[D2 EN] The Hungry City - Attack!

[Jewel]

The leering visage of death, of a soul warped and twisted to hunger, draws every closer.

(Moves another 40 - 15 feet remaining)

[Faruq Al-Farhan]

That was way too close. But it was his last chance to try to do something.

He tried to focus again. Focus directly on the creature's face. Its hollow eyes. Its hollow existence, running amok through the city even after death.

He tried to focus on the formulas, geometric patterns and symbols he needed - again, not those he had hoped to use, but it was his only chance.

But it was too hard. They broke down in front of him as he tried to draw them in his mind.

Frustrated, he let out a loud sigh - probably louder than recommended in such circumstances. But with the wandering soul at this distance, it probably wouldn't make any difference.

Apparently he wouldn't be able to do anything to help tonight. Not convince the common man to work together rather than prey on each other. Not prevent the dead from preying on the living.

It was sorely frustrating, but with all attempts failed, the last thing he could hope for was to reach safety so he could, maybe, make a difference another day.

The doctor's curse, the man from the maze had said the day before. He couldn't heal tomorrow if he died today.

The conversation sounded almost ominous now as he turned on his heels and started backing off - all too slowly for now.

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Round 3 action:
Switch to Centre stance. +10 to Init and +1k1+2 to one roll on the next round.

Round 4
Action at Init 24.
Complex Action: Tried spellcasting. Failed
Free Action: Sigh and rethink life choices.
Free Action: Move back 10 feet! Should be 25 feet away from Ghul now. Probably not far enough....

D2 EN - Subtle casting again... TN 10, -3k0 from Fear | 3k2 ⇒ 17 (TN: 10)

D2 EN - Spellcasting Hail Mary. TN 10, -3k0 from Fear... | 1k1 ⇒ 2 (TN: 10) - At least it's wholly unsurprising this time XD

[Jewel]

It was far enough that the beast could not strike him down immediately... but he could feel its fetid breath upon him... he has a fleeting thought of how strange that was for a creature that did not need to breathe.

(Ghul moves to engage with Faruq but cannot yet attack)

[Faruq Al-Farhan]

That was definitely too close. And he didn't think he'd be able to do much at this rate, so...

Just before he starts running, it dawns on him. Should these things have a breath? Fetid was expected, but...

... well, he could think about that later, right?

Hopefully so.

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Round 5
Action at Init 14
Still defence stance
TN 19
Simple action - Move 20 ft away
Simple action - Move 20 ft away
Free action - Think about life choices again... can I at least move this thing away from places with too many people?

(Answer: Probably not! XD)

[Jewel]

(I'll allow Athletics/Stamina to try and keep it on your tail until you get somewhere that seems deserted without tiring enough for it to catch up. Otherwise just losing it to a distraction in the city is free... but that distraction has decent odds of being a person.)

[Faruq Al-Farhan]

Well... it was worth a shot.

Why did his legs have to keep shaking and losing their strength, though?!

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D2 EN - Athletics/Stamina Hail Mary now! -3k0 from Fear... | 1k1 ⇒ 4 (TN: ?)

I'll have to guess that's not enough XD

[Jewel]

As he tires the beast sees its chance and pounces! Flying through the air seeking to topple the man beneath it it slams to the ground... having torn Faruq's headcovering from him but failing to strike the flesh beneath by a literal hair's breadth.

(D2, EN: Full Attack - 2 raises for knockdown | 6k4 ⇒ 28 (TN: 29)

Hey, look, your luck changed!)

[Faruq Al-Farhan]

The adrenaline of that missed lunge was enough to finally make him decide there was only so much healing he could do today. Couldn't trust his mind to put the stray soul down. Couldn't trust his legs to lead it away from the city.

He'd have to trust them at least enough to keep him alive so he could heal tomorrow.

-----
Well that's SOME luck at least!
Defense Stance still, TN 19
Moving away 40 feet per round I guess! And he'll need another keffiyeh...

[Jewel]

It chases him for a while yet before some other unfortunate prey attracts its attention and it lopes off after an easier meal.

[Faruq Al-Farhan]

As frustrating as it had been, it was a lesson in the doctor's curse Al-Haddar had mentioned the day before...

He was unhurt. He could try to find out what had happened, maybe do something about... whatever this was.

Or at least he hoped this was something unusual... it should be. Had to be. But what?...

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D2 EN - Investigation/Perception TN 15 | 3k2 ⇒ 14 (TN: 15) .... I should be expecting another failure XD