Just dot in for now, please.
Over passing centuries, Hao’s collection of treasures grew vast, encompassing magic swords, artifacts, imprisoned beasts in permanent stasis—even the remains of long dead heroes. Fearing the collection’s dissolution upon her inevitable death, Hao searched long for a way to ensure the collection she had built would last for centuries and earn the respect it deserved.
Through a pact with powerful spirits in her native land, Hao Jin ensured that none could take anything from her collection after her death save through a single method: a world-spanning fighting tournament held every 10 years in the port city of Goka on Tian Xia’s western coast. This she called the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, for her hope was that each decade the legend of her collection would rise from the ashes of memory and shine like a tempting jewel for the best and brightest competitors Golarion had to offer to attain.
To this day, the trustees of Hao’s estate carry on the tradition of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Every 10 years upon the site of the Grandmaster’s fortress temple in Goka’s vast harbor, contestants from around the globe train for years to compete for the title of Golarion’s greatest champion. Not only does the winner earn the respect of the most skilled fighters and dueling mages in the world, but they also gain entrance into the secret vault containing Hao’s collection and are permitted to choose a single item from the vast treasure for themselves.
It is access to this untold wealth that the Decemvirate want, though what specific item they have their sights set on remains a mystery to all but themselves. Unfortunately, the Pathfinder Society isn’t alone in their desire. The Aspis Consortium and several other organizations from across the globe, with resources and drive to match those of the Pathfinder Society, also have their own reasons for wanting to win the tournament, and many of these rival organizations will stop at nothing to ensure their entrants have the best chances of victory.
In order to get a spot in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, contestants must first earn prestige in one of several qualifying competitions held throughout the world. As it turns out, the Tournament’s hosts have chosen Absalom as a location for the first of their qualifying competitions. The Decemvirate, as much pragmatists as they are mysterious, won’t let such an opportunity pass them by; surely with so many Pathfinders present within Absalom’s walls, the organization can secure a spot in this year’s tournament and move one step closer to its ultimate goal: an entire world of wonders to plumb for knowledge, unhindered by the day-to-day obstacles of exploring the Inner Sea region.
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A young man of twenty-six wanders into the yard of the Grand Lodge of Absalom, taking in the sun. 'I wonder where my next grand adventure will take me. Luck be willing they'll publish my first chronicle soon' he thinks to himself as he finds a small empty bench in the clearing between the statue of Durvin Gest and the Wall of Names.
He takes off his weapon belt and large pack, setting the falcata, sturdy shield, and haversack aside on the ground next to him while he finds a comfortable seating position. Rubbing a small smudge from his mithril breastplate he sighs, "I'll never tire of this." Happy with his now shiny armor he rummages through a pouch at his waist. Drawing forth a dog-eared journal labeled 'The Chronicles of Pathfinder Davorin Blackridge' along with pen and ink he begins his work. Slowly he begins the narrative and drawing of a large shark attempting to consume a Vanaran monk that is performing an underwater flying kick; clear evidence of his last adventure.
Smiling Davorin waits for whatever comes.
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A lone dwarf stumbles into the room, his dusty clothes scattering the light from the hallway. He nods silently at the seated adventurer so as not to distract him from his studies. He props his shield against the wall and then pulls out his axe, instinctively cleaning the edge off on his trousers. He waits patiently for the next adventurers to arrive.
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An aasimar enters the room. Her appearance is nearly human, though her hair is the color of bright untarnished silver. Exceptionally beautiful and taller than most human women, she is free of any human flaw or physical defect. The pupils of her eyes are the color of brilliant topaz.
"I am Sarephta," she says with a genuine smile.
”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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A swarthy Keleshite, dressed in brightly colored and loose-fitting clothing, saunters into view from the back of the room, a scimitar hanging from his side and a spellbook in his hand. He has long black hair, and dark, piercing eyes.
"Well met, comrades. I am Daryus-al Kabib. I look forward to working with you. May Sarenrae bless our undertaking."
He gives a sideways smile to his fellow Pathfinders, and sits down on a chair, throwing his feet up onto the table.
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Davorin stands at his full height, scanning his colleagues. You can see a glint in his eye, as if he were hoping those exact words were to have been spoken.
"Well met my fellow Pathfinders! Today opens to the door to an adventure I could barely imagine. Are you as excited as I am? Indeed, we've been given an opportunity few in history can claim! The Ruby Phoenix tournament? I can hardly believe it! Imagine the chronicles we will write!" He holds up a dog-eared copy of Pathfinder Chronicles #63 which has a picture of an Oni fighting a samurai on its cover.
"Of course, introductions are a must. I am Davorin Blackridge, Pathfinder and chronicler. I bring with me my blade, a near complete memory of the Pathfinders that came before us, and some other tricks to this tournament; it would be nice to know what you all do."
He throws his equipment pack on his shoulder after hearing the responses, "To the docks?"
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"The name is Dreggar of the Five King Mountains. I'm a bit of a knowledge junkie as well, Davorin. I'd be interested in perusing some of your chronicles given the chance. I tend to keep it all up here though." He says pointing to his thick dwarven skull.
"But of course, I am a warrior next of all. Can't rid my blood of that. I dabble in the alchemical arts, as well, although mostly for my own benefit"
He peers over at Seraphta, drawing a wand and offering it to her.
"I'm guessing you can use one of these. I can't. I'd appreciate it if you would mind topping me off after battle, should the need arise. Which it will, cause my axe is quite vicious. I like to live on the wild side.
Oh and do give me a moment to let down my defenses though. I seemed to have developed a certain, uh, antipathy toward the arcane and divine."
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A kitsune dressed in fancy clothes that introduces himself. Greetings new friends. I my name is Jhon Doe and some of you can have heard of my theater plays, but I can defend myself well in a fight. At least in the close distances he says remarking his words with a tap of his rapier.
Then he turns to Serapthta. Mylady, I'm in a similar situation than Dreggar and I can use my own wand, Can you hold it for me? he asks with his gentlemanier voice.
Then turning to the whole group: Had any of you though of a good story for our participation? I man maintain it of not under hard scrutiny, but it should be something all agree.
The team mills together and introduces themselves, then they head out for the docks. Along the way, Dreggar stops and picks up some healing potions.
In a quiet, rundown section of the Docks, you finally spot a weathered wooden sign hanging above a wide alcove that reads Devil’s Dregs. A pair of thick double doors within the alcove lead into the tavern.
Davorin moves around the building, noting the entrances and exits before returning to the group and entering the tavern.
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.
Aside from the front doors from the shore, a set of double doors leads out of the tavern onto rickety piers in the center of both the east and west walls, and a number of windows look out over the harbor to the south. As you scan through the heavily packed room, you takes stock of your rivals. These include members of the Aspis Consortium, Red Mantis agents, and several other obvious rivals, as well as some foreigners never before seen. Among the foreigners stands an unshaven swordsman in ornate lamellar armor and a full helm bearing the visage of a snarling demon
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Davorin also hands Sarephta his full wand, while ensuring that his wands of Cure Light and Cure Moderate wands are securely strapped in his spring-loaded wrist sheathes.
Davorin leans over their shoulder while they enter, "Stick together, there's plenty of opportunity for trouble afoot." He moves over to Dreggar, where he stands at the table, surveying the crowd.
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Daryus makes his way through the crowd and takes a seat next to Dreggar.
"Aspis Consortium...Red Mantis...be on your guard, my friends."
He stares down the foreigner in the demon helm with interest and admiration, wondering what his story might be. He then looks around for a barmaid to wave down for a drink, hoping they have something other than cheap ale.
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.
Before the vaporous wisp can even begin to dissipate, the room erupts into absolute chaos as every creature in the room begins to dive and fight over the gems. Bouncing fingertip to fingertip, the rubies don’t come close to hitting the floor in this tightly squeezed press of fighters. The few managing to get a hold of one quickly disappear under a pile of others trying to take it away from them!
Three Aspis Rogues jump into the middle of your group, seeking rubies of their own!
Bold May Post
Jhon
Sarephta
Daryus
Dreggar
Rogue Blue
Peribras
Rogue Red
Rogue Green
Davorin
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Daryus maintains his calm, despite the chaos surrounding he and his allies. He waves his arms in a deliberate manner, speaks a few arcane syllables, and anyone watching can briefly see a shimmer of translucent energy before the shield of force surrounding him becomes invisible. The magus then makes his move, drawing his scimitar as he does, and gets himself into a flanking position with his new dwarven comrade Dreggar. Finally, he draws upon his reservoir of mystical arcane energy and touches his blade, and it seems even more finely honed and sharper than before as arcane energy briefly crackles down the scimitar.
Daryus casts a spell to protect him in the crush of people fighting over the rubies, then rushes forward to engage the nearest group of brutes.
Dreggar reaches out and tries to grab a ruby as it flies past but is unsuccessful. He spots another gem, but opts to take out the thug in front of him instead of grabbing for it! He buries his ax in the mans chest.. a deep wound, but not fatal.
Bold May Post
Jhon
Sarephta
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar
Rogue Blue
Peribras
Rogue Red- 17 dmg
Rogue Green
Davorin
The thug in the blue trimmed cloak slashes at Peribras, refusing to be distracted by the maneuvers of the team. His strike draws a line of blood across the halflings arm.
Bold May Post
Jhon
Sarephta
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar
Rogue Blue
Peribras- 3 Dmg
Rogue Red- 17 dmg
Rogue Green
Davorin
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Jhon sees how the gem scrapes across the dwarf fingers and with a quick motion of his rapier he makes the gem bounce toward him, catching it with the other hand.
Thanks Dreggar. It's more dramatic this way
Then he picks a blue scarf in his left hand and jumps over the table to stab one of the aspis' agents who dared to move near.
Wrong group to mess with he brags as he draws blood. Then he uses his scarf as a distraction to whoever tries to move near, thus allowing himself to attack farther than usual.
Jhon reaches out to grab a hold of a ruby and practically has it dance into his fingers.
Bold May Post
Jhon
Sarephta
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar
Rogue Blue
Peribras- 3 Dmg
Rogue Red- 17 dmg
Rogue Green
Davorin
Bold May Post
Jhon
Sarephta
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar
Rogue Blue
Peribras- 3 Dmg
Rogue Red- 17 dmg
Rogue Green
Davorin
Jhon attempts to move through the press and go around the green cloaked man, but is rebuffed heartily. The man strikes out at Jhon, which the kitsune easily wipes aside. As he fades back to his original position, Jhon returns the strike with his own, drawing his blade away with first blood.
The two other rogues now step in, working together on Peribras. They both hit him, but peribras manages to turrn aside just at the right time to avoid a catastrophic hit.
Bold May Post
Jhon- Ruby
Sarephta- Ruby
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar
Rogue Blue
Peribras- 11 Dmg
Rogue Red- 17 dmg
Rogue Green- 23 Dmg
Davorin
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Davorin looks utterly nonplused by the sudden bar brawl. First he stares at his three opponents, then the floor.
Not seeing any gems he focuses on the Aspsis thug before him. His eyes narrow. "I know you. Your name is Ishme-Shamash and you killed my friends last year when you attacked our home. Their names are forever inscribed on the Wall of Names, and for that Remembrance and I owe you something." He looks at his colleagues, "This one is mine.
Dreggar steps in and tries another swing but this time his blade just barely glances off the thugs armor.
Davorrin Knows his enemy, then searches for a gem. Unable to see one, he steps in and annihilates his foe.
Bold May Post
Jhon- Ruby
Sarephta- Ruby
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar- 4 Dmg
Rogue Blue
Peribras- 11 Dmg
Rogue Red- 26 dmg
Rogue Green- 23 Dmg
Davorin (AC 24)
Sarephta tries to bring herr spear around, but is unable to connet in the crowded quarters, while Daryus has no such problem with his Scimitar. He easily slices his opponent from crown to cod.
Bold May Post
Jhon- Ruby
Sarephta- Ruby
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar- 4 Dmg
Rogue Blue
Peribras- 11 Dmg
Rogue Red- 26 dmg
Davorin (AC 24)
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Peribras yelps and draws his sling staff, then steps into a flanking position and swings it like a club at the rogue's head.
for
-Posted with Wayfinder
Peribras searches for a ruby and spots one on the floor.
Peribras turns to his assailant and bops him with his staff.
The rogue steps back away from his teamed opponents, and slices at Daryus but misses.
Bold May Post
Jhon- Ruby
Sarephta- Ruby
Daryus (AC 23)
Dreggar- 4 Dmg
Blue
Peribras- 11 Dmg
Davorin (AC 24)
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Davorin looks to his next potential opponent before again scanning the floor.
(Against DC 10 + HD)
Davorin is nearly certain he's seen this Aspsis agent before, but he is not nearly as concerned about his presence as the last.
Spotting a gem lying casually in a mug of beer, Davorin reaches in his hand pulls forth, dripping wet, another gem which he cautiously holds in his shield hand. "Aha! Keep looking my friends!"