The three heroes had just gotten their bearings, flying under their own power in a sea of aether, when suddenly a ball of light, followed by a monstrous creature, erupted into view! Diana and Presto managed to float aside, even as one of the Star Anglers loom over Eric's tiny form.
**KREEEEEEEE!**
And now, draw for Initiative.
🎴(8)
🎴(Ambushed, 10)
🎴(Ambushed, 9)
🎴(1)🎴(7)
Because Eric and Presto failed an AWARENESS roll, the Star Anglers have amushed them. They must take the lowest cards, randomly assigned, not that it matters much with this scenario here. (For his demon, the GM says Eric rolls with a bane on his next roll.)
The boys scream as the two Star Anglers launch themselves into the middle of their prey.
Monster Attack 🎲(2) = "It's so beautiful!"
Effect = CON roll
Diana's CON (15), rolls a ⬙ (10) = Success!
Eric's CON (17), rolls a ⬙ (11) = Success!
Presto's CON (15), rolls a ⬙ (9) = Success!
The Angler's light at the end of its lure bobs and dangles, momentarily catching the heroes off guard, until...
Hey! Cut that out!
Presto turns to run away but the second Star Angler confronts him immediately, it's starlight lure glowing...
Monster Attack 🎲(2) = "Beguling Light!"
Effect = WIS roll
Presto's WIS (18), rolls a ⬙ (3) = Success!
... and, Presto isn't fazed at all. He shakes his head clear and kicks it like a soccer ball.
I said, cut that out!
Hey, Presto? Maybe don't antagonize the giant space fish-monsters, okay?
(launching herself from space, she beelines directly into the side of the Blue-Green Angler with her staff)
STAVES (14), rolls a ⬙(10) = Hit!
Damage 2D8 (8,2) + Damage Bonus D6 (5) = 15
Oh? How's *this* for antagonizing!
"One fish, Two fish,
Go fish! BLOW fish!"
GUST OF WIND (at Power Level 2) = 4 Willpower Points
ELEMENTALISM (14), rolls a ⬙(12) = Success!
Damage 3D4 = 8, and pushed away 8 meters
The hat emits a mightly gust of wind, surprising the Green-Blue Angler, who cringes against the surprising onslaught and floats backwards against it.
Hey, Presto. You're really coming into your own out here. Let's see what I can do!
(he springs into a "superman" pose to smash his shield into the Blue-Green Angler, mirroring Diana)
BRAWLING (14), rolls a ⬙(1 or 9) = Hit! (but bane means he misses the dragon result!)
Damage D8 (1) + Damage Bonus D4 (4) = 5
Eric's shield makes a "thump" against the side of the creature, but little else. Eric smiles ruefully as the eyes of the beast turn to him.
ROUND TWO, draw for Initiative.
🎴(6)
🎴(3)
🎴(5)
🎴(4)🎴(7)
Sorry. What I *meant* to do was this!
(he swims in a small circle to bash the shield into the Blue-Green Angler's forehead directly)
BRAWLING (14), rolls a ⬙(10) = Hit!
Damage D8 (8) + Damage Bonus D4 (4) = 12, MAX DAMAGE!
The Blue-Green Angler threshes its head then floats still. The other Angler rushes from behind.
Monster Attack 🎲(3) = "Biting Frenzy!" to Diana, Eric
Diana wants to PARRY
Damage 2d8 = 12
PARRY (STAVES: 14), rolls a ⬙(16) = Fail!
Gah!!!
"When things look dark,
When things look dire,
Look no further,
Then a great ball of FIRE!"
FIREBALL (at Power Level 2) = 4 Willpower Points
ELEMENTALISM (14), rolls a ⬙(20) = a demon!
When a fireball does not immediately erupt from the hat, Presto catches his breath, and the world seems to pause.
Mishap Roll ⬙(16) = Backfire!
Damage 3D6 = 7
And suddenly, the fireball indeed erupts, engulfing Presto with a short burst of flame!
**cough!**
Actually, I think I'm gonna need some time to get used to this place...
ROUND THREE, draw for Initiative.
🎴(4)
🎴(9)
🎴(7)
🎴(6)🎴(1)
Monster Attack 🎲(5) = "Whip!" to Diana, Eric
Eric activates GUARDIAN, activates SHIELD of the Cavalier
Damage D10 = 7
SHIELD 2D6 = 10
The star angler uses its lure's appendage as a whip in a sweeping attack, even as its mate drifts slowly away. Eric, realizing he can help, flies over toward Diana in order that the blows fall upon his Shield, extending it's protective glow.
Thanks, Eric. Now it's my turn!
STAVES (14), rolls a ⬙(19) = Miss!
**YOWWWWR!**
Oh, crap.
Monster Attack 🎲(6) = "Devour!" to Diana
Damage 2D4 = 5
Before Diana can recover from her missed atttack, the star angler rears its head and snaps its jaws, swallowing her.
Diana! No!
(his eyes glowing white, he grabs a chunk of glowing light from his hat)
"Let all of the Aether Storm cast its wrath upon thee, oh beast, and DIE!"
PSUEDO-LIGHTNING (Fireball at Power Level 3) = 6 Willpower Points
ELEMENTALISM (14), rolls a ⬙(5) = Hit!
Damage 4D6 = 14
The creature yowls as fire and lightning strike it. Its form torn and damaged, its breathing labored...
ROUND FOUR, draw for Initiative.
🎴(9)
🎴(6)
🎴(1)
🎴(5)🎴(8)
Presto! Quick! While it's down!
(nodding, he pulls a new item from his hat-- an ice pack)
OK. One order of frozen fish sticks, coming up.
FROST (at Power Level 1) = 2 Willpower Points
ELEMENTALISM (14), rolls a ⬙(15) = No effect!
The ice pack attaches to the star angler, spreading frost all around it. Instead of freezing solid, however, it lashes out in its death throes.
Monster Attack 🎲(2) = "It's so beautiful!" to all
Effect = CON roll
Eric's CON (17), rolls a ⬙ (8) = Success!
Presto's CON (15), rolls a ⬙ (14) = Success!
***Whoo-oooo!***
I don't even think so. Now give us back Diana, you son of a --
(**BASH!**)
BRAWLING (14), rolls a ⬙(13) = Hit!
Damage D8 (8) + Damage Bonus D4 (4) = 7
**Erk!**
(dies.)
Hang in there, Diana!
(to Eric, as he starts to roll up his robe's sleeves)
Man, I hate this part.
continued in 5.5 Havock . . .
GM FOOTNOTES:
Yup, Diana went down to 0 HP with that last Devour attack on her. In this game, that doesn't mean "dead", but the battle ended rather quickly with some fortunate initiative cards, thankfully.
The Star Anglers were modeled after the Basilisk and the Sea Serpent in the Dragonbane Bestiary. However, it was difficult to suss out what I should do about HP, especially if there were two Star Anglers, like in the pre-written adventure. There's not much guidance about building battles; the math is very opaque. The "large" Sea Serpent has 56 HP, and Ferocity of 2 (essentially 2 actions). I treated the pair of anglers as having Ferocity 2 (instead of, say, allowing them to have 4 total) and split 48 total HP between them (24 each).