Temple of Eu Service

• The group entered an Euism chapel dedicated to the goddess of death, observing a sermon by a blind priest.
• Party members experienced distinct supernatural sensations from the deity:
  • Osric felt her close presence directly behind him.
  • Voltaren experienced his mana momentarily draining and returning.
  • Calliope witnessed the statue of the Eu look at her and opens its arms to them.
• The ceremony concluded with the priest sensing a chosen soul and privately speaking with Osric about his upcoming trial.
• An obituary book examined inside the chapel revealed an unusually high concentration of deaths in Playo within the past month.

Preparations in Mjorton

• The party arrived in Mjorton, a tiered mountain town home to the Obsidian Shroud Cult. 
• Osric received a ceremonial red shroud noting him as a chosen fighter, and his weapons were surrendered until the match.
• Party members gathered at Osric's childhood home, where they met his young nieces and nephews.
  • They meet Pim - a shrouded boy who successfully killed his first opponent. Mimi - a 6 year old preparing for her upcoming trail - and Anna; a 4 year old shy and scared little girl.
• The children accidently revealed that Osric's opponent in the ritual combat is Talon, a close childhood friend.
• The group held a shared prayer invoking their respective deities, feeling conflicting divine forces balance out into impartiality.

Arena Arrival and Final Goodbyes

• The party accompanied Osric down to the arena, flanked by storm clouds gathering overhead.
• Osric briefly greeted Talon, with both showing mutual respect rather than hostility.
• The shrouded overseer warned that any outside magic or assistance would result in Osric's immediate, dishonorable execution.
• Nora, an old friend of Osric, guided the party to their spectator seats while the group shared toasts and final farewells with Osric.

Pre-Duel Rituals and Farewell Letters

• The Shrouded explained the strict ritual regulations: combatants had to start sword-to-sword, could introduce daggers after the first bell, and were required to carve the goddess's symbol, slit the fallen opponent's throat, and then severe their head.
• Talon revealed he had shown his face to a partner expecting their first son, requesting that his remains be forged into a dagger for his child if defeated.
• Osric received and read an emotional farewell letter from Willow expressing deep personal affection, fear of his demise, and respect for his beliefs despite differing views on life and honor.

The Obsidian Shroud Arena Duel

• Both Paladins entered the arena and traded massive blows utilizing Divine Smite and Lay on Hands healing.
• Talon attempted a desperate Firebolt and sword strikes, while Osric countered with repeated Divine Smites and tactical spell use.
• Osric gained the upper hand, bringing Talon to his knees and whispering solace to his childhood friend before executing him.
• Following tradition, Osric carved the sacred symbol, severed Talon's head with a Divine Smite-assisted strike, shrouded the trophy, and completed the prayer accepted by the goddess.
• Osric became the 985th survivor of the Shrouded sacrifice, celebrating victory with Nora and the party concluding Session 32.