Yasi is better prepared for Zak's attacks, and only one finds its way past her defenses. She moves forward, charging Asha and slashing the Vudrani with the frosted edge of her blade.
Simon suddenly launches into a forward tumble, spinning past the Monk battling Zarina, and jabs his rapier at the unfortunate man's back before darting back the same way, returning to his starting position.
"So sorry," the old man says, his voice serene. "Dashedly unsporting of me, I know. But I simply can not bring myself to just stand by while a lady is attacked." He smiles faintly. "Yes, yes, I am aware of the hypocrisy of my statement, seeing as we are battling a lady ourselves. Such is life... So much silliness."
The monk cries out in pain as Simon drops behind him and slashes a line of red across his back. He swings, but the old man nimbly climbs the cliff away from the monk. The four turn their attentions back to Asha and Zarina, focusing on taking them out of the fight by forcing them off the side of the cliff.
Asha's constant martial training makes it trivial for her to avoid the tricks the monks employ - in fact, she counters their strikes, forcing them to abandon their weapons, letting them fall to the raging surf below.
Zarina, on the other hand, has her ankles pulled from beneath her, and she begins falling towards the sea.
reflex
Two of Zarina's images disappear, but she is able to fend off her attackers after that, forcing them to discard their swords to stay on the cliff.
Asha, however, plummets. She scrambles for a handhold, and while she is able to slow her descent some, she can find none. Despite Marythsan's earlier assurances, she hits the water hard, unaided by any mystic aid to slow her fall.
The air elemental, forgotten until this point but still in its whirlwind form, chooses this moment to barrel into the Monks.
Zarina claws and bites again.
Claw one
Damage
Plus fire
Claw Two
Damage
Plus fire
Bite
Damage
Plus fire
Zarina tears into the monk, who is wholly unprepared for her ferocious assault. He is left bloody and unsure of his footing, a dangerous combination, given the match's venue. He holds up his hands, bows to Zarina, and cautiously moves away, holding his injured side.
"That," Simon says as he sees Asha fall and his eyes narrow, "just angered me, I am sorry to say." Abruptly, arcs of electricity hiss and crackle around his sword cane.
The living whirlwind backs off a space, just enough for the old man to dart forward and back again, his slender blade stabbing at the same Monk he attacked before, and then leaps out again, his coat flapping around him like a pair of great, black wings.
As soon as Simon and the rest of the Warriors of the Five Elements have done what they can, the whirlwind descends back onto the Monks and the lady warrior they are assisting.
AC 21, touch 18, flat-footed 18
Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +12
CMD 16
HP 88/70
Effects: Flight hex (though he remains on the cliff wall), 3 rounds)
"No fall, girl!" Poog scolds as Asha plummets into the water below.
Then the with begins cackling, in goblin fashion:
"Goblins stand and goblins stay
On the wall, where goblins say
Foes will trip and foes will fall
Land in water, will they all."
As the last line leaves his lips in a guttural growl, Poog grabs a handful of pebbles from a pouch and, holding them in his fist, shakes them at Orometsu Yasi before letting them fall into the water below.
Move action: Cackle to extend Evil Eye
Standard action: Use Misfortune hex with Split Hex feat on Orometsu Yasi and the monk I previously affected with Evil Eye
* Misfortune: The witch can cause a creature within 30 feet to suffer grave misfortune for 2 rounds. Anytime the creature makes an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, it must roll twice and take the worse result. A Will save negates this hex. This hex affects all rolls the target must make while it lasts. Whether or not the save is successful, a creature cannot be the target of this hex again for 1 day.
Still focused on Yasi, Zak again targets her with a cluster of arrows. Taking aim at her vitals, he unleashes the assault with unnatural speed.
Asha splashes around in the water below, watching the fight but also looking for Marythasan among the onlookers.
Asha breaks the surface of the water, and she hears cries of relief as she gasps for breath. She also sees several people from the cliffside peering over the edge, Marythsan among them.
Zak fires another volley of arrows at Yasi, and she staggers down the cliffside a few steps. She plunges the tip of her blade into the cliff, leaning heavily on it. "Enough," she gasps. "I can fight no more."
"The White Warrior has submitted!", Marythsan cries. "The Battle Arachnidia is finished! Return to the top of the cliff, so we might honor the winners!" One of the sorcerers at the ocean leaps into the air, and offers his hand to Asha. "[b]My apologies for failing to break your fall. Might I make up for this by helping you to the award ceremony?"
Simon makes his way over to Yasi and offers her his hand before one of the Monks can.
"Madame," he says in a courteous tone of voice, "I regret the necessity of this event. I was raised to treat ladies with more respect. Will you allow me to salvage some of my self-respect?"
You don't sense any evil emanating from him.
Yasi regards the old man coolly before answering. "Regret is a sin, gaijin. I was raised samurai, and am no stranger to the battlefield. I am not some delicate flower that requires careful handling. But your offer is kind, and the arrows your compatriot fired flew true. I will accept your aid in quitting this battlefield." She takes his hand, leaning on him for support as they climb to the top of the cliff.
Once th event was officially over, Zarina swooped down to check on Asha. "Are you okay, Sister? I thought the casters were supposed to ensure that there was no real danger from falling," she said, looking around suspiciously at the judges.
Simon smiles a little at the proud woman's words. Once they have reached the top of the cliff, he bows to her -- and removes the Ninja mask he had been wearing.
"No insult of your strength was intended, Madame," he says. "Nor of your courage. If, some day, we might find ourselves fighting for a righteous cause on the same side, I would be honoured."
Poog climbs to the top of the cliff and scowls as he looks around.
"We am getting award again. Am it another rock?" he asks, the last word dripping with scorn.
His scowl only deepens as It runs up to him, dirty tail wagging and barking loudly. Though he does smile if he hears his fans cheering for him.
Asha shrugs, taking the sorcerer's offered hand. "Errors happen," she replies, "and only my pride is truly wounded." She looks up as Zarina swoops down and adds, "I'll have to look into getting a potion or something for myself. It seems like I was the only one who even could have fallen out of all of us..."
Once everyone has assembled at the top of the cliff, Marythsan is handed a small lacquered wooden box by one of the attending monks. "Warriors, for your victory here, you once again prove the strength of your warrior souls as much as your skill at arms. On behalf of the Emissary, I present you this trophy." He opens the box, revealing a silver ring with feathery patterns scribed along its length. "This ring has been enchanted to cushion the fall of its wearer. May it serve you well!" The crowd again cheers and applauds as he extends the box and ring to the five of you.
Poog stands up on his tiptoes to look in the box.
"Hmph. It am very girly," he says disdainfully. "And Poog am preferring to fly than to fall."
"It would appear that you need not purchase that potion, Ms. Asha," Simon says with a good-natured chuckle.
"There is nothing wrong with being girly, Poog. I think it looks very nice, and I agree that Asha could probably get the most usage out of it."
"Agreed it is, Asha, the ring is yours."
Asha smiles, taking the ring. "Thank you, all of you," she says, slipping it on. "I will do my best to make certain I don't need to use it." She winks.
"Well then," Simon says, smiling, and he rubs his hands. "I suggest we return these spidery mocassins and find a bar. Jasmine tea all around, I believe. In some cases with a splash of brandy, perhaps?"
Marythsan hands over the box to Asha along with the ring. As he does, he leans in a bit closer to speak with some small degree of confidence. "My apologies on your fall, Miss Ghadvhi. I was assured that nobody would be harmed should they happen to slip from the side of the wall. I believe I'll be having a word with the support team shortly."
You remove your slippers and return them to the Tournament officials. As you are putting your normal footwear back on, another monk approaches. "Warriors, your official bout for today begins soon, and the Emissary requests your presence! Please, hurry back to the Tournament grounds!" He nods quickly, clearly eager to escort you back for your official bout for the day.
"I regret to report I am a trifle low on spells," Simon mutters to the others while they are en route to the next battle. "I may be less useful than usual. My apologies."
"You am looking terrible," Poog says to Asha. "Let Poog fix you before you fall down in our next fight."
The goblin pulls out a wand, and touches it to Asha several times, giving a toothy grin as her bruises quickly fade.
Asha smiles at Poog in relief and appreciation. "Thank you," she says, and for a moment it seems like she might try to kiss the top of his head again, but all she follows it up with is, "I know you hate it when I look terrible." She winks at Zarina, taking up her glaive and spinning it lightly. "Come, Warriors - I believe we are expected?"
Zarina laughs at the goblin and Asha's interactions, but nods at the monk's words. "Aye. Sounds like it is time for the real battle, ladies and gentlemen. Wonder who we are facing today?"
Once Poog is done poking Asha with his wand, Zak will join them and the rest of the group as they make their way to the tournament grounds.
The monk raises a hand as Poog begins to withdraw the wand from his pack. "There will be time to heal your comrade before the bout, but I have strict orders to bring you back as soon as I found you. Please, follow me with all due haste, or it is quite likely you will forfeit this round by your absence."
You are escorted back to the Tournament grounds, and before long you can hear the shouts of the excited crowd as the bout before you finishes up. A trio of nagaji warriors finish their fight, and the Emissary's voice carries outside of the Tournament's walls. "The Naga's Children have once again proven themselves crafty and capable warriors before one and all. Claim your prize as victors of this second day, and return again tomorrow to face your next trial!" One of the three, a large scaled warrior wielding a battleaxe, steps forwards, and is handed a parcel wrapped in orange silk. He unwraps it, and hefts above his head a finely made axe, gleaming in the fading light of the sun.
As you enter one of the two side entrances for competitors, you see another monk escorting someone into the other entrance. Asha recognizes her immediately as the Vudrani woman she encountered on your first night here on Xielan Island. The woman catches Asha's eyes upon her, and she smiles impishly before disappearing into the archway.
The monk leads you through an archway into a small unadorned room. "You have one minute to prepare," the monk says. "After that, you will be taken to the fight stage, and the Test of Three Towers will begin." He bows again in deference, and retreats to the archway, silently counting the moments before you are escorted to your second bout.
"What you think Test of Three Towers is?" Poog asks as he begins healing Asha.
Fortune: The witch can grant a creature within 30 feet a bit of good luck for 2 rounds. The target can call upon this good luck once per round, allowing him to reroll any ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, taking the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the first roll is made. Once a creature has benefited from the fortune hex, it cannot benefit from it again for 24 hours.
Zarina looks around and takes in as much of the scene as possible. I have no idea, Poogie. I don't really like the sound of it, though. If we have a minute to prepare, something nasty is coming our way..."
AC is 29 counting Haste, Mage Armor, and Shield.
Image Duplicates
Zak activates Fly on himself and dons his Goz Mask. A small metal bottle is snuggly held by a woven pouch at his waist.
"Ready and willing, let's put on a show!"
"Poogie?"
Poog scowls.
"You are cute when you are grumpy, Poogie," Zarina jokes, trying to lighten the mood in the few scant seconds they have before the challenge is revealed to them.
"Shelyn's grace upon you, archer," Asha murmurs, touching Zakarras' jawline. "You have artistry within you - let us show it to our audience." With a grin of thanks to Poog and Zarina for their magic, the paladin takes her place at the forefront of the group, her glaive resting easily in her hands.
"Hm," Simon says, scratching his head. "I only have a little more combat-worthy enhancement left, I'm afraid."
The old man casts a brief spell on himself, and then pulls down his Ninja mask again. "A bit flashy of me, I know," he says in an apologetic tone of voice, [b]"but it's an old habit from my training."
"Alright, now we're ready!" Zak cracks his knuckles in anticipation of the bout.
The monk clears his throat as the minute quickly elapses. "It is time. Follow me, Warriors." He leads you out onto the grounds of the arena, and the brilliant orange walls of force shimmer in the fading light.
The crowd erupts into cheers as you walk towards the fight stage. The sound is deafening, even compared to the tumult yesterday. Where previously the fight stage was bare, it now sports three pillars of wood and iron, each supporting two wooden platforms connected by rope ladders. The Emissary stands from his seat atop the stone ziggurat, and calls out, "Warriors of the Five Elements! Prepare for your next challenge: the mystic Vudrani warrior, Ganyavesha!" The crowd cheers again, and you see the Vudrani woman approach from the opposing side of the arena. She now stands over nine feet tall, and she expertly twirls a gleaming kukri in her hand as she approaches the fight stage. She wears a broad grin on her face as she waves to the crowd which only grows as she sees the five of you arrayed before her.
With everyone in position, the Emissary holds his arms up, calling for silence in the crowd. He allows the pause to continue to build the tension, then shouts in Tien: "FIGHT!"
Zak flies straight upward and unleashes an arrow at Ganyavesha with a flourish.
Zak's arrow strikes Ganyavesha in the shoulder, but it barely breaks the skin, and elicits only a sudden curse in an unfamiliar sibilant language.
Ganyavesha dashes towards the tower nearest her, and pulls herself to the first tier with ease. She positions herself to put the second tiers of the towers between her and Zak, then begins chanting in that same strange language. At the end, she tosses her kukri in the air, the fading light of the sun glinting on its black steel blade. She leaps in the air to catch it, and when she lands, she strikes a dramatic pose, waving the blade in challenge to the five of you.
While you are unfamiliar with the language, you recognize the language she is speaking is Aklo from the intonations.
You recognize the spell she is casting as mass eagle's splendor. Sadly, she is not including you in the area of effect.