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Each of you for one reason or another, have come from far and wide to join the prestigious tournament known as The Golden Wand. Rumors have spread across the world the globe about this strictl mage only competition held only every four years. You look about in wonder at all the mages who have gathered here in Avalon, some of them obviously not as stronger than you and some seem more powerful, but choose not to show it. After wondering around for about an hour you manage to find the registration booth. A man in pure white robes greets you.
"Hello, are you here to buy a ti- ah, your a mage. What part of this competition would you like to register for? There are sevaral to choose." He goes into detail on each one. "Your power determines who your opponents are, by the way. So don't worry about facing and archmage!
#1. Strut your Stuff!: Show what you can do with your magic! Best visual display wins!
#2. Arcane Might: Most powerful spell wins!
#3. How would You Pass?: Can you use your spells in a new way to solve the problem placed before you?
#4. Arcane Battle: Use you spells to defeat your opponent! First one unconscious or first one to leave the ring loses!
#5. Strength of Arcane: For those who wish to mix spell and sword, this is the right contest.
"So which one interests you the most?"
Violese raises her eyebrow at the list. "I... did not expect such enlightenment," the slim elf says. Her dark hair, falling in an untidy mess around her ears, seems ill-suited to a warrior, but she does not hesitate in selecting the martial competition. "Let those who tremble in their towers make pretty lights. I have more important things to focus my attention on." Quickly signing her name on the entrance registry, she sweeps away and into the competition grounds.
A disheveled young man with long black hair steps up to the robed man. "Arcane warfare? My specialty! Sign me up." He signs his name in the register and sets off to the grounds.
Ignoring the cries of the merchants and conmen lining the road, Usu kept his eyes focused ahead. His goal was in sight after many days of walking. His stride firm, his pace fast, the brown-clad mystic approached a tent that help promise. Stopping a man who appeared to be directing lowly slaves, Usu said, "Tell me where those who wish to enter the Golden Wand tournament may go, and I shall disturb you no longer." The man looked over Usu with a cursory glance then grunted and pointed towards a booth.
"Hello, are you here to buy a ti- ah, your a mage. What part of this competition would you like to register for? There are sevaral to choose." He goes into detail on each one. "Your power determines who your opponents are, by the way. So don't worry about facing and archmage!" "So which one interests you the most?"
Usu reads over the various contests and decides to choose the 3rd contest. "I shall enter the puzzle contest. It sounds like an interesting challenge. Far more appealing than butting heads like animals." Removing a small block of stone from his vest pocket, and dabbing it into a container holding ink, Usu stamps his mark on to the entrance registry. "Please keep me informed of the time and place of the contest. No doubt you will find me easily." Striding off into the tents, he looked for more wonders and oddities.
The impeccably dressed man looks at the lis with what appears to be amusement. "Well I supposethere are those who have specialized in "battle magic" rife with explosions and such. Let us show them the error of their ways shall we? Arcane combat it is."
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Zane and Trymos are lead to a building north of the colosseum, while Violese is lead to one to the east, and Usu to one in the west.
He hands you each a key with your room number on it as he leads you through your building.
"If you so choose, talk to the others staying here. Rivalry makes the Wand more interedting to be sure, but out-of-tournament mage fighting is frowned upoun if another participant is the target. You are to report to the colosseum at..."
Zane and Trymos: Midday
Violese: 3 hours after midday
"... until then, enjoy the town! There is much to see here in Avalon. Some of our more pious contestants choose to pray to their goads an the temple in the southern region of the city. Or you can watch the lesser mage competition later today, the more experiance mages compete the day after you do. Good day and good luck!" He leaves the building and returns to his booth.
Zane heads to the room,taking in the amenities provided. After freshening up a bit, the mingles with the other assembled mages observing their habits and trying to pin point their chosen field of study.
Violese looks around her quarters with only the briefest of examinations, dropping her travel pack somewhere handy, before leaving again to visit the colosseum. Her plan is to watch the Strength of Arcane matches this afternoon, as well as get a look at the format for the tournament as it is happening.
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DM:
** spoiler omitted **
Zane
Violese
Violese matches with undisguised appreciation as her fellow elf advances. For a moment, she considers... but no. The sword matters, nothing else does. Rising from the stands, she goes looking for a training space.
Bowing politely to the man who gave him the room key, Usu enters his chamber and begins unpacking his belongings in an orderly fashion. Spotting a desk in the corner, he removes some statues, candles, and incense from his pack and carefully arranges them. Clothing is put into the chest under the bed, and he keeps most of mundane weapons in his pack. He only straps on a dagger to his waist, peace-bonding it with a strip of silk. Though that might not be the local custom, he considered it appropriate.
Adjusting the multiple scarves on his waist, arms, and legs, Usu feels comfortable enough to leave and explore the tournament. Locking the door behind him, he exits the building and sets out for the battle area. He was curious what styles would be shown there.
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Usu enters the battle area, watching the lower rank mages fight with steel and spell. As the matches come to an end, Usu realizes it is almost time for him to go down to participate in the puzzle part of the tournament.
When Usu reports in for the tournament, he finds out he will be the third to try the challenge. He watches as the first mage in this competition enters the ring. Her challenge is to move a large stone out of the circle. Her first attempt fail, and she finally summons a small earth elemental to move the rock. She is suprised when it works. The next contestant is a halfing who casualy walks into the ring, his puzzle is to decipher a scroll floating in the air without getting injured. He manages to dodge the brown snake that jumps from the page only to read an explosive runes spell. He does not pass his test and is out of the tournament. When Usu is up another mage also walks into the ring. She explains that Usu's test is
Usu found himself in the competitors ring sooner than he expected. No matter though, as long as the spirit is prepared then time is meaningless. Listening to the details of the match, Usu in non-plussed as the other mage enters and casts her illusions.
When she finishes, Usu snorts his derision. Unravelling a scarf from his sleeve, he smooths it out and then ties it tightly around his eyes. Blinded, the illusions mean nothing to him.
"There. The terms to the match have been fulfilled. It is done."
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The judge walks over to Usu, clearly confused by what just happened.
"Um, while the terms of the test was to rid yourself of the illusions, I believe we should see a show of your magical prowess before we decide to pass you or not. No one has ever done what you did just now, so I think we can afford to be less critical with your scoring, but don't tell the others. You beat the record for this puzzle by the way." He walks outside the ring again and, after talking to the other judges, calls for the match to continue.
His blindfold still on, Usu listens to the judge in silence. After the match is called to continue, he says, "A show of prowess? Very well, I shall continue with the aim to rid these illusions."
Reaching into a pocket, Usu gently removes a small statuette of a warrior. Whispering words like grating rocks, he places the statuette on the ground. It immediately begins to grow in size until it stands a few inches over Usu. Its carved face lacks expression, but its armour has intricate designs swirling over every space. Usu reaches out to touch the warrior's shoulder, re-orienting his position, and speaks to it in Common, "March ahead and attack the first woman you see. Hurt her three times, or until she surrenders, then stop immediately."
Usu says in the direction of the female wizard, "You may surrender anytime and dismiss your illusions. Or face the consequences." To the judges he says, "When in doubt, go for the source."
The first step of the warrior is slow, but its speed builds quickly and soon it rushes at the female mage, arms raised to swing.
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Seeing the stone man walking toward her with a sword, the woman tries to have her illusions attack it. When she sees they cannot stop the stone warrior, she quickly steps out of the ring. "Usu has bested the challenge and advances to the next round." the judge announces clearly. "Usu, you may return to your building if you wish, or you may stay and watch the other contestants attempt their challenges." The challenges end 15 minutes before midday and any damage that has been done to the rings if fixed.
Upon hearing the contest over, Usu tells a simple command to the warrior statue, "Stop". Untying the scarf from his eyes, he smooths it again then re-wraps it around his arm. Politely, though a little delayed, Usu bows to the female mage and then to the judges before stepping out of the circle.
Slowly, he wanders around the edge of the ring to where his warrior stands. As Usu approaches the statue it begins to shrink, and with the sound of falling rocks gradually fading, it returns to its tiny size. Picking it up gently, Usu brushes it slightly then replaces it in a pouch.
Walking to the judges side, Usu finally replies, "I wish to watch the other matches. Observation is learning. Learning is power. Or so I have been told." With a wry smile, Usu folds his hands behind his back and meanders off to catch as many kinds of matches as he can.
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Zane and Trymos realize they're turn for the tournament is close, and they leave seperately for the colosseum. Once they are there, the battles begin. Zane goes first, his opponent one of the people he heard bragging back at his building. As the match starts, Zane's opponent says, "You ready, friend mage?"
"That I am."
Zane brings his palms together, his fingers flickering through arcane motions as he utters a draconic phrase, as he brings his hands apart, five of him stand before his opponent and start dashing toward him.
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Zane brings his palms together, his fingers flickering through arcane motions as he utters a draconic phrase, as he brings his hands apart, five of him stand before his opponent and start dashing toward him.
"Ha, starting with a simple spell are we?. Two can play at that game."
He moves his right hand over his left while calmly speaking draconic phrase. Nothing seems to happen.
Zane halts for a moment, his hands dancing as he casts another spell, then rushes forward to strike, when he gets within 10' the weasel on his shouder leaps off to attack his opponent's legs as all 5 of Zane strike at his face.
Zane's hand passes near his opponent's face, "I'm afraid simple is all you'll be left with."
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Zane halts for a moment, his hands dancing as he casts another spell, then rushes forward to strike, when he gets within 10' the weasel on his shouder leaps off to attack his opponent's legs as all 5 of Zane strike at his face.
Stepping back, your opponent realizes he can't call on his more powerful spells. In anger, he pulls some dust from his spell c. pouch and tosses it into the air with another draconic phrase.
Chuckling to themselves the five Zanes step back ten feet, rattling off an arcane phrase and releasing 3 shards of magical light that unerringly strike his confounded opponent. . Flicker scampers back to his master.
Usu nods in appreciation as one of the mages currently dueling performs a devious maneuver. That particular spell should have seriously handicapped his opponent, while also making him more prone to mistakes through a lack of proper judgement.
The Glitterdust spell is ignored by the cunning wizard, though his weasel familiar could be another story. As the mirrored mage casts his next spell, Usu's brow furrows as he sees the results. Why did he cast that spell?, Usu thinks, Doesn't he know that the Shield spell will block the missiles?
Though frustrated that his spell failed, the mage laughs as the missiles dissipate against his shield. He raises one hand and, with a simple phrase, sends to beams of mage fire at Zane.
Amazed at the mages ability to hit him despite his Mirror image spell, Zane snarls as he chants and unleashes a shimmering blue beam.
"First your mind fails you, then your body follows!"
"Can you even stand? Raise your arm to cast again! Every step is too much isn't it? Give in! You have lost."
Though frustrated that his spell failed, the mage laughs as the missiles dissipate against his shield. He raises one hand and, with a simple phrase, sends to beams of mage fire at Zane.
Zane feels the terror clawing at his mind and fights it with everything he has.
Zane advances upon the mage () his hands preparing a spell as yet uncast().
"Do you yield?"
The mage struggles to even make eye contact. "NO."Zane advances upon the mage () his hands preparing a spell as yet uncast().
"Do you yield?"
"Then take your last shot. Make it count"
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"Then take your last shot. Make it count"The mage struggles to even make eye contact. "NO."Zane advances upon the mage () his hands preparing a spell as yet uncast().
"Do you yield?"
The mage weakly raises his hand, and says a word in an otherwordly language. An array of color surges from his hand, surronding Zane in a cone of brilliant colors.
Zane walks trough the cone of splaying light."Beautiful, BUT USELESS."
1d20+4=23
His hands work quickly, his words, rapid acrane intonations, and as he completes the spell he continues to advance, his feet now hovering 3 inches above the ground.