As Mido and Rika make it through the exit, they spot a grim Guardsman dragging a still unconscious Nefti away by his hair.
As the group congratulates themselves on their escape beside the Alembic’s rickety pier, they hear rumors circulating among their fellow Pathfinders in the late evening chill.
“The Ten have released an official statement through Valsin CONDEMNING the actions of a ‘few Rogue Agents’ in a Dockside Entertainment Establishment this evening.”
The rough voice continues incredulously. “The Gates to the Grand Lodge will be closed to all members until a committee has thoroughly investigated the incident ... So, where we gonna stay tonight??”
His companion is younger, with a voice like liquid silk. “I hear a pal of VC Flaxseed's has opened an inn just over the border in the Foreign Quarter. The Linseed Lodge it’s called.”
“They might have a room or two left – if we hurry!”
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As soon as they are out of sight, Pratts finds himself subjected to Rika's desire to retrieve the gem. A method that involves a considerable amount of laxatives.
"I get gem from Pratts. We go to Linseed inn after? No worry, if Pratts not poop, Pratts do water from mouth, and then we get gem" says the Hulking Tiefling with a look that belies the considerable amount of violence she is willing to inflict on her animal companion.
The front façade of this renovated boarding house bears a striking resemblance to the famous Flaxseed Lodge in Cassomir, Taldor. The tap room is warm, open and inviting.
A couple of bar flies grumble into their ales, while a pair of gnomes sit at separate tables pondering … whatever it is gnomes ponder. One of them strokes the head of a large, green cat in his reverie.
As you enter, a clean-shaven halfling wearing a sky blue tunic comes from behind the bar to greet you with a smile.
“I’m Paeter Linseed. Welcome to the Linseed Lodge.”
He flashes a wayfinder emblazoned with the Glyph of the Open Road. “Have any of you fine folk got one of these?”
“If so, pray pick a room or three for you and your friends! Rest. Heal up. Maybe have a drink at the bar? But remember, tomorrow is another big day!”
“Oh, one more thing. Please don’t disturb the paladin in the corner room. She’s a protégé of the owner, who’s experienced more downs than ups today.”
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Mariel looks worried at the rumours she hears. As the tension dies down, she finds that she regains her voice. "You don't think they were talking about us, did they?" she asks, still remembering the amount of carnage her companions wrought. "I mean, they started the fight. We were just defending ourselves..."
She agrees to go to the Linseed Lodge. On the way there, she moves up to Rika for a talk. "I am sorry that it took me so long to think of that trick," she starts. "Bo-Ho had been trying to bring it to my attention, that I could do such magic. But he... Well, he doesn't always make a lot of sense, and he tends to slur his words on occasion." She makes a gesture of drinking, and gives the tiefling a knowing look. "Also, I wanted to ask... Not that it's my business, of course. But is everything okay with Pratts? He seems like a really nice creature, but I noticed that you're... ehm... quite harsh with him."
--
At the inn, Mariel hurries to interrupt Mido when she sees him grabbing his healing wand. "No, no. That's not necessary. The inheritor has blessed me with magic to aid my companions. I am sorry that I wasn't more use in the fighting at the tavern, but at least I can tend to your wounds." She goes around the group, praying to Iomedae and using her magic to heal the other's wounds. She's especially tender with Pratts, who seems to have a hard day ahead of him. Also, she occasionally thanks a 'Asculah' under her breath, for helping her identify the best application of her magic.
--
Mariel kindly returns Paeter's greeting. "Thank you, I'm glad that we can stay here." She pulls out her Wayfinder and proudly presents it. "So, I take it you are not the owner? Or are you? It carries your name, doesn't it?" She can't contain her curiosity. "I noticed the arrow outside, under the 'N'. It is a riddle? Or a reference to something?" She looks over her shoulder at the paladin, trying to see if he displays a holy symbol. She's always keen to help someone who needs it, but she'll heed the warning for now.
“Your wayfinder acts like a knock spell on the Lodge’s doors, Miss. Everything is on the house for the duration of your stay.”
The halfling stops, giving Rika and Valjoen a hard stare. “That is to say – everything within reason.”
“My father is the Linseed named for the Inn.” Paeter’s smile returns. “Though he has two silent partners. One of them – Karu the Bold Strider, is a Seeker Champion of Irori and sensei of Sister Tuna, the lady I mentioned earlier.”
"I noticed the arrow outside, under the 'N'. It is a riddle? Or a reference to something?"
“Clever of you to notice, Miss. It refers to VC Trotter Flaxseed’s Lodge in Fair Cassomir, which lies exactly 100 leagues due 'N'orth of where we’re standing.”
^v^
As the more sociable members of the party chat, Rika discovers the ruby she … obtained from Pratts begins to glow.
On cue, a muscular tengu enters through the Lodge’s front door as if he was in tune with the gemstone’s magic.
He speaks Taldane with a Tien accent, mixed with the kinds of chirps and caws Mariel is all too familiar with. “My name not important, Pathfinders. My Master – Peerless Sifu Xho Nuo, Emissary of Ruby Phoenix.”
“Congratulations on making it this far. All remaining contestants gather at the Ruby Shipping House, Dusk tomorrow.”
“Master Linseed give you directions.” He bows perfunctorily. 晚安
Following the directions given to you by your tengu liaison, you arrive just past dusk at the shipping house. Soon enough, a small crowd of would-be contestants begins to gather.
Approaching the entrance you spot a dishevelled, barefooted man dressed in plain sackcloth leaning in the shallow doorway. As you draw nearer, he slowly raises his head to examine the crowd. Then, grinning a toothy smile, he holds out his hand and asks “Any of you happen to find a ruby?”
The crowd excitedly signals their affirmative response and several glowing rubies are thrust into the air, there is an electric vibe flowing through the assembled host and everyone seems very ready for action.
The man nods and pushes the door open. Then he holds out a sack to collect the rubies of those seeking entry. As the various contestants enter, he directs them towards a flight of stairs near the back of the warehouse. These stairs descend into a wide and shadowy basement converted into a crude, make-shift arena illuminated by a ring of greasy-scented torches. The main floor is cleared of all objects save for a dusting of sand and straw that covers the cold stone floor. An assortment of contestants have already arrived, anxiously scanning the room. Almost all in attendance are recognizable from the previous night’s brawl.
From across the arena floor strides Kiang Zhen, the terrifying creature who represents Sifu Xho Nuo. Clapping her massive, clawed hands, she calls for silence, and with a low growl addresses the entire room as she runs her hands over her gruesome golden horns.
“Bringing defeat upon your perceived adversaries is only part of what it takes to walk the path of a truly great warrior. A true master sees beyond his adversaries; he sees the war and not just the battle. Last night, I watched how all of you were quick and eager to fight one another—therefore today... today I shall see how you fight together! Let’s see how well you can keep each other alive!” As she finishes this exuberant and enigmatic statement, smoke flashes erupt throughout the arena, and several dozen hidden trapdoors suddenly spring open, unleashing a horde of otherworldly beasts!
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Mariel listens attentively to the halfling. "Oh, that's nice. Thanks you so much for letting us stay here." She's about to say her goodbyes for the night when the ruby begins glowing. She looks excited, and wary. "That glowing. It means we got in, didn't we?"
Then the tengu enters. Mariel listens attentively, and makes her best approximations of a bow as he leaves. "Can you believe it? We really got in!" He head spins left and right a couple of times as she tries to make sense of all the spirit voices suddenly vying for her attentions. "Yes, yes. Now, please. It's been a long day, I need rest..." She turns to her companions, with much the same message. "If you'll excuse me, I'm not too familiar with getting into bar brawls, and we'll have to get up early tomorrow. I'm heading in."
--
Mariel has a good night's sleep and wakes more than an hour before dusk. She gets dressed in her armor, takes a light breakfast and then retreats to the tavern's courtyard to pray. She's ready on time and eager to be on their way. "Did everyone have a good night's rest? I can scarcely believe we're really going to compete I'm going to try and pull my weight this time, I'll do my best!"
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"Always a good night's sleep after a big win," Jillia says, subconsciously running her fingers along the newest dents in her armor during breakfast. "I can't wait to see what the actual competition is like."
"Are we still on the down-low?" Jillia asks, removing a small (but well made) flag with the Glyph of the Open Road from her backpack and shrugging. "It feels wrong not letting opponents know what hit them."
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"Pratts is not nice. Pratts is Ancient Scale of Jungle. Pratts would hunt all if alone. Pratts would eat all if alone." answers Rika in a tone that begins harshly but attempts to a ... Softer approach. "I sorry, not want hard words on you. Pratts is hunter and respect strength. I show him strength of my. He then not hunt or eat if I not say. But Pratts smart. Pratts too smart. Look like harmless. You OK if you with me. But must remember. Pratts kill before. He kill again. He hunt. Eat. He is Ancient Scale of Jungle."
"Rika pay for not reason. But Rika will reason be." she grunts. What in the Hells means "within Reason"? Still mulling those words, Pratts seems to delight in Mariel's attention, making sure to shoot a look or two towards Rika. The hunter tenses but otherwise does not interfere. She looks towards the innkeep and asks. "Is can rest? Or must watch keep?"
"Not understand words. We are not down or low" answers Rika. "But not Pathfinders, I think. Maybe. Maybe not. Society say we rogue. Maybe not important. Skull armor man, what you think?"
"Is can rest? Or must watch keep?"
Paeter replies, “Maybe the training of Initiates has changed since my day.”
“VC Valsin told be once I passed Confirmation I was a big boy, able to make my own decisions.”
⚔ ⚔ ⚔
“Let’s see how well you can keep each other alive!”
As she finishes this exuberant and enigmatic statement, smoke flashes erupt throughout the arena, and several dozen hidden trapdoors suddenly spring open, unleashing a quartet of small, metallic snakes with pinpricks of red light for eyes.
One question for every 5 over DC 17
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"Looks like we're about to have an audience," Jillia announces, pointing to the shadows slipping into the arena. "Let's give them a good show," she calls back to the group as she darts ahead to engage the snakes.
After that Xacabra, its nice to see small snakes again, she muses, as she runs up to strike at the blackest of the four snakes.
+ 6 Precision
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"Wait, not so fast," Mariel calls after Jillia before her voice is taken away. She grunts and mutters something inaudible. Snakes?! Metallic? Maybe Haephor could know something about that. She puts a hand on Rika's shoulder and points at her weapon. "Haephor నాకు ఈ యుక్తిని నేర్పింది. బ్లేడ్ సాధ్యం కంటే పదునైనది ఉంటుంది." She traces a hand along the blade, leaving it gleaming and sparkling. She then draws her own longsword and hustles towards the center of the arena.
--
Valjoen charges the brassy serpent, his sword-blow crushing external armor and severing internal wiring (not to mention the construct’s head!) Despite this, the Ulfen warrior believes his swing should have done more damage than it did.
You know the artificial snakes’ bite attack can inject an alchemical or biochemical substance into a victim’s blood stream. This agent – typically a poison or acid – is placed in an internal reservoir by the construct's creator.
Jillia moves up gamely on Black, but the flat-bellied serpent springs over and clear of her sweeping blade.
Mariel has a brief conversation with ‘herself’ and DARES to lay hands on Rika, seeking to give the tiefling a spiritual edge in the coming battle.
As you approach to within 5’ of your desired position to engage the snake, you notice Jillia and the black snake are standing on a trap-door.
Does this change your movement and attack action in any way?
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Oh, and call out a warning to the rest of the party ;)
Enter the Ninja!
(Mido ✨casts bless)
I'd be fine with just stopping short and loosing the chance to make an attack....
Manius brings his charge to a SHUDDERING halt beside the halfling cavalier as he detects … something … hidden in the arena’s sandy floor.
“Jillia, you’re standing on a trap door with the snake!”
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Rika's demeanor cools visibly. "I ask because is way of soft people. I will do my way then."
Rika grunts in assent, weaving a spell herself to aid her movement. With a call upon the spirit of the mighty stag, it seems all told that the armor no longer inhibits her movement.
She moves forward, barking a command as she does to Pratts.
"普拉特！留！"
The raptor cocks his head quizzically. Rika isn't often in the habit of letting him stay behind.
Rika gives Pratts an order, *casts* and advances into the arena.
In contrast, the black snake holds its ground trap-door and strikes at Jillia.
The other two constructs close in on Rika and Valjoen. Their sliding movements are smooth and mechanical.
Rika efficiently turns the Red Cobra into a tangled pile of wires and scrap metal.
+ Fort save
+ Fort save
The snake’s mechanical fangs fail to inject any fluid into Jillia’s bloodstream.
The halfling hits back. Connecting with one her sword-strokes – leaving the black cobra HISSSSSSSSING!
As the short sword expert steps off the trap-door, she realizes her blade doesn’t seem to be doing as much damage as she’d think it would.
+ Fort save
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"Thanks," Mariel replies to Manius in Celestial. She looks thoroughly annoyed. "It's Asherah again, thinking she can grab my attention this way." She then sets her jaw and steps in between Rika and Valjoen to add her own strike to the metallic snake.
"It works, doesn't it?" she asks Rika happily when she sees the tiefling slice cleanly through one of the creatures.
--
Mido moves to flank with Manius, whose blow causes the black snake’s servo motors to whir loudly and die. The construct’s head descends to the sand in a controlled manner, as its red eyes fade to black.
Iomedae’s champion attempts the same feat on blue, but the creature flits under her blade at the last moment.
The poison circulating through Valjoen’s bloodstream sends the Ulfen dizzy for a few seconds, causing his bastard sword to miss to the left.
As the Pathfinders close in, the clockwork reptile strikes out – at Mariel!
+ Fort save (second)
Mido darts around to the snake’s rear as fast as his short legs will carry him.
All that dashing about in heavy armor puts Manius’ aim off. The Hellknight is on Strike 1.
Jillia scores a hit, but it’s not enough to put the mechanical objet d'art down.
+ Fort save (second)
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Mariel, careful not to step on the trapdoor, silently thanks Haephor for letting her walk around in armor with ease. She takes the long way round the pillar until she's next to the snake. She concentrates on her strike so much that she forgets to make the conscious effort to speak Celestial. Her battle cry is twisted into chirps and whistles, but sounds fierce nonetheless.
--
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Valjoen feels a bit shaky after the last bite from the cobra. Not seeing any room for him to approach the reptile without stepping on the trap door, he turns to insults.
"Hey, you! You slithering piece of maticore dribble. You bite like a little gnomish girl and your venom is like a weak Taldan ale!"
Though his insults lacked the words to evoke fear, his delivery was epic. He only hopes that the cobra can understand him. As the sun beats down upon him, the Ulfen stumbles to a kneel, breathing heavy and leaning on his bastard sword.
As the last three Pathfinders fail to retire the Iron Cobra, you hear exasperated muttering from Kiang Zhen in the VIP Box.
准备第三个字符串。 他们可能打败这个无望的团队
All three notice another pair of trap doors, but fortunately don’t step on them.
The snake ignores Valjoen, but the venom within his system doesn’t.
The serpent then tries Manius on for size.
+ Fort save (third)