*
Below is the pending consequence for the last violation of temporal continuity.
Its late in the evening and a Dolg Hana thriving (aqueduct, flowing river, planted date palms, wall w/ parapets; the works) under XIN MAE's stewardship is taking in a beautiful desert evening post-celebration after the arrival of old companions. Xin Mae is out on a walk among those date palms, beyond the wall, listening to the sounds of the river he worked so hard to dam and fork to deliver water in outlying communities that the aqueduct will not reach. The wall he worked so hard in getting erected that now features a pair of ballistae and mostly capable teams of artillerists to deploy them.
He takes it all in.
A cold breeze...and ill wind...something stirs near him and its more than the date palm's fronds...
*
ILLUMINATION: Fully illuminated from rows 8 to 16. Partial Concealment from rows 1 to 7.
*
DATE PALM TREES: Squares that are 50+ % illustrated are difficult terrain and grant Partial Concealment due to light foliage. Partially illustrated squares are only color.
*
BALLISTAE (F14, W14): Xin Mae Standard Action. If an enemy creature damages a ballista sq (AC 27, NADs 25), that artillerist team is defeated for the encounter and the ballistae is inert.
➶
Ballistae ✦ Recharge 6
Attack: Ranged 20 (one creature); +16 vs. Ref
Hit: 3d6 + 6 damage
Effect: Xin Mae gains +2 power bonus to defenses UEoNT.
*
Pool of Timeless Death (purple squares) Level 13 Hazard (Lurker) XP 800
The oily, swirling waters of this dark pool are disturbingly alluring.
Initiative: NA
Trigger: A living creature comes within 3 squares of the pool.
Attack
Opportunity Action Close burst 2
Target:The triggering creature
Attack:+16 vs. Will
Hit:The target is affected by a compulsion to enter the pool (SE). It moves to the nearest space within the pool as a free action. While under the compulsion, the target remains in the pool and can take no action. Any creature that starts its turn in a pool square takes 10 OG necrotic and cold damage (SE).
Countermeasures
✦ Arcana, Nature, Religion DC 20: Standard action (Ranged 3); the character suppresses the compulsion effect of the pool USoNT, allowing any affected creatures to make a saving throw. If a creature saves, they can move half their speed as a free action.
*
MOON MAIDEN'S COLD RADIANCE (orange squares, exhausts): A living creature in the sq is immune to the Pool of Timeless Death's attack and gains a +2 power bonus to defenses against the nightwalker or shadow replicant's attacks. A living creature in or adjacent to the sq can spend a minor action to grant their attacks the radiant keyword UtEoNT; this use will exhaust the sq for the encounter.
*
WATER/CLIFF (blue; Hindering Terrain): Any creature who falls in the water must Climb (Medium DC 20) 4 squares to reach the top (20 ft).
*
PARAPET: 20 feet tall, accessible by stairs.
*
Nightwalker (N) (Large shadow humanoid, undead, lurker, solo): HP 516, AC 27, Fortitude 24, Reflex 26, Will 24, Init +14
*
Shadow Replicant (M) x 4 (Medium shadow humanoid, undead, soldier, minion): 1 HP, AC 29, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 25, Init +11
*
Place Heroes in any square of rows 15 or 16. Arunny R15, Ibhea K15, Qamra Q16.
INITIATIVE
Nightwalker Instinctive Relocation: 30
Arunny (A): 30
Shadow Replicant (M): 21
Nightwalker (N): 20
Qamra (Q): 13
Xin Mae (X): 9
Ibhea (I): 8
ROUND 1
* Ibhea (No Action) Monster Knowledge
vs vs
N, Religion r4 +19 =23.
Nightwalker
Large shadow humanoid (undead)
Level 13 Solo Lurker XP 4000
HP 516; Bloodied 258 Initiative +14
AC 27, Fortitude 24, Reflex 26, Will 24 Perception+15
Speed 8, fly 10 Darkvision
Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 cold, 10 necrotic; Vulnerable 10 radiant
Saving Throws +5; Action Points 2
Keywords: Cold, Illusion, Necrotic, Psychic, Teleportation
Trait
Instinctive Relocation (teleportation)
On an initiative of 10 + its initiative check, nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares, becomes invisible, and uses death's flurry as a free action. It then becomes visible. If it cannot use free actions due to a dominating, stunning, or unconscious effect, then that effect ends instead.
☼
Void Chill (cold, necrotic) ✦ Aura 2
If nightwalker is not invisible, any enemy that starts its turn in the aura takes 7 cold and necrotic damage.
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Frozen Claw (cold) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 2d6 + 5 damage plus 1d6 + 6 cold damage.
Death's Flurry ✦ At-Will
Requirement: Nightwalker must be invisible.
Effect: Nightwalker uses frozen claw twice.
Minor Actions
Elusive Invisibility (illusion) ✦ At-Will (1/round)
Effect: Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
vs
M, Religion r12 +19 =31
Shadow Replicant
Medium shadow humanoid (undead)
Level 13 Minion Soldier XP 200
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion. Initiative +11
AC 29, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 25 Perception+10
Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 cold, 10 necrotic; Vulnerable 10 radiant
Speed 6 Fly 6 Darkvision
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Claw (necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Requirement: The replicant must have no creature grabbed.
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 10 necrotic damage, and the replicant grabs the target (escape DC 20).
⚔
Lifedraw (necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Effect: Melee 1 (one creature grabbed by the replicant); the target takes 15 necrotic damage.
INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
Though the agent of the dark lord of time and death is governed by its own will, the NIGHTWALKER's malign state of being is one that exists exclusively for such grisly affairs.
It sees the man enjoying a peaceful evening. It assumes a shroud of darkness. Its claws nearly lay the mark low before he even realizes that death is upon him.
When the visage of the terrible shade looks at him absently, a specter of monstrous darkness, quiet glee wells up in the awful creature at the terror in the eyes of the pathetic fleshling.
* Instinctive Action: Instinctive Relocation (teleportation). The nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares, becomes invisible, and uses death's flurry as a free action on Xin Mae It then becomes visible. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) vs X's AC: r(20, 3) + 18 +2 (CA) = CRIT, 25. Crit and Miss. 17 damage + 12 cold damage = 29 damage to X. Nightwalker becomes visible.
(⚔)
Frozen Claw (cold) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 2d6 + 5 damage plus 1d6 + 6 cold damage.
Death's Flurry ✦ At-Will
Requirement: Nightwalker must be invisible.
Effect: Nightwalker uses frozen claw twice.
LOCATION: Q3.
DAMAGE: 29 damage to X
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: X in Void Chill Aura (see above)
CURRENT HP: 516/516
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na.
As ARUNNY and Qamra follow Ibhea down the path leading to the river to join Xin Mae in his evening stroll, the young Seer can feel a buzz of icy warning in the night air. The discomfort this chill causes in her gut echoes an uneasiness she has been feeling since their arrival at Dolg Hana and her witnessing the wild shadows in the Priest's eyes. The influence of Delban? Or something more sinister? And whose bones does he now wear as girdle, whose skull do Ibhea's fingers unconsciously but gently caress from time to time? Arunny also noticed Xin Mae's gaze mirror her own uneasiness when it fell upon their companion.
Arriving at the river and hyper alert to any dangers, Maba's Piercing Eye immediately sees the dire situation the Scholar has suddenly found himself mired in and recognizes his opponent as a servant of her nemesis, a Nightwalker of Nerull. Reading the strands of power in the atmosphere, Arunny steps confidently forward, raising her arms and wrapping some of those strands around her fingers, the strands clearly belonging to the Lady. The Priestess then throws the radiant tendrils at the minions of the Nightwalker, Shadow Replicants she vaguely recognizes as distorted images of the scholar and her own disciple as their misty bodies are discorporated by the radiant lunar energies.
The third of these--she realizes while turning to face it--is the spitting image of Ibhea, an image much closer to the actual living being standing behind her than were the others. This one smiles wickedly at her as she attempts several times to force the tendrils around its incorporeal body. The wild shadows in its eyes are the same--not mirrors--of those that lurk in Ibhea's eyes. Her battle instincts kick into action while her thoughts dance in agitated dismay, and she sings out a word of Power to bring Xin Mae closer to her, closer to protection.
With grim determination Arunny wraps strands of Maba's divine power around her fingers once again. Once again, she throws the tendrils at their common enemies. This time the tendrils prove to be more tenacious, rebuking the Nightwalker in his impudence while destroying its minion.
Out of the corner of her eye, she catches the movement of yet another of these shadowy minions. Turning, she is repulsed to recognize herself made out of smoke, sharing the smile she lately saw on the false Ibhea shadow.
* Move: 5 squares to R10.
* Standard: Hand of Radiance (R10, Divine, Implement, Radiant): ATK vs 3 targets/Ref 24: M(J10): R9+16=25/Hit; M(R9): r12+16=28/Hit; M(Z14): r4+16=20/Miss, T
RIGGERS: Lucky Charm Daily Power: miss w/attack or fail a SC roll, or saving throw. Effect: Roll a d6 and add the result: +r3=23/Miss. M(J10) & M(R9) KILLED.
* Minor (Enc): Divine Call on Xin Mae: R10; Effect: pull Xin Mae 3 sq to Q7.
* AP for Standard: Hand of Radiance: ATK vs Nightcrawler: r10+16=26 vs 26 Ref/Hit; M(Z14): r15+16=31 vs 24 Ref/Hit; Damage: r3+8+10 Vul Radiance = 22 Damage to N, and M(Z14)
KILLED. Use of AP TRIGGERS Prophetic Action: Gain a move action that A can use on a different turn of hers during this encounter.
LOCATION: R10
DAMAGE: 22 damage to N; M(J10), M(R9), & M(Z14) KILLED.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 80/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Prophetic Action (extra Move Action this encounter)
SURGES: 11/11; AP: 0/0 available
DAILIES EXPENDED: Lucky Charm
The SHADOW REPLICANT menaces the pair of artillerists manning the balista, but quickly changes tack as it takes to the air and charges Delban's priest with a pair of claws dripping with black necrosis. The pair become entangled in a vicious melee, a sneer bordering on a laugh taking in Ibhea's face as this pathetic creature is no match for he and The Shadowed Sun!
M (D14)
* Move: Fly and land in sq to H15.
* Standard Action: Charge to J15 and MBA Claw (M1, necrotic) vs I's AC: r(13) +18 +1 (charge) = 32. Hit.: 10 necrotic damage, and the replicant grabs I (escape DC 20).
LOCATION: J15
DAMAGE: 10 necrotic damage to I.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I is grabbed (escape DC 20).
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
The moon tries to illuminate Nerrul's monstrous assassin, but the NIGHTWALKER evade's the light, turning invisible in a cascade of swirling darkness. It stalks in and terrorizes Xin Mae as it explodes from impenetrable shadows with another flurry, nearly laying the scrivener-turned-steward low!
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
Elusive Invisibility (illusion) ✦ At-Will (1/round)
Effect: Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Move: 3 sq to R6.
* Standard: Death's Flurry on X. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC (first attack has CA and then N becomes visible): : r(10, 9) + 18 (+2 for CA on 1st attack) = 30, 27. Hit (and N becomes visible) and Miss.
TRIGGERS QAMRA'S IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT (Enc): Dimensional Vortex (Divine, Teleportation, R10): Trigger: An enemy hits an ally with a melee attack; Target: The triggering enemy (Nightwalker); ATK: Intelligence vs. Will: r7+16+2 CA (Distracting Monologue/Xin Mae) -5 Total Concealment = 20 vs. 24 Will/Miss
TRIGGERS ARUNNY'S FREE ACTION (Daily): Cast Fortune: Effect: Roll a d20 when you use this power, and note the result (r13). Before your next extended rest, as a Free Action, you can replace any one attack roll, saving throw, or skill check made by you, an ally, or an enemy with this result. Level 11: The d20 fortune result can be moved up or down 1. This new result can count as a natural 1 or 20: r13+1+16+2 CA (DM) -5 Total Concealment = 27 vs 24 Will/Hit; Q teleports Nightwalker 5 squares to W10.
TELEPORT INTO HINDERING TERRAIN TRIGGERS N's SAVING THROW FOR PRONE IN V7; r(9) +5 = 14. SUCCEEDS. PRONE IN N7. No creatures are w/in range, so the attack that hits is negated. r(6, 1) +5 = 12 damage + r(2, 5) = 7 cold damage = 19 damage to X (BLOODIED); ALL NEGATED. N IS STILL INVISBILE DUE TO INTERRUPT.
ARUNNY's eyes widen as a silver orb appears before her eyes. Within it is contained the immediate future without intervention: the Nightwalker stalking Xin Mae despite her own attempt to pull him to safety, QAMRA attempt to forestall its attack but failing to do so, being unable to find her target in the gloom.
"Not today," the Seer thinks to herself. Ignoring the Scrivener's ceaseless cries of "Oh, my, oh, my, oh, my...," she closes her eyes, follows the song of Qamra's energy signature, and--using her own apprehension of possible outcomes--refocuses the developing vortex to ensnare the Nightwalker and teleport it away into the water. Opening her eyes, she turns to face the Nightwalker, noting that--a short distance away--Qamra does the same.
LOCATION: N7.
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 494/516
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Prone in N7. Invisible so Total Concealment.
QAMRA walks forward a few paces, keeping her focus on where she believes the Nightwalker to be. When she senses the fell creature near the cliff's edge, she wraps herself in the virtue of her Goddess and charges forward to do battle.
* Move: 6 sq to Q10
* Minor (Enc): Virtue: Effect: Q spends a healing surge but regain no hit points. She instead gains temporary hit points equal to her healing surge value (25).
* Standard: Ardent Strike as a Charge: Move 4 total sq (2 + 1 DT) to T7; ATK vs N: r6+18+1 Charge +2 CA (Prone) -5 Total Concealment = 22 vs 27 AC/Miss
LOCATION: T7
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 103/103 25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
XIN MAE halts his panicked monologue momentarily when he feels the divine intervention funneled by his allies remove his invisible assailant from a position where it can rake him with its wicked claws and their frozen touch.
Racing to intercede the Golden Priestess in her shining armor between himself and the creature of shadow, the scrivener raises his head for a moment above Arunny's left shoulder to call out a quick command to the team manning one of the ballistae: "By the child warrior! By the child warrior! Let fly!"
And the artillery does, a great bolt launched into the twilight and somehow, impossibly, resounding into the still invisible creature with a thud!
"Oh, my stars and comets!" he continues, ducking behind Arunny once again. "A creature of pure shadow and night! Stay by my side, dear! The ancient word from the Annals of Mei Lun will provide us some protection!" And then he pronounces some incomprehensible syllables, and a shimmering aurora of silver radiates like a crown from his head.
* Move: 3 sq to Q10
* Standard: Ballistae R20 vs N, r19+16 - 5 Conceal -2 Prone = 28 vs 26 Reflex. Hit. r4,6,5+6=21 damage and X gains +2 all DEF UEoXNT.
* Minor: Defensive Lore (shadow); C Bu 2 on Q10; Effect: The burst creates a zone (
yellow square) that lasts until the end of your next turn. Choose aberrant, fey, elemental, immortal, natural, or
shadow. Until the end of your next turn, creatures of that origin take a -2 penalty to attack rolls and to all defenses while in the zone, and attacks by such creatures deal only half damage to targets inside the zone. Sustain Minor: The zone persists until the end of your next turn.
LOCATION: Q10
DAMAGE: 21 to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: M & N possibly subject to Defensive Lore Zone
CURRENT HP: 53/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +2 all DEF UEoXNT
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
This twisted shadow that grapples IBHEA in its tendril arms bears far too much resemblance to Arunny for the priest's liking--but a dark and glowering creature where she is all golden light.
"You wish to snuff my life, shadow?!?" the priest snarls. "Your blackness is as nothing to the black flames of Delban. This black flames chide your blackness!" And he reaches out his own hand, crackling with energies necrotic and psychic to grasp the creature by the throat. The shadow replicant puts up a brief struggle but eventually succumbs, dissolving beneath his withering clutch.
Wrapping himself in the twilight shadows, Ibhea races across to his imperiled companions. Then, beside Arunny a shadowy double of Ibhea manifests, each gesture or movement doubled from one to the other. At first, Arunny must think herself beset again by Ibhea's shadowy replicant, but she quickly realizes this must be some new power bestowed upon her ally by his patron.
* Standard: Hand of Blight M touch vs M, r6+17=23 vs 26 Fort. Miss. TRIGGERS: Heroic Effort (No Action): Trigger: You miss with an attack or fail a saving throw. Effect: You gain a +4 racial bonus to the attack roll or the saving throw. r6+17+4=27 vs 26 Fort. Hit. r4+6=10 necrotic and psychic damage (bypasses Resist necrotic).
M DESTROYED.
* Move: 6 sq to Q15, activates Shadow Walk.
* Minor: Mirror Darkly R5 on S10. Effect: You conjure a shade in an unoccupied square within range. The shade occupies its square and lasts until the end of your next turn. The shade can be attacked. It uses your defenses, and it is destroyed if it takes any damage. While the shade persists, you are insubstantial and you can use your space of the shade’s space as the origin of your attacks.
Aftereffect: You can teleport to a square formerly occupied by the shade.
LOCATION: Q15, double in S10 (
white)
DAMAGE:
M DESTROYED
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 75/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), insubstantial UEoINT
SURGES: 7/7
N 473/516 prone
ROUND 2
INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
Its prey having survived and escaped its initial onslaught the NIGHTWALKER's reconsiders its options. An ambush predator doesn't deviate from its strategy. It considers the escape route of the sky as it lays into the small warrior in front of it with claws of ice!
* Instinctive Action: Instinctive Relocation (teleportation). The nightwalker teleports to U6, remains invisible, and uses death's flurry as a free action on Q It then becomes visible. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) vs Q's AC: r(18, 4) + 18 +2 (CA) -2 (prone) - 2 (minor concealment trees) = 34, 20. Hit and Miss. r(5, 4) +5 = 14 damage + r(3, 4) +6 = 13 cold damage = 27 damage - 25 THP = 2 damage to Q. Nightwalker becomes visible.
LOCATION: U6.
DAMAGE: 2 damage to Q
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Q in Void Chill Aura (see above)
CURRENT HP: 473/516 prone
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Minor concealment of trees.
Ignoring the shiver of uneasiness this new shadow of her companion instills in her, ARUNNY stalks past it and forward toward the Nightstalker. But that uneasiness clearly affects her: her unforgettable morningstar "forgets" to make contact, and her blow floats through branches above the prone creature.
No matter. She is still able to accomplish much of what she intended. Omthala slides Her Radiant Shamshar within Xin Mae's safe zone. Then Her Searing Voice follows and shifts back into place, within the same zone, and stands protectively in front of the target of the Nightstalker's attacks, and finally Maba lends the silver light of Her own protections to all three allies within the zone.
* Move: 3 sq to S7
* Standard (Enc): Awakening Sun vs Nightstalker: r2+18+2 CA (prone) -2 Partial Concealment = 20 vs 27 AC/Miss; Effect: A & each ally w/in 5 sq of her (Q & X) gain 10 THP & can make a saving throw.
TRIGGERS: Manifest Preservation Benefit: When A uses a divine encounter or daily attack power on her turn, A can slide an ally w/in 10 sq of her 1 square: Slides Q to S8 (within X's Defensive Lore Zone)
* Minor (Enc): Boots of Fencing Master Power: Shift 2 sq to R9
LOCATION: A: R9, Q: S8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 80/80 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Prophetic Action (extra Move Action this encounter); within Defensive Lore Zone (DLZ); 10 THP to Q & X
SURGES: 11/11; AP: 0/0 available
DAILIES EXPENDED: Lucky Charm
Hidden amongst the trees and the depth of twilight shadows, the NIGHTWALKER fully assumes the mantle of darkness, disappearing from sight only to reappear and unleash a terrible vision onto all heroes on the bridge. Being unable to avert their gaze, they see the true awfulness, the emptiness of The Void...without and within. Their legs buckle as they desperately try to prevent falling off the bridge and into the water below. Only Arunny's blessings from Omthala fully hold.
A terrible miasma of death is left behind as Xin Mae's desperate scramble leaves him right in the clutches of the Nightwalker. Somehow, he fends off its ferocious assault!
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Move: Stand from prone.
* Standard: ᗕ Void Gaze (ClBl5; creatures, necrotic, psychic) vs X, Q, A Reflex: r(11, 14, 1) +16 +2 (CA) = Hit X and Q and Miss A.
TRIGGERS A's Divine Deliverance: Immediate Interrupt (Personal); Trigger: Arunny is hit by a charm or a psychic attack. Effect: A gains Resist 10 psychic UEoANT. Also, A gains a +2 bonus to saving throws against charm and psychic effects UEoANT. r(6, 6, 4) +12 = 28/2 (zone) = 14 psychic damage - 10 THP = 4 psychic damage to X and Q, 7 -10 = 0 psychic damage to A (half again on miss), and I's shade is destroyed ("if it takes any damage"; takes automatic damage from this attack)...nightwalker slides A 1 sq to Q10, slides X 3 sq to S7, slides Q 2 sq to S10 and then 1 sq to T10 into hindering terrain (off bridge to water below);
TRIGGERS Q SAVING THROW VS HINDERING TERRAIN FOR PRONE IN S10; r(12).
SUCCEEDS. Q PRONE S10.
Effect: Nightwalker creates a zone (purple) until the start of its next turn. Any living creature that starts its turn in the zone takes 5 necrotic damage and is slowed UtEoT.
* Free (Action Point for Standard): Death's Flurry on X. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs X's AC: r(7, 11) + 18 = Miss x 2.
LOCATION: U6.
DAMAGE: I's Mirror Darkly duplicate DESTROYED, X and Q take 4 psychic damage.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: X moved out of protective Zone to S7, and into both Void Gaze zone and Void Chill aura. A slid to Q10 and in Void Gaze zone. Q slid to S10 and prone in Void Gaze zone.
CURRENT HP: 473/516
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: 1/2 APs, Void Gaze on cooldown, Partial Concealment from trees and light.
Acting quickly without conscious thought has become second nature to young QAMRA: her body may be numb from the zone newly created by the Nightwalker, but she cannot let it win. Without standing up and clasping her scimitar in her hand, she crawls forward as quickly as possible toward their scrivener friend, slithering around Xin Mae's legs to get a better angle for her attack.
* Starts turn in Void Gaze zone: Qamra takes 5 necrotic damage and is slowed UtEoNNT.
* Move: crawls 2 sq
* Standard: Ardent Strike as Charge Attack: Move: 2 sq to S6, avoiding OAs; ATK vs. Nightwalker: r7+18+1 Charge -2 Prone +2 CA (Distracting Monologue Aura2) -2 Partial Concealment = 24 vs 27 AC/Miss.
LOCATION: S6
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 92/103 0 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Prone; in Void Chill Aura
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
Proximity to the Nightwalker numbs the scrivener, the cold so bitter it almost burns. He tries to call out commands to the artillery teams manning the ballistae, but his tongue and lips won't accommodate. Ever so slowly, XIN MAE forces his legs to retreat from the creature of shadow, back into the protective zone his word of power conjured earlier. Then, with all the energy his body can muster through the numbing frost, he calls out to Qamra, "Smite our foe! Now, girl!"
Surely, his words provide the necessary distraction, for she complies, striking from her knees, and her blow rings true. His last utterance for now is a mere whisper, the word of power repeated, the zone of protection sustained.
Starts turn: Takes 7 cold & necrotic damage + 5 cold damage (
BLOODIED) + Slowed UEoNNT. Rolls to Recharge Ballistae, r3. Fails.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to R8 (in Defensive Lore Zone).
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on Qamra, TRIGGERS Ardent Strike vs N, r17+18 -2 Concealment -2 Prone=31 vs 27 AC. Hit. r2,5,3+10=20 damage & N subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT.
* Minor: Sustain Defensive Lore Zone.
LOCATION: R8
DAMAGE: 20 to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 37/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: in Defensive Lore Zone, in Void Gaze Zone, possibly in Void Chill Aura
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
Wreathed in the black flames of Delban, IBHEA flits across the battlefield to take up position behind Xin Mae, his form more a creature of shadow than corporeal build. "Scrivener," he seethes with a barely contained rage, "fear not, for through the power of Omthala and Delban both shall this creature be incinerated!
"Hear that, foul stalker of death? The black flames of Delban will burn you from this realm! And Omthala's radiant light will abet your end!"
The warlock raises his dagger, which shines with a most unholy light, radiance and flame doing battle for supremacy in the psychic assault unleashed on the creature.
Xin Mae shields his eyes with both hands.
* Move: 6 sq to R9, activates Shadow Walk
* Minor: Warlock's Curse on N
* Standard: Shining Symbol Cl Bl 3 S-U/6-8, ATK vs N, r9+17=26 vs 24 Will. Hit. r4,7+9 fire and radiant (+10 Vulnerable radiant) damage + r5,6 +r1 Warlock's Curse + Mindbite Scorn = 12 psychic damage + FREE ACTION Expend 2 Charges Gloves of Eldritch Admixture r2,1+1 (Path of the Scarred)=4 fire damage + NO ACTION Arcane Prodigy +3 damage = 49 radiant, fire, and psychic damage and N takes -2 attacks UEoINT (Shining Symbol)
LOCATION: R9
DAMAGE: 49 to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N -2 attacks UEoINT, N Cursed
CURRENT HP: 75/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), in Defensive Lore Zone, in Void Gaze Zone
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 2 charges Gloves of Eldritch Admixture.
N 404/516 1/2 APs, subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT, -2 attacks UEoINT, Warlock Cursed
ROUND 3
INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
If the NIGHTWALKER's must slaughter the other meatsacks to claw itself to its intended prey...so be it. One at a time.
The clash with small Qamra is vicious.
* Instinctive Action: Instinctive Relocation (teleportation). The nightwalker teleports to R7, becomes invisible, and uses death's flurry as a free action on Q It then becomes visible. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) vs Q's AC: r(6, 14) + 18 +2 (CA) -2 (SS) = 24, 32. Miss and Hit. r(1, 6) +5 = 12 damage + r(5, 1) +6 = 12 cold damage = 24 damage to Q. Nightwalker becomes visible.
LOCATION: R7.
DAMAGE: 24 damage to Q
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I, Q, and X in Void Chill Aura (see above)
CURRENT HP: 404/516
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: 1/2 APs, subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT, -2 attacks UEoINT, Warlock Cursed, minor concealment to any without LL vision.
ARUNNY feels her frustration growing as their efforts to keep Xin Mae safe are constantly frustrated by the Nightcrawler. She expels it by prophesying doom upon this most troublesome of Nerull's servants: May the harsh Sunlight of Omthala and piercing Moonlight of Maba burn away the corruption of your existence!"
Chilled by the void zone created by this creature, the Seer carefully makes her way toward the stricken Xin Mae and her stallwart Qamra. As her feet gingerly find solid ground, Arunny tries not to be distracted by empty spaces in the landscape, afraid of falling through to ... where?
She makes it through the holes and reaches out to her companions to share the vigor of the Triune of Light: "be well!" she calls out in Omthala's Searing Voice.
* Starts turn in Void Gaze & Defensive Lore zones: 5 Necrotic Damage (halved to 2) & Slowed UEoNNT) = 2 Nec - 10 THP = 8 THP remaining
* Standard (Enc): Prophecy of Doom (R5) on Nightcrawler: Effect: A or an ally who hits the target w/attack can make the attack a crit hit. Lasts UEoANT or until A or ally uses it.
TRIGGERS Manifestation of Preservation: Slide Q 1 sq to S7
* Move (Slowed): 2 sq to S8
* Minor (Enc): Word of Vigor CBu1: Target: You & each ally in the burst (everyone); Effect: Each target can spend a surge & regain 2d6 additional hit points. The targets gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls UEoANT: additional r1,4 HP: Xin Mae: 20+5=25 HP; Qamra: 25+5=30 HP; Arunny does not spend a surge; Ibhea TBD; all gain +2 bonus ATK UEoANT
* End of turn: Resist 10 Psychic ends
LOCATION: A: S8, Q: S7
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Prophecy of Doom on Nightcrawler: A or an ally who hits target w/ATK can choose to make it a Crit UEoANT (or expended)
CURRENT HP: 80/80 8 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Prophetic Action (extra Move Action this encounter); within Defensive Lore Zone (DLZ); +5 HP to Q & X (I TBD); All: +2 ATK UEoANT; Prophecy of Doom
SURGES: 11/11; AP: 0/0 available
DAILIES EXPENDED: Lucky Charm
In the throes of the ebb and flow of the clash, the NIGHTWALKER senses an opening and again disappears fully from sight only to reappear and assault the small, lightly armored knight before it. Delban The Shadowed Son, Omthala, the Moon Maiden, and her battle prowess see Qamra through the shadow monster's assault...one that would lay low a small legion of lesser warriors.
* Start of Turn: Void Gaze recharge; r(2) Fails.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Standard: Death's Flurry on Q. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs Q's AC: r(6, 19) + 18 (+2 CA for first attack) -2 (SS) = 24, 35. Miss and hit. r(3, 1) +5 = 9 damage + r(4, 4) +6 = 14 cold damage = 23 damage to Q
* Free (Action Point for Standard): Death's Flurry on Q. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs Q's AC: r(13, 10) + 18 -2 (SS) = 29, 26. Miss x 2.
LOCATION: R7.
DAMAGE: 23 damage to Q
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: All heroes in both Void Gaze zone and Void Chill aura.
CURRENT HP: 404/516
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: 0/2 APs, Void Gaze on cooldown, subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT, -2 attacks UEoINT, Warlock Cursed, Partial Concealment due to light.
An inner flame of Searing Light warms QAMRA despite the chill sinking into her bones and slowing her steps and thoughts. But clearly Another is in control as Omthala's Radiant Shamshar stands up to face their adversary and flings out her arms with authority. Her eyes glow with that inner Searing Light, and--as she opens her mouth--Radiance flows out of her, washing harmlessly over Xin Mae, but splashing burning light against Arunny--who tries to duck away in startled dismay--and causing great clouds of shadowy steam to rise from the cowering body of the Nightwalker who seems unable to look away from her luminescence.
* Starts turn in Void Gaze zone & Void Child aura: takes 7 aura & 5 zone damage.
* Move: Stand up from Prone
* Minor (Enc): Call of Challenge (CBu3): Target: Each enemy in the burst; Effect: Each target is subject to Q's divine sanction UEoQNT.
* Standard: Radiant Burst (CBu1, each creature in burst): ATK: N: r16+16+2 CA (X's DM) +2 WoV = 37 vs 26 Ref/Hit; A: r19+17+2 WoV = 38 vs 19 Ref/Hit
TRIGGERS Maba’s Mark of the Dark Moon Power (Teleportation, Immed. Reaction): Trigger: A takes damage; Effect: A teleports 3 squares & can make a Stealth check as a free action to hide if she ends this teleport in cover or with concealment: A teleports to P6, Stealth Check: r16+5=21; X: r3+16+2 WoV = 21 vs 26 Ref/Miss; Damage: r4,5,6 + 8 Radiant = 23 damage to Arunny (23-8 THP = 15 damage); Nightwalker: + 10 Vulnerable Radiance = 33 damage to Nightwalker
LOCATION: Q: S7, A: P6
DAMAGE: 33 Radiant damage to Nightwalker; 15 damage to Arunny (23-8 THP)
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Nightwalker subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 63/103 0 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In Void Chill aura & Void Gaze zone; +2 ATKs UEoANT
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
The frantic, repeated chant of the word of power from The Annals of Mei Lun is almost comical as XIN MAE's voice rises to a screech, fighting past the cold, the draining energies emitted by this creature of night. There is something in the way the nightwalker looks at him that saps his very essence, his vitality. If he were just to allow himself to slip away into the emptiness...
"No! We can do this. We must do this. My story will not end here. I have innumerable impossible events to record, the actions of heroes, sensational tidings, the movements of the very planes, let alone planets, stars, the great wanderers of the sky..." Xin Mae's voice trails off weakly as he shuffles beside Ibhea, fighting off numbness, his lips frosted in rime.
"Arunny! Golden Prophet!" his voice is somewhat renewed in vigor as Arunny's healing magic takes its effect, "Strike the creature now, with all the holy might you channel!" And she does. Stepping from the shadowy undergrowth, Arunny lifts her cudgel and brings it down, two-handed, upon the creature of blackness. The creature is propelled backwards, away from its primary prey.
* Starts turn: In Defensive Lore Zone, Void Gaze Zone, & Void Chill Aura. Rolls to Recharge Ballistae, r3. Fails. Takes 7/2=3 cold and necrotic damage, 5/2=2 cold damage (5 total) & Slowed UEoNNT.
* Minor: Sustains Defensive Lore Zone.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to S9.
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on A vs N, Eldritch Strike r11+18 +2 Word of Vigor +2 CA=31 vs 27 AC. Hit --> Autocrit (Prophecy of Doom). 18 +r4,2,2 = 26 damage & Slide 1 to R6.
LOCATION: S9, N in R6
DAMAGE: 26 to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N possibly subject to Defensive Lore Zone
CURRENT HP: 57/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In Defensive Lore Zone, In Void Gaze Zone, Slowed UEoNNT
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
"Yes, the radiant light! It fears the light!" IBHEA shouts, pulling a sunrod from a holster on the side of his back satchel and igniting it to flood the surrounding area with a sparkling blue-white light as he backs away from the nightwalker, leaving Xin Mae to fend for himself.
But his retreat is not cowardice. No, it is to prevent the scrivener from hearing Gan's gentle voice calling from the skull at his waist, "Release me, Ibhea. Let me do battle with your enemies, like before. Release me..." Surely this is audible to anyone nearby. Ibhea cannot risk that! Not yet.
Instead, Delban's faithful servant gestures in the direction of the nightwalker, and a sphere of darkness explodes with tentacles, lashing out with a combination of fiery black flames and crippling cold that drains life and unlife alike. "Yes," the warlock shouts now, "let Delban's black flames take you!" His words resonate with psychic power to assault the nightwalker further.
* Starts turn: In Defensive Lore Zone, Void Gaze Zone. Takes 5/2=2 cold damage & Slowed UEoNNT.
* Minor: Retrieve Stowed Item: Sunrod. This minor magic item sheds bright light to a radius of 20 squares for 4 hours before burning out. Negates Concealment from dim light.
* Move: 2 sq to Q11.
* Standard: Devouring Dark ABu1 on R4, ATK vs N, r12+17+2 Word of Vigor=31 vs 26 Reflex. Hit. r3,9,2+9 cold, fire, and necrotic damage + r6, 3, 3 psychic damage Warlock's Curse = 35 cold, fire, necrotic, & psychic damage. Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Creatures grant combat advantage while in the zone.
LOCATION: Q11
DAMAGE: 35 to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N possibly subject to Devouring Dark Zone
CURRENT HP: 83/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In Defensive Lore Zone, In Void Gaze Zone, Slowed UEoNNT
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na; 1/1 AP remaining
The NIGHTWALKER sees its opportunity to slaughter the steward of Dolg Hand, Xin Mae, slip through its fingertips. His allies have rallied and, as one, their defenses are too impregnable.
Its white eyes, set into monstrous, horned head of utter darkness, narrow to a slit. It says nothing (if it can even speak?) but merely takes to the sky and vanishes into the depths of that darkness.
The heroes have won the day, but they know for sure that this threat looms out there and will haunt them in the future. They can only hope they are similarly able to rally to the poor soul besieged by this terrible creature of darkness.
CALLING IT A COMBAT HERE. TEAM PC IS TOO WELL-DEFENSED AND POSITIONED AT THIS POINT. NEARLY BLOODIED AND THERE IS LITTLE HOPE TO SLAY XIN MAE OR ANYONE ELSE. KEEPING THE NIGHTWALKER "ON THE BOARD" FOR ANOTHER SUCH CONSEQUENCE IN THE FUTURE.
WE WILL CUT TO A PLAYER VIGNETTE ABOUT THE REUNION, THEIR CONSIDERATION OF RECENT EVENTS, THE EVENTS THAT JUST BEFALL THEM, AND WHAT FOLLOWS FROM THIS.
XP/LOOT
* 4000 + 800 + 800 - 1600 (Q and X) = 4000/2 =
2000 xp apiece
* 2 gems worth 1000 coin apiece...
the hardened, crystalline residue of this creature's shadowstuff left behind.
