Pumpkin Spice 3
When the group reaches the patch in question, they will find that it's only a little ways off of the main farm path. A small screen of forest in reds and yellows and browns opens into a wide field, covered with green vines, broad leaves, and four-pointed yellow flowers that dot here and there among the vines. Hanging from the vines are pumpkins of every size, most of them a dull orange and a few of them shriveled and rotting. In one corner of the patch, it is exactly as Erendriel said - some sort of bramble has taken root amid a pile of overturned earth, its spines razor-sharp and its flowers rust-red and crimson amid the oranges and yellows. At the base of the bramble are sprawled the corpses of what appear to be several farm-types, motionless and beginning to rot.
The one thing - there is no sign of the sorceress' blood amid the brambles and the ground.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Survival, knowledge/nature, and knowledge/religion will help you here." GAME: Olek rolls survival: (11)+15: 26 GAME: Malik rolls Knowledge/Nature: (6)+6: 12 GAME: Murder rolls survival: (13)+10: 23 You paged Olek with 'You see no tracks anywhere around the corpses. If they're going to move, they haven't yet.' GAME: Erendriel rolls knowledge/religion: (11)+6: 17 <OOC> Seldan says, "Free RP for now."
Erendriel rolls her ankle around, making sure it feels fine after her potion, along with the earlier tending she received. "So we've been asked not to burn it down. So we need to make targeted attacks."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+11: (7)+11: 18 GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+14: (8)+14: 22 <OOC> Seldan says, "Carry on. :)"
The sounds of running can be heard, moving closer to the gathered group. Then there's a squeak, followed by the appearance of Murder. Who is riding her worg. Which is currently leaping over a section of bramble, with the Gobbo wide-eyed and clinging to its back. The worg hits the ground running, before coming to an abrupt stop by Malik. Murder dismounts whether she likes it or not, sprawling at Malik's feet. "Ooof!", the Gobbo mumbles. "Hi. I'm back!"
Malik nocks an arrow in his bow and keeping a few more close at hand -- just in case. He moves in a hurry to the pumpkin patch, but stays well back from it for now, surveying the scene. "Holy Order," he mutters under his breath, looking at the decaying corpses -- trying very hard to not pay attention to what might be feeding on them. Though he does get a bit more wide-eyed at the giant wolf rushing at him, and then the mildly weaponized rider. "Good of you to make it," he tells the gobber.
Iskandar advances into the pumpkin patch in a slight crouch. He holds his shortbow ready and toes aside a few pumpkins as he passes. After a few strides he pauses. Some instinct tells him the rest of the party isn't following yet and he doesn't want to get too far ahead of them.
Olek looks around the area without getting any closer, though he does peer particularly at the corpses. "Well," he says. "They haven't gotten up to move around. Not yet, anyhow." He eyes the goblin with a puzzled expression, and sighs wearily. Erendriel gets a nod about not burning down the man's livelihood. Though it seems to be a deathlihood now, so... he will keep his options open.
You paged Murder with 'He's right. There aren't any tracks around the corposes.' Murder pages: So that means they haven't gotten up. Yet. You paged Murder with 'Correct.' <OOC> Seldan says, "I have nothing, carry on."
Erendriel giggles as Murder arrives. "Welcome back. So um... should we all just start blasting it all at once, from here, so it hopefully can't strike back?" Erendriel is not giddily bouncing in eagerness to fireball the plant that attacked her. But she wants to.
Olek frowns at Erendriel's comment, but says, "I would like to at least try and get closer. If we can recover some of the bodies before we incinerate the area, it would be better. I'll go if no one else will." And so saying, he will move forward slowly.
Murder slowly stands, brushing dirt from her face and body. She glances at the Worg, and whistles, and it paws at the ground before dashing off in the direction from whence it came. "Hello.", she says to everyone in general, and then cants her head to one side. "I don't know about it not being able to strike back... if that's it in the center... well, it's probably got shoots all over the place, as well as those nasty looking spines. The bodies appear to have been carried here... there are no footprints around them."
Malik just sighs at the commentary, not having anything to add at the moment, though from the look on his face it's not for lack of thougth on the matter. Instead, he just surveys the vines. "The brambles might not be the only thing to worry about. We have no idea what we're up against. Nor do we know why it's -here-." Malik turns to Erendriel, asking "Where were you when it attacked?"
As the party stands at the edge of the patch, discussing next steps, there is a pattering from the trees around them, first one, then a second. The clouds have thickened, and now the leaves begin to rustle as fat droplets of rain strike them one by one.
Erendriel points to the patch. "I was walking into the patch when it went after my ankle. But if anyone eles has another plan, and wants to risk it, I'm not going to stop you. I'm here if you get attacked."
"Why don't we all just proceed slowly into the patch. If something moves to attack, we fall upon it quickly." The Gobbo gestures. "If it is too much, we retreat back here, and use what new knowledge we gain to form a new plan." She looks to the others. "What say you?"
Olek nods to Erendriel about walking into the patch and is doing just what Murder is suggesting, moving closer warily, shield up, axe out. "Let us see what we see, then," he mumbles as he moves forward.
"Whatever you do," Malik says, half-drawing that bow, "you'd better do it fast, or else all her fire is going to do is knock off the chill and damp." He looks to the sky, frowning at the sudden change in the weather, though he only advances so far as a few feet from the edge of the patch, eyes still drawn to the woods, for some reason.
<OOC> Seldan says, "So is everyone moving forward?" <OOC> Murder will. <OOC> Olek is <OOC> Erendriel says, "absolutely not me" <OOC> Malik says, "Sure, why not?" <OOC> Erendriel already took one for the team <OOC> Murder says, "You do have another ankle, though." <OOC> Erendriel says, "I also have ranged spells ;)" <OOC> Seldan says, "All right, those of you moving, Perception checks." GAME: Olek rolls perception: (16)+15: 31 GAME: Malik rolls perception: (13)+17: 30 GAME: Murder rolls perception: (12)+14: 26
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Seldan has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Seldan to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
<OOC> Seldan says, "I should probably pose first."
GAME: Murder rolls initiative: 12 + 2 = 14
GAME: Malik rolls initiative: 15 + 6 = 21
GAME: Olek rolls initiative: 2 + 3 = 5
The group gets about halfway across the pumpkin patch before anything happens at all. All seems quiet except for the pattering of dry leaves - until they start to rustle as well. Those in the middle of the field can see those sharp, thorny brambles on vines snaking right for them!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Erendriel, you should roll too. :)"
<OOC> Erendriel says, "eep sorry"
GAME: Erendriel rolls initiative: 1 + 8 = 9
<OOC> Erendriel says, "oh my god"
<OOC> Erendriel says, "thankfully I didn't go in"
GAME: You roll initiative for Blood Bramble: Roll: 18 + Bonus: 13 = Total: 31
GAME: You roll initiative for Shambling Mound: Roll: 7 + Bonus: 0 = Total: 7
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 31.
It is now Blood Bramble's turn! Malik is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "The vines are moving across the ground, and this thing is -quick-. Erendriel wasn't kidding. It's now weaving in among Olek's feat, and is considered to be in your space."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (3)+17: 20
<OOC> Seldan says, "If I say it's in your space, you are moving in difficult terrain."
<OOC> Seldan says, "However, it does not manage to get through Olek's armor."
That bramble is fast. Impossibly fast. Its tendrils weave across the ground in mere breaths and under and through Olek's feet, lashing out at him with a vine that clatters nastily across his armor, but fails to pierce the metal.
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 21.
It is now Malik's turn! Murder is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Malik ended.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Malik."
<OOC> Malik says, "Fuck that. Fly."
<OOC> Erendriel says, "awesome"
<OOC> Malik assumes that he's eating some damage.
<OOC> Murder says, "That will be a spell Murder will take. :D"
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (17)+17: 34
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6: (3)+6: 9
GAME: You damaged Malik for 9 points. 52 HP remaining.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Malik, make a concentration check. Fly is a L3 spell?"
<OOC> Malik says, "Yessir."
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20 + 11 + 4: (2)+11+4: 17
<OOC> Malik stares at dice.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Uh-oh. That hurt, and you lose the spell. Please cast."
GAME: Malik casts Fly. Caster Level: 11 DC: 17
<OOC> Seldan says, "That's your action."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Anything else?"
<OOC> Malik shrugs. "I got nothing."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 14.
It is now Murder's turn! Erendriel is next!
Malik tries to form the words of a spell, but a vine whips across his face, cutting the words off short and causing the magic to fizzle as blood starts to drip from the wound. Though onlookers might notice that the blood that comes from the wound is as dark as tar, thick and midnight black, rather than the bright red that one might expect.
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Murder ended.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Murder!"
<OOC> Murder says, "So can Murder see what is attacking Malik?"
GAME: Note Bleed added to Malik.
<OOC> Murder says, "'Cos she'll move in to attack that branch with her sword."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Yes. It's a thorny bramble vine. All right."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Roll to hit."
GAME: Murder rolls weapon9: (3)+12: 15
GAME: Murder rolls weapon9-5: (17)+12+-5: 24
<OOC> Seldan says, "The second will hit! Damage."
GAME: Murder rolls 1d10: (9): 9
<OOC> Murder says, "Oh, add a 3 forgot stuff."
<OOC> Murder poses.
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 9.
It is now Erendriel's turn! Shambling Mound is next!
GAME: Note Flat-footed on Erendriel ended.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Erendriel."
<OOC> Erendriel says, "AAT, scorching ray all on the bramble"
GAME: Erendriel casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (2)+9: 11
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (20)+9: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (14)+9: 23
<OOC> Seldan says, "Two hits."
As Malik is interrupted in his casting, Murder gives a cry and lunges at the bramble spike that attacked, hacking a good chunk off of the mobile branch. "RAH!"
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (16): 16 GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (10): 10 <OOC> Seldan says, "Erendriel? Green firewood smokes a lot and smells nasty when you burn it. And you burned it a lot."
Erendriel points at the brambles as they move. "Look out!" she shrieks, before adjusting her armor just so, and firing off three narrow, but scorching bright rays at the plant. Two shots hiss into it, letting off a foul smoke at each spot. The other hits the dirt.
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 7.
It is now Shambling Mound's turn! Olek is next!
Behind the brambles, desiccated corpses tumble from their resting places at what had been the edge of the brambles as the ground itself seems to rise up in a mass of dripping, oozing, fetid brown slime and rotting pumpkin vines, a giant brown leaf forming a comical hat on its head. Much more slowly than the brambles, it steps towards the embattled party.
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 5.
It is now Olek's turn! Blood Bramble is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Olek."
<OOC> Olek says, "There are brambles at my feet?"
<OOC> Seldan says, "Yes. They're considered to be in your square."
<OOC> Olek says, "Rage, Power Attack, full attack them."
<OOC> Seldan says, "It is bigger than your square, though. All right. With what weapon?"
<OOC> Olek says, "My axe?"
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Roll it."
GAME: Olek RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 20 temporary HP
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+15: (10)+15: 25
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+10: (12)+10: 22
<OOC> Seldan says, "First hits, second does not. Damage."
GAME: Olek rolls 1d10+12: (6)+12: 18
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right. Make a Reflex save to avoid thorns in your feet and ankles."
GAME: Olek rolls reflex: (2)+6: 8
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8: (5): 5
GAME: You damaged Olek for 5 points. 126 AND 15 TEMP HP remaining.
<OOC> Olek says, "My DR eats that entirely."
<OOC> Seldan says, "DR/what?"
<OOC> Olek has DR 6/-
GAME: You damaged Olek for -5 points. 126 AND 15 TEMP HP remaining.
<OOC> Seldan says, "I understand, thank you! Keep reminding me."
<OOC> Olek says, "That didn't restore the temp HP. We can just remember."
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 31.
It is now Blood Bramble's turn! Malik is next!
<OOC> Olek forgot his last adventure, too.
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right."
<OOC> Seldan says, "The bramble moves so that it occupies Murder's space as well."
GAME: Iskandar rolls initiative: 10 + 3 = 13
Olek is attacked by the vines crawling around his legs, and he loses it, frothing mad in an instant as he bellows, "Get chopped, bloody nuisance weed!" He hacks at the vines like a madman, bark and plant fiber flying as the vines wrap around his ankles and ... do precious little.
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right, thank you, Iskandar. the bramble is attacking your companions somewhere near the middle of the patch, and a massive mound of slime, vines, and compost wearing a brown pumpkin leaf as some sort of sick hat is ambling towards you as well."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (13)+17: 30
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (12)+17: 29
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (9)+17: 26
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (14)+17: 31
<OOC> Iskandar says, "Is it too late to say I've been using Stalwart for DR? :)"
<OOC> Seldan says, "You have not acted yet, so no. Tell me again on your turn, please? :)"
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6: (4)+6: 10
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6: (7)+6: 13
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8+6: (8)+6: 14
GAME: You damaged Olek for 3 points. 126 AND 12 TEMP HP remaining.
GAME: Note Bleed added to Olek.
GAME: You damaged Murder for 27 points. 42 HP remaining.
GAME: Note bleed added to Murder.
<OOC> Murder says, "Ow!. ;.;"
<OOC> Seldan says, "For the record, the 3, Olek, comes from taking your DR out of the damage done to you, and subtracting the five that I did and should not have. Your accounting is noq square."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Um, now."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+16: (8)+16: 24
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+16: (9)+16: 25
<OOC> Olek says, "OK"
<OOC> Seldan says, "Murder, it tripped you as well, you are now prone. Trip for this, when it is in your space, is a swift action that does not provoke AoO."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Olek manages to stay up, but it tried it on him as well."
<OOC> Murder nods.
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 21.
It is now Malik's turn! Murder is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Malik."
<OOC> Malik says, "I mean, if we're just gonna stand here touching each other, I'm gonna show him who's better at it. Pumping the big slimy thing full of arrows."
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right, roll."
GAME: Malik rolls Longbow: aliased to 1d20+7+6+2+2+1-2-2: (2)+7+6+2+2+1+-2+-2: 16
GAME: Malik rolls Longbow: aliased to 1d20+7+6+2+2+1-2-2: (20)+7+6+2+2+1+-2+-2: 34
GAME: Malik rolls Longbow: aliased to 1d20+7+6+2+2+1-2-2: (1)+7+6+2+2+1+-2+-2: 15 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Malik rolls Longbow: aliased to 1d20+7+6+2+2+1-2-2: (4)+7+6+2+2+1+-2+-2: 18
GAME: Malik rolls Longbow-5: aliased to 1d20+7+6+2+2+1-2-2-5: (6)+7+6+2+2+1+-2+-2+-5: 15
<OOC> Malik says, "Seriously dice?"
<OOC> Seldan says, "Which one was for the thread?"
<OOC> Malik says, "The epic fail, I'm guessing, since that one was right after."
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right. It's a normal hit. Damage."
GAME: Malik rolls Longbow Damage: aliased to 2d6+2+3+4+2: (4)+2+3+4+2: 15
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8: (7): 7
GAME: Malik rolls 2d6+2+3+4+2: (6)+2+3+4+2: 17
GAME: You damaged Murder for 7 points. 35 HP remaining.
<OOC> Murder says, "Getting there."
<OOC> Seldan says, "That is falling into the thorns."
<OOC> Murder says, "Ow."
<OOC> Seldan says, "So that is 15 damage to the mound, Malik? I am trying to sort out all the stuff."
<OOC> Malik says, "Yes, sorry."
<OOC> Seldan says, "You damage it, Malik!"
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 14.
It is now Murder's turn! Iskandar is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Murder."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d6: (4): 4
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d6: (1): 1
GAME: You damaged Malik for 4 points. 48 HP remaining.
GAME: You damaged Murder for 1 points. 34 HP remaining.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Bleed damage."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Murder, you are prone in the thorns."
Malik's face is bleeding from the vine that whipped across him earlier, a bit of it getting into his eyes. He fires of a slew of arrows -- but unfortunately, he can't see clearly enough to get many decent shots, between trying to dodge the thorns and aiming. Only one strikes home.
<OOC> Murder will attempt to cast fire breath.
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right."
GAME: Murder casts Fire Breath. Caster Level: 8 DC: 15
<OOC> Seldan says, "Standard action, right?"
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d8: (5): 5
<OOC> Murder says, "I guess?"
GAME: You damaged Murder for 5 points. 29 HP remaining.
<OOC> Murder blinks.
<OOC> Seldan says, "More thorns, but make me a concentration check. What is the level of the spell?"
<OOC> Murder says, "It's a level 2 spell."
<OOC> Murder says, "How do you do a concentration check?"
<OOC> Malik says, "1d20 + Caster Level + Relevant Attribute Mod."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Oh! Hold up, make a reflex save to evade that damage."
GAME: Murder rolls reflex: (8)+4: 12
<OOC> Seldan says, "If you have combat casting, add another 4 on top of that."
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right, never mind."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Your DC is 17."
GAME: Murder rolls 1d20+8+3: (20)+8+3: 31
<OOC> Seldan says, "Nice! No problem, give it some halitosis."
GAME: Murder rolls 4d6: (14): 14
<OOC> Seldan says, "Very good, you did some nice damage. Are you staying prone, then?"
<OOC> Murder says, "Damned if I do, damned if I don't, so will stay laying down."
<OOC> Seldan says, "That is fair."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 13.
It is now Iskandar's turn! Erendriel is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Iskandar. You'll need to move to close with either enemy, and the bramble is closer."
The Gobbo snarls as she's tripped, and then squeaks as she is punctured by thorns repeatedly. She huffs and reaches into a pouch, popping a jalapeno into her mouth. Moments later, she breaths a gout of flame that engulfs the thorns attacking her.
<OOC> Iskandar will move up to the bramble...and then punch it using Vital Strike and fighting defensively
<OOC> Iskandar wants to fight defensively to use Stalwart, for DR/- 4
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right. Go ahead."
GAME: Iskandar rolls 17-2: (16)+17+-2: 31
<OOC> Seldan says, "It does get AoO, because it has reach."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+17: (2)+17: 19
<OOC> Seldan says, "And it misses, but you will hit. This is a punch, Iskandar? What type of damage are you doing?"
<OOC> Iskandar says, "Is it susceptible to Precision damage?"
<OOC> Iskandar does piercing damage through Snake Style
<OOC> Seldan says, "It is."
<OOC> Seldan says, "It's a plant."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Roll damage, Iskandar."
GAME: Iskandar rolls 4d6+10: (12)+10: 22
<OOC> Seldan says, "You did some damage, but not as much as you'd expect."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 9.
It is now Erendriel's turn! Shambling Mound is next!
<OOC> Erendriel says, "aat, scorching ray that hungry bramble"
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right."
GAME: Erendriel casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (20)+9: 29 (THREAT)
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (3)+9: 12
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (16)+9: 25
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (11)+9: 20
<OOC> Seldan says, "Three hits."
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (15): 15
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (17): 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (15): 15
<OOC> Seldan says, "And that fire snakes up the vines, sending it shriveling. You killed it."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 7.
It is now Shambling Mound's turn! Olek is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "However, you still have another problem."
Erendriel shakes her head at how dangerous this bramble really is. "You're just lucky I can't burn this hwole field down," she says pointedly to it, firing THREE more shots. Ksssh. Ksssh, K.... wait. practically on fire after these shots, it goes limp, and she jumps in joy. "Take that!"
Iskandar shifts his bow out of the way so that he can dash over and jab his fist through a knot of vines. A shadow flickers over his features but he shakes off whatever is bothering him and braces himself to resist any attacks made at him.
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d4: (1): 1
<OOC> Seldan says, "The pile of vines shambles up to Malik and aims a couple of tendril slams at him."
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+11: (16)+11: 27
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+16: (11)+16: 27
GAME: Seldan rolls 2d6+5: (7)+5: 12
GAME: You damaged Malik for 12 points. 36 HP remaining.
<OOC> Seldan says, "And Malik is grappled."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 5.
It is now Olek's turn! Malik is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Olek."
<OOC> Seldan says, "It is now safe to move."
<OOC> Olek says, "Can I full attack the mound, or do I need to move to it?"
<OOC> Seldan says, "It has reach. You need to move to it and will need to take AoO."
<OOC> Olek says, "I will take the AoO"
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d20+11: (8)+11: 19
<OOC> Seldan says, "Miss. Make your attack."
GAME: Olek rolls 1d20+15: (7)+15: 22
The brambles seem to burn up from the inside out at Erendriel's fire, going limp and hollow and quickly shriveling out, rust-red flowers and all. In second, it lies as limp as the pumpkin vines. Our intrepid heroes still have another problem, as the great mass of pumpkin vines lashes out at Malik, grabbing the hapless archer and waving him in the air like it just don't care.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Hit, damage pls."
GAME: Olek rolls 1d10+14: (5)+14: 19
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 21.
It is now Malik's turn! Murder is next!
GAME: Seldan rolls 1d6: (3): 3
GAME: You damaged Malik for 3 points. 33 HP remaining.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Bleed damage. Malik, you are grappled."
<OOC> Seldan says, "What would you like to do?"
<OOC> Malik is thinking.
<OOC> Malik says, "Is using the bonded item to Dimension Door out of the grapple a possibility?"
Olek endures the attack of the creature from the pumpkin patch and glowers. "Is that all you've got?" he scoffs, and whirls the axe around in his hand like a baton in the all-Khazad barbarians' marching band, rushing the enemy, slipping past it's preemptive strikes with ease, and bringing his axe down with a THWOK of flying vegitation. "There's more where that came from," he shouts, not that it's listening. It's as much to psych himself up as anything. "My granny hits harder than you," he claims. /That/ may actually be true, as he's a Stonesmasher, noted warrior clan.
<OOC> Seldan says, "You can cast a spell, but the concentration check to do so is very difficult. The spell level is 4?"
<OOC> Malik says, "It is."
<OOC> Malik says, "But it's all I got."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Your DC is 28."
GAME: Malik rolls 1d20 + 11 + 4: (19)+11+4: 34
<OOC> Olek says, "Nice!"
<OOC> Seldan says, "Holy crap, you did it. Good job. Pose it."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 14.
It is now Murder's turn! Iskandar is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Murder."
<OOC> Murder says, "Is it still attacking Murder, or has it moved on?"
Of course, Malik being grappled doesn't seem to be a problem for long. He's bleeding and hurt, but he's not out of the fight. Narrowing his eyes and looking defiant, he shouts a word, and suddenly the wizard simply isn't -there- anymore -- reappearing at the edge of the field, and looking mightily pissed off.
<OOC> Seldan says, "The mound is not attacking Murder."
<OOC> Murder says, "Since Murder went to help Malik earlier, he is still close by, yes?"
<OOC> Murder will go and hack at what's attacking him.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Yes. You will need to risk AoO to get inside its reach, but you can."
<OOC> Murder risks it.
<OOC> Seldan says, "Never mind, it has no AoO's left. Roll to hit."
GAME: Murder rolls weapon9: (7)+12: 19
GAME: Murder rolls weapon9-5: (7)+12+-5: 14
<OOC> Murder says, "Dammit, gotta remember not to do that."
<OOC> Seldan says, "The first hits."
GAME: Murder rolls 1d10+3: (1)+3: 4
<OOC> Murder says, "Man, dice are dice."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Poke!"
<OOC> Malik stole all the dice-luck this round.
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 13.
It is now Iskandar's turn! Erendriel is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Iskandar."
<OOC> Erendriel says, "these dice are murder! wait never mind"
<OOC> Iskandar will run up to the mound and punch it, again using Vital strike, fighting defensively, and using Stalward for DR/- 4
<OOC> Iskandar says, "Actually can I approach it at an angle to flank it with Olek or Murder?"
<OOC> Seldan says, "Murder but not Olek."
With a groan, Murder picks herself up from the ground, and stumbles over to where Malik battles the plant. She wheezes and takes a number of swipes at the thick tendril, scoring a hit but not doing anything really appreciable. "This is... almost like work."
<OOC> Iskandar nods ok will do so!
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right. Roll to hit."
GAME: Iskandar rolls 17-2+2: (15)+17+-2+2: 32
<OOC> Seldan says, "Hit, roll damage."
GAME: Iskandar rolls 4d6+10: (17)+10: 27
<OOC> Seldan says, "It's looking really bad."
GAME: Seldan advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 9.
It is now Erendriel's turn! Shambling Mound is next!
<OOC> Seldan says, "Erendriel."
<OOC> Erendriel says, "aat, scorching ray the mound"
GAME: Erendriel casts Scorching Ray. Caster Level: 10 DC: 17
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (7)+9: 16
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (6)+9: 15
GAME: Erendriel rolls ranged: (6)+9: 15
<OOC> Seldan says, "All hit."
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (11): 11
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (13): 13
GAME: Erendriel rolls 4d6: (12): 12
<OOC> Seldan says, "You kill it."
Iskandar has been watching the approaching mound out of the corner of his eye. Once the bramble stops moving he wheels around to face the larger, possibly more dangerous enemy. He blanches a bit at the sight of Malik being snatched up, but by the time the brawler is headed that way he's already extricated himself from danger. So Iskandar circles slightly and slams a fist into the monster's midsection.
Erendriel looks over to what's left to hit. She glares "This patch is cursed!" And well, she shifts from merely pointing at it, to making Arcane noises at it, and sending three bright, hot rays at it. Kssh, Kssh, K.... "Yes!"
<OOC> Seldan says, "All right. Olek, Iskandar, make me a reflex save?" <OOC> Iskandar will use Charmed Life! GAME: Iskandar rolls reflex+3: (7)+8+3: 18
The massive composting pile of vines lash around, but the fire is the final straw, and it teeters, then comes crashing down, its fall thundering towards Olek and Iskandar.
GAME: Olek rolls reflex: (7)+6: 13 <OOC> Seldan says, "Olek, you're buried in a pile of compost. Iskandar has some on him, but you're buried. Free RP for right now." <OOC> Olek says, "Will stonecunning help me orient myself and tunnel out?" <OOC> Seldan says, "No, but there's no damage. It's compost, not rock. It just smells. :)" <OOC> Seldan says, "You can get out." <OOC> Olek says, "OK"
The Gobbo leans against her sword, grumbling, and looks to Malik. "Are you alright?" She makes a face and looks to where Iskandar and Olek face the compost heap. Murder blinks and makes her way towards the two. "Olek?!", she calls out, staring at the spot where Olek was standing. Her nose wrinkles. "We gotta dig him ou... oh... nevermind."
Malik watches the thing go down, already moving to pull a bandage across his forehead to stop the bleeding, the bandage already turning inky black as he surveys the rest of the crew, wrinkling his nose a bit as the thing goes down. "Gross," he sighs, looking down at the slime that currently covers -- pretty much everything he's wearing.
Iskandar wears a look of triumph as the creature falls. But it turns to alarm as it falls towards him. He skips backwards and his efforts are rewarded as he's pelted by a few bits of rotting vegetation. "Hah! Nearly..." he trails off, turning to look at where Olek is, he sees only rubbish. "...got us."
Olek emerges from the decaying plant body in a spray of yuck. "Gah!" he says, and that is that. "Well, now I know why dwarves do not farm. It is not pleasant."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Heal checks to stop the bleed damage." <OOC> Seldan says, "If you are trying." <OOC> Murder says, "Oh. Yeah." GAME: Olek rolls heal: (1)+2: 3 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Malik rolls Heal: (20)+5: 25 GAME: Seldan rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: You damaged Olek for 5 points. 126 AND 7 TEMP HP remaining. <OOC> Malik has been hanging out with too many holy types. <OOC> Murder has no heal. >.> <OOC> Seldan says, "Malik, you're good." GAME: Murder rolls heal: (15)+1: 16 <OOC> Seldan says, "Murder, you're good." <OOC> Murder says, "Oh you can still roll it..." <OOC> Seldan says, "Roll what?" <OOC> Murder says, "Heal." <OOC> Malik says, "Heal, untrained." <OOC> Seldan says, "Yes." <OOC> Malik says, "Ok, anyone dying and still bleeding?" <OOC> Seldan says, "Olek is still bleeding."
With the corrupted plants destroyed, spiny and not-spiny vines sprawl everywhere across the patch. Most of the pumpkins in that area are dead, entirely squashed by the weight of the mound, which looks to have been there for a little while. The bodies still have not moved, and appear to be rotting away.
<OOC> Murder says, "May we heal others?" <OOC> Seldan says, "You can do Heal checks on others, yes." GAME: Murder rolls heal: (5)+1: 6 <OOC> Murder says, "Oops. I can't help Olek. ;.;" <OOC> Malik is on it. <OOC> Olek is gonna die. ;.; GAME: Malik rolls Use Magic Device: (12)+13: 25 GAME: Malik used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds. <OOC> Olek will be out of temp HP next round. <OOC> Seldan says, "Works well."
Erendriel daintily steps into the patch once thing settle down. Lacking any of these nifty healing spells and abilities, she does walk up. "Well, we managed not to burn the place down. We'd better alert them it's okay to bury them now..." she says softly, gesturing to the hands who died before their arrival. "Looks like that thing destroyed more pumpkins than we did."
<OOC> Seldan says, "And magical healing in any form works automatically." GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+1: (1)+1: 2 <OOC> Malik sighs. GAME: You damaged Olek for -2 points. 126 AND 7 TEMP HP remaining. GAME: Olek ends his rage. GAME: Seldan removes the timestop. Timestop by Seldan has left. GAME: You remove the timestop.
Malik moves to Olek, looking the man's wounds over as he pulls himself out of the Mound. "Hold still," he says softly, pulling out a bone white wand from the satchel by his side. "I've never used this thing before." Comforting. But still, he manages to make the stick glow with a soothing light for a moment, some of the wounds starting to close -- but not by much.
The Gobbo wobbles and huffs. "Is this just the first field?", she complains. "It is going to be a real pain in the behind."
Olek arches a brow and says, "Son, you should use that on people more hurt than I am." But he doesn't decline it, his own attemps to bandage himself hampered by the heavy armor he's got to take off to get at the wounds.
Iskandar puts away his bow. He seems to quickly grow restless as wounds are treated. Turning towards the corpses he goes over to inspect them. "You said they may become animated?" he glances at Erendriel. "Just from being here? Is the land here so steeped in evil?"
<OOC> Seldan says, "You are going to inspect the corpses?" <OOC> Iskandar says, "Yes!" <OOC> Seldan says, "If you are, roll a perception check."
Erendriel nods to Iskander. "My read of the situation is that it's possible. So the sooner they are buried the better. Should we check?"
GAME: Iskandar rolls perception: (2)+12: 14 GAME: Olek rolls perception: (2)+15: 17 GAME: Erendriel rolls perception: (20)+19: 39 You paged Erendriel with 'Your rogue spidey sense goes off. Not where they are laying, but a few feet away - that ground looks unstable.' GAME: Murder rolls perception: (18)+14: 32 You paged Erendriel with 'Very turned, and maybe just a little sunken?' You paged Murder with 'That ground a few feet away from the corpses looks sunken and maybe just a bit unstable.'
Erendriel points. "Hang on. Could be a sinkhole or something nearby. Maybe the root systems of some of the stuff we just killed? Be very careful and keep your distance from that ground over there."
Malik doesn't really argue, putting the wand away with a shrug. "Last person I saw buried by one of those things was doing much worse than you when they managed to pull themselves out of it. But if you think you're ok..." Turning to listen to the others, he asks Murder, "how many fields did they say there were? Surely these things can't be in all of them?" As others move to check on the corpses, though, he keeps his distance. "I think I've seen enough death in my time."
Murder will move with the others, stepping forward to peer at the corpses. She sniffs and throws out an arm. "Yeah.. she is right, it looks like the ground is a little unstable. Gotta watch your footing." She looks to Malik and shrugs, "I don't recall. But I could use a little healing if you can manage?"
Olek peers at the corpses, peers at the mess makes a face of disgust, which on him is extra disgusting. "I'm fine," he assures Malik. "Apart from needing about ten baths." And he's not gonna take any of them.
Iskandar looks down in mild surprise. He kneels and presses the ground with his fingers, experimentally. He pulls out one arrow and pokes ahead, pushing the arrowhead into the dirt. "Does anyone have a pick or shovel?" he calls back without looking away from what he's doing.
Malik moves over to the little goblin, kneeling down and inspecting what wounds might be there, frowning at the current mess. But it only lasts a moment as he pulls the little wand out again, sighing at her. "It looks like you fought them with your teeth," he teases. "Hold still. I'm still not very good with this thing."
<OOC> Seldan says, "Iskandar, Reflex save."
Erendriel adds to Malik "Oh no, I hope there aren't any MORE of these. That bramble was awful. It can take on all of us. I hope that was it. It killed what, four people?" Then to Iskandar. "Sorry don't have anything big like that..."
GAME: Iskandar rolls reflex+3: (1)+8+3: 12 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Murder snorks at Malik. GAME: Seldan rolls 3d6: (6): 6 GAME: Malik rolls 1d8+1: (5)+1: 6 GAME: Malik used a Wand of Cure Light Wounds. <OOC> Murder says, "Ouch. We might have to pull Iskandar out of a hole." <OOC> Seldan says, ">:D" <OOC> Murder says, "Nice roll, Malik. :D" <OOC> Erendriel says, "fire in the hole.. wait no, that would be bad." <OOC> Malik, Not-A-Cleric. "But can at least patch up the worst of it."
The Gobbo looks appreciatively at Malik. "Thanks!", she says with a toothy grin. She blinks at Iskandar. "Careful, that's awfully close to the uneven ground.."
As Iskandar takes an arrow and pokes around at the ground near the corpses, the soft, turned ground beneath him crumples in, like a sinkhole, without warning, sending him plummeting into a hole some thirty feet deep. Parts of it go deeper still as the dirt falls away, and he lands with a hard *thud* on something that clanks like metal....