Welcome! If you have already signed up for this table, please dot in - maybe add a short character introduction, and then go over to the Discussion session to submit your character details for chronicles and feel free to discuss, ask questions, etc.
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An Elven wizard sashays into the room, and realizing that she is the first to arrive, finds the most comfortable chair to drape herself over. Her light robes swish around her feet, and a number of wands hang from her belt clattering against her leg. She makes herself comfortable and waits patiently.
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A gnome in red dragonhide armor is the second to arrive. Following her a large bird comes into the room. Although you would suspect it would not fit through the doorframe it passes through without a problem.
The gnome approaches the elf. "Hello there, I am Yarricki and this is Thunder. Are you also here for the tournament?"
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The door opens again and a woman of average height, but with bright red hair standing up in all directions enters quickly. She looks at the other women in the room and smiles. "Am I late? I'm not late." she says. She wears a fancy chain shirt, and a fancy longbow is slung over her shoulder. "I'm Ajah Denawi, Keleshite archer and Bard at your service." she says. Upon closer inspection, she has a faint haze of wispy smoke around her head and the tips of her hair seem to smoulder.
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Bambang steps in and scans the room. He is a tall hulking man, dressed in well-crafted full plate armor, a antique-looking greatsword sheathed at his back. Like typical Tian-Sing, he is bald, and his scalp is covered with intricate tattoos of geometric patterns. A leather headband which looks rather worn is tied across his forehead.
"Greetings, fellow Pathfinders. I am Bambang Kuwatputra, son of Kuwat, heir of the chieftain of the Menguam Singa clan of Tengah Pulu, Emerald Isle of the Minata Archipelago." He then nods at each of you in turn, making the small gesture appear regal.
To Yarricki, he replies, "Yes, little fey one. I had only just recently helped clear the Archives of an unfortunate flood, which word came down of this summons. I await to hear more."
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"That's interesting. I also just came from the Archives to assist in clearing a flood, but I don't recall seeing you there," says a man's voice in a soothing tenor, despite coming from what appears to be the elven woman sitting in the chair. Within a few seconds, her form and the chair she sits in appears to dissipate into blue-grey smoke, leaving a man with long blonde hair, pulled back, standing in her place.
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Yarricki smiles "Is it true that the flooding was caused by some first-worlders?"
She scratches the axebeak on the neck.
"I just came back from Lastwall where we had to investigate some clues from a book. The Venture Captain said there were still plenty of leads to investigate, so if you have some free time you might want to go up north."
”The Decemvirate are truly grateful that so many of you have answered this summons to the Grand Lodge, for they, above all, know the trying lives that field agents endure. Indeed, you have only to look about this courtyard and gaze upon your colleagues to know they have come from all ends of Golarion to be among us. Look not grim, but rather determined, for this summons is not one brought of dire threat or terrible consequence. No! The Decemvirate has instead summoned you to taste the opportunity to enter the greatest contest of martial arts the world has ever known—the Ruby Phoenix Tournament”
”The legacy of Tian Xia’s legendary mystic arcanist, the nearly immortal Grandmaster Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix Tournament is held only once every ten years. The Tournament is run by Sifu Xho Nuo, Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix and sole heir to Hao Jin’s secrets. The prize for victory: an artifact pulled from Hao Jin’s fabled collection of the greatest wonders Golarion has ever known”
”Though Xho Nuo has made no formal announcement, we have learned the sifu has chosen to hold the qualifying round for this decade’s tournament here in Absalom. The Pathfinder Society has long sought to send one of its members to compete in this tournament. If our information is true, this means that for the first time, the Society has the opportunity to qualify a good number of its field agents. While the chance to glean an artifact from Hao Jin’s collection is enticing, that is hardly the entirety of our goal. However, I shall speak more on this subject at a later time”
”At present, we have learned that Xho Nuo plans to host a covert meeting to address all would-be contestants. Don’t get too excited though; it’s supposedly being held at a decrepit tavern in the Docks called the Devil’s Dregs. Go there and see what details you can pick up about the competition and the other entrants, but watch your backs. There’s little law to protect you down on the wharves, and it’d take a riot to raise any attention. Oh, and I wouldn’t expect an appearance from Xho Nuo either, as his social status prevents him from contact with such filthy and common places. My guess is that he’ll send one of his agents to rile up as many lowlifes as possible to serve as fodder for the first round of the contest”
”Lastly, though its likely Xho Nuo is aware of our interest in the competition, we need all our agents to maintain as much secrecy as possible. For all we know, he has deliberately chosen Absalom to bait our interests, so it’s imperative that he identify as few of our agents as possible. From here out, to keep our affiliations covert, we request all of you make arrangements for your stay outside the Grand Lodge. Try to pick a place that’s low key to avoid attention. Don’t worry about the cost though. The Decemvirate will pick up the tab. Good luck.”
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"Go to a clandestine meeting about a martial arts tournament, don't look like or appear to be pathfinders, and stay somewhere else. That's what I heard. Did I miss anything?" says a tall slender man or maybe half-elf. His hair and cloak cover his telling ears, but looking closer at his green slightly almond shaped hazel green eyes you determine he has some elven blood. He must have snuck in during the Decemvirate member's speach.
"I'm Cuethric by the way.Just back from Muwamgi jungle. Had to help the native elfs there with a problem in an area they considered taboo."
"After the jungle and the ship ride back as long as it has a nice bed, I don't care where I stay
Cuethric has a nice composite longbow inhand, two quivers of arrows slung over his shoulder, a chain shirt on, and a longsword at his side. He is wrapped in a worn but clean travel cloak.
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With a loud bang an elven woman in black and bright yellow armor pushes open the door panting almost dropping some of the yellow stinger shaped arrows in her quiver when she bends over to catch her breath.
"am I Late.... Ohhh I hope I'm not late" She says as she looks at the group and trying to regain her composure.
"I am Adrasteia Emberleaf Inquisitor of Calistria" she says as she flicks her red hair "Is this the meeting hall for the contest?"
In a quiet, rundown section of the Docks, you finally spot a weathered wooden sign hanging above a wide alcove that reads “Devil’s Dregs.” A pair of thick double doors within the alcove lead into the tavern.
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And now for a taste of things to come...
"If we want to remain observant from afar, I can maintain a veil to keep us hidden. Otherwise I may be able to procure a spell to disguise myself, but that would require some time."
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Bambang smiles warmly at the back and forth among his new formed party as they progress to the Docks. Once they arrived though, he stiffens and turns serious.
"Let's have a look around the tavern before we enter. Always wise to get the lay of the land before you hunt." He looks at his full-plate armor and grins wanly. "The stealthy ones among you please go ahead."
Before he proceeds though, he withdraws two wands and uses them on himself. He has a bit of difficulty getting the first to work, but no issue with the second. He then proceed to circle round the tavern to get a good look at the building.
Scouting around:
Aside from the front doors from the shore, a set of
double doors leads out of the tavern onto rickety piers in
the center of both the east and west walls, and a number
of windows look out over the harbor to the south.
Despite its sizable taproom, the Devil’s Dregs seems filled to capacity. The smells of cheap ale, unwashed bodies, and thick pipe smoke mix in the crowded room, as tightly squeezed contestants push and shove their way about the tavern. As one might expect in the Docks district, the tavern extends over the harbor, and beneath the floor lies the silty, brackish water of Absalom’s wide bay. The dim light of the tavern’s few lanterns exposes few specifics about the patrons or the surroundings.
You scan the place and try to size up your varied competition (perception or local knowledge checks for details). These include members of the Aspis Consortium, Red Mantis agents, and several other obvious rivals, as well as some
foreigners never before seen. Among the foreigners stands a unshaven swordsman in ornate lamellar armor and a full helm bearing the visage of a snarling demon.
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Velinov searches for a booth or table where he can keep his back against the wall and observe the crowd, studiously scanning the room with an artists eye, taking in both suspicious activity as well as the depth of facial profiles and characters. Occasionally, he uses a bit of charcoal to capture a few gesture sketches.
Without warning, a flash of smoke flares up from the center of the tavern floor. As it clears, a towering, golden-skinned humanoid of hideous and terrifying countenance steps forth, ebon teeth gleaming fiendishly. Standing before the crowd, she greets them with a slow and gracious bow, yet her eyes never look away.
The creature gestures to call the crowd’s attention, and one by one they fall silent.
“Good evening and allow me to introduce myself, I am called Kiang Zhen. My sifu, Xho Nuo, the Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix, wishes for me to tell all of you that he is most pleased to see so many of you eager to attend the tournament. It is his desire that everyone please find a table and make yourselves comfortable at his expense.”
The room becomes increasingly packed as contestants file in, and barely a minute later arriving contestants quickly fill all remaining tables leaving the tavern with standing room only – yet more and more continue to fill the place out – it is tightly packed and it is a struggle to both keep a hold of your own food and drink as well as dodging the spilled food and drink of others.
A short time later…
”Again, your attention please. I regret to inform all of you that Sifu Xho Nuo will not be present this evening, though he has appointed me to speak on his behalf.”
”To speak with candor, there are many who wish the Sifu dead and wish to steal from him the ancient secrets he was appointed to guard. This comes as no surprise to the Emissary, for he has been charged with the protection of a great and terrible power. Even now, in this very room, some of these same individuals sit amongst us. To them I say, Sifu knows who you are and fears you not. He even entreats you to join the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, for he shall not compromise the primary intention of the contest – to find the world’s greatest martial artist. Rest assured, this tournament shall test the mettle of its contestants, regardless of their intentions. Competition shall be fierce and violent without regard for contestants lives. That is your concern – not mine, not the Emissary’s. Those who fail might be lucky enough to walk away with their lives. For this reason, there are few places where our tournament is truly welcome. Thus, given the nature of the tournament and other circumstances, the Emissary has expressed to me the need to retain secrecy. However, I assure you he shall make an appearance before the end of the qualifying round.”
”Lastly, I have noticed many of you have come as teams. This is good, for initially, you may need help from allies you trust.” The beast pauses for a moment, letting his dark, pupil-less gaze hover upon the crowd. From his belt he unfastens a leather satchel and holds it aloft before the crowd. “I have here 100 rubies. On the morrow, fifty of these rubies will begin to glow, and those individuals or groups in possession of one such gem shall be contacted by one of our agents, who will give them the details of where the first event of the qualifier will take place.” then with a wide and wild grin he says “And so it begins!”
On his final words, he tosses the bag into the air, sending the rubies scattering everywhere. The next moment, he vanishes, leaving behind only a vaporous wisp.
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Cuethric tired of looking at thw unwashed masses likes Velinov's idea to get a table seat by the wall and sita at Velinov's table. He then narrowes his focus on the crowd to the swords.an with thw demon mask but trie s not tp be obvious about it.
"Velinov, do you want anything to drink? I think we are too early.
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Cuethric tired of looking at thw unwashed masses likes Velinov's idea to get a table seat by the wall and sita at Velinov's table. He then narrowes his focus on the crowd to the swords.an with thw demon mask but trie s not tp be obvious about it.
"Velinov, do you want anything to drink? I think we are too early.
[dice=perception of swordsman]1d20+9
[dice=stealth in doing so]1d20+6
"Yes, that would be pleasant. Do you think they have a nice red in a place like this?" asks Velinov, frowning as he scans the conditions of the establishment.
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“I have here 100 rubies. On the morrow, fifty of these rubies will begin to glow, and those individuals or groups in possession of one such gem shall be contacted by one of our agents, who will give them the details of where the first event of the qualifier will take place.” then with a wide and wild grin he says “And so it begins!”
Noting the chaos that is about to ensue, Velinov quickly yet subtly begins to paint the room to his likings. "Rubicundis replicare," as the rubies on the ground begin to glimmer far beyond the what the dim lighting of the dive would allow and begin to duplicate, and duplicate again, and again, dispersing rubies to almost every corner of the room.
You identify the creature before you as a kuwa oni—an evil spirit made manifest by occupying a human form. It was probably compelled to participate here.
The rubies scatter, and Ajah acts first, but cannot see a ruby among the crowded feet and furniture. Adrasteia, however, spies one nearby and grabs it. Velinov then casts a spell, causing many other rubies to appear, as he picks up a real one! Yarricki also manages to grab a ruby, despite not knowing which ones are illusion and which are not. (Feel free to roll a Will check here).
Your luck, however, draws the greedy eyes of 4 half-orc clerics who you recognize as Aspis agents. They attack in order to take your rubies. But you get the drop on them (except for Bambang).
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Adrasteia quickly grabs one of the rubies and takes a moment to marvel at its luster before looking at the armed and angry Aspis agents who look threateningly at her gem "You can't have this one I called dibs" she says before looking at the other ones... "oh dibs on those ones too" she remarks pointing at the pile of gems that silently fell to the ground.
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Cuethric initially starts for the rubies, but with the approach of the Aspis clerics, he pauses.
"I guess we are going to test the response time of the city guards."
In one swift motion, his bow is in his hand with an arrow on the string. He draws and fires at the half-orc attempting to get behind Bambang .
"Let's get out of here. Make for the door by Adra...a." Cuethric stops short of yelling is party member's name as he remembers they are trying to be covert.
Adrastrei's and Cuethric's arrows both puncture their targets while Bambang casts his spell.
Thunder tries to attack one of the mean clerics, but is attacked by the armor they wear.
Ajah's shot ricochets off the agents armor, while Velinov disappears from site.
Seeing Velinov disappear, the clerics look for easier prey. Red and green both target Yarricki, having seen her grab a ruby. The other two swing their great swords at Bambang, who appears to be in there way.