Rakka quickly draws more energy to himself, sending another magically-charged arrow, this time at the injured enforcer, as he gently falls to the ground.
Rakka fires another enchanted arrow at the flagging enforcer. The enforcer notices the arrow at the last moment and shifts so that the arrow skims past his shoulder. He gives a look to where Rakka landed among the branches of the fallen tree.
Humble channels Abadar's will to restore much of Kioko's fatigue.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 5-6.
Gomwai (-92 hp) (prey) (prone)
Enforcer (white) (-35 hp)
Enforcer (black) (-178 hp; <98%) (prey)
Rakka (127/138 hp)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (182/188 hp) (prone)
Kioko (102/174 hp) (prone)
Kioko stands and sprints toward the barely standing enforcer, hoping to finally take him down.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Kyrie scrambles to her feet yet again, wondering if there is some sort of magic item or something she could invest in to make this stop happening. She strikes at the downed Gomwai a couple of times, but her frustration gets the better.
Kioko lands both of her sword strikes and drives the enforcer to the ground. He lays there moaning in pain.
Gomwai rolls one way and then the other, avoiding Kyrie's frustrated digs with her shield. He rolls to a stand and darts off toward the tree, calling out, "Now! Take down the elf magic user." The hobgoblin reaches through the leaves to lock Rakka's bow arm. Then he slams his own forehead into the tengu's face.
Overcoming his momentary confusion on the hobgoblin's choice of terminology, the remaining enforcer follows. He throws his enchanted blade into the tree over and over. The first one strikes solidly, but the other two strike the plethora of branches protecting Rakka.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 6-7.
Gomwai (-92 hp) (prey)
Enforcer (white) (-35 hp)
Rakka (94/138 hp) (restrained)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (182/188 hp)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
"Bless this 'elf' and all his magic."
Gold-ringed hands appear and lay themselves upon Rakka's shoulder.
Humble then drifts to the earth.
Rakka tries despereately to wriggle out of Gomwai's grasp.
Rakka tries again.
Unable to get free, Rakka casts a defensive ward and hopes his allies can help him out. .
Rakka struggles against Gomwai's vice-like lock and then wards himself. Humble restores most of Rakka's vigor.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 6-7.
Gomwai (-92 hp) (prey)
Enforcer (white) (-35 hp)
Rakka (130/138 hp) (restrained) (+2 AC)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (182/188 hp)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
Kioko darts easily through the branches, unimpeded by the natural terrain. She watches carefully for when Gomwai steps the wrong way on a root.
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
"Ah!" Gomwai cries out with surprise as Kioko cuts him painfully.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 6-7.
Gomwai (-147 hp; <50%) (prey)
Enforcer (white) (-35 hp)
Rakka (130/138 hp) (restrained) (+2 AC)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (182/188 hp)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
Kyrie circles around into a flank with Kioko, avoiding getting within range of Gomwai’s lackey. She bashes at the enemy team leader twice.
Kyrie checks Gomwai painfully with her shield, but the wrestler keeps his powerful lock in place upon Rakka's arm and sidesteps her second attempt. He sweeps his leg around, unfortunately, he catches a thick branch rather than Kioko's leg and falls on his own backside. He is still able to reach out with his free hand and yank Kyrie down into the sand painfully. One would almost think he had a grudge against heavily armored warriors, but then you would be distracted by his attempt to kick Kyrie in the head that falls comically short.
The enforcer throws his returning shuriken through the leaves at Rakka over and over. The restrained archer suffers two cuts, one very close to his eye.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 7-8.
Gomwai (-170 hp; <50%) (prey) (prone)
Enforcer (white) (-35 hp)
Rakka (85/138 hp) (restrained DC 37)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (177/188 hp) (prone)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
Rakka tries again to wriggle out of Gomwai's grasp.
Finally slipping away, he flies up and away, drawing power from the tree-branches into the tip of an arrow as he does.
Gomwai growls in frustration as Rakka breaks free and flies away, leaving the hobgoblin where he lays on the ground.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 7-8.
Gomwai (-170 hp; <50%) (prey) (prone)
Enforcer (white) (-35 hp)
Rakka (85/138 hp)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (177/188 hp) (prone)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
Humble moves back, shining with golden sparks. He gathers them in his cupped hand and releases a ray of brilliant force across the enemy combatants, raking it across their bodies!
CANTRIPS
Divine Lance
Prestidigitation
Detect Magic
Chill Touch
Stabilize
Message (inn.)
Animal Messenger (inn.)
LEVEL 1
Illusory object (0/1)
Ray of Enfeeblement (0/1)
Thoughtful Gift (1/1)
LEVEL 2
Comprehend Language (1/1)
Faerie Fire (0/1)
Shield Other (1/1)
LEVEL 3
Crisis of Faith (1/1)
Neutralize Poison (1/1)
Show the Way (0/1)
LEVEL 4
Freedom of Movement (0/1)
Spirit Link (0/1)
Vital Beacon (0/1)
LEVEL 5
Breath of Life (1/1)
Inner Radiance Torrent (0/1)
See Invisibility (8 hrs) (0/1)
LEVEL 6
True Seeing (1/1)
Dispel magic (1/1)
Repulsion (1/1)
FONT
Healing Font 3/5
FOCUS
Focus 2/3
Kioko continues to attack Gomwai.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She defends again.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Gomwai and the remaining enforcer manage to react in time to roll or leap out of the way of the luminous torrent though not without a bit of a sting.
Kioko's katana blade cuts Gomwai painfully, but he manages to barely roll out of the way following wakizashi. He glances at the blade near his chest. He grunts. "Almost thought you had me there." As Kioko draws the short blade back and strikes again, Gomwai catches it between his feet. "Fast."
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 7-8.
Gomwai (-196 hp; <50%) (prey) (prone)
Enforcer (white) (-49 hp)
Rakka (85/138 hp)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (177/188 hp) (prone)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
Kyrie rises back to her feet, having at least gotten a lot of practice at standing up quickly. She uses the momentum of pushing herself back up to wind up her shield into a massive overhead swing right for the hobgoblin’s stomach.
While Gomwai is catching Kioko's blade, Kyrie slams her shield into his face. "Ah!" He rolls away from her second strike. The hobgoblin spits out a gobbet of blood and spit as he climbs to his feet. "Going to go down swinging!"
He turns on Kyrie and slams his fists toward her in a rapid and jarringly painful staccato. The knight swiftly raises her shield, which Gomwai dents with an impression of his knuckles . The next two strikes bypasses her shield and dents her breastplate.
The human enforcer hustles around behind Kyrie where he reverses his sai and slams it into the back of her helmet. Kyrie sees stars for a moment . However, the force of the blow nearly knocks the weapon out of the enforcers hand, and by the time he recovers his grip, Kyrie is able to easily parry it.
Enforcer’s Challenge. Round 8-9.
Gomwai (-222 hp; <90%) (prey)
Enforcer (white) (-49 hp)
Rakka (103/138 hp)
Humble (95/128 hp)
Kyrie (119/188 hp)
Kioko (102/174 hp)
Humble uses his third focus point to pray for Kyrie's protection. "Two-headed Eagle, I beg you! Protect those who are brought low with repeated troubles. Lift them from the dirt… but in your wisdom may it be none too soon, that they may leave the battle last." His halo flashes as he prays.
Then, he hides behind his own shield.
Flying farther up and away from Gomwai, Rakka turns back toward the monk, loosing an arrow from his bow, wreathed in glowing green energy that forms itself into a claw as it flies toward its target.
Arrows: 115
Humble reaches out with divine power to restore Kyrie's energy, soothing the headache in the back of her skull. Rakka takes his moment and rises higher into the air before releasing his ghostly arrow. Gomwai raises his hand and knocks the arrow away from his gut at the last moment, but the arrow sinks into his arm. The green energy tears at his skin, and the hobgoblin falls back to the ground, exhausted. He tries to rise but falls back panting.
The younger enforcer still in the fight looks at the rest of you and raises his hands. "We concede. You are clearly superior fighters."
Humble accepts the other team's defeat with a nod. He accepts their gold with enthusiasm.
"Now that was a proper fight!" Rakka says with a grin, gently landing back on the ground.
The last enforcer standing helps Gomwai to his feet. The hobgoblin shakes his shoulders and cracks his neck. "That was a proper fight," he agrees with a nod of respect. The enforcer helps the first one to fall to his feet and assists him out of the arena while Gomwai composes himself.
The hobgoblin enforcer hands over a large sack of gold coins of various currencies. "If you keep this up, you'll catch Koto Zekora's eye," he says. The tone conveys both encouragement and warning. "You may use this to decline one challenge. Your guide will collect it and contact the closest enforcer to collect it if you use it." He removes an ivory idol of a rising phoenix from a satchel and hands it to you.
"Only good for competitor challenges," he clarifies. "Don't go trying to use it to escape Koto Zekora if she finds you."
By the time Gomwai and his lieutenants leave you, it is midnight and no more challenges may be made until the sun rises tomorrow.
That evening Humble arrives at base wearing a pure white cassock; on its back is a delicate pattern stitched in silver thread so fine as to be almost invisible. Looking closely at the beautiful fabric, you see the iconography of the God of Walls and Ditches.
That evening at dinner a fig falls into Humble's bowl of boiled kale. He chews it twice before spluttering and spitting it out into the campfire. He spends a teary-eyed evening fervently praying to purge his body of sugary turpitude:
At some point, shortly after midnight and before the evil fig falls into Humble's kale, Tino's Toughest arrive outside your compound. "Good evening, Summary Judgement!" Tino calls out. No challenges are allowed after midnight, so they cannot be here to challenge you to an official match--and you're too tired for an unofficial match--but a moment later their intentions are revealed. "We thought it might be nice to share dinner."
Tino stands outside with two clay pots in his arms. Steam leaks out of one of them. Takatorra stands beside Tino with a couple of wineskins and a sack. "I know Humble has a particular diet," he adds, "so we brought some cassava."
Yabin stands behind them with his blank, reptilian face. Ji-Yook tries to look like she just happened to be here.
Kioko carefully judges their faces and if nothing seems amiss, she accepts.
"Thank you. How have your other bouts gone?"
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Humble prestidigitates the root vegetables clean and then boils them in plain unseasoned water until they are almost too soggy to chew. One must conserve one's personal energy after all, and mastication is a sin unless done in moderation.
The aasimar shares a story. "Ahhh root vegetables." Cassava mush slides down Humble's throat. "Long ago I was an angel investor in a turnip venture. I fell into it after saving a town of impoverished farmers from their own foolish past. After building equity, we employed a concentric diversification strategy into onions. It was quite exciting and profitable for all parties involved. Kyrie was there as well, but mostly for the boring part that happened before Plaguestone's business strategy phase."
Tino's Toughest seem to Kioko to be sincere in their--or at least Tino and Takatorra--interest to share a meal with you as friendly competition. Ji-Yook has not completely warmed up to you, and when she does speak, it is usually to answer a question from Tino or Takatorra or to correct some detail. Yabin remains enigmatic and fairly neutral.
"We've done fairly well," Tino answers Kioko. He points to his necklace that bears six silver feathers. "We lost a feather in an early bout against a team of archers, but we've done well after that. Our last opponent was the Glowing Embers. They wagered their last feather and started strong--they all turned out to be mages--but quickly fatigued, and we were victorious and sent them home."
Tino converses with Humble about his experience in investing, listening with intentional interest. Takatorra and the others in those rare moments when they join in the conversation speaks with the rest of you on less pecuniary subjects.
Humble tries to make an impression on the more reticent guests, but fails to notice few are impressed by his boring turnip schemes.
… we then segmented the market; Elidir had a taste for red onions while the white ones sold in Almas. Both well-funded but of course this exposed us to supply chain and infrastructure risks to solve. Luckily I had done a SWOT analysis and knew we had a connection in the local wagon freight industry, one Tamli Grent. However, the roads were in poor repair and broken axles threatened to make my 'just-in-time' onion system unreliable. So, we needed to pass the legislature in both Almas and Isger to keep the roads in good repair… now, here is the most intricate and fascinating part of my tale: bureaucratic tax reform…
Despite the topic of conversation being what most people who have to get their hands dirty and cannot survive such strict dietary regimens as Kalistocrats voluntarily suffer, Tino shows genuine interest and asks cogent questions. The Tian-Shu paladin of Irori seems to Humble to be one who could be a friend and potential asset once the two of them are no longer rivals in the same competition.
Takatorra shows interest in the other two tengu and how they joined with the two aasimar. Ji-Yook--once enough wine has flowed (into her belly)--occasionally reveals embarrassing stories about the other fighters in Tino's Toughest. Yabin interjects once in a while with an awkward response to some joke or colloquialism that he misunderstands.
However, the meal and conversation soon comes to a close as the midnight hour passes. They leave you to your rest and head back to their camp.
Humble hides and wards your silver necklace. Then you all take your rests for the night. Dawn breaks, leaving you a two hours to prepare for the day's competitions.
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Kyrie listens thoughtfully to Humble’s discussion of various economic ideas in practice. She has never been particularly interested in money and commodities and such, but there is something soothing about listening to him ramble on.
When the meal finishes and conversation runs its course, Tino's Toughest say goodnight and take their leave. The rest of you make your preparations for the night. The night birds and insects sing to you.
Day breaks without any interruptions or early morning visitors. Shortly after you finish your daily preparations, Ingdani touches her ear briefly and then looks to you. "The second day begins," she says.
It is time to earn more feathers and maybe discover more treasure on the island.
"Let us follow the Southern coast today, aiming for the tower here." Humble taps the map.
Before setting out he preps Show the Way and See Invisibility.
You set out to the south. With Abadar's guidance leading you on expeditious and fortuitous paths, you make excellent time and come upon a ruin. "The Library of Gruhastha," Ingdani explains. "This is where--"
Before she can finish, Tino and the rest of Tino's Toughest emerge from the front entrance. Tino smiles with pleasure, but there is a calculation hiding behind his eyes. "Hmm. You made it here quickly." The rest of his team remain silent and tense, remembering the result of your first friendly spar. "Is it time for a rematch?"
It may be the most efficient option.
Kioko nods. "Whenever you would like."
"Very well," Tino says with a smile. "Then we challenge you and wager one silver feather!" The guide with Tino's Toughest places a finger to his ear and speaks quietly.
A moment later, Ingdani nods and looks to you, "Follow us. We will meet the enforcer at the arena."
The two guides lead you deeper into the jungle. They ultimately lead you to a ruin within the trees where a Tian-Dan enforcer waits. He confirms your wagers and takes a silver feather from each of you. "You will each start on one end of the broken bridge," he instructs. Once you are in position, he signals with a sharp cut of his hand for the fight to begin.
Tino's Toughest was on edge. The kitsune, Ji-Yook darts into action. She draws a stick from her belt and rushes toward the edge of the bridge. There she snaps the stick and drops it at her feet. A cloud of obscuring white smoke begins to pour out of the stick and cover the edge of the bridge, concealing the other members of Tino's Toughest from current vantage point.
Rematch! Round 1. Bold may act.
Ji-Yook (blue circle)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Tino (yellow square)
Takatorra (blue square)
Kioko (174+?/174+? hp)
Yabin the Just (yellow circle)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
"Attend. Yabin prefers to slow them with magic; Ji-yook throws darts that pin opponents to the earth; Tino utilizes magical Ki powers of air and can react to prevent ally damage; Takatorra strikes with a gale blade. Many of these combatants held back; all prefer concealment."
Knowing this, humble decides to deal with the team's concealment right off the bat.
"Two-Headed Eagle, your faithful see all that glitters gold."
Resplendent faerie fire, the color of polished old coins, illuminates all but Yabin.
He then moves back.
A glimpse into Abadar's vault dazzles the combatants and leaves them limned with a golden aura.
"Alas. I was not prepared for that," Yabin states to his compatriots.
"Then I guess hiding is moot," Takatorra says with good humor.
"Like the oni on Xi Dan Ridge," Tino says with a chuckle. The glowing silhouette that is Tino charges toward the end of the bridge and leaps, emerging from the smoke as he flies over the gap and just barely lands on the middle stretch of stone and steps out of the way.
Takatorra's glowing silhouette follows through the smoke not far behind Tino. He lands deftly on the corner of the bridge segment and draws his gale blade.
Unseen behind the cloud, Ji-Yook rolls her eyes.
"I saw that!" Takatorra yells.
"No you didn't," Ji-Yook mutters under her breath.
Rematch! Round 1. Bold may act.
Ji-Yook (blue circle) (dazzled, glittering)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Tino (yellow square) (dazzled, glittering)
Takatorra (blue square) (dazzled, glittering)
Kioko (188/188 hp)
Yabin the Just (yellow circle)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
Kioko takes a running start and gracefully leaps over the gap.
She crosses her blades.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Takatorra raises his gale blade in a salute as Kioko leaps across. Tino smiles.
Yabin advances to the edge of the bridge and speaks arcane words in a sibilant tongue. With a complex gesture, he summons a glittering cloak of rainbow colors around Tino's shoulder.
Rematch! Round 1. Bold may act.
Ji-Yook (blue circle) (faerie fire)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Tino (yellow square) (faerie fire) (melee attacker: Will save vs. DC 29 before rolling strike. F = Blindness, CF = Blindness & Stunned 1 round)
Takatorra (blue square) (faerie fire)
Kioko (188/188 hp)
Yabin the Just (yellow circle)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
Rakka mutters to himself as Kioko lands right in his line of fire. Adapting quickly, he steps out from behind Kyrie and fires an arrow at Ji-Yook. The tip of the arrow bursts into flame as soon as he releases it, and explodes into a massive ball of fire as it reaches its destination, catching Ji-Yook, Takatorra, and Yabin in the blast!
Kyrie enters her battle stance and calls upon her celestial heritage to grow forth wings for the first time in a long while.
While Kyrie sprouts angelic wings, Rakka imbues his arrow with a raging fire and releases it across the gab. The shaft sinks painfully into Ji-Yook's thigh .
The kitsune reacts with lightning speed and snatches the arrow out and dives away just before it explodes. She nearly manages to avoid the entirety of the flames . The roaring flames catch Takatorra from behind, and Yabin only has time to make a token defensive gesture before the explosion burns them painfully .
Ji-Yook trots back and then runs toward the edge of the bridge, leaping through the smoke. She descends toward the middle segment and reaches out her hand. Takatorra grabs her hand and swings her onto the stones next to him. "That archer is a problem, Yabin," she shouts back toward the nagaji.
Yabin simply flicks his forked tongue stoically.
Advantage Maguses… Magi… Spellstrike! Round 2. Bold may act.
Ji-Yook (blue circle) (-36 hp; faerie fire)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Tino (yellow square) (faerie fire) (melee attacker: Will save vs. DC 29 before rolling strike. F = Blindness, CF = Blindness & Stunned 1 round)
Takatorra (blue square) (-56 hp; faerie fire)
Kioko (188/188 hp)
Yabin the Just (yellow circle) (-56 hp)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
Blessed Abadar, prevent our opponents from working in tandem.
Humble casts an Illusory Object of thick mangroves twisting and growing from the water, blocking Yabin's line of sight. Another cleric might have enjoyed a callback to turnips but that would have just been silly.
He then raises his Spellguard shield.
Mangroves grow out of the pool below the bridge with accelerated speed, blocking Yabin from sight.
"I see you went easy on us last time," Tino says with a laugh.
Takatorra steps forward and unleashes a flurry of strikes with his gale blade against his fellow tengu. His first swing strikes Kioko on the arm, but she parries the second strike. His third slash is telegraphed too much. Kioko parries the gale blade again and then ripostes, cutting through Takatorra's armor. "Ai!"
Tino advances. Yabin's magical cloak of brilliant colors dazzles Kioko. First he reaches out and lays a hand upon Takatorra, restoring his vigor. He then focuses his ki and throws two rapid punches at Kioko. However, she expertly dodges each of the strikes.
Advantage Summary Judgement! Round 2. Bold may act.
Ji-Yook (blue circle) (-46 hp; faerie fire)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Tino (yellow square) (faerie fire) (melee attacker: Will save vs. DC 29 before rolling strike. F = Blindness, CF = Blindness & Stunned 1 round)
Takatorra (blue square) (-40 hp; faerie fire)
Kioko (171/188 hp) (dazzled)
Yabin the Just (yellow circle) (-56 hp)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
Kioko sizes up her two nearest opponents. (Hunt Prey on Tino and Takatorra)
She starts attacking Takatorra, then crosses her blades.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Her eyes betray her!
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P