Spira's Duel Round 3

Bloodspear 's Attack: 11 Damage: 5 (force)

Spira's Duel Round 3

Apparently, Spira can dance well too... she quickly bends down and the thrust of the menacing spear passes over her head. The weapon remains next to the tiefling cleric, continuing to fight her, trying to sink its tip into her flesh...

Tork, meanwhile, seems to be preparing to invoke his dark god again.

Spira is up for Round 4!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

"Let's try that again.," Spira growls, moving her hands up and down her quarterstaff in a fluid dance as she murmurs a chant to Angharradh in archaic Elvish.  And Angharradh's moonlight streams out from her fingers, swirling up the shaft and collecting in a ball of light that again streaks out towards Tork from her staff's tip as she swings the butt down to be ready to block any attack from the unholy spear.

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Guiding bolt #2 9; damage if hits 18 radiant, plus advantage on next attack against Tork before the end of Spira's next turn

Spira's Duel Round 4

Tork tries to dodge yet another time, but the bolt of light of the Sergeant of Arvandor is quick and grazes him, leaving a few superficial sun burns.

"Bloodspear will wear you out..." he growls, as yhe force spear leaps for another thrust "...then Gruumsh's bolt will wound you..." he utters the same incantation Spira did, sending a searing bolt of light at the tiefling cleric.

Spira's Duel Round 4

Bloodspear 's Attack: 8 Damage: 6 (force)

Guiding Bolt: 6 Damage: 21 (force)

Spira's Duel Round 4

Indeed, the annoying and disturbing supernatural spear manages to wear Spira down... at least enough to land a blow on her armor - not enough to hurt her, but it must have left a bruise on her skin...

But Gruumsh's bolt misses... maybe because the one-eyed god can'r aim well from range?

Spira is up for Round 5!

Combat Stats (those interested can peek):

Spira's Duel Round 5

[[ OOC: I'm curious to find out how Spira will exploit the Advantage she has secured... Feel free to act, as soon as ready! ]]

(most certainly!  but first ... >8-D  ... )

Spira's duel, end of round 4

The tiefling cleric of Angharradh's eyes snap with more fire than the moon above could account for; and a brief snarl of fury crosses her face as the spear of Gruumsh finds a small chink in her armor.  Then she laughs softly.  "You fool.  Why do you think Angharradh chose a tiefling for her priestess anyway?  The holy light is so much more effective backed up by just a bit of devil's fire ... !!!"  The last word cracks from her lips in a voice far from human, and her eyes literally blaze with fire that leaps out to engulf Tork in an even brighter blaze as she points at him before ...

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Reaction: Hellish rebuke ("Casting Time:1 reaction, which you take in response to being damaged by a creature within 60 feet of you that you can see"); damage 17 fire, or 1/2 that if Tork makes a DEX save

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Spira's duel, round 5

... lunging forward towards him with her quarterstaff whirling into the vigorous le moulinet or miller's style.  In this she hopes to:

• 1) capitalize on the double advantage of Tork's shock after receiving an unexpected faceful of fire, on top of the lingering moonlight of her previous spell clinging to him and betraying his exact position;
• 2) capture the advantage of position, pressing him close with the style's signature attacks (which rely on building momentum with spinning moves while staying as close as will allow room for the spin.  This allows for attempts to control the opponent's movements and reduce the room they have to swing); and
• 3) get as close to Tork as possible for another reason, so that if his bloodspear misses there is a chance it will wind up hitting its summoner by mistake.

And if he still stands after the fire and the staff, she will try to back him into the moonspear of Angharradh she will then summon with the remains of her concentration (casting time B.A., no other spells cast this round).

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Quarterstaff attack (2 handed) 16; damage if hits 2 bludgeoning

Held (bonus) action: Spiritual weapon 14; damage if hits 10 force

(not sure how to parse that hellish rebuke.  It's a 1st level spell, and I'd like to use a 1st level slot for it, but my D&D Beyond sheet doesn't show that option.  So I haven't clicked off to spend the spell slot yet.  If I need to do it with a 2nd lv slot that will add 2 fire damage.  I have provisionally clicked to mark the spiritual weapon slot as spent, since I'm not sure what Tork's AC is and hence if the staff hit ... I'll edit my spent slots depending on how it plays out and what you rule on the h.r. spell.  Maybe bc I got it as a racial bonus at 3rd I can't power it down below that? ... not sure)

Quote from OisinmacCameron >>

(not sure how to parse that hellish rebuke.  It's a 1st level spell, and I'd like to use a 1st level slot for it, but my D&D Beyond sheet doesn't show that option.  So I haven't clicked off to spend the spell slot yet.  If I need to do it with a 2nd lv slot that will add 1 fire damage.  I have provisionally clicked to mark the spiritual weapon slot as spent, since I'm not sure what Tork's AC is and hence if the staff hit ... I'll edit my spent slots depending on how it plays out and what you rule on the h.r. spell.  Maybe bc I got it as a racial bonus at 3rd I can't power it down below that? ... not sure)

 Innate spells don't require a spell slot to cast... in this specific instance, you can cast it once/Long Rest for free (under your racial traits).

Spira's Duel Round 5

[[ OOC: Oh, thank you @Mister_Whisker for taking the time to give a technical explanation while I was away! You are so dear! So I can go straight to the fun of the fight... ]]

Tork's Dexterity Saving Throw: 12

Spira's Duel Round 5

The fire that leaps out engulfs Tork who begins to struggle to try to put out the flames that have caught some of his clothes not protected by the armor... and especially his hair! Gruumsh's faithful are in danger of becoming a human (or better half-orcish) torch!

While the half-orc is engaged in this action, Spira's quarterstaff, held in two hands, quickly descends towards his head - but Tork has enough battle experience to remember to never lose focus on his opponent and, raising his own mace, deflects the blow with the handle, receiving the blow on the shoulder rather than in the middle of the forehead.

"You've made your last move! Now I'm killing you with..." the ferocious cleric growls - but he is wrong! The moonspear of Angharradh suddenly appears and hurtles towards him once again! This time Tork doesn't have time to lower his weapon to parry and receives the tip of force right in the chest. The armor crashes and gives way. A sudden splash of blood erupts, soaking Spira's legs and staining the snow under the feet of the two contenders. Gruumsh's Bloodspear disappears. Tork's eyes close. An insult directed at Spira is the last breath of life that leaves her lips. The Gruumsh worshiper collapses first to his knees. Then back, on his back in the snow, dead.

End of Spira's Duel!

[[ @Spira: Gratz! You won! Well fought you too! ]]

So, we are again all toghether in Longsaddle, after Zentromya invested 3 days to teleport you all back there...

As soon as Quspira returns to the Sharnshield Mansion, she is greeted by an enthusiastic Darvin, who hurries towards her and embraces her: "Here I am, my dear! Sergeant Darvin Nolaras in the service of Angharradh, of its church... and of its most awesome and most b4dass she-cleric!" he laughs heartily as he salutes "How did your holiday among the barbarians of the Bloodskull Tribe go? Is everything okay? And you, my son, little winged hero?" he also addresses Aedion "Has the mountain air done you any good?"

After a few moments, however, the ex-sergeant's face expresses total dismay. And he turns again to the tiefling cleric: "Did you have to avoid a war? Come, let's drink something strong and tell me everything... I foresee that I certainly won't be bored with you, right, darling?"

In the meantime, there is a festive atmosphere in the small hamlet, since the wedding between Martha and Dobbian will take place soon!

When Spira's duel is done, Rash nods with satisfaction.

"Well... it seems that the gods really were on our side," he says. "Hope that a valuable lesson has been learned here... something about love and peace and whatever."

Back with his family, the half-orc wizard smiles... but there is a hint of regret in his eyes.

"Well, anything for my little sister," he chuckles, rubbing the back of his head where Yevelda gave it a good smack.

Upon returning to Longsaddle, Rashugri's first instinct is to find a good tailor... for an event like this, he would like to look his best! Presumably, Anita will want to come along to help pick out some cloths and get herself a nice dress as well.

Anita is happy to accompany Rash on a quest... for a nice new dress!

The two (as well as those of you who embark on similar quests) soon discover that Dobbian and Martha have thought of you! They made sure that you all were allowed to buy - or at most even just to borrow for the wedding day - the clothing you wanted (a superfluous precaution in the case of Spira, who, with the glacier snakes fur dress she bought for herself and Aedion , was already perfectly adequate - but in the case of others, if they wish to take advantage of it...).

[[ OOC: So feel free to go on and imagine getting - either permanently, by buying them, or simply on loan for the day of the ceremony - the clothes and jewels you want. For those who want to buy, you can roughly pay the 15 gp of a Clothes, fine - adding any tens of gp for any gems/jewels yopu might wish to add. ]]

Anita, delighted, borrowed a delightfully crafted silk elven dress, with wide sleeves and trains, decorated with floral motifs embellished with gems that mimic the colors of the flowers represented. "This was one of the beautiful things the dream of which she had... led me down a bad path!" she giggles, showing herself to Rah "But look... I got it now that a wonderful half-orc helped me get back on the right path!"

At first when the group returns to Longsaddle, Roxana plays down any interest in any sort of fancy attire. But with Rash and Anita looking for something. And then the offer of Lady Martha to ensure they would be able to buy something, she starts to change her mind. So, with a couple of days wasted, she finally decides to try and find something. 

Rash smiles as he adjusts the collar of his new silk shirt.

"Well I guess this just goes to show that there are rewards for doing what's right," he tells Anita with a smile. "You look lovely, as you always do..."

(Rash will go ahead and purchase his cloths... after all, who knows when it might be a good idea to have something to wear to a formal event?)

Gaer, much more experienced in selecting clothes and equipment for a wilderness exploration than for a wedding, had also hesitated... but when Roxana finally decides to try and find something, he tries to tag along: "I better find something suitable too... Looks like Rash and Anita got some silk dresses... they look good. It's a material that feels so... light... gives such a sense of elegance... It makes me think of the breeze in the woods... Maybe we could look for something similar too! Although I won't deny that I personally like leather better... Maybe less valuable, but... what can I say? Leather makes me think so much about glamour and adventure..."

"For you, anyway," the tiefling ranger theatrically raises his gloved right hand "I think it would be nice to find something peculiar also..." Rubybreeze, meanwhile, as if following an agreed script, lands on his hand and, staring with her predatory eyes in the blue ones of the girl from Longsaddle, she extends her beak towards the readhead... so Roxana notices that the bird holds a pair of earrings in its beak, as if wanting to hand them to her.

"Oh, but what did our Ruby bring?" Gaer feigns amazement "A pair of sodalite earrings... Well done Ruby! Excellent aesthetic sense! I find that the color of sodalite" he now turns to his beloved "goes very well with your eyes, Roxana... If you ask me, I think you should wear them! As long as you like wearing earrings, of course... Ruby couldn't have known that, anyway..." he winks.

Anita holds out her arms, to make Rash lower her neck and kiss him: "Thank you! You are really very gallant! And this dress really gives you a sophisticated air, like a court magician..."

"Although" she winks and nudges him "I really like you even when you look like a strong and fierce half-orc wizard!"

"Speaking of wizardry..." the ex-Zhentarim thinks "Do you believe some of your invisible soldiers could hold the train of my dress on the day of the ceremony? It would be even more impressive that way..."

Rash gathers her up in strong orc arms, giving her a kiss. When he puts her down, he pauses for a moment and scratches his chin thoughtfully.

"It should be possible... but... I feel like that might be overdoing it a little bit. It could be taken as a bit rude to overshadow the bride and groom on their wedding day." he says, regarding the unorthodox use of the unseen warriors. "Still... I think we can put that idea to good use sometime in the near future..."

"Oh, this poor clueless assistant is really curious to discover these 'plans for the future' of the enigmatic wizard she serves..." Anita passes an arm around Rash's waist, assuming a dreamy look "Will it the fact that his wedding dress was purchased rather than borrowed matter?"

"It'll be interesting to find out, Rash..." she looks at him in the eyes, delighted by what she's imagining.