Lergen points a finger right at Xavien's face, "I choose...."
He looks down the hall, back at Xavien, then at the rest of you...
"NEITHER!" He gives a shout, "NOW! HERE! NOW!"
INITIATIVE:
ROUND 1:
Xavien (56/57): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -2, Fatigued): Go
Kenton (22/25): Go
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (1 Round Prep)
Red:
Now, indeed, Kenton says, his rapier already appearing in his hand in an instant and his legs taking him to the opposite side of the loyalist. And thus, you spongy feeble-hearted poltroon, shall you pay dearly for your impertinence.
Kenton stabs the man in the leg, getting a grunt and blood, but neither fear nor surrender.
ROUND 1:
Xavien (56/57): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Go
Kenton (22/25): Hit
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (1 Round Prep)
Red: Guard 12
Aurelia moves into the hallway proper, stopping in front of Corran. "Watch my back, will you? I've a bit of magic to do."
Without waiting for a reply she moves into a quick bit of spellcasting, drawing upon stored magical energy to call forth a bestial ally: a cheetah!
The creature appears behind the loyalist, taking advantage of Kenton's distraction to bite and claw at the man!
(add +2 for Flanking)
(add +2 for Flanking)
(add +2 for Flanking)
(add +2 for Flanking)
(add +2 for Flanking)
plus
"What in the nine hells?!"
Attacked by a cheetah was not on this man's agenda for the day, even in a world of magic and gods... His confusion doesn't last long. The cheetah rips him down, and on the second swip of the claw, cuts his throat to ribbons.
ROUND 1:
Xavien (56/57): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Cheetah
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Go
Kenton (22/25): Hit
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (1 Round Prep)
Ianthe moves into the hallway. Seeing Aurelia's handywork and no immediate threat, she stays on the defensive.
Corran begins improvising a tune, something about Never Prospering after a Cheetah... He's working on it.
Xavien is about to advance when the man's defiance turns into a death gurgle. "Well, that was quick! He called out for aid though, so let us call our foes to battle. How about this one, eh?" he asks of Corran, though the inquiry is clearly rhetorical as he wastes no time getting into it.
"Knights wha hae wi' Arn'sant bled,
Knights, whom Aspex often led,
Welcome to your gory bed,
Or to victory!"
He joins Kenton in the center of the hallway.
Xavien's song echoes of the walls of the palace as the party closes in. After all the games and intrigue, it all comes down to naked violence.
The door at the end of the hall bursts open as a guard steps in and shoots a quarrel at Kenton:
for
ROUND 1:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Sing
Aurelia (32/32): Cheetah
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Defense
Kenton (17/25): Hit
Guard: ATK
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 2:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Go
Kenton (17/25): Go
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (2 Round Prep)
Kenton deftly dodges out of the way as the quarrel sails wide. He hears Xavien's song and his normal repartee vanishes as he turns on the hapless guard, barking out a curt You're NEXT! as he charges.
Kenton turns and strikes with a well-executedfleche!
ROUND 1:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Sing
Aurelia (32/32): Cheetah
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Defense
Kenton (17/25): Hit
Guard: ATK
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 2:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Go
Kenton (48/48): Hit
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (2 Round Prep)
Guard: 8
"Now's the day, and now's the hour,
See the front o' battle lour;
See approach proud Lotheed's power---
Chains and slavery!"
You may accept Inspired Rage as a FREE ACTION at the BEGINNING of your turn. If so, gain the following:
+2 Str
+2 Con (+1 hp/lvl, +1 on Fort saves)
+2 Will saves
-1 AC
May use the Reckless Abandon rage power (+2 attack, -2 AC)
Cannot use Dex-, Int-, or Cha-based skills (except Acro, Fly, Intimidate, Ride)
Cannot use abilities that require patience or concentration
You are NOT fatigued when the song ends
You CAN choose to cycle in and out of the raging song round by round
Xavien sings his way down the hall, keeping pace with Kenton. He follows the cavalryman's jab with a devastating slash.
THREAT
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Xavien's song fills the palace as he rushes forwar dand ends the man that Kenton stabbed!
ROUND 1:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Sing
Aurelia (32/32): Cheetah
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Defense
Kenton (17/25): Hit
Guard: ATK
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 2:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Crit kill
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1, Fatigued): Go
Kenton (48/48): Hit
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (2 Round Prep)
Guard: 8
Corran advances and begins a bardic performance. The words are an old, Exalted March war chant and everyone feels the courage of long dead patriots and adventurers invigorate them!
Inspire Courage.
Glad for her voice again, Ianthe summons a trio of force darts that fly true to strike the guard.
Aurelia gestures, sending the cheetah forward to attack the new guard. It complies, bursting forward before lashing out with its teeth.
plus
She then moves a couple feet forward, conjuring more magic to daze the soldier.
The guard left the door open, but you can only see what you see...
ROUND 2:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Crit Kill
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Hit
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (2 Round Prep)
Aurelia moves forward, gesturing for her cheetah companion to step through the doorway. The cat, ever a hunter, prowls the hallways in search of prey.
The cheetah doesn't seem to meet any enemy.
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Bot:
Ianthe moves down the hallway to fall in behind Aurelia.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
She focuses her will, gaining insight into the next few seconds.
,
Her eyes dart down to admire Xavien's buttocks. Her cheeks burn a little and she clears her throat.
"Yes, what will happen next?" *ahem*
Ianthe stops and appreciates...
The guard left the door open, but you can only see what you see...
ROUND 2:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Crit Kill
Aurelia (32/32): Move
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Callipygiphilia
Kenton (48/48): Hit
???: ???
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 3:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Go
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (2 Round Prep)
Kenton follows the cheetah into the room beyond the door.
Aurelia moves forward, mentally urging her cheetah ally to scout for danger ahead of the group.
Neither of the front runners see any more foes, but the sense of danger is still palpable.
Ianthe stops and appreciates...
The guard left the door open, but you can only see what you see...
ROUND 2:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Crit Kill
Aurelia (32/32): Move
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Pump you up
Kenton (48/48): Hit
???: ???
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 3:
Xavien (69/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Move
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Move
Guard: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (2 Round Prep)
Xavien pauses in his stride, trying to feel out the nature of his unease.
"Foes in the hall! Hurry!" Xavien urges everyone through the door and turns his gaze eastward. He plants his feet by the cheetah and readies to face what comes. Meanwhile, his song thunders to make the sconces tremble along the walls.
"Who shall be a traitor knave?
Who shall fill a coward's grave?
Who's so base as be a slave?
Let him turn and flee!"
You may accept Inspired Rage as a FREE ACTION at the BEGINNING of your turn. If so, gain the following:
+2 Str
+2 Con (+1 hp/lvl, +1 on Fort saves)
+2 Will saves
-1 AC
May use the Reckless Abandon rage power (+2 attack, -2 AC)
Cannot use Dex-, Int-, or Cha-based skills (except Acro, Fly, Intimidate, Ride)
Cannot use abilities that require patience or concentration
You are NOT fatigued when the song ends
You CAN choose to cycle in and out of the raging song round by round
Ianthe hurries after the others, taking up a position next to her old classmate.
Kenton takes his place at Xavien's flank, wary of the double doors to the north as well.
Corran hustles into the room and stops to protect Ianthe and Aurelia.
Double Move.
The party rushes forward. What's coming? Is it the remaining soliders en masse? Is it Bartleby himself?
Neither. The door at the end of the hall slams open to reveal an intensely pissed of Sir Gul Gusairne. "I thought you all smarter than this! You'd upend the divine right of things to back a usurper? Fools! Come then. Commit murder. Be assassins. You will be denied peaceful sleep at every moonrise." The feeling of judgment cuts deep, and you feel it in your bones.
He levels his crossbow at Xavien and let's fly
for
ROUND 3:
Xavien (57/69, Fast Heal 2): Move
Aurelia (32/32): Move
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Move
Kenton (48/48): Move
Gul: ATK
Corran (28/28): Go
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (3 Round Prep)
Gul: (Judgment of Destruction, Human Bane Active through Round 8)
Corran turns his head and curses himself. East is that way. He rolls his eyes at himself and hustles to the middle of the room. He wastes no time and starts casting a bit of enchantment magic, reaching into his trousers for a tiny feather, he extends three fingers and traces the air, tickling Sir Gul from afar.
"Llet em rehtona eno!"
Sil Gul may make a will saving throw, DC15, or collapse into laughter and falling prone.
"Pathetic Corran." He rebukes. "I'm no simple guard. Your mind tricks won't work on me."
ROUND 4:
Xavien (57/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Go
Gul: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (4 Round Prep)
Gul: (Judgment of Destruction, Human Bane Active through Round 8)
Xavien grins at Sir Gul. "Your surrender remains an option!" The quarrel in his shoulder does not even slow him down---though Aurelia hurried request does induce a momentary pause.
"Who for Taldor's Queen and law
Freedom's sword will bravely draw,
Free men stand or free men fall,
Let them follow me!"
You may accept Inspired Rage as a FREE ACTION at the BEGINNING of your turn. If so, gain the following:
+2 Str
+2 Con (+1 hp/lvl, +1 on Fort saves)
+2 Will saves
-1 AC
May use the Reckless Abandon rage power (+2 attack, -2 AC)
Cannot use Dex-, Int-, or Cha-based skills (except Acro, Fly, Intimidate, Ride)
Cannot use abilities that require patience or concentration
You are NOT fatigued when the song ends
You CAN choose to cycle in and out of the raging song round by round
"Wait, Xavien!" Aurelia says, working through the gestures of a new spell that'll speed the steps of the group. "Quickly now! I doubt he's the last we'll face."
Aurelia then points at Gul. Her cheetah charges forward, fueled by Xavien's song.
Aurelia brings out her most potent magic, enhancing the party's speed and reflexes. The cheetah then darts in, but it's teeth strike a shimmering field, and nothing more.
Xavien is quick to follow. Gul, not expecting to need it again in this life, swings his crossbow at Xavien's face like it's a club:
for
It doesn't stop the skald, who makes a DEEP slash across Gul's chest.
ROUND 4:
Aurelia (32/32): Haste
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Hit
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Go
Gul: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (4 Round Prep)
Gul: 22 (Judgment of Destruction, Human Bane Active through Round 8)
Kenton feels Aurelia's magic and races forward, his limbs moving faster than he ever thought possible.
Kenton dashes forth. His fleche attack lands square, piercing Sir Gul's heart deep enough to leave an exit wound!
As he slumps to the ground Kenton, Corran, Aurelia, and Xavien get a tingling feeling, like something is on the verge of happening, but it's unnamable...
There's no time to celebrate, "BARBARIANS! I'll roast you on spits and feed you to the dogs!" Bartleby's voice booms through the halls. He's nowhere to be found.
ROUND 4:
Aurelia (32/32): Haste
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Hit
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Kill shot!
Gul: -1
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: ( , Shield, Haste)
"I have to presume Bartelby can see us somehow," Aurelia says. In response, she holds up a middle finger and waves it all about.
You're not sure if it's Bartleby himself, but you can see a "figure" armed with a sword cane just east of Xavien. The figure is actually a quartet of figures moving in an out of each other under the effects of a Mirror Image spell.
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To your East, Xavien! We're not alone yet!
Ianthe then summons forth a giant spider's spew at the end of the hall.
"ABADAR!" A disemobdied voice shouts as a section of Ianthe's web immediately east of Xavien.
The party sees the web break
Bartlby moves to stand atop Gul's dying form.
ROUND 4:
Aurelia (32/32): Haste
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Hit
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Web!
Kenton (48/48): Kill shot!
Gul: -2
???: Break Free
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 5:
Aurelia (32/32): Go
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Go
Gul: -3
???: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (3 Images, Shield, Haste)
With the warning provided by Ianthe, Aurelia conjures a burst of magical glitter to fill the area just east of Xavien.
Aurelia's spell fails to reveal the foe!
ROUND 4:
Aurelia (32/32): Haste
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Hit
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Web!
Kenton (48/48): Kill shot!
Gul: -2
???: Break Free
Corran (28/28): Go
ROUND 5:
Aurelia (32/32): Glitterdust
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Go
Gul: -3
???: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: (3 Images, Shield, Haste)
"Blast it! Ah... Ok... Oreh a rof tuo g'nidloh!", he says, approaching Kenton and touching him on the shoulder.
Heroism on Kenton. +2 Morale to attacks, saves and skill checks.
Stacks with Inspire Courage for attacks, One more round of lingering.
Aurelia watches as the cheetah seemingly growls at the prone body of Gul, only for the beast to then swipe at the space with a clawed foot!
Alas, the strike finds nothing but air.
"The cheetah has smelled our prey!"
Kenton focuses on the spot the cheetah indicates, stabbing and hoping to find purchase.
You are a vacant-brained, molly-coddled cullion, and you shall pay for the effrontery committed upon your people!
With a level of bravado only magic can bring, Kenton lets fly with his blade. Ke thrusts into the air, drawing blood once, but only once.
ROUND 5:
Aurelia (32/32): Glitterdust
Xavien (48/69, Fast Heal 2): Go
Ianthe (37/37, CON -1): Go
Kenton (48/48): Hit
Gul: -3
???: TBD
Corran (28/28): TBD
-----------------------------
Location: Palace of Birdsong
Inspire Courage
Bartleby: 13 (3 Images, Shield, Haste)