Courts of the Shadow Fey (Rune Stones Part V - 4e)

Game Master Rev Rosey

Relevant dueling rules repost for ready reference:

Roll init.

Each combatant makes three attacks.

The strikes in a duel use the character's combat powers and abilities against standard defenses. A roll of 1 or a miss of 5 or more allows the opponent an unanswered follow up attack (effectively a "fourth pass" during the duel). Otherwise the combat proceeds normally with duelists moving and attacking for three strikes. An AP may be spent in a duel but is not recovered until the end of the dueling season.

The duelist with the most successes wins. Ties are always possible. The winning duelist gains a +1 bonus to Status; the loser suffers a -1 penalty to Status. If the duel is a tie, there is no change to Status.

"Three attacks" is "three rounds," or literal attacks? In other words, does an AP or a relevant Minor allow a fourth attack power?

Three rounds. You can use minors and APs.
Rolling a 1 or missing by 5 or more effectively gives you an additional AP at the end of the failed attack, which you need to use at once.

Reuniting with Suntide, Tutavak meets Brightspur on the dueling grounds, watched by the entire Court. His opponent is also mounted. Somehow, Brightspur has cajoled (or possibly simply borrowed) the blue horse of Tutavak's longings.

"A reminder of the stakes," he says to the assembled crowds. "Like for like. Mount for mount."

The Moonlit King's face darkens. "You are impudent, sir to wager that which is not yours."

Brightspur shrugs. "I know. But Your Majesty knows that I am true Shadow Fey. Would you truly have your subjects other than yourself?"

"A debt is owed, whatever the outcome. Your aid to these Chosen is paid for in your choice of mount."

Brightspur bows and turns to Tutavak. "I'd better win then. Come, Might of Kargzant. Let us show them how true warriors battle."

Roll init, Tutavak.
1d20+17=27 for Brightspur
Brightspur is armed with a javelin (reach 2), rapiers, and his horse.

MAP

"As you say."

Tutavak sits an eager Suntide, bow in hand, and awaits Brightspur's move. It has been too long.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

Status: 97hp, 6 surges, 1AP. Used: Cometfall Charge.

Just been reading up on Astrazalian, where Arianwyn studied. No wonder he's familiar with fomorians; the city is besieged by them every year as it returns to the Feywild from the natural world. What fun.

Oh, and +1 to AC and Reflex against Fey -- just in case it comes up!

Brightspur nods and raises his javelin.

"Regrettably, I need to blind you."

Tutavak's eyes instinctively follow the movement as he seeks to avoid the blow. The missile moves with blinding speed, flaring eerily as it does so, and darkening the warrior's vision.

He hears Brightspur moving away from him across the soft turf.

Eclipse Strike (Ref). On hit target is blinded (se)
1d20+17=32. Hits. 4d10+10=30 radiant
30 radiant to Tutavak and he is blinded (se)

MAP

"I expected nothing less," Tutavak answers equably as he levels his bow at the fey, loosing three arrows in quick succession and striking Brightspur twice with no obvious impairment. A glow of ethereal flame surrounds the Kargzant.

Minor: Periapt of Cascading Health ends the blindness.
Minor: Mounted Coordination +2 damage to next attack TSOMNT.
Standard: Biting Volley vs Brightspur Ref. Two attacks, crit on 18.

1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 = 321d10 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 121d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 1 = 241d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

AP, which activates Soulfire, giving me +2 Ref, +2 Speed, +3 damage TEOMNT, and activates tattoo for resist 5 cold TEOE. AP action: Sure Shot vs Brightspur AC. Two rolls, can reroll individual damage dice.

1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 = 321d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 1 = 353d10 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3, 9) + 6 + 3 = 26

Reroll the 5 and the 3

2d10 ⇒ (9, 4) = 13

Summary: One hit from Biting Volley for 12. One hit from Sure Shot for 31. AC and Ref vs Brighsptur are now 27. HP: 67.

Ah, I knew you would be worth fighting, Might of Kargzant."

Brightspur's eyes gleam as he rides closer, and drives his javelin hard at Tutavak's body. Even with his added awareness, the young Kargzant can't avoid the blow.

Eclipse Strike recharge (4,5,6): 1d6 ⇒ 5. Yes.
1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28
4d10 + 10 ⇒ (1, 8, 5, 1) + 10 = 25
25 damage to Tutavak and he is blinded (se)

MAP

Score:
2 hits for Tutavak/2 hits for Brightspur

Tutavak, instead of reeling with the blow, this time luxuriates in it as the previous marks heal. However, still blinded, his aim is off and he leaves an opening for Brightspur before he can slip off of Suntide and recover his sight.

Immediate Interrupt on receiving radiant: Bathed in the Light. Heal 25 instead of suffering.
Minor: Focused Sight, no penalties against Brightspur for total concealment.
Standard: Thundertusk Boar Strike, two attacks vs AC

1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 1 = 241d10 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 121d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 17 + 1 = 191d10 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Drat. Too good to last. Just gave him a freebie.
Minor (Practiced Rider): Dismount to I7.
Save vs Blind

1d20 ⇒ 10

HP 92

As Tutavak bathes in the radiance, Brightspur applauds.

"Superb, Might of Kargzant - quite superb. You are always so surprising."

Recharge Eclipse Strike (4,5,6): 1d6 ⇒ 5. Yes.

Tutavak hears the approaching hooves as Brightspur leans in to drive his javelin home once more. The first blow hits, but the shadow fey's follow up attack is overconfident and Tutavak ducks aside in time.

Eclipse Strike (Ref) - on hit target is blinded (se)
Second attack is just ordinary javelin with nothing fancy about it.
1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32 - first attack. Hits. 4d10 + 10 ⇒ (5, 7, 9, 4) + 10 = 35
1d20 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20 - second attack. Misses and gives Tutavak a freebie.
35 damage to Tutavak and he is blinded (se). He gets a freebie on Brightspur.

MAP

Score:
2 hits for Tutavak/3 hits for Brightspur

The boon applies to all of us?

Kia does her best to ignore the duellists. She started to look up and take more interest in things when it became apparent that they were going to leave the Shadowfell.

"I think the university would be a good place to go. I'm not sure I am happy about going back to that island again but if needs must... I thought the stones were all defaced? They must be more magic than we knew."

"Before we go anywhere, I need to replenish my supply of arrows."

"I am Kargzant," Tutavak replies simply, but the blindness continues to hobble him. Still holding his bow after another three shots, he glides back on to Suntide as his vision clears.

Focused Sight is a TEOMNT, so it applies to both of these attacks.
Free attack: Twin Strike, twice

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 211d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 271d10 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Does a bad miss on the free attack give him yet another? I'm going to assume no for now and push forward.

Move: Shift to J7. Standard: Close Quarters Shot (does not provoke).

1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 254d10 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5, 10) + 6 = 28

Miss for 14. Minor: Remount. Save.

1d20 ⇒ 12

HP 57. About out of tricks, but I think I just lost anyway.

Hampered as he is, Tutavak's aim is not good enough to find Brightspur. His vision clears to see the Lord of the Ravens ride alongside him and offer him his hands.

"I would gladly join you in battle, really I would. Be assured, that due to your misfortune, I may yet live to do so. The King is a little unhappy with my appropriation of his steed. Even so, Might of Kargzant, it was worth his displeasure to duel you. I thank you."

In truth, despite his victory, Brightspur has a doomed look to him as he glances at the King.

He doesn't get another freebie, but you do lose.

Kia - yes, the boon applies to you all.

Tutavak returns the handclasp. "Though it shreds my heart to give up Suntide, I chose the stakes and it was a match well fought." The warrior dismounts, gathers his gear, and whispers in Suntide's ear. He then passe the reins to Brightspur and rejoins the Chosen.

"I concur that we must consult with our contacts at the University, but we should perhaps see if Vel has any insights to offer as well." Arianwyn adds.

"Well do I know the bond you are breaking, and I will honour your steed as I honour you, Might of Kargzant."

Holding both sets of reins, Brightspur approaches the King and kneels.

"Ask what debt you will, Majesty, but bring no dishonour on the maker of the wager that brings us a treasure such as this." He gestures to Suntide.

"Raven Lord, stand up,"

The King's expression is hard to read, but he seems to be hovering between serious anger and great amusement.

"Your antics have gone far enough. Cease your diversions before I am moved to send you too among the Githyanki. Take your prize to the stables and endeavour not to disgrace his former owner when you ride to battle."

Somewhat abashed, Brightspur departs with both horses, still looking uneasy, but glad enough to be alive.

The Moonlit King turns to the assembled Chosen.

"We stand at the conflux of the fey worlds here at the Courts. We acknowledge all fey races save one and they acknowledge us. Drow, elf, eladrin, goblin, gnome - all are welcome here. Should you enter other fey lands, your status here will be known and will assist you. In days to come, you may say that you may stand in the presence of their Moonlit Graces and they acknowledge you as honoured guests. Remember it. Rest and make what prepartions you wish. When you know where you wish to go, it will be arranged."

Arianwyn nods, and replies, "We thank you."

Kia looks thoughtful and also impressed. She likes the king better than she thought she would.

In the duel's aftermath, Tutavak stands quietly, head bowed and apparently lost in thought.

Decision time. Make any preparations you want and decide where you're going. You may restock on ritual components (or learn new rituals), acquire bits of kit and so forth.

I don't know what's happened to Amy, so for now I will convert her into a companion character so I can run her. Hope she's OK.

Chary doesn't know much of your past doings, but is game to do whatever it takes to get to wherever those nasties are hanging out.

She would like to pick up a few ells of silk rope ("you ninny-hammer") before parting. If possible, she will also wander the market for an hour or so to see if their are any nifty shining objects about...to feed her obsession with little glowing tchotchkes.

Otherwise, she is ready to go and doesn't have much helpful input for our direction.

With her high status and the evident approval of the Blood Royal, Chary's only problem is likely to be fending off would-be sellers. What sort of stuff does she have in mind - lots and lots of pretty shiny stuff to buy here.

Kia would like to buy some ordinary arrows so that she has a choice which arrow to use rather than always using the magic ones.

sorry, this was meant to be fluff and character development...I figured she would find a few little trinkets that tweak her fancy. Small baubles like a brooch, maybe a pretty comb...just a simple item or two that she can add to her (admittedly slow-growing) collection of glowing things. I can describe it later, or if you are feeling particularly creative at this moment, some small trinket for her to remember this time in the Courts (not necessarily any in-game value...more for when I return to this character in 5 years, what can I remember from her escapades).

Arianwyn hits the books...

I'd like to buy the Secure Shelter ritual (Level 10) for 1000, and 450 gp worth of Arcana components.

Chary browses idly through piles of spider-like silk, jewellery, small ornaments, loose gems, small animals, sweetmeats, perfumes, glassware and items of no discernable function but undoubted shininess.

Much catches her eye, but her fingers keep going back to a tiny golden cage. The bars are made of plaited metal, interwined with fey hair and each join is delicately marked with a tiny pearl. Inside, sits a firebird of amber and gold and when a tiny catch is triggered, the bird croons gently and leans towards her. The trinket seems to embody much that has happened.

Arianwyn writes his newly acquired rituals carefully into his book and prowls the halls looking for the finest components.

For Kia, finding arrows is a simple matter, and she easily fulfils her needs.

Any destination thoughts yet?

The university - I think Vel will be up to her eyeballs in nappies rather than research.

"Ooo...a real University?! That sounds like fun!" Chary says between a last round of her favorite wine she discovered during her time here and frequent glances at the beautiful golden cage.

Farewells said, equipment gathered and destination decided, the companions gather. None of the Blood Royal witness your departure, but plenty of others do. Appropriately, the dueling grounds are the setting and the portal crackles into life before you, waiting to take you back to Namarth.

If you're all good to go, I'll close this thread out and open up a new one. Still need to companionise Whiteclaw. I imagine you're taking your warhorses with you, but tell me if you're not.

Good to go.

I imagine you're taking your warhorses with you, but tell me if you're not.

Thanks for the lemon juice . . . Ready to go.

Sorry, Tutavak :(

Classes all day, but your new thread will go up this evening.

New thread here.