Fran nearly causes some of the other team to slip as they are distracted by her comment followed by Mr. Midnight’s objection.
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Stitch grins, hooking Meat Wagon's bumper up to the end of the rope. He climbs on top his trusty steed and waits. The call to pull is hollered.. and yet he still waits.. finally he hollers to Meat Wagon "Give 'r hell Meaty, full REVERSE!" A mixture of steam and smog belch from the exhaust tubes circling the wagon as the wheels lurch into action.
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Full throttle backwards, aye aye captain baldy. The large sized invention drags the group backwards.
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As Stitch hooks Meat Wagon up to the rope, Halran says “I thought we were competing against them, not a steam engine.”
Marcus points out “He did build it himself.” to which Orlania replies “Not what I intended, but I will allow it. You can’t always pick your opponents on a battlefield.”
—-
When Meat Wagon finally puts it in gear, they are able to drag the ribbon across the line. Both masters announce the Pathfinders win.
As Marcus retrieves and coils the rope to put it away, Orlania stsrts explaining the rules for the poetry slam.
Smiling brightly, she says “This is my favorite challenge! Born and raised in Taldan, I know from experience how a good poem can really get the creative, problem–solving juices flowing.”
She explains that although the delivery is also important, today’s challenge is about composing the poem. As she walks back into the lodge towards the sitting room, she says each person will be asked to craft their own poem. Each of you are to do your own work. The poems will then be shuffled together and judged by her and Marcus.
As she is explaining this, Marcus comes into the sitting room. He suggests that people could use the library as the space to compose their poems.
The two masters settle down as they have Dura start the contest off.
After about ten minutes, Dura returns with her poem. It is set aside and the next person is sent to the library.
Marcus looks to your group for a volunteer.
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Stitch sneers at bit at Harlan for complaining What a whiner, lose with some grace you lout!
Stitch leaves Meat Wagon running out in the courtyard, not caring one bit about those no idling signs out on the front drive.
"Don't worry about me, I'll craft up the best poem you've all ever read." He grins to his team. It'll be freaky too, I think Bella needs to present it though.
He heads off into the library to compose brilliance.
Wow, even I think that's a bit too freaky..
Oh that's a gem.. Especially the part about the cadaver...
When he comes out of the library its clear Stitch has something he likes.
Stitch decides he will compose something with an occult theme. He quickly discards his first idea as too strange and comes up with a much better idea. Getting the basic idea down, he then works a little bit on his wordplay.
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"The best of luck to all of you. Creativity is the first step to victory!" Bella and Khiari enter the library.
"It's beautiful, isn't it sister?" Bella scans the room.
The sisters admire the room for a while. "It's kind of stuffy. No room to stretch." Khiari manages to stay out of the way.
"Ha! Perfect! Stuffing!" Bella acquires paper, ink and a quill.
"Stuffed bird, stuffed owlbear... stuffed goat..." Bella thinks aloud, not hearing her sister snort over the last idea.
Khiari stomps up to Bella. "Really? Stuffed goat? Next you'll say stuffed fawn." She crosses her arms. "You're always like this, especially around big family dinners. Food is the only thing you can think of at a time like this!"
"Oh please. You're always trying to drag them off to a game or two- or trying to trick them into tongue twisters!" Bella's concentration breaks. "Honestly, sometimes I wonder why you come along on these stunts!"
The two sisters leave the library bickering at one another, completely forgetting about the poetry slam.
Stitch finds a couple of turns of phrase that could be improved and fixes them. He then turns in his poem.
Halran is the next person sent to compose. He takes nearly 20 minutes and you notice a new ink stain on his sleeve when he comes back. He does not look confident in his poem.
Bella and Khiari volunteer to go next. Halran gives them a puzzled look, but Rhenei quietly whispers something to him and then you catch him staring at the rune the two sisters share.
Once they get into the library, they have a little bit of trouble finding inspiration. They do come up with an idea but can’t quite agree one where to take it. They come out arguing and Marcus reminds them they were supposed to compose a poem. They quickly go back and grab what they had written, even though neither was satisfied with the results.
Thisnabel is sent to the library next. Even through the closed doors, you can hear snippets of song. Evidently her poem is a musical number? That or she just likes to sing. In either case, it only takes her about ten minutes before she returns with her written work.
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"C'mon kitty, let's see what we can do," Fran remarks when it's her turn, scooping Mister Midnight up in her arms as she heads towards the library. "Um, let's see...maybe a poem about the dark...?"
"Um, well, not the actual dark but maybe the creatures that live there..."
"Oh! That's a great idea, kitty! I remember reading a really good book about them, too..."
~Living in a land that's dark and blinded by the frigid cold
Creeping through the loneliness for ages untold
In your heart you're desperate for the sweet embrace of light
Pushing through and crawling with all of your might~
"HERE! Creepy creepy creepity creep!....No? You don't think that flows well, kitty? Well, I guess it'll have to do, we're out of time..."
______________
Fran finishes her poem and hands it in. The poem went pretty well overall.
Rhenei is sent in next. All of her fellow swordlord’s encourage her, obviously their team thinks they have the most skill with this. They spend about twenty minutes in the library and come out with their own paper. You notice it even has a small drawing on it of some sort.
Marcus clears his throat and says “Each of you are to do your own poems.”
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Rd 2 -
Rd 3 -
Rd 4 -
Roark remembers something about Saranrae but doesn't quite know what to present. Nevertheless, he tries his best to present it.
He manages to get some words to rhyme. Thinking some more, he rehearses again.
"Hmm... that doesn't work. Maybe I'll put this couplet here and that one there..."
"Squawk!"
Roark has an almost total brain freeze trying to come up with a poem about Sarenrae. He finally just does a very simple poem but has no time to practice it before it is time for him to turn in his work.
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Chastened, Clover decides to work on her own poem about dandelion seeds blowing in the wind. At first she tries to envision them as dancers, but rejects that image after a couple tries, and instead envisions the dancing seeds as fearsome warriors.
Dandelion Seeds
In formation you were gathered tight,
Your camp carried aloft to a child's delight;
Little white warriors carried on air
Little white warriors who hovered there.
And oh how you daringly parasailed
--Though some landed on rocks and failed--
But you blew ever on, flying higher,
That stretch of earth your only desire.
And when you landed... your roots went deep;
This was your land now to defend and keep.
Full of pride, you arose so bold,
You garlanded your crown in gold.
You weathered elements, you proved so tough,
How did we fools once dismiss you as fluff?
Taking her initial idea, Clover practices it a few times and adjusts the tone and cadence. She is satisfied with how it turns out.
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Nicole scratches her head before she heads to the library to gather topics she might easily get to make a poem with. She finds topic of arcane magic interesting.
She then writes information she needs to created the poem, like abjuration, divination, etc.
From there, she composes the poem, making sure the syllables per line are accounted for and the rhyming is considered.
Not satisfied with that approach, maybe a haiku is appropriate for the topic.
"I think this is good enough." she embarrassingly tells them.
"Magic is arcane
Divination is the best
Necromancy too."
Nicole comes up with an idea incorporating a couple of different aspects of magic. She initially has trouble figuring out how to improve it, then realizes that if she just changes the type of poetry it would work better.
The two masters go through the poems. They judge Stitch’s work the best with very strong entries from Rhenei, Fran, Clover and Nicole. They once again judge the Pathfinder team the winners.
Dura does not seem surprised, saying “I fear how much additional training in wordplay is in our future.” Marcus says “Perhaps a couple of my agents could benefit from that training.”
The two masters then explain that it will take about an hour to prepare the battle area. Orlania explains that she has hired two ritualists to prepare the area with a ritual to ensure that any damage done in the sparring room is nonlethal.
Orlaelia has arranged for food to be delivered, since “I had been told the lodge wasn’t staffed.”
Fresh baked bread, vegetable soup, and sausages are all brought in, still hot and steaming.
As the food is consumed, Marcos and Orlaelia engage each other in conversation, trying to lightheartedly one up each other with tall tales. Marcos even offers to teach Orlaelia the Farabellus Flip.
The swordlord’s students ask if they could see the poems, and the two masters give the sheets back to the person who wrote them saying “We will let each of you decide if you want to share your work.”
Rhenei offers to perform their poem and is curious to hear some of your works. Judging from their facial expressions, neither Dura nor Halran are eager to share their work.
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"I will gladly share... hmpf." Bella realizes she has nothing to share. Just a strong inkling towards Nature and a bunch of half-notes about stuffing roasted animals.
She takes a seat in the corner. "I'd be happy to give advice on writing poems. Step one is to avoid arguing with your sister. It is... wasteful."
Khiari plops next to her and gives a hug. "Yeah, especially when you're correct." She grins.
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Stitch nods in acceptance of his award, albeit only a verbal recognition, nothing elaborately made of precious medals unfortunately "Did someone say dinner?" He heads to get near the front of the line, grabbing up a plate, fork, and his pocket knife. "Good looking spread Orlaelia." He compliments, steering clear of the vegetable soup for now. He takes a large bite of a steamy sausage, sending the greasy liquids spraying out on anyone standing too close by. Between bites he wipes his face with his grimy sleeve.
When the topic comes up of presenting his poem to the crowd Stitch shies away from the idea, coming up with a lame excuse and a salty expression "An inventor never shares his prized schematics. This is a work of art, maybe I'll put in for a patent on it.." He rubs his fingers together, gesturing the coinage it'll generate.
After dinner he climbs up on Meat Wagon and takes a food induced nap til its time to rumble.
Rhenei says “I am better at crafting the poems than reciting them.” They will allow their poem to be read by others, but do not want to recite it themselves.
Thisnable asks Stitch “What is a patent?”
Khiari claps as she slides some vegetable soup and cheese to Bella.
Bella tries to wait for everyone to be distracted before eating. The lack of proper etiquette is confusing enough. Where are the other spoons and forks?
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"Uh, um...s-sure, I'll perform my poem," Fran agrees with a nervous smile. "But I, um, think maybe it works better as more of a song so I'll sing it instead of reciting it..."
As it turns out, the poem totally works better as a song! Once she's done, she happily heads over to the table and helps herself to the spread. "Oh! There's tiny cheeses! Kitty, do you want some sausage? I'll cut it up for you."
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Nicole is relieved that the poem-making contest is over, though she is surprised that she can make a poem that can impress the judges to say the least.
"Well, I might consider making poems as a pastime." she tells herself before she digs herself in with the food given to them. "Or not." after she has her stomach full, realizing that making poems her pastime is not a good idea.
Dura leans over to Nicole and quietly says “In spite of my instructor’s feelings, I don’t see much use in them. Seems to get harder to come up with new ideas each time I try.”
Thisnable is close enough to overhear this and mostly manages to stifle her giggle.
The two masters seem too involved in their stories to notice.
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Dura quietly replies “In my experience, gnomes see nearly everything differently.”
About an hour after the beginning of the feast, Orlaelia stands and claps her hands once to get everyone's attention. Smiling at the success of the exercises so far, she says, “Now that the food has had a chance to settle, and everyone has had a chance to rest and relax a bit, we should move to your final challenge.” She looks to Marcos.
The Master of Blades nods, and he takes over what is obviously a rehearsed speech. “Aldori students, Pathfinders, both of you have demonstrated skill and creativity, but there's no test like a real fight. And so, that's what the last challenge will be.”
Orlaelia then again takes the lead. “Of course, a combat where you had to hold back would hardly be a fair assessment, so we've had a special ritual cast over the combat arena. Fight to your hearts content, for none of the damage or injuries suffered therein can be lasting or lethal. Your test will be a fight, one group against the other. Defeat only comes when all on your team are unable or unwilling to continue. Show us what we've taught you!”
Her students are surprised, and their nerves show through briefly before they quickly compose themselves. Noticing this, Orlaelia adds “I know you were expecting single combat, but if you only ever fight the same fight, you'll never grow.”
Both instructors smile and lead everyone to the sparring hall, clearly enjoying the pageantry. Marcos and Orlaelia remain in front of the door once everyone has entered and show each group to their starting positions.
After everyone takes up their starting positions Orlaelia gives the signal for the duel to start.
Each of the Aldori students draws their Aldori sword before Orlania gives the signal to begin.
Halran points his sword at Roark and says “Prepare to be plucked!”
He then brings his sword to the ready position, waiting for someone to approach.
Dura evidently doesn’t think waiting in place is a good idea. She runs alongside the wall, then moves diagonally to approach Fran while keeping out of the reach of Roark, Bella and Khiari. She then strikes at Fran. She barely hits.
(finesse, versatile P),
Round 1:
Bolded may act
Halran
Dura
Nicole
Fran 17 damage
Thisnabel
Roark Frightened 2
Stitch
Meatwagon
Rhenei
Bella
Khiari
Clover
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Dura quietly replies “In my experience, gnomes see nearly everything differently.”
"Oh, that would make sense actually." is all Nicole can say before they are called for the final challenge. "Good luck." she tells Dura before they get into positions.
---
Nicole advances a bit and then quickly draws moderate alchemist fires, bombing them at Halran.
fire damage plus 2 persistent fire damage, plus 2 fire splash damage
fire damage plus 2 persistent fire damage, plus 2 fire splash damage
◆ Stride
◆ Quick Bomber
◆ Quick Bomber
Talismans: Owlbear claw, Potency Crystal
Infused Reagents: 1/7
Invested Items: Wayfinder
Dura says “Honestly, you are the first one I’ve met. I’ve heard rumor of Tengu coming here to learn the sword form, but never seen them.”
——
Nicole advances slightly and then demonstrates why it may have been bad tactics for Halran to have not advanced. Two alchemists fires hit the human swordsman and he is now on fire.
As he is burning, Halran says “This is weird! I can feel the burning, but it isn’t as severe as it should be….” In spite of how it looks, it seems the ritual is effective.
Round 1:
Bolded may act
Halran 21 damage 2 persistent fire
Dura
Nicole
Fran 17 damage
Thisnabel 4 damage
Roark Frightened 2
Stitch
Meatwagon
Rhenei 4 damage
Bella
Khiari
Clover
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Oh, there's not much room to maneuver...!
Normally Fran would put as much distance between herself and an armed foe as she could but moving out into the room - where the other students could easily surround her - isn't appealing either. Instead, she uses her magic to first conjure a protective shield for herself and then to attempt to nudge fate in Roark's favor just a tiny bit. Then she steels herself and swings at Dura with her sickle.
______________
Fran brings up her magical shield, sends some luck Roark’s way, and then attempts to strike Dura with her sickle. The strike misses.
Thisnabel moves forward and then strikes twice at Nicole. Neither strike hits.
(finesse, versatile P),
(finesse, versatile P),
“Maybe I should be picking on someone my own size…” she comments, obviously not satisfied with her results.
Round 1:
Bolded may act
Halran 21 damage 2 persistent fire
Dura
Nicole
Fran 17 damage
Thisnabel 4 damage
Roark Frightened 2
Stitch
Meatwagon
Rhenei 4 damage
Bella
Khiari
Clover