*Gasp*?! The words choke in Seraph's throat as it snatches up Asta with such ease. Seeing her plight puts Seraph into a dark rage and the dread falls away as she gives the empty minded beast a hate filled glare. She changes her grip to having both hands around her blade. As Justinians magic surged through her, causing her muscles to tense with the enhanced strength. She gripped her sword even harder, white knuckled as she abandoned her defensive fighting. She brought the blade around, nearly catching Justinian with its edge as she brought back to slash the plant horizontally. Asta needed her. She roared as she swung. "MY QUEEN!" Her words were followed by the air around her blade growing ice cold as she called upon her trump card, calling on her oath. Which makes the broken chain on her collar stand straight out as she swingds the large bastard sword at the plant beast. It's edge being guided by mysterious forces.
I cannot fail her now... Was the only though that ran through her mind as she threw all her strength behind the swing of her sword...
Sunset continues to lie where she's fallen/been dropped.
"Yup..... I'm a jus' gon'a... y'know, lie here fer a tad. Tha' sky... t'is a nice kind'a blue.... this time'a day... "
The wilting Tendriculos brings an elated shout from Seraph. Sunsets words bring a smile to her once tense face. "I am glad you are in good spirits." Seraph chuckled at the lounging Sunset before turning her attention back to her sword, which was buried in the Tendriculos. Letting go of the hilt she focuses instead on freeing Asta. Now that the plant had stopped moving Seraph tries to climb up and pry open its mouth to free her Queen.
"I'm coming Milady, just be ready..." She clambers up the large plant, using its tentacles for hand and foot holds. When she reaches the plants maw she looks for the best way to get Asta out Whether pulling her out and over her shoulder or prying its mouth open...
"Well... Here we go!"
Torod finishes casting the spell. From a rupture in the world a spark of flame emerges. The spark quickly grows in size to that of a small child. Torod speaks to it in Ignan and the flame darts off to singe the edges of the wilted plant, keeping away from any of the people as best it can.
Torod then hurries over to help extricate Asta.
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Justinian walks over to where Sunset lies, looking down on her with some consternation. He reaches down and grabs her by the duster, speaking words of power.
"pedum tuorum militum!'
Healing energy flows through him as he yanks her to her feet.
Then he moves over to where the wounded Asta is sure to emerge from the plant...thing.
With help from the others, Asta extracts herself from the tendriculos and staggers a few steps away from the vegetative corpse.
"That was unpleasant.... Ugh! Alright. Thank you, Seraph. Thank you, Torod. Sunset, I'm coming."
Before everyone's eyes, Asta's wounds start to heal over, and her healing touch also helps Sunset to recover.
"Nearly out of magic," Asta says as she casts a final healing spell on herself. "Let's head back to the boat for now and get back to scouting in the morning."
Seraph helped her down and then recovered her sword from the plant before following her over to Sunset. With them both together this made it easier for her to focus on healing them...
However Asta magic was far more potent then she remembered and when her wounds sealed over Seraph turned her attention to Sunset. "Hold still a moment so I may right what has been marred." She lightly pressed her hand to Sunset's forehead, letting her healing power pass through her hand in a wave of warmth.
After that she squats down on her haunches. Seemingly content her friends are okay as she catches her breath. Shaky from the fading magical might she once had...
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Remembering the Beldame's request Seraph stands and survey's the area the Tendriculos had been in before it's fall.
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Luckily none of the Rattlecaps near the Tendriculos' den were damaged. Anyone entering the bowl area would be quickly effected by the foul-smelling vapor the mud gives off possibly nauseating anyone within 60 feet of the mud.
After any reaching you can collect the 18 Rattlecaps valued by Beldam. The Tendriculos while interesting has no other parts of value.
The group makes it back to the River Queen to rest for the evening, without incidents.
The area has been explored and made safe through your group's bold actions!
That leaves a visit to Baldam to collect the reward and the disagreeable Crackjaw turtle in the next area that threatens lives of any who fish in the area.
"Should we keep some of these and try to plant them near The castle as well?" Seraph was naturally curious what the others thought, expanding the castle gardens with exotic things would be great years down the road. Or at least she hoped. "Once we get these delivered then Old Crackjaw is next eh?"
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"Not the gardens," Asta says, "but we could shovel some mud and dung into one of the cellars. No need to let them overgrow the gardens before we know what they do and how virulent they are."
The Witch purses her lips when the turtle is mentioned. "I might try to talk to it, if possible. We might walk up to its area from a safe distance so as not to endanger the ship."
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With nods and thanks Sunset gets herself motivated and upright again.
Leaving the further horticulture to those more knowledgeable about such things, Sunset stands watch and other wise tries to help out as best she can getting back to the boat.
Seraph's eyes lingered on the quiet Sunset as she listened to Asta and nodded, hoping that if Sunset needed help she'd ask. But not wishing to pry she turned her attention and eyes back to Queen Asta then. "Understood, perhaps a small shed would do on the grounds. Incase they are... dangerous to those inside the castle." She made a mental note before looking at where they had them stored. "So we keep only one rattle cap then."
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Everyone would be fully healed and refreshed by the next morning. As the River Queen is sailing to the next destination, Captain Esteban enquirers "Have your adventures been fruitful?"
The pool of water where Crackjaw Turtle lives is in a marsh area along the banks of the lake. You can get close, but not close enough with the boat to engage the Turtle in conversation. You'll have to approach it on foot through marsh.
"Quite good, captain," Asta answers. "Quite good. This is proving to be an interesting trip, and it has at the very least given us food for thought. Now, for the next destination, I would like to suggest you keep your ship a fair distance away. No need to risk your hull against a stroppy giant turtle, am I right?"
When the ship arrives at the marsh, Asta heaves a brief sigh -- and then briefly returns to her cabin to swap her usual outfit for something a bit more action-ready; leather leggings, boots and tunic. For those used to seeing the Witch in dresses and cloak, the sight is almost as jarring as seeing her tie her white hair back into a very businesslike braid.
"Let's get going," she says as she climbs down towards the waiting mire.
Justinian keeps watch while the others gather the mushrooms. He does not enter the pool - it reminds him of of a similar pool he ran into while on patrol just west of Kenabres...except that one was of blood...
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Once the group departs, he falls in line with the others. He takes a moment to catch up with Seraph. "Before you rush off to do battle with this turtle or whatever a 'Crackjaw' is, let me boost you strength as I did before."
"And let me put the blessing of shadows on your sword, if you're planning to draw it," Asta adds. "In other words, don't charge off until we've done our thing, okay?"
Seraph smiles sheepishly for a moment but nods as her companioneck and her Queen strengthen her for battle. "please and thank you. I hope we can solve this without bloodshed but if I must I appreciate these boons. Thank you both." Once she has received the magical boosting from her companions she falls in line with Asta. Only getting in front of her if she needs it. But she readies herself to draw if the turtle turns hostile.
"We won't be casting for a bit yet," Asta chuckles. "First we need to see the danger; these spells don't last for hours on end, alas. At least.... not yet. Give me time."
Justinian gives Seraph a stern look. "Your desire to protect Asta is admirable, but patience is often the best weapon. We haven't even located the turtle yet."
"Too true. And there's more in a marsh that could be dangerous than a giant turtle," Asta warns. "Keep on the lookout for leeches, stirges, piraña and the like. Also keep in mind some kinds of Fey like this area, and we're not sure how far the Lizardmen's territory extends."
Sunset walks along with the group quietly muttering.
" 'See the wilderness' They said....." She begins to watch her footing with more care as the ground continues to soften. " 'The trees of tha' forests will be breath takin' they said..." She brushes buzzing insects away from her face.
" 'The rolling hills, all covered in wild flowers be divine' They said..." She continues to carefully watch herr footing as her boots sink a little deeper into the squeltching soil as the group moves ever deeper into the marshy area in search of their newest enounter. She blows a loose strand of hair from her face, tucking it back into captivity beneath her hat.
"This critter? Either t'is gon'a be learnin' about 'Friendly' real quick... Or it's gon'a be learnin' a new name coined fer its attitude...." She stops for a moment and carefully looks around at the sourounding marsh.
"Gon'a be a whole lot'a time spent either way with 'Stew-art'...Come our crossin' paths..."
"Stew? Hardly," Asta scoffs, as she prods and tests the ground ahead of her with her quarterstaff. "If it gets to that, I'm calling for the biggest helping of turtle soup we've ever any of us had."
The Winter Witch flashes Sunset a quick grin.
She takes her scolding with a practice ease and as they make their way through the swamp she smiles at Sunsets comical complaints. Mainly because she was glad they had all survived yesterday's ordeal mostly intact. When they arrived at the pool she takes a protective stance of Asta and stays close to her in general as she did with the massive plant. She kept her massive blade in its holder, waiting for the command to be given that negotiations had failed.
"Take note, Justinian, we do talk sometimes. By my mind, she talks too often." Torod readies his bow for action.
"Stay close." he says to Strawberry.
She looks at him and moves closer to Asta.
*Sigh* "Be careful. Erastil sometimes punishes disloyalty with arrows from the sky."
She gives him an 'as if' look before finding her spot next to Asta.
Asta laughs softly, and strokes Strawberry Deathstrike's silky fur.
"Let's try it from here first," she suggests. "We can move in closer as needed."
Cupping her hands around her mouth, the Witch utters a low cry.....
Justinian finds it hard to disagree with Torod. They DO talk too much. But he writes his irritation off to too much time patrolling on the front lines. He waits for the results of whatever Asta was trying to do.
"You know, Asta," he begins, while waiting for some reaction from the pool, "maybe it would help if you would share what it is you are trying to do here. A unit works better when all members have an idea as to the plan. I don't know about any of the others, but I do not understand your 'animal speech'. Or what it is you are attempting here."
"I'm trying to see if we can befriend him, so we won't need to kill him and people can move through here safely. Imagine if we could get him on our side! He'd be a fine guardian of the waterways, maybe a source of information. Of course if he can't be pacified, I can hopefully draw him out of the water so he'll be easier to tackle," Asta tells Justinian.
"He's asking me to move closer so he can hear me better," Asta translates. "Mind me. Don't follow at once."
The Witch mutters a quick spell and moves to forty feet from the shore.
From that distance, Asta tries again.
Seraph holds her position, letting Asta go forth alone. Much to her whipping tails displeasure, it made her nervous especially after how close Asta was to being swalled yesterday. "Stay safe Milady."
Unless Asta specifically tells her not to, Strawberry pads along side her to the shore.
Sunset listens to Asta's 'Talking' with Stew-art.
"S'funny... I thought ye callin'? It would sound more, y'know, yodellin' like.... " The blond gunslinger shrugs and begins moving side-ways along the bank, her weapons drawn and held loose and ready.
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Asta and Strawberry move up to 40' from the shore.
The Turtle drifts 5ft with its head above water, but it's body still below the surface. It seems to be trying to get a good look at Asta as it croaks a reply back in a loud voice.
Asta gets the impression the Turtle is old and cantankerious, he didn't get to his size and age by taking risks.
The Witch signals the others and mutters something to Strawberry Deathstrike.
Asta moves to ten feet from the shore and raises her voice, cupping her hands around her mouth for extra volume. She is ready to leap and run the very instant the turtle becomes aggressive.
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Asta moves closer and using extra volume Feral speech at the turtle.
The turtle eye's you critically as he drifts 5ft closer and it croaks a reply.
"What you yelling for, I'm not deaf! Ah I see your not a gnome. Pity I like gnomes. Well, wag you tongue if you must, my quite nap has already been disturb. What do you want? Are any of the others gnomes?"
Asta translates the giant turtle's words for the others, then launches her diplomatic offensive.
Sunset raises an eyebrow...
"I... dun't think ye be thinkin' whut t'is yon Stew-art be thinkin', luv." Sunset points out to Asta then Sunset shrugs,
"Jus' call it me cantankerous nature comin' ta tha' fore, is all.... but..." Sunset continues to eye the large critter warily.
"I'm fairly certain Asta said not to follow her," Justinian says to both Torod and Seraph who are still next to him, "I've a feeling Sunset's move may upset this situation."
Around Asta, the grass suddenly withers as though subjected to a blast of frost.
Unless the turtle makes a hostile move, the Witch walks out to sixty feet from the shore and beckons to the others, taking Strawberry Deathstrike with her.
As soon as everyone is back together, Asta starts to whisper to them.
"It's a man-eater," she says, bluntly. "Well, Gnome-eater, but the principle stands. It's offering to let us have fishing access for a meal of Gnomes per moon.
Quick vote time: I say it's got to go. I am not selling out people for fish. How do the rest of you vote?"
Seraph nods at Justinian's words but as Asta steps back and the translation hits home. She realizes this turtle was something vile. Asta vote is an easy one, she'd naturally be inclined to follow her but feeding people to some ancient turtle wasn't an option. "It has to go, before it eats anyone else. Like children."
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Sunset moves back slightly,
"Aye, eatin' peoples... when did that get fun?" She asks rhetorically though she continues to keep her eyes on Stew-art.
"SO.. 'tis a big beasty all'a waaaay over there. We gon'a poke it with ranged stuff in'a hopes it comes ta' us?" Sunset asks, opening the talk up to tactics.
Seraph didn't like how this turned out. So far south of the Colony proved to be nothing but savage creatures. As much as she wished to respect the turtles territory. It would only me it was a matter of time before someone of gnome ish descent died. By her oaths she couldn't let it stand. "I hope the Lizardfolk are more malleable then this..." The idea of purging a single threat, like the plant beast, would be for the good of all. An entire village though... she felt sick even considering it.
Looking to Asta then. "Is there anything else it wants maybe? She had to ask the question and if it turned I out to be no then she would do her duty with no qualms.
"Get it on shore if you can. He should be less capable on land than in the water. Ask if he'd be part of our local defense forces or something. Offer more gnomes if you have to."
Sunset arches an eyebrow, "Well.. we should be more seein' if tha' beasty can be appeased with other things instead a Gnomes... Like a few cows an' such..." She glances to Justinian.
"As fer temptin' it a'shore under false pretenses... That dun't seem quite tha' way ta' start a fair fight...." She shrugs.