The Once & Future KingMaker

Game Master Aest

Perception auto success
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"No, Seraph. It is best if we approach together, if we are given permission to approach that is."

Asta spots the Dryad Tiresia weeping by the pond’s edge and if they can approach.

Looking up Tiresia, wipes away the tears at her eyes, answers in Sylvan”Yes, in friendship you may approach. switching to common, ”I am Tiresia. I surmise you are from the new settlement Greenhart to the east. I’ve heard whispers from other fey and forest creatures about you.” Standing up she waves her hand bidding you entry, ”Be welcome in peace for what time I have left.”

Thomas remains quite at Asta’s side.

Seraph having noticed the cruel cuts on some trees in the forest points it out the others and calls for alertness. She didn’t notice any such cuts near the dryads’ grove, making her think whatever is the cause hasn't made it this far yet. At the grove she dismounts taking up a defensive position directing others to do the same.

Sunset also spots the cruel cuts on some trees along their travel.

Torod spots the dryad and disagrees with Seraph’s about taking defensive positions without permission.

Tiresia looks over the group, nods at Perlavish then ask in common of the group ”By what hand of fate brings you to my humble grove like a ray of sunlight before the darkness of night sets in.” She seems troubled and sad, but nonetheless welcomes you. It is early noon so you assume she is speaking metaphorically.

”Time you have left? Are you ill?” Thomas asks quizzically.

"We came to forge bonds of friendship and alliance, and perhaps secure your help in making reparations to the area surrounding Melianse's pool," Asta says. "For we would dearly like to forge peace with our Fey neighbours.
But it does not take an eagle's keen sight to perceive something vexes you and has harmed your lands. Please tell us, what has befallen you?"

At the Fey lass' words Sunset moves closer. Though talking more to Lady Asta, Sunset's words are for the fair Tiresia.

"Aye, as good Thomas says, whut be yer troubles Luv?" Sunset asks even as she tries to remember what she can about fey such as Tiresia.

Knowledge..? :1d20 ⇒ 19

"Pssst! Here Perlavish! Whut's tha' go with yon lass troubles?" Sunset asks of the fairy Dragon.

Diplomacy:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

She continues to look around the glade...

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Thomas inquires if Tiresia is ill. She shakes her head, ”Nay, it is not I who is ill, but a evil in the forest that will consume me.”

Asta informs Tiresia that they are interested in forming friendship and alliance and help to restore Melianse’s, but that they can see that something is amiss here.

Sunset agrees asking what troubles her.

Perlavish shrugs his tail in a confused manner ::Don’t know::

Tiresia nods, ”Friendship and alliance is sorely needed, I see you are here on behalf of Melianse and perhaps you can aid me and my forest as well. There is an evil creature that recently took up residence in this forest to the south where it wreaks damage. Once the scythe tree has depleted the surrounding area of prey, it will certainly come for my grove to kill my tree and then devour me. Some call them evil treants, but they are not related though it is a plant. If you could slay this Scythe tree I would be in your debit.” She looks at Torod ”Scythe trees particularly delight in consuming the flesh of elfs and dryads.”

"Where did it come from? Who sent it?" Asta asks.

"Suit yourself." Was her response to Torod, she still did as she suggested. She'd not set them up for being ambushed like amateurs. Waiting quietly for Asta to finish speaking with Tiresia.

Sunset listens to Master Perlavish though her hat, upon which he sits and she wears, hides Sunset's expression at the little Dragon's revelations...

She doesn't move from her position which she's taken up at the edge of the glade, listneing intently to the Dryad's mournful tale. At mention of a tree wanting to eat Elves and such Sunset's frown deepens and she sighs.

"An Elf eatin' tree huh? Yah, tha' gods got them selfs a weird sense a humour..." She shrugs, "Or else Wizards rilly dun't have much better things ta' be doin'..." She looks to her comrades to see who's going to say what.

Sunset? Yah, she's all ready ta' go 'Prune' her self some sword tree....

”Well,” Thomas says with a smile, ”something like that just can’t be allowed to stick around. Wouldn’t you agree, your Majesty?”

Seraph shoulders her large sword as the tale winds down. "Too bad this isn't an axe..." However as the others knew Seraph was always ready to lend a hand in a fight.

"We'll find it and we'll rid the world of it. We want the forest to be safe and we want you to be safe. On this you have my word."

Sunset nods agreement with Torod's words.

Asta wonders where the Scythe tree came from. Tiresia shrugs ”From the west, probably after depleted it’s previous range.”

Seraph response to Torod lack of perceived caution.

Guarding the edge of the glade, Sunset muses about the origin of the Scythe tree weather it be gods or wizards.

Thomas proposes that the evil tree can’t be allowed to stay.

Seraph thinks an axe would would server better for this task.

Torod seconds Thomas’s proposal to rid the forest and the world of the Scythe tree. Followed by Sunset’s agreement.

The look of hope blooms across Tiresia’s face, ”Do not underestimate the Scythe tree. It is a dangerous creature.” signaling to the forest edge, a male satyr emerges from hiding. The dryad continues, ”My friend Falchos and I tried to drive it away, but it repulsed our attempts and last time Falchos suffered grievous wounds.”

You see the still healing scars of wounds on the Satyr’s body as he walks with a limp to join Tiresia, ”Aye, the Scythe is deadly. I don’t want to leave Tiresia grove unguarded, but if you need can guide you there.”

They do give you detailed directions to the blighted hollow where they believe the Scythe tree lairs.

Perlavish flies over and lands on a branch of the large oak, ”I’ll stay with Tiresia”

”Well, if you are coming with us, we can’t have you doing so quite that injured,” Thomas says before he dismounts and moves to the satyr’s side. He takes his glove off and places it on the satyr’s shoulder and closes his eyes as he says a quick word of prayer to Ragathiel. Warm healing energy flows into the satyr’s wounds.

CSW: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (4, 5, 4) + 5 = 18
Convert Invisibility Purge to CSW

Asta adds her own efforts to Thomas', wordlessly laying a hand on Falchos' shoulder; immediately, some of his cuts scab over, then the scabs fall off and reveal healthy skin.

Healing Hex for 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"Before we go, tell us all that you can about the way the thing fights. What are its strengths, what are its weaknesses? Try to remember everything you can, even the least detail that might be helpful."

Does Torod know anything about the Scythe Tree?

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Sunset gets Fluff and herself ready to move off in hunting the Scythe tree. To Seraph she says quitly,

"You all ready to go get some 'Horty-Culture'?" :)

Thomas and Asta both heal Falchos’ remining wounds and ask about what the tree can do. The satyr does a little happy dancing around being free of the painful injuries, ”Thank you. My friends. “

Falchos and Tiresia describe their encounter with the tree. ”We were looking to drive the Scythe tree off, so had tracked it to a blighted hollow several miles to the south. It lunged out of the forest without warning striking Falchos and missing me. Retreating, I caused the plants to entangle it and Falchos summed a wolverine to fight it. It broke free of the entangling plants and advanced towards us. I enchanted the wolverine’s bite, Falchos fired arrows and the wolverine charged the tree taking a brutal slash from a limb as it closed. The wolverine tore into the roots, but it just made the tree mad as it slashed at the wolverine critically wounding it before finishing it off with another Scythe limb. I tried to entangle it again as Falchos fired more arrows to no avail they just bounced off. It lunged at Falchos again wounding him severely and then chased me. I led it away before striding from tree to tree to get back to Falchos and healed him enough for us to get away.”

Torod tries to recall what he knows of Scythe trees

Sunset preps her mount and herself for hunting the Scythe tree.

"If we're going to fight this thing, it sounds like we need to fight smart, not just with enthusiasm," Asta says. "Maybe we should rest one evening so we can prep spells best suited to the battle in the morning?"

Sunset purses her lips at Lady Atsa's suggestion, but she waits for others to offer their opinions before casting her hat into the ring.

Aye, some time ta' get t' know yon lass, laddy an' Perlavish wouldn't go astray. Asides, it's a tree.... How fast can it go...? :P

"I could find a good spot to camp close by."
Torod will share the information he knows with the group once they're settled in for the night. Feel free to read the spoiler.

"I'm ready to prune an overgrown bush with pleasure Sunset." Seraph smiles at the exchange of gardening humor until Asta speaks and she nods at the suggestion. "We've used considerable healing on Falchos and we do need a repeat of the Mud Bowl..." She gives Sunset and Asta a look as she frowns for a moment, it wasn't a moment she enjoyed remembering.

When they move out she takes her usual spot at the rear of the formation, guarding the group's backs as Torod leads the way. That night tries to talk with Falchos and created new bonds among the Light Fey. She shares stories and hopeful plans for the future in the Greenbelt, letting slip of her want to build 'strong relations with good folk' to benefit all human and non-human alike.

Diplomac - Improve Attitudes: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

There is no problem finding a camp spot near or within Tiresia Glade. The night passes without incident.

The next morning Falchos says his goodbyes to Tiresia and leads your group south towards the blighted hollow area.

Please make perception checks and/or survival checks to search for the scythe tree and determ how long it takes to find it. let me know of any preparations you take. Also, place your icons on the map is the relative position of your searching.

I moved my tokens but they are 'beneath' the map.
Torod and Strawberry work together to locate the tree.

Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
Strawberry Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Survival 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
Strawberry Survival 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Recommendation: all who can prep spells and have access to both fire and defensive spells, LOAD UP. I can't use fire, but I'll hang back and conjure up extraplanar support.

Alias updated with current spell memorization, plus spells Thomas casts on himself once we’ve moved a good way into the blighted area.

Ok, map is fixed. I rolled in the discussion tab that your group is coming from the south. Feel free to adjust your token position . Currently Torod & Strawberry are scouting far ahead, You can adjust that too. Long term prep spells only you have several clearing to search.

Torod and Strawberry are scouting ahead following having followed some odd track for the last hour through several sections of wooded and clear area, You enter the latest clearing from the south, but still haven’t spotted the Scythe tree.

The hour old tracks Torod have been following seem to lead into the trees to the northwest of the clearing.

please make final adjustments to your tokens, as you move into the the clearing and discribe what you are doing.

Thomas ties his horse and follows Torod about fifteen feet behind. His sword and shield readied for whatever this tree may be, his spells readied, as are his will.

"Thomas, Seraph," Asta calls in a soft tone of voice. "Come close to me before battle begins; I'll add a Witch's blessing to your melee weapons."

Apart from this, Asta sticks to the middle of the group. She casts a defensive spell as soon as the team enters the blighted area.

Mage armour, activate! Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Sunset sets Fluff to a tree with the usual leads/reigns. Quickly attatching a feed bag to keep the large predator 'amused' while the party moves off to deal the the plant monster.

Hefting her glowing, blue weapon her eyes scan the foliage for anything out of place.

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"T-sk! Can't see tha' bugger fer tha' trees...."

Meanwhile, Croft is flying high overhead, trying to distinguish the foliage of the scythe tree from the surrounding plantlife, or at least spot its tracks.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Feeling that combat is imminent, Torod and Strawberry return to the group. They share the vanguard with Seraph. He casts Barkskin on himself and Magic Fang on Strawberry for both her bite and claws. He also activates his Animal Focus to enhance his strength. Torod keep Wyandarch ready.
I presume that Thomas would also come back to the group but can't move his token.

Cast Shield of Faith on myself Duration 5 mins, +2 Deflection bonus.

Seraph does as bidden and as Asta casts her magic on others she prepares herself for combat by drawing on her faith. To shield her from what they might be facing soon. She felt prepared mentally as the soothing feeling of divine protection washed over her form.

As soon as the scythe tree shows itself, Asta casts Umbral weapon on Seraph's weapon. She will cast on Thomas' weapon the next round, provided he is within range.

Thomas remains by Asta’s side at her request.

Torod- Magic Fang only affects one natural attack per casting.

The sweet stench of decay hangs thick in this woodland clearing. Knotted branches of sickly trees line the perimeter, creating a thick canopy that blocks most of the sunlight and cloaks the hollow in shadow. Withered vegetation struggles to grow in ragged clumps among the multitude of bones strewn across the forest floor.

light is reduced to dim light due to the thick canopy overhead
dim light - a character can see somewhat. Creatures within this area have concealment (20% miss chance in combat) Those with darkvision can see to their limit normally. Those with Low-light vision can see as if daylight (no mischance)

Having been spooked by some noise in the forest some of you cast one or more spells and gather together.

You wait for a moment, then two

… and a few more

After nearly a minute of being ready you notice a glint of a gold coin hiding among in a ragged clump of sickly looking grass in the clearing.

I’ll also cast Light on my shield.

Torod- Magic Fang only affects one natural attack per casting.

Right. I marked off two castings.

Torod will move forward to inspect the coin with Strawberry behind and to the side keeping watch over him.
Perception 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31
Strawberry Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

"Be vewy, vewy qwiet. We is huntin' nasty trees...." Sunset mutters softly to herself as she edges forwards, eyes scanning for anything that looks sharper and pointy-er than normal amongst the foliage.

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

With several minutes of divine protection Seraph keeps track of her remaining time. Intent to refresh it the moment it passes. She keeps her large blade at the ready. Her eyes glow as she watched through the dim light. She used her ability to detect evil presence as well in the hope of pin pointing anything vile before they stumbled into it.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Using detect evil intermittently to see if she can find any evil auras.

"Note the gold. Is this plant smart enough to use bait? Is that clump of grass so weedy because the tree has fed on the soil here?"

Thomas cast light on his shield to shed more light on the clearing.

Torod move forward to inspect the coin. He sees the gold coin sitting among the grass and bones. He also sees more coins of sorted types scattered about the clearing. Two castings of magic fang, covers 1 bite and 1 claw 5 min duration

Sunset edges forward looking at the foliage about the blighted glade, feeling as if the trees are watching her. She also sees scattered coins hidden about the grass and bones.

Seraph remains with her blade ready as she uses her paladin evil detecting sense. She doesn't detect any evil in the clump of trees to the left or right of her.

Non-combat Elapse time 2 min

”Our wards are going to fall and leave us less capable of taking this thing on if we do not hurry. I suggest we spread out and find this thing quickly, then converge on it and destroy it.”

If no one objects, Thomas begins searching the trees to the northeast.

Sunset nods and moves a little part a-ways from the others.

"Here critter, critter, critter..." She calls softly as she looks for their enemy.

Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

You said gold among the grass and bones Torod continues to make himself bait and goes for the gold.

Seraph stays close to Asta, looking for anything else out of the ordinary. She wasn't about to let something befall her Witch Queen...

Perception - Are their any tracks?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Perception - Cuts on the trees?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Perception - Anything abnormal in the boughs?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Croft continues to circle overhead, searching for the scythe tree.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Asta does her best to look for the tree on the ground.

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16

Getting ancy, Thomas moves to search the northeast clump of trees.

Sunset moves out a little calling to the critter

Torod hangs with the gold coins and bones in the glade

Seraph guards Asta and continues look around seeing odd tracks that Torod had followed from the south, and looking at the trees seems to show most of them are blighted or damaged to some degree.

Croft continues to fly over head in the thick canopy, most of which is blocking his view.

Asta studies the trees near her, none of which look nice.

Swiftly a sharp limb come out of the northeast clump of trees aimed at Thomas. The limb hits the cleric cutting him deeply.

Inititive order: Bold may act

Falchos:
Torod:
Thomas: 15 damage
Asta:
Scythe Tree:
Seraph:
Sunset:

Falchos calls out a warning as he begins summing an ally of nature.

Torod, Thomas and Asta are up!