Yujin then uses her magic on the gem, causing it to shatter and the fire elemental—a vaguely humanoid form made of pure lava—to become freed. The Huge elemental nods in thanks at the oracle, then turns around and rushes to the greater part of Crownhold, causing clear chaos in its wake.
Yujin closes her eyes and revels in the sounds of men dying upstairs. She finds it almost peaceful.
…all eight are asleep! So, the group decides to do what they did before and purloin the group’s equipment into the spacious pouch and lock them inside.
Yujin quietly sighs. She would have enjoyed slitting their throats. Another time perhaps.
Yujin will activate one use of invisibility from her greater invisibility armor and take a peek up the two sets of stairs in the entrance room that they are in. She is not going to search the rooms or engage any enemies. She just wants to see if the rooms are occupied then come straight back down.
Ajoran runs a quick check over his equipment and his body. If a few devoted guards could come close to laying him flat, their mark could very well cleave his head from his shoulders. No need to be reckless and ruin things now.
"Yujin." he says, running a hand over his shoulder. "Do you have spare magic to mend a lingering wound of mine? A spell of the third tier is likely enough."
It is not very long before the man of the hour arrives: Ordulf Bladecaller, wielding his greataxe, strides in from the kokogiak room. The Red Mantis assassins wait until he is a decent ways in the middle of the room…
And Ajoran gives the signal as he leverages his body to shove down the lever, causing the southern block of wall to suddenly drop!
Ordulf begins to shout something at Ajoran when suddenly his eyes shift to the north, toward Yujin’s hiding spot . He catches enough of a glimpse of a fishing rod—one he knows very well—and his eyes practically glow with murder! ”HANDS OFF THAT FISHING POLE!!!”
Ordulf, in his anger, spins around and throws his greataxe straight at Yujin! The axe embeds itself in the wooden door before it suddenly animates, tearing the door apart into splinters as it swings at Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Ordulf then draws his greatsword as he shouts ”BLOOD FOR GORUM!!!”
Round 1
==============
Ordulf Bladecaller <Cyan>
Yujin {frightened 1}
Janna {Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 0 of 10}
Suryo {heroism +2: Round 0 of 10; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 0 of 10}
Ajoran {heroism +1: Round 0 of 10; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 0 of 10; Exploiting Ordulf}
==============
With a dismissive hand, Yujin casts dispel magic on the animated axe and it falls to the ground.
"Oh, do you mean this fishing pole? It looks like its been meticulously cared for. It must be important. It would be a real shame if something happened to it. Ooops! It looks like all of your toys are falling apart. Don't worry. Once you're dead, you won't have to fret over such things."
Yujin slashes the fishing equipment, destroying it.
◆◆Dispel Magic (Rank 6)
◆Interact (Destroy Fishing Equipment)
Wordlessly, Janna leaves her hiding place and takes up a position where she has options for retreat.
◆ Stride
She twists off the top of her first vial of Breath of the Mantis God and shakes it in his direction.
◆ Activate Breath of the Mantis God
Expecting a counter-attack, she then sheathes herself in a conjured shield
◆ Cast Shield
Suryo glides into the room, arriving a short distance from the Ulfen man.
He holds up the fire elemental gem in front of Ordulf, just for a moment to let the realization sink in that its an elemental he previously had imprisoned.
Suryo crushes it in his hand.
Yujin undoes the magic of Ordulf’s greataxe then destroys his fishing equipment. Ordulf stares at Yujin wide-eye as something in the warlord’s mind snaps!
”You…YOu…! I…! GRAHHH!!!” The legendary cutting insults of Ordulf Bladecaller are all completely fallen away as he shouts in sheer rage!
Janna moves forward and unleashes a cloud of poison onto Ordulf!
Suryo moves forward and shatters the elemental fragment!
The living magma attacks Ordulf!
plus 2d4 4d4 persistent fire
plus 2d4 persistent fire
Ajoran Strides over and Insults Ordulf!
No damage thanks to Janna’s mutagen
”DO you…I…that was so much…GRRRAAAAHHHHH!!!!!”
Ordulf fumbles over his words in his anger, and sees both Ajoran and the elemental next to him and cleaves through them!
As Ajoran is sliced into, he glares at Ordulf as he brings down the wrath of Achaekek upon him!
Round 2
==============
Ordulf Bladecaller <Cyan> (-80) {sickened 2; 3d6 persistent bleed; 4d4 persistent fire; No reactions & off-guard & slowed 1: Round 1 of 10}
Yujin
Janna {Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 1 of 10}
Suryo {heroism +2: Round 1 of 10; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 1 of 10}
Living Magma <Red> (-44) {Summoned by Suryo: Round 1 of 10}
Ajoran (-34) {heroism +1: Round 1 of 10; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 1 of 10; Exploiting Ordulf}
==============
Yujin does not want to get trapped in a privy with an angry barbarian, so she books it out of there. Then she tries to curse Ordulf with Achaekek's Clutch.
"What's the matter? Mantis got your tongue?"
Suryo has trouble thinking clearly amidst the intense heat of his new charge. However, he will stick it out nearby just a little longer.
You channel your zeal through a sacred weapon, bringing a foe closer to their demise. Strike a target with the required weapon. On a success, the target becomes doomed 1 or increases the value of their doomed condition by 1 (most living creatures die when they’ve reached doomed 4). Creatures doomed in this way take a status penalty to their saving throws against divine spells equal to their doomed value.
A creature that would become doomed 4 by this Strike can attempt a Will saving throw against your class DC to avoid increasing the value of their doomed condition. When this occurs, this ability gains the incapacitation trait.
You apply one of the following debilitations, which lasts until the end of your next turn.
Debilitation The target takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds.
Debilitation The target becomes enfeebled 1.
Smash!
plus 2d4 persistent fire
plus 2d4 persistent fire
Round 1
Ajoran makes sure that Ordulf sees the personal antithesis that was assembled just for him: A short line of twine ending in a rusted fishhook, which is stuck through the remains of a broken holy symbol of Gorum.
Round 2
The heat washes harmlessly over Ajoran as he moves to strike his target. "You've been caught. You took the bait. And now we'll cook and flay you alive..."
◆ Demoralize
◆◆ Twin Feint
Overtaken by the burst of psychic energy, Janna allows the damn to burst and becomes consumned by it
◇ Unleash Psyche
A beam of psychic energy shoots from her through the poison cloud into Ordulf
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Amped Phase Bolt
Then something speaks through her "Only the hand that erases can write the truth"
↻ Aid
Yujin attempts to curse Ordulf.
A massive mark of Achaekek appears on Ordulf’s body!
Suryo commands the elemental attack, but it misses both times.
Suryo himself then attacks Ordulf, but misses.
Ajoran frightens Ordulf, causing the warlord to grow sloppy in his tactics.
Ajoran then slices deep into Ordulf!
Janna sends a psychic bolt at Ordulf before assisting Suryo’s next attack.
”Thats not…! That isn’t…! GRAAAHHH!!!”
Ordulf’s barely-contained rage bubbles over as he swings!
And as Ordulf slashes, Suryo likewise unleashes a blood vendetta from Achaekek!
And as Ordulf is afflicted by the curse, a mantis claw bursts out and swipes at him!
And it is at this point that a group of Gorumites—one warpriest and two veterans—with great swords drawn and fully prepared to run into battle! However, they are caught completely off-guard by the violent heat of the fire elemental (especially after beginning to freeze following the furnace’s deactivation).
They are more shocked by the presence of the Red Mantis—they were aware that something was occurring in Crownhold, but were not prepared for something as drastic as the Inner Sea Region’s most notorious assassins’ guild! And seeing their general fighting them, they change from moving to assist to cheering Ordulf on—both out of unspoken fear of the assassins, but also out of a genuine belief that Ordulf will be able to slay them single-handedly!
Round 3
==============
Ordulf Bladecaller <Cyan> (-242) {sickened 2; 3d6 persistent bleed; Achaekek’s clutch; No reactions & off-guard & slowed 1: Round 2 of 10}
Yujin
Suryo (-93) {heroism +2: Round 2 of 10; enfeebled 1 in Red’s aura; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 2 of 10}
Living Magma <Red> (-147) {Summoned by Suryo: Round 2 of 10}
Ajoran (-34) {heroism +1: Round 2 of 10; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 2 of 10; Exploiting Ordulf}
Janna {Unleash Psyche: Round 1 of 2; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 2 of 10}
==============
Yujin can't help but wince when Suryo takes a critical hit from Ordulf's sword. She conjures a spell and white flames of vitality engulf the wound, soothing rather than burning, until no evidence of injury remains. Casting heal (Level 7) to heal Suryo 94 hp.
She taunts Ordulf. "Once again I undo what you have done. Try harder."
Then she activates her majestic presence to further debilitate her foe.
◆◆Heal (Level 7)
◆Majestic Presence
With an undignified scream of pure exertion, the kind that is embarrassing to hear in public because it shows the issuer has let go all bounds on their behaviour, Janna summons another blast of force aimed at Ordulf.
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Amped Phase Bolt
She's clearly pushing past her limits though, and her blast is well wide. She starts to scream in frustration, but she's taken by something else and she relaxes as her eyes glow.
"Death has but one terror, that it has no tomorrow"
↻ Aid
Suryo curses silenty to himself as both the fire elemental and his own blade misses Ordulf. This isn't the point to mouth off to their target, so he remains silent for now.
He does turn and nod at his friend in thanks.
You channel your zeal through a sacred weapon, bringing a foe closer to their demise. Strike a target with the required weapon. On a success, the target becomes doomed 1 or increases the value of their doomed condition by 1 (most living creatures die when they’ve reached doomed 4). Creatures doomed in this way take a status penalty to their saving throws against divine spells equal to their doomed value.
A creature that would become doomed 4 by this Strike can attempt a Will saving throw against your class DC to avoid increasing the value of their doomed condition. When this occurs, this ability gains the incapacitation trait.
You apply one of the following debilitations, which lasts until the end of your next turn.
Debilitation The target takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds.
Debilitation The target becomes enfeebled 1.
For dramatic effect he draws Storm Flash and lets the electricity arc and crackle.
It reaches out and tries to bear-hug Ordulf.
Engulf [two-actions] DC 33, 2d10 bludgeoning plus 4d6 fire, Escape DC 33, Rupture 25
Ajoran turns his glance away from Ordulf for a moment, eyes flicking to the tome that seems to have mysteriously appeared in his hand. "As it was written..."
And just like that, the tome is gone, once again replaced by his blade. He moves to strike, recalling his recently gleaned knowledge to modify his tactics.
◆ Intensify Vulnerability
◇ Swap Implements
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
Yujin heals Suryo and subjects Ordulf and Red to her Draconic glory!
Suryo attacks Ordulf, and slices deep into the warlord thanks to Janna’s cryptic words!
Suryo slices his blade deep into Ordulf’s side in a clearly-lethal blow! But at that same moment, a bright flash of light emits from Ordulf’s eyes as he shoves Suryo off of him! Ordulf’s wounds are all suddenly healed, but they’re immediately scar over, with Suryo’s “death blow” being the most prominent of the scars. His physique, though, is more gaunt.
Suryo then pulls out the golden-bladed rapier, and the crackle of electricity seems to subtlety spook Ordulf.
The elemental then tries to engulf Ordulf!
Ajoran slices into Ordulf, which causes Suryo to take a stab as well!
…which in turn allows Ajoran to backstab right back!
Janna sends out a bolt of psychic energy that misses Ordulf.
Ordulf roars in rage to get his anger at Ajoran’s insult out of his system!
Ordulf is still affected by Ajoran’s insult, and opts to Stride in an attempt to reposition! But Ajoran slashes out at the man!
Ordulf stands his ground at the stairwell where the warpriest and veterans hold their position. ”What are you doing?! Stop hiding like cowards and assist me!”
The other Gorumites are more than a little perturbed at the situation, and the warpriest stares at the massive scar from Suryo’s “deathblow.” ”General…what…was that?”
Round 4
==============
Ordulf Bladecaller <Cyan> (-292) {sickened 2; Achaekek’s clutch; doomed 2 & penalty vs. divine; -1 to Will; No reactions & off-guard & slowed 1: Round 3 of 10}
Yujin
Suryo {heroism +2: Round 3 of 10; enfeebled 1 in Red’s aura; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 3 of 10}
Living Magma <Red> (-147) {Summoned by Suryo: Round 3 of 10}
Ajoran (-34) {heroism +1: Round 3 of 10; enfeebled 1 in Red’s aura; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 3 of 10; Exploiting Ordulf}
Janna {stupefied 1: Round 0 of 2; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 3 of 10}
==============
Yujin delays until after Janna.
”Looks like the writing is on the wall. Your allies know you are doomed. Accept your fate.”
Yujin attempts to demoralize Ordulf.
Then Yujin conjures a cloud of foul, blood-sucking fog engulfing the stairs and Ordulf. She casts Sanguine Mist (Level 5).
Basic Fort DC 33
Then Yujin uses Fortell Harm against Ordulf. ”The longer you stay in my fog, the stronger I get. You can flee but you can’t escape. It will cling to you no matter what you do.” As she speaks, her body ignites in flames making her look even more terrifying.
◇Delay
◆Demoralize
◆◆Sanguine Mist (Level 5)
◇Fortell Harm
Suryo scowls when Ordulf simply "reverts" from the death that he was headed to. The wayang is feeling a little more confident now.
Don't be stubborn about it. We're all doing too much work to arrive at the inevitable conclusion.
He whispers to the elemental.
Just a little longer...
Then, grinning directly at Ordulf he thrusts storm flash into him, followed by a slash with his sawtooth sabre.
You channel your zeal through a sacred weapon, bringing a foe closer to their demise. Strike a target with the required weapon. On a success, the target becomes doomed 1 or increases the value of their doomed condition by 1 (most living creatures die when they’ve reached doomed 4). Creatures doomed in this way take a status penalty to their saving throws against divine spells equal to their doomed value.
A creature that would become doomed 4 by this Strike can attempt a Will saving throw against your class DC to avoid increasing the value of their doomed condition. When this occurs, this ability gains the incapacitation trait.
You apply one of the following debilitations, which lasts until the end of your next turn.
Debilitation The target takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds.
Debilitation The target becomes enfeebled 1.
plus 2d4 persistent fire
plus 2d4 persistent fire
Ajoran grits his teeth at the sight of Ordulf's revival. His own anger stokes at the sight of such divine power given freely. "Keep screaming! I'll tear you into so many pieces that even Gorum won't know what to do with you!"
He moves to drive his blades back into the warrior's body!
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
Janna staggers after her psyche collapses back into her brain. Wincing against the pain, she focuses on Ordulf and tries to curse him.
◆◆ Cast Albatross Curse
As the psychic energies gather though she gasps in pain and they dissapate harmlessly, and she decides instead to draw her staff for stability as much as the magic it contains
◆ Draw Staff
The elemental winds up and sends a punch straight at the head of Ordulf Bladecaller! The magma that forms the elemental’s body coating Ordulf’s face in vicious third-degree burns! And just as it seems Ordulf is to fall, his eyes glow brightly once more, causing his body to become more haunted as his wounds scar, leaving his face covered in a nasty burn scar!
Suryo advances at Ordulf and slashes at him!
Success —> Critical Success (incapacitation)
Ajoran moves forward and slices at Ordulf!
This causes Suryo to backstab him…
and Ajoran to further backstab him in kind!
Janna tries, and fails, to cast a spell.
Yujin summons forth lifedraining mist on Ordulf!
It is at this point that the veterans and warpriest all turn heel and continue up the stairs, which draws Ordulf’s anger!
”What do you cowards think you are doing?! Deserting your general?! Stand and fight!”
It is only the warpriest who stops long enough to respond. ”’Cowards flee, warriors retreat.’ We are living to battle another day, and refusing to throw our lives away in a suicide mission, ’General!’”
The warpriest’s final words linger as she continues to run from her former superior’s side. Ordulf is left speechless—at least for the briefest of moments.
The warlord howls in sheer rage, his voice shattering in an attempt to shout louder than is physiologically healthy.
And then he suddenly keels over. He falls to the ground as his voice falls as well. He slumps to the ground as blood starts streaming from his eyes—he just died of a ruptured blood vessel.
Round 5 —> 8
==============
Suryo {heroism +2: Round 7 of 10; enfeebled 1 in Red’s aura; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 7 of 10}
Ajoran (-34) {heroism +1: Round 7 of 10; enfeebled 1 in Red’s aura; Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 7 of 10; Exploiting Ordulf}
Janna {Resist Fire 15 & weak acid/cold/electricity 5: Round 7 of 10}
Yujin (-1) {Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire}
==============
Spend an action to Recall Knowledge and succeed at a DC 30 Religion or DC 20 Gorum Lore (Ajoran can roll Esoteric Lore at a -2 instead of Gorum Lore) to open the spoiler below
If you critically succeeded, also open the spoiler below
Round 8 —> 11
==============
Suryo
Ajoran (-34)
Janna
Yujin (-1) {Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire}
==============
That said, I’m also assuming Yujin’s answer is “start to Refocus so I’m not taking continual fire damage.”
Round 1
Yujin will walk over to where the animated axe fell and pick it up. She says, "Someone grab what we came for. It's time to go!"
Round 2
Trusting her sanguine mist to block the western stairway, Yujin casts Wall of Flesh to block the eastern stairway.
Round 3
Yujin moves towards the lever to drop open the front entrance. "Once the door opens, let's make a break for it. There is still a stronghold full of Gorumites who may yet seek vengeance upon us."
Rolling Gorum Lore with Clever Improviser.
Yujin recognizes the screams as that of the valkyries coming to claim Ordulf's soul. "Valkyries... she mutters and wonders why she can she Ordulf's soul at all.
Round 1
Ajoran remains at the ready at first, half expecting some alternate contingency to bring the man back into the fray.
Round 2
Without an immediate threat before them, he kneels down to confirm the death.
Round 3
After the confirmation, the assassin sheaths his implement blade. The symbolic value of a body part from champion of Gorum would be remarkable. And for that, Ajoran is already considering the best way to swiftly take his jaw.
Suddenly, Ajoran's head snaps towards the source of the sound. "Ready yourselves! The First Blade, Gorum's hand, is leading the escort." Being familiar with the fleshwarp's cadence, his allies would be able to sense a tinge of fear in his angelic voice.
With the coming of the herald, Ajoran searches the body for his personal holy symbol. Thankfully, one of his allies has shown more initiative and already seized it. Instead, Ajoran takes the time to use a scroll to cast air walk on himself.
"I have teleportation magic, but the range is short and I can only go alone. Do we have another exit?"
Suryo nods at the elemental as a way to express thanks. He does not speak its language but there is an understanding.
Suryo sheaths his blades, gathering his cloak around his form and ensuring they become hidden from view.
As his skin continues to cool he kneels down next to Ordulf's body.
And takes the religious symbol from it.
If you proceed with attempting to flee, open the spoiler below:
”Stand and fight, coward!”
Gorum rewards cowardice with frailty. Any armor you wear and shield you wield reduces its item bonus to AC by 2 (minimum 0) and its Hardness, Hit Points, and Break Threshold by half.
Yujin feels a gaze upon her and stops. "I was mistaken. This fight isn't over yet. We should prepare ourselves."
In the next three rounds, Yujin will:
Cast heal (Level 2) on Ajoran, healing him 24 hp.
Reposition into a corner.
And activate her incendiary aura.
Janna holds onto her staff and takes in the room, looking for their best exit
Put away her other Breath of the Mantis God
Move to an arrow-slit by the lever
Open the arrow slit
"We don't need the open the door" she says to Yujin. "If I make a tunnel through this arrow-slit we can leave this way and they might not realise we've gone out the front-"
At the sound of Valkyries, a wide smile spreads across her face. A chance to deny Ordulf's soul its place in the beyond!
When Ajoran mentions it's Gorum's herald, she is troubled though. A brief consideration of her options for retreat gives her the most unusual sensation, and she merely gulps and prepares for combat.
"He who walks in blood, witness!"
"Here they come!"
Ajoran pulls out a scroll and casts air walk on himself
Janna blesses herself and speeds herself up.
Yujin maintains her cloud and activates her aura.
The roaring voices grow louder as the light around Ordulf’s ghostly form grows to a blinding brightness, then suddenly extinguishes. Standing around the apparition are four winged women wearing plate armor with winged helmets, and brandishing spears crackling with electricity. Yet the towering armored figure that arrives with them is what commands the attention—this figure watches the winged women as one of them lifts Ordulf’s soul into the air, then turns away and says in a booming voice:
With an extended hand, the armored figure—the First Blade—spontaneously creates a greatsword as he is suddenly surrounded by a veritable halo of bladed weapons that dance around him! All the monitors—save the valkyrie tending to Ordulf—rush forward with no further chance for discussion!
Round 11
==============
Suryo
Yujin (-7) {Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire; Incendiary Aura: Round 1 of 10}
Valkyrie <Yellow>
Valkyrie <Green>
Valkyrie <Blue>
The First Blade <Red>
Ajoran (-10)
Janna {Bless 35’: Round 3 of 10; fleet step: Round 1 of 10}
==============
Yujin moves to position all the enemies within her aura and then drops columns of flames upon them, setting them all ablaze. Casting whirling flames.
You’ve come for us?! Bring it on First Blade! I welcome the challenge.”
Basic Reflex DC 33
◆Stride
◆◆Whirling Flames
Suryo approaches the flock of Valkyrie.
He pulls out storm flash...
Oh how cute, you've all got the same uniform.
You distract your opponent with a few choice words or a rude gesture. Choose a target within 30 feet. It’s off-guard against your attacks until the end of your next turn. Depending on the way you describe your distraction, this action gains either the auditory or visual trait.
You apply one of the following debilitations, which lasts until the end of your next turn.
Debilitation The target takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds.
Debilitation The target becomes enfeebled 1.
Suryo advances forward and causes a brief distraction to Yellow as he stabs at her!
Yujin moves over She then calls down a blast of fire on the monitors!
The Valkyries each Cast the same Spell: a 6th-rank heroism on themselves! But Suryo moves to
Green then Strides over to flank Suryo with Yellow (not realizing Deny Advantage would prevent that).
Yellow then stabs at Suryo!
Blue then casts a 6th-rank heal on herself.
The First Blade Strides forward and raises his greatsword. ”Blades of iron shall be painted crimson!”
The herald swings his greatsword down, narrowly missing Janna as it becomes clear that he wasn’t actually trying to attack her. Instead, his sword multiplies outward numerous times as they add to the First Blade’s halo of blades and slice out at everyone within 10 feet of him!
Failure
Failure
Success
Failure
Failure
Failure
Round 11 —> 12
==============
Suryo
Yujin (-41) {Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire; Incendiary Aura: Round 2 of 10}
Valkyrie <Yellow> (-84) {Heroism +2; enfeebled 1 until Suryo’s turn}
Valkyrie <Green> (-46) {5d4 persistent fire; Heroism +2}
Valkyrie <Blue> (-47) {5d4 persistent fire; Heroism +2}
The First Blade <Red>
Ajoran (-62)
Janna (-52) {Bless 35’: Round 4 of 10; fleet step: Round 2 of 10}
==============
◇ Unleash Psyche
With her evil grin wiped firmly off her face at the appearance of the First Blade, Janna retreats out of the blade storm.
◆ Stride
With an intense effort, she focuses her thoughts on the beams holding the ceiling above. With veins bulging in her head and neck, she suddenly exhales as a huge wooden beam breaks free of the ceiling and slams down with the force of a catapult launch
◆◆ Cast Telekinetic Bombardment
She looks at the The First Blade and curses him!
◆◆ Cast Albatross Curse
”Blades of iron shall be painted crimson!”
Yujin retorts, ”Crimson is my favorite color.”
”Now feel my draconic fury and burn!”
Yujin casts blazing bolt and fires three rays of iron-melting flames at the First Blade and two of his Valkyrie cohorts.
◆◆◆Blazing Bolt (Level 7)
The halo of blades slash at Ajoran, leaving openings in his clothing that reveal the grotesque flesh beneath, and worse yet, they cut deep into his body!
"Too much. A herald. Not part of the plan. I need to know how to fight this!" he thinks to himself as he reflexively glances towards his tome. First, his allies. They will need help dispatching their foes quickly.
Then, a step back out of the range of that storm of blades. He can only assume that the herald's great blade can reach anyone that close to it. He reaches a finger into his armor and withdraws a mantis claw idol, freshly drenched in the blood of the recently slain champion.
Despite the herald's aura of divine authority, Ajoran will tap into his own magic in an attempt to instill a sense of terror.
◇ Esoteric Knowledge (Yellow)
◆ Step
◆ Esoteric Knowledge (The First Blade)
◆ Debilitating Terror
Suryo smiles as the Valkyrie flank him.
I only fight better once I've drawn you all in around me. How do those flames feel?
You distract your opponent with a few choice words or a rude gesture. Choose a target within 30 feet. It’s off-guard against your attacks until the end of your next turn. Depending on the way you describe your distraction, this action gains either the auditory or visual trait.
Both of his arms start into motion as one by one, storm flash and then the favored blade of He Who Walks in Blood ravage the injured Valkyrie.
You apply one of the following debilitations, which lasts until the end of your next turn.
Debilitation The target takes a –10-foot status penalty to its Speeds.
Debilitation The target becomes enfeebled 1.
You channel your zeal through a sacred weapon, bringing a foe closer to their demise. Strike a target with the required weapon. On a success, the target becomes doomed 1 or increases the value of their doomed condition by 1 (most living creatures die when they’ve reached doomed 4). Creatures doomed in this way take a status penalty to their saving throws against divine spells equal to their doomed value.
A creature that would become doomed 4 by this Strike can attempt a Will saving throw against your class DC to avoid increasing the value of their doomed condition. When this occurs, this ability gains the incapacitation trait.
Valkyries have an intricate connection with lightning, and are able to throw their spear into the air to create a brief lightning storm that hurts their enemies.
Additionally, they have a certain amount of sway over whether a person is worthy of falling in battle, and tend to delay such a fall.
Ajoran moves away from the First Blade and exploits the herald
Ajoran then attempts to instill terror!
Success —> Critical Success (incapacitation)
Janna moves away from the First Blade, but as she does, the herald swings his sword in retaliation!
plus 1d6 2d6 persistent bleed and (because crit) off-guard until the start of the First Blade’s turn
Janna then tears down one of the rafters right on top of the monitors!
Suryo attacks Yellow!
And as Suryo slices through Yellow’s chest, killing her!
Yukon then sends flaming rays at the monitors!
Blue raises her spear and throws it into the ceiling before it flies back. And where it hits the ceiling, a massive storm cloud appears and shoots electricity down at the Red Mantis!
Critical Success
Success
Success —> Critical Success (Rogue Reflexes)
Success
Blue then eyes the First Blade briefly, then Strides to the side of the battlefield.
Green then stabs at Suryo, who Nimble Dodges away!
Green likewise Strides to the side of the battlefield.
The First Blade cracks his neck—which makes a grinding, metallic sound—before he swiftly rushes at Ajoran! And as he does, he discorporates—the metal of his armor flying off piece-by-piece until he has become a swarm of slashing blades! The swarm engulfs Yujin before it (he?) moves sharply to the north, engulfing Janna and Suryo along the way before the metal reforms into the First Blade!
Critical Failure
Success —> Critical Success (nat 20)
Failure —> “Success” (greater rogue reflexes)
Failure
Failure —> (greater rogue reflexes)
Critical Success
Failure
Round 12 —> 13
==============
Suryo (-84)
Yujin (-69) {Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire; Incendiary Aura: Round 3 of 10}
Valkyrie <Green> (-108) {5d4 persistent fire; Heroism +2}
Valkyrie <Blue> (-138) {5d4 persistent fire; Heroism +2}
The First Blade <Red> (-86)
Ajoran (-124) {Exploiting the First Blade}
Janna (-135) {2d6 persistent bleed; Unleash Psyche: Round 1 of 2; Bless 35’: Round 5 of 10; fleet step: Round 3 of 10}
==============
Even caught up in her psychic storm, Janna can feel the intense pain of her severe wounds. Distant, but demanding attention amongst the cries of battle.
◇ Drop Staff
She lets her staff clatter to the floor, and before it even hits the tiles she's applied some self-adhesive bandages to the worst of her wounds
◆ Battle Medicine
Then with her psychic energies starting to stutter and fade, she teleports a phase bolt at the most injured valkerie.
Yujin looks around her and sees her enemies badly injured but so are her allies. She decides they'll need some reinvigoration to finish the fight. Healing light envelops the room and soothes some of the pain.
Everyone heals 34 hp.
Suryo grimaces under his hood as the blades wash over him. He smiles and thanks Yujin shortly after for the wound relief.
That's... quite enough of that. he mutters in his raspy voice before scurrying back towards the Valkyrie.
Don't go too far now!
You distract your opponent with a few choice words or a rude gesture. Choose a target within 30 feet. It’s off-guard against your attacks until the end of your next turn. Depending on the way you describe your distraction, this action gains either the auditory or visual trait.
As soon as he says it storm flash is speeding towards the weak points of its armor.