GM Zinou's Blood under Absalom, PBP multi-table special (Inactive)

Game Master Zinou

Nemis will stare intently at the man, first using just his instincts Sense Motive: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13, and then with his trained power:

Casting Detect Thoughts

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Varuna is still tired from being awoken by the commotion. He grumbles at the conversation before climbing back into his bed. "Hmmph, keep it down. Need sleep."

*******************
OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT
*******************

There is a loud banging at the door! Moments later the door flies open revealing a dozen armed tengu behind it. They quickly storm into the room, blades drawn.

Tengu soldiers fill the place and quickly come upstairs. The innkeepers runs to hide behind Archon. Seeing the corpses on the floor, the soldiers stop and put back their blades in their scabbards.

One of them, looking like a commander steps forward, looking bewildered. He looks at you and the splatter of blood everywhere and opens eventually his beak.

"I... errm. I apologize for the disturbance, sirs. I heard sound
of combat inside and ran for reinforcements as soon as I could. Everything's okay? What happened?"

Not five star service, I will say that.

Aiden nods. "These hooligans tried to knife us. They seem to be part of some gang." He flips the Aspis badge to the commander. "Perhaps it was an initiation. Maybe this is a gang who needs to be cleaned off the streets..."

"Well, they did utilize poisoned weapons and attacked with some coordination, so it's more likely they where seeking something. I'm not entirely certain what, but, well, we are all members of the Pathfinder Society, and they it DOES seem as though they targeted us specifically."

Holding off for just a moment, hoping that these guards will come to the same conclusion he is trying to lead them to on their own.

"This Aspis Consortium doesn't seem too care who they hurt, or,. . ." motioning towards the innkeeper, "whose business's they ruin to get what they want. We simply wanted to rest after a long day, and study. This sort of thing simply can not be allowed to happen to other innocent folks simply seeking to get along in life."

"And if these assassins and trouble-makers where acting, um, um, "outside the orders or knowledge of their superiors", I still feel those superiors should be responsible, and perhaps even compensate those whose business, and good name has been injured and tarnished. . ."

Varuna stays mostly silent during the interaction, besides some audible groans. "Hmmph, ninjas. Another test probably."

***OVERSEER ANNOUCEMENT***

Overseer thread

The first rays of light creep into the inn’s window, accompanied by a loud knocking at the door. Someone in the hall screeches, “The sun is up! Time to gather your tickets and head to The Opera!”

***

Arriving at the opera, you are greeted by a trio of actors dressed in the garb and makeup of a traditional opera from Lung Wa. They seat you in the first few rows. Looking around you see a few others also in attendance. Strangely, there are no sets and the unlit stage is empty except for three plain wooden chairs. Then Kiang Zhen strides onto the stage and addresses the audience.

“Today I am treating myself to a display of opera, which all of you shall perform for me! Backstage, you shall find traditional costumes that will determine the roles you will portray. You may choose these roles yourself, but be forewarned - you must act within the limits of your role. Your objective is to perform an epic combat against a rival group. However, there must be no bloodshed. Any shows of lethal force will result in your immediate disqualification from the event. The troupe able to force its opponents to yield is the victor. Now go and prepare yourselves for the evening’s performance. It starts in 10 minutes!”

Aiden looks quite confused as the opera task is announced. "Is he serious? We're going to determine the best by play-fighting?" He shakes his head and sighs.

"Ok, let's head down and see these costumes and roles. I am not wearing a dress though!"

You are led backstage where three aasimars are waiting for you, dressed in Tien kimonos

"Welcome honorable actors, we will show you the outfits you can choose from"

They lead you to a clothing rack "Now remember that a female role can be played by a male and vice-versa. Sometimes the greatest male performance is given by a female who has observed males her whole life. It is also fine if you want to play your own gender, there is a certain comfort in not stepping to far out of ones shoes. Now what do we have..."

He shows two male outfits "These are for the leading male role, what we call 'Sheng'. You can pick either the General or the Monkey King. The General wears a long beard and fights with a wooden sword and armor. The Monkey King wears an elaborate monkey mask. The Monkey King is an acrobat and trickster and is permitted to cast spells."

The next two outfits are shown "These are for the leading female role, the 'Dan'. I present you the Warrior Woman and the Wizened Crone. The Warrior Woman wears full armor and fights with a naginata. The Wizened Crone wears long robes and walks with a cane. She is permitted to cast spells."

"Then we have the strong and forceful male, the 'Jing'. The two choices for this performance are the Noble Warrior and the Cruel Bandit. The Noble Warrior wears red face paint and full armor, and wields a large club .The Cruel Bandit wears blue face paint and wields a long wooden knife, specially balanced to allow a capable individual to hit where it hurts."

He comes to the last two costumes. "All the seriousness needs to be offset. For that we have the 'Chou' or what you would call clowns. These humorous characters are allowed to speak with the audience in order to make jokes at their opponents’ expense. Chou are also permitted to cast spells. Male Chou identify their characters by painting wide white circles around their eyes. Female Chou paint their faces red with black circles about the eyes. These costumes do not include weapons; however, Chou can carry and wield a broom or stick claiming it to be whatever weapon they desire for the sake of performance and comedic value."

She waits for a moment before continuing "You will be matched to another team. On the stage you will together entertain Kiang Zhen, with the team that remains standing proclaimed as the winner. There are to be no lethal wounds dealt. That would be a reason for immediate forfeiture of the match. I suggest you pick your costumes quickly and wisely. We will assist you in putting them on. Of course your own belongings will be carefully stored until you get back to these rooms."

There is one each of each costume (General, Monkey King, Warrior Woman, Wizened Crone, Noble Warrior, Cruel Bandit, Male Clown, Female Clown). Therefore you can not pick the same costume somebody else has already taken. I will go by posting order to decide who takes what if there is any dispute, but I'm sure everything will go well. :)

Nemis looks at the party, "This was NOT covered in Pathfinder school." Unless no one objects, he takes the wizened crone's costume...

Looking around at the others with a bit of a nervous, not entirely believing expression of concern, Archon nonetheless follows the team as they are lead to the dressing room.

"I suppose that the Monkey King would work best," (unless someone else wants it). "Does he speak? Can you perhaps give us any tips to what sorts of things are applauded or best avoided in this sort of theatre? We wouldn't wish to accidentally disrespect the art due to lack of knowledge."

Fimbir makes an immediate beeline towards the clown costumes. Smearing his face with red and black paint, he looks back at the aasimar.

Where are the brooms?

Fimbir is not gonna be great at this silly 'nonlethal' contest, but he is ready to try!

Varuna shakes his head as he listens to their mission. "Hmmph, nonsense. Waste of time. Children's games." Seeing no way out of this though, he reluctantly chooses the role of the Cruel Bandit, hoping to at least take out his frustration about the situation on someone.

Very good, we a wizened crone, a monkey king, a male clown and a cruel bandit. Aiden and Van Helsing?

The aasimars wait until everyone has chosen to give you more information.

Does full armor mean heavy armor? And does the Monkey King have a weapon? If no to both, Aiden will have to be the female clown.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yes for the armor and no for the weapon.

Aiden hangs his head as he takes the female clown costume.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Aiden returns with red and black facepaint and a stick. He's a bit sullen, though he says, "This might not be the most horrible thing. Perhaps as a clown, they'll underestimate me. And if it's one thing I can do, it's mock someone to death." He flourished his pair of sticks.

Wiiiirrr. KLANG. Tuuuuuuuut. Bot Buddy #1291 activates.

Van Helsing chooses eventually the General outfit.

The aasimars lead you onto the stage. At the other end of the stage, you see a Monkey King, Warrior Woman, White-eyed Clown and a Cruel Bandit also entering the stage. You all immediately notice the aspis symbols fastened to their outfits. Kiang Zhen sits alone in the audience. He hefts a small gong and strikes it "The opera has started!"

Thanks to the failed attempt at assassinating you last night, you all have a +1 morale bonus on your rolls vs the aspis (to hit, damage, saves, skill checks.

Stabbity! vs FFAC Varuna |15: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

One of them is faster to react but fails to land is blow with his wooden dagger.

ROUND ONE - The Theater - Fight! - Map updated
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ASPIS ! [Blue, AR@]
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Varuna [25/33]: ?
Fimbir [43/43]: ?
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ASPIS ! [Purple, AS@]
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Aiden [25/25]: ?
Van Helsing [40/40]: ?
Nemis [23/23]: ?
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ASPIS ! [Yellow, AF@ ; Red, Ro@]
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Archon [31/31]: ?
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ASPIS ! [Green, AC@]
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Just a couple questions before I decide my action. I'm assuming we are still able to use our feats and abilities, i.e., Weapon Finesse and Swashbuckler deeds? Also, would drinking an extract or mutagen be considered casting, and therefore not allowed? One final note, Varuna should be at full health.

Yes, you can use any feat, abilities and class features (deeds and mutagen). However, I would count extracts as spells, so if your role doesn't allow you to cast spells, you can't drink extracts.
Oh and yes, my bad for the HP.

Fimbir confidently sidles around to the encroaching Aspis. Forsooth! Though our two clans may be riven in train by a chasm of honor and differing opinions on primate/human cohabitation, laughter has no side. Therefore foe, I present for this olive branch to smooth our tensions.

The gnome thrusts out his broom towards the man before him, but as he does so he 'trips' on one of the stage's planks and the bristled end jabs at his face.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7 for nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Fimbir does a great impression and Kiang Zhen grows a smile in the corner of his mouth but the gnome misses his blow, though.

Varuna is still up.

His shoulders slumped, and head droopy, the wayang is clearly not enjoying this so called play. He scratches his face, irritated by the blue face paint hastily smeared on. He raises he dagger with as much gusto as he can, and stabs at his counterpart.

Dagger: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 211d4 ⇒ 4

Will Parry and Riposte if attacked
Parry: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Riposte: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 151d4 ⇒ 3

The blue cruel bandit makes an overplayed "Aaaaaaargh!" as he's hit by Varuna's wooden blade. The other monkey king steps forward and waves his hands in the air. "The terrible fate of those who oppose the REAL Monkey King awaits!" he says, as he seems to cast a spell.
A ray of fire erupts from him towards Fimbir but he misses!

Fire vs Fimbir TAC |16: 1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 3 - 4 = 6

ROUND ONE - The Theater - Fight! - Aiden, Van Helsing and Nemis are up!
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ASPIS ! [Blue, AR@4NL] Miss!
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Varuna [33/33]: Stabs blue!
Fimbir [43/43]: Miss!
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ASPIS ! [Purple, AS@]
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Aiden [25/25]: ?
Van Helsing [40/40]: ?
Nemis [23/23]: ?
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ASPIS ! [Yellow, AF@ ; Red, Ro@]
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Archon [31/31]: ?
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ASPIS ! [Green, AC@]
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"Oh, the real monkey king? I think I have a greater monkey hidden in here!" Aiden shuffles forward and makes a show of lifting the clown's skirts in the direction of the Aspis mage. "I think my monkey can eat you alive, king!"

As he mocks the mage, he activates his wrist sheathe and a wand of shield drops into his hand.

Demoralize (boon) : 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 = 26
Demoralize the mage. Additional rounds for every 5 over his CMD. Frightening ability add 1 to the duration. If 4 or greater rounds, Aiden will opt to have him frightened for a round instead.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Can someone move Aiden 5 feet SW?

-Posted with Wayfinder

@Aiden: you don't have your stuff with you. No wrist sheath and no wand.

Nemis shakes his head at the ridiculousness of the situation, but he keeps his concentration, since he knows that no matter how ridiculous, this is deadly serious.

He thrusts a bit of his mind into the Red Aspis agent. Casting Daze. DC 14 to negate.

For the moment, to make it a bit easier to bot, Van is going to Delay until after Archon so I can try to post both at the same time and look at his character a bit.

Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

The red fighter dressed as the General shakes the spell off.

I'm waiting on Aiden to state what he wants to do. Thank you for botting Van Helsing, Archon.

Having mocked, the monkey king, Aiden watches the General's movements closely.

Move action to Study Target on the general.

-Posted with Wayfinder

The other monkey king starts to shake without control! He then studies the general red.

The yellow and the red opponents start to move towards the filthy clown that dared mocked them! They both try to hit the gnome with their wooden swords however they both fail miserably.

Yellow vs Fimbir |21: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
Red vs Fimbir |21: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

ROUND ONE - The Theater - Fight! - Archon and Van Helsing are up!
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ASPIS ! [Blue/Bandit, AR@4NL] Miss!
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Varuna/Bandit [33/33]: Stabs blue!
Fimbir/Clown [43/43]: Miss!
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ASPIS ! [Purple/Monkey, AS@ ; shaken 5 rounds] Miss!
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Aiden/Monkey [25/25]: Demoralize and study!
Nemis/Crone [23/23]: Daze!
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ASPIS ! [Yellow/Warrior, AF@ ; Red/General, Ro@] FAIL!
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Van Helsing/General [40/40]: ?
Archon/Clown [31/31]: ?
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ASPIS ! [Green/Clown, AC@]
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I believe there is a small mistake. Aiden should be the Clown, I believe while Archon is the Monkey King, unless Im mistaken.

Archon moves a bit closer, staying in the middle ranks and comicly beats his chest and mimics growling and picking up an imaginary bolder to heavy at the crowd. As he lets out a final mighty battlecry, his allies feel a bit more bolstered.

Casting Bless

Van Helsing, strocking his mighty beard, circles around the set, propping on foot up on the "couch" in a conquerer pose while surveying the battlefield. He draws his sword, and stands ready.

Double move and draw wooden sword.

-Posted with Wayfinder

You are right. Archon is the Monkey King and Aiden the clown, my bad.

The bandit and the clown react at your tactic and try to swarm the gnome. The clown casts a spell and tries to tumble to position himself in front of the bandit, but fails and provokes an attack of opportunity from Fimbir

"You are pathetic! Fear the blunt side of our wooden swords!" he shouts, visibly less inspired than Fimbir.

@EVERYONE: Make a will save DC 14 or loose your Bless bonus

Tumble Green |15: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Blue vs Fimbir |16: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 for DMG: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + (3) = 4

ROUND TWO - The Theater - Fight! - Varuna and Fimbir are up! - Active buff: Bless
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ASPIS ! [Blue/Bandit, AR@4NL ; Green/Clown, AC@] Bane and hits!
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Varuna/Bandit [33/33]: ? + Will save DC 14
Fimbir/Clown [39/43]: ? + 1 AoO vs green + Will save DC 14
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ASPIS ! [Purple/Monkey, AS@ ; shaken 5 rounds]
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Aiden/Clown [25/25]: ? + Will save DC 14
Nemis/Crone [23/23]: ? + Will save DC 14
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ASPIS ! [Yellow/Warrior, AF@ ; Red/General, Ro@]
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Van Helsing/General [40/40]: ? + Will save DC 14
Archon/Monkey [31/31]: ? + Will save DC 14

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
AoO: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Two can play at that game Fimbir thinks to himself even as he's struck.

Sidling towards the stage edge and flanking with Varuna -on phone, will move on map shortly the clown looks at the mean bandit who just assaulted him with mock horror.

So, you are no true fan of the arts. Well, I can see that your weapons are just as sharp as your words!

The gnome lowers his broom for a second, feigning dropping it at he raise it again. But if you really want to improve on your boasting practice practice practice. Here: speak directly into the mic. he offers and Fimbir jabs the pole end towards him.

attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 10 for damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Varuna meekly stabs out with his play dagger, acting as unenthusiastic as possible.

Dagger vs blue: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 2 = 191d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Will Parry and Riposte if attacked
Parry: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Riposte: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 291d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 211d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Varuna, you forgot the will save.

Varuna successfully stabs his aspis counterpart but Fimbir proves less deft with his broom than with his words. The Aspis Monkey King tries to attack the gnome as well with his hands! He fails, however.

Purple vs Fimbir |16: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 - 2 = 10

ROUND TWO - The Theater - Fight! - Aiden and Nemis are up!
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ASPIS ! [Blue/Bandit, AR@4NL ; Green/Clown, AC@] Miss!
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Varuna/Bandit [33/33, bless?]: stabs + Will save DC 14
Fimbir/Clown [39/43]: Miss
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ASPIS ! [Purple/Monkey, AS@ ; shaken 4 rounds] Miss!
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Aiden/Clown [25/25, bless?]: ? + Will save DC 14
Nemis/Crone [23/23, bless?]: ? + Will save DC 14
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ASPIS ! [Yellow/Warrior, AF@ ; Red/General, Ro@]
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Van Helsing/General [40/40, bless?]: ? + Will save DC 14
Archon/Monkey [31/31, bless?]: ? + Will save DC 14

Nemis, frustrated at the rules of engagement, tries again to Daze (Yellow) his foe. Will DC 14

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Archon Fort DC 14: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Van Helsing Fort DC 14: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

-Posted with Wayfinder

Nemis: you forgot the will save ^^
Archon: it was a will save, but with these rolls, no probs.

Nemis tries to freeze the Warrior!

Will save DC 14: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19 Nope

Aiden is still up

I thought I did. My apologies! Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Well that sucks!

Tell me about it. My other character in another game just wasted a spell too. :p
However, hopefully that means we all got our bad rolls out of the way.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Oooh, love tickes! Fimbir laughs as the Monkey King tries to grab at him. The gnome turns towards the bandit with mock dignity. You see, look what has happened. You scorned my attentions and now another suitor has swopped in to try and sweep me off my feet.

Fimbir smiles at the frustrated face of the Aspis agent failing to get a hold of him. Though perhaps less rough on the sweeping my dear; I haven't heard wedding bells yet.

Will Save (aspis): 1d20 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3

Aiden moves around the clown, trying to avoid attacks. He comes to flank the clown and attacks him with his sticks. "Ha! Face my giant chopsticks!"

Acrobatics (aspis): 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

ST as an immediate action
Attack (twf, flank, ST, aspis): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 12
Damage (SA, ST, aspis): 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (6) + 1 + 1 = 14

Attack (twf, flank, ST, aspis): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 26
Damage (SA, ST, aspis): 1d6 + 3 + 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + (5) + 1 + 1 = 13

I think I provoke an AOO for movement.

Indeed you do :)

Aiden tries to tumble to flank the clown but he provokes a reflex attack from the clown and the general but only the general hits.

However, Aiden knocks down the opponent clown with ease.

The General quickly decides to focus his attack on the immediate threat that Aiden represents. The general taunts Aiden. "You and your chopsticks. Are you mocking me and my people? I shall not rest until you lay on the ground."
You indeed recognize a strong tian accent.

The general hits Aiden very hard with his sword and the slayer falls on the floor, unconscious.

Meanwhile, the Warrior moves towards the Monkey King and hits him hard!

ROUND TWO - The Theater - Fight! - Aiden and Nemis are up!
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ASPIS ! [Blue/Bandit, AR@4NL] Miss!
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Varuna/Bandit [33/33]: stabs!
Fimbir/Clown [43/43, 3 NL]: Miss!
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ASPIS ! [Purple/Monkey, AS@ ; shaken 4 rounds] Miss!
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Aiden/Clown [25/25, 29 NL]: Knocks down! [Unconscious]
Nemis/Crone [23/23]: Daze!
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ASPIS ! [Yellow/Warrior, AF@ ; Red/General, Ro@] Kill with wood!
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Van Helsing/General [40/40, bless]: ?
Archon/Monkey [31/31, 19 NL, bless]: ?