GoTWiC [AoH] S3R7 Guest Hero

Greetings, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the adventures of the Arena of Honor. Stanko and his team had finally broken the streak of two consecutive fourth-place finishes, making it clear they would not give up so easily and would fight for the coveted rewards.

Stanko felt happy and satisfied with their performance so far this season — they had not lost any points, and he was calmly preparing for the tough match that lay ahead.

However, through his right-hand man, Demon, he received a letter from the cavalry leader Ches, announcing that he would no longer fight for Stanko’s team. This was a heavy blow — they were losing a mighty warrior, and Stanko had to act quickly in search of a replacement. Scouts were sent out at once, hoping to find someone with similar qualities. Yet none of the candidates matched Ches’s strength.

Then, unexpectedly, Bilie appeared — a friend of Stanko’s. A powerful spearman, though Stanko hadn’t expected such a strong player to join them. With a powerful spearman now on the team, it was clear: Demon would take the role of cavalry leader.

Everyone was now in place, and the match was about to begin.

At the gates of the Arena, Stanko spotted the opponents. They were no easy match, he thought to himself. But his house was no weaker. The main threats would be House Tyrell, led by Vergo,

and House Baratheon, represented by the GjS alliance.

The battle began.

All sides rushed to send their troops to the Strongholds, hoping to finish them quickly and earn extra points. This time, they chose to focus on the Trading Posts,

which provided the most points — but to make the most of them, Maidens were needed to boost percentage gains. As the first Altars opened, House Lannister showed resolve and courage right from the start.

Bilie, our strongest player, was assigned to attack our Stranger. Meanwhile, Stanko, as a true leader, set his sights on the first major target — the Baratheon’s altar. There was no time to hesitate. War drums thundered as troops marched forth.

In this assault, Stanko called upon his most loyal comrades, knowing well that securing the Stranger was key to a strong opening. The fight was brutal. Wave after wave of Baratheon and others forces crashed against the Stranger’s walls. But with solid coordination and calm decision-making, Stanko captured it. Still, the real battle was just beginning.

For the Lannisters, the most critical targets were the three Maidens — castles that increased point gain and paved the way to victory. Knowing there was no room for error, Stanko entrusted Bilie with the task of securing them. Though primarily a spearman, Bilie demonstrated strength worthy of any elite warrior, launching a fierce attack on the Baratheon Maiden. After a hard-fought clash, the castle fell.

Without pause, Stanko ordered her to proceed — the next target was the Greyjoy Maiden. Like a true warrior, Bilie showed why Stanko had placed his trust in her, seizing the second Maiden with ease. All three were now under the Lannister banner — the ideal start they had planned for.

Stanko’s satisfaction was evident, and his teammates noticed it too. Bilie, despite playing with them for the first time, performed as though she had fought alongside them in countless battles.

While Bilie secured the Maidens, enemies didn’t rest. The Altars, under Stanko’s command, faced continuous assaults. But each time the dust settled, the red banner of House Lannister still waved atop the walls. Stanko tirelessly coordinated the defense, calling for reinforcements at just the right moments and successfully holding the critical structures.

Then things got more complicated.

Glory appeared on the battlefield — a castle of utmost importance, as its capture meant the enemy would lose 10% of their current points. The Starks were the first to reach and claim it. Wasting no time, Stanko ordered a multi-pronged assault.

Bilie and Git, the team’s best infantry commander, led the first wave. Hopes were high, but the Starks were ready. Both were defeated in the attempt.

But the battle was far from over. In the second wave, Demon — now the team’s cavalry leader — charged in. His cavalry was swift and relentless. He broke through the now-weakened defenses and captured Glory. However, it didn’t last. The Baratheons quickly countered, unwilling to forfeit such crucial points, and retook the castle. As blood was spilled around Glory, Stanko remained steadfast in holding the Altars as if his life depended on it.

Meanwhile, Git, Demon, and Bilie continued their siege of Glory, hoping to turn the tide again. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, the Lannisters were holding third place. Every decision from that point onward could make the difference. The Mine Shafts — strategic locations worth 2,000 points each — were about to open, and Stanko wasted no time. Demon, tasked with coordinating the assault, sent the mine locations to the team, marking which ones needed to be captured. Stanko led his army to one of the designated mines and successfully claimed it for the Lannisters. Although spearmen are rarely praised for their speed, Stanko had trained his forces so well that they moved faster than some cavalry.

However, the enemy quickly noticed his maneuver and launched wave after wave of attacks, attempting to drive him out. Thanks to swift reinforcements from his teammates and a disciplined, well-organized defense, Stanko managed to hold the mine under Lannister control.

As the final ten minutes approached, the Lannisters climbed the rankings, securing second place. But the battle was far from over, for the gap between second and third was razor-thin. Every stronghold, every single point had the power to shape the outcome.

Determined to further solidify the team’s position, Stanko set his sights on another crucial building— Dragonpit. Securing it would ensure stability and ease the burden of defending their lead. With a swift and precise strike, Dragonpit fell under the Lannister banner, giving the team a much-needed advantage.

Time continued to slip away. With just five minutes remaining, the Lannisters held a firm grip on second place. But the true climax came when all eyes turned to Glory — House Tyrell had taken control. If they managed to hold the castle until the end, they would leap from third straight to first, bypassing everyone, including the Lannisters.

Stanko knew this couldn’t be allowed. He gave the order for an all-or-nothing assault. Four rallies were launched in unison, each commanded by the finest leaders the team had to offer. Knights donned their armor, cavalry tightened their reins, and infantry stood ready — all united by a single thought: Glory must fall, no matter the cost.

But fate, as ever, had its own plans.

Before the Lannister's could reach the gates of Glory, House Tyrell emerged from the shadows — silently, without fanfare, but with deadly precision. Just as the Tyrell's were on the brink of claiming the throne, the Starks struck, overwhelming them and seizing Glory for themselves.

That single maneuver proved decisive. With the Targaryen's defeated, the Lannisters’ second-place finish was secured. The final minutes slipped away quietly, free of pressure or doubt. The team held their remaining strongholds, and the scoreboard remained unchanged until the very end.

"Finally, a relaxing match without a photo finish," Stanko remarked to his team with a satisfied smile.

Another second-place finish, and it felt truly rewarding. It had been a long time since the team had fought with such unity and precision, like a well-oiled machine. First place, though briefly within reach, had eluded them this time — but there was no room for disappointment. Each member fought bravely, followed Stanko’s orders, deployed their troops on time, and, most importantly, played with heart.

And as the cherry on top, Stanko secured an impressive ninth place in the individual rankings, while the brilliant Bilie finished second — right behind Vergo.

Stanko couldn’t have been more pleased, knowing how seamlessly Bilie had integrated into the team. Despite being far stronger than the rest, her humility, discipline, and team spirit had made her a true pillar of their success. She listened carefully, respected the flow of the game, and ultimately, her contribution proved to be the key factor in their outstanding result.

Battles will come and go, opponents will rise and fall, but when you fight side by side with friends, and play with heart, the memory is carved in stone. And next time — perhaps victory will be theirs.