The Thunderers

**The Thunderers** premiered on November 19th, 2017 and had a follow up on January 7th, 2018. It was created by Jonny Christie and starred Matt Christie, Rob Christie, TJ Christie, Tim Mayer, Richie Maynard, Kyle Muller, Corey Sexton, and Antoine SinClaire. It was the second One-Shot under the Athantopia brand and the first to be split into two days.

The Thunderers follows Sixteen contenders that battle in a to the death gladiatorial tournament with only one rule. Survive and you will be released.

## The Thunderers

### Players

Matt ChristieRob Christie

TJ Christie

Tim Mayer

Richie Maynard

Kyle Muller

Corey Sexton

Antione SinClaire

### Followed By

Last Remnant: Union of the Golden Chalice

## Synopsis

### Day 1

#### Preliminaries

**Craton** and **Rhumbus** versus **Jorenr** and **Cronus**

At an unknown location, presumed to be Athens, a tournament is being held for King Praxilaus XIV on his 23rd Name day. Sixteen competitors have been brought from all over Ancient Greece to fight to the death for his amusement. Last year’s Victors, Jorenr of Thebes and Cronus of Sparta, enter the battle field as the preliminary fight begins. Cryses Introduces The challengers; Craton, Son of Kyros of Marathon and Rhumbus of Thebes. Neither have come on their own free will. Craton was forced after his family was slaughtered because he worshiped Hermes. Rhumbus followed the bottle to this fight, taking the lifestyle of Dionysus, his God. They understand they must work together to defeat the Champions, despite not understanding why they have to prove themselves before the actual event starts. The fight begins and for the most part it seems pretty even. Cronus has trouble making any shots and ends up getting Jorenr killed when Craton stabs the Thebian through the neck and drags the blade down his torso. The crowd is pleased and Praxilaus has the drunk end the Spartan’s life. He curb stomps him and the two winners head back into the tunnels to await their next fights. Gregorios, the King’s guardian, halts time as he goes into the arena and curses Cronus, having dishonored the name he was bestowed.

#### Round 1

**Lais** versus **Iota**

The carnage continues as Cryses announces the first single match on the day. Iota, Son of Sokratis of Sklavokampos is the first to enter. A follower of Zeus, He bases his entire life around the God of the Sky in appearance and combat. He is shortly followed by a complete butch of a woman; Lais, Daughter of Tarchon of Athens. She is not there by choice and was sold by her father to compete. She looks to Artemis to lead her on the hunt for freedom. They begin the dual and it’s pretty clear the audience is on Lais’ side. She puts up a valiant fight Iota is just an all around better fighter and he takes her down. Before he can place the final blow however, Praxilaus spares the beast, letting her live to hunt another day. The fighters are civil and blood shake on a good match.

**Skia** versus **Kasumi**

Cryses reemerges and riles up the crowd with the next fight. Since everyone was so excited about the last female competitor, the next fight would be two more. He calls for Skia of Argos. Concealing her face, she enters with a determination only matched by her goddess, Athena. Then the second fighter arrives. Hailing from a distant land, the warrior Kasumi, Daughter of Nocturnal of Giza enters. How exotic. She fights for the safety of her daughter who was taken from her. The fight commences and it gets rowdy quick. Kasumi fires a barrage of arrows at Skia who can barely dodge and block as she closes in on the Egyptian. When she gets up close it heavily weights in the Argon’s favor and she gets one huge X slash on her opponent before The King demands she kill the foreigner. Skia doesn’t comply and heads back into the tunnels, infuriating the crowd so Gregorios sends in a few guards to eliminate the loser. Nicodromus, the Doctore, mentions to the victor that she will be penalized for disobeying but she shrugs it off saying that in a fight to the death she is already being punished.

**Cornipharous** versus **Hektor**

Cryses introduces the next competitors, visibly upset about losing the most ethnic challenger in the last fight. The first is Hektor of Cyprus. A small island boy who believes worshiping Hades will keep him in his favor in the afterlife. He is timid but smiling. Until he sees his opponent, Cornipharous, Son of Odysseus of Ithica.  Being the child of a legend hushes the audience. The King is very excited. He carries a tower shield with a large hammer on it, signifying he is a follower of Hephaestus, completely ignoring his heritage. Hektor puts up a noble fight but he simply can’t get past the massive shield. The Son of Odysseus bashes the islander to the ground and the crowd wants blood so he Takes his shield and decapitates the boy, ending his short life.

**Static** versus **Beatrice**

Cornipharous heads into the tunnels, victorious. He passes by a Nordic man and they briefly share a look of respect. Cryses calls the Viking into the next fight. His name is Static, Son of Oden. Not to be confused with Odin. Though it does confuse everyone. He stands taller than all the other competitors. When the second fighter is called, it is clear this will be in his favor. Beatrice, Daughter of Barne of Thebes emerges. Short and beautiful, wearing decorative armor her father bought her. She prays to Hestia that she may have fun and draws her bow. She does not. Static completely overpowers her quite fast and when she attempts to woo him, The Homosexual Alleged Thunder demigod avoids her advances but doesn’t kill her outright. In a last-ditch effort, she shoots at the King but Gregorios blocks it with an open palm. The King’s archers all prepare to take her down but Static requests he do it and Praxilaus agrees. Realizing it’s over, she puts her bow on the ground and kneels before him. He offers her amnesty but she declines so he jams his spear down her throat, killing the girl. Not a dick joke.

**Psyche** versus **Andreios**

The next two competitors are preparing for their fight. The large man makes eye contact with Skia for just a moment before eying his opponent and a look of determination crosses his face. He enters the arena. He is Andreios of Argos, a regular challenger who worships Asclepius. Armored up and wielding a massive shield, he puts on his helmet and stands at the ready. On the opposite side of the spectrum, A petite woman with a bow enters. She is Psyche of Argos and knows Andreios and Skia quite well, having been a former lover of the latter. She knows it bothers him and uses it to her advantage. She spends a majority of the battle running and firing at him but his heavy armor mutes it. It appears to be a stand still until Andreios tosses his shield at Psyche, knocking her prone and disarming her. He prepares for the final blow waiting for the king to call it, but he does not. In a rage he prepares to kill her anyway. He is stopped by the threat of being executed and they both get released to the tunnel. Though he won, it doesn’t feel like a victory and he embraces his sister, glad they both made it to the next day.

**Methodios** versus **Mentor**

Cryses cracks a joke about Praxilaus saving two women today but it doesn’t click with the audience who just want to see more death. He calls for the next fight Between Methodios, Son of Nymphodorus of Sounion and Mentor of Pandosia. One follows Poseidon, the Other Demeter. Land and Sea. Praxilaus sits up straight realizing Mentor is a dwarf. It’s very exciting. The very nervous Methodios does the blunt of the damage before Praxilaus calls for a Lion to enter so he can watch the midget master the beast. The humans work together to kill the animal and Methodios ends up overpowering the little guy. The King has him killed, satisfied with his use so the man skewers him and shoves the corpse into the dead lion.

**Zephyr** versus **Rhesus**

The next fight begins. First to enter is Zephyr, Son of Demetrious of Oropus. A true tank of a man that takes his power from Persephone. He is followed by Rhesus of Croton. The “Expected Champion” since he is well known for following Ares. Although this is the most traditional fight of the day, Praxilaus gets bored with it and cuts the fight short, letting the audience decide on the victor. They decide on Rhesus and both men head back into the Tunnels.

**Craton** versus **Rhumbus**

With that disappointing battle, Cryses calls for the final fight of the day. He brings Craton and Rhumbus back out. They refuse to fight so rather than just kill them both, King Praxilaus calls for the Cyclops. Whoever survives or gets the killing blow on the monster will move on. Craton climbs up the beast as Rhumbus distracts it from the ground. The drunk almost gets crushed as Craton takes the creature down but they both make it out of the battle. Before they can kill it however they are stopped by the King who has the monster retuned to the cages. He congratulates Craton and tells his archers to kill Rhumbus. The drunk chucks his sword at the king as arrows come flying his way. Everything freezes. Only Rhumbus can move. Gregorios comes down to him and tells him to leave before he changes his mind. Rather then abide he stabs the guardian in the chest.

### Day 2

#### Top 8

**Craton** versus **Rhesus**

The next day begins the Top eight and it appears as if not a single soul remembers Rhumbus in the slightest. Only the fighters remember him and it confuses them but that doesn’t concern them as much as surviving. Cryses calls Craton back out and the man-killer is unenthused that he's once again starting the day. He then calls out Rhesus and the crowd is hoping he has a better outing than yesterday. Unfortunately, he does not and not only forfeit the match, but gets executed by the very unimpressed Craton with a sword through the gut. The son of Kyros moves on to the semi-finals virtually untouched.

**Andreios** versus **Static**

Andreios and Skia congratulate Craton on his “Victory” as the brother heads out for his fight. The Viking Static also enters the arena, prepared to dominate once again. The fight begins and it's clearly a better match. Both men are massive and hit hard but Andreios hits just a bit harder and knocks the foreigner to the ground and before a decision can be made Andreios leaves the battlefield since he has honor so Praxilaus spares him, hoping to use him for future events.

**Methodios** versus **Cornipharous**

Both men return to the tunnels and Static is livid. He begins to plot something. Though for what is unknown. Cryses calls for the next fight. Cornipharous enters and is bathing in the applause he didn’t deserve. Methodios also comes out, just as nervous as his last fight, only this time he’s fighting the son of a legend. Cornipharous attacks hard but his age weighs heavily on him and he begins to tire. Methodios uses this to his advantage and keeps the old man away with his trident. It appears as if the fight is going nowhere so Praxilaus sends out a chimera to spice up the fight. Cornipharous is much better equipped to handle the monster and finishes it swiftly but Methodios takes this opportunity to back stab Cornipharous, ending the fight.

**Skia** versus **Iota**

Lais is telling the fighters a riveting story about her escapades as Methodios returns to the tunnels. They appear horrified. The final fight is called as Skia and Iota enter the arena. Iota is a bit insulted he has to fight another woman but he isn’t intimidated and calls for Zeus to lay down a sick beat as *Hail to the King* begins to play from the heavens. However, Skia is a much quicker opponent and dodges a majority of his attacks. He gets impatient and begins to swing wildly and loses his sword. Skia slashes him down and the lady beater gets saved because misogyny. Skia’s relief is short lived once she realizes her next opponent will be her Brother in the Semi-Finals.

#### Semi-Finals

**Craton** versus **Methodios**

Lais whispers something to Craton just before he leaves the tunnels and it… changes him. Cryses calls for Craton who enters but he’s completely checked out. He enters in what appears to be a possessed state and before the start can be called he charges at Methodios. The young man is too intimidated and drops his trident in fear. Craton stabs the spear into the ground and impales the skinny guy on his own weapon. He breaks out of his trance and is terrified of what he had just done. Everything freezes and Gregorios approaches Craton, a bit ticked off at what just happened. He tells the man that whatever just happened better not occur again or there will be consequences. The follower of Hermes just walks back to the tunnels completely in shock as everything returns to motion.

**Andreios** versus **Skia**

Praxilaus is livid that the fights are so one sided so he states that if this isn’t a good fight he will kill them both. Of course, they don’t want to fight each other so the King calls his archers and they begin to fire. Andreios charges at his sister and tackles her to the ground, taking every arrow that flies their way. Waves and waves of arrows impale him as he hums an old tune to his sister until he inevitably dies above her. The gladiators are not happy and the crowd is starting to get restless so Gregorios freezes time yet again. He steps up to the twins and shoves the corpse out of the way and demands she tell him why no one is fighting properly. She truly doesn’t know so he begins to age her until he realizes she’s just a mere pawn and tells her to find out who is causing this ruckus back stage. Everything returns as Nicodromus comes out and drags the screaming girl back into the tunnels. Praxilaus leaves his podium and heads into the tunnels to find out what the hades is going on even though Gregorios advises against it. Skia begins a speech to her fellow survivors about how this cannot continue and they all make an argument to take this place down. The King arrives and Skia immediately starts bad mouthing him. Praxilaus laughs it off and promises the fighters that if the finals do not go off without a hitch they will all be killed for his pleasure. He leaves and Gregorios once again asks who is in charge. They all individually curse him out so he also leaves.

#### Finals

The **Riot**

The finals begin as Craton and Skia enter. Before anything can happen however, Lais and Zephyr break through the gate and the rest of the fighters enter the arena prepared to fight their way to freedom. A riot begins as archers start firing at the field. Praxilaus calls for the Hydra and it enters. Zephyr, Static, and Lais hold it off as Craton and Skia head for the King. Iota and Psyche covering them from afar. Nicodromus fights back and Static holds him off. Craton and Skia get to the King and Gregorios decides to retreat for now. They kill Praxilaus and Iota kills Cryses because he was in the way. Static offers Nicodromus a chance to escape with them but he declines so the Viking kills him and attempts to escape. He opens every gate available and all the monsters and beasts are set free. Lais and Zephyr stay behind to defend the others as they escape. Static, on his way out, is confronted by Gregorios who tells him to kill the others or die where he stands. He refuses so Gregorios force shoves him back into the colosseum to his assumed death. The remaining four successfully get out of the arena. They plan to split here so Craton and Skia go to shake hands but they both attempt to stab each other and the true finals begin.

**Craton** and **Iota** versus **Skia** and **Psyche**

Iota attempts to attack Skia but Psyche comes to her rescue so a tag team battle commences. Craton gets Skia to the ground and she gives up so he stands up and heads home, having officially won his freedom. The fight is not over however as Iota attempts to kill the two women. They overpower the old fool and kill him. They embrace in a fit of passion and head home to Argos.

After the dust settles and everything is calm, Static, Zephyr, and Lais exit the arena having survived the skirmish after all. They come face to face with Gregorios and Rhumbus who offers the Thunderers a drink.

## Cast

### Main

* Andreios of Argos
* Beatrice, Daughter of Barne of Thebes
* Cornipharous, Son of Odysseus of Ithica
* Craton, Son of Kyros of Marathon
* Hektor of Cyprus
* Iota, Son of Sokratis of Sklavokampos
* Kasumi, Daughter of Nocturnal of Giza
* Lais, Daughter of Tarchon of Athens
* Mentor of Pandosia
* Methodios, Son of Nymphodorus of Sounion
* Psyche of Argos
* Rhesus of Croton
* Rhumbus of Thebes
* Skia of Argos
* Static, Son of Oden
* Zephyr, Son of Demetrious of Oropus

### Supporting

* King Praxilaus XIV
* Gregorios
* Nicodromus Doctore
* Cryses
* Jorenr of Thebes
* Cronus of Sparta

## Deaths

* Cronus of Sparta
* Jorenr of Thebes
* Kasumi, Daughter of Nocturnal of Giza
* Beatrice, Daughter of Barne of Thebes
* Hektor of Cyprus
* Mentor of Pandosia
* Rhesus of Croton
* Cornipharous, Son of Odysseus of Ithica
* Methodios, Son of Nymphodorus of Sounion
* Andreios of Argos
* Cryses
* King Praxilaus XIV
* Nicodromus Doctore
* Iota, Son of Sokratis of Sklavokampos

## Trivia

* First One-Shot to span over two days due to the sheer length of the tournament.
* Orginally Matt Finger was supposed to portray Jorenr and Cronus but he did not appear on the first day so they were used as NPCs during the preliminary fights.
* Antoine SinClaire was a very late edition to the cast having been brought on to replace Rob Christie who could not make it. However, Christie did end up appearing and rather than split the character or have someone sit out, They made SinClaire two characters on the spot that became Kasumi and Static respectfully.
* Kasumi and Static are the only two characters to not hail from ancient Greece. This was because all major Greek gods were already used for other players so rather then scrap the bottom of the barrel for lesser gods, Christie and SinClaire took from Ancient Egypt and Norse Mythology.
* Though there was no true winner, Craton is the victor because Skia forfeit in their final battle.
* This is the first time Gregory is clear in his motives throughout.
* The after credits scene suggests that Gregorios has put together a group of gladiators called "The Thunderers" for an unknown reason consisting of Static, Zephyr, Lais, and Rhumbus.
* The final placements: (16) Beatrice (15) Hektor (14) Lais (13) Zephyr (12) Psyche (11) Mentor (10) Kasumi (9) Rhumbus (8) Static (7) Cornipharous (6) Iota (5) Rhesus (4) Andreios (3) Methodios (2) Skia (1) Craton.
* Uses the *Agon* ruleset.