It was a leap of heart after another, with Ronja's eyes growing wide open as she staggered on the ledge of the cave, being pushed by the skillfully placed aeromantic spells. Her hook tightened against the ledge, managing to keep Ronja standing as she nearly went for a face first, thankfully managing to keep all of them intact.
"Ph-phew! Okay, that was even closer than before!" Ronja laughed nervously, with the shriek of the bird catching her attention once again, and making her jump in surprise, casting a glance up and then back at Luthien, before gently putting the elf back to her feet.
"Alright! Ronja thinks we should hurry- She doubts they can move inside of this cave, but it would be bad to be cornered regardless." Ronja said, gently resting a hand on Luthien's back to urge her to hurry forward, and giving a gentle pat on the hatchling's head as they moved on deeper--
Their collaborative team effort managed to avoid having everyone plunge to their deaths, a heavy sigh of relief escaping elven lips just as the blue-haired magia gently placed her feet back onto the ground. "If anyone had told me before today that Redchron could be exciting I would’ve called them a fucking liar." One thing was certain, when Valeria had logged into TerraSphere today she had not expected the string of events that had just unfolded over the last hour or so—though the blonde couldn’t say she actually hated any of it.
One annoyed pterodactyl screech later had Ronja quickly ushering Lúthien and her charge towards the cavern entrance they’d discovered, and the archer didn’t need to be told twice as she nodded. A hand reached over to grab hold of the magia’s own, before her eyes carefully began to adjust and pay attention to their surroundings as they began diving deep into the natural tunnels of the earth.
"Maybe we can find an exit through here… one that’s far away from those beasts and, if we’re lucky, closer to wherever Omelette’s momma lives."
"Right?" Ronja agreed with Luthien. Nothing was more exciting than nearly dying a couple times in a row while carrying a Wyvern hatchling, venturing against deadly looking birds. "Ronja is sure Omelette is finding it fun too, right?" She looked at the small creature, that was still a bit shaky, but slowly recovering itself.
"... Or maybe not." Ronja rubbed her head, and her eyes trailed off to look behind her back, just as she felt Luthien's hand and took a gentle hold of it herself.
She smiled at the elf. "It should have! Hopefully. What is a Cave in a game that doesn't have an exit in the end with a chest filled with treasures." Ronja joked a bit.
As they moved deeper into the cave, it turned out to be rather linear in the first few minutes of travel. It wasn't exactly narrow, being enough for the two girls to walk next to each other. But surely wasn't the most comfortable, with the ceiling being rather low, only not troubling Ronja since she was already too small.
As they moved on, the path broke in two. One was rather dry, the other, slightly humid.
"What a wild first day of life, huh Omelette?" The blonde gave a sheepish smile as she looked down at the whelp secured to her chest by the satchel, their eyes whirling rapidly with hints of oranges and yellows with faint streaks of red. They were certainly agitated, not that anyone could blame the poor thing, and the elf softly raised her free hand to scratch the side of their head softly. "Sorry bud, but it’ll be worth it when we find your momma."
A croon finally left the youngling after some time, Lúthien watching as the whirling colors in their eyes slowed down before eventually being replaced with calmer blue and green shades. "You’re right, it’d be a pretty lame cave if we don’t find at least a mini dragon hoard’s worth of treasure." She offered the magia a friendly smile before they continued down the underground pathway, a part of the elf glad to have the physical connection with the blue-haired girl as they ventured deeper into the earth.
"Oh, Ronja do you hear that?"
Her steps paused for a moment as the ranger tried to focus more, almost certain that she could hear the trickling sounds of what she suspected to be a water source. Her steps quickened just a bit in response, and soon the trio came to a break in their path as it split into two choices. "Not gonna lie... kinda want to check out the humid path." Redchron wasn’t known for its many water sources, if anything it was quite the contrary, and now that they were presented with the possibility of one Lúthien found it hard to ignore it.
"It will sure be!" Ronja nodded eagerly, ready to find the hatchling's mama as soon as they could manage to get past the cave.
With the two paths becoming the first obstacle, Luthien's quick response to it made it pretty easy, with Ronja shrugging with a nod. "Ronja would say she is fine with a humid path. There may be an exit in it!" She considered, for a moment forgetting where exactly they were.
A wide opening was the first thing the two saw as they took the humid path, with a large lake spreading across an open area of the cave that somehow was more lively than the surface.
Mushrooms and fluorescent molds brimmed across the scarlet surface of the cave's grounds and walls, making Ronja look at them curiously, at least until she could hear the sound of something... Someone? She tried to spot it, and soon she managed to find something along with Luthien.
A small yet brawny figure neared the lake, along with other three similars, who seemed to gather by it, filling their waterskins and staying wary about their surroundings. They muttered unknown words at each other, growling and hissing a few times, in sentences that seemed to end abruptly.
Their steps took them further down the enclosed tunnel, the space within enough for the girls to walk side by side, until it suddenly seemed to open into a massive underground area. She had expected to maybe find a small spring of water in this path, perhaps the trickle enough for them to refill their waterskins and take a small break after their recent endeavors—what Lúthien hadn’t expected though was the large lake that spread before their eyes.
"Whoooaaa... this is amazing!"
Once again the blonde was reminded why she enjoyed logging into this particular game almost daily, Valeria was sure she would’ve never directly lay eyes on such a view in the real world, as her crimson gaze slowly swept through the exposed area they had stumbled upon. Finally she noticed the small figure by the edge of the lake, their discovery leading the elf to notice its three companions, before she quietly nudged Ronja’s side softly with an elbow.
"Pssst! Ronja, look, it seems we aren’t the only ones here."
Her head softly nodded in the direction of the quartet, her elven ears barely able to pick up their speech though Lúthien couldn’t make heads or tails out of it—unsure if they were speaking too fast for her to understand or in a language the ranger simply didn’t know. One arm reached around the bundle strapped to her chest, protective of the young whelp who was the sole reason that had led the girls to this place.
(1/2) Alchemy Potions brewed
Has 1x Heal Potion (+54)
"Oooh, this is really beautiful!" Ronja exclaimed along with @Luthien, with a big smile shining across her lips until the nudge caught her attention. The Magia glanced at Luthien, leaning in closely and listening to the elf's whispering.
With a frown, Ronja's eyes flickered, clicking and zooming in toward the group of brawny figures, that were already setting off to leave. "What are they doing in here..." She muttered, with her eyes clicking twice and then noticing something--
"H-Huh?!" Ronja suppressed her voice, tugging Luthien's arm and looking at her worriedly.
"Luthy, you have a good sight, right? Ronja thinks one of those guys has a claw on a necklace, exactly like Omelette's, but bigger." She said, pursing her lips while thinking about the worst. "What should we do?" Ronja asked, swallowing and reaching for her pouch, already using her arcanamancy to quickly summon an alchemical potion.
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
Decision Time!
Follow the Group
This will require a Knack Contribution Check, which must be concluded in 2 Cycles. The characters may also use Illusion Magic or Shadow Arts as a Check and may do so with advantage. If the duo fails at the Contribution Check, they are found and lose their surprise element. [0/300]
Surprise Attackthe Group
You attack the group in a Surprise Attack, allowing you to attack first and receive a +50 bonus on attack rolls on the Cycle the Surprise Attack is being done.
Lúthien was quick to pull the blue-haired magia to hide behind a nearby rock formation when Ronja’s voice got the best of her for a second, an index finger pressed to the ranger’s lips in the universal ‘we probably should be quiet!’ sign. A few moments passed as she relied on her elven ears to pick up if there had been any change with the group, and when the archer felt confident enough that they hadn’t been noticed she nodded to Ronja before peering out from one side of the rock at the figures.
"Y-Yeah… I don’t like the looks of them. You think they might be wyvern hunters?" A glance was given down to the young hatchling strapped to her chest, placing a hand atop their head softly in the hopes of keeping them both quiet and distracted. "... we should follow them."
A part of the elf couldn’t shake off a feeling that had begun to weigh on her shoulders, crimson eyes narrowing slightly as she studied the party and their movements—they were getting ready to continue on their way. Lúthien wasn’t one to believe in coincidences, and now that the group had been revealed she couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps they were the reason Ronja and her had stumbled into the lone wyvern egg earlier in the day.
"Follow my steps Ronja, there’s a lot of shit around here that could rustle and make noise."
Once the magia gave affirmation that she’d heard her advice the elf slowly began to move, careful to keep a good eye on the ground and—more importantly—any obstacles on it as they began to trail the quartet from a distance.
Being pulled behind a rock, Ronja pursed her lips shut at the quick silencing attempt of Luthien. She struck an apologetic look at her, nodding quietly before peeking toward the group that was leaving with a frown. "Ronja doesn't either... They are certainly bad news, and Ronja doesn't need to divine to know that." She said, casting a glance at the hatchling, now with a worried expression.
What if something happened to its mother?
The Magia shook her head, with the suggestion of Luthien catching her attention again. "A-Alright, let's do it." She nodded, finishing her summoning before handing a flask to Luthien."Here, just in case things go to worse..." She hoped not, however.
They continued to sneak in, so far going unnoticed, thanks to Luthien's expertise in stealth and her careful guide for the Magia.
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
"Agreed, I doubt anything good will come of them being here."
Unbeknown to the elf the magia besides her was also worrying over the same topic, seeing these hunters hear likely meant that Omelette’s own mother could be in danger—and that’s if she hadn’t encountered the group already, though Lúthien desperately hoped that wasn’t the case thus far. Quiet silent signals and careful planning the blonde had managed to lead both of them forward without a sound, one hand always remaining on the whelp to keep him entertained as the ranger hoped he didn’t decide to cry out unexpectedly.
She had been slightly surprised when the blue-haired girl had pulled at her arm for a moment, the solid flask pressed to Lúthien’s palm when the girl had turned to look at her friend. "O-Oh! Thanks, Ronja." The archer hadn’t come across potions in this game before, but one good look at it confirmed this was no doubt a healing one.
Quiet movements caused the flask to disappear into her UI inventory until a moment where it would be convenient to use, before a resolute nod was given to Ronja as the blonde continued to lead the pair further into the caverns as they tracked the group.
(2/2) Alchemy Potions brewed
Has 1x Heal Potion (+42)
Following Luthien and continuing their sneak follow, Ronja worked on another potion, this time keeping the potion that was of lesser good quality, but that certainly could be a life savior in future. There was a tension in Ronja's eyes and heart, that couldn't avoid stopping thinking and seeing the hatchling worriedly, knowing the potential danger its mother could be in.
She kept determined to seek for an answer, and eventually, it seemed like they were reaching to a destination, something that was confirmed by a sudden--
RRRROOOAAAAAAAARHH!
A ferocious roar echoed in the tunnels, making Ronja shudder in a scare, but soon having her emotions being overtaken by the fear of what could be happening.
The duergars soon turned a corner, and as Luthien and Ronja approached, they could see the duergars joining others, including a bigger, and intimidating-looking one, that seemed to be the leader of that party. He wielded a gigantic greatsword, and his eyes flared with magic.
Before him, the expected surprise was chained onto three structures that were raising from the ground-- A red wyvern, struggling with each of its wings chained, and its neck wrapped tightly.
"O-Oh no..." Ronja muttered, pursing her lips and then widening her eyes, noticing the sharp and long blade that one of the duergars brought to their boss. "This... This isn't looking good, Luthy. What should we do?" she asked, looking at her friend worriedly, and holding her arm in a squeeze.
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
GRID MAP
Randahr Rustheart, the Wyvern Hunter
❰ 450 / 450 ❱
❰ 1000 / 1000 ❱
Randahr Actions
Randahr always makes one random supportive action and one random offensive action per Cycle, always trying to reach close to his target. He has 3 Movement, using Geomancy to manipulate the earth and allow him to move quicker in Rocky surfaces. If he can't reach a target for an Offensive strike, he will use Determination or Ironskin action.
First, he does one of these four supportive actions:
1. To War! Randahr orders his allies to take on the battle. He and his adjacent allies receive +10 damage in the Cycle. 2. Determination Randahr encourages his allies to keep on fighting. He heals a total of 100 HP, which is divided and distributed between him and his adjacent allies. It will overheal him and allies up to 25 HP. 3. Intimidate Randahr uses his threatening aura to give a disadvantage on his adjacent enemies' Saves. 4. Ironskin Randahr's gains Protected Status for the Cycle.
Second, he does one of these four offensive actions in a random target:
1. Crushing Randahr hardens his greatsword with his Geomancy powers, following to swing it with a crushing force, dealing 25 physical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Fortitude Save to avoid Prone Condition. 2. Mudlock Randahr summons the powers of earth to try and bind a target, dealing 25 magical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Reflex Save to avoid 1 stack of Restrained Condition. 3. Wide Strike Randahr swings his greatsword in a cleaving maneuver, dealing 20 physical damage and automatically applying 1 stack of Bleed Condition with a blood magic curse. 4. Flesh to Stone Randahr's calls for a curse, using his Hemomancy and Geomancy powers to try and turn one's body into stone. The target receives 15 magical damage, and forcing them to make a DC 60 Will Save to resist the curse or receive 1 stack of Petrification.
The Taunt, Cleanse, and Condition DC of Randahr is 60. Decreasing his SP to 0 will make him lose access to his Supportive Action, making only his Offensive Action instead.
Randahr's Minions
The minions will just try and attack relentlessly. They have 100 HP, 2 Movement, and a Condition DC of 40. They also have a +1 Range due to their crossbows and they will avoid (if possible) having more than three of them (Randahr included) in a single zone.
She counted her lucky stars that they had managed to keep up with the traveling party, the whelp strapped to Lúthien’s chest having remained calm and quiet as the duo sneaked about the rocks while keeping the duergars within sight. The elf could feel her heart pounding strongly as they went, unable to avoid the anxiety that accompanied troubling thoughts coursing through her mind while also doing her best to guide their steps to avoid being noticed.
"Is it me or are we going deeper—"
RRRROOOAAAAAAAARHH!
The sudden roar that cut through her words caused the elf to stop abruptly in her tracks, feeling the young wyvern shifting as they tried to snuggle their head closer to the girl’s neck—apparently freaked out by the sudden roar if the quickly whirling hues of yellows and oranges in their eyes was anything to go by. "Shhh, it’s okay Omelette, you’re fine baby—we’re all fine." Perhaps she had counted the eggs in her basket a bit too soon, but the blonde’s soft cooings towards the whelp slowly seemed to calm them down once more.
A nod was given to Ronja then before both girls rushed to catch up with the duergars and the source of the ferocious cry. "Oh fuck our lives…" It was then she noticed the heavier and more intimidating one of the bunch, a frown crossing Lúthien’s features when her eyes moved to see the chains trapping the struggling wyvern—of whom their Omelette was the spitting, albeit a lot cuter, image.
Her hand moved to squeeze Ronja’s arm back, before the girl pressed an index finger to her lips in the universal sign of them to be quiet. Carefully she got the blue-haired magia to release her, debating for a few moments if to leave the whelp with Ronja before deciding against it—it would take too long to do the transfer, and if Omelette cried out for any reason they’d be found. Slowly the ranger slinked further into the caverns, pulling two arrows out of her quiver as her crimson gaze carefully analyzed the current situation.
The largest duergar looked ready to cleave the chained wyvern with that greatsword of his, and the blonde wracked her mind for a solution that they could use to their favor. If only the beast could get free then maybe it could help them battle the wyvern hunters—Wait, that’s it!!! If she remembered her highschool lessons properly metals usually disliked extremely cold temperatures, and if it was weakened enough then perhaps a well aimed bolt arrow could seal the deal?
"Here goes nothing… gosh, I really hope that’s your momma, Omelette."
The first arrow was imbued with hydromancy, the air around the elf dropping a few degrees as a result as the metal tip glowed a bright blue, before Lúthien allowed it to fly. A trail of frost streaked the air before the arrow jabbed itself into the chains on the wyvern’s neck, the ice quickly spreading through as the ice began to take over. "Fuck, right, I forgot the trail—there goes out element of surprise, Omelette!" The second arrow was nocked into the bowstring next, the temperature around Lúthien slowly returning to normal before thin arcing lines of electricity began to dance around the girl’s shoulders.
This time the tip began to grow a bright bluish purple, the electricity concentrating on the head of the arrow, and when Lúthien released it a bolt of lightning marked its path before it struck the iced chains. A thunderous boom echoed then when the arrow released the pent up electricity it had stored, before a cracking sound soon followed as the chains around the wyvern’s neck finally crumbled from the combined elements.
(2/2) Alchemy Potions brewed
Has 1x Heal Potion (+42) -11 -22 HP from Minion 3 -12 -24 HP from Minion 4
"Tr-Truly fuck our lives..." She muttered, assembling her loyal magitech Skullbuster rifle, with a small wire slithering out of it and plugging into Ronja's neck as her eyes glowed with a strange color mix of azure and golden that swirled between each other. "Poor thing, we need to save her, Luthy" Ronja said, with a heartbroken tone in her voice as she glanced at the suffering Wyvern being threatened to be hurt, and the small hatchling that was on Luthien's hold.
But it seemed that the elf had the same thing in mind, and as soon as she marched forward with her bow, Ronja didn't leave her alone, charging in and starting to charge up her rifle. But she needed some time for both herself and Luthien, so she quickly slipped her hand under her pocket, pulling out a small sphere and twisting it in a dangerous crack that sparkled static mana.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!" She yelled, knowing their surprise effect was long gone.
❰ Manablast Bomb ❱
The bomb flew, whistling before erupting near the duergar boss in a thunderous explosion, which the shockwave could be felt from afar. However, the trick didn't seem to work, with the duerger's stance remaining firm. "A-Ah, of course, dwarves-! They are always like-- W-Wha?!"
With a roaring order, the minions charged forth, with two of them going straight to @Luthien, swinging their weapons aiming at her legs and her arms, trying to disarm and knock her down, while another one aimed a crossbow from afar, shooting at the elf, and other two aimed for the Magia instead, with two bolts slashing on her skin and already opening wounds that released a black liquid from it, followed by a yelp.
Randahr huffed annoyed, distracted and not noticing the Wyvern going in for a bite on his shoulder when its neck was released. He groaned, elbowing the giant creature with all strength while freeing himself and holding his shoulder, stepping away and scowling before glaring at the responsible for this--
He roared again, charging at the elf and thrusting his hand foward as he approached her, forcing his cursed magic to invade her blood, trying to petrify the woman inside out.
Rolls
Ultra Hinder (Playtest)
2d100 (65 + 6) + 25 + 15 + 50 (Playtest) + 50 (Surprise) = 212 212 damage to SP. Gain the Vulnerable state Ranged Weapons | Ronja Bubblyfoot | 1288
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
Randahr always makes one random supportive action and one random offensive action per Cycle, always trying to reach close to his target. He has 3 Movement, using Geomancy to manipulate the earth and allow him to move quicker in Rocky surfaces. If he can't reach a target for an Offensive strike, he will use Determination or Ironskin action.
First, he does one of these four supportive actions:
1. To War! Randahr orders his allies to take on the battle. He and his adjacent allies receive +10 damage in the Cycle. 2. Determination Randahr encourages his allies to keep on fighting. He heals a total of 100 HP, which is divided and distributed between him and his adjacent allies. It will overheal him and allies up to 25 HP. 3. Intimidate Randahr uses his threatening aura to give a disadvantage on his adjacent enemies' Saves. 4. Ironskin Randahr's gains Protected Status for the Cycle.
Second, he does one of these four offensive actions in a random target:
1. Crushing Randahr hardens his greatsword with his Geomancy powers, following to swing it with a crushing force, dealing 25 physical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Fortitude Save to avoid Prone Condition. 2. Mudlock Randahr summons the powers of earth to try and bind a target, dealing 25 magical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Reflex Save to avoid 1 stack of Restrained Condition. 3. Wide Strike Randahr swings his greatsword in a cleaving maneuver, dealing 20 physical damage and automatically applying 1 stack of Bleed Condition with a blood magic curse. 4. Flesh to Stone Randahr's calls for a curse, using his Hemomancy and Geomancy powers to try and turn one's body into stone. The target receives 15 magical damage, and forcing them to make a DC 60 Will Save to resist the curse or receive 1 stack of Petrification.
The Taunt, Cleanse, and Condition DC of Randahr is 60. Decreasing his SP to 0 will make him lose access to his Supportive Action, making only his Offensive Action instead.
The minions will just try and attack relentlessly. They have 100 HP, 2 Movement, and a Condition DC of 40. They also have a +1 Range due to their crossbows and they will avoid (if possible) having more than three of them (Randahr included) in a single zone.
Their damage is 1d20.
Roll Result - Wyvern Mama attack on Randahr.
5d20 (16 + 20 + 10 + 11 + 4) = 61 + 10 (1 explosion) = 71 physical damage.
4. Ironskin Randahr's gains Protected Status for the Cycle.
4. Flesh to Stone Randahr's calls for a curse, using his Hemomancy and Geomancy powers to try and turn @Luthien into stone. @Luthien receives 15 magical damage, and must make a DC 60 Will Save to resist the curse or receive 1 stack of Petrification.
Minions 1, 2 & 5 attacks @Luthien with 1d20 each. Minions 3 & 4 attacks @Ronja Bubblyfoot with 1d20 (11 and 12 physical damage) each.
Location: B3 -2 damage from ❰ Minion 1 ❱ -1 damage from ❰ Minion 2 ❱ -17 damage from ❰ Minion 5 ❱ -15 damage from ❰ Ugly Bastard Randahr Rustheart ❱
No going back now…!
The ranger couldn’t help the smirk that pulled her lips when Ronja joined her, the magia loudly shouting as she lobbed a small mana grenade towards the duergar boss. "Niiiceee! That’s a pretty cool trick, Ronja!" The explosion helped to distract the larger boss, keeping their eyes away from the wyvern just long enough for Lúthien to snap the chain that held her by the neck, before the creature suddenly bit down onto the wyvern hunter without mercy.
"Atta girl, go get him—fuck!"
Her celebration was short lived when arrows began wheezing in their direction, the elf turning to use herself as a shield for the precious cargo bundled to her chest. One of the arrows managed to embed itself onto her left shoulder blade then, the tip managing to pierce through her leather armor and striking sensible flesh underneath, and the blonde couldn’t help the hiss of pain that left her lips then. There was little time for complaining however when two of the other duergars strolled up to the girl, barely managing to sidestep and parry their blows with her maple bow.
"Sorry, not sorry!" She couldn’t help sticking her tongue out at them, hoping to gather their attention upon noticing the two arrows that had wounded her blue-haired companion, before a sudden roar caught Lúthien’s attention. She turned her head towards the sound, the elf gulping when she saw the stocky figure of Randahr rushing towards her with a clear look of hatred and fury. "Oh shit—!"
The sudden blow of magic caused her words to be interrupted, the ranger feeling like the wind had been knocked out of her lungs for a moment. She gritted her teeth upon feeling the magic within her veins, recognizing the mastery only due to the long term visual exposure Lúthien had of Yugam’s own powers, before the veins underneath her skin began to slowly turn into a darker color. Startled, confused and afraid the charge strapped against there cried out loudly, the whelp’s eyes whirling rapidly in distress as he looked up to the elven girl.
"H-Hey, hear that big momma?!" Crimson eyes turned towards the wyvern whom she’d managed to partially free, hoping that this wouldn’t backfire spectacularly upon Ronja and herself. Hopefully wyverns were smarter than the flock of feathered beasts the girls had narrowly avoided before coming down these tunnels. "Your baby needs ya, and we could use the help too!"
Another grunt from Randahr had the elf quickly turn her attention back to the stocky hunter, a hand stretching out in his direction before the elf strained to gather the moisture within the cavern and solidify it. Sharp icicles formed around the ranger, choosing to not bother with her arrows given their slow proximity, before she allowed the small flurry of them to pelt the duergar in response.
"Come on ugly, show me whatcha got~"
With some luck the elf would be able to keep the hunter’s attention on herself instead of Ronja, hoping that the magia had another couple of tricks up her sleeves that could help them manage the sudden crowd that had swarmed in their direction.
(2/2) Alchemy Potions brewed
Has 1x Heal Potion (+42)
Vulnerable
Protected by @Luthien <3
-17 HP from Minion 1
-4 HP from Minion 2
The duergars tramped their way to the elf mercilessly, and Ronja couldn't help but call for her desperately-- "Luthy! Get off her already!" Ronja scowled, with a Magitech claw suddenly plucking out of her back and reaching to stab on the Duergar chief, erupting electricity that tried to knock him to the ground as she tried to gain some distance with her friend.
Randhar gritted his teeth, growing anger and bigger the more the electricity tried to bring him down. He gripped his greatsword tightly, suddenly covering himself with a earthy layer of protection that made the electricity fade as he stomped forward.
He roared orders, glaring intently at Luthien that could feel his rage.
She didn't need to know his language to understand it.
"Take the knives-ear down!" He had declared.
"L-Luthy, this is no good!" Ronja swallowed, retreating and trying to keep close to her friend as the wire on her Skullbuster rifle continued to charge it up. She needed more time, she needed to disrupt the hunter first. The mama, too, which struggled and bit her chains off, trying to break off her prison continued to fight relentlessly.
There was a vague relief in Ronja's chest when she neared Luthien's protective spell, holding on tight to her rifle and trying to aim at the incoming duergars.
But they were quicker, with one slamming his hammer against her gun while the other body slammed Ronja away from Luthien, in a clear attempt to separate the girls to make them easier targets. Randhar didn't waste a second, summoning the powers of earth to shift the grounds and walls, trying to wrap the elf with mud and hardening it in a merciless crush, trying to leave the elf still for the other three duergars to pierce her with a volley of bolts.
Rolls
Ultra Hinder (Playtest)
2d100 (4 + 2) + 25 + 15 + 50 (playtest) = 96 96 damage to SP. Gain the Vulnerable state Ranged Weapons | Ronja Bubblyfoot | 1288
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
Randahr always makes one random supportive action and one random offensive action per Cycle, always trying to reach close to his target. He has 3 Movement, using Geomancy to manipulate the earth and allow him to move quicker in Rocky surfaces. If he can't reach a target for an Offensive strike, he will use Determination or Ironskin action.
First, he does one of these four supportive actions:
1. To War! Randahr orders his allies to take on the battle. He and his adjacent allies receive +10 damage in the Cycle. 2. Determination Randahr encourages his allies to keep on fighting. He heals a total of 100 HP, which is divided and distributed between him and his adjacent allies. It will overheal him and allies up to 25 HP. 3. Intimidate Randahr uses his threatening aura to give a disadvantage on his adjacent enemies' Saves. 4. Ironskin Randahr's gains Protected Status for the Cycle.
Second, he does one of these four offensive actions in a random target:
1. Crushing Randahr hardens his greatsword with his Geomancy powers, following to swing it with a crushing force, dealing 25 physical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Fortitude Save to avoid Prone Condition. 2. Mudlock Randahr summons the powers of earth to try and bind a target, dealing 25 magical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Reflex Save to avoid 1 stack of Restrained Condition. 3. Wide Strike Randahr swings his greatsword in a cleaving maneuver, dealing 20 physical damage and automatically applying 1 stack of Bleed Condition with a blood magic curse. 4. Flesh to Stone Randahr's calls for a curse, using his Hemomancy and Geomancy powers to try and turn one's body into stone. The target receives 15 magical damage, and forcing them to make a DC 60 Will Save to resist the curse or receive 1 stack of Petrification Condition.
The Taunt, Cleanse, and Condition DC of Randahr is 60. Decreasing his SP to 0 will make him lose access to his Supportive Action, making only his Offensive Action instead.
The minions will just try and attack relentlessly. They have 100 HP, 2 Movement, and a Condition DC of 40. They also have a +1 Range due to their crossbows and they will avoid (if possible) having more than three of them (Randahr included) in a single zone.
Their damage is 1d20.
Randahr & Minions Actions
3. Intimidate Randahr uses his threatening aura to give a disadvantage on his adjacent enemies' Saves.
2. Mudlock. Randahr summons the powers of earth to try and bind @Luthien, dealing 25 magical damage, and forcing her to make a DC 60 Reflex Save to avoid 1 stack of Restrained Condition..
Minions 3, 4 & 5 attacks @Luthien with 1d20 each. Minions 1 & 2 attacks @Ronja Bubblyfoot with 1d20 (17 and 4 physical damage) each.
Wyvern Mama Actions
Wyvern mama is at 2 stacks of Restrained Condition. (She has Resistance to Restrained Condition, making her able to use Standard Actions). Each Chain destroyed removes 1 stack of Restrained Condition.
Roll Result - Wyvern Mama attack on Wing Chains 1.
5d20 (12 + 17 + 16 + 11 + 6) = 62
Wing Chains 1 [ 38/100 ] Wing Chains 2 [ 100/100 ]
Location: Pushed back to A1 -24 damage from ❰ Minion 3 ❱ -19 damage from ❰ Minion 4 ❱ -3 damage from ❰ Minion 5 ❱ -25 damage from ❰ Ugly Bastard Randahr Rustheart ❱ +54 health points from ❰ Ronja's Healing Potion ❱ Movement: A1 > A2 > B3 ❰ Protect ❱ active on Ronja
She didn’t need her Hyper Senses or her mindmeld trait to know Randahr wasn’t happy to see her, the large duergar’s golden eyes solely focused on Lúthien as the man yelled to his companions. "I f-feel like he just slurred at me, didn’t he?" She tried her best to keep her voice leveled, not wishing to worry the young one strapped to her chest or the blue-haired girl at her side, but it was a hard task to pull off as the unfiltered wrath of the wyvern hunter continued to crash against her mind.
The sound of rattling chains almost caught her attention, the wyvern momma trying to break free of her own restraints, but there was little time to worry or even assist her as the wave of duergars pushed both girls back. "Ronja!" A hand reached out for the magia, grasping her forearm tightly as Lúthien did her best to keep the girl close to avoid becoming separated by their opponents—they’d be easy pickings for the duergars otherwise—before distress colored her voice as two of the smaller ones successfully managed to push the blue-haired tinkerer away from the ranger.
Heightened senses managed to feel the tremors as the earth began to shift just underneath her boots, causing Lúthien to sidestep quickly and narrowly avoid the shifting mud that Randahr had tried to use to imprison the elf, before a small volley of arrows came in her direction. Arms wrapped protectively around Omelette, the archer ensuring only she was struck by the incoming arrows that embedded themselves against the leather of her armor, before she caught Ronja’s gaze. "Book it to momma!!!" They would be at a disadvantage against so many foes, especially if they managed to pin them between a rock and a hard place, so when faced with those possibilities willingly getting in range of a large wyvern didn’t seem like a terrible idea—hopefully she would still recognize her baby, or maybe Omelette could put in a good warble or two in favor of the girls.
The elf managed to slip through the stocky figures as she weaved her way out of their reach, large hands with rough sausage like fingers narrowly missing her clothing or her hair, before the ranger ran back to their initial ambush position as fast as she could. Dexterous hand movements pulled up the blonde's inventory, a potion materializing out of thin air before the girl quickly uncorked it before chugging the contents within. Anxious eyes looked back for her friend, relief flooding her elven features when Lúthien spotted the magia heading in her direction too, before the girl pulled an arrow from her quiver and nocked it onto her bow.
"Time to return the favor!"
The metal tip began to glow a whitish blue, the temperature around the elf dropping a few degrees, before the frosty arrow was released. It flew straight into her desired target, the metal tip finding no resistance as it struck the duergar’s forehead and pierced right into their gray matter just as ice began to spread. Another arrow was already nocked on Lúthien’s bowstring, the archer ready to protect Ronja against any incoming threats.
(2/2) Alchemy Potions brewed
Has 1x Heal Potion (+42)
Vulnerable
Protected by @Luthien <3
-2 HP from Minion 1
-5 HP from Minion 5
"He sure did!" Ronja exclaimed, trying her best to keep her cool in the dire combat, which was already turning complicated at every second the combat extended. They needed to end it fast before things got too out of control.
The grip and pull to safety from Luthien was welcomed, even if Ronja squeaked surprised at the sudden pull and the trampling approach of the duergars, which continued to fight relentlessly.
Ronja hurried along with Luthien, slipping past the duergars and hurrying away from the attempts to attack her, that was thankfully slowed down by the elf's ice magic. "Wh-What you have in mind, Luthy?" She asked, worried at the fact the other girl was trying to get closer to the mama, that was still fairly angry and fighting against the chains, eventually snapping another one broken, which sent chills down Ronja's spine.
"Alright- Let's do something about these guys quick-" The wire on Ronja's rifle eventually finished charging, but it wasn't time to use it yet.
She slipped her hand into her backpack, pulling three small spheres and throwing them toward two minions and the chief. The spheres opened propels on their top, flying straight toward them before beeping thrice and exploding in a powerful blast that sent all of them knocking on the ground.
"Y-Yes!" Ronja beamed, excited until Luthien's arrow pierced the head of one of the dwarves, making her flinch.
"R-Remember to never make you mad, Luthy-" She muttered, bracing herself for the next wave of attacks, which came in the form of a volley of bolts coming from the fallen duergars, one of which that slashed on her arm, then followed by two duergars that charged one at each girl.
The chief managed to stand, taking a deep breath before raising his greatsword and screaming an order, his eyes glowing in a wrathful scarlet tone.
Rolls
Ultra Hinder
2d100 (89 + 66) + 25 + 15 + 50 = 246 246 damage to HP and SP. Gain the Vulnerable state Ranged Weapons | Ronja Bubblyfoot | 1288
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
Randahr always makes one random supportive action and one random offensive action per Cycle, always trying to reach close to his target. He has 3 Movement, using Geomancy to manipulate the earth and allow him to move quicker in Rocky surfaces. If he can't reach a target for an Offensive strike, he will use Determination or Ironskin action.
First, he does one of these four supportive actions:
1. To War! Randahr orders his allies to take on the battle. He and his adjacent allies receive +10 damage in the Cycle. 2. Determination Randahr encourages his allies to keep on fighting. He heals a total of 100 HP, which is divided and distributed between him and his adjacent allies. It will overheal him and allies up to 25 HP. 3. Intimidate Randahr uses his threatening aura to give a disadvantage on his adjacent enemies' Saves. 4. Ironskin Randahr's gains Protected Status for the Cycle.
Second, he does one of these four offensive actions in a random target:
1. Crushing Randahr hardens his greatsword with his Geomancy powers, following to swing it with a crushing force, dealing 25 physical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Fortitude Save to avoid Prone Condition. 2. Mudlock Randahr summons the powers of earth to try and bind a target, dealing 25 magical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Reflex Save to avoid 1 stack of Restrained Condition. 3. Wide Strike Randahr swings his greatsword in a cleaving maneuver, dealing 20 physical damage and automatically applying 1 stack of Bleed Condition with a blood magic curse. 4. Flesh to Stone Randahr's calls for a curse, using his Hemomancy and Geomancy powers to try and turn one's body into stone. The target receives 15 magical damage, and forcing them to make a DC 60 Will Save to resist the curse or receive 1 stack of Petrification Condition.
The Taunt, Cleanse, and Condition DC of Randahr is 60. Decreasing his SP to 0 will make him lose access to his Supportive Action, making only his Offensive Action instead.
The minions will just try and attack relentlessly. They have 100 HP, 2 Movement, and a Condition DC of 40. They also have a +1 Range due to their crossbows and they will avoid (if possible) having more than three of them (Randahr included) in a single zone.
Their damage is 1d20.
Randahr & Minions Actions
Randhar used his movement to stand up. He cannot reach anyone to use an Offensive Action, so he uses Determination.
Randhar's SP dropped to 0, he can no longer do one Support Action and one Offensive Action in a cycle.
2. Determination Randahr encourages his allies to keep on fighting. He heals a total of 100 HP, which is divided and distributed between him and his adjacent allies. It will overheal him and allies up to 25 HP. (Healed self by 34 and overhealed Minions 4 & 5 by 25)
Minions 2 & 4 attacks @Luthien with 1d20 each. Minions 1 & 5 attacks @Ronja Bubblyfoot with 1d20 (2 and 5 physical damage) each.
Minions 4 & 5 can't stand or move.
Wyvern Mama Actions
Wyvern mama is at 1 stacks of Restrained Condition. (She has Resistance to Restrained Condition, making her able to use Standard Actions). Each Chain destroyed removes 1 stack of Restrained Condition.
Location: B3 -1 damage from ❰ Minion 2 ❱ -1 damage from ❰ Minion 4 ❱ ❰ Protected ❱ by Ronja
"The fucking nerves on these assholes!"
The magia confirmed what the elf had been suspecting, and Lúthien couldn’t help but huff in response as her eyes narrowed on the duergars and their leader. Thankfully both Ronja and her had managed to slip by the many hands that had tried to grab them, the rattling of another chain as it tumbled towards the ground signaling that wyvern momma was also hard at work against her restraints.
"Not gonna lie to you, Ronja, I’m kinda winging it as we go." She could feel the pounding in her chest, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins and heightening her already enviable senses. "I’m just hoping she remembers little Omelette here once that last chain breaks… or, at the very least, that she hates Ugly Bastard over there more than us once she’s free."
While the blonde was weighing their options in her mind Ronja had pulled three orbs from her backpack, lobbing them towards two of the minions and the hunter. Their tops opened as little propellers quickly carried them the remaining distance, before the sudden blast had knocked them flat on their ass moments later. "Niiiceee—oh, look out Ronja, they malding now!" The expected volley of bolts came once more, one awkwardly bouncing off the girl’s armor as the blunt tip failed to find purchase, before Lúthien turned to the screaming duergar that rushed straight for her—sidestepping the swing of his weapon and causing the sharp edge to only knick a few strands of golden hairs.
"Ronja, cover me!" The ranger had to yell in order for her voice to be heard as it competed with the raging chief and the echoes his voice created within these caverns, a cheeky grin on the archer’s lips as she winked in the tinkerer’s direction. "I wanna try something cool~"
There was something about seeing what could be considered as a lil’ mini boss actually losing their shit that spurred the elf onwards with her newly constructed plan, the gamer within her unable to resist the temptation to rub salt on the exposed wound of Randahr now that she could see what made him tick. She reached for the arrows on her quiver, quickly infusing the tips of them with lightning before releasing each one in rapid succession. The first volley would find their mark in one of the fallen duergar that had shot their bolts towards her, peltering the man in various places before static seemed to cling onto the creature. Before it could try to yank the arrows out a sudden burst of electricity would shoot forth, the lightning rays arcing all around the various arrows piercing the duergar until the body finally slumped back onto the ground—unmoving. The remaining arrows found two additional targets, but even after the electrical burst they stubbornly remained on their feet.
"Fuck it, one more round then!"
Another charged volley followed those words, the ranged duergar remaining also meeting the same fate as their fallen brethren, before the remaining handful of arrows were shot right into the duergar that had tried to slash at the girl just a few moments ago.
(2/2) Alchemy Potions brewed Has 1x Heal Potion (+42)
+42 HP from Heal Potion
-20 HP from Randhar
1x Bleed Stack (-5 HP every Cycle)
"That isn't reassuring at all!" Ronja held her rifle tight against her chest as she hurried along with Luthien, stumbling to avoid the attack of the duergars and swallowing at the rattling chains echoing. She didn't feel comfortable with their current position, even if there was a hint of excitement in the fight.
Ronja glanced at Luthien, with her request for a cover being quickly agreed on.
"Ronja has no idea what you have in mind, but it better be good-" She took a deep breath, putting her rifle aside for a moment and pulled out her giant wrench, shoving her potion down her throat before tossing the flask aside and pushing herself in a protective stance near Luthien, ready to shield her from any harm.
Ronja braced herself, a moment before she felt goosebumps coming from Luthien's magic, which soon disrupted and exploded the duergars, making them fall one by one with a powerful magic that fried all of them at once, "W-Woaaah..." Ronja blinked twice, recovering her sight after the blinding lightning magic.
The remaining duergar also seemed momentarily stunned, but soon he rushed forward, and Ronja clenched her arm around her giant wrench and swung it for an upper strike, slamming a strong hit on the weakened enemy and sending him down. "Piss off!" She hissed, frowning and then noticing the charging Randhar. Ronja widened her eyes, pushing Luthien out of the way with her body and thrusting her wrench forward to try and parry the incoming greatsword, but the impact was strong enough to send her to the ground, and the blade sank on her shoulder as she screamed in pain.
Meanwhile, the wyvern roared, trying to hulk its way out of its binds, having its eyes focused on the three figures that were near its baby.
Rolls
Protect
1d100 (48) + 15 + 15 = 78 78 damage on Minion 1
Give @Luthien the Protected status Arcanamancy | Ronja Bubblyfoot | 1288
Ranged Weapons: You can hit targets 1 zone away from you. This stacks with Extension.
Arcanamancy: -10 damage from Magical Sources.
Alchemy: Can use a Support Action without releasing its effect right away. Instead, you can hold the effect in potions to yourself or give it to someone else in your zone for them to use as a Bonus Action. You can make a total of potions equal to your Mastery Rank per Combat.
Magitech: Once per cycle, you can mimic the Action or Bonus Action of an ally in the same zone as you, using an improvised magitech invention.
RANDAHR RUSTHEART, THE WYVERN HUNTER
❰ 0 / 450 ❱
❰ 899 / 1000 ❱
Randahr Actions
Randahr always makes one random supportive action and one random offensive action per Cycle, always trying to reach close to his target. He has 3 Movement, using Geomancy to manipulate the earth and allow him to move quicker in Rocky surfaces. If he can't reach a target for an Offensive strike, he will use Determination or Ironskin action.
First, he does one of these four supportive actions:
1. To War! Randahr orders his allies to take on the battle. He and his adjacent allies receive +10 damage in the Cycle. 2. Determination Randahr encourages his allies to keep on fighting. He heals a total of 100 HP, which is divided and distributed between him and his adjacent allies. It will overheal him and allies up to 25 HP. 3. Intimidate Randahr uses his threatening aura to give a disadvantage on his adjacent enemies' Saves. 4. Ironskin Randahr's gains Protected Status for the Cycle.
Second, he does one of these four offensive actions in a random target:
1. Crushing Randahr hardens his greatsword with his Geomancy powers, following to swing it with a crushing force, dealing 25 physical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Fortitude Save to avoid Prone Condition. 2. Mudlock Randahr summons the powers of earth to try and bind a target, dealing 25 magical damage, and forcing the target to make a DC 60 Reflex Save to avoid 1 stack of Restrained Condition. 3. Wide Strike Randahr swings his greatsword in a cleaving maneuver, dealing 20 physical damage and automatically applying 1 stack of Bleed Condition with a blood magic curse. 4. Flesh to Stone Randahr's calls for a curse, using his Hemomancy and Geomancy powers to try and turn one's body into stone. The target receives 15 magical damage, and forcing them to make a DC 60 Will Save to resist the curse or receive 1 stack of Petrification Condition.
The Taunt, Cleanse, and Condition DC of Randahr is 60. Decreasing his SP to 0 will make him lose access to his Supportive Action, making only his Offensive Action instead.
Randahr Actions
3. Wide Strike Randahr swings his greatsword in a cleaving maneuver, dealing 20 physical damage and automatically applying 1 stack of Bleed Condition on @Ronja Bubblyfoot with a blood magic curse.
All Minions are dead.
Wyvern Mama Actions
Wyvern mama is at 1 stacks of Restrained Condition. (She has Resistance to Restrained Condition, making her able to use Standard Actions). Each Chain destroyed removes 1 stack of Restrained Condition.
Roll Result - Wyvern Mama attack on Wing Chains 1 & 2.
5d20 (9 + 16 + 7 + 9 + 3) = 44
Wing Chains 1 [ 0/100 ] Wing Chains 2 [ 15/100 ]
Location: B3, circled around ❰ Ugly Bastard ❱ ❰ Protected ❱ by Ronja
"Good enough for ya, Ronja~?"
The elf couldn’t help the cheeky little grin that crossed her face as her arrows found their marks, and whatever life force had remained in most of the duergar minions after their impacts had been quickly zapped away by the arcing lightning. Only one had managed to withstood the archer’s onslaught as Lúthien gunned for crowd control, but before the creature could lash out towards the elf it had received an upper strike to the chin from the magia’s oversized wrench.
"Piss off!" "Yeah, you tell ‘im Ronja—"
Before the elf could finish her sentence she’d found herself pushed to the side by the blue-haired magia, the tinkerer quickly singing the giant wrench to parry the incoming blow as Randahr had rushed towards them—his golden eyes almost glowing with rage as they remained focused on the ranger that the magia was currently protecting. "Man, what's your fucking problem—Ronja!!!" His strength proved to be greater than the tinkerer’s in the end, the beast managing to tilt the magia’s wrench away with his greatsword before the blade sunk into the girl’s shoulder and elicited a scream of pain from the magia.
Chains rattled in the distance as the wyvern continued on her task to release herself from the last one, catching the elf’s attention as a crazy idea popped into her mind. She measured her movements as the ranger quickly scrambled back to her feet, doing her best to keep her facial expression from changing and revealing her plot as her right hand reached for the arrows inside her quiver once more.
"Hey, Ugly Bastard, betcha can’t evade these!"
Her voice rang loud and clear as Lúthien hoped to keep Randahr’s attention on herself, nocking back the first of many arrows as she seemed to aim for the stocky duergar. The first few released from her bowstring were intended for the man just as the archer had proclaimed, but a few purposely missed their mark as the elf pretended to lose control of her shot—zipping through the air before the tips smashed against the remaining weakened chain that restricted Omelette’s mother from her freedom.
Please go for the ugly bastard, please go for the ugly bastard…!
