conversations: human
conversations:  The town you find yourselves in is called Zho La, located on the lowland plains of the central territories of the empire.  The outlying clans have gathered here for the annual fighting tournament, as have numerous warriors and warlords out to make a name for themselves.
  
  Although Zho La is relatively small, only a few hundred people live there year round, its streets swell with thousands of spectators, merchants and combatants.  After all, the prize this year is one of legendary value: a monk of the Adamantine Tower.  A slave to guide any who wish it to the top of the tower to claim their wish from God itself.
  
  And that is why you are here, after all.  Whatever home you left behind when you began to seek your glory, you knew the rumors and legends of the Adamantine Tower and you knew in your heart that you were worthy to claim the power, that your wish was pure enough to lead you to the top.
  
  The swell of fighters this year has forced an unusual circumstance though, the tournament must be fought in teams, instead of the one on one duels of the past.  The team that claims victory will be allowed to act as they wish with their prize, but they must achieve victory together.  So your first goal is clear:  Assemble a team.
conversations: Elricaltovilla:
conversations: human
conversations:  Talathiel wiped the sweat from his brow. The summer sun beat down upon his head and heavy armor. He'd have to take it off sometime soon, its padding was suffocating, but not yet. Not with all the fighters and mercenaries around. Tal doubted that most of them would not pass by an opportunity to thin out the competition.
  
  Still, he had made it. After a year of travel, he finally had a real lead. With a guide knowledgeable of the path to the tower and its challenges, this journey could finally come to a happy end.
  
  First things first. He needed allies. The clan council had announced the rule changes, must to the distraught of region's warriors, but Tal was somewhat pleased. He had never been the best fighter, and it'd be useful to have a few partners to shore up his weaknesses. He'd just have to figure out how the prize was going to work.
  
  So, to assemble a team...
conversations: Machinekng:
conversations: human
conversations:  A short yelp from a surprised fighter heralded Isaac's arrival.  He wore no armor yet still towered over many of the warriors around, man-sized claymore on his back gleamed in the sunlight.  His azure eyes flew from person to person, settling on the armored form of Talathiel.    He'll do as well as any,   the massive Northman thought.
  
    "Hark!  You there!  Yes, you in the scarf."    Isaac took a few steps forward, closing the gap between the half-elf and himself.    "My name is Isaac, and I am in need of your assistance!"    His grin grew wide and his eyes shone faintly in the light of the noonday sun.    "Will you help me settle a bet?"  
conversations: Kymme:
conversations: human
conversations:  A team.
  
  Discerning amber eyes scanned the assembled fighters, trying to find the perfect answer to this conundrum.  Wing hadn't expected that she'd have to find a team.  How could she pick the right one?  She needed power, that much was certain.  She'd never get the prize without a group strong enough to make it there.  But could she find a group who could do that and would also use the prize the right way?  The world was twisted enough already, what if she helped someone make it to the top who made it even worse?
  
  It was bad enough the guide to the prize was a slave, but at least that was something she could use the prize to fix.  Could she risk leading a stranger to the prize who could turn into a monster?
conversations: Rokku:
conversations: human
conversations:  Tal was almost startled by the stranger's approach, almost to the point of knocking off his glasses, but he was able to quickly recover his composure. He was a tall and strong looking fellow. A Northman. Tal had had the chance to fight both with and against Northmen in defense of the monastery. Most of the time, the local tribes were helpful with fighting off roving monsters or dragons, but occasionally some warlord would get the idea that the temple was ripe to be sacked.
  
  And it was a pain to get them to drop that illusion.
  
  Although Talathiel was tall for a half-elf, the human towered over him. He was unnaturally tall. Still, Talathiel tried to act unfazed as he looked up over his glasses, making eye-contact with the near giant.
  
  Talathiel stretched out his hand in a welcoming gesture.
  
    The name's Tal. If you're looking for an ally in the ring, we just might be able to help each other.   
conversations: Machinekng:
conversations: human
conversations:  It's a massive crowd, all pushed together in a tiny space, and Naggrund wonders that there aren't already bodies. At least two in every three people has a weapon of some sort, large or small, drawn or sheathed. He has a hard time finding anyone else to ally with, and now, that's strangely all important. But there's no time to do it right, or with proper rituals --to choose by the way of Bushido, it would take longer than entire tournament. So, then, it would be best to just choose the first he could see who seemed good.
  
  And there, out of the corner of his eye, were two. A giant of a half-elf, and a tower of a human. They were the perfect sort of people. Those who were strong needed the fast as well, and he, as one of those fast blades, needed the strong equally so.  "Well-met! You two seem mighty in your time. If you will brave the curse of the Marwolaeth blade and its razor edge, I will be your man. I am a Bushi, well trained in both speed and its application to the deadly flaws of the humanoid body. What training have you?" 
   
   Spoiler 
  
  I just realized that we *totally* need someone who has White Raven as a central build, and/or Golden Lion. Did anybody remember this key fact... before we set up our characters?
   
conversations: SamBurke:
conversations: human
conversations:  Isaac grinned bashfully down at Tal and the newcomer.    "While some friends in the ring would be MOST FORTUITOUS, that wasn't why I approached you.  I, well actually, another warrior and I have gotten into a bit of a scuffle over a test of strength.  We require a judge, you see, and most of these men won't give me the time of day.  As for you, my good man-"   the mountain of a Northman shifted his attention to Naggrund   "-I'd be happy to have you and your sword by my side in the upcoming fights.  My talents lie in the VANGUARD.  Dropping three men with three strikes in three seconds is my specialty."  
conversations: Kymme:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Three men in three seconds? Quite boastful, you are... but that'll do, I suppose. And finely, for this fight. My method is one of speed as well... perhaps we could share, somewhat."  He's hopeful, having already found two good warriors, bringing their party up to three.  "Do you know what the limit is on number, good fellows?" 
conversations: SamBurke:
conversations: human
conversations:  Isaac wasn't the only combatant who wasn't wearing armor at the moment.
  
  A short, but powerfully-built feline person made her way through the crowd, wearing a blue cloak, with a backpack slung over one shoulder, and carrying a large, curved sword that blazed with shining letters along its blade. The sword wasn't the only obviously magical thing about her, though.
  
  The cloak faintly shimmered with an ever-changing starscape, while her eyes blazed with arcane power. A distinctly male, leonine humanoid figure seemed superimposed over her spotted-furred body, almost invisible, but more prominent whenever it was backed by shadow.
  
  " So, teams today? I guess that means I might not get my ass kicked too badly... I feel really outclassed here, " she sighed to herself, trying to gauge the others standing around her. ...Is spellcasting even allowed in whatever this stupid tournament is for? ...what the hell am I even doing here? " She was voicing some strong self-doubts, having just recently become an initiate of the nine swords - certainly not to the extent of those around her! Eh... maybe she'll find a team.
  
  " Go to the Adamantine Tower, he said. There I'd gain power, he said. Nobody told me about a ****ing tournament. "
  [spoiler=Temp HP from False Life] (1d10+5)[ 15 ] 
  Also, she's casting  Detect Magic  - I don't need too much information from it, though.[spoiler]
conversations: Scow2:
conversations: human
conversations:  As you all look around you notice others forming up into groups and men with tall green hats, the local tournament organizers, handing out colored headbands to those in groups of five.  It appears that you'll need that many members in order to participate.
  
  The knowledge seems to ripple out among the crowd, and the groups begin forming faster.  Your time to find enough teammates is drawing to a close.
  
   Wing 
  
  There is a group of three men, two of them heavily armored giants, the other shorter and carrying a long, curved blade.  They appear to still be looking for teammates.
  
   Tashiir 
  
  Your best bet appears to be the group of three armored men standing a little distance away, most other groups have four people at least, and if they only have three your chances of getting in are doubled, right?
  
   
   Spoiler 
  
  Detect Magic:  Most people are lacking in magical gear, nothing appears especially powerful in terms of weapons and armor.  What's more amazing is the sheer variety of weapons and armor present.  Its rather intimidating.
  
  Only one group appears especially well equipped.  Five fetchling warriors, who you notice arrived together, are nearly blinding with magical auras.  They might be trouble.
   
conversations: Elricaltovilla:
conversations: human
conversations:  Tal raised an eyebrow, but kept his composure. The Northman's request was odd, but acceptable, and it looked like they would be joined by another.
  
  Things were going quite smoothly.
  
  Tal turned to the newcomer, greeting him with a nod.
  
    Four to five, if I remember correctly, but every sword counts. From what I hear, the tournament isn't exactly designed to be nonlethal.
  
  I'm Tal by the way, Son of None.   
conversations: Machinekng:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Well-met. And I see a few more who may round us out... That cat, over there, say."  He points to Tashiir.  "And I'd say we need five rather than four. If we have a choice, I think that men of the right caliber should be in greater number than less... especially for such a task as this." 
conversations: SamBurke:
conversations: human
conversations:  The time to find teammates is quickly drawing to a close.  If you do not hurry, your place in the tournament will be lost.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  
  Its up to you all if you want to keep roleplaying this all out, or we can skip ahead to the inevitable point where you all end up on a team.
  
  If we follow the second option, I can allow you all a little "campfire time" to get to know your teammates, or we can dive right into the tournament.  Its up to you all.
   
conversations: Elricaltovilla:
conversations: human
conversations:  Tashiir headed over to the group of three. It would seem that if they didn't get another person, all four of them would be out of a place in the tournament, and that would be terrible and stupid and self-defeating.
  
  " This team looks incomplete... mind if I join you? " she asked, " I was sent here by a vision of my great-grandfather to save my people... but I can't help feeling that I'm way outclassed here. I've only just started training as a martial adept... but I think I have some effective sorcery to bring to the party " she babbles, trying to get her case made and out of the way as quickly as possible.
conversations: Scow2: