Lich already does this via infomon, which updates GameObj.npc when the target is dead, either by a) Simu sending XML stating it's dead, or b) lich seeing a number of death messages on the critter, which vary by critter and attack.
from infomon.lic
fix_gameobj_status = proc { |server_string|
# false positive: shudders with sporadic convulsions as pearlescent ripples envelop .*? body
if server_string =~ /^(?:The fire in the|With a surprised grunt, the|A sudden blue fire bursts over the hair of a|You hear a sound like a weeping child as a white glow separates itself from the|A low gurgling sound comes from deep within the chest of the|The|A) (?:<pushBold\/>)?<a.*?exist=["'](\-?[0-9]+)["'].*?>.*?<\/a>(?:<popBold\/>)?(?:'s)? (?:body as it rises, disappearing into the heavens|falls to the ground and dies|falls back into a heap and dies|body goes rigid and collapses to the ground, dead|body goes rigid and collapses to the floor, dead|slowly settles to the ground and begins to dissipate|falls to the ground motionless|body goes rigid and <pushBold\/><a.*?>\w+<\/a><popBold\/> eyes roll back into <pushBold\/><a.*?>\w+<\/a><popBold\/> head as <pushBold\/><a.*?>\w+<\/a><popBold\/> dies|growls one last time, and crumples to the ground in a heap|spins backwards and collapses dead|falls to the ground as the stillness of death overtakes <pushBold\/><a.*?>(?:him|her|it)<\/a><popBold\/>|crumples to the ground motionless|howls in agony one last time and dies|howls in agony while falling to the ground motionless|moans pitifully as <pushBold\/><a.*?>(?:he|she|it)<\/a><popBold\/> is released|careens to the ground and crumples in a heap|hisses one last time and dies|flutters its wings one last time and dies|slumps to the ground with a final snarl|horn dims as (?:his|her) lifeforce fades away|blinks in astonishment, then collapses in a motionless heap|collapses in a heap, its huge girth shaking the floor around it|goes limp and .*? falls over as the fire slowly fades from .*? eyes|eyes slowly fades|sputters violently, cascading flames all around as .*? collapses in a final fiery display|falls to the ground in a clattering, motionless heap|goes limp and .*? falls over as the fire slowly fades from .*? eyes|collapses to the ground and shudders once before finally going still|crumbles into a pile of rubble|shudders once before .*? finally goes still|as .*? falls slack against the ground|totters for a moment and then falls to the ground like a pillar, breaking into pieces that fly out in every direction|collapses into a pile of rubble|rumbles in agony as .*? teeters for a moment, then falls directly at you|twists and coils violently in .*? death throes, finally going still|twitches one final time before falling still upon the floor|, consuming .*? form in the space of a breath|screams one last time and dies|breathes .*? last gasp and dies|rolls over and dies|as .*? falls slack against the floor|collapses to the ground, emits a final squeal, and dies|cries out in pain one last time and dies|crumples to a heap on the ground and dies|collapses to the ground, emits a final sigh, and dies|crumples to the ground and dies|lets out a final caterwaul and dies|screams evilly one last time and goes still|gurgles eerily and collapses into a puddle of water|shudders, then topples to the ground|shudders one last time before lying still|violently for a moment, then goes still|grumbles in pain one last time before lying still|rumbles in agony and goes still|falls to the ground dead|collapses to the ground, emits a final bleat, and dies)[\.!]\r?\n?$/
npc_id = $1
if npc = GameObj.npcs.find { |obj| obj.id == npc_id }
npc.status = 'dead'
end
elsif server_string =~ /^A calm washes over <pushBold\/>(?:a|an|the) <a exist="(.*?)" noun=".*?">.*?<\/a><popBold\/>\.\r?\n?$/
npc_id = $1
if npc = GameObj.npcs.find { |obj| obj.id == npc_id }
npc.status = 'calm'
end
end
server_string
}
For your script I'd try some logic like:
[Note: this is logic, pseudo-code, not Ruby]
if I_swung && target.status == 'dead' and it_flared = "true" then: #it flared on this swing, so it's a valid datapoint
swings +=1
flares += 1
elsif I_swung && target.status == 'dead' and it_flared = 'false' then: #it died before flare could have activated
do stuff
elsif blahblah.