GM Blake's Fist of the Ruby Phoenix Campaign

Game Master Blake's Tiger

"Surely, I am not suggesting anything of the sort," Kas Xi Rai says with a dissembling bow to the knight. "Maybe that is a guilty conscience showing through, but if you are so determined to win, I may need to find a different book to see if I cannot balance my investments."

She smiles pleasantly enough and says as she departs, "Best of luck to you in the matches."

The two men turn and follow her wordlessly.

Did anyone want to do any shopping in the markets?

Rakka looks for another quiver of cold-iron arrows, to replace those he fired at the shadow-assassins.

You browse around the Neverending Market. The hardest part for Rakka in finding cold iron arrows is finding a fletcher or blacksmith who sells something so relatively mundane. With so many merchants and shops filled with so many curious wares, the rest of the afternoon sifts away quickly.

Gossip also flows as much as coin in the Neverending Market. You cannot help but overhear bits and drips of dubious information about your opponents and yourselves.

You may each make a Gather Information check on any of your potential patrons, the other teams in the competition, the opening bracket, or anything/one else you might think of.

Opposing teams for reference: Arms of Balance, Biting Roses, Lightkeepers, Speakers to the Winds, Steps of the Sun, Tino's Toughest, and Winter's Roar.

Though, if you want to learn more about Tino's Toughest, you have an open invitation to just visit them at their manor in the Ruby Village.

Humble's Diplomacy (M): 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (17) + 28 = 45

Rakka asks around while he shops, hoping to get some early intel about the opening rounds of the tournament.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

Rakka hears a number of rumors. However, he concludes they are all nonsense and speculation.

Humble finds more noble folk to speak and efficiently weeds out the conversations that are speculation and focuses on what those wealthy merchants and nobles have to say about your patrons. Some you have already learned. However, he learns that Lady Qiu May Shai, one of the Empress' lady in waiting, comes from a family whose fortunes were made on breeding horses and exotic mounts. She is fond of animals and beasts used as mounts--especially fast ones--and coordinates the care for Goka's ice drakes in Icefang Aerie.

Patron slide updated with new Discovery and Weakness information.

You spend the night in the manor provided to you, served an individualized meal tailored to your tastes. The evening once more passes uneventfully. Breakfast is provided and the weather is tranquil. Afterwards, you set out to explore Goka once more.

While deciding where to visit today, you cut into a narrow side street. Two men step--or rather float--into your path at the end of the street. The seem familiar but the fulus plastered on their faces make them difficult to recognize. Rakka notices two more drift out into the street behind you. Their skin is pale and waxy in a way that reminds one of death flesh.

Unexpected Rematch! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment: - -

Effects: - -

Recall Knowledge:Religion

Battle Map

Rakka (186/186 hp) (undetected)
Yellow Dash
Red Solid
Kyrie (233/233)
Kioko (231/231)
Red Dash
Yellow Solid
Humble (93/158)

Rakka grins, sliding his bow from his shoulder and using it to vault himself to the far end of the alley. He quickly wheels around and snaps off an arrow at the colorful figure hiding against the wall.

◆Interact to draw weapon, ◆Stride, ◆Strike vs. red dash.

+2 greater striking composite shortbow: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (16) + 28 = 44
Piercing Damage: 3d6 + 7 ⇒ (4, 6, 6) + 7 = 23
Deadly 2d10 if needed: 2d10 ⇒ (6, 6) = 12

Spell strike: still charged

Rakka experiences a flash of recognition as he releases his arrow. He and the woman on the other side of the street were two mages in a four-mage team on the island of Bonmu. They were both very much flush and living when you defeated them over a month ago.

The arrow strikes the gnome with intensity, but it only penetrates as deep as the arrowhead (resist piercing 10).

The fulu hanging in front of the woman's face flutters in the wake of a sudden breeze as her arms stretch out unnaturally toward Humble. She just catches the Kalistocrat. Her iron sharp nails press through his robe and his skin drawing blood.

Her other hand grabs Humble's other arm. With supernatural strength she forces both of his arms to his side and holds him tight (critical). She licks her lips, and Humble feels his life force flowing away into her hands.

The tiefling, who Kioko suddenly recognizes as a teleporting mage on the four-mage team you defeated on Bonmu, leaps with a flea and appears in front of Kyrie. His iron nails punch through her breast plate and scratch her flesh as he closes his fingers into a fist, holding on tight to the armor.

Unexpected Rematch! Round 1. Bold may act.

Environment: Yellow Dashed Line are Yellow Dash's arms and can be targeted.

Effects: - -

Recall Knowledge:Religion

Battle Map

Rakka (186/186 hp) (undetected)
Yellow Dash (+19 hp; cloudless void) (restraining Humble)
Red Solid (bone corpse) (grabbing Kyrie)
Kyrie (207/233) (grabbed)
Kioko (231/231)
Red Dash (-13 hp) (cloudless void)
Yellow Solid (sundered veins)
Humble (94/143 [158]) (restrained; drained 1)

Kioko draws both of her weapons and stabs at the corpse grabbing Kyrie.

+2 Greater Striking Extending Ghost Touch Katana: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (9) + 28 = 37
ouch!: 3d6 + 8 ⇒ (6, 4, 4) + 8 = 22 Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
deadly if a crit: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Kyrie attempts o escape.

Escape using unarmed mod: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (13) + 29 = 42 Hoping this succeeds…

She then Steps and strikes at the arm holding Humble.

Longsword: 1d20 + 29 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 29 - 5 = 40
Slashing Damage: 3d8 + 12 ⇒ (3, 7, 1) + 12 = 23