Friday Night Feature: The Indoor War at the Rookery Domea
The coffee is black, the mists are heavy outside, but inside the Rookery Dome, the lights are blinding. It’s Friday, January 9, 2026, and the "Bloodless War" for the Trident Crown has officially begun. The acoustics of the pouring rain drumming against the glass ceiling are deafening, creating a pressurized atmosphere where you can’t hear yourself think—you can only play.
The Pre-Game Buzz: 6:30 PM
Sterling: "Welcome to the pressure cooker! I’m Sterling Sterling, and tonight we find out who survives the Rookery. No wind, no mud, just raw indoor speed."
McThump: "That fast carpet is going to test the Packers' knees, Sterling! This is track-meet football, and the Ravens are the sprinters."
McNasty: "Sprinters? They’re vultures! Look at the glare off that white-glazed brick. The Ravens aren't just playing the Packers; they’re playing the lights. And Earl, if you’re listening at the cabin, Crimson Lord Grimes just walked into the owner's suite. He’s holding a contract that looks a lot like a deed to your property!"
FIRST QUARTER: THE RAVENS TAKE FLIGHT
Score: Blackwood Ravens 14 – Nocturnis Bay Packers 0
Sterling: "The whistle blows and we are under way! The Ravens win the toss and immediately go to the air. QB 'Shadow' Stephens doesn't care about the noise—he fires a 30-yard dart! CAUGHT! Touchdown Ravens!"
McThump: "Look at the Movement 8 on those city boys! The Packers' linebackers are stuck in the blocks. They can't find their footing on this turf!"
McNasty: "They can't find their footing because the Ravens are using illegal cleats! Look at the replay—Stephens is moving like he’s on ice skates. It’s a disgrace to the game!"
Sterling: "Disaster for the Packers! On the very next drive, they fumble the handoff! The Ravens recover and punch it in three plays later. The Rookery is shaking, and the Packers are looking at a 14-0 hole before they’ve even broken a sweat!"
SECOND QUARTER: THE PACKERS DRILL DOWN
Score: Blackwood Ravens 14 – Nocturnis Bay Packers 14
Sterling: "We head into the second quarter. The Packers are huddling up, and you can see the steam coming off their helmets. They’ve stopped looking at the rafters and started looking at the dirt."
McThump: "They’re drilling down, Sterling! This is 'Meat-Plant' logic. They’re using their Physique and Mighty Blow to simply pave a road through the Ravens' defense. Look at 'Iron' Ivan... he just bulldozed three defenders!"
McNasty: "Finally, a little violence! But wait—McThump, look at the ref. He’s shaking his head. He knows the Packers are just bullies. But they don't care! Ivan takes the dive... TOUCHDOWN PACKERS! 14-7!"
Sterling: "The momentum has shifted! The Ravens try to air it out again, but the Packers’ blitzers collapse the pocket. Strip-sack! The Packers take over at the 20-yard line with under a minute left. One quick pass, a goal-line plunge, and a field goal as the buzzer sounds... WE ARE ALL TIED UP AT THE HALF! 14-14!"
McThump: "The 'Old School' grit has caught up to the 'New Age' speed, Sterling!"
McNasty: "Don't get comfortable, McThump. Grimes is looking down from the box, and he’s smiling. He knows the second half is where the real blood gets spilled. Earl, I hope you’re taking notes—this is what happens when you think your 'Old Guard' can handle the heat!"
THE HALFTIME SHOW: SPECTACLE AND SCANDAL
Is the teams retreated to the locker rooms, the Rookery Dome transformed.
The Show: A troupe of LED Dancers from the Downtown District filled the field, their suits synchronized to the rhythm of the rain hammering the glass roof. They formed the image of the Trident Crown, a glowing reminder of what’s at stake.
The Scandal: In the booth, McNasty wasn't watching the dancers. He was pointing at the VIP box. "Look at Crimson Lord Grimes! He’s not even watching the game; he’s looking at a map of the Shreveport Cabin! He knows the Earl is vulnerable. This game is just the appetizer for the feast he’s planning for Monday Night!"
THE THIRD QUARTER: THE INDOOR GRIND
Score: Blackwood Ravens 14 – Nocturnis Bay Packers 14
The second half began with a stalemate. The dome's acoustics reached a fever pitch, making it impossible for quarterbacks to call audibles. The Packers tried to keep "drilling," but the Ravens' defense adapted, using their Reflexes to jump the snap. McThump: "It’s a chess match in a hurricane, Sterling! Neither side wants to make the first mistake!"
THE FOURTH QUARTER: THE EXPLOSION
Score: Blackwood Ravens 28 – Nocturnis Bay Packers 28
The final frame of regulation was pure chaos.
The Ravens' Strike: Stephens launched a "Rafter-Scraper" pass that Vance hauled in for a 50-yard TD. 21-14, Ravens.
The Packers' Response: With three minutes left, the Packers executed a "Gut-Cruncher" drive, punching it in to tie. 21-21.
The Twist: On the next play, Stephens threw a pick-six! The Packers took the lead, 28-21, with only 90 seconds left.
The Miracle: Stephens redeemed himself, orchestrating a "two-minute drill" that saw the Ravens score with 4 seconds on the clock. 28-28! OVERTIME!
Blackwood ravens quarter back Ray Stetson is celebrating with a yes pull of the arm as his #1 recover Anton Blackbird got the pass the ball and the TD and the kick was good by kicker Bartholomew Blackwood
OVERTIME: THE SUDDEN DEATH SNAP
Final Score: Blackwood Ravens 35 – Nocturnis Bay Packers 28
The Ravens won the toss. The Rookery was so loud the glass was vibrating in its iron frame. Sterling: "Sudden death. Stephens in the shotgun... he sees the Packers' blitz coming. He gives a hand signal—the ‘Shadow’ audible!" McNasty: "He’s desperate! Grimes is laughing in his seat!" Sterling: "Stephens takes the snap... he fakes the dive... he rolls right and launches a rocket down the seam... VANCE HAS IT! He’s at the 20... the 10... TOUCHDOWN! THE RAVENS HAVE WON THE WAR!"
POST-GAME WRAP-UP
The Blackwood Ravens have secured the #7 Seed. They move on, while the Packers head back to the meat-plants to wonder what might have been. beter luck next year!
THE OVERTIME WRAP-UP: FINAL WORDS FROM THE BOOTH
Sterling: "The lights are dimming here at the Rookery, the fans are pouring out into the Nocturnis rain, and the Blackwood Ravens are heading to the locker room with the #7 seed in their clutches. A 35-28 victory that will be talked about until the next solstice. Mike, your final thoughts on this indoor war?"
McThump: "Sterling, I’ve got nothing but respect for both these squads. The Packers drilled deep, but the Ravens found that second gear on the fast carpet. It was a game won in the trenches and finished in the air. That’s Gridiron football at its finest!"
McNasty: "Respect? I’m gonna be sick, McThump! The only thing I respect is the look on the Earl of Hedges' face when he realizes his 'Old Guard' is next on the chopping block. You saw the speed tonight—and the Water Tigers make these Ravens look like they’re running in molasses!"
Sterling: "Always looking for the dark cloud, aren't you, McNasty?"
McNasty: "I'm just telling it like it is, Sterling! While you two are patting the Ravens on the back, Crimson Lord Grimes is back in the VIP lounge, probably picking out which room in the Shreveport Cabin he’s going to turn into a coffin storage unit. Earl, enjoy your weekend, because come Monday night, the only thing you’ll be 'holding' is a foreclosure notice! Grimes is coming for the gold, the gridiron, and your front porch!"
Sterling: "On that cheerful note—for Mike McThump and Mike McNasty, I’m Sterling Sterling. Goodnight from the Rookery Dome! We’ll see you tomorrow at the docks for the Sentinels and the Mariners!"
McNasty's Final Word: "The Ravens won, but they’re gassed. And Earl? Grimes is still smiling. The Water Tigers are faster than the Ravens, and they’re hungrier than the Packers. Monday Night isn't just a game—it’s an eviction notice."
Product Identity & Legal The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: the Whispering Isles, Blackwood Ravens and the Nicturnis Bat Packers, teams the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, and the "Gridiron Grimoire" game system. unofficial playtest material for the Tygerian Reach and Nocturnis City Campaign settings. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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