Adsal (sickened [-2 on die rolls], hasted)
Massive Spider Green
Qatala (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
Jackson (40 damage, sickened [-2 on die rolls], hasted)
Theritis (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
Keela (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
Massive Spider Red (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
Chaine (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
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for cold iron magical piercing dmg.
"AAAAAAARGH!" screams Chaine. As the adventurers turn towards Chaine thinking he's been impaled dead by one of the spider's giant legs, he adds, "THERITIS! YOU GOT SPIDER GUTS ALL OVER MY RESPLENDENT UNIFORM COAT! Can't you wait until I mosey out of here before OPENING THIS THING WIDE OPEN!!!"
(oh, and the heroes breathe a sigh of relief as they realize Chaine is only half impaled to death)
Jackson's attack barely misses the giant spider. The hide of the creature is incredibly think and barely resists the spikes.
Despite his agility, the giant spider does get a chance to strike down Jackson as he rushes toward the opposite spider.
The giant spider is torn apart by Theritis's swings and nearly brought down with only his heavy strikes to the creature's legs.
Adsal (sickened [-2 on die rolls], hasted)
Massive Spider Green (113 damage)
Qatala (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
Jackson (94 damage, sickened [-2 on die rolls], hasted)
Theritis (40 damage, hasted)
Keela (hasted, Reflex save vs trample)
Massive Spider Red
Chaine (40/40 damage, hasted)
The combination of Qatala and Theritis's blows bring the down the massive beast, it's body collapsing around you the part.
Keela leaps forward at the other spider and it is heavily injured after both her blows combined with Jackson.
The spider, slowed by Jackson's magic, only is able to deliver a single powerful bite at the tiny monk.
The corrupted flora attempts to grab onto both Jackson and Keela, but it isn't able to take hold.
Chaine (40/40 damage, hasted)
Adsal (sickened [-2 on die rolls], hasted)
Massive Spider Green (164 damage)
Qatala (40 damage, hasted)
Jackson (94 damage, sickened [-2 on die rolls], hasted)
Theritis (35 damage, hasted)
Keela (87 damage, hasted)
Massive Spider Red (81 damage)
With a loud crash the other spider falls as well. The vines clings to the infected flesh of the giant spiders but are are all able break free and continue to move farther forward into this blighted wood.
As you move forward you recover from the ills of the wood and are able to tend to your wounds. It is still a struggle to make it through the forest.
Eventually you find an area where the forest opens onto a small clearing that is free of the dark flowers that seem to permeate the rest of the landscape. A ring of tall grey trees circles the clearing, their branches reaching toward each other to form a ceiling of black leaves.
A chorus of whispering voices echoes within the clearing as countless faces form out of the tree bark only to meld back in, flowing from tree to tree.
Three of the faces remain in place and speak out in unison. "Who wanders these forlorn path? Do you seek to join us? Join us!"
One of three adds, "But please I recommend you don't mind us too much! We are much more bark than bite! Haha!"
While another gives a much gruffer outlook, "Stop with this blathering and get to the point of this! I will not let you insipid comments waste my time!"
"And your rage will only lengthen these discussions just as much as levity. Explain yourselves walkers of the path. Do you intend to join our chorus? We would introduce ourselves, but those memories have long since forgotten."
"I've told you not remind me of that! Yet another thing taken from us. Do you lot intend to take more of that from us?", the gruff one adds.
"I can off my humour, but without a body, I'm a bit tapped out. Call what what you want, just make sure to catch my darling personality won't you? Teh heh!"
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As the party clears the dense forest, Keela finally takes a breath of fresh air. She stands tall, letting the chil wind break against her wounds - reminding her of the titan's they just fought. Althought she seemed pleased with the combat, she visually can't help to think that there was something more she could have done...
Keela openly accepts healing from anyone who cares to tend to her wounds, otherwise she presses on. The clearing with the talking faces amuses Keela. She observes silently as they speak, the difference in the voices making subtle sence to the monk. When they are finished and before anyone else get's a chance to speak she aproaches the gruff face and notions - "It is clear that you do not entertain visitors that often. When was the last time a soul has walked past your forest?". As she waits for an answer she muses at the tree's and aknowledges their wisdom.
Note! -- --
Keela promtply continues - [b]"We are but mere adventurers on a ritcheous path. What we seek lies further within your forest - someone lost to time - somewhat like you. If you do not have the answers we seek, then we shall not waste our time here as you wish, for time seems to not be a comodity either of us trade in..." The monk has a solemn look across her face, obviously thinking on a painful memory which has just crossed her mind. Nevertheless, she stands tall and proud agasint this spirit.
Interjecting one of the other spirits declares, "My apologies! The staff who keep the furniture clean have been spirited away. Even before that they were swamped with work. We tried getting them to log their work, but we never saw the results pay off~!"
"Shut up you wordy buffoon!" Gruff snaps at the face below him, and growing only more incensed as he finds himself unable to turn toward the pun delivering spirit. Eventually he refocuses on Keela to answer the question. "Who in their right mind would be entertained in a place like this!" Gruff grimaces contemplating the question before answering, "The fools come by in a constant trickle. Explorers, druids, and with a glare adds, "Adventurers! Bah! Some of them found their way here among us. After they ran into Mother Bloodleaf. The idiots ran their way into death and got what they deserved!"
As Keela speaks with Gruff, she gets the feeling that trying to push him around will have difficulty persuading him. Gruff is naturally resistant to aggressive methods to intimidate him or displays of the party's might. He has no desire to see you try convince him of your strength.
Gruff Dislikes: Aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the PCs.
???
???
Adsal
Chaine
Keela (identified dislikes of Gruff)
Theritis
Qatala
Jackson
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Qatala calmly walks towards the third face (not the gruff or the punning one].
My name is Qatala an adventurer and a pathfinder as well as a follower of Irori. I do not seek to join you but to travel onwards can you tell me more about this place?
She stops and listens to watch for any reactions and understand more about this odd thing.
Qatala calmly walks towards the third face (not the gruff or the punning one].
My name is Qatala an adventurer and a pathfinder as well as a follower of Irori. I do not seek to join you but to travel onwards can you tell me more about this place?
Third things a moment before responding, "The wood or the grove you see here? I will try to answer both to my best ability. The wood has always been a dangerous place, trapping a variety of spirits, myself included, over the years. The reason for this is ... the Blight. A growing mass within the forest that has hampered our passing and bound us to this vile wood. Our memories have been stolen by this place, some of our number have been here hundreds of seasons. Some were mortals and some were being of nature. None of that matters as our memories have waned as this wood has consumed as and denied our rest."
Hearing Theritis, Third adds, "Mother Bloodleaf serves the Blight. A new induction that has added a significant number to the souls here."
Even as Qatala listens to the seemingly calm spirit, she gets the impression this is the most furious spirit by far. It doesn't want to hear reason or logic as to why it should help you. Third wants to see your power and describe how you will eradicate this Blight and make Mother Bloodleaf pay.
"Who is Mother Bloodleaf?"
With a laugh Punny answers, "She is the mother to many here! So many of the spirits were born her to because of her kind attention. I do admit, that she isn't the best, but you really can't choose your family, can you? Haha!"
"I think asked her once to stop adding to our number and she told me to drop dead! I told her, 'but I'm already dead!' but without any hesitation she a-soul-ed me!"
It is hard for Theritis to get a read on Punny. The way it talks gives little direct information.
"Gruff, the situation is dire and as we need your aid. But we are also far from powerless, so we can offer you many interesting stories for barter. Or you seek something different. Please, say what you seek?"
Gruff pushes back, "What makes you think I want to have a story time with you. There are enough voices here that I don't need yours as well! What I want is for you to get and make any trouble. Fools like yourselves are just bound to prod the hornets nest and get everyone stung!"
"You seem clever. How's that working out for you, being clever?"
Punny, the face running along the tree glances about his form before answering, "Depends on your point of view. Some say I'm a ghost of my former self. I like to think it keeps my head on straight. Others are far less clever and fare far poorer. As more and more and more come it does affect the mood for the worse. Everyone else is just so dead serious."
As Punny laughs at his own comments against Jackson still finds it hard to get a definitive read on what is really going on in the spirit's mind.
Gruff Dislikes: Aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the PCs.
Punny Unknown
Third Likes: Tactics that demonstrate the power of the PCs or that describe how they will vanquish the blight and make Mother Bloodleaf pay; Dislikes: Methods that try to use reason and logic to convince the spirit that helping the PCs is the best course of action.
Adsal
Chaine
Keela (identified dislikes of Gruff)
Theritis (studied Punny)
Qatala (identified likes and dislikes of Third)
Jackson (studied Punny)
"We plan to strike at Mother Bloodleaf like THIS!!"
"An unusual to introduce yourself, but I suppose I did no better. Still I admit your skill is exceptional. I would like to see how Mother Bloodleaf will fair against your ability. We certainly will not impede your progress." Third seems interested in your skill as well as joining you.
Gruff interjects, "Watching you prance around on your horse is no reason why to get involved in this ridiculous mess. Give us real reasons why should do anything to help you!"
Gruff Dislikes: Aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the PCs.
Punny Unknown
Third Likes: Tactics that demonstrate the power of the PCs or that describe how they will vanquish the blight and make Mother Bloodleaf pay; Dislikes: Methods that try to use reason and logic to convince the spirit that helping the PCs is the best course of action.
Adsal
Chaine (Influenced Third)
Keela
Theritis
Qatala
Jackson
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Qatala walks towards gruff. I am a defensive specialised fighter and believe violence is the last resort but from what you are saying we have a bad situation here. My role is to place myself in maximum danger and protect my collegues
Qatala drops into her crane wing stance and holds the classic pose for a few seconds.
Qatala walks towards gruff. I am a defensive specialised fighter and believe violence is the last resort but from what you are saying we have a bad situation here. My role is to place myself in maximum danger and protect my collegues
Qatala drops into her crane wing stance and holds the classic pose for a few seconds.
"Bah! Your fancy forms mean nothing to protect me. I'm not going to be resting in arms reach of you while you are throwing yourselves to to the vengeful monster!"
"Gruff one, you may find we know more than force. Sometimes, it is best to simply not be seen."
Jackson studies the Gruff face then steps back into the trees and tries to disappear.
Although Gruff seems to consider the display he shakes it off and Gruff rebuffs it declaring, "That seems about right, you just create a massive mess and then you don't need to deal with the aftermath as you slink away. Bah!"
Gruff Dislikes: Aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the PCs.
Punny Unknown
Third Likes: Tactics that demonstrate the power of the PCs or that describe how they will vanquish the blight and make Mother Bloodleaf pay; Dislikes: Methods that try to use reason and logic to convince the spirit that helping the PCs is the best course of action.
Adsal
Chaine (Influenced Third)
Keela
Theritis
Qatala (Influencing Gruff, need skill check)
Jackson
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"Well if you fools don't cause trouble for us living here, in your chaotic mess I guess I might consider sticking around with you."
Gruff Dislikes: Aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the PCs.
Punny Unknown
Third Likes: Tactics that demonstrate the power of the PCs or that describe how they will vanquish the blight and make Mother Bloodleaf pay; Dislikes: Methods that try to use reason and logic to convince the spirit that helping the PCs is the best course of action.
Adsal
Chaine (Influenced Third)
Keela
Theritis
Qatala (Influenced Gruff)
Jackson (Influenced Gruff)
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Keela, seeing that the rest of the party is doing rather well with Third and Gruff, she turns to Punny and attempts to tower over the entity with her might. The monk is often to serious for jokes, and Punny's responses have been making it awfully difficult to concentrate.
"How dare you speak so ill of your Mother. This is not a time for jokes. I should know not to disrespect family, I had to slaughter mine after they torturned me." - she gestures at her chains around her body and tries to intimidate the spirit.
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Keela, seeing that the rest of the party is doing rather well with Third and Gruff, she turns to Punny and attempts to tower over the entity with her might. The monk is often to serious for jokes, and Punny's responses have been making it awfully difficult to concentrate.
"How dare you speak so ill of your Mother. This is not a time for jokes. I should know not to disrespect family, I had to slaughter mine after they torturned me." - she gestures at her chains around her body and tries to intimidate the spirit.
Punny is shaken by the nervously laughs as it clarifies, "Well she really isn't my mother. Mine is far more evil! Ha ha hee-" The laughter starts out weak and is strangled as it looks to Keela for any positive feedback. "Well, I-I was just joking that because so many of us were killed by here and sacrificed to the Blight and well, found ourselves bound to trees. You can say that she has been making a-a killing. Heheh heh ... ummm."
Punny tries to put on another strong smile, but with nothing from Keela it looks to the rest of the party, "You all can hear me in the back there? Whew, it is getting a bit warm here don't you all think? Is it just me? Can't be just me."
The spirit takes another breath as it tries to push back the fearful aura, it's face caught between a wide laugh and a sob. "Aah, umm. Yeah, so torture! Funny story! Mother Bloodleaf just loves torture. Whenever a person wanders into the woods, you know that isn't killed by a giant spider, I can hear their screams as Mother just spends so much time dragging out their death from sun up to set set, like any work day am-I-right? Haha heh ahem."
It's expression doesn't change but it's voice cracks as it continues, "You ... you need to stop her. You need to destroy the Blight. They've taken too many good people. No one else can suffer as we have. The only dying I want to see is people dying of laughter. Heh heh." Punny calms itself after a moment after making a decision, "Since you are new here, how about I show you the sights? The dark spooky woods, the blood swamp, or the center of the Blight?"
Gruff interjects after spending far too long holding his tongue. "There is no damned way I'm letting you are doing this by yourself. If I let you and this band of warriors skip through this you all just going to bring nothing but trouble for the rest of us stuck here. I'm coming too and there is nothing you are saying to stop me!"
Third adds it's commentary calmly enough. "I concur. You show a degree of ability many others that have passed here have lacked. I wish to see you test this ability on the ageless evil of the swamp as well as confirm if Mother Bloodleaf cries out as much as her victims as you drive her into a grave."
The spirits work to guide you in mass, hundreds of the faces running from tree to tree follow along your path, leading your way calling out questions to you as others debate the best path.
"So are you really going to put an end to the blight?"
"We should hope. Many others have made that claim still. You give us hope once more, hopefully you do not dash it upon the rocks."
"Any hope is better than the constant darkness here. Even if we only have it for a little while."
Now recovered, Punny tries, again, to lighten the mood, "See, that is what I'm been saying! With all the dark and dreariness why not lighten up the place up a bit! How about this one? Why did the chicken enter the woods? ... For som-"
Punny is cut off by a booming voice all around you. All of the spirits stop moving and making noise in response to the aura pouring from ahead. "So we have yet more intruders in these woods? More evil cultists planning to perpetrate some vile plan? I hear the spirits speak, relaying your claims that you have come with your armies to end this Blight."
The voice seems insulted by the idea as he calls out a simple, "Ha!"
He continues a verbal tirade against you, "A lie so duplicitous and to suffusing with your true malicious intent that I declare a pox on you and your descendants and your descendants' descendants and your descendants' descendants' descendants! It is only proper that I end your reign of terror here and now as I destroy you and cast your remains into the volcanic forges of creation such that you many never may threaten this world again!"
"So says I just Paladin Sosaintly truest servant of Iomaedae, except for Oathdays where I serve Abadar and alternating weekends where upon I act on behalf of Eras-pshshsh hahahah!" The voice breaks into utter laughter as it focuses a short distance away. From behind a tree steps out a heavy set and burly middle-aged man with the ears and legs of a goat. He composes himself wiping a tear from his eye as he grins and waves to the party.
"Ho there, adventurers! I got bored waiting for all this battle to break out, so I thought we should have some fun!"
He holds a hand up to already block the objections, "I can already hear your complaints. 'We don't have time for games.' I assure you that if anything you need more in your left. Even then I assure you this won't take long. I certainly wouldn't want you to miss the main event, and I plan to have a front-row seat for 'Pathfinder vs the Blight!'" He waves his hand through the air, possibly imagining an marquee from an Oppara opera house despite having no sign of reasonably being present in the city.
He comes to his senses after being lost to his delirium for a moment. "Oh! Where are my manners? The name's Grimpfkin." He finishes his introduction with a quick courtly bow quickly rising back up to ask, "So, what do you say? Do you choose to test your speed or might?"
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Keela acknowledges the funky looking creature with a few sniffs.
"I do not care either way. Your challenges are no match for us. Tell me, do you really think this Blight really stands a chance against us? You obviously know what we are, and what we do..." - the monk brushes her chains against his fur. She thinks briefly before asking, "What are we up against, why is this Blight here?"
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Recognizing the competency and station of the emissary sent before them, Chaine bows to the satyr and says, "Lord Grimpfkin, I will echo my fellow Pathfinder colleagues' wishes in that it would be an honor to offer you a show of might. Milord: could you please be so kind as to escort us to the testing grounds and present us to the rightful authority?"
Grimpkin nods approvingly before standing up a tad straighter and saluting you with his mug.
"Follow me then I think I know just the thing." The fey leads deeper into the woods, the spirits still following but still silent. "I'm will admit, my first thought on what to challenge a party like yours? Spiders. Giant spiders. But then I looked deeper at you all and realized that wouldn't be a new experience for any of us. This though, a new and profound experience!" After a few minute you have reached a clearing surrounded by both towering trees and massive mushrooms. At the center lies a massive looming shape moving in from the shadows.
Before sauntering into the woods Grimpfkin whispers, "Go ahead, I'm sure great heroes like you will be fine."
Within the grove stands a massive wolf nearly 24 feet long from end to end, with eyes glow with an unearthly light as the creatures bloody fangs. It instantly spots you as you approach and calls out as it begins the attack, "Yet more foolish hunters come, not knowing they are the true prey here. Let me teach you a lesson."
Jackson
Mystic Wolf
Adsal
Keela
Qatala
Theritis
Chaine