CockroachTeaParty
2008-03-05, 10:54 PM
After a delay (life, and all that), I have the third round of the Clash of the Nine Swords complete.
Round I (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73908)
Round II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73938)
Once again, this is just a simulation, done by me, with unoptomized characters, simply for fun. Each character started with the Elite Array and 760,000 gp worth of equipment, with LA races having bought off their LA (and paying for it in gold).
So without further ado, I present to you,
Tournament Round III: Diamond Mind vs. Tiger Claw.
The next randomly selected pairing is rather interesting, in that they represent polar opposite philosophies: Diamond Mind emphasizes complete control of body and mind, while Tiger Claw encourages a warrior to give in to instinct and ignore the rational, civilized higher mind. Also, the infamous Tiger Shadow Horde destroyed the Temple of Nine Swords after Supernal Clarity, the iconic sword of the Diamond Mind school, was stolen. Is this more than simply fate?
The master of Diamond Mind is Sharla Gyeenen, a githyanki warblade wielding Supernal Clarity, the mythical rapier. The Tiger Claw master is Tharron Clanbash, a bloodthirsty orc warlord infamous for his cruel tactics. He wields Tiger Fang the kukri that encompasses the Tiger Claw discipline, as well as a +2 Speed Keen Kukri, which Tharron lovingly refers to as "Sharp Tooth."
Sharla
Sharla: female githyanki warblade 20; medium humanoid (extraplanar, psionic); HD 20d12+108; hp 243/243; init.+11; Spd. 30 ft.; AC 45, touch 26, flat footed 34; Base Atk+20/+15/+10/+5; Grp.+22; Atk +34 melee (1d6+10/15-20, rapier); Full Atk +34/+29/+24/+19; SA intimidating strike, diamond strike, haste; SQ darkvision 60 ft., naturally psionic 3, PR 25, weapon aptitude, battle clarity, uncanny dodge, battle ardor, improved uncanny dodge, battle cunning, battle skill, battle mastery, stance mastery, psychic poise; AL LE; SV Fort.+18, Ref.+25, Will+9; Str 18, Dex 32, Con 22, Int 18, Wis 8, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats: Concentration+40, Jump+30, Listen+11, Martial Lore+7, Spot+11, Tumble+37; Weapon Finesse, Unnerving Calm, Power Attack, Perfect Clarity of Mind and Body, Instant Clarity, Psionic Weapon, Greater Psionic Weapon, Blade Meditation (Diamond Mind), Combat Reflexes, Deep Impact, Improved Initiative.
Languages: Gith, Common, Draconic.
Supernal Clarity's Gifts: +1 insight bonus to Diamond Mind strike attacks, 3/3 day: substitute Concentration check for Balance check. 5/5 day: swift haste for 1 round. 5/5 day: Sapphire Nightmare Blade.
Spell-like Abilities: 1/1 day: Immediate Freedom of Movement, 1 min. (CL 10th). 1/1 day: Time Stop (CL 20th).
Psi-like Abilities: (ML 10th; save DC 9+power level) 3/3 day: Far Hand, Daze. 3/3 day: Concealing Amorpha. 3/3 day: Dimension Door. 3/3 day: Telekinetic Thrust. 1/1 day: Plane Shift.
Supernal Clarity's Toll: -2 ATK rolls, -4 Fort. saves, 12 hp lost.
Warblade Maneuvers Known: (IL 20th) 1: Moment of Perfect Mind. 2: Action Before Thought, Emerald Razor. 3: Mind Over Body. 4: Bounding Assault. 5: Rapid Counter. 6: Moment of Alacrity, Greater Insightful Strike. 7: Avalanche of Blades, Quicksilver Motion. 8: Diamond Nightmare Blade, Diamond Defense. 9: Time Stands Still. Maneuvers Readied: 7
Stances Known: 1: Stance of Clarity, Punishing Stance. 5: Hearing the Air. 8: Stance of Alacrity.
Possessions: Supernal Clarity (+5 keen rapier), +5 heavy fortification heavy mithral shield, belt of giant strength+4, cloak of resistance+3, dust of disappearance, winged boots, gloves of dexterity+6, bracers of armor+8, headband of intellect+6, amulet of health+6, ring of protection+5, skin of the defender, third eye concentrate, ring of evasion, handy haversack, robe of scintillating colors, luckstone. Tattoos: 4 Body Purification, 2 Body Adjustment, 5 Specified Energy Adaptation, Body Equilibrium, Biofeedback, 2 Vigor, Conceal Thoughts. Potions: 4 Cure Serious Wounds, good hope, water breathing, remove curse, remove disease, 2 remove blindness/deafness.
Tharron
Tharron Clanbash: male orc warblade 20; medium humanoid (orc); HD 20d12+128; hp 263/263; init.+10; Spd. 30 ft.; AC 39, touch 26, flat footed 29; Base Atk+20/+15/+10/+5; Grp.+27; Atk +29 melee (1d4+11/15-10x4, kukri); Full Atk +27/+22/+17/+12//+28/+28/+23/+18 (Tiger Fang // 1d4+7/15-20+1 CON, kukri); SA battle ardor, battle cunning, battle mastery, frenzied charge, battle fever, sharp claw, vicious attack, power critical, devastating attack; SQ darkvision 60 ft., light sensitivity, battle clarity, weapon aptitude, improved uncanny dodge, battle skill, stance mastery; AL CE; SV Fort.+18, Ref.+22, Will+8; Str 28, Dex 30, Con 24, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 6.
Skills and Feats: Concentration+23, Jump+32, Intimidate+23, Tumble+35; Two-Weapon Fighting, Blade Meditation (Tiger Claw), Quick Draw, Reaping Talons, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Rend, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Bind-Fight, Combat Reflexes.
Languages: Common, Orc.
Tiger Fang's Gifts: 1/1 day: one extra attack with Tiger Fang during a charge. 5/5 day: during a round that you attacked with Tiger Fang, swift action to cure 2d8 damage. +1 damage with Tiger Fang while in a Tiger Claw stance. +4 confirm critical hits with Tiger Fang.
Spell-like Abilities: 5/5 day: Swift Haste.
Tiger Fang's Toll: -2 Attacks, -4 Fort. saves, 12 hp lost.
Warblade Maneuvers Known: 1: Sudden Leap, Moment of Perfect Mind. 4: Bounding Assault. 5: Pouncing Charge. 6: Rabid Bear Strike, Moment of Alacrity. 7: Swooping Dragon Strike, Hamstring Attack. 8: Raging Mongoose, Girallon Windmill Flesh Rip, Diamond Defense. 9: Feral Death Blow, Time Stands Still.
Stances Known: 1: Hunter's Sense, Blood in the Water. 3: Leaping Dragon Stance. 8: Wolf Pack Tactics.
Possessions: Tiger Fang (+1 keen kukri), +2 speed keen kukri, amulet of natural armor+5, gloves of dexterity+6, dusty rose ioun stone, ring of protection+5, belt of giant strength+6, cloak of resistance+3, winged boots, headband of intellect+6, vest of consitution+6, bracers of armor+8, ring of freedom of movement, handy haversack, skin of nimbleness, 5 potions of Resist Energy (30, one of each type), 3 potions of Cure Serious Wounds, 2 oils of Greater Magic Weapon (+5), 3 potions of Lesser Restoration, 2 potions of Neutralize Poison, 2 potions of Remove Blindness/Deafness, potion of Good Hope, potion of Remove Fear.
Conditions
100 ft. square, featureless arena, opponents begin 30 ft. away from each other in the middle of the space. For the third time in a row, the randomly determined time of day is High Noon, meaning Tharron is dazzled the entire fight.
Round 1
Before any actions are taken, the two warriors take the time to stare each other down in a duel of wills. However, thanks to Sharla's Unnerving Calm, the githyanki easily crushes the orc's spirit. The sunlight, combined with the demoralizing stare of his foe, leaves Tharron at a distinct disadvantage right from the beginning.
However, the furious orc seizes the initiative. Without even taking the time to assume a martial stance, the warlord quickly draws both of his blades and executes a Pouncing Charge. He crashes into his flat-footed nemesis like a half-crazed, slashing, snarling beast, unleashing the full fury of the Girallon Windmill Flesh Rip. Although the bewildered Sharla puts up a decent defense, the savage orc lands two hits with Tiger Fang and three slashes with 'Sharp Tooth.' With each blow he tears at the githyanki's flesh, dealing horrific rending wounds. In a single round Sharla takes a stunning 124 damage.
A lesser warrior would surely have been reduced to bloody ribbons, but Sharla thinks quickly. She tumbles away from her snarling foe, draws Supernal Clarity, then uses the sword's supernatural power to speed her movements to superhuman levels. Effectively gaining the benefit of a Time Stop spell, the githyanki takes 12 virtual seconds to compose herself. She assumes the Stance of Alacrity and the Stance of Clarity, then uses two psionic tattoos on her body: one to heal some of the damage she has taken, and one to improve her body's metabolism, granting her modest damage reduction. Just before she reenters the time stream, she speaks the command word on her Robe of Scintillating Colors, to further confound Tharron in the battle to come.
Round 2
Without even realizing that his opponent has bent the laws of time and space, Tharron presses the attack. He assumes the Blood in the Water and Leaping Dragon Stance, then jumps an incredible twenty feet, right over the head of Sharla. He then executes the dreaded Swooping Dragon Strike, but his blade only slices a lock of Sharla's hair off, just barely missing her jugular vein.
Once again tapping into her sword's mystical energies, Sharla receives the benefit of a Haste spell before unleashing the ultimate Diamond Mind maneuver: Time Stands Still. Moving faster than the eye can follow, she unleashes a tornado of strikes, thrusts, and jabs to rival Tharron's initial explosion of attacks. However, the orc keeps his wits about him and manages to parry or evade several of the blows. Sharla manages to wound the orc four times, with one blow puncturing through his lower abdomen in a nasty critical hit. Without the reckless savagery of Tiger Claw behind her strikes, however, the githyanki only manages to deal 73 damage.
Round 3
Tharron shrugs off the worst of Sharla's barrage, and unleashes a Time Stands Still strike of his own, this time coupled with a Raging Mongoose boost. Like a hurricane of razor-sharp steel, Tharron unleashes attack after attack. However, Sharla's defenses are just too effective for him to overcome effectively. He only manages to land a single decent slash with his off-hand kukri, dealing a paltry 6 damage.
Realizing that she has the defensive advantage, Sharla decides to alter her tactics. She takes a moment to refocus, using Moment of Alacrity to boost her initiative, then uses her Perfect Clarity of Mind and Body to intimidate Tharron into making even less accurate attacks. Finally, she executes an Avalanche of Blades maneuver, but fumbles the initial strike, causing her to waste precious concentration and time.
Round 4
Thanks to her refocusing boost, Sharla is able to act again before Tharron can take advantage of her botched maneuver. She expends her psionic focus, using her Deep Impact ability to improve her next strike into a touch attack, then executes a Greater Insightful Strike, slowing down time for a brief moment before plunging her rapier right into a vulnerable spot near the orc's right shoulder. The blade pierces straight through Tharron, the tip emerging out of the other side of his back before withdrawal. He loses a horrendous amount of blood, taking 86 damage from a single thrust. Sharla then uses her Instant Clarity to quickly regain her psionic focus before tumbling away 15 feet.
Tharron begins to sweat, knowing in his gut that he might be fighting a hopeless battle. With a roar of rage, he runs up to his foe and attempts to slash at her legs with a nasty Hamstring Attack, but again the nimble warblade evades his strike with ease.
Round 5
Confident in her ability to hit her target, Sharla concentrates, taking in the weakpoints in the orc's defenses. She combines the dreaded Diamond Nightmare Blade with Greater Psionic Weapon, and Supernal Clarity again plunges through Tharron's torso, glowing with malevolent psychic energies. He takes a punishing 68 damage, coughing up warm blood as he feels his strength begin to leave him. Once again the githyanki tumbles away, regaining her psionic focus with practiced ease.
Tharron is hurt in a bad way. He reaches into his pack and takes out a packet of Dust of Disappearance. He lets loose a cloud of the magic dust, turning completely invisible. He hopes that he can buy some time to heal up and ready himself properly. The orc takes a moment to recover his expended maneuvers.
Round 6
Seeing her foe disappear into nothing, Sharla adopts the Hearing the Air stance. She can just make out with her improved sense of hearing where the orc stands. Unsure of what he is planning, but unwilling to lose track of his location, Sharla holds her ground, activating her tattoo of Offensive Prescience to boost her damage output.
As Tharron reaches for a potion, suddenly he becomes enthralled by the beautiful, dancing colors emanating from his opponent's magical robe. He stands, slack jawed, dazed, unaware that the battle is essentially over.
Sharla takes a few more rounds to prepare, but upon realizing that her foe is not moving, she moves up and executes another Time Stands Still full attack. While the orc's invisibility causes most of her attacks to miss, she does land a single critical hit. With a satisfying 'thud,' the orc's invisible body hits the floor of the arena, a pool of foul orc blood beginning to pool in the dust. As her foe's body once again become visible, Sharla sheathes Supernal Clarity and teleports off the battlefield to tend to her injuries.
Aftermath
Victor: Sharla, githyanki warblade, Master of Diamond Mind.
Time Elapsed: 48 seconds.
Most Damage Dealt in a Single Round: Tharron, dealing 124 damage with his opening charge.
Want to hear a secret? This battle was actually over waaay earlier. I forgot to roll Tharron's saves against Sharla's robe in the first few rounds. While I let the events of those rounds stand, I rolled just to see what his saves would have been: He failed every round. He would have been dazed and essentially at Sharla's mercy right at the end of the second round.
Really, it was almost impossible for Tharron to hit Sharla because his weapons were simply not as powerful as Sharla's, and he had to spend his resources boosting both DEX and STR, while Sharla only had to really worry about DEX. Also, the githyanki's shield really made a difference, both to boost her AC and to provide heavy fortification, which protected her from the orc's nasty critical hit abilities.
All considerations aside, I also rolled like crap for both of them the entire fight. Repeatedly, I rolled absolute garbage, which just elongated what should have been a much shorter fight.
Next up: Setting Sun vs. Devoted Spirit.
Any bets on Setting Sun winning? Anyone? No takers? Seriously, you'll get 10 gp for putting nothing on Setting Sun! Still no takers? ... :smalleek:
Round I (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73908)
Round II (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73938)
Once again, this is just a simulation, done by me, with unoptomized characters, simply for fun. Each character started with the Elite Array and 760,000 gp worth of equipment, with LA races having bought off their LA (and paying for it in gold).
So without further ado, I present to you,
Tournament Round III: Diamond Mind vs. Tiger Claw.
The next randomly selected pairing is rather interesting, in that they represent polar opposite philosophies: Diamond Mind emphasizes complete control of body and mind, while Tiger Claw encourages a warrior to give in to instinct and ignore the rational, civilized higher mind. Also, the infamous Tiger Shadow Horde destroyed the Temple of Nine Swords after Supernal Clarity, the iconic sword of the Diamond Mind school, was stolen. Is this more than simply fate?
The master of Diamond Mind is Sharla Gyeenen, a githyanki warblade wielding Supernal Clarity, the mythical rapier. The Tiger Claw master is Tharron Clanbash, a bloodthirsty orc warlord infamous for his cruel tactics. He wields Tiger Fang the kukri that encompasses the Tiger Claw discipline, as well as a +2 Speed Keen Kukri, which Tharron lovingly refers to as "Sharp Tooth."
Sharla
Sharla: female githyanki warblade 20; medium humanoid (extraplanar, psionic); HD 20d12+108; hp 243/243; init.+11; Spd. 30 ft.; AC 45, touch 26, flat footed 34; Base Atk+20/+15/+10/+5; Grp.+22; Atk +34 melee (1d6+10/15-20, rapier); Full Atk +34/+29/+24/+19; SA intimidating strike, diamond strike, haste; SQ darkvision 60 ft., naturally psionic 3, PR 25, weapon aptitude, battle clarity, uncanny dodge, battle ardor, improved uncanny dodge, battle cunning, battle skill, battle mastery, stance mastery, psychic poise; AL LE; SV Fort.+18, Ref.+25, Will+9; Str 18, Dex 32, Con 22, Int 18, Wis 8, Cha 8.
Skills and Feats: Concentration+40, Jump+30, Listen+11, Martial Lore+7, Spot+11, Tumble+37; Weapon Finesse, Unnerving Calm, Power Attack, Perfect Clarity of Mind and Body, Instant Clarity, Psionic Weapon, Greater Psionic Weapon, Blade Meditation (Diamond Mind), Combat Reflexes, Deep Impact, Improved Initiative.
Languages: Gith, Common, Draconic.
Supernal Clarity's Gifts: +1 insight bonus to Diamond Mind strike attacks, 3/3 day: substitute Concentration check for Balance check. 5/5 day: swift haste for 1 round. 5/5 day: Sapphire Nightmare Blade.
Spell-like Abilities: 1/1 day: Immediate Freedom of Movement, 1 min. (CL 10th). 1/1 day: Time Stop (CL 20th).
Psi-like Abilities: (ML 10th; save DC 9+power level) 3/3 day: Far Hand, Daze. 3/3 day: Concealing Amorpha. 3/3 day: Dimension Door. 3/3 day: Telekinetic Thrust. 1/1 day: Plane Shift.
Supernal Clarity's Toll: -2 ATK rolls, -4 Fort. saves, 12 hp lost.
Warblade Maneuvers Known: (IL 20th) 1: Moment of Perfect Mind. 2: Action Before Thought, Emerald Razor. 3: Mind Over Body. 4: Bounding Assault. 5: Rapid Counter. 6: Moment of Alacrity, Greater Insightful Strike. 7: Avalanche of Blades, Quicksilver Motion. 8: Diamond Nightmare Blade, Diamond Defense. 9: Time Stands Still. Maneuvers Readied: 7
Stances Known: 1: Stance of Clarity, Punishing Stance. 5: Hearing the Air. 8: Stance of Alacrity.
Possessions: Supernal Clarity (+5 keen rapier), +5 heavy fortification heavy mithral shield, belt of giant strength+4, cloak of resistance+3, dust of disappearance, winged boots, gloves of dexterity+6, bracers of armor+8, headband of intellect+6, amulet of health+6, ring of protection+5, skin of the defender, third eye concentrate, ring of evasion, handy haversack, robe of scintillating colors, luckstone. Tattoos: 4 Body Purification, 2 Body Adjustment, 5 Specified Energy Adaptation, Body Equilibrium, Biofeedback, 2 Vigor, Conceal Thoughts. Potions: 4 Cure Serious Wounds, good hope, water breathing, remove curse, remove disease, 2 remove blindness/deafness.
Tharron
Tharron Clanbash: male orc warblade 20; medium humanoid (orc); HD 20d12+128; hp 263/263; init.+10; Spd. 30 ft.; AC 39, touch 26, flat footed 29; Base Atk+20/+15/+10/+5; Grp.+27; Atk +29 melee (1d4+11/15-10x4, kukri); Full Atk +27/+22/+17/+12//+28/+28/+23/+18 (Tiger Fang // 1d4+7/15-20+1 CON, kukri); SA battle ardor, battle cunning, battle mastery, frenzied charge, battle fever, sharp claw, vicious attack, power critical, devastating attack; SQ darkvision 60 ft., light sensitivity, battle clarity, weapon aptitude, improved uncanny dodge, battle skill, stance mastery; AL CE; SV Fort.+18, Ref.+22, Will+8; Str 28, Dex 30, Con 24, Int 16, Wis 8, Cha 6.
Skills and Feats: Concentration+23, Jump+32, Intimidate+23, Tumble+35; Two-Weapon Fighting, Blade Meditation (Tiger Claw), Quick Draw, Reaping Talons, Improved Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Rend, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Weapon Finesse, Bind-Fight, Combat Reflexes.
Languages: Common, Orc.
Tiger Fang's Gifts: 1/1 day: one extra attack with Tiger Fang during a charge. 5/5 day: during a round that you attacked with Tiger Fang, swift action to cure 2d8 damage. +1 damage with Tiger Fang while in a Tiger Claw stance. +4 confirm critical hits with Tiger Fang.
Spell-like Abilities: 5/5 day: Swift Haste.
Tiger Fang's Toll: -2 Attacks, -4 Fort. saves, 12 hp lost.
Warblade Maneuvers Known: 1: Sudden Leap, Moment of Perfect Mind. 4: Bounding Assault. 5: Pouncing Charge. 6: Rabid Bear Strike, Moment of Alacrity. 7: Swooping Dragon Strike, Hamstring Attack. 8: Raging Mongoose, Girallon Windmill Flesh Rip, Diamond Defense. 9: Feral Death Blow, Time Stands Still.
Stances Known: 1: Hunter's Sense, Blood in the Water. 3: Leaping Dragon Stance. 8: Wolf Pack Tactics.
Possessions: Tiger Fang (+1 keen kukri), +2 speed keen kukri, amulet of natural armor+5, gloves of dexterity+6, dusty rose ioun stone, ring of protection+5, belt of giant strength+6, cloak of resistance+3, winged boots, headband of intellect+6, vest of consitution+6, bracers of armor+8, ring of freedom of movement, handy haversack, skin of nimbleness, 5 potions of Resist Energy (30, one of each type), 3 potions of Cure Serious Wounds, 2 oils of Greater Magic Weapon (+5), 3 potions of Lesser Restoration, 2 potions of Neutralize Poison, 2 potions of Remove Blindness/Deafness, potion of Good Hope, potion of Remove Fear.
Conditions
100 ft. square, featureless arena, opponents begin 30 ft. away from each other in the middle of the space. For the third time in a row, the randomly determined time of day is High Noon, meaning Tharron is dazzled the entire fight.
Round 1
Before any actions are taken, the two warriors take the time to stare each other down in a duel of wills. However, thanks to Sharla's Unnerving Calm, the githyanki easily crushes the orc's spirit. The sunlight, combined with the demoralizing stare of his foe, leaves Tharron at a distinct disadvantage right from the beginning.
However, the furious orc seizes the initiative. Without even taking the time to assume a martial stance, the warlord quickly draws both of his blades and executes a Pouncing Charge. He crashes into his flat-footed nemesis like a half-crazed, slashing, snarling beast, unleashing the full fury of the Girallon Windmill Flesh Rip. Although the bewildered Sharla puts up a decent defense, the savage orc lands two hits with Tiger Fang and three slashes with 'Sharp Tooth.' With each blow he tears at the githyanki's flesh, dealing horrific rending wounds. In a single round Sharla takes a stunning 124 damage.
A lesser warrior would surely have been reduced to bloody ribbons, but Sharla thinks quickly. She tumbles away from her snarling foe, draws Supernal Clarity, then uses the sword's supernatural power to speed her movements to superhuman levels. Effectively gaining the benefit of a Time Stop spell, the githyanki takes 12 virtual seconds to compose herself. She assumes the Stance of Alacrity and the Stance of Clarity, then uses two psionic tattoos on her body: one to heal some of the damage she has taken, and one to improve her body's metabolism, granting her modest damage reduction. Just before she reenters the time stream, she speaks the command word on her Robe of Scintillating Colors, to further confound Tharron in the battle to come.
Round 2
Without even realizing that his opponent has bent the laws of time and space, Tharron presses the attack. He assumes the Blood in the Water and Leaping Dragon Stance, then jumps an incredible twenty feet, right over the head of Sharla. He then executes the dreaded Swooping Dragon Strike, but his blade only slices a lock of Sharla's hair off, just barely missing her jugular vein.
Once again tapping into her sword's mystical energies, Sharla receives the benefit of a Haste spell before unleashing the ultimate Diamond Mind maneuver: Time Stands Still. Moving faster than the eye can follow, she unleashes a tornado of strikes, thrusts, and jabs to rival Tharron's initial explosion of attacks. However, the orc keeps his wits about him and manages to parry or evade several of the blows. Sharla manages to wound the orc four times, with one blow puncturing through his lower abdomen in a nasty critical hit. Without the reckless savagery of Tiger Claw behind her strikes, however, the githyanki only manages to deal 73 damage.
Round 3
Tharron shrugs off the worst of Sharla's barrage, and unleashes a Time Stands Still strike of his own, this time coupled with a Raging Mongoose boost. Like a hurricane of razor-sharp steel, Tharron unleashes attack after attack. However, Sharla's defenses are just too effective for him to overcome effectively. He only manages to land a single decent slash with his off-hand kukri, dealing a paltry 6 damage.
Realizing that she has the defensive advantage, Sharla decides to alter her tactics. She takes a moment to refocus, using Moment of Alacrity to boost her initiative, then uses her Perfect Clarity of Mind and Body to intimidate Tharron into making even less accurate attacks. Finally, she executes an Avalanche of Blades maneuver, but fumbles the initial strike, causing her to waste precious concentration and time.
Round 4
Thanks to her refocusing boost, Sharla is able to act again before Tharron can take advantage of her botched maneuver. She expends her psionic focus, using her Deep Impact ability to improve her next strike into a touch attack, then executes a Greater Insightful Strike, slowing down time for a brief moment before plunging her rapier right into a vulnerable spot near the orc's right shoulder. The blade pierces straight through Tharron, the tip emerging out of the other side of his back before withdrawal. He loses a horrendous amount of blood, taking 86 damage from a single thrust. Sharla then uses her Instant Clarity to quickly regain her psionic focus before tumbling away 15 feet.
Tharron begins to sweat, knowing in his gut that he might be fighting a hopeless battle. With a roar of rage, he runs up to his foe and attempts to slash at her legs with a nasty Hamstring Attack, but again the nimble warblade evades his strike with ease.
Round 5
Confident in her ability to hit her target, Sharla concentrates, taking in the weakpoints in the orc's defenses. She combines the dreaded Diamond Nightmare Blade with Greater Psionic Weapon, and Supernal Clarity again plunges through Tharron's torso, glowing with malevolent psychic energies. He takes a punishing 68 damage, coughing up warm blood as he feels his strength begin to leave him. Once again the githyanki tumbles away, regaining her psionic focus with practiced ease.
Tharron is hurt in a bad way. He reaches into his pack and takes out a packet of Dust of Disappearance. He lets loose a cloud of the magic dust, turning completely invisible. He hopes that he can buy some time to heal up and ready himself properly. The orc takes a moment to recover his expended maneuvers.
Round 6
Seeing her foe disappear into nothing, Sharla adopts the Hearing the Air stance. She can just make out with her improved sense of hearing where the orc stands. Unsure of what he is planning, but unwilling to lose track of his location, Sharla holds her ground, activating her tattoo of Offensive Prescience to boost her damage output.
As Tharron reaches for a potion, suddenly he becomes enthralled by the beautiful, dancing colors emanating from his opponent's magical robe. He stands, slack jawed, dazed, unaware that the battle is essentially over.
Sharla takes a few more rounds to prepare, but upon realizing that her foe is not moving, she moves up and executes another Time Stands Still full attack. While the orc's invisibility causes most of her attacks to miss, she does land a single critical hit. With a satisfying 'thud,' the orc's invisible body hits the floor of the arena, a pool of foul orc blood beginning to pool in the dust. As her foe's body once again become visible, Sharla sheathes Supernal Clarity and teleports off the battlefield to tend to her injuries.
Aftermath
Victor: Sharla, githyanki warblade, Master of Diamond Mind.
Time Elapsed: 48 seconds.
Most Damage Dealt in a Single Round: Tharron, dealing 124 damage with his opening charge.
Want to hear a secret? This battle was actually over waaay earlier. I forgot to roll Tharron's saves against Sharla's robe in the first few rounds. While I let the events of those rounds stand, I rolled just to see what his saves would have been: He failed every round. He would have been dazed and essentially at Sharla's mercy right at the end of the second round.
Really, it was almost impossible for Tharron to hit Sharla because his weapons were simply not as powerful as Sharla's, and he had to spend his resources boosting both DEX and STR, while Sharla only had to really worry about DEX. Also, the githyanki's shield really made a difference, both to boost her AC and to provide heavy fortification, which protected her from the orc's nasty critical hit abilities.
All considerations aside, I also rolled like crap for both of them the entire fight. Repeatedly, I rolled absolute garbage, which just elongated what should have been a much shorter fight.
Next up: Setting Sun vs. Devoted Spirit.
Any bets on Setting Sun winning? Anyone? No takers? Seriously, you'll get 10 gp for putting nothing on Setting Sun! Still no takers? ... :smalleek: