The Slave and Her Sovereign

Complexity 3 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal: Get your bearings in the ancient city of Itirilimish as it was when it was alive and thriving. Locate where the Monocle of Flame is housed and travel there.
7/8 Successes/1 Failures/0 Hard DC Available/0 Secondary Skills Available/0 Advantages Available

The shrouded figures one by one remove their coverings. Flesh burned to molten ruination from head to toe. They peer from gazeless sockets. Whatever they were before, they are transformed now.

One speaks audibly.

"So you are the doom-bearers foretold to us by the pages. Know this doom-bearers:

Each one of us entered The Vault of Conflagration.

Each to interpret The Shadowed Son's mysteries with the Monocle of Flame.

Each of us were turned back, the inferno's ruining the price paid.

Time can be manipulated as you have shown. It is less potent than even the most impotent ember of our Lord's Fire.

Mundane flame can be repelled as you have also shown.

But how...how will you endure the fullness of the artifact's, flesh-blackening, mind-destroying celestial blaze...a heat and luminosity so intense that it leaves the world a fold of shadow around it?

How will you succeed where we fell short?"

---

MEDIUM DC

A voice rises within his breast once again, a voice with the power to compel.

"Show them! You are MY messenger, MY herald, MY servant. Do as I command!"

Ever since Delban's Black Flames first took him in full in that initial Burning Transformation, IBHEA has been as a changed man ... if that term is even truly accurate any longer. He could heed that voice, metamorphose into the living creature of flame once again. None would dare question the fitness of Delban's Black Flames given life!

But there is another way. So again he tamps down that voice.

For the fire does not only burn without, when he commands it. It burns within, always.

"You seek proof of the fitness of Our Deity's Messenger to withstand the flames of the Godhead?" he asks plainly. "Witness, then, for this form I wear is as a rind upon the melon, belying my true being."

Ibhea removes his dagger from its scabbard at his waist. It smolders against his skin, but he does not command its flames to ignite. Instead, he utters the words of magick gleaned from his study of The Shadowed Sun:

"Jaalaana saraa ardeaa ignaa!"

And slices the blade across the palm of his left hand.

The blood does not flow. Instead, flames of the deepest crimson and charcoal, intermingled and flickering, pour forth before the wound cauterizes itself.

"Fire neither mundane nor numinous can affect me, for I am Delban's Messenger, The Coming Eclipse, no mere mortal."

---

Developing out of my last level-up choice of Fiery Blood as a Feat, I am making a Primary Skill Arcana check to demonstrate Ibhea's supernatural qualities ... augmented by a little magical oomph, r12+17=29 vs 22 Moderate DC. Success.

The figures before you crumple to the ground as the earth trembles. A stairwell appears in the floor before you. A wave of oppressive heat the likes rarely felt on the material world washes over your form.

The stairs descending into the celestial vault promise certain fiery death or your prize; the heralded Monocle of Flame.

At the precipice of the stairs, the world falls away abruptly. Space distorts entirely and appears somewhat kindred to The Astral Sea. Motes of lot dot the distance and motes of earth seem impossibly far above and below. Other earthen motes levitate before you and seem within your grasp.

The chamber exits before you, some considerable ways away. You can feel the inferno and its offspring winds blasting from that lens-like keyhole; the entrance to the Monocle's resting place.

Between you and there, three guardians intercede your path; spherical constructs that appear to take on the aspect of Delban in partial eclipse.

---

XP

* SC 4200/2 = 2100 xp apiece.

LOOT

* Gain 2 x art objects worth 2500 each.

* Gain 2 x Advantages for the coming conflicts within the vault. These can be used (a) to step down the action economy of a Skill Check (Celestial Vault movement, Countermeasures, Skill Challenge move), (b) step down the DC of a Skill Check, or (c) for Heroic Effort:

---

NOTE: THE LANDMOTES IN THE MAP ARE JUST COLOR. THEY'RE FAR BELOW THE CHARACTERS SO NOT IN-PLAY.

* Win Con: Advance all characters off the map (past column Z via rows 10 and 11) into the Monocle of Flame's final vault to confront and attain (or destroy) the Monocle.

* Celestial Vault: All characters have a fly speed of 3 while in the vault. However, to move deeper into the vault (to the right on the map), they must overcome the warding winds of the Monocle of Flame which continuously buffets them. Any movement to the right on the map requires a successful Athletics or Endurance check (DC 21). Success allows the character to move forward (right on the map). A successful Arcana/Religion check (standard action; DC 30) imbues the character with protection against the warding winds of the Monocle of Flame, allowing them to move freely UtEoNT (Sustain Minor).

* Celestial Mote: A filled black square (or contiguous squares) is a celestial mote/wall. A character that is adjacent to and on the left side of a mote gains protection against TEotCVoC Hazard. They gain Cover and are immune to its forced movement.

* Persistent Hazard within the Celestial Vault of Conflagration:

The Everflame of the Celestial Vault of Conflagration (Elite)
Hazard Level 14 Elite Blaster XP 2000
As you move forward, the shimmering haze of heat around you erupts into a celestial storm of blazing fire that forces you back against your body's best efforts.

Trigger
When a living creature enters the vault or begins its turn within the vault, the hazard is triggered and attacks, bursting into visible flame around the creature.

Attack
Opportunity Action Melee
Target: Living creature within the vault.
Attack:+17 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d10 + 4 fire damage and ongoing 7 fire (save ends), and the target is pushed 1 sq (toward A).
Miss: Half damage and the target is pushed 1 square.

Countermeasures
✦ Endurance DC 21 (Encounter): With an Endurance check made as part of a minor action, a character can fortify themselves with +2 defense bonus vs the everflame UtEoNT.
✦ Heal DC 30 (Encounter): With a Heal check made as part of a minor action, a character can douse an adjacent character who is stricken with everflame's ongoing 7 fire damage (save ends).
✦ Religion DC 21/30 (At-will): A character within the vault who prays to Delban for succor as a standard action can ward 1/2 square(s) of the vault so that the square(s) cannot erupt until the end of the encounter.

Click to expand...

* Vault Guardians (G) x 3 (Medium immortal construct, soldier, standard): HP 136, AC 30, Fortitude 28, Reflex 26, Will 26, Init +13

* Heroes begin offmap on the stairs before column A in rows 10 and 11.

INITIATIVE

Arunny (A), rb(13,18)+18=36
Qamra (Q), r13+10=23
Guardians (G): 19
Ibhea (I), r6+8=14
Xin Mae (X), r3+7=10

ROUND 1

---

* Ibhea's Monster Knowledge Religion (Immortal) check, r15+21+2 Xin Mae Leadership from Lore=38 vs 29 Hard DC. Exceeds Hard DC.

When Xin Mae sees the Vault Guardians interceding between the heroes and their goal, he gasps, "Ibhea! The Guarding Flames of Delban!"IBHEA scrutinizes Their Lord's servitors. Yes, a challenge to be surmounted is most fitting."The Shadowed Sun reveals to us the means of overcoming this obstacle," the warlock intones. And then he elucidates the meaning of scripture for his allies.

Vault Guardian
Medium immortal construct
Level 14 Standard Soldier XP 1000
HP 136; Bloodied 68 Initiative +13
AC 30, Fortitude 28, Reflex 26, Will 26 Perception+8
Speed 6, fly 6 (hover)
Immune fear; Vuln 10 cold, 10 force

Traits
☼ Flame Feedback (fire) ✦ Aura 3
When the guardian takes fire damage, enemies in the aura take 5 fire damage. This effect can only happen once per turn.

Delban's Presence
While the guardian is not bloodied, attack rolls against it take a -2 penalty.

Standard Actions
(⚔) Eclipse Slam (necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +19 vs. AC
Hit: 3d8 + 8 necrotic damage, and the target is immobilized until the end of the guardian's next turn.

ᗕ Protect the Monocle (necrotic) ✦ Encounter
Requirement: The guardian must be bloodied.
Attack: Close burst 3 (enemies in the burst); +17 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 2d8 + 5 necrotic damage, and the target is immobilized and takes ongoing 10 necrotic damage (save ends both).
Aftereffect: The target is slowed (save ends).
Miss: Half damage, and the target is slowed and takes ongoing 5 necrotic damage (save ends both).

Endurance +17

---

As the world drops away, ARUNNY hears gasps of astonishment from the others, Xin Mae's devolving into a series of mutters. But what appears as a catastrophic distortion of reality to them is merely an acknowledgement of the true nature of things for her. For here is the ultimate game of strategy, if one takes the time to study the board: it is not so different from what and how she always sees. In truth, it is a struggle to view reality as others do.

Scarcely noticing the intense consultation behind her, Maba's Piercing Eye lets the words pour over her as she focuses her gaze to quickly read their common threat and what their varied paths across ought to be. This will be tough for some of them to even fathom -- let along accomplish -- as they will need to be airborne to achieve their destination. Flying may be unfamiliar to her, but diving into realities beyond realities is something she has trained for all her life: all it takes is commitment and perseverance.

With that thought, she indeed dives into this maelstrom of wind and fire and temporal-spacial distortion. The Seer is unsurprised by the ferocious and fiery attack. Instead, she holds fiercely through the burning pain to self and body, somehow finding the current that will carry her forward. Resting along the way, she glimpses the opportune placement of celestial mote, undoubtedly created with Maba's enduring love for Her Consort and protective love for those who would serve them all.

But -- wait! Arunny's certitude is shaken by a brief sense of wrongness. <Should not gravity pull me down!>

Then, just as suddenly, her equilibrium returns, as does her conviction in herself, her Goddess, and the Heofoncandel. As if to echo her inner sense, her cloak -- with flames ignited only seconds before -- ceases to burn. and the pale blue amulet she wears begins to glow. The Seer turns back to the doorway and -- almost without thought (perhaps the Thought is not her own?) -- calls the Fellowship to join her.

* Starts turn offscreen

* Move: Move: Endurance Check to withstand the wind: r9+18=27 vs DC 21/Success: Fly/Run 5 sq to E8 TRIGGERS TEotCVoC OA MELEE: TRIGGER: When a living creature enters the vault or begins its turn w/in the vault, the hazard is triggered & attacks: ATK vs A: r15+17=32 vs 30 Fort/Hit; D: r2,8+4 Fire = 14 Fire Damage, 7 Ongoing Fire, & A is pushed 1 sq to D8,

* Standard: Move: Endurance Check: r2+18=20 vs DC 21/Fail TRIGGERS LUCKY CHARM (Daily): you miss w/ATK or fail a SC Ability Check, or Save; Effect roll a d6 & add result: + r1 = 21 vs DC 21/Success: Fly/Run 5 sq to I4

* Minor (Enc): Divine Call (R10): Effect: pull 1 or 2 targets 3 sq: XM to B8, Q to C11; no OAs as it is still Arunny's turn and Opportunity Action for TEotCVOC exhausted.

* Save vs Ongoing Damage: r19 = Saves

LOCATION: I4
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 71/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); -5 ATKs USoANT)
SURGES: 11/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Lucky Charm

---

QAMRA is still taking the strangeness of this ... chamber? ...she has been pulled into by Arunny's call, when a blast of hot air singes her skin, pushing back toward the door. Happily her armor protects her from this: she is only slightly singed by the flames which envelope her.

She inhales deeply as Arunny has been teaching her, allowing these breaths to center herself and to find the weight of Maba's Moon within. Finding her equilibrium, she is then able to learn more of the mechanics of flying in this strange place, filled with wind and fire before heading toward what she believes is the intended destination.

Gradually her efforts become more and more muddled and clumsy: it feels as if she is losing her sense of ... something. Direction? Her body's movement. What's worse: the doorway seems to be moving further away ... then closer ... then ... Qamra shakes her head, befuddled.

A sharp call from Arunny fortuitously brings her back into herself, and the young warrior once again focuses on her journey, veering in Arunny's direction. Breathless, Qamra follows her mentor's example, stopping to rest against one of the strange motes, so deliciously cool to the touch.

* Start of Turn: begins Turn w/in the vault: TRIGGERS TEotCVoC's OA: Attack: OA Melee; r2+17=19 vs. 27 Fort/Miss/Half damage & pushed 1 square: D: r1,7+4=12/2 = 6 Damage to Q, & Q is pushed 1 sq to B11

* Move: Endurance Check: r12+16=28 vs DC 21/Success: Fly/Run 5 sq to G14

* Standard: Endurance Check: r4+16=20 vs DC 21/Fails TRIGGERS ARUNNY'S CAST FORTUNE (FREE ACTION): EFFECT: Roll a d20 when you use this power, & note the result (r6+1=7/Level 11). You can replace any one ATK, Save, SC made by you, ally, or enemy w/this result r7+16=23 vs DC 21/Succeeds: Fly/Run 5 sq to J10 (in G2's Flame Feedback Aura3.

LOCATION: J10
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 103/109
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: in G2's Flame Feedback Aura3; Grants CA & -5 ATK USoQNT
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

The three immortal constructs, GUARDIANS OF THE VAULT, set to their eternal programming and defend the inner vault from trespass. Qamra fends off the pair that engage her the best she can but she finds herself temporally and spatially eclipsed, caught between two worlds; motion-locked.

Arunny defends the guardian that besets her with armor, shield, and holy utterance.

G1

* Start of Turn: (Only writing this once!) Guardians are immortal constructs, not living constructs, so they do not trigger TEotCVoC's OA.

* Move: 3 sq to J14.

* Standard: Charge to J11 and MBA (Eclipse Slam, necrotic, M1) vs Q's AC; r(4) +19 +1 (charge) = 24. Miss.

G2

* Move: 2 sq to J9. TRIGGERS Q OA (but Cover due to Blocking Terrain) W/ ARDENT STRIKE (M1, DIVINE, WEAPON) vs G2 IN THREATENED SQ K9; r(7) +19 -2 (Cover) -2 (Delban's Presence) -5 (Run) = 17. MISS.

* Standard: Eclipse Slam (necrotic, M1) vs Q's AC; r(16) +19 +2 (CA) = 37. Hit. r(4, 3, 7) +8 = 22 necrotic damage, and Q is immobilized until the end of the guardian's next turn.

G3

* Move: 3 sq to J7.

* Standard: Charge to I5 and MBA (Eclipse Slam, necrotic, M1) vs A's AC; r(5) +19 +1 (charge) = 25. Miss

LOCATION: G1 (J11), G2 (J9), G3 (I5)
DAMAGE: 22 necrotic damage to Q
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Q immobilized UEoG2NT, Q in 2 x Flame Feedback Aura, A in 1 x Flame Feedback Aura.
CURRENT HP: G1 @ 136/136, G2 @ 136/136, G3 @ 136/136
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na

---

IBHEA exhales with the surety that his Deity has made compact with him as His Mortal Messenger for precisely moments such as these. And where The Son's protection extends, so too does that of The Mother.

"Omthala, Radiant Mother, your servant beseeches you for protection now in service to the will of Your Son, Delban, source of the black flames," prays the warlock-priest.

He feels a radiant glow, but the voice that rises within is not that of The Mother.

"If you wish protection within the Celestial Vault, then take the form I offer you!"

Ibhea shudders. But does as commanded, allowing the black flames to take him, completely.

He steps off the stairs into the chamber and is immediately buffeted back by the scorching winds. But the flames do not burn him.

* Standard: Using one Advantage to step down the DC, Religion check (Celestial Vault) from 30 to 21; r5+21=26 vs 21 DC. Succeeds. Imbues Ibhea with protection against the Monocle of Flame's physical rebuke, allowing him to move freely UtEoNT (Sustain Minor).

* Minor: Burning Transformation; Effect: You transform into a creature of fire until the end of the encounter. While in this form you gain the following benefits and limitations: You are insubstantial, you can shift 1 square as a minor action, you are immune to fire, you gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and you cannot use any attack power without the fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).

* Move: Fly (Run; grants CA & -5 ATK USoQNT) 5 sq TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r5+17=22 vs 24 Fortitude. Miss. Push 1 & immune to fire, so no damage. Finish Fly in C14.

LOCATION: C14
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 90/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Protection from Monocle of Flame's Wind Buffet, Insubstantial, can Shift 1 as Minor, +5 damage to arcane fire attacks, enemy that hits I with melee atk takes 9 fire damage, cannot use powers without fire keyword, grants CA & -5 ATK USoQNT
SURGES: 7/7
APs AVAILABLE: 1/1
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

The scrivener cowers against the slowly rotating mote. However much one can cower, that is, without one's feet on terra firma!

What does The Shadowed Sun say about navigating Delban's realm?!? XIN MAE racks his brain, recalling those many hours spent copying the holy words.

Ah, yes! One must recite the Phlogiston Devotion!

"Holy fires, you will not burn. Holy flames, you hold me aloft. Holy blaze, I submit to your might."

The scrivener repeats this mantra over and over again. He "steps" out from behind the mote, the winds buffeting him, but he is spared the worst and flies forward into the vault.

* Standard: Religion check vs Celestial Vault, r14+16=30 vs 30 DC. Success. Imbues Xin Mae with protection against the Monocle of Flame's physical rebuke, allowing him to move freely UtEoNT (Sustain Minor).

* Move: Fly (Run; grants CA & -5 ATK USoQNT) 5 sq TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r1=Automiss. Push 1 r1,2+4=7/2=3 fire damage. Finish Fly in E6.

LOCATION: E6
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 84/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Celestial Vault Religion check protection UEoXNT, grants CA & -5 ATK USoQNT
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

ROUND 2

---

From her vantage point behind the gently moving mote, ARUNNY listens to the basso note it makes as it rotates and heeds the warning given. Carefully waiting for the expected rush of fiery wind, she ducks the flames, before stretching up to assess their position.

In any game of strategy, it is all about positioning. With that in mind, she slams her morningstar against the mote, sending thunderous blasts aimed toward the Guardians.

Perhaps the mote is not solid enough (Arunny can see through it into a thousand different rooms in space) or perhaps the strange flames of unearthly red and black protect them from a sonic attack: the Guardians are unfazed by her attack.

However, as she slips around the Guardian nearest her before racing to freedom, the Seer looks behind herself to make sure that she has at least accomplished one of her intended tasks. She has: Xin Mae is once again safely ensconced behind another mote.

Omthala's Searing Voice calls out to her young protegee: "Look to Xin Mae, Qamra!"

* Start of turn: A begins her turn within the vault, TRIGGERS TEotCVoC's OA Melee ATK: r2+17-2 Cover =17 vs 31 Fort/Miss; D: r8,1+4=13/2=6 Fire Damage & not pushed (adjacent to & on left side of mote, gains protection against TEotCVoC Hazard: Cover & immune to forced movement.)

* Standard (Enc/Manifestation of Preservation: Slide XM 1 sq to F6): Thunder of Judgment R10 (Mighty Crusader Expertise/MCE: no OA) vs Fort: ATK v G1: r8+18-2 Delban's Presence =24 vs 28/Miss; v G2: r8+18-2 DP =24 vs 28/Miss; v G3: r3+18-2 DP =19/Miss

* Minor (Enc): Boots of the Fencing Master Power: shift 2 sq to E7

* Move: Endurance Check to withstand the wind: r6+18=24 vs DC 21/Success; Run 5 sq to Q6

LOCATION: A in Q6; X slide to F6.
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 65/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT (BotFM), Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); -5 ATKs USoANT)
SURGES: 11/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Lucky Charm

---

Floating in a strange twilight space, QAMRA hears the voice of her mentor calling for her to defend the scrivener.

The Radiant Shamishar struggles to find her equilibrium ... somehow ..., she hears a rush of wind and feels flames rush over her once again. Although not as hot as they could have been had she not taken refuge where she has, the heat is painful on the wounds she has just received. It's hot and confusing and she is twisting in the wind...

Then she finds within herself her warrior's strength of mind and body and draws upon that power, exploding a challenge to those surrounding her, before opening a vortex away from where she floats, stranded, and toward where she can serve her purpose: to protect the weak.

Xin Mae may be knowledgeable, but he is also weak. So protect him she will. Somehow.

* Start of turn: Q begins her turn within the vault, TRIGGERS TEotCVoC's OA Melee ATK: r6+17-2 Cover =21 vs 31 Fort/Miss; D: r6,9+4=19/2=9 Fire Damage & not pushed (adjacent to & on left side of mote, gains protection against TEotCVoC Hazard: Cover & immune to forced movement.)

* Minor (Enc): Call of Challenge CBu3: Target: each enemy in the burst (G1 & G2): Effect: subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT.

* Move > Minor: (Daily) Virtue CBu1: Effect: Q spends a healing surge but regains no hitpoints, Instead, she or an ally gains temporary hit points equal to her healing surge value: Q gains 27 THP.

* Standard (Recharge 5,6): Solar Storm Advance: Effect Teleport 6 sq (to I4) and Q may use Ardent Strike against adj enemy (G3) at end of teleport: r11+19-2 Delban's Presence =28 vs 30 AC/Miss.

LOCATION: I4
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G1 & G2 subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 72/109 +27 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: in G3's Flame Feedback Aura3; SSA on cooldown (Recharge 5,6)
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

The three immortal constructs, GUARDIANS OF THE VAULT, set to their eternal programming and defend the inner vault from trespass.

Ibhea can only watch as his other three companions are buffeted by the supercharged winds and work to awkwardly stabilize their core axis in the air as they fend of the guardians that engage them.

G1

* Move: Endurance Check to withstand the Celestial Vault Wind: r(5)+17=22 vs DC 21/Success; 6 sq to P12.

* Standard: Charge to Q7 (Endurance Check to withstand the Celestial Vault Wind: r(13)+17=30 vs DC 21/Success) and MBA (Eclipse Slam, necrotic, M1) vs A's AC; r(10) +19 +1 (charge) -2 (Q mark) = 28. Miss. TRIGGERS Q DIVINE SANCTION; 6 RADIANT ADMAGE TO G1.

G2

* Standard: Charge to F7 and MBA (Eclipse Slam, necrotic, M1) vs X's AC; r(20) +19 +1 (charge) -2 (Q mark) = CRIT. 32 necrotic damage, and X is immobilized until the end of the guardian's next turn. TRIGGERS Q DIVINE SANCTION; 6 RADIANT ADMAGE TO G2.

G3

* Standard: Eclipse Slam (necrotic, M1) vs Q's AC; r(14) +19 = 33. Hit. r(5, 8, 1) +8 = 22 necrotic damage - 22 THP = 0 damage and Q is immobilized until the end of the guardian's next turn.

LOCATION: G1 (Q7), G2 (F7), G3 (I5)
DAMAGE: 32 necrotic damage to X, -22 THP to Q
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: X and Q immobilized UEoGNT, A/X/Q each in 1 x Flame Feedback Aura
CURRENT HP: G1 @ 130/136, G2 @ 130/136, G3 @ 136/136
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: G1 & G2 subject to Q's DS UEoQNT

---

Delban can be a harsh, sometimes cruel master. This, IBHEA knows. But must his quest for the Monacle--and its power--include the sacrifice of the scrivener? Not when Xin Mae--his knowledge, his talents--still proves so useful.

So the warlock-priest pushes past the buffeting wind, his form a blaze of glory in concert with conflagration. The black shadows gather near.

"Guardian of the Celestial Vault, soon I send you to be immolated by Delban's black flames! May whatever force animates you prove worthy!" he shouts through the roaring gale at the nearest foe. Then, retrieving a fine reddish dust from a waist pocket, he conjures a voluminous sphere of writhing intermingled darkness, cold, and fire to explode upon two Guardians. The closest reels under the psychic effects of this assault coupled with his curse. Alas, as the Guardians writhe in pain, their fiery feedback singes Xin Mae and Qamra due to their proximity to the constructs.

The warlock's mind goes blank. A rumbling voice speaking from within projects across the Vault.

"Heed my call. Protect My Messenger from harm!"

Its own mind overcome, the nearest Guardian obeys, floating to stand at Ibhea's side, ready to attack any challenger.

* Starts turn: TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r16+17=33 vs 24 Fort. Hit. Pushed 1 but Immune to fire damage.

* Move: Fly 3 to D12; activates Shadow Walk

* Minor: Curse G2

* Free: Use Rust Bark Consumable. You expend this reagent when you use an area burst power of up to 5th level that has a damage keyword. The size of the burst increases by 1.

* Standard: Devouring Dark ABU 2 on H7. Hit ATK vs G2, r16+19-2=33 vs 26 Reflex. Hit. ATK vs G3, r9+19-2=26 vs 26 Reflex. Hit. ATK vs X, r18+19-2 (cover)=35 vs 27 Reflex. Hit. r8,1,3+13 cold, fire, & necrotic damage +5 fire BT +3 AI +7 EA = 40 damage to X. TRIGGERS Q's RIGHTEOUS SHIELD IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT (CBu3; ally takes damage from ATK). Q TAKES 5 THP AND 35 DAMAGE (BLOODIED) INSTEAD OF Q AND GAINS +2 POWER BONUS TO ATK ROLLS UEOQNT.

The instincts of Omthala's Radiant Shamishar are as quick as they are selfless. Or is it simply that -- perhaps because of her extreme youth -- QAMRA does not fear death? Regardless, without any hesitation, the young warrior throws out her virtual Goddess-given shield to protect the stricken scrivener against Ibhea's fearsome tentacled attack. Immediately her body is wracked in pain which is icy cold and yet somehow also fiery hot. As she floats in space, shaking uncontrollably, she manages to turn her teeth-gritting grimace into a joyful grin. This is what she was made for, this is who she is!

Cont...r8,1,3+13 cold, fire, & necrotic damage +5 fire BT +10 Vuln cold + TRIGGER: ARCANE PRODIGY No Action Effect: You gain a +2 bonus to your next damage roll. The bonus increases to +3 at 11th level and +4 at 21st level. = 43 + TRIGGER No Action Gloves of Eldritch Admixture 2 Charges = r6,1 cold +10 Vuln cold=17 damage = 60 cold, fire & necrotic to G3 + r4,2 Curse + r5 psychic Mindbite Scorn + 5 fire + 10 Vuln cold = +26 damage to G2 (BLOODIED); Effect: The burst creates a zone (red square) that lasts until the end of your next turn. Creatures grant combat advantage while in the zone. TRIGGERS FLAME FEEDBACK (AURA 3) x 2; X AND Q TAKE 10 FIRE DAMAGE (I IS IMMUNE TO FIRE).

* AP --> Standard: Lure of Loyalty R5 vs G2, r12+19=31 vs 26 Will. Hit. Hit: You pull the target up to 4 squares to a square adjacent to you (D11), and the first time an enemy attacks you before the end of your next turn, the target must charge that enemy or make a basic attack against it as a free action. Effect: The target cannot attack you until the end of your next turn.

* End Turn: Protection from Monocle of Flame's Wind Buffet ends (no Sustain Minor).

LOCATION: I in D12, G2 in D11
DAMAGE: 5 THP lost and 35 cold, fire, necrotic damage incoming to Q (BLOODIED); 60 damage to G3; 86 damage to G2 BLOODIED; 10 fire damage in to X and Q from Flame Feedback (Aura 3)
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G2: the first time G2 attacks I before the end of I's next turn, the target must charge that enemy or make a basic attack against it as a free action. Effect: G2 cannot attack I UEoINT, G3 in DDZ (red quare).
CURRENT HP: 90/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Insubstantial, can Shift 1 as Minor, +5 damage to arcane fire attacks, enemy that hits I with melee atk takes 9 fire damage, cannot use powers without fire keyword
SURGES: 7/7
APs AVAILABLE: 0/0
DAILIES EXPENDED: 2 charges Gloves of Eldritch Admixture

---

XIN MAE continues his chant, "Holy fires, you will not burn. Holy flames, you hold me aloft. Holy blaze, I submit to your might." The wind buffets and blasts him. The flames burn him. He does not seem to notice his sardari has caught on fire.

The scrivener's face wrinkles with pain and concentration. He takes a deep breath and the lines diminish.

"Holy fires, you will not burn. Holy flames, you hold me aloft. Holy blaze, I submit to your might."

* Starts turn: TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r10+17=27 vs 25 Fort. Hit. Pushed 1 sq (to D6) + r5,5+4=14 fire damage + 7 OG fire damage (SE). X BLOODIED. Immobilized.

* Minor: Sustain Celestial Vault Protection.

* Standard: Second Wind; Spends Surge, regains 21 HP.

* Ends turn: Save vs 7 OG fire damage, r5. Fails

LOCATION: E6
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 54/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Celestial Vault Religion check protection UEoXNT, 7 OG fire damage, Immobilized UEoGNT.
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

G1 130/136 Subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
G2 44/136 Subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
G3 76/136 Devouring Dark Zone




ROUND 3

---

ARUNNY's brow furrows when a roar resembling the clash of cymbals combined with a crescendo of a great orchestra reaches her ears. As she turns her head to look back toward her fellows, her eyes follow a trail of floating crimson droplets to where it ends: Qamra's triumphant grin revealing the girl's bloody teeth.

In the speed of the Seer's subsequent actions, it is clear whose example the Radiant Shamishar has been following. First, Arunny reflexively sends healing to her gravely injured protege with a soothing word and gesture. Without missing a beat, Omthala's Searing Voice immediately follows that with a distinct change in tone:

I behold the Mother etched in Radiant Fire
Searing through the fiery winds within
Her Coronal Flare is edged with Coldness
Thus Frozen, your flames are doused.

As the two Guardians closest seem to stare at her through stunned visages on their ... constructed solar ... faces ..., Arunny soars through the fiery wind toward one of them with great determination on her face. She pulls True Moonlight out of its sphere -- supposedly an aspect of her Maiden's Consort -- and -- combining that light with the remaining essence of Ibhea's devouring and tentacled darkness -- shoves them into the Guardian, causing it to float backwards, spinning uncontrollably.

Holding her morningstar aloft, Maba's Piercing Eye reflects that True Moonlight onto herself, her protege, and the timid but intrepid scrivener.

"Maba will protect us, along with the Mother. Trust in the Heofoncandel," the Voice says to them, and a sense of protection envelopes the three of them, despite the danger surrounding them.

* Start of turn: A begins her turn within the vault, TRIGGERS TEotCVoC's OA Melee ATK: r13+17-2 Cover =28 vs 30 Fort/Miss; D: r6,7+4=17/2=8 Fire Damage & not pushed (adjacent to & on left side of mote, gains protection against TEotCVoC Hazard: Cover & immune to forced movement.)

* Minor (Enc): Healing Word CBu 10 on Qamra: Effect: Q spends 1 healing surge & regains 27 + r4,4,6 = 41 hit points. BCL: Q gains +2 ATK UEoANT

* Standard (Daily) (Manifestation of Preservation: Slide XM to F5): Fourfold Invocation of Doom CBu 10: Target: each enemy in the burst (G1 & G3): ATK vs Will: v G1: r5+18-2 Delban's Presence = 21 vs 26 Will/Miss; v G3: r7+18-2 Delban's Presence = 23 vs 26 Will/Miss; Miss: Target is dazed UEoANT; Effect: Until the end of the encounter, any creature that hits or misses you takes 5 psychic damage.

* Move: Run (Fly) 5 squares (direction = left, so no SC needed) to K5.

* Free (AP)(Daily) (Manifestation of Preservation: Slide XM to G4): Moment of Glory CBl 5 (F-J, 4-8): Target: each enemy in the blast (G3): ATK v Will: r15+18-2 Delban's Presence -5 Run = 26 vs 26 Will/Hit!!!!!; Push G3 3 sq to G8, and G3 is prone; Effect: You and each ally in the blast (Q & XM) gain Resist 5 All UEoANT (Sustain Minor); Prophetic Action Point: Effect: Gain a move action that you can use on a different turn during this encounter.

LOCATION: A in K5; X slide to G4; G3 pushed to G8.
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G1 & G3 both Dazed UEoANT; G3 prone
CURRENT HP: 78/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: MoG (A, Q, & XM Resist 5 All) UEoANT (Sustain Minor); FIoD (hit/miss = 5 psychic) UEoE; Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); -5 ATKs USoANT); Prophetic Action (1 add'l Move)
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory

---

Feeling both Divine healing and protection wreathed around and within her body, QAMRA gives a nod of thanks to her mentor, ignoring the fiery winds searing her skin. Then the impulsive young warrior opens yet another vortex into and out of space and time, diving into it like a sand shark, re-entering the windy inferno next to another guardian.

Screaming a challenge, the Radiant Shamishar slices at the spherical construct with her scimitar, sending sparks into the winds and leaving a small dent.

* Start of Turn: Recharge Solar Storm Advance: r6/Recharges; TRIGGERS TEotCVoC's OA Melee ATK: r16+17-2 Cover =31 vs 29 Fort/Hit; Damage: r4,6+4-5 Resist All=9 Fire damage; 7 OG Fire (Save Ends); Behind Mote = no Forced Movement

* Standard (Recharge 5,6): Solar Storm Advance: Effect: Teleport 6 sq to P7, & Q uses Ardent Strike v G1: ATK: r20+19+2 BCL +2 Dazed -2 Delban's Presence = Critical: D: 29 damage to G1, & G1 subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT

* Save vs OG Fire: r18/Success

LOCATION: P7
DAMAGE: 29 to G1
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G1 subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 59/109
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: in G1's Flame Feedback Aura3; SSA on cooldown (Recharge 5,6); MoG (Resist 5 All) UEoANT; BCL UEoANT
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue

---

Confounded by the trespassers' stratagems, the GUARDIANS OF THE VAULT are rendered impotent.

G1

* Standard: Eclipse Slam (necrotic, M1) vs Q's AC; r(9) +19 = 28. Miss.

G2

* Move: Endurance Check to withstand the Celestial Vault Wind: r(16)+17=33 vs DC 21/Success; shift 1 sq to E12

* Standard: Total Defense +2 bonus to all defenses UEoG2NT.

G3

* Move: Stand from prone.

LOCATION: G1 (Q7), G2 (E12), G3 (G8)
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Q and I each in 1 x Flame Feedback Aura
CURRENT HP: G1 @ 101/136, G2 @ 44/136, G3 @ 76/136
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: G1 subject to Q's DS UEoQNT, G1 & G3 dazed UEoANT, G2 subject to I's Luring Loyalty, G3 in Devouring Dark Zone. G2 +2 defenses UEoG2NT.

---

IBHEA comes to, one of the spherical Guardians beside him, cowering yet protective of him. How did this come to pass, he wonders.

The searing wind buffets him backward, towards the entrance to the Vault. This will not do! He is Delban's Messenger, come to lay wrath and reckoning upon The Shadowed Sun's enemies. Gritting his teeth, the warlock-priest pushes his flying form of flame forward towards the Guardian.

"Feel the sting of taking up arms against Delban's Coming Eclipse," he spits. Roiling clouds of black flames and necrotic energy surround both Ibhea and the second Guardian righting itself ahead. The Guardian beside him explodes in a conflagration of energies overcoming both its mind and body. The black clouds assail and blind the far foe, disabling it greatly. In the blink of an eye, Ibhea is instantly transported to the far side of this debilitated foe.

"The black flames of Delban will consume you, wretch!" he curses.

* Starts turn: TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r17+17=34 vs 24 Fortitude. Hit. Pushed 1 sq to C12, immune to fire damage.

* Move: Endurance check, r16+8=24 vs 21 DC. Success. Fly 1 sq to D12.

* Standard: Deathly Conduit ABu 1 on H8. NO OA FROM G2, CANNOT ATK I UEoIT. ATK vs G3, r18+19-2 Delban's Presence +2 CA=37 vs 28 Fortitude. Hit. r4,6+13+5 BT fire and necrotic damage & G3 Blinded (SE). Effect: Each creature adjacent to you takes 10 +8 fire & necrotic damage, and you can teleport to an unoccupied square in the burst. 18 fire damage + r3,4 Curse + r6 Mindbite Scorn +5 BT = 36 fire, necrotic, and psychic damage to G2. TRIGGERS FLAMING DAGGER DAILY POWER; Trigger: You hit with a weapon. Effect: The attack deals 2d6 extra fire damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends). r5,3=8+5 BT fire damage to G2 & G3 & both take OG 5 fire damage (SE). Ibhea teleports to I7. TRIGGERS Shadow Walk.

* Minor: Warlock's Curse on G3.

LOCATION: I7
DAMAGE: 41 fire and necrotic damage to G3 BLOODIED, 49 fire, necrotic, and psychic damage to G2 DESTROYED.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G3 Blinded & Cursed, OG 5 fire damage
CURRENT HP: 90/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment, Insubstantial, can Shift 1 as Minor, +5 damage to arcane fire attacks, enemy that hits I with melee atk takes 9 fire damage, cannot use powers without fire keyword
SURGES: 7/7
APs AVAILABLE: 0/0
DAILIES EXPENDED: 2 charges Gloves of Eldritch Admixture, Deathly Conduit, Flaming Dagger

---

XIN MAE continues his chant, "Holy fires, you will not burn. Holy flames, you hold me aloft. Holy blaze, I submit to your might." The wind buffets and blasts him. The flames burn him. His sardari continues to burn.

"Snap out of it, scrivener," bellows Arunny. "We must escape this place! Now! Advance to where Omthala's Radiant Shamishar can protect you!"

Xin Mae takes a deep breath as the flames continue to burn. Then he directs his full efforts to advancing against the buffeting winds to where the Golden General beckons, muttering the entire way, "Holy fires, you will not burn. Holy flames, you hold me aloft. Holy blaze, I submit to your might."

He is still engulfed in flame. It burns something fierce.

* Starts turn: 7 OG -5 Resist 5 All MoG=2 fire damage, TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r10+17=27 vs 25 Fortitude. Hit. Pushed 1 to F4 & r7,6+4-5 MoG=12 fire damage & 7 OG fire damage.

* Minor: Sustains Celestial Vault Protection.

* Move: Run (Fly) 5 sq to K6.

* Standard --> Move: Run (Fly) 5 sq to Q6.

* Ends turn: Save vs 7 OG fire damage, r3. Fails.

LOCATION: Q6
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 35/87 BLOODIED
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Celestial Vault Religion check protection UEoXNT, 7 OG fire damage, Resist 5 All
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

G1 101/136 Dazed UEoANT, Subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
G3 35/136 Dazed UEoANT, OG 5 fire (SE), Blinded (SE), Cursed



ROUND 4

---

ARUNNY quickly flies back toward Xin Mae and Qamra -- ignoring the trail of smoke and cinder left the burning Šāl wrapped around her waist.

"We need to keep going, Ibhea will surely follow." The Seer's brow wrinkles as she tries not to think to deeply on the madness of his latest actions. "Maba's Blessings on you both, and The Mother's Succor," she intones, raising her hand, palm facing first one, then the other. All three immediately look and feel less battered, more prepared for battle.

Without missing a beat, the Priestess maneuvers her way through the air to hold a defensive position next to the Guardian sphere.

"Go now, both of you!"

* Start of Turn: Everflame OA: r15+17=32 vs 30 Fort/Hit; D: r5,2+4-5 Resist All = 6 Fire Damage, pushed 1 sq to J5, & 7 OG Fire (SE)

* Move: Endurance SC: r20+18=38 v 21 DC/Succeeds; Fly 3 sq to N5

* Move: Endurance SC: r15+18=33/Succeeds; Fly 2 sq to P6

* Minor (Enc): Word of Vigor CBu 1: Target: A & each ally in burst (Q & XM); Effect: each spends a healing surge & regains r5,1 (6) additional hp: Q: 33; A & XM each 27; BCL: A, Q, & XM: +2 ATKs UEoANT

* Prophetic Action: Move: Endurance SC: r9+18=27/Succeeds; Fly 3 sq to R7

* End of Turn: Save vs Ongoing Damage: r18 = Succeeds, no longer takes OG Fire. Arunny ends turn her turn without having made an attack: TRIGGERING XM's IMMEDIATE REACTION: MIND OUR ENEMIES, NOW (Enc.): EFFECT: A CAN MAKE MBA AS FREE ACTION. IF ATK HITS = 1d10 EXTRA DAMAGE

* A: Free: Eldritch Strike M1 vs G1: r20+20-2 Delban's Presence +2 CA +2 BCL= Critical; D: 10+9+10 MOEN = 29 Damage & A Slides G1 1 sq to Q8; Unforgettable Cudgel: Critical: +1d6 per plus, or target is dazed (SE): G1 = Dazed (SE)

Clearly the adrenaline driving the two girls ... err ... women is affecting him as well, for XIN MAE finds himself reacting more quickly than usual. As he prepares himself to follow Arunny's urgent instruction, the scrivener directs her to mind their enemies.

Her immediate blasting of their nearest opponent should hearten him, but Xin Mae feels his heart beating as fast as a Kangorian Yakbird, the flutter of it almost choking his throat. As he watches the strange spherical construct slowly float away, he begins his usual mutterings of "oh, dear, oh, dear!"

LOCATION: A in R7; slides G1 to Q8
DAMAGE: 29 damage to G1
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G1 Dazed (SE)
CURRENT HP: 85/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: MoG ends; FIoD (hit/miss = 5 psychic) UEoE; Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); BCL (+2 ATK) UEoANT
SURGES: 9/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory

---

QAMRA's body quivers with the desire to deliver Omthala's Justice to one of the strange spheres attacking them. <what kind of guardians are they?> the young warrior thinks to herself.

Then a fresh blast of fiery winds pushes her back and wakes her from her strangely pensive moment. Clearly invigorated by the Blessing and Succor she has just received through Arunny's auspices, Qamra whoops into the air and flies toward the door.

"Come on, Xin Mae! I'll race you!!"

Reaching the door, the Radiant Shamishar looks back. "Here's your chance, old man! I'll even give you a headstart through!!"

* Start of Turn: Roll to recharge SSA: r2/Fails; Everflame OA: r19+17=36 vs 31 Fort/Hit; D: r4,3+4=11 Fire damage to Q, pushed 1 sq to P7, & 7 OG Fire

* Move: Endurance SC: r17+16=33 vs DC 21/Success; Run (Fly) 5 sq to T9

* Move: Endurance SC: r6+16=22/Success; Run (Fly) 5 sq to Z11

* Save vs Ongoing Fire: r16/Succeeds

LOCATION: Z11
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 81/109
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: SSA on cooldown (Recharge 5,6); BCL UEoANT; -5 ATKs USoQNT);
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue

---

The GUARDIAN OF THE VAULT surround the scrivener and the golden knight to unleash their celestial assaults and necrotic self-destruct bombs! The clock ticks as the Arunny successfully fends off the assault of the pair attacking her and the squishy scrivener!

G1

* Standard: Eclipse Slam (necrotic, M1) vs A's AC; r(11) +19 = 30. Miss. TRIGGERS 5 PSYCHIC TO G1 (A's FIoD).

* End of Turn: Saving throw vs dazed; r(8). Fails

G3

* Start of Turn: 5 OG fire. TRIGGERS FLAME FEEDBACK (AURA 3). IBHEA IMMUNE TO FIRE.

* Move: 6 sq to N9 (Endurance Check to withstand the Celestial Vault Wind: r(18)+17=35 vs DC 21/Success).

* Move: Charge to Q7 (Endurance Check to withstand the Celestial Vault Wind: r(11)+17=26 vs DC 21/Success) and MBA (Eclipse Slam, necrotic, M1) vs X's AC; r(10) +19 +1 (charge) -5 (Total Concealment; blinded) = 25. Miss. TRIGGERS IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT (Enc.): BATTLE AWARENESS: MBA: ELDRITCH STRIKE vs G3: r8+20=28 VS 30 AC/Miss.

As the Guardian Sphere blindly rolls through space at the scrivener, ARUNNY -- acting quick on her ... feet -- instinctively swings her morningstar to halt its onslaught. The weapon glances harmlessly off the construct's outer surface, but no matter: the Golden General will be ready for any further attacks.

* End of Turn: Saving throw vs blinded; r(16). Succeeds. Saving throw vs OG 5 fire; r(4). Fails.

LOCATION: G1 (Q8), G3 (Q7)
DAMAGE: G1 incoming 5 psychic damage. G3 incoming 5 fire damage.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A and X in Flame Feedback Aura (3) x 2.
CURRENT HP: G1 @ 67/136, G3 @ 30/136
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: G1 dazed (SE), G3 OG 5 fire (SE) and Cursed.

---

IBHEA observes the scrum ahead of him and frowns. This is not how things should be. These Guardians should be bowing in obeisance to Delban's Messenger.

He wreathes himself in shadow and pushes ahead against the driving wind.

And then the voice rises again, "Burn them! Burn them all!"

Ibhea feels his consciousness recede.

And then his flaming form gestures at the closest Guardian, the one already aflame with Delban's wrath. Those flames leap higher, swelling and spreading in a concatenation of explosive conflagrations. The Guardian literally explodes in a ball of flame, erupting against its fellow defender but also Xin Mae and Arunny. This causes the second Guardian to explode with fiery feedback, catching Arunny within its compass a second time.

A wicked cackling erupts from Ibhea's flaming form.

And then Ibhea's consciousness returns. He witnesses his own arm extended, his allies as well as enemies aflame. "What have I done," he asks himself. "What have I done?!?"

In fury, he curses the remaining Guardian: "The black flames of Delban will incinerate you, just as has befallen your confederate. Let us pass! Let us pass in the name of Delban!" he cries.

* Starts turn: TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r16+17-2 Concealment=31 vs 24 Fortitude. Hit. Pushed 1 sq to H7, immune to fire damage.

* Move: Endurance check r19+8=27 vs 21 DC. Succeeds. Fly 3 sq to M5. Activates Shadow Walk.

* Standard: Fanning the Flames R10 vs G3 (taking OG fire damage), r17+18=35 vs 26 Reflex. Hit. r4,4+12 +5 BT +r5,1 Curse +r5 Mindbite Scorn +5 BT = 41 fire and psychic damage & OG fire damage increases by 5. TRIGGERS G3 FLAME FEEDBACK: A, X, and G1 each take 5 fire damage. TRIGGERS G1 FLAME FEEDBACK: A takes 5 fire damage. G3 DESTROYED. Secondary Attack (ABu 1 centered on Q7, ATK vs G1, r19+18=37 vs 26 Reflex. Hit. ATK vs A, r4+18=22 vs 21 Reflex. Hit. ATK vs X, r19+18=37 vs 27 Reflex. Hit. A, X, and G1 each take r5,6+12 +5 BT=28 fire damage. (Can't trigger G1 Flame Feedback--only once/turn).

* Minor: Curses G1.

LOCATION: M5
DAMAGE: 46 fire, necrotic, and psychic damage to G3. G3 DESTROYED. 33 fire damage to G1. 38 fire damage to A. 28 fire damage to X.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G1 Cursed
CURRENT HP: 90/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment, Insubstantial, can Shift 1 as Minor, +5 damage to arcane fire attacks, enemy that hits I with melee atk takes 9 fire damage, cannot use powers without fire keyword
SURGES: 7/7
APs AVAILABLE: 0/0
DAILIES EXPENDED: 2 charges Gloves of Eldritch Admixture, Deathly Conduit, Flaming Dagger, Burning Transformation

---

As the flames explode upon him and around him, XIN MAE rests certain in the recognition that something deeply disturbs Ibhea.

He continues to recite the Phlogiston Devotion, and when he sees his opportunity to flee this scene of madness and flame, he takes it. Maneuvering around the celestial mote, he wills his body forward, away, away from the burning winds, away from these exploding Guardians. Away from Ibhea.

He passes Qamra silently and stoically. He notes her wry grin. He will need to speak with her about that!

* Starts turn: 7 OG fire damage, TRIGGERS EVERFLAME OA, r6+17-2 Cover=21 vs 25 Fortitude. Miss. Pushed 1 to P6 & r8,3+4/2 = 7 fire damage.

* Minor: Sustains Celestial Vault Protection.

* Move: Run (Fly) 5 sq to U5.

* Standard --> Move: Run (Fly) 5 sq OFF MAP.

* Ends turn: Save vs 7 OG fire damage, r3. Fails.

LOCATION: OFF MAP
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 5/87 BLOODIED
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Celestial Vault Religion check protection UEoXNT, 7 OG fire damage
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na

---

Alright, that's a wrap. With Xin Mae off the map now, Qamra basically there, Ibhea immune to fire and insubstantial, Arunny pretty much ok...I think we call it here in full. I think probably:

• Arunny sacrifices a few more healing surges.
• You guys vignette I and A performing a fighting withdrawal out of the chamber.

Then I'll frame the final conflict in the Monocle of Flame's chamber.

ARUNNY is still reeling from the fiery feedback washing over her when she hears Qamra call her name from outside the Vault. Earlier the young warrior rushed after the stumbling Xin Mae as soon as he was able to leave the vault. Now she is frantically calling to her mentor to "come quickly and help him!" Unable to give Ibhea a backward glance, the Seer turns immediately and -- fighting off the winds of flame for one final time -- flies quickly to the doorway and exits.

There, in a small stone antechamber, she finds Qamra bending over an unconscious Xin Mae, trying her best to revive the scrivener. Looking up at Arunny, she says in a small voice which reveals her extreme youth, "he just collapsed! He won't wake up!"

Maba's Piercing Eye kneels beside the man and -- placing one of her palms on the crown of his head, the other above his heart, and closing her eyes -- begins to murmur prayers:

O Maiden of the Heofoncandel, the Light of Your healing flows through me like a living stream of Moonlight. Bathe this man in Your clear and healing Radiance. We keep our eyes on You, and trust in You that he will fully recover. We, your everfaithful servants, give You all that we are, and rest in the peace of Your Moonlight.

Qamra places her hand on the Priestess's shoulder and bows her head in obeisance.

Arunny can feel Maba's warmth flowing through her into the fallen man, and she breathes deeply to withstand the pain of entering into the agony of his healing. Opening her eyes -- and ignoring the slow hesitant steps approaching them -- she looks Xin Mae over, checking for any lingering wounds and burns. At her gesture, Qamra quickly grabs a waterskin and kneels down to help the old man drink some water, which he does with great relish.

Omthala's Searing Voice then stands, continuing to look down at the scrivener and not at the priest who has now joined them. Ibhea clears his throat and tries several times to speak, to say something, but nothing comes out.

Finally Arunny turns her head to look at the priest as he stands there, staring down at his recovering traveling companion and friend, mouth still open as if there are any words in the world that he can possibly utter right now. Suddenly furious, she lifts her hand and slaps him hard across the face.

---

XP/LOOT

• 5000/4 = 1250 xp apiece.
• 1000 coin.
• 2 x Consumables level 15 or lower.
• Milestone.

We choose (for Arunny) a Bead of Force and (for Ibhea) Mind Dust.

Complexity 3 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal: Destroy the runic circle which binds the Monocle of Flame (2) and master the ancient creature, succumb to it, or destroy it.
0/8 Successes/0 Failures/2 Hard DC Available/3 Secondary Skills Available/3 Interfere Skills Available/2 Advantages Available

* On 2 successes, the runic circle is broken and a battle of wills or physical fortitude begins.

* Arunny can Interfere w/ a Primary Skill Check from Ibhea to foil his aims to master the ancient creature. This is an inversion of the Aid Another move; Must be adjacent to target and DC 10 +1/2 level (17). Success and Ibhea suffers -2 penalty to follow-on Primary Skill. Failure and Ibhea gains +1 bonus to follow-on Primary Skill.

* Arunny cannot use any of the Advantages, but she can make a Primary Skill Check to remove one of Ibhea's Successes to foil his aims to master the ancient creature. Failure and Ibhea gains a +2 bonus to follow-on Primary Skill.

* On either (a) 2 Successes (the runic circle binding the creature is broken) or (b) 1 Failure (the creature destroys the now-weakened runic circle long-binding it and gains +2 Initiative), the circle is broken and the creature is unleashed. Combat begins. The remainder of the Skill Challenge will be nested in combat.

* Once the runic circle binding it is broken, @darkbard has a choice to make; does Ibhea succumb to the seduction of power embedded in the ancient creature, become one with it, and reveal himself the villain?! If yes, darkbard builds Vruk as a Fighter and plays him for this conflict and I take Ibhea and convert him into a Solo.

* To master the ancient creature, the Skill Challenge must be successful before the creature reaches 0 Hit Points or 3 Failures accrue. To destroy the ancient creature, the creature must be brought to 0 Hit Points or 3 Failures must accrue before the Skill Challenge is successful.

---

The burning headwinds have ceased.

From the small stone antechamber, the heroes can see the stone floor continue into a room of ebon darkness as the depths of The Umbral Cathedral mirror its above. Polished and spartan stone...featureless...save two things...

A runic circle of binding, power pulsing across its glyphs which must have been constructed in a time long past.

A flame. The first flame perhaps...or one of them.

An imprisoned Fire Elemental from the dawn times. The impossibly ancient creature witnessed the making of the world and all events since; an unparalleled repository of information, knowledge, and understanding. The church bound it to this place millennia ago for this “service.”

You can feel the hatred coming off of it. The living flame takes on a humanoid shape to be familiar as it regards you...to seduce you into comfort...but it despises its captivity...it despises you. There is little doubt it would be all too happy to possess anyone who comes to claim it, to compel this Dawnflame to servitude in the reading of the primordial text The Shadowed Sun. The strewn ashpiles of those who have come before and failed litter the chamber as grisly reminders.

Taking onboard this possessing spirit means the seduction of impossibly old knowledge and facility, but also the threat of undoing...subversion by an endless reservoir of enmity.

...even from afar, the heat of the creature is immense...and it grows...once the runic circle binding the creature is undone, the promise of the first flame that built, and nearly destroyed, the world awaits.

---

MEDIUM DC to consult your accumulated knowledge on the ancient binding technique and language of the glyphs and then HARD DC to undo the runic circle.

IBHEA beholds the runic circle and its captive. A sound escapes his lips, more hoarse croak than cackle.

"Fitting, isn't it, that Delban's black flames given life must free this creature, this elemental from its imprisonment. Seethe not, Dawnflame, your freedom is nigh, and together we shall burn Our Lord's enemies into so many piles of like ash." He gestures around the empty chamber.

"Xin Mae," the warlock continues, "which litany is it that The Shadowed Sun prescribes for the breaking of bindings?"

Sweat beads the scrivener's brow. "The Litany of Void Drops, Messenger. Surely you recall; it begins:

'One by one
The Void Drops fall
Wearing the bindings
Of shackle or wall...'"

His voice trails off.

Arunny immediately interjects herself. "Ibhea, can you not see the malevolence of this creature? It oozes it. The whole chamber is filled with the shards of mustard seed and lavendar petals. Look, they float on the streams of fetid song."

Ibhea gives his comrade a brief glance of something like pity.

And then he approaches the circle, chanting the Litany of Void Drops in full. He removes one of the brass lockpicks he has carried since his youth. Touches it gently to one of the glyphs inscribed on the stone floor. Shuffles to another glyph to repeat the process, chanting the Litany sotto voce.

"Blessed Maba of the Heofoncandel, I release into your hands..." Arunny's voice filters in from Ibhea's periphery. Ibhea tunes her out.

"Mother Sun," the warlock prays, "bring your power to bear here in the efforts of Your Son's servants. You gave birth to flame, and in breaking these bindings, flame is brought forth into the world yet again."

"Maiden and Consort, sharpen our senses. Calm our nervous confusion. Soothe our arrogant misconception. Bring us perspective to pierce through the darkness of unknowing," Arunny's competing prayer rings out.

Ibhea rises, his eyes glowing with the task completed.

---

(1) Arunny uses one of her Interfere checks to hinder Ibhea's consultation of the needed knowledge to break the magic circle, using Diplomacy as her Primary Skill check, r4+9=13 vs 17 DC. Fails. Ibhea receives a +1 bonus to his ensuing Primary Skill check.

Xin Mae uses History as a Secondary Skill, +16 vs 16 Easy DC = autosuccess for +2 bonus to aid Ibhea's Primary Skill History check, r14+12+2+1=29 vs 22 Moderate DC. Success.

(2) Arunny uses a second Interfere check to hinder Ibhea's attempt to undo the circle, Religion Primary Skill check, r1+8=9 vs 17 DC. Fails. Ibhea receives a +1 bonus to his ensuing Primary Skill check.

Ibhea uses Thievery as a Secondary Skill, r4+13+2 thieves' tools=19 vs 16 Easy DC for a +2 bonus to his Primary Skill Religion check, r7+21+2+1=31 vs 31 Hard DC. Succeeds.

Alright, well... @darkbard has chosen the below:

* Once the runic circle binding it is broken, @darkbard has a choice to make; does Ibhea succumb to the seduction of power embedded in the ancient creature, become one with it, and reveal himself the villain?! If yes, darkbard builds Vruk as a Fighter and plays him for this conflict and I take Ibhea and convert him into a Solo.

So Ibhea is the baddie. I'm taking control of him now and, with that, a glimpse into how it seems this all might have come to fruition:

---

Countless millennia ago, long before recorded history, a comparatively small stellar core remnant orbits a vast star like a small boy following his mother. In his endless circle, he strays very far from his beloved mother sometimes. Very far. Far enough that other influences, fell influences, beset him.

A mighty purple celestial object from an alien realm of madness and undoing, its surface writhing with aberrant possibility, sees a white speck in the distance. It tracks it like a wolf to prey. In its flyby it offers freely of itself to the small white star. Purple tidal disruption accretes onto the star that has strayed so far into the vastness of the celestial landscape. The density of the alien material is great...too much. The stellar remnant collapses in on itself. No longer what it was.

Now a Shadowed Sun.

A small urchin-boy on the streets of Bantouk, long-abandoned and bereft of parental investment, runs from pursuit. His legs suddenly find no purchase on firm ground. He is weightless. He falls physically and emotionally to what lies below; a pit with a menacing cobra... a night stricken with terror as fear piles without end.

The boy wakes in cold sweats, now a man. A man of priestly vestments. Having waken from this nightmare a thousand times before, he reaches for his drink. He consumes it in full just as his obsession with the idea of death and total abnegation of self has consumed him. In these dreams and in these moments hereafter, visions of that dark star, The Shadowed Sun, have spoken to him...have called to him. He pursues.

In the ruins of Itirilmish, he finds the books. He finds the truth. He can read very little of it, but the little he can read only entices him further. What he reads in the book:


What the book actually says:


What he could not "read" pained him beyond measure. From the moment he pulled forth the ancient tome from its ruined housing, like an ember burning in his mind, a voice called to him constantly; "I can show you the fullness of The Word. Find me...set me free...I will set you free in return." He doused the endless prodding of that infernal flame with araq, but after his turn to abstinence upon Gan’s death, the creature’s will took greater and greater hold on him.

...until now...

"I set you free," Ibhea says to the Dawnflame as he undoes the runic circle of binding. As the primordial flame takes him, the warlock pulls forth the book and thumbs the pages with impossible speed. "I see the words." He looks up at his former allies.

"Now we are free."

Fire consumes Ibhea's form, undoing him. The mighty priest accepts the undoing, destroying what he once was, and joins with the eternal enmity of the Dawnflame. A hand ablaze reaches for the perfect polished skull on its hip. The fallen hero of The Battle of the Dolgs, Gan the Subjugated, manifests next to the inferno that is now Ibhea.

The earth below the feet of the heroes and their fallen ally opens, threatening to draw the heroes in. They fall back as a Shadowed Sun Rift nearly swallows them.

The ceiling of the Umbral Cathedral's depths explodes in several places. Sunbeam and Moonmote filter in.

Ibhea recoils.

---

* ILLUMINATION: Full.

* DAWNFLAME BURNPATCH (Orange, Hindering Terrain): When a creature enters a square of dawnflame burnpatch, it takes ongoing 10 fire damage (save ends).

* SHADOWED SUN RIFT (Black, Hindering Terrain): Any enemy of Ibhea who begins their turn within 2 squares of the shadowed sun rift is pulled 2 sq and is slowed until the start of their next turn. Any enemy of Ibhea who begins their turn within the shadowed sun rift, takes 10 necrotic damage.

* MOONBEAM MOTE (Sky Blue, Fantastic Terrain): Free Action, Personal, Exhaust sq activated. Effect: Gain 5 THP and all attacks deal an additional 1d6 cold damage until the end of your next turn.

* SUN'S FERTILE GROUND (Yellow, Fantastic Terrain, Hindering Terrain): If a creature in this terrain spends a healing surge, it regains an additional 4 hit points. If a creature vulnerable to radiant damage enters a square of sun's fertile ground, that vulnerability increases by 5 until the end of their next turn.

* LAST RITES FOR IBHEA (Novel Complexity 1, Level 14 Skill Challenge), Trigger: Ibhea is Bloodied):

✦ Purge the Dawnflame x 1 (DC 25): Arcana, Nature, Religion (standard action, adjacent to Ibhea). Effect: Ibhea loses Dawnflame Aura and Dawnflame Emnity.

✦ Adjure Caiphon's Influence x 1 (DC 30): Heal (standard action, adjacent to Ibhea, Ibhea must have 70 or less hit points). Effect: Ibhea temporarily regains his sanity and passes peacefully from this world into the bosom of Omthala and Maba.

* Ibhea the Undone (large, elemental, humanoid, fire, necrotic, Skirmisher, Solo) = HP 560, AC 28, Fortitude 26, Reflex 27, Will 25.

* Gan the Subjugated (medium, natural, animate, undead, Soldier, Leader Standard) = HP 141, AC 30, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 25.

* Place Characters in columns F through H and Initiative.

* Initiative:

Arunny (A) r(15, 14)+18=33
Qamra (Q) r16+10=26
Vruk (V) r14+12=26
Ibhea the Undone (I) 22
Gan the Subjugated (G) 20
Xin Mae (X) r8+7=15


ROUND 1

---

* Monster Knowledge: AUTOMATIC

Ibhea The Undone
Large elemental humanoid (fire, necrotic)
Level 14 Solo Skirmisher XP 5000
HP 560; Bloodied 280 Initiative +14
AC 28, Fortitude 26, Reflex 27, Will 25 Perception+16
Speed 8, fly 8 Immune fire, necrotic, Vulnerable 5 cold, 5 radiant (see frozen undoing and radiant undoing)
Saving Throws +5; Action Points 2

Traits
Frozen Undoing
Whenever Ibhea takes cold damage, he suffers a -2 penalty to damage rolls until the end of his next turn.

Radiant Undoing
Whenever Ibhea takes radiant damage, he suffers a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of his next turn.

Undone and Undo
Ibhea automatically succeeds on saving throws against any effects that slow, immobilize, or restrain that a save can end.

☼ Dawnflame (fire) ✦ Aura 1
When first bloodied during an encounter, Ibhea gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls and this aura activates. Each enemy that enters or starts its turn within the aura takes 15 fire damage.

Standard Actions
⚔ Eldritch Strike (fire, necrotic, weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +19 vs. AC
Hit: 2d8 + 5 fire and necrotic damage.

⚔ Madness Made Manifest ✦ At-Will
Effect: Ibhea shifts 3 squares and makes an eldritch strike attack, then shifts 3 squares and makes a second eldritch strike attack, then shifts 3 squares and makes a third eldritch strike attack.

ᗕ Event Horizon (necrotic, zone) ✦ Recharge when first bloodied
Attack: Close burst 3 (creatures in the burst); +17 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 4d10 + 5 necrotic damage and the target is pulled 2 squares and slowed until the end of its next turn.

Minor Actions
ᗕ Dawnflame's Enmity (fire) ✦ Recharge ⚅
Attack: Close burst 3 (creatures in the burst); +17 vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d8 + 5 fire damage and the target is blinded until the end of its next turn.

Acrobatics +18

---------------------------------------

Gan the Subjugated Hero
Medium natural animate (undead)
Level 14 Soldier (Leader) XP 1000
HP 141; Bloodied 70 Initiative +12
AC 30, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 25 Perception+11
Speed 6 Immune charm, fear; Vuln 5 radiant

Traits
Heroic Will Eternal
While Gan is not bloodied, attack rolls against him take a -2 penalty.

Standard Actions
(⚔) Fallen Blade of the Dolgs (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +19 vs. AC
Hit: 3d6 + 12 damage.
Effect: The target is marked until the end of Gan's next turn.

⚔ Last Stand Strike (psychic, weapon) ✦ Recharge ⚄ ⚅
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +19 vs. AC
Hit: 4d8 + 15 psychic damage, and Gan gains 10 temporary hit points.

Triggered Actions
Call to Arms ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy marked by gan and within 2 squares of him uses an attack power that doesn't include gan as a target.
Effect (Immediate Reaction): Close burst 5 (one ally in the burst). The target can take a free action to shift up to 3 squares and make a melee basic attack against the triggering enemy.

Athletics +18

---

ARUNNY feels a pit in her stomach as the event she has foreseen in her nightmares comes to fruition: her once-friend and former travel companion succumbs to his fate -- sadly one of the possibilities written in the stars -- and to the Dawnflame. Tears well up in her eyes and blur her vision.

Then beams of Radiance slice through the Umbral gloom of the Cathedral, and focus returns to Maba's Piercing Eye. The priestess looks across the chamber, and her resolve hardens as her gaze takes in Gan's skeleton manifesting next to the figure of Ibhea Dawnflame. Such a travesty for the Martyred Hero of Olsolis. No, this is not the end of Gan's story. Nor is it the end of the Tale of the Whiskey Priest. They must now write his true fate ... the one of his return to the Mother, the one they will have to inscribe, now that he no longer is able to.

And with that moment of communing with the Heofoncandel (or at least the two parts she knows, for what -- in fact -- is the third part of that Triune?), Arunny accepts the Lunar gift of ice and takes the offense to her erstwhile ally. Pulling motes of sunlight and moonbeam, she writhes them around her fingers and flings radiance at both opponents. As both figures flinch aware from the dangerous rays, she strides forward with just vengeance and slams her morningstar on the floor of the cathedral.

Clearly, both Gan and his dark master are made off-balance from her assaults, for they each shudder where they stand, Ibhea Dawnflame in particular. The Seer's mouth tightens in grim satisfaction as she watches Omthala's Radiance and Maba's Ice pour over and bleed into his enormous and fiery form.

Then the Searing Voice calls out to their new and equally enormous companion, "Vruk! Help Qamra to attend to the Martyred Skeleton!"

* Start of Turn: within a square of Moonbeam Mote (H12): Free Action: activates & exhausts the square. Effect: Gains 5 THP & all attacks deal an additional 1d6 cold damage UEoANT.

* Standard: Hand of Radiance (R10) vs Reflex (Target 1, 2 or 3 creatures): ATK: vs G: r6+18-2 Heroic Will Eternal (HWE) = 22 vs 24 Reflex/Miss; vs I: r2+18=20 vs 27 Reflex/Miss

* Move: 5 sq to M14

* AP for Standard (Enc, Manifestation of Preservation (MoP): Slide Vruk 1 sq to I2): Thunder of Judgment vs Fort (Target 1, 2 or 3 creatures): ATK: vs G: r18+18-2 HWE = 34 vs 26 Fort/Hit, D: r1+9+r4 Cold = 14 Cold Damage to G; vs I: r20+18=38/Critical vs 26 Fort, TRIGGERS: SOLITAIRE (QUARTZ LENS) POWER: Effect: TRIGGERING ATK DEALS RADIANT OR FIRE DAMAGE IN ADDITION NORMAL DAMAGE TYPES: D: 6+9 Thunder & Radiant +6+3 Cold + 5 Vulnerable Cold + 5 Vulnerable Radiant + r6,6,5 Unforgettable Cudgel = 51 Thunder, Radiant, & Cold Damage to I; both G & I are Dazed UEoANT

LOCATION: A in M14; slides V to I2
DAMAGE: 14 Thunder & Cold damage to G; 51 Thunder, Radiant, & Cold damage to I
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G & I Dazed (UEoANT); Frozen Undoing UEoINT, Radiant Undoing UEoINT
CURRENT HP: 89/85 5 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); Moonbeam Mote: 5 THP & +1d6+6 Cold Damage UEoANT; Prophetic Action (extra move action)
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune (roll utilized), Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory

---

As the young warrior hears her mentor's shout to the Hill Giant, QAMRA snaps out of stupor and returns to her usual alertness, if not quite so carefree. Thinking about the loss of Ibhea -- a loss that was already in progress even before they entered this ill-fated city -- is something better done in the future. Not now. Not in this present time, filled with fire and skeletons and ... deep aching sorrow.

Immediately recognizing Arunny's intent, the Radiant Shamishar swallows her feelings and charges the animated skeleton ally of the fiery-creature-that-once-was-her-friend, scimitar held high.

* Start of Turn: within a square of Moonbeam Mote (H4): Free Action: activates & exhausts the square. Effect: Gains 5 THP & all attacks deal an additional 1d6 cold damage UEoQNT.

* Move: 5 sq to M2 (avoiding K4)

* Standard: Ardent Strike M1 as Charge ATK vs G: move 3 sq to P4; ATK: r8+17-2 HWE +1 Charge +2 Dazed = 26 vs 30 AC/Miss

LOCATION: P4
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 108/109 5 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Moonbeam Mote: +1d6+3 Cold Damage UEoQNT
SURGES: 9/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue

---

VRUK’s brow wrinkles at this turn of events. Was not the warlock in service to a mad god his ally just moments ago? The Giant shrugs. Alliances switch readily in this world. Witness Bagna the Fomorian Witch.

“Ibhea bad man now!” Vruk shouts and races toward their foes. As he passes through a mote of moonbeam, he feels an invigorating frost surge across his form, reminding him of his homeland’s fabled Ice Baths of Bjorisdun. He swings his short blade about, menacing any enemy who would approach.

Before he can reach the warlock-priest, engorged in flame, however, he must dispatch this man of bones that Ibhea has called forth to serve him. Vruk swings his blade about wildly, the man of bones forced through a patch of flaming ground and around the Giant to avoid his mighty blows. But Vruk connects on his final swing nonetheless, lightning crackling across his whole body as he drives the man of bones down so that its kneecaps rattle and scratch against the stone.

* Move: 6 sq to O4 via Moonbeam Mote in O2

* Free: Extinguish Moonbeam Mote in O2 for +5 THP and +1d6 cold damage to attacks

* Minor: Rain of Steel; Effect: You assume the rain of steel stance. Until the stance ends, any enemy that starts its turn adjacent to you takes 1[W] damage, but only if you’re able to make opportunity attacks.

* Standard: Rain of Blows vs G, ATK 1, r1=automiss; ATK 2, r5+22 -2 Heroic Will Eternal +2 CA=27 vs 30 AC. Miss. ATK 3, r15+22-2+2=37 vs 30 AC. Hit. r2+10 lightning +r2+7 cold=21 damage, G marked UEoVNT, & slides G 2 sq to P3 via Q4. DAWNFLAME PATCH HINDERING TERRAIN TRIGGERS SAVING THROW FOR PRONE IN P5; r(2). FAILS. G takes 10 OG fire damage.

* Free: Drive Them to Their Knees, r2+10 lightning +r5+7 cold= 24 damage and G prone

LOCATION: V in O4, G in P3
DAMAGE: 45 damage to G
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G prone & OG 10 fire (SE), G marked UEoVNT.
CURRENT HP: 116/116 +5 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +1d6+10 cold damage to attacks UEoVNT, adjacent enemy that starts its turn adjacent takes 1d8+10 lightning damage
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Rain of Steel

---

"You dare," whispered simply from the former ally, now IBHEA THE UNDONE, the words sizzling from his burning lips.

What once was Ibhea is a blaze of form and movement, eldritch sweeps of molten steel oozing with necrotic seep. Blades in desperate parry ring out as Qamra and Vruk can barely trace the impossibly fast...creature (for that is what he now is) before them.

Now screaming maniacally, the chamber's masonry straining under the acoustic assault, "DAWNFLAME PURGE YOU. CELESTIAL LORD OF THE VOIDSTAR UNDO YOU!"

* Starts Turn: Dazed UEoANT.

* Standard: Madness Made Manifest, shift to R6 (IMMUNE FIRE) > Eldritch Strike (M2, fire, necrotic, weapon) vs Q's AC > shift to R3 > Eldritch Strike (M2, fire, necrotic, weapon) vs Q's AC > shift to R2 Eldritch Strike (M2, fire, necrotic, weapon) vs V's AC: r(14, 12, 20) +19 -2 (RU) = 31, 29, CRIT. Hit Q x 1. CRIT V. r(4, 2) +5 -2 (FU) = 9 fire and necrotic damage to Q. 19 fire and necrotic damage to V.

LOCATION: R2
DAMAGE: 9 fire and necrotic damage to Q. 19 fire and necrotic damage to V.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 509/560
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Dazed UEoANT, Frozen & Radiant Undoing UEoINT, 2/2 APs

---

Just as the sacrificing hero he was in life, the skeletal GAN THE SUBJUGATED eternally guards his charges. Staring yet another death in the face, he neither flinches nor buckles. His blade swings with the weight of life's memories, finding no purchase due to the stalwart defense of his allies turned tragic enemy.

* Starts Turn: Dazed UEoANT, OG 10 fire (SE)

* Standard: Last Stand Strike (psychic, weapon) vs V's AC: r(4) +19 -2 (prone) = 21. Miss.

* End of Turn: Saving throw vs OG 10 fire; r(13). Succeeds.

LOCATION: P3
DAMAGE: 10 incoming fire damage to G.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 72/141
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Dazed UEoANT, prone.

---

XIN MAE's stomach has turned sour. First almost killed by the "friendly fire" issues by Delban's Messenger! And now this betrayal and ... transformation. What does this mean for the nature of the deity and the worship he has helped rekindle? Truly, the scrivener has been plunged into an existential crisis, a metaphorical black hole of despair.

And so he can only take a few weak steps towards the battle being waged, head in a fog. "Vruk, smite down those unholy remains of the Hero of Dolg Olsolis" he tries to declaim. But his words falter. No one heeds his exhortation.

* Move: 2 sq to I9

* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on V: V MBA vs G, r6+22+2 CA -2 Heroic Will Eternal = 28 vs 30 AC. Miss.

LOCATION: I9
DAMAGE: none
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: none
CURRENT HP: 87/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Distracting Monologue: Enemies within the aura 2 grant Combat Advantage.
SURGES: 1/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: none

---

ItU 509/560 Dazed UEoANT, Frozen & Radiant Undoing UEoINT
GtS 72/141 Dazed UEoANT, prone, marked by V UEoVNT



ROUND 2

---

The eyes of the Priestess of the Heofoncandel narrow at the words and actions of her Undone companion ... if she can still call him ... it ... that. Resolutely pushing that thought deep down into her vast cavern of thought, ARUNNY stalks toward the skirmishers, lips moving in furious prayer, rumbles of thunder shielding the sound of her feet and her lips, and great and Awful Power growing within. As she steps forward, Moonbeam and Sunmote light her way,

Omthala's Searing Voice slides into place next to her Nightmare and allows that Awful Power to be released. Through her breath, through her pores, it pours out and -- transforming into rainbows of icy, sonic energy -- slams into both the Dawnflame and its skeletal Servant.

Dazed by the backlash of sound, a shaking Arunny continues to stare, openmouthed, before a refreshing moon-wind returns her to her senses.

* Move: 5 sq to R10

* Prophetic Move: 5 sq to S5

* Minor (Enc): Boots of the Fencing Master Power: Shift 2 sq to S3

* Standard (Daily, MoP: Slide XM 1 sq to I8): Divine, Implement, Thunder, CBl 3 (each creature in blast): ATK: vs. IU: r16+18+2 CA = 36 vs 26 Fort/hit; vs. G: r16+18+2 CA -2 HWE = 34 vs 26 Fort/hit; D: r5,3+9 Thunder+ r4+3 Cold = 24 Thunder & Cold to G BLOODIED/HEROIC WILL ETERNAL CANCELLED; +5 Vul Cold = 29 Thunder & Cold to IU; both Stunned (SE); Effect: A Dazed UEoANT TRIGGERS CREST OF VIGILANCE DAILY IMM INT: Effect: A makes a Save vs Dazed: r2/Fails

LOCATION: A in S3; slides XM to I8
DAMAGE: 24 Thunder & Cold damage to G; 29 Thunder & Cold damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: G & IU Stunned (SE); IU: Frozen Undoing UEoINT; G BLOODIED
CURRENT HP: 89/89 5 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Dazed UEoANT; BotFM (+1 AC/Reflex UEoANT), Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit)
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune (roll utilized), Crest of Vigilance, Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction

---

Hearing and feeling the icy wall of righteous Thunder heading in her general direction, QAMRA uses her Goddess's influence and her precious scimitar to transform some of that energy into an explosion of Fire and Radiance and the Coldness of judgment, directing it into and through the skeleton before her, passing into the Horror behind it.

* Standard: Coronal Flare M1 vs G: ATK: r5+19+2 CA = 26 vs 24 Reflex/Hit; D: r1,4,4+7 Fire & Radiant + r4+4 Cold = 24 Fire, Radiant & Cold damage to G, & 1 creature w/in 10 sq (IU) takes 5 Radiant + 5 Vul Radiant damage: IU takes 10 Radiant damage & -2 ATKs UEoQNT

LOCATION: P4
DAMAGE: G: 24 Fire, Radiant & Cold; IU: 10 Radiant
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU: Radiant Undoing UEoINT, -2 ATKs UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 104/109
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
SURGES: 9/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue

---

VRUK observes his new comrades' powerful attacks against their foes. Servants of the Sun and Moon these allies are. In time, he must show them the power of The Storm. But not yet. The Giant still feels the frigid touch of the moon goddess surging throughout his body. This he too can use against their foes.

Without a word, the Giant reaches out with his beefy fist and grabs the man of bones and shakes. Shakes and crushes. The frigid touch of the Moon Goddess turns the bones brittle, and they crumble within his grasp. There is something like an audible sigh as the bones clink like shards of ceramic against the floor. But then a few fragments float away and magically reassemble on the warlock's belt.

"You let man of bones die!" Vruk bellows. "I make you!" He steps forward and grabs Ibhea, still reeling from the potent malediction uttered by Arunny. The Giant feels the frigid touch of the Moon Goddess combat the flames of Delban, and the creature sizzles and hisses in his grasp!

Vruk whips his sword about him, lightning crackling along its length. Yes. Time to unleash The Storm.

* Standard: Grasping Limb M2 vs G, r14+20+2 CA=36 vs 24 Reflex. Hit. r7,6+11 +r4+9 cold = 33 cold damage to G. G DESTROYED.

* Move: 2 sq to P2

* Free: AP for Standard: Grappling Strike vs IU, r5+22+2 CA=29 vs 28 AC. Hit. r6+13 +r6+7 +5 Vulnerable cold = 31 cold damage to IU. IU Grabbed (ends automatically EoVNT)

LOCATION: P2
DAMAGE: 24 damage + 9 cold damage = 33 damage to G; G DESTROYED, 13 damage +18 cold damage = 31 damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU Marked & Grabbed & adjacent to V for Rain of Steel SoT
CURRENT HP: 102/116
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: adjacent enemy that starts its turn adjacent takes 1d8+10 lightning damage
SURGES: 10/10
DAILIES EXPENDED: Rain of Steel

---

"FRIEND_NO_MORE!"

Massive Vruk scowls, lightning rimming his form from his eyes, to his teeth, to his clenched fist, and finally to his blade. The giant unleashes a devastating torrent of storm upon this fiery apotheosis of his former ally as WHAT-WAS-IBHEA, his mind addled by Arunny's prayer, can do little but surveil the violence from afar.

Ibhea The Undone's consciousness fully succumbed to the inevitability of his destiny, in his fractured mind he substitutes a different material reality for his own. Quietly, he murmurs “behold, the dark star…I become without form…”

* Starts Turn: Stunned. V's Rain of Steel; r(4) +10 = 14 lightning damage.

* End Turn: Saving Throw vs Stunned; r(9) +5 = 14. Succeeds.

LOCATION: R2
DAMAGE: 14 incoming lightning damage to IU.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 425/560
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Marked and Grabbed by V UEoVNT, 2/2 APs

---

The scrivener moves quickly from despair to rage. A rage none of the assembled had even the vaguest hint existed within that prim form.

"This is more than betrayal, Ibhea!" XIN MAE shouts. "This is heresy! And you are an abomination! I shall undo each and every act made in the name of your false god. I shall remove the wool from the eyes of your duped converts! And above all, I shall destroy the last copies of The Shattered Sun so that none may follow your footsteps into madness!"

The aged but spry scholar warily skirts the void rift in the center of the chamber with its nearly irresistible pull, passes uncomfortably close to the unholy fire of the Dawnflame issuing forth from the chamber floor, and moves to stand with his comrades against the deranged and fallen hero.

"Vruk, you mighty lug, you, throttle the false prophet!"

The Giant is only too happy to comply, squeezing the warlock's throat in his beefy fist. Lightning erupts from his clenched fist and the hair of his head and beard stands on end with the surge of static. He seems truly a being of the storm-wracked mountaintops now.

"What a wonder of mystery is this creature," Xin Mae thinks. "And powerful almost beyond belief!"

* Move: 6 sq to L3, avoiding hindering terrain

* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on Vruk; Vruk MBA vs IU, r20=CRIT. 8+16+r2,1,6=31 lightning damage to IU

LOCATION: L3
DAMAGE: 31 lightning damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: none
CURRENT HP: 87/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Distracting Monologue: Enemies within the aura 2 grant Combat Advantage.
SURGES: 1/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: none

---

ROUND 3

---

ARUNNY's eyes widen in momentary surprise at the Lightning flaring from the ferocious attacks of their new companion. <A fitting accompaniment to my Thunder!>

Then she returns her focus to the No-Longer-Whiskey-Priest, desperately hardening her sorrowful heart. The dance between Radiant Thunder and Lightning continues as the Seer -- still in somewhat of a daze -- shifts her body to face Vruk. Then -- with what focus she has -- Omthala's Searing Voice lets loose a scream and a slam from her morningstar, the better to chastise the creature between them.

* Start of Turn: Dazed UEoANT

* Standard: Brand of the Sun M1 vs IU: ATK: r20+20= 40/Critical Hit vs 28 AC; D: 10+9+5 Vul Radiant = 24 Radiant damage, and IU is Dazed (SE) (Unforgettable Cudgel Critical: +1d6 per plus, or target is dazed (SE)).

* End of Turn: no longer Dazed, BotFM property no longer in effect

LOCATION: S3
DAMAGE: 24 Radiant damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU: Radiant Undoing UEoINT & Dazed (SE)
CURRENT HP: 89/89 5 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit)
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune (roll utilized), Crest of Vigilance, Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction

---

Focusing solely on the enormous smoldering creature that once was her friend, QAMRA steps nimbly forward to give it ... them ... it a taste of the coronal flare that had eventually led to the (sadly temporary) demise of Gan. She gives a feral snarl as she watches the radiance flare up the monstrous body.

* Move: shift 1 sq to P3

* Standard: Coronal Flare (divine, fire, radiant) M1 vs IU: ATK: r15+17+2 CA = 34 vs 27 Reflex/Hit; D: r3,3,1+7+5 Vul Radiant = 19 Radiant damage to IU, & one creature w/in 10 sq (IY) takes 5 +5 Vul radiant damage & a -2 penalty to ATK UEoANT: total D: 29 Radiant to IU, -2 ATK UEoQNT, Radiant Undoing UEoIUNT.

LOCATION: P3
DAMAGE: IU: 29 Fire & Radiant damage
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU: Radiant Undoing UEoINT, -2 ATK UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 104/109
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
SURGES: 9/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue

---

VRUK shakes the now-Giant-sized warlock and bellows.

"Yes! That's a good Vruk, a mighty Vruk," urges Xin Mae from over his shoulder. "The creature is vulnerable to the plots of land blessed by the Radiant Mother. You can imperil our foe by exposure to the sanctified earth!"

When Vruk tilts his head quizzically and does not act, the scrivener simplifies: "Drag Ibhea through the glowing patch of ground!"

Vruk propels himself into action, pushing past a startled Arunny and dragging their erstwhile ally along with him, flinging him to the ground as he enters the sanctified space.

Vruk's impressively embellished armor crackles with lightning, and Ibhea cowers on the ground at the Giant's feet. Vruk reaches down to grasp the warlock once more by the throat, but something stops him. The warlock looks so pitiful there, eyes betraying his loss to madness.

"Ibhea friend?" the Giant asks with too much hope in his voice.

* Move: Forceful Grab; Requirement: You must have a creature grabbed. Effects: You move your speed. For each square you move, you slide a creature grabbed by you 1 square to a square adjacent to you. The creature remains grabbed, and you do not provoke an opportunity attack from the grabbed creature for this movement. At the end of the move, you can end the grab to knock the creature prone. IU Dragged to U3, Grab ends to knock IU Prone. IU Moves through SUN'S FERTILE GROUND = radiant vulnerability increases by 5 UEoIUNT

* Minor: Screaming Armor Encounter Power on IU: Effect: An enemy within 5 squares of you takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn

* Standard: Stranglehold vs IU, r1= AUTOMISS

LOCATION: V5
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU -2 ATK (stacks with Radiant Undoing), Prone, Marked & adjacent to V for Rain of Steel SoT
CURRENT HP: 102/116
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: adjacent enemy that starts its turn adjacent takes 1d8+10 lightning damage
SURGES: 10/10
DAILIES EXPENDED: Rain of Steel

---

"BEHOLD! DO YOU NOW SEE?!," screams the wild-eyed, burning form of IBHEA THE UNDONE, as Vruk drags him into the sacred ground of Omthala and throttles the fire elemental all the while.

Vruk's eyes are averted or perhaps the visions simply mean nothing to him.

However, Arunny glimpses hate eternal in the flame...animosity somehow surviving...thriving from the very first age. A creature as decent as she cannot help but succumb momentarily to such impossible enmity.

* Starts Turn: Dazed (SE), Prone, adjacent to V's Rain of Steel; r(2) +10 = 12 lightning damage.

* Minor: Dawnflame's Enmity (CBu3; creatures, fire) vs V's, A's Ref: r(1, 15) +17 -8 (CF, SA, RU, prone) = Automiss, 24. Hit A. r(7, 6) +5 = 18 fire damage and A is blinded until the end of A's next turn. DAWNFLAME'S ENMITY HITS A TRIGGERS X's Look Out! Immediate Interrupt. Ranged 10. Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you is hit by an enemy's attack. Target: The triggering ally. Effect: The target can make a basic attack against the attacking enemy as a free action, dealing 1d8 extra damage on a hit. A Eldritch Strike vs IU, r15+20+2 CA=37 vs 28 AC. Hit. r6+9+r4=19 damage to IU. Eschew Slide 1.

As Ibhea the Undone raves and manifests Dawnflame's Enmity, XIN MAE anticipates the warlock's next move. "Look Out!" he cries. "The flames will sear your eyes!"

Before the warlock unleashes these flames upon her, Arunny seizes the moment and strikes a solid blow with her morningstar. Alas, it is not enough to prevent what comes next.

* End Turn: Saving Throw vs Dazed; r(6) +5 = 11. Succeeds.

LOCATION: U3
DAMAGE: 12 incoming lightning damage + 19 incoming damage = 31 damage to IU. 18 fire damage to A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A is blinded until the end of A's next turn.
CURRENT HP: 329/560
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: -2 ATK (CF) UEoQNT, Prone, -2 ATK (SA) UEoVNT, Marked by V UEoVNT, starts turn adjacent to V for Rain of Steel, -2 ATK (Radiant Undoing) UEoINT, SFG increase Radiant Vuln to 10, 2/2 APs

---

As the literal fiery blast of Dawnflame's Enmity erupts from Ibhea to wash over Arunny, XIN MAE boldly advances to stand beside Qamra at the periphery of the fray. "Now, Vruk! Again, throttle the elemental!"

But the Giant had averted his eyes, instinctively at the scrivener's earlier cry, his attention only now returning to their shared foe, the opportunity to strike lost.

* Move: 4 sq to P2

* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on V; V MBA vs IU, r2+22+2 CA=26 vs 28 AC. Miss. IU Marked by V UEoVNT.

LOCATION: P2
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU Marked by V UEoVNT
CURRENT HP: 87/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Distracting Monologue: Enemies within the aura 2 grant Combat Advantage.
SURGES: 1/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: none

---

ROUND 4

---

As the veil of unseeing falls over her eyes, ARUNNY tilts her head, listening to her other senses. She apprehends that her Undone Friend still lies at her feet, so she opens her mouth to allow Omthala to speak to him, using her Searing Voice:

"Despite your efforts, the Sun will not turn into darkness, nor the Moon into blood: instead, your undoing of Our servant Ibhea (be it his misguided choice or no), this act of yours, most-cursed Dawnflame, will be your own Undoing. This is the Sacred Promise of the Radiant Heofoncandel."

As these words are spoken, the eyes of the Seer seem to glow a inky blue, forcing the Dawnflame-Ibhea to cower and shield their eyes. Qamra moves toward her mentor, a painful hope visible on her face.

Closing her blind eyes, the priestess trusts in her Goddess and -- raising her morningstar -- slams down onto the fallen undone-priest. Sensations of love, warmth, strength, and protection immediately flood into herself and her allies, while shrieks of pain are torn out of Ibhea-that-was.

* Start of turn: Arunny is Blinded UEoT

* Minor (Enc/MoP: slides Q 1 sq to Q3): Prophecy of Doom Divine Oracle ATK 11: CBu5; Target: One creature (IU); Effect: BEoANT, the next time A or an ally misses the target, that ATK hits instead. NOTE: this is a House-Ruled variation of Prophecy of Doom

* Move: shift 1 sq to S2; BotFM: +1 Item Bonus to AC/Reflex

* Standard (Enc/MoP: slides Q 1 sq to R3): Awakening Sun M1 vs IU: r12+20+2 CA -5 Blinded = 29 vs 28 AC/Hit; D: r5,4+9+5 Vul Radiant= 23 Radiant Damage to IU, & Radiant Undoing UEoINT; Effect: A & each ally w/in 5 sq of A (Q, V, & XM) gains 10 THP.

LOCATION: S2
DAMAGE: 23 Radiant damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU: Radiant Undoing UEoINT
CURRENT HP: 76/89 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BotFM (+1 Item bonus to AC/Reflex); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit)
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune (roll utilized), Crest of Vigilance, Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction

---

QAMRA -- in sync with her mentor -- sends prayers to the Maiden and channels Her Radiant Blessing into the area of Omthala's Fertile Ground on which lies the Dawnflame that swallowed Ibhea. Instantly a zone of Silver Moonlight and Flame shoot up surrounding them. Then Omthala's Radiant Shamishar steps into place and completes the triangle surrounding the fallen figure.

"May the Flames of Radiance and Moonlight cleanse you in fire and sustain us all!" her young voice sings out.

* Standard (Daily): Warding Flame (divine, zone): ABu2 w/in 10 sq (R-V/5-1; RED SQUARE); Effect: The burst creates a zone of silver flame that lasts UEoQNT. Q & each ally w/in the zone (A & V) gain Resist 10 Fire, Resist 10 Radiance, & a +2 Power bonus to all defenses. Each enemy w/in the zone (IU) gains Vulnerable 5 Fire & Vulnerable 5 Radiant, & takes a -2 penalty to all defenses. Sustain Minor.

LOCATION: S4
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU: Vul 5 Fire, Vul 5 Radiant, & -2 all defenses UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 104/109 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 10 Fire/Radiant, +2 all defenses UEoQNT (Sustain Minor)
SURGES: 9/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue, Warding Flame

---

In the swirl of activity around him--bellowed harangues, colleagues shifting about, the palpable hate emanating from the warlock gone mad (or the creature within)--it takes all of VRUK's resolve to focus on the task at hand: smashing this foe.

Sensing Ibhea's imminent explosion, Vruk's skin reflexively hardens with the stone crust of all true Giantkind.

He reaches out and grabs the warlock by the throat, lifting him off the ground in his mighty fist. He squeezes. Ibhea's eyes bulge. Lightning crackles through Vruk's knuckles and finger tufts.

Flames build and threaten to erupt from his target.

* Minor: Stone's Endurance; Gain Resist 10 All UEoVNT

* Standard: Grappling Strike vs IU, r14+22+2=38 vs 28 AC. Hit. r2+16=18 lightning damage & IU Grabbed. IU BLOODIED. ACTIVATES DAWNFLAME AURA. TRIGGERS LAST RITES FOR IBHEA SC.

LOCATION: V5
DAMAGE: 18 lightning damage to IU, IU BLOODIED
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU Marked, Grabbed, & adjacent to V for Rain of Steel SoT
CURRENT HP: 102/116 +10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In Warding Flame Zone (resist 10 fire, resist 10 radiant, and a +2 power bonus to all defenses), Resist 10 All (Stone's Endurance); adjacent enemy that starts its turn adjacent takes 1d8+10 lightning damage
SURGES: 10/10
DAILIES EXPENDED: Rain of Steel

---

IBHEA THE UNDONE clashes with the massive Vruk yet again, tasting the sting of his blade born of lightning, but the fiery being wriggles free from the giant's grasp.

The creature writhes and moves with the speed of primordial fire, Vruk's eldritch steel ringing out in aggressive parries as the violent assault that besets. All the while, the Dawnflame now speaks directly through this twisted, infernal form of Arunny's former friend.

"You fool. Your time is marked by years. My time is unmarkable for it began before time was kept. You cannot comprehend my will, yet pretend to be possessed of the means to subvert it!"

* Starts Turn: Prone, in SFG (Vuln 10 Fire), adjacent to V's Rain of Steel; r(6) +10 = 16 lightning damage. Dawnflame's Enmity Recharge; r(2). Fails.

* Move: Escape Acrobatics vs V's Ref; r(12) +18 = 30. Success.

* Free (Action Point for Standard): Stand from Prone.

* Standard: Madness Made Manifest, shift 3 to X4...TRIGGERS ARUNNY'S BATTLE AWARENESS IMMEDIATE INTERUPT (ENC.): An enemy that is adjacent to A SHIFTS or makes an attack that does not include A as a target; EFFECT: A makes a MBA: Eldritch Strike: r20+20+2 CA = Critical vs 28-2 Def=26 AC/Hit; D: 10+9+ r1,2,4 = 26 damage to IU, forgoes slide.

As ARUNNY's sight returns, Maba's Piercing Eye quickly reacts to the creature's movement. With an eldritch shriek, she slams her morningstar into the side of its head, causing smoldering flames to glow in its eyesockets.

SAME TRIGGERS V's COMBAT CHALLENGE (ADJACENT ENEMY SHIFTS) vs IU's AC: r(4) +22 = 26. MISS. TRIGGERS A's Prophecy of Doom, Effect: Before the end of your next turn, the next time you or an ally miss the target, that attack hits instead. Vruk's CC damage = r1+18 (Bloodied) = 19 lightning damage vs IU and V shifts 1 sq to W6 (Mobile Challenge; After you hit an enemy with a melee basic attack granted by your Combat Challenge class feature, you can shift 1 square.).

After the mad creature slips his grasp and Arunny makes it pay the price for its blasphemous turn, VRUK lashes out with his short blade as Ibhea the Undone attempts to navigate around him.

"You stay here! Face Vruk! And power of storm!"

Lightning explodes as the blade connects against the demented warlock

...cont > Eldritch Strike (M2, fire, necrotic, weapon) vs V's AC...TRIGGERS QAMRA's DIMENTIONAL VORTEX IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT (ENC) R10: An enemy hits an ally with a melee attack; ATK: r8+17 (possibly more modifiers depending upon where IU shifts after first attack) = 25 vs 25 Will/Hit: Teleport IU 5 sq to W2. IU then makes its Melee ATK against a creature Q chooses. If no creatures are w/in range of target, ATK IS EXPENDED. IU IN SQ W2

QAMRA is pure instinct as she creates a dimensional vortex to contain and relocate her former ally... hopefully far enough away from her new ally, but still within Her zone of Silver Flames.

...cont > shift 3 to U5> Eldritch Strike (M2, fire, necrotic, weapon) vs V's AC > shift 2 to X4 > Eldritch Strike (M2, fire, necrotic, weapon) vs V's AC: r(2, 19, 15) +19 -2 (RU) = 19, 36, 32. Hit V x 1. r(5, 4) +5 = 14 fire and necrotic damage to V.

LOCATION: IU in X4, V in W6
DAMAGE: 61 incoming lightning damage to IU. 14 fire damage to V.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: V begins turn in Dawnflame Aura 1
CURRENT HP: 194/560
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Marked by V UEoVNT, starts turn adjacent to V for Rain of Steel, -2 ATK (Radiant Undoing) UEoANT, SFG increase Radiant Vuln to 10 UEoIUNT, 1/2 APs

---

Sensing the satisfaction of ending the blasphemous life of their former friend--his mentor in faith!--nearing, XIN MAE closes in, stepping behind the Golden General, and exhorts their Giant ally to strike Ibhea again.

Vruk holds his short blade aloft--short in his beefy fist but truly the length of a man's height--and it crackles with lightning. The Giant strikes the mad warlock-priest and the weapon explodes with electricity.

* Move: 2 sq to R2

* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R 5 on V; V MBA vs IU, r8+22=30 vs 28 AC. Hit. r5+16+2 Bloodied=23 lightning damage to IU and IU Marked UEoVNT.

LOCATION: R2
DAMAGE: 23 lightning damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU Marked by V UEoVNT
CURRENT HP: 87/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Distracting Monologue: Enemies within the aura 2 grant Combat Advantage.
SURGES: 1/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: none

---

---

Through the Silver Flames of Qamra's Warding Zone, ARUNNY carefully observes the liquidity of molecules surrounding Ibhea-Dawnflame. Is she merely practicing wishful thinking, or is she truly seeing a slow leak of flame from the wound she has just given the creature. Is there a crack in its skull? Is this the way to exorcise the Dawnflame from Omthala's fallen whiskey priest?

Maba's Piercing Eye steels her nerves and follows with her feet the slow leak to its fiery source. The heat of its aura is incredibly intense, but the Seer feels only warmth, confident in the Divine protection they are all receiving through Qamra's actions and through her own. The Heofoncandel protects its own. Arunny lifts her hand up as if to cup her former companion's face, but instead she calls upon the Moon to use Her magnetism to pull the tides of Dawnflame out of the priest and to purify its fire through the filter of the Silver Flames dividing her from Ibhea-that-was-and-who-will-again-be-Omthala's.

Then, drawing her hand straight back, Arunny becomes Maba's surrogate, drawing the Dawnflame out and through that fiery barrier, purifying its toxins, and releasing the molecules into the air.

* Move: 3 sq to V2, entering IU's Dawnflame Aura 1, taking 15 Fire - 10 Resist Fire = 5 Fire Damage.

* Standard: Spend 1 of 2 Advantages in conflict to step down the DC of Purge the Dawnflame from DC 25 to DC 18 (Arcana, Nature, Religion; Standard Action, Adjacent to Ibhea): Arunny makes a Nature check to exorcise the Dawnflame from Ibhea: r18+13=32 vs DC 25/Success; Effect: Ibhea loses Dawnflame Aura and Dawnflame Emnity.

ARUNNY ENDS HER TURN WITHOUT MAKING AN ATTACK TRIGGERS X'S MIND OUR ENEMIES NOW! Immediate Reaction; Ranged 10; Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you ends his or her turn without having made an attack. Target: The triggering ally. Effect: The target can either make a basic attack or charge an enemy as a free action, even if the target is dominated or stunned. If the attack hits, it deals 1d10 extra damage. A ELDRITCH STRIKE VS IU, r2+20=22 vs 28 AC. Miss.

Observing the priestess demonstrating mercy to their betrayer, XIN MAE's blood boils. "No, Arunny!" he shouts. "Strike him down where he stands. This filth does not deserve forgiveness!"

But the Golden General does not strike. In fact, her shoulders slump a little in her shining armor, and she casts her eyes downward momentarily in dejection at the hatred in the breast of her friend.

LOCATION: V2
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Dawnflame Purged
CURRENT HP: 72/85 5 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); w/in Warding Flame Zone
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune (roll utilized), Crest of Vigilance, Lucky Charm, General's Belt, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction

---

With the eager eye of a diligent student, QAMRA watches the actions of her mentor and nods -- to no one in particular -- her understanding of what she must do.

With a murmur of thanks to the Heofoncandel in keeping their protections in place, the Radiant Shamishar races through and out of the Silver Flames and into battle aside her mentor. Those Flames -- still drawn to the young warrior -- lick at her heels, holding at arms length the more harmful fire of the attacks from Ibhea the Undone.

Omthala, surely eager to reclaim the soul of Her lost priest, lends Her Coronal Flare to the swing of Qamra's scimitar, and surely would burn the retinas of its victim, if the creature still had them.

* Minor: Sustain Warding Flame Zone

* Move: 5 sq to X2, avoiding any OA's

* Standard: Coronal Flare (divine, weapon) M1 vs IU: r14+17+2 CA =33 vs 27 Reflex/Hit; D: r2,2,5+7 Fire & Radiant +5 Vul Radiant = 21 Fire & Radiant to IU, & 1 creature w/in 10 sq (IU) takes 5 Radiant +5 Vul Radiant =10 Radiant damage & -2 penalty to ATKs UEoQNT; Total Damage: 31 Fire & Radiant damage to IU

LOCATION: X2
DAMAGE: 31 Fire & Radiant to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU: -2 ATKs UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 104/109 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: WFZ (Resist 10 Fire/Radiant, +2 all defenses UEoQNT) (Sustain Minor)
SURGES: 9/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue, Warding Flame

---

So much is going on. The scholar shouts and fumes. The priestess extinguishes the warlock's flames. The warrior radiates light so bright it hurts his eyes and makes VRUK squint. Still, the Giant knows his task. It is to bring the power of the storm to bear upon their foe.

Vruk holds his bare hand aloft, lightning playing across his fingertips.

"Look," he says as he wiggles his fingers in imitation of a flying creature. "Stormhawk takes flight! And lunges at foe!"

He darts his hand down with incredible speed and grasps the warlock by the neck once again. Ibhea sputters and coughs, his airways cut off by the Giant's grasp.

* Standard: Grappling Strike vs IU, r6+22+2 Flank=30 vs 28 AC. Hit. r4+16+2 Bloodied=22 lightning damage & Grabbed. Marked UEoVNT.

* Ends turn: Stone's Endurance ends.

LOCATION: W6
DAMAGE: 22 lightning damage to IU
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: IU Marked, Grabbed, & adjacent to V for Rain of Steel SoT
CURRENT HP: 102/116 +10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: adjacent enemy that starts its turn adjacent takes 1d8+10 lightning damage
SURGES: 10/10
DAILIES EXPENDED: Rain of Steel

---

The Dawnflame having mostly been exorcised from his corporeal remains and Delban seeming so very far in his most desperate moment of need, IBHEA THE UNDONE draws upon the remnant power of his apotheosis.

But its not enough...

The heroes stand. United. Powerful. Radiant. Unbending.

How could it have come to this? How is Ibhea not among them and challenging some terrible foe? How is Ibhea the terrible foe?

The man, somewhere tucked inside the labyrinthine madness, feels small. He disconnects from what is before him. He's the boy...the abandoned street urchin curled in a rotted urban alley...covered in filth...empty belly agrowl wondering when its next meal will come...looking up at a dark night sky that bears no celestial succor.

* Starts Turn: Adjacent to V's Rain of Steel; r(2) +10 = 12 lightning damage. Dawnflame's Enmity Recharge; r(6). Recharges.

* Move: Escape Acrobatics vs V's Ref; r(6) +18 = 24. Fails.

* Standard: Event Horizon (CBu3; creatures, necrotic, zone) vs V, Q, A Fort: r(11, 4, 17) +17 -2 (RU) -2 (CF) = 24, 17, 30. Miss all.

LOCATION: X4
DAMAGE: 12 incoming lightning damage to IU.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 106/560
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Dawnflame Aura and Dawnflame's Enmity removed, Event Horizon Exhausted, Marked and Grabbed by V UEoVNT, starts turn adjacent to V for Rain of Steel, -2 ATK (Radiant Undoing) UEoANT, -2 ATK (Coronal Flare) UEoQNT, 1/2 APs.

---

THIS COMBAT IS A WRAP.

The PCs are sufficiently fortified and healthy that I can neither challenge nor threaten them. The only matter left to be resolved is whether Arunny is able to Adjure Caiphon's Influence (DC 30): Heal (standard action, adjacent to Ibhea, Ibhea must have 70 or less hit points). Effect: Ibhea temporarily regains his sanity and passes peacefully from this world into the bosom of Omthala and Maba.

@Nephis will make that move in a subsequent post which also will vignette the resolution to the Paragon arc of play for these characters.

We'll then cut back to Pa'avu and Chanvati et al to resolve their Paragon arc of play.

---

Intense real life schedules for the next month. This game will be on hiatus until early December (when we’ll vignette this and cut back to P & C et al).

Per @Manbearcat:

I think this combat is clearly over. You guys are overwhelmingly fortified and there are no real options for me to threaten you.Go ahead and vignette this ending however you guys deem fitting when you're ready.
XP will be 6000/4 = 1500 apiece. I assume that is enough for level up? If so, go ahead and work up your C&P characters at level 15 and give them each a level 16 item and restate or write up 1 x Major Quest and 2 x Minor Quests.

Click to expand...

... I also didn’t include the nested SC xp, so let’s just call it level 15. Honestly, I’m kind of inclined to jump to level 18 instead...

Click to expand...

Here's a quick reminder of what needs to be done:

* LAST RITES FOR IBHEA (Novel Complexity 1, Level 14 Skill Challenge), Trigger: Ibhea is Bloodied):

✦ Purge the Dawnflame x 1 (DC 25): Arcana, Nature, Religion (standard action, adjacent to Ibhea). Effect: Ibhea loses Dawnflame Aura and Dawnflame Emnity.

✦ Adjure Caiphon's Influence x 1 (DC 30): Heal (standard action, adjacent to Ibhea, Ibhea must have 70 or less hit points). Effect: Ibhea temporarily regains his sanity and passes peacefully from this world into the bosom of Omthala and Maba.

Click to expand...

An earlier turn of Arunny's: Arunny successfully exorcised the Dawnflame from Ibhea, so that Ibhea lost both Dawnflame Aura and Dawnflame Emnity.

---

The Dawnflame having mostly been exorcised from his corporeal remains and Delban seeming so very far in his most desperate moment of need, IBHEA THE UNDONE draws upon the remnant power of his apotheosis.

But its not enough...

The heroes stand. United. Powerful. Radiant. Unbending.

How could it have come to this? How is Ibhea not among them and challenging some terrible foe? How is Ibhea the terrible foe?

The man, somewhere tucked inside the labyrinthine madness, feels small. He disconnects from what is before him. He's the boy...the abandoned street urchin curled in a rotted urban alley...covered in filth...empty belly agrowl wondering when its next meal will come...looking up at a dark night sky that bears no celestial succor.

Click to expand...

ARUNNY watches as the figure of flame before her seems to morph its form into others resembling the man that was once her friend - the child he was, the priest, the seeker of dangerous truths. Maba's Piercing Eye senses the possibility of redemption for the Whiskey Priest, if only she can find the right moment to reach into the fiery figure before her. Just ... the ... right ... moment... If she can avoid the poison of the Dawnflame now while it is - however briefly - extinguished, if she can reach the burnt flesh of the man beneath, if only ...

The Seer calls to herself all the Healing Power of the Heofoncandel as she steels herself to touch her Undone friend. As she places a palm upon a shred of his torn clothing, he turns to face her, that street urchin, holding all the pain of abandonment and starvation in his pale luminous eyes, filled with tears.

Then, as Arunny continues stare into the boy's eyes, they begin to fill once again with the matte darkness which filled them before. And all the while, the figure grows taller, the boy growing into the height of the full-grown man. And larger still, towering over the Priestess, the smoke of the extinguished Dawnflame growing thicker around it, and the eyes within the column of murky cloud glowing with the light of no longer extinguished coals. Horror fills her as she witnesses a mouth begin to form on the "face" of the monster bearing the visage of her lost friend: at first a line, then a grin, growing so wide and toothy that it seems to threaten to devour her.

Then - suddenly - its impetus toward her stops. The figure rears up, arching its back, seeming to scream through the still growing, toothy grimace which eventually devours itself and disappears in a puff of smoke. As Arunny recovers herself, gasping with shock and unshed tears, she sees before her the young warrior, her protegee, the Radiant Shamishar, scimitar in hand. Relief fills her at the realization that Qamra has done what she herself was unable to do and has saved them all. At least those who can be saved: there is no saving someone who has removed himself from redemption.

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* Adjure Caiphon's Influence (DC 30): Heal: r6+18=24 vs 30 DC = Failure.

Alright, back in the saddle again for this game after a month of serious schedule strain for our player protagonists! When last we saw our brave fellowship, they were resolving this conflict after defeating both Vezzuvu's powerful material agent, The Duchess of Cinders, and an Aspect of Nerull:

Goal: Escape the pursuit of Vezzuvu, the Primordial's remaining forces, and Nerull's Aspect, surfacing in the saved Bantouk!

Success cemented after the below was resolved:



So here we are with the crux of the two PCs' Major Quests before us:


To that end, I frame a scene featuring a leaderless, rudderless, volatile Legion of Ruth causing predictable unrest in Bantouk. Of note, we have all agreed that we are fast-arriving at the end of Paragon conflicts for our protagonists. Consequently, we're leveling up all characters to 18 and rejiggering our 2 Companion Characters a bit for both effectiveness and funsies (they will be posted by the players in follow-up).

Complexity 3 SC, Level 19 (DCs 17/24/33)
Goal (staged): Confront the fracturing and warring Legion of Ruth within Bantouk (3), sunder Vezzuvu's control over them forevermore (6), and send them back to their strongholds beyond the Hinterlands (8).
0/8 Successes/0 Failures/2 Hard DC Available/3 Secondary Skills Available/2 Advantages Available

Molten rock from deep within the world and collects. Pressure builds...some venting...but not enough. Eventually, the volcano builds to bursting...and then does...violently. It has always been this way and always shall it be.

Under the noonday sun, cowed and frightened citizens of Bantouk gather under date palms on a secluded section of the plateau for picnics and play...desperately trying to normalize their existence after the profound upheaval of the last, nearly year-long, occupation of their city. The adults watch their children and try to make small talk. But inevitably the patter drifts to goings-on regarding The Legion, much of it in coded language as there is ever a fear of spies in their midst. (1)

Less than an hour after the gathering has sprawled into full-midday form, a small platoon of The Legion begins moving through the gathered, forcibly demanding the lot's vacating of the area:

"Hear me, citizens of Bantouk," a small goblin rides upon the shoulders of a very large and dangerous looking bladeling shouting through the natural megaphone of a shaped horn. "This area is now the surveilling outpost of Mordai Throkk. Consider yourself lucky to know his name and be among the first to kiss the ring upon his finger, for he shall unite the warring clans and deliver your pathetic city from its present plight." (2)

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Do you engage with (1) before The Legion shows up? The folk of Bantouk are not inclined to speak frankly on matters; HARD DC.

Do you engage with (2) either in combat (Level +2, Standards and Minions and civilians among the battlefield array) or via some other measure MEDIUM DC?

Something else?

Here are the character summaries after the L18 level up:

CHANVATI

THE WARDENGUARD