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The Keleshite is in his late twenties, wearing loose clothing typical of Qadiran origin and a metallic armor covering his chest. A turban covers his head, revealing his piercing blue eyes, aquiline nose and well-tended short beard. His face has already known too many hardships, as his many scars testify. He is quite muscular and has the strong hands of one who has worked since the earliest days of his childhood. A tall, shafted weapon called a fauchard rests next to him, the blade bearing many engravings and arabesque dedicated to the Dawnflower.
When one of his companions shows up, he extends his hand and introduces himself. "Well met, I am Jhalan Aajav, blade of the Dawnflower and righter of wrongdoings. I understand we are to work together on this mission."
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Ducking under the doorframe, the large, bald northman enters the room. He bears extensive runic facial tattoos and heavy woad on the lower part of his jaw and down his neck. He wears a fur collared cloak with a silvery metal breast plate, leaving his thick arms free of encumberance, and his simple yet sturdy cloth breaches are tucked into his heavy leather boots.
Resting on his right shoulder is a massive metal earthbreaker and in his left hand he carries a large jug with the stain of wine around its uncorked mouth.
Despite his menacing appearance his smile is wide and his eyes practically dance with amusement as he greets his fellow pathfinders.
"HELLO THERE FRIENDS!" he booms! "Well met one and all. I am Braxus. Tis a fine day for adventure and drink. I brought the drink... I expect you brought the adventure." he says with an exaggerated wink and a loud chuckle.
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The smelly Keleshite's face is filled with joy as he catches glimpse "My dear Caduceus, a thousand blessings of dawn upon you! It is great to see you again. That expedition to Azlant Ridge was memorable, I must admit I had to take some time off to recover after that. I would be a goner if you hadn't been with us! May Sarenrae bless you with countless progeny, my friend!"
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An ulfen male walks into the meeting chamber, and places his greatsword by the door. His red-burgandy hair frames his lightly tanned face. He wears a simple breastplate with no extraordinary design. A shiny metal spiked gauntlet covers his right hand.
He then drops his back pack with a thud, and shoves it towards his greatsword with his foot.
"Did somebody say adventure" He says with a wide grin. "I am always ready for one"
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Suddenly, an errand boy appears in the briefing room with a letter for Jhalan. The smelly Keleshite makes quick excuses and bows, taking his leave.
Not long after that, a young dashing Chelaxian walks into the briefing room, a bright smile on his well-tended, cleanly-shaven face. His clothes are rather simple, those of an explorer save a finely-wrought mithral chain shirt whose color match his eyes. Straight dark hair come down on his shoulders, with a whiff of lavender and icebloom. Seeing that some people have yet to arrive, the Chelish man settles in a comfortable armchair and picks a random Pathfinder chronicle to read while he waits for the Venture-Captain.
"I'm Auric, archaeologist for the Society. I'm looking forward to working with you all." he says, keeping his nose in the volume of the Pathfinder Chronicles he's picked.
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A tall, long-limbed Varisian strolls in behind Auric. Other than hints at an elven heritage and a beautifully-curved blade strapped across his back, he’s your stereotypical Varisian mercenary. Serviceable, dark travel clothes with splashes of color, a well-worn kapenia of blues, oranges, and purples, dark hair, and a small nation’s treasury worth of beautifully-wrought tattoos covering his dusky skin.
He moves with an easy swagger, lazily sliding his own full pack the last few feet across the floor as he plunks down into an available chair, throwing both feet up onto the nearest table-top. He pulls a deck of cards from his pack and begins idly cut-and-shuffling them as he gives the group a casual perusal.
”Looks like I’m not the only one with the summons.” He gives a lopsided grin, ”Good. It’s always helpful to get to share the blame around, *caras.”
He shuffles a few more times as he takes in each present pathfinder, nodding to each in turn. ”I hear we’re going to be waiting here a while. Might as well get to know each other. I’m Jal.” His grin widens at Braxus, ”Hey, Big Guy,” he fishes out a dinged-and-dented travel mug and holds it up hopefully, ”You said something about a drink?”
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"Hah! I did say something about a drink! Well met friend! I introduced myself before you arrived. I am called Braxus and I hail from the northern lands, where the witches are white and their dolls are fearsome." he says with a smile as he pours the man some strong wine. He pulls a metal goblet from a loop on his belt and pours himself some wine before sitting down at the same table. "Don't tell me it will be just the two of us drinking?"
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"Glad to hear it my elven friend! The more the better!" As mother always said, any reason for another drink is a good reason for another drink! Braxus thinks to himself as he hoists his goblet high in a toast with his new friends.
"Come my brother!" Braxus says heartily, waving for Eramos to come over.
"And you to Auric. I am sure an arc...whatever you said you were... makes for thirsty work. Get your nose out of that reading...whatever it is... and come drink some wine with us. I promise it will be fun." and he finishes with a laugh loud enough to be heard through closed doors, walls, and likely even the entire lodge.
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An elf comes into the room! But she's also running with the far north theme. Clad in whites and blues, she shows none of the obvious penchant for the warrior's life as her fellow Pathfinder do-- she is slender and dressed in fur-trimmed robes rather than the glint of armor, and bears no more weapons beyond a simple quarterstaff topped with the furred skull of an arctic fox.
"Ah, greetings," she murmurs in oddly-accented Taldane, and nods slightly at the sight of the Varisian mercenary. "Master Jal. It seems we travel together again."
Her eyes linger briefly on Caduceus as well, noting his ears, but she settles herself into a chair without directing any words at him and opens an unusual... box? at her back, pulling out a small white rabbit from it and settling the creature on her lap to pet it behind its floppy ears.
"I am called Taika. I look forward to, as you say, 'adventure.' "
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"Well met Lady Taika! There is more than enough drink to go around, so please have some!" Booms the big bald man with a wide relaxed smile. He holds up his wine jug, ready to pour should an empty cup appear.
As he looks the white haired elf over appreciatively, slowly, like dawn creeping over a mountain, something seems to register in his mind and his smile lessens a bit and his eyes show slight apprehension...
In a low tone voice he speaks with respect, "From what land in the north do you hail, Lady Taika?"
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Taika favors Jal with a slight, cool brow arch at his... greeting, and offers a measured nod to Caduceus at his courtesies. The greeting from the enormous human earns a nod and a smile that is somewhat wry, if warmer.
"Not from Irrisen, if that is what you are politely not asking," Taika says. "Baba Yaga and my people are no allies-- nor do we even share a border, so we are not much of anything to one another. I am from lands north even of your likely ones, warrior. You are Ulfen, no?"
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Visibly relieved, Braxus' eyes relax and his smile is back to full force as he continues the conversation with the white haired elven woman,
"I am Ulfen, much like Eramos here!" he says with pride as he clasps the shoulder of the other Ulfen man beside him. "I hail from a small village just a days ride west of Stormspear Keep."
As the conversations continue, and the group gets to know one another while waiting for the Venture captain to arrive, Braxus casually takes stock of his full wine skins, counting the half gallon bags slowly, and silently, though his lips visibly move as he does so.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... that doesn't seem nearly enough for a trip of any significant distance...I will have to fill this jug and the other two empty skins before we go.", he thinks to himself.
”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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"That place is sure to fill up fast. We can get lodging after the meeting." says the big man, suddenly serious as he gathers himself and stands. Then his smile returns for a moment as he says, "At least the meet is in a tavern. Strong drink and a bunch of fighters all gathering to talk about fighting...Hoho! This is going to be a real good time!"
He holds open the door for his new friends as they begin to leave for the Devil's Dregs
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.
A wide range of people have already assembled in the tavern, including a group wearing red, insectile masks, and an unshaven Tian swordsman in ornate lamellar armor and a full helm bearing the visage of a snarling demon.
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Taika smiles politely at Braxus's words of where he is from-- but somewhat pointedly does not volunteer more details about the location of her own people.
She clasps her hands with a mild sigh at the Decemvirate's announcement. "...hopefully the benefits of Hao Jin's collection will outweigh the... pointless brutality of such a contest."
She nods at the suggestion they beeline for the tavern in question, and makes the attempt to keep the furred trim of her robes out of the mud... and worse things... on the street as they reach the tavern. Inside the disreputable establishment, she makes sure to seat herself behind her far brawnier companions, unwilling to be jostled or bowled over by any of the thuggish looking sorts.
Her gaze lingers on the people wearing the red masks, but aloud she says only, "...I suppose a tavern such as this is unlikely to have very many... wines worth the drinking."
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Before leaving the Grand lodge, Caduceus takes a moment to form a bond between himself and Jal, Taika and Auric. Satisfied by feeling the soft thrum of life energy established to each of his companions, the paladin takes a position to Taika's left so he can keep his shield free should anything go awry.
"I'm no expert, but this gathering feels like a tinder box waiting for a spark. We should remain vigilant."
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Braxus chuckles at the elf woman's comment about pointless brutality, "Brutality often has a point, and a very sharp one at that. But I understand your meaning. I would rather leave blood and tears out of things that good wine and laughter could settle just as easily. Now why couldn't this Hao Jin character have made this a drinking contest? Now that would have been legendary."
As the group arrives, Braxus suggests they do a once around look at the place, to check for ways in and out. Too many times has a battle been lost because one side didn't know the ground well enough.
After a quick run around the outside the group enters and tries to find space to sit. Braxus offers to stand so that Taika can sit, stating that standing gives him better mobility and sight over the sea of bodies pressing in, so he is happier that way. "I always bring my own wine for just this kind of place, Lady Taika." Braxus says with a smile as he hands her one of his wine skins for the group. "It may not be elven wine, but it will do I'd wager."
As Caduceus mentions remaining vigilant, Braxus nods in agreement, vaguely sure he has heard that word before but almost completely sure he understands the meaning.
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Auric beams a charming smile at the elven wizard, addressing her a slight wink. "I concur - all this needless violence revulses me. I'd much rather have a contest of library research or a dispute over the essence of Irori's godhood." The Chelaxian takes a sip from a flask he brought with him. "That being said, we need to adapt and show our quality. We'll do it no matter what we face."
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Eramos is quiet on his way over to the tavern, trying to get to a conclusion of why he always finds himself in a fight for sport.
Eramos stands just opposite of the Braxus looking over his shoulder, making sure no one sneaks up on the man.
"no need to really adapt on my end friend. I have been fighting for sport and freedom my whole life. This will be just another day" Eramos smirks back at Auric
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Jal finds a spot at the Grand Lodge to secret away his Wayfinder, then follows the group to the new tavern, giving Caduceus a slight frown at the formed bond but saying nothing. Surely the man knew what he was about.
At the Dregs, a lopsided smirk grows on his face.
”I like this place.”
He dives into the dingy, loud, smelly place … a fish in water. And continues the conversation the others had been having. ”I don’t know, brutality has its uses, Skinny.” He shrugs, looking back at Braxus and Eramos, ”Big Guy and his northman friend know that, I’m guessing. Plus, it’s not like the world is suddenly going to stop being mean to you.”
Once their table is found, Jal lets other sit down, instead leaning casually against the wall next to it. ”Now let’s see what kind of fun this place has,” he mutters as he tries to flag down the overburdened wait-staff to get some ales for the table.
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Taika glances around past the shoulders of the others. "Violence has its uses... when all other routes have failed."
She eyes the masked men she'd noted earlier, as well as the Tien man, considering if she knows anything of them.
She favors Auric with a belated smile as well. "Irori? A god of knowledge, no? That seems like it would be an interesting discussion to have, sometime."
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.
Auric and Eramos try to catch a ruby each, but with no luck.
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Taika's eyes are used to the glare of sunlight off snow; she catches the glint of a tiny ruby landed on the floor amid the press of feet.
"There," she says in a low urgent voice to her companions, and releases Kani the white rabbit from her lap to bound to the floor and go pluck up the gem. The rabbit is more than accustomed to weaving between the feet of bigger folk!
Kani darts through the forest of legs and snatches the ruby just as a brutally scarred man reaches out for it as well. Following the rabbit's path back to Taika, he snarls and hefts his axe.
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Taika smiles down at her rabbit, fondly. "Olet fiksu tyttö," she murmurs approvingly, praising the rabbit in her native tongue... before she registers the angry, brutish looking man incoming.
"This one is claimed, sir," Taika says coldly. "You should stay on your side of the tavern and look over there. Let me assist you."
Taika flicks her fingers and chants the short syllables of a spell, and then opens her mouth. A gust of frost swirls forth, rushing towards the man and targeting his feet, to stick him to the floor over on 'his side' of the tavern.
Taika scoops up her rabbit-- and the gem-- cradling them protectively in her arms.
With the brute temporarily hindered you can take stock of the all-out brawl that has erupted in the inn. People are scrambling to claim the rubies, while groups of opportunistic thugs guard each doorway out.
Eramos delivers a nasty slash, but finds himself open to retaliation.
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With a quick glance to the armored paladin sitting next to Taika, the big man's face looks grim and almost saddened, as if to say "I know, but blood was drawn. Guard her." Then Braxus' jaw tightens in a blink and he spins to go help his brother warrior, shouldering aside anyone in his path till he can reach Eramos' side. "I'm here brother!" he bellows as he strikes out with a powerful swing of his earthbreaker!
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Auric, seeing that their opponent is well taken care of, remains his eyes peeled for another gem.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Braxus clobbers the man, who snarls in defiance.
Not bothering with the barbarians' bloody work, Auric takes a look around. The majority of the rubies have been claimed and are currently being fought over, but he catches a tiny shimmering from the corner of his eye. Looking down, he spots a ruby next to his foot and manages to stow it away without anyone else noticing.
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Taika exhales, lips pursed as she sees the bright spray of blood when she only meant to hinder the greedy fellow and stop him coming closer.
"So be it," she sighs. "This is the truth of the world of man, it seems."
The elf's eyes begin to darken, going from clear blue to a whiteless indigo. She gazes at the stuck man for a long second, then announces in a flat tone:
"An old injury, a knife taken in a drunken brawl, has left his right arm slow to lift that axe of his. Attack from that side. He will not be able to block you. If he must be taken out with violence, let us at least see it done swiftly."