Without warning, loud slamming noises echo through the tavern, even over the fray of the combat within. Moments later, the front doors rupture in a shower of splinters. In full battle regalia, a contingent of Absalom’s First Guard rush into the room. Swinging heavy chains and nets, they beat into the brawlers en mass, dragging dozens to the floor. The remainder of the contestants break from their opponents, and the crowd devolves into a raging mob as all race frantically for the nearest exit to avoid arrest.
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Mūn drops his longspear, abandoning it, then quickly scans the guards to see if he can identify one that looks impressionable; perhaps a younger guard who might be new on the job.
Mūn approaches the guard so identified, with a look of relief on his face. "Oh, thank goodness that you're here!" He makes a show of brushing off his fine clothing, ensuring that the guard can see the expensive ring on his finger and the tailored and expensive cut of his clothing. Continuing without pause, not allowing the guard to get a word in, he continues, "My friends told me that this bar had an excellent reserve of Kelish wines, but I'm afraid it was a horrid prank! Before I'd realized what I'd gotten into, this ruckus broke out; I was afraid for my life!"
Reaching out, he grips the guard's hand with both of his, giving him a hearty, two-handed shake. "If you hadn't come, I don't know what I'd have done! Thank you so much. I'm going to be going now; I shan't be listening to those yahoos again!"
Without giving the guard a chance to respond, Mūn starts moving past the young man towards the exit.
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Kitt watches the whole thing from the outside, and moves slowly away from the whole thing not to be in trouble with the authorities. He shouts at nearby escapees. "Anyone see my friends? One looks like.. oh nevermind, I guess you're busy... excuse me... Oh you're busy too..." He continues doing this until he see's his friends.
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The eruption of chaos makes maneuvering difficult and dangerous, even more so than previously. You have little time to force their way through the mob to the nearest escape route before the authorities reach them.
As you turn around at the great distraction you see that the Ronin is now gone, mixed into the crowd that frantically rushes for any escape it can by any means.
The mob of soldiers pays little mind to Mun as they attempt to disperse the crowd. Vials of noxious smoke erupt on the far side of the bar as clubs and nets are hurled in all directs. The guards block the door they burst through as Kitt spies several more guards rushing along the pier towards the bar. People scatter in all directions as resistors are arrested on the spot.
Iddo
Talondreal
Kitt
Gillii
Xukong (9/20; IH 8/10 remaining)
Mun
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Mob
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Iddo seemingly ignores Gilli's question, looking at his friends fighting the Ronin. However, when the guards storm the place, he nods at the Undine.
"Now seems like a good time to me. Let's go!"
He follows Gilli's guidance, giggling to himself at his new magical swimming abilites. Finally, as the two swim ashore, he turns to ask a question.
"What about the others? Think they'll be fine?"
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With his newfound ability Iddo dives into the water, finding that he is able to swim as easily as a fish.
Kitt continues to watch the ensuing chaos from inside the inn as people leap from windows and down the center chute into the waters below. A few of the more bold take on the guards which proves to be an ill choice as they are beaten into unconsciousness and dragged away.
Gillii remains in the water just below the chute to try and coax others down into the water.
Xukon easily makes his way to the waters edge, he looks down as sees Gillii below waving him down.
Mun begins to make his way to the northern set of double doors while Talondreal looks around for his companions as he quickly loses them one by one.
The guards continue to slowly and methodically sweep through the inn as they clear it out.
Iddo- out of inn
Talondreal
Kitt- out of inn
Gillii- out of inn
Xukong (10/20; IH 7/10 remaining)
Mun
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Mob
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Mūn continues to move towards the eastern doors. He finds himself at the edge of the opening to the water below, and sees Gillii waving from underneath. Mūn looks down nervously. He checks behind him to keep an eye on the approaching guards, and then yells down to the undine below. "I can't swim; I'm afraid I'll drown if I jump!"
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Gillii and the rest quickly realize that the guards are not following people diving into the waters below as several of the tavern's patrons and others leap into the churning waters.
Over the next several minutes as Talondreal, Xukong and Mun leap into the water Gillii begins to make short laps back and forth helping his companions slowly but surely.
At first Talondreal, Mun and Xukong fall beneath the waters surface but it only takes a moment for Gilli to find them and bring them back as the group of Pathfinders reunite back near the docks.
Loud bangs and sounds are still heard from within the tavern as a size-able crowd begins to gather to watch the spectacle and the pathfinders realize that they very narrowly avoided the inside of a jail cell.
With the authorities about now might be a good time to find the safety of a place to hole up for the night as the rubies won't shine until the morning.
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Iddo slowly waddles into the inn, taking time to examine its current inhabitants, decor, and most particularly interesting wall to stare at, should he be bored. He looks in the general direction of the innkeeper and smiles, fumbling for his own wayfinder momentarily before realizing he doesn't have one.
The arrival of the morning brings with it the joys of a glowing Ruby!
That day you are greeted by a black-feathered tengu who introduces herself as your liaison to the Emissary of the Ruby Phoenix. She informs you that all contestants are to meet within a large shipping house near where the Docks meets the sodden district known as the Puddles and provides you with a specific time and directions to the event.
***
Following the directions given to you by your tengu liaison, you arrive just past dusk at the shipping house. Soon enough, a small crowd of would-be contestants begins to gather.
Approaching the entrance you spot a dishevelled, barefooted man dressed in plain sackcloth leaning in the shallow doorway. As you draw nearer, he slowly raises his head to examine the crowd. Then, grinning a toothy smile, he holds out his hand and asks “Any of you happen to find a ruby?”
The crowd excitedly signals their affirmative response and several glowing rubies are thrust into the air, there is an electric vibe flowing through the assembled host and everyone seems very ready for action.
The man nods and pushes the door open. Then he holds out a sack to collect the rubies of those seeking entry. As the various contestants enter, he directs them towards a flight of stairs near the back of the warehouse. These stairs descend into a wide and shadowy basement converted into a crude, make-shift arena illuminated by a ring of greasy-scented torches. The main floor is cleared of all objects save for a dusting of sand and straw that covers the cold stone floor. An assortment of contestants have already arrived, anxiously scanning the room. Almost all in attendance are recognizable from the previous night’s brawl.
From across the arena floor strides Kiang Zhen, the terrifying creature who represents Sifu Xho Nuo. Clapping her massive, clawed hands, she calls for silence, and with a low growl addresses the entire room as she runs her hands over her gruesome golden horns.
“Bringing defeat upon your perceived adversaries is only part of what it takes to walk the path of a truly great warrior. A true master sees beyond his adversaries; he sees the war and not just the battle. Last night, I watched how all of you were quick and eager to fight one another—therefore today... today I shall see how you fight together! Let’s see how well you can keep each other alive!” As she finishes this exuberant and enigmatic statement, smoke flashes erupt throughout the arena, and several dozen hidden trapdoors suddenly spring open, unleashing a horde of otherworldly beasts!
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This insectoid creatures have two pairs of bat wings, a tangle of thin legs, and a needle-sharp proboscis as they fly forth from the trap doors.
Two of the beasts fly towards the group as one boldly flies straight for Talondreal and bites at the well armored man.
+ Attach
The creature grasps ahold of Talondreal and takes toot as it's sharp proboscis as it entered into Talondreal's chest, draining his blood and energy.
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Monsters (DC 11 Knowledge Arcana)(Red- grappled)
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Mun
Iddo
Gillii
Talondreal (Grappled; -1 con)
Kitt
Xukong
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A grappled creature cannot use Stealth to hide from the creature grappling it, even if a special ability, such as hide in plain sight, would normally allow it to do so. If a grappled creature becomes invisible, through a spell or other ability, it gains a +2 circumstance bonus on its CMD to avoid being grappled, but receives no other benefit.
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To the rest of his companions, Mun warns: "I don't like the looks of those tengu and oni gathering on the perimeter; stay on your guard!"
Mun calls upon Ashava to bless his companions yet again. He then moves out of the entrance so that he doesn't get trapped behind everyone, drawing his longspear as he moves.
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Mun recognizes the magical beasts for what they are. Stirges! Overall he doesn't remember any natural weaknesses though the insect type beast is overall weak. The beasts are natural fliers that attach themselves to a host draining their blood.
Stirges are vicious, blood-drinking swamp pests that prey on wild animals, livestock, and unwary travelers. While weak individually, swarms of the creatures are capable of draining a man dry in minutes, leaving only a desiccated husk in their wake.
Closer to mammals than insects, stirges carry their bodies through the air on four fleshy wings, searching out warm-blooded prey. They are fond of hiding near watering holes and waiting for travelers to drop their guard, then swooping out to attach and drink their fill by thrusting their long feeding tubes into unprotected veins. After feeding they flap heavily off into the mud and reeds to lay their eggs and rest until hunger drives them to hunt again.
Stirges are usually 1 foot long, with a wingspan of twice that, and weigh just under a pound. Their coloration is rust-red or reddish-brown with a dirty yellow underbelly, though stirges that have not fed in some time are often pale pink, their color deepening as they gorge.
Mun does what he can to bless the party. Kitt creates magical armor across his earth elemental as it bashes into Talondreal's chest. The blow splatters the stirge all over the place as Talondreal's blood covers his chest.
Xukong readies his blade if another stirge approaches.
Bless
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Stirge
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Mun
Iddo
Gillii
Talondreal (Grappled; -1 con)
Kitt
Xukong