An Efreeti Challenge

[Matafuego]

One of my players has been the keeper of a relic forged by ancient efreet in the Plane of Fire, in the Famed City of Brass.
The powers were gradually discovered and the Sword embodies the strength of Fire, and IS Fire. Now after some years the sword is slowly awakening and will want to return to it's "native" (if that word can be used) plane.
Of course the efreet who lost the sword hundreds of years ago recently found it in the hands of this mighty barbarian.

The sword would like to return to it's home plane, but she's not too fond of being "used" by the efreet again... And the player has been great both with her and without her, proving himself a worthy handler.

So I was thinking something along the lines of a Contest, the Efreet would challenge the barbarian to a duel or something like that to prove he's worthy, although they wouldn't like to lose the sword again so they would "arrange" things.

Could anyone help me on what could the contest be or maybe throw in some ideas?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Piratecat]

This is a cool idea, but first I need to know - does the efreeti suggest the contest, or the sword? Because if it's the efreet, he's totally going to try and rig things in his favor. If it's the sword, she'll try to make a condition of winning transport back to the plane of fire, but will try to rig things in the barbarian's favor.

 

[ConnorSB]

I would have answered, but P-Kitty asked exactly the right question to make me want to ponder some more. I'll be back...

 

[Matafuego]

The contest is suggested by the sword, she does not like efreet very much, although she has served for them in the past and doesn't hate them. She enjoys a lot the battles in the hand of the barbarian who constantly struggles (and defeats) ice creatures (frost giants, white dragons, etc). But the sword has also grown some "home sickness", she misses her plane.
The efreeti would do anything on his power to get the sword back, but he doesn't want to anger her either, there's nothing worse than a treacherous sword in combat.

 

[Matafuego]

Bump?
Any help?

 

[Piratecat]

So if that's the case, the sword will try to stay relatively neutral. She'll suggest a battle ground that doesn't favor one combatant too much over the other (so no water or ice battlegrounds.)

I suggest a cave. The lower ceiling will help prevent the efreeti from using his flight extensively, and you can have different levels and pools and stalagmites for cool tactical maneuvers. For extra fun, make the cave formed almost completely out of gleaming quartz crystal; it'll feel like fighting in the inside of an ice cube, and that's kind of cool.

 

[Matafuego]

the fight inside an ice cube is a great idea, it reminds me of one of the Conan movies
The thing is... IF (and WHEN) the Barbarian wins, the Efreet wouldn't be too happy, in fact I smell some kind of "stealing party" but they're lawful (and in good terms with the Baatezu, my campaign's BBEGs) which means lots of further problem.
And could the barbarian make an "access" to the elemental plane of fire in his stronghold?? I can't seem to find any of these anywhere, and the sword would certainly love a trip "once or then" to his home plane.