<em>Aron and Aten's attacks were crescendoed by a cascade of furious words that spat like acid towards one of the bandits however Vin's magic was cut short as a magical band wraps around her mouth and a small ball braced against her teeth, essentially gagging poor Vin. The brand upon her neck had flared up and when she tried to remove the gag with her fingers her hands were pulled back by an unseen force and wrenched hard behind her back. Bands of energy hold her wrists in place which had the added effect of making her tits bounce in her vain struggles. Finally a horrendous spike of agony shoots through the small of her back forcing her down on one knee as she screamed in both frustration and pain through her gag. <br/><br/>It was but an instant of bondage and masochism but it was enough to break her spell. She staggered back up to her feet shaken but otherwise fine. Yet this doesn't deter the rebellious spirit of Vin. Her words of encouragement to Matsumi however do ring true and help to inspire the young rogue. The two bandits atop the plateau decide it was best to take the better part of valor and help their fallen leader pulling him away and out of the line of sight of all involved. Especially after they were injured. There was trouble afoot and the boss would need to know. But a parting gift flies forward from the last of the two bandits atop with an intense velocity. The wind catches the projectile just right and sinks deep into the priestess' left leg that had injured the mage (dealing 10 damage to Elerra). It was remarkable that she didn't lose her spell from the pain but she had endured much worse on a spiritual level. <br/><br/>It was at this point that Elerra's necrotic magic shoots through one of the bandits upon the bridge since her target was essentially gone. The fortitude of the mages followers left something to be desired as the magic takes hold of the bandit attacking Aten and he began to entropy on the spot before the priests eyes. The horror etched onto his dying face was one that could shake the morale of many a man to the core... So when the bandit that tried to attack Riete did so, his swing was utterly wide and pathetically missed the mark sinking into one of the wooden planks of the bridge. A look of solid fright dawns on him as he realized his sword is stuck.<br/><br/>The sudden loosing of another arrow rings out and then sinks into a nearby tree as Masumi tried to fend off his encroaching attacker to no avail. He pursued him with gusto and took a swing at him but Matsumi again dodged the attack. The moment the remaining bandit on the bridge saw the danger his partner was in he took aim with his weapon and let loose another steel tipped shaft. It streaks straight towards Aten since the line of sight prevented him from attacking anyone else other that Riete whom was locked in combat with his friend. It bounced off his armor and sailed harmlessly into the rivers below. Riete had an opening but the bandit proved far too nimble for her to hit and the bridge shook which upset her swing.<br/><br/>The other two bandits had turned now realizing that there was another foe down here. One of them turned their attention to the rebellious Vin and approached her. <strong>"You, vile bitch! Heal our mage with your healing magic!"</strong> The other bandit turned to look at Matsui and fired, the arrow came screaming for his chest. This time however Matsumi was not so fortunate as the arrow clipped him in his right shoulder making him flinch as a red welt of blood stained his armor (dealing 4 damage to Matsumi). Fierce sword fighting, sorcery and archery from the party slowly starts to turn the tide of the battle.<br/><br/></em><hr/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Proof of a unmodified Critical Strike</div><div class="spoiler_body">At 2019-12-16 13:37:20, Laughing Hyena (uid: 10552) rolls: 1d20 Result: 20 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=142349)<br/>At 2019-12-16 13:45:42, Laughing Hyena (uid: 10552) rolls: 2d8 Result: 9 (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=142352)</div></div><br/><hr/><br/>-Initiative Order-<br/><br/>Round 3<br/><br/>Empress: 21<br/>Aron: 17<br/>Vin: 15<br/>Aten: 14<br/>Elerra: 13<br/>Bandit B: 13<br/>Masumi: 12<br/>Bandit Pair C: 12<br/>Riete: 8<br/>Bandit Pair D: 8