Johann drinks his potion and Dimitra begins to inspire her friends. Walter's spear clanks off Demerin's breastplate!
Demerin calls for the sailor in the other room, and when he enters begins to cast a spell. This provokes from Walter.
The attack hits, and the spell is lost!
Johann
Dimitra
Walter
Demerin
sailor
Gunther
scallywag
Gunther steps up and swings his sword at Demerin, cutting a deep wound in the man's side!
The scallway (warrior) swings his shotel and cestus-wrapped fist at Gunther!
The sword cuts Gunther, but the punch misses!
Johann
Dimitra
Walter
Demerin
sailor
Gunther
scallywag
Johann's bomb explodes on Deremin's chest, knocking him to the ground prone!
His henchman, awed by the display, throw up their hands!
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Walter shrugs as the big bad leader goes down like a fish, flopping and fluttering away.
He reaches into his pack to grab his manacles.
He spares a look for the cronies as he binds their leader.
As Dimitra begins her sweet-talking, Walter raises an eyebrow as he states his intentions toward Demerin!
Walter then stands over him, grinning all friendly-like!
The man speaks with a slight Galtan accent:
"My name is Deremin. I come from Galt, but there life can become very dangerous. I fled my homeland and began a new life here, in the tradition of the great buccaneers of the Shackles! Karivs, my halfling friend, and I were hired by Helkit out of Tymon. She funded our group and lent us men. We in turn gave her a generous cut of profits. She's a clever one, Helkit. But this isn't her game either. She has no reason to target Pathfinder shipments. I've discovered that the real money comes from Razmiran! They are quite upset over a recent...disagreement with your Society.*"
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"So if I understand correctly you are just in it for the money and would be willing to take on other jobs that are legitimate?"
"A friend of mine can always use guards for caravans operating out of Varisia. I think it would be better if you and your men disappear from the River Kingdoms. And considering your crimes and what passes as the "law" in these areas you would be hanged if you stay around. That would be a waste as you would not get a chance to redeem yourself. What do you think Walter?"
The man listens to Dimitra's offer.
"Well, I must say it's about a bit more than money. But not enough more for me to risk my neck further...and we would be executed if you brought us back to Tymon. I'm not one to pass up an opportunity. We shall seek out your friend. If you are planning to face Helkit, take my logbook. It contains the information I have told you, as well as more particulars. There's no court to try her in, but still it may help you."
The party then uses the captured pirate boat to return to Tymon.
Holgarin Smine listens intently to the team as they give their report, clearly as enthralled by the adventure as by the Pathfinder Society’s business. Hearing Helkit’s name dampens his mood and causes him to furrow his brow.
“Well done. Everything I hoped for out there. Whatever else, our immediate enemies are done for. Hopefully gives anyone thinking about doing the same pause. But there’s the problem. There’ll be more, because they weren’t acting on their own. Helkit Silverbane—she’s a problem: Lots of money, lots of clout. She could just hire another group and hardly lighten her purse. We need to take this to her—make her see we’re more than she can handle. But going up against the bloodied... that’s like swimming upriver. Through piranha. Bleeding."
“Law’s not an option. First off, bankrolling pirates... barely a crime here—only if you get caught. Even with witnesses, she’s hardly red-handed. And bloodied’s word in court is worth lots more than words from captured bandits or the ones that caught them. Tymon’s got some hard laws, but this wasn’t really even in Tymon. It’s all... borderline. Don’t think we could make formal charges stick.”
Smine sips his cooling tea thoughtfully, the furrows of worry on his brow slowly evening out. “Got one option, if you want to take it. Can’t hit her in court... but Tymon wasn’t built on courts.” His eyes widen as he leans in close, “Ever heard of the Law of Grievance?”
"That's right, fair lady. Under the Law of Grievance, anyone in Tymon can challenge another person to arena combat. Even a “bloodied” citizen must accept the challenge of outsiders. In a way, it’s the fairest possible law available to those with the deck stacked against them."
"If you challenge Helkit for having moved against the Pathfinder Society, she must accept. Killing her isn’t even necessary; as challenged, Helkit would set the terms of the fight, and most Grievance matches aren’t lethal. But publicly defeating and humiliating her demonstrates forcefully that Pathfinders protect their interests. What do you say? Will you take on the challenge?"
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At about point, Naurin hobbles noisily into the room, looking exhausted and quite disheveled. "Came back with the prisoners, gave my little speech about behaving or I'll know it and track them down," she shows a handful of locks of hair, "But by the time I was done, Malfeas was off. Something 'important', something 'secret'. I should've got a lock of his hair, that miscreant, but for his bald head. Then, he's too fast for me! Going to have to learn to ride a horse. Next time, I will get a lock of hair. One way or the other." Naurin ends looking very severe and determined.
After a pause, she begins again, "So, did I hear you going to fight some 'hell kitten'?"
Smine smiles as the group's second beauty returns to his offices. He answers Johann:
"The most likely thing would be that the group of you would face off against Helkit and a band of her prized students. She's got quite a successful academy for training warriors, and she lieks to show off the best of 'em. Gives 'em fancy team names sometimes."
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"Will we have until the morning to prepare, or will we be challenging them tonight?"
-Posted with Wayfinder
"You won't be facing them today. It does take awhile to arrange a proper fight in the arena. I even suspect that immediately prior to the match you'll have time to cast spells and consume potions. If you're agreed, will you go and deliver the challenge?"
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"As much as I detest trial by combat - a worse form of determining justice I do not know - we should scout out the arena ahead of time and, preferable for our purposes, try to see a match," Naurin suggests, obviously fighting her revulsion. "Someday, true justice will come to this benighted land," she thinks - or vows? - darkly.
"Is such possible? Can we have time to do so?" she asks the Venture-Captain, not knowing how often these things happen or how fast things will be in play now.
"The fight docket's usually pretty full at the Arena. Usually takes a day or two after you make a challenge to actually do the fight."
At this point a young female messenger returns to the smithy.
"Mister Smine, Helkit is in the Arena right now, putting her students through their paces."
Smine turns to you:
"Why don't you all pay her a visit? After you make the challenge and the terms are set, you should have time to take in a bout or two to get the feel of things."
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"Seems like you have matters well in hand, that you keep tabs on Helkit before we return with information that she is involved." Dimitra says with a smile on her face to remove the sting from her remark.
"Ok team, let's go and deliver a challenge to Helkit. Walter, do you want to have the honour of doing the talking, you are a lot better with term setting than I am."
You arrive at the Arena of Aroden:
Even empty, the Arena of Aroden is an imposing sight that
seems to magnify the sounds of clashing blades and grunts
of exertion of a dozen sweaty, muscular men and women
sparring on the sandy floor. The synergy of well-trained
teamwork and combat style is apparent, though it falls short
of the standards set by a tall, broad, iron-haired woman
dressed in rich furs. “Watch your flanks, you ham-fingered
dolts! Felex, if you leave your partner’s back uncovered again
just to make a cheap swing, it’s your back I’ll break in two!”
she roars at the gladiators. “Now hold! There’s company.”
Turning in your direction, she snaps, “Who in Abaddon are
you? The Silver Slayers have the training ground today.”
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Walter approaches the group, stopping about 40' from them.
He forcibly plants his longspear in front of him.
He stares at each individual in the group before landing his stern gaze upon Helkit.
We represent the interests of the PathFinder's society! A challenge--Madame Helkit-- for having moved against the Pathfinder Society is officially issued! Your crimes against Society warrant only Abadar's Judgment!
Helkit chuckles at first at your accusation, but grows quite serious as she realizes a formal challenge is being issued.
Her surprised expression curls into a sneer. “Very well, I accept. Some fights are already scheduled for two days from now. We’ll settle this then. As challenged, I set the terms: Group battle — you lot against me and my Slayers. No limits on weapons or magic. Public arena fight, on the shifting sands — and you should know I’ve never lost on those.”
She glances at her trainees for a moment before reluctantly adding, “No need for a death match. The challenge may be decided by yielding. Anyone losing their nerve can call it off for their team.” She smirks. “Mind you, that won’t be anyone on my side. I don’t train cowards.”
Naurin is able to ask around regarding Helkit and her students.
The Silver Slayers — often just called the Slayers — are well known as being among the better team-oriented gladiators in Tymon. They are quick on their feet and favor the use of exotic weapons and fighting styles.
Helkit is famous for her piecemeal armor, which is rumored to include a piece of armor from each of her fallen foes. Although she has not fought in the Arena of Aroden for several years, Helkit is well-loved by the crowds.
Dimitra questions Helkit about Guaril, but she rebuffs answering, promising to do so if the Pathfinders defeat her team.
As Gunther tries to remember his first night at the Inn, he recalls hearing about Helkit Silvermane.
In the heat of battle, Helkit seems able to tap inner reserves to become giant-sized. She also favors the “shifting sands,” an arena setup that involves hidden pits.
The group is able to take in a match the following day at Naurin's behest, and the "shifting sands" are indeed very cleverly disguised, impossible to discern unless up close. And they change from one match to the next, so their positions cannot be memorized in advance.
As the group arrives at the Arena on the morning of the appointed day, they are given the rules from one of the attendants seeing to their team.
Participants may cast preparatory spells before
entering the arena but otherwise cannot use magic,
activate items, or drink potions until the combat
officially begins; in the case of You Have What You Hold,
this translates to 10 minutes of time checking in with
the arena manager, suiting up, reviewing the rules, and
verbally acknowledging these rules before stepping out
into the fighting space.
Magical flight and climbing the walls and columns is
permitted, but only to the level of the grandstands (25
feet above the floor). Going any higher is considered
unsporting, presents a risk to the spectators, and is
grounds for disqualification. Violators receive a single
warning and slow count to three (over the course of 1
round) before being disqualified.
The combat conditions established by Helkit allow either
team to give up should any participant declare that he
yields. Doing so grants victory to the opposing team.
The combat is not, strictly speaking, a death match,
but participants are not held accountable for killing
their opponents.
Furthermore, he asks you to tell him if your group has a name, and he wants to hear of your accomplishments, so that they may be included in your introduction.