Fairy waltz

[Nephrite]

'Let's get out of here if we can.' Moore says to the others - trying to go back the way they came - though he's curious if the destruction will chase them indefinitely.

[Anastasia]

You flee.

!!!

Even as you feel the pull of the wind as you do, miles melting away? She floats there. She is beautiful beyond all words, beyond all meaning. Long, straight black hair and only gauzy, wispy silken scarves worn over her body. Radiant without a speck of light, beautiful without a hint of warmth.

Did you think you'd be able to escape so easily, Moore? I'm here to escort the three of you to eternity.

Before you, 200ft away and unbothered by the cataclysmic winds that howl behind your backs, is an avatar of Shar. Amid the maelstrom of winds that howl, the shadows dance and cavort into looming, leering shapes. From those shadows, carried by shadows who kneel before her, even as they are torn apart by the winds, are two short swords. Swords that are as black as the nothingness of the sleep of death, taken by Shar.

Anurel, Enurel. Look at them and understand, Moore.

[Nephrite]

I'll pass on being escorted anywhere by you, thank you. He says.

Still, weren't those the weapons she forged? Well, this isn't good at all either way. Maybe he can buy some time... For now, he reaches out to Erathaol.

Lord Erathaol, we've run into an avatar of Shar. If you're able to facilitate my allies getting here, I would appreciate it.

He shakes his head and sighs.

Fine, I'll indulge you. I already destroyed your other creature, don't you at least owe me some amusing retort about what you've done with Mask? Or are you going to claim that he's willingly become subservient to you and has lost all hope? He looks towards the weapons - he knows what they are, he was told about them already, but if she wants to spend time flaunting then he'll certainly take it.

[Anastasia]

Wisdom check.

[Nephrite]

[12:04] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+7+16
[12:04] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+7+16 --> [ 1d20=13 ]{36}

[Anastasia]

Those blades hurt you to look at. They offend you. They have to be destroyed. You know that in your bones.

As you realize that Shar's expression twists into a sadistic smile, before - !

Init.

[Nephrite]

Everyone gets +26 to their rolls.

[12:26] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+64 Moore
[12:26] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+64 Moore --> [ 1d20=15 ]{79}
[12:27] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+18+26 Kaja
[12:27] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+18+26 Kaja --> [ 1d20=13 ]{57}

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20+63 Sylvie init
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20+63 Sylvie init --> [ 1d20=6 ]{69}

Init is Shar (...???) > Moore (79) > Sylvie (69) > Kaja (57)

Go Moore. Shar isn't doing anything that you can discern.

[Nephrite]

'We have two options - run or fight. It's an avatar, so she's weaker, but I can't tell if those are the real weapons of hers or just the false copies that avatars get. I can try and destroy them with a few tricks, but we have no guarantee about it - or even if we can get away. What do you two think?'

Do I get the impression or sense that my communication to Erathaol was successful or was it interdicted?

[Anastasia]

'I understand.' Is Erathaol's reply to you.

'Fight and try and break through,' Is Kaja's answer, right away.

[Nephrite]

'Whatever you do, try to avoid being hit. I am going to see if I can weaken her somewhat... and further bolster us. I'd suggest we just spread out for now. She's going to target me first, I'm sure - maybe use that to your advantage.' He says to the others. 'If we see an opening to run, do it.'

With that in mind... he focuses. He has the power of fate, of destiny at his hands, he can use it, and he will.

Melody of Misfortune (Su): This ability functions as Fated Failure, except it also targets all foes within 30 ft of the Fatesinger that he is aware of. Additionally, the main target of the Melody does not receive a Will save as with Fated Failure as the power of the melody focuses mostly on that foe.

This ability inflicts a -5 penalty on all attack, skills and ability checks. She may of course have something that defies this, but he'll use it just in case.

He's also going to use his move action to Inspire Excellence - everyone gets +16 competence bonus to Constitution. If we're going to fight, we're going to fight. Of course, now I have to do math, so let me see...

+16 competence to Constitution ends up being a +8 modifier to everyone's total Constitution, so that's... I believe everyone gains 288 Hit points, does that sound right?

[Anastasia]

You begin to work and Shar's lips move. A song. A song of profound loss, of desolation and ruin. It is sung in words you have never heard before and yet it is hauntingly beautiful.

You're allowed a divine rank check to resist this.

[Nephrite]

[14:19] <Nephrite> roll 1d20+1 let's hope!
[14:19] <Kobot> Nephrite rolled 1d20+1 let's hope! --> [ 1d20=20 ]{21}

Can't hope for much more than that!!!

[Anastasia]

> roll 1d20 moot
<Kobot> Kotono rolled 1d20 moot --> [ 1d20=18 ]{18}

Very lucky.

Her song makes your bardic music and the very hope behind it waver. It's a sickening sensation, like all of your music is unstable and shaky as jelly.

You feel your resolve flicker for a terrible moment.

Rest. No more, Moore. Rest.

Your eyes drift shut. The song is so beautiful. Why were you ever concerned about this? Oblivion is nothing to fear. You feel her hand, cold as death, on your back. You can sleep now.

...

...

The words that come forth are like light, so bright that they illuminate Hades all around you. As if the sun rose to its high zenith, everything illuminated. They come from your mouth, a rejection. A rejection of what Shar said. Your bardic music stabilizes as your vision clears, your divine will radiant around you. Light everywhere, the song rejected.

Shar is before you. Unlike before she now wears a white porcelain mask over her face. It is smooth and without features, save for beautiful purple eyes drawn on it. Her hand is on your back, but somehow you resist. The avatar is pushed back from it, back where it began in the blink of an eye.

"Then the bloody way," Shar brandishes her swords, voice low and dangerous, the song no longer heard.

Chance to react, then I'll do the rest of the boost updating and their turns.

[Nephrite]

"I reject everything about you, Shar." Moore says.

He needs to say nothing else - they will win, they will stop her.

Because there is always hope.