While the others focus on the green-clad troll, Freya summons a small storm cloud to begin working on the other troll.
The sphere moves as long as you actively direct it (as a move action for you); otherwise, it stays at rest and crackles with lightning. It can be moved by wind effects and counts as a Small creature for the purpose of determining how winds affect it. The sphere has no physical substance and cannot exert any force on corporeal creatures or objects. It disperses if it exceeds the spell’s range.
Isabel moves to get into position.
The lightning bolt ends Green after Joanna, Darian and Josef had badly wounded it.
Bizarrely Orange rolling around trying to get free of the entanglement keeps clear of both the effects?
He rips himself free and roars in triumph as he stands up.
Everyone may now act. One Troll left.
Darian bends down and grabs his bow he has dropped. ”Don’t blame your wayward shots on me, Jo!” he says with some mirth in his voice at how well this was going this far. He lets an arrow fly at the remaining troll.
Johanna will stand ready.
"Darian step back force it to come to the edge like the other."
She says readying to defend them.
Josef adjusts slightly again, before seeing if he can't shoot the one remaining troll.
Loot.
Among the various trash they seem to think is valuable you also find.
MW Banded mail.
Studded leather +1.
780gp in various precious stones.
What are you doing now?
Darian steps up to one that hasn’t ceased regenerating yet, and calls out to Josef ”Over here.”
He plunges his blade through its heart, and hands Josef the waterskin he had set aside for the collection of one of these things blood for the alchemist that had requested it. Once they had filled the vessel, he lowers his torch to the troll and sets it aflame, repeating the process with each other troll until they are all smoldering.
”Well, that went well! Very good work everyone!” he says as he cleans off his blade. ”Let’s meet up with Dante and the others to find their camp, then finish our scouting of this area before we rest for the night.”
Johanna is relieved the fight is over and smiles at the team working together.
"A good plan." She offers.
[ooc]No encounters[/b].
You move onto Hex2.
The Grove of Tiressia
The trees part to reveal a peaceful forest glade dappled with sunlight. A small pond lies placidly at the roots of an enormous oak tree with a scattering of leaves floating upon its surface. Birdsong twitters from the branches high above.
As you approach the glade, a beautiful Dryad kneels by the water’s
edge, weeping softly, her tears falling into the pool to create tiny ripples in the still water.
There is a Satyr hiding in the treeline watching the party warily.
What are you doing now?
Freya whispers to her companions. "It's certainly worthwhile to see what's going on here, but be aware there is a satyr hiding in the treeline and watching us."
"This is amazing! So peaceful. Tranquil." As the others comment about the locals . . .. "Interesting neighbors, too, it seems."
The beautiful Dryad turns to you with her eyes shimmering with tears. "Help? Could you help me. I must warn you it means facing a great danger."
If asked what’s wrong, she tearfully tells you she has been battling a Scythe tree for several weeks now, and is nearly at her end. She describes the evil tree and the damage it has wreaked in the forest.
Once the scythe tree has depleted the surrounding area of prey, she says, it will certainly come to her grove, kill her tree, and devour her. She begs you to slay the hideous plant, promising to reward you handsomely if you do.
Scythe Tree
CE Huge plant
Init -1; Senses blindsight 30 ft., low-light vision; Perception +16
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 7, flat-footed 19 (-1 Dex, +12 natural, -2 size)
Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +4
DR 10/slashing; Immune plant traits
Weaknesses vulnerability to fire
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft.
Melee 3 branches +10 (2d4+6/19–20)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
TACTICS
The scythe tree uses Lunge to increase its reach on the first round of combat. It focuses its attacks on only one or two opponents, slicing them with Power Attack. Unused to strong resistance, the scythe tree fights until it is reduced to 13 hit points or fewer, at which point it tries to flee into the forest.
Base Atk +6; CMB +16; CMD 25 (can’t be tripped)
Feats Cleave, Improved Critical (branches)B, Lightning Reflexes, Lunge, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +16, Stealth +3 (+15 in forests); Racial Modifiers +12 Stealth in forests
Languages Sylvan, Treant
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Branches (Ex)
A scythe tree makes its primary attacks with its branches, which deal slashing damage and threaten a critical hit on a 19-20.
This is the Dryad Tiressia. What is your response?
|
"You're Tiressia. We were coming to look for you anyway." Isabel explains, "We met a nymph who was having a run in with some loggers. She was hoping you could provide so tree tokens to help her rebuild her grove. Of course we'll deal with this scythe tree for you - it sounds like a terrible menace!"
She returns to the group and explains the situation. "We have to help her, its the right thing to do, regardless of anything else."
(free use of inspiration)
"Scythe trees are particularly dangerous. I agree we should do what we can to rid the region of it, regardless of any other situation." Freya says.
"Fire and and slashing or chopping weapons will be our friends in this fight. Those of you who rely on weapons should be careful though, it has one hell of a reach." Turning to Isabel she adds, "Unfortunately, outside of glitterdust, most of your more favored tactics won't have much of an effect on it."
Johanna looks to her blades.
"Mine don't cut or chop well but perhaps I can defend and keep it distracted a bit. I will do my best."
”Yes...we should help her...” Darian replies to his wife.
"The wand might be a better option anyway, if I remember correctly they can see without sight as well..."
"So, what you're telling me is the bow won't be much use, and it is gonna pummel me while I try to get close enough to use the sword." He shrugs. "Sounds like a Thursday."
"But, can anyone tell me what this thing is, really? I mean, scythes are used for harvesting, right? The tree harvests fields? No?"
Lisl looks slightly ruffled as she says, "I wouldn't really know. I will place defensive magic on you before the fighting, of course."
Tiressia calls the Satyr out, you notice the love in her voice as she does so. Introducing him to you as her lover Falchos. You all note that Falchos has recently been in heavy combat and is still badly wounded.
He is very grateful for your offer to fight the Scythe tree, and offers to lead you to it's hunting grounds.
Darian steps up to Falchos and offers him a handshake. ”Well met. Looks like you’ve had a rough go of it...if you would like, we can tend to your injuries?”
Lisl is only too happy to provide some healing to the goat-man.
Josef nods absently-mindedly. "Thank you, Lisl. You really do a marvelous job of taking care of us all. Even strangers we meet on the road." He smiles as he says the last, pointing at the satyr, just in case.
”Thank you, Lady Tiressia, for your hospitality,” Darian says with a smile as he adds ”but I mustn’t warn you, our party is quite sizable, what with our guard and aides. Though, if you are open to allowing our host to stay the night in your grove, you are welcome to join us at our fire and we can trade stories, songs, and one another’s company. I will make sure to instruct our men to leave your grove as we found it as best we can. I would not like your graciousness to be misplaced, and our party leave your home in disarray...”
They are sociable hosts, appreciating your efforts to make little trouble. They are also very interested in your new kingdom. Asking for more details on your laws, and how much you have achieved in the time you have been working on it?
The Scythe tree lairs to the SE in HEX9.
One thing of interest that they can tell you is that there is an abandoned keep in HEX8, they have only seen it from a distance so can't tell you what it holds?
Map is up, set yourselves on it and tell me what you are doing?
As they discuss strategy, Darian grows more and more uneasy. He eventually says ”Look, I know you guys don’t want me on the front line. But I have some magic that you’ve seen me use, makes fake copies of me that enemies can mistakenly attack. Me leading the charge might buy Josef, Lisl, and Johanna the time they need to close ground with this thing safely. Besides, my blade sounds like one of the most effective weapons against this thing anyway.”
Josef just shakes his head as Darian talks. "I don't know who you're trying to convince. I know we're not keeping you from charging in, even if we want to argue about it, so, why bother? We already had our say . . .."
Gritting his teeth in anticipation of the worst, Darian charges once his various wards are in place and the others are ready. He then lashes out at the fiendish tree with his blade.
Surprise Round
Freya tries to cast a spell at the scythe tree, but in her caution fails to complete the movements.
Fenrir bites at the tree, trying to rip at the bark.
(inspire, bless, prayer, flank)
(inspire, prayer)
The scythe tree has prospered by using it's resemblance to a normal tree, ambushing the unwary as they came close. When it's targets are aware of it and it's location this backfires badly on it.
Treasure:
The scythe tree keeps its most precious
treasures buried under its roots.
3 pieces of amber worth 100 gp each
A folded up bundle of cloth that is a robe of vermin.
In addition, 42 cp, 55 sp, 6 gp, and simple silver ring worth 65 gp can be found scattered among the bones in the clearing.
In addition Tiressia & Falcho's are overwhelmed with gratitude for your actions.
Tiressia gladly gifts you with:
Goodberries (5),
Potion of cure moderate wounds (2),
Scroll of summon nature’s ally II,
Wand of cure light wounds (CL2 ,26 charges),
6 feather tokens (tree).
As you saved herself and her lover without asking for reward she also promises to aid you in guarding the Narlmarches and keep you updated about threats within its borders. This grants a +2 bonus to your nation’s Stability.
Back to the Nixie?
Before returning to Tiressia & Falcho.
"Well done. Would it be possible to offer the Fey a seat at our court? It could truly show we are friend and have an interest in balance, peace, and prosperity for all."
Darian looks to Isabella thoughtfully. ”It might be possible. But we would have to determine what sort of position would be most suitable to their talents, and if they would even be interested in entertaining such an offer.”
The young man stands next to the . . . tree? for a second, looking at it after the group hit it less than once each. "Am I missing something, or was this MUCH easier than we were told to expect?"
---
Once Johanna asks her question, Josef has to butt in. "Well, she misjudged either our strength or the scythe-thingie's strength, or both. Don't know if that is about her perspective, perception, or judgement. Might not want to give her too much authority until we know more about how she thinks."