GM Rednal's War of the Burning Sky (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

I should note she clearly intends to verify her claim with the people you mentioned - she's not planning to use truthtelling on you. Should've made that clearer.

That's fine then. Anything else we wanna do here, other than smacking people?

Aye, we're basically guests there...I can't see us influencing politics a lot, except maybe directly offering to work as a squad-based small group opting to retrieve that mcguffin Ragesia wants. But it seems there's more diplomacy needed before THAT, too...

Yup, let's see where the negotiations head next?

Eventually, after dealing with the Shahalesti, the Dasseni, the Sindairese, and the Ostaliners, Headmaster Simeon comes over to you, wanting to hear from you personally. "Bit more talking than we're used to outside of lectures here." he said with a faintly haggard smile. "You come very well-recommended, though, and meeting you in person, I think it's justified. Torrent here explained your activities in the fire forest, and going by that, I think you'll be an excellent independent task force if you don't feel like staying in the city all the time. If you're up for it, I think I'll have a job for you as soon as we can get the Shahalesti off our backs - in the meantime, do you have any questions?" There seemed to be at least a little bit of the teacher in him in that last comment. He was an educator, not a king, and it showed.

"A simple question, if I may: We travelled here with companions. We would like to know we are leaving them behind in safety if we depart on a task. Could that be arranged? I am specifically worried about the young Fey that accompanied us from the Fire Forest."
On the grand scale of things, it was probably one of the minor questions - but having spent an evening on a wonderful date with Tiljann and being aware how painfully alone the girl was in this strange world, it was an important thing to Farod, right now.

Umbriak nodded at that, and also asked, "I have nae objections in some tasks. What are you of mind to have us do?" His pet 'dispel the damned enchantments' project would have to wait until Farod wasn't there to object.

"Are they always this... combative? How do they expect to get anything productive out of this meeting acting like that? As for your task, it sounds like we're interested. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines and being forced to react. It will be nice to take a more active role for a change."

"The city will be as safe as we can arrange for it to be. Turns out there isn't a lot of petty crime when there's a whole school full of wizards paranoid that anyone causing trouble may be a saboteur trying to help end them and all the magic they care about." Headmaster Simeon grimaced slightly. "It's a bit more aggressive than I'd like, really, but it does seem to be working. And it's never easy bringing groups like this together, but we must try nonetheless - for if we do not stand together, we will surely fall separately. No empire like the Ragesians lasts forever, but if they are not met with enough force, and soon enough, they may cause considerable harm before they burn out."

"Ye speak sense there," Umbriak agreed wryly. "So I assume ye wish to send us on jobs outside the city, given the people are overwatched with magics?"

"Did you have any specific things in mind right now?"

"Aye. Force, and plenty of it - a matter of momentum rather than social, political or military factors. They could not stop if they wanted, as they are riding the crest of a wave sweeping over the lands. First, that wave must be broken. Then, everything else.", Farod nodded "How, then, may be act to multiply the force we can bring to bear? You did have a way to contribute in mind for us, if I understood correctly?"

"Elves first." Simeon said, sighting and shaking his head - a comment he'd mentioned a few moments before. "Most missions probably won't be overland, and least not right away, and as long as they're in the harbor I can't send teams out. And teleportation magic is right out because of the Burning Sky... even if you wouldn't know it with this blasted rain. For now, why not start getting acquainted with the city? And that... performance, was it? This evening? Attending should help show your solidarity within the city and make things that much easier later on."

"If you mean the Wayfarers, the performance we received tickets for was in 3 weeks time. Albeit I have to admit I am cautious about grouping the whole leadership in a single place outside your jurisdiction...we can spend more time in the city, and there are a few more things for us to do - loose ends to deal with. But we are eager to act. The moment you find a way to utilize our help, do not hesitate to contact us!", Farod responded diplomatically.

"Aye, a party is simple enough. Talking Elves down from being 'right' aboot everything less so, but we'll see what can be done."

"All right. See and be seen, then? As for the lack of teleportation... it might be for the best. Despite their claims of wanting to eradicate magic users, I doubt they would pass up on using teleportation magic if it could help them meet their goals."

"Was it three weeks? Bah. So many details." he grumbled under his breath for a few moments. "Rest assured that I shall contact you as soon as there is work appropriate for your talents. We are not so well off that we can ignore those with the potential to make a difference." he said.

And with that, it seemed like you were about done here... though there was the rest of the school to explore if you wanted to. More than a few students had looked very interested in you as you made your way inside.

Umbriak winiked at the other two. "Ye probably guessed already, but I'll meet ye both in a short while as I go speak to yon wizards about a thought I've had. Dinnae get into nae trouble."

If no one stopped him he clanked off...looking for someone to help with his Enchantment questions.

This was a place of learning, and Farod was eager to learn. His magic manifested from a focused will, personality, power in his blood...but that did not make him any less curious than those who gained their power through studies and learning.
If they had to wait for Umbriak anyway, who had more secretive dealings, it seemed, mingling with the students was just as good an option to pass the time as anything else.

Take 10 for 19 Diplomacy.

"All right. I never really thought to ask, but maybe some of the wizards here might understand a bit more about how this happened," Tchakar replied with a wave of his white feathered hand, then set off to find someone knowledgeable about bound air elementals.

He hoped that he could find some explanation of how or why he had somehow become bonded with the creature, or barring that, perhaps some way of satisfying its strange periodic bouts twitching and grasping. It wasn't painful or anything, but it was distracting, and certainly drew a few odd stares, but more importantly Tchakar had a growing worry that the poor elemental felt trapped and terrified being constrained in his reformed hand.

About five minutes after Farod started asking around, one of the students - an elven boy of indeterminate age - pointed at him. "You, sir! You have the air of a mage about you! I challenge you to a duel!" that got attention from the other students, a few of whom started to move in closer. None of them looked very surprised by the declaration; it seemed such things were far from uncommon.

They didn't seem quite sure what to make of Tchakar yet, though the avian did hear that there were some conjuration experts in the vicinity. There were enchantment experts, too, for Umbriak's queries. Most basic questions could probably be answered in short order.

Umbriak found someone who could, hopefully, answer his question - how could he break someone out of an Enchantment?

Farod at first was surprised, then shrugged and smiled at the elven boy:"By the casual way you declare that, and the lack of surprise from your co-students, I would expect it is a custom at this academy? You'll forgive me, but I am here on an invitation from Simeon, and not quite acquainted with the rules or technicalities of such an event. If you'd care to explain those, I'll do my best to entertain your request...even though the magic I wield is likely ill-suited for such!"

I'll operate under the assumption it is something like this ruleset unless you differ. If casually done among students, I assume there is some safety measure in place that prevents them from accidentally killing each other? (If not, challenging a stranger you know nothing about seems a bit suicidal).

Tchakar seemed amused by the elven boy's request, and joined the gathering crowd to watch, electing to track down one of the mentioned conjuration experts after the duel.

The teacher looked at Umbriak blinked for a moment, then snorted with laughter. Many magics could be removed by Dispel Magic, and many more by Break Enchantment, of course! There were other methods, but by and large, they were more esoteric.

Meanwhile, with Farod... "Of course. We believe in contests of magical skill, and failure to understand the rules is just unseemly." the challenger said, puffing up a bit. "Duels take place in a thirty-foot field, which someone will mark off with the Duelist's Etiquette spell. Its primary effect causes all magic and summoned creatures to become nonfatal blows - we don't want any serious accidents, after all. Everyone inside knows its up, and while anyone can bring it down, we all know it's happened so there's no trickery. A judge tells us when to start, and you lose if you fall down twice, go unconscious, have three of your spells countered or disrupted, leave the ring, or don't cast a spell for eighteen seconds. No active spells on you when the duel begins - that includes items - and you can have familiars or animal companions along. Winner of a coin toss gets to decide the exact location, but both participants must be on basically equal footing."

Sighing, Umbriak added, "Aye, this I know. But are there any methods that I can do now, or can purchase from ye, or can get someone here to cast for me?"

"Aye, sounds simple enough.", Farod nods, fetching a coin from his purse and throwing it up: "Heads or Tails?"
1d2 ⇒ 1 He wins.
The affair would be quite simple...most spells Farod had were designed to improve martial prowess - he only had 2 spells available that were clearly useable in this situation. But then, it was a wonderful learning opportunity.

"How does the magic make disintegration nonlethal?" Tchakar asked the proud young wizard. "Does it only let you disintegrate less important things like arms and legs?"

"I heard of such magic, Tchakar. The disintegration only happens in your mind. Basically, you expel the spell energy, but by the combined will of the participants, it is diffused and only takes place in the minds arena - most basically it becomes a figment you willingly submit yourself to. I was uncertain how imprisonment and similar effects are handled, though.", Farod shrugs.

The Wizard with Umbriak shrugged. "Bring 'em here. We're not letting antimagic out into the city - can't easily keep track of it, and we don't want Raggy spies to be able to stockpile them and use them against us." he said.

The student, meanwhile, looked curiously at Farod. "Oh, no, this is most definitely the real world. I mean, for one thing, how do you know what you think happened actually happened if it's all in your head? And for two, how do you get to show off to others?" he shrugged slightly. "Anyway, it's not so difficult as all that. Duelist's Etiquette was originally created through metamagic talents - merciful spells have always been fairly rare, but sometimes the priests like to learn them. The Wizard who created this one spent a long time studying it and eventually determined a way to make it apply to other spells cast in the vicinity, though he had to adjust it enough that it really only works with consent in order to teach it to others. It's quite a remarkable piece of work, really - not many sages can permanently imbue a spell with metamagic that way."

Farod listened to the Student with curiosity:"Aye. Your training and mine have been very different. Those who tried to force their teachings on me when I was younger would not have even considered such a thing as merciful spells. They would have been more likely to create a vicious version of it that amplified the lethality, for participants and bystanders."
Looking around and at the gathered students, he continued: "So, you won the coin toss - as I understood, you get to choose the location. Where, then?"

Umbriak perked up at that. Finally, an option he could get behind. And he had plenty of rope, at a pinch. "Oh, I shall have one of 'em to ye in a whisker of time, and the other when I can get be wee sneaky. Back in a sliver." The Dward clanked away to bring/abduct Farod.

"Well that sounds fancy. And difficult. The more I learn about how magic works the more I realize I have no idea how magic works. I don't even understand how I can do magic in the first place, unless I'm not really doing magic and it's just the elemental that helps out when I need it. Anyways, try not to get blasted too bad, Farod."

Farod grins at Tchakar, the upward angling of his smile revealing his canine teeth, giving him a somewhat dangerous look: "I'll try, Tchakar, I'll try..."
Hm. Thunderstomp would be sweet. But if he just stays on the floor, I can't trip him a second time, so...not worth wasting money on a page of spell knowledge.

"In the spirit of fairness towards guests, I'm thinking the yard will be the most appropriate - nice and open, not a lot to trip over, and no home field advantage for someone who knows the complicated areas better. Besides, it's more fun for the audience that way." the student said cheerfully, leading the way towards an open space. Others followed, forming a loose ring about fifty feet around. "Are you ready?"

Umbriak wandered past the gathering, then wandered back when it looked like there was going to be a fight of some kind. That seemed mildly entertaining. He blinked when he realized Farod was apparently one of the fighters, but started looking around to see if anyone was taking bets...

"Sounds good and fair, to the yard, then. Although I have to admit, the fact you have complicated areas for such Arenas seems intriguing. If this is remotely fun, I may just decide to adapt my loadout and visit more often!", Farod states, then followed the student to the open space, taking his place in the circle. "Aye, I am ready."
Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
@Umbriak: Do you expect me to take a dive in my first match? Tsk-tsk...

Tchakar found his dwarven friend and whispered, "What do you think the chances are that Farod ends up on the ground?"

"Nae clue," Umbriak replied cheerfully. "He's good though. Be surprised if yon challenger is his equal...but ye cannae always tell a book by the cover. Could be a...maths...book."

As the two duelists arrived at their places, a third student raised a hand and called something out. A moment later, a field briefly shimmered over the area, and the apparent referee quickly stepped back.

And you go first, Farod - they literally can't beat your Init roll. XD

"FAROD! CRUSH YOUR ENEMY, DRIVE HIM BEFORE YOU AND HEAR THE LAMENTATIONS OF HIS PEOPLE!" Umbriak offered his tactical view of the situation. At volume.

Reasonably certain that he was able to surprise the student, Farod rushes forward towards his opponent, shouting "Acid splash!"a moment before he fanned out his hands and let flames wash over his opponent with the proper spell.
Burning Hands, Arcana, Blood Havoc: 5d4 + 5 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 1, 4) + 5 + 5 = 22 DC 15 Reflex half
If that is not clear: Getting a spray of flames into his face is supposed to be demoralizing to the guy - in flavor if not mechanics

Seriously, magical dueling seems fun, but I want another go in a couple levels :)

"That's not ac-- oh. Tricksy, tricksy!" Tchakar seemed much more amused once the flames started dancing and he waited eagerly for the smoke to clear.

As Farod threw out some magic, the other student gestured in a motion familiar to you.

"Dispel!" he called out.
Dispel Magic Check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Farod's flames abruptly vanished into the wind, and the student gestured again a moment later... and disappeared as Invisibility settled over him.

Umbriak grunted at these vanishing shenanigans and hoped Farod would try an area spell to hit the mage regardless.

Hum. Inmediate action dispel while flat-footed. Fancy trick. On that account, I'll be researching a Swift-Action spell that can be used in place of an attack of opportunity. I am not allowed to pimp-slap him(or trip him), but my whistling acid-dart can.

Farod cursed mentally. He only ever used his magic to supplement his martial prowess, never having received any arcane training after...his earlier years. Dispelling a spell was not even something he was able to do yet.
Moving towards where Farod suspects the student headed, he half closes his eyes, focusing on his ears instead, ready to flood an area with flames the moment he can pinpoint his opponents position.

Reactive Perception Check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 Funny how being invisibly makes your steps make less sound. But unless he prepared a ton of silent spells just to be perfectly prepared for a duel, there's at least a chance he makes sound while casting.

Damage if I can pinpoint him in range.: 5d4 + 10 ⇒ (3, 2, 4, 4, 3) + 10 = 26

Tchakar let out a long whistle. "Sneaky little guy, and quick too. If more people had his aptitude in this city, the Rags wouldn't stand a chance."

Magic is fun that way. Those stealth bonuses, yo.

Farod listened closely, but was unable to specifically pinpoint the student's location. That didn't mean he was gone, of course... just that he was being quiet enough to avoid being heard as he did... whatever he was actually doing. You got the sense that he wasn't going to sneak forever, though. The students here clearly loved showing off far too much for that.

"Och, I hate it when they go inivsisiable. Sneaky."

No longer certain he could pinpoint the student close enough to interrupt his casting with a spell on his own, Farod remembered the 18-second rule after circling around for a bit.
He spoke loudly: "Fine, your move.", before starting a protective chant.
Trying to cast shield. He likely readied to cast on me himself, meaning I am probably disrupted while casting, possibly putting me at 2/3 of spells dispelled and interrupted, AND letting him go again. Meaning he can vanish again and pull the same trick another time. But honestly I don't really see a counter.
Concentration if needed: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 = 28 At least that's a somewhat decent result, maybe the spell does get through...