>>4504
The person several feet away from you is neither kingly in any sense of the word, nor red. In fact, they look like a little girl wearing a frilly cream and pink dress, with a corsage pinned to her blue hair with a ribbon. Her skin, though, is unusually pale. And her eyes are milky white, except for her sclera, which are completely black. Then there's that smile she's giving you when she notices your approach. It looks like she stole it from a shark that just found a fish with a wounded flipper.

"Such persistence for a bunch of third-rate nothings," she states disdainfully. "Sticking together so my precious Voidsteel couldn't properly pick you off one by one, hoarding your precious Dragonmarks to keep Khyber from regaining full power... You must feel pretty special to think you've gotten the best of Ruuz."

The shape behind her is growing more solid by the second, its form slowly solidifying into something sleek, gray, and distinctly draconic. The figure gestures to the dragon, her grin pushing into shit-eating territory. "But," she chides "simply through the usage of the Dragonmarks I've already collected, this much of Khyber's power can be unsealed. More than enough to deal with a bunch of nothings like you."

As if on cue, the giant dragon-like shape fully forms, no longer a wraith-like figure, but a very real thing that roars and makes the earth shake around it. The girl gestures to herself and begins her monologue.

"Now, who will win today? I, Ruuz, the King in Red, the immortal, immaculate, intellectual assassin, backed by Khyber, the single most powerful force in the universe?" And then she sneers, her tone mocking and contemptuous as she waves dismissively at your group, "or yoooou, a bunch of nothings carrying pretend equipment forged with hopes and dreams, bonds tempered with courage and friendship?"

Last edited at 13/11/04(Mon)21:23:58

>>4505
Ruuz soon sarcastically replies to her own inquiry, giggling, "I can't imagine how this will turn out." Then she extends an arm, the air crystallizing into a jagged red blade of light. She makes a few experimental slashing motions as Khyber roars, sardonically posing one question to the intrepid group of heroes:

"What do you think, everyone?"

"Haha-ha! That's a good one! If you bitch were really so all-mighty you'd have no need to bring us into your little trap!" shouts the warlord, not impressed by the apparition of the cruel progenitor dragon.
After inspiring his comrades, Kuro draws his new spear and exclaims: "Let's bring her down!"

"Nozing? Ha ha ha! Ah remember ze last person to call me a nozing!" Tainya whispers in a laughing tone. As compared to her normally boisterous voice, she can barely be heard now, the sound seems to hover around the edge of her companions and then disappear into the wind. "One of ze matrons in Xen'drik had similar zoughts about moi. A lowly scout, was all ze future zat awaited me zere. Let us see what future ah 'ave obtained 'ere, together, madam!" Though the King in Red cannot possibly hear her say this, it seems to be addressed at her--along with the toothy grin Tainya flashes as she produces her hand crossbow, and loads it with a freezing bolt.

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (I-3) 69/69 HP
Melech (J-3) 76/79 HP
Sophie (J-2) 54/59 HP
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (K-3) 82/82 HP

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-7/8/9) quaking earth aura 1
The King in Red, Ruuz (G-10)

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.

Last edited at 13/11/05(Tue)16:25:26

Shift to D-6

Last edited at 13/11/05(Tue)16:54:31

Sophie's knowledge checks:
http://orokos.com/roll/147600

Almost instantaneously, the ninja fades from sight.

Activate reflexive psychic shroud.

Sophie (Arcana) : Sophie senses a link between the two that ties the vitalities of Khyber and Ruuz together (Linked Health is a trait shared by both enemies that states both creatures have a shared hit point and action point total; an attack that damages one will deplete this shared hit point total. An attack that damages both of them only depletes their HP pool by an amount equal to the highest damage dealt between the two of them).

Khyber is a level 14 elite soldier that has taken on the form of an earthquake dragon. Its most prominent ability, quaking earth, allows it to cause minor tremors that trip up attackers (when an enemy within the aura makes an attack that doesn't include Khyber, they take 15 damage and fall prone after concluding the attack). It can slowly expand this aura to deadly effect, creating a localized earthquake that brings enemies to their knees (rising tremors is a minor action power that causes the aura to expand to aura 3. At the start of its next turn, quaking earth expands to aura 5. At the start of its next turn, the dragon makes attack against all enemies in a close burst 5 for heavy damage and knocks them prone and they cannot stand until they save. After that the aura reverts to its original state and size and the power recharges). When forced to move in a way that it dislikes, the tremors that follow it lash out at foes (Sudden Quake is a free action that triggers when Khyber is pushed, pulled, slid, or knocked prone, knocking enemies in its aura prone and causing 2d6 damage to enemies that are already prone). Normally, Khyber attacks with its bite and claw attacks against far-away targets, and uses claw against anything that tries to get closer (Khyber has threatening reach, and can make opportunity attacks against enemies within 3 squares of it). Its double attack lets it use bite and claw, or use claw twice. Closer targets are encased in stone and slowly petrified (earthen maw restrains a target on a hit, and on a failed save, the target is instead petrified until it saves). When in danger, Khyber calls upon the haze that reduced Cyre to ruins to destroy the enemy's confidence and leave them vulnerable (when bloodied, Khyber uses mournful mists as a free action, attacking will in a huge blast for significant damage; enemies that are hit are weakened, slowed and dazed until they save; on a miss, the target takes some damage and is slowed until the end of its next turn). It should come as no surprise that they can sense things through the earth, including those who would try to hide (Khyber has tremorsense 10 and can see you if you're on the same surface)

Ruuz is a doppelganger, and a level 11 elite lurker who can change her appearance on a whim (alter shape allows Ruuz to disguise herself as somebody else both in body and clothing, requiring a DC 32 insight check to see through the disguise) . Her weapon, the energy katar she called Voidsteel, is an artifact bestowed upon her by the Children of the Underlord, and preys on the weak and isolated (Voidsteel deals 6d8 extra damage to creatures without any allies within 3 squares of them) while it collects the souls of the fallen (her soul taker trait makes it impossible for creatures equal to or less than Ruuz's level to ressurect other creatures that died within 20 squares of her; if Voidsteel is destroyed or disenchanted, the effect ends). Her favorite method of attack, however, is to strangle victims relentlessly (her garrote power lets her grab a target until they escape (DC 20), causing the target to take 10 damage at the start of each of its turns; Ruuz cannot attack other creatures while grabbing a target, but can roll a save to drag her target with her if either is pushed, pulled or slid), cripple their legs (lacerate is a ranged attack that does not provoke opportunity attacks from grabbed creatures, and causes enemies to take damage when they move willingly, though they take less if they are pulled by forceful drag) drag them away from their allies (her forceful drag power lets her pull a grabbed creature behind her without provoking opportunity attacks) and stab them. To get in close, Ruuz fades into the shadows and hides until she can get her hands on a lone creature (walk through shadow makes Ruuz invisible and causes her to move up to her speed, without taking penalties to stealth checks for moving more than 2 squares or talking during this movement) and uses them as a meat shield against the attacks of enemies (body shield lets Ruuz switch places with a grabbed enemy when targeted by a melee or ranged attack power, and the attack instead targets the enemy she has grabbed). Finally, because she is petty and cruel, she will mock enemies that fail to hit her (demoralize is an immediate reaction that triggers when an enemy misses Ruuz with an attack or hits a creature she used for body shield; the enemy that missed with the attack takes a -5 penalty to its next saving throw before the end of the encounter) and go out of her way to finish enemies off (Ruuz will attempt to perform a coup de grace attack whenever possible, regardless of obstacles).

Tainya erases herself from the sight of her enemies using the fairy doll's gift, while Kuro tries to get into flanking position with the giant dragon. The tremors emenating from the huge creature spread out and grow in intensity before it lumbers forward, letting Kuro get in an extremely solid hit. Khyber intently cuts off Kuro from his allies. Content that its cohort can take care of the warlord, it focuses on attacking the weakest looking party member with its long, gangly claws. The cave wall provides some cover for Sophie, but she has to deflect a second attack by conjuring a mystic shield.

In the space that Khyber vacated, the party sees a space where their perspectives subtly warp and twist. It hurts to look at it too long, and appears dangerous.

Kuro shifts to G-6 and gains a +2 power bonus to his next attack roll
Tainya uses reflexive psychic shroud
Khyber uses Rising Tremors, expanding its Quaking Earth aura to 3
Khyber moves to E/F/G-5/6/7, provoking an opportunity attack from Kuro; he CRITS for 29 damage plus 9 thunder damage (http://orokos.com/roll/147602 and http://orokos.com/roll/147603)
Khyber uses double attack, missing Sophie both times with claw after she uses shield

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (G-6) 69/69 HP
Melech (J-3) 76/79 HP
Sophie (J-2) 54/59 HP +4 AC and Reflex until end of next turn
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP hidden
Gilgamesh (K-3) 82/82 HP

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -38 HP quaking earth aura 3
The King in Red, Ruuz (G-10) -38 HP

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Sophie briefly observes the space just revealed in the middle of the bloody pentagram, then bravely hides behind Tainya.

A little shaken due to being targeted, unlike she has been for a while, Sophie conjures an enticing illusion to lure the enemies a bit farther, though she's afraid it was not effective.

Shift to K-1.

Visions of Avarice on Ruuz (nat1/miss) and Khyber (30): http://orokos.com/roll/147916 (at I-10)

Pull Khyber to H/I/J-9/10/11.

Knowledge checks for Rift:
http://orokos.com/roll/147918 (Dungeoneering - 30)
http://orokos.com/roll/147915 (Arcana - 26)


Last edited at 13/11/07(Thu)06:21:21

Sophie (Arcana) : This tiny rift to the deepest depths of The Dragon Below, where tunnels open into the Elemental Chaos, and the laws of nature are meaningless, is a hazard and a level 11 blaster. It's but a tiny fracture in the fabric of reality, and that's more than enough for the aspect to slip through. For those not twisted by insanity, however, being in proximity to it is detrimental to physical and mental well-being (ending your turn in or adjacent to the rift causes you to take psychic damage, and may result in taking ongoing 5 psychic damage and being dazed until you save; Ruuz and Khyber are, unfortunately, immune to its effects)
Once before the end of the encounter, a character within 3 squares of the rift can make an arcana check as a standard action with a DC of 27. A successful check will cause the rift to shrink, only affecting targets in its space and dealing half damage with its primary attack. In addition, performing this successfully causes Khyber to take a -2 penalty to attack rolls, damage rolls, and defenses until the end of the encounter. Failing this check results in the rift growing in size, and Khyber gaining a +2 power bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and defenses until the end of the encounter.

Sophie falls back out of the dragon's reach, and summons a hoard of treasure to lure her enemies away. Ruuz doesn't even notice it, but Khyber's draconic instincts get the better of it, and it abandons its post to hoard the pile to itself. However, the tremors of its movements knock Kuro off his feet, leaving him exposed to the doppelganger. Ruuz traces an arc in the air with her glowing weapon, a crescent shaped light forming from its tip that races towards Melech. The paladin isn't quick enough, and it draws a painful gash in his legs. After that, the girl turns her attention to Kuro, a predatory grin on her face as she closes in, heels clicking on the cold stone. Pulling a strip of something tan from her pack, she twists it until it is as thin as a strand of rope, her weapon mounted on her wrist and not impeding her in the slightest. Ruuz bends down and loops the band around Kuro's neck, then drags him back towards the anomaly, smugly stating, "I am not a bitch. I am a god."

Having been oddly silent for the past few minutes, Gilgamesh returns to form as he rushes towards the giant dragon, calling out, "This guy's mine!" Khyber swats at him, but Gil shrugs it off. Taking a similar stance to what he had before, Gilgamesh lets out a battle cry as he makes a series of attacks against the dragon, managing a couple of solid hits. But when he tries to land a big attack, his swords bounce harmlessly off the stony scales, leaving him exposed.

Sophie shifts to K-1
Sophie hits Khyber with Visions of Avarice and pulls it to H/I/J-9/10/11, immobilizing it (save ends); this triggers sudden quake and knocks Kuro prone

Ruuz hits Melech with lacerate for 17 damage; Melech will take damage if he moves before the end of Ruuz's next turn
Ruuz moves to D-7
Ruuz hits Kuro with Garrote; Kuro is now grabbed
Ruuz spends an action point! Ruuz uses forceful drag and moves to F-9, sliding Kuro to F-8

Gilgamesh moves to H-8; Khyber makes an opportunity attack with claw and hits for 17 damage
Gilgamesh enters the Battle Fury stance, gaining a +2 power bonus to damage rolls while taking a -2 penalty to AC
Gilgamesh attacks Khyber with Rain of Blows, missing once and hitting twice for a total of 34 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/148031), and marks Khyber as a result
Gilgamesh spends an action point, and invokes Kuro's Bravura class feature! Gilgamesh uses bedeviling assault against Khyber, but misses (http://orokos.com/roll/148032), granting combat advantage; until the end of the encounter, when an ally hits Khyber with a melee attack, Gilgamesh can make a melee basic attack with combat advantage against Khyber as a free action (once per round)

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (F-8) 69/69 HP prone, grabbed (DC 20)
Melech (J-3) 59/79 HP will take damage when moving
Sophie (J-2) 54/59 HP
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP hidden
Gilgamesh (H-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC, granting combat advantage

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -72 HP quaking earth aura 3, immobilized (save ends), bedeviling assault
The King in Red, Ruuz (G-10) -72 HP

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Tainya, still impossibly hidden by the fairy-person's boon, looses a poisoned magic bolt in the dragon's direction. After watching it cling off the creature's rocky exterior, she instantly loads another bolt and activates her weapon's power, granting her another attack, this one aimed at Ruuz--but in her haste, doesn't even come close to hitting.

Calming herself, the drow reaches deep inside for another burst of energy, and, spying Kuro still in danger, focuses her aim and strikes at a weak point she spies in the dragon's armor, this teleporting bolt striking true and ripping Kuro through time and space out of Ruuz's grasp. Seizing the opportunity and exulting in freeing her comrade, Tainya launches a near-simultaneous bolt that strikes the aspect once more for good measure.

Minor Action: Apply carrion crawler brain juice to a summoning bolt +3, magic shuriken +1, and 3x freezing bolt +3.
Free Action: Load hand crossbow of speed +1 with a poisoned summoning bolt +3.
Standard Action: Use ranged basic attack vs. Aspect of Khyber, 26 vs. AC, which doesn't hit. http://orokos.com/roll/148037
Minor Action: Use ranged basic attack granted by weapon of speed to fire a space-shifting bolt at Ruuz, but roll a natural 1. http://orokos.com/roll/148039
Standard Action (Action point): Use a ranged basic attack against aspect of Khyber, again, take advantage of Kuro's bravura presence. 39 vs. AC, using summoning bolt +3 for 26 damage, and teleporting Kuro to J-12.
Free Action: (trigger from Bravura Presence) Another ranged basic attack against aspect of Khymber, 40 vs AC for 18 damage with mundane bolt.
Free Action: Load hand crossbow of speed with a poisoned freezing arrow +3.

After a couple of misfires, Tainya manages to land a solid hit on the earthen dragon with a magnetic bolt. The discharge causes Kuro to vanish in a shower of sparks, and a livid Ruuz finds herself grasping at nothing and utterly exposed. The warlord reappears in a prime flanking position near the dragon, though he is still laying down. Tainya puts another bolt in the dragon's hide for good measure, dealing considerable damage in a short amount of time.

Tainya misses Khyber with ranged basic attack
Tainya misses with weapon of speed's power against Ruuz
Tainya spends an action point! Tainya hits Khyber with her ranged basic attack using a summoning bolt for 26 damage, teleporting Kuro to J-12
Tainya makes another ranged basic attack from Kuro's Bravura Presence, and hits Khyber for 18 damage

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (J-12) 69/69 HP prone
Melech (J-3) 59/79 HP will take damage when moving
Sophie (J-2) 54/59 HP
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (H-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC, granting combat advantage

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -116 HP quaking earth aura 3, immobilized (save ends), bedeviling assault
The King in Red, Ruuz (G-10) -116 HP

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Melech grits his teeth and moves forward, managing to not seriously agitate his wound. He calls upon Torm to mark Ruuz as his enemy, and channels power into his holy symbol. Streams of light explode from the trinket and race towards Ruuz, but the doppelganger steps out of the way. Still, one of them manages to catch her full on and leaves her reeling in place, screaming obscenities at the paladin.

Melech moves to J-4, and takes 5 damage from lacerate's effect
Melech marks Ruuz with divine challenge
Melech misses Ruuz with radiant delerium for 11 radiant damage and Ruuz is dazed until the end of Melech's next turn (http://orokos.com/roll/148445)

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (J-12) 69/69 HP prone
Melech (J-4) 54/79 HP will take damage when moving
Sophie (J-2) 54/59 HP
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (H-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC, granting combat advantage

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -127 HP quaking earth aura 3, immobilized (save ends), bedeviling assault
The King in Red, Ruuz (G-10) -127 HP divine challenge, dazed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Last edited at 13/11/09(Sat)16:48:34

"Teleporting always make me feel so dizzy."
Mentally thanking the eladrin from helping him to escape from the horrible murderer, Kuro stands up and makes a poor attempt to taunt Khyber.

Stand up
Provoke Overextension! (miss) http://orokos.com/roll/148448

Vengeance is Mine! (another miss)
Grant Gil an attack too. Don't really need to move.
http://orokos.com/roll/148454

Kuro stands on the water as though it were solid, and tries to grab the dragon's attention with an attack. It fails to hit Khyber, and the beast seems content to ignore him. Ruuz has other plans, yelling, "soften up the straggler for me, his neck is mine!" As the tremors around the dragon increase in scope, Khyber proceeds to punch through Kuro's defenses with an onslaught of vicious attacks, leaving him battered and bloody. Gilgamesh and Kuro don't let it happen without reprisal, however, and double-team the creature to score a series of hits against it. When the dragon looks to move away, the two warriors manage to hinder its movements with their attacks, forcing it to charge recklessly to escape the beating. Melech deflects its jaws with his shield easily, to Khyber's vexation. But now the entire party feels the ground shaking, building to something very powerful...

Kuro stands from prone
Kuro fails to hit with Provoke Overextension
Khyber's Rising Tremors causing the quaking earth aura to expand to an aura 5
Khyber uses double attack and hits Kuro with claw for 17 damage and bite for 22 damage, bloodying him; Gilgamesh hits with his melee basic attack granted by combat challenge for 20 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/148453)
Kuro uses vengeance is mine as a reaction to getting hit, but misses with his attack; Gilgamesh moves to K-9 and hits Khyber with a melee basic attack for 20 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/148455)
Khyber attempts to move, but is hit by Gilgamesh for 21 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/148456) and by Kuro for 19 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/148458); Gilgamesh's combat superiority class feature prevents Khyber from moving
Khyber spends an action point! Khyber charges Melech with bite but fails to hit

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (J-12) 30/69 HP (bloodied)
Melech (J-3) 54/79 HP will take damage when moving
Sophie (J-2) 54/59 HP
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (K-9) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC, granting combat advantage

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -207 HP quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault
The King in Red, Ruuz (G-10) -207 HP divine challenge, dazed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Aiming to affect Ruuz this time, Sophie sustains her previous spell.

She casts an attack against Khyber, but slips up on the chant.

Seeing the large amount of risky ground, Sophie quickly teleports to a safer place.

"Ahem, if we destroy her precious Voidsteel, we can save the souls she took!"

Visions of Avarice (sustain) on Ruuz: http://orokos.com/roll/148468 (27)
Color Orb against Khyber: http://orokos.com/roll/148469(19, 18 damage)
Fey Step - Teleport to P-6

The dizzied Ruuz spies a throne made of skulls that escaped her notice before. She drags herself over to it, glazed eyes glittering with glee, only to have the illusion prove intangible beneath her fingers. Sophie tries to add to this success by hurling a ball of colored lights at Khyber, but misjudges her shot, which goes wild. To escape retribution, Sophie takes a step between the planes and reemerges several feet away. "You're not going to get the better of me, you nothings!" Ruuz insists, frustrated with how the battle is turning out. Unable to reach her target, she sends a slice of energy at Kuro, but it is harmlessly deflected by his armor.

"Today's just not your day, princess," Gilgamesh taunts, trudging back through the stream. After narrowly avoiding an attack from Khyber, he focuses on the dragon before sprinting forward and driving his swords into the dragon's hide, eliciting a loud roar.

Sophie sustains visions of avarice and pulls Ruuz to I-10
Sophie misses Khyber with color orb
Sophie uses Fey Step and teleports to P-6

Ruuz fails to hit Kuro with lacerate and takes 12 radiant damage from divine challenge

Gilgamesh uses hunter's quarry on Khyber
Gilgamesh moves to J-10, and Khyber somehow fails to hit him with claw
Gilgamesh charges Khyber and hits with a melee basic attack for 25 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/148492)

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (J-12) 30/69 HP (bloodied)
Melech (J-3) 54/79 HP will take damage when moving
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (K-2) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (K-9) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC, granting combat advantage

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -219 HP quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -219 HP divine challenge, dazed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Last edited at 13/11/09(Sat)21:34:04

"Tonko," the drow whispers as she vanishes in a cloud of smoke, reappearing for only a brief moment a short distance away before disappearing from sight completely, and then loosing a frost-infused crossbow bolt dripping with poison. The bolt flies true, aimed directly at Ruuz's midsection.

Move Action: Walk through Shadow to teleport to P-7.
Minor Action: Cloak of Shades, become invisible to enemies more than 5 squares away, gain concealment against all others, lasts until end of my next turn.
Standard Action: Use a ranged basic attack against Ruuz with a poisoned +3 freezing arrow. http://orokos.com/roll/148501 29 vs. AC to hit, 35 total damage, 8 of it is cold and 4 of it is poison, and she is slowed until the end of my next turn.

Tainya escapes from the trembling earth to a space adjacent to Sophie. Wrapping herself in concealing shadows, she vanishes from sight completely before firing a poisoned, icy bolt at Ruuz. The attack strikes true, giving the doppelganger the shivers and drawing her ire. For now, Ruuz fixates intently on the space Tainya last occupied.

Tainya uses walk through shadow and teleports to P-7
Tainya uses cloak of shades and becomes invisible to enemies further than 5 squares away, otherwise she has concealment from them until the end of her next turn
Tainya hits Ruuz with a ranged basic attack for 35 damage, and Ruuz is slowed until the end of her next turn

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (J-12) 30/69 HP (bloodied)
Melech (J-3) 54/79 HP
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (P-7) 67/69 HP invisible from 5 squares away, concealment
Gilgamesh (K-9) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -244 HP quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -244 HP divine challenge, dazed, slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

After Melech revitalized himself, he pointed his longsword at Aspect of Khyber and shouted, "You damned beast, stay your hand!"

Virtue, +19THP
Divine Challenge against dragn
Symbol of Champion's Code: mark da dargon

Invoking the power of his faith, Melech steels himself against further attacks. His holy symbol glows with divine magic as he marks the dragon before him as an enemy, then binds it into causing no harm to his allies. As a result, however, Ruuz is no longer under the threat of punishment, and comes back to her senses with a menacing smile.

Melech uses virtue and gains 19 temporary hit points and resist 3 all until the end of his next turn
Melech marks Khyber with divine challenge, removing it from Ruuz
Melech uses the daily power of his symbol of the champion's code, and Khyber cannot target creatures other than him until the end of his next turn

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (J-12) 30/69 HP (bloodied)
Melech (J-3) 54/79 HP +19 THP, resist 3 all
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (P-7) 67/69 HP invisible from 5 squares away, concealment
Gilgamesh (K-9) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (E/F/G-5/6/7) -244 HP quaking earth aura 5, bedeviling assault, divine challenge, cannot only target Melech
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -244 HP slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Confident of the dragon being suppressed by Melech's mark, Kuro ignores the helpless murderer and walks where the others are, feinting a swing of his spear and granting Tainya a perfect chance to hit Ruuz in the process.
Even though he was wounded before, Kuro now stands proudly close to his comrades. This mere thought motivates him and makes his body feels full of energy again.
Move to N-7
Direct the strike! Grant Tainya a RBA against Ruuz
Healing word on myself (40) http://orokos.com/roll/148932

Her hand still moving to load another bolt, Tainya continues to fire with seemingly inhuman reflexes.

Free Action: Ranged basic attack vs. Ruuz with regular crossbow bolt, 21 damage. http://orokos.com/roll/148935

Kuro moves away until he can't feel the earth trembling under his feet. Conveniently, that allows him to direct Tainya to attack Ruuz with another shot, causing her and the aspect to reel back in pain. The dragon retaliates against the only target it can, exhaling a deluge of smoky white haze upon Melech. The murderous changeling claps her hands gleefully, giddily proclaiming, "You see now? You see what happens when you defy me? Now fall into the deepest depths of despair and die!"

Melech's force of will, however, proves stronger, and when the attack is finished, he's only slightly worse for wear. Ruuz is furious, screaming, "You damned 'heroes' think you're hot stuff? You're nothing but delusional morons who got lucky! Khyber, snuff them out!"

Unfortunately for Ruuz, Khyber is bound by Melech's holy symbol to obey his challenge, and what should have been a powerful quake doesn't happen. As the shaking recedes, the dragon slams the ground, and teeth of stone rise from beneath Melech's feet to bite him and hold him securely. In response, his powerful artifact weapon hums, and an intangible echo of Khyber's own attack traps the dragon in stone, firmly holding it in its place. Khyber manages to break free, and, by extension, so does Melech, as the jaws of earth recede back into the ground.

Kuro moves to N-7
Kuro uses direct the strike and Tainya hits Ruuz with a ranged basic attack for 21 damage, bloodying Ruuz and Khyber; this triggers Khyber's mournful mists, which misses Melech for 14 damage (reduced from 17) and slows him until the end of his next turn
Kuro heals himself with inspiring word for 40 hit points

Khyber's rising tremors fails to go off due to the holy symbol effect, and the quaking earth aura reverts to size 1
Khyber hits Melech with earthen maw for 26 damage (reduced from 29), and Melech is restrained (save ends) and bloodied; Melech uses Fragarach's daily power, and Khyber is also restrained (save ends)
Khyber saves out of being restrained, as does Melech

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (N-7) 69/69 HP
Melech (J-3) 27/79 HP (bloodied) resist 3 all, slowed
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (P-7) 67/69 HP invisible from 5 squares away, concealment
Gilgamesh (K-9) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -261 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 1, bedeviling assault, divine challenge, can only target Melech
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -261 HP (bloodied) slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Last edited at 13/11/12(Tue)08:38:08

Motivated by Ruuz's attitude, Sophie conjures a false stone wall around Ruuz, trapping her.

To further rile her up, Sophie brings up a murmur right next to Ruuz.
"Delusional morons, huh? We'll see who's the nutcase soon enough."


Sustain Visions of Avarice - no pull
Illusory Wall (H/I/J-9/10/11 sans I-10)
Ghost Sound on I-10

At Sophie's urging, a wall of stone erupts in front of Ruuz. The doppelganger reflexively backs away, into something she percieves as solid. Another wall had been conjured behind her. And on both sides. Ruuz is soon completely encaged by sheer rock on all sides but the top, Sophie's taunting voice echoing within her little private prison.

Ruuz scoffs at this mockery, yelling at where she thinks the source of the voice is coming from, "You think this can hold me?" she taunts, trying to grab hold of the rock wall. "You're even dumber than I-" The assassin is interrupted by the percieved threat of falling rocks from the top of the nearest wall and abandons her climbing - while the party sees it more as a convincing pantomime of a person stuck in a box - and snarls, "Smug little- This changes nothing!" Dramatically throwing her arms out, she screams, "the world belongs to me! Ruuz!"

Meanwhile, Gilgamesh maneuvers into position before delivering another successful attack against Khyber. He lunges away from the dragon and drives his weapons into Ruuz, who couldn't even see him. He wraps up his attack by spinning away and striking a pose, murmuring "I'm so good I surprise myself!"

Sophie sustains Visions of Avarice but does not pull
Sophie conjures an illusory wall around Ruuz

Ruuz fails to get through the wall (http://orokos.com/roll/149367 32)
Ruuz fails to climb the wall

Gilgamesh moves to H-8
Gilgamesh uses tempest dance and hits Khyber for 27 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/149399) (forgot several things, least of which that he still had this attack), then shifts to H-9 and hits Ruuz for 19 damage, then shifts to I-8

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (N-7) 69/69 HP
Melech (J-3) 27/79 HP (bloodied) resist 3 all, slowed
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (P-7) 67/69 HP invisible from 5 squares away, concealment
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -307 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 1, bedeviling assault, divine challenge, can only target Melech
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -307 HP (bloodied) slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Finally in position to stealthily stalk her opponent, Tainya creeps close (accidentally splashing in a puddle on the way over but grateful that Ruuz seemed too distracted to notice) before firing a well-aimed shot at Ruuz's vitals, followed by another quick shot from her invisible position.

Move Action: Move to M-9, Stealth check to hide: http://orokos.com/roll/149405 (22)
Standard Action: Ranged basic attack vs. Ruuz, 35 vs. AC to hit for 41 damage http://orokos.com/roll/149407
Minor Action: Hidden Shot vs. Ruuz, 26 vs. AC for 12 damage. http://orokos.com/roll/149408

Despite her less-than-graceful footsteps through the running water, Tainya manages to keep her position concealed from Ruuz as she draws closer. Letting loose a pair of arrows, she manages to nail Ruuz right in the chest, which causes the doppelganger to cry out in anguish. She's not dead, though, which is testament to the dark magics Khyber has infused her with. Still, she's very upset at her current situation, screaming, "Face me, you cowardly nothings! I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you!" while making stabbing motions at the empty air.

Tainya moves to M-9 and succeeds on her stealth check to hide from Ruuz
Tainya hits Ruuz with a ranged basic attack using assassin's strike for 41 damage
Tainya hits Ruuz with hidden shot for 12 damage

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (N-7) 69/69 HP
Melech (J-3) 27/79 HP (bloodied) slowed
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (M-9) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -358 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 1, bedeviling assault, divine challenge, can only target Melech
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -358 HP (bloodied) slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Melech tries to reinvigorate himself with an attack, but isn't used to his new weapon and misses the dragon entirely. The emeralds set in its pommel flare to life, and wrack Khyber with pain.

Melech misses with invigorating smite, and Khyber takes 5 damage from Fragarach's power

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (N-7) 69/69 HP
Melech (J-4) 27/79 HP (bloodied)
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (M-9) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -363 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 1, bedeviling assault, divine challenge
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -363 HP (bloodied) slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Move to K-7
Brash assault (31, 15) http://orokos.com/roll/149816 Grant Melech attack with CA and +2 to attack +2 Damage
Heal Melech, surge + 21 http://orokos.com/roll/149818

Weathering another claw attack from Khyber, Kuro gets in close before making a reckless attack against the dragon. Parrying its bite with his weapon, both Melech and Gilgamesh capitalize on the opening and draw blood. A few words of inspiration keep Melech on his feet as he is assaulted by the dragon's jaws. He's not quite as effective at fending them off as Kuro, but he isn't hurt as badly as he could have been.

Kuro moves to K-7 and provokes an opportunity attack from Khyber; he is hit by claw for 15 damage and Khyber takes 12 radiant damage from Melech's divine challenge
Kuro hits Khyber with brash assault for 15 damage, and grants Melech an attack that hits for 27 damage; Gilgamesh's bedeveling assault allows him to attack for 23 damage
Kuro heals Melech for 40 hit points

Khyber's rising tremors recharges, and it uses it, expanding its aura to an aura 3
Khyber hits Melech with bite for 20 damage (reduced from 23)

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (K-7) 54/69 HP +5 to defenses
Melech (J-4) 47/79 HP resist 3 all
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (M-9) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -440 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault, divine challenge
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -440 HP (bloodied) slowed

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Sophie, thinking it's been a while since she saw an enemy attack its ally, decides to try this with Ruuz and Khyber, but her spell fails miserably.

"...Wait, this would've been useless anyway!" she mutters angrily to herself.

In the meantime, she remains in her safe spot, content with keeping Ruuz in place.


Hypnotism on Khyber (nat 1): http://orokos.com/roll/149839
Sustain Visions of Avarice; no pull

Ruuz tries to escape!!
but nope
http://orokos.com/roll/149841 (34)


Last edited at 13/11/15(Fri)18:55:31

Sophie's spell completely fails to get a hold on Khyber, who snorts derisively at her attack. Ruuz tries to climb again, but is repelled. Growing impatient, she clicks her tongue and sighs, "there's so much killing that needs to be done, best make ready." From within her illusory prison, Ruuz fades away until the only sign she's there is the distortions in the water around her ankles.

Gilgamesh tries for a distraction, and Kuro makes to aid him, but neither of them are able to pierce Khyber's stony hide.

Sophie misses with Hypnotism

Ruuz uses Walk Through Shadow and becomes invisible; her position does not change, as Sophie succeeds on keeping up the illusory wall

Gilgamesh fails to hit with Distracting Spate
Kuro fails to hit with No Gambit is Wasted

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (K-7) 54/69 HP +5 to defenses
Melech (J-4) 47/79 HP resist 3 all
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (M-9) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -440 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault, divine challenge
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -440 HP (bloodied) slowed, invisisble

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Tainya backs away slowly, and though she knows where Ruuz is, hitting a target you can't see still isn't easy, despite knowing her precise location. In a lightning-quick moment, the crossbow in her hand is exchanged with the magic shuriken, still dripping with venom, and she hurls it at the massive dragon. It would be difficult to miss something that big, but penetrating its thick hide was another story--luckily, finding weak points is the assassin's specialty.

Move Action: Shift to N-10.
Free Action: Quick swap my hand crossbow of speed for my +1 magic shuriken, posioned.
Standard Action: Using my poisoned +1 magic shuriken, make a ranged basic attack against the dragon. http://orokos.com/roll/149879 36 vs. AC, on a hit deals 19 damage, 4 of which is poison, and the dragon is slowed until the end of my next turn.

Tainya escapes the quaking aura and reassesses her targets. She switches out her crossbow in favor of a more accurate shuriken attack, and targets the bigger, if better armored, dragon in favor of the smaller, concealed Ruuz. The shot curves into one of the few openings in its earthen hide, and delivers its poisonous payload on top of dealing a fair amount of damage. It doesn't seem like it can take much more of this.

Tainya shifts to N-10
Tainya switches out weapons
Tainya hits with a ranged basic attack against Khyber for 27 damage, and Khyber is slowed

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (K-7) 54/69 HP +5 to defenses
Melech (J-4) 47/79 HP resist 3 all
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (N-10) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -467 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault, divine challenge, slowed
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -467 HP (bloodied) invisisble

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Melech swung again, hoping for this one to hit.

Standard: Valorous Smite at dragn, 33atk 31dmg http://orokos.com/roll/149948

Melech lets out a fierce battle cry as he swings, and his aim with his attack is better than earlier. Much better in fact. Better enough that he carves up the dragon's flank and leaves it with one less leg to stand on. This seems to be more than the aspect is able to withstand, and it roars in pain as its earthen form starts to crumble like sand. Its link to Ruuz ensures that the assassin feels it as well, and she clutches her arm while screaming. As the aspect fades away, it knocks out the only torch in the room, with only Melech's glowing armor providing light. Ruuz herself passes out from the shock, her weapon clattering to the ground as it loses its fierce red glow. The illusion that kept her sequestered from Khyber disappears upon the battle's conclusion, not that the almost-drowning doppelganger notices. Gilgamesh pumps his fist and cheers, "Oh yeah, we're good! Take that, dragon!"

Except, even with the lighting, there's some impenetrable layer of darkness around them that even Tainya's trained eyes can't see through. The walls of the chamber are almost totally obscured, save for the way they came, and even that is suspect. Sophie finds herself unable to see anything from where she's standing, and nobody is able to see her at all. An unmistakable feeling of dread creeps over the eladrin, her arcanely attuned senses screaming at her that where she's standing is extremely unsafe.

Final Result

Initiative
Khyber - 35
Sophie - 32
Ruuz - 29
Gilgamesh - 28
Tainya - 25
Melech - 18
Kuro - 12

Players
Kuro (K-7) 54/69 HP +5 to defenses
Melech (J-4) 47/79 HP resist 3 all
Sophie (P-6) 54/59 HP
Tainya (M-9) 67/69 HP
Gilgamesh (I-8) 65/82 HP +2 damage, -2 AC

Enemies
Aspect of Khyber (H/I/J-5/6/7) -498 HP (bloodied) quaking earth aura 3, bedeviling assault, divine challenge, slowed Dead
The King in Red, Ruuz (I-10) -498 HP (bloodied) invisisble out cold

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Khyber and Ruuz requires a successful arcana check.
-Learning about the Rift hazard requires a successful arcana, dungeoneering or streetwise check

Action Points Spent
Gilgamesh
Tainya

Healing Surges Spent
Melech : II
Kuro : I

As the party has reached a milestone, each character recieves one action point.

Spoils
+4 Voidsteel (katar)

You may now all take a mini-short rest. During this rest, you may recover one encounter attack power, one encounter utility power (Inspiring Word does not count against this), and one other encounter power granted to you by your race or class, or an item encounter power. You may spend one or two healing surges, and take actions like positioning yourselves or using a battle standard of healing. "Until the end of the encounter" effects will end at the rest's conclusion.

Black squares should not be entered at this time.

"This isn't over!"
Place Battle standard
Spend a surge
Recover no gambit is wasted, inspiring reaction and iaijustu?

Last edited at 13/11/16(Sat)14:18:02

Crouching slightly, Tainya prepares for the worst, drinking a potion for good measure.

Regain assassin's strike. Regain walk through shadow. Regain weapon of speed +1 power. Move to L-6. Imbibe potion of clarity (Lv10).

"Sophie!"

Upon not hearing a response, Melech braves through the darkness, picks up Sophie (or, what appears to be her) and rushes back to the group.

Recover invig smote
Recover virite
Spend healin surg
Move to K-6
Use Wrath of the Gods

Last edited at 13/11/17(Sun)16:57:00

Sophie pondered her following actions for much too long and suddenly found herself in Melech's arms, caught off-guard.
"Th-thank you, Melech!"

Recover Shield and Color Orb.
Use one healing surge.

Last edited at 13/11/17(Sun)19:10:27

Melech spends another surge to regain full hit points
Gilgamesh spends a healing surge
Gilgamesh recovers rain of blows and distracting spate

The group takes time to recuperate, and Sophie is carried back out of the darkness by her guardian. With everyone close together, Melech prays to Torm for the strength to overcome whatever threat comes now. A halo of light expands from around him and washes over the party, making them feel powerful and capable. After that, the chamber is mostly silent.

Mostly.

Ruuz was quietly sobbing a moment ago, having woken up somehow. "Mercy," she cries, "Oh please have mercy on me, oh boo hoo hoo. All I ever wanted was the world to kneel before me, oh boo hoo hoo sob sob~." Her crying transitions to laughter as her body is lifted from the stream as if puppeted by invisible strings. None of the damage from earlier is present, but her dress is stained crimson in spite of sitting prone in a stream for the past few minutes. Gilgamesh holds up his weapons in a fighting stance, growling, "I was hoping you'd learned your lesson."

"Hope?" queries the assassin, head tilted at an awkward angle. She sneers "Khyber has seen fit to bless me with a glorious boon, and you're entertaining the notion of hope?" As Ruuz is moved to block the doorway, hovering several feet in the air, mists roll off her body and spread out in a large area. Smokey shapes writhe within the rolling haze, which fades from white to a darker grey. The smoke condenses and, for the most part, solidifies, reshaping itself around Ruuz into something decidedly more sinister than clouds. While still somewhat intangible, the form of a dragon of titanic proportions is solid enough to be real, as it demonstrates with a tremendous, threatening roar.

"Hopes aren't worth dirt!" exclaims Ruuz, barely visible from within the body of the dragon. She gestures to the room theatrically, and the darkness erupts in thick walls of flame. I'm going to destroy EVERYTHING!" and starts to make good on her threat, the dragon shape clawing at everyone it can reach. Only Tainya, who dodges at the last second, and Gilgamesh, who isn't close enough, escape unscathed, Ruuz's hideous laughter echoing above the sound of the roaring flames.

Last edited at 13/11/17(Sun)19:21:13

Ruuz-Khyber's instinctive slashing triggers, and she uses supremacy claw against Kuro for 28 damage, Melech for 35 damage, Sophie for 30 damage (bloodying her), and fails to hit Tainya.

Initiative
Ruuz-Khyber (Instinctive Slashing) - 33
Kuro - 24
Ruuz-Khyber (Enemy) - 23
Gilgamesh - 22
Tainya - 19
Melech - 18
Sophie - 15
Everflame Walls - 0

Players
Kuro (K-7) 41/69 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls
Melech (J-4) 44/79 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls
Sophie (K-4) 29/59 HP bloodied, +6 power bonus to damage rolls
Tainya (L-6) 69/69 HP+6 power bonus to damage rolls, potion of clarity
Gilgamesh (I-8) 82/82 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls

Enemies
Narcissistic Nihilist, Ruuz-Khyber (H/I/J/K/L/M-(-2)/-1/0/1/2/3)

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Ruuz-Khyber and the everflame walls requires a successful arcana check.
-You don't want to stand near the everflame walls.

"Lady Sophie! Stand back!"
Just before the nihilist embodiment of despair makes his first strike, the warlord moves ahead and helps the young wizard to get back. Then Kuro exclaims: "Your god might have granted you unholy powers, but it isn't here to protect you from us. We'll grant you eternal rest, you sick bastard!"

Wait, you forgot my init powers.
Make Sophie shift to I-7 (she doesn't get hit apparently because her AC isn't updated)
Shift to K-6

Then, on my turn:
Inspiring word on Melech (34 hp and get +2 to AC and Reflex)
Instant planning! Everyone gets +5 to attack until the end of my next turn.
General's Belt free action! I heal too (24 hp)
Brash Assault! (24, 23; a miss most likely, but I get +5 to all defenses anyway)
http://orokos.com/roll/150194 http://orokos.com/roll/150195 http://orokos.com/roll/150196

Tainya (arcana) : What Tainya can gather about the dragon brings no reassurance. Its attacks are similar to those of a brutish white dragon, and it is likely to attack in a similar manner (Ruuz-Khyber is a level 14 solo brute). She's already seen its supremacy claw (which hits for high damage and has a range of melee 4), and it can use its perfect dragon's fury to use it twice in rapid succession. More likely, though, Ruuz-Khyber will resort to using its powerful jaws to crush its enemies, not even needing to connect to cause pain (incomparable bite, its melee basic attack, deals unfair amounts of damage to an enemy on a hit, and a small amount of damage on a miss, range melee 4). And naturally, it has a breath weapon, the roaring flames eating away at a victim's ability to fight off attacks or escape, and it hits all targets in a large area to boot (the greatest breath weapon ever deals unfair amounts of fire damage to all enemies in a close blast 5 and half damage on a miss; on a hit, a target also gains vulnerable 5 to fire damage and is slowed (save ends both)).

Sophie (arcana) : You know everything Tainya does about Ruuz-Khyber, plus the following. She's already seen its instinctive slashing, which is when the dragon uses supremacy claw against all enemies within reach. It shakes off debilitating conditions that would impede its attack (if the dragon cannot use instinctive slashing due to being stunned or dominated, the effect ends). And because of its ties to Khyber, one of the fundamental forces that shaped the world itself, it can recover from almost anything without even trying (Ruuz-Khyber's infinitely-better-than-your recovery triggers when it ends its turn; any dazing, stunning, dominating, marking, slowing, immobilizing, weakening, petrifying, deafening, blinding, restraining, or unconscious effect of it ends). Trying to flank it will cause it to react violently and knock the offender way back (if an enemy hits Ruuz-Khyber while flanking, it can use peerless tail slap as an immediate reaction, doing minor damage and pushing the target up to 5 squares). The dragon itself is able to be harmed, but is more like a projection over Ruuz, and moves with her. This allows it to fit into spaces it shouldn't be able to fit into (the underlord's raiments allows Ruuz-Khyber to fit into any space that a medium creature can occupy without squeezing, and does not impede the advancement of the everflame wall). When bloodied, it can immediately use its breath weapon (nothing can stop me is a free action that triggers when Ruuz-Khyber is first bloodied; the greatest breath weapon ever recharges, and the dragon uses it). That's nothing compared to what hurting Ruuz's pride will do, which will cause her to savagely attempt to destroy everything she can, her attacks more likely to be lethal (subjugate the worthless is a trait that is active when Ruuz-Khyber is bloodied; while bloodied, its attacks can score a critical hit on a roll of 17-20; Ruuz-Khyber will not use action points until this is active).

As for the wall of fire, Sophie recognizes it as an everflame wall, brought into being by the rift's proximity to the Elemental Chaos. The walls will slowly close in, harming anybody unfortunate enough to be caught by them (at the end of each round, each wall moves forward 1 square; if this movement enters a space occupied by a creature, it makes an attack against that creature for a fair amount of fire damage, dealing much less on a miss; hit or miss, the creature is pushed forward until it is no longer occupying the wall's space). Naturally, the walls will crush anything caught between them (when the horizontal walls are 1 square apart, all creatures within or adjacent to the wall take heavy fire damage, half on a miss). From what she can tell, the only way to stop the walls is to stop the one that summoned it (the everflame wall disappears when Ruuz-Khyber is defeated).

Ruuz-Khyber is not immune to the effects of the wall, and will take damage from it as normal.

Tainya nimbly dodges the claw attacks, and wonders... ...that thing's a dragon?

Arcana: http://orokos.com/roll/150192 (21)

Seeing Kuro's brash assault, Tainya spies an opening in the dragon's clumsy reaction and takes her shot.

Free Action: Ranged basic attack vs. Khyber-thingy, http://orokos.com/roll/150346 (31 with +5 bonus an CA vs. AC, 24 damage with +6 from wrath of the gods. http://orokos.com/roll/150346

Ring of fury two free attacks!
(nat 1 and 18 damage probably) http://orokos.com/roll/150350

Kuro gives Melech some brave words and heals himself with the power of his magic belt. With some coordination, he all but guarantees success when his allies try to land their attacks; that doesn't apply to himself, though, as the attack he makes fails to hit. Ruuz laughs as the dragon takes a bite out of Kuro, ignoring Tainya's attack. "Oh, yeeeeeeeeah!!" she exclaims with sadistic glee at the damage done with so little effort. "Very goooooooooooood!!" Hugging herself tightly, Ruuz hisses loudly, "One more!!"

The dragon complies, rearing back before exhaling an incredibly hot blast of fire, bright enough to see even through closed eyelids. Kuro responds to the excruciating pain with a flurry of attacks, managing a single hit this time that fails to wipe the smirk off Ruuz's face. He and a few others are left feeling drained and painfully sensitive, some nasty burn marks covering most of their bodies. The girls manage to avoid the worst of it, but it's still pretty painful.

Striding forward and projecting an aura of unshakeable confidence, Gilgamesh proclaims, "Is that it? That's nothing!" before leaping into the fray and just going to town on the dragon-thing. A charge attack connects, followed by a series of swift attacks that are a blur of motion, and finally, with Kuro's guidance, he drives both his blades into the dragon's thick hide, eliciting a pained roar of anger from both it and Ruuz. Gil finishes his flurry with an inspiring quip that allows him to shrug off the aftereffects of the inferno he just endured : "Your fires cannot even hold a birthday candle to the blazing flames of our winning spirit!"

Revising earlier stuff : Sophie shifts to I-7 and is not hit by supremacy claw
Kuro shifts to K-6

Kuro uses inspiring word on Melech and heals him for 34 hit points and grants him a +2 bonus to AC and Reflex until the start of his next turn; Kuro is healed by his general's belt for 24 hit points
Kuro uses instant planning, and grants himself and allies a +5 power bonus to attack rolls until the end of his next turn
Kuro misses with brash assault; Ruuz-Khyber hits with incomparable bite for 28 damage, and Tainya counters with a ranged basic attack for 24 damage

Ruuz-Khyber uses the greatest breath weapon ever and hits Kuro, Melech, and Gilgamesh for 36 fire damage and they are slowed and gain vulnerable 5 fire, and misses Tainya and Sophie for 18 fire damage; Kuro is bloodied and uses the power of his ring of fury to make two basic attacks for 18 damage

Gilgamesh moves to J-6
Gilgamesh uses Kirre's Roar, marking Khyber and gaining resist 4 all until the end of his next turn
Gilgamesh charges to K-4 and hits for 26 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/150353)
Gilgamesh spends an action point and invokes Kuro's warlord AP feature! Gilgamesh uses rain of blows and hits for 16, 21, and 20 damage, totaling 57 damage (http://orokos.com/roll/150354)
Gilgamesh uses opportunist's rend in place of a melee basic attack for 21 and 25 damage, totaling 46 damage(http://orokos.com/roll/150355)
Gilgamesh saves against the imposed condition (http://orokos.com/roll/150359)

Initiative
Ruuz-Khyber (Instinctive Slashing) - 33
Kuro - 24
Ruuz-Khyber (Enemy) - 23
Gilgamesh - 22
Tainya - 19
Melech - 18
Sophie - 15
Everflame Walls - 0

Players
Kuro (K-7) 3/69 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, slowed and vulnerable 5 fire (save ends)
Melech (J-4) 44/79 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +2 AC and Reflex, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, slowed and vulnerable 5 fire (save ends)
Sophie (K-4) 51/59 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls
Tainya (L-6) 51/69 HP+6 power bonus to damage rolls, potion of clarity, +5 power bonus to attack rolls
Gilgamesh (I-8) 46/82 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, slowed and vulnerable 5 fire (save ends), resist 4 all

Enemies
Narcissistic Nihilist, Ruuz-Khyber (H/I/J/K/L/M-(-2)/-1/0/1/2/3) -171 HP, marked

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Ruuz-Khyber and the everflame walls requires a successful arcana check.
-You don't want to stand near the everflame walls.

Tainya closes in on the dragon, brandishing her wrist razors, and leaps into the air, aiming a blow at the elemental beast's head. As she brings the blade down, gray tendrils imbue it with sufficient shadow energy to render the massive creature unconscious. As Tainya's feet hit the ground, the shuriken that was in her hand was already gone, replaced by her hand crossbow. A burst of shadow envelops her, rendering her invisible Aiming for the dragon's exposed neck, the drow looses a cold-infused bolt, with practically explodes with cold and shadow energy upon striking the dragon, as it rears up and unleashes an explosively powerful fiery breath on the group. Biting back blood, Tainya's magic ring glows with power and another two bolts fly from her hand crossbow, seemingly simultaneously with Kuro showing her the opening for another attack, which she also makes. With four freezing bolts fired, Tainya can only gasp and take a deep breath, still shrouded in darkness.

Move Action: Move to M-4.
Minor Action: Use cloud of darkness to create a zone that blocks line of sight, spaces within are totally obscured. Tainya is immune to these effects.
Free Action: Quick swap my magic shuriken for hand crossbow of speed.
Standard Action: Use knockout on the dragon. 40 vs. Fortitude, hit for 18 damage.
Free Action: Spend Action Point, take advantage of Kuro's warlord feature.
Action Point Standard Action: Coup de grace on the dragon w/ ranged basic attack w/ assassin's strike and sneak attack, 29 vs. AC a hit deals 108 damage, 9 of which is cold damage and the dragon is slowed until the end of my next turn. http://orokos.com/roll/150411
Free Action (Ring of Fury): Ranged basic attack, http://orokos.com/roll/150419 33 to hit for 29 damage, plus http://orokos.com/roll/150420 9 cold damage
Second ranged basic attack: Ranged basic attack, http://orokos.com/roll/150422 29 to hit for 38 damage (14 cold damage.
Free Action (Bravura Presence): Downgrade move action to minor action, use weapon of speed power to use a RBA, http://orokos.com/roll/150428 34 to hit for 40 damage (11 cold).
Total damage: 243

Tainya moves up and conceals herself in comforting shadows. From there, she jumps high up to deck the dragon with a blow to the jaw that knocks Ruuz and her apparition unconscious. A very precise crossbow bolt lodges itself in where the beast's chest cavity would be, waking it right back up with a powerful attack. Ruuz, no longer having fun after being shown up this badly, angrily orders, "Kill them!" as the beast creates another inferno with its burning breath directed at the heroes. Kuro keeps himself from the brink with a few words of encouragement, Melech's weapon lends him strength and allows him to make a vicious riposte, and Tainya fires off another volley of arrows at her target. Sophie, however, takes a full blast and crumples to the ground under the assault.

The dragon-shaped manifestation is starting to flicker, but Ruuz has decided to stop playing around, too, and all the adventurers are in pretty rough shape.

Tainya moves to M-4
Tainya uses cloud of darkness
Tainya hits Ruuz-Khyber with knockout for 18 damage and knocks it unconscious
Tainya spends an action point and takes advantage of Kuro's warlord presence! Tainya performs a coup de grace against the dragon for 108 damage, slowing it until the end of her next turn and bloodying Ruuz-Khyber; This triggers nothing can stop me!, and Ruuz-Khyber uses the greatest breath weapon ever, hitting Kuro for 46 fire damage (increased from 41), and CRITS Melech for 78 fire damage and Sophie for 73 fire damage, and 20 fire damage to Tainya and Gilgamesh; everybody is bloodied and Kuro, Melech and Sophie are dying
Kuro's inspiring reaction triggers, healing him for 33 hit points, and is no longer dying
Melech uses fragarach and spends a healing surge (no longer dying), then makes an attack that automatically crits for 54 damage
Tainya uses the trigger from her ring of fury to make two ranged basic attacks that hit for 38 and 38 damage
Tainya uses weapon of speed to make a ranged basic attack for 40 damage

Initiative
Ruuz-Khyber (Instinctive Slashing) - 33
Kuro - 24
Ruuz-Khyber (Enemy) - 23
Gilgamesh - 22
Tainya - 19
Melech - 18
Sophie - 15
Everflame Walls - 0

Players
Kuro (K-7) 33/69 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, +5 bonus to defenses, slowed and vulnerable 5 fire (save ends)
Melech (J-4) 17/79 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +2 AC and Reflex, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, slowed and vulnerable 5 fire (save ends)
Sophie (I-7) -22/59 HP (DYING) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, slowed and vulnerable 5 fire (save ends), prone
Tainya (M-4) 31/69 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, potion of clarity, +5 power bonus to attack rolls
Gilgamesh (I-8) 30/82 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, resist 4 all

Enemies
Narcissistic Nihilist, Ruuz-Khyber (H/I/J/K/L/M-(-2)/-1/0/1/2/3) -467 HP (bloodied), marked, prone, can crit on roll of 17-20

Notes
-The squares marked with water are two feet deep and considered difficult terrain.
-Putting a pillar (M-5, M-11, and N-14) between yourself and an enemy grants partial cover from attacks.
-Learning more about Ruuz-Khyber and the everflame walls requires a successful arcana check.
-You don't want to stand near the everflame walls.

"Lady Sophie, hang in there!"

Melech grits his teeth, and strikes the dragon twice.

Standard: Invigorating Smite against dargon, atk: 45, dmg: 36(http://orokos.com/roll/150476)
Standard AP: Magjiestic Halows, atk: 45, dmg: 36 (http://orokos.com/roll/150477)
Free: Free attack from Kuro AP thing, atk: 34, dmg: 33 (http://orokos.com/roll/150479)
Minor: Virtue, 21+THP
Minor: Lay on Hands, heal 21 HP

Melech slashes at the dragon with his blade once, twice, three times. The first strike reinvigorates himself and his allies, bringing Sophie back from the brink. The second strike shines brilliantly and threatens punishment. But the last strike rends the dragon down the middle. Ruuz stares in shock, squeaking out "What are you?" as her protection, her power, pretty much everything she was given flashes. There's a loud sound of something breaking, and the dragon-shape disintegrates from the legs up until there's no trace of it left.
The walls of flame disappear next, like a candle being blown out, and the room is once again illuminated by the light of a torch. The rift, and the summoning circle, are gone. It's hard to say where they went, but they're not scattered around the cave in any recognizeable form.

Ruuz is still alive, but weaponless, and still in shock after being dealt such horrid damage in so short an amount of time.

Melech hits with invigorating smite for 36 damage, healing all allies for 8 hit points; Sophie is no longer dying
Melech spends an action point and uses Kuro's bravura presence! Melech hits with Majestic Halo for 36 damage
Melech hits with a melee basic attack for 31 damage, and Ruuz-Khyber is completely and utterly defeated
The everflame wall disappears

Initiative
Ruuz-Khyber (Instinctive Slashing) - 33
Kuro - 24
Ruuz-Khyber (Enemy) - 23
Gilgamesh - 22
Tainya - 19
Melech - 18
Sophie - 15

Players
Kuro (K-7) 41/69 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, +5 bonus to defenses
Melech (J-4) 46/79 HP +19 THP +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +2 AC and Reflex, +5 power bonus to attack rolls
Sophie (I-7) 8/59 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, prone
Tainya (M-4) 39/69 HP +6 power bonus to damage rolls, potion of clarity, +5 power bonus to attack rolls
Gilgamesh (I-8) 38/82 HP (bloodied) +6 power bonus to damage rolls, +5 power bonus to attack rolls, resist 4 all

Enemies
Narcissistic Nihilist, Ruuz-Khyber (H/I/J/K/L/M-(-2)/-1/0/1/2/3) -570 HP (bloodied), marked, prone, can crit on roll of 17-20 done and done

"We're the heroes dispatched to protect the train you just destroyed. Oh, and he dying to meet you so we let him join us too." says Kuro with a smirk, looking at Gilgamesh.
Then, he takes a pair of manacles and hands them to the treasure hunter, whispering "Would you check if she's hiding anything nasty? Maybe under the shoes?"

Finally, the warlord steps next to the wounded VIP and starts treating her.
"You did a good job for a diplomat, ya know. Good thing your guard let you come with us."
Healing word on Sophie

Tainya slowly, cautiously approaches Ruuz, keeping a sharp eye out for danger as she does so. Ignoring her companions for now, she completely focuses her gaze on her target, and replies, "Je m'appelle Tainya. Sent by ze Chateau d'Phiarlan to hunt down an assazin."

>>4569
>>4570
Gilgamesh takes ten on his perception and insight checks on Ruuz

Catching the shackles with one hand, Gilgamesh grabs the stunned girl's hands and pulls them behind her back, then slaps the shackles on her wrists. Tightening them somewhat more than necessary, the warrior then pats down Ruuz, growling, "you've got a lot to answer to, butcher." Getting frisked brings back a hint of awareness to her blank black and white eyes, just as Gilgamesh finds a suspicious bag curled up in the heel of her long pink boot.

The implications of Tainya's words have Ruuz cowering. She curls up on the ground and looks up at the executioner with terrified, teary eyes. "Mercy!" she begs, without any of the condescending snark she had earlier.

"So you knew the whole time? Ha! Ya know, you could have told us about it once you confirmed it, not like the real culprit would have gone through the hassle of cleaning the train from these sick creatures!" says Kuro, once Sophie looks better. Then standing up, he continues.

"My job here was to procure everyone's safety. I'll destroy this demon's weapon and try to bring back Sir Cidri and Lady Raki.
About her... well, I would rather seeing her punished by her crimes, but you two are free to decide."

"Ze madam 'ere contracted wit' Khyber. She is too dangerous to leave alive," the drow woman replies flatly, replacing the hand crossbow in her grip with a curved, wicked-looking blade that none have seen her utilize yet. With a quick, clean stroke, she slashes the short sword down on Ruuz's neck.

Ruuz catches on to what Tainya is about to do and attempts to protect her neck by tucking in her chin, her arms still bound behind her. It's all for naught, as Tainya cleanly slices through the exposed area. With an artery severed, blood flows freely from the wound on Ruuz's neck while she falls face forward onto the stone floor. There's a quiet cracking noise as her nose is broken, but it makes no difference : the spark of life recedes from her eyes until they're glassy and unseeing.

"And that's that," Gilgamesh announces upon the apparent death of the King in Red. By now, he's unfurled the small sack into a much bigger one, and rummages around inside it. The first thing he pulls out is a handful of bones of various sizes and shapes. All from people, all kept in the magic bag. Next was a very familiar gnomish head, which he promptly drops back into the sack. "Eugh..."

Ignoring the hubbub, Melech quickly went to Sophie's side and kneeled down.

"Lady Sophie, are you all right?"

Tainya nods at Ruuz's corpse, once she's sure the deed is done, and then says to Gilgamesh, "Ze rest I leave to 'ou." Turning to the rest of the group, the drow says, "Ahm sure ze ozer passengers will appreciate ze destruction of 'er weapon, such zat ze last members of ze conference can be resurrected. We should also search for Zorn, an' make sure ze bodies 're wit ze right parties. My task is done, ah must return to my patron an' ze Chateau d'Phiarlan." Curtseying slightly, she adds, "It was a pleasure to work wit 'ou all." With that said, she turns and walks towards where Naereka had hurriedly escorted the train's passengers.

"Oh, Melech, try as I might, I can't remember the last time I was left like this! I feel much better now, though."
Able to stand now, she turns to Kuro.
"Thank you!"

Then back to Melech, "We should be returning to the towers soon, but I'd like to see if Sir Cidri and Lady Raki can return. May we stay a while?"

"The pleasure was mine, miss Tainya."

Then, Kuro address to the young wizard.
"Well, the ritual actually takes about eight hours. I might be able to teach you so you can perform it too" saying this, Kuro leaves voidsteel on the ground and repeatedly stabs it with his spear. It takes a few hits, but it can't stand the warlord fury for long and it breaks apart.

Gilgamesh hoists the body of the deceased villain over his shoulder, leaving the sack full of bones behind. He salutes the group with his free hand, and declares, "It has been an honor." He is the first one to head back out.

As Kuro gets closer to the unattended weapon, he starts to hear whispers in his head. Promises of power. Promises of wealth. Whatever his heart desires, he could have it at his fingertips. And all he had to do, was pick up the weapon, and use it to kill everyone in the room.

Suffice to say, he doesn't fall for it, and the weapon shatters under the sustained attack.

Kuro bids farewell to his friend and silently thanks him again for the armor he gave him. Then he takes the shattered pieces of voidsteel and saves them in his bag.
"Alright, let's head back too."

The party takes the long trip back through the tunnel and reemerges from the hillside they entered earlier. Walking around to the front brings them to a gathering of guardsmen digging through the drenched wreckage of the train. Thorn is a few feet behind them, seriously injured but breathing; unlike the mangled body of Cidri and Raki's detached head, now in even worse shape, lying by the pixie and showing stark contrast between being alive and being dead. Far back towards Thaliost, the remnants of a bucket chain linger and watch curiously, still holding unused buckets of water.

Nearby, the ferry across the lake to Thronehold is getting ready to leave again.

Tainya nods, satisfied that the business with the bodies and Thorn is being taken care of, and moves to find her patron and board the ferry.

Kuro asks Sophie and Melech to accompany him for a little more. The warlord attends Thorn and makes sure he's doing good. "What will you do now?"

>>4584
The tiny pixie man regains some color and replies, "Ah'm gonna be busy fixin' that wreck o'er there."

"Haha, well that might take a while. Take it easy and say good bye to the rest of the crew for me."

Once that's done, Kuro looks for the most important looking guy around and identificates himself.
"Evening, my name's Kuro Nobunaga from the Jorasco house and I'll procure Raki D'Medani and Cidri D'Sivis's corpses, I'm in charge of resurrecting them. I could do it here, but the ritual is rather long and I would prefer to welcome them back in a better place."
Take ten on diplomacy: 21

A few of the guardsmen point at Sophie and speak in hushed whispers. One of them, a goliath, takes Kuro's papers and looks them over for a tense minute, flipping through the sheaf of papers. The other guards that aren't near the train wreck speak hushedly about something Kuro can't hear.

The goliath hands them back, nods to his fellows, and then to Kuro. Pulling out a a notebook, he scribbles something down and says, "Alroight then, I leave them in your custody, Mister Nobunaga."

"Thank you, I'll take care of them" Kuro politely nods to the Goliath and procures the VIPs corpses into some clean bags and then place them inside his magic bag.

"Very well, shall we depart now?"

The group finds that the ferry currently running is rather small and unassuming. A simple steamboat with a paddling wheel in the back, that could maybe fit 50 people.

What little crew you see moves below decks, save for the captain. He waits for everyone to board before giving the signal to depart. The engine hisses as the craft propels you across the otherwise serene waters, toward Thronehold Castle.

"Lady Sophie, once we reach Thronehold I'll ask you to get us a place to perform the ritual. I'm no good for diplomacy."
Unless something bothers him, Kuro will try to take nap on his seat.

Last edited at 13/11/28(Thu)20:23:21

Pretty soon, the vessel reaches the central island. You circle around the town of Throneport at the lip of the island, and make for the big castle on the opposite end. There you disembark from the docks and are marched up the docks by an armed entourage. You're stopped at the gates by guards bearing the symbol of House Deneth, who ask for your papers and identification, which you all provide.

With that squared away, it seems like you're ready to enter, until an inquisitive human asks, "'ere now, why weren't you with the nobs that came in earlier?"

Last edited at 13/11/29(Fri)20:34:26

"We had some sort of 'situation' down there, I thought you had been informed before.
Did they arrive safely?"

>>4593
"Oh yes, they was saying that you might be late," the guard says as though he just remembered it. "Didn't say why, though," he elaborates, an accusing stare at the party. A much older man sighs at his colleague and waves you through, and you are escorted inside, past the many people who arrived here before you.

The lavish hallways of Thronehold Castle are illuminated by wall scones, and chandeliers of brass and gold. In place of torches and candles, the lighting comes from dragonshards of many colors. It has a marked effect on the appearance of the hallways you're led down, an entire corridor bathed in a shade of light blue. The attendants bring you to a room in the east wing of the castle, and leave you in a comfortably furnished meeting hall. After pointing out the (temporary) nameplates on each door, the attendants announce your arrival to your entourage before leaving you alone.

The nobles you escorted - and Mark - file out into the big room. Parthia fails to conceal her smile upon her guardian's return, but it is Garret who voices the question on everyone's mind : "What happened out there?"

"Ze culprit of zose murders confronted us," Tainya says simply, her weapons now holstered and her fancy appearance back in order. She gestures with one hand up in the air as she elaborates, "It would appear zat she dabbled in some unsavory practices--consorting wit' Khyber, of all zings. However, she has been decisively defeated an' we recovered ze bodies of those slain, which szould now be able to be resurrected."

Noding, the warlord adds.
"If you were so kind to lend us a room I will proceed to perform it immediately. It takes some hours, but it is no problem for me." Then, thinking a little, he continues. "And if it isn't too much problem I would also like to request something to drink and a new change of clothes for Lady Raki and Sir Cidri."

Mark volunteers to grab the requested water from one of the servants. With Gardain laying on the couch in the center of the room, it doesn't seem as though the dwarf plans on going anywhere.

"Well the rooms are over there," Garret replies, pointing towards one of the rooms; one of them has a name plate on it that reads KURO NOBUNAGA, making it his.

Parthia simply nods in solemn understanding.

"Ah, that's rather convenient. Well, unless the meeting can be delayed for a day I believe it would be wise to start it now. The diplomats might feel a little tired just after being resurrected."

"So, lady Sophie. Would you give me a hand?"

>>4598
"Gladly!" says Sophie "Will you be performing it in your room?"

"Yeah, if you have something else to do you should go ahead, I'll begin the preparations"

Sophie excuses herself, going out to look for for the other diplomats. Once she's rounded them all up in the meeting hall, she explains, "Garret's escort, Kuro Nobunaga, is currently on the task of resurrecting fellow Sir Cidri and Lady Raki. This is a long process, and they may not be in their best judgment for some time after the ritual. Would it be possible to postpone the meeting for a day?"

Doubtful of her own capabilities as a speaker, Sophie turns to Melech for assurance.

Diplomacy check: http://orokos.com/roll/153958 (13)

Last edited at 13/12/08(Sun)23:59:28

Melech nods and clears his throat. "As Lady Sophie has said, this task will prove to wear them out afterwards. So, if you all could..."

Diplomacy check: http://orokos.com/roll/154110, 20

While Kuro begins laying out the necessary preparations for the ritual - using as many healing salves as he can get his hands on before resorting to residuum - Sophie confronts the rest of the nobility with her charge. The group seems... Perplexed. Not unwilling, per se, but curious. An important looking eladrin man, clothed in royal purple robes, is the first to ask, saying, "I suppose housekeeping has been overburdened by the influx of valuable personages. I believe I heard they needed another day to accommodate everyone, but until now there hasn't been a reason to do so." The man turns to the rest of the assembly and asks, "Are there any here who object to this postponement?"

They all shake their heads.

"And there you are, then. I do hope you make good use of your time, Lady of House Orien." the man says with a bow.

While the negotiating takes place, Tainya moves over to her charge to assume her low-profile role from before. With the killer taken care of, there's little left for her to do but remain at Parthia's side until the mission reaches its conclusion. She innocently returns Parthia's smile before turning back to pay attention to what's going on with the rest of the group, and awaits her charge's decision as to what action to take now.

>>4605
As Tainya takes up position, she finds Parthia has a regretful look on her face. The representative of House Phiarlan twiddles her thumbs anxiously, making a few attempts to speak but unable to form the right words. Finally, she speaks to Tainya, in Elvish, about what has been eating at her. She whispers, "I doubt anybody warned you beforehand, but your identity and personage were originally going to be exchanged with House Thuranni for valuable intelligence on their own operatives. A pawn sacrificed to grab some of their more valuable pieces, if you will."

Tainya looks thoughtful for a moment and whispers back to Parthia, "Zat iz not entirely unexpected, though ah was not informed. All ze same, it may cause me to question mah employers more zhoroughly when zey next look to hire moi."

>>4607
"I suppose they don't trust you very much. Such is commonplace in this line of work." Parthia tries to smile. "If it's any consolation, I trusted you enough to rely on you to keep me safe and deal with the infiltrator."

>>4608
"Oui, merci, madame. For 'our trust, and for informing moi," the assassin whispers in as not-as-conspiratory-tone-as-possible. "Such mistrust iz not unknown to moi."

>>4609
"In any case, I give you my sincerest gratitude for taking care of me." Parthia whispers with a more genuine smile, seemingly having nothing else to add at this point.

With that settled, Sophie heads back to Kuro's room.

"Thanks, Melech! I'm not sure they'd have agreed without your help," [i]she whispered, smiling at him.

With everyone ready, Kuro takes an adjacent room and begins preperations for the ritual. He applies special salves to the body of Cidri, using the residuum to ensure the ritual takes, while reciting mantras to whatever gods might listen. Sophie watches attentively for about two hours before understanding the gist of what needs to be done. She takes another room and does the same with the severed head of Raki.

The process goes on well into the morning for the both of them. Neither is able to sleep at this time, for pausing now would require them to start over. Still, there's no sign that what they're doing is going to work, other than not being rejected this time around.

Upon the eighth hour of Kuro's treatment, Cidri's body emits a crunching noise as bones and sinew mend and reshape themselves back where they belong. The cracking sounds intensify as as Cidri's head is formed from the neck up, the skull appearing, the skin covering it, and the important bits and pieces forming within. Color returns to the body as its deathly pallor lifts, and Cidri stirs, groaning "Got such a damned headache..." before he's mugged by the return of the jovial Gardain. Really, it's as though nothing changed at all.

A few hours after, the same process repeats with Raki. Parthia has the foresight to shut the door behind her as the representative's body reforms, leaving the women alone in the room. Her eyes remain shut when the process completes, and she seems unwilling to move. It takes a while, but finally she whispers, "Thank you. Could I trouble you for a fresh set of clothes?"

"Just a headache? Another perfect work for the list."

"Welcome back Sir. I'm ashamed we allowed that nasty girl to do this. We've taken her out of the game, so you might you rest relaxed for now."

Last edited at 13/12/22(Sun)12:30:12

Nodding, Tainya goes around to look for a spare set of clothes, leaving the room discreetly if need be.

"Rest is for the ignorant," raves Cidri, forcing himself to stand. "I still need to finish my work!" Mark shrugs in apology at the zealous gnome's outburst while the tinkerer tinkers with the same device you'd seen in his room before. The proclaimed Mister Goldsmith, meanwhile, reads things from a set of schematics, as engrossed in his work as his friend.

"They mean to say 'thank you,'" Mark explains. "But right now they're in the zone and do not wish to be disturbed."

Meanwhile, a few rooms over, Raki forces herself to sit up, adjusting her glasses on her face before opening her eyes. "So the King in Red's reign of terror has ended. I can guess that much from the fact that I am alive now. Would I be wrong to assume that you are part of the group I was to travel with?"

Finding a set of clothes, Tainya returns to the room and offers them to the newly resurrected Raki.

The half-elf graciously accepts the clothes given - attire fit for one of her status, possibly left for guests to use in emergencies - and quickly dons them. She fidgets with them for a moment as she tries to make them fit better, then takes a deep breath.

"I'm going to need a report on what happened," Raki announces, throwing open the door and singling out Narerka. "You. Escort boy. Tell me what you know," she orders, motioning toward her room - a different one - with her head. And then drags him off, slamming the door shut behind her.

After that interruption, the rest of the day is mostly spent in preparation and debate for the upcoming meeting of the bigwigs, though Cidri spends most of it frantically trying to make up for lost time with his device. Food and drink are brought to the room at regular intervals - three big meals, brunch, afternoon tea, and dessert. The meals are particularly extravagant, though not so excessive as to be presented by a giant food monster. The rooms are much more cozy than the cold ceramic tile of the dining car.

And then the big day arrives. All the nobility are forced into their fanciest suits and dresses with forced smiles. You, the escorts, with the exception of Sophie, tag behind them into the main hall. Beneath a glittering silver chandelier, the you stand a respectful distance away as all the high-ranked persons take their seats around a rosewood conference table.

The conference proceeds mostly without incident - a few treaties honored, some rumors are confirmed, borders are moved, and troops are sent to locations deemed important. Sophie successfully conveys her piece before a man introduced as the Duke of Thaliost launches into a rather pompous speech that all but lulls the court to sleep.

There are a few people that glance at Tainya and speak in hushed whispers, but neither her name nor anything indicating her involvement comes up, save for the presentation of Voidsteel's broken pieces. There wasn't any gossip like that afterwards.

Cidri looks very pleased with himself when Gardain's turn to talk comes up. Touting a wondrous invention that would "revolutionize trade," he asks the box what the price of potatoes in Sharn is right now. Through a crackle of static, a voice can be heard to say that the price has increased by 2 copper pieces since yesterday. The rest of the hall isn't sure what to make of it and applaud the two of them politely.

As dusk draws close, everyone seems to have come to a resolution, some more grudgingly than others. The eladrin man from before announces that the conference has officially ended, and transport will be provided. One by one, the nobles thank you for keeping them safe and bidding you well - except for Narerka, whom Raki insists stays with her as her sidekick/Watson. It's an interesting spectacle, at least.

That's pretty much the best that can be said about the current political situation : an interesting spectacle. And the Lord of Blades looms on the horizon, unseen but his presence still felt. People are nervous about the future. But things are better than they were, in no small part thanks to the heroes who fought to get here. For now, at least, the world is saved.

Epilogue

Tainya returned to her job as an enforcer for House Phiarlan. Her superiors were shocked by the fact, and some lobbied to have her pawned off to House Thuranni as originally intended. But those dissenting opinions and dissenters mysteriously disappeared, drowned in the mire of the bureaucracy. She also received a significant pay raise, in spite of much resistance. Parthia is enjoying her higher position of power immensely, sending her confidant all kinds of perks without leaving any trace of a paper trail.

Sophie continued travelling around the continent, in spite of her father's protests for her to come home where it's safe. Out and about in the world, she, Melech, and Kuro travel to exotic locations together and fight all manner of monsters. As long as they write back to their respective houses once a month, their adventures are unrestricted. Right now they're being offered a huge reward if they can reestablish a route for the Lightning Rail through the Mournlands...

Narerka was "promoted" into the personal enforcer for Raki, which carried a much higher salary. Their teamwork has managed to put a dozen criminals behind bars, and several more into little dirt plots. There's a lot of rumors surrounding their work dynamic, but it's unclear how much is true.

Sora survived the attention of the Blades, and dealt enough harm to their forces on her own for the Hatheril resistance to expel them entirely. Managing to avoid being put in the spotlight for her contributions, she found a thaumaturge who teleported her to her destination. The recipient of her message, a wealthy baron, did not skimp on the promised reward, particularly for keeping the contents private. After that, she started getting quite a few other high-paying deliveries...

Gardain is backing the funding of Cidri's project and attempting to get the communication devices installed in every city. Mark still follows behind diligently.

Miri found a job closer to home and stopped working for the Lightning Rail. It doesn't pay nearly as well, but she's able to spend more time with her family and less time dealing with insufferable persons. If you ask her, she says it's worth it. And so does her daughter, Mari.

Peren reconciled with the rest of his family and has started stockpiling money towards his childhood dream. With his younger brother - a baker pyromancer - and older brother - a druid pastry chef - they plan to open a magical bakery. Only a couple more years now! He still can't read the atmosphere, though.

Flint got a bonus and permanent pay raise, as did Thorn and Lance. They're sticking to what they're good at - their current jobs - for now.

Cotton was able to bring Varis "Dragonpuncher" Wilder back from eternal petrification. She delivered the supplies she promised, gave him regards from his family, his town, and herself, before returning to the Feywild. Varis himself dealt with the remaining basilisk population before returning home to run a training hall.

Kriv the stationmaster hasn't retired yet, and has no plans on doing so any time soon.

Jack Kinsington, for his role in the incident at the Terminus, was locked up with the rabble that perpetrated the attack. The guard watching over them? An untiring warforged - to the vexation of Jack and his cellmates.

The Lord of Blades withdrew his forces after several key defeats and finally having his quarry delivered to him. A frequently resurrected Ruuz is being subject to the very despair she'd hoped to inflict upon the world. Khyber has forsaken her entirely.

Gilgamesh finished his delivery, repaying his debt to the village that took him in and to the Blades themselves. Having become a free agent, Gilgamesh met up with his sidekick Enkidu and chose to travel the world. Eventually he disappeared entirely, never to be seen in Eberron again. To this day, he wanders the planes in search of great treasures, greater adventures, and the greatest companions to share both with.