you see me at H2, Eko is in I11
Shigeharu moves from around the pillar with alacrity, running across the dirt floor with his icy sword raised. He ducks under the outstretched limbs of his foe and stabs upward toward Eko's heart.
note you don't provoke for moving into fyi. also 20 doesn't hit fatigued AC. so 6 lethal 7 none, so no you don't drop me.
Eko rolls back sword in hand then throws a bit of fluff at you murmuring.
Eko becomes frightening in appearance, and drinks a potion.
your go.
Expeditious Retreat (3/10), Sword enhancement (4/10), Shield (5/10), AC: 19 . Arcane Pool points remaining: (3/4)
Shigeharu, astounded by the resiliency of his foe, feels doubt in his heart. He backs away, drawing a vial from his bandolier and siphoning energy from its contents to power a spell before hurling a ball of acid at Eko. Spell complete he drops the emptied vial, sword in hand, trying to look brave but showing his fear.
as the acid eats into Eko's clothing the smell of burning flesh fills the air.
your go
Eko once again steps forward to bring the great sword crushing down on the enemy.
I haven't been paying as much attention to this match as it was due.
The dark-haired lithe man enters the arena smoothly and calmly. He surveys the crowd briefly with a glance before turning to his opponent and bowing. He holds a parchment in his hand, and a bandolier of vials is secured across his chest. A few javelins and a set of manacles are tied in his belt, and a long-handled sword is sheathed on his back.
A hooded figure clearly over 6 feet tall graces you with his presence, with a well shaped face and strong Tian influences. His jade green eyes staring deep into your soul as if knowing something even you yourself are unaware of and Raven hued hair blending into his outfit. Adorned in colors of Black and red, he sports a concealing assortment of clothing and gear as to hide his true physique, however the knowledge of SOME sort of protection is there. Upon his back His sports a bow and quiver, a pole-arm, and a wickedly sharp Two handed blade. He bows as well to Shigeharu and grips a similar blade in his right hand. A purple stone revolves his head
The purple rock glows at his head and seems to resonate with Gin's Blade, he sizes his opponent up.
The swordsman nods as he sees the spell cast and looks at his own scroll, dropping it to the ground. He moves forward supernaturally quickly, casting his own spell. Ice forms along the length of his glowing blade as he strikes at his foe.
Shigeharu smiles at the spell, then steps behind the pillar for cover.
Gin nods to his opponents' Diligence
Shigeharu does not step out from behind the pillar.
The sound of silence fills the arena
The swordsman moves to the center of the arena, standing in a defensive stance defiantly while issuing a challenge. His sword glows with arcane energy.
来、私て面!
"Very well then... Haaaahhh!"
Arcane symbols blaze around his weapon
He moves to squares E6-7, F6-7
Shigeharu screws his face up in concentration, unable to identify the spell being cast with the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He eyes the reach of his opponent, and casts a spell of his own, attempting to duck under the elongated reach.
As Shigeharu comes in for the strike Gin misses his opportunity but not before barely evading the Darting viper, taking advantage of his staggered Situation and Slashing down with his blade
The enlarged sword slashes Shigeharu nearly in half but he steadies himself and tries again to trip the giant.
Swift: Arcane pool point to use Arcane Accuracy. Trip with Spellstrike Frostbite Nonlethal if it hits: plus prone, fatigued, entangled. Rounds remaining: Shield (16/20), Mage Armor (indefinite), Sword +2 (8/10), Arcane pool points remaining (1/4)
Delaying through the surprise round is completely valid, and would indeed allow you to act first in the first round of full actions. Here is the question asked to Skip Williams, who I am going to assume knows what he's talking about. It should be noted that initiative only ever matters at the beginning of combat, after which it can be changed in all sorts of ways by delaying, readying, etc. (Sorry for stepping on your arbitrating toes, Choon!)
Some of this initiative weirdness is due to us having a mutual surprise round, but keep in mind that that a high initiative is still of benefit, as the person going first could also delay until full round as well (essentially just negating the surprise round), delay or to just after you've taken your turn (even if your turn was delaying) in order to react to your actions.
Gin slashes along Shigeharu's chest spinning around to gain momentum. He releases his left hand from the cold steel and numerours arcane markings etch into the blade in Minkai " Certain Kill "
"Shinkenryu: Ichi no kata!"
The enlarged blade flies straight towards Shigeharu's unprotected head. He doesn't flinch, ready to accept fate, but the blade is deflected by an invisible force. He smiles, and sweeps the blade again at his foes ankles, unwilling to accept defeat just yet and holding his sword defensively out in front of him.