Turn of Fortune's Wheel (Gnomes' game)

Eithne sighs inwardly: is there really so much indifference, deep within the laws of the Multiverse? Can an innocent soul really become the prize in a stupid game? Who knows if this also happened to her people, mercilessly exterminated... was that also just a game, for the supreme powers that regulate the balance of existence?

'We can't know, Eithne...' the Voices in her head seem shocked at the prospect.
'But we know you shouldn't meddle in matters of angels and demons...'
'Even if they call it a 'game,' it's probably dangerous!'
But this time the Voices are fainter, as if they already know the Lone Survivor has already decided to meddle. She already has an infinite number of innocent souls in her head—she doesn't want another on her conscience.

"Explain the rules of this game to us, so we can better understand if it makes sense for us to participate" the Savage Wanderer prepares to listen carefully to the modron.

"Certainly," the modron replies. "The rules for Spireball are as follows. Spireball takes place on a flat, triangular diamond surrounded by a ringed field. Three low pedestals at each of the triangle’s points serve as bases. The last of these, where batters take their swings, is known as home plate. During the game, batters navigate these bases in order from home plate to first base, first base to second base, and second base back to home plate."

"To set up, the offensive team rolls initiative to determine the batting order. Meanwhile, the defensive team designates a pitcher, who stands in the middle of the triangle facing home plate; all other participants on that team are fielders. On their turn, each batter tries to hits the ball with their implement and sends it flying into the field, and the batter attempts to move to first base. The defensive team can try to catch the ball. Each batter can attempt this check up to three times; after three failed checks, the batter strikes out and must stand down, and the next batter steps up to home plate."

"Once the team has three outs the teams change places. Runs are scored by a player going from the second plate back to home. The winner is the team with the most runs after each team has had a chance to bat."

(OOC: Batting takes an Athletics check to hit the ball. A Nat20 is an automatic home run and will score anyone else on base at the time. To catch the ball on defense takes an Acrobatics check. You may only join one team, but if you decline to play, you may attempt to influence either team.)

As the modron finishes, a gleaming, dusty deva strides over with a smile on their face and a large flanged mace on their shoulder. "Ah! You found some more players? Wonderful! I'm Shariel, captain of the Righteous Hands."

Esta, having being silent so far, steps forward and looks to the group. "I don't know about you folks, but these last days have me beat. Perhaps taking the edge off for a bit would be fun?"

She looks towards the deva, her mis-matched eyes scanning her over. "Hi there, I'm Esta. I'm no good at swinging a bat but perhaps I can try catching players out?"

Faith asks the modon, "What does this game have to do with the fate of an innocent soul that you mentioned? And what are the stakes of the game?"

The game is sounding interesting, but if the losers become slaves, she would definitely skip it!

[[ OOC: Well... with Acrobatics +7 and Athletics +5, Eithne should be good at this game ]]

Eithne realizes that she probably has what it takes to play well, at least from the way the challenges are described. She therefore (ignoring the warnings for caution from the Voices in her head, which after a while give up and fade to indistinct background chatter) declares to Shariel, with a faint smile and a solemn tone: "It will be an honor to play with the Righteous Hands team, oh captain, my captain. Even more so if our victory ensures fair treatment for an innocent soul. Please, feel free to count me in."

When Faith asks for further clarification, however, the Savage Wanderer can only admire her companion's greater wisdom—and listens with interest to the angel's response.

Quote from JSenecal >>

Faith asks the modon, "What does this game have to do with the fate of an innocent soul that you mentioned? And what are the stakes of the game?"

The game is sounding interesting, but if the losers become slaves, she would definitely skip it!

 The modron turns to Faith. "It is played as an agreement between an ancient celestial god and a demon. They were both quite sporting even if they hated each other in principle. A war could be waged over an innocent soul, but they considered a unique truce. The innocent soul is taken to one of the levels of Mount Celestial or to one of the layers of the Abyss. What happens to them in either place is beyond the purview of this game. If you do not wish to see an innocent soul taken to the lower planes, you should side with the celestials. The game will be played again in 300 years for a different soul."

"Esta! Yea, that's your name!" Britari explains suddenly turning again to look at her when she introduces herself. "I remember you. From Sigil. From... in the morgue."

Her attention then is split between Esta and trying to understand this game. Worn the description she does not feel very optimistic about actually playing. "I should probably just watch. I can cheer you on Eithne. And you too Esta... or whoever else wants to play."

Eithne's azure eyes turn curiously to Britari when she recognizes Esta... but she's talking about a morgue! "It's with genuine pleasure that some of your memories are returning... though they seem to be rather peculiar. Anyway, I'd be happy to have you cheer me on..." and lowering her voice "...and if by chance you see the opportunity to cheat in some way, feel free to do so—it's for a good cause..."

Faith frowns at the stakes, "If the rest of you don't mind the delay, I'd try to try and save a lost soul."

“It’s the right thing to do, Faith” the Lone Survivor nods.

"Excellent," The modron says after a moment. "This way please, and we'll get you suited up to play." Shariel smiles widely again and walks with you all to the celestial team and their hulking hound archons who all heartily and happily greet you to their side of the field. Across the way, the elephantine fiends scowl and blare their trumpet trunks in rather rude manners. "Pay no attention to them," Shariel says, "And definitely do not let them win. They are annoying enough when they lose, but are absolutely insufferable if they win." They manage to procur a few uniforms for those that wish to play, and then the modron announces the game will commence.

OOC:

Too keep this simple and efficient, anyone who is actively batting make 3 Athletics checks. Magic is allowed, so using things like Guidance, Rage, Enhance Ability, are all acceptable IF they are done by the batter. If you bat, you must also be a part of the defense. Don't worry, there are other players on the team though besides you though!

Those actively playing will also need to make 3 Acrobatics checks for the defense side of things. Again, magic is allowed if you are one of the active players.

If you are not actively playing you can still attempt to influence the game from the sidelines. You may use any spell or ability you wish that does not directly interfere with the same or players. For example: casting bless or bane is acceptable, but disintegrate is not. Bardic inspiration is good, Ensnaring Strike is not. If you attempt a spell or similar, you will need to make a Stealth check as well to avoid being blamed for cheating.

You can also simply make an ability check (like Intimidation) in order to cheer or boo one side or the other. Doing so does not require a Stealth check.

Once you all have posted what you're doing, I'll post the other player's results to determine the winners!

Faith will use Guidance on herself, since that's allowed. To my surprise, Faith is trained in acrobatics but not athletics. But she's she's strong, she's not bad at athletics.

Athletics 1: 20+2

Athletics 2: 7+4

Athletics 3: 13+1

Acrobatics 1: 16+2

Acrobatics 2: 20+4

Acrobatics 3: 23+1

Eithne doesn't have any magical powers that improve her Athletics/Acrobatics (only her Rage, which gives her Advantage in Athletics), but she has much more Movement than a normal character (45 feet - she can increase this to 55 by casting Longsgtrider, if useful). I don't know if, given the nature of the game, this would give her any advantage...

Anyway, here are the 3 + 3 rolls:

Athletics: 22 25 23
Acrobatics: 10 24 27

[[ OOC: Great! We should really be doing fine by now... ]]

Britari is happy to encourage Eithne and Faith. But she's not going to join on the field.  She toys with the idea of putting a hex on one of the fiends, but in the end just tries to distract them with relentless bad suggestions. (Deception: 23)

Rogferr will join the game and use guidance to help himself.

Athletics: 12 21 22(Used Heroic Inspiration)

Acrobatics: 24(Crit) 11 19

Esta, looking at Britari with a confused look, suddenly dawns to her how she's seen her. "But.... how??" She feels like now is not the time to play but to speak with Britari, however as she has agreed, she says "Hold the thought, we need to speak after this, find out what happened!"

She will then join the Celestials side as to not let the innocent soul go to a lower plane.

Acrobatics: 21, 24, 9
Athletics: 13, 11, 16

Celestials batting: A: 20  B: 9  C: 19

Fiends defending: 1: 18  2: 16  3: 7  4: 17  5: 17  6: 5  7: 14

Fiends batting: 1: 10  2: 12  3: 8  4: 22  5: A: 19  6: A: 10  7: A: 12

Celestials defending: A: 10  B: 7  C: 16 

In the end, it is a landslide in favor of the Righteous Hands, the representatives from the celestial realms. The malephants immediately begin booing, making obscene noises with their trumpet like trunks, and uttering thinly veiled vile comments about celestials and such. They do, however, still congratulate everyone, even if it is with a stink eye, and vow to bring a better team next game, then stomp off to sulk in their miserable defeat.

Shariel comes with all of you to thank you for your help. "Wonderful display everyone! We really got them good this time! That innocent soul will taken well care of on Mount Celestia. As an extra token of my appreciation for your willingness to play and sincere sportsmanship, not to mention a healthy thrashing of those fiends, I'd like to offer you all this." Shariel produces a prismatic chalice and mentions it works as a Gem of Brightness.

You watch as the innocent soul is then surrounded by Shariel and the archons who give you one last smile and bow, before heading off in a stream of bright light toward Mount Celestia.

Britari watched the game, pleased her new found companions did well.  "Such an intetesting encounter.  To think it only happens every 300 years and we happened to be here."

She watches the archons disappear and then heads for the Iedcaru. "I suppose we should get on our way?"