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Nodding her head knowingly at Yarricki "yeah humans are like that sometimes " she says almost solemnly.
looking at Bambang, " I hope the pathfinders got out as well and if they didn't we will honor their deeds by carrying on the mission to the best of our abilities." the elf says as she stretches looking into the moonlight.
Finally looking at Velinov and his remark of the burning tavern " true it did seem to be made ramshackle but I can't help but feel sorrow for all the secrets that will never be spilt, the joy to be never come about, and pity for the owners who may not be able to afford to renovate the bar someone burnt down. not to mention all the lives at risk."
Without warning, loud slamming noises echo through the tavern, even over the fray of the combat within. Moments later, the front doors rupture in a shower of splinters. In full battle regalia, a contingent of Absalom’s First Guard rush into the room. Swinging heavy chains and nets, they beat into the brawlers en mass, dragging dozens to the floor. The remainder of the contestants break from their opponents, and the crowd devolves into a raging mob as all race frantically for the nearest exit to avoid arrest.
The next morning you are saddened to see a lack of glowing rubies. Things pick up over breakfast though as a wandering mystic monk named Riymor Queed meets with you and explains his comrades were mauled in the preceding event. Riymor himself was skilled enough to escape with a glowing ruby, though his current situation has made him reconsider entering the Tournament. He sells you his ruby for 300gp, gaining you admittance to the tournament.
***
Following the directions given to you by your tengu liaison, you arrive just past dusk at the shipping house. Soon enough, a small crowd of would-be contestants begins to gather.
Approaching the entrance you spot a dishevelled, barefooted man dressed in plain sackcloth leaning in the shallow doorway. As you draw nearer, he slowly raises his head to examine the crowd. Then, grinning a toothy smile, he holds out his hand and asks “Any of you happen to find a ruby?”
The crowd excitedly signals their affirmative response and several glowing rubies are thrust into the air, there is an electric vibe flowing through the assembled host and everyone seems very ready for action.
The man nods and pushes the door open. Then he holds out a sack to collect the rubies of those seeking entry. As the various contestants enter, he directs them towards a flight of stairs near the back of the warehouse. These stairs descend into a wide and shadowy basement converted into a crude, make-shift arena illuminated by a ring of greasy-scented torches. The main floor is cleared of all objects save for a dusting of sand and straw that covers the cold stone floor. An assortment of contestants have already arrived, anxiously scanning the room. Almost all in attendance are recognizable from the previous night’s brawl.
From across the arena floor strides Kiang Zhen, the terrifying creature who represents Sifu Xho Nuo. Clapping her massive, clawed hands, she calls for silence, and with a low growl addresses the entire room as she runs her hands over her gruesome golden horns.
“Bringing defeat upon your perceived adversaries is only part of what it takes to walk the path of a truly great warrior. A true master sees beyond his adversaries; he sees the war and not just the battle. Last night, I watched how all of you were quick and eager to fight one another—therefore today... today I shall see how you fight together! Let’s see how well you can keep each other alive!” As she finishes this exuberant and enigmatic statement, smoke flashes erupt throughout the arena, and several dozen hidden trapdoors suddenly spring open, unleashing a horde of otherworldly beasts!
Three stirges fly out of a trapdoor, and as the trap door closes, you see a cobra construct fashioned out of iron sitting atop of it. They attack, but Adrasteia gets the drop on them.
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Adrasteia looks on in surprise when several creatures pop out of the arena floors. Her quickened elven reflexes taking hold she moves while simultaneously drawing and firing her bow before her comrades or the creatures can act.
"Make room so our full party can get in" the elf says motioning to the giant Axe Beak and the gnome riding it.
The snake is not natural, so know nature wouldn't tell you much, but the roll was bad anyway.
The bugs are stirges, no DR, and special attacks include attach, blood drain and disease. (nice roll there!)
Attach (Ex) When a stirge hits with a touch attack, its barbed legs latch onto the target, anchoring it in place. An attached stirge is effectively grappling its prey. The stirge loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and has an AC of 12, but holds on with great tenacity and inserts its proboscis into the grappled target's flesh. A stirge has a +8 racial bonus to maintain its grapple on a foe once it is attached. An attached stirge can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself—if its prey manages to win a grapple check or Escape Artist check against it, the stirge is removed.
Blood Drain (Ex) A stirge drains blood at the end of its turn if it is attached to a foe, inflicting 1 point of Constitution damage. Once a stirge has dealt 4 points of Constitution damage, it detaches and flies off to digest the meal. If its victim dies before the stirge's appetite has been sated, the stirge detaches and seeks a new target.
Diseased (Ex) Due to the stagnant swamps in which they live and their contact with the blood of numerous creatures, stirges are harbingers of disease. Any creature subjected to a stirge's blood drain attack has a 10% chance of being exposed to filth fever, blinding sickness, or a similar disease (Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook 557). Once this check is made, the victim can no longer be infected by this particular stirge, though attacks by different stirges are resolved normally and may result in multiple illnesses.
Catching the red one off guard, Adrasteia puts an arrow right through it, killing it instantly.
The green one flies right at Cuethric, entering his space. It fails to penetrate his defenses, though.
Blue chooses Velinov as its meal. Piercing his flesh, the creatures barbed legs grab hold of him. It starts sucking his blood.
The purple cobra slithers over to Bambang, and strikes - but bites only air.
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Adrasteia winces as the oversized mosquito latches on to Velinov " Oh you found the stirge. They are rather annoying creatures that not only attach to you but can carry diseases"
Looking at the quickly bloating body of the insect as it feasts on her scholarly friend "oh and it sucks" she says as she ponders something "and not in a good way"
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Prior to entering the arena, Bambang draws two wands. One he has no issue using on himself, while the other required a bit of trial and error before it activates.
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Bambang stares at the iron cobra, trying to recall what he knows about such a creature, especially in terms of its defences.
Wielding his greatsword, Bambang calls forth its remnants spirit to coat it with a layer of corrosive acid.
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Yarricki draws her scimitar and attacks the creature attacking Velinov with a two-handed slashing attack
She slashes the aberration straight off Velinov's skin and directs Thunder to target the one harassing Bambang.
Thunder plucks the stirge out of the air, biting it in two parts. Yarricki directs her companion to move out into the open.
Cuethric misses with both shots, probably due to Velinov flailing a bit. But then Yarricki swings with such precision, removing the stirge and slicing it in two.
The other stirge is eaten as described.
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"So this metal cobra is hard to hurt, right? Do you have any suggestions? Like ... if I dump water on it, will it rust and freeze up?" "Anyone have a metal mouse to feed it while we run away?" "What about acid?" "Is it harmed by fire?" "Anything...?"
"It doesn't matter, I'm just going to shoot it anyway."
Both Ajah and Velinov delay their actions.
You both note an unnerving gathering of tengu swordsmen and leering oni building in the arena’s shadowy perimeter.
Adrasteia shoots an arrow at the snake, and it clangs harmlessly off it's hard exterior.
The cobra strikes at Bambang again, who easily dodges to the side.
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Velinov reaches into his pocket and pulls out a golden sphere, with smooth, shell like components intermixed with small gaps where cogs and gears can be seen moving. With a wind up, he throws the sphere towards the cobra. Midair the pieces begin to unfold while creating a clashing and whirling sound. As it lands, four legs stretch out and absorb the impact and immediately start racing to propel the mechanical mongoose like creature forward. It nimbly places itself between Bambang and the cobra, and alternates between taunting and darting away from it.
Bambang cuts through the snake cleanly, and it shudders and then moves no more.
Anyone who did not act in round 2 may still do so (healing, additional buffing, etc). You can assume this is not over.
If you would like to specify the next few rounds as well, go ahead.
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Bambang simply nods somewhat distractedly to acknowledge the congratulations from his teammates, but keeps his eye on the tengus and onis. He gestures towards them for the benefit of his teammates. "I do not like the look of them. This battle is not over just yet."
While keeping his eye on them, he communes with the spirits residing in his items, calling on their help to prepare for the upcoming attack.
Round 2: Bambang kills the snake, Yarricki sheathes sword and cast guidance on self, Adrasteia uses wand of heightened awareness, Cuetrhic casts gravity bow.
Round 3: Bambang activates Shield, Yarricki cast guidance on Thunder and ready lance, Cuethric recovers an arrow.
Round 4: Banbang casts Cast lead blades, Cuethric recovers an arrow.
Round 5/New 1: 2 spirit oni attack!
These attackers are actually flying, evil-looking, ornamental masks. They have no limbs, but a horn that appears sharp. They are tiny (0-reach).
These spirit oni are tiny outsider (native, oni, shapechanger), have a poison gore attack, and have some spell-like abilities (including sleep and charm).
The red one tries to attack the construct in front of it, not realizing it is an illusion. The green one recognizes it and passes overhead, entering Cueethric's space and attacking him with his sharp horn.
Cuethric shakes off the effects of the poison and puts an arrow dead center of the flying mask, but it doesn't seem to slow it down.