“We will definitely consider your words, Pathfinder. Thank-you for letting us go.”
Seoni waits momentarily for her sight to return before fleeing down the tunnel like a tiefling and dinosaur are after her.
Nefti silently helps Merisiel to her feet, uses his right arm to support the elf behind her back and under her arms, and together the pair hobble after their leader. Just before disappearing down the channel, they turn to face the victors, with Nefti giving a simple nod of thanks.
The vase rests in the center of a small iron cage suspended above the walkway.
Both Rika and Jillia believe the chain could not tolerate an additional 20 pounds without coming loose.
Once the cage is accessible, the Pathfinders can clearly behold the vase inside. Unfortunately, the cage door is locked.
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Despite all the hectic and commotion around him Mido sets himself on the ground with crossed legs and places a small bronze gong on the ground before himself. He then strikes it 4 times praising Irori and pledging to further improve every day of the week through rigurous training and endless study.
Then the old Gnome rises and approaches the vase.
Knowledge History with Guidance
Reroll from Memory Domain
Why what a beautiful vase... Mido muses as he examines it.
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Mariel steps up to Valeros, a sad look on her face when she finds that there is nothing left to do to help him. She says a quick prayer, then motions for the other Aspis. "Take him, and be gone for this place. I'm sorry that such a contest had to end in such a definitive way."
With nothing else to be done, she joins the others in the hunt for the vase. "You're right, Mido. It's quite pretty. And fragile too, by the looks of it. I suppose we shouldn't try to brute-force it." She looks around. "Is anyone of you handy with locks?" She cocks her head for a moment, thinking. "Or course, we could also just slice the chain and bring the vase and the cage."
A single slash with her no-dashi is all that is required for Rika to break the chain. With Manius and Mariel holding their arms raised to accept the container, the pair lower the item and its fragile cargo to the ground like griffon eggs.
Now comes the fun part …
While space is no problem, carrying the iron cage down and then up the drainage slope is an awkward, curse-laden ordeal, with Manius, Mariel and Valjoen all taking turns to asimaar/elf/man-handle the barred box to the base of the poo lake’s hand-holds.
Ah, yes. The crappy ‘ladder.’
While Jillia and Mido anxiously check that the vase is still together (from what they can tell it is), the muscle prepares for the task of securing the load and climbing with it back up to the platform level.
Several tense, palm-sweating moments later, the cage is at the top and in the poo. After Rika has secured a rope around Pratts and everyone combines to haul the squealing, snapping dino up the well as well, it is a relatively simple matter to move back to the pulley platform, winch yourselves back into the arena and exit the Ruby Shipping House into Absalom’s cold night ... with your prize intact!
By the height of the moon you suspect it is nearly midnight. You have been underground for over six hours.
The call of your beds at the Linseed Lodge is strong …
In the crowded common room of the inn, one individual stands out: the man from the Frothing Alembic tavern with the black lacquered armor. The previously stoic samurai is now deep in a bottle of sake in celebration of his latest victory.
“My vase hidden in Sauce Wench public house. Find quick. Much fun with girls there.”
During the celebration, he flashes his coin purse about openly before a new barkeep, a young halfling who gives the party a friendly wave.
“Skip Flaxseed. Paeter’s my eleventy-first cousin, twice removed. He told me to expect you, Pathfinders.”
The youngster half-turns away and tries discreetly to pinch his nose. “Ahhh … I’ll have someone start running hot baths. Miss Rika, is it OK if your AC stays outside until he's been cleaned up?”
He then begins setting up drinks for the entire house, counting what the Ronin owes from the purse the foreigner has placed on the bar.
The ronin glares drunkenly at the barkeep, rises and puts his hand on the hilt of his katana.
The ronin, for his part, thinks the barkeep sees him only as a gullible foreigner and is about ready to take Skip’s hand off for attempting to steal his hard earned money.
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Rika nods absent-mindedly at the request. Pratts smells and so does she; and while smelling like a rose might not be something to aspire to like the frilly Gokans or the people of the Inner Sea, getting sick from unwashed filth does not suit her either. "Take Pratts out for wash. I wash him. Then I wash me" she growls.
Where has all the time gone she wonders. One minute we were wondering how to bring the vase back up, the next we are back on the surface. You need to spend less time daydreaming.
The ronin's sudden movement catches her eye and she puts her hand on her weapon. "我有一个漫长的一天，我有很多事情要做。不要让我添加杀死你的名单雇佣兵"
The ronin responds calmly but assertively to Rika’s threat.
请记住你自己的事，女士。 这是小诗章和我之间的荣誉问题
此外，绅士已经要求你最好礼貌地从这个机构删除你的芳香的野兽，直到它适合公司的体面的人
还有，你臭
“Besides, the gentleman has asked you most politely to remove your aromatic companion from this establishment until it is fit for the company of decent people.”
“Also, you stink.”
A subtle shift comes over the ronin’s attitude to Rika. Perhaps it’s the full moon … or the amount of booze he’s drunk.
如果我像一个傻瓜，这是因为我是一个傻瓜爱上最坚强，最聪明，最漂亮的女人在房间里
He shakes his head. 你错了。 今晚是我生命的第一个晚上，希望与我的身边的那个女人。
He shakes his head. “You are wrong. Tonight is the first night of the rest of my life, hopefully with that woman by my side.”
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Mido, rather stinky himself, notices that Rika is getting into a fight likely for now good reason and interposes himself between the Tiefling and the Samurai.
Rika. This is no time for threats or bloodshed. We have a major victory to celebrate this night and so does this honorable man. I say a toast is in order. To todays victories?
Diplomacy
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Mariel takes a deep breath when the party finally makes their way back to the surface. "Well done, everyone," she says cheerfully and encouraging. "I think we've earned ourselves a hot bath, and a relaxed evening. I'm sure we'll have to be well-rested for more challenged ahead.
--
She's quite eager for that bath and about to retreat to her room, when she notices something is up. She first looks to the site, noticing that everyone speaks a language she doesn't understand. [b]"Asherah, that's not you again, is it?" she hisses. "I told you, it's not funny and it's not going to budge me."
Realizing that she can still make herself understand, she steps next to Manius close enough to her companions to interfere if necessary. [smaller]"What are they talking about?" she whispers. "Is there going to be trouble? Neither of them seem particularly easy-going, I say..." She waves and tries to get Mido's attention, drawing up her eyebrows to ask him what's going on and whether he needs help.
好
“I woo woman.”
The man draws his katana, levels it at the barkeep ‘Jillia-style’ and beckons. “You come here.”
“Put hand on my hand on katana. Together we take robber's hand.”
He smiles. “We have wedding cake shape of arm. Slice off cake-hand in honor of first maiming together.”
Young Skip Flaxseed begins to look worried. “Look, mate. You’ve had too much to drink.”
“I didn’t take anything I wasn’t owed.”
The ronin becomes even more agitated, pointing with his off-hand. “YOU LIE!”
❤ ⛪ ✉ ❀
“Howdy there, Small Package.”
From a corner table, a plain-featured female in a broad-brimmed hat rises and moseys on over to Jillia.
“Couldn’t help but notice yur fine piece a’ porc-e-liine locked up in that there cage.”
“Thought you might like'ta know, my buddy Tigerlily’s mighty helpful with bypassin' locks.”
“Well then, if yewr shaw.”
The gunslinger tips her hat back on her head and *shrugs* “But with all that … 'trail-dust' on the metal box, I’d O-pine yew folks don’t know what’s actch’lly ree-quired for the dang contest.”
The 'slinger's companion rises from her chair. She is also plain-featured but very muscular, with her mousey hair tied in a braid wrapped around her head. Twin falchions are crossed on her back.
The swords-woman’s voice is sweeter than you’d expect. “Do they want some help, Jez?”
“Hold your horses, Tigerlily.” The cowgirl raises her eyebrows. “Small Package here says ‘no.’”
⚔ ⚔ ⚔
The ronin keeps gesturing to his ‘love.’ “Why you wait? Come now. We make bandit sorry.”
Skip is also getting testy. “Hey! I don’t appreciate being called dishonest in front of all these folks that work for my uncle.”
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Mariel watches the conversation with worry, and when the katana is drawn she's ready to step in. First, she draws in a bit if divine power, with a muttered "Iomedae grant me wisdom, to stop this before it gets worse."
Determined but putting on a peaceful air, she then smoothly walks up to the ronin and the halfling. She places a hand gently on the warrior's swordarm to stay his blade, careful not to touch any part of the weapon itself. "Please, Master Ronin. So much blood has been spilled already. I am sure your honor will be well-earned again tomorrow in battle, but hopefully this situation does not require such drastic measures?" As she talks, she tries to intersperse herself between the ronin and Skip. "Obviously there has been a misunderstanding between the both of you, and I can understand how that wounds your pride and honor, for both of you. If you would allow me, I am willing to arbitrate this matter. If both of you could just tell me what happened, I am sure that we can come to a reasonable conclusion. So help me Iomedae, guide to my sword and guide of my heart."
--
The ronin relaxes noticeably at Mariel’s soothing words. His katana returns to its scabbard by his side.
“See kind lady, this one.” He points to the halfling. “Took coin from my purse and get drinks for every person. But money mine. Not for all here. I work for it.”
The man frowns. “I see much bad treatment of me here. Because I from Minkai. Look different. Not speak Taldane good. But not right to steal from me because I different.”
Skip Flaxseed *rolls* his eyes to the heavens and shakes his head. “Ohhhh … he was going on-and-on about celebrating and when he left his coin-pouch on the bar, I thought he was shouting the bar.”
“Dude, I don’t have anything against you because you’re from Tian Xia. But you were blotto and slurring your words, so it’s no wonder I made a blue ... Still someone’s gotta pay for all those drinks.”
Skip looks pointedly around the tap room as every patron hastily downs their drink and looks away guiltily.
“Not good enough.” The ronin snaps crossing his arms. “I lose face and my honor painted. You say sorry.”
The halfling sighs “Listen, bud. I’ll apologize if the Pathfinders convince these freeloaders to cough up enough to cover the tab.”
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"Fine," Mariel says, giving first Skip and then the ronin a satisfied look with just a hint of smugness. "If we get the money, you will apologize for taking his money, and you will apologize for calling him a liar. That's justice, as far as I'm concerned. And then we can all be happy - and finally take a bath." I suppose getting a drunken samurai and a halfling to settle their disagreement over a bar tap doesn't really qualify as an Act yet, but it's a start.
Ignoring the way she smells for the moment, Mariel takes Skip's tea towel and folds it into a makeshift sack. She then steps up on a chair and calls out. She waits for the noise in the tavern to die down, then continues speaking. "Many of us have had a day filled with challenges behind us. We have fought for ourselves, for our companions, and for the chance to fight again. Some of us - I hope many of us - have reason to celebrate. Others may wish to forget the day as soon as possible. I propose that we end this day in style. Let's get some money together, as a gift of congratulations to the winners, and commiseration for those who didn't make it. We'll ask the fine owner to provide us a night worthy of the occasion. For honor, and glory!"
She demonstratively puts a few of her own coins in the makeshift pouch before stepping down and making the rounds. Thinking herself clever, she first walks up to her companions, trying to get people to see that everyone is ready to chip in.
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Confused, Valjoen watches the Tien and Rika speak in an unknown language. It isn't until Mariel steps in that he begins to realize the extent of the disagreement between the Tien and the halflings, Skip. He continues to enjoy his ale until swords are drawn which leads him to draw his own in preparation of the battle which he is sure is about to explode. As the oracle attempts to bring the confrontation to a peaceful resolution, he raises an eyebrow. A fight doesn't seem like a bad way to end the night, but everyone else seems to be avoiding it... Besides the ale tastes good. I'd hate to spill it.
With a look of mild disdain, Valjoen shrugs and tosses a few coins towards the purse Mariel has fashioned. Unfortunately, the coins fail to find the purse and fall to the ground rolling about the bar. The crowd looks unimpressed.
The fire is roaring, and the dark wooden furniture is filled with people – but all are quiet, looking down at their Galt onion soup in embarrassment.
A female monk smiles as Mariel does the rounds with her towel. “I see the Inheritor has blessed you with strength as well as grace, Sister. Although I drank but water, I shall pay for Wembly’s milk and Whiskers’ cream.”
The gnome in bronze elbows her Varisian companion. "Just do what she says, and maybe that halfling covered in poo will go away!"
A middle-aged drunk blusters at Mariel. “Beat it, girlie. I’m a businessman not a charity.”
His drinking buddy, a priest of the Accidental god shakes a handful of coins behind the Sczarni’s back. “My Lady, I will cover Goodman Cornil and myself.”
Valjoen approaches the female warrior. “Here’s the money to cover my Sarsaparilla, Ser. Jezabel just had soup bread – three fingers of rye.”
When Mariel returns with her laden pouch, Master Flaxseed and the Ronin look in shame at the Pathfinders, the crowd, each other and their boots.
“I’m sorry, mate.” Skip mumbles, handling back Jillia, Mariel and Valjoen their generous contributions. “I’ll make up the rest out of my own wages.”
“You not do that. If do, I cut off hand.” The ronin empties his purse into his hands, shows Mido and Mariel the coins and drops the lot on the bar. “For you home. To clean off my shame, like beautiful geisha clean poo off her beast.”
“I leave now. Good night, kind lady. Good night, blue angel with potty mouth but good heart.”
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Rika harrumphs. Better solution then what I had in mind. But then again, slamming his face repeatedly into the bar would have created another problem.
"Goodbye. I not speak Taldane good either, but hope you understand Rika when say: I hope you not get in way of bath again" she grunts, hoping finally that she will be able to clean Pratts, clean herself, and then apply her swordsmanship to the lock on the cage.
“This natural son of Fat Samurai understand prefectly.”
The ronin bows before disappearing into the night. “I must ask Rika for hand in wedding before we can share bath.”
侍
“Miss Rika, you’ll find buckets, a well and soap near the stables outside.” Skip adds helpfully.
“The staff will ready bathtubs in your rooms. Anyone want bubbles? Lavender oil? Goat’s milk? I can also organize an ice bucket or a small keg of ale.”
“Oh, one more thing.” The halfling grins. “Is anyone sharing?”
Small groups of challengers slowly begin emerging from the tunnels, some elated at having a vase, some looking crushed with defeat as they stare at their empty hands. Victorious or vanquished, they drift off into the night to get clean and well rested after a crawl through a sewer.
“Pathfinders, your baths are ready!”
Skip looks almost as relieved as the five aromatic Pathfinders inside the lodge, awaiting this announcement.
“Paete! Smell this lavender oil the ladies wanted. Nice, huh?” The halfling cousins hold the bottle very close to their noses as the party troops past to their respective rooms.
“Can’t believe how heavy those tubs are when they’re full, Skip.” Paeter complains.
“I know right? Oh, enjoy your baths, folks! Ladies, I’ve left a little surprise in your rooms.”
⧳ ⧱ ⨝
“Hey Skip, that was only five.”
Paeter Linseed pulls a pencil from behind his ear and flips the page on his notepad.
“Let's see. The Hellknight’s in 3, Mariel and Mido are neighbours in 6 and 7, Valjoen’s got the bridal suite and Jill Ten’s in 11. So where’s …”
He consults the guest list again. “Rika?”
⚔ ⚔ ⚔
Finally rid of ‘her’ Hiro the ronin, Rika trudges out to the Linseed stables pushing Pratts ahead of her.
She draws buckets of water from the well and gathers some soap, with her animal companion watching her every move.
“Blue Angel … I not go yet. I wait be alone with you.”
It seems Rika is not rid of her admirer yet. The ronin calls her from one of the horse stalls. “No be fright. I want talk. Just talk.”
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Jillia unceremoniously eschews her armor and disrobes, leaving her clothes in a haphazard pile, eager to bit rid of today's filth. Maybe we can leave today off the chronicles, Jillia thinks to herself as she does her best to immerse her body in the fresh water.
Her outloook changes nearly immediately upon hitting the water; the bath goes a long way to alleviate the literal slog that today was. The lavender was a nice touch; I should leave a tip for Kid Flaxseed. Calm and relaxed, she stretches in the goodly-sized tub, wondering how people twice her size manage to fit in a similar bath.
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Mariel is eager to be out of her filthy clothes and quickly strips when she's in her room. As always, she feels somewhat uncomfortable without the familiar feel of her plate armor, and the spiritual presence that accompanies it. "Well, every sword in forging needs a quench once in a while," she muses as she dips a toe in the hot lavender-scented water. "Doesn't it, Haephor?"
A hot and soothing bath is just what I need," she thinks to herself, eager to unwind from the day's affairs. All that business with the samurai still has my head spinning from the adrenaline.
,
The tubs are inviting and have been filled with water and accompaniments to your specifications. Fluffy towels lay on the side, along with soap, shampoo and scrub brushes.
Jillia and Mariel find hot, relaxing baths that they can just slide into and soak. Mido takes a moment to give thanks to Irori, and is just about to climb in.
Manius and Valjoen find something else!
Manius is surprised as a suds-covered ninja sits up and attempt to hit him with a blow dart.
Fwoop
+
Just before Valjoen steps into his tub, he has a split second warning as he notices the tip of a bamboo reed floating amongst the ice.
Fwoop
“Brrrr … I would kill you for free, old one. An ice bath? Like, who does that?”
+
You may also check Mido’s spoiler.
You may also check Mido’s spoiler.
Mido, you can still take that now at the beginning of your first combat post.
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Cleaning filth off of Pratts wasn't something Rika would have looked forward to. But the aroma exuding from the raptor from her armor and from the cured hellhound pelt adorning it could not be denied any longer. Removing the armor also proved a necessity to deal with Pratts, who disliked the suds within the vat provided for them by the staff. Armored coat on, Rika scrubbed away. Pratts is almost done... Just the armor and that pelt, then I can take a nice relaxing warm bath. Just a little longer...
Her "suitor's" voice made her snap out of her reverie, and allowed Pratts to leap out of the bath. Clean enough. I guess. And I'm going to strangle that idiot with his own intestines. Approaching the wooden partition between stalls, Rika draws her no-dachi and shoves it through in his general direction, a statement as to how welcome the ronin is.
“Too late, Rika. I’ve already done it.”
A ninja steps out from a non-nodachi’d horse stall and drops the ronin’s head at the hunter’s feet.
“His last words were … ‘good-bye, blue angel’. It was quite sweet. But the white witch needed what he had.”
She levels a short sword. “But enough about the curtain raiser, let the feature act begin!”