A summons is posted in most places about the grounds of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, instructing all available Pathfinders to gather outside the front gates of Skyreach in the early morn.
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A young half-orc swaggers up to the front gates amid the crowd, gesturing and nodding to random Pathfinders as he surveys the gathering. He's energetic, and looks like he lives an active lifestyle, but he's not the most muscled half-orc you've ever seen. A thick gold chain glitters around his neck in the dawn light, accenting an equally expensive noble's outfit. A polished wayfinder hangs at his hip, evidence that he's probably only recently been through his Confirmation .
"Yo yo! Man, they got ever'one here, don't they? Must be sumthin' big they're announcin'!"
Noticing your small group, he flashes a toothy grin and extends a fist in greeting .
"Name's Russ'", which comes out as "Russ" followed by a tongue click, "You fine people get tha same summons?"
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Yet another half orc enters, thick dark robes over her yet Nothing about a typical spell caster does she look like with a mighty great axe, wrapped in wool slung over her back. Her spellbooks secured at her side and a weasel sitting on her shoulders, affectionally nibbling on her ears.
Florin looks up and gives a wave, it's being a long time since she spent training as a Paladin.....now she's but a simple spell warrior.
”The Decemvirate are truly grateful that so many of you have answered this summons to the Grand Lodge, for they, above all, know the trying lives that field agents endure. Indeed, you have only to look about this courtyard and gaze upon your colleagues to know they have come from all ends of Golarion to be among us. Look not grim, but rather determined, for this summons is not one brought of dire threat or terrible consequence. No! The Decemvirate has instead summoned you to taste the opportunity to enter the greatest contest of martial arts the world has ever known—the Ruby Phoenix Tournament”
”The legacy of Tian Xia’s legendary mystic arcanist, the nearly immortal Grandmaster Hao Jin, the Ruby Phoenix Tournament is held only once every ten years. The Tournament is run by Sifu Xho Nuo, Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix and sole heir to Hao Jin’s secrets. The prize for victory: an artifact pulled from Hao Jin’s fabled collection of the greatest wonders Golarion has ever known”
”Though Xho Nuo has made no formal announcement, we have learned the sifu has chosen to hold the qualifying round for this decade’s tournament here in Absalom. The Pathfinder Society has long sought to send one of its members to compete in this tournament. If our information is true, this means that for the first time, the Society has the opportunity to qualify a good number of its field agents. While the chance to glean an artifact from Hao Jin’s collection is enticing, that is hardly the entirety of our goal. However, I shall speak more on this subject at a later time”
”At present, we have learned that Xho Nuo plans to host a covert meeting to address all would-be contestants. Don’t get too excited though; it’s supposedly being held at a decrepit tavern in the Docks called the Devil’s Dregs. Go there and see what details you can pick up about the competition and the other entrants, but watch your backs. There’s little law to protect you down on the wharves, and it’d take a riot to raise any attention. Oh, and I wouldn’t expect an appearance from Xho Nuo either, as his social status prevents him from contact with such filthy and common places. My guess is that he’ll send one of his agents to rile up as many lowlifes as possible to serve as fodder for the first round of the contest”
”Lastly, though its likely Xho Nuo is aware of our interest in the competition, we need all our agents to maintain as much secrecy as possible. For all we know, he has deliberately chosen Absalom to bait our interests, so it’s imperative that he identify as few of our agents as possible. From here out, to keep our affiliations covert, we request all of you make arrangements for your stay outside the Grand Lodge. Try to pick a place that’s low key to avoid attention. Don’t worry about the cost though. The Decemvirate will pick up the tab. Good luck.”
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"Then it is in our best interest to seek out this Tavern adn secure ourselves a place." Florin points out as she looks over the heads of the other gathered pathfinders.
"We're likely not the only one interested in this and I'm sure it'll bring plenty of pain....." she ends off as she begins seeking out this tavern. She does pat herself to ensure that her tools are still with her and in use.
With a veritable horde of Pathfinders heading to the Docks, it's not hard to follow their course to the Devil's Dregs. In this quiet, comparatively run-down section of the Docks hangs a weathered wooden sign bearing the words "Devil's Dregs" in peeling paint. A pair of thick double doors lead into the tavern.
Darksid'Ious leads the others in through the worn double doors. Despite its sizable taproom, the Devil’s Dregs seems filled to capacity. The smells of cheap ale, unwashed bodies, and thick pipe smoke mix in the crowded room, as tightly squeezed contestants push and shove their way about the tavern. As one might expect in the Docks district, the tavern extends over the harbor, and beneath the floor lies the silty, brackish water of Absalom’s wide bay. The dim light of the tavern’s few lanterns exposes few specifics about the patrons or the surroundings.
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Back at the lodge
"A mission to the rough and tumble docks district. I don't think that's a place for you Danni better stay here" Arboreal speaks to the hawk on his arm who then flies off to one of his favourite perches in the lodge. Arboreal is dressed in a scholars robe that has seen better days and has all kind of mud and plant stains on it. he also has a long sword
I am .. a young sapling learning the ways of elven magic. I am pleased to see so many tanglewoods like myself here today. Crazy Willow the master of scrolls calls me Arboreal Transposer that will do for a name until I remember my proper one.
Just outside the Devils Dregs
Arboreal takes a wooden wand from his back pack and tastes the end of it as he activates it (Mage armour)
Following Darksid'Ious into the tavern Arboreal looks round
Inside, the Pathfinders get a good look at the crowds. It's PACKED. There are quite a few Pathfinders you've seen around the Lodge before, but also some Aspis types, and a few oddly-dressed swordsmen Florin identifies as Red Mantis Assassins. There are also many foreigners no one has ever seen. One particular individual stands out: an unshaven swordsman in ornate lamellar armor, with a full helm in the visage of a snarling demon tucked under his arm.
Without warning, a flash of smoke flares up from the center of the tavern floor. As it clears, a towering, golden-skinned humanoid of hideous and terrifying countenance steps forth, ebon teeth gleaming fiendishly. Standing before the crowd, she greets them with a slow and gracious bow, yet her eyes never look away.
The creature gestures to call the crowd’s attention, and one by one they fall silent.
“Good evening and allow me to introduce myself, I am called Kiang Zhen. My sifu, Xho Nuo, the Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix, wishes for me to tell all of you that he is most pleased to see so many of you eager to attend the tournament. It is his desire that everyone please find a table and make yourselves comfortable at his expense.”
The room becomes increasingly packed as contestants file in, and barely a minute later arriving contestants quickly fill all remaining tables leaving the tavern with standing room only – yet more and more continue to fill the place out – it is tightly packed and it is a struggle to both keep a hold of your own food and drink as well as dodging the spilled food and drink of others.
A short time later…
”Again, your attention please. I regret to inform all of you that Sifu Xho Nuo will not be present this evening, though he has appointed me to speak on his behalf.”
”To speak with candor, there are many who wish the Sifu dead and wish to steal from him the ancient secrets he was appointed to guard. This comes as no surprise to the Emissary, for he has been charged with the protection of a great and terrible power. Even now, in this very room, some of these same individuals sit amongst us. To them I say, Sifu knows who you are and fears you not. He even entreats you to join the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, for he shall not compromise the primary intention of the contest – to find the world’s greatest martial artist. Rest assured, this tournament shall test the mettle of its contestants, regardless of their intentions. Competition shall be fierce and violent without regard for contestants lives. That is your concern – not mine, not the Emissary’s. Those who fail might be lucky enough to walk away with their lives. For this reason, there are few places where our tournament is truly welcome. Thus, given the nature of the tournament and other circumstances, the Emissary has expressed to me the need to retain secrecy. However, I assure you he shall make an appearance before the end of the qualifying round.”
”Lastly, I have noticed many of you have come as teams. This is good, for initially, you may need help from allies you trust.” The beast pauses for a moment, letting his dark, pupil-less gaze hover upon the crowd. From his belt he unfastens a leather satchel and holds it aloft before the crowd. “I have here 100 rubies. On the morrow, fifty of these rubies will begin to glow, and those individuals or groups in possession of one such gem shall be contacted by one of our agents, who will give them the details of where the first event of the qualifier will take place.” then with a wide and wild grin he says “And so it begins!”
On his final words, he tosses the bag into the air, sending the rubies scattering everywhere. The next moment, he vanishes, leaving behind only a vaporous wisp.
As the rubies scatter, contestants leap from everywhere to grab them. Those few individuals lucky or quick enough to catch a gem before it gets lost in the sea of bodies filling the tavern are immediately assaulted by the nearest empty-handed opponent.
Radagast spots a ruby slide underneath the group's table and quickly scoops it up! Unfortunately, a group of Gorumite clerics also notices the same ruby. They draw steel.
Round I -- bold may act!
1. Florin, Radagast
2. Clerics
3. Darksid'Ious, BABS, Russ'K, Arboreal
Radagast and his ferocious pet maul the closest cleric, leaving him a bloody heap in his chair. Florin joins the melee, striking the next foe hard in the chest with her axe. The remaining trio lays into the Pathfinders with their massive greatswords and a screaming howl.
MISS
MISS
HIT
Round I -- bold may act!
1. Florin (20/29 hp), Radagast
2. Clerics (Yellow @ 6 dmg)
3. Darksid'Ious, BABS, Russ'K, Arboreal
Radagast and Fluffy team up once more, and only Radagast's scythe finds purchase in flesh and bone. A thundercloud goes whizzing past the group, and Darksid'Ious begins a ballad in the back.
Russ'K and Florin land a pair of brutal blows on the front half-orc, who howls in agony as the blood comes flowing in sheets. He rips Florin's axe free of his chest, raises his sword above his head, and brings it down on her neck with a terrible death-cry. His comrade behind him shoves his blade into her belly while he collapses. Her wounds rival that of her adversary.
MISS
HIT
HIT
Round II -- bold may act!
1. Florin (-4/29 hp, orc ferocity), Radagast
2. Clerics
3. Darksid'Ious, BABS, Russ'K, Arboreal
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Darksid'Ious continues to support his comrades with his ballade.
But when within thy wave she looks-
Which glistens then, and trembles-
Why, then, the prettiest of brooks
Her worshipper resembles;
For in his heart, as in thy stream,
Her image deeply lies-
His heart which trembles at the beam
Of her soul-searching eyes.
He then calls for the Midnight Lord pain to disable their ennemies.
May Pain come under you foot !
He continues to look for another ruby.
Radagast and Fluffy maul the closest combatant and Russ'K savages the other. Arboreal returns Florin to consciousness; Darksid'Ious's spell causes some slipping and sliding but little more, though he does spot a ruby being snatched from the lifeless hands of a foreigner one table over.
"Gorum! Give me life so that I may battle eternal!" A wave of healing washes over everyone, as the militant has difficulty distinguishing from friend and foe in the press.
The other cleaves a red warpath across Russ'K's chest.
HIT
Round III -- bold may act!
1. Florin (9/29 hp, prone), Radagast
2. Clerics (red @ 13 dmg, blue @ 10 dmg)
3. Darksid'Ious, BABS, Russ'K (21/31 hp), Arboreal