me great challenges. My respect will go out to any warrior who does the same. But if I get some whiney arsed freak who begs for mercy and hides during the match, they will die that day and I will hang their pathetic embalmed corpses above my fireplace." Maxx replied.

Riakenis timidly raised his hand. Randorf expression changed to one of worry as he nodded at the young Nordmaarian.

"Yes, mister Maxx. I just wanted to correct your misunderstanding of that Yinn settlement attack. It was actually a Daetok staging ground for future land invasions against Nordmaar. There were supply buildings there with weapons for hundreds of soldiers to use against us and Daetok shielded those buildings with the lives of women of children. How do you respond to that information?"

Maxx made one swift move that ended before anyone had a chance to respond. A black furred arm moved with such speed, it was all a blur. A loud pop was heard and Riakenis dropped to the ground. Maxx had knocked Riakenis out cold. Maxx then yelled. "Any other questions?"

No one said a word.

Randorf ushered everyone out of the room and thanked them for coming while doing his best to play down the incident.

You can't attack the reporters! Randorf blared.

Maxx said only three words. Get me Arcana.

The Baron spoke loudly carrying his voice all over this back office located within the AGL Coliseum. The room had at the center of attention a long wooden table. On each end stood the AGL's next main event, Maxx the Champion and Queylin the #2 Contender to the Championship.

Maxx was a 7 foot tall pure black furred Yinn and was the AGL's first and (so far) only champion. His armor matched his fur in color and it was easy to see why this assassin consistently caught his opponents off guard. He had defended his title two times in seemingly easy victories and had always spared his opponents, even the Nordmarian of which he hated. Some would say it was a sign of weakness, Maxx would tell you he got more pleasure sending the Nordmarian home ashamed and defeated opponent. Maxx was a proud Yinn and had served as a good champion. He had earned respect and admiration from the AGL fans, but his pride and especially his free spirited mouth had brought him many enemies.

Queylin, a mountain dwarf, stood 5 and feet tall and was thicker around than the Yinn. His kinky long dark blonde hair laid behind his metal helmet while two dwarven females stroked it with their fingers. A large cup full of dwarven spirits sat before him as well as two bottles, one half empty. Queylin led the Wargar clan which was considered the mightiest of the Thaxanos kingdom. He sat behind this table taking large drinks from his spirits. For a man whom faced potential death only one day from now, his mood seemed extremely light.

"Tomorrow night here in Althainia, Ah have signed ah championship match between Thane Queylin and tha Champion Maxx. We'll have several matches before including a 3 on 1 pit dragon match and these events will bae concluded by tha fight for the championship as its main event. One man will either die or belong ta mae. One will be tha champion of the AGL. Now if there are any questions?" Randorf was excited. There was something about this match that animated his mood some.

A brown goblin raised his arm as many others in the room wished he would reconsider due to the smell that leaked from its arm pits.

"Yes, you there from Shalonesti? What is your question?" Randorf had pointed out a representative from the royal order of scribe from the Shalonesti kingdom.

"Pardon baron, but I had not raised my hand yet." The elf responded.

"So, surely yae have a damned question!" Randorf responded.

"My apologies baron, but if it would please the room and I believe it will, I would like to defer my question the goblin in the center, as long as he lowers his arm." The elf responded with a less than pleasant look upon his face.

Randorf rolled his eyes and nodded. "Very well, you the goblin, lower yur arm and ask yur question before someone passes out!"

"Uhh. Who do you? Uhh. Wunt ta win mister baron?" The goblin asked with a look a great pride for his most intelligent question.

"If I had to predict a winner based off what I have seen, I would say that Maxx is the slight favorite." Randorf responded. Queylin spit out the spirits that was half way down his throat, coughing a bit and looking at Randorf with annoyance. "But if I had to choose tha winner, I say its about time thute Dwarves took the championship and showed tha world how mighty wae truly are."

"Way to stay unbiased, Baron." Maxx grumbled. "But it doesn't matter who Randorf wants to win. All that matters is WHO wins. And I do not intend to start losing to some mountain grown inbreeding dwarf anytime soon."

Queylin and Randorf both glared at Maxx. "And juss why is it yon think yur so tough, there dog-face? Ah have eaten dogs bigger thune yae!" Queyling laughed loud and heartedly after he spoke.

"And I bet you have slept with sheep even bigger than me too, you inbred uneducated pig molester." Maxx returned.

Queylin smirked and responded. "RuffruffRUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF RUFF!!" followed by more laughter.

Maxx stood up and withdrew his blades. "Your words WILL be the death of you, you midget cousin loving drunkard."

"Yae, well yur mother wasn't mae cousin" Queylin said and he stood.

"Your mother was a gully dwarf." Maxx said as he stepped towards Queylin.

"Men! Gladiators! Save it for tomorrow night!" The Baron interrupted. "No point is shedding blood fur free."

Both men returned to their chairs. Now the mood was volatile. The elven reported raised his arm and Randorf acknowledged him.

"Maxx, why do you think you can beat Queylin. Everyone knows that the battlerager style is one of the most feared in the land."

"If you would do your research you would know that I have fought the battlerager Golin in the Arena. Despite his best efforts, I defeated him just as I will this drunkard." Maxx responded.

Queylin withdrew two weapons, one axe and one dagger. Both were lit on fire as though the fire were bound to the weapons. "Yeah dog-face, you did beat Golin. But he didn't have weapons such as these. Say hello to my little friends, this bae Juxx and Kxixep and they bae looking forward ta making yur acquaintance."

Maxx's expression changed instantly. His eyes grew wide and his smirk of arrogance disappeared. And even more surprisingly, he said nothing.

Randorf said from behind a desk in front of the Press filled room. Sitting next to him was a Human holding a highly polished AGL World Championship belt over his shoulder. Nashkell, the Warlock looked around the room calmly as he studied each member of the press.

"Nashkell has nae opponent for thae end weeks card. And if you ask mae, ah think all thae Contender bae ducking him!" Randorf spoke with in a tone that made his aggravation very public.

A skinny elven reporter raises his hand and then spoke.

"But Baron, the Champion has yet to even defend his title. And he's been Champion for almost two months. So why would people have reason to be frightened of him?"

Nashkell showed no emotion at the comment, but the comment clearly fired Randorf up, especially coming from an Elf.

"Cause he bloody whooped up on Maxx, who everyone feared. Nashkell bae a tactical mastermind! Thae know when they fight him, it nute bae brawn versus brawn, but it bae his wits yae need ta defeat."

Nashkell spoke.

"The fact of the matter is all of us, myself included, was surprised to see Maxx fall that night. His skill was apparent, but I had time to study his moves, his reliance on a few skills, and having studied the history of the Yinn in battle, especially against Nordmaar, I was able to conceive and enact a series of tactics that kept his skills minimized while my own optimized. In the end my concept proved correct and the Slayer was defeated. Now I'm not saying that I am worthy of wearing this title, but I am willing to put my tact on the line. There are many in this league that can beat me on brute force alone... Luckily I don't rely on brute force. From the formation of the lands of Serpantol to the Baliforian armies pushing out the Marauder brutes, history is filled with the stories of those who can overcome odds to succeed...

We shall see how history remembers me."

The members of the press jotted furiously on their scrolls as Randorf stood.

"Thute bae all. Thanks ta yae all for cumen juss ta hear bad news. I would..."

A thick Nordmaar accent interrupted Randorf.

"Ah've cume ta fight."

One of the members of the press recognized him. "Torin! Great! Warlock versus Warlock!"

Randorf grinned.

"Ah'm nute ah Warlock, ah'm an Alchemist and ah'll thank yae to learn tha difference."

Noticing the scrapes on Torin's knuckles, the reporter understood he was more than just an alchemist as well.

"Waell, cune ah fight or nay?" Torin asked Randorf.

"Aye lad, aye. You cune fight em." Randorf said with a smile.

A Kender reporter raised his arm and spoke "Nashkell, you're going to fight now! Isn't that great?"

"I look forward to the challenge of facing someone born into a war experienced people such as the Nords. Raije would be pleased." Nashkell responded.

"Excellent, the Champion will face his top Contender Torin in ah Warlock versus War.. Alchemist match! See yae all at thae Arena." Randorf said with visions of gold in his head.

Snarkerl raised his head from the ground and yawned. The Dragon's large pointy teeth were the same size as the Balanx who was trying to wake him.

"You've missed the entire war, or at least the first wave!" Austanis said. "I can't tell you what's to come, but I can tell you what you've missed if you like." He said without any emotion in your voice.

"So some mortals went to war and killed one another. What do I care?" The Green Dragon hissed.

"Not quite" Austanis said, "a bit more than that occurred."

The green dragon yawned. "Didn't you alter something historic by waking me up? Go away!"

Austanis "No, you'll be dead in an hour anyway."

Now the Balanx had the Green Dragon's attention.

Snarkerl changed his expression from careless and tired to serious. "Speak. Or you'll be joining me."

"One day, but not today, my green friend." Austanis replied. "The Gods have started a War with each other."

Snarkerl asked "A full war?"

Austanis nodded his head, "All out war. The Good Gods against the Evil with the Neutral Gods caught in between trying to find peace before the world is destroyed. Many in Algoron are dead, much is destroyed."

"How long did I sleep?" asked Snarkerl.

"Not long, especially for a Dragon. You slept about 3 days." Austanis replied. "But as you know, when the Gods choose the affect the world, it happens quickly. Many Dragons slept, as did many mortals. That was not by choice, but by the protection of some Gods."

"So I slept to be protected only to be killed in 1 hour?" The dragon snarled.

"Yes. Your protection has run out." Austanis said without emotion.

"Wonderful!!" The Dragon said sarcastically. "What else happened? Who's dead?"

"The Dragons who did not sleep launched a full assault on the Slayers keep. Much to the mortal's credit, they fended off the Dragon coalition. Their downfall occurred when a Blue Dragon landed awkwardly on top of the keep. It was crushed under the Great Wyrm's weight."

"The Slayers Doom was the result of a fat Blue Dragon landing on them?" The dragon laughed.

"I wouldn't call him fat, big boned for sure, but he was a Great Wyrm, just as you are. Anyway, other clans fell to the Gods themselves. Armada was destroyed by the Pirates. The Gypsies wagons were burned by the Kingdom of Verminasia as order by Malachive. Malachive, son of Necrucifer single handedly destroyed the Pirates killing many and reducing their hideout to rubble. Malice fell before Nadrik and his Knights while Valor was destroyed by Necrucifer and his knights. Eclipse was terminated from within by Renegade Yinn opposition."

"Knighthood and Shadow took out Malice and Valor?" the dragon asked. "And Malachive? I already refused to join him! I knew he'd destroy the world instead of conquering it!"

"Yes." The Balanx replied. "It seems the honorable factions had the discipline to accomplish their lord's goals quickly. There are a lot of survivors and it's my understanding that those left alive are seeking a place in the newer starting clans. The people are calling these new orders Bloodlust, Wrath of Justice and the Order of the Talon."

"Why are you telling me all of this?" The dragon asked.

"I am here to document your death. I am just passing the time with this story. It feels refreshing to share my knowledge, especially knowing you can do no harm with it."

"I suppose I should feel privileged. Continue." The Dragon said again sarcastically. "What of the rest of the World?"

"The Elves enclosed themselves in the forest avoiding the war, as did the Dwarves who shut the mountain's gates. Both thought it was the rest of the world's problems since they were not attacked. A natural reaction I suppose. The Conclave finally did the inevitable and merged the towers under one ruler. They are the same as they were, except unified as 1 conclave with the 3 factions. They are also building a non-warring faction to teach magic. Sebatis even moved the Red Robe tower out of the main focus of these battles, to Ice Wall.

"The Austinians were destroyed by Goblins who simply sought out loot in the time of turmoil. The survivors are now calling themselves the Gray Church and are opening their doors to anyone without constraints.

"A lot of artifacts and magical items were destroyed in the world. Mages seem to have an awful advantage, for now, as the fighting types tend to figure out how to counter that. They've already starting manufacturing better armor types. The Banks have crumbled as they were looted. Looters ran rampant on those kept sleeping as well. Hundreds have been executed for their part in that. Yes, it appears the first wave of this war is over and order is coming back - for now."

"And what of me? How am to die? And why?" The dragon asked nervously.

"You're going to die by Malachive's hand for not joining him." Austanis said.

"And where is he?" The dragon asked.

"You are speaking to him, idiot." Austanis said.

"What?" The dragon asked as he watched Austanis' form change to Malachive's.

"I hope you've enjoyed today's report. Enjoy yourself in Hell dragon." Malachive said with a smile.

Malachive struck his hand into the dragon's chest and pulled out its enormous still beating heart before the Dragon could react.

The dragon's mouth flew wide open as to yell in pain, but before it made a sound, Malachive threw the heart into the dragon's mouth, forcing it to swallow it whole.

Malachive grinned as he simply said "Heh"

"Nothing. It is already done" the Yinn responded without any emotion.

The young human paused and almost said something, but stopped at looked towards the tower. "Ask if you have questions" the Yinn expecting more.

"Well, how will we know? And what kind of war will this cause?"

"War? There will be no war. Do not underestimate me. I mean to destroy them here and now. And you'll know .. Soon" the Yinn smiled as he spoke. The Yinns smile came off more like a snarl to the human who was already a little more than freaked out.

"It's good that our mission is in the hands of a true believer." The human responded, not knowing really what to say. "True believer? Is that what they say?" The Yinn asked. "I am more of a true hater. And the ones who live here not only harbor their unnatural kind, but they worship them. Ever since the blue hindered our cause, they have run amuck polluting our world. I believe an unnatural has a hand in everything around us and this will be the announcement to the world that we still believe, we still exist and yes, we still hate those.."

A large explosion interrupted the Yinn. The dragon scaled tower crumbled into itself pushing dust over the snow covering all things around it.

The human pushed the dust off of his eyes and grabbed a handful of snow to wash the rest out so he could once again see. Once his vision cleared, he looked towards the Yinn who was no longer standing beside him. Moving ahead the human called to him. "Overlord? Overlord?"

Finally, he saw the Yinn near the rubble standing over an injured kender. Catching up, the human looked down at the kender. Despite having a broken leg, the kender didn't look the least bit upset.

"Aww, why did you have to go and do that for? It was a perfectly good tower." The kender asked. The yinn said nothing as he merely leaned down and thrust his dagger into the front of the kenders neck.

"It is done. Now we have much work to do" the Yinn said as he stared at the kender gargling in his own blood. an injured gladiator has some small wounds and bruises.