DM NomadSage's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

"That song... I know it, but it's been so long." Kiyomi walks toward the tree.

Heng gathers his ki and grabs the halfling's arm, "Harlan, it is an illusion! Help me free the others."

mystic insight-granting a ki reroll for the save. I'm hoping he can break enchantment or something for the rest.

AC:23, hp:100, Ki 8/10, Stun 10, Fire 10

Shalelu glances at Heng, "You heard it too?" She moves quickly to grab Malnival's arm, but he continues to pull towards the great tree.

Carnival grins as he walks towards the three. It has been to long since we spike. This tree reminds me of home, let's sit a while here."

Will Reroll DC 24: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Harlan briefly stops and looks at Heng, almost coming to his senses, before turning back to the tree.

"Doesn't it look peaceful though?"

Missed it by that much.

"Grab him, Heng ... something nefarious at work here," Parity moves to grab Kiyomi.

Heng shores up his grasp of the halfling and scans the tree for evil.

Heng has no trouble keeping hold of Harlan, though the halfling continues to tug towards the tree. You sense faint evil, but it comes from all around rather than from one specific source.

Shalelu holds back Malnival just as Parity keeps Kiyomi in check, but none can stop Skygni on his way. As the wolf nears the trunk, writhing roots spring from the ground, entangling and wrapping him, almost gently, as he lies down as if to sleep. Within moments, Skygni is encased in a woody cocoon.

Another glance around and you now make out similar encasements scattered around the tree, ten or more.

"Heng, I ... I don't know how to fight this thing."

Heng sounds at a loss himself. "There is evil here, but I cannot tell the source. The tree has taken Skygni and the lost ones as well. Surely it can be burned or cut. It continues to try and tempt me with the voices of loved ones. I can resist, but I dare not loose the others. If only Harlan had resisted, he may have been able to ward away the evil."

"I have rope, we could bind them and try to free the others or retreat hoping they may recover for a second attempt."

"Let me go Heng. It knows the secret to my chili, and I have to know how. Skygni is over there, nothing bad happened to him, see. So peaceful."

The grappled continue to tug towards the tree, but they are under no compulsion to get violent if you tie them up. They will try to break free, though.

Shalelu continues to hold Malnival with one hand while she nimbly uncoils a silk rope from her pack and lashes it around the magus's waist and loops it to a nearby tree. She then removes his edged weapons.

"Tie up the others. It will buy us a few minutes, at least."

Will require a DC 31 Escape Artist to break free. She will actively oppose to keep Malnival from Taking 20 on the check.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Shalelu frowns in the direction of the tree. "I have heard of such a thing, long ago, from a tale or story of my childhood. It is an ancient tree possessed of a powerful spirit of hunger. They entrap the living to feed, a slow process... we may yet have time to save the others."

"I am sorry Harlan, that chili has a different secret ingredient..." Heng ties up the halfling very well and helps Parity tie up Kiyomi.
that's a 20+29+4= 53. yikes.

Then he cautiously approaches where Skygni disappeared in dragon stance.

Parity follows, Suishen at the ready.

Question on the compulsion, am I prevented from helping them? Not that I really can with Heng tying me up so well. :D

You can 'help' in fashion that gets you to the tree more effectively. Treat the effect like a mass suggestion spell.

that's a 20+29+4= 53. yikes.

CMB, not CMD... lol!

Heng wrote:

that's a 20+29+4= 53. yikes.

CMB, not CMD... lol!

oops : ) i thought that was kinda insane. 20+14+4= 38.

Malnival, Kiyomi and Harlan struggle ceaselessly against their bindings, though Shalelu stays close and swats at anything nearing progress. Heng moves cautiously towards the tree, Parity a few steps behind. The branches overhead quiver strangely and the voices continue; calm calls rise into urgent pleas, then into angry shouts as you get closer.

Then, when Heng approaches to within twenty feet of the tree's trunk, the branches quiver again, violently this time. The ground shakes as serpentine roots a foot thick spring from the ground, spraying muddy earth in all directions. Wielding root-arms with claw-like ends, they move slowly to defend the trunk.

Actions?

Round 1
AC:23, hp:100, Ki 8/10, Stun 10, Fire 10

well, I've got a couple of fire breath potions that have been hanging around forever. we can see how that works.

"Do you know anything else of its strengths or weaknesses, Shalelu?" Heng asks.

on second though, big fires might hurt the victims... :?

"Fire, yes... they will be especially vulnerable to fire. Blunt attacks, or knives and stabbing weapons, they are nearly useless but for the strongest hits." She looks down at her bow and shortsword, frowning, and emits a barely audible curse.

"Cut it off at the source."

Parity moves to the big tree and takes a vicious stab -- vital arcane strike with force punch and power attack

To hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 51, 1d100 ⇒ 89
damage: 2d8 + 14 + 10d4 ⇒ (4, 6) + 14 + (2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1) = 44
Mirrors: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

all right I'll go with the action I took back then- elixir of fire breath against the threatening branches. I rolled a rather pathetic 9 fire damage, DC 13 ref save for half.

Can Kiyomi act normally now or is she still bewitched?

Still under suggestion effect, but you can take actions.

*struggle struggle*

"Guys don't hurt it! It's our friend!"

"It sings so beautifully. Let me go to it and I will show you the song!"

Round One

After a moment's hesitation, Heng moves to the nearest root-claw and belches forth a gout of flame. The woody limb is quickly blackened by the fire breath, and recoils as if in pain.

Parity forges straight through the undergrowth straight for the massive trunk. His sword slash easily connects, but bounces harmlessly off the tree's iron-like bark.

Shalelu shifts away from the tied-up trio, firing arrows rapidly at the near root-claw. Her aim is perfect, but the arrows fail to penetrate.

The root-claws respond, two closing within reach of Heng, and the third to Parity. They shift across the tangled grove easily before lashing out with their razor-edge limbs. Heng takes a couple of bleeding hits, but pulls free as the limbs try to hold on. The third root-claw ignores Parity's images and cuts deep as it latches onto his arm. The root starts to twist and coil, as if to entangle Parity further.

Forgot to note the area is considered difficult terrain.

Actions for R2?

DM Status: It took a couple days to get settled, but I've got internet access in my hotel. Time to sit down will be limited, though. I'll do my best to keep things moving, but delays are likely...

Shalelu frowns as her attacks fail. "I fear I am helpless against this creature until I can imbue my missiles with fire."

The root takes 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 acid damage from vitriolic mist.

Round 2
AC:27/23, hp:78/100, Ki 7/10, Stun 10, Fire 10

Heng gathers his ki to defend himself and releases another gout of flame against the grasping roots.

fire: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5, 2) = 15 Reflex DC 13 for half

We have a wand of flame arrow. I'd have given it to Malnival (I always imagine him as an arcane archer). Doesn't do us any real good as Kelda can't cast though.

Concentration to keep force punch: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 11 + 4 + 4 = 29

Grappled AC: 22

Parity takes a swing at the root holding him

To hit: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 - 2 = 28
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 99, 1d100 ⇒ 79
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 14 + 10d4 ⇒ (6) + (3) + 14 + (3, 1, 3, 2, 1, 4, 1, 4, 2, 1) = 45
Crit damage: 1d8 + 1d10 + 16 + 10d4 ⇒ (3) + (9) + 16 + (4, 3, 4, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2) = 54

Round Two

Heng breathes fire again, scorching the nearest root-claw, and marking the further with blackened burns. The former retreats into the underbrush as the entire tree shivers violently.

Parity cuts viciously, slicing the root-claw completely away from the tree. It releases its grasp immediately, the severed remainder falling to the ground.

You sense an immediate change in the air quality, scent and pressure throughout the grove. Harlan, Malnvial and Kiyomi feel the compulsion fade, but everyone is barraged by a babble of conflicting voices, urges and emotions.

At the same time, two additional root-claws spring from the ground, and the third lashes at Heng once again. It rakes another wound, but fails to catch hold of the guarded monk.

Suggestion effect is dispelled on the three, but all of you need to make another Will save (DC 22) or become confused.

Actions for R3?

Round 3
AC:27, hp:69/100, Ki 7/10, Stun 10, Fire 10

Will save: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Feeling the fiery potion yet churn in his belly, Heng ignores the babbling voices and once again burps forth flames!

fire: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 6) = 18 Reflex DC 13 for half

Wil sv 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Will Save: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20; fail
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 11; act normally

Parity, feeling out of sorts, but not entirely certain why, puts all his effort in to a massive strike.

Power attack, Swift: arcane strike, Move: arcane smite, 4th level, Std: Channel Belker's Claws

To hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 96; 1d100 ⇒ 34
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 14 + 2d12 + 4d6 ⇒ (1) + (5) + 14 + (12, 12) + (2, 2, 3, 6) = 57

Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Kiyomi suddenly tenses and shakes her head, staring at the trees attacking her friends. "What?!?" Kiyomi casts haste on her allies and then begins to sing a powerful song of battle!

Haste on everyone and Inspire Courage +3!

Heng'll use insight to give Parity a reroll.

"The song changes, Parity! Prepare your mind!"

Round 3

Will DC 22: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

"Whoa. Ok, then...uh, who tied me up? Heng? Guys?"

Uh...yeah, not sure I can actually break out of these ropes, are my arms free enough to cast? I think that's a concentration check, yes?

Will save redux: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

@ Harlan: I'd say you're considered grappled, so able to cast though can't move yet.

Action for Malnival?

Harlan squints and attempts to cast despite his bonds.

Concentration DC 10+1+14=25: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

A magical scimitar is summoned and begins beating on the tree.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 171d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

I'll give Malnival a chance to post, but I'll move on tomorrow.

Round Three

Heng breathes again, and though the root-claw weaves out of most of the flames, he still scorches it good.

Parity chops Suishen hard into the main trunk, but the blade deflects off leaving hardly a mark.

Harlan and Kiyomi come to their senses, shutting out the confusing din enough to favor the rest with quickening and heartening magic. Harlan's summoned blade makes a fair chop at the tree, but has the same nil effect as Parity's attack.

Shalelu turns around, her eyes glassy and unfocused. "Look out!" she cries a warning, but raises her bow and fires at Harlan!

The new root-claws writhe across the grove to flank and attack Parity, while the third again strikes out at Heng. Parity takes a bloody wound from the former, which latches onto him again, while the latter fails to bypass Heng's formidable defense.

Actions for R4? Don't forget to re-roll confusion for those affected (Parity, Malnival & Shalelu).

Round 4
AC:23, hp:69/100, Ki 4/10, Stun 10, Fire 9/10, inspired, hasted

As the fire in his belly subsides, Heng calls forth ghostly wings which burst glittering upon his back. He strikes at the offending roots with a burning fist and rises high into the air to assail the fiendish trees upper branches.

+2 frost fist: 1d20 + 15 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 3 + 1 = 20
damage: 1d10 + 8 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 + 3 = 15+ fire: 1d6 ⇒ 2

activate sings, strike, move.
sucking up AoO if I dont destroy them.

Vitriolic Mist: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 88; attack nearest ally

To hit: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
miss: 1d100 ⇒ 45, 1d100 ⇒ 25
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + (6) + 11 = 18

"But I don't wanna go to school mama."

Note, Parity is grappled and cannot move ... :)

Kiyomi will use her actions to shift to fox form, escape the ropes and shift back to human again, resuming her singing.

Round 4

"Hey now!"

Harlan attempts to dispel whatever is causing Shalelu to shoot him, while his spectral scimitar continues it's assault.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Concentration DC 28: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Break Enchantment on Shalelu. Note that if I see Parity attack a party member before I go, I'd like to Break Enchantment on him instead, as he's a bigger threat than Shalelu.

Break Enchantment DC 11+CL: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31