Soltana gave a grin back to Tim and finished his meal before heading to the ring. As was to be expected things were quite excitable today with more patrons, fighters, and even more people gambling than normal. If someone had a keen eye they could walk out with a fortune just from bets. Sadly though Soltana didn't have enough cash to play the field that way and was forced to participate to make his fortune.

It didn't take Soltana long to register for the events for the day. And after a quick search resulting in Soltana handing over his hand crossbow for the day he was allowed below deck to make his preparations. Although there wasn't much to prepare, a quick check of his armor to make sure no new damage showed up over night and a few passes of the sharpening stone over his blade and he would be set to go. After all was said and done he made is way to the contestants waiting area for his number to be called.

@rush99999

A low blow from the human, insulting the proud race's gods and their beards. Truly the edge is strong. The contestant merely scoffed scratching his beard and without a second's hesitation. "Pff, Like I'm supposed to be listenin' ta a pasty no eye'd pink skin that look like he got hair on his face after kissin' a goat's arse. Seriously, it looks like you dipped yer face in a bucket of pubic hair.
Nice of yer mom to try helping her baby boy out."

Seriously this took bloody forever to think up, and I want to get the ball rolling. Make a Performance Check at +1 for the sick burns in the Discord, I'll let you know of your success that you can play out.

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@lunarius

The Tabaxi drew the eyes as being the most exotic out of all the contestants and thus she was the one that people placed their bets on. As the others took up their position, the announcer made the call. He climbed the rafters of a nearby ship, climbing the rigging and standing above it all, a black flag in hand.

"All the archers are in! And we- Hey! Hey! Shut up out there! Now then, Archers! You know the rules! Three hits and you move on! Elimination until we got one winner! Everyone on my mark! LET EM FLY!

For praying and giving thanks to her god, and plus having her feline mascot, make it a +1 to the attack roll with your bow to see how you do for the first round.

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@Arthanus

The first few fights were fast. It was only to first blood. Most of the time, the big men and slightly bigger women took the stage, getting the crowd hype as people showed off their lack of shirts and lack of shame and morals. One by one though, people proved they didn't have what it took, all talk and no muscle.

Finally though, Sol was called up and opposite him, staring him down looked like a spitting image of an imperial gladiator. Indeed it was, but the armor itself seen better days. Maybe disgraced, maybe stolen, but he threw his arms up and pointed his gladus. "First blood? Ahh what a shame."

When they were in the ring, there was a bell and a shout as the fighter raised his weapon.

Finally. Roll Initiative!

When her first shot fell somewhat outside of her intent Kiris' tailtip flicked, but she pushed it aside. Her stomach was finally beginning to settle, and all the chatter and stink around her was likewise fading to the background.

Kiris raised her bow again and, with a slow breath, she loosed another arrow. That one struck more solidly and was all the encouragement she needed to draw and fire another arrow. She watched its unerring path with slowly widening eyes and even Shari agreed it was a fine shot.

She shook it off, though, and rolled her shoulders before raising her bow and drawing taught the string: Kiris needed only one more solid hit before she could be sure to advance, and as she pondered that latest shot she wondered if she should have done some betting herself.

Ah well.

Her third shot wasn't as strong as its predecessor, but it found a place in one of the dummies all the same. Kiris took aim a fifth time but, like the first shot, the arrow went awry. She wanted to blame the ammunition itself but in truth she'd found no fault with it in her earlier inspection. She couldn't even blame the wind; with three good shots against the two failures well... She wondered if they suspected her of wasting arrows on purpose, and purred in private amusement.

"Wow, a jab a my mother" Jacoby said in a sarcastic yet still friendly tone "That must have taken you a long time to formulate. I would say I'm impressed...But in order to do that, I'd have to ignore everything wrong with the way you presented that insult". Jacoby and the dwarf insulted each other back and forth many times over. Eventually, Jacoby decided he'd grown tired of the dwarf. And so he let loose one final insult. An insult that left the dwarf speechless and many members of the audience pale. Once the initial shock the insult had caused wore off, a great cheer went up and Jacoby was declared the winner. Jacoby smiled in satisfaction at a victory well earned.

@lunarius

The onlookers would aww at some of the shots, pointing and clapping when one pulled off a particularly interesting feat of bowmanship. Kiris indeed went forward in the contest and was quickly the one to look out for, merely for her exotic looks. A few in the crowd jeered her, 'the cat can shoot?' One loudly said.

The contestants were allowed to keep their points, but now the rules changed. It wasnt a derelict ship anymore. There was a shout for 'PULL!' and on the top level a makeshift catapult launched a bouy, which sailed across the water past the ship. Atop this bouy was a straw man on a post. Like before, but now low to the water and with the movement of currents and waves making it bob. It added in a moving element to it, some randomness. Making some part of the shot, instinctual, or luck.

They had 3 arrows to hit the thing.

Again, make an attack roll or just take 10, meaning you don't roll and just hope your bonuses allow for success.

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@rush99999

The hooting and hollering of the onlookers was near deafening, and in that moment, the dwarf stumbled on his words, and from there it was a cascade, leading to victory for Jacoby.

Having succeeded in such an entertaining and colossal way, several coins were cast on the ground to egg the contestants on. As the victory, they all went to him, 14 gp in all. Not bad. Enough to buy a keg of booze.

But after the contest, Jacoby would be shocked for just how quickly time flies. It was near noon, and the crowds were already forming. Time to set about the important business. Getting the boat, having secured it via a coin, it was a simple craft, and the paladin was already at the moors. The Priest however, was no where to be seen. He'd said he'd get things set for when the Captain made dock. It was up to Jacoby to wait, or ride out. There wasn't too much time, the Captain wouldn't keep his people waiting if they were so close to the festival.

She purred for herself as she waited next to Shari for the next round; while one ear remained stalwartly forward the other would flick and swivel, listening to everything while Kiris herself kept her eyes keenly forward. The change in rules had only barely been explained before she bared her teeth in response to the fresh challenge.

This would not be so dull as she'd thought! It would mean she'd have to try harder, and rise to the occasion.

Kiris stood ready and waiting until the shout came: the first arrow flew as soon as she'd begun to exhale, the second was in the air an instant after the first struck the target. The second thudded home as well, barely any time before the third struck the target -- though perhaps not as cleanly as the first and second.

She smiled in the rise and curve of her tail, and in the proud set of her chin, rather than in the baring of her teeth. Beside her Shari chuffed her own amusement and began to clean her forepaw.