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Why would we need to be tested? Is this some sort of drill or something? Quiven reaches for his pack, pulls out a banana and starts to absent-mindedly eat the treat. After a moment, the expression on his face seems to show that he suddenly realized something. Oh! I'm Quiven! Anyone want a snack? I have plenty or bananas here, they're really good...
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"Bananas? I'll take one!" A handsome Taldan man with a chiseled jaw and a several times broken nose nods to the halfling. He's obviously arrogant, but his tinkling eyes and jaunty stance make it hard to take him too seriously.
"My name is Baron Hiram Kell of the great nation of Taldor. I understand we're representing the Society in a matter of utmost urgency and I for one, am well up to the challenge. Perhaps you've heard of my adventures? No? Well then you're in for a treat! So, there I was, knee deep in the worst filth you've ever smelled, when..." He breaks into a long-winded tale about sewer adventures, secret caches and a particularly nasty gremlin!
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Jin-Goro floats through the gates of the Grand Lodge, my, my, the old place hasn't changed much in the last few years..., his blackened armour seems to absorb the morning light, the little gems in the eyes of its skulls gleaming brightly.
Baking a little in the heat he pulls off his helm allowing himself to enjoy the feel of the breeze across his grey skin. He yawns, stretching his jaw muscles and working his tusks back and forth as he watches the crowds gather, must be important for them to have dragged so many of us back...
He settles down on the plinth of Durvin Gest's statue, I'll take one of those if you have any spare he asks Quiven, the names Jin-Goro, Trade Prince Jin-Goro, and if you want more of them I am sure I can hook you up with the best suppliers going...for a small fee of course
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The door to the lodge opens and you see a large, muscled man walk with.. He wears a brestplate and has the fur of a large wolf slung over his shoulder.. He carries many visible scars and at first glance doesnt seem very likeable..
He moves and takes a seat..
"Well met Pathfinders, I am Huscarl Flambearer, you all may call me Roary.. Seems we are going to have a party sh?"
”The Decemvirate are truly grateful that so many of you have answered this summons to the Grand Lodge, for they, above all, know the trying lives that field agents endure. Indeed, you have only to look about this courtyard and gaze upon your colleagues to know they have come from all ends of Golarion to be among us. Look not grim, but rather determined, for this summons is not one brought of dire threat or terrible consequence. No! The Decemvirate has instead summoned you to taste the opportunity to enter the greatest contest of martial arts the world has ever known—the Ruby Phoenix Tournament”
”The legacy of Tian Xia’s legendary mystic arcanist, the nearly immortal Grandmaster Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix Tournament is held only once every ten years. The Tournament is run by Sifu Xho Nuo, Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix and sole heir to Hao Jin’s secrets. The prize for victory: an artifact pulled from Hao Jin’s fabled collection of the greatest wonders Golarion has ever known”
”Though Xho Nuo has made no formal announcement, we have learned the sifu has chosen to hold the qualifying round for this decade’s tournament here in Absalom. The Pathfinder Society has long sought to send one of its members to compete in this tournament. If our information is true, this means that for the first time, the Society has the opportunity to qualify a good number of its field agents. While the chance to glean an artifact from Hao Jin’s collection is enticing, that is hardly the entirety of our goal. However, I shall speak more on this subject at a later time”
”At present, we have learned that Xho Nuo plans to host a covert meeting to address all would-be contestants. Don’t get too excited though; it’s supposedly being held at a decrepit tavern in the Docks called the Devil’s Dregs. Go there and see what details you can pick up about the competition and the other entrants, but watch your backs. There’s little law to protect you down on the wharves, and it’d take a riot to raise any attention. Oh, and I wouldn’t expect an appearance from Xho Nuo either, as his social status prevents him from contact with such filthy and common places. My guess is that he’ll send one of his agents to rile up as many lowlifes as possible to serve as fodder for the first round of the contest”
”Lastly, though its likely Xho Nuo is aware of our interest in the competition, we need all our agents to maintain as much secrecy as possible. For all we know, he has deliberately chosen Absalom to bait our interests, so it’s imperative that he identify as few of our agents as possible. From here out, to keep our affiliations covert, we request all of you make arrangements for your stay outside the Grand Lodge. Try to pick a place that’s low key to avoid attention. Don’t worry about the cost though. The Decemvirate will pick up the tab. Good luck.”
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Out of the crowds and into the general area of the rest of the team a tengu in full parade panoply of an Andoran Eagle Knight strides, melting into sight from the crowds, elfin runecloak billowing behind somewhat.
Quiven will get a polite nod and a half-sketched salute. That one dinner still remains reasonably at the forefront of the martial avian's memory.
"Eagle Knight Brother Wei Ji from the Home Office. It seems that some subtlety will be required for this new learning experience. One moment, please."
There are a few hand motions as he adjusts his jacket and cloak, and his garments transform into some weather-beaten dark grey coveralls.
"Hopefully the party will be one of sober contemplation and careful thought. Not that other types of festivities are poor, of course. We are always learning."
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Rising little over three feet tall a halfling slowly moves through the crowd, apologizing to ever other person as his small frame is bumped into the various other guests here. His dress is light, meant for free moment and a beating sun, but with the addition of a backpack and chain shirt the little one does not seem entirely comfortable with wearing. Not aiding him is a small monkey riding on his back, doing his best to throw the halfling off balance.
Upon hearing the announcement, he moves to put away a pristine wayfinder, covered in holy imagery into his bag.
"Greetings! I'm sorry, I am still a bit out of sorts, I just came in a few hours ago. This is my companion Taka and I am Shins."
The monkey tips an invisible hat to the group.
"I do know some places there may be lodgings by the docks. But if we are going to stay in the city the entire time, there might be better places to rest closer to the center of the city. We will have to travel farther tonight, but we should make up for it by tomorrow."
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As the announcement ends Jin bursts into guffaws of laughter. Subtlety! Discretion! Clearly the Decemvirate have been locked up in their ivory tower for too long, have any of them ever met your average field agent! Sure, having a couple dozen heavily armed strangers turn up at some dockside dive isn't going to look suspicious!, he doubles over on the plinth with tears rolling down his cheeks.
As he straightens he flicks his wrists and his well made travelling gear transforms into the garb of a ships captain, albeit perhaps more pirate than merchant.
Well mateys, we best be heading on over to that there dive, it may be we might learn a bit about it on the way, what say you me heartys!
Perhaps we can also pick a good place to stay en route! Somewhere befitting a privateer captain and ask around about this here tournament and its 'I'm too good for the common people' master.
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"With all such things, we need to act with speed. There are many agents that will likewise be seeking the same lodgings, so we need to get there first... and remember, subtlety, so being too flashy or throwing around too much money on this will probably get us into fights we don't really need to deal with.
So, Cap'n, where you need your bos'n t'day?"
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With the sheer volume of visitors from all throughout Golarion, its a seller's market as far as rooms are concerned. A few of the seedier places usually used for... debatably legal activities... have opened themselves up as hostels, and even a few ships at the docks have been throwing mats down in all but the bilge and charging anywhere from a few copper to several silver a night.
The Tavern on the other hand is standing room only. Despite its sizable taproom, the Devil’s Dregs seems filled to capacity. The smells of cheap ale, unwashed bodies, and thick pipe smoke mix in the crowded room, as tightly squeezed contestants push and shove their way about the tavern. As one might expect in the Docks district, the tavern extends over the harbor, and beneath the floor lies the silty, brackish water of Absalom’s wide bay. The dim light of the tavern’s few lanterns exposes few specifics about the patrons or the surroundings.
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With a slight sigh Jin will drop to the ground before entering the tavern, walking on the actual ground! Well this hasn't happened in a good long while, still better not draw too much attention....
He pushes his way to a bar stool and orders a drink, scanning the crowd for anyone or anything out of place.
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You find yourself squeezing between people as you make your way up to the bar... people you'd prefer not to find yourself between under just about any circumstance. Amongst the foreigners are agents of the Red Mantis, and several dozen Aspis Consortium agents. A few people seem to be here on their own, including an unshaven swordsman in ornate lamellar armor and full helm bearing the visage of a snarling demon.
As you approach the bar, there aren't any stools left. It's standing room only, but the barkeep is a master of his profession and seems to be able to remember a dozen orders at once along with who paid and who needs change.
The barkeep finishes taking orders from the lot at the front of the bar, including Hiram and Jin-Goro, pulls several pints, and places them out on the bar, finally putting one down in front of Hiram and another in front of Jin-Goro. "...and a pint of bitter for the pathfinders."
He then quickly turns back and begins pulling a few more pints and handing them out to the barmaid to make her way to some of the other patrons.
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Chronicle sheet among the records of as many of your PCs as you like, though those PCs gain no access to the other boons, equipment, or wealth from this Chronicle sheet. This boon imposes a –1 penalty on the attack rolls, damage rolls, skill checks, and saving throws of all Aspis Consortium agents and hirelings she encounters (this penalty is
not cumulative with other copies of the boon).
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The bird-like fellow makes his way along a wall, keeping his back to it and watching the area within sight intently and warily, ready for any possibility of being jumped or the like.
When the people at the bar are served pints and called out specifically for being pathfinders, his eyes go about the bar to see if anyone in particular may have ordered those drinks...
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"I didn't realize you were a captain Jin-Goro. I must have been away far too long and didn't recognize you!"
Shins opts for a common cloak to hide himself in the bar. Shins finds a small opening near the party he can hide in out of the way with Taka, who would rather be attempting to steal bits of food if not for Shin's warnings.
The halfling bard tries to keep an eye on the many dangerous individuals, attempting to recall stories of the groups and individuals.
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Jin beckons the barkeep back over, as he does so he palms a small pile of coins onto the bar and begins idly stacking them.
So, I understand this place has become something of a celebratory hangout for all sorts of interesting types he says looking around the room and its assortment of strange and unusual visitors. Care to fill a guy in on what's going on... he asks as he idly plays with the pile of gold.
Jin tries to spice the request up with a 50gp bribe.
Without warning, a flash of smoke flares up from the center of the tavern floor. As it clears, a towering, golden-skinned humanoid of hideous and terrifying countenance steps forth, ebon teeth gleaming fiendishly. Standing before the crowd, she greets them with a slow and gracious bow, yet her eyes never look away.
The creature gestures to call the crowd’s attention, and one by one they fall silent.
“Good evening and allow me to introduce myself, I am called Kiang Zhen. My sifu, Xho Nuo, the Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix, wishes for me to tell all of you that he is most pleased to see so many of you eager to attend the tournament. It is his desire that everyone please find a table and make yourselves comfortable at his expense.”
The room becomes increasingly packed as contestants file in, and barely a minute later arriving contestants quickly fill all remaining tables leaving the tavern with standing room only – yet more and more continue to fill the place out – it is tightly packed and it is a struggle to both keep a hold of your own food and drink as well as dodging the spilled food and drink of others.
A short time later…
”Again, your attention please. I regret to inform all of you that Sifu Xho Nuo will not be present this evening, though he has appointed me to speak on his behalf.”
”To speak with candor, there are many who wish the Sifu dead and wish to steal from him the ancient secrets he was appointed to guard. This comes as no surprise to the Emissary, for he has been charged with the protection of a great and terrible power. Even now, in this very room, some of these same individuals sit amongst us. To them I say, Sifu knows who you are and fears you not. He even entreats you to join the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, for he shall not compromise the primary intention of the contest – to find the world’s greatest martial artist. Rest assured, this tournament shall test the mettle of its contestants, regardless of their intentions. Competition shall be fierce and violent without regard for contestants lives. That is your concern – not mine, not the Emissary’s. Those who fail might be lucky enough to walk away with their lives. For this reason, there are few places where our tournament is truly welcome. Thus, given the nature of the tournament and other circumstances, the Emissary has expressed to me the need to retain secrecy. However, I assure you he shall make an appearance before the end of the qualifying round.”
”Lastly, I have noticed many of you have come as teams. This is good, for initially, you may need help from allies you trust.” The beast pauses for a moment, letting his dark, pupil-less gaze hover upon the crowd. From his belt he unfastens a leather satchel and holds it aloft before the crowd. “I have here 100 rubies. On the morrow, fifty of these rubies will begin to glow, and those individuals or groups in possession of one such gem shall be contacted by one of our agents, who will give them the details of where the first event of the qualifier will take place.” then with a wide and wild grin he says “And so it begins!”
On his final words, he tosses the bag into the air, sending the rubies scattering everywhere. The next moment, he vanishes, leaving behind only a vaporous wisp.
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The tengu quietly and calmly watches the discussion and then the rubies go flying everywhere. As understandable commotion may break out, he casually adjusts his arms. As they are built for gliding, the possibility of capturing/funneling some of the errant gemstones is a good possibility...
Even that is not successful, he will keep an eye out for where others end up.
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As Jin-Goro goes for his coin purse he's quickly interrupted by Kiang's speech and surprising display. Her deftness of palm catches the crowd off guard and suddenly everyone is up from their seats scrounging for as many rubies as they can scoop up! A few of the more quick minded folk manage to snag one but most go scattering around on the floor, under tables, under feet, and under... posteriors.
Wei Ji manages to track one of the rubies path through the air, across the floor and... right under the table of a pair of Aspis Consortium agents who are looking rather happy to have an excuse to attempt to lay out a few Pathfinders.
Round 1:
Jin Goro
Little Shins
Hiram
Quiven
Roary
Red Aspie
Blue Aspie
Wei Ji
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Jin Goro flies into the air and over the heads of the Aspis agents, floating down to the other side of them. Don't mind me, coming through, my this is all a bit chaotic, floating in position he casts around looking for other rubies.
He then quickly mutters an incantation creating an intangible body of force. Be a good chap and collect these rubies and pop them in my bag here
Leave the rubies to me chaps, I think these Aspis fellows might need handling but lets try and avoid too much bloodshed he says looking meaningfully at Roary...
He then casts Unseen Servant defensively (he cannot fail the check) directing it to collect rubies. He creates it in the square the current ruby is in and it then picks it up and pops it into his haversack (standard and move). It provokes but cannot be harmed by weapon damage.
As these are Aspis then they are taking a -1 on most things due to Beheading the Serpent.
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Quiven snatches one of the rubies out of the air but has his eye so keen on the prize that he's unable to track the trajectory of any others.
Jin-Goro's unseen servant retrieves the ruby underneath the table while the Aspis agents are still fumbling for their weapons. From his new height, Jin-Goro also spots another ruby on the ground near a table about 35 ft away.
Round 1:
Jin Goro
Little Shins
Hiram
Quiven (Partial turn remaining)
Roary
Red Aspie
Blue Aspie
Wei Ji
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Roary wounds the aspis agent target severely, but he smirks as he prepares to strike back.
Hiram's up
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The Aspis agents pull no punches. The one slashed by Roary returns the favor with his greataxe...
The further one hefts his greataxe off to the side, draws a smaller axe, and hurls it through the air at Jin Goro.
Round 1:
Wei Ji
Hiram (Delay)
Round 2:
Jin Goro
Little Shins
Hiram
Quiven
Roary
Red Aspie
Blue Aspie (-63)
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As he floats above the crowd Jin raises one eyebrow and turns to the Aspis agent who threw an axe at him. You sir are unconscionably rude and I have no doubt my companions will deal with you presently! Roary, do try and avoid getting too much blood on the floor.
Floating backwards slightly he raises one hand and clicks his fingers, causing the small gemstone to fly through the air and land in his hand. Slipping it into his pocket he looks around for more stones and directs his servant to the nearest one.
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Quiven notes the same ruby as sighted by Jin-Goro, which has now been collected, but Wei Ji manages to sight one that has landed in the water in a gap in the floor. A waist high (to a human) guard-rail surrounds the apparently deliberate omission from the tavern's floor-plan, although squeezing under it would not prove to be any more difficult than squeezing through the mob of combatants. The water is shallow at this end of the dock, and the ruby appears to have sunken roughly 3 ft to the bottom.
Roary's foe collapses after the first strike of his blade.
Round 1:
Wei Ji
Hiram (Delay)
Round 2:
Jin Goro
Little Shins
Hiram
Quiven
Roary (Move remaining)
Red Aspie
Blue Aspie (-91, Dying)