OOC: Jemal, are you still with us?
Approaching the City: Dragon's Flight
Pryzm sees the city walls ahead, the gate the humans use below, the top of the wall above. Humans with crossbows stand on the top of the wall and some of them have taken note of her flight. The crossbows start to rise, pointed in her direction.
Odon's shoulders slump as Pryzm takes off, "Damn." The half-giant starts to trot after the dragon, trying to keep her in sight. Aohdan is able to outpace the half-giant and manages to keep up with Pryzm as she nears the city walls.
Meanwhile, Shayuri's father turns to face her, anger creasing his features. He looks into Shayuri's eyes and the anger melts away, though the disappointment does not. "Go, then."
Shayuri, Valen and William see Aohdan and Odon chasing after the distraught dragon, who is approaching the city walls.
The Candle District: Peril at Every Turn
Aleera rolls her eyes and grabs Renaldo by the sleeve, "We don't have time for this, you foppish fool. I saw you at the archery shoot and last night we killed a plague-mad dragon at the Guild tavern. Satisified?"
The elven woman pulls Renaldo toward a nearby tavern entrance as the thugs close in.
The Debate Tent: The Debate Begins
Alaric recalls from his studies that doppelgangers are shapeshifting creatures originating in Thay (and thought to have been created there). He also recalls that they have the ability to detect thoughts, which enhances their disguise abilities.
Johen, Alaric, and Muzdum are called to the morderator's table to hear the rules of the debate, as well as about a dozen other contestants including Lady Devera de Sisan, Lady Nineveh d'Anovia, and Vashar, the young Thayvian the group rescued the night before at the Adventurer's Guild tavern after the plague-mad silver dragon's attack.
Estelle is asked by a guard to take a seat in the audience. Audience seating is filling up rapidly, with some spectators forced to stand in the back of the tent. An odd sensation emanates from the rapiers, a feeling of foreboding, as if danger were present.
The judges double check the sign-up sheets upon finding two entrants missing, then call out, "Is there a Shayuri or Aohdan present?"
When their absence is confirmed, the moderator frowns and continues, "Let it be noted that Aohdan, competing for Lordship of Silvergard, and Shayuri, competing for an unclaimed territory, have forfeited the debate event."
He proceeds to explain the rules, "Entrants will be paired by random drawing during the first round of the debate. The winner from each pairing will move on to the next round, the loser will be eliminated."
OOC: The Rules of the Debate.
Each round of the debate works as follows: The moderator will pose a question. A coin toss (1d2 on Invisible Castle) determines who goes first. The first debater will be able to state their viewpoint on the question (a Diplomacy check, with a circumstance modifier between -2 and +2, as determined by the DM, applied based on how well you express your answer. The second debater may then rebutt (Diplomacy check, with the same potential modifier). The second debater then gets to make their answer, with their opponent also having the opportunity to rebutt (again, Diplomacy checks). Finally, each entrant is given the opportunity to make closing statements (one more opposed Diplomacy check).
Wnning the round allows you to continue on to the next round and earns one point toward overall tournament standings. Winning all three opposed checks in the round earns you two points toward overall tournament standings. Getting a natural 20 on any of the three rolls and winning the round earns you five ponts toward overall tournament standings.
Pairings
Since the rounds are single elimination, by luck of the draw, one debater will get a pass on the first round, though that individual won't earn any tournament points either.
Lady Nineveh vs (one of the less important NPCs)
Johen vs Londa (a noble born woman from Guare competing for Lordship of Guare) - Roll 1d2. On a 1 Johen goes first.
Muzdum vs Durani Von (a halfling man competing for Lordship of Sisan) - Roll 1d2. On a 1 Muzdum goes first.
Lady Devera vs (one of the less important NPCs)
NPC vs NPC
Alaric vs Deidrich (a farmer from a northern province competing for one of the unclaimed territories) - Roll 1d2. On a 1 Alaric goes first.
NPC vs NPC
Vashar (competing for an unclaimed territory) gets the first round pass.
The Prize
A gold chalice worth 500 gp.
[sblock=DM's Notes]Current Tournament Point Totals - PCs and important NPCs only
0 - Aohdan (Silvergard)
2 - Valen (Silvergard)
4 - Captain Jannus (Vedlund)
7 - Shokar (Silvergard)
7 - Shayuri (Unnamed Territory)
11 - Muzdum (Silvergard)
16 - Lady Devera (Sisan)
Tournament Events
Day One Morning: Opening Ceremony
Day One Afternoon: Archery (Shayuri, Aohdan, Valen, Muzdum, Jannus, Lady Devera, Shokar) - Done. Winner: Lady Devera
Day One Evening: Debate (Shayuri, Aohdan, Johen, Muzdum, Alaric, Vashar, Lady Nineveh, Lady Devera)
Day Two Morning: Fox Hunt (Valen, Johen, Muzdum, Jannus, Lady Nineveh, Shokar)
Day Two Afternoon: Wrestling (Aohdan, Valen, Muzdum, Alaric, Vashar, Shokar)
Day Two Evening: Oratory (Shayuri, Johen, Muzdum, Alaric, Vashar, Lady Nineveh)
Day Three Morning: Joust (Aohdan, Valen, Muzdum, Jannus)
Day Three Afternoon: Castles (Shayuri, Valen, Johen, Muzdum, Alaric, Vashar, Lady Nineveh, Lady Devera)
Day Three Evening: Drinking Contest (Shayuri, Aohdan, Valen, Muzdum, Alaric, Jannus, Lady Devera, Shokar)
Day Four Morning: Dueling (Shayuri, Aohdan, Valen, Renaldo, Muzdum, Alaric, Jannus, Vashar, Lady Nineveh, Lady Devera, Shokar)
Day Four Afternoon: Deliberation of the Judges/Grand Fete
Day Four Evening: Bestowing of Titles and Lands/Closing Ceremony[/sblock]
