Large bubbles form on along the surface of the blood pool in the northern doorway. It leads to a small alcove that's coated with a spongy fungus and is currently oozing a thick, yellow liquid.
A small humanoid emerges from the blood. Or at least, it vaguely looks like a humanoid. It basically looks like an overgrown toad with humanoid body proportions. It's green and covered in warts and large flaps of skin, with horrible red eyes. It stands in front of the giant heart.
”Behold, the mighty heart is broken! The vines upset, and the room is still smokin’!”
”What have we here, but adventurers swimming? Hacked off the vines, and the Chameleon Women?”
”So I’ve heard you come this way, looking for a lost halfling today?”
And then it cackles. It sounds even worse up close. The remaining two Vinebeasts join in the chorus of laughter.
You recognize this creature. You saw him briefly on your previous visit here to the Gardens. He goes by the name ‘Carnifex.’ You heard warnings about him living in the Gardens and that it’s best to just avoid him, but nobody would go into detail. You have a feeling you’re in really deep &*%^ right now.
Riven makes note of the broken heart and plans to cut into it as soon as no threats remain. He swings his sword at the remaining vinebeast up top from his position on the wall. The newcomer is assessed as a potential threat and this all seems to have been planned by the chameleon woman.
"New pseudo rhyming creature why are you here? Who is inside the heart and where are the chameleon women as well as the halfling?"
Ashlyn drops her eyes, as Tenchi ignores her words. She continues to attempt to cut him free in silence.
"It is not that I did not hear your words, it is just that I was focusing my Ki on being released."
Moq ignores the danger for the second knowing his new companions are less hasty to violence. Instead he bites the vine and tears at it lining up his sword to cut deeper.
At last Tenchi breaks free of his bonds and is ready to act.
Riven attacks one of the remaining Vinebeasts but it easily moves out of reach.
Meanwhile, Moq tries to bite into the other remaining Vinebeast but finds it's thicker than it looks. He manages to push it onto its blade and cuts deep. The creature shrieks and releases Moq, trying to pull away.
The toad creature merely cackles horribly at Riven's question without giving a response.
As Tenchi tears himself free, Ashlyn lowers her head in a bow, and offers him his sword back. "You have my thanks. If I may trouble you for a moment more. Please take and drink this before you enter the fray."
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Amidst the current fray, those outside the chamber just barely notice a strange portal open behind Vehemence and pull him in, just as he was about to say something no doubt poignant.
You hear the voice of a familiar young tiefling call out from the other side,
"Sorry, I really need to borrow him!"
As quickly as it appeared, the portal envelops the Furnace King and closes, gone without a trace.
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"My thanks Ashlyn san, but save your magic. I will endure."
Tenchi closes his eyes and begins humming slightly; as he does, his wounds begin to visibly close. He then draws his sword.
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Aterro's eyes fall heavily on the heart, wondering what, or who?, it held. Odds favored that the halfling was trapped inside, but, in this place of madness, who knew?
Heedless of the few combats still swirling, he hovers down a bit lower, but holds his place above the newcomer. "Take heed, friends!" he calls to the others, "methinks this very heart is Thratch's jailer! This...loathsome Xeno...is but the last obstacle to granting the halfing his freedom!"
The WarCerlic lowers his tone, addressing the Seussian thing before him. "We -are-seeking a lost halfing, and methinks he reside in that heart behind you. You would do well to step aside and let us cut into it and free him...
...and if you do not, then that will not be the only heart I cut into this day."
”The halfling trapped within the heart? That's so ridiculous I don't know where to start.”
The creature moves away, gesturing toward the heart with both arms.
”But, by all means, dig right in. For me to get in your way, why, that would be a sin.”
The creature shoots Aterro a look and giggles, clearly pleased with his own cleverness. He then turns to the Vinebeasts, and in a loud, boisterous voice, continues.
”Vinebeasts above, withdraw and let them peek. I believe this will be the entertainment you seek!”
He falls back into his horrible cackle, with a couple snorts thrown in for good measure.
Moq continues to grip at the captive Vinebeast, which grunts and shrieks at him to let go.
”Gaahhh! Filthy pirate! Release me! You're a liar and a thief anyway! Not worthy of my touch!” it bellows.
"I do not understand your motivation but these hostile creatures listen to your commands. My logic tells me not to trust you and that while there is indeed certainly a person inside the heart it seems unlikely you would encourage us to open it up if it was our comrade. How is it you know we are looking for a halfling and where is the halfling identified as Thratch currently to the best of your knowledge?"
Riven descends then wall to near Moq and cuts at the vine beast there trapped in his grip seeking to cease its struggles and not trusting this new creature who seemed to be baiting them.
Riven slashes at the Vinebeast, who yelps in pain.
Despite your logical conclusion, you still feel strongly compelled to open up the heart and look inside. It's becoming overwhelming.
The creature replies to Riven,
"My friend you think you're quiet and clever, but some of us have been here damn near forever!"
"The walls have ears, and friends have I. You won't be the first adventurers here to die!"
"When they initiate the Protocols of Antipathy, news travels fast, even to a toad daemon like me!"
"So they whisper into my ear, Carnifex, old friend, do us a favor and show them some fear!"
He hops over and lightly taps Riven, on the arm, and continues loudly,
"My mechanical friend, as my voice , you shan't use a sword again, while you remain in this room!"
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"Be silent!" shouts Attero as he hovers in the air. "This place is blasted enough without thy inane ramblings! If you have anything helpful to say, then say it and begone! I would not slay someone merely for their own mental failings, but if you continue to impune and threaten us, then all things might be considered!
Now, since you've no objection, I -shall- open the heart and restore our misbegotten ally and be on our way! Then you can bandy words with the plant-beings to your heart's content!"
Aterro lowers himself so the top of the heart is at his feet. He reverses his grip on his sword so he can plunge it down with all his weight.
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Ashlyn nods at Tenchi's request. "It remains free for you to use, should you find the need." then tucks the vial back between her breasts. She is growing to wish they had the opportunity to change before becoming trapped here. A formal party dress is less the comfortably in these situations. No to mention the lack of pockets.
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Instead of drawing his sword, Tenchi will ask "Does Thratch's trail actually lead to the heart, or only through this room.?"
With Tenchi free, and his sword, returned. Ashlyn steps back to the rooms doorway, just in time to hear,
"My mechanical friend, as my voice booms, you shan't use a sword again, while you remain in this room!"
She cocks a wicked grin, before taunting the creature back. "Is that so? Well, you may take his sword. But I know you cannot take my magic!"
She focuses the weave, swirling and shaping it into a ball of fire floating above her hand. Then using her other hand, she rips the ball in two, as each piece grows back to the original's size. The swiling flame's light dances on her face as she revels in the power she holds. Then, she finds her targets, hurling balls of flame at two of the beasts.
Moq continues to rip and tear at the vine while he can.
Tenchi will move to Moq's aid and attempt to assist him by chopping the vines with his blade.
Ashlyn, Moq and Tenchi decimate the remaining two Vinebeasts. They drop into the pool of blood, leaving a lifeless trail of vines, leaves and growth leading up into the walls.
Carnifex hops over to Ashlyn and taps her gently as he leers at her inappropriately.
"Pretty lady, no, seriously, I'm loving the view!"
"But while you remain in this chamber, no more magic from you!"
The flames die out immediately and Ashlyn feels as though she's completely cut off from her magic.
Meanwhile, Aterro cuts into the remains of the heart and drops down, putting his full weight into it. The heart collapses beneath him as he slowly returns to ground level. Now little more than a mass of folded flesh, arteries and goo, it reveals its contents -- nothing.
Aterro and Riven feel their heads clear and they realize they were under the influence of the Vinebeasts' pollen, convincing them that there was a person trapped inside the heart, particularly their missing companion Thratch.
Carnifex hops back from the group and loudly snickers, snorts and farts in amusement at the discovery, splashing blood as he jumps up and down in delight.
"I told you it was stupid, but you had to insist."
"Now their trickery wore off, and man you look pissed!"
"But fought bravely you did, tride and true."
"Have you figured out yet, the Chameleon Women are #$^&!*@ with you?"
He falls back into the pool of blood on his back laughing and splashing, before leaping back to his feet.
"So what now?" he asks, distinctively not rhyming.
"What madness is this?"
DM:
The Chameleon Women tear through the halls of the Maze. You awaken suddenly as you bump against the walls, entangled in their netting. They scuttle through the walls over the chess pieces and out to the cavernous room with the rope bridges.
As the bulk of you clear the bridges, you see one of them throw a vial at the end near the chess room, and it explodes on contact, causing the middle bridge to collapse and dangle over the hundred foot drop.
They drag you through the room where you found the three swords and Riven, and you notice two of the women split off.
Then they climb the walls over the starlit stones and through a small door in the middle of the room, which you don't recall noticing before. You hear another explosion in the distance before your captors notice you're awake.
You're dragged into an area you haven't seen before, filled with dried out plants and vines. You hear one of the women chant and you fall asleep again.
When you awaken, you are tied up in a nearly blackened room covered in roses. You don't feel any of your gear on your person.
Some torches are lit and anchored to the ground, but they glow only dim light. The roses look as though they are absorbing most of the light.
A pair of Chameleon Women stand watch over you from a safe distance, both armed with machetes and spears. They mutter to each other in an unrecognizable language.
Thratch:
Definitely drop some items! Maybe some arrows or whatever he can reach.
DM:
Hours have gone by as you sit tied up in near darkness.
Suddenly, you hear another explosion in the distance.
Your two captors snicker at each other, speaking in the saurid tongue.
You hear one word they keep repeating, that sounds like a name — Carnifex.
Thratch:
Does it sound like they're talking about someone, or chanting a name?
Also, as soon as I can hear individual voices, I'll yell out for them to let them know where I am.
DM:
From what you can discern, they are talking about someone, or something.
They seem excited by what's happening, so it can't be anything good.
Thratch:
I forgot, am I tied up? If so, I'd like to try and free myself secretly, so when my allies show up I can jump in on the fight.
DM:
Yes, Thratch is tied up.
One thing you've noticed is that not all the Chameleon Women are spellcasters. You don't have your equipment on hand, but it's probably not far.
DM:
Thratch is bound in a dark room, surrounded by black roses. It's hard to tell the exact size of the room because of the darkness, but it feels like it's a pretty large area. Two dimly-lit torches provide illumination, but it looks as though the roses are absorbing light from them. There's about a 20 foot radius clearing where you're situated with your captors.
Two Chameleon Women stand guard, and they are each armed with a spear and a machete. They're about ten feet away from you. You've noticed that they're taking great care to avoid getting close to the roses.
The torches are stuck into the dirt floor on 5' wooden poles, but don't look to be anchored. You might be able to use one as an improvised weapon. They sit between you and the Chameleon Women, spaced about 15' apart from each other.
If you squint, you can see an exit at the far end of the room, behind the Chameleon Women and toward the left.
Thratch:
What happens when they get close? What have I felt whenever I've gone close to them? If I haven't yet, what happens if I scooch closer to them?
And by them, I mean the black roses.
DM:
They don't appear to move, but they're very dense and thorny, and it looks like one could get easily and painfully entangled in them, if say, pushed.
Thratch:
OK, step 1 is getting out of my bonds. I presume that's a Dex check. Do I use my proficiency bonus?
Step 2 is quietly moving towards a torch. My plan is to then sneak up and use the torch to try and light the spear holder on fire (maybe by setting the torch at the base of their dress/robes/loose clothing). Then move back towards the roses (can back away as a bonus action without incurring an OA). I'm expecting the machete wielder to charge at me. When that happens, I want to move away at the last second, and try to trip them into the roses.
Does that make sense, and if I can actually do all that, what would you like me to roll? I'm guessing it'll go like this:
Rounds 1 through X: get free.
Round X+1: sneak to torch, take torch
Round X+2: sneak to spear holder, light clothes on fire, sneak away
Round X+3: Prepare for charge
DM:
Getting Free:
You can do an acrobatics check since I'm assuming you're trying to slip out of the ropes and not break through them. DC16, and you can keep retrying, though after about 5 tries you'll need to roll a stealth check to keep the Chameleon Women from noticing what you're up to.
Sneaking:
You'll need a DC15 stealth check to sneak to the torch.
DC16 to sneak up on the Chameleon Women since they're likely to notice any changes in the lighting conditions. They don't wear armor and their clothing is just a simple short sleeveless tunic, so you'll need to get close.
You can treat the torch as a simple weapon and apply your proficiency bonus if you attack further with it. Treat it as a quarterstaff that will do 1HP bludgeoning +1d4 fire damage if you strike with the burning end.
Provided you make your stealth roll, you can take advantage on the first round of proper combat since they'll be surprised.
Did I miss anything?
Thratch:
OK, so I failed the first stealth check.
Can I still get to the torch? Just be seen doing it?
Thratch:
Do they look like they have gear or other equipment?
For future consideration: Would I be able to slight of hand them as a bonus action (ability granted from archetype) during the battle? Is it possible to slight of hand a weapon from them?
Also, attack rolls in the thread. And bonus action disengage to move across the room away from them. Would I be able to maneuver one of them near the black roses simply by movement, or is it something they'd have to be pushed into?
escape bonds: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
stealth to get to torch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
stealth to reach chameleon woman: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Attack with adv?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 211d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
lighting her on fire: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
DM:
Yes, the Chameleon Women see you grab the torch and run toward you.
Init rolls are in the thread.
Thratch Init: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Chameleon Women Init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
You catch them off guard, so you have the first action. I'll still give you advantage since you surprised them.
--
DM:
They each have a machete and a mesh net tucked in a belt, and they're holding spears. You also see a pouch on their belts with the vague outline of some kind of round containers in them. It seems to be basically a cloth sack pulled through their belt.
As far as sleight of hand, roll a check as your bonus cunning action. DC10 since you're proficient and your size will give you advantage in getting at their waists. Plus they'll be busy trying to subdue you.
Should you manage to grab a machete, treat as a short sword for attack and damage rolls. The barbed nets might be trickier. From what you've observed they seem to have training in using them to not injure themselves. As for the pouch, you'll have to find out.
They seem to be familiar with the room and the roses, or at least scared enough that they'll try to keep away from them. You'll probably have to push them or try to get them to charge at you and hope you can dodge.
Thratch:
I think we're all caught up. I wanted to Disengage and move away, but Disengage doesn't actually allow movement, it just allows you to move away without an OA. If I have the movement, I'll do that.
If I don't, I'll try to steal one of those pouches. Let me know which one I do so I can roll if necessary.
Otherwise, my attack roll is in the thread, and that's my turn.
DM:
RAW, disengage doesn't prevent movement, so you can disengage, then use your movement action.
So I'm assuming you strike, disengage and move away in this round?
So presuming you go with the attack then, you hit one of the Chameleon Women and scorch her with the torch, causing her tunic to ignite. She'll be busy with trying to not be on fire for the next round.
The other Chameleon Woman stops for a moment to assist her associate. She'll likely try to bat out the flames and will attack next round when she realizes you're attempting to escape.
Thratch:
Is my gear nearby? If so, I'm going for it. As soon as I grab it, I'll toss the torch into the vines.
If not, then I'll wait for them to charge me and try and do a maneuver of some sort to trick them into the vines.
DM:
You look around and spy your gear near the large doorway, in a neat pile.
Thratch:
All right! Let's go for the gear and book it! Move, action dash, bonus action dash, every round. Does it look dark outside this room?
If yes: take torch with me.
If no: throw torch into roses.
DM:
It looks lighter outside the room, but dimmer than you've seen elsewhere in the Maze. It's possible that's because the roses appear to absorb light though. But definitely lighter than the room you're in.
As you get closer to the next room you see it's fairly small, with stacks of paperback books strewn in the southern corner.
As you move even closer you see a very bright light coming from a doorway in that room in the southwest corner, as well as a smaller doorway that's little more than a large hole on the southeast wall.
Thratch:
Thratch will toss his torch into the roses, hoping they light up and somehow screw over the chameleon women. Then he'll grab some of those books and papers at random, stuff them in his bag, and make for the small door (hoping he can fit where they can't).
DM:
Remember too that you have flasks of oil in your gear, since living plants are harder to ignite than dry ones.
Moving along, whichever choice you take, the Chameleon Women are distracted by the fire.
You bolt into the next room and see that the books appear to be trashy romance novels (your choice if you want to keep them or not). You also spy a large locust in the corner eating paste from the bindings of one of the books.
As you go through the hole (certainly large enough for a small humanoid to fit through), you enter into another room.
This room looks like it was once used for living quarters. Ruined bunks, chairs and trunks are littered throughout the room, with roses having burst through the walls and floor and growing everywhere. There's a rotted couch in the southeast corner, and another doorway on the west wall, where you see figures shuffling about. The look like they might be Oku.
There's a strange smell as you enter the room, and as it hits you, you feel romantic, charismatic, and cannibalistic. You also feel a slight pull from your metal objects toward the couch, that seems to get stronger as you get closer.
Thratch:
That's right! I forgot about those!
Let's break a flask of oil on the roses where I tossed the torch. Basically throw a flask at it and let the oil splash where it may.
Ignore the trashy romance novels.
When the smell wafts over me, I'll get out a small piece of cloth and make it damp, and use that to cover my mouth and nose. Avoid that couch, and head towards the Oku. Does something seem wrong with them? Are they in a daze? I'm thinking I might have to rescue them on the way out.
DM:
The oil is sufficient to create a small wall of fire, which keeps the Chameleon Women at bay.
Your damp cloth helps lessen the effect you feel in the room, but it's not totally gone.
You move closer to the room with the Oku. You see six of them wandering around the square room, which appears to encircle another smaller square room.
As you see them, your first thought is that they look delicious, but that passes once you leave the other room behind.
They are wandering around chirping and looking in frustration at the mess of vines covering the outer walls of the room, occasionally speaking with each other. So basically, acting like Oku. They discuss what to do about the vines, but seem deadlocked as they can't form a consensus and nobody will take initiative.
You recognize one of them, Vetchling, who was with the group you'd initially met and survived being attacked by the Curator. He was last seen running off in fright at the sight of Riven. It appears he's caught up with the rest of his people. You don't recognize the other Oku as any you've met previously, despite the fact that they all look maddeningly similar.
Thratch:
Thratch will greet Vetchling and inquire about what they're doing. Meanwhile, he'll take a look around for an exit.
He'll also warn them that the chameleon women are hot on his heels, but he's got them stopped with a bit of fire to the black roses.
DM:
When the Oku first see Thratch, they start chirping and "flying" (running around flapping their arms) around you en mass, except for Vetchling.
"Guys, this one's alright. I've met him before." he interjects.
"So little fella, how'd you end up over here? And have you seen the rest of my crew? And did you shake off that horrible monster you dug up?"
You spy another exit directly across from where you've entered. There's also an open doorway on the center enclosed room. Peering in you see the room is thick with vines, and there's two additional Oku who appear to be arguing but deadlocked.
"Pay them no mind. That's some official important Oku business going on in there. They've been at it for a while." Vetchling adds with a small chirp on the end.
Thratch:
"Hiya! That horrible monster we dug up ended up being an ancient construct of some sort, and he is rather friendly. He's been helping us out. As for why I'm here, I got captured by the chameleon women, and just escaped. I stopped them up with some fire to the black roses, and tried to set one of them on fire, and then Rand straight here. They may be right behind me, and we gotta keep moving. Which is the best way out of here and back to my friends?"
DM:
"I have no idea where your friends are at. I'm still hoping the rest our group shows up and maybe we can resolve this deadlock."
Vetchling leads Thratch to a small doorway in the middle of the room on the north wall.
"Maybe we should talk with Aelfadred the Witch."
As you walk into the large chamber, you see the room is almost funnel-shaped, ending in a group of doors on the far wall. More vines grow wild in this room.
In the center of the room is a table, with a robed woman seated at it, and it looks like she's painting on a small canvas.
Black inky shapes flow from her head like antlers, making up a table of strange glyphs above her head, indecipherable.
"Excuse me, Aelfadred, this is one of that group I was telling you about earlier. He's trying to locate the rest of his crew. Do you think you'd have any idea where they are or how to find them?"
"He says the Chameleon Women had him captured near here."
She continues painting, not looking up, as the glyphs continue to form and change in a dense inky mass above her head.
"Hmmmm… yes. The protocols. I'd heard they'd initiated them again against a new group."
She sets down the painting, which looks like the alien sun Wan'di found on that body oh so long ago. She gets up and stretches out her wiry arms, leaning across the table, and you realize she's much larger than she looks.
She makes eye contact and stares for several moments, making you uncomfortable.
"You helped out my Oku once before. So perhaps I might be able to help you in return. I may even be able to take you to them, though you will owe me a significant boon for my services, little halfling."
She pulls a piece of charcoal from her robe and a scrap of paper.
"Describe one of your group, in as much detail as you can muster."
Thratch:
"Of all the people here, I wish to Vehemence the most."
"He had golden hair and wide black pupils, He is of fair skin and complexion, with Ruby undertones that grow brighter ad he gets impassioned."
"His teeth are all sharp, as if they were all fangs, and his feet are like a reptiles. There are small wings on his ankles, scaly, like a dragon. And he has a long draconic tail."
"His fingers are tipped in red, and his left fore finger is that of a long claw instead of a true finger."
"This is the man I seek. Where he is, the rest of my friends shall be. He would never depart from them."
DM:
The witch listens carefully to your description and draws a chalk circle on the table with arcane markings. She pulls a small handful of fur from a pocket in her robe and sprinkles it over the circle, then makes a small cut on her palm and drips blood onto the markings and begins to gesture and chant.
She does this for several minutes, getting to a feverish pitch and then suddenly stops, gasping for air.
Between gasps and wheezes she speaks.
"This Vehemence you seek, he is no longer here in the Maze."
"I saw an echo of him, south of here, in a garden with grass drenched in blood. Then he blinked away, taken to another plane of existence by a being similar to him."
"Not dead, if that's what you're thinking, but gone, and out of my reach."
The blood no longer pounding in Moq's ears he looks around It might be time to escape this room, that Carnifex is akin to a demigod. His power rivals that of the great heroes Valdine or Tissus.
"I see now the error. However we must recover Thratch. If you do not attack us we will not be hostile to you. Are you friend to the chameleon women? If no then help us disrupt their plans. If yes then we will have to proceed despite your disruption to our abilities."
The golem moved toward Ashlyn seeing her as the highest priority asset to protect. Bloody two toed footprints were left on the wall where he walked along it to her. Her display of power was very impressive and while he moved he sheathed his sword keeping an empty hand at the ready.
"I know not either of these names, Moq, but we must push on. The small one is a clearly in need of civilization, but I have no desire to carry his corpse."
Tenchi will collect Wan'di's body and continue to follow the trail.
I agree forward is the best route to go, and it has the beneft of not being right here.
Moq moves with Tenchi.
Ashlyn seems unfazed by the creatures leering. If anything, she is subtly encouraging it. Offering him a sly smile.
"Well thank you. I was beginning to wonder if this worlds concept of beauty was as twisted as half the residents we've encountered thus far." She slowly glides across the room after the rest of the group. She lets the others pass into the next hall but lingers in the room.
"Truly, I appreciate the complement. But, as I informed your friends. You are not to touch without permission." She motions to the two burning corpses of the creatures that grappled her. "Though, I will show mercy for the compliment."
Her eyes turn deadly serious, "But know this creature, ......"
She subtly gestures with her hands, before magic missiles spring from her towards Carnifex.
Ashlyn subtle slips her wand of magic missile into her hand, activating the magic within, since she seems unable to sense the weave for the moment.
As soon as the bolts strike him, she will quickly turn and flee the room. Glancing back to give him a flirting wink as she does.
He takes a seat on the ground and after a few moments, he comes up with another description.
How about I give you some general descriptions of the group I was with? There was a rather tall man, broad of shoulders, encased in metal with a large sword. He is a man of faith and worships Torm.
Next is the most beautiful woman you've ever seen, wearing a gown of blue. Magic tends to go haywire around her. And I believe she's an elf.
Then there is the sword master. He is of a decent of man that I do not know, and his language is foreign. He talks of shugenja and carries a long curved blade, different from a scimitar.
A new arrival to the group is a large man who has lived in this maze a long time, recently released to move about. Strong, capable, and knowledgeable. He wears the minimum amount of cloth.
And lastly, the oddest member. A self aware construct who has agreed to assist us.
Will that work?
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Aterro stands coolly, passively, a guardian of STEEL as the banter and touching goes on. He contemplates his next move, but finds his bloodlust, for the moment, sated. Even as the heart was a false target, it was still a mighty kill.
"What now?" he echos, the last to leave, backing up as Ashlyn walks, deceptively, passively, to the door.
"I'm strong as an elephant,
so you best remember, and never forgets,"
The barrage of magic are unleashed as the sorceress flees laughing. Aterro is still backing up, almost to the door, obviously not willing to be touched without a readied strike.
"You'll let that one go,
because the Emperor...
protects."
Aterro follows the rest out of the door.
The magic missile springs forth from the wand, hitting Carnifex directly. He winces for a moment but it seems to have done only minor damage to him.
He hops up again to Ashlyn.
"I admire your audacity, maiden fair. But try it again and see how well you survive without air!"
He leans in closer.
"One simple touch, and I take away an action. Spellcasting, breathing, why, a veritable chain reaction!"
"Once I decree it, so it shall last, as long as I live, the effect will not pass!"
He turns away.
"On the other hand, if I may say, you've provided me with some amusement today. But perhaps now, it's best that you go, while I'm still feeling sufficiently so."
"Be on your way, for we'll meet again, and I most assure you, it won't be as friends."
And with that Carnifex falls back into the blood laughing, and swims away northward.
When you leave the chamber, you feel your magic return as though it was never gone.
As soon as you leave the chamber, you find you can wield your sword again.
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The witch listens carefully to your descriptions. You see here thinking madly as the cryptic glyphs pour from her head and dance around it.
"That should be sufficient, little halfling. I will try again."
She sprinkles more fur and blood upon the arcane circle on the table, and chants intensely.
"Yes! I believe I have one of them! A lovely young woman, surrounded by others that meet the description. They've caused the heart to collapse and have met Carnifex."
"I can send you to her, for a boon. You must bring me either an unusual light source such that I've never before seen, as many sun paintings as you can find, or a tear of Chronia Torn. The last would be of greatest value, but may also be more difficult to obtain. The Oku will inquire about your quest when you meet them again."
"Do you agree?"
Riven moves as one with Ashlyn silently approving of her defiance in the face of impossible odds and shielding her with his body even as the creature attempted to get next to her. Despite having no sword ability in the room he had his shield and his body to block the thing. Finally it backed down and left leaving them all together once more.
"Let us not fall into another trap of the chameleon women. We should advance carefully now that our numbers have been thinned with the loss of Vehemence. Ashlyn, you are a high priority asset now and will be protected. Once we unite with Thratch we should fall back to the room where the worm was and perhaps we will be reunited with our lost companion during a rest cycle."
Ashlyn smiles lightly at him. She truly respected his command of power, his presence, even his quirks.
Doing her best to imitate Carifax's speech she says, "You may call me Ashlyn, if that's your inclination. I would love to stay and chat, but I really have to run. But as you go I hope you know I bear you no ill will. I would much prefer fun with you, than that threat fulfill."
She gives a fond farewell of a wave as he chooses to swim away, then quickly follows the rest her guardians in tow.
"Very well then. Let's begin."
The witch walks to a large plant growing off the wall and gestures and chants, glyphs streaming into swirls around her head. Blood streams from her eyes, nose and mouth.
"Step into the plant. You'll emerge by your friends. And don't forget our deal, little halfling. I'll know if you did."
As you step into the plant, you are in a tunnel of green, flowing quickly to your destination.
You hear echoing voices, and a horrible laugh. You land in a garden. The lawn and flower beds are drenched in blood. You see your friends, minus Vehemence, covered in blood, looking weary yet suddenly surprised.
The group walks away from the heart chamber.
Outside, a large plant covered in flecks of blood thrusts and sputters as its large leaves are forced open and a small, familiar halfling thief drops out, making a small splash as he lands in a puddle of blood on the ground. He looks as surprised as anyone.
Thratch smiles and gives a polite wave. Hi guys.
Riven moves over to Thratch and places a hand on his head and turns and tilts it looking at it from all sides. Blue glowing lines appear on the surface of the warforged as his eyes glow and take Thratch's measure.
"Facial Recognition confirmed. We have recovered Thratch. I suggest we fall back to the room where we encountered the worm before and set up a camp for a long rest cycle. We will all benefit from restoring our magical energy circuits and physical repairs. Welcome back Thratch."
Riven feels repairs almost complete internally...as if that last fight had forced his body beyond its limits enough to allow repairs to rebuild it. Soon perhaps he'd even be able to match his old self if he lived that long...
Ashlyn lights up seeing Thratch. She rushes away from her guards and scoops the halfling up, spinning him around. "You're back! Where did they take you? Are you ok? How did you get back? What happened? Tell me everything? Did you meet anyone new? Did you find something interesting?" She floods his with questions so fast, he can hardly follow, but the expression of joy at having him back is obvious.
"It is good to see that you are alive."
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Aterro charges wildly as the Carnifex again advances on Ashlyn.
"All you were and all you are,
will be consumed in flame,"
But the evasive phenom is, ironically, untouchable himself, and swims away before the WarCleric can land a blow.
Fuming, Ateroo turns and leaves the room, shouting behind him, "NOTHING of YOU will be LEFT,
because,
COWARDS DIE IN SHAME!"
Fuming and steaming that words are all he has to throw, Aterro begins to turn to the sorceress. "Are you all ri--" but her rush to the newly appeared Thratch takes the breath from his lungs, his relief at finding the wayward halfling tempered with an emotion that certainly is NOT jealousy.
'Awwwww. Even the Halfling gets more attention than you, and all he did was show up.'
'I've nothing to say to you.'
'And the funny little blood-man didn't deem you worthy of the slightest notice! Even as you tried your super-fantastic literary skills, he didn't care in the least.'
'Go away, Chaos! You are a figment of an earlier time. My faith in Torm leaves no room for you!'
'Well if you're going to be obstinate too--'
'GET OUT!'
'Be seeing you....'
Aterro gives Thratch a curt nod of recognition, but, subsumed behind a wall of attention, it goes unnoticed.
His sword is covered blade-to-hilt in heart's blood from his star-crossed attempt at finding the halfling on his own. He takes out an oiled rag to clean it.
Thratch's eye start leaking at the warm greeting he receives, and then he laughs at the releif of escape.
I'll tell you all about it! But first, we have to find some place safe.
Later...
I got caught in one those damned spiked nets the chameleon women carry around. I tried to leave a trail of arrows behind me, but it only worked right up until they knocked me out.
When I woke up, I was tied up in a room where the walls were covered in black roses. They seemed to suck the light right out of the room. Two of the women were watching over me, but neither of them were the one casting spells. So I wrangled myself out of the ropes and snuck over to a torch. Used the torch to light their clothes on fire, and ran as fast as I could out of there.
Grabbed my gear on the way out and went into a room where everything looked old and decayed, and some creature was eating all the furniture. I rummaged through my bag for a flask of oil, tossed the torch on the roses and threw the oil against it, lighting up the vines. I hope their home burning up distracted them enough for me to get away.
Then I crawled threw a small opening in the wall and found Vetchling of all people! Remember him? The Oku we saved from Mr Marble Hand. He was with a bunch of other Oku who were all arguing about which way to go. I told him of my predicament, and he took me to some witch. Aelfedred.
I made a deal with her and she sent me to you guys. She also told me Vehemence has escaped! Why didn't you guys go with him? That could have been your chance!
"It wasn't so much 'escaped' as 'was taken'. What sort of oath did you bind with this shugenja?"