A burst of vivid red flashed across the stage screen, all eyes snapped in attention and momentarily hushed the most focused of players. FIRST BLOOD! rumbled from the speakers with a voice both commanding and melodic, a mix that sent a wave through the packed tournament hall.

The sprawling convention hall was perfectly suited for the tabletop RPG tournament. Rows of tables stretched across the room, all filled with the clatter of dice and chatter of players. Audience members had plenty of seating to watch the matches or play their own games.

Clusters of spectators gathered around the edges of the main tables in front of the stage. Their eyes glued to the action, every failed roll met with gasps and passing dice rolls cheers.

A blue carpet separated the stage, fitted with giant screens and flashing graphics, from the main tables. Goblins & Guillotines game banners swung gently from the ceiling, while posters and life-sized character cutouts added to the vibrant and active atmosphere.

This was the third year Goblins & Guillotines was featured at RPG-Athon-Con, the region's most popular science fiction and fantasy conventions. This year marked their second year as a major vendor, celebrated with a showcase tournament. Special teams carefully selected through auditions were invited to participate, adding an air of prestige and anticipation to the event.

The announcer’s deep voice boomed from the speakers:

“Welcome to the Goblin Kingdom of Eloria, a realm teetering on the brink of chaos, where players embark on perilous quests in a fantastical world rife with danger and intrigue. In this land, where cunning goblins lurk, powerful artifacts await, and the threat of the guillotine looms, only the brave can hope to survive.”

As the words faded, a vibrant collage of scenes from Eloria and its neighboring kingdoms appeared. Everyday moments, bustling marketplaces, and grandiose battles flashed across the screen before the lighting dimmed, casting shadows and transitioning to a foreboding darkness before showing the game’s antagonist.

The event's emcee, Owen, stood out effortlessly. His royal blue long-sleeve shirt layered beneath a black jacket with gold accents lent him an air of polished elegance, accentuated by a lapel microphone and a name tag reading "Boss E," alongside a gleaming gold badge for Goblins & Guillotines. He paired this striking ensemble with tailored navy pants and blue tennis shoes, blending a modern aesthetic with the spirit of a paladin—a nod to the fantasy world he had helped bring to life. His imposing frame made him one of the tallest people in the hall, and his confident, approachable presence often drew passersby.

He rushed out brandishing an achievement badge. The shimmering emblem etched with intricate goblin motifs, dangled from a deep red ribbon. "Okay, you guys—quickest death at a Goblins & Guillotines event to date! Twenty-six minutes and seventeen seconds! A record that might just go down in infamy!" Many paused to catch a glimpse, murmuring about the charismatic “Boss E” and the attractive staff, alpha and omega alike, who had become a highlight of the event.

The players who were at one time deeply involved with their own campaigns laughed and some even whooped.

Owen chuckled, adjusting his thin wireframe glasses as he scanned his tablet. "Congrats to Aardvark on his latest player kill! You’ve got quite the talent for making history. Let's find out what happened." He strode confidently toward Aardvark’s table, the main cameraman following close behind, weaving carefully through the maze of cables and bustling assistants.

The veteran guide master and popular game streamer, Aardvark, lounged at the head of his table with a smug, triumphant grin buried beneath a thick beard. He was known for showing no mercy, regardless of his opponents' experience—a reputation that had earned him both admiration and trepidation among players. With vibrant red hair, thick glasses, and an imposing beard, he was a striking figure who commanded attention. Despite nearing forty, his hair showed no signs of fading, a trait often whispered to be due to his alpha status, further adding to his mystique.

Across from him sat RedLeif03, the unfortunate victim of Aardvark’s latest exploit—a player whose matching red hair and defeated slump added a touch of tragic irony to the scene.

“Aardvark, what’s up?” Owen greeted, their handshake morphing into an exaggerated, familiar dude-bro gesture that drew chuckles from the surrounding tables. “Didn’t think we’d be talking so soon! What devious trap did you lay for your party?” He flashed a broad smile for the cameraman, leaning into the moment with practiced ease. Every playful exchange, every wink and jest was a carefully crafted hook—another chance to captivate the audience and keep them engaged.

Aardvark, being the guide master he was knew how to entertain a crowd, leaned back, crossing his arms with a triumphant air, a huge grin spreading across his face. He let the anticipation hang for a moment before replying with a playful, almost smug twist of his lips, “A mimic.”

“A… mimic.” Owen’s brows shot up, a mix of disbelief and amusement flickering across his face. He let the word hang in the air, as if weighing its absurdity.

“Yup, a mimic,” echoed Aardvark. He leaned back in his chair, legs and arms crossed, with a grin of smug satisfaction. His grin widened as he bounced his foot happily accepting credit for the kill. He kept his gaze fixed straight ahead, pointedly ignoring Boss E’s reaction as the surrounding tables leaned in tighter, sensing the playful tension.

“A mimic?!” Owen’s jaw dropped, disbelief coloring his voice as he spun to face RedLeif03. The player, true to his name, had flushed a deep crimson from his hairline to his neck and lay flattened face-down on the table, a muffled groan escaping him.

Ignoring the kid’s dejected mood, Owen pressed on, incredulity clear in his eyes. “Dude, a mimic?”

RedLeif03 slowly lifted his head, his eyes wide and filled with a mix of betrayal and disbelief, as if the emcee himself had orchestrated his downfall. He stared wordlessly, the silence speaking louder than any words could as a ripple of laughter passed through the onlookers.

“Man, your dad laid the easiest trap, and you fell for it.” Owen snapped his fingers, grinning as RedLeif03’s groan deepened and the crowd’s laughter swelled.

“Boss E tip time!” Owen announced, striking a mock-serious pose. “Use a Sentience Scroll to check treasure chests before touching. Some of them are hangry.”

The crowd giggled, and RedLeif03’s tablemates elbowed him as he whined, “But it was a door! A door! Hnnngh. Daaaaad.” He dropped his head against the table, the complaint stretching out pitifully.

Owen muted his mic and leaned in close to Aardvark’s kid, whispering, “You'll never do that again, huh? Have them resurrect you, and keep playing. And psst, it’s way too easy to figure out your real name, Eric.”

He ruffled the kid’s hair in a quick but reassuring gesture before he walked past, then turned to Aardvark with a wide grin, giving him a hearty high-five for the effortlessly earned first kill badge against his own offspring.

Owen motioned for everyone to mute their microphones and gather around. With broad smiles and laughter, he and the rest of the staff crowded together for a photo around Aardvark, who proudly displayed the First Blood badge. Several hosts couldn’t stop giggling, their laughter echoing through the hall. 

“Alright, alright. Remember to keep up good interactions with the players at your table between my rounds,” Owen called out, his voice warm and commanding as it carried over the lively noise of the hall. He pushed his glasses up and scanned the rows of chairs set up for the audience.

“And don’t forget to post comments with the stream. It’s not just about the players—it’s about the audience too.”

“Right, Boss!” The group nodded, quick smiles flashing before they dispersed, spirits high as they moved back to their positions. Conversations and laughter followed in their wake, blending seamlessly with the lively atmosphere of the hall.

Boss E turned his mic back on and played to the camera, "Okay, everybody! More firsts for the game to come! What will be next?" He raised his arms theatrically, inviting the crowd’s enthusiasm. Cheers erupted in response to the handsome alpha, the energy in the hall crackling with anticipation.