Hustle Northwards a few squares. Draw sling as part of movement.
Thaddeus moves to get a better vantage point. Lacking much else that can directly affect this strange plant, the creature being resistant to cold and curses, he settles for pelting it with sling bullets, hoping to do... something.
Of course, he has to load the thing, first.
Thaddeus moves to get a better vantage point. Lacking much else that can directly affect this strange plant, the creature being resistant to cold and curses, he settles for pelting it with sling bullets, hoping to do... something.
Of course, he has to load the thing, first.
Gunryn starts beating on the vine to little effect while Fiona manages to dance past the clawing undergrowth, missing her attack as well. Thaddeus gets into position, spinning his sling rapidly as he gets ready to loose a stone.
With Gunryn now firmly in its grip, the assassin vine starts squeezing brutally! Ribs begin to crack under the incredible pressure of the vine.
Vine (26 dmg)
----
Gunryn (22 dmg) (grappled)
Thaddeus
Fiona
Mutt
Variel
"I've had enough of you, you filthy, carnivorous plant! May your kind be burned from the face of Golarion, your ashes scattered in the wind! I will make you into rope, you vile creature!"
Still in the grips of Fiona's song, Grunyn ignores the pain of the vine's squeeze, and tries to turn the grapple around.
Variel curses as his attempts to shoot at the vine are innefective. Tossing down the bow, he runs in to the fray, drawing his weapon and trying to slash at the vines holding Grunyn.
Upon seeing Grunyn get constricted further, Fiona's tune abruptly changes mid-stanza to a healing melody.
Unfortunately, the vines under her feet start tangling her up...
...however, it's not enough to interrupt her song!
She lays a hand on Grunyn and tries to channel her healing energy into him, but runs into some resistance...
Fiona gets trapped in the weeds but manages just to heal Gunryn while Variel grabs a hold of Grunyn and yanks him out of the vine's grasp!
Fiona gets trapped in the weeds but manages just to heal Gunryn while Variel grabs a hold of Grunyn and yanks him out of the vine's grasp!
Mutt lets the power of Fiona's song flow through him. The similar effects of his rage take hold. He decides to run at the assassin vine.
He then stops next to the creature and tries to swing his greataxe at it!
Mutt's axe swings down, and with a thwack he slices the assassin vine in two! The crawling vines suddenly cease, and the forest is still once more.
End of Combat
"Hmm." Fiona returns her hammer to her shoulder. "Well, that was an educational experience."
Mutt snorts as the creature dies. He turns to the others, greataxe still in his hands. "See? I told you. Just a plant."
"Can't say Ah've seen a lot o'plants 'dat can make th'forest go all crazy like 'dat, 'r a plant that can crush yer ribs like 'dat. Ah'd hesitate t'call it 'jus' a plant.'"
"Yeh all right, 'dere, Grunyn? Need some healin,' 'r yeh got 'dis covered?"
After waiting a moment to make sure the vine is well and truly dead, Thaddeus will quickly inspect it, taking some leaf samples, and curious if the vine has any berries, seeds, or other similar additions to it. "Might be useful reagents."
As the vile plant succumbs to Mutt's sharp axe, and Fiona's song fades into the background, Grunyn breathes a sigh of mixed relief and exhaustion. Extricating himself from the vine, he looks down over his wounds and frowns, before placing his hands upon his chest, and muttering a prayer in Osiriani.
Further frowns bring more prayer, and the blue glow that extended from his hands wraps around his body once more, permeating his wounds.
With a nod of appreciation to Fiona, and a grunt in acknowledgement of Thaddeus's offer, the Dwarf retrieves his hammer and stands back, letting the witch poke at the dead plantlife.
"I am well Thaddeus. But, tell me; we are going to see Sigh-for-mages? Who are they?"
"Ah'm shore yeh saw 'dat big ol' arch in Riddleport wit' all th'runes on it. 'Dere's a group a'mages 'dat've been studyin' it, but 'dey've grown t'be one o'the big players in town. And a gatherin' place fer those who appreciate learnin'. Ah was asked t'see what happened t'the group 'dat came here earlier. 'Dat, and out of th'others we're told are here, 'dey're likely th'friendliest we'll meet."
Variel scowls at Mutt. "Yes, just a plant that nearly squeezed the life out of Grunyn. I would appreciate if perhaps in the future, my advice about things I have studied and you have not is not dismissed out of hand."
He collects his discarded bow and shield and prepares to continue through the jungle.
"Yes, just a plant that nearly squeezed the life out of Grunyn. I would appreciate if perhaps in the future, my advice about things I have studied and you have not is not dismissed out of hand."
I get the feeling that's going to happen a lot...
Grunyn snorts. "You warned well, Variel. I am sure our friend Mutt would seek your esteemed council in matters of the bed, or removing the hitchhikers of love; perhaps you could advise him sultry poetry, as well."
"Yours is not the only power who values study, Elf; though The-Fire-Which-Can-Not-Be-Doused has love of book, the Master of Masters would rather I fight, build body and mind at once. You are welcome to join us; exercise helps to keep you loose!"
The Dwarf laughs heartily, apparently very amused by his own attempt at humor. He nods at Thaddeus's explanation, taking the Mule's reigns from Old Horn (or, rather, from empty air, as the familiar had no real involvement in their keeping) with a smile.
Variel scowls at Mutt. "Yes, just a plant that nearly squeezed the life out of Grunyn. I would appreciate if perhaps in the future, my advice about things I have studied and you have not is not dismissed out of hand."
Mutt frowns at Variel. "Well, excuse me. I don't run from things. I fight them. I'm so sorry for going with what I know best. But, I'll try to remember that in the future." He then turns to Grunyn. "You okay, Grunyn?"
"Avoiding an unnecessary battle is not running, it is preserving your strength for the fights that matter. We have now wasted precious resources recovering, when we might have simply passed around."
Gunryn heals himself and after a brief discussion the group heads onward towards Witchlight. The trail whips back and forth through the woods as you climb higher and higher. As you get closer, a large number of turkey vultures circling over top of Witchlight indicate there may be a lot of carrion for them in the area.
Witchlight is now just a series of abandoned buildings, the only one remaining with a roof to speak of is the watchtower, a well-constructed building that stands tall and proud with minimal wear and tear. There are five buildings in all.
Building 1 and 5: A portion of the slate-covered roof of this stone house has collapsed into ruins—but the rest of the roof seems to be intact.
Building 2: This building’s rotting timbers still bear flecks of colorful paint, a sign that it must have looked grand in its heyday. Now it is little more than a collapsing ruin.
Building 3: This large timber-and-stone structure stands at the edge of the steep southern slope, overlooking the sea far below. Large windows facing the village’s main thoroughfare suggest a shop in at least one portion of the building, but the windows have been hastily boarded over. Several corpses lay near the outer walls of the building, obviously a source of interest for the circling turkey vultures above.
Building 4 (watchtower): This fifty-foot-tall circular watchtower stands precariously on the edge of a steep slope overlooking the sea. The tower itself seems to be made of stone, yet no seams or individual blocks are apparent; it’s as if the entire tower were formed from one block of stone. An enclosed octagonal platform protrudes from the tower roof. Attached to the watchtower is a solid building with reinforced windows and solid stone construction. It is likely a military structure of some kind.
Fiona sniffs the air as she takes in the sight of the barren hamlet. "Well, THIS is promising." She wrinkles her nose. "Why not start there?"
She points to the building with all the corpses in front of it.
"Avoiding an unnecessary battle is not running, it is preserving your strength for the fights that matter. We have now wasted precious resources recovering, when we might have simply passed around."
"Now hold up 'dere, Variel. 'Dis wasn't us chasin' after Mutt. We agreed t'get ridda 'dis thing t'clear th'road. An' it was mentioned 'dat goin' round it might not've worked, considerin' how thick th'underbrush is 'round here. So don't go blamin' him fer things 'dat didn't happen. 'Dis was a group effort, here. Maybe 'dere were better strategies Mutt coulda used, but he still fought 'cause we said we were gonna fight."
-----
Thaddeus keeps his voice subdued, a little worried about calling any more attention to the group.
"Personally, Ah'd rather check out th'watchtower. 'Dat's where th'lights were comin' from. Wanna see if th'Cyphermages 'r still 'live, but 'dem corpses will still be dead... Ah think..."
Variel simply walks away, muttering. "ใช่เพราะ ไม่มีทางที่ ข้อเสนอแนะของ เอลฟ์ ที่จะ หา เส้นทางอื่น จะ ได้ทำงาน."
---------
As the group enters the clearing, Variel notes the vultures. "The carrion-feeders circle, but have not yet come to feed. Either these corpses are very fresh, or something is keeping them at bay."
He casts two spells, his eyes briefly glowing as he improves the clarity of his vision, then seeks magical auras.
Mutt looks around the ruined Witchlight. He sighs. "In light of recent events, I'll go with the group's decision. I personally want to make sure to investigate all of this place. There might be some useful things here. Just point me in the direction of a creature and I'll kill it." When Variel brings up the corpses, Mutt turns and glares at them, gripping his greataxe, but waiting for a signal to charge.
Grunyn grunts. "Smells like Janderhoff in the height of summer."
He nods at Mutt, and stands back as Variel investigates the corpses. "See any problems up there, Elf?"
Unlike Thaddeus, Grunyn doesn't bother with a whisper.
He nods at Mutt, and stands back as Variel investigates the corpses. "See any problems up there, Elf?"
Thaddeus gives Grunyn a slightly annoyed look. "He has a name, y'know... Also, what's Janderhoff?"
Grunyn looks at Thaddeus, obviously puzzled. "I do. It is Variel. Why do you ask?"
"Janderhoff. It is a Sky Citadel, that way." Grunyn points in a perfect southeasterly direction. "I was there, before I traveled to join with you. Mule was bred there; plenty of Show-an-tee, and they bring good horse stock."
Grunyn looks at Thaddeus, obviously puzzled. "I do. It is Variel. Why do you ask?"
"Well, call him by name, 'den, don't jus' say, "Hey, elf!" Mah grandpappy would tan mah backside if Ah were 'dat rude."
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Fiona tries to keep herself from snickering at all the banter.
It's almost as if I'm back among my quah...
Mutt watches the banter impassively, listening and waiting for the signal to move forward.
Variel starts to respond to Grunyn, but Thaddeus gets there first. He decides to hold his own tongue for now, and focuses on the bodies.
Variel slowly approaches the bodies, which immediately strike him as odd. They appear to have been killed by bites and slashes, but more horrifyingly, all five bodies are missing their lower jaws, and instead long tongues stick out instead. And despite the vultures circling overhead, none are feasting on the bodies. His caution does pay off, as the bodies start to shift and move! Silently, they start to clamber to their feet, their tongues swishing around. Whatever they are, they are aggressive.
These creatures appear to be undead and resemble zombies, but they do not move, nor act like any zombie you have ever seen.
"Oh my." Fiona's face pales a bit as she moves to strike one of the rising bodies. "Let's get them!"
"These do not seem as normal zombie!"
Moving past Fiona, Grunyn draws his mighty hammer, and sliding to a halt next to the wall, sends a blow straight down upon the creature, putting great force behind his swing; he yells a prayer to Irori as the weight falls.
"Master of Masters, grant me your blessings to strike at this vile abomination!"
Variel moves up behind Fiona, drawing his whip. "I knew something seemed off about these."
Fiona, Gunryn, and Variel all charge in, swinging their weapons with abandon. Fiona connects solidly, but the "zombie" appears to remain upright while Gunryn's longhammer sends a head flying. Horrifyingly, as the head is knocked off the tongue remains; a huge, wriggling worm-like creature that thrusts out of the neck. As the body collapses it shrlops out before dying on the ground. Variel brings his whip to bear, ready to trip the first creature that moves.
Variel
Gunryn
Fiona
Thaddeus
Mutt
----
Void Zombies:
Red (10 dmg)
Green
Grey
Blue
Mutt sees the greenish tinted zombie. He allows his rage to take over. His pupils dilate. His muscles expand. His eyes glow that same menacing violet light. He then hunkers down and charges it! He brings his greataxe down on it!
Mutt slays a zombie while Thaddeus neatly freezes one of them. The zombies then rush in, far faster than a typical zombie would. Two lunge for Mutt while another rushes up, only to get tripped by Variel! Mutt easily avoids the attacks.
Variel
Gunryn
Fiona
Thaddeus
Mutt
----
Void Zombies:
Grey (8 dmg)
Yellow (prone)
Blue
Quarters are a bit tight in the alley. Grunyn takes a step away from the zombie running up from behind, and lets out a small laugh as Variel trips it on its path, sending it crashing to the ground. He raises his hammer once more, bringing it down upon the fallen creature . "Quick reflexes, Elf-Variel!"
Thaddeus contemplates that it may be time to upgrade his backup weapon. His sling is light and useful for chasing away pests from the fields, but it's starting to fall behind when it comes to serious threats.
That, and his new backpack is incredibly spacious. He can afford to pack around a hefty crossbow.
Thaddeus also makes a mental note to keep his sling at the ready in the future.
"Thank you, Dwarf-Grunyn. Your approval means much to me."
Variel steps back behind Fiona and lashes out at another undead, this time trying to wrapp the barbs around its body.
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"Fiona, the one in front of you appears to have a weak knee joint! Strike it there!"