Perhaps, although the new system does open up a few ideas I haven’t thought for this before. I do plan on still filling the out of combat utility our group may require.
And this is more of a nitpicky suggestion, but is Dexterity the stat related to the strategic skills? Judging by the current affinities listed, wouldn’t something like Cunning be a more appropriate name?
The bard looked around the room once the last enemy was felled. These apparitions... these Ysgardians, were sworn to defend their inner sanctum from unwanted intruders. Their dedication to defending the last of what remained theirs served as a grim reminder to Cesar of the fate of his and his allies’ own world. If only Cesar was more vigilant to defend against the darkness... No, if only he were stronger...
One by one, Cesar’s allies arrived into the room soon after the fighting reached its end. Cesar wiped Jarlbane off with his wrist, dismissing the dazzling lights that danced around his blade. Sheathing his sword, Cesar kneels down to the spirit they had just fought. He admired how they fought, letting their armor take the blows instead of avoiding them, powering through whatever pain or injury they might have suffered. Admiring their fighting spirits, Cesar had decided to pick up the fallen warrior’s off-handed gauntlet, strapping it onto his own hand.
”You may be busy defending this tomb, honored warrior,” Cesar began to speak, as he worked on putting on the gauntlet, ”But now you may also aid us in taking the offensive against the forces of evil.”
When that was all said and done, the swordsman stood up, looking at his recently arrived and rejuvenated allies.
”We had managed to prove ourselves as worthy warriors to the guardians of these crypts. You all managed to rejuvinate your lost energy, now, did you? Looks like we took care of two things at the same time, and with none of us worse off from it. And now we are all together. Whatever lies ahead, be it ghosts, ghouls, or goblins, our combined strength and resolve will push us through these crypts and uncover whatever lies ahead!”
Cesar gritted his teeth, flourishing Jarlbane as he recovered from avoiding that blow. While the bard was rather impressed by how easily he avoided that blow, je feels like if he continues dodging attacks like that, he’ll kill his back when he’s older.
Cesar will have to end the fight, soon, then...
”You hit pretty hard...” Cesar said, before raising his blade to the air. ”Jarlbane!” The swordsman evoked, his already dazzling blade slowly being sheathed in green flame. A second later, Cesar swung Jarlbane in a downward cleave with all his strength, with the intent to cut through his opponent.
The breakthrough in fortune at last turned the tides, so fittingly for the man who was once captain. His glinting sword striking one foe, its blade now aflame, the armor failed to shrug aside the assault as it had done to the lesser blows; it cascaded to the ground in a heap, the phantom exorcised from it. Perhaps to the man's surprise, the leaping fire from his sword dashed itself against the other which too surrendered its ghost. Javelins, arrows, bows, swords, armor, all of it fell with a loud clatter throughout the underground of the crypt, some of the odd bits rolling down the stairs just beyond the bard.
Both spirits fading, the first moaned pained words in its echoing and otherworldly voice, "How I have... failed... all of... my brothers..." only then for the second, as the flames engulfed it before winking from existence, to give another dying breath; "... they are righteous..."
”... But I hit harder.”
Cesar smiled proudly at his mighty strike bringing both spirits down. The swordsman turned back to the others, brandishing his sword as he approached the remaining soldier’s flank.
Cesar HP: 22/27
Cesar casts Green-Flame Blade, attacking one of the Spirits in front of him and landing a critical hit! The initial hit brought down the first Spirit, while its bouncing green flame eliminates the second Spirit, as well. Cesar then approaches the last Spirit from behind, in order to aid his allies.
Berserker appeared at his Master’s side and yawned, stretching as if he had just woken up. He had taken his time to get his bearing before finally taking a gander ar the maps. Clearing his eyes, he yawned once again, after hearing Johanna’s plan.
”Sounds pretty boring,” Berserker confessed, a leg behind his head. ”Then again, I guess in wars like these, all the exciting things either happen indoors or at night...”
“Sure, why not? But I want breakfast.” Berserker grinned, resting his chin on his hand as he schemed to himself about what to eat. There are many modern foods that he’s seen as they made their way through the city, last night, that have been on his mind. Taking another look at the maps, Berserker thought, again, to himself for a moment, before suddenly placing his finger on a place downtown.
”Let’s go to this Waffle House!” Berserker exclaimed, before making a quick hop, exchanging legs so that his other leg would be resting behind his head. ”It had a sweet smell when we passed by it. Sweet foods are always a good way to start the day off! Let me just get into something more... this era.”
Berserker hopped back, lowering his other leg to the ground before taking a deep breath, suddenly shifting in a puff of golden smoke... into the form of a dog! Berserker took a look at his arms, er, front legs in this form, a displeased look on his face before he shifted forms, again, to... a moose? Baring his teeth at annoyance, Berserker tried a few more times, only to shift between a myriad of different animals, with the only things staying consistent being his monkey tail and golden chain necklace. After a few moments, Berserker shifted back into his normal form, a look of annoyance on his face as he sat himself on the floor, arms crossed and pouting.
”Can’t even change clothes in this stupid class container...” Berserker grumbled, resting his chin on his fist as he glared to the ground. He let out a sigh, as a more downtrodden expression appeared on his face.
”If you have any clothes I can borrow, then I’d appreciate it... staying in spiritual form all the time gets boring, you know?”
Cesar Lorenzo Tidesong Bolivar The Vale, At The Hall.
Cesar grunted as his attack bounce’s off his opponent’s. With a tipsy sway, however, Cesar managed to avoid the retaliating blow of the spirit’s attack, grinning confidently. As he opened his mouth to rebuke with clever words, the spirit swung once more at the bard, almost surprising him. The spirit with the axe went on to attack Valmjr, this time, leaving Cesar’s grasp, but not without an opportune strike, its back facing the swordsman. Despite this, however, its armor still managed to deflect his strike.
These are skilled warriors, indeed.
Cesar raised Jarlbane to strike the spirit he is fighting, once again, focusing his might in order to strike a blow mighty enough to go through its armor. Alas, however, even one of Cesar’s stronger blows were no matcn against its armor. Cesar cursed to himself as his eyes darted the room to find some sort of tactical ground. Aside from the warrior they were facing, two other spirits had positioned themselves at the rear, with only Bourbon’s conjuration to confine them in any way.
Cesar braced himself before making a dash towards their rear formation, swinging Jarlbane in a complex matter, managing to deflect the warrior’s attempt to stop him from proceeding.
”I’ll take the ones in the back!” Cesar called, giving the two ranged warriors a fierce look as he continued to break the distance.
”Come on! Strike me!” Cesar hissed, gripping Jarlbane with both hands as he prepared to deflect any of their blows.
Cesar HP: 21/21 AC: 19 Bardic Inspiration: 0/3
Cesar struck the spirit with a Blade Flourish attack of 16, still not managing to pierce its sturdy armor. Cesar expended his last Bardic Inspiration die to grant himself 19 AC, moving forward towards the two spirits fighting at range and stopping within 5 feet of them.
Cesar Lorenzo Tidesong Bolivar The Vale, At The Hall.
Cesar had mostly put the concerns and arguments of the others in the back of his mind, knowing well that he didn't need to have anger cloud his better judgement, especially when it’s already clouded by alcohol. He needed to steel his mind, especially after seeing that these ghosts will not be negotiated with. Taking a deep breath, Cesar flourished his blade with luminescent light, rushing in to attack.
”If you won’t falter through words, then surely, it is steel that will change your minds!” Cesar hollered, raising his sword as flames began to surround his blade, manifesting as if purely out of Cesar’s ardor. When he reached the phantoms, he swung his sword, blazing in light and fire, down at one of the guardians of Ysgard.
Alas, however, Cesar’s hand seems to be guided by alcohol, as well, causing him to stumble and miss his attack. Cesar could only brace himself for the retributivebflurry of blows these phantoms may make.
Cesar HP: 21/21 1st Level Spell Slots: 1
Cesar uses a 1st-level spell slot to cast Dazzling Blade before moving up to mete his steel with the ghosts’. Once he reached then, he attacked using Green-Flame Blade, missing his attack with a roll of 6
Hasabe parked his car a few yards away from the church, trying not to look as inconspicious as possible, and knowing that other servants may be around. The large crater he saw on the way to the Church had surprised him. According to Saber, she sensed a few other Servants around the premise, as well. If this is the power a Servant holds, then, well...
It explains why Saber needs a lot of pizza
Taking what he thought were necessary precautions, Hasabe tightened the glove on the hand that bore his command spells. Saber said the glove wasn't able to hide the magical essence within his seals, but he figured his glove will serve fine enough to hide them, anyway. Once he got out of his car, he pressed his hands over his clothes, making sure they're straightened properly. He didn't want to look sloppy in front of the overseer, now, did he?
"I'm going to walk up to the door, first, Saber. Just watch my back, in case any other Servants are around."
Walking up towards the church, Hasabe looked behind him to make sure Saber was with him. Whether she appeared or not, Hasabe nodded his head, turning back towards the church doors and knocking a few times. Time to get to finally meeting this overseer...
Yankee
Dane