#cat's grace

[the-art-block]

Prompt #9 for #Vamptober: Newly Found Power

Our Coterie's Brujah spending time with their Sire, exploring the new heights of their grace and balance in an extremely dodgy way

[carnage-vrp]

cat's grace

Gain a balance and grace surpassing world-class trapeze artists. Walk and even run across ledges/wires effortlessly, automatically passing any Dex or Athletics roll to keep balance.

Dice: None (Free)

[somaticguide]

Cat’s Grace

Transmutation Level:Brd 2, Drd 2, Rgr 2, Sor/Wiz 2 Components:V, S, M Casting Time:1 standard action Range:Touch Target:Creature touched Duration:1 min./level Saving Throw:Will negates (harmless) Spell Resistance:Yes

The transmuted creature becomes more graceful, agile, and coordinated. The spell grants a +4 enhancement bonus to Dexterity, adding the usual benefits to AC, Reflex saves, and other uses of the Dexterity modifier.

Somatic Component:

[scribetiloa]

Defend

The alarm bells had a tendency to sound at dreadfully inconvenient moments. This time had been no different, but the bells were late. The raiders were well into the city before the bells rang, which made things exceptionally difficult when the scribe had spotted a few of them running straight for them as they stepped out of the library. Not far from the library was one of the most important buildings in Kothbyrn, the bank. That was likely their target. The scribe and Tegan, as well as a few apprentices, were directly in the path of the raiders, and Tegan’s attire was… This would not be good.

"Bajir, Mal!" She knew her nephew, and the other apprentice. She knew what they could do and trusted they would know precisely what to do. The spells went off almost simultaneously, the two young men each tapping one of her shoulders. She felt herself grow stronger, and more lithe all at once. Malageth then drew his sword and took a defensive stance beside Tegan.

"Stay close to me, Tegan."

"Looks like the scribes are getting clever." One of the bandits chuckled, pulling a greataxe from his back. "Shall I cut the woman down?"

"If she gets in the way, yes."

"Check out the slut with the green hair. She ought to fetch a decent price."

"Or make a good bedwarmer. Try not to kill that one." The other bandits drew swords. Tiloa slid a pair of daggers out of her sleeves. Bajir drew a wand from his sleeve and tapped Tiloa with it. She faded from view.

"Take out the—GCKHH!" The man’s throat erupted in a violent spray of crimson before he could finish the sentence and he was on the ground moments later. The three remaining bandits turned, awestruck. The man with the greataxe swung violently but met only empty air.

"It must be the woman!"

"Where in the nine hells did she go?"

"FIND HER YOU— AGCHK!" Four wounds opened on his chest as though someone grabbed him from behind and stabbed repeatedly, spilling blood and gore onto the cobbles below. The now two remaining bandits swung at the place their compatriot had once stood, and once again met empty air. The man with the sword roared in pain and then gurgled into silence, two wounds opening on his side, one in his kidney, and the last in his throat. The greataxe swung again and this time found purchase.

"Ahh!" Tiloa yelped as the blade sliced into her side, but she still had momentum, and advantage. She had to keep moving, she knew that much. Great tearing wounds formed on the axe-wielding bandit’s torso, but he did not go down. Instead, he worked himself into a great frothing rage and swung wildly at where he thought the attacks were coming from. He found nothing, and then a glancing blow. Another set of four wounds burst open, and still the raging man would not go down. Still he swung, and found nothing.

Then the underside of his arm opened up, the brachial artery, and at last, he dropped the weapon and slowly crumpled to the cobblestones. The alarm bells stopped sounding as the city guards came running up the street toward the bloody scene. Malageth sheathed his sword and wrapped one arm protectively around Tegan.

Tiloa slowly faded back into view, making her way carefully toward the crowd in front of the library. She was limping slightly, and her daggers were covered in blood, her garments stained and sliced open where the axe had found purchase.

"My lady?" Bajir moved forward to steady her and she gratefully leaned upon the apprentice.

"I’ll be alright, Bajir. It’s not as bad as it looks… Slowly now, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt." She looked toward Tegan then, smiling, though she knew the girl couldn’t see it. "Come, the Temple is not far, and it will not take long to heal these wounds. Besides, I’m sure you’ll be curious to learn about the Gods who watch over this world."