A large, sleek feline with a golden coat spotted with black turns the bend behind you. It crouches down low and appears to be ready to finally make its approach on you.
No surprise round since you spotted it.
The animal is a long ways off and as you discuss what to do the animal suddenly becomes a blur as it bolts toward you with amazing speed. It must cover 50 feet in a few seconds and before you know it the animals is upon you! It closes the distance and tears its vicious jaws into Hekra, shredding and thrashing at his hamstring. 8 Damage It attempts to pull him down to the ground but is unable to do so.
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
Arthes moves around behind the cat and slams at it.
Hekra Blood and Ashes As the pain shots through his body. He readies his scimitar and calls to his mind a spell keeping his casting hand free.
Hekra readies his spell strike. Spell will be Shocking Grasp
The animal continues to attempt to ravage Hekra. Distracted by the attention it has drawn from the other party members it is misses all three of its attacks.
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
Trevyn sighs. "Och, ye useless git, why can't ya hit the thing?!"
He swings at it with his kukri.
kukri, flanking:1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 2 = 14 damage:1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Since Hekra ready his action. He strikes out with spell of shocking grasp and then follows it with his sword.
Key ability Spell strike
to hit 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 dmg from spell 1d6 ⇒ 2 wpns dmg 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
The party totally and completely annihilates the wild creature. When they are done attacking there is nothing but a spotted bloody carcas on the ground before them.
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
"Och, food at a time like this? Do what ye will, then, but let's go quick about it!"
With the food secured the party continues along following their instructions until they come upon a valley. This ancient valley nestled in the Bandu Hills is well hidden, being almost impossible to spot from more than a mile away. Ancient megalithic stones—most of which are toppled and partly buried—ring the border of this deep valley. These stones, long since weathered by time and encrusted with vegetation, serve as the only indication that humanoids may have at one time settled this region. The thick forest canopy of the valley below hides any sign of civilization—ancient or otherwise—from outside observers.
The path down is about 300 feet in dense jungle requiring a DC14 climb check. Alternatively I'll take a DC15 survival to find a safer path down.
Human (osiriani) Priest of The Lost Prince 3 | HP: 20/20 | AC: 16 | T: 12 | FF: 14 | CMD: 10 | Fort: +3 | Ref: +4 | Will: +7 (+9 vs divination) | Init: +4 | Perc: +1 | Sense Motive: +1 | Speed: 30 ft.
Tracked resources:
Spells: 0 - 5 ; 1st - 4/6 ; Psychic Strike: 7/7
Survival:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
Shambala seems not to care about the dense jungle and follows a path he found with ease. However, the sorcerer will try not to be first in line and indicates the path he found to the others. "Where are you looking at? It's this way!"
Shambala identifies a switchback trail hidden by overgrowth that you can safely traverse to the valley floor. Setting about this task the party takes their time and arrives down in the valley without a twisted ankle banged shin.
The party finds itself in dense forestation of the valley jungle thins here, opening up enough to reveal the sky through the canopy. Beneath this opening, an ancient ruin consumed by the jungle is barely visible. Vines and leafy foliage encrust toppled blocks of quarried stone, tall grass grows up between derelict paving stones, and squat statues depicting dwarves in heavy armor stand crooked or fractured entirely from the infiltration of twisting roots. Among the more notable features here are the exotic flowers—tall, pitcher-shaped, golden blooms with seven petals, the interior of each a deep red. The soothing fragrance of the flowers fills the valley, and motes of pollen drift lazily in the air.
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
While the clearing appears to be safe, Trevyn notices skeletal humanoid
remains tucked away within the vegetation throughout the ruins. A closer examination reveals the bodies of at least fifty humanoids of varying races.
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
"Och, that's a lot of skeletons. Something has been killing a lot of people. We should be extra cautious."
Mazon identifies the flowers as heart-eater blossoms, a breed of inanimate carnivorous plants that feed on the blood and marrow of cadavers. These flowers are typically found in northern Avistan and were most prominent in the lost nation of Sarkoris.
"Perhaps we should hold our breath, something happened here that allowed the plants to have a party. Let's hope it is not the pollen." Rengar says and takes a deep breath.
perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
"Mazon, do you remember what is the best way by these obviously deadly plants? We're not dead yet so I think we could prune anything coming our way Rengar"
"Probably, do want to avoid sniffing those flowers for sure.
If nothing new is known about the plants, Tsadok suggest going around the clearing as to avoid further exposure to the plants.
Human (osiriani) Priest of The Lost Prince 3 | HP: 20/20 | AC: 16 | T: 12 | FF: 14 | CMD: 10 | Fort: +3 | Ref: +4 | Will: +7 (+9 vs divination) | Init: +4 | Perc: +1 | Sense Motive: +1 | Speed: 30 ft.
Tracked resources:
Spells: 0 - 5 ; 1st - 4/6 ; Psychic Strike: 7/7
Perception:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
"Plants? Skeletons? Oh yes... now that you mention it." says the sorcerer.
Then to Tsadok'ul, Shambala smiles and replies "Well, usually the best way to deal with flower is FIRE."
Having identified the potential issues they are able to avoid succombing to the dangers. The party begins to wind their way through the flowers until Tsadok catches something new before them. Up ahead it appears a miner is laying on the ground about thirty feet away. The body isn't moving on the ground but still possess color of a living person.
Tsadok'ul also recognizes two growths of unusual flowers as aggressive carnivorous plants known as xtabays. Furthermore, he identifies the lazily drifting particles in this clearing as xtabay pollen, a sleep-inducing agent. Additionally, he catches sign of another creature lurking here. A leaf ray hides in the canopy 20 feet above.
Tsadok - Knowledge Xtabay:
Attractive flowers blossom from the vines of xtabays, emitting the spores that mean a slow death for their victims. The strange, face-like patterns that grow on the petals are disturbing but seem to have no real function. Hermits or other reclusive types have been known to surround their territory with xtabays, warding off pesky creatures and adventurers alike. Instances of xtabays of larger-than-usual size have also been reported. These massive plants possess tendrils as thick as tree limbs and flowers that can fell even the hardiest of warriors with their overwhelming perfume. Underground, xtabays thrive in the wet, dark environment, covering the walls and floors of entire caverns and anesthetizing whole dens of subterranean creatures.
Nomadic plants, xtabays traverse large expanses of land until they sense nearby life, at which point they lie dormant and take on the guise of harmless flowers while releasing their deceptive aroma. Once a creature is subdued, the beast-like plant wastes no time in devouring it, disregarding creatures unaffected by its aroma. Because of their carnivorous nature, xtabays only rarely run short on nutrients, consuming the entirety of a victim's body over the course of several days following the initial process of draining its blood. Xtabays are able to devour creatures thanks to their lengthy roots, which produce a corrosive acid that breaks down and absorbs flesh and bone.
Tsadok - Leaf Ray:
Growing in the upper canopies of massive trees, leaf rays fly through the air in search of food. Barely sentient, leaf rays have just enough intelligence to find nourishment and pick out creatures suitable for harboring their seeds. These creatures are hardly picky in their quest for either, merely requiring a warm-blooded living creature, preferably mammalian, for each purpose. Leaf rays begin their lives as buds in the tops of deciduous trees, and form a symbiotic relationship with these trees, often leaving the husks of their victims under their host trees to decay and fertilize the soil. During its budding stage, a leaf ray spends its time flexing its body in reaction to blowing winds in order to prepare itself for flight. Once a leaf ray has matured, it can separate its stinger-like stem from the parent tree and soar through the air. A leaf ray measures 3 feet across and weighs only 2 pounds.
Hunter 2 | HP 18/18| AC 18 (12t 16ff)| +6 Fort +6 Ref +3 Will | +4 Init ,+7 Perc, +11 Stealth, +7 Survival
"Everyone stop! We have multiple dangers ahead. The guy on the ground up there at the flowers is still alive - I think. But the flowers emit a pollen and it puts you to sleep. Not good cause then the flowers eat you before you wake back up. Someone throw a rock at that guy and see if you can wake him up. In addition to the flowers, is the Leaf Ray up above, about 20' away that way. They have 2 desires, to eat and procreate. They'll use you for both happily."
As Tsadok talks to the others he shoves his sword tip first into the ground so that its standing up and draws his bow and knocks an arrow intent to shoot at the ray. Hoping one of the others will wake the sleeping miner.
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
"Och, thanks for the warning. Now we've got ta figure out how ta deal with them. I'm na' so good at the ranged combat, me'self."
hp 0/11 | AC 17, Touch 11, FF 16 | DR 5/slash | F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1, Perception +4
Phantom, incorporeal:
hp 5/5 | AC 15, T 15, FF 12, F +5, R +2, W +4 | Init +1 | Perc. +4
Male dwarf spiritualist 2 | hp 19/19 | AC 14, T 11, FF 13 | Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +6 (+2 vs. poison, +4 vs. spell and spell-like) | Init +1 | Perception +9
"She can be put to sleep just tha same as us, lad. Though if she is, I'm sure we can take out the flower before bad things happen. What do you think, Arthes? You willing to go in and wake the sleeping man being feasted on by deadly flowers?" Trevyn is almost sarcastic with that last comment, but would genuinely be willing to send Arthes in if the party wishes it.
Hunter 2 | HP 18/18| AC 18 (12t 16ff)| +6 Fort +6 Ref +3 Will | +4 Init ,+7 Perc, +11 Stealth, +7 Survival
" in that case either toss pebbles at him or has anyone got a rope and grapple, might hurt a bit but better than staying under the influence of those plants. Then Shambala can roast the plants."
