by Gnaeus Dionysius Draco on Mon Nov 17, 2003 5:58 pm
Salvete!
Later than expected, but there they are!
LUDI PLEBEII QUARTER FINALS
Group I (Hannibal, Indutiomarus, Romulus, Damnator)
Welcome to our first quarter final! The line-up looks promising and dangerous. Everyone knows that Romulus is the only one who can yet topple Damnator and prevent him from winning this year's championships. Hannibal, on the other hand, is keen on winning. The Greens have never achieved the first spot during this year. And finally there's Indutiomarus of Aurata who is, theoretically at least, the second-fastest racer in this final. Oh and there they go already with Romulus assuming the lead. The Purpurea fans are very pleased. It's appearent from the start that Hannibal, in spite of recent improvements, is going to get nowhere near the other three contenders, who are real speed demons. Indutiomarus approaches Damnator but is positioned on the wrong side of the walls as Damnator pushes the "Gallia Victrix" swiftly against the walls, thereby also losing his only chance at catching up with his arch-rival. Romulus is first, Damnator second and an unhappy Hannibal comes third.
Group II (PD Robur, Myrtilos, Victorinus)
Victorinus represents Praesina's only chance of getting beyond the first round now! Publius Decius Robur and his "Quadriga Ignis" are self-confidently glittering in the early winter sun. PD Robur knows he has the potential to win, and Aurata can still compete for the best factio this year. Everyone expects Robur to win these quarters. Myrtilos is a bit of an unhappy case. As the leader of Veneta he saw his factio sink away into a slough of mediocrity this year, but who knows this race may restore some of his earlier reputation as a decent racer. As the chariots start, Publius Decius Robur takes the lead without much ado, loudly cheered on by the Golden supporters who have remained in the circus. The real showdown however, is between Victorinus and Myrtilos. Victorinus is known for his aggression but Myrtilos does not prove to be an easy victim. And then in the seventh round, after much bumping, shouting and slamming Victorinus accidentally drives himself onto the spina. Myrtilos has no chance of catching up with Robur, but the few Blue fans in the circus go out of their minds. Finally, a Blue in the semis again!
Group III (Juba Bane, Maximus, Phaethoon, Caesar)
These quarters appear to be highly polarised. Two Blues against two Reds. Factio Russata has the most supporters, due to the dwindling results of factio Veneta, but Veneta has found its second breath, so it seems, now that Myrtilos has finally proven himself to be worthy of the semis again. As the four chariots start, Phaethoon of Russata and Caesar of Veneta both go for the lead. They both employ violence. Caesar is especially frustrated because he has, up until now, collected zero points. Phaethoon, on the other hand, wants to redeem himself and show his sponsor, Alexander Dionysius, that he is worthy to compete. The two brawling charioteers however are soon seperated by Maximus, who has slowly become Russata's new star. With amazing speed he passes the other contenders and takes the lead. Meanwhile Juba Bane has an incident with the walls all by himself, which luckily proves to be relatively harmless. Oh, and there Caesar befalls the same unfortunate accident as Victorinus: he crashes against the spina. Given the fact that Juba Bane cannot catch up with the other two, this means both Reds go into the semis! The circus is too small to contain Russata's joy. Factio Veneta is disappointed again.
Group IV (Callidus, Morgareth, Bibax)
All three factiones in this quarter are already represented in the semis, but an extra charioteer wouldn't hurt, of course! The three final quarter finalists are the well-known Callidus of the Reds, Morgareth, champion of factio Aurata and finally the almost caricaturally bad Bibax, whose only virtue lies in his violence. According to experts and bookmakers Bibax makes little chance against the other two. And first impressions seem to confirm this as Callidus and Morgareth thunder across the racing track together, side by side, united in a struggle for the first spot. It's clear that Bibax is not going to play much of a role in this spectacle, unless one of the two others crashes. First it's Morgareth who leads, but then it's Callidus. And then it's Morgareth again! The "Infernerator" crosses the finishing line first, followed closely by Callidus. Both Reds and Golden are satisfied. All of factio Russata is going to the semis, and the two top drivers of factio Aurata, too.
Gn. Dionysius Draco Invictus