Javi looks at his torch and then walks around, checking the sconces.
The torches seem mundane enough, as do the sconces... but there is little else within the room apart from them and the trapdoor leading back down. A thin crack around the central circle gives some thought that it might move and rise from it's place of rest.
"Return the torches to the sconces. "
Frakdar shrugs and places the three torches he has into 3 sconces on the wall. Pausing after he places each to see whether anything happens. Once all three are placed, he returns to the center.
A piecemeal replacement of the torches doesn't trigger any reaction, but they do audibly click into the sconces. Shrugging you replace all torches and hear a grating sound. The central circle in the floor begins to slowly start rising, and a hole begins to open in the ceiling above it.
Gorak heads over to ride the stone upward.
... followed by Javi, preparing himself for whatever's next with an uneasy defensive stance.
If there's room for the Brawling Bear he'll ride to, "Bwahahah! Hopefully we got some real opponents up there!" He dusts off the all ash from his armor and singed robe, while hoping a crowd will be awaiting him or at least a few women as a reward for finishing there trials or at least thinking they are finished.
As you ride the platform upwards, the first thing you notice is that it is not another floor above you but the sight of empty sky. It would seem that you are riding up to the roof. The ascent is slow and ponderous, but eventually you rise up to a circular rooftop that is bound by a low wall.
As the platform judders to a halt - you notice that there are five smaller man / dwarf / ape / bear sized platforms arrayed around you in a rough circle.
"I suppose we stand on those?" gorak-ape says curiously
As the platform judders to a halt - you notice that there are five smaller man / dwarf / ape / bear sized platforms arrayed around you in a rough circle.
Javi chooses one of the platforms at random, walking carefully to it and around it -- all the while studying it and the ground around it for any information.
If nothing is to be found, he'll shrug back at the group and climb aboard... if cautiously.
Torgus moves to the Bear sized platform and prepares himself for a pose when the crowd appears, "Come on let us stand in glory, we defeated these challenges and shall except the reward of our victories."
As you move to the platforms the central circle changes it's character - becoming a pillar of solid light. Nothing else occurs, even if you move from the circles.
Gorak experimentally stands in the light.
Torgus moves into the light, he starts to due a roar thinking this light will lead to fans but is soarly disapointed when he just see's Fangul. "JUST ONE FAN? WHAT THE?! DIDN'T THEY KNOW THE BRAWLING BEAR WAS COMING OUT!? BWAHHAHAHHAHA! THESE FOOLS NEED LEARN A THING OR TWO ABOUT SHOWMANSHIP AYE WASP!"
Javi follows his group-mates into the light...
... and blinks a few times at Torgus and the waiting big man, "I'll leave all showmanship lessons to you, Bear. So... are we finished?"
Fangul smiles widely at you, greeting you with either a bone crunching hug or a thunderous slap on the back "Ha! Good work" noticing for a moment that although six entered, only five came out.. before shrugging it off "Come, Gond want to see you."
Newly empowered by your trial, you are led back through to the building where the school is being housed and to where Gond sits crosslegged, a wan smile upon his face "Sit with me... we must decide where you might best be used..."
"There is a contest of some import during the games. Groups are taken from the mainland and delivered to a desolate isle nearby, where janni are also released. After a short time of truce-bond, the contest descends into a lawless mass where the goal is the only issue of import - and not how it is reached. Despite my best efforts, many of my Initiates are less... creative than you have shown to be."
"I would see you as my emissarys for that contest... though first you would need prove yourself in combat against the other schools. Is this a task that would interest you? - or would you prefer another role?"
Javi looks to see if one of the others responds, then finally shrugs, "It's an encouragement and an honor that you chose us. I can't speak for everyone, but I'd be excited to compete in both contests." His brow furrows, obviously already worrying about the unknowns of the different competitions, "If you don't mind me asking, Master Gond, but what happens during the truce-bond? Just the competitors getting into position? Or can we use that time for scouting and preparing? What are we allowed to take into the contest? And are there any rules or details we should know about the preceding combats?"
As he shifts back to his half-Orc form Gorak says "I'm in."
Answering Javi "The peace-bond can be used for whatever purpose you desire... as long as you do not harm the other teams. It is a required conceit given that all contestants are delivered unto the same place. You would walk into the island with whatever you can carry, but no more."
"As for the proving combats - they have no subtlety, and are merely fought to submission."
There was a frown between his brows, thinking about the various contests that were likely to take place during a display that involved all the schools of the island. While they were coherent, they were not uniform, and that may help or hinder, depending on the manner in which they were employed. Coming to a conclusion, Cassadar raised his eyes to the Master.
"I am confident enough to volunteer to compete against the other schools", he began, shaking his head as he continued. "My knowledge of survival is less than I would care to test, to be honest."
"Mine isn't." Gorak the Druid grins. "We will help each other."
Gond smiles, sipping from an everpresent cup of chai "Your first opponents will be from the Untwisting Iron and the fight is tomorrow. You should find their approach... refreshingly direct. Have you any more gossamer thoughts that need be made whole?"
Torgus gives a serious look at Master Gond, "Will this next contest have a crowd this time? I prefer witnesses to my greatness or my victories aren't worth anyway!"
What can you tell us of the other schools who are here? You mentioned that the Untwisting Iron will be our first challenge. What does this school specialize in? Grappling? Tripping? Stylized fighting?
"Do not worry Master Voss, there will indeed be a crowd. Perhaps not as boisterous as you are used to, but a crowd nonetheless."
"The Untwisting Iron will come at you with unbridled force. There is no subtlety to their strikes and there will be no mystery to their fights. The Unfolding Wind is focused more on the fluidity of wind and will be less direct. Expect them to be reactive in their bout, and seek to force you to approach them."
"The Unblinking Flame however will be your greatest test. Those new to the school still run hot, allowing their emotions to drive their actions... but the experienced burn with a cold flame. They are no less explosive, but are able to direct their desires and attentions with precision."
Interesting. Fire and Wind. I assume that the Untwisting Iron is tied to the elements of earth. Would that make your school of the Water discipline? As you know, we all fight with varied styles, is there some method or tactic we should use to best represent Water? Or should we perform more like a storm? Predictable as the seasons, but with the ability to change unexpectedly into something much more dangerous and violent. We start slowly, like the calm before the storm, and then hit them with a gale of varied tactics.
Javi can't help but mutter, "I get the impression Master Gond doesn't necessarily follow the status quo for its own sake."
"EXCELLENT! ITS ALWAYS BETTER TO CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES SKULL WITH A CROWD, IT JUST FEELS RIGHT THAT WAY! BWAHAHAHAH!"
Gorak listens intently, but has nothing to add.
Gond smiles warmly to Frakdar "Nothing so droll good dwarf... I merely ask that you win. The means you use are up to you. Perfection cannot be limited by mortal thoughts of what form it must or should take, and to focus so wholly on but a single art is foolish."
Leave is taken of Master Gond and the compound. Dressed as you are you are left untroubled by the guards beyond confirming that you'll be allowed back within when you wish it. The city of Niswan stands before you for exploration...
I look to Javi, Cassadar and Gorak. Suppose we should accompany the Bear, otherwise we are likely to have to find what drainage ditch his hairy drunken body is sleeping in in the morning.
Also, we should see what became of the goods we appropriated from the fish boat. I imagine that all should be worth a fair some and extra equipment is always useful when facing the unknown, especially if you choose the right extra equipment.
Plus you could always go and see Morthar about the bounty (cloth and weapons) from the sahuagin / kua-toa ship.
Gorak accompanies the group to the tavern.
"I'm curious what kind of ales this area has. Ale is the best creation of the civilized world."
Morthar, then we will have more money to finance the Bear's alcoholism.
The group makes their way back through the streets of Niswan with the sun having crested and begun it's descent. You find that residents clear out of your path and allow you to pass while bowing in respect - they clearly recognize the robes and what they portend. Children stare with mouth agape in awe of seeing you outside the citadel.
You reach the docks in quick time and find Morthar's ship tied up to the same dock. The top deck is free of people - but you hear some voices and song coming from the captain's cabin.