Hariel looks around for the most effective way to attack the sorcerer:
If she is very close, she nimbly disengages with her current opponent and adjusts position to make a devastating attack on the sorcerer.
Otherwise, if she can see any sort of higher ground to fight from near the sorcerer, she seizes on that opportunity, tumbling and leaping across the room to get the drop on the Rakshasa. If she doesn’t notice any silence effect along the way, she readies an action to attack the fiend if it tries to cast a spell. But if she does notice a silence effect, she immediately attacks, following Kahlia’s advice and avoiding any wasted slashing motion with her blade.
If there’s no higher ground available, Hariel considers charging the creature in an attempt to startle it as much as possible. She doesn’t neglect her defenses, however, and moves her blade nimbly from side to side to fend off any incoming blows.
If there is no other choice, Hariel moves towards the creature normally and acts as she would in the case of higher ground, albeit without the tactical advantage.
[sblock=Mechanics]Case 0: Five foot step, full attack. Not likely to be possible, but just in case.
Case 1: Find something, balance on it, acquire +1 bonus from high ground, profit! With Hariel’s high Balance skill modifier, the range of available surfaces may even leaping nimbly onto the side or support of an overturned table, as long as it’s reasonably stable. If necessary, although I don’t expect it, Hariel will use an action point to avoid mortal embarrassment. After that, either attack or ready an attack against spellcasting.
Case 2: Charge, put two points into Combat Expertise, with a net result of +2 damage and no penalties. Hariel isn’t even close to being able to do an Acrobatic Charge, so any obstacles or difficult terrain in her path will prevent this choice, as would being too close to the caster.
Case 3: Simple movement followed by either an attack or readying an attack against spellcasting. Edit: Er, where simple movement includes tumbling at any point it’s appropriate.
And, please let me know if this is too detailed. I just don’t see Hariel fighting without sizing up the situation. Probably I’ll have a better idea of one specific action after another round, when the overall situation is more clear.[/SBLOCK]
