"Well, we'll be off in the morning. So make sure to stock up on spells that can be helpful.
Especially things that might help with mobility."
When you wake in the morning Tiressia has fruit collected in wooden bowls set out for you. A gathering of birds immediately begin singing as you rise. She looks up at them and smiles, and then at you.
"I asked them to be quiet.. to not wake you before you'd had enough sleep."
She sighs...
"They'll be leaving me soon with winter on its way."
"Well, it's time to go look for an evil tree...
I must admit, I never thought to say that line out loud without it being a joke.
I swear, if the tree offer us a deal where we need to bring IT something to leave the area..."
"Slashing weapons and fire would be the key to defeating this unnatural monstrosity."
"Hmmm, I can't do much about the fire, but I do have the stag lords old greatsword.
A little magic and it will do just as well as my hammer."
Tiressia whispers to a bird perched on the back of her hand... a pudgy red-bellied yellow bird with black markings. It flies off and lands on a branch in the distance - warbling until you reach it, then continues.
After nearly a couple hours of travel you reach a clearing, it goes no further.. pointing its beak in the same direction it's led you.
The sweet stench of decay hangs thick in the woodland clearing ahead of you. Knotted branches of sickly trees line the perimeter, creating a thick canopy that blocks most of the sunlight and cloaks the hollow in shadow. Withered vegetation struggles to grow in ragged clumps among the multitude of bones strewn across the forest floor.
You see a dark tree with a horizontal scar in the center of its trunk, and branches with curved ends - which look to have sharp edges like blades. It is about forty feet from you on the edge of the clearing ahead and to the right.
"Hmmm, not a good idea to ride any further from here on it seems.
I guess this is where we take to foot then."
The Green Man dismounts and draws forth the old great sword he took of the Stag-lords body.
"Hold a moment, my lord. Give we casters a few seconds to prepare."
"A few seconds? Have eyes on our target have you?
Then I shall make some preparations as well."
Dolgrym pulls his wand for Mage Armor, casts Bull's Strength and Shield on himself, if given enough time.
Hmmph, I do prefer larger weapons, but carrying too many of them is quite a chore.
Wonder if there is some way of solving that?
As soon as this battle is over, I'll consider my more clever companions.
As Green advances, the tree comes to life - slashing out with a wicked branch well before he reaches the trunk. The sharpened edge of the branch is just barely avoided by Green.
The scar on the trunk opens to reveal a toothy maw. There is a stench of decay as it lets out a slow rumbling and breathy laugh.
Dolgrym casts Slow on the tree before closing to help in melee.
Sonechka follows in Green's wake, sending out a wave of baleful energy at the tree as she tries to stay away from the deadly branches.
The evil tree roars as Green hacks deep into it.
"Grraaaawrr!!"
As it slashes at Green with a sharp curved end of a branch, it bellows out again.
Hnh, not quite ready to make myself a bigger target yet.
Plus, it seems angry with me now.
Crouching low, The Green Man knocks his blade against the ground to get a firmer grip, takes a deep breath and lashes out again.
The blow is mighty, but not as accurate as the previous one.
Seeing his magic take hold, the dwarf takes his time as he advanced in the tree. He takes a 5' step to D11, ready to close next round and start chipping away.
Sonechka frowns and stabs a finger at the tree, sending a beam of sickening green energy lancing at the monstrous plant.
The scythe tree roars and swings another curved sharp=edged branch over Green and Dolgrym's heads.
"Is THAT how I sound and act? Please tell me I am at least more competent, if as reckless as this damned tree?"
Continuing to step from side to side, The Green Man clenches his hands tighter around his weapon and strikes out.
After the attack, he quickly vacates the spot he was in, leaving it open for Dolgrym to fill if he is of a mind.
The dwarf takes a 5' step forward, as his muscles bulged with his magical strength. He chopped down hard with his battleaxe.
Attack
Damage
Seeing that her spells and hexes are having little effect, Sonechka reaches into her pouch and pulls out a small vial, which she throws at the tree.
Green and Dolgrym's weapons fail to cut through the scythe tree's stony bark. Sonechka's vial nearly misses, but happens to catch the base of a thick branch... flames spread down the side of the vile creature.
It retaliates again with a sweep of a blade-like branch... missing its targets once again.
The Green Man continues his slow circling motion around the fearsome foe.
Fighting with a completely clear head is unusual, and the fact that he does feel a twinge of fear annoys him greatly.
Dolgrym takes a 5' step to D10, before swinging his axe yet again.
Attack
Damage