Chariot On Top

*Hired by*: Clove

*Mission Request*: Sabotage specific teams competing in the Celadon Golden Lotus Trials

*Rewards/Loot*: (Pending)

*Discovered Places*: N/A

*Caravan Allies*: Gromlo (antiquarian), Caliban (cook), "Bob" (alarm gnome)

*Monsters Encountered*: N/A

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## Summary

In the morning, the party arrived at the Saint's Circle in front of the Lotus Temple along with the multitude of other trial competitors. They were greeted by a regal woman on the balcony of the temple, Saint Ataraxia. She wore long silk green robes embroidered with a golden flora design. She has bone white hair and amber eyes. She also has gold floral tattoos on her dark skinned hands. After the opening speech, Saint Ataraxia directed competitors to the Second Ward to meet at noon for the chariot races. Each chariot is pulled by two camels and can only hold three people, but each group is given up to two chariots. The first 19 chariots to cross the finish line will have their group move on to the next trial. Since groups can have multiple chariots, it is possible for a team to two spots of the 19, thus ensuring at least one other group cannot continue on. Once across the finish line, the individuals in the chariot are no longer participating in the trial.

While walking to the Second Ward, the party learned that the armadi they heard about is the very same armadi that refused Beebo's gift of a foon; he has sworn revenge on that rude armadi ever since (see C3Ep4). The nameless armadi is part of The Ebon Lantern, the previously nameless group the party saw walking away when they signed up for the competition (see "??? Group" in Aster's notes).

### *Speed Trial*

The Dziyiri Nakkar Consortium split into two groups. Beebo and Aleria, the lightest and heaviest party members took the red chariot and nicknamed themselves the "Chaos Riot". Aster, Eira, and Raxis took the blue chariot and named it "Electricbloogaloo". The Chaos Riot had a good start and stayed up with the lead after a crystal of thunderwave signaled the start of the race. Electricbloogaloo got caught up in the crowd of other chariots, but this proved advantageous as it put both Askia's Glory and Solemn Crane Company's single chariots in between them. The chariot riders faced many obstacles like an oblivious fishmonger cart, overzealous trial watchers, and a bridge under construction as they raced toward the finish line. Aleria killed a some of the racing camels and Beebo cast hold monster on one of the Solemn Crane Company's camels to impede their progress. Electricbloogaloo managed to catch up to Chaos Riot while they were sabotaging the competitors. Aster used her blood magic to unknowingly paralyze the Solemn Crane Company's same camel. Near the end of the race a couple black cloaked figures shot at the chariot riders with poisoned crossbow bolts. The Dziyiri Nakkar Consortium was able to avoid being hit, but Raxis hopped off the chariot to pursue these strangers. Beebo called for Aster's help so she flew off the chariot. Electricbloogaloo came in 2nd thanks to Eira driving the chariot and thus the Dziyiri Nakkar Consortium was secured a spot to move on to the next trial. She unfortunately was beat by The Ebon Lantern group. In the meantime, Aleria and Aster worked on eliminating other chariots to reduce the number of groups competing in the next trial. Unable to attack the armadi, Beebo waited for his party members to do some damage before crossing the finish line in 8th place. Askia's Glory crossed the finish line among the first 19 chariots; however the Dziyiri Nakkar Consortium successfully prevented the Solemn Crane Company from making it to the next round.