HP 149/158
AC 33 (34-36, plus physical resistance 3, when inspired)
Fort +22, Ref +23, Will +22 (+1 to all with inspire defense)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 2/3
Spells: 1st [][][]; 2nd [][][]; 3rd [][][]; 4th [x][][]; 5th [x][][]; 6th [x][][]; 7th [][][]
Effects: inspired (defense), enfeebled 2, must succeed at a DC 5 flat check when attempting to use actions with the manipulate trait or the action is lost for 5 rounds
Chkirri says, moving away from the newest team member as he flails wildly. He casts shield, just in case.
Lazarus takes a swing at Storm Adder, hitting the gnoll. Shino Hakusa still has not left the maze!
After several more seconds, Shino Hakusa finally emerges. Having had ample time to prepare for her return, you quickly beat her down into submission, forcing her to surrender!
"Victorious Secret wins!" Hao Jin declares. The other teams applaud heartily. The Ruby Phoenix waves her hand, healing some of the Lightkeepers' injuries and restoring Lazarus's warped mind. The Lightkeepers scowl at you and slink away without saying anything.
As the applause dies down, Hao Jin stands to address the room. "And with that, the Ruby Phoenix Tournament pre-qualifier has officially come to its end. Thank you to our contestants for providing such rousing entertainment. The empress and I bid you all good night! Tomorrow, you will begin the return journey back to Goka, where very soon, the real tournament will begin in earnest!"
You are free to remain at the palace for the night or, if you prefer, you can make your way back to the temple of Irori.
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Lazarus shakes his head to clear the confusion. He takes a look around. Seeing the Lightkeepers have their lamps unlit, and seeing Victorious Secret still standing (except a really nice bruise on Stormy's eye!), Lazarus sheepishly grins.
We won? Honor to everyone! Psst...Storm Adder may need some ice.
Stormy Adder claps Lazarus on the shoulder, hard. "Ha! I'm not going to cross you, teammate. Next time you get a little fuzzy I'm going to be giving you a bit more space."
"We certainly put on a good show for the Empress and Hao Jin! I'm sure word of our success will spread in Goka. Maybe we'll be the crowd favorites!"
Xin moves to shake Ran-To's hand, only to be rebuffed as he immediately slinks away. "Huh. Sore losers I guess." She grins. "Great fight though. Definitely our closest match so far, so we'll have to keep an eye on them during the real tournament."
Lacing her fingers behind her head, she strikes a casual (and very practiced) pose. "Who's up for a victory party? They've got to have some good booze stashed away here. I bet Tino's Toughest would join us. Maybe the Steps of the Sun too; they seem cool."
"I bet they would too! Two silver pieces?" Chkirri agrees, casting a glance over at their first acquaintances on the island, who proved to be better friends than they may have even known with their gifts of the wand. "I've never slept in the palace before, and I'm sure it'll be amazing."
You rest and relax for the rest of the night. In the morning, a squad of enforcers meets with every team still on the island and takes them back to their respective bases to collect the last of their things. Afterward, the enforcers escort the teams to the docks, where everyone boards boats that takes them back to the large sailing ship that brought them to Bonmu.
"This is where we part ways," Ingdani says, offering you a deep bow. "It has been an honor serving as your escort these past few days. I will be rooting for you when the tournament begins!"
Once everybody is on board, the ship turns away from Danger Island, and you begin the weeks-long journey to Goka. Over the course of the journey, the ship will be stopping in several port cities, allowing the qualifying teams time to gather any supplies they need for the upcoming tournament. This is the perfect time to buy new equipment, craft new items, learn new spells, and possibly retrain to make use of the techniques you learned on Bonmu. Soon enough, you will reach Goka, where glory awaits!
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Lazarus spends an hour meditating at the Temple of Irori. The Warrior-Monk offers gratitude and continual pursuit of perfection for Victorious Secret.
He offers Ingdani his appreciation before departing Danger Island.
Lazarus then enjoys the trip by working out, training, shopping and enjoying the waves.
He is seen literally walking the waves along side the boat on occasion. A big grin on his face while wearing swimshorts with dolphins on them!
"Thank you, Ingdani, you were very helpful," Chkirri says, gifting her a few gold pieces as thanks.
He settles in for the ride home, happily dicing and gambling with sailors -- and his companions if they're willing -- during their down time.
"Yes, thank you." Xin bows to Ingdani before they leave. "Your expertise has been very helpful."
She also joins Lazarus as he revisits the Temple of Irori, not to meditate, but to say goodbye to Ahmitar. "I'm glad we were able to clean out the temple for you. Best of luck in restoring it; I'm sure it will be lovely."
Once on the boat, she spends her time chatting with the other teams, (except the Lightkeepers, whom she avoids as much as possible).
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The weeks at sea seem to fly by, and before you know it, you arrive in Goka! Famed for its architectural marvels, boundless entertainment, and unequaled riches, the metropolis of Goka offers a panoramic view into the diverse cultures of all of Tian Xia. Situated among the calm waters of Xu Hong Bay, the city’s strategic location makes it the eastern continent’s ideal international port and financial center. The steady flow of gold and goods in and out of the city attracts ambitious self-starters from around the globe who come to contribute to this cultural crucible.
While cultures endlessly fuse and evolve within neighborhoods, preservation likewise has a place in Goka. Mercifully spared from most of the region’s sporadic revolution or political upheaval, the city is a time capsule for empires both extant and fallen. The constant wax and wane of cultural fascinations in Goka meant that amalgams of architecture were inevitable. On one city block it’s possible to walk past a purple-tiled Hei Feng Temple, five-story Tian-Min apartments of red and white brick, and the many-spired azure dome of a Kelesh bathhouse.
About 350,000 citizens, including many first-generation immigrants, live in Goka. The concentration of so many disparate peoples leads to no shortage of unlikely friendships and conflicts, but Gokans cherish their chaotic, beautiful city and its breathless spirit. As many Gokans will tell you, a life full of risks is the sweetest life of all.
The first Gokan settlers built their livelihoods along the Viridian River, where some of the city’s oldest buildings yet remain to this day in Oldtown and the Ivory Port. As the city grew, it expanded northward; now, arts and culture abound in the districts of Xiao, City Center, and Floating Lotus, although the city’s aristocratic elite typically seek entertainment on the city’s islands in the Dragonhead and Red Lantern districts. The richest and most powerful Gokans literally look down upon the rest of the city from the districts of Diamond Knoll and Blue Stone atop the twin hills to the north. Just west lies the metropolitan Cliffside Court, where the main events of this year’s Ruby Phoenix Tournament are to be held.
Humans make up about 80% of Goka’s population of over 300,000 citizens, with Tian-Shu being the predominant ethnicity. The remaining population is split roughly evenly among the five next most common ancestries in Tian Xia: nagajis, tengus, kitsunes, samsarans, and wayangs.
An individual’s experience in Goka varies greatly based on their wealth, line of work, and beliefs. That said, a number of unifying features exemplify the quintessential Gokan lifestyle.
SCHOOLING
“Ignorance leads to exploitation” is a common Gokan axiom, and Goka’s parliament does all it can to ensure that every young Gokan receives a quality education. Free or subsidized public schools teach a standardized 6-year program that focuses on languages, mathematics, geography, finance, and civics. Cultural studies emphasize the importance of being informed rather than forming opinions.
Following their primary years, Gokan students transition to specialized trade schools or upper-class universities. Those with magical talent apply to the Five Pillars Academy, though most fall short and find themselves in one of the dozen less prestigious magic schools.
The Court of the Willow Branch—an intimidating private institution founded in the time of Lung Wa— admits no more than 99 students per year, all of whom must participate in a grueling month-long entrance exam which places testers into elaborate magical simulations to evaluate their skills. It is from this school that nearly all of Goka’s government officials, diplomats, and civil servants spring forth. While there is no fee to apply to the Willow Branch, many students rely on expensive cram schools to digest grueling course work that takes an average of 16 years to learn.
GAMBLING
Gambling in Goka is a way of life rather than a hobby or pastime. Witnessing complete strangers on the street betting on mundane matters can be quite shocking to visitors, but in spite of the seeming casualness of such wagers, gambling is the most thoroughly regulated activity in the entire city. Annually updated government- certified manuals describe the precise protocols and legal standing on bets of all values, along with the expected responsibilities of licensed gambling establishments. Gambling disputes are the most common civil cases brought to the city’s legions of lawyers, and such cases range from petty arguments over sums as small as 1 gp up to decades-long legal entanglements over entire dynastic fortunes. The city purportedly boasts over a thousand separate gambling houses, many of which employ in-house notaries, professional witnesses, and even court magistrates.
For all of gambling’s ubiquity, personal restraint is equally valued in Gokan society. Many residents have a personal set of limits by which they abide. Such personal restrictions can be as simple as walking away after losing a set amount or betting only once every 5 days. Some temples—such the Gentle and Resolute House of Irori—have programs where the addicted go to cut their connection from gambling altogether. Such decisions are respected in Goka, and many establishments run the city’s same popular games of chance with no betting involved.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Most Gokans cite the “Three Friends of Winter” as the trendsetters of the city’s high culture. Rosin Entertainments, a company based out of Hwanggot, collectively writes the city’s most popular music pieces, and Rosin’s famous all-male bands of up-and-coming talents attract throngs of passionate fans.
The Bamboo Walkway, just one block over from the Vudrani Market, features countless textile suppliers and clothing houses who all compete to set the next big fashion trend. Every 3 months, the street is closed down and transformed into a massive catwalk for showcasing the work of apprentice designers. Lately, designs featuring animated embroidery have caught on along the Bamboo Walkway, but the fashion house responsible for the craze—a nondescript boutique called Frozen Meteor that requires appointments months in advance and is overseen by the imposing Soniri Munar—has kept the method for developing such magical garments under lock and key.
Lastly, there is the Plum Blossom Assembly, a publishing house and group of critics whose identities are unknown to the public. The group regularly writes reviews on architecture, books, cuisine, paintings, and a host of other works in their weekly paper, With Wine and Pleasure. An article from the Plum Blossoms can make or break one’s prospects, while lack of any mention at all can condemn a business to obscurity.
***
The time has come for the next stage of the lead-up to the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Before the fighting begins, all competing teams must secure a patron from among Goka’s elite. These wealthy and powerful benefactors cover all fees associated with the tournament for their team plus food and lodging, provide their team a stipend for incidentals (including equipment), and manage other aspects outside the arena such as promoting the team and commissioning a team costume.
Upon disembarking, you are ushered to the Grand Bank of Abadar to learn more about the Gokan sponsorship process and meet the eight patrons for this year’s teams. Alongside you are the seven other qualifying teams. Tino and has teammates give you a friendly wave, while Syu Tak-nwa and the Lightkeepers offer up withering stares.
Ten figures stand in a lavish banquet hall within the Grand Bank of Abadar, all bathed in the amber light of the morning sun: the Ruby Phoenix Hao Jin in her eponymous crimson finery, a Tian-Dtang woman in white and gold silks worn by the clergy of Abadar, and eight well dressed aristocrats. The cleric of Abadar clears her throat before addressing you and the other seven teams of fighters standing at the entrance of the grand room. Between the fighters and the hosts stands a long table covered in immaculately decorated and carefully arranged local food and tea.
“Good morning, contenders. I am Archbanker Miang Malii. It is my honor to welcome you to Goka and congratulate you once more on successfully qualifying for the Ruby Phoenix Tournament.
“But I will waste no more time with pleasantries. You are here, two weeks in advance of the start of the tournament, to familiarize yourself with the glorious city of Goka. I present to you this tournament’s eight patrons: business leaders and politicians hailing from the most prestigious quarters of Goka. These patrons will cover the substantial fees associated with entering and competing in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, and perhaps more.
“Throughout the coming week, you are invited to attend a variety of events at different locales where you will have the opportunity to meet with one or more of these patrons. During these gatherings, your potential patrons will identify the teams whose personalities and goals most align with their own interests. At the end of the week, each patron will make offers to sponsor the teams who have most impressed them. If you receive multiple offers, you will get to choose the sponsor whose offer or personality you find most appealing. Following this process is a final week of rest and relaxation before the start of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament.”
The archbanker introduces the eight patrons as well as the eight qualifying teams, then invites the patrons and the teams to acquaint themselves with one another for the next hour. She is also happy to answer any questions you might have about the sponsorship process for the Ruby Phoenix Tournament or about the forthcoming events around Goka. Hao Jin, present purely as a formality, stays in the background and monitors the situation briefly before excusing herself.
The available patrons are as follows:
• Malaika Tao: Malaika is descended from a long line of influential shipyard owners. Her company remains modestly successful, but her divided attention between her vocation at the Gokan docks and her true passion of teaching magic at the Five Pillars Academy hasn’t done any favors for the family business. She stays on the lookout for anyone who can help her attract wealthy donors and talented teachers to the academy. Malaika dresses in fine, comfortable silks, usually opting for bright yellow fabrics and geometric patterns. Middle-aged but still in excellent physical health, she bears many smile lines despite the sober demeanor she adopts in business matters.
(Discovery: Academia Lore, Arcana, Goka Lore, Perception, Society; Infleunce: Arcana, Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Society)
• General Kaso Hida: Kaso came to Goka as a poor Minkaian immigrant who quickly achieved scholastic renown thanks to his exemplary exam rankings. Despite his excellent formal education, however, Kaso chose to enter the murky waters of Goka’s private mercenary companies. As the owner of his own highly successful mercenary company, the Crimson Lotus, Kaso commands respect from many of Goka’s wealthy and powerful nobles. (Hida’s title of “general” is just a nickname; Goka has no actual standing army.) The price for his elite guards’ services is extraordinary, but Kaso is widely regarded as the fairest and most reliable mercenary broker in the city. His loyal customers gladly pay the high price for peace of mind. Kaso is a middle-aged Tian-Min man with a heavy build. He is steely-eyed and attentive, and he wears red ceremonial armor with elaborate horn decorations.
(Discovery: Athletics, Goka Lore, Society, Warfare Lore; Influence: Athletics, Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation)
• Lord Aldanar Unmar: Lord Unmar is a business mogul who oversees the Gon-Yan Alchemy Company, one of the largest manufacturers of alchemical products in Tian Xia. He is the by-product of a passion-fueled merger between two prominent Gokan trading families some 50 years ago. This short, stocky man wears an elegant cloth-of-gold cloak over stylishly tooled red leather armor. His dark hair remains black despite his late middle age.
(Discovery: Crafting, Goka Lore, Merchant Lore, Pereption, Society; Influence: Arcana, Crafting, Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Performance, Society)
•Lady Qiu May Shai: Lady Qiu is one of the Empress's lady-in-waiting. possesses a youthful beauty and simple grace, and while on duty she dresses in luxurious silks that complement but never overshadow the garments of the Empress of Goka.
(Discovery: Goka Lore, Nature, Perception, Society; Influence: Arcana, Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Nature, Performance, Society)
•Lady Xhai Zhia: Although she shares her surname with the founder of Goka, the gracious and kind Lady Xhai Zhia doesn’t share Xhai Xen Xiao’s love of buildings. Rather, her interests center on the operas, concerts, and other performances within Goka’s most storied theaters. Zhia’s incredible influence and financial aid have formed the foundation for many of the city’s most beloved performers and troupes. However, she is notoriously picky with whom she chooses to patronize, so there is much hubbub this year about her selection of the famed Kwanlai singer Razu as a featured entertainer and guest of honor for the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Lady Xhai wears a wide variety of stately silk robes, some plucked straight from the costume wardrobes of her favorite performances.
(Discovery: Art Lore, Perception, Society, Theater Lore; Influence: Deception, Diplomacy, Intimidation, Performance, Society, Theater Lore)
Unlike most uses of the influence subsystem (which take place over a single event in a span of minutes or hours), the characters interact and accumulate Influence Points at different social events set at specific locations across multiple days. Each time the party goes to one of the locations, the characters have a chance to take part in 1 or 2 influence rounds as specified in that location’s text. The entire party should be present for an influence round.
During each influence round, each player character can use either the Influence or Discover activity to interact with potential patrons.
• Lady Yen Tsing Jurai is the owner of the Red Dragon Casino on Goka’s Island of Endless Fortune; because she is also herself the gambling type, she decides right away to bid mightily to sponsor Tino’s Toughest, the obvious underdogs of the tournament.
• Lord Buken Tegora, also known as the Spider of Goka, is a cold, calculating magnate who operates a generations-old private lending company who exploits the poor and hires unscrupulous mercenaries to collect overdue payments from them on a regular basis. He takes an immediate liking to the equally ruthless Lightkeepers and decides immediately to sponsor them.
• Lady Narswani Vangarath has made a fortune in decades past selling replicas of famous weapons and armor used in the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. As a patron for this year’s tournament, she has her eyes set on sponsoring the Arms of Balance, whose weapons she believes will be ideal for manufacturing cheap replicas thanks to her family’s ties to the Vudran weapons market.
"Home sweet home!" Xin takes in a deep breath of the Gokan air as they land. "I'll have to take you to my parent's place if we have time. They'd be very happy to meet all of you." She grins, lowering her voice conspiratorially as she nudges Chkirri in the side. "Dad only gambles occasionally, but mom's a real tile-shark. She's always up for a game or three of Mahjong."
Despite her general familiarity with the city she's never been inside the Grand Bank of Abadar before, and is therefore as impressed as any tourist by the lavish decorations. (Although she tries not to show it.) Once the meet-and-greet officially starts, she heads straight for the only person there she recognizes.
"General Hida! Please allow me to introduce myself. I'm Chou Xin, daughter of Chou Wen and Phan Tai." She offers a short but formal bow. "My parents run the Rising Sun dojo in Oldtown. Perhaps you've heard of it? I believe some of your guards have trained there."
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Lazarus walks easily amongst his peers into the Grand Bank of Abadar. The Warrior-Monk shakes hands, kisses babies and eats sushi with a constant grin on his face.
Munching on sushi and nodding to the band in the background, Lazarus notices Xin talking to General Kaso Hida. Walking behind her, he begins posing like Hulk Hogan.
And, we of Victorious Secret keep to a ridged workout regimen.
Chkirri smiles as he returns home to Goka, looking at his companions to see how they react to the greatest city in the world. Goka, he would wager everything he owns, makes Absalom look like some backwater island town where people merely go when they're looking for a cheap vacation.
He grins at Xin. "It would be an honor to meet her. I bet I could win at least one game of Mahjongg against her!" he says happily.
Later, he looks around at the assembled masses. He's happy for Tino's Toughest, but a bit disappointed that he won't get to know Lady Yen Tsing Jurai better. He's spent time in the Red Dragon Casino and it certainly couldn't hurt to get to know the proprietor better. Perhaps it would be helpful the next time he found himself on the losing side of a bet. Still, if there's one thing he knows how to do, it's perform.
He approaches Lady Xhai Zhia, bowing respectfully to her. "I hear we have you to thank for Razu being the featured entertainer and guest of honor for the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. It is a great honor for us? I tried singing once, but I'm afraid I have more volume than tone," he jokes. "I have spent more time in the arenas, trying to help entertain people there, but at times I have made it into our great theaters."
Storm Adder surveys the potential sponsors and sticks close to Chkirri. He also bows to Lady Xhai.
"Chkirri, I've been working on a poem about your impressive showing on Bonmu. Let me share a few stanzas with you and the lady..."
General Hida inclines his head to Xin. "I have heard of the Rising Sun dojo, yes. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Chou Xin." His manner of speech is formal and precise, but it doesn't seem as if Xin's initial introduction have made much of an impression on him.
Lazarus's poses and posturing, though, seem to impress the general quite a bit. "You must have an intense training regimen, indeed. You seem to be in impeccable physical shape. A good warrior should be a the peak of their strength and stamina. I applaud your efforts, good sir."
***
Lady Xhai smiles as Chkirri and Storm Adder approach her. "Oh, yes, Master Razu is a simply splendid singer! Perhaps you will get the chance to meet him soon. He is a fellow tengu and a fellow performer. I simply adore bards! I would love to hear a sampling of your skills--and yours as well, Master Gnoll!"
Lady Xhai smiles warmly and applauds once Chkirri and Storm Adder are done performing.
***
As the meet and greet comes to an end, the patrons thank the teams and disperse. Archbanker Miang answers any questions you might have before setting you loose on the city of Goka for the rest of the week.
There are several social events set at specific locations in the city over the next several days. Each one features an opportunity to influence one or more patrons, and you are free to visit them in any order:
Ruby Village: Goka’s tournament organizers have arranged for the construction of a special block of housing in the Cliffside Court specifically for this year’s grand occasion. Unless they have arranged for accommodations elsewhere, all of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament contenders are expected to stay at the Ruby Village for the duration of the tournament.
Icefang Aerie: The massive rookery known as Icefang Aerie towers over Goka’s northern shoreline, but in terms of grandeur it competes with many other incredible structures in that area—like the Seven Dragons Bridge to the west and Goka Imperial University to the north. Styled like a pagoda with ten enormous levels, the Aerie houses over 500 of Goka’s drake inhabitants and is the launching point for nearly all of the city’s famous drake races.
Five Pillars Academy: The Five Pillars Academy is a series of wizards’ towers with alternating floors of libraries, scriptoriums, training dojos, and classrooms. Each tower is constructed of varicolored porcelain inlaid with a dizzying array of magical icons. The academy features prominently in Goka’s magic item exports and book trade. Currently, the school is graduating its first small class from a newly constructed tower, where professors teach the bevy of new techniques brought back by Hao Jin when she returned to Goka a few years ago. In honor of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament as well as the graduation, the Five Pillars Academy also hosts a festival of magical displays. Competing teams have each been invited to the academy during the week for a short exhibition.
Lantern Lodge Gallery: To promote the Pathfinder Society, Venture-Captain Amara Li has outfitted the Lantern Lodge as a sort of museum gallery for the duration of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament. Agents of the Pathfinder Society won the previous tournament a decade ago while also thwarting the corrupt schemes of the Golden League crime syndicate. This year, Li is eager to expand the Society’s reputation by promoting memories of the last tourney and drawing new visitors to the Pathfinders’ Gokan headquarters.
Empress Yin Opera House: All of the teams have been invited to attend the various dress rehearsals for the performance of Master Razu, a famous tengu virtuoso whose presence at the Ruby Phoenix Tournament has been strongly promoted in advance of the competition. The bard is performing at one of Goka’s oldest theaters, the Empress Yin Opera House, and will be practicing his set every evening.
Shelyn's Comb: Goka’s shoreline is mostly a jagged array of docks and marinas, new and old, but it also features locations of unparalleled natural beauty. Although primarily an industrial sector, the Oldtown district also offers access to one of Goka’s most famous natural landmarks, a series of tall basalt cliffs called Shelyn’s Comb. General Hida has invited all of the teams to join him at a prominent overlook on Shelyn’s Comb in order to watch ships filled with tournament spectators sail into port.
Neverending Market: Goka’s Neverending Market is a ring‑shaped open-air marketplace that sells countless varieties of equipment, magic items, and food delicacies from around the entire world. Day and night, vendors endlessly hock their wares at the thousands of tourists and locals who pour through the market’s four entrances, one in each cardinal direction. For first-time visitors of Goka, the shopping experience can be either thrilling or traumatizing.
"Shall we head to the market, friends? Some of our winnings are burning a hole in my pocket, and I'd love to pick up some shiny new toys before we compete in the main tournament."
Storm Adder is impressed by Goka, which--in addition to being bigger--is so much cleaner than Katapesh.
Chkirri pauses -- he really wanted to go to the opera house or aerie -- but he's willing to do what the rest of his team wants. They've helped get him this far, so ...
"The Neverending Market's definitely something everyone should experience at least once. Only once in my opinion, unless you take precautions. Personally I invested in some good quality earplugs and sign language lessons."
Given that she pulls out a set of earplugs before they enter the market, it seems she wasn't joking. "Nudge me if you need to get my attention." With that she puts them in and enjoys walking around the market in blissful silence.
When you arrive at the Neverending Market, you see three potential sponsors—Malaika Tao, Lord Aldunar Unmar, and Lady Xhai Zhia—already seated at one of the dining tables set in a cleared area of the open market. The sponsors have gathered to discuss the tournament, but when they see you, the sponsors cheerfully you to join them for a bite to eat, as well as drinks (tea or spirits).
Chkirri bows to all three before turning his attention again to Lady Zhia. "Ah, you have taste not only in music, but in shopping, I see," he says.
"It is like the tale of the Merchant of Absalom, though hopefully without the bigotry," he says, then launches into a scathing critique of the show and its attempts to malign a poor Kofusachan ysoki who was merely trying to make a living.
"They tell that one a little differently where I come from, Chkirri." Storm Adder launches into a retelling of the story full of mistaken identity and attempted seductions. He concludes with an excerpt from a jester's speech full of double entendres!
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Lazarus approaches the trio of patrons. He bows to each in turn, although he lingers a bit longer on Malaika Tao.
Greeting Madame Tao. Simply a pleasure to have run into you today. I had wanted to ask you about the Five Pillars Academy. I am a former practitioner myself.
He smiles taking another bite of delicious fish pie...
Lady Xhai nods along with Chkirri's critiques, offering her own insights but never contradicting or undermining the tengu's argumetns. Afterwards, she cheers and laughs exuberantly at Storm Adder's version of the tale. It seems that the arts patron is quickly warming up to you.
***
"Ha! Yes, I would be happy to tell you more!" Malaika Tao shouts back at Lazarus. The middle-aged woman is still in excellent physical health, and she bears many smile lines on her face. "Teaching at the academy is my true passion." She speaks at length about the academy, named for its five colorful porcelain pagodas. She asks Lazarus about his own former practices, proving herself to be just as loud and boisterous as the warrior!
Xin is surprisingly quiet during the lunch, most likely because she never takes out her earplugs. Chkirri and Storm Adder are doing enough work to impress Lady Xhai anyway. When she sees Lazarus and Malaika Tao start shouting at each other, she nods in self satisfaction. Clearly she made the right choice.
Out of sheer curiosity she does study Lady Xhai's hand motions, trying to decipher what the conversation is about.
Xin notices Lady Xhai looking over to her during her companions' storytelling and offering slight smiles. Perhaps being surrounded by big egos and personalities in the theater industry, she has a fondness for those who remain quiet and aloof?
The patrons bid you farewell as you head into the markets proper to buy and trade for equipment. You spend several hours browsing the stalls and shops.
As evening approaches, you head to the Ruby Village to check out your accommodations. The immaculate and well-appointed private houses are in a typical Gokan style in order to give the visiting teams a glimpse of daily life in the city. The houses are identical in layout as well as accommodations. The floors and roofs are made of glazed tiles. The walls are made of stone halfway up the first story and then thick darkwood from there to the awnings.
Each domicile measures roughly 2,000 square feet, with a single main entrance that leads to a broad courtyard surrounding a large fruit tree; the building itself surrounds the courtyard on three sides. Doorways from the courtyard lead to separate small sleeping rooms for each contender, a spacious living room with a small hearth, and—best of all—a communal bathing area with a small stone pool that overlooks the Cliffside Court and the bay beyond. Attendants are on hand at all hours to provide the contenders with hot water, meals from the communal kitchen, collapsible privacy screens, and anything else they might need during their stay.
Lady Qiu May Shai and Lady Xhai Zhia are both at the Ruby Village when you arrive. They offer to show you their accommodations. Qiu answers any questions you might have about a typical day in the life of a Gokan, whereas Xhai can explain the basics of popular Gokan architecture.
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Lazarus strides into the Ruby Village smiling at the scenery, bustling bodies and the and—best of all—a communal bathing area with a small stone pool that overlooks the Cliffside Court and the bay beyond.
He quickly looks up at the sun.
Sweet! Been over 1/2 hour!
The Warrior-Monk strips off his shirt, rushing to jump into the pool! After taking a few quick laps (after Water Sprinting to the center before sinking), Lazarus exits the pool.
Seeing Lady Qiu May Shai lounging by poolside, the still dripping wet Lazarus approaches her smiling.
How you doing?
"Nice. Really nice." Xin is extremely impressed with their new residence. "Mom would kill to have a pool like this. The public baths are all well and good, but nothing beats a nice soak without leaving the comfort of your own home. And attendants to cook for you! Please do me a favor and don't tell her. She'd stab me for my spot."
Then she sees Lady Qiu and Lady Xhai off in the distance. "Showtime again. So, I think Lady Xhai liked it at lunch when I didn't talk much. Probably needs some peace and quiet after the chaos of the theatre. You guys do whatever you want, but I'm going to stick to the same strategy now."
Sure enough, as they tour the two lady's accommodations Xin remains unusually quiet and demure. Occasionally she gives Lady Xhai a sidelong look to see how the other woman is reacting to the attitude. Most of her attention however is focused on Lady Qiu, who she knows almost nothing about.
"I am dry. And I would prefer to stay that way. These silks are expensive," Lady Qiu says curtly. She eyes Lazarus dubiously and quickly walks away from him.
Xin observes Lady Qiu from a distance as she gives the tour, but she finds it difficult to glean any insights about the canny woman.
Seeing Lady Qiu quickly depart Lazarus' immediate area, Chkirri throws a quick, apologetic smile to Lady Shai and diverts his attention to the Empress's lady-in-waiting.
"My lady," he says with a deep bow. "It is an honor to meet you. I have heard that the Empress has perhaps attended some races that I have had the good fortune to describe. Perhaps you heard of then? The time the Jai Haok came back from seemingly certain defeat against Noh Kar Lina?" He quickly describes the action for her, hoping to jog her memory of a pleasant moment.
Storm Adder thanks Lady Qui for the tour, then adds, "These are beautiful quarters! I think we will sleep more soundly than our opponents in the lead up to the tournament. After our performance on the island, they must be sharing in their boots. No one tangles with Victorious Secret and forgets about our tenacity!" The gnoll gives a snort of fire to punctuate the boast!
”Ah, yes! That was quite the exhilarating race,” Lady Qiu says to Chkirri. ”And your calling it certainly enhanced the excitement!”
She lets out a soft gasp when Storm Adder snorts fire from his nostrils. ”The empress informed me of your impressive displays of prowess on Danger Island. I am looking forward to seeing your skills firsthand.” She smiles.
The tour concludes, and both ladies bid you goodnight. The rest of the evening is yours to get settled in your new accommodations and enjoy the amenities—Lazarus already has a head start!
Storm Adder gives all of his armor and gear a good cleaning, then relaxes in the opulent--for him--quarters.
Xin participates in the water aerobics class, then polishes off a nice meal cooked by someone else.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow? I'd like to go see the Icefang Aerie if people are up for it. I've watched a few races but never been inside."
"Oh, yes," Chkirri agrees, "the races are great. We should definitely go there. And the opera house! To see Master Razu!"
He spends the evening enjoying himself, chatting with other teams and getting to know what others are doing.
The members of Tino's Toughest talk about their excitement in seeing the treasures on display at the Lantern Lodge, while the musically-inclined Steps of the Sun are eager to catch one of Master Razu's rehearsals at the opera house.
***
The next day, you head out to Icefang Aerie. The massive rookery known as Icefang Aerie towers over Goka’s northern shoreline, but in terms of grandeur it competes with many other incredible structures in that area like the Seven Dragons Bridge to the west and Goka Imperial University to the north. Styled like a pagoda with ten enormous levels, the Aerie houses over 500 of Goka’s drake inhabitants and is the launching point for nearly all of the city’s famous drake races.
Attendants at the door greet you and bid you to go upstairs to the third floor where your hosts await. The first two floors are empty except for a few roosting drakes.
When you reach the third flor, you see four warriors in furs and hide armor—the members of team Winter’s Roar—stand in the center of the massive but empty room that composes the entire third floor of Icefang Aerie. They are surrounded on all sides by twelve drakes that snort with disdain and paw the floor angrily.
The drake nearest to you turns to you and growls in Draconic. "More interlopers! Have you come to pester us with inane questions like these fools? You will show us the proper respect! Pay obeisance and apologize for your fellow humanoids' poor manners, and we may deign to let you live!"
Xin immediately offers a low bow before responding in the same language. "My sincerest apologies on behalf of these humans. They are foreigners and no doubt have never seen beings of such majesty before. I beg of you to please excuse their ignorance; we will make certain they do not trouble you further."
"Hmph. They did not even offer to compensate us for our time," another drake says indignantly.
"Indeed! We demand compensation!" says the first drake. "Treasures worth six thousand of your gold pieces should suffice!" The dragons look to you expectantly.
Storm Adder doesn't understand Draconic, but he knows a threat display when he sees one. Tapping into his elemental blood, he surrounds himself with a (hopefully) impressive display of crackling lightning, roaring flames, frosty wind, and spitting acid.
"Let's settle down and take a few steps back...before there's a misunderstanding."
The drakes are cowed by Storm Adder's display of elemental power. They growl and take several steps back. "Very well," the lead drake says. Then, it looks to the side of the room. "Is that sufficient?"
Three of the potential sponsors—Malaika Tao, General Kaso Hida, and Lady Qiu May Shai—emerge from the shadows, having been enshrouded by illusions both mundane and magical. "Yes, thank you. You put on a good show," Lady Qiu says with a smile.
The patrons reveal that the drakes had previously been instructed to confront any teams that arrived, and that this encounter was a test to see how the teams would fare. General Hida and Lady Qiu good-naturedly exchange a few gold pieces, having placed bets on whether things would devolve to combat or not.
The leader of Winter's Roar, half-orc Urnak Lostwind, gives you a nod of respect as his teammates sheathe their weapons. "You lot have more of a way with words than any of us. We would have had to resort to violence had you not shown up."
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Having waken up just before sunrise to exercise and to meditate, Lazarus is seen eating a big breakfast while watching the waves caress the sandy shores beyond the compound.
Lazarus breathes in the frosty and refreshing air of the Icefang Aerie, as the group makes their way upstairs to the third floor. The Warrior-Monk bows in greeting to all in attendance. He smiles at the four warriors in furs and hide armor
Looks like I picked the wrong morning to go shirtless.
At the display of the drakes, Lazarus watches warily. He doesn't understand the language, but he does understand the communication. He bows to mirror Xin. And he also grins at Storm Adder's response.
When Malaika Tao, General Kaso Hida, and Lady Qiu May Shai emerge from the shadows, Lazarus grins even more.
Takes all kinds of skills and abilities to be champion.
Lazarus then bows to General Kaso Hida.
Who wants to bet that I can jump to the bottom and back up again in 6 seconds?
He winks.
Lazarus then indeed jumps off the pagoda, landing softly onto the ground, before jumping back up to bow again to those present.
Night water aerobics really starting to pay off.
Chkirri grins at Lady Qiu.
"Ah, if only I'd been ready," he laments. "I could have spun that tale so that anyone would have been ready to leap from their seats! The drakes bares fang and claw, backing the legendary tournament contestants back, surrounding them from all corners. It was a good old-fashioned staredown, and it was only moments before it would end up in violent mayhem!"
He briefly pantomimes a classic struggle, grabbing a nearby fruit and pretending to smash it over Storm Adder's head!
Xin looks back and forth between the newly arrived patrons and the drakes. "Ah, I see." She bows again to the drakes and, (in Draconic), says, "You were very convincing. It was a wonderful demonstration."
With the drakes mollified and Chkirri entertaining Lady Qui, she once again attempts to impress General Hida. "It seems you had a friendly bet going on. I do hope our decision to resort to diplomacy didn't cost you too much gold." She smiles. "I personally take to heart the old proverb; 'The best sword remains in its sheath.'"
General Hida watches Lazarus jump his way back up the side of the Aerie. He applauds the monk's feat of athletics. "Impressive," he murmurs.
When Xin approaches him, he give her a good-natured smile. "I only lost a handful of coins. While I would have preferred to see how you handle yourselves in battle, I will admit that sometimes it is more appropriate to fight with words, not swords."
In the meantime, Lady Qiu seems quite taken with Chkirri's impromptu tale. She laughs heartily when he pretends to smash the fruit over Storm Adder's head! "You possess much wit and charm, as well as battle prowess. I can see why Lady Yan Fei is taken with your team."
Once the patrons have left and the tour is concluded, Xin looks up at the sky to note the position of the sun. "What time does the opera start? I think visiting the Lantern Lodge Gallery could be fun, but don't want to make you miss out on the previews by getting there too late."
"Let's not risk it. The Lantern Lodge isn't going anywhere," Chkirri says.