Fortunately for Rassmussen, at least one of the assassins isn't quite dead yet, so a little extra healing brings him back to the realm of consciousness.
He glares defiantly at all those collected, spitting dismissively onto the floor.
Svetlana finds that they are dressed in slightly finer than common Tian Xia clothing, though their garments are designed for functionality rather than looks. They are each armed with a sansetsukon (3-part-staff) and darts.
They are also covered in tattoos, which Diazepane is able to discern mean they are "Xun" -loyal soldiers- of the Golden League.
The xun does not seem intimidated by Svetlana but does not struggle as he and his unconscious comrades are taken away.
In the aftermath of the attack, the noodle house closes, both to clean up the mess and to prevent any further attacks on its patrons.
These precautions seem somewhat unnecessary as an uneventful night follows.
Overnight, Abadaran clerics and wizards in the Emissary’s service employed spells such as stone shape, transmute rock to mud, and create water to fill the fight stage with a pool of watery mud, effectively transforming the ring into a giant swamp. Several islands of dark stone rise 6 inches out of the 4-foot-deep morass. The mud acts as a deep bog for purposes of movement and concealment.
Your foe in this quarterfinal round is the eunuch witch Hok Fong, a corpulent Tian-Shu man.
As Svetlana and Daedin launch their attacks, it becomes evident that Hok Fong has borrowed a page from Ganyavesha's playbook as he seems to Blink in and out of existence.
Svetlana's mighty swipe goes right through where he is and is not, but Daedin's timing is impeccable and his final arrow is critical.
Their opponent falls before he can even act, eliciting a cry of stunned approval from the crowd.
The Emissary's men move quickly to remove Hok Fong from the arena before any of the swarms of leeches that have been seeded in the mud can get to him.
Kiang Zhen is there to hand over their prize, a periapt of wound closure.
Gomwai's team eliminate their opponents in the muddy pit almost as quickly as the Pathfinders did Hok Fong.
As monks take away the trappings of the previous round and spellcasters get to work setting the fight stage for the next match, the Emissary rises and speaks loudly to the crowd.
"Our next Challenge is extended to all remaining contestants. It is perhaps the most dangerous task and battle any will face during this contest. Slaying of the brine dragon Huyanwo, who has ravaged the region of the island known as the Ridge of Graves for generations!"
A gasp goes up from the crowd and several of the remaining contestants look at one another to see if anyone else is taking the Emissary up on his challenge, but none react visibly in favor or against such a decision.
The Emissary looks expectantly at the gathered contestants.
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Svetlana admires the handiwork with a grin "I think I'm just going to stick with my bow, its just not worth the jog"
"Before I go an dislodge a Dragon from its territory, I would know more about it and why there is disunity"
Svetlana turns to her fellows "What is a brine dragon? Is it evil or just angry? What do we know of their strengths and weaknesses?"
"Fighting willing participants in a competition is one thing, but I am wary of being duped into being a hired thug against the creature without just cause"
Far from being offended at being questioned, the Emissary seems pleased and begins telling the tale of Huyanwo with the relish of someone speaking of a local legend and polish of long practice.
"Huyanwo is a primal brine dragon who made his home on Xielan Island some 175 years ago. Finding the village now called Old Harbor undefended, he had grand ambitions of ruling the fisherfolk in the town from a nearby grotto. When the peasants refused to submit to the dragon’s demands of tribute, he became enraged and laid waste to the village, furthering superstitions that the island was haunted and uninhabitable. Now, without a sizeable human population left for him to rule, Huyanwo has set his sights on colonies of sahuagin and locathahs in the deeper waters of Xu Hong Bay, far from Xielan Island.
"During the Ruby Phoenix Tournament, however, he always stays close to his lair in order to protect it from ambitious competitors—and perhaps in the hope of gaining human allies he can coerce into helping him establish
true dominion over the island.
"Any competitors would certainly demonstrate their bravery and power if they vanquished this scourge upon our island."
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"All the ignorance of Cheliax yet none of the wisdom" Svetlana slaps her well-worn copy of The Measure and The Chain on the table, "It is quite clear that leadership comes with the responsibility to show correct stewardship and care of ones citizens - a thriving industrious populous and strong, strict social order are the building blocks of strength - both of the community and the citizens themselves" she finishes her complaint stabbing her finger at a few lines about leaders and rulers in The Measure.
"I will also go and speak with this dragon, not to seek violence, but to seek order"
When you announce your intention to face Huyanwo, there is some cheering from the crowd but they largely begin to talk and whisper in surprise, expectation and speculation.
Some even follow you out to the ridge of graves, though they all stop far enough away to keep from becoming collateral damage.
The wind whips wildly across the face of the cliff and the tide pounds mercilessly against the rocks in the dizzying drop below, but you do not have long to enjoy the view before the great brine dragon appears.
"Greetings, worms," his voice booms like the waves smashing against the rocks. "Have you come to pledge your allegiance and fealty to the mighty Huyanwo or to claim your own place on the Ridge of Graves?"
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"Neither your Lordship. I come to see how such a grand dragon has found itself without a fitting fiefdom - because they apparently destroyed it - and why they would now seek rulership over a minor island mostly frequented by tourists, with an apparent intent to expand to locathah and sahaguin - neither of which is exactly aspiring to greatness"
"I understand that for your own reasons you have chosen to establish a lair here, and it is a lovely island, however, I would remind you that the reason you now have to fly back and protect it is that you lack loyal subjects who could do so on your behalf - or at least act as eyes and ears in your absence. I would go so far as to suggest that there has been a significant oversight - the role of the ruler is to protect their subjects and ensure prosperity - the more prosperous the citizens, the grander the tribute, and the more people seek to move to your territory and this your kingdom expands. Laws, justice, systems, authority - all tools used for an orderly society that can deliver what you seek"
"Destroying a village full of fishermen peasants because they didn't give tribute doesn't align to greatness, they should have been eternally happy to share with you in exchange for the protection and prosperity you brought them - you did bring protection and prosperity surely? How is it that they remained peasant fishermen who refused to give you...fish?"
"You are leaving yourself exposed, without firm allies or subjects, and stuck without the glory and greatness of your peers"
"If you would indulge us, there is a better way"
"What you say is the sort of nonsense that I expect from such minor creatures. The role of a ruler is to receive the loyalty, admiration and tribute from their subjects. It is their role to prosper so that they may bring more tribute to their liege.
"You are partially, correct, though. This island is beneath the dignity of my rule. Yet, it is mine and I shall not give it up.
"Should you like to pledge your loyalty to me and drag these peasants into prosperity so that they may provide me with the sort of tribute I deserve, I will provide the protection they deserve.
"Otherwise, you may cast your belongings at my feet and I will allow you to use those feet to walk away."
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Walking as she talks, making a small space to avoid all concentrating in one spot for a breath weapon as a reply...
"We're not interested in serving you or indulging your threats. We're here to help you on the righteous path to true glory, but if you insist on ruling over a burnt-out hermit kingdom then so be it. The work is yours to do, not mine"
"What you suggest a ruler does sounds wildly misplaced and the talk of a robber baron - loyalty and admiration come from the rulers deeds, and the prosperity from their wisdom"
Svetlana shrugs and looks to the party.
"I don't think it is in the mood to parley"
"Daedin, arrows please"
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"What you say is the sort of nonsense that I expect from such minor creatures. The role of a ruler is to receive the loyalty, admiration and tribute from their subjects. It is their role to prosper so that they may bring more tribute to their liege.
"Fascist." mutters Rassmussen disapprovingly.
"I don't think it is in the mood to parley"
"No, he's being a total drag."
"I'm sure you'll make lovely flowers."