"Well, I wouldn't go callin' it 'good,'" Corliss said rather evasively. Spectacular was more like it. The phrase "Catch me--I'm coming in hot!" was now forever etched in his otherwise scrambled memory.
As Corin chews a cold morning meal he turns to his companions.
"So, any more thoughts about where we can move our camp?"
"Away from the beaches is all I can say, Cap'n," Corliss chimes in. "Iff'n the storm comes at us from the north, that'll mean it had to travel overland a ways, probably losin' some o' its steam in the process. But iff'n it sweeps in from the west along the water, it'll be growin' in power as she nears. I'm no expert, but iff'n the storm surge pushes water into the lagoon, there's not much room for it to pull back out--just that wee little openin' to the northeast near the funky purple isle. I'm pretty sure the campsite on yon beach would flood rather fast. Mayhap we oughta check it out on our way back to fetch the others, in case there be somethin' o' interest there."
Corliss the uses guidance and detect magic spells to try to identify the magic stuff found on the Grog Dog and the amulet worn by the cannibal witch doctor.
(leather armor)
(cutlass)
(wand)
(amulet)
[ooc]Stuff[ooc]
Leather Armour - minor abjuration magic
Cutlass - +1 Cutlass
Wand - Wand of Obscuring Mist with 11 charges
Amulet - minor abjuration magic
Karia thinks about it. "Inland, close to, or by fresh water. Defensible. We probably don't have time before the storm, but lets keep an eye out."
Corin finishes his sparse breakfast and nods to Karia.
"That sounds good. We should get moving." He heaves himself to his feet, ships is wooden shield to hang from his back, and waits for his companions to ready themselves for the journey back.
A thought occurs to him. "Karia, Corliss, do any of you have any magic that could get those berries for us?"
"Got the storm burst ability granted me by Besmara," Corliss replies after giving the matter some thought. "Creates a buffetin' wind, but probably not enough to shake loose a whole lotta berries. An' using it would almost certainly rile up that livin' vine what's guardin' 'em. Could always give it a try, though."
"It's worth a shot actually. And if things go wrong you can have me ready to strike the vines if they start to get well mad," Sizara said, resting her hand on the hilt of her blade with a smirk on her face.
Karia shakes her head. "No sadly. Does anyone have a grappling hook?"
Corin produces a grappling hook and 50 feet of knotted hemp rope (40 feet after knotting) attached to it.
"That's why he be Cap'n!" Corliss says with one of his crooked grins.
For a more serious answer, I think we were considering exploring the old campsites we'd seen from the trail and were planning on trying to retrieve some berries for Aerys, hopefully without pissing off the assassin vine near them. All the while returning to the old camp to gather the others before the storm hits.
Leaving the hut, the group follow the meandering stream as it heads downhill from the high ground, and make good progress. Once the stream ends, cascading over a low cliff into a sinkhole beyond, it is not difficult with the help of rope to climb down the cliff and continue. The group crosses the game trail they were following the previous day, and continues down towards the sandy beaches of the lagoon.
The lapping the waves against the shore can be heard, but is still too far off to see, when the group comes upon a large clearing in the jungle. Aprroximately 50' across, the clearing contains no trees, although several fallen ones can be seen. What low, sparse, vegetation there is seems stunted and twisted, its leaves a sickly yellow colour. There is the smell if decaying vegetable matter, and a faint sickly haze in the air.
Near the center of the clearing, two humanoid figures stand motionless in the hazy sun.
Sizara spots the signs of another dangerous jungle plant - the Yellow Musk Creeper!
"Animal spirits preserve us! That's...a Yellow Musk Creeper! Steel yourselves my friends, for it is a deadly plant that can spray you with confusion inducing pollen to make you a more docile meal as it sinks its rootlike tendrils into your brain, transforming you into a lifeless zombie. Those before us are poor souls who have become creeper zombies."
Sizara growled as she gripped her sword with both hands so hard her knuckles turned white.
"It would be best if we let them come to us and bring them down before they reach us. But I'll hold the line and keep them off the rest of you," she said snarling like a wild animal as she prepared herself to intercept any of the creeper zombies in order to keep them off the others.
"Arrr...a most fortuitous opportunity for me to see iff'n me storm burst can actually harm or will just stir up plant monsters!" Corliss says through one of his goofy grins. "I'll target the zombie fella on the right...."
for plus target suffers a -2 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round.
wrath of the gods upon the world below.
Storm Burst (Sp): As a standard action, you can create a storm burst targeting any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. The storm burst deals 1d6 points of nonlethal damage + 1 point for every two cleric levels you possess. In addition, the target is buffeted by winds and rain, causing it to take a –2 penalty on attack rolls for 1 round.
As Sizara steps forward, not attempting to conceal herself, the heads of the two figures turn, and they begin to lurch towards the group in a twisted, inhuman gait, trailing clouds of yellow spores as they come.
Corliss's storm burst appears in the air in front of one of the approaching creatures. Its vicious winds rip and tear at its body, stripping away leaves and pollen, and causing it to stagger slightly.
Karia starts her Inspire courage. (+1 to hit and damage. + 1 to saves vs charm and fear).
She shoots at one of the Zombies.
Corin steps beside Sizara with his weapons drawn, ready to cut down the first enemy which closes.
With Corin and Sizara forming a wall of steel between the advancing plant-corpses and the others, Karia uses her strange, ululating oratory, and looses her crossbow another of the creatures, skewering it through, but not halting its approach.
Corliss again summons up the power of the storm,
and again its winds strip and shred at the creature's body, causing it to stumble and pitch over sideways. It is obviouslyu only stunned, not seriously hurt. Looking at the advancing corpses, Corin can tell that despite their superficial resemblance to zombies, these walking corpses are not true undead.
Many of the twisted vines and half-buried roots around the clearing begin to twitch and stir, as the terrible creature beings to rouse itself. A thick root with large sickly yellow flowers in it rises up in front of Sizara and squirts a cloud of yellow pollen at the elf.
With its companion stunned, the second zombie, whom Karia already skewered with her crossbow, is an easy target for Corin's longsword - he cleaves it in half and it lies twitching at his feet, as many small roots and rhizomes spread out from the corpse and sink into the ground.
Sizara, already breathing hard and deep in her rage, gets a lungful of the strange yellow pollen. Her eyes glaze over, she drops her weapon, and she begins to slouch forward, as if in a fugue state.
rounds
The zombie lying on the ground (Z1) begins to rise. Half of its face has been stripped away buy Corliss's windstorms, but as you watch new growth begins to take its place.
From the far side of the clearing, you can see two more plant infested corpses begin to stumble towards you.
Effects: Inspire Courage
Rotation: (Corliss and Karia - go!)
Z3+4
Corliss
Karia
Z1
Creeper
Sizara
Corin
Sasha
If no one has ordered Sasha yet? Karia tells her "Hold Sizara, she's been affected by that powder!"
Karia then shoots at the creeper(X1)
Karia's crossbow bolt plunges into the twisting mass of vines and branches at the creature's core. It is difficult to see by looking if it hit, but from the way that various vines and tendrils throughout the clearing lash and twist, seemingly in pain, it certainly had an effect.
Corin moves forward to cut down the zombie which is regaining its feet.
Corliss isn't sure that a stabbing weapon's the way to go against plant creatures, so he draws his dagger while moving up to the rising plant zombie and slashes at it in a wide arc.
for
Corliss abandons his stormbursts, and draws a dagger. It's not clear where the best place to slash at a stumbling, plant-infested corpse is, and the pirate thrusts ineffectively a few times to little effect.
The zombie, staring at him from blank, green-tinged eyes, takes a mighty swing
which is only just deflected by the priest's armour.
The activity in the clearing seems to increase - roots move, vines slither, and stems shake as the creeper plant reacts to the intrusion in its domain.
Sasha rushes forward to attempt to restrain Sizara. "Hold her, Archibald - the foul plant creature is attempting to steal our friend"
But the elf breaks free, and continues her slow walk towards the vine
Effects: Inspire Courage
Rotation: (Corin - go!)
Z3+4
Corliss
Karia
Z1
Creeper
Sizara
Corin
Sasha
Trusting his companions to deal with the solitary zombie, Corin rushes past it in an attempt to rescue Sizara.
As he passes, the creature reacts instinctively, swinging at the ranger
but is too slow, and Corin is past.
Moving up to the stationary Sizara, Corin begins to try to drag her away from the plant creature, noticing that various small tendrils and rhizomes have begun burrowing into her head.
Sasha too rushes forward to assist Corin.
The two other zombies are lumbering forward, making slow progress through the dense vegetation.
Effects: Inspire Courage
Rotation: (Corliss and Karia - go!)
Z3+4
Corliss - POST
Karia - POST
Z1
Creeper
Sizara
Corin
Sasha
Karia shoots again at the plant. Hoping that killing it will save Sizara.
Karia's shot certaily hits, sending an almost palpable frisson through the various moving vines in the clearing, but it doesn't appear to have done much damage.
Seeing Corin, Sasha, and Karia dealing with the main threat, Corliss opts to keep the last nearby plant zombie preoccupied so that the Sizara's rescuers can carry her to safety.
Mentally firing off a brief prayer to Besmara, the pirate priest tries something new--his copycat domain power . He tries casting it defensively so he won't get pummeled for his effort.
Alas, his concentration fails, so he settles for merely slashing at the zombie with his dagger.
for
Copycat (Sp): You can create an illusory double of yourself as a move action. This double functions as a single Mirror Image and lasts for a number of rounds equal to your cleric level, or until the illusory duplicate is dispelled or destroyed. You can have no more than one copycat at a time. This ability does not stack with the Mirror Image spell. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
The solitary zombie in front of Corliss swings at him with a large fronded fist
sending the pirate priest reeling with a mighty backhand blow.
Over by the vine, the plant creature detects a threat to itself and its prey, and defends itself. A thick, gnarled root whips through the air, striking out at Sasha.
The woman cries out at the abrasive root whips across her body.
Sizara stands still (2nd round of 3)
Corin grabs Sizara and attempts to pull the elf away from the plant monster. Sasha assists.
Corin and Sasha grab an arm each, and drag the unresponsive Sasha back away from the creeper, just as the other two zombies draw level with it.
Effects: Inspire Courage
Rotation:
Z3+4
Corliss - POST
Karia - POST
Z1
Creeper
Sizara
Corin
Sasha
"Oof!" grunts Corliss as the plant zombie smacks him upside the head, no doubt causing even more brain damage to the addled ex-pirate. Sure enough, Corliss comes back from the crushing blow with a grin and more nonsense.
"Now, now--no need tomatout violence upon me, friend! Lettuce instead talk things out, no?"
Corliss again tries to summon a copycat while slashing at the zombie; he also takes a step back toward Karia .
He's delighted when his copycat succeeds this time. Still grinning, he calls over his shoulder in stereo to Karia, "Try not to swoon, m'dear, now that there's twice as much o' me to love!"
for
for
Karia tries to kill the plant again.
"You always chose the worst times to get romantic!"
In a dazzling display of bladesmanship, Corliss (and his illusionary double) hack and slash at the plant-zombie. Leaves and twigs fly everywhere, and when his is finished, the creature lies twitching at his feet, unlikely to rise again.
Karia sets off anothe shot at the creeper, but her shot is just high.
Corliss has little time to celebrate his victory - the same yellow-flowered frond that attacked Sizara rears up in front of him. It spasms obscenely, and a cloud of yellow spores rolls over the pirate.
rounds
Corin and Sasha drag Sizara to the edge of the heavily entangled area. Just as they do so, Sizara suddenly comes round from her trance.
The other zombies advance. Slowly. Inevitably.
Z3+4
Corliss - POST
Karia - POST
Creeper
Sizara
Corin
Sasha
Karia attacks the plant again.
"Get the plant first!" She yells at the others.
The technical, sticking-as-close-to-the-rules-as-possible answer is 'yes', as the entry for the monster says 'may not take any other action' and ending rage is a (free) action. But that seems ludicrous to me, so I'mg going to say 'your choice'.