The Slave and Her Sovereign
- Thread starter Manbearcat
- Start date
Manbearcat
Legend
Complexity 5 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
9/12 Successes/1 Failures/1 Hard DC Available/2 Secondary Skills Available/1 Advantages Available
The smell of char, sweat, iron, burned flesh and fresh blood are left behind, but, ironically, with it the light goes as well. The Moon Maiden's twilight pervades even the terrible realm of Mag Tureah. Yet here, under the boughs of the twisted forest that houses haunted Cendriane, though there are sweet and earthy smells most familiar, there is no such light.
Vruk has been "a good boy" on the final leg through Mag Tureah. Here though, he visibly shivers...recoils and can barely produce a tentative step into the dark wood.
Quietly; "uuuuuuh...somethin' no good here. Yeah...this no good. We turn back?"
Xin Mae walks up and pats the frightened Hill Giant on his big, beefy knee. "Nonsense, my large friend. Its just a small matter of illumination...as all things are..."
Xin Mae pulls out a torch, lights it, and holds it aloft, penetrating the boundaries of the forest.
The torch snuffs with suddenness.
His face screws up and he rinse > repeats the rote action; "I said...illumination!"
The torch again snuffs the moment it crosses the threshold.
Vruk's mouth gapes as he looks from a now-frightened Xin Mae to the snuffed torch and back again.
MEDIUM DC
What do you do?
Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
9/12 Successes/1 Failures/1 Hard DC Available/2 Secondary Skills Available/1 Advantages Available
The smell of char, sweat, iron, burned flesh and fresh blood are left behind, but, ironically, with it the light goes as well. The Moon Maiden's twilight pervades even the terrible realm of Mag Tureah. Yet here, under the boughs of the twisted forest that houses haunted Cendriane, though there are sweet and earthy smells most familiar, there is no such light.
Vruk has been "a good boy" on the final leg through Mag Tureah. Here though, he visibly shivers...recoils and can barely produce a tentative step into the dark wood.
Quietly; "uuuuuuh...somethin' no good here. Yeah...this no good. We turn back?"
Xin Mae walks up and pats the frightened Hill Giant on his big, beefy knee. "Nonsense, my large friend. Its just a small matter of illumination...as all things are..."
Xin Mae pulls out a torch, lights it, and holds it aloft, penetrating the boundaries of the forest.
The torch snuffs with suddenness.
His face screws up and he rinse > repeats the rote action; "I said...illumination!"
The torch again snuffs the moment it crosses the threshold.
Vruk's mouth gapes as he looks from a now-frightened Xin Mae to the snuffed torch and back again.
MEDIUM DC
What do you do?
Nephis
Adventurer
ARUNNY is drawn out of her preoccupation of how to solve a problem like Ibhea by Xin Mae's increasingly frantic attempts to light his torch. She turns her head to better take in the strange stillness in the air, the overlay of sickly sweet odor combatting the more homey, earthy, comforting scents.
In the darkness, she can almost make out a barely visible pattern of twisting and writhing branches of smoky music trapping them in arcane darkness. She steps forward to stand between Vruk and Xin Mae, clasping a hand of each, however incongruous it may appear.
As she does so, she feels clean, cool energy pass between the three of them, and Maba's Piercing Eye gives a serene and radiant smile. With renewed confidence spreading through her, she raises their joined hands, throws back her golden head, and calls out one glorious tone full of joy.
Pearlescent Moonlight suddenly showers down upon them, bathes them in illumination, and clothes them in a mantle of confidence.
An open-mouthed Xin Mae stares at his lit torch.
* Because we are trying to Dispel the forest-wide Magical Curse, @Manbearcat wants to deploy his remaining Hard DC.
* Arunny is using her Daily Power Moment of Glory as an Autosuccess vs Hard DC 31
In the darkness, she can almost make out a barely visible pattern of twisting and writhing branches of smoky music trapping them in arcane darkness. She steps forward to stand between Vruk and Xin Mae, clasping a hand of each, however incongruous it may appear.
As she does so, she feels clean, cool energy pass between the three of them, and Maba's Piercing Eye gives a serene and radiant smile. With renewed confidence spreading through her, she raises their joined hands, throws back her golden head, and calls out one glorious tone full of joy.
Pearlescent Moonlight suddenly showers down upon them, bathes them in illumination, and clothes them in a mantle of confidence.
An open-mouthed Xin Mae stares at his lit torch.
* Because we are trying to Dispel the forest-wide Magical Curse, @Manbearcat wants to deploy his remaining Hard DC.
* Arunny is using her Daily Power Moment of Glory as an Autosuccess vs Hard DC 31
Manbearcat
Legend
Complexity 5 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
10/12 Successes/1 Failures/0 Hard DC Available/2 Secondary Skills Available/1 Advantages Available
The darkness has retreated from the haunted wood that houses ancient, lost Cendriane...and the moss-covered stone stairs and flagstones, the gnarled trees forever-entangled with brother and sister, and the more...mobile...denizens.
They all seem to know.
Whether irrational or real, there is a pervasive sense of "nakedness" of "being exposed" that the world of the wood takes on as twilight bathes the landscapes.
As Vruk explores the visual feast with the wee torch that looks silly in his massive hands, one such colony of trees lashes out wildly at him, vines threatening to take the giant from his feet, upend him, pull him into its inscrutable mass of foliage like a spider carrying insect into its web.
What do you do? This is a colony of natural flora, not undead. Some kind of move or do we go to combat to save Vruk from his fate?
Failure on the former means I'm escalating to combat with Level +4 Encounter Budget and an embedded SC to free Vruk from his plight and turn him into Fantastic Terrain to be deployed and exhausted.
Straight to combat will be a Level +3 Encounter Budget with a single, successful Standard Action freeing Vruk and turning him into said Fantastic Terrain.
Combat will also be a wave combat. If you don't defeat your enemy by the end of round 5, I'll be bringing in a Standard worth of Creatures every other round starting in round 6.
Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
10/12 Successes/1 Failures/0 Hard DC Available/2 Secondary Skills Available/1 Advantages Available
The darkness has retreated from the haunted wood that houses ancient, lost Cendriane...and the moss-covered stone stairs and flagstones, the gnarled trees forever-entangled with brother and sister, and the more...mobile...denizens.
They all seem to know.
Whether irrational or real, there is a pervasive sense of "nakedness" of "being exposed" that the world of the wood takes on as twilight bathes the landscapes.
As Vruk explores the visual feast with the wee torch that looks silly in his massive hands, one such colony of trees lashes out wildly at him, vines threatening to take the giant from his feet, upend him, pull him into its inscrutable mass of foliage like a spider carrying insect into its web.
What do you do? This is a colony of natural flora, not undead. Some kind of move or do we go to combat to save Vruk from his fate?
Failure on the former means I'm escalating to combat with Level +4 Encounter Budget and an embedded SC to free Vruk from his plight and turn him into Fantastic Terrain to be deployed and exhausted.
Straight to combat will be a Level +3 Encounter Budget with a single, successful Standard Action freeing Vruk and turning him into said Fantastic Terrain.
Combat will also be a wave combat. If you don't defeat your enemy by the end of round 5, I'll be bringing in a Standard worth of Creatures every other round starting in round 6.
darkbard
Legend
As the twilight gloom lifts and poor Vruk is ensnared by the rejuvenated, raw, and naked Nature inherent in this forest, a boundless fecundity conscious of its own being as if after a long sleep and caught unawares, IBHEA steps forward, hands raised beside his head in a posture of pronouncement.
"Once your metropolis straddled two worlds," he begins in a voice not his own. His eyes have clouded over with an inky blackness, lucent only by means of a deeper black flame glittering where once his pupils were. "Great and mighty was the rule of your fey masters who tamed and commanded your raw power. It is said that a great battle laid the city at your heart low, shrouded you in gloom, shattered your masters and their bitter enemies both. On the final day of that battle, a great star shone brightly in the night sky, Delban, the Black Flame, freed from His Mother's embrace for a time. Were it not for that Black Star shining brightly in the heavens, illuminating their foes and their final assault, your masters' enemies would have laid waste to this city and forest entirely. You would not have been shrouded in gloom but been razed to a smoldering ashpit for all eternity!
"I am the Messenger of that Black Flame, Delban's Cleansing Fire made manifest in the mortal realms ... and those immortal. Release my ally, hinder not my party's journey through your lands further. Else face the wrath of One Whose Presence Ensured Your Own Survival. And know that wrath will be mighty and vengeful!"
Ibhea's chin slumps against his chest before he raises his head once again, eyes clear but a look of menace lingering on his visage.
I'm using our last remaining Advantage, that of whatever entity speaks through Ibhea having been witness to the events described, to lower the DC from Moderate to Easy. Additionally, I'm using a Secondary Skill History check (r6+10=16 vs 16 Easy DC; Success) to buttress Ibhea's Primary Skill Intimidate check by +2, r15+14+2 SS +2 forward=33 vs 16 Easy DC. Success.
"Once your metropolis straddled two worlds," he begins in a voice not his own. His eyes have clouded over with an inky blackness, lucent only by means of a deeper black flame glittering where once his pupils were. "Great and mighty was the rule of your fey masters who tamed and commanded your raw power. It is said that a great battle laid the city at your heart low, shrouded you in gloom, shattered your masters and their bitter enemies both. On the final day of that battle, a great star shone brightly in the night sky, Delban, the Black Flame, freed from His Mother's embrace for a time. Were it not for that Black Star shining brightly in the heavens, illuminating their foes and their final assault, your masters' enemies would have laid waste to this city and forest entirely. You would not have been shrouded in gloom but been razed to a smoldering ashpit for all eternity!
"I am the Messenger of that Black Flame, Delban's Cleansing Fire made manifest in the mortal realms ... and those immortal. Release my ally, hinder not my party's journey through your lands further. Else face the wrath of One Whose Presence Ensured Your Own Survival. And know that wrath will be mighty and vengeful!"
Ibhea's chin slumps against his chest before he raises his head once again, eyes clear but a look of menace lingering on his visage.
I'm using our last remaining Advantage, that of whatever entity speaks through Ibhea having been witness to the events described, to lower the DC from Moderate to Easy. Additionally, I'm using a Secondary Skill History check (r6+10=16 vs 16 Easy DC; Success) to buttress Ibhea's Primary Skill Intimidate check by +2, r15+14+2 SS +2 forward=33 vs 16 Easy DC. Success.
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Manbearcat
Legend
Complexity 5 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
11/12 Successes/1 Failures/0 Hard DC Available/1 Secondary Skills Available/0 Advantages Available
The dark curse that quenched all moonlight entering the lost elven city of Cendriane has been purged.
The living wood, finally awaken from its long sleep and reflexively detecting trespass is now quiescent.
With that, the heroes can feel the lightness of the world around them. The words the Eladrin Warrior spoke at the beginning of their journey in the Feywild rings out in their individual minds; "...the eternally dark, twisted forest there holds the ancient, haunted city of Cendriane; home to our people too long ago to remember...home no more...but...there, you will find archmagics beyond mortal mind...including what you seek.." Without a doubt, they have entered a Nexus Grove, a sacred lynchpin for Cendriane's intermittent transition through the veil that separates the Feywild from the mortal world. Through that same veil-penetrating nexus, access to The Spirit Realm is possible…where The Henge of Time and the Primal Elder Spirit Stoneroot awaits them as in Arunny's portent-scape.
But while the dark curse has been beaten back and the forest rendered docile...the terrible denizens that laid supernatural waste to this place centuries or millennia ago remain...worse than remain...they press in...and the terrible beast (part spider, part drow) maintains a dominating hold on this grove that prevents its activation...possessing primordial darkness at his beck and call...
Skulking from the trees are demon vultures, surely feasting on the barely beating heart of this place...the slow rotting of this ancient city and its primordial trees...not so different from Arunny's dreams...
NESTED CHALLENGE TO RESOLVE SKILL CHALLENGE GOAL (MECHANICS ETC)
* ILLUMINATION: Moonlight now penetrates the haunted city of Cendriane. Xin Mae and Vruk are torchbearers and light burns bright in a 5 sq radius around each of them. Beyond that is Minor Concealment.
* OTHERWORLDLY NEXUS (BLUE-GREY STAR SQ, Fantastic Terrain): Standard Action (Personal, Exhaust origin sq activated when used in SC below), Rider Effect; Gain insubstantial and phasing UtEoYNT.
* ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM LVL 13/COMPLEXITY 2 (DCs 14/20/29):
* VRUK (HINDERING TERRAIN FOR ENEMIES): Cover for allies vs Ranged Attacks per normal. Any enemy that starts its turn adjacent to a Vruk square takes 10 damage. An enemy that leaves a sq adjacent to Vurk without shifting takes 5 damage. An enemy that ends its turn adjacent to a Vruk square is restrained until the start of its next turn. VRUK SMASH TERRAIN STUNT - HERO SPENDS STANDARD ACTION (AT-WILL) EFFECT: VRUK MOVES 3 SQ AND DEALS 10 DAMAGE TO ONE ADJACENT ENEMY DURING OR AT THE END OF THAT MOVE.
* TREES: Squares that are 50+ % illustrated trees are difficult terrain and grant Partial Concealment (-2 penalty to attack rolls against targets) due to light foliage. Partially illustrated squares are only color. TREE TERRAIN STUNT: A character in a Tree square can spend a move action to gain Total Concealment (-5 penalty to attack rolls against targets) and shift 1 sq (exception to normal difficult terrain rules).
* WAVES: Every even round (starting next round), 1 Vrock and 2 Darkling Spawns appear on the boundary squares of the map.
* Drider Fanglord (DF) (Large fey humanoid, spider, drow, brute, standard): HP 161, AC 25, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 22, Init +11
* Vrock (D) x 2 (Medium elemental humanoid, demon, skirmisher, standard): HP 132, AC 27, Fortitude 25, Reflex 23, Will 23, Init +12
* Darkling Spawn (M) x 6 (Medium shadow elemental, artillery, minion): 1 HP, AC 29, Fortitude 27, Reflex 24, Will 25, Init +7
* Place heroes in an available square in the center between rows 10-14 and columns H-M: A M13, I H12, Q J11, X H13.
INITIATIVE
Arunny (A) r18+16=34 <SWITCH WITH IBHEA>
Drider Fanglord (DF) 25 (Higher Dex than X)
Xin Mae (X) r19+6=25
Vrock (D) 21
Qamra (Q) r8+9=17
Ibhea (I) r9+7=16 <SWITCH WITH ARUNNY>
Darkling Spawn (M) 13
ROUND 1
Ibhea Monster Knowledge (No Action) Arcana:
Xin Mae's Trait:
LEADERSHIP FROM LORE: You and any ally within 10 squares of you who can see and hear you gain a +2 bonus to Monster Knowledge checks.
* vs Drider Fanglord r3+15+2 = 20 Meets Moderate but Fails to meet Hard DC
Drider Fanglord
Large fey humanoid (spider), drow
Level 13 Brute XP 800
HP 161; Bloodied 80 Initiative +11
AC 25 Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 22 Perception+14
Speed 8, climb 8 (spider climb) Darkvision
Keyword: Poison
Standard Actions
(⚔) Greatsword (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d12 + 7 damage.
Minor Actions
➶ Darkfire ✦ Encounter
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +16 vs. Reflex
Hit: The target grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment until the end of the drider's next turn.
==========================
* vs Vrock r20+15+2 = 37 Meets Hard DC
Vrock
Medium elemental humanoid (demon)
Level 13 Skirmisher XP 800
HP 132; Bloodied 66 Initiative +12
AC 27, Fortitude 25, Reflex 23, Will 23 Perception+13
Speed 6, fly 8 Darkvision
Standard Actions
(⚔) Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d8 + 8 damage.
⚔ Flyby Attack ✦ At-Will
Effect: The vrock flies up to its speed and uses claw once during that movement. It does not provoke opportunity attacks when moving away from the target of the attack.
Triggered Actions
ᗕ Spores of Madness (poison) ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The vrock is first bloodied.
Attack (Free Action): Close burst 2 (enemies in the burst); +16 vs. Will
Hit: 3d10 + 6 poison damage, and the target is dazed (save ends).
Miss: Half damage.
Variable Resistance ✦ 2/Encounter
Trigger: The vrock takes acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage.
Effect (Free Action): The vrock gains resist 10 to the triggering damage type until the end of the encounter or until it uses variable resistance again.
Athletics +12
======================
* vs Darkling Spawn r12+15+2 = 29 Meets Hard DC
Darkling Spawn
Medium elemental demon
Level 13 Minion Artillery XP 200
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion. Initiative +9
AC 27, Fortitude 23, Reflex 24, Will 25 Perception+10
Speed 6 Darkvision
Standard Actions
(⚔) Dark Tentacle (necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 10 (one creature); +20 vs. AC
Hit: 10 necrotic damage.
Athletics + 12
Arunny has seen this combat play out before. Maba has shown her: she stuns the Fanglord and her allies easily dispatch the rest of the foes and activate the Cendriane nexus. But then a cascade of events that sends Ibhea tumbling even further into madness, whatever dark influence in his heart taking further root. And so she hold off for now, utilizing the magic of her helm to spur IBHEA into action in her stead. Perhaps there is hope for his redemption yet...
Heeding the scrivener's words of advice about their foes, the warlock puts distance between himself and the light, wreathing himself in shadows pulled from the lifted curse. He darts into one of the nexuses of otherworldly energy dotted about this grove.
"Hear me, creature of fang and bristled legs, part fallen elf and part arachnid abomination! The curse that beset this land is lifted, and your time here has come to an end! Now is the hour of your reckoning, as the black flames of Delban incinerate your soul from this realm!"
The nexus activates and Ibhea's image shimmers, fades, becomes insubstantial.
* Arunny Free Action: Casque of Tactics Power Daily (Free Action); Use this power when initiative is rolled. Swap initiative check results with a willing ally whom you can see. Arunny and Ibhea swap places in the initiative.
* Move: 4 squares to Otherworldly Nexus in E14 (Activates Shadow Walk)
* Standard: Rebuke the Drider Fanglord Intimidate Primary skill check, r9+14=23 vs 20 Moderate DC. Success. DF takes -2 to hit (SE). Otherworldly Nexus (E14) exhausted. I gains insubstantial and phasing UtEoINT.
* Minor: Warlock's Curse on DF.
LOCATION: E14
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF -2 to hit (SE), DF subject to Warlock's Curse, 1/6 Obstacles in SC completed
CURRENT HP: 85/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Minor Concealment via SW, gains insubstantial and phasing UtEoINT.
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls
The drow face sneers with feral menace atop its spidery lower-half. The DRIDER FANGLORD hisses at Ibhea.
"You are far from home, mortal...such threats as you seek escape through portal.
<looking at Xin Mae> Yet...you do bring worldly delights to my domain...I think I shall cleave them in twain <hefting its greatsword>...and suck all life from its veins..."
Xin Mae becomes wreathed in purplish light before the Drider charges him, the scrivener barely escaping the mighty blow with his life!
* Minor: Darkfire (R10, Encounter) vs X's Ref: r(13) +16 -2 (RtDF) = 27. Hit. X grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment UEoDFNT.
➶ Darkfire ✦ Encounter
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +16 vs. Reflex
Hit: The target grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment until the end of the drider's next turn.
* Standard: Charge to G12 and MBA (Greatsword M1) vs X's AC: r(8) +18 +1 (charge) +2 (CA) -2 (RtDF) = 27. Miss.
(⚔) Greatsword (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d12 + 7 damage.
* End of Turn: Saving throw vs RtDF; r(11) = succeed.
LOCATION: G12
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: X grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment UEoDFNT.
HP: 161/161
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Subject to Warlock's Curse.
As the Drider Fanglord bares down upon him, XIN MAE seems far more interested in, nay distracted by, the sickly violet light wreathing his form.
"Fascinating! A bioluminescent effluvium! I recall a notation I made from the Annals of the Reign of Uskglass Thistledown...." The scrivener bends to riffle through the tome clutched in one hand, and the Fanglord's beheading blow whistles harmlessly above him.
"Yes, here it is: 'Though the effluvium of the elfspider lords serves to aid the creatures in their pursuit of prey, one need only intone the mystic phrase Apocrita teem ith toxicantus to defang their attacks.'"
Looking up, Xin Mae seems to notice the Fanglord's proximity for the first time. "Apocritateemithtoxicantuspocritateemithtoxicantuspocritateemithtoxicantus!" he screeches over and over, then bashes the Fanglord with the very tome clutched in one hand. A terrific buzzing as if that of a thousand thousand wasps surrounds the scrivener, and the elfspider visibly recoils.
* Starts turn: grants CA & cannot benefit from invisibility/concealment UEoDFNT, DF in Distracting Monologue Aura
* Minor: Defensive Lore Daily CBu 2 (YELLOW) Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Choose ... Fey .... 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.
* Standard: Tome Bash M1 vs DF, r19+17+2 CA=38 vs 23 AC (debuffed). Hit. r3+6=9 damage.
LOCATION: H13
DAMAGE: 9 damage to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF grants CA (in Distracting Monologue Aura), has -2 Def & ATK & 1/2 damage vs creatures in Defensive Lore Zone (YELLOW)
CURRENT HP: 77/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Grants CA & cannot benefit from invisibility/concealment UEoDFNT, X & Q currently in DL Zone
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
The VROCKs make drawn-out raspy hisses as they circle Arunny's right flank, taking turns attempting to nip and rend the priest-seer as they do. The sound of terrible razor-beaks clashing with arms and armor rings out during the consecutive clashes.
"JUICY MORSEL."
"YESSSSSS, REND AND TEAR."
Qamra's reshaping of the dimensional fabric momentarily disorients one of the Vrock's and its beak and claws tear into a foliage-obscured Darkling!
Like good carrion-demons, the cowards retreat into the moonlit darkness and the Feywild foliage after their sorties.
D1
* Standard: Flyby Attack to M18 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(20). CRIT. TRIGGERS Q's IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT (Enc): Ranged 10; Trigger: An enemy hits an ally w/a melee; Target: the triggering enemy: ATK: +16 vs Will: r19+16=35 vs 23 Will. Hit: You teleport the target 5 sq (from N13 to Q8). The target then makes its melee attack against creature you choose if in range; M in R7.
...finish movement portion of Flyby Attack; D1 moves 2 sq to S8.
QAMRA's eyes arrow on the creature flying to attack her mentor, and Omthala's Radiant Shamshar feels Divine energy explode within and through her.
As the first Vrock flies at Arunny, a shimmering Vortex appears in its path. Unable to stop its momentum, the demon vulture enters the dimensional tunnel, exiting next to a foliage-obscured Darkling, unleashing its fly-by-attack on it instead...and then flying back to the same obscuring foliage nearby.
D2
* Standard: Flyby Attack to P15 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(1). Automiss.
* Move: 4 sq to T14.
LOCATION: D1 in S8, D2 in T14.
DAMAGE: SLAYS M (R7)
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 132/132, D2 132/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Both with Partial Concealment from foliage. D1/D2 with Total Concealment from those without Lowlight Vision due to combo of foliage and lack of illumination from V or X torches.
QAMRA, young warrior of the Triune Light, Radiant Shamshar, casts a quick but fervent prayer to her Goddess and Her Companions, then steps valiantly forward toward the strange and enormous spider-man-beast attacking them ... a drider, she thinks she heard within Xin Mae's mutterings.
Mindful of the Scrivener's instructions to break the Fanglord's hold on this sacred grove, she calls forth the divine power within her and strikes the ground near the drider's sharp, spindly legs with her scimitar. Unfortunately, the dew is yet on the forest floor and her footing not secure: her display is less than masterful.
* Minor (Daily): Virtue: Spend Surge + gain no HPs but do gain 25 THP
* Move: 2 sq to H11
* Standard: Assail the Drider Fanglord's Hold on the Grove: Melee Range with DF: Primary Skill Athletics check: r6+11=17 vs 20 DC/Fail.
* Ends turn without making an attack: Xin Mae's TRIGGERED ACTION: Mind Our Enemies, Now (Enc), Immediate Reaction R10; Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you ends his or her turn without having made an attack. Target: The triggering ally (Qamra); 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: Ardent Strike M1: r9+18=27 vs 23 AC (Debuffed)/Hit. r6,2,4 + 10 + r8= 30 damage to DF, & he is subject to Qamra’s divine sanction UEoQNT.
LOCATION: H11
DAMAGE: 30 damage to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF subject to Q's DivSanc UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: w/in DL Zone
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue
ARUNNY, Piercing Eye of Maba, casts her gaze around the sacred grove, her brow thunderous with fury at the damage therein. Her skin begins to glow with a pearly light, reminding all viewing her of moonlight, as Moonlight it surely is. Then her mouth opens, and Omthala's Searing Voice begins to speak:
I behold the Moon sailing in Brightness
Rising through blue depths above
Her Slow White Eye shines Coldness
Frozen, your fates re-wove
And with that, the Divine Glowing within Arunny explodes across the sacred grove, slamming into each of their enemies, as she moves across the board, while also pulling the Priest of Maba's Consort closer, within Xin Mae's protective zone and the Divine fold of the Triune Light.
* Standard (Daily): Fourfold Invocation of Doom (Fear, Psychic, CBu10 - enemies in burst vs. Will): ATK: vs DF: r1+16= Automiss; vs. Ms: C17: r7+16=23/Miss, C6: r13+16=29/Hit, I7: r15+16 -2 (MC) =29/Hit, K17: r11+16-2 (MC) =25/Hit, T16: r12+16-2 (MC) =26/Hit; D2: r4+16-2 (MC) =18/Miss; D1: r15+16-2 (MC) =29/Hit. Hit: The target is dazed (SE): [M (C6, I7, K17, T15), & D1]. Miss: The target is dazed UEoANT: [DF, M(C17), & D2]; Effect: UEotE, any creature that hits or misses you takes 5 psychic damage. Manifestation of Preservation: Slides Ibhea 1 sq to F14
* Move: 5 sq to H15
* Minor (Enc): Favor of the Gods CBu2: Target 1 creature in the burst (Ibhea); Effect: The next time I misses with an attack roll BEoANT, it can reroll that attack roll. It must use the new result, even if it is lower.
LOCATION: A: H15, I: F14
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Dazed (SE): M (C6, I7, K17, T15), & D1; Dazed UEoANT: DF, M(C17), & D2.
CURRENT HP: 80/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; Buff to Ibhea: Favor of the Gods
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics,
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the scrivener simultaneously from all directions.
The dark elementals then retreat from the light and into the foliage.
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(1). AUTOMISS.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(13). Succeeds.
M (T16)
* Standard Action: Charge to N16 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(19) +20 = 39. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(4). Fails.
M (I7)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(13) +20 = 33. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(8). Fails.
M (C6)
* Standard Action: Charge to I9 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(5) +20 = 25. Miss.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(6). Fails.
M (C17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(12) +20 = 32. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* End of Turn: Dazed UEoANT.
LOCATION: K17, N16, I7, I9, C17
DAMAGE: 30 necrotic damage to X.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: C17 Dazed UEoANT. N16, I7, I9 dazed (SE). All Minions in trees have Partial Concealment. Those outside of 5 x 5 of X or V have Partial Concealment to those without LL or better vision. Those that have both have Total Concealment to those without LL or better vision.
WAVE (RD 2, 4...): 2 x Darkling Spawn (A8, A20) and D3 enter the battlefield (A13)!
DF 122/161 Warlock Curse, Dazed UEoANT
D1 132/132 Total Concealment, Dazed (SE)
D2 132/132 Total Concealment, Dazed UEoANT
D3 132/132
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 1/6
ROUND 2
IBHEA transcends two worlds for the moment, Fey and Spirit. Now is the moment to unleash the Fire of the Heavens into the Mix! With an arcane gesture, the warlock's body transforms into a corpus of living flame!
"See now," he shouts, "I am become Delban's Black Flames Incarnate!"
With another gesture, roiling energies of fire and cold, assailing mind and body with necrotic and psychic power, detonate around the spiderelf. Then Ibhea, or should I say the living flame, pushes through a terrified Xin Mae to stand, flickering black, between the scrivener and Omthala's Shamshar.
* Starts turn: phasing and insubstantial, concealment
* Minor: Burning Transformation Daily, can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
* Standard: Devouring Dark A Bu1 on F12, ATK vs DF, r5+17+2 CA=24 vs 21 R (debuffed). Hit. r3,2,9+9 cold, fire & necrotic damage +5 BT +r2,1 WC +r2 psychic Mindbite Scorn + No Action Arcane Prodigy +3=36 damage. Effect: The burst creates a zone (RED) that lasts until the end of your next turn. Creatures grant combat advantage while in the zone.
* Move: 3 sq to H12, activates SW; no OA (DF dazed)
* Ends turn: phasing & insubstantial from Otherworldly Nexus ends
LOCATION: H12
DAMAGE: 36 to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: creatures in DD Zone grant CA (RED)
CURRENT HP: 85/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment via SW, BT = insubstantial UEoE + can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation
The DRIDER FANGLORD, so harried, has not the disposition for rhyme nor hiss. Arunny's Doom has sapped too much of the terrible creature's vitality, so it has none to spare. The best it offers is a grim snarl as it repeatedly attempts to take Xin Mae's head from his shoulders.
QAMRA's divine forbiddance triggers radiant backlash that wracks the form of the Drider when it presses poor Xin Mae!
* Starts turn: Dazed UEoANT.
* Standard: Greatsword (M1) vs X's AC: r(12) +18 +2 (CA) -2 (DL zone) -2 (DS mark) = 28. Hit. r(12, 4, 6) +7 = 29/2 (DL zone) = 14 damage to X. (BLOODIED). TRIGGERS Q's DIVINE SANCTION; 6 RADIANT DAMAGE TO DF. (DF BLOODIED).
LOCATION: G12
DAMAGE: 14 damage to X (BLOODIED). 6 incoming radiant damage to DF (BLOODIED).
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: 80/161
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Subject to i Warlock's Curse and Q's Divine Sanction. Dazed UEoANT. In Defensive Lore zone, Devouring Dark zone and Distracting Monologue Aura (2).
"Apocrita teem ith toxicantus," XIN MAE continues to intone amid various mutterings under his breath, even amidst the chaos and pain: the brutal blow of the Drider Fanglord that takes him full in the shoulder, the incredible if terrifying transformation of Ibhea, the life-sapping blows from the Darkling Spawn. Even through it all, he cannot pass up the opportunity for a lecture, brought on by his disappointment in Qamra's failure to Assail the Drider Fanglord's Hold on the Grove.
"Girl, I've told you a thousand times if I've told you once: to maximize the potential energy of muscular maneuvers, you must practice strict breathing control! All of you, follow my example: in through the nose, slowly, as so; then out the mouth in a blast, a lion's roar! Three times now..." his voice fades as the pain sets in despite his efforts. He takes a moment to settle himself into the breathing regimen and seems rejuvenated by the practice.
The scrivener take on a new subject for his chatter: "A Delbanian Miracle! Unbelievable! To be witness to such..."
* Minor: Sustains Defensive Lore Zone
* Minor: Pedantic Dissertation, C Bu 5; Target: You and each ally in the burst (A, I, Q, X); Effect: Choose a skill: Athletics. Until the end of the encounter, each target gains a +2 power bonus to his or her next check using that skill.
* Standard: Second Wind, spend Surge, gain 20 HP
LOCATION: H13
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF grants CA (in Distracting Monologue Aura), has -2 Def & ATK & 1/2 damage vs creatures in Defensive Lore Zone (YELLOW)
CURRENT HP: 53/82 (no longer BLOODIED)
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: SW +2 defenses USoXNT, currently in DL Zone, A, I, Q, X +2 next Athletics checks UEoE.
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore, Pedantic Dissertation
The VROCKs are a chorus of protests as their dooms are prophesied and their wills' reflections upon such take from them the sting of their airborne sorties. Only one buzzard-demon makes it near a hero and the well-armored Arunny easily beats back newly arrived creature with the same promise of doom that the others endure.
Like good carrion-demons, the cowards retreat into the moonlit darkness and the Feywild foliage after their sorties.
D1
* Starts turn: Dazed (SE).
* Move: 7 sq to L9.
* End of Turn: Saving throw vs dazed; r(13). Succeeds.
D2
* Starts turn: Dazed UEoANT
* Move: 7 sq to M18.
D3
* Standard: Flyby Attack to I17 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(14) +18 = 32. Hit. r(3, 1, 7) +8 = 19 damage to A. TRIGGERS A'S FOURFOLD INVOCATION OF DOOM; D3 TAKES 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE.
* Move: 1 sq to J18.
LOCATION: D1 in L9, D2 in M18, D3 in J18.
DAMAGE: 19 damage to A. D3 takes 5 psychic damage from A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 132/132, D2 132/132, D3 127/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: All 3 with Partial Concealment from foliage.
Again, Omthala's Radiant Shamshar calls forth the divine power dancing through her blood to aid her in her task to assail the Fanglord's hold. However, this time QAMRA allows herself to dance with the power, somersaulting into the air and around herself, before landing heavily back onto the floor of the sacred grove, scimitar first, slamming deeply into that floor.
Clearly something has been severed, for there is a crackling of electricity throughout the grove, sparks flying everywhere.
Then it stops, and the face of the drider is cringing in pain.
* Minor: Secondary Skill Acrobatics check: +15 = Autosuccess vs 14 Easy DC, adding a +2 SS bonus to
* Standard: Assail the Drider Fanglord's Hold on the Grove: Melee Range with DF: Primary Skill Atheltics check: r7+11+2 SS +2 PB (XM) = 22 vs 20 DC/Success. DF suffers 10 OG (SE)
LOCATION: H11
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF AtDFHotG: 10 OG (SE) 2/6 obstacles in SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: w/in DL Zone; Divine Sanction on DF ends.
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue
Glaring for but an instant at the demon vultures who previous visited her in visions, ARUNNY turns toward the scrivener and sings out a few tones of Lunar healing. Xin Mae immediately begins to chatter in astonished and delighted tones, while rolling his shoulder in relief and patting other parts of his body as if to see what is still attached.
Then the Seer spies the third demon vulture, hiding in the trees with two of the darklings. Gracefully taking a few steps in their direction, she smiles a dark smile of her own -- these creatures need no mercy from her -- and calls out to her new, sweet friend:
"Dear Vruk! Would you take care of those trespassers in this lovely grove? Hiding in those trees?"
Vruk happily ambles over, beefy fists striking as he goes.
* Minor (Enc): Healing Word CBu10:Target: Xin Mae; Effect: Xin Mae spends a healing surge (20 HPs) & regains r5,5,1 additional HPs (31 total). Xin Mae gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls UEoANT.
* Minor (Enc): Boots of the Fencing Master Power: Shifts 2 sq to J13. When Arunny shifts, she gains a +1 item bonus to AC & Reflex defense UEoANT.
* Standard: Vruk Smash!!! Terrain Stunt: effect: Vruk moves 3 sq to K9 & deals 10 damage to 1 adjacent enemy (D1) during or at the end of that move.
LOCATION: A: J13 Vruk: K9
DAMAGE: Vruk deals 10 damage to D1
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Any enemy that starts its turn adjacent to a Vruk Sq [D1, M (I9 & I7)] takes 10 damage. An enemy that leaves a sq adjacent to Vruk w/out shifting takes 5 damage. An enemy that ends its turn adjacent to a Vruk sq is restrained USoNT.
CURRENT HP: 61/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; Buff to Ibhea: Favor of the Gods ends, BotFM: +1 AC & Reflex UEoANT
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the scrivener simultaneously from all directions. With a pair of beefy mash-fists, VRUK sends a pair back to the Shadowfell or from whatever dark realm they spawned from. "Heh...heheh...smoosh."
The dark elementals then retreat from the light and into the foliage.
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(8) +20 = 28. Miss (due to SW).
M (N16)
* Standard Action: Charge to N16 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(3) +20 = 23. Miss.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(12). Succeeds.
M (I7)
* Starts Turn: Adjacent to Vruk Hindering Terrain; 10 damage. M SLAIN.
M (I9)
* Starts Turn: Adjacent to Vruk Hindering Terrain; 10 damage. M SLAIN.
M (H5)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(20). CRIT. 10 necrotic damage to X.
M (A8)
* Move: 5 sq to F8.
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(5) +20 = 25. Miss.
M (C17)
* Move: 6 sq to I20.
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(12) +20 = 32. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
M (A20)
* Move: 6 sq to G19.
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(14) +20 = 34. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
LOCATION: K17, N16, H5, F8, I20, G19
DAMAGE: 30 necrotic damage to X. 2 x Minions SLAIN (VRUK HINDERING TERRAIN).
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: All Minions in trees have Partial Concealment. Those outside of 5 x 5 of X or V have Partial Concealment to those without LL or better vision. Those that have both have Total Concealment to those without LL or better vision.
DF 80/161 Warlock Curse, Subject to Q Divine Sanction, Defensive Lore Zone, Distracting Monologue Aura.
D1 122/132 Partial Concealment, Vruk Hindering Terrain
D2 132/132 Partial Concealment
D3 127/132 Partial Concealment
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 2/6
ROUND 3
Truly flame incarnate, IBHEA sweeps across the grove like a brushfire, halting beside two of the Darkling Spawn. Whether out of fear at the approaching fire or an innate sense of their pending demise, the two creatures lash out at the warlock with their tentacles and then explode into flames, reduced to piles of smoldering cinders within seconds.
Ibhea laughs.
Then roiling black clouds licked by flame surround him and the Drider Fanglord both. Clearly, the clouds blind the Fanglord as well as wash over him with fiery tongues. Ibhea laughs again, then disapparates into his surrounding cloud, only to reappear in the clouds beside the Drider once again.
* Move: 6 sq to H18, activates Shadow Walk
* Minor: Shift 1 sq to H19 (BT)
* Standard: Deathly Conduit A Bu1 within 10 on G12. TRIGGERS OAS FROM Ms G19 & G20. SINCE THEY WILL BE DESTROYED BY EFFECT, THEY WILL TAKE THESE ATTACKS. R10,8+20=30, 28 VS 28 AC (BUFFED). 2 HITS. 20/2 (INSUBSTANTIAL)=10 DAMAGE TO I. BOTH MS TAKE 9 FIRE DAMAGE & DESTROYED. Atk vs DF, r6+17+2 CA=25 vs 24 Fort (debuffed). Hit. r1,6+9 fire & necrotic damage +5 fire (BT) & Blinded (SE). 21 Total damage to DF. Effect: Each creature adjacent to you takes 10 necrotic damage, and you can teleport to an unoccupied square in the burst. I teleports to G13.
* Ends turn: Devouring Dark Zone ends
LOCATION: G13
DAMAGE: 21 fire and psychic to DF, Ms G19 & I20 DESTROYED
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF Blinded (SE)
CURRENT HP: 75/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment via SW, BT = insubstantial UEoE + can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation
The DRIDER FANGLORD hasn't met its much in hundreds of years since the taking of this lost elven city. However, as death presses in from every direction, the ghastly creature begins to take inventory of its life decisions to date while it swings its greatsword blindly, wildly...impotently.
* Standard: Greatsword (M1) vs Q's AC: r(10) +18 -2 (DL zone) -5 (Total Concealment; blinded) = 21. Miss.
* End of Turn: save vs blinded; r(7). Fails.
LOCATION: G12
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: 59/161
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Warlock Curse, Blinded (SE), Subject to Q Divine Sanction, Defensive Lore Zone, Distracting Monologue Aura.
Again the Darkling Spawn assail the scrivener with their tentacles, and again he swoons under their assault, his lifeforce siphoned out into their grasping tentacles. It is enough to break XIN MAE's concentration.
"Apocrita tee--" he breaks off, wincing in pain.
Still, the miracle of Flame Incarnate engulfs him. "Arunny, Champion Golden and Argent both, do you see the Black Flames of Delban made life? Clearly, Ibhea has been practicing his breathing technique! Follow the instruction, now, as he has: in slowly through the nose, out through the mouth in a lion's roar!"
The scrivener then shuffles between Arunny and Qamra.
"You, girl! What are you waiting for? Smite our foe!" he beckons the young warrior, who, despite the condescension, is only happy to comply, She lands a mighty cut with the long blade of her scimitar, and the elfspider, even blind and floundering, beginning to bleed out its last, gives its full attention to her.
* Minor: Learning Begets Rejuvenation C Bu 5 on Arunny. Effect: The target can spend a healing surge. Special: Xin Mae can use this power twice per encounter. Arunny spends 1 Surge and regains 20 HP.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to I12.
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on Q. Q ATK vs DF, Ardent Strike, r14+18+2 CA=34 vs 23 AC (debuffed). Hit. r3, 3, 6+10=22 damage & DF subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT.
* Ends turn: Defensive Lore Zone expires.
LOCATION: I12
DAMAGE: 22 to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF grants CA (in Distracting Monologue Aura), DF subject to Q's Divine Sanction
CURRENT HP: 52/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: A, I, X +2 next Athletics checks UEoE, Arunny spends 1 Surge, regains 20 HP.
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore, Pedantic Dissertation
A pair of the VROCKs throw caution to the wind and rush Ibhea and Arunny while the third wages yet another hit-and-run sortie on Arunny and retreats into the foliage.
Ibhea's body is an incorporeal inferno which keeps the buzzard-demon fully at bay while Arunny beats her back with force, skill-of-arms, and divine retribution.
D1
* Starts turn: Adjacent to Vruk Hindering Terrain; TRIGGERS 10 DAMAGE TO D1.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to L9.
* Standard: Flyby Attack to L18 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(14) +18 = 32. Hit. r(7, 4, 2) +8 = 21 damage to A. TRIGGERS A'S FOURFOLD INVOCATION OF DOOM; D1 TAKES 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE.
D2
* Move: 6 sq to G14.
* Standard: Claw (M1) vs I's AC: r(7) +18 = 25. Miss.
D3
* Standard: Charge to I14 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's AC: r(10) +18 +1 (Charge) = 29. Miss. TRIGGERS A'S FOURFOLD INVOCATION OF DOOM; D3 TAKES 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE.
LOCATION: D1 in L18, D2 in G14, D3 in I14.
DAMAGE: 21 damage to A. D1 takes 10 damage from Vruk, D1/D3 takes 5 psychic damage from A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 107/132, D2 132/132, D3 122/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: D1 has Total Concealment, D2/D3 in Distracting Monologue Aura.
QAMRA, Radiant Shamshar of the Triune LIght, calls out a challenge to the drider and two of his demonic allies, her tone full of Omthala's divine and stern retribution. The stalwart young warrior steps protectively between the monstrous Fanglord and the Scrivener, raising her scimitar.
As she does so, she is acutely aware of intense focus toward her: the vrocks staring at her in a kind of horrified fascination, the eyes of the large fey creature staring blindly and vaguely in her direction. She smiles a grim but confident smile. Then she swings with pure and ardent energy.
And the Fanglord is one step closer to the end of his immortal life.
* Minor (Enc): Call of Challenge CBu3: Target: Each enemy in the burst [DF, D2, & D3]: Effect: Each target is subject to your divine sanction until the end of your next turn.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to H12: Qamra's Aura2 travels with her: Keep Their Attention (Aura 2): The aura is difficult terrain for your enemies. DF, D2, & D3 are in Aura2
* Standard: Ardent Strike vs DF: ATK: r8+18+2 CA (Blinded) = 28 vs AC 25/Hit; Damage: r5,2,3+10=20 Damage to DF, and he is subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
LOCATION: H12
DAMAGE: 20 Damage to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF, D2, & D3 subject to Q's DS UEoQNT & in Q's Aura2: Keep Their Attention (KTA)
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: DS on DF, D2, & D3 UEoQNT
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue
There is still a faint lunar glow about the Seer as she analyzes the gameboard dispassionately, eyes moving from one oponent to another, both on her companions and on their shared adversaries. Her gaze lingers for a long moment on Ibhea and the black flames covering him. Then Omthala's Searing Voice steps forward to their chief concern: the Fanglord they must vanquish. The flames shrouding the priest seem to stretch out toward ARUNNY, their tips glowing golden as if in reflection.
---
The Scrivener holds his breath as the Priestess of Omthala calmly walks by him -- ignoring a terrible swipe from the claw of the closest Vrock -- and steps next to the terrifying drider. There is something otherworldly about her -- more so than usual. It is almost as if ... she is not here, but Someone Else is.
Her mouth opens, and Xin Mae hears ... not her voice but Another's Voice ... actually two Voices, singing a duet which dances in harmony around each other, neither dominant nor subordinate. His ears are filled with this unearthly music -- almost a physical entity -- touching his skin, his wounds, his heart as it washes over him with healing, radiant light.
Almost speechless, the Scrivener opens his eyes -- when did he close them? -- then reflexively raises his hands to shield them. If he thought Arunny filled with Moonlight before, surely it is the Sun exploding from her now, lending weight to the blow she gives the hapless Fanglord.
As the Drider collapses into itself and onto the floor of the sacred grove -- felled by the attacks of the women beloved of the Triune LIght -- Arunny lifts her head to look at Ibhea. Then Omthala's Searing Voice, coupled with Maba's Piercing Eye, raises her arm to him, calls out to him, in dual voice, "come forward, beloved of our Beloved."
Xin Mae is astonished to see the Black Flames surrounding his friend burn Golden for a moment as the priest steps forward. Then the Black Flames return, but perhaps not as ashen as before.
While Xin Mae's attention is caught by the drama between Qamra's two mentors, the young warrior is riveted by the effect produced by the Seer herself. Several surges of shadowy light -- not dissimilar to the Black Flames of Delban -- seem to scream as they flare out of the body of her Sister-at-arms and fly at their surrounding enemies, slamming through the nearby vrocks. Unfortunately, the Darkling, despite looking as if made of shadow itself, shrinks in terror and is passed by.
As the shadow light dissipates, Qamra sees Arunny beckon to Vruk to join them.
* Move: 2 sq to H11 TRIGGERS OA FROM D3: CLAW ATK: r16+18=34 VS 30 AC/HIT; DAMAGE: r8,2,6+8=24 DAMAGE TO ARUNNY
* Minor (Enc): Word of Vigor CBu1 Target: You & each ally in the burst (XM & A); Effect: Each target can spend a healing surge and regain 2d6 additional hit points: r1,6= +7 hps [XM & A both receive 27 additional hp]. BCL: The target gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls UEoANT
* Standard (Enc): Awakening Sun M1: ATK vs. DF: r7+18+2 CA (Blinded) +2 BCL = 29 vs 25 AC/Hit; Damage: r5,8+8=21 Radiant Damage to DF, DF KILLED; Effect: You & each ally within 5 squares of you gain 10 THPs and can make a saving throw: all allies; Additional Effect: Manifestation of Preservation: Slide Ibhea 1 sq to F12.
TRIGGERED ACTION: IMMEDIATE REACTION: DEATH SURGE CBu3, DIVINE, IMPLEMENT, PSYCHIC, SHADOW: CREATURE W/IN 3 SQ OF A DROPS TO 0 HP. TARGET: EACH ENEMY IN BURST; ATK VS. FORT: D3: r19+16+2 DISTRACTING MONOLOGUE +2 BCL = CRIT (Unforgettable Cudgel) = AUTOSUCCESS VS 25 FORT; D2: r15+16+2 DM +2 BCL = 35 VS 25 FORT; M: r6+16+2 BCL=24 VS 27 FORT/MISS. DAMAGE: r7+8=15: D2 TAKES 16 PSYCHIC DAMAGE & IS DAZED (SE) (Unforgettable Cudgel); D3 TAKES 15 PSYCHIC DAMAGE; EFFECT: YOU & EACH ALLY IN THE BURST (ALL) GAIN A +2 POWER BONUS TO ATK UEoANT (STACKS WITH BCL BONUS), & GAINS 5 THP (DOES NOT STACK). Additional Effect: Manifestation of Preservation: Slide Vruk 1 sq to K10
LOCATION: A: H11; I: F12; Vruk: K10
DAMAGE: 21 Radiant damage to DF, DF KILLED; 16 Psychic Damage to D2, 15 Psychic Damage to D3
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D2 Dazed (SE)
CURRENT HP: 61/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; BCL: XM & A +2 Bonus ATK UEoANT; ASun: A,Q,I,XM = 10 THP; Death Surge: A,Q,I,XM = +2 Power Bonus ATK (stacks) UEoANT
SURGES: 8/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the scrivener simultaneously from all directions!
The dark elementals then retreat from the light and into the foliage.
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(12) +20 = 32. 10 - 10 THP = 0 necrotic damage to X.
M (N16)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(15) +20 = 35. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* Move: 1 sq to M17
M (H5)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(3) +20 = 23. Miss.
M (F8)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(3) +20 = 23. Miss.
* Move: 2 sq to H8
LOCATION: K17, M17, H5, H8
DAMAGE: 10 necrotic damage to X and 10 THP for X exhausted.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: All Minions in trees have Partial Concealment. K17 and M17 have Total Concealment to those without LL or better vision.
WAVE (RD 2, 4...): 2 x Darkling Spawn (A8, A20) and D4 enter the battlefield (A13)!
D1 107/132 Total Concealment, Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2
D2 116/132 Dazed (SE), Total Concealment, Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2, Distracting Monologue Aura
D3 107/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2, Distracting Monologue Aura
D4 132/132
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 2/6
ROUND 4
The human shape made living black flames called IBHEA feels the surge of divine energy from Omthala, and gold flickers in his form. Mother will not relinquish her Son and His Messengers so easily.
But a rage boils over from within the warlock, nonetheless, its source as inscrutable as his fiery features.
"Demon bird, you are marked! The black flames of Delban will sear whatever passes for a soul in your repugnant heart from this realm!"
The flames roll across the grove, wreathed in shadow, and enter a point of transition between realms, a shimmering blue-grey field that stands as a metaphoric door between realms, currently locked. Withdrawing a pick from the days of his childhood as an urchin on the streets of Bantouk from a fold within his clothing, Ibhea mimes the action of unlocking the door, even as the necklace at his neck activates its power and the door is unlocked metaphysically.
"Now's our chance, Xin Mae! Activate the Spatial Flow to enable our crossing!"
* Minor: Warlock's Curse on D2
* Move: 4 sq to E8 Otherworldly Nexus, activates Shadow Walk
* Standard: Unlock the Spirit Realm's Flow, Thievery skill check, r8+12+2 Thieves' Tools +3 Necklace of Keys=25 vs 20 Moderate DC. Success. Exhausts E8, Effect: Gain insubstantial & phasing UEoINT.
LOCATION: E8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D2 Cursed, 3/6 Obstacles in ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 85/85 + 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +2 power bonus (Death Surge) UEoANT, Concealment via SW, Insubstantial & phasing UEoINT, BT = insubstantial UEoE + can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation, Deathly Conduit
Protected by the grace of Omthala, XIN MAE nevertheless feels himself assaulted by the disturbing shadow matter of the Darkling Spawn. Activate the Spatial Flow? Has that man no compassion for his plight? Is he even yet truly man?
Still, duty calls. The scrivener carefully picks his way through the undergrowth to stand within the liminal space beside Vruk, the latter gleefully smiling down at him. "Hello, friend! Are there more smooshings?"
Ignoring this, the scrivener racks his brain for a useful tidbit of information from his vast study. Ah, yes! Activating the Spatial Flow! To sojourn to the Land of the Dead, the Knights of Dread Vaela reconfigured a Prayer of Quickening to Mavi-ishiq, Lord of the Heavens, into a Flux Distortion, opening a portal between realms. Could he reconfigure the ritual Orison Accelerant from The Shadowed Sun to such a purpose? Only one way to find out!
Xin Mae begins intoning the prayer, substituting key phrases with those gleaned from his study long ago. Sure enough, the border between realms begins to dissipate, his form fading, shimmering between planes along with it.
"This is rather unexpected!"
NB: Xin Mae's surprise at the end mimics that of the author, who recognized the odds were against him in the Religion check roll, even with the History check buff!
* Move: 4 sq to Otherworldly Nexus in K8, Concealment
* Minor: History Secondary Skill +15 vs 14 Easy DC = autosuccess for +2 forward to next skill check
* Standard: Activate the Spatial Flow Religion skill check, r15+15+2=32 vs 29 Hard DC. Success. Exhausts E8. Gains Insubstantial & phasing UEoXNT
LOCATION: K8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: 4/6 Obstacles in ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 69/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: A, I, X +2 next Athletics checks UEoE, Concealment, Insubstantial & phasing UEoXNT
SURGES: 4/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore, Pedantic Dissertation
The four VROCKs simultaneously take to wing, throwing themselves at Qamra in a frenzied rush of hooked beaks, flashing claws, and feathers covered in abyssal, scarlet goop.
Though the exchange is furious, divine shields, clever footwork and head movement see the small knight through the clash.
D1
* Standard: Charge to I12 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(2) +18 +1 (Charge) = 21. Miss.
D2
* Begins Turn: Dazed.
* Standard: Flyby Attack to G12 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(12) +18 = 30. Hit. r(5, 5, 3) +8 = 21 damage to Q. 25 THP - 21 damage = 0 damage and 4 THP remaining.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(11). Succeeds.
D3
* Move: 1 sq to I15.
* Standard: Charge to I13 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(16) +18 +1 (Charge) = 35. Hit. r(5, 2, 4) +8 = 19 damage to Q.
D4
* Move: 2 sq to A11.
* Standard: Charge to G11 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(2) +18 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 23. Miss.
LOCATION: D1 in I12, D2 in G12, D3 in I13, D4 in G11.
DAMAGE: 19 damage to Q and Q loses 25 THP.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 107/132, D2 116/132, D3 107/132, D4 132/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: D1/2/3 all subject to Q Divine Sanction. D1/2/3/4 in Q's Aura 2. D2 Warlock Curse.
QAMRA, now a seasoned -- albeit young -- campaigner, calmly ignores the menace of demonic vulture-creatures surrounding her and steps back to more effectively strategize her next action against them and toward completing their task. She needs to facilitate Arunny's journey to one of the nexus points, but how?
Omthala's Radiant Shamshar feels a nudge within her, one similar but not the same as the nudges from her Goddess. Ah! the young warrior sees what must be done. She twirls around like a dervish, calling the attention of the Vrock closest to her but avoiding its bloody claw. Then, with the Silver Flame having formed in her palm, she throws it near her mentor.
Immediately the flames multiply into a protective zone around Arunny, the giant, and the scrivener. Their opponents are not so lucky: this zone -- clearly of a Lunar source -- does not love them. The affected enemies cringe from the radiant glow of Moonlight within these flames.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to G13
* Standard (Daily): Warding Flame of Maba ABu2 w/in 10 (I10 target sq; blue): TRIGGERS OA FROM D2: CLAW ATK: r11+18=29 VS 30 AC/MISS Effect: The burst creates a zone of silver flame that lasts UEoQNT. Q & each ally w/in the zone (A, XM, & V) gain resist 10 fire, resist 10 radiant, & a +2 power bonus to all defenses. Each enemy within the zone [D1, D2, D4, & M(H8)] gains vulnerable 5 fire and vulnerable 5 radiant, & takes a -2 penalty to all defenses. Sustain Minor: The zone persists.
LOCATION: G13
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D1, D2, D4, & M(H8) in Warding Flame zone (WFZ; blue): Vul 5 fire & Vul 5 radiant & -2 all defenses; D1, D2, D3, & D4 all in Q's KTA Aura2: DT
CURRENT HP: 88/103
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Q, A, V, & XM in WFZ: resist 10 fire & resist 10 radiant, & +2 power bonus to all defenses (Zone Sustain Minor)
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue, Warding Flame
Without hesitation -- despite being surrounding by the demonic vultures from her nightmares -- ARUNNY takes off running. As expected, the closest of the Vrocks attack -- two clawing savagely into her skin and drawing blood -- but the Silver Flames spur her onward to complete her mission: get to the closest Nexus.
As she runs beyond the Flames, Maba's Piercing Eye is not distracted by the surprised chattering of the scrivener -- "Such Flames! But no burning?!? What's this, what's this? A new miracle..." -- nor by the immediate healing she feels from her Divine Sponsors. Her focus -- nay, her endurance -- is pointed to that Nexus and what she must do.
Upon arrival, the priestess of Sun and Moon takes deep, healing, centering breaths, before allowing her inner sight to fly outward. As sweat begins to form on her brow from the great effort this takes out of her, the crystal she wears upon the chain around her neck ... begins to vibrate. The hum is soft at first, then the sound grows stronger, at least to her inner ear.
A Silver Joy pierces through her heart, and tears fall from her eyes.
* Move: Run 7 sq to O13 TRIGGERS OAs FROM D1, D2, & D4: CLAW ATKs: D1: r16+18=34 vs 30 AC/Hit, Damage: r6,4,3+8=21 damage; D2: r19+18=37 vs 30 AC/Hit, Damage: r4,6,8+8=26; D4: r1+18=AUTOMISS; TOTAL DAMAGE: 47-10 THP = 37 TO ARUNNY; FIoD DAMAGE: D1, D2, & D4 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE EACH
* Minor (Enc, 2nd time): Healing Word CBu10: Target: Arunny, Effect: A can spend a healing surge (20hp) & regain r5,3,2=10 additional HPs. BCL: +2 ATK UEoANT.
* Standard: Attune to the Spirit Realm: r19+16=35 vs 20 Moderate DC/Success
LOCATION: O13
DAMAGE: 5 Psychic Damage to D1, D2, & D4 (FIoD). 37 incoming damage to A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na; 5/6 Obstacles in ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 55/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; BCL: A +2 Bonus ATK UEoANT
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS undulate across the ground toward Qamra through the flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the Blessed Knight simultaneously from all directions!
Her deific blessings and martial prowess see her through the assault!
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Charge to H14 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(10) +20 +1 (Charge) = 31. Miss (due to WFoM).
M (M17)
* Standard Action: Charge to H13 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(14) +20 +1 (Charge) = 35. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to Q.
M (H8)
* Standard Action: Charge to F12 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(4) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 27. Miss.
M (H5)
* Move: 6 sq to C8 (circling to avoid I's M1 range).
* Standard Action: Charge to E12 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(12) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 35. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to Q.
M (A8)
* Standard Action: Charge to E11 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(8) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 31. Miss (due to WFoM).
M (A20)
* Standard Action: Charge to G14 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(17) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 40. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to Q.
LOCATION: H14, H13, F12, E12, E11, G14
DAMAGE: 30 necrotic damage to Q.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
D1 102/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2, in WFoM zone.
D2 111/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2 in WFoM zone.
D3 107/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2
D4 128/132 in Q's Aura 2, in WFoM zone.
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 5/6
ROUND 5
The creature of flame straddles two worlds, a luminous misty place superimposing itself over the grove. Within, to his south, IBHEA sees a giant carved structure resembling a colossal harp. An iridescent serpent winds its lissome form over the harp's string-bars and raises its head to stare the warlock's way.
"Mighty Delban, aid me now with the grace and glibness of your power arcane, for it is as a god that I must now be."
The flames roll across the misty space. Ibhea's companions and their demonic foes wink back and forth between existence, here in this realm, absent in the other.
When he reaches the gates, the serpent begins, "An entrant must play its purpose upon the ..."
The flames raise a hand-like appendage. "Your ward stands for mortals, Soul Serpent. But as you can see, I am no mere mortal. I have become ... something else. My companions and I seek counsel with Stoneroot. Allow him to be judge of our worth."
The serpent uncoils silently, and the gates swing open.
* Minor: Beguiling Tongue; Effect: You gain a +5 power bonus to your next Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check during this encounter
* Move: 5 sq to Otherworldly Nexus in C3, activates Shadow Walk
* Standard: Parley with Soul Serpent for Access to Spirit Realm, Primary Diplomacy skill check, r17+11+1 (w/in 10 sq of Arunny) +5 Beguiling Tongue=34 vs 20 Moderate DC. Success. ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed
LOCATION: C3
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D2 Cursed, ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed
CURRENT HP: 75/85 + 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment, phasing UEoINT, BT = insubstantial UEoE, can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation, Deathly Conduit
CONFLICT RESOLVED
Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame.
11/12 Successes/1 Failures/0 Hard DC Available/1 Secondary Skills Available/0 Advantages Available
The dark curse that quenched all moonlight entering the lost elven city of Cendriane has been purged.
The living wood, finally awaken from its long sleep and reflexively detecting trespass is now quiescent.
With that, the heroes can feel the lightness of the world around them. The words the Eladrin Warrior spoke at the beginning of their journey in the Feywild rings out in their individual minds; "...the eternally dark, twisted forest there holds the ancient, haunted city of Cendriane; home to our people too long ago to remember...home no more...but...there, you will find archmagics beyond mortal mind...including what you seek.." Without a doubt, they have entered a Nexus Grove, a sacred lynchpin for Cendriane's intermittent transition through the veil that separates the Feywild from the mortal world. Through that same veil-penetrating nexus, access to The Spirit Realm is possible…where The Henge of Time and the Primal Elder Spirit Stoneroot awaits them as in Arunny's portent-scape.
But while the dark curse has been beaten back and the forest rendered docile...the terrible denizens that laid supernatural waste to this place centuries or millennia ago remain...worse than remain...they press in...and the terrible beast (part spider, part drow) maintains a dominating hold on this grove that prevents its activation...possessing primordial darkness at his beck and call...
Skulking from the trees are demon vultures, surely feasting on the barely beating heart of this place...the slow rotting of this ancient city and its primordial trees...not so different from Arunny's dreams...
NESTED CHALLENGE TO RESOLVE SKILL CHALLENGE GOAL (MECHANICS ETC)
* ILLUMINATION: Moonlight now penetrates the haunted city of Cendriane. Xin Mae and Vruk are torchbearers and light burns bright in a 5 sq radius around each of them. Beyond that is Minor Concealment.
* OTHERWORLDLY NEXUS (BLUE-GREY STAR SQ, Fantastic Terrain): Standard Action (Personal, Exhaust origin sq activated when used in SC below), Rider Effect; Gain insubstantial and phasing UtEoYNT.
* ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM LVL 13/COMPLEXITY 2 (DCs 14/20/29):
* VRUK (HINDERING TERRAIN FOR ENEMIES): Cover for allies vs Ranged Attacks per normal. Any enemy that starts its turn adjacent to a Vruk square takes 10 damage. An enemy that leaves a sq adjacent to Vurk without shifting takes 5 damage. An enemy that ends its turn adjacent to a Vruk square is restrained until the start of its next turn. VRUK SMASH TERRAIN STUNT - HERO SPENDS STANDARD ACTION (AT-WILL) EFFECT: VRUK MOVES 3 SQ AND DEALS 10 DAMAGE TO ONE ADJACENT ENEMY DURING OR AT THE END OF THAT MOVE.
* TREES: Squares that are 50+ % illustrated trees are difficult terrain and grant Partial Concealment (-2 penalty to attack rolls against targets) due to light foliage. Partially illustrated squares are only color. TREE TERRAIN STUNT: A character in a Tree square can spend a move action to gain Total Concealment (-5 penalty to attack rolls against targets) and shift 1 sq (exception to normal difficult terrain rules).
* WAVES: Every even round (starting next round), 1 Vrock and 2 Darkling Spawns appear on the boundary squares of the map.
* Drider Fanglord (DF) (Large fey humanoid, spider, drow, brute, standard): HP 161, AC 25, Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 22, Init +11
* Vrock (D) x 2 (Medium elemental humanoid, demon, skirmisher, standard): HP 132, AC 27, Fortitude 25, Reflex 23, Will 23, Init +12
* Darkling Spawn (M) x 6 (Medium shadow elemental, artillery, minion): 1 HP, AC 29, Fortitude 27, Reflex 24, Will 25, Init +7
* Place heroes in an available square in the center between rows 10-14 and columns H-M: A M13, I H12, Q J11, X H13.
INITIATIVE
Arunny (A) r18+16=34 <SWITCH WITH IBHEA>
Drider Fanglord (DF) 25 (Higher Dex than X)
Xin Mae (X) r19+6=25
Vrock (D) 21
Qamra (Q) r8+9=17
Ibhea (I) r9+7=16 <SWITCH WITH ARUNNY>
Darkling Spawn (M) 13
ROUND 1
Ibhea Monster Knowledge (No Action) Arcana:
Xin Mae's Trait:
LEADERSHIP FROM LORE: You and any ally within 10 squares of you who can see and hear you gain a +2 bonus to Monster Knowledge checks.
* vs Drider Fanglord r3+15+2 = 20 Meets Moderate but Fails to meet Hard DC
Drider Fanglord
Large fey humanoid (spider), drow
Level 13 Brute XP 800
HP 161; Bloodied 80 Initiative +11
AC 25 Fortitude 26, Reflex 24, Will 22 Perception+14
Speed 8, climb 8 (spider climb) Darkvision
Keyword: Poison
Standard Actions
(⚔) Greatsword (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d12 + 7 damage.
Minor Actions
➶ Darkfire ✦ Encounter
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +16 vs. Reflex
Hit: The target grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment until the end of the drider's next turn.
==========================
* vs Vrock r20+15+2 = 37 Meets Hard DC
Vrock
Medium elemental humanoid (demon)
Level 13 Skirmisher XP 800
HP 132; Bloodied 66 Initiative +12
AC 27, Fortitude 25, Reflex 23, Will 23 Perception+13
Speed 6, fly 8 Darkvision
Standard Actions
(⚔) Claw ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d8 + 8 damage.
⚔ Flyby Attack ✦ At-Will
Effect: The vrock flies up to its speed and uses claw once during that movement. It does not provoke opportunity attacks when moving away from the target of the attack.
Triggered Actions
ᗕ Spores of Madness (poison) ✦ Encounter
Trigger: The vrock is first bloodied.
Attack (Free Action): Close burst 2 (enemies in the burst); +16 vs. Will
Hit: 3d10 + 6 poison damage, and the target is dazed (save ends).
Miss: Half damage.
Variable Resistance ✦ 2/Encounter
Trigger: The vrock takes acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder damage.
Effect (Free Action): The vrock gains resist 10 to the triggering damage type until the end of the encounter or until it uses variable resistance again.
Athletics +12
======================
* vs Darkling Spawn r12+15+2 = 29 Meets Hard DC
Darkling Spawn
Medium elemental demon
Level 13 Minion Artillery XP 200
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion. Initiative +9
AC 27, Fortitude 23, Reflex 24, Will 25 Perception+10
Speed 6 Darkvision
Standard Actions
(⚔) Dark Tentacle (necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 10 (one creature); +20 vs. AC
Hit: 10 necrotic damage.
Athletics + 12
Arunny has seen this combat play out before. Maba has shown her: she stuns the Fanglord and her allies easily dispatch the rest of the foes and activate the Cendriane nexus. But then a cascade of events that sends Ibhea tumbling even further into madness, whatever dark influence in his heart taking further root. And so she hold off for now, utilizing the magic of her helm to spur IBHEA into action in her stead. Perhaps there is hope for his redemption yet...
Heeding the scrivener's words of advice about their foes, the warlock puts distance between himself and the light, wreathing himself in shadows pulled from the lifted curse. He darts into one of the nexuses of otherworldly energy dotted about this grove.
"Hear me, creature of fang and bristled legs, part fallen elf and part arachnid abomination! The curse that beset this land is lifted, and your time here has come to an end! Now is the hour of your reckoning, as the black flames of Delban incinerate your soul from this realm!"
The nexus activates and Ibhea's image shimmers, fades, becomes insubstantial.
* Arunny Free Action: Casque of Tactics Power Daily (Free Action); Use this power when initiative is rolled. Swap initiative check results with a willing ally whom you can see. Arunny and Ibhea swap places in the initiative.
* Move: 4 squares to Otherworldly Nexus in E14 (Activates Shadow Walk)
* Standard: Rebuke the Drider Fanglord Intimidate Primary skill check, r9+14=23 vs 20 Moderate DC. Success. DF takes -2 to hit (SE). Otherworldly Nexus (E14) exhausted. I gains insubstantial and phasing UtEoINT.
* Minor: Warlock's Curse on DF.
LOCATION: E14
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF -2 to hit (SE), DF subject to Warlock's Curse, 1/6 Obstacles in SC completed
CURRENT HP: 85/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Minor Concealment via SW, gains insubstantial and phasing UtEoINT.
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls
The drow face sneers with feral menace atop its spidery lower-half. The DRIDER FANGLORD hisses at Ibhea.
"You are far from home, mortal...such threats as you seek escape through portal.
<looking at Xin Mae> Yet...you do bring worldly delights to my domain...I think I shall cleave them in twain <hefting its greatsword>...and suck all life from its veins..."
Xin Mae becomes wreathed in purplish light before the Drider charges him, the scrivener barely escaping the mighty blow with his life!
* Minor: Darkfire (R10, Encounter) vs X's Ref: r(13) +16 -2 (RtDF) = 27. Hit. X grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment UEoDFNT.
➶ Darkfire ✦ Encounter
Attack: Ranged 10 (one creature); +16 vs. Reflex
Hit: The target grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment until the end of the drider's next turn.
* Standard: Charge to G12 and MBA (Greatsword M1) vs X's AC: r(8) +18 +1 (charge) +2 (CA) -2 (RtDF) = 27. Miss.
(⚔) Greatsword (weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +18 vs. AC
Hit: 3d12 + 7 damage.
* End of Turn: Saving throw vs RtDF; r(11) = succeed.
LOCATION: G12
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: X grants combat advantage and cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment UEoDFNT.
HP: 161/161
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Subject to Warlock's Curse.
As the Drider Fanglord bares down upon him, XIN MAE seems far more interested in, nay distracted by, the sickly violet light wreathing his form.
"Fascinating! A bioluminescent effluvium! I recall a notation I made from the Annals of the Reign of Uskglass Thistledown...." The scrivener bends to riffle through the tome clutched in one hand, and the Fanglord's beheading blow whistles harmlessly above him.
"Yes, here it is: 'Though the effluvium of the elfspider lords serves to aid the creatures in their pursuit of prey, one need only intone the mystic phrase Apocrita teem ith toxicantus to defang their attacks.'"
Looking up, Xin Mae seems to notice the Fanglord's proximity for the first time. "Apocritateemithtoxicantuspocritateemithtoxicantuspocritateemithtoxicantus!" he screeches over and over, then bashes the Fanglord with the very tome clutched in one hand. A terrific buzzing as if that of a thousand thousand wasps surrounds the scrivener, and the elfspider visibly recoils.
* Starts turn: grants CA & cannot benefit from invisibility/concealment UEoDFNT, DF in Distracting Monologue Aura
* Minor: Defensive Lore Daily CBu 2 (YELLOW) Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Choose ... Fey .... 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.
* Standard: Tome Bash M1 vs DF, r19+17+2 CA=38 vs 23 AC (debuffed). Hit. r3+6=9 damage.
LOCATION: H13
DAMAGE: 9 damage to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF grants CA (in Distracting Monologue Aura), has -2 Def & ATK & 1/2 damage vs creatures in Defensive Lore Zone (YELLOW)
CURRENT HP: 77/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Grants CA & cannot benefit from invisibility/concealment UEoDFNT, X & Q currently in DL Zone
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
The VROCKs make drawn-out raspy hisses as they circle Arunny's right flank, taking turns attempting to nip and rend the priest-seer as they do. The sound of terrible razor-beaks clashing with arms and armor rings out during the consecutive clashes.
"JUICY MORSEL."
"YESSSSSS, REND AND TEAR."
Qamra's reshaping of the dimensional fabric momentarily disorients one of the Vrock's and its beak and claws tear into a foliage-obscured Darkling!
Like good carrion-demons, the cowards retreat into the moonlit darkness and the Feywild foliage after their sorties.
D1
* Standard: Flyby Attack to M18 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(20). CRIT. TRIGGERS Q's IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT (Enc): Ranged 10; Trigger: An enemy hits an ally w/a melee; Target: the triggering enemy: ATK: +16 vs Will: r19+16=35 vs 23 Will. Hit: You teleport the target 5 sq (from N13 to Q8). The target then makes its melee attack against creature you choose if in range; M in R7.
...finish movement portion of Flyby Attack; D1 moves 2 sq to S8.
QAMRA's eyes arrow on the creature flying to attack her mentor, and Omthala's Radiant Shamshar feels Divine energy explode within and through her.
As the first Vrock flies at Arunny, a shimmering Vortex appears in its path. Unable to stop its momentum, the demon vulture enters the dimensional tunnel, exiting next to a foliage-obscured Darkling, unleashing its fly-by-attack on it instead...and then flying back to the same obscuring foliage nearby.
D2
* Standard: Flyby Attack to P15 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(1). Automiss.
* Move: 4 sq to T14.
LOCATION: D1 in S8, D2 in T14.
DAMAGE: SLAYS M (R7)
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 132/132, D2 132/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Both with Partial Concealment from foliage. D1/D2 with Total Concealment from those without Lowlight Vision due to combo of foliage and lack of illumination from V or X torches.
QAMRA, young warrior of the Triune Light, Radiant Shamshar, casts a quick but fervent prayer to her Goddess and Her Companions, then steps valiantly forward toward the strange and enormous spider-man-beast attacking them ... a drider, she thinks she heard within Xin Mae's mutterings.
Mindful of the Scrivener's instructions to break the Fanglord's hold on this sacred grove, she calls forth the divine power within her and strikes the ground near the drider's sharp, spindly legs with her scimitar. Unfortunately, the dew is yet on the forest floor and her footing not secure: her display is less than masterful.
* Minor (Daily): Virtue: Spend Surge + gain no HPs but do gain 25 THP
* Move: 2 sq to H11
* Standard: Assail the Drider Fanglord's Hold on the Grove: Melee Range with DF: Primary Skill Athletics check: r6+11=17 vs 20 DC/Fail.
* Ends turn without making an attack: Xin Mae's TRIGGERED ACTION: Mind Our Enemies, Now (Enc), Immediate Reaction R10; Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you ends his or her turn without having made an attack. Target: The triggering ally (Qamra); 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: Ardent Strike M1: r9+18=27 vs 23 AC (Debuffed)/Hit. r6,2,4 + 10 + r8= 30 damage to DF, & he is subject to Qamra’s divine sanction UEoQNT.
LOCATION: H11
DAMAGE: 30 damage to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF subject to Q's DivSanc UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: w/in DL Zone
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue
ARUNNY, Piercing Eye of Maba, casts her gaze around the sacred grove, her brow thunderous with fury at the damage therein. Her skin begins to glow with a pearly light, reminding all viewing her of moonlight, as Moonlight it surely is. Then her mouth opens, and Omthala's Searing Voice begins to speak:
I behold the Moon sailing in Brightness
Rising through blue depths above
Her Slow White Eye shines Coldness
Frozen, your fates re-wove
And with that, the Divine Glowing within Arunny explodes across the sacred grove, slamming into each of their enemies, as she moves across the board, while also pulling the Priest of Maba's Consort closer, within Xin Mae's protective zone and the Divine fold of the Triune Light.
* Standard (Daily): Fourfold Invocation of Doom (Fear, Psychic, CBu10 - enemies in burst vs. Will): ATK: vs DF: r1+16= Automiss; vs. Ms: C17: r7+16=23/Miss, C6: r13+16=29/Hit, I7: r15+16 -2 (MC) =29/Hit, K17: r11+16-2 (MC) =25/Hit, T16: r12+16-2 (MC) =26/Hit; D2: r4+16-2 (MC) =18/Miss; D1: r15+16-2 (MC) =29/Hit. Hit: The target is dazed (SE): [M (C6, I7, K17, T15), & D1]. Miss: The target is dazed UEoANT: [DF, M(C17), & D2]; Effect: UEotE, any creature that hits or misses you takes 5 psychic damage. Manifestation of Preservation: Slides Ibhea 1 sq to F14
* Move: 5 sq to H15
* Minor (Enc): Favor of the Gods CBu2: Target 1 creature in the burst (Ibhea); Effect: The next time I misses with an attack roll BEoANT, it can reroll that attack roll. It must use the new result, even if it is lower.
LOCATION: A: H15, I: F14
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Dazed (SE): M (C6, I7, K17, T15), & D1; Dazed UEoANT: DF, M(C17), & D2.
CURRENT HP: 80/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; Buff to Ibhea: Favor of the Gods
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics,
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the scrivener simultaneously from all directions.
The dark elementals then retreat from the light and into the foliage.
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(1). AUTOMISS.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(13). Succeeds.
M (T16)
* Standard Action: Charge to N16 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(19) +20 = 39. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(4). Fails.
M (I7)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(13) +20 = 33. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(8). Fails.
M (C6)
* Standard Action: Charge to I9 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(5) +20 = 25. Miss.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(6). Fails.
M (C17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(12) +20 = 32. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* End of Turn: Dazed UEoANT.
LOCATION: K17, N16, I7, I9, C17
DAMAGE: 30 necrotic damage to X.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: C17 Dazed UEoANT. N16, I7, I9 dazed (SE). All Minions in trees have Partial Concealment. Those outside of 5 x 5 of X or V have Partial Concealment to those without LL or better vision. Those that have both have Total Concealment to those without LL or better vision.
WAVE (RD 2, 4...): 2 x Darkling Spawn (A8, A20) and D3 enter the battlefield (A13)!
DF 122/161 Warlock Curse, Dazed UEoANT
D1 132/132 Total Concealment, Dazed (SE)
D2 132/132 Total Concealment, Dazed UEoANT
D3 132/132
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 1/6
ROUND 2
IBHEA transcends two worlds for the moment, Fey and Spirit. Now is the moment to unleash the Fire of the Heavens into the Mix! With an arcane gesture, the warlock's body transforms into a corpus of living flame!
"See now," he shouts, "I am become Delban's Black Flames Incarnate!"
With another gesture, roiling energies of fire and cold, assailing mind and body with necrotic and psychic power, detonate around the spiderelf. Then Ibhea, or should I say the living flame, pushes through a terrified Xin Mae to stand, flickering black, between the scrivener and Omthala's Shamshar.
* Starts turn: phasing and insubstantial, concealment
* Minor: Burning Transformation Daily, can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
* Standard: Devouring Dark A Bu1 on F12, ATK vs DF, r5+17+2 CA=24 vs 21 R (debuffed). Hit. r3,2,9+9 cold, fire & necrotic damage +5 BT +r2,1 WC +r2 psychic Mindbite Scorn + No Action Arcane Prodigy +3=36 damage. Effect: The burst creates a zone (RED) that lasts until the end of your next turn. Creatures grant combat advantage while in the zone.
* Move: 3 sq to H12, activates SW; no OA (DF dazed)
* Ends turn: phasing & insubstantial from Otherworldly Nexus ends
LOCATION: H12
DAMAGE: 36 to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: creatures in DD Zone grant CA (RED)
CURRENT HP: 85/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment via SW, BT = insubstantial UEoE + can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation
The DRIDER FANGLORD, so harried, has not the disposition for rhyme nor hiss. Arunny's Doom has sapped too much of the terrible creature's vitality, so it has none to spare. The best it offers is a grim snarl as it repeatedly attempts to take Xin Mae's head from his shoulders.
QAMRA's divine forbiddance triggers radiant backlash that wracks the form of the Drider when it presses poor Xin Mae!
* Starts turn: Dazed UEoANT.
* Standard: Greatsword (M1) vs X's AC: r(12) +18 +2 (CA) -2 (DL zone) -2 (DS mark) = 28. Hit. r(12, 4, 6) +7 = 29/2 (DL zone) = 14 damage to X. (BLOODIED). TRIGGERS Q's DIVINE SANCTION; 6 RADIANT DAMAGE TO DF. (DF BLOODIED).
LOCATION: G12
DAMAGE: 14 damage to X (BLOODIED). 6 incoming radiant damage to DF (BLOODIED).
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: 80/161
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Subject to i Warlock's Curse and Q's Divine Sanction. Dazed UEoANT. In Defensive Lore zone, Devouring Dark zone and Distracting Monologue Aura (2).
"Apocrita teem ith toxicantus," XIN MAE continues to intone amid various mutterings under his breath, even amidst the chaos and pain: the brutal blow of the Drider Fanglord that takes him full in the shoulder, the incredible if terrifying transformation of Ibhea, the life-sapping blows from the Darkling Spawn. Even through it all, he cannot pass up the opportunity for a lecture, brought on by his disappointment in Qamra's failure to Assail the Drider Fanglord's Hold on the Grove.
"Girl, I've told you a thousand times if I've told you once: to maximize the potential energy of muscular maneuvers, you must practice strict breathing control! All of you, follow my example: in through the nose, slowly, as so; then out the mouth in a blast, a lion's roar! Three times now..." his voice fades as the pain sets in despite his efforts. He takes a moment to settle himself into the breathing regimen and seems rejuvenated by the practice.
The scrivener take on a new subject for his chatter: "A Delbanian Miracle! Unbelievable! To be witness to such..."
* Minor: Sustains Defensive Lore Zone
* Minor: Pedantic Dissertation, C Bu 5; Target: You and each ally in the burst (A, I, Q, X); Effect: Choose a skill: Athletics. Until the end of the encounter, each target gains a +2 power bonus to his or her next check using that skill.
* Standard: Second Wind, spend Surge, gain 20 HP
LOCATION: H13
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF grants CA (in Distracting Monologue Aura), has -2 Def & ATK & 1/2 damage vs creatures in Defensive Lore Zone (YELLOW)
CURRENT HP: 53/82 (no longer BLOODIED)
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: SW +2 defenses USoXNT, currently in DL Zone, A, I, Q, X +2 next Athletics checks UEoE.
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore, Pedantic Dissertation
The VROCKs are a chorus of protests as their dooms are prophesied and their wills' reflections upon such take from them the sting of their airborne sorties. Only one buzzard-demon makes it near a hero and the well-armored Arunny easily beats back newly arrived creature with the same promise of doom that the others endure.
Like good carrion-demons, the cowards retreat into the moonlit darkness and the Feywild foliage after their sorties.
D1
* Starts turn: Dazed (SE).
* Move: 7 sq to L9.
* End of Turn: Saving throw vs dazed; r(13). Succeeds.
D2
* Starts turn: Dazed UEoANT
* Move: 7 sq to M18.
D3
* Standard: Flyby Attack to I17 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(14) +18 = 32. Hit. r(3, 1, 7) +8 = 19 damage to A. TRIGGERS A'S FOURFOLD INVOCATION OF DOOM; D3 TAKES 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE.
* Move: 1 sq to J18.
LOCATION: D1 in L9, D2 in M18, D3 in J18.
DAMAGE: 19 damage to A. D3 takes 5 psychic damage from A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 132/132, D2 132/132, D3 127/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: All 3 with Partial Concealment from foliage.
Again, Omthala's Radiant Shamshar calls forth the divine power dancing through her blood to aid her in her task to assail the Fanglord's hold. However, this time QAMRA allows herself to dance with the power, somersaulting into the air and around herself, before landing heavily back onto the floor of the sacred grove, scimitar first, slamming deeply into that floor.
Clearly something has been severed, for there is a crackling of electricity throughout the grove, sparks flying everywhere.
Then it stops, and the face of the drider is cringing in pain.
* Minor: Secondary Skill Acrobatics check: +15 = Autosuccess vs 14 Easy DC, adding a +2 SS bonus to
* Standard: Assail the Drider Fanglord's Hold on the Grove: Melee Range with DF: Primary Skill Atheltics check: r7+11+2 SS +2 PB (XM) = 22 vs 20 DC/Success. DF suffers 10 OG (SE)
LOCATION: H11
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF AtDFHotG: 10 OG (SE) 2/6 obstacles in SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: w/in DL Zone; Divine Sanction on DF ends.
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue
Glaring for but an instant at the demon vultures who previous visited her in visions, ARUNNY turns toward the scrivener and sings out a few tones of Lunar healing. Xin Mae immediately begins to chatter in astonished and delighted tones, while rolling his shoulder in relief and patting other parts of his body as if to see what is still attached.
Then the Seer spies the third demon vulture, hiding in the trees with two of the darklings. Gracefully taking a few steps in their direction, she smiles a dark smile of her own -- these creatures need no mercy from her -- and calls out to her new, sweet friend:
"Dear Vruk! Would you take care of those trespassers in this lovely grove? Hiding in those trees?"
Vruk happily ambles over, beefy fists striking as he goes.
* Minor (Enc): Healing Word CBu10:Target: Xin Mae; Effect: Xin Mae spends a healing surge (20 HPs) & regains r5,5,1 additional HPs (31 total). Xin Mae gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls UEoANT.
* Minor (Enc): Boots of the Fencing Master Power: Shifts 2 sq to J13. When Arunny shifts, she gains a +1 item bonus to AC & Reflex defense UEoANT.
* Standard: Vruk Smash!!! Terrain Stunt: effect: Vruk moves 3 sq to K9 & deals 10 damage to 1 adjacent enemy (D1) during or at the end of that move.
LOCATION: A: J13 Vruk: K9
DAMAGE: Vruk deals 10 damage to D1
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Any enemy that starts its turn adjacent to a Vruk Sq [D1, M (I9 & I7)] takes 10 damage. An enemy that leaves a sq adjacent to Vruk w/out shifting takes 5 damage. An enemy that ends its turn adjacent to a Vruk sq is restrained USoNT.
CURRENT HP: 61/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; Buff to Ibhea: Favor of the Gods ends, BotFM: +1 AC & Reflex UEoANT
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the scrivener simultaneously from all directions. With a pair of beefy mash-fists, VRUK sends a pair back to the Shadowfell or from whatever dark realm they spawned from. "Heh...heheh...smoosh."
The dark elementals then retreat from the light and into the foliage.
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(8) +20 = 28. Miss (due to SW).
M (N16)
* Standard Action: Charge to N16 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(3) +20 = 23. Miss.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(12). Succeeds.
M (I7)
* Starts Turn: Adjacent to Vruk Hindering Terrain; 10 damage. M SLAIN.
M (I9)
* Starts Turn: Adjacent to Vruk Hindering Terrain; 10 damage. M SLAIN.
M (H5)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(20). CRIT. 10 necrotic damage to X.
M (A8)
* Move: 5 sq to F8.
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(5) +20 = 25. Miss.
M (C17)
* Move: 6 sq to I20.
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(12) +20 = 32. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
M (A20)
* Move: 6 sq to G19.
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(14) +20 = 34. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to X.
LOCATION: K17, N16, H5, F8, I20, G19
DAMAGE: 30 necrotic damage to X. 2 x Minions SLAIN (VRUK HINDERING TERRAIN).
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: All Minions in trees have Partial Concealment. Those outside of 5 x 5 of X or V have Partial Concealment to those without LL or better vision. Those that have both have Total Concealment to those without LL or better vision.
DF 80/161 Warlock Curse, Subject to Q Divine Sanction, Defensive Lore Zone, Distracting Monologue Aura.
D1 122/132 Partial Concealment, Vruk Hindering Terrain
D2 132/132 Partial Concealment
D3 127/132 Partial Concealment
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 2/6
ROUND 3
Truly flame incarnate, IBHEA sweeps across the grove like a brushfire, halting beside two of the Darkling Spawn. Whether out of fear at the approaching fire or an innate sense of their pending demise, the two creatures lash out at the warlock with their tentacles and then explode into flames, reduced to piles of smoldering cinders within seconds.
Ibhea laughs.
Then roiling black clouds licked by flame surround him and the Drider Fanglord both. Clearly, the clouds blind the Fanglord as well as wash over him with fiery tongues. Ibhea laughs again, then disapparates into his surrounding cloud, only to reappear in the clouds beside the Drider once again.
* Move: 6 sq to H18, activates Shadow Walk
* Minor: Shift 1 sq to H19 (BT)
* Standard: Deathly Conduit A Bu1 within 10 on G12. TRIGGERS OAS FROM Ms G19 & G20. SINCE THEY WILL BE DESTROYED BY EFFECT, THEY WILL TAKE THESE ATTACKS. R10,8+20=30, 28 VS 28 AC (BUFFED). 2 HITS. 20/2 (INSUBSTANTIAL)=10 DAMAGE TO I. BOTH MS TAKE 9 FIRE DAMAGE & DESTROYED. Atk vs DF, r6+17+2 CA=25 vs 24 Fort (debuffed). Hit. r1,6+9 fire & necrotic damage +5 fire (BT) & Blinded (SE). 21 Total damage to DF. Effect: Each creature adjacent to you takes 10 necrotic damage, and you can teleport to an unoccupied square in the burst. I teleports to G13.
* Ends turn: Devouring Dark Zone ends
LOCATION: G13
DAMAGE: 21 fire and psychic to DF, Ms G19 & I20 DESTROYED
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF Blinded (SE)
CURRENT HP: 75/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment via SW, BT = insubstantial UEoE + can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation
The DRIDER FANGLORD hasn't met its much in hundreds of years since the taking of this lost elven city. However, as death presses in from every direction, the ghastly creature begins to take inventory of its life decisions to date while it swings its greatsword blindly, wildly...impotently.
* Standard: Greatsword (M1) vs Q's AC: r(10) +18 -2 (DL zone) -5 (Total Concealment; blinded) = 21. Miss.
* End of Turn: save vs blinded; r(7). Fails.
LOCATION: G12
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: 59/161
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Warlock Curse, Blinded (SE), Subject to Q Divine Sanction, Defensive Lore Zone, Distracting Monologue Aura.
Again the Darkling Spawn assail the scrivener with their tentacles, and again he swoons under their assault, his lifeforce siphoned out into their grasping tentacles. It is enough to break XIN MAE's concentration.
"Apocrita tee--" he breaks off, wincing in pain.
Still, the miracle of Flame Incarnate engulfs him. "Arunny, Champion Golden and Argent both, do you see the Black Flames of Delban made life? Clearly, Ibhea has been practicing his breathing technique! Follow the instruction, now, as he has: in slowly through the nose, out through the mouth in a lion's roar!"
The scrivener then shuffles between Arunny and Qamra.
"You, girl! What are you waiting for? Smite our foe!" he beckons the young warrior, who, despite the condescension, is only happy to comply, She lands a mighty cut with the long blade of her scimitar, and the elfspider, even blind and floundering, beginning to bleed out its last, gives its full attention to her.
* Minor: Learning Begets Rejuvenation C Bu 5 on Arunny. Effect: The target can spend a healing surge. Special: Xin Mae can use this power twice per encounter. Arunny spends 1 Surge and regains 20 HP.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to I12.
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on Q. Q ATK vs DF, Ardent Strike, r14+18+2 CA=34 vs 23 AC (debuffed). Hit. r3, 3, 6+10=22 damage & DF subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT.
* Ends turn: Defensive Lore Zone expires.
LOCATION: I12
DAMAGE: 22 to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF grants CA (in Distracting Monologue Aura), DF subject to Q's Divine Sanction
CURRENT HP: 52/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: A, I, X +2 next Athletics checks UEoE, Arunny spends 1 Surge, regains 20 HP.
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore, Pedantic Dissertation
A pair of the VROCKs throw caution to the wind and rush Ibhea and Arunny while the third wages yet another hit-and-run sortie on Arunny and retreats into the foliage.
Ibhea's body is an incorporeal inferno which keeps the buzzard-demon fully at bay while Arunny beats her back with force, skill-of-arms, and divine retribution.
D1
* Starts turn: Adjacent to Vruk Hindering Terrain; TRIGGERS 10 DAMAGE TO D1.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to L9.
* Standard: Flyby Attack to L18 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's (no OA moving away) AC: r(14) +18 = 32. Hit. r(7, 4, 2) +8 = 21 damage to A. TRIGGERS A'S FOURFOLD INVOCATION OF DOOM; D1 TAKES 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE.
D2
* Move: 6 sq to G14.
* Standard: Claw (M1) vs I's AC: r(7) +18 = 25. Miss.
D3
* Standard: Charge to I14 w/ Claw (M1) vs A's AC: r(10) +18 +1 (Charge) = 29. Miss. TRIGGERS A'S FOURFOLD INVOCATION OF DOOM; D3 TAKES 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE.
LOCATION: D1 in L18, D2 in G14, D3 in I14.
DAMAGE: 21 damage to A. D1 takes 10 damage from Vruk, D1/D3 takes 5 psychic damage from A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 107/132, D2 132/132, D3 122/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: D1 has Total Concealment, D2/D3 in Distracting Monologue Aura.
QAMRA, Radiant Shamshar of the Triune LIght, calls out a challenge to the drider and two of his demonic allies, her tone full of Omthala's divine and stern retribution. The stalwart young warrior steps protectively between the monstrous Fanglord and the Scrivener, raising her scimitar.
As she does so, she is acutely aware of intense focus toward her: the vrocks staring at her in a kind of horrified fascination, the eyes of the large fey creature staring blindly and vaguely in her direction. She smiles a grim but confident smile. Then she swings with pure and ardent energy.
And the Fanglord is one step closer to the end of his immortal life.
* Minor (Enc): Call of Challenge CBu3: Target: Each enemy in the burst [DF, D2, & D3]: Effect: Each target is subject to your divine sanction until the end of your next turn.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to H12: Qamra's Aura2 travels with her: Keep Their Attention (Aura 2): The aura is difficult terrain for your enemies. DF, D2, & D3 are in Aura2
* Standard: Ardent Strike vs DF: ATK: r8+18+2 CA (Blinded) = 28 vs AC 25/Hit; Damage: r5,2,3+10=20 Damage to DF, and he is subject to Q's DS UEoQNT
LOCATION: H12
DAMAGE: 20 Damage to DF
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: DF, D2, & D3 subject to Q's DS UEoQNT & in Q's Aura2: Keep Their Attention (KTA)
CURRENT HP: 103/103 +25 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: DS on DF, D2, & D3 UEoQNT
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue
There is still a faint lunar glow about the Seer as she analyzes the gameboard dispassionately, eyes moving from one oponent to another, both on her companions and on their shared adversaries. Her gaze lingers for a long moment on Ibhea and the black flames covering him. Then Omthala's Searing Voice steps forward to their chief concern: the Fanglord they must vanquish. The flames shrouding the priest seem to stretch out toward ARUNNY, their tips glowing golden as if in reflection.
---
The Scrivener holds his breath as the Priestess of Omthala calmly walks by him -- ignoring a terrible swipe from the claw of the closest Vrock -- and steps next to the terrifying drider. There is something otherworldly about her -- more so than usual. It is almost as if ... she is not here, but Someone Else is.
Her mouth opens, and Xin Mae hears ... not her voice but Another's Voice ... actually two Voices, singing a duet which dances in harmony around each other, neither dominant nor subordinate. His ears are filled with this unearthly music -- almost a physical entity -- touching his skin, his wounds, his heart as it washes over him with healing, radiant light.
Almost speechless, the Scrivener opens his eyes -- when did he close them? -- then reflexively raises his hands to shield them. If he thought Arunny filled with Moonlight before, surely it is the Sun exploding from her now, lending weight to the blow she gives the hapless Fanglord.
As the Drider collapses into itself and onto the floor of the sacred grove -- felled by the attacks of the women beloved of the Triune LIght -- Arunny lifts her head to look at Ibhea. Then Omthala's Searing Voice, coupled with Maba's Piercing Eye, raises her arm to him, calls out to him, in dual voice, "come forward, beloved of our Beloved."
Xin Mae is astonished to see the Black Flames surrounding his friend burn Golden for a moment as the priest steps forward. Then the Black Flames return, but perhaps not as ashen as before.
While Xin Mae's attention is caught by the drama between Qamra's two mentors, the young warrior is riveted by the effect produced by the Seer herself. Several surges of shadowy light -- not dissimilar to the Black Flames of Delban -- seem to scream as they flare out of the body of her Sister-at-arms and fly at their surrounding enemies, slamming through the nearby vrocks. Unfortunately, the Darkling, despite looking as if made of shadow itself, shrinks in terror and is passed by.
As the shadow light dissipates, Qamra sees Arunny beckon to Vruk to join them.
* Move: 2 sq to H11 TRIGGERS OA FROM D3: CLAW ATK: r16+18=34 VS 30 AC/HIT; DAMAGE: r8,2,6+8=24 DAMAGE TO ARUNNY
* Minor (Enc): Word of Vigor CBu1 Target: You & each ally in the burst (XM & A); Effect: Each target can spend a healing surge and regain 2d6 additional hit points: r1,6= +7 hps [XM & A both receive 27 additional hp]. BCL: The target gains a +2 bonus to attack rolls UEoANT
* Standard (Enc): Awakening Sun M1: ATK vs. DF: r7+18+2 CA (Blinded) +2 BCL = 29 vs 25 AC/Hit; Damage: r5,8+8=21 Radiant Damage to DF, DF KILLED; Effect: You & each ally within 5 squares of you gain 10 THPs and can make a saving throw: all allies; Additional Effect: Manifestation of Preservation: Slide Ibhea 1 sq to F12.
TRIGGERED ACTION: IMMEDIATE REACTION: DEATH SURGE CBu3, DIVINE, IMPLEMENT, PSYCHIC, SHADOW: CREATURE W/IN 3 SQ OF A DROPS TO 0 HP. TARGET: EACH ENEMY IN BURST; ATK VS. FORT: D3: r19+16+2 DISTRACTING MONOLOGUE +2 BCL = CRIT (Unforgettable Cudgel) = AUTOSUCCESS VS 25 FORT; D2: r15+16+2 DM +2 BCL = 35 VS 25 FORT; M: r6+16+2 BCL=24 VS 27 FORT/MISS. DAMAGE: r7+8=15: D2 TAKES 16 PSYCHIC DAMAGE & IS DAZED (SE) (Unforgettable Cudgel); D3 TAKES 15 PSYCHIC DAMAGE; EFFECT: YOU & EACH ALLY IN THE BURST (ALL) GAIN A +2 POWER BONUS TO ATK UEoANT (STACKS WITH BCL BONUS), & GAINS 5 THP (DOES NOT STACK). Additional Effect: Manifestation of Preservation: Slide Vruk 1 sq to K10
LOCATION: A: H11; I: F12; Vruk: K10
DAMAGE: 21 Radiant damage to DF, DF KILLED; 16 Psychic Damage to D2, 15 Psychic Damage to D3
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D2 Dazed (SE)
CURRENT HP: 61/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; BCL: XM & A +2 Bonus ATK UEoANT; ASun: A,Q,I,XM = 10 THP; Death Surge: A,Q,I,XM = +2 Power Bonus ATK (stacks) UEoANT
SURGES: 8/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the scrivener simultaneously from all directions!
The dark elementals then retreat from the light and into the foliage.
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(12) +20 = 32. 10 - 10 THP = 0 necrotic damage to X.
M (N16)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(15) +20 = 35. 10 necrotic damage to X.
* Move: 1 sq to M17
M (H5)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(3) +20 = 23. Miss.
M (F8)
* Standard Action: Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs X's AC: r(3) +20 = 23. Miss.
* Move: 2 sq to H8
LOCATION: K17, M17, H5, H8
DAMAGE: 10 necrotic damage to X and 10 THP for X exhausted.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: All Minions in trees have Partial Concealment. K17 and M17 have Total Concealment to those without LL or better vision.
WAVE (RD 2, 4...): 2 x Darkling Spawn (A8, A20) and D4 enter the battlefield (A13)!
D1 107/132 Total Concealment, Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2
D2 116/132 Dazed (SE), Total Concealment, Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2, Distracting Monologue Aura
D3 107/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2, Distracting Monologue Aura
D4 132/132
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 2/6
ROUND 4
The human shape made living black flames called IBHEA feels the surge of divine energy from Omthala, and gold flickers in his form. Mother will not relinquish her Son and His Messengers so easily.
But a rage boils over from within the warlock, nonetheless, its source as inscrutable as his fiery features.
"Demon bird, you are marked! The black flames of Delban will sear whatever passes for a soul in your repugnant heart from this realm!"
The flames roll across the grove, wreathed in shadow, and enter a point of transition between realms, a shimmering blue-grey field that stands as a metaphoric door between realms, currently locked. Withdrawing a pick from the days of his childhood as an urchin on the streets of Bantouk from a fold within his clothing, Ibhea mimes the action of unlocking the door, even as the necklace at his neck activates its power and the door is unlocked metaphysically.
"Now's our chance, Xin Mae! Activate the Spatial Flow to enable our crossing!"
* Minor: Warlock's Curse on D2
* Move: 4 sq to E8 Otherworldly Nexus, activates Shadow Walk
* Standard: Unlock the Spirit Realm's Flow, Thievery skill check, r8+12+2 Thieves' Tools +3 Necklace of Keys=25 vs 20 Moderate DC. Success. Exhausts E8, Effect: Gain insubstantial & phasing UEoINT.
LOCATION: E8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D2 Cursed, 3/6 Obstacles in ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 85/85 + 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +2 power bonus (Death Surge) UEoANT, Concealment via SW, Insubstantial & phasing UEoINT, BT = insubstantial UEoE + can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation, Deathly Conduit
Protected by the grace of Omthala, XIN MAE nevertheless feels himself assaulted by the disturbing shadow matter of the Darkling Spawn. Activate the Spatial Flow? Has that man no compassion for his plight? Is he even yet truly man?
Still, duty calls. The scrivener carefully picks his way through the undergrowth to stand within the liminal space beside Vruk, the latter gleefully smiling down at him. "Hello, friend! Are there more smooshings?"
Ignoring this, the scrivener racks his brain for a useful tidbit of information from his vast study. Ah, yes! Activating the Spatial Flow! To sojourn to the Land of the Dead, the Knights of Dread Vaela reconfigured a Prayer of Quickening to Mavi-ishiq, Lord of the Heavens, into a Flux Distortion, opening a portal between realms. Could he reconfigure the ritual Orison Accelerant from The Shadowed Sun to such a purpose? Only one way to find out!
Xin Mae begins intoning the prayer, substituting key phrases with those gleaned from his study long ago. Sure enough, the border between realms begins to dissipate, his form fading, shimmering between planes along with it.
"This is rather unexpected!"
NB: Xin Mae's surprise at the end mimics that of the author, who recognized the odds were against him in the Religion check roll, even with the History check buff!
* Move: 4 sq to Otherworldly Nexus in K8, Concealment
* Minor: History Secondary Skill +15 vs 14 Easy DC = autosuccess for +2 forward to next skill check
* Standard: Activate the Spatial Flow Religion skill check, r15+15+2=32 vs 29 Hard DC. Success. Exhausts E8. Gains Insubstantial & phasing UEoXNT
LOCATION: K8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: 4/6 Obstacles in ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 69/82
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: A, I, X +2 next Athletics checks UEoE, Concealment, Insubstantial & phasing UEoXNT
SURGES: 4/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore, Pedantic Dissertation
The four VROCKs simultaneously take to wing, throwing themselves at Qamra in a frenzied rush of hooked beaks, flashing claws, and feathers covered in abyssal, scarlet goop.
Though the exchange is furious, divine shields, clever footwork and head movement see the small knight through the clash.
D1
* Standard: Charge to I12 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(2) +18 +1 (Charge) = 21. Miss.
D2
* Begins Turn: Dazed.
* Standard: Flyby Attack to G12 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(12) +18 = 30. Hit. r(5, 5, 3) +8 = 21 damage to Q. 25 THP - 21 damage = 0 damage and 4 THP remaining.
* End of Turn: Saving Throw vs dazed; r(11). Succeeds.
D3
* Move: 1 sq to I15.
* Standard: Charge to I13 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(16) +18 +1 (Charge) = 35. Hit. r(5, 2, 4) +8 = 19 damage to Q.
D4
* Move: 2 sq to A11.
* Standard: Charge to G11 and Claw (M1) vs Q's AC: r(2) +18 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 23. Miss.
LOCATION: D1 in I12, D2 in G12, D3 in I13, D4 in G11.
DAMAGE: 19 damage to Q and Q loses 25 THP.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
HP: D1 107/132, D2 116/132, D3 107/132, D4 132/132
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: D1/2/3 all subject to Q Divine Sanction. D1/2/3/4 in Q's Aura 2. D2 Warlock Curse.
QAMRA, now a seasoned -- albeit young -- campaigner, calmly ignores the menace of demonic vulture-creatures surrounding her and steps back to more effectively strategize her next action against them and toward completing their task. She needs to facilitate Arunny's journey to one of the nexus points, but how?
Omthala's Radiant Shamshar feels a nudge within her, one similar but not the same as the nudges from her Goddess. Ah! the young warrior sees what must be done. She twirls around like a dervish, calling the attention of the Vrock closest to her but avoiding its bloody claw. Then, with the Silver Flame having formed in her palm, she throws it near her mentor.
Immediately the flames multiply into a protective zone around Arunny, the giant, and the scrivener. Their opponents are not so lucky: this zone -- clearly of a Lunar source -- does not love them. The affected enemies cringe from the radiant glow of Moonlight within these flames.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to G13
* Standard (Daily): Warding Flame of Maba ABu2 w/in 10 (I10 target sq; blue): TRIGGERS OA FROM D2: CLAW ATK: r11+18=29 VS 30 AC/MISS Effect: The burst creates a zone of silver flame that lasts UEoQNT. Q & each ally w/in the zone (A, XM, & V) gain resist 10 fire, resist 10 radiant, & a +2 power bonus to all defenses. Each enemy within the zone [D1, D2, D4, & M(H8)] gains vulnerable 5 fire and vulnerable 5 radiant, & takes a -2 penalty to all defenses. Sustain Minor: The zone persists.
LOCATION: G13
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D1, D2, D4, & M(H8) in Warding Flame zone (WFZ; blue): Vul 5 fire & Vul 5 radiant & -2 all defenses; D1, D2, D3, & D4 all in Q's KTA Aura2: DT
CURRENT HP: 88/103
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Q, A, V, & XM in WFZ: resist 10 fire & resist 10 radiant, & +2 power bonus to all defenses (Zone Sustain Minor)
SURGES: 10/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Virtue, Warding Flame
Without hesitation -- despite being surrounding by the demonic vultures from her nightmares -- ARUNNY takes off running. As expected, the closest of the Vrocks attack -- two clawing savagely into her skin and drawing blood -- but the Silver Flames spur her onward to complete her mission: get to the closest Nexus.
As she runs beyond the Flames, Maba's Piercing Eye is not distracted by the surprised chattering of the scrivener -- "Such Flames! But no burning?!? What's this, what's this? A new miracle..." -- nor by the immediate healing she feels from her Divine Sponsors. Her focus -- nay, her endurance -- is pointed to that Nexus and what she must do.
Upon arrival, the priestess of Sun and Moon takes deep, healing, centering breaths, before allowing her inner sight to fly outward. As sweat begins to form on her brow from the great effort this takes out of her, the crystal she wears upon the chain around her neck ... begins to vibrate. The hum is soft at first, then the sound grows stronger, at least to her inner ear.
A Silver Joy pierces through her heart, and tears fall from her eyes.
* Move: Run 7 sq to O13 TRIGGERS OAs FROM D1, D2, & D4: CLAW ATKs: D1: r16+18=34 vs 30 AC/Hit, Damage: r6,4,3+8=21 damage; D2: r19+18=37 vs 30 AC/Hit, Damage: r4,6,8+8=26; D4: r1+18=AUTOMISS; TOTAL DAMAGE: 47-10 THP = 37 TO ARUNNY; FIoD DAMAGE: D1, D2, & D4 5 PSYCHIC DAMAGE EACH
* Minor (Enc, 2nd time): Healing Word CBu10: Target: Arunny, Effect: A can spend a healing surge (20hp) & regain r5,3,2=10 additional HPs. BCL: +2 ATK UEoANT.
* Standard: Attune to the Spirit Realm: r19+16=35 vs 20 Moderate DC/Success
LOCATION: O13
DAMAGE: 5 Psychic Damage to D1, D2, & D4 (FIoD). 37 incoming damage to A.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na; 5/6 Obstacles in ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed.
CURRENT HP: 55/80
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: FIoD UEoE; BCL: A +2 Bonus ATK UEoANT
SURGES: 7/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Good Omens, Divine Deliverance, Maba's Mark of the Dark Moon, Lucky Charm, Cast Fortune, Moment of Glory, Fourfold Invocation of Doom, Casque of Tactics
Part tuft-like shadow, part rubbery-viscous matter, the DARKLING SPAWNS undulate across the ground toward Qamra through the flex their disturbingly long appendages to assail the Blessed Knight simultaneously from all directions!
Her deific blessings and martial prowess see her through the assault!
M (K17)
* Standard Action: Charge to H14 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(10) +20 +1 (Charge) = 31. Miss (due to WFoM).
M (M17)
* Standard Action: Charge to H13 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(14) +20 +1 (Charge) = 35. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to Q.
M (H8)
* Standard Action: Charge to F12 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(4) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 27. Miss.
M (H5)
* Move: 6 sq to C8 (circling to avoid I's M1 range).
* Standard Action: Charge to E12 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(12) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 35. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to Q.
M (A8)
* Standard Action: Charge to E11 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(8) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 31. Miss (due to WFoM).
M (A20)
* Standard Action: Charge to G14 and Darkling Tentacle (M10, necrotic) vs Q's AC: r(17) +20 +1 (Charge) +2 (CA) = 40. Hit. 10 necrotic damage to Q.
LOCATION: H14, H13, F12, E12, E11, G14
DAMAGE: 30 necrotic damage to Q.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
D1 102/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2, in WFoM zone.
D2 111/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2 in WFoM zone.
D3 107/132 Subject to Q Divine Sanction, in Q's Aura 2
D4 128/132 in Q's Aura 2, in WFoM zone.
SPIRIT REALM SOJOURN VIA CENDRIANE NEXUS SKILL CHALLENGE: 5/6
ROUND 5
The creature of flame straddles two worlds, a luminous misty place superimposing itself over the grove. Within, to his south, IBHEA sees a giant carved structure resembling a colossal harp. An iridescent serpent winds its lissome form over the harp's string-bars and raises its head to stare the warlock's way.
"Mighty Delban, aid me now with the grace and glibness of your power arcane, for it is as a god that I must now be."
The flames roll across the misty space. Ibhea's companions and their demonic foes wink back and forth between existence, here in this realm, absent in the other.
When he reaches the gates, the serpent begins, "An entrant must play its purpose upon the ..."
The flames raise a hand-like appendage. "Your ward stands for mortals, Soul Serpent. But as you can see, I am no mere mortal. I have become ... something else. My companions and I seek counsel with Stoneroot. Allow him to be judge of our worth."
The serpent uncoils silently, and the gates swing open.
* Minor: Beguiling Tongue; Effect: You gain a +5 power bonus to your next Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check during this encounter
* Move: 5 sq to Otherworldly Nexus in C3, activates Shadow Walk
* Standard: Parley with Soul Serpent for Access to Spirit Realm, Primary Diplomacy skill check, r17+11+1 (w/in 10 sq of Arunny) +5 Beguiling Tongue=34 vs 20 Moderate DC. Success. ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed
LOCATION: C3
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: D2 Cursed, ACTIVATE THE CENDRIANE NEXUS AND SOJOURN TO THE SPIRIT REALM SC completed
CURRENT HP: 75/85 + 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment, phasing UEoINT, BT = insubstantial UEoE, can shift 1 square as a minor action, immune to fire, gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and cannot use any attack power without fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: 1 charge Girdle of Skulls, Burning Transformation, Deathly Conduit
CONFLICT RESOLVED
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Manbearcat
Legend
BOOKKEEPING/XP/LOOT
* Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame (RESOLVED). Activate the Cendriane Nexus and Sojourn to the Spirit Realm (Resolved).
* Arunny Minor Quest: Find entrance to the Henge of Time on a mountain top, the image of which she was sent in a dream (Resolved).
@Nephis , generate a new Minor Quest.
* Players choose to expend one of their two Extended Rests. Refresh all powers, hit points, healing surges and gain 1 Action Point.
XP
* SC 7000/2 + SC 1600/4 + MQ 800/4 +COMBAT (800 * 5 + 200 * 10)/4 = 5600 xp apiece. LEVEL UP PCs.
LOOT
* Gain 2 x magic items level 15 or lower.
* Gain 1 x level 11 Consumable/Reagent Rust Bark and 1 x level 10 Tempest Whetstone.
* Gain 1 art object worth 2500 coin.
* Gain 2 gems worth 1000 coin each.
Complexity 2 SC, Level 15 (DCs 15/22/31)
Goal: Navigate the Spirit Realm, locating the portent Arunny saw in her dream to The Henge of Time; beautiful and delicate-seeming alpine flowers humming their way through patchy snow, their song dancing around ancient, roughly hewn pillars of stone.
0/6 Successes/0 Failures/1 Hard DC Available/2 Secondary Skills Available/0 Advantages Available
The land of primal spirits and Primal Elders shimmers like waves of imagery, ebbing and flowing like a tide. Before the heroes, a colossal tree of golden hue appears impossibly large on the horizon...or merely a hair's breath away...it is difficult to tell with the way the (what passes for) landscape here distends, yaws, collapses and reforms.
Suddenly a large white, quadrupedal shape passes from left to right before the fellowship as a blizzard drenches the world with snow, ice, and wind, obscuring all.
Vruk scratches his head and lets his thoughts be known. "Me no like." Disoriented, the large, silly giant stifles a swoon. He asks aloud, "feel little hairs on back of neck go prickly?"
And you do...each of you...has something terrible...not of this realm...followed you through? Was it here waiting for you?
What do you make of the last?
What do you do? Do you try to follow the shape that passed before you and then disappeared into the all-consuming blizzard? Do you try to get your bearings on the distant (or near?), colossal tree which is now obscured? Something else?
MEDIUM DC
* Goal: Locate The Henge of Time and face the perilous journey there in order to return to Itirilimish before its destruction to either retrieve (Ibhea) or destroy (Arunny) the Monocle of Flame (RESOLVED). Activate the Cendriane Nexus and Sojourn to the Spirit Realm (Resolved).
* Arunny Minor Quest: Find entrance to the Henge of Time on a mountain top, the image of which she was sent in a dream (Resolved).
@Nephis , generate a new Minor Quest.
* Players choose to expend one of their two Extended Rests. Refresh all powers, hit points, healing surges and gain 1 Action Point.
XP
* SC 7000/2 + SC 1600/4 + MQ 800/4 +COMBAT (800 * 5 + 200 * 10)/4 = 5600 xp apiece. LEVEL UP PCs.
LOOT
* Gain 2 x magic items level 15 or lower.
* Gain 1 x level 11 Consumable/Reagent Rust Bark and 1 x level 10 Tempest Whetstone.
* Gain 1 art object worth 2500 coin.
* Gain 2 gems worth 1000 coin each.
Complexity 2 SC, Level 15 (DCs 15/22/31)
Goal: Navigate the Spirit Realm, locating the portent Arunny saw in her dream to The Henge of Time; beautiful and delicate-seeming alpine flowers humming their way through patchy snow, their song dancing around ancient, roughly hewn pillars of stone.
0/6 Successes/0 Failures/1 Hard DC Available/2 Secondary Skills Available/0 Advantages Available
The land of primal spirits and Primal Elders shimmers like waves of imagery, ebbing and flowing like a tide. Before the heroes, a colossal tree of golden hue appears impossibly large on the horizon...or merely a hair's breath away...it is difficult to tell with the way the (what passes for) landscape here distends, yaws, collapses and reforms.
Suddenly a large white, quadrupedal shape passes from left to right before the fellowship as a blizzard drenches the world with snow, ice, and wind, obscuring all.
Vruk scratches his head and lets his thoughts be known. "Me no like." Disoriented, the large, silly giant stifles a swoon. He asks aloud, "feel little hairs on back of neck go prickly?"
And you do...each of you...has something terrible...not of this realm...followed you through? Was it here waiting for you?
What do you make of the last?
What do you do? Do you try to follow the shape that passed before you and then disappeared into the all-consuming blizzard? Do you try to get your bearings on the distant (or near?), colossal tree which is now obscured? Something else?
MEDIUM DC
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Nephis
Adventurer
ARUNNY, Level 14 Hybrid Cleric/Invoker, Multi-class Fighter, Divine Oracle. New components: Uncanny Dodge as her Feat and a General's Belt as her L15 Reward. She takes the Tempest Whetstone Consumable and 2 thousand-gp gems.
QAMRA, Level 14 Companion Character (Defender, Soldier)
ARUNNY: New Minor Quest (Major?): Help Delban's Stellar Black Flame to succeed in His battle against the Dark Matte Flame of the Other, within Ibhea
For the moment ARUNNY ignores the prickle of her raised neck-hairs -- she already knows something has followed them here. How could it not be so, being that the Darkness is within the being of her friend and fellow follower of Omthala? Not the clear mithril flames of Delban, but the inky matte darkness of the Other: it wars within Ibhea, obscuring more and more of the shine and luster of the Stellar light of Omthala's Son, much like this storm is obscuring their way forward.
Nor does she feel the same disorientation as her fellow travelers: they are merely seeing -- however transiently -- as she sees always. She is used to discerning within shimmering waves of imagery to find what is "real" for the moment ... and for the place. One must simply sift through the ephemera of other moments and places and transformed sensory messages.
No, her attention has been caught by the shape of the quadruped's foot, briefly glimpsed. Maba's Piercing Eye recognizes it from her vision: the shape through which those flowers were growing. Surely if they follow this great beast, it will lead them to the Henge.
* Arunny makes Secondary Skill Perception check to recognize the shape of the footprint in her dream: +21 = Autosuccess vs 15 Easy DC for a +2 SS bonus to
* Her Primary Skill Nature check to track the beast: r13+13+2 SS =28 vs. 22 Moderate DC/Success
* Edited to add Arunny's Daily Cast Fortune result: r6 (can add/subtract 1 from result)
Arunny, level 14
Half-Elf, Cleric|Invoker, Divine Oracle
Eldritch Strike: Eldritch Strike Constitution
Hybrid Cleric: Battle Cleric's Lore
Covenant Manifestation: Manifestation of Preservation
Hybrid Invoker: Hybrid Invoker Will
Hybrid Talent: Channel Divinity (Hybrid Cleric)
Half-Elf Power Selection: Dilettante
Background: Missing Master, Divinely Inspired, Missionary Life (Missing Master Benefit)
Theme: Seer
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 22, Dex 9, Int 12, Wis 22, Cha 11.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 16, Dex 8, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 10.
AC: 31 Fort: 30 Reflex: 21 Will: 31 (can't be surprised, no +2 bonus for enemies when granting CA, half or no damage from creatures that cannot see you)
HP: 85 Surges: 12 Surge Value: 21
TRAINED SKILLS
Perception +21, Insight +25, Heal +18, Endurance +18
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +6, Arcana +8, Bluff +9, Diplomacy +9, Dungeoneering +13, History +8, Intimidate +7, Nature +13, Religion +8, Stealth +6, Streetwise +7, Thievery +6, Athletics +9
FEATS
Level 1: Battle Awareness
Level 2: Wary Fighter
Level 4: Hybrid Talent: Favor of the Gods
Level 6: Mighty Crusader Expertise
Level 8: Superior Will
Level 10: Improved Initiative
Level 11: Versatile Master
Level 12: Superior Fortitude
Level 14: Uncanny Dodge
POWERS
Channel Divinity (Hybrid Cleric): Favor of the Gods
Dilettante: Eldritch Strike
Hybrid at-will 1: Hand of Radiance
Hybrid at-will 1: Brand of the Sun
Hybrid encounter 1: Thunder of Judgment
Seer daily: Cast Fortune (custom)
Hybrid daily 1: Moment of Glory
Hybrid utility 2: Divine Call
Hybrid encounter 3: Death Surge
Hybrid daily 5: Silent Malediction
Hybrid utility 6: Stream of Life
Hybrid encounter 7: Tide of the First Storm
Hybrid daily 9: Fourfold Invocation of Doom
Hybrid utility 10: Word of Vigor
Divine Oracle encounter 11: Prophecy of Doom
Divine Oracle utility 12: Good Omens
Hybrid encounter 13: Awakening Sun (replaces Tide of the First Storm)
MBA Eldritch Strike +20 vs AC, 1d10+9 damage, Slide 1
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Lucky Charm +2, Boots of the Fencing Master (heroic tier), Casque of Tactics (heroic tier), Crest of Vigilance Eternal (paragon tier), Reflexive Wyvernscale Armor +3, Unforgettable Cudgel Morningstar +3, Solitaire (Quartz Lens) (heroic tier) (2), Sehanine's Mark of the Dark Moon (level 8), Emerald Frog (paragon tier), Tempest Whetstone (heroic tier), General's Belt (paragon tier), 960 GP, 4x 1000 gp gems
Half-Elf, Cleric|Invoker, Divine Oracle
Eldritch Strike: Eldritch Strike Constitution
Hybrid Cleric: Battle Cleric's Lore
Covenant Manifestation: Manifestation of Preservation
Hybrid Invoker: Hybrid Invoker Will
Hybrid Talent: Channel Divinity (Hybrid Cleric)
Half-Elf Power Selection: Dilettante
Background: Missing Master, Divinely Inspired, Missionary Life (Missing Master Benefit)
Theme: Seer
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 14, Con 22, Dex 9, Int 12, Wis 22, Cha 11.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 13, Con 16, Dex 8, Int 11, Wis 16, Cha 10.
AC: 31 Fort: 30 Reflex: 21 Will: 31 (can't be surprised, no +2 bonus for enemies when granting CA, half or no damage from creatures that cannot see you)
HP: 85 Surges: 12 Surge Value: 21
TRAINED SKILLS
Perception +21, Insight +25, Heal +18, Endurance +18
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +6, Arcana +8, Bluff +9, Diplomacy +9, Dungeoneering +13, History +8, Intimidate +7, Nature +13, Religion +8, Stealth +6, Streetwise +7, Thievery +6, Athletics +9
FEATS
Level 1: Battle Awareness
Level 2: Wary Fighter
Level 4: Hybrid Talent: Favor of the Gods
Level 6: Mighty Crusader Expertise
Level 8: Superior Will
Level 10: Improved Initiative
Level 11: Versatile Master
Level 12: Superior Fortitude
Level 14: Uncanny Dodge
POWERS
Channel Divinity (Hybrid Cleric): Favor of the Gods
Dilettante: Eldritch Strike
Hybrid at-will 1: Hand of Radiance
Hybrid at-will 1: Brand of the Sun
Hybrid encounter 1: Thunder of Judgment
Seer daily: Cast Fortune (custom)
Hybrid daily 1: Moment of Glory
Hybrid utility 2: Divine Call
Hybrid encounter 3: Death Surge
Hybrid daily 5: Silent Malediction
Hybrid utility 6: Stream of Life
Hybrid encounter 7: Tide of the First Storm
Hybrid daily 9: Fourfold Invocation of Doom
Hybrid utility 10: Word of Vigor
Divine Oracle encounter 11: Prophecy of Doom
Divine Oracle utility 12: Good Omens
Hybrid encounter 13: Awakening Sun (replaces Tide of the First Storm)
MBA Eldritch Strike +20 vs AC, 1d10+9 damage, Slide 1
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Lucky Charm +2, Boots of the Fencing Master (heroic tier), Casque of Tactics (heroic tier), Crest of Vigilance Eternal (paragon tier), Reflexive Wyvernscale Armor +3, Unforgettable Cudgel Morningstar +3, Solitaire (Quartz Lens) (heroic tier) (2), Sehanine's Mark of the Dark Moon (level 8), Emerald Frog (paragon tier), Tempest Whetstone (heroic tier), General's Belt (paragon tier), 960 GP, 4x 1000 gp gems
QAMRA, Level 14 Companion Character (Defender, Soldier)
Qamra Level 14 Companion Character (Defender, Soldier)
Medium natural humanoid (human)
HP 109; Bloodied 54; Surge 27; Surges per day 12; Initiative +10
AC 31, Fortitude 27, Reflex 29, Will 25; Perception +9
Speed 6
Traits
☼ Keep Their Attention ✦ Aura 2
The aura is difficult terrain for your enemies.
Divine Sanction
Until the mark ends, the target takes radiant damage equal to 3 the first time each round it makes an attack that doesn't include her as a target. The damage increases to 6 at 11th level and 9 at 21st level.
Standard Actions
(⚔) Ardent Strike (divine, weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1; +19 vs. AC
Hit: 3d6 +11 damage, and the target is subject to Qamra’s divine sanction until the end of her next turn.
⚔ Solar Storm Advance (divine, weapon) ✦ Recharge 5,6
Effect: Teleport 6 squares and Qamra may use Ardent Strike against an adjacent enemy at the end of the teleport.
⚔ Coronal Flare (divine, fire, radiant) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1; +17 vs Reflex
Hit: 3d6 +7 fire and radiant damage and one creature within 10 squares takes 5 radiant damage and a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
Level 21: 7 fire and radiant damage.
Warding Flame (divine, zone) ✦ Daily
✻ Area burst 2 within 10 squares
Effect: The burst creates a zone of silver flame that lasts until the end of your next turn. You and each ally within the zone gain resist 10 fire, resist 10 radiant, and a +2 power bonus to all defenses. Each enemy within the zone gains vulnerable 5 fire and vulnerable 5 radiant, and takes a -2 penalty to all defenses.
Sustain Minor: The zone persists.
Minor Actions
Call of Challenge (Divine) ✦ Encounter
ᗕ Close burst 3
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Effect: Each target is subject to your divine sanction until the end of your next turn.
Virtue (Divine) ✦ Daily
ᗕ Close burst 1
Effect: You spend a healing surge but regain no hit points. Instead, you or an ally gain temporary hit points equal to your healing surge value.
Triggered Actions
Dimensional Vortex (Divine, Teleportation) ✦ Encounter
➶ Immediate Interrupt Ranged 10
Trigger: An enemy hits an ally with a melee attack
Target: The triggering enemy
Attack: +17 vs. Will
Hit: You teleport the target 5 squares. The target then makes its melee attack against a creature you choose. If no creatures are within range of the target, the attack is expended.
Skills Acrobatics + 16, Athletics + 12, Endurance +16
Str 8 (-1) Dex 16 (+3) Wis 12 (+1)
Con 16 (+3) Int 12 (+1) Cha 10 (+0)
Equipment: scimitar, leather armor
Medium natural humanoid (human)
HP 109; Bloodied 54; Surge 27; Surges per day 12; Initiative +10
AC 31, Fortitude 27, Reflex 29, Will 25; Perception +9
Speed 6
Traits
☼ Keep Their Attention ✦ Aura 2
The aura is difficult terrain for your enemies.
Divine Sanction
Until the mark ends, the target takes radiant damage equal to 3 the first time each round it makes an attack that doesn't include her as a target. The damage increases to 6 at 11th level and 9 at 21st level.
Standard Actions
(⚔) Ardent Strike (divine, weapon) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1; +19 vs. AC
Hit: 3d6 +11 damage, and the target is subject to Qamra’s divine sanction until the end of her next turn.
⚔ Solar Storm Advance (divine, weapon) ✦ Recharge 5,6
Effect: Teleport 6 squares and Qamra may use Ardent Strike against an adjacent enemy at the end of the teleport.
⚔ Coronal Flare (divine, fire, radiant) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1; +17 vs Reflex
Hit: 3d6 +7 fire and radiant damage and one creature within 10 squares takes 5 radiant damage and a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
Level 21: 7 fire and radiant damage.
Warding Flame (divine, zone) ✦ Daily
✻ Area burst 2 within 10 squares
Effect: The burst creates a zone of silver flame that lasts until the end of your next turn. You and each ally within the zone gain resist 10 fire, resist 10 radiant, and a +2 power bonus to all defenses. Each enemy within the zone gains vulnerable 5 fire and vulnerable 5 radiant, and takes a -2 penalty to all defenses.
Sustain Minor: The zone persists.
Minor Actions
Call of Challenge (Divine) ✦ Encounter
ᗕ Close burst 3
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Effect: Each target is subject to your divine sanction until the end of your next turn.
Virtue (Divine) ✦ Daily
ᗕ Close burst 1
Effect: You spend a healing surge but regain no hit points. Instead, you or an ally gain temporary hit points equal to your healing surge value.
Triggered Actions
Dimensional Vortex (Divine, Teleportation) ✦ Encounter
➶ Immediate Interrupt Ranged 10
Trigger: An enemy hits an ally with a melee attack
Target: The triggering enemy
Attack: +17 vs. Will
Hit: You teleport the target 5 squares. The target then makes its melee attack against a creature you choose. If no creatures are within range of the target, the attack is expended.
Skills Acrobatics + 16, Athletics + 12, Endurance +16
Str 8 (-1) Dex 16 (+3) Wis 12 (+1)
Con 16 (+3) Int 12 (+1) Cha 10 (+0)
Equipment: scimitar, leather armor
ARUNNY: New Minor Quest (Major?): Help Delban's Stellar Black Flame to succeed in His battle against the Dark Matte Flame of the Other, within Ibhea
For the moment ARUNNY ignores the prickle of her raised neck-hairs -- she already knows something has followed them here. How could it not be so, being that the Darkness is within the being of her friend and fellow follower of Omthala? Not the clear mithril flames of Delban, but the inky matte darkness of the Other: it wars within Ibhea, obscuring more and more of the shine and luster of the Stellar light of Omthala's Son, much like this storm is obscuring their way forward.
Nor does she feel the same disorientation as her fellow travelers: they are merely seeing -- however transiently -- as she sees always. She is used to discerning within shimmering waves of imagery to find what is "real" for the moment ... and for the place. One must simply sift through the ephemera of other moments and places and transformed sensory messages.
No, her attention has been caught by the shape of the quadruped's foot, briefly glimpsed. Maba's Piercing Eye recognizes it from her vision: the shape through which those flowers were growing. Surely if they follow this great beast, it will lead them to the Henge.
* Arunny makes Secondary Skill Perception check to recognize the shape of the footprint in her dream: +21 = Autosuccess vs 15 Easy DC for a +2 SS bonus to
* Her Primary Skill Nature check to track the beast: r13+13+2 SS =28 vs. 22 Moderate DC/Success
* Edited to add Arunny's Daily Cast Fortune result: r6 (can add/subtract 1 from result)
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darkbard
Legend
In retrospect, it is no surprise the Drider Fanglord and its allies attacked the group. They had, after all, looted the fallen hall that served as its lair. Ah, ruined Cendriane!
Few of the panes of stained glass remained in the spires and minarets. Marble edifices crumbled everywhere. But there was magic to be had! At first, Arunny balked as Ibhea and Xin Mae gathered up gemstones, a woven spidersilk tapestry depicting the fall of the city, several magical trinkets infused with fey power, fleeting power to be sure, as capricious as the fey lords themselves, depleted with a single use. But when she recognized the relic known as General Immeral's Buckle, a slender cincture of mithril links clasped by a large silver plate in the shape of a gibbous moon and set with a large moonstone, Arunny's demeanor shifted.
"My mother told me stories when I was a child of the fall of Cendriane, surely myth as much as history. But General Immeral's death at the hands of the dark elves was as much fact as it was brutal ... and extended. The foul inhabitants of this place do not deserve such a treasure!" She almost spits the last.
* * *
When they cross over fully into the Spirit Realm, Ibhea realizes he is forever changed by his Transformation. Not only does his blood burn with an inner flame, but so too has the second dagger he carried at the small of his back--picked up from traders in Dolg Olsolis as a mere utility piece, though wickedly sharp--changed. It is hot to the touch and he can will flames to lick up and down the short blade and extinguish them with but a thought. This will now serve as the primary instrument of his power, the power of flame given him by Delban, he thinks.
IBHEA at level 14. New components: Fiery Blood as his Feat and a Flaming Accurate dagger +3 as his L15 Reward. He takes the Rust Bark Consumable and the art object.
XIN MAE
Few of the panes of stained glass remained in the spires and minarets. Marble edifices crumbled everywhere. But there was magic to be had! At first, Arunny balked as Ibhea and Xin Mae gathered up gemstones, a woven spidersilk tapestry depicting the fall of the city, several magical trinkets infused with fey power, fleeting power to be sure, as capricious as the fey lords themselves, depleted with a single use. But when she recognized the relic known as General Immeral's Buckle, a slender cincture of mithril links clasped by a large silver plate in the shape of a gibbous moon and set with a large moonstone, Arunny's demeanor shifted.
"My mother told me stories when I was a child of the fall of Cendriane, surely myth as much as history. But General Immeral's death at the hands of the dark elves was as much fact as it was brutal ... and extended. The foul inhabitants of this place do not deserve such a treasure!" She almost spits the last.
* * *
When they cross over fully into the Spirit Realm, Ibhea realizes he is forever changed by his Transformation. Not only does his blood burn with an inner flame, but so too has the second dagger he carried at the small of his back--picked up from traders in Dolg Olsolis as a mere utility piece, though wickedly sharp--changed. It is hot to the touch and he can will flames to lick up and down the short blade and extinguish them with but a thought. This will now serve as the primary instrument of his power, the power of flame given him by Delban, he thinks.
IBHEA at level 14. New components: Fiery Blood as his Feat and a Flaming Accurate dagger +3 as his L15 Reward. He takes the Rust Bark Consumable and the art object.
Ibhea, level 14
Human, Warlock, Master of Flame
Eldritch Strike: Eldritch Strike Charisma
Eldritch Pact: Sorcerer-King Pact
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Holy Symbol)
Human Power Selection: Heroic Effort
Background: Fugitive from a Vengeful Rival, Street Urchin, Heretic (Fugitive from a Vengeful Rival Benefit)
Theme: Ordained Priest
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 9, Con 13, Dex 13, Int 20, Wis 11, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 12, Dex 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 16.
AC: 28 Fort: 24 Reflex: 30 Will: 30
HP: 90 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 22
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +17, Thievery +13, Stealth +16, Streetwise +20, Bluff +22, Religion +21
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +8, Diplomacy +13, Dungeoneering +7, Endurance +8, Heal +9, History +12, Insight +9, Intimidate +16, Nature +7, Perception +7, Athletics +6
FEATS
Human: Arcane Prodigy
Level 1: Mindbite Scorn
Level 2: Superior Implement Training (Accurate dagger)
Level 4: Cunning Stalker
Level 6: Tyrian Bureaucrat
Level 8: Novice Power
Level 10: Path of the Scarred
Level 11: Versatile Expertise
Level 12: Improved Defenses
Level 14: Fiery Blood
POWERS
Eldritch Blast: Eldritch Strike
Level 1 Ordained Priest Feature: Shining Symbol
Warlock encounter 1: Shadow Tentacles
Warlock daily 1: Decree of Khirad
Warlock utility 2: Beguiling Tongue
Warlock encounter 3: Flame Spiral
Warlock daily 5: Deathly Conduit
Warlock utility 6: Deliverance of Faith
Warlock encounter 7: Lure of Loyalty
Warlock daily 9: Command Insanity
Warlock utility 10: Mirror Darkly
Master of Flame attack 11: Fanning the Flames
Master of Flame utility 12: Burning Transformation
Warlock encounter 13: Devouring Dark (replaces Shadow Tentacles)
MBA: Eldritch Strike +21 vs AC, 1d4+12 fire damage, Slide 1
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Bottle of Wine (3), Doctrinal book, Thieves' Tools, Gloves of Eldritch Admixture (heroic tier), Boots of Elvenkind (heroic tier), Phylactery of Divinity (heroic tier), Obsidian Steed (heroic tier), Shielding Blade Accurate dagger +1, Symbol of Victory +2, Inix Leather Armor of Dark Majesty +3, Necklace of Keys +3, Girdle of Skulls, Black Cave Pearl (paragon tier), Rust Bark (paragon tier), Flaming Accurate dagger +3, 435 GP, 2500 GP spidersilk tapestry, 2 x 1000 GP gems
Human, Warlock, Master of Flame
Eldritch Strike: Eldritch Strike Charisma
Eldritch Pact: Sorcerer-King Pact
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Light Blade)
Versatile Expertise: Versatile Expertise (Holy Symbol)
Human Power Selection: Heroic Effort
Background: Fugitive from a Vengeful Rival, Street Urchin, Heretic (Fugitive from a Vengeful Rival Benefit)
Theme: Ordained Priest
FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 9, Con 13, Dex 13, Int 20, Wis 11, Cha 22.
STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 8, Con 12, Dex 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 16.
AC: 28 Fort: 24 Reflex: 30 Will: 30
HP: 90 Surges: 7 Surge Value: 22
TRAINED SKILLS
Arcana +17, Thievery +13, Stealth +16, Streetwise +20, Bluff +22, Religion +21
UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +8, Diplomacy +13, Dungeoneering +7, Endurance +8, Heal +9, History +12, Insight +9, Intimidate +16, Nature +7, Perception +7, Athletics +6
FEATS
Human: Arcane Prodigy
Level 1: Mindbite Scorn
Level 2: Superior Implement Training (Accurate dagger)
Level 4: Cunning Stalker
Level 6: Tyrian Bureaucrat
Level 8: Novice Power
Level 10: Path of the Scarred
Level 11: Versatile Expertise
Level 12: Improved Defenses
Level 14: Fiery Blood
POWERS
Eldritch Blast: Eldritch Strike
Level 1 Ordained Priest Feature: Shining Symbol
Warlock encounter 1: Shadow Tentacles
Warlock daily 1: Decree of Khirad
Warlock utility 2: Beguiling Tongue
Warlock encounter 3: Flame Spiral
Warlock daily 5: Deathly Conduit
Warlock utility 6: Deliverance of Faith
Warlock encounter 7: Lure of Loyalty
Warlock daily 9: Command Insanity
Warlock utility 10: Mirror Darkly
Master of Flame attack 11: Fanning the Flames
Master of Flame utility 12: Burning Transformation
Warlock encounter 13: Devouring Dark (replaces Shadow Tentacles)
MBA: Eldritch Strike +21 vs AC, 1d4+12 fire damage, Slide 1
ITEMS
Adventurer's Kit, Bottle of Wine (3), Doctrinal book, Thieves' Tools, Gloves of Eldritch Admixture (heroic tier), Boots of Elvenkind (heroic tier), Phylactery of Divinity (heroic tier), Obsidian Steed (heroic tier), Shielding Blade Accurate dagger +1, Symbol of Victory +2, Inix Leather Armor of Dark Majesty +3, Necklace of Keys +3, Girdle of Skulls, Black Cave Pearl (paragon tier), Rust Bark (paragon tier), Flaming Accurate dagger +3, 435 GP, 2500 GP spidersilk tapestry, 2 x 1000 GP gems
XIN MAE
Xin Mae Level 14 Companion Character (Princess Build Leader)
Medium natural humanoid (human)
HP 87; Bloodied 43; Surge 21; Surges per day 7; Initiative +7
AC 29, Fortitude 25, Reflex 27, Will 29; Perception +9
Speed 6
Traits
☼ Distracting Monologue ✦ Aura 2
Enemies within the aura grant Combat Advantage.
Leadership from Lore
You and any ally within 10 squares of you who can see and hear you gain a +2 bonus to Monster Knowledge checks.
Standard Actions
(⚔) Tome Bash ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1; +18 vs. AC
Hit: 1d8 +7 damage.
(➶) Hurled Invective ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10; +18 vs. Will
Hit: 1d4 +5 damage, and Slide the target 2 squares.
Smite Our Foe! ✦ At-Will
➶ Standard Action Ranged 5
Target: One ally
Effect: The target makes a basic attack as a free action against an enemy of your choice that you can see and is within 10 squares of you.
Minor Actions
Defensive Lore ✦ Daily
ᗕ Close burst 2
Effect: The burst creates a zone 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.
Pedantic Dissertation ✦ Encounter
ᗕ Close burst 5
Target: You and each ally in the burst
Effect: Choose a skill. Until the end of the encounter, each target gains a +2 power bonus to his or her next check using that skill.
Learning Begets Rejuvenation (Healing) ✦ Encounter
ᗕ Close burst 5
Target: One ally in the burst
Effect: The target can spend a healing surge.
Special: Xin Mae can use this power twice per encounter.
Triggered Actions
Look Out! ✦ Encounter
➶ 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.
Mind Our Enemies, Now ✦ Encounter
➶ 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.
Historical Revelation ✦ Daily
Immediate Reaction
ᗕ Close burst 5
Trigger: An ally in the burst makes a knowledge check and dislikes the result
Target: The triggering ally in the burst
Effect: The target rerolls the knowledge check and uses either result.
Skills History +16, Religion +16
Str 10 (+0) Dex 11 (+0) Wis 14 (+2)
Con 10 (+0) Int 18 (+4) Cha 8 (-1)
Equipment: tome, cloth armor
Medium natural humanoid (human)
HP 87; Bloodied 43; Surge 21; Surges per day 7; Initiative +7
AC 29, Fortitude 25, Reflex 27, Will 29; Perception +9
Speed 6
Traits
☼ Distracting Monologue ✦ Aura 2
Enemies within the aura grant Combat Advantage.
Leadership from Lore
You and any ally within 10 squares of you who can see and hear you gain a +2 bonus to Monster Knowledge checks.
Standard Actions
(⚔) Tome Bash ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1; +18 vs. AC
Hit: 1d8 +7 damage.
(➶) Hurled Invective ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 10; +18 vs. Will
Hit: 1d4 +5 damage, and Slide the target 2 squares.
Smite Our Foe! ✦ At-Will
➶ Standard Action Ranged 5
Target: One ally
Effect: The target makes a basic attack as a free action against an enemy of your choice that you can see and is within 10 squares of you.
Minor Actions
Defensive Lore ✦ Daily
ᗕ Close burst 2
Effect: The burst creates a zone 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.
Pedantic Dissertation ✦ Encounter
ᗕ Close burst 5
Target: You and each ally in the burst
Effect: Choose a skill. Until the end of the encounter, each target gains a +2 power bonus to his or her next check using that skill.
Learning Begets Rejuvenation (Healing) ✦ Encounter
ᗕ Close burst 5
Target: One ally in the burst
Effect: The target can spend a healing surge.
Special: Xin Mae can use this power twice per encounter.
Triggered Actions
Look Out! ✦ Encounter
➶ 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.
Mind Our Enemies, Now ✦ Encounter
➶ 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.
Historical Revelation ✦ Daily
Immediate Reaction
ᗕ Close burst 5
Trigger: An ally in the burst makes a knowledge check and dislikes the result
Target: The triggering ally in the burst
Effect: The target rerolls the knowledge check and uses either result.
Skills History +16, Religion +16
Str 10 (+0) Dex 11 (+0) Wis 14 (+2)
Con 10 (+0) Int 18 (+4) Cha 8 (-1)
Equipment: tome, cloth armor
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