Grayston hits the ground hard as the plant is finally put down, rolling out he breathes in deeply stunned for a moment.
"Sapphire." He pants out, breathless in worry for the woman. "Are you ok?" He looks over her for any major wounds, wiping the slime from her face. Forgetting his own wounds.
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Del and his latest companions sit around a bright fire within an ancient, crumbled mess of stone blocks as the stars sparkle brightly in the sky above. Ratibor's deep laugh echoes through the night, drowning out Marislova's laughter while Erdija just shakes her head and rolls her amber eyes at Del. The half-orc, eyes shining in the firelight, leans forward from his seat atop a toppled column and continues his story with earnestness.
"No, I'm serious! It happened to my brother in the wilds around Bloodcove. This enormous plant shambled out of the brush and gobbled one of the guards right up. They kept charging at the thing, one after another, trying to get in close with their swords and axes but it just kept popping one after another into its gullet, like some Chellish noble plucking candies out of a dish." Del leans forward and stokes the fire with a crooked stick, the end blackened from having done the task several times already. "Only way to bring one of those things down is at range. My brother learned that lesson the hard way as he lost half his escort before the thing had gorged itself enough and wandered back into the forest."
Ratibor shakes his head as his laughter subsides, "Del, you spin the strangest tall tales, my friend. Man-eating plants! Ha! As if such things really existed! Bahaha!"
Running as best he can, Eleross reaches the remains of the carnivorous plant and checks to see that everyone is ok.
how is she Greyston? he asks catching his breath as he sees the alchemist helping the shell shocked Sapphire.
keep an eye out, there will be more like this around here I have no doubt. he says As he scans the area for any signs of other predatory plants.
There are no other dangerous plants in the vicinity save for the ones in their enclosures. There is a small shed standing by.
Corum is grabbed by the plant, causing a major cut on his calf, but even as it grips him he opens a deep wound with his spear. Then suddenly he feels a rush of force pass writhing inches of his head and the plant explodes as Elleross' spell devastates it.
Corum spins and laughs "Yeah Ellie!"
He watches Greyston help Sapphire to her feet and he nods respectfully in her direction. The sowed maiden still stands despite being eaten by the thing.
He looks around and spots the shed. "We should check that."
He strides across to it and flings open the door.
there doesn't seem to be any more around he says as he carefully checks their surroundings.
Corum however is not concerned with such things and as usual he rushes in
corum ! Wait. Sapphire is hurt, we need to heal and recover before... he calls after the warrior but it is too late and as he flings open the shed door or not, as the case may be.
Greyston, you must help Sapphire before Corum brings more harm our way.
he says as he moves closer to the shed and watched warily , waiting for Corum to be attacked .
In addition to mundane gardening tools, the garden shed contains a cupboard holding a container of defoliant polish, four oils of goodberry, a wand of plant growth (9 charges), a wand of speak with plants (12 charges), and six flasks of alchemical defoliant
Grayston curse towards the idiot as he strides off. "Make sure he doesnt bring anything down on us, I'll get Sapphire back on her feet." He then draws out a large potion. "Sapphire take this, you'll be ok I wouldnt let anything bad happen to you." He putting a arm around her he squeezes his shoulder, offering her the potion.
After what was obviously a traumatic experience for Sapphire and Greyston Lucrezzia fumes at Corums impatience. "Oh, an' still it be caution spent to pride? Wait, now I don't think the sheds gunna be fleein' if we take ten seconds ta be helping these two!"
Her words seem to fall on deaf ears. "Fine then." And with that she channels Life and heals those still nearby.
Sapphire smiles gratefully at Greyston as he helps her up.
I've never liked vegetables, now I know why...
She shudders but drinks the proffered potion and hands the vial back to Greyston.
I do like how your version tastes of cranberries, it's a nice twist
She picks up her blade from the ground and cleans it off, before looking after Corum's path
Right, it'll be his turn next to be stabbed, scorched, crushed or impaled, so we'd better go see what's happening!
Pausing to lay a hand on Lucrezzia's in thanks for her healing magic, she hurries off after Corum.
Elleross stands a little easier as Corum emerges from the shed unscathed.
thank the gods for small favours. Let us gather ourselves before we press on he says as he makes his way back to the others.
i am glad you two are ok. he says to Greyston and Sapphire as they recover from their ordeal Lucrezzia if you are ready, let us Deal with the curse.If it indeed it can be done. he says as he draws out a small dagger and with a slight hesitation and a wince of pain he slices open his palm, a shallow wound but one that bled sufficiently.
Nodding to Lucrezzia he motions for her to do the same and he holds out his hand, his pulse quickening as he remembers the jolt from the riders hand as he grasped it and he can feel his heart hammering in his chest as he waits.
Pain is temporary. Lucrezzia takes Elleros's blade and cut a smooth incision into her palm, hissing at the pain. Her eyes are hesitant, but she moves quickly and takes the old magi's hand. "What now?
No sooner has she finished asking the question does Lucrezzia feel the power flow from Elleros and into herself.
It starts as a freezing burn in her hand as if she had just clutched a fistful of snow but within seconds the sensation runs all through her and she is chilled to her bones.
But as well as that her mind feels like it is expanding, taking in sensations she wasn't even aware of. Doubtless she feels enhanced by the experience, but more than anything she feels a crushing weight. Not physical, but the weight of a burden, an expectation. It presses down on her and as it does so she wonders how the others have managed with it for so long.
Elleross grimaces as the curse is transferred, like some malign virus that is hell bent on spreading as far as it can it surges from him, eager to entrap another soul to do its creators bidding.
He can feel the intense burning cold and his arm grows numb from the transfer of energy and when he can stand it no longer he tears his hand free with a hissing snarl and as he clutches his hand to his chest he can see the rime of frost diminishing as the cold slowly fades.
lucrezzia? It is done. Are you...ok ? he asks gently as he half reaches for her.
Grayston smiles at Sapphire comments on his potions. "I'm glad you enjoy taking your medicine." He then pulls out a vial and douses himself cleaning off some of the slime.
He watches as Elleross passes on the curse to Lucrissa shaking his head at the thought of passing on such a burden. He moves over to her as it seems to take its hold. "Are you both ok?" He looks down at Ellerosses hand.
He wraps up their hands cleaning them. "If everyone is ok.. lets try and finish exploring and hopefully nothing else will want to kill us."
Corum walks back to the group with the things he found in the shed. He offers them to Greyston and says "Might be of use to you Grey. Nothing else in there."
He claps Sapphire on the back and smiles "The usual method for killing big buggers is to chop them up from outside, not from inside!"
He laughs and says seriously "I'm glad you both made it ok though. Where next Grey?"
Sapphire smiles at Corum
I blame Del you know, if he was here like as not he'd have been the one admiring the plant's insides... then he could have used his razor sharp wit to slice his way out whilst we took it easy and picked flowers!
She grins.
Grayston smiles as the other jokes but the knot in his stomach tightens at everything that's happening here. So place is safe.. She could have been killed.. I could have been, no more messing about He takes one lost sip from his flask and points onwards. "Ok, if everyone is fine we'll keep moving on. Thanks for the healing Lucrezzia." He smiles at the now cursed woman, she seems almost like family now. Then starts down the path again keeping his wits about him.
"No thanks be needed, I know you do better when whole." Still she smiles, grateful for truly finding her niche in all this madness.
Several flat-topped tree stumps stand amid thick grass in this clearing, hinting that this place was once as thickly forested as the surrounding wood.
As you move closer into the clearing, you notice an old, grey cat sat on one particular stump. He looks at the group with curiosity, but no fear, and licks one paw. A series of glittering lights pop and flare around the cat lazily, like fireflies.
Dancing Lights
"Their dancing lights " He points at the fireflies. "I'm sorry but I just don't trust this." He looks out at the clearing, the shouts out. "Hello? We're friendly, I was hoping we could talk."
perhaps this is one of Baba yagas familiars? elleross says as he walks into the clearing, approaching the cat slowly.
where is your mistress ? he asks as he draws near .
Sapphire lets the others speak to the strange cat, she instead concentrates on scanning the surrounding area in case the cat is a distraction meant to hide something else that might be sneaking up on the party.
Her blade is held low but ready to be brought to bear with a moment's notice.
That old crone is no mistress of mine! the cat says suddenly.
Although Elleros may have suspected it were more than a normal house cat, the rich almost barritone voice is still jarring when coming form the mouth of this old, grey feline.
My mistress went with her long ago and I felt our connection break... nnn... like a bough under... heavy frost. Who are you and what are you doing here?
Sapphire glances up as the cat speaks, but shrugs it off almost immediately. Of all the things they'd seen, a talking cat was pretty tame. At least it wasn't trying to eat the group, which is more than could be said for the rest of the garden.
Sapphire continues scrutinising the foliage for errant flora and fauna with bad intentions.
i am sorry to hear of your loss.my name is Elleross, we are here in search of Baba Yaga.
Is there anything you can tell us that will help us? he asks the cat as he moves closer
Corum slowly edges around to the left flank, making a show of looking around the chamber. He keeps a watchful eye on the cat, he is deeply suspicious and ready to pounce should anything untoward happen.
I am no friend of Baba Yaga. the cat hisses, eyes wide and teeth bared. She killed my mistress. I am Syvet, once familiar... <rowr>... to the daughter-queen Yelizaveta. it adds proudly.
But it has been so long since anyone else came this way. In my younger days I was blessed with intelligence through....gggrrrnnn... my link with Yelizaveta but with intelligence came curiosity and of course we all know the old adage.
I snuck off to explore the Hut and while I was gone I felt my connection to my mistress become irrevocably ripped asunder. Yelizaveta was dead. the cat yowls in distress.
But somehow I know she has prevented my mistress from entering into the Great Beyond, and I too am stuck here... nnn....
The cat seems to be in distress. It is terribly lonely that is true, but it seems in pain or is wrestling badly with something on it's mind
Ellleross listens carefully as the familiar tells its bitter tale, he has heard many tales told to him in his lifetime. Many of them whilst he upheld the laws of the land and he had an ear for the truth.
The cat was telling the truth, at least a part of it but he knew there was more. Something left unsaid.
it is not easy to lose someone close to you, you have my sympathies. We have already freed another prisoner from this hut and one from the stronghold of Artrosa.
We have prized those people from the shackles Baba Yaga set upon them he says it may be that we can help each other, but you need to tell us everything. There is more you are not saying he says as he watches the familiar carefully
"I'm Grayston." He steps up and bows to the cat. Something he would have considered beyond strange a few weeks ago but now it just seemed the right thing to do. "My friends is right, please tell us all you can. Baba Yaga killed your mistress Yelizaveta, she was one of her daughters?"
I've no idea where we are. the cat replies. If that is what you are asking. Nor do I know where Baba Yaga is, only that she hasn't been here since she took my mistress.
A look of pain crosses it's face then.
I... I am not what I was... Some time ago, my luck ran out and I was snared by a ruthless ambush predator in the garden, a wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing. But I was the familiar of a powerful witch-queen of Irrisen, and I could not be snuffed out so easily. Using the last of the mystical energy granted to her I overwhelmed the brute intellect
of the wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing and merged my essence with the aberrant beast.
My consciousness now exists alongside that of the wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing, constantly wrestling with the alien creature’s mentality for control.
It looks in more pain and it seems as though the battle is not going Syvet's way.
Sympathetic the no-longer- familiar's plight Lucrezzia asks, "Can we help?"
You can't. it yowls sadly. Even now I can feel it trying to claw it's way out. It wants to hurt you and it doesn't even know why. Pitiful creature.
I am tired of this and you can release me from it. If I relinquish control you can destroy it... destroy me... forever.
Greyston looks amongst the others unsure of what to say. "There has to be away to save you, after all this we've met something not out to kill us and now we'll have to kill you. Can you tell us more about this creature?" He then turns to Elleross. "Any idea on what we can do?"
Even as you speak you can see the cat begin to writhe and arch it's back in pain.
Watching sadly at the poor cat's tale, Sapphire senses things taking a turn for the worse. She holds her blade behind her as magic shimmers over it quietly, and a few quietly spoken words alongside a nod to the cat of her wishes leaves the form of the magus indistinct.
Thank you for sharing your tale with us Syvet, once familiar to the daughter-queen Yelizaveta.
She bows to the creature
We will remember you.
Sapphire waits with steel in her eyes for the wolf-in-sheeps-clothing to reveal itself, so she can destroy it.
"Can you help us make this task a tad easier? I'd be casting a spell, an' you don' resist. You'll be made a squirrel, an' then we can deliver our promise to ya'"
Grayston steps back as it's clear the cat has nothing else to say. "So be it.." He pulls out a potion and downs it in one.
I cannpt give myself over entirely lady. The Wolf will know and it will fight tooth and nail. Syvet replies sadly.
"So shall it be." Lucrezzia chants the words that bring the change upon Syvet and the Wolf.
The cat's back arches as the thing within it riles against it's imprisonment. Long tendrils like black, hooked tentacles rip their way from the cat's back and the tree stump you soon realise is not a stump at all but part of the creature as a wicked, toothed mouth begin to open and gnash within the bark.
Syvet howls in pain and concentration, his little furry face grimacing in concentration as he fights to maintain control and not let the beast manifest fully.
Luccrezzia steps forward and delivers her spell and before your very eyes the monster begins to shift form into something far less dangerous.
Lucrezzia takes the chance and reaches out to pick up the muscular black cat. With an easy hop the cat is in her arms, nuzzling he cheek. Mister Magee pokes his head up out of his in-pack perch and and adds his own growly purr the feline's throaty rumble.
"This is a good thing. We should take Syvet out of this place, though." Lucrezzia wipes the tears brimming from her eyes before she goes back to stroking the cat's neck.
Corum watches the odd exchange intently. He grips his axe tightly in anticipation of a fight but then Lucrezzia picks the cat up and strokes it. "What just happened?" he asks in a confused and disappointed tone.
Grayston places his bomb away happy the cat's torment is over and he doesnt need to fight.
"Lucrezzia.. " He steps forward to the woman placing a hand on the shoulder. "Good work, this was the best outcome for Syvet. You really helped him."
The cat nuzzles into Lucrezzia's neck and purrs softly.
Elleross watches Lucrezzias call upon her powers and negate the threat of the wolf in sheeps clothing.
He never thought he would encounter such a creature but here in the hut anything seemed possible. He had read so me wild theories on these strange monsters and he could not say which tale he believed.
Lucrezzias has transformed a most dangerous predator into a harmless cat. It was very well done. he says as he tries to explain to the warrior
the creature called a wolf in sheeps clothing is a dangerous ambush predator, usually it will appear to be a harmless tree stump with a small animal atop it, in reality the creature is the stump, and the animal is a deceased vermin or some other small animal that the wolf in sheeps clothing controls like a puppet.
It extends fine tendrils into its body to manipulate it and entice its prey.
These things are not of this world, perhaps they are from another plane of existence or from worlds beyond the stars , no one really knows.
Syvet was able to bond with the monster and exert some control over it but she was trapped and barely able to contain the wolf in sheeps clothing. he says trying to explain
"We saved a life, Corum. It feels good, does it not?"