Tale View

The air shimmered between the spectators and the combatants.  Contained within the shimmer, three Freelancers circled each other, trading blows and the arcane energy of mighty spells.

The shimmer enclosed an area in Cliffshadow's Pegasus Square, and some stands had been set up on the north and west side for spectators.  Dignitaries, House members, and officials lined the north side of the area, the Freelancers' leaders among them.  Arnari and Mayor Kaiea were deep in discussion, pointing things out to each other; the Commandant of the Guard and Tomtom were similarly occupied.  To the west were the Freelancers who were not competing, including two who had already been eliminated from the arena, to their disgruntled surprise.  The other Freelancers were jocular about it.  Near them, but apart, sat a Wild elf of indeterminate gender named Latae, watching the combat and comparing it to their own skills.

The other spectators were spread around the other edges of the shimmer.  Many were just folks who lived in Cliffshadow, but there were also airship crew, visitors from Pembroke (which was approaching conjunction), and people intent on relocating to the most cosmopolitan port in Skyway.  Everyone was watching intently, with bated breath.  Some people were making book on who would win.

One such person was a shy firbolg named Sofiya.  She was very tall and thin, but did not move like one would expect, for she was raised in Hindmarsh to human parents.  Upon their passing she thought better of Hindmarsh and had come to Cliffshadow.

Another observer was Tui, a human recently arrived from Sullimany, having been ejected from University of Magery there.  She had fled to Duquesne, and discovered the Academy of Magic.

Latae, Sofiya, and Tui were all watching with an eye to whether they "could do that", because the one thing they all had in common was needing money.

Others were also watching from the audience.  Nahele, a Rain sagani from the Three Rivers Bardic Conservatory whose father had been an adventurer, was watching and wondering if she wanted to follow in his footsteps.  Beck and Bock Hudson, twins who had been asked to leave their mercenary group in the outer reaches, were also wondering if Freelancers were a good place to land.

The winner of the battle was the Rock sagani Peb, and the Freelancers crowded around them, full of congratulations.  They were affable and a bit taken aback at having won.

Arnari and Kaiea congratulated them, but both had a slight frown.  Tomtom broke off his discussion and also congratulated them.  Most people dispersed, as mages from the Academy of Magic started dismantling the arena.  The Freelancers wandered back towards their Tavern, in no great rush, Tomtom and Arnari trading observations.  Our 6 observers followed as well, and upon arrival, ended up having interesting interviews with Tomtom in his office, Latae first.  Upon their conclusion, Freelancers added 6 more to their ranks.

Arnari, meanwhile, chatted with the combatants a little, then paid a visit to the Academy of Magic.