Wilhelm's cold-iron arrow pierces the fey creature in the middle and nails it to a nearby stump.
Merisiel, still small, easily slips in and starts to explore the maze.
Area A:
Six hammocks hang suspended from the thorns here, crisscrossing along the thorny walls. Two oaks provide shade and shelter from wind and rain. A few clothes hang from the thorny walls. The hammocks and clothes seem simply made. Near one of the tree trunks is a large, sturdy chest. Near the other is a smaller chest, whose open lid reveals several scrolls and tomes. Gaps in the walls allow exit to the northwest, north, and northeast.
The books and scrolls are almanacs, starcharts, and philosophical treatises, mostly written in Druidic. The larger chest is locked with a good lock.
Area B:
This open space is roughly oblong, with three gaps in the thorny walls to the south, west, and north. To the east is a rough wooden table with a leather satchel lying atop it. The table is surrounded by six cut logs planed flat and turned endwise to serve as stools. Two stiff linen banners hang on stands placed along northwest and southwest walls, carefully placed a few inches away from the thorns to prevent tearing.
The two tapestries are coarse linen saturated with beeswax and then dried to render the linen waterproof. The banner between the north exit and the west exit contains a skillfully painted image. The left side of the picture depicts several dejected humans crowded by buildings (mills, inns, houses, and similar structures). On the right side, as though stepping out from the claustrophobic alleys on the left, are several bestial humanoids, standing tall and proud in an open meadow surrounded by blooming vegetation. This painting has been “improved” by a twig jack, who has scrawled a trio of cavorting stick-figure twig jacks in the background of the meadow.
The banner between the west exit and the south exit depicts a complicated lunar calendar. The calendar is covered with symbols that depict phases throughout the lunar year. With a DC 13 Linguistics check (PCs able to read Druidic or Sylvan may attempt this check untrained), the PCs correctly match the banner’s symbols to the symbols on the wax tablet map. Together, the two pieces present a specific timeline for the ritual’s effect. In the first few weeks, the ritual expands slowly out from Briar Henge. In the last few weeks, it expands to encompass nearby logging communities (including the lumber camp the PCs passed through on their way to Briar Henge). In the final day, the ritual is powerful enough to affect residents of Wispil.
Area C:
This long, wide area is partially roofed by a sheet of woven bark. Under the bark sheet rest several casks, boxes, and simple pieces of furniture. Gourds dangle from the thorny walls as though hung on hooks. Three breaks in the bramble walls lead west, south, and east.
The stores include dried food, spare bedding, a washbasin, and so forth. The gourds contain fresh drinking water.
Merisiel returns, growing larger as she does, until she is restored to full size. She describes the maze and points out a final chamber she has not yet explored but she heard voices from.
|
Meredith uses a scroll to heal William's wounds.
"Anyone else needs help? That ranger was kind enough to give us 4. I burned two already."
Meredith takes a look, and reads the druidic inscriptions. "Yup, these guys are nuts."
In Area B, Meredith takes a look in the satchel if no one else does.
Meredith recognizes the runes as a derivative of the Druidic alphabet, but she's not sure of what to make of it.
Merisiel returns and describes the maze. "How should we approach? Well, I guess you're the quiet one. Tell me how tall the grass is around there, I may be able to slow them down."
Wilhelm opens the chest discovering a birch wand and a patterned leaf.
@Meredith - This is a grassy area, and the walls are made of thorny brambles.
As you get into position, you can hear chanting coming from the remaining area.
You approach and peak around the corner(s).
This wide area on the east side of Briar Henge has a roughly circular shape. Four tall, thin spires of ancient stone thrust up from the ground at irregular intervals like malformed teeth. To the west, two thicker stones are capped with a third horizontal stone, forming a crude gateway. A thick piece of charred bark is suspended in this gateway by a web of crackling energy.
The crackling energy pulses outward from the bark into the dolmen stones, and from there into the ground.
Four chanters, who appear to be half-elf druids from the look of things, chant around the setup.
If everyone from one entrance can make a DC 15 Stealth check, that group will get a surprise round action.
|
|
"...I have no idea what these are."
Upon being told the place is grassy, Meredith thinks up a plan. "I think we work better from range. Namely, everything seems to enjoy biting me. I'll call upon the grass to slow them down while you guys shoot or zap them."
"I'll be honest. I'm going to make a lot of noise, here." She bares her shield and dashes in...
And is surprisingly quiet. Even Meredith is surprised they haven't noticed her.
|
|
Meredith opens the fight by casting Entangle, causing all of the weeds and plants in the room to grapple those nearby.
"Finally, some luck." Meredith steps a bit closer to green and punches him. "I don't need these claws, take 'em back."
Merisiel throws daggers at the yellow druid, as Wilhelm puts 2 arrows into the blue, putting him down. Then, for good measure, his puts an arrow into yellow as well, finishing him off for Merisiel. Meredith starts entangling everyone, and then attempts to wade in and throw a punch at green, but misses. Green's grin is short lived, however, as Etune blasts him in the side with a magic missle.
Red and green both cast spells.
Wilhelm drops the red druid with another well placed shot, while Etune shoots a blast of cold passed green's head.
Elendril's arrow flies far and wide as Meredith swings and claws and growls at no one in particular (or at least that's what it looks like).
Green, being the only one still standing, immediately grows much larger, and spins his quarterstaff, trying to attack both Meredith and Elendril. Meredith is able to easily dodge the first swing, and the druid is just two unbalanced to come close to Elendril.
And with that, the green druid is defeated.
With the druids out of commission, the splinter can be removed from the dolmen stones (whoever removes it gets a nasty shock, but not fatal). Now that the ritual has been interrupted prior to completion, those affected (including Wilhelm and Meredith) quickly revert to their normal selves.
Returning the artifact to Venture-Captain Brackett in Almas, he congratulates you on a job well done. The loggers you left have survived, and are also appreciative of your efforts. Their families are happy to have them back home safe and sound.