"Sadly no. The demons harried us, cut us off from our few safe hiding places before they attacked almost two days ago. In the ensuing skirmishes, three of the us were killed, and the demons captured our leader Lanverel and four others before we got away. We made our way back here in hopes of regrouping and then returning to save Lanverel." Cecilia says before her eyes widen in the direction of the former giant bug. She rushes over to the corpse and takes what seems to be a belt wrapped around one of its many legs. "This belonged to Lanverel. This is the work of a Hezrou named Fihralaz. He put it there to taunt us. He hasn't been in this region long and he just carved out a lair for himself in Tanglebriar. Fihralaz not only enjoys sending other creatures to do his dirty work but also delights in sending trophies of his victims back to their loved ones as a calling
card."
"If only to torture them. If you do this, we know how to reach his territory. We can draw you a map. But even with good directions, Tanglebriar is a difficult place to navigate. You can also make use of Lanverel's belt if it'll help along with some other things." Cecilia takes her pack and hands it to the group.
Lini nods solemnly.
The trek through Tanglebriar weaves between trees drawn into moaning visages whose cracked bark sweats black sap. Tortured howls punctuate the constant buzzing of bloodred flies, and at times the ground itself seems to spasm as if alive. Approximately a mile from Mount Armiya, a twisting briar patch of arm-thick vines with thorns like armor spikes impedes further travel south, leaving only narrow gaps that a creature might step through. You can see that the briar stretches a mile and a half both east and west.
There is a Vrock scanning the top of the briar patch for victims.
Lini motions the others to silence and points slowly at the top of the briar patch. "Look, there's a vrock. Better be careful."
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Before they leave, Chjara asks for some symbol or unique piece of gear that their captain might bear, in precise and descriptive detail as the elves can bear to relate.
"Charming adventure. And I thought wandering around the worldwound was bothersome; I have now found new lows to experience."
+5 if I can deflect, shield, or insight thorns out of the way. She will guidance herself periodically, and trust in her thick armor to protect her.
Lini and Terril make it through just fine, but Chjara and Thunderhoof both managed to get scratched.
You do not get lost however due to the nome's wilderness savvy.
Thunderhoof shrugs it off, whatever it is.
Droogami gets scratched up badly but he shakes off anything that might infect him. Chjara also shakes off whatever it is.
What was once the settlement of Kethalia is now a vinechoked ruin. Shattered white marble structures now stained with sap and filth still reflect what little light filters in. Rubble from collapsed levels obscures much of the ground, and, like ghouls from a grave, trees have tenaciously clawed their way through the debris, their roots expanding in all directions to buckle paving stones and crack mortar.
It becomes quickly apparent that demons or other beings stripped the settlement of anything valuable long ago. However, you do discover signs of an inhabitant in an old temple of Findeladlara, the elven goddess of art, architecture, and twilight. Inside you find a bedroll sized for a Small creature, several unfinished potions, and a portable alchemist’s lab. There are also stale bread crumbs in a nearby gallery. A trail leads from these buildings to a partially collapsed meeting hall.
As you walk towards it, you hear some mad cackling. You enter the ruined building to find what looks to be a gnome about to be tormented by 2 evil skeletal looking demons.
You suspect the gnome is not really what it seems to be. You think it may just be a puppet.
The gnome's eyes open wide at the sight, but a moment later they narrow in suspicion. "That... doesn't seem like a real gnome. I can feel it. But I'm not sure why. What do you think, Friend-Friend?"
The demons are babau. You get one fact. You don't know what could be puppeteering the gnome even with your monster lore.
Terril bolsters his offense and moves forward. Seeing Terril cast some kind of spell, one of the demons will attempt to dispel it.
The other demon will try the same.
But neither can overcome the power of Desna.
DR/ Cold Iron or Good. Immunity to Electricity and Poison. Resist Acid 10, Cold 10, Fire 10, Spell Resistance. They also have a protective acidic slime covering their bodies. Any creature that strikes a babau with a natural attack or unarmed strike takes acid damage from this slime if it fails a Reflex save. A creature that strikes a babau with a melee weapon must make a Reflex save or the weapon takes acid damage; if this damage penetrates the weapon's hardness, the weapon gains the broken condition. Ammunition that strikes a babau is automatically destroyed after it inflicts its damage.
Thunderhoof starts his song. Whatever creature is here will bide it's time.
Unsure of what's happening but sure that there's about to be trouble, Lini touches her big feline friend's haunch in concern. "Be careful, Friend-friend! Go get 'em!"
With a rawr of assent the massive furball heads for its target!
Friend-Friend leaps at the demon, sinking his fangs into it, though they seem to do little damage. He is able to up-over the babau but not before the demon takes a swing at the incoming feline.
And just as Chjara moves within 30 feet, a root-like tentacle raises up from the ground and tries to grab Chjara.
Terril rushes forward and almost cuts down the demon in one blow. But it's demonic vigor wills it to keep standing, err.. lying down. B1 moves into the flank while B2 claws from the ground.
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Thunderhoof's fury suffuses his being and the brawny shoanti doubles over but not in pain - in transformation. His rough features melt away and his hulking frame rapidly swells with additional bulk until in his place is a huge snorting bull. The shoanti's wordless chant is replaced by a fearsome lowing but is no less rousing. He tosses his mighty horns and paws the earth with heavy hooves.