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Nobody suggested it, but Samantha runs around and heals people.
Elsha throw three bombs,
Rangi slashes at the creature and hits, although not as powerfully as his AoO, which also hit. Then he raises his shield.
Tiger runs in and punches twice, and then steps away. The wihsaak is very annoyed that Tiger has not yet faced the UNRELENTING FURY OF THE ABYSSAL DEPTHS and follows.
plus
plus
--Round 6
Tiger (35/68)
--Round 7
Samantha (58/86)
Elsha (63/63)
Rangi (70/72, enlarged, wounded 1, shield raised)
Red Wihsaak (-106)
Blue Wihsaak (-128)
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With the last wihsaak gone, Samantha snaps out of her trance. She doesn't isn't magically compelled to heal everyone, but she does so anyway, out of the goodness of her heart.
When the Pathfinders return with the heads of the wihsaaks, the villagers rejoice and reward them with .
Viltydus applauds their work and celebrates the prospect of a long and beneficial relationship with the Pathfinder Society. The Pathfinders receive a hot meal and a warm bed in the Port Valen lodge. They can stay in Port Valen as long as they like.
You find yourselves on a boat heading up the Sellen river to Restov, the capital of Brevoy.
Master of Swords Marcos Farabellus has summoned you but was vague on the details.
Feel free to introduce your character and otherwise enjoy the boat trip.
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A quiet, generally reserved man with a thin, gaunt face joined you on the boat. He wears a black cloak with the hood pulled up over his head, but still his wiry long black hair falls out of the front in an unkempt mess. A hefty bastard sword is slung over his back along with a longbow.
Greetings all. My name is Nikma Odria, monster hunter. I don't know much about Restov, but I hear these lands have been mired in unrest in the past.
As you disembark, Marcos Farabellus greets you on the docks. He is a man of sturdy build with a bald head and a full beard.
“Ah, agents! So very good to see you! Welcome to Restov. I hope your journey wasn’t too bothersome. This time of year the mosquitoes on the Sellen can be worse than falling face first and buck naked into a patch of poison ivy.”
Marcos punctuates his own jest with a bellowing laugh. “Let’s get you all a bit freshened up before I get to the heart of the matter.”
Marcos leads you to a nearby street vendor who sells fried fish and vegetables. He buys you each a portion and buys himself a skewer of crayfish. While everyone eats and walks, he elaborates on the mission.
“First off, thank you for coming. This is a bit of an unusual ‘mission’, so let me get right to it. I received a challenge recently from Orlaelia Aldori. She’s an up-and-coming swordmaster here in Restov. Claims her students are capable of besting any of mine. Now, I get challenges like that all the time, and normally I ignore them. But this time? Well, there’s a little bit more to it. A double-edged sword, so to speak.”
He lets out a small chuckle. “Which is apt, because one of these extras is a sword. Orlaelia has bet Inheritor’s Fury, her old longsword, on this deal. She used to be a Mendevian crusader, you see, and the sword has seen the depths of the Worldwound. It’s a relic in its own right and an item the Society would love to study in depth, not to mention a valuable piece of modern history deserving proper cataloging and preservation."
“While the pursuit of a relic alone would not merit taking you away from your other duties, this challenge also gives us a chance to make new friends and acquaintances in Restov. It’s been a while since the society had an active presence here. Rising to this challenge could give us a friendly rival at worst and some new friends at best."
“Orlaelia, though a veteran of many battles, is still Taldan at heart, from what I know at least, and still loves the arts. So! While this challenge will culminate in a duel between you and her students, she will most likely have a few other tests in mind that go beyond raw combat. Who can say what they’ll be. From what I hear her style is quite practical, but old veterans like us see lessons in the strangest of places.”
He smiles, perhaps thinking of similar examples from his own past, though doesn’t elaborate further.
“I’ve opened up Birchwood Hall, our lodge here. Haven’t managed to get all the damp and dust out yet, but that shouldn’t bother us overmuch. I’m sure you’ve all seen much worse during your travels.”
You arrive at Birchwood Hall just as Marcos finishes speaking. He leads you inside the building, through the main sitting room and into a wood paneled conference room. There’s a faint smell of dust in the air that the open windows have yet to dispel. Marcos seems open to answering questions before Orlaelia and her students arrive.
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Ned Flanders?! :)
Marcos leads you to a nearby street vendor who sells fried fish and vegetables.
Thevenin audibly gasps at the brazen cannibalism that is rampant among non-leshies.
When they calm down, they politely decline, and walk on the sunny side of the street instead.
"Yes, what are you putting up in return?"
Marcos does his best to answer your questions.
"As for the students... not a lot. Out of politeness I didn’t check her student roster, but I know she’s bringing her four best students. They will all have sworn the swordpact and taken the last name Aldori. They’re neophyte swordlords and will be more then capable with the Aldori dueling sword. It’s a well-balanced blade, excellent for parrying, and the style focuses on unnerving opponents.”
"Orlaelia wants the potential glory of her students defeating mine, and if not I'm sure they'll learn something from the experience. Now I'd prefer the winning too, but if not, at least please learn something. That said I do expect both of us are hoping to increase our reach and influence. The Pathfinder Society can be a potent ally, and equally I could use some more friends in Brevoy."
Marcos shrugs "Nothing wagered here of as much historical significance as her old crusader blade, but a nice magical blade that she'd find worthwhile."
You're interrupted by a hard knock on the front door.
"Now, stand tall, and be on your best behavior." Marcos notes as a nervously leads you all to the front door.
A party of five waits outside, led by a middle-aged woman with her dark hair pulled back into a simple knot. She wears woolen trousers beneath her sensible skirts and a thick leather jerkin with an emblem embroidered on the right side.
Catching sight of Marcos in the doorway, she grins widely and greets him with a firm handshake; one that goes on a little too long. The four students behind her wear similar jerkins. All carry a distinctive Aldori dueling sword strapped to their hips.
As the guests enter the lodge, the instructors share a bit of competitive banter, "Ahh Marcus, I head you like full squads of 6, I decided to only bring four to give you a chance, but if you want to throw it away and only bring these four, you're braver than I thought."
Marcus chuckles, his confidence returning "Ha, we'll wait and see how things go."
Then you have a chance to meet your competition, who seem confident and prideful.
The first to introduce herself is a half orc woman with long black hair in an intricate braid. She wears her school jerkin partially open to reveal a spotless white blouse underneath.
"Dura Aldori" she says giving Maneki a sly wink.
Her pants are a light brown linen and don’t show a crease out of place. She wears black leather shoes with silver buckles.
A human man with short brown hair steps up. He gives a fancy bow. In addition to his school jerkin he has riding pants and boots and wears a single pearl earring in his right ear. "Galran Aldori" he beams with pride.
The ysoki beside him with white and gray fur is a bit more standoffish, though not unfriendly. They introduce themselves with a curtsy "Rhenei Aldori.
It is hard to guess their age due to the natural gray fur. Their school jerkin has a few extra pockets sewn on and they wear colorful layered skirts along with wraps around their back paws, leaving the toes open.
The final student, a gnome with golden hair in a bowl cut that looks as if she performed it herself, practically thrums with energy.
"Thisnabel Aldori" she quickly introduces herself before putting her left hand over her mouth. She looks like she's ready to ask a thousand questions but knows that now is not the time.
Her school jerkin looks as if it had several minor accidents with
various substances and bears odd stains. She wears practical leather pants laced up down the sides and leather boots which have seen better days.
Marcus looks to you all to introduce yourselves respectfully.
As they look you over Orlaelia explains "While I'm most interested in testing my students' martial prowess however my experiences in the crusades fighting demons have taught me that to not only survive, but win decisively, one needs more than a strong sword arm and quick reflexes. I propose a series of three challenges, with the 3rd and final challenge being a duel between our students. Since I've issued the challenge I think it's only fair that you choose the specifics."
She then explains the various challenges.
"Since a demoralized, distracted, or enraged opponent is much more easily subdued, I propose a round of flyting, bragging and insults.
Your second choice is a poetry slam. A good poem can really get the creative problem-solving juices flowing.
Testing physical prowess without resorting to duels can be fun. I'd suggest a good, old-fashioned tug of war.
In official duels and training we have good access to first aid, but in the heat of battle that's not always true. It's always best to be prepared and have someone on your team trained to save your life.
Sometimes you have to take down an opponent without warning them. I'll have my cat brought over and test your ability to catch him.
Finally, conditions on the battlefield and during a duel often vary. One might have to battle with the low sun blindingly shining in their eyes or be awoken in the depths of night by a rampaging creature. A sharp sense of perception can be the difference between life and death and a blindfloded obstacle course through the kitchen would be perfect."
Marcos Farabellus looks to the group of you "Don't expect them to hold back, so pick the challenges you think you'll be best at."
A sturdy pet carrier is delivered to the lodge. Orlaelia carefully and gently brings it to the lodge’s garden, as growling and yowling noises emerge from inside. She explains, “sometimes you have to take down an opponent in an unconventional way, without harming them. Mephisto is a house cat on loan from the local granary you'll need to capture him and make sure he stays in his crate without harming him.”
She follows up with more explanations "Our students will take turns making an attempt at cornering the feline. Please, do not hurt the cat."
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Nikma thinks over his traps and snares.
No... too great a chance of harm.
He immediately finds a stump to lay down his longbow and sword on, as those would get bloody fast. Nikma is not unfamiliar with jobs where the client wants the monster back alive and intact. Some nobles desire really dangerous trophies in their collections. Some underworld lords want creatures for illegal, underground pit fights to fuel gambling.
Eyeing the cat at length for several moments he begins to think this is not unlike his many stalking exercises in the wilderness. He whispers to the others
You all can distract it and interact with it how you like. I'm going to observe it's movements and try to identify its patterns. Soon it will fall into my grasp...
He speaks with grim seriousness and authority.
Maneki crouches down and stalks the cat.
But sneaking up on a cat is hard.
Thevenin's attempt at being a houseplant is no match for the cat.
Thorn's plan helps cut off the cat's escape with the thrill of fish while Nikma stalks the cat through the garden.
Nikma stalks the cat as everybody else stays still.
Between efforts of the various Pathfinders Mephisto has been successfully lured into their crate.
Now, you need to get that crate latched before Mephisto is wise to you and escapes.
The cat does not seem pleased by Thevenin, but Maneki is able to sneak up while Thorn is able to secure the latch.
"Well done" bellows Marcus Farabellus
"In my experience cat's only seem interested in plants they shouldn't be near. Next time, Thevenin try pretending to be something toxic and I'm sure it'll work out."
After a brief water break Marcos looks to you all again. "At the danger of repeating myself, well done on that first challenge, what are you thinking for the second one?"
Marcos Farabellus claps his meats hands together as Orlaelia grins slyly.
Two lines are drawn in the grass in front of the lodge, 30 feet apart. A long rope with a ribbon tied at its center is placed so the ribbon lies at the midpoint between the lines.
Once things are setup Orlaelia arranges her students at one end while Marcus encourages you to take the other.
Once everybody is set up Orlaelia looks to Marcos "Would you like the honors?" handing Marcos a checkered flag that seems almost comically small in his hands.
He nods politely.... "On your marks... Get set... "
Orlaelia shouts to her team "Pull together, like we practiced!"
Marcos shouts "Show 'em what we got Pathfinders!"
The two of them seem to be getting real excited.
Despite some pulling from the other team Maneki keeps her footing.
Thevenin isn't quite as inspiring as they would like however.
Thorn pulls, but the opposing students are pulling harder.
How will Nikma do?