[IC] League of Extraordinary Merchants vs Musical Muscles

[Throndir]

Battle Log
[spoiler]Round 1 starts.
Barly drinks Monkey Fish extract, and moves to J4.
Jin activates Rapid Meldshaping.
Aion casts Fortune on Serena, then uses Chant.
Serena casts Mage Armor.[/spoiler]

Turn order:
[spoiler]Barly (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Jin (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Aion (Musical Muscles)
Shandon (Musical Muscles)
Serena (Musical Muscles
Grey (League of Extraordinary Merchants)[/spoiler]

Damage Dealt/Status
[spoiler]Barly: 0
Jin: 0
Aion: 0
Shandon: 0
Serena: 0, fortune (2 rounds), mage armor +4 AC (1800 rounds)
Grey: 0[/spoiler]

Daily Usage
[spoiler]Barly: Monkey Fish extract
Jin: Rapid Meldshaping ability
Aion:
Shandon:
Serena: Affected by fortune
Grey:[/spoiler]

Grid Map
[spoiler]Barly to J4
[/spoiler]

Shandon to take turn.

[Linwelin]

[blockquote]Acrobatics for balance beam:  1d20+7 : 3 + 7, total 10[/blockquote]

[Linwelin]

Shandon did not waste a moment upon recognizing what needed to be done, darting across the balance beam to the west, the air swirling about him playfully as he moved. His quick feet allowed him to reach the other platform in one, nimble sprint, after which he quickly scouted his opponents. There was no reason to hesitate in deciding, as it was obvious which one was the most battle-hardened thanks to his experienced eye. However, he did hesitate. Something told him the man would not be struck so easily. His goal with his swiftness was to get early damage onto his foes, thus he chose to target the one beside him. With a quick, practiced and power flick of both his wrists, the dwarf sent his favored shuriken whirling toward Grey.

Using both Power Attack and Deadly Aim feats. -2 Attack, +4 damage. Also using flurry of blows.

[blockquote]Attack 1:  1d20+3 : 7 + 3, total 10[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Damage:  1d2+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote]

[blockquote]Attack 2:  1d20+3 : 9 + 3, total 12[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Damage:  1d2+7 : 1 + 7, total 8[/blockquote]

[Throndir]

Battle Log
[spoiler]Round 1 starts.
Barly drinks Monkey Fish extract, and moves to J4.
Jin activates Rapid Meldshaping.
Aion casts Fortune on Serena, then uses Chant.
Serena casts Mage Armor.
Shandon moves to west beam, and attacks and misses Grey.[/spoiler]

Turn order:
[spoiler]Barly (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Jin (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Aion (Musical Muscles)
Shandon (Musical Muscles)
Serena (Musical Muscles
Grey (League of Extraordinary Merchants)[/spoiler]

Damage Dealt/Status
[spoiler]Barly: 0
Jin: 0
Aion: 0
Shandon: 0
Serena: 0, fortune (2 rounds), mage armor +4 AC (1800 rounds)
Grey: 0[/spoiler]

Daily Usage
[spoiler]Barly: Monkey Fish extract
Jin: Rapid Meldshaping ability
Aion:
Shandon:
Serena: Affected by fortune
Grey:[/spoiler]

Grid Map
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Grey to take turn.

[Mysticsage]

Grey was the last to move but he was not going to be out done. He unfurled the whip at his belt and drew his rapier from his other side, taking a deep breath he looked over the scene for what was the best move. Seeing an opening he simply watched and waited as he saw the other members of his team moving about. Going into merchant mode he could guess at everything  that was coming next. But if he wanted to be successfule he would have to play smart.

[Throndir]

"First six seconds in and we already have some action!"

"Two people on each side preparing for the fight, and one more on each side risking their way to the next islands. Waters are still pretty calm though."

"C'mon someone die already." The announcer sighed. "It'll make the seas more interesting wouldn't it?"

Battle Log
[spoiler]Round 1 starts.
Barly drinks Monkey Fish extract, and moves to J4.
Jin activates Rapid Meldshaping.
Aion casts Fortune on Serena, then uses Chant.
Serena casts Mage Armor.
Shandon moves to west beam, and attacks and misses Grey.
Grey waits for trigger.
Round 1 ends, round 2 starts[/spoiler]

Turn order:
[spoiler]Barly (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Jin (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Aion (Musical Muscles)
Shandon (Musical Muscles)
Serena (Musical Muscles
Grey (League of Extraordinary Merchants)[/spoiler]

Damage Dealt/Status
[spoiler]Barly: 0
Jin: 0
Aion: 0
Shandon: 0
Serena: 0, fortune (2 rounds), mage armor +4 AC (1800 rounds)
Grey: 0[/spoiler]

Daily Usage
[spoiler]Barly: Monkey Fish extract
Jin: Rapid Meldshaping ability
Aion:
Shandon:
Serena: Affected by fortune
Grey:[/spoiler]

Grid Map
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Barly or Jin to take their turn.

Also keep in mind this:

When moving diagonally into a square where movement is hampered, a creature pays at least 15 feet of movement.

[Lance]

Profit was power.

All his life, Jin found no escape from this simple truth. For with adequate money, one receives food better fit for human consumption, water untainted by the dirt in the road, and a roof capable of shutting out even the fiercest of storms. However, opportunities aplenty lay waiting only for those rich enough to acquire them. Thus, the wealthy were safeguarded from all of life's worries. They received the healthiest of foods, the most luxurious of drinks, and the greatest of all housing. If problems were ever encountered, then salvation was only a couple of purchases away. But as for the poor...

There was no such salvation.

A soundless sigh escaped from the armored man atop the arena's north platform. By growing up as an orphan in the slums of Medina, a desert city built atop ancient ruins, the armed merchant was no stranger to the horror and brutality his own kind were capable of to those in more unfortunate circumstances. As a young boy, he had watched as his elders scraped together all of their hard-earned savings and hidden resources, enduring years of abuse and back-breaking labor all in order to leave behind a meager inheritance. For within Medina's walls, all orphans had banded together, developing a deep camaraderie not seen in many parts of the world. Thus, the elders had toiled unceasingly under society's scorn for mere scraps without any complaint, believing only that their hard work would one day be rewarded. Finally, when they could toil no more, the elders refused to either eat or drink so that their younger brethren would have enough to carry on, if only for a day longer.

In time, the elders died nameless and alone, forgotten in all the world save for in the minds of the children left behind. Their bodies were buried in an empty patch of ground not far from the city by hands seemingly too small for the task. The tombstones were composed solely of pebbles stacked crudely one atop another in some odd fashion; It was a sloppy job, but it afforded the orphans some semblance of peace whenever they drew near. However, even that was taken away from them when a Noble of Medina needed room for his new mansion. Thus, after all that labor and sacrifice, the only reward awaiting Jin's elders was an empty grave... and a bitter lesson:

The poor die not because they lack merit, but because they lack money.

Years passed but fate was no kinder to those in the following generation. A drought had encroached upon the city, provoking more dread than any frequent bandit raid ever could. The oasis was nearly dry and what little water remained came at an extravagant price. The wealthy were fine, of course. After all, what did a few extra gold coins matter to those swimming in millions?

However, to those whose net assets could be counted on a single hand, to those like Jin, those "few extra gold coins" meant the difference between living another day or becoming tomorrow's fertilizer. Ergo, many among Jin's generation slowly died of thirst in that unforgiving city. Even Jin himself had felt as if he was knocking on Death's door on more than one occasion. However, Death never answered any of his calls no matter how hard things became for the young adolescent or how fervently he knocked.

It didn't take long before, in an act of desperation, over half of the weakened orphans chose to follow their elder's example and refused any further food or drink. They then gave what little they had to those among them that had remained healthy and strong despite the bitter ordeal-those with the greatest chance to survive. As a result, in the many nights that followed, countless tears were shed in the obscure alleys and passageways that the poor called home.

The cries and moans of hundreds began filling the night's air... much to the noble's annoyance.

A curfew was immediately put out and any caught creating a "disturbance" during the nightly hours was summarily hanged, tortured, and executed in full public display. The crying stopped soon after and the nobles rejoiced. Great banquets were put into order in glorious celebration of the curfew's success: Fine wine was poured into golden goblets and sumptuous meals were laid upon silken sheets. The rich had the time of their lives, ordeal or not.

However, life only grew more bleak for the rest of the city-folk. Amongst the orphans, even with half their number diminished, there was still too few resources left for the remainder. They could only stifle their tears and harden their expressions as they carefully weighed their options. For at their current rate, even if they continued sacrificing everything for one another, it would still not be enough. By the time the drought is overcome, they would all have long been reduced to dust.

[spoiler=That left only one alternative.]

They would leave the city.

http://www.youtube.com/v/twCHjRQkz7c&autoplay=1

[/spoiler]


The endless sands awaited the orphaned adolescents for they had decided to take the first steps towards preparing for their journey. However, such an undertaking was more difficult than it seemed. In order to even begin crossing the enormous desert, they would need supplies and in order to obtain supplies... they needed money.

Taking charge, Jin, in an attempt to overcome the crisis, began gathering everything the Medina orphans had ever accumulated over the years, with the intention of selling what could be sold and processing what could not. Over the course of time, the other orphans handed him old rags, broken toys, shards of glass, half-shattered vases, books with missing pages and a dusty piece of some ancient map.

His prospects seemed dreary yet that did little to sway Jin's determination: From the rags, he stitched together patch-work clothes. Then after a careful sweep of the old toys, he fixed those not beyond full-repair. Next, by using the glass shards, he painstakingly created various ornaments. As for the vases, those were cut cleanly into narrow, cultured bowls. The stories hidden within the torn books, however, were a lost cause, but Jin still found that the pages could be used as crafting materials.

Finally, the diligent youth turned to the map.

Honestly, when he had first held that archaic map piece in his hands long ago, Jin was not filled with much expectation. After all, the design was unpolished, the directions vague, However, amongst everything he had been given, Jin would later find that that old map piece with frayed edges and crude drawings would prove to be his most valuable asset. Though he had been unaware of it at the time, it was everything he could have ever hoped for and more.

"In times of crisis," the map piece had read at the very top though the young adolescent could neither make out the words nor read it even if he did. Like many of the Medina orphans, Jin's limited knowledge of the written language consisted only of what he had pieced together himself. However, what he did know was that the map pinpointed a very certain location in the city. Naturally, having grown up in the city of Medina, Jin immediately recognized the general location and with little else to do, decided to take a look. Only, when he began nearing the location pointed out in the map, he began to realize how carefully hidden his destination really was. He had already run through a complex labyrinth of unused alleys, dove underground into a man-made cave lighted up by glowing rocks (which the youth was unable to tear out even when his muscles strained and his fingers bled), and navigated past a series of side-tunnels similarly lighted.

After going through so much, he had been tempted to turn back many times throughout the journey, and indeed any sane man would have. But Jin was desperate-if not for himself, then for those who depended on him. If not for the map, however, Jin was certain he would have gotten lost many times over. Just one wrong turn and he'd end up gods-know-where without a guide and with only glow-rocks for company.

It was maddening and at this point, as he advanced after brushing away cobweb after cobweb, he was confidant that even after a couple hundred years, there would be none capable of finding such an elusive, out-of-the-way location by mere chance. Finally, several hours in and countless cobwebs later, the map had lead him to a large underground dome where the concentration of glow-rocks were at their highest.

Strange decorations were drawn all over the room...

[spoiler=And one symbol in particular was predominately placed on the center floor.]

It looked familiar though Jin was certain he had never seen it before.

[/spoiler]


Likewise, the rest of the dome's interior felt surreal to the adventurous youth. Despite the passage of time, the timeworn walls still exuded an aura of mystery and strength. For a millennium had passed and yet, inside these ruined walls, Jin could still feel the same majesty present during its first creation. He had actually felt tranquil there-a feeling wholly absent from Jin's everyday life in the cut-throat streets of Medina. If but for a moment, he truly felt at peace. Gone were the rigors and hardships he had faced all of his life. While basking in that silent ambience, without the duties and restraints holding him down, he found he could truly be himself.

In retrospect, that was perhaps the first time he had ever genuinely relaxed in his life.

When he finally broke from his reverie, he began to notice the treasures around him for what they were. Rows upon rows of golden-trimmed chests lay lined up along the walls and shelves of the domed enclosure, their contents glimmering with untold riches. It was a breath-taking sight, more so to the poverty-stricken adolescent who had never once touched silver, much less gold.

However, it wasn't the gold that had so captivated the youth inside that room; For atop a pedestal at the very center of the room lay a bright crimson gem more vibrant than ruby and more lustrous than even gold. That same familiar symbol was etched upon its surface and sparked as he drew near, as if compelling him to reach out and grasp it.

So that's exactly what he did.

Thinking his problems were finally solved, Jin carefully examined the gem on his hand, eyes aglow. He had never laughed often, but he could not help himself now as his hands closed around the priceless gem. This was it! He had thought excitedly. The other treasures aside, after selling such a priceless jewel, he was certain that he and his compatriots would never again have to worry about their finances.

Forget water, armed with such wealth, they could even purchases wine-and in the gallons! The possibilities were endless when one has money: From this point on, they would graduate from their customary stale bread and brown water, the scraps thrown away from the dinner table and the slop even wild beast hesitated to consume. They'd be able to purchase living quarters more grandiose than the ruined structure they dwelled in. They would sleep on proper beddings and pillows not carved from rock.

...As soon as he gets back, their lives would all change for the better.

However, so caught up was Jin in his plans for the future that he hadn't noticed the gem's crimson light growing brighter with each passing second. The first thing he became aware of was the searing pain, more agonizing than having a thousand needles pierce his skin and grind his flesh. Then a flash of crimson burst around him, before the gem began painfully burrowing into the hand holding it. Jin could only watch in horror, his face locked in an excruciating howl while he fought to keep his consciousness from fading.

And though his willpower eventually won out, by that time, there was no longer any trace of the gem on his hand, only a familiar symbol dyed in deep crimson.

To make matters worse, debris began falling down as the ceiling crumbled and the dome shook itself apart. Jin knew a quake when he encountered one, but he wasn't about to leave empty-handed. Thus, he took a curved approach towards the exit, making sure to pass by as many golden chests on his way out. He took as much gold with him as his small hands could carry but he dared not tarry too long for even all the gold in the world was useless to a dead man.

With a jump and a quick roll, he managed to make his way out of the dome just in the nick of time. When he looked back, the entrance had already collapsed and all that remained of the treasure was forever sealed from the outside world. Jin had immediately frozen then, spending the next few moments staring vacantly at the rubble blocking his way back into that lost treasure trove.

For in that moment, he had it all! If only he had ignored the gem and prioritized moving out the chests... he would be living the good life along with everyone he had ever grown up with. Jin could only grit his teeth in helplessness however, he knew regret would not save them from hunger and thirst. Only money was capable of such things and fortunately for Jin, he had managed to grab some before he left. Altogether, it wasn't much, not even a discernible fraction of the dome's accumulated wealth but it was enough to accomplish what he had been trying to do since coming there.

He was going to leave that rotten city.

Unfortunately, the quake had damaged the tunnel passes, forcing Jin to back-track on more than one occasion. In some cases, there had even been a shortage of glow-rocks, which caused no small amount of distress. The youth simply clawed his way through the darkness, inching forward with his bare hands in those tunnels housing unseen dangers.

Time passed and it wasn't until several days later that Jin finally emerged from the hidden tunnels back into the city of Medina. Hunger and thirst had been hounding him for the past few days and Jin was honestly surprised he had found the strength to make it back to civilization. For whenever his will faltered and his muscles refused to move again, a crimson warmth would spread throughout his body, lending further vigor to his exhausted form. Thus, he rose time and time again no matter how fatigued his frame became or how weary his soul.

He came out a changed man, undergoing transformations in both body and spirit. He became faster, stronger, and more attuned to his own being than he had ever been. But that was not the greatest thing that had happened since his return.

Jin immediately headed towards the orphan quarter, his pockets overflowing with gold.

In no time at all, he managed to gather all of Medina's orphans and promptly distributed his newfound wealth among them. They then wasted no time in procuring vital supplies by learning first-hand the finer arts of bartering. However, such a large undertaking did not go unnoticed by the city. After all, it was a momentous event for the down-trodden folk of Medina and later a source of inspiration for many. Thus, even when the orphans had lacked the necessary funds to purchase their goods, kindly merchants had gladly lowered the price and even threw in several extra products with a smile.

Finally, they were ready.

The large group of orphans led by Jin arrived at the city gates before the crack of dawn, amidst the perpetual bellows and jeers of the upper-class. Knowing full well that such a motley group could only meet with disaster in the ever-shifting wastes. the nobility sent disdainful looks their way, glad to be rid of their company. For their part, however, Jin and the others held their heads high despite the criticism. The judgement of the upper-class never held sway over them and besides, in mere moments, they would be free.

But as the group prepared to depart, they were stopped by several kind and familiar voices amongst that sea of ridicule-it was the merchants. They had come bearing gifts: large sacks of luxurious food, sizable caskets of water, carts to carry their goods, and something the wide-eyed orphans never thought to consider-weapons.

Jin's entourage accepted the merchant's generosity with open arms. Excitement washed over the two groups before they parted warmly, much to the open derision of the high-seated nobles. It was then that the sun finally crested the horizon, marking the start of a new day and the dawn of their first journey.

---

<Will add the rest later; It turned out getting longer than I thought it'd be. Just posting today to move the RP along.>

[Lance]

[spoiler=Actions]
Jin uses a swift action to reallocate his essentia. He then uses his move action to get to C6. Finally, he uses his standard action for the Leading the Attack maneuver while applying the Lightning Gauntlet's damage to that strike.

Attack (Incarnate Weapon): [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 14 + 12, total 26[/blockquote]
Damage (Incarnate Weapon: [blockquote]Rolled 1d8+8 : 4 + 8, total 12[/blockquote]
Damage (Lightning Gauntlets): [blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 6, 2, total 8[/blockquote]

Incarnate Weapon: 4 (Capacity Expanded)
Mantle of Flame: 1
Lightning Gauntlets: 1 (Chakra Bind: Hands)
Cerulean Sandals: 2

-Stone Bones
*Stone Vise
*Crusader's Strike
-Vanguard Strike
Leading the Attack

Next Round's Maneuver: [blockquote]Rolled 1d2 : 1, total 1[/blockquote]

[/spoiler]

[Rocky D:Drive]

As he sat in the water, Barly took another breath. He headed to the side island, feeling a great want to be on a sturdy bit of land. He swam, reaching out his hand to the edge of the island to climb on. If successful, now on K6, Barly pats himself down, now safe on land. He shakes a bit of water off and looks towards the opponent island with only two people in view. He quickly turned to his own team, signalling to them. He looked as if he had a plan, but had no intention to execute it at that moment.

[blockquote]Swim Check 1d20 : 14, total 14[/blockquote]

[Throndir]

Battle Log
[spoiler]Round 1 starts.
Barly drinks Monkey Fish extract, and moves to J4.
Jin activates Rapid Meldshaping.
Aion casts Fortune on Serena, then uses Chant.
Serena casts Mage Armor.
Shandon moves to west beam, and attacks and misses Grey.
Grey waits for trigger.
Round 1 ends, round 2 starts.
Barly moves to C6.
Jin moves with cerulean boots, and attacks Shandon and deals 20 damage.
[/spoiler]

Turn order:
[spoiler]Barly (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Jin (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Aion (Musical Muscles)
Shandon (Musical Muscles)
Serena (Musical Muscles
Grey (League of Extraordinary Merchants)[/spoiler]

Damage Dealt/Status
[spoiler]Barly: 0
Jin: 0
Aion: 0
Shandon: 20
Serena: 0, fortune (2 rounds), mage armor +4 AC (1800 rounds)
Grey: 0[/spoiler]

Daily Usage
[spoiler]Barly: Monkey Fish extract
Jin: Rapid Meldshaping ability
Aion:
Shandon:
Serena: Affected by fortune
Grey:[/spoiler]

Grid Map
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Aion or Shandon to move.

[Bootman]

Aion nudged Serena. "I need to to stick close to me so I can guide you. Don't wander off more then two dozen feet or so." He said forcefully, trying to get across the importance. He took a few steps forward, barely getting within range of Shandon. Once more another ripple through the fabric of time, and Shandon could now control it to a degree as well. The energy of nature swirled around him, feeling the warrior with a certain assurance, as if destiny was on his side.

"Shandon! Don't wander off any further or you'll lose my assistance!" The young man shouted before channeling his powers yet again, patching up the holes he had just created in nature.

[spoiler] 5ft step forward, Fortune on Shandon and then Chant to add one round to both him and Serena, keeping them both at 2. [/spoiler]

[Throndir]

@Lance PM/msg when able. Want to understand the 8 Essentia points, and max 4 allocation for Incarnate Weapon.

Essentia Capacity for lv 5: 1
+1 Expanded Soulmeld Capacity class feature
+1 Improved Essentia Capacity feat
Total: 3

Essentia Points at lv 5: 5
+1 Midnight Dodge feat
+1 Soul Sight feat
Total: 7

What ability/feat did I miss?

Shandon or Serena to move

[Throndir]

Battle Log
[spoiler]Round 1 starts.
Barly drinks Monkey Fish extract, and moves to J4.
Jin activates Rapid Meldshaping.
Aion casts Fortune on Serena, then uses Chant.
Serena casts Mage Armor.
Shandon moves to west beam, and attacks and misses Grey.
Grey waits for trigger.
Round 1 ends, round 2 starts.
Barly moves to C6.
Jin moves with cerulean boots, and attacks Shandon and deals 19 damage.
Aion casts Fortune on Shandon, then uses Chant.
[/spoiler]

Turn order:
[spoiler]Barly (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Jin (League of Extraordinary Merchants)
Aion (Musical Muscles)
Shandon (Musical Muscles)
Serena (Musical Muscles
Grey (League of Extraordinary Merchants)[/spoiler]

Damage Dealt/Status
[spoiler]Barly: 0
Jin: 0
Aion: 0, fortune on Serena (2 rounds), fortune on Shandon (2 rounds)
Shandon: 19, fortune from Aion
Serena: 0, fortune from Aion, mage armor +4 AC (1800 rounds)
Grey: 0[/spoiler]

Daily Usage
[spoiler]Barly: Monkey Fish extract
Jin: Rapid Meldshaping ability
Aion:
Shandon: Affected by fortune
Serena: Affected by fortune
Grey:[/spoiler]

Grid Map
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]

Shandon or Serena to move.

[Throndir]

Bugging for actions/posting for Shandon by 9 PM PST tomorrow.

[Throndir]

Shandon takes 5 ft. step away, t hen casts Sanctuary on himself.