Battle between Talonrel and Sylvia.
Talonrel Windrunner's fast-moving Elven forces cut through the heavy and dense plains (F6) into Starhold. The layout having been once scouted before, has grown and expanded significant since that moment.
Thankfully, the sentries sound their warning bells at the impending assault just in time for Sylvia's forces to mount-up on their phantom-like steeds, though not with enough time to benefit from the true lancing formation that Sylvia so-often enjoyed.
Mystic words were shouted and rang-out across the sky like a thunderclap. Soon arcs of lightning, and torrents of purple flame left across soon-to-be-charred battleground.
Holding a massive, yet surprisingly light stone carved into the shape a shield, bearing an eye in its center like some ancient heraldry, Talonrel Windrunner bellows out a mighty syllable. Almost immediately a flood of green emanates across his forces, covering his army in a hue warding off even the wind.
Likewise, Sylvia Starhelm hoists a banner bearing the sigil of humanity on its face, presenting it forward Sylvia lets out a magnificent speech of freedom and righteous fury as a sheen of grey ignites across her forces; leading them onward to victory.
Sylvia and Gabriel begin a heavy series of chants, waving their hands as they turn to face their own forces; soon wild, lizard-like tails sprout from a Unit of Orcs and a massive Ogre. Seemingly growing from their bodies, the tails in-turn sprout massive weapons and shields.
As Gabriel finishes his chant, the horses physical state seems to partially fade-out, as a massive gust of wind surges the Army forward. For a few blinks you can scarcely tell if the troops are running on air or riding mounts.
Talonrel, not to be outdone, snickers and licks two fingers, raising them; it seems as if the very wind turns course and lets loose a slew of arrows, though not a single bow twangs.
Randolf, donning his massive helm, crowned in the wings of a valkyrie, steps forward and slams his shield into the ground, "My faith is my shield! May the tempest guide me!"
Soon, a massive aegis appears in front of the army, golden and resplendent - you can feel the hearts of Talonrel's forces lift as their very skin turns to hardened steel.
Scarcely visible, small dots appear on the eyes of the Forest's Shadow, the Unit buffered in cloaks of midnight sharpen the flint of their bows one last time as their fleet maneuvers make a wide circle around the encampment.
Kubub waves a hand before himself, "Talonrel, the blows of your troops shall not land unaided!" He preps a heavy fireball, ready for the first blows to be struck.
The Whirlwinds laugh haughtily, as if to begin a competition with the Forest's Shadow,
"You think you're fast? Watch this! Or better yet, watch the blood flow!" Soon, they dart-off, even faster than the horses of Sylvia's forces; Talonrel's Whirlwinds take charge in the front of the back, waxing and waning between bow and blade as they twirl like a dancing dervish into the fray.
The remainder of the troops go through their pre-battle meditations, though they have little time as the lines soon come to a close.
OOC Information:
Pre-Combat:
Leaders, Extras, and Skills added into Unit totals
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Artifact Effects:
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- Earth Lord's Vigil takes effect.
- Human Banner takes effect.
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Usurpation-Wide Abilities:
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Mystic Tail (Tier 4) takes effect:
- Target: SteelGut
- Target: 3 Tusks
Windriders (Tier 4) takes effect:
- Sylvia Mounted Units gain bonuses
Third-Eye (Tier 4) takes effect:
- Sylvia's spells are stronger.
Quiet Shot (Tier 2) takes effect:
- Talonrel confirmed has at least 1 Ranged Weapon equipped onto a Unit.
- gains Tactics[+2]
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Special Abilities:
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Shield of Faith (Randolf: Tier4) takes effect.
- All Sylvia forces lose 1 rank of Aggressor.
- All those without at least Aggressor[5] lose Pernicious for combat.
- - Pernulent wouldn't normally be affected, however; the triggering ability is
an equal (Tier 4) effect - so Pernulent loses Pernicious!
Perceptive (Tier 2) takes effect and Deep Recon (Tier 2) takes effect.
- Forest's Shadow gains massive Offense Bonus.
Kubub (Tier 1) takes effect.
- Effect goes into reserve until a hit is dealt.
Artful Dodge (Tier 1) takes effect.
- "C" speed already reflected in Whirlwinds stat block.
Impossibly Tough (Tier 1) takes effect.
- was not countered by an artifact.
Ride the Wind (Tier 1) takes effect.
OakenBrute (Tier 1) takes effect.
Undaunted Stand (Tier 1) does NOT take effect.
- Sylvia outnumbers Talonrel
Marbled Wall (Tier 1) takes effect.
- Marbled Stalwarts are even more defensive.
Talonrel Phoenix Guardians Damage Reduction takes effect.
Sylvia Phoenix Guardians Damage Reduction takes effect.
Joachim and Gabriel both raise their hands before the targets can be called for the archers, almost as if trained by the same magicians, mirrored words echo across the battlefield, "Dance skulls of death! Dance and suck the life of all you see!"
No sooner do they let their soul-sucking magics fly that new weapons appear in the hands of Sylvia's Orcs, and somehow the Brutish SteelGut Ogre seems even stronger than before!
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Spells:
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Leaders go first:
Joachim Hammerfell Casts Mind Leech (-10% Penalty)
Simultaneous with
Gabriel Gulbrander Casts Mind Leech (-21% Penalty)
Simultaneous with
Gabriel Gulbrander Casts Armament
Simultaneous with
Sylvia Starhelm casts Fervor (+1 due to Third-Eye)
3 Tusks, the hardy Orcs stand firm against the onslaught of Talonrel's Mind Leech spell. "That all you got you sniveling Elf?!" Turning back to Sylvia, "No offense boss, we mean that Elf!"
Clanging heavy blades against their shields they cry out for more, "bring it on, your magics are useless!"
As the searing pain of Gabriel's spells lob their way into the Marbled Stalwarts, they stagger for a moment; steeling their minds against the torrent of screams and hatred. They shake off the effects and once-more find their ground. Spitting, "Your magics are weak for an Orc. Let us show you the real power- that comes from the swing of sword and hammer!"
3 Tusks
Mor: 209 - Absolute Success - Pass
Marbled Stalwarts
Mor: 70 - Partial Success
Shaken[1]!
Randolf raises his shield, the dirt falling at his feet, and lets out a resounding shout, "Let not fear rest upon your breasts. Your hearts are the strength that wields your physical form- let not your weary muscles fall to the tide of this menace!"
Fizzbang and Pernulent, ever-eager to showcase their magisterial talents let fly with new spells - causing even more weapons to appear in the hands of Sylvia's forces and yet another volley of screaming skulls.
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Spells:
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Extras are next:
Randolf (Tier 4) casts Napoleon:
- All friendly forces gain +10 Morale and +10 Loyalty
Simultaneous with
Fizzbang (Tier 4) casts Armament
Simultaneous with
Pernulent who casts Mind Leech
- Targets Mind Leech (-15 % Penalty)
Sneering as the second wave of skulls hone-in, the Marbled Stalwarts are ready - fortified by the simultaneous augmentation of Randolf's Napoleon spell, they laugh uproariously at the attempt.
Marbled Stalwarts
Mor: 161 - Absolute Success - Pass
Having consulted every map, dozens of strategy books including, "Brannigan's Big Book 'o War," Talonrel redirects parts of his forces through a series of gullies and ravines to surprise Sylvia's overly hasty Army.
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IER:
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Tactics
Talonrel: Tactics[14]+10%
Sylvia: Tactics[3]+
Talonrel vs Sylvia
152 vs 26
Talonrel Wins!
- Talonrel wins with a +100 diff
Talonrel gains +30 Off during the Ranged Rounds and 1st Round of Melee
Outmaneuver
Talonrel: Outmaneuver[13]
Sylvia: Outmaneuver[8]
Talonrel vs Sylvia
81 vs 64
Talonrel Wins!
- Talonrel gains +1 Round of Ranged Combat.
Diamond Scales sticks a small piece of flint into his mouth and begins chomping with a fervor. Huffing and puffing, the glands on his neck begin to swell and he lets-out a gout of flame towards Talonrel's forces.
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RANGED COMBAT
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Pre-Ranged Effects:
Minor Breath (Diamond Scales): Check at -15 Morale to ALL Enemy Units.
Order of Sato
Mor: 83 - Pass
RotSA
Mor: 71 - Partial Success
Shaken[1]
Forest's Shadow
Mor: 133 - Complete Success - Pass
Wary Wayfarers
Mor: 134 - Complete Success - Pass
Marbled Stalwarts
Mor: 94 - Success - Pass
Whirlwinds
Mor: 155 - Complete Success - Pass
Phoenix Guardians
Mor: 77 - Success - Pass
Marbled Stalwarts activate Warder
Auto Success each time (141% chance of success)
- ALL Sylvia's forces must target Marbled Stalwarts.
- All further hostile single-target effects must be applied against the Marbled Stalwarts.
Talonrel Phoenix Guardians activate Warder
Auto Success each time (101% chance of success)
- If the Marbled Stalwarts are negated in any way...
- - ALL Sylvia's forces must target Marbled Stalwarts.
- - All further hostile single-target effects must be applied against the Phoenix Guardians.
3 Tusks activate Warder
88% chance of success per Unit.
- vs Order of Sato 85: Success
- vs RotSA 60: Success
- vs Forest's Shadow 22: Success
- vs Wary Wayfarers 70: Success
- vs Marbled Stalwarts 70: Success
- vs Whirlwinds 56: Success
- vs Phoenix Guardians 17: Success
- All of Talonrel's Units must Target 3 Tusks.
- All further hostile single-target effects must be applied against 3 Tusks.
Sylvia Phoenix Guardians activate Warder
68% chance of success per Unit.
- vs Order of Sato 14: Success
- vs RotSA 56: Success
- vs Forest's Shadow 16: Success
- vs Wary Wayfarers 5: Success
- vs Marbled Stalwarts 4: Success
- vs Whirlwinds 17: Success
- vs Phoenix Guardians 95: Failure
- If the 3 Tusks are negated in any way...
- - ALL Talonrels's forces must target Phoenix Guardians. [Except Talonrel Phoenix Guardians.]
- - All further hostile single-target effects must be applied against the Phoenix Guardians. [Except Talonrel Phoenix Guardians.]