MASKTOURN

Somehow, the arena has once again been transformed- from a thick forest to a sparse desert. A hot, midday sun beats down upon the contestants, illuminating the sand dunes in shades of bronze and gold- isn’t it supposed to be night? A coarse desert wind sweeps through the arena, providing little respite from the extreme, dry heat. A large, mountain-like structure stands at the center of the arena. At the top is a dome-like observatory with windows to the outside, and in the center of that dome is a plinth holding the fight’s relic- a small piece of a shattered tile mosaic. Both contestants enter into the same area. Before them stretches a vast expanse of sand, and beyond that, a door built into the side of the mountain. “Welcome, contestants, to the next match within the tournament. This fight is between Kalel Marcoyauro Valdez, representing the Bird team, and Asha Eliudyouri Issa, representing the Snake team.” “The goal of this match is to retrieve the relic in the temple at the center of the arena. The first to place a hand on this relic, or the first to knock their opponent unconscious, will be deemed the victor. The loser will be put to death. Good luck to both competitors, and may the spoils of war go to the rightful victor.”

This arena is divided into TWO PARTS: the desert and the temple. You must reach the final area to retrieve the relic and claim victory.

To pass through the desert you have two options:

Roll 5 CONSECUTIVE successful dexterity (stealth) rolls (dc of 10)

OR 

Fight 2 sandworms

Sandworms wake after a failed stealth check. They have 10 hp each and attack without modifiers for d5 damage each turn. Your character will only be fighting 1 worm at a time, and the second worm will appear directly after the first is dead. Once both worms are dead, your character has a clear shot to enter the temple 

To pass through the temple, you must pass through 5 puzzle rooms. Solving a puzzle requires a successful intelligence check of 10 or higher.

Once your character has completed the final puzzle room, they will arrive in the observatory where they can retrieve the relic and win. 

Contestants can only attack each other if they are both in the desert at the same time, or both in the same puzzle room.

modifiers Asha Attack: 1 Defense: -1 Initiative: -1 Stength: 1 Dexterity: -3 Constitution: 1 Intelligence: 2 Wisdom: 2 Charisma: 2 Magic: 0 Divine Intuition: 0 Character Name Kal Valdez Attack: +2 (+4 with powers) Defense: +4 Initiative: 0 Strength: +2 (+5 with powers) Dexterity: +3 (+6 with powers) Constitution: +4 Intelligence: -5 Wisdom: -7 Charisma: +5 Magic: -7 Divine Intuition: -5 hp: asha: 19 asha worm 1: dead asha worm 2: dead kal: 12 Kal worm 1: DEAD WORM Kal worm 2: dead (edited)

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs pinned a message to this channel. 7/10/2024 11:49 AM

Once Kal exited the prep room, he stood on his end of the arena. He began to stretch, hoping to shake out the anxiety that he was feeling. Of course, it didn't go away, but at least he felt a tiny bit better! As he stretched, he couldn't help but glance up at the arena stands. It felt nice to know that a few buddies had shown up for support, but Kal also felt a bit more anxious knowing that they'd have to witness- Whatever would happen here. His eyes focused back on the sand in front of him.

Well, much like Kal, Asha stepped out to the arena. She at first seemed calm, but as soon as she was fully in the arena, she screamed and fell down to her knees, shaking terribly. She couldn't even focus on Kal, or the arena, or the mountain, as her hands gripped tightly at her hair. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 11
Details:[d20-1 (12)]

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 15
Details:[d20 (15)]

"Alright, I guess we're getting this party started.." Kal took in a deep breath. He tried not to look at Asha- All he needed to do was move foward. Just move forward. Whatever would happen, it'd happen. Stay strong. Just- Move and groove!

11:58 AM

(Kal stealth roll)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 26
Details:[d20+6 (20)]

(HOLY SHIT)

2/5 kal stealth check

Zoom!

As Kal ran off faster than humanely possible, Asha managed to somewhat focus. "KAL!" She screamed, loud enough for him to still be able to hear. "Pl-please! Give up! You can't win!" If he was far enough ahead he would definitely survive, but she didn't want to lead with that. She tried to follow what he had done..

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 2
Details:[d20-3 (5)]

The sand around Asha shifted, and a sandworm erupted from the ground! It's mouth was about 7 inches in diameter, and it was at least 6 feet long. It lunged at Asha-

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 8
Details:[d20 (8)]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 15
Details:[d20-1 (16)]

And missed completely, becayse it had no eyes.

"EH- WHAT IS THAT?!" Asha screeched and flung herself across the sand, out of the way of the strange creature. This was not in Mlipuko. She hit the ground a bit awkwardly and winced, holding her hand over her side.

When the ground shook and the worm appeared for Asha, Kal skidded to a halt as he looked back at it. "ALASKAN BULL WORM?!" Kal shouted. "What the heck? I saw a popcorn bucket of this thing!" His gaze remained focused on the wormy before he looked ahead. Right, had to keep on moving-

12:06 PM

(Kal stealth)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 15
Details:[d20+6 (9)]

3/5 kal stealth (edited)

He continued forward!

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# -2
Details:[d20-3 (1)]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 1
Details:[d5 (1)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 8
Details:[d20 (8)]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 21
Details:[d20+1 (20)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 1
Details:[d5 (1)]

... In the frenzy Asha may have landed on the tail of the worm.

As the Chaos™️ continued in the background, Kal pushed himself forward, desperate not to look back. If he did, he'd likely give up and do something reckless. Right, now wasn't the time for recklessness.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 8
Details:[d20+6 (2)]

The sand around Kal shifted, and a sandworm erupted from the ground! It's mouth was about 7 inches in diameter, and it was at least 6 feet long. It lunged at Kal-

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 1
Details:[d20 (1)]

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 5
Details:[d20+4 (1)]

(OH MY GOD)

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 5
Details:[d5 (5)]

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 5
Details:[d5 (5)]

(OH MY GOD)

the most pathetic worm ever...

"OH, WORM-" Kal yelled as the worm lunged at him. For the funsies, they made a collision as Kal attempted to jump away. He dropped into the sand, wincing as his head vibrated- Vibrated? Yeah, that's a good word. It vibrated with pain. Achey. [Kal's at 20 HP]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 16
Details:[d20+1 (15)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 1
Details:[d20 (1)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 13
Details:[2d5+4 (4 5)]

Asha pushed herself up to her feet, just as the worm was rearing up another attack. "NO!" She screamed and lunged forward at it first. She reached her right hand forward and straight in to its mouth- and not even a moment later- it exploded with a BANG! Guts flung out far and wide- a few even landed on the back of Kal's shirt as he ran away..

that's one dead worm!

As he pushed himself up to his feet, Kal felt as the worm guts landed on him. "Ugh- Gross!" Kal gagged. He looked at the worm in front of him. "You guys are nasty- No offense." 'None taken.' He imagined the worm responding. What a chill worm. Too bad he'd have to fight it.

12:17 PM

(Kal attack)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 12
Details:[d20+4 (8)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 19
Details:[d20 (19)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 2
Details:[d20 (2)]

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 11
Details:[d20+4 (7)]

The worm was just staring at Kal... well, as much as a blind worm could

He didn't have explodey powers like Asha. All he had was his hands, which he balled up into fists and made an attempt to hit the worm with. Sorry, chill worm. Kal had to win. He leapt up at it in an attempt to hit it, but he missed. (edited)

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 5
Details:[d20-3 (8)]

The sand around Asha shifted, and a sandworm erupted from the ground! It's mouth was about 7 inches in diameter, and it was at least 6 feet long. It lunged at Asha-

Asha picked herself up and tried to run forward again...

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 15
Details:[d20 (15)]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 4
Details:[d20-1 (5)]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 5
Details:[d5 (5)]

(Asha is at 20HP)

The worm lunged at Asha and knocked her to the ground. Yikes!

Man, she hadn't even gotten out of the first area yet.. She collapsed back to the ground and gasped this time as she felt something in her hip definitely move in a way it wasn't supposed to. Her body trembled as she tried in vain to lift herself up again, but couldn't.

(Kal attack)

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 11
Details:[d20+4 (7)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 6
Details:[d20 (6)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 7
Details:[d5+3 (4)]

All it took was one punch, baby! Kal jumped up and reared his fist back. "Sorry, buddy!" Kal shouted. "You're the best worm-pal any Kal Pal could have!" With that, he decked the worm.

The worm collapsed to the floor, very dead....

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 7
Details:[d20+1 (6)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 4
Details:[d20 (4)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 6
Details:[d5+4 (2)]

She threw out another flare at this worm from her spot on the ground, which wasn't as effective as entirely blowing it up.

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 2
Details:[d20 (2)]

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 5
Details:[d20-1 (6)]

The worm, clearly angry, lunged at Asha, but just missed her.

Now that his beloved worm was dead, he continued forward. Stealthily.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 21
Details:[d20+6 (15)]

4/5 stealth areas kal

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 12
Details:[d20+1 (11)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 7
Details:[d20 (7)]

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 7
Details:[d5+4 (3)]

DEAD WORM!

Asha sent a whole firework at the the worm, which exploded in to a beautiful array of colors and sparks. As that worm exploded, she tried to get up, but faltered as she put weight on to her right side. She grunted and fell back down to the sand.

As another worm exploded, he continued to move forward.

Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

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# 13
Details:[d20+6 (7)]

5/5

The final staircase leads up to the observatory- it’s bright and open, and filled with thick, lush greenery. Naiyta is there, lounging near the relic and playing a slight tune on its flute. It paused its music as Asha and Kal ascended, and smiled. "Ah, you're finally here. At the same time. Unfortunate.... I suppose you'll just have to race from there." They shrugged, and climbed onto the plinth that held the relic. They picked it up for a moment, then repositioned it near their feet. "First to touch the relic wins." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Out of the puzzle rooms now, Kal was momentarily blinded how the brightness of the outside world. He blinked a few times as he listened to Naiyta. He glanced back towards Asha- Big mistake- And got ready to start running. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha had an agonized expression as she kept up with Kal going up the stairs. At the very top one she finally stumbled and fell down to her knees. "N-no- KAL! If you touch that relic, I'll never forgive you!" Asha shouted. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal stilled slightly. However, he had to keep going. “I’m sorry, Asha,” Kal apologized, his voice heavy with grief. Long gone were his smiles and his lighter tone of voice. This wasn’t the time for it. “I’m sorry- I-I really am..” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Inatosha! Kal!" Asha scolded and dragged herself forward. "You selfish, awful, irredeemable mtoto wa mbwa! Wewe ni mjinga!" She took in deep breaths as she kept crawling at an agonizing pace. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

8:35 PM

(Stop, "son of a bitch", "You are an idiot")

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to live, Asha- M-my life matters, too!" Kal repeated Darcy's words, though they felt- Hollow. They didn't ring true. No matter how badly Kal wanted to believe those words, he simply couldn't. Keep moving, keep moving. "I might not- Know what I have to live for, but- I'll figure that out, I'll find out who I am. I'll find out what I'm meant for- I'm- Sorry, I'm really, really sorry, Asha.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Th-there is a big problem with it, Kal, wh-when it's making me die!" Asha yelled. "Wh-what makes you so sure you'll figure out a life's purpose?! I-i already have one, people need me, what are the odds you go back to the city and go back to being a homeless kupe!" ("Bum" basically) @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal flinched and winced at her tone. The last part in particular was hurtful. "I-I'll figure it out," Kal spoke, albeit, rather weakly. "I'll.. Figure it out." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Fuck you, Kal! Fuck you!" Asha swore as her arms finally gave out from under her. She fell fully to the ground and sobbed, banging her fists on the ground. "I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! G-go get the stupid relic and die with me then!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal didn't say anything else. Nothing he would do would soothe Asha or lessen her hatred. No, she had every right to hate him. Kal hated himself as well. He deserved to be hated. As he approached the relic, it took everything in him not to just throw himself away from it. Something in him wanted to live, even if he wasn't aware of what it was. Why was this desire there? What- Why did he want to keep going? His body moved on its own. He approached the relic, knelt down, and took it into his numb hands. This was it. He sealed her fate. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

The tile mosaic was cool to to the touch, and not particularly heavy... Naiyta smiled a cold, dark smile as Kal took the relic. It climbed down the pedestal, and took his hand into theirs. "Victory to Kalel! Tonight the birds will feast!" It worked out well, in the end. A victory for each side. Naiyta let go of Kal's hand, and walked over to Asha... @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (

Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

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# 9
Details:[d20+1 (8)]

(Def)

(nays def?)

(Yeah)

innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

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# 22
Details:[d20+5 (17)]

(yeah)

(What if it misses Naiyta and hits Kal instead HGJKSDFGHF)

(She wasn't shooting anything off)

9:14 PM

Asha lunged forward toward it, pure rage contorting her face, but she ended up just collapsing down in front of its feet. "I-i'll kill you!" Asha shouted and glared up at it. "D-don't fucking touch me!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal made a face as he heard Asha yell. He wanted to turn away, but he forced himself to watch. He needed to watch. After all, he's the one who did this to her. This was all his fault. All his fault. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta scoffed, like a tired adult dealing with a tantrum-throwing child. "Shut up, will you?" It rolled its eyes, and put a hand over her forehead. She'd only have seconds left to comprehend the touch before her heart stopped, taking her brain soon with it. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Asha shot her hand up and grabbed it's wrist as it touched her forehead. She was nowhere near strong enough to push it away. As soon as her heart stopped, she collapsed limp on the ground, and her hand fell with her. .... Tick. Tick. Tick...... @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal closed his eyes as Asha dropped to the ground. The explosion would be coming any second. Any second now. Maybe it would finish the job and just off him. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta quickly walked away from Asha as soon as she fell, and ushered Kal away with it. It said nothing, but watched Asha's corpse expectantly. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, if you were within viewing range of Asha, you were not safe. From her heart came a blinding orange light that shone out through her back. It spread for mere moments before- BANG! A massive explosion blasted out, destroying anything in its wake. It burned hot and bright. ... The only thing left of Asha was a puddle of blood and some small bits of viscera lying around in random spots.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟 (edited)

The blast decimated the greenery and decor of the arena, even most of the sand, but as the sand cleared, Naiyta stepped away... completely unscathed. They brushed away some debris and dust from their pale body. "Ugh. Guess that deals with the cremation." It frowned. Kal... would also be alive, though his body was now covered in dust, debris, and burn scars. He ached, entirely. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

9:32 PM

(kal is knocked to 1 hp)

Kal rested on his back, staring achingly into the sky. He knew that there was a lot of damage done to his body, but it was difficult to process it. His ears were still ringing and everything hurt. Asha had been there just moments before, but now- She was gone. It was all his fault. All his fault. His hand limply grasped the relic. In his other hand, he felt something brush against it. Slowly turning his head to look, Kal's eyes widened when he saw that it was the photograph of Asha's family- Or at least, what remained of the photograph. Most of it was burnt away, but- Parts of it was still visible. The family he had ruined with his own selfishness. Kal shut his eyes and gently curled burnt fingers around the photograph. This would be his burden to carry for the rest of his miserable, god damn life. Would it have been worth it? It didn't feel worth it already. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Naiyta took the relic from Kal's grasp, and healed him just enough he'd feel like walking again. A pair of bird-masked attendants ascended to the ruined area at just that time, and helped Kal up, practically carrying him out of the arena. "Well, onto the funeral." Naiyta hummed, and left with then. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal let himself be carried. The man kept his head bowed, dark hair blocking his eyes from his surroundings. All he could focus on was the photograph in his hand. Off to the funeral they go.. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs