Kast jumps as whispers hit his ears, thinking he's imagining it as the battle and fire roars.
"Weird, I see her for the first time in weeks and now I can't get her out of my mind. I have people to save yet I still think I hear her voice. Strange how she can impact me so even when others need me and after such a quick hug."
"*sigh* I want to tell her she's lovely and I love staring in her eyes...but there is never time, is there, Kast?"
"Oh well, too bad I'll probably never have the heart to tell how much I want to snoggle her pillows and ^$^!@#$% her madly."
Simon reaches out, burning some of the fungus away from Katarynne. It works! The fungus withdraws up her arm, but she screams and jerks away from the pain.
that hurts!"Looking at the "healer" with wide eyes, she slowly puts her arm back, shaking like a leaf the whole while.
"Do it." she whispers.
Round 14, Initiative 20
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Endure Elements, -1 strength (damage), Bless (14 of 50r)
Arcane Bond = 0/1
Pearl of Power (first) = 0/1
Force Missile = 5/7
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Grease
2) Glitterdust, Invisibility, Knock
3) Dispel Magic, Haste
Now that Bricks is healing though the vines remain, Othoe tries to free him with one last big rip, just like a bandaid. He casts Scorching Ray.
(bless)
Othoe's scorching ray cinders what remains of the vine whipping through Bricks, turning it to dust. The infernal healing he cast earlier keeps the man from passing out from the pain, though he is hardly ready to take up the fight just yet. "Thank you, dear boy, thank you..."
The lone loose vine coils then strikes out again at Nimeon.
Kast jumps as whispers hit his ears, thinking he's imagining it as the battle and fire roars.
Fleur's mouth drops open, then snaps shut. Her face flames bright red. She turns around, then back, then around again. Finally, she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and whispers once more into the wind.
Spurred by the fire as it begins to spread, she adds, "...and hurry!"
HP = 46/46
AC (N/T/FF) = 21/14/17 (+2 vs. Satyr)
Weapon Equipped = Longsword
Arrows = 9/40
Silver Arrows = 50/50
Cold Iron Arrows = 50/50
Speed = 20'
Lay on Hands = 4/4 (2d6)
Smite Evil = 0/2 (+2 hit, +4 damage, +2 AC vs. target)
Status Effects = None
Nimeon's mighty blow to the free swinging vine slices it off clean up to the wall. The fungal rope disintegrates into dust at his feet, while the open hole on the wall gapes like the mouth of a sucker fish.
** unholy things **
Kast nearly drops his bardiche as the whisper returns and he finally realize that it is indeed Fleur with whom he speaks. He refrains from turning bright red in battle, but is utterly flustered and has a compelling desire to leave the tree. However, he does not. There are friends to save.
Kast stares at the giant sucker maw...Awhh...that reminds me of...FOCUS! KAST!
Oh right!
Kast 5' steps back from the maw and slashes at the vines holding Zephram.
to hit;
damage.
"Queball! Get out! GET OUT NOW!"
Ubert, freed in Kast's last attack, manages to get to his hands and knees as he coughs out some of the fungus dust from his lungs.
Kast's latest strike slices through the final binding pinning Zephram. Freed, the man slumps to the floor, unable to even cough, let alone stand.
Brickasnurd, freed by Othoe's diligent magicks stumbles to his feet and appears able to walk on his own, though is voice is rough and worn. "Please... we must get out of here!"
While Nimeon has dispatched the coil that had held his father, there doesn't seem to be much that could be done for him now.
The fire, freed from Simon's watery restraint, spreads quickly. One side of the entrance glows with flame, partially blocking the way out.
Round 15, leaving the tree?
Round 15 | Initiative 26
Dorial picks Zephram up and tries to carry him out of the burning tree.
Shouting behind her, "Nimeon! Bring Jaryd!"
She shields Zephram from the fire while trying to avoid it herself.
Dorial picks up Zephram and staggers out of the door with him.
Round 15, init 16
Encouraged by the success of the flame at burning away the fungus on Katarynne, Simon bursts in a wave of heat that envelopes her, even as he applies healing.
Katarynne forces herself into Simon's fire rather than away, to burn off the fungus. The pain tortures her, but Simon's healing keeps her alive to endure it all the more.
Nimeon grabs Jaryd and moves out of the tree.
If Ubert needs help, Chrystosm will assist him in exiting the tree; otherwise, he dives through the flaming aperture and tumbles back into the open air
Nimeon grabs the dessicated remains of his father and moves to the entrance, protecting the remains as he goes.
Chrystosm moves to Ubert, helping him to his feet..
Round 15, Init 12
Refusing to leave anyone behind, Kast waits for Bricks/Othoe & Chrysto/Ubert to get out before he makes his own escape, fire be damned.
Kast delays, seeing who needs help.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" Kast yells at Othoe and Chrystosm.
We all make it out. Soldiers risk.
Kast bolts for the exit, trying to focus despite intrusive thoughts of another.
Reflex
Round 15, Initiative 20
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Endure Elements, -1 strength (damage), Bless (14 of 50r)
Arcane Bond = 0/1
Pearl of Power (first) = 0/1
Force Missile = 5/7
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Grease
2) Glitterdust, Invisibility, Knock
3) Dispel Magic, Haste
Seeing that Bricks is able to manage his own movement, Othoe runs for the door getting as far as the entrance thanks to his short stubby legs.
or
Gathering the victims, possibly at the expense of their own safety, the heroes race for the door. Dorial makes it out safely, And Othoe is very close behind her.
The fire rages, spreading around the entrance, until it burns from both sides.
round 16,
Round 16, Initiative 20
Weapon Equipped = Dagger
Conditions = Endure Elements, -1 strength (damage), Bless (14 of 50r)
Arcane Bond = 0/1
Pearl of Power (first) = 0/1
Force Missile = 5/7
Wizard Spells Remaining:
0) Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost*, Spark
1) Grease
2) Glitterdust, Invisibility, Knock
3) Dispel Magic, Haste
Othoe makes his way out of the fire keeping his head down as the flames rage around him.
vs DC 14 or
When he gets a little way out (single move) he casts Prestidigitation and does a quick clean of himself while waiting to see if the others need help getting free.
Othoe rushes out, barely missing getting singed. He nearly trips over Eli as he tries to make sure his lovely robe is both clean and fire-free. The young half-orc kneels next to the body of Faith, silent tears coursing down his face.
Round 16 | Iniative 26
Dorial stumbles out of the tree, pulling her wand of Cure Light, and lays Zephram down on a cool patch. She touches the wand to his head, in hope that he still lives.
Dorial heals Zephram, bringing him to consciousness, though just barely.
Round 16, init 16
Even as Katarynne burns, Simon grips her in a healing embrace, encouraging the flames and healing her flesh at the same time.
"BURBLE!" It needs no translation.
Simon continues to burn the fungus from Katarynne while healing her. Finally, all the fungus appears burned off. She whimpers in the herbalist's arms, the torment still fresh in her mind.
Nimeon dodges out of the way of the flaming tree as he swiftly exits the building with his father's corpse.
Nimeon nimbly dodges the flames and moves out of the way. Bricks follows Nimeon, hoping to be as nimble as half elf, but is still too weak. He stumbles into the wall, burning his shoulder.
Chrystosm drags Ubert to the exit, heading backwards in an attempt to mitigate the effects of the smoke and flames.
Chrystosm guards Ubert with his own body, cautiously getting the man out of the tree. Both make it out safely. Rallah, Betsy and Hollin cluster around, trying to help them.
With everyone else out safely, Kast makes his own escape.He bravely dashes through the flames, jumps over a fallen chunk of flaming bark and lands on his feet in front of Fleur.
With everyone safely outside the burning tree, Dorial looks up and scans the area.
"Has anyone seen the child?"
Othoe absent-mindedly cleans Brickasnurd with his ongoing Prestidigitation as he hears Dorial's query. He looks around for the child but sees none.
Edgrin, trundles closer, trying to carry a toddler that is almost as big as he is. "I thought it best to keep him with me." he says.
The boy twists in his grip, trying to get down. His chubby hand opens and closes emphatically at the lifeless form of Kreed sprawled on the ground.
"DA! DA!"
Nimeon looks up from the body of his fallen father, temporarily confused by the infantile cries of the boy in Edgrin's arms.
"Is that Jurin?"
Time with that demon spawn and evil fey did him no favors.
The half-elf turns to the fallen Kreed, unsure of what killed him.
"It seems the boy and I have both lost a father today."
Nimeon kneels next to Kreed and Jurin, facing the boy.
"Hello lad. I am your uncle, Nimeon."
Jurin stares blankly at the odd man in front of him for a long moment.
Careful observers will see the paladin stiffen before carefully speaking to Jurin.
"I am your mother's brother."
The boy's head tips to one side, then his eyes fall to Faith's body lying in the dirt.
His mouth works at the words, as if unused to the process, but eventually he manages.
"Mo-ther?"
Kast exits the tree, taking a big gulp of fresh air and tries to get his bearings and assure himself that he's not on fire.
However, as much as his sense of duty tells him to look around for other dangers, his eyes land only on Fleur. His look is a mixture of fear, longing, and unrequited love. He slowly pulls his eyes away to assess the situation around him. He finds himself unsuitably distracted.
Nimeon and the child.
Fleur.
Kreed is dead!!
Fleur.
Kataryenne lives..
Kiss Fleur.
Simon? Check. Othoe? Check. Dorial? Check. Chrysto and his hookers? Check and check.
You know what prostitutes do? Go off with Fleur.
The tree burns. FIRE!
Take Fleur away now!
Faith? Is she still dead? Yep.
Fleur, you idiot. Fleur!
Kast gathers himself to walk around the tree, tearing himself away from Fleur's presence to ensure that there are no more dangers nor foes around. Kast limps away, the Quill held high, looking for danger.
Is she following? I hope she is. Is she?
Othoe walks up to the now clean Bricks.
"How are you doing? I'm out of healing I'm afraid, and Simon is off healing the truly desperate. I think we should get away from this tree. No telling where it'll fall as it burns."
He helps Brickasnurd, in a dignified manner, get away from the tree.
Dorial visually tosses her feelings over inside.
"I can bring him back Nimmy. Jaryd. But.." she pauses for a moment. "But he wouldn't be the same."
She hangs her head, her choice made.
Fleur waits by the entrance even as the fire grows higher, only relaxing when Kast finally makes it out of the flames. Her hair gleams like gold in the firelight, her eyes lighting at the sight of him.
"Thank the stars You're..."here.safe.. She reaches for him, the way she's reached for him time and time in her dreams...but he turns away, stomping off to around the tree, brandishing his bardiche.
"Wait! Where are you going?!?!" she asks, stomping along behind him.
Behind them, Othoe and Brickasnurd move away from the tree, leaving Jurin in Nimeon's care, and Chrystosm in the caring hands of Betsy and Rallah.
"Are you hurt?""You were so brave!" Hollin stands close by, assuring his sister that "Nothing can hurt Chrys!" with devoted certainty.
Katarynne hugs Simon tightly with a relieved laugh, the sobers and steps away. "You did it! But we should move too. I think the tree will continue on its own."
Simon moves with Katarynne away from the tree even as his concern rises. His voice just returning, "Katarynne, don't you need your tree? What happens when it burns? What can I do?"
Katarynne blushes and shakes her head. "That's not my tree, Simon. I'm no nymph."She eyes the burning tree, her eyes narrowing, "but if I were, and that were my tree, I would let it burn, even if it took me with it."
Chrystosm, glancing from Betsy to Rallah, then from Rallah to Betsy (trying to keep his eyes on their faces), following that up with an avuncular grin and a pat on the head for Hollin, looks slightly embarrassed (but pleased) at the attention he's getting.
"Er, ahem. Ha! Well, now. You did alright yourself, old chap, escaping from kobolds and then helping save the town from fiendish mushrooms and the like."
He turns to Rallah.
"Um, none of my business, but what are you planning to do now You Know Where is out of action?"
Rallah and Betsy share a look, then both smile. "There are still things to work out, but The Rouge Lady will be reopening with Rallah in charge." Betsy says, her eyes bright and laughing.
"I'll uhh... retire from the more personal side of the business to focus on running things, as a co-op of sorts."Rallah adds, her eyes drop to Hollin and she ruffles his hair.
She smiles, and both of the women rest a hand on Chrys' shoulder. "We will be needing someone to help keep things running peacefully. You'd be perfect for the job, Chrys. Whatya say?"
"No, not your mother. She was a bad person who tried to steal you from us. But she's gone now, and everything will be ok."
"As to my father. Some of the slower animals would probably be happier if he's gone, but this forest needs a protector, now more than ever. Though we had our differences, he was still a force for good. If you believe you can bring him back there is no harm in trying. Physical form was never much of an impedance for him before so I doubt he'd care much."
Dorial smiles at Nimeon's response.
"Good. Can you help me lay him out properly? This will take some time."
Kast limps away, looking for danger, and those in need of help. It is only when he is halfway around the tree when he turns to look to see if he is being followed.
"Fleur.." "You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. "...do you see any more bad guys around here? Is everyone all right?" Kast asks while lowering his weapon.
"There is so much..." "..that I want to say to you but don't know how. "...danger right now. Have you seen anything?"
"The fire, it..." "...burns in my loins for you. "...looks like it could threaten the town? Should we evacuate?"
The boy nods slowly. He looks at his hand, then at Nimeon's, finally tugging on the man's to wrap around his own. The movement is awkward, as if forcing an action seen elsewhere. But he stays that way; silent, solemn, and glued to Nimeon.
"O-K"