And so the battle began, first with the Swarms that began to sweep in. They were concentrated into certain spots... but slowed down to spread around the battlefield, obstructing movements, getting in the way...
Their attacks weren't too strong. Claws and arms and tendrils crawled over the Wayfarers, distracting them, trying to scratch and bite, but the real threats blasted past them like stray debris in a battlefield. Whole clouds of Void Shadows danced in the air with every one of Alexander's Thrall's impacts.
The Void Swarms are behaving the same for now!
Void Swarm L and R both walk south, entering Inner NW and NE respectively!
Void Swarm L and R use two actions to Dash-Spread into adjacent zones!
Void Swarm L spreads into Inner SW!
Void Swarm L spreads into Center!
["L" means left side of the map; "R" means right side of the map; the swarms will mechanically never cross this imaginary line.]
Void Swarm L and R use Leer!
Nova protects Grace, Astrid, and himself!
Archie protects himself!
Odette suffers -1 Def! Defense boon neutralized!
Void Swarm L and R use Shadow Rush!
Nova protects Grace, Astrid, and himself!
Archie protects himself!
Odette takes 10 damage!
Empoleon Ignatius no longer wore his mayoral regalia, but he'd kept his cloak, and his pride. Despite his weeks in jail and recent days living rough, his polished crest glinted in the light of the disappearing sunset, and his posture remained proud.
"I see you have grown stronger... As have I. Strength begets strength, offworlders – by imposing your will on this world through martial strength, you are doing as I have done. Only your vanity keeps you ignorant of our sameness."
Ignatius walked to the Center! Center of attention as always...
Ignatius Called out to the Wayfarers!
Ignatius used Defend Order! Void Shadows swarm to his defense! +1 Defenses!
Ignatius used a STRONG Flash Cannon against Astrid, dealing 49 damage! (24 Cruelty damage)
Ignatius used Chilling Water on Nova, but it was blocked!
Meanwhile, it seemed like Owen was clawing at his head again, snarling when Drapion was hurt so badly.
"Why? Why are you fighting back?! Just... join it. Join Alexander... why not?! Why not give in, stop being nice! Does this town even care about you?!"
Owen rushed to Drapion, slipping a Violent Seed into its maw with odd precision, even while Drapion flailed seemingly unpredictably.
"Owen, snap out of it!" Mhynt cried. "This isn't
you! You'd never side with Alexander!"
But her voice was drowned out by the chaos of a sunset showdown.
Owen snarls and walks to Drapion!
Owen gives Drapion a Violent Seed!
Owen then dashes into Inner SW!
Owen uses Mimic, learning Leer! Owen's Perceive lets him use Mimic freely!
Owen then instantly uses Leer on Nova, Grace, and Astrid!
Nova resists it with Healthy Orb!
Grace blocked it, but Astrid suffers -1 Defense!
Owen uses a STRONG Flamethrower against Astrid, dealing 40 damage! (20 cruelty)
Drapion snarled, its mandibles clicking as its thick armor shook off the onslaught of attacks. It glared at those it recognized from the ambush at the Haus. Those who had fought it before would quickly recognize the sharpening of its claws as it prepared for a round of powerful attacks. The sight instilled fear, it had been such a powerful beast beforehand, just what would it be capable of with Alexander's power?
With a roar of blind rage, it lunged for the closest target, trying to put them down, down,
down in their rightful place.
Drapion walks into Inner SW after receiving Owen's Violent Seed!
Drapion uses Hone Claws...
Drapion uses a STRONG Poison Tail on Grace, dealing 47 damage! 23 Cruelty damage!
Drapion uses Shadow Sting on Nova, dealing 12 damage! Resisted Badly Poisoned!
"I won't stop!" Owen cried. "
This is what I HAVE to do! What I WANT to do! I'm done... playing savior to a world that couldn't care less about me! What... did they ever do to deserve my charity?!"
An acrid smell of ozone and corrosion filled the air. This fit the description of what happened in the wagon attack -- bolts of lightning were about to crash down. This time, they could sense where they were going to land. Like they knew where Owen was aiming, even in this chaos.
Could this be a connection to another Wayfarer?
Boss Action ~ Movement! Owen freely returns to the center area...
Boss Attack ~ Owen prepares Umbral Stormheart! Owen's mood is unstable from seeing Drapion hurt... Umbral Stormheart's zone count increases to 3! The Center, Outer West, and Outer South zones spark with energy...
Archie takes 10 damage from the rising energy level...
Umbral Stormheart ~ This attack instantly deals 10 damage in the zones affected... and next turn, it unleashes a truly devastating blow! Thankfully, it doesn't look like this Boss Attack can redirect...
Aggro shifts around... Seems Nova and Astrid are competing for attention. Odette remains under the radar.
