When the bird turns to face them, Kimmich immediately lets out a growl, letting the bird know that in this scenario, it is the prey, not the predator.
With a twitch of his sleeve, his second sawtooth saber appears in his hand. Fully armed, he smiles, showing far more teeth than mirth. He swings both blades in a mighty unified swing, then darts and dips around the roc, getting over on the far side of the bird before he brings his sawtoothed blades down again as he reaches the beast's far side, hoping to distract it from Dianora.
Dianora pauses as the roc flies off. She looks over at the fleeing bird and then back at Yuki. "Well, so much for being between a roc and a hard place," she mutters. "Now we have to wait for it to come back!"
With the time available, she pulls out a scroll and quickly reads it, watching the blood-infused ink flare briefly into flame before the whole thing crumbles.
Two of Kimmich's attacks hit before the bird flies off in search of a snack for Yuki.
Sixty yards away, you see the bird wheel, turning to prepare to fly back toward you!
"I'll take out their alarm while we have a chance."
Crystal rushes out onto the balcony and races down to the bell, sliding down across the stone ground and pulls out a bottle of expanding foam that she bursts open on the wall of the bell, holding the ringer up against the wall and watching a thick gluey foam fills the space inside the bell, rendering its sound completely muted.
HP 190/190
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th heal [][] scouting eye []; 6th heal [][] vision of death []; 7th energy aegis [] execute [] heal []
Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [][][][][]
Effects: bless (+1 status bonus to attack rolls), curse of Gorum (-1 to checks)
As Dianora sees the bird turn around, she whistles softly and calls out in a quiet voice (that certainly won't travel beyond the chamber): "Here, birdie, birdie, birdie."
She pulls out her two sawtooth sabers and prepares for its arrival.
"Watch the underbelly, lots of vulnerabilities there," Kimmich says to Dianora. He mimics her stance with his blades, readying for the roc. He stares the thing down, his bloodthirsty intent palpable as he feels He Who Walks In Blood overcoming Gorum's displeasure.
Yuki calls out quietly to her companions, "Close up and I can speed our actions. Let's end this bird quickly."
"Okay, bell done, tactical re-entry to assist."
Crystal drops the empty bottle on the floor and runs back into position for the roc's return. She pulls out the first of her sabers and douses it with a stinging poisonous oil.
"Have a taste of one of my latest brews."
With a blast of wind, the roc lands in the aerie, swiveling its head to take in the red-clad intruders.
It pecks once at the bell, startled by the lack of ringing sound, then lashes out with a sharp beak and grasping talon. Remembering the pain inflicted by Kimmich now that its mind is clear, it focuses its attacks on him.
for
for
~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Roc (-47)
Kimmich (-51, Restrained)
Yuki
Crystal
Dianora
Yuki, runs behind the giant bird and to Kimmich's side. Touching him, she says "Get free of this thing and put it down" She then uses her hasted action to move opposite Crystal giving her flank.
HP 190/190
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [][][][][]
Effects: bless (+1 status bonus to attack rolls) 25 ft., curse of Gorum (-1 to checks), haste
Concentrating for a second on her connection to Achaecheck, Dianora extends the power of his blessing, before moving with the pure speed of Yuki's spell in to cut the bird down.
Crystal sees Yuki step in across from her and she gives a slight smirk before laying into the bird with her sawtooth saber.
She then twists her saber to aggravate the wound.
And with a quick flick of her wrist, she spins her second saber into her hand with practiced grace and immediately swings twice more.
Kimmich drops free of the bird's talons thanks to Yuki's spell. "Crystal - watch it's blind spots," Kimmich growls. He whirls his blades in a cage of steel, giving the roc nowhere to run from him.
Your attacks assail the beast, bolstered by the power of He Who Walks.
The badly-wounded owl struggles against the magic roots ensnaring it, then attacks Crystal, who dealt it so much damage!
for
for
Awareness +1 as sounds of the battle rattle through the top floor of the fortress.
~+~Combat Round 4~+~
Roc (-260, 1d6 bleed)
Kimmich (-51)
Yuki
Crystal (-61, Grabbed)
Dianora
HP 190/190
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [x][][][][]
Effects: bless (+1 status bonus to attack rolls) 25 ft., curse of Gorum (-1 to checks), haste
"I never really liked birds," Dianora says conversationally. "They feel like too much work to eat. All the plucking. As bad as fish, with all the scales. Insects are much better eating. Just roast and crunch. No real work needed. But you could probably feed a temple for a week. Although they'd probably get sick of you. I've only known you for 18 seconds and already I'm trying to kill you. That probably says something about you. Maybe about me too. But mostly you."
With that she calls on the mantis' power, reaching out to touch the bird and try to knock it to the ground, where she stabs it again before setting her defense.
The spell slams the bird to the ground and Dianora slashes at it, the roc barely hangs on to life!
"Farewell, noble creature. You were a worthy foe." Kimmich falls upon the bird, blades rising and falling with a deliberate finality.
Twin Takedown:
Second Sting the first:
Or 11 damage on a failure
Second Sting the second:
Or 11 damage on a failure
Kimmich draws his sabers across the roc's gigantic throat and its life-blood flows out onto the aerie floor.
Kimmich takes a moment to clean his blades before stashing them in his sleeve and belt again. He creeps over to the edge of the parapet and peers down at the staggered tiers of the keep.
Kimmich sees onto the fortified parapet below. A central balcony stretches the center of the building, with a double door opening into the fortress proper. A large iron bell hangs outside the door.
At either end of the balcony are circular ramparts, each housing a boxy-looking siege weapon—a springald—and a three-person team of Gorumites to operate it.
When you open the door to the west, you discover a hallway that opens on to several bedrooms, perhaps for the officers of the fortress. A woman with a greatsword strapped across her back challenges you:
"What's this? Intruders——and covered in blood! You'll meet our Lord in Iron today!"
You hear the commotional attract attention from farther down the hallway.
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Yuki
Red
Blue
Dianora
Crystal
Kimmich
Yellow
Yuki mentions something about a bit of blood amusing Gorum, and matches her magic to her words. A shield of energy springs up around her as she wait to see the effect of the enchantment.
The Gorumite lets out a little giggle, unnerved by the unusual opening.
She draws her greatsword and points it at you, "Gorum, strike you down!"
A wave of spiritual energy flows over you, clawing at your essence.
A burly fellow in heavy armor lumbers up at takes a swing at Kimmich.
for plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Will save from everyone before your turn, please!
~+~Combat Round 1~+~
Yuki
Red (No reactions)
Blue
Dianora
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-75, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Crystal feels a certain dizziness rip through her making her head spin and her balance unsteady but she opts to just ignore the strange unsettling feeling for now and steps up to the blue guard.
"Well that's not a very nice way to treat guests now, is it?"
She then proceeds to try her graceful two sword spin, using Kimmich as a distraction.
vs off-guard thanks to Gang Up
vs off-guard
HP 190/190
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [x][][][][]
Effects: curse of Gorum (-1 to checks)
"Oooh, that tickles!" Dianora says as her faith in Achaechek proves far stronger than her foe's faith in Gorum. Or maybe Achaecek is far stronger than Gorum. Probably both. "You know, if you pray really hard, maybe your god will answer your prayer. That probably won't be enough to save you, but I bet it would feel really nice for you. Just don't use very big words, because then he won't understand what you're asking for."
Backing up, she suddenly spins on a heal and dashes toward Kimmich's back before leaping clear over all three warriors in a row, somersaulting back onto her feet as she pirouettes around. Where she pauses.
"I probably should have pulled my swords first. I didn't quite think this through."
Kimmich nods grimly at the armored hulk in front of him, blood dripping from the sword wound. "Well struck. Now we'll see if your lord in iron bleeds," Kimmich growled as he stared the man down. He eyeballed the man as he shook sabers from his sleeve and drew one off his belt, catching the man with the upswing before both blades struck in unison.
Actions going Hunt Prey, Quick Draw, Twin Takedown.
Quick Draw:
Twin Takedown (combine damage for resistance and weaknesses)
Crystal's attack opens a large slice across the warrior's flank, allowing Kimmich's attacks to bite even deeper. Blood red tendris curl around the target's legs, locking him in place. Dianora hurdles the hostile duo in the doorway, and one more attacker advances toward her down the hallway.
for
He misses, badly, perhaps shaken by the fountain of blood spouting from his cohort up the hallway.
~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Yuki
Red
Blue (-91, rooted, frightened 1, bleed 1d6)
Dianora ()
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-75, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Delicately wiping the corner of her mouth, Yuki points her finger at the enemies, ”Iron slows you down”
Yuki manages to slow them down, though not by much!
The warpriest steps to close in Dianora and reaches out a hand wreathed in crackling darkness to brush against the priestess. Meanwhile, the warrior takes on mighty swing at Kimmich.
for
~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Yuki
Red
Blue (-91, rooted)
Dianora (Will Save)
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-124, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
HP 179/190; 14 temp
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [x][][][][]
Effects: Stupid Gorum (-1 to checks)
Dianora smiles at the war priest as his spell stings slightly. "Oh, no. You tried really hard there, didn't you? Maybe Gorum just doesn't like you? He seems like he'd be a bully. Are you the Gorumite everyone picks on? Because you're kind of sad and pathetic? It's OK. I'm sure they're not laughing at you. Too much. Here, let me show you! See? Not hard at all. Here, let's work on it. I'll let you run away like a little boy, and then you can spend lots of time practicing. I bet that would make Gorum stop laughing at you. No one likes a mean bully god who laughs at you, right?"
She pulls out her blades and stabs him right in the chest.
Crystal leans around the corner at her current enemy guard. "You know, as much as I take pride in my appearance, I only wish to be seen when it's of my own volition. So really, this is your fault for peering upon my image without my permission. Didn't you learn that its bad manners to stare at someone?"
She spins the blade in her hand closest to Blue and knocks his face with the blunt end of her sword, keeping him focused on Kimmich, and likely confused. "Unfortunately, I fear you're going to learn that lesson from me now, instead. And I'm quite the unforgiving teacher."
And then she tries to spit up her nauseating bile right at his feet, knowing he can't jump away from it.
Then she cuts down the rude immobilized man with her sabers.
vs OG
vs OG
In a show of ferocity that might well inspire some conversions, Dianora and Crystal slash at the Gorumites.
~+~Combat Round 2~+~
Yuki
Red (-26, OG)
Blue (-187, frightened 1, OG)
Dianora (-5, +7 Temp HP)
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-124, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Kimmich growls at the Gorumite in blue and raises his sabers in a defensive stance. "You're strong, brother in blood," the orc says as he resumes his assault, now accommodating for the enemy's movements. "Perhaps he will walk in both of our blood today..."
As the blue-garbed guard falls, Kimmich is over him in a flash to fall upon the red-cloaked warrior, sabers rising and falling like talons.
Kimmich and Crystal take down the foremost warrior, but the orc's follow-up attacks barely distract the warpriest, who is intent on threatening Dianora.
The remaining warrior swings his greatsword back and forth.
for
for
Through the power of Gorum, crits are possible! The warrior takes a chunk out of Dianora.
~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Yuki
Red (-26, OG)
Blue
Dianora (-76, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-124, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Now that Blue has been dealt with Yuki focuses her attention back to Red. She levels two fingers at the guard and a barrage of projectiles find their way to Red without error.
As the last bolt hits Yuki flicks her wrist.
If it Hits Red has 5 persistent Bleed.
Yuki's spell splashes against the warpriest, and her sorcerous power spills the enemy's blood.
The warpriest throws up a whirling dome of spectral greatswords around Crystal, Kimmich, and Yuki.
She stops bleeding.
~+~Combat Round 3~+~
Yuki
Red (-48, OG)
Dianora (-76, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-124, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Crystal looks around the corner at the now especially cramped hallway sighs and drops one of her sabers to the floor, then she sneakily hides behind the cover of the corner.
Then she leans around the corner and reaches up to her hair to grasp her small hair accessory, pulling out of the small bun of hair tied up over the flowing part of locks that she leaves down, and tosses the hair pin in one fluid motion.
possibly vs OG
And then as it ceremoniously flies back into her hand she steps up and around the corner to be better positioned to throw Stinger at its fullest potential going forward.
Reaction if I am hit by a strike: Mirror's Trickery
Kimmich recoils at the flashing spectral blades that manifest around him.
Shrugging between the spectral blades, the orc sprays blood as he rains his sabers upon the warpriest, attempting to incapacitate her before Gorum's displeasure wears his determination down.
Feeling the effects of the continuous blood loss, Kimmich again preapres for an oncoming attack.
HP 111/190; 14 temp
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [x][][][][]
Effects: Stupid Gorum (-1 to checks), 1d6 bleed
Dianora winces ever so slightly at the pain. She holds out a hand to the red-garbed warpriest. "If you're not going to run away now, don't move for a moment. I'll come deal with you in a moment."
She turns her back on him and focuses on the other who just stabbed her in the back as she pulls her second sword. "Meanwhile, you little toe rag -- that's a Taldan insult. I never really understood it, because why would you need a rag just for your toe? Maybe a foot rag might make sense, but toe rag? At any rate, what kind of person stabs someone in the back. I thought Gorum frowned on that sort of behavior. It's all assassin-y. You'd have to be a right bastard assassin to do that to someone!"
And with that, she spins back around and stabs the red-clad assassin twice in the back, before turning her attention back to the clearly more dangerous foe.
The warpriest is poked, slashed, and lacerated. Her partner shouts at Dianora:
"If you would fight me fairly, we would respond in kind!" The warrior roars at Dianora. "No, I will cut you down with no mercy. An offering to Gorum!"
for
for
The first attack cuts deep, but the second misses because of Dianora's parry.
~+~Combat Round 4~+~
Yuki
Red (-100, OG)
Dianora (-142, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-124, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Yuki casts fly on Crystal. The warpriest heals herself and slices at Kimmich, leaving her partner to deal with Dianora.
for
~+~Combat Round 4~+~
Yuki
Red (-12)
Dianora (-142, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-61)
Kimmich (-136, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow
Crystal feels herself growing lighter and kicks off the floor pushing up above the crowd.Thanks, Yuki. This should help me clear out the crowd a little more. Be right there, dear Sister Dianora. I hope you haven't missed me too much!"
She flies up around to the far side of Yellow and lands softly, raising her two weapons at the guard. "Well my blade does weep for her twin's temporary disappearance but I suppose their baby sister will have to fill in for today." She tosses Stinger up flipping it while cutting with her saber, then catches it to stab forward as a follow up.
vs OG thanks to Gang Up
still vs OG
Reaction if I am hit by a strike:Mirror's Trickery
Kimmich is a leaf on the wind against the clumsy frenzy of spectral greatswords, visibly spraying blood with every dodge. He batters and smashes with his blades, lips moving in silent prayer to Achaekek.
As both blades sink home, Kimmich's arms hammer forward, slicing with the serrated blades.
HP 98/190
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [x] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [x][][][][]
Effects: Stupid Gorum (-1 to checks), 1d6 bleed
Taking a page from the other warpriest's prayer book, Dianora calls on Achaekek for healing, then slashes the newly healed foe. The blood again seems to flow into her, fortifying her against the punishment the Gorumites are dealing out.
"Another stab in the back. You have no honor!" The warrior roars. If he makes much more noise, it might raise a bit of an alarm in the citadel.
He wheels on Crystal and slices at her.
for
for
Crystal's mirror magic tries to save her, but the warrior's mighty blows seem to be guided by Gorum himself.
~+~Combat Round 5~+~
Yuki
Red (-46, 3d8 bleed)
Dianora (-92, 7 temp HP, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-115, 1d6 bleed)
Kimmich (-136, 1d6 bleed)
Yellow (-31, clumsy 1)
Yuki sighs, ”This barrier is incredibly annoying”
Success!
"Your souls will serve as target practice on the Clashing Shore before my Lord in Iron releases you to your doom!" The warpriest taunts Yuki.
She mutters another prayer to Gorum and Kimmich feels a force trying to drain his strength away, then she strikes out at him.
for
For once, she misses. Perhaps all the blood spurting from her wounds is distracting.
~+~Combat Round 5~+~
Yuki
Red (-64, 3d8 bleed)
Dianora (-92, 7 temp HP, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-115, 1d6 bleed)
Kimmich (-136, 1d6 bleed, Fort)
Yellow (-31, clumsy 1)
HP 94/190
AC 34, void resistance 5
Fort +21, Ref +23, Will +25 (resolute faith)
Hero points: 1
Focus Points: 1/1
Spells: Cantrips: daze, detect magic, guidance, light, message; 1st: bless [] protection [] sure strike []; 2nd invisibility [] see the unseen [] sure footing []; 3rd cleanse affliction [] heroism [] safe passage []; 4th invisibility [] unfettered movement [] vision of death []; 5th divine immolation [] heal [x] scouting eye []; 6th divine immolation [] heal [][]; 7th dispel magic [] execute [] heal [] Divine Font (7th rank): Harm [x][][][][]
Effects: Stupid Gorum (-1 to checks), 1d6 bleed
"Shh!" Dianora scolds. "You're really making a lot of noise, and no one wants to hear you. Let's practice a fun game: Who can be quiet the longest? You start!"
Prattling on, she stabs the red-garbed warpriest in the back again before setting up to parry their return attacks.
The time for quips and speeches is over. Now is the time of reckoning: blood against blood, god against god. The mantis talks the iron mountain, seeking an opening, taking small bites of flesh whenever he can.
Crystal holds her breath momentarily refusing to let the blood trickle out of her mouth in front of this foolish guard's face. She glares at them and flips her cape around herself, the red inner fabric briefly wrapping around her and veiling her body in a red haze of soothing blood colored mist.
"We must get rid of this one, their swings are more dangerous than the spells that pathetic priest can throw at us." And then she once again strikes twice at Yellow acting now in spiteful vengeance more than her usual chatty self.
vs OG
Reaction: Will try Mirror's Trickery again if someone hits me.
"That's right, little bug. I'll squash you!" The warrior swings on Crystal again.
for
for
The warrior strikes again, but not as deeply. Perhaps his strength is fading!
~+~Combat Round 6~+~
Yuki
Red (-151, 3d8 bleed)
Dianora (-92, 7 temp HP, 1d6 bleed)
Crystal (-146, 1d6 bleed)
Kimmich (-136, 1d6 bleed, Fort)
Yellow (-88, clumsy 1)