Rolled 7, 15, 2, 6, 7, 15, 6, 18, 5, 5, 13, 18 = 117 (12d20)

The trail is hardpacked earth – Eurykratides had clearly spent considerable time and effort ensuring that the trail from the arena down to the shore would be serviceable for the competitors. In fact, it is so smooth and stable that you have little concern for overturning; your movement can be best described as a controlled sprint, as you simultaneously guide your cart, steady its wobbles, and even push it forwards time and again. In short – you can’t hope for more speed without taking reckless risks.

You glance over your right shoulder – another of the cages lurches out onto the trail. Hyperbius, no doubt – your opponent’s cart quickly picks up speed, and you catch a glimpse of him as he flips his cart around in the same way that you did - he is now mostly obscured from view. The Theban must be pushing with all of his fiendish strength, as his cart flies, but as you gauge his progress, you are reassured – his top speed cannot quite match yours, and your lead will certainly lengthen even further over time…

You’ve about a hundred paces* down the trail when you hear a great roar erupt from the arena behind you. Your ears sift through the cacophony to discern what event has transpired...

this little vignette takes place in the middle of the cart-push sequence, the visual schema I just posted represents the “end state”, where Hippomedon is already at the boats.

>okay, I’ll rolling for Nico’s counterattack against the bull – this is the final aspect of Phase 1 in the arena. Nico has a +1 to-hit, +10 wound, bull has a +3 dodge, +6 block. NTHx3, NWx3, BDx3, BBx3