Darian walks out alongside the others. ”What’s your name friend? And exactly why are bounty hunters after you?”
"Ortossi. Some call me Ortossi Ironskin. The bounty hunters, well, they were probably looking to collect on my life. Where I'm from, assassins rule the roost and the business of killing others is as common as can be. I didn't really keep asking them why they were after me, ye know?"
The ranger, for his part, is ready to go whenever.
Josef rides along, far more quiet than normal. He stays closer to Freya as they ride, and he seems to be watching the group he's with as much as the surroundings.
At least he's not making any judgmental faces.
He just seems . . . uncertain.
"Pleased to meet you, Mr. Ironskin," says Lisl. She curtseys slightly, holding the corners of her bustle skirt. With her deep red hair and fair complexion, she looks almost like a full-sized painted doll, fragile and rouged at the cheeks, excepting that she is apparently carrying armor.
Freya & Josef have traveled this route before and lead the way south, pointing out the hidden cove where they encountered the ill tempered turtle.
After travelling for two days without any incidents you reach the area where the mudpit is located, the stench filling the air lets you all know this.
P. The Mud Bowl
A strange, 20-foot-wide pool of bubbling mud sits in a narrow defile between several hills here. The mud is heated by geothermal activity, and although it’s not hot enough to cause damage, the foul-smelling vapor it gives off forces anyone within 60 feet of the mud to make a DC 15
Fortitude save or become nauseated for 2d6 rounds. Large mounds of fungus and strange mushrooms thrive on the mud bowl’s banks, and in the noxious air, several of the fungi grow to heights of 10 feet or more.
What are you doing now?
As they approach the fungus pit, Darian does his best to not gag, but the acrid smell gets the best of him and h me has to halt his approach as he bends over on his knees and heaves a few times.
- pass
- pass
- fail
rounds
Freya, having previously experienced the wretched odor of the area had managed to brace herself against the effect. Fenrir was able to do the same. Muninn on the other hand was not so fortunate, as the raven kept a very unsteady perch on his master's shoulder.
The young man wrinkles his nose in reaction to the stench. "I think it smells worse this time than last. Is that even possible?
He dismounts and starts looking for the describes mushrooms. "The sooner we find these, the sooner we can walk away from this stench."
Lisl stays on her horse, some distance back from the pit, with her cloak pulled close.
Ortossi wasn't kidding about the mule; for much of the trip, his pack is strapped to his beast of burden. A large forest cat also travels with the company, though far enough away from the group that it effectively communicates that it's not really following them so much as it is choosing to travel in the same direction. Cats.
At the mud bowl, Ortossi stays back with Lisl, outside the reach of the miasma, unslinging and stringing his bow. "I'll cover you guys. Good, uh, hunting," says the ranger.
His face a regal greenish tint Darian straightens up and steels his stomach, joining Josef in walking towards the fragrant geothermal hole.
After giving those of the party not advancing the stinkeye they draw near to the mud bowl when what seemed to be a particularly huge mound of fungus and rank vegetation near the north shore of the mud bowl lurches into life, standing over 20' tall as it advances.
Tendriculos
N Huge plant
Init +3; Senses low-light vision; Perception +3
Defense
AC 18, touch 7, flat-footed 18 (–1 Dex, +11 natural, –2 size)
hp 76 (9d8+36); regeneration 10 (bludgeoning or fire)
Fort +10, Ref +4, Will +4
Immune acid, plant traits
Offense
Speed 20 ft.
Melee bite +11 (2d6+7 plus grab), 2 tentacles +6 (1d6+3 plus grab)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks paralysis (3d6 rounds, DC 18), swallow whole (2d6
acid damage plus paralysis, AC 15, 7 hp)
Tactics
During Combat The tendriculos attacks anything that approaches
within 40 feet, charging in the first round if necessary to reach
its victim.
Morale The tendriculos fights to the death but does not pursue
foes out of the immediate vicinity of the mud bowl.
Statistics
Str 24, Dex 9, Con 18, Int 3, Wis 8, Cha 3
Base Atk +6; CMB +15; CMD 24 (can’t be tripped)
Feats Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power
Attack, Skill Focus (Stealth)
Skills Fly +0, Perception +3, Stealth +5
Languages Sylvan (cannot speak)
The party may now act.
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Isabel, unfortunately, is still at the stage of pragnancy where she throws up a lot anyway, so the smell of the bog turns her stomach and she falls back to retch in an all too familiar pattern.
By the time she recovers the search has already begun and she prefers to stagger back to Lisl's comforting support than spend any more time in the bog.
"I'm sorry." She offers their new companion with a weak smile, "I'm carrying a passenger and not at my best right now..."
Darian draws his sword and wills his magic aura out to his allies as he calls out ”What in the heavens is that thing?”
" Some sort'er huge plant thing. Looks nasty!," says Ortossi, not adding much in the way of information but certainly emphasizing what is plain to see. To punctuate his observation, the ranger tries to put two arrows into the heaping mound of grossness.
"Our mushrooms? Maybe?" The bravo sounds more uncertain than boastful at the moment. He pulls his blade as he moves both forward and to the side, taking an aggressively defensive stance as he reaches his position.
Lisl dismounts and clutches her holy symbol. As the mound of rotting vegetable tentacles approaches, she prays, "Abadar, guide us in our struggle against this horror."
(free use of inspiration)
Freya moves forward bidding Fenrir to protect Darian should the need arise while preparing to hurl an ice ball at the plant should it come within range.
Ortossi sinks an arrow into the thing, it looks pitifully small against it's size.
Isabel coats it in glittering motes, but fails to blind it.
The creature lurches closer to Josef and lashes out with a tentacle.
The party may now act.
Darian rushes forward to engage this monstrosity, lunging as he nears and attempting to thrust his blade deep into its trunk!
__________
Feeling safer after that first attack missed, Josef moves forward focused on finding a way to cut this thing back, like an overgrown bush, more than on avoiding it's attack.
"Fenrir, to me." Freya commands as she moves closer to the plant creature.
Once in position, she conjures and hurls a ball of ice toward the creature.
(bless, inspire, vs touch AC)
(inspire)
Ortossi blinks. He'd thought it was smaller than it was, and closer; perspective was playing tricks on him. He hadn't thought it could possibly be as big as it was. He considers calling out his own companion, who must be lurking somewhere in the wilderness nearby, but decides against it. This thing was too dangerous.
Meanwhile, while he contemplates, he takes a pace forward and lets two further arrows fly, the cold iron heads flicking through the turbid air towards their target.
________
Lisl gestures with her holy symbol again, motes of divine energy follow the key like starry twinkles as she casts another spell. The monster is so large that the blast that follows easily strikes it without striking the party.
You all see the first arrow Ortossi fired into the plant creature being forced out of the wound, the puncture healing over with frightening rapidity.
Hammered by weapons and magic the thing lashes out at the nearest source of food.
It's clumsy thrashing missing Josef aside from one tentacle which wraps around him with bruising force.
The party may now act.
"Fenrir, Attack!" the witch calls out before moving around to unleash a spell.
Once in position, flames erupt from Freya's hands, washing over the side of the monstrous plant.
(bless, inspire)
(inspire - no trip attempt target too large)
(Reflex Save DC 14 for half)
”Hang on Josef! I’ll get you cut free!” Darian calls out before slashing at the creature with his blade. He then moves around the thing to try and get to Josef.
__________
Lisl holds out a tiny glass vial to Ortossi. "Drink this!" she says urgently.
Not liking the odds that he can break free from such a large, tentacled creature, The duelist falls back on the basics of his craft, and tries to remove the problem with his sword.
Ortossi says nothing as he launches another pair of arrows at the creature, mindful of the ensnared Josef. He's not sure if he's having much of an effect, but he's not much interested in getting close enough to the plantoids reach.
The huge plant creature writhes wildly for a moment as burning flames wash over it's frame, it then slumps to the ground and dies.
While it has no loot of it's own you do find something strange, where it had been standing lies an ornate ebony and silver chased Sword cane?
Loot
Sword cane + 1
Now that the guardian of the fragrant mud bowl is defeated your search turns up 18 Blackcap mushrooms, the heads rattling with the spore balls the Old Beldame is requesting.
What are you doing now?
Darian helps to cut Josef free from the things grasping vine, and offers him a hand up. ”You alright?” he asks.
Once the blackcaps are gathered, he looks to the others and says, ”Alright, let’s get out of this stinking pit and get our cursed guest to Old Beldame. See if she can fulfill her end of the arrangement.”
"Fair enough, but would it wise to finish exploration of this region while we are here?" Freya asks.
Ortossi helps load their weird, rattling haul up for transport before he opines," I don't know if, yer, well, if we're in a rush or not, but if we are, probably best to head straight back, in't? Never know what sort of strange stuff'll crop up on the way as it is."
"Thank you, Darian. Didn't think getting close was going to be THAT bad . . .."
As to Freya's question:
"When we came through here originally, we avoided the stinking mud pit, but we explored everywhere else, didn't we? My question is should we bring the wolf with us, or does it matter?"
Sword cane:
"Nice looking piece, there. Need a back-up sword, Darian? I already have one."
”Josef and Freya’s account seemed quite thorough enough,” Darian says as he places a steadying arm around Isabel. ”Lets just get back and get this settled.”
Looking at the blade with Josef, he replies ”I think this sword here is better than any I’ve come across myself, even my Tanessen blade. But, perhaps we should keep it around in case we need to attend a formal event where worn weapons aren’t proper etiquette? Though I think it would be best put to use in your hands than mine.”
On the ride back, he remains close to his wife. ”Are you alright? Has all of this been too hard on you and the baby? Perhaps we should rest up a bit at Silverhold once this is all settled with the werewolf...”
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On the ride back, he remains close to his wife. ”Are you alright? Has all of this been too hard on you and the baby? Perhaps we should rest up a bit at Silverhold once this is all settled with the werewolf...”
"I'd appreciate it." Isabel smiles, leaning over to rest her head on Darian's shoulder briefly. "I know we have a lot of things to do and lands to pacify but it's getting harder and harder for me to keep up with the energy required. Lisl promises that the sickness will go away soon but I'm eating like a pig even with this." She gently waves her hand with the ring of sustenance.
"And I feel like I need to sleep a lot... seems magic can't fix everything about pregnancy." She offers another small smile. "Besides, I feel like we're neglecting Silverhold. It's such a huge undertaking and we've barely given it more than a few weeks over the past six months! Honestly if we could just settle down and build our new home for a while, at least until the baby is born, it would make life so much easier."
She pushes herself upright and back into her saddle. "It's selfish I know... but I'm the ruler, I should be allowed to be selfish!" She glances towards her husband and breaks into a mock-stern expression "and you'd better back me up, Mister! It's your fault I'm in this mess after-all!"
The stern face doesn't hold up long however...
”A few weeks? Need I remind you that I have been involved in the construction efforts almost the entire time? My aching back and arms can assure you that more time than that has went into it,” Darian replies teasingly.
At her last outburst, Darian chuckles and retorts ”My little Baroness, being the Baron comes with the added challenge of tending to your wishes as well,” as he playfully slaps her thigh just above her knee. ”I would give you the Starstone itself, should you ask for it. You know I will always have your back.”
You arrive back in Silverhold without incident.
The unfortunate Werewolf is still sitting quietly in his cell.
What are you doing now.
Lisl puts the potion back in her pouch and says to Ortossi, "Well, maybe next time. This potion makes the imbiber grow to great size. I'm... not sure if it would help with your bow, though?" Her brow furrows as she thinks. "I think the magic stops working once you are no longer holding something, so maybe the arrows would get small once fired and it would be no help at all. Regardless. Keep it in mind." She gives him one of her rare smiles.
Back at the keep, Lisl checks in on the werewolf.
"We have some news... we have been pursuing ways to cure your condition, and I think we have made a little progress. I don't want to give false hope, but we have found someone who thinks it is possible, and we are working to make it happen," she tells the forlorn man.
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"You are going to be released so that you can come with us." Isabel continues where Lisl left off. "We're going to visit a healer who has a solution for your condition. This is still something you want, rather than a life in prison?" She asks, wanting to check he hasn't had a change of heart for some inexplicable reason.
Isabel nods to the guards and Kundall is released from the cell and provided with a horse so that the group can turn southwards again.