Jade and Cattle mini-log, 4/11/2006

[leticia]

Brian [to Phoenix Maiden]: If you would give us the last post from last time, please, to set the scene?

Brian says "Two more figures step out after the assault on Midnight. A much more serious demeanour drives these two. They neither posture nor caper, just step out from behind one of the damaged nearby buildings, to the north of you. One is tall, the other short, but both of them have an air of menace around them, compounded by the mingling of purple and yellow auras about their tall frames; those self-same auras leaching out from them like the rising tide to encompass Uradhi, Monsa, and Jhemon (the Monkey Lunar) as well.

The shorter of the pair is the one from whom the purple rises, and her eyes are tinted purple as well. This is about all that can be seen of her, for she wears a grey wrap around her head, concealing her lower facial features-- indeed, all of her face and head save for her purple eyes and a tight ponytail. A circlet is concealed beneath the grey swathings, giving her head a crowned look, or perhaps a halo, barely shaded. A cloak and wrappings of a similar grey bind her body, slight curves barely visible beneath the heavy cloth betraying her gender if nothing else. Purple characters written in the Old Realm, telling tails of Maidens and threats are subtly woven into the cloak in finest silk. In one hand, she wields a three foot long blade of a strangely glittering steel; light reflects off it slightly 'off', refracting and changing the images so shone to distort them. On both wrists are solid leather bracers, lightly strung with odd whirling strands of a similar metal to that of her sword. She is poised in a martial arts stance utterly unfamiliar to you all, even Aidan, her sword aimed at the Circle and their allies.

The taller figure is clad in yellow, from the yellow of his broad straw hat, shading his yellow-tinted eyes and oddly bland face. He wears a loose set of robes-- a sensible, well-fitted garment of saffron dyes and decorations (mostly gulls and ships) over plain white, the robes just loose enough to permit movement without becoming entangled. Over his chest, a breastplate lies. Its burnished surface has the same glittering as the sword, and the odd refractions are enhanced by the picture of a lone column of wood, stretching up to a point with a circular platform-- a mast, with a crow's nest. In his hand he carries a long thong of leather with glittering wires leading up the straps to a similarly sparking "cup", which already has a bullet weighing the sling down. He tilts his hat to you all and silently steps back, letting his partner move towards you all with her blade outstretched while he takes aim with his sling."

Brian says "Initiative!"

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 + 19 for init: 26

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 + 25 for init: 30

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 + 9 for init: 13

<<DICE>> Diamond Borealis rolls 1d10 + 13 for init: 23

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 1d10 + 18 for init: 21

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 + 13 for init: 16

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 1d10 + 12 for init: 14

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 1d10 + 9 for init: 19

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 1d10 + 9 for init: 13

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 1d10 + 17 for init: 18

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 1d10 + 6 for init: 10

<<OOC>> Liu says "For horsey"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Oh, the second was Seven's."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d10 + 11 for init: 21

Brian says "Order is Generous Waters, Uradhi, Diamond Borealis, Phoenix Maiden, Monsa, Kanfi, Seven, Jhemon Sagetail, Liu, Aidan, Araji Yung, Midnight with Stars."

Brian [to Phoenix Maiden]: You're unwounded, right?

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden fears.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden .oO(Any time the GM/ST starts asking, "Oh, you haven't been hurt yet?" fear.)

Brian says "Generous Waters-- the short woman shrouded all in grey, save for her purple eyes-- gives Phoenix Maiden a mocking bow as she approaches the tall Zenith. Her long, straight Daiklaive is held in front of her in a solemn stance, and her eyes meet Phoenix Maiden's directly. In a sudden flash, glowing red-and-purple cherry blossoms fill the air around Generous Waters and Phoenix Maiden, stirred by a gust of ethereal wind. Four of the blossoms fall towards Phoenix Maiden, and in that moment, Generous Waters strikes, her blade blurring with essence as she follows the falling blossoms."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 19 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 9 10 10> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 19 dice: <1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 7 8 8 9 10> for 6 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 19 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 6 6 8 9 9 10> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 19 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10 10> for 12 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian looks somewhat askance at the first three shots of the combo.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Remember you get +4 autosuccesses."

Phoenix Maiden ignores the mocking courtesy, her eyes fixed on the Sidereal for the first sign of an attack; she is unafraid, but has yet to take the measure of this opponent. As the daiklave blurs, so too does the Essence-guided Golden Child of Lightning (shards of shattered rock falling off it as it moves), following Solar instinct with certainty.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "And I think I'm going to use GEB, 2 motes. It is 1m/2d, right?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Only on the last."

Brian [to Phoenix Maiden]: 2 point stunt, and, yes. Which defenses are you usi- right.

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 16 dice: <1 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 9 9> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 16 dice: <1 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 16 dice: <1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 10> for 8 successes.

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 20 dice: <1 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 8 8 9 9> for 5 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "..."

<<OOC>> Liu says "buh."

<<OOC>> Brian says "What is your soak again, please?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "9L"

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 10 damage dice: <1 1 2 2 3 4 7 8 9 10> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden ouch.

<<OOC>> Brian says "5 net health levels, also..."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Whee, -2."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Your valor is reduced by 1."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Er... and -1 WP, too. >_>"

Brian says "Phoenix Maiden's spear is able to casually knock aside the first three slashes, but the third makes it around her guard, spinning hard and fast. The blade of the Sidereal assassin, however, is driven by the Fate of Endings, and the final stroke belongs to that Maiden. The purple edge cuts deeply into Phoenix Maiden's arm, but worse yet is the jangling of Fate caused by the workings of Sidereal Essence, biting at Phoenix Maiden's confidence and courage."

Brian says "Uradhi, for her part, has no idea where this strange energy that brings life and purpose back to her heavy limbs comes from. Nor, really, does she care; the fires in her heart have overwhelmed the calmness of her immaculate training. Like a berserker now she hurls all of her strength at Liu, her right Daiklaive cutting for the young acrobat's head, her left coming up in a low stab as the Fire-blood attempts to pin Liu to a ruined wall."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 16 dice: <1 2 3 3 5 5 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 15 dice: <1 2 2 3 3 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 8 9> for 3 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Headshots, apparently, are 'in'."

<<OOC>> Liu says "I'm just going to dodge both of those with FLB. Pose before roll?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Please, yes."

Liu dives for the ground as Uradhi advances, rolling into a smooth somersault to move her head and limbs out of the path of the Immaculate's blades, moving with the lightning quickness and grace that her patron grants her.

<<OOC>> Brian says "2 point stunt. Roll 'em! :)"

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 15 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 5 8 9 9 10 10> for 7 successes.

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 15 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 8 9 9 10 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "First cut makes it through, then. What's your soak?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Well-- you could also default to a Parry."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Or use up one of/start a new group of Midnight's actions, defensively."

<<OOC>> Liu says "errr, 1L. ^_^ Midnight-With-Stars has extra actions remaining still. 3 of them, I think."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Alrighty. Pose him in. :)"

Midnight-With-Stars, though enraged by the Lunar's mockery, wheels in an instant as his Mistress comes under threat. Tailing waving high like a cavalry's flag, his flinty hooves crush downwards on the Fire Aspect's blade.

<<OOC>> Brian says "2 point; roll it. :) Only needs 2 successes."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 10 dice: <1 2 3 3 4 4 8 8 9 10> for 5 successes.

Brian says "Despite her savage rage, Uradhi's attack is beaten aside by the swift movement of Midnight-With-Stars, leaving Liu free and untouched. Diamond's turn."

Glancing up at the giant monkey, Diamond's gaze is focused on the two Sidereals. There is no doubt what they are. A hateful glare directed at them, he reaches into his satchel and removes a small object form it. Two lengths of bamboo, one with a larger diameter than the other. The smaller sticks out of the back of the first. The end of the wider bamboo shoot is cut to a taper and covered by a thin film of sheepgut. Without a pause he tears the skin away with his teeth, revealing paste inside the bamboo. Still watching the Sidereals as he pushes it into the laceration on his thigh. His thumb on the smaller bamboo shoot and depresses it, filling the wound with the paste and starting the healing action, knitting back what was sundered by the blades of the Water Dragon.

Brian says "Nice. Stunt covers getting the healing of the -2 health level(s?) as we agreed. On to PM's turn!"

Phoenix Maiden hesitates a moment after the blow, gathering her anger and pouring it out with violent motion; stepping up onto the rubble, she strikes down swiftly with the same motion, the keen point thrusting towards the Sidereal three times; towards the head, towards the right shoulder, and towards the center of her chest.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Splitting."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Three times, obviously. ^^"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll. :)"

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 10 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 9> for 2 successes.

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 9 dice: <3 3 5 6 7 7 7 8 8> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Phoenix Maiden rolls 8 dice: <2 6 6 7 8 8 10 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden eyes the dice dubiously.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "For 6, 9, and 11 successes. Because the dice are insane."

Brian says "Generous Waters' blade is guided by fate. Attuned to the very flows of battle, her sword lifts up, following the curves and breath of battle. The essence-cherry blossoms wing around her once more and once, twice, thrice her blade strikes hard against the orichalcum haft of Phoenix Maiden's dire lance, forcing it aside even as a brilliant purple aura like the eye of the stars themselves unfolds around waters."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Impeding the Flow used three times. 9 motes of essence spent; automatic defenses."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden grumbles. Will get you yet, my pretty.

Brian says "Cynis Monsa has a moment-- just a moment, to act, now that the others are distracted by the appearance of these strangers. Still hurting-- though no longer bleeding, as the healthy wood-Essence heals her limbs-- Cynis Monsa takes careful aim at Kanfi, trying to strike down her tormentor with a single, deadly shot."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 13 dice: <1 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 10 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden note to self: split more times, run her out of Essence.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Did someone say make her burn lots of Essence? wicked grin"

<<OOC>> Brian says "... uh-oh."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Mmm, FLB."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Pose it. :P"

Kanfi doesn't even have to look to know where she's aiming, he can feel it in his bones. He won't stop moving for her, and he won't let himself rest where her arrows will land. Eyes half-closed, he jumps from one spot to the next-- a two-fold response. She shouldn't be able to catch him, and he's getting a great vantage from which to find a weak point.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Nice! 2 point stunt. Roll 'em!"

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 10 dice: <2 2 3 5 5 5 7 8 9 9> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Ouch. Soak is?"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "2B/1L"

<<OOC>> Brian says "You can have Seven use his Charm for the turn to get a reflexive "parry" for you using just his... conviction, I believe."

Seven sees his Unholy Master in danger of becoming a human pincushion, and dashes forward to insert himself between Kanfi and the wickedly sharp arrows, a low growl rising in his throat. "You will not harm him!" Seven swings his spear up and around to knock the shafts from the air in one quick blow.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Aww."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Auwww. Roll his conviction + 2 as a "parry" for you."

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 6 dice: <2 4 5 7 8 9> for 3 successes.

Brian says "Seven's swift strike slashes the arrow in half mid-air, leaving him poised and standing over the harried Monsa, for it is his turn to act now."

Brian says "... Actually, it's Kanfi's turn."

Brian sorries. ^_^ Kanfi first, then Seven.

Kanfi would reach out and thank Seven, but right now there is work to be done-- and by work he means getting rid of the woman who's trying to kill him. "Thanks, Seven," he tosses out as he rolls out from behind the mechanical man, one end of the extra fabric slipping from his belt, and falling the colorful sash unroll, sliding into the dirt. "This hurts me more than it hurts you, pretty lady," he comments with a wry grin, bouncing up, and swinging Silken Strike in a direct path the hamstring her and return to his hands. As the weapon left his hand, though, Kanfi reaches down and grabs the fabric, slinging it across his neck like a scarf.

<<OOC>> Brian blinks a bit. 3 point stunt for boggling the GM. ^_^ Roll 'em.

<<OOC>> Kanfi rereads and grumbles at her grammar. Apparently KH kills her grammar.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Oh, right. And combo!"

<<OOC>> Brian scritchies. "You don't need to restunt; just give me a short precis of what you intend and then roll at +3. :) Okay!

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "PSR and Joint-Wounding Attack. He's aiming for her hamstrings, after all. So, four motes, peripheral, towards PSR, and the three motes for JWA."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Nice."

<<OOC>> Brian says "One strike at +7, then? Poor Monsa."

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 16 dice: <1 2 3 3 3 4 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 10 10> for 10 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "O_o"

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 3 dice: <3 8 8> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "That was not her dodge, btw."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Drat. XD"

Brian says "Monsa, of all of the Immaculates save perhaps Deled, is near her breaking point. Between the mad assaults of Seven and Kanfi's strange, gentlemanly deadliness, her worldview is being slowly crushed. Nevertheless, she senses death on the wings of Kanfi's skycutter and tries desperately to roll away, closer to Uradhi."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 16 dice: <1 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 10 10> for 6 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll 3 dice of damage."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Poor Monsa is about to Lose. Her. Mind."

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Can I help it if I'm nice? I'm sorry that nice Exalted aren't part of her worldview."

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 3 damage dice: <1 5 7> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Brian says "She's an immaculate! She wasn't expecting Seven AND Kanfi, not this close together! :P Start posing up Seven's turn while I pose her response."

Brian says "Monsa is fairly lucky; the hard jade that makes up her armor protects her from most of the force of the skycutter's impact. Nevertheless, the odd, arcing flight does slash another one of her ligaments-- one of the just healed ones, in fact, leaving her keening in pain and not, quite, seeing Seven, whose turn it is to strike (for real, this time.)"

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1d6 <4> for 4 total.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Nobody expects ..."

<<OOC>> Brian says "The Anti-Inquisition?"

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis Nods

Seven ignores Kanfi's appreciative gesture and glowers the best he can-- for all that he believes that the beauteous and pious Dragon-Blooded is sanctified this desecrated ground by attempting to spill the blood of these profane creatures, he cannot allow her the opening to harm the one he has pledges himself to. "Just Gardener of Prosperity, if I must destroy you to save him, I will, though I wish to wound you not." He takes advantage of her faltering, sweeping his spear down, intending to slicing her in half if he can.

<<OOC>> Brian laughs.

<<OOC>> Brian says "You're doing a GREAT job with Seven, Greer. 2 point stunt. Roll it."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 3 dice: <1 2 6> for a botch!

<<OOC>> Brian says "Interesting. Still, roll."

<<DICE>> Kanfi rolls 12 dice: <1 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 9 10> for 5 successes.

Brian says "Monsa SCREAMS. She can't TAKE this any more. The crazy automaton, the crazy Anathema, all but one of her companions dead or departed-- she loses it. Following the "encouraging" lines of essence fed to her by the Death-Patterns of Seven's attack, she dives away again-- _far_ away."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 16 dice: <1 2 2 3 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 10 10> for 11 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Far, indeed. :p"

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "Ooops. Did I break her brain?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes. :P"

Brian says "Monsa escapes the downward thrust of Seven's strike-- but doesn't stop moving. The befuddled Wood-blood keeps running once the strike splits the earth just behind her, though she doesn't have the time to get far yet."

Brian says "Jhemon laughs at the wild chaos around him. Having kissed his sister hello, he decides to go introduce and introduce himself to her pet pony, popping up and flipping around towards Midnight-With-Stars. A crazy cackle escapes his lips, and somehow he manages to actually "stand" on his tail, holding himself up as he lashes out with his moonsilver-clad paw, slapping for Midnight's long head three times in hefty, open-handed blows, leaning forwards until he once again is standing on his hand-feet in front of Midnight after the final slap."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 15 dice: <1 1 2 4 4 4 5 6 8 8 8 9 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 14 dice: <1 1 2 2 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 8 9 10> for 6 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 13 dice: <2 2 3 3 3 3 5 5 5 8 9 10 10> for 6 successes.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "I guess that was a Valor roll that she just botched?"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden assumes it was SOME Virtue.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Conviction, but, yes."

<<OOC>> Brian says "If she'd failed, she would have given up on trying to shoot Kanfi and Seven and gone for you next round, but the botch, well..."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "I almost feel sorry for her. Kanfi/Seven are an intimidating combo."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden is sure Seven is much relieved.

<<OOC>> Kanfi says "|Seven is very very glad!"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden points Seven at the Sidereals. They're technically Anathema, too.

<<OOC>> Liu says "I think MWS has two actions for Principle of Motion left. Can I use both of those to dodge now?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes, you can; although you could default one to a dodge and one to a parry, and use bits of both against all three attacks."

<<OOC>> Brian says "So-- yes, start with a dodge, and work from there."

Midnight-With-Stars rears back from the meaty slaps being dealt by the (obviously completely insane) Lunar. He thrusts his hooves out and downwards to try and block, looking a little bit like he's dancing with his front hooves waving in front of him while jumping/prancing backwards on his rear hooves.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "I have this problem with being known as Forsaken. I keep getting crossed wires from Warcraft...."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Nice. Okay. Roll his full dodge pool + 2."

<<OOC>> Liu says "Three times, or just the once?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Just once, at first. You'll see in a second."

<<OOC>> Liu says "There's no dodge on the sheet in my LJ, but Brent is saying Dodge should have been on there as 3. Which would have made his full dodge +2 = 9."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 9 dice: <1 1 5 6 6 8 8 9 10> for 5 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Doesn't he get Essence added, too?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Oh, yes. Roll 2 more dice. Then roll his full Parry + 2."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 2 dice: <4 10> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Basically, you used his first action to default to a full dodge, then his second to default to a full parry. So it starts at full pools (+ stunt), then -1 to each pool, and so on, going down. Much better defense."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 11 dice: <1 4 5 5 7 7 8 8 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "O_o"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay! First attack rejected. Now roll that parry pool -1 (10) against the next attack."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Apparently, parry dice like Midnight. :)"

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 10 dice: <3 3 6 7 8 8 8 9 10 10> for 9 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Nice. Okay, so you parry the next one completely. Let's see, your real dodge pool would have been 9 + 2 = 11, so now roll 11-1 = 10 as a dodge against the last attack."

<<OOC>> Brian says "(And if that doesn't completely block it, you've still got a 9 dice parry to use)."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 10 dice: <1 4 4 4 6 7 7 8 10 10> for 7 successes.

Brian says "Between the lashing whirl of his hooves and the incredible speed of his essence-blessed limbs, Midnight-With-Stars knocks back the slaps, leaving Jhemon slapping at mere air-- which, of course, gets quite the laugh from Jhemon."

Liu's supple, wire-taut body uncurls as she completes her rolling somersault, feet lodging themselves against a pile of rubble behind and to the side of the Fire Exalt. Her face blossoms into a bright, inspired (if grim) smile, and she flexes her spindly fingers around the hilts of her orichalcum-limned blades. The light of the Unconquered Sun glints sparklingly on the gold metal and on each of her fingernails in turn. Liu crouches against the rubble and then launches herself off, her right hand's blade guided unerringly towards the Fire Exalt's collar. Using the momentum of her jump to carry her body through, she uses Uradhi like a jungle-gym, whipping around her body to strike once, twice, four times at her opponent's shoulders and back.

<<OOC>> Brian says "YOWCH. Nice. 3 point stunt. Split for four times?"

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 1 damage die: <9> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Ignore that for now."

<<OOC>> Liu says "Using Dual Slaying Stance to reduce modifiers. 8 motes, repressing anima banner. Yes, split four times."

<<OOC>> Brian says "... Nice. Very, very nice. Roll 'em."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 16 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 5 5 6 6 8 9 10> for 4 successes.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Get him, kiddo. :)"

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 15 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 5 5 5 6 6 8 8 9 9 10> for 6 successes.

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 14 dice: <1 1 2 3 4 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "..."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 13 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 4 6 6 8 8 8 8 10> for 6 successes.

<<OOC>> Liu says "OH COME ON"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "DICE ON CRACK."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Yikes. Okay, first, you take 1 health level of damage from the fireburny anima effect... and now, to try and dodge."

<<OOC>> Brian is not going to pose dodging, to save time.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 7 dice: <2 3 4 5 6 8 8> for 2 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 7 dice: <1 2 2 5 5 9 10> for 3 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 7 dice: <1 2 2 6 7 10 10> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 7 dice: <1 1 2 3 7 9 9> for 3 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Last one hits with one net success. The others miss, due to Fire Dragon form. What's Liu's damage?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Unfortunately, Fire Dragon Form is nice. And the dice roller was Naughty."

<<OOC>> Liu says "6L"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Okay, roll 3 dice of damage."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 3 damage dice: <2 7 10> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Shouldn't the second have hit, too? They were both 3 dodge against 6 acc?"

Brian says "Although the heat of Uradhi's anima burns harshly against the fierce Night, eventually, her blade _does_ strike through, leaving a dark gash of boiling blood along her back. Uradhi cries out and staggers forward under the terrifying onslaught-- and now it is Aidan's turn."

Aidan is taken aback a bit by the appearance of a giant monkey, and is reminded of the old curse about living in interesting times. He quickly shakes off his distractions, however, with the appearance of the two Sidereals. Now is not the time for daydreaming. His eyes narrow briefly as he considers each of his new opponents before deciding that Generous Waters is likely the greatest remaining threat. He takes three quick steps towards the sword-wielding Exalt and then *leaps*. At the peak of his jump, he straightens his body and spreads his arms as an explosion of light erupts, leaving bright afterimages on the vision of everyone looking. His momentum carries him towards Generous Waters as he reaches towards her with deadly intent; the Talons of the Golden Hawk leave bright trails of essence as they strike again and again.

<<OOC>> Brian chuckles. Ouch. 3 point stunt, and, despite her defense, roll 'em anyway. 1 WP back or 6 motes.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Prey-harvesting, from Periph, puts me into anima-flux. Not that anyone has any doubts left that I am Anathema. grins"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Really?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Shocking! :)"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Taking WP, I still have quite a bit of Ess left."

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 22 dice: <1 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 5 7 7 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 9> for 11 successes.

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 22 dice: <1 1 1 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 9 9 9 10> for 8 successes.

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 22 dice: <1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10> for 12 successes.

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 22 dice: <2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10> for 12 successes.

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 22 dice: <1 1 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 10> for 7 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Nnngh."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Them's some sweet dice."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "nice."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "Don't kill them. I need to...talk. Yes. Talk. To them."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden idly wonders how many times she can use that "It's not a perfect, really" defense. >_>

<<OOC>> Liu chuckles

<<OOC>> Aidan says "$10 says her Ess runs out a *long* time before mine does. wicked"

<<OOC>> Liu says "When you're using your ax to cut kanji into them, Old Man, it doesn't really count as communication, no matter how eloquent you are."

Brian says "Generous Waters is still surrounded by the unfolding cherry blossoms. Essence fountains them around her and once more they bloom, guiding her sword to stave off Aidan's attempts to conclude her ere her time-- but there is only so much essence in even a Chosen of the Maidens. While four strikes meet with the solid ring of starmetal and coruscating circles of light and essence, she has neither the speed nor the motes to ward off the fifth. >_<"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Heck, if you keep doing that and I split up to rate, we can whack her ...well, there you go!"

<<OOC>> Brian says "I had INTENDED her to be one of the more difficult opponents, but 8*3 defenses left her out. What's your damage total, Brian?"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "one sec...."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Shame I only split three times. If I'd split four you'dve gotten one of those 12 success rolls through too."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "does damage get -wound penalty?"

<<OOC>> Brian says "no-- but if you have a wound penalty, it should have been tripled against her. I thought you were unwounded."

<<OOC>> Brian says "Reroll the last please, at three times your normal wound penalty."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "My thing says I'm down two points, at -1. I think from the very first round, the Chakram."

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 20 dice: <1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 10> for 13 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "..."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden SNRKS.

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Kay."

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis grins at Liu, I'd let 'em talk.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden PETS the dice. YES. AND FEEDS THEM COOKIES.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Well, I said you had to. >_< What's your damage rating?"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Damage on that is 17LP"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "4 str, 5 weapon, +ess from Form, +ess from PHS, am Ess 4."

<<OOC>> Brian glares at PM. GW was SUPPOSED to be the tough one.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden whistles. That's some damage.

<<OOC>> Brian says "er, attack successes."

<<OOC>> Brian says "... Roll 26 damage dice. >_<"

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 26 damage dice: <2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 10> for 13 successes.

<<OOC>> Aidan pets the dice.

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "... SWEET."

<<OOC>> Liu says ""I hit them, and their heads explode.""

<<OOC>> Brian >_<

<<OOC>> Brian reiterates. She was SUPPOSED to be the tough one.

<<OOC>> Liu says "You mean "Supposed to have been", Brian."

<<OOC>> Liu says "(Brent) 'I hit them, and their heads explode, their ancestors' heads explode, the little gods of their family line's heads explode, and somewhere, in Yu-Shan, the God of Head Exploding gets a massive headache, and then his head explodes.'"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "It's not my fault the dice decided to suddenly love me."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "What Brian gets for failing to tell us about the tripled wound penalties on time. :p"

<<OOC>> Aidan dies laughing.

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis says "13 HL. Ouchie."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "PM make head-splody. I probably just made her entire chest cavity splode."

Brian says "Indeed, fate is not with Generous Waters this evening. Or ever again in this incarnation, for that matter, for the final strike is truer than all the others, carried by some internal majesty-- and vengeance for what Generous Waters' soul did during the Usurpation. The harm done by her former assassin self is amended-- or at least, repayed, in a single instant, as Aidan's right Talons go straight through both of her eyes and out the back of her skull, shattering it and killing her instantly."

<<OOC>> Aidan says "I have this mental image of her eyes going VERY wide, and then cross-eyed, as she watches her doom approach. I cackle."

Brian says "Araji Yung stares in shock at the deadly assault upon his partner, but doesn't let it get too much to him-- or perhaps, her life has less meaning to him than his own. Smoothly, he draws back his hand and a jagged knife of Essence forms under his palm. As his hand rests, just for a moment, midair, a circling mobious strip of yellow Essence wreathes his wrist and the hovering knife. The Chosen of Serenity whips it forward towards Aidan, summoning with it the awful inevitability of a journey into darkness, fate written to send the Bronze Tiger cycling away from the destiny he seeks."

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 15 dice: <1 2 2 2 3 3 3 5 6 6 6 7 7 9 10> for 5 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Pose your dodge and roll, you bastich. :P"

<<OOC>> Brian glowers at Aidan, whom the dice seem to be making up for that 5-success dodge. >_<

The terrible momentum of Aidan's final strike surprises even himself, and he must allow himself to be carried forward slightly. His essence-fueled instincts urge him further onward, as he converts his motion into a brief leap, flipping his feet over his head to land lightly, facing back towards the remainder of the melee.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll your full dodge +2. :P"

<<OOC>> Aidan says "Still +3 stunt, and normal wound penalty?"

<<DICE>> Aidan rolls 19 dice: <1 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10> for 11 successes.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Yes, and --- sigh. :)"

<<OOC>> Liu says "(Brent) 'As the strands of fate bounce harmlessly off the still-spinning shards of exploded head.'"

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Today is a bad day to have a head."

Brian says "The dagger of energy goes flying through where Aidan should have been-- to no avail. Its mobious strip aura grasps, somehow, all of the rubble beneath the Sword of Heaven's feet, picking them up and hurling them twenty yards away where they leave a gaping hole in the side of a nearby building."

<<OOC>> Aidan SNRKS.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Mind you, I think I'm going to leave the Stage 4 villain for a different campaign arc, so it may be very brief, whenever it is."

<<OOC>> Phoenix Maiden says "Aww. But we're running out of enemies!"

<<OOC>> Diamond Borealis is going to be very testy if I don't at least one Sidereal to experime...I mean, consult with.

Liu snorts his anger and frustration at the Lunar, velvety lips curling up over his sharp teeth. He turns, hoof-pounding, and aims a heavy mule-kick at the Lunar's chin, the white speckles on his hindquarters glittering as he pours his God-Blooded Essence into the attack. ((Uncanny Prowess, 2 motes))

Change Liu to Midnight.

<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll 'em, +2 dice for the stunt. :)"

Brian says "Jhemon's body curls like a cobra's, darting backwards and away from Midnight's savage blows with unnatural grace-- bending to the SIDE as though he had neither armor plates nor ribs, much less a spine, to move out of the way without even moving!"

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 16 dice: <1 1 1 3 3 4 5 5 5 5 5 7 8 8 9 9> for 5 successes.

<<DICE>> Brian rolls 19 dice: <2 2 2 3 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 9 9 10> for 8 successes.

Brian says "As Jhemon ducks out of the way, his tail whips up around the hip that is shifting up while the rest of his body is going down, to lash at Midnight's face!"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Have him roll a 9-dice defense dodge; if that fails, he's got a 9-dice defense parry left. Target is 3 successes."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 9 dice: <2 3 3 4 5 5 5 8 8> for 2 successes.

<<OOC>> Liu says "*sigh!* :)"

<<OOC>> Brian patpats. "it's the last action of the round. :)"

<<OOC>> Brian says "Roll 9 dice again."

<<DICE>> Liu rolls 9 dice: <1 1 1 2 2 4 4 5 7> for 1 success.

<<OOC>> Brian looks at the dice roller. O.o

Brian says "Just barely enough-- there was not much force behind the blow, and Midnight's wild, spirit-born maneuvers allow him to step aside."