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Roakar sits in the side corner of Cayden's Hall with a small group of adventurer's and two very large kegs of meed. He has spent the past week in a proper drunken stupor to Cayden Cailean following his ascension to Venture Captain.
While some new adventurer to his table is blabbing on about some "great adventure" he just came back from, Roakar overhears a group of mages bragging about some competition. A competition in which some great school opens it's doors and allows adventurer's to attempt something called the Hall of Wards. A competition that no one has won in ages.
"ROOOOOSSSSSS! Wak' up ya drunka!" Roakar says with a heavy slure to his speach. He thumps Roos on his head, though it doesn't seem to wake him. "Them fancy wiza's....gotta com...comp..comp a tition. Roooooos!" Roakar then bends down and snags the sleeping/unconcious Roos up in his arm and casually tosses him up over his shoulder. Roakar then grabs the full keg of meed and tosses up on his other shoulder. "Thi should 'e fun."
Roakaar stumbles out into the night, excited for a little fun following all the seriousness of the past month.
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The door opens to the infamous temple-tavern, at first only light enters through the doorway. It's difficult to tell being Cayden's Hall, but soon another newly appointed VC enters as well.
Unsure just ho to conduct himself in such a place, Iggy is clearly out of place here, and has little skill in hiding it. Is it customary to buy a drink? If so, what sort. For whom? What if they do not drink? Is it considered rude, here?
He stumbles over words, attempting to be polite and encouraging of moral platitudes, but this is not the forum for that as the faithful within are here to relax and partake. Eventually he sees an old friend, or more appropriately spots the two large kegs first.
Making his way over, Iggy nods his head as a sign of both respect between both peers within the organization, (and the True Lodge), and friendship. "It is good to know that someone I trust can watch or backs in the coming travels. Darkness calls from that place, but light will battle it, leaving a familiar shadow. Together we can discover what that darkness seeks, protecting it from foul ends. As it says in the Tome of Seven Peaks, "It is the journey, not the destination that is worthy of traveling." You where not leaving, where you. . .
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Not too long afterwards, another person, a half-elf garbed
in the robes of the desert, but weathered from recent travels strides into the room.
Stopping a moment to let his eyes adjust he surveys the patrons,
looking for familiar faces.
Beneath the robes cloak, dusty from sandy roads and ancient tombs, the traveler wears chain mail. He sports a black crossbow with a greatsword strapped to his back. He has the symbol of a Abadar around his neck.
Seeing none of the other Venture-Captains from his previous travels, Hugo will nod politely to those assembled.
Greetings fellow Venture-Captains. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hugo Victor, Venture-Captain and recently returned from Cheliax-bound sea voyage where I had my ship, the "Irrational Exuberance" in a rendezvous with some junior agents."
He pauses to order a glass of red wine before continuing.
"I am a follower of the keeper of the first vault and was told there was a special
mission that was worthy of pulling a few of us out of semi-retirement.
My previous team has scattered to the four corners of Golarian,
thereby I am the sole member in representation today."
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"IGYYYYY! Ova here." Roakar waves exuberantly with a full tankard, sloshing everywhere. "Roos wak up! Fo Cayden's sak it was only the secon' keg."
"Saphira! I gonna need a feeew mor' kegs." Roakar look around at the scrubbs sitting at HIS table. "Out with yah. Make room. You drank enough of ma meeeeed."
Roakar takes a second, blinks, processes some serious stuff, blinks again, thinks some more.
"Iggy, why so serious? Tak' a seat." Roakar gestures by placing a full tankard in a recently released space. "I thank I got that but uh yeah. We ain't leavin now that you're here."
Looking to the new comer, Roakar replies "Well met! I am Roakar, Venture Captain and one of the leaders for body recovery." Lifting Roos's head up by his hair Roakar says "This here is Roos, ma good friend, trusty bard, and fellow Venture Captain." Letting Roos back down he follows "Take a sit."
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Accepting the seat graciously, "I have a friend who would have loved this place."
Looking down at the tankard, questioningly for a moment, "It is funny. I have never actually tasted this. I had always been curious just why so many mortals feel so drawn to it. But, with all that's been going on, perhaps it is time."
Taking the tankard to his mouth, he takes but a single tiny sip, then his eyes go up to meet Roakar. "I do not get it. It tastes, . . . I'm not even certain I can describe it accurately. It's very, unique. I wouldn't say it's pleasant. Why are so many so enamored by this drink? I do not feel anything."
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Nodding his head as well as Hugo is invited over. "It is sad, when friends part ways, but it is the way of the world."
"Is it common for your people to have two first names? Interesting. What is the custom behind that, friend? I know it is not the way of Cheliax, and I do not recall any conventions of your faith about renaming."
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"Iggy, yur tellin ma tha you been in Ab..Ab...Absalom fo how long and neva came ta tha Hall?"
"Ah met Saphira after savin the...the last Hall from some magical nasties. Whole mind game goin on, so I knocked EVRYONE out, and dragged um into the light. Shaphira been plyin my tastes eva since. Even a heathen like me enjoys this kinda worship. She keps tryin ta convert me but not yet." Roakar attempts to look up, as if the last part of the sentence were aimed at someone else, and his head snaps fully backward before he catches himself. "Drink a few and thennnn ask me that agin. Just don't be Rooooooos...hah!" Roakar sloppily looks down before yelling "Roos wak up!"
As if recent comments are just now working through Roakar's cobwebbed mind he fishes with "What's this abut a missssion?"
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Hugo accepts the offered chair and sips his wine.
"Your group traveled a similar road as my own. Our group was well rounded but we lost one of our members early in the mission.
In the end we stuggled against fate and survived.
He finishes the wine before continuing, as if recalling pain and buying courage, or at least indifference.
I gave an oath to Abadar that day I would no longer devote so much time to the Society to the neglect of the Keeper of the First Vault. I have paid my price and my debt has been reduced. I come here today at the request of a memory of a friend lost ."
He turns to look for Roos.
"Will this transaction only muster the four of us then? ."
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Hugo stands to greet the warrior with a short, formal bow.
Hail and well met Lord Bloodaxe. I am Hugo Victor, servant and investigator of Abadar, Keeper of the First Vault.
Your skill at arms will be appreciated in this company.
He looks over and smiles at Roos stumbling into the room.
I understand the other three venture-captains have traveled together before.
Roos comes stumbling with a tankard of honey mead in his hands..."Hey all....just been doing my prayers to Cayden....tis all...you all looook pretty....'cept you Roak....you look like ma shield....i needa go sit down... the room is spinning..."
He beat me to it!
You're all carousing in the Hall of the Drunken Hero when you're summoned to Skyreach! It's been a long time since an initiate summoned you like this. It brings back memories, most of them fond.
The Breaching Festival Ambros Valsin starts. "Toff Ornelos, headmaster of the Academae in Korvosa, sent the Society an invitation... at the last minute of course. They asked for the BEST. I was going to send a team known in Korvosa, but Toff said they weren't good enough. He asked for you guys. I'm sorry to take you out of retirement, but this is a big deal."[/i]
Among other things, Toff’s invitation not only offers "A party of the best" a chance to take part in one of Varisia’s most talked-about yearly events, but also a chance to attend as this year’s special guests of honor. The only catch is that the festival itself is scheduled to begin tomorrow—the invitation apologizes for the lateness, but promises the Pathfinder Society that they will be well paid for their time even if they don’t wish to take part in the Breaching Festival itself. Valsin stares at you. "I want you to compete... and win. Do I make myself clear?"[/i]
The Breaching. The most skilled infiltrators are invited to enter the magically guarded Hall of Wards within the Academae or die trying. Testing luck against the university’s strongest defenses, competitors pull out all the stops as they vie for a chance at a fortune in gold and magical treasure.
Invitations to the Breaching Festival normally come from the Dean of Abjuration, not the Acadamae’s headmaster. Headmaster Toff Ornelos himself is a highly regarded wizard whose reputation as headmaster of the Acadamae has secured his fame among arcanists throughout the Inner Sea. The chance to take part in the Breaching Festival is not only a great honor, it’s an opportunity to secure a huge payout if you can win. The award money increases every year the grand prize goes unclaimed, the current payout is approximately 153,000 gp.
When you arrive in Korvosa you're whisked away to the Headmaster's office like a common agent.
"“Welcome, and thank you for answering my invitation. As I’m sure you well know, the Breaching Festival is a longstanding Acadamae tradition, with prizes both material and magical. You might also know that entry in the contest is traditionally reserved for only the best and bravest of our students and a select few representatives of other Korvosan institutions. This year, though, we’re changing tradition and expanding the invitations further than ever—we want the most powerful, qualified individuals to compete, in other words. It has been a century and a half since the last—the only—winner of the Breaching Festival won the prize! One of you surely must bring glory to yourself and the Acadamae by enduring the traps and tricks in the Hall of Wards. I’m even willing to bend the rules to allow a team of allied competitors like yourselves to cooperate as a single unit—whatever it takes to get a winner tomorrow. I apologize for the oddity in how you came to be here. I'm sure you must have some questions.”
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"Roos! There you are!...wat...if ur there who den is dis guy." Roakar picks up the Roos impostor, a man who is built very similar to Roos but not quite a match, and stairs intently at him. No one quite saw the differences because he was slumped over and mostly out of view and Roakar is drunk as drunk can be. Roakar the yells "False Roos!" and slides the fellow free of the table and across the floor into a corner.
"Shump, Real Roos, join meh table" The party then proceeds into the night before a nervous looking squire of the Society enters the Hall.
"Loooooks like the fun has ennded fellas. Let's not keep em waitin."
Roakar stands up, leaves an extremely generous tip of 50gp for the night, and starts walking in a slightly winding path to Skyreach.
Roakar, keeping the nights revelries down and not spewed across the road makes it to skyreach.
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You're all carousing in the Hall of the Drunken Hero when you're summoned to Skyreach! It's been a long time since an initiate summoned you like this. It brings back memories, most of them fond.
The Breaching Festival Ambros Valsin starts. "Toff Ornelos, headmaster of the Academae in Korvosa, sent the Society an invitation... at the last minute of course. They asked for the BEST. I was going to send a team known in Korvosa, but Toff said they weren't good enough. He asked for you guys. I'm sorry to take you out of retirement, but this is a big deal."
Among other things, Toff’s invitation not only offers "A party of the best" a chance to take part in one of Varisia’s most talked-about yearly events, but also a chance to attend as this year’s special guests of honor. The only catch is that the festival itself is scheduled to begin tomorrow—the invitation apologizes for the lateness, but promises the Pathfinder Society that they will be well paid for their time even if they don’t wish to take part in the Breaching Festival itself. Valsin stares at you. "I want you to compete... and win. Do I make myself clear?"
"If we are meant to, it shall be so."
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"Roak...this guys name is Shump....isnt that funny...that is a shumpy name..." Roos belts out pointing to the paladin still obviously a bit drunk from mead trying to keep up with the big oaf of a barbarian..."Hey Roak if this is a magik akademee...academay..acada- school what are you gonn do there?"
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Leaning in closer to the party, "I've heard of this. It's been a while, so this may be somewhat inaccurate. The Breaching Festival is a competition run by the Acadamae's Headmaster, this Toff Ornelos. It seems that each year invitations go out to attempt to sneak into the school and win some sort of prize. Last I recall, it was a cumulative prize from each prior year's failure, and it's enough to feed every orphanage on this realm for a year."
"I believe the goal was to test the school's security against true threats. Not that the dangers within are not real or threats. I believe there has only ever been one winner, but to enter and survive is said to be a both a great honor and potentially a material fortune."
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"Hello I am Shump Bloodaxe paladin of Iomedae. I too have been given a summons."
"Welcome, friend. . ." just as he is slightly interrupted by
"Roak...this guys name is Shump....isnt that funny...that is a shumpy name..." Roos belts out pointing to the paladin still obviously a bit drunk from mead trying to keep up with the big oaf of a barbarian...
Cocking his head to one side understanding there is a joke involved, but not understanding exactly what it is or why it's funny, "I, . . . I'm certain "shump" is a grand name from his homeland, and we would be most honored to have your assistance, my friend." he continues, in a somewhat monotone voice. "I am Ingatious, and these are my allies and friends. The big one is Roakar. I've seen him take a man's head off with his bare hands in one mighty grasp. And Roos, whose love for song, and it seems drink, has seen us through a great many trials, but who is no stranger to the blade."
"And Mr. Victor here was just joining us, with explanations of his faith as well as trouble balancing his duties to the Society."
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"Roak...this guys name is Shump....isnt that funny...that is a shumpy name..." Roos belts out pointing to the paladin still obviously a bit drunk from mead trying to keep up with the big oaf of a barbarian..."Hey Roak if this is a magik akademee...academay..acada- school what are you gonn do there?"
"Sam ting I do everywhere else Rooosss, break it. You know how much I luuuuv puttin wizzies in der prop..p.per place. Dey gonna cry when I dun."
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Roakar behaves him self during the mission briefing, knowing that although they are in a room of Venture-captains, Ambrus is still kinda his boss and that he is overly drunk.
Upon arriving in Korvosa, however, Roakar has sobered up. In his meeting the headmaster, Roakar is full of questions regarding the competition.
"Is this a free for all with everyone entering at the same time, in groups, or separately?"
"Any rules regarding combat among competitors?"
"Any time limit?"
"How do I know I have won this thing?"
"How many people do I have to beat?"
"Any issues with collateral damage?"
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Roakar behaves him self during the mission briefing, knowing that although they are in a room of Venture-captains, Ambrus is still kinda his boss and that he is overly drunk. Upon arriving in Korvosa, however, Roakar has sobered up. In his meeting the headmaster, Roakar is full of questions regarding the competition. "Is this a free for all with everyone entering at the same time, in groups, or separately?" "Any rules regarding combat among competitors?" "Any time limit?" "How do I know I have won this thing?" "How many people do I have to beat?" "Any issues with collateral damage?"
This is going to be awesome.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Interesting they would request strangers to test their security system. Apparently they have more faith in non-wizards than not if we are the intentional invitees.
Nevertheless, with the team assembled, I am positive we will negotiate any hostilities and emerge with a profitable outcome."
Hugo will try to assess the other competitors and their chances at succeeding.
"Are we the only team allowed to participate? Other than the other participants, are there any students or other occupants
of the building which should be avoided rather than confronted?"
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"The rules are simple. First, there can be but one winner—although you are welcome to work together to help one of their team win and then split the money."
"Second, while contestants are free to work together if they wish, they are not allowed to directly interfere with other contestants."
" Third, the contestant who first emerges from the front doors of the Hall of Wards is the winner."
" Finally, all contestants must sign forms that release the Acadamae of any liability for any misfortune suffered as a result of the contest."
"The contest starts tomorrow, so you can meet the competition tonight. It takes place on a single day, if no one wins by dusk, no one wins at all."
"The Breaching Festival, which grew out of the Hall of Wards’ claim that their traps and defenses were so great that no thief could breach them, is for real. The dangers contestants face are lethal. Each year, the dean of the Hall of Wards, with the aid of a handpicked group of talented spellcasters crafts a new series of traps and dangers. No one else knows what these wards are until the festival is underway. I can tell you that in previous years, all manner of magical traps, particularly those that summon monsters or use glyphs and wards, have been used. You may wreak as much havoc as you'd like on these defenses."
"You win when you exit from the western door of the hall. Back in 4551, a man named Dyson Fordyce—who is the only winner to date— managed to step into the Hall of Wards and just as quickly step back out, winning on a technicality. Since then, the Breaching Festival has required entry into the Hall of Wards by one door and exit from one on the opposite side of the building."
"Oh, and Roakar, you may not interfere with another contestant."
"Ah, and there in lies the game. You must enter through the east door. The door openly opens if you have a key. Keys are scattered about the campus. Even though you can work together, you must each get a key." The headmaster looks stern for a moment. "Remember, there has only ever been a single winner, and we are a prestigious school with many competent wizards."
"It looks like a Dancing Light spell. Finding them isn't the challenge. TAKING it is the challenge... Now, you'll see the rest tomorrow."
You've got some time before you'd need to sleep, anything you'd like to do?
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Speaking more to the part than anyone else assembled, "I have little interest in the treasure or the glory of "winning". If anyone has such a desire, I'll support you in it."
"I also really have little need for sleep, though it would be wise to be rested and ready. I don't suppose" looking at Roos, "it would hurt to bring your own."
Since it seems you guys are done talking with the headmaster...
The headmaster rings a bell and the door is quietly opened. You are met by a lanky human wizard. "Good afternoon. I am Jandar Lilswin and I've been selected as your guide during your stay on the Acadamae grounds. If there's any place you'd like to see before the morning, simply ask. There are four other competitors this year, and they're about the campus now. If you'll just follow me..."
As you walk through the halls your guide eagerly explains everything in far too much detail, giving you information you know you'll never need. As you get to the main entrance
A scream breaks your guide's tour. A scream and a sudden thunderous crash coming from beyond a closed door—. You rush to the source and open the door to a gruesome scene.
A massive arachnid the size of a bull elephant rears up on its back four legs in a violent challenge, eyes shimmering with magical energy. It stands over the burning body of a human female.
It's a retriever, an exptraplanar construct built of protoflesh from the abyss and loaded with deadly magical powers. Ask a question for every 5 by which you beat the DC. This one is particularly powerful looking.
Your guide's eyes grow wide and he freezes in fright.
The massive creature's icy blue eye shoots a beam of cold at Ignatious! for (REF DC 19 for half). It then bites at Shump but the paladin's armor deflects it like it was a common house spider.
Round 1:
Retriever: ATK and ray
Shump: Go
Roos: Go
Hugo: Go
Roakar: Go
Ignatious: Go
Elec Reset: 3
Cold Reset: 4
Retriever: 0
Your guide obeys, but mostly because he's frozen in shock.