Teiresias smirks, and turns his head towards the civilian he helped to protect. "Stay here, citizen. We shall rid your village of these pest soon enough." He spots Maya almost effortlessly making her way past the ratfolk, who seem annoyed with their inability to hit the woman. Teiresias loosens his grip on his hammer, letting go with his right hand, and letting his left slip until the head was next to his fist. He moves towards the ratmen, slowly at first, then picking up speed. "Now, now, gentlemen," he says sarcastically, "You've got bigger problems on your hands than our Amazon." As he approaches the monsters, he opens his arms wide. I've always wanted to try something like this. Teiresias adjusts his body ever so slightly, aiming to put his arms across the necks of the two nearest Ratfolk, clothesline style

As she darts forward past the ratfolk, Maya whirls around and throws her javelin point blank into whichever is closest before continuing onward to aid Karie.

Action: Point Blank @ one of the Ratfolk she just passed.
Move: To get up to the same building (and level, if possible) as Karie and the Ratmaster

Brand strikes at his opponent.

Attack: 57
Balance: 30

The rat stumbles forward into Brand's strike

Defense: 12

And promptly breaks apart at the next hit.

The other rat hisses and charges at Brand, who has turned to face it.

Attack: 42
Prepared Defense: 76(66 +10 for prepared counter)

He knocks its arm wide, and it spins, disoriented

Kai decides to try the age old game of rat tossing. There probably was SOME place that had that game, so it was age old somewhere....

Strength check: 97

The rat is flung into the second with such force that both are knocked prone.

Clarence, taking his cue, fires a bolt of Flame.

Flame Arrow:82
First Rat's Defense: 5

The first rat vanishes before the flame, which continues through to the poor second, who had been landed on.

Second Defense: 48

Unprepared and unwarned, it vanishes as well, the two explosions of light almost simultaneous.

There are no further rats around Kai and Clarence, but the sounds of conflict are still all around.


The choking smoke begins to pool around the roof of the town hall.

Karie: 54
Ratmaster: 90

Neither of the combatants facing off seem to notice.

Karie pops the window with her finger, and a small, incomplete stat block pops up.

RatMaster: Level 2 ???
HP: 295/300
STR: ??
STA: B+
MAG: ??
AGI: ??
WIL: ??
Stunned Arm

Skills: ???
Items: Tribal Staff of Plague(Poison Effect. Twice Use blast Effect)

Smaller text, if she bothers to read it, reports. "Enemy Scan can be used to learn important information about enemies, their skills and abilities, and what they carry. Train it by calling upon it whenever you can!" A +10 pops next to it for a second.
(gained Enemy Scan Ability: 10)

Ever fast, Karie takes the initiative. Closing with the rat again, she twirls, a pirouetting single revolution accompanied by a flash from her red sword.

Spinning Strike: 67
RatMaster's Block: 30

The red slash along the side of the large rat tells the tale of the blow's effectiveness. Its meter drops about 30 percent. With a hiss, it raises it's staff, which glows a dark purple, and swings it diagonally.

Big Swing: 79
Defense: 70

Karie absorbs the blow with her sword block, which does no damage, but flings her backwards.

Balance: 35

And off the roof. She lands in a heap, managing to absorb the impact, but dazed. Her HP drops by another 10 percent. A loud thump behind her indicates that the Rat boss has followed her.

Maya spins and heaves her weapon with all her might.

Point Blank Shot: 52
Rat Defense: 7

It shoots through the rat like water, who vanishes. The spear reappears in her hand as she turns and reaches the spectacle of a fallen swordswoman and the large rat leader who have fallen/jumped from the roof.

The rats behind her will reach in a moment. However, their charge is interrupted by a massive figure s lamming into them.

CLOTHESLINE!(-10 for untrained): 61 (skill check: 80. Gained Unarmed Strike: 5)
Rat Defenses: 5, 21

Two of the rats are slammed to the ground, half their HP bars depleting from the sudden blow. The third turns and charges Teiresias.

Attack: 60
Defense:71

And misses entirely, ending up behind him.

The rats have changed their behavior. Except for the three that have engaged the blacksmith, and Brand's remaining foe,the others appear to have stopped their running routines, and are closing in on the center, where Maya and Karie are facing the rat's leader, and Teiresias nearby. Clarence and Kai can see it happening, being near the edge of the main square.In twos, they come from every direction, still more than half their original numbers, apparently to encircle those who would attack the head. Brand is further away, and will only see this if he turns to look.

And then everything pauses for a second. A chime echoes through the air. "Patch 1.00.12 has been released. Stiffness in player response time has been addressed. Issue with unexpected spawning in tutorial reported fixed."

Everything feels just a bit smoother and quicker when the world returns.

OOC: Ok, so ive loved the combat so far, except for one thing. Its too slow, too stiff. Because of that, we are now implementing a CHANGE.

COMBAT ROUND
You now get 4 actions. A movement is one action. A defense or an attack is one action. A Technique, however, is two actions. Spend them however you wish.

Ratmen x 3:Drawing to the center
Ratthug x 0
Ratfolk x 11: 2 Teriesias.(50% health) 6 drawing towards the center
RatMaster x 1: Fighting Karie (295/300

Kai: 75/100
Ground Strike: 2 CD
Spinning: 1 CD

Karie: 75/100
Iai: 1 CD
Crippling: 1 CD
Spinning: 2 CD

Brand: 80/100
Light Dash: 4 CD

Clarence: 100/100
Fire Wave: 1 CD
Fire Arrow: 1 CD

Maya: 100/100
Flowing Dodge (5 turn duration)7 CD
Long Shot 1 CD
Point Blank: 2 CD

Teiresias: 100/100

As Maya closes in, she gives one last, carefully aimed throw at the Ratmaster before charging in, relying on her throw to return just in time for her to stab the spear into the Ratmaster again.

1-2. Aimed Blow (Technique)
2. Move (Charge at Ratmaster)
3. Attack Ratmaster with Spear

As the rat stumbles, Brand drives his other arm hard into its side, sending a pulse of light magic through it to eliminate the monster once and for all. He then turns to see how the others are faring, and once he sees the attacking rodents, he delivers another blow to his opponent (if necessary), then charges into the fray, sending light radiating through his shoulder as he slams into one of his enemies. Hopefully, this is enough to draw the other rats to him, and so he centers himself to send the next rats off-balance or to the ground.

1: Non-Technique Light Magic Strike
2: Non-Technique Light Magic Strike OR Move
3: Move OR Non-Technique Light Magic Strike
4: Non-Technique Light Magic Strike OR Center Self (Prepare to Counter)

"My Fire Wave says it'll be back next turn." states Clarence, firing off a Flame Spark at a random ratling. "Do you have any ideas for how to get all these guys in one spot?"

He hurries forward as he speaks, towards the city centre.

Actions:

1&2: Flame Spark
3&4: Double move towards city centre

"Nice shot Clarence!!" Kai moves to hi-five the toasty mage, grinning "And honestly... 'Hey, everyone, I'm Clarence, I can do fire magic. And I can walk!' - being so happy to run around and everything..." Kai winks, "It's obvious friend! I've faced off against someone like you before in tournaments, who knows! You might be him!"

Kai takes a look around, seeing the rats converging towards the boss battle. Kai takes one, two moments... "I think they're going to take care of that for us Sparky..." and is off. Kai charges towards the Rat mage, drawing close to Terisas' battle and swinging low and wide, attempting to hamstring the Rats he's fighting as Kai runs by.

Not missing a beat, One runs as fast as One's legs will carry Kai's short stocky body directly at the Rat Master, leaping into the air. Kai spins The Halberd and brings it down hard, aiming directly for the wrist the Rat Master is holding it's staff with.


1 - Movement: Run for the center
2 - Action: Hamstring 2 Rats
3 - Movement: Dash at the Rat Master
4 - Action: Attempt to disarm (HAH!) the Rat Master

Karie lies motionless for a moment before springing up to look for the rat master. Seeing both Maya and Kai rushing to assist, she snarls "I don't recall asking for help!" before making a full out attack at the rat master; a slash with her black sword, a slash with her red sword, and a slash crossing the two blades.

1. Attack w/ black sword @ Ratmaster
2. Attack w/ red sword @ Ratmaster
3-4. Cross slash @ Ratmaster

Teiresias smiles and lets off a hearty laugh at the success of his actions. "WONDERFUL! Wasn't entirely sure that would work, but this is going to be truly a fun experience!" As the rat Teiresias missed passes behind him, Teiresias' grin widens, and he turns around, bring the hammer back to normal position in his hand, and bring it up to the ratfolk's chin in an uppercut. Before the monster has even begun to return to the ground, Teiresias puts his other hand back on the hammer, takes a step forward, and swings it like a bat, attempting to launch the rat towards some of the newly arriving, charging beasts. "Seems they're just crawling out of the woodwork!" Teiresias says with a smile as Kai passes by. "Won't be too much longer now. We'll have to save the dwarf-tossing for another battle, my friend." With that, Teiresias turns back to the two rats he had knocked down. "You taught me something valuable." He says almost quietly to his opponents. "Never underestimate the human mind." And with that, he raises his foot, and brings it down on one of the rat's heads, before turning and bringing the hammer down on the other. He brushes his apron off for a moment, then turns back to the charging rats. He raises his arms up high in the air and smiles. "Combat me, bretheren!"

1. Action: Uppercut rat (behind Teiresias) with hammer
2. Action: Horizontal swing at rat (same as 1.) with hammer, towards approaching group
3. Action: Stomp on felled rat's head
4. Action: Hammer blow to other felled rat's head.

Maya, still on the move, goes first. She fires directly at the RatMaster.

Aimed Shot: 30
Defense: 21

The Ratmaster gets his injured arm in the way, and it takes a glancing blow. His hp, identified for the party by Karie's info, ticks off thirty points.

Moving quickly, spear reappearing in her hand in a flash of light, Maya strikes again.

Attack: 34
Defense: 77

It easily avoids the wild stab, and Maya takes a few steps off balance before regaining her footing.

Brand strikes at his offbalance opponent with a glowing hand.

Attack: 54
Defense(-20 for thrown off):18

The last of his foes dies after the odd sensation of his hand piercing through its virtual skin. He then charges to break the ring. Unfortunately, from his angle, there is a total of 4 rats, 3 wielding spears and one a club. He slams into the club wielder with a shoulder charge, the end of his Light Dash supporting him.

Attack(+5): 51
Defense: 72

Unfortunately, the rat rolls with the strike, and Brand flips over him, landing on the inside of the ring. The two spear users closest charge, as Brand centers himself to attempt to counter.

Attack: 64, 34
Counter Attempt: 23, 69

Unfortunately, the first rat's spear strikes him in the side, taking off a bite of his health(-15). However, he is able to jam his elbow into the second rat mid-stride, cutting off about 60 percent of its health and knocking it prone.

Clarence flicks the trademark splinter of red at the rat in front of him.

Flame Spark: 36
Defense: 94

However this time, the blast of flame is dispersed, the rat seemingly unhurt by it, though its hp drops ever so slightly. He arrives at the enemy line to find them waiting for him.


OOC: two creatures? one normal attack action? I dont think so.

Fortunately for Clarence, Kai boldly dashes between the two rats, drawing their attention.

Attacks: 55, 79
Defense: 42, 87

The first attack nicks Kai, causing no appreciable difference in health. The second is easily stopped by the heavy armor. Kai then charges Teiresias' battle, striking at the leg of one of the two opponents.

Attack: 68
Defense(-5 flanking): 47

The slash bites deep into it's leg, taking off half of the remaining health, dropping it to a quarter, and knocking it back. Then with one last wild charge, the Lance charges at the Master, weapon spinning in a single overhead strike.

Attack: 90
Defense: 48

Aiming at the arm, the attack hits heavily. The non vital zone reduces the damage, only cutting about 45 more off its health, but it does, in fact, force the already wounded hand to release the staff. Now the rat awkwardly carries it in what appears to be its weaker arm.

(Effect: Staff Attack -20)

Karie takes the opportunity to launch into a dazzling combo of red and black.

Two Attack(+5 for combo striking): 97, 55
Cross Slash: 37
Defense: 30 overall.

Unable to take the strikes coming from all angles, the rat is heavily wounded, the three strikes cutting a V followed by a simultaneous pair of horizontal lines. Its health drops by a solid 120 points.

With an enraged roar, it again swings at Karie.

Attack(-20): 41
Defense: 17

Karie is knocked back by the staff, taking 10 percent damage.

Resistance: 68

Another [Resistance Successful] message flashes before her. However, the RatMaster, having reached 100 remaining life, does something completely different next. With a massive backwards leap, it lands about 10 feet back, near a couple of its subordinates. It then reaches out and grabs the much smaller rat behind it, and takes a bite out of it. The smaller one vanishes immediately, and the Master's health regains 33 points. Also, it seems slightly larger than before. Kai's Scan window starts to beep again, apparently with new information added.

Teiresias swipes at the rat that had been missed by both him and Kai, that had been moving to join ranks with the other.

Attack: 72
Defense: 59

With a crack, it stumbles back, health cut by a third. But the blacksmith continues the attack.

Uppercut: 74
Defense: 88

This time the rat gets its hands under it, and pushes back from the sideways swinging hammer, avoiding further damage but stumbling back. Ignoring the engaging battle, it moves towards the line, away from any of the remaining fighters at this moment.

Teiresias then moves to strike down the confused and downed foes.

Follow up;88, 24

The first one vanishes without resistance, having been softened up by Kai, the second, however, recovers, and also moves out of the way, joining up near Brand.

OOC: I hope not to regularly do this, but i figured since positioning at this moment may be important, lets look at the map. I think everyone is clear enough in identity.


(no real scale, but the area of engagement is about 60 feet in diameter)

The remaining rats, mostly carrying spears, take aim. Their sticks glow in a way that Maya will already find familiar.

Attack x6(need at least 50 to hope to connect): 12,77,7,52,58,30 (3)
Defenses: Brand: 92, 86. Teiresias: 69

Brand knocks two spears away from him, and Teiresias barely avoids a third, the others miss entirely, to reappear in the hands of the rats. They close ranks a bit tighter, ready to move.

OOC: anyone who did so, dont use the term Rounds or turns in this. it isnt an in game concept, its a system one. Cooldown is represented by an amount of time that equals that.


Ratmen x 2:Drawing to the center
Ratthug x 0
Ratfolk x 9: 9 drawing towards the center, 2 damaged
RatMaster x 1: 133/300

Kai: 74/100
Ground Strike:1 CD

Karie: 65/100
Spinning: 1 CD
Cross: 2 CD

Brand: 65/100
Light Dash: 3 CD

Clarence: 100/100
Flame Spark: 1CD

Maya: 100/100
Flowing Dodge (4 turn duration)6 CD
Aimed Shot: 4 CD
Point Blank: 1 CD

Teiresias: 100/100

"They can do that? I didn't know they could do that!"

Clarence fires off a Flame Arrow at the closest rat-thing. He pages through the menu again, and taps an option; both ends of his staff suddenly erupt in flame. There's really not that much flame, but it is there. He hits the nearby rats, first with one end of the staff and then with the other.

Actions:

1&2: Flame Arrow at nearest surviving rat-thing
3: Flame Touch on nearest surviving rat-thing
4: Flame Touch on nearest surviving rat-thing

Brand streaks into the rat which stabbed at him, moving in low to deliver a blazing white sweep to its legs. He then lifts up, delivering a hard slam to the center of the next rat's chest, aiming to knock it into the one immediately behind it. Finally, he follows up with a lunging open-palm strike to the disoriented rat before it can recover from being struck by either the disintegrating or wounded body of its comrade.

1: Move
2: Attack leftmost rat on lowest row.
3: Attack middle rat on lowest row.
4: Attack rightmost rat on lowest row.

OOC - I'm assuming when you say "Kai's scan window beeps again" you mean Karie. Mine has yet to beep, I don't even know if I have one.

Kai beams at Karie, "Nice shot! And that's the wonderful thing about being a team Karie! You don't have to ask for help to get it!" Kai turns towards the Rat Master and watches it take a bite out of another rat. "Clever Mickey... very clever." One shouts as loud as the game allows, "KILL OFF ALL THE ADDS! IT'LL JUST KEEP HEALING OFF THEM!"

Rocking on the balls of one's feet, "Let's see if I can't stop that nasty bite..." Kai dashes forward, dust flying from beneath one's feet - the ground shakes and the fury of the earth itself lends Kai power as one aims directly at the Rat Master's jaw with a Piercing Blow. Regardless of weather the strike disables it's jaw or not Kai follows through, dropping into a low sweep and attempting to use one's lance to sweep the Rat Master's feet out from under it.

If Kai can knock it down, one will use the leverage for one's next attack - if not, Kai will attempt the following with it standing. Kai attempts to stuff the pole of one's lance into the Rat Master's mouth and twist as fast as one can, attempting to dislocate the jaw.

Action 1&2 - Piercing Blow
Action 3 - Foot Sweep
Action 4 - Jaw Dislocate

"Nice shot! And that's the wonderful thing about being a team Karie! You don't have to ask for help to get it!"

"You've gotta be-"

Karie has just about heard enough from Kai to know that every single thing she says will be construed in some obnoxiously happy way, so she stops that thought right there.

The friend invite from Kai continues to blink, mockingly, in the corner of her eye.

You insufferable little...

Refocusing on the battle, Karie notes two of her cooldowns have finished. Remembering how it played out last time, Karie tries to measure the distance for her Iai Strike so that after the attack she can turn around and do another two hit combo like before.

1-2. Iai Strike @ Ratmaster (use attack's movement property to get in range for physical)
3. Attack w/ black sword @ Ratmaster
4. Attack w/ red sword @ Ratmaster

Maya, seeing the Ratmaster fairly well in hand, nods at Kai as she turns to face the hordes behind. She pauses a moment to launch her spear at a Ratfolk, then charges the one next to it.

1. Long Aim Shot at Ratfolk (lower right on map)
2. Move
3. Attack other Ratfolk next to it.