Book 1 - Chapter 5.1: Dark Wings, Darker Deeds

[Throndir]

Rhenri took a deep breath remaining calm even after Cecilia crumpled into a heap. Her earlier target was some kind of magic caster, Rhenri immediately decided the dagger-wielding person would have to be her first victim.

[info]Active Stance: Stance of the Piercing Rays
Used Maneuvers: Dimensional Strike
Ki: 3/3

Swift: Active Murderous Insight (-1 Ki, 4 rounds remaining)
Standard: Attack Cultist 1 (point-blank shot, murderous insight)
[blockquote]attack 1d20+8 : 6 + 8, total 14[/blockquote]
[blockquote]attack 1d20+8 : 3 + 8, total 11[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing 1d8+1 : 7 + 1, total 8[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]

Ki remaining: 2/3
Active buffs: Stance of the Piercing Rays, Murderous Insight[/info]

[spoiler=Murderous Insight Reference]Murderous Insight (Su):

The stalker designates his combat senses towards ending the lives of his opponents and gains momentary flashes of insight in how to best accomplish this. By spending one point of ki as a swift action, the stalker makes an attack and rolls twice for that attack and uses the better of the two results due to the stalker's precognitive abilities. This art has a duration of 1 + the stalker's Wisdom modifier in rounds.[/spoiler]

[Asta]

Again the cultist managed to avoid the sting of Rhenri's arrow. This time the projectile was turned aside by an unseen magical force that seemed to surround the man.

The skeletons continued their assault, raking at Thedrin and Scathach but the assault was to no avail.

[error]Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss[/error]
[okay]Skeleton 1 and 2 attack Scathach and Thedrin, miss[/okay]
[info]Thedrin to go[/info]

[spoiler]Initiative Order: Cultist 2, Scathach, Cultist 1, Cecilia, Rhenri, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 1, Thedrin
Roll 20 Link
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 moves
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 9 damage[/spoiler]
Round 2:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 casts a spell
Cecilia Unconscious, Blind, Stunned 4
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
[/spoiler]

[pringerbeam]

     "Keep it up, that spellcaster is dangerous!" Advises Thedrin as he continued to engage the cultist in front of him.

[info]Move Action: Combat Advice to give Rhenri +2 to hit Cultist 1

Standard Action: Attack Cultist 2[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 20 + 6, total 26[/blockquote]     Damage (Slashing)[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+3 : 3 + 3, total 6[/blockquote][/info]

[pringerbeam]

[info]Confirm crit[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 15 + 6, total 21[/blockquote]     Damage [blockquote]Rolled 1d8+3 : 1 + 3, total 4[/blockquote][/info]

[Asta]

Thedrin's attack found a gap in the cultists armor, sinking deep and leaving the man bleeding like a stuck pig. The gravely wounded man shuffled as best he could into a more advantageous position and lashed back savagely. This time, Thedrin's shield was too late and the desperate attack caught him hard in the ribs, shattering bone and sundering flesh. "Ill take you with me bastard! Nothing can stop the coming storm!"

Seeing the tide turn on her companion, Scathach turned her attention from the skeleton to the greatsword wielding cultist. She quickly knocked and fired two arrows in quick succession but only one found its mark and did not end the man's life.

Assuming the skeleton or his companion would finish Thedrin off, the mage waved a hand in Rhenri's general direction and produced a bolt of magical force that struck her hard in the chest.

Elsewhere... Cecilia still lay in a heap on the ground.

[okay]Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 10 damage[/okay]
[error]Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, a power attack, 16 damage[/error]
[okay]Scathach shoots Cultist 2 twice, hits once, 3 damage[/okay]
[error]Cultist 1 casts a spell at Rhenri, 5 damage[/error]
[warning]Cecilia unconscious, blind, stunned for 3 more rounds[/warning]
[info]Rhenri to go[/info]

[spoiler]Initiative Order: Cultist 2, Scathach, Cultist 1, Cecilia, Rhenri, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 1, Thedrin
Roll 20 Link
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 moves
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 9 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 casts a spell
Cecilia Unconscious, Blind, Stunned 4
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 10 damage[/spoiler]
Round 3
Cultists 2 attacks Thedrin, 16 damage
Scathach shoots Cultist 2, 3 damage
Cultist 1 casts a spell at Rhenri, 5 damage
Cecilia unconscious, blind, stunned 3
[/spoiler]

[Throndir]

The archer grit her teeth as the magic blasted into her chest. Taking Thedrin's advice, Rhenri fired off another arrow.

[info]Active buffs: Stance of the Piercing Rays, Murderous Insight (3 rounds remaining), Combat Advice
Swift: Activate Horizon Wind Lancet
Standard: Attack Cultist 1 with Masterwork Longbow (point-blank shot, murderous insight, combat advice)
[blockquote]attack 1d20+10 : 5 + 10, total 15[/blockquote]
[blockquote]attack 1d20+10 : 19 + 10, total 29[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing, point-blank shot 1d8+1 : 6 + 1, total 7[/blockquote]
[blockquote]fire, stance of the piercing rays 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]
[blockquote]piercing, horizon wind lancet 1d6 : 3, total 3[/blockquote]

Used Maneuvers: Dimensional Strike, Horizon Wind Lancet
Ki: 2/3[/info]

[spoiler=Horizon Wind Lancet Reference]HORIZON WIND LANCET
Discipline: Solar Wind (Boost)
Level: 1
Initiation Action: 1 swift action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: Instant
The tenets of the Solar Wind have taught the disciple how to place more force behind his attacks. The initiator inflicts an additional 1d6 points of damage on a single ranged attack he makes this round. If the initiator is making multiple attacks in this round, this bonus applies to the first attack the initiator makes.[/spoiler]

[Throndir]

[info]If the Cultist goes down, she'll move 30 ft. eastwards.[/info]

[Asta]

Rhenri's fiery arrow struck the cultist hard in the throat, briefly engulfing his head in flames. When they sputtered out a moment later, he had collapsed to the ground and began to bleed out.

The uncaring skeletons continued their assaults on Thedrin and Scathach. Despite the hammering of its claws, Thedrin's armor holds up to the assault. Scathach however is struck, leaving a nasty gash in her shoulder.

[okay]Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, 13 damage[/okay]
[okay]Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss[/okay]
[error]Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, 5 damage[/error]
[info]Thedrin to go[/info]

[spoiler]Initiative Order: Cultist 2, Scathach, Cultist 1, Cecilia, Rhenri, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 1, Thedrin
Roll 20 Link
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 moves
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 9 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 casts a spell
Cecilia Unconscious, Blind, Stunned 4
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 10 damage[/spoiler]
Round 3
Cultists 2 attacks Thedrin, 16 damage
Scathach shoots Cultist 2, 3 damage
Cultist 1 casts a spell at Rhenri, 5 damage
Cecilia unconscious, blind, stunned 3
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, 13 damage
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, 5 damage
[/spoiler]

[pringerbeam]

     Noting that he was surrounded,  Thedrin sidestepped out of reach of the skeleton as he slashed at the cultist's belly. Then, swelling himself with power to heal his wounds called out to Rhenri again. "The tide is turning! Help me finish them off!"

[info] Free Action: 5 ft step

Standard Action: attack Cultist 2[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 11 + 6, total 17[/blockquote]      Damage (Slashing) [blockquote]Rolled 1d8+3 : 7 + 3, total 10[/blockquote]
Swift Action: Lay on Hands self [blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote]
Move Action: Combat Advice to give Rhenri+2 to hit Cultist 2, if already downed then bonus is for Skeleton 2[/info]

[Asta]

Through the cultists damaged mail Thedrin's slash cut the man's stomach open wide, spilling entrails to the ground below. The cultist dropped his blade and gasped, trying vainly to hold his organs inside before life left him. Conversely, with the infusion of holy power Thedrin's own wounds began to knit closed.

Scathach putting a pace between herself and the skeleton, fired off another shot at it. The arrow chipped away at its skull, but seemed mostly ineffective.

Meanwhile, Cecilia continued to lie unconscious.

[okay]Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 10 damage.[/okay]
[okay]Thedrin heals for 6.[/okay]
[okay]Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, 3 damage.[/okay]
[warning]Cecilia unconscious, blind, stunned for 2 more rounds.[/warning]
[info]Rhenri to go[/info]

[spoiler]Initiative Order: Cultist 2, Scathach, Cultist 1, Cecilia, Rhenri, Skeleton 2, Skeleton 1, Thedrin
Roll 20 Link
[spoiler=Round 1]Round 1:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 moves
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 9 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 2]Round 2:
Cultist 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, miss
Cultist 1 casts a spell
Cecilia Unconscious, Blind, Stunned 4
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, miss
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss
Thedrin attacks Cultist 2, 10 damage[/spoiler]
[spoiler=Round 3]Round 3
Cultists 2 attacks Thedrin, 16 damage
Scathach shoots Cultist 2, 3 damage
Cultist 1 casts a spell at Rhenri, 5 damage
Cecilia unconscious, blind, stunned 3
Rhenri shoots Cultist 1, 13 damage
Skeleton 2 attacks Thedrin, miss
Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, 5 damage
Thedrin attacks Cultist 1, 10 damage[/spoiler]
Round 4:
Scathach shoots Skeleton 1, 3 damage
Cecilia unconscious et. all 2 more rounds
[/spoiler]

[Throndir]

Seeing the greatsword user go down, Rhenri followed through Thedrin's advice and aimed after the skeleton. From her experience with these before, she switched to bludgeoning arrows.

[info]Active buffs: Stance of the Piercing Rays, Murderous Insight (2 rounds remaining), Combat Advice
Free: 5-ft step towards Skeleton 2, to be within point-blank range.
Standard: Attack Cultist 2 with Masterwork Longbow, using bludgeoning arrows (point-blank shot, murderous insight, combat advice)
This dice roll has been tampered with!
attack 1d20+10 : 9 + 10, total 19
This dice roll has been tampered with!
attack 1d20+10 : 15 + 10, total 25
This dice roll has been tampered with!
bludgeoning, point-blank shot 1d8+1 : 5 + 1, total 6
This dice roll has been tampered with!
fire, stance of the piercing rays 1d6 : 6, total 6

Used Maneuvers: Dimensional Strike, Horizon Wind Lancet
Ki: 2/3[/info]

[Asta]

Rhenri's shot shattered the skeleton's skull as it passed through, sending chunks of bone flying outward. For a moment, it took another staggering step toward Thedrin before the enchantment upon it failed and the construct toppled to the ground.

The remaining skeleton continued its mindless assault on Scathach, reaching for her once more with clawed hands. The strike was easily dodged, leaving her unharmed.

[okay]Rhenri shoots Skeleton 2, 12 damage[/okay]
[okay]Skeleton 1 attacks Scathach, miss[/okay]
[info]Thedrin to go[/info]

[pringerbeam]

     Thedrin stuck his sword into the corpse of the cultist in front of him and drew his hammer from its loop at his belt as he charged at the remaining skeleton, continuing to feed healing energy into his battered body as he did so.

[info]Free action: Drop Eiltin's Blade

Full-round Action: Draw warhammer and Charge Skeleton 1 (Plus flanking)[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 10 + 9, total 19[/blockquote]     Damage (Bludgeoning)[blockquote]Rolled 1d8+3 : 8 + 3, total 11[/blockquote]
Swift Action: Lay on Hands self[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 6, total 6[/blockquote][/info]

[Asta]

Thedrin's remaining cuts close with the surge of healing energy as he quickly closed the gap with the remaining skeleton. At the end of his charge, he swung his hammer in a wide arc on the unsuspecting construct smashing through its ribs and spinal column. Like its companion, a moment later the magic animating the bones faded and they lie still.

Soon Cecilia recovered from her magical stupor, sitting up to see the battle finished.

"Nasty work that" Scathach said, commenting on the engagement. "What do you think those two were out here doing? Something with those crates of... what did that old codger call it? Dark Essence?"

[info]Everyone gains 356 exp.[/info]

[pringerbeam]

     "Perhaps it would benefit you to learn a more noble fighting style for when menaced in melee than relying solely on your bow." Remarked Thedrin as he used his healing powers on Scathach. He then looked at the crates.  "It would seem to be the case. I wonder what these cultists could be doing out here with it."  He then shrugged and took out the coin to look at the shrine.  "Now, back to the quest... What exactly are we supposed to do with the coin?" He mused as he inspected the shrine.

[info]Expend a use of Lay on Hands to heal Scathach[blockquote]Rolled 1d6 : 5, total 5[/blockquote]
Perception to inspect the shrine[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+2 : 17 + 2, total 19[/blockquote][/info]