GM Rednal's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

For all of your efforts, none of your blows quite managed to land on the creature - and it stepped around again, lashing out at the weakened Shutai in the hopes of driving her under and removing her as a threat.

Bite (Shutai): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Melee Touch (Shutai): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Will DC 16 (Shutai): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Its bite didn't quite manage to land - but with the distraction, it did manage to strike her with its hand again, and the sound coming from her throat abruptly stopped.

Shutai has had her voice stolen! She cannot talk, cast spells with verbal components, or use any other ability that requires speech. This effect lasts for 1 hour.

Taka watches as Shutai gets touched and her final grunt trails off to nothingness.

"Demon..." He yells as he prepares to strike again.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 17

"Damn it..." He yells as he continues to miss the creature. He then settles in his stance and lets out a breath as he tries to refocus on only the creature.

Animus Gained: 1 + 1 (initiated last turn)

My blade fails me, and fails Shutai, cursed Aleksson mentally. "What do you want with her voice? Afraid of something she might say?" he demanded, tracing again the fiery glyph. As it leapt to his allies, Aleksson pressed the attack.

Maneuvers To Gain: 1. eldritch shield; 2. elemental strike; 3. tidal blade
Maneuver Gained: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Status Effects
Elemental Glyph (Fire) - Aleksson, Shutai, and Taka gain +1 circumstance to attack rolls for 4 rounds.
Sobbing - -1 to attacks, damage, and Will saves.
Poisoned - 3 Str damage accumulated.

Shutai would have howled with rage, if she could. Instead she lashed out, hoping to finally kill the thing.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

...This fight has been harder than expected, actually. I'm going to blame the unfortunately low rolls. XD

Taka's blade missed the creature as it duck out of the way, as did Aleksson's as he stabbed out at the creature. Shutai's first blow missed, but her second managed to land on the surprisingly tough creature, dealing a little more damage to it. It seemed satisfied with what it had done, though, and turned to Aleksson so it could press the attack and try to weaken him as well.

Bite (Aleksson): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10
Melee Touch (Aleksson): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Will DC 16: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 = 7

Maybe it had been annoyed by his demands, because it looked like it had just stolen his voice, too... but, fortunately for your group, most of his abilities didn't seem to rely on sound to work.

Animus Gained: 1 + 1 (initiated last turn)
Yeah - this guy's pretty hardcore compared to other attic whisperers I've seen. :-P

.
Flowing Creek
| | -1 animus to add +2 to d20 rolls.
| | Perform (Dance) vs DC 16 Melee Touch (+ Animus): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 2 = 12

Even as he performed a quick drop backwards onto on his free hand, Aleksson was not quick enough to avoid the undead's grasp. Comfortable enough silent, he cared little for the loss, and tried to bring an end to this fight has he sprung back up and another blow connected.

Mwk Wakizashi (+ Fire Glyph - Sobbing): 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 22
Slashing Damage (+ Reaching Blade Stance - Sobbing): 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (3) - 1 = 6

.

Maneuvers To Gain: 1. eldritch shield; 2. elemental strike
Maneuver Gained: 1d2 ⇒ 2

Status Effects
Elemental Glyph (Fire) - Aleksson, Shutai, and Taka gain +1 circumstance to attack rolls for 3 rounds.
Sobbing - -1 to attacks, damage, and Will saves.
Poisoned - 3 Str damage accumulated.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 31
Attack: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 22

Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 14
Damage Crit: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 6 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 14

Having gained his focus back Taka comes overhead and chops down with the precision and training of a veteran warrior.

"KIAH"

Poor Shutai. She gets no love.

Continuing her assault as best she could, Shutai lashed out.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw 2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Maybe it was the sudden noise from Taka that did it, but the creature seemed off-balance for just a moment... and then Taka's blade came down, smashing through the creature the moment after Aleksson had weakened it. Its body broke apart under the impact, and the sobbing noises abruptly cut out. Other than the fact that two of you were mute for the next hour, it didn't seem like it would be any further trouble.

"You both are quiet? Other then that your condition is good to continue? Follow me. Tap my shoulder if you spot or need to communicate anything."

Where are we on the map Rednal? U16? U8?

Aleksson nodded, but pensively looked to Shutai and waited for her response.

Shutai considered, and wavered. With her spells virtually gone for now and her ability to grow sprout claws almost used, she was running out of strength and abilities. Combined with being poisoned and tired, it was not going well. But Ameiko needed them...

With a sigh she couldn't express, Shutai nodded too, and began to search the room that the strange creature had been in.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Left of U8. I hadn't actually added the room. XD

Looking around, there's no treasure in this room. Its contents aren't that pleasant.

Still pinned to the floor beneath a stack of old firewood and a heavy iron
brazier is the skeleton of a child. He had apparently tried to distract himself from the sounds of battle outside by scribbling drawings on the wall with charcoal — these images depict crude representations of ninja with throwing stars, frightening bird-headed men, and lumbering magical ogres wielding axes—images made all the more disturbing by their childlike quality.

Shutai shook her head sadly. She guessed that whatever that thing had been, it had once been this child. Hopefully defeating it had let the child rest. Without anything of interest, Shutai headed down the Western corridor, trying the door facing north along it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Aleksson followed behind, one hand on Shutai's shoulder and the other at his side as he took note of their surroundings.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 | 17 vs. traps
If Aleksson notices something untoward, he gives Shutai a squeeze.

Taka says a quick prayer before following along.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

This chamber’s furniture — couches, drawing tables, and empty bookshelves —lie in disarray, with the exception of one writing desk and chair in the center of the room, its surface heaped with pages of parchment and paper. There are two sets of stairs here - the northern set leads down, while the southern set leads up.

If you've lost track, you're in U13.

Aleksson moved to the door, giving it a listen before pushing through.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 | 17 vs. traps

Thank you. We will continue. Systematically opening and checking all rooms.

Taka follows to the west door of the room. He stops with Aleksson and listens as well before opening it.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

Assuming nothing heard we go through.

Shutai moved to the desk and had a quick look through its contents before following the others.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

The pages on the desk were covered in what looked like dense, poorly-written Tien script. The penmanship was so bad it would take serious effort to decipher the texts. (Linguistics DC 25, if anyone wants to give it a shot.)

Out through the door, an ancient-looking catapult sits atop the stone roof of this flattopped building. Moss grows on the catapult’s ruined ropes and on the four round boulders sitting nearby. From here, you can see across the whole courtyard below.

So for some crazy reason I didn't take linguistics. Go figure :)

"I can't make sense of these. Let us gather them up. There could be clues to what has happened with Ameiko. Can either of you understand this. If not we should press on."

Shutai shook her hand. She could read Tian, but the script was too mangled for her to be able to work it out. Perhaps with a little time or effort...but they had neither to spare at that moment.

Instead, the Kitsune moved to the next room, ignoring the stairwell up for the moment, and headed for the southern facing corridor (U14) in the previous room intend to enter the first west facing door.

Aleksson shrugged, and followed the others.

This room is unlocked - as are the next several chambers. They're clearly well-used, but poorly cared-for, and represent the main bedroom wing of the castle. One of them is measurably more elaborate than the others, clearly representing the master bedroom of the castle. All of them, however, are devoid of inhabitants.

Taka leads the way around the passage to the bottom corner and opens the double doors.

Bottom right corner of U14 after the bedrooms.

After quickly flipping pillows and mattresses for any personal treasures that could be of use, Aleksson follows closely behind.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Shutai quickly searched the more impressive bedroom, hoping for more secrets or useful items.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

The rooms didn't seem to have any particular treasures or valuables in them, unless you counted the furniture itself. (The bed, for example, had almost certainly been slept in by Taka's ancestors...)

Down through the doors, dozens of paintings of a towering humanoid figure with four wings, a bird’s head, and a scorpion’s tail decorate the walls of the room, seemingly painted in blood. Old pews sit in a line facing the eastern wall, where a hideously defaced statue of a winged woman stands.

One of the black-feathered avian figures was in here, dressed in the robes of a priest of some kind, and it let out a loud squawk as you entered.

Init (Enemy): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Init (Aleksson): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Init (Shutai): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Init (Taka): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

...And you were all easily faster to react than it was.

You will, however, need a Move Action to get into melee range if that's relevant to your actions this round. XD

Shutai wished she could cast a spell and at least try to destroy the thing, but it as beyond her for now and would be until her voice returned. Instead she moved in to attack.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Claw 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

"Shutai you fool. You open yourself to the enemy."

Taka speaks and arcane incantation as a shield of force appears. He then studies the creature.

Casting: Shield, and using Study Target

I have intercept charge. Let me tank for you :) Though this thing may not charge it will probably cast or something.

Animus Gained: 4

Battering its wings should keep it slow, decided Aleksson. A number of subtle shifts in posture and weaponry accompanied the arrow he loosed from his bow.

Elemental Strike
| | -1 animus to add +1 to the save DC.
| | Mwk Shortbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
| | Piercing Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
| | Fortitude DC 15 or become sickened 1 round.

ManeuversTo Gain: 1. eldritch shield; 2. fluctuation movement; 3. spark strike; 4. tidal blade
Maneuver Gained: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Status Effects
Silenced - Cannot speak.
Poisoned - 3 Str damage accumulated.

Shutai, if you need a move action to get into range, you generally can't full attack... also, your combo is Bite/Claw, not Claw/Claw, isn't it?

Darting forward, Shutai managed to swipe at the bird - and land a hit. Aleksson's arrow shot through the air... but Shutai had engaged it in melee, and that made the difference as its movements made it harder to hit from afar. (Remember, there's a penalty for shooting ranged attacks into melee unless you have something to negate it.)

A moment later, the creature suddenly seemed to split into two - both occupying the same space, but you'd have to hope your attacks could hit the right one. The two images lashed out at Shutai with a longsword, clearly aiming to punish her for darting ahead.

Melee (Shutai): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 for Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Oh yeah, thanks for the reminder. Home game house-rules. :-P I take it this is a mirror image effect, such that I don't have 'two creatures' I can hit to use tidal blade. Is that correct?

Sorry, I keep forgetting random crap at the moment. And usually it would be Bite/Claw/Claw...but since I used a spell to switch into an orc to up her strength, I figured I couldn't use Bite too, as that's a Kitsune ability.

Unable to reply to Taka and shuddering from the blow, Shutai continued to attack, focusing on the right image.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Claw 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Crit Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Animus Gained: 1 (+1 for maneuver last turn)

Too slow to get the shot off before Shutai gets into melee, Aleksson shook his head. He took another hopeful shot, then released a new glyph to his party; this one accompanied by the sound of slipping steel.
⧼ ⧼ 錀 ⧽ ⧽

Mwk Shortbow (- Firing into Melee): 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 4 = 15
Piercing Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Maneuvers To Gain: 1. eldritch shield; 2. fluctuation movement; 3. spark strike
Maneuver Gained: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Status Effects
Silenced - Cannot speak.
Poisoned - 3 Str damage accumulated.
Metal Glyph - Aleksson, Shutai, and Taka gain +1 to AC for 4 rounds.

It is a Mirror Image-ish effect. XD Very, very similar, although not the exact spell in question.

Now prepared Taka follows Shutai into battle.

Charge Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
50/50: 1d100 ⇒ 59Low bad high good as always.

Damage w/ Arcane Strike: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 11

Taka charges forward and manages to find the true target in spite the illusion.

AC: 21 this round

Image Hit, Low is Good (Shutai): 1d2 ⇒ 1

Shutai managed to land one shallow hit on the foe (shame, that), even as Aleksson's arrow flicked through the space between the images... and hit neither of them. The creature gestured with its holy symbol a moment later, and negative energy surrounded its blade as it lashed out at Taka.

Melee (Taka): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 for Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3 plus Negative Energy Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 6) = 8
Will DC 11 halves the negative energy damage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

It was a fairly solid blow, all told, and the creature hopped backward a moment later. That put it in the middle of a doorway, so only one of you could effectively approach...

Animus Gained: 1

Spark Strike
| | -1 animus for +2 to hit
| | Image Hit; Low connects: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Damn.
| | Mwk Wakizashi Attack (+ Animus): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 = 25
| | Piercing Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5) = 11
| | Acid Damage: 2d4 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8

Maneuver Gained: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Weakened and silenced as she was, Shutai fell back and raised her hands defensively, hoping to get a chance to move in and help.

Full Defence for this round

Taka howls in pain as his ancestral spirit takes the brunt of the blow. He takes notice as Aleksson moved forward and was going to yell for getting cut off but the man attacks at range allowing Taka to close.

Free: Arcane Strike
Move: Move to Enemy
Standard: Attack

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 11

I didn't roll 50/50 as Aleksson's attack took out the image right?

That's correct, Taka. ^^

Aleksson's blade plunged right into the torso of one of the figures... and the image wavered and vanished, leaving only empty air there. Fortunately, that was enough for Taka to dart forward and strike the other figure, dealing a solid blow to the avian monster. With an angry caw, it drew out a slender wand and stabbed at Taka with it. A cloud of black energy appeared on the tip as the creature struck out, seething with lethal energies.

Melee Touch (Taka): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 for Negative Energy Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4) + 3 = 8
Will DC 13 Halves: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Taka takes the blow in stride as he readies his blade again. Now cutting upward following the reverse path of the downward strike.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 11

He then steps back allowing a clear attack lane for Aleksson

Without an obvious way to join in the fight without disrupting things, Shutai continued to hang back.

Shutai was due for a break anyhow. :-P

Animus Gained: 1 (+ 1 for maneuver initiated)

Aleksson felt his energy wane, and he stepped between the creature and his allies before digging into the well of his draconic blood. Viscous green liquid rushed out and swirled around him in a threatening, horizontal cascade.

Creatures targeting Aleksson in melee this round take 3d6 acid damage.
Maneuvers Readied: elemental strike, spark strike

Taka was able to land a solid blow on the creature, and it stabbed out with the wand again before stepping back into the small room, clearly willing to go down fighting.

Melee Touch (Taka): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 for Negative Energy Damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 3) + 3 = 13
Will DC 13 Halves: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 6 points!

"Aleksson circle round behind him. I need to heal my spirit."

If he stepped in we can probably flank, He may have a claw attack but other then that he is using the wand so he won't get and AoO unless it is with a claw. I will step up next round.

Rejuvenate Eidolon: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Sounds good Rednal, I had too many hp anyway. :-P
Animus Gained: 1

The swirling of competing energies having caught his eye for a moment, Aleksson smirked in response to Taka, and moved behind the bird-thing before striking at it with more power born of the earth.

Elemental Strike
| | -1 animus for +2 to hit
| | Mwk Wakizashi Attack (+ Animus): 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 28
| | Mwk Wakizashi Confirm: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
| | Piercing Damage (+ Reaching Blade): 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (4) = 10
| | Crit Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 3 + (1) = 10 (To be sure, I can multiply additional damage from stances on crits - just not maneuvers, right?)
| | Fortitude DC 14 or become sickened 1 round.

Maneuver Gained: 1d4 ⇒ 1

With the option to attack restored, Shutai moved in. Whether it was the best idea was another matter...Shutai moved to flank with Aleksson, in the hope that she would be more effective.

Claw: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 2 = 11
Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1