Kala Kana turns to his vict...volunteer, the briefest of smiles twitches in the left corner of his mouth. "Thank you sir, thank you. Very kind of you to assist a fellow competitor, you posses the warrior spirit within you! I realize now though that my demonstration is probably better suited to the test of magic."
Bazzle's Acid Ballista certainly interests the judges and they release him from the contest in a similar manner to Leila. Henrick, Kala and, Bein remain. The Catfolk children and the ogre have also made their submissions and left.
Bazzle thanks them in every language represented.
Henrick will drag up his cart loaded with furs to the judging station. Might as well get this over with. He is fairly gruff and straightforward showing what he's done "Well, here it is. I'm mor proficient with mounting hides than making clothes, but one does what one can. "
Kala Kana takes his strangely twisted, misshapen circlet/necklace/bracer and presents it to the mayor. "Bask in the incomprehensible glory of Va'ak the dragon of nightmares!"
Satisfied with his discoveries, Karrick spends a short while observing the wagon he'd discovered. While stowing away now might be ill-advisable, the night will offer all sorts of other opportuntities. For now, the trail-worn traveler breaks away from the crowd, moving away from the competition area in search of room and board for the night while the rest of Magnam is focused on the festivities and spectacle of Amalgam's contest.
___________
After spending a few movements looking around the town for anyone knowing anything about the other tests, without luck, Leila decides that it is probably wisest to hang around the contest area to not miss anything. Besides, who knows what strange creations that the contestants dream up? She arrives just in time to see a tall and odd man attempt to turn in a weird ring of metal and other things. She looks around to see if she can see either the nice man who helped her identify the still or Brazzle as they are the only people she knows in the area. To get a better vantage point she climbs up upon an empty barrel and starts to survey the area.
Bazzle leaves the contest area picking up his gear from the judges. "When's the next test? Later today or tomorrow?" He spots Leila and makes his way over. "Whatcha doing up there? Are there more tests today of are we killing time till fireworks?"
"Just looking to see if I could spot anything fun or maybe a good spot to watch the fireworks from, but I don't know where they will shoot them" She smiles and jumps down from the barrel. "I don't know when the next contest is either, but I was planing on finding it out" She gives an apologetic grin to Brazzle "I tried to talk to the locals, but they don't know either." She giggles and adds "Maybe they are content with just watching us strangers make fools out of ourselves in silly contests." She adds the last sentence in a lower voice, as if she just managed to uncover some grand conspiracy.
As they enjoy their conversation she spots the Love-Potion Lady still chasing one of the catfolk youths. "Look! There is that woman with the poitons - it appears that she might need some help." She laughs "Lets go and see if we can't give her a hand or two! Otherwise she might loose her temper and turn that poor cat into a frog. And maybe she knows when the other trials are"
Leila makes her way towards Bain, half jumping half running, and asks her if she is in need of help.
Bazzle heads out keeping pace with Leila. "That would be horrid. Though if she could do that I wonder if she could grow me a tail. I've always wanted a tail."
*Smirk* Brazzle with a tail - now that would be something "Only one way to find out!"
In hasty frustration, Bein dispels the entangle effect. She and Tithin then look around for tools or materials that might have been left behind or otherwise not in use.
Henrick's and Kala's submissions are both taken and they are released although the mayor makes a point of holding Kala's 'creation' as far from himself as possible.
Karrick is able to find an Inn and Tavern near the docks and sets up there nicely.
The Festival seems to be going well and announcements are made for the next test. "The Trial of Combat is about to commence, those of you who hope to prove your martial skill this is your chance." The mayor annouces, as the stage is wheeled over to another field, the judges for the Trial of skill remain for any who still wish to work.
The next field contains three shallow pits about 5 feet deep and 20 in diameter, a fourth pit is slightly deeper and is about 80 feet in diameter. The first pit is surrounded by a variety of barrels and pots, and has a wooden flooring. The second pit has severa piles of broken stone and masonry in it and two wagons full of stone on either side. The third pit is covered with a scaffold about 40 feet high with various ropes and platforms strung about it. The fourth and largest pit has a tarp covering most of it. They explain that the final pit is a suprise and that half of those who complete two of the three smaller pits will be set in a team for the final pit.
Tithin finds a wagon that could be repaired though she says, "We don't have to win all of these right? Can we just beat the other ones?"
"Do you want help?" Leila asks Bein while simultaneously try to not be in the hay of her frantic search. When she hears the announcer she turns back to Brazzle "Are you going to compete in this Trial? I think that I will miss out on this one and save myself for the other" She smiles "I'll try and see if Love-Potion Lady needs any help then I can join up with you again if you want to compete ?"
Ahh, combat. I might well do better at that unless I have to stand there and beat someone with a sword. I really don't enjoy that. Well better man up and get entered.
Henrick will head over to the first pit and see if he can figure out the point of it all. Looking around he sees if anyone looks like an official who will describe the contest.
"Ahem, uh good sir, what would be the nature of this contest? I should think about joining in."
Kala Kana steps forward, spear leading the way. "We shall be tested by the echo of wrath."
Bazzle smiles, "I might need to get 'Rough,'" he displays his right hand, "and 'Tumble'," in likewise manner his left hand, "together to raise a 'Ruckus'." He pulls a long two handed sword with a slender curved blade.
Away from where the competition was taking place, Karrick sits in relative peace and quiet among the other patrons of the tavern. His table situated by the window affords him a partly curtained view of the ocean beyond the island. On the table, he has laid out his backpack with his sparse traveling gear inside. Among his possessions, a sole cold-iron throwing knife rests in his calloused hands, turned over and over as he watches the reflective edges gleam with a mixture of lantern light from inside and ambient sunlight from the window.
The weathered knife had served Karrick well, rarely was it removed from its concealed sheathe at the small of his back. Today, though, preparing to put as much distance between himself and his troubles as he can, Karrick has been taken by a fit of wistful longing for times gone by. Goggles down around his neck, he looks at the knife with unshrouded vision, his faintly iridescent green eyes scanning every nook and notch in the knife's surface.
Frowning, Karrick tucks the knife away behind himself, slipping it into the sheath attached to the back of his belt with a soft click. Turning to look out the window at the lapping ocean, Karrick's heavy brows furrowed and his expression loses focus, attaining a distant quality. Regret is a strange, fleeting feeling for Karrick. But here, about to abandon everything and everyone he has known since crawling out of that prison he feels it.
At least for a time.
"We can afford to lose one later if we pull this off, Little One. I'll not be missing this chance at a new life just because I was lazy and gave up. Now help me with this," says Bein as she lifts up a broken wagon wheel and begins attempting repairs. "Besides, wagons are of simple make. How hard could it be?"
At hearing, Leila's request, she simply smiles and says "If it's not against the rules, I suppose it couldn't hurt. Thank you."
Bazzle makes his way to the combat challenge. I need to get a look at this . . . before I stick my foot in it.
"Good luck Brazzle!" Heh, I wonder what else he has given a name ... Then she runs over to the wrecked wagon and spends a few seconds looking through her bag. She pulls out a set of tools and turn to Bain, ready to get to work. She smiles mockingly "If the judges complain, just say that you stole the wagon from me"
Leila, Bein and, Tithin manage to scrape together a decent wagon. They are able to turn it into the judges so there is at least something turned in by Bein.
The examiners turn to Henrick and Bazzle, "You have to win in two of the pits against an opponent to make it to the Battle Royal, No spells that negate the theme of the field or destroy it preventing further use, spells that use the theme to your advantage are fine, all weapons will be copied with an illusion to prevent permanent damage. Any questions?"
Bazzle asks, "Who are the opponents?"
"Look - we built it !" After Bein and Tithin turn the wagon in to the judges, Leila approaches them again brimming with pride. Her expression is shining of childlike joy "I have never built anything that big before" Still smiling she adds "My friend is going to compete in the Trial of Combat - Wanna go and watch?"
The examiner answers, "It's decided by raffle you won't know until you get into the arena, The guy who set this up said something about 'Adaptability to unexpected opponents'"
Bein takes the appropriate steps to participate in the next challenge.
"Well that seems like a reasonable way of doing things. I'm in."
As those interested in the trial sign up they provide each with three string necklaces, with the contestants number on each. They explain that the goal is to destroy the necklace of your opponent before they destroy yours. You may strap it to any part of your body but it must be clearly visible. You wear one necklace per pit for the first three.
Upon hearing the explanation of the trial of combat rules, an idea takes shape in Leilas mind. She approaches the judges and asks innocently: "Do the pieces of string have to stay visible, or just in the same spot after the fight begins ?"
A woman in spectacles answers, "The pendant with your number on it must stay attached to the necklace and be visible."
Bazzle listens to the rules, "And offensive spells are not allowed?"
"Offensive Spells are fine provided they don't destroy the field or completely defeat the purpose of the field. For example if you were to use fire that burned down the tangle field," Gesturing at the scaffolding and ropes"That would disqualify you, but it you just used fire controlled enough to damage your opponent you're fine. Also if you were to evaporate all the water of the flood pit,"As she gestures at the pit surrounded by barrels, "you would be disqualified, but if you just cast a spell on yourself that made you immune to the terrain or even made more water you would be fine."
Leila ponders over what the lady aid. Hmm so no turning invisible then. I wonder if something else might work... "If I don't carry the number visible anymore, I will be disqualified right ? I mean, if the number were no longer visible or attached to the piece of string, you would loose that round right ?"
Kala Kana listens intently, suddenly appearing behind the little people.
"Correct."
"I think I will sign up to compete after all." Leila receives her strings and numbers from the spectacle clad woman and backs off, nearly bumping into Kala. "Whoa" Leila gives the strange man a big smile "Sorry Mister - My thoughts were wandering"
Kala Kana returns the smile. "I find my thoughts wandering...often."
"Ok that's quite straightforward, I'm ready to go whenever you say" he replies taking the necklace and putting it on like a necklace.
Subject 22 made two projected inquiries regarding scenario 3b. All others accepted rules at given value.
Leila brightens when she hears the tongue of her people.
Kala Kana nods at Leila,
Kala Kana presents himself to the woman in spectacles. "Kala Kana is ready for the Trail of Combat." he pounds the butt of his spear into the ground.
Some time after having settled in at the Inn, Karrick heard word of the combat competition being arranged in the town. Given the plan he has to stow away, there will likely be others that are aboard the vessel that may not take kindly to his presence. Knowing their capabilities should they become hostile seems like a reasonable course of action.
It's this justification that has Karrick back outin the crowds, walking amidst spectators and other such onlookers. For now he finds no need to be as covert as he had been earlier. There were no signs of shield marshals anywhere this far north and none of the people in Magnam seemed overtly antagonistic. This more open approach allows Karrick to be closer to where the "fighting" (if it can even be called that) will take place.
__________
Before the next tournament, Bein sends Tithin around from one competitor to the next, attempting to demoralize them with clever threats thinly veiled in innuendo of their inevitable defeat.
While it is unclear whether Tithin demoralized the contestants through true intimidation or merely extreme annoyance one of the contestants leaves in a huff. As the half-elven man in a green tunic and hat stomps off swearing, Tithin practically chases him out of the field pestering him.
The raffle for the first contests begins.
The first number is Kala Kana's and the second is
A small halfling sized insect-man name 'Kreee'
As Kala was the first number he may pick the field.
Kala Kana points his spear at pit number 3.
"Ohh good luck mister Kana !"