Enemy Result = 5 (Challenge) +4 (No Defence) +1 (Luck) -8 (Your performance) = 2
Effect = Air Punch on Target.
You are performing Necromancer at level 6.
Enemy Result = 12 (Challenge) +0 (Luck) -4 (Your Performance) = 6.
Enemy Slam Effect = 6 +0 (Slam Factor) = 4 (Knockdown) +2 Damage Effect.
Actual Damage = 2 (Damage Effect) -3 (Armour) = 0
You have Disadvantage “Knocked Sprawling”.
An invisible fist shoved Torstag to the ground. He skidded two body lengths and crashed into the still burning torso of the undead cave bear.
The ghosts of all the sacrifices gathered round to stand over him, mouthing words he could not hear.
Beyond them, Zahna let go of Miss Millicent, took a running jump and hit the Ice Queen with both feet.
She bounced off, fell backwards into the carpet of old bones.
The undead Ice Queen paced after Miss Millicent.
“Fuck!” cried Ingar. “Fucketty fuck!” He dragged the big librarian through the door.
As he got her over the threshold, the lich paced after them at slightly faster than walking place, each step making her limbs squeak and rustle.
The door slammed closed behind her.
Zahna reached the door just after and started examining the frame.
Torstag got to his feet. “Open it! We have to save them.”
Zahna shook her head. “My Flip spell should do it, but I’d need most of the day. Sorry.”
Torstag lined himself up. “Out the way I’ll shoulder charge it…”
Zahna put her back to the door and folded her arms. “You will not. It’s solid oak and opens into the room, remember?”
“Perhaps I can drill through with my sword.”
You are performing Warlord at Level 5.
Lich travelling at walking pace takes about 5 minutes to reach the tomb exit. Burglar and Virago travelling at a jog will arrive first.
“Apparently not.” He brightened. “But they’ll outrun her, lose her in the jungle and come back for us.”
Zahna shook her head.
“What?”
“Liches become more powerful as they awake,” she said. “But I can’t remember how quickly, or whether that makes them faster. But the main thing is they can’t leave their tomb. When she gets to the entrance, she’ll turn back.”
1 Potestas restored.
4 of 5 Potestas remaining.
Lich due in about 5 minutes.
“I’m afraid it’s not going to be much of a conversation,” said Torstag, suddenly certain about what he had to do.
“What?”
“You wanted me to ask her how she beat off Gronchard.”
“Let’s just focus on getting out of here,” said Zahna.
“I have it covered,” said Torstag, not exactly lying. “Go look. Perhaps there’s a weapon in her burial chamber.”
Zahna’s eyes narrowed. She nodded and slipped away toward the empty burial chamber.
Torstag tapped at the door with Peacebringer’s pommel, probed for secret catches. Nothing.
Zahna’s voiced echoed behind him. “There’s a second door at the back of the burial chamber!”
Torstag’s heart lifted. Just perhaps…
“No,” said Zahna. “Solid stone. Won’t open.”
Torstag gave up hope and relaxed into his choice.
Tell me about my Warrior Vocation.
Warrior 3 (Sidearm, Shield, Brawling, Longsword): Wrath Strike++, Split Shield, Disarm, Twitch, Rampage, Hurl, Onset Thrust, Crooked Strike 3/6
He counted the Feats as his Tempter recited them.
1, 2, 3…10 including Crooked Strike.
Securing Crooked Strike will increase Warrior to Level 4.
Zahna appeared beside him. “Got it.” She held out a small wooden box then stuffed it in her satchel, which she jingled. “Plus loot to keep Ingar happy.”
A stone settled in Torstag’s gut. “Look after him.”
Shock dragged itself across Zahna’s face. “What?”
“Right,” said Torstag. He took the satchel from Zahna, strode over to the shaft and lobbed it up to the next level. A thud echoed down to them.
“What are you doing?” asked Zahna.
“What I always do,” said Torstag. He snatched her staff, tossed that up and through too.
“But…” she said.
He made a cradle of his hands. “When the door opens, I’ll boost you into the shaft. You can chimney climb out. She can’t fly, so you should be able to make it out.”
“No,” she said. “We’ll work together to get past her.”
Torstag shook his head. “If you die, Gronchard will find your body and enslave your next avatar.”
“What about you?” she said. “Even if you can get round her, there’s no cover in the passage. She’ll have an easy time hitting you with her Air Punch.”
“Air Punch? Is that what it’s called.” Torstag shrugged. “I have a plan.”
“I bet it’s not a very good plan.”
He shrugged. “No, it is not.”
Zahna’s eyes glistened in the light of the burning zombie cave bear. She nodded. “I’ll see you again.”
“One way or another,” said Torstag.
Zahna kicked off her soft leather boots, revealing sleek feet that didn’t belong in the grime and debris of the tomb. “Unless Gronchard gets me anyway.”
“If so, I will find you.”
She kissed his forehead then threw the boots up through the hole. “I’m ready. What now?”
“We wait.”
“I have a better idea.” She stooped and kissed him full on the mouth.
He put his hands around her waist and drew her close, though he could feel nothing through the plates of his lamellar.
Time became endless sensation.
All thought dropped away. His awareness expanded until he could hear everything…the hiss of Zahna’s breath on his cheek, the drip of water, and the Lich Queen’s boots clacking on the stone, getting closer and closer down the tunnel toward them. Now the ringing of metal as she climbed down the ladder into the pit trap. Now her steady footfalls as she returned.
1 Potestas restored.
5 of 5 Potestas remaining.
That was five minutes gone.
The footfalls were behind the door now.
“Go,” said Torstag, gently pushing her away.
Zahna kicked some bones out of the way, moved back a few paces, then ran at him.
The girl didn’t so much get on his shoulders as run up his body: one foot in his hands, the next on his shoulder, the last one actually on his helmet.
He had a fleeting impression of her heat on his face then, with a yell, she was above him in the shaft.
He looked up in time to see her wedge back against the shaft walls and walk herself up. At the top she twisted and vaulted free.
The blade scythed across the hole.
His heart lurched, but there was no splash of blood, no scream.
“I made it.”
“Run!” he said.
He caught a murmured, “Farewell.” Then the soft tread of Zahna’s feet as she fled the tunnel toward the daylight.
The door creaked like an aged executioner raising his axe.
Torstag jogged over to take position behind it. He dropped into Barrier Guard; left foot forward, sword held out in front, point down. The blood rushed in Torstag’s ears, his limbs trembled. He concentrated on breathing.
The lich queen swept into the chamber, pivoted, fixed him with her diamond eyes. Her laughter was like icicles pressed into the ears. “I may not be reborn this day, but at least I shall feed well.”
Lich. Hostile. Slow. Melee Distance.
“That remains to be seen.”
Chapter 50: Shear Magic!
The lich queen extended a hand.
Enemy Attacking Boldly.
New Form 4. Performing Warrior at level 7.
Torstag bellowed, “Ya
h!”
Using Crooked Strike 3/6, Cost 2 Potestas. 3 of 5 Potestas remaining.
Torstag sprang to the side. As he moved, he crossed his hands, windmilling the sword into the space he’d just vacated, but angled forward.
Crooked Strike defends by Evasion.
Attacking Boldly negates Enemy Boldness.
“More Heavily Armoured” negates “Slower Enemy”.
Test of Performance 7. Passed. Skid avoided.
Crooked Strike counts as a Dodge.
Result = 7 (Performance) +2 (Unpredictable) -5 (Enemy Challenge) = 4
Her Air Punch prickled past. Behind him, stone crashed; the miss had wrecked some of the chamber’s carved façade.
His sword tip struck her wrist.
It bounced off.
Effect = 4 (Result) + 2 (Greatsword) -2 (Weak) = 4 x 0 (Invulnerable) = 0
Crooked Strike advances to 4/6 Grip.
Torstag had landed well to the right, but still in melee range. As long as he stayed close, she couldn’t just knock him down with her Air Punch; she had to fence.
You have “Tactical Advantage”.
She turned, tracking him with the hand, diamond eyes flickering in the firelight.
Again he sprang out of the way and windmilled the blade at the threatening limb.
Crooked Strike defends by Evasion.
Attacking Boldly negates Enemy Boldness.
Using Crooked Strike 4/6, Cost 2 Potestas. 1 of 5 Potestas remaining.
Test of Performance 7. Passed. Skid avoided.
Result = 7 (Performance) +2 (Tactical Advantage) -1 (Unpredictable) -5 (Enemy Challenge) = 1
The blade clanged off her shoulder.
Effect = 1 (Result) +2 (Greatsword) -2 (Weak) = 1 x 0 (Invulnerable) = 0
Crooked Strike advances to 5/6 Grasp.
You have “Tactical Advantage”.
He was actually between her and the door now. He could turn and run. However, he didn’t think he would get very far.
Instead of tracking him, the lich pivoted backwards, away from him. He took a long stride after her, stepping offline as he closed.
Manoeuvring.
Retreating negates your Tactical Advantage.
“Slower Enemy” cancels out “More Heavily Armoured”.
Result = 7 (Performance) -1 (Luck) -5 (Enemy Challenge) -2 (Enemy Retreating) = -1
“Tactical Advantage” lost.
Melee Distance maintained.
Torstag laughed. “Too slow. You can’t get away.”
The lich let her arms fall by her side. She drew herself up and Torstag saw that she had once been beautiful.
“You cannot harm me,” she hissed. Her tone changed to something huskier and more human. “Why not…love me instead?”
Suddenly, she was as she had been…as she was now—not cold, like Zahna but as warm and welcoming as a hot spring in a snow storm.
Test of Potestas 1, Failed.
Enemy Result = 11 (Challenge) +1 (Luck) -5 (Your Will) = 7 = 7 x 0 (Marked) = 0.
“What?” blurted Torstag.
“I said…love me,” purred the lich.
Enemy Result = 11 (Challenge) +1 (Luck) -5 (Your Will) = 7 = 7 x 0 (Marked) = 0.
There it was again; Marked.
She screamed “Marked!” The beauty dissolved. She came at him, arms outstretched. “I am going to drink you down.”
Once again, Torstag sprang to the side and crossed his wrists to windmill the blade at her hands.
Using Crooked Strike 5/6, Cost 1 Potestas. 0 of 5 Potestas remaining.
Crooked Strike is Unpredictable.
Test of Performance 4. Passed. Skid avoided.
Crooked Strike defends by Evasion.
Attacking Boldly negates Enemy Boldness.
Result = 7 (Performance) -2 (Unpredictable) -5 (Enemy Challenge) = 0. Tie. Both parties are Bold and have Result 2.
Effect = 2 (Result) + 2 (Greatsword) = 4 x 0 (Invulnerable) = 0
“Damn!”
The blade struck, rebounded.
Her Airpunch caught him as he landed.
Enemy Result = 2.
Enemy Effect = Air Punch On Target.
The magical force crushed the plates of his cuirass into his chest…
Current Form 4.
You are performing Necromancer at level 5.
Enemy Result = 12 (Challenge) +1 (Luck) -4 (Your Performance) = 7.
Enemy Slam Effect = 7 +0 (Slam Factor) = 4 (Knockdown) +3 Damage Effect.
…threw him off his feet.
Damage = 3 (Damage Effect) -3 (Armour) = 0
You have Disadvantage “Knocked Sprawling”.
He thumped onto his back, crunching old bones with his armour.
The lich laughed.
Crooked Strike advances to 6/6 Grasp.
Crooked Strike Secured.
Select another…
Busy right now. Get to sword feats.
You have 10 Warrior Feats.
Warrior advances to Level 4.
Level 4 unlocks a second Sword Feat. Select from Cleave Armour, Smite Undead, Shear Magic, Parry Arrows.
That one!
Shear Magic unlocked. Next feat unlocks at Warrior 5.
His Tempter seemed to take a deep breath.
Time stopped.
New highest level vocation.
Level Up Surge.
Vitality reset.
Potestas resent.
4 Points of Grasp Advancement available.
What? A mere four points. Surges seemed to be entirely random.
Select a Vocation.
He remembered the shambles that had gotten them into this mess.
Warlord.
Warlord, Tea Drinking secured. 0 points left.
Warlord advances to Level 1.
Unlock a 2nd Warlord Feat.
Something to avoid another shambles.
Dead memories flitted through his minds eye, commanding armies, defending fortresses, planning assaults…and leading a small part of warriors up a moonlit riverbank.
There had to be a way of making less of a pig’s breakfast of things.
That.
Small Unit Tactics unlocked at 1/6 Grasp.
You are: Torstag, Human Warlock, Youth, Agile, Empathic, Bold, Marked.
Issue, Horror of the Despairing Dead 2/6.
New Potestas 6. New Will 3.
New Vitality 6. New Toughness 3.
The Sword Peacebringer (Undroppable): Smite Undead, Shear Magic. Next feat unlocks at Warrior 5.
Vocations:
Warlord 1: Tea Drinking, Small Unit Tactics 1/6.
Warrior, 4 (Sidearm, Shield, Longsword): Wrath Strike++, Cleave Shield, Disarm, Twitch, Onset Thrust, Crooked Strike.
Scout 2 (Mountains, Forest, Jungle): Climb +1, Spider Climb, Stalk 2/6.
Necromancer 1 (Cantrips): Repel Shade, Shade Cloak 3/6, Manifest Shade 5/6
Various General Skills.
Form 5.
Potestas Boosted to 12.
And he was back with the lich queen.
For an instant, Torstag was tempted to throw everything at her: both sword feats, a good Wrath Strike and all the boldness he could muster.
By the time he’d decided it was a stupid idea, however, he had rolled to his feet and was running clean past the lich.
He sensed her wheel to take another shot at him.
Current form 5. Performing Warrior at Level 9.
Manoeuvre Result = 9 (Performance) -2 (Knocked Sprawling) +2 (Retreating) -1 (Luck) -5 (Challenge) = 3
Manoeuvre Effect = Retreat successful
As he passed the open door, he raised his fist, dipped the greatsword so it rested on his armoured shoulder and hung over his back. His shoulders tensed in the expectation of another one of her invisible punches.
Enemy Targeting = 5 (Challenge) +2 (No room to dodge) +1 (Luck) -2 (Throwing Range) = 6. On Target.
Using Sword Feat, Shear Magic, cost 1 Potestas. 11 of 12 Potestas remaining.
&
nbsp; Shear Magic shifts magical defence to Warrior Performance.
Result = 13 (Challenge) +0 (Luck) -9 (Your Performance) = 3
Effect = “Staggered” (2)
It was like being butted by a horse. He stumbled, almost fell, but he was through the door, into the sloping tunnel. Light spilled from the trap entrance up ahead.
He ran harder, legs churning, armour rattling.
Voices echoed down the tunnel to greet him. “Torstag! Come on! Leg it you wanker!”
That was Zahna and his friends.
They couldn’t help him, though.
Torstag tried to weave as he ran, bumped the sidewalls, gave up and just ran for it.
A burst of raw power whooshed past.
Masonry crashed from the ceiling.
Peacebringer, he realised, couldn’t protect him from the secondary effects of magic.
Falling Rubble Result = 4 (Hazard) +1 (Luck) -2 (You are moving) = 3.
Falling Rubble Effect = 3 (Success) +2 (Damage Factor) -3 (Armour) = 2
A rock clanged off his helmet, bumped the plates of his shoulder.
The Jungle Tomb of the Ice Queen (The Flying Tooth Garden Book 1) Page 29
