"Can anyone give me a spot of healing? Those monks wailed on me pretty good," Zarina asks once the group exits the stage.
Poog looks at Zarina for a moment, as if surprised she managed to get herself injured. Then with a look of resignation, he reaches out and pats her leg, channeling healing magic into her.
"Why Poog, aren't you the sweetest little thing? That is much better. You are very good at healing. I'm as good as new!" Zarina reaches out and pats the little fella on the head in appreciation.
"Yes, Poog am cursed. Stupid It! Poog am much rather throw fire and burn things," the goblin replies sullenly, ducking away from Zarina's hand.
As Asha glances to the fight arena, she sees some of the monks toiling to put together an elaborate two-tiered structure, while others are setting up small stations outside of the translucent orange dome. The challenge is immediately clear to her as she watches the monks set up stacks of clay tiles and boards, as she has seen several martial art demonstrations that involve breaking objects with the hands, feet, or other body parts. In addition to those, she spies several other unusual objects, including a thick block of ice, a metal bar and - most curiously - a coconut.
"I'm even feeling good enough to try my hand at the breaking competition. C'mon Asha, I think both so us should give this a try!
"Interesting idea of a 'prize', they have around these parts," Simon murmurs as he looks at the rock, his brow furrowing in consideration.
Asha grins. "All right, I'm in," she answers, flexing her muscles in a mocking fashion. "We just defeated 5 trained warriors - I feel confident we can take a coconut."
"I plan on punching that coconut square n it's face."
Poog and Simon: You weave your spells, but can detect no magic emanating from the rock. It sparkles in the light, but you determine that's mostly due to the tiny specks of silica dotting it.
Asha and Zarina: The two of you approach the start, and you see that the stations have been set up in a circuit around the outside of the fight stage. Immediately ahead of you in line to compete is a half-orc wearing spiked full-plate, kneeling in prayer. He carries a greatsword on his back, but it is currently sheathed. He stands as you approach, finishing the last words of his prayer, and notices your approach. "So, two of the Warriors Five are going to test themselves against Mol Kor? Splendid! I have seen the two of you fight in the arena, and you honor the Lord in Iron with your prowess, even if you wear far too little for his liking." A toothy grin stretches over his face, and he pops his knuckles in anticipation of the competition. "I wish the both you luck in this test - you'll need it!" He laughs heartily in his rich basso profundo and awaits the signal to start from the monks.
"It am very useful," Poog replies, swinging the stone around in the pouch and making a gesture as though he was hitting something with it, like a sap.
"Nice to meet you, Mol Kor. Watch out for the coconut...I hear it's a doozy."
"Do you suppose it's an evil coconut?" Asha asks, winking at Zarina. "Because I'm best at breaking those."
"Indeed!", Mol Kor laughs. "Nuts bear Gorum's favor, for they are the flora with enough sense to wear armor!" And with that, Mol Kor charges towards the first station, a stack of five bricks. He slams his fist into the center of the top brick, shouting for extra power.
Mol Kor shouts in triumph as the bricks shatter beneath his blow, and races on to the next station. The monk quickly clears away the debris, and builds another stack of five bricks.
After casting her spells, both ladies are much larger than they were mere seconds prior. "Let's do it, Asha," the barbarian yells as she follows after Mol Kor.
Zarina let's out a shrill roar as she gets her mind ready for the task ahead of her.
Damage plus fire
Asha races ahead of Zarina, and brings her huge hand down onto the bricks. The force of her blow smashes four of them, but the fifth steadfastly refuses to yield. The monk swiftly clears away the bricks, and restacks them for Zarina's attempt.
Enlarged damage dice
With his reward -- a new weapon -- tucked into his belt, Poog turns back to the arena, It at his heels, to watch the other fights, hoping to get some clues to future opponents.
Zak sits with Poog and It, watching the other contestants and the feats of strength, hoping to gain insight into their future opponent's abilities and style.
"Truly, an interesting idea of a reward," Simon murmurs as he sits down next to Poog and Zakarras - and It, of course. He winces a moment, but then settles in the sun. "The ladies are most enthusiastic, are they not?" he notes, smiling gently. "Oh - I hope you have found my performance during the bout to be... acceptable. I was most impressed by your battle prowess."
With a blast of flame that draws shouts of delight from the crowd, Zarina smashes her hand through the stack of bricks, and races after Asha to the next station.
Ahead of the two women, Mol Kor reaches the second station, a stack of clay tiles. With a mighty shout, the half orc smashes his fist through the stack, sending shards of clay.
Those watching have a good view of the remainder of the course - the station beyond has a smooth stone, followed by a thick block of ice. A quarterstaff is laid lengthwise at the station after that, followed by an iron bar beyond. The penultimate station is the coconut, which shatters splendidly in a spray of water. The capstone is a rather unremarkable stack of boards. So far, there has not been a perfect lap, though a few contestants come close.
Fired up by getting through the first station, Zarina follows that up with a fierce way cry as she swipes down at the clay tiles.
Damage plus fire
Wincing for a moment at the damage to her hand, Asha is a step behind Zarina this time as she takes her own turn at the tiles.
Both Asha and Zarina easily replicate Mol Kor's feat of strength, and shards of clay fly under the force of their blows. The half orc charges onto the next station, a smooth, flat river stone. He knifes his hand forward, striking it with the tips of his fingers.
He makes the mistake of hesitating on his blow, and he howls in pain as his fingers smash uselessly against the stone. He winces in pain, but trundles on towards the next station as the two women approach behind him.
Zarina approaches the river stone and swings her claws toward the rock, hoping she could keep her streak going.
Damage plus fire
Asha remains a step behind Zarina as she takes her turn at the rock.
Neither woman needed worry, as both punched through the rock fingers-first effortlessly.
Mol Kor yells as he brings his forearm down on the block of ice. "", he cries, and the block shatters beneath his blow. He continues onwards, spurred on as he regains his stride.
Nope, nothing going on here.
Poog nudges his companions. "Him am watching girls," he says quietly.
"She, my good Goblin," Simon whispers to Poog. "Khiang Zhen is female. She is also one of the dreaded Oni; a most dangerous creature, currently restrained only by the spells of Abadar's priesthood. I understand she rather enjoys violence and killing."
Zarina swings at the block of ice, trusting her fire to help cut through its surface.
Damage plus fire
A burst of flame abruptly surrounds Asha's hand as she takes her turn as well, though for her it seems a moment of concentration is required to produce the effect.
The crowd cheers as both women wreathe themselves in living flame to force the ice to yield to them. Ahead of them, Mol Kor approaches the quarterstaff and kicks it, splintering the staff under the weight of his blow.
Strength check
Zarina awkwardly kicks out at the quarter staff.
Asha takes her turn as well, and it is clear that she is far more comfortable with this kind of combat than Zarina is as she spins into a graceful kick.
Despite Zarina's clumsy kick, both women easily snap the oaken staves presented to them, and race onto the next station. Mol Kor approaches his next target, and a look of uncertainty crosses his face for a moment. It passes, and he shouts the name of the Lord in Iron, smashing the bar square in the center with his forehead. It's a powerful blow, and the bar bends slightly, but does not yield. He takes a few steps back, dizzy from the self-inflicted blow, but staggers on to the next station.
Asha quirks an eyebrow at the bar as she approaches it, and her eyes suddenly blaze with a strange blue-white light. Frost abruptly appears on her nose and eyelashes as she attempts her own headbutt.
Zarina doesn't evenslow down as she approaches the iron bar. With a powerful howl, she drops her head and charges it, doing her best to bend the bar to the point of breaking.
Str check
Poog sighs heavily as he looks longingly at the fire bursting from Zarina's claws, before shooting a glare at the scruffy little dog at her heels.
Who am not enjoying violence and killing?" Poog asks Simon. "Am she liking girls? Because Poog am worried they am liking him. Or you think she am wanting to kill girls?"
Simon chuckles. "You misunderstand me, my good Goblin. Oni enjoy violence and killing very much. Moreso than humans. Maybe moreso than Goblins are said to do, even. From what I am told, she would probably enjoy fighting and killing any mighty champion that came across her path... As for the ladies liking you, I am sure they do - but not in a romantic way. I doubt you have much to fear from our comrades."
Poog shakes his head uncertainly. "They am always touching Poog. Poog can understand, but it am no natural!"
Asha feels the sting of the bar as she plows her head into the hard iron, but her wreath of frost is able to make the bar brittle enough to snap in twain. The crowd cheers mightily as she rushes on to the next station. Zarina, however, is stymied in her attempt, and receives a wince of sympathy pain from the audience.
Mol Kor chuckles as he meets his next challenge - the coconut. "Hah! This is not even a challenge!", he bellows, shattering the coconut's hard shell with a meaty fist, spraying himself and the monk with the water inside.
Zarina was embarrassed, and in a little bit of pain, as she rubbed her forehead, moving to the next challenge. Ah, finally it is the coconut!. She was ecstatic to be allowed to use her claws again, and takes a mighty swing, trying to make piña coladas for all.
Damage plus fire
Asha rubs her forehead ruefully as she leaves the iron bar behind, no less abashed for having successfully broken the bar. After Zarina slashes at the coconut, though, Asha brings her forearm down on the fruit with an unhestitating kiai, the bar already forgotten.