FE 24

[5/18/2018 7:52:30 PM] Quill: So, the last time, you caught a vampire! Kind of. Or at least someone using a Misrulian artifact to reiterate himself into a vampire type being.

[5/18/2018 7:52:58 PM] Ander: ((Yes, he almost ate Vashti))

[5/18/2018 8:01:03 PM] Quill: So, you dealt with all that, and it's been a few days since then. Is there anything anyone wanted to do in those few days? It's pretty quiet.

[5/18/2018 8:01:59 PM] *** Ander makes sure to touch base with Master Scroll. Invite him to the FFA and just make sure everything's ok at the temple. ***

[5/18/2018 8:02:30 PM] *** Ander also collects clothes from Varia, to not seem ungrateful. ***

[5/18/2018 8:03:33 PM] *** Kite touched base with her unvamped friend and her mentor and the nice tiger-tailed man who helped rescue them. Also Answorn and Carrick. ***

[5/18/2018 8:05:08 PM] Quill: Scribe, not Scroll.

[5/18/2018 8:05:27 PM] Ander: ((Right, sorry))

[5/18/2018 8:06:34 PM] *** Daneel would have done nothing in particular just relaxation and no stressful events. ***

[5/18/2018 8:09:24 PM] Quill: Answorn is in contact, but has set Carrick up in safety. The other 'Carrick' has gone missing.

[5/18/2018 8:11:13 PM] *** Kite does feel slightly guilty about this! ***

[5/18/2018 8:12:29 PM] Ander: ((For other "Carrick"?))

[5/18/2018 8:12:41 PM] Quill: Not the real one. The fake one.

[5/18/2018 8:13:10 PM | Edited 8:13:25 PM] Quill: So Answorn is getting ready to bring the real Carrick back out.

[5/18/2018 8:16:08 PM] *** Ander will nod is he hears about this. ***

[5/18/2018 8:18:44 PM] Quill: But! Today is the day of the FFA.

[5/18/2018 8:19:50 PM] Ander: ((FIGHTING DAY!))

[5/18/2018 8:20:36 PM] Quill: Yes, this is the start of the tournament arc.

[5/18/2018 8:21:01 PM] *** Kite is extremely excited, though it might be difficult to tell. ***

[5/18/2018 8:21:04 PM] Ander: ((So, by shonen anime rules, it will last at least fifty episodes and mostly be about screaming))

[5/18/2018 8:21:34 PM] Kite: ((And posing! Don't forget the posing, that's very important!))

[5/18/2018 8:21:50 PM] Ander: ((Very true, posing is very important))

[5/18/2018 8:22:13 PM] *** Ander shows up early in a Varia outfit. The butchest one. Which is probably still a bit showier and more form-fitting than the genderless, loose-fitting robes he's used to. ***

[5/18/2018 8:22:25 PM] Ander: "Fighting day!"

[5/18/2018 8:23:07 PM] Ander: "No talking, no magic, just me and four other dudes with faces begging to be punched!"

[5/18/2018 8:23:42 PM] Kite: You look very intimidating.

[5/18/2018 8:25:13 PM] Ander: "...thanks?  I was kind of not focusing on the outfit so much.  It's...different.  But, I do have to wash my robes, periodically."

[5/18/2018 8:25:40 PM | Edited 8:37:00 PM] Kite: I believe those are considered aggressive colors.

[5/18/2018 8:26:36 PM] Ander: "I just picked the one that didn't cut off at the stomach."

[5/18/2018 8:26:40 PM] Quill: Varia:  ... oh, there's magic.

[5/18/2018 8:27:03 PM] Quill: Varia:  People are allowed to use magic. ... haven't you watched any fights?

[5/18/2018 8:27:40 PM] Ander: ((...are we in the box right now?))

[5/18/2018 8:28:11 PM] Kite: Brains versus brawn, they call them.

[5/18/2018 8:28:52 PM] Ander: "Magic, no magic.  Whatever.  I'm still gonna deck 'em!"

[5/18/2018 8:28:54 PM] Quill: Varia has come into the bar to take you.

[5/18/2018 8:29:14 PM] Ander: "...also...this is...new.  You usually send someone to pick us up."

[5/18/2018 8:29:50 PM] Quill: Varia:  You look great, dear. Oh, I'm walking you to the ring so they know I'm your sponsor. And your friends, are, of course, welcome to watch from my box again.

[5/18/2018 8:30:18 PM] Kite: Excellent.

[5/18/2018 8:30:24 PM] *** Kite has worn an orange dress. She is a Fan. ***

[5/18/2018 8:30:28 PM] *** Ander blushes a little. "Ah...thanks." ***

[5/18/2018 8:30:39 PM] Ander: ((...a fan of red?))

[5/18/2018 8:31:39 PM] Kite: ((A fan of Ander, she's wearing her colors! Don't you ever watch the sportsball?))

[5/18/2018 8:32:10 PM] Ander: ((Ah...actually, until now, Ander's colors have been blue and orange.))

[5/18/2018 8:32:32 PM] Ander: ((But he may have changed up))

[5/18/2018 8:33:03 PM] Ander: "So, someone grab Daneel and let's head out!"

[5/18/2018 8:33:11 PM] Kite: ((Oh, I thought Varia's were red and black.))

[5/18/2018 8:33:26 PM] Ander: ((Oh, maybe they are. In which case, his colors would be, too.))

[5/18/2018 8:33:44 PM] Ander: ((Whatever. Let's just say they're red and black. Those are cool colors.))

[5/18/2018 8:34:38 PM] Kite: ((Canto would know!))

[5/18/2018 8:36:04 PM] Quill: VAria's are red and black, ander's clothes are orange and blue, mostly. Some sponsors dress their fighters up in uniforms or in their own colors or advertisments, but Varia let Ander go with her own colors.

[5/18/2018 8:36:21 PM] Kite: ((ooh, okay, I'll go with orange and blue then.))

[5/18/2018 8:36:24 PM] Quill: Also she thought Ander would be embarrassed with an advertisement of her brothel on her back.

[5/18/2018 8:36:34 PM] Ander: ((He would be))

[5/18/2018 8:36:34 PM] Quill: And orange are blue are the Monks of the Song colors.

[5/18/2018 8:37:07 PM] Ander: ((So, even Ander's new clothes are still in the blue/orange color scheme))

[5/18/2018 8:37:17 PM] Ander: "...I like your dress, Kite."

[5/18/2018 8:37:55 PM] Quill: ((Yep.))

[5/18/2018 8:38:04 PM] Quill: The Harmony colors.

[5/18/2018 8:38:35 PM] *** Ander begins to head out. ***

[5/18/2018 8:39:16 PM] Kite: It is customary to show support for one's champion of choice.

[5/18/2018 8:39:28 PM] *** Ander smiles ***

[5/18/2018 8:41:27 PM] *** Daneel will come down the stairs, see the group leaving and run to catch up. “Good morning, early start for the fight then?” ***

[5/18/2018 8:42:40 PM] Ander: "Yep, we're leaving.  Let's go.  Everybody.  Come on.  It's fighting day!"

[5/18/2018 8:43:41 PM] Quill: VAria:  Someone's excited.

[5/18/2018 8:43:53 PM] Ander: "FIGHTING DAY!"

[5/18/2018 8:44:14 PM] Ander: ((Ander is a very subtle person))

[5/18/2018 8:44:32 PM] Kite: It is very exciting.

[5/18/2018 8:46:13 PM] Ander: "Do you know how hard it is to be built for fighting and adrenaline and be sitting on your ass for three days!  I have so much steam to let off."

[5/18/2018 8:46:45 PM] Kite: Perhaps you should take up another hobby.

[5/18/2018 8:47:07 PM] Daneel: Some of us call that relaxing, and enjoy it.

[5/18/2018 8:47:48 PM] Ander: "I do some painting.  Brush strokes help me with meditation and give me greater control in my sword-work."

[5/18/2018 8:48:07 PM] Ander: "But you can only do so much line work before it gets tedious."

[5/18/2018 8:48:17 PM] *** Kite nods. "I have heard the same of dancing." ***

[5/18/2018 8:48:23 PM] Quill: You all pile into Varia's carriage.

[5/18/2018 8:48:53 PM] Ander: "...you've heard dancing can enhance your sword-work?"

[5/18/2018 8:49:07 PM] Kite: Yes. It is particularly useful for footwork.

[5/18/2018 8:50:18 PM] Ander: "...I guess.  I think it'd depend how you dance."

[5/18/2018 8:50:50 PM] *** Kite nods. ***

[5/18/2018 8:52:17 PM] Quill: The roads leading to the arena are very busy... lots of people excited about Fighting Day!

[5/18/2018 8:52:51 PM] Ander: "Ok, looks like we found the big fight."

[5/18/2018 8:54:39 PM] Quill: Varia:  Everyone wants their crack at the champ.

[5/18/2018 8:54:43 PM] Kite: I expect that several people will attempt to hide until the crowd has been thinned out. It is a viable strategy.

[5/18/2018 8:55:02 PM | Edited 8:55:12 PM] Ander: "...wait...is the champ gonna be fighting in the FFA?"

[5/18/2018 8:55:14 PM] Quill: No. But the winner gets a shot at her.

[5/18/2018 8:55:36 PM] *** Ander has her eyes go just wide with glee ***

[5/18/2018 8:58:52 PM] Ander: "...have you ever sponsored someone before?"

[5/18/2018 9:00:54 PM] Quill: Varia:  Eyes on the prey, not the horizon, dear.

[5/18/2018 9:01:00 PM] Quill: Varia:  Oh, once or twice.

[5/18/2018 9:01:29 PM] Ander: "Any of them ever go anywhere?"

[5/18/2018 9:03:01 PM] Quill: Varia:  One retired after he tried to fight the champion.

[5/18/2018 9:03:09 PM] Quill: Varia:  The other disappeared.

[5/18/2018 9:03:20 PM] Ander: "...disappeared?"

[5/18/2018 9:03:28 PM] Daneel: Disappeared?

[5/18/2018 9:03:36 PM] Kite: There are some... unsavory elements that capitalize upon the fights.

[5/18/2018 9:05:32 PM] Kite: Unsanctioned betting and money laundering, chiefly.

[5/18/2018 9:05:33 PM] Daneel: True, but she didn’t say dead just disappeared.

[5/18/2018 9:05:54 PM] Ander: "How long ago did they disappear?"

[5/18/2018 9:06:26 PM] Kite: Many clandestine killers are skilled at hiding or destroying remains.

[5/18/2018 9:08:04 PM | Edited 9:08:20 PM] Quill: Varia:  Oh, no, I don't think it was foul play. I think he just lost his nerve and didn't want to disappoint me.

[5/18/2018 9:08:48 PM] Ander: "...oh...ok then.  Well, something I don't have to worry about."

[5/18/2018 9:09:23 PM] Kite: This will be extremely entertaining.

[7:53:12 PM] Quill: It is the day of the free for all! It's a big deal in the other Wards of Song's Heart, but a BIG Deal in the Arena Ward... there are banners and people cheering and just kind of a street festival all over the whole  district.

[7:53:42 PM] *** Kite is excited! ***

[7:53:48 PM] *** Ander is also excited ***

[7:56:15 PM] Quill: Gimme perception rolls!

[7:56:50 PM] Ander: ((6, too distracted about the fight, I guess :) ))

[7:57:10 PM] Daneel: (( 9 ))

[7:57:10 PM] Kite: ((5!))

[7:57:39 PM] Ander: ((Wow...ok, get all the bad rolls out now))

[7:58:44 PM] Quill: Vashti? Vashti' there now, right?

[7:59:21 PM] Ander: ((She was here a minute ago))

[8:01:30 PM] Vashti: [18. Sorry, roll20 was being a butt.]

[8:01:56 PM] Quill: In any case, you make it the Arena! There's fanfare, but just general fanfare.

[8:03:14 PM] *** Ander takes it all in. Deep inhale. ***

[8:03:24 PM] Ander: "Yep, that is the smell of adrenaline."

[8:04:23 PM] Quill: The air is very charged! Ander, you're taken to get ready, and rest of you are brought to Varia's box. We'll just do one room, I dont' have it in me to run multiple rooms at the minute.

[8:04:45 PM] Ander: ((Fair enough))

[8:05:47 PM] *** Ander will stretch and get ready ***

[8:08:32 PM] Quill: There's a pretty good spread at Varia's box, too.

[8:08:44 PM] Quill: Food, drinks. At the best.

[8:11:21 PM] *** Kite looks at it, and tries some! ***

[8:12:44 PM] Quill: There's some food from all over the empire.

[8:12:54 PM] Quill: Varia:  Please, dears, help yourselves.

[8:13:15 PM] *** Kite chooses something she doesn't recognize, but also makes sure to get a napkin to discreetly spit it out in if necessary. ***

[8:13:37 PM] Quill: You get some kind of crab puff.

[8:14:46 PM] *** Kite does not care for it, but manages to swallow that bite down anyway, and tries another new thing! ***

[8:15:33 PM] *** Vashti also goes for something she doesn't recognize, partially because she feels her patron will appreciate it. ***

[8:15:44 PM] Quill: Good thinking!

[8:16:22 PM] *** Daneel will grab some food. ***

[8:17:20 PM] *** Kite will do that, in fact, until she's run out of things she hasn't tried, and will then nibble fruit and easily-recognizable things. ***

[8:18:41 PM] Daneel: So what is this free for all usually like, one big brawl? Or many smaller matches?

[8:18:48 PM] Quill: There's lots of sushi, too, since that's what Varia likes.

[8:19:11 PM] Quill: Like... hardcore sushi. The sashimi raw fish stuff.

[8:19:46 PM] *** Kite tries a bite of it and makes a really interesting face. ***

[8:21:20 PM] *** Daneel will eat some of the sushi. ***

[8:21:43 PM] *** Kite tactfully spits part of the bite into the napkin and eats the rest. ***

[8:22:49 PM] Ander: ((I think Daneel's question was to Varia))

[8:24:04 PM] Quill: Varia:  Typically, there are four small matches - they fight down to the last four standing in each of those, and the remaining sixteen are our combatants for the Free For All proper.

[8:25:34 PM] Kite: Attempting to hide is often a key tactic. It also often does not work.

[8:26:15 PM] Kite: It is also best not to appear strong at the beginning, as they will band together temporarily to take you down.

[8:26:29 PM] Quill: Varia:  Often there are short term alliances made, too. It can be interesting to watch them fall apart when they get to the main event.

[8:26:50 PM] Kite: Once they crowned cowinners--but only once.

[8:33:25 PM] Quill: So, Ander files out as part of Red group, which is a group of 11 fighters. There's a lot of contenders for the FFA this year.

[8:33:47 PM] *** Ander is doing her best to look serious ***

[8:34:59 PM] Kite: There she is.

[8:35:35 PM] *** Ander also tries to pick out Chance, if she can. ***

[8:35:58 PM] Quill: They're very clear -- once an opponent goes down, you move away and let the Arena Clerics pull them out for healing.

[8:36:01 PM] Quill: Whispers.

[8:36:15 PM] Ander: ((Right, sorry, wrong tabaxi))

[8:36:16 PM] Quill: Whispers Under Starlight. :)  Different Tabaxi.

[8:36:25 PM] Quill: Whisper is a black cat.

[8:36:33 PM] Quill: He's not in the Red group, it seems.

[8:37:00 PM] Quill: You don't recognize anyone -- until the last fighter comes out.

[8:38:27 PM] Ander: ((Oh, there's the pizza guy! I ordered like, an hour ago dude! You didn't have to join a fighter's league!))

[8:38:43 PM] Quill: "THE CLEAVER REMEMBERS YOU, LITTLE FRIEND, FROM THE TRAIN!"

[8:39:24 PM] Ander: "DUDE!  THEY LET YOU OUT?!?  COOL TO SEE YA!"

[8:40:43 PM] Quill: "THE CLEAVER PAID HIS DUES AND FINES, AND IS READY TO START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK HIS WAY BACK UP!"

[8:41:07 PM] Quill: He gives you a full on Over the Top style bicep flexing hand clasp.

[8:41:36 PM] *** Ander returns it best she can...but has a much smaller bicep than he used to have. ***

[8:41:52 PM] Ander: "Yeah, well good luck with that...after I take you out of this Free-For-All."

[8:42:18 PM] Quill: Also the Cleaver is a giant, modified Mek, so.

[8:42:23 PM] Quill: It's the thought that counts.

[8:42:39 PM] Ander: ((There are no real biceps in this Predator homage. :) ))

[8:43:14 PM] Quill: How can you do unnecessary bicep flexes?

[8:44:59 PM] Ander: ((Are we clasping hands with each other or is it more posing like this?))

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/fma/images/7/7e/Vlcsnap-2012-07-04-02h50m15s84.png/revision/latest?cb=20120704065919

[8:46:04 PM] Quill: It might be.

[8:46:55 PM] Quill: Anyway1   What I want you to do is make three attack rolls against your own AC.

[8:47:48 PM] Ander: ((...with or without Agile Parry?))

[8:48:13 PM] Quill: What's agile parry again?

[8:48:57 PM] Ander: ((If I make an unarmed strike during my turn, I get a plus 2 to my AC for that turn, it's a kensei monk ability))

[8:49:42 PM] Quill: Then no.

[8:49:54 PM | Edited 8:50:08 PM] Quill: Just regular stuff.

[8:50:04 PM] Ander: ((Ok.))

[8:50:21 PM] Ander: ((That is one hit and two misses, then.))

[8:51:13 PM] Ander: ((16, 12, and 9, for specific numbers))

[8:57:57 PM] Ander: ((17))

[8:59:16 PM] Quill: You do make it into the last four standing, but you're down 14 hp.

[8:59:34 PM] Ander: ((Down 14 or down to 14?))

[8:59:44 PM] Quill: Down 14 pts.

[8:59:55 PM] Ander: ((Eep))

[9:00:40 PM] Ander: ((Ok, that puts me at 8 hp))

[9:01:19 PM] Quill: The Cleaver also makes, along with a human wizard and a dragonborn paladin.

[9:01:38 PM] *** Ander spits out some blood and smiles ***

[9:03:47 PM] Quill: You took some good hits. The Cleaver won by being a huge war monster, the paladin just fought as normal, and the wizard just kind of armored up with her spells and didn't really do anything more offensive than cantrips, letting everyone else do most of the damage to each other.

[9:04:42 PM] Ander: ((Do us four fight now, or was it fight until there was only four?))

[9:05:26 PM] Quill: All four groups fight down to four combatants, so there's 16 in the FFA.

[9:06:21 PM] *** Ander walks up to the wizard and offers a hand then. "Good match." ***

[9:08:20 PM] Quill: She's cautious, but polite, and takes your hand. Now the back walls on each of your smaller arenas lowers into the floor, so that you're all in the main Arena, with  three other groups of four.

[9:09:52 PM] Quill: The emcee comes out to the center of the Arena, which is a large sandpit. There are some stone structures here and there to act as cover, and these pillars marked with red heart-symbols.

[9:10:02 PM] Quill: There are about ten of them around the arena.

[9:10:43 PM] Quill: So then, kind of like the Ninja Warrior thing, I need the other players to do things.

[9:11:34 PM] Kite: ((Okay!))

[9:12:54 PM] Quill: Basically, each of you are going to providing Ander with a buff when she makes it to one of the pillar.

[9:13:11 PM] Quill: Ander doesn't get to pick -- you guys decide what's best for her in the situation.

[9:13:56 PM] Quill: Each of you can apply your particular buff 3 times.

[9:14:17 PM] Quill: I need someone to be flat out healing. 5 hp restored.

[9:15:10 PM] Kite: ((I will!))

[9:15:10 PM] Quill: I need someone to provide the ability to grant Ander resistance to the next bit of damage she takes.

[9:15:29 PM] Quill: REsistance meaning she takes half damage.

[9:16:10 PM] Quill: And I need someone to make all her attacks Crits for the following round.

[9:17:41 PM] Quill: She can only have one buff at a time. And let's make that 7 hp instead of five, Kite.

[9:17:53 PM] Daneel: (( I will take the Critical hits one.))

[9:18:24 PM] Ander: ((Which leaves resistance to Vashti, assuming she didn't get mom'd away))

[9:19:48 PM] Quill: I hope not, I'm trying to make this a cooperative board game, dammit.

[9:21:06 PM] Ander: ((It appears likely that we will be down Nilani, once again))

[9:23:42 PM] Quill: It's fine. Kite will be on resistances and they'll parcel out the 3 healing buffs between them as needed.

[9:23:57 PM] Kite: ((Okay!))

[9:24:19 PM] Ander: ((Works for me))

[9:25:57 PM] Quill: So, you're all brought into position, Ander .. you're kind of forming up in a square. Everyone is around 35 feet apart to start with, all lining the sides of the arena.

[9:26:49 PM] Quill: Now, I'm not going to use a map for this. I'm going to have you roll initiative, first.

[9:27:12 PM] Ander: ((19))

[9:28:27 PM] Quill: Okay, you'll be going very quick. It hasn't start yet, but where will Ander go? To the nearest well, or toward the combatant to the left or right? The nearest well is about 50 feet away.

[9:28:32 PM] Quill: You can only use each well once.

[9:28:49 PM] Ander: ((Do I know what the wells do?))

[9:29:20 PM] Quill: Yeah, you know they have healing and other enhancement magic.

[9:29:57 PM] *** Ander will go for a well, first. She will spend a ki point and use step of the wind to dash there, if need be, but ONLY if she has to. ***

[9:30:29 PM] Quill: She's not the only one moving for it, but she will be going almost first.

[9:31:41 PM] Quill: So you'll be able to get to it first, if you can move 50 feet in one turn.

[9:32:05 PM] Ander: ((I can if I dash))

[9:32:54 PM] Quill: Okay! So the emcee has been yelling about the rules, but it's nothing new, and no one's been listening to him, not until he starts counting down.

[9:32:57 PM] Quill: 3...

[9:32:59 PM] Quill: 2..

[9:33:01 PM] Quill: 1...

[9:34:55 PM] Quill: Boom! You easily get to the well first. What buff is Ander getting? All around, you, Ander, you see others moving. Ranged fighters are getting to cover. The wizard form your group was almost moving toward the well, but can't make in one turn, since she's moving cautious, so you might have to deal with her next turn. No one else is an immediate threat to Ander -- others are either already fighting, or getting into position.

[9:35:22 PM] Kite: ((Not mine!))

[9:35:49 PM] Quill: Well, you could give her resistance for a turn, which might be good against a wizard.

[9:36:15 PM] Daneel: (( healing might be the best bet though.))

[9:36:19 PM] Quill: Or you could give her the offensive buff.

[9:36:28 PM] Quill:   Or just heal. Up to you guys! Ander is pretty beat up.

[9:36:39 PM] Kite: ((Okay, let's heal!))

[9:36:42 PM] Ander: ((I am at 1/3 my hp, for the record))

[9:36:52 PM] Daneel: (( heal it is))

[9:37:01 PM] Quill: Ander, you reach over and touch the pillar, and you heal for 7hp.

[9:37:28 PM] Ander: ((Ok, you said it was fifty feet away, so I had to dash, is anyone else around me, right now?))

[9:37:45 PM] Quill: Not right on you no.

[9:38:23 PM] Ander: ((Ok, then I will chuck a dart at the wizard (I would've had those registered after I was told to in match one))).

[9:38:36 PM] Quill: I thought dashing was your action?

[9:38:58 PM] Ander: ((Oh, yeah. Sorry. End turn.))

[9:39:52 PM] Quill: While the wizard doesn't make it, since she only moved her normal move, she's going to cast at you. What's your AC?

[9:39:59 PM] Ander: ((16))

[9:40:13 PM] Quill: Yeah, she misses you with a Ray of Frost.

[9:40:48 PM] Quill: All around, the ones who started most wounded are starting to go down -- 2 fighters are already out, that's 14 left.

[9:40:56 PM] Quill: Now it's you.

[9:41:22 PM] Ander: ((How far from me is the wizard?))

[9:42:11 PM] Quill: To get another buff, you'll need to get to a different pillar -- there are two equidistant from you, each sixty feet away. ONe is out in the open, the other is in the 'stone ruins' cover area. The Wizard is only around 20 feet from you.

[9:42:41 PM] *** Ander will run up to the wizard and go for an unarmed strike! ***

[9:42:59 PM] Ander: ((16 to hit, 5 dam))

[9:43:09 PM] Quill: That hits! She is punched.

[9:43:33 PM] *** Ander will then go for a sword strike, if she's not down. ***

[9:43:55 PM] Quill: She's not -- she took like no damage from the previous bout.

[9:44:13 PM] Ander: ((Natural 20. 16 damage))

[9:45:05 PM] Quill: Nice! She is very surpised, and is hanging on by a thread. ((literally 1 hp left.))

[9:45:41 PM] *** Ander ends my turn. ***

[9:45:56 PM] Ander: ((For the record, new DC is 18 now, cause Agile Parry.))

[9:46:31 PM] Quill: Make a con save.

[9:47:04 PM] Ander: ((16))

[9:49:29 PM] Quill: She does a Thunderwave, but you resist it, mostly, taking 4 damage. She's just making a run for the pillar though, so you you do get an aoo if you have a reaction.

[9:49:43 PM] *** Ander will do so ***

[9:49:55 PM] Ander: ((24 to hit, 7 dam))

[9:50:18 PM] *** Ander whacks her in the back of the head as she turns around. ***

[9:50:28 PM] Quill: Yep, she goes down.

[9:51:13 PM] *** Kite cheers! ***

[9:51:15 PM] Quill: She decided to take the chance you might miss, and failed, but she was going down soon anyway, so she figured why not.

[9:51:38 PM] Quill: At the end of that round, 13 remaining.

[9:51:45 PM] Quill: Gimme a perception roll.

[9:52:24 PM] Ander: ((Nat 20 again, 22 total))

[9:55:03 PM] Quill: You spot Whisper! He's punching and kicking a lot himself in his other part of the arena. His hands glow as he punches, too.

[9:55:58 PM] Quill: But, you're at the well. There are three fighters converging to use the pillar, The Cleaver and two others you don't know. You can't use it anymore, since you can only use each pillar once.

[9:56:07 PM] Quill: So what's your next move?

[9:56:30 PM] Ander: ((How far is the pillar?))

[9:56:42 PM] Ander: ((Oh, that's my old pillar?))

[9:56:57 PM] Ander: ((How far is the next nearest pillar?))

[9:59:47 PM] *** Ander will high tail it away from those three and to another pillar. ***

[10:01:22 PM] Quill: There are two, both 60 feet away from you. One is out in the open, the other is in the area full of cover. Kind of a faux stone ruins thing.

[10:01:49 PM] Quill: People are kind of all of the place now, and the sand is getting kicked up, it's kind of getting chaotic.

[10:02:14 PM] Ander: ((Can I see anyone else around either of these pillars?))

[10:02:31 PM] Quill: There's one person at the one out in the open, you think.

[10:02:43 PM] Ander: ((Ok, here's what I do))

[10:03:06 PM] *** Ander will first spend a ki point to use Step of the Wind, I can now dash as a bonus action. ***

[10:03:16 PM] *** Ander will then dash over to that pillar. ***

[10:03:29 PM] *** Ander will then kick the dude there in da face! ***

[10:04:07 PM] Quill: Okay! The dude in question is a Mek with a crossbow.

[10:04:34 PM] Ander: ((Ooof, so much for the streak I had going. 10 to hit. 8 dam.))

[10:05:01 PM] Quill: He dodges out of the way adroitly!

[10:05:21 PM] Quill: You can get the buff from the pillar before the end of your turn. What buff does Ander get?

[10:06:01 PM] Ander: ((...guys?))

[10:06:48 PM] Daneel: (( health or resistance would probably be best))

[10:07:08 PM] Quill: IT does look like the mek is going to take a shot.

[10:07:16 PM] Ander: ((I am at half health))

[10:07:17 PM] Kite: ((Do resistance!))

[10:07:36 PM] Kite: ((… does that resist damage or just magic?))

[10:07:42 PM] Quill: All damage.

[10:07:46 PM] Quill: For that round.

[10:08:31 PM] Daneel: (( ok then sounds like resistance.))

[10:08:54 PM] Quill: Okay!

[10:09:00 PM] Ander: ((Yes))

[10:10:34 PM] Quill: You take 5 points of damage total after the resistance as he takes a shot.

[10:10:48 PM] *** Ander would like to do deflect missile as a reaction, though. ***

[10:10:55 PM] Quill: Oh, good idea.

[10:11:18 PM] *** Ander catches the arrow...and breaks it. ***

[10:12:21 PM] Ander: ((17 should reduce the damage to zero so...yeah :) ))

[10:12:44 PM] Quill: How does that work? He rolled a total of 20 to hit.

[10:13:11 PM] Quill: I just rolled the d20.

[10:13:33 PM] Ander: ((According to the book, I reduce the damage taken by roll 1d10 + my dex bonus + my monk level. If the damage is reduced to zero, I catch it.))

[10:13:50 PM] Quill: Okay! Nice. So you catch it! Pretty cool.

[10:14:11 PM] Kite: That was extremely impressive.

[10:14:23 PM] Quill: Tragically, the Cleaver goes down, the two fighters at the pillar with him ganged up on him.

[10:14:32 PM] *** Ander is grinning at him in a creepy fashion. ***

[10:14:37 PM] Quill: There's 10 fighters left.

[10:14:49 PM] Quill: Yeah, a cheer does go up at the bolt catching.

[10:15:12 PM] Ander: )

[10:16:13 PM] Quill: You're up!

[10:16:27 PM] Kite: The Cleaver has fallen. Alas.

[10:16:44 PM] *** Ander will strike the dude twice. First, a sword attack, then an unarmed strike. ***

[10:17:00 PM] Ander: ((15, 6 dam for the sword))

[10:17:19 PM] Ander: ((...the fuck...another nat 20 on the unarmed strike. 11 dam.))

[10:17:39 PM | Edited 10:17:50 PM] Ander: ((Also, yes, poor Cleaver. :')

[10:18:04 PM] Quill: Yeah, the Mek goes down!

[10:18:29 PM] Quill: 9 Fighters. Is that your turn, or can you still move?

[10:18:48 PM] *** Ander will try to move to cover. Anywhere within 35 feet. ***

[10:19:41 PM] Quill: You're out in the open. The cover area is like 100 feet away.

[10:20:22 PM] *** Ander will just try to get as far from the archers as she can, then. Or 35 feet towards the next unused pillar. ***

[10:20:53 PM] Ander: ((Again, for the record, 18 AC))

[10:21:46 PM] Quill: Okay. The next closest unused pillar is 50 feet away, getting closer to the Arena wall.

[10:21:58 PM] *** Ander gets 35 feet closer to that one. ***

[10:22:25 PM] Quill: You watch as a fighter approaches the pillar in the cover area, and he's cut down by a hidden archer who's nested in the faux ruins.

[10:22:31 PM] Quill: 8 fighters left.

[10:22:50 PM] Quill: Kite, Daneel, Vashti. Gimme Perception rolls.

[10:23:35 PM] Daneel: (( 11 ))

[10:24:12 PM] Kite: ((2. What?))

[10:24:17 PM] Vashti: [5]

[10:24:43 PM] Ander: ((...I guess I'm soaking up the good rolls?))

[10:25:44 PM] Quill: Indeed!

[10:26:00 PM] Quill: Okay, next round, Ander?

[10:26:41 PM] *** Ander will continue heading to the pillar. ***

[10:27:29 PM] Quill: I need you to make me a reflex save.

[10:27:40 PM] Ander: ((21))

[10:29:19 PM] Kite: ((It's probably best that you're getting the good rolls though.))

[10:29:43 PM] Ander: ((Indeed))

[10:31:26 PM] Quill: So you're running for the pillar and just as you get there, shit gets weird all around you. You dodge instinctively as you're surrounded by inky blackness and something tentacly hits you and you take 4 acide damage.

[10:31:31 PM] Quill: And you can't see anything.

[10:31:59 PM] Ander: ((And I am now below the hp I was at when this started))

[10:32:13 PM] Ander: ((Can I still make it to the pillar?))

[10:32:40 PM] Quill: Also this area is now difficult terrain. You're at the pillar, but you have to feel around to touch it and activate it.

[10:32:53 PM] *** Kite stands up! ***

[10:34:20 PM] Quill: Yeah, you guys just see this area of inky blackness envelop the pillar and Ander.

[10:34:41 PM] Quill: So gimme. Hmmm. A survival check, or a dex check, whichever's higher.

[10:35:28 PM] Ander: ((23))

[10:35:53 PM] Quill: You find it!

[10:36:01 PM] Quill: You can receive a buff.

[10:37:05 PM] Daneel: (( health or damage increase, I think ))

[10:37:27 PM] Kite: ((Health! I think that's our last Health though.))

[10:37:39 PM] Ander: ((No, that's your second health))

[10:37:42 PM] Daneel: (( one more after this ))

[10:37:45 PM] Ander: ((You get three, right?))

[10:37:48 PM] Ander: ((Yeah))

[10:38:07 PM] Daneel: (( ok, health then))

[10:38:16 PM] Ander: ((And that puts me at 14))

[10:38:28 PM] Quill: Okay!

[10:38:58 PM] Quill: So the three of you up in Varia's box notice her sit bolt upright and stare at the other end of the Arena.

[10:39:15 PM] Ander: ((I will not use this tactically, I swear, but no one else sees me either, right? It's all dark in that area?))

[10:39:34 PM] Quill: You are stuck in an area of darkness and tentacles.

[10:39:39 PM] Kite: What's happening on the other end, Lady Varia?

[10:40:22 PM] Quill: As you ask that, Kite, the scrying magic on the window of her box goes out. The magical lights in the arena go out.

[10:41:01 PM] Quill: Not that Ander notices. But there's screams and alarm from the crowd.

[10:41:57 PM] Quill: A tear in space opens in the middle of the arena.

[10:42:27 PM] Ander: "...whatever that noise is, it can't be good."

[10:44:13 PM] Quill: A huge, shadowy, elongated form falls out of it onto the cover area. (So good thing you didn't go that way, Ander.)

[10:44:56 PM] Quill: There's an earsplitting screech from the being.

[10:45:40 PM] Kite: … I do not think this is part of the contest.

[10:45:47 PM] Quill: Varia:  ... no.

[10:46:23 PM] *** Ander covers her ears. ***

[10:46:34 PM] *** Kite tries to get to the arena. ***

[10:46:58 PM] *** Daneel follows Kite. ***

[10:47:23 PM] Quill: You're about five stories above the arena... since the scrying enchantments are down, you're just looking through a window now. And there's a riot of people trying to escape, it's going to take a long time to get down that way.

[10:47:47 PM] Ander: ((Leap through the glass! DO IT!))

[10:48:51 PM] *** Kite looks for something she could climb down on. ***

[10:48:54 PM] Quill: Ander! You're still in the Hunger of Hadar. You take 4 cold damage.

[10:49:05 PM] Quill: It... wasn't really made for that. There's curtains, but.

[10:49:37 PM] Quill: As you look, it's not so much that this creature is made of shadows, it's like it has shadow-stuff cling to it.

[10:49:39 PM] Ander: "OK!  Next time, robes!  Robes have sleeves!"

[10:49:57 PM] *** Ander will run out of the hunger, if possible. ***

[10:50:05 PM] *** Kite breaks the glass and does try to go down the curtain. ***

[10:50:14 PM] Quill: You can get out of the spel area, though, Ander. And you get greeted with this scene.

[10:51:09 PM] Quill: The curtains aren't long enough to get you down safely unless you take some time to pull them all down and rip them apart to make a rope.

[10:52:07 PM] Ander: "...WHAT THE FFFFUUUUUUUU--!"

[10:52:14 PM] Quill: The shadows seem to jump from the creature to nearby fighters and smother them to death.

[10:52:39 PM] *** Kite will drop the last story or two if she has to. ***

[10:53:03 PM] *** Daneel will follow Kite. ***

[10:54:40 PM] Quill: You guys take the time to do that. You struggle with the glass, but Varia just comes over, bourbon in one hand and just smashes it open with one fist while sipping.

[10:55:39 PM] Ander: ((............that's badass))

[10:56:24 PM] Quill: Ander, while they're working on that, what do you do? Fighters are dying.

[10:56:37 PM] *** Kite eyes Varia. ***

[10:56:39 PM] Quill: ((Varia's the most badass character in this campaign.))

[10:56:52 PM] *** Ander goes over to fight the shadows. ***

[10:58:20 PM] Quill: Varia looks at Kite going for the curtains. "What are you waiting for, darling? "  She gestures, and casts Featherfall on you guys.

[10:58:29 PM] Quill: Varia:  Go Paladin.

[10:58:32 PM] *** Kite blinks, and just jumps down! ***

[10:59:20 PM] *** Daneel goes as well right after casting mage armor on himself. ***

[11:00:15 PM] Ander: "...hey guys.  Trading up for front row seats?"

[11:00:44 PM] Ander: ((18 sword strike against a shadow, btw.))

[11:00:52 PM] *** Kite draws her sword! No armor, though. She wore a dress today. ***

[11:01:34 PM] Quill: There's only one giant monster that seems to be covered in/seeping shadows.

[11:01:52 PM] Ander: ((Then 18 against that thing!))

[11:02:12 PM] Ander: ((Side note, can I see Whispers?))

[11:02:37 PM] Quill: Everyone who has gotten closed to it so far has died.

[11:02:40 PM] Quill: You don't see him.

[11:03:08 PM] Quill: The thing, for it's part, is just kind of thrashing about, and the portal is still there.

[11:03:31 PM] Ander: "...I am open to ideas."

[11:04:39 PM] Kite: We could go into a portal. We could attempt to get light to shine on it.

[11:05:59 PM] Quill: At this point, something else shoots out of the portal, falling on the creature like a glowy comet!

[11:07:05 PM] Daneel: Looks like it has light on it already Kite.

[11:07:12 PM] Quill: It kind of just.... obliterates the monster.

[11:07:37 PM] Quill: The shadows dissipate, and there's a crater with a dude in the middle of it, that's all that's left.

[11:07:55 PM] *** Kite waits to see what that person is. ***

[11:07:59 PM] Quill: He gets to his feet, holding himself up on a staff shakily.

[11:08:09 PM] Quill: He looks like he's been through hell.

[11:08:14 PM] Ander: "...Anyone else feel like we missed a lot of important details?"

[11:08:39 PM] Kite: Yes.

[11:08:42 PM] Quill: Wizard:  I'm... Andar Twinbolt. I.... need to talk to the Empress....

[11:08:49 PM] Quill: He falls forward toward you guys.

[11:08:56 PM] Kite: … no, you need medical attention.

[11:09:00 PM] *** Kite Lays on Hands him. ***

[11:10:02 PM] Daneel: (( is the portal still open?))

[11:10:44 PM] Quill: The tear seems to be re-knitting itself closed. He looks up at Kite, eyes clearing up. ".... thank the gods, it's you."

[11:11:07 PM] Ander: "...a LOT of details."

[11:11:08 PM] Kite: … I believe you have confused me with someone else.

[11:11:48 PM] Quill: Andar:  You are Kite.

[11:11:55 PM] Quill: Andar:  You're going to be Empress.

[11:11:59 PM] Quill: He passes out!

[11:12:11 PM] Ander: "...........um....congratulations?"

[11:13:32 PM] Kite: ... I do not think I would make a suitable empress.