Here we are now! (Entertain us?)
The circenses have experienced a huge delay due to some turmoil in the circus and among the factiones. Plus the rainstorms of late have turned the circus into a giant mudpool. Yes, it's the end of the year allright. So, these may well be decisive races for most factiones for 2757... Let's see.
We say goodbye to one charioteer, the ever-amusing Bibax. His points are frozen and he is disqualified for the final ranking. Lucianus Dionysius Bibens, his former sponsor, has passively chosen to withdraw from the races. Perhaps to avoid further shame.
QUARTERS
Group I: Damnator, Phaethoon, Rufus Pavor, Publius Decius Robur
De races start out brutally with this first quarter. The Whites are pretty frustrated, and it shows. By splattering mud all around in his tracks, Damnator aggressively seizes the lead, and by the second round, the first victim has fallen: PD Robur, sponsored by the charismatic Atticus, takes a hit and his chariot is crushed against the spina, tipping over. Rufus Pavor sends his kindest regards. However, before, the race can come to a full-blown duel between Damnator and Pavor, as the latter passes Phaethoon, the former erases all doubt about his racing abilities and mercilessly crushes the Purple champion against the wet walls. A smear of wood, sweat, skin and blood colours the walls and Rufus is heavily wounded. Phaethoon keeps a bit of a distance and has learnt not to mess with Damnator, earning him an easy second place and a ticket to the semis.
1. Damnator
2. Phaethoon
3. Rufus Pavor was eliminated by Damnator
4. PD Robur was eliminated by Rufus Pavor
Group II: Myrtilos, Pericolosus, Caesar, Callidus
Two Blues, one White and one Red. Pericolosus had a staggering series of victories in the beginning of the season, but is now struggling to remain at the top, having failed to earn a single point in the last three races. As the chariots speed through the muddy tracks and the supporters begin to sing, Callidus charges forward. A newfound stamina and technique has made him near invincible, so it seems: by the third round, his lead is so overwhelming that it seems almost miraculous. Down in the mud, the others duke it out for the second spot. Caesar wildly flings around his whip in the rain; appearently this enervates Pericilosus so much that he loses control, slips in the bend around the spina and crashes against the meta. Myrtilos passes both and honestly earns his second place.
1. Callidus
2. Myrtilos
3. Caesar
4. Pericolosus crashed against the meta
Group III: Romulus, Indutiomarus, Juba Bane, Publius Victorinus
Four racers belonging to different factiones, each with a different fanbase. Still, the Purpurea supporters are largest in numbers today, beating a steadily growing Blue fanbase by a few dozens. From the start, it's appearent immediately that Victorinus, who used to be a promising newcomer last year, is going nowhere again. He's down at the bottom of the rankings, and drags down the level of the entire Praesina team. Indutiomarus wrestles himself a place between the leading duo, but by the seventh round, is forced to let go as Juba Bane and Romulus fight for the first place. Romulus still has his grace, but Juba Bane has a fresh enthusiasm that in the end, much to the dismay of Purpurea, proves to be too strong for Romulus. With this, Veneta has a second semi-finalist, and Purpurea a first and only one. Only the Golden and Green factiones have nothing yet.
1. Juba Bane
2. Romulus
3. Indutiomarus
4. P Victorinus
Group IV: Hannibal, Trophimus, Maximus, Morgareth
It has stopped raining, but the mud is still there. To give their own factio a chance, Hannibal and Trophimus have to band together and defeat anything in their way. Morgareth has much the same mission for Aurata, while Maximus can confidently relax. Save for some scraping against the walls however, and evading a far-off whip of Hannibal, Maximus and his Centaurus by no means heed this advice and rush into the circus with a mad frenzy. His speed is unmatched. We seem to be experiencing the resurrection of Russata here as a serious contender. But will they break the White hegemony? At any rate, Hannibal is having technical problems and is seriously slacking behind. Trophimus and Morgareth are neck-on-neck for the second spot. They both utilise the same technique and are worthy of each other's company. But in the end, there can only be one, and it's, much to the pleasure of the Aurata fanbase, Morgareth. Green supporters run amok and fight down in the streets.
1. Maximus
2. Morgareth
3. Trophimus
4. Hannibal
Coming soon... the semis.