[PTU] The Charizard Knights

[Elyander]

Looking back, Harisson can only see the cliff wall. He might be able to outrun the creatures, but it wouldn't do much good if he can't climb outside the canyon. Besides, the others may not be as fast and he wouldn't like leaving them to fend themselves, specially because most of them are unarmed. "Thadeus, this is alredy too much work." - Harisson curses his mentor, facing the monsters ahead - "I hope the boy is fine on his own."

Harisson stands straight, extending his arm to better aim his bow. He mentally draw the more likely path of attack, breathing deelpy in concentration. The wind brings the shape of his beedrill arriving, which calms him a bit. "Let them come to us." - he urges the others in a steady voice - "I have a clearer shot if no one rushes. If you can't fight, get behind those who can. Cepheus," - he adds with a smirk - "we'll focus on the distant ones. Get ready."

Cepheus buzzes in answer, rubbing his hand spikes together in a raspy sound as he slowly advances.

Spoiler: Mechanics

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{Initiative 15} - Cepheus
Moves 2 meters ahead, flying 3 meters above ground [shift action]
Uses Focus Energy (+2 Critical Hit Range) [standard action]

{Initiative 12} - Harisson
Uses Aiming Down the Shots (+2 Accuracy and Critical Hit Range to next attack) [shift action]
Uses Overwatch, creating a protected area. For one full round, if a foe moves in or out of that area, Harisson may make a Ranged Weapon attack, Frequency allowing, against that foe as a Free Action. [standard action]

I colored an area on the map, representing the Overwatch area. I hope that's ok.

[Zelphas]

Satomi nods in response to the archer's plan. "Renault!" she calls out, pointing to the nearest golem. "Mud Shot." The Kabuto crawls off of her back and forward, stopping just in front of the Beedrill before shooting a thick wad of brownish canyon mud at the oncoming tattoo construct.

Spoiler: OOC

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Renault

Move Action: move to D7.

Standard Action: Use Mud Shot on Golem 2. Special Ground Damage.
Accuracy: (1d20)[18] vs. 3+Evasion. Target loses -1 Speed stage on a hit.
Damage: (2d6+19)[26]
If Crit: (2d6+8)[17]

[Arcran]

As the group scrambles into position to attempt to take down the group of golems, the group of stone-clad tattoo monsters slowly strides forward. Rem's jet of mud connects solidly with one of the golems, grinding a few stones in the center of the Pokemon to dust. As a few stagger through Harisson's firing zone the archer manages to sneak out a few quick shots, although only one arrow manages to find purchase, the other effortlessly batted out of the air by tattoos that leap from the golems to defend their body.

The golems move forward angrily after the feeble attacks connect with them, obviously intent on getting some payback. Two attempt to batter on Renault, but the Kabuto's thick armor provides more than enough protection against the golem's clumsy attacks. Another two attack Rem, only to find the Musharna's spongy body more than capable of handling the attacks. The final two swing fists towards Aloriana and, whether through dumb luck or simply how green Aloriana is, the two manage to connect, stones whipped about by stones connecting heavily with the Steelheart's shoulder, nearly popping it out of its socket and making further combat far more difficult.

The others, rather than fight, simply creep forward, tattoos pulling small stones from the ground to help patch up their defenses.

Spoiler: Actions

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Overwatch Attacks:
Golem 2 - Miss
AC: (1d20-3)[-2], Critical 18+
Damage: (1d8+17)[24]
Critical: (1d8+8)[15]+(3d10)[13]

Golem 6 - Hit
AC: (1d20-5)[13]
Damage: (1d8+17)[20]
Critical: (1d8+8)[13]+(3d10)[14]

Golem 3 - Miss
AC: (1d20-5)[1]
Damage: (1d8+17)[19]
Critical: (1d8+8)[16]+(3d10)[21]

Attacks
Golem 2 uses Pound on Renualt! Miss
AC: (1d20-2)[0]
Damage: (1d8+21)[23]
Critical: (1d8+6)[10]

Golem 6 uses Pound on Renualt! Crit, but Battle Armor negates.
AC: (1d20-2)[18]
Damage: (1d8+21)[22] - 7 Damage, 3 after Resistances
Critical: (1d8+6)[14]

Golem 3 uses Pound on Rem! Hit
AC: (1d20-2)[16]
Damage: (1d8+21)[28] - 9 damage
Critical: (1d8+6)[7]

Golem 4 uses Pound on Rem! Hit
AC: (1d20-2)[11]
Damage: (1d8+21)[29] - 10 damage
Critical: (1d8+6)[9]

Golem 1 uses Pound on Alorianna! Hit
AC: (1d20-2)[3]
Damage: (1d8+21)[29] - 19 damage
Critical: (1d8+6)[8]

Golem 5 uses Pound on Alorianna! Critical
AC: (1d20-2)[18]
Damage: (1d8+21)[26] - 24 damage This puts Aloriana under 50% HP, so you gain one Injury that affects Attack.
Critical: (1d8+6)[8]

Golem 7 uses Harden!

Golem 8 uses Harden!

Golem 9 uses Harden!

And you are free to post!

[Zelphas]

Satomi watches the golems advance dispassionately, looking over her teammates to see where she is needed. The heavy crash of impact upon the sword girl catches her attention, and she moves quickly to her, a golden restorative already in her hand. "Dislocated shoulder? No, merely sprained," she comments as she sprays the Super Potion, her eyes intent on the affected limb. "Mobility decreased, pain likely upon using the joint. For optimum restoration of the sprained limb, immobilize and prohibit patient from strenuous activity for a period of no less than six hours." She glances across the battlefield, and her voice suddenly sounds dry. "However, given current circumstances, a period of strenuous activity followed by rest is in all of our best interests.

"Renault! Absorb!" she calls over her shoulder. The Kabuto, who had risen to his back legs in preparation for an attack, hisses in displeasure but complies, dropping back down again. His eyes glow viridian for a moment as tendrils of power reach out after the golem in front of him.

Spoiler: OOC

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Satomi

Move Action: Shift to B5.

Standard Action: Use a Super Potion on Aloriana. She regains 35 HP, and Satomi gains +5 damage resistance for 1 turn.

Renault

Move Action: None.

Standard Action: Use Absorb on Golem 2, Special Grass Damage.
Accuracy: (1d20)[8] vs. 2 + Evasion
Damage: (1d6+14)[17]
If Crit: (1d6+3)[9]
Renault gains half of the damage as HP.

[CateranEnforcer]

Aloriana winces in pain as the Golems advance around her and pummel her roughly. She feels the pain in her arm and it's definitely going to slow her down. She takes a swing at the one in front of her and backs up towards the group. "I'm clear, Lily! Hit em with Rock Slide!" As Lily moves forward to give the golems a pummeling of their own, Aloriana turns to hear Satomi rattling of medical procedures that she really isn't paying too much attention to, but she greatly appreciates the treatment anyways. "Thanks for that, I'm going to keep them away from you as best I can! You can call me Lori, by the way!" Not finished yet, Aloriana turns back, poised to strike once more.

Spoiler: Actions

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Aloriana uses Metal Claw on Golem 1 in A6 and disengages to C6. She uses Focused Training on Lily to improve her accuracy by one.

Attack: (1d20)[6] vs AC 3 + Evasion, +1 Attack CS on 18+
Damage: (2d6+15)[20] plus one tick of HP
Crit: (2d6+8)[12]

Lily will use Rock Slide to hit the blast 3 between A6 and B8, attacking the three golems there.

Attack: (1d20)[9] vs AC 2 (4 – 2 accuracy from Focused Training) + Evasion, Flinch on 17+
Damage: (2d8+23)[35]
Crit: (2d8+10)[25]

At the beginning of the next round, definitely going to be using a Priority Bullet Punch. Just want to make sure I know the results of these attacks first, which enemies are up, etc.

Spoiler: Status

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Status duplicated here.

Aloriana
HP 45/65, 1 injury, -1 atk CS
Def 10, SDef 10, Speed 5
Def Evasion 2, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 1
AP 5/6 (1 Drained)

Lily (Skiddo)
HP 67/67 +12 THP
Def 15 (+1 CS to 18), SDef 12, Speed 3
Def Evasion 3, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 0 (+1 Evasion from Inspired Training)
Inspired and Focused Training active. +1 Default Defense stage.

[CateranEnforcer]

Not giving the constructs time to react to Lily's last attack, Aloriana thrusts swiftly against the golem in front of her. She can feel the power in the blade even as her arm twinges in pain at the exertion.“Hit em again, Lily! Razor Leaf! Don't let them recover!” The Skiddo shakes out dozens of blade-like leaves that fly into the golem formation, and she positions herself protectively in front of Aloriana.

Spoiler: Actions

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Aloriana uses Bullet Punch on Golem 5 in B7, then uses After You on Lily.

Attack: (1d20)[10] vs AC 2 + Evasion, Priority
Damage: (1d8+15)[22]
Crit: (1d8+8)[15]

Lily uses Razor Leaf in a cone, targeting the Golems 1 and 5 in A6 and B7. Then Lily Disengages to B6.
Attack: (1d20)[7] vs AC 3 (4 – 1 accuracy from Focused Training) + Evasion, Crit on 18+
Damage: (2d8+23)[38]
Crit: (2d8+10)[19]

Spoiler: Status

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Aloriana
HP 45/65, 1 injury, -1 atk CS
Def 10, SDef 10, Speed 5
Def Evasion 2, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 1
AP 5/6 (1 Drained)

Lily (Skiddo)
HP 67/67 +12 THP
Def 15 (+1 CS to 18), SDef 12, Speed 3
Def Evasion 3, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 0 (+1 Evasion from Inspired Training)
Inspired and Focused Training active. +1 Default Defense stage.

[CosmicOccurence]

As the golems strike Rem, she lets out a stream of smoke into the face of one of the golems, downing it to sleep. Bring another down Rem he instructed coldly, transmitting his intentions more clearly through their link. Immediately, she floated backwards, rearing back in the air. Her eyes glowed deep purple as she let out a ray of swirling prismatic lights towards another of the golems in her immediate vicinity.

Seeing the two fall soundly asleep, Neils grinned. Well, might as well try for three, he popped the top off the vial of dream mist that he held and released the smoke in the face of the golem nearest him. It was hard to control the stuff, but there was a good chance the thing would end up in contact with some of the purple smoke.

Spoiler

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Rem activates Dream Smoke on Golem 4 (F7) putting it to sleep.

Rem disengages to E6 and uses Hypnosis on Golem 6 (E8)
(1d20)[6] Hypnosis cannot miss, but I can crit on a 20!
Golem 6 falls asleep, on crit it takes -4 to its first save check.
EDIT: Rem also gains 5 DR from Type Strategist

Neils uses Dream Mist on Golem 7 (G6) 4 vials left.
Using 1 AP on accuracy roll (1d20+1)[2] AC 6 status
On hit, the target falls asleep.

3/6 AP left.

[Elyander]

Harisson curses as most of his arrows miss their targets. This kind of situation is new to him; not battling unknown enemies, but having people around he can't stop worrying about. The blond girl is being too focused, and doesn't seem to be handling it so well. The barrage of attacks from the creatures has taken its toll, but luckily the other girl is effectively tending to the wounds. When he considers helping her deal with the ones attacking her, she and her pokémon throw a furry of coordinated attacks. "Huh! Perhaps I'm worrying too much. She seems capable enough." - he thinks, already turning to deal with the monsters coming from the other side.

As they attack the pink pokémon commanded by the purple haired boy, a cloud of mist expands, making Harisson panic a little about vision, but the mist dissipates quickly and he's happy to find two of the monsters seem to be immobile, as in stasis. Whatever the munarsha did, it was effective. Harisson smiles as he appreciates the coordination the group shows, despite not knowing each other. "So the candidates are really something else."

-"Cepheus, let's do our thing." - Harisson commands, aiming an arrow carefully between the disabled monsters to hit the golem behind - "Cover the boy with the vials! Fury attack!"

The beedrill makes no sound as he quickly flies towards his objective, before becoming a blur as he strikes it multiple times with his spikes.

Spoiler: Mechanical

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{Initiative 15} - Cepheus
Flies towards Golem 7, stopping 1 meter above it (G5) [shift action]
Uses Fury Attack! [standard action]

Spoiler: Fury Attack!

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Fury Attack - AC 4, Critical Hit on 16+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[14]
Damage: (2d8+25)[36] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (2d8+10)[15] + (3d10)[20]

{Initiative 12} - Harisson
Uses Brutal Training on Cepheus [swift action]
Uses Aiming Down the Shots (+2 Accuracy and Critical Hit Range to next attack) [shift action]
Uses Bullseye against Golem... 8? (F8) [standard action]

Spoiler: Bullseye!

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Bullseye - AC 3, Critical Hit on 13+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[4]
Damage: (2d6+19)[25] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (2d6+10)[14] + (3d10)[16]

(I assumed we had time to apply Training before coming to the trials, because... well, we knew we're coming to the trials. If not, then Fury Attack is a Critical on 17+ instead.)

[Arcran]

Even under the mighty flurry of attacks, the golems don't even flinch, simply moving forward as tatoo tendrils and stone keep coming. Renault manages to completely restore the small indent the golem had done to his armor, but hardly damages his opponent. Still, Satomi's Super Potion provides Aloriana the second wind she needed, the girl and Skiddo unleashing a hail of steel, stone and razor-sharp leaves, nearly laying their opponents low, the golems literally hanging on by tendrils of tattoos. Despite Neils initial concerns, Rem manages to cause two to simply freeze, although Neils isn't quite as successful with his sample of Dream Mist. Harisson manages to sneak an arrow in against the golems, and Cepheus unleashes a powerful hail of blows that causes the golem to stagger backwards.

And yet, after all of that, not a single golem had actually fallen. After Lily's mighty attacks against the horde you hear a bellow from above and, like clockwork, three of the golems turn to focus on the Skiddo. Three golems in turn slam fists into the Skiddo but, fortunately, the Pokemon's thick grassy coat absorbs the brunt of the hit, keeping Lily standing. Two more attempt to buffet Rem and Renault to embarrassingly ineffective results. The final two golems not under Rem's magic dash forward towards Cepheus, heavy fists battering the Beedrill back and forth, causing the Beedrill to hit a spike heavily into the ground, blunting the tip considerably.

As the golems finish their assault one of them begins to stir, whatever spell Rem had cast clearly wearing off.

Spoiler: Actions

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Golem 1 uses Pound on Lily!
AC: (1d20-2)[18] Hit, Critical
Damage: (1d8+21)[27] + 9 because crit, 18 damage

Golem 2 uses Pound on Renault!
AC: (1d20-2)[14] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[29] 14 damage, 7 after Resistance

Golem 3 uses Pound on Rem!
AC: (1d20-2)[4] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[25] 1 damage.

Golem 4 is Asleep!

Golem 5 uses Pound on Lily!
AC: (1d20-2)[6] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[26] 8 damage

Golem 6 is Asleep!

Golem 7 uses Pound on Cepheus!
AC: (1d20-2)[6] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[23] 13 damage

Golem 8 uses Pound on Lily! Lily is Flanked!
AC: (1d20)[17] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[25] 7 damage

Golem 9 uses Pound on Cepheus! Cepheus is Flanked!
AC: (1d20)[5] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[27] 17 damage Cepheus gains an Injury. This Injury affects Attack.

And you're good to go! Kill some ****!

[CosmicOccurence]

Neils cast a thankful glance towards the archer when he Beedrill came to help him out, but when they managed to put dents in the thing, he decided to step in. Whipping another vial from his belt, he cast Dream Mist at another one of the creatures, this time hoping the mist found its mark. Without knowing what the coming trails were, he couldn't afford to use more this battle, but the Beedrill was already damaged enough that he needed to help in whatever way he could. At the same time, Rem let out a yawn at the Golem in front of it, coaxing it into an eventual slumber, while casting a seductive wink at it to keep it occupied before it fell asleep.

Tentatively, Neils reached out to see if he could Channel one of these creatures. While he didn't expect to get them to stop attacking, he could gain valuable information about their combat abilities which could help the others out.

Spoiler

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Neils disengages (shift) to G4 and uses Dream Mist on Golem 9 (H4). 3 vials left.
AC 6, using 1 AP (1d20+1)[18] 2/6 AP left.

Uses Channel on Golem 9 (H4) as well.
Intuition DC 15 (4d6+2)[17] I'm only really interested in the part of Channeling where I learn all of its Moves, Abilities, and Capabilities.
In the event that he doesn't reach DC 15 he activates Skill Monkey as a free action to try again, taking the second result (4d6+4)[17] Not applicable as I succeeded the first time

Musharna uses Yawn on Golem 3 (E7)
Yawn cannot miss, but it crits on 20 (1d20)[12]
Target falls asleep at the end of their next turn, on crit they get a -4 penalty to their first save check.

Neils activates Trickster as a free action to allow Rem to use a Flirt Maneuver (1/6 AP)
It automatically hits, with Neil's Guile (4d6)[18] vs its Charm or Focus.
On success the target is infatuated with Rem for 1 round and automatically fails its check.

[CateranEnforcer]

Aloriana flinched a bit as the golems rained down blows on Lily. Still, she took them a lot better than she herself had and still looked fighting fit, if a bit tired. That wouldn't last long at this rate, however. Aloriana hacked desperately at the golems trying to thin their numbers. "Hang in there just a bit more Lily!"

Spoiler: Actions

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Aloriana uses Bullet Punch on Golem 5.
Attack [roll]1d20 [/roll][6] vs AC 2 + Evasion, Priority
Damage [roll]1d8+15 [/roll][20]
Crit [roll]1d8+8 [/roll]

She also uses Inspired Training on Lily to raise Evasion as a swift action. I'm out of After You uses unless this counted as a new scene so she's got to wait til the golems go again to act.

Spoiler: Status

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Aloriana
HP 45/65, 1 injury, -1 atk CS
Def 10, SDef 10, Speed 5
Def Evasion 2, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 1
AP 5/6 (1 Drained)

Lily (Skiddo)
HP 46?/67
Def 15 (+1 CS to 18), SDef 12, Speed 3
Def Evasion 3, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 0 (+2 Evasion from Inspired Training)
Inspired and Focused Training active. +1 Default Defense stage.

[Elyander]

The situation was starting to get a little dire. None of the beasts had fallen yet, while some of the candidates and their pokémon had already suffered some damage. Seeing Cepheus suffer a nasty blow, Harisson starts thinking different ways to deal with the golems. "The wall of pokémon is working. Except for Cepheus, none seems too hurt, so it will have to do for now." As Harisson starts aiming at the golem behind Beedrill, the other buy suddenly dashes forth and splash another vial onto the creature. Despite thinking it was a bit too risky, Harisson is pleased to see the monster freezing as the others. "Disabling them is a perfect strategy, allowing us to concentrate on the active ones while diminishing their force. I like it."

He smiles at the boy - "Thanks, man. Now get away from it before it reactivates. Cepheus," - he adds to his pokémon - "don't let them surround you. Step aside and use your fury attack once more! That boy is your charge, not the other way around." The beedrill immediately obeys, making a twirl midflight for a better position, before rapidly striking at the nearby golem with his spikes, blunt or not.

Harisson then turns around, and for a second he considers taking down the golem who is hanging by threads. He stops though, unsure of how the knight girl would react to him "stealing" her mark. "Eliminating them should be more important than personal pride, but this is not the time to make enemies." - he thinks, as he aims at a more lively one who has been battering the skiddo. He breathes deeply before letting the arrow fly.

Spoiler: Mechanical

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{Initiative 15} - Cepheus
Disengages towards H6 [shift action]
Uses Fury Attack! on Golem 7 ([standard action]

Spoiler: Fury Attack!

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Fury Attack - AC 4, Critical Hit on 16+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[19]
Damage: (3d8+23)[34] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (3d8+10)[17] + (3d10)[13]

{Initiative 12} - Harisson
Uses Brutal Training on Cepheus [priority swift action]
Uses Aiming Down the Shots (+2 Accuracy and Critical Hit Range to next attack) [shift action]
Uses Shortbow Struggle against Golem 8 [standard action]

Spoiler: Shortbow!

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Struggle Shot - AC 5, Critical Hit on 17+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[7]
Damage: (1d8+17)[18] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (1d8+8)[16] + (3d10)[19]

[Zelphas]

Satomi nods to Lori. "Good to meet you, Lori-san. I am Satomi." She glances around the battlefield before moving to stand next to the archer. "You have keen eyes," she begins conversationally. "Let me know if there are any wounded I should tend to, and I will move to them."

She then focuses on the battlefield. "Renault! Retreat, and Mud Shot!" she cries, pointing to one of the more wounded golems. Renault whines at retreating, but backs up into the line of Pokemon and pivots, firing a jet of mud at the weakened golem.

Spoiler: OOC

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Satomi

Shift Action: move to C5.

Standard Action: None.

Renault

Shift Action: Disengage, moving back 1 Meter to D6.

Standard Action: Mud Shot on Golem 5, Special Ground Damage
Accuracy: (1d20)[5] vs. 3 + Evasion. Lowers Speed -1 CS on a hit.
Damage: (2d6+19)[27]
If Crit: (2d6+8)[19]

Status
Satomi: 71/71 HP.
Renault: 59/66 HP.

[Arcran]

Without missing a beat Neils manages to successfully thrust the vial of Dream Mist right into the center of the tattoo golem, causing its movements to instantly become more than a little sluggish until it finally goes still. An instant later, both Cepheus and Aloriana are able to finally land solid hits on the golems, the Beedrill and swordswoman shredding tattoos into ribbons as the stones fall to the ground in a harmless pile. Renault and Harisson's assaults are far less effective, but it seems the combined assault of the party against the stone monsters is finally beginning to chip away at their defenses.

More interesting by far is Neil's small source of information as he taps into the mind of the tattoo golem, or lack thereof. Rather than being a conscious creature, the golem is very obviously just a projection of Shikina's will. No memories beyond a dark cave, and no emotions besides the completely apathetic desire to take the group of you down.

After Aloriana takes down one of the golems the two closest to the swordswoman instantly change focus, a pair of fists slamming into the warrior, a jagged stone cutting across her forehead. An instant later a thin line of blood runs into Aloriana's left eye, making it just a bit harder to see. The one Rem had just yawned at attempts a lazy swing at Renault, hardly damaging the Kabuto before it shuts down as well. Another swings at Lily, the unfortunate Skiddo letting out a sharp cry at the hit, but somehow remains standing. The last golem takes a short leap at Cepheus, intending to finish what the other golems had started, only to fall far short, the Beedrill agilely flying beneath the assault.

Spoiler: Actions

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Just a note, I've swapped the Locations tab on Tracker to just Notes on the Tokens; it seems like it'll be a lot easier.

Spoiler: Neils Channeler Information

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Moves: Pound
Abilities: None
Capabilities: Overland 6

Golem 1 uses Pound on Lily!
AC: (1d20-2)[8] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[26] 8 damage.
Critical: (1d8+6)[12]

Golem 2 uses Pound on Aloriana! Aloriana is Flanked!
AC: (1d20)[12] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[22] 12 damage.
Critical: (1d8+6)[11]

Golem 3 uses Pound on Renault!
AC: (1d20-2)[4] Hit
Damage: (1d8+16)[17] 2 Damage, 1 after Resistance.
Critical: (1d8+6)[7]

Golem 4 Disengages to G7! Golem 4 uses Pound on Cepheus!
AC: (1d20-2)[0] Miss
Damage: (1d8+21)[22]
Critical: (1d8+6)[8]

Golem 8 uses Pound on Aloriana! Aloriana is Flanked!
AC: (1d20)[11] Hit
Damage: (1d8+21)[23] 13 damage. Drops you below 50%, so Injury that affects Accuracy.
Critical: (1d8+6)[7]

Also, Infatuation check: (1d20)[4]

Also, note for Elyander: Technically you can't target anything within 4 meters with a Long Range weapon. Just a note for future reference.

And you are free to post.

[CosmicOccurence]

Spoiler

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You forgot that they hard Harden too Arc ;p

Neils eyed the battlefield carefully. Two down and three asleep, not bad if I do say so myself. However, he had no intention of being near the thing when it inevitably woke up, meaning the Beedrill would have to fend for itself. He couldn't spare any more of his Dream Mist though, meaning Rem would have to handle the rest of the heavy lifting on his end.

Speaking of heavy lifting, it was time for Rem to go on the offensive. Sensing her trainer's intentions through their empathic link, Rem immediately acted, latching herself onto the golem facing it and sucking its dream energy out. It's body glowed, absorbing the dreams and converting it into restorative power that stitched together some of its wounds.

Spoiler

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Neils shifts to E4 and uses Focused Command on Rem.

Rem uses Dream Eater on Golem 3
(1d20+2)[19] AC 2
Special Psychic Damage (3d12+28)[41], gain half the damage taken back in HP. Dream Eater does not wake up its target.

[Zelphas]

Satomi pulls out a Potion and sprays it over Lori once more, her actions unhurried and businesslike. We seem to be making progress, she considers, looking over the battlefield. Again!" she commands to Renault, who grumbles but fires out another jet of mud.

Spoiler: OOC

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Satomi
Shift: No need.

Standard: use a Potion on Aloriana. She regains 20 HP, and Satomi gains 5 Damage Reduction until next turn.

Interrupt: If Aloriana is targeted by an attack next round, Satomi will Intercept Melee, pushing Aloriana to C7 and taking the hit instead. Athletics check (DC 3): (4d6)[18]

Renault

Shift: None.

Standard: Mud Shot on Golem 2, Special Ground.
Accuracy: (1d20)[8]
Damage: (2d6+19)[26] vs. 3 + Evasion. Lowers Speed -1 CS on a hit.
If Crit: (2d6+8)[13]

[CateranEnforcer]

Head ringing and blood filling her vision, Aloriana grunted in pain, dropping to one knee. That's going to leave a nasty bump, she thought. With a hand on her sword and another still clutching the egg, she had no way to clear her face. This was the first time she had really felt threatened this trial. She had kept telling herself that it was just a test, and that may be so, but failure here may very well be her last. She feels Satomi behind her once more applying another dose of her healing potions and shakes her head and stands back up, but she's unable to completely clear the stars from her vision.

“Once more, Lily. Razor Leaf these guys,” she commands, a bit weakly in between deep breaths. Lily was becoming a bit tired herself, but was still quick to act as she let loose another deadly hail of projectiles. “Help is on the way.” Aloriana reaches for the other Pokeball on her belt.

Spoiler: Actions

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Lily disengages to A5 and uses Razor Leaf in a cone, targeting Golem 1 and Golem 8.
Atttack:(1d20)[20] vs AC 3 (4 – 1 Focused Training) + Evasion, Crit on 18+
Damage: (2d8+23)[33]
Crit: (2d8+10)[17]

Aloriana is not using a priority move next round and must wait for the Golems to act again.

Spoiler: Status

Show

Aloriana
HP 40/65, 2 injuries, -1 atk CS, -1 acc
Def 10, SDef 10, Speed 5
Def Evasion 2, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 1
AP 5/6 (1 Drained)

Lily (Skiddo)
HP 38/67*
Def 15 (+1 CS to 18), SDef 12, Speed 3
Def Evasion 3, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 0 (+1 Evasion from Inspired Training)
Inspired and Focused Training active. +1 Default Defense stage.

[Elyander]

Harisson takes a moment to analyze the battlefield. Although the candidates seem to have the upperhand, they are suffering some damage. "We better end this quickly, or we will be in trouble." - he thinks, exactly as the frail-looking girl comes to talk. She asks for his perception, and he nods quickly. "Will do. For now, support the girl with the shield, please. She's providing us a wall." - he tells her, just as she doses the knightly girl with another potion. He smiles to himself, before turning to the other side of the field.

"Cepheus, speed it up." - he orders the beedrill taking some steps back. The golem's advance are throwing his aim a bit askew, so he needs to open a proper line of fire. Gliding above would be tactically better, but Harisson didn't want to show his biggest trump so early on the Trials. "Don't hold back now. Attack and reposition."

The beedril releases a relentless flurry of strikes, so wildly that many do not connect, before dashing back to create some room from the golem.

Spoiler: Actions

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{Initiative 15} - Cepheus
Uses Fury Attack on Golem 4 [standard action]

Spoiler: Fury Attack!

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Fury Attack - AC 4, Critical Hit and Trip on 17+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[9]
Damage: (1d8+27)[30] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (1d8+6)[12] + (3d10)[14]

Uses Fury Attack on Golem 4 [free standard action - "Strike Again!"]

Spoiler: Fury Attack!

Show

Fury Attack - AC 4, Critical Hit and Trip on 17+ - MISS

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[1]
Damage: (1d8+27)[35] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (1d8+6)[7] + (3d10)[13]

Disengages to G5 [shift action]

If Cepheus hits with any attack, he becomes Vulnerable for 1 full round.

{Initiative 12} - Harisson
Uses Reckless Advantage on Cepheus [priority swift action]
Uses Strike Again! on Cepheus [priority standard action]
Moves to D3 [shift action]

Spoiler: Status

Show

Harisson Binds 2 AP to the Reckless Advance Stratagem, having now 0 AP available.

Current AP: 0 / 6 (*4 AP bound)

[Arcran]

Rem latches onto the still golem and, while Neils is able to note their strange consistency through their Channeled link, Rem is more than capable of absorbing whatever passes as dreams for a pile of stones animated by living tattoos, causing a few stones to fall away loosely. Renault's shot of mud, while not particularly damaging, continues to chip away at the golem, leaving less and less of their stone body behind each time. Lily's Razor Leaf, on the other hand, is massively effective, leaves sneaking through gaps in the stones to shred the tattoos within, causing the golems to revert to just a pile of rocks. Compared to Lily's success, Cepheus' rapid assault is barely effective, the heavy stone body deflecting the vast majority of the attacks effortlessly.

Between Neils work and the combined assault, only two golems are still standing and able to act, although they continue the assault bravely. One swings at Aloriana once again, only for Satomi to dive in the way, taking the stony fist squarely in the back. The other continues to chase Cepheus, slamming a fist into the flying bug that causes it to falter momentarily in flight, clearly about to fall. Finally, the golem that Rem had assaulted stirs into consciousness, a few stray pebbles falling loose as it prepares to attack once again.

On the other side of the stone wall, the sounds of combat have ceased.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Rem is healed for 15 from Dream Eater.

Golem 2 uses Pound on Aloriana! Satomi Intercepts!
AC: (1d20-2)[3] Hit
On hit, 26 damage. Critical adds 11. 13 damage.

Golem 4 uses Pound on Cepheus!
AC: (1d20-2)[6] Hit
On hit, 26 damage. Critical adds 11. 16 damage.

Injuries:
(1d6)[4](1d6)[2](1d6)[2](1d6)[2](1d6)[5](1d6)[6]

Checks:
Sleep 3: (1d20)[20] Awake!
Infatuation 3: (1d20)[16] Not in love!
Sleep 6: (1d20)[9]
Sleep 9: (1d20)[15]

You are free to post.

[Zelphas]

Satomi lets out a grunt as the golem's fist strikes her, otherwise showing no reaction to the attack. "Once more should do it, Renault! Mud Shot!" she calls out, and Renault fires another blast of sticky mud at his foe.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Satomi

Full Action: Intercept Melee for Aloriana.

Renault

Shift: Nowhere to go, really.

Standard: Mud Shot on Golem 2, Special Ground
Accuracy: (1d20)[11]
Damage: (2d6+19)[24]
If Crit: (2d6+8)[11]

Status
Satomi: 58/71 HP, 5 Damage Reduction.
Renault: 58/66 HP.

[CosmicOccurence]

Neils saw that the Beedril was getting beaten up pretty badly. While the Golem he'd hit with Dream Mist was still down, the other was still going at it. Casting a glance that the one that woke up, Neils was half tempted to put it right back to sleep again, but decided against it. Let the other mons take care of them, we'll keep the left flank immobilized in the meantime.

Rem, dash around the boulder and use Hypnosis again! The Musharna complied, sliding past the now-awake Golem and instead targetting the one that it previously couldn't see. It sent another dizzying array of hypnotic lights at the thing.

Spoiler

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Hypnosis on Golem 4!
Can't miss. but I can Crit (1d20+1)[7]
On crit I gain a tick of hit points.
Target falls asleep

[Elyander]

The golems advance once more, attacking both the knight girl and Cepheus. Harisson cringes watching his pokémon being pummeled, but the knight is saved at the last moment by the talkative girl, who takes the blow instead. Without missing a beat, she is already dashing towards the beedrill, ready to deploy more healing, while the Skiddo covers ina flurry of leaves. "Well, it sure looks like you don't need my eyes, miss. Thank you!" - he salutes, before aiming at a nearby enemy: one of the golems suddenly wakes with a rumble.

Harisson considers the battefield for a milisecond, before shouting quick commands: "Cepheus, deal with that one and protect the candidate." - his voice is balanced and clear - "Boy, retreat. Stand behind the beedrill." That last command is accompanied by the sharp pitch of his arrow flying towards the recently conscious golem. Cepheus do as he's told, aiming a few strikes at the golem before moving to stand in front of Neils.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

{Initiative 15} - Cepheus
Uses Fury Attack on Golem 4 [standard action]

Spoiler: Fury Attack!

Show

Fury Attack - AC 4, Critical Hit and Trip on 16+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[4]
Damage: (1d8+27)[33] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (1d8+6)[9] + (3d10)[26]

Disengages to F4 [shift action]

If Cepheus hits his attack, he becomes Vulnerable for 1 full round.

{Initiative 12} - Harisson
Uses Brutal Training on Cepheus [priority swift action]
Uses Aiming Down the Shots [shift action]
Uses Bullseye on Golem 4 (or 9, if miraculously Cepheus finishes 4)[standard action]

Spoiler: Bullseye!

Show

Bullseye - AC 3, Critical Hit on 13+

Accuracy Roll: (1d20)[7] (includes +2 from ADtS and -2 from obstacles on the way)
Damage: (2d6+19)[24] (Physical, Normal)
Critical: (2d6+10)[13] + (3d10)[15]

Harison is also ready to intercept the next attack that hits Cepheus.

Spoiler: Question

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The golem is 4 meters away. The text about long ranged weapons says "Long Range Weapons can’t target Pokémon or Trainers that are closer than 4 meters from the user." Technically, it isn't closer than 4, but at 4 meters. I just wanted to make sure that's how I should read it.
If not, Harisson will take a step to C3 instead of Aiming Down the Shots.

[CateranEnforcer]

Aloriana stumbles a bit as she is shoved aside, but is still grateful for the help. Her previous flurry of attacks had left her vulnerable to counter attack. Now that she was back on her feet, she calls out, ”You've done great Lily, let's get you out of here before you get hurt.” She recalls the Skiddo with a flash of light and tosses out her other ball. “Thanks for your help,” She says to the other girl. “Dirk should be able to keep me safe now. Hit those things!” The Machoke appears in front on her and cracks his knuckles before lunging forward to attack.

Spoiler: Actions

Show

Aloriana uses a Standard action to Recall Lily and release Dirk in D7. She uses her Swift to use Inspired training.

Dirk uses Karate Chop on Golem 3 or 6 if it gets downed.
Attack: (1d20)[8] vs AC 1 (2 – 1 Focused Training) + Evasion, Crit on 17+
Damage: (2d6+28)[40]
Crit: (2d6+10)[18]

If any trainer is attacked next to Dirk, he will use Body Guard to soak the hit.

Spoiler: Status

Show

Aloriana
HP 40/65, 2 injuries, -1 atk CS, -1 acc
Def 10, SDef 10, Speed 5
Def Evasion 2, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 1
AP 5/6 (1 Drained)

Dirk (Machoke)
HP 75/75
Def 20 (+1 CS to 24), SDef 13, Speed 5
Def Evasion 4, Sp Evasion 2, Speed Evasion 1 (+2 Evasion from Inspired Training)
Inspired and Focused Training active. +1 Default Defense stage.

[Arcran]

Rem easily glides around the corner, hypnotic pulse causing the golem to stay still just long enough for Cepheus and Harisson to tear into the golem, stones falling to the ground in a loose pile. Dirk and Renault's combined assault takes down another, stones flying across the canyon walls after Dirk's powerful hit.

The only two remaining golems remain stationary, still animated but under the thrall of Rem's magic. As you watch, the tattoos pull out of the two golems, slithering up the canyon walls back to Shikina, even as a new set stretches down into the canyon, creating an elaborate blue staircase from the floor of the canyon to the top. As you watch above, you can see the various Charizards up above begin their descent towards the ground, seemingly about to land on the lip of the canyon. From all appearances, it would appear the trial was over.

Spoiler: Neils

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Even as the last golem falls, you feel a familiar (and unwelcome) presence in your mind.

It would seem you managed to impress a certain somebody, along with the others. My master is satisfied with your performance.

Spoiler: Actions

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I'm assuming you were targeting Golem 3 with Renault since Golem 2 is down. Correct me if I'm wrong.

And yeah, shooting at somebody that's exactly 4 away is kosher.

And combat is now over! Congratulations!

[Zelphas]

Satomi smiles lightly as the battle ends, bending over and rubbing Renault's shell. "Well done, Renault." She places her hand on the ground palm up, and the Kabuto uses it as a ladder to move to her back, causing her eyes to tighten in pain as he skitters across the bruise from the golem.

Straightening up, she looks around at the group, pulling a wad of thick gauze from her satchel. "Does anyone need bandages?" she asks, looking between the Beedrill and Lori. "The Knights await us, but I can bandage someone as we go."

As soon as everyone is ready to move, she turns towards the staircase and begins to walk, taking the time to examine the tattoos in more detail as she does so.

Spoiler: OOC

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If possible, Occult Edu on the runes again, since she's getting a closer look: (4d6)[18]

Satomi will probably use the bandage on Aloriana, since she has two Injuries, but if Harisson speaks up first, she'll use it on Cepheus.

[CateranEnforcer]

Aloriana let out a cheer as the remaining golems fell inactive, thrusting her sword arm into the air. The twinge of pain she still felt there made her flinch a bit, but it could not spoil her mood in this moment. Breathing heavily from the exertion, she sheaths her sword and rubs her face to clear the blood from her eyes. She leans up against the wall and brings her egg in front of her face to check for any damage.

Dirk stands protectively in front of her while she does, watching the other candidates closely until Aloriana pats him on the shoulder, “It's alright, we should be safe now.” She walks over to Satomi. “Thanks so much for the potions back there. I thought I might be eating dirt right about now.” She smiles and points to her head which still seems to be bleeding after the recent hit. “If you're offering, I might need a little something for this. I don't think it'll be too polite to bleed all over place. Will you take these as thanks?” she offers some medical supplies from her own stash.

She'll smile at the others as well, wanting a chance to thank them as well, but the Knights await them above and she's eager to present herself. She waits for them to catch up, before heading up.

Spoiler

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Aloriana is offering to give Satomi one Super Potion and one Energy Root to pay her back for the healing during the fight.

[Elyander]

Harisson exhales deeply as the last of the golems fall. It wasn't a particular hard battle, but he wasn't used to thinking about others' security while fighting and that alone was enough to make his heart beat faster. As he checks around to see if everyone's fine, Cepheus flies close, stopping just a few inches from Harisson. The boy faces the beedrill with a serious demeanor: "You almost didn't make it, huh?" - he says, before tenderly caressing his pokémon's head - "Good job, boy. Get some rest now. You deserve it." The beedrill vanishes in the familiar beam of light.

Harisson now watches his companions, eerily satisfied with their advanture together. "With a bit of practice, I could get used to this..." - he thinks to himself, before noticing that's very unlike him. As if to remind him of that, his body hurts all around, begging for some respite. Now looking forward to some quiet time, Harisson hangs his bow on his back before heading towards the canyon wall, patting the purple haired boy's back on the way. "Come on, guys. We should go get our 'Well done' ." As he thinks about the irony of using the same tattoos that were attacking them not long ago as stairs, he decides not to touch them, using his wind to hover inches above the protusions.

[CosmicOccurence]

When he realized the battle was over, Neils returned Rem with a grin. Nothing quite like a field of sleeping opponents to make his day. He quickly fished out some bandages from his pack and walked up to the girl whose name he didn't know yet. They aren't potions he said, but they're worth about the same. Now we're even.

Neils turned and walked away towards the stairs. While he realized that it probably came across as rude, he'd rather be brash and not get ambushed with owing favors to people down the line. Better to be clear up front rather than try and clean up spilled Dream Mist when things fell apart.

As he climbed the stairs, he got the message from Egret - Ibis's Charizard - he didn't respond via the link. Instead he simply nodded once, not making eye contact with anyone or anything. She would understand.

Spoiler

Show

XP? ;p
Also I finally decided to name that thing. That way we don't have to keep skating around it.

Neils gives Satomi bandages!

[Zelphas]

Satomi accepts the medicines silently, wrapping the gauze around Lori's head as they walk. She takes a moment and sizes up her battle companions once more. The archer is a Windrunner; even if his leap into the gorge didn't show that before, his levitation now proves it. The purple-haired boy is likely a Channeler, judging by his actions with Shikina earlier. He also seems to have a connection to Dream Mist. And Lori... a Steelheart, unless I miss my guess. I wonder if she realizes her connection to Steel? Her thoughts turn bitter, though she keeps it from her face. Three promising initiates, gifted with power beyond the human norm... and me.

[Arcran]

While the climb down into the canyon had been rather difficult for certain members of the party, the stairs were as convenient a route out as you could hope to receive. They even seemed to actively help the Trainers climb out, the tattoos indenting and pushing out with every step to provide a little bit of extra power for the Trainers climbing their way out.

Just as Satomi finishes bandaging Aloriana's head injury the group reaches the lip of the canyon, their respective Knights coming in for landings even as Egret and Ibis appear with a pop. You manage to see Kasai, Dreues, Yvonne Brielle and Maddigan landing on the far side of the canyon where their own initiates had just finished climbing the tattoo stairs.

When Harrisson reaches the top, an unfamiliar girl waves at him, holding two Charmander Eggs before quite literally tossing one at the archer. While you were easily able to catch it, you still had to wonder who the hell exactly would toss an Egg at somebody carrying a bow with both hands.

"Thanks for the assist! Really didn't want to have to wake Teddy up," the girl says with a huge smirk. "Well, that, and I didn't particularly feel like dealing with whatever trap Maddigan came up with since, you know, the guy is loonier than a Jynx in the middle of the summer, amiright?" she says, punctuating it with a laugh that made Growlithe whining sound like music. You did notice, however, that the instant Goto slid off of his Charizard the girl straightened up, becoming the very image of humility faster than you could blink.

As the other knights slide off their mounts, you notice two other men hop off of Gaia. One you recognize as Admiral Atmite, the leader of what navy Cinnabar managed to maintain, and one of the highest ranking members of the military., while the other is not immediately recognizable to any of you.

"Greetings. I am Admiral Atmite, and was one of the representatives of the military to ensure that all the Initiates showed the proper courage in this challenge. While some were obviously lacking in that department," Atmite says with a brief pause to stare pointedly at the unfamiliar girl, "Others decided that cleverness and ingenuity were just as necessary as true courage in battle," he adds, quite obviously unhappy with this point. "As such, I would like to congratulate you all on your performance in the Trial of Courage, and formally state that you have all passed this stage of the trials."

The other simply stands by silently through Atmite's speech, although a slight sparkle appears in his eyes at Atmite's obvious anger at the fact that the girl was allowed to pass.

"I would be Monchi, Liason for Special Operations," the man says, words seeming abnormally short as he says them. "As some of you may have guessed, these Eggs weren't from Shikina, otherwise you'd all be charred husks," the man says in a tone that makes it difficult to tell if he's trying to be humorous. "These Eggs are from the Military's own breeding facilities, and represent the pinnacle in both genetics and some special enhancements. While they're just a Charmander until blessed by the Mountain, they're the best Charmander you could hope to find. Consider them a gift from the military to aid you in your journey," Monchi finishes before nodding to Goto.

The old knight hobbles forward, leaning more heavily on a walking stick then you might like.

"As has been stated, you all have managed to pass the first Trial. Of course, there are still more to go until you are officially inducted into the Knighthood. Tomorrow you shall all go through the Trial of Spirit, led by the Tower of Flame. Traditionally, Initiates spend the night before attempting the Trial of Spirit with their mentor, in order to pass down the wisdom of generations to a new class of knights," Goto says, nodding gently. "If you will go to your mentor, they will take you to get healed if you were injured, then take you to a location of their choice. This is not a true Trial, so you may opt out, although it has been a long standing tradition among the Knights for generations."

With that, Goto turn to walk back to Gaia, the strange girl jogging to catch up with him, clutching her Charizard Egg tightly.

As you looked on at your own mentors, Vladimir had a slight smile across his face, giving Aloriana a curt but approving nod. Both Ji and Ibis have almost identical expressions; tight, barely moving facial expressions that give away exactly nothing about what they were thinking. Thadeus, in contrast with the composure of the others, had a massive grin across his face, obviously pleased with the fact that Harisson did so well in the trials. The different Knights stand by their Charizards, waiting for their mentees.

Spoiler: Satomi

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As you finally get a really good look at the tattoos, you're surprised to see a lack of glyphs, markings or really anything indicating magic at all. In fact, at this distance, you could swear they were organic; you could just barely make out tiny blue scales and the stairs themselves pulsate, although it seems more like the steady, rhythmic pulsating of a heartbeat than the rapid, irregular fluctuations consistent with true magic. Either the tattoos were the result of a nigh-impossibly stable spell or had some kind of organic component to it. Either way, despite all your learning, the exact magic that made these things function was beyond you and, if you had to guess, far beyond Maddigan as well.