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Grandmaster Uth Wistan begins reciting names. He calls the candidate's name first, then the sponsor's. Both come forward to the table and present themselves to the audience. If there is a question of a candidate’s honor based on his previous performance, that individual and his sponsor are ushered to a waiting room.

Uth Wistan goes down the list, calling names randomly, until he is about half-way through when something unexpected happens.

Lord Uth Wistan calls out, "Grall Stonesword, sponsored by Sir Harald Karanus." The fidgety young man sitting next to Erastin rises and moves toward the table. A knight in the back rises, looks at the candidate, and with a note of alarm in his voice calls out, "He’s not mine!"

The mysterious supplicant explodes into motion, whipping a dagger from beneath his robes and leaping toward the table. All the knights are instantly on their feet with a clash of armor. Some leap toward the table, while others pause to draw their swords. It is obvious that none of them will make it to the table on time. The three High Knights and the Grandmaster rapidly push backward in their chairs to move away from the man, but Lord Uth Wistan trips over his. He falls on his back, presenting an easy target.

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(OOC: Note that of everyone in the party, Erastin is the closest. Karathos, way in the back, is the furthest away.)

(Invis castle was screwing me around..)

Erastlin leaps forward, planting a single punch he goes to strike the man in the head, before pulling him to the ground.

1d20=16 Hit AC3

During the long speech, Karathos's attention wandered. His eyes wandered, too, resting for brief moments on the beautiful woman in the last row.

When the commotion begins, he gets back into action. With just a few steps to the side, Karathos blocks the door, standing guard broad-legged, arms folded. He looks the crowd over, trying to see if anyone else is behaving strangely, maybe the attacker has accomplices?

Targin sits there, almost stunned, thinking this may be part of the test.

"That...isn't part of the test, I don't think," Galenye says as she jumps to her feet to help Erastin pin down the attacker. She jumps at the man trying to attack the higher up knights, wrapping her arms around him to try to pull him down.

Attack Roll (7)

Jinali follows Glayene trying to get her fist into the solar plexus of the men.

1d20=11

"Submit or die!" the assassin cries, dagger poised to strike. Before he can, however, Erastin charges up behind him and punches him right in the kidney. Crying out, the assassin whirls around to face his new attacker. He stabs the knight candidate right in the chest. "The Vision shall be fulfilled!"

Although the wound was bad, it had not taken Erastin down completely. And yet, he suddenly found his body would not respond to his thoughts. He drops to the ground, convulsing.

While Karathos scans the crowd for any further suspicious behavior (and finds none), Galeneye and Jinali both hurry forward to aid their friend. Galeneye throws her body at the assassin, hoping to pin him to the ground, but he easily sidesteps and she collapses to the floor instead. Jinali swings her fist, as well, but was never much for brawling and the assassin easily ducks to avoid the blow.

"The time of the Solamnics is over! Now is the time of the Knights of Ta--urk!" the assassin cries. During the scuffle, one of the knights had managed to get behind him and stab him right through the chest with his blade. The poisoned dagger clatters to the ground, and the assassin drops a few moments later, blood pooling beneath him.

"Sir Charles!" Liam says in surprise. "Could you not have taken him alive?"

"I apologize, but something had to be done," the knight says. He kneels by Erastin. "Call for the clerics, quickly!"

Another knight runs off to fetch the clerics while another helps Uth Wistan back to his feet.

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Initiative Order
Erastin (1d10+3): 4
Assassin (1d10+2): 8
Galeneye (1d10+3): 9
Jinali (1d10+3): 9

Round 1!
Erastin throws a punch at the Assassin (16+1 for STR = 17, kidney punch) for 1 damage. Chance to KO is 5% (1d100): 76, fail.
The Assassin stabs at Erastin with his dagger (1d20): 15, hit for (1d4+1): 5 damage. Erastin makes a saving throw vs. poison (1d20): 11, fail. Erastin goes into convulsions.
Galeneye attempts to overbear the Assassin (7, miss).
Jinali throws a punch at the Assassin (11, miss).

End battle.

Erastlin lays on the floor his body shaking violently, unable to stop what was happening to him.

Galenye pushes herself from the ground with a small groan. It doesn't exactly feel good to fall to the ground like that. Looking around, she notices Erastin. Her eyes widen, and she scoots over to his side. "Erastin?!" Though, she dares not to touch him while he convulses.

Targin reacts finally, rushing to Erastin's side. trying to make sure he doesn't bite his tongue off.

"Resist, damn it, hear me boy, resist."

Karathos comes over to the High Table. "The attacker does not seem to have accomplices here in the room. At least, no one else behaved suspiciously." His voice is loud enough for all to hear.

After saying this, he looks down at his friend, concerned. Then he touches Jinali's arm. "Why didn't you use any of your spells?" he asks when she turns to him.

A trio of clerics of Mishakal quickly arrive. One goes to examine the Grandmaster and the other High Knights, a second examines Galeneye and Jinali. Luckily, nobody was really hurt except Erastin. The third cleric tends to him, first neutralizing the poison coursing through his body and then healing the knife wound. Unfortunately, Erastin's white robes remain torn and bloodstained, but at least he's alive and well.

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Cleric of Mishakal casts Neutralize Poison on Erastin, followed by Cure Serious Wounds (2d8+1): 16 HP restored.

Once the danger to his charge is past, the dwarf quickly forgets about it. "That was quick thinking there lad, good job. At least they were able to patch you up soon enough."

"Yet, stupid." He lowers his head, "An Assassin? In the High Clerists Tower, who would believe such a thing." He shakes his head.

"Are you well." He asks Galenye full of concern, giving her a smile. "Thanks." He pulls him self groggily to stand, reaching out for Targin and Galenye's hands. Giving Karathos a simple nod of thanks.

"What is to become of the Ceremony?" He asks, suddenly animated.

Galenye lets out a soft sigh upon seeing Erastin get up, seemingly just fine despite the attack. Her concerned look slowly vanishes. "Yes, I'm fine. You should be more worried about yourself," she says. All she did was fall to the floor. He was actually stabbed!