Senna chuckles and begins climbing, enjoying the childhood activity. "Don't worry, Braegan. I'll tell them it was a Slaadi Lord transmogrified into the seemingly innocent form of a big-eyed hamster... and you battled it all heroic-y once you saw through it's deception. Trust me, I can be very convincing."
"A colossal hamster? That would be what like? The size of a cow?" - Tark continues on as he climbs.
"A Slaad?" - he adds - "And what would that be? Some sort of terrifying rodent of sorts?"
"Wouldn't mind takin' a look at that - a hamster the size of a whale... Whew! Me wonders where he will find his nuts?" - he laughs raucously, then looks at the tree they are climbing, and shuts up.
Senna smiles at the banter, "With those short little arms, I doubt he can reach'em."
"A Slaad?" - he adds - "And what would that be? Some sort of terrifying rodent of sorts?"
She says, "No. A Slaad is kinda like a giant demonic frog that walks on its hind legs, wields horrific weapons real well, and will either cut you to pieces or tear the soul from your body. If we see one in Sigil, I'll let you know... right before I pee myself."
"So... We're trying to decide what's more dangerous - a hamster or an oversized frog - an' one that will tear a soul from our body no less. T'seems to me that frog might be a tad harder to deal with" - he carries on.
Davu remained silent. Their jokes meant nothing to him. He kept focused on the job. Sooner it was done, the sooner he could go home.
Realizing it will be more climbing than she initially thought, the sorceress casts a spell and launches into the air, doing a bit of reconnaissance ahead of the team.
You at last reach the trunk of the tree, and you see that someone has built a series of makeshift handholds here. Rungs have been nailed to the trunk in places, but sections are missing. You hear something scraping along the bark just around the trunk; a furry creature sticks its head up and watches you. It looks like a giant squirrel, and it carries in its mouth an enormous nut the size of a tankard. It is wearing a leather harness decorated with three long black feathers.
With Senna's aid, Braegan remembers that Ratatosk society is fond of gifts, preferably of food, from travelers. The creature waits there looking at the party.
After a quick whispered conference with the airborne tattooist, Braegan steps towards the team.
”Ratatosk,” Braegan whispers, ”I heard a story or two about them when I was growing up. They’re supposed to like food offerings and other gifts from strangers.” He shrugs with a helpless look, ”That’s all I know. Not sure what they eat, though … nuts?”
He seems to want someone else to take point with the expectant critter.
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Perblentious will spontaneously swap out daylight for tongues and cast it so he can understand the critter. Then he will diplomatically offer it some food.
"Hello there my fine fellow. A thousand pardons for us intruding upon your domain. We are new to this area and could use some advice and guidance. Perhaps we could discuss this over some repast?"
Tark almost bursts into laughter as the creature pops into view, but he manages to restrain himself, simply shaking his head, and whispering - "Somone said anythin' bout hamsters?" - and remains close to Perblentious, ready to jump to his defense if needed "A shame we didn't bring some beer"
"Well, I'm no... Ratatosk..." - he throws a wink at the creature - "But if ye'd let me choose between beer and trail rations. Well... there would be no choosin" - he adds to his companion.
"Beer do taste better to Davu than rations. But rations are good too. Bet mouseman like beer better, though."
The Ratatosk senses calmness and sincerity from the aasimar and takes the food and tastes it. He makes a face but continues to eat. "I am Fireholder, Kippenhall, watcher over the tribe. I see you know our customs. That shows education and culture. How may I help you travelers? Is this your first time to Yggdrasil?"
Senna sits on the branch, getting down to the creature's height. "Yes, this is our first time here. We are trying to get to the Beastlands, can you direct us?"
Braegan dips his head in an ernest greeting, happy to let the pleasant tattooist guide the conversation (especially given the whole bar incident).
"Dat" - Tark nods at Sienna's words.
"Sure, you seem nice enough. I know nothing of your bow. The Beastland represents nature at its wildest and worst. We prefer more tranquility. I will assign my grand-daughter Alm-veig to lead you to the proper branch to your portal." He calls her and she appears within seconds from one of the holes in the tree and he introduces her to you. She smiles and in a cheerful voice adds, "Pleasure to meet you. Beastlands, huh? Follow me!"
2 days later, much to your surprise, you are still traveling with Alm-veig, letting you know this tree is huge! Eventually, you find the portal. Alm-Veig speaks, "I'll wait here for 2 days. If you're not back, I'll assume the plane claimed your lives. It is a domain of natural savagery, embodying the forest eternal. Be wary."
You step into the portal and appear immediately elsewhere, in a forest. Although a pale moon hangs in the sky, the area is dark and shadowy enough that darkvision or a light source is needed to see. This section of the plane resembles temperate forests: mighty oaks create a dense canopy overhead while ferns and other shade-loving plants grow below.
Braegan blinks a few times, but his eyes adjust quickly.
”Possibly. The Lord of Three said something about us seeking Thaas by ourselves … as a group.” He shrugs, ”Though I certainly wouldn’t turn down a guide if we can find one.”
Braegan pulls his bow and begins sweeping out in ever-widening concentric circles. His movements are slow, methodical, and careful. His eyes split time between scanning the trees and canopy above and the forest floor below.
Braegan's sharp ears catch the sound of danger and his eyes catch the large cat tracks, as he hears a pair of feline growls disturb the night and warns the party in time to see two large bluish panthers step out of the bushes ahead, 20' tentacles attached to their sides. A light-blending glamer seems to surround their bodies. They are giving you a look that means that you're on the dinner menu!
”Woah!” Braegan yelps as he reflexively snaps off a single arrow before retreating behind the big stone man. ”Two big cats incoming!”
With a wave of her hand the darkness recedes as a series of small lights spring from the sorceress. Given what comes out of the forest, Senna briefly considers dismissing the lights and hoping the nightmare ends with it.
Tark stares at the creatures - he is almost sure he has seen something like that before...
Tark recognizes the cats as displacer beasts! Both creatures easily hop over the stream and engage the monk, trying to bite him, with one of them drawing blood!
Out of the shadows to your west, another displacer beast appears, more muscular than the other two, with 20' long tentacles. The Pack Lord rushes out at the defenseless Senna and bites her in the leg!
Davu swings and kicks at the displaced beast threatening him.
Power Attack with Inspire Courage both targets on the ground
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