Amazing Red's Ruby Phoenix Tournament (Inactive)

Game Master Daxter

Once he hears that the festivities will soon be beginning, Pallas makes sure that everyone is awake (dragging them out of bed if necessary), so that they do not miss the opening ceremony.

"Wakey, wakey, my friends. Time to seize the day!"

Not sure how soon is soon but....

Not wanting to be hurried Brachus gives his morning prayers and renews his connection with his god before eating a healthy breakfast and then heads out with Pallas to witness the opening ceremony.

Groggy Marisa wakes up, drinks plenty of water, grabs a good breakfast consisting of miso, noodles, rice, fish, and spring veggies, and grabs her gear. "All right! Time to go register and then put on a show!

Finding your way to the Grand Pavilion should no challenge to you and you find boats carrying contestants and observers who can afford
passage across the bay to the seaside arena, while droves of locals follow the coastal path to the pavilion. The Grand Pavilion and surrounding fairgrounds lie deep within the cove, and feature a massive and elaborate combat arena specifically constructed for the tournament. Scores of colorful tents cram the grounds spreading from the wood almost to the water. A line of spectators stretches from the Grand Pavilion, waiting to enter the arena. Contestants are given priority, and red- and orange-clad monks usher the eclectic collection of warriors and battlemages into the arena to stand before the Emissary.

Before you are allowed to enter the Grand Pavilion, however, you must sign an entrance contract before an Abadaran cleric. On the contract, you must write your team name, and the name of each member of the team. You must also each sign your names to the contests’ five simple rules, which are:

"Team name....do we have a team name?"

Despite the amount of alcohol he'd consumed the night before, Chugan is in suprisingly good condition aside from the splitting headache. After breakfast he follows the group over to the pavilion. The Tengu turns his beak up a bit at the fourth rule, mumbling something in Tengu about not being able to get the shiny, but signs anyway.

"I'm not good with names, you pick

"The winners? Or is that too much?" Vahanian suggests with a laugh. "What about just the Society?" He adds a little more serious.

Also the wand is infernal healing.

Pallas considers for a moment and then provides a few team names.

"How about "The Foreigners"? Seems a bit mysterious and very descriptive."

"We cold also go with something poetic, something like "Branch Dipping in Water", no? Or is that too much?"

"I like "Reapers of Reputation", but perhaps that is too boastful."

"Oooh, how about "Paper Covers Stone", you know from that childhood game we all used to play. Wait, you didn't play that game?"

"I know, I know, the "Dragons of Absalom"! What do you think?"

"Dragons of Absalom. Yeah. I like it. Lets go with that."

"Dragons of Absalom is it then." The priest confirms.

Once you sign the entry contract, monks escort you to the fight stage, where you find many other contestants already assembled, each waiting patiently, and watching performer acrobats entertain the growing crowd as the audience files into the grandstands.

In the grandstands, a tenuous hush falls upon the immense and eager crowd. Moments later, the curtains part, revealing the Emissary flanked by the oni Kiang Zhen and the previous Ruby Phoenix Champion, the half-elf paladin Marthysan the Righteous. Behind the Emissary, like motionless statues, stand no less than a dozen qinggong monks—his mystic disciples and bodyguards. As all watch rapt, the Emissary rises and addresses the crowd.

“I am Sifu Xho Nuo—Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament and guardian of the legacy of Hao Jin, the once immortal sorceress in whose name you are gathered here to battle. To honor the Grandmaster’s legacy, I stand before you to carry out her final will: the thirty-fist decennial Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Without further delay, we begin our first round of the contest. May the worthiest win!”

If you have any prep to do, you may do it now.

"Lets go!" V says drawing his sword.

Just to check but this is all normal combat unless otherwise noted right?

This is a performance combat. And remember the tournament rules. But lethal damage is otherwise fine.

If you have any prep to do, you may do it now.

Pallas asks the official nearest him how long they have before their first battle, what type of battle it might be, and if the use of magic items and spells before the beginning of a battle is allowed. He also asks if there are any battles before theirs that they might be able to watch, and if they are expected to fight multiple battles in a single day.

After asking these sorts of questions, Pallas looks around to see if he can spot any other contestants, or anything out of the ordinary.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

After completing this, he walks over to Vahanian. "Pardon me sir, but I have the ability to make you quite large with a wand that I carry. Is this something you might be interested in?"

He also casts message on everyone to enhance subtle communication between everyone.

Once communication has been established he whispers: "I will cast good hope on everyone before we begin if that is allowed. If we are facing a distant group, I will let Marisa cast haste on everyone, after which I will dimension door Vahanian and Chugan next to our opponents. Does that work? If we are faced with a powerful spellcaster, I can cast silence on myself and take care of him or her. I could even cast arcane concondance on myself which would allow all of us to cast spells within the silence bubble as well."

With prep I guess you mean long lasting buff spells? I have a few spells that last for about 4 hours..but not sure how long we have between fights..so I'll just cast them during combat when I think we need them. so I guess ready to go

Brachus nods at Vahanian

Also, is this a knockout bout or are there other win conditions?

You're in the first match of the day. So about a minute. This is a brawl, so knockout or surrender.

"Why yes! I hit things better then!" V says with a grin.

So it works like normal combat unless we are trying to impress the crowd right? Then those modifiers we figured out before come into play?

Brachus replies to the mass sending

"Seems like a decent enough strategy until we have more information about the fight(s). I will focus on healing and keeping everyone able to fight"

Spells I'd like to cast before combat:

Enlarge person on Vahanian just before the beginning of combat (I cast it from a wand, so it only has a 1 minute duration). Please let us know how many rounds are left at the beginnnig of combat.

Delay poison on all of us (5 charges from wand, lasts for 3 hours).

Good hope on the party (lasts for 12 minutes). Everyone gains a +2 morale bonus on saving throws, attack roles, ability checks (that include performance combat rolls), skill checks, and weapon damage rolls.

Yes. Getting the crowd on your side is optimal for you.

Brachus replies to the mass sending

"Seems like a decent enough strategy until we have more information about the fight(s). I will focus on healing and keeping everyone able to fight"

Pallas reminds the cleric that healing during combat is seen unfavorably by the crowd we're attempting to impress. "I would suggest only healing when it is absolutely necessary. Only when one of us is about to drop or be killed, and we couldn't finish the fight without him or her. Otherwise the crowd might turn against us."

"So we will be playing the crowd..I guess I need some more flashy spells ..ah well, sound burst will have to do then as a warm-up before someone else unleashes the big bright fireballs"

"Think we'll need stoneskin on one of the front line this match?"

Marisa casts ablative barrier on herself, mage armor on herself, displacement goes on the AC-less Vahanianand, and haste on the party. If someone requests the stoneskin, she will cast it. Otherwise it stays in reserve. She then hops on her broom and awaits the signal to start 5 ft off the ground.

Upon his final words, the crowd erupts into clamorous applause, and the contestants scatter for their respective seats or positions throughout
the pavilion. You are escorted by a group of silent usher monks and directed to the center of the fight stage to face your first opponents, the most skilled martial artists of the famed Monastery of the Enduring Spirit in Quain.

Party is up first!

Two of the monks wield what seem to be giant spades while a third wields what seems to be a giant chain with two spherical weights on either side while the last one wields an unusual sword with six shorter L shaped blades protruding, three on each side.

"Well, lets start with something flashy but not too devastating..."

Marisa draws her rod of merciful, and shoots off an electric fireball heightened to 5th level (sacrificing lightning bolt).

Heightened Fireball DC 24: 10d6 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1, 2, 4, 3, 4, 5, 4, 6, 5) + 10 + 2 = 50 electric damage.

performance combat: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 2 = 9

Pallas is about to speak to Marisa when she casts her spell. "Hey, I thought you were going to cast haste ... ah well."

The dervish enters a spinning trance while holding his scimitar as he steps forward, he voice intoning a magical spell at the same time. His carefully embroidered clothing flies out around him as he spins, creating an almost lyrical beauty.

Standard action: cast haste that will last for 12 rounds, free 5'-step to E13, swift action to enter battle dance with Dance of 23 Steps, raising his AC to 33/25/21.

In a monotone voice filled with concentration, Pallas whispers to Brachus. "Will you give us a lift?"

Eager to get into combat V charges the closest foe!

Power Attack: 1d20 + 25 + 2 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 25 + 2 + 2 - 3 = 31
Damage: 3d6 + 19 + 9 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 19 + 9 = 34

Pallas sighs as the Kellid charges his foes. "Never mind."

Oops. Thought haste was part of the pre-combat buffs

Please Evade: 4d20 ⇒ (11, 19, 20, 2) = 52

Marisa: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Thoroughly singing her opponents, Marisa is able to get the crowd on your side! Pallas casts a spell hastening the party's movements

Vahanian charges a foe, cutting slicing into him though he still stands.
Vahanian DC21: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

The crowd is currently friendly. You get a +1 morale bonus on all attack rolls, combat maneuver checks, ability checks, skill checks, and saving throws though it doesn't stack with good hope so no changes. Chugan and Brachus are currently up.

As the electricity strikes the monks, Pallas calls out: "Today the Dragons of Absalom are blue! Every day a different color!"

I wish I had a spell to change our clothing to blue tones, that would really impress the crowds!

As the electricity strikes the monks, Pallas calls out: "Today the Dragons of Absalom are blue! Every day a different color!"

I wish I had a spell to change our clothing to blue tones, that would really impress the crowds!

You do realize that Marisa can make that happen if the combat doesn't end this round.

You do realize that Marisa can make that happen if the combat doesn't end this round.

:)

Seeing his companions move in, Chugan will move to the chain weilding guy and try to get a strike in while he's still flat footed.

Single move, then power attack/vital strike. All bonuses and penalties accounted for, including Crowd Control since there's more than one of them :)

elven curve blade hit: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (15) + 19 = 34
Threat!
elven curve blade confirmation: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33
basedamage: 2d10 + 22 + 5d6 ⇒ (5, 7) + 22 + (3, 1, 4, 2, 6) = 50
+ 5 bleed, 1 STR, -2 Attack/-6 vs me
crit damage: 1d10 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31
Performance Combat: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 + 2 = 25

Chugan walks up, slashes with his elven blade and the monk goes down instantly. And the crowd goes crazy for it. The crowd is now helpful. If you succeed on another performance combat check you get a victory point. Brachus is up.

Post got eaten, typing again

Brachus turns around facing the crowd, hoping to get them further on our side while he starts to clap his hands

*clap*

"We will.."

*clap*

"We will.."

*Stomps his feet while casting sound burst*

Rock you!

Sonic damage for R1 and R2: 1d8 ⇒ 3 no save
and a fort save DC 19 to avoid being stunned for 1 round

Crowd pleasing roll: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26 (+2 for good hope)

(move; should be enough for some clapping and turning and crowd pleasing moves,standard;casting sound burst 5 ft behind R1 and R2 to avoid hitting Chugan, swift; combat performace check for casting a spell with sonic damage)

And the crowd starts chanting along with Brachus, clapping their hands in unison. You've earned a victory point!

R1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
R2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

The second monk is stunned. The remaining combatants step forward striking at different foes.

R1 Flurry vs Vahanian: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
R1 Flurry vs Vahanian: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
R1 Flurry vs Vahanian: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Confirming: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
R1 Flurry vs Chugan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

R4 flurry vs Chugan: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
R4 flurry vs Chugan: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
R4 flurry vs Chugan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
R4 flurry vs Chugan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Party is up again.

Marisa looks at Palas with one raised eye, then shrugs. "All right then, one color a day, I suppose."

Marisa casts major image, turning the PC's clothes into a shiny, sparkly, bluish tone.

I guess it is time to bring in Spot. Here Spot!"

A huge fire elemental in the shape of a dog appears behind the monks. Its presence seems to warp the very air around it with heat. It barks angrily, and swipes at the monks with an easily dodged fiery paw.

Will save DC 20 to disbelieve the illusion. This includes party members.

performance combat: 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 + 2 = 19

Pallas flashes a smile to Marisa as he spins past her.

"It's almost as if you were reading my mind!"

He dashes forward toward the nearest opponent, slashing at him with his scimitar, still spinning around his axis, his blue tailcoat flying in the air.

Charge action 40' to L13 (probably provoking from monk R1; free action to continue battle dance and Dance of 23 Steps, swift action to activate arcane strike; AC will drop to 31/23/19 due to charge until the beginning of his next action; Scimitar attack - Power Attack: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (18) + 22 = 40, Scimitar damage: 1d6 + 25 ⇒ (6) + 25 = 31, Critical threat: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28, Critical damage: 1d6 + 25 ⇒ (4) + 25 = 29; because of my gloves of arcane striking, if I hit monk R1, I also do 3 hp of slashing damage on R2. Now adjacent to both Vahanian, Chugan, R1, and R2, I will use my Bodyguard feat to intercept any attacks on my companions, granting them a +8 untyped AC bonus. Since I miss my Aid Another roll on a 1, I'll just roll 7 d20s in case you need them: Aid Another: 7d20 ⇒ (14, 11, 2, 4, 14, 15, 5) = 65

Because I used my swift action to activate my arcane strike ability, I cannot make a swift action due to my charge (should it hit) and my max damage to make a performance combat check. I can, however, make a performance check due to my critical hit as a free action (if it hits and confirms). If so: Performance combat: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

As the fiery hellhound appears before him, Pallas calls: "Whoever is controlling that, keep it on a leash! I need my eyebrows in tact for my sardonic looks!"

Chugan AC = 32 with crowd control, will be 31 next round

willsave: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"Nice doggy," Chugan mutters in Ingan as he makes his next move. With a stomp of his right foot, the tengu appears to deftly slide between his foes, as he moves opposite Pallas to flank the opponent.

Activating Jaunt Boots to take a "15 foot step" to N-13. Commencing full attack on R2, with power attack, flank, and sneak. Chugan will stop when the poor man drops

ECB 1: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 18 + 2 = 39
Threat
ECB 1 Confirm: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 2 = 21
base damage only: 1d10 + 22 + 5d6 ⇒ (5) + 22 + (1, 5, 6, 5, 2) = 46
+5 Bleed, 1 STR, Debilitating injury:Bewildered, -2 AC (-6 vs me) for the round

ECB Haste: 1d20 + 18 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 18 + 2 = 31
base damage only: 1d10 + 22 + 5d6 ⇒ (2) + 22 + (1, 2, 3, 6, 1) = 37

ECB Iterative: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 2 = 28
base damage only: 1d10 + 22 + 5d6 ⇒ (2) + 22 + (6, 1, 4, 5, 5) = 45

And, for the crowd, lets beak it up!

Beak attack!: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 = 31
Beak damage!: 1d6 + 5 + 5d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (1, 6, 4, 1, 4) = 24

Performance check...when he drops: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 2 = 15

If the first one goes down at any point in this V will 5 ft step to hit the next.

V Rages then unleashes fury!

Power Attack+Powerful Blow+Suprise accuracy: 1d20 + 25 + 2 - 3 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 25 + 2 - 3 + 3 = 45 Threat!
Damage: 3d6 + 17 + 2 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) + 17 + 2 + 9 + 3 = 42

Crit Conferm: 1d20 + 25 + 2 - 3 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 25 + 2 - 3 + 3 = 43
Damage: 3d6 + 17 + 2 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) + 17 + 2 + 9 + 3 = 44

Haste Power Attack: 1d20 + 25 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 25 + 2 - 3 = 35
Damage: 3d6 + 17 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (5, 6, 5) + 17 + 2 + 9 = 44

Power Attack: 1d20 + 21 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 21 + 2 - 3 = 32
Damage: 3d6 + 17 + 2 + 9 ⇒ (3, 1, 6) + 17 + 2 + 9 = 38

Performance Combat: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23

Im rather certain that at least 1 of them is now a fine mist...

The monks do not have time to react to the magical fire-doge as Pallas charges and cuts his foe right in half, killing him instantly. Chugan drops his target with two swings, though his target still breathes while unconscious. Vahanian also murders his target with one powerful swing. Combat over!

If he would have dropped with the crit I wouldn't hit him again...

Vahanian falls out of rage, shrinking down to his normal size, he plants his sword into the earth and kneels next to his opponent. "You fought well and bravely. May you rest with the gods." He whispers to them man, then says a quick prayer to Gorum in thanks for victory.

Editted. I read the crit as two hits. Either way your target is dead.

As the man next to Pallas drops into the sand, Pallas drops his weapon and reaches into his magical satchel, pulling out his scroll of breath of life and attempts to cast it on the fallen monk.

"It is not your time!" the dervish loudly intones. "Sarenrae help him!"

Move action to pull out scroll, Use Magic Device to Activate Scroll (DC 29): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42; the monk gets 5d8 + 9 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 3, 7) + 9 = 27 hp back, and if its enough to bring him to negative Con score, he comes back to life.

Heal check to see if he is living: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Fireworks shoot and explode overhead as Marisa makes a V with one of her hands and points it to the crowd. The fire dog howls in victory.

Pallas tries to save his foe, though he is still very much dead. Apparently it is his time.

Unsure whether the man below him is alive or not, Pallas calls out to the Caydenite. "Brachus, quickly, come here! Was it enough? Did I save him? No man deserves to die in these conditions."

A clear look of pain are turmoil flash across the Keleshite man's face.