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Mimi glances at the statue of Fasiel and rolls her eyes. "Ees dere no end to Fasiel's ego?" Not seeing anything of particular interest in the foyer, she looks at all the doors and decides that the direct approach is best. She heads over to the doors behind and immediately to the left of the statue and examines them for traps and locks before opening them.
Mimi finds no sign of a trap, and the door is unlocked.
Display cases surround the central hall, framing a granite obelisk decorated with cartouches and hieroglyphs. The petrified wood of the walls and floors glitters with small quartzes. Several scarred Keleshites lounging in the chamber reach for weapons. A rumbling voice from the armored shaitan seated behind the obelisk stills them. “Only fools rush to battle against an unknown foe.” They carefully move another piece on a carefully laid out game of Kingmaker before standing. “I am Chaliz Farour, captain in the armies of the Sultana Ashadieeyah bint Khalid, and now servant to Fasiel ibn Sazadin. The master of this house commands me to best any who dare intrude, but I would know your names before our contest begins.”
The displays hold ancient tools and texts used in genie binding, demonstrating the advancement of the craft. The obelisk was taken from Ancient Osirion after the Qadiran conquest around 1532 ar. A plaque states that a Qadiran binder ensnared a shaitan friendly to the pharaoh and had the genie deliver herself and the trophy to the satrap to signal a victory.
"Very interesting. Best as in fight, or best as in cook the best meal? Speaking of fools, how specific was Fasiel?"
"Uh.. huh. I don't cook meals. I assume he meant a tactical contest, but he didn't really specify."
The four humans, armed with clubs, certainly look eager to fight. The genie, though, doesn't seem all that invested.
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From the foyer, Dennis hears someone mention "fools rushing to battle", and he immediately rushes past Mimi into the central hall to see what's going on. When Chaliz asks for names, the youngster responds, "Hi Mister! I'm Dennis. You're another genie. I like genies. Most genies are nice." He cocks his head and thinks to ask, "Are you a nice genie?"
After Chaliz' response to Korakai, Dennis continues, "My daddy says I'm a good fighter. I was trained by the Pathfinders. But we don't have to kill your friends. Can we play a game instead? I like games." Dennis is not particularly good at games, but he enjoys playing.
Chaliz raises an eyebrow. "They're not really my friends, though they've been ordered to follow my command. They're unruly; it's insulting."
Smiling, the genie gestures for Dennis to come over to their game board. The thugs grumble aggressively, but Chaliz gives them a look. "We're playing right now." Returning their attention to Dennis, they add, "I haven't had a decent match since I got here. Let's see if I can best you at Kingmaker, then."
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"Looks like you like to follow rules and maintain certain order," Sunshine deduces from their words. "No wonder you are okay to be a servant of an evil person." she adds to insult them.
"Sure, let's play it. I just want to kick Fasiel's butt here and nothing else unless they are on our way." she tells them. "Let's do this."
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When Chaliz talks about his unruly thugs, Dennis says precociously, "Some people call me unruly." He quickly adds with a smile. "But I'm still nice. They don't look nice." He joins the genie at the game board. "Oh, is this Kingmaker? This game is everywhere! I played it a lot when I was a kid." The unimaginative youngster chooses a fighter to start play.
"I am loyal to my Sultana," Chaliz answers Sunshine neutrally, "To fund her ongoing wars, she sold my services as a mercenary. And now my contract has been lent to Fasiel ibn Sazadin, an undisciplined fool." Chaliz sighs. "But I am contractually obligated to follow his commands, so I sit here practicing Kingmaker while waiting for the chance to best the Pathfinders.
"Come then, children. You can cooperate all you like!"
Shortly afterward, the shaitan concedes defeat, looking bemused. "Masterful gameplay! I am impressed. Though I admit, I assumed your plan was to lose on purpose so that my order to 'best' you could be fulfilled nonviolently.
"Unfortunately, that does mean I must keep trying." The genie waves their hand at the ruffians, though makes no move to stand up from the game board themself. Dennis and Alice notice that the board and its pieces look a lot more like the room and its occupants than they remember.
"Attack, then."
"Finally!" snarls one of the ruffians as they start to raise their clubs and move to converge on the game board.
Sunshine's turn.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness
> Ugatpuno
Alice the Doll
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis
Korokai
Shaitain Tactics?
Mimi
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna
Green Ruffian
Red Ruffian
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"Slow." she says to the ruffians before making her moves. With a light kick, Ugatpuno rolls over and brings Sunshine close to Blue, getting past the tengu and Mimi. The rootball chair then unfurl his vine to whip out the same within reach!
slashing damage
"You can do better than that!" as if admonishing her rootball chair. She then blasts the other (Red) with water she conjures from the floor!
◆ Command an Animal (◆ Stride, ◆ Strike)
◆◆ Cast a Spell, Spout, DC 19 basic Reflex save vs bludgeoning damage to Red
"Hm," says Chaliz as Sunshine approaches the ruffian. They don't look up, but they move something on their board. The ground seems to shift under Sunshine's fee--under Ugatpuno. And also where the other Pathfinders stand, though not the entire room.
The nearest ruffian deflects the vine with his club and a grin. The other mostly avoids the spout, but still sputters a bit as it hits him.
[ooc]Missed attack, successful save for half.
Alice's turn.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness
> Ugatpuno
Alice the Doll
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis
Korokai
Shaitain Tactics?
Mimi
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna
Green Ruffian
Red Ruffian (3 damage)
"Oh ho!" says Chaliz with a surprised smile as the Doll begins counteracting their control, "Unexpected! You haven't stopped me yet, but I can feel you tugging at the strings."
The Girl, meanwhile, slugs the ruffian.
His friend steps up towards Sunshine and Mimi ("Such poor tactics, have you been listening to me at al?"). He swings his club wildly--and inaccurately--at the leshy.
Dennis and Korokai's turns.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness
> Ugatpuno
Alice the Doll
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis
Korokai
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna
Green Ruffian (6 damage)
Red Ruffian (3 damage)
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Dennis, who never claimed to be the brightest torch in the dungeon, is confused. "So I should've let him win? But I don't like losing!" When the ruffians start attacking, Dennis brightens. "At least we get to fight now!"
He moves into range of the two northern enemies, focusing on the injured one. The fighter feints left, quick draws his halberd, and strikes from the right.
Dennis manages to throw off the ruffian's defense and to land a telling blow.
Korokai's turn.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness
> Ugatpuno
Alice the Doll
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis
[b]Korokai[/b[
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna
Green Ruffian (6 damage)
Red Ruffian (23 damage, bloodied)
Korokai sends a jolt of electricity at the two injured ruffians, before shielding himself with the force of wind.
"So Chaliz, how are things in the Opaline Vault these days?" says Safa, sitting next to Chaliz as though they've been there all along.
"Nothing interesting to report Safa. If this is a distraction it is ineffective."
"Why, I'd never!" Safa doesn't sound offended at all.
Chaliz moves two pieces on their gameboard, and two of the ruffians slide into more advantageous positions. It's too quick for Dennis to catch them as they move--and they never actually let their guards down or turned away besides. Chaliz knocks over a third piece, and Shayna feels her balance thrown off.
Mimi's turn.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness
> Ugatpuno
Alice the Doll
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis
Korokai
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna
Green Ruffian (10 damage)
Red Ruffian (27 damage, bloodied)
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Mimi leaves the disabling of the Shaitan Tactics to those better suited to the task and advances to engage one of the ruffians , which she then pokes at twice with her rapier without any flamboyance whatsoever.
Mimi skewers the injured ruffian, who collapses without a further word.
The ruffian in the yellow scarf laughs with glee as he dashes towards Shayna to take advantage of her loss of balance. He wallops her with his club while snagging the strap of her backpack with his off-hand. If she wasn't off-balance before, she is now as she stumbles. Even so, his next swing is a clumsy mess.
Shayna's turn. The floor is difficult terrain.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness (38/38)
> Ugatpuno (35/35)
Alice the Doll (42/42)
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis (73/73)
Korokai (61/61)
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi (56/56)
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna (28/35, DC 20 Acrobatics or Ref or take 3 precision damage, Flat-Footed until Yellow's turn or out of Yellow's reach)
Red Ruffian (27 damage, bloodied)
The ruffian swipes futilely at Shayna as she moves away from him.
The ruffian that just slid up to Dennis due to the shaitan's magic takes advantage of his sudden approach. He bellows a war cry as he swings. ...which really seems like it should have worked. He swings his club twice, but Dennis blocks the first blow with the haft of his own weapon. The second is a cunning shot, but still deflects off of his armor.
Sunshine of Happiness and Alices' turns. The floor is difficult terrain.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness (38/38)
> Ugatpuno (35/35)
Alice the Doll (42/42)
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis (73/73)
Korokai (61/61)
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi (56/56)
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna (28/35, inspiring courage)
Red Ruffian (27 damage, bloodied)
The adorable little girl steps up to the full-grown armed man, and brutally pummels him with her fist. Already injured, he goes down heavily.
Sunshine of Happiness's turn. The floor is difficult terrain.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness (38/38)
> Ugatpuno (35/35)
Alice the Doll (42/42)
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian
Dennis (73/73)
Korokai (61/61)
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi (56/56)
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna (28/35, inspiring courage)
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"Your trick will not work on us!" Sunshine proudly declares at the shaitan. With a kick from his master, Ugatpuno produces some vines around his spherical body to assist in the movement on the now-moving floors beneath them. The duo then moves to show off their ability to move easily.
Sunshine then flings a small ball of flame at Blue.
fire damage
◆ Command an Animal (◆ Support, ◆ Stride)
◆◆ Cast a Spell, Produce Flame
"Impressively resourceful!" the shaitan says delightedly.
The ruffian scowls, and pays for it with a burn on his shoulder and upper arm.
"Child, you're outmatched," he growls at Dennis, waving away the burn, "Go home to your mother. Or better yet, take a nap!" He swings his club fiercely, but Dennis knocks it aside.
Looking a little demoralized himself, he moves away from Dennis and towards Korokai instead. Dennis draws a line across his back as he moves.
Dennis and Korokai's turns.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness (38/38)
> Ugatpuno (35/35)
Alice the Doll (42/42)
> Alice the Girl
Blue Ruffian (18 damage, bloodied)
Dennis (73/73)
Korokai (61/61)
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi (56/56)
Yellow Ruffian
Shayna (28/35, inspiring courage)
for
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When the first ruffian screams his war cry, Dennis (who enjoys using his outside voice) screams right back. "You can't scare m..." but then Alice takes him out and Dennis finds himself screaming at air. Oddly, this is not a first for him. The youngster moves to flank with Korakai and stabs twice.
Dennis calls to the remaining enemy, "The other bad men are gone. You're next!"
Dennis finishes one of the ruffians, which terrifies the other.
Korokai's turn.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness (38/38)
> Ugatpuno (35/35)
Alice the Doll (42/42)
> Alice the Girl
Dennis (73/73)
Korokai (61/61)
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi (56/56)
Yellow Ruffian (Frightened 1)
Shayna (28/35, inspiring courage)
Yea, NO, passes through his mind as he hops and flutters away from danger. Spinning as he lands, he sends another pair of jolts toward the remaining adversaries.
, DC 21 reflex save
*move
**cast spell
"Hmm. Not going well," says Chaliz thoughtfully.
"I don't think your thugs stand a chance, Chaliz," muses Safa.
"If they do have a chance, then it would be..." The shaitan moves some pieces on their game board. The ruffian slides across the floor after Korokai, who feels strangely cornered despite not being trapped at all. Shayna has a similar feeling.
Mimi's turn. The floor is difficult terrain.
Initiative:
Sunshine of Happiness (38/38)
> Ugatpuno (35/35)
Alice the Doll (42/42)
> Alice the Girl
Dennis (73/73)
Korokai (61/61)
Shaitain Tactics (1/3 Disabled)
Mimi (56/56)
Yellow Ruffian (10 damage, Frightened 1)
Shayna (28/35, inspiring courage)
[spoiler=GM Dice]
Annoyed by the antics with the game pieces, Korakai eyes them and their master with annoyance.
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Mimi's surgical strike deals a fatal blow to the ruffian and she looks about for another target. The remaining ruffians are falling one after another like dominoes, but she's happy to see that one remains for her to play with. She closes with him and repeats her previous attack.
As Mimi skewers the final ruffian, the floor abruptly returns to solid stone. Chaliz stands and applauds. "Very well done, Pathfinders. I find you most impressive. You've beaten me at my favorite game, and again at this tactical contest. I would prefer to accept these defeats honorably, but my orders aren't yet fulfilled--but I've been thinking of our mutual friend Safa's tricks, and about the idea of losing on purpose.
"Why don't you surrender? Fasiel gave me no orders regarding terms I must accept, merely that I must win. Therefore I propose these terms: If you surrender to me, I will not capture you, not harm you in any way, share some information with you, and reward you for your earlier victories."
Shaking his feathers and dislodging the limp warrior that previously had him all discombobulated, Korakai shouts out
"I surrender!"
"Surrender??" booms Chaliz with a grin, rising into the air, "I accept your surrender, Pathfinders! Though you have bested me in Kingmaker and as a tactician, it seems that I have at last technically defeated you in battle.
"Out of respect for my honorable opponents, I alert you to the fact that Fasiel has mortal prisoners locked in that room there." Chaliz points at the door on the north side of the room. "Should you choose to rescue them, I offer to guard and protect them if you leave them in my care. I am here by contractual obligation and am not magically bound, so I can make make this promise that contradicts no previous orders, and can accept no future orders that would require me to break this preexisting oath.
"Fasiel has a salamander guard upstairs, but recently I've also sensed an efreeti--a fire genie. To recognize your victories, I present you with this diamond infused with elemental earth. For you, victor in battle, I give this gift. It contains earth magic, though you should find it very similar in effect to the spell you call 'barkskin'. And for the children, take these for your Kingmaker victory."
Chaliz presents the group at large with a oddly-colored gem, Mimi with a potion vial, and Alice and Dennis with a set of adamantine game pieces.
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Mimi slides her rapier out of dying ruffian as he slumps to the floor. She grins in satisfaction at the outcome of the fight. When Korakai officially surrenders, she nods in acquiescence; it was really the only way out of this dilemma.
She accepts the barkskin potion and tucks it away for later. When Chaliz points out the location of the prisoners, Mimi wastes no time. "Prisonniers you say? And you swear to protect dem if ve release dem? Well den, release dem ve shall. Duhnee! follow me."
She then spends exactly 7 minutes examining the doors.
Even after seven minutes, Mimi finds nothing unusual or suspicious about the door. "No interest in taking them alive, then?" says Safa nonchalantly, "I suppose I did only request that Fasiel be captured alive."
The room on the other side of the door turns out to be a little more unusual or suspicious.
Shelves of jeweler’s tools and delicate crafts line the walls, surrounding the busy workbenches in the center.
There are two humans here and a gnome. They are bound by brass chains that connect them to each other and to the table, with only enough slack to reach the lavatory and the shelves.
The chains do have a padlock.
"The chain is a trap!" one of the prisoners says hurriedly, "It's 'storm-wrought,' enchanted to electrocute us if we try to escape."
"Can you help us?" the gnome asks frantically.
"He said he'd never let us out--he destroyed the key right in front of us."
Someone could try to pick the lock , or harmlessly disperse the storm's energy --though the warning that tampering with the chain would trigger the trap makes the prospect sound dangerous.
"We're all artisans. They've been making us work on these tools at all hours--we're exhausted."
"I think they took Zadfar specifically because he's a community leader, too," says the gnome, pointing at the human man, "He's not just a goldsmith, he's a Sarenite artist and they were mocking him about the community feeling the loss."
"Billfric is being modest," Zadfar says, "They're a well-known anti-slavery advocate."
"I'm not either of those things," sobs the woman, "We haven't lived here long, and my husband died recently. There's nobody else at home with my children! Did they kidnap me just to be cruel?"
Safa appears next to the woman, patting her shoulder and scrupulously avoiding touching the chain. "Your children are safe Gisi, I'm sure of it."
Looking up at Mimi, they add "Remember Pathfinders, I hope for this to be a victory for mortal justice and not just my own revenge, and my powers are limited here besides--but I did promise to help you overtly one time. When you need it, you have but to ask."
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These tools are for what?" Sunshine inquires the prisoners. "I don't recognize such tools."
She then turns to her allies. "Maybe Safa can do something to help us free these prisoners and ambush those who took them if the traps are triggered." she suggests. "Or maybe your hands can do some tricks on their padlocks that are keeping them." she looks at Dennis, remembering he usually likes to unlock things and all.
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When the battle is over, Dennis bows to Chaliz. "You're a real good battle-planner, Mister. How did you make the floor move? That was cool!" Upon receiving the adamantine game pieces, Dennis is overjoyed. "I like presents!" He quickly takes 2 of the pieces, one in each hand, and bangs them into each other as if in battle.
Eventually he puts the toys away and retrieves his colored wax pencils to take notes about the other rooms. "Thanks. Save the prisoners in the next room. Stop the bad man upstairs. Got it!"
The youngster follows Mimi into the next room. He ignores the jeweler's materials lining the walls and focuses on the captives. He says cheerily, "Hi! I'm Dennis. These are my friends. We're gonna save you." Dennis is about to retrieve his thieves tools to work on the padlock, when he frowns. "I've never seen this kind of lock. I can't do it. Sorry." He holds back tears.
When Sunshine mentions Safa, Dennis turns to the genie, "Yeah Safa ... can you help?"