|
Kal stands aside the eastern most tower, the breeze swirling about him as he stares down the blinking/giant woman. He turns his blade mindlessless in his hand, awaiting the initial bell.
He leaps into the air and floats up toward the woman- a heat shimmer trailing behind from his limbs and pole-arm.
He approaches to 10 feet, before swinging this blade down at the monstrous woman but the blade harmlessly passes where he thinks she *should* be.
HP 169/169
AC 32 (Shiled, Iron Skin)
Quibble 1/1
Spells 1st 2/3, 2nd 0/2
Rage 14/16
Spell Storing Armor: Shocking grasp
Active conditions:
Rage, Arcane Strike (swift)
Mirror Image: 4
Fly (potion, speed 40ft)
Shield, Iron Skin
Ablative Barrier
All of Daedin's arrows hit, but it is clear that her flesh is somehow resistant to the damage done.
Kal'Ryon rushes the woman, but his swing goes right through her. She is there as the blade is coming down but disappears as it goes through her and then reappears as it gets past her feet.
Diazepane's bomb hits but it's clear that it does not fully affect her as she seems to fade out of existence even as the crystals of frost are forming around her.
Once he knows that she's Blinking, he realizes that Force will fully affect her since she's Blinking between the Material and Ethereal planes.
He gets her good enough to slow her down, though.
She lashes out with her Kukri at Kal'Ryon.
She manages to score a hit, but it is hardly enough for Kal'Ryon to notice.
|
|
Kal stays aloft in front of the giant, before unleashing a series of blow from his weapon against the blinking combatant.
HP 167/169, NL 2.
AC 32 (Shield, Iron Skin)
Quibble 1/1
Spells 1st 2/3, 2nd 0/2
Rage 13/16
Spell Storing Armor: Shocking grasp
Active conditions:
Rage, Arcane Strike (swift)
Mirror Image: 4
Fly (potion, speed 40ft)
Shield, Iron Skin
Ablative Barrier
Turns out, the only damage Kal'Ryon takes is to one of his images.
Svetlana and Rassmussen act tactically.
Daedin's first two arrows hit, and this time easily puncture his target's skin. His next slides through her without doing any damage as though she were not there and his last comes within an inch of puncturing something vital.
Diazepane's first bomb misses...for a couple reasons but he finds that his other bombs find their target and have full effect.
And Kal'Ryon's two attacks both hit and finish their opponent off, demonstrating to the cheering crowd once again, just how dominant the Pathfinder team is.
Rassmussen must practice some timing to get to the woman when she's fully on his plane but manages to keep her from dying.
As you depart the arena to the roar of the crowd, Kiang Zhen is waiting with a wooden crate.
"You lot have been running from match to test to exhibition so quickly you haven't received all your prizes. Here is what you missed."
She holds up a plain gray rock. "Do not let appearances deceive you. This is a luckstone that has been glamored to be non-descript. It is your prize for winning your first match against the monks."
She then holds up a vial full of equally gray liquid. "A potion of Stoneskin for your exemplary performance in the breaking trial.
"You received your arrows for your success in the archery test, but here is your prize for the Spider Fight," she holds up a ring shaped like a pair of feathery wings.
"And finally, your prize for this fight," she says, holding up a kusarigama.
"Please, enjoy your evening. We will see you here again in the morning."
|
Daedîn will explore the town a bit, but mostly from the shadows, concealing himself as best he can, ears and eyes alert for any rumors or talk of the Pathfinders…
…before hitting the hay and getting a good nights sleep. The next morning, he’ll scout the competition in the earlier matches to try and get a good read on ‘em…
The group takes the time to explore their surroundings, starting with the town.
The only current settlement on Xielan Island, New Harbor is inhabited almost exclusively by hardworking fisherfolk and their families. A council of five elders governs the village, but in day-to-day affairs, residents follow the will of the loose union of those who work the sea to protect the town’s interests. Businesses are scarce here, as in general the residents find it easier to take the hour-long boat ride to mainland Goka for most of their commercial needs. Yon Loi’s noodle shop serves as a much frequented restaurant and general gathering place, though residents often set up makeshift inns, taverns, and shops in their homes or on their boats
every 10 years to serve the crowds attracted by the Ruby Phoenix Tournament.
The town, and Yon Loi's are quiet compared to the previous two nights as there are neither official ceremonies hosted by the Ruby Phoenix Tournament nor unofficial celebrations conducted by the civilians or competitors on the island. Everyone is exhausted from 2 days of competing, and is taking a much needed break.
As they explore, they come across a bloodied and bruised Tian-La man huddled on the side of the path he shies away from you, muttering something about not knowing what he was getting into. You calm him with a simple assurance that you mean him no harm, at which point he introduces himself as Donguma. He gladly shares his woes, detailing his recent run-in with a gang of Golden League enforcers who came to collect a debt from yesterday’s round of competition. When he explained to the thugs that he would have their money once tomorrow’s round was over, they told him he wouldn’t be able to place any more bets and would need to pay them back in blood. After beating him, they took the few pieces of silver he had on him and left him lying in the street. Donguma warns
you not to get involved in betting on the tournament this year, because he and some of his friends think some of the matches have been rigged, and he notes that he is evidence of what a mess a person can get into backing the wrong contestant.
You also can learn more with a Gather information (Diplomacy or Knowledge Local) Check.
evening along the treacherous, abandoned coast known as the Ridge of Graves. The nagaji warriors, known as the Nagas' Children, were known to utilize debilitating, abilitydraining attacks, and were favored to win tomorrow’s bout. Their bodies were identifiable only by magic, as severe acid wounds had distorted their forms beyond recognition. Rumors circulating around the noodle house indicate that the Nagas' Children had boasted of going to take on the dragon Huyanwo, who is believed to lair near the Ridge of Graves.
The morning of the third day of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament is dismal and rainy. A steady drizzle lasts well into the afternoon, when the rain lets off, though thick, gray cloud cover remains.
During the first match of day three a terrible accident occurs, and all three towers, the very ones you fought on the day before topple on a contestant, killing the unlucky competitor and bringing the day’s contests to a sudden halt as the Emissary and his agents investigate the death and clear the ruined towers from the fight stage.
While the clean up is going on you are selected for an additional exhibition match because of you increasingly impressive performances thus far in the competition. Kiang Zhen approaches the party and asks you to select one representative to take part in the traditional “boar and tiger” fight, in which two contestants are tethered to wild animals and pitted against one another with the goal of keeping their respective beasts alive.
"Please, choose one of your number to participate and which beast you prefer," she says.
|
|
Diplomacy
"Rumours of poison and foul play abound, I'll continue to avoid their festivities as this place is full of the untrustworthy. Were this Cheliax we would set a few reminders around the place about the expectations of behaviour, some posters, and the odd gibbet"
***
Engineering
"Those towers seemed fine when we used them, sad to hear of accidents"
***
"Boar and Tiger fight? Haven't heard of it - how does it work?"
"It is simple enough," Kiang Zhen says with the forced patience of an immortal entity bound to the foolishness of mortals.
"Each champion is bound to their animal and is responsible for keeping it from harm. You are not allowed to become unfettered from your beast. We do nothing to enact controls for the beast for the contestants. The winner is whoever's animal is still standing at the end."
She let's one of you flip a coin.
"Hopefully that is not an omen for you," she says as the result comes up against them.
She goes and speaks to your opponent, Nearidei, a slender Tian-Dtang woman with chin-length black hair and chestnut eyes.
"It seems that Nearidei has chosen the boar, so whichever one of you will be participating will take the tiger."
The tiger and boar are taken into the fighting ring (which is not the main stadium but looks very much like the main stadium) and released from their cages about 50' apart. Before they can do anything, they are hit with hold animal spells to keep them in place while their partners are prepared.
Daedin is not given time to take the invisibility extract before being shackled to the tiger by a 15' iron chain, even as Nearidei is bound to the boar in the same way.
It is possible that the spell caster holding the tiger jumps the gun. Or maybe it just has the reaction speed of a jungle cat. In any case, when the signal to begin goes off, it is the first creature to react and it goes after the nearest thing...which is Daedin.
But his paw comes nowhere near damaging the archer.
There is an audible gasp from the crowd as the Boar and Tiger fight proves to be literally one sided with only the Tiger side making any attacks (though not focused.)
Daedin's arrows sink into pig flesh, picking out vital organs with exceptional ease. For a moment, the stubborn beast remains on its feet. Then, it falls over, crashing heavily on its side with all four legs stiff.
Nearidei looks at her fallen beast aghast. After a moment she stomps her foot and says something impolite in Tien before waiting for the shackle to be removed.
The tiger pauses in mid leap toward Daedin as it is subjected to another Hold Animal spell.
It takes only a minute or so for the monks to come unshackle both contestants.
As Daedin exits the pavilion Kiang Zhen is waiting. "You could at least pretend like these are challenges," she says, handing him a ring that has a tiger and boars head engraved on it. It is a Ring of Animal Friendship.
Immediately after Daedin completes the boar and tiger fight, Marthysan approaches the group.
The paladin seems concerned. "Have you encountered anything strange lately or heard any rumors that may not have reached my ears while I have been focused on the tournament and other official business?"
|
After the fight, Rassmussen re-applies the Life-Link to Daedin.
Marthysan approaches the group.
The paladin seems concerned. "Have you encountered anything strange lately or heard any rumors that may not have reached my ears while I have been focused on the tournament and other official business?"
"Yeah, we did actually. We met this guy who'd been pretty badly beat up by some Golden League guys who are running some betting, and he said he thought maybe these guys were working to rig some of the fights, like total fascist pigs. I didn't know how seriously to take it really. A guy who loses a lot of money and gets beat up by bookies might have an axe to grind, but from what little I've heard of the Golden League, it's not a crazy accusation."
"Svetlana said she'd heard some rumors of poison and foul play, and I gotta say, at the party after our first fight, I was really sick in the morning-- like not just hung over, right? Like, stiff and weak... I mean, I can't prove anything, but I know something about healing, right? And I think somebody might've slipped something into our drinks maybe. Fortunately for me, I don't really have to do anything but stand there and watch these guys romp through fights, so it didn't matter."
|
|
"You could at least pretend like these are challenges," she says, handing him a ring that has a tiger and boars head engraved on it. It is a Ring of Animal Friendship.
Daedîn accepts the ring and bows. ”Thank you m’Lady…but it is a challenge. Had one of my shots missed, you’d likely be congratulating my opponent now…lot of pressure when you can’t afford to miss even one shot…”
"No, I fear that, after the last tournament, things have changed. I had hoped that the actions of the Wu sisters were an anomaly but I fear that they may have tainted the sanctity of the tournament going forward," Marthysan says.
He opens his mouth to speak again, but he turns his head as he hears his name called in the distance.
He sighs and rubs his forehead before giving you an apologetic smile. "The burdens of being champion. But, if all goes well, you'll learn yourselves in 10 years," he says.
"I doubt if I will have any additional free time for the rest of the day, but please, meet me at Yon Loi's at 9 tonight so that we can further discuss the situation," he continues, even as he departs.
You don't have much time to contemplate what he's said or make plans when your names are called.
During your brief conversation with Marthysan, Ruby Phoenix monks carry hundreds of buckets of red-hot coals into the arena and spread them across the floor of the fight stage, noticeably raising the Grand Pavilion’s ambient temperature and filling the air with thin gouts of steam as stray raindrops hit the burning ground and vaporize.
You are instructed to remove any footwear and stand ready to fight atop the smoldering coals. You have the opportunity as you wait to cast spells to preclude fire damage (such as energy resistance or protection from energy), but the tournament officials warn them that the crowd disapproves of such actions, seeing it as taking the easy way out.
For this round, your foes are a chorus of Minatan chanters who have dedicated their lives to studying and protecting the secrets of the so-called sacred song. Using a strange form of throat singing, the chanters have honed the sound to such a degree that they can use it as a weapon. The tall, dark-skinned bards wear facial tattoos and have brightly colored emblems and runes emblazoned on their armor and shields.
The Pathfinders are given about a minute to prepare before the signal is given to begin the fight. In that time, a deep, ominous sound begins in the throats of your opponents, growing in volume but not pitch.
|
Diazepane will decline the fire protection, opting to play to the crowd.
Instead, just before the round begins, Diazepane drinks two extracts - a combined extract of reduce person and shield, and an extract of displacement.
Diazepane hops from one foot to another.
"Feels a bit warm, that's all."
Diazepane begins throwing bombs, frost unless contraindicated by Knowledge, force otherwise.
vs touch
plus DC 24 Fortitude vs staggered
vs touch
plus DC 24 Fortitude vs staggered
vs touch
plus DC 24 Fortitude vs staggered
Rassmussen puts up some protections on himself.
Svetlana checks for bad traits in her opponents and finds that they are chaotic but not evil before protecting herself.
Diazepane takes several precautions before tossing bombs as soon as the signal to "go" is given.
Some of the coals sizzle, spark, crack and explode, sending tiny sparks and steam flying as Diazepane's bombs abruptly lower the temperature where they hit.
All three bombs hit their targets.
And all three, despite the heat begin shivering from the effect.
Daedin's first three arrows put the red clad one out of their misery, though.
And his last hits something vital and puts down black.
Yellow casts a spell and both the remaining Chanters begin to move faster.
Blue moves forward and moves her mouth to send out sharp (literally) words at Svetlana.
Svetlana counters sound with sword and leaves her target shaking with fear.
Rass supports his companions by suffering for them then performs the ultimate counter to these opponent's tactics.
Diazepane tosses two bombs and preps the third but checks his throw in the middle as the Blue one goes down but the Yellow one is a bit too far to confidently pick off.
Daedin's volley of arrows, especially the third are particularly effective and put down the last chanter.
The crowd roars in approval (though there is a certain part of the arena where it is completely silent.
The Pathfinders have now officially won over half of their tournament battles, but there is little time to rest or celebrate.
Shortly after the Battle of the Embers, the Emissary tasks you with your third test of the competition. He describes to them a scintillating ruby bracelet made of 99 tiny gems, braided together with golden filaments.
This bracelet, he explains, is currently in the possession of a guardian named Tsavati in the bamboo forest north of Yun Chumo. He gives you until sundown to locate the bracelet and retrieve it from the guardian, who has been instructed to defend it with deadly force.
The bamboo forest is dense with tall, thin bamboo stalks standing an average of 50 feet from the forest floor. The 8-inch-diameter shoots are bare of any foliage from the ground to a height of approximately 40 feet, where masses of thick leaves create a translucent canopy. Other than the bamboo itself, no other undergrowth exists in the forest. Any creature in the canopy gains cover against creatures on the ground, as well as concealment as though it were in light undergrowth. All normal penalties on movement and on Acrobatics and Stealth checks apply within the canopy, as though it were ground-borne undergrowth. You can scale a bamboo shoot with a DC 15 Climb check, and each plant has AC 4, hardness 5, and 20 hit points.