Zak lands next to Marythsan and sees that the warrior bears fresh bruises on his face and neck. The potion he administers causes the wounds to disappear almost immediately, and the paladin stirs into consciousness. He initially shoves Zak away, scrambling to his feet, his hand searching for a weapon that isn't there. "Unhand me, you foul...Zak?" Confusion from his surroundings plays over his face. "What's going on? The last I remember I was attacked by assassins in my quarters."
You find a strongbox in a corner near to where you found Marythsan. It's not locked, and when you open it, you find a long sword, a set of shining full plate, a shield, and several other items. Many of these things have splatters of blood on them. You recognize all of them as belonging to Marythsan.
Poog shrugs, pointing out the items to Marysthan once he awakens.
"Who did this to you? Did you see their faces?"
"They wore masks," he says as he picks up his equipment from the strongbox. "But I saw tattoos on them. It was the Golden League, no doubt about that. I knew that they had designs on the Tournament, but to move so boldly..."
"Not just them," Simon says from where he stands, still guarding Risa. "The Aspis Consortium sent its representatives to ensure you took a lengthy voyage, Marythsan. We have two just barely clinging to life who did not wish to surrender -- and one young man who surrendered with honour and is ready to take a new path in life."
"So, I was their intended target. That...that actually makes no sense. Why me? At this point, I'm a figurehead. Kidnapping me doesn't affect the outcome of the Tournament in the slightest." The paladin frowns at the disconnection. "There's something else going on here, and it concerns me that I haven't a clue what it could be. Let's move onto more important matters - you have prisoners. Let's collect them and return to the Pavilion. I believe there are questions that need to be answered." A momentary look of righteous fury crosses his face, and he instinctively touches the icon of Iomedae that he bears on his headband.
Asha waits protectively by her brother while the others search for Marthysan. She does move enough to drag Pirin from the water back onto the dock, lest her spell wear off and send her below the waves still unconscious, but otherwise maintains her watchful vigil.
"I would hate to think that we fell for a distraction," Simon says, his face creasing with worry.
"Am you having anything of importance in your house?"
"Important to me, yes," he replies. "Several items I brought with me from Lastwall. A few even have some minor magics upon them, but I can't imagine any of them being important enough to abduct me." He shakes his head in confusion, sighs and throws up his hands. "Maybe we'll be able to get these lot talking." He commandeers a wagon to transport the living and dead back to the Tournament grounds, and several monks crowd around him to help tend to his wounds and offload the bodies.
After an hour, the healers have brought Pirin and Risha back to consciousness and separated them both from each other, as well as Kaditula. Each of them have been stripped of their equipment and are watched over by several Tournament officials.
Asha is careful to remain with Kadi, refusing any attempt to separate her from him. If asked, she says, "It is a matter of oath," and maintains her silent presence.
The monks make no attempt to interrupt Asha's silent vigil with her brother. Less than half an hour after their arrival at the Tournament grounds, Kadi started nodding off, and is currently softly snoring.
Simon seeks out Marythsan at the Tournament grounds.
"I hesitate to bother you with this now, but... The Guardians of the Phoenix, or the Ruby Phoenix Heroes, or whatever you wished to call the defeated competitors to get them fighting for us... It is time, I think," the old man says.
"I agree, Simon," he says, nodding in agreement. "We will gather what competitors remain on Xielan Island and have them band together to guard against further disruptions. And while I'm partial to an Order, I think the Guardians of the Phoenix will be a suitable name."
Simon smiles feebly. "An Order implies a lifelong dedication," he says. "I am sure that many of these fine competitors will want to eventually leave the island so they may boast of the fine deeds they performed here for the sake of the Tournament, and to tell of the harrowing battles they survived. Found an Order for those who choose to stay on for the long haul, I say. Make it a separate honour - but a voluntary one. The Order of the Ruby, perhaps...?"
"What Simon said, I made a a promise to Grovnaidel and I intend to restore those ancestral lands! Then after that there is a certain brother that may need protecting." Zak flashes a wink at Asha. "And, well, I think my revenge business is finished. Its very strange, I have been in the revenge business so long, now that it's over, I don't know what to do with the rest of my life?"
"I'm here to win the tournament. After that, we can decide what we want to do. I'm not ready to pledge the rest of my life to any order yet."
Poog shrugs.
"When Poog am winning the tournament and getting fire magic, Poog am just wiping these threats off face of Golarion. That am what they are suffering for trying to cross Poog!"
"Wait!" Poog orders his injured companions before they depart for the tournament grounds. He reaches out and casts healing spells on both.
"Much appreciated, Poog," Simon murmurs, smiling. "Very much appreciated, truly."
As the Ruby Phoenix Champion's home was trashed last night, the Emissary arranges for space to be made for the five of you at the nearby monastery, should you desire it. The rest of the evening passes without further incident.
The first light of morning heralds the arrival of the final day of the Tournament, and the weather that plagued the island for the last few days has cleared. Clear skies in all directions provide a marvelous blue canvas for the sun to make her trek across the sky today, and a record turnout has packed the Pavilion. Its clear that word of last night's events have spread throughout New Harbor like wildfire - many bow as you pass, cheering your names and singing your praises for saving the Ruby Phoenix Champion and opposing his attempted kidnappers, The Four From Avistan.
When you arrive on the sands, you note that a number of competitors have gathered at the bottom of the ziggurat. Among them are Chung Po, Orometsu Yasi, Ganyavesha, Nearidei, Tsavati, Hok Fong, and the Heroes of the Amaranthine Golem. Each of them bears a red armband on their right arms, each bearing a symbol of a crimson phoenix upon a white field. Atop the ziggurat, the Emissary, Kiang Zhen and Marythsan sit awaiting the arrival of all of the remaining contestants. Marythsan still looks like he's been through the ringer, but he still smiles to the crowd. Kiang Zhen, however, remains solemn and almost predatory.
At last, the Emissary rises to his feet. "Last night, agents of a malicious group struck against this Tournament," he begins. "Had it not been for the timely intervention of the Warriors of the Five Elements, the results would have been disastrous. We thank them for their quick actions in stopping the plot that the Four From Avistan were behind, and for returning the Champion to his rightful place by my side." He pauses for a moment, and the crowd erupts into cheering. The noise is nearly deafening, and lasts for a long time.
At last, he holds up a hand to continue speaking. "As instrumental as the Warriors have been, however, we cannot ask them to continue to watch for corruption while they struggle with the task at hand. To that end, we have created a position for the competitors - the Guardians of the Phoenix. Composed of those who we entrust with the continued success of the Tournament, they shall be our additional eyes and ears - and may whatever fate befell the Ruby Phoenix herself be visited upon any who dare trespass further tenfold!" Another cheer arises, and the Guardians disperse, moving about the crowd.
"Now, let the semifinals begin. Competitors, step forward!" Besides yourselves, two men step forward - the tattooed hobgoblin Gomwai, and the elven samurai Payudiel Arikametsu. "The pairing for the second of the semifinal round is set - Gomwai and Payudiel Arikametsu will fight to determine the winner. The Four From Avistan have been removed from the Tournament due to their breach of the contract they signed, so they will not face off against The Warriors of the Five Elements. However, the contract also states that all must earn the right to enter the final round. Therefore, we call upon Seishuku, the Scarred Ninja, to fight in their place!"
A cloud of smoke explodes to your right, causing many in the stands to gasp. As the acrid black smoke disappears, a man clad in black bows to the Emissary. "Thank you for the opportunity to redeem myself after my loss to the Four, Emissary. Like the Tournament's namesake, I shall rise from the ashes of my defeat." He turns to regard the five of you beneath his silk-wrapped face. "I look forward to meeting you on the field of battle, Warriors."
Though he hides much of his skin beneath a layer of black silk, you note that the right side of his face is red and scarred, as though it were horribly burned a long time ago and healed poorly.
Asha is distracted, and she is not particularly good at hiding it. She has already spoken to both Chung Po and Ganyavesha, asking them to keep an especially watchful eye on Kaditula during the match so that she can keep her obligation to the Tournament while she knows there are those she has some measure of helping her keep her obligation to her brother.
Zak prepares for the semifinal round with his usual combination of flight and the Goz mask in place.
Simon nods to the scarred Ninja -- then reaches up and pulls down his own Ninja mask. Behind the cloth, the old man starts to mutter spells as he recites the incantations he has prepared for the day...
Perception
Someone doesn't seem resistant to fire...
Poog just grunts as their next opponent is revealed.
He waits for the group to enter the arena, eschewing his usual preparations in expectation that a single foe will not be much challenge and his hexes might be of more use later.
Both Chung Po and Ganyavesha readily agree to Asha's request, and after departing the grounds for the formal ceremony, they relieve her of her guard duty. As she takes the field, she hears Chung Po's voice.
"So, I hear you're a pretty good dancer..."
* * * * *
At the Tournament grounds, Seishuku takes his place at one end of the fight stage, while the five Warriors take theirs at the other. As you make your preparations before combat begins. Seishuku pulls a bottle of green bubbling liquid from his satchel. He pulls aside his mask, revealing his scarred visage - the right half of his face has suffered horrible burn scarring, and his flesh is red and inflamed. "Good luck, Warriors," he calls, offering you a toast before he quaffs the liquid. Almost instantly, his body begins to transform - his fingers become longer, his limbs slightly longer, and his poise more feline. With a predatory grin, he reaffixes his mask>
"Let the first semifinal match...BEGIN!", cries the Emissary, and all six of the combatants upon the fight stage leap into action.
Before the crowd can begin to cheer, Seishuku performs an astonishingly fast kata, and he instantly disappears from view.
Round 1
Zak zips straight up in the air and looks for any faint signs of disturbance caused by their invisible foe...
...but unfortunately a cloud of gnats was hovering 15' above him and Zak spits out winged bugs while blinking and wiping at his eyes.
Simon casts a quick spell and draws Grovnaidel, turning around and around until he spots Seishuku. Behind the mask, his eyes are icy calm.
Zak takes to the air as he has done many times before, and tries to search the grounds for any sign of the Scarred Ninja. His eagle eyes can't even spot any shifting of sand, and the shinobi is far too skilled to be heard over the roar of the crowd.
He cannot hide from Simon's sight, however, and his magics reveal that he's moved southwesterly from his original position. He's currently directly in front of the rightmost foo lion at the base of the Emissary's ziggurat .
Zarina casts See Invisibilty as well. She then moves 40' away from the group, wanting to make the opponent spread his resources to damage the group.
"Over there!" Simon shouts, pointing Seishuku out with his enchanted blade. "Forty feet away from us, in front of the rightmost foo lion at the base of the throne! Area attacks!"
Using Simon's location as a guide, Poog darts his hand into a pouch and pulls out a pinch of mica. Tossing it in the air toward Seishuku, he spots out arcane words, and gives a toothy grin as the mica disappears with a spark, suddenly bursting around the foo lion in a spray of glittering dust.
Asha, seeing the glittering form of the revealed ninja, tightens her grip on her glaive and rushes toward him, swinging with all the strength she can muster.
A cloud of sparkling motes explode around the foo lion, and Seishuku's form is revealed. He was able to draw his hand up to his eyes in time to prevent blindness, but now that Asha can see where he is, she has no trouble charging him and striking. The glaive connects to his side, and the wind is knocked from him.
"So much for stealth," he says, stepping back and retrieving another flask from his pouch. "The crowd demands a show, though, do they not? Let us give them one!" He quaffs the potion, and he is illuminated briefly by a blue light, which just as swiftly winks out.
It looked as though Seishuku just activated a shield spell, but you didn't see the obvious signs of casting.
Round 2
Zak elevates another 60' and unleashes a single arrow at the ninja.
"A potion of Shield?" Simon wonders out loud. "If you insist..."
The old man crosses his arms in front of his chest and begins a chant.
Zak's arrow strikes the ninja, but it's only a glancing blow.
Flying up in the air, Poog moves closer to their opponent, the air once again seeming to thicken momentarily between them in a split-second miasmic fog.
Seishuku gasps as Poog strikes at the Scarred Ninja's fate. He tries making some warding gestures, but it's too late - Seishuku's connection to destiny has been altered.
Zarina casts Fly, preparing to charge at the opponent next round.
Asha unleashes her usual barrage on her foe.
Seishuku dodges away from each of Asha's attacks, though her first is deflected by the mystic shield that he created a moment ago. He dispenses with stealth entirely and gives a mighty kiai shout, unleashing a barrage of attacks directed towards Asha with the blade end of his unusual weapon.
Simon finishes his chant -- and a golden-feathered eagle appears behind Seishuku, lashing out at the Ninja with beak and claws!
Simon is already on the move, finding an angle of attack which will not require him to risk hitting Asha or Zarina. A few quick flips and a roll end with the old man flicking a green-stained shuriken at Seishuku.
"This am not even a challenge," Poog sighs., landing back on the ground as he realizes their foe is all but defeated.
He glares at the man again, the air once more seeming to thicken momentarily.
Simon flings another shuriken at Seishuku, but his caution causes him to aim wide of his mark, and the throwing star clatters harmlessly off the foo lion. The eagle also attempts to scratch him, but the ninja fends off the bird with practiced ease. Poog continues to place curses upon the man's fate, and his bobbing and weaving starts leading him into the strikes instead of away from them.