"G***** piece of s*** tree," Ganit curses to himself. Knowing he'll have to change tactics to overcome the creatures natural defenses, he plunges a hand into his bag to retrieve an alchemists fire then carefully moves into range.
Round 2
Zorestar quickly moves his hands in arcane gestures as he mutters a few indecipherable words and then suddenly he summons forth a Flaming Sphere to L8 with the following command, "Ateş Topu!
The tree manages to resist Carina's magic to try and set it alight, however the flames that are produces spark up, forcing the tree to give out a scream in pain as the flame licks blackens part of it's already blackened branches.
Bronwyn causes an AoO from the tree as he gets closer, moving up to combat with the tree.
AoO:
damage:
The tree gives out a cry and appears to move around, scanning the area giving away that is has now become blind from Bronwyn's ability.
Round 2
Order:
Zorestar
Jameson
Gamit
Scythe Tree
Telias
Carina
Sir Bronwyn
Zorestar summons a flaming sphere which smashes into the scyth tree, it's fire burning the wood on it's branches terribly.
Round 2
HP = 50/50
AC = 24/11/23
Weapon Equipped = Lance
Speed = 50'
Challenge = 2/2
Status Effects = Mounted
Donal HP = 44/44 AC = 20
Status Effects = Haste
Seeing his lance is less effective than the fire being flung, Jameson quickly wheels Donal and withdraws from the tree.
Round 2
Zorestar makes sure that the flaming sphere is staying on its target burning as much as possible.
Meanwhile, he moves his hand in the quick familiar somatic gesture and declares "Gizemli Füze" to send forth three magic missiles at the scythe tree.
The Scythe tree manages to move out of the way of the orb of flame, however it is then struck by the wizard's magic missiles which thud into the bark with great effectiveness and snapping off a large branch as they thud into it.
Jameson manages to get away from the tree as it's too distracted from earlier attacks.
Telias mutters under his breath as he begins calling up beings from deep beneath the earth to turn this creature to ash.
The tree reaches out and attempts to attack both Carina and Zorestar with it's long reach of scythe trees.
attack on Carina 1:
attack on Carina 2:
attack on Zorestar 1:
attack on Zorestar 2:
damage:
Carina looks over at Zorestar: [b]Back up you fool, you can burn it from far away, it can only hit you from close.
Carina once again steps back from the tree - to F8, and raises her hands.
Fire of earth, burn this foe for all he's worth.
As she speaks in the guttural orcish tongue, an arc of flames springs from her hands.
Cast Burning Arc - Damage: - DC17 Reflex for 1/2 damage
AC 19
Weapon Equipped Bastard Sword +7 (1d8+6) Power Attack
Speed 60 ft. (haste)
Bardic Performance 1/17 rounds per day
Status Effects haste (+1 dodge to AC, +1 to Reflex saves, +1 attack in a full-round action), inspire courage (+2 attack and damage).
Seeing the enemy's long reach and finding no possible escape routes, Bronwyn tries his remaining option: Offense.
Carina! Withdraw from the beast, I will hold it off to cover the escape!
"Did you see what that tree did to me?! How inconsiderate!"
Round 3
Zorestar simply points to direct the flaming sphere back at the tree while he withdraws from the range of the creature.
Round 3
HP = 50/50
AC = 24/11/23
Weapon Equipped = Lance
Speed = 50'
Challenge = 2/2
Status Effects = Mounted
Donal HP = 44/44 AC = 20
Status Effects = Haste
With Bron remaining stuck in Jameson turns once more and tears up the turf as he charges the tree.
Ganit saw that there was more than enough fire to reduce the tree to ashes so he carefully waits for the others to finish it off.
First, Carina's fire burns the tree terribly, destroying many more branches and it's bark roasting and crackling as it's twisted by the fire and turned black. The final blow comes from the great leader whose blade hewns the weakened bark and cuts right through. The weight of the great scythe tree pulling it over as it falls with a loud and dephening thud. It's roots, pull up what appears to be treasures left by unfortunates who crossed this great and evil tree.
You find four peices of amber worth 100gp each, a copper ring worth 50gp, a silver ring worth 65 gp, a fancy looking magic robe with a horde of coins (43 gp, 69 sp and 48 cp) along with many scattered bones of the unfortunate victims.
Bronwyn stands covered in blood, dust and ash near the fallen tree. He looks at the others, quickly appraising their condition before falling to one knee. Fumbling, his hands find the silver wand that contains a much-needed healing spell.
Seeing her husband fall to the ground moments after the tree, Carina shrieks and runs to him, quickly grasping his head and holding it to her chest.
M'love, are you alright? Realizing that he is still breathing and in one piece, her concern turns to a frown as she begins to scold him. You cannot charge in like that. I need you. This nation needs you.
Spellcraft (on robe): <-- as usual, the more intellectual side of magic is a bit beyond Carina.
Zorestar, who is still badly wounded from the scythe tree moves over to Carina to discuss his wounds, but get clearly distracted by the magical robe.
"Did you see what that scythe tree did to me?! Its branches appeared to be inflicting harm on everyone around it including me. Hmm? What is that? My dear Carina, may I kindly take a look at that robe when you are finished looking at it. It looks like it is magical to me."
Taking off his helm to breathe more easily, Bron sits down and confesses:
Uff, I thought Jameson would rush in and share the burden of the attacks. I've not yet accustomed to his charging lanes in battle. Back in the day I always had a couple partners to share in the punishment of the melee.
Jameson dismounts and approaches Bron.
"I'm surprised the plant fixated on you like that, I felt sure it would turn to me at least once. Sadly my first strike wasn't true or that might have happened."
As Zorestar looks over the item he discerns that it is a Robe of Bones, with all the little models still attached.
"Oh my dear Nethys! Do you know what this is?! Please do not put this on, I seriously warn against such an action. If I am not mistaken, which I am not, this sinister item functions much like a robe of useful items but for a serious necromancer. At first glance, it may appear to be an unremarkable robe, but if you were to put this on, you would note that it is adorned with small embroidered figures representing undead creatures. Only the wearer of the robe can see the embroidery, recognize them for the creatures they become, and detach them as he wishes. Once the embroidered figure is detached, it causes it to become an actual undead creature. Furthermore, the skeleton or zombie is not under the control of the wearer of the robe. Thus it would need to be fought, turned, or rebuked. You see, only a true necromancer would find any value is such a robe!"
Jameson ponders the potential for unlimited targets or nannies for Carina, then nods quickly.
"You're right, of course. We should probably check the area to make sure there are no seedlings before returning and reporting our mission complete?"
When Zorestar announces that the robe has such a necromantic aura, Carina quickly makes a sign of Cayden before her and steps away from the hideous item.
What can we do with such a evil item? Should be destroy it? I would hate for it to fall into the wrong person's hands. Perhaps it was better left here beneath this horrible tree monster.
You remember that the Dryad will know immediately that you have slain the scythe tree. Already you can feel as if nature is begining to return back and see a sapling of a young tree in the ground, but a ordinary tree, unlike the one you just destroyed. Any seeds it had have been bathed in fire before they could be germinated.
Another seven hours does by as you make your way back to the Dryad, who is all smiles as she sees you.
"I heard of your valient deed, great heroes of these lands. I have here, items you will find useful." she hands over to you, whilst wearing nothing, all her equipment which consists of +1 Leaf Armour, Masterwork Sickle, Masterwork darkwood longbow with 20 arrows, wand of cure light wounds (CL1 34 charges), scroll of sumon nature's ally III, 3 potions of cure moderate wounds,5 goodberries and 6 feather tokens (tree). And 208 gp.
"Hrm." Telias says keeping his own council.
Zorestar blushes at the sight of the dryad, but replies gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Dryad. Everything you offer is most useful and will be put to good use, especially the healing potions. The suffering I've had to endure has been outrageous! I never knew that a single tree could cause so much discomfort!"
She just smiles at the blush of the wizard and shakes her head.
"It saddens me, but there are other fey and natural creatures of the world who are born of hatred and feed on the flesh of the innocent. Either they have been born that way and do not wish to change or they are sisters or brothers who have fallen into the belief that the only way to keep our land safe is to kill any and all who trespass."
Jameson too watches at the dryad proves far too thankful.
Carina laughs merrily at the menfolk's discomfort.
You gratitude is most appreciated my forest friend. I shall do all in my power to assure that you and your fellow fey are disturbed as little as possible when the citizens of Vertaria begin to settle these lands. I shall seek to educate the hunters and woodsmen in the hope that they will leave untouched the sacred groves such as yours and the nymph's.
Carina pauses and again looks at the great old trees that make up the dryad's home:
Before we leave, would you know much else about the land around here? Any other creatures that would endanger man or fey? While I understand that there are those fey whose blood is so infused with an evil taint that they will be unable to live in peace with our citizens, I am hopeful that we can remove the most dangerous threats so that the good fey and the good folk of our nation will be able to prosper and live in peace for many years. If you are aware of any such dangers, your knowledge would be most appreciated in assisting us to find and prepare for the dangers.
She just smiles at the blush of the wizard and shakes her head.
"It saddens me, but there are other fey and natural creatures of the world who are born of hatred and feed on the flesh of the innocent. Either they have been born that way and do not wish to change or they are sisters or brothers who have fallen into the belief that the only way to keep our land safe is to kill any and all who trespass."
"Well, I'm glad that you don't feel that way, Milady. Naturally, there is much beauty in the fey and they have such extraordinary magic. My only wish is that they would all learn to live peacefully."
She nods sadly.
"I know of some in the area to the west, but I avoid them. They only want to kill any who enter their home, but I know nothing more besides the beasts that lie to the south. There is also a wondering giant to the south too." she mentions not thinking about it.
"If we're to prevent more problems with the loggers and others who live in this area, maybe we should check on these other fey before heading south for the giant?"
Carina nods at James wise words:
Yes, it would be best to search the land in strips as we move south just as we did when we explored the lands to the north.
The Dryad looks to Carina with a little concern.
"Are you not worried about what trouble there might be back home? You have people to look after and dark forces may try to take your homes as your back is turned." she stated with a worried expression.
Carina suddenly realizes how her statement may have been interpreted.
I am sorry. I did not meen to indicate that we were going to leave the the nation unguarded. Rather that we would make more short explorations into the unexplored areas to the south to eliminate the threats, and make friends with the good fey, while continuing to rule the good people who now call Vertaria home.
"What I mean is, you have been away for some time. Many travellers arrive in your city and I am sure you have visitors to speak with." she points out her meaning. "I know little of the way you operate your towns, but a leader will always be needed in their home."
"Obvious she's telling us t'go back, princess," Ganit says bluntly. "Better do as yer told. Could hurt our charitable reputation if it's told Vertaria's leaders ignored the demands of an outsider."
Carina looks to Ganit: Yes, I understand. That is what I was thinking. We should return. With the roads we have built, it should be easier to make our way to unexplored areas. We can make a number of excursions as we search for the lost boy, seek out the winter wolf, and the other strange and other monsters and things we have been told of.
With that Carina looks to the others: I think that the good dryad has a point. Perhaps we should return home to make sure that all is in order. We can spend a day or two helping those in need, and then continue our explorations.
Carina again turns to the dryad: You benevolence is most appreciated. I hope that we and the good citizens of Vertaria will continue to live in peace with you and the other good fey. Should those wishing you or the other good fey harm appear. I would hope that you would call out to us. While most people in our new nation are of good hearts, there are many who have superstitions about the fey and a fey creature attacking a human, even if the attack is fully justified, is likely to ferment ill will.
I desire only peace so that you and we can learn to live together to create a land that welcomes all as it prospers in this beautiful land.
Carina pauses for a moment: And, before we leave, I believe the reason we visited you was that the good nixie requested some magical seeds that you posses which will quickly grow into mature trees to replace some trees which several woodsmen chopped down. Could we get those seeds so that we can give them to the nixie and complete our objective of staving off the harsh feelings that are likely to remain with the nixie if the trees are not regrown.
" I think that the good dryad has a point. Perhaps we should return home to make sure that all is in order. We can spend a day or two helping those in need, and then continue our explorations."
"As you wish, milady. Naturally, I have no opposition to returning home and being able to sleep once again in my comfortable featherbed. However, please let us not forget to resolve the tree issue with the nixie and seeds."
"Obvious she's telling us t'go back, princess," Ganit says bluntly. "Better do as yer told. Could hurt our charitable reputation if it's told Vertaria's leaders ignored the demands of an outsider."