Finally able to control his stomach, Casimir rushes forward in a desperate effort to free his two devoured comrades.
Attack Roll
Damage
CMB (grappled)
Casimir surges in and gets a vicious bite for his trouble but manages to plunge his sword into the plant despite being grappled. The wounds Kalev dealt the beast appear to have completely healed, but with the creature's regeneration currently suppressed by alchemists fire Casimir strikes a mighty overhand blow into the creature.
Malthir takes acid damage and Kalev takes
Last chance to cut your way out and drag Malthir out with you Kalev ;).
Perhaps deciding that its stomach is already full enough, the Tendriculos maintains the grapple on Casimir, tearing into him further with its huge mouth. Although the fight is rapidly draining out of Casimir, the tenacious plant shows no sign of letting its latest victim escape.
CMB
Damage
Staggering, Kalev heaves his greataxe one last time at the belly of the beast, sending a short prayer to Erastil.
Kalev barely feels the axe connect before passing out.
With a massive tearing sound, the Tendriculos' stomach is torn asunder, ripped down the middle in a tear the height of an Ogre that is clearly audible over everything else in the battle. Almost unbelievably, the plant remains standing as Kalev and Malthir fall out of the plant's stomach, both unmoving and face down on the edge of the mud bowl- covered in acid, bile and other nasty fluids.
I think you owe me a stabilisation check when you get the chance.
Still severely nauseated, Ilya waves his hand in a quick arcane motion and appears beside Kalev and Malthir in a flash of magic. Ilya drags Kalev back 15 feet away from the melee then almost collapses in another wave of nausea. The tendriculous is too busy biting Casimir to attack him in his quick attempt to get Kalev clear. Steeling himself, he prepares himself to fetch Malthir next round...
Map-Link
Close to death and struggling against the tentacles of the giant plant, Casimir attempts a desperate plan, that may save him and his allies.
He calls out to the gnome oracle.
Fenna...That thing understands sylvan. Tell it that I am lighting a fuse grenade, and that if it does not release me and retreat, we will both blow up! And call off your dog.
He wrests his hand free and prepares to pull the grenade from his bandoleer, waiting for Fenna to act before finishing the move.
Close to death and struggling against the tentacles of the giant plant, Casimir attempts a desperate plan, that may save him and his allies.
He calls out to the gnome oracle.
Fenna...That thing understands sylvan. Tell it that I am lighting a fuse grenade, and that if it does not release me and retreat, we will both blow up! And call off your dog.
He wrests his hand free and prepares to pull the grenade from his bandoleer, waiting for Fenna to act before finishing the move.
Fenna looks momentarily confused as Casimir speaks, but puts aside her worry to go along with his plan, patting her legs to call back the dog.
"You should drop him and go! Before it is too late!" she calls at the creature in sylvan, "The thing in his hands is about to explode, with fire far hotter than the tiny flask I threw at you before. Do you understand? Fire!"
As soon as Fenna has delivered his message to the plant-creature, Casimir jerks his last remaining fuse grenade from his bandoleer pouch and strikes the fuse. He grips the deadly orb firmly and holds it up so the monster can see the sparks coming from the fuse.
Everyone get clear....this thing goes off in a few seconds, whether it drops me or not!
Casimir stares firmly at the Tendriculos and sends fervent prayers to all gods that the plan will work and that the fuse will burn long enough for him to throw the grenade.
check, if it's intimidate, reduce the total by 19... 1d20+12[/ooc]
Even to the plant's limited intelligence, it recognises something Fey about the small thing warning it about the fire. The dreaded word- fire. The last time the Tendriculos had felt the touch of flame mere moments ago; unimaginable, excruciating pain had coursed through its body a short time after- a dreadful wound so great it had barely begun to heal yet. Perhaps for the first time in its existence, the Tendriculos' survival instinct was forced to kick in- there would be other homes, other prey to eat. Prey without fire...
Nodding its understanding to the Fey one, the Tendriculos dropped the meat carelessly, sending Casimir plumetting to the ground from twenty feet up in the air, fuse grenade still in hand. The tendriculos shambled quickly into its bog, clearly intending to keep moving as fast as it could away from the dreaded fire. Even as the half-broken plant fled, the Guardians could see its wounds closing up rapidly.
Falling Damage
Pass
Narrative-
Landing somewhat gracefully and reducing his impact with the ground a little, Casimir hurls the fuse grenade a full forty feet to hit the Tendriculous as it flees. Unfortunately, the fuse continues to burn a little longer- although the dreaded fire being so close does much to hasten the fleeing Tendriculous. The nigh-indomitable Kalev has stabilised on his own without assistance, and after collapsing from the exertion of hurling the grenade Casimir is promptly stabilised, but still unconcious. By the time Malthir and Ilya have regained full function, the Tendriculous has vanished out of sight, shambling away towards the south-west at full speed.
within about 30 seconds, the poisons grip on him relaxes and he can finally move. Malthir sits up and feels the ruin of his hair, almost completely dissolved from the acid that had flushed within his plate armor. He crawls over to Casimir and lays his hand on his dear friend.
Inheritor, grant thy boon to heal this soul!
Inheritor, grant thy boon to heal this soul!
As Casimir awakens he smiles weakly at his friend speaking in a very hoarse voice.
I am not sure who I am more mad at you or that fool Kalev. Those were either the two most herioc or foolish acts I have ever seen and I am still not sure which one.
He stands up on shaky legs and then walks over to Kalev to stand by him, he is smiling as he speaks in a soft voice.
Don't you ever follow me into the stomach of a beast again, you should have been killed with me. I am just one man. I have to admit that I am glad that you did though... He embraces the man in a big bear hug, almost matching his own great strength at that moment.
Fenna almost collapses herself as the relief that everyone had survived washes over her, but after a moment of looking in blank disbelief she gathers herself to tend to the wounded.
"Mighty Soldier, please lend your blessing to our cause and mend the wounds of those who fought so bravely this day."
"Malthir," Fenna says, once she is content she has done all she can, "you may be logically correct, but we Guardians are destined to remain together, even at the risk of death."
As the divine touch wakes Casimir, he smiles impishly at Malthir.
What can I say...My Liege was in peril and it seemed like the best thing to do at the time.
He stands, groaning from the pain of a dozen different broken bones and sprained ligaments.
Ouch...I'll be sore for a week after that treatment. I say we hurry up and harvest those mushrooms, and then get back to our nice, safe castle as quickly as possible.
Edit: Scratch the use of healing magic on my part - Fenna put me back to max.
The Guardians are able to harvest twelve of the precious black rattlecap mushrooms that the Old Beldame requested. The rest were crushed into useless paste during the battle.
"Malthir," Fenna says, once she is content she has done all she can, "you may be logically correct, but we Guardians are destined to remain together, even at the risk of death."
Ah my friend, of course you are correct, we would lay down our lives for each other, but I can still yell at you all for doing it so foolishly! and gives her a big hug as well.
looking down at the mess of himself, It is going to take me a week of polishing to get the pits out of my armor and this shield. Well Guardians, what do you think should be our next action? As much as I would like to rest in Swordhaven, the missing child is still out there...
Stretching his freshly healed muscles, Casimir turns to Malthir.
The trip inside that thing surely did not improve your odor. Here, let me help you a bit.
Magical sparks wash over Malthir, leaving him fresh and shining.
I understand your concern for the missing boy, but we also have pressing matters of state waiting for us back at Swordhaven. Our duty is to all our subjects, and we were almost killed out here today - more than once, I might add. We are low on resources and magic, and could use a bit more training before we go out again. We have grown soft over these past months. And the boy has been missing for weeks. If he has managed to stay alive so far, he can likely hang on for a few more days - and if he is already dead, there is no rush.
Don't you ever follow me into the stomach of a beast again, you should have been killed with me. I am just one man. I have to admit that I am glad that you did though... He embraces the man in a big bear hug, almost matching his own great strength at that moment.
Still a little weak after the brush with death, Kalev smiles and says, What, and let you get all the glory, Malthir? I think not. Though I'll say, I wouldn't mind if you managed to stay out of monstrous bellies in the future...
When the conversation turns to the boy, Kalev grows a little more grim. Though I hate the idea of leaving a boy out here, alone, I fear we won't find him alive...we've seen no traces of him, and it's been several days...I say we go back the our castle and get back to strenght...we could stop by the Old Hag on the way, though...
Trekking through the wilderness and passing near Swordhaven, you make it to the Old Beldame's hut. As you approach, the old sorceress leans out of her window, watching you approach her gate. She waves her hand, and her formidable-looking scarecrow construct stands aside to let you pass. The sun fell an hour or so ago and a red sunset is visible from the swamp the Beldame dwells in.
I have been expecting you, young ones... she drawls...
Malthir takes off his helm to show the old women his ruined hair and pink, irritated from the acid, face, Well Beldame, it would have been nice if you could have warned us that a deadly Tendriculous was lurking in the swamp instead of mentioning some passing remark about a plant guarding it. Between the noxious bog and its belly, we almost all died. We have your mushrooms, I hope these are enough as I doubt you will be getting more any time soon.
A Tendriculous you say my boy? she says quietly, with a hint of a smile.
Now don't be coming to my hut angry young man- if it was an easy task i'd have gone myself you know; and I certainly wouldn't have paid such a generous sum... You all seem to be well at least hmm...
The Old Beldame nods her thanks and returns from her hut with a small sack of platinum coins.
The last colony that tried to set up shop here had a stockpile of these. It did them little good in the end though.
As a reminder Month 24 summary:
Strategy: Expand the Kingdom and Build at SwordHaven!
Starting BP: 29 BP
0 BP for consumption, +0 BP for 0 unrest, claim hex A25 & road it -3 BP, build a pier -5 BP, +9 BP sell 2 items (Gold went over 4K for another +1 BP).
Ending BP: 21 BP +0 BP unrest, +9 BP items, +9 BP Economy Roll = 39BP
Benefits: Saves some BP, stay neutral in Stability, expand our kingdom. +1000 city base value, +1 Econ & Stability.
General plan as we were thinking at the time:
Turn 25 Tannery expand into Hex A24, road it, start city development (takes 2 turns), claim hex A39, road it, farm it. Probably need to change tannery to a house (-1 unrest) or a jail (-2 unrest)
Turn 26 Blacksmith (finish city development)
Turn 27 city complete, build Cathedral at temple city & another pier in SwordHaven.
with the two cities with medium items we should really be able to crank out the BP at this point as long as we don't keep getting scrolls
Monthly Action Post:
Month 25 suggestion:
Strategy: Expand the Kingdom to include the temple of Erastil and Build at SwordHaven!
Starting BP: 39 BP
0 BP for consumption, +0 BP for 3 unrest, claim hex A24, establish city, prepare site & road it-7 BP, (Takes 2 months to finish site prep), build a jail -16 BP, sell 2 items.
Ending BP: 16 BP + items, + Economy Roll.
Benefits: Reduces unrest to zero until next round, expand our kingdom. +1 Econ (extra +1 due to 12 roads) & +2 Stability & loyalty due to the jail.
Minor Item (northgreen)- Divine Scroll of Curse Water (50GP)
Medium Item (swordhaven)- Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds (300GP)
Ok so I assume you made the changes on the improvement phase Malthir- remember claiming a hex also costs a BP and raises your size and consumption (and control DC) by 1.
Medium Item Sell Roll- Fail
Minor Item Sell Roll- Success
I now need a loyalty check at the beginning of the event phase one you've caught up the stats for building jail and reducing unrest. This is to represent the continuing rumours of trolls...
After you cleared the fishing hole for the fishermen, they happened across an Elemental Gem of some power- they believe that Old Crackjaw must have devoured an overconfident Druid. They have already sold it, but elected to spend some of the proceeds on you. This is a gift from Arven and his fishermen friends.
Minor Item (northgreen)- Divine Scroll of Curse Water (50GP)
Medium Item (swordhaven)- Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds (300GP)
Ok so I assume you made the changes on the improvement phase Malthir- remember claiming a hex also costs a BP and raises your size and consumption (and control DC) by 1.
Medium Item Sell Roll- 1d20+31 Fail
Minor Item Sell Roll- 1d20+31 Success
I now need a loyalty check at the beginning of the event phase one you've caught up the stats for building jail and reducing unrest. This is to represent the continuing rumours of trolls...
Political Calm-
A sudden absence of political machinations coincides with an increase in public approval. Reduce Unrest by 6.