A few things from Am'Shere
Log Info
- Title: A few things from Am'Shere
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Tenoc, Seyardu, Skielstregar, Boaz
- Place: Am'shere
- Time: Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 6:08 PM
- Summary: A certain Nest-Mother-to-be in Mictlan has a list of things she'd like from Am'shere, and asks friends and family to go get them. Yet, how do mangos, stranglervines and bearded moss help? Oh well, it's what she asked for. It's Cryosanthia, Cryosanthia asked her clutch-mate Boaz, her egg-sire Tenoc, and her friends Skielstregar and Seyardu to cross the portal into Am'shere and pick up these things. She warns them, it is dangerous on the other side, but how could they forget. Once there, a Shaman is very interestedin Skielstregar and occupies him, while the others venture into the jungle to get mangos. They are immediately attacked by mango-eaters, small, velociraptor like lizards that hang around mango trees. Battle ensues, and Skielstregar rushes in as the mango eaters seem to want to surround his clutch-mate, Seyardu. The little lizards are slain by the big lizards, and mangos are gathered. Next, they are to harvest some stanglervines and bearded moss, and decide to use the dead lizards as bait and throw them into the thick of things. The tree attempts to pacify them with poison, affecting only Boaz, and Skielstregar is yanked up into the air by the tree, and almost strangled. A lot of attacks land, cutting vines and moss, and that seems enough. They are gathered before the botfly swarms notice them, and they head back. Once the potentially invasive species are checked, they meet up with Cryo who is happy they were successful. They don't tell her how long the search for mangos took. It took a while.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, gravid, white-scaled lizard woman. Skielstregar 7'2" 330 Lb Sith-Makar Male A tarnished bronze scale with fangs and empty eyes. Tenoc 7'0" 280 Lb Sith-Makar Male Tall, green-scaled Sith'Makar hunter. Seyardu 5'6" 150 Lb Sith-Makar Female A friendly silver sith-makar with a perpetual squint. Boaz 7'0" 292 Lb Sith-Makar Male Golden Sith with silver arm and bronze leg. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, gravid, white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
Am'shere.
A wave of heat and humidity hits upon emerging from the portal. Even with the magically adjusted climate of Mictlan being very similar, it's still a shock, like diving into a cold pool of water. Except warm, loud with the buzzing of insects, with the sun searing down through the canopy. In open spaces, such as the exit to the portal, the heat is unrelenting. It will be cooler in the shade. And much more dangerous.
The Shaman-caste wave for the travelers to clear. As the visitors are sith'makar, they spare an orientation warning. They should know.
Cryosanthia had given a warning. Back in Mictlan, the whitescale is preparing to nest. "So, Tenoc, this one was hoping you could get me a few things from Am'shere. Mangoes, and some strangler vine, and the bearded moss that hangs off the strangler vine tree. Those make the best nest-bed materials."
"This one was also hoping you could help, and make sure everyone comes back ok, Seyardu, and Skielstregar." She is still keeping her nose covered, and meeting away from the other mothers, "You've all been in Am'shere a lot more recently than this one, and..." she rocks on her heels slightly, "I know I should get the things myself, but I'd really appreciate if you harvested them. You shouldn't have to go too far from the gate to find something. Just remember to watch out for big bugs and little terrible lizards."
Skielstregar made a promise to a certain whitescale that if she needed anything. *Anything*. To just reach out to him. He shifts a bit uncomfortably, however, at the prospect of venturing back to Am'shere. Home. He keeps his distance from Crysoanthia as he asks for his aid, respectfully, and he gives a firm nod, and a armored tailthump. "This one will do it!" he declares. "Though, they have not been in Am'shere in... a long, long time. But they will do their best!"
But! He was here with someone he trusted. So despite him looking like the very thing that was abhorrent to all sith-makar, he was confident he could help.
Then there's Tenoc. Skielstregar, a Fogotten-esque makari warrior, weakly rubs at his neck, his scents nothing but dread and decay. "... this one will do their best..." he mumbles to himself as they step into heat and humidity.
"Of course," was Tenoc's answer, a rumble to add to tail's thump. Though it is rarely troublesome, too much time in the Cold Lands of Alexandria l;eaves one feeling... sluggish. Out of step. But to return to Am'shere, to listen to the thrum of insects and buzzing life and to breathe the heat and humid thickness of the air--
Tenoc breathes deep, once and twice and a third time. Like home. Like treasured bliss. Like memories half-lost, flooding in like a returning river.
Then the scents of dread and decay reach his nostrils anew, and the green-scaled Hunter rumbles, chuffing as he steps alongside Skiel. "This one will help," he affirms, tail thumping in quiet affirmation. "This place is far from... old village home. But near enough to remember. Sights, scents- good things."
Seyardu was close enough at hand that a request for aid was heard quickly and answered just as quickly, and finding Skielstregar was there was a bit of a surprise. But she listened, and smiles, before she joins the group heading for the portal and out it. It had been some time since she returned.
"This one told you that Cryosanthia would be fine with speaking to you." She states once they are through the portal. "It has been some time, not that long, but it is nice to be back here. Dangerous, perhaps, but we will be fine, this one will watch out for us."
Boaz quickly agrees to the fetching of things for the mother to be. There is no question that he will go. Cryosanthia is his 'sister' as the softskins say. Cousin.. sister.. it maters not. She is kin and she has asked.
"Of course this one will go." He flexes his mechanical arm and hand and then rolls the shoulder it's attached too. "AS much as this one can gather."
Behind the sith'makar visitors, the portal ripples like a sinkhole pond turned on its side. It's surface ripples with watery energy, its depths murky. Sunlight from the other side barely makes it through to silhouette everyone.
The Shaman-Caste finish their examinations, with detect magic, detect poison and detect diseases. The group is waved through.
The jungle encroaches. Directly in front of the portal is a cleared area, where caravans group up for their travel through the gap, or prepare to traverse the jungle. Wagons are impossible, so large, docile dinosaurs are loaded up with goods in nets. They keep the ground packed solid, and nibble any growth that starts.
Outside of the staging area, Hunter-Caste, or perhaps Warrior-Caste, watch the jungle and beat it back. They stand with the traditional weapons, the Tepoztopilli, which provide a bit of reach and a sharp edge for the vines and whatever comes out of the jungle.
One of the Shaman-caste says, "Hour that way. Issss. Overnight village," and points down the trail. She gestures past the guards, "Minutesss... that way. Dangersss. Peace. On your nesstsss." <draconic>
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Survival DC15 to find the things asked for: Mangoes, strangler vine, bearded moss" GAME: Boaz rolls survival: (6)+6: 12= GAME: Skielstregar rolls survival: (5)+7: 12 GAME: Tenoc rolls Survival: (1)+12: 13 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Seyardu rolls survival: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Tenoc says, "We will just take forever. AND NEVER TELL CRYO ABOUT THIS. Ever."
Skielstregar stands beside Seyardu as they prepare themselves. Being back was... odd. And it set a sort of unease in him. He grips tightly to his halberd. A bowing nod is offered to the Shaman. "Thank you. Peace on your nest," he rumbles to them.
He strides out to the center of the clearing. Looks around. Then gets to foraging.
Later, he mentions off handedly to Seyardu, him beyond embarrassed. "... erm... what does a mango look like again...?"
Boaz would shiver if he were a softskin. The humid warmth of home chases away the shill of where they were and feels wonderful upon the scales. He rubs at his good arm and makes a pleased rumble. "To be home is good. Not good for arm and leg but good for the soul."
He moves along with the others, too wrapped up in taking in the scents and sounds to do much looking.
Tenoc knows completely what mango look like! Other plants, however---
The greenscale grimaces. Far too many 'fond' memories of Old Sharptooth smacking upside the head with sticks. And fond tidbits of wisdom. 'No! That is not Toothvine! That is razorwhip! You tell when one tries to eat you by coiling around; the other snaps at you like fangy maw!'
Tenoc chuffs. Eyes a nearby stick ominously. Glance around. Absently pick up.... whip along side of leg, just... in case. helpful?
"Peace on your nest, Shaman, and thank you for your directions." the cleric responds, before she is out on her way with everyone else. Seyardu was there to keep everyone safe. She was not there to search for ingredients. This does not stop her from trying, at least a bit. But her actions may have caused the others to spend too much time keeping them out of harm's way. She was certain that she had found strangler vine, but was quickly shoved away before she gathered handfuls of Am'shere choking ivy.
"A mango, it is, round, and, very fragrant. But there are so many fruits that look like it." Seyardu explains, and sighs. "They are all so very gray."
"Mangoes, thiss large. Round. Flat." One of the warriors at the edge hisses. He points into the jungle. "Tree. Twenty paces. Very popular." <draconic>
Seyardu says, "the difference between strangler vine and choking ivy is one causes mild paralysis and oxygen deprivation when inhaled"
There are cries of animals and insect noises all around, and the sounds of things moving around in the foliage, just out of sight.
Skielstregar gulps, his embarrassment threefolds as someone else answers his inexperience. Or... a forgotten memory... "Ah, yes, of course, thank you," he murmurs, making his way over there.
One of the gate shamans approaches Skielstregar, "You are. Forgotten. With memoriesss? Thiss one would examine." A simple enough request, that pulls the warrior aside for a moment. <draconic>
Tenoc grims stoically. Scales slicking down. Hiding hot embarrassment-- having learned so much of Alexadria-style plants to forget his own in the process!
He tosses the stick away with a growl, a snort, not-quite stomping over towards the pointed-out tree with a rueful, toothy grin.
"This one totally knew that," he says weakly, tail lashing. Grrph! He spares a glance as Skielstregar is pulled aside... Rumbling more subduedly as he sighs. Collection-- focus!
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+5: (14)+4+5: 23 (Mango-Eater Stealth) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "roll perceptions, vs DC 23" GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (7)+5: 12 GAME: Tenoc rolls Perception: (7)+12: 19 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "1 tenoc 2 seyardu 3 boaz" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (3): 3
Skielstregar blinks. "Uhh... yes, this one... is, um. But also isn't? This one will try to clear the air..." he murmurs, following. But not before squeezing Seyardu's shoulder and giving her a brief side hug. "Be safe."
He leaves for a moment.
"He is not forgotten." Seyardu states flatly. "But he can speak if he wishes to you. I will be fine, now that we know where the tree is. As long as there is not fruit growing on the tree mixed with the mangoes, it will be okay."
The silver makari gives Skielstregar a hug before continuing onwards.
So she follows in the direction mentioned with the others, a bit more hopeful with a clear area to search.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, there is a surprise attack on Boaz, and then the inits go" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (9)+6: 15 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8
The jungle is tight and dense. It is immediately cooler once under the canopy. Movement is difficult, the ground is soft, in places more roots and vines over muddy water which threaten to give way. Spines and hanging foliage slide over scales.
Softskins might be injured just for showing up.
Twenty paces in the ground gets firmer. There is a sweet smell in the air, one of fermenting mangoes. Several lie scattered about a tree, fallen and over-ripe, clearly chewed. Others remain on the branches, green.
'Raaawwk!' A small, raptor-like lizard leaps out of the foliage and claws at Boaz. It doesn't plan to share its tree. It is small and its claws slide off his burnished golden scales.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+5: (3)+4+5: 12 (ME 2 - Stealth) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+5: (20)+4+5: 29 (ME 3 - Stealth) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+4+5: (12)+4+5: 21 (ME 4 - Stealth) <OOC> Tenoc says, "Move towards #1!" GAME: Tenoc rolls attack: (7)+2+11: 18 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+6+1: (6)+6+1: 13 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (19)+6: 25 (ME 1 AOO on Tenoc) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Mango Eater damaged Tenoc for 4 points. 75 HP remaining.
Tenoc missed the mango fruit at first, lost among those leaves. Thick foliage--
Sudden scent. Warning. Danger!
"Beware!" the Hunter snarls out, lunging through the grasping terrain as the lizard creatures make themselves know. Snarl, hiss--- Makar and lizard creature meet with a sudden, rending violence. Tepoztopilli slashes with a surge of hot blood; the creature responds in its own way, claws raking as it takes its own eager first strike. No mango juices here-- only the coppery savagery of spilt blood! "Beware!"
<OOC> Seyardu says, "I'll move to 24,19, and blessing of fervor"
It seemed that something had been eating at the tree recently, she hoped that there would still be some left, but there was little time to dwell on the matter. Several lizards leap and strike at them.
"Celestial Mother, guard us from harm." she prays, bestowing the small group with a fraction of divine alacrity. "Take care! There may be others, stay close!"
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "1 attacks Boaz, 2 jumps at Sey and attacks, 3 & 4 appear, and attack.." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (2): 2 (attacks Seyardu) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d3: (2): 2 (attacks Seyardu) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (3)+6: 9 (ME 1 on Boaz Bite) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (2)+6: 8 (ME 1 on Boaz Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11 (ME 1 on Boaz Claw)
The first mango-eater hisses at Boaz, lashing it's tail and jumping at him again. A snap! A swish, another swish! It's eager but its little claws slide over his scales.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (7)+6+2: 15 (ME 2 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (5)+6+2: 13 (ME 2 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (4)+6+2: 12 (ME 3 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (6)+6+2: 14 (ME 3 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (3)+6+2: 11 (ME 4 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (14)+6+2: 22 (ME 4 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2 GAME: Mango Eater 4 damaged Seyardu for 2 points. 83 HP remaining.
Their vision is clearly attracted to movement. As the silverscale retreats into the foliage, there is a small cacophony of hissing.
Suddenly! Pounce! Pounce! Pounce!
She sees three sets of toe-talons coming for her face as the little lizards spring out of nowhere. Despite their frantic scrabbling, only one draws blood, and then not very much.
<OOC> Boaz says, "rage and attack" GAME: Boaz rolls 1d20+6: (5)+6: 11 GAME: Boaz rolls 1d20+6: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Boaz rolls 1d6+4: (3)+4: 7
Boaz is under attack.. no. They are all under attack. His thoughts clash for a moment as claws rake over the scale mail he wears. His blood pumps hard enough to hear in his ears. And it's an easy thing to let the rage flood into his blood. Awaken the dragon.
He roars as his golden scales brighten, claws emerging from his real and fake hands and they lash out in two quick strikes at the attacking lizard. "Claw? CLAW?! I'll show you claws!" The first misses in his rage and haste. The second lands first and draws blood as his tail swishes back and forth. He hunkers down with a growl.
<OOC> Tenoc grrr! "Full attack, #1 again. Must stop!" GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+7: (8)+7: 15 GAME: Tenoc rolls 2d10+14: (18)+14: 32 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "oooo. totally destroys it, make the pose."
Without the element of surprise on their side, Tenoc's assault is much more effective. Longspear slashing at the beast, the first draw a brutal, bloody arc through the creatuyre's scaled body; the second is a lunge, piercing straight through.
Tenoc arcs his spears through the air in a broad semicircle, tossing the dying creature away before sharp eyes glance about, searching for the next enemy to slay. Protect the others. Protect! Rarr!
<OOC> Seyardu says, "Well, I can't 5 foot step, so I guess I'll just pull the good old heavy mace out of my bag and smack them" <OOC> Seyardu says, "blessing of fervor extra attack, power attack" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+8-2: (15)+8+-2: 21 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+8-2: (13)+8+-2: 19 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+3-2: (20)+3+-2: 21 (THREAT) GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+3-2: (11)+3+-2: 12 (Not Confirmed) GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+4+2: (1)+4+2: 7 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+4+2: (1)+4+2: 7 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+4+2: (6)+4+2: 12
Seyardu, taking a step back to strike, instead finds herself surrounded by several raptors. Unable to maneuver easily through the undergrowth, she pulls out her old mace from her bag, and brings it down on the raptor in front of her, striking it soundly on the head, and batting it out of the way. She growls at the other two, preparing to strike while they attempt to tear at her legs.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "they attack Seyardu, with flanking +2" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (6)+6+2: 14 (ME 3 on Seyardu Bite) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (11)+6+2: 19 (ME 3 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (2)+6+2: 10 (ME 3 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (19)+6+2: 27 (ME 4 on Seyardu Bite) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (9)+6+2: 17 (ME 4 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6+2: (10)+6+2: 18 (ME 4 on Seyardu Claw) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+1: (4)+1: 5 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d4+1: (2)+1: 3 GAME: Mango eaters damaged Seyardu for 8 points. 75 HP remaining.
One of the mango-eaters is maced to death, a messy and unpleasant experience. The other two leap at Seyardu again, flailing with toe-claws, snapping with their jaws. One hits with a foot, the other bites and draws blood.
Small injuries.
<OOC> Boaz says, "difficult tera.. will use the move speed boost from BoF and move to the flank position fo 4." <OOC> Boaz says, " Will tak the AoO to get there. Then a single claw attack." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+6: (8)+6: 14 (AOO on Boaz) GAME: Boaz rolls 1d20+6+2: (4)+6+2: 12
The lizard in front of him explodes into blood and gore as Tenoc finishes it off. Boaz's blood still fills his thoughts with the desire for more. More blood. More!
He spins and with the power of Seyardu's divine magics, moves through the thick jungle without a problem. His path draws near the foe farthest from where he started. He pants, drooling and cuffing a laugh as he skids out of control. His claws going into the ground rather then his foe. But he's there now and threatening the oversized critter.
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "I'll take the speed and flank 3 with sey" <OOC> Skielstregar says, "then bop, trying really hard to not let loose" <OOC> Skielstregar says, "PA, penalty negated due to furious focus" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon13+2: (17)+7+2: 26 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage13+3: aliased to 1d10+4+3: (6)+4+3: 13
"No, this one has their wits about them."
"Yes, this one eats food like normal."
"No, this one-" Pause. "This one mus-" Pause. "Really, this one needs to go-" More talking. "RESPECTFULLY SHAMAN, THIS ONE HAS MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO!"
Cutting through the underbrush and popping out is Skielstregar, his dead eyes are wide as he's whipping his head around. He gasps, then suddenly snarls, gripping the halberd tight with both hands, and he jabs it forward spear point first. "This one is here!" he declares to Seyardu, incredibly focused on the task at hand.
GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+12: (3)+12: 15 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+7: (10)+7: 17 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that kills 3"
Tenoc roars in welcome as the Bronze enters the fray, lunging as he struggles towards yet another of the feathery beasts. He grins toothily, stalking up behind, glittering spearpoint alive with reflected light.
No warning, no words-- he lunges forward, spearing the beast through the back, leaving it uttering a warbled, gurgling shriek as the spear emerges from the beast's chest. Another toss, another twirl-- tossing the body into the bushes out of sight!
<OOC> Seyardu says, "full attack bonk the last one" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26 (THREAT) GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+8-2: (20)+8+-2: 26 (Confirmed) <OOC> Boaz says, "She's going full bonk!" <OOC> Seyardu squint <OOC> Boaz says, "Wholey poop" GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+8-2: (18)+8+-2: 24 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d20+3-2: (19)+3+-2: 20 GAME: Seyardu rolls 2d8+12+4: (12)+12+4: 28 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+6+2: (7)+6+2: 15 GAME: Seyardu rolls 1d8+6+2: (4)+6+2: 12 <OOC> Boaz says, "Exploding liz-zard!" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "it's really, really, really, really dead, like almost double negative its HP"
Well, this was embarrassing. Seyardu had managed to walk barely 30 feet, without tripping, which was always good. And managed to be jumped by raptor-like lizards, which was much less good.
"This one is _fine_, Skielstregar. But thank you." Seyardu grunts, dropping her bill hook for a moment to heft the mace in too hands. The remaining lizard snapped at her heels, and the cleric brings their warhammer down in a underhanded swing, sending the beast flying off into the jungle, and impacting a nearby tree.
The lizards are dead! The lizards prevail!
Granted there is some differentiation between the lizards. One set is small and wiley, the other set is larger and smarter, and closer to death in some ways but not dead-dead.
The mango-eaters are without a doubt, deceased. A few of the nearby vines twitch, and flies are already gathering.
The flies were on the rotting mangoes. They didn't have far to move.
The battle is over, done. Exhaling with a lusty rush, Tenoc breathes again, drawing in the sharp air with a savage delight. Thinking quickly, he moves to each corpse, respearing each in turn; giving them a long toss, he hurls them out farther from the gathers as they work, giving the jungle a more cautious, careful eye as he steps back from the others.
"All are well?" he adds, glancing back to the group. "Ssssk?"
Boaz blinks as his prey is there one second and then after a blink.. is gone. He snarls and twists this way and that to find it! And does.. right where Seyardu sent it. Impaled on a tree.
He struggles with the anger of the blood. Pulling back on it as the dangers are past. And then sinks down into a crouch as the rage leaves him panting. His scales dulling back to a rough gold color.
Skielstregar blinks in surprise. He knew that his clutch-mate had grown much in the decade past. So he sort of just stands there dumbly, maw ajar.
Then a fly gets in his mouth. "Ack hrrk-ra-hak" he hacks, coughing hard for a few times before he sorts himself out. Somewhat embarrassed, he quietly steps towards the tree, pulling free a bag to start collecting as much as he can.
Seyardu sighs, and offers a brief amount of healing to the small group. She did not like having to slay the creatures, but having them so close to the portal was dangerous to travelers, and others pointed towards the tree.
"I am alright, and I hope everyone else is, as well." She states, walking over to the tree as well. "Which ones are we supposed to harvest off the tree, now?"
GAME: Seyardu rolls 5d6: (25): 25 (Channel healing)
The mangos are easy enough to collect. They're fruit, and even with a slightly spiky and sticky exterior, not difficult. The tree is not hostile, and while there are a lot of flies, they are more interested in the fruit on the ground than the sith'makar.
Although they're not above attempting to lay a few eggs in blood.
The healing energy from Althea closes wounds, so those aren't attracting bugs.
Now, only the strangle vines and bearded moss remain.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "roll k/nature dc15 or survival dc20" GAME: Boaz rolls survival: (1)+6: 7 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "nods, "There are re-rolls."" GAME: Boaz rolls survival: (17)+6: 23 GAME: Tenoc rolls Survival: (5)+12: 17 GAME: Skielstregar rolls survival: (7)+7: 14 GAME: Seyardu rolls survival: (11)+4: 15 GAME: Seyardu rolls survival: (20)+4: 24
Stranglevines are on a strangler tree, which is so named because it lures prey towards it with very attractive pollen and then loops a noose around the animals neck and pulls them up into the air. The pollen is strong enough to affect intelligent creatures. It is possible to do things to be resistant, by shoving things up your nose. Bearded Moss also grows on the stranglevine tree. After a victim rots and falls out of the noose, it attracts a lot of bugs, which get caught up in the bearded moss. The moss is somewhat deadly in large amounts, but if it's broken up it makes a great nest liner as it kills bugs for quite a while before finally decaying. It is usually possible to locate by looking for bodies or lots of insects.
Evidence and the sound of flies suggests there's a Stranglevine Tree nearby.
Tenoc takes a smooth turn, filling one of the netsacks at hand with collected fruit. Sighing regretfully-- cannot pluck tree clean. Must leave some behind-- but he takes his turn in gathering a heft amount, nodding to himself in satisfaction. He gathers with the others, a rumble as he thinks carefully.
"Should gather moss next, yus?" he asks, fingers curving across the shaft. "Will be easier, this one thinks. Stranglevines....ssk. Last. In case the yare not eager to be gathered." From afar, Seyardu nods!
Boaz calms his breathing and nods slowly. "This one remembers that they..the vines..are dangerous. Their scent is srong. Powerful. The scent can draw one in to be killed by the vines. The moss grows there as well." He shakes his head and stands up straight, hand waving at some inscents near his face.
Seyardu thinks better of climbing up the tree, so instead she just takes some of the bags and puts them away in her haversack. While soing so, she takes a look around.
"The moss will be found when we find the strangler vine tree. And, we should be wary of doing so. As Boaz says. whoever is harvesting them should have their nose plugged and not breathe while doing so. And the moss should be handled in small amounts. I can not put it in with the other things, or it might spoil the food I am carrying."
"There might be some, yes, there was another tree I saw when blundering around, ah, the vines on it were different from the choking ivy one."
There are little bzzzz-'clicks' as palm sized palmetto bugs fly and land on the Sith'Makar. The towering seven-foot, decaying Skielstregar, smells like lunch and not doom, although Boaz is a close second in popularity.
Clouds of midges seem to be everywhere, following, if not impossible to avoid.
Skiel nods his head in agreement. "Yes, vines last," he rumbles, slinging a bag over his shoulder. He takes the advice to heart, him giving a sigh. "This one will keep that in mind when we get over there."
He idly swats at the bugs, used to dealing with this annoyance.
Tenoc can toss a few dead critters to one side, approach from other-- yarr! Will toss animals then, and keep watch just in case!
Opposite of where Skielstregar will climb, just far enough from the tree, 10-15'? or so, to get their attention.
GAME: Tenoc rolls Perception: (9)+12: 21 GAME: Skielstregar rolls perception: (17)+7: 24 GAME: Seyardu rolls perception: (14)+5: 19 GAME: Seyardu used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Skielstregar used a Healer's Kit. GAME: Seyardu rolls heal +2: (17)+8+2: 27 (+4 vs Stranglervine Tree) GAME: Seyardu rolls heal +2: (8)+8+2: 18 (+4 vs Stranglervine Tree)
Working together, a suitable plan is formed and put into action. The dead lizards find use in turn; Tenoc gathers the bodies from where they were thrown, working to the opposite side of the located tree from Skiel. As Seyardu works to muffle Skielstrear's nostrils, Tenoc focuses on misdirection and lures-- utilizing the dead animals, he tosses them to one side of the tree, to try and gather the plants' attention.
A few minutes' work, and Tenoc rumbles to himself in satisfaction. The lure is placed, diversion set. Fortune favour now.
It's hard to see.
One of the Hunter-Caste at the edge of the jungles points, overhearing what the group is after. It's still hard to see. Quite a distance from the clearling, at least fifty feet, which is almost infinity in the jungle is a tree. A very large one that seems to have branches that grow out, wrap around other trunks, and reach further.
It's from some of those far-reaching branches, that the heavy strands of moss hang, like twisted curtains.
Slinging a dead mango-eater, which isn't easy, sets the hanging moss a-quiver. It's not possible to see what it is doing to the carcass on the jungle floor, but something is happening.
Skiel follows Seyardu's direction, him kneeling down as the substance is applied and a cloth is shoved up his nose. "Ugh... thish is worsh than the dear mushk..." he grumbles.
GAME: Tenoc rolls stealth+5: (16)+9+5: 30 (+5 for great jungle concealment) GAME: Tenoc rolls bluff: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Skielstregar rolls stealth+5: (3)+-1+5: 7 GAME: Boaz rolls stealth: (4)+-2: 2
"It is not that bad, honestly." Seyardu sighs, applying the peppermint oil to some cloth which is carefully tucked into Skielstregar's snout, and then her own. It looked odd, but it was better than being strangled by a tree. "If you are ready, that should be good enough. I will help if needed."
The dead lizard decoys are effective. Skielstregar and Boaz are able to sneak right past one of the locations of the bearded moss. It remains hanging, and piled on the carrion on the ground. Some tendrils of plant are dipping in the blood. It doesn't react to their passage.
The strangling tree however, seems to. There's a rustling of leaves, the soft, tranquil chatter of paper that in other circumstances might be relaxing. Here, it suggests the tree is moving, and it's noticed them.
The moss is ignoring Skielstregar... for the moment..
<OOC> Skielstregar says, "i guess ill, um, attack the moss..?" GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon13: (7)+7: 14
Skielstregar hefts his halberd, bringing it axe up and looking off to the others. "Going for it!" He chops it straight down. And whiffs.
There are a lot of insect noises in this section of the jungle.
<OOC> Tenoc hrms! "Use tepoztopilli reach-- strike at the moss first. If distract from othjers, so much the better!" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, I guess that means you're there at 30,5, roll attack Tenoc" GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d20+13: (16)+13: 29 GAME: Tenoc rolls 1d10+7: (1)+7: 8
Tenoc strikes much more effectively than Skiel; stepping forward, he maneuvers to utilize the tepotopilli-- the Greatspear, not to pierce, but to slash! Though not with as much effect-- the moss is stubborn, not as easily cut--
And there is a lot of it. Work needed!
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27, "tree tries to spot you. Does so, so Pollen happens" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Will vs DC20, if you had the menthol treatment by Seyardu, you get a +4" GAME: Skielstregar rolls will+4: (16)+2+4: 22 GAME: Tenoc rolls will +2: (20)+5+2: 27 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) GAME: Boaz rolls will+4: (9)+1+4: 14 GAME: Seyardu rolls will +2: (5)+10+2: 17, "+2 to Will saves, Initiative when in group with other Sith Makar. :3" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6: (9): 9 (9 Minutes affect on Boaz)
The fluttering of the leaves presage a sudden release of pollen. It puffs out of the tree, then falls in great, powdery clouds. It coats leaves as far back as the clearing. Everywhere, in clothing, impossible not to avoid inhaling some of it.
The treatments, the coated plugs stuffed up nostrils work. All of the sith'makar are unaffected.
Almost all, a few grains sneak by and Boaz is hit by the full, hallucinatory effect. It's not a dangerous tree at all. It's a lovely fruit tree. All the moss hanging nearby would make a lovely blanket. He feels like he's floating, drifting away on a cloud.
It's a perfectly ordinary tree. Or, or! It's a treant or some other friendly tree-like creature, such as a sexy dryad. Anyone affected by the pollen couldn't believe in harming this tree. They suddenly love nature.
They will remain lost in a hallucination, unless something else occurs.
So, the tree's pollen makes sith'makar high and happy.
... another potentially useful thing for anxious nest-mothers-to-be.
<OOC> Boaz will single attack..gauntlet claw.. then trip more over the pretty tree :) GAME: Boaz rolls melee: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Boaz rolls 1d4+3: (2)+3: 5
Boaz coughs.. then sneezes. His eyes dilate and he chortles suddenly, weaving almost unsteadily as he swats at the moss in front of him. He manages to strike it and do some damage but nothing like his rage induced self.
His attention wanders over to the tree and his head lolls to one side. "Soft tree... warm tree... big ol' tree of vines.."
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+7: (11)+7: 18 (Moss on Skiel) GAME: Skielstregar rolls reflex+1: (16)+3+1: 20 (vs DC 13) (+1 Prayer) GAME: Tenoc rolls Reflex: (16)+10+1: 26 (vs DC 13) (+1 Prayer) GAME: Seyardu rolls reflex+3: (20)+3+3: 26 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) (+1 Prayer)
"Boaz, you did apply something to block your nose, right?" Seyardu asks, having left the other two to leave for their plan.
He did not.
Seyardu sighs, and raises her holy symbol after trudging through and tripping over the undergrowth. "Celestial mother, shield us from harm, and grant insight into our... foes?" She prays, a little uncertain, but the magic works all the same.
As some of the moss is cut down, the mass of it sways. A large chunk with something solid falls, nearly hitting Skielstregar.
Everywhere, strands of the moss fall out of trees, landing and entangling with nearby plants. They all become very tight and binding.
Fortunately, makari scales easily slip from the verdant embrace.
GAME: Skielstregar rolls weapon13+1: (11)+7+1: 19 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage13+1+3: aliased to 1d10+4+1+3: (9)+4+1+3: 17 GAME: Skielstregar rolls bluff: (11)+2: 13 (vs DC10, so botflies aren't interested)
Skielstregar's eyes widen as the mass starts to move. His attention whips over to Boaz. "Wha- no! Boaz, focus!" he hisses out at him just before he gets infused by the Celestial Mother. Finding better footing, he swings wide with the axe end, cleaving through most of it.
He swivels over to Boaz, holding a hand out and trying to intercept them. "Focus!"
More vines fall from the canopy.
In the detrius of the jungle floor, there is a disturbance, a buzzing, a lot more flies appear in a swarm and surround the dead mango-eater. The body is coated in them, and more hover in the immediate vicinity.
With the moss dead, the bot flies waste no time. It's fortunate the living sith'makar make for less interesting targets, though they are drawn to everything.
Most of the bearded moss in this location is on the ground now, and it's no longer quite as binding. It's still, oddly alive. Something to be examined later.
"Decoy. Yesss." Tenoc hisses, taking the remaining mango-eater carcasses and flinging them into the jungle in the direction of the insect noises. There seems to be more substantial clumps of bearded moss hanging off the Stranglevine tree, at each compass point, and the commotion has attracted the flies on the bodies in the vines and under the moss.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+11-1: (10)+11: 20 (-1 Prayer) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+7: (4)+7: 11 <OOC> Skielstregar is bonked anyways GAME: Strangler Tree damaged Skielstregar for 11 points. 18 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+19: (12)+19: 31 (CMB grab attempt - Success)
The stranglevine tree lashes out. One of its nooses smacks Skielstregar across the face, then loops over his neck. It tightens, starts to strangle him and lifts the sith'makar up into the air, his feet dangling ten feet above the heads of his friends.
The decoy carcasses thrown by Tenoc cause a similar reaction. They are wacked to stun them, then pulled off the ground.
GAME: Boaz rolls will +4 +4: (20)+1+4+4: 29 (CRITICAL SUCCESS) (+4 your friends are being attacked) <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "hey wait a tick..." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "THIS MIGHT NOT BE A FRIENDLY TREE" <OOC> Boaz says, "MAH FRIENDS!" <OOC> Boaz says, "Hmm.. I have Alk fire.." GAME: Boaz used a Alchemist's Fire. GAME: Boaz rolls ranged: (6)+4: 10 GAME: Boaz rolls 1d6: (6): 6
Such a nice comfy looking..*Skiel is lashed and yanked upward* ..son of a bitch tree!
Boaz roars awake and starts to move forward towards the tree but then remembers himself and instead pulls a flask from his belt and prepares it, tossing it on the trunk of the tree which bursts into flames, hot and smokey. "Let that one go, damn you!"
Seyardu is looking around when suddenly Skielstregar is lifted up into the air by the vines. "Hang on, I will do what I can!" She shouts, trudging through the ground, but it is slow going to avoid the swarms of insects, even for one that can manage it much easier than her.
GAME: Skielstregar RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 6 temporary HP GAME: Skielstregar rolls melee-2+1-1: (18)+8+-2+1+-1: 24 GAME: Skielstregar rolls damage10+2+1: aliased to 1d6+5+2+1: (4)+5+2+1: 12 GAME: You gave Skielstregar 6 temporary HP. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: Catching Skielstregar damaged Boaz for 2 points. 19 AND 2 TEMP HP remaining. GAME: Falling on Boaz damaged Skielstregar for 2 points. 18 AND 4 TEMP HP remaining.
"Boaz, please, clear your m- hrrk!"
In a sensation that is completely foreign to the normally immovable man, he is suddenly lifted to the canopy, his legs squirming as his neck feels the strain of the tightening vine.
He looks down. And sees Seyardu.
For the makari below, they suddenly are hit with a wall of dread and decay, as well as fury. "RRRAAAGH!" Skiel roars, yanking free an axe on his belt and smashing it into the vine. It cuts clean through, and he falls.
Landing on all fours, and staying there, is a tarnished bronze scale makari. With a set of double fangs, dripping with ichor that had a black miasma, a red glint in his eyes and talons that were farrrr too long.
He snaps over to Seyardu. Eyes filled with... sadness. "... thissss one isss sorry you... have to ssssee thisss... sssissster... he snarls.
"Moss. Vines. Enough to leave?" Tenoc asks, as he stuffs a mass of the moss away in a bag, "Or. Take on tree, yesss?"
There is an unusual creaking, a wooden groaning, bark moving on bark.
The strangler vine tree tips away from the fire. The ground near it tilts, becomes extremely sodden as the marsh-like ground shifts.
Overhead, some of the long reaching limbs of the tree are dragged free of the trunks they've grabbed.
Its vines lash, and put out the fire, largely be beating some of the strangled carcasses it holds against the flames until the putrifying fluids put it out.
The botflies are very interested in the base of the tree now.
GAME: Boaz used a Alchemist's Fire. GAME: Boaz rolls ranged: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Boaz rolls 1d6: (3): 3
Boaz half catches, half drops the falling (stinking) Skiel. He shakes off this new smell with a rumble and pulls out another flask and preps it. "Collect what we need! Then pull back!" He tosses the flask which strikes the trunk of the tree and flames up but without quite the burning fire.
Seyardu sees Skielstregar tearing himself out of the vines, and falling on Boaz, the silver makari winces, helping them to their feet, perhaps a bit more warily that usual. "Tenoc is right, we doo not need to kill the tree. We have the moss, and can gather the vines torn off already." She shouts, stooping to gather some and loop them over an arm. "We do not wish to burn down the area around the portal, that would not be good."
Skielstregar's double fanged maw whips over to Boaz as he tumbles out of his grasp. He growls, "Yessss! Get and go!" Slamming the axe back into it's metal ring, he haphazardly grabs bunches and bunches of moss, shoving it into one of the other bags. "We go. We go!"
Boaz waits for the others to grab some things before he too grabs fallen vines and moss as well before backing slowly away from the tree and the other critters that seek food. "Do we have enough?" He asks the others, eyes shifting back and forth.
Skielstregar jogs out of the jungle line with his bag full of moss. He falls to his knees, grimacing as the fangs and talons recede, and the overall scent of dread abates. He pants, rubbing at his bruising neck. "Yes.. this one thinks it is... enough. Hopefully. Nesting mothers always require the strangest things..."
Seyardu takes the vines and leaves when the others are retreating. It was a quick exit when the others are gone. "It should be, enough. I was not expecting the tree to be actively violent." The cleric sighs when they are back away from it. "Is everyone alright? You in particular Skielstregar, you seemed to have gotten the worst of it."
Once they are clear of the jungle proper Boaz relaxes enough to put what he gathered into a bag. He checks what they seem to have and nods, holding open the sack for Seyardu to dump hers into as well. "At least it was somewhat easy to find and right near the portal. This one is glad we can either be back to Cryosanthia or off to the resting place."
Skielstregar gives a thumbs up, sighing as he gets to his feet and picks up what bags he can after stowing his weapons. "This one is fine, Seyardu. Thank you for your help. You are a phenomenal Shaman."
He hefts his bags. "To the Speaker first. Then rest."
"Yesss." Tenoc agrees simply. Take bags, bring mangoes back, bring nest back. Happy Speaker. Peaceful Nest.
The Jungle-Watchers and Shaman-Caste observe as the small harvesting party emerge from the jungle. The Shaman that was inspecting Skielstregar is there, and may have caught some of his transformation. The scents linger, and are overwhelming.
Enough that assumptions are made, "You prepare well, early. Before you are too big to move. Iss good." The Shaman says, mistaking Seyardu as the nesting-mother in need. He is exagerating, to stand still in Am'shere is to be prey and fertilizer. The sith'makar women are never that handicapped.
Which isn't to say they never become so egg-laden that fighting is a bad idea. Cryosanthia is approaching that state if she hasn't achieved it already. She's got a dancer's flexibility still, but her limitations are accumulating. She's quite rounded in her belly.
She's there to greet everyone once they're back on the Mictlan and Alexandros side of the portal. She bounces, seeing the cargo, "Oh you got everything! I hope it wasn't too hard."
Combatty
Encounter 1 - Mango Eaters
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 2 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
21 Tenoc 3
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19 Seyardu 1
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14 Mango-Eaters 1
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>> 13 Boaz 1 <<
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13 Skielstregar 1
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| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
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|Boaz |SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 19 | 19 |19/17/12 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
|Seyardu |SITH-MAKAR|Clr | 83 | 85 |19/19/10 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
|Tenoc |SITH-MAKAR|Mnk/Rgr | 75 | 79 |22/20/19 | 28 | 11 | 10 | 5 |
|Skielstreg|SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 29 | 29 |20/18/12 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
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| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
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| Boaz..........| 19 +4 | 19 |
| Seyardu.......| 75 | 85 |
| Skielstregar..| 22 | 29 |
| Tenoc.........| 75 | 79 |
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Encounter 2
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 4 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
16 Bearded Moss 1
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>> 13 Skielstregar 1 Raging (3 rnds active) <<
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10 Botflies 1
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9 Tenoc 3
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8 Strangler Tree 1
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6 Boaz 1
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1 Seyardu 1
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| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
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|Boaz |SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 19 | 19 |19/17/12 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
|Seyardu |SITH-MAKAR|Clr | 85 | 85 |19/19/10 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 10 |
|Skielstreg|SITH-MAKAR|Brg | 29 | 29 |20/18/12 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
|Tenoc |SITH-MAKAR|Mnk/Rgr | 79 | 79 |22/20/19 | 28 | 11 | 10 | 5 |
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| Name | CHP (T) | HP |
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| Boaz..........| 19 +2 | 19 |
| Seyardu.......| 85 | 85 |
| Skielstregar..| 18 +4 | 29 |
| Tenoc.........| 79 | 79 |
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