Yujin's soothing magic did much to soothe the abomination's pain, but his body was still covered in oozing wounds. He thought about engaging with the First Blade. But first, he needed to aid his friends.
Taking the long way around the room to avoid the absolute singularity of blades nearby, Ajoran instead moves to aid Suryo by striking at his opponent!
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Strike
Ajoran moves to the other side of the battlefield and attacks Blue!
Janna patches herself up then teleports a psychic bolt straight past Blue’s armor and into her heart! However, at that moment Green shouts ”Fight on!”
Suryo advances toward Blue, and as he does, the First Blade swings in retaliation! Though Suryo Nimble Dodges away!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
And Suryo stabs Blue, killing her!
Suryo then heals everyone, including the monitors.
Green Steps forward and attacks Ajoran!
The First Blade Strides over and swings his sword at Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Success
Failure —> “Success” (Greater Rogue Reflexes)
Critical Failure
Critical Failure
Round 13 —> 14
==============
Suryo (-92) {1d6 persistent bleed}
Yujin (-128) {1d6 persistent bleed; Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire; Incendiary Aura: Round 4 of 10}
Valkyrie <Green> (-108) {5d4 persistent fire; Heroism +2}
The First Blade <Red> (-52)
Ajoran (-146) {Exploiting the First Blade}
Janna (-53) {2d6 persistent bleed; stupefied 1: Round 0 of 2; Bless 35’: Round 6 of 10; fleet step: Round 4 of 10}
==============
”If I’m going to bleed, you’re going to bleed!”
Yujin activated her blood vendetta reaction in reaction to the First Blades attack on her.
Yujin would love nothing but to slit this First Blades’ throat, but the emissary has left her badly injured. And she can’t kill her enemy if she is dead.
Yujin goes invisible and slinks away. She activates her crimson shroud to begin healing.
Janna screams like a mother seeing her child taken away when her kill is stolen by the other valkerie's magic, and she looks only slightly mollified when Suryo finishes the job.
Before she can enact her revenge though her psyche collapses in on her and leaves her with her customary headache. Taking the moment to recuperate, she activates her shroud, and seeing Yujin in trouble goes over to help her.
◆ Crimson Shroud
◆ Stride
◆ Battle Medicine
"Don't give up yet my dear!"
Just one of you left! It won't be long... Suryo flashes a wry grin at the last Valkyrie.
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.
He then makes good on his promise.
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.
Yujin attempts to curse the First Blade, but nothing seems to happen.
”Blood is only for blades!”
Ajoran consults his time on the First Blade!
Ajoran then uses Intensify Vulnerability (weapon) for a +2 status bonus to attack rolls, then slices at the First Blade!
Crit (see below)
plus 9 personal antithesis
plus 9 personal antithesis
Suryo attacks Green, hitting her. Ajoran then retaliates with an Opportune Backstab! Which, in turn, causes Suryo to make his OWN!
And with his attacks, he knocks Green to the ground!
Yujin turns invisible and moves away from the First Blade, but his eyes follow her with uncanny accuracy! ”Those who wield iron implements of war cannot hide from me!”
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Yujin then activates her Crimson Shroud.
1 persistent fire to Yujin
Janna moves toward Yujin and attempts to patch her up while activating her own Crimson Shroud!
The First Blade looks over at the casters and Strides straight towards them! But Ajoran retaliates with his Implement’s Interruption!
The herald then attacks Janna and Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Success
Failure
Success —> Critical Success (Rogue Reflexes)
Critical Failure
Round 14 —> 15
==============
Suryo (-97)
Yujin (-105) {Fast Healing 7: Round 1 of 10; Cursebound 1: 1 persistent fire; Incendiary Aura: Round 3 of 10}
Janna (-127) {2d6 persistent bleed; Fast Healing 7: Round 1 of 10; stupefied 1: Round 1 of 2; Bless 35’: Round 7 of 10; fleet step: Round 5 of 10}
The First Blade <Red> (-161)
Ajoran (-146) {Exploiting the First Blade}
==============
”Blood is only for blades!”
"If it doesn't bleed, it can still burn!"
Yujin rapid fires two spells to set the First Blade ablaze. Yujin casts a quickened Ignition then a Divine Immolation (Level 7).
Ignition Attack vs. AC
Divine Immolation Reflex DC 33
This is the part Suryo loves: when they can gang up on a single foe. Satisfied that the Valkyrie are no more, he approaches the first blade.
He glances up at the whirl of blades around, preparing to dodge them at a moment's notice. For now he attempts to zap and apply some doom.
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.
Seeing the ghostly Yujin battling on defiantly beside her, Janna does the same despite her pounding head.
◆ Cast Shield
◆ Cast Imaginary Weapon
Janna grimaces through the pain in her head and folds her thumb into her palm of her free hand, stretching the fingers out to a point and swiping it toward the First Blade. A psychic sawblade appears as an extension of her arm and strikes!
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Imaginary Weapon
Ajoran takes a look at that storm of blades and hesitates. He's already lost so much blood...
Letting his implement weapon fall to his feet, he instead draws an emergency scroll and bathes himself in a cleansing light.
◇ drop weapon
◆ draw scroll of 5th rank heal
◆◆ cast 5th rank heal on self
You can draw and activate scrolls with the same hand holding an implement, much like you can for esoterica.
Ajoran heals himself.
Suryo advances upon the First Blade, who swings at him! But Suryo Nimble Dodges.
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Suryo then attacks!
Yujin uses her magic against the First Blade!
Janna then slashes at the herald!
Yujin then strikes at the First Blade, cleaving her imaginary weapon into the herald and cleaves him in two!
The sounds roaring valkyries—despite there only being one left—grows overwhelmingly loud for a brief moment. Suddenly the herald’s body vanishes in a blast of blood and everything falls to silence. The Valkyrie and Ordulf’s spirit and body, and even the sounds of the other Gorumites within Crownhold, have inexplicably vanished. All that remains is Ordulf’s equipment.
In a brief moment, the assassins feel a strange sensation of pride and sadness that vanishes as quickly as it appeared.
While Gorum bears a tiny bit of ill will toward you—and especially your methods—he does not consider your actions an affront to Him, for in war, death is not always a loss.
Your methods are still anathema, and for that reason He has transported His servants from here—they had the intention of retreat, and He simply expedited the process; they do not fully trust you to not go on a murder spree to prevent a retaliation that wasn’t going to happen, so Gorum did this to ease their fears.
Stepping out from the shadows is a figure that Jakalyn’s favored weren’t expecting to see here: the Red Mantis courier Vatum, who gave the group this mission in the first place. His face is covered with worry, and when he glances at the assassins’ state, as well as Ordulf’s nearby weapon, he mutters a brief ”Thats not good…”
Vatum collects himself as he throws the group a sack with several red vials—greater healing potions
”Congratulations on your successful mission, but we have bigger concerns at the moment. The warmonger Ordulf certainly deserved to die, but…we have been lied to. There was no official contract for Ordulf’s death, and certainly no payment—we have been tricked into committing blasphemy.
“Someone in the Vernai wishes us dead. They had hoped you would fail on this mission, but have sent their own assassins, four led by a kitsune vindicator named Talaro, to dispatch you if you happen to succeed. I have come to help ensure you survive. I owe Jakalyn that much, at least. I’m sure you have questions, but we must deal with this imminent threat to all our lives first.
“They have been lurking in the mountains and using magic to keep an eye on Glacier’s Rest and your efforts in Crownhold for some time. And even then, the visuals of a contingent of valkyries, a herald, and the sudden disappearance of all Gorumites will certainly convey the news of Ordulf’s death. I am unsure how long it will be before the assassins arrive, but we must prepare to counter assault them.”
Suryo pulls his cloak tighter and lets the space that his face resides in darken again. The sudden and brief feeling agitates him.
Where did that come from?! Keep it together...
--------------------
At first he's pleased to see Vatum. He can confirm their success directly! Then he starts to explain the situation...
Who would do that? Who in the Vernai? You brought this mission to us, we demand answers!
The explanation that they've been watched and need to flee immediately also doesn't sit well with Suryo.
How many are they? Now that we know we could set an ambush? Or are they watching this conversation now?!
He grumbles a bit more and then finally barks out with his raspy voice.
If we must flee, then continue explaining along the way!
In the immediate aftermath of battle, as the feelings of pride and sadness wash over him, Ajoran looks up to the sky. "We dance on a blade's edge, having impressed and mildly offended Gorum. The other followers are already gone, by His will."
After Vatum explains the situation, Ajoran's mood goes from post-battle serenity to rising anger. "They would use me to commit such blasphemous acts? Unacceptable!"
He turns towards his allies, gripping his blades. "We are mended, but how are your spells? Your venoms? This sin can only be washed away in the blood of these sinners. These... heretics."
After the healing, Janna was feeling much improved. Hers was the hand that slew a herald of the Gods! The news of treachery within the Vernai has left her drained though.
"How dare they move against the Blood Mistress? She is his will..."
She can't help but be impressed by the audacity, but her anger soon returns. She barks a response to Ajoran
"I need to meditate to stoke the fires of my rage. We have two Breaths left, there seemed little point in deploying them against the First Blade. It would be fitting if these traitors died choking on their own hemorages"
Her mouth curls into a devous smile before she returns to business.
"We should find somewhere defensible and refocus, Yujin seems to need it more than me"
Good riddance!" Yujin shouts amongst the screams of the valkyries.
Yujin douses herself with a rousing splash to buy herself a little time while the group cleans up and finds a place to rest.
Who in the Vernai?
Yujin listens carefully as Vatum explains the situation.
"At least you said we. Since you are the one who failed to confirm the validity of the contract until it was too late. It seems rather convenient that you arrived as soon as Ordulf was slain and not 5 minutes sooner when we could have called off the assassination. But I'll overlook that since you didn't need to warn us at all if you did have ulterior motives. Regardless, you are just as involved as we are now. I hope you are prepared to fight too."
"I expended most of my spells. I'm going to need a brief rest to cool down at least before another fight."
"Even if the Gorumites flee, there's a number a animals around here. If you expect these assassins to come to us, perhaps we would let some loose upon them to give ourselves a bit of an advantage."
Suryo grints at the last suggestion.
Yes... the rocs. We need only set them alert so that they take to the air in an emergency patrol, which should delay our pursuers.
Who would do that? Who in the Vernai? You brought this mission to us, we demand answers!
”I am not entirely sure, and I am sure you have many questions, but for now we must prepare as best we can!”
How many are they? Now that we know we could set an ambush? Or are they watching this conversation now?!
”Four assassins plus the vindicator Talaro, and I can guarantee you that they are not spying upon this conversation; my magic would have noticed by now if they were.”
"This sin can only be washed away in the blood of these sinners. These... heretics."
"That...isn't what heresy is, but this is not the time for that conversation."
"I need to meditate to stoke the fires of my rage. We have two Breaths left, there seemed little point in deploying them against the First Blade. It would be fitting if these traitors died choking on their own hemorages"
Her mouth curls into a devous smile before she returns to business.
"We should find somewhere defensible and refocus, Yujin seems to need it more than me"
"I expended most of my spells. I'm going to need a brief rest to cool down at least before another fight."
”We can potentially buy you some time, but we should be prepared for them to arrive sooner than expected.”
"Regardless, you are just as involved as we are now. I hope you are prepared to fight too."
”Of course!”
”For now, we need to move quickly. Janna, Yujin, you two meditate. Ajoran, guard their backs. Suryo, you look into trying to cause chaos with the animals. I’ll keep a lookout for the assassins.”
Before taking off, Suryo moves to grab Ordulf’s gear for later usage.
*
As Suryo quickly moves throughout the complex of Crownhold once more, he finds that there is not a single soul within the fortress—Gorumite or animal. It seems the group is on their own.
Ten minutes pass , and Vatum quickly returns to the group and says ”Talaro and his assassins are nearly here, perhaps 5 to 10 minutes away. They were utilizing magic to hide their approach, so I wasn’t as forewarned as I would have liked to be. Thankfully, we do have enough time to set up an ambush. I would recommend somewhere with a good amount of open space so there’s more room to maneuver.”
Before taking off, Suryo moves to grab Ordulf’s gear for later usage.
As Suryo quickly moves throughout the complex of Crownhold once more, he finds that there is not a single soul within the fortress—Gorumite or animal. It seems the group is on their own.
So, it's ambush over flight? I suppose we would only get so far and they would keep pursuing. I know the Vernai are not ones to give up.
He thinks about what he knows about the layout of Crownhold.
The third floor is most open. I do not believe there are traps remaining in this place that would incentivize any other location.
"I agree with that notion. The third floor is our best bet for having the room to move and counterattack. I can use my magic to set up basic surveillance at the front entrance of the fort to watch in case they come in that way. Meanwhile, I'll wait in ambush for their attack."
The assassin casts his senses outward, projecting sight and hearing. Satisfied with his ward, he wraps his body in crimson light that steals him away from the vision of others. "Don't forget those flying potions as an emergency if you don't have escape magic at the ready"
Jakalyn’s favored make their brief preparations in anticipation for the assassins’ arrival. They then lie in wait on the third floor, within the frost rocs’ nest.
Not too long thereafter, Ajoran informs the rest of the group that they have arrived.
The kitsune—Talaro—scans the room and begins to speak, then glances over and stares directly at Ajoran’s clairvoyance sensor.
”They are here; Ravanos hasn’t teleported them away. Potions! Masks!”
Each of the Red Mantis, including Talaro, pull out a potion and drink its contents before re-drawing their sabers. The masked Red Mantis then fiddle with their masks and their eyes briefly glow before extinguishing—you’ve seen this enough to immediately recognize that they are using the Enhance Vision Activation of their masks of the mantis.
”Be careful of Huang Yujin’s flames; those will protect you some but not completely. Her fire and healing magicks makes her the initial priority. Brief over; we’re being watched.”
Talaro and his entourage then make their way through the complex in search of Jakalyn’s favored—but not before Talaro Casts a Spell that amplifies his voice…
Suddenly, a voice magically echoes throughout Crownhold—that of a man with a slight Tien accent (and Ajoran confirms this to be the kitsune vindicator Talaro).
”Suryo Lestari, Janna Ravanos, Huang Yujin, Ajoran Livara, courier Vatum. You five have committed blasphemy against Achaekek for your illegitimate assassination of Ordulf Bladecaller to further a selfish feud with the priesthood of Gorum! Courier Vatum, you have additionally been identified for your heretical worship of He Who Walks in Blood! For these reasons, by order of the Vernai—acting in the will of Achaekek, particularly in the absence of the Blood Mistress—you have been excommunicated from the church, and as excommunicants, become new marks of the Red Mantis! Come quietly and Pharasma may judge you absolved of your sins that you may join He Who Walks in the next life!”
After 5 minutes, Talaro and his assassins come onto the balcony. Just as they finish filing onto the balcony, Jakalyn’s favored attack!
Vatum turns to the rest of Jakalyn’s favored and says ”I’m going to ask that you all come close to me when you can.” He then, with no sawtooth sabers or even armor, Strides straight at Talaro and the other assassins!
Talaro’s attention heightens and he shouts ”Vatum!”
Vatum chuckles in response. ”Only half-right, Talaro…”
Suddenly Vatum’s body undulates and writhes, as if his own internal organs were rapidly expanding in size! And before anyone has a chance to fully react to the grotesque sight, Vatum’s body rips and explodes!
Critical Success
Success
Failure
In Vatum’s place is a shocking sight: a blood-red dragon the size of an elephant. It stares with sickly yellow eyes which seems to further punctuate the strange folds of skin on its head that eerily appears to be the face of a human man! The dragon stretches out his wings and shouts.
The Red Mantis assassins are all utterly shocked and baffled at the sudden appearance of a dragon, and they abandon Talaro’s previous instructions of who is the highest priority target to instead focus on the now-clearly-higher-priority-target! All four do a Prayer Attack
Blue, Green, and Yellow each Stride to reposition themselves, while Orange casts sure strike. All four assassins then Strike the dragon!
To Orange’s attack, though, Vatumledor unexpectedly pulls the limb Orange is targeting into his body!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
*
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
*
plus 1d6 2d6 (from Prayer Attack) persistent bleed
*
plus 1d6 2d6 (from Prayer Attack) persistent bleed
Round 1
==============
Vatumledor <Black> (-23) {1d6 persistent bleed}
Red Mantis Assassin <Orange> (-33)
Red Mantis Assassin <Yellow> (-66) {Dazzled: Round 0 of 1}
Red Mantis Assassin <Green>
Red Mantis Assassin <Blue>
Yujin
Suryo/Ajoran {invisible}
Janna
Talaro <Red> {Hunt Prey: Yujin}
==============
Yujin’s eyes go wide and her mouth opens in awe. ”My kin! Let us show these humans what dragons can do!”
Yujin moves to Vatumledor’s side and activates flaming fusillade. An endless series of explosions burst around her like miniature suns. Yujin grabs one of these flames and shoves it into the nearest Red Mantis Assassin’s face.
”You fight not one but two dragons! You have gravely miscalculated and the smell of your fear is like sweet perfume.”
You are full of surprises Vatum... I think this makes up for the miss on the job!
Suryo step up just enough to confront one .
More than you bargained for, eh?
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.
The rapier thrusts forward.
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.
Ajoran projects his voice as a whisper through his magic, speaking directly to Vatumledor's elevated head in hopes of the others not hearing it. "Moving below you..."
Stalking along the battlefield, the aasimar moves into position behind Talaro. As he raises his blades to strike, he wraps a small chain around his finger. It is decorated with teeth from a coyote.
◆ Sneak
◆ Sneak
◆ Exploit Vulnerability
"You have no authority heretic!"
Sputtering with rage, Janna approaches the same assassin Yujin attacked and tries to slice them in two with her psychic sabers
◆ Stride
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Fort DC
◆◆ Cast Imaginary Weapon
Yujin takes an opportune backstab against the Red Mantis Assassin that Janna attacks.
Yujin moves forward and scorches Blue! But he seems strangely resistant to the flames.
Suryo moves forward and stabs at Green!
Ajoran sneaks over.
Janna unleashes a spell upon Blue as Yujin responds with a backstab!
Talaro notices an invisible thing moving near him—hiding in “plain sight” even despite the magic he used from his mask of the mantis . By mere process of elimination, the vindicator knows who this hidden creature must be, and he knows enough to know not to stay near him.
Talaro Strides toward Yujin, causing Ajoran to stab him in the back as he becomes visible! Very hurt by Ajoran’s attack, Talaro activates his Crimson Shroud. He then makes a Twin Takedown against Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Vatumledor grins as he Casts a Spell causing himself and Jakalyn’s favored to become faster!
Vatumledor then spins around and bites at Green!
The Red Mantis assassins continue to panic at the dragon’s abilities, so they each Prayer Attack then attack! Vatumledor Retracts Body against Orange.
Critical Failure
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
*
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 2d6 persistent bleed
*
plus 2d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
*
plus 2d6 4d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Round 2
==============
Vatumledor <Black> (-166) {4d6 persistent bleed; hasted: Round 0 of 10}
Red Mantis Assassin <Orange> (-33)
Red Mantis Assassin <Yellow> (-66)
Red Mantis Assassin <Green> (-119)
Red Mantis Assassin <Blue> (-80 from “1” attacks [before resistances])
Yujin (-29) {1d6 persistent bleed; hasted: Round 0 of 10}
Suryo {hasted: Round 0 of 10}
Ajoran {Exploiting Talaro; hasted: Round 0 of 10}
Janna {hasted: Round 0 of 10}
Talaro <Red> (-63) {Fast Healing 7: Round 0 of 10; Off-guard until Ajoran’s turn; Hunt Prey: Yujin}
==============
Now visible, Ajoran glances down at his hand, where he finds his tome already feeding him information.
◇ Tome's Adempt Benefit
Then, he goes for blood!
◆ Demoralize
◆ Exploit Vulnerability
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
The aasimar runs towards the position where his voice had originated from, just north of his prey. Ajoran meets his gaze and allows the kitsune a glimpse of his killing intent before he follows up with his blades!
◆ Stride
◆ Demoralize
◆◆ Twin Feint
Vatumledor grins as he ◆◆ Casts a Spell causing himself and Jakalyn’s favored to become faster! 7th-rank haste!
Yujin smiles back. "Yes! I can feel the power coursing through me!"
Yujin moves forward and scorches Blue! But he seems strangely resistant to the flames.
Yujin nods approvingly. "Good. You've come prepared. But it won't help you because you're already dead." Yujin casts Impeding Doom (Level 6) on Assassin (Blue).
Then Yujin activates her Majestic Presence. "I may be small, but I am no less fearsome of a dragon. Cower, mortals!"
Lastly, not wanting to give Talaro the opportunity to attack her while flanked, Yujin steps beside Janna.
Throwing her head back with a roar, Janna is again surrounded by swirling winds of psychic energy.
◇ Unleash Psyche
She ducks through Vatumledor's legs and dances close to Orange and Yellow. She spins as she moves, and throws out her arms to point at the midsections of the assassins, and psychic sabers shoot out to do the cutting!
◆ Stride
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Fort DC
◆◆ Amped Imaginary Weapon
In the aftermath, her eyes glow and she announces
"Do you have the patience to wait until the blood settles and the water is clear?"
↻ Aid
Very well, now...
He stabs and slashes repeatedly at the resilient assassin in front of him.
C'mon!
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.
C'mon
DIE!
Yujin begins casting a spell, but Talaro says ”Cease your blasphemous use of His magic!” and attacks Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Yujin then unleashes her draconic might!
Suryo attacks Green!
Ajoran advances on Talaro and attacks him!
Janna advances forward and attacks Orange and Yellow!
Talaro takes a massive risk and casts sure strike and Casts another Spell! A bolt of spiritual energy then flies out toward Yujin!
and Talaro gains a +5 bonus to weapon damage against Yujin for 1 minute
Vatumledor turns to Ajoran and says ”Apologies for making this a bit harder for you.” The dragon then lowers his head and unleashes a Smoke Breath upon Talaro!
He then attacks Blue!
Blue does a Prayer Attack then Steps out of flanking and attacks the dragon!
plus 2d6 persistent bleed
Round 3
==============
Vatumledor <Black> (-177) {4d6 persistent bleed; hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Red Mantis Assassin <Blue> (-184 from “1” attacks [before resistances]) {frightened 1}
Yujin (-80) {1d6 persistent bleed; hasted: Round 1 of 10; vindicator’s mark +5: Round 0 of 10}
Suryo {hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Ajoran {Exploiting Talaro; hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Janna {hasted: Round 1 of 10}
Talaro <Red> (-241) {frightened 1; off-guard until Ajoran’s turn; Fast Healing 7: Round 2 of 10; Hunt Prey: Yujin}
==============
Concerned at how single-mindededly Talaro is attacking Yujin, Janna tries to distract him. As she concentrates, some of the psychic eddies swirling around her coalesce into a bright arrowhead, which promptly teleports itself into Talaro!
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Fort DC
◆◆ Amped Phase Bolt
Then gleeful at her success, she assaults his mind as well.
Finally she'll move to help her allies, wielding her staff as a distraction more than a real threat.
◆ Stride
”Cease your blasphemous use of His magic!” and attacks Yujin!
"Rude! I don't need magic. I still have my claws!"
Yujin opens her precognitive senses, which also sets her aflame.
Then Yujin dances around the room, slashing the assassin (blue) once then moving again and slashing Talaro.
Impressive... Suryo mutters about Janna's string of powerful displays.
He jogs along the wall and past her, rounding the corner to flank the unnamed assassin.
I don't know why all of you keep so close to the dragon. It makes it too easy... he taunts as storm flash jabs at them.
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.
Ajoran's eyes dart towards the tome in his hands as he silently prays to the Mantis God for guidance in finishing off his target.
◆ Intensify Vulnerability
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
Satisfied with his newfound knowledge, he shifts the entirety of his attention to the foe trapped between him and Yujin. Deciding against fanciful tactics, he opts to slay the kitsune in a flurry of righteous steel!
Yujin taps into her visions and attacks both Blue and Talaro!
Suryo stabs deeply into Blue, killing him! He then moves over into the mist and attacks Talaro!
And Suryo slices through the vindicator until he slowly feels no resistance against his blade, as Talaro’s body has completely disintegrated into a crimson mist!
The dragon Vatumledor glances around for a moment before nodding. ”That should be it.”
As the group settles down to begin healing their wounds , Vatumledor speaks.
”I suppose some explanations are in order. I am Vatumledor, a devout of Achaekek, He Who Executes. You know him as He Who Walks In Blood. Few know of my true nature, and assume I’m just ‘Vatum,’ one of Jakalyn’s many couriers, but I am, in truth, one of her closest allies. You are among an elite few whom I’ve trusted with the truth of who I am, and I trust you shall keep my secret as if it were your own.
“For some time I have suspected the existence of a conspiracy among some of the Vernai to remove Jakalyn as blood mistress of the Red Mantis, and now we have proof, thanks to your aid. I knew that the conspirators would act once Blood Mistress Jakalyn stepped away, and suspected a half-dozen contracts as being traps meant to allow the conspirators the chance to weed out her strongest allies. When I was approached by the Vernai and asked to deliver the contract for Ordulf’s assassination specifically to you not long after Jakalyn’s absence began, I strongly suspected the conspirators were making their move. And now, with Talaro’s attempt on your lives, we have proof. Someone among the Vernai wants us dead so that when they move against Blood Mistress Jakalyn, she will have none among the Red Mantis to rely upon as allies. This cannot stand, and you must return to Ilizmagorti to uncover the truth of who our enemies are.”
An ally in an unassuming form. Very clever. You have my word we will keep your secret.
Suryo nods respectfully as he re-tightens his cloak around his body and face after the skirmish.
Who else are the Vernai targeting? Have you made others aware of the threat? he continues, in his raspy voice.
Vatumledor shakes his head. ”I know not. I do believe that the Vernai can be trusted, for the most part. I, at the very least, believe that it might be a small subset therein—making such a move against the Blood Mistress, while not strictly anathema, is considered sacrilege by many. I know of a few members of the Vernai that would never do such an act against Jakalyn.”
"Well. We've survived the contract, got the kill, and even succeeded in slaying some opportunistic traitors." He turns towards Vatumledor and bows. "Thank you for your assistance. Without your intervention. Rest assured we will protect your secret, just as you have protected us."
He looks back towards the remains of their enemies, gripping a blade in his hand. He never did get to take his grisly trophy...
"We should dispose of the remains, collect their possessions, and make our preparations. With teleportation magic, travel is not an issue. But we may want to find a place to rest first, so we can be prepared for another ambush."
For the first time since arrival, Ajoran visibly balks and shivers from the cold. "Perhaps not here. It somehow feels... haunted by emptiness."
"I admire their aspiration. But how is it not anathema? Is Jakalyn not a rightful ruler? My loyalty is still with the Blood Mistress so I swear I will aid in rooting out these pretenders and making sure none survive."
Perhaps not here. It somehow feels... haunted by emptiness."
"We can return to Glacier's Rest. Our identities there should still be unknown. But then I am eager to travel to Ilizmagorti with haste."
"Well. We've survived the contract, got the kill, and even succeeded in slaying some opportunistic traitors."
Vatumledor shakes his head. ”Talaro and the rest likely were not traitors, merely pawns in the conspiracy’s game. They were told of the existence of blasphemers and set out to ‘excommunicate’ them, as is the tradition within this narrow-sighted cult of assassins. They were not active participants in the conspiracy; merely those led astray by falsehoods.”
"I admire their aspiration. But how is it not anathema? Is Jakalyn not a rightful ruler?"
”Heh. It seems you went down the same route of extrapolation. It is anathema to ‘kill a rightful ruler by your hand.’ This is considered by many to be because Achaekek himself does not—or perhaps even cannot—slay true deities, as the rightful rulers of the cosmos. His followers are deeply respectful of the gods and all they bring, so many amongst His faithful interpret this anathema as ‘disrespect a rightful ruler.’ Jakalyn is certainly the Red Mantis’s rightful ruler—she received a vote of confidence from a supermajority of the Vernai followed the disappearance of Blood Mistress Behezamine—so many within the Vernai would certainly balk at the notion of moving against her, but such a thing is not strictly prohibited.”
It takes Janna a moment to recover herself after the exertions of the battle, but she was listening to the conversation even if looked like she was nursing a nasty headache. Once recovered she addresses Vatumledor.
"It was an honour to fight with you, and I vow to keep your secret."
She bows to punctuate her words.
"I know the Vernai guard their identities, but do you have any inclination which it was that gave you Ordulf's mission for us? Does Jakalyn have other allies who have been targeted as we were?"
A brief look of embarrassment crosses Janna's face when Ajoran mentions teleportation magic, but it swiftly turns to anger.
"I can take us home tomorrow, I judged it wiser in the moment that we lived to see tomorrow than save my energies"
At Yujin's suggested she nods vigoursly, happy to have the conversation move on from spending another night in this backward frozen wasteland.
"Glacier's rest will do, though we should stay close and keep a watch. Word may spread, especially if the remaining Gorumites return. We should be prepared to leave quickly"
Just in case, when we get to Glacier's Rest, Yujin will use illusory disguise to look as a non-descript traveler when I rent a room. Then I'll let the others in through the window, if they want to.