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The invitation delivered last night was remarkably simple, especially given the importance of the occasion: “Start where it all began. Meet us at the Pig’s Paunch one hour before dawn."
Of course, it wasn't as simple as it seemed. The Pig's Paunch was only referred to as such by veteran members of the society - including certain potted plants - but the actual name of the tavern was the "Wounded Wisp". Still, the smart ones managed to find their way...
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The taproom of the Wounded Wisp tavern is abuzz with activity. The most recent round of Pathfinders have just finished all three classes (Scrolls, Swords and Spells) and are ready to start their Confirmation together. The conversation inevitably drifts towards who will be selected to go first. Which group of Pathfinders will be selected to face the final trial and become the next full Pathfinder Field Agents? What task will be asked of them?
"Settle down, settle down!" shouts Heryn Gale, the barkeep, "One at a time! Orders pleas. Oh and no tabs tonight! Cash up front." These are the new recruits? Iomedae save us. They get greener every year...
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In the afternoon, after asking for three different veteran agents about the Pig’s Paunch and getting three different locations, Shuo thought that it might be a test… or they were just fooling him.
After a moment of doubt if deceiving an agent would tarnish his honor, Shuo wrote a message saying “meet me tonight at the Pig’s Paunch” and payed a courier to deliver it to the least pleasant agent he knew. With Fei following him in the sky at night, it was, as the occidentals say, a piece of pie… or cake.
Wounded Wisp… isn’t a wisp some kind of spirit? If so how could it be wounded? These people are weird…
"Soto de matsu Fei"
Entering the tavern Shuo starts to take his boots off but soon remembers that occidentals don’t do that… and the floor is filthy. Looking around Shuo sees Ellena, another prospect just like him.
"Hello Ellena-san, it is an honor to see you again. I sincerely wish we both be selected to this test!"
"Ummm..." begins Ellena uncertainly, "I'm the bartender. You'll want to talk to some of the patrons around here if you want to enthuse about the upcoming test. If you want some drinks, on the other hand, I'm your gal. What'll it be? I don't want to sound racist, but our selection of rice wines is a little limited..."
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Shuo feels completely ashamed with the situation.
Why were I blessed with good eyes if I insist not to use them?
“I am profoundly sorry Ellena-san. I beg you to forgive my initial rudeness and my discourtesy of not accepting a drink. I shall not drink in the morning.”
Shou looks around in hopes of recognizing someone.
“It would be a great honor to come back here in another occasion and then accept your offer Ellena-san, and, in that occasion, the beverage you call ale would be perfect.”
"Only joking, 'Shuo-San'!", the charming and jovial woman called Ellena claps Shuo on the shoulder, "Heryn tends the bar. I've been known to help her out from time to time, but I'm a Pathfinder initiate just like you. "
Ellena slimes warmly at Shuo as the beverages are brought out, "Didn't realize you'd be so easy to fool. You must remember me from Spells training, yes? I was the one throwing paper hawks at that pompous ass Aram Zey's head. Any idea what we'll be up against? I hear one group had to face a haunted house... like, a real haunted house, with haunts and everything!"
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A large Chelaxian with a very youthful face enters the tavern.
This is what I'm fighting for: this revelry. This simple joy of being with you equals, sharing a drink. Everbloom bless us all.
As his grin widens, Varus approaches the barkeep.
"Good evening ma'am! I will take a cup of your finest ale, on this most beautiful night!"
I hope this ale is as good as back home...
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"Pardon me!"
Vaulting over a rickshaw filled with flustered chickens in rickety cages, Jillia Tenille darts down the Absalom street, around a corner and back to a street she's traveled down at least thrice before.
I wouldn't be lost in Almas. Or during the day. Or if the rest of my group decided to follow my shortcut.
Jillia reaches into her belt pouch and retrieves a spongy mess that was once folded paper.
Or if the invitation wasn't so water-absorbent.
The words "Pig's Paunch" are barely legible. The rest of Jillia's invitation is not. Shrugging and smiling, she balls up the invitation and tosses it onto a pile of refuse in the nearby alley.
"Trust in your path," Jillia says to no one in particular and heads into the nearest building, some tiny dive bar called the Wounded Wisp. Content in her knowledge that her path was true (and faster- -the shortcut worked!), she stands up on a stool to be at head level with the rest of the bar, and calls over the bartender.
"Are you serving breakfast? It's a bit too early to drink for me. Unless you've got coffee."
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After a brief moment of embarrassment, Shuo smiles warmly while seeing Ellena holding the two pints of ale.
I really should not drink this soon, especially in a day so important to me… but I shall not be impolite with Ellena-san with my refusal. I will drink only a sip or two.
"It is not that I am “easy to fool”. We Tians are not used to tell this small lies, the Bushido forbids it. However, I know you meant no harm."
Shuo drinks a small sip.
"I have no idea of what we will be up against, but I honestly believe you will do fine as you did back then when we were on Spells Training. If I correctly remember, you were the first in class."
Shuo smells the pungent aroma of coffee and regrets not having ordered a cup…
Maybe I order some after I talk to Ellena-san.
Heryn brings an ale for Varus, cellar-cooled and with a perfect head.
On her way to the 'Wisp, Jillia nails her throw and the missive sits perfectly on top of the pile. With a satisfied smile on her lips she enters the tavern and orders breakfast.
"Certainly! Breakfast and coffee. It's not even dawn yet, but we were told to expect you," replies Heryn, "We've got bacon, sausages, eggs, neeps and tatties! Bit of a northern menu today." The coffee is Garundi, and excellent.
"Oh, hey Shuo," Ellena nudges the Tian in the ribs, "More initiates! Let's say 'hi'."
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"Thank you ma'am."
Varus' eyes light up as he spots a familiar face. He slowly makes his way through the crowded tavern to the table Shuo and Ellena are sitting.
"Good morning Shuo-san! I don't think I had a chance to thank you before on that great guest lesson you prepared on Tien customs! If the Society ever sends me there, I'm sure you're information will prevent me from making a complete fool of myself. So are you also here for you Confirmation as well?"
Oh man, Shuo's owl is so cool! I wonder if he'd let me feed it...
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Jillia gulps half the mug of coffee, pausing only to breathe before finishing the cup.
"Two of each, please! Put it on the tab. And another coffee would be lovely."
Jillia, still standing on a barstool meant for someone twice her size, turns and scans the crowd for familiar faces, loosely recognizing some of her fellow students. Seeing a couple that might be familiar (I think?) mentioning introductions, she interjects:
"Yeah, come and say hi!"
And hopefully tell me your name. I'm so bad at remembering names.
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Shuo discreetly frowns upon hearing Ellena speaking his name without the honorific and drinks another sip of his ale.
“Good morning honorable Varus-san! I am indeed here for the Confirmation and I am pleased to see that so are you.”
“I is always a great pleasure for me to speak about my land and costumes, even more for interested listeners.”
Shuo picks the hidden meaning of Jillia words to Heryn and secretly disapproves her attitude.
“Good morning Jillia-san. How is your coffee, the aroma is delicious!”
Unable to guess Jullia does not remember his name, Shuo waits for her to greet him.
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"Tennille. It's Jillia Tennille. But it's okay."
Jillia smiles widely.
"Honestly, I think I should remember your name, but I don't remember your name either. So no worries! Besides, it's hard to be upset in a place with good coffee."
Jillia hops off the barstool and extends a hand, smiling warmly.
Well that could have been more awkward. Maybe.
"Jillia Tennille, pleased to meet ya! Maybe for the first time, maybe for the second time, but certainly for the best time!"
Jillia offers the same handshake to the other two present.
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Beaming at the prospect of a new friend, Varus eagerly accepts her handshake
"Jillia, it is great to meet you! My name is Varus Teutoburg, humble servant of the Everbloom. Shuo-san and I were about to discuss our upcoming Confirmation. Am I correct in thinking you are here for the same thing?"
Oh, I remember hearing some rumors on the training grounds not to underestimate the new female halfling recruit, for she fights with incredible skill. Could this be her?
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Markus had heard of the Pig's Paunch from his grandfather, and so he knew where to head and how to find the tavern without too much challenge. The light and noise draw Markus in from streets away, and he approaches the door. Rolling his shoulder to rid it of the ache that lingers there since the last Swords session, Markus pushes the door open and steps in.
A mixture of apprehension and excitement mingle in Markus as he weaves through the much larger patrons towards the bar. My kind of place, he thinks as he looks around at the veteran explorers sharing stories in the taproom. I only hope that I can live up to Grandfather's legacy and make the grade today.
A few other faces at the bar seem as overawed as Markus, and he signals to the barkeep. "A half pint of bitter please sir, and some bread and cheese if you have any."
Seeing another halfling talking to two talk folk nearby, Markus introduces himself to the small group as he awaits his order.
"Are you guys here for the Confirmation as well? I'm Markus, nice to meet you all."
He quickly sizes up the talk folk as he introduces himself.
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Shuo accepts her handshake.
"Nice to meet you again Jillia Tennille and Markus. My name is Yori Shuo, son of the honorable Samurai Yori Zhulgo bonded to the most honored Daimyo Tsun Zaihon of the Clan Tsun of Khaeshek. But you may call me Shuo-san, without my family name as by your customs."
Shuo smiles imagining a future situation
If she ever forgets my name again, I will include in my next introduction all my ancestors six generations behind along with all their honorific titles and accomplishments… She will need to sit down before I finish it.
I imagine if all this energy of hers is the result of the coffee or if she is normally this way…
There are some twigs in Markus head… would it be impolite if I tell him?
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"Verus. Markus. Yori Shuo. Shuosan." Jillia corrects herself. "Shuosan." She repeats it a couple more time before she gets the intonation quite right. "Shuo-san. Well met!"
Handshakes all around follow. She has a seeming flash of insight and abruptly changes the topic.
"Yeah! The Confirmation! Though I think I remember one of Farabellus's lectures that 'a Confirmation is usually a solo test.' There are a lot of us here for that. Too many to count," she adds, mimicking counting the people present before shrugging her shoulders and turning back to the group. "Whatever. I'm just happy to do a bit of fieldwork! Classes are boring, you know?"
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Shuo feels honestly joy when he talks about Fei.
"Yes you might have. Her name is Fei and she is a great horned owl from Tian Xia. I found her when she was just a chick. She was alone and starving and I could not have abandoned her. Since then she has followed me wherever I go."
I do not know why but I like him. He seems to have a great and honorable purpose.
"I agree with you Jillia-san, but our classes are of utmost importance to enlighten us. It is honorable for a warrior to acquire knowledge."
"And I always heard that de Confirmation was a solo quest too." he adds quickly when he notices that his talk about the importance of the classes might be boring for them.
"Solo test it usually is - mine was!" chirps a voice from one of the tables. It is a plucky little halfling who is wearing a large backpack and carries all manner of tools, pouches, and scroll cases around her waist. She speaks in a very animated manner, which causes her gear to jingle out a melody when she gesticulates. It's almost as though she arranged it that way on purpose.
"They've got so many applicants these days, that they decided to group them together. You're the first lot to be Confirmed that way! Oh, and my name's Janira Gavix, by the by!" she announces, "And I'll be giving at least some of you your Confirmation mission. I hope you're as excited as I am. Master Shaine should be here in an hour or so, but how about we try to fill in the time until then. Anyone got a good challenge we can partake in before the lecture - I mean briefing - begins?"
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"Jillia. Jillia Tennille, Dlouhé dny a příjemné noci, as my parents would say." She continues, "Besides, there's only so much you can learn-"
Jillia comes full-stop when group Confirmation is mentioned.
If it's big enough to need a whole team, it must be exciting!
"I'm in!" Jillia throws her hands in the air and waves them excitedly, completely overlooking the word 'lecture.' "And a challenge sounds like a perfect way to pass some time." And earn a spot on the team!
"A foot race would be a good start, but an obstacle course of sorts would show who's really the most agile," Jillia beams. "Though I'm not sure the barkeep would want us traipsing over his tables?"
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Shuo notices that only some of the initiates will be assigned to her group.
Uhm… does not matter in which group I’ll end up. As long as I do my best, my ancestors will be honored.
Shuo notices the way Jillia emphasizes her last name during presentations.
Is she angry that I called her “Jillia-san”? Does she know that I am showing honest respect?
"I am honored to meet you Janira Gavix-sempai. My name is Yori Shuo, but you call me Shuo-kohai, without my family name as by the Avistan customs."
Shuo looks to the legs of the two halflings. It will be an unfair competition with those little legs. I need to suggest another challenge.
“We could play a riddles game, where no one will be in any disadvantage and we will not disturb the other customers.” Shuo looks again to those little legs.
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"Obstacle course it is! Riddles game after, I should think," Janira grabs some supplies from the bar and from the cellars below. From the frenzied pace at which she works, and the amazing things she gathers, it's almost as though she was planning this.
She sets up four main challenges and describes them to the assembled Pathfinders who begin filing out of the Wounded Wisp and onto the pre-morning streets of Absalom.
"Okay, it's going to be one at a time, and I'll decide the winner based on how quickly you complete the course, and whether or not you actually get past the obstacles!" she shouts and begins pointing out each obstacle in turn.
"The first thing you need to do is get over this bar stool. Not hard, right? Well, you need to do so without knocking it over," Janira grins as the stool is still wobbling on its uneven legs.
"The next part is the obstacle course proper," Janira indicates a series of hoops, ropes, pulleys, random detritus and a variety of other things that the Pathfinders must get either through or around, "You'll need too make your way through here in order to face the final obstacle... an Aspis Consortium agent!"
Janira indicates a dummy set up like a scare-crow. On its chest is the curled snake symbol of the Aspis Consortium - the Pathfinders' hated rivals, and a bunch of evil villains to boot - and with a twinkle of her fingers, the dummy starts to spin.
"Just like the real Aspis Consortium, its tactics are simple but dastardly. It will attack without rhyme or reason... if you are fool enough to fall to its flailing arms!" Janira laughs heartily at this, "But a true Pathfinder will overcome."
"Once you've made it through all of that, you'd best run back here and touch the door of the Wisp," Janira finishes as grandly as a herald announcing a knightly list might, "Think you can manage all of that? Who's first?"
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"If there is no problem I would like to go first!" Shuo says with a confidente smile.
Observing the bar stool Shuo imagines that it will be easier to just vault over it instead of trying to jump. With a quick impulse he finds himself on the other side. Good, the stool did not moved an inch.
Looking at all the obstacles, Shuo decides to study his way first. Uhm… I will first jump over that crate, then slide under table and then… no, no, no, take impulse on that sacks first… Oh forget it, I will just run. After some useless and time consuming over planning, Shuo crosses the obstacle course.
Observing the movements of the dummy, trying to notice a pattern of movements. His movements are completely random… I will trust in my luck and try to duck. When he is hit in his shoulder he reminds himself that only the hopeless ones trust their luck over their own abilities.
For the final challenge there was nothing to think about, just run as fast as he could. And he was really fast indeed.
At the end of the obstacles course Shuo was visibly unhappy.
By overthinking in the second challenge I could have caused the death of an ally and by trusting my luck in the third I could have caused my own death… This is not the way of the Bushido! Next time I will do better!
“Uhm… who is next?” says Shuo, a little embarrassed.
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Easy enough! Now don't screw it up.
"Alright, let me show you how it's done." Her wide smile becomes a little more focused. Determined. Sure. To herself, she audibly adds, "Trust in the path."
And, with a start that seems more mechanic than organic, Jillia is off. She runs with a focus that borders on vitriol.
Over the top. Like you do.
Jillia gets within a stride of the stool, and leaps into a headfirst dive, her momentum carrying into a somersault and back into her run.
No turning back.
Jillia approaches the obstacles with the same approach as the bar stool, laying out into a dive, Crap. and promptly wedges herself between a pair of hoops. Momentum gone, she forces herself through the rest of the course, muttering unintelligible halfling profanity. She leaves a little bit of herself on the last set of criscrossed wire, and is back to full speed shortly thereafter.
Don't hesitate, go!
Jillia launches herself at the dummy right as it's making a slash, she strikes it with her shoulder dead center and knocks it to the ground. She rides the force of her shoulder, spins, and speeds away, her footing finding itself.
I could do this all day!
And the final leg back to the door of the Wisp is an easy jaunt, or at least it would have been if it were a city block closer. Within the last 100 feet or so, Jillia's stride begins to shorten and her breaths begin to lengthen, and by the time she runs her hands along the door, her focused pace has slowed to a messy jog, her steps nearly tripping over themselves as she slows to a walk afterward.
"Well, I could do this all day after breakfast," she adds, her smile returning. "Who's next?"
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"Fei sounds like a valued companion, and it'd be nice to make her acquaintance too."
"Nice to met you Jillia. If only my parents had been so complimentary about me once in a while!"
The approach of an actual Pathfinder causes Markus to straighten up, and he hastily pulls a rogue twig out of his hair.
"I'd be honoured to compete in this challenge Miss Gavix," he says with a certain amount of nervousness.
Janira squeals with delight as the initiates both figuratively and literally jump through hoops to complete her course. "Well done, well done! The same time for the both of you, Shuo-san and Jillia! However, Jillia, I'm afraid I'm going to subtract a tactical point from you. With a slight frame such as you and I have, you'd be better off ducking the dummy than tackling it! Still, can't argue with results..." Janira favors Jillia with a wink.
Janira bellows, in a voice that seems far too loud and deep for a slender halfling like her.
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"An obstacle course is not my strong suit, but it's all in good fun!"
Please don't let this be too embarrassing!
Trying to vault over the stool, Varus forgets he has his shield strapped to his arm. He is unable to get it out of the way as he runs up to the stool, and instead ends up smacking the stool across the tavern. "Oh dear... We'll pretend I meant to do that!"
I don't see any discernable pattern in the obstacles... I know! I will treat it like the stool!
Varus barrels forward at full speed, hoping to ram through everything in his path. Unfortunately this slows him down significantly, but he just presses on.
"Ha! There is no way this dummy can hit-"The dummy's arm smacks Varus right in the face, swiftly shutting him up.
Annoyed by his previous failures, Varus is determined to do at least one part correctly. He digs deep, and sprints with all he has left, repeating an inspiring mantra:
Pleasedon'tpuke-pleasedon'tpuke-pleasedon'tpuke
He regrets having that ale, but fortunately keeps it down.
"Well, that was about what I expected. Anyone else care to take a turn?"
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"Tactial points?" Jillia guffaws. "I was in a hurry- -my breakfast should be done any minute..." She abruptly trails off, heading back inside, and returning shortly thereafter with an already half-finished plate of breakfast. And two mugs of coffee.
"Nice runs, Shuo-san, Verus. Tactical points or not, I still think obliterating the dummy with brute force seems more efficient, though," Jillia beams.
Markus? Want to give it a go? New guy? You're not too late! Give this a try!
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Seeing Varus' performance in the obstacle course, Shuo feels a bit better about himself.
For the sacred Tsukiyo's tears of jade, this man crossed the obstacles like a raging yak!
"Thank you Jillia-san, you had a nice run too." Shuo looks at Varus and quick amends. "Oh, and so did you Varus-san!" I hope he did not notice my lack of politeness...
Shuo notices the new initiate (probably) that entered the Pig’s Paunch, the half-elf apparently nervous. Uhm… I should introduce myself...
"Hello honored friend, my name is Yori Shuo, from Tian Xai, but you may call me just Shuo-san. I beg you to forgive me, but I do not remember seeing you before, are you a initiate just like the rest of us?" Shuo points out to the rest of the initiates.
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Markus steps up next, hoping to live up to the speedy run of Jillia. "Can't be the one to let us halflings down," he thinks.
"Don't screw up, don't screw up, don't screw up," Markus whispers to himself under his breath, and then launches himself at the course.
The bar stool, almost as tall as Markus himself, remains upright as he somehow jumps over it and runs onwards.
The motley assortment of objects ahead are seemingly placed at random, but Markus' sharp eyes pick out a route through the ropes that allow him to progress with a minimum of effort.
Feeling positive about his success so far, Markus taunts the dummy. "Give it your best shot, Aspis puppet!" His joy is short lived however, as its failing arm claps him across the back of his head, knocking him on his face.
Markus picks himself up, winded but determined. The final sprint proves to much for his short legs, however, and he stumbles to the finish line puffing and gasping.
Good work doofus. Way to embarrass yourself in front of the Pathfinder, Markus thinks, admonishing himself. He tries to keep his smile in place as he brushes leaves off his trousers.
"I'm done," he pants, "who's next?" Markus asks.
Janira tries hard to stifle a laugh at Varus's... direct approach. "Well done, Varus," she says, mostly keeping a straight face, "At least you kept that beer down. Maybe a more healthy breakfast next time?"
Janira winks at Varus as she rushes out to put the now destroyed obstacle course back together. She looks around for a particular piece and gets a little frustrated that she can't find it... then, giggling, she rushes over to Varus and pulls off the hoop that seems to attached itself to the handle of his morningstar.
When Markus comes through the course, Janira is very excited, thinking that he may beat Shua and Jillia, but he doesn't finish quite as strong as he began. "Good attempt, Markus, looks like you're tied with Shua for first!"
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Smiling with slightly red cheeks, Varus shakes Markus' hand enthusiastically.
"Nothing hurt but my pride. I think I will take Janira's advice and choose my meals more carefully. At least you had a good run at that course. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two about being so agile."
Laughing earnestly, Varus is feeling better about his display.
While I may have looked silly, I hope these kinds of games will keep everyone's spirits high. And maybe my display will encourage others to do better on their attempt.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I believe I have some straw from that dummy in my hair."
Varus steps back to tries to fix his disheveled appearance.
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Luthor heads down the street trying his best to remember the location of 'The Pig's Paunch' tavern. It wasn't a place he knew, which he found very strange.
"Maybe the tavern the Pathfinders call 'The pig's Paunch' is better known by another name..." He mutters to himself as he walks.
He scours his memory for taverns he's heard of that Pathfinders tend to frequent, but can't seem to bring any to mind.
As Luthor approaches his third potential tavern, 'The Wounded Wisp', the sounds of talking and cheering can be heard even from a fair distance away.
He rounds the corner and faces a group of people stood watching a male halfling dodge and weave his way around an assortment of pulleys, ropes and hoops arrayed in what looks like some kind of assault course!
The halfling takes a knock to the head from a spinning dummy, then dizzily sprints towards the tavern door.
What have i got myself in to now
Not wanting to seem like the odd one out, Luthor claps his hands together in appreciation of the halfling's efforts.
"Bravo that chap!" he exclaims!
When the conversation reaches a natural pause he takes the time to introduce himself.
"Good morning ladies and gents. My name is Luthor Volandis. Would i be correct in thinking you are all current or future Pathfinders?"
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Jillia sets down her tray of breakfast, gulps down some coffee and introduces herself, smiling wildly.
"Jillia Tennille, pleased to meet ya! Future Pathfinder," she tacks on with glee.
There's a lot of people here. Just how big of a team do they need?
"There's not much going on quite yet, though. Try running the gauntlet," she suggests, enjoying what has become quite the spectacle.
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"Well met Jillia. I must say that breakfast, or what remains of it, looks delicious!"
Luthor steps forward towards the impromptu start line.
"I guess this gauntlet would be a great way to work up my appetite"
He builds up some speed aiming to jump the stool, but barely catches the top with his trailing foot.
He glances around looking for the safest route to take, but the smell of the food keeps drawing his attention back towards Jillia's plate. He comes to his senses just before runs face first into a swinging rope with a weight on the end.
By Sarenrae's light...
Trying to get his timing just right, Luthor tries to dodge under the arms of the spinning dummy, but it barely catches his arm as he's almost past it.
With a final sprint he rushes towards the tavern door. He tries his best to make up for his previous mistakes.
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"Kind of you to say, but I fear that what you saw as agility was mostly luck. Hopefully there are fewer bar stools and spinning dummies out in the real world!" Markus laughs, as Varus takes some time to sort himself out.
Another prospect runs the course and Markus makes his way to the finish line to greet him.
"Good run there, though that dummy seems to have claimed another scalp! I'm Markus, nice to meet you."
"Oh dear, Luthor," Janira suppresses a snicker, "Thought you weren't going to make it for a moment there. Just as well you're a good runner - that was fast! I think the real lesson here is... umm... every Pathfinder needs a good breakfast!"
Janira looks around as the assembled pathfinders look back at her expectantly... "Oh, well, I guess while the other initiates are running the obstacle course, I could come up with the riddle that Shuo-san requested. Hmm... I'll have to get back to you."
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Janira sits on the barstool she set up outside, and affects the pose of a thinker - elbow on knee, chin on fist. Every now and again, she quickly hops off to allow the next Pathfinder to take up her challenge to clear the stool.
"Aha!" she cries at last, "I have it! Everyone, after I tell you the riddle, don't just blurt it out. I want you to write down what you think the answer is and why. Everyone who gets the answer right will get a delicious blueberry muffin and a coffee on my tab! What's that? Heryn's not running the tab today? Well... of all the rotten times... fine, I'll pay in advance."
Janira clears her throat and stands on the stool.
"Her time was with shining night,
Vanquishing the mage of fright.
Sorrows three, fled underground -
Lands of dark and absent sound.
Heart of gold and skin of steel -
To her pious men should kneel.
Two step paradise she stood,
Carved her realm as best she could.
Faced the test of sun and stone;
Hundred years she's been alone.
Wound with no blood, the blind eye -
Oh why did he have to die?
City of her year long rule -
Trade rare stone from waters cool.
This strange lady, who is she?
Won't you give her name to me?"
Janira hands out ink, quills and paper to everyone who seems interested.
I know it says she but...
-> Hey's pretty girly!
Lands of dark and absent sound.
-> Clearly refers to his lecture theater after he's left it.
Heart of gold and skin of steel.
-> He's got golden hair.
Vanquishing the mage of fright.
The "Mage of Fright" is likely a lich. It is probably an old reference to Tar-Baphon.
Lands of dark and absent sound.
A likely reference to Orv, the deepest of the three layers of the Darklands.
Trade rare stone and waters cool.
Probably referring to the ice and mineral trade from the Chelaxian city of Kantaria.
Wound with no blood, the blind eye -
Refers to the Worldwound and the Eye of Abendego respectively.
Her time was with shining night,
"Shining Knight": Knights who fought during the Shining Crusade.
Heart of gold and skin of steel.
She is known for good deeds and probably wears plate mail.
Faced the test of sun and stone;
This is a turn of phrase used by the older nobility of Absalom, and refers to the Test of the Startstone.
Two step paradise she stood.
Likely refers to Second Tier of the plane of Heaven.
To her pious men should kneel.
"Pious men" is a clear reference to paladins, especially with the prior "skin of steel" line.
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Why couldn't this be an easier challenge like bull-rushing a training dummy?
Jillia accepts the parchment and quill, lost in thought, and hopelessly starts doodling, trying to illustrate the riddle, hoping to chance upon some sort of inspiration. Three minutes pass and she has a juvenile drawing of herself with a crown on and a bunch of men kneeling before her. She shakes her head.
Thank the Spheres that we're doing fieldwork later, not solving riddles!
"I don't think this was in one of our lectures," she says embarrassed.
"It was in one of our lectures," Janira smiles, "But I slept through that one, too. I had Kreighton Shaine have me back for detention, and he left me in a library and told me I couldn't get out until I answered his riddle. Figured that would be the most suitable one for you guys!" Janira gives Jillia a look that suggests Janira thinks that Jillia knows more than she lets on.
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A small shack stands in a secluded park, where the sound of a most peculiar bird is heard:
"వేక్! నాకు తెలుసు చావడి దగ్గర మీరే నిర్ధారించండి!"
"Ohhh..."groaned Semagoro, rolling out of his cot, "What, today? Oh, you're right, the letter!"
Semagoro gets up and dresses himself quickly, but with a deliberate knack for style, as his thrush flits excitedly around the room. Hmm, can't be too gaudy, how about this? No, better go with the silver one today.
When he leaves his shack he takes a moment to admire his garden, and pries at a particularly bothersome weed by a shrine that reads "Pai Evensong".
With an bittersweet look on his face, Semagoro heads down the winding path out of the park and into the city proper, his thrush chirping a merry tune as it apparently leads him towards his fellow Pathfinders in training.
"తో పాడే! ఎటర్నల్ మైడెన్ మార్గదర్శకాలు!"