Since the bad boys are now free to carve up this ambulatory salad, Niobe sticks to using her spear. She moves up alongside the warriors and pokes experimentally at the plant.
Niobe & Marnir miss pitifully.
Still moving sluggishly the massive vine sinks it's fangs into the nearest target.
Savaging Kung with hissing acid in the great rents opened in his body.
The party may now act.
Seeing the brutal damage done to Kung by the moving plant creature and noting it's response to Niobe's cold attack, Callidora draws upon a greater degree of power.
A storm of ice and freezing wind envelops the plant creature, dealing points of cold damage
Howling in rage as his body as his body is rent by the horrible thing Kung slashes at it in fury.
Niobe moves to soothe Kung's terrible wounds.
The sheer brutality of the plant's attack against Kung is horrifying and Marnir resolves to hack it apart as fast as possible. The plant beast clearly pays no heed to Marnir's roaring war song, so he steps deftly around it's great bulk to chop at it with his axe.
HP (123) 101/(123) 101
AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 24 (+9 armour, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural armour, -1 inspired rage)
Speed: 30ft
Fort: +14, Ref: +18, Will: +15 (+4 vs fear) (+2 Fort & +3 Will inspired rage)
Conditions: inspired rage, fast healing 4
Melee attack (+1 furious battleaxe): +14/+9 (+8 BAB, +4 Str, +1 enhancement, -3 Power Attack, +2 inspired rage, +2 furious, -1 Reckless Rage)
Melee Damage (+1 furious battleaxe): d8+27 (+6 Str, +1 enhancement, +3 Arcane Strike, +9 Power Attack, +3 inspired rage, +2 furious, +3 Reckless Rage)
19/26 rds raging song remaining
The Vine breaks free of the ice inprisoning it this round. That is it's only action.
The party may act again.
Frustrated by the plant's tough hide and his inability to bring the creature down, Marnir roars out his warsong and continues to try to chop it apart.
HP (123) 101/(123) 101
AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 24 (+9 armour, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural armour, -1 inspired rage)
Speed: 30ft
Fort: +14, Ref: +18, Will: +15 (+4 vs fear) (+2 Fort & +3 Will inspired rage)
Conditions: inspired rage, fast healing 4
Melee attack (+1 furious battleaxe): +14/+9 (+8 BAB, +4 Str, +1 enhancement, -3 Power Attack, +2 inspired rage, +2 furious, -1 Reckless Rage)
Melee Damage (+1 furious battleaxe): d8+27 (+6 Str, +1 enhancement, +3 Arcane Strike, +9 Power Attack, +3 inspired rage, +2 furious, +3 Reckless Rage)
18/26 rds raging song remaining
Neither the pain of the attack nor the healing provided by Niobe seem to phase Kung, either for good or ill. He continues to press his attack, swinging wildly but powerfully with his beloved sword.
HP 94/120
AC 22 touch 13 flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +4 dex, +1 natural, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage)
CMD 29 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +4 dex, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage)
DR 1/-
Speed: 40 ft
Fort: +14, Ref: +14, Will: +9 (+2 rage)
Superstition: +8 vs spells & spell-like
Conditions: rage, accurate stance
CMB: +21 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +2 rage, +3 competence/stance)
Melee (+3 furious greatsword): +24/+16 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +3 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +3 competence/stance)
Damage (+3 furious greatsword): 2d6+23 (+9 str, +3 enhancement, +9 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee (+1 spiked gauntlet): +22/+14 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +3 competence/stance)
Damage (+1 spiked gauntlet): 1d4+15 (+6 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
Ranged (javelin): +17 (+10 BAB, +4 dex, +3 competence/stance)
Ranged damage (javelin): 1d6+8 (+6 str, +2 rage)
17/23 rds Rage remaining
HP 67/120
AC 22 touch 13 flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +4 dex, +1 natural, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage)
CMD 29 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +4 dex, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage)
DR 1/-
Speed: 40 ft
Fort: +14, Ref: +14, Will: +9 (+2 rage)
Superstition: +8 vs spells & spell-like
Conditions: rage, accurate stance
CMB: +21 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +2 rage, +3 competence/stance)
Melee (+3 furious greatsword): +24/+16 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +3 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +3 competence/stance)
Damage (+3 furious greatsword): 2d6+23 (+9 str, +3 enhancement, +9 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee (+1 spiked gauntlet): +22/+14 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +3 competence/stance)
Damage (+1 spiked gauntlet): 1d4+15 (+6 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
Ranged (javelin): +17 (+10 BAB, +4 dex, +3 competence/stance)
Ranged damage (javelin): 1d6+8 (+6 str, +2 rage)
17/23 rds Rage remaining
Callidora begins to gesture, uttering a rhythmic chant that builds in power as she conjures a miniature thunderstorm on top of the vicious plant.
Between them Kung & Marnir combine to hack the thing to death.
The tree it had been using as it's stand turns out to have a number of bones concealed behind it, both humanoid and animal.
Much of the equipment left is rotted, corroded and useless, but in a nicely preserved haversack you find a large amount of coin and a weapon that seems to have survived untouched.
Loot:
500PP
Handy Haversack
Cutlass +1 (Human bane)
What are you doing now?
Marnir's song finishes as the plant-beast collapses into a heap of vines and leaves. He spends a few seconds catching his breath, letting the heat of battle dissipate, before checking in on Kung. "Looks like you got as good as you gave," he says, seeing the damage wrought on the burly half-orc.
Letting his rage subside, Kung checks himself out. "Guess so," he agrees with Marnir. He looks up at Niobe. "Kung think maybe you try heal while Kung fight? Sorry, sometimes Kung don't know friend magic from foe magic, just fight it all off."
"It's all right, Kung," says Niobe. "I'm just glad you survived!"
The druidess casts a minor healing spell on Kung. "Sorry, big guy, but I exhausted my healing wand and haven't gotten a better one yet."
Laying a hand on Kung's other shoulder, the sea-witch casts a similar spell, sending a bit more healing energy into the mighty barbarian. "That's the only healing spell I know. We may want to look into getting more healing soon."
"We probably do, particularly if there are many more killer plants," Marnir replies to Cally with a wry smile. "You ready to carry on?" he asks Kung.
"Ready, Cap'n!" Kung still shows some scrapes and bruises from the combat, but his enthusiastic voice leaves no doubt that he's ready to proceed.
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The rest of the trip to the destination is relatively quiet.
K. CYCLOPEAN DOCKS.
Huge stone pylons lead from the shore into the island's eastern bay here. The broken beams and timbers that once formed a giant dock lie smashed between them, half-submerged in the water. Three giant-sized canoes and a catamaran lie beached on the sand nearby.
The cyclopes used these docks to moor their largest whaling boats. Ishtoreth recently directed his best hunters to take the boats out to sea to search nearby islands for food, but they have yet to return. In the meantime, the jungle treants from the grove where the cyclopes harvested trees to construct and repair their ships (area M) have taken out their anger on the pier.
With nothing living here at the docks you continue your exploration.
L. CRAB SPAWNING GROUNDS
Broken bits of seashell and loose stones dot the beaches here.
Farther inland, tall grass and wildflowers grow in the compacted sand, their fronds waving in the ocean breeze.
What are you doing now?
With little of interest at the destroyed cyclops docks, Marnir and his crew continue their exploration further east. "Isn't this where we were warned about giant crabs breeding more giant crabs?" he asks the group as he looks around.
Callidora looks at the surrounding area, assessing it as a likely breeding ground for giant crabs.
"Just how giant is giant?" Cioldryss asks, flying around Callidora and Niobe. "Because steamed crabs are delicious!"
As you reach the sands they seem to bubble as swarms of young crabs emerge in response to arrival of fresh meat.
Crab, Shark-Eating
This spiny, long-legged crab towers over its surroundings. Its
quick and powerful claws thrash wildly, eager for prey.
SHARK-EATING CRAB
N Huge vermin (aquatic)
Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +5
DEFENSE AC 20, touch 10, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +10 natural, –2 size)
Fort +12, Ref +4, Will +3
Immune mind-affecting effects
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., swim 60 ft.
Melee 2 claws +13 (1d8+9 plus grab)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks constrict (1d8+9), darting claw
STATISTICS
Str 29, Dex 14, Con 22, Int —, Wis 12, Cha 2
Base Atk +6; CMB +17 (+21 grapple); CMD 29 (41 vs. trip)
Skills Perception +5, Swim +17; Racial Modifiers +4 Perception
SQ water dependency
ECOLOGY
Environment any water
Organization solitary or cast (2–8)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Darting Claw (Ex) Evolved for snatching fast prey, a sharkeating
crab is exceptionally quick with its claws. When
making a full attack, if a shark-eating crab misses with both
of its claw attacks, it can make an additional claw attack at a
–2 penalty against any creature within its reach.
What are you doing now?
"Not that giant it seems," says Marnir with alarm as he spots hundreds of tiny crabs as they come boiling out of the surf at the sea's edge. He draws his axe as he steps forward, the strident tones of an Ulfen war chant ringing clearly across the beach, before stomping his foot decisively into the sand. The ground churns as a sound like a hundred Ulfen war drums batters the swarming crabs. "Look out for their parents," he calls to the others.
HP (123) 101/(123) 101
AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 24 (+9 armour, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural armour, -1 inspired rage)
Speed: 30ft
Fort: +14, Ref: +18, Will: +15 (+4 vs fear) (+2 Fort & +3 Will inspired rage)
Conditions: inspired rage
Melee attack (+1 furious battleaxe): +14/+9 (+8 BAB, +4 Str, +1 enhancement, -3 Power Attack, +2 inspired rage, +2 furious, -1 Reckless Rage)
Melee Damage (+1 furious battleaxe): d8+27 (+6 Str, +1 enhancement, +3 Arcane Strike, +9 Power Attack, +3 inspired rage, +2 furious, +3 Reckless Rage)
17/26 rds raging song remaining
Kung draws up his sword, but looks confused at what he might do to fight these things. His fury doesn't rise, it seeming silly to get so angry with swarms of baby crabs, but still, he recognizes that they are a threat.
"How fight little baby crabs?" he wonders aloud, his confusion quite apparent.
HP 99/120
AC 24 touch 15 flat-footed 22 (+8 armor, +4 dex, +1 natural, +1 deflection/ring)
CMD 31 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +4 dex, +1 deflection/ring)
DR 1/-
Speed: 40 ft
Fort: +14, Ref: +14, Will: +7
Conditions: none
CMB: +16 (+10 BAB, +6 str)
Melee (+1 furious greatsword): +17/+9 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack)
Damage (+1 furious greatsword): 2d6+19 (+9 str, +1 enhancement, +9 power attack)
Melee (+1 spiked gauntlet): +17/+9 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack)
Damage (+1 spiked gauntlet): 1d4+13 (+6 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack)
Ranged (javelin): +14 (+10 BAB, +4 dex)
Ranged damage (javelin): 1d6+6 (+6 str)
17/23 rds Rage remaining
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"I love steamed crabs!" says Niobe, then she backs up almost comically to get behind Marnir. She calls out and makes a sweeping downward gesture, and a roaring column of fire blasts out of the sky to the nearest bundle of crab meat!
Kung looks at Niobe with awe on his face. "That good way to fight lots of small crabs!"
Cioldryss swoops forward over the swarm of teeming crabs facing Callidora and Kung and breathes a kine of fire into their midst.
[ooc] Reflex DC 13 for half.
Marnir, Niobe & Callidora all unleash spells that blast the swarms with sound, fire and lightning, destroying them.
Even as you destroy the swarms of young crabs the waters froth as two huge Crabs are drawn to the surface by the disturbance on the beach.
Two Sharking eating crabs heading to shore. What are you doing this round?
"Heyyy, that's enough to bring to the feast table!" says Niobe.
She raises her arms to the sky in a gesture much like Callidora's, and lightning flashes down to one of the great crabs!
(Ref DC 18 for half)
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Smiling at Ni's enthusiasm, Callidora focuses on the opposite crab, chanting in aquan as the air around the mighty creature seems to darken for a moment, it's shell flickering grey.
"Bloody hells!" Marnir exclaims as the two most enormous crabs he's ever seen emerge from the shallows. He continues his war chant, interweaving the verses with his magic as he uses the tempo of the chant to quicken the reactions of the group.
HP (123) 101/(123) 101
AC 25, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+9 armour, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural armour, -1 inspired rage, +1 haste)
Speed: 60ft (+30ft haste)
Fort: +14, Ref: +9, Will: +15 (+4 vs fear) (+2 Fort & +3 Will inspired rage, +1 Ref haste)
Conditions: inspired rage, haste
Melee attack (+1 furious battleaxe): +15/+15/+10 (+8 BAB, +4 Str, +1 enhancement, -3 Power Attack, +2 inspired rage, +2 furious, -1 Reckless Rage, +1 haste)
Melee Damage (+1 furious battleaxe): d8+27 (+6 Str, +1 enhancement, +3 Arcane Strike, +9 Power Attack, +3 inspired rage, +2 furious, +3 Reckless Rage)
16/26 rds raging song remaining
Kung grins when the larger crabs emerge from the surf. "These Kung know how to fight!" He positions himself to receive their approach, tapping his peg-leg and readying his greatsword as he waits for their advance.
HP 22+99/120
AC 23 touch 14 flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +4 dex, +1 natural, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage, +1 dodge/haste)
CMD 29 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +4 dex, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage, +1 dodge/haste)
DR 1/-
Speed: 70 ft (+30 ft haste)
Fort: +14, Ref: +15 (+1 dodge/haste, Will: +9 (+2 rage)
Superstition: +7 vs spells & spell-like
Conditions: rage, haste, accurate stance
CMB: +23 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Melee (+3 furious greatsword): +26/+18 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +3 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Damage (+3 furious greatsword): 2d6+23 (+9 str, +3 enhancement, +9 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee (+1 spiked gauntlet): +24/+16 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Damage (+1 spiked gauntlet): 1d4+15 (+6 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
Ranged (javelin): +21 (+10 BAB, +4 dex, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Ranged damage (javelin): 1d6+8 (+6 str, +2 rage)
16/23 rds Rage remaining
Both Crabs move quickly out of the water, stopping at the edge and using their reach to avoid your weapons.
Red misses Kung but Yellow grabs hard onto Marnir.
The party may now act.
”I know how this goes!” says Niobe as she closes behind Marnir and gifts him with freedom of movement.
Marnir ducks as the giant crab comes barrelling up the beach but isn't fast enough to dodge it's huge claw which scores a line of pain across his arm. He feels Niobe's magic wash over him, a familiar sensation of lightness of body, as he lunges down the beach towards the crab, roaring his war chant at the top of his lungs.
HP (110) 101/(123) 101
AC 25, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+9 armour, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural armour, -1 inspired rage, +1 haste)
Speed: 60ft (+30ft haste)
Fort: +14, Ref: +9, Will: +15 (+4 vs fear) (+2 Fort & +3 Will inspired rage, +1 Ref haste)
Conditions: inspired rage, haste, freedom of movement
Melee attack (+1 furious battleaxe): +15/+15/+10 (+8 BAB, +4 Str, +1 enhancement, -3 Power Attack, +2 inspired rage, +2 furious, -1 Reckless Rage, +1 haste)
Melee Damage (+1 furious battleaxe): d8+27 (+6 Str, +1 enhancement, +3 Arcane Strike, +9 Power Attack, +3 inspired rage, +2 furious, +3 Reckless Rage)
15/26 rds raging song remaining
Seeing direct combat impending, Callidora rests her hand on Kung's shoulder speaking words that build the scent of blood in his nostrils.
In his rage, Kung can't discern Callidora's friendly magic; the half-orc instinctively resists the spell. He steps up within the crab's reach and unleashes a haste-driven flurry of sword-swipes aimed at splitting the crab's shell wide open.
HP 22+99/120
AC 23 touch 14 flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +4 dex, +1 natural, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage, +1 dodge/haste)
CMD 29 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +4 dex, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage, +1 dodge/haste)
DR 1/-
Speed: 70 ft (+30 ft haste)
Fort: +14, Ref: +15 (+1 dodge/haste, Will: +9 (+2 rage)
Superstition: +7 vs spells & spell-like
Conditions: rage, haste, accurate stance
CMB: +23 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Melee (+3 furious greatsword): +26/+18 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +3 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Damage (+3 furious greatsword): 2d6+23 (+9 str, +3 enhancement, +9 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee (+1 spiked gauntlet): +24/+16 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Damage (+1 spiked gauntlet): 1d4+15 (+6 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
Ranged (javelin): +21 (+10 BAB, +4 dex, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Ranged damage (javelin): 1d6+8 (+6 str, +2 rage)
15/23 rds Rage remaining
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Marnir gives his a solid blow as Niobe gifts him freedom with a spell.
Kung resists Callidora's attempt at boosting him, stepping forward and slaughtering Red with three savage blows that leave it slumped dead on the sand, the sea washing against it's corpse.
Yellow again attempts to capture Marnir for eating.
Once again one claw slashes Marnir.
The party may now act.
Marnir barely notices the claw slashing across his shoulder, his mind focussed on his chant and the thrill of battle. His axe flashes in the sun as he swings it around towards the giant crab, his blood-lust rising as the battle continues.
HP (97) 101/(123) 101
AC 25, touch 14, flat-footed 25 (+9 armour, +1 deflection, +2 Dex, +1 dodge, +2 natural armour, -1 inspired rage, +1 haste)
Speed: 60ft (+30ft haste)
Fort: +14, Ref: +9, Will: +15 (+4 vs fear) (+2 Fort & +3 Will inspired rage, +1 Ref haste)
Conditions: inspired rage, haste, freedom of movement
Melee attack (+1 furious battleaxe): +15/+15/+10 (+8 BAB, +4 Str, +1 enhancement, -3 Power Attack, +2 inspired rage, +2 furious, -1 Reckless Rage, +1 haste)
Melee Damage (+1 furious battleaxe): d8+27 (+6 Str, +1 enhancement, +3 Arcane Strike, +9 Power Attack, +3 inspired rage, +2 furious, +3 Reckless Rage)
14/26 rds raging song remaining
"Gyaaaaaa!" Kung bellows with glee as he takes down one of the crabs, then rushes through the surf to circle around the other as he flanks with Marnir. He catches the captain's eye with a grinning glint as he drives his sword forward.
HP 22+99/120
AC 23 touch 14 flat-footed 20 (+8 armor, +4 dex, +1 natural, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage, +1 dodge/haste)
CMD 29 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +4 dex, +1 deflection/ring, -2 rage, +1 dodge/haste)
DR 1/-
Speed: 70 ft (+30 ft haste)
Fort: +14, Ref: +15 (+1 dodge/haste, Will: +9 (+2 rage)
Superstition: +7 vs spells & spell-like
Conditions: rage, haste, accurate stance
CMB: +23 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Melee (+3 furious greatsword): +26/+18 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +3 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Damage (+3 furious greatsword): 2d6+23 (+9 str, +3 enhancement, +9 power attack, +2 rage)
Melee (+1 spiked gauntlet): +24/+16 (+10 BAB, +6 str, +1 enhancement, -0/-3 power attack, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Damage (+1 spiked gauntlet): 1d4+15 (+6 str, +1 enhancement, +6 power attack, +2 rage)
Ranged (javelin): +21 (+10 BAB, +4 dex, +2 rage, +4 competence/accurate stance, +1 haste)
Ranged damage (javelin): 1d6+8 (+6 str, +2 rage)
14/23 rds Rage remaining
Marnir easily dispatches the remaining crab with two heavy blows, it joins its companion dead on the sands.
What are you doing now?
"Whew! So... how do we get these to the hall? And how will we find a pot big enough to boil them in the kitchen?" Niobe wonders.
"Maybe we can get a crew to come over tomorrow and strip the carcasses?" Marnir muses. "Can't let all this crab meat go to waste!"
He ponders their next move, before suggesting "While we're at this end of the island, we should probably try and make friends with the tropical ents in the jungle."
M. TREANT PRESERVE
Stands of giant palm trees grow more prominent in the hills here, many reaching abnormal heights of seventy feet or more to tower over the surrounding jungle.
How are you approaching this area?