Exactly! Unless the opponent readies an action to attack when you are casting a spell (which btw would be hard to do due to the spot check involved having to check your shadow, etc) you typically only have to worry about continuous damage (fire, acid, power word pain, etc).

Ok, Gawain's action coming up next.

The knight-turned-lizard is the slowest to react to the gong, but due to his magics the quickest on his feet. It is evident the gaps between the gangways will do little to slow Gawain down as he effortlessly springs across the chasm. Clapping one hand against his thigh he drums up a catchy tune, while hissing out the lyrics.

I fell in to a burning ring of fire
I went down,down,down
and the flames went higher.
And it burns,burns,burns
the ring of fire
the ring of fire.


Round 1:
  [Swift] Cast Inspirational boost +1 IC
  [Move] Move to J06 (B6, jump to E6 DC 15, trivial with a +21 jump)
  [Free]
  [Standard] Sing: Dragonfire inspiration +1d6 fire damage per IC bonus
  [Immediate] Activate Badge of Valour (+1 IC), spends next round swift action

  Initiative: 3
  AC (Touch AC): 27 (13)

  Damage Taken:   0
  Damage Dealt:   0

Effects: Expeditious Retreat +30' speed 4 mins, Alter self 40 mins, +3 to hit/+3+3d6(fire) damage

Final position: J06
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Wed 27 Mar 2013.

While singing, Quinlan weaves in the arcane words of a spell causing wings to sprout out his back, and his features to take on that of an elf. Moments later he throws himself into the air and begins climbing upward.

Round 2:
  [swift] Activate boots, 1 charge: +10' speed
  [Free]
  [Move] Fly to B11, 25' up
  [Standard] Cast Alter Self, Avoriel form (50' fly speed, average maneuverability)

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 20 (13)

  Damage Taken: 18
  Damage Dealt: 10 (Levis)

Effects: Inspire courage +3 attack/damage, DFI +3d6 fire damage, Barkskin +2 Natural armor

Final position: B11, 25' up
This message was last edited by the player at 11:46, Wed 27 Mar 2013.

OOC: Orophear is up, followed by Levis.

In reply to DM Solo (msg # 24):

I will post as soon as I am not on the road and checking via my Droid. If she wants Levis can go first.

OOC: Quinlan, don't forget the damage you took in round 1.

Orophear looked back at his partner, worried she might be over her head and then realized he was wrong. Once he saw her form flicker the elf remembered her previous matches and decided to focus on the task at hand. Running full tilt into the sputtering portal in front of him Orophear hoped the malfunctioning magic would not send him into some strange death realm and was pleasantly surprised when he reappeared to the west of his original position. Once he steps out of the portal the Duskblade throws out a handful of ash which bursts into a flaming bolt that streaks towards the now flying Quinlan.

Round 2:
  [Move] Move 20' into the portal in front of him: Portal Jump:1 (portal in G21-22, Position H22)
  [Standard] Cast Kelgore's Fire Bolt at Quinlan, Damage: 20, REF save vs DC 13 for 1/2

Status:
  Initiative: 12
  AC (Touch AC): 23(17)

  Damage Taken:
  Damage Dealt: 38/28(Q)

Effects:

 Bull's Strength: +4 to STR, Duration: 8 minutes

 Cat's Grace: +4 to DEX, Duration: 3 minutes

 Seeking Ray: +4 to hit Quinlan with rays: 7 rounds


Final Position: H22

Levis also thought it prudent to test the malfunctioning gate, and stepped through. To her surprise, and mixed fortunes, she arrived a great deal closer to her opponents than she expected. Trying not to expose herself to every kind of abuse, she flickered across the chasm and shot forth an arrow of shadow from her hand.

Round 2:
 [Move] to 21R (appear at F10)
 [Swift] Flicker to 11I
 [Standard] Arrow of dusk at Gawain - Miss.

Status:
 Initiative: 9
 AC: 17(9)

Damage Taken: 10
Damage given: 0

Effects: Steel Shadows (+6 AC), Caul of Shadows (+2 AC), Flicker (5 rounds)

Final Position: 11I

Gawain notices Levis flickers behind cover and decides to go after Orophear instead. Using his superhuman speed he reaches the western portal... and ends up right at the other side of it. Not the most ideal situation he nevertheless moves toward a clean line of fire towards the elf and hurls his greatsword toward the duskblade while activating the magic stored in the wand inside the weapon. The mighty sword streaks through the air while bursting into flame and strikes the elf, immediately after the weapon is back in Gawain's hands.

Round 2:
  [Move] Move through portal at F11, arrive at F12, continue move to H14
  [Free]
  [Standard] Cast whirling blade from wand, attack (28) damage 14+10 fire

  Initiative: 3
  AC (Touch AC): 27 (13)

  Damage Taken:   0
  Damage Dealt:   24 (Orophear)

Effects: Expeditious Retreat +30' speed 4 mins, Alter self 40 mins, +3 to hit/+3+3d6(fire) damage

Final position: H14

Quinlan manages to flip over as the flaming bolt comes streaking towards him, avoiding some of the damage. It did throw his aim off however, and the arrow aimed for Levis strikes the statue beside her instead. The resourceful bard continues to gain altitude in order to stay out of range of the most potent of spells.

Round 3:
  [swift] Activate boots, 1 charge: +10' speed
  [Free]
  [Move] Fly to B14, 50' up
  [Standard] Fire arrow at Levis (16) miss

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 20 (13)

  Damage Taken: 28
  Damage Dealt: 10 (Levis)

Effects: Inspire courage +3 attack/damage, DFI +3d6 fire damage, Barkskin +2 Natural armor

Final position: B14, 50' up

OOC: Almost forgot that Levis needs to save vs fear (will) DC 15 or be shaken for 1 minute. She's within 20' of Gawain when he casts his spell, which triggers the Dreadful Wrath feat.

OOC: What is Gawain wearing for armor?

Chain shirt.

OOC: So, does that count towards the bonus to hit for Shocking Grasp or is that not enough metal?? Not that that's what I'm going to do or anything :D

Yes. It's armor and made of metal.

OOC: Sorry Gawain, thought you were closer :) Ignore my questioning.

Orophear gave out a quick yelp as the flaming sword struck him and then ripped out leaving a scorched bleeding wound. As soon as he got his bearings the elf pointed his a finger at Gawain and fired a purple hued ray of energy at the knight sapping the man of his strength. Once the spell was off the elf stepped into the portal and...popped out the other side.

Round 3:
  [Standard] Cast Ray of Enfeeblement: Ranger Touch Attack: 20(HIT), STR Damage: 7
  [Free] 5 foot step into portal
         Portal Jump: 4(same portal), Position: 1 (E21)

Status:
  Initiative: 12
  AC (Touch AC): 23(17)

  Damage Taken: 24
  Damage Dealt: 28(Q), 7 (STR)(G)

Effects:

 Bull's Strength: +4 to STR, Duration: 8 minutes

 Cat's Grace: +4 to DEX, Duration: 3 minutes

 Seeking Ray: +4 to hit Quinlan with rays: 6 rounds


Final Position: E21

An arrow struck in front of Levis as Gawain ran through a portal. It didn't seem to function however, as he ran right through it. That's when the wave of fear hit Levis. Fortunately, the conditions of her teenage years desensitized her to this very thing, and she shrugged it off. She saw a chance, and knew that it would be unwise to throw it away. She went into the complicated gestures of a spell as her eyes began to go completely black, and just when they couldn't get any darker, a cone of inky blackness shot forth from her gaze, falling upon Gawain's silvery form.

Round 3:
 [Will save] 18

 [Full round] Maximized Killing shadows at Gawain. 48 damage (untyped), will DC 17.

Status:
 Initiative: 9
 AC: 17(9)

Damage Taken: 10
Damage given: 0

Effects: Steel Shadows (+6 AC), Caul of Shadows (+2 AC), Flicker (4 rounds)

Final Position: 11I

The ray hit Gawain squarely in the chest, draining his strength, but not his resolve. As darkness washes over him moments later the young man closes his eyes and conjures the mental image of Bahamut, praying to the platinum dragon for strength. He shrugs off some of the damage and spins around, eyes flaring.
Taking off across the walkway he reaches Levis sword held high, and brings down the now flaming blade with all the skill, and the meager strength he can muster. The blade comes down with great force.

OOC: you get an advantange here in that you know when a strike will hit or not in order to activate flicker, I should really roll in secret and have you take the decision to flicker without knowing for certain if the attack hits. Scrap that, I forgot you get a 50% miss chance in response to attacks.

Round 3:
  [Move]
  [Free]
  [Standard] Battle leader's charge (full round) to I12, crit, damage 49

  Initiative: 3
  AC (Touch AC): 27 (13) -2 from charging until next round

  Damage Taken:   24
  Damage Dealt:   24 (Orophear)

Effects: Expeditious Retreat +30' speed 4 mins, Alter self 40 mins, +3 to hit/+3+3d6(fire) damage

Final position: K10

OOC: Gawain may take another action depending on outcome of attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Thu 28 Mar 2013.

WOW!

Levis saw the charge, and watched the blade descend upon her. A part of her screamed to get away, block, or do something, but in her state of panic, she just wasn't able to react in time. The blade hit her, and in a brutal moment of finality, she crumpled to the ground, quite dead.

OOC: In my gut, I knew I should have called low.... 8/100, high succeeds.
Good luck Orophear.

Uh oh

OOC: My meager strength took away at least eight point of damage, and the possibility of power attacking. Once I get enough gold I'm buying a valorous weapon enhancement (double damage on charges)!

Gawain feels horrible considering what he just did, even though he can rationalize this being only a game, and that Levis will likely be saluting him when the match is finally over. Speaking of which, the thought of the all too powerful duskblade at his back makes him consider the tactical options: get closer or try to put some distance between them? Gawain chooses the latter this time, hoping Quinlan has some luck with hitting Orophear.

[Swift] Activate anklets of translocation, teleport to K10

Final position adjusted.

Quinlan let's loose an arrow at Orophear, which manages to hit a particularly hard piece of armor. Knowing all too well how difficult their position is, even with Levis down, the bard continues to gain altitude.

Round 4:
  [swift] Activate boots, 1 charge: +10' speed (boot charges expended)
  [Free]
  [Move] Fly to B17, 75' up
  [Standard] Fire arrow at Orophear (22) miss

Status:
  Initiative: 21
  AC (Touch AC): 20 (13)

  Damage Taken: 28
  Damage Dealt: 10 (Levis)

Effects: Inspire courage +3 attack/damage, DFI +3d6 fire damage, Barkskin +2 Natural armor

Final position: B17, 75' up
This message was last edited by the player at 12:26, Thu 28 Mar 2013.

Orophear watched in horror as Levis was cut nearly in half. The elf knew the young woman had come into this voluntarily and she was no weak child, but the sight of the young human woman being killed sparked something in the elf. With the utterance of a few arcane syllables the elf fired off another eclectically charged ray at Quinlan which struck true. Once again Orophear slid into the flickering portal and then reappeared....in the exact same spot he had just left from.
"Damnable portals." the elf muttered.

Round 4:
  [Standard] Cast Seeking Ray,  35(HIT!), Damage: 13

  [Free] 5 foot step into portal
         Portal Jump: 4(same portal), Position: 1 (E21)

Status:
  Initiative: 12
  AC (Touch AC): 23(17)

  Damage Taken: 24
  Damage Dealt: 41(Q), 7 (STR)(G)

Effects:

 Bull's Strength: +4 to STR, Duration: 8 minutes

 Cat's Grace: +4 to DEX, Duration: 3 minutes

 Seeking Ray: +4 to hit Quinlan with rays: 8 rounds


Final Position: E21
This message was last edited by the player at 10:48, Fri 29 Mar 2013.

Are you sure you can hit Q with that spell? He is 75' up in the air.

In reply to DM Solo (msg # 44):

Crap, I didn't realize he was so high. My bad. I will edit as soon as I am on my comp, not my phone.