This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Ednyss gives Shirei-Kin a nod before heading back up to his section. Once he has taken his position and the people start flowing into the arena, he keeps his eyes out for any of the members of his squadron from Lokimarra. As the day continues, he conducts his duties as a guard diligently and carefully checking the watchers to ensure no fights break out.
Mittens grins as he exclaims, "All right! Do I need to wear anything fancy?"
The next day:
Mittens can barely contain his excitement. For the past few weeks, all he had heard as about how awesome the festival was. Afterall, if so many people thought is was cool, it must be pretty awesome, right? Who knows? He might even see some of his squad members.
As he is waiting waiting with the acolytes, he offers some apples to them that he raised from the pantry. Scanning the audience while munching on an apple, he comments, "Dang, there's a lot of people here today."
As Varielky rises she cannot shake the dream away. She never had qualms about whom she fought with - men, women, Humans, Orracans, Chimps, Cats and so on. It didn't matter where they were from or what was the situation - if the gods put them on opposing sides of the battlefield, she'd fight them to the end. So, if all that is true, why is this time so different?
Varielky tries to remember whether she had seen the symbol in the past. Is it a memory or a prophecy? What are the gods trying to tell her? (Religion to try recalling information about the symbol: 20)
When she realises that today is the big day, she puts these thoughts "on hold". She should have plenty of time to ponder about the gods' will, after today. She gets up and gets dressed, taking everything she needs with her (if the equipment is being given by the Arena then nothing, but if she needs her own equipment then she'll take her armour, sword and shield). She then heads out for a quick warm-up jog which she ends in the arena. There should still be time before 12 bells, enough to warm up her fighting.
With a huge crowd gathering, most from among the city residents, but many from out of town, old acquaintances are reunited, a chimp woman gives a frosty glare to a sailor who had approached with a smile on his face, now downcast; two dwarves with serious expressions shake hands fiercely without a word; acolytes, high priests, craftsmen, farmers, diplomats, and more stream into the gates in excitement, paying more or less for entry depending on how high or low in the stands their spots will be.
The day is brisk, colder than recent days, and many wear an extra layer of clothing, be it a furred hat or scarf, gloves, or a heavy cloak. Sun breaks through clouds, and the sky is dramatic and moody.
As Mittens enters the arena, he is struck by deja vu, as in his peripheral vision, a face from the past seems to float by. But in the enormous crowd, whoever it might have been disappears in a moment’s time, and Mittens rejoins Haniah and the other Acolytes of Moeitu. They find their seats in the upper level of the 4-tiered arena, in Section 11. Just as he sits, Mittens sees, for certain this time, a face he knows, belonging to Ednyss Greybeard.
Ednyss, who has been given a wide sky-blue collar to wear over his cloak, as have the other security guards, while answering a question from a member of the crowd in the adjoining section, senses someone’s gaze upon him. He looks up and locks eyes with Mittens, recognizing him immediately.
Varielky is ready for the day, in the bowels of the arena in a holding room, with Benita la Cass and Bali and the others. Benita paces nervously as she says, “this is the last time I fight in this part of the show. I am better than this, I can be a true gladiator, not just mimicking a rehearsed battle for a crowd. Doesn’t it gall you, Varielky?”
Abodolla is there, and he shows Varielky the promised 30GP, and tells her to return to this room to collect it after the fight. He soon leaves to handle other matters, but the fighting master Kovalenko remains with the group, speaking quietly with Bali.
Mittens grins as he exclaims, "All right! Do I need to wear anything fancy?"
The next day:
Mittens can barely contain his excitement. For the past few weeks, all he had heard as about how awesome the festival was. Afterall, if so many people thought is was cool, it must be pretty awesome, right? Who knows? He might even see some of his squad members.
As he is waiting waiting with the acolytes, he offers some apples to them that he raised from the pantry. Scanning the audience while munching on an apple, he comments, "Dang, there's a lot of people here today."
Hania says the acolytes will wear normal clothes -- robes -- with the sigil of Moeitu, a skull with flowers. Next to them, one might feel self-conscious in underlinens or stained farm-clothes, but anything would be fine. "Wait until you see the governor, high priests, and the upper class of Ishi Ammah. They will come dressed in finery, and I always watch for the emissary from Khazara because I love their headdresses." She takes an apple from Mittens with a very pretty smile. "Where did you get this? It must have been imported from The Kingdoms, an apple at this time of year!"
As Varielky rises she cannot shake the dream away. She never had qualms about whom she fought with - men, women, Humans, Orracans, Chimps, Cats and so on. It didn't matter where they were from or what was the situation - if the gods put them on opposing sides of the battlefield, she'd fight them to the end. So, if all that is true, why is this time so different?
Varielky tries to remember whether she had seen the symbol in the past. Is it a memory or a prophecy? What are the gods trying to tell her? (Religion to try recalling information about the symbol: 20)
When she realises that today is the big day, she puts these thoughts "on hold". She should have plenty of time to ponder about the gods' will, after today. She gets up and gets dressed, taking everything she needs with her (if the equipment is being given by the Arena then nothing, but if she needs her own equipment then she'll take her armour, sword and shield). She then heads out for a quick warm-up jog which she ends in the arena. There should still be time before 12 bells, enough to warm up her fighting.
As Varielky rises she cannot shake the dream away. She never had qualms about whom she fought with - men, women, Humans, Orracans, Chimps, Cats and so on. It didn't matter where they were from or what was the situation - if the gods put them on opposing sides of the battlefield, she'd fight them to the end. So, if all that is true, why is this time so different?
Varielky tries to remember whether she had seen the symbol in the past. Is it a memory or a prophecy? What are the gods trying to tell her? (Religion to try recalling information about the symbol: 20)
When she realises that today is the big day, she puts these thoughts "on hold". She should have plenty of time to ponder about the gods' will, after today. She gets up and gets dressed, taking everything she needs with her (if the equipment is being given by the Arena then nothing, but if she needs her own equipment then she'll take her armour, sword and shield). She then heads out for a quick warm-up jog which she ends in the arena. There should still be time before 12 bells, enough to warm up her fighting.
Varielky is certain that the symbols were used by the Priest who raised her. She did not make the connection between them and what she saw in Drey until her dream. But now, she's sure they are one and the same.
Ednyss gives Shirei-Kin a nod before heading back up to his section. Once he has taken his position and the people start flowing into the arena, he keeps his eyes out for any of the members of his squadron from Lokimarra. As the day continues, he conducts his duties as a guard diligently and carefully checking the watchers to ensure no fights break out.
So far, all is well, although hard to know if there are any weapons concealed under clothing, and there are three loud and rude sorts in his section Ednyss is keeping his eyes on.
"It bears no difference. This was a nice way to pass some time but this is not as thrilling as real fights. Everything becomes predictable - even losses. Meanwhile, on a true battlefield you can never know what's about to happen. Will an arrow pierce your skull? Will sudden reinforcements arrive? Will a giant ice-man tear the roof of the inn you're trying to rest in and break the walls, burying you under countless rafters? I've been playing games for too long. It's not all bad, I've made new friends and found plenty of great warriors... but after today I'll leave. At least for a while. I'll definitely come back to see your fights in the next part of the show next time."
As he sees Ednyss, Mittens waves at him enthusiastically.
After swallowing his bite of apple, Mittens says, "The family I'm staying with believes an apple a day keeps the doc away, so they're trying to get their grandpa to eat them. I doubt he has the required amount of teeth to even eat these, so I don't think he'll miss a few."
After another juicy bite, he says, "I saw a member of my squad in the crowd earlier. Knowing my squad, some of them are probably competing today."
((Apples are uncommon this time of year?!?! What a miserable life these people live :) ))
The crowd is enormous, 30,000 individuals on benches placed in the raked arena shell, under which are enclosed practice halls, holding rooms and offices, animal pens, pumps, and all manner of artifice under the arena floor.
From their positions in the Arena stands, Mittens and Ednyss watch, and Varielky can see from the holding room, which has a wide shallow window opening onto the arena floor, as four Sorcerer-Illusionists wearing Jenghen Blue, with shaven heads, tattoos of eyes covering their scalps, take posts at the four compass points on the arena’s floor. Beside each mage, a leather-bound, ancient, rune-covered box which each pulls into place with a heavy golden chain. As they take their places, they fall into a waking magical trance. At that moment, more leather-bound, rune-covered boxes placed in the plaza crackle with static electricity, and from them emanates a three-dimensional representation of the interior of the arena, which is projected above the plaza, itself full to capacity of onlookers of every race and background. The crowd of 10,000 in the plaza yell in delight as the image springs into being, and the sound echoes into the arena.
Trumpeters pace out in formation, and brightly sound their horns, and the Jenghen provincial governor, Therodurk Ullaz, enters with his wife and retinue, surrounded by Bakar Elite fighters. The crowd cheers, as the Governor raises his arms wide, then motions for silence. With a rough, nasal tenor, coughing or clearing his throat every sentence or two, he addresses the crowd, and his voice is magically magnified so that all can hear.
“We meet here today, under the watchful gaze of Sashia, god of knowledge and artisans, who, from the great Palace parapets, can be seen floating in the ocean, not a mile off the coast (cough!).” All heads instinctively turn in that direction, and some note a dim rainbow arcing downward in the southern sky. “I take this as a fair omen, not only (ahem!) of the power of these Games to draw us ALL together, but of continued prosperity of the great Jenghen Empire, and of our city, known (cough!) far and wide for its prosperity, its strength, and...its BEAUTY!” At this last, the crowd chuckles and cheers. He continues, “(Ahem!) I am astonished each month at the bravery of our gladiators, the skill of our acrobats, and the ingenuity and artfulness of all who make this possible. Foremost among those powers (cough!), the great god Ellosh. We will now have a prayer from the High Priest of the God of War!”
An old man, white haired, his skin wrinkled and hanging loosely off of his bones, advances to the center of the floor. With a word, a blinding golden light emanates from him, and he draws strength to raise high an enormous great sword in each hand. He levitates a few feet above the ground, and his voice, a strange echoing sound, can be heard by all in his prayer to Ellosh. He touches down, the greatswords are handed back to acolytes, and as he makes his way back to his seat on the edge of the floor, the governor stands again.
“And with Elosh’s blessing. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”
And so they do.
There are two dozen men riding horses, camels, and four on elephants, all performing tricks and stunts of daring, hopping back-and-forth from one animal to another, throwing blades, avoiding being trampled by a hairsbreadth, and the crowd oohs and aahs as one.
Seven bards come out, and together perform a rendition of the Orracan song, “Clear skies and falling stars,” while playing Ouds and dumbeks, the whole thing somehow magically louder than their delicate fingers could do on their own. The song carries to the top of the arena, and can be heard projected into the plaza as well. They continue with Jenghen anthems, and more Orracan songs.
The show continues throughout the afternoon.
Two men, accused of worshipping Dreyen gods, are tied to posts and killed by a line of crossbowmen.
There is gladiator combat, three men die in one-on-one battles, the winners are walked around the floor, collecting bouquets thrown at them by admirers.
A group of 50 children holding musical instruments, and a choir of 50 more march out wearing extravagant old folk costumes. A proud woman, stunningly beautiful, wearing silken floral robes of the Great Basin, the train of which flows behind her a good 15 feet carried by more children, walks to the arena floor before the Governor. The children begin to play their instruments, the choir sings, and the woman, who you gather from exchanges among the crowd, is some kind of opera star, solos, accompanied by them all, in an Orracan song of longing, “Friday comes, my love.” The effect is touching to the extreme, and many in the audience well up with emotion listening to the Orracan song, although too, some simply chuckle at the sentimentality. The musicians continue after warm applause, performing two Jenghen anthems before leaving the floor.
There is a break in the action, and sellers of sauce-covered flatbread walk up and down the aisles selling their food at outrageous prices, as members of the crowd come in and out from the long latrine behind the arena.
Two Roc riders land in the stadium as trumpets sound, but unexpectedly, one of the Rocs, which seems quite young, attacks one of the performing camels, ripping off its head in its ferocious razor-sharp beak. Acolytes of Ritha Demsha, there to treat animal injuries, look on in horror. After a brief show of aerial acrobatics, which is less than impressive, the Rocs fly off, and many in the crowd shake their heads in disbelief. “Last year there were six Rocs, and they flew patterns so gracefully and with such control!” says Haniah to Mittens.
There is another execution, as four criminals who were caught selling opium are trampled to death. (Haniah utters a prayer for the men, and turns her head away, but most of the crowd roars approval.)
Then the Governor stands and addresses the crowd once again.
“Today, we celebrate the month of Beauty (cough!). May the Jenghen Empire rule forever, and may its enemies fall. For our final entertainment this afternoon, I give you, our brilliant Bakar Elite!”
Muscle-man Bali and the three other men dressed as Bakar Elite run onto the arena floor and pose with pectorals and biceps rippling, sending the crowd into roars of delight.
“Are they not beautiful? Glistening and pulsing with power. And now, I give you more Beauties...EVIL Beauties (ahem). The enemies of Orraca u Shia, the enemies of the Empire. Women of Drey!” And with that, Varielky, Benita, and four other women, dressed and made up to look like Dreyen barbarians, run onto the floor. There is booing, and men and women alike make rude sexualized gestures and comments.
“What power shall win?” shouts Governor Ullaz.
“Jenghen Rule!” the crowd returns.
“What power shall win?”
“Jenghen Rule!!”
“WHAT POWER SHALL WIN??!”
“JENGHEN RULE!!!”
And Ednyss and Mittens both note that the bet-takers are quite busy, and a great deal of gold is being wagered on this fight.
Normally, Ednyss would be betting on this match. Never one to let an opportunity pass by, and knowing the battle prowess of Varielky he would usually be placing a large sum of money for Varielky to win the bout, but being on guard duty and watching carefully, he decides to avoid betting and focus on watching the arena and the crowd. He pays special attention to three rude folk that he had noticed earlier. Ednyss does give Mittens a wink and a smile though, and watches Varielky's fight with excitement.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Does she get a shield? If so, she'll use a lonsword one-handed and the shield in the other. Otherwise, it'll be a two-handed spear. Either way, a d8.)
Perception #1: 11
Perception #2: 7
Attack 1: 17 Damage: 8
Attack 2: 22 Damage: 5
Attack 3: 11 Damage: 11
Attack 4: 9 Damage: 4
Attack 5: 12 Damage: 9
Attack 6: 23 Damage: 4
Attack 7: 14 Damage: 8
Attack 8: 7 Damage: 9
Attack 9: 7 Damage: 9
Attack 10: 21 Damage: 9
Edit: If it's the sword then it's +2 to damage from Dueling FS for all attacks. Should have thought about it earlier but nvm.
(OOC: Varielky has a shield and longsword, neither of which are her own weapons. They’re “stagey.” And yeah...life sucks without enough apples to go around. Figs, anyone?)
Haniah watches Varielky’s performance with interest after Mittens points her out.
While watching the combat, Ednyss is the first to notice that something is off with Bali. He’s usually a rock, imperturbable, Ednyss gathers, and today, he seems annoyed, or perhaps, in pain.
Varielky fights well -- she slips once in the gravel, drawing a curse from one of the male combatants she’s exchanged blows with, but overall her performance is very good.
The melee is choreographed, set to last over five minutes. Varielky’s last moment is supposed to be when she and Benita in unison lunge at Bali, and he deftly parries. Then after just a few more blows, he knocks out Varielky, and finally, grasping Benita’s ponytail, flings her aside and is the last person standing. That’s the plan. But it’s not what happens.
The moment comes after four and a half minutes for Benita and Varielky to strike simultaneously. But in the instant of their attack, Bali winces in pain. He doesn’t respond as he has the hundred times you’ve rehearsed this exchange. And both of your swords strike him full on, and sink to the hilt in his belly.
The crowd, which up until now has roared with enjoyment, in particular when each “Dreyen” woman has been knocked out, suddenly falls silent. Bali falls to his knees, Varielky sees his eyes grow dim, and spittle rises up on his lips as he falls, his limbs convulsing. The crowd begins to yell and groan, and then a few moments later, there is pandemonium.
Ednyss makes a connection between the spittle on Bali’s lips and the street murder he witnessed in the Docks.
Benita is in shock...she screams, “NO!!!” and cradles Bali’s head in her lap. Apparently there was something between them.
The other fighters have been picked up by a “body cart,” although Varielky and Benita know that they were just acting. Yet...they aren’t moving either.
Ednyss knows from his gambling experience that odds were highly in favor of the Bakar Elite in this match. Very high, and judging by some of the people he saw placing bets, not a few members of the crowd would be paying dearly for their loss. The loud, uncouth men he caught smirking during the melee are now furious. They are accusing the bet-takers of cheating, and two men pull daggers from their boots as the third grabs one of the bet-takers by the collar.
All: roll Perception & Initiative. What do you do?
Ednyss knows that his task is first to ensure that the crowd remains calm and that means keeping this abhorrent idiots from hurting someone. He quickly shouts a divine command at the hooligan holding the bet-taker, saying, "Drop!" If the command succeeds, he shouts at the bet-taker to run. Regardless of whether the command succeeds, he pulls his warhammer out and sprints toward the men.
Free Object Interaction: Draw Warhammer
Action: Cast Command at Hooligan that is holding the bet-taker
Free Action: Talking
Bonus Action: None
Move: Run towards the Hooligans
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Did the second perception roll reveal nothing?)
Perception: 3
Initiative: 13
Varielky hesitates for a second. Should she stay with Benita or... No. This is not a show anymore. When people die, it's a battlefield. "A strong warrior who fell to a dummy attack like this? Something is not right!" She says as she runs to the body cart to check whether the others are still playing or maybe something happened to them as well.
(In case a check is needed, 7 +2 if Perception, +0 if Investigation or Medicine. Those are the skills that seemed appropriate but you can look at the character sheet if it's smth else.)
Varielky hesitates for a second. Should she stay with Benita or... No. This is not a show anymore. When people die, it's a battlefield. "A strong warrior who fell to a dummy attack like this? Something is not right!" She says as she runs to the body cart to check whether the others are still playing or maybe something happened to them as well.
(In case a check is needed, 13 +2 if Perception, +0 if Investigation or Medicine. Those are the skills that seemed appropriate but you can look at the character sheet if it's smth else.)
The second perception roll let Varielky notice that the bodies on the cart weren’t moving, despite the ruckus.
Mittens winces as Varielky's blade sinks into the other gladiator. "I don't think that was suppose to happen. I'm going to go check it out," he says to Hania. He then bounds down the stairs toward the arena, pulling his gem-tipped staff out as he does.
Here is a map of the arena. Varielky’s melee finished in the center of the sand-covered floor. The body cart is near section 2, which is a staging ground for the performers. The Governor and other dignitaries are in section 1, near ground level.
Mittens is in section 11 in a middle tier, and as Haniah says, “Be careful, Mittens!” and casts bless on him, Mittens makes it to the stairs between it and section 12.
Ednyss, in section 12, also in a middle tier, had his eye on the hooligans just below him, and acts fast. Ednyss’ [Tooltip Not Found] works! The hooligan lets go of the bet-taker, who turns to run away from the others. But, they both attack with daggers as he turns, one stabbing him critically in the neck as onlookers nearby scream and recoil in horror.
They grab the money bag and, wild-eyed, the three turn toward the stairs between Section 11 and 12, as Mittens moves towards the same stairs from the opposite direction.
There are similar brawls and confrontations taking place around the arena. The Bakar Elite form a shield wall around the Governor. There is shouting and screaming, and 30,000 anxious people are beginning to stand, looking for the nearest exits but most are not yet moving.
Varielky reaches the body cart and sees that the other four fighters on the cart are indeed not faking death. Although they have only received scratches, if anything, no real wounds. They are immobile and either dead or near death. It doesn’t quite sink in at this moment, but later, when she thinks about it, Varielky may recall that from the slightly opened lips of one of her female fighters, lying on her side, glassy-eyed, a thin line of spittle drips onto the floor of the cart.
Benita la Cass is still crumpled over Bali's dead body.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Varielky runs back to Beinta. "Get up, we must move. I know it's hard but there's no time for grieving right now. Take your sword, you might need it."
Persuasion, if needed, to get Benita up: 9
Varielky also takes a moment to investigate Bali's body. Clearly, he should have been able to stop their attacks, but he didn't. Was he already wounded? Perhaps someone shot a small arrow at him or something similar?
Medicine/Investigation (both have the same modifier): 15
Ednyss gives Shirei-Kin a nod before heading back up to his section. Once he has taken his position and the people start flowing into the arena, he keeps his eyes out for any of the members of his squadron from Lokimarra. As the day continues, he conducts his duties as a guard diligently and carefully checking the watchers to ensure no fights break out.
Perception: 21
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
Response:
Mittens grins as he exclaims, "All right! Do I need to wear anything fancy?"
The next day:
Mittens can barely contain his excitement. For the past few weeks, all he had heard as about how awesome the festival was. Afterall, if so many people thought is was cool, it must be pretty awesome, right? Who knows? He might even see some of his squad members.
As he is waiting waiting with the acolytes, he offers some apples to them that he raised from the pantry. Scanning the audience while munching on an apple, he comments, "Dang, there's a lot of people here today."
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
As Varielky rises she cannot shake the dream away. She never had qualms about whom she fought with - men, women, Humans, Orracans, Chimps, Cats and so on. It didn't matter where they were from or what was the situation - if the gods put them on opposing sides of the battlefield, she'd fight them to the end. So, if all that is true, why is this time so different?
Varielky tries to remember whether she had seen the symbol in the past. Is it a memory or a prophecy? What are the gods trying to tell her? (Religion to try recalling information about the symbol: 20)
When she realises that today is the big day, she puts these thoughts "on hold". She should have plenty of time to ponder about the gods' will, after today. She gets up and gets dressed, taking everything she needs with her (if the equipment is being given by the Arena then nothing, but if she needs her own equipment then she'll take her armour, sword and shield). She then heads out for a quick warm-up jog which she ends in the arena. There should still be time before 12 bells, enough to warm up her fighting.
Varielky
POST #2
With a huge crowd gathering, most from among the city residents, but many from out of town, old acquaintances are reunited, a chimp woman gives a frosty glare to a sailor who had approached with a smile on his face, now downcast; two dwarves with serious expressions shake hands fiercely without a word; acolytes, high priests, craftsmen, farmers, diplomats, and more stream into the gates in excitement, paying more or less for entry depending on how high or low in the stands their spots will be.
The day is brisk, colder than recent days, and many wear an extra layer of clothing, be it a furred hat or scarf, gloves, or a heavy cloak. Sun breaks through clouds, and the sky is dramatic and moody.
As Mittens enters the arena, he is struck by deja vu, as in his peripheral vision, a face from the past seems to float by. But in the enormous crowd, whoever it might have been disappears in a moment’s time, and Mittens rejoins Haniah and the other Acolytes of Moeitu. They find their seats in the upper level of the 4-tiered arena, in Section 11. Just as he sits, Mittens sees, for certain this time, a face he knows, belonging to Ednyss Greybeard.
Ednyss, who has been given a wide sky-blue collar to wear over his cloak, as have the other security guards, while answering a question from a member of the crowd in the adjoining section, senses someone’s gaze upon him. He looks up and locks eyes with Mittens, recognizing him immediately.
Varielky is ready for the day, in the bowels of the arena in a holding room, with Benita la Cass and Bali and the others. Benita paces nervously as she says, “this is the last time I fight in this part of the show. I am better than this, I can be a true gladiator, not just mimicking a rehearsed battle for a crowd. Doesn’t it gall you, Varielky?”
Abodolla is there, and he shows Varielky the promised 30GP, and tells her to return to this room to collect it after the fight. He soon leaves to handle other matters, but the fighting master Kovalenko remains with the group, speaking quietly with Bali.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Hania says the acolytes will wear normal clothes -- robes -- with the sigil of Moeitu, a skull with flowers. Next to them, one might feel self-conscious in underlinens or stained farm-clothes, but anything would be fine. "Wait until you see the governor, high priests, and the upper class of Ishi Ammah. They will come dressed in finery, and I always watch for the emissary from Khazara because I love their headdresses." She takes an apple from Mittens with a very pretty smile. "Where did you get this? It must have been imported from The Kingdoms, an apple at this time of year!"
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky is certain that the symbols were used by the Priest who raised her. She did not make the connection between them and what she saw in Drey until her dream. But now, she's sure they are one and the same.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
So far, all is well, although hard to know if there are any weapons concealed under clothing, and there are three loud and rude sorts in his section Ednyss is keeping his eyes on.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
"It bears no difference. This was a nice way to pass some time but this is not as thrilling as real fights. Everything becomes predictable - even losses. Meanwhile, on a true battlefield you can never know what's about to happen. Will an arrow pierce your skull? Will sudden reinforcements arrive? Will a giant ice-man tear the roof of the inn you're trying to rest in and break the walls, burying you under countless rafters? I've been playing games for too long. It's not all bad, I've made new friends and found plenty of great warriors... but after today I'll leave. At least for a while. I'll definitely come back to see your fights in the next part of the show next time."
Varielky
As he sees Ednyss, Mittens waves at him enthusiastically.
After swallowing his bite of apple, Mittens says, "The family I'm staying with believes an apple a day keeps the doc away, so they're trying to get their grandpa to eat them. I doubt he has the required amount of teeth to even eat these, so I don't think he'll miss a few."
After another juicy bite, he says, "I saw a member of my squad in the crowd earlier. Knowing my squad, some of them are probably competing today."
((Apples are uncommon this time of year?!?! What a miserable life these people live :) ))
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
POST #3
The crowd is enormous, 30,000 individuals on benches placed in the raked arena shell, under which are enclosed practice halls, holding rooms and offices, animal pens, pumps, and all manner of artifice under the arena floor.
From their positions in the Arena stands, Mittens and Ednyss watch, and Varielky can see from the holding room, which has a wide shallow window opening onto the arena floor, as four Sorcerer-Illusionists wearing Jenghen Blue, with shaven heads, tattoos of eyes covering their scalps, take posts at the four compass points on the arena’s floor. Beside each mage, a leather-bound, ancient, rune-covered box which each pulls into place with a heavy golden chain. As they take their places, they fall into a waking magical trance. At that moment, more leather-bound, rune-covered boxes placed in the plaza crackle with static electricity, and from them emanates a three-dimensional representation of the interior of the arena, which is projected above the plaza, itself full to capacity of onlookers of every race and background. The crowd of 10,000 in the plaza yell in delight as the image springs into being, and the sound echoes into the arena.
Trumpeters pace out in formation, and brightly sound their horns, and the Jenghen provincial governor, Therodurk Ullaz, enters with his wife and retinue, surrounded by Bakar Elite fighters. The crowd cheers, as the Governor raises his arms wide, then motions for silence. With a rough, nasal tenor, coughing or clearing his throat every sentence or two, he addresses the crowd, and his voice is magically magnified so that all can hear.
“We meet here today, under the watchful gaze of Sashia, god of knowledge and artisans, who, from the great Palace parapets, can be seen floating in the ocean, not a mile off the coast (cough!).” All heads instinctively turn in that direction, and some note a dim rainbow arcing downward in the southern sky. “I take this as a fair omen, not only (ahem!) of the power of these Games to draw us ALL together, but of continued prosperity of the great Jenghen Empire, and of our city, known (cough!) far and wide for its prosperity, its strength, and...its BEAUTY!” At this last, the crowd chuckles and cheers. He continues, “(Ahem!) I am astonished each month at the bravery of our gladiators, the skill of our acrobats, and the ingenuity and artfulness of all who make this possible. Foremost among those powers (cough!), the great god Ellosh. We will now have a prayer from the High Priest of the God of War!”
An old man, white haired, his skin wrinkled and hanging loosely off of his bones, advances to the center of the floor. With a word, a blinding golden light emanates from him, and he draws strength to raise high an enormous great sword in each hand. He levitates a few feet above the ground, and his voice, a strange echoing sound, can be heard by all in his prayer to Ellosh. He touches down, the greatswords are handed back to acolytes, and as he makes his way back to his seat on the edge of the floor, the governor stands again.
“And with Elosh’s blessing. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”
And so they do.
There are two dozen men riding horses, camels, and four on elephants, all performing tricks and stunts of daring, hopping back-and-forth from one animal to another, throwing blades, avoiding being trampled by a hairsbreadth, and the crowd oohs and aahs as one.
Seven bards come out, and together perform a rendition of the Orracan song, “Clear skies and falling stars,” while playing Ouds and dumbeks, the whole thing somehow magically louder than their delicate fingers could do on their own. The song carries to the top of the arena, and can be heard projected into the plaza as well. They continue with Jenghen anthems, and more Orracan songs.
The show continues throughout the afternoon.
Two men, accused of worshipping Dreyen gods, are tied to posts and killed by a line of crossbowmen.
There is gladiator combat, three men die in one-on-one battles, the winners are walked around the floor, collecting bouquets thrown at them by admirers.
A group of 50 children holding musical instruments, and a choir of 50 more march out wearing extravagant old folk costumes. A proud woman, stunningly beautiful, wearing silken floral robes of the Great Basin, the train of which flows behind her a good 15 feet carried by more children, walks to the arena floor before the Governor. The children begin to play their instruments, the choir sings, and the woman, who you gather from exchanges among the crowd, is some kind of opera star, solos, accompanied by them all, in an Orracan song of longing, “Friday comes, my love.” The effect is touching to the extreme, and many in the audience well up with emotion listening to the Orracan song, although too, some simply chuckle at the sentimentality. The musicians continue after warm applause, performing two Jenghen anthems before leaving the floor.
There is a break in the action, and sellers of sauce-covered flatbread walk up and down the aisles selling their food at outrageous prices, as members of the crowd come in and out from the long latrine behind the arena.
Two Roc riders land in the stadium as trumpets sound, but unexpectedly, one of the Rocs, which seems quite young, attacks one of the performing camels, ripping off its head in its ferocious razor-sharp beak. Acolytes of Ritha Demsha, there to treat animal injuries, look on in horror. After a brief show of aerial acrobatics, which is less than impressive, the Rocs fly off, and many in the crowd shake their heads in disbelief. “Last year there were six Rocs, and they flew patterns so gracefully and with such control!” says Haniah to Mittens.
There is another execution, as four criminals who were caught selling opium are trampled to death. (Haniah utters a prayer for the men, and turns her head away, but most of the crowd roars approval.)
Then the Governor stands and addresses the crowd once again.
“Today, we celebrate the month of Beauty (cough!). May the Jenghen Empire rule forever, and may its enemies fall. For our final entertainment this afternoon, I give you, our brilliant Bakar Elite!”
Muscle-man Bali and the three other men dressed as Bakar Elite run onto the arena floor and pose with pectorals and biceps rippling, sending the crowd into roars of delight.
“Are they not beautiful? Glistening and pulsing with power. And now, I give you more Beauties...EVIL Beauties (ahem). The enemies of Orraca u Shia, the enemies of the Empire. Women of Drey!” And with that, Varielky, Benita, and four other women, dressed and made up to look like Dreyen barbarians, run onto the floor. There is booing, and men and women alike make rude sexualized gestures and comments.
“What power shall win?” shouts Governor Ullaz.
“Jenghen Rule!” the crowd returns.
“What power shall win?”
“Jenghen Rule!!”
“WHAT POWER SHALL WIN??!”
“JENGHEN RULE!!!”
And Ednyss and Mittens both note that the bet-takers are quite busy, and a great deal of gold is being wagered on this fight.
“For Beauty! Warriors, FIGHT!” yells governor Ullaz.
(OOC: Varielky, please roll 10 attacks with your favored weapon for the melee, and also 2 perception rolls, DC15.
Ednyss and Mittens, you both see Varielky come out and recognize her. Do either of you bet on the match? Regardless, roll two perception rolls DC20.)
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Perception Roll 1: 9
Guidance: 1
(Ednyss would be watching while renewing the guidance of Takal Demesh on himself, so I added it to the first roll)
Perception Roll 2: 7
Normally, Ednyss would be betting on this match. Never one to let an opportunity pass by, and knowing the battle prowess of Varielky he would usually be placing a large sum of money for Varielky to win the bout, but being on guard duty and watching carefully, he decides to avoid betting and focus on watching the arena and the crowd. He pays special attention to three rude folk that he had noticed earlier. Ednyss does give Mittens a wink and a smile though, and watches Varielky's fight with excitement.
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(Does she get a shield? If so, she'll use a lonsword one-handed and the shield in the other. Otherwise, it'll be a two-handed spear. Either way, a d8.)
Perception #1: 11
Perception #2: 7
Attack 1: 17 Damage: 8
Attack 2: 22 Damage: 5
Attack 3: 11 Damage: 11
Attack 4: 9 Damage: 4
Attack 5: 12 Damage: 9
Attack 6: 23 Damage: 4
Attack 7: 14 Damage: 8
Attack 8: 7 Damage: 9
Attack 9: 7 Damage: 9
Attack 10: 21 Damage: 9
Edit: If it's the sword then it's +2 to damage from Dueling FS for all attacks. Should have thought about it earlier but nvm.
Varielky
Perception 1: 14
Perception 2: 6
Mittens frowns at the public executions. He often disagrees about how extreme Jenghen punishments are taken, but he couldn't do much about them.
As he sees Varielky down in the arena, he points her out excitedly to Hania. "That's another one of my squad members!"
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
POST #4
(OOC: Varielky has a shield and longsword, neither of which are her own weapons. They’re “stagey.” And yeah...life sucks without enough apples to go around. Figs, anyone?)
Haniah watches Varielky’s performance with interest after Mittens points her out.
While watching the combat, Ednyss is the first to notice that something is off with Bali. He’s usually a rock, imperturbable, Ednyss gathers, and today, he seems annoyed, or perhaps, in pain.
Varielky fights well -- she slips once in the gravel, drawing a curse from one of the male combatants she’s exchanged blows with, but overall her performance is very good.
The melee is choreographed, set to last over five minutes. Varielky’s last moment is supposed to be when she and Benita in unison lunge at Bali, and he deftly parries. Then after just a few more blows, he knocks out Varielky, and finally, grasping Benita’s ponytail, flings her aside and is the last person standing. That’s the plan. But it’s not what happens.
The moment comes after four and a half minutes for Benita and Varielky to strike simultaneously. But in the instant of their attack, Bali winces in pain. He doesn’t respond as he has the hundred times you’ve rehearsed this exchange. And both of your swords strike him full on, and sink to the hilt in his belly.
The crowd, which up until now has roared with enjoyment, in particular when each “Dreyen” woman has been knocked out, suddenly falls silent. Bali falls to his knees, Varielky sees his eyes grow dim, and spittle rises up on his lips as he falls, his limbs convulsing. The crowd begins to yell and groan, and then a few moments later, there is pandemonium.
Ednyss makes a connection between the spittle on Bali’s lips and the street murder he witnessed in the Docks.
Benita is in shock...she screams, “NO!!!” and cradles Bali’s head in her lap. Apparently there was something between them.
The other fighters have been picked up by a “body cart,” although Varielky and Benita know that they were just acting. Yet...they aren’t moving either.
Ednyss knows from his gambling experience that odds were highly in favor of the Bakar Elite in this match. Very high, and judging by some of the people he saw placing bets, not a few members of the crowd would be paying dearly for their loss. The loud, uncouth men he caught smirking during the melee are now furious. They are accusing the bet-takers of cheating, and two men pull daggers from their boots as the third grabs one of the bet-takers by the collar.
All: roll Perception & Initiative. What do you do?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Perception: 11
Initiative: 19
Ednyss knows that his task is first to ensure that the crowd remains calm and that means keeping this abhorrent idiots from hurting someone. He quickly shouts a divine command at the hooligan holding the bet-taker, saying, "Drop!" If the command succeeds, he shouts at the bet-taker to run. Regardless of whether the command succeeds, he pulls his warhammer out and sprints toward the men.
Free Object Interaction: Draw Warhammer
Action: Cast Command at Hooligan that is holding the bet-taker
Free Action: Talking
Bonus Action: None
Move: Run towards the Hooligans
“The mark of a successful DM is when you have caused more player deaths with doors than dragons, demons, or devils.”
(Did the second perception roll reveal nothing?)
Perception: 3
Initiative: 13
Varielky hesitates for a second. Should she stay with Benita or... No. This is not a show anymore. When people die, it's a battlefield. "A strong warrior who fell to a dummy attack like this? Something is not right!" She says as she runs to the body cart to check whether the others are still playing or maybe something happened to them as well.
(In case a check is needed, 7 +2 if Perception, +0 if Investigation or Medicine. Those are the skills that seemed appropriate but you can look at the character sheet if it's smth else.)
Varielky
The second perception roll let Varielky notice that the bodies on the cart weren’t moving, despite the ruckus.
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Perception: 3
Initiative: 21
Mittens winces as Varielky's blade sinks into the other gladiator. "I don't think that was suppose to happen. I'm going to go check it out," he says to Hania. He then bounds down the stairs toward the arena, pulling his gem-tipped staff out as he does.
Action: Dash
Movement move towards Varielky.
DM- Azalin's Doom
DM- Surviving the Unsurvivable
POST #5
Here is a map of the arena. Varielky’s melee finished in the center of the sand-covered floor. The body cart is near section 2, which is a staging ground for the performers. The Governor and other dignitaries are in section 1, near ground level.
Mittens is in section 11 in a middle tier, and as Haniah says, “Be careful, Mittens!” and casts bless on him, Mittens makes it to the stairs between it and section 12.
Ednyss, in section 12, also in a middle tier, had his eye on the hooligans just below him, and acts fast. Ednyss’ [Tooltip Not Found] works! The hooligan lets go of the bet-taker, who turns to run away from the others. But, they both attack with daggers as he turns, one stabbing him critically in the neck as onlookers nearby scream and recoil in horror.
They grab the money bag and, wild-eyed, the three turn toward the stairs between Section 11 and 12, as Mittens moves towards the same stairs from the opposite direction.
There are similar brawls and confrontations taking place around the arena. The Bakar Elite form a shield wall around the Governor. There is shouting and screaming, and 30,000 anxious people are beginning to stand, looking for the nearest exits but most are not yet moving.
Varielky reaches the body cart and sees that the other four fighters on the cart are indeed not faking death. Although they have only received scratches, if anything, no real wounds. They are immobile and either dead or near death. It doesn’t quite sink in at this moment, but later, when she thinks about it, Varielky may recall that from the slightly opened lips of one of her female fighters, lying on her side, glassy-eyed, a thin line of spittle drips onto the floor of the cart.
Benita la Cass is still crumpled over Bali's dead body.
Round 2 actions?
DM for Candlekeep Mysteries // Dev Hornd in Curious Critters // Eclipse Faraway in Gallows Dancer
Varielky runs back to Beinta. "Get up, we must move. I know it's hard but there's no time for grieving right now. Take your sword, you might need it."
Persuasion, if needed, to get Benita up: 9
Varielky also takes a moment to investigate Bali's body. Clearly, he should have been able to stop their attacks, but he didn't. Was he already wounded? Perhaps someone shot a small arrow at him or something similar?
Medicine/Investigation (both have the same modifier): 15
Varielky