When Jacinth reports back the split in the trail, she asks Oren to pass on a question for Jacinth. "Does it look like the southeastern trail heads toward the clearing with the statue? If so, then the southwestern trail probably leads towards the shipwreck and the coves."
Then she pauses and asks the group, "Which way do we want to go first? As little as I want to be anywhere near that statue... I think we're going to have face it eventually if we're going to find the kids that we need to rescue."
"Are there any tracks?" - Reknar questions.
After looking over the tracks that mark the trail the mercenary is confident the hiwanis not only made the tracks, they are the ones who created these trails to begin with.
Oren repeats Nef's questions concerning the direction in a whisper to Jacinth. He hadn't been present for the flyover, so he wasn't 100% sure what topics Nef was asking about, therefore he tried to use her exact language.
"Keep your eyes open, Jacinth," he whispers.
Jacinth studies the tracks closely and while she is not able to determine how recent the tracks are she notes signs of passage within the hour not only by the hiwanis but also the indigenous animals and birds who also live here.
As the party pauses here, the uneasy feeling of foreboding seems to grow stronger but you are not molested...yet.
"The statue it is" - he nods, surveying the overgrowth around them.
Oren agrees with Reknar. After he informs the group about Jacinth's discoveries, he relays how he and Reknar feel. "We are going to have to figure out that statue at some point, might as well get to it first," he whispers to the scout.
The menehune keeps his hands at his sides, having removed his boots and tied them together onto his mended pack, he proceeds with the group barefoot. Used to traversing the hidden paths of the jungle, he eagerly keeps an eye out for trails traveled by local game.
Nef nods to group consensus. She doesn't say much, but she tries to keep her eyes and ears open as they walk.
She's neither a trained tracker, nor a naturalist, but she trusts the skills of her teammates to lead her through. "Since we're heading towards the statue... does anyone know what sort of weaknesses a demon like that might have?"
Know. Planes
Oren considers Nef's question about the god displayed by the statue.
Presuming this is a standard demon being faced by you, it shares these traits: Complete immunity to electricity and poison, while resistant to acid, cold, and fire. They also can summon others of their kind, typically another of their type or a small number of less powerful demons. They can communicate by telepathy, but demons also speak Abyssal, Celestial, and Draconic. A demon's natural weapons, as well as any weapon it wields, is particularly deadly against creatures from a lawful or good plane.
Oren fills the others in on what he recalled about demons, in general. "If you sense something strange, Jacinth, don't waste any time, run back to us if you have to. None of us want to face this creature without the others," he whispers to the Captain.
success
.
.
Perception
Success, no surprise.
.
Initiative
.
As you all proceed down the narrow winding trail, it seems the bright sunlight grows more dim the closer you get to where the statue is located. As the path starts turning to the south, you the ever-present sounds of the jungle fall silent and also hear some rustling from behind you. As you strain to pick up the source of the noises, Aikane is able to spot several hiwanis trailing the party about 60 feet behind you. As the menehune looks closer, he sees there are a total of four of the savages who let out a howl as they finally catch sight of you!
Oren casts Haste on the group, hoping they can deal with the savages quickly and decisively.
"Hawanis again!" Nef looks at the group's problematic positioning. Rata isn't frontline, and neither is Oren. Or me for that matter. But they have no room to retreat...
"Rata, Oren, retreat back 5 feet so Reknar can run forward to take point with his bardiche! Wedjat and I will take to the air and make room for you! Lani, want to fly and position yourself to bomb them from on high?"
Nef casts fly on Ke'ahilani, then leaps to do a fast mount on Wedjat. Guiding Wedjat with her knees, she flies Wedjat 70 feet to a position 10 feet above Hawani B's head in preparation for a charge next turn. This will give Lani space to position as well.
She checks to see if she can spot any more Hawanis coming up behind these four.
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"What? Whoa!" Exclaimed Ke'ahilani as he rose into the air, slowly somersaulting.
Steadying himself, he threw a thumbs up at Nef.
"Sweet! I didn't know you could do that!" He shouted with admiration.
He rose up to the base of the forest canopy and looked over the battlefield.
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After finishing his spell, Oren listens to the cleric and takes a 5' step back, to let the better suited group members onsite on past him.
Oren reacts quickly to the impending threat using his magic to speep up his companions actions. Nefertiti takes advantage of his magic, maneuvering Wedjat into position above the hiwanis. Even while Jacinth hurries to assist her companions, Rata Fenn looses a knife at the lead hiwani...
;
which unfortunately is deflected from striking the feral beast by a stray branch which deflects the blade sending it spinning wildly into the trees. Muttering a vile curse under his breath, he steps back and closer to the mage.
Aikane sighs in disappointment as the group's escape has been cut off. Turning to give Jacinth a long look promising words for her later, he draws his weapons and vanishes into the underbrush.
2 NL
2 NL
1 NL
2 NL
The Hiwanis each yell bloodcurdling screams and charge towards the party staying along the trail so as not to be slowed down by the jungle undergrowth. The lead one reaches the last party member Rata Fenn and takes a swipe at the sailor, who frantically attempts to parry the attack.
But unfortunately he misjudges the angle of the claw which is compounded by stumbling slightly, thus opening himself up to it and receives a deep gash on his arm for his troubles.
"Cmon lads, what the hell are you doing? Get behind me!" - Reknar barks, moving forward through the underbrush to attack as best as he can.
Reknar's long-handled blade slashes nearly clean through the lead hiwani's clavicle bone, leaving the creature barely standing upright, blood spurting from the grevious wound.
Oren casts Magic Missile on the wounded hiwanis, as arcane energy crackles from his fingertips and slams into the unfortunate monstrous humanoid.
Damage
Oren's missiles slam into the wounded hiwani and it collapses to the ground unmoving.
Wedjat listens in the background as Nef begins another bardic performance. She shouts encouraging words, giving everyone an additional +2 to hit and damage.
"Screeeee!"
Yeah, blah blah... Go team. Whatever. Can I kill things now?
Wedjat charges 60 feet, shreds Hiwani D, leaving nothing but miniscule scraps of hiwani flesh spattering the jungle floor. With his remaining movement, he flies the remaining 30 feet to I8 above Oren's head.
____________________________
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Jacinth leaves the path looking for a clear shot and sends an arrow into the next hiwani as it seems to have forgotten how to take cover judging from its raging movement. Meanwhile Wedjat once again displays his hunting prowess as he eviscerates the trailing hiwani, not leaving enough for even an improper burial.
Round 2_____
Carefully maneuvering just under the canopy, Ke'ahilani flew over the first two ranks of the enemy. Popping a catalyst into a bomb, he shook it vigorously once, then let it drop.
"Bomb's away..." He whispered with a grin.
for fire damage dead center, 6 points fire damage to all hexes adjacent.
The Tulitan alchemist floats above the chaotic battle below and adds to the mayhem with a carefully-placed fiery cocktail which impacts the lead hiwani setting its skin briefly afire before being extinguished. The hiwani behind it flinches as a wave of flaming liquid splashes over it.
Aikane moves west stealthily
As Aikane stealthily moves around the hiwanis, Rata Fenn swiftly draws another dagger and motions for the portly Tulitan wizard back. "For the love of all that is holy..." He shouts. Stepping forward hoping to kill the severely wounded hiwani before it can attack, he lunges forward, catching the hiwani with his blade just below the creatures neck. With a gurgling croak the hiwani slumps to the ground gasping its last breath.
The lone remaining Hiwani steps forward and attacks the sailor, claws flashing in the dim sunlight. This time Rata Fenn is ready for the clumsy attack as he expertly parries the claw and ripostes according to the purest of form, pivoting upwards on the balls of his feet and driving the point of his dagger into the throat and brain of the final hiwani. As it collapses to the ground the sounds of combat fade, to be replaced by an eerie quiet.
Success!
;
'Damn, you sure drive those daggers home. Well done' - Reknar compliments Rata, motioning Oren to step into the protection of himself and the the sailor - 'Stay between me and Rata Oren - if there are more of them, that is the spot to take' - he nods at the wizard.
After the party recovers its order and any looting and/or healing is completed, Ke' will float on down the trail.
Oren swaps with Reknar. "They got us all out of sorts, there. But you are right, we have to be awares. These monsters must be all over the island."
"Excellent work, Rata!"
Nef drops the bardic performance. Pulling out the Cure Light Wounds wand, she gives Rata a few hits with it. Using the wand right now and preserving the potions for times when she and Lani can't get trigger the wand makes sense.
"Let's keep our eyes out for Rata's dagger, or anything else that might be lurking..."
Wedjat is too busy shaking the spatters of hiwani off his claws to pay much attention, but adrenaline from the encounter has made Nef's nerves sharp.
"Lani, do you want to fly with me and Wedjat, or stay grounded?"
Rata Fenn gratefully accepts the healing provided by the priestess. "Thankee much, Nef. While that was but a scratch, I be worried about it gettin' infected." He then moves off the trail searching the underbrush until he reclaims his dagger. "Ach. Gotta be more careful 'ere. Don't wanna lose it..." Returning to the others, he moves close to Jacinth. "I don't like this....at all. It be too quiet."
"Ah, well, no offence Nef, but I'd rather have both feet, so to speak, on the ground whenever possible. Flying around with you and Wedjat, scares the crap out of me." He said, shaking his head.
Nef grins. "We can't have that, 'Lani. You'll need all your crap so you can give it to our enemies."
Nef takes off on Wedjat, flying beneath the canopy, taking overwatch position over her friends.
Oren makes sure is isn't by himself at the end of the group. "The way those creatures snuck up on us so easily, I'd better stay closer to the middle. I'm not the best at noticing sneaky types!"
"Where is Aikane?" - Reknar asks the others - "Scouting about?"
Direction?
As you all head down the trail towards where you believe the stone statue is located, your sense of unease only grows as the hairs on the back of your head stand up. Most of the normal jungle sounds you have heard before have gone completely silent and your instincts tell you something is hunting you...
vs DC 32, fail
vs AC 21, hit.
vs CMD 16, success; grappled.
As you proceed down the trail cautiously, Aikane who had been trailing the others suddenly feels the hairs on the back of his head stand straight up as his instincts scream...AMBUSH!! But it is too late, as off to the side he feels something grab him and then gets yanked off the trail deeper into the underbrush!
Reknar, who is closest, sees only a mass of tangled vines where the menehune is trapped in yet the jungle now reeks of rot and freshly turned earth.