Tales of the Jewel

He had seen things. Something was definitely wrong. He felt they should be expecting something bad. With the rumours being circulated, probably most felt it.

That still didn't quite prepare him for the sheer scale of it. That many of them at a time? He'd never seen it. Hadn't ever even imagined it. The dark stories, the words in the darkness, they did say there were many of them under the city. But that many, suddenly coming out to attack?

Once again, his feet moved with his mind none the wiser. It had happened all too often since the archery contest. Courage? Foolishness? Destiny? It was hard to say.

At any rate, saying too much or stopping too long to think wouldn't help now - neither him nor the city. So he let his feet carry him to a hollow at the edge of a narrow street, still in the Mekham District but not by much, and at a reasonable distance from any sewer vents - staying too close to one definitely looked like a promising way to get overwhelmed and devoured, after all.

How much help can one person be in such a situation?, he wondered. He wondered also if others were thinking the same elsewhere. If they were, then maybe that could make a difference...

Either that, or quite a few foolhardy souls would get eaten today.

As he first saw the creature... he knew it in his soul. Getting eaten was so much more likely....

-----

D2 EN - The Hungry City (Night). Initiative | 3k2 ⇒ 14 (TN: ?)

D2 EN - The Hungry City (Night). Fear 3 roll. Voided! | 4k4 ⇒ 12 (TN: 16) Seriously?...

D2 EN - The Hungry City (Night). Stealth. -3k0 from Fear... | 4k3 ⇒ 20 (TN: ?)

Init 14
Defence stance, both knives out if possible.
TN 19 (if both knives out)
TN 20 to be seen...

A loping, bestial figure scuttles through the streets. A shall that was once a man, Senpet - perhaps - given the shreds of tattered clothing that remain, seeking to inflict its eternal agonies on others.

It does not yet seem aware of Faruq.

(
D2, EN Initiative | 4k3 ⇒ 11 (TN: ?) - Attack stance
D2, EN: Seek the Sneak | 5k2 ⇒ 12 (TN: 20)
How far? | 5k5 ⇒ 35 (TN: ?)

The ghul is about 35 feet away.

14 - Faruq - Defense - TN19
11 - Ghul - Attack - TN20
)

The trembling in his hands and legs made things much, much harder than he had hoped. He tried to concentrate on something, but his mind did not cooperate, so he started slowly moving to a point slightly more distant from the creature - taking care to keep to the shadows, of course.

Maybe if he could position himself right and keep his mind clear...

---
EDIT:
ATN still 19

Can't change stance during round 1, so Defence Stance it is
Simple Action while stealthy - move 10 feet away from Ghul (with Stealth 3 Mastery)
Simple Action while stealthy - move 10 feet away from Ghul (with Stealth 3 Mastery)

Not getting away yet, trying to keep the Ghul in sight...

Hopefully that 20 stealth keeps me safe...

For now it seems the monstrosity is still unaware of his presence.

(D2, EN: Sneaky snack? | 5k2 ⇒ 15 (TN: 20)

55 feet between them)

Jewel wrote: .

Hopefully that would be far enough.

Hopefully he could clear his mind enough.

Hopefully that would all be enough.

It sure was a lot of hoping. But sometimes you must hope to restore hope...

----
Round 2
Delaying turn until after the Ghul!
TN still 19 for now
Stealth still 20 for now

Unaware of the tasty nugget hiding nearby the ghul continues moving down the street seeking out other delicious, screaming morsels.

(D2, EN: Does it find him | 5k2 ⇒ 17 (TN: 20)
D2, EN: Which way does it go 1-3 - towards, 4-6, parallel, 7-10 away | 1k1 ⇒ 7 (TN: ?)
Ghul moves 40 feet away, 95 feet between them)

Jewel wrote: .

Right... the creature was looking the other way. Far, but he could still see it.

To say the situation was ideal would be clearly an overstatement. His hands and legs shaking as he held the daggers in his hands, the creature in his focus and the right words in his mind was definitely far from ideal.

But maybe it would be enough. Wasn't what he had planned, definitely, but with how dangerous things were? It could be some help to others, if it worked.

He kept his eyes focused on the creature, clearly out of the shadows now. The seal seemed to jitter about in his head as he tried to visualize it... but it could be done, he kept telling himself. Not ideal, but it would have to do.

----
Round 2 - taking turn after Ghul
Switching to Centre stance!

Init for next round is 24; +1k1+2 to one roll next round.

The Ghul can see a snack now if he turns around....

EDIT: TN 16 now!

This was not what he had hoped to do. This was not how he hoped to do it. In a situation like this? The least of these creatures around, the safer.

But maybe he could do something at least. Maybe even prevent other attacks elsewhere.

Fight fire with fire often didn't work... but maybe?

But no. The seal was too jittery. He couldn't concentrate. His voice didn't even come out properly.

He swallowed hard. Maybe he could still have one more chance? But he couldn't stop his hands from shaking...

----

D2 EN - Subtle Casting, ML 1 so TN 10. -3k0 from Fear.... | 3k2 ⇒ 17 (TN: 10) - Safe!

D2 EN - Casting,. VP spent. 5k4-3k0 = 2k2 vs TN 10.... *fingers crossed* | 2k2 ⇒ 6 (TN: 10) 5k4 rather than 4k3 with the VP... but nope. Not today, it seems!

The beast, hearing his motions, snarls and turns - charging towards the young man and shrinking the distance between them

(Moves 40 feet towards Faruq, 55 feet remaining between them)

... that he expected. Many other things tonight he didn't, but that he did.

The symbols, formulas and recepts in his mind were still all muddled up as he tried to gather the courage to stand against the lost stoul. He had one last chance... and if that failed, the only chance he'd have was hoping he'd be fast enough to flee.

What had happened tonight?

---
Round 3
Init 14 so going before Ghul
Delaying action until after Ghul
Still in defence Stance, TN 19

Decisions decisions
Should I stay or should I go? | 1k1 ⇒ 13 (TN: 5) - Does that mean courageous or stupid af?...