Kai sidesteps the first attack, but the second swing of the net catches his blade and yanks it free of his grasp. He looks shocked for a moment, but then jumps back pulls a short bow from his back and nocks an arrow."You have my blade, but I'm not without other means."
Toph scowls but ducks under the shaft. He springs forward at a surprising speed, the turf underfoot twisting and bunching with the power of his surge.
He swings his net just ahead of himself with his momentum, catching Kai finally in its folds. With triumphant glee, he grips the strands of the net, holding the Nagaji close.
The net wraps around Kai and he struggles wildly. "Cursed net!" His muscles ripple as he tries to rip the net from his body.
Toph smiles as the Nagaji struggles; many foes falsely believe the net is simple twine, and that they may escape with sheer strength. Though, the Ronin had made a reasonable effort.
That bow is your undoing, samurai.
Toph grips the front of Kai's armor, his smile deepening, but his scaled foe is slippery as an eel, and his grip is tenuous at best. He scowls, but holds the net strings tightly, and passes his brass knife to his teeth.
Toph tries to grab at him, but Kai slips out of his hold. He stumbles backward a few paces still covered in the netting. He desperately tries to free himself from it.
Toph strikes in anger with a truly devastating open palm to Kai's chest, driving his breath from his body with a semiaudible "whoof", shaking the samurai to his core and lifting him from his feet. If Toph didn't hold the net, it's likely the large Nagaji may have even achieved flight.
Kai lands on the ground with a resounding thud still confined in the net. He manages to push himself onto all fours and through gritted teeth manages to speak. "You fight well. Your strength is impressive." He attempts to bow, and then slipping the net off himself he walks back over and leans against the edge of the building holding his chest.
Toph returns the bow, helping Kai stumble to the building and helps to lower him into a sitting position. With an apologetic smile, he fetches some tea from inside, and returns the samurai's arrow.
The shaken Nagaji accepts the assistance and takes his things back, but looks puzzled. "You are a most honorable individual Tophan Stormcaller. I hope that we are never on opposing sides of a fight." He sips the tea and closes his eyes briefly.
Karval nods. "I believe I will fight next. Toph, would you care for a small brawl?"
The hobgoblin sits nearby. He is smiling, but this isn't the smile from the chess match--this is an intentional, calculated smile. "I think it would be illuminating. I won't use my magic if you won't use yours."
Toph laughs, his chest rising and falling as he catches his breath. He nods and bows, taking his place by his trident. He knows this will be more a test of finesse and strategy than prowess. He folds his net back onto his gauntleted left hand, and wields his trident reversed.
Karval eyes Tophal, still wearing the small smile. His stance is wary. His sword has not been drawn. "Well, then..."
Not trying to sound combative, just curious and want to fully understand the rules everyone uses before we get into the real game.
I guess we'll see around Tuesday.
Karval nods very slightly.
.
WALL OF TEXTTTT
Toph takes a few careful steps forward and throws the net, which barely clips the bottoms of Karval's feet. He scowls more with disappointment than surprise, and releases the trailing rope, as he will be forced to close without its aid.
Karval leaps into the air and aims a kick at Toph.
Toph is easily able to dodge out of the way, though.
Toph dodges easily, catching the back of the hobgoblin's foot as he twists away, but his momentum carries him away from a steady grip. Ducking low, Toph spins off his outer cloak, spreading it low and wide under Karval.
Karval takes a step back to regroup. Watching Toph warily, he slowly draws his scimitar.
Toph, wary of the defense, nonetheless charges ahead. At the last second he drops to his hips, sliding across the ground, his trident hugged close. He seems not to fear the blade at all, for as he passes Karval, he holds the trident to the side, hooking both the man's feet. The hobgoblin tastes dirt, and Toph uses his remaining momentum to regain his footing.
Karval swings at Toph with the flat of his blade as the half-orc tries to trip him.
But the hobgoblin is too slow, and he is swept off his feet. Shouting, Karval swings desperately. He knows he's reached the end of the line, though. The hobgoblin tumbles away.
Toph easily slips past both attacks, surprised, as always, by the wizard's speed and prowess. With a victorious grin, he places his foot on Karval's chest, near his throat, and levels his trident at the downed hobgoblin menacingly.
Karval swings his scimitar, but the attack is off by a hair. And then he's down.
"Well played, Toph." The hobgoblin tosses his blade aside. "I should have known better than to challenge you in an all-out melee."
Toph shrugs, wiggling his fingers with a mock jig, then points to Karval. Shaking his trident, he points to himself.
"I knew what I was getting into. I'm quite fine with magic already, no practice needed. And there was no point in wasting spells. Besides which, it wouldn't have been sporting. Can I get up now?"
Toph realizes belatedly his foot is still on Karval's chest, so he removes it apologetically and helps his friend up. He gauges the height of the sun in the sky, which has fallen lower still. He looks out at the lake near the horizon, miming a swim, then dusts himself lightly and mops his brow. It is, after all, a warm day.
Maybe once they're entangled I'll just let you throw them =P
Iunno. We'll see when we get there. It's only useful in a narrow range of campaigns, really. Though it is neat.
I'd suggest expanding your niche, with Splintering Weapon, which would be most improvised weapons, or even Distance Thrower. You could also gun for Charging Hurler via Point Blank Shot.
Hmm, I like splintering weapon, Distance not so much. But I'll think about it.
Ah, sorry.. With all of them posting, I missed your message up there, DreamAtelier. Kanoko is here. I've been holding off on the equipment (save for one spell), and the history, but I'll finish those today. I just don't want to post with her until the game stars so if anything goes wrong, I can still edit the character if necessary.
The equipment I want to hold off on to see if she knows what situation she's being sent into, though the history I'll put up later tonight.
That and bad action film is where I pull most of my narration from.
:-P
Gameplay thread is live.
I'm pretty sure I got everyone based on their traits, but if I missed someone, make sure I know.
I listed spy as a trait, I don't know if you wanted anything for that group or not.