Unfortunately ... tesseract tunnel ... still need[s] line of sight and effect to the destination ...
As Dragomir prepares to jump, Janna smiles cruelly and worms her way into the minds of the Gorumites below. She draws on their most primal fears, pulling at them until they're at the forefont of their minds, and giving Dragomir the aspects that they each fear most.
◆◆ Cast Fear (3rd rank) on the Gorumites below
Then with a glance over her shoulder to make sure the Roc hasn't been disturbed, she stalks along the edge and drops down behind Dragomir
◆ Stride and drop
Janna attempts to frighten the Gorumites!
Dragomir then descends and marks Orange for death!
All four Gorumite veterans Interact to draw their greatswords, as they were busy manning the springalds. Red shouts ”Our blades will bathe in your blood as an offering to Our Lord in Iron!”
Yellow then makes a Vicious Swing against Dragomir!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Dragomir then begins to cast enduring might, but Yellow attempts to stop him with a follow-up attack!
plus 1d6 2d6 persistent bleed
Purple Strides forward and Demoralizes Suryo!
Green then Strides forward and swings at Suryo! Suryo then uses Nimble Dodge.
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Round 2
==============
Yujin {Incendiary Aura: Round 1 of 10}
Suryo (-24) {1d6 persistent bleed; frightened 1}
Gorumite Warpriest <Orange> {frightened 2; weakness 5 to Dragomir’s next Strike}
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue>
Janna {frightened 1}
Dragomir (-83) {2d6 persistent bleed; Hunted Prey: Orange}
Gorumite Veteran <Red>
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> {frightened 1}
Gorumite Veteran <Green> {Heroism +2}
Gorumite Veteran <Purple>
==============
End of the round: DC 11 flat check to avoid 1 Awareness (A failure means y’all gain the Awareness)
Yujin glances behind herself at the barrier of swords then looks back at the caster. ”Cute. But I’m not trapped in here with you. You’re trapped in here with me.”
Yujin activates her majestic presence.
Next she calls forth columns of flames to engulf all three enemies, casting whirling flames.
Lastly, she points at the priest. ”Step a little closer. My flames are reaching out to you, calling you chicken.”
◆ Majestic Presence
◆◆ Whirling Flames
Suryo respects the demoralization attempt. Messing with the minds of one's foes is a choice tactic. He'll likely use it himself before this battle ends.
Very good, but I think your Lord in Iron will remain hungry due to your inability to secure proper offerings!
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.
Two quick swipes of his sabre flash out from within the darkness of his cloak.
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.
Yujin presents herself in her full draconic glory…
…then engulfs the Gorumites in flames!
Suryo makes a distracting statement then attacks Green!
Blue sees the damage caused by Yujin’s aura and intones ”Lord, shatter this war criminal’s magic to bring about fair combat!”
Blue then casts shield.
Orange Strides away from Dragomir then casts a 6th-rank heroism on Red!
Round 2
==============
Yujin {Incendiary Aura: Round 1 of 10}
Suryo (-26) {1d6 persistent bleed; frightened 1}
Gorumite Warpriest <Orange> {frightened 2; weakness 5 to Dragomir’s next Strike}
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue> (-20)
Janna {frightened 1}
Dragomir (-83) {2d6 persistent bleed; Hunted Prey: Orange}
Gorumite Veteran <Red> {Heroism +2}
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> {frightened 1}
Gorumite Veteran <Green> (-71) {5d4 persistent fire; frightened 1; enfeebled 1: Round 0 of 1; Heroism +2; doomed 1 & penalty vs. divine}
Gorumite Veteran <Purple> (-41) {5d4 persistent fire; frightened 2}
==============
With Dragomir injured, and the sound of combat threatening to alert the rest of the fortress, Janna stops holding back the torrent of psychic energy. Magical forces start to scream around her and her eyes glow with a piercing red flame.
◇ Unleash Psyche
She hops up and runs lightly along the crenelations, her footsteps barely making cracking the soft layer of snow and ice until the psychic energy smashes into them like a winter storm.
◆ Stride
As she drops down between the war-priest and his frightened ally, she motions down with both of her arms and two ghostly sawtooth sabres appear in the air like extensions of body, and slice down into the gorumites.
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Amped Imaginary Weapon
You also know that their weakest defense, ironically, is Will, as they have a tendency to fight first and think later, which makes them resilient against fear effects. They also seem to be extremely protective of the warpriests, trying to go out of their way to ensure the warpriest doesn’t get killed.
The warpriest’s’ weakest defense is Reflex. The warpriests seem to embody Gorum’s domain of might and strength, and while they tend to take a backline, support role, they are still able to hold their own in combat. Particularly because they can utter a fervent prayer to Gorum once per day to quicken any of their spells, but that’s spell can only affect the warpriest themself.
Round 1
==============
Suryo [20’ above ground]
Janna [20’ above ground]
Yujin [20’ above ground]
Ajoran [20’ above ground]
Gorumite Veteran <Red>
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow>
Gorumite Veteran <Green>
Gorumite Veteran <Purple>
Gorumite Warpriest <Orange>
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue>
==============
Yujin leaps off the edge of the fortress with weapons drawn. She thrusts her sabers into the stone wall and they scrape gashes all the way down until she safely reaches the ground.
On the ground, she activates her incendiary aura. An invisible combustible gas emanates from Yujin's body, threatening to ignite at a smallest spark.
She calls out to the enemies with a murderous smile. "Ho! Gorumites! I've come for your lives. Let's see if you can keep me from taking them."
Suryo’s shoes sprout wins!
And floats down towards Yujin.
Turning to their foes he brandishes his blade from under his dark cloak.
Before the fight, Ajoran examines the divine spellcaster directly beneath him. He retrieves a small trinket from inside of his armor: a tiny wooden greatsword, embedded with humanoid teeth.
As battle begins, Ajoran rolls his shoulders and flexes his back. Two naked, pink wings protrude from his body like knives through greasy film. The flex once, suddenly covered in snow-white feathers. With a safe landing assured, the fleshwarped assassin drops down directly in front of the warpriest. A sawtooth saber is held tightly in each hand, with the little trinket hanging from a string wrapped around his pinky.
"Battle me." he says softly.
Janna stares down at the assembled Gorumites, listening to their thoughts and picking out the things they fear the most, tugging at them, and weaving Ajoran and herself amongst them.
◆◆ Cast Fear (3rd rank) on the Gorumites below
She follows up with a swift Leap down to the parapet below, landing gracefully. She flicks her hair up and gives the warrior in front of her a wink.
◆ Leap
Suryo jumps down into the fray.
Janna comes down and uses her magic on the Gorumites!
Red; Gorum’s Bravery: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 2 = 33
Yellow; Gorum’s Bravery: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 19 + 2 = 32
Orange: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (4) + 24 = 28
Yujin descends down and activates her aura.
Ajoran grows wings and descends down to threaten Orange.
Orange begins casting a 6th-rank heroism, but is swiftly cut into by Ajoran! Orange then attempts to Cast a Spell to reduce the incoming damage!
Realizing her error, Orange Strides away.
Blue, however, knows the pain this will cause and casts a 6th-rank heroism on Green, then Interacts to draw her greatsword.
All four Gorumite veterans Interact to draw their greatswords! Purple and Green then Stride forward and attack their respective targets!
◆ Green vs Suryo w/
Slashing Damage: 2d12 + 11 ⇒ (4, 9) + 11 = 24 plus 1d6 persistent bleedfrightened 1 &Nimble Dodge; heroism: 1d20 + 26 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 26 + 2 = 41
Red Steps over and swings at the clear threat: Ajoran!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Yellow, on the other hand, makes a Vicious Swing at Ajoran!
Yellow vs
Slashing Damage (doubled from crit); Vicious Swing: 4d12 + 11 ⇒ (9, 7, 7, 7) + 11 = 41 plusDragomirAjoran; frightened 2: 1d20 + 26 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 26 - 2 = 43Thank your psychic for saving you from the crit.1d62d6 persistent bleed
DC 11 flat to avoid Awareness: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Round 2
==============
Suryo (-24) {1d6 persistent bleed}
Janna
Yujin {Incendiary Aura: Round 1 of 10}
Ajoran (-107) {2d6 persistent bleed; Exploiting Orange; Divine Wings}
Gorumite Warpriest <Orange> (-118) {frightened 1; off-guard: until Ajoran’s turn}
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue>
Gorumite Veteran <Red>
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> {frightened 1}
Gorumite Veteran <Green> {+2 heroism}
Gorumite Veteran <Purple>
==============
Yujin dodges the veteran's sword then ticks her pointer finger back and forth. "Uh uh uh. You can look, but you can't touch. When you get too close to the sun, you BURN!"
Yujin activates majestic presence. Will DC 33 that affects all three enemies near her.
Then she calls forth two columns of fire with whirling flames to engulfs the enemies before her. (Orange circles). Basic Reflex DC 33.
◆Majestic Presence
◆◆Whirling Flames
Janna is taken aback by the ferocity of the exchange of blows between Ajoran and the Gorumites. Faced with two martial opponents and a fleeing, gravely wounded priest, she changes her plans.
She lets the mounting psychic energy explode out of her, wreathing her in a flame of anxiety and rage.
◇ Unleash Psyche
"Watch your form!" She barks at Ajoran as she steps back and summons her enraged mantra.
Your blood to me. Your life to me. Your blood to me. Your ...
The Gorumites start to bleed from their eyes and noses and the blood streams float toward Janna, who looks completely unhinged.
◆ Step
◆◆ Cast 7th Rank Vampiric Exanguination
Suryo joins Yujin in the demoralization of their foes.
Hmm, that's not going to hurt for long. But this... might last longer!
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.
His sabre slashes out from under his cloak at his aggressor...
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.
and just as quickly he turns the blade while his arm is straight out and rakes it back across the Gorumite...
The cloak conceals him gritting his teeth against the bleed.
Never show the pain...
Ajoran nearly vomits from the sudden pain of having blades slicing through his insides. Were it not for Janna's interference, he may be face down in a pool of his own blood!
Speaking of blood, his eyes flicker down to see how much he's still losing. 'Can't hide.' he thinks, knowing his invisibility magic wouldn't work if a continual trail of his glittery-gold blood was giving him away.
Though the prospect of being put on the backfoot is highly undesirable, Ajoran puts his trust in Janna's magic to turn the tide in his stead. He takes a cautious step back and treats himself with emergency healing magic.
Suryo attacks Green!
Yujin engulfs the Gorumites in her Draconic majesty!
Green; heroism, Gorum’s Bravery: 1d20 + 19 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 19 + 2 + 2 = 40
Purple; Gorum’s Bravery: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 19 + 2 = 23
Then engulfs them in flame!
Blue; frightened 1: 1d20 + 20 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 20 - 1 =
Green; heroism, frightened 1: 1d20 + 21 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 21 + 2 - 1 = 303736
Purple; frightened24: 1d20 + 21 -24 ⇒ (6) + 21 -24 =2523
And Blue Casts a Spell as her own strength cuts through the fire!
Janna unleashes her emotions and attempts to drain the Gorumites of their blood!
Ajoran steps away and heals himself.
Blue casts shield then incants ”Lord Gorum, protect this faithful servant with mine own vital energy!” Suddenly a silvery, ephemeral cord connects Blue with Purple.
Orange is suddenly infused with divine vigor as she shouts ”Blood, not rust!”
”Will you fight?!”
Red and Yellow Step forward as Purple and Green attempt to Demoralize Yujin and Suryo.
Then all the veterans make a Vicious Swing!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Round 3
==============
Suryo (-65) {1d6 persistent bleed}
Janna (+31)
Yujin {Incendiary Aura: Round 2 of 10}
Ajoran (-90) {2d6 persistent bleed; Exploiting Orange; Divine Wings}
Gorumite Warpriest <Orange> (-180) {Bless 15’: Round 0 of 10}
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue> (-21) {5d4 persistent fire; Share Life: Purple}
Gorumite Veteran <Red> (-31)
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> (-31)
Gorumite Veteran <Green> (-115) {5d4 persistent fire; +2 heroism; doomed 1 & penalty vs divine}
Gorumite Veteran <Purple> (-88) {5d4 persistent fire; frightened 3; Share Life: Blue}
==============
Anyone can spend a Hero Point to reroll that, but for now I'm marking it that the party gained 1 Awareness
Yujin sees the warpriest resist some of her fire and retorts. "Fancy trick. Let's see if you can do the same with the divine flames of heaven! Soon you will all be nothing but ash and bone!"
Yujin steps back and casts divine immolation (Level 6). Reflex DC 33. White hot divine flames scour the entire eastern crenellation.
◆Step
◆◆Divine Immolation
Flush with stolen blood, Janna tempts her opponents attention away from Ajoran with the judicious application of medicine...
◆ Battle Medicine
She then screams with pain and fury and brings her arms down towards both Gorumites, and psychic sabres coalesce and attack them both!
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Amped Imaginary Weapon
The aasimar grits his teeth after seeing the warpriest's wounds begin to mend. Divine casters are always the most tenacious ones. With a trained soldier in his face, Ajoran doesn't have the personal space to go searching for a useful implement. Instead, He raises his blades while locking eyes with his opponent and attempts to project his killing intent through his unblinking stare alone.
Then, he brings his blades down in hopes of shredding his opponent right away.
◆ Demoralize
◆◆ Twin Feint
But the assassin still bleeds...
Your doom will soon deepen! It quickens the approach of your irreversible death!
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.
On cue, his spindly arm thrusts the blade forward again
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 swings three times and damages Green each time! Yet, Green is still standing! However, it is enough of an oppening for Yujin to make an Opportune Backstab!
Also, funny aside, Opportune Backstab technically triggers at a successful Strike, so it actually resolves before damage is rolled on the triggering Strike.
Yujin moves back and brings divine fire upon the Gorumites!
Blue Shield Blocks the spell then is burned with spiritual energy from herself and Purple!
Janna attempts to patch up Ajoran, which triggers a response from the veterans!
plus 1d6 2d6 persistent bleed
But the psychic then retaliates with the blessing of Achaekek!
And blood erupts from Red’s body!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Janna then manifests psychic sabers and attacks the veterans!
Ajoran’s attempts to frighten prove futile, but he nevertheless slices into the veteran!
Blue growls as he points his sword. ”Feel Elysium’s wrath!”
Success
Success
Yujin then retaliates by casting blinding fury!
Failure
Blue then casts a heal on herself.
Orange sees the profuse bleeding coming from Red and shouts ”Blood, not rust!”
She then Sustains the bless to increase its radius.
Purple Steps over and attacks Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Red and Yellow each attempt to Demoralize the person in front of them…
Then both swing at Ajoran!
Round 4
==============
Suryo (-81)
Janna (-13) {2d6 persistent bleed}
Yujin (-34) {1d6 persistent bleed; Incendiary Aura: Round 3 of 10}
Ajoran (-97) {frightened 1; 2d6 persistent bleed; Exploiting Orange; Divine Wings}
Gorumite Warpriest <Orange> (-106) {Bless 25’: Round 1 of 10}
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue> (-59) {5d4 persistent fire; 3d6 persistent spirit; Share Life: Purple; blinding fury vs Yujin: Round 0 of 10}
Gorumite Veteran <Red> (-155) {12d6 persistent bleed; off-guard until Ajoran’s turn}
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> (-31)
Gorumite Veteran <Purple> (-108) {5d4 persistent fire; 3d6 persistent spirit; frightened 2; Share Life: Blue}
==============
Yujin then retaliates by casting ↻ blinding fury!
Blue growls as he points his sword. ”Feel Elysium’s wrath!”
"Elysium's wrath cannot compare to the wrath that burns inside me!"
Yujin charges at the Warpriest. As she charges, her saber and arm morph into a mantis' raptorial foreleg and rakes the warpriest.
Critical hit! 68 damage plus 16 persistent bleed.
Suryo smiles through the hits, continuing to menace his foes.
One down! his raspy voice declares.
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.
Else use the previous attack.
The cuts and sudden flashes of psychic energy drain Janna's mental resources, and the swirling vortex of unchained emotions collapse into her.
For a second her eyes go wild, darting around her. All she hears is the pounding of her heart and her ragged breath, but she's been here a hundred times before and she quickly collects herself.
She steps back and speaks to Ajoran, her voice pitched perfectly to be audible over the combat, but no more.
"Shall we kill that priest?"
◆ Step
◆◆ Cast Collective Transposition targetting herself and Ajoran.
She grabs hold of Ajoran's shoulder with one hand, and with her other jams her staff into the air, except it seems to catch. With a sudden twist both of them shatter into tesselating kaleidoscope reflections at the same time as a thousand other such reflections appear and begin rotating near the priest. In a second, only the latter remain, and their geometric nature becomes instantly forgotten as they perfectly align again to form Janna and Ajoran
With her head pounding, she doesn't want to risk a spell, so she plunges her hand into one of her alchemy pouches to grab a pinch of activator, dips it into another, and then offers the resulting concotion up to Ajoran's lips without a word of explanation.
◆ Quick Alchemy a Greater Numbing Tonic
◆ Interact to give it to Ajoran
Suryo attacks Purple!
As Suryo attacks, Yujin makes an Opportune Backstab that Suryo follows up with an Opportune Backstab of his own!
And despite being utterly sliced into by both Suryo and Yujin, Purple STILL remains standing thanks to Blue’s magic!
"Shall we kill that priest?"
Ajoran flips through his tome, not liking what he’s reading, and says ”Target the healer.”
Janna nods and teleports herself and Ajoran to the priest!
Yujin moves over toward Blue, causing a Reactive Strike from Purple!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Then Yujin slices into Blue, but by some miracle, she is still standing!
Ajoran flips through his tome to find some key information that would help him!
He quickly retrieves his implement saber and attacks Orange!
plus 9 Personal Antithesis (NOT doubled)
Then he uses the knowledge from his tome against the warpriest!
plus 9 Personal Antithesis
Blue has the wind knocked out of her, but she screams in prayer ”Blood, not rust!”
She then slams a hand against Yujin’s chest as she casts a 6th-rank harm!
She then swings her greatsword at Yujin!
Orange, however, is in a much stickier predicament. She decides to attempt to cast shield…
plus 9 Personal Antithesis (NOT doubled)
And this proves to be Orange’s downfall, as she is cut down in her attempt to protect herself!
Purple decides to ignore Suryo in favor of punishing the person who attacked the healer! He Strides, then attacks Yujin!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Red and Yellow both Stride forward toward their respective targets and attack!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
But Janna attempts to Dodge Away!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Round 5
==============
Suryo (-81)
Janna (-52) {1d6 persistent bleed; stupefied 1: round 1 of 2}
Yujin (-62) {1d6 persistent bleed; Incendiary Aura: Round 4 of 10}
Ajoran (-104) {2d6 persistent bleed; Divine Wings}
Gorumite Warpriest <Blue> (-180) {16 persistent bleed; 3d6 persistent spirit; Share Life: Purple}
Gorumite Veteran <Red> (-196) {12d6 persistent bleed}
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> (-31)
Gorumite Veteran <Purple> (-200) {5d4 persistent fire; 3d6 persistent spirit; frightened 1; doomed 1 & penalty vs divine; Share Life: Blue}
==============
Suryo swathes himself in a veil of red mist.
Also Suryo partially fades from reality.
The attacker must attempt a DC 11 flat check; on a failure, the attack passes harmlessly through the image of your body that remains behind. An instant later you return to reality, and your Crimson Shroud ends.
He then s to follow his foe and...
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.
With bloodied blades and momentum on his side, Ajoran positions himself to have both foes in reach.
◆ Step
Again, no time for fancy tricks, so he attempts to finish off the wounded foe!
◆◆ Twin Feint
Yujin will take another opportune backstab after Suryo attacks the veteran.
I think 1 or both might be dead thanks to the share damage spell and Suryo activated his Crimson Shroud to heal. If so Yujin will cast translocate to move herself to the left side. From her new position, her Gang Up feat will give flanking to Yujin, Adoran, and Janna.
She'll make a strike against Yellow.
But if both enemies on the right are still alive, she'll make the above strike against the warpriest and cast a two-action (level 3) Heal of Suryo instead.
or
With a flick of her neck, Janna becomes enshrouded with red mist.
Then with an effort of will, and bracing herself against the inevitable attack, she conjures a psychic bolt to attack the bleeding veteran.
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Phase Bolt
Suryo shrouds himself in red mist as he moves forward and attacks Purple!
Yujin then takes the opportunity to stab Purple in the back! And due to the nature of Blue’s magic, both Blue and Purple fall at the exact same time!
Janna activates her shroud and sends a psychic bolt at Red, causing Yellow to retaliate!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
But Janna then retaliates with a curse!
But then the psychic bolt flies and hits Red!
Yujin teleports to the other side of the ramparts and hits Yellow.
Ajoran steps over and swings at Red, but does not connect.
Red notices Yujin suddenly appear, and decides it good to Stride over to flank her, then attacks!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Yellow then attempts to Demoralize Yujin before going for his own attack!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
And these two attacks knock Yujin to the ground!
And Red finally succumbs to his wounds and bleeds out!
Round 6
==============
Suryo (-74) {Fast Healing 7: Round 1 of 10}
Janna (-81) {Fast Healing 7: Round 1 of 10}
Ajoran (-112) {Divine Wings}
Yujin (-162) {2d6 persistent bleed; frightened 2; Incendiary Aura: Round 5 of 10; prone; unconscious; dying 1}
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> (-46)
==============
As the word is carried away by the wind, his blades come down on his foe!
◆ Demoralize
◆◆ Twin Feint
◇ Drop implement swords
◆ Step
◆◆ Administer First Aid (stop bleeding)
Janna's facial expression changes from a grimace to a snarl as she recovers from her psychic backlash and watches Yujin fall. She first dashes to her aid,
◆ Stride
then calls upon Achaekek to bring a sacred assassin back into the fight.
◆◆ Cast 3rd rank Heal on Yujin
Yujin opens her eyes and rubs her head angrily. She grumbles "Those bastards really had it out for me."
She nods to Janna as a silent thanks for the recovery.
Rather than get up, Yujin weaves a powerful heal spell that radiates outward and closes the wounds of all those around her.
Yujin casts a 3-action (level 5) heal. It heals everyone within 30 ft. If Suryo manages to get within range on his turn, he'd also be included.
Satisfied at the synchronized drop of their two foes on this end, Suryo briskly jogs over to the other side to surround the last one.
Suryo moves over to the other side of the ramparts.
Janna moves over…
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
…and heals Yujin.
Ajoran attacks Yellow!
Yujin Kips Up then heals everyone (including Yellow) for 16 HP.
Yellow swings at Ajoran!
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
Round 7
==============
Suryo (-51) {Fast Healing 7: Round 2 of 10}
Janna (-59) {1d6 persistent bleed; Fast Healing 7: Round 2 of 10}
Ajoran (-144) {1d6 persistent bleed; Divine Wings; Exploiting Yellow}
Yujin (-115) {frightened 1; Incendiary Aura: Round 6 of 10; wounded 1}
Gorumite Veteran <Yellow> (-69)
==============
"Let's finish this!"
Yujin scoops up a weapon to strike at her foe in a singular motion.
Then she morphs her arm into a claw to slash again, using gouging claw.
plus 8 bleed if it is still alive.
◆Quick Draw
◆◆Gouging Claw
Every step, every slash, every groan and grunt of pain is another ear perked up in acknowledgement of their presence. The amalgam assassin focuses to cast a silent prayer to the mantis god to guide his blade to his foe's heart.
◆ Intensify Vulnerability (+2 status bonus to attack rolls against the target of Exploit Vulnerability)
◆◆ Twin Feint
Suryo, enveloped in his crimson shroud, glides around the trebuchet until he is within striking distance of the gorumite.
It seems all of your friends are gone?
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.
Two quick slashes seem to find the air next to the gorumite.
Janna moves over…
Janna once again becomes surrounded by a whirling vortex of emotion and magic as she lifts slightly onto her tiptoes and tips her head forward, looking up at the unfortunate Gorumite.
◇ Unleash Psyche
Some of the energy swirling around her focuses into a small sharp blade in front of her, which then teleports into the Gorumites chest!
◇ Activate Shadow Signet to target Reflex DC
◆◆ Amped Phase Bolt
Then with her eyes glowing, she intones "Death is the balance of holding on and letting go"
◆ Recall the Teachings - [ooc]Psyche
↻ Aid
Suryo swings and misses Yellow.
Janna sends a psychic bolt at Yellow!
Ajoran, with the assistance of his implement and Janna’s axiom, slices deep into Yellow twice!
Yujin picks up her saber…
plus 1d6 persistent bleed
And she follows up with turning her hand into a mantis claw and cleaving Yellow in two!
The assassins are beaten and bloodied, but they must find some kind of balancing act—for they must heal themselves while also quickly disposing of these bodies, and do so in a way that ensures they still have the resources to assassinate Ordulf.
Critical Success You hide the body, plus one additional body of the same size or smaller.
Success You hide the body.
Failure You fail to hide the body.
Just as the group finishes Hiding the Bodies, a door opens, revealing an Unexpected Patrol consisting of another warpriest and two veterans! And the assassins certainly do not have the ability to take on such a combat at this juncture!
Having had the patrol move past them (Grumble grumble “…shirking their duties…”), the assassin’s descend off the side to the first floor—their goal is still the basement vault, after all. And with some people being particularly hurt, some Treating of Wounds is necessary.
A man’s booming voice echoes from atop the ramparts holding the springalds, his deep voice being so loud that it feels as if it could cause an avalanche.
”Do you mean to tell me that the soldiers manning the springalds have abandoned their post?!”
“Yes, General Ordulf, sir!”
While the assassins are safe from being seen on the side of Crownhold, the name being spoken certainly piques their interest—an opportunity to finally get a look at their target. Taking this opportunity, Yujin uses Ordulf’s loud voice as cover to cast helpful steps to allow them to spy on their target.
As the assassins look up at the second floor, they find a patrol of Gorumites (the same one whom the assassins avoided the notice of earlier) standing before an imposing man whose entire physique is almost an Ulfen stereotype. He sports a massive head of blonde hair—so thoroughly thick that his beard connects wholly with the hair on his head. He sports a clearly-magical breastplate engraved with the symbol of Gorum, a necklace with a pendant likewise sporting Gorum’s symbol hangs around his neck. He is surprisingly less covered in furs than the other Gorumites, and yet he seems less affected by the cold nonetheless.
On his back he sports two massive weapons: a greatsword whose blade is practically a single, long icicle, and a greataxe—it seem’s Vatum’s intel wasn’t quite correct on what kind of axe Ordulf had.
”Those insubordinates were probably also the ones who took my tackling equipment as well! Bah!”
“Sir, do you wish for us to pick up their slack at the springalds?!”
Ordulf thinks for a moment, then says ”No, stay on your patrol, soldiers! Too many events have been happening in quick succession for it to be coincidence.”
“Sir, yessir!”
The Gorumites all exit the ramparts from the westernmost door, and disappear back inside Crownhold.
As the group reconvenes and Yujin Dismisses the stairs, Suryo explains that he got a good enough view to be able to quickly determine the properties of Ordulf’s magical armaments.
+2 greater striking animated wounding greataxe
+2 greater striking greater frost greatsword
With little else to do, the group continues treating their wounds.
Now that they’re properly treated—and with a skeleton key to the fortress—the group moves to find a way to the basement from the first floor.
Vertical wooden beams line the walls of this vast open chamber, and the smell of wet fur permeates the air. Huge double doors stand to the south, while smaller double doors lead east. Steep stairs against the north wall lead down into what must be a basement level.
Most notably, though is the loud sound of snoring that the assassins inexplicably did not hear prior to opening the door. The source of the snoring is a pair of elephant-sized, ten-legged polar bears—kokogiaks—that are in a deep sleep in this room!
Suryo spends an LP to succeed at that check
This room simply seems to be a storage space. As the assassins make their way to the eastern door, they find the doorknob uncomfortably hot.
A massive furnace stands along the northern wall of this rectangular chamber. Copper pipes along the walls connect to the furnace and lead up into the ceiling. The furnace itself features huge access doors on its east, south, and west sides. On either side of the furnace’s southern door, two gemstones embedded into metal frames glow with a reddish orange light. Double stone doors lead out from this chamber to the east, south, and west, with the southern doors appearing particularly well-locked.
The assassins peer through the gemstones in the door—which double as windows—they see a pair of blobs of lava that seem to be stuck inside the furnace, their bodies used to heat up the entirety of Crownhold.
Ajoran realizes that these gems seem to be binding these elementals into the furnace, and if the gems are removed, it would force the elemental back into its gem.
You…you are not one of the dwarves that trapped me. Please, free me from this fragment; I wish for my revenge on those who cast my autonomy aside for their own comfort!”
"I'm no where near as skilled at thievery as Suryo but I haven't meet a flame I couldn't master. Let me handle this."
Yujin grips the gem with both hands. The heat blisters her skin and cooks her flesh but she refuses to let go. After nearly a minute of excruciating pain, the gem finally pops free. Yujin grins with smug satisfaction. Then she channels healing magic into her hands to restore them like new.
Yujin relays the message the elemental imparts to her. "If none of you are opposed, I will attempt to release this elemental. It will not harm us. It yearns for freedom and vengeance. It will serve as an excellent distraction while we loot the vault."
As Yujin works on the searing gems, Ajoran examines the forge and shakes his head with disgust. "Lazy. Brutish. Sloppy."
He nods in response to Yujin's suggestion. "Release them. They will waste time trying to recapture their prize. The fire will not be so merciful."
Suryo whispers to his companions about the armaments on Ordulf.
"General", eh?
He allows himself a small chuckle.
--------------------
Then they come to pass the nook with the oversized, ten-legged snoring bear-rugs.
An errant slip on a loose stone... Suryo's shadow on the ground seems more surprised than he is by the slip-up. It coaxes the shadows of the bears to softly cup the ears of the actual bears. Unconsciously comforted, the bears remain asleep.
--------------------
Horrified as his friend grasps at the gem amidst the heat...
Yujin wait!
but it's too late.
and save some hit points
As Yujin and Suryo work on the gems, Janna offers "aid" in the form of overbearing advice.
"Steady the gem with one hand Yujin, you're losing tension on your tools when it moves like that"
"Brace the gem with three rods Suryo, can't you see it's got three facets touching the housing?"
When Suryo pops his gem out, Janna ponders aloud in the quiet voice she affects on a mission.
"If Yujin releases her's for the chaos, we should keep this one for the next combat".