After 3 hours of hiking on overgrown game trails and sometimes no trail at all the group has not come to the old tree called the Forest Elder. By your guess you should have come to it a half an hour ago. Some how the group have gone astray.
"Which of the ingredients is to be found here, Keanan? The moss or the mushrooms?" Serila looks around in search for moss and mushrooms.
Where are we?!? By the gods, I knew I would mess this up and get us lost. Donal, you were a good teacher but you had a poor student. Mother is counting on me and I am failing her like I have failed everyone else.
Alperion's face is creased with anxiety as he spins his head from side to side in obvious consternation. His body language is tense as he looks helplessly at the massive expanse of woods in which they are now...LOST.
Keanan kneels on the ground for second praying. "Gozreh, by the light of the bright sun and the light of the forgotten moon, show me the way North so that I might guide us soon."
Did Donal hear his former pupil's thoughts? Did the Gods take pity on the distraught half-elf? Was it pure unadulterated luck?
Regardless of the source, Alperion's face clears as he spies the correct path to take to resume their journey..."We have traveled too far west and will need to head northeast to find the elder tree we seek."
He proceeds to lead the way to the northeast.
August must have only been half paying attention to the route, mostly because he is traveling with companions far more familiar with the area then he is. However, he decides to take a look around and see if there is anything recognizable to help get their position.
but...probably not.
[dice=survival]1d20+1
After an hour of back tracking the dense trees and thick brush of the forest give way, parting seemingly in respect for the titanic darkwood tree that dominates this clearing. Several times taller than a temple minaret, in one direction the obviously ancient tree reaches into the sky with branches like a giant’s arms, while in the other it plumbs the earth with roots thicker than a man’s waist. Its limbs broad and strong, its bark thick and so richly colored as to almost be black, and its leaves the size of bucklers, the giant thing is less a tree and more a cathedral of boughs and branches.
Yup. That's a big tree.
Amazed by the size of the ancient tree Serila's jaw almost drops. "I've... never seen such a big tree...
"Which ingredient are we looking to recover from this location?" asks Alperion as he slowly moves towards the tree with bow in hand.
By the gods above and below, Donal never showed me this colossus. What a truly awe-inspiring sight!
"We're looking for the moss."
As you survey the tree you notice something in the tree about 30 feet up. Focusing on the area of the tree you now notice not one but three things hanging in the large branches of the ancient tree. With a gasp and a sense of dread washing over you recognize what is hanging in the tree.
With an uneasy feeling running down your neck you scan the area and spy an unusually large pile of branches and leaves at the bottom of the tree.
With a keen eye you spot the moss you are looking for even from this distance.
"And I see the moss. However, I think we should be cautious. Never know when you're going to take an arrow in the gut."
Keanan points to the spot of moss in the distance.
"Bodies!" Serila point up in the tree. "There's three of of them. Sarenrae, protect us!"
Carrying the fox in one arm, Serila waves her other hand in the air. She mumbles some words and touches every member of the group, casting resistance on all. "Who's good at stealth? I say he should go and take some of the moss, the others standing ready to help him out when needed. As soon as we have the moss we get out of here. I hope we haven't been noticed yet."
"I have some little skill in moving quietly when needed, mistress; unfortunately, cover is usually required to aid such movement and there is none available in this clearing. I would stand out like a lightning-bug on a moonless night in these conditions to anyone watching this area. If the bodies are stored in the tree, it is reasonable to assume that whatever put them there considers this area its territory and will be watching. I think we would be better served to approach as a group and hope that our large numbers deter any action on its part. If it does attack anyway, well..there are always strength in numbers as they say."
Alperion stows his bow at this point and unsheathes his short sword.
"Now that is a tree you don't come across every day!"
With the announcement of the bodies in the tree, August unslings his shield from his back and looks around cautiously.
"We should stay together, this is either going to be easy...or hard" August finishes will eying the bodies. {b]"Either way, I say we stick together, and do what we came to do."[/b]
Everyone in the party, but Nebdel(because of his poor Spot check), spots movement high in the tree.(90 feet) Its hard to make out what is up there but by its movement you can tell it is a excellent climber.
"Looks like we have company. Some dead, some alive."
Serila, I can't see them. Are the bodies hung with rope, spider silk, or what?
"Why do I have a feeling that this is going to be the hard way?" August says, somewhat under his breath as he takes a few steps towards the tree. Looking up, trying to locate the source of the movement.
The large branches of the ancient tree make it hard to get a good view of the thing moving above you but you do catch a glimpse of a long serpent tail the creature is using to help it climb.
Nebdel casts guidance on himself. Then with morningstar in hand he also moves forward. Spreading out to the right to present less of a concentrated target.
.
moved
Alperion stirs from his reflections on the tales told at night by woodsmen around the fire and states, "There are legends, mind you only legends, that speak of a creature that lurks in the woods...a "man-dragon" which possesses a voracious appetite and a non-discriminating palate. Based on what we have seen here, I tend to think that this particular legend just might be true."
Alperion slowly fans out to the Augustine's left flank.
Serila moves a few steps forward, Balazar next to her. She looks at the bodies, trying to determine if there are any ropes tied to them.
She seems to think for a second."I could try luring whatever there is out with some dancing lights. Anyone opposed to that plan?"
"Sounds like a splendid idea Serila. But since we're moving closer, I wonder who is luring whom."
"Well let's stop for a bit and see if it works. I've decided to just try it." Serila points at the ground in front of her and mutters a spell. A faintly glowing cyan light, vaguely resembling a humanoid shape, appears before Serila. The 'person' steps forward and walks up to the tree.
As the glowing figure approaches the tree you can see the creature above move down to within 15 feet of it and investigate. The group can clearly see the creature now. Slithering like a large snake, this creature has the head of a dragon and a pair of clawed arms to help it move along and grasp prey. A sickly green mist wafts from its open maw.
Serila let's the figure move away from the tree, hoping to lure the creature out of the tree. She doesn't move it too far away, but keeps it at as safe distance from the group.
Let's see if I can get it to follow this.
Alperion watches, fascinated, as the "magic figure" conjured by the sorceress moves away from the tree. "Remarkable." he whispers under his breath.
Taking her loaded crossbow from under her cloak, Serila stands ready to shoot a bolt in case the creature attacks. She doesn't want to risk speaking, but hopes if the others notice her draw the crossbow they'll draw weapons as well.
Better get ready...
Keanan pulls out his father's scimitar and gives an eye to Balazar, letting him know to be ready to attack.
Alperion will sheathe his short sword and ready his bow.
After investigating the glowing form the creature in the tree turns toward the party hisses and leaps out of the tree charging the group. When the first creature hits the ground a pile of branches and leaves by the trunk of the tree explodes as a second creature charges out of it's hiding place.
Keanan gives Balazar that look to attack. . Balazar and Keanan charge the nearest foul beast.
Keanan and Balazar were both brave, but neither seems to do much in the process.
Quickly notching an arrow, Alperion fires his short bow at the more northern of the two foul beasts. Unfortunately, in his haste, Alperion's shot sails wide of the mark...
August rushes to the dwarf's side spear and shield drawn and ready. As he approaches the beast, his spear fires out in a powerful thrust
The creature dodges the attacks by Keanan and Balazar but Augustine's spear pierces it's side. Hissing in pain from Augustine’s spear thrust the creature counter attacks with a vicious bite, which Augustine dodges with ease.
The creature that was hidden continues its charge toward Alperion ignoring Nebdel attempt to block its path. As it gets to him it pounces at him attacking with a flurry of claws and teeth. Alperion wards of the bite and claw attacks with his bow.
Monster 1 damage taken = 8
Monster 2 damage taken = 0
Nebdel smashes his weapon into the side of the beast as it rushes past him!
,
I better help out our bowman...
Nebdel turns and follows the creature as it heads for Alperion.
With a cry, he slams another blow into the thing.
(If he doesn't still get the +2 to hit you mentioned for the AoO, just lower this by 2.)
With feet now firmly planted for battle, and his spear finally tasting blood August makes an aggressive attack, first attempting to smash his shield into this foul creature, and then another swift spear thrust.
"Taste my spear creature!"
Keanan and Balazar are frustrated by their inability to inflict damage and are getting a bit embarrassed. They both decide now is the time for glory and do a full attack.
Alperion drops his bow (free action) to the ground, draws his short sword (move action) and swipes at the horrifying beast (standard action) who just attacked him.
Serila drops her crossbow and weaves her hand in the air. She then mumbles a few words and holds her hand up in the air. A flash of light emanates from Serila's hand. As the light slowly takes a physical shape it changes into an eagle.
"Go, spread your wings." The eagle flies off, charging at the creature that's attacking Alperion.