Tidus decides that while his comrades are investigating the tree, he will keep his eyes out towards the rest of the forest. He knows the woods aren't known for their safety, and the kobold encounter earlier has put him on high alert.
Hassan recovers his pack before continuing on with the party.
Upon coming to the huge tree, he holds back. He grew up in more desert climates, and forests are still a new experience. However, even he can tell that this tree is somehow unusual.
As you walk towards the tree, you spot something moving in the limbs. Unfortunately, you don't have time to warn Shalyna, and she moves too close to the tree.
Hassan -
Tidus -
Firebeard -
Zane -
Berenwyr -
Creature -
Shalyna, interested in exploring the tree, moves closer. She is so intent on studying the bark and features of the tree, that she doesn't notice the creature in the limbs above her. Slithering like a large snake, this creature has the head of a dragon and a pair of clawed arms to help it move along and grasp prey. A sickly green mist wafts from its open maw. It has its eyes intently on Shalyna.
Begin Surprise Round
The following can act:
Tidus
Zane
Creature
"Shalyna, above you!"
Tidus grabs his longbow off his back and prepares to fire upon the looming creature.
You have never seen anything like it before and are unable to identify it.
Zane lets an arrow fly and the arrow finds its mark.
The creature, angered, but still intent on attacking, falls towards Shalyna, its fangs bared.
for
Blood spurts forth and Shalyna falls to the ground in a heap. She doesn't move.
Begin Round 1
Initiative Order
Tidus
Berenwyr
Hassan
Zane
Firebeard
Creature
In the east, you see another humanoid approaching. He walks towards your group at a quick pace. He wears a mask and has pale blonde hair.
Tidus, seeing the approaching stranger, calls out, "Stranger! Move away from here, a savage beast is upon us! We will do what we can to eliminate it!"
Tidus fires a shot from his bow.
Tidus, seeing the approaching stranger, calls out, "Stranger! Move away from here, a savage beast is upon us! We will do what we can to eliminate it!"
Stay clear yourself! That creature you're shooting at is the Tatzylwyrm, and if its arms do not squeeze the life from you, its poison bite will be your undoing!
The elf moves forward, a raven on his shoulder, and conjures a pale green sphere in his hand before throwing it at the creature.
Hassan steps forward, calling on the aid of the Dawnflower. A complicated ritual later, and a celestial eagle appears and swoops down to attack the creature in the trees.
Talon 1:
Talon 2:
Bite:
Edit: Minor change to fix roll formatting, hope that's okay.
Firebeard launched himself at the Tatzlworm, lashing out at the thing that killed his friend and trying to take its head off with a well-placed blow.
attack
damage
Tidus' arrow strikes true. The wyrm recoils in pain. The acid dart from Berenwyr's fingers also land on the flesh of the creature. There's a sizzle and the wyrm recoils again.
The wyrm gets no relief, as out of nowhere an eagle appears and lashes at it with its talons. Only one attack manages to land.
Firebeard, eager to capitalize on the situation, makes an attack, but doesn't successfully land a blow. Zane, however, manages to land an arrow in the beast, doing significant damage.
The taltzwyrm, angry that its prey has put up such a fight, lashes out towards Firebeard with its teeth bared.
for
While distracted, it attempts to constrict the monk .
vs. DC16
The wyrm wraps around Firebeard.
Begin Round 2
Updated Map
Initiative Order
Tidus
Berenwyr
Hassan
Zane
Firebeard
Creature
Grunting against the squeezing pressure, Firebeard slammed both hands to either side of the Tatzlwyrm's head, aiming for the regions where the large scales of the body joined to the finer scales of the head, right behind the eyes.
flurry
damage
flurry
damage
Berenwyr shouts to the dwarf, I can help you escape, don't resist my magic!
He then chants words of arcane power and wills a slippery film into being over the dwarf, hoping to help him escape the deadly coils.
School conjuration (creation); Level bard 1, sorcerer/wizard 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (butter)
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one object or 10-ft. square
Duration 1 min./level (D)
Save see text; SR no
A grease spell covers a solid surface with a layer of slippery grease. Any creature in the area when the spell is cast must make a successful Reflex save or fall. A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details). Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.
The spell can also be used to create a greasy coating on an item. Material objects not in use are always affected by this spell, while an object wielded or employed by a creature requires its bearer to make a Reflex saving throw to avoid the effect. If the initial saving throw fails, the creature immediately drops the item. A saving throw must be made in each round that the creature attempts to pick up or use the greased item. A creature wearing greased armor or clothing gains a +10 circumstance bonus on Escape Artist checks and combat maneuver checks made to escape a grapple, and to their CMD to avoid being grappled.
Tidus readies another arrow, hoping his aim strikes true and finishes the savage beast.
Tidus' arrow sails wide.
Zane's attack lands true, thanks to the Wyrm's attention being focused on Firebeard. It does not, however, kill it. It does give Firebeard a chance to break free.
Hassan, eager to help the monk - who seems to be the current target of the wyrm - casts a spell to protect him.
The wyrm, angered by the ferocity of its prey, lashes out at Firebeard again.
for
for
Seeing that his prey has fallen, the wyrm retreats a bit.
Round 3
Updated Map
Initiative Order
Tidus
Berenwyr
Hassan
Zane
Firebeard
Creature
Just in case my roll might affect how the others act.
Gods above! Berenwyr mutters to himself. Don't let it happen again!
The elf jogs forward as fast as he can and hurls another dart at the creature, his raven keeps pace at his shoulder.
The acid dart hits the creature, the sound of sizzling flesh can be heard even from your current distance.
|
Seeing that the worm-creature has knocked down even the sturdy dwarf, Zane feels that his head is swimming, being filled with anger and hatred towards the hideous creature. Noticing that it is attempting to retreat after putting down Firebeard, Zane screams in frustration as he takes it swing towards the retreating worm.
Zane's blow finds its mark and does significant damage. The wyrm is very clearly near its end.
Firebeard manages to fight off his wounds and is simply unconscious.
Hassan moves closer and unleashes a wave of energy designed to heal his comrades.
Everyone is healed for 4 points.
Firebeard lays huddled on the ground, unconscious. The dwarf's breaths come in ragged gasps, but at least he is alive for the moment. The gaping wounds in his neck and upper chest still seep blood, but it is no longer fountaining out. Hassan's spell had healed him enough for that, at least.
Tidus, seeing his dwarven friend drop from a savage attack, feels anger flash in his eyes. He runs forward to get a clear shot, and fires another arrow at the monster.
The arrow lands directly between the eyes of the wyrm. It convulses for only a second before lying still.
The battle appears to be over, but it isn't without consequence. Shalyna has been mortally wounded. She no longer breathes. The blood that formally spurted forth from the large chunk missing from her neck has ceased. It is clear she has died.
Firebeard doesn't look much better, but he is at least breathing raggedly.
Hassan, eager to investigate the enemy moves to it and bends over its fallen body. In a flash, the wyrm leaps up, its fangs finding their final resting place in Hassan's neck. They clamp down as the wyrm dies, severing Hassan's jugular. Again, the grass is stained red with the blood of a fallen comrade.
Emerging from the edge of the clearing, you see an exotic looking half-orc, with a great mane of dreaded hair running towards you. It is a frightening sight - particularly after what you've just experienced.
The dense trees and thick brush of the forest give way, parting seemingly in respect for the titanic darkwood tree that dominates this clearing. Several times taller than a temple minaret, in one direction the obviously ancient tree reaches into the sky with branches like a giant’s arms, while in the other it plumbs the earth with roots thicker than a man’s waist.
Its limbs broad and strong, its bark thick and so richly colored as to almost be black, and its leaves the size of bucklers, the giant thing is less a tree and more a cathedral of boughs
and branches.
The tree has a trunk of at least 30' feet in diameter, and features low, easily accessible branches.
Tidus, without hesitation, cocks another arrow and points it right at the approaching orc.
"If you value your life, you will stand down! We have lost friends and companions today, and I have no desire to add to that number. So, cease your approach and declare yourself! This arrow will not, unfortunately, be as diplomatic as I am."
Berenwyr cries out Wait! Stay your arrow! Haven't enough people died here today! The earth weeps for it. I am Berenwyr, elf of the forests of Kyonin. This fearsomely painted one he gestures to the half-orc, is Tash, a holy man sworn to Erastil. We come as friends! Please, tell us your names, and the names of your fallen companions.
Tashtal arrives breathlessly. He is a half-orc dressed in chainmail with a greataxe strapped to his back, with a startling tattoo that looks like antlers or branches springing from below his armor up to cover half his face, long dreaded locks with small carved pieces of wood and bone interspersed, and finally, feathers draping his coiffure and down his back.
"We came as fast as we could when we heard the sounds of battle..." he pauses to breathe. "My heart lays down in sadness for your friends you have lost."
He kneels and touches his hand to one feather on his forehead. "I am Tashtal ul-Voshnak of the freed half-orcs of Andoran. I would help you bury and bless your fallen comrades, to help them on their next journey."
Tidus lowers his bow and arrow, his expression changing from stern to somber.
"This wyrm killed two of our companions. The elf here, Shalyna, and the one wearing clothes from the eastern deserts was Hassan. Zane and I only knew them for a very short time, but they offered their assistance with a crisis in our town. For that, they have our highest honor and will be remembered in the songs of Falcon's Hollow.
My name is Tidus Ovelia. This is my longtime friend, Zane Cartprett, and our dwarven comrade is known as Firebeard. If you could help us bury these bodies quickly, my gratitude would be unending. They deserve a proper final rest, but yet we are in a great hurry and these woods give cause for much concern... especially after what just transpired."
Tash, can you give any aid to this dwarf? I seem to recall you have some skill with healing.
Berenwyr smiles tentatively at Tidus.
Hello Tidus. I wish the circumstances of our meeting could have been more auspicious. I must confess, I was studying this tree and the creature within it, when I fell into a bit of a reverie, or I would have warned you and your companions well before you got close to the beast. My heart grieves for your loss, especially that of your elven friend. Our folk are too few in this world. The loss of even one is hard to bear. What can you tell me of her? That I may carry her memory with me? Also, you speak of haste. What brought you here to this place?
"I shall attend to Firebeard as best I am able, Berenwyr."
He kneels beside the dwarf and draws upon his healing powers.
He then places a hand upon the dwarf's chest and utters words in a low chant.
He appraises the dwarf, who is still bleeding and breathing raggedly. "His wounds are grave." He calls upon his powers yet again.
Tashtal looks up with a weary expression. "Your friend Firebeard is no longer dying, but he has been brought low. We would be wise to hide and rest if possible. You said we needed to stay on the run; if we can do that with secrecy and caution, it would be best."
Tashtal places a fist, damp with dwarven blood, to his chest. "Zane. Tidus. Erastil will honor your comrades Shalyna and Hassan. Truly, they were great warriors. Let us bury them quickly and begone."
He kneels to Firebeard again. "Awaken, Firebeard. Feel the life in your veins." He offers the dwarf a hand to help pull him up.
Firebeard sat up with a start, looking up at the greenish skin of the half-orc. His wits were scattered for a moment, as he pieced together recent events, then shook his head carefully. "Shal...is she...damn!" He shook his head again and looked at the half-orc, then took the proffered hand.
"I be guessin' ye be th' one t' thank fer bringin' me back. In kols' name, I be thankin' ye. I be in yer debt, an' tha' ain't a light thing fer a dwarf t' say."
Tash pulls up Firebeard. "Merely doing the work of the Old Hunter," he says. "Move with care, Firebeard; you are far from full health."
"Did we find th' moss we come fer? I'm not keen on wastin' time with Shalyna's death 'n all."