On a tangent, but every time I reread this quest I just picture the day we get the Aifequest Negaverse Interlude where the realization that "Oh shit, Dace isn't/wasn't evil." finally hits.
Alright, posting this before I lose my motivation, this in unbeta-ed, just so you know, so there may be mistakes but after 3 hours of maths and fact checking ( I discovered a recent hate for the Overlord's conversion spell spamming, btw) I find in my heart that I don't care anymore.
Also, I'm gonna put a violence warning right here, because of pissed Martha. It gets a bit graphic.
Turn 4 : June 21st 1985 : The battle for Yr Wyddfa (2)
Battle turn 1:
From his position on the walls of the castle, Dace could see the armies move. He felt a bit perplexed as he saw it separate on two lines, but after taking a spyglass, he noticed what was left behind : Dementors and skeletons. Creatures he could destroy easily in one shot, that stayed behind, just out of his range. Not for the first time, Dace cursed the lack of time that kept him from training his talent for the arts of wind, deciding to keep his spells in reserve, for now, at least.
[X] (Cautious): Keep his strength for now, one can never know what Riddle's strategy is.
The grey skinned vampires changed forms and flew up, avoiding both the river and the small barrier created by the concealed treants. He raised his hand and the elves at the bottom of the citadel armed their bows, before releasing their arrows as his hand fell.
[X] (Polyvalent): Shoot to kill 526 Damage to vampires. 7 Vampires dead, 23 remaining.
They flew and struck true, thinning about a fifth of their ranks, the ones falling catched by their brethren. It seemed they intended to have their necromancer master raise them. This wouldn't do.
"Madeye, are they ready?" He called out to the man currently arguing with his colleague, who turned around and grinned, causing his scarred face to twist and lines to appear where they really shouldn't.
"That they are. Greenhorns got real focused when they learned what Riddle'd do to them if they messed up." Oh, if only he knew of the depths of that man's depravity...
As if on cue, a spiral of green energy rose from the plains, where the druids were gathered in a circle, to the cloudy skies, splashing against it as would a water drop on the ground, except it spread, again and again, until all of the sky was green. Dace felt some of the pressure in his head lessen, however, the the fact they needed the spell in itself was ominous. Lily raised her head, looking up in alarm, but settled down once she noticed this wasn't the result of an enemy acttion.
[X] (Cautious): Stay behind as last line of defence [Moves to backline]
[X] (Aggressive): Set up a Necromancy ward : Prevents the enemy from raising or animating the dead for the duration of the combat. (15/20 Mana remaining)
Back on the frontline it seemed the grey skinned inferi began to pass the river. a closer look revealed their blackened gums and blackish red teeth oozing a black liquid that fell from their chins, causing the vegetation on the ground under them to twist and wilt, thei itinerary like a black scar across the land. He tried not to look too long at the bodies of the former humans, taking comfort in the fact that their soul long departed from their bodies. That's a lie, and you know it. Look at that little girl holding her teddy by the hand. Do you hear them? screaming, begging for help? Your legilimency must be hurting your head right now.
Meanwhile, the does were looking at the scene, impassive, only moving each time the creatures tried to attack them. Still, the way they tapped the ground and fidgeted indicated their nervousness at being around those creatures to begin with.
[X] (Cautious): Stay under the cover of vegetation.
Nervousness that was warranted, because due to Oliver and Elisabeth's efforts, the dragons had free heign over the battlefield, and with the inferi forming a neat little pile, crawling on top the the rest to go past the river, well, they had a target they couldn't miss and they bould burn in a way that wouldn't hinder the elves' efforts.
[X] (Polyvalent): Hit and run. They will act in the way allowing them to maximize their moves.
Dragons use breath attack! 575 Damage to zombies. 23 Zombies killed, 277 remaining, 23 leftover damage.
As they passed the river, however, they got ambushed, the wolves, swift and agile under the trees darted in and out of cover as they bit, clawed and tore down everything they could. However, that ferocious assault wasn't without losses, as, since the wolves were alive, the inferi threw themselves at them, devouring all they could to try and soothe their hunger.
A loud buzzing filled the air as the fairies were arriving, darting between the vampires to come, however, this attracted the attention of the injured creatures...
[X] (Aggressive): Charge ! [Move to frontline]
... And of the enemy spellcasters. A vaguely feminine figure, riding on a white horse raised their staff, conjuring a wide blade of frost, causing the running martha to drop to the ground, while the glacial wave sailed in the air, bisecting some of the flying creatures.
Ana uses ice bolt! 24 + 4x12 = 72 damage to fairies (27/30 Mana remaining) 10 fairies dead, 90 remaining, 2 leftover damage.
Causing the dragons nearby to roar in indignation and double down on attacking the undead wave of inferi.
Oliver rides the gold dragon, double attack (temporary) activated: Dragons use breath attack = 296 Damage to zombies. 12 Zombies killed, 122 remaining, 8 leftover damage.
Due to Elizabeth's organization, dragons gain an extra attack!Dragons use breath attack= 292 Damage to zombies. 12 Zombies killed, 110 remaining, 4 leftover damage.
However, as the rest of the zombie group pushed through the woods and bodies, they found that they wouldn't move, roots holding them in place despite their best efforts...
The treants use Root! Zombies immobilized for Turn 2!
Turn 2.
It seemed, however, that the surprise finally wore off, and the enemy launched their counterattacks. In the sky, the vampires herded the fairies, culling their numbers and feasting on their blood, flesh and magic, using their foul magic to transfer that precious energy to the cadavers of their fallen friends, causing undeath to once more dwell inside of them.
Next to the immobile dementors and wraiths, the crowned skeletons raised their staves, their fleshless jaws moving as if to pronouned incantations. Finally, sick teal light illuminante the staves' extremity and the undeads brandished them towards the frontline, where most of the fight was happening, making light orbs launch in htat direction, exploding upon contact with the ground releasing clouds of deathly energy, making the living creatures on the ground screaming in pain.
However, among all of those noises, a lighter one could be heard, and white light bathed the battlefied, the moon does trampling the ground with their hooves as silver crescents appeared on their chests, dissipating the magic.
Liches bombard the 'forest' using Death Cloud. Every living ground unit in the frontline gets damaged for 11 HP this turn (Wolves, treants, fairies, does)
Moon doe's intervention ! - 25% damage taken. Every living ground unit in in the frontline takes 3 Damage this turn. (Wolves, treants, fairies, does)
Seeing that, the opposition decided to change tactics. Scanning the horizon, Riddle's second in command raised their own staff the light sailing too fast for anyone to move an hitting the elf contingent, causing them to tremble in terror.
Anastasia uses Cowardice on the elves :Cowardice makes the target unable to attack an enemy with more total hit points for 3 turns.
The leader of the troops, who managed to free himself from the forest, began his incantation, words that fouled the very air used to convey them spewed from his mouth, as a chould of miasma was emittend from him, surrounding him with a black sphere, that darkened more and more until only a black sphere remained. Then, it exploded outwards, accompanied with the shrill noise of nails raking a blackboard, engulfing all of the battlefield.
Even the moon does' light wasn't enough, this time.
Riddle uses Plague! - 15 / 50 Mana
Damage mitigated by the moon does for frontline units. Frontline units (save dragons who are immune) take (16 + 16 x 1,5) x 0,25 = 12. All frontline wolves and sprites die!
16 + 16 x 1,5 = 48.
Roll 100 : 51. Martha resists the spell.
Lily resists 10 damage!
All other units take 48 damage!
All elves and Druids die!
The green sky darkened as the living died, their skin flackening, their blood watering the ground. For others, more resistant, like death, they felt intense abdominal pains, fever and chills, nausea and extreme weakness. As Dace forced himself back up from the ground he had fallen onto, he saw the skin on his own hand blackening and he felt chills run down his spine.
Riddle could even control the Black Death.
Meanwhile, as the inferi were busy freeing themselves from the sickly trees' trapping, a brown shape was galloping next to the river, weaving through the vegetation. Anastasia's hood fell as she brutally ordered her mount to back away, but it was too late for that, as Martha jumped from her horse's back and grabbed the undead animal's reigns, using them as a fulcrum to kick its rider off its back with both legs.
As Anastasia rolled away, Martha approached her, her stride steady and face impassive. Her eyes, however, held promises of painful murder as her fists began to glow. The undead woman began chanting a spell, however the human dashed towards her, her face on the other's chest's level and she punched.
The armor shattered as if it was made from glass, melting where it entered in contact with Martha's fist, offering no protection as the magically reinforced still began to sink in the redhead's sternum, undead flesh sizzling and blackening. Then, the fist within opened and contracted again as it got out, bringing with it the severed oesophagus.
Anastasia opened her mouth but no sound opened, which made the human smile joylessly.
"Seems like you still need air for your little tricks, bitch. "
Avoiding a hit from her opponent's staff, she caught her face with her other gauntlet clad hand and lifted her soon ot be victim. The undead activity stilled as Riddle noticed something was amiss and Martha threw him a glance, her lips stretching even more into what could be called a 'slasher smile'. Then, her hand shone and the undead's woman head and upper body exploded in a shower of gore as the rest fell limply to the ground.
Martha's hand hovered in the air for a few seconds, before almost gracefully falling horizontal to the ground, her palm facing the sky, and two fingers wagging from Riddle's enraged expression, to herself.
"Your turn." Were the words she uttered with a confidence that made it seem like her loss was inconceivable. Of course, against such provocation, there was only one reaction possible.
Martha reaches Anastasia and attacks!
Morale Roll 49 (proc)
Luck : 63 / 76 double proc :
Holy word : -4 Mana. (6/10)
Damage: 49 + 4 dmg/level = 49+ 20 = 69 Damagex4 = 276
220-276 = -56. Ded.
D5 : 4. 5+4 = 9 9Years time out.
Bonus roll : 100. Nat 1 malus nulled for Martha! Tom Riddle is thoroughly taunted.
As Martha and Riddle were spoiling for a fight, Dace recuperated enough to make take stock of the situation.
Death :
Skeleton warriors: x 200 (uninjured) (out of range)
Wraiths: x 40 (uninjured) (out of range)
Liches: x 8 (uninjured) (out of range)
Vampires x 25 (uninjured)
Zombies x 110
Tom Riddle: (uninjured) ( 35/50 Mana)
Anastasia : Dead. Again.
Nature :
Dragons x 1 x 4 : Uninjured. Fairies:Dead Wolves: Dead Elves:Dead Druids:Dead
Treants x 15 : 43/55
Moon does x 20 : 108/120
Oliver: 108/120
Agatha: 52 / 100
Elizabeth: 52 / 100
Moody & Jason: 52 / 100
Lily:162/200
Dace : 102/150, 20/20 Mana
Martha: Uninjured, 6/10 Mana
What to do now?
[Frontline] The treantsCannot root for 2 more turns!
[] (Aggressive): Attack the enemy as they pass, inflicting damage to them. Will drop Camouflage.
[] (Polyvalent): Remain Camouflaged, until the occasion presents itself.
[] (Cautious): Remain Camouflaged, only inflict Rooting.
[Frontline] The moon does ( x 20 Unfettered, Magic dampening aura.
[] (Aggressive): Charge [Move to river]
[] (Polyvalent): Hit and run tactics.
[] (Cautious): Stay under the cover of vegetation.
[Frontline] The dragons
[] (Aggressive): 'Bombardment' tactics (Burn everything to the ground)
[] (Polyvalent): Hit and run. They will act in the way allowing them to maximize their moves.
[] (Cautious): Interception : they will focus on destroying any enemy breaking through the line.
Lily: (In backline)
[] (Aggressive): Run to the frontline [Moves to frontline, takes 2 turns]
[] (Polyvalent): Run to the middle [Moves to Middle]
[] (Cautious): Stay behind as last line of defence
Dace: (still in Rampart)
[] (Aggressive): Try to wipe them out right now (will use the most damagind spells he knows as soon as the opportunity appears.
[] (Polyvalent): Use spells if needed.
[] (Cautious): Keep his strength for now, one can never know what Riddle's strategy is.
Sooooo... This happened. Moon doe ability be broken tho.
Moon doe... Mundo? Huh. Explains a few things.
Kinda thinking of renaming Martha's steel gauntlets into the 'gauntlets of BEGONE THOT'.
Edit: That embarrassing moment when you want to click post in discord, but do it here instead before being finishing stuff like putting on pictures or sending it to your beta? Oh well, whatevs.
Ouch, at least our heroes can tank another plague, but Riddle has enough mp for 2 plagues. Anastasia had 220 hp so Riddle is a couple levels higher. Say 350ish hp?
Martha taunting him means he'll probably try to drop her next round and if he has hand of death... Wait! plague is supposed to cost 5 and Riddle actually spent 15! Does that mean hand of death would cost 36 mp? If so, he'd be 1 mp short.
Regardless, I think we need to try and take down Riddle. @LordPenguin, I've got a couple questions.
1. Is the mana cost correct? Whatever the heroes of might and magic page says x3?
2. Is the middle option for Dace him casting destroy undead once?
3. Could we have the dragons focus fire on Riddle?
4. Is Dace at basic, intermediate, or advanced for wind magic? And the (Power x 10) formula for destroy undead. What is Dace's power? (Alternatively how much damage per undead would Dace do?)
I adapted the aoe spell costs to be more in line with what I feel they should cost. For example, Dace's destroy undead or Riddle's plague only do a fixed amount of damage and only destroy some of the stack in the games; Here, I felt it more accurate to affect all creatures of the stack instead, and 5 mana is way too low for that kind of effect. Dunno if I'm being clear here
4. Is Dace at basic, intermediate, or advanced for wind magic? And the (Power x 10) formula for destroy undead. What is Dace's power? (Alternatively how much damage per undead would Dace do?)
As of right now, he's a beginner at air magic ( you guys didn't take its advanced form or magic resistance when you had the occasion), his power is currently at 2 power.
You mean the pets occupying our bed. He also killed our houseelves(???) (could they use magic like their smaller counter part?) and Dobby (unless he still serves the Malfoys). He also killed our druids (meaning we have to contact their next of kin, which will be a nightmare given our control of paperwork).
Curse? Sorrow? Anyways, whatever it is, let's kill him before he does it!
Here's what I'm thinking. Treants and Dr. Mundos stay defensive, dragons give Tom a dragonfire bath, Dace casts destroy undead once which should clear out the zombies, badly hurt the vamps, and give Tom a scratch. Send up Lily to 1v1 Riddle after Martha dies. Hold on to Dace's other destroy undead cast for when Riddle brings up his reserves.
[Frontline] The treants Cannot root for 2 more turns!
[X] (Cautious): Remain Camouflaged, only inflict Rooting.
[Frontline] The moon does ( x 20 Unfettered, Magic dampening aura.
[X] (Cautious): Stay under the cover of vegetation.
[Frontline] The dragons
[X] (Aggressive): 'Bombardment' tactics (Burn Tom to the ground)
Lily: (In backline)
[X] (Aggressive): Run to the frontline [Moves to frontline, takes 2 turns]
Dace: (still in Rampart)
[X] Cast destroy undead once. Use it again if Riddle brings up all his reserves.
More like : now that he's pissed, He's gonna stop holding back and use the items he looted when he beat up Dumbles and ruined Lily's house. Since, you know, he only needs to ensure Dace's head survives the destruction, the rest is entirely optional
More like : now that he's pissed, He's gonna stop holding back and use the items he looted when he beat up Dumbles and ruined Lily's house. Since, you know, he only needs to ensure Dace's head survives the destruction, the rest is entirely optional
I suppose it's a slow day, or loss of interest. Haven't had a vote since the negaverse choice on QQ. Kinda thinking of stopping the updates there, to tbh.