Everyone rolls a d20 to act, one roll per person per round. Please bold the action and roll your character makes for the round.
Here is a rough diagram of the arena, it will be updated in real time to keep track of the spread.
General
The lantern will dim the longer the algae is on/around its enclosure. If the lantern is extinguished, the boss gets stronger. Beware!
No need to roll for buffs, just assume they take effect immediately, and they will not take up the action for the round.
Debuffs and status ailments from any source cannot be evaded nor mitigated. This also applies to any debuff or ailment the boss sustains.
The algae will keep spreading along the ground for as long as there's an untouched spot. It will advance one tile per round.
Characters standing on the algae will be inflicted with Hunger and light damage after a time. If your character is inflicted with Hunger while taking an action, divide your roll result by 2 for your action for the round. If you get a .5, round up.
Characters may attempt to stall the algae’s progress by damaging the floor, but there is a chance for the boss to summon an add to spawn algae elsewhere on the arena.
The algae is immune to everything except Me Patra.
Fighter-specific
11-20 is a successful hit. 18-20 will make that character the boss' priority target for the next round, priority to the highest roll. 20 is a crit.
The boss has high resistance to magic, debuffs and ailments, but low defense. Doesn’t matter what element the attack is, as long as it’s physical.
The boss enjoys using debuffs and immediately heals any damage he takes.
Utility-specific
If you're rolling to attack, Fighter guidelines apply.
No need to roll for healing HP, it's always a success, and it will not take up the action for the round.
Using Me Patra on the algae or a character with algae-induced Hunger is not a free action. Utility characters must choose between cleansing the algae on a single tile, or cleansing Hunger. Roll a d20 in case of a crit.
20 to cleanse will cleanse both the ground and the character standing on it. The ground remains free of algae for a round.
This section will be expanded when characters discover more of the hidden mechanics. Please look forward to it!
There are many platforms inside this massive, layered room, but all of them are empty save for the one at the top, which houses the enclosure where the lighthouse lens sits. It normally turns around, as a signal for passing ships, but tonight, it's stationary, and the lens is missing. It's been replaced by a lantern that some people may have seen on Jordi's person at some point or another-- and it's the source of the light that everyone has been chasing all this time.
Speaking of Jordi... There is a figure that looks awfully like him on this platform facing the enclosure and its captured lantern, wrapped up in a white cloak. When characters approach, he'll turn around to look at the newcomers. Looks like Jordi all right, but the scales are all wrong, large and electric blue rather than the small iridescent spots that barely seem like they're present on his skin. They're also more numerous, visible on whatever patch of skin he shows-- face, neck, hands. His eyes take the time to study the motley crew gathered at the other end of the platform, but if he recognizes any of them, he doesn't give any indication.
He merely gives a deep bow from the waist, a smooth gesture from his normally clumsy, awkward self.]
Welcome to the lighthouse of my forebears.
[Whoever decides to ignore Jordi(?) for now will note that the algae is now on the ground-- in fact, there's one patch right in front of the stairs to the platform. And more on the opposite end of the lantern and its enclosure. One doesn't need perception to realize that the algae is creeping towards it.]
[ ooc: this is a grace period! get your reactions in, no need for rolls right now as the fight hasn't started yet. ]
[ ...Well, Argenti has a feeling Fray's right about needing to get ready. So, he has his spear out.
This is sure a corruption, and he has seen that before, time and time again. But it is at least common to know the origin of such things being the palace.
So, even if things are looking towards confrontation, he is ready to speak. ]
...What do you mean by your 'Forebearers'? What does inheriting this lighthouse mean to you?
[ Maybe to himself, maybe straight out to Jordi. But the words come out nonetheless. ]
[There's an abrupt skidding to a stop at the sight of the algae on the ground - if it's the same as what was on the walls coming up, then there's reason to believe no one should be touching it, but... it's in the way.
Jordi(?)'s welcome goes largely ignored - seeing his distorted form confirms his earlier suspicion of whose mindscape this is, but while they've met, they aren't close enough for him to attempt to talk to him to get through to him. What he can do, though, is prepare for a fight, if it comes to that, and the first step is getting into the room.
So he jumps over the algae on the floor, and turns back to offer a hand to anyone who wants to attempt to follow.]
Quickly, before it spreads more. If you're uncertain of your balance, I'll catch you.
[It's good that he's not immediately hostile! Though damn, Jordi. You okay, bro??? Fray still has his sword at the ready, but he makes no move to attack since Jordi(?) hasn't.]
Thank you for the welcome, I suppose. Was that singing yours?
[Man, he's acting really casual for someone looking over a fucked up, haunted lighthouse...]
Uh. Thank you for the welcome...
[He's a polite shithead...
He looks at the algae warily, hugging the umbrella close to his chest as he scoots towards the fringes of the group. The vibes are awful and he'd rather not die?]
[ he is absolutely noticing the algae on the ground and since argenti also mentioned earlier how it's moving, it's kind of hard not to notice the way it's creeping towards the light. ]
Hm. A little dark for a lighthouse, don't you think?
[ said completely casually. ]
I'll give it like... 6/10 for the vibes.
[ that said he knows he's probably underlevelled (rip) so he's scooting towards the centre of the group. ]
[The man's next words come out like the crack of a whip. It's much raspier than anything anyone is used to out of Jordi.]
I am not Jordi. [He's clearly not pleased with the way Argenti just blurted out a name, and now everyone is parroting it.] Names are not for the Many, but if you must insist on a name, you may use Lumen.
[Then he inhales, exhales. Adjusts his hood.]
If you must know, my grandfather built this lighthouse. [Actually, they don't need to know! But he is telling them anyway! What are boss fights for but exposition, amirite] My parents attempted to restore it, but unfortunately, nothing ever came of their work-- now that it's fallen into my hands, I have other ideas on how it must be kept.
[He shakes one hand under the cloak, and a creature resembling one of the smaller creatures outside drops out from the sleeve with a nasty squelch, blue-tinged blood splattering across his shoes-- he genuinely looks mournful that it's dead, but that doesn't mean he's not going to make use of one of the coral horns from its head. Then he begins to twirl it in his fingers, the same way Jordi would its baton.]
Those ideas do not involve those that aren't of the Many, however, I need to ask you to leave. [His fingers stop, and he points the makeshift wand at Soujuurou, Haruka, and Celeste, firing off three debuffs in quick succession. Soujuurou gets a nasty bout of Confuse, and the latter two can only feel Rage.
And, underneath their feet, the algae advances one tile.]
...I'm sorry for this, Lumen-san. But we can't allow whatever it is you plan to do.
[Keep calm, smile, be...
...
No. She can keep calm, but she needs to act, and fast. Atropos manifests, and Sayaka steels herself.]
Atropos-san, help us...!
[Sayaka takes aim, going only close enough to avoid the Algae--Atropos firing off an Agilao (12) at Lumen, while Sayaka clutches her knife carefully and keeps her eyes peeled.
[ Argenti's eyebrows furrow and he doesn't look like he likes that. ]
What are the Many supposed to be, exactly?
[ But he grimaces. He knows a fight when he sees it.
And, he refuses to yield. Not until he brings Jordi back! ]
...Leaving you here is not our goal. You must realize this.
Why are you so insistent on doing what you need to have done here?
[ Anyway, Argenti's normal spell of Psio misses (9), he's not exactly entirely too excited about this, and he's still adjusting to the new spell apparently. He is also a close range person, not a mage. ]
[Here he is, trying to be nice, but then the boss has to be an asshole!
Or, well, Haruka might have gotten hit by a debuff. Who can say, when he's normally so shouty anyways? Regardless, he's going to dart forward to take a swing (14) at Lumen with his sword.]
[He's less concerned with what Jordi is saying and more with what's happening with that algae creeping up on them. He's not in a position to do this, but--]
Think we can burn that shit away?
[Anyway, he'll move forward so he's in melee range, swiping at the baton in Jordi's hand with a sword strike before moving smoothly into a roundhouse kick straight into his chest (19).]
[Fray's already moving by the time those debuffs are fired off, hopping over the algae and making his way forward. He's still too far away to hope to land a physical strike with his blade, so he opts for Zionga as he moves (10), the Fallen manifesting behind him as he does so. But since he's moving, that spell probably missed... rip, Fray is not a Black Mage and doesn't have Triplecast.]
[ Shit, this is so much. This is not good. Yoon assesses the situation and immediately sees Rage take effect again. Haruka gets Energy Shower to cleanse that Rage for next round. ]
Unfortunately, you're in the way of the exit, I think~
[ he's going to let most of the group jump in and run to the front and fire off a Zephyr's Elegy (6) spell from a safe distance behind - except that it's too safe a distance and probably misses, rip ]
[What a lot of damage to sustain right off the bat! The blows from Aaron, Haruka and Celeste catch Lumen's attention the most, but especially the former, being the closest, and the one to hit him the hardest. He stumbles back, panting and looking quite winded and in pain, before forcing himself to stand upright and casts a healing spell on himself, looking much less dizzy (but not Dizzy) once the light of the spell dies down.
Not one to let slights stand, he bares his teeth like a beast, points his coral-like wand, and sends a strong Bless spell right in Aaron's face (18), though it looks more like clear water creating a rainbow than a beam of light. In the same motion, he turns on his heel and fires two similar spells in succession-- one completely misses Haruka (10) but nails Celeste with much stronger force (19) than he managed previously. Then, as if an afterthought, he flicks his wand at Sayaka, sending a Dizzy her way.
Satisfied with his handiwork (to some extent), he knows he has to give the others something, but he's a bit too distracted with the way Argenti simply whiffs.]
Oh Argenti. [There it is, a sign that Lumen does recognize some of them.] What was that spell? You were so impressive against the Archangels, so impressive against Fuyu and yet...? Have We Many rattled you so?
[There it is again, "the Many", "We Many". He clearly counts himself among them, whatever "they" are. In fact, he's too busy laughing at Argenti, a supposed extremely strong knight, that Fray, Yoon, Joshua, Soujuurou, and Arven get completely ignored. They're safe this time!
Unfortunately, Sunrise's effort manages nothing, earning her a laugh of derision while Lumen is busy corraling all these people gunning for him. Again, the algae spreads out once more. It may even be just underneath someone's feet right now. Can anything actually stop it?]
[When you're trying to flaunt how cool you are now but some jocks (and a twink) keep messing you up... Lumen reels back from the multiple physical blows to himself, Soujuurou and Aaron being effective in handling him, and Celeste's spell, despite being magic, does not help matters. He knows he can't let this stand. He clutches his slashed arm to his chest, bluish blood oozing sluggishly from the wound, the same sort of blood the creatures have. He gives himself another heal to close it and soothe his aching ribs, and prepares to retaliate. But the wound is not fully gone, a bright blue on pale skin, and his chest still aches.
Ill-advised it may be, he rushes the two closest men down, pointing his coral wand and releases a powerful Bless spell right into Aaron (20), and a less potent one into Soujuurou (13). He's a bit winded thanks to practically shooting Aaron in the face, but he manages to gather himself to fire the same spell once more at Celeste with much better results (17).
He would have summed up more strength to finish Soujuurou off, but notes the spells that others are giving to each other, the assistance, and he grits his teeth. These humans, trying to help each other? Don't make him laugh, as if they're capable of summing up even a fraction of care for each other. Lumen decides to punish them and waves his wand, but Yoon (8) and Sunrise (3) are both lucky as his spell misses. The last one is not as fortunate, as Fray gets a Confuse for his use of Me Patra (11).
Joshua's spell does nothing to the algae and it continues to advance, there's no Curse to burn away here. Neither do the attempts to reason with Lumen, Sayaka's and Argenti's words falling on deaf ears the way their spells fail them, and Arven going unbothered because he was unnoticed. If anything, Sayaka and Argenti only manage to make him double-down.]
That I'm one of the Many now is none of your business, I think. [He brushes his hair out of his eyes, his hood falling off of his head in the process. Boy is he winded from these people.] I gave myself to them as a personal choice.
[Did you know that if you shoot someone, blood comes out? You can thank McGillis for that, when there's sludgy blue blood coming out of Lumen's chest... and more. You remember the flower-headed sea monsters outside? Petals made of stark white tentacles-- the same tentacles now burst out of the bullet hole, his thin body seizing until the tentacles stop flailing. He coughs once, gritting his teeth in irritation. He rips them out with a pained grunt, and raises his other hand to heal the hole. A good thing his cloak is hiding almost everything, in any case. He does attempt to retaliate against Celeste following up on that, but completely misses (2), so he has to reassess.
When he sees the floor is scored thanks to Joshua's efforts, he makes a face, and puts two fingers to his lips, whistling. A sea creature falls from the rafters, splattering itself onto the floor with blue blood-- it's definitely not going to survive that. Lumen walks up to it, stroking it on its chitinous skull, as if soothing the thing in its final moments. It's clear that the creature is related to all the carcasses outside, and that Lumen has a great deal of affection towards it, which may or may not raise even more questions.
But more than that, the monster's body melts into sludge and the very same algae that everyone is attempting to avoid, right on a fresh patch of the floor. When Lumen stands once more, his face is bloodied and the expression on his face is enraged.]
How much more will your kind make us sacrifice ourselves?! How much more of our blood will be spilled in this place??
[He throws one of the slimy, bloody tentacles he ripped out of himself at Aaron (15) before throwing himself at everyone else. He attempts to punish McGillis for shooting him but misses his swing (7) so instead he puts that momentum into whipping Arven (13), Joshua (13), and Yoon (17) each with one of the tentacles he has left.Argenti (3), Haruka (6), Sayaka (7) are missed because of his wild spellcasting and Soujuurou goes completely unnoticed, but he certainly doesn't miss Sunrise, solely because he decides to just give her a kick in the knees (14).
He really didn't need to do much to her or the other two though, because their efforts were in vain, attempting to magnify the lantern's light accomplished nothing. Fortunately, they did not waste the spyglass.
The one who gets the brunt of his rage though? It's Richard, who has to deal with Lumen coming right up to him for a potent, point-blank Bless spell (19).
[Bouyed by the way he managed to handle the intruders, he's not about to stop. Being Seaborn really did benefit his physical state! He wouldn't have been able to do any of that before. Lumen makes the rounds again, noting who is doing what, and deciding it's time they stopped.
But first, there are kids to be dealt with because they're annoying. Sayaka gets hit with Sleep, Lumen sneering at her over her failed spell, and Sunrise getting hit with a Confuse because she might as well put that energy into helping him, possibly. Maybe she can just beat some of the others for him. But first-- he sows more discord.
Haruka and McGillis get hit with Rage, Joshua gets hit with Confuse and he so does hope that the latter will just stop trying to be a saboteur because that is annoying. Lastly, Argenti gets a Despair spell, with a murmur from Lumen that perhaps, just perhaps, he should be silent for a moment, and take that time to reflect.
Yoon, unfortunately, gets his ire solely for interupting the way he makes his rounds with that little rolling pin. It doesn't hurt all that much, especially considering what's made him bleed throughout this fight, but it annoys him on principle. Lumen steps on Yoon's foot to keep him from moving away and casts a Bless spell at him (17). And then moves away without even looking at the effects.
Fortunately for Richard, he gets ignored, but that's good enough for him to recover, right? Arven gets similarly ignored solely because he hasn't caught Lumen's eye this time around. But he could have-- both of them could have, but then Lumen comes across Celeste, Fray, and Aaron. The terrible trio that has been annoying him this entire time.
Bound, slashed, a sitting duck, and wholly displeased, maybe he should... do something more? Make something more of himself? He wriggles, grabs Celeste's whip in both hands, even if it means dropping his makeshift wand. Ow, he's bleeding, even coughing up a little blue blood, but you know what else is inside himself? McGillis showed it already, he's got a mess inside of him, and the cuts that both Fray and Aaron made are helping with their release-- he's sprouting them from his various wounds. One tentacle flails at Fray but misses (10), though he's not deterred. He uses his grip on the whip to bring Celeste in closer, while another flailing tentacle in his side nails Aaron, and quite hard at that (19).
As for Celeste? He gets his foot stepped on too, and a headbutt, before he turns around and points a finger at Celeste, casting Bless once again (19). It's a messy spell this time around solely because he doesn't have his wand, but it does the job. He's free! And wholly unhappy with this turn of events, so he heals himself up, losing the wounds and tentacles, to get ready. But he needs a new weapon, and starts looking around the arena, and up, And beyond it.]
[What will Yoon see, indeed. Luckily for him, he's gone unnoticed because he is simply not doing anything interesting-- but perhaps he will find this interesting instead. He doesn't see the algae, no. In fact, he doesn't see the lighthouse at all, but the backalleys of a village of stone houses, all old and still quite nice despite their age. However, what's happening in these backalleys is anything but "nice", because he sees Jordi, completely normal and in his usual dark but old-fashioned coat, running away from something-- or someone. He looks behind him, and he sees a crowd of other villagers coming after him, anger and desperation all over their faces. Perhaps the most noteworthy of all, none of these villagers have scales or pointed ears like him, as they all have feathers growing in between their hair and tailfeathers peeking above their trousers. Bird people chasing a fish. Isn't that interesting? However, the lens of the spyglass cracks, and if Yoon doesn't drop it, he might just have glass shards poking him in the face.
Perhaps Yoon should consider himself fortunate to miss what shenanigans Lumen is pulling, in any case. He's found the body of another creature hanging from a support beam, closing his hand around a harpoon that's clearly been used to kill it. The weapon's been abandoned by its master, whoever they are, and now it's his, though he has some growing pains to figure out. It's clear he's still quite winded from the attack on him by three people at once just minutes ago, with the way he misses McGillis (4), Richard (3), Sunrise (10), and Haruka (1) with his very first swings with this weapon he's unfamiliar with.
He'll take his frustrations out on others, instead. He waves the harpoon like a staff instead, sending Forget at Aaron (who doesn't even do anything to the algae, either), and Despair at Celeste (whose attempts at handling the algae are, again, futile like the attempts of everyone else before him). They'll give him enough time to breathe, and handle two of the many angry teens, one of whom surprises him because Lumen had written him off previously as not noteworthy. Still, it's not as if he's going easy on them, whacking Soujuurou around the head with the shaft of his harpoon in retaliation (19) and hitting Arven with a particularly powerful Bless spell (20).
But before he can capitalize on those advantages against the two biggest thorns in his side thus far, and the two new ones that have popped up, the third one appears to hinder him. Fray's efforts definitely do a number on him, especially when he misses his retaliation strike on Fray yet again (5), rattling him enough that he really does need to stay back and heal. So he does, taking a moment to cast the strongest healing spells he knows on himself-- which means the last few, Sayaka, Argenti, and Joshua, get completely ignored. Safety first!
But he certainly has his eyes on Soujuurou. He's angry, and it's clear who his next target is when he's recuperated.
Meanwhile, the algae is very, very close to the lantern and its enclosure, and the storm outside has begun to produce thunder loud enough to shake the floor on occasion.]
[What will Sayaka see? Good question. She sees more bird people, middle-aged and battle-worn, visibly scarred and in white and magenta uniforms, sabers at their hips and deep violet lanterns in their hands. She also sees Jordi in a similar but slightly more modern uniform walking in the same halls they occupy, the only fish in a "sea" of feathers... and the distrustful and outright hostile gazes that he draws from them. Some talk to him-- but this is only a visual memory, so she hears nothing from it-- body language showing irritation, clearly angry that he's wandered a little too close with the way he moves back in a skittsh manner and smiles apologetically. A long, and umcomfortable memory. She's fortunate that because of this, she's not active in the battle, and Lumen does not have time for her.
He's busy, anyway. He sees Richard cleansing and while he's too late to put a stop to that, he puts Richard to Sleep in an attempt to prevent him from doing more in the near future. He notes that Yoon is healing others and striking the algae-- which doesn't affect it at all, and they still have to go back to the drawing board about handling the algae-- and knows he has to punish that venture. He casts a damaging spell at Yoon (16) to deal with him but it seems he's used up all of his energy on that. Which means everyone else is catching him at his weakest.
Celeste, Arven, and Joshua get ignored, which is certainly a boon to them, though Mabosstiff gets a sneering little hiss with all his teeth bared. Argenti, Fray and Sunrise? He tries to handle them all, but misses every single spell (8, 1, 5), even at point-blank range, but all he gains from trying anything with them is more bruises, more wounds (ow, his goddamn jaw, thanks Argenti). He even attempted to try for Haruka, but missed that too (6). Safe to say, he's not doing well right now.
Soujuurou definitely has a big hand (no pun intended) in putting him down though, and really putting him down, though he manages to fire off a retaliation against Soujuurou (12) just before he hits the ground. He's not fine right now.
Except...
The algae is now touching the lantern's enclosure. The lantern has dimmed slightly. Lumen's eyes widen, and he takes a long, deep breath as he grips his harpoon with a tight enough grip even with his injured arm and swings with more practiced motions to deter (or punish) anyone who wants to take advantage of him as he slowly stands up. It's clear he has gotten a little boost... and there's chittering and slithering coming from the darker parts of the control room.]
[Haruka is pretty brave to be running into and past Lumen's personal space like this. But when he gets to his destination and opens the umbrella above his head, Haruka will find that sparkles all from it, and all Utility characters may recognize the yellow sparkles as the effects of Me Patra. More than that! The tile Haruka is standing on is cleared of algae, and Haruka himself has been cleared of any status ailment he may still be suffering from. Now they have their answer.
An answer that enrages Lumen, who takes a stab at Haruka with his harpoon, and manages to graze his arm (12). He clicks his tongue in annoyance, murmuring a swear in Spanish Iberian, but he can't keep dwelling on that because he spots more people surrounding the enclosure and his lantern, and he's being swarmed.
First is Yoon, who he spots assisting others, and sends a spell towards him in punishment (16). Next is Joshua, who is far enough that he doesn't get a strong spell (11). Better than how he handles one other, honestly, as he completely misses Sunrise with the same spell (6). Lumen blames being distracted for that, and he has to deal with the distraction first-- he takes a good stab at Aaron in the leg (15) with a variety of colorful words, including "puto".
Then, he once again summons a monster to die for him, and this time, it dies much closer to the enclosure, leaving a spot of the algae right there, because he knows he needs to hustle now. How lucky for him that it managed to get there before dying!
That done, he sees an opportunity, and he damn well takes it, even if he should be embarrassed at the lack of proper outerwear thanks to Celeste. The cloak is ripped off of him, revealing an extremely simple ensemble, some trousers and an old poet's shirt-- or pirate shirt, as many would like to call it-- the string worn and the neckline plunging. Secondhand, old, and reveals more scales and the effects of the night's events-- electric blue scales, bruises, wounds and a lot of that sludgy blue blood. There may or may not be a hint of something monstrous underneath as well. Uncaring about the cloak, he gives Celeste a good kick while he's on the ground (20) and then puts a booted foot on his neck in an attempt to keep him down.
He's about to finish the vampire off, but then-- questions. Important questions are asked of him, and he looks up at Soujuurou and Sayaka, eyes wide. He lowers the harpoon, but keeps his foot on Celeste.]
The bangle? [Soujuurou's question first while he is still calm.] It was my mother's, and passed to me when she left. This shirt, I believe it was hers as well.
[He would have said more on the topic, but Sayaka speaks to him, and he cannot resist the chance for a little more exposition (7).]
¿Que? Revenge? That does nothing, in the end. No, it is more accurate to say that I have given up on people. They are greedy, selfish, and quite willing to tear down others for no discernable reason-- or even no reason at all. [Then he flicks his hand, a simple gesture as if swatting a fly. In Aaron's direction, no less.] So! You really shouldn't concern yourself with the wishes of the dead. They are, after all, dead.
The Many doesn't care much, but physical things are more useful than abstract concepts, don't you think? Our dead gives themselves to us, so we can grow even further, and then we share that with the rest, so we may all grow together. I would consider that a proper community.
[Through it all, the lantern stays the same. It has not brightened, but it hasn't dimmed any further, either. It's something.]
[Frankly, the fact that Lumen managed to to stay standing is a testament to how damned mad he is right now, to say nothing of how he manages to wrestle out of Celeste's hold (17). Alas, he can't retaliate for that maneuver, because he has so much to deal with. He manages to tank another hit as well, and return Haruka's attack with a spell of his own (13).
The worst of them, of course, are McGillis' gun and Aaron's blade, and how he manages to survive both of those may just be a miracle (12, 17). But is it really a miracle when he has a long, marred streak of skin marring his temple and stretching all the way through his hair from the bullet he just barely dodged? Headwounds always look bad, but the blue blood splattered all over his pasty skin makes it seem extra freakish.
Oh, but he is so tired of this.
He points at Soujuurou in particular:] ¡Te voy a dar una hostia! Children who know nothing should say nothing!
That goes for all of you! I am no longer that boy, the same way I am no longer the grandchild of Breogan, nor the Aegir any of you knew!
[He raises the harpoon to cast something, barely holding himself together-- no, really, he looks like he's about to fall apart now and just die on the spot-- when he pauses, mid-gesture, and looks outside. The storm's stopped. It's quiet. Too quiet.]
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COMBAT MASTER THREAD
BOSS BATTLE MECHANICS (do not respond)
Here is a rough diagram of the arena, it will be updated in real time to keep track of the spread.
General
Fighter-specific
Utility-specific
This section will be expanded when characters discover more of the hidden mechanics. Please look forward to it!
BOSS INTRO
[The control room awaits.
There are many platforms inside this massive, layered room, but all of them are empty save for the one at the top, which houses the enclosure where the lighthouse lens sits. It normally turns around, as a signal for passing ships, but tonight, it's stationary, and the lens is missing. It's been replaced by a lantern that some people may have seen on Jordi's person at some point or another-- and it's the source of the light that everyone has been chasing all this time.
Speaking of Jordi... There is a figure that looks awfully like him on this platform facing the enclosure and its captured lantern, wrapped up in a white cloak. When characters approach, he'll turn around to look at the newcomers. Looks like Jordi all right, but the scales are all wrong, large and electric blue rather than the small iridescent spots that barely seem like they're present on his skin. They're also more numerous, visible on whatever patch of skin he shows-- face, neck, hands. His eyes take the time to study the motley crew gathered at the other end of the platform, but if he recognizes any of them, he doesn't give any indication.
He merely gives a deep bow from the waist, a smooth gesture from his normally clumsy, awkward self.]
Welcome to the lighthouse of my forebears.
[Whoever decides to ignore Jordi(?) for now will note that the algae is now on the ground-- in fact, there's one patch right in front of the stairs to the platform. And more on the opposite end of the lantern and its enclosure. One doesn't need perception to realize that the algae is creeping towards it.]
[ ooc: this is a grace period! get your reactions in, no need for rolls right now as the fight hasn't started yet. ]
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and yet, he can't keep his eyes off of jordi because-- ]
He's part fish!?
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[ ...Well, Argenti has a feeling Fray's right about needing to get ready. So, he has his spear out.
This is sure a corruption, and he has seen that before, time and time again. But it is at least common to know the origin of such things being the palace.
So, even if things are looking towards confrontation, he is ready to speak. ]
...What do you mean by your 'Forebearers'? What does inheriting this lighthouse mean to you?
[ Maybe to himself, maybe straight out to Jordi. But the words come out nonetheless. ]
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Jordi(?)'s welcome goes largely ignored - seeing his distorted form confirms his earlier suspicion of whose mindscape this is, but while they've met, they aren't close enough for him to attempt to talk to him to get through to him. What he can do, though, is prepare for a fight, if it comes to that, and the first step is getting into the room.
So he jumps over the algae on the floor, and turns back to offer a hand to anyone who wants to attempt to follow.]
Quickly, before it spreads more. If you're uncertain of your balance, I'll catch you.
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Thank you for the welcome, I suppose. Was that singing yours?
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Uh. Thank you for the welcome...
[He's a polite shithead...
He looks at the algae warily, hugging the umbrella close to his chest as he scoots towards the fringes of the group. The vibes are awful and he'd rather not die?]
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Hm. A little dark for a lighthouse, don't you think?
[ said completely casually. ]
I'll give it like... 6/10 for the vibes.
[ that said he knows he's probably underlevelled (rip) so he's scooting towards the centre of the group. ]
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COMBAT, ROUND 1!
I am not Jordi. [He's clearly not pleased with the way Argenti just blurted out a name, and now everyone is parroting it.] Names are not for the Many, but if you must insist on a name, you may use Lumen.
[Then he inhales, exhales. Adjusts his hood.]
If you must know, my grandfather built this lighthouse. [Actually, they don't need to know! But he is telling them anyway!
What are boss fights for but exposition, amirite] My parents attempted to restore it, but unfortunately, nothing ever came of their work-- now that it's fallen into my hands, I have other ideas on how it must be kept.[He shakes one hand under the cloak, and a creature resembling one of the smaller creatures outside drops out from the sleeve with a nasty squelch, blue-tinged blood splattering across his shoes-- he genuinely looks mournful that it's dead, but that doesn't mean he's not going to make use of one of the coral horns from its head. Then he begins to twirl it in his fingers, the same way Jordi would its baton.]
Those ideas do not involve those that aren't of the Many, however, I need to ask you to leave. [His fingers stop, and he points the makeshift wand at Soujuurou, Haruka, and Celeste, firing off three debuffs in quick succession. Soujuurou gets a nasty bout of Confuse, and the latter two can only feel Rage.
And, underneath their feet, the algae advances one tile.]
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[Keep calm, smile, be...
...
No. She can keep calm, but she needs to act, and fast. Atropos manifests, and Sayaka steels herself.]
Atropos-san, help us...!
[Sayaka takes aim, going only close enough to avoid the Algae--Atropos firing off an Agilao (12) at Lumen, while Sayaka clutches her knife carefully and keeps her eyes peeled.
She can do this. She can do this.]
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What are the Many supposed to be, exactly?
[ But he grimaces. He knows a fight when he sees it.
And, he refuses to yield. Not until he brings Jordi back! ]
...Leaving you here is not our goal. You must realize this.
Why are you so insistent on doing what you need to have done here?
[ Anyway, Argenti's normal spell of Psio misses (9), he's not exactly entirely too excited about this, and he's still adjusting to the new spell apparently. He is also a close range person, not a mage. ]
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[Here he is, trying to be nice, but then the boss has to be an asshole!
Or, well, Haruka might have gotten hit by a debuff. Who can say, when he's normally so shouty anyways? Regardless, he's going to dart forward to take a swing (14) at Lumen with his sword.]
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Think we can burn that shit away?
[Anyway, he'll move forward so he's in melee range, swiping at the baton in Jordi's hand with a sword strike before moving smoothly into a roundhouse kick straight into his chest (19).]
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Snap out of it! Focus, Haruka!
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[ he's going to let most of the group jump in and run to the front and fire off a Zephyr's Elegy (6) spell from a safe distance behind - except that it's too safe a distance and probably misses, rip ]
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COMBAT, ROUND 2
Not one to let slights stand, he bares his teeth like a beast, points his coral-like wand, and sends a strong Bless spell right in Aaron's face (18), though it looks more like clear water creating a rainbow than a beam of light. In the same motion, he turns on his heel and fires two similar spells in succession-- one completely misses Haruka (10) but nails Celeste with much stronger force (19) than he managed previously. Then, as if an afterthought, he flicks his wand at Sayaka, sending a Dizzy her way.
Satisfied with his handiwork (to some extent), he knows he has to give the others something, but he's a bit too distracted with the way Argenti simply whiffs.]
Oh Argenti. [There it is, a sign that Lumen does recognize some of them.] What was that spell? You were so impressive against the Archangels, so impressive against Fuyu and yet...? Have We Many rattled you so?
[There it is again, "the Many", "We Many". He clearly counts himself among them, whatever "they" are. In fact, he's too busy laughing at Argenti, a supposed extremely strong knight, that Fray, Yoon, Joshua, Soujuurou, and Arven get completely ignored. They're safe this time!
Unfortunately, Sunrise's effort manages nothing, earning her a laugh of derision while Lumen is busy corraling all these people gunning for him. Again, the algae spreads out once more. It may even be just underneath someone's feet right now. Can anything actually stop it?]
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COMBAT, ROUND 3
Ill-advised it may be, he rushes the two closest men down, pointing his coral wand and releases a powerful Bless spell right into Aaron (20), and a less potent one into Soujuurou (13). He's a bit winded thanks to practically shooting Aaron in the face, but he manages to gather himself to fire the same spell once more at Celeste with much better results (17).
He would have summed up more strength to finish Soujuurou off, but notes the spells that others are giving to each other, the assistance, and he grits his teeth. These humans, trying to help each other? Don't make him laugh, as if they're capable of summing up even a fraction of care for each other. Lumen decides to punish them and waves his wand, but Yoon (8) and Sunrise (3) are both lucky as his spell misses. The last one is not as fortunate, as Fray gets a Confuse for his use of Me Patra (11).
Joshua's spell does nothing to the algae and it continues to advance, there's no Curse to burn away here. Neither do the attempts to reason with Lumen, Sayaka's and Argenti's words falling on deaf ears the way their spells fail them, and Arven going unbothered because he was unnoticed. If anything, Sayaka and Argenti only manage to make him double-down.]
That I'm one of the Many now is none of your business, I think. [He brushes his hair out of his eyes, his hood falling off of his head in the process. Boy is he winded from these people.] I gave myself to them as a personal choice.
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COMBAT, ROUND 4 (cw: sea monster body horror)
When he sees the floor is scored thanks to Joshua's efforts, he makes a face, and puts two fingers to his lips, whistling. A sea creature falls from the rafters, splattering itself onto the floor with blue blood-- it's definitely not going to survive that. Lumen walks up to it, stroking it on its chitinous skull, as if soothing the thing in its final moments. It's clear that the creature is related to all the carcasses outside, and that Lumen has a great deal of affection towards it, which may or may not raise even more questions.
But more than that, the monster's body melts into sludge and the very same algae that everyone is attempting to avoid, right on a fresh patch of the floor. When Lumen stands once more, his face is bloodied and the expression on his face is enraged.]
How much more will your kind make us sacrifice ourselves?! How much more of our blood will be spilled in this place??
[He throws one of the slimy, bloody tentacles he ripped out of himself at Aaron (15) before throwing himself at everyone else. He attempts to punish McGillis for shooting him but misses his swing (7) so instead he puts that momentum into whipping Arven (13), Joshua (13), and Yoon (17) each with one of the tentacles he has left. Argenti (3), Haruka (6), Sayaka (7) are missed because of his wild spellcasting and Soujuurou goes completely unnoticed, but he certainly doesn't miss Sunrise, solely because he decides to just give her a kick in the knees (14).
He really didn't need to do much to her or the other two though, because their efforts were in vain, attempting to magnify the lantern's light accomplished nothing. Fortunately, they did not waste the spyglass.
The one who gets the brunt of his rage though? It's Richard, who has to deal with Lumen coming right up to him for a potent, point-blank Bless spell (19).
So. Are we back to square one?]
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COMBAT, ROUND 5 (cw: sea monster body horror)
But first, there are kids to be dealt with because they're annoying. Sayaka gets hit with Sleep, Lumen sneering at her over her failed spell, and Sunrise getting hit with a Confuse because she might as well put that energy into helping him, possibly. Maybe she can just beat some of the others for him. But first-- he sows more discord.
Haruka and McGillis get hit with Rage, Joshua gets hit with Confuse and he so does hope that the latter will just stop trying to be a saboteur because that is annoying. Lastly, Argenti gets a Despair spell, with a murmur from Lumen that perhaps, just perhaps, he should be silent for a moment, and take that time to reflect.
Yoon, unfortunately, gets his ire solely for interupting the way he makes his rounds with that little rolling pin. It doesn't hurt all that much, especially considering what's made him bleed throughout this fight, but it annoys him on principle. Lumen steps on Yoon's foot to keep him from moving away and casts a Bless spell at him (17). And then moves away without even looking at the effects.
Fortunately for Richard, he gets ignored, but that's good enough for him to recover, right? Arven gets similarly ignored solely because he hasn't caught Lumen's eye this time around. But he could have-- both of them could have, but then Lumen comes across Celeste, Fray, and Aaron. The terrible trio that has been annoying him this entire time.
Bound, slashed, a sitting duck, and wholly displeased, maybe he should... do something more? Make something more of himself? He wriggles, grabs Celeste's whip in both hands, even if it means dropping his makeshift wand. Ow, he's bleeding, even coughing up a little blue blood, but you know what else is inside himself? McGillis showed it already, he's got a mess inside of him, and the cuts that both Fray and Aaron made are helping with their release-- he's sprouting them from his various wounds. One tentacle flails at Fray but misses (10), though he's not deterred. He uses his grip on the whip to bring Celeste in closer, while another flailing tentacle in his side nails Aaron, and quite hard at that (19).
As for Celeste? He gets his foot stepped on too, and a headbutt, before he turns around and points a finger at Celeste, casting Bless once again (19). It's a messy spell this time around solely because he doesn't have his wand, but it does the job. He's free! And wholly unhappy with this turn of events, so he heals himself up, losing the wounds and tentacles, to get ready. But he needs a new weapon, and starts looking around the arena, and up, And beyond it.]
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COMBAT, ROUND 6
Perhaps Yoon should consider himself fortunate to miss what shenanigans Lumen is pulling, in any case. He's found the body of another creature hanging from a support beam, closing his hand around a harpoon that's clearly been used to kill it. The weapon's been abandoned by its master, whoever they are, and now it's his, though he has some growing pains to figure out. It's clear he's still quite winded from the attack on him by three people at once just minutes ago, with the way he misses McGillis (4), Richard (3), Sunrise (10), and Haruka (1) with his very first swings with this weapon he's unfamiliar with.
He'll take his frustrations out on others, instead. He waves the harpoon like a staff instead, sending Forget at Aaron (who doesn't even do anything to the algae, either), and Despair at Celeste (whose attempts at handling the algae are, again, futile like the attempts of everyone else before him). They'll give him enough time to breathe, and handle two of the many angry teens, one of whom surprises him because Lumen had written him off previously as not noteworthy. Still, it's not as if he's going easy on them, whacking Soujuurou around the head with the shaft of his harpoon in retaliation (19) and hitting Arven with a particularly powerful Bless spell (20).
But before he can capitalize on those advantages against the two biggest thorns in his side thus far, and the two new ones that have popped up, the third one appears to hinder him. Fray's efforts definitely do a number on him, especially when he misses his retaliation strike on Fray yet again (5), rattling him enough that he really does need to stay back and heal. So he does, taking a moment to cast the strongest healing spells he knows on himself-- which means the last few, Sayaka, Argenti, and Joshua, get completely ignored. Safety first!
But he certainly has his eyes on Soujuurou. He's angry, and it's clear who his next target is when he's recuperated.
Meanwhile, the algae is very, very close to the lantern and its enclosure, and the storm outside has begun to produce thunder loud enough to shake the floor on occasion.]
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COMBAT, ROUND 7
He's busy, anyway. He sees Richard cleansing and while he's too late to put a stop to that, he puts Richard to Sleep in an attempt to prevent him from doing more in the near future. He notes that Yoon is healing others and striking the algae-- which doesn't affect it at all, and they still have to go back to the drawing board about handling the algae-- and knows he has to punish that venture. He casts a damaging spell at Yoon (16) to deal with him but it seems he's used up all of his energy on that. Which means everyone else is catching him at his weakest.
Celeste, Arven, and Joshua get ignored, which is certainly a boon to them, though Mabosstiff gets a sneering little hiss with all his teeth bared. Argenti, Fray and Sunrise? He tries to handle them all, but misses every single spell (8, 1, 5), even at point-blank range, but all he gains from trying anything with them is more bruises, more wounds (ow, his goddamn jaw, thanks Argenti). He even attempted to try for Haruka, but missed that too (6). Safe to say, he's not doing well right now.
Soujuurou definitely has a big hand (no pun intended) in putting him down though, and really putting him down, though he manages to fire off a retaliation against Soujuurou (12) just before he hits the ground. He's not fine right now.
Except...
The algae is now touching the lantern's enclosure. The lantern has dimmed slightly. Lumen's eyes widen, and he takes a long, deep breath as he grips his harpoon with a tight enough grip even with his injured arm and swings with more practiced motions to deter (or punish) anyone who wants to take advantage of him as he slowly stands up. It's clear he has gotten a little boost... and there's chittering and slithering coming from the darker parts of the control room.]
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COMBAT, ROUND 8
An answer that enrages Lumen, who takes a stab at Haruka with his harpoon, and manages to graze his arm (12). He clicks his tongue in annoyance, murmuring a swear in
SpanishIberian, but he can't keep dwelling on that because he spots more people surrounding the enclosure and his lantern, and he's being swarmed.First is Yoon, who he spots assisting others, and sends a spell towards him in punishment (16). Next is Joshua, who is far enough that he doesn't get a strong spell (11). Better than how he handles one other, honestly, as he completely misses Sunrise with the same spell (6). Lumen blames being distracted for that, and he has to deal with the distraction first-- he takes a good stab at Aaron in the leg (15) with a variety of colorful words, including "puto".
Then, he once again summons a monster to die for him, and this time, it dies much closer to the enclosure, leaving a spot of the algae right there, because he knows he needs to hustle now. How lucky for him that it managed to get there before dying!
That done, he sees an opportunity, and he damn well takes it, even if he should be embarrassed at the lack of proper outerwear thanks to Celeste. The cloak is ripped off of him, revealing an extremely simple ensemble, some trousers and an old poet's shirt-- or pirate shirt, as many would like to call it-- the string worn and the neckline plunging. Secondhand, old, and reveals more scales and the effects of the night's events-- electric blue scales, bruises, wounds and a lot of that sludgy blue blood. There may or may not be a hint of something monstrous underneath as well. Uncaring about the cloak, he gives Celeste a good kick while he's on the ground (20) and then puts a booted foot on his neck in an attempt to keep him down.
He's about to finish the vampire off, but then-- questions. Important questions are asked of him, and he looks up at Soujuurou and Sayaka, eyes wide. He lowers the harpoon, but keeps his foot on Celeste.]
The bangle? [Soujuurou's question first while he is still calm.] It was my mother's, and passed to me when she left. This shirt, I believe it was hers as well.
[He would have said more on the topic, but Sayaka speaks to him, and he cannot resist the chance for a little more exposition (7).]
¿Que? Revenge? That does nothing, in the end. No, it is more accurate to say that I have given up on people. They are greedy, selfish, and quite willing to tear down others for no discernable reason-- or even no reason at all. [Then he flicks his hand, a simple gesture as if swatting a fly. In Aaron's direction, no less.] So! You really shouldn't concern yourself with the wishes of the dead. They are, after all, dead.
The Many doesn't care much, but physical things are more useful than abstract concepts, don't you think? Our dead gives themselves to us, so we can grow even further, and then we share that with the rest, so we may all grow together. I would consider that a proper community.
[Through it all, the lantern stays the same. It has not brightened, but it hasn't dimmed any further, either. It's something.]
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The worst of them, of course, are McGillis' gun and Aaron's blade, and how he manages to survive both of those may just be a miracle (12, 17). But is it really a miracle when he has a long, marred streak of skin marring his temple and stretching all the way through his hair from the bullet he just barely dodged? Headwounds always look bad, but the blue blood splattered all over his pasty skin makes it seem extra freakish.
Oh, but he is so tired of this.
He points at Soujuurou in particular:] ¡Te voy a dar una hostia! Children who know nothing should say nothing!
That goes for all of you! I am no longer that boy, the same way I am no longer the grandchild of Breogan, nor the Aegir any of you knew!
[He raises the harpoon to cast something, barely holding himself together-- no, really, he looks like he's about to fall apart now and just die on the spot-- when he pauses, mid-gesture, and looks outside. The storm's stopped. It's quiet. Too quiet.]
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