The New Years Festival, It begins...

[Gaius]

As Max clarified his offer of help, a look of understanding joined the smile on Connall's face. "Mmm. Well, then." He wasn't sure how much of what the mage could tell him would really be of use, but he knew he might be surprised. Of his monastery, he was one of the best versed in magical lore (admittedly, in that he was versed at all), and in his studies he'd sometimes found a theory or anecdote that spoke to the fighter in him. "I'd say you're right. If there're any tactics or advice you've picked up, I might just benefit from 'em."

Continuing down the streets, Connall turned his head to follow Max, Jolinar, and Akana as they agreed they would not be participating. He presumed the same of Colo and Quell. The monk gave a nod. "Alright, same basic plan I had before, then: I win on my own. Even better, with a healer, a tactician, and a few people with a reason to root for me." Connall smirked just a bit. He'd been looking forward to the tournament before, but now the four hours couldn't pass quickly enough. A part of him wondered if taking the help was right, but it was quickly silenced. Hearing combat advice meant nothing if he didn't know enough to parse the useful from the rest, and healing simply insured he was in top form. 'Like the Master says, fight with less than you have, and you dishonor your opponent. Everyone I fight today deserves my full strength, and they're gonna get just that. Besides, like I need to cheat.' While some of his talk was just bravado, the monk really didn't think expect to be going down that day. Time would tell if the mysterious figure seeking him could change his mind.

As the smithy drew near, Connall shrugged at the bard's oddly pertinent question. "Guess I'll see what they've got. Odds are, I'll be better off empty-handed than with any weapon of theirs, and armor'd just slow me down." He added thoughtfully, "Course, if they've got anything light and magical... might be worth a look."

[The_Vizir]

Max smirked up over his glasses at the cleric "Ahh, the burden of a priestess of the Dawnflower, to protect the weak and heal the sick, letting the glory of the battle pass them by. Yet, your goddess does ask her followers to be as the healing sun, does she not, while my ancestors, despite being of the blood of Osset, would much prefer I try to at least do something worth song and praise, so maybe it is indeed best we follow your suggestion, at least for the time being." The small syth flashed a fanged grin, before turning to the monk "Tactician. I like that," a slight adjustment to his robe as Max straitened himself up, "Well then, my good monastic brother, I do hope I can live up to that title today" Anything that made victory a little more certain, Max thought to himself as he looked around the group. Fate had an annoying habit of playing games if one didn't tie it down with certainties.

As for what he himself would seek to pick up here, Max kept quiet. He doubted there would be anything of interest to him... armour was not something he ever dealt with, and he was horrible with weapons. Maybe the smithy would have some trinkets in store they'd be willing to part with, or scrolls or potions. Anything that might prove to come in handy later. He'd just have to wait and see, right?

[forgerofsouls]

[DM's Comment]
I'm just going to have you guys enter the place.
[End Comment]

[Narrator]
The group finds themselves in front of a large building, on the outside it looks like your typical white bricked building, no flare, other than a sign that reveals in to be the Boneyard Smithery. But, strangely enough, for a store like this, there is no window to show what it sales. The group pushes open the single door to the place and steps inside, revealing a wide variety and array of armors, weapons, trinkets, potions, skulls, and other random assortement of items. Far in the back a counter can be seen where behind it stands a human male. He stands about 6'11" has a heavy muscular build with dark green eyes and black hair.
He wears a heavy appron covered in grease, tar, and who knows what. Under the appron is a heavy tunic, and covering his lower body is a pair of heavy jeans. He eyes you as you enter.

"Greetings and welcome to the Boneyard Smithery." He said smiling.

[DM's Notes]
Best bet would be to talk with me via PMs and or UV chat for your choices of gear. Also, make sure to tell him about black sending you and that the keys have fallen. That will allow you to get gear....without spending money. Of course, as I noted earlier...I think I did anyways...but regardless...what he has in stock is what you can get.

[colosusjokers]

While walking to the smithery colo had been writing out a list of what he wanted at the rear of the group. While writing the list he kept pointing to everything he saw that was either red, blue or green and saying the color out loud making it seem as though he was keeping a tab of how many of each color he saw on the paper.
bluff: 17 (roll 5 + 12 skill) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2437288/

Upon entering the blacksmith Colo looks at the blacksmith and says "Um....some guy in a getup says we are the chosen ones and a bunch of keys fell from the sky. You got some free stuff for us or what?"

Colo walks up to the counter and slips the smithy the folded parchment with his list on it. On the outside of that list the words I'll pick these things up later when the rest of the group isn't around can easily be seen so that the smithy knows this list is to be kept secret including from the group.

sleight of hand: 28 (18 roll + 10 skill) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2437289/

On this list is:

two light bags of holding

+4 glamered shadow chainshirt of etherealness

ogre power gloves +2,

scroll of spider climb

3 scrolls of permanency

scroll of enlarge person

dusty rose ioun stone

boots of elvenkind

folding boat

+4 quarterstaff

4 dagger sized blades

a ring

short sword blade

2 chains(1 15 foot and 1 8 ft)

scroll of explosive rune

40 steel bars

80 sq. feet leather

5 adamantine bars

everburning torch

10 smokesticks

flint and steel

masterwork crafting kit(leather and metalworking)

bedroll

[SmiterOfFoes]

Entering behind Colo, Quell sighed as the bard seemed to always pipe up with a comment that could make situations difficult. "I thoroughly apologize for our companion here. Black, from the Whiteruby Sword Guild, sent us here to pick up some equipment. He also wanted us to inform you that the keys have fallen."

Quell began to search through the smith's merchandise, picking up:
Belt of Giant Strength +4
Amulet of Health +4
Bag of Holding II
Stone of Alarm
Boots of Leviation
Deep Red Sphere Ioun
Dusty Rose Prism Ioun
Clear Spindle Ioun
Ring of Protection +2
Ring of Mind Shielding
Cloak of Resistance +4
Goggles of Night
+3 Gleaming Chain Shirt of Quickness
+2 Holy Burst Quarterstaff
+3 Returning Rock of Undead Bane
Bedroll
Everburning Torch

[Luxon Cobrat]

(OOC: Forger has told me to go ahead and post.)

Sense motive: 25 (roll 17 + 8 skill) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2493295/

As the group entered the smithery, Akana also sighed at the Bard's latest antics. It was hard to believe someone could be so out of it that... that...

Actually, it was a bit hard to believe.

"Seriously, now?" she asked, turning on the bard and looking a bit miffed. "That's starting to get a bit over the top, don't you think?"

Well, whatever. He could play the fool if he wanted, though she didn't like the idea of deceit in a group of people that needed to be able to trust each other. Either way, the cleric would be keeping an eye on him, watching for any deceptions that could prove more malevolent.

Moving along, she rummaged through the store as well, picking up a few items that interested her.

+5 Mithril Breastplate
Handy Haversack
Masterwork alchemical silver dagger
+1 Holy Light Mace
Masterwork elven curve blade
+1 Flaming Light Crossbow
Wand of Cure Medium Wounds
Ring of Feather Falling
Ring of Sustenance
7 days’ rations
Bedroll
Waterskin
Whetstone
Everburning Torch
Goggles of Night
Headband of Inspired Wisdom
Bracers of Armor +2
Amulet of Natural Armor +1
Golembane Scarab
Belt of Giant Strength +4
Belt of Dwarvenkind
Eyes of the Eagle

Weighing the two belts a bit indecisively, Akana eventually put on the Belt of Dwarvenkind and decided her new haversack had enough room for other belt, as it might come in handy eventually. The Everburning Torch and the Goggles of Night could fit in there too as, although they were a bit redundant, a bit of redundancy never hurt anybody when it didn't cost anything. As for the elven curved blade, she wasn't good with that type of weapon yet, but finding a decent one here did give her the chance to pick it up so that she could start practicing.

[Gaius]

Sense motive: 13 (roll 5 + 8 skill)

After giving the Bead another look of approval (and noting how much he liked to hear his own), Connall turned the duet of sighs into a trio. 'Hm, Akana's losin' her cool...' He couldn't blame her -- believable or not, Colo's act was exasperating. But, ignorant of the facade as he was, it seemed so small a thing to upset someone from a temple. This might have seemed a bit of hypocrisy on his own easily-riled, temple-raised part, but he'd always known his temple, and his place in it, were a little... different. 'Figured others'd be calmer... Too soon ta call?'

In any case, Connall gave a nod to the giant of a man, as he (soon enough) got the situation from the group. He thought the guy might need a little more, though. "Right. Dunno how much in the way o' proof this is, but..." He held out the back of his hand, and focused. The flow of energies came more easily, now that he knew what to 'look' for: with trivial effort, the room gained a rune-shaped light source. Only for a moment, though. He didn't see the sense in keeping it around, with the danger of someone... less savory coming along.

"Well, that's the case. Gotta be prepared." He began making like his compatriots, looking over the immense treasure trove for the cream of the crop. The monk wondered, however, if they were really supposed to just grab what they pleased. Emphasis on the 'just.' "Hm..." The place was packed to the gills with such variety... Connall didn't know what else to do but chuckle a little. "I can't see how ya could have any more than what's out here. But... Any chance ya've got anything special, not for sale?"

His question asked, he went as thoroughly as he could through the wares, asking the owner, the priestess, the bibliophile, or any others who looked knowledgeable if he had trouble with identification.

((Finished))

Cold iron Kama
Silver Nunchaku
_Shuriken (50)
_Cold iron Shuriken (50)
_Silver Shuriken (50)
_+1 Holy Shuriken (50)
_Holy Amulet of Mighty Fists
_+2 Shocking Amulet of Mighty Fists
Amulet of Natural Armor +1
Bag of Holding Type 4
Belt of Giant Strength +2 (others)
Belt of Giant Strength +4
Belt of Mighty Constitution +2 (others)
Belt of Physical Perfection +2
Boots of Elvenkind
Boots of Speed
Bracers of Armor +1 (others)
Bracers of Armor +2 (others)
Bracers of Armor +3 (others)
Bracers of Armor +5
Cloak of Resistance +1 (others)
Cloak of Resistance +2 (others)
Cloak of Resistance +5
Dust of Disappearance
Dust of Dryness
Gem of Seeing
Handy Haversack
Headband of Inspired Wisdom +2 (others)
Headband of Inspired Wisdom +4 (others)
Headband of Mental Superiority +4
_ Ioun Stones (Dusty rose, Deep Red, Pale Blue, Pink, Dark Blue, Pearly white)
Medallion of Thoughts
Robe of Eyes
Robe, Monk's
Stone of Good Luck
Ring of Blinking
Ring of Force Shield
Ring of Protection +1 (others)
Ring of Protection +4
Ring of Water Walking
Wand of Mage Armor
Wand of Barkskin
Wand of Protection From Evil
Wand of Enlarge Person
Wand of Magic Weapon
Wand of Magic Fang
Scroll of Permanency
Scroll of Greater Magic Fang lv 20

((To those of you blinking at the list -- and believing Connall's cursed form suits his level of restraint -- at least he's friendly enough to share. ))

Connall seemed to take Akana's thoughts on redundancy to their logical extreme. There were plenty of nice things that set his eyes to sparkling, but the Ring of Water Walking stood out. 'Convenient...' He thought he'd introduce it to its new home on his finger, later. While he planned to don a number of other acquisitions, in case of trouble along the way, many more disappeared into both the Bag of Holding and Handy Haversack he had found. What he put on in a moment would soon join them; he couldn't use them for the tournament, after all.

Speaking of things he couldn't use: the wands. While useless in his own hands, the right ones could give any of the physical types assembled (and then some) quite a boost. With some preparation time, they'd be quite a boon. Presuming he told anyone about this plan. But, despite intending to mention this plan, he paused, wands in hand, when his eyes chanced on a couple of... rather appealing scrolls. Smiling at the thought, he waved over Akana and Max. Plainly visible as the the wands remained, his focus was clearly on the parchments. "Not now, for sure, but... how well d'you think these two'd work together, someday?"

((_NEW_I asked forger a question, and he's asked me to let everyone know about a slight rule adjustment.

Minor rule adjustment on Bags of Holding:
The listed weight for a Bag of Holding is the maximum amount it will weigh; the Bag will weigh as much as its contents (plus the negligible weight of an ordinary sack), unless this weight exceeds the listed weight (15, 25, 35, and 60 lb. for a Bag of Holding I, II, III, and IV respectively)))

[The_Vizir]

((sorry about the wait... been working my arse off over the past month here, and haven't really had time to post at all...))

After a silent nod to the owner of the establishment as he entered, Max spent several long minutes looking around the Smithy's inventory, taking out a small notebook and jotting down several things therein. He completely ignored the party banter, humming and hawing to himself, consumed in his own cataloguing. If he was impressed by the shear quantity of adventuring gear before him, the bead noble didn't show it. He did mutter some offhanded responses to Connall when he did ask for help identifying items, putting his education to some beneficial use. Finally, he looked up and realized his entire group was done gearing themselves up. "Really?" the arcanist noted with some shock "You... well, that was quick." He gazed over the remainder of the store with a small sigh and drooping ears, before gathering himself up and heading over to the proprietor. "I think this will be all I'll need here, good man. Should be more than enough to save the world, I do believe!"

Staff of Rapture
Masterwork Light Crossbow
Cape of the General
50 Bolts
Lenses of Darkness
Ring of Wizardry I
Ring of Detect Thoughts
Ring of Mystic Healing
Robe of Arcane Might
Gloves of Lightning
Amulet of Retributive Healing
Tome of Worldly Memory
Lesser rod of empowerment
Wand of Magic Missile CL 5
Wand of Cure Light Wounds CL 5
Ring of Protection +2
Headband of Mental Prowess Int and Wis +2
Blessed book
Braces or armour +2
Dusty rose ioun stone
Decanter of endless water
Lesser prayr beads
Amulet of Spell Conversion
Quill of Scribing
+2 skillful short sword
Vest of Resistance +4
Monocle of Perusal
Boots of Striding and Springing
Belt of Many Pockets
Chime of Interruption
Cube of Force
Glass of Distance
Pearl of Power – 1st lvl
Pearl of Power – 2nd lvl
Sentry’s Eye
Stone of Good Luck
Golden Eagle Epaulets
Ioun Stone – Cracked Dusty Rose Prism
Ioun Stone – Amber Spindle
Wayfinder of Passage
Autonomous Chartographer
Troll Styptic (10)
Infinite Scrollcase
Backpack
Bedroll
Silk Rope
Parchment (50 sheets)
Ink (2 vials)
Silk Rope
Holy Water (5)
Alchemist's Fire (5)
Acid (5)
Liquid Ice (5)
Collapsible Pole
Pocketwatch
Magnet
Cooking kit

Max slipped on the Belt of Many Pockets, and grunted approvingly as it resized to fit his smaller frame, and began sorting the majority of his acquisitions into the pouches on it, or into the rather mundane backpack he had also acquired. The infinite scrollcase and wayfinder of passage found themselves looped around his new belt, with the ioun stones inserted into the wayfinder. Max looked up at Connall as he mentioned the scrolls "Hunh... that's quite the combo there. Not certain how well it's work in your case..." the bead looked over the monk, then shrugged "But who knows!"

[forgerofsouls]

[Narrator]
As the large man listened to what everyone said, his eyes followed the bard all the way up to the point when the bard handed him a piece of paper. A list no doubt the large man thought to himself. But he was wiser than he looked. He had already caught on to the bard the second the bard had started to act up. But with how the situation was, he didn’t think that the bard was doing anything wrong. Just that he was acting stupid.

”Oh! Really! The keys have fallen you say! That’s good news! My name is Danisen Herold Irkollu. I’m the owner and chief blacksmith of this here joint.” He said smiling. He then turned his head to the two females in the group and looked them up and down. ”Eh? What are these? You want the special mithral bikinis!” He told the two. He than turned his head to the monk. ”Eh? Special sold behind the scenes stuff? Do I look like a drug smuggler to you?” He said crossing his arms.

He than turned to the door that was behind him and opened it up, immediately a heavy heat could be felt from the other room, along with strong smells of who knew what. ”Orillia! The key people have come, and the obviously suspicious bard wants to pick up his stuff later!” He yelled into the back room.

A few seconds after his out burst an Elven woman with blue eyes and black hair tied into a bun on the top of her head standing no more than 4’6” and rather petit looking came out from the other room. She wore heavy clothing, the type on would wear to protect oneself during heavy labor in a blacksmith shop. She also wore an apron with pockets and a few bandoliers with many alchemical substances in them on her frame. And in her right hand was a slightly oversized frying pan. Which with greater speed than one her size should be able to move at, smashed it into Danisen’s face. As he went limp and slid down the frying pan’s back, a trail of blood marked his fall. As he fell to the ground he spoke. ”Hey everyone, meet my wife! Orillia Irkollu! With her famous +5 Husbandbane Frying Pan!” He managed to finish that before hitting the floor.

”I must apologize for my husband’s rudeness, I did overhear the comment on the…ahem…mithral bikinis. And do not worry about him, he will be fine.” She said as she gave a slight bow, her blue eyes completely emotionless, her face stoic. ”We have been expecting you for some time now, and actually have some packages for you all in the back, if you will all wait here I’ll go get the packages.” With that said she turned and walked right back into the back room, closing the door behind her.

Danisen got up at that point and stood up, grinning like the fool he was. ”Gods I love her.” Was all he had to say.

[DM’s Notes]
No…you can’t have the frying pan, she only made one.
And yes, they are actually married.

Danisen's checks

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2601472/ - Sense Motive
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2601474/ - Perception

[colosusjokers]

Colo wonders for a moment what they have for him and the others before deciding to get his kazoo out and play a tune while waiting.

perform - 21 (9 on roll and 12 on skill) (the tune -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWUnmkyL ... re=related)

[SmiterOfFoes]

Quell could only stare dumbfounded at Colo as he was playing. "If he keeps this up, this will be one long journey" Quell thought. The soulknife went ahead and started packing his gear in his bag, but putting his belt and two rings on. One could never be too careful,and it could never hurt to have some extra brawn and some protection in case things went sour on short notice.

[Luxon Cobrat]

Akana only rolled her eyes at the "metal bikini" comment. Despite having gotten momentarily riled at the bard, she was generally calm enough. The frying pan incident, however, stunned her momentarily, leaving her uncertain of how to react until the blacksmith proceeded to introduce his wife. At that point, she just shrugged and accepted it, giving a nod at the elven woman's apology for her husband.

Once the elf departed, Akana also proceeded to put on the gear she had picked up with the exception of the breastplate, which would need to wait until she had some time.

She didn't really mind the kazoo. Her annoyance at the bard for his feigned incompetence didn't turn her completely against him- it just meant that she would be more suspicious of him than she would be of the others. There seemed to be some skill to the performance, at least, though both the song and the choice of instrument seemed strange to her.

[Gaius]

Connall gave the syth a nod. "Ah. Just remembered reading how some people've tried for a long-term magic boost, and how something like this did the trick. Figured I'd check with someone who might know better." A shrug, and a small smile at seeing the little guy wasn't quite done shopping/readying himself. "Not the time, though, maybe?"

The giant's response struck him as... confrontational. The monk was sure of himself, but still found he wanted to take a step back. He didn't, of course, but he kinda wanted to. "Drugs?" Connall kept a faint smile, but his eyes narrowed a little. "Sure. Drugs. I wanna get a fix from an armory. Made sense ta me." He then shrugged, presuming he'd gotten a 'no' in answer.

And then... an interesting matrimonial display. Connall blinked. "Uhh... Thanks," he said to her retreating back, guessing there was something secret in back. Anyway, the frying pan maneuver may not have been expected, but it more caught him off-guard than truly surprised him. After all, someone small knocking down someone nearly twice the size... 'Prob'ly more fun than doing it at an eighth. ... Rrrreally glad it's sunny today.' An in-door tournament would also be acceptable.

While waiting, Connall took a cue from the others, slipping the highest each of his Ring of Protection, Ring of Force Shield, Monk's Robe (rather liking the heady rush of understood technique) , Headband of Mental Superiority (rather liking the heady rush) , Bracers of Armor, Shocking Amulet of Mighty Fists, and Belt of Physical Perfection. They wouldn't be on long, but chance favored the prepared, should anything happen on the way. "Didn' think my trip would mean wearing this much jewelry."

[The_Vizir]

Max was about to respond to Connal's comments, but was rendered mute as the spectacle of humanoid behaviour that unfolded before him. Parts of him amused, shocked, and genuinely confused as to what just happened. Finally, he dropped his head into his hand and sighed something along the lines of "Humans..." followed by a string of muttering in his native tongue. His assessment wasn't helped much by the sudden burst of 'music' from the giant bard's... instrument of choice. Really? A kazoo? Well... thought the brun as he flattened his ears against his head in a mostly futile attempt to block out the music This'll be fun, won't it?

Then, self-consciously adjusting the sleeves of his new robes or arcane might and noting to himself that even with their magical properties that allowed holes for his wings to form, they still didn't shorten enough for the bead's rather small form and making a mental note to get it hemmed before they left the city, he looked up at the rest of the group "Well, now that we've got more magic on us than a small-sized wizard's college, you all feeling up to the task of getting us our first world saving shard?" the bead noble smirked, as he adjusted his family's prayer-scarf so it hung slightly outside his robes... a bit self conscious of his social position, but eh, worse things to be. He looked over to the curtains to the back room, wondering what could be in the back for each of them. How long had they been planning this? How long had they known about him? It was... moderately distressing to the bead to think that at least part of his life had already been written up here in the annals of history without his knowledge. A slight ruffle of his wings was all that betrayed his discomfort with the idea. Well, the sooner he got this over and dealt with, the sooner he could return to writing his own destiny, he supposed...

[forgerofsouls]

((ooc: I am so sorry of the amount of time I have taken here, no excuses XD, the items are not done, after a discussion with a few players, I had to rethink the items completely. So they will take more time while I do more research for them. In the mean time, I'm going to advance something I had planned for a little later to happen now.))

[Narrator]
Shortly after Danisen had finished talking the door had opened and walked in a figure wearing a cloak with the hood up covering his face and a black hawk with white-tipped wings and red plumage. He tilted his head up a bit and looked at the group. The person did not attempt to hide his presence or entrance, which caused Danisen to stare at him. ”Well, well, well, I do not normally get Hobs here.” Danisen said to the male Hobgoblin. His face, though cheerful just a few seconds ago, was now a mask of seriousness.

”And I do not normally enter shops tainted with your bad breath Danisen.” The Hobgoblin said smiling. ”But, I’m not here for our typical banter, I’m here for that monk there. That’s right Connall, I‘m here for you.” He said his smile contorting into what would look like a cat that was toying with a mouse. Of course, despite the hood and cloak, Connall knew the Hobgoblin and that Hawk.

”Oh? Come now Gen, there is always time for banter. And did your brother send you after Connall? Is he one of his students?” Danisen asked the Hobgoblin, apparently named Gen. Though Connall did indeed know this Hobgoblin to, but not in a truly fond way. His master, a Hobgoblin, had use his brother, a Hobgoblin Ranger by the name of Gen’threl Gragtooth, in his training, though he had no memories of those training sessions being enjoyable.

”Yep, he is one of my bro’s “special” students. And, though late, he wants him to have this scroll, and to use it to acquire victory today.” Gen continued as he took a scroll out from its hiding spot in his belt. He walked towards Connall holding the scroll out for him to take it. Danisen watched with interest.

[DM’s Notes]
For now, do what you feel needs to be done.

[colosusjokers]

Colo stopped playing the kazoo and sat back against the wall eying the newcomer while flicking the kazoo around in his fingers like one would a dagger.

[SmiterOfFoes]

Quellurian eyed the hob with caution. Connall and Danisen seemed to at least trust Gen to not attack, but with the amount of surprises happening today, he thought it wise to be wary. He would prefer to not get his new armor bloody before he really had a chance to admire it.

[Luxon Cobrat]

The moment the hobgoblin declared that he was "here for Connal," Akana moved to the monk's side protectively. She took care to avoid showing an overtly hostile demeanor towards the newcomer, but his manner hadn't exactly won the priestess' immediate trust.

Once the scroll was produced, Akana eyed it uncertainly. If it was something that would give Connal an unfair advantage in the tournament, assuming the authorities didn't catch it, she... really wasn't sure what to think, under the circumstances. She didn't like the idea of cheating, but there was more at stake right now than personal honor. Would it even be right not to take advantage?

Perhaps this was a time where the reasoning behind a choice would be more important than the choice itself. Either way, it was still Connal's show in the end. His choice to make. Akana decided to keep quiet for now.

[Gaius]

Quell was right: Connall trust Gen’threl not to attack. But no further than that. The monk's muscles tensed when he spotted the hobgoblin. There were indeed some... unpleasant memories. Some preceded by his master telling him something like, "Alright, Connall, after your head start, Gen's going to hunt you for a few days. Good luck!" Perhaps Akana had moved to his side after noticing his concern? Well, it wasn't necessary, but he wasn't going to object. Regardless, his eyes were fixed on the 'assistant trainer,' trying to discern a motive.

One was forthcoming: scroll delivery. Connall blinked, and eyed the scroll with similar levels of distrust. The priestesses' conflict about cheating wasn't unfounded, but the monk knew his master. It wasn't just that the hobgoblin was strongly against cheating. It was... Well... He suspected students from other schools might think, "Oh! Great! Must have encouragement and tips for me!" where Connall and his fellow students knew to think, "Oh. Great... Must have encouragement and constraints for me..." Sure, there might be tips as well, but... The scroll was less likely to be a performance-enhancing substance than a performance-hindering one.

The young man put on a fake smile. "Been a while, Gen. Leg and stomach doin' better?" Connall hadn't ended their last training session as kindly as he might have. Hadn't been expected to, of course; the monk himself hadn't done much with his arms for a while after. "So, what's he got for me?" he asked, accepting the scroll with some trepidation, and taking a look inside.

[The_Vizir]

Max raised an eyebrow at the hobgoblin's entrance, and his hand shimmered slightly with wary arcane power, just in case it came down to an early bout of violence. However, it seemed that was not the case, as the hobgoblin and Connall seemed to be rather familiar with each other, though it was obvious there was no love lost between the two. Still... the fact that this Gen fellow was the brother of Connall's master did put Max slightly on guard... the goblinoids weren't the biggest fans of the kithkin tribes, and vice versa, and the fact that Connall studied under one... Max looked up at the human with a bit of suspicion in his eyes. He didn't seem to have any prejudices against the kithkin, but they hadn't exactly known each other for long. Max ruffled his wings and huffed slightly. Well, hopefully any prejudices would be able to be shoved aside for the sake of the world. And hopefully that scroll wasn't going to come back and bite them in the tails latter...