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Kyrie manages to catch the warrior woman by surprise with her first swing as she arrives. The steel shield slaps her across the side of her face. However, the twin quickly recovers and redirects the force of the second swing with a circular movement.
She spits out a wad of bloody spittle and, shoulders heaving with exertion, she replies, "The Unbreaking Wave does not yield!" She sweeps Kyrie's leg with her own foot and puts the knight in the sand for yet another time, though the fall is softer this time.
The twin pounces upon Kyrie as soon as she is down. Kyrie reflexively pulls her shield up, and the fist rings against the steel . The next strike, however, crumples another dent in her shield and numbs her arm again . "You yield!" The fight is clearly wearing on her, and the next punch rings on the shield but fails to dent it.
Fire and Ice! Round 6-7.
Ahmoza Twin Red/Fire (-172 hp) (faerie fire) (yielding)
Ahmoza Twin Yellow/Ice (-197 hp) (faerie fire)
Humble (100/128 hp)
Rakka (89/138 hp) (faerie fire)
Kyrie (59/188 hp) (shield -49 hp) (prone)
Kioko (174/174 hp)
+
EDIT:
"You think you're still going to win this, all by yourself? Why not save your strength for the next one?" Rakka gathers more power as he speaks, channeling it into another peck at the flanked monk, trying to catch her as she pummels Kyrie's shield.
The woman shifts quickly despite her fatigue, and Rakka's beak is driven off course by the staff in her one arm. The magical energies release into the air.
Kioko lashes out with flanking, though she stops if the woman goes unconscious or yields.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
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The next slash from Kioko's katana knocks the stubborn--brave?--and weary twin unconscious.
The enforcer on the bluff raises his arm. His voice emanates from your silver necklace and the silver necklace around the neck of the twin who yielded. "The Ahmoza Twins can no longer continue. Summary Judgement is the winner."
The enforcer and the guides descend to the beach. The enforcers voice comes from your necklace alone, "Summary Judgement, please receive your prize."
Igndani rejoins you as you meet with the enforcer. He hands you four silver feathers--the two you wagered plus the two the twins wagered--and a sack of coin. "Congratulations on an early victory. Remember that, as the winner, you are not allowed to challenge the Ahmoza Twins for the remainder of the tournament. That is not to say that they could not challenge you."
While you meet with the enforcer and receive your winnings, the one twin rouses the other, coaxing her awake relatively gently. Once you are finished, the approach you, both of them smiling. "Thank you for the match," they say in unison and bow.
"I am Manyala," says the twin who manipulated fire. "And I am Rijana," says the twin who manipulated ice and refused to yield. "We are impressed by your skill, especially the blending of magic with your arrows."
"And your beak!" adds Manyala. "If you would like, we would be willing to teach you one of our techniques as a way of rewarding you for your win, ourselves."
Humble accept the feathers and places them in his sleeves, whispering the key phrase liquidity..
Ghostly white gloves minister to wounds as Humble uses his Magical hands to heal up everyone — including the Twins if they allow it.
+16 on crit
"Thank you. The offer is honorable and kind, but we are capable healing ourselves through focused meditation," Manyala says with a kind smile. Rijana nods.
Let us continue on, following the coast. It looks liek there is a transport tower along the way as well.
Kyrie offers her hand to both of the sisters and smiles. ”A worthy fight. I will give you some advice: a paladin of Iomedae is sworn to always be first into battle and the last to leave it, so she will never be the first to yield.”
"It's even codified by Iomedae herself… and in our Medical Services Agreement, says Humble in a neutral tone.
Kioko nods assent to Humble's proposed plan.
You make your way northward along the coast, toward the tower visible in the distance. Abadar makes the path easy for you, so you make excellent time. You emerge into a clearing surrounding one of the transport towers.
The tower itself resembles a towering, narrow pagoda and contain a main chamber on the ground floor with four hallways, each terminating in a magical gate that opens into another chamber similar to the one in which you stand. The rest of the tower rises a hundred or so feet into the air, making it a simple matter to spot the nearest of these towers from anywhere on the island.
Ingdani reminds you, "The towers and the space fifty feet around them is neutral territory. No fighting is allowed." Underscoring her statement is a group of five enforcers entertaining themselves near the tower.
Humble suggests they move to the coast next.
As you explore along the coast to the west of the transport tower, Kioko finds many signs of large beasts passing through the jungle. Smaller trees are bent, branches in trees are broken up to fifteen feet above you. Eventually, you come across the occasional track in the ground: three claw-tipped toes like a bird or a saurian that would be difficult to cover with a tower shield. Kioko could easily track the beast to its lair, if you desired.
Upon the beach, you also come across an ancient stone shrine. The stone is worn by the wind and salt water, but you can make out iconography and an art style that is different than elsewhere in Tian Xa. The crumbling art suggests a water theme. Humble does not recognize the iconography, and Kyrie is initially suspicious that it is an Abyssal shrine dedicated to the demon lord of parasites, Cyth-V'sug.
Ingdani corrects her. "These shrines belong to the gods of the ancient Taumatan people who lived here and disappeared long before any explorer from Tian Xa came to Bonmu. These gods have not been worshipped in a long time. I would guess that they might bless you if you honor them in the proper way."
Humble examines the shrines, using his assurance in religion to try and see if he can honor these old gods.
Humble thinks over his readings of competing religions, but his memories of text referencing the ocean aspect of Gozreh keep coming to mind.
"An old poem from the region says:"
'Nothing in the world is softer than water,
Yet nothing is better at overcoming the hard and strong.'
Humble pours pure water from his waterskin onto the shrine as he contemplates the paradoxical nature and power of the element. Indeed, water is not unlike macroeconomic forces at scale. One must give in to these forces instead of trying to fight them. Only then can one master them.
Other than making the stone wet, there is no sign that the ancient gods have awoken or noticed you. Would there be, though?
Humble does a water dance, flowing wherever it takes him. Beads of sweat fall onto the stone.
It's not the best dance; he can't help but feel silly. But the value of pride is nothing compared to a deific blessing.
Kyrie takes off her helmet and scratches her head. ”Pouring water on it was what I would have tried as well.” Still wary of being tricked by some sort of demon lord and unsure of what else to try, she figures discretion is the better part of valor here. ”Maybe we will see other stones and the correct actions will become apparent.”
Rakka shrugs. "Sometimes a shrine just wants to be left alone. Sometimes the spirits are tired."
As you push forward, you find another stone shrine within the jungle on this spur of the island. The shape and patterns are similar to the one you found an hour ago on the beach to the south. Scraping away the moss, you can make out iconography that vaguely resembles a flame and a pot or cauldron carved into the stone.
Kyrie still finds the shrines suspicious despite Ingdani's assertions that they belong to ancient, benevolent gods. Nothing jogs Humbles memories this time around.
Humble gets out a pristine cooking pot, fills it with purified water, and drops some clean raw cauliflower into it. He then starts a fire to boil any flavor out. Boiled Bland is a classic Kalistocrat favorite on the trail.
As he does so, he recites a fire koan, meditating on fire's destructive and generative force:
Dasui said, “Destroyed.”
The monk said, “Then it goes along with that?”
Dasui said, “It goes along with that.”
A monk asked Longji, “When the fire ending the aeon rages through and the whole universe is destroyed, is this destroyed or not?”
Longji said, “Not destroyed.”
The monk said, “Why is it not destroyed?”
Longji said, “Because it is the same as the universe.”
A gentle breeze rustles the leaves in the trees above as Humble boils his cauliflower. Kyrie recognizes the presence of the divine as it pass briefly over the jungle. Whoever shares in Humble's boiled cauliflower finds it surprisingly pleasing to their individual palate and extremely satisfying.
As you continue on your exploration, you notice that your sense of hunger continues to feel perfectly satiated. A strange blessing, perhaps, but undeniably a blessing.
Eventually, you reach the northern end of this spur on Bonmu. Atop a cliff, you find a ruined lighthouse. Its gray stones are worn by decades of sand blown on the wind. "This is another team's headquarters," Ingdani informs you. They are not present, likely exploring the island the same as you in search of contestants. Maybe other teams are passing through your temple at this very moment.
Heading back down the eastern side of the peninsula, you come across one of the fighting arenas but no sign of another team. You continue onwards, still feeling no hunger, and cross a wide stream that runs from the nearby peak to the enclosed bay. Continuing along the coast, you head back toward a wide beach. The breeze carries on it a strangely cold smell.
As you crest a dune and the bay comes into view, the wind buffets you gently and carries the salty and cold smell with it. Kioko's thoughts are suddenly thrown back to the morning you arrived at Bonmu, standing on the deck and smelling the strange smell reminiscent of bitterly cold mountain snow, fish, and sea salt.
Abutting Bonmu’s large coral reef, an enormous broken eggshell lies on this small beach cove. The shell is as large as a house and over a foot thick. Perhaps that of a massive bird or dinosaur?
The cauloiflower was so perfect — even more drab than usual.
Humble is too overjoyed not to feel any hunger. He will save so many coppers not eating! He constantly counts them, over and over, as he goes.
"I have a very bad feeling about this eggshell."
Rakka shrugs. "Who knows? Let's keep moving."
A half mile or so down the beach, you can see a dilapidated cabin. Most everything is covered in sand and mildew, except for a pair of sturdy leather boots under the wind worn and sun bleached remains of a bed. These boots appear nearly brand new. A quick testing reveals them to be magical.
Humble suggests Kyrie take the boots. "These should help you enact your oath — something about rushing headlong into battle, I believe??
Pressing onward along the coast, you come to a stone boat house. "Another team's headquarters," Ingdani explains to you. They are not present. It nears midday, and still you are not hungry.
You continue to follow the coast, occasionally ranging into the jungle to explore and seek out other teams to face. The coral reef disappears beneath the surf, and the beach becomes a narrow sliver of sand. Suddenly, you notice that the sound of the birds has died away. Wood cracks in the jungle next to the beach. A massive bipedal, scaled beast with a crocodilian head and a sail on its back emerges from the jungle. It turns towards you and roars loudly. "Oh no," Ingdani whispers, going pale. "The grave beast..."
Lunch Time! (You’re the Lunch). Round 1.
Rakka (138/138 hp)
The Grave Beast of Bonmu (Nature to ID)
Humble (128/128 hp)
Kioko (174/174 hp)
Kyrie (188/188 hp)
"Spread out!" Rakka shouts, dashing toward the water. He casts a defensive ward, and his eyes begin to glow with arcane energy.
The might saurian sprints along the bluff at the edge of the jungle as Rakka breaks from the group. The beast pushes off in order to leap, but the edge of the bluff crumbles under the force of its weight, which causes it to land slightly clumsily at the base of the bluff. Undeterred, the monster bounds across the sand, quickly placing all of you in peril.
Lunch Time! (You’re the Lunch). Round 1-2.
The Grave Beast of Bonmu (Nature)
Humble (128/128 hp)
Kioko (174/174 hp)
Kyrie (188/188 hp)
Rakka (138/138 hp) (arcane stance)
Raka dashes once again toward the water, trying to put a little distance between himself and the onrushing beast. Skidding to a stop, he quickly snaps off a shot, his arrow wreathed in a spectral claw.
Spellstrike: Uncharged
Arrows: 126
Humble will recall knowledge.
Further actions will depend on what he learns.
Humble recognizes this as a dinosaur called a spinosaurus. Their large, alligator-like mouths can swallow a humanoid whole with ease. However, this specimen seems older and larger than the typical sort. Its hide is tougher too, as Rakka's imbued arrow glances off of its scales.
Lunch Time! (You’re the Lunch). Round 1-2.
The Grave Beast of Bonmu (Nature)
Humble (128/128 hp) (2 actions remain)
Kioko (174/174 hp)
Kyrie (188/188 hp)
Rakka (138/138 hp) (arcane stance)
Humble casts Freedom of Movement on Kyrie.
Kyrie advances on the scaled creature, entering her battle stance and raising her shield. ”I’ll distract it! Take it down!”
Kioko sizes up the enormous creature, then follows Kyrie into battle. She skirts around to the south side and stabs twice.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Kyrie tries to distract the beast, but it is Kioko who manages to do so. The tengu hunter's blades cut deep through the spinosaurus' old scales and draw its ire. The dinosaur lunges with its jaws open wide, but the noonday sun glinting off of Kyrie's shield momentarily blinds it. Kioko feels the beast's damp breath as its jaws clamp shut just beside her.
Frustrated, the beast roars and pounces at Kioko. Its long claws rake across her and nearly knock her off balance.
Lunch Time! Round 2-3.
The Grave Beast of Bonmu (-27 hp)
Humble (128/128 hp)
Kioko (150/174 hp)
Kyrie (188/188 hp) (freedom of movement)
Rakka (138/138 hp) (arcane stance)
Humble extands a Chill Touch on the creature.
Rakka mutters under his breath as his first arrow flies wide. He quickly draws more magical energy from the air around himself, focusing it on the tip of another arrow, the tip once again wreathed in a spectral claw.
He curses again as yet another arrow flies wide.
Spellstrike: Uncharged
Arrows: 125
Kioko darts around to flank.
She slashes twice and defends herself.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Kyrie knows she needs to take this beast’s attention the hard way. She pounds, slashes, and bashes with her shield three times.
Humble's magic creates a pale patch on the spinosaurus' hide. Unfortunately, this does not help Rakka. The tengu's arrow glances off of the scales again. However, Kioko has much better success as she moves around for a better position. Kyrie takes his opportunity to crack the beast in its hind leg.
The turn of fortune is short lived. The beast lunges Kioko and snatches her in its terrible maw. While she dangles in its jaws, it reaches for her with its forelimbs and tears at her, trying to soften the reluctant meal.
Lunch Time! Round 3-4.
The Grave Beast of Bonmu (-108 hp)
Humble (128/128 hp)
Kioko (129/174 hp) (grabbed) (Basic Reflex DC 36 vs. 31 damage) (Bleed at end of turn: 4)
Kyrie (188/188 hp) (freedom of movement)
Rakka (138/138 hp) (arcane stance)
+
Kioko tries to wiggle out.
When that doesn't work, she starts stabbing.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She defends with her swords.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Humble hustles around the side of the massive creature, trying to keep Kioko in range of his healing magic.
"Gah, how can something that big wiggle that much?! Stand still!"
Rakka, frustrated, tries again to send a magical arrow at the massive beast.
Arrows: 124
Kyrie continues bashing at the dinosaur. ”Damn this beast!”
While Humble tries to get into a better tactical position, Kioko twists and turns to avoid the beast's claws, wrenching herself painfully against the teeth. She retaliates and manages to stab her wakizashi between the dinosaur's lip and gum.
Kyrie manages to bruise the beast's leg as it spins around in pain.
While you battle the beast, four figures emerge from the jungle and stand on the bluff watching you: two Tian women, one with extremely long white hair, a ysoki, and a pale blue goblin in nothing but a loin cloth.
Rakka unleashes a powerful arrow that carves a deep and bloody wound across the length of the spinosaurus' body. Kioko feels the rush of fetid breath blowing over her as the beast cries out.
The dinosaur tosses its head, and Kioko slips and slides down its gullet into the darkness of its belly where she is slowly crushed. In the suffocating darkness, she can only manage to use her wakizashi with any effect. The dinosaur then crunches down on Kyrie's armor, teeth crushing the knight within, in an effort to deter her before it breaks away with its meal. It runs uncomfortably close to Humble as it makes for the water.
The four watchers simply take in the scene passively.
Lunch Time! I’ll Take It to Go. Round 4-5.
The Grave Beast of Bonmu (-211 hp)
Humble (128/128 hp)
Kioko (98/174 hp) (swallowed: grabbed, slowed 1, holding breath)
Kyrie (155/188 hp, less some if shield block) (freedom of movement)
Rakka (138/138 hp) (arcane stance)