On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:14:13 GMT, Creature said in post id 44044:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 06:49:04 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44015:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2023 04:53:41 GMT, Creature said in post id 43977:

Wild lashes the infected, but failed to tie it up. (8) She huffs. Seeing how easily Boho Bloom did bigger damage. Maybe brute strength is the way to go here. 
Just as she's rearing to charge, she freezes in mid air with a blank expression. She caught the umbra's attention alright, and now is trapped in a nightmare of her own. 

 

On Sun, 09 Jul 2023 23:24:15 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 43954:

On Fri, 07 Jul 2023 00:00:24 GMT, Creature said in post id 43938:

Wildifre had heard stories of the Crystal Empire of old. Not only the Heart desperately needed protection, so did the Princess of this land. Luckily she was already on the edge of the crowd, so she probably wouldn't have too much trouble ducking away and running for the center of the city. She arrived just in time to see Pale buck at a warped. There were two more left to go for the Heart, or Colbalt. Wildfire opened her saddle bag and vines unfurled around her in the embrace of her magic. She attemped to wrap them around the closest warped to the Heart, binding them up, but leaving enough long vine so that she was still holding them in the air by a long string. 

(WIS check passed with a 7.)

Roll a DEX stat check to see if she can snag the closest warped infected! 1-4 misses, 5-8 lashes the infected by doesn't quite bind him, and 9+ successfully wraps him in vines!

The warped smirks to itself as it slowly approaches Wild, eyes glowing in an eerie manner 

(To take another action, simply start your action with a link to an art or writing piece exploring what Mixtus saw in his nightmare illusion.)

 

Wild's Nightmare - Lightning Returns

Coming out of her nightmare invigored, Wildfire attempts a simple fire spell inspired by her dream. A ball of flame forms right above her horn. She nods her head quickly to toss it, aiming straight between the umbra's smokey eyes. 

(Wild rolls a 9 on her WIS check and remains in the fight!)

The smirk falls off the Umbrum's face when rather than appearing downtrodden, the pony it was facing seems to come out of the nightmare invigorated. Hissing its fury, it rears up, and would have prepared a charge had the call for help from a nearby brethren hadn't distracted it. It was true. Three of them were just not going to cut it here.

Turning its attention back to its victim, the Umbrum snarls; no need for words here. The heart shall fall.

Roll DEX to see if Wildfire's aim is true! You're going to have a harder time hitting the umbrum; it's focused on you! Roll a 9+ to hit!

If you do hit, Roll INT for damage! At such close quarters to the Umbrum... anything above 10 will do x10 the damage! Anything 10 and under will do x10/2 the damage!

Wildfire misses, the umbrum dodging easily. She snorts, cursing under her breath "Celestia!" At least this one was locked on to her, and they easily outnumbered the three... Her ear flicks, hearing a nearby umbram bellow. That doesn't seem like a retreat call. 
(7 wis roll, she remains fully coherant!)
She sweeps up her fallen vine with telepathy and aims to bind the umbran in front of her up once again. 

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:17:17 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44047:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:45:19 GMT, Neonsparks said in post id 44040:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:46:34 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 43972:

On Sat, 08 Jul 2023 22:10:28 GMT, Neonsparks said in post id 43947:

boho bloom had been in the heart area trying to cheer up spirits by being creative and decorating the palace. the last thing she expected to run into was a bunch of possessed skeleton creatures. stunned at first she did little to stop them from charging past. however, upon realizing where they were headed she ran after them, hoping she wasn't too late to help the others. As she ran into the fray she aimed to attack with her horns, lowering her head to run into one of the infected. 

WIS rolled a 9 and has dodged the illusions

Roll a DEX Stat Check to see if her charge hits, 1-5 being a miss, 6+ hitting the warped infected! If the hit lands, roll a STR Stat Check to see damage done, your roll x 10=damage.

DEX rolled an 8, and hit lands!
STR rolled a 13, x10 = 130 damage dealt

TalesFromEquestria

The charge unbalances the Umbrum, shoving it away, and it stands up hissing, turning its full attention on Boho. It has noticed the fact his brethren are having a hard time; it has seen at least one take a significant hit, and after turning a particularly spiteful glare at Boho, it raises its head into the air and bellows loudly.

The sound carries through the air, ringing with potency. It's calling for help.

Roll WIS to check for nightmares and figure out what you're going to do next!

Boho rolled an 8!

she's startled by the sudden screaming, taking a step back before gathering her courage to buck at the screaming umbrum. perhaps if she could knock the wind out of it..?

On Thu, 13 Jul 2023 00:13:30 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44046:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 00:30:30 GMT, Velnyx said in post id 44019:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 08:30:22 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44010:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:03:31 GMT, Velnyx said in post id 43973:

Chapter 4: Nightmares

Rime broke out of his illusion with a low snarl, his ears pinned flat as he stared at the Umbrum before him and rushed it. He knew he couldn't do too much damage out of fear of harming Ms. Honeydew, but what choice did he have? With a roar, the changeling stamped his hooves against the crystal floor, ramming his shoulder into the Umbrum in ana attempt to knock it further from the Crystal Heart!

 

(Wis roll: 1, pass)

 

The Umbrum is startled when its prey shatters the nightmare so effectively, but swiftly shakes itself and hisses back at the changeling. He is taken by surprise when the pony stamps his hoof and attempts to ram him.

First do a DEX check to see if you manage to aim correctly and hit. Roll 6 or higher to hit!

After that, roll a STR check to see the outcome of the attack. 1-5, the hit connects, but the force is not enough to push the Umbrum back away, 6-11, Rime manages to push the Umbrum away a relative distance. 12-14, not only does Rime shove the Umbrum away, but it stumbles away, clearly unbalanced.

If the hit was 1-5, roll STR Stat Check for damage= roll x 1. If the hit was 6+, roll a STR Stat Check for damage = roll x 10.

Rime rolls a 6 on his DEX - he hits the Umbrum!

He then rolls an 8 on his STR - he pushes the Umbrum away a relative distance!

He rolls another STR for damage - Roll: 14. Damage result: 140

The Umbrum snarls, but the sound is cut short when the changeling rams into it with all his strength; it is clear from the expression on the creature, that it was not expecting such force to be used against it. It had not braced for impact, and it staggers away, rebalancing quite soon. It took a lot of damage, but it was not out of commission yet. It turns and focuses glowing eues on Rime, attempting to ensare him in nightmares.

There can be no distractions; the heart must fall.

Roll WIS to check for nightmares, and then decide your next move! You have this Umbrum's attention for sure.

Rime rolls a WIS against the Umbrum's ability and rolls a 1 - he is not snared in a nightmare!

The attempt causes Rime to stamp a hoof, the sharp crack of crystal on crystal was followed by the shrill screech of grinding glass as he tensed. Their home would NOT fall. After a moment, the changeling burst forth - the rapid droning of his frayed wings behind him as he rushed in for another hit-

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:09:24 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44045:

On Tue, 11 Jul 2023 23:53:52 GMT, Daffu said in post id 44016:

Abaddon is startled when the infected gallop into sight, the feathers of his wings fluffing up in disagreement with the situation. He turns to face off against the infected, and is inmediately stuck in what he can only guess is a nightmare!

An Umbrum had noticed the pegasus' approach and locked eyes with him, the glow menacing and eerie as it approached.

(To take another action, simply start your action with a link to an art or writing piece exploring what Abbadon saw in his fear illusion.)

Darkness Take You

After a struggle, Abbadon breaks free from the nightmare, wings spreading, pupils on the eyes there pinpricking to focus on a nearby Umbrum. Rather than fight them one on one, he flies into the air, and using the mental calmness he has gained, beats his wings and zooms around, attempting to keep the Umbrum's attention on him. He may not be strong... but if the Warped are distracted, then perhaps those strong can do something to take them down!

He opens his mouth and lets out a loud neigh, hoping that and his zooming around will be a worthwhile distraction.

He also rolls a 1, and breaks free from all illusions. For now.

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:07:54 GMT, Creature said in post id 44055:

Wildfire misses, the umbrum dodging easily. She snorts, cursing under her breath "Celestia!" At least this one was locked on to her, and they easily outnumbered the three... Her ear flicks, hearing a nearby umbram bellow. That doesn't seem like a retreat call. 
(7 wis roll, she remains fully coherant!)
She sweeps up her fallen vine with telepathy and aims to bind the umbran in front of her up once again. 

The smirk is back on the Umbrum's face when it manages to side step the ball of fire, its eyes fixed on Wildfire.

Persistence is futile. We shall be free. We are many, eternal, ravaging like fear, persistent like hunger. You will tire... and we... do not.

The words ring through Wildfire's skull, but perhaps the fact the Umbrum is so intent on her means that it misses the way the vines are moving in the vicinity!
Roll INT to see if Wildfire manages to carry out the plan! 1-7, the vines reach the Umbrum, but all it does is destabilize it, rather than grab it, and breaks the connection with Wildfire fully, its eyes lowering down to the vines. 8-14 The vines manage to distract him fully, tying him for enough time to perhaps get a sneaky attack in!! 15-17 The Umbrum is fully inmobilized on the floor!

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:08:39 GMT, Neonsparks said in post id 44056:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 21:17:17 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44047:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:45:19 GMT, Neonsparks said in post id 44040:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:46:34 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 43972:

On Sat, 08 Jul 2023 22:10:28 GMT, Neonsparks said in post id 43947:

boho bloom had been in the heart area trying to cheer up spirits by being creative and decorating the palace. the last thing she expected to run into was a bunch of possessed skeleton creatures. stunned at first she did little to stop them from charging past. however, upon realizing where they were headed she ran after them, hoping she wasn't too late to help the others. As she ran into the fray she aimed to attack with her horns, lowering her head to run into one of the infected. 

WIS rolled a 9 and has dodged the illusions

Roll a DEX Stat Check to see if her charge hits, 1-5 being a miss, 6+ hitting the warped infected! If the hit lands, roll a STR Stat Check to see damage done, your roll x 10=damage.

DEX rolled an 8, and hit lands!
STR rolled a 13, x10 = 130 damage dealt

TalesFromEquestria

The charge unbalances the Umbrum, shoving it away, and it stands up hissing, turning its full attention on Boho. It has noticed the fact his brethren are having a hard time; it has seen at least one take a significant hit, and after turning a particularly spiteful glare at Boho, it raises its head into the air and bellows loudly.

The sound carries through the air, ringing with potency. It's calling for help.

Roll WIS to check for nightmares and figure out what you're going to do next!

Boho rolled an 8!

she's startled by the sudden screaming, taking a step back before gathering her courage to buck at the screaming umbrum. perhaps if she could knock the wind out of it..?

The Umbrum is indeed quite distracted, and while it will be easy to hit... the damage is done. The bellow has been acknowledged and heard at this point.
Roll STR to see the outcome of the attack!
1-7 you hit it, but it's not enough to stop its bellow; the Umbrum staggers back a bit! x1 damage
8-12 you land a solid hit! It stops bellowing and coughs, x10 damage!
13-14 Not only do you land a solid hit, but the Umbrum falls to the ground coughing! x10 damage

Remember your WIS save for nightmares due to contact with the Umbrum!

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:11:25 GMT, Velnyx said in post id 44057:

On Thu, 13 Jul 2023 00:13:30 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44046:

 

The Umbrum snarls, but the sound is cut short when the changeling rams into it with all his strength; it is clear from the expression on the creature, that it was not expecting such force to be used against it. It had not braced for impact, and it staggers away, rebalancing quite soon. It took a lot of damage, but it was not out of commission yet. It turns and focuses glowing eues on Rime, attempting to ensare him in nightmares.

There can be no distractions; the heart must fall.

Roll WIS to check for nightmares, and then decide your next move! You have this Umbrum's attention for sure.

Rime rolls a WIS against the Umbrum's ability and rolls a 1 - he is not snared in a nightmare!

The attempt causes Rime to stamp a hoof, the sharp crack of crystal on crystal was followed by the shrill screech of grinding glass as he tensed. Their home would NOT fall. After a moment, the changeling burst forth - the rapid droning of his frayed wings behind him as he rushed in for another hit-

Even though the Umbrum does not manage to ensnare Rime, it does not look at all deterred for some reason. It advances menacingly, mouth open wide, as if screaming silently, albeit no sound comes through.

It notices the changeling charging and narrows its eyes as it figures out what to do.

Dex roll 1-5, you miss the Umbrum as it sidesteps you! 6-10 you hit the Umbrum, but it was bracing against you! It takes x1 damage. 11-14 You hit if with all your strength, and it takes full damage heads on (x10 damage)

Remember to roll nightmare again, having come in full contact with the Umbrum!

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 05:47:02 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44014:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2023 02:02:20 GMT, Bakinaage said in post id 43976:

On Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:44:40 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 43971:

On Fri, 07 Jul 2023 04:19:00 GMT, Bakinaage said in post id 43942:

Mixtus was very confused by whatever was suddenly happening. One moment he'd been hiding under a picnic table, quietly crying about his inevitable crystelline doom, and the next moment everyone was screaming. He stepped out from his hiding spot, saw the warped infected for himself, and immediately fled in terror. Running in blind panic after the nearest group of ponies, he unknowingly joined in with those hurrying to defend the Crystal Heart. He screamed and flailed, kicking and horn-poking at any monsters that got too close, as he tried desperately to keep up with the others.

 

Mixtus rolled a 4, and is now freaking out for a new reason.

A warped infected snarled at Mixtus as he ran by, barely dodging the stallion's chaotic energy. The glower she sent Mixtus's direction swirled into the smokey tendrals of her face and sent him spiraling into a nightmare illusion! 

(To take another action, simply start your action with a link to an art or writing piece exploring what Mixtus saw in his nightmare illusion.)

https://www.paperdemon.com/app/art/view/59295

Shaking off his nightmare, Mixtus frantically looked around for the other ponies. Considering how long the illusion had felt, he was surprised that he could still see them up ahead. Unfortunately, he could also see plenty of Umbrum thingies around, so he got right back to fleeing. This time, he allowed himself only a brief shriek and a couple of whimpers as he galloped for his life. Even in his panicked state, he recognized that if he wanted to catch up to the others, he would need to actually breathe.

The fear is palpable, and poor Mixtus is so stressed he will need to roll a WIS to see if he trips over his own feet! 4 or higher to pass, if he doesn't, he trips, and though he doesn't take any damage, it'll set him back on his goal to catch the others!

Mixtus rolled a 4! As he scrambled fearfully to what he hoped was safety, he misstepped slightly and kicked his own hoof. He recovered, thankfully, and managed to keep running uninterrupted. It was clear by now that everyone was headed toward the location of the Crystal Heart, and this realization slowed him down slightly. Why would they want to run closer to the very thing the ghost monsters were after!? He understood that the chamber seemed pretty defendable, but what good was that if it was also the target of every single skull creature? It felt a bit like certain doom to him, and he glanced nervously around for better options.

Instead he saw Umbrum. Lots of them, in all directions, many of which were closer than he would like. In light of this fact, he decided not to change his course after all. Perhaps the ponies surrounding the Heart had some kind of plan. Why would they be here, fighting horrible monsters, if they didn't know what they were doing?

On Thu, 13 Jul 2023 03:16:59 GMT, Daffu said in post id 44064:

On Wed, 12 Jul 2023 15:09:24 GMT, TalesFromEquestria said in post id 44045:

On Tue, 11 Jul 2023 23:53:52 GMT, Daffu said in post id 44016:

Abaddon is startled when the infected gallop into sight, the feathers of his wings fluffing up in disagreement with the situation. He turns to face off against the infected, and is inmediately stuck in what he can only guess is a nightmare!

An Umbrum had noticed the pegasus' approach and locked eyes with him, the glow menacing and eerie as it approached.

(To take another action, simply start your action with a link to an art or writing piece exploring what Abbadon saw in his fear illusion.)

Darkness Take You

After a struggle, Abbadon breaks free from the nightmare, wings spreading, pupils on the eyes there pinpricking to focus on a nearby Umbrum. Rather than fight them one on one, he flies into the air, and using the mental calmness he has gained, beats his wings and zooms around, attempting to keep the Umbrum's attention on him. He may not be strong... but if the Warped are distracted, then perhaps those strong can do something to take them down!

He opens his mouth and lets out a loud neigh, hoping that and his zooming around will be a worthwhile distraction.

He also rolls a 1, and breaks free from all illusions. For now.

Roll a CHA Stat Check to see if his antics can draw enough attention! 1-3 They all ignore him, 4-7 one is distracted until hit, 8+ two are distracted until hit. It seems he doesn't quite have the skill to get ALL of their attention...