Complexity 3 SC, Level 16 (DCs 16/22/31)
Goal:
Get your bearings in the ancient city of Itirilimish as it was when it was alive and thriving. Locate where the Monocle of Flame is housed and travel there.
3/8 Successes
/0 Failures
/0 Hard DC Available
/2 Secondary Skills Available
/1 Advantages Available
"Here. I command you, in the name of The Time Reaper, to destroy the obelisk to The Shadowed Sun...what's this?"
HIGH PRIEST EZTCOATL's voice trails off as Arunny presents herself and bathes he and the Nightwalker with divine thunder.
*
ILLUMINATION: Dusk. The sun has sunk to the horizon. Columns A through N are bathed in dimness that low light vision or better is required to penetrate or targets have Partial Concealment while M through V are still well illuminated.
*
MEMORY ECLIPSE STUNT: Once High Priest Eztcoatl is Bloodied, Ibhea can call upon The Shadowed Sun to erase High Priest Eztcoatl's memory of these events. Standard Action (R5) Bluff vs HPE's Will +5 (DC 33). HPE will leave the scene and have no memory of the conflict. Slay him and temporal continuity will be impacted with a major consequence once you return to your timeline.
*
BUILDINGS (BLOCKING TERRAIN): Black Squares are blocking terrain and may provide cover/LoS/LoE implications.
*
DELBAN'S OBELISK (BLOCKING TERRAIN): 4 x 4 Red Squares are blocking terrain and may provide cover/LoS/LoE implications. For acolytes of Nerull, the obelisk is hindering terrain. Effect: Any acolyte of Nerull that starts its turn within 2 squares of Delban's Obelisk suffers -2 penalty to hit and -4 penalty to damage until the end of its turn.
*
STRATEGO FARBAD AND HIS SECOND (M, ACTIVATABLE): The prostrate myrmidon can be activated to fight via shame or religious invocation; Standard (M1, Intimidate/Religion DC 21). Once activated, they become Fantastic Terrain UtEoE controlled by the activator. When the activator uses a Move Action, they can move the M up to 3 sq. Any enemy adjacent to M suffers 4 Vuln All. SF&HS are immune to damage, but automatically takes forced movement of any attack where they are a target or included in the Area/Burst/Blast.
*
VRUK (HINDERING TERRAIN FOR ENEMIES): Vruk is immune to damage, but automatically takes forced movement of any attack where he is a target or included in the Area/Burst/Blast. 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.
*
FROZEN SHADOWPOOLS (HINDERING TERRAIN): Difficult terrain to any creature not of shadow origin. Effect: Any creature not of shadow origin that starts its turn in a square of frozen shadowpool takes ongoing 10 cold and necrotic damage and is slowed (save ends both). If this effect impacts either M's or Vruk, they are removed from the scene.
*
Nightwalker (N) (Large shadow humanoid, undead, lurker, solo): HP 564, AC 28, Fortitude 25, Reflex 27, Will 25, Init +15
*
High Priest Eztcoatl (E) (Medium natural humanoid, human, controller, elite): 268 HP, AC 28, Fortitude 27, Reflex 24, Will 28, Init +8
*
Arunny begins in I8 and Ibhea in H8.
Place other Heroes (including Vruk) in any squares columns A through D; Qamra , Xin Mae, Vruk. Resolve your turn starting with Silent Malediction Standard Action at the top of the initiative order
@Nephis . You don't need to roll initiative for her. Roll initiative for every other hero. Monster Knowledge for Nightwalker is autosuccess. Roll History for HPE.
INITIATIVE
Arunny (A)
Nightwalker Instinctive Relocation: 39
Nightwalker (N): 29
High Priest Eztcoatl (E): 21
Ibhea (I): r(12) +8 = 20
Xin Mae (X): r(11)+7=18
Qamra (Q): r(6)+10=16
ROUND 1
*
AUTOMATIC VS NIGHTWALKER DUE TO PRIOR ENCOUNTER.
Nightwalker
Large shadow humanoid (undead)
Level 14 Solo Lurker XP 5000
HP 564; Bloodied 282 Initiative +15
AC 28, Fortitude 25, Reflex 27, Will 25 Perception+16
Speed 8, fly 10 Darkvision
Immune disease, poison; Resist 10 cold, 10 necrotic; Vulnerable 10 radiant
Saving Throws +5; Action Points 2
Trait
Instinctive Relocation (teleportation)
On an initiative of 10 + its initiative check, nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares, becomes invisible, and uses death's flurry as a free action. It then becomes visible. If it cannot use free actions due to a dominating, stunning, or unconscious effect, then that effect ends instead.
☼
Void Chill (cold, necrotic) ✦ Aura 2
If nightwalker is not invisible, any enemy that starts its turn in the aura takes 7 cold and necrotic damage.
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Frozen Claw (cold) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 2 (one creature); +19 vs. AC
Hit: 2d6 + 6 damage plus 1d6 + 6 cold damage.
Death's Flurry ✦ At-Will
Requirement: Nightwalker must be invisible.
Effect: Nightwalker uses frozen claw twice.
ᗕ
Void Gaze (necrotic, psychic) ✦ Recharge ⚄ ⚅
Attack: Close blast 5 (creatures in the blast); +17 vs. Reflex
Hit: 3d8 + 13 psychic damage, and nightwalker slides the target up to 3 squares.
Miss: Half damage, and nightwalker can slide the target 1 square.
Effect: Nightwalker creates a zone until the start of its next turn. Any living creature that starts its turn in the zone takes 5 necrotic damage and is slowed UtEoT.
Minor Actions
Elusive Invisibility (illusion) ✦ At-Will (1/round)
Effect: Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
Triggered Actions
Bloodied Void Gaze ✦ Encounter
Trigger: Nightwalker is first bloodied.
Attack (Immediate Reaction): Void Gaze recharges, and nightwalker uses it.
Athletics +15, Stealth +17
* Monster Knowledge Xin Mae (No Action - Special) History +2 vs
High Priest Eztcoatl; r20+16 for Xin Mae's History = 36. Succeeds vs High DC.
High Priest Eztcoatl
Medium natural humanoid (human)
Level 14 Elite Controller XP 2000
HP 268; Bloodied 134 Initiative +8
AC 28, Fortitude 27, Reflex 24, Will 28 Perception+9
Speed 6 Saving Throws +2; Action Points 1
Traits
☼
Inevitable Doom ✦ Aura 2
Enemies within the aura that aren't dominated by Eztcoatl take a -2 penalty to attack rolls and saving throws.
Standard Actions
(⚔)
Between Time and Space ✦ At-Will
Attack: Melee 1 (one creature); +17 vs. Reflex
Hit: 3d10 + 6 damage, and Eztcoatl teleports the target up to 2 squares.
➶
Nerull's Grasp (cold, necrotic) ✦ At-Will
Attack: Ranged 5 (one or two creatures); +17 vs. Reflex
Hit: 2d8 + 10 cold and necrotic damage, and the target is immobilized (save ends).
Miss: The target is slowed (save ends).
✻
Enervating Tendrils (necrotic) ✦ Recharge when first bloodied
Attack: Close Blast 5 (enemies in the blast); +17 vs. Fortitude
Hit: 3d10 + 7 necrotic damage, and the target is weakened (save ends).
Miss: Half damage.
Minor Actions
➶
Reaper's Gaze (charm) ✦ At-Will 1/round
Requirement: Eztcoatl must be bloodied.
Attack: Ranged 5 (one creature); +18 vs. Will
Hit: The target is dominated until the end of Eztcoatl's next turn.
Triggered Actions
ᗕ
Call of the Grave (psychic) ✦ At-Will
Trigger: An enemy within 2 squares of Eztcoatl takes damage.
Attack (Immediate Reaction): Close burst 2 (the triggering enemy); +17 vs. Will
Hit: 4d6 + 6 psychic damage, and the target is dazed until the end of the Eztcoatl's next turn.
Athletics +8
The final recitation of ARUNNY's incantation ends with a decisive and deafening thunderclap accompanying her voice calling out: "LIGHT!!!"
A moment of sudden, equally deafening silence falls over the scene like the final curtain on a Bantoukian pantomime show. Both the Nightwalker and Eztcoatl stand staring and frozen in place. Arunny is herself briefly stunned by the Power of her Radiant Goddess roaring through her earthly form.
Then another power within the blood of that earthly form is awakened -- an inherited gift from her mother's people -- and Arunny shakes herself out of the daze.
Glancing backward at her fellow priest, Omthala's Searing Voice gives him a grateful smile as she reaches up to touch the supporting hand he has instinctively placed on her shoulder.
* Standard (Daily): Silent Malediction CBl 3, each creature: JKL/789: ATK vs N: r5+18=23 vs 25 Fort
TRIGGERS LUCKY CHARM (NO ACTION): MISS W/ATK, EFFECT: ROLL d6 & ADD TO RESULT: +r2=25 vs 25 Fort/Hit; ATK vs E: r16+18=32 vs 27 Fort/Hit; Damage: r2,2+9= 14 Thunder Damage to each, & each Stunned (SE); Effect: Arunny Dazed UEoANT
TRIGGERS CREST OF VIGILANCE DAILY POWER (IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT): AN EFFECT DAZES/STUNS YOU; EFFECT: MAKE A SAVE VS TRIGGERING EFFECT: SAVE = EFFECT ENDS: r9+1 (Ibhea/Ordained Priest) = 10/No longer Dazed; Manifestation of Preservation: Slide Qamra to E4
* Move: Shift 1 sq to I7 (BoFM property: +1 AC & Reflex UEoANT).
LOCATION: A: I7, Q: E4
DAMAGE: 14 Thunder to E & N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: E & N Stunned (SE).
CURRENT HP: 85/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT (BotFM); Cast Fortune (r6+/-1)
SURGES: 11/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
The NIGHTWALKER's malign state of being, directed by the very will of Nerull himself, casts off the sun god's meek enchantment.
* Instinctive Action: If it cannot use free actions due to a dominating, stunning, or unconscious effect, then that effect ends instead; stunned ends.
LOCATION: M7.
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 550/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na.
Somewhere deep in the thunder-racked mind of HIGH PRIEST EZTCOATL, a thought spontaneously emerges from nowhere:
"Not again...? Timereaper grant me the understanding? Why...again...my Lord?"
* Starts turn: Stunned.
* End of turn: Save vs stunned; r(5) +2 = 7. Fails.
LOCATION: L9.
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 254/268
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Stunned (SE)
The NIGHTWALKER fully assumes the mantle of darkness, disappearing from sight only to reappear and unleash a terrible vision onto all heroes. Being unable to avert their gaze, they see the true awfulness, the emptiness of The Void...without and within. Their legs buckle as they desperately try to prevent falling into the nothingness of their visions. Only Qamra's martial conditioning saves her from the worst of it...
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Move: 2 sq to K8.
* Standard: ᗕ Void Gaze (CBl5; creatures, necrotic, psychic) vs A, I, Q Reflex (then N becomes visible): r(14, 17, 10) +16 +2 vs I and Q (CA) = 30, 35, 28. Hit A
and I and miss Q. r(6, 1, 7) +13 = 27 psychic damage to A
and I. Slides A 3 sq to K4;
FROZEN SHADOWPOOL TRIGGERS A SAVING THROW VS HINDERING TERRAIN FOR PRONE IN K5; r(5) FAILS.
A SLIDES INTO SHADOWPOOL K4.
Slides I 3 sq to I10;
FROZEN SHADOWPOOL TRIGGERS I SAVING THROW VS HINDERING TERRAIN FOR PRONE IN J10; r(pending). 13 psychic damage to Q and slides Q 1 sq to E5.
It is as the Goddess (but which one?) showed her: Arunny watches the scene unfolding before them, Ibhea and she both disarmed by the psychic assault of the Nightwalker, the ensuing carnage, a companion's death. But before she lets that come to pass, it is as if she unwinds time half a second, just enough for her to shout a warning to Ibhea--"Shield your mind!"--before the Endless Void gapes and she teeters at its edge.
At the forewarning, the warlock signs a mystic symbol with one hand and is relatively safe from the Nightwalker's attack.*
Between the crespuscular light and the creature's sudden disappearance, it is remarkable that Xin Mae discerns anything at all. Thus, perhaps it is his flawless recollection of the Nightwalker's tactics during its attack upon him in the gardens outside Dolg Hana that discriminates a shimmering ... something ... before Arunny.
"Look out!" he shouts, drawing her attention as if from some revery, and the Golden General clobbers the Nightwalker, slowly erupting into sight, with her cudgel before she slides away as if into some abyss. But is that a hint of black flame, some lacuna battling lacuna, in her blow?
TRIGGERS Arunny: Cast Fortune Free Action: Before your next extended rest, as a Free Action, you can replace any one attack roll, saving throw, or skill check made by you, an ally, or an enemy with this result. Arunny replaces N's roll for Void Gaze on I with a 5 (r6 +/-1). r5+16+2=23 vs 30 Reflex. VOID GAZE MISSES I. 13 PYSCHIC DAMAGE TO I AND SLIDES I 1 SQ TO I9.
TRIGGERS Xin Mae: Look Out!, Immediate Interrupt, Ranged 10, Trigger: An ally within 10 squares of you is hit by an enemy's attack. Target: The triggering ally. Effect: The target can make a basic attack against the attacking enemy as a free action, dealing 1d8 extra damage on a hit.
A Eldritch Strike vs N, r10+20=30 vs 28 AC. Hit. r4+9+r1=14 damage & Slide N 1 sq to J7.
Effect: Nightwalker creates a zone (purple centered on G6) until the start of its next turn. Any living creature that starts its turn in the zone takes 5 necrotic damage and is slowed UtEoT.
* Free Action (Action Point for Standard): Death's Flurry on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(6, 9) + 19 = 25, 28. 1 x Hit. r(2, 5) +6 = 13 damage + (r4) +6 = 10 cold damage. 23 total to I.
LOCATION: K8.
DAMAGE: 36 damage to I. 27 psychic damage to A. 13 psychic damage to Q.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I in N's Void Chill Aura. A in Frozen Shadowpool. Q in Void Gaze Zone.
CURRENT HP: 550/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze Zone USoNNT, Void Gaze cooldown, 1/2 APs exhausted.
Drawn to the precipice of an icy void, strangely familiar in some ways, IBHEA nevertheless pulls himself out of the mindscrew. The icy, necrotic emanations of the Nightwalker send shivers across his form. But what better way to fight that than with flame?!?
"We destroyed you once, foul priest. We'll do so again. May the black flames of Delban burn your soul from this realm!" Ibhea practically spits the last in Eztcoatl's direction. Then the warlock takes a step towards this foe and his body erupts in swirling black flames. The dagger he brandishes glows bright red in his touch, and Eztcoatl's form bursts into flame. Ibhea gives a maniacal laugh, and as the flames engulf Nerull's priest, Ibhea arcs them towards the Nightstalker, the creature saved by its surprising reflexes, even as it swipes ineffectively at Ibhea with its clawed appendage.
* Starts turn: takes 7 cold & necrotic damage from Void Chill
* Minor: Armor of Dark Majesty Daily; Effect: Place Warlock’s Curse on any enemy you can see, rather than the nearest enemy. I places WC on E.
* Move: Shift to J9
* Standard: Flame Spiral, CBu 2, ATK vs E, r5+19+2 CA -2 conceal=24 vs 24 Ref. Hit. ATK vs N, r6+19-2 conceal=23 vs 27 Ref. Miss. TRIGGERS HEROIC EFFORT, No Action, Trigger: You miss with an attack . Effect: You gain a +4 racial bonus to the attack roll. 23+4=27 vs 27 Ref. Hit. r8+13=21 fire damage +r2,3 WC +r6 MS = 11 psychic to E.
* Free: Flaming Dagger Daily, Trigger: You hit with a weapon. Effect: The attack deals 2d6 extra fire damage, and the target takes ongoing 5 fire damage (save ends). E takes r5,6=11 extra fire damage + 5 OG fire damage
* Free Action AP--> Standard: Fanning the Flames, R10 TRIGGERS OA FROM N, Frozen Claw, r3+19=22 vs 28 AC. Miss. ATK vs E, r13+18=21 vs 27 Fort. Hit. r4,6+12=22 fire damage & OG fire damage increases by 5. Secondary ATK, vs E, r7+18+2-2=25 vs 24 Ref. Hit. ATK vs N, r6+18=2=22 vs 27 Ref. Miss. r6,3+12=21 fire damage to E.
LOCATION: J9
DAMAGE: 21 fire damage to N, 86 fire and psychic damage to E
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N will take 1d6+7 fire damage SoT (Flame Spiral), E 10 OG fire damage (SE)
CURRENT HP: 47/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Flame Spiral Aura (Effect: Until the start of your next turn, any enemy that enters a square adjacent to you or starts its turn there takes 1d6 +7 fire damage.)
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty Daily Power, Flaming Dagger Daily power
Seeing Delban's Messenger beset by the icy void touch of the Nightwalker, XIN MAE calls out sage advice, hoping to recenter the unhinged warlock, "Yes, Ibhea, the black flames of Delban! Use them to your advantage, to cauterize the wounds of Nerull's Void Assassin! The flame is balm as well as weapon!"
Satisfied that the priest has heeded his sound instruction, the scrivener turns his attention away from the terrifying void creature and towards their once-and-future foe, engulfed in flames. "Eztcoatl, you are like the toad: ugly and venomous. 'Twould be a pleasure to see you die twice!" Perhaps it is because the Deathpriest is still stunned from Arunny's malediction. Or it could be Eztcoatl's iron will. Or the intervention of his heinous diety. But irrespective of the cause, Eztcoatl is not baited into some dooming misstep--yet.
Nevertheless, the scrivener seems emboldened by his witty barb and advances cautiously toward the fray, one hand against the side of the great obelisk as if in moral as well as physical support.
* Minor: Learning Begets Rejuvenation CBu 5 on I; Effect: The target can spend a healing surge. (I regains 22 HP)
* Standard: Hurled Invective R10 on E, r7+18+2 CA -2 Concealment=25 vs 28 Will. Miss.
* Move: 2 sq to F9
LOCATION: F9
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 87/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: na
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
Young QAMRA feels the ice cold of the Void Gaze chill her bones and -- for a mere instant -- fill her with dread. Then Omthala's Radiant Shamishar dives into the Void and arrives next to her target, the High Priest Eztcoatl, scimitar held high.
Unfortunately, the dread of the Void appears to have followed her, and her attack lacks its usual vigor. The blank face of the stunned priest seems to smile slightly at this. Narrowing her eyes, the lithe and stalwart warrior calls out her challenge, not only to Nerull's servitor, but to the Nightwalker as well:
"Face Omthala's Radiant Shamishar, you fiends!"
* Starts turn in Void Gaze Zone: takes 5 Necrotic Damage and is Slowed UEoQT
* Standard: Solar Storm Advance (Recharge 5,6) vs E: Teleport 6 squares to K10; use Ardent Strike (M1): r3+19+2 CA -2 Inevitable Doom Aura -2 Concealment = 20 vs 28 AC/Miss.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to J10
* Minor (Enc): Call of Challenge CBu3: vs. E & N: subject to Divine Sanction UEoQNT
LOCATION: J10
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N & E: Subject to Q's Divine Sanction (UEoQNT) & in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2
CURRENT HP: 91/103
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In E's Inevitable Doom Aura2, N's Void Chill Aura2, Solar Storm Advance on cooldown
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
E 168/268 Stunned (SE), 10 OG fire damage (SE), Subject to Q's Divine Sanction (UEoQNT) & in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2
N 529/564 Flame Spiral Aura, Void Gaze cooldown, 1/2 APs, Subject to Q's Divine Sanction (UEoQNT) & in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2
ROUND 2
Seeing her young comrade miss the priest of her future nightmares, The thought enters ARUNNY's mind that at least the irresistible attack that she will inevitably make will serve to aid them, rather than hinder their cause. The Seer gives a small, grim smile, despite the unfamiliar voice reinforcing her dark actions: she does indeed remember that they ought not kill him, just maim him. That does not mean that she won't enjoy a little more payback against the opponent she fought in the future.
The Priestess strikes her cudgel on the pavement stones, causing thunderous cacophony to wave toward the still stunned servant of Nerull and enjoying the stumble he makes. Moving closer, she raises her hands up to the sky, calling upon Maba to give them some of Her Glorious Power to aid in moving the pieces on the board to more fortuitous locations. The NIghtwalker finds itself blasted closer to Delban's Obelisk, falling to the ground next to the column so obhorent to it, while Eztcoatl continues his stumble, ending prone at the feet of Ibhea, where he may also feel Delban's wrath through close proximity to His flaming priest. Maba's power also draws the Scrivener closer to the rest of the fellowship so that he too can benefit from Her protective power.
Depleted for the moment but sensing that the entirety of the Triune Light supporting her, Arunny closely examines the rearrangement of Her board, looking for new strategies, new obstacles, new opportunities.
* Start of Turn: in Frozen Shadow Pool: takes 10 Cold/Necrotic OG - 6 Superior Fort = 4 Cold/Nec damage & is Slowed (SE)
* Minor (Enc): Healing Word CBu5: on self: regains r1,2,3 + 21 = 27 hp; BCL: +2 ATKs UEoANT
* Standard (Enc) (Manifestation of Preservation: Slide XM to G10): Thunder of Judgment (R10) vs E: r15+18+2 BCL +2 CA = 37 vs 27 Fort/Hit: 1d6 + Wisdom modifier thunder damage, or 2d6 + Wisdom modifier thunder damage if you target only one creature (Eztcoatl). In addition, the target is dazed UEoANT: Damage: r5,6+9=20 Thunder Damage & E is Dazed UEoANT.
* Move: 2 sq to M6
* Free: Action Point (Daily) (Manifestation of Preservation: Slide XM to H10): Moment of Glory (CBl 5: H-L/7-11): each enemy in blast: N: r17+18+2 BCL = 37 vs 25 Will/Hit; E: r10+18+2 BCL +2 CA = 32 vs 28 Will/Hit; You push the targets up to 3 sq (N to I8, E to K8) & knock them prone. Effect: You & each ally in the blast (A, Q, I, & XM) gain resist 5 to all UEoANT. Sustain Minor: The effect persists.
* Save vs Frozen Shadow Pool (FSP) effect: r3/Fail.
LOCATION: A: L6, E: K8, N: I8, XM: H10
DAMAGE: 20 Thunder Damage to E
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: E Stunned (SE) & Dazed (UEoANT); N&E: now in XM's DM Aura2, Q's KTA Aura2, I's Flame Spiral Aura1 (USoINT), & Prone
CURRENT HP: 81/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BCL( UEoANT); FSP effect (SE), MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor), Prophetic Action (1 add'l Move); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit);
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
The NIGHTWALKER knows its mission; destroy Delban's acolyte. Shadows fold and unfold and the malevolent creature appears elsewhere, frozen claws assailing Ibhea to no avail.
The nightwalker recoils violently as Qamra's mark of forbiddance manifests powerfully when the fell creature violates the Moon Maiden's protections invested in the young knight.
* Instinctive Action: Nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares (to M9), becomes invisible, and uses Death's Flurry as free action on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(5, 10) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -2 (Q's mark) -2 (prone) = 24, 25. Miss x 2.
TRIGGERS Q'S DIVINE SANCTION; 6 RADIANT DAMAGE + 10 VULN = 16 RADIANT DAMAGE TO N.
LOCATION: M9
DAMAGE: 16 radiant damage in to N.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I, Q, A in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 513/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, Subject to Q's Divine Sanction (UEoQNT) & in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2,, 1/2 APs exhausted.
HIGH PRIEST EZTCOATL feels his lord distant...seemingly even absent.
"Have I not served thee well my lord? I have brought infinite corpse, innumerable legions of followers?"
The priest's mind suddenly clears.
* Starts turn: Stunned, 10 OG fire damage (SE), I's Flame Spiral Aura; r(4) +7 = 11 fire damage (
BLOODIED).
* End of turn: Save vs stunned; r(14) +2 = 16. Succeeds. Save vs 10 OG fire; r(9) +2 = 11. Succeeds.
LOCATION: K8.
DAMAGE: 21 incoming fire damage to E.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A, I, Q in Inevitable Doom Aura 2.
CURRENT HP: 127/268
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Subject to Q's Divine Sanction (UEoQNT) & in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, Dazed UEoANT, in XM's DM Aura2
The NIGHTWALKER fully assumes the mantle of darkness, disappearing from sight only to reappear and unleash a terrible flurry upon its prey; Delban's acolyte. The priest is pressed to his mortal limits with the physical fury and freezing embrace of death that is the Nightwalker's Nerull-imbued onslaught!
* Start Turn: Void Gaze Recharge; 2. Fails to recharge.
* Move: Stand from prone.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Standard: Death's Flurry on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(13, 9) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -2 (Q's mark) = 31, 26. Hit x 1. r(3, 3) +6 physical + r(5) +6 cold damage = 23 physical and cold damage -5 Resist All = 18 to I.
* Free Action (Action Point for Standard): Death's Flurry on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(8, 20) + 19 -2 (Q's mark) = 26, 27.
CRIT x 1. 30 phyiscal and cold damage -5 Resist All = 25 to I (BLOODIED).
TRIGGERS IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT: QAMRA: DIMENSIONAL VORTEX (R10): Trigger: An enemy hits an ally with a melee attack: ATK vs. N: r13+17-2 Concealment -2 Inevitable Doom Aura2 = 26 vs WILL 25/HIT: Q TELEPORTS N 5 SQ TO I8, ADJACENT TO IBHEA & WITHIN 2 SQ OF DELBAN'S OBELISK (-2 ATKS/-4 DAMAGE) TRIGGERING I'S FLAME SPIRAL: Effect: USoINT, any enemy that enters a sq adjacent to I or starts its turn there takes 1d6+7 fire damage. An enemy can take this damage only once per turn: r3+7= 10 FIRE DAMAGE TO N. THEN N FINISHES/MAKES ITS MELEE ATK AGAINST EZTCOATL; N's CRIT VS E. 30 PHYSICAL AND COLD DAMAGE TO E.
The eyes of Omthala's Radiant Shamishar narrow as they witness the attack on one of her mentors. A resounding "No!" reverberates within her slim form -- Omthala? Delban's Consort? Both? -- and QAMRA springs into action. Her scimitar makes a sweeping motion, echoed by her weaponless arm, and a vortex appears next to the Nightwalker -- just before it can make another attack on Ibhea -- and swallows it. Moments later the dimensional vortex spits it back out, mid-attack, facing Eztcoatl who is well within range.
But first the flames spiraling around the Omthalan Priest sear the surface of the Nightwalker's ... skin? Qamra regards the steam forming from the wound as she gives another sweep of her arms, pointing the Nightwalker in the direction of his new target: his ally the High Priest!
* End Turn: Void Gaze Zone ends.
LOCATION: I8.
DAMAGE: 18 physical and cold damage to I. 30 physical and cold damage to E. 10 incoming fire damage to N.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I, Q, X in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 503/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, Subject to Q's Divine Sanction (UEoQNT) & in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in X's DM Aura2, w/in 2 sq of Delban's Obelisk.
IBHEA feels the pull of the Nightwalker's aura, a nearly inescapable call to the frozen void, both familiar and uncanny. And yet, Arunny's invocation of Maba shields him from the worst of its ravages. Taking advantage of his comrades' assaults upon their foes, the warlock activates the magick within his boots, unused since lo those many weeks ago during the siege of Dolg Olsolis. He disappears within the twilight shadows, wreathing them closer about him to shield his form, and slips to the far side of their foes.
"Delban, lend me your arcane might to charge my words with the eclipsing power of Your Shadow upon the memory of our enemy."
Ibhea whispers the arcane words across the scrum and perceives Eztcoatl's eyes roll back into his head, exposing the whites, as blankness covers his visage. The death priest paces off down the darkening square as if in a trance.
* Starts turn: Takes 7 -5 Resist All =2 cold & necrotic damage.
* Move: Boots of Elvenkind Daily Power: (Move Action); Effect: You move up to your speed, and you are hidden (invisible and silent) during the move. Move 6 sq to G4; no OAs due to hidden status; activates Shadow Walk.
* Minor: Beguiling Tongue: Effect: You gain a +5 power bonus to your next Bluff, Diplomacy, or Intimidate check during this encounter.
* Standard:
MEMORY ECLIPSE STUNT: Bluff check r14+22+5=41 vs 33 DC. Success.
E REMOVED FROM SCENE.
* Ends turn without making an attack.
TRIGGERS X's Mind Our Enemies, Now; Immediate Reaction; R 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.
Ibhea Charge 2 sq to H6 Eldritch Strike vs N, r10+21+1 Charge -2 Concealment =30 vs 28 AC. Hit. r1+12+r2=15 fire damage & Slide N 1 sq to J9.
Free Action: Expend 2 Charges Gloves of Eldritch Admixture, r4,2=6 extra damage to N. (Total damage = 21 fire damage.)
"The God is with you, in truth, Messenger! You have vanquished one foe; now destroy another!" XIN MAE calls this out from across the square, and Ibhea, emboldened, responds with alacrity. Lunging forward with his dagger, he thrusts it into the Nightwalker, flames erupting from the wicked blade to engulf the creature of the void, and the Nightwalker recoils from the fearsome attack.
LOCATION: I now in H6. N now in J9.
DAMAGE: 21 fire damage to N.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES:
E REMOVED FROM SCENE
CURRENT HP: 49/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), Resist 5 All (Moment of Glory)
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty Daily Power, Flaming Dagger Daily power, Boots of Elvenkind Daily Power
The scrivener shrinks back towards the obelisk and pats it with his hand for reassurance. The creature still stands after Ibhea's attack! And this proximity to the Nightwalker is too much for his weak heart! He can feel the beads of cold sweat forming on his brow and back.
"Kill it, Qamra! Show your mettle, girl!" XIN MAE cries out shrilly.
Qamra leaps into the air in a graceful pirouette and brings her scimitar down across the creature's hide in a slicing arc. It doesn't seem fazed.
"Again, Ibhea!" the sage calls out. "Use the flames of The Shadowed Sun to sustain you and heal your wounds. For in their fever is the power of shadow brought out into light, the ancient metaphor of the Godhead born in these very lands!"
* Starts turn: Takes 7 -5 Resist All =2 cold & necrotic damage.
* Move: Shifts 1 sq to G11.
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on Qamra. 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. Q Ardent Strike vs N, r13+19-2 Concealment = 30 vs 28 AC. Hit. r3,4,1+11=19 damage & N is subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT.
* Minor: Learning Begets Rejuvenation (2 of 2) CBu 5 on I; Effect: The target can spend a healing surge. (I regains 22 HP).
LOCATION: G11
DAMAGE: 19 damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 85/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All Moment of Glory
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
As QAMRA rises from her crouched landing, her head seems to glow with the nimbus of two separate lights. One is clearly the mithral of Maba's protective Moonlight; the other, more scorching one is clearly Omthala's Corona crowning the Radiant Shamishar in Her Power. As the scimitar makes an additional slice across the hide of the shadowy Nightwalker, it flares with blinding solar flames, causing that wounded hide to sizzle.
Cocking her head to one side while witnessing this phenomenon, the young warrior maneuvers to a better place on the board. "Shiny," she says, with an impish smile.
* Start of Turn: Roll to recharge Solar Storm Advance: r2 = fails to recharge; in N's Void Chill Aura2: takes 7 Cold/Necrotic - 5 Resist All = takes 2 damage
* Standard: Coronal Flare (divine, fire, radiant)(M1): ATK vs. N: r15+17-2 Concealment=30 vs 27 Ref/Hit: Damage (3d6 fire & radiant damage & one creature w/in 10 sq takes 5 radiant damage & -2 ATKs UEoQNT): r4,5,6+7 Radiant/Fire +10 Vulnerable Radiant = 32 Radiant Damage, plus 5 radiant + 10 Vulnerable Radiant = 47 fire and radiant damage, & N has -2 ATKs UEoQNT.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to K10
LOCATION: K10
DAMAGE: 47 Fire & Radiant Damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N: Divine Sanction ends, in Q's KTA Aura 2; -2 ATKs UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 89/103
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In N's Void Chill Aura2, Solar Storm Advance on cooldown, Resist 5 All (A's MoG)
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
E REMOVED FROM SCENE
N 416/564 Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in X's DM Aura2, -2 ATKs UEoQNT (CF)
ROUND 3
ARUNNY, still feeling the chill from the frozen shadowpool she was pushed into, sucks in a sustaining breath. From the clashes of power and blade against their remaining foe, she can see a swirl of color, a tornado created by the power of Triune of Light: dark silver Mithril dancing with hot searing Gold, through which is braided a beam of opalescent Light. The tornado surrounds the Fellowship protectively, while threatening what lies at the center with a true death.
Then, Maba's Piercing Eye -- both energized and enervated -- is urged forward to protect Delban's Knight from the Nightwalker's assault. Stepping closer to the Shadowcrawler and embracing the pain of his Void Chill, the priestess slams down with her unforgettable and unforgiving cudgel against the beast's hide with a resounding clang and explosion of that tornado of Light.
As the explosion bathes them all in warm healing photons -- apart from the Nightcrawler whose maw opens in a silent cry -- her vision becomes blurs. Suddenly the scene shifts before her from the Present Now to Past That Is To Come -- shadow becomes body -- undeath lives. In that moment she is both spectator and participant, the action observed still within city walls, but a very different, a very familiar city, surely Bantouk? The Nightwalker has shed its shadow and appears (for that instant) a gargantuan arachnid, pincers and stinging tail threatening familiar figures surrounding it -- much as the Fellowship surround this creature of shadow. Familiar figures but also much changed, most notably a half giant she recognizes as her friend and once protector, now the Blessed of Stoneroot. This Arunny understands with her Moonlight blood responding to the new glowing lithoderms in Pa'avu's skin: the Mountain's power calls to Maba's own, a natural reflection.
Then the Present Now returns. The shaken Seer stands once again before the Nightwalker -- too shaken, in fact, to follow her desires and finish off the escaping priest.
* Start of Turn: Frozen Shadowpool Effect: takes 10 OG Cold/Necrotic - Resist OG 6 = 4 Cold/Necrotic Damage; N's Void Chill Aura2: takes 7 Necrotic - Resist All 5 = 2 Necrotic Damage & is Slowed (SE).
* Minor: Sustain MoG
* Move: Shift 1 sq to K7,
activates BotFM Power: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT
* Standard (Enc) (Manifestation of Preservation: Slide I to H5): Awakening Sun M1 vs N: ATK: r12+20+2 BCL +2 CA (XM's DM) = 36 vs 28 AC/Hit; Damage r2,7+9 Radiant +10 Vulnerable Radiant = 28 Radiant Damage to N; Effect: A & each ally w/in 5 sq (Q, XM, I) gain 10 THP & can make a saving throw: A's Save vs FSE: r8/Fails.
* Save vs. FSE: r8/Fails!
LOCATION: A: K7, I: H5
DAMAGE: 28 Radiant Damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N in XM's DM Aura2, Q's KTA Aura2, -2 ATK UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 75/85 10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BCL ends; BotFM (+1 AC/Reflex UEoANT); FSP effect (SE); MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor); Prophetic Action (1 add'l Move); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); Void Chill Aura2
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
The NIGHTWALKER knows its mission; destroy Delban's acolyte. Shadows fold and unfold and the malevolent creature appears elsewhere, frozen claws assailing Ibhea. As the creature of pure darkness engages The Shadowed Sun's acolyte, the warrior-priest fades from the world as shadows, like the Nightwalker, embrace him, eclipsing his form.
When the violent clash is over, Arunny's preserving invocation is exhausted, but the priest yet stands.
* Instinctive Action: Nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares (to J8), becomes invisible, and uses Death's Flurry as free action on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(15, 10) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -2 (CF) -2 (Partial Concealment) = 32, 24. Hit x 1. r(1, 6) +6 physical + r(2) +6 cold damage = 21 physical and cold damage -5 Resist All = 16 - 10 THP = 6 damage to I.
LOCATION: J8
DAMAGE: 6 physical and cold damage to I and 10 THP removed.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I, Q, A in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 327/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, -2 ATK UEoQNT, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2.
The NIGHTWALKER fully assumes the mantle of darkness, disappearing from sight only to reappear and unleash a terrible flurry onto his prey; Delban's acolyte.
Ibhea has settled into a rhythm of defending against the creature's attacks, head movement, parries, footwork in perfect coordination. This almost feels like sparring at this point as the creature's long, freezing claws are repelled or evaded again and again.
* Start Turn: Void Gaze Recharge; 4. Fails to recharge.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Standard: Death's Flurry on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(3, 9) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -2 (CF) -2 (Partial Concealment)= 20, 24. Miss x 2.
TRIGGERS A's IMMEDIATE INTERRUPT: BATTLE AWARENESS: TRIGGER: AN ENEMY THAT IS ADJACENT TO YOU SHIFTS OR MAKES AN ATTACK THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE YOU AS A TARGET; EFFECT: MAKE A MBA (ELDRITCH STRIKE) AGAINST TRIGGERING ENEMY: r5+20=25 vs AC 28/MISS.
Maba's Piercing Eye is quick to deflect at least one of the terrible Shadowcrawler's attacks, but ARUNNY would prefer to have rained more vengeance down on it.
LOCATION: J8.
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I, Q, X in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 388/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, -2 ATK UEoQNT, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2
Watching the Golden General and Omthala's Radiant Shamishar thwart the Voidbeast with the power of the Mother's sun, IBHEA raises the holy symbol of the Goddess about his neck.
"May the black flames of Delban sear your soul from this realm! And may the searing light of The Sun incinerate you like an ant under a glass!" Nothing. He wills divine force into the instrument outstretched at their foe. Nothing.
Has the Goddess abandoned him?
Wreathing himself in shadows, Ibhea slinks away behind the Obelisk to the Son, wounded, biding his time in doubt.
* Starts turn: Takes 7 - 5 Resist All = 2 cold and necrotic damage
* Minor: Curses N
* Standard: Shining Symbol CBL 3 on N, r3+19-2 (Part Conc) =22 vs 25 Will. Miss.
* Move: 5 sq to D10; activates Shadow Walk (Concealment)
LOCATION: D10
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N Cursed
CURRENT HP: 63/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), Resist 5 All (Moment of Glory)
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty Daily Power, Flaming Dagger Daily power, Boots of Elvenkind Daily Power
Does the Messenger retreat from battle? Why did he not bathe their foe in Omthala's searing light? Or, at least, wrap it in the black flames of Delban?
These and other questions beset XIN MAE. Puzzled into inactivity by contemplation of these matters, it is all he can do to exhort Arunny to continue the fight. "Smite the creature! We have our chance, still!"
The priestess who models herself as Omthala's Searing Voice and Maba's Piercing Gaze strikes with her cudgel, a mighty blow that sends the Nightwalker stumbling back towards the object(s) of its ire--the hated totem of Delban ... and that god's servants and evangelizers.
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on A, 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. Eldritch Strike vs N, r8+20=28 vs 28 AC. Hit. r7+9=16 damage and Slide N 1 sq to I8 (in Delban's Obelisk aura)
LOCATION: G11, N in I8
DAMAGE: 16 damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N in Delban's Obelisk aura
CURRENT HP: 85/87 +10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All Moment of Glory
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
Our stalwart young warrior grimly ignores the chill from the fell beast they are fighting for the moment. Then QAMRA smiles, having found a new opportunity for her to paint the Shadowcrawler in coronal flames.
She dodges the nearest shadowpool, skirting its edges and slipping past the shaking and muttering scrivener. As she moves past Delban's Obelisk, she puts her hand out and touches it for luck. The tingle she feels is reassuring, and her smile becomes an exhuberant grin.
Strengthened in spirit and body, Omthala's Radiant Shamishar once again slices into the hide of the Nightwalker, spreading a gloriously radiant fire across its hide.
* Start of Turn: rolls to recharge Solar Storm Advance (5,6): r3/Fails; in N's Void Chill Aura2: takes 7 Cold/Necrotic - 5 Resist All = takes 2 damage.
* Move: Moves 5 sq to G9
* Standard: Coronal Flare (divine, fire, radiant)(M1): ATK vs. N: r18+17-2 Concealment=33 vs 27 Ref/Hit: Damage (3d6 fire & radiant damage & one creature w/in 10 sq takes 5 radiant damage & -2 ATKs UEoQNT): r5,5,3+7 Radiant/Fire +10 Vulnerable Radiant = 30 Radiant Damage, plus 5 radiant + 10 Vulnerable Radiant = 45 fire and radiant damage, & N has -2 ATKs UEoQNT.
LOCATION: G9
DAMAGE: 45 Fire & Radiant Damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N: in Q's KTA Aura 2; -2 ATKs UEoQNT (CF)
CURRENT HP: 89/103 8 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In N's Void Chill Aura2, Solar Storm Advance on cooldown, Resist 5 All (A's MoG)
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: na
N 327/564 Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in Delban's Obelisk Aura2, -2 ATKs UEoQNT (CF)
ROUND 4
ARUNNY finds she cannot get the image of the once vibrant scorpion out of her mind's sight, its figure blinking in and out of her vision as she -- once again -- approaches Nerull's fell creation of shadow. She wonders if it remembers the arena, remembers the battle in the light. She tries to retain her focus in the Present Now, rather than the Future Then, but is only partially successful. Her attempt to brand the Shadowcrawler with Omthala's brand of radiant sunlight falls short.
Determined to be present at the current battlefield completely, the Sun Goddess's Searing Voice takes several deep breaths and finds that at least some of the chill leaving her body. Yet she still sees the image of the living scorpion echoing the movements of its present existence.
* Start of Turn: Frozen Shadowpool Effect: takes 10 OG Cold/Necrotic - Resist OG 6 = 4 Cold/Necrotic Damage; N's Void Chill Aura2: takes 7 Necrotic - Resist All 5 = 2 Necrotic Damage & is Slowed (SE).
* Move: Shift 1 sq to J7
retains BotFM Power: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT
* Standard: Brand of the Sun (M1) vs. N: ATK: r3+20+2 CA = 25 vs 28 AC/Misses; Effect: You or one ally w/in 5 sq of you can make a Save: Arunny: Save vs. FSE: r14/Success.
* End of Turn: no longer Slowed/Taking OG Damage
LOCATION: J7
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 75/85 4 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BotFM (+1 AC/Reflex UEoANT); MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor); Prophetic Action (1 add'l Move); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); Void Chill Aura2
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
The NIGHTWALKER knows its mission; destroy Delban's acolyte. Shadows fold and unfold and the malevolent creature appears elsewhere, frozen claws assailing Ibhea. As the creature of pure darkness engages The Shadowed Sun's acolyte, the warrior-priest fades from the world as shadows, like the Nightwalker, embrace him, eclipsing his form.
Ibhea uses his deity's obelisk to great tactical advantage, covering his flank and causing the interception of multiple blows.
* Instinctive Action: Nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares (to E8), becomes invisible, and uses Death's Flurry as free action on I. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(12, 14) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -2 (CF) -2 (Partial Concealment) -2 (Cover) = 27, 27. Miss x 2.
LOCATION: E8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I, Q in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 327/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in Delban's Obelisk Aura2, -2 ATKs UEoQNT (CF).
VRUK sees his chance to engage the shadowy terror and swings his beefy arms wildly, catching a glancing blow on the invisible foe; "you no mash friends...Vruk mash you!"
The NIGHTWALKER disappears from sight, darkness enveloping it in full, only to reappear and unleash a terrible vision onto Xin Mae, Qamra, and Arunny. Being unable to avert their gaze, they see the true awfulness, the emptiness of The Void...without and within.
But despite the darkness, the emptiness...this time, their gods and stalwart spirits see them through the worst of it.
The stare of timeless death leaves a shadowy and decrepifying cold in its wake.
* Start Turn: in Delban's Obelisk; -2 hit/-4 damage, Recharge Void Gaze; r(5). Recharges.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Move: 5 sq to J6.
TRIGGERS VRUK HINDERING TERRAIN; 5 DAMAGE TO N DUE TO MOVING AWAY.
* Standard: ᗕ Void Gaze (CBl5; creatures, necrotic, psychic) vs X, Q, A Reflex (then N becomes visible): r(3, 13, 19) +16 +2 vs X and Q (CA) -2 (CF) -2 (Delb Obe Aura2) = 17, 27, 31. Hit A and miss X and Q. r(4, 6, 6) +13 -4 (Delb Obe Aura2) - Resist 5 = 20 -4 THP = 16 psychic damage to A. Slides A 3 sq to H7. 10 psychic damage - 10 THP = 0 damage to X and slides X 1 sq to H10. 10 psychic damage - 8 THP = 2 psychic damage to Q and slides Q 1 sq to G8.
TRIGGERS A's IMMEDIATE REACTION (DAILY): MABA'S MARK OF THE DARK MOON POWER (TELEPORTATION): TRIGGER: YOU TAKE DAMAGE: EFFECT: YOU TELEPORT 3 SQ, AND YOU CAN MAKE A STEALTH CHECK AS A FREE ACTION TO HIDE IF YOU END THIS TELEPORT IN COVER OR WITH CONCEALMENT: A Teleports to K6, out of Void Chill Zone.
As ARUNNY is subjected to the terrible visions of the Shadowcrawler, she hears a whisper within her: "Away, my seer!" And with that, she is removed from the board momentarily, and subsequently placed out of the chilling zone of horrors and next to the beast.
Awaiting her next moment of attack, Maba's Piercing Eye cannot but recall that these visions held not only a dreadful chill, but some sorrow as well. Well, not for its prey! An inner sense of loss.
Effect: Nightwalker creates a zone (purple centered on I9) until the start of its next turn. Any living creature that starts its turn in the zone takes 5 necrotic damage and is slowed UtEoT.
* End Turn: Delban's Obelisk Aura2 effect ends.
LOCATION: N in J6, A in K6, X in H10, Q in G8.
DAMAGE: 5 damage in to N. 16 psychic damage to A and 2 psychic damage to Q. All THP exhausted.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A and Q in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 322/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in Delban's Obelisk Aura2, -2 ATKs UEoQNT (CF), X/Q in Void Gaze Zone.
IBHEA DELAYS HIS TURN UNTIL AFTER XIN MAE
The scrivener cannot see Delban's Messenger from his vantage on the opposite side of the Obelisk. But he does not understand this retreat and hesitancy to do battle with their fated foe. Does he not trust in The Shadowed Sun to shield him from woe?
Fighting through the lethargy induced by the Nightwalker's void gaze, XIN MAE stands beside Qamra.
"It is said that creatures of shadow are defeated by the newborn light. This little girl is barely past infancy herself and stands before you in defiance of your master. Hear now the ancient words of power and feel your potency wane as shadow gives way to light."
There is no divine explosion of light, no arcane sigils to ward off the creature. But nevertheless all know that Xin Mae and those close to him are warded from the worst the Nightwalker can offer.
"Thou meddling death-born canker-blossom!" Xin Mae taunts. "You shall find your best is not good enough against this foe!" And then the scrivener looks back over his shoulder, where Ibhea lurks behind the Obelisk.
* Starts turn: In Void Gaze Zone, takes 5-5 Resist All= 0 necrotic damage and is Slowed
* Move: 2 sq to F8
* Minor: Defensive Lore (Shadow) CBu 2; Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn.... 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 (white square).
* Standard: Hurled Invective R10 vs N, r1. AUTOMISS.
LOCATION: F8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 85/87 +10 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All Moment of Glory, Q&X in Defensive Lore Zone
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore (white square)
There is doubt in IBHEA's heart, for what is a Son without His Mother? And the Mother seems to shun Her Son's Messenger at the moment. This fraught contemplation of Omthala gives way to an inner and sustaining warmth that fills Ibhea with renewed vigor.
And then a voice within rises up, "What need the Son His Mother when he commands the power of the black flames?!?"
Emboldened, the warlock wreathes himself in shadow once again and strides forth from behind the Obelisk to stand beside their servant, Vruk. He looks down with scorn at Strategos Farbad, still prostrate on the cobbles in deference. Or fear.
Ibhea points his flaming dagger towards the Nightwalker, and tentacles lash out from a sphere of fiery darkness to harry the creature. The Nightwalker reels under the assault.
* Minor: Deliverance of Faith; Effect: You spend a healing surge but regain no hit points. You gain temporary hit points equal to your healing surge value (22).
* Move: 3 sq to D7, activates Shadow Walk.
* Standard: Devouring Dark ABu1 within 10 on I5. ATK vs N, r10+19-2 Concealment=27 vs 27 Reflex. Hit. r7,7,5+13 cold, fire, and necrotic damage + r3,2 (Curse) +r6 (Mindbite Scorn) psychic damage=43 cold, fire, necrotic, and psychic damage.
N BLOODIED. Effect: The burst creates a zone that lasts until the end of your next turn. Creatures grant combat advantage while in the zone (dark red sq).
TRIGGERS N's:
Triggered Actions
Bloodied Void Gaze ✦ Encounter
Trigger: Nightwalker is first bloodied.
Attack (Immediate Reaction): Void Gaze recharges, and nightwalker uses it
ᗕ Void Gaze (CBl5; creatures, necrotic, psychic) vs X, Q, I, V Reflex: r(13, 14, 3, 6) +16 -2 (CF) (-2 vs I due to Part Conc) = 27, 28, 15, 20. Hit X and miss Q, I, V. r(3, 2, 8) +13 - Resist 5 = 21 - 10 THP = 11 psychic damage to X. Slides X 3 sq to I7. 10 psychic damage to Q and slides Q 1 sq to G7. 10 psychic damage - 10 THP = 0 psychic damage to I and slides I 1 sq to E6. V slides to C6.
Ibhea's attack triggers an explosion of shadow from the NIGHTWALKER's form as its ivory eyes become larger than would seem possible, consuming all of the heroes save Arunny in its terrible depths. A pall of supernatural coldness settles upon them.
LOCATION: I in E6, X in I7, Q in G7, V in C6.
DAMAGE: 43 cold, fire, necrotic, and psychic damage to N;
N BLOODIED. -10 THP to I and X. X take 11 psychic damage and Q takes 10 psychic damage.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N Cursed & in Devouring Dark Zone (dark red sq)
CURRENT HP: 63/90 +12 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), Resist 5 All (Moment of Glory), in Defensive Lore Zone, in Void Zone.
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty Daily Power, Flaming Dagger Daily Power, Boots of Elvenkind Daily Power
QAMRA feels the monster's Void Gazes sweep ineffectually over her, and the glimpses of dark nothing only serve to amuse her. She gives a surge of laughter, for -- within her -- she senses the return of her Goddess-given Solar Storms. But she will not use that just yet. Thinking on Omthala reminds her of the shadow in which most of them are fighting: with that timely reminder the young warrior takes out a sunrod and hold it alofts.
"That's better!"
The Radiant Shamishar continues to smile as the bounce of thoughts reveals some thoughts, pushes distracting ones back into the shadows, and -- Oh! -- gives her wonderful idea, one of which her very strategy-oriented mentor would approve. Pulling forth Star- and Moonlight from the lingering shadows, Qamra brings forth a combination of mithril and opalescent flames and throws this -- with a wave of her scimitar -- to rain down near the space where Ibhea stands. Surely Delban and Maba -- together -- will protect their shadowed knight, as well as punish the Shadowcrawler.
* Start of Turn: VGZ 1: 5 - 5 Resist All = 0 Nec Dam, VGZ 2: 5-5 Resist All = 0 Nec Dam & Slowed UEoQT; Solar Storm Advance (SSA): r6/Recharges
* Minor: Retrieve Sunrod.
TRIGGERS ILLUMINATION IN ENCOUNTER AREA.
* Standard (Daily): Warding Flame (Divine, Zone) (ABu2 w/in 10 sq): centered on G6: Effect: The burst creates a zone of silver flame that lasts UEoQNT. You & each ally w/in the zone gain resist 10 fire, resist 10 radiant, & +2 power bonus to all defenses. Each enemy w/in the zone gains vulnerable 5 fire & vulnerable 5 radiant, & takes a -2 penalty to all defenses (orange square). Sustain Minor: The zone persists.
* Move: 2 sq to G5
* End of Turn: no longer Slowed
LOCATION: G5
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: creates Warding Flame Zone (WFZ) UEoQNT: enemies: Vulnerable 5 Fire & Radiant & take -2 all defenses (orange square)
CURRENT HP: 77/103
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In N's Void Chill Aura2, Resist 5 All (A's MoG), in X's DLZ (UEoXNT), WFZ (sustain minor)
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Warding Flame Zone
N 279/564 Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in Devouring Dark zone, in Warding Flame zone.
ROUND 5
ARUNNY is unsure whether the chill she feels is entirely from her close proximity to the Shadowcrawler, or if a frisson comes from hearing Qamra's strange giggles. What has come over that child?
She is heartened, however, to see the dancing flames around Ibhea, flames more beautiful than the murky ones he has lately ignited. Allowing herself a brief smile of her own, Maba's Piercing Eye breathes in deeply while murmuring a plea for continued sustenance from the Moon Maiden. Then the priestess hefts high her morningstar and slams it down, pouring Omthala's brand of Radiant Retribution into the hide of the beast, scales burning off in droves.
Carefully, she steps away from her opponent, again conflicted by the double image of foe and victim revealed to her as she does so.
* Start of Turn: in Void Chill Aura2: 7-5 Resist All = 2 Necrotic Damage
* Minor: Sustain MoG
* Standard: Brand of the Sun (M1): ATK vs. N: r13+20+2 CA = 35 vs 28 AC/Hit; Damage: r8+9 Radiant +10 Vulnerable Radiant = 27 Radiant Damage to N
* Move: Boots of the Fencing Master Power: Shift 2 sq to I8
BotFM Property: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT
LOCATION: I8
DAMAGE: 27 Radiant Damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 57/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BotFM (+1 AC/Reflex UEoANT); MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor); Prophetic Action (extra move action); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); in Q's Warding Flame Zone (UEoQNT)
SURGES: 10/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
The NIGHTWALKER sees its former prey ripe for the picking; the herald of Delban's acolyte. Shadows fold and unfold and the malevolent creature appears elsewhere, frozen claws assailing the comparatively frail scrivener. As the creature of pure darkness engages Xin Mae, Omthala's Radiant Knight stands stalwart next to him to protect him from the siege of frozen claws.
* Instinctive Action: Nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares (to K9), becomes invisible, and uses Death's Flurry as free action on X. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(11, 1) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) = 32, 1. Hit x 1. r(6, 1) +6 physical + r(3) +6 cold damage = 22 physical and cold damage -5 Resist All = 17 damage to X.
LOCATION: K9
DAMAGE: 17 physical and cold damage to X.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A, X in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 252/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs.
The NIGHTWALKER disappears from sight, darkness enveloping it in full, only to reappear and overwhelm Xin Mae and Arunny with an onslaught of rime-covered, shadowy claws.
"My! Oh my!" The pen-pushing, word-toting Xin Mae survives thanks to Qamra's Warding Flame giving him just enough thwart certain death.
And the creature's freezing, ghastly miasmas fade.
* Start Turn: Recharge Void Gaze; r(2). Fails to recharge.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Standard: Death's Flurry. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(9, 16) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) = 30, 35. Hit x 1 (due to Warding Flame Zone defense bonus). r(3, 6) +6 physical + r(2) +6 cold damage = 23 physical and cold damage -5 Resist All = 18 damage to X (
BLOODIED).
* End Turn: Void Gaze zones both end.
LOCATION: K9
DAMAGE: 18 physical and cold damage to X (
BLOODIED).
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: A and X in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 252/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs.
XIN MAE may be a man lacking in practical experience in the world. Hitherto, his experience has been largely vicarious, through the insights of others as recorded in tablet, book, and scroll. But the scrivener is no fool. He sees death coming for him and ducks around Arunny, interceding the Golden General and her armored form between him and the Nightwalker's icy claws. As the dazzling light of the sunrod and Qamra's invocation of divine power floods the plaza, he intones again the words of power gleaned through his study and feels the zone of protection from creatures of shadow like this Void Assassin renewed.
Can he goad the creature to its downfall?
"Your best is as a droplet of water on a sizzling pan in the dessert heat, creature: sputtering out and soon to be dissipated, like your unlife!"
It works. The Nightwalker maneuvers around Arunny to get at the scholar, entering, in part, the warding zone of gold and silver flames invoked by that girl, seemingly in this moment powerful beyond her years.
* Move: Shift 1 sq to H8
* Minor: Sustain Defensive Lore Zone
* Standard: Hurled Invective R10 vs N, r14+18=32 vs 25 Will. Hit. r2+5=7 damage and Slides N 2 sq to J7 (in Warding Flame Zone)
LOCATION: X in H8, N in J7
DAMAGE: 7 damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N in Warding Flame Zone
CURRENT HP: 39/87
BLOODIED
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All Moment of Glory, X in Defensive Lore Zone
SURGES: 7/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
The warring voices in his head--Worship the Mother! Defy the Mother! She is Creator! She is Destroyer!--confound IBHEA and drive his madness deeper. Wreathing himself in shadow, he charges past the shadow pool in front of him towards the Nightwalker, flaming dagger raised as if to strike the mortal blow, vulnerable as it is to the weapon's fire by means of the divine power of Omthala's Radiant Shamishar.
And then, just as he reaches the creature, he pulls up short, indecisive. The power of the Mother?
He does not strike the blow.
* Standard: Charge 3 sq H6. Activates Shadow Walk. Eldritch Strike vs N, r1. AUTOMISS.
* End Turn: Devouring Dark zone ends
LOCATION: H6
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N Cursed
CURRENT HP: 63/90 +12 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), Resist 5 All (Moment of Glory), in Defensive Lore Zone, in Warding Flames Zone.
SURGES: 5/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty Daily Power, Flaming Dagger Daily Power, Boots of Elvenkind Daily Power.
Ignoring the chill she feels from being close to the beast, young QAMRA murmurs a plea to Omthala's Compatriots to continue pouring Their warding power into Their zone and around herself, and the Celestial Flames of mithril and opalescence give a flare in answer. The Radiant Shamishar smiles her understanding of their cue and leaps closer still to the Shadowcrawler, particles of light echoing her passage.
As she lands, sending up sparks from the ground, Qamra calls the Sun Goddess's Coronal power into her blade in a cry of pure song. Then, the slim but fierce warrior gives yet another slice to her opponent's hide, once again filling the wound with the Radiance of the Sun's Fire, and the Nightwalker seems to shrink within itself ... just a bit more.
* Start of Turn: in Void Chill Aura2: takes 7-5 Resist All = 2 Necrotic Damage
* Minor: Sustain WFZ
* Move: 4 sq (avoiding OAs) to K5
* Standard: Coronal Flare (M1) vs N: ATK: r16+17+2 CA (DM) = 35 vs 27-2=25 Reflex/Hit; D: r4,4,2+7 Radiant & Fire +10 Vulnerable Radiant = 27 Radiant & Fire Damage & -2 penalty to ATKs (UEoQNT) to N.
LOCATION: K5
DAMAGE: 27 Radiant & Fire damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N w/in WFZ (UEoQNT): enemies: Vul 5 Fire & Rad & -2 all defenses (orange square); -2 penalty ATK rolls UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 75/103
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In N's Void Chill Aura2, Resist 5 All (A's MoG), in X's DLZ (UEoXNT), WFZ (sustain minor)(Q + allies w/in Zone, +2 all Def/Resist 10 Rad/Fire; enemies w/in Zone: -2)
SURGES: 12/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Warding Flame Zone
N
218/564 Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, in Devouring Dark zone, in Defensive Lore Zone, in Warding Flame Zone, -2 penalty ATKs (CF) UEoQNT
ROUND 6
ARUNNY continues to see (and attempt to ignore) the dual image of Mortal Scorpion/Undead Shadowcrawler as she considers her next move. Distractions must not be allowed to enter her maze of strategy. The Fellowship is slowly gaining traction, but is it enough?
The Seer nods approvingly at Qamra's gleeful attack on the beast, the Moonlight-covered warrior seeking to draw its attention away from their much-wounded comrades. Breathing forth a continuation her own Lunar protections, Arunny slides around the shadow scorpion, into place between Xin Mae and Delban ... Ibhea ... Someone Else? Maba's Piercing Eye senses stronger evidence of a warring duality within the priest, but sets that observation aside to Get. Things. Done!
Omthala's Searing Voice calls out to her Goddess, asking for healing. And healing is given. Along with strength of purpose and muscle. Once again, the Unforgettable -- and Unforgiving -- cudgel is hefted high and brought down upon the hide of the beast, sparks flying, Radiant Retribution delivered.
* Start of Turn: in N's Aura2: takes 7-5 Resist All = 2 Necrotic Damage
* Minor: Sustain MoG
* Prophetic Action (extra Move): Shift 1 sq to H7;
BotFM Property: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT
* Minor (Enc): Word of Vigor (CBu1) on A, I, & X: Effect: each target spends surge & regains 2d6 (r5,2 = 7) hps; I/29, X/28, & A/28; BCL: I, X, & A gain +2 ATKs UEoANT
* Standard: Brand of the Sun (M1) vs N: ATK: r13+20+2 CA (DM) +2 BCL = 37 vs 28-2 WFZ=26 AC/Hit; D: r7+9 Radiant +10 Vulnerable Radiant = 26 Radiant Damage to N
LOCATION: H7
DAMAGE: 26 Radiant Damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 83/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BCL: A, I, & X (UEoANT); BotFM (+1 AC/Reflex UEoANT); MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); in WFZ (UEoQNT); in DLZ (UEoXNT); in N's Aura2
SURGES: 9/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
Blessed Qamra's prayers and bladework repel the NIGHTWALKER's <BAMF> flurry.
* Instinctive Action: Nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares (to M8), becomes invisible, and uses Death's Flurry as free action on Q. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(3, 12) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -2 (CF) = 22, 29. Miss x 2.
LOCATION: M8
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Q in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 192/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, -2 penalty ATKs (CF) UEoQNT.
The NIGHTWALKER disappears from sight, darkness enveloping it in full, only to reappear and force its enemies to again stare into the void within its eyes, reflecting their darkest desires and most palpable fears.
Warding flame battles frozen miasma left in the wake of the shadow creature's psychic attack. Ibhea and Arunny attempt to rally Qamra and Xin Mae, whose spirits sink the deepest into the depths of the creature's corrupt reflection.
* Start Turn: Recharge Void Gaze; r(6). Recharges.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Standard: ᗕ Void Gaze (CBl5; creatures, necrotic, psychic) vs X, A, I, Q Reflex (then N becomes visible): r(16, 9, 1, 20) +16 +2 vs X, I and Q (CA) -2 (CF) = 32, 23, Automiss, Crit. CRIT Q, Hit X, AUTOMISS I, Miss A. 24 +13 - Resist 5 = 32 psychic damage to Q
(BLOODIED). r(4, 5, 5) +13 - Resist 5 = 22/2 (DL zone) = 11 psychic damage to X. 5 psychic damage to A. 5 -5 THP = -5 THP to I. Slides Q 0 sq. Slides X 3 sq to K9. Slides A 1 sq to I8. Slides I 1 sq to I6
LOCATION: N in M8, Q in K5, X in K9, A in I8, I in I6.
DAMAGE: Q takes 32 psychic damage
(BLOODIED), X takes 11, A takes 5. -5 THP to I.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: X, A, I, Q in Void Gaze Zone. X and Q in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 192/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, -2 penalty ATKs (CF) UEoQNT.
XIN MAE reels under the Void. Was this what Sun Gek had meant by the contemplation of the Nothing That Is All?
Shaking his head, the scrivener backs away from the Nightwalker, his ennervated limbs barely moving. If he can just ... get ... close enough ... to Delban's Obelisk! There! He repeats the invocation of warding against shadow, safe in the orbit of Delban's protection... for the moment.
* Starts turn: 7-5 Resist All=2 cold & necrotic damage (Void Chill Aura), 5-5 Resist All=0 necrotic damage & Slowed UEoT (Void Gaze Zone)
* Move: Shift 1 sq to J10
* Standard --> Move: 2 sq to G10 (in DLZ)
* Minor: Sustain Defensive Lore Zone
LOCATION: G10
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 56/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All Moment of Glory, X in Defensive Lore Zone
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
The necrotic energies of the Nightwalker's Void gaze wash over IBHEA, but they are as nothing to him now. He is too far gone in madness. All sense of self is submerged and *something else rises from within.
A basso rumbling intones these words from the warlock's form as he bursts into flame: "My Messenger is the living flame, and in the flame you will find your fiery end."
Ibhea's fiery figure rolls towards the Nightwalker, and noxious black clouds of flame roil around the creature from both sides, and so it lashes out in self-defense, receiving the promised fiery retribution for its efforts. Whatever power possesses Ibhea draws him from one cloud to the other on the far side of his foe in the blink of an eye, wreathed in shadows.
Deep gasps are heard from the two prostrate myrmidons across the square.
* Starts turn: 5 - 5 Resist All = 0 necrotic damage & Slowed UEoT
* Minor: Burning Transformation. Effect: You transform into a creature of fire until the end of the encounter. While in this form you gain the following benefits and limitations: You are insubstantial, you can shift 1 square as a minor action, you are immune to fire, you gain a +5 power bonus to damage rolls with arcane fire attacks, and you cannot use any attack power without the fire keyword. Additionally, whenever an enemy hits you with a melee attack, it takes fire damage equal to 5 + your Intelligence modifier (+4).
* Move: 2 sq to K7
* Standard: Deathly Conduit ABu 1 on M8.
TRIGGERS OA FROM N, FROZEN CLAW, R16+19-2 CF -2 CONCEALMENT=31 VS 28 AC. HIT. R3,3+6+R3+6=21/2 (INSUBSTANTIAL)=10 DAMAGE TO I AND 9 FIRE DAMAGE TO N. ATK vs N, r9+19+2 BCL=30 vs 25 Fort. Hit. r4,1+13 fire and necrotic +5 fire +r3,3 WC +r5 psychic MS=34 damage to N & Blinded (SE).
TRIGGERS ARCANE PRODIGY, NO ACTION, Effect: You gain a +2 bonus to your next damage roll. The bonus increases to +3 at 11th level. Effect: Each creature adjacent to you takes 10 necrotic (and fire +5 )damage, and you can teleport to an unoccupied square in the burst. N takes 15 fire and necrotic damage and I teleports to N9, activates Shadow Walk.
LOCATION: N9
DAMAGE: 61 fire, necrotic, and psychic damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N Cursed & Blinded (SE)
CURRENT HP: 87/90
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), Resist 5 All (Moment of Glory), Insubstantial, +5 damage to arcane fire attacks, enemy that hits I with melee atk takes 9 fire damage, cannot use powers without fire keyword
SURGES: 4/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty, Flaming Dagger, Boots of Elvenkind, Deathly Conduit
QAMRA's eyes glow with the battle fierceness of an older, more seasoned warrior. Her grin grows feral, bloody teeth exposed, as she stares at her now blinded opponent, accepting -- and ignoring -- the chill it has cast at her. After all, Those for whom she fights will shield Their chosen fellowship.
Cloaking herself with a cloak of unseen but effective protection, the Radiant Shamishar swirls her scimitar in a circle, then leaps into the vortex she has created. Arriving next to the shadow beast that has so wounded them all, Qamra pierces its flesh with a reminder of who really controls the battlefield.
"That's right: deal with me, you crawler of shadows!" she growls.
* Start of Turn: in Void Chill Aura2: 7-5 Resist All = 2 Cold & Necrotic damage; Void Gaze Zone: 5-5 Resist All = 0 Necrotic damage & Slowed (UEoQT)
* Minor: Sustain Warding Flame Zone
* Minor (Daily): Virtue (CBu1): Effect: Q spends a healing surge but regains no hp. Instead Q or ally (Q) gains 27 THP.
* Standard: Solar Storm Advance (Recharge 5,6): effect: Teleport 6 sq (to M6) & Q may use Ardent Strike against adjacent enemy (N) at end of teleport: Ardent Strike (m1) vs N: ATK: r17+19+2 CA (Blinded) = 38 vs 28 AC/Hit; D: r6,4,4+11 = 25 damage & N is subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT.
LOCATION: M6
DAMAGE: 25 damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N is subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
CURRENT HP: 41/103 (Bloodied) 27 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: In N's Void Chill Aura2; Resist 5 All (A's MoG), WFZ (sustain minor)(Q + allies w/in Zone, +2 all Def/Resist 10 Rad/Fire; enemies w/in Zone: -2)
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Warding Flame Zone
N 106/564 Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, Cursed, Blinded (SE), subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
ROUND 7
Freed from the aura of the fell Shadowcrawler, ARUNNY feels protective energies wash over her, despite its latest Void attacks. This far from the beast, the Seer has less double-vision: of Nerull's creature, at least. Somehow Ibhea's blur of duality seems more obvious from a distance: up close the lines were smudged, but now the vibrations more stark: waves of mithril and jasper clash against dull basalt, amidst smoky flames. The result is a distracting cacophony making her head and eyes ache.
Perhaps this is why the Radiance fails her, why she is unable let loose the tendrils from her fingers, why they instead wrap around her, tickling her skin, dissipating into and strengthening the protections surrounding the Fellowship instead.
Frustrated and confused, Arunny fights back tears of pain and sorrow. She lowers her head, filled with shame. However, unseen by Maba's Piercing Eye, a single Moonbeam shines down upon her.
* Start of Turn: in Void Gaze Zone: 5-5 Resist All = 0 Necrotic Damage, & Arunny is Slowed UEoAT
* Move: Shift 1 sq to H7
BotFM Property: +1 AC/Reflex UEoANT
* Standard: Hand of Radiance (R10) vs. N: r1+18+2 BCL +2 CA (Blinded) = Automiss!!
* Minor: Sustain MoG
LOCATION: H7
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 76/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: BotFM (+1 AC/Reflex UEoANT); MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); in WFZ (UEoQNT); in DLZ (UEoXNT)
SURGES: 9/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
NIGHTWALKER INSTINCTIVE RELOCATION INIT 10+
Blessed Qamra's prayers and bladework repel the NIGHTWALKER's <BAMF> flurry.
* Instinctive Action: Nightwalker teleports up to 5 squares (to P7), becomes invisible, and uses Death's Flurry as free action on Q. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(14, 8) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -5 (Total Concealment; Blinded) = 30, 22. Miss x 2.
LOCATION: P7
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I and Q in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 106/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, Cursed, Blinded (SE), subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
The NIGHTWALKER forced to give ground due to the heroes' force of will and their cursed dieties, the fell creature disappears from sight, darkness enveloping it in full, only to reappear. It has felt the sting of the small knight's radiant enchantment...not again. It focuses its attention on her fully, but she stands when the dust clears.
* Start Turn: Recharge Void Gaze; r(2). Fails to recharge. Immune to Frozen Shadowpools; shadow origin.
* Minor: Elusive Invisibility (Illusion); Nightwalker becomes invisible until the end of its next turn or until it hits or misses with an attack.
* Standard: Death's Flurry on Q. Frozen Claw (M2, cold) x 2 vs AC: r(17, 9) + 19 (+2 for CA on first attack) -5 (Total Concealment; Blinded) = 33, 23. Hit x 1. r(6, 2) + 6 damage plus r(3) + 6 cold damage - 5 Resist = 18 damage = 18 THP removed.
* End Turn: Save vs blinded; r(11) +5 = 6. Succeeds.
LOCATION: P7
DAMAGE: Q -18 THP.
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: I and Q in N's Void Chill Aura.
CURRENT HP: 106/564
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Void Gaze cooldown, 0/2 APs, in Q's Keep Their Attention (KTA) Aura 2, Cursed, subject to Q's Divine Sanction UEoQNT
XIN MAE DELAYS HIS TURN UNTIL AFTER IBHEA.
Xin Mae trembles in fear and awe at the incarnation of what can only be The Deity in His Messenger.
Meanwhile, there is a contest warring within IBHEA. Whatever holds control of him wishes to burn. Burn everything. But some remnant of sanity resists that impulse. At last, the battle concludes in a stalemate of sorts. The entities vying for control split off from one another. A shadowy darkness of the blackest flame appears between Qamra and the Nightwalker, while the other entity--still aflame, yet bearing the vaguely discernible features of the warlock--wreathes itself in shadow and moves to stand close to Omthala's Searing Voice.
All stand expectant. But there is no final blow of flame forthcoming.
* Minor: Mirror Darkly R5 on N6; Effect: You conjure a shade in an unoccupied square within range. The shade occupies its square and lasts until the end of your next turn. The shade can be attacked. It uses your defenses, and it is destroyed if it takes any damage. While the shade persists, you are insubstantial and you can use your space of the shade’s space as the origin of your attacks.
Aftereffect: You can teleport to a square formerly occupied by the shade.
* Move: 5 sq to I5, activates Shadow Walk.
* Standard: Eldritch Strike via shade, ATK vs N, r2+21=23 vs 28 AC. Miss.
LOCATION: I5, shade in N6
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: N Cursed
CURRENT HP: 87/90 +7 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Concealment (Shadow Walk), in WFZ, Resist 5 All (Moment of Glory), Insubstantial, +5 damage to arcane fire attacks, enemy that hits I with melee atk takes 9 fire damage, cannot use powers without fire keyword
SURGES: 4/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Armor of Dark Majesty, Flaming Dagger, Boots of Elvenkind, Deathly Conduit
The scrivener can stand the tension no longer. XIN MAE gives off repeating the incantation of the words of power for a moment to shrilly shout, "What are you waiting for ... Ibhea? Whatever you are! Smite our foe! Destroy it! Before it destroys us!"
The Ibhea that stands near Arunny turns to look at the scrivener for a moment. Then he turns his head towards his shade and mimics striking a blow with his flaming dagger. The shade does the same, and the Nightwalker gives a howl of agony as the blade bites deep--into mind as well as body.
* Minor: Sustain Defensive Lore Zone.
* Standard: Smite Our Foe! R5 on I; Eldritch Strike via shade ATK vs N, r15+21+2 Cunning Stalker=39 vs 28 AC. Hit. r3+12 +5 fire +r6,6 Warlock's Curse +r5 psychic Mindbite Scorn=37 fire and psychic damage to N & Slides N 1 sq to Q6.
LOCATION: G10, N in Q6
DAMAGE: 37 fire and psychic damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 56/87
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All Moment of Glory, X in Defensive Lore Zone
SURGES: 6/7
DAILIES EXPENDED: Defensive Lore
QAMRA can feel her energy beginning to flag. The beautiful Moon- and Starlight dancing through each of them (save the scrivener) has been keeping her spirits skipping along with them, but now?
Omthala's Radiant Shamishar, still holding the sunrod aloft, has a grim expression on her young face as she steps forward into the fray once more. This time, when she lifts her scimitar, the warrior does not see or feel flames running along its edge. This time, when she hits the side of the Shadowcrawler, the blade bounces harmlessly off, its tip falling to the ground.
* Start of Turn: recharge Solar Storm Advance: r6/Success.
* Minor: Sustain Warding Flame in Zone and on self.
* Move: 2 sq to O4
* Standard: Coronal Flare M1 vs N: ATK: r1 = Automiss
LOCATION: O4
DAMAGE: na
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: Divine Sanction ends
CURRENT HP: 41/103 (Bloodied) 9 THP
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: Resist 5 All (A's MoG), WFZ (sustain minor)(Q + allies w/in Zone, +2 all Def/Resist 10 Rad/Fire; enemies w/in Zone: -2)
SURGES: 11/12
DAILIES EXPENDED: Warding Flame Zone
ARUNNY's eyes narrow as she watches her young protegee begin to move with less spontaneity and with more deliberateness. They are (slowly) winning, but if this goes on much longer...
"Hang on, little sister!" Omthala's Searing Voice rings out. "We're almost there!"
The Seer gives a quick prayer of thanks for Maba's continued protection, before adding a plea to the Triune Light give favor to her next attack on their enemy's creature of shadow. There. That should steady her hands this time!
Watching the Shadowcrawler raise its scorpion tail to attack young Qamra, the priestess wraps her hand in the tendrils of Divine Radiance, the coils now of gold and opalescence and mithril. Arunny smiles: they are all with her!
Then Maba's Piercing Eye, Omthala's Searing Voice, and Delban's Dark Truth flings her arm in the Nightwalker's direction, sending the beams of multicolored radiance to wrap around its body, burning deep wounds into its hide.
* Minor: Sustain MoG
* Minor (Enc): Favor of the Gods (CBu 2, Channel Divinity): target: one creature in the burst (Arunny); effect: the next time the target misses with an attack UEoANT, Arunny can reroll that attack roll. It must use the new result, even if it is lower.
* Standard: Hand of Radiance R10 vs N: ATK: r9+18=27 vs 27 Ref/Hit.
declines to use FotG reroll D:r2+9 Radiant +10 Vuln Rad = 21 damage to N.
* End of Turn: Boots of the Fencing Master property power becomes dormant
LOCATION: H7
DAMAGE: 21 Radiant damage to N
CONDITIONS TO ENEMIES: na
CURRENT HP: 76/85
CURRENT DE/BUFFS: MoG (Resist 5 All on A, Q, I, & XM) (UEoANT/sustain minor); Superior Fort (Resist 6 OG), Uncanny Dodge (CA: no +2 to hit); in WFZ (UEoQNT); in DLZ (UEoXNT)
SURGES: 9/11
DAILIES EXPENDED: Cast Fortune, Crest of Vigilance, Good Omens, Moment of Glory, Silent Malediction
THAT'S A WRAP. CONFLICT RESOLVED.
Will denouement the conflict tomorrow with bookkeeping necessaries.
Courtesy
@darkbard :
Arunny's invocation holds the Nightwalker, but only for a moment. In what has become all-too-familiar a sight, the creature, its body morphing and distending, disappears <bamf>, only to apparate near Ibhea, lashing out with its wicked claws. The flaming figure of Delban's Messenger is struck down. And is gone.
For a moment, all is still. Did Ibhea just die?!?
Then Ibhea reappears where once his shade stood, that black entity replaced with the variegated flamed form of the warlock. Ibhea gives out a mighty roar--in truth, almost a hiss of sizzling flames--and charges the Nightwalker, his flaming dagger held high. Until he plunges it deep into the creature's chest.
Amost instantly, the Nightwalker undergoes a series of seizures, spasmodic fits. Its form slumps down onto all fours. Then each pair of limbs is doubled. A wicked tail grows out of the creature's back, even as it writhes on the cobbles of the plaza. The black form of Nerull's transformation is gone, replaced for a moment by the chitonous red form of that gigantic Scorpion that once held the name Grimtail. And then even that form dissolves, reduced to a pile of red dust that wafts away in the wind.
