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As his table-mates head toward the Boasting arena, Markus makes his way to the Menagerie. Brob was right - they really did spare no expense, he thinks, seeing the vast array of exotic and unusual animals.
Markus waits his turn and when his name is called, steps into the competition area. Facing him is an ape nearly three times his size. Markus gulps, and turns to the judge. "I was hoping for something smaller. A ferret maybe, or a particularly recalcitrant housecat," he jokes nervously. Turning back to the ape, he puts on his best impression of Master Farabellus' instructional voice, and starts shouting at the ape.
Somehow, Markus' force of personality and impression of a drill instructor cow the ape, which rushes off to the second area of the menagerie with barely a backward glance at Markus. "I think I scared it off! Markus laughs, looking around at Smiley and Kharg standing nearby.
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"Nice story Jillia! I'm sorry I wasn't there to see it happen firsthand, but Brob's been pulling me here and yon all morning," she laughs. "First the Lore Symposium, which was actually much less boring than I'd thought it might be and then the Sleuthing competition - Markus was a natural, I bet he'd have a promising career in the city watch if he ever decides that the Pathfinder life isn't working for him. And Smiley did really well with that one too; he's more observant than most people give him credit for I imagine."
She glances upward, taking note of the position of the sun in the sky. "Oh! It'll be time for more speeches and such soon won't it? I know most of you already hit the obstacle course but I think I'll go give it a whirl - heck, maybe the strength competition too. I could use the exercise. No animal training though...stories of cats aside, I've never been very good with animals beyond the bare basics. Good luck if you head off to do more competitions and I'll see guys again shortly!" With that, the priestess hurries off into the crowd...
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Though more interested in the obstacle course than weight lifting, the weight lifting happens to be the first of the two remaining competitions that Nella comes across.
With a sideways glance at what appears to be some sort of argument between a dragon-man and a mostly naked half-orc, she carefully takes her place at the designated weights. "Well...here goes..."
"Hrrgh...hah! Helping Papa and Aiden move those drums around last week paid off!" she crows triumphantly as she manages to lift her assigned weights with surprising ease. "Now, for my old nemesis...the obstacle course!"
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Hurrying over to the training ground, she eyes the various courses set up with a surprising degree of trepidation. "Come on Nella, you can do this..." she mutters as she lines up to take her turn at the 'red' track for the newer recruits...
Perhaps it's the sudden rush of adrenaline or the knowledge that there's a much larger crowd watching this time, but she actually makes amazingly good time on the course and even executes the leap to catch the dangling rope at the end with a fair amount of grace for a human.
"Woooo! I have redeemed myself!" she laughs, staggering off to the side to catch her breath. "I can't wait to write to Aleris and tell her about this!"
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Smiley may have a whole lot of brothers and uncles, but sadly it doesn't seem to help him in either performing, herding, or sleuthing. Kharg shares a similar fate (the lack of success, not an overabundance of family.) Team half-halfling does continue to show uncanny good fortune, and traveling with Brob must have rubbed off Nella as she puts several of her competitors to shame (without any real apptitude or natural talent to speak of.)
As the hour draws late most of the athletic competitions have started to wind down. You all meet back up at the Boasting ring, just in time to watch as Brobdingnagian takes to the center. Seeking you out in the crowd, he grins, and then starts setting time by clapping his hands, slapping his knees and tapping his hips, the last few notes accomplished by Ghost Sounds rather than a physical source as he begins to sing Pathfinder Life the way only a curly haired halfing could:
<clap, slap, slap, , slap, slap, clap, slap, tap, slap, clap, >
It's a Pathfinder life for us!
It's a Pathfinder life for us!
Pay with blood
Get paid in gold
Pursuing Knowledge
New or old
It's a Pathfinder life!
A horn player, finished with his own performance, joins in by adding an accompaniment before Brob begins his tune again.
Say farewell to all we know
There's still a million miles to go!
Camp-fire blankets
Instead of beds
Feel alive
Instead of dead
It's a Pathfinder life!
It may feel like the wolves are always howling
It may seem like there's never any light
It may sound like there's monsters always growling
But we're never going down without a fight!
Who else delves into dungeons dank and deep!?
Who else drags the world back from the brink!?
Who else shines the light where darkness seeps!?
It's a whole lot more exciting than you'd think!
Ohhhh!!!!!!!
Ochre Jelly life
Kinda smelly life
Sometimes gorey life
Never-boring life
Decemvirate we never see
Decemvirate? What's that, Who's he?
Whether a Beggar or a King
The Open Road’s your own while Pathfinding!
It's the Pathfinder life!
By this time, several other performers have joined in with a variety of instruments, and one actor dressed like a caricature of Drandle Dreng makes an impression:
”'You! Wake up and risk life and limb for a for today's McGuffin!'”
There’s laughter from many-a-pathfinder who had their sleep interrupted abruptly by the Venture Captain, before Brob launches into a harmony with his own Ghost Sound voice.
It's the Pathfinder life for us
-Our adventures just begin!
It's the Pathfinder life for us
-We'll share them with our friends!
Pay with blood get paid in gold
-Not a thought of giving in!
In Pursuit of Knowledge new and old
-Our path will never end!
(Never gonna end)
By this time the entire crowd is starting to join in.
It's the Pathfinder life for us
It's the Pathfinder life for us
Whether a Beggar or a King
The Open Road’s your own while Pathfinding!
It's the Pathfinder Life!
It's The Pathfinder Life!
The last line of the chorus is sung with one voice from the crowd, shouting out! There’s many shared smiles as Pathfinders from all around Golarion remember that regardless of the the Factions and politics that might divide them, they’re still united in a common goal as Pathfinders.
As the sound of singing fades, Marcos Farabellus' voice calls out as if carried by magic (probably quite literally):
Slowly the crowd begins to make their way to the north lawn, several still bearing a wide smile on their face.
As the Competition nears completion, your Table has clearly made a name for itself as you receive more than your fair share of congratulations and grudging admiration from your fellow Pathfinders.
Kharg has the distinction of having the best time for the Acrobatics course, with Smiley and Jillia tied for second. Smiley, in his own way, made quite an impression throughout the day and has several offers to share a beer after the speeches! Markus turned out to be quite the sleuth and animal tamer (how those go together, no one is quite sure) and people come up to Nella laughing about her pet cat and how she put that windbag cleric in his place. Last, but not least, Jillia managed to prove that being small in size doesn't make you weak. Both she and Nella showed athletic prowess far beyond any had any right to.
Overall, you share outstanding success as a team!
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"Thanks Kharg. I don't know where that came from though. I must have channelled the spirit of Master Farabellus better than I thought," Markus replies, shaking the half-orc's enormous hand before walking back towards the other competitions.
Markus sees Nella lifting some of the huge weights with relative ease, and then watches as she rushes over the the obstacle course and practically flies through the obstacles "Good work Nella!" he shouts, clapping his hands loudly and cheering.
As the competitions wrap up, Markus sees Brob take the stage and begin one of his impromptu musical numbers. He's clearly been working on this one since their Confirmation, and the interplay between rhythm, music and magic is fantastic. Markus is unable to keep his foot from tapping along, and he joins in with the last line with great gusto.
Pushing his way though the crowd, Markus meets up with Brob just as Master Farabellus' announcement almost deafens him. Waiting until the announcement is over, Markus congratulates Brob. "That song was amazing! How long have you been working on that one?" he asks, slapping Brob heartily on the back.
Brob grins appreciatively. "Thanks! I've been working on it for a bit, but being here at the Grand Convocation and seeing all of us work together just made a few things pop into place!"
The group winds their way around to the north side of Arliss Hall, where tables are arranged with finger foods and a variety of drinks (not nearly enough to get intoxicated... that's for later) with a number of tables set up for guests waiting for Marcos Farabellus' speech. You can see the Master of Swords is waiting somewhat impatiently in front of the Hall.
North West
Mausoleum- Where disections, body preparations, and Necromantic experiments take place
Starhall- Observatory, Library, and museum of extraplanar objects and lore
North East
Quadrangle- The dormitory for Pathfinder trainees. You likely spent several months there.
Repository- This building is almost a fortress and contains the Lodge's most valuable non-Magical knowledge
South
Monument- A monument to Durvin Gest, the most famous Pathfinder of all time
Menagerie- The Lodge's collection of exotic beasts (currently expanded for the Convocation)
City Gate- The main entrance to the Grand Lodge
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With the competitions finished, and the Turn made proud, Jillia madly dashes back to table 224, slowing only to weave through the collection of Pathfinders lollygagging around the Durvin Gest statue, making it just in time for the keynote address.
Farabellus looks mildly irate- -he gives his best speeches when he's upset. Should be good!
Sir Laribold Croome, an immaculately dressed Taldan nobleman, scrambles for cover behind a table, which his halfling manservant helpfully flips onto its side. Catching his breath, the Taldan fumbles for his monocle before addressing the nearby Pathfinders. “Monsters and villains are attacking all over the grounds,” he states with perfect articulation, punctuated by a crossbow bolt that embeds itself in his makeshift barricade. “Spread out, patrol the grounds, and snuff out trouble as you find it. If you should discover any clues about what the devil is going on, report back here at the base of Skyreach.”
He pulls his sword cane free from its sheath and raises it overhead. “Look alive, and show initiative,” he shouts before performing an elaborate dueling salute in the direction of an elephant and setting off after it.
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Nella shrieks with surprise and ducks instinctively as chaos explodes all around her and her companions. "Wha...okay! We'll do what we can!" she calls after Croome.
Is he going to fight that elephant by himself???
Quickly, she grabs for her crossbow and readies a bolt before looking at the others. "No kidding! We should try and do what we can here so people have somewhere halfway safe to rally!"
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Jillia's smile looks more wry and less pleased as a salvo of crossbow bolts hits the table they're crouched behind.
"First order of business seems like we ought to find out what is going on. Sir Croome has that elephant under control, if nothing else," she jokes flatly.
"If this is all a diversion, the obvious target is the Repository, right?" Jillia asks, cocking a head towards the outbuilding explosions.
I wish I had a real lead, and not idle speculation. Sitting here isn't helping anyone though.
The Grand Lodge’s campus is overrun with marauders and monsters, while support staff, initiates, and visitors run in peril for their lives. Yet, nearby groups of Pathfinders cluster together and argue about what to do about it, which team should stand back and support the other, and who has the best idea of what is happening. A venture-captain who you recognize as Janiff Ivulxtin, one of Competion judges, strides around disperses one knot of Pathfinders milling about with an exasperated command before spying you striding her way.
"You there! I recognize you all, from the Competition! We need to organize our resistance! The rest of the Venture-Captains and I are attempting to coordinate our efforts, but it seems like everyone is looking for a signed invitation before they can act!
Go to the Repository and ensure that the Agents stationed there keep to their post! And while you're at it, round up any stragglers and make sure you send them to safety! Use my name if you have to, but given your notoriety from the Competition, if anyone can impose order on this mob, you can!" With that, she rushes off towards an explosion to the south.
As much as none of you really wanted authority, it seems to have been thrust onto you!
As you press on towards the Repository, you find a group of Pathfinder Agents that seems almost paralyzed by fear as they huddle behind an overturned wagon. They seem quite unwilling to move from there (even though it's an indefensible position) and one half-elf calls out "We're not going anywhere! I don't want to risk getting caught in the open by those... things...!"
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"Those things don't care that you're hiding behind a flimsy wagon," Jillia shouts, moving to upend the wagon back onto its wheels, in an attempt to remove their cover.
"We'll get through this, but not right here in the middle of the quad," her voice returning to normal levels, her smile returning. "And not unless we work together."
Jillia's words ring out, and (perhaps a tad intimidated by the wagon-chucking Halfing) the cowering Agents decide that bravery is the better part of valor and go to join a Mustering group north of the Hall!
As you continue along, you see a Dwarf with a crossbow that darts from tree to tree all by himself, his eyes scanning the horizon for a foe to shoot. Unfortunately it appears that he would be helplessly outnumbered if the strange winged monsters that were terrorizing the skies caught up with him.
If you point out that danger to him or suggest he help escort others to safety, he barks out, “What gives you lads the right to order me about? I'm a Field Agent! You’re no venture-captains! I'm sure those professors can make their way themselves!”
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"Venture-Captain Janiff Ivulxtin gives us the right!" Nella calls out, exasperation evident in her voice as she nervously keeps her eyes on the skies. "If you're a Field Agent then you should know that authority can be granted to Pathfinders of any rank during an emergency! It's time to cooperate so we can all get out of this alive and in one piece!"
"You might need to flip another wagon if he won't listen to sense," she whispers to Jillia.
The dwarf hems and haws, but eventually gives in to the (completely untrained) bluff by Nella. There's sure a lot of grumbling and "I'll speak to Ambrose himself about this!" but he reluctantly heads towards a group of professors and joins in escorting them to safety.
Finally, you make your way to the repository, a squat gray building with no visible point of entry, just as you see the guard-post being deserted by a group of young Pathfinder Agents. One of them, a robed Aasimar, shouts, "To the Hall!" As you draw near, another yells out, "Hey, you? Why don’t you guard this stone building with no doors and windows!? We’ll capture that giant two-headed vulture!"
Sadly, they laugh off Kharg's attempting,
Puffed up on her own importance, the Aasimar rolls her eyes at Kharg. "You stay here yourself, orc-blood. When the record of this goes into the Chronicle, I want to make sure the name 'Dara Immlin' is more than just a footnote!"
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Markus' short legs leave him running behind the others, and he is clearly nervous about having to tell other Pathfinders what to do, even with the authority of a Venture-Captain behind him. He has his orders though, and he does his best to scare the reluctant aasimar woman into obeying.
"Now look here miss! We have orders to ensure that the Repository is well defended, and Venture-Captain Ivulxtin has ordered us to make sure that any nearby Pathfinders are doing their bit. He mentioned you by name, and said that you were the sort of Agent he'd want defending a place as important as the Repository."
Whether Apes or Aasmiars, Markus proves to be an intimidating little halfing and halts the group in their tracks. Dara stops and looks at you, her gold eyes shocked as she says, "Venture-Captain Ivulxtin!? They'll have our hide if they find out we abandoned post!" Reluctantly, she motions to the rest of her group to return to their post. The Repository is secure.
Turning South towards the Quadrangle, the beauty of the Grand Lodge’s well-manicured grounds is shattered by the sounds of shouts and screams from panicked initiates, support staff, and visitors. Frightened innocents trip over hedges and stumble through fountains and pools in an effort to get to safety by the most direct means possible, especially when the landscaping otherwise leads them to certain peril.
You watch as a few historians run in terror as a half dozen small vermin that were previously housed in the menagerie come scurrying after them, then chittering at escaped prey, re-orient on you!
The group seems slow to react as the beetles surge forward, flying clumsily. Two of them manage to sink their mandibles into a Flat-footed Kharg!
The remaining beetles join in the fun, chittering forward!
One barely nicks Smiley!
Jillia attacks and there is a loud <squish> as she skewers cleanly through its carapace. It falls on it's back, legs twitching.
Squish-splash Kharg returns the favor to the beetles that bit him by rending two of them!
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Markus ducks aside as Kharg wades into the fray, eliminating a beetle with each end of his strange double-ended axe. "Thanks Kharg," says Markus, stepping backwards. He raises his hand, palm outstretched, and conjures a swirling, spitting ball of acid, which he launches at one of the beetles.
"Rozpustit!"
Smiley is somewhat distracted by butterflies, but with half of the beetles dead, Markus gets jealous of all the squish-splash going on and splashes one beetle with acid. It's still up, but just barely.
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Feeling more than a little concerned for her strange but oddly charming companion, Nella shifts her attention to Smiley as the remaining beetles move in. "Um, great shot Smiley - do you have any idea how hard those things are to catch, let alone kick out of the sky? And I bet you're too quick for these poor beetles; they'll only catch air!"
The beetles continue their frenzied attacks on the Pathfinders! However, Nella's Blessing appeared to be a Fire Beetle Repellent as well as working on Butterflies as they all miss wildly!