Unlurking Sentinel

No. No no no no no no no no no. Gods no. Not again. Dear Twelve not again. No! Not again! Calm down. You're protected. You're prepared. You're safe. Nothing in the world- nay, the multiverse can hurt you, at least right now. Now of all times is not the time to panic. Panic and you risk losing the chances ahead. Cicivexa, recognizing the Makuta's seeming unawareness of (or perhaps apathy for) his assault, cleared his mind and pressed his luck. Under the effect of Manaward, the Fruits of Hubris are, somehow, ignored! Cicivexa uses Sharpcast, and casts Flare III on Icarax, Rahi-Nui, and the Makuta, a critical hit dealing (7d6 + 16 + 4)*2 Fire damage to all targets! Cicivexa gains Astra for 1 Turn! Umbra's duration lowers by 1! Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities:

Auto-Move Brilliant to G12, heal Diligence Harefoot to I8, heal Soggy Sting Bend to I10, refresh Soggy Soggy to J13 Before Ebon moves, Secluded to J10 Lotus to J9

As the assistant's wounds were tended to by Brilliant Deduction, the pain did not subside much. Life-Recorder knew that most weapon-ready poisons didn't last long, even untreated, but it was still a bit much. "Thanks. I don't know what I'd do without you." Not exactly true for this moment (her personal medicine still had a few doses), but it was broadly true, at least. H11, Hold

Sanada seemed unnaturally comfortable with the aid of a sinister deiform she had supposedly attempted to kill... he nearly suspected treachery again, before recalling that her mind was much too asinine for such machinations to have been possible. Still, the party could use a reminder of what hadn't stopped being an enemy of every soul on this star... Cicivexa uses Manaward! The next two attacks targeting Cicivexa do not damage him! Under the effects of Sky-Splitting Flash and Manaward, the Fruits of Hubris are ignored! Cicivexa uses Swiftcast to cast Flare I on Icarax and the Rahi-Nui (and the Makuta, if and only if Sky-Splitting Flash is no longer active by Cicivexa's turn), dealing 5d6 + 16 + 4 + 2 Fire damage to all targets! Cicivexa gains Astra for 1 Turn! Umbra's duration lowers by 1! Cicivexa consumes Thundercloud to attack the Rahi-Nui, dealing (5d6 + 16 + 4) + 6 Lightning damage! Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities:

He had to admit, this was a creative one, but Cicivexa had trained for months to channel without the need for voice control. Such tricks were worthless against him... and they would soon be his foes' downfall. As he gathered energy in his staff, he lowered it and flicked it upwards, launching a ball of lightning towards the Trespasser! To a limited extent, now, its energy was now his to command. The excess of it, at least. Under the effect of Sky-Splitting Flash, the Fruits of Hubris are ignored! Cicivexa casts Thundaga on the Rahi-Nui, dealing ( ( 5d6 + 16 + 9 ) / 4 ) lightning damage to the target, and inflicting two stacks of Thunderstruck for 3 Turns. (Thunderstruck (Stackable): when the victim uses an action with a cooldown or charge time, they lose one stack, and the inflictor gains Thundercloud for 1 Turn) (Thundercloud: If able to act, the user can consume this to perform one lightning-aspected weapon attack as a free action, affected by either fire or wind damage buffs) Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities:

...perhaps she had drawn a bit too much attention. It was a miracle she was even still standing, with the toxin swiftly spreading through her (not to mention the second arrow wound). She clearly overestimated her own abilities, but still, she accomplished what she set out to do, and somehow still had the strength to pull back to a healer on her own. In a sense, she had still succeeded. Life-Recorder to G7 Brilliant Deduction to G8, heal Faithful Diligence

The arrow in her gut was a mighty shock, and the inexperienced combatant nearly vomited a little. But that would be pointless, wouldn't it? She pulled it out as fast as she could, patched it up, and ran to the front line. It certainly wasn't her place to fight (she hadn't even brought a tablet), but the combined force now approaching them seemed... too much for the delegation alone. She couldn't do much, but she could protect herself quite well, and perhaps that would be enough to draw fire away from the healers. "Stand down! Our mission is too important for us to die, and you all have long lives ahead of you! If you wish to press on, then... understand precisely what you are throwing away." She knew that most trained soldiers would fail to see reason (or simply have the confidence to see through her bluff), but a distraction was all she needed. BEFORE SOGGYSHANKS MOVES: Life-Recorder to I-8, use Vulnerary on self Brilliant Deduction to H-6, use Heal on Soggyshanks

As Flies Freely flew freely past Life-Recorder, she sighed in relief that someone- anyone- in the enemy army would life to see the other day. At least one who could help pass on the lives about to be lost. If he is willing, that is. If only the rest of them would be so receptive to reason... Lotus to G4, kill Sniper A Life-Recorder to H6, attack Sniper B

As Cicivexa dragged himself back onto the scene, downing the one potion he could find on himself that wasn't expired, he was forced to consider his own actions. Would he have died if Edmond hadn't forced him out of the situation? He knew now that he needed to trust the man's judgment, but doing nothing while the Makuta spirited her off for "therapy"... didn't sit well with him, either. Even if such a being was willing to help with this one existential problem, his own continued existence is a problem unto itself, and "helping him" to any further degree, even as he has reaped so much from their very arrival... even if the Trespassers' invasion was stopped, he couldn't stand to leave this star worse-off than when he arrived. This mutiny offered an opportunity: let the Makuta and Trespassers weaken each other, and finish them both off! That would be the best possible outcome, but that considered... he couldn't afford to be too risky. There is a clear heirarchy of problems, and... and even if it means the Makuta lives, the Trespassers (and the one working with them) were the target he came here for. Under the effect of Sky-Splitting Flash, the Fruits of Hubris are ignored! Cicivexa casts Toa Freeze on Icarax, the Rahi-Nui, and the Trespasser Spawn Tyrannosaurus, dealing (( 5d6 + 16 + 4 )/16) ice damage to the targets, and granting Umbra to Cicivexa for 4 turns. On a successful INT + 4 check against the targets' CON, Toa Freeze inflicts Bind for 2 Turns. (Bind: silences actions that require proximity; cured when a hostile action requiring proximity is taken against the victim by their enemy) Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities:

The red-haired black ant seemed particularly interesting. Corporal Dart, was it? Recorder knew that her- that the expedition's survival was much more important than the enemy's, and that woman was clearly a very dangerous warrior; she knew this when she threw her chakram... but still, it would have been nice to be able to put down more than her name and face. And then, suddenly, one of the enemy commanders began hero-worshiping one of the delegation members. Recorder immediately felt like she needed to act fast, but... perhaps the mercenary in question had the situation handled better. The enemy has multiple snipers with them, this is a delicate situation. Perhaps she could pull herself behind the enemy lines instead...? She dashed to the near edge of the path to look for an opening. Life-Recorder to E-4

Life-Recorder did her best to study and memorize the appearances of the enemy group, both the living and the now-dead, as she dashed towards the front line with all her power to get a closer look... until she saw the red-haired woman wound the delegation's healer with dangerous skill. This was a life-or-death situation, if something isn't done about it, both her and Deductions' projects will end where they stand. That cannot be led to pass. Life-Recorder to D8, attack Corporal Dart

This emotional little moment Medusa is having with... herself... is a waste of time. She could easily be trying to lower the party's guards for a desparation blow! And even if the supposed "good" Medusa won out on this exchange (assuming she is no illusion), where would that leave Cicivexa? She's had it coming to her for a long time... Now then, let's see what this power can *really* do... While Medusa was distracted by her own external monologue, the wounded and poisoned Cicivexa channeled his newfound command over ice to empower his magicks. He gathered as much energy as he could, before instantly forming an intense icestorm across Medusa's location, hopefully freezing as much of her as he could, to prevent her from doing anything to stop him. The very instant afterwards, he instantly conjures a burning detonation across the very same location! "Petrify this, wretched goddess!" Under the effect of Manaward, the Fruits of Hubris are ignored! Cicivexa casts Toa Freeze on Medusa, dealing (WD)/8 damage to her, and making an INT(16)+4 check against the target's CON to Bind them for 2 turns! Bound characters cannot make any actions requiring proximity to its target (and is cured when a hostile action requiring proximity is made against them). Cicivexa is additionally granted Umbra for 4 turns! He then uses Swiftcast to cast Firaga I on Medusa, dealing (WD+5d6+6) fire damage to her, and granting Astra for 1 turn! Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities:

"So many lives to be lost..." Life-Recorder pulled from the back of her belt (just behind her cloak) a sharpened wooden ring. Not the deadliest weapon, but it could be thrown a long distance, yet was quick enough to wield in a close scuffle. Perfect for self-defense. "Very well. I swear that not one bug on this field will be forgotten." And so, with a burst of sudden alacrity did she rush closer to the front line, hoping to make out the details of the wounded lancer's face while he still stood. Life-Recorder to D11

Power began to flow Cicivexa as everything around him suddenly seemed much, much smaller. Is this the power to oppose even gods? Would it be enough to oppose the goddess who... split in twain and began requesting that we attack her? Is this some sort of trap? Cicivexa is two-thirds inclined to spring this kind of trap, but with this much power, perhaps the larger threats should be incinerated first... Under the effect of Manaward, the Fruits of Hubris are ignored! Cicivexa uses Sharpcast, causing his next attack this round to be an automatic Critical Hit for 2x damage! He then casts Flare III on Medusa, the two Rakshi, and Loyal Gozer, dealing (7d6+16+4)*2 fire damage to all targets, granting Astra for 1 turn, and lowering the duration of Umbra by 1 turn. Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities:

As Cicivexa braced his will against further onslaught, a bizarre wave of feeling came over him. Not a voice, more akin to a raising magick... only he was perfectly conscious and on his feet. He could say yes, or no, and everything Cicivexa had learned throughout his career was telling him to say no. That any sort of sudden, seductive little voice from distinctly outside of him could be a trick, the siren song of a voidsent. The search for absolute power must be careful, and deliberate, and Oh Damn it All to the Seventh Hell MEDUSA WILL DIE TODAY! I did not take upon the Black to second-guess myself at every shake of the tightrope! I cannot leave this world with more threats to fear than it started with, no matter what happens to me! I ACCEPT THIS POWER!! Cicivexa Rejects his Humanity, and achieves the most Umbral of forms! Cicivexa uses Manaward, creating a barrier able to withstand the damage from up to two attacks! Effects & Cooldowns: Stats & Abilities: