GM Kiora's Wrath of the Righteous

Game Master Kiora Atua

"I am not certain that you could ever see everything in an eternity. Even Heaven and Elysium themselves are without limit. But even as an eternal being, the concept of living for the moment is a worthwhile one. I doubt Xanderghul had any choice but to live in the moment when he was eking out a living in the Abyss, and from what I still remember, my days were spent perpetually in the moment. Perhaps too much so, at least until my time with Elan," she says, joining in the philosophical discussion.

"I wonder how applicable this," she says, pointing to the passage of Unbinding the Fetters open before her. "The concept that nothing and something are one-and-the-same is interesting philosophically, but I do not know how relevant it is out in the world."

Unafe lifts a hand from Sicrwydd's back to scratch her head.

"Life forever? Why in the Green would I want to deny myself the chance to join my honored ancestors? Even Goryon, who dwelled among the living for ten generations, eventually went to join them."

She pushes her scroll away. "I'm afraid I can't make heads or tails of this one. It's a story of twists and turns: first the farmer loses his horse, then the horse leads extra horses to him. First his son injures himself on horseback, then the injury prevents his being called into the service of the local clan liege.

"Are all of these puzzles?"

"Mmmm. I think I'd run out of things I wanted to do. Doing everything is impossible, yeah, but doing everything you can imagine doing is certainly a thing. A thing I'd like to avoid." Ary responds tilting her head back and forth.

"Is that like the 'there's less when there's more of it' hole thing?" she asks Isilme when she mentions the nothing and something being the same. "If not, you'll have to elaborate a bit."

"Same, pretty much, Unafe. But more shiny and musical. Probably? Where... exactly do your ancestors go? They're not literally bound..." she says, waving her hand up and down at the swirling dinosaurs. "I think they're like koans. Where you learn something by trying to understand it, even if it doesn't actually have an answer. The farmer's luck is both good and bad... I guess it wants you to take things in stride, because you never know when an unlucky break is exactly what you needed to be where you were meant to be? A lot of bad happened on my way to Mendev... happened to most of us, really."

"The inevitability of death is one of the first lessons we teach in the Green Faith," Ehren says finally, after contemplating the discussion on immortality. "Every living thing has to die, so that it can be reborn and start anew. I used to believe that I was at peace with that. Even when I was able to experience death for myself, I recall my dying thoughts being... peaceful. I was content to leave the future in the hands of others, and rejoin the Green. After all, I knew that in some shape or form, I would one day be reborn. That in itself is a form of immortality, is it not?"

Ehren frowns. "But then I came back, in a different form, but still as me. If I had truly shrugged off the inevitability of death, would my soul have bothered to do so? Thank the Green that I did, that we did, because there is so much we have accomplished since then, so much cause to be happy that we have found. I feel rather foolish for believing that I had come to terms with my end, when I had barely begun."

"So I suppose my answer is that we have to accept the fact that we will eventually die, but that in order to be truly happy, we must deny death until time takes us." Ehren smiles wryly. "I don't want to live forever, but I'd at least like to see my dreams come to fruition before my time comes."

Xander listens to his allies go back and forth on the subject of philosophy and immortality, interested in their opinions despite their primitive nature. For their young years, his friends had quite advanced opinions on their own deaths, probably because of the fact that most of them had already died.

His own contribution to the conversation is much simpler. He says only, "I might not eventually die." Then he grins good-naturedly.

"I might have mispoke, shrugging off the inevitability of death is not about being immortal, it is about letting go of the fear of death. I believe... or so I had read it, but your reading is also interesting. It would seem strange to me that the Master of masters text would imply that we should all strive for eternity, though perhpas the endless wheel of reincarnation is eternity and by embrassing this, one can finally enjoy the present. What do you think Xanderghul-san? Does your possible immortality allow you better enjoy the present?"

"Most believe something similiar, where the journey to the answer is of utmost importance. Many sages consider that each of these short stories do have a correct answer though." Hinagiku responds in answer to Unafe.

"I think I remember reading the one you are mentioning Isilme-san. Perhaps the practicality of the passage is not in emptiness being existence, but on the importantce of the interelation of things. Not using -san after a name is not impolite, but not using it here in Minkai would be."

"What about you Xing-senpai, Vhane-kohai? Did you find anything interesting in your readings?"

As Unafe listens, one thing in particular sticks out to her.

"I guess it wants you to take things in stride, because you never know when an unlucky break is exactly what you needed to be where you were meant to be?"

"Hmmmm."

Unafe ruminates for a minute as other talk. 'you never know when an unlucky break is exactly what you needed to be where you were meant to be...'

"That's a fair point, Ary--and one that was lost on my in my own reading, I'll admit. I still wish every day that I'd been able to defeat Snjóbyl Soulhammer when he and his horde attacked--ruined--the Taranau Valley. That I'd been there to help as the Demetae were forced to flee, and when the cold came and slew the remaining saurians.

"If the Ancestors and the Gods have given me a different opportunity to help set things right, I'll take it."

Xander gives a small shrug. "I am certainly not afraid of death. You all can attest to that. As for enjoying the moment, well, I think a mortal's life is full of so much scrabbling and scraping. Desperate striving for accomplishments that may never come. My immortality I believe has given me a different perspective. I do feel more able to live."

He grumbles a bit. "Tell you one thing though. I've never been able to really enjoy a celebration. Maybe it's a failing, maybe it's something I'm missing. There's just so much to be done."

"Mmm." Ary says, nodding her head to Unafe, not having realized that the exact meaning applied... particularly well to Unafe. Or at least Ary's interpretation of the interpretation Unafe had shared.

"It's... worth remembering that the cold will recede, the Demetae will reclaim their home, and the Saurians will be reborn... should we succeed, and possibly sooner. Everything has been set up so that the only thing lost... is time. And I'm not sure any single one of us could have handled much of any of these issues on our own. So... yeah, exactly where we needed to be."

She pauses as she listens to Xanderghul, and rolls her eyes. "Don't worry, I'm afraid of you dying enough for the both of us. Often afraid of it." she says, but nods. "I can agree to that last bit, though. Rest just feels... wrong when there's still so much to do."

"I'm quite certain your times in the Abyss were full of scrabbling and scraping. I suspect your ability to 'feel more able to live' comes from the appreciation that things are pretty good here compared to 'home'."

"Yes, that's no different than my own experience Unafe," she adds to the discussion about bad luck presenting opportunities or unexpected benefits. "I spent the better part of a century bound to a blade. I spent almost that entire time cursing that situation, yet I would be hard pressed to undo that if it meant losing all I've experienced since I awoke."

"The gods have their plans, but don't underestimate the role of your own free will," Ehren says to Unafe. "It was your decision to face Snjóbyl in combat alone, was it not? That choice is what set you on the path that led you here. The same goes for all of us."

Reminded by her mention of the gods, Ehren gestures at the scroll before him. "This writing appears to chronicle the gods' creation of the universe, from the stars above all the way down to living beings. But it's all a metaphor. What it actually describes is the path one follows to achieve self-perfection. Just as the universe was forged from something that came out of 'nothing,' we must refine ourselves, from our largest aspects to the smallest. Our own mortal knowledge is divine - just as the gods spun order out of nothing, the accumulation of our knowledge brings us closer to perfection."

After sharing his interpretation of the reading, Ehren leans back in his chair and frowns.

"But to be honest, I'm still not certain that I fully understand the meaning of 'perfection' as it pertains to the Iroran faith."

Hua Xing turns towards Ehren. "Perfection, as understood through Iro-Shu, is to follow Master Irori's foot-steps in attaining a physical, mental, and spiritual state that surpasses mortal limitations. In doing so one attains true Enlightenment and breaks free from the chains of reincarnation, transcending all forms of physical and spiritual suffering."

He smiles. "I know it all sounds rather daunting, but the spirit of Iro-Shu is to treasure the road, rather than the destination. My master told me, 自我完善不是比赛，就像音乐不是。你听一首歌是因为你只想听到最后一个音符吗？. Roughly translated, that means, Self-perfection is not a race, in the same way music is not. Do you listen to a song because you only wish to hear the final note?"

He turns back to his scroll. "My reading is one that I have always personally struggled with - To sit as Irori is to kill Irori. I think that-"

Hua Xing is cut off as Arai Kyo returns to the room. Seeing the others with their books and scrolls in front of them, his face opens to a warm smile.

"あ！とても良い。目の前にある文章を消化する時間はあったと思いますね?"

He turns first to Unafe. "「原因と結果」という一節がありましたね。そのような物語からどのような意味を見出しましたか。"

In turn, he moves between each of the heroes, asking a similar question, next turning to Isilme, seated next to Unafe. "Va'ardalia-kohai、あなたは難しい公案、「空の絆」でした。この不可解なパズルからどのような意味を見つけましたか?"

Next, he turns to Ehren. "Ehren-kohai、あなたの一節は私たちの紹介の 話の つですが、だからといって他のものよりも簡単にはなりません。あなたの話に何か深い意味はありましたか?"

When he turns to Xanderghul, he switches to Taldane, having noted that Xanderghul was forced to address him in the common language of Avistan, due to his own magic being limited to understanding, not communication. But Arai-senpai was fluent in many languages, as many Irorans are.

"My apologies, Xanderghul-kohai, as we do not carry any philosophical tomes in Avistani tongues. I trust that your basic linguistic magic was sufficient in reading the story before you, yes? We know it simply as, 'The Question?'. What meaning do you think Irori wished to convey in his answer to his nephew?"

He switches back to Minkaian to address Ary. "司教後輩、あなたの公案は、一見しただけではなく、もっと意味のあるものです。あふれる湯呑みの物語は個人的にお気に入りです。そのような物語からどのような 意味を見出しましたか。"

He then turns to Hinagiku. "ひなぎくこうはい。あなたのは私の個人的なお気に入り、「虎といちご」です。この物語の中で、あなたはどのような深い洞察を見つけましたか?" he asks of the younger monk.

Hinagiku politely stands up as her senpai enters the room and greets him with a slight bow of the head.

"人生はほんの一握りであり、常に死とその消滅に脅かされています。しかし、その一節は、それにもかかわらず、私たちがその瞬間に生きるならば、私たちはまだ私 たちのつかの間の瞬間を楽しむことができることを示唆しています。自分の人生を振り返ってみると、一つのクエストしかないので、自分にできなかったことが何かあ るのだろうか." Hinagiku finishes, thinking back on the conversation about grandchildren she had with her mother.

diplomacy:trying not to make the lack of clarity of the last sentence acceptable and not impolite. : 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

Ehren listens to Hua Xing's explanation intently, partly familiar with some of the ideas that he describes. A slight frown forms when the monk mentions the "chains of reincarnation." Perhaps that was the crux of his issue; Ehren did not think of the cycle they all lived in as something that somehow restrained him. That is not to say that he believes such a pursuit has no value, but it seems clear that it is not a path he could walk himself.

Before he can speak on the matter, however, Arai Kyo returns. The druid tilts his head slightly when the elder monk begins to question them, wondering if they have just completed their first trial. For a moment he wonders what might have happened if they had just sat around the whole time, ignoring the open texts before them.

"神々は混沌に秩序をもたらすことで世界を創造した," Ehren answers, after following Hinagiku's example by standing and bowing. "同様に、定命の知識は、私たちを完璧に近づける神性の火花です。"

The druid gives Hinagiku a sidelong glance when she gives her answer, wondering what must be running through her mind.

K(Religion): 1d20 + 14 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 10 = 44

Ary tilts her head as Hua Xing speaks. She's surprised that her understanding is rather far from the truth. That the intent was to supersede mortal limits seemed intensely counter-intuitive. She had always assumed - wrongly, apparently - that the goal of being an Iroran was to find each of your own failings and cast them out, ultimately becoming the best you that you could be. She didn't have the time to respond on the topic, however... and understood that her perception that the religion of the temple that they were in wasn't her ideal philosophy was neither necessary nor helpful.

Ary notes Hinagiku rising, and mimics the action, standing as well, and giving a bow of her head. She waits for each person to answer in turn as they're approached - or to not answer, as the case may be.

「うーん。私は...多くの解釈があると思う。私が理解していることから、最も可能性の高い解釈は、カップが空になることを意図しており、さらに追加することが できる...それは先入観に基づいている間違っていることを受け入れることができなくなる」 Ary says, tilting her head back and forth. 「しかし、あなたが何をしても、あなたはまだカップであり、カップが完全に空になることは決してありません.しかし、私がそれらの感情のいずれかに同意するかど うかはわかりません.先入観は自然であり、学んだものです概念. 悪い先入観がありますが、単に であるというものもあります.さらに、私は、お茶の飲みすぎというようなものがあることに同意するかどうかはわかりません.解決策は、私が考えるでしょう. 、より大きなカップにするか、より多くのカップを持参して、お茶をよりよく集めて、できるだけ数滴のお茶をこぼさないようにします.この物語のお茶の目的は共有 することです.、やっぱり」

Was this the first trial? A quiz on the reading that they had just finished? Xander thought it was a bit trite, but he supposed that allowing unthoughtful rubes into a temple of knowledge's inner sanctum could be considered unwise.

He had cast a spell earlier to be understood by the gate guard, and so he responds in tongues.

"Yes, my magic is sufficient for understanding. You need not concern yourself with or apologize to me."

"At first I thought Irori's answer was a rebuke. I don't believe that deep teachings can be reduced down so much, like to a single grain of rice in the story. I later understood that his answer, 'everything changes', was a direct answer. Everything does change. Nothing lasts forever, not even death. Someday even this universe will end, and immortality is not immortality. That is what I understood from the story."

Unafe swallows. "正直なところ、頭も尻尾も作れませんでした。 少なくとも最初は。 私は仲間と質問をしました、そしてここでアリーは物語が終わるまで何かが幸運であったか逆運であったかを確実に知ることは決してないことを指摘しました...そ して少なくとも私たちの人生の物語は決して終わっていません 私たちがまだ呼吸している間。"

"私がそれで作ったものを例で説明させてください," she begins, responding to Arai Kyo's questioning about the passage she had read.

"土鍋は最も有用なものであり、それが生まれた場所からの粘土の塊よりもはるかに有用です。 窯で焼くのは同じことですが、一方には価値があり、もう一方にはほとんど価値がありません。 どうして？ ポットを定義するものとそうでないものの両方。 それはその目標を達成するためにその実体と同じくらいその不在に依存しています。 2つは切り離せません。 しかし、何かが何かに依存し、何も依存しないという有用性がある場合、2つを本当に分離することができますか？"

Arai's smile widens still, seemingly pleased with the answers each of the heroes gave him regarding their readings. He offers small words of encouragement or approval to each in turn, pleased with their answers.

Hua Xing K.History: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Joran Vhane K.Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

After Hinagiku, he turns to Hua Xing. "そして、あなた、華後輩？ 「囲炉裏のように座ることは囲炉裏を殺すことです。」何を信じるの"

Hua Xing contemplates his answer for a moment before responding. "私たちは自分の苦しみを和らげる外部のものを喜んで手放さなければなりません。私たちが考えるものでさえ答えです"

"食料、水、避難所などの基本的なニーズを超えて、私以外の何も本当に私を満足させることはありません。私はすでに満足しています—覚えておく必要があります"

Arai nods. "はい。私たちの精神は、痛みを和らげたり、喜びを広げたりするために、常に自分の外にある何かを探しています。気づかないうちに、自分以外のものを変えようと することがよくあります。満足が内からしか見られないとき、私たちは私たちの外のものに秩序をもたらすように努めます"

Satisfied, he turns to Joran, last. "そして、あなた、Vhane-kohai？あなたの読書は、「ダイヤモンド」でした。それはただの線であり、美しいものです。「どこからともなく、心が浮かび 上がります。」これについてどう思いますか？"

Joran likewise stands and bows before answering. "この公案は、どうすれば世界にもっとよく会えるかということだと思います。それぞれの瞬間とどのように接触するか。"

"たとえば、木を見て「どこからともなく木が出てくる」と思うかもしれません。このように現在を理解することを深めることで、オブジェクトに突然の奇跡的な品質 がもたらされます。しばらくの間、木は気が遠くなるようなものであり、私は、私が想像したりラベルを付けたりできる範囲を超えて、生来の何かに触れ始めます。あ りふれた低木、木、野良猫、雨のスコールを当然のことと思っている、あるいは不便な迷惑だとさえ思っているという事実は、公案が静かに私にもっと綿密に調べるこ とを強いているものです。これらのイメージ、瞬間、経験がなければ、人生はどのようになるでしょうか？存在するものの一部だけが私自身の根付いた先入観を通り抜 ける内なる世界を作りますか？はいの場合、これらの境界線を分解して削除するとどうなりますか？代わりに、私の人生を優雅にするすべてのものは微妙な異常性を持 っており、このつながりがそれ自体で開花することを可能にすることは、私が気付いたときにのみ行うことができる習慣です。"

Arai smiles. "確かに！こうあんへの答えはタイトルにあると思います。見ているだけなら、ダイヤモンドはいたるところにあります"

Turning back to the rest, Arai bows. "あなたはすべて、最初の試行で見事に実行しました。真の試練は、自らの意思で知恵を求めて進んでいくことです。アビスタニはこれについて言っていると思います ...馬を水に導くことはできますが、強制的に飲むことはできません。これらの言葉には知恵があります."

"どうぞ、内向きの視線のホールでのあなたの2回目の裁判に私に従ってください。"

Arai leads the heroes out of the study room and down another hall. The next room appears to be a training room, fashioned out of bamboo. There are several broad reed mats, racks holding wooden weapons, and a table with several stacks of small wooden boards.

"物理的な可能性は、ブルートフォースと間違われることがよくあります。ただし、制御なしの強度はほとんど達成されません。" To illustrate the point, Arai takes a wooden board from the pile and outstretches his arm, holding the board in front of his face. With a swift movement, he releases the plank and strikes it in mid-air, breaking the board into two symmetrical halves.

"お好みのボードでこの偉業を繰り返してください。試行回数は回だけです。自分の限界を予測できることは、完璧を追求するための重要な理解です。" He stands aside.

The speed-break test requires precision as well as strength. After releasing the board, the hero must succeed at a Dexterity check to strike the falling object in just the right spot. If successful, the hero must then succeed at a Strength check to break the plank in two. Failing at the strength check sends the plank flying across the hall without breaking it, failing at the dexterity check sends the plank falling to the floor before the heroes' feet. A hero who has the Improved Unarmed Strike feat (or equivalent) gains a +5 bonus on both checks. A hero who is able to substitute a different attribute than STR to damage for an unarmed strike may use that skill check in place of the STR check. The DEX check may not be substituted.

The DC depends on the thickness of the board chosen: 1/2" (DC 10 DEX & DC 13 STR), 3/4" (DC 12 DEX & DC 15 STR), 1" (DC 14 DEX & DC 17 STR), or 2" (DC 16 DEX & DC 19 STR)

Dexterity: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
Strength: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Xander is surprised by the nature of the trial, but he supposes on second thought that perhaps he shouldn't be. He just figured that the tasks required would be much more general. Then again, they were in a monk temple, it was in Minkai, and they were at a traditional festival. It made sense that things would be traditional. He can't help but to feel a little disappointed. There was no way that he was going to outperform everyone at this kind of trial.

Still, he steps to the fore. He isn't going to let any personal reluctance he feels stop him from being anything but first. Knowing that he is the weakest member of the party physically, he chooses the smallest size of board.

When it is time to release the plank, he delivers a swift and accurate slap with his open palm to the board. However, not knowing how to deliver any specific amount of force to the board, he simply sends it flying across the room instead of splitting it evenly.

He gives a short, sharp sigh and lowers his hand.

Unafe watches Xanderghul send his flying, and smiles. Surely I can do better at this.

She spends a minute considering boards, but finally decides to use the lightest as well. After all, I've never tried anything like this before...

As she releases it, she's horrified to see she's given it a little spin. Realizing it's moving away from her too quickly, she gives a loud shout and the ancestors buzz and pop around her, aiding her in connecting just as the board was about to spin away.

In the end, the board splits nicely, and she winces away the pain of the Spirits coursing through her.

DEX+serendipity: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11
STR+serendipity: 1d20 + 5 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 5 + 2 = 18

Note to all, feel free to take a +1 luck bonus from my Serendipity aura (on this and on any challenge that you do while within 20' of me)

Ehren eyes the wooden boards whilst squeezing a fist open and shut experimentally, wondering just how much strength he could muster. In some of his larger, mightier forms, the druid possessed raw physical power that rivaled that of his more martially-inclined companions. But though he had worked on increasing his muscle mass over the past few years, he is quite aware of his limitations.

Following Xanderghul and Unafe's example, Ehren selects the thinnest of the boards. As he holds the board before him, he takes a deep breath before releasing it. Almost instinctively, the druid throws a punch that meets the plank in midair. During the brief instant that his fist is in contact with the board, Ehren realizes that there simply isn't enough force behind his punch to break it. If he drew on his inner reserves of power, however, maybe, just maybe...

With a grimace, Ehren follows through with his punch, propelling the board across the room. It clatters against the floor as it lands, still intact. He looks down at his hand with a frown, realizing that this is one aspect of himself he wouldn't mind working on more.

Dexterity Check (Serendipity): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 13
Strength Check (Serendipity): 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8

Hinagiku nods in understanding at Arai and approaches the wooden planks. She remembered doing such practice in the past, and how one’s basic training had a greater impact than one’s abilities which did not necessarily play such a crucial role in the task. She had been able to break the thickness plank, but only rarely. No, the difficulty laid in striking at the right moment with the right strength; a concourse of circumstance in which natural skills only aided. With that in mind, the monk picks up the second thinnest wooden planck, one that she would be more likely to succeed than fail, allowing her to perfect the skill rather than simply tempt luck.

As the others attempt the trial, Hinagiku readies herself mentally, centering herself and letting her connection to the world to manifest and imbue mind, body, and soul. Once ready, she adopts a wider stance and immediately,with grace and agility, guides the wooden plank upward leaving it to momentarily stand in place in midair before attempting the strike the very middle of the wood with a rigid outstretched hand.

dex+surge(serendipity): 1d20 + 1d8 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (1) + (4) + 9 + 1 = 15 Will only use surge if 1 is not a natural failure.
wis/str(serendipity): 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23

Isilme watches as the others fail to make much progress on the task before them, with only Unafe having been able to best the lightest of the boards. There was no doubt in her mind that her body was unsuited for the feat of strength required to split one of the boards in two. That left her only two real options:

First, she could abstain from the event. Clearly knowing oneself also implies knowing that one is not at a point where they can succeed. It is likely such a solution would be pleasing to Kyo, given it was the purpose of the trial in the first place.

Second, she could attempt the impossible. Knowing herself included knowing that she was not a follower of the Iroran philosophy. Magic and the most tangible blessings of her goddess aside, luck was certainly as important to her as skill. And, of course, the entertainment value should she succeed simply could not be underrated. Just the whiff of the possibility of seeing Xanderghul attempt to hide his reaction at her having succeeded was worth the attempt in and of itself.

Her mind made up, she walks forward quietly and grabs the largest of the boards. Then walking to the center of the room, she turns and faces the others, holding the board aloft. My Lady Starsong, this may be the most frivolous request I have ever made. Nevertheless, guide my steps today if only for the entertainment of it all, she thinks to herself.

As she drops the board, she gives Xanderghul a knowing wink, suggesting she knows her victory is assured, then lashes out at the middle of the board with her fist.

Though her strike is off-center, the accidental torque from her hands releasing the board at slightly different time rotates it such that her blow strikes dead center. Just as she begins to make contact, one of her leg muscles twitches, causing her to lurch forward, putting the full weight of her body into the blow itself, causing the board to snap with a loud crack, sending the two pieces to the ground with a pair of heavy thuds.

2" board, Dex DC 16, Str DC 19
Dexterity(Serendipity): 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 = 20
Strength(Serendipity): 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 + 1 = 21

Bluff: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

It takes all her composure to hide her surprise when she actually succeeds at her task, both from a combination of shock and a desire to laugh out loud at the outcome. Unceremoniously she walks back to among the others and waits for the end of the trial without saying a word.

Ary expends martial focus; she will recover it in the next round. She will be fatigued for 1d4 rounds two turns from now.

Dexterity(Serendipity, Brute Sphere) v. DC 16: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 1 + 5 = 21
Strength(Serendipity, Brute Sphere, Giant, Martial Focus (Giant)) v DC 19: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 1 + 5 + 5 + 5 = 30
Fatigue Duration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ary watches the others as they thoughtfully select each of their planks, chewing her lip... and contemplating whether it would be cheating to help someone to break theirs. After all... the group was only limited by what no one could contribute. But ultimately, that felt like it was against the intent - and also would rob a companion of the chance to do it on their own. If anyone would ask, she would certainly give her aid.

She takes in a slow breath as each makes their attempt, and an exhale. Xanderghul and Ehren choosing the easiest of the boards, Unafe surprisingly doing the same and finding her task to be easily possible - Ary wasn't surprised, the woman could likely break a city wall given the time - but was more surprised at Hinagiku taking the easy route. Each person, succeed or fail, earned applause from Ary.

She couldn't help but smirk at Isilme's showmanship, as she moved forward and took the heaviest plank she could find. The wink sealed the deal, succeed or fail, she would have shown what she was capable of. Her eyebrows raise at the success of her companion and she gives her a slightly louder ovation and a broad smile.

Like Isilme, she moves forward and selects the thickest of the boards. Knowing one's limits meant testing one's limits, after all. Given enough attempts she was certain that any of them could shatter it (especially if they were willing to use magic to do so). But what was more, is that the price of failure was absolutely nothing. She turns away from her companions to ensure that she didn't wind up sending the board careening into them and holds it aloft.

She takes a long, slow inhale, followed by a sharp exhale as she drops the plank. She puts all of her weight into the strike, slamming into it with the hand normally reserved for booping demon cultists and polar bears - albeit with the aid of Faith. Her left hand makes contact with the board nearly in the center, two knuckles striking side by side. The board snaps cleanly in two, falling at her feet. She inhales once more, then huffs... before bouncing on the balls of her feet slightly. She did it!

She's surprised when Hinagiku turns out to have missed the board entirely, although her own showmanship and unexpected success might have been responsible for that given the astonished look on the monk's face. It was hard not to feel a bit guilty for having ruined one of Hinagiku's opportunities to show off her prowess in her former temple.

Her focus changes to Ary as she chooses the same thickness of board and summarily dispatches it like some poor dretch that had shown up at the wrong place and time.

Isilme returns Ary's ovation upon her success. There was no doubt in Isilme's mind that, unlike herself, Ary didn't need luck to succeed at all. All the crusader needed was to avoid being unlucky. Nevertheless it was impressive watching Ary do it, especially since she had not really been able to observe her own feat since she was too busy putting on a show and then controlling her own reaction to succeeding.

"I wonder how many times a festival that happens?" she says, pointing to the two pairs of broken 2" boards nearly back-to-back. She gives Ary a grin and then looks to the others. "Ready for whatever comes next?"

Hua Xing DEX: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 1 + 5 = 13 vs 3/4"
Hua Xing STR: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 + 5 = 18
Joran DEX: 1d20 - 2 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (1) - 2 + 1 + 5 = 5 vs 1/2"
Joran STR: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 3 + 1 + 5 = 26

Arai smiles warmly at each hero, regardless of if they succeed or fail, offering small words of encouragement either way. His eyebrows raise slightly when Isilme, who is relatively lithe and thin, picks up the most difficult of boards, and is unable to suppress a chuckle when through sheer luck she manages to fracture the board.

Hua Xing goes next, choosing the same board as Hinagiku, and is able to relatively easily fracture it. Joran chooses the thinnest board, but he does not strike fast enough, the board falling to his feet. His cheeks and ears turns a bright red but he otherwise doesn't comment on his failing.

At the end, Arai smiles warmly. "通常、マスターだけが最も厚いボードでそのような偉業を達成することができます！そして、ある日の午後に二度それを見ると…感動しました。"

Arai puts away the wooden boards and takes out a weapon rack lined with quarterstaves. He takes out a small box that is filled with cloth blindfolds.

He gestures to the rack. "武道の訓練を受けていない限り、ご希望の場合は、ラックに移動してこん棒を選択してください。並んで、少なくとも2メートル離れてください。それは、ああ、ア ビスタニの測定では約6フィート半です/"

"目を閉じて黙ってください"

Once they have all closed their eyes, the heroes can hear him start to pace around the room. "私の足音に注意してください。私のローブには乾いたお香が並んでいますが、匂いがしますか？意識は私たちの感覚の合計を通して達成されます。それらのうちの1 つだけに依存すると、世界の誤った認識が生まれます"

"目を開けて。この目隠しをしてください" When the heroes open their eyes, they can see that Arai now has a quarterstaff in hand. He walks to each of them and hands them a blindfold, except for Hinagiku, whom he gives a knowing smile.

"私はあなた方一人一人を何度も攻撃しようとします。私のストライキを避けたりそらしたりしますが、目隠しを外したり、自分の位置から移動したりしないでくださ い。" Unable to see, the heroes can only hear Arai's footsteps, and smell the sweet perfume of the incense that lines his robes.

"今、あなたはあなたが本当に感じることができるものを示します。"

Arai will attempt to strike each hero a maximum of 4 times, coming in from different angles and vantage points each time. His first strikes will be slow, but if the heroes succeed at dodging or deflecting, he will gradually hold back less and less, increasing the difficulty until he is not holding back at all. If the hero fails to dodge or deflect the attack, Arai will stop striking that hero, and will move on to the next.

For each strike, the hero must first succeed at a perception check to determine the moment and direction from which the monk strikes. If successful, the hero can choose to dodge the attack with a Reflex Save, or attempt to parry it with either an unarmed strike (Improved Unarmed Strike is required to parry using Unarmed Strike) or using the quarterstaff. The parry is considered an attack of opportunity, so any bonuses the hero gets to AoOs applies. The perception check or attack roll is made with a -4 penalty due to being blind. Blindness does not confer a penalty to reflex saves (as normal).

A hero with blind-fight, blindsense, or blindsight, or equivalent ability to ignore concealment due to blindness, gains a +5 bonus on all of these checks.

Unafe would have to choose a maximum of 4 PCs she can hit with Serendipty, assuming she specifically decides to stand in the middle for this purpose.

For purposes of using swift/immediate actions, each attack made by Arai is a separate "round" (each round he moves and attacks, as he chooses different angles to strike each time)

Each hero has 1 round before Arai begins, allowing them to use a standard action to ready themselves using buffs or spells. Remember that you can't actually target Arai, however, because you cannot see him.

DCs are listed below:

Attack 1: DC 18 Perception to sense, DC 18 Reflex to dodge, Parry vs AC of 18

Attack 2: DC 21 Perception to sense, DC 21 Reflex to dodge, Parry vs AC of 23

Attack 3: DC 24 Perception to sense, DC 24 Reflex to dodge, Parry vs AC of 28

Attack 4: DC 27 Perception to sense, DC 27 Reflex to dodge, Parry vs AC of 32

Ehren watches the others' attempts with a mixture of interest and amusement, particularly when Isilme uses her hitherto unrevealed martial art prowess to break the thickest of the boards. He recalls hearing something about raelis azatas being fearsome brawlers - had she somehow reacquired such abilities? If so, then she was a woman of many talents indeed.

Hinagiku's failed attempt defies his expectations in a different way. Ehren smiles at her reassuringly, though a part of him wonders how her focus was broken. Isilme's feat was surprising for sure, but he had seen his girlfriend remain utterly placid in some of the most unpredictable situations they've been in. Perhaps it was just the lack of imminent danger, or maybe he is just overthinking it.

Once Arai has explained the third trial, Ehren smiles mischievously as he ties on his blindfold. For the last trial, he had refrained from using any tricks, choosing to rely solely on his raw physical attributes. Emboldened by Isilme's success, however, he finds himself willing to test his limits a little further. Not in any way that would be against the spirit of the trial, of course. The senses granted to him by the Green were as much his own as the ones he was born with. Failing to take advantage of them would be to deny a part of himself.

Already able to sense Arai's footsteps against the surface of the reed mat, Ehren utters a single word that opens a new world to him. The druid's lips part again, but no sound comes out. At least, not any that anyone else in the room would be able to hear. He tilts his head ever so slightly, listening not for Arai's movements - he could already feel those - but for his own echo. Trusting in his senses, Ehren remains still, poising his body to react to the strikes that would come.

Ehren casts echolocation, granting himself blindsight 40 ft. for 100 minutes.

Attack 1 Perception: 1d20 + 17 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 5 = 42
Attack 1 Reflex: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 5 = 26
Attack 2 Perception: 1d20 + 17 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 5 = 25
Attack 2 Reflex: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 5 = 28
Attack 3 Perception: 1d20 + 17 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 17 + 5 = 29
Attack 3 Reflex: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 5 = 33
Attack 4 Perception: 1d20 + 17 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 17 + 5 = 40
Attack 4 Reflex: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 5 = 31

Isilme closes her eyes and centers herself, focusing on the smells and sounds of the room about her. As Arai Kyo comes by her she focuses on the scent of the incense of his robes, but also on the sound of the fabric of his pants rustling softly against the folds of his robe as he walks, painting a clear picture of the movement of his legs to her.

She takes a moment to inscribe the divine rune for courage in the air, empowering herself with her own version of heroism before taking the blindfold and putting it on.

Once ready, she begins to chant softly to herself in celestial, picturing the skies above and reciting each of the stars beginning at Cynosure and working her way out from it in a spiral. Planting the staff centered on the ground in front of her, she readies herself for the attacks.

The first attack she catches as the rhythmic pattern of steps of the monk pacing around her is broken when one comes early. Stepping to the side, she hears the staff whiff by her.

The second comes half a circle later, his steps coming more quickly now. The slight offset of the last step gives him away again, and she quickly steps back from his strike, feeling the breeze where it wooshes past her arm.

With the third his steps begin to lose their rhythm entirely, depriving her of the clues she had been using up until that point. Keeping her focus on her chanting, the whistling of the tip of the staff through the air is her first warning of the impending attack. Despite this, she misjudges the weapon's approach, thinking it aimed higher than it actually was. It's only at the last second, by releasing the magic of her song that she's able to twist out of the way, falling backwards and catching herself with the staff.

Standing back up, and the magic of her chant dispersed, she notices the complete lack of sound coming from the monk. Focusing on the direction his scent was coming from, she tries to visualize him solely based on the smell of incense wafting around her. The sudden rustling of his robes obscures the sound of the staff, and it's only at the last moment that she recognizes the reason: the attack was a slow, wide sweep with the staff along the ground, designed to trip her. The low speed easily concealed the strike's sound within the rustling of his robes, but Isilme's keen senses and quick reflexes easily allow her to hop over the staff.

When the attacks finally stop, she removes her blindfold and bows respectfully to the monk, impressed by his ability to control his own sound and presence so effectively.

Starting inspire courage at the beginning along with casting mythic heroism. Casting mythic saving finale on the failed third reflex, for a reroll at +3. Used 2 MP, 1 2nd level spell, 1 1st level spell, and 4 rounds of bardic performance.

Perception(Heroism): 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 27 + 4 = 36
Reflex(Heroism): 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 15 + 4 = 22

Perception(Heroism): 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 27 + 4 = 51
Reflex(Heroism): 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 4 = 29

Perception(Heroism): 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 27 + 4 = 40
Reflex(Heroism): 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 4 = 23

Perception(Heroism): 1d20 + 27 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 27 + 4 = 33
Reflex(Heroism): 1d20 + 15 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 4 = 29

Reflex(Heroism, Mythic Saving Finale Reroll): 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 4 + 3 = 33

Unafe waits for a pause and then asks, "新井先輩、この次の挑戦の前に先祖に祈りを捧げるのは不適切でしょうか？"

When he gives his assent, she calls loudly on the Sacred Ancestors and the Saurian Spirits to guide her senses, and to guard her from the vagaries of chance. As she does, the spirits whip around and through her. As Unafe completes the second prayer she gasps in pain, but accepts the blindfold and stands ready.

Fortunately, the sickness isn't enough to throw off her keen combat reflexes and it passes quickly. She parries the first three blows without much difficulty. When the fourth comes her way she feels herself about to stumble...when the ancestors themselves turn fate aside and her footing becomes steady once more.

After successfully parrying each blow, she lifts off her blindfold and bows again to Arai-senpai.

Fort(painful magic): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29
Fort(painful magic): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Cast Temperance and Swords Motifs. Will discharge Swords to ignore any miss chances due to concealment for 1 minute. While casting that second spell, she fails the save vs pain and is sickened for 1 round.

Perception+blindsight-sickened: 1d20 + 20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 5 - 2 = 32
Parry+courage+blindsight-sickened: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 19 + 2 + 5 - 2 = 38

Perception+blindsight: 1d20 + 20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 20 + 5 = 32
Parry+courage+blindsight: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 + 5 = 31

Perception+blindsight: 1d20 + 20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 20 + 5 = 41
Parry+courage+blindsight: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 2 + 5 = 41

Perception+blindsight: 1d20 + 20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 20 + 5 = 29
Parry+courage+blindsight: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 19 + 2 + 5 = 27
Parry+courage+blindsight: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 2 + 5 = 43

Will say my position grants my Serendipity (+1 luck bonus to attack/save/skill/ability) to Hinagiku, Ary, Xander, Joran.

Hinagiku thanks Ehren with a smile she reserves for him only, thankful and mingled with tender gratitude. She could tell from his look that he was concerned for her, causing her to renew her smile once more in hope to appease his worries. The success of Isilme at something that only the master of the temple accomplished on a regular basis had come at the very moment when Hinagiku was readying her strike, giving her the impression, at the wrong moment, that she had struck the wood. Just like the task which required timing, the distraction had also required some.

At Arai-senpai’s instructions, Hinagiku puts on Transcendent Sight. Once more, she focuses on the power within her, her connection to the surrounding world to keep her mind aware of the surroundings, ready to avoid any incoming blows. She had now trained for years her skills to see beyond the physical, sense others. This would be one great way to test her skills. As the blows become quicker, it becomes evident to the monk that she is only barely keeping up. For a moment, she thinks about working harder, focusing harder, but realises that she most let go, let the flow of the world guide her, let everything that is present around her, even the strange aura emanation from Unafe, guide her steps. And, in the very moment she makes that dicision, she bends backward narrowly avoiding the last blow from her fellow monk.

perception 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
reflex 1: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33
perception 2: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38
reflex 2: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
perception 3: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (6) + 19 = 25
reflex 3: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23
perception 3: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
reflex 3: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36

Ary spends a move action each round to utilize the Listen mythic skill unlock, adding her tier to her perception check. On the second round, she uses her Martial Focus to take 13 on the reflex save. She fails on the fourth save.

Ary does as she's told and closes her eyes and tries to follow Arai's movements. She isn't surprised that she's able to, as it's clear he isn't trying to actually disguise where he is. She opens her eyes when she's told to, but then comes Arai's next line.

Ary grimaces as the blindfolds come out. Giving up her sight wasn't something that she ever relished... even in locations that felt safe. She watches as everyone else happily puts theirs on and rolls her shoulder before doing the same.

She listens to the movements of her allies, waiting for the monk to come to her for her turn. She calmly listens for his movements and finds that it's actually quite easy to follow them. What surprises her, however, is when her allies begin to call upon their magic to enable them.

The crusader has to stop herself from keeping herself facing him, knowing that he would be in a more advantageous position to strike if she weren't ready to dodge at all times.

She easily dodges the first blow, and with self-certainty provided by her recent training is able to avoid the second. Avoiding two was all that she really cared about, in the end. Satisfied, she listens still, quietly. Another easy shift to move outside of his reach.

When the time came for the final blow, he gives himself away entirely by striking at her from behind. She feels the quarterstaff dragging at her cape as it comes inwards, causing her to shift away... but she had misjudged precisely how long his reach was. She feels the stave pressing against her clothing, and a part of her knows that she would be able to avoid this, too... but at what possible cost?

The stave taps the crusader's back just at the edge of the instructor's reach. She huffs and immediately removes her blindfold, so that she can watch how the others do, bowing once more to the teacher when she can see him, but otherwise making no sound.

Losing didn't feel so bad, though. As before, the cost of things mattered. She couldn't bring herself to risk not having the resources to do something more important than winning a contest on such a thing... and the cost might be in lives if things go wrong in some way later.

Once everyone else is finished she asks, 「それで...みんなどうしたの？」 "So... how did everyone do?"

Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 14 + (6) = 35
Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 14 + (2) = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 14 + (1) = 23
Perception: 1d20 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 14 + (3) = 36
Reflex 1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 + (3) = 19
Displacement 2: 1d100 ⇒ 12

Xander grumbles a bit under his breath as the competition continues to be purely martial. He knew that he was the least strong of his compatriots, but he wasn't going to give up or abstain. He wanted to see how he could perform -- and honestly, if he managed to dodge just one strike while blindfolded he would be happy with his performance.

He steps up into position. After receiving his blindfold he casts a spell that distorts his position in the hope that it allows him a dodge. When the first attack comes he is able to sense the movement in the air and, with a little luck, step in a rotation out of the way. However, he is so elated at this initial success that he forgets to pay attention for the second strike and finds himself with a staff at his chest, having relied too much on his magic.

Sighing, he removes the blindfold and returns to his companions.

Before starting, Xander casts displacement using genius insight and uses his time skitter maneuver to gain haste (as a swift action). The first Reflex, he adds inspiration.

He dodges the first attack but fails to sense the second.

Hua Xing Perception: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 4 = 22 Hua Xing Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Hua Xing Perception: 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 13 - 4 = 19 Hua Xing Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Joran Perception: 1d20 + 3 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 4 + 1 = 1

Hua Xing scratches the back of his head and smiles at Ary. "ああ、彼は私を第二撃に連れて行った。ひなぎくの先輩はとてもステルス！あなたはどうですか？"

Joran simply grunts and averts his gaze.

Hinagiku has another 12 hours to add any extra actions to her post, otherwise she is hit on the third strike.

"素晴らしい、素晴らしい！これは今年の参加者のグループです。なんだろう…うーん。さて、わかります！これで4回目のトライアルがあります。必ず旅行靴下を履 いてください。次のトライアルまで長い散歩をします。" says Arai, smiling with his hands clasped together in front of him.

The fourth trial takes place by the small waterfall to the west of the village, and the thirty minute walk down through the Hiku Valley attracts the attention of curious bystanders. Understanding that Arai is about to test a group of trial-goers, several dozen peasants take a brief break from their work farming in the surrounding rice paddies to observe the trial. A trail ascends 40 feet to a mountain ledge, where a series of wooden posts have been erected directly below the surging water.

Arai nimbly hops atop one of the posts, which places him directly beneath the surging water of the small waterfall. He poses on one leg, the other leg bent so that his foot rests on his calf, and his hands clasped in front of him. He glances over to the others and calls out, having to yell above the sound of the water. "額面通り、これはバランスのテストのように見えますが、このトライアルは実際には回復力と毅然とした態度をテストするように設計されています。"

He hops off the post and back onto the mountain ledge. "先ほど説明したのと同じポーズで、木製の支柱の1つの上に自分を配置します。次に、管理できる限り、ポーズを維持しながらそこに立ちます。このトライアルは1 時間続きます。"

No check is necessary to actually hop onto the posts, as Arai will patiently wait as long as is needed for a hero to get onto one (even physically helping them if needed). He will also patiently wait for up to twenty minutes for the heroes to prepare themselves with any spells or abilities as needed before beginning the trial. However once a hero is on a post, they are on their own.

Maintaining one's balance beneath the rushing water for 20 minutes will require a successful DC 19 Acrobatics check. A hero will need to succeed at three consecutive DC 19 Acrobatics checks, one every 20 minutes, to last the hour with falling.

The Acrobatics DC will increase by 5 for each subsequent check unless the hero succeeds at a DC 21 Fortitude or Will Save prior to attempting the Acrobatics check.

A hero that falls will harmlessly fall into the waterfall's plunge pool.

Isilme follows along for the trip out into the countryside, curious as to the nature of the fourth trial. She is surprised when they arrive at a waterfall arrayed with posts beneath it.

She listens as Arai-san explains the challenge, then sets aside her yukata and gear to the side to avoid getting them wet. Once the others are ready, she works her way over to one of the posts and hops up atop it, getting drenched by the cold water almost immediately.

Balancing on one leg, she sinks down, lowering her center of gravity to improve her balance. Then she settles in to meditating, once again relying on her knowledge of the stars above to provide her with something to focus on besides the chill of the water.

The first twenty minutes pose no real problem, though she finds herself adjusting her position slightly several times to better stabilize herself.

The next third of the trial she finds the chill starting to get to her, numbing her senses and slowing her reflexes. Nevertheless she manages to perfect her position, effortlessly remaining balanced underneath the cascade of water.

With the end in sight, she does her best to remain focused in the final twenty minutes, finding it more difficult to do so as her muscles tire and the cold continues to wear her down.

When Arai-san finally calls time, Isilme is happy to simply fall off the pillar into the water below and head back to shore. Once on dry land again, she quickly uses magic to dry herself off, gets dressed, and gathers her things.

"新井さん、上級生はいつまでそこに留まることができると期待されていますか？" she asks as the others get ready to depart, curious as to the limits of the students who were far into their training.

20 min: Acrobatics DC 19; Fort DC 21
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21

40 min: Acrobatics DC 19; Fort DC 21
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
Fortitude: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

60 min: Acrobatics DC 24
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Isilme succeeds at all three

Unafe shakes her head when she fumbles her last parry.

Hinagiku's teacher is indeed quite formidible.

As they walk, she calls out to the spirits again, and this time barely notices the pain.

She nods in acknowledgement as Arai demonstrates, and she leaps up onto a pole. The position is quite unfamiliar to her, but at first it feels fine. As time progresses she feels a painful knot growing in her calf. By the end, it is nearly excruciating...but no worse than the sort of trials Old Aye used to condition her.

When at last the hour is over and she can hop down and shake off the water, she says in Taldan, "Arr, nothing fun about that one...but maybe no worse than when Old Aye had me dig a hole big enough to fit a triceratops between dusk and dawn.

"I won't lie though, this is tough. How're the rest of you fairing?"

Cast Temperance Motif. Will last 3 hours.
Painful Magic: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Acrobatics (DC 19): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Acrobatics (DC 19): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Acrobatics (DC 19): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

As normal, all within 20' benefit from her Serendipity aura

"Did Old Aye only need to keep it there overnight?" Isilme responds with a wink at Unafe's ambiguous wording.

"I would certainly love a warm fire at this point," she says more seriously. "I'm still numb from the water's chill."

「私は3つだと思います。しかし、それはもっと少なかったかもしれません、私はそれらを感じませんでした。」 Ary responds to Hua Xing with a grin and a wink.
Minkaian: "I think three. But it may have been fewer, I didn't feel them."

Ary expends martial focus to take 13 on the first fortitude save.

Ary also strips off much of her extra gear - despite the fact that she would be able to solve the fact that they were soaked later, nothing that she owned would particularly enjoy spending an hour under a deluge of water.

Like Arai, she helps the others into position, but she ensures that each person is steady before moving away. In the end, her wings flare and she alights onto the perch. It was cold... and steady, but it was also much louder than she had expected, with the sound coming from every direction.

The first hour was easy, all the same. She spent it in quiet concentration, meditating on the things that they had learned that day or spoken of.

The second hour was equally easy for the Crusader, though with the constant deluge, her muscles began to grow weary and her movements became restless, likely a sure sign to Arai that she was flagging.

During the third hour, the constant downpour finally began to wear her down, causing her balance to become more precarious as she forced herself to utilize muscles in shifts... had it not been for her newfound balance that had come about alongside her wings, she likely would have taken a dip into the water.

Despite having succeeded, she immediately dives into the water, and floats for a bit, letting her wearied muscles rest. She then flutters over to the edge of the water, sending concentric ripples cascading - and colliding with the waterfall's own - in her wake before landing and twisting her ring and intoning a prayer to Iomedae, causing the water to simply cascade away from her form as she begins putting her sun-warmed gear back on. She drags out her warm furs from inside of her bag and holds them out as an offer to anyone who wanted them.

Ehren regards the wooden poles with a thoughtful expression, carefully considering what measures he should take before tackling the trial. His magic had all but assured his success in the last trial. Arai did not seem to object to its use, so there was little reason not to take advantage of it here. But while he could potentially trivialize this particular trial by taking on a more nimble shape, he wanted to complete these trials in his human form if he could help it.

Instead the druid invokes a minor transmutation that, like his last one, makes no outward changes to his body. It expends a bit more of his power than he would like, but he could not have prepared for something he had not foreseen. With an iron grip, Ehren approaches the pole and climbs to the top unassisted, immediately immersing himself in the waterfall. The sensation is not an unpleasant one, but right away he can tell that the rushing current is going to be a problem. In position, he takes on the pose that Arai demonstrated for them, beginning the trial.

The first twenty minutes pass without incident. Ehren's body gently sways as he constantly redistributes his weight on his foot, making adjustments for the ever-present downpour. The druid finds that the water itself is not much of a bother - he does not mind getting soaked to the bone by fresh, clean water for once. It would even be relaxing, if he were able to assume a more comfortable position.

Unfortunately, after almost half an hour has passed, Ehren overcorrects his footing. Still locked into his pose and finding himself on the verge of falling forward, he makes one last desperate attempt to regain his balance, planting his foot and putting as much weight onto his heel as he can muster... but by then it is too late. He flails around for a second before landing facefirst in the pool. A moment later, the druid pops his head out the water's surface and looks up at the spot he fell from with a frown, before finding in himself to chuckle at his own expense.

Ehren spends 2 MP to cast certain grip, and then 1 MP to surge on his second Acrobatics check. He fails anyway.
Acrobatics DC 19 (Certain Grip): 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 4 = 24
Will Save DC 21: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Acrobatics DC 19 (Certain Grip, Surge): 1d20 + 2 + 4 + 1d8 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 4 + (1) = 17

Before attempting this next challenge, Xander takes a moment to cast a divination spell on Arai -- the same one he had used against the samurai in the town. He was curious about the man, so his eyes flash as he attempts to read the man's psyche.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (1) + 9 = 21 He can glean only one piece of information, so he chooses age.

When confronted with a meditation challenge under a waterfall, Xander follows suit with the others and disrobes. He is left with a loose half-robe from the waist down, bare feet, his bracers, and a bare chest. Following Ehren's fall halfway through the challenge, he climbs up to the pole, intent on proving himself just as resilient as Ary.

The time underneath the pounding water is medium-pleasant for Xander. He isn't bothered by the cold, but he also isn't used to immersion in real water. He just tries to focus on victory, and keeps his body tense for the whole challenge. He closes his eyes and sways from side to side under the water. To distract himself from the tedium and the difficulty, he also makes architectural plans for expanding his school.

Unfortunately, he proves to be too distracting for himself. He finds himself tilting forward near the close of the challenge. Too tired and too late to lean back, he bowls forward into the plunge pool.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + (2) = 19
Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 9 + (1) = 19
Will: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Acrobatics (surge): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + (1) = 18

Xander expends 3 uses of inspiration, but fails after 40 minutes.

Disbelief was slowly creeping into Hinagiku’s mind. Had her path stagnated so that the wood she would have once broken escaped her very reach? That her awareness of the surroundings could be so easily fooled in believing that she had dodged a blow while she bent into it. Perhaps it was pride in having learned so much that was blinding her. Or perhaps it was something more insidious, perhaps the estrangement she had felt. But this could wait, others were also struggling, and would benefit from a gentle smile and her appeasing presence. With that in mind, Hinagiku chooses not to answer Ary’s question, giving a single node of acknowledgement and then silently walking by those who seemed most flustered by the challenge (Joran), providing them with silent support.

The next challenge revealed to them, Hinagiku follows the others lead, taking off all her superfluous clothes and ending up wearing only the bandages around her chest and a loose undergarment.

”Do your best.” she simply says to the others as she hops into the post.

The air is chilly, but the water comes as a shock, one that slowly recovers from by focusing her mind as best as she can hoping that this time it will be sufficient to carry her through. The cold slowly fade iinto the background, like the constant pain in her chest, while time becomes less and less meaningful, until it stops to pass in her mind. Empty, the monk simply stands, oblivious to the others stepping down, oblivious to all until someone takes her away from her meditation.

DC 19 Acrobatics 1: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22
DC 21 Will: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33
DC 19 Acrobatics 2: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (8) + 18 = 26
DC 21 Will: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26
DC 19 Acrobatics 3: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

"Still standing and challenged." Hinagiku answers to Unafe when the trial is over. She did not want to boast, nor appear defeated for the others sake. "Our challengers are meant to be difficult and provide glimpse as to what we must improve, so it is normal to feel that the tasks are difficult. "

Hua Xing Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25
Will Save: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 = 20
Hua Xing Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29
Will Save: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 = 19
Hua Xing Acrobatics: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 1 = 20

Joran Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 + 1 = 19
Joran Fort Save: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 1 = 21
Joran Acrobatics: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 + 1 = 2

Joran doesn't fair much better than Ehren, though it is remarkable that he was able to hold his balance at all (his short limbs and lack of overall flexibility made him uniquely ill-equipped for this trial). Hua Xing falls over shortly after Xanderghul does, his balance finally breaking as the ice-cold water gets to him and breaks his focus.

"とても良い！とても良い" says Arai, offering rags to help dry with, though he finds most of the heroes perfectly capable of drying themselves with magic (or content to warm themselves in the sun). The onlookers applaud each of the heroes, both when they emerge from the splash pool upon failure (managing to stand up there at all for any amount of time was an incredible feat in their eyes), and more enthusiastically once Arai calls the time at the end of the hour.

"あなたの半分以上が1時間でした....あなたの決意は非常に印象的です、私は言わなければなりません。"

Once the heroes are dressed and ready (he does not rush them), Arai leads them out and up a hidden trail. While he leads them along, he tells them a story of the Sakakabe Temple's past.

「坂壁で生徒たちに教え始めてから何年も経った私たちの創設者である長野武彦師は、風をマスターするための決闘に空気の精霊に挑戦しました。石の柱が空高く昇る 。長野師匠の優越性を認め、エアスピリッツは彼が獲得し​​た尊敬を彼に与え、それ以来私たちの修道院に奉仕するのを助けてきました。これらの精神との同盟、そ して私たちの創設者の遺骨は、その最上部の遺物にあります。」

Arai steps out from the path, which had been underneath a rocky overhang, and into the daylight, where an impossibly tall stone pillar rises from the mountainside. 「トップに到達することは、形而上学的な完璧への上昇を象徴しています。これがあなたの次の試みです。」

Noticing Joran's immediate discomfort - he was not a fan of heights - Arai smiles reassuringly. "あなたが倒れた場合、エアスピリッツがあなたを捕まえます。しかし、彼らはまた、ずっと前に長野をマスターしたように、あなたの道を妨げようとします。"

「必要なだけの時間がありますが、転倒したり、目的を達成する能力を制御できなくなったりすると、失敗します。」

The spire is 300' tall and 10' in diameter. It possesses ample large hand and foot-holds, so climbing it is not particularly difficult (other than being terrifying). The real challenge comes from the air elementals which circle the spire, who will attempt to blow the heroes off of the spire (or out of the air) to prevent them from reaching the top.

To climb the spire, the hero must make 3 DC 15 Athletics checks ( climb), as the air elementals attempt to disrupt them each 3 times by assaulting them with powerful winds. The hero can continuously make checks until they succeed, but failing once by 5 or more will cause them to fall to the ground, failing the trial.

To fly to the spire, the hero must make 3 DC 25 Acrobatics (flight) checks, as the air elementals attempt to blow them off course using powerful winds 3 times. The hero can continuously make checks until they succeed, but failing once by 5 or more will cause them to lose control of their flight entirely (by bowling over this way and that), failing the trial. The fly checks are made at a -8 penalty for medium creatures, per windstorm speeds on the associated fly table.

A hero that attempts to walk up the spire (like with spider climb or a similar ability to walk on walls) will need to succeed at 3 DC 15 STR checks (this is similar to resisting gust of wind) to avoid being blown away by the air elementals.

A hero who succeeds reaching the top in fewer total checks makes it there faster! ;)

A hero that falls will be caught by the air elementals, so there is no risk to life during this trial.

"You will have to share more of these stories with us, Arai-san" she says to their host as she walks up to the pillar and looks up. "If you'll excuse me for a moment..." She looks over her shoulder at the others and then up at the top of the pillar, utters a short incantation and then suddenly vanishes. In an instant she appears at the top of the pillar and sits down with her legs dangling over the edge, and conjures a flute out of thin air.

Casting dimension door, 680' range, which easily puts her atop the pillar without chance of failure.

She then proceeds to play a ballad she had once heard about a solitary pilgrim crossing the snow covered mountains in search of a new home. The soft melody washes over the area below, alternating in quiet and fierce sections representing the changing of the weather and coming of storms endured by the pilgrim. She continues to play as she waits for the others to climb up to the top.

Bardic Performance: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41

As the others work their way up, she uses pauses in the piece to wave down at them.

Unafe grins at just the kind of challenge she loves. She lets herself transform into her huge saurian form and leaps on powerful legs up the spire. Within six seconds she's made two quick bounds, hanging from the spire 220' off the ground.

She relishes at the rush of wind and laughs with pride as she rebuffs the elementals.

With one last jump she lands on the top...and whiles she's racing through the air she sees Isilme materialize ahead of her.

"Ha! Well played, servant of the Song of the Spheres. You got up faster...but didn't get to feel the thrill of the rushing wind. I'll call that a tie." Unafe winks her saurian eye, and then transforms back into her human form to allow more space on the spire.

Athletics(leap): 1d20 + 64 ⇒ (14) + 64 = 78
Athletics(don't get blown off): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36
Athletics(leap): 1d20 + 64 ⇒ (6) + 64 = 70
Athletics(don't get blown off): 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (14) + 27 = 41
Athletics(leap): 1d20 + 64 ⇒ (11) + 64 = 75

As Arai tells his story, Ehren looks to the top of the immense pillar, marveling at its sheer size. Even with his most powerful earth magic, he doubts that he could replicate the feat.

"Such audacity," Ehren remarks with amusement, when Isilme trivializes the entire trial with a simple spell, before he can so much as touch the pillar. Unafe completes it shortly after, with means that are at least athletic in nature.

The druid supposes that he could transform into an air elemental and fly to the top, or better yet, an earth elemental so that he could glide through the inside of the spire, untouchable to the buffeting winds. But as with the last trial, he wants to test the limits of his own human body; as he has learned over the years, it is the foundation of the power that his wild shapes grant him. The stronger he grows as a human, the stronger he will become when he transforms.

Besides, the spell he cast before is still in effect. It did not help him much with his balance, but perhaps it will be of use here.

Ehren smiles at Hinagiku assuringly before grabbing onto his first set of handholds and working his way up the side of the pillar. Compared to his companions' hasty ascent, Ehren's is far more slow and deliberate, if not terribly difficult. A few times he has to brace himself against the spire as the strong winds rush past him, threatening to send him careening to the bottom. One such wind tears the ribbon from his hair, causing the silvery locks to whip around wildly.

"Ní inniu, biotáille onórach," Ehren utters after the elementals' last attempt, shortly before he reaches the top. He smiles at those of his companions who managed to complete the trial and then looks for the reliquary Arai spoke of. Thinking it appropriate to pay his respects, he bows before the school's founder, wondering how close Master Nagano must be to achieving perfection.

Certain grip has a 120-minute duration since it was cast through inspired spell.
Athletics (Certain Grip): 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 1 + 4 = 25
Athletics (Certain Grip): 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 1 + 4 = 23
Athletics (Certain Grip): 1d20 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 1 + 4 = 22

Athletics v. DC 15: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35
Athletics v. DC 15: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31
Athletics v. DC 15: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (12) + 18 = 30

Ary rolls her eyes as Isilme vanishes. "Leave it to a Desnan to gloss over the hard parts of the journey." Despite the quip, Ary immediately begins to climb up the rock face. She could fly of course, but that felt like it was against the intent of ascension to the peak. The journey isn't as swift as either of the other two, but the Crusader finds little difficulty in simply weathering the wind as she goes.

Once she reaches the peak, she simply walks back off the edge and out past the strong gusts of wind, then dives down to go find Ehren's lost ribbon. Before returning it she flies to the cliffside, to ensure that she has a better view - and a better vantage point to dive in to help catch someone, should the case arise.

If she notices Joran struggling with climbing higher, she'll move close to him and offer reassurances that she'll be there to catch him if anything happens. She knows from experience that proximity often aided in offsetting fear... although the walls to be climbed were often about three hundred feet shorter for her students. Otherwise, she's happy to simply watch from a better vantage point, and return the ribbon once everyone had completed the trial, ferrying the others to the top should they fail.

Isilme chuckles at Unafe. "Fair, but I did get to enjoy the view for a few moments longer! That was quite an impressive feat of athleticism."

Perception: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (14) + 28 = 42
Should be sufficient to hear normal conversation 300' below at the bottom of the pillar, per the perception DC table.

When Ary arrives at the top, Isilme waves at her. "Is it really a journey if I don't get to see anything along the way that I didn't get to see at the top?" She gives the commander a wink before resuming playing her flute.

Hinagiku watches as the the others ascend (or simply teleports) the pillar with really little difficulty. This was quite the challenge for her, even without the winds, for she knew herself not to be strong. Despite having trained all her life, she had never really been able to build any muscle mass.

Preparing for the task ahead, Hinagiku looks up at the high pillar and listens to the rushing winds while she lets the power of her mother imbue her limbs. As ready as she can be, she approaches the pillar, wraps her arms around it and attempts the ascent.

A first gust of wind takes her by surprises, causing her to lose her grip with one hand and leaves her helpless to the following gust which blows her clean off the pillar and into the void bellow.

DC 15 Athletics (surge): 1d20 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + (8) = 13
DC 15 Athletics (surge): 1d20 + 1d8 ⇒ (5) + (3) = 8

Quic post after long day, will pick up tomorrow (tonight for you all)

Xander stands at the bottom and watches Hinagiku, Ehren and Ary climb the stone spire. He could not teleport like Isilme did -- not as easily or as far, at least. He could also not leap the way that Unafe does. On the other hand, he knows that he's better at climbing that Hinagiku is. Not as good as Ary, but what could be done to compare oneself to such a paragon of strength?

He stands for a time, pondering what he could do to reach the top. He would not beat everyone up the pillar, but he certainly wanted to do what he could to not completely embarrass himself.

After considering the options available to him, he calls on his magic. Not shy about changing form, he speaks an arcane word of transmutation and shapeshifts into a six-foot long red-colored gecko. Thus armed with natural advantages, he begins to climb the spire, darting up the rock.

Athletics (+str, +climb speed): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 + 8 = 34
Athletics (+str, +climb speed): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 + 8 = 23
Athletics (+str, +climb speed): 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 1 + 8 = 36

It takes Xander about a minute to reach the top of the 300' spire. The gusts of the air elementals hardly slow him down, and as a gecko he is a puissant climber. He is hardly afraid of heights, and he shifts back to his humanoid form to stand with the others when he reaches the top. He grins. "I figure if teleporting isn't a cheat, then neither is shapeshifting."

He peers down the spire to see whether Joran or Hua Xing are capable of such a feat.

Xander uses genius insight again. He casts beast shape i to assume the form of a giant gecko.