The Ruby Phoenix Tournament with GM Deadly Secret - Table 1 (Inactive)

Game Master Deadly secret

"Ah your just down on your luck so the Golden League runs things like that. I have been trying to place a wager sense I got here. Glad we were able to help you. Here take this." Aayalla pulls out a pouch and takes out 5 coins.

"Here you go five platinum. That's fifty gold. I would suggest you go and place it on us, your luck has just turned around. I agree Takeshi this sort of thing is in every town or city." She looks back to the man.

"Donguma will they take bets from a participant? I would like to go with you and place my own bet if you would allow me too. Let's go have some dinner first and then you can take me out. Aren't you lucky." She gives him a smile.

"Aren't you a contestant? I watched your fight. I was going to put bets on you tomorrow. You do know it will get you disqualified if people found out you were placing bets on this tournament. It's against the rules, in fact it is illegal for any gambling in regards to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. They say the prize is too important to just let anyone have. The officials have had issues with the Golden League in the past, rigging tournaments to make extra coin."

Takeshi's eyes narrow a fraction in suspicion, but only voices his concerns to his companions via their telepathic link. Well, that's certainly not what Mr. Last Year's Champion said when Aayalla last asked.

Takeshi's probably more suspicious of the supposed paladin than this random guy, but just in case
Sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 9 Yup, still more suspicious of Marthysan

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

"So weird I get they don't want you to throw the fight, I don't understand why you can't wager on yourself. Oh well wouldn't want to do anything to get disqualified. If the officials have trouble with these guys why don't they do something about it? How are they rigging things. Getting people to throw matches? We haven't heard of these guys yet. Well, take the coin. Bet it on us and make your life better."

She looks to her friends.

"Not sure we should go poking our noses around. Though since we have been winning maybe they will come to us. I'm hungry lets go grab some food."

Not our problem. Say'ri replies. Gambling or otherwise. No need for us to do it.

Or maybe since we're winning they'll attempt to bet against us and rig our match for the payout. While things thus far had seemed relatively benign, Takeshi reminded himself that he needed to be more careful in the future. Not that any of this gambling thug business was actually surprising, but hearing about it first hand served as a good reminder to be more vigilant in the future.

"Oh no you don't need to give me that money. But if you insist. I don't think I can place anymore bets though as they will just take the gold from me. I'm gonna take the ferry back to mainland."

"If you insist, take care of yourself. Make smarter bets in the future." She smiles and gives the man a wave as the part ways.

Takeshi watches the man walk away. "Guess this means we better be extra vigilant outside the arena. I wonder if we could get details on what the odds are on us; the better the odds, the more likely this group would be to try to rig something for a big payout. Do you think the paladin was truly unaware of all these issues and outlawing of gambling, or was he trying to mess us up?"

Paladins are good at being oblivious when it suits them. Say'ri replies, Deceit seems less likely, but not impossible I suppose.

Posting will be spotty the next couple days. Expect to lose power from the hurricane. Will check in on phone but may need to be botted. Thanks.

You think like someone who hasn't been on the wrong side of the tin men before. Those most wily about bending rules when it suits them is the ones bound up in them, their friendly monster noted from somewhere. If he wants to put pressure somewhere, he might just.

Takeshi still seems suspicious of the paladin, but decides it doesn't matter right now if he knows the man's motives or now. "Shall we continue on to the Noodle House?"

Ok Aayalla. Be safe.

Yeah so if you go to the noodle house, no special events will occur. Was there anything you wanted to do specifically while there? If not do you want to check in for sleep and move into the next day? Let me know as I'll go where you go.

The Professor made his stab at being useful, he'd probably just retire for the night.

Say'ri is getting cranky - it happens when she has to draw too much magic from the Outer Rifts in one go. Bed time! :)

As the professor and Say'ri head to bed, Takeshi lurks about, eavesdropping and trying to observe food preparation to see if anybody seems to be doing something strange (or if the quality of ingredients is terrible). After a while, he too goes to bed, his growing paranoia causing him to check his door from traps, look under his bed, and search for hidden assailants/explosives about his room before finally removing his armor and sleeping with his daggers. Hopefully the locks are at least secure enough to keep people out while I'm out...

Day 3

The morning of the third day of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament is dismal and rainy. A steady drizzle lasts well into the afternoon, when the rain lets off, though thick, gray cloud cover remains.

There are no fights or exhibitions for you this morning but some fights are going on at the Grand Pavilion on the towers.

What would you like to do?

Say'ri looks outside at the rain and shudders. I hate getting wet. Do we really want to go outside this morning?

"Have you never danced or played in the rain? You have to appreciate the simple things in this life to truly be happy. At least that's my approach. Come we can go purchase a parasol to keep you dry. We finally have a chance to watch some of the others fight."

Say'ri grumbles or at least it is to be assumed that she does - since all mental communication ceases, but once provided with a parasol she ventures outside, trying hard to avoid puddles and splashes of any sort.

She'll come, but she doesn't have to like it!

"You can't really call this 'rain', Aayalla. The weather needs to make up its mind and either rain properly or cease from all this drizzle. But yes, let us see what groups are competing this morning."

The Professor loped up beside the others after a few moments, but something was off about his posture and the way he was grinning.

"Ah! Love a good rain, eh? Washes everything down the gutter, keeps the sheep inside, and even the local constabulary is more innerested in staying dry than bothering an upstanding gent," the voice was distinctly
Égaré's as it came out of the Professor's lips.

Sorry, he gets sulky if I don't let him at least drive during a rainstorm.

Your party heads to the Grand Pavilion to watch the first match of the day. The contestants are given some time to buff up before the match starts.

If anyone has Knowledge (engineering) go ahead and roll it please.

Nothing here!

Takeshi continues to grumble good-naturedly about how the drizzle isn't real rain as they head to the tournament grounds.

Kn(Engineering): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

On the off chance
Untrained Engineering: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Your party arrives at the pavilion. After the speeches and introductions a fight begins on the three towers. The fight is between two teams that seem to be made up of monks. You watch the monks jump, tumble and dodge about the towers when all of a sudden the main tower gives way and collapses causing a big commotion. The entire audience gasps and a few screams of fright can be heard. The tournament officials kick into gear and assist the fighters out of the toppled over towers and everyone seems to be in confusion about the incident.

After a few moments, you learn that there has been a death and that today's contest is going to be halted until they are able to clear out the mess and investigate.

Your party is aware you are expected for an Exhibition match soon and the Emissary encourages everyone to go about their regular schedules.

As the tower collapses Say'ri leaps forward, but cannot make her way to the fight floor quickly enough and stops, not pushing her way through.

This is worrying. Her mental voice sounds concerned. Check any equipment you use carefully before we do anything in any of the fights.

I was just starting to think calling the bout of sickness a poisoning might have been me being paranoid.

"Oh man poor guy, that could have been any of us. The tower seemed fine yesterday. I'm no structural person though. Let's be a little more cautious as we continue. I guess we should make way to our exhibition soon not much we can do here."

Takeshi keeps his voice down as he replies. "If it had been used on us, not much would have happened except to our opponent since the rest of us were flying. But I agree; next time we have a fight, if there are any structures added to the field, we should at least demand they inspect it thoroughly first. And then probably assume they're incompetent and it's unsafe anyway. Do we think this is related to the gambling? Or just someone trying to get an edge?"

That would be going a long way for a wager. Say'ri comments. I'd suspect a competitor first. Could we ask around and see if any very large wagers have been placed?

"Doesn't add up, not sure how they could have ensured that it killed the right person. i suspect if it was sabotaged it was done to ensure a death, but who knows for what reason. Not sure if we should go snooping around. Lets just keep our eye out for things."

Your team is selected for an additional exhibition match because of your increasingly impressive performances thus far in the competition. Kiang Zhen approaches the party and asks you to select one representative to take part in the traditional “boar and tiger” fight, in which two contestants are tethered to wild animals and pitted against one another with the goal of keeping their respective beasts alive.

Of course this fight is only for 1 player as stated. You may have the option to decline the exhibition. If the one player wants to try it, we can play it off on the sidelines and keep the main events moving. Let me know how you want to proceed.

There is very little downtime between this exhibition and your round 3 match, so you won't be able to explore.

Of course if more than one player wants to try this that's ok we can do that, just pick your champion who will determine if you win a prize and I can have separate sessions for each player. Up to you.

"Eh, don't like animals unless they've been skinned and cooked. They don't much care for me either." Égaré rumbled to the others.

Do the animals fight too or is it strictly a 'keep them alive' type job?

I would do it if you guys want. I am going out of town this weekend though leaving tonight so I won't be posting again until Monday after today. so if someone else wants to do it go for it :)

Yes the animals are fighting too but they are not under your control or the oppenents.

I'll have a go then.

Say'ri steps forward and nods briskly to the monk, her robes suddenly becoming covered by the huge, bristling plates of armour that usually appear when she goes into combat.

Coin Toss, 1 is Say'ri and 2 is Nearidei: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Combat Map

In the center of the fight stage stand a tiger and dire boar, each held in place by a hold animal spell, 50 feet apart. From each animal’s right hind leg extends a 15-foot length of iron chain with a shackle at the other end. Ruby Phoenix monks ensure both contestants are appropriately shackled to their chosen animals.

Nearidei wins the coin toss and chooses the dire boar.

For the duration of the match, contestants are not permitted to allow harm to befall their own beasts. Neither can the beasts become unfettered. Contestants win by slaying their opponent’s beast. If a combatant wishes to move more than 15 feet from her tethered animal’s current location, she must make a drag combat maneuver against the animal, and can use the reposition combat maneuver to move her animal without moving herself (both of these maneuvers can be made at range as if the PC had a 15foot reach). Both animals are controlled by the GM and always attack the nearest creature, whether that is the PC, Nearidei, or the other animal.

Nearidei, a slender Tian-Dtang druid with chin-length black hair and chestnut eyes, has been selected as the PCs’ foe in this match because she excelled in the same contest 10 years ago and the Emissary wants to put on the best show possible. While she has a loyal animal companion of her own (a constrictor snake named Aop), she accepts the animal presented in the contest, and is confident she can win again this year.

Initiative
Say'ri Al Bashere & Tiger1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Nearidei & Dire Boar 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Nearidei begins walking in the air, upward and away from her animal until she is 15 feet away, then she casts a spell. She is 10 ft in the air atm.

Spellcraft
Say’ri 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

A wall of thorns appears in front of the boar. It is 20 ft tall and 50 ft wide. You can't see either of them at the moment.

The boar stays where it is and digs its nose into the ground sniffing around.

Up next, Say'ri! I will control the tiger after your actions.

Is there a wall of force around the area similar to real matches? Asking because if not, Takeshi wants to circle the area to keep an eye out for people who may wish to interfere in the fight to stop them.

Say'ri sprouts her massive warlike wings and beats her way into the air until her position mirrors Nearidei.

Wings of terror and fly up and back 10 feet :)

Say’ri moves. Your chain still having 5 ft of slack as you rise into the air..

The tiger stays where it is pawing the ground a little.

Round 2

Unfortunately, you can no longer see her as she is behind a wall of thorns 20 ft high.

Say’ri can’t see what is going on and is your turn again to act.

Say'ri since she's unable to see decided to solve the problem another way. With a single gesture she grows much larger, suddenly tall enough to see over the wall.

Righteous Might and the last 5 feet of slack should do it.

Takeshi continues to stalk the edge of the grounds, on the lookout for any that might dare try to tamper with Say'ri's victory.

Say’ri casts and grows larger.

The tiger stays where it is.

Round 3

Nearidei casts a spell.
Spellcraft
Say’ri 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
You know she is casting a level 2 spell; Fog Cloud.
A cloud surrounds Say’ri obscuring vision.

Say’ri can’t see what is going on again and is your turn to act.

Say'ri casts a wind wall just in front of herself, parting the fog (I assume) and restoring her vision.

This druid is irritating me!

The strong wind from wind wall isn't acting like a normal wind, it isn't just blowing everything everywhere in the direction of the wind. So, it wouldn't blow the whole cloud away, but it would separate the cloud where it was cast.

An excellent quote I found on this situation. Can you draw a line as to where your wall is? You should be able to edit the map. Windwall wont' disperse the cloud, it will only disperse cloud where the wall is.

Yeah as for moving onto the next round, I suppose its a matter of what spells you use and don't use. So not sure we can proceed until we finish this.