Relic Quest #19

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>>876848
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: S

You stare up at a titanic Asura the size of a mountain. Smouldering flames burn beneath its cracked flesh and storm clouds gather around its head. It appears to be very fucking pissed off.

"This isn't a physical body," Eshan explains. "It's a manifestation of pure divine power."

"That doesn't matter," you assure him. "Gleipnir can still bind it."

"It matters in other areas," Eshan says. "For one, damage doesn't really add up, so we can't just beat it to death. Based on past experiences, the only way to defeat Andhaka is to destroy all six of its arms, but I was never able to take out more than three. My Brahmastra should be able to do it, but I need all of you to attack and create openings for me."

"That doesn't sound too complicated," Orianne says. "We attack and you destroy the arms. Simple, no?"

"The complication is that each arm has access to one random attack or defense," Eshan explains. "As we destroy Andhaka's arms, it will lose its powers and its divinity will wane; that's why I think it's possible to completely destroy."

"So the most effective path to success is to destroy the arms with the strongest defensive abilities or the most dangerous attacks," Natsumi says," but we have no way of knowing what each arm is capable of."

"That does sound like a complication," Selene says.

You can attack while Andhaka is still in the process of forming its main body.

- [DC14] Try to figure out what Andhaka's powers are.
- [DC17] Bind Andhaka, reducing its END to E.
- [DC17] Bind Andhaka, reducing its SPD to E.
- [DC16] Bind Andhaka, reducing its END and SPD to B.
- Have Selene prepare an arrow so you can try to take out two arms at once.

>>876849
>- [DC16] Bind Andhaka, reducing its END and SPD to B.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>876849
>- [DC14] Try to figure out what Andhaka's powers are.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>876908

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>876908
Option #1

>>876914
Option #2

And I need another roll from whoever.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>876948

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>>876849
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: S

It can't be that hard to figure out what Andhaka's limbs do, right? You carefully examine them as they form and try to puzzle out their powers.

Although it's a little difficult, you think you can get the gist of it based on the feel of their divine power.

Arm #1: A flaming sword attack that relies on ENDURANCE.
Arm #2: A bow of lightning that attacks with SPEED.
Arm #3: A censer powered by DIVINITY that unleashes toxic smoke.
Arm #4: A shield of thunder that blocks attacks of SPEED.
Arm #5: A golden armband that blocks attacks of END.
Arm #6: A necklace of prayer beads that block attacks of DIVINITY.

By destroying these arms, you can limit Andhaka's attacks or undermine his protection so that you can hit him harder.

In fact, now would be a good time to start. Andhaka raises his sword of fire and brings it crashing down upon your heads.

- [DC14] Parry the attack yourself.
- [DC13] Natsumi's Relic is better suited for this task.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>877006
>- [DC13] Natsumi's Relic is better suited for this task.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>877006
>- [DC13] Natsumi's Relic is better suited for this task.
So all those powers are wrong because we failed the roll right?

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>877006
>- [DC13] Natsumi's Relic is better suited for this task.

>>877027
Luck bonus got expended

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>877006
>- [DC13] Natsumi's Relic is better suited for this task.

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>>877006
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: S

Natsumi calls forth Ame-no-Ohabari and slashes at Andhaka's sword of fire. A tidal wave rushes from her Relic to meet the attack, drowning the flames out completely. A humid, but harmless, fog roils over the battlefield in its stead, and Andhaka jerks away. This gives you some time to think about the powers you have at your disposal and how to best make use of them.

Natsumi's Relic works best against fire, while Selene has an attack which is impossible to dodge. That's as good a starting point as any, but you could take this opportunity to deploy Gleipnir instead.

- [DC13] Order Natsumi to attack Arm #1.
- [DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #2.
- [DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #4.
- [DC16] Bind Andhaka, reducing its END and SPD to B.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>877170
>- [DC16] Bind Andhaka, reducing its END and SPD to B.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>877170
>- [DC13] Order Natsumi to attack Arm #1.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>877170
>- [DC13] Order Natsumi to attack Arm #1.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>877244
>[DC16] Bind Andhaka, reducing its END and SPD to B.
Dice gods I beseech thee. Let this divine bondage proceed.

Eh, screw it, I don't want to waste too much time. I'll just go for the vote that beats the DC.

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>>877170
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: A

"Natsumi, keep going!"

Your teammate understands your meaning immediately. She raises her sword once more and cuts down, unleashing a razor-thin wave of water at Andhaka's arm, knocking the sword out of its hand.

Eshan snaps his fingers and a golden streak of light falls from the sky. It strikes one of Andhaka's shoulders and explodes in a blinding, deafening light. For a moment, the only thing you see is a mushroom cloud that covers the whole horizon in every direction.

Andhaka roars in anger as its first arm disintegrates into nothingness, and its eyes burn like exploding suns. He raises his censer, but it's obvious that his power has diminished.

"You dare! You dare wound me! You will all die before me!"

- [DC12] Defend yourself with Gleipnir.
- [DC13] This technically counts as a fire attack. Natsumi can take it.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>877347
>- [DC13] This technically counts as a fire attack. Natsumi can take it.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>877347
>- [DC12] Defend yourself with Gleipnir.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>877347
>- [DC13] This technically counts as a fire attack. Natsumi can take it.

>>877347
>[DC12] Defend yourself with Gleipnir.

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>877385
forgot to roll

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>877347
>[DC12] Defend yourself with Gleipnir.
Going with the option that has already passed DC ;)

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>>877347
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: A

Since Gleipnir isn't doing anything at the moment, you might as well use it for defense. Your Relic uncoils itself from your arm and forms an impenetrable protective cocoon around your group.

"Does anyone know how long that smoke will last?"

"It shouldn't be too long," Eshan says. "It feels just about done."

You slowly unravel the protective dome, then drop it entirely when toxic smoke doesn't seep in.

"Everyone, be ready," you say. "We're taking another one of its arms."

- [DC11] Tell Orianne to attack Arm #3.
- [DC11] Tell Orianne to attack Arm #6.
- [DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #2.
- [DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #4.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>877489
>- [DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #4.

>>877489
>- [DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #2.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>877538

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>877489
>[DC11] Have Selene pin down Arm #2.
Scary lightning bow must go

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>>877489
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: B

"Selene, can you pin down the… second arm?"

Selene arrogantly flicks her hair and nocks an arrow to her Silver Bow.

"Hmm!" She aims her Relic at Andhaka's arm. "Such a task is a simple matter for a divine champion such as myself."

The Silver Arrow flies through the sky, altering its path through the wind to impale itself in Andhaka's second arm.

The Brahmastra falls once more, and the arm is blown away, along with everything else within several dozen miles. The battlefield will be a barren wasteland by the time you're done here.

And since Andhaka can only attack with its censer, your defense becomes much easier.

- [DC11] Use Gleipnir again.
- [DC12] Let Natsumi take care of it.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>877607
>- [DC11] Use Gleipnir again.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>877607
>- [DC11] Use Gleipnir again.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>877607
>- [DC11] Use Gleipnir again.

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>>877607
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: B

Gleipnir forms another protective barrier around you. This one doesn't last as long, but it doesn't need to; Andhaka's power has dropped noticeably now. It's still a threat, and you won't underestimate it, but it's clear that the battle is going in your favour.

"It only has one weapon left," Orianne says, "but we still need to worry about its defenses."

"Andhaka cannot defend itself to victory," Natsumi says. "Once it is disarmed, victory will surely be ours."

Selene snorts. "It's not like its attack has been doing much anyway," she says. "And since it's a divine power, every arm we cut off weakens it further. No matter what we do, our advantage increases."

"I'd still appreciate it if you could hurry with this," Eshan says. "I don't want to take any chances."

- [DC12] Order Natsumi to attack Arm #3 and destroy Andhaka's last weapon.
- [DC11] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
- [DC14] Attack Arm #5 yourself.
- Tell Selene to prepare an orbital strike so you can destroy two arms in your next attack.

>>877765
>- [DC12] Order Natsumi to attack Arm #3 and destroy Andhaka's last weapon.

I still need rolls.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>877765
>[DC12] Order Natsumi to attack Arm #3 and destroy Andhaka's last weapon.
Fugg yeh, time to toy with this putz.

Rolled 12, 5 = 17 (2d20)

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>877769

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>>877765
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: C

Natsumi unleashes another attack with Ame-no-Ohabari. The tidal surge crushes Andhaka's remaining offensive arm, and Eshan annihilates it with an attack of his own.

Andhaka is no longer able to attack, but you still need to finish it off.

"Don't let your guard down," Eshan says. "We absolutely can't let it slip away."

- [DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
- [DC14] Attack Arm #5 yourself.
- [DC9] Tell Orianne to attack Arm #6.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>877937
>- [DC14] Attack Arm #5 yourself.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>877937
>- [DC14] Attack Arm #5 yourself.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>877937
>[DC14] Attack Arm #5 yourself.
I'll save us. For sure. *kisses dice*

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>>877937
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: C

You pull your sleeves back, crack your knuckles and ineffectually slam your fist into a wall of golden light that appears right in front of you.

Well. That settles that.

- [DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
- [DC10] Orianne can take Arm #5 instead.
- [DC11] You can attack Arm #6.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>878028
>- [DC11] You can attack Arm #6.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>878028
>[DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
Get the shield. I wanna leave prayer beads till last. Also, low DC because I can't roll today.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>878028
>- [DC11] You can attack Arm #6.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>878028
>- [DC11] You can attack Arm #6.

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>>878028
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: D

Instead, you throw a punch at the sixth arm, the one that defends against divine attacks. Gleipnir wraps around your arm and a illusory fist appears in the air above you to properly deliver your attack.

The ephemeral arm grabs the necklace of prayer beads and rips it apart, scattering its power. Eshan uses this opportunity to deal another blow to Andhaka, taking another of its arms away.

- [DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
- [DC10] Orianne can take Arm #5.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>878154
>- [DC10] Orianne can take Arm #5.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>878154
>- [DC10] Orianne can take Arm #5.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>878154
>[DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
This time I will get over the DC. Really.

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>>878154
Enemy: Andhaka
Health: N/A
END: S
SPD: S
DIV: E

"Orianne, if you would be so kind."

The sword Joyeuse appears in Orianne's hand. Golden light emerges from you and your companions, wrapping around the Relic to produce a golden blade that stretches out towards the sky. Orianne brings that sword down upon the golden armband.

Andhaka roars bleeds crimson flames, but its defense falters before Orianne's Relic. In that small opening, Eshan unleashes the Brahmastra again.

Only one arm yet remains now, the one that defends against attacks of speed.

- [DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
- [DC12] Launch a group attack against Arm #4.

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>878275
>[DC9] Have Selene attack Arm #4.
Er, we don't need everyone attacking...

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>878275
>- [DC12] Launch a group attack against Arm #4.

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>>878275
You give Selene a nod and she prepares another of her Silver Arrows. A web of thunder and lightning lashes out to meet it, but the arrow weaves through the net at an impossible speed and impales Andhaka's last hand.

"That's all of them." Eshan points a finger at Andhaka's shoulder and his Relic strikes one last time, utterly destroying the army.

Andhaka thrashes and howls in rage. His body swells and explodes into flames, but there's no heat or overpressure. His power just slowly dissipates in the ether.

"Another one down," you say. "That just leaves Lucifer."

"Exterminating the remains of Andhaka's forces will take time," Eshan says, "but my subordinates will take care of it. Thank you for helping us."

"It's part of the job," you say.

"I guess we're going back to Europe then," Orianne says. "I wonder if the Commander has any leads."

"I do." Commander Blumstein interrupts your conversation with a telepathic call. You've just received an invitation to Italy. We'll talk more once you get back."

>>878395
And that's all for today. Relic Quest will return Sunday December 4th at 7PM EST. As a reminder, I'll also be running Beleaguered Prince Quest Friday December 2nd, also at 7PM EST.

Goodnight and thanks for playing.