The gift of ash

[Anastasia]

Another room. This one is devoid of molten platinum, but has a raised platform ahead. It rises up 10ft, a handful of steps leading up to it. Atop it floats a being of majesty and power. An archon of tome and throne hovers here, eyes closed. His armor is pristine and his features flawless. In one hand a greatsword is held, one that boils like the platinum that you have seen, and it bubbles as if liquid.

[Nephrite]

Well, they're certainly not asleep.

Moore will fly onward but stop a respectful distance away to wait to be acknolwedged.

[Anastasia]

Slowly the throne archon's eyes open. They are pure radiance, a sensation that would bowl a mere mortal over. For you it is nothing, not as you are now.

"Few pass this far into this ordeal," he intones, "I have waited here for more years than I can count. Tell me, have events moved so far that so many more now share in Celestia's rulership?"

[Nephrite]

"I would not presume to claim any authority over Celestia or have any rulership over it." Moore says with a small smile. "But the spirit of your question - yes, there are those who have risen to face the ongoing threats that exist within Creation. My name is Moore, this is Cresiel, and this is Kaja."

[Anastasia]

"I have long been nurtured by the energies of the Holy Mountain, with but one purpose: To challenge any who make it this far. I am the Sword of Tempering."

This statement gets Cresiel to nod, "A worthy and holy purpose. You have not once flickered in your duties."

"Those who come past me are strengthened by the ordeal," The throne archon concurs now, "Will you face me and be tested?"

[Nephrite]

"It wouldn't be right to turn down a challenge from the Mountain itself. We accept." Moore says.

[Anastasia]

The blade of boiling metal is raised high, "For ages I have grown in the power of this Mountain and been baptized in the light from above. I shall not fall, even to a god!"

Init.

[Nephrite]

Confident!

[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+54 : 9 + 54, total 63[/blockquote] Moore
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+39 : 12 + 39, total 51[/blockquote] Cresiel
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+36 : 12 + 36, total 48[/blockquote] Kaja

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+30 he's actually quite respectable, your init is just bullshit
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 37 > [d20=7]

Init is Moore (63) > Cresiel (51) >Kaja (48) > Sword of Tempering (37)

Go.

[Nephrite]

I suggest we stay defensive until we have an idea as to what they're capable of, but please use your own judgement. He says to his friends.

For now, he will do just that and increase everyone's defenses!

Harmonize is still active, so he can do two bardic musics.

Inspire Heroics - +18 morale bonus to saves and +18 dodge to AC

Inspire Excellence - +16 competence bonus to Charisma for everyone. This should increase various saves / ACs by +8.

He'll use a swift action for Inspirational Boost for his next turn.

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+82 (+2 charge, +22 Moore)
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 85 > [d20=3]

A blur.

The icy blade of Frozen Oath clashes with the boiling blade of the throne archon.

Cresiel's charge is met by the archon, the two locked in a moment of struggle. Ice forms on Frozen Oath as steam rises from the archon's sword, before with a shove Cresiel is pushed back.

No sign of being surprised or flatfooted - just raw, inhuman reaction speed.

Go Kaja.

[Nephrite]

That isn't defensive at all, Cresiel!! Moore thinks inwardly.

Nonetheless, a nod to Kaja as he leaps in, seemingly to test the same waters as Cresiel is!

Spring Attack, he's going to move so he's flanking first.

[13:02] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+72+22+2 testing the waters (+22 Moore, +2 flanking)
[13:02] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 112 > [d20=16]
[13:03] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+72+22+2+18 testing the waters (+22 Moore, +2 flanking) crit?
[13:03] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 127 > [d20=13]

I am leaving the bonus +18 - Moore's Destined Strike gives his Charisma modifier as a crit confirm bonus, but he's gained +8 Charisma since then, but not recast the song, so I am using the old value.

[13:04] <Nephrite> roll 1#4d6+212+22
[13:04] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 248 > (assuming this was a crit)

He will move 5 feet away from the archon, but still be opposite of Cresiel.

[Anastasia]

Two Ref saves.

[Nephrite]

[13:27] <Nephrite> roll 2#1d20+59
[13:27] <Penuche> Nephrite invokes Penuche's magic: < 62, 62 >

[Anastasia]

Kaja slashes his back - and draws blood along his wings. He manages to land a blow as bursts of boiling platinum come from within him. Fast as lightning, Kaja avoids these as  that boiling sword is held up - and from it sphere of molten platinum come, firing at all of you.

> roll 3#1d20+57 touch AC Moore
> roll 3#1d20+57 touch AC Cresiel
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 58, 66, 65 >
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 74, 73, 71 >
> roll 3#1d20+57 touch AC Kaja
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 72, 75, 77 >
> roll 1d20+57 Kaja crit confirm
<Penuche> Kotono invokes Penuche's magic: < 73 > [d20=16]

Touch ACs?