Please Xcrawl, Don't Hurt 'Em

At 2:45 PM the producer tells you it’s time to begin. A
referee escorts you from the trailer to a riser at the edge of the security cordon while a crowd of several thousand fans cheer.

The announcer addresses the crowd as you are lead to the riser.

"Alright, it’s time for our contest to begin. Lords and Ladies, citizens of the Empire, it is my great honor to introduce the most dangerous woman in Detroit. She is the monster-bringer, the originator of pain. She has come to paint the city and all she brought is red. Ladies and Gentlemen put your hands together for . . . Rosie the Riveting!"

The crowd parts as the roar of a powerful engine echoes through the canyon of buildings. A moment later a red 1965 Shelby Mustang GT350 screams around the corner, accelerates thrillingly towards the podium, then skids to a precision stop right in front of the stairs.

DJ Rosie the Riveting steps out of the car. She is 6’2 and muscular, wearing designer overalls, a black silk tank top that shows off her impressive biceps, and a silver hard hat with the crawl logo. She flexes for the crowd a bit, then motions for them to settle down as she approaches the podium. The DJ picks up a bullhorn and addresses the crowd.

"Thank you, thank you! Thank you so much! Welcome to Detroit, where the weak are killed and the slow are eaten!"

Huge cheers.

"Heheheh thank you! Let me just say what an honor it is to be your DJ for today’s event. We have put together entertainment that is going to blow . . . your . . . minds! So, without further ado, lets meet our first team. Ladies and gentlemen let’s give a warm Detroit welcome to a band of heroes who are going to risk their lives to demonstrate the quality of the American Empire. Houston Hexcrawlers, I salute you!"

The cameras all turn to you and you get a warm round of applause from the live audience.

Rosie the Riveting continues, "Now, before we begin, how are you feeling now? And are there any special someones back home you'd like to give a message to? After all, you never know when you might get another chance."

Rosie tips her hardhat at you after your speeches are concluded. Interaction over, Rosie points her bullhorn at the crowd.

"Lord and Ladies, citizens and friends of the Empire, it’s time to lay the hammer down. In the name of Emperor Ronald, first of his name and first in our hearts, I declare this contest began! Crawlers, from this moment on your lives are forfeit in the service of the Empire. In the name of Mighty Apollo and Great Vulcan, may your courage be as armor against the terrors that are to come. May your great deeds this day bring honor to the Empire, and your deaths never be forgotten. Begin!"

The crowd cheers and fireworks explode overhead. A referee approaches you all with instructions, pointing to a few tape marks on the ground.

"Those tape marks show the gap in the force wall you need to pass through. Once inside you are in play, so guard yourself appropriately. You can’t cast spells until you are inside the barrier." He points at the 40-story building. "Your first major challenge is on the roof of that building, but the entire area is in play and there are other dangers throughout the building. Good luck and may Vulcan fortify you all."

There is a short stairwell that leads through unlocked doors to the building lobby.

The way to the front door is clear. You hear the announcer blaring through speakers and AVS screens, "Whoa-ho! These are indeed Division II champs! They take nothing for granted and expect traps and tricks right from the get-go!"

The door opens to a run-down lobby. The ceiling sags from water damage, the walls are covered in graffiti, and rats squeal in the darkness. There is an elevator directly ahead of you, the old-fashioned kind with a pointer indicating numbers on an arched display. The elevator car currently resides on the 13th floor. You see a sign on the left indicating a stairwell in that direction. One doorway each on your right and left reveal hallways leading to first-floor apartments beyond.