Black Zenith [Adventure RPG / Chapter Four: Fires of Heaven]

nop, i'm editing

watson is having a hard time dealing with

time

YEAAAAA

this isn't as easel as it looks

wat? nonono, this schedule is a mechanic and no edit shall be allowed

blaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhh

Watson, who had been pondering endlessly about magicians, has been plagued by them once again! That's what he gets for standing around foppishly. Even in the seconds after being terribly skewered, he didn't feel in a position to do anything standing around helplessly with blood pouring out of his gut. But with the healing aid of the bunnykin, he now feels up to landing hits of his own.

Watson puts on his brand new pendant because jew'lry always looks absolutely princely on him. This goes for anything actually. Especially when he charges towards someone with magically-fired shoes and breathes a column of flame over their head.

His body shines a crystal-clean radiance, his lungs out-pouring a munificent ruby wind before him, a large ancient gourd materializing in his hands. It brims to the top with rejuvenating fluids. The liquid glows a neon-red, a sacred substance from another plane of existence. Thankfully, that plane of existence can appreciate a fine merlot. But no, not this simpleton. Why, he wouldst not tell the taste of a Gouraine Catroux if it hit him over the head!

Maybe Watson should give him a chance at identifying the subtle nuances in its taste.

By throwing the large gourd at Renzo's head in the most unsubtle way possible, the gourd smashing against his head, its contents splashing all over the unfabled artist. He will initially experience a sharp pain and momentarily soiled clothes before having his tongue scraped of all foreign substances which may impair his judgment of the wine, his liver cleansed of other intoxicating fluids in order to prepare him for the Gouraine's effect on his body, and his brain's myelin sheathing soaked in a fine varnish. After Renzo's palate has experienced the raw flavour and relishment that is the millenia-old vino, his body will feel like an oaky finish dampened with strawberry and ginger-snap.

"The hell?" Savannah finds herself tumbling to the stone floor as Remah easily dodges her attack, the surface grating at the skin of her shoulder, exposed by her burnt and tattered sweatshirt. The sword lands on top of her, taking her breath away as the fire fades away. She pushes it to the side, rolling over onto her hands and knees. As she moves to stand up, however, there's a faint tickling of magic at her back, and Savannah glances back. She can't see her own back. Obviously. But there's definitely something there.

"Urgh..." She pulls herself to her feet, hauling her weapon up off the floor. "You're going to regret that, you crock'a shit!" Whether she was talking about Bohw's magic, Remah's dodge, or his attack on Myra remained a mystery to all but her. The real reason was that she was pissed she fell on the floor, and turned to him to blame. It was his fault after all. With her shout of rage, Savannah presses her thumb against the ruby again, reigniting the blade, and moves in for another reckless slash.

Thunderpaw follows up Watson's session of fine wine tasting with a blow to Remiah's head from behind. The rabbit's brew was tangy as whiskey and hit harder than scotch!

Remah leaps to his feet before Mayor can stop him, sending a lightning bolt crackling through his steel frame at point blank range for 420 damage before performing a backflip, landing behind the rest of you, his back towards the shadowed cavern with the chairs.

Watson, who had been pondering endlessly about magicians, has been plagued by them once again! That's what he gets for standing around foppishly. Even in the seconds after being terribly skewered, he didn't feel in a position to do anything standing around helplessly with blood pouring out of his gut. But with the healing aid of the bunnykin, he now feels up to landing hits of his own.

Watson puts on his brand new pendant because jew'lry always looks absolutely princely on him. This goes for anything actually. Especially when he charges towards someone with magically-fired shoes and breathes a column of flame over their head.

His body shines a crystal-clean radiance, his lungs out-pouring a munificent ruby wind before him, a large ancient gourd materializing in his hands. It brims to the top with rejuvenating fluids. The liquid glows a neon-red, a sacred substance from another plane of existence. Thankfully, that plane of existence can appreciate a fine merlot. But no, not this simpleton. Why, he wouldst not tell the taste of a Gouraine Catroux if it hit him over the head!

Maybe Watson should give him a chance at identifying the subtle nuances in its taste.

By throwing the large gourd at Renzo's head in the most unsubtle way possible, the gourd smashing against his head, its contents splashing all over the unfabled artist. He will initially experience a sharp pain and momentarily soiled clothes before having his tongue scraped of all foreign substances which may impair his judgment of the wine, his liver cleansed of other intoxicating fluids in order to prepare him for the Gouraine's effect on his body, and his brain's myelin sheathing soaked in a fine varnish. After Renzo's palate has experienced the raw flavour and relishment that is the millenia-old vino, his body will feel like an oaky finish dampened with strawberry and ginger-snap.

You breathe fire at Remah, dealing 525 damage (roll 14+6).

Then you generously share of your vast knowledge of wines! And by generously share, you mean you force it on Renzo by dumping a gourd in his face. Renzo takes 1 point of bludgeoning damage! Then he is healed for 1313 spirits, somehow. Also, you are now drunk and Renzo isnt. We think he isnt, anyway. Artists have a certain reputation, after all.

"The hell?" Savannah finds herself tumbling to the stone floor as Remah easily dodges her attack, the surface grating at the skin of her shoulder, exposed by her burnt and tattered sweatshirt. The sword lands on top of her, taking her breath away as the fire fades away. She pushes it to the side, rolling over onto her hands and knees. As she moves to stand up, however, there's a faint tickling of magic at her back, and Savannah glances back. She can't see her own back. Obviously. But there's definitely something there.

"Urgh..." She pulls herself to her feet, hauling her weapon up off the floor. "You're going to regret that, you crock'a shit!" Whether she was talking about Bohw's magic, Remah's dodge, or his attack on Myra remained a mystery to all but her. The real reason was that she was pissed she fell on the floor, and turned to him to blame. It was his fault after all. With her shout of rage, Savannah presses her thumb against the ruby again, reigniting the blade, and moves in for another reckless slash.

You stay hot on Remah's backflipping heels, charging in to swing the massive blade at him in an arcing smash trailed by fire to connect with Remah's unprotected flank, sending him reeling from the blow and scattering another dozen blood smears on the ground nearby! Your attack deals 676 damage and burns him for another 218 damage. (roll 20+11)

Thunderpaw follows up Watson's session of fine wine tasting with a blow to Remiah's head from behind. The rabbit's brew was tangy as whiskey and hit harder than scotch!

While Remah is still struggling to stay upright you take the opportunity to dash behind him and crack your hammer against the backside of his skull, dealing 446 (roll 11+6, crit) damage and sending him stumbling in the opposite direction.

---

A faint crack of something heavy striking stone suddenly rings out from up the tunnel. Remah, set upon from all sides, hardly even aknowledges it. "You are no mere thieves." He gasps. "The lady in white... No, I shall not fall, not then, now or when!" He snarls, hefting his glaive-spear in preparation for his next assault.



Stats

SpoilerShow

Thunderpaw: 1280/1950
Fury Comet ready!
Vendetta ready!
Blade of Light Cd 3
Valiant ready!
Slowfall ready!
Restoration Cd 8

Bohw: 500/1240
Leader: +14
Mayor: 1375/2275
Sabotage Cd 8
Selfless Cd 6
Hellbent Cd 8
Block Cd 6

Savannah: 660/1500, Bloodrune (+43)(1)
Soulfire: 4
Aromatherapy ready!
Absolute Zero ready!
Parasitic Relationship ready!
Jungle Fever ready!
Manacharge Cd 1
Wand of Healing: 18

Watson: 2250/2250
Wits ready!
Fine Wine Cd 11
Dragon of the Red Wine Cd 8
Indignant Injunction Cd 9
Battle-Seeker: 0/2
Water Vase: 3 charges

Myra: 1560/1800, Muse, Rising Tide (0/5), Time Lock (~)
Readiness: +0
Galeforce: 7/7
Change Form ready!
Winds of Fate Cd 21
Punishment ready!
Genesis ready!
Wraithstrike ready!
Shield of Feathers ready!
Farsight ready!

Renzo: 2400/2400
Drawingboard: [-][-]
Inspired Cd 6
Saturation Cd 2
Masterpiece Cd 10
Artistic License Cd 4
Lifetouch Cd 1
Insight Cd 21

---

Remah: 1286/5000, Blinding Paint (-6 -6)(1), Stain and Varnish, Sabotage (-4)(2)
Time Rift: Active
Somersault Rave Cd 4
Time Lock: Active
Sidestep Cd 1
Touch of Destiny: Unavailable

renzo has been drunk since you met him, he's just got tremendous tolerance

Mayor still storms around the room in a blind rage, sweeping at the air where Remah was, his giant arms crashing into the walls and shelves as he continues to try and punch him. All the while the golem screeched, making quite the scene.

"Of course we're not thieves! We're god damn heroes!" Bohw shouted in response, although she wasn't really doing a good job at it in the moment, he was fast, way too fast to hit him among all the chaos! Watching Thunderpaw's ability to predict the stranger's movements sparked an idea in her head however. "Oy! Thunderpaw, make yourself useful and make the next blow airborne!" She instructed, loading an arrow into her longbow as she took aim at not Remah, but just ahead of her rabbit friend. If she couldn't predict where he was going, she was going to take a pointer and follow someone who did.

SpoilerShow

In short: Mayor is punching things.
Bohw is using her leader bonus to do a dual attack with Thunderpaw.

SpoilerShow

(watson glowed red b/c Battleseeker. That's why he used DRW as his 1st move)

Renzo's brushes are not yet done, and seem to fly from his hands, before brushing down Mayor with a series of reds and crimsons and vermillions. The shades of red draw aggression to the golem and raise his strength, in hopes he will be able to dissuade enemies from attacking our allies.

The brushes moving by themselves, Renzo pulls out his sketchpad and inkwell and begins to sketch the motions of the battlefield before him. He shouts over to Watson who has now walked into frame. "You know Watson, I much prefer a nice brandy after a tussle like this, my boy. And step a little to the left if you can."

SpoilerShow

(watson glowed red b/c Battleseeker. That's why he used DRW as his 1st move)

yes i thought you might be doing that, but grew uncertain from the description

Watson felt cinders at the back of his throat at even the slightest insinuation that he can't whip-up not a half-decent brandy.

He steps to the left, and goes back even further, to the glowing blades. Perhaps he can induce their purpose and utility or if they'll wield themselves against him if he touches them. Rubbing his chin in a contemplative fashion while staring at inspecting them might help.

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Wits to deduce purpose and function of those two glowing swords

what swords? the only swords here are those carried by the party and the black one in the cave. is that the one you meant? the one on the other chair is a dagger

black sword
dagger

As soon as the flames incited by Watson die out, Remah jumps at him, spear slashing across Watson's chest for 420 damage!

Mayor still storms around the room in a blind rage, sweeping at the air where Remah was, his giant arms crashing into the walls and shelves as he continues to try and punch him. All the while the golem screeched, making quite the scene.

"Of course we're not thieves! We're god damn heroes!" Bohw shouted in response, although she wasn't really doing a good job at it in the moment, he was fast, way too fast to hit him among all the chaos! Watching Thunderpaw's ability to predict the stranger's movements sparked an idea in her head however. "Oy! Thunderpaw, make yourself useful and make the next blow airborne!" She instructed, loading an arrow into her longbow as she took aim at not Remah, but just ahead of her rabbit friend. If she couldn't predict where he was going, she was going to take a pointer and follow someone who did.

Remah laughs bitterly at Bohw's words as he sidesteps Mayor's wild attacks (hit 3-1 Vs Defense 12-6-4).

"There are no heroes, only sacrifices. Mine was the greatest, and I... Am no hero."

You bide your time, arrow readied as you watch for Thunderpaw's move.

Renzo's brushes are not yet done, and seem to fly from his hands, before brushing down Mayor with a series of reds and crimsons and vermillions. The shades of red draw aggression to the golem and raise his strength, in hopes he will be able to dissuade enemies from attacking our allies.

The brushes moving by themselves, Renzo pulls out his sketchpad and inkwell and begins to sketch the motions of the battlefield before him. He shouts over to Watson who has now walked into frame. "You know Watson, I much prefer a nice brandy after a tussle like this, my boy. And step a little to the left if you can."

You take the brush to Mayor's frame, but soon find that his steel body holds the paint badly, not to mention the numerous dents and scratches his armor has suffered in recent time needing to be colored in with a more thorough technique, lest you miss the cavities. Honest mistakes that are easily corrected, if you had the time (Roll 6+6). Still, the bold colors should draw the attention of most foes well enough.

Watson felt cinders at the back of his throat at even the slightest insinuation that he can't whip-up not a half-decent brandy.

He steps to the left, and goes back even further, to the glowing blades. Perhaps he can induce their purpose and utility or if they'll wield themselves against him if he touches them. Rubbing his chin in a contemplative fashion while staring at inspecting them might help.

You dash past Remah, vanishing into the darker part of the cave, still unilluminated by Myra's spell light yet left just outside the the runescribed room.

You consider the sword and the dagger from memory while your eyes are yet adjusting to the dim light. You have never seen the dagger before, but you overheard some of the others talking about a man bearing a dark dagger with a ruby set in the hilt. This dagger, so innocently impaled here upon a chair in this forgotten cave, matches that description. Suddenly it occurs to you where you had seen the armor and sword before; in Nirthrid, when you came to the aid of Ziras. It was this set of armor and this wicked sword that appeared then, spewing forth a tide of dark minions.

As your eyes adjust, you realize that the corpse is no longer sitting upon its chair. It stands before you, left arm lifted towards Remah, fingers curled into twisting claws as if reaching for him. Its face might have once been human, but the twisted visage it is now will never be anything but a mockery, bearing a horrid grin on its features that fills you with dread.

It is utterly silent and unmoving.



Stats

SpoilerShow

Thunderpaw: 1280/1950
Fury Comet ready!
Vendetta ready!
Blade of Light Cd 3
Valiant ready!
Slowfall ready!
Restoration Cd 8

Bohw: 500/1240
Leader: +14
Mayor: 1375/2275
Sabotage Cd 7
Selfless Cd 5
Hellbent Cd 7
Block Cd 5

Savannah: 660/1500, Bloodrune (+43)(1)
Soulfire: 4
Aromatherapy ready!
Absolute Zero ready!
Parasitic Relationship ready!
Jungle Fever ready!
Manacharge Cd 1
Wand of Healing: 18

Watson: 1935/2250
Wits Cd 8
Fine Wine Cd 10
Dragon of the Red Wine Cd 7
Indignant Injunction Cd 8
Battle-Seeker: 1/2
Water Vase: 3 charges

Myra: 1560/1800, Muse, Rising Tide (0/5), Time Lock (~)
Readiness: +0
Galeforce: 7/7
Change Form ready!
Winds of Fate Cd 21
Punishment ready!
Genesis ready!
Wraithstrike ready!
Shield of Feathers ready!
Farsight ready!

Renzo: 2400/2400
Drawingboard: [-][-]
Inspired Cd 5
Saturation Cd 1
Masterpiece Cd 9
Artistic License Cd 3
Lifetouch ready!
Insight Cd 20

---

Remah: 1286/5000, Stain and Varnish, Sabotage (-4)(1), Cryomania (2)
Time Rift: Active
Somersault Rave Cd 3
Time Lock: Active
Sidestep ready!
Touch of Destiny: Unavailable

SpoilerShow

DON'T BLINK, WATSON. DAMN.

SpoilerShow

Teeeeeeeaaaaaaaaa tttiiiiiiiimmmmmmmmmmmeeeeeeee o h damn apparently it isn't tea time, he has to kill something first.
But one'a these days, ONE'A THESE DAYS, he will make damned good use of that vase!

EDIT X2:

SpoilerShow

Frolic this not an scp, this is an undead. DON'T SCARE ME LIKE THAT, MAN

Watson gasps at the LATEST NEW FLESH WOUND to appear on his chest! He's had worse but the mere surprise of it is appalling. Watson hopes to treat Remah with a drubbing for which it will be worth ruing ruining Watson's suit! Further! Again! The fabric is completely decrepit at this point, there's no use worrying about it, blood-boiling hells alive, but it needs to be in a condition he should be wont to repair it!

But what's more appalling, his newest injury or THE ENSORCELLED ABOMINATION STILL UP AND ABOUT!? Watson cannot stand for this any longer and neither should it. After leaving his mouth agape for a few seconds at its magical-decaying-corpse-face, he sees to chopping its head off. It seemed quite easy, too, the calcified collarbone crumbling at the touch of his Champion Blade, a true proponent for de-necroficational justice. Watson has yet to see if it withstood such a sword-to-head impact but if it it didn't, he will be satisfied.

He will give due attention to the gloaming sword and armor when this threat is duly eliminated.

SpoilerShow

LATEST NEW FLESH WOUND to appear on his chest!

Remah subscribes to #topmaims on detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to mangle people in a macabre fashion.

This is from issue number 411 of #topmaims magazine. (pretty much what i found when i searched "Top maims"

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"This penné has so much ground-up human bone shredded cheese in it!" Margaret said, "Judy, add a little pesto next time."

Unfortunately, Judy never appreciated Margaret's wonderful cooking tips because SHE IS A SERIAL CANNIBAL AND HAS NO RESPECT FOR HER ROOMMATE'S TASTE IN CUISINE.

SpoilerShow

Also who the hell would put pesto in their friggin' pasta?

Unforgiveable. Margaret deserves to die

EDIT:

SpoilerShow

Oh! I just figured out a use for the Vase! If the magic weaving the water together was weaved into Watson's up-and-coming carpet, his companions can heal while riding on it!

Or if it was broken into pieces, the shards can be attached to the little strings at the end of the carpet like beads. Hopefully that will give it healing powers.

The slash ends with the sword striking the floor, throwing up a shower of sparks. Savannah grunts as the impact reverberates through her arms and the warm, crimson evidence of her savage attack splatters her hands. He had to be getting weak. Two attacks like her's, plus the help from the others must have worn him down. He was probably on his last legs. One more good hit would do him in, right?

Savannah lets out a puff of exertion, yanking the sword into the air and cleaving at Remah again, the sword bursting into flame once more.

SpoilerShow

Stupid idea: At the next level up, Watson has the Triple-Wield trait, allowing him to wield weapons in both hands and... in his hat. It's just.

Sticking out.

He charges head-long into someone and it actually hits

((Busy day yesterday. This one day action is going to be the life and death of me.))

Thunderpaw takes Bohw's advice and makes an aerial leap, hopping from wall to wall across the room. His technique is of two significant advantages; it leaves Remiah's vision distracted by a bright pink blur phazing around his timey-wimey vision and gives the leaping lord perfect positioning for the secret strike Bohw was preparing.

Once the opportunity presented itself, he'd leap from wall to cieling and strike directly above Remiah and make a blow to tilt his gaze skyward. The perfect ruse for his companion to sneak a few arrows in...

Finished with his sketches, Renzo runs his finger over the ink, letting them glow with magic. The figures jump off the page, forming ink soldiers under his command. A few stand guard in front of Savannah to try and aid her in battle or defend her, while others run to attack Remah.

Bohw gritted her teeth in response to the stranger's words, watching Thunderpaw move around the room but not quite ready to strike. "Not more of this bull..." She muttered under her breath as she adjusted her aim.

"Then we are not your damn enemy!" She shouted, taking note of Thunderpaw's positioning. It was much easier to predict where the Bunni was going, even with his absurd speed and jumping, it was nothing on the strange havoc Remah was playing on her eye, depth perception was something she sorely missed. But her speed was still there, the instant she figured where the man was going to be, she adjusted her aim towards his legs and let loose, a non-lethal blow that would still put him down with any hope.

Mayor however was still lost in that rage that had grabbed hold of him. The redness in his eyes was nicely accompanied with the paint that was splashed upon him, but he didn't take a moment's pause to even register the effect on him. He just used the new found strength to lash out at Remah and with any hope: grabbing him in a tight hold to stop the squirming bastard from moving anywhere.