Io's Labyrinth

[Nephrite]

"I admit, it may not have been that. But there was intense light that came from that direction and didn't harm any of the defenders." Moore says. "As for whether it was something to try and ultimately help... mm. The name of the game there is hope, isn't it?" He asks, rhetorically.

Take 10 for 91 on K:P

[Corwin]

KP 10 for 102.

[Anastasia]

Quietly, Jetina adds, "It's not the first time we've seen absolute light obliterate evil to the last."

The creature before the party is a dragonborn spirit. An aurix in particular based on his coloring, a loyal servant of Bahamut in normal conditions. Aurix serve as the sages and diplomats of the dragonborn spirits. Watch out for a powerful breath weapon as well as a decent chance of them being highly skilled arcane spellcasters.

[Corwin]

"Hope's the best game," Seira all too readily agrees.

[Nephrite]

Moore nods agreement to Seira. "In a different world, I think I would've ended up following your creed." He says as he greets the dragonborn with a wave.

"Are you another challenge for us, or here to provide wisdom?" Moore asks.

[Anastasia]

"I am a guard, commissioned by Lord Io to let none pass. If you wish to pass, you must defeat me in a duel of swordsmanship, one on one." The aurix declares, a scimitar of glistening steel drawn from nowhere. "I am the best swordsman that has ever existed or will ever exist. Know that not even your power will suffice, for I am the epitome of swordsmanship in Creation by Lord Io's will. My blade is perfect."

[Nephrite]

"Wow, someone's confident." Moore says, entirely helpfully. "This is definitely not my forté, so I'll defer to those with more skill in that regard."

[Ebiris]

"Have you ever actually fought anyone?" Alicia asks for curiosity's sake, head slightly tilted as she studies the aurix's blade.

I'll ID that for fun, taking 10 for 75 on spellcraft with divine insight popped.

Spoiler: ShowHide

Alicia: 632+60/632
Active spells: Extended nondetection (CL 33, 65hrs), many moments of prescience (CL 32, 31 hrs), extended repelling shield (CL 33, 62m), keen edge (CL 32, 316m), sensual blessing (CL 32, 28m), vision of the omniscient eye (CL 32, 28m), greater heroism (CL 32, 28m), death ward (CL 32, 28m), extended ray deflection (CL 33, 62m)
Defences: AC 86 (touch 48), CMD 123, spell resistance 47, status immunity (dazzled, blinding, polymorph, petrification, disease, poison, stunning, sleep, paralysis, death effects, disintegration, energy drain, ability damage, ability drain, mind-affecting, and fear), energy immunity (fire, cold, negative energy), nondetection (DC 48), ray deflection
Stat buffs/penalties: +9 shield AC, 17-20 crit range, +25 competence perception, +10 insight perception, +4 morale skills, +18 morale attack, +8 competence attack, +4 untyped attack, +18 morale damage, +4 untyped damage, +12 dodge AC, +12 morale saves, +15 crit confirmations
Perceptions: Darkvision 2 miles, scent, low-light vision, tremorsense/blindsight 2 miles, arcane sight, perception +86
Sorcerer spell slots: 6/16/16/13/9/9/15/8/7/7/8/6/6/5
Duskblade spell slots: 6/22/21/21/7/7

[Corwin]

"I'd like to point out that perfection is an ideal or a concept, and while a deity might overlap with it I've yet to see a spirit manage the same," Seira voices, glancing at Alicia and then at Oberuth. "I could do this. Do we flip for it or what...?"

[Anastasia]

Jetina frowns at that, "Perfect swordsmanship," she says, "Not I. For all my skill, Kaja eclipses me with a blade."

"I have never cared for blades. Give me a spear any day," Antenora declares, shaking her head.

"I'm hardly a swordswoman, though I can make do," Amaryl notes, putting bow away and drawing her sun blade.

The sword is not magical and yet...there is magic in it, magic from the aurix itself. The skill of the eons, the skill to eclipse even a master's master with the patience and reflexes of a grand champion, above all other champions.

"No. Not directly," Oberuth says, "This is another riddle, a puzzle. We could face an impossible opponent or defeat them with our minds."

[Ebiris]

"Seira and I fight with conjoined magic and blade - Oberuth is truer to being a devoted swordsman," Alicia says as her question goes unanswered. It's probably moot, those proto-dragons were mighty without needing practice, this Aurix is surely the same.

"Still, it's a duel fairly offered. One should either take it or leave it, not try to circumvent it," she says, speaking of her ideals.

[Anastasia]

"Then I'll do it," Oberuth says, "Unless you have a better idea, Seira?"

Just giving Seira a chance to chime in here.

[Corwin]

"Some overlap was to be expected in a group like ours," Seira tells Oberuth with a shrug. "Your fighting style is certainly purer in a martial sense. Beat him like a drum."

[Anastasia]

Oberuth steps forward, blade out. The two share a look and the aurix gestures Oberuth forward.

Aurix yields initiative, so not going to roll it, he's taking a defensive position for the moment.

In one moment Oberuth is there, the next he's at the aurix's flank, blade flashing out. A clatter as one swift move disarms the aurix, scimitar sent flying to the ground. A beat as Oberuth slowly raises his blade up to the aurix's throat. "Yield?"

To this the aurix says lowly, "I understand Lord Io's intent now. That was not of Creation, not fully?"

"Not by my choice, but yes." Oberuth agrees.

"Then you've proven yourself worthy of your purpose," the dragonborn steps aside. "You may proceed."

Sheathing his sword, "A swordsman who claims to be the best in Creation is defeated by going beyond Creation. This had the makings of a test."

[Corwin]

"Nicely done, though I kind of hoped you'd bust out your secret moves if you had troubles fighting normally," Seira mses, stepping past the dragonborn spirit.