Joy's eyes shine with new resolve as her grip on her flail tightens. 'So you will lie when it suits you, Otbium. You're no different from those you disdain.'
Riven feels the Weave slip from his grasp, not gone, but veiled. Magic that nature should provide is just out of reach
He pauses, centering himself through his controlled breathing.
Rage claws at his focus, but he forces it down, steadies himself. One breath. Then another. The Weave stirs.
Faint at first, then closer. He opens his eyes. The connection is there once more.
"Here we go, false god....," he murmurs to himself.
Riven’s eyes lock onto Otbium. A flicker of emerald light shudders around Otbium’s chest, just beneath the sternum, where Riven marked him moments ago.
Without a word, Riven draws back his longbow. His fingers are steady. The string vibrates with tension. His gaze narrows to a single point, and he releases.
The arrow sings through the air, silently, toward the blasphemous being.
Even before the shaft has reached its mark, Riven moves.
He stows his bow fluidly on his back and draws his blade with unnatural speed. As it arcs through the air, shadows curl around the edge, drawn toward the blade like smoke to a flame.
Then he’s gone.
A gust of wind slams outward from where he stood, kicking up dust and debris. In the span of a blink, Riven strikes. His blade sings with each flash of movement, near simultaneous slashes.
Then he vanishes. Appearing again, beside one of the towering obelisks. And then in one breath the veil takes him.
Leaves and ground debris swirl unnaturally around him. Blink and you would have missed it, Riven is gone.
Wisdom Saving throw: Lucky (16,9) +13 (+5 Joy’s Aura)=34 Action: Long Bow [22 to hit]; Damage 9 (Piercing) + Dread Ambusher 10 (Psychic) + Hunters Mark 10 (Force)=29 Action: Steel Wind Strike [18 to Hit]; Damage 37 (Force) + Hunters Mark 1 (Force)= 38 Feat:Blink Step Bonus Action:Nature’s Veil [you can give yourself the Invisible condition until the end of your next turn] Reaction:Shadowy Dodge
The moment Riven snaps the Weave back into place for him and aims his weapon, Otbium Reacts and begins a thunderous utterance.
DM: Please made a Charisma Saving Throw, DC 22. Upon failure, you will be teleported into the air, off the ledge of the platform (indicated as an overlay on the map), 60ft north by northwest, where you will fall 20ft (unless you can fly), causing you 11 points of fall damage and your first attack to miss. Your second attack will still be used if you can get yourself to a position where you can fire it. On success, you do not teleport.
Otbium's frustration is apparent, as he is quickly realizing that he may have underestimated this group of busybodies when arrows pincushion his body where he was expecting the Ranger to fall.
[Thanks for the map! OK there is a lot going on in this battle of level 20's vs a Gods, so let me know if I missed something and I can alter things. Do we still need WIS throws after every attack?]
"Like fingers of a hand" Giles says, laying on the ground in five different pieces. "Not a problem"he adds. Each piece let out a sharp crack, like the sound of a finger knuckle cracking, as Giles focuses on Wholeness of Body, healing himself for 17 hit points. He stands to his feet, stretches out his fingers, then points his left palm at the betrayer god, the same one he punched him with last round, then he quickly balls his hand into a fist, ending the vibrations [Quivering Palm] he placed inside Otbium's body last round.
DC 21 Con Save: 51 force / half on successful save.
He then leaps, spins and rolls up to the god, unleashing another flurry of blows.
DM: Giles: If you attempted to benefit from your magic items at any time during that turn, please make that Wisdom Saving Throw, DC 22. Upon failure, the magic items are non-functioning. Upon success, you snap the Weave back into place for them and they work as intended.
The arrows from Riven shower Otbium's body and as he begins at Riven with violent intent, Giles springs up before him and unleashes a god-like fury of his own. Otbium's body trembles as the quivering palm does its nasty work and Otbium clutches tightly to his body as he struggles to remain upright. Then Giles delivers a wave of attacks that sync up perfectly with Riven's own. They work together to distract and devastate the domainless god. To their credit, they actually drive him to one knee before he is able to drive Giles back. Frantically, Otbium reaches out with a hand, seemingly at nothing, and the pillars flicker a moment. Arrows are forced out of his body and the redness on his skin from powerful blows fades.
Vazo'yn surveys the battlefield and grimaces at seeing so many of his allies wounded and debilitated by the heinous acts of the Betrayer God. He reaches out to the spirits of his ancestors, imploring them to lend their aid to his companions. He knows the spirits will mend his friend's wounds and give them the strength to meet their destiny. He then goes to turn his attention to his own task.
Except his plea to the spirits is met with silence. For the first time in his life, Vazo'yn's mind is quiet. There are no echoing whispers of ancestors long past. No quiet wisdom to guide his steps. He is alone. The silence is deafening.
"Where are they?" he chokes aloud, his eyes despondent as he looks to each of his companions.
"I'm sorry. I cannot... Joy, it must be you. You are the one."
He remembers the vision the spirits sent him those many moons ago of the green-skinned woman of light. He places all his hope on her shoulders. Perhaps it isn't fair, but it is all he can do.
Action: Attempting to cast Mass Cure Wounds but fails the save (10). Is the spell slot still consumed? Bonus Action: D12 Bardic Inspiration to Joy.
DM: The casting is prevented by the twisting of the Weave. You do not lose the spell slot because the magic doesn't function. Until the end of Otbium's next turn, you do not benefit from your magic items, nor can you cast spells above level 2. You can, however, change the spell to something else that you have the ability to cast for the moment.
Vazo'yn, in a moment of desperation, turns his focus back to Otbium. The frustration and impotence build in him, roiling in the now-silent depths of his mind. Where there should be hushed whispers to calm his thoughts and focus his intentions, there is room only for anger. It swells until it fills his mind and he releases it toward the Betrayer God. Pointed and razor sharp like one of Riven or Randa's arrows, formed not from timber and steel, but from the silent fury of his mind. He tries to pierce the mind of a God.
OOC: All righty! In the case he will instead cast Tasha's Mind Whip. DC 19 intelligence save. 20 psychic damage. That's his turn done.
The Air Elemental's thunderous slam batters the pillar and causes the light coming from the runes to dim further. A massive piece of the stone center is pulverized, the debris of which is busy sliding across the earth, blows the Air Elemental's breezy body pushing them along.
Otbium's Turn:
Otbium's eyes widen in rage and he hisses through his clenched teeth. His glowing body becomes a blur. He does a front hand spring to the other side of the pillar, building up crackling energy around his body and bouncing over a devastating sweep kick thrown out by Giles. He lands right next to Joy, and pivots his weight hard to deliver a monumentally inconvenient side thrust kick at Joy's lower abdomen.
DM: 31 to hit with a Spell Attack, 19 Thunder Damage and Joy is pushed 45 feet out in a horizontal line, where she falls 20ft, taking another 7 Bludgeoning Damage.
Otbium then stands before Jack, glaring at him. "You will fail. Everyone you love is already dust and I will draw all joy from their souls to attain my goals." There is a supernatural element to his words and for some reason, they begin to make Jack feel entirely hopeless. His knees feel weak and his weight becomes heavy on the cane he now leans on. Why go on when the outcome is already decided by a god? How can this possibly result in victory? We merely make our last moment of existence that of suffering. For what?
DM: Jack, please made a Wisdom Saving Throw, DC 22. Joy's aura is now too far away to benefit from it. On success, you resist the shallow manipulations of the twisted god. On failure, you submit to the futile notions planted into your mind and lose the will to act, falling into a deep depression, for one minute. In this case, someone else can use their Action to make a Persuasion Check to rouse you from the hopelessness early, DC 22.
He then performs a series of rapid hand gestures and chants in a dark language, the sounds of which offend all your ears. As lightning begins to crackle around his hands, his eyes fall to Vazo'yn. "Join your ancestors, mortal!" The lightning bolt flies from his hands.
DM: Vazo'yn, please make a Dexterity Saving Throw, DC 22. Joy's aura is now too far away to benefit from it. Chain Lighting has been cast on you. On failure, you will take 46 Lighting Damage and half as much on success.
The lighting bolt impacts Vazo'yn's chest, then leaps to Jack, Giles, the Air Elemental, and Randa.
DM: A Dexterity Saving Throw for each of you, DC 22. Joy's aura is now too far away to benefit from it. Chain Lighting has bounced to you. On failure, you will take 46 Lighting Damage and half as much on success.
His eyes literally burn with flames, as the power housed within the fragile container that is Sue's body begins to fracture under the pressure. The flames lick up his face, leaving ashen lines streaking up his forehead. He darts out from his spot among the Fellowship, reaching the center of the Pattern.
DM: Jack, if you succeed on your Saving Throw, you can take an Opportunity Attack. Further, Giles, Vazo'yn, Air Elementalcan each make an Opportunity Attack.
The fires in Otbium's eyes flare as his eyes land on Ylis. "Burn in the Inferno!"
Two rays of fire burst from Otbium's eyes and zip around the map in an incongruous pathway, taking sharp turns that make it difficult to track, much like the Omega Beams of a god that they are.
DM: Ylis, this is a 31 to hit with a Spell Attack. 19 Fire damage and the fire climbs up your body. If you take an Action and a Bonus Action on your turn, you will take an additional 17 Fire Damage before the flames die out.
"You face a GOD!" he bellows toward the sky, clearly having lost some of his earlier calm. Then he lowers his head and his eyes land on Riven. Once again, the caliginous fog here fails to shield him from Otbium's sight. His eyes narrow on the isolated Ranger and he can feel Otbium once again reach out with his mind.
DM: Riventhis is a 30 to hit with a Spell Attack. You take 22 Psychic Damage and your attacks deal half damage for your next turn. A Lesser Restoration will end this affliction early.
Lair Action:
Otbium glances at Randa on the ground and smirks. Then the burning bunny further widens and warms the smile on his face. He nods to himself.
DM: Ylis and Randa, please make a Constitution Saving Throw, DC 20, or take 19 Necrotic Damage as your energy is harvested and funneled into the damaged pillar to repair it some.
DM: You can take any available Reactions now, before your turn starts, to counter some of these Actions.
Joy's eyes shine with new resolve as her grip on her flail tightens. 'So you will lie when it suits you, Otbium. You're no different from those you disdain.'
Riven feels the Weave slip from his grasp, not gone, but veiled. Magic that nature should provide is just out of reach
He pauses, centering himself through his controlled breathing.
Rage claws at his focus, but he forces it down, steadies himself. One breath. Then another. The Weave stirs.
Faint at first, then closer. He opens his eyes. The connection is there once more.
"Here we go, false god....," he murmurs to himself.
Riven’s eyes lock onto Otbium. A flicker of emerald light shudders around Otbium’s chest, just beneath the sternum, where Riven marked him moments ago.
Without a word, Riven draws back his longbow. His fingers are steady. The string vibrates with tension. His gaze narrows to a single point, and he releases.
The arrow sings through the air, silently, toward the blasphemous being.
Even before the shaft has reached its mark, Riven moves.
He stows his bow fluidly on his back and draws his blade with unnatural speed. As it arcs through the air, shadows curl around the edge, drawn toward the blade like smoke to a flame.
Then he’s gone.
A gust of wind slams outward from where he stood, kicking up dust and debris. In the span of a blink, Riven strikes. His blade sings with each flash of movement, near simultaneous slashes.
Then he vanishes. Appearing again, beside one of the towering obelisks. And then in one breath the veil takes him.
Leaves and ground debris swirl unnaturally around him. Blink and you would have missed it, Riven is gone.
Wisdom Saving throw: Lucky (16,9) +13 (+5 Joy’s Aura)=34
Action: Long Bow [22 to hit]; Damage 9 (Piercing) + Dread Ambusher 10 (Psychic) + Hunters Mark 10 (Force)=29
Action: Steel Wind Strike [18 to Hit]; Damage 37 (Force) + Hunters Mark 1 (Force)= 38
Feat: Blink Step
Bonus Action: Nature’s Veil [you can give yourself the Invisible condition until the end of your next turn]
Reaction: Shadowy Dodge
((Joy's aura is actually+5))
[OOC: Oh, apologies. I was using the information provided in post#375. I have corrected the post to reflect the correct values.]
The moment Riven snaps the Weave back into place for him and aims his weapon, Otbium Reacts and begins a thunderous utterance.
DM: Please made a Charisma Saving Throw, DC 22. Upon failure, you will be teleported into the air, off the ledge of the platform (indicated as an overlay on the map), 60ft north by northwest, where you will fall 20ft (unless you can fly), causing you 11 points of fall damage and your first attack to miss. Your second attack will still be used if you can get yourself to a position where you can fire it. On success, you do not teleport.
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CHA ST Lucky (16,8)+2 (+5 Joy's Aura)=23 (phew)
Otbium's frustration is apparent, as he is quickly realizing that he may have underestimated this group of busybodies when arrows pincushion his body where he was expecting the Ranger to fall.
DM: Giles, pop pop.
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[Thanks for the map! OK there is a lot going on in this battle of level 20's vs a Gods, so let me know if I missed something and I can alter things. Do we still need WIS throws after every attack?]
"Like fingers of a hand" Giles says, laying on the ground in five different pieces. "Not a problem" he adds. Each piece let out a sharp crack, like the sound of a finger knuckle cracking, as Giles focuses on Wholeness of Body, healing himself for 17 hit points. He stands to his feet, stretches out his fingers, then points his left palm at the betrayer god, the same one he punched him with last round, then he quickly balls his hand into a fist, ending the vibrations [Quivering Palm] he placed inside Otbium's body last round.
DC 21 Con Save: 51 force / half on successful save.
He then leaps, spins and rolls up to the god, unleashing another flurry of blows.
29 dmg: 18
30 dmg: 15
27 dmg: 22
"Back to it then, shall we?"
DM: Giles: If you attempted to benefit from your magic items at any time during that turn, please make that Wisdom Saving Throw, DC 22. Upon failure, the magic items are non-functioning. Upon success, you snap the Weave back into place for them and they work as intended.
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Wis Save: 23!
The arrows from Riven shower Otbium's body and as he begins at Riven with violent intent, Giles springs up before him and unleashes a god-like fury of his own. Otbium's body trembles as the quivering palm does its nasty work and Otbium clutches tightly to his body as he struggles to remain upright. Then Giles delivers a wave of attacks that sync up perfectly with Riven's own. They work together to distract and devastate the domainless god. To their credit, they actually drive him to one knee before he is able to drive Giles back. Frantically, Otbium reaches out with a hand, seemingly at nothing, and the pillars flicker a moment. Arrows are forced out of his body and the redness on his skin from powerful blows fades.
DM: Vazo'yn, it is your turn.
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Vazo'yn surveys the battlefield and grimaces at seeing so many of his allies wounded and debilitated by the heinous acts of the Betrayer God. He reaches out to the spirits of his ancestors, imploring them to lend their aid to his companions. He knows the spirits will mend his friend's wounds and give them the strength to meet their destiny. He then goes to turn his attention to his own task.
Except his plea to the spirits is met with silence. For the first time in his life, Vazo'yn's mind is quiet. There are no echoing whispers of ancestors long past. No quiet wisdom to guide his steps. He is alone. The silence is deafening.
"Where are they?" he chokes aloud, his eyes despondent as he looks to each of his companions.
"I'm sorry. I cannot... Joy, it must be you. You are the one."
He remembers the vision the spirits sent him those many moons ago of the green-skinned woman of light. He places all his hope on her shoulders. Perhaps it isn't fair, but it is all he can do.
Action: Attempting to cast Mass Cure Wounds but fails the save (10). Is the spell slot still consumed?
Bonus Action: D12 Bardic Inspiration to Joy.
DM: The casting is prevented by the twisting of the Weave. You do not lose the spell slot because the magic doesn't function. Until the end of Otbium's next turn, you do not benefit from your magic items, nor can you cast spells above level 2. You can, however, change the spell to something else that you have the ability to cast for the moment.
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Vazo'yn, in a moment of desperation, turns his focus back to Otbium. The frustration and impotence build in him, roiling in the now-silent depths of his mind. Where there should be hushed whispers to calm his thoughts and focus his intentions, there is room only for anger. It swells until it fills his mind and he releases it toward the Betrayer God. Pointed and razor sharp like one of Riven or Randa's arrows, formed not from timber and steel, but from the silent fury of his mind. He tries to pierce the mind of a God.
OOC: All righty! In the case he will instead cast Tasha's Mind Whip. DC 19 intelligence save. 20 psychic damage. That's his turn done.
Otbium winces at the psychic lash that snaps at his mind, but he shakes his head, his eyes drawn to other targets at the moment.
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Jack Cha save to use Refreshing step to pull himself together: 34
The split Jack disappears and appears again next to Joy, having collected himself enough to stand again.
Regained hp: 9
The five small clouds swoops closer to the pillar Jack had exposed and slams into it.
Thunderous slam: 13 Thunder: 14
Thunderous slam: 23 Thunder: 12
The Air Elemental's thunderous slam batters the pillar and causes the light coming from the runes to dim further. A massive piece of the stone center is pulverized, the debris of which is busy sliding across the earth, blows the Air Elemental's breezy body pushing them along.
Otbium's Turn:
Otbium's eyes widen in rage and he hisses through his clenched teeth. His glowing body becomes a blur. He does a front hand spring to the other side of the pillar, building up crackling energy around his body and bouncing over a devastating sweep kick thrown out by Giles. He lands right next to Joy, and pivots his weight hard to deliver a monumentally inconvenient side thrust kick at Joy's lower abdomen.
DM: 31 to hit with a Spell Attack, 19 Thunder Damage and Joy is pushed 45 feet out in a horizontal line, where she falls 20ft, taking another 7 Bludgeoning Damage.
Otbium then stands before Jack, glaring at him. "You will fail. Everyone you love is already dust and I will draw all joy from their souls to attain my goals." There is a supernatural element to his words and for some reason, they begin to make Jack feel entirely hopeless. His knees feel weak and his weight becomes heavy on the cane he now leans on. Why go on when the outcome is already decided by a god? How can this possibly result in victory? We merely make our last moment of existence that of suffering. For what?
DM: Jack, please made a Wisdom Saving Throw, DC 22. Joy's aura is now too far away to benefit from it. On success, you resist the shallow manipulations of the twisted god. On failure, you submit to the futile notions planted into your mind and lose the will to act, falling into a deep depression, for one minute. In this case, someone else can use their Action to make a Persuasion Check to rouse you from the hopelessness early, DC 22.
He then performs a series of rapid hand gestures and chants in a dark language, the sounds of which offend all your ears. As lightning begins to crackle around his hands, his eyes fall to Vazo'yn. "Join your ancestors, mortal!" The lightning bolt flies from his hands.
DM: Vazo'yn, please make a Dexterity Saving Throw, DC 22. Joy's aura is now too far away to benefit from it. Chain Lighting has been cast on you. On failure, you will take 46 Lighting Damage and half as much on success.
The lighting bolt impacts Vazo'yn's chest, then leaps to Jack, Giles, the Air Elemental, and Randa.
DM: A Dexterity Saving Throw for each of you, DC 22. Joy's aura is now too far away to benefit from it. Chain Lighting has bounced to you. On failure, you will take 46 Lighting Damage and half as much on success.
His eyes literally burn with flames, as the power housed within the fragile container that is Sue's body begins to fracture under the pressure. The flames lick up his face, leaving ashen lines streaking up his forehead. He darts out from his spot among the Fellowship, reaching the center of the Pattern.
DM: Jack, if you succeed on your Saving Throw, you can take an Opportunity Attack. Further, Giles, Vazo'yn, Air Elemental can each make an Opportunity Attack.
The fires in Otbium's eyes flare as his eyes land on Ylis. "Burn in the Inferno!"
Two rays of fire burst from Otbium's eyes and zip around the map in an incongruous pathway, taking sharp turns that make it difficult to track, much like the Omega Beams of a god that they are.
DM: Ylis, this is a 31 to hit with a Spell Attack. 19 Fire damage and the fire climbs up your body. If you take an Action and a Bonus Action on your turn, you will take an additional 17 Fire Damage before the flames die out.
"You face a GOD!" he bellows toward the sky, clearly having lost some of his earlier calm. Then he lowers his head and his eyes land on Riven. Once again, the caliginous fog here fails to shield him from Otbium's sight. His eyes narrow on the isolated Ranger and he can feel Otbium once again reach out with his mind.
DM: Riven this is a 30 to hit with a Spell Attack. You take 22 Psychic Damage and your attacks deal half damage for your next turn. A Lesser Restoration will end this affliction early.
Lair Action:
Otbium glances at Randa on the ground and smirks. Then the burning bunny further widens and warms the smile on his face. He nods to himself.
DM: Ylis and Randa, please make a Constitution Saving Throw, DC 20, or take 19 Necrotic Damage as your energy is harvested and funneled into the damaged pillar to repair it some.
DM: You can take any available Reactions now, before your turn starts, to counter some of these Actions.
Fin.
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