Fantasy Hunter's Moon: Ascendancy [IC] [CLOSED]

[Breadman]

Constantine didn't intend to waste the precious time that was given to them. The wraith moved to get closer to the Icon of Greed for a special surprise just for her. The gift from their dhampir friend would come into play. He pulled the Colt Walker out of its special special holster and examined the runes for a second. They glowed with the same Abyssal energy that flowed through him. Enhanced to channel that energy and explode once their lethal payload hit its mark. Six shots, more than enough to kill anything that moves. What can they do to an icon.

Six shots. Enough for every limb, the torso and head. The wraith aimed and fired.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou patted Rajko on the back as both their manuveurs went off without a hitch against Keggoth. As the others attacked, he glanced over at the group fighting Thorgran and watching how things progressed on their end. As Thorgran made himself more resilient, he noticed how Camille was the one who had the other gauntlet... if she was about to use it, now would be the time. The gauntlet that had fallen to his side crawl up his arm, allowing him to grab it and examine it. He could sense the energy eminating from it intensely. He had seen its effects on the others thus far. In that moment, he worried ever briefly whether or not he would be able to remain steadfast as Rebecca seemingly had.

But the hermit knew just as well that if he used all he knew with the gauntlet, he could end things right then and there. He could a deep breath, and meditated for just a moment.

The oni put on the gauntlet, and clenched his hand. In an instant, it felt as though the world around him slowed down, the gauntlet's power echoing through his soul with the flames of a dragon. He closed his eyes, looked within himself and recalled every lesson he had learned, every strategy taught to bring forth balance within himself, recalling his place in the world and what he was fighting for in that moment. And in that moment, a voice echoed.

"Hermit," he could hear someone in his mind speaking, a voice he didn't recognize. It was not Zazriel, who himself had begun speaking less with him the past while. He opened his eyes and found himself sitting in the middle of the void, legs crossed.

In front of him stood a man he only recognized from depiction and description - Thiasis.

He watched him stand above him, a smile upon his expression.

"Do you have what it takes to withstand rage so palpable it can be heard from the heavens? Has your training prepared you for this moment?"

The hermit didn't respond, choosing to meditate as Thiasis stared him down. Then, he spoke.

"One must temper their emotions to bring them to balance. One cannot deny them, for they come and go as the waves of the sea do. To go from one extreme to another, from joy to outrage, is natural, but we cannot allow them to dominate. To overcome their power, but to also accept their permanence, is key. They just are and will be, and won't."

Thiasis nodded. "This is the Way."

"This is the Way."

The moment he responded, Xiaòzhou truly opened his eyes, and time returned anew. For ever a brief moment, his eyes glowed silver, before turning to a yellow glow. He clenched his fist as hard as he could, and in an instant he was covered in the same aura he had been when he eliminated the Greed Demons earlier. As he was right now, he didn't even need to state what multiplier he had used, he had seemlessly tapped into the Ziránquan. As Constantine made his shots at Keggoth, the oni stepped forth, his intent clear.

"Your exorcism begins here!" the hermit bellowed out.

SPECIAL ATTACK: ZIRÁNQUAN​

Abilities: The 10 Trials of Adriel (15 HP) / Shan Oni Pai​

 

[joshuadim]

The Icon of Gluttony, in response to their onslaught, steeled his body in an attempt to defend himself against further wounds. But Azathor merely grinned in anticipation and prepared for another attack against the icon. It would be too easy, after all, if they simply cut him down like the false Icons they had encountered previously. He liked the challenge - it made it all the more satisfying when the Icon's head would roll on the ground. And so, undeterred, the demon prince burst out of his vessel to strike at the Icon with all his might and righteous fury.

Ability Used: That Which Dwells Beneath​

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko nodded in grim satisfaction as bat and sorcery rendered Keggoth vulnerable to the onslaught of attacks. The wounds inflicted upon him were soon stitched, mended by the divine's regenerative energies. That, along with the Oni's efforts, ensured Rajko's recovery. He felt Xiaòzhou's hand across his back, casting a brief glance to the sorcerer as the gauntlet thrummed the very air with ancient power. Rajko grimaced, his dark eyes lingering on the artifact's alluring presence. However, he looked away, gesturing his recuperation to the Oni, and drawing his rifle from his back.

The inquisitor knew the mystic's intentions, sidling slowly away to a slightly elevated position. Rajko perched, coat of black cloth, wet with crimson cascading barely over the edge of his vantage. His gaze unwaveringly fixed to the Icon of Greed's form, fingers firm against the rifle's trigger. In the corner of his vision, he was aware of the power his ally now possessed. He breathed, lungs full of the stale, dust-laced air.

He felt a supreme degree of fervor surge through his limbs, his inhuman eyes keen with a cruel, predatory gleam. Rajko waited for Xiaòzhou to strike then turned the rifle squarely on Keggoth. He fired, the weapon's discharge snapping across the battle-wreathed grounds.

Ability: A Hunter's Vow​

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian may have missed the Icon's mouth, but he was still thrilled to have hit the beast and done so much damage in the process. He felt the explosion against his own chest and heard the echoes travel throughout the cavern, and knew that the blast would have been fatal if he had only aimed a little higher - but he had feared missing over the top of Thorgran's head and possibly even harming his allies, so he played it safe.

He reloaded the weapon with another harpoon, watching the changes come over his foe's body as he trotted along, trying to remain out of Thorgran's direct line of sight while stronger allies kept him occupied. If he was going to harden his flesh where the trauma occurred, Sebastian would seek a weak spot where others haven't aimed. Unfortunately, he didn't sense such an opening, and instead, finally looked back at Keggoth. While she was distracted, he decided to switch targets and fire his next lance in her direction, unknowingly coordinating his attack with several others.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille's daggers hit their mark, and she straightened up after her feat of acrobatics to witness the rest of the group systematically pummeling Thorgran as he was momentarily disabled. As he furiously made his displeasure over the humiliation known, the huntress saw his skin begin to harden. Though her bolts might have the means to chip away at the defensive layer he was rapidly growing, she knew that would not be a guarantee. Though she possessed something that might literally allow her to punch through his defenses, and she looked down to the gauntlet she had kept in her hand in that moment...

Taking a deep breath to steel herself, she pushed her hand into the artifact and clasped it shut. Almost immediately she doubled over as her teeth grit, an overwhelming rage assailing her as the empowering pain of the relic coursed through Camille. Yet her tolerance for pain was great, and though the berserk rage was intense she possessed the type of iron will that was capable of honing this anger in a single strike. The huntress always directed the hatred she felt for her foes like the point of a rapier, and as maddening as this artifact was to wield she kept her discipline as best she could.

Straightening suddenly, her eyes snapped toward the Icon of Gluttony as impossibly heavy and fast steps carried her forward. "You..." she spat, teeth bared as her lips were drawn incredibly tight as she made her advance like a freight train building speed, leveling her fist. "I DESPISE you and all vile beasts like you. I SHALL BRING RUIN TO YOU AND YOUR VILE MASTER!" Driving forward, Camille leapt toward the Icon and aimed an earth-shattering punch directly for Thorgran's chest!

 

[Emperor Sagan]

The resounding blasts from the explosive harpoon and nitro rifle battered Aleister's senses, driving the vampire against a stone pillar to shake his head clear. Within these confines it felt like a mallet being driven past his skull and into the wall - but he held fast. Sensitive as he was, it would not delay him long, as he danced back out into the battle to deliver more shots towards Thorgran as the beast began to harden their skin.

He could see Camille diving in with the artifact, consumed with the strength it offered. He feared it. There was too much rage within him already, buried in some ways and bubbling up like black tar, ready to burn with a single spark. Aleister knew it would be his undoing to touch that gauntlet, but he was determined to help those who could control it. From the safety of a good distance away, and in part not wanting Camille to see him in her current state, he fired off a few more select rounds to keep Thorgran occupied and in pain as the others shifted their focus to deal with the other Icon.

 

[Infab]

Dwarven Citadel - Mines - Icon Fight - Turn Three

Constantine uses his Colt Walker! Chance Roll = 4 + 4 (8, Pistolero, Focus Fire!) Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 1505.
Xiaòzhou uses God Artifact: Left Gauntlet of Thiasis! Chance Roll = 6 + 2, 7 + 2, 4 + 2, 4 + 2, 3 + 2 (8, 9, 6, 6, 5. Shan Oni Pai, Focus Fire!) Chance Successful! Does 400 DMG (The 10 Trials of Adriel, Shan Oni Pai) to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 1105. Xiaòzhou HP = 5 (The 10 Trials of Adriel.)
Azathor = 3 + 2 (5, Focus Fire!) Does 57 DMG (That Which Dwells Beneath, Combination Power, A Sister's Legacy) to Thorgran. Thorgran takes half damage (Shock Absorber.) Thorgran suffers 29 DMG! Thorgran HP = 1146.
Rajko uses A Hunter's Vow! Chance Roll = 7 (9, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 13. Does 86 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 1019.
Sebastian uses his Harpoon Gun! Chance Roll = 5 + 2 (7, Focus Fire!) Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 919.
Camille uses God Artifact: Right Gauntlet of Thiasis! Chance Roll = 4 + 2 (6, Focus Fire!) Chance Successful! Does 200 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran takes full damage! Thorgran HP = 946.
Aleister = 7 + 2 (9, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 9. Does 28 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran takes half damage (Shock Absorber.) Thorgran suffers 14 DMG. Thorgran HP = 932.
Jakob = 9 + 1 (10, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 18. Does 30 DMG to Thorgran. Thorgran takes half damage (Shock Absorber.) Thorgran suffers 15 DMG! Thorgran HP = 917.
Gravedigger = 2 + 2 (4, Focus Fire!) Misses Thorgran.
Riberta uses her Nitro Express rifle! Chance Roll = 6 + 2 (8, Focus Fire!) Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 819.
Cassandra uses Special Attack: Slaughterhouse Waltz! Chance Roll = 8 + 2 (10, Focus Fire!) Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 719.
Rebecca uses Special Attack: Saintly Fury! Chance Roll = 4 + 2 (6, Focus Fire!) Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 619.

--- --- ---

The Icons have entered Phase 2! Both Icons now do double damage with each standard attack!
Keggoth has broken herself out of her stun! Keggoth uses Special Attack: One for the Money! Targets Xiaòzhou, Cassandra, and Constantine. Chance Rolls = 4, 9, 5. Misses Xiaòzhou. Does 15 DMG to Cassandra, Constantine. Cassandra HP = 5, Constantine HP = 5.
Thorgran uses Special Attack: Your Number's Up! Targets Camille, Azathor, and Aleister. Chance Rolls = 8, 10, 10. Does 15 DMG to Camille and Aleister. Does 30 DMG to Azathor (That Which Dwells Beneath.) Camille HP = 5, Aleister HP = 5. Azathor has been KO'd!

--- --- --- --- --- ---

GOD ARTIFACT HAS BEEN USED. ONE TURN MUST PASS BEFORE IT CAN BE REUSED. NEW USERS MUST BE OBTAINED DURING OFF TURN.
RANDOM SELECTION:
Sebastian, Aleister

THREE TURNS BEFORE CASSANDRA AND REBECCA CAN USE THEIR SPECIAL ATTACKS AGAIN.

​

Constantine's Colt Walker slipped from its holster in a quick draw, the hammer being cocked back before it even left the leather it was contained in, and was soon pointed at its target Keggoth. Abyssal energy surged through the weapon, pouring itself into the chambered bullet. Specially crafted, the shot would harness that energy to deliver one hell of an explosive payload to the target. A moment later, Constantine squeezed the trigger. The Colt Walker sounded off, a loud crack echoing off the walls of the cavern as the bullet erupted from the barrel. The revolver kicked skyward, Constantine barely able to hang onto it.

The bullet darted through the cavern, before colliding with Keggoth's shoulder. As the bullet slapped against her flesh, it exploded into a mass of Abyssal energy. Angry. Violent. The blast made her spin in place, as flesh exploded from her shoulder. The spin sent her right into Xiaòzhou's path, and the brutality that followed momentarily stunned those that were focused on Keggoth. Using the gauntlet, and his own unlocked power, Xiaòzhou unleashed hell upon Keggoth, striking Keggoth's body with a series of intense, punishing blows. Bones cracked and shattered under the hail of blows. He paused only to allow Rajko's shot to connect, which rocked the Icon almost as bad as Constantine's had before. What caught Xiaòzhou off-guard, however, was Sebastian.

Sebastian's harpoon lodged itself in Keggoth's upper back, and detonated after a momentary hiss. The blast knocked Xiaòzhou backwards, ripping the gauntlet from his arm with the shock wave and sending it sailing into the air. Landing on the ground near Sebastian.

As Keggoth struggled to recover, trying to steady herself as blood and fresh dangled from her back, another loud THOW sounded through the cavern. The shot collided with her thigh, ripping through and sending her leg out from beneath her. It was Riberta firing another shot from her Nitro Express. However, Keggoth wouldn't hit the ground. Instead, she landed right in Cassandra's waiting arm.

"Now, you're not going down that easy, are you?"

She lifted her back up, before grinning wildly. "Let's dance, shall we?" said Cassandra, as she began to twirl Keggoth around gracefully. Keggoth, however, was barely able to stand... which really only made Cassandra grin wider.

"You've got legs like sparghetti. Wet noodles. That just won't do."

Cassandra abruptly stopped, before delivering brutal stomps to both of Keggoth's feet. "PLANT. YOUR. FEET." she spat. She then delivered kicks to both of Keggoth's knees, forcing them to almost snap in half the wrong way. "STRAIGHTEN. YOUR. LEGS."

"Can any of you Icons actually dance? I mean, besides Sazak, though he's your King now." muttered Cassandra, as she went back to twirling Keggoth around. However, she noticed Keggoth starting to slump a bit in her grip. "I SAID STRAIGHTEN UP!" she barked, before using her supernatural speed to draw her sabre and shove it into Keggoth's side. The Icon yelped in pain, jumping almost out of Cassandra's arm.

Cassandra chuckled, but eventually released the Icon. "You bore me, Keggoth. But then again, you were always boring. Focused too much on the material things, and your little collection. Wanting what you couldn't have. Like me!" she said, before shoving the sabre in further and giving it a sharp twist. Then, she snatched it out and drove it into Keggoth's spine with a brutal slash.

"Now, be a good little Icon, and hold still." she whispered into the Icon's ear, before vanishing with her sabre. Keggoth looked about, trying to find where the pureblood had vanished to, before noticing that Rebecca was holding something like a spear nearby. Ready to hurl at her.

It was a bolt of divine lightning.

A second later, Rebecca let it loose. Hurling the popping and hissing bolt at the Icon. The lightning collided with the Icon, knocking her to the ground and leaving a large, scorched black mark on her chest. The flesh on her chest had been burned away, charred black and exposing the muscle and bone beneath.

However, Keggoth soon climbed back to her feet. Grinning. "You think you've got this in the bag, don't you?" she said, through gritted teeth. She then slowly began to lift off the ground, hovering a few feet into the air. "Watch this."

​

She raised her hands up, palms facing upward, and suddenly hundreds of dark colored particles errupted from her hands. They were the size of coins, but the sheer volume of them was enough to cause panic. Both Xiaòzhou and Constantine knew what it was. Abyssal energy. However, only Xiaòzhou was able to dispell the cluster that darted towards him at a rapid pace. Cassandra and Constantine weren't so lucky. The particles peppered both of them, the impacts feeling like they had been shot with each collision. When enough of the particles had collided with them, black-colored flames errupted across their bodies. Cassandra panicked, trying to brush the fire off and eventually rolling on the ground to try and put it out.

But Keggoth was soon upon her, darting through the air herself and grabbing onto Cassandra's leg as she burned. "Caught you." she said simply, before lifting her up and delivering a brutal mace smash against Cassandra's knee as she hung upside down. The impact shattered her knee, and Keggoth simply tossed her upwards before delivering another vicious hit to Cassandra's face as it flew by. Cassandra cartwheeled in mid-air, before being caught by some invisible force. Keggoth's magic.

"We're not done yet." she muttered, before looking upwards in the cavern. There were a few stalactites hanging above in the cavern, which seemed nice and sharp. So, Keggoth simply motioned her hand upwards. Cassandra darted towards the ceiling at an insane speed, before being impaled on one of the stalactites above. "Stick around, Cass." she said with a grin, before turning her attention to Constantine as he tried to put out his own fire.

She darted towards him, and as soon as she arrived, she drove her mace into his side twice. Then, into the side of his head. As he fell to the ground, she viciously began to beat into his chest with the mace. "Shoot ME will you? With that shitty relic?!" she spat, before grabbing onto his leg and slinging him against the cavern wall nearby.

Meanwhile, the other group was focused on Thorgran. Aleister, Jakob, and Gravedigger continued to shoot at the Icon, with Aleister and Jakob pelting him with bullets and buckshot. Gravedigger, somehow, missed his own shots. His hardened skin, however, prevented the shots from making as big of an impact as they had done before. However, Camille's attack would certainly make one. She charged in, between the shots, and delivered a pulverizing punch to the Icon's chest. His skin cracked and fractured, falling off revealing the muscle and bone beneath that had been exposed by both Azathor and Sebastian's previous attacks. The Icon stumbled backwards and began coughing, the hit apparently having knocked the wind out of him, and it gave Azathor the moment he needed to deliver his own strike.

The Demon Prince left his vessel, appearing in his demonic form, before taking up his blades and darting towards the Icon. In a sharp strike, he carved a gash across the Icon's exposed flesh where Camille had struck him. Thorgran yelped in pain, before an enraged expression washed over his face. "I'M TIRED OF YOU AND YOUR SHIT!" he spat, before grabbing Azathor by the throat.

He delivered a brutal series of punches to both Azathor's head and chest, before slamming him against the rocky ground beneath them. He delivered another blow, stomping viciously on the Prince's chest, before planting a sharp and vicious kick between Azathor's legs. Azathor darted forwards, skipping across the floor and eventually slamming into Camille as she tried to retreat. The gauntlet flew off her arm, landing at Aleister's feet.

Camille was the next target on Thorgran's list, the Icon darting across the room to grab her as she tried to stand. His fist collided with her spine, before his hand wrapped around her head and drove it back into the ground beneath. "LET'S SEE YOU PUNCH SOMEONE WITH A BROKEN FUCKING ARM!" he barked, before delivering a vicious stomp to her right arm. Bones shattered on impact, forcing Camille to cry out in pain.

Then, Aleister's number was up. As the vampire looked down to the gauntlet for a brief moment, Thorgran charged him and delivered an overhead strike with both hands that sent the vampire into the ground. "YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE SAFE BACK HERE, HUH!?" A sharp stomp followed, planted squarely in the middle of Aleister's back. Then, he grabbed the vampire by the leg. He lifted him up, before spiking him against the floor like one would throw a rag doll. As he released him, he looked to the others nearby. "YOU'RE ALL MINCE MEAT!" he barked.

Aleister, attempting to recover, noticed that the artifact was still lying near him. Thorgran had failed to notice it during his angry assault.

 

[Dmaster]

The huntress had focused all of her rage in a single punch, but that had taken about all the willpower she could muster. By the time Thorgran grasped Azathor and began his counterattack, Camille was seeing red and there was a horrible ringing in her ears. In the haze she could see the Icon still, and she pulled back to prepare herself to relentlessly strike him repeatedly with the gauntlet. Before she could close in, Azathor's unconscious form collided with her and saw to the artifact leaving her possession, and while that was ultimately for the best when Thorgran found her she was still reeling from the godly strength and anger leaving her. Too slow to get up, the blow to her spine contorted her body into a crescent before he slammed her head into the solid rock of the ground.

Her face was bloodied, and despite his impossible strength she still tried to force herself to stand up or break free of his grasp. It was all for naught, however, and the force of his stomp shattered the bones in her arm as if they were toothpicks. Camille cried out in agony, head thrown back to loose the wail of pain that was forced out of her lungs. When he released her to seek vengeance on the vampire rifleman, the huntress fell still and laid there for some time. In the moments that followed where Aleister's brutal beating took place, she glanced up just as the vampire was tossed aside in the vignette of her blurred vision. The huntress grit her teeth, and despite the horrible pain radiating through her body, she balled the fist of her left hand tightly.

Camille stood up.

Bloodied as she was, she found her footing and stared at Thorgran with killing intent, a smirk pulling itself across her bared teeth while her broken arm hung limply at her side. "H-How... disappointing," Camille spat, starting to drag her legs toward the Icon of Gluttony. "Do you think that this is the first time I have had to fight a cocky fiend while my arm has been broken?"

With only the slightest trembling of her left hand, she pulled her sabre from its scabbard and started to twirl it in a complex flourish. In all her years she had trained herself to be ambidextrous despite not being born with the trait, and she was showing to Thorgran that despite his efforts and the pain he caused her he did not remove a single ounce of her skill. Camille was goading him.

"You are truly a pathetic, lowly creature... You certainly fight like someone who has been gorging themselves on a filthy throne for centuries," she breathed, distaste and venom on her tongue. "You cannot even kill une petite fille comme moi? Perhaps I would shed tears of pain or fear you if you had chosen to rip my arm off instead," Camille continued, slowly advancing toward him as she brandished her sabre and pointed it at the demon. A good majority of her words were pure bravado, and she could feel herself starting to breathe ragged from her injuries, yet her confidence never left her. "All of that demonic might and yet I still find you wanting. I was more fearful for my life when we faced the horde of lowly ghouls upstairs..."

She waited for him to lunge at her, slashing her blade into the air almost like an invitation. Yet she would be ready for him, and in her she now carried a pained focus capable of splitting open his cowardly and craggy hide.

Ability: Nevermore​

 

[K0mori]

As soon as Sebastian let his second harpoon fly, he reached for a third - resisting the amateurish temptation to watch the aftermath of one's actions in combat instead of reloading. He paused, however, as one of the gauntlets landed about fifteen feet away from him. Instinctively, he rushed forward and dove onto it to keep it safe from the demons before rolling back up onto his feet.

Somehow, Sebastian had continued to evade retribution for the immense damage he had dealt the icons, and he still had two more harpoons to employ. The thought of wearing the gauntlet had not yet crossed his mind as he was already primed and ready to fire another explosive shot when he heard Camille cry out in pain, bringing his attention back to Thorgran.

To see Camille climb back up to her feet gave him both a surge of inspiration as well as fear for her safety as she chose to face the Icon with a broken arm. He could see why, though: Thorgran was badly hurt - his inner flesh exposed once again. Sebastian liked up his harpoon gun and waited for Camille to get out of the way, knowing that if the next attacks didn't kill the monster, he'd have to at least give the gauntlet a try. He dreaded it, knowing the effect it had on his comrades.

 

[Breadman]

"That's not a relic. Its brand new you stupid bitch." Constantine taunted with a ragged voice as he pushed himself to get up. Groans of pain escaped his mouth as he struggled to get up on his feet, but eventually he was among those still standing. He spat out something resembling blood. That was one bullet he had spent on her and all it seemed to have done was irritate her. Fine he could be more annoying. He reached for the revolver to fire off another shot, but stopped himself when he felt pain in his side. That could throw off his aim a bit.

The gambler reached for the deck of cards he had and pulled out three of them. Already charged and ready to be used. He flicked one in the air so it would land on him to give him that small boost, but before he did it again, he had a chance for a brief moment to observe the field. He made a snap decision on where the other two would go. One went straight to Cass for that small help to dislodge herself from the ceiling and he thought that the boss lady would appreciate if he looked out for her a bit. The second - he tossed towards Camille.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko racked his rifle's bolt and turned it on Keggoth as she conjured a malicious energy into the thinnest space, the very air shrieking, shuddering with an unearthly power. The sight chilled Rajko's blood to blackest ice, sending a shock of cold down his spine. His eyes narrowed with a subconscious fury. An animalistic sneer split his pale, scarred features. Hands clenching around his rifle. Then he saw the carnage unleashed by the Icon, a spark of consternation thundered across his gaze. His hand went to the inner pocket of his jacket as the dim light of the chamber flickered with inky black flames.

He clutched the glass sphere, hard gaze glaring at Keggoth. Heart pounding, a furious tattoo in his chest silenced momentarily, steeled by his discipline. For a few long seconds, Rajko remained still. Until he pulled his arm back then, with his throat rasping in the dry, cold air, drove every ounce in his aching, tired muscles into the movement, tossing the flash ball at Keggoth's wretched corporeal form.

"Flash out!" Rajko yelled.

Ability: Flash Ball (Target: Keggoth)​

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou struck Keggoth with a vicious combo of strikes, allowing Rajko in the midst of it to get his shot off, before doing the same for Sebastian's shot, though he would be blasted away by his attack in the process. With the gauntlet flying off, and the strain on his body rising, the hermit fell out of the Ziránquan. He laid on the ground, trying to recover after forcing so much out of himself, all while paying attention to the others through his qi-sensing. Everyone's attacks against Keggoth and Thorgran seemed to be going great, at least until each decided to finally counter back.

The oni had barely managed to get back on his knees when Keggoth attacked, effectively forcing his body to the side using his qi as if dodging an incoming mystic barrage, and landing on the ground again. With Constantine and Cassandra peppered, Keggoth continued her assault against Cass, all while Thorgran struck down Azathor, Camille and Aleister. Seeing Azathor laid out on the ground, outside of his vessel, through sheer will and qi manipulation, Xiaòzhou forced himself over to the demon, as to get him away from the battle.

Noting everyone's state, including his own, he recognized that what he needed to do right now was play support; forcing his body into a meditative pose, he worked on AoE healing the group.

 

[Infab]

Dwarven Citadel - Mines - Icon Fight - Turn Four
Sebastian uses his Harpoon Gun! Chance Roll = 5 + 2 (7, Focus Fire!). Chance Roll Successful. Does 100 DMG to Thorgran. Thorgran HP = 817.
Constantine uses Card Thrower! Chance Rolls = 5, 3, 8. Chance Rolls Mostly Successful. Constantine and Camille regain 10 HP. Misses Cassandra. Constantine HP = 15, Camille HP = 15.
Rajko uses Flash Ball! Chance Roll = 5. Chance Successful! Keggoth is now stunned for a turn, and her vision has been affected for four turns!
Xiaòzhou attempts an AOE Heal (Like Water, Returning.) Chance Roll = 10. Chance Successful! Allies regain 6 HP. Cassandra HP = 11, Constantine HP = 20, Camille HP = 20, Xiaòzhou HP = 11, Aleister HP = 11, Riberta HP = 20, Rebecca HP = 20, Azathor HP = 6.
Aleister chooses to give up the God Artifact: Right Gauntlet of Thiasis! New user will be chosen!
Jakob - 7 + 2 (9, Focus Fire!). Acc. Roll = 19. Does 35 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran HP = 782.
Gravedigger - 2 + 2 (4. Focus Fire!) Misses Thorgran.
Riberta uses her Nitro Express Rifle! Chance Roll = 7 + 2 (9, Focus Fire!) Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 519.
Cassandra - 10. Crit. Roll = 9. Does 35 DMG to Keggoth. Keggoth HP = 484.
Rebecca uses Light Bringer! Chance Roll = 6. Chance Successful! Does 196 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran's vision is affected for a turn. Thorgran HP = 589.

--- --- ---

Keggoth cannot attack! Stunned for a turn!
Thorgran - 8 + 2 - 3 (7, True Pulverizer, Light Bringer.) Targets Camille, but misses (Nevermore.) Thorgran is now stunned for a turn!

--- --- --- --- --- ---

GOD ARTIFACTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO USE.
RANDOM SELECTION FOR RIGHT GAUNTLET USE:
Constantine

TWO TURNS BEFORE CASSANDRA AND REBECCA CAN USE THEIR SPECIAL ATTACKS AGAIN.


​

"All of that demonic might and yet I still find you wanting. I was more fearful for my life when we faced the horde of lowly ghouls upstairs..."​

Camille's comments seemed to agitate Thorgran more and more, and soon she found the Icon moving quickly towards her in an attempt to shut her up. The moment he took a swing, however, she used her feathered cloak to dodge the attack. Flicking it in his face. As he struggled to get it off his face, she moved away just in time to allow Sebastian to fire his harpoon gun. The dynamite charge connected, and detonated three seconds later with a thunderous boom. Thorgran was knocked down onto his hands and knees, and was soon fired upon by Jakob and the Gravedigger (who somehow missed again.)

Then Rebecca did something similar to what she had done to kill off the vampires in the main hall before. She moved her hands together, and began to craft a circular ball of light. But instead of holding up to the sky, she threw it at Thorgran as he stood. There was a bright flash, as the ball of light seemed to 'burst' and blind Thorgran. As it burst, it seemed to also coat him in divine white flames.

Aleister, giving the glove a once over, quickly decided against using it. He didn't need this thing, especially after witnessing what it did to the others that wore it. The vampire soon got the attention of Constantine, whom had thrown out some cards to heal a few of the group, before tossing it to him.

Meanwhile, Rajko's flash bulb bomb detonated in mid air, just in front of Keggoth. It blinded the Icon with its bright flash, which allowed for Xiaòzhou to begin their casting of mass healing magic. Riberta, then, once more used her Nitro Express. She took another shot at Keggoth, forcing the round to punch a massive hole through Keggoth's lower back. Then, falling from the ceiling from where Keggoth had thrown her, Cassandra drove her well aimed sword straight through Keggoth's clavicle and down through her torso. The Icon, however, still wasn't going down.

 

[Dmaster]

Thorgran played right into Camille's hand, her feather clock disrupting his vision as she quickly pivoted out of the way of his strike. In the few seconds as he had all of that powerful momentum, he was stopped short by Sebastian's harpoon gun colliding with the Icon and knocking him backward. The huntress was close enough to the blast that she nearly toppled over in her weakened state, yet she kept her footing and remained upright with her dogged determination.

Before she capitalized on Thorgran now being wide open, she felt something impact her from beyond her narrowed gaze, the thrown playing card not registering through her tunnel vision. Yet when it tagged her she felt a spreading warmth ease the pain in her chest, the shattered bones of her arm quickly pulling back together in a most uncomfortable but welcome sensation. Taking a deep breath, Camille twisted her healed wrist before unsheathing her second blade to wield with the one in her off-hand.

Yet more warm healing magic radiated and found its way to her, and the huntress found herself both nimble and ready once again. With both Icons blinded, now was her time to deliver a coup de grace. Flourishing her blades, she rushed for Thorgran as he was still brought low ready to slash at his vitals!

 

[Breadman]

Constantine raised a hand to snatch the gauntlet from mid-flight. It was light. You couldn't tell it was made of metal and leather like gauntlets usually are. One of the god's had this huh? What if someone like him put it on. A denizen of the Abyss. Maybe the fact that was once human would be all it takes for him not to get an instant smite out of the ether. A gamble with his life at a time like this...sure, why not?

Constantine shoved his hand straight into the gauntlet and felt a sensation not like any other he had felt in his entire existence. The power of the glove coursed through him and forced the wraith to take a step back before he stabilized himself. He took his eyes off his hand and looked at Keggoth and all he could see was red. She was stunned from the latest round of attacks which left her open. He tightened his grip and let loose on the Icon. If she wasn't ugly before, he was about to make her just as ugly as him.

CONSTANTINE USES THE GAUNTLET​

 

[K0mori]

Seeing Thorgran stagger after another thunderous explosion before being further struck by bullets and holy magic - the latter engulfing him in a cloak of white fire - Sebastian dared to hope for a moment that the Icon was about to fall. Instead, however, he realized that Thorgran was still trying to fight, and the very thought of it was enough to push him into utilizing the gauntlet. He grabbed it off the floor of the cavern and shoved his hand into it. At once, he was possessed by a sensation of rage equal to or greater than what he felt at the sawmill on Grimtham. Everything he had experienced since departing Eternis which had brought him frustration, sadness, loneliness, and bitterness all faded to red, and with an inarticulate roar, he charged forward.

Thorgran. That grotesque, evil bastard. "Why... WHY WON'T YOU DIE!?" he screamed as he threw himself at the Icon. On some level within, he had stopped trying to survive the battle - he simply needed to see the demon fall, no matter what.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko spun, raising the tatters of his coat in time to shield his eyes from the silver flash, the light bathing the ruined chamber, flattening the eddies of dust kicked up by the speed and fury of combat. For a brief second, the inquisitor peered over the top of his shoulder, he was unable to suppress a flint-edged grin cleaving his features. The satisfaction of debilitating an Icon, even for a moment, surged through him. Indeed, his dark eyes twisted with a vicious, inhuman mixture of venomous scorn and animalistic brutality. He bit back an ear-splitting screech, his throat raw with a smoldering fury. He felt his bones snap, lengthening beneath his skin. Body aflame with fresh agony. His teeth, chattered in his distending jaw, sharpened to wicked points. Rajko's eyes burned, gleaming like dying stars amidst a starless nightsky. Then he felt a cold sensation flood his system, the echoes of discipline binding the beast in rusted, iron chains.

Rajko's head inclined sharply, his attention focusing on the dazed sinner. He slammed a fist down as the muscles in his hand tightened around his bone. He went up, leathery wings unfurling and beating a slow, powerful tattoo. His crimson eyes on Constantine, the hell-denizen charged at Keggoth. The werebat's wings snapped, circling 'round the stunned Icon. Then Rajko dived, twisting towards her, his talons outstretched to gore her.

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor jolted awake, as if reliving the brutality that had been inflicted upon him earlier, when Takato managed to get him up if only just barely. He clutched a hand at his chests for a moment, making sure that he was alive, before staggering to his feet and shaking his head. His senses were still discombobulated from the beating he had taken, but now he was back in the fight. As such, Azathor quickly returned into his vessel - dissipating as he had done so before - and quickly got back into the fray; he lunged out towards Thorgran's legs and sought to cut a wound grievous enough so as to harry the Icon.

 

[Damian0358]

Having helped Azathor up, Xiaòzhou looked at the state of the field. The hermit could tell that the two Icons were being worn down, but they couldn't celebrate just yet, as Icons could always pull something out of nowhere at the last minute. The oni shifted his gaze towards Thorgran, who was doing slightly better due to his earlier defensive manuveurs.

"...[Talisman ~ Converging Shot!]" he quickly whipped out, firing a concentrated qi attack at Thorgran.

 

[Infab]

Dwarven Citadel - Mines - Icon Fight - Turn Five

Camille = 10 (Nevermore.) Crit. Roll = 10. Does 35 DMG to Thorgran. Thorgran HP = 554.
Constantine uses God Artifact: Right Gauntlet of Thiasis! Chance Roll = 9. Chance Successful! Does 200 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 284.
Sebastian uses God Artifact: Left Gauntlet of Thiasis! Chance Roll = 5. Chance Successful! Does 200 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran HP = 354.
Rajko = 6 + 2 (8, Focus Fire!) Does 25 DMG to Keggoth. Keggoth HP = 259.
Azathor = 1 + 2 (3, Focus Fire!) Critical Miss! Trips and suffers 1 DMG! Azathor HP = 5.
Xiaòzhou = 7 + 2 (9, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 14. Does 30 DMG to Thorgran. Thorgran HP = 324.
Aleister = 4 + 2 (6, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 20. Critical Hit! Does 50 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 209.
Jakob = 3 + 2 (5, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 10. Does 28 DMG to Keggoth. Keggoth HP = 181.
Gravedigger = 5 + 2 (7, Focus Fire!) Acc. Roll = 9. Does 28 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran HP = 296.
Cassandra uses her Claw Gauntlets! Chance Roll = 10. Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth HP = 81.
Riberta uses Special Attack: The Hunt. Chance Roll = 7. Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Keggoth! Keggoth has been slain!
Rebecca uses her Shield Shotgun! Chance Roll = 5. Chance Successful! Does 100 DMG to Thorgran! Thorgran HP = 196.

--- --- ---

Thorgran has shifted into their True Demon Form: Thorgran'ganos!
Thorgran'ganos = 6, 1, 9, 7, 7, 7, 10, 6, 5, 4, 1, 3 (Rampant Gluttony.) Constantine, Cassandra, Rajko, Azathor, Camille, Jakob, Riberta, Sebastian suffer 10 DMG (Rampant Gluttony.) Misses Rebecca, Gravedigger, Aleister, and Xiaòzhou. Constantine/Rajko/Camille/Riberta/Jakob/Sebastian HP = 10. Cassandra HP = 1. Azathor has been KO'd!


GOD ARTIFACTS HAVE BEEN USED. ONE TURN MUST PASS BEFORE THEY CAN BE REUSED. NEW USERS MUST BE OBTAINED DURING OFF TURN.
RANDOM SELECTION:
Camille, Jakob

ONE TURN BEFORE CASSANDRA AND REBECCA CAN USE THEIR SPECIAL ATTACKS AGAIN.
THREE TURNS BEFORE RIBERTA CAN USE HER SPECIAL ATTACK AGAIN.

--- --- --- --- --- ---



​

The first attack to collide with Keggoth would be that of Rajko, the now shifted werebat darting in to drive his fangs and claws into the Icon of Greed. His immense speed allowed him to collide with Keggoth with maximum force, forcing the Icon to stumble backwards as he sank his razor sharp claws into her flesh. He shredded what he could, and even ripped a chunk of her shoulder out with his teeth before quickly moving away. Gunfire then peppered the demon, coming from Jakob and Aleister, whom had chosen to fire on the weaker of the two Icons in the moment.

Then, Cassandra zipped into view. On her hands, her new gauntlets that she had been gifted by the dhampir back in Eternis. Coated with a special acid, the claws would make quick work of the Icon, should she connect. Which she would. Keggoth made the mistake of missing her ever so brief appearance in the corner of her vision. Soon, those acid coated claws raked across Keggoth's spine. There was aloud hissing noise, as the acid began to eat away at her flesh. Keggoth cried out in pain, attempting to claw at where the acid had touched her skin.

This left the perfect opening for Constantine, who moved in quite quickly. Gauntlet strapped to his arm and ready to work. The beating he would deliver unto the Icon was catharsis, in a way. But it wouldn't feel as good as watching what came next.

As Keggoth managed to shove Constantine away, sending him flying across the room and sending the gauntlet sailing towards Jakob, a loud roar sounded off in the cavern. Riberta, whom had previously been simply shooting at the Icon with her Nitro Express rifle, had now shifted just like Rajko. However, she had grown several feet in size, taking the form of of an alpha werewolf. Her jet black fur bristled, her muscles rippled beneath, and soon she darted on all fours across the cavern. Then, she was upon Keggoth.

The best way to describe what they would witness would be a proper mauling. Flesh and muscle was stripped away by claws and teeth, limbs were ripped clean off Keggoth's body. The Icon screamed in agony, even attempting to call out for Thorgran's help. She even, at one point, tried to roll over and crawl away from Riberta with the only limb she had remaining. However, the warlord wouldn't allow it. She stood and delivered a brutal, spine snapping stomp to the demon's back. Then, while she was pinned in place, she reached down and grabbed Keggoth by her head. With one swift, sickening rip, she tore Keggoth's head off... and pulled her shattered spine with it.

There was another crunch, as she crushed the Icon's head in her massive fist, before spiking the remnants against the cavern floor. That was one Icon down.

Thorgran had little time to see what had happened to his ally, as Camille made her presence known by driving her sword through the exposed flesh on his chest. Then, as he tried to push her away, he was set upon by an enraged Sebastian wielding the other gauntlet. The young soldier delivered a series of brutal and agonizing blows with his gauntleted fist to any and all exposed flesh he could find on Thorgran's back, eventually knocking the Icon down to his knees just to beat him further. However, the Icon would eventually knock Sebastian away with a vicious shove. The gauntlet went flying off his arm, landing near Camille once more.

He climbed up from his knees to be met with the sight of Azathor tripping and falling in an attempt to charge at him. He was likely still weak from the beating he had given him. However, Thorgran was soon met with some sort of magical attack from Xiaòzhou and gunfire from the Gravedigger. Then, Rebecca sharged and plowed into him using her shield, before firing the shotgun shells that were built into the front of it. The buckshot hammered into Thorgran, knocking him sideways and onto his side on the ground.

Thorgran coughed up blood as he tried to climb to his feet, eventually wheezing through his teeth as he straightened up. "I will NOT die here! Not today! I'll kill and eat each and every fucking one of you!" he spat between sharp inhales. Then, some of the group noticed something. His aura was getting... stronger instead of weaker. "I won't... last very long in this realm in my true form... BUT ITS WHAT YOU FUCKING DESERVE."

Then, Thorgran began to mutate.

He grew several feet taller in height, swelling not just in size but in girth. His muscle gave way to fat, which was covered in several mouths filled with razor sharp teeth and drool. A mass of large slick tentacles replaced his right arm, with a hand at the end of each nimble noodle of a limb. His skin color shifted to a pale pinkish-white, and he somehow developed black beedy eyes where he formerly didn't have any. What surprised everyone, however, was just how fast he was for a large fat monster.

The tentacles shot out of the recess of his right shoulder, darting in various directions. The hands at the ends grabbed his foes in any way they could. Constantine, Cassandra, Rajko, Camille, Riberta, Jakob, Sebastian... all were grabbed and beaten against the floor and walls of the cavern. Some were even drawn closer to him, just so they could be bitten by one of the many mouths covering his body. Clothing and flesh were torn, before they were cast aside like ragdolls. A few of the group managed to avoid the grabbing hands, with Rebecca swatting them away with her shield while the Gravedigger, Aleister, and Xiaòzhou dodged them in their own ways. Azathor was knocked out once more, as one of the hands simply grabbed him, slammed him on his head, and then threw him into the back of the cavern.

"I am Thorgran'ganos of Iglila, Icon of Gluttony." grumbled the abomination, speaking through many of its different mouths. "Its dinner time."

 

[Breadman]

"I AM NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!" Constantine yelled as he charged the Icon. He moved with all the speed that his abyssal form would allow and as he got closer, he tightened his fist and plunged it beneath Keggot's chin, snapping her head back and forcing her to take a step back., he saw another opening as he started to smash the gauntlet into her ribs until he heard a loud CRACK. "THAT WAS FOR ME!" He pulled his head back and shot his forehead forward straight into her nose. The impact forced her further back. Blood ran down his face. Was it his or hers it didn't matter. The wraith pulled out his pistol and fanned the hammer straight into her chest. "THAT WAS FOR MARIA!" A name that just sprung from his memory. He twirled the pistol in his hand and gripped it by the barrel and he swung the weapon across her jaw. "THIS IS FOR SAM! THIS IS FOR JANE! THIS IS FOR SMITH!" Each name was a memory that came back. A vengeful ghost that he had locked away in the Abyss. They wanted...no, demanded revenge on the Icon and her minions for what they had done. The blows were far from over. "AND! THIS! IS! FOR! EVERY! ONE! ELSE!" The final blow shattered the gun into pieces, but served to dislocate Keggoth's jaw. This seemed to snap the Icon out of the haze as she grabbed the wraith and tossed him aside.

He recovered quickly enough to notice he had lost the gauntlet. but he wouldn't dwell on it as he watched Riberta literally tear the Icon into pieces. At that moment he felt nothing but joy. She begged for mercy, but there was none for that monster. She didn't deserve it and neither did any of Sazak's loyalists. A hideous laugh came from his throat as he watched the gruesome display.

A joy that was short lived as the other Icon had now unleashed his final form. The appendages grabbed Constantine and smashed him around like a rag doll. The pain wasn't over as Thorgan gloated and drew him closer to the maws that had formed. He instinctively reached forward to push himself away from the body of horrors only for the maw of teeth to shred skin and muscle off like they weren't attached. His screams of pain filled the halls, but would be cut as a desperate plan formed in his head.

"Enjoying the meal, you disgusting freak?" With his free hand he reached for his face "Open wide for an early desert!" His fingers digged into his skin and he pulled on it like it was a mask. The bloodied skull stared into Thorgan's eyes with contempt.

Constantine uses Penance stare ​

 

[K0mori]

One moment, Sebastian had been dragging the icon down from behind, inhuman strength coursing through him from the godly artifact as his rage drove him to throw punch after punch in blind fury. At last, he was no longer aiming for the exposed flesh, and Thorgran capitalized on the opening. Throwing an elbow, the icon missed the strongest point of his attack, but still connected with enough force through his forearm to take the soldier off his feet. Sebastian rocketed through the air backwards, shoved violently enough that the gauntlet slipped from his grasp before his boots hit the stone floor of the cavern again. He tumbled, disoriented and unsure of exactly what had just occurred.

Thorgran was clearly still alive, and that was a problem, but it hadn't occurred to him just how much of a problem it was until he witnessed the evil monster's transformation. At once, he felt a sense of responsibility and failure take hold - he had Thorgran on his knees! Just a few more blows could have finished him! - But there was no time to dwell on it before the icon's new appendages shot out to seize him and the others, beating him senselessly against the floor of the cavern. Unaware that Keggoth had already been slain, Sebastian expected his own life to end very quickly, as the enemy seemed to be growing stronger instead of falling.

As he was being dragged by his ankle toward the monster's gnashing mouths, Sebastian was concussed and disoriented. He had no one-liners - no witticisms to share. His harpoon gun was on the floor of the cavern where he had left it, and out of his reach. Still, he had his shotgun strapped to his back, and his Luger in its holster, and he wasn't going to let himself be bitten by anything else in these caves today - even if it meant literally shooting himself in the foot.

He wrenched himself over at the last moment, pulling the shotgun around his back to the front just far enough that he could grip the barrel in his left hand, then palmed his right hand backwards until he felt the trigger guard. From this impossibly awkward angle, he fired his slugs down the length of his leg at the creature's mouth.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko lunged, his wicked claws slashing from left to right across Keggoth's form, a flash of claws and blood sliced in an arc. He spun, raking deep into her torn back with iron-hard talons. His jaw snapped, sinking deep into the Icon's shoulder. He threw himself back, flensing bloodied meat, sheared muscle, and hard tendon from the wretched creature. As quickly as Rajko savaged the daemon, he was gone. He soared into the dust-choked air, dagger wings beating soot and debris away. Rajko turned, spitting the wad of butchered flesh, splattering the ground as it fell. His gruesome form silhouetted in the pale darkness of the chamber, eyes gleaming like the glowing coals of a smouldering brazier.

He watched as the Icon's unholy life was undone in a blur of scraping claws and snapping maws. He felt nothing. Even as the creature's blood, that wetted his wide jaw, trickled down in thin rivulets like thick streams of treacle. Even as his monstrous hands clenched, adrenaline surging freely through his limbs. There was nothing. No pity for the slaughtered foe, nor the satisfaction of a duty done well in the service of the many.

Rajko landed with a thud, echoing strangely in the ravaged quarters. The red-drenched werebat stalked 'round Thorgan, limbs tense and rigid with animalistic barbarism. As his eyes tightened with focus, he realised something had changed. He recoiled back, blood freezing, his hands digging into the flagstone floor. He heard his bones snap into hideous lengths, sickly pale skin bulging with poisonous fat and cellulite.

Questing tendrils lashed out of a gnarled pit within his shoulder, snaking through the air towards him. Though Rajko's reflexes were sharp, the pustuled appendage snatched around his leg before he could leap away from reach. He felt a gut-wrenching sense of dislocation, even to his enhanced perception of equilibrium, as he was hoisted into the air. The corpulent demon slammed the werebat against the floor. The impact driving the breath from his lungs. Bones creaking beneath the strain, muscles rupturing.

Rajko plunged his hand down, grasping at the writing tentacle and righting himself. His bat-snouted features snarled, every vein and tendon thickly visible. He clenched the muscles of his throat, swelling with an unnatural power. He reared back, then surged forward. A shriek, tinged with instinctive hatred, resounded throughout the room, loosening a shock wave of concussive force at Thorgan's warped skull.