Kyrie wrests herself free of the mantis' leg and braces behind her shield.
As she expected, the giant bug reaches out and snatches her into its foreleg. However, it does not try to bite through her armor. Apparently frustrated with her hard shell, the mantis throws her away through the air. She lands painfully while the mantis turns its attention toward Kioko.
The other mantis continues to move through the trees. It comes back toward a larger tree on its side of the wall and climbs the trunk until it is over the whirling blades of force. The bug leaps over the barrier. It cannot quite clear its companion, but the other mantis contorts out of the way with remarkable agility.
Hungry Bugs! Round 4. Bold may act.
Giant Bug (red) (-108 hp; flat-footed) (grabbing Kyrie)
Giant Bug (yellow) (-23 hp)
Humble (92/138 hp)
Kioko (142/188 hp; FOM)
Rakka (142/149 hp)
Kyrie (177/203 hp) (shield -26 hp) (prone)
Rakka flinches a little as the giant bug lands on this side of the wall, then regains his composure and draws power from the land around him, focusing it into the tip of the next arrow which he sends flying at the creature holding Kyrie.
Humble moves back and heals Kioko, hoping the +2 status bonus to AC also helps her avoid getting grabbed.
Kioko moves away from Yellow and keeps attacking Red.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She keeps defending.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Kyrie stands, having gotten more than a bit used to being thrown to the ground, and rushes at the mantis.
Rakka's arrow strikes true. His magical rider leaves deep rents in the metal-like carapace of the titanic mantis. While Humble restores Kioko's vigor, the ranger cuts deep with her paired blades. Her short blade sinks in deep someplace vital. The giant mantis' mouthparts writhe soundlessly.
Kyrie gets back to her feet and barrels shield first into the enormous bug, knocking it off of its feet and into unconsciousness.
The other mantis looks between the fallen one and Kyrie, possibly debating cannibalisms rather than having to catch its prey. Whatever the logic within the giant bug, it settles on lashing out at Kyrie. However, the knight is able to defend herself easily.
The giant mantis makes a sudden leap across the jungle floor. As it passes Humble, a leg lashes out at him. He ducks, and a small tree gets torn from its roots and dragged along with the mantis.
Hungry Bugs! Round 5. Bold may act.
Giant Bug (yellow) (-23 hp)
Humble (92/138 hp)
Kioko (184/188 hp; FOM)
Rakka (142/149 hp)
Kyrie (177/203 hp) (shield -26 hp)
Humble quickly moves into the bushes.
He casts Guidance on Kioko and takes cover, ducking into the bushes to hide from this insect that seems fixated on him.
Kioko nods with satisfaction as the mantis falls, then races toward the other one.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
She waves a wing to thank Humble for the magical guidance.
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She keeps trying to protect herself.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Humble withdraws from the fearsome bug's grasping legs. His prayer to Abadar guide's Kioko's katana to a vulnerable spot. Her katana cuts deep. The wakizashi, however, catches in the thick chitin protecting the mantis.
Hungry Bugs! Round 5. Bold may act.
Giant Bug (yellow) (-68 hp)
Humble (92/138 hp)
Kioko (184/188 hp; FOM)
Rakka (142/149 hp)
Kyrie (177/203 hp) (shield -26 hp)
"Ha, take that you--woah!" Rakka's celebration at the fall of one insect is cut short by the sudden movement of the other, causing him to flinch back. Nervously eyeing razor-sharp limbs of the suddenly-much-too-close monster, he steels himself and resists the urge to scramble back. Instead, he scrapes the tip of an arrow along the forest floor, its tip beginning to clow with a familiar spectral energy as he takes aim and fires once again.
Kyrie rushes after the remaining mantis and bashes and slashes at it with her shield.
Rakka's arrow lodges deep in the mantis' thorax, and the spectral claws rip sizable chunks off of the chitin plates. Yellow ichor drips down its side from the wound. Kyrie charges across the jungle floor and slams her shield into one of the mantis' tree-like legs. The blows yield no obvious harm to the titanic bug, but it appears to have had enough. The giant mantis crawls into the jungle canopy and away to the north.
After a break to tend to everyone's wounds and refocus your spiritual energies, you continue on with your exploration of the island.
"That was rather impressively done," Ingdani says sincerely. "I've never seen specimens that gigantic before."
As you move eastward, you enter a swamp surrounding a winding river. Wide open spaces of marshland are dotted with the occasional tangle of mangroves or other larger plants. Once a shadow passes over you, but looking toward the sky, no clouds block the sun. "We should be careful, Tamikan lairs in these swamps." She explains that Tamikan is a dragon that hunts the island of Bonmu. He usually leaves people alone, preying on the titanic creatures that share the island. Of course, you could seek him out in order to steal his horde, if you wanted to.
While you follow the river and ponder that idea, you see a small army approaching in the distance. They clearly see you, too, and one of them points a spear in your direction. A few dozen Minkaian irregular soldiers approach, escorted by their own guide. "We, Hana's Hundreds, challenge you!"
Humble's eyes glitter as he thinks about dragon hordes.
Are we to fight all of you, or a few of you?
CANTRIPS
Divine Lance
Prestidigitation
Detect Magic
Guidance
Stabilize
Message (inn.)
Animal Messenger (inn.)
LEVEL 1
Illusory object (0/1)
Bless (1/1)
Thoughtful Gift (1/1)
LEVEL 2
Comprehend Language (1/1)
Faerie Fire (0/1)
Shield Other (1/1)
LEVEL 3
Crisis of Faith (0/1)
Neutralize Poison (1/1)
Show the Way (0/1)
LEVEL 4
Freedom of Movement (0/1)
Spirit Link (1/1)
Vital Beacon (0/1)
LEVEL 5
Command (1/1)
Inner Radiance Torrent (1/1)
See Invisibility (8 hrs) (0/1)
LEVEL 6
True Seeing (1/1)
Blade barrier (0/1)
Repulsion (1/1)
LEVEL 7
Regenerate (1/1)
Dispel magic (1/1)
FONT
Healing Font 4/5
FOCUS
Focus 3/3
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"All of us, of course," the designated speaker says. You recall that there was no explicit limit to the number of members on a team. The only down side to having more members being smaller shares of the winnings.
Humble thinks he recognizes the name of the team. There was a mercenary band in Minkai called Hana's Eleven. Nobody in the band is actually named Hana. That is merely a reference to a popular adventure story. This is either the mercenary band after inflating its numbers with massive recruitment or someone playing off of the theme.
"Do you agree? Or do you forfeit?" he asks with a smirk. Knowing that forfeiture means disqualification, there is little left to do except find an enforcer and a suitable arena.
You are ultimately summoned to a bridge across the river where an enforcer waits. He collects two feathers from each of you and then assigns you to your positions. When the enforcer gives the signal to fight, the army erupts with shouts and banging of shields. However, the army seems slow to mobilize.
Facing Hana’s Hundreds! Round 1. Bold may act.
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kioko (188/188 hp)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Hana’s Hundred
Rakka laughs. "All of you? You think that will be enough? Ha!" He darts forward, drawing an arrow that drips with ethereal blood and launches it at the nearest member of the army. As it arrives, it violently implodes, seeming to pull the very blood out of everyone in the troop!
Humble moves to the opposite side of Rakka and looks at the triip's many hands. No touching the kalistocrat.
Kioko sizes up her enemy and takes up position at the edge of the bridge. She keeps her swords in a defensive posture.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Kyrie advances and enters her battle stance, raising her shield along the way. ”I’ve never had a whole army charge me. Let’s see how it goes.”
Rakka's arrow clangs off of someone's shield harmlessly. However, it unleashes a vampiric force across the company. A couple of soldiers most wounded from earlier morning battles fall to the ground, but the overall result is far less than the tengu might have hoped .
Humble wards the land around him against trespassers. Kioko mentally prepares for the fight as she takes a defensive position on her side of the bridge. Kyrie moves to guard the exit to the bridge.
The screaming grows louder as Hana's Hundreds begin to move. The mass of irregulars forms into a semi-organized column and advances onto the bridge. They stop with shields and spears in front as a wave of arrows flies out from the rear and peppers the ground around Rakka, Kyrie, and Kioko.
Facing Hana’s Hundreds! Round 2. Bold may act.
Kyrie (203/203 hp) Basic Reflex DC 33 vs. 29 piercing
Rakka (149/149 hp) Basic Reflex DC 33 vs. 29 piercing
Kioko (188/188 hp) Basic Reflex DC 33 vs. 29 piercing
Humble (138/138 hp)
Hana’s Hundred (hunted)
Rakka curses as his spell seems to have no effect on the horde. "Tough buggers, aren't you."
Drawing more power to his bow, the sound of thunder rushes in as his next arrow crackles with electricity. Firing again, a bolt of lightning explodes from the impact, bisecting the column of troops.
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Kioko moves in to start attacking.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She carefully defends.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Humble burns with an inner torrent, lighting himself up with radiant gold. [oopc]3 action Inner radiance Torrent, holding the spell[/ooc]
Kyrie advances and wades into the throng, sweeping her shield in front of her.
Kioko twists and rolls out of the way of every arrow falling around her. Kyrie extends the will of Iomedae to protect Rakka as he dodges the arrows. Those few arrows that strike him bounce off as though they struck steel . Kyrie, herself, catches most of the arrows coming for her on her shield. Three shafts punch painfully through her plate armor.
Rakka retaliates with arrow fire of his own. His single arrow against the army strikes one of the spearmen in front, then lightning erupts and arcs from soldier to soldier down the length of the soldiers on the bridge .
Kioko's cautious attacks are rebuffed by the forward shieldmen. Meanwhile, Humble begins to glow.
Kyrie strides forward to engage the army, holding the line with only Kioko at her side. She slams her shield and knocks one of the spearmen over the edge of the bridge. The clangs echo over the bridge as her second strike meets a pair of linked shields.
"Run them over!" shouts the captain. The army surges over Kyrie and Kioko, buffeting them with spear, sword, and axe. Once the army reaches the far side of the bridge, they turn toward the glowing, unarmored aasimar. They begin moving sluggishly, marching hard against an imperceptible wind storm. Humble remains safe beneath the tree but very close to a great many hostile warriors.
Charge! Round 3. Bold may act.
Kyrie (191/203 hp) (shield -12 hp) (Reflex DC 33 vs. 36 damage; prone on CF)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kioko (188/188 hp) (Reflex DC 33 vs. 36 damage; prone on CF)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Hana’s Hundred (-80 hp; hunted)
Sunk Cost Fallacy.
Humble gives up further empowering his spell as he would rather not be trampled.
he then prays that Abadar give Kyrie and Kioko the wisdom to be agile, and moves away.
Kioko ruffles her feathers as she gets assailed the troops. She fights her way out and starts stabbing.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Rakka decides not to stick around and go toe-to-toe with the hoard, up close and personal. Instead, he scrambles back toward the nearby tree, firing a quick bolt of pure force from his bow before throwing up a defensive ward in case any more arrows are incoming.
Kyrie shelters Kioko from some of the blows and retaliates against a soldier. However, he manages to divert the force behind her shield. Kioko goes on the offensive and cuts down three soldiers in a row. Rakka blasts a helmet off of one of the soldiers.
Charge! Round 3. Bold may act.
Kyrie (191/203 hp) (shield -12 hp) (Reflex DC 33 vs. 36 damage; prone on CF)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kioko (169/188 hp)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Hana’s Hundred (-137 hp; hunted)
Kyrie knocks two more soldiers over the bridge and into the river. Humble releases a line of light. Several of the soldiers manage to leap out of the way, but several more of them tangle each other in their panic .
Reduced to about half of their numbers, the archers unleash a volley at Humble. Then the army marches toward Rakka.
Charge! Round 4. Bold may act.
Kyrie (173/203 hp) (shield -12 hp)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kioko (169/188 hp)
Humble (138/138 hp) (Reflex DC 33 vs. 28 Piercing)
Hana’s Hundred (-217 hp; hunted)
As arrows fall around Humble's feet he smiles beatifically and looks up at the sky. Praise be, Wealthy Father.
He prays for Raka's continued success then moves away from the soldiers.
Not liking being all alone with the advancing column, Rakka darts back toward the bridge, hoping to draw the column back toward his more melee-focused allies. Spinning around, he draws an arrow that begins to drip with caustic green energy before unleashing it at the army.
Kioko follows after the troops and keeps attacking.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Humble reaps the rewards of his stringent Kalistocrat lifestyle: the rain of arrows falls everywhere around him but not where he is standing.
Rakka strikes a forward spearman with his arrow, and sizzling acid splatters around the troops .
Kioko advances and leaps into the fray. A soldier parries her first strike, but her short blade knocks out another. This leaves only a handful of soldiers in fighting order. "Aaargh!" The leader throws down his banner and spear. "Fine! We surrender!"
The enforcer moves closer, touching the stud earring on his ear and speaking through the phoenix necklaces. "Summary Judgement is the winner!" He rewards you with Hana's Hundred's two feathers plus a sack of gold coin as well as returning the two feathers of yours that he held in escrow.
Combat Over!
Kyrie (173/203 hp) (shield -12 hp)
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Kioko (169/188 hp)
Humble (138/138 hp)
Humble collects the feathers. they are getting close to completing this phase of the tournament. Well fought.
Per usual he heals everyone up, offering to also heal Hana's Hundred, though he isn;t quite sure how to heal a Troop.
Humble tends to your wounds and then you begin hiking across Bonmu once more. At the end of the river, you find a dock with number of row boats on the shore for competitors to use. You can see an island with a temple to Gozreh not far from the shore. The remains of Hana's Hundreds are using the boats to ferry their injured to the temple, which is presumably their base camp.
Moving on, you head northward toward a mountain peak. Abadar guides your path, and you make it to the foot of the mountain in good time. However, the ascent is menacingly steep.
On your way down from the foot of the mountains, you come across a moss and vine covered ancient wreck of a ship inexplicably far from the shore and in the middle of several trees that must have grown up around it unless it dropped from the sky. On the stern, you can make out letters that form the Taldane words, Black Rock.
Within the wreck is an ancient chest that is easier to punch through the dry rot than pick the lock. The chest contains four vials with blood red liquid, a vial with colorless and perfectly translucent liquid, a finely made silver buckle, six flasks with a liquid that seems to contain countless translucent threads, and a leather scroll case containing a single scroll. Except for the silver buckle, these items are magical.
4 greater healing potions
a high-grade silver buckler
6 oils of mending
a 4th-level scroll of water walk
a truesight potion.
Collecting your spoils, you continue southward. On the hills overlooking the beach, you come across another ancient shrine. This shrine is covered in letters of a language none of you know, there is vague iconography of men sitting around a central figure and books.
Kioko shrugs.
"Can you tell us what this inscription is, Ingdani?"
Humble frowns.
Then he thinks harder
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Ingdani starts to answer Rakka, "I'm afraid I can't read Tau--."
Humlbe interjects and confidently explains that this Taumatan shrine is dedicated to a deity of stories and storytellers. He surmises that if one of you spends some time reading , you may gain the forgotten deities blessing like you did at the shrine of the cooking god.
Humble produces his favorite and most holy scripture, and then reads it in a droning voice:
Humble Measure, L.L.C. offers the highest level of treatment so Adventurers can accomplish their health-related goals.
This Agreement for Medical Services is between Humble Measure, L.L.C. (“Healer”), and [Adventurer Name] (“Adventurer”), for the performance of the services described in the Mission Briefing that has been either sent to Adventurer in writing on the delivery date or verbally and agreed upon in a group conference (“Project”). The parties, therefore, agree as follows:
…
Blessing ready, Humble is ready to move on. Efficiency is important!
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Kyrie pulls out a romance novel, The White Knight and Her Bright Lady, and reads out the opening pages setting the scene in Nerosyan during the First Crusade.
As Humble reads his contract and Kyrie reads her novel, the four of you feel the faint touch of the divine upon your eyes.
Moving eastward, you come across the ruins of some sort of manor or estate. "This is another teams headquarters," Ingdani informs you. Nobody is home.
You continue your hike, still making divinely assisted good time. In the highlands around another mountain, you come across another ruin. This one appears to have been some sort of ancient library based on the stone shelves. "Another place we set for a team to headquarter," your guide says. Nobody is home here either.
Turning south in your serpiginous route, you spy a tall stone tower. "That is one of the watchtowers of Bonmu. My grandfather said that his people built them to watch for approaching kaiju. Stories vary but all say the watch keepers failed the last of the Tian-Sing that lived on Bonmu."
Hiking closer, you see the tower is an eighty foot tall stone edifice.
Humble nods, eager to enter the tower.
"Kaiju?" Rakka says, nervously.
"Yes, kaiju," Ingdani says. "Their frequent passing near and battling with each other near Bonmu is what gave it the moniker 'Danger Island.'"
The rusty hinges groan with the decades of neglect as Kyrie pulls open the tall double doors. Within is a dust covered store room. The crates and barrels that once stored foods or utilitarian supplies have collapses upon themselves and whatever they contained lost to rot or scavenging animals. In the back is a spiral stairway leading up past the twenty foot tall ceiling. It does not take too long to determine that there is nothing of value or danger in this room.
Kyrie leads the way to the next level. Here there are the remains of weapon racks and armor stands. Their contents are similarly worn by the passage of time: wood splintered by dry rot and metal parts corroded and rusting. Again you find nothing useful to you.
Kyrie climbs the spiral stairs for a third time. Here she finds the remains of sleeping quarters. The ghosts of four beds and a small dinner table have collapsed to dry rot and insects. Seeing nothing amiss, Kyrie calls for you to follow.
Something makes Rakka's spine tingle when he arrives on the floor.
Who’s There!? Round 1. Bold may act.
Rakka (149/149 hp)
Something TERRIBLE!
Kioko (188/188 hp)
Kyrie (203/203 hp)
Humble (138/138 hp)
"Something's not right in here" Rakka says, peering into the darkness.