Out on a Limb
Log Info
- Title: Out on a Limb
- Emitter: Cryosanthia
- Characters: Barclaiigh, Randolf, Ravenstongue, Vaera, Venom
- Place: Alexandros Wilderness
- Time: Wednesday, March 02, 2022, 9:26 PM
- Summary: The Ygsdrasil Union sends a group to investigate a 'spot of wrongness' identified by one of the grove dryads. They are told to look for a mulberry tree. Trekking towards the location, they encounter something strange, a giant butterfly. As Barclaiigh approaches closer, vines spring up and grab everyone, and Vaera kills one of the smaller butterflies surrounding the larger one. This wakes it up... and it turns into a jellyfish. Meanwhile, a normal looking tree turns out to be something full of suckers and tentacles, and right on top of Barclaiigh. Battle ensues, with Venom and Vaera firing into the tree, and Randolf attacking the butterfly. The dwarf and bear go down, and then the air fills with mists. The butterfly is killed but the bodies of Barclaiigh and Porter are obscured. When the mist clears, they're gone.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Barclaiigh 4'5" 202 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A thick tree-trunk of a dwarf. Wavy auburn hair, loose traveling clothes. Randolf 4'10" 280 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A burly, well-dressed Khazad in wizardly robes. Ravenstongue 5'0" 99 Lb Half-Elf Female Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair. Vaera 7'0" 262 Lb Sith-Makar Female A tall, dark red Makari with a metallic leg. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Cryosanthia 6'9" 291 Lb Sith-Makar Female A dashingly tall, elegant white-scaled lizard woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The Ygsdrasil Union has a simple mission for one of its newest members. 'Go check out something suspicious at a location'.
A few details are provided. One of the grove's dryads feels an irritant. This suggests something wrong with a tree of her species. The druids don't allow her to be directly addressed. She's a silkworm mulbberry dryad, so it's likely there's a tree of that lineage in distress.
Directions are provided, and a map for non-druids. Which finds everyone out in the wilds of Alexandros, looking for something unusual.
It's off the beaten path, in some medium forests that border the Felwood. A game trail winds through skeletal bushes and bare trees, the snow beaten down in some areas and great drifts, with holes, in others.
Ravenstongue, due to her recent exploits with the restoration of a nymph in the Feypool, has come recommended for the job by the Explorer's Guild, and she looks positively happy to be here. "Anything for fellow fey," she finds herself saying as they arrive at the location.
Pothy, who rides forever and always on her shoulder, just gives her a look. He whistles to her, and Ravenstongue seems to remember herself.
"Right! I, err--I meant... Cousin? Gosh, there's not a good word in Trade for it, is there." Ravenstongue sighs before she looks around at the landscape. "Well, where's this tree that's in distress?"
It's been a a bit since she's been really afield.
Shrouded as even in oilcloth and veils, Venom's here under contract from the Guild. She's offered silent greetings of nods, waves, or even the odd bump of knuckles against certain arms.
She considers Ravenstongue for a moment or two, if the pivot of her veiled head means anything, then her hands fold and twist to frame the suggestion of, "Kinfolk." <handspeech>
Randolf has had a rough few weeks, what with the nightmares plaguing all of Alexandria's spellcasters. He welcomes the chance to get out of the city and do some field work. And let's be honest, helping out a walking tree is one of the -tamer- things he's dealt with over the course of the last couple years or so. "I'm nae much good in the forest, but I might could help wi' an alchemical remedy fer this irritant," he says, tugging thoughtfully at his beard.
Vaera had plenty of business with the yggdrasil union through the hunter castes who often helped the local druids around Mictlan, and as a member of the adventurer's guild in Alexandria, jobs were often sent her way. She had experience with nymphs at least, and hopefully some of her experience with that would transfer over to dryads.
So the red makari hunter was out with a large, almost horse sized swiftclaw, tending to her equipment as she walked. "So, spirit connected to a tree or trees, yes? Hopefully we don't need to go into the feywild with this problem, at least." Vaera chuffs.
Slightly less lumpy than usual, Barclaiigh is trying not to look too overwhelmed by the task at hand. Bringing information to the grove and making friends with a few like-minded individuals is one thing... but this is handed straight down from the big-twigs at the top! The Khazadi shaman has been quietly psyching himself up for some time now, muttering into his beard about how he's trained for this, it's no different than playing matchmaker in the sewers (probably plays more to his talents, even), Porter is right here to keep an eye on things, et cetera.
The dwarf walks with one hand on the aforementioned bear and occasionally scritches the sleepy grump beneath his layered leathers. Porter's head sways back and forth close to the ground, snuffling as they move along. Bar's other hand employs his spear as a walking stick.
"Tawyse'n I were just jawin' 'bout the Felwood..." Barclaiigh finally speaks up, clearing his throat. "Mighty nice'a y'all comin' out'n lendin' a hand." He grins wide, squinting his little eyes. The druid still wears his heavy furred cloak but he has a new suit of armor: a breastplate that appears constructed of equal parts darkwood and fire.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+25: (7)+25: 32 (Tree Stealth) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+5: (13)+5: 18 (Butterfly Stealth) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Perception: (14)+11: 25 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+6: (15)+6: 21 (Porter Percep) GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Perception+2: (14)+4+2: 20 GAME: Venom rolls perception: (11)+14: 25 GAME: Randolf rolls Perception: (14)+9: 23 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Survival: (17)+13: 30 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Survival: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Venom rolls survival: (13)+3: 16 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+5: (19)+5: 24 (Porter Survival) GAME: Vaera rolls perception: (13)+11: 24 GAME: Vaera rolls survival: (2)+11: 13 GAME: Randolf rolls Survival: (15)+3: 18 GAME: Randolf rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (1)+17: 18 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Knowledge/Arcana: (9)+15: 24
The snow covered game trail leads through the woods, past trees and under snow drifts. It's silent, the white drifts piled up against the trunks, and absorbing sound.
The directions were unusual, a dryad's senses don't line up with typical cartography, but the dwarven bard is able to interpret the clues. Up ahead, fluttering between the trees, is an unusually large butterfly.
Smaller ones are appear as well, moving between the skeletal trees.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Yes, that's DC25, K/nature, k/the planes, or k/dungeoneering" GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Knowledge/Nature: (10)+10: 20 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Knowledge/Nature: (15)+12: 27 GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/nature: (12)+6: 18 GAME: Vaera rolls knowledge/dungeoneering: (13)+6: 19 GAME: Randolf rolls Knowledge/The Planes: (19)+13: 32 GAME: Barclaiigh casts Longstrider. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
The butterflies are strange, not a local species, and certainly none naturally come that large. It seems to be something, and currently it's asleep, dreaming, fluttering aimlessly around. The smaller ones are related to the large one, they seem very similar.
Just fluttering along.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "I totally derped and cast the spell after the timestop was down." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "So I'll say that's my standard. Move up to 13,11 for my move." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Tell Porter to 'guard' Bar and have his bottom-right square be at 13,10."
"Dang things ain't s'posed t'come that big," Barclaiigh muses, squinting through one eye and holding up a thumb to gauge distance. He's making sure they aren't just closer than he initial thought. Sausage fingers come up to worry the boar's tusks hanging from around his neck and he mutters something in Druid cant. Little semi-visible zephyrs begin to whip around his sandals and he trots out to have a closer look.
The dwarf flits forward over the trail and through the snow, glancing back over his shoulder and pointing twice at his hip. He gives a low-toned 'protect' command in Khazdul and Porter lopes along with a snort.
For now Bar has the spear held mid-haft, out but not quite held at the ready. The runes along its shaft begin to glow a soft green in color.
Small butterfly moves around in front of Porter.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "everyone DC15 reflex or be entangled" GAME: Randolf rolls Reflex: (8)+3: 11 (Entangled) GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex: (5)+6: 11 (Entangled) GAME: Vaera rolls reflex: (6)+9: 15 (Free) GAME: Venom rolls reflex: (5)+12: 17 (Free) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Reflex: (8)+3: 11 (Entangled) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 (Porter -Free)
The butterflies continue to drift between the trees, wings slowly flapping.
The wind rustles some of the bare branches. There is no wind. The rustling is only one tree, which twists suddenly. Limbs rattle like skeletal fingers.
From the frozen earth, vines, grasses and bare shrubbery erupt, entwining around all the adventurers.
<OOC> Randolf says, "Can I pull myself free?" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "yes, as a free action, a Str or Escape artist against the DC15" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you have to save at the end of your turn if you remain in the area. Currently dotted on the map" GAME: Randolf rolls Strength: (14)+2: 16
Randolf peers ahead as he makes out those fluttering shapes. "Those are some manner o' dream creatures," he mutters, tugging thoughtfully at his beard. "An' it looks like the big'un is asleep an' dreamin'. The wee ones--GYAAAH!" He cuts of in a panicked yelp as the grasses and roots animate and wrap around his legs. "Why you miserable pieces o' compost, -leave off-!" he snarls. With a furious wrench, he tears his legs free of the tangle, stumbling away to clearer ground. He pulls his wand, eyes narrowed. "Are -these- the things causin' our arboreal issues?" he growls.
It's the tree. The tree moved. It is a silkworm mulberry tree, the kind the dryad alerted as a problem. It's very close to where ley-lines intersect. If this isn't the problem the party was sent to solve, it's still likely one that needs to be solved.
The butterflies are getting the dryads high.
GAME: Venom rolls weapon3: (12)+12: 24 GAME: Venom rolls 1d12+1: (2)+1: 3 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "free reroll" GAME: Venom rolls 1d12+1: (9)+1: 10
With the sudden sprout of snow shedding surliness, Venom manages to sidestep the initial twinings of the twisted tree's vines, poncho and veils aflutter. With the thought, however aberrant, that the tree will be the major obstacle, the silent stalker shrugs the spiralled length of her Thunderbelcher from beneath her shroud, breaking it open for a scant instant to slip one of its morbid shells into the chamber. Still ducking, weaving and wading through the emburdening terrain, both animate and not, she brings the weapon up in line to her 'eye' and, with a loud <KzzZZ-THOOM!> fires the steel cyllinder into the aggressive arboration.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Okay! I would like to attempt to be Stronk RT and break the vines as a free action." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Then I'd like to Glitterdust the two butterflies around 16,16." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, DC15 STR to break, and casting requires a concentration if you don't" GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Strength: (2)+1: 3 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "I, uh. I'm rerolling that." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Strength: (18)+1: 19 GAME: Ravenstongue casts Glitterdust. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17 <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Yup, I'd like to skedaddle to 9,8, please and thank you." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex: (3)+6: 9 (Entangled)
"That tree, the one that's moving! It's the problem tree!" Ravenstongue manages to get out as she struggles with the vines. She manages to break free and throws a blast of shimmery glitter at two of the smaller butterflies before the vines grip her again as she runs.
<OOC> Vaera says, "I'll move to 10,12, and shoot at 14,9" <OOC> Vaera says, "pbs, deadly aim" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1-2: (20)+10+1+1+-2: 30 (THREAT) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+1+1-2: (5)+10+1+1+-2: 15 (Confirmed) GAME: Vaera rolls 4d12+4+4+16: (30)+4+4+16: 54 <OOC> Vaera says, "I realize I should have tried to figure out if they were hostile first, but that's a bit too late"
Vaera was starting to get frustrated with how difficult the signs were to follow when things seemed to break out into commotion. The red makari snaps their left hand, and suddenly their thunderbelcher was in it, quickly lifted to take aim after trudging through the snow and plants. Even for the hunter it was difficult, but they could still take aim at one of the butterflies. With a crack like thunder and a flash of blue light, there was suddenly nothing where the insect had been a moment before.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Alright, we'll total defense as a standard and then try to move around the tree to 16,13." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "But I believe I need a Strength check since my initial reflex was 11." GAME: Barclaiigh rolls Strength: (15)+3: 18 (Breaks free) <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "So I imagine that's an AoO from the tree. AC is 22 with total defense." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Hits. What I get for trying to... branch out." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 10 points. 22 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (13)+16: 29 <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "He'll order Bar to attack the tree. So Bar will attempt to move so bottom-right is 15,11" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12 (AOO Porter - miss) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (8)+8: 16 <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Will reroll" GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10 <OOC> Barclaiigh throws die out window. <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "That was more than a 5' so he can FA." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "you should roll reflex DC15, or you're entangled, -4 to dex" GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+6: (12)+6: 18 (Porter - Free) <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Bar is out but grab-appled by the tree." <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "tree maintains with a limb" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16-20: (14)+16+-20: 10 (loses grip)
Barclaiigh finds himself waist-deep in grasping vines and sinking earth but this sandals are made for walkin'! And that's just what they do. With a grunt the Khazadi wildman lowers his head and tears through the vegetation on his way towards the tree. He whistles sharply and points again, at the tree this time, and commands 'reap' in Khazdul.
He's no sooner done saying the word than a branch comes down to batter the dwarf across the breastplate, drawing a cough and groan as it wraps him 'round and squeezes.
Porter follows in with a roar, rearing up and slamming down to bite at the tree. The branches flail and swat, unable to find hold past the bear's boiled leather armor, but he's also unable to clamp his jaws down effectively on the massive trunk.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "2 attacks on you, 3 on Porter" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (10)+10: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (11)+10: 21 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (3)+10: 13 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (1)+10: 11 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh's companion for 10 points. 20 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 10 points. 12 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (6)+16: 22 (Grab Attempt) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (9)+16: 25 (Grab Attempt) <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "CMD is 22" <OOC> Cryosanthia nods, "Okay, both you and he are grappled.
Closer, it's clear something isn't right about that tree. It is a mulberry, originally, but now it's warped, corrupted. Like a nightmarish ent, the lower trunk splits into two great, broad hooves.
There is no face, no eyes, only the oval trunk. What seemed like knot holes, are gaping, whistling mouthes. Like a sea anemone, some of these mouths turn into reaching tendrils that attempt to bite and attach like remoroas.
These polyps wave madly, slapping together, soundling like a dying fish flopping on a pile of carcasses.
Barclaiigh is lashed as he moves closer, a polyp winding around him; Porter is bit on the nose. It focuses on them, flailing tiny mouths gibbering and snapping.
Blood is drawn, and despite shaking them off initially, they re-attach.
There's a sensation in the air, a bit like transitioning to Quelynos.
Two of the butterflies are engulfed in glitter. They continue to flutter about, vaguely circling the tree before it awakens, and after. The other butterflies, even the large one, seem to be meandering meaninglessly.
Until a thunderbelcher shot rings out, and blows one of them away completely.
All of the little butterflies vanish. All the butterflies vanish. The large one... snaps, changing shape, becoming amorphous, resembling of all things, a golden jellyfish.
That turns red, crimson spots flicking on the dome and orienting on Vaera. It strobes, light moving in rings down its tendrils.
It moves past the remora-tree, and Porter, drifting with intent past the bear towards the redscale with the thunderbelcher. The jellyfish strobes in a distracting pattern, angry red flashes that travel along it.
The butterfly is a Sky Dancer, a kind of outsider, an aberration. It dreams and is generally harmless unless it takes a lot of damage. At which point it will wake up. It was dreaming it was a butterfly.
Now it's a very angry jellyfish, strobing and on the attack.
<OOC> Randolf says, "I'll move to 9,16 and then cast Scorching Ray. One lazor for both the tree and the jellyfeesh." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "(please be a bro and focus the tree I am in the danger zone)" GAME: Randolf casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 8 DC: 16 GAME: Randolf rolls Ranged: (2)+5: 7 GAME: Randolf rolls Ranged: (17)+5: 22 <OOC> Randolf says, "I'll RPP re-roll the first attack." GAME: Randolf rolls Ranged: (5)+5: 10 GAME: Randolf rolls 1d20+8: (2)+8: 10 (Spell resistance 18) GAME: Randolf rolls 4d6: (13): 13 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay the spell dissipates as it gets right near it"
There's a pulse in the ley-lines as Randolf's spell fails.
Randolf trundles around in an arc, lining himself up with the animate tree. "Damn it all, sodding -foliage-. I got just the thing fer -you-!" He brings up his wand and sweeps it through a brisk pattern. "Re ex re akh antu ascorius! HAH!" He snaps out his wand, and fires a pair of twin beams. The first one goes wide, scorching a black line into the grass. The other skates across the tree--but leaves it completely unharmed. His eyes bug out and his jaw drops. Blink blink. "Oh piss up my -arse-!"
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "I believe I am still grappled by vines, so I'd like to make the Strength check to break free." <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Then I'd like to cast Haste on Porter, Barc, Vae, and Randy." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Strength: (16)+1: 17 (vs DC15 Str or Escape Artist) GAME: Ravenstongue casts Haste. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18
"We are in Quelynos now! Be careful where you move!" Ravenstongue warns. She struggles with the vines and breaks free again, casting a spell that invigorates her allies with swift movement with an incantation murmured under her breath shortly before she runs to further safety.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I don't know if you did the entangle save on your turn last Vaera" GAME: Vaera rolls reflex: (7)+9: 16 (vs DC 15 - Free_ <OOC> Vaera says, "First off, I want to figure out what this jellyfish thing is" <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "that's a DC25 k/the planes, or a DC30 k/arc, DC30 k/dungeoneering" <OOC> Vaera says, "I'll just move to 10,18 then" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+1+10-2: (4)+1+10+-2: 13
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (12)+12: 24 (Venom shoots) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12-5: (3)+12+-5: 10 (Venom shoots) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (15)+12: 27 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12: (9): 9 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12: (8): 8
Venom's hand moves in a swift sequence. Reload, aim, fire. Reload, aim, fire. Reload, aim, fire. She brings the thunder and two of the balls rip through the bark of the remora tree.
One wound exposing another mouth.
<OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Alright. FA with both toons. +1 from haste, -2 from grappled." <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Two stabs from Bar and then bite, claw, claw, bite from Porter." GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3+1-2: (1)+7+1+-2: 7 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Barclaiigh rolls weapon3+1-2: (5)+7+1+-2: 11 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8+1-2: (12)+8+1+-2: 19 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8+1-2-5: (10)+8+1+-2+-5: 12 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8+1-2-5: (17)+8+1+-2+-5: 19 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8+1-2: (14)+8+1+-2: 21
The pair of druid and bear do their best to twist around and manage some kind of damage against the overly-aggressive tree. The trunk is battered, the branches and suckers are stabbed, but little seems to penetrate its unnaturally-hearty bark.
Porter issues a bellowed complaint and the green runs flash along the spear but it seems to do little good!
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay tree attacks, 2 on Barc, 3 on Porter, first attempts to maintain grapple" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16-20: (5)+16+-20: 1 (Fail to maintain) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+1-20: (20)+16+-20: 16 (SUCCESS) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (14)+10: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (16)+10: 26 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (20)+10: 30 (THREAT) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (18)+10: 28 (Confirmed) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (2)+10: 12 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+10: (17)+10: 27 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "so there's a constrict damage on Barc" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (1)+5: 6 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (6)+5: 11 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10 <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Bar was 12/32 and Porter was 20/30" GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 20 points. 12 HP remaining. GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh for 27 points. -15 HP remaining. (DYING) GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh's companion for 10 points. 20 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 2d6+10: (5)+10: 15 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (2)+5: 7 GAME: You damaged Barclaiigh's companion for 22 points. -2 HP remaining. (DYING)
The tree lashes out, tendrils, suckers attaching the the dwarf and the bear. Each one bites out a perfect circle of flesh, although one polyp slithers around Barclaiigh, and squeezes.
He can't breathe. It's going dark.
As his vision darkens down to a tunnel, his last sight is Porter dropping from his injuries.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "they Jellyfish moves up on Vaera, one attack" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (17)+13: 30 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (3)+5: 8 GAME: You damaged Vaera for 8 points. 45 HP remaining. GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16: (17)+16: 33 (Grapple)
As the dwarf and his companion drop, the jellyfish drifts after the sith'makar. It floats with intention, high enough that its trailing tendrils are just out of reach of the entangling foliage below.
Drawing close to the redscale, it slams her, the strobing red turns a solid shade as it wraps a tentacle around her.
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex: (13)+6: 19 (not entangled!) <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Two rays due to being 7th level, casting now." GAME: Ravenstongue casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 7 DC: 17 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls ranged: (13)+5: 18 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls ranged: (17)+5: 22 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "both hit, roll against SR18, which is a caster check" GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+7+5+2: (16)+7+5+2: 30 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 4d6: (17): 17 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 4d6: (11): 11
Barclaiigh's gone down. Porter's gone down. Vaera's in danger next. "Skielstregar would kill me if I don't do something about this," Ravenstongue mutters to herself, and the power wells up from within her--
And fire blazes out of her hand as she speaks aloud the incantation, watching the tree burn. But her nose wrinkles. "That tree's /resistant/ to fire?" she asks quietly.
<OOC> Vaera says, "I think I need to try and escape the grapple, since the thunderbelcher is two handed" GAME: Vaera rolls cmb: (15)+7: 22 (vs CMD30 - Fail)
Vaera was busy trying to get out of the undergrowth, her last shot awkwardly going off course in the process. And the jellyfish creature from before was moving to follow, grapping the hunter easily. They try to break free, but to little avail.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Venom I think will shoot at the tree." GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (16)+12: 28 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12-5: (17)+12+-5: 24 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (8)+12: 20 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12: (4): 4 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12: (2): 2 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d12: (10): 10
Venom nods at Ravenstongue's observation. It may be immune to fire, but the mute women will test its resistance to thunderbelcher fire. Her hands are a blur, rapidly reloading and shooting. Three bullets ripping into it, one blowing a mouth right off a tentacle.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "Barc, roll 4d4+4 for Randolf's MM" GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 3d4+3: (5)+3: 8 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4 GAME: Barclaiigh rolls 1d20+8: (9)+8: 17 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "I'm letting the SR go for people who aren't around"
Randolf reaches beneath his traveling clothes and produces his oft-employed arcane implement. He levels the artistically-carved wooden wand at the spiraling mass of vine-like tree limbs and intones a phrase of arcane power memorized at long lengths of study.
Four spiraling bolts of force tear through the air to slam against the malicious entity. "ACH! TAKE THAT YE BLATHERING BLATHERSKITE!"
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (12)+12: 24 GAME: Vaera rolls spellcraft: (10)+6: 16 You paged Ravenstongue with 'obscuring mist'
The tree lashes at the fallen dwarf and bear, and each of its mouthes puff a haze that spreads as if it was underwater. There's a sensation of wrongness, a mist emanates from it, filling the area and obscuring both the tree and the fallen.
Porter is large and easy to spot even from a distance. It would seem that the bear's flank still rises and falls, albeit slowly. His dark fur is matted and glistening from the wounds caused by the creature's unrelenting attack.
It's more difficult to tell the state Barclaiigh is in. The druid fell awkwardly and bounced. His barrel chest is obscured within his smoldering armor making it impossible to tell if he's breathing or not.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, the Jelly swims up on you Vaera, reflex DC20 to avoid being engulfed" GAME: Vaera rolls reflex: (17)+9: 26 <OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, it shoves you a bit, but you escape getting pulled inside" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+16-20: (2)+16+-20: -2 (Constrict Fail)
The jellyfish swims towards Vaera, nudging the sith'makar, trying to draw her in. It succeeds only in pushing her, losing its grip at the same time.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Dispel magic on obscuring mist." GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+7: (5)+7: 12 (vs SR 18, fail)
The mist envelopes the field and Ravenstongue hisses a little in frustration. "Shit!" she says, and she attempts to unweave the spell--but in the heat of the moment, the spell fizzles out. Ravenstongue grumbles and moves forward aimlessly in the fog.
GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+13: (19)+13: 32 (AOO) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d6+5: (5)+5: 10 GAME: You damaged Vaera for 10 points. 35 HP remaining. GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+3-2: (16)+10+3+-2: 27 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+10+3-2: (12)+10+3+-2: 23 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+5+3-2: (8)+5+3+-2: 14 GAME: Vaera rolls 3d12+18: (26)+18: 44
With the jellyfish creature failing to engulf the red Makari, she uses the brief moment of freedom to duck backwards, earning a solid smack of a tentacle in the process. She turns back to aim at the beast, peppering it with a salvo of bullets from the thunderbelcher.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "do you think Venom would go after Barc, into the mist, or help Vaera?" <OOC> Barclaiigh says, "Makes more sense to help V" GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (15)+12: 27 (Not entangled) GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (11)+12: 23 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12-5: (7)+12+-5: 14 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 1d20+12: (17)+12: 29 GAME: Cryosanthia rolls 3d12: (24): 24
Venom looks at Ravenstongue as the obscuring mists appear, and then aren't dispelled. The choice is clear, close with a melee creature while blind, or stay where it's clear and she has good sight lines.
Jelly-fish it is.
Her hands are a blur as she brings up the weapon. Three rapid retorts and her bullets rip through the creature, adding to the damage dealt by the red makari's weapon.
Success! The amorphous blob deflates and drops to the ground. Crackling as it crushes snow.
There were sounds of heavy footsteps in snow, something, things being dragged. Nothing appears to emerge out of the mists.
<OOC> Cryosanthia says, "okay, nothing obviously attacking you, but the entangle and mists spell is still up" <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "I'm trying Dispel Magic again on the obscuring mist on my turn." GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+7: (6)+7: 13 <OOC> Ravenstongue squints at the dice.
"Have I mentioned I've never actually used this spell before today?" Ravenstongue murmurs to herself as she tries it again and then fantastically failing at it again.
She falls back to the rest of the group, making her way carefully through the mists to them, as there is no current threat to her presently. "What's the plan?" she asks.
Venom shrugs, making a few hand signs that suggest she's leaving it up to the sorceress and the sith'makar.
Vaera stops and reloads her thunderbelcher, before it disappears again into nothingness. She looks to the mist, and sighs. "Is there an option other than going into the mist? You may try to remove it, but any delays are simply consigning Barclaiigh to death. I could already hear the dragging."
GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+7: (1)+7: 8 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Ravenstongue casts Dispel Magic. Caster Level: 7 DC: 18 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls 1d20+7: (20)+7: 27
Ravenstongue nods as she listens to Vaera. "I can try more, but I can't after that. It's not a spell I'm used to casting yet," she says.
So she tries again, magic gathering... And it flickers.
Ravenstongue growls. "Gods damn it, I am Cor'lana Lupecyll, descendant of the Feathered One! I am ENOUGH," she complains before she casts it again... <Sylvan>
And it works. Blessedly, it works. The magic washes over.
The mists shudder, and vanish. It's clear, the site can be seen.
Bloodied snow where they were fighting, a disturbed trail through it, heading away.
Then, the trail vanishes. No bodies, no strange corrupt tree. There's the strange sensation the sorceress felt earlier.
The jellyfish ripples and vanishes, fading in the sunlight.
Ravenstongue looks over the environment as she sighs heavily. "Damn it," she mutters under her breath. At least the tree is... The tree just *vanished*," she realizes in a small amount of horror. "What does that even mean?"
She shakes her head. "We're gonna have to find him. But I'm tapped out on my bigger stuff, Vae," Ravenstongue says to her huntress friend. "We'll either need to rest and organize a search party after that. That fight was brutal on all of us." The remainder of the party nod silently. That will have to be the plan.
"It means that Barclaiigh is gone, so is his bear." Vaera grumbles after turning to investigate the tracks, and coming up short. "But the thing is running away. I hate to say it, but we could just walk right into a trap at the moment, and I'm not in the best shape myself."
"We didn't deal with the problem. Recover the body, and not make more in the process."
Map
https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mis43165aoh
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
22 Barclaiigh 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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17 Butterfly
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15 Randolf 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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9 Ravenstongue 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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6 Vaera 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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6 Venom 1
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===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 2 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
>> 22 Barclaiigh 1 <<
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19 Badtouch Tree
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17 Butterfly 1
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15 Randolf 1
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9 Ravenstongue 1
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6 Vaera 1
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6 Venom 1
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===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 3 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
>> 22 Barclaiigh 1 <<
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19 Badtouch Tree 1
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17 Butterfly 1
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15 Randolf 1
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9 Ravenstongue 1
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6 Vaera 1
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6 Venom 1
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==============================================================================
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| Name | Race | Class | CHP | HP | AC/FF/T |CMD |For |Ref |Wil |
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|Barclaiigh|MOUNTAIN_D|Dru | 22 | 32 |18/16/12 | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 |
|Randolf |MOUNTAIN_D|Wiz | 61 | 61 |11/10/11 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
|Ravenstong|HALF-ELF |Sor | 38 | 38 |14/12/14 | 17 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
|Vaera |SITH-MAKAR|Rgr | 53 | 53 |19/15/14 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 4 |
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