“Mid way through practice at Avelon Stadium, Archie interrupted the group by pushing in a wagon sporting a very large crate addressed to the Archers of Avelon. The box stood about five feet tall and the base was three feet square. The team gathered around the box and watch as the courier struggled to open it. The front finally popped off and Archie stumbled falling face down in front of the opening.

Immediately, green leafy jaws snapped forward catching the lad by his boot. He screeched and bellowed and finally pulled free leaving his boot in the maw of the creature. The jaws shook for a moment then spat it out after recognizing it as inedible.

A few of the elves chuckled at the situation. Within the box was a carnivorous plant. Once it had room to stand erect, it would measure five and a half feet in height. This particular plant had only a pair of heads and very limited reach. While it was clearly hungry it was not large enough to threaten Archie or anyone larger than a baby.

The plant was potted in a plain clay container. Iondil noticed and pointed out that there was a small scroll attached to the pot. While Meldalf and Osonia used spear butts to distract and control the heads, Archie was force to crawl into the crate and retrieve the parchment. He scurried back and handed it to Kydeth who opened it and read.

“Honorable Archers,

Please accept this Venus Mantrap and an invitation to confront us on the Blood Bowl pitch. If you accept, please send your courier to the Tarnished Tavern where we are lodged. The game can be held at your earliest convenience.

Blessed Regards,

Ohwatch
Coach of the Venus Package.”

The line elf Vanaantien spoke up. “I don’t know. I always say Beware of Lustrians bearing gifts. Do we know anything about this team?”

“Does it matter?” Responded Revwë. “I don’t think we have ever turned down a challenge. Schedule the match for two days hence. That should be enough time to sell tickets.”

“Agreed.” Said Nienna. “Archie, go buy some live rabbits to feed this poor venus maneater. I am going to plant it in our endzone. Once it is fully grown, it will make some opponents hesitate before scoring. In the meantime, it will eliminate our rodent problem in the stadium.”

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A few hours before the match, a massive rain storm rolled in and the deluge continued throughout the match. The game was one the Archers would rather forget.

The lizardmen were in their element and they easily controlled the Archers and the ball. Frenzied Saurus did what many other teams had been unable to accomplish. Their hammer like fists and snapping jaws made short work of elven armor and injured five elves while knocking out several others.

Vanaantien’s premonition proved prophetic. The skink Skineur stomped on her hip leaving an injury that was sure to limit her mobility.

Only Revwë seemed prepared for the match. She was the only real opposition for the lizards. She was the one who plucked the ball from the mud in traffic and made a dodge for a score. She also was the only one to injure any lizards, and she did so with pizazz by causing three lizard casualties.

Still, her efforts were not sufficient. In the end, the Venus Package left Avelon Stadium with a 2-1 victory and handed the Archers a rare loss.

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Thanks for the match Ohwatch. I look forward to the next one.
”