Matsu hands over his wand to help with the healing.
One can see he is quite angry, yes more than furios his enemy ran away.
Nevertheless he shakes his head. "Piracy is very very bad, we will have to bring the others to the officals. All of you. But if some of you will somehow manage to escape in the night, I do not have time to follow them!"
Bu
The captain is fairly loaded with loot, including a +1 breastplate, heavy steel shield, mwk rapier, heavy crossbow with 10 bolts, cloak of resistance +1, gauntlets of the skilled maneuver (trip) and pyxes of redirected focus. The other baddies don't have much on them, and other than the crates of pathfinder goods, there is nothing much more to be found.
Bell and her crew are quiet on the way back to Tymon, and the return to tymon is a peaceful affair. Captain Demeliah happily waives her fees for the use of the barge in return for the skiff the pathfinders used, and Bell and her team are handed over to the authorities.
Returning to Captain Smine, the smith listens intently as the team reports their story and findings.
“Well done. Everything I hoped for out there. Whatever else, our immediate enemies are done for. Hopefully gives anyone thinking about doing the same pause. But there’s the problem. There’ll be more, because they weren’t acting on their own. Helkit Silverbane—she’s a problem: Lots of money, lots of clout. She could just hire another group and hardly lighten her purse. We need to take this to her—make her see we’re morethan she can handle. But going up against the bloodied... that’s like swimming upriver. Through piranha. Bleeding.
“Law’s not an option. First off, bankrolling pirates... barely a crime here—only if you get caught. Even with witnesses, she’s hardly red-handed. And bloodied’s word in court is worth lots more than words from captured bandits or the ones that caught them. Tymon’s got some hard laws, but this wasn’t really even in Tymon. It’s all... borderline. Don’t think we could make formal charges stick.
Smine sips his cooling tea thoughtfully, the furrows of worry on his brow slowly evening out.
“Got one option, if you want to take it. Can’t hit her in court... but Tymon wasn’t built on courts.”
His eyes widen as he leans in close,
“Ever heard of the Law of Grievance? Under the Law of Grievance, anyone in Tymon can challenge another person to arena combat. Even a “bloodied” citizen must accept the challenge of outsiders. In a way, it’s the fairest possible law available to those with the deck stacked against them. If you challenge Helkit for having moved against the Pathfinder Society, she must accept. Killing her isn’t even necessary; as challenged, Helkit would set the terms of the fight, and most Grievance matches aren’t lethal. But publicly defeating and humiliating her demonstrates forcefully that Pathfinders protect their interests.”
He sits back, the plan laid out.
She'll be in the arena teaching her gladiatorial team today. All you need to do is go to her, state your grievance, and challenge her under the law.
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Evariel touches each of his injured companions with his wand. As before, the effect has none of the soothing glow of a normal healing spell but in fact looks quite painful. Skin stretches and twists; a bone sets itself with a pop; slowly, the wounds knit themselves.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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"I can't imagine we'd be allowed to fight her as a team. Unless of course her pride permits it. Seems like it would be rather unfair, from a policy perspective."
-Posted with Wayfinder
Smine shakes his head.
More than likely, she'll fight along side her gladiator students or, worse, her actual gladiator team the Silverbanes. She was never a solo fighter in the arena, preferred to work alongside animals or companions. So you'll probably be able to fight her together, but don't be surprised if she gets to pick her own team to back her up.
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"Thanks for the healing Ev!" Fade says with a clap on the elf wizard's shoulder.
"So you really think someone who's got this bloodied standing, ton's of money, and a team of gladiators on standby is going to be taken down by us in the arena? She has a huge advantage over us. Ugh! The things I do for the society." he says, shaking his head.
He raises his head, a dour look on his face, and he sighs...
"Well if we're going to do this, I think we need to get her to underestimate us first and keep things that way for as long as we can. I am not the most subtle once a fight starts, but before that I look pretty... what's the word..." he pauses and then snaps his fingers,
a grin forming now, "Shabby, that's it! And Bait doesn't look like much either, so maybe we have our own kind of advantage."
"By the way, who's doing the talking when we issue this challenge? Certainly not me, I tell ya. At least not if I can help it."
Smine shrugs.
If your not up for it, you can walk away... after all, you got the most important bit for now by driving off those pirates. But I have no doubt in a few months Helkit will hire another bunch and we'll be back to the start. But if it's a official match, at the very least you'll have a day or two to prepare.
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"Probably not. I'm just thinking whoever does may be who she views as the leader, and she may focus on them. I know some of you folk like that sort of thing."
-Posted with Wayfinder
The plan agreed upon, the team heads the Arena where Helkit is sure to be found. Even empty, the Arena of Aroden is an imposing sight that seems to magnify the sounds of clashing blades and grunts of exertion of a dozen sweaty, muscular men and women sparring on the sandy floor. The synergy of well-trained teamwork and combat style is apparent, though it falls short of the standards set by a tall, broad, iron-haired woman dressed in rich furs.
“Watch your flanks, you ham-fingered dolts! Felex, if you leave your partner’s back uncovered again just to make a cheap swing, it’s your back I’ll break in two!”
she roars at the gladiators.
“Now hold! There’s company.”
Turning in your direction, she snaps,
“Who in Abaddon are you? The Silver Slayers have the training ground today.”
Numerian devices that she uses to win her battles.
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"Oh that's who Helkit is," Evariel says softly to the others when he sees her. "She and her Slayers are known crowd favorites. She's said to have ridden a rhinoceros into battle once."
-Posted with Wayfinder
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The Samurai lets the wizard and Bait give him some advice first.
He then moves forward stares her deep in the eyes and speaks up.
"I invoke the Law of Grievance! You have dared to work against the Society and today... today it is your time to bend the knee and call for your mother. Pick your best, it won´t help you!"
A sudden hush falls over the area, as gladiators and spectators alike suddenly grow dead silent. Whispers about "Did he invoke the law?"? Bandy about for a bit before Helkit's surprised expression curls into a sneer. Very well, I accept. Some fights are already scheduled for two days from now. We’ll settle this then. As challenged, I set the terms: Group battle—you lot against me and my Slayers. No limits on weapons or magic. Public arena fight, on the shifting sands—and you should know I’ve never lost on those.”
She glances at her trainees for a moment before reluctantly
adding,
“No need for a death match. The challenge may be decided by yielding. Anyone losing their nerve can call it off for their team.”
She smirks.
“Mind you, that won’t be anyone on my side. I don’t train cowards. Come on team... we've got some weapons to sharpen.”
She and her gladiators turn and march away, leaving the pathfinders behind.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The day of the match arrives quickly. The arena is packed with people all waiting to see the pathfinders take on Helkit as part of the law of grievances.
But before the main matches, entertainment is put on. Several people are led out into the arena. Naked and defenseless, even from the stands the pathfinders can recognize Bell, Jorgen, Luka, and the other Pirates that they captured led out by ropes around their neck. The ring announcer stands above in a box, his voice magically magnified.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE... THESE PIRATES, THIEVES AND MURDERERS WILL BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO EARN BACK THEIR FREEDOM!
Boos and cheers are given throughout the stadium, and several people next to the pathfinders start laughing as if a good joke had just been told.
THEY WILL FACE, THAT MOST DANGEROUS OF OPPONENTS, EVERYBODIES FAVORITE GEMOETRIC OBJECT, THE CUUUUUUUUUUBE!
Screams and cheers begin to roar as a cage door is unlocked in front of the prisoners and out slorps.... a giant, clear, cube, seemingly made of clear jello. Bell screams in fright and, Luka and Jorgen step back, looking around for anything to help them. They back against a column as the cube "SCHLORPS!" forward, engulfing one of the pirates, who's flesh quickly begins to melt from his bones, his screams trapped in it's jello esque body, clearly visible to on the onlookers who begin to bet on how long the ex-pirates will last against the cube.
Bell spots the pathfinders, tears streaming down her eyes as she screams at them...
YOU PROMISED! YOU PROMISED A FAIR CHANCE! YOU PROMISED!
Even if the pathfinders didn't promise them that exactly, it seems like that would be a small comfort to the 3 team members as the cube advances on them....
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Fade looks tired. His eyes have heavy lids, seemingly too heavy to stay open. His sneer can't even stay strong and has slumped into a flat line, to weak to bend up or down. Emotionless. Tired and emotionless. To outward appearances Fade doesn't care. About anything.
But his eyes move under those heavy lids, ever so slightly. They never leave Bell. He watches for the moment she is about to be engulfed. He knows it's inevitable.
He whispers to the wind I'm sorry. and with nearly invisible aether at his disposal, he twitches the fingers of his left hand and just as Bell is about to be swallowed up by the cube, a small pebble quickly kicks up from the ground behind her, dashing into the back of her head, killing her instantly.
To the crowd and any onlookers, the woman's screams are merely swallowed by the cube like all the others before her, but Fade knows the truth. That is enough. It has to be.
Turning away from the gruesome sight in the arena, Fade says flatly to his group, "Let's go kill something. And after that...I need a drink. Lots of 'em."
Technically, that's not enough to kill bell. She's tougher than that. But, for story sake, I'll say that you at least knock her out so she's unconscious when engulfed.
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Ryskovich watches in horror as the first pirate is sucked in and screams in agony as his flesh is dissolved. He begins to stand up, when he realized that should he intervene than they forfeit the match as well as break whatever code of “law” they have around this place. He grips his falcata tighter and tighter as every moment of the “fight” takes place.
His eyes, turn from shock to ones of sadness and sorrow as he hears Bell cry out to them.
You should have come back to The Society. Maybe they could have done something...but I won’t let Helkit get away with such a atrocious act. Your actions earlier will not be for naught
Ryskovich looks down to see a drop of blood on his palm from where he white-knuckled the hilt of his blade. It wouldn’t be the last bloodshed, but it would remind him of Bell and her brave friends.
The cube rolls over Jorgen and Luka next... the crowd cheers as the pirates are consumed, their flesh dissolving until they are nothing but floating bones.
Soon enough, the team is brought down below and a Official looks them over.
You can cast any prep spellwork you want now, but once you do, nothing until the match starts. That'll be 10 minutes from now. Flying and climbing is permitted, but no higher than the grandstands. Any one of you can call off the match since it isn't to the death, but if somebody dies accidentally, you or they won't be held responsible.
Soon enough, the team is lead out into the stadium, and the crowd roars with anticipation. The Master of ceremonies stands as they walk out, riling up the crowd.
AAAAAAND IN THIS CORNER, BRINGING WITH THEM YEARS OF EXPERIANCE, THE DUNGEON DELVERS OF DANGER, THE WAYFINDER WANDERERS, THE TOMB RAIDERS OF TETONIC PROPORTIONS, WE HAVE THE ONE, THE ONLY, PAAAAAAATHFIIIIIIINDEEEEERS!
With the final introduction, the crowd’s cheers reach a crescendo, demonstrating that the citizens of Tymon are impartial in their favoritism so long as bloodshed is imminent. As the opposing gate opens, Helkit and her Slayers do not emerge. Instead, part of the arena’s floor begins to lower as the master of ceremonies continues shouting.
“Despite their achievements, it would be a sad event to just drop anyone into the arena cold against one of the bloodied! It’s only fair they be given a chance to warm up first, don’t you agree?”
Supportive as always, the crowd’s cheering drowns out anything else the announcer attempts to say for a moment.
“Then let’s bring out our favorite pet! She’s been aching for a hardier challenge, and I think our friends here are just the thing!”
The announcer grins at them and speaks in a much quieter voice.
Before you complain, The Champion of Tymon personally authorized this. I understand it was something about vigilantes attacking some squatters within Tymon’s borders who may or may not have been involved in piracy. It’s a pity that nobody ever involved the civic guards to sort things out; it would have been better for all involved. So, the Champion offers you a choice: either fight this match as heroes—as you are now— or fight it as criminals and go naked.
With the gate slammed shut behind them, the choice is obvious.
The MC continues, his voice once again magically amplified.
AAAAND IN THIS CORNER, WEIGHTING IN AT A WHOPPING TWO TONS OF FURY, LIGHTINING IN HER BELLY AND DESTRUCTION IN HER EYES, YOU KNOW HER, YOU LOVE HER, GIVE IT UP, FOR SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCROOOOOOOOOTEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!
Out of the gate at the other end enters a massive, huge even, scaled beast with a dozen limbs, like a mad cross between a serpent and a centipede!
LET THE MATCH BEGIN!
A gong sounds, and the Behir begins rushing forward!
PATHFINDERS! FIGHT!
Eclipse
-------------------
Shocrate
-----------------
Fade
Ryskovich
Evariel
Matsu
The massive creature wastes no time, rushing across the entire stadium in a blur of speed and massive coils, striking out at one of the pathfinders in a sudden charge!
It's mouth reaches out at Matsu...
She bites down, HARD, on the armored warrior, gripping him in her teeth and wrapping her massive body around him...
Grappled, Matsu seems to be in quiet the pickle...
PATHFINDERS! FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
-------------------
Shocrate
-----------------
Fade
Ryskovich
Evariel
Matsu [-33, Grappled]
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As soon as the group is told the time frame for the match, Fade takes advantage of those rules, and downs a potion of barkskin knowing it will last thirty minutes. Then he suffers through the next ten minutes of waiting, introductions and more waiting. We can't beat this Helkit soon enough...
********
Reflexively, Fade eyes go wide in surprise as the massive creature charges across the field in a flash!
"What the hell is that thing?! Some crazy sort of land dragon?!" he yells, having never seen anything like the beast his group is facing.
We may not live to beat this Helkit at all!
Fade goes completely defensive as he tries to move away from the creature and avoid any attacks it might make as he does so.
Matsu struggles valiantly.... And is able to break free! The creature roars in anger, but spots fade making a run for it!
It's jaws snap shut where fade was however, his boosted speed allowing him to get out of there in time!
PATHFINDERS! FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
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Shocrate
-----------------
Fade
Ryskovich
Evariel
Matsu [-33]
Ryskovich steps back, but the creature is to busy biting at Fade to notice him. Unfortunately, the arrow bounces off the creatures scales without even noticing it.
PATHFINDERS! FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
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Shocrate
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Fade
Ryskovich
Evariel
Matsu [-33]
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Evariel wanders the markets, securing a special piece of parchment and a quill. "I think this will be especially useful in our battle." He then finds a quiet place to study it, pulling the words off the parchment and onto a blank page of his spellbook. The quill, his focus component, dissolves into the swirl of runes. Afterward, he crumples up the now-blank paper and tosses it in a waste bin.
I should feel responsible for this, he thinks as he watches the "trial" that inevitably results in the pirates' deaths. But they chose their own fate.
Great. Trying to get us to expend resources on this creature first, no doubt. Evariel speaks a brief chant, causing a flash of light in its eyes.
-Posted with Wayfinder
There where two reasons that casting a bright flash of light into a giant monstrous lizard thing's face is a bad idea.
The first is that it makes the giant lizard thing angry at you personally.
The second is that it draws the attention of said lizard away from the big, tough, armored samurai onto the very squishy caster.
Shocrate turns and lunges at the person who dared flash such a bright light in her eyes...
Evariel feels something "Pop" as he's squeezed and darkness rushes in again...
PATHFINDERS! FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
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Shocrate
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Fade
Ryskovich
Evariel [-28, Unconcious]
Matsu [-33]
Fade strikes the beast hard with a telekinetic blast while Ryskovich takes better aim and strikes it with some well-placed arrows, causing it to roar in pain.
PATHFINDERS! FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
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Shocrate [-41]
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Fade
Ryskovich
Evariel [-28, Unconcious]
Matsu [-33]
The beast throws Evariel into the air, preparing to eat him alive! When suddenly Matsu rushes out like a greasy blur, slamming into the beast with blow after blow from his katana, driving the beast back as Evariel falls to the ground with a "Thump". After the three blows, the beast screams out in a low voice...
I YEILD! I YEILD!
Whimpering, it runs away, it's rear end getting sizzled by Eclipse as it slides back into the gate it came from.
PATHFINDERS WIN! VICTORY!
The MC jogs up to the pathfinders with a smile.
Very good! Very good... I'll give you a minute to patch your friend up... Just a minute mind you, and nothing besides healing, or we won't start the next match.
NOW TYMONS, HERE'S THE MATCH YOU'VE WAITED FOR! IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE SHE EARNED HER STATUS AS ONE OF OUR FINEST, BUT SHE'S LOST NONE OF HER SKILL OR STYLE WITH AN AXE! LET HER KNOW HOW GLAD YOU ARE TO SEE HER FIGHTING AGAIN! YOU CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE ON HER BAD SIDE! HEEEEEELKIIIIIIT SIIIIILLLLVEEERBANE!
The eastern gate opens, and Helkit leads a group onto the floor. She wears a patchwork assortment of armor, scuffed and showing signs of many battles. Nevertheless, it is clearly custom-fitted and in Excellent repair. She holds a chain, attached to the collar of a pony-sized beast resembling a cross between a wolf and a tiger. Completing her team are a number of men and women clad in oiled armor and tabards of silver and crimson. They come to a halt. Helkit unchains her pet, then brandishes her greataxe aloft to the vocal pleasure of the crowd.
NEW BATTLE! PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
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Gladiators
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Evariel
Ryskovich
Fade
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Brimstone
Helkit
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Matsu
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Evariel sits up, pulling out his wand again. "The hazards of being a spellcaster," he says with a groan. Unfortunately, his slow-moving spell gets very little accomplished before the announcement begins for their next battle. Great.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Helkit and her animal seem unaffected, but the gladiator warriors give out grunts of pain. Helkit barks at them as they stumble for a moment.
Come on boys, you know how to handle this. Delta formation.
The men step closer to one another, holding up their shields and taking on defensive postures behind them. Two of them manage to blink away the sparks, the other however still seems blind.
NEW BATTLE! PATHFINDERS FIGHT! THE BOLD MAY ACT!
Eclipse
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Gladiator 1 [Blind]
Gladiator 2
Gladiator 3
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Evariel
Ryskovich
Fade
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Brimstone
Helkit
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Matsu