Indeed, we have a failure to communicate basic assumptions. But Viola isn't going to prevent one of her grogs from striking someone who just hurt him...and Viola suspects we're going to have to hurt her to make the point we want to make.
Scott
ooc: no harm. Let's see how she likes iron.
Despite the distraction and hindrance of sinking Lady Ghori is still just able to block the strike from Theodoric, neutralising his stab with her own spear's shaft. She adjusts to what appears to be a defensive stance and pauses .. and disappears, only to reappear a few paces further away the pathway. Rather than fear or concern she has an excited look across her elongated face, "drop the old man then her."
The blink places Lady Ghouri close to the edge of the largish muddy patch where the bear shaped fay was subsumed. Just after she does this Theodoric notices a swirl of dusty black ask momentarily rise form his heater shield, and he feels fatigued. The mud where the bear-sprite sunk is churning.
The red-fox disappears.
[hr][/hr]
Back to Constantine & Viola's actions.
Theodoric's shield is rendered to near ruin, so change its Defense adjustment from +3 to +1, and he was also targeted by a supernatural effect which induces an additional -1 fatigue penalty. I also mucked up the initiative order for some of the fae, but such is life.
Init order: Constantine 14, Viola 5, Smaller fae 4, Theodoric 3, Lady Ghouri 2,
Constantine will fly behind Viola and the grogs and do his Courtship Dance from there, where none of his party can see him.
As for Viola...other than try to cripple or kill the faerie with LLSM, I don't see anything she can do--and that's a one-shot weapon. Are there trees close to the path that she could manipulate?
Scott
The trees are certainly within range of everyone, as they are large enough to bend or overhang the path if nudged.
She's tempted to use Animae Magic, but it's possibly not a good idea to create new faeries in Lady Ghori's domain.
Assuming the aura is at least 4, she can manage a level 5 MuHe without sponting:
Mu 12 + He 6 +2 Sta + exaggerated gestures 1 + loud words 1 - Fatigue 1 = 21.
Changing a plant is base 3, add 1 for size to handle a tree (though not a huge one), +1 for range--is there an overhanging tree she can manage to touch with her quill and that happens to be leaning in the right direction? If so, she'll turn it to caramel momentarily, which should be long enough for it to fall over messily.
Does Viola's Faerie Lore give her any insight into the situation, especially what this faerie is after? She's obviously not just trying to kill, because she pulled her blow against Theodoric.
Faerie Lore 4 + 1 (specialization in faerie lords) +4 Int - Fatigue 1 + stress die 6 = 14
Scott
I like the idea of using a tree like that, so one happens to be ideally placed.
Viola has heard stories of Fae who draw their sustenance from the interactions of fear and combat, Lady Ghouri seems to exhibit behaviour that would scare a mortal (I've been trying to show her with a sadistic streak). TLDR: she's interested in ramping up the fear and energy of the confrontation, as that's where her energy comes from. If anyone dies quickly then she gets far less energy overall.
Are any of the smaller dae able to do anything or is it time for Theodoric?
I just realized that Innate Spontaneous Magic allows her to divide by 2 and roll a stress die without using Fatigue....So range Voice will work:
(Mu 12 + He 6 +2 Sta + exaggerated gestures 1 + loud words 1 - Fatigue 1 + stress die 6) / 2 = 13.5 + (Aura/2)
Weird Magic: 1
And she should probably roll Finesse:
Finesse 3 + 1 (specialization in precision) +2 Per + stress die 6 = 12
As soon as she's able, Viola will direct the grogs to attack one of Ghouri's sidekicks. She'll have to mull further measures....
Scott
How is the other grog, btw?
OOC: The other grog (Simon) is fine, he's been dazed and struck, but basically ok; note that he is primarily a non-combatant which is why he's been absent from the initiative order, but very happy for him to take some action if desired.
Constantine's use of Courtship Dance [a Dex 3 + Athletics 5 roll vs Ease Factor 3] + roll 3 = 11, pass. Costs another point of temp might (3x used total now).
The three minor fae Meadow (fox), Ghardouri (rabbit), Beshmu (songbird) try to resist using Sta + Conc + 6 (due to range, as per the power), + Minor fae rolls 3x: 5, 4, 2. Meadow is unaffected and characters are not sure where she is, but Ghardouri and Beshmu both are distracted by the wonderful colours. Lady Ghouri is unaffected.
Viola's spell drenches Lady Ghouri, so it's now Theodoric' action.
[hr][/hr]Init order: Constantine 14, Viola 5, Smaller fae 4, Theodoric 3, Lady Ghouri 2,
Theodoric worries that leaving Viola's side is a dangerous course of action, but he knows that his only chance at survival is following orders, so he moves to the closest of the minor fae (whoever that is) and stabs it.
Attack 10 -1 wound + 9 roll = 18
The duration is Mom, so the caramel sticking to Lady Ghouri will quickly revert to partially disorganized bits of tree.
Constantine will do the same thing again.
Viola will move to remain behind Theodoric, even as he changes target, and in any case she'll remain out of Ghouri's reach. Once she reaches the new position, she's going to pretend to faint.
Scott
Theodoric's lunge is textbook and Ghardouri tries to move aside but is far too late in reacting, and falls to the ground. Simon points to the edge of the swampy mud where a gruff haw-he-haw laugh is coming from; a small bear's head is poking through the mucky surface, laughing at Lady Ghouri's predicament. A broad toothy smile across the fae's face.
The laugh distracts Lady Ghouri, and she does not look pleased, the first time she has really looked angry.
Theodoric exceeds the rabbit's defense by 12, a brutal hit. She has a soak of +1 on a size -2 humaniod, assume is fallen by that strike (weapon dam 6 + 12 advantage -1 soak = 17, which 5x body levels; is incap).
Lady Ghouri reaches a hand away from the longspear and gestures at the laughing bear. A cold wind appears flowing toward the bear, who stops laughing immediately and stares aimlessly at he ground a few feet in front of itself. Ghouri is staring daggers at the bear.
Constantine again uses dancing distraction power although none of the active fae appear to be affected (the bear is transfixed, the fox has disappeared, and the rabbit is incap). Only Lady Ghouri and the Songbird remain.
Now Viola 's action.
[hr][/hr]
... forgot it was Lady Ghouri turn after Theodoric.
Which brings about Constantine again, using his power upon the fae again, with only Beshmu (songbird) really a useful target. The power is successfully triggered (-4 temp might now), and however the songbird resists the power (with a great stress roll result of 21+.
Init order: Constantine 14, Viola 5, Smaller fae 4, Theodoric 3, Lady Ghouri 2,
I'm a little hazy on where we are timewise--I know I said Viola was going to feign fainting, but if that hasn't happened yet, she's thinking better of it now, and not doing anything this round except keeping alert. Will Theodoric be able to strike the songbird next round?
Scott
That makes sense, and Theo can move to the songbird and strike pretty easily. It will mean he is away from the maga though.
No...the next time he gets a chance to strike, Viola will direct him against Ghouri.
How is she managing with the tree bits?
Scott
Theodoric sprints over to Lady Ghouri and attacks her with his weapon.
Attack 10 -1 wound +5 roll= 14
Sorry, didn't realise it was my turn!
The attack strikes true, with Lady Ghouri being distracted somewhat.
(Ooc: you have a +2 advantage, what’s the damage?)