RACE 1

Name: Marcus Octavius Germanicus
factio: Albata
driver: Carolus Daemonicus
chariot: B.S.D. Liber
q/s tactic: hurry in last laps
fin tactic: pass closely the spina

Name: Titus Licinius Crassus
Factio: Veneta
Chariot: Orionis Draco
Driver: Equus Magnus
Quarters and Semi Strategy: (6)
Strategy: (2)

G. Iulius Scaurus
Factio: Praesina
Driver: Cethinus Aspis
Chariot: Raptor Cruentus
Tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: To lash the rivals
Tactics for the final: To hurry in the last laps

Quite a lineup for this first race, with one chariot from each factio

competing. We have the veteran Carolus Daemonus, driving the chariot

B.S.D. Liber for his patron Marcus Octavius Germanicus and for the

honour of factio Albata. Titus Licinius Crassus has hired the fiery

Equus Magnus to drive his chariot Orionis Draco, for Veneta. Another

chariot that we've seen before, Proeliator, and its illustrous patron

Caeso Favius Quintilianus. And finally, driving for the greens of

Praesina, Raptor Cruentus, bought by Iulius Scaurus. But wait! The

Aedile, Marcus Scribonius Curio Britannicus, has shaken the white

flag allowing the competitors to go! And so they do! Proeliator

immediately takes the first corner as sharply as possible - By Ceres,

that was close! Proeliator's career nearly came to a halt there.

However, the risk has paid off - Proeliator is slightly ahead of the

others. Just behind, Raptor Cruentus is catching up on the

straights, while Orionis Draco and B.S.D. Liber are keeping a steady

pace behind. This pace is kept for another lap, but then Raptor

Cruentus makes its move! Only a small distance behind Proeliator,

Cethenus Aspinus uses his whip to lash the poor horses of

Proeliator! Distracted, they rear up, and Cethinus Aspinus is too

busy watching Proeliator to noticed he's about to crash! Proeliator

and Raptor Cruentis are hopelessly entangled, and B.S.D. Liber and

Orionis Draco cruise smoothly past them. Not wanting to take any

risks, they both take it fairly easy - no point taking risks with

only two left in the race!

1st: Accident!

2nd: Accident!

3rd: Orionis Draco

4th B.S.D. Liber

Qualify for the semi-finals: Orionis Draco and B.S.D. Liber.

**************************Race 2*********************

Name: Sextus Arminius Remus

Factio: Russata

Driver: Remus

Chariot: Fulminatora

Tactics for the Quarter and Semifinals: To support a constant pace

Tactics for the Finals: To lash the rivals

Name: Tiberius Annaeus Otho

Factio: Praesina

Chariot: Basilea

Driver: Septimus Raurax

Tactics for the quarters/semis: 6 (Hurry in straight lines)

Tactics for the finals: 1 (Hurry in the last laps)

Name: Marcus Octavius Solaris

Factio: Albata

Driver: Damnator

Tactics in Quarters/Semis: lash the rivals (4)

Tactics in Final: push the rivals to the wall of the circus (5)

Name:Gallus Minucius Iovinus

Factio: Veneta

Driver: Pontius Falx

Chariot: Ossifragus (the sea eagle)

Tactics for qual and semi: 2

Tactics for final:6

As the last of the wreckage from the previous race's crash is cleared

away, I can see that we once again have several veterans taking the

field. For Veneta, we have the renowned Ossifragus. For Albata, we

have Damnator, the chariot of Marcus Octavius Solaris. And bearing

the honour of Praesina is Basilea, the chariot of Tiberius Anneus

Otho. Also racing is Fulminatora, hoping to carry a red into the

semi-finals. The Aedile gives the signal for the race to start, and

quickly the chariots race off. As they do, a flag springs up from

the audience, saying, "Come on Veneta! We've got the organiser on

our side this time!" Yes, I can see Curio is definitely grinning at

that - he is indeed a supporter of Veneta. However, his face turns

to dismay as he gazes at the race track. Ossifragus has been trying

the same trick that Proeliator used to good advantage, but the

chariot is skidding slightly, meaning that he's lost time on the

others, rather than gained it. Meanwhile, Damnator has been trying

to catch up with the leading pair, Basilea, and Fulminatora, but

they're both staying clear of the famous Damnator and his cruel

whip. Basilea and Fulminatora are engaged in a deadly battle for

1st, but neither can gain an advantage. Meanwhile, Ossifragus

finally gets the hang of passing close to the spina of the circus,

and draws up beside Damnator. However, the infuriated Damnator whips

the horses drawing Ossifragus. They manage to stay on track, but the

shock causes them to fall behind once more. This done, Damnator

concentrates on trying to catch up with the others. It looks like

there is too little time, but then, catching everyone unawares,

Basilea's wheel shakes a bit, causing the chariot to go awry, and

then the wheel falls off completely! The enraged Praesina fans

shout "Sabotage! Sabotaaaaaaaage!!" And indeed this is what it looks

like, since Basilea is a well-made chariot. But no one know which of

the three others committed the crime! With Basilea out of the race,

Fulminatora easily takes first place, and Damnator takes second.

1st: Fulminatora

2nd: Sabotage!

3rd: Damnator

4th: Ossifragus

Qualify for semi-final: Fulminatora and Damnator

*******************************Race 3*************************

Name: Lucius Arminius Metellus

Factio: Russata

Driver: Aegeus

Chariot: Metella Maxima

Tactics for the Quarter and Semifinals: To hurry in the straight lines

Tactics for the Finals: hurry in the last laps

Name: Gnaeus Octavius Noricus

Factio: Albata

Chariot: Impactus Infrenatus

Driver: Concordius

Tactics in Quarters/Semis: 5

Tactics in Finals: 6

Name:Lucius Aeneas Apollonius Constantius

Factio: Praesina

Driver: Polycrates.

Tactics for quarter/semi finals: To support a

constant pace.

Tactics for finals: Push rivals to wall of the

circus.

Name:Titus Arminius Volusius

Factio: Russata

Driver: Lepidus

Chariot: Velox

Tactics for the Quarter and Semifinals: To lash the rivals

His/her tactics for the Finals: To lash the rivals

The last of the Venetas has raced, and now there are two Russatas

alongside the Praesina and Albata! The Albata fans will be glad to

see that the experienced Impactus Infrenatus is taking the field, but

Polycrates of the greens, and Velox and Metella Maxima of Russata

will be trying to stop him winning. There goes the signal, and there

go the chariots! Metella Maxima and Velox both get an early

advantage, and vie with each other for position. Polycrates keeps a

fairly constant speed, waiting for the best time to overtake the

others. Meanwhile, Impactus Infrenatus is hoping to push one of his

rivals out of the way. However, the driver, Concordius, is so busy

looking for such opportunities that he falls behind the other

chariots. Velox, noticing Metella Maxima pull ahead, whips one of

its horses. However, the tough creature takes no notice, and

continues racing. Metella Maxima moves over to the side a little,

hoping to avoid the whip of Velox. Meanwhile, Impactus Infrenatus

pulls up beside Polycrates, who, surprisingly, voluntarily pulls back

rather than be pushes into the sides of the circus! Polycrates

continues to look for his opportunity, but is now in fourth.

Impactus Infrenatus, continuing this wild dash, accelerates between

Metella Maxima and Velox. However, it is now that Concordius makes

his mistake, while wedged between two other chariots. He realises

that being between two Russatas is not good, so he moves the chariot

right, pushing into Metella Maxima. The horses, not used to this new

kind of tactic, are unable to stop the inevitable collision with the

wall. With Metella Maxima out, Velox uses Impactus Infrenatus'

instability to pull ahead, and Polycrates also sees his chance.

After having kept a constant pace throughout, he pushes forward,

passing Impactus Infrenatus at the last moment!

1st: Velox

2nd: Accident!

3rd: Polycrates

4th: Impactus Infrenatus

Qualify for Semi-final: Velox and Polycrates

*****************************Race 4**********************

Name: Titus Labienus Fortunatus

Factio: Praesina

Driver: Pelops Celer

Chariot: Volatilis

Tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: Hurry in the straight lines.

Tactics for the finals: Hurry in the straight lines.

Name: M.Tullius Philippicae

Factio: Albata

Chariot name: Alea Iacta Est

The name of your driver: Aurelius

Tactics for the quarter-finals: To hurry in the straight lines

Tactics for the semi-finals: To push the rivals to the wall of the

circus

Tactics for the finals: To hurry in the straight lines

Name: Spurius Arminius Carus

Factio: Russata

Driver: Carinus

Tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: To support a constant pace

Tactics for the finals: To support a constant pace

In this the fourth race, there is one of every factio except Veneta

taking part. For Russata, Carinus is racing. For Albata, the

symbolic Alea Iacta Est. And for Praesina, the veteran Volatilis,

under the patronship of Titus Labienus Fortunatus. Perhaps

Fortunatus is hoping that his name will apply to his chariot, yes?

And it looks like it might. Volatilis gets a good start, with Alea

Iacta Est just behind. Tailing them is Carinus, hoping for a good

opportunity to overtake. This race all seems to be about position,

and each chariot is doing their best to gain every valuable second

over the opponent. Alea Iacta Est gains a little ground on

Volatilis, with Carinus continuing to dog the tracks of Alea Iacta

Est. But now Aurelius, driver of Alea Iacta Est, manages a brilliant

manoeuvre. He whips the horses into a frenzy, making them push past

Volatilis, and then swings his chariot into Volatilis' path, forcing

Pelops Celer to stop. This done, he accelerates once more. Although

Pelops Celer gets the horses moving again expertly, the delay is too

much, and Carinus also overtakes. Alea Iacta Est, however, is

unbeatable, and takes first place comfortably.

1st: Alea Iacta Est

2nd: Carinus

3rd: Volatilis

Qualifies for Semi-final: Alea Iacta Est

************************Race 5

Name: Marcus Minucius Audens

Factio: Praesina

Driver: Pugio

Name of Chariot:Green Flash

Tactics: Hurry in last laps

Name: L. Arminius Cotta

Factio: Russata

Driver: Oros Cottiae

Tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: To push the rivals to the wall

of the circus,

Tactics for the finals: To push the rivals to the wall of the circus,

Name: Kaeso Arminius Cato

Factio: Russata

Driver: Drausius

Tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: To lash the rivals

Tactics for the finals: To hurry in the straight lines

There are two Russatas in this race, leaving the Praesina, Pugio,

feeling distinctly uneasy. Even worse, he starts between Oros

Cottiae and Drausius - what's the phrase? A rock and... Oh! There

they go! None of them seems able to get an advantage, and they're

racing in a uniform line. Perhaps the drivers were once

legionaries. Drausius, frustrated with his lack of immediate

success, starts to bring his whip to bear in Pugio, who controls his

team of horses, and stops the whip from having any large effect.

They continue racing, with Oros Cottiae simply awaiting the right

moment to strike. Halfway through the race, he decides that moment

is now. He moves inward, hoping to knock Pugio into Drausius.

However, Pugio, with amazing reflexes, professionally accelerates

away, letting Oros Cottiae crash into Drausius. Amazing! The two

Russatas have crashed and brought each other out of the race! Pugio

raises his hand, acknowledging the applause, and easily glides into

first place.

1st: Pugio

2nd: Accident!

3rd: Accident!

Qualifies for Semi-final: Pugio

**************************Race 6************************

Name: Philippus Arminius Remus

Factio: Russata

Driver: Remus Viliamus

Chariot: Unarmed and dangerous

Tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: To push the rivals to the wall

of the circus

Tactics for the finals: To push the rivals to the wall of the circus

Name: Manivs Constantinvs Serapio

Factio: Praesina

Driver: Italicus

Chariot name: Essedum

Your tactics for the quarter/semi-finals: To lash the rivals,

Your tactics for the finals: To hurry in the last laps,

Name: Gaius Vipsanius Agrippa

Factio: Albata

Driver: Draco Borealis

Chariot: Imperator Invictus

Tactics: To push the rivals to the wall of the circus (all rounds)

This last race should have a Russata, Unarmed and Dangerous, a

Praesina, Essedum, and an Albata, Imperator Invictus, driving.

However, earlier today, a man was found trying to damage Essedum.

After being told that he would be free to go if he told us of his

employer, it turned out that he was working for Philippus Arminius

Remus, the patron of Unarmed and Dangerous. Sir, we have decided to

take no further action, but you have been disqualified from this

race! Please do not consider using such dishonourable tactics in the

future! Consequently, this race is between only two chariots, a

green and white. And there they go! Immediately, Essedum starts to

lash the horses of Imperator Invictus. Angered, Draco Borealis,

driver of Imperator Invictus, responds by forcing his way closer to

Essedum, trying to push Essedum against the walls of the circus.

However, Essedum refuses to give ground, and they continue to make

their way round the track, both of them continuing to violently

attempt to put their opponent out of the race! At one point,

Italicus, Essedum's driver, lashes Draco Borealis on the hip!

However, the endurant Draco Borealis just ignores the pain, and slams

swiftly into Essedum. Caught unawares, Italicus falls sideways, out

of the chariot! Luckily, apart from some minor bruises, Italicus

seems to be fine. Without control, Essedum soon falls behind

Imperator Invictus, who takes first place!

1st: Imperator Invictus

2nd: Accident!

3rd: Convicted of sabotage

Qualifies for semi-final: Imperator Invictus.

The first round is over, quirites! We have nine qualifiers:

Orionis Draco, (Veneta)

B.S.D. Liber, (Albata)

Fulminatora, (Russata)

Damnator, (Albata)

Velox, (Russata)

Polycrates, (Praesina)

Alea Iacta Est, (Albata)

Pugio, (Praesina)

Imperator Invictus. (Albata)

Of these, there are 4 Albata, 2 Russata, 2 Praesina, and 1 Veneta.

On the 15th, these nine drivers will race to find the four

finalists! Don't miss it