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Daniel looks over them all and shrugs, "I'd be up for managing the animal. Most creatures in that kind of position are so abused it's more of a blessing than anything if you put them down."
He thinks for a moment more and adds, "but I think we might be better suited for the ole B&E at the abandoned Estate so I'm up for that. Whatever we do, let's get a move on."
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Woah, easy friend! I agree the undead are a menace to be dealt with, but it sounds as though any such creatures (assuming they are behind the rumours) can rest a little while longer.
I think that we should start by dealing with the animal. It would, perhaps, allow us all to work off some steam, and free the poor creature from its misery sooner rather than later?
Then, when we've worked out some restless energy, we go deal with some restless spirits that might be in need of some violent suppression?
Either way, as the Ranger says: if we be adventurers, then let us adventure!
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Joaquin's head snaps up as the mention of violence. "You can keep the undead for now! Let's go battle the creature! This sounds like an arena battle by which our skills as warriors will be tested, not those skills of sneaking about." He is breathing a bit harder than usual as it clearly seems as if adrenaline is coursing through his veins.
The dwarf admires your desire to fight “Alright here it is we’re still a little short on funds and we need to make some quick coin! If you’re daring enough, head over to the Alabaster District and enter a hydra baiting competition at the Serpent’s Run coliseum. The Master of Games, Axetongue Droaeb, has offered a decent sized purse to
adventurers willing to get in the ring with one of his ferocious multi-headed beasts. As always, this event draws a tremendous crowd, one whose coin will more than double the purse he pays to contest participants.“ the dwarf throws you a simple map "Leave the manor hang a right on the main street and you can miss it."
You have little trouble locating Jorston
“Axetongue” Droaeb, the proprietor and Master of Games for his coliseum he eagerly seeks out contestants for his most popular event. He is yet another rugged handsome dwarf with a scar across his face. "Aha! Ya here ta fight against the hydra laddies?"
"AHAHAHA Ya can try ta kill it all ye want don' be hold'n back thinkin' I want it alive. Me Boys'll handle that end of it." The Dwarf points to a group of cleric-y types over against the wall. Many of whom sport a many scars and scratches from the 'handling' of the creatures used in the games.
"Oh yes details I be fergetin' that all thee time. Here's tha deal i'll be makin' ya, You get in the ring and go 6 rounds with the Hydra, after that I'll send the boys in ta distract the beastie and ya get out and I'll pay ya the sum of 2000 Crowns... a piece! Now once you hit the end o' the sixth round I'll call out though and ask if ya had enough but let me tell ya this." the dwarf smiles and holds a hand to the side of his mouth and slightly whispers. "I'll give ya a bonus if you go a few more rounds." He winks at you. "Got it? Don' worry about dying now though, if any o' ya fall in battle before the sixth round has passed will pull ya out." he looks a little dower at the mention of having to pull you out.
"In one Round!! You canno' be serious. If you are that would be a sight ta see but wheres the fun in tha." The Dwarf gives the witch a double take. "Sorry but you canno' bet on yer selves or the monster no fun in tha. Now when ye be ready let me know an' I'll lead ya ta where ya be fighten' the beastie."
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"It was just a thought..." grumbles Edgar as he follows the dwarf. Once in their prepping chamber, he turns to his companions.
"In case you didn't figure it out by the scars, Hydra are mean and they have teeth." he advises, glancing around the room. As his eyes fall on Joaquin, he pauses. "Mean with teeth. That means it'll try to bite you."
Closing his eyes, he pulls an old bone from his pouch and begins to mutter to himself. "Pharasma, আশীর্বাদ ও মৃত্যুপরবর্তী জীবনের জন্য ধন্যবাদ। আপনি চাইলে আমাদের আশ্রয় দেবে।" Allen's body starts emitting a dull gray light which encompasses the skeletal material just as the light winks out. The item slowly floats around the man, as if caught in an orbit.
"Pharasma, we thank you for your blessings in this life and the next. If it be your will, grant us protection for this day."
Opening his eyes with a snap, Edgar draws a wand from his pack. "Cloth to Steel!" he calls out, tapping his robes.
"Uh...your welcome Edgar." states Allen with a sigh.
As the others beginning preparing, the bird flits from each pathfinder to the other. "And...you get blessed...and you get blessed....and you get blessed..." he keeps repeating.
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Joaquin draws his bastard sword and readies his spiked shield. Looking at the group, he smiles with a wolfish grin and says, "I'm going for heads. Burn the stumps if you can."
Looking at the dwarf, Joaquin says, "I am ready, my good dwarf. Lead me to the arena. Inform the crowd that Joaquin Rodrigo de Aragon will be battling the teeth of the hydra!"
He slaps his shield with the bastard sword and the resulting clash of metal rings in the room!
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A little short on funds? Bah, the crate we brought back should have been more than enough to fund the acquisition of a dozen relics. I wonder how much of our proceeds went to finance the Heidmarch Manor wine cellar?
...
Redgar regards the dwarf shrewdly: A wise showman sets his ticket price up front... what would the bonus be, and for how long, my good man?
...
When in the preparatory area, Redgar turns to his comrades: Right. We must last at least 6 rounds in the arena with the beast. I'm sure we'll put on a good show for the crowd, but let's not forget that the Dwarf will call off the fight if any of us drops. So, don't take any unnecessary risks, don't forget to duck, and try to stay conscious long enough to collect the gold?
Redgar will then quaff a potion
...
Immediately before we step into the arena, Redgar will muise about tactical possibilities to his team-mates: Hmm, a Hydra, eh? If it has multiple heads, perhaps circling the beast will help distract it? In case we must end up side-by-side, I think the 'high-low' formation might help distract it and open up a vulnerable throat area?
"Now tha ur all prepared get in there! Cant leaving the payin people wait'n!"
You are ushered into the main combat arena, you hear throngs of people cheering and yelling. Apparently blood sports are big in Magnimar as the arena is packed!
In the center you see a monstrously huge Hydra sporting 5 heads with a dusty bluish hue to its scales.
Joaquin
Edgar
B.C.
Anduris
Odo
Hydra
Redgar
Daniel
"Axetongue"
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Tentatively, Edgar moves away from the pack to the south. Eyeing the beast before him, he mumbles "Oh, so that's a hyrda." as he tries to recall anything he may have read about the creature.
Coming to a stop, he glare at the beast. Though a bit unsure which head to focus on, he reaches into the beasts mind. 'You can't defeat us. We are more powerful than you could dream of.'
Seeing as no one has used his blessing yet, Allen flitters down towards Edgar, hoping the best goes after someone else.
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Joaquin charges forward at full speed screaming his war cry!
"AAAAAIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!
Joaquin executes a charge attack aimed at one of the hydra's body and uses Power Attack in the process.
Joaquin is grinning broadly as he swings away at the multi-headed beast while also playing up to the roar of the crowd.
"Are they not entertained?" he yells to the rest of the party.
The onlookers start cheering as Joaquin rushe in with recklass abandon, attacking the Hydra swinging his Bastard Sword with such ferocity and Power slicing into the beasts scaly side dealing a massive blow. The crowd goes wild as his sword hits and they grow even louder once they see what happens next; As Joaquin rushes in the Hydra takes an opportunity to attack him lashing out with one of its heads.
The Hydra's bite cannot pierce the Fighters Armor
Thinking to himself Edgar recalls some usful information about the Hydra.
Edgar moves into a better position to heckle the Hydra about his inability to defeat the group.
B.C. Decides he'd better wait beside Daniel to better coordinate attacks.
Odo Moves in with a fierce determination.
and Anduris....
Joaquin
Edgar
Anduris
Odo
Hydra
Redgar
Daniel
B.C.
"Axetongue"
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"Redgar me friend. It be yer time ta shine." Anduris reaches forward and slaps Redgar on the shoulder."Yer attacks should work better on that thing so go get 'em."
As a standard action, you can expend 1 point of mental focus and touch a weapon to grant it an enhancement bonus. The bonus is equal to 1 + 1 for every 6 occultist levels you possess (to a maximum of +4 at 18th level). Enhancement bonuses gained by this ability stack with those of the weapon, to a maximum of +5.
You can also imbue the weapon with any one weapon special ability with an equivalent enhancement bonus less than or equal to your maximum bonus by reducing the granted enhancement bonus by the appropriate amount. The item must have an enhancement bonus of at least +1 (from the item itself or from legacy weapon) to gain a weapon special ability. In either case, these bonuses last for 1 minute.
Anduris readies to give Redgar’s blade a helping boost.
The Hydra slythers slightly to better see Odo and you hear one of its heads take in a deep breath and spew forth a cone of Cold air so severe it causes frostbite.
A second head lashes out at Joaquin again hoping to pierce the man’s armor and flesh.
Digging in to Joaquin's body his Armor prevents the Hydra from crushing the life from him.
The crowd is roaring by now that you could guess those in Lowcleft could even hear it. Axetongue has a wide smile across his face knowing that this will be quite the show.
Joaquin
Edgar
Anduris
Odo
Hydra
Redgar
Daniel
B.C.
"Axetongue"
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Joaquin continues to play up to the crowd acting as if the wound is serious. When one of the heads darts in close, Joaquin suddenly swings with a mighty stroke in a sunder attempt to lop the head off.
Joaquin hisses to the others, "Don't kill it! We need to draw out the combat for several more rounds! Don't forget to burn the neck stumps!"
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Looking around, Edgar frowns. 'Oh, right...supposed to be a show.'
Eyeing the beast, he smiles and calls out over the roar of the crowd. "You puny creature! You're feeble mind has no power over me!" Pointing a finger at the beast, he releases a shrill "HE HE HA HE HE!"
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As the enormity of the Hydra presents itself, Daniel is awed for a moment and frozen in place. As the sounds of battle pump adrenaline into his veins he dashes into motion, taking advantage of the large arena to position himself. B.C. darts along behind, he points at a spot behind him and simply says, "Stay!"
Turning back to the monstrosity, considers his options for a split second, cut the heads and burn the stumps? What is he talking about? No options come to him quickly so he pulls a dark metal arrow from his quiver and fires.
[dice=Handle Animal "Stay" DC 10]1d20+11[/dice]
for
Drawing his blade out Redgar cannot help but smile as see the blade shimmer and spark. Continuing the momentum of the draw of his blade he brings it in low holding it out for Anduris who places his hand on it within moments it takes on a reddish hue and becomes bathed in fire. Rushing forward with his flaming blade he attacks the Hydra who returns his attack with one of its own
Biting at the mans leg but missing ever so slightly.
Redgar’s blow seems to have staggered the Hydra immensely as it starts wavering its heads back and forth in a dizzy looking state.
Daniel picks out a good location to pelt the Hydra with deadly efficiency but he pulls his bow just to the right to much trying to not hit Regar or Joaquin with one of his gravity defying arrows.
Joaquin sees the perfect opportunity to take one of the Hydra’s heads severing it cleanly and the force behind his blow brings the Hydra down, its labored breaths can be heard across the arena as its blood sickeningly dyes the sand red.
Axetongue announces over the crowds dying cheers. ”Oh my did you all see that? The brave adventures in the ring today have nearly done the unthinkable but don’t leave just yet the battle is only just begun!” you can sense he is a bit perturbed that you have nearly killed the Hydra is less than 12 seconds.
Joaquin
Edgar
Anduris
Odo
Hydra
Redgar
Daniel
B.C.
"Axetongue"
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Glancing from the crowd to Axetongue, Edgar scratches the moss hanging from his chin. Smiling, he turns to the crowd. "Was that not fun? Are you not thrilled by our antics?! Should we give the Hydra another chance?!"
"Surely the Hydra was not properly prepared for the mentral prowess I brought!" cries the witch, tossing a wink towards Axetongue, he turns back the to Hydra and calls out "Arise! Arise poor beasty. Pharasma is not yet ready for your soul!"
With a flick of the wrist, a silver beam of light explodes from the raven nearby and travels towards the downed animal. The light envelopes the foe and his internal fluids stop leaking out.
The human man turns back to the crowd again and cries "This animal is close to death. I can save it, but your help would speed up the process. What do you say?"
Shuddering as the spell is pulled from within, Allen eyes Edgar with utter confusion. Listening a moment, the bird begins to put it all together and flitters towards the center of the room.
"Guys, I think he's figured out this beast has regenerative abilities. Perhaps we can put on a better show...make it last a little longer?" he whispers to the other pathfinders.
Axetongue Laughs out loud ”HA you see folks the fight isn’t over yet.” the Crowd begins to watch in trepidation as the Hydra begins to move about shakily rising up four heads twitching about to and fro as if trying to shake off a moment of blackout.
Your group easily moves into place taking your time. Others egging the crowd on you can see Axetongue is very pleased with the current turn around of the parties actions wanting to make a better show of it for the people.
As the Hydra wakes up completely you all see that it’s now looking as if it’s out for blood now
Joaquin
Edgar
Anduris
Odo
Hydra
Redgar
Daniel
B.C.
"Axetongue"
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Daniel takes the opportunity as the creature stirs to its feet to move around behind and pull a flask of orange swirling liquid. B.C. stays close, slipping over behind a nearby pillar. Daniel eyes the creature, looking for an opening. He yells out, mostly for the benefit of the crowd, "YOU TAKE CARE OF THE HEADS AND I'LL MAKE SURE THEY DON'T COME BACK!"
for + 1d6 next round (if hits) and 1 splash to all adjacent.
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Joaquin hisses to the others to only aim for the same head. "Let's attack the same head so we stretch this thing out a few more rounds. Four heads, four rounds. No body shots until the last head is left."
Joaquin circles the beast warily as if it were a deadly opponent, which it is!
He waits for an opportunity to make a sunder attack on a head. When the chance arises, he swings his bastard sword in a mighty arc!
As the expected Attack of Opportunity develops, he stands his ground to deliver the blow.
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Redgar acknowledges Joaquin with a nod and a wink, then focuses on trying to assist with playing up to the crowd:
By Gorum, the beast yet lives! Look alive men. It's going for you Joaquin! DUCK!
Redgar will then either try to sever this round's target head (if Joaquin and Odo have not put it down) or will try to make a big show of maneuvering the (presumably gorey) head into prime targeting position for Daniel's Alchemist's Fire.
If sundering:
If 'grappling':
Trying to stay just out of the hydra's reach, Allen flies around the arena towards Daniel.
Redgar Swings his burning blade down onto the neck of one of the Hydra’s heads Severing cleanly. His burning blade causes the wound to cauterize with his strike. The Hydra Jerks a bit and you see that it shakes suddenly not even moving to attack in its moment of opportunity with Redgar’s blow.
Daniel with B.C. close to his side sees that Redgar’s blade has not only severed a head but has also severed prepares to throw an Alchemist’s fire at the first un-cauterized stump that appears after his allies sever another head.
The Crowd watches in amazement as this group of warriors move about the Hydra its remaining three heads lashing out at the Warriors here and there bites land but are unable to pierce thier armor, it seems that Pharisma has cursed this beast today. The Crowd yells out as all of a sudden one of the stumps that was out of the sight of party immediate sprouts forth two new heads that start lashing out. Spells fly across the arena, the combatants yell at the beast more for the crowds enjoyment rather than yelling at the beast.
You here Axetongue bellowing at the end of his seat ”I thought the little Raven was going to get eaten right there but that is some little beastie able to withstand that bite like that, its almost in-human… Wait in-Avian I should say.” His laughter seems to grow louder and louder as the noises in the arena become almost unbearable. The whole city of Magnimar must be hearing this commotion.
With the Final Blow Joaquin ends the beasts now pitiful existence severing the remaining head from its body with the dual flaming blades of Odo and Redgar the hyda is covered in burns and seared wounds ensuring the creature will not return.
Slightly weary yet smiles across your faces as you have all grown a custom to each other in this little dance of blood you meet up with Axertonogue in the waiting area. ”By Torag tha was on’ of the best battles I ‘av evar seen you laddies now how ta fight. Next time ya find ur’selves in Magnimar please stop in and take a shot a’ tha next beastie I got.” handing over a large sack of gold you notice that it is quite heavier than expected ”Threw in a little extra fer ya.”
Heading back to Heidmarch Manor you meet up with the same dwarf with the funny name. He is surprised to hear about your ordeal with the Hydra and laughs about ol’ Axetongue and his little games. ”So looks like you’ll be earn’n your pay ta day. Got two more missions for ya to do we got about an hour an a half before the auction.” ”Also got some more intel on another job needed doing Seems that The Duchesses might be all bluster and in possession of stolen monies. More talking I guess with this one.”