Justified* |
I believe Justified is up.
Justified, impressed with Kwin's decision to stand and fight, 5 foot steps to P14 and swings his glaive at the tyrant, taking advantage of the flank.
For freedom he says through clenched teeth.
1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 161d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
If the blow lands true, Justified's expression is not one of joy or elation, but rather of resigned duty.
Bringing the glaive back to ready, Justified speaks to the fallen man.
I take no pleasure in this Cirnos, but I can not abide your chosen calling.
Menas Kriger |
My apologies, forgot the speed reduction, i will not use my rage round and use my attack to defensively finish off morgthar, since hitting him prone i need to roll a 2. Still 2 rounds of rage left and AC 21.
Menas brings his shield down edge first in a crushing two handed blow to the fallen Kuthites neck, with a grim expression he begins to stalk across the arena... "If you can bring her down Haterivet I have no love of half breeds."
Move to C16.
DM_Slaughter |
With the mighty blow, Menas crushes the back of Morthgar's skull, as the crowd revels in the slaughter. A gnome in the crowd, whose voice has been magically enhanced, stands and says, "8 prisoners left! The half-elven assassin is no more!" This is met with thunderous applause, as you recognize the gnome as the Voice you have been hearing all throughout the Trials.
Justified moves up and puts down Cirnos, the life ebbing from his body.
Haterivet is up!
Haterivet |
Cursing inside himself for letting the half breed slip away, Haterivet surveys the surrounding, trying to decide his next course of action. Tiefling being outside his reach, he eyes weapon dropped by Quain. Quickly he moves there and retrieves the weapon.
Move to F27, picks up crossbow
Quain |
Thoughts speed through Quain's mind with lightning speed: "One more to go. Both Hateriver and Gaza are within range. This monk is courageous and I swore I was first going to go for those who did not help against the monster. But if I don't do anything, I may still die. If I take on the cleric and miss, I'm as dead. If I attack to monk, others can still take him down. If I don't do anything, either of them can kill me. I may die, but I'll be true to my word. Whatever the cost, I said."
Quain moves forwards to J32, drawing one of the pebbles he had previously enchanted.
throw pebble a Gaza 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 18, damage 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
DM_Slaughter |
Quain, on thrown weapons you also add your Strength modifier so you do 9 points of damage!
The stone, propelled by great force, hits Gaza in the face, bashing her forehead in! The crowd cheers the accurate throw! Gaza's body goes limp, blood dripping onto the Arena floor from her forehead, as it hangs there, suspended in mid-air!
Gaza is at -5. Menas is up next!
Menas Kriger |
"I only see 5 of us still standing, finish them off so we can get this over with." Menas calls out to his fellow survivors, holding his shield at the ready he moves away from the others with caution.
Move to B11 and adopt full defense, AC23, while people finish off their respective bodies. I'm not sure if anyone can currently help any of the bleeders but Menas will show caution until the Baron calls a halt.
Justified* |
Justified watches the stone fly from Quain's hand, unable to stop it. He looks sadly at the bleeding Tiefling hanging in the air, her forehead a ruin of blood and broken bone. Then surveying the battlefield he thinks to himself Ah Gaza, I did what I promised you. The Tyrant is no more. You should have healed yourself. I would help you if it were in my power. You may already be dead and both Hat and Quain mean to make sure of it. Even without two foes trying to end your life you would likely bleed out before you come down from there. And I have no healing to wake you in any case.
He salutes approvingly to Kwin as the halfing finishes off Cirnos. He 5 foot steps to Q14 and bends over the body of the anti paladin, taking the falcheon. This knife is way to big for you Kwin. Do you mind if I claim it for myself? Assuming Kwin does not object he tucks the large blade into his loincloth and readies his grip on his glaive in case he needs it.
Justified can not heal. He will morn the loss of Kor and Gaza, but he has no way to heal them and no real way of even knowing if they still live. The fight is over, as far as he is concerned.
Justified* |
Yes, I know. But as I have pointed out, Justified does not know if you live or not. If you do not stabilize you will bleed out quickly. And I honestly believe that two people will shoot you next round IF the combat continues. At best I could stop one.
Also Justified had some level of alliance with Hat as he had promised not to attack the monk when his glaive was returned. When you had three others protecting you it seemed no big deal that I made that deal. The order of initiative allowed for two of your protectors to die before they acted. And you knew my top priority was Cirnos.
DM_Slaughter |
Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6
Haterivet shoots the suspended Gaza, the bolt penetrating her skull, her eyes closing forever. Cheers from the crowd.
Gnome: "7 prisoners left. The devil spawn murderess is no more!"
Kwin finishes Cirnos off with a CDG.
Gnome: "6 prisoners left. The unholy knight is no more!"
And after someone finishes off Kor:
Gnome: "5 prisoners left. The half-orc bone-crushing monk is no more! Combat is over!"
More to come tomorrow as I need to sleep, congrats to the 5 survivors!
Quain |
Quain marches purposefully towards Kor, his blade ending the half-ork monk life cleanly. Then and only then, he looks up at the crowd. Now I've become a true murderer. A monk and an unarmed priestess. What a trophy for the "mighty" Quain, he thinks with a half crocked smile, hearing the chants in the arena. But I may have a chance to reclaim my freedom, now. But my fate is still not in my hands.
He makes his way back to the center of the arena, joining the four other survivors, bowing his head to each of them as sign of respect for their tenacity, skill, strength.
Haterivet |
"I wonder if we've earned a drink, it's been a rough day..." Menas says to no one as he wanders into the centre of the arena, slipping his shield onto his back.
As the murmur and buzz from the crowd slowly recedes, Haterivet starts moving towards Menas. He notices that Quain is moving towards them as well, being done with his dirty job. Atypical for him, Hat's mind is very feverish, crazy thoughts running through it, mixed with feelings he has long thought forgotten. He feels elated and happy that he is alive, he feels that each muscle in his body is aching him, he feels almost...sorry? for some of his former compatriots.
Last time I felt like that was when I saw that girl...I guess it is normal, uncounted time I've spent in the dark, and now this - just a few...was it minutes or hours of pure bloodshed and testing our bodies to the limits. I guess it IS normal that I am so...confused?. What now? Ah, yes, I guess I should tell them...At least that big guy with polearm will be somewhat happy about it, others will probably not care at all.
Approaching Menas, Haterivet hears his joke and his lips turn into a resemblance of smile. He waits for Kwin and Justified to join them, and then tells his story:
"I am different than most of you. Things some of you consider as cruel and "evil" were parts of my life since I become aware of myself. But know this - I AM the priest killer of Graydirge! I did kill Kuthonite priests...and others there. For my own reasons, I choose to tell you this, please remember it. I know a lot about Zon-Kuthon and their fate, and if, on our travels we ever meet anything that owes it's allegiance to the the Midnight Lord, I WILL kill it. Maybe I will try to befriend it, gain it's trust and similar things, but rest assured I will kill it! This I swear by the Grey Master!"
Then the monk falls silent again, letting this revelation sink into his compatriots.
Justified* |
Justified listens to Hats story and smiles. Well Monk, that is good to know. You have an ally in your quest, as I would not suffer those priests to live either. If we ever truly have our freedom I will offer to teach you how to hold this Glaive, and maybe together we can kill a religion.
Quain |
"Interesting story, I do not know where Graydirge is. But I will take your story as true. I do not care what we have done before. All of us have killed today to survive. And we will have to do far more if I understand our captor. I am sort of glad to have made it but fear the worse of the future."
DM_Slaughter |
Gnome: "There you have it, the 5 survivors of the 5 Trials!" The crowd cheers, glad to have witnessed a spectacle of death and seen so many murderers meet their just end. Those with coin invested are clear to see: some Quain supporters sad to see they pulled out of betting on him in the last Trial; some Menas supporters extremly sad they didn't bet earlier when the odds were truly astronomical; some Justified supporters, happy to make some coin; some Gaza supporters depressed as hell as that the priestess who could "rise above the ground" died; some Kwin supporters happy to have the forethought to bet that the small thief would escape the notice of the heavy hitters; and finally, some Haterivet supporters happy to know that slow and steady still wins the race. The crowd stands, giving the five prisoners a standing ovation, though their respective wardens give them more of a "golf clap", sad to see them live.
Menas Kriger |
"The killing is not so much of an issue," Menas says with a thoughtful expression. "Thats how i got here in the first place, i think the people i have killed today deserved it as much as the ones who died to put me here. But then i had some easier choices than a few of you."
Justified* |
The crowd stands, giving the five prisoners a standing ovation, though their respective wardens give them more of a "golf clap", sad to see them live.
Justified bows to the crowd in a practiced reflex. You may get the idea that this is not the first time he has fought, and won, for a crowd. To one special warden he gives a sly and overly confident smile. That warden might not sleep well tonight.
With his glaive held in one hand he walks towards the Barbarian. Menas. When I first offered my hand in friendship to you I was mocked by tyrants and evil priests. But those mocking voices are now silent. I do not blame you for renouncing all alliances for the last fight, but that too is behind us. Lets us start anew. justified's outstretched hand reaches towards the barbarian, tentatively.
Baron Darkstrom |
Baron Darkstrom stands and the revelers ease back to their seats, some snickering, as Gaza's corpse still hangs suspended in mid-air, till it comes crashing down to the ground, provoking some laughter from the crowd. The Baron unrolls a scroll and begins to read, "This 5th day of Pharast, let it be stated that the life sentences of the following prisoners:
Haterivet, convicted of the murder of a Zon-Kuthon priest; and
Justified, convicted of the murder of Theopolis' mentor; and
Kwin Avassar, convicted of the murder of a fellow thief; and
Menas Kriger, convicted of the murder of a Taldan noble; and
Quain, convicted of the muder of a slaver;
are hereby overturned effective immediately by Order of the Baron Caridan Darkstrom!" The Baron shows the party and the crowd the Scroll and continues, "All the judges of the respective jurisdictions have signed this Order so there is no doubt as to its legitimacy!" More cheers from the crowd. The Baron looks at the party, "Now that I have kept my word, I hope you will join me at my estate for a celebration and to discuss the reason for this "spectacle." My people will show you the way." He turns and departs, waving to the crowd. Attendants come and throw down rope ladders for the party to climb out of the Arena. If you are willing to go to the estate, they guide you to carriages waiting for you outside.
By the way, you hear a *ding*! Welcome to 2nd level!
Kwin Avassar |
Kwin is conspicuously quiet as the others discuss their true innocence or why those they killed was truly merited and actually a good thing. He just smiles slightly at his sentence being overturned and does his best to conceal the dagger from sight, waiting for the next surprise the baron has for them.
Menas Kriger |
"Didn't even get my conviction right, they couldn't odentify that aurochs ass after i finished with him. It was the three assassins they caught me killing." Menas scans the crowd and catches his former wardens eye, with a big grin he drags his finger across his throat and winks.
Turning to Justified and accepting the offered hand, "Honour between warriors should be unquestioned, I am proud to call each of your my friend." Menas turns and offers his hand to each of the survivors in turn, before setting off and climbing the rope ladder.
Quain |
"Didn't even get my conviction right, they couldn't odentify that aurochs ass after i finished with him. It was the three assassins they caught me killing." Menas scans the crowd and catches his former wardens eye, with a big grin he drags his finger across his throat and winks.
Turning to Justified and accepting the offered hand, "Honour between warriors should be unquestioned, I am proud to call each of your my friend." Menas turns and offers his hand to each of the survivors in turn, before setting off and climbing the rope ladder.
Quain accepts the offered hand and, following Menas, makes his way out of the Arena.
"Do you have more of there healing syringes," he asks the attendants. "Otherwise I risk to bleed all over there. And better clothes, please."
Menas Kriger |
As a convicted murderer and shield wielding rage monster if anyway wants to argue with me about my conviction they are welcome to, but i'll tell the story my way even if its not actually what happened!
Got to sound scary in front of the other sociopaths and it does allude to some of my class abilities no one has seen.
Offering his hand to the Haterivet and Kwin, "Clothes, i've not worn clothes in so long i never even thought..." Menas smiles as he considers the prospect, "Perhaps something in green wool."
Quain |
Menas, your "lawyer" argued the assassins were self-defense; what sunk you at trial was that they spoke with the dead noble via spell, who identified you as the murderer and that was the basis of your conviction.
The gnome walks over and channels: 3d6
"Thank you", replies the Oread, taking his time to look at the sky for the first time since ten years, before moving towards the carriage.
Baron Darkstrom |
You breathe the fresh air of freedom, something you have not felt in over 5 years. As you exit, the crowds also exit the Arena and head off to the rest of their day, after witnessing some bloody sport for breakfast. The carriages take you to a wealthy manor on the outskirts of town, about a 45 minute ride. There servants greet you and direct you to the steam baths, removing and eventually burning your clothes. They tell you they are under orders to remove your blood soaked weapons, especially from Kwin, who has a reputation for hiding daggers. They promise to return them upon your departure from the manor. New clothes are brought for you (i.e. you may pick a free outfit) after your baths.
Then you are led to a grand hall where a brunch is being held and you can stuff yourselves with fine fruits and delicacies. The Baron greets you, as you come in and welcomes you to sit down, as plates of food are brought before you. "So what did you all think of my little exercise? From what I hear, I recouped most of my investment in the losing wagers."
Menas Kriger |
Dressed in a simple soldiers outfit of leather and cotton topped of with a heavy wool cloak in a deep green Menas looks up from stuffing meat and cheese into his mouth, he chews and swallows taking a long pull from his drink. "You should have extended me some credit for a bet early on, I would have liked a nest egg for after this task of yours is done."
Menas rips off a hunk of bread to chase the meat juices around his plate and then settles back with his drink.
Quain |
Quain sits down, visibly ill at ease. "I..I've never se...seen so much food or so big baths.", he blurts before stopping himself short and blushing furiously.
Trying to eat as slowly as possibles, he considers the Baron's question for a long time. When he eventually answers, it's with direct words:"If you want to make them better, you need to have a longer stretch of sand before the tournament grounds. Also the first four trials were too easy. They are right if you aimed to keep as may alive as possible to the fifth Trial and the Arena. If not, they are not selective enough. I cannot say anything about those last two fights because I was very lucky to come out alive."
Haterivet |
Exiting the arena, Haterivet was almost stunned by the view of the sky. He stood there, dazed for a few seconds, before being shoved ahead.
Today is 5th day of Pharast...what year is it? Did they say I was imprisoned for 5 years?! What month comes after Pharast - was it Sarenith or Gozran next? And that smell...what was that...
For the next few hours Haterivet barely says a word, being completely and utterly stunned with "normal" surroundings. Everything was too light, colours were too bright, water was...clear? They told him to...bath!?!?? And food, he had to exercise all his will power not to simply push stuff down his throat until he suffocates himself. With great care he picks up one tomato and a loaf of still warm bread, and sniffs it carefully before actually biting it.
When he retains his senses a bit, he gets back to his usual behaviour - studying the environment he is in.
Take 20 on Perception check, with special focus on Baron
Sense motive 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 if I can discern something from Baron's talk
So, Baron Caridan Darkstrom, of the City of Strangers, Kaer Maga...let us see what you want from us, and how much you'll live...
Justified* |
Leaving the arena Justified offers to shake hands with all 4 other combatants. He at least seems to believe that through this trial a bond has formed between the 5 survivors. We are free men now. Whatever the Baron has in store for us we should not let him take that away. He will have an offer, but we have a choice.
At Dinner Justified is dressed in sturdy traveling cloths. They are practical but of the current style. He was so dirty before that his skin now appears a new color completely. He eats with gusto and over the course of the evening drinks a little too much, but he greatly enjoys himself and tries to be pleasant company. It seems he knows how to have a good time.
At some point in the evening, after being asked, he advises My dear Baron, if you choose to host this challenge again, I recommend you have random parings at the end. Crowds love it, alliances mean nothing, and its not as chaotic as a free-for-all. It should encourage more betting. And include at least one challenge round of solo combat against beasts so that all would have to fight or die before the end.
Kwin Avassar |
Kwin is friendly enough as they depart the arena and go to the estate. Later at the mansion, Kwin emerges in loose fitting linen shirts and pants, tied at various points by nice silk bands. Monk's outfit. At dinner, he exhibits a limited knowledge of table manners and methodically takes advantage of the bountiful food offerings, consuming plate after plate of rich food.