"I did not think last night I was very valiant but I do in fact strive to be brave and I know I can be very determined," Valor explains peering into her orb curiously holding the second magical object she's ever touched in her life!!
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Well then," Edelina smiles and waves her hand, and you each feel the cards pressing out of your grip, and into the orbs. They distend against the round shape, and then dissipate inside of it. For a moment, the smoke within the orbs roil, and then finally settle - none of them changing colour. She waves her hand once more, and the spheres pull themselves from your hands and land before her, in a perfect line between both open ends of the tubes. "Isn't that interesting! Now... Before I send you to your first test, are there any questions I might be able to entertain, dearies?"
Lorick pipes up. "What was so interesting about that? What would have happened had we picked different towers? Do we get perks based on our towers, like...access to the national library?" His hands tremble slightly with excitement at the thought of all the books in the library.
"This is somewhat unrelated, but you seem to be in the know about everything related to this recruitment," Finn begins with a wink. "You assure us that the owners at the Mirror Moon Inn are being compensated for housing all of these adventurers, right? That's my only concern. Bring on test one!" he declares excitedly.
She laughs at this, covering her mouth demurely, "I'm afraid no perks, so much as... Assignments? Well, you'll find out shortly enough! You'll each need to get very comfortable with your new identity."
She then looks to Finn and nods, "Yes, they are being rightly compensated by the state, though I can't say that I'm aware the precise... Denomination? I doubt it will be entirely financial."
"Well, if you're ready, you can follow the signs there to go to the Bronze Room. You’ll get more information once you’re there. Good luck dears!"
OOC: So the orbs 'read us' with the cards then landed on a table in a curious order?
Valor goes towards the Bronze room hoping her party members will follow. "Good luck everyone," she says over her broad shoulder before opening the Bronze room door.
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Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
OOC: The cards melded into the orbs, which then levitated back onto the desk, yes!
As you take your leave, Edelina waves you all away with a smile, wishing you luck. As she does, the four orbs swirl back into the tubes.
As a group you walk the concourse, following the signs until you find one that points down a hall going deeper into the circumference of the coliseum. The hall leads you past rooms adorned with jewels - which seem to be exclusively for world-class athletes - to one with a golden plaque, then with silver -- and finally nearer to the end of the hall, you find a room with a bronze plaque, adorned with a sign depicting it's use in these challenges.
As Valor pushes the door open, you find that the room beyond is almost completely empty. There is a statue of the goddess Arenmoorat the centre of the room, with a brass brazier before her - likely where athletes could make offerings prior to a battle, though the fire in the brazier isn’t lit. A warm sphere hangs from the ceiling, casting an orange glow throughout the room and offering enough light to show benches along either side of the room, and a watering basin in a far corner. There are two doors opposite your entrance into the room, each with two orbs inset into the wall above them. The first door shows a red, and a gold orb, while the other shows a green, and a blue orb.
The moment the door closes behind the last of you four, the brazier sparks to life with a blaze of blue flame, which dissipates into a smoke that shows a magical projection of the lilac-skinned high elf from yesterday, the apparent leader - or at least face - of this organization.
"Good morning brave competitors, and welcome to your First Task - a test of your instincts. This shall be something of an obstacle course, done in competition with a singular group of opposing heroes."
A second projection rises from the brazier, and it’s four faces you recall from earlier. The first group to be paired: A jewel adorned young dwarf, a cloaked figure with red skin, a business attired human, and a high elven guard.
"The Heroes that complete the course first shall be awarded 50 points. An additional 100 points shall be awarded by a collection of judges observing the challenge, based upon the potential shown, aptitude towards certain tasks, and particular skills put to display that that would best aid towards the challenge we face."
"For the Valiant, and the Vigilant,"The orbs above the first door glow, "You shall be completing the obstacle course itself. Both of you must make it to the end of the course, but you do not both need to be… Conscious. Should both of you fall unconscious, the competition shall immediately end, and your opponents will be declared the first to complete the course."
"The Intelligent," The blue orb above the second door glows, “You shall be solving queries and puzzles, but may instead give advice to the Valiant and Vigilant, whom you will be able to see in a divined projection before you. They can hear you, but cannot see you. For each puzzle you solve, the Compassionate--”The green orb glows now, “Will be given the ability to help their own allies, or harm the opposition. Whilst the Intelligent can see their own team, the Compassionate will have view of both their own team, and the opposing heroes. Each time a puzzle is completed, the Compassionate may press one of four keys. One shall remove an obstacle from their team’s path, another shall add an obstacle to the other team’s path. The third shall give a member of their team some kind of benefit. The final, shall give a member of the other team some kind of penalty."
"When you are prepared to begin, enter your door, and begin your challenge."
As quickly as the projection had appeared, it dissipates into smoke, and soon after the brazier quiets into cinders. Now you have an opportunity to discuss with your party before entering your respective doors.
Vigilant and Valiant," Valor says holding her hand out to Finn, "hopefully maybe we'll be able to help one another in there," she says next waiting for his handshake.
Finn firmly grasps her hand. "We've got this. Sounds like Lorick has the tough job, anyways. There isn't much I can do to prepare, but... Give me about ten minutes? This won't last long, but better over prepared than under." He settles himself on the ground and begins ritually casting Detect Magic.
Lorick looks over at Finn and Valor. "Tough job? You've got all the manual labor. I just get to use my brain. Should be as easy as prestidigitation." He turns to Beorro. "Are you ready to utilize my intellect to ensure our team's victory?"
Beorro let’s out a small chucke in response to Lorick, amused by so much confidence in such a small frame. “Yeah, sounds pretty straight forward.” While Finn prepares, Beorro thinks about what the elf’s projection said. He turns back to Lorick, “So do you think you and I can communicate with each other? I don’t think our high elf friend specified. Like do you think we will enter separate rooms within the first one? I don’t know if that would matter.. just thinking out loud.”
"Good question. I guess we'll find out when we get in there. You'll probably be too busy trying to figure out how to utilize all of the tools I unlock for you, and you won't be able to talk." Lorick begins making his way to the door marked green and blue.
After 10 minutes have passed, the ritual is complete and Finn gains a sense of all magic around him. He stands up. "Alright, this will wear off in about 10 minutes. If there is anything magical - obstacle, trap or otherwise - I should see it. After you, Valor," he says, gesturing towards their door. "Good luck, you two. I don't know how your influence will manifest exactly, but just do your best." He turns toward the door with the red and gold orbs and waits for Valor to proceed.
As you finish casting your spell, you see as the doors before you begin to glow with a strong golden aura, which you know means that the doors have some kind of Conjuration magic upon them. Looking up at the glowing orbs above the doors, you see as they glow with a more mixed aura. Some strong white and silver, and some vibrant blue: Divination, and Transmutation.
Lorick & Beorro
You walk through the door together, feeling a slight buzzing around your navel as you do. The room itself is exceedingly plain with walls and floor of polished stone, and only two objects that you can see: Two chairs, one with blue upholstery, and the other in green, each with it's back to the other looking at either wall.
Finn & Valor
As you walk through the door, you find yourself plunged into darkness. Finn, you are quick to realize that the darkness must be magical, because even you can't see what's ahead of you. As the door closes behind you, a monotone voice recites: "Please wait, the competition has not yet begun." Which it then repeats in several languages before returning to say it once more in Common. This continues to repeat as you wait for the competition to 'begin'.
Finn
It is quickly clear to you that the magical darkness is a creation of the evocation school, based on the vague reddish hue that your eyes can make out through the darkness. You can also see a glow at the very edge of your magic of gold - almost exactly 30 feet away - in the shape of a door.
Lorick walks in, looks around the room, and makes his way to the blue chair. "Well, it looks like we can talk to each other for now. Not sure if they'll magically bubble us off once the ordeal starts though." He jumps up into the blue chair. "Let's see what they've got," he says as he rubs his hands together in excited anticipation.
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"I did not think last night I was very valiant but I do in fact strive to be brave and I know I can be very determined," Valor explains peering into her orb curiously holding the second magical object she's ever touched in her life!!
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"Well then," Edelina smiles and waves her hand, and you each feel the cards pressing out of your grip, and into the orbs. They distend against the round shape, and then dissipate inside of it. For a moment, the smoke within the orbs roil, and then finally settle - none of them changing colour. She waves her hand once more, and the spheres pull themselves from your hands and land before her, in a perfect line between both open ends of the tubes. "Isn't that interesting! Now... Before I send you to your first test, are there any questions I might be able to entertain, dearies?"
Lorick pipes up. "What was so interesting about that? What would have happened had we picked different towers? Do we get perks based on our towers, like...access to the national library?" His hands tremble slightly with excitement at the thought of all the books in the library.
"This is somewhat unrelated, but you seem to be in the know about everything related to this recruitment," Finn begins with a wink. "You assure us that the owners at the Mirror Moon Inn are being compensated for housing all of these adventurers, right? That's my only concern. Bring on test one!" he declares excitedly.
She laughs at this, covering her mouth demurely, "I'm afraid no perks, so much as... Assignments? Well, you'll find out shortly enough! You'll each need to get very comfortable with your new identity."
She then looks to Finn and nods, "Yes, they are being rightly compensated by the state, though I can't say that I'm aware the precise... Denomination? I doubt it will be entirely financial."
"Well, if you're ready, you can follow the signs there to go to the Bronze Room. You’ll get more information once you’re there. Good luck dears!"
“Oh, I have a question first. How many tests will there be in all?” Beorro asks Edelina, “Assuming we make it to the end that is.”
"Three, in all."
OOC: So the orbs 'read us' with the cards then landed on a table in a curious order?
Valor goes towards the Bronze room hoping her party members will follow. "Good luck everyone," she says over her broad shoulder before opening the Bronze room door.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
"I guess that's all, then." Finn begins casually following the signs to the Bronze Room, in no rush for the tests to begin.
OOC: The cards melded into the orbs, which then levitated back onto the desk, yes!
As you take your leave, Edelina waves you all away with a smile, wishing you luck. As she does, the four orbs swirl back into the tubes.
As a group you walk the concourse, following the signs until you find one that points down a hall going deeper into the circumference of the coliseum. The hall leads you past rooms adorned with jewels - which seem to be exclusively for world-class athletes - to one with a golden plaque, then with silver -- and finally nearer to the end of the hall, you find a room with a bronze plaque, adorned with a sign depicting it's use in these challenges.
As Valor pushes the door open, you find that the room beyond is almost completely empty. There is a statue of the goddess Arenmoor at the centre of the room, with a brass brazier before her - likely where athletes could make offerings prior to a battle, though the fire in the brazier isn’t lit. A warm sphere hangs from the ceiling, casting an orange glow throughout the room and offering enough light to show benches along either side of the room, and a watering basin in a far corner. There are two doors opposite your entrance into the room, each with two orbs inset into the wall above them. The first door shows a red, and a gold orb, while the other shows a green, and a blue orb.
The moment the door closes behind the last of you four, the brazier sparks to life with a blaze of blue flame, which dissipates into a smoke that shows a magical projection of the lilac-skinned high elf from yesterday, the apparent leader - or at least face - of this organization.
"Good morning brave competitors, and welcome to your First Task - a test of your instincts. This shall be something of an obstacle course, done in competition with a singular group of opposing heroes."
A second projection rises from the brazier, and it’s four faces you recall from earlier. The first group to be paired: A jewel adorned young dwarf, a cloaked figure with red skin, a business attired human, and a high elven guard.
"The Heroes that complete the course first shall be awarded 50 points. An additional 100 points shall be awarded by a collection of judges observing the challenge, based upon the potential shown, aptitude towards certain tasks, and particular skills put to display that that would best aid towards the challenge we face."
"For the Valiant, and the Vigilant," The orbs above the first door glow, "You shall be completing the obstacle course itself. Both of you must make it to the end of the course, but you do not both need to be… Conscious. Should both of you fall unconscious, the competition shall immediately end, and your opponents will be declared the first to complete the course."
"The Intelligent," The blue orb above the second door glows, “You shall be solving queries and puzzles, but may instead give advice to the Valiant and Vigilant, whom you will be able to see in a divined projection before you. They can hear you, but cannot see you. For each puzzle you solve, the Compassionate--” The green orb glows now, “Will be given the ability to help their own allies, or harm the opposition. Whilst the Intelligent can see their own team, the Compassionate will have view of both their own team, and the opposing heroes. Each time a puzzle is completed, the Compassionate may press one of four keys. One shall remove an obstacle from their team’s path, another shall add an obstacle to the other team’s path. The third shall give a member of their team some kind of benefit. The final, shall give a member of the other team some kind of penalty."
"When you are prepared to begin, enter your door, and begin your challenge."
As quickly as the projection had appeared, it dissipates into smoke, and soon after the brazier quiets into cinders. Now you have an opportunity to discuss with your party before entering your respective doors.
Vigilant and Valiant," Valor says holding her hand out to Finn, "hopefully maybe we'll be able to help one another in there," she says next waiting for his handshake.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Finn firmly grasps her hand. "We've got this. Sounds like Lorick has the tough job, anyways. There isn't much I can do to prepare, but... Give me about ten minutes? This won't last long, but better over prepared than under." He settles himself on the ground and begins ritually casting Detect Magic.
Lorick looks over at Finn and Valor. "Tough job? You've got all the manual labor. I just get to use my brain. Should be as easy as prestidigitation." He turns to Beorro. "Are you ready to utilize my intellect to ensure our team's victory?"
Beorro let’s out a small chucke in response to Lorick, amused by so much confidence in such a small frame. “Yeah, sounds pretty straight forward.” While Finn prepares, Beorro thinks about what the elf’s projection said. He turns back to Lorick, “So do you think you and I can communicate with each other? I don’t think our high elf friend specified. Like do you think we will enter separate rooms within the first one? I don’t know if that would matter.. just thinking out loud.”
"Good question. I guess we'll find out when we get in there. You'll probably be too busy trying to figure out how to utilize all of the tools I unlock for you, and you won't be able to talk." Lorick begins making his way to the door marked green and blue.
Beorro follows Lorick through their respective door.
After 10 minutes have passed, the ritual is complete and Finn gains a sense of all magic around him. He stands up. "Alright, this will wear off in about 10 minutes. If there is anything magical - obstacle, trap or otherwise - I should see it. After you, Valor," he says, gesturing towards their door. "Good luck, you two. I don't know how your influence will manifest exactly, but just do your best." He turns toward the door with the red and gold orbs and waits for Valor to proceed.
Valor nods and smiles at Finn before turning to face the door then opens it.
Sometimes a Nat 1 tells a better story than a Nat 20 ever could.
Finn
As you finish casting your spell, you see as the doors before you begin to glow with a strong golden aura, which you know means that the doors have some kind of Conjuration magic upon them. Looking up at the glowing orbs above the doors, you see as they glow with a more mixed aura. Some strong white and silver, and some vibrant blue: Divination, and Transmutation.
Lorick & Beorro
You walk through the door together, feeling a slight buzzing around your navel as you do. The room itself is exceedingly plain with walls and floor of polished stone, and only two objects that you can see: Two chairs, one with blue upholstery, and the other in green, each with it's back to the other looking at either wall.
Finn & Valor
As you walk through the door, you find yourself plunged into darkness. Finn, you are quick to realize that the darkness must be magical, because even you can't see what's ahead of you. As the door closes behind you, a monotone voice recites: "Please wait, the competition has not yet begun." Which it then repeats in several languages before returning to say it once more in Common. This continues to repeat as you wait for the competition to 'begin'.
Finn
It is quickly clear to you that the magical darkness is a creation of the evocation school, based on the vague reddish hue that your eyes can make out through the darkness. You can also see a glow at the very edge of your magic of gold - almost exactly 30 feet away - in the shape of a door.
Lorick walks in, looks around the room, and makes his way to the blue chair. "Well, it looks like we can talk to each other for now. Not sure if they'll magically bubble us off once the ordeal starts though." He jumps up into the blue chair. "Let's see what they've got," he says as he rubs his hands together in excited anticipation.