The Unforgiven (Phoenix City Chronicles)

The heroes had narrowly avoided or easily won countless forgettable battles since their ascent to the top of the tower began. Each level presented its own peril, and was like a world unto itself.



However, the next room was something truly unexpected; a great, dark forest bathed in autumn twilight. It would have been beautiful but for an eerie feeling in the air that set everyone on edge.



"I don't like it," Knuckles said what everyone was thinking.



"Sense the presence of evil, I most certainly do," Tal confirmed, his eyes briefly taking on an ethereal glow.



"Stay sharp, everybody," Zeaken drew his blade, keeping an eye out.

Moveing forward cautiously with her blades at the ready she says "Well whatever it is, best not just stand around and let it find us."

Vincent hears talking not too far away. His lips curl into a wicked smile. "Heh this should be fun..." He said to himself as he took to the shadows heading towards the source of the speaking.

~~~~~
Uses Stealth:
3 + 20 = 23
Uses Silence:
18 + 20 = 38
~~~~~

The member 'Vincent' has done the following action : Roll Dice:

'd20' : 3, 18

Cellus started awake with a gasp, looking around wildly and nearly tumbling out of Burk's arms. Finally realizing where she was, she wasted no time relaxing, "Wha-What happened? Where are all the others?" she asked, a frown of concern on her face.

"They already went in," Burk explained, "But we better wait back here."

Cellus frowned, managing to wriggle out of Burk's arms, landing lightly, if a bit unsteadily, on the ground. "Why on earth would we do that? Theres no point in staying here!" she said, placing her hands on her hips indignantly.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the forest, sinister presences looked on as the heroes marched through.

~~~~~~~
Knuckles resists Silence
~ 2 + Resistance 10 = 12 total (failed)

Knuckles resists Stealth
~ 11 + Resistance 10 = 21 total (failed)

Tal resists Silence
~ 2 + Resistance 18 + Awareness 4 = 24 total (Success!)

Tal resists Stealth
~ 1 + Resistance 18 + Awareness 4 = 23 total (Success!)

Zeaken resists Silence
~ 20 + Resistance 6 + Awareness 4 = 30 total (Success!)

Zeaken resists Stealth
~ 16 + Resistance 6 + Awareness 4 = 26 total (failed)
~~~~~~~

The member 'Narrator' has done the following action : Roll Dice:

'd20' : 2, 11, 2, 1, 20, 16

"I don't like this." she says warily as they press further into the 'forest'. Suddenly hearing an extra set of footsteps a short distance away "Um, Guys, we've got company." she sends to the group activateing her bracelet

~~~
Kylea resists Silence (Success)
Total 32 = 19 Roll + 9 Resistance + 4 Awareness

Kaylea resists Stealth (Failed)
Total 30 = 17 Roll + 9 Resistance + 4 Awareness
~~~

The member 'Kaylea' has done the following action : Roll Dice:

'd20' : 19, 17

'Ugh... I didn't think that would last long... It's now or never.' Vincent thought as he drew his bow... A dark energy flows into one of his arrows as he aims and fires at Kaylea!

~~~~~
Attacks using Bow and Arrow:
17 + 12 + 6 = 35
Combined with Death Attack:
18 + 20 = 38
~~~~~

The member 'Vincent' has done the following action : Roll Dice:

'd20' : 17, 18

"I hate to say it," Burk sighed as he looked to the tower from outside, "But we're out of our league here."



"I'm afraid so," Light nodded gravely, "It will take everything those brave warriors have to make it out alive with Mason and Tal in tow..."

Cellus gaped at the pair, "Have you two lost it?! If they're gonna have trouble, then why don't we go and help them!" she exclaimed, her tone bordering on anger.

As the arrow sailed toward Kaylea, giving away Vincent's position, Tal snapped his belt from his waist, attempting to use it to ensnare the arrow before it could reach its intended destination!



As Knuckles caught sight of her attacker, he ran forward, literally roaring as he got ready to pound Vincent into the dirt, "You son of a bitch!"

~~~~~~~
Tal deflects arrow with Enchanted Cloak
~ 17 + Defense 4 + Sixth Sense 9 = 30 total (Vincent must succeed at an additional Attack versus this total or arrow is negated)

Knuckles activates Flight (Turns Left = 11/11)

Knuckles attacks with Fists of Fury 1 (combines with Strong Attack; -2 Defense, +3 Attack (Eagle's Swoop))
~ 20 + Attack 12 + Fists of Fury 4 + Brass Knuckles 2 + Strong Attack 3 = 41 total

Knuckles attacks with Fists of Fury 2 (combines with Strong Attack; -2 Defense, +3 Attack (Eagle's Swoop))
~ 19 + Attack 12 + Fists of Fury 4 + Brass Knuckles 2 + Strong Attack 3 = 40 total

Knuckles attacks with Fists of Fury 3 (combines with Strong Attack; -2 Defense, +3 Attack (Eagle's Swoop))
~ 5 + Attack 12 + Fists of Fury 4 + Brass Knuckles 2 + Strong Attack 3 = 26 total

Knuckles attacks with Fists of Fury 4 (combines with Strong Attack; -2 Defense, +3 Attack (Eagle's Swoop))
~ 1 + Attack 12 + Fists of Fury 4 + Brass Knuckles 2 + Strong Attack 3 = 22 total
~~~~~~~

The member 'Narrator' has done the following action : Roll Dice:

'd20' : 17, 20, 19, 5, 1

Startled by the sudden actions around her she stands dumbfounded for a second before phaseing to the other side of their attacker and speeding up her own time frame,

~~~
Kaylea acitvates Shadow Jump and Animate Shadow
~~~

The only thing Vincent could mutter before getting pummeled was "Damit... Not again...". The fury of fists hits Vincent hard, sending him flying into the next tree, killing him.

~~~~~
Attack Reroll:
4 + 12 + 6 = 22 (Failed)

Defend against Knuckles
Fist 1:
10 + 10 + 2 + 1 = 23 (Failed)
-17 Hp (7/24)
Fist 2:
2 + 10 + 2 + 1 = 15 (Failed)
-25Hp (-18/24: Dead)
Fist 3:
16 + 10 + 2 + 1 = 19 (Failed)
-7Hp (-25/24: You can stop hitting me now =P)
Fist 4:
1 + 10 + 2 + 1 = 14 (Failed)
-8Hp (-33/24: Seriously now...)
~~~~~

The member 'Vincent' has done the following action : Roll Dice:

'd20' : 4, 10, 2, 16, 1

"I've seen what this place is boasting, and so have you," Burk looked away, clearly ashamed of himself, "If only I'd gotten stronger... if only I'd trained harder..."

For his part, Brother Light made no reply; he merely bit his lip and crossed his fingers.

Cellus gritted her teeth, advancing almost menacingly upon Burk, any impressive feat for a girl two feet shorter than her opponent. "Don't you dare get all self-pitying on me!" she practically growled, continuing to advance, jabbing an accusing finger into Burk's chest, "Who gives a shit how much you trained, doesn't matter squat if you don't even have the balls to try!" she shouted.

"Y-you're right!," Burk steeled his nerve, drawing his blade with a nod to Brother Light, "We'll hold off whatever's in there so you can get to Tal. Let's go!"

~~~~~~~



Meanwhile, Knuckles had the now lifeless Vincent in a deathgrip, ready to squeeze him in two, "Goddamnit Vincent, how did you go so wrong man! I trusted you and you shot her! You bastard!"



"Knuckles!," Tal called out with an echo to his voice, snapping his friend from his rage, "If revive him, I do, interrogate our erstwhile ally we may be able to. Able to save him from his madness, we may yet be!"

Still quivering with anger, Knuckles looked to the ground, nodding slowly, "Alright, but only if Kaylea's cool with it. He tried to kill her; it's only fair she decide his fate."

"Thanks for the consideration luv, but he's paid for that transgression. Besides more information is always a good idea." she says with a vague echo as she rejoins the standard timestream

"I guess so," Knuckles flushed at the pet name.



"Vincent," Tal's voice took on a distinct echo as he placed a hand to the vampire's chest, a brilliant light channeling into him, "We still remember, Vincent. Show us, won't you, that the hero who sacrificed himself to slay a demon, perished, has not?"

~~~~~~~
Tal uses Resurrection on Vincent
~~~~~~~