Amazing Red's Ruby Phoenix Tournament (Inactive)

Game Master Daxter

"I would say no to confront her now. This changes nothing. We still need to win the tournament..and I think one of the rules we singed was to not fight outside the tournament"

Pallas nods at Brachus' suggestion. "I remember, and wasn't planning on attacking them in the open, but we can be fairly certain that Risha and her compatriots will be acting dishonorably towards us. The incident in the cliff flight might only be the beginning. I think it would be wise to ascertain what they are planning and try to prevent it if at all possible. For instance, they might be working with folk who are not part of the festival and therefore not constrained by its rules. We might be able to act against those people without infringing on any rules, if they exist."

"I don't think the Aspus are behind the sabotages either. The Aspus simply don't have enough pull around Tian Xia."

"Besides, I kinda want to hang around Risha anyways. How often do you get to freely chat up and/or insult an Aspus Consortium agent and not come to blows immediately?"

"Unless of course the Aspis have teamed up with the Golden Path. That would change things considerably. I find that we do not have nearly enough information about the situation we are heading into."

Pallas then turns to the Caydenite. "Brachus, perhaps you could prepare a divination spell that we could use before the beginning of our next event? I'd hate to go into it and be blind-sided."

Turning back to Marisa, he continues: "I think you make a good point, Marisa. In the meantime we should talk to Risha a bit more. After all, she won't attack us out here in the open."

I thought that Risha was a bystander? Have we actually seen her as a member of one of th e teams we are competing against?

You haven't seen her compete but she did seem a bit too interested when she met you.

"Which spell do you have in mind?"

Pallas shrugs. "I don't know. Something in the divination field sounds about right."

Pallas then wanders back over to Risha's table and addresses her directly, putting on his best charm.

"Hello again, Risha. I'm sorry, but we seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. If I have done something to offend you, I sincerely apologize. I hope we can mend fences a bit., eh?"

Diplomacy to improve attitude: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (19) + 22 = 41

"You know what would mend fences? You quitting the tournament and going home." Risha replies with a smile. "I suppose dying in the tournament works too. Get lost." And right after she says that, a bloodied and bruised Tian-La man stumbles into the noodle house before collapsing. Risha and her friends chuckle at the poor man's misfortune.

Pallas throws Risha a broad smile. "Go home? Oh, the Dragons of Absalom will surely go home. Right after we have won the tournament."

Seeing the commotion at the door, Pallas rushes over to the injured man and speaks a blessing of Sarenrae before casting a healing spell on him.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 4) + 10 = 17

"What bothers you, friend. How did such misfortune befall you?"

If the Tian-La man doesn't seem to understand Taldane, Pallas will call over one of his companions to translate for him.

"I didn't know what I was getting into. The Golden League, I ran into them. They came to collect a debt from yesterday's rounds of competition. I told them I would have it for them tommorow, but they said I wouldn't be able to make anymore bets and I'd have to pay in blood. Don't repeat my mistakes and bet on matches, they are rigged. Thank you for the healing." He replies spitting a tooth out, blood running down his chin.

Pallas guides the man over to a table, preferably somewhere where they can't easily be overheard by someone else. If the man lets him, Pallas will buy him a drink and a meal and engage him in conversation.

"You will pardon me, but as you can see from my appearance, I am a stranger in your lands. I have heard of this Golden League, but know very little about it. Could you tell me a bit more about them? Also what do you mean that the tournament is rigged?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

I know I might be getting paranoid, but I wonder if this man has been sent here as a plant.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

The man who introduces himself as Donguma will not turn down free meal and drink. "The Golden League is a crime syndicate. Very powerful and dangerous. Many contestants today have fallen ill, collapsing or just losing muscle control during matches. Healers claim it is poisons, but all the types are different."

Chugan's attention is gained by the man stumbling in mentioning the Golden League. That name sounded REALLLY familiar, and not just beacuse he'd gotten a bloody beak from them in the past.

Kn. Local: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

It made sense that they might be behind the tournament going the way they wished in order to make a profit. They probably couldn't stand the notion of a truly honorable competition. The tengu stayed quiet, letting the bard do the talking, but he was definately interested.

Pallas pulls out a chair for Chugan and seems glad that the tengu has joined him. He continues pressing Donguma on specifics of the alleged poisonings. "Donguma, who has fallen ill? Do you know the names of any of the fighters or teams?"

"I do not know their names as there are far too many. The methods of delivery and specific types are so varied to tell who exactly is doing it."

Pallas nods. "Well, we could talk to the monks who are hosting this event and ask them about it. They might not like the fact that they are running such a crooked event and maybe even step up and do something about it."

Pallas then turns to Brachus (if he's there, if not, I'll tell him later), and says "I guess tomorrow is a good day to memorize a poison detection spell, eh? I have a magical wand that allows me to cast delay poison, for what it's worth."

Pallas then turns back to Donguma. "Is there anything else you know about the poisonings or the Golden Path that you could tell us? I have some hot tips on who to bet on tomorrow if you do."

"No. I do not wish to bet anymore. It has cost me too much."

Pallas nods in agreement. "I understand, and it is right that you have done so. Do you still owe money to the criminals?"

"I believe the debt was paid by my blood. "

"Well, hopefully you did not lose too much of it then. Thank you very much for the information, Donguma."

I'm assuming nothing "pinged" from my Sense Motive check?

Missed that. You believe him to be honest.

If there is nothing else happening there, Pallas will travel to see if he can talk to any of the officials of the tournament before the end of the night. He wants to know what the official position on these poisonings is.

The official position is of course that the higher ups condemn such action. Unfortunately they have no proof of who has done such a thing.

Knowing there is one other person who might find this information interesting, Chugan starts looking around for the paladin champion person. He'd probably be interested in dastardly goings-on. He's a paladin after all!

Marisa, not really caring much about his companions investigation, cheerfully goes around the bar trying to make some new friends.

Sorry, site was down a few times when I tried to check in

Brachus considers some spells to prepare to get the wanted information while letting Pallas do his thing.

Chugan has little trouble finding Marthysan the Righteous. "Ah, I have been wanting to speak to you. Let us talk."

Marisa has no problem finding friends as her plucky demeanor endears herself to many.

Pallas accompanies Chugan to further his investigation. "Good evening Master Marthysan. Yes, we would be very interested in talking to you about the tournament and the less than ethical things going on."

"Evening. Yes, I have heard about such misdeeds. It just reaffirms my hope that your team wins the tournament. I do not know who is behind it though unfortunately."

Pallas thanks the paladin for his support. "It is much appreciated. We have heard rumors of the Golden League is involved, as well as the Aspis Consortium, a nefarious organization from the Inner Sea region. Would you have any more information about who might be their local representatives?"

I know I might be getting paranoid, but since I know so little about this part of the world, I am suspicious of everyone.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26

"I have heard of this Aspis having entrants in this tournament. However, until they have been proven guilty of breaking the rules, they are to be treated like any other contestant."

"What about the Golden League? Can you tell us any more about them? Most of us are new to these parts."

Pallas looks the paladin over to see if he can discover any clues as to who his patron deity might be.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Marthysan proudly wears a symbol of the Inheritor, Iomedae. "From what I know they are the local organized crime syndicate. They run protection rackets and underground casinos. I would not be surprised of their involvement."

"Do you know who the top local representatives are? Also, would you consider them capable of poisoning contestants in order to guarantee a result?"

"No I do not know of their members. I would consider that they are not above poisoning."

"As a veteran and champion of this tournament, do you have any wisdom to impart to us?"

"Just be aware of your surroundings and fight honorably."

Pallas nods, "That is always good advice. Thank you, Paladin."

He then gets up and formally bids his farewell before heading back to the inn where they are staying.

... unless something else happens.

The night passes uneventfully. The morning of the third day of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament is dismal and rainy. A steady drizzle lasts well into the afternoon, when the rain lets off though thick, gray cloud cover remains. Kiang Zhen approaches the party and asks you to select one representative to take part in the traditional “boar and tiger” fight, in which two contestants are tethered to wild animals and pitted against one another with the goal of keeping their respective beasts alive. You are given a moment to choose your champion, and one of you are allowed to make a coin toss for first pick of animals. Anyone can roll a d2. If you get a 2, you may pick your animal.

Can we use all our weapons and gear?
Coin: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Yep.

Hey V! Mind if I do this one?

"By all means" V says with a surprised look on his face.

Brachus is also surprised by Marisa wanting to be the champion in this fight but figures she would know what she's doing.

Marisa just grins.
coin: 1d2 ⇒ 2

"I'll take the boar please. So, who is my opponent? Do I get to meet her before we fight?"

Marisa has up Mage Armor, and will put up ablative barrier as well, and activate her broom.

Pallas raises an eyebrow. "It seems there may be more to you, mage, that we thought."