Merin whispers quietly to his comrades, "I am going to take out the female first. She's probably a Kineticist. So instead of using sound against her, I am going to burn her with the Phoenix feather. The two assistants are probably the next most dangerous threat, followed by the drummers, I'd imagine; the regulars are probably all fodder."
Merin will advance, using Soullessness to make himself unseen; he will also dampen the sounds of his breathing and footsteps. Lastly, he will stimulate his body to increase motility (speed.)
Caldera Valley in the Western Jungle
Secluded Lake in Western Jungle with Mysterious Island
GM said:
There are 15 Da'Roneh in the funeral procession. The woman, who is dressed like a giant black vulture, appears to be in charge. She was occasionally assisted by two men who are also wearing feathered garments, but not so intricate or complete as the woman's. There are four drummers, two of whom are female and two of whom are male. There are eight, plain-looking soldiers carrying reed javelins. Four of the regulars are male, and four are female.
Merin.., "I am going to take out the female first... with the Phoenix feather... Merin will advance, using Soullessness... he will also dampen the sounds... he will stimulate his body to increase motility
Sheldon blurs his image and moves around the party in the opposite direction from Merin, indicating that he will concentrate his first attack on one of the male feather dancers. He holds a pair of spider fangs in his hand as he attempts to alter the mind of his target.
The Da'Roneh focus their attention on Vadin, when they notice him running toward them. The javeliniers move to intervene, but the real surprises catch the remainder unaware. A great heat assails the Kineticist, one of the Dancers clutches his head and begins shaking it, and the other Dancer sprouts an arrow in his abdomen. All assaults are effective, yet not incapcitating. The Da'Roneh prepare to retaliate. The Javeliniers continue to rush Vadin, but at the screamed words from the Kineticists, 10 of them veer off to look for other targets. The Kineticist and the Dancer who were mystically assaulted look for Merin and Sheldon in order to return the favor. The one with an arrow locates, Matumbo, his shooter.
OOC:
Each character receives 3 DP. All increase proficiency in Da'Roneh by 1%. STATE NEXT INTENDED ACTION AND PROVIDE ROLLS FOR REACTION AND THAT ACTION.
Caldera Valley in the Western Jungle
Secluded Lake in Western Jungle with Mysterious Island
GM said:
There are 15 Da'Roneh... The woman, who is dressed like a giant black vulture, appears to be in charge... two men who are also wearing feathered garments... four drummers, two of whom are female and two of whom are male. There are eight... javelins. Four of the regulars are male, and four are female.
Seeing his opponent grab his head, Sheldon keeps his distance, moving around within his range, and uses another pair of spider fangs to generate the same mental assault.
The feathered woman does not change her location but seems to be doing something arcane. The slightly injured Dancer charges toward Merindell. The dazed one, a bit slower, runs toward Sheldon's direction. The Drummers begin playing a rhythm. Two javeliniers head for Vadin, two for Matumbo, two for Merindell, two for Sheldon.
Despite anything that has transpired, everything new seems to happen at once. Not realizing that her assailant is proficient in her same skill, the Caller generates, or attempts to generate, a sonic assault on Merindell, who instinctively unravels the weave. She, in turn, falls to the ground, incapacitated by a second wave a heat.
The Dancers, as they run to physically engage realize that neither of them can correctly focus on their targets, so they stop and generate heat instead. Merindell resists, but Sheldon takes some damage. Sheldon is able to cause his opponent to drop to his knees but does not quite take his mind from him.
The Drummers not only thump out a rhythm but generate a loud piercing sound in the ears each of the four Seekers. Merindell unravels the weave. Vadin resists, but Sheldon and Matumbo both take damage.
The Javeliniers stop short of melee range, being armed with four javelins, each. None prove able to harm a target, futilely making wild throws where they think Merindell and Sheldon may be. Vadin closes the remainder of the distance to slice open one them enough to leave him in the dirt to bleed out.
OOC:
All characters receive 3 DP. Everyone improves in the proficiency of Da'Roneh by 1%. STATE NEXT INTENDED ACTION AND PROVIDE A FEW DICE ROLLS
Remaining unnoticed, Merindell will focus on Dancer #1, since Sheldon seems to have Dancer #2 well in hand. He will sonically assault Dancer #1, in the same manner as the Caller was attempting to do to him; he will use a single measure of Palladium to augment the sonic assault.
Merin thinks to himself, ~Let's see how you like it, vermin!~
Frustrated that two assaults have not crippled his target, Sheldon pushes for a third, seeing that the man has grabbed his head on both previous assaults.
Vadin will continue to run down javeliniers and attack them with his sword and knife.
The Drummers and Javeliniers, being unimpeded, act first. The Drummers futilely attempt to sonically assault the Seekers but cannot generate enough power to be very effective. One of the Javeliniers returns from Sheldon to tend the fallen Caller. The ones attacking Sheldon and Merindell are still unable to focus on either man well enough to target them. Matumbo and Vadin both take glancing blows, protected by their tunics.
Before he can act, Dancer1 is assailed with a powerful piercing sound that drive the consciousness from his mind. Having only taken a second, Merindell turns his attention to one of the Drummers, but, unaided, is only able to daze him a bit with the same type of assault.
Sheldon and Matumbo, again take some harm from the mystical assaults against them, but neither is in a condition to yet be concerned.
Sheldon finally takes over the mind of Dancer2, who immediately runs and tackles the remaining Javelinier who was stalking Sheldon.
Turning his attention to the encroaching Javeliniers, Matumbo put an arrow cleanly through one, dropping him to the ground. Vadin manages to run down and kill his second opponent.
Lastly, the Javelinier, who ran to the aid of the Caller, falls to the ground. The Caller quickly rises to her feet, seemingly uninjured and pissed.
OOC:
All characters receive 3 DP. STATE NEXT ACTION AND PROVIDE ONE OR TWO ROLLS.
Merin, who is also pissed, reaches for his second of four (I think he carries 4, not 100% sure, but he carries a good amount) measures of lighter pine, intending to light the Caller up yet again.
The grand battle drags on, with the Da'Roneh Caller having drained the life of one of her Javeliniers to regain her own. She cannot manage to damage the superior Merindell, for his skill is greater than her own, and he unravels her attempts to weave thermal waylines. In return, he incinerates her for a second and third time, from which she does not recover.
Sheldon, angered by the pecking irritation of the Drummers, physically closes on one while electrocuting another. He repeats this tactic, albeit, a bit slower after the first confrontation. The Da'Roneh are no match for him physically, but keeping their distance, they continue to prey on his consciousness, slowing him to a crawl before all four of them are subdued.
Though he has the misfortune of a few errant shots, Matumbo proves much more deadly at such close range than any of the Javeliniers, but he sustains some minor injury.
Vadin survives, completely unscathed, though he is fortunate to not have drawn the attention of the Caller or the Dancers before their demise.
Once the battle is done, Matumbo looks in disgust at the wonton destruction that was done, justly admonishing the Seekers, comparing it to his own history with the people of the Valley. Significantly affected by the words and their empathy, Sheldon feels marred by the encounter having, over the course of the previous 10-day, demonstrated the very behavior he had despised in the Da'Roneh.
Matumbo realizes that these men are not malevolent, but have been temporarily tainted by the lust of battle. Choosing to take some time for reflection and solace, the men return to Southroad Fair. Its citizens are astounded at the presence of a Deviard, but quickly adjust to his nature rather than regard him according to his tribe.
