Rain slicks the platform as Con stands with the brass bell looped in his striped tail. The rogue remains beside the ropes, while the slate clerk stays behind at the eastern gate.
Marrow
Keep it moving, dangerous-tailed demon! The bell must remain in motion until the judges declare its claimant.
The tusked goblin lowers his shoulders and charges across the wet boards. Opposite him, the masked elf circles quietly, seeking an angle beyond Con's tail.
the lanky staff-bearer
The rope! Drive him toward the narrow boundary and force the bell outside his reach.
The staff-bearer points toward a narrow boundary rope, then shifts his padded weapon into both hands. Blue sigils shiver beneath the competitors' feet.
the tusked goblin
Stand still, horn-head! I will take the bell and toss you after it!
Marrow
No blood, no broken bones, and no sulking when cleverness defeats you. Begin!
“I chuckle lightly. Con: "Yes, weird, lanky guy. Yell your plans out loud so I can hear them."”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +3)
Con
Yes, weird, lanky guy. Yell your plans out loud so I can hear them.
Con chuckles lightly, the brass bell swaying from his striped tail. His remark carries across the rain-slick platform, and even the masked elf pauses to listen.
the lanky staff-bearer
I was only stating the obvious! The goblin drives him toward the rope, then I sweep the tail aside.
the tusked goblin
You fool! Why would you tell him that?
The goblin's charge falters as he glances toward the boundary, while the staff-bearer awkwardly reconsiders his announced angle. Their coordination unravels in plain sight.
Marrow
Excellent! Mockery has exposed their entire strategy. Judges, mark the demon's advantage, and award him a commendation for tactical disruption.
A judge beneath the awning raises a blue pennant in Con's favor. The sigils brighten beneath his feet, granting him a clear claim to the platform's center while his opponents hesitate.
“I playfully scoff while walking around the platform. Con: "Bold of you to assume I actually have to do anything to be these dumbasses."”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +1)
Con
Bold of you to assume I actually have to do anything to be these dumbasses.
Con playfully scoffs and strolls around the platform, the brass bell swaying from his striped tail. Rain beads on his hoodie as he leaves the others scrambling to track him.
the tusked goblin
You are mocking us while carrying the prize? Stand still and fight, horn-head!
the lanky staff-bearer
He is not wrong. If he keeps moving, we cannot force him toward anything.
The masked elf silently adjusts her path, but Con's lazy circuit keeps the bell beyond her reach. The blue sigils pulse beneath him, recognizing his effortless control.
Marrow
A devastating philosophy, delivered with admirable confidence. Judges, mark the distinction between winning and merely allowing others to lose.
Laughter ripples from the watching competitors. The goblin stamps after Con, the staff-bearer blocks his way, and their attempted formation collapses before it can close.
“I pause, looking at the elf with a smirk. Con: "Random question. Are you single? And I never got your name."”
SUCCESS (Fair Willpower, rolled +1)
Con
Random question. Are you single? And I never got your name.
Con pauses mid-circuit, smirking at the masked elf while the brass bell sways from his tail. Rain whispers over the boards as the goblin and staff-bearer halt.
Veyra
A remarkably casual question for someone currently carrying the prize. Yes, I am single. My name is Veyra.
The elf lowers her hood just enough to show sharp green eyes and a narrow, amused face framed by silver hair. Her dark mask remains tied across her mouth.
the tusked goblin
Are we truly stopping for courtship while the bell is in play?
the lanky staff-bearer
He asked a question. She answered. That seems fair under the rules.
Veyra
Do not mistake an answer for surrender, horn-head. Keep walking if you like, but I have your rhythm now.
“Con: "Sure you do." I look over to the rogue. Con: "Hey. How long do I have to walk around for?"”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +1)
Con
Sure you do.
Con turns his smirk from Veyra toward the rogue, continuing his lazy circuit as the brass bell sways from his striped tail. Rain taps the boards.
Con
Hey. How long do I have to walk around for?
Marrow
Until the judges declare your claim secure, dangerous-tailed demon. At this pace, that should be very soon.
The rogue raises her crimson banner toward the awning. A judge confers with two assistants, then lifts a blue pennant as the sigils brighten beneath Con.
Marrow
There. Your circuit is sufficient. The bell, and the first trial, belong to you.
the tusked goblin
That is victory? He barely did anything!
Veyra
Barely doing anything was precisely what defeated you. An irritatingly elegant result.
✓ Quest Accepted
Advance to the next tournament trial
“I turn to Veyra. Con: "That's exactly what they called me in middle school. Say, how's your evening looking? Got any of me in it?"”
FAILURE (Fair Willpower, rolled -2)
Con
That's exactly what they called me in middle school. Say, how's your evening looking? Got any of me in it?
Veyra's green eyes narrow above her mask. The flirtation lands, but her attention shifts briefly to the brass bell and the judges' blue pennant.
Veyra
Your evening already contains one victory, one public spectacle, and an alarming amount of confidence. I doubt it has room for me.
She steps closer, lowering her voice beneath the rain and surrounding laughter. Her gaze flicks toward a narrow practice yard beyond the tournament platforms.
Veyra
Still, after the final trial, that yard has fewer spectators. If you want my attention, earn it without hiding behind a bell.
the tusked goblin
He won fair! Do not offer him another challenge before I get mine!
Veyra
There is your answer, horn-head. Not tonight as you imagined it, perhaps. But the evening is not entirely closed.
“I just grin. Con: "Music to my ears." I look over to the rogue. Con: "Hey, uh... Whatever your name is. What's next?"”
SUCCESS (Fair Reasoning, rolled +3)
Con
Music to my ears.
Con
Hey, uh... whatever your name is. What's next?
Con grins toward Veyra, then turns his attention to the rogue. Rain glitters on the bell still hanging from his striped tail as nearby competitors listen in.
Marrow
My name is Marrow, dangerous-tailed demon. Next comes the second trial: cross the old watchtower yard, seize a marked pennant, and return before the sandglass empties.
Marrow snaps her crimson banner toward the narrow practice yard. Its gates swing open, revealing leaning stone pillars, hanging ropes, and blue-lit runes beneath the mud.
Marrow
You may face the yard alone, or accept the company of one rival. Choose quickly, because the judges have already placed your name first on the starting slate.
Veyra
A private yard, a timed challenge, and your name leading the slate. Try not to become dull now, horn-head.
✓ Quest Accepted
Complete the second tournament trial
− Scene Quest Removed
Advance to the next tournament trial