Cairee held the hook out. Nothing happened.
use magical device (very simple) DC15:
It needs to be pressed against something, like a wall, and told to 'stay' in any language.
Search Posts
"I don't know what the Adherents are playing for - diamond or wish, but I don't think they'd give it up. Unless...could the Adherents have promised to bring back Taryth? Is that something they could even accomplish?" Cairee: Bringing people back from the dead would certainly be beyond their ability. One would have to be half a god. Prehaps Hallwyn could do something so unimaginable with the wish.
When the four trickled into the common room they found, on the table there, a small vial of white liquid with black flecks. A soft cord with a paper label read 'to delay the effects of poison'. Beside were four deep red potions that, when uncorked, had a sickly sweet smell with something akin to cinnamon mixed in. The four potions were on a little potion rack and a label was affixed that read 'For those who remember to honour past challengers above their own immediate desires. To be taken against wounds - compliments of the Gnomes of Kuiskaava’nummet'
Tandyraman, "The Steelheart Twins will be attempting The Doors of Ash." You could see Arnie and Mar standing in front of the the owl and the first riddle door. "The Bonds of Gruumsh will be testing themselves against The Door of the Iron Bands." The engraving now looked like a winged creature on a mountain peak.
kn Arcana DC16:
A wyvern, a kind of pseudo-dragon "The Hazard Guard have chosen to wait and attempt The Doors of Ash." You see the Princess' guard doing light martial exercises as they tried to work out stiff joints and get past mostly healed wounds. "The Adherents of Aureolus will be testing their metal against The Mirrored Challenge. Everyone get to your doors!"
GMs rolls:
Dounia:
The hook had the kind of quality workmanship that would make it prime for enchantment ... Also, the magic pouch - the one with the labeled drawstrings now has 8sp in it. As Dounia reached for the pouch she noticed the other 'magic pouch', the one that had one copper piece, now clincked???
Forgot about sponsored gifts! What did you ask for? I think you last mentioned:
GMs rolls:
The landscape of the arena had changed. Last nights rain shifted the sands into new locations and the lake was larger. Some tiny smell of ozone still lingered, which was strange. Lightning usually cooled things off but it was hot and muggy. A few steps into the open air and clothes started to stick to bodies. People got up late. Crowds were still gathering thirty minutes before the early song of ten. The competitors were looking different. The determined Warriors of Dun Leummor didn't have their teeth gritted, tension on their shoulders. They had the relaxed look of dwarves who have resigned the game. Perditions Cavaliers looked somehow uncomfortable where the'd always appeared confident. The Sisters of the Silken Scroll seemed unrested but together like they'd figured something out overnight. They were chomping at the bit to get this moment over with. To get the rest of this birthday party started. The Hazard Guard looked rough, still bruised and anxious from their last challenge. They were trying to gather themselves, trying to find some secret formation that would get them through the next round. They were willing but their morale was unsteady. Their feet weren't quite underneath them. The Adherents looked pleased with themselves, almost smug if pride weren't a sin for them to abhor then, perhaps, smugness might be the least of it. In the Bonds of Gruumsh and the Steelheart Twins there seemed no change. The Bonds had always felt 'apart' like they were in their own competition, against only themselves. The Twins were playing a game and the third challenge was just another day.
Moments before the song of ten sounded ... Tandyraman, "Let it be known to all that the noble Warriors of Dun Leummor are seceding the games! We are grateful for your effort, your courage, and your sportsmanship! "Also, let it be known that The Sister's of the Silken Scroll are forfeiting their position in the challenges! You have fought well, competed hard, and have been a force to be reckoned with. sense motive DC17 (human):
Simone, leader of 'The Sisters', gives a fleeting sideways glance at Don Ri'cassa, leader of The Adherents. "All who compete are to be honoured and I bow to you." The games were now down to six teams. Tandyraman, "It is time for Perditions Cavaliers to declare what their third challenge will be!" Prince Keone and the Lady Shiply shared a glance. Keone nodded and Shiply stepped forward, "We will essay the Door of Brass!" Money changed hands in the seats. Tandyraman, "Excellent! Fair well. As second in the list, it is time for The Black Birds to declare their challenge!"
The purse was small. It felt light. When it slipped out of Kingsworthy's pocket something else fell out. Something the stooge didn't notice. It looked like a brass coat hook, the kind that would be attached to a wall.
Is Zahra aware of Hallwyn watching her before he's all magical and turns into rain? Just wondering if she sees that last bit. She is.
The man with the thorn tattoo looked at Dounia with a look of impressed amusement. He fished the pouch out of his pocket and tossed it back over to his brief client. He looked at Kingsworthy like the man was twelve years old, "Maybe look me up when you get your house in order." He turned around and started to walk away. As he passed Dounia a card flicked out from between his fingers. "If you're ever in Hespernia and looking for work ...?" The card had the image of several roses connected by an intricate thorn bush. On the back it said: Invil Locheep
Kingsworthy looked about to see who had taken interest in Dounia's tyrade.
But it garnered little attention. The wind was picking up, the arena was emptying, and little could top the drama of The Sisters of the Silken Scroll. He called out to Dounia, "Congratulations, Dounia Ghali of Ciriya. You've made my list." He pocketed the purse and stormed off. - Everyone was soon lodged away. That was except for Hallwyn, Nadj, and Zahra. Hallwyn stood where he'd been for the past twenty minutes or so. Nadj spoke with him briefly and then also retired. Zahra had found enough shelter in one of the voms to watch the storm from. Hallwyn looked at her with his grim expression. He raised his arms, turned into rain and fell backwards into the sky until he disappeared into clouds as they created their own deluge.
I actually laughed for joy reading that
Should the description of the woman in the knight's arms ring any bells? The general height and build would fit several of the ladies you've seen, but the perception check would have to be a bit higher (as good as it was) to pick out a particular person. You haven't seen the ring yet but many of the guests you've only seen at a distance.
GMs rolls:
Everything had been so fun moments ago. Tymythy struggled to get to his feet but it was useless. Now, Dounia did her best but these women were fighters, experienced explorers. They couldn't be held back. Simone went for another punch and her elbow came back and smacked Dounia in the eye. The desert thief barely saw it coming but pulled back with the hit so that it was only superficial. Cairee yelled out for an accord. But the two women were lost in battle flinging fist and elbow, knee and foot. Pattallia flung Simone to the ground and was on top of her, strangling. Candor grabbed the back of Pattallia's collar and pulled her off. Pattallia, "I'm done. Done with the games, done with you, done with all of it! If there's a way for me to hurt you, look to be hurt!" Simone, "You never had the strength. Not for this team. Certainly not enough to serve Him!" Alliss, "Shut up! The priest woman is right! You're both going to stop fighting. You're both going to compete. That wish is the only way we can get Taryth back!" The women went quiet. A look came over their faces that said they knew it was true. They got off the ground and started back to their rooms. Alliss and Candor nodded to Cairee as they left. Candor looked at Dounia and ruffled her hair through her shayla. Their morale was fundamentally damaged but they were up, they were walking. The performers began to pack up. People grabbed bottles of wine, plates of food, their chosen partner (even if only for tonight) and went to their painted doors. Sombreness had thrown its' cloak over everything as the night twilight had become overcast. A distant lightning began to flash as the wind picked up. Dounia tried to remember seeing the three pale women since they'd spoken. There'd been no sign of them all night. All the time Hallwyn watched. All the time, unmoving and heedless of the rising wind.
Perception DC12 (vs humans):
Sir Pellius was headed for his room with a plate of fruit, a bottle of wine, and a porter (perhaps the one he danced with) on his arm. Her head was covered with a cowl. Sense Motive DC15 (vs humans):
That fool, Kingsworthy, seemed to be having a casual conversation with a few men and women. They were the same men and women that The Black Birds had stood behind in line to say their first hellos to Hallwyn. One of the men had the rose thorn tattoo on the back of his hand. Kingsworthy passed the man something then looked to Prem. kn religion DC15:
There are other ways besides The Wish to bring back Taryth. A great church with a powerful healer could do it. When you look at The Sisters heading to bed you notice Candor pulled to one side by the Leader of the Adherents of Aureolus for some private word. kn Arcana DC12:
Something about all of this felt like more than a game. Something about this felt like a magical test ... or an audition. The cat man that told the story about Silimiel was watching you.
Zahra watched the host carefully. As the two sisters continued to fight with their other teammates trying to tear them away from each other. All the time Hallwyn did nothing. Until he sensed he was being assessed and turned his eyes on Cairee. His grim expression didn't change.
When Cairee smiled at Arnie she could see his triumphant glare melt into frustration. She ruined his smug win with a grin. He stomped away knocking over a table that was between him and the stair.
Dounia's thighs burned as she ran down to meet the sisters. As she threw her arms around Candor there was nothing, no response. She might as well have been hugging a coatrack. Taryth was nowhere to be seen. Slowly, Candor looked down at the woman hanging off her and gently pealed her off. Candor, "Taryth is gone?" Alliss searched her allies with utter incredulity. Pattallia, "We never should have kept going! Not since the mirrors!" She spat the words out like a viper. Simone, "We had to do something! I had to do something! We were in there for hours ... someone had to face the ..." She started to gasp and choke and gave up on the sentence. "Someone had to have the guts to make a choice!" Pattallia, "And it's always got to be you doesn't it. You were always just a little bit better than the rest of us!" Simone's mouth twisted, her fist clenched and she swung, connecting with Pattallia's left temple. Alliss and Candor rushed in to try to separate them. The judges started to move in to break it all up but looked to the eastern castle and stopped. Hallwyn was standing on the edge of the platform looking grim and keeping silent.
Dounia and Cairee fell out of line. Dounia tripped and popped up again. When they reached the staff, Dounia gave a mighty leap. Cairee boosted her in one direction. She kicked in another. Her foot was a few inches from the purse. Arnie was exhausted. As the twins came up behind them it was clear he'd been doing the hard work as Mar conserved her energy. She leapt well. She kicked well. She made contact. Miss after miss the others were eliminated. Then, Sir Pellius was finally slowing down. He made a fine accurate kick but his leap was a foot short. Everyone yelled out 'HOORA!'. The woman with the staff popped the purse off the staff end and through it to Mar. Arnie made a pointed glare at Cairee.
A horrible chilling scream came from the arena. The Sisters of the Silken Scroll had emerged from the escutcheoned door. Pattallia had Simone by the front of her armour and was shoving her backwards.
Simone looked lost. She was crying, "She could handle it. I thought. I thought she could handle it." The other sisters looked broken. Everything, everyone stopped.
GMs rolls:
GMs rolls:
Roshynduv, Arnie, and the porter that danced with Sir Pellius (Ilza), were all showing signs of being wearing out. Caydren simply couldn't make the jump, especially as he saw no extra help from Roshy. Arnie and Mar were still dancing energetically but Arnie's lift at the end was weak. Mar could still tap the pouch and pushed through to the fourth round, her brother's face was getting red as he watched Dounia and Cairee. Sir Pellius seemed as fresh as he was in the beginning of the first round. He and the porter weren't just dancing, they still showed grace and their smiles were broad, dispite Ilza's tiredness. Pellius' jump was only high enough but his kick threatened to knock the purse off the staff. Of the other five competitors, three more fell away. It was now only four teams left plus The Ravens.
Getting used to Cairee's ability as an anchor, this time Dounia let go of her hands all together, and used her body as a pole. Hugging her around the waist, Dounia threw herself in a full circle around Cairee, kicking the pouch and landing neatly back on her feet.
Sorry for the lull
Dounia and Cairee were all over the place with their dancing but Tymythy and Zahra were still making big moves and copying the dancers about them despite their tiredness. Most importantly, both teams tapped the purse. Half of the remaining fourteen other couples were looking tired. The second couple from the front attempted a partner-raise and fell forward into the front dancer just as they were attempting a kick and both couples were out. Two more couples couldn't perform the jump, and another two missed the purse. The Blackbirds were now dancing against eight couples. One of those couples were the dwarves Caydren and Roshynduv, who didn't look at all warn but were having greater and greater difficulty making the touch of the satchel. Sir Pellius Courtland was dancing with a porter he seemed quite taken with, and they seemed to be dancing quite effortlessly. And, somehow, just behind Cairee and Dounia, Arnie and Mar had moved into place. Both seemed to be taking the dance way too seriously.
Sorry All. Im on the road and have been having trouble getting posts out. I should be able to catch up on the weekend.
Two lines of couples formed ten couples to the right and ten to the left. They began to perform athletic dance moves involving deep knee bends, partner lifts, swinging their partner off the floor in a twirl. The moves cascaded down the lines. As they danced the two lines wove through each other, making it difficult not to get in the way of another couple. One couple stumbled and fell out of line. Luckily they were close to the back and didn't foul much of the procession. Three other couples missed the purse, held at about six feet so that one had to kick over their head or do a little foot tall jump. Tymythy learned quickly, perhaps a little too focused on watching. With Zahra's indefatigable spirit, however, only a trained dancer would tell they weren't practiced at the dance. When it came time Zahra kept pace with Tymythy's momentum and he almost overshot the kick. His toe made a satisfying pap on the side of the purse. Cairee and Dounia had an easy way of communicating with each other but it was a language only they understood. Their mimicked dance moves were similar enough to get through. When they got to the staff the over-exuberant Dounia nearly overshot the mark. All of the dancers continued their cavorting until they reformed their lines for another run. They tried to ensure the kick didn't stop their continual dancing - but a few dancers showed signs of getting tired.
The kicker is making acrobatic and CMB rolls :) But the anchor makes 'aid another' rolls. Get a 10 or higher and they get a +2 on their 'respective' roll. Cairee crit'ed her aid another roll so Dounia gets a +4 to her acrobatics roll
Any chance Dounia can use acrobatics instead of performance dance for the kicking part? It's CMB not dance to perform the kick - sorry, no. It's why the DCs are so low. Acrobatics to get the height, and CMB to execute the 'tag'
The Bygdydans: Two lines of ten couples (twenty dance pairs) lead up to the woman holding the quarterstaff. People are meant to dance up to the purse weaving in and out with the other line without disrupting any other couple. When they reach the purse one of each couple must try to kick it. Those who fail to kick the purse are eliminated. Round 1:
Choose a kicker and an anchor
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Any jump failure of five or more means you fall prone.
The orcs did not remark at Tymythy's leaving but simply let him leave. Prem twirled the two around as everyone on the dance floor became a huge whirlpool of motion. Zahra's gown belled out at the bottom with the vigorous exertion as the waltz turned into a show of wide grand movements. Prem, "I'm from Ischolt, the southern-most country in Eotengarde. It's a very modern place but my people are a rural people. Luckily, my parents saw in me something a little bit more, and also worried that my curiosity (or my mouth) was getting me into trouble. They saved up enough to send me to one of the duelling academies in Sutence. I had a very good education there. Manners, geography, heraldry, world religions, some of the higher languages. I hope to make my name at court as an ambassador's advisor some day and pay my parents back." The dance began to slow down and people prepared for the next musical piece, trading partners or repositioning for a folk dance or leaving the dance area for rest and refreshment. Prem released his partner and made a little space, "I don't think I can monopolize your dance card." Seeing Tymythy nearby he bowed and nodded to the young man as he passed. A woman came from the food tents. She was just more than five feet tall and had powerful bare legs. Her skin was lightly tanned and her clothes were similar to those the porters wore, except her's were golden yellow with details of red. She held a quarterstaff with a small purse tied to one end and went to the centre of the dance space. One of the musicians yelled out joyfully, "THE BYGDYDANS!" and the other musicians (and a smattering of the crowd) returned with a hearty "HURRA!" kn local DC14:
Bygdydans - just means 'folk dance' but this one is similar to Halling but for couples. People dance down the line with a partner and attempt to kick the purse at the end of the staff. There will be elimination rounds. perform dance DC12:
It looks like a challenge dance not unlike one you've seen before - kick the purse and win the challenge New dancers rushed to the dance floor, mostly young and fit guests. Some of Hallwyn's porters joined in. People started to arrange themselves into lines of two couples as one musician stepped in front with a mandolin-like instrument. She put two picks in their fingers near the knuckles and began picking. The music started quietly and then built up like it was going to crescendo but then dove back down. Music to get the blood up.
Prem, ”A lucky hit? It seemed more effective than you intended. Mostly, I think you startled the man. Looks like everyone’s gone back to enjoying themselves. Let’s keep up, shall we?”
Rhitta twirled away with Prem who's eyes seemed desperate for some control over what was suddenly happening. Jhohaness grabbed onto Zahra and pulled her in close as he smiled roguishly, ready for Zahra to be charmed by the audacity and the grace with which he and his 'wingman' pulled off the trade. Jhohaness, "This! Now this is how it should be! My heavens your eyes ... they're so beau ... are they turning white???" The silver of Zahra's dress dulled as it frosted over and then was replaces by sparkles of ice flecks. Ice formed on her hands and wrapped around his. "Ah ... ow ... ow! ... OW! ..." As if her demeanour wasn't sufficient to tell him that he wasn't wanted, she glared at him and said through clenched teeth, "What do you think you are doing?" Jhohaness pulled away from Zahra, breaking a thin layer of ice between them. He took a step back, frightened, slipped on the frost that had already built up under Zahra's feet and fell backwards on his ass. Quivering he scrambled backwards in a backwards crawl, finally gaining his feet again, and hurried off the dance area. The musicians stopped. Some muffled laughter followed him as he failed to regain any dignity. Rhitta released Prem and went to check on her friend. With everyone a little shocked, Prem walked over to Zahra, held out his hands and with a gentle grace (and without cracking a smile), "Silimiel must have been one hell of a dancer ... or do you get that from the other side of the family?" The musicians started playing where they left off and everyone began to dance once more.
GMs rolls:
The dance slowed down and everyone switched to a standard waltz position. Prem quickly moved his hand to the small of Zahra's back and held out his left hand for her right. One two three, one-two three, one two three, one-two three, Prem, "You were as open hearted as you are now. It was the first thing I noticed about you. I think I would have like to meet younger you. I'd like to hear the story of this Haseena sometime. It sounds like you've been through a lot. Magic here and those practitioners in the north seem quite different. The church has it's boot on the talented and curious so that there are three types of 'users'. Those who work for the church. Those who hide their gifts and learning in basements. And those who run with the street gangs and fight magical duels in back alleys." Zahra could see Jhohaness Kingsworthy dancing with the woman he'd been with in the foyer. His right ear was heavily bandaged. They were spinning slowly to the music and moving closer. The woman released Jhohaness hand and gracefully forced her way between Prem and Zahra, while Jhohaness tried to take Prem's place with Zahra.
Glad your back!
All of the contestants had finished their challenges by an hour at least, except for the Sisters of the Silken Scroll. And the lake was black.
... ”And who could blame them?” he went on with mock seriousness, bringing up his arms, fingers trailing his trim figure like the hands of a blind sculptor feeling the form of a statue of a hero he had just finished carving, seeking for flaws and finding none. Tyerror, "Baaaah! If I boiled you down there wouldn't be enough meat to make broth." ”Glory to those who earned it - without her we would have taken hours, and many and more wounds, forcing our way past all the traps and contraptions” Batbayar appeared to still carry wounds from the last challenge, though he'd obviously been tended to. "We could not watch your challenge. It is a shame. The Blackbirds and The Sisters are the only teams worth watching and we are denied both. The only other thing worth being here for, beside the challenge itself ... and perhaps the food." Nergui, "The food comes too easily. What's the joy of meat you don't have to chase." Jad, "The hunting is hard and it will be hard again. A fool alone doesn't know when to enjoy a free bounty." Batbayar, "Don't be hard on the boy. He's young. I'm growing old and wouldn't mind getting fat, and lazy."
GMs rolls:
"You look quite dapper this evening, Prem." She gave him a winning smile, "Consider your promise kept." She covered his outstretched hand with her own, "I leave myself in your capable hands." Prem's grey ears went a little pink, "You're very sweet to say so." He led her into the dance zone. "And might I say your dress ... it's very ... well, what I mean to say ... you're very ... it's just, perhaps, the tayloring is very ..." He was fighting a wreck he couldn't escape as the one word he intended not to use escaped his lips, "accurate." His mouth was getting dry and it was clear that he jumped on a caravan he didn't know how to get off. "I mean ... your dress is lovely." His dancing was much more confident as he read her movements through her hand so that Zahra couldn't tell who was leading. His left hand was in a loose fist behind his back and his right fingers were in her left. The dance was a simple country waltz. One long step then one quick step forward, turn to face your partner, one side step, change direction. Prem, "Tell me about growing up in Zhayalammar. I'd like to know what young Zahra was like." Unfortunately, the question was jammed in between steps and made it awkward to reply.
The orcs were where they loved to be, in the upper stands not far from the food tent surrounded by platters of food. They were mostly quiet but every once in a while someone recalled part of a challenge and they all broke out laughing. It was hot and cold. They were often completely quiet as they ate or boisterous and audible from across the arena. It got worse when they discovered they didn't have to get their own food. Three porters were kept busy with The Bonds of Gruumsh alone. Jad, the crone of the group, saw Tymythy first and she kicked at Tyerror with her toe. The much younger orc turned about and laughed, "HA! I was sure you'd be dead!" He moved to one side and made a space. - The music began to build. Several of the guests had gone out to an open space near the performers and started to dance. When Zahra returned to the arena she noticed Prem waiting. Prem, "I think I have a promise to keep. I wouldn't put a black mark on the day by not keeping a promise. Not if I can at all help it." He was in his regimental dueling club armour, wore off-white cloth gloves, and his wings were folded back. His skin was grey, seemed course but warm, and his breath had the odd but faint smell of freshly scythed grass. sense motive DC17:
He seems hurt. It isn't bad, just a fair-sized bruise perhaps under his right arm. - Cairee couldn't get the young woman's voice out of her head even as she left to join the others. Dawandi goes on and on:
"Oh orange I never get to work with orange hair you won't mind a curl or two would you of course you wouldn't like flames dancing about I always wanted that like a little lock on my temple curled and orange like a flame they call that a pyric lock but enough of that what do you think Perdition all saw when they did the mirror maze I think and I have it on good authority that that prince keone expected to marry and all that for the good of the royal line doesn't like girls at all and the reason that woman Mahri of Glaemorgan isn't speaking to him is because she saw it in the mirrors and just abit off the back but they aren't anything in comparison to that Arnie and Mar ooooh that Arnord Steelheart well I'll tell you who's heart he can steal do you think he's nice I think he looks nice and what about those dwarves packing it up that's good people should know when to stop oops well I can cover that up now pucker those lips just a bit of colour and I can't wait to see where those Silken Scroll Sisters have been now what do you think...." When she came back to the arena to see Arnie and Mar just leaving the tents of healing. She could see the dancing getting underway with several couples doing some sort of lively parlour style dance. Zahra was standing before Prem who's hand was out, ready to lead her to the floor. Tymythy was crossing the upper bowl on his way to where the orcs sat. Dounia was was sitting in the lower bowl facing the escutcheoned door but with a look a million miles away.
Sorry, work calls, but I hope to post again at lunch
Everyone stood about in wrapt attention to the lake as Arnie and Mar Steelheart were reflected so that the lake was nothing but them. Everything was at one-sixth speed as, finally, after what was seven hours (about the late song of five), they had lured their prey into a trap. Arnie had wandered off alone to create an enticing target. When he came to an area where the ceiling rose to fifty or more feet, the creature stuck. And the creature was wonderous! Great leather wings, a lion's body, and the heads of a lion, a horned goat, and a midnight-blue scaled dragon. Tymythy:
When Tymythy saw the creature's third head a shiver went up his spine, like someone far away had sounded a great warhorn The creature disgorged a long bolt of lightning from its' dragon's head and it scorched Arnie's great club, blistering the skin of his right arm. Arnie grinned and began weaving between the pillars of this underground colonnade. The beast swooped and wove behind. Arnie dove. Another blast of lightning. And then a flurry of arrows from behind. Mar stood partially covered by a pillar and launched two arrows in quick succession. The creature's left and right wings were pierced straight through and it tumbled and flew closer to the ground. Arnie's great falchion came out and with a single blow cleaved the goat's head clean off. The lion roared in pain. The creature landed and bit Arnie's waist sideways. The dragon's head tried to re-ignite its' breath but couldn't. Two more arrows struck its' body. Arnie was flung about in the lion's mouth as he flipped his falchion about and stabbed downward. Another bolt of lightning shot out at Mar and she took it full and centre, falling to the ground. She rolled over onto her back and shot two more arrows from the paving stones, but awkwardly. One shot too high but the other hit its' mark. The creature tried to get a better hold of Arnie which gave the boy a second to wriggle free and slash. The lion's lower jaw fell to the ground. The creature thrashed. The dragon's head bit Arnie's leg. Mar kneeled up and fired twice again. The beast fell. The twins converged, badly wounded but taking their time to end the creature. The entire slow scene blurred, returned to the beginning and replayed it all at normal speed. - It took Arnie and Mar more thirty-nine minutes to find the way out. When they were back in the arena they shunned healing to stumble, bleeding, to the scoreboard. They looked it over and were obviously pleased. Arnie looked about the arena. He was looking for something. His pleasure seemed to turn to disgust. Arnie and Mar walked to the tents of healing.
She looked at Tymythy and Prem, "May I ask that you both save me a dance later?" Prem answered a little too quickly, "Of course (clears throat)", but it was only a little too fast.
Yoy'ya, "No, no, no, no. He's a wizard, a magician, or a spirit like one of these fey creatures maybe. These heads of the magical orders are powerful and wealthy, capable of performing what appear like miracles to us. They call themselves all sorts of things: Storm of the Sworded Coast, The Demon's Eye, Bearer of the Uppity Flame of Grandioseness! ... 'The Marid of Daw'alnnihar'. I might joke about Hallwyn being something more, but I'm joking. "A Djinn? Djinn are maniacal, dark souled creatures born of the ether. They are fables, deamons of a watery heaven. And here we are, amongst his followers in his place of power." She began to hyperventilate. Prem, "Yoy'ya, breath. I'm not really grasping what's happening but, Tymythy is right, our host does have a lot of guests here connected to great power. Prince Keone Maegan alone is protected by the High King of Eotengaerde, his father and one of the most powerful people alive. The Adherents are members of the great order of Seven-times-seven and it's army of magi. The dwarves come from Beinn Seanfear in the seven peaks, one of the largest of the citadels of dwarven-kind. "We may be in dangerous company but I don't think we're in danger. He hasn't done anything aggressive so far. I think he just wants people to play his game, gamble on the outcome, and enjoy the pleasures of his palace. If we don't stir up trouble we should be ok." Yoy'ya, "Yeah, yeah. That's right. Listen, I'm going to see about having food taken to my room and stay in tonight. We'll do some more planing tomorrow morning. I will see what I can get from your sponsors and have it ready."
Dounia said, "Not, that blue lady IS Hallwyn. That's what Tandyraman said. He's a djinn. I guess that's why he does all the wishes. Though....I think I wasn't supposed to mention that...." Prem looked confused but Yoy'ya looked frightened and her eyes darted about like she was looking for a way out. She was actively trying to calm herself down. Prem, "I don't understand. What's a djinn?"
When The Blackbirds and their accomplices left the suite and re-entered the arena it was just the late song of four. Another great meal would be served in two hours but everyone here, especially the unwise, continued to eat as they liked from the ever-flowing food tent. Many of the guests had found places to rest, lay back, some even slept out in the open arena as they found chairs or soft sand. People swam in the viewing lake wearing small clothes (or nothing at all) even as images of Arnie and Mar continued to be viewed in the lake. ... The Sisters of the Silken Scroll hadn't finished yet and no image was yet to be seen ... The Adherents of Aureolus were out and showing little ware. They had a look about them like they'd been on a sprint and there was damage to their robes, but little else. Yoy'ya asked one of the crowd how the Adherents had done and got an enthusiastic 'Well, once they got into the challenge it was quite exciting! They were able to levitate through much of was before them. They did have some trouble in 'The Gauntlet', the hallway the young girl demolished. All in all, they did very well. Twenty-three minutes. That is, once they got in. They argued about the first lock mechanism for over an hour.' The Hazard Guard were likewise out of the mirror maze but they looked horrible. Some were wounded like they had been in a massive melee. Some sported burns from fire or acid. Most were terribly disoriented. All were being treated in or around the tent of healing.
The music was soft and it felt like they were warming up.
Yoy'ya, "The mirror door hasn't changed since yesterday. It just pushes open. No traps ... so far. "The double ash doors aren't trapped but you have to answer a riddle just to get in. The riddle has been different every time. "The gates are heavy. You'll have to lift one to get access to the second. Then you'll have to hold two up to get access to the third. Once the third is up you'll have enough room to drop the first. "If you can get through all six gates in under a minute you get extra points. No traps on that one either."
She turned back to Yoy'ya and Prem. "What can you tell us about how other teams opened the remaining doors? I'm particularly concerned about the portcullis gate. It looks like it needs sheer strength to lift all six." Yoy'ya, "The escutcheoned door. It seems to be another of Iolantha's devious devices. None of The Adherent's tricks worked on it. They did a lot of chanting at the door, then a lot of yelling at it before giving up. "It doesn't seem trapped, just locked. "The Sisters of the Silken Scroll used a silver key. The key was strange. It had moving parts, parts that could be spun around the shaft. They still had to use some elaborate lock picks to open the door, and it took (whatshername) Candor nearly a half hour to unlock it. "What I can gather is every other challenge has a silver key in it. Join them together and you get a kind of skeleton key. If you have all five you can open the door relatively easily. If you don't have all five keys you'd better pull some lockpicking genius out of your but."
She watched as Zahra handed over a pearl and three gold balls to Yoy'ya. "We should offer the same to you," she said to Prem. "I don't know what we'd do without your guidance and support." Prem, "I couldn't possibly." He looked a little embarrassed. "Actually, I've been doing very well. I've been taking every bet against one of you surviving ... erm ... I've parleyed my entire hundred and thirty-three crowns into what, for me, is a sizeable fortune. Seems like I'm at an end though. People are starting to get shy about betting against your ... sorry, your lives." His ears turned a little pink over his natural grey.
Pouch and belt - no. I don't remember how I worded the agreement but it's coin/gem/money value only.
Yoy'ya held one of the pearls up and rolled it between her finger and thumb. Then she held one of the gold balls in her hand, feeling its' weight. "Yes, one pearl and three gold balls will work. By my estimate you owe me just over two pieces of gold. But this will do for now. I really thought there'd be more opportunity for collecting coin in the challenges. Nothing is ever sure when it comes to money."
How much do we have in the pearls? And how much in our other money?Looking back, I believe we got 15 "marbles", 3 golden (3g a piece) and 12 pearls (75g each). I forgot. Dounia had to convert one of the pearls into a gold ball to balance the system so you wound up with 4 gold balls and 11 pearls. I think I may have said differently in gameplay. So you have 850gp in pearls and 12gp in gold balls. Yoy'ya's cut would come to 86gp, 2sp.
|