Family Reunion

[Anastasia]

Jarem passes it over. The moment you touch it, "A song of steel, a song of knowledge. Sing it well or meet a blockage." The scroll intones.

"Well," Clearing his throat, "You did make an impression on a certain person last time, and she threw some weight around. I'm sure you can answer the questions it poses. Try to open it to begin."

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa gives him a flat look and tries to open it.

[Anastasia]

A spectral chess set appears before you. "The first game is begun, play well or you're done."

Black chess pieces are before you, white before the scroll.

[Iron Dragoon]

Uh, I hope you don't expect me to actually play?

[Anastasia]

Of course not, but Alyssa will need skill checks for it.

As you stare at the board, "I'd suggest magic to bolster the mind and skill," Jarem says cheerfully, "A match can easily take hours, so only the strongest magic there will do. Good luck and prove her wrong!"

[Iron Dragoon]

I don't know any non-enhancement bonus buffs yet, so I guess Burst of Inspiration is it, even though it's only round/level.

Alyssa chants a spell, enhancing her mind!

Alyssa's Burst of Inspiration, CL 32, Duration: 32 rounds.
+18 enhancement bonus to intelligence, wisdom, and charisma. You also gain a +10 enhancement bonus to your saving throws.

[Anastasia]

Give me an Int check, unless you have a skill relevant to this? Only spells that boost you for at least a few hours can apply here.

[Iron Dragoon]

> roll 1d20+9 Int
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+9 Int --> [ 1d20=1 ]{10}

[Anastasia]

You put up an effort - but you just aren't that familiar with chess, and soon enough your king falls. The board vanishes, "Thus you are flat on your back, a shame that your skills lack."

Glancing over at you from his seat, drinking some ale, "As a matter of fact, she enchanted the scroll. Fortunately, you're free to try again. Learning and perseverance are important, after all."

[Iron Dragoon]

Yeah, sure.

Alyssa sits down in her study, getting comfortable for the next try.

> roll 1d20+9 Int
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+9 Int --> [ 1d20=15 ]{24}

[Anastasia]

Jarem's through his ale and munching on chicken by the time you finish this game - by knocking the enemy's king over. You won!

The scroll wobbles, "One for one, well done! Now can you go two for two, or is that too much for you?" Another chess board appears, this one mid game. Your side is at a mild disadvantage, you believe.

[Iron Dragoon]

Alyssa sighs, but sets to work.

> roll 1d20+9 Int
<Kobot> Iddy rolled 1d20+9 Int --> [ 1d20=7 ]{16}

[Anastasia]

This time it's just too much, sending you to a prompt defeat. "Oh boo hoo, a disgrace is you!"

Finishing his food off, Jarem adds, "Not bad, most need more than two tries to get past the first game. Take a break, have a snack and we can talk some strategy before you try again."

[Iron Dragoon]

"A disgrace is a complete novice losing to an experienced player, hm? I think someone is forgetting the point of tests like these in favor of petty spite."

Turning to Jarem, "Sure. A break is fine."

[Anastasia]

Jarem calls, "Some of that chicken for Alyssa, and bring some uludar," he calls, "Fried." Turning to you and drinking more ale, "You're not wrong. You will learn from it, though, and grow stronger for the petty indignity of it. I could have stopped this if I threw enough of a stink, called in a few favors to shift people above her head. But you'll be fine with it, and hone your mind all the sharper from it."