"It does appear there may be a building or something at the edge of the trees."
Dai nods to Gideon. "Sure, but stay safe and alert. Something feels eerie about the copse."
When Chumani speaks up Dai visibly straightens. "Hmm, that is more compelling. If it weren't for that I'd be arguing for leaving the trees be altogether. A structure, whole or ruined is definitely worth investigating, though whether that increases the risk of sanger only time will tell..."
Gideon nods and makes his way up towards the trees, moving slowly, carefully, staying low to lower the chance of being spotted. As he gets closer Gideon draws his dagger, preparing for the worst.
Getting closer, Gideon sees that there is indeed a mud brick and thatch hut between the trees leaning against the cliff face. It has a single doorway facing out away from the cliff face obscured by a thick, woven hanging. A flickering light is barely visible behind the covering and you hear someone moving about inside. The entire area is covered by a fine layer of grass, in stark contrast to the stony dirt of the rest of the mountains. The trees appear to be many different species and your gaze catches a few fruits hanging in their upper branches.
I wish I'd learned to climb, how have I never learned that...
Not willing to risk a solo attack against a completely unknown creature, Gideon returns the the party
"There is a hut down there, with someone in it. The trees are all different from each other, with fruits hanging in the upper branches. I did not search for more as alone I am not the greatest of warriors."
Perhaps some kind of Preserver magic? Or a trap. Hmm. It does seem strange to encounter a haven/oasis of this kind unplundered - which means the arcane flickerings may be part of some enchantment or some other kind of ward…"
" I'm willing to try diplomacy alone to see if the inhabitant is baleful or benign. Rennoc - have you any divinatory means to establish what we are seeing?'
If I can get closer I can obtain a better understanding of the magics that govern the location, as for divination the Cerulean Storm isn't the type of power to provide subtle magic. Ask me to burn a man to death or electrocute a mul and I can do that, ask me to create say an illusion and your screwed.
"Should you wish to attempt diplomacy I shall follow at a short distance, as one never knows how well meetings such as that may end."
Gideon now actually dons his armor, as fighting may ensue the next actions.
"How close do you think the rest of us can get without spooking who ever is inside? I would not want to stand here and watch the two of you killed. And to be honest, I'm not sure we should even bother who ever is there, I have a bad feeling about this."
It would be wise to send our best diplomat in first, I am afraid that if we are dealing with preservers that they may take offence at the sight of me... Even though my source of power is the Storm they may still take me as a defiler.
" I have a bit of a way with words, so I suppose I will talk. I am unsure how close you may get unnoticed, I snuck up with ease, but again, that is an area of expertise of mine"
Brushing off the dirt, trying to present himself as well, and waiting on the others to be ready to move in, then begins to walk towards the hut.
As you traverse the grass with an ample light source, you notice a couple perfectly circular patches, each several feet across that are completely dead. At your approach, there is movement inside the hut for a moment, then the flap opens and a middle aged human woman in frayed clothing and a brightly colored patchwork cloak emerges. She is holding a candle in one hand and an obsidian dagger in the other. ”Who is it? Who is there? Show yourself!” she demands. “Now what do you want? And no sudden moves or you’ll regret it.”
Not a preserver, a defiler...
"I am not a threat.I am traveling and sleeping in the open at night has taxed me so, do you perhaps know of a location I may rest that is less hostile than the wilds I have since endured. I see this forest seems shaded and calm, I was wondering if it were a safe location to stay a night, or perhaps there's another location or settlement nearby."
If you want if
Seeing as the group has decided to move forward with their plan, Dai follows. She stands close to Chumani, keeping a sharp lookout.
Chumani stands and waits with Dai ready to sprint toward the hut if needed.
Inertial Armor via Psionic Focus (already up)
Psionic Focus (already focused)
Manifest Call Weaponry - Large Maul 3d6+1 / +1 to hit due to Psionic Maneuver. - Duration 4 min / Cost 1 PP
Manifest Thicken Skin +1 Natural AC - Duration 30 min / Cost 1 PP
Manifest Biofeedback DR 2/- - Duration 3 min / Cost 1 PP
Manifest Offensive Precognition +1 attack - Duration 3 min / Cost 1 PP
4 Power Points spent
Attack: Maul +9 (2 BAB + 4 Str + 1 OP + 1 MK + 1 WF)
Damage: 3d6+7
Power Attack: Maul +8
Damage: 3d6+10
She eyes you suspiciously, her gaze lingering a moment at each of your shoulders. “Rest? This land is mine and you are trespassers. Leave at-” A thought seems to cross her mind mid sentence. “Although… maybe we can make a deal. Yes… An hour to the north of here there is a small valley marked by a pile of three stones. In the valley there is a special bush. You will know it when you see it. The berries of that bush have certain uses to those with the knowledge. Bring me a handful of the berries and I’ll tell you what I know and let you rest here for a while.”
She seems genuinely scared. Understandable given the obvious value of this land.
Something about what she is saying just doesn’t ring true to you.
You get the impression that she is overly confident, given the situation.
"Very well, I shall go."
At that Gideon turns and leaves, headed to the north as described. After making it out of sight of the hut, he waits on his compatriots to follow
Once the group is several hundred feet from the hut, Chumani shares his impressions and thoughts.
"It seemed that she was lying to us or at least not telling us the whole truth. Do we really want to run this errand for her or shall we continue on our way?"
"Yes... I agree, she may be past her best days but still I wonder, why can she not go herself for the berries if they are only an hour north. I am unsure whether it is worth the risk to help her. Shall we just continue on?
Dai watches the exchange between Gideon and the woman very carefully.
"I think she may be setting us up somehow - she's definitely very scared right now. This land is valuable - a treasure in and of itself, and she obviously thinks we mean to take it from her. "
Dai looks away in the direction the woman indicated before turning back to her companions.
"We should proceed carefully. I suggest capture her and interrogate her - find out what the deal is with the berries - for all we know the plant will knock us out and she'll eat us for supper... Thereis no way we should be prividing any kind of services for her - after all why has she not done it herself?..."
And by the evidence we saw that thing was clearly a defiler, did you see the circles of perfectly dead ground? All of them were the same radius and length, she is playing us and I suggest we play her. Let her believe that we are coming to get the berries and then we will spring a trap, shall I give you tactical advise on dealing with her in a fight?
Chumani grimaces at the mention of her being a defiler. "What do we gain by tricking and attacking her? Other than possibly getting killed? I'm not saying I wont do it, I just want to understand why."
This place is in of itself valuable and may contain useful items for us, we need everything we can get if we are going to survive the wastes and if that defiler has in her possession items that could assist in that goal we would do well to liberate them from her possession.
Chumani nods, "Ah well that makes sense, so what is your plan?"
Strike her from all sides, Gideon will come up first and keep her distracted, meanwhile the lot of us will in and surround her. Keep your distance from each other if possible, that will make it less likely that she can obliterate us all with one spell.
"That seems workable. I can lay enchantments on three of our weapons to make them more accurate and bite harder..."
"Shall I just keep her distracted with odd questions then, if that is the case I need a reason as to why I have returned so soon, and with no berries"
"Simple. We wait a while. Even perhaps go the distance to the plant, look, wait and return. She won't know you don't have the berries until we strike, that is if there even are any berries.."
"Reasonable, so an hour to get there, a short time to collect the "berries" and an hour to return. So two and one half hours we wait, then, we strike.
So are you all actually following her directions and going to the valley or just rounding a bend so you are out of sight and waiting a couple hours?
Safely out of sight, you find a comfortable spot between two large rocks to wait a couple hours. The wind plays tricks between the mountains to produce a haunting, erratic tune. You busy yourselves with crafts and other preparations in the meantime.
Once again, the woman exits the hut at your approach, candle and dagger in hand. “You’ve… returned.” Unease is clear on her face. “You have the berries then?” She asks incredulously. “Show them to me.”
"Yes,yes I have them, but first ....
Gideon proceeds to attempt change the conversation, avoiding the subject of the berries as the others prepare.
Inertial Armor via Psionic Focus (already up)
Psionic Focus (already focused)
Manifest Call Weaponry - Large Maul 3d6+1 / +1 to hit due to Psionic Maneuver. - Duration 4 min / Cost 1 PP
Manifest Thicken Skin +1 Natural AC - Duration 30 min / Cost 1 PP
Manifest Biofeedback DR 2/- - Duration 3 min / Cost 1 PP
Manifest Offensive Precognition +1 attack - Duration 3 min / Cost 1 PP
4 Power Points spent
Attack: Maul +9* (2 BAB + 4 Str + 1 OP + 1 MK + 1 WF)
Damage: 3d6+7*
Power Attack: Maul +8*
Damage: 3d6+10*
*These will go up by one if the Magic Weapon works.
Chumani will do his best to be at least 15' from the others, trying to circle in from the right of Gideon.
Rennoc
Scorching Ray converted to electric, attack, damage
Critical Confirmation
stealth
will stay away from all other party members by a distance of 15 feet
“I see…” she responds to Gideon’s deflections, clearly a bit confused. While the distraction is adept, the subsequent sneaking is less so and you are spotted. Her eyes go wide, “Murderers! Betrayers! Do not think I will be such easy prey.” A muffled cry comes from the hut in answer.
[EDIT - that should be +6, not +7]
Dai realises a quick resolution requires some judicious violence...
Surprise round:
[EDIT - Scratch that, actually looking at the map I need to move closer - so make this a move toward W]
1st Round:
Swift Action: Proetection judgment - +1 to AC
Move Action: Move again toward W
Standard Action:
Init
Chumani swears to himself after stepping on 3 or 4 small branches and giving himself away.
Realizing the surprise is done, he charges the woman hoping to make the fight quick.
Acting fast as the defiler is scared, Gideon charges the enemy, drawing his dagger as he runs towards her.
charge to J13
and assuming she is flat footed, not having acted yet
total damage of 12
AC is 14/12/10 until next turn
Eldritch ghostly vapors rise from the woman’s body to deaden some of Chumani’s blow, but quickly dissipate under his assault. The lightning sears her flesh. She teeters but does not fall. Daishata’s swing should have been the deathblow, but rebounds off of an invisible barrier similar to those she has seen Rennoc employ. She puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles, stumbling back into the hut. A moment later, the flap swings wide once more and a six legged creature composed entirely of bones and a wickedly large set of jaws bounds out and takes a vicious bite at Gideon. Right behind it, two badly burned humanoids follow with a slow awkward gait. All three have sickly glowing green eyes.
The bony creature is composed of the skeleton of a Lirr. Without flesh for vocal cords, the Lirr’s stunning roar is no longer usable, but it appears to still be capable of grabbing foes in its jaws and rearing up on its hind legs to rake with all four front claws.
The six legged creature is a skeleton. Bludgeoning weapons work best. Cold attacks are not recommended.
The two burned corpses are ordinary zombies. They are quite slow, but tough. Use slashing weapons for best effect.
Hoping to break the line Chumani swings his maul at the large creature made of bones.
Rennoc speaks a word of power and lets the ground erupt under the feet of his foes in a eruption of purple fire...
fire damage
As before, we can have the 'firefall' create light for its duration instead. The radius isn't bit enough to get both of the zombies, but you could get a zombie and a skeleton. On that note, between the hammer blow and the fire, the skeleton crumbles to ash and dust.