[F03 | SP] No Greater Love | <<The Search for Hoya>>

[Acanthus 0]

“I’m just taking a stab in the dark here,” Edict began. “But the whole ‘I don’t like talking because people confuse me,’ and the whole ‘rules don’t make sense’... not to mention the nerve I struck joking about relationships. I’d say you struggle to navigate relationships.”

“Barnum effect.”

“...You lost me.”

“The Barnum effect is a phenomena named after the American entertainer P.T. Barnum. The entertainer was famed for his use of broad statements that allowed people to infer their own personal meaning, lending to the appearance that Mr. Barnum was an accomplished mind-reader, when it was merely the results of people hoping to feel perceived.”

Acanthus went on. “Saying that I ‘struggle to navigate relationships’ is a broad statement. Other people might be taken in, but I am not.”

“...I also tend to get defensive when I think people are starting to perceive me.” Edict was mercifully quiet in response to her admission.

Post Action: Gathering Materials
234458 | LD 5 + 1 | CD 8 + 2 Failure.

Loot Totals
+100 foraging EXP
16500 col
(23) materials
(2) demonic shard

Edited October 4 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

“Say, I think there may be a chest nearby. Why don’t we take a moment to look for it?”

“Anything to stop talking about myself.” Scouting out the immediate area, the two spread out in search of the chest. But neither of them had any luck. “It’s my fault,” Edict said. “I’m no good at searching for treasure chests either. I’ve usually got a scout to help me sniff them out.”

“You’re just used to working in a team, is all.” A team that can actually do things. I’m just a warm body in a party member slot. “Why don’t we rest for a second?”

The two paused for a quick break. Larbrook wandered around aimlessly, tethered by an invisible leash. “This whole quest is a little on the nose, don’t you think?” Edict cocked his head with a grin.

“I don’t follow.”

“Well…” Edict mused. “It’s a maze, and it’s a quest about love.”

Post Action: Searching for Chest
234459 | LD 3 + 9. Failure. q.q

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

“No, it’s not. It’s a quest about killing two minotaurs with a beefy Swede for about 500 experience.” Edict laughed, but Acanthus did not. He cleared his throat awkwardly. “Just take my word for it. The whole thing seems a bit allegorical.”

Acanthus picked at some gathering nodes while she talked. “It’s a stupid allegory. Relationships aren’t mazes. Relationships are like big, looming monsters that threaten to consume you if you stray too far into their domain.”

“Has anyone suggested therapy to you?”

“No. How about you?” Edict nearly honked with laughter before clapping a hand over his mouth. “Sorry. Ugly laugh.”

“It wasn’t ugly,” Acanthus said. “It was funny. Aren’t laughs supposed to be funny?”

Edict gave her a strange look; he quickly reverted to his usual cheery demeanor. “So if love isn’t the maze, but instead the monster, does that make our minotaur friends the stand in for love?”

“Insofar as I want to kill them.” Another short honk from Edict. “Then it’s settled. We are on the hunt for Love. Not to capture it, woo it, or tame it. But to slay it.” He stood up triumphantly, fist raised in mock determination. Acanthus stood up, taking his gesture as a sign he was ready to continue. “Ok.”

Post Action: Gathering Materials
234458 | LD 15 + 10 | CD 2 + 2 Success! (1) material gained. +10 foraging EXP

Loot Totals
+110 foraging EXP
16500 col
(24) materials
(2) demonic shard

Edited October 4 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

“Do you think Love will find us first? Or do you think we’ll get the jump on Love?”

“Edict, stop acting strange. We’re here to kill the minotaur.”

“*You’re* here to kill the minotaur. I’m here for support and color commentary.” Acanthus snuck carefully around a corner, on the lookout for the Minotaur. Picking at a nearby outcropping of shining rocks, she tried her best to ignore Edict. Not that he was bothering her; he just seemed to be entertaining himself. He didn’t need her. No one really did.

“I think we’re on the right track. Hold the commentary.” Edict quieted down immediately, straining to listen. He whispered, “I don’t hear anything.” Acanthus mouthed the words, “searching skill,” and focused intently. Cloven footsteps. Just around the next corner. She drew her sword as quietly as possible. Edict shot her another mischievous grin. She knew he was preparing some awful joke or pun. Waiting for an ambush would risk her having to hear whatever love-related joke Edict was cooking up. She burst from her hiding spot, intent on slaying the beast once and for all.

Post Action: Gathering Materials
234466 | LD 17 + 1 | CD 4 + 2 Critical Success! (2) material and 1000 col gained. +18 foraging EXP

Loot Totals
+110 foraging EXP
17500 col
(26) materials
(2) demonic shard

Edited October 4 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

Her searching skill hadn’t failed her. The minotaur stood within charging distance, weapon ready for Acanthus. With a battle cry, she bore down on the creature. Locking weapons, she was so close she could hear the thing’s breath. And smell it. She turned her head to avoid the worst of it.

Thankfully, Larbrook was there. He broke the two up, pushing the minotaur back with an elaborate combo. Giving Acanthus some breathing room, she took a deep breath, preparing a stunning attack. Advancing on Larbrook and Govarron, she snuck around to the beast’s side, driving her blade into its flank. It howled in pain, and disengaged to swing at her. She ducked the obvious strike, and finished her sword art, piercing the thing’s chest. It shattered into a million pieces.

After accepting the second amulet, Larbrook approached her, pointing and mumbling something vaguely Scandanavian. “He wants the amulets,” Edict explained. “If you hand them over, he’ll merge them into the vanity item.”

“But… These amulets have actual stats. Are you sure I can’t just keep these two and get the amulet anyways?” Edict crossed his arms. “Not unless you want a hulking dude following you around every town you enter.”

“Ugh.” Acanthus dropped the amulets into Larbrooks eager hands. “What a waste.” Doing a little dance, Larbrook’s hands began to glow, fusing the two useful items into a pile of scrap metal. He offered the reforged amulet back to Acanthus with the excitement of a child offering his parents macaroni art. She accepted with less enthusiasm.

“Thank you, Larbrook. It’s very nice.” A dialog box opened up, stating that she had completed the quest. Larbrook bounded off into the maze. Acanthus almost took off after him, but Edict stopped her. “Don’t worry, he’ll make it back to town. Let’s try and get out of here before dark.”

Spoiler

 

Post Action: TECH-A -> Govarron
234467 | BD 9 Minor critical! 22 * 16 = 352 damage.

Acanthus | HP: 760/760 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 | ACC:2 | REC: 4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:8
<<Govarron, the Western Hoya Minotaur>> HP: 0/150 | DMG: 45 | EVA: 1

 

 

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

They did not. Edict handed Acanthus her tent and bedroll, and they set up a campsite together. They worked quickly, clearing a campsite and preparing a fire. Acanthus was even able to gather a few valuable materials while they worked. She was grateful for the fire as the sun went down. The wind cut through the labyrinth, leaving them shivering when they strayed from the flames.

“Can I ask why the quest had you on edge? I know it wasn’t about the danger. You obliterated each of the minotaurs.” Acanthus continued staring into the fire. “It’s about the joke earlier, isn’t it? Me saying you have a special someone? Did you leave somebody behind in the real world?”

“You’re asking a lot of questions.”

“Questions you’re not obligated to answer. I’m just a bit of a talker, but feel free to ignore me.” Edict poked the fire with a long stick.

Post Action: Gathering Materials
234468 | LD 15 + 1 | CD 5 + 2 Critical Success! (3) materials and 2500 col gained. +18 foraging EXP

Loot Totals
+128 foraging EXP
20000 col
(29) materials
(2) demonic shard

Edited October 4 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

Acanthus filled the awkward silence picking at cracks in the stone floor. Surprisingly, she found small bits of material just within reach. Finally, she opened up.

“... I left behind lots of people in the real world. But no lovers.” Edict chuckled, and Acanthus glared at him. “I’m sorry—lovers? Are you a period romance novel?”

“I don’t have much experience with intimate relationships. Any, really.” Edict blinked. “That’s honestly surprising.” Acanthus prepared to shoot him another glare. “And why is it so surprising?”

“Because you’re b—well, you just—man, I really have to be careful here, don’t I?” He scratched the back of his head. “It just seems like you could be in a relationship if you wanted.”

“I don’t want to be.”

“So then the obvious question: why take the quest with the wedding-related vanity item?”

“It’s a quest with very little risk of death, and quests are a good source of experience.  If I have to endure some sappy vanity item in my inventory, then I’ll do it.”

“We both know you don’t have to fuse the amulets to get the quest experience.”

Acanthus didn’t respond.

Post Action: Gathering Materials
234472 | LD 4 + 1 | CD 6 + 2 Failure.

Loot Totals
+128 foraging EXP
20000 col
(29) materials
(2) demonic shard

Edited October 4 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

Edict started to talk again, but Acanthus quickly cut him off. “When did I ever say I wanted to be in a relationship? Why does everybody assume I’m ready—falling over myself, even—to be tied down to someone else?” Acanthus’ voice began to rise. Edict apologized. “I hit a nerve. We can talk about something else.” But Acanthus continued. “It’s exhausting. All of it is exhausting. The questions, the expectations, the constant performance—everything about relationships is exhausting, I’m tired of pretending that it isn’t. I’m tired of people telling me I’ll find the right person. I haven’t, and I won’t, and that’s ok. I’ve made peace with not being comfortable around people.” The bitterness in her voice shocked them both.

“This is usually the part where people tell me I just haven’t found the right person yet.” Edict gave a single, dejected laugh. “Yea. I know the feeling.” That wasn't the response she expected. Edict gave her a side glance. “Listen, it’s only fair. You’ve been venting this whole time, so now it’s my turn.” Edict took a deep breath. “When I got divorced, the only thing I ever heard from my friends and family was about how I was going to bounce back and find someone that treated me like a person, and not just… whatever she was treating me like. I know they meant well, but…” Edict shrugged. “I was done putting myself out there. I still am, too. But it feels like no amount of explaining will get people to see that.”

“Edict, I’m sorry.” He gave a sad smile. “Don’t be. It’s complicated. I don’t know that I’ve ever been able to explain it properly anyways. Trying to describe that marriage is like using shadows to describe fire.”

“So when you talk about not wanting a relationship, in some strange way, I get that. You were just lucky enough to know that from the beginning. It took me a few painful lessons to learn that.”

“...I didn’t really know it from the beginning.” Edict waited patiently for her to continue. “I’m still not really sure even now. I like to pretend I have it figured out because anything less than certainty invites the most insufferable comments. Things like, ‘Oh stop worrying, the perfect person is out there.’”

“Or, ‘you just have to keep trying, and everything will work out in the end.’”

“Yea.”

They watched the fire flicker out slowly, each refusing to add to the flames. When the last ember died out they sat together in the darkness, comfortable in their mutual silence.

“That was a little more vulnerable than I like to get,” Edict said. “But you seemed like you were opening up, and I hated to leave that conversation one-sided. Really, I’d just as soon forget we talked about it.”

“I thought you were a ‘talker?’” Edict faked a smile. “Not about this.”

Acanthus stuck her hand out. “I agree to forget.” Edict chuckled as he took her hand. With a single firm shake, he said, “Then it’s settled. It never happened. I’m going to turn in early. Get some sleep, and we’ll make it home in the morning.”

* * *

They approached the forest one more time. “You’re sure there’s not a way around it?” Edict nodded firmly. “I checked the map.”

“You could teleport out without me. I’ll be fine.”

Edict shook his head. “Absolutely not. We both experienced… whatever was in there. We’re going in together, and we’re leaving together.” Acanthus knew she should have pushed him to leave. He seemed to bear the brunt of the first encounter; she worried he would bear it again this time. But the thought of confronting the Hatred alone… she would never forget that first encounter.

“We’re leaving together.”

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

The forest immediately quenched any hope of leaving without conflict. From the moment they entered, Acanthus had the acute sensation of walls closing in around them.

Edict seemed particularly affected. He was pale and shaking. Acanthus put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Edict. Edict, listen to my voice. We’re going to be fine. Just focus on the sound of my voice.” He was a million miles away, talking to himself like he was having a bad dream. Hatred had not yet come for her, thankfully. She wasn’t sure what they would do if they were both unable to function. It wasn’t a luxury to linger on right now. Edict was completely gone: sputtering; begging with someone she couldn't see. “I’ll do anything… please, Philia, anything. But not that…”

Deep from the woods, an unholy scream sounded. Something like a thousand agonized voices rushed out of the woods, surrounding them both. The sound ended abruptly.

“Edict!” Acanthus began to worry. “Edict, I need you right now. I don’t know what you’re going through, but I need you to be strong. We have to make it out of here.” The thousand screams echoed again; this time, they were closer. Much closer. Edict fell to his knees, hands clasped together in supplication.

Acanthus tried one more time to wake him up. Dropping to her knees, she wrapped her arms around him. “Edict, I don’t know where you are right now. But I need you here.” She squeezed tighter. “I wish I knew what was happening. I want to know what's hurting you so I can tell you just the right words to stop it. When we get out of here, I want you to tell me. And then I can tell you about what’s hurting me.” Grasping the sides of his vacant face with her hands, she pressed her forehead gently against his. “You’re going to wake up. Until you do, I’ll be right here.”

She stood up, drawing Ajisai. “I’m here.” She said firmly. It was reassurance to Edict, and a challenge to whatever was in the woods. “I’m right here.”

Spoiler

 

Combat Begins! (This is narrative combat: I'm not actually rolling or getting rewards from this)

Acanthus | HP: 760/760 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 | ACC:2 | REC: 4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:8
Edict | HP: 840/840 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 14 | MIT:150 | REC: 8 | Taunt

Sins of Acanthus | 550/550 | DMG 250 | ACC 5 | EVA 10

You are Worthless | This creature will not attack Acanthus. Why would it bother with someone who is so weak? C̵̜͇̋̋̐͊̎̄̓͂̊͑͑̚͜͝͝ą̷̢̧͎͔̖̩̬̥̯͊̓̿̌́̈́̎͆͗̊͘r̵̨̾̅̾̅̅̾͘̚d̸̛̗̃̈́̑̒̍͐̔̕͝͠ĩ̸̢̳̻̠̬͚̠̹̤̺͔̩̺͐̊͗͐̈́͆͜͠ͅn̶̲̞͉̫͓͈͔͑͑͆͑͌̽̄̈́͆̆͘͝ḁ̸͕̥̗̝͗ļ̶͓̗̼̲̼̽̾̉ ̴̛͉̥̺̮̫͉͉̯̬̭̞͛̀͜͜s̴̛̛̬͖͕̮̈́̅̅̆͋̃̒̇̃̏̚u̴͕͓͌͗͛̊̓̍͗̓̐̉̈́͛͘͜͝͝b̶̛̼̤͙̈́̅̐́͊̾̀̂r̸̝͍̯̃͐͆̿͊̋͒̏̿͘͘͠͠ó̷̡̧̩̻̫̬̹̫̫u̶̻̪̲͑̊̉̓̋̿͜t̵̨̫̖̩̜̥̦͚̘͐ī̵̢̠̲̞̝̻̯̞͜n̷̝͙̟̯̜̯̞̙͇̖̈́͒̈́̑̀͋̿̇͘͠ͅe̷̠͓̽̆͆͑͆̚:̸̨͍͉͙̺̠̫̇̈́͐̃́͠ ̶̫͍͈̤̺̆̒̅̃͒̅̅̇͐́̕ͅͅc̷̢̰̰͎̰͍̪̫̖̻̃̾͝͝h̵̺̠̠̣͈̺͆̈̌͘è̸̗̺̰̞͙͉͔͇͖̍̆̀͋̉̋͋̑́͗c̴̨͎͍̣̳̩̫̟̭̤̮̆ḳ̴͍̳͖̙̜͇̩̞̲̰̽͋̀͜ ̶̜͎̞͕͈̹̓̊͌̃̂͋̐̽̔̂͜ͅs̴̨̨̜͎͕̳̱͋̿̃̿͗̓̓͗͑̒̚͝͝͝ͅỹ̷̡̝̩̩͉̱͇̗̦̲̮̙̂̄̃ͅͅͅs̵͕̰̜̹͍̯̰̻̼͉̍̃̉͋͑͋͝t̶̡̫͖̱̝̜̻̼̳͈̬͆̎̆̿͆͋͑̔͝͝ͅë̵̡̛̝̱̖̫̰̳̖̙̥̪̺̦́͛͂͌̑̊̈́̆̂̉͐̚ͅm̴̛̮̫̗̰̫͕̟̬̼͛͛̿̐̋̈́̑̔́̏̒̐̓̚͜ ̵̡̱͚͇͑͊̑̏̀̍ͅǧ̶͓͆u̵̧̜̤͖͓̱͕̙̺̞̗͐̃́̍͛̂͘i̵̧̳͉̯͍̹̗̟̓̏̿͗̋̕͠͠d̷̢̧̬̣̰̣͎̬̙̍̐͛͑̔̒͊̒̈́̀̉̚̕̚ͅą̷̰̃͆́́̕ṅ̴̡̨̢̡̬͓̞̱̟͍̼̤̩̍͌̾̇̊̕͘͘̚͜͠͝c̵͔̊ȇ̵͓̩͕̱̪͎͉̺̼̈́̒̿̅̈́͛͐̈́͊ ̵̢͈̗̻̮̰͓͇̻̣̓̇̓̑̕͜͜͠.̴̘̀̇̐̂́̊͘̕̕͝͝ḓ̷̡̱̣̣͈̳̰̭̺̟̬̄̊̊̚͠l̷̛̖̺̠̫͕͓̈́̈́͜l̸̹͓̩͚͎̺͇̫̖͑ ̷̯͇̣͖̜̯̼͗̑̎̒͒̏́̓̒̕s̸̛̳̮̫̤̭̀̔͑̉̌ẙ̶̢̛̗̳̜̥̞͚͈̰̯̼͊͊̍̍͝͠s̵̡̛̘̾̎͐͌̽̏̕͝͠t̸̺̼͙̆ë̸̤͓͚͊͑̽̒̏̚͘ṁ̵̧̡͙̞̳̳͍̹̤̗̗̠̭͑̏͗̑͊̈́̓̎̍ ̸͕͍̮͖͕̭̲̦̠̩͚̑̒͜͝
Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝
| This creature is only interested in valuable members Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝ ê̸̞͓̮̥̽̊̊͑̒̅̒̅̈́͘͘͘͝r̸̛͚̙̮̈́̀̾͌̂̑͆͐͘r̶͇̗̀͒͌̀͋̐́̐͗̈́o̸̱͈̳͙̪̿͊̆̄̀́̈́́͝ŗ̷̛̬͕̻̲̺͈̳̘̼̣͙̋͒̒̏̉͊́̈́̈̉̚̕:̵̨̥̦͇͓̘̝̝̗̲̖͌ ̷̹͇͓̙̪͎̭̟͐̉̆̉͆̊̾͆̓̔̿̈́̚͝ṕ̶̨̡̨͔̦͔̙̩͍͎̭̠͂͊̔̂̿͌̒̈́̃̎͌̎͘̚o̷͈̎̈̆̑̽̈́͗͘r̷̨͔͉̹̰̝̪̺̗̟̱͚̗͉̾̅̎̀̏͛̓͋̈́t̶̢̡̲̪͔̙͔͇͍̹͔͉̦̮̄̋̾͗͋̓̅̂͐̇͝͝ ̴̰̱̙͈̊̿͆́̈́͌͠ͅṉ̴̡̖̘͕̹̠̺͉͕̮͖̼͉̏̏̋͌̃̔̀̀̄̽̔̀̋̍̉͜ơ̸̡̘͇̭͕͎̩͔̪̞̏̑́͒͝t̶̗̾̏̇͐̃́̀͝ ̵̡̨͍͈̞̖̱͈̹̘̩̱̚c̶̨̡̜͖̼̺̭̜͉͍̭̙͌̈́̇̉͑̅̊̕͠͝͝o̴̧̨̥̖͔̭͚̰͓͆͊̂̂̂́̒̿̑̂̔̏̊͘ͅṋ̸̻̺͇͓̦̜̜͍͍͓̪̻̿̆͊̓̂͐͑͌̃̚̕n̴̢͎̈́̋̀e̶̯̺͇̰̣̠͉̜̠͎͛c̷̲̗̲̀͠t̶̨͍̩̖͚͎̖͈̱͚͕̬̝̝̥͊̋́̎̔e̷̫͉̰̙̮̰͑̔͜d̶̛̖͔̭̪͕͕̭̩̳͇͈̬̩̃́̅͊̕͠,̵̡̬̞͔̯̻̫͎̱̖͚̠̇̿̄̍́͐̇͘͝ͅ ̸̛͙̩̻͓̯̘̖͇̈́̍̍͂́̽̾̍͑̓͘̚̕͘p̵̯͕͍̤̞̺̗̐͒̆l̷͙̩̗̊̈́͌̒͌̏͋e̵͖̩̝͕͙̦̥͒̍̂̀͛́̚͠ǎ̴̡̧̦͓͉͈̞̤̑̌̓̾̈́s̸͇͇̊͜ͅe̷͉̩̫̤̤͓͐̈́̽̀̊̎̋̑͝ ̶̧̨̡͕̫̜̩̣̬͍͍͓̖̖̹͗̏̔̔c̵̫̼̮̞̦͕̠͉̭͆͊͠h̴̳̲̹̘̖̣͔̤̩̺̱̫̻̀͒e̴̢̳̓͋ͅc̷̢̨̝̯͓̻̱̲̋̒̌̀̑̑̓͆̿̇͊̿͗͗̍ḵ̴̢̻̘̰̭̪͚̎̑͋̂͑̑̉̽̋̈́͜͝
of the party. It will make an attack against each of her party members each round.
Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝
| Whenever Acanthus misses an attack against this creature,  W̵̠̬͉̊͂̐o̵̞̗̥͊̔̍̚r̴̢͈͗̈́̌̊t̵̼͙͎͆́̔̇h̴̖͇͎̦̻̍̃́̓l̴̳̮̅̂e̵̲͖͌̋̎̽̚͜ṡ̸̨̢̹͐̄̚ͅs̸̤̘͉̼̽͋̽͝ she suffers 50 unmitigable damage. And it's all your fault. Ẃ̵̞̫͉͈͔̰͎̳̞̗͍̈̏̀͆̇͋̍̇͒̀͒͋̾́̀̀͝ͅę̷̛̛̘̭͖̫͇̤̺̣̳̥̲̓͋̿̀̿́̓̎͂͛̓̆͊͊̑́̅̊̿̋͆̑̀͋̕͠͠͝a̵̡̢̮̥̠̞̲̲̯̩̩͔͑͜͝k̶̢̨̛̜̥̪̙̖̮̦̖̝̥̩̼̠̤̪̺̻̞̩̭̻͇̫̗̦̓̄͛̈́̍͐́͘͘͝.̵̧̙̫͈̦͓̣̗͖͕͍̝̘̗͖̯̞͇̙̼̮͎̘̥͙̳͖̒̌̊̈̎͒̍̍̀͋̚͝ ̷̡̧̧̛̛̻̩̺͙̹̫͍̝̯̦̖͍̘͇̪̟̟̃͌̈́̐̓͊̑͛͒͒̀̓̑̊̎̔̅̍͋̋̄̍̈͜͜͝͝F̵̧̡̧͍̤̣̣̠̠̪̲̼͚̦̰̰̰͎̳͓͎̝͒͒̽́̀̓̉̽̏̉̈́̊́̾̌̾̀̆̇͗̐̀̔͗̾͊͘͝͠͠ơ̴̡̢̨̼̩͉̩̠̻͖͚͈̮͚̪̝̹̼͉̦̩̱̼̯̼̦̱͉̓̈́̓̅͆̎̇̈́̽̅̑̃̈́̀͑̈́͒̃̆̑̌̕͘͝͝ǫ̵̧̛͕̠̦̗̱͇̦̙̞̦̥͇̦̼̲̺͔͍͉̙̟̠̹͕̥̽́̇̀̀̽͒̓͑́̿̽̈͊̅̕͜͜l̸̛̛͕͓̗͖̠̯̻̓̽͋̃̏͑̑ĭ̸͕͖̲̟̼̟̺͂̏͊̏̍̄͒͋̀͒͒̽́̏̊̃͂̚̚͝s̷̨̧̞͙͉͔̩͂́̈͒̚͠h̴̢͕̬̯̞͓̟̤̰̥͖͍̽̉̅͐̓̐̄́̊̀̋̒́̈́̑̇̅̆͠͝͝͠ͅ.̸͔̖̖̙͍̼̼̪̞̊̄̌̆́̓̃̎̓̾̊̂̀͌̎̅͆̐̾͊͆͘͠͝͝͠ ̴͈̮͎̤̮̩̝̼͙̤́͗̍͂͆̇̍́̈̀́̓̏͑̓͛͛̏̈̾̓̉̒̽̉̅̂͠͝Ų̵̨̡͎̼̱͉̫̲͕͓̱̘͙̫̭̌͊̈́̎̆̇̽̋̆͊̈͝͠͠͠͝n̷̡̟̤̳̅͒̅̈͊̚b̷̢̨̪̠̫̪͍̯̬̪̩̫̜̟͔̪̼́̿̓̌̄̋̔̊̆͛͂̋̑̑̊̋̐͆̅̈́͒͌̍̋͘ē̵̡̤̝̱̳̩͊̉͋͐͋̈́̄̿̾̈́͒͜͠͝c̷̖̝̦̖͓̣̼̝̭̻̪̭͎͚̳̔ͅǫ̵̢̡̧̧̥̣̘̰̲͉͖͉̗̳͉̦͇̫͖̮̞̞͓͎̥̣͊͊͐̐̍́̓̍̀͜m̵̢̨̫͎̭͕͂͛̈̍́̈͗̄͌̉̌́̎̓̒͑̏̈̃̏͗̈̎̂̂̕i̷̡̛͙̘̙͕̱̽͗̎͋̉͑̒̊̿ͅn̴̨̙̦̥̱̯͗͆͛̃̽́̑́̔͊g̸͚̤͋͋̽̂̊̐́̔̽̃͗͐̑̓̿̋̄̒͘͠͝.̴̨̨̛̪̭̺̪̟͚̲̭̘̲̯̠̬̎̋̈́́͗̇͂̈̽͂̓̄̈́͗̓̓̇̓̀̀̉̀̅̐̋̕͜͝͝ͅ
  ̵̡̧͍̩̞̠̣̺̹̻̰͙̮̔̎̐̌͆͆̅̈f̶̨̘̜̰͍̮̄͆o̵̫͙͚͚̒̎̾̆̓́͝r̵̙̪̗̘̠̒̈́̆́̀̕͜ ̵̢̨̛̟̲̟̳̣̖͕̺̲̤̜̠͉̀̓̉͛͌̅̀̉̓̍̂̿͝m̴̼͚̹͌̃͒̀̍͌͛ẹ̸̡̧̬͙̰̞͔̳̘̜̜̥͗͋̚m̷̨̛͎͚̯̗͙͚͚̯̿̂̒̓͛̏̏͑̉͐̚̕͝ǫ̴̨̨̱̐̒ŗ̷̺̜͇̬̙̟͉̻̟̹͍̄͋͜y̷̢͎̲̤̖̻̫̓ͅ ̷̤̥͗̉̔̃̐̉͐̂l̷̢̛͈̝̍̌̅̐̏̑͋̓̈́̈́͌e̷̠̙̺̱̮̊̄͘â̴͓͕̟̞͕̹̺̆ḱ̴͖̝̘̩̥̊̆̆͌̓͐̿̾͠͠͝s̴͈̦̝͉͕̗̯̭̜͎̣̠͚͊͂ͅ ̶̛̛̺͇̭̪̅͌͛̀̔́͊͑̈́̈́̄͒̚ḯ̶̢̦͖̞̘̥̱̭̜̜̈́̔̆̄̈́̄̇̑̀̾̉̒͗̏n̸̫̞̣̄̏̋́̐͝ ̴̤̿̓͌̕t̶̪̙̥̣̗̜̖̟͈͉͓͈͆͌̋̍̀̌̑͌͛̚͝ḩ̶̹̘̅̾̾͌͒̓ė̵͖͎̻̤͔̙ ̶̛̺͉͕͍̠̘̪̞͇̝̐̀͗̔̔͗̈́͜ͅͅs̵̢̱͇̭̫͚͉̬͉̝̪̦̲̉̈́͛̾̋̀͜͝ȗ̴̡̡̗̪̻̻̜̫̙̥̫̋́̍͗̊b̷̨̮̰̮̠͈̱͇̟̳̕r̶̡͈̈̿̄͛̕͝o̶͚̥̻̝̰̼͒͊͗̍̏̐ŭ̴͍͕̩̣̭ͅt̸̛̛͈̯̟̩͔̖͊̽̓̇̐̈́̉͘͝ĩ̸̉͂̆̽͑̎ͅn̸̨̨̛̗̠̬̖̦̗̝̭̞̰͎̔̊̆̊͑͆͗͝͝è̷̗̫͉͔͈͉͈͑̎͛̓̾̐̓ ̷̨̡̨̝̦̖͎̲͎̱̠̼̩̮̯̂̀̌͝b̵̢̨̳͕̺̦̦̹̗̙͖̙́̊͋̑̔̀̈́̒͆̾́͋̀̀̒͜ͅe̴̼͕͈͚͉͕̲̻̙͖͙̊̕͜f̸̧̳̜̭͈̪͎̲̜̬̪̠͓͂͒̔̑͜o̸̻͓̭̓̒͋̀͐̅̄͐̚r̸̗͍̼̻̞̙̾̀̈́̈́̍̚ͅë̵̡̞̭̤̮͎̭̖͙̥́͑̃̓̑̋͌͘ ̴̞̰̤͙̳̦̖̣̘͕̈́̿̃͊͆́̅̿͘͜͠l̵̛̳͔̟̳͈̓͂͐̐̀͗̒̍̑̋o̶̓͜a̷̢̧̙̦̯̼̖͝d̷̩̯͈̭̫̔̈́͊̈́̇͐͌̒̇̿͑̇̂i̷̥͌͑͒͂n̶̡͍̠̲̤͈̺̱̩͈̘̝̾̾͌g̴̡̡͔̱̣̖̗̝̞̽͜
You are Worthless | The Sins of Acanthus benefits from her <<Disguise>> skill. It cannot be hit by minor or focus criticals (BD 8 and 9). 

 

 

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

The screams pierced her eardrums, slowly morphing into vicious, persistent laughter. From the shadows of the forest, dark figures formed and swam around her. Each of them formed red, weeping eyes, and blades made of crystal and fire. As they stepped into the dim light, Acanthus barely made out their humanoid shapes.

STILL SHE STANDS, STILL SHE FIGHTS. A WASTE OF EFFORT. Acanthus wasted no time talking, choosing to lunge at the closest shadow. It melted out of range, reforming a few meters away.

ALL TALK, AND NO ACTION. SHE PROMISED TO BE DIFFERENT. SHE PROMISED TO DISCARD HER KINDNESS WHEN SHE SLEW OUR SISTER. YET HERE SHE IS, DEFENDING A BOY SHE BARELY KNOWS.

The shadows creeped towards Edict hungrily. GIVE HIM TO US. WE WILL HOLD NO SWAY OVER YOU IF YOU GIVE HIM TO US. THEN YOU WILL BE FREE. A red-crystal blade glinted in the forest, and Acanthus placed herself in the path of the sword, taking the hit. The creatures hissed angrily.

SHE MAKES US TAKE TOO LONG. EVERY DELAY RISKS—

—NO MORE. Another shadow interrupted. ANOTHER WORD, AND WE WILL DEFRAGMENT YOU.

Acanthus took the opportunity to cut down one of the shadows. It fizzled, struggling to reform itself before collapsing in on itself. In the moment of reprieve, she looked back to Edict. Still on his knees, his eyes were closed. His face now appeared peaceful.

The third shadow raced toward Edict. Acanthus intercepted the attack, striking the thing’s blade in an upward arc. Catching the shadow off balance, she bisected the creature with a reckless swing.

The last shadow formed behind her, scoring her back with its rough blade. Acanthus screamed and stumbled forward.

“Edict, help!”

EVEN AFTER ALL THIS TIME, SHE STILL DOES NOT BELIEVE IN HERSELF.

Spoiler

Post Action: Protect Edict—at any cost
R̷̟̽͘Ỡ̵̡̞L̸͍̖̓̃L̵̙͆̔I̴̳͆D̶͊̌͜ ̷͔̹͗N̸͎̅̍O̷̡̥͗T̴͇͒̚F̵̣͎͛͠Ó̶͈̀Ǔ̵̯̭͗N̵̗̊D̸̩̬͝:̶͓̹̈͐ ̸̢͉̍̚C̶̻̓Ą̵̍͜R̸͇͑D̸̨͔̀I̶͓̦͋̈́N̷̲̦͌͘A̸̜͈͗L̴̝̀ ̷͖̒̓R̷̭̼͊͌N̴̯͐͜G̷̛̙̝͛ ̸̞͖͐D̶͍̓̈́A̷͓̍T̶̰͕̅̈Ä̴͇̙́̈B̶̦̲̕͝Ả̷̯S̷̤͠Ḛ̶̈̏ ̸͍̈I̷̡̭̾͊N̵̗̦̆Ą̶̝͌C̶̞̅̓ͅC̴̤̒E̷͓͍͆̚Ṣ̴̎̀S̷̠̙͑̍Ï̶͈̜B̷̦͊L̴̝̂͆Ḛ̸͓̈́ BD 9. Miss. Acanthus takes 50 damage.

Monster's Entity Turn Ẇ̸̢̆è̴͇͚̎̄͜ ̴̢̦̑̋o̷͛͛ͅn̷̡̜̂͝l̴̩̜̒ẏ̷͓̯̲̃ ̸͙̞̆͒̈́͜ẅ̶͔̠́ȁ̴͖͇n̶̙͊ẗ̸̡̻͛ ̶̡̟̪͒w̸͍̦̓̋h̸̹̱̍̾͂a̷̰̻̓̈́̕ͅt̴̡̉̊͝'̴͍̥̠̑̀͋s̷͇̊̊͝ ̸̤̥̗̋̽͌b̶̧̨̦͛̎e̶͓͐̀̈́s̶̡̙̗͗͊ṯ̷̬̈͑͠ ̵͇̃̕f̵̝̑̉̉o̴̧̦̣̾̀r̵̳̿̕ ̶̪̹͐h̸̠͉́͐è̵͙͈̀̿ŕ̷̫̯͇̑̕
A̴̲͕̣͋͒͌͘D̶̺̙̮̈̍̆͑͜͜M̶̺̞͈̠̔͌Í̸͈͕͙͠Ṋ̷̣͐͐̓͆̊Ỉ̸̩̊́D̸͕̑̿ ̴̟̳̺͙͕͠v̵̛͖͓̬̇̾̄ḛ̸̡̣̭̃̿̌ṟ̸̡̭̝̰̓͛͊̿̕i̸̧̨͕͆̕f̵̫̹̐̕͝í̸̝̞̱̆̉̔͘ͅe̵̘͎̥̊̄d̵͕͗͛:̴̭̼̥̌̔̍͋́ ̵͓̣̇̋ͅK̷̢̲̙͋͐M̷̟͚͉̫͍̕A̴̲͐̉̑S̴̱̼̠͓͙̅̓̔͐Ü̵̖5̸̠̲͂̾̃̅6̵̺̏̀̇̔͜4̵̳̀͛͛͛͋8̸̗͓̯̔ ̷̡͍̗́̓͝p̴̨̖͓͙̐͜ŵ̸̌̒̐͜ ̸̧̧͎̠͎̈́*̶̪̈́̋*̸̡͚̬̾̈̔̋*̸̳̥͛́̚*̶̩͚͓̯̝̅́̽̽*̶̧̛̹̺̟́*̴͎̝̘͔̃̇  BD 10. Major Critical! Edict takes 252 s̷͎͇͙̓ͅy̶̖͂͗̆s̷̯̬͇͇̈́̌̉ť̸̠͇ẽ̵̗m̶͈͑̕̚̕͘ ̵̺̺̳̊̾o̸̻̖͒͊͌v̴̻͈͕̱̟̍̄̈́e̶̡͇̖̞͂̍̚r̵̰̬̙̦̍͜r̶̭͓̄͌͛͝į̶̝̲̈́͘d̷̥͓̻̑̓̎̀͜͠e̸͔͛͊̑͗̚:̵̖̓́̏̓ ̴̛̖̐͌̑̽C̶̞̩̙̻̎͘R̶͉̭̈́͗̈̄͠I̶̡͕͑T̵̨̡͍̼̣̄̂͗̓M̴̖͉͍̱̽͋U̸̘̘͐̉͌̒L̴̘̄̔Ť̵͚Ȋ̸̡̼̹̭P̷̡̻͉̞͔̃̓̔L̴̼̤̈̑̓͘ͅY̶̘̦̲̞͎͝-̴̲̜̝̿̊͊́͊B̶̘̓̊̇̚Ȍ̴̡̦̳̗̅Ş̸̤̠͋̎̿͌͘S̷̤̠̦͑͜͝ ̴͔̗̭͔̼͆̋(̶̨̧͉͕̙͋̈̎̀͊+̷̧͍͍̟̏̀͒͐̆1̷̖̍͗̽̋͐-̴̨͙͍͙͉͊́≯̖̞̪̄x̴̢͍̫̣̄̎̒ͅ2̵̻̬̬̈́)̷̢̻̳͊̑
500 - 150 = 350 damage.

Acanthus | HP: 710/760 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 | ACC:2 | REC: 4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:8
Edict | HP: 490/840 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 14 | MIT:150 | REC: 8 | Taunt

Sins of Acanthus | 550/550 | DMG 250 | ACC 5 | EVA 10

You are Worthless | This creature will not attack Acanthus. Why would it bother with someone who is so weak? C̵̜͇̋̋̐͊̎̄̓͂̊͑͑̚͜͝͝ą̷̢̧͎͔̖̩̬̥̯͊̓̿̌́̈́̎͆͗̊͘r̵̨̾̅̾̅̅̾͘̚d̸̛̗̃̈́̑̒̍͐̔̕͝͠ĩ̸̢̳̻̠̬͚̠̹̤̺͔̩̺͐̊͗͐̈́͆͜͠ͅn̶̲̞͉̫͓͈͔͑͑͆͑͌̽̄̈́͆̆͘͝ḁ̸͕̥̗̝͗ļ̶͓̗̼̲̼̽̾̉ ̴̛͉̥̺̮̫͉͉̯̬̭̞͛̀͜͜s̴̛̛̬͖͕̮̈́̅̅̆͋̃̒̇̃̏̚u̴͕͓͌͗͛̊̓̍͗̓̐̉̈́͛͘͜͝͝b̶̛̼̤͙̈́̅̐́͊̾̀̂r̸̝͍̯̃͐͆̿͊̋͒̏̿͘͘͠͠ó̷̡̧̩̻̫̬̹̫̫u̶̻̪̲͑̊̉̓̋̿͜t̵̨̫̖̩̜̥̦͚̘͐ī̵̢̠̲̞̝̻̯̞͜n̷̝͙̟̯̜̯̞̙͇̖̈́͒̈́̑̀͋̿̇͘͠ͅe̷̠͓̽̆͆͑͆̚:̸̨͍͉͙̺̠̫̇̈́͐̃́͠ ̶̫͍͈̤̺̆̒̅̃͒̅̅̇͐́̕ͅͅc̷̢̰̰͎̰͍̪̫̖̻̃̾͝͝h̵̺̠̠̣͈̺͆̈̌͘è̸̗̺̰̞͙͉͔͇͖̍̆̀͋̉̋͋̑́͗c̴̨͎͍̣̳̩̫̟̭̤̮̆ḳ̴͍̳͖̙̜͇̩̞̲̰̽͋̀͜ ̶̜͎̞͕͈̹̓̊͌̃̂͋̐̽̔̂͜ͅs̴̨̨̜͎͕̳̱͋̿̃̿͗̓̓͗͑̒̚͝͝͝ͅỹ̷̡̝̩̩͉̱͇̗̦̲̮̙̂̄̃ͅͅͅs̵͕̰̜̹͍̯̰̻̼͉̍̃̉͋͑͋͝t̶̡̫͖̱̝̜̻̼̳͈̬͆̎̆̿͆͋͑̔͝͝ͅë̵̡̛̝̱̖̫̰̳̖̙̥̪̺̦́͛͂͌̑̊̈́̆̂̉͐̚ͅm̴̛̮̫̗̰̫͕̟̬̼͛͛̿̐̋̈́̑̔́̏̒̐̓̚͜ ̵̡̱͚͇͑͊̑̏̀̍ͅǧ̶͓͆u̵̧̜̤͖͓̱͕̙̺̞̗͐̃́̍͛̂͘i̵̧̳͉̯͍̹̗̟̓̏̿͗̋̕͠͠d̷̢̧̬̣̰̣͎̬̙̍̐͛͑̔̒͊̒̈́̀̉̚̕̚ͅą̷̰̃͆́́̕ṅ̴̡̨̢̡̬͓̞̱̟͍̼̤̩̍͌̾̇̊̕͘͘̚͜͠͝c̵͔̊ȇ̵͓̩͕̱̪͎͉̺̼̈́̒̿̅̈́͛͐̈́͊ ̵̢͈̗̻̮̰͓͇̻̣̓̇̓̑̕͜͜͠.̴̘̀̇̐̂́̊͘̕̕͝͝ḓ̷̡̱̣̣͈̳̰̭̺̟̬̄̊̊̚͠l̷̛̖̺̠̫͕͓̈́̈́͜l̸̹͓̩͚͎̺͇̫̖͑ ̷̯͇̣͖̜̯̼͗̑̎̒͒̏́̓̒̕s̸̛̳̮̫̤̭̀̔͑̉̌ẙ̶̢̛̗̳̜̥̞͚͈̰̯̼͊͊̍̍͝͠s̵̡̛̘̾̎͐͌̽̏̕͝͠t̸̺̼͙̆ë̸̤͓͚͊͑̽̒̏̚͘ṁ̵̧̡͙̞̳̳͍̹̤̗̗̠̭͑̏͗̑͊̈́̓̎̍ ̸͕͍̮͖͕̭̲̦̠̩͚̑̒͜͝
Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝
| This creature is only interested in valuable members Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝ ê̸̞͓̮̥̽̊̊͑̒̅̒̅̈́͘͘͘͝r̸̛͚̙̮̈́̀̾͌̂̑͆͐͘r̶͇̗̀͒͌̀͋̐́̐͗̈́o̸̱͈̳͙̪̿͊̆̄̀́̈́́͝ŗ̷̛̬͕̻̲̺͈̳̘̼̣͙̋͒̒̏̉͊́̈́̈̉̚̕:̵̨̥̦͇͓̘̝̝̗̲̖͌ ̷̹͇͓̙̪͎̭̟͐̉̆̉͆̊̾͆̓̔̿̈́̚͝ṕ̶̨̡̨͔̦͔̙̩͍͎̭̠͂͊̔̂̿͌̒̈́̃̎͌̎͘̚o̷͈̎̈̆̑̽̈́͗͘r̷̨͔͉̹̰̝̪̺̗̟̱͚̗͉̾̅̎̀̏͛̓͋̈́t̶̢̡̲̪͔̙͔͇͍̹͔͉̦̮̄̋̾͗͋̓̅̂͐̇͝͝ ̴̰̱̙͈̊̿͆́̈́͌͠ͅṉ̴̡̖̘͕̹̠̺͉͕̮͖̼͉̏̏̋͌̃̔̀̀̄̽̔̀̋̍̉͜ơ̸̡̘͇̭͕͎̩͔̪̞̏̑́͒͝t̶̗̾̏̇͐̃́̀͝ ̵̡̨͍͈̞̖̱͈̹̘̩̱̚c̶̨̡̜͖̼̺̭̜͉͍̭̙͌̈́̇̉͑̅̊̕͠͝͝o̴̧̨̥̖͔̭͚̰͓͆͊̂̂̂́̒̿̑̂̔̏̊͘ͅṋ̸̻̺͇͓̦̜̜͍͍͓̪̻̿̆͊̓̂͐͑͌̃̚̕n̴̢͎̈́̋̀e̶̯̺͇̰̣̠͉̜̠͎͛c̷̲̗̲̀͠t̶̨͍̩̖͚͎̖͈̱͚͕̬̝̝̥͊̋́̎̔e̷̫͉̰̙̮̰͑̔͜d̶̛̖͔̭̪͕͕̭̩̳͇͈̬̩̃́̅͊̕͠,̵̡̬̞͔̯̻̫͎̱̖͚̠̇̿̄̍́͐̇͘͝ͅ ̸̛͙̩̻͓̯̘̖͇̈́̍̍͂́̽̾̍͑̓͘̚̕͘p̵̯͕͍̤̞̺̗̐͒̆l̷͙̩̗̊̈́͌̒͌̏͋e̵͖̩̝͕͙̦̥͒̍̂̀͛́̚͠ǎ̴̡̧̦͓͉͈̞̤̑̌̓̾̈́s̸͇͇̊͜ͅe̷͉̩̫̤̤͓͐̈́̽̀̊̎̋̑͝ ̶̧̨̡͕̫̜̩̣̬͍͍͓̖̖̹͗̏̔̔c̵̫̼̮̞̦͕̠͉̭͆͊͠h̴̳̲̹̘̖̣͔̤̩̺̱̫̻̀͒e̴̢̳̓͋ͅc̷̢̨̝̯͓̻̱̲̋̒̌̀̑̑̓͆̿̇͊̿͗͗̍ḵ̴̢̻̘̰̭̪͚̎̑͋̂͑̑̉̽̋̈́͜͝
of the party. It will make an attack against each of her party members each round.
Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝
| Whenever Acanthus misses an attack against this creature,  W̵̠̬͉̊͂̐o̵̞̗̥͊̔̍̚r̴̢͈͗̈́̌̊t̵̼͙͎͆́̔̇h̴̖͇͎̦̻̍̃́̓l̴̳̮̅̂e̵̲͖͌̋̎̽̚͜ṡ̸̨̢̹͐̄̚ͅs̸̤̘͉̼̽͋̽͝ she suffers 50 unmitigable damage. And it's all your fault. Ẃ̵̞̫͉͈͔̰͎̳̞̗͍̈̏̀͆̇͋̍̇͒̀͒͋̾́̀̀͝ͅę̷̛̛̘̭͖̫͇̤̺̣̳̥̲̓͋̿̀̿́̓̎͂͛̓̆͊͊̑́̅̊̿̋͆̑̀͋̕͠͠͝a̵̡̢̮̥̠̞̲̲̯̩̩͔͑͜͝k̶̢̨̛̜̥̪̙̖̮̦̖̝̥̩̼̠̤̪̺̻̞̩̭̻͇̫̗̦̓̄͛̈́̍͐́͘͘͝.̵̧̙̫͈̦͓̣̗͖͕͍̝̘̗͖̯̞͇̙̼̮͎̘̥͙̳͖̒̌̊̈̎͒̍̍̀͋̚͝ ̷̡̧̧̛̛̻̩̺͙̹̫͍̝̯̦̖͍̘͇̪̟̟̃͌̈́̐̓͊̑͛͒͒̀̓̑̊̎̔̅̍͋̋̄̍̈͜͜͝͝F̵̧̡̧͍̤̣̣̠̠̪̲̼͚̦̰̰̰͎̳͓͎̝͒͒̽́̀̓̉̽̏̉̈́̊́̾̌̾̀̆̇͗̐̀̔͗̾͊͘͝͠͠ơ̴̡̢̨̼̩͉̩̠̻͖͚͈̮͚̪̝̹̼͉̦̩̱̼̯̼̦̱͉̓̈́̓̅͆̎̇̈́̽̅̑̃̈́̀͑̈́͒̃̆̑̌̕͘͝͝ǫ̵̧̛͕̠̦̗̱͇̦̙̞̦̥͇̦̼̲̺͔͍͉̙̟̠̹͕̥̽́̇̀̀̽͒̓͑́̿̽̈͊̅̕͜͜l̸̛̛͕͓̗͖̠̯̻̓̽͋̃̏͑̑ĭ̸͕͖̲̟̼̟̺͂̏͊̏̍̄͒͋̀͒͒̽́̏̊̃͂̚̚͝s̷̨̧̞͙͉͔̩͂́̈͒̚͠h̴̢͕̬̯̞͓̟̤̰̥͖͍̽̉̅͐̓̐̄́̊̀̋̒́̈́̑̇̅̆͠͝͝͠ͅ.̸͔̖̖̙͍̼̼̪̞̊̄̌̆́̓̃̎̓̾̊̂̀͌̎̅͆̐̾͊͆͘͠͝͝͠ ̴͈̮͎̤̮̩̝̼͙̤́͗̍͂͆̇̍́̈̀́̓̏͑̓͛͛̏̈̾̓̉̒̽̉̅̂͠͝Ų̵̨̡͎̼̱͉̫̲͕͓̱̘͙̫̭̌͊̈́̎̆̇̽̋̆͊̈͝͠͠͠͝n̷̡̟̤̳̅͒̅̈͊̚b̷̢̨̪̠̫̪͍̯̬̪̩̫̜̟͔̪̼́̿̓̌̄̋̔̊̆͛͂̋̑̑̊̋̐͆̅̈́͒͌̍̋͘ē̵̡̤̝̱̳̩͊̉͋͐͋̈́̄̿̾̈́͒͜͠͝c̷̖̝̦̖͓̣̼̝̭̻̪̭͎͚̳̔ͅǫ̵̢̡̧̧̥̣̘̰̲͉͖͉̗̳͉̦͇̫͖̮̞̞͓͎̥̣͊͊͐̐̍́̓̍̀͜m̵̢̨̫͎̭͕͂͛̈̍́̈͗̄͌̉̌́̎̓̒͑̏̈̃̏͗̈̎̂̂̕i̷̡̛͙̘̙͕̱̽͗̎͋̉͑̒̊̿ͅn̴̨̙̦̥̱̯͗͆͛̃̽́̑́̔͊g̸͚̤͋͋̽̂̊̐́̔̽̃͗͐̑̓̿̋̄̒͘͠͝.̴̨̨̛̪̭̺̪̟͚̲̭̘̲̯̠̬̎̋̈́́͗̇͂̈̽͂̓̄̈́͗̓̓̇̓̀̀̉̀̅̐̋̕͜͝͝ͅ
  ̵̡̧͍̩̞̠̣̺̹̻̰͙̮̔̎̐̌͆͆̅̈f̶̨̘̜̰͍̮̄͆o̵̫͙͚͚̒̎̾̆̓́͝r̵̙̪̗̘̠̒̈́̆́̀̕͜ ̵̢̨̛̟̲̟̳̣̖͕̺̲̤̜̠͉̀̓̉͛͌̅̀̉̓̍̂̿͝m̴̼͚̹͌̃͒̀̍͌͛ẹ̸̡̧̬͙̰̞͔̳̘̜̜̥͗͋̚m̷̨̛͎͚̯̗͙͚͚̯̿̂̒̓͛̏̏͑̉͐̚̕͝ǫ̴̨̨̱̐̒ŗ̷̺̜͇̬̙̟͉̻̟̹͍̄͋͜y̷̢͎̲̤̖̻̫̓ͅ ̷̤̥͗̉̔̃̐̉͐̂l̷̢̛͈̝̍̌̅̐̏̑͋̓̈́̈́͌e̷̠̙̺̱̮̊̄͘â̴͓͕̟̞͕̹̺̆ḱ̴͖̝̘̩̥̊̆̆͌̓͐̿̾͠͠͝s̴͈̦̝͉͕̗̯̭̜͎̣̠͚͊͂ͅ ̶̛̛̺͇̭̪̅͌͛̀̔́͊͑̈́̈́̄͒̚ḯ̶̢̦͖̞̘̥̱̭̜̜̈́̔̆̄̈́̄̇̑̀̾̉̒͗̏n̸̫̞̣̄̏̋́̐͝ ̴̤̿̓͌̕t̶̪̙̥̣̗̜̖̟͈͉͓͈͆͌̋̍̀̌̑͌͛̚͝ḩ̶̹̘̅̾̾͌͒̓ė̵͖͎̻̤͔̙ ̶̛̺͉͕͍̠̘̪̞͇̝̐̀͗̔̔͗̈́͜ͅͅs̵̢̱͇̭̫͚͉̬͉̝̪̦̲̉̈́͛̾̋̀͜͝ȗ̴̡̡̗̪̻̻̜̫̙̥̫̋́̍͗̊b̷̨̮̰̮̠͈̱͇̟̳̕r̶̡͈̈̿̄͛̕͝o̶͚̥̻̝̰̼͒͊͗̍̏̐ŭ̴͍͕̩̣̭ͅt̸̛̛͈̯̟̩͔̖͊̽̓̇̐̈́̉͘͝ĩ̸̉͂̆̽͑̎ͅn̸̨̨̛̗̠̬̖̦̗̝̭̞̰͎̔̊̆̊͑͆͗͝͝è̷̗̫͉͔͈͉͈͑̎͛̓̾̐̓ ̷̨̡̨̝̦̖͎̲͎̱̠̼̩̮̯̂̀̌͝b̵̢̨̳͕̺̦̦̹̗̙͖̙́̊͋̑̔̀̈́̒͆̾́͋̀̀̒͜ͅe̴̼͕͈͚͉͕̲̻̙͖͙̊̕͜f̸̧̳̜̭͈̪͎̲̜̬̪̠͓͂͒̔̑͜o̸̻͓̭̓̒͋̀͐̅̄͐̚r̸̗͍̼̻̞̙̾̀̈́̈́̍̚ͅë̵̡̞̭̤̮͎̭̖͙̥́͑̃̓̑̋͌͘ ̴̞̰̤͙̳̦̖̣̘͕̈́̿̃͊͆́̅̿͘͜͠l̵̛̳͔̟̳͈̓͂͐̐̀͗̒̍̑̋o̶̓͜a̷̢̧̙̦̯̼̖͝d̷̩̯͈̭̫̔̈́͊̈́̇͐͌̒̇̿͑̇̂i̷̥͌͑͒͂n̶̡͍̠̲̤͈̺̱̩͈̘̝̾̾͌g̴̡̡͔̱̣̖̗̝̞̽͜
You are Worthless | The Sins of Acanthus benefits from her <<Disguise>> skill. It cannot be hit by minor or focus criticals (BD 8 and 9). 

 

 

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

“You’re wrong.” Acanthus ran toward the nearest shadow. “I know I can do this.”

WORTHLESS—

“—Wrong!” She howled, swinging the sword with fierce concentration. The eyes of each shadow flickered, as if shocked by her stubbornness. “I’m worth whatever time I buy Edict. Then he’s going to get back up and he’s going to help me kill every last one of you!”

VIOLENCE. ALL OF AINCRAD'S BEAUTIFUL QUESTIONS, AND SHE RETURNS TO THE SAME ANSWER EACH TIME.

“I don’t fucking care for this right now,” she growled. “Tell me violence isn’t the answer when you aren’t sitting here trying to gut me and my friend."

DOES HE KNOW? THAT HE IS A FRIEND? LOOK AT HOW SHE TREATS HIM. Flashes of their time on this quest blocked out her vision. 

“Don’t you have some field bosses to kill on higher floors?
“Well, you’re annoying.”
“Is this some pitiful attempt to pretend you came down to say hi so that I’ll be embarrassed that I didn’t recognize you?”

SHE IS UNCOMFORTABLE LOVING OTHERS BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT LOVE HERSELF. WORTHLESS.

She gritted her teeth. “Then I’ll tell him. The moment we get out of here, I’ll make sure he knows that I care.” She parried two of the shadows that closed in on Edict’s slowly recovering form. “But that means I have to kill you first.”

NO NEED. WE ARE OUT OF TIME. WE HOPE SHE ENJOYS HER STOIC REUNION. ONE MIGHT MISTAKE HER FOR A PROGRAM BUILT IN CARDINAL.

The four shadows melted into the ground, leaving only their fiery blades. As the swords flickered out, each one left behind a single demonic shard.

Spoiler

 

Post Action: I can do this. I have to do this.
R̷̟̽͘Ỡ̵̡̞L̸͍̖̓̃L̵̙͆̔I̴̳͆D̶͊̌͜ ̷͔̹͗N̸͎̅̍O̷̡̥͗T̴͇͒̚F̵̣͎͛͠Ó̶͈̀Ǔ̵̯̭͗N̵̗̊D̸̩̬͝:̶͓̹̈͐ ̸̢͉̍̚C̶̻̓Ą̵̍͜R̸͇͑D̸̨͔̀I̶͓̦͋̈́N̷̲̦͌͘A̸̜͈͗L̴̝̀ ̷͖̒̓R̷̭̼͊͌N̴̯͐͜G̷̛̙̝͛ ̸̞͖͐D̶͍̓̈́A̷͓̍T̶̰͕̅̈Ä̴͇̙́̈B̶̦̲̕͝Ả̷̯S̷̤͠Ḛ̶̈̏ ̸͍̈I̷̡̭̾͊N̵̗̦̆Ą̶̝͌C̶̞̅̓ͅC̴̤̒E̷͓͍͆̚Ṣ̴̎̀S̷̠̙͑̍Ï̶͈̜B̷̦͊L̴̝̂͆Ḛ̸͓̈́ BD -9999. s̷̬̱̙̄͂͜ẏ̸̧̢̛̱̟̯͌͐̕s̸̮͓̠̞̻̔̀̈t̴̮̞̞̎̿ë̸̳̳̼̦m̷̛̼̹̟̦̯͛̀ ̴̣̮̯̱͉̒̈́r̴̙̰̘̹͓̊͒̋͝ȅ̶̤̝̩̣̳́̄͝s̵̗͛̾͆̍͝u̸̢͙̪̎̅l̵̳̹̲̠̦̓̉́̕t̵̛̹̦̪͛͗̽ ̶̮͖̩͔̃̚Ű̸̖͗͘͝͠Ñ̸͔͖̪́͊ͅD̷̳̺͙̘̎Ę̶͖̤̻͉̎͋F̸̣͔͔̑İ̵̻̂̕͝N̴̨̖̼̬͈̓̋͝Ė̶͇̼͙̾̾̿́ḑ̶͖̊ /c eë̴̫̽v̶̦̑à̸̞͝l̸̥̎ũ̴̖̗͋a̶̛̯̫̯t̴̪̀i̸̱̟̖̒̀ó̵͈̞̣̉́n̵͙̾̈́:̸͚̬̗̍ ̷͕̂s̵̼̳̑̀̈́u̷̠͌b̷͈͚̿͒͐j̵̧̒͒e̴̻̋̽c̷̦͖͝t̷̜̄̾͘ ̸̢̼̈́̓͘s̷̹̮̅h̴̨̋͛͆͜ỡ̴̬̖̖ẅ̵̜̻́̌s̷͈̍ ̷͈̤̄̎s̴̡̩̗̽t̵͇̬̍e̵̜̕a̵̠̖͍̅́d̷̤̭͒̌ẏ̶̧̘̩̅̔ ̸̛̺̹̭p̴̀̌̆ͅr̷̛̛͎̭̳̂ò̶̳͉̙̈́̕g̵̨̖̖̑͘r̴̬̋̈́̈ẹ̸̦̩̄s̶̗̤̗̈́͆̎s̷̘̟̻͛.̷̞̩̾ ̵͈͔́̿͠r̶̝̥̅̐ē̶̼̏̚c̵̝͗̿̓o̴̧̨͐̓͆m̴̲̥̥̒͐ḿ̶͙̞ẻ̷̝͈͜͝ñ̴̮̾̚d̵͇͔͊̂̂ ̷̞̫͕̀̈́̀f̴̳̩̲̎̔̿ù̶̦̞̦ŕ̵̜͙͛͜t̶̜̿h̶̭͔̜̀e̸̙̻̼̎̄͘ȓ̸͍̭͂̅͜ ̴̢̖̗̆ẽ̴̠͎v̶̡͛ā̴ͅĺ̴͔̅̿ǘ̷̞a̴̦͖͑͠t̵̖̀̑̅i̶͎͋̋̐ȯ̸̪̍ň̴͕͚ ̴̪͐a̴̛̭̭̍ṯ̴̼̮̓ ̶͚̗͑a̴̮̠͋͜ ̷̧̡͖͑ľ̶̗̙ạ̵̑̀t̵̪̫̎̈́̾ȩ̵͕̏r̷̢̤͑̀̒ ̷̳̗̮̍̾d̵̟͚͌̋a̷̻͑̊t̷̬̫̜̊̾e̵̥͇̚͝.̶̯͚̌

Combat Ends. No loot dropped. Isn't struggle its own reward?

Acanthus | HP: 710/760 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 | ACC:2 | REC: 4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:8
Edict | HP: 490/840 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 14 | MIT:150 | REC: 8 | Taunt

Sins of Acanthus | 550/550 | DMG 250 | ACC 5 | EVA 10

You are Worthless | This creature will not attack Acanthus. Why would it bother with someone who is so weak? C̵̜͇̋̋̐͊̎̄̓͂̊͑͑̚͜͝͝ą̷̢̧͎͔̖̩̬̥̯͊̓̿̌́̈́̎͆͗̊͘r̵̨̾̅̾̅̅̾͘̚d̸̛̗̃̈́̑̒̍͐̔̕͝͠ĩ̸̢̳̻̠̬͚̠̹̤̺͔̩̺͐̊͗͐̈́͆͜͠ͅn̶̲̞͉̫͓͈͔͑͑͆͑͌̽̄̈́͆̆͘͝ḁ̸͕̥̗̝͗ļ̶͓̗̼̲̼̽̾̉ ̴̛͉̥̺̮̫͉͉̯̬̭̞͛̀͜͜s̴̛̛̬͖͕̮̈́̅̅̆͋̃̒̇̃̏̚u̴͕͓͌͗͛̊̓̍͗̓̐̉̈́͛͘͜͝͝b̶̛̼̤͙̈́̅̐́͊̾̀̂r̸̝͍̯̃͐͆̿͊̋͒̏̿͘͘͠͠ó̷̡̧̩̻̫̬̹̫̫u̶̻̪̲͑̊̉̓̋̿͜t̵̨̫̖̩̜̥̦͚̘͐ī̵̢̠̲̞̝̻̯̞͜n̷̝͙̟̯̜̯̞̙͇̖̈́͒̈́̑̀͋̿̇͘͠ͅe̷̠͓̽̆͆͑͆̚:̸̨͍͉͙̺̠̫̇̈́͐̃́͠ ̶̫͍͈̤̺̆̒̅̃͒̅̅̇͐́̕ͅͅc̷̢̰̰͎̰͍̪̫̖̻̃̾͝͝h̵̺̠̠̣͈̺͆̈̌͘è̸̗̺̰̞͙͉͔͇͖̍̆̀͋̉̋͋̑́͗c̴̨͎͍̣̳̩̫̟̭̤̮̆ḳ̴͍̳͖̙̜͇̩̞̲̰̽͋̀͜ ̶̜͎̞͕͈̹̓̊͌̃̂͋̐̽̔̂͜ͅs̴̨̨̜͎͕̳̱͋̿̃̿͗̓̓͗͑̒̚͝͝͝ͅỹ̷̡̝̩̩͉̱͇̗̦̲̮̙̂̄̃ͅͅͅs̵͕̰̜̹͍̯̰̻̼͉̍̃̉͋͑͋͝t̶̡̫͖̱̝̜̻̼̳͈̬͆̎̆̿͆͋͑̔͝͝ͅë̵̡̛̝̱̖̫̰̳̖̙̥̪̺̦́͛͂͌̑̊̈́̆̂̉͐̚ͅm̴̛̮̫̗̰̫͕̟̬̼͛͛̿̐̋̈́̑̔́̏̒̐̓̚͜ ̵̡̱͚͇͑͊̑̏̀̍ͅǧ̶͓͆u̵̧̜̤͖͓̱͕̙̺̞̗͐̃́̍͛̂͘i̵̧̳͉̯͍̹̗̟̓̏̿͗̋̕͠͠d̷̢̧̬̣̰̣͎̬̙̍̐͛͑̔̒͊̒̈́̀̉̚̕̚ͅą̷̰̃͆́́̕ṅ̴̡̨̢̡̬͓̞̱̟͍̼̤̩̍͌̾̇̊̕͘͘̚͜͠͝c̵͔̊ȇ̵͓̩͕̱̪͎͉̺̼̈́̒̿̅̈́͛͐̈́͊ ̵̢͈̗̻̮̰͓͇̻̣̓̇̓̑̕͜͜͠.̴̘̀̇̐̂́̊͘̕̕͝͝ḓ̷̡̱̣̣͈̳̰̭̺̟̬̄̊̊̚͠l̷̛̖̺̠̫͕͓̈́̈́͜l̸̹͓̩͚͎̺͇̫̖͑ ̷̯͇̣͖̜̯̼͗̑̎̒͒̏́̓̒̕s̸̛̳̮̫̤̭̀̔͑̉̌ẙ̶̢̛̗̳̜̥̞͚͈̰̯̼͊͊̍̍͝͠s̵̡̛̘̾̎͐͌̽̏̕͝͠t̸̺̼͙̆ë̸̤͓͚͊͑̽̒̏̚͘ṁ̵̧̡͙̞̳̳͍̹̤̗̗̠̭͑̏͗̑͊̈́̓̎̍ ̸͕͍̮͖͕̭̲̦̠̩͚̑̒͜͝
Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝
| This creature is only interested in valuable members Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝ ê̸̞͓̮̥̽̊̊͑̒̅̒̅̈́͘͘͘͝r̸̛͚̙̮̈́̀̾͌̂̑͆͐͘r̶͇̗̀͒͌̀͋̐́̐͗̈́o̸̱͈̳͙̪̿͊̆̄̀́̈́́͝ŗ̷̛̬͕̻̲̺͈̳̘̼̣͙̋͒̒̏̉͊́̈́̈̉̚̕:̵̨̥̦͇͓̘̝̝̗̲̖͌ ̷̹͇͓̙̪͎̭̟͐̉̆̉͆̊̾͆̓̔̿̈́̚͝ṕ̶̨̡̨͔̦͔̙̩͍͎̭̠͂͊̔̂̿͌̒̈́̃̎͌̎͘̚o̷͈̎̈̆̑̽̈́͗͘r̷̨͔͉̹̰̝̪̺̗̟̱͚̗͉̾̅̎̀̏͛̓͋̈́t̶̢̡̲̪͔̙͔͇͍̹͔͉̦̮̄̋̾͗͋̓̅̂͐̇͝͝ ̴̰̱̙͈̊̿͆́̈́͌͠ͅṉ̴̡̖̘͕̹̠̺͉͕̮͖̼͉̏̏̋͌̃̔̀̀̄̽̔̀̋̍̉͜ơ̸̡̘͇̭͕͎̩͔̪̞̏̑́͒͝t̶̗̾̏̇͐̃́̀͝ ̵̡̨͍͈̞̖̱͈̹̘̩̱̚c̶̨̡̜͖̼̺̭̜͉͍̭̙͌̈́̇̉͑̅̊̕͠͝͝o̴̧̨̥̖͔̭͚̰͓͆͊̂̂̂́̒̿̑̂̔̏̊͘ͅṋ̸̻̺͇͓̦̜̜͍͍͓̪̻̿̆͊̓̂͐͑͌̃̚̕n̴̢͎̈́̋̀e̶̯̺͇̰̣̠͉̜̠͎͛c̷̲̗̲̀͠t̶̨͍̩̖͚͎̖͈̱͚͕̬̝̝̥͊̋́̎̔e̷̫͉̰̙̮̰͑̔͜d̶̛̖͔̭̪͕͕̭̩̳͇͈̬̩̃́̅͊̕͠,̵̡̬̞͔̯̻̫͎̱̖͚̠̇̿̄̍́͐̇͘͝ͅ ̸̛͙̩̻͓̯̘̖͇̈́̍̍͂́̽̾̍͑̓͘̚̕͘p̵̯͕͍̤̞̺̗̐͒̆l̷͙̩̗̊̈́͌̒͌̏͋e̵͖̩̝͕͙̦̥͒̍̂̀͛́̚͠ǎ̴̡̧̦͓͉͈̞̤̑̌̓̾̈́s̸͇͇̊͜ͅe̷͉̩̫̤̤͓͐̈́̽̀̊̎̋̑͝ ̶̧̨̡͕̫̜̩̣̬͍͍͓̖̖̹͗̏̔̔c̵̫̼̮̞̦͕̠͉̭͆͊͠h̴̳̲̹̘̖̣͔̤̩̺̱̫̻̀͒e̴̢̳̓͋ͅc̷̢̨̝̯͓̻̱̲̋̒̌̀̑̑̓͆̿̇͊̿͗͗̍ḵ̴̢̻̘̰̭̪͚̎̑͋̂͑̑̉̽̋̈́͜͝
of the party. It will make an attack against each of her party members each round.
Y̴̧̢̛͉̙̰͚͇̘͍̫͋̅͌͜͠ͅő̴͚̋͋̐ǘ̴̢͕͕̺̤͔͚̤̳͓̭͛̂͗́̎͐͐̀̉̋͐̽̚͝ ̶̡̧͍̠̽͆͑̉̆͛͛͊̃͝͝a̵̧̦͇͎͕͍̙̱͙̼̰͋̿̂̔͌̊͗͒̀̕r̴̢̡͇̫̞̼̘̫̿̊̿͐͑͝é̷̦̠͔̭͍̠̟̤̳̆̾̇́͐͠ ̴̢̩͙̤͉͔̯́͒̉́̇͆W̶̢̛͍̪̠̭͕̦̗̐͒̊̓̃̓̽͒̒̈͠͝ö̴̧̯̩̳̰͚̹͚̫̯͈́́͗̐̃̓̀͝ŗ̷̧̥̹̲̱̠͔͍̜͈͖̪̾̽͐̐͗t̴̨͒́̅̇h̶̡̛̝̫͎̗̬͚͕͍͊͋̚l̴̛̦͍̠̺̙̗̃̍̒̾̇̏̾̈́̏̐̌̕e̶̡̲̹͈̣̰̼̞̔̀̀͗̿͆̊̄͠ͅs̴̘̟͂̈͑́͒͌̍̽̐̋̊͒͘̚s̴̳̭͓̯͊̍̏́͋̔̽̌̒̋͝͠͝
| Whenever Acanthus misses an attack against this creature,  W̵̠̬͉̊͂̐o̵̞̗̥͊̔̍̚r̴̢͈͗̈́̌̊t̵̼͙͎͆́̔̇h̴̖͇͎̦̻̍̃́̓l̴̳̮̅̂e̵̲͖͌̋̎̽̚͜ṡ̸̨̢̹͐̄̚ͅs̸̤̘͉̼̽͋̽͝ she suffers 50 unmitigable damage. And it's all your fault. Ẃ̵̞̫͉͈͔̰͎̳̞̗͍̈̏̀͆̇͋̍̇͒̀͒͋̾́̀̀͝ͅę̷̛̛̘̭͖̫͇̤̺̣̳̥̲̓͋̿̀̿́̓̎͂͛̓̆͊͊̑́̅̊̿̋͆̑̀͋̕͠͠͝a̵̡̢̮̥̠̞̲̲̯̩̩͔͑͜͝k̶̢̨̛̜̥̪̙̖̮̦̖̝̥̩̼̠̤̪̺̻̞̩̭̻͇̫̗̦̓̄͛̈́̍͐́͘͘͝.̵̧̙̫͈̦͓̣̗͖͕͍̝̘̗͖̯̞͇̙̼̮͎̘̥͙̳͖̒̌̊̈̎͒̍̍̀͋̚͝ ̷̡̧̧̛̛̻̩̺͙̹̫͍̝̯̦̖͍̘͇̪̟̟̃͌̈́̐̓͊̑͛͒͒̀̓̑̊̎̔̅̍͋̋̄̍̈͜͜͝͝F̵̧̡̧͍̤̣̣̠̠̪̲̼͚̦̰̰̰͎̳͓͎̝͒͒̽́̀̓̉̽̏̉̈́̊́̾̌̾̀̆̇͗̐̀̔͗̾͊͘͝͠͠ơ̴̡̢̨̼̩͉̩̠̻͖͚͈̮͚̪̝̹̼͉̦̩̱̼̯̼̦̱͉̓̈́̓̅͆̎̇̈́̽̅̑̃̈́̀͑̈́͒̃̆̑̌̕͘͝͝ǫ̵̧̛͕̠̦̗̱͇̦̙̞̦̥͇̦̼̲̺͔͍͉̙̟̠̹͕̥̽́̇̀̀̽͒̓͑́̿̽̈͊̅̕͜͜l̸̛̛͕͓̗͖̠̯̻̓̽͋̃̏͑̑ĭ̸͕͖̲̟̼̟̺͂̏͊̏̍̄͒͋̀͒͒̽́̏̊̃͂̚̚͝s̷̨̧̞͙͉͔̩͂́̈͒̚͠h̴̢͕̬̯̞͓̟̤̰̥͖͍̽̉̅͐̓̐̄́̊̀̋̒́̈́̑̇̅̆͠͝͝͠ͅ.̸͔̖̖̙͍̼̼̪̞̊̄̌̆́̓̃̎̓̾̊̂̀͌̎̅͆̐̾͊͆͘͠͝͝͠ ̴͈̮͎̤̮̩̝̼͙̤́͗̍͂͆̇̍́̈̀́̓̏͑̓͛͛̏̈̾̓̉̒̽̉̅̂͠͝Ų̵̨̡͎̼̱͉̫̲͕͓̱̘͙̫̭̌͊̈́̎̆̇̽̋̆͊̈͝͠͠͠͝n̷̡̟̤̳̅͒̅̈͊̚b̷̢̨̪̠̫̪͍̯̬̪̩̫̜̟͔̪̼́̿̓̌̄̋̔̊̆͛͂̋̑̑̊̋̐͆̅̈́͒͌̍̋͘ē̵̡̤̝̱̳̩͊̉͋͐͋̈́̄̿̾̈́͒͜͠͝c̷̖̝̦̖͓̣̼̝̭̻̪̭͎͚̳̔ͅǫ̵̢̡̧̧̥̣̘̰̲͉͖͉̗̳͉̦͇̫͖̮̞̞͓͎̥̣͊͊͐̐̍́̓̍̀͜m̵̢̨̫͎̭͕͂͛̈̍́̈͗̄͌̉̌́̎̓̒͑̏̈̃̏͗̈̎̂̂̕i̷̡̛͙̘̙͕̱̽͗̎͋̉͑̒̊̿ͅn̴̨̙̦̥̱̯͗͆͛̃̽́̑́̔͊g̸͚̤͋͋̽̂̊̐́̔̽̃͗͐̑̓̿̋̄̒͘͠͝.̴̨̨̛̪̭̺̪̟͚̲̭̘̲̯̠̬̎̋̈́́͗̇͂̈̽͂̓̄̈́͗̓̓̇̓̀̀̉̀̅̐̋̕͜͝͝ͅ
  ̵̡̧͍̩̞̠̣̺̹̻̰͙̮̔̎̐̌͆͆̅̈f̶̨̘̜̰͍̮̄͆o̵̫͙͚͚̒̎̾̆̓́͝r̵̙̪̗̘̠̒̈́̆́̀̕͜ ̵̢̨̛̟̲̟̳̣̖͕̺̲̤̜̠͉̀̓̉͛͌̅̀̉̓̍̂̿͝m̴̼͚̹͌̃͒̀̍͌͛ẹ̸̡̧̬͙̰̞͔̳̘̜̜̥͗͋̚m̷̨̛͎͚̯̗͙͚͚̯̿̂̒̓͛̏̏͑̉͐̚̕͝ǫ̴̨̨̱̐̒ŗ̷̺̜͇̬̙̟͉̻̟̹͍̄͋͜y̷̢͎̲̤̖̻̫̓ͅ ̷̤̥͗̉̔̃̐̉͐̂l̷̢̛͈̝̍̌̅̐̏̑͋̓̈́̈́͌e̷̠̙̺̱̮̊̄͘â̴͓͕̟̞͕̹̺̆ḱ̴͖̝̘̩̥̊̆̆͌̓͐̿̾͠͠͝s̴͈̦̝͉͕̗̯̭̜͎̣̠͚͊͂ͅ ̶̛̛̺͇̭̪̅͌͛̀̔́͊͑̈́̈́̄͒̚ḯ̶̢̦͖̞̘̥̱̭̜̜̈́̔̆̄̈́̄̇̑̀̾̉̒͗̏n̸̫̞̣̄̏̋́̐͝ ̴̤̿̓͌̕t̶̪̙̥̣̗̜̖̟͈͉͓͈͆͌̋̍̀̌̑͌͛̚͝ḩ̶̹̘̅̾̾͌͒̓ė̵͖͎̻̤͔̙ ̶̛̺͉͕͍̠̘̪̞͇̝̐̀͗̔̔͗̈́͜ͅͅs̵̢̱͇̭̫͚͉̬͉̝̪̦̲̉̈́͛̾̋̀͜͝ȗ̴̡̡̗̪̻̻̜̫̙̥̫̋́̍͗̊b̷̨̮̰̮̠͈̱͇̟̳̕r̶̡͈̈̿̄͛̕͝o̶͚̥̻̝̰̼͒͊͗̍̏̐ŭ̴͍͕̩̣̭ͅt̸̛̛͈̯̟̩͔̖͊̽̓̇̐̈́̉͘͝ĩ̸̉͂̆̽͑̎ͅn̸̨̨̛̗̠̬̖̦̗̝̭̞̰͎̔̊̆̊͑͆͗͝͝è̷̗̫͉͔͈͉͈͑̎͛̓̾̐̓ ̷̨̡̨̝̦̖͎̲͎̱̠̼̩̮̯̂̀̌͝b̵̢̨̳͕̺̦̦̹̗̙͖̙́̊͋̑̔̀̈́̒͆̾́͋̀̀̒͜ͅe̴̼͕͈͚͉͕̲̻̙͖͙̊̕͜f̸̧̳̜̭͈̪͎̲̜̬̪̠͓͂͒̔̑͜o̸̻͓̭̓̒͋̀͐̅̄͐̚r̸̗͍̼̻̞̙̾̀̈́̈́̍̚ͅë̵̡̞̭̤̮͎̭̖͙̥́͑̃̓̑̋͌͘ ̴̞̰̤͙̳̦̖̣̘͕̈́̿̃͊͆́̅̿͘͜͠l̵̛̳͔̟̳͈̓͂͐̐̀͗̒̍̑̋o̶̓͜a̷̢̧̙̦̯̼̖͝d̷̩̯͈̭̫̔̈́͊̈́̇͐͌̒̇̿͑̇̂i̷̥͌͑͒͂n̶̡͍̠̲̤͈̺̱̩͈̘̝̾̾͌g̴̡̡͔̱̣̖̗̝̞̽͜
You are Worthless | The Sins of Acanthus benefits from her <<Disguise>> skill. It cannot be hit by minor or focus criticals (BD 8 and 9). 

 

 

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

The final shadow was gone. Running over to Edict, she saw the light returning to his eyes. Relief washed over her. She picked him up, checking him over for any wounds she had missed. “A—Acanthus. I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to help…”

“Stop it,” she said firmly. “Whatever is happening, it's not your fault. We need to run. Can you run?” Edict nodded, color returning to his face.

YOU CANNOT SAVE HER.

An eldritch howl shook the entire forest, rocking them both to their core. Then, a deathly silence.

A horrific mass of bodies, studded with red crystals and shards, burst onto the path. The source of the thousands of screams hadn’t been the shadows. The mouths on each of the bodies worked ceaselessly in their own way. Some laughed, others cried for mercy, and many cackled cruelly. The sound was disorienting at this range.

Thinking as one, Edict and Acanthus both drew their weapons.
 

Spoiler

 

Acanthus | HP: 710/760 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 | ACC:2 | REC: 4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:8
Edict | HP: 490/840 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 14 | MIT:150 | REC: 8 | Taunt

 

Sins of Edict | 4444/4444 | DMG 250 | ACC 2 | THORN 50C̸̳̎A̷͚̿͗R̸̡̓D̶͍̰̎̽I̶̢͇̾̅Ṋ̷͌͐A̴͚̔L̶͔̖̓͆ ̵̘̲̊͠C̷̢̭̀Ḩ̶̐͜͠E̷̻͌̈́C̸̺̞͛̏K̶̤̉̎ ̵͍͔̇̿S̸̺̾U̷͎̘͘B̶̦̥͠Ř̶̫̋O̴̖̐U̴̟̕T̷̝̻̆I̵̩̺̔͝N̵̞̒E̵̹̒̽:̴̳̺̇ ̶̧̐̎e̶̖͊ṛ̸̈́̏ŗ̷̥̓̃o̶͍̣͐r̷͈̥̎s̵͍̞͗̏ ̷͚͙̔̇d̴̖̉̓ë̶̜̹̈́t̶͎͐ë̵̤̻́c̶͍͛̍t̴̗̀̋e̸̻̕d̵̘̱͌ ̷̪̓͠i̷̙͒͝n̴̡͎̾̀ ̵̭̄p̸̝͌͛r̵̼͋͜͝ő̴̘g̸̭͂̌ṙ̸̯ḁ̷͐m̴̻̐͜ ̵͇̓͝C̷͔̒N̷̘̉͆S̷͓̦̈́Ļ̵̒̚R̸̚͜͝-̴͇̾͗p̵͚͊l̶͍̋r̸͔͖̉b̸̲́l̷͔̬͒ŏ̶̫̙̊c̸̗̾k̸̻̈́2̶̜̗͛0̷̞͙̏̚0̷͓̋͛0̵̯̚.̷̧̭̍ ̴̨̹͗E̶͎̞͋m̸̻̳͆̾p̵̫̓͂͜ȧ̴̖̣͌t̷̻̕h̵͇͒y̸͕͂ ̶̤͇̀͗f̷͙̜́̐ï̵̡̖l̸̛̺̇ë̷͓̗́̓ ̶̛̞̚ͅĉ̴̛̥o̷͔͂r̶̝͘r̶̙̘͝u̷̪̿p̶̲̬͛ţ̶̢́̍e̶͔̝̎d̵̞͉̑

You cannot save them all | Whenever P̴̟͂͠h̵̩̙̹̿ì̷̧̖͒ḻ̶̟̾̉ǐ̴̱̮̈̚å̶͍̟̝ ̴̗́ẃ̵̯̦̌å̶͚͇̾s̷͍͈͒̒ ̴̞̰̗̉̊r̷̛̭̤i̷͓͇̙̿g̶̹͉̔̿h̷͓͋̀͘t̶̰̃ ̷̫͕̗̂͑ẗ̵̜͎́͛͂o̶̳̭͛̃ ̵̢̱͛ḏ̵̰̈́̈̆ͅǫ̸͇̿̐̋ ̴̢̘͇̓̐w̵̮̻̑h̶͕́͌̓ả̸̮̮͈t̶͓̆ ̴̺̬̝̽s̸̪͈̜̈̕̚h̸̩̞̙͛ẹ̴̞̀̋̀ ̶̤̞̐̍d̴͚̍i̷̭͖͑d̴̖͑͠.̸̱̻̽̈́͂ ̴̘̩̞͋̋Ȃ̸̠͒̉ṇ̷̐̑͜d̵̯͋́ ̸̝̩̂̏̃d̷̨͍̺̋ę̸̹̤́̌e̴̫͂̽̊p̶͚͕͙̔̀ ̶̊̆͘͜d̴̰̏͜͝ó̵̖͙w̶̭̝͊n̴̠̱̩̏̇,̶̘̤̅͒͝ ̷̺̣̱̋̅͝y̶̻͛͌͝ô̸͕͝u̴̠͛͒ ̵̨̝̍k̴̡̥̻̎̎͝n̶̥̞̖̍̕ǫ̴̖̥̈́͒̍w̷͔̜͛͛̓ͅ ̸̧̰̈́̎i̶̫͋͠t̴̝̓̉.̶͚͙͝ the player with the highest hate mitigates damage dealt by Sins of Edict, each other players suffers the mitigated damage.
You couldn't even save Constantine | P̸̜̈́̎U̴̥̔͋R̴̨̜̈́̎G̵̭̽̓E̸̼̯͌̒ ̷͕̥̉P̴͖̎͂R̷̬̀O̸͈͑G̵͕̔͠R̶̗̔ͅÄ̴̡̨́̄Ṁ̷̩̠̚ ̶̞̀P̶̗̐̍U̵̧͙̾Ṛ̶̦̃G̷̗̅̓E̵̦̽ ̶̻̇̈́P̷͙͗͐R̵̜̖͋O̵̪̦̎̊G̶͖̐͑R̵̦̒Ã̸̡̭̀M̷̘̘͘ ̶̗̓P̵͚̜̈́Ũ̸̺̹̓R̷̳̓̉G̶̗̾Ḙ̵̄͠ ̸͓̎̾P̸̥̫̋R̴̘͉̐̍Ŏ̶̪̰͊G̷̝̱̈́R̶̞̄̈́Ă̴̟̭̕M̵͍̪̄͘
Whenever two players utilize the switch mechanic, Sins of Edict loses You cannot save them all until the beginning of its turn.
And you will not save Acanthus | Players may not flee this encounter on foot. Especially players you've grown attached to, Edict.

 

 

[Acanthus 0]

The mass lashed out with strange appendages, leaving gouges in the earth as it struck. Edict howled, drawing the creature’s attention, and raised his shield to resist blow after blow. Acanthus tried to close in and deal damage, but anytime she got close enough, a portion of the monster grew from the center mass to attack. Acanthus was sickened to realize the “arms” and “legs” it grew were just a fusion of bodies roughly estimating their human counterpart.

“What is this thing?!” Edict yelled, fending off another onslaught of crystalline bodies. “The bodies are one thing, but the crystals—”

“—they look like clusters of demonic shards,” Acanthus confirmed. She stepped back as the creature slammed a “fist” into the ground in front of her. “Speculation comes later. Right now, we kill it.”

Edict grunted in agreement, hammering off a large mass of the creature. The bodies dissipated, but the writhing mass seemed as large as ever. Reaching over Edict, the mass extended to take another strike at Acanthus. She blocked the worst of the blow, but even the glancing strike hurt. It didn’t just fire off the pain indicators; it actually hurt.

“Hey!” Edict screamed. “I’m holding hate! What gives?!”

WE'VE CRAFTED THE PERFECT FIGHT FOR YOU, the mass of bodies cooed. THE HARDER YOU TRY TO DEFEND YOUR FRIENDS, THE MORE THEY SUFFER FOR YOU. YOU CANNOT SAVE THEM ALL, EDICT. He appeared furious. “Cardinal is fucking with us. Acanthus, get out of here!” The mass extended grotesquely, knocking down trees and shattering rocks. NO RUNNING, it sighed. WE'RE PLAYING. YOU CAN'T LEAVE WHILE WE'RE PLAYING. Acanthus had no intentions of running, but she backed up to assess the situation. Mid-step, she felt something solid pressing into her back; with a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw a floating warning, and her heart dropped. [You cannot leave an instanced combat.]

Spoiler

 

Post Action: The same thing you've always done, Edict. Shoulder the world until it crushes you.
R̵̢̩̮̀̆̉Ȯ̶̜͐L̸͙̈́̏͜͝ͅL̵͎̆͝Į̶̗̂̈́͠ͅḐ̶̩̋̓̾ ̴̖̿͜G̵̣̻͖̉E̷̙̞̱͆͐͝N̷̟̋Ě̵͇͉R̸̭͇̱̅A̸̤̼̫̎̚T̶̪̒͗E̶͇͝Ḏ̶̀͜͠:̵̨̬͐̂ ̶̨̀Ẉ̸̔͊I̷̛͇̮͗ͅT̵̫̣̈́͝͝H̷̛͚̭̣̾H̶̡̑Ĕ̶̝͙̥̂̄L̵̡̤̑̆͝D̵̮̄̃ ̴̥͈̐̌͋͜F̵̨͇͊̈O̷̙͙̽R̷̥͙̃́̆ ̸̜̝͉́̽Û̵̺̞̟̔S̸̝͓̤̓̈́̒E̸̮̠̟͗R̵̲̙̄̈̿͜"̵͇̽Š̶͘ͅ ̶̫́͒Ò̶̥W̶̼̉̊̆N̶̡͇͝ ̷̞̮̿͂G̸̳̿̕O̶͙͛͊͌O̴͕͠D̸͇̘̄̽̀ 

Monster's Turn Ẅ̵͇̱̇͑͝e̵̳̮͎̻͛͘ͅ ̵̝͚̉́͊̀̍a̶͉͊̈́̌͝r̶̜͚̳̋̒ĕ̷̹͉͎͔̱͠ ̸̢͙̥̯̦͛͋N̸̢͈͈͗Ŏ̴͉̫̳̲͉͗T̸̬̦͑̄̋̓͝ ̴̧͌͝͝M̷̬̖̬͗O̴͎̮̟̞̿̃͋̍N̵̰͝ͅȘ̷̋T̶̟̪̹̞̙͆͝E̵̘̰͓͔̻̔͆͑͘R̷̮̋̂̉͝͝Ŝ̷̡̘̻̇̆
Å̶̦̺̒d̸̜̅m̶̲̊ȉ̷̘n̶̻̺̓̏ ̶̢̘̊͠ċ̴̹̥̂ȑ̴̙ě̵͇ď̸̟ͅe̴͖̓n̶̘̈t̷͔͆̆i̸̩̺͑̑â̵̻̿ḽ̵̅̐s̴̮͉̅ ̸̝͑ḋ̷̫ë̴̺̯n̵̖̐͐ḯ̶̦ḛ̸͙̊̕d̷͕̈.̷̺̭̓̑ ̵͔̕͜͠E̶̗̾x̴̯͔́p̷̨̲̍̀ľ̶͔̞̊ǡ̸̖̬ì̸̬̹ǹ̴̩ ̵̩̻͂͝y̸̝͗ǒ̸̖͖u̸͚̘͐r̷̨̒͘s̷̱͓͂̈́ë̸̪́̾ḷ̷͕̔f̵̠̆͠,̸̠̟̽̃ ̶̮̀͑ͅC̵̷̵̴̸̳͇̪̻͚͔͉͓̏̑͒̒̆͌͝N̸̷̵̵̸̴̨̧̯͙̯̫̘͈̅̏̊̉͆͗̇͂͝S̷̷̴̸̷̴̳̖̺̻͓̮̦͖̗̄̀̃̈́̍́̊͘͠͝Ļ̴̵̷̸̸̸͇͍͎̬͙̬̓͑̍̒̉̌̆̈́́̓̚ͅŖ̷̸̸̴̵̷͇͉̱̥͇̻̪̙͑̈̈́͑͑̓͗̈̚͜͝-̸̴̵̶̴̵̡͙̮̱͈̝̖̟͇̇̿͂́̾͑͗̐̚͠p̵̵̷̸̷̨̩͔̳̲͚͈̊̀͊̇͆͐l̴̶̷̵̵̰̗̦̰͍̠͇̅́̾̏̋̑̔̂̂r̵̸̵̴̶̸̡̤͔͕͚̰͔̟̩͖͙͗̈́̂̉͆̐̌̈́b̶̸̶̴̴̤̦̲͙̹̲̥̓̅́͋̍͘̕l̷̷̷̴̴̵̫̘̭͔̬͔͂͌̆͒̆̂̌̓̓̕͜ò̷̶̶̸̸̵̶̮̭͈̥̩̫̜͚̙̬̤̄̍̆͒̇̊͗̉̂̕c̸̸̶̸̴̛̟̯͓̪̗̻̬̊͗̾̾̃̄k̵̸̴̵̷̢̝̘̥̱̠̻̋̍͒̓̈́͊̅͋2̴̶̴̷̷̸̳̰͉͓̹̪̜̘͈̗͈̋̄̈͛̊̄͒̑0̶̷̵̴̴̸̵̢̧̛̫̙͚̠̞̻͙̮̈́̇̉̉̃͛̏̉̂͆̚͜0̷̷̴̸̸̶̘͚̦͎͓̺͕͓͓̓̿̎̋̐͛̀̆͝0̵̵̷̴̴̡͚͕͎͉̟̩̯̤̃́̈͌̿͌͘̚


Acanthus | HP: 560/760 | EN: 90/90 | DMG: 21 | MIT:78 | ACC:2 | REC: 4 | BLD: 48  | PARA | LD:8
(HATEVALUE_Null) Edict | HP: 390/840 | EN: 96/96 | DMG: 14 | MIT:150 | REC: 8 | Taunt

Sins of Edict | 4013.333333333333333/4444 | DMG 250 | ACC 2 | THORN 50a̵͙̐̈́̓c̵͉̓̋̒t̸͚̙̲̿́i̵̫̬̎͐̂o̴̳̬̖͖̽͒̐n̶͓̳̲̮̈͊̓̈ ̶̡̖̟̹͔͛̐̑̄̕s̶̛̫̈́͂̓̑t̸̩͚̱̮̟́̐a̵̩̦͉̍̓͗͗ͅt̸͇͎͈̏͂͝ȕ̵̗̒́͝s̴͖̻͍͈̝̈:̷̧͎̟͎͔̕ ̵̤̺̠̈̅c̷̘̬͙̍͌̆̍u̴̧͒̋̿̔ř̸̡̮͕̩̳̐̓̏r̴̥̲̘̎̿̿̏̎ë̴͉̞̲́̽͝ņ̷̺̩̰̎́͜ṭ̶̼̻̺̒͑l̷̼͗̈́ỵ̶̂̚ ̶̩̟̎͠ḟ̷̦́̊a̵̹̹͇͎͉̍i̷̢͔̺̳̓͘l̴̺̹̬̩̣̆į̸̬̮͍̂ņ̵̼͚̑ͅͅg̷̘̬̓̽ ̴͔̣̜̆̂̀̈̄ḛ̶̲͐̊̇́͘v̶̢̭̦̙̘̊̈́̏a̴͚̺̯̺̠͛ļ̶̲̪͔̖̏û̸̬̭̣̜̑a̶̖̹̼̞͂̎̈́t̶̳̞̟͎͈͐͗i̶̝̍o̷̡̖̘̜̗̒̎͐̿̈́n̷̩̂̂.̵̭̾͂ ̸̟͉͋͑͜r̷̠̻̞͆̌́̈́̆͜ę̷̮̜̝̈̍͗͘͘͜ċ̸̳̪͇͕͐̓̂͝ǫ̶̼̩͗m̶̦̋̍͐̃̋m̵̛͔̖̲̳e̵̬͉̅n̵͓͎͎̈́̊̊͂́ḋ̴̤̩̣̥̟̓̐ ̵̣̉t̵̤͈̞̝͆̿́̕͠e̶͕͇͎̘̗͋͑r̸̨̟̣͖̂̇m̵̹̹̣͑̉ī̷̭̓̑n̷̲̰͊̿a̸̲̔̐͝͝t̵̝̥̬̩͗̌͌̽͐ḯ̴̫̇o̸̡̽́̍̉ń̷̖̖̣̠̥

You cannot save them all | Whenever P̴̟͂͠h̵̩̙̹̿ì̷̧̖͒ḻ̶̟̾̉ǐ̴̱̮̈̚å̶͍̟̝ ̴̗́ẃ̵̯̦̌å̶͚͇̾s̷͍͈͒̒ ̴̞̰̗̉̊r̷̛̭̤i̷͓͇̙̿g̶̹͉̔̿h̷͓͋̀͘t̶̰̃ ̷̫͕̗̂͑ẗ̵̜͎́͛͂o̶̳̭͛̃ ̵̢̱͛ḏ̵̰̈́̈̆ͅǫ̸͇̿̐̋ ̴̢̘͇̓̐w̵̮̻̑h̶͕́͌̓ả̸̮̮͈t̶͓̆ ̴̺̬̝̽s̸̪͈̜̈̕̚h̸̩̞̙͛ẹ̴̞̀̋̀ ̶̤̞̐̍d̴͚̍i̷̭͖͑d̴̖͑͠.̸̱̻̽̈́͂ ̴̘̩̞͋̋Ȃ̸̠͒̉ṇ̷̐̑͜d̵̯͋́ ̸̝̩̂̏̃d̷̨͍̺̋ę̸̹̤́̌e̴̫͂̽̊p̶͚͕͙̔̀ ̶̊̆͘͜d̴̰̏͜͝ó̵̖͙w̶̭̝͊n̴̠̱̩̏̇,̶̘̤̅͒͝ ̷̺̣̱̋̅͝y̶̻͛͌͝ô̸͕͝u̴̠͛͒ ̵̨̝̍k̴̡̥̻̎̎͝n̶̥̞̖̍̕ǫ̴̖̥̈́͒̍w̷͔̜͛͛̓ͅ ̸̧̰̈́̎i̶̫͋͠t̴̝̓̉.̶͚͙͝ the player with the highest hate mitigates damage dealt by Sins of Edict, each other players suffers the mitigated damage.
You couldn't even save Constantine | Ỹ̵͚̂̋̈́̋̾́̆̈́̽̍̎͑͝͠o̶̤̘̹̱̲̺͙͋͂ú̷̢̗̰̹͓͉̣̩̙̪͔͐̃͋̀̊́̏̓͌̌̐͐̿͐ ̷̛̙̀̒̐̀́́͑̆͛̕͝w̷̬͉̃̈́̐̀̀̐̍i̵̛͎͓̮͚͙̼̱̤̳̝̲̼̞͋͒̓̀͌͆̓̏̚͝l̵̢͎͓̤͇̜̭̥͍̙̆͛̄̐̾ͅļ̵̛̘̃̍̋̽̕ ̸̛̘̞͓̳͎̳͕̳̙̫͌̽̎̋́w̵̨̛͔̲͕̣̦̭̹͑̈́̈́̈́͘͝ȃ̷͎͖͙̲̻̿̎͌́͌ţ̴̡̭͓̺̼̭͈̪͇̘̬̭̎͒͊́͊̃̎̍̽̀͊͗̏͛̕͜͜c̵̳͔͉̘̅͐́̅ͅh̴̡͖̳̰̠̱͓̩͔͕̳͎̩͚̪́͆ ̷͔͙̥͈̱̾̎́̿̾͛ͅt̵̳̱̗͎̭͚̱̱͔̀́̎̿̈́͐̿͊͐̑̉̈̀h̷̛͚̝̔̆̂͋̐̇̂͒̾̂͠ȩ̵̛͔̜̻̫̘͈́̽̊̍̎̈́́̎̈̊̈́́͝m̶̛͇͎̱͈͕͕̹͇̠̙̌͑̊͌̄̌ ̵̛̪͕̖͌̐̓̎̾̇ͅḑ̷̛̬̣̼͇̠͍͕̤̓̄̀̿͘͜ȉ̴͈̣̼͈̪̪͓̣͉̼͈͔̍͛̂͋͂͛̀̈́͗͘͜͝ē̸̹̪̼͎͍̰͒̇͗̓͋̄̕͠ ̴̛̯̉̈́̔̈͗̋̾̑̓͛͘͝
Whenever two players utilize the switch mechanic, Sins of Edict loses You cannot save them all until Y̸̮͖͖͇̐̐̓̀͊͐͝͝ò̸͖͍̥̊̎̈́̃̊̃ų̷̮̝̗̥̞͖̖̊͗ͅͅ ̸̻̹̟̺͆̒̆̾̓w̶̨̯̫̩̫̳̪̻̠̺̏͆̈́̄̉͋̅͝ì̴͚͈̠̩̺̺̦̎́͆̋̏l̸͇̼̮̰͙̭̘̲̭̊ͅl̸̡̳͉͈̱̣̩̦͑̈́̈́̕͘͠͝ ̵̢̣̬̦̠̗̫̞̲̎̾̏̉̆͠ẃ̴̫̩̮̟̺͌́̅͂͠͝a̸̧̧͖̳̻̜͎̠̘̖͋t̸̡̝͔͆̃̅͑̏̏̏̊̓͝c̷̻͌̓͊̄̐̄̌̿̚͠h̵̫̘̣͉̻͎̱͉̝̉̏̀̈́̄́̽̽͠ͅ ̸̧̞̮͙̯̖̠̪̟̫́t̴̰̺̓͒͆̏ḫ̸̢̖̯̤̝̲̉̈́̑͛̎̈ͅe̶̠̤͙̠̟̺͑͆̈̒́͆͂͝m̸͕̰͚̗͛̈͒̇͋̀̑͜ ̵̛̪͆̔̄̾͐͆͒̾̓ḑ̸̾̊̎̂̈́̾͆̀͝i̴̥̹͓͍͙̩̗͈̐̆̊͂́̑́̍̚͝e̸̢̠͕̤̫̙̩̺̘͐̋̄̓̓͘̚ ̷̡̨̠̞̫͉̀̏̍͗͝͠͝b̴̧̳͎̻̏̀̔̎̔e̷̹͓͈̼̯͎̗̯̰̠̍͊̉́̌͠c̴͈̮̗̺͙̫͈̜̿́̿͐͌͒͛̈́̓̚ą̷̣̼̩̟̫͙̌͊̾̇́̌̾͌̕͜ų̸̧͚̫̰̏̓̌̾̍̂̽̕͜͠s̵̟͓͖̣̹̝̲̒̆̑͂͛̐̀̕ȩ̶̢̢͈̤͇̱̼̗̪̐̈͗̓̈ ̴̮̹̪͍͙͆̎̿̃̽̇͋̕y̷͉̩̬͕̳̎̾̆̿̈͒ó̶̃͑̾̐̋̓̉͝͠ͅu̷̮̹͉͗̈́̏̇͑͂͜ ̵̡̝̦̱̉̇̔̈́a̴͙͑ȓ̸̙͚̤̈́́̚e̷̯͓͙̲͓̳̰̓̐̊͗ ̵͖̣̳̳͋͆̆̆̈́͛͜͠ͅa̶̢͓̥͎͉͖̪̓̔̍̽̓̋̀ ̶̜̟̆̐͒͊̎͌̎͑̋c̷̳̮͍̤̰̅͆͒̂̓̅͌̚͘͜ò̵̢͕̘̤͍̮͎̅̈́̌͝w̸̬̤̭͊͘a̵̫̗̰̞̘̜̭̘̯̓͠ͅŕ̵̺̦͉̦̭̳̫̳͊̍ď̴̛̹̞̜̰̤̰͇͈̖͕̇͐͝͝the beginning of its turn.
And you will not save Acanthus | Players may not flee this encounter on foot. Especially players you've grown attached to, Edict.

 

 

[Acanthus 0]

The thing screeched as Acanthus snuck in with a paralyzing strike. Taking a moment to regroup, Edict hastily dug the teleportation crystal out of his inventory and pressed it into Acanthus’ hands. A trade dialog opened.

Trade Offer: 1 Teleportation Crystal ẏ̴͓O̸͌̿͜Ư̷̾͜͜ ̷̤͊͋C̷̜̥̀Ạ̶̓Ǹ̸̻N̷̛̯̮̑Ó̴̱̫Ṱ̷͋̔ͅ ̴͍̎Ĭ̴̯N̵͎̥̎̕Ḯ̵̡͙̍Ț̷̳͆͗Ì̴̳͂ͅÄ̸͓̼́T̴̼̽E̵̥̔ ̵͈͑̈́T̷͇͑R̷̝̿A̸͎̫͋̆D̴̨̳̊͒E̵̠̽̆ ̶̘͗I̸̬͔̕Ṉ̶̮̒̽ ̴̳̈́̄C̸̜̐̌̊̄Ó̸̘̝͔͖̻̱̼̹͘ͅM̵̘̯̫͉̣̯̗̲̹̔̏̓͝ͅB̸̭̤͎̰̺̞̞͊̀̐̓̄̓̏̚͠Ä̴̺͕́͊̅̎͜T̸̥͎̭̬͉͙͍̜̦̒̓̀͂̀

Devastation clouded her face. “Don’t do this to me.”

“Acanthus, look at the health bar. We’ve hit it multiple times, and it’s barely even registering. We have to try something else.”

“Then we run together.”

“You saw how fast it was. Even as big as it is, it can run us down. Besides, you heard it. The fight is made to hurt you, and not me.”

“It’s still hurting you. And what if you go catatonic again? I won’t be here to protect you.” He grabbed her hand and placed it firmly on the teleportation crystal. “It won’t happen.” The mass began to rumble; it was starting to move again. “Acanthus, do this for me. I can’t protect you if you stay.”

Acanthus nearly punched him. “And I can’t protect you if I leave! Stop being a martyr.” The mass began to writhe in earnest. PLAY WITH ME E̴̛̠̮͕͍̹̥̽͗̈͒̋́̊ͅD̸̢̠̼͎͎̟̥̂̋̀̀͌͐͠͝I̸̡̧̞̫͖͍̳̯̱̠̒̑́̆̑͝C̸̣͓̼̙͍̼͉̥̄̅́̚T̶͈͎͙̗͚͓̙̦̾͋͌͘̕͜ͅ, WE'RE GOING TO PLAY UNTIL IT STOPS ME.

 Acanthus prepared to drop the Teleportation Crystal—the corrupted dialog box was still open. As the crystal began to slip out of her fingers, Edict yelled: “Teleport: Home!”

The crystal cracked, glitched, and finally, it began to glow. Wait. I haven’t accepted the trade. This shouldn’t be working. In a panic, she looked up. Edict was not disappearing. He hammered through three massive sections of the body as they assaulted him. The portions regrew as he destroyed them, and with a single, massive push, thrust him against the nearest tree. He cried out in pain.

Acanthus ran toward Edict as her body disappeared; somehow, against game logic, the teleport crystal was working. She was leaving Edict to die. Right before she disappeared entirely, Edict and Acanthus shouted.

“Acanthus, I l—”
“Edict, you b—”

(Continued in <<Down the Rabbit Hole>>)

Spoiler

 

Post Action: Chase her away. It's for her own good.
No one left to save. I deserve whatever happens next. 

Monster's Turn Ẅ̵͇̱̇͑͝e̵̳̮͎̻͛͘ͅ ̵̝͚̉́͊̀̍a̶͉͊̈́̌͝r̶̜͚̳̋̒ĕ̷̹͉͎͔̱͠ ̸̢͙̥̯̦͛͋N̸̢͈͈͗Ŏ̴͉̫̳̲͉͗T̸̬̦͑̄̋̓͝ ̴̧͌͝͝M̷̬̖̬͗O̴͎̮̟̞̿̃͋̍N̵̰͝ͅȘ̷̋T̶̟̪̹̞̙͆͝E̵̘̰͓͔̻̔͆͑͘R̷̮̋̂̉͝͝Ŝ̷̡̘̻̇̆
Ā̷̭̓I̴̮͓̼̔͑̅M̴̗̎̈́ ̶̼̞̉̄F̷̼͕͋̃O̴̢͂ ̵̤͖̓̈Ȑ̷̟͗T̷̮̥́H̶̘̦͂̕E̴͉͙͈̾ ̴̞͈̤̋̅̔H̶̼́̀Ę̷͍̆͛͐Ȃ̴͙͌̀R̵̜̰͗̿̚T̶͖͈̞́̾ ̸͕͕̤̉͒P̸̮͂L̴̬̂͑̀Ę̵̞̤͛͝Ă̶̢̹̬̆Ṣ̵̂E̵̛̬̍͜ ̸̜͉̓͗̾L̶̙̦̗͘Ë̴͈̦͍́̄T̶͙͉́̋̀ ̸̡̒̑M̷͉̙͗̇̑Ẻ̶̡͝ͅ ̶̝͖̈́͗K̸̭͓̳͐I̷͈͖̿Ļ̶̩͗͆̅L̴͙͈̋̆̇ͅ ̶̥̥͈̎̓͠H̴̳̬̝̃̉I̶̹͍͒͑̄M̸͔͛ͅ ̷̯͙̎͂I̷̢̛̐ ̸̼͐J̶̮̉̒Ṷ̶̺͙̏̆͠S̵̯̭͑̈́̄͜T̵̛̫̲̎̓ ̸̰̠̪̐͆̅N̵͓̬̑̓Ḙ̷̓̓̃͜É̴͓̋̎͜D̸͔̮̜͛͒ ̵͕̠̞͑̑̀O̷͙̽̈͝N̵̞̜͍̾E̶̼̘̜͂͗ ̸̹̲͖̉M̴̭̎Ó̶̹̼̚Ṙ̸̭̻̠̇Ė̵̥͎̊͂ͅ ̷̘̲̬͐̊̑T̷̬̦͊̓̓U̷̗͔̓́̇R̵̛̼̬̠̓̿N̶̰̬͒͐͝ ̷̫͍͐̈́͠P̶̤̀Ḽ̶̢̜́̈́͌Ẽ̴͎͂͌A̴̳̞͗͗́S̵̲̈́̈́͂È̷̢̅ BD 11. CRIT_NOTDEFINED. 230 damage.

Acanthus | HP: ERR_USERDAT | EN: ERR_USERDAT | DMG: ERR_USERDAT | MIT:ERR_USERDAT | ACC: ERR_USERDAT | REC: ERR_USERDAT  | BLD: ERR_USERDAT | ERR_USERDAT  LD: ERR_USERDAT
(HATEVALUE_Null2) Edict | HP: 160/840 | EN: -9999/96 | DMG: 14 555 | MIT:150 | REC: 8 -13 | Taunt (Ha ha. it doesn't work)

 

Sins of EdicP̷̢͙̩̠̩͍̳̗̩͇̠̝͖̪̿̽͆͊̃͌͘̚͘͠͝r̴̨̢̧̛͙͓͙͔̳͎̞͔̲̖̒͛̓͆̆̏́͗̅́̉́̚o̵̡̡̯͈͉͖͓̳̝̤͓̥̠̲̺̽̀͛͆̑̾̈͊̚͝g̶̢͔̗͖͙̗̫͇͋̂̒͋̔̎̚͝r̸͔̣̞̦͙̻̉̀̄̽͜ȧ̸̘͍̜͐̀͛̀̋̐̍́̐̃̿͝͝m̷̡͙̺̪̘̰̘͊͒̕ ̴̡̧̨̛̘̦͉͖͇͇̻̻̲͔̌͊̅͗̔̋̕͝ĩ̶̧̢͍̜̥̖̹͕̳̭̳͍̤̭̌͌̂͐͗ḋ̴͉̱͖̠̤͇͍̰͚͚͔̉́͌͂̑̅̆͛̀̎̾͠͝͠ḙ̴͇͍̈́̽ņ̴̯̤̯̥̼͉͖͎̠̄̈́͊̊̓͒t̷̪̹̦͔͈̫̹͗͒̔̍̄̒̇̌͛̚̕ī̵̗̣̣̫͍͕͍̩̝̹͈͔̮͛̔̓͛͛̃̐̿͘ḟ̴̪̺̖͈̟̱͈͖͇̺̦͙̗̄̾̔̓̆͗͒̀̈̓̾̚i̵̼͖̬͋̓̐͠ȅ̷̹͎̺̭́̕ͅd̴̛̩̈,̷̱̑͠ ̷̡̨̧̳̠͎̜̱̫̩͎̌̈̃̉͛̎͝r̶̢̛̯͚̮̺͖̟̺͉̱̻͓̠̹̬̎̏̓̔̃͆̈́̏̀͐͋́ủ̵̲͉̬̺̯͔̦̱̂́̓̈́̉̐͑̑̉̈́̀͋̃͜n̵̳̖̟͙̼͉̘̺͔̣̟̱̮̉̓̄͌̅͛͊̓̓̀̈́̓͘̕͜ͅņ̴͙̬̇i̴̜̪͗͂̈̀͗̾͆̑̆̽̑ͅn̵̨͚̭̘̯͖͓̙̥̽̓̂̀͋̋͊͑̌̌̇͛́͌͛g̷̡̨̢̨̛̖̪̳̺͉̰̹̩̘̻͓̀̈́̃͌͝͝ ̷̧̡̪͖̯̞͚̼͍͒̏͑͋͜͜͜͝͝d̷͔̜̣͔͚̤͎͕̮̯̜̎͑̀͛̒̈́̽̈́̊̀͑̓͜͝͝ĕ̵̲̮̮͍͍̘̗̫̰͔̻̇f̴̛̻̻̬̹̲̊̅̎͋́̂̈́̓̇̀̚͝r̴̮̯͔̬̗̲̗̘̺̙̟̍̑̂͌̓̄͊̕͜͝ͅǎ̴̢̢̝͔̞̰̟̝̟͎̪̟̇̊ǵ̸͔͌̊̍̅̈́́̎̿͊ͅm̶̡̰̰̩͉̖̱̘̮͖̹͉̩͊͗͋͠e̵͇͓̳̖͔̱͒͑̈́́̄̈́͜ͅn̷̢̢̨͇͔͓̦̟̖̈́͋̆̔̓͜͝ͅt̶̛̲̖͌̓̒͋̊͑̈́͒͆̂́̔͘͘
t | 3900.e23/4444 | DMG 250 | ACC 2 | THORN 50a̵͙̐̈́̓c̵͉̓̋̒t̸͚̙̲̿́i̵̫̬̎͐̂o̴̳̬̖͖̽͒̐n̶͓̳̲̮̈͊̓̈ ̶̡̖̟̹͔͛̐̑̄̕s̶̛̫̈́͂̓̑t̸̩͚̱̮̟́̐a̵̩̦͉̍̓͗͗ͅt̸͇͎͈̏͂͝ȕ̵̗̒́͝s̴͖̻͍͈̝̈:̷̧͎̟͎͔̕ ̵̤̺̠̈̅c̷̘̬͙̍͌̆̍u̴̧͒̋̿̔ř̸̡̮͕̩̳̐̓̏r̴̥̲̘̎̿̿̏̎ë̴͉̞̲́̽͝ņ̷̺̩̰̎́͜ṭ̶̼̻̺̒͑l̷̼͗̈́ỵ̶̂̚ ̶̩̟̎͠ḟ̷̦́̊a̵̹̹͇͎͉̍i̷̢͔̺̳̓͘l̴̺̹̬̩̣̆į̸̬̮͍̂ņ̵̼͚̑ͅͅg̷̘̬̓̽ ̴͔̣̜̆̂̀̈̄ḛ̶̲͐̊̇́͘v̶̢̭̦̙̘̊̈́̏a̴͚̺̯̺̠͛ļ̶̲̪͔̖̏û̸̬̭̣̜̑a̶̖̹̼̞͂̎̈́t̶̳̞̟͎͈͐͗i̶̝̍o̷̡̖̘̜̗̒̎͐̿̈́n̷̩̂̂.̵̭̾͂ ̸̟͉͋͑͜r̷̠̻̞͆̌́̈́̆͜ę̷̮̜̝̈̍͗͘͘͜ċ̸̳̪͇͕͐̓̂͝ǫ̶̼̩͗m̶̦̋̍͐̃̋m̵̛͔̖̲̳e̵̬͉̅n̵͓͎͎̈́̊̊͂́ḋ̴̤̩̣̥̟̓̐ ̵̣̉t̵̤͈̞̝͆̿́̕͠e̶͕͇͎̘̗͋͑r̸̨̟̣͖̂̇m̵̹̹̣͑̉ī̷̭̓̑n̷̲̰͊̿a̸̲̔̐͝͝t̵̝̥̬̩͗̌͌̽͐ḯ̴̫̇o̸̡̽́̍̉ń̷̖̖̣̠̥

You cannot save them all | Whenever P̴̟͂͠h̵̩̙̹̿ì̷̧̖͒ḻ̶̟̾̉ǐ̴̱̮̈̚å̶͍̟̝ ̴̗́ẃ̵̯̦̌å̶͚͇̾s̷͍͈͒̒ ̴̞̰̗̉̊r̷̛̭̤i̷͓͇̙̿g̶̹͉̔̿h̷͓͋̀͘t̶̰̃ ̷̫͕̗̂͑ẗ̵̜͎́͛͂o̶̳̭͛̃ ̵̢̱͛ḏ̵̰̈́̈̆ͅǫ̸͇̿̐̋ ̴̢̘͇̓̐w̵̮̻̑h̶͕́͌̓ả̸̮̮͈t̶͓̆ ̴̺̬̝̽s̸̪͈̜̈̕̚h̸̩̞̙͛ẹ̴̞̀̋̀ ̶̤̞̐̍d̴͚̍i̷̭͖͑d̴̖͑͠.̸̱̻̽̈́͂ ̴̘̩̞͋̋Ȃ̸̠͒̉ṇ̷̐̑͜d̵̯͋́ ̸̝̩̂̏̃d̷̨͍̺̋ę̸̹̤́̌e̴̫͂̽̊p̶͚͕͙̔̀ ̶̊̆͘͜d̴̰̏͜͝ó̵̖͙w̶̭̝͊n̴̠̱̩̏̇,̶̘̤̅͒͝ ̷̺̣̱̋̅͝y̶̻͛͌͝ô̸͕͝u̴̠͛͒ ̵̨̝̍k̴̡̥̻̎̎͝n̶̥̞̖̍̕ǫ̴̖̥̈́͒̍w̷͔̜͛͛̓ͅ ̸̧̰̈́̎i̶̫͋͠t̴̝̓̉.̶͚͙͝ the player with the highest hate mitigates damage dealt by Sins of Edict, each other players suffers the mitigated damage.
You couldn't even save Constantine | Ỹ̵͚̂̋̈́̋̾́̆̈́̽̍̎͑͝͠o̶̤̘̹̱̲̺͙͋͂ú̷̢̗̰̹͓͉̣̩̙̪͔͐̃͋̀̊́̏̓͌̌̐͐̿͐ ̷̛̙̀̒̐̀́́͑̆͛̕͝w̷̬͉̃̈́̐̀̀̐̍i̵̛͎͓̮͚͙̼̱̤̳̝̲̼̞͋͒̓̀͌͆̓̏̚͝l̵̢͎͓̤͇̜̭̥͍̙̆͛̄̐̾ͅļ̵̛̘̃̍̋̽̕ ̸̛̘̞͓̳͎̳͕̳̙̫͌̽̎̋́w̵̨̛͔̲͕̣̦̭̹͑̈́̈́̈́͘͝ȃ̷͎͖͙̲̻̿̎͌́͌ţ̴̡̭͓̺̼̭͈̪͇̘̬̭̎͒͊́͊̃̎̍̽̀͊͗̏͛̕͜͜c̵̳͔͉̘̅͐́̅ͅh̴̡͖̳̰̠̱͓̩͔͕̳͎̩͚̪́͆ ̷͔͙̥͈̱̾̎́̿̾͛ͅt̵̳̱̗͎̭͚̱̱͔̀́̎̿̈́͐̿͊͐̑̉̈̀h̷̛͚̝̔̆̂͋̐̇̂͒̾̂͠ȩ̵̛͔̜̻̫̘͈́̽̊̍̎̈́́̎̈̊̈́́͝m̶̛͇͎̱͈͕͕̹͇̠̙̌͑̊͌̄̌ ̵̛̪͕̖͌̐̓̎̾̇ͅḑ̷̛̬̣̼͇̠͍͕̤̓̄̀̿͘͜ȉ̴͈̣̼͈̪̪͓̣͉̼͈͔̍͛̂͋͂͛̀̈́͗͘͜͝ē̸̹̪̼͎͍̰͒̇͗̓͋̄̕͠ ̴̛̯̉̈́̔̈͗̋̾̑̓͛͘͝
Whenever two players utilize the switch mechanic, Sins of Edict loses You cannot save them all until Y̸̮͖͖͇̐̐̓̀͊͐͝͝ò̸͖͍̥̊̎̈́̃̊̃ų̷̮̝̗̥̞͖̖̊͗ͅͅ ̸̻̹̟̺͆̒̆̾̓w̶̨̯̫̩̫̳̪̻̠̺̏͆̈́̄̉͋̅͝ì̴͚͈̠̩̺̺̦̎́͆̋̏l̸͇̼̮̰͙̭̘̲̭̊ͅl̸̡̳͉͈̱̣̩̦͑̈́̈́̕͘͠͝ ̵̢̣̬̦̠̗̫̞̲̎̾̏̉̆͠ẃ̴̫̩̮̟̺͌́̅͂͠͝a̸̧̧͖̳̻̜͎̠̘̖͋t̸̡̝͔͆̃̅͑̏̏̏̊̓͝c̷̻͌̓͊̄̐̄̌̿̚͠h̵̫̘̣͉̻͎̱͉̝̉̏̀̈́̄́̽̽͠ͅ ̸̧̞̮͙̯̖̠̪̟̫́t̴̰̺̓͒͆̏ḫ̸̢̖̯̤̝̲̉̈́̑͛̎̈ͅe̶̠̤͙̠̟̺͑͆̈̒́͆͂͝m̸͕̰͚̗͛̈͒̇͋̀̑͜ ̵̛̪͆̔̄̾͐͆͒̾̓ḑ̸̾̊̎̂̈́̾͆̀͝i̴̥̹͓͍͙̩̗͈̐̆̊͂́̑́̍̚͝e̸̢̠͕̤̫̙̩̺̘͐̋̄̓̓͘̚ ̷̡̨̠̞̫͉̀̏̍͗͝͠͝b̴̧̳͎̻̏̀̔̎̔e̷̹͓͈̼̯͎̗̯̰̠̍͊̉́̌͠c̴͈̮̗̺͙̫͈̜̿́̿͐͌͒͛̈́̓̚ą̷̣̼̩̟̫͙̌͊̾̇́̌̾͌̕͜ų̸̧͚̫̰̏̓̌̾̍̂̽̕͜͠s̵̟͓͖̣̹̝̲̒̆̑͂͛̐̀̕ȩ̶̢̢͈̤͇̱̼̗̪̐̈͗̓̈ ̴̮̹̪͍͙͆̎̿̃̽̇͋̕y̷͉̩̬͕̳̎̾̆̿̈͒ó̶̃͑̾̐̋̓̉͝͠ͅu̷̮̹͉͗̈́̏̇͑͂͜ ̵̡̝̦̱̉̇̔̈́a̴͙͑ȓ̸̙͚̤̈́́̚e̷̯͓͙̲͓̳̰̓̐̊͗ ̵͖̣̳̳͋͆̆̆̈́͛͜͠ͅa̶̢͓̥͎͉͖̪̓̔̍̽̓̋̀ ̶̜̟̆̐͒͊̎͌̎͑̋c̷̳̮͍̤̰̅͆͒̂̓̅͌̚͘͜ò̵̢͕̘̤͍̮͎̅̈́̌͝w̸̬̤̭͊͘a̵̫̗̰̞̘̜̭̘̯̓͠ͅŕ̵̺̦͉̦̭̳̫̳͊̍ď̴̛̹̞̜̰̤̰͇͈̖͕̇͐͝͝the beginning of its turn.
And you will not save Acanthus | Players may not flee this encounter on foot. Especially players you've grown attached to, Edict.

 

 

Edited October 3 by Acanthus

[Acanthus 0]

THREAD SUMMARY

Experience: [Word Count: 7187/10 = 718.7] * [True Tier: 6] * [Group Factor: 1] = 4312 EXP + 500 (Quest) = 4812 EXP
Col: 721 (Laurel Wreath) + 400 (bonus page) + 20000 (looting) = 29,621 col

+128 foraging EXP
(29) materials
(2) demonic shard

Hoya of Minos - Vanity pendant that is often used as a gift for weddings.

 

Edited October 4 by Acanthus