The Pressganged continue on after their lucky find. They find what looks like a well-trodden path, heading westward, and steadily rising a steep hill. It leads through a densely overgrown jungle canopy.
Eventually they find a well-built timber stockade that surrounds a small lodge in a clearing. Vines wrap and strangle a great tree that rises next to the lodge, blocking light from above. Beside it is a bubbling spring.
Treggor smiles and taps his sword on the ground, then points it toward the spring. "There be are water, gents. Tha gods be smilin' down on us this day."
Two slinking small, camouflaged, slinking forms sneak down from the trees. They approach the Pressganged silently from behind.
"...Tha gods be smilin' down on us this day."
And just as Treggor says this, the two creatures tear attack Grizzle and Mad Jack.
<--
<-- Hit!
Grizzle manages to pick out the tiniest of scuffling sound. He spins around and just barely manages to deflect a long hand coming in to strike him.
At the same time, however, Mad Jack is caught completely unaware. And a long arm wraps around his neck with the force of a wooden club to the face. He gasps briefly once before he is unable to take in any oxygen.
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Chokers: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
The Pressganged see 2, small hunched over things with long, pliable arms-like tentacles capped with 5 wide spiny claws. Their "skin" looks decidedly plant-like--perfect for hiding in trees.
One moment Jack was stooping down to slake his thirst, another suddenly there was a weight around his throat and a terrible pressure. He would have screamed if he had been able but all he could do was thrash around like a wild animal.
The odd tentacle hands around Jack's neck squeeze powerfully.
The other creature continues to attack grizzle, and this time manages to wra its "arms" around his neck.
; Hit!
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Chokers: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Vine Choker 1 AC 16 HP x/x
Vine Choker 2 AC 16 HP x/x
Grizzle gargles, foaming at the mouth. He pummels the creature's arm, attempting to break free in a frenzy of anger and beard. He breaks out, and falls to the ground, coughing, before drawing his scimitar.
<---
A magic arrow appears in Dieredon's as he moves to line up the chockers to fire the magic arrow through both.
Treggor leaps onto the creature strangling Mad Jack and throws his swords in a high arc above his head before plunging them down at the monster.
Grizzle roars and breaks out of the choker's grasp. Dieredon maneuvers around to line up a piercing shot that would magically hit both of the chokers. It hurts the one holding Mad Jack, but the other is able to avoid being hit completely. That's when Treggor strikes with a reckless barrage from his sword that finishes the injured creature off.
Shikyo darts forward and lashes out with blade and fist!
"Thankee!" croaked Jack! Saved by his shipmates, the way it was meant to be. Free to act he lunged at the remaining monster, his sword glinting in the sunlight, promising death or glory!
Shikyo slices the choker in the shoulder, and follows up with a beautiful uppercut. Mad Jack tries his own sword, but with the creature's flailing, his attack is deflected.
The choker slams his fists into Shikyo, but the ninja blocks the atack with his forearms.
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Chokers: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Vine Choker 2 AC 16 HP 1/16
Treggor plucks his swords from the monster's corpse and charges its companion, hurling himself blades first toward the creature.
Dieredon fires at the nearest choker.
Shikyo continues his assault
Treggor's blades are lightning fast, and slice two thin, neat lines across the back of side of the Choker's neck. Its entire head lolls to one side, held together by flaps of leathery skin. A gush of blood coats the barbaric rogue, as the choker dies.
The Pressganged turn their attention to the adjacent lodge.
The wooden door seems to be of good construction but is currently ajar. Inside is a single chamber, crowded with a large amount of furniture, including a comfortable bed, a small writing desk, cooking gear, and several barrels.
The stench of rot is overpowering and flies swarm within the room, particularly around the hooded corpse hanging from a chain off a beam in the middle of the room. A stool lies tipped-over on the floor nearby.
Treggor looked at his clothes with disgust. "Filthy land creature." He put away his swords and tries to wipe away some of the blood.
"That'n nearly had the best of ya." Treggor remarked to Mad Jack with a grin.
He drew out his swords again before entering the lodge. Upon seeing the hanging corpse, he circled around to see if its hands were bound.
"Aye." Jack croaked as he rubbed his chafed and swollen neck. As he did so a curious thing happened, the bruising vanished.
Feeling somewhat better Jack had a good look inside the stinking lodge, and nearly gagged on the putrid stench.
Dieredon points to the hooded corpse.
That's not one of ours, is it?
Mad Jack nearly swoons from the overwhelming stench. But Treggor is overcome with nausea.
Suddenly the hanged corpse stirs and reaches down for Treggor with its claws and rakes his face.
<--
; fail
Treggor feels the icy, cold grip of death, but cannot react--even to scream in agony.
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Corpse: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Dieredon fires at the awaked corpse.
Seeing Treggor paralyzed sent a chill through Jack's heart. Shouting "Calistria!" he surged forwards and plunged his gleaming sword up to the hilt into the undead abomination!
This is a ghast, a smarter and more dangerous form of a ghoul. They can paralyze the living and even potentially effect them with ghoul fever--which will slowly turn them into a ghoul.
Mad Jack nearly slices off the corpses leg with the power of the Sacred Sting behind him. In retaliation, the hanged man opens its mouth and a swarm of bot-flies streams out onto Jack. The insects immediately begin biting and stinging him.
; miss
Jack's eyes get a little watery from the smell, but he grits his teeth and powers through it.
The corpse meanwhile uses the two pirates next to him as stepping stools to pull itself out of the noose.
<--
It manages to escape the noose and hits the floor ready to kill.
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Corpse: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Swarm (shares initiative with Corpse)
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Ghast AC 13, HP 25/54
Swarm AC 12, HP 22/22
Shikyo leaps forward with a spinning kick and slash with his wakizashi
Shikyomaru's blade sinks in, wile the impact of his powerful kick makes the creature stumble for a moment.
Ghast AC 13, HP 5/54
Swarm AC 12, HP 22/22
Grizzle roars in fury and recklessly attacks the undead creature.
<--
And he sends the head of the creature flying away with a perfect chop. The headless corpse stands awkwardly for a moment, and then falls over.
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Corpse: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Swarm (shares initiative with Corpse)
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Swarm AC 12, HP 22/22
"Aiiieee gerrof!" spluttered Jack as the mass of insects crawled all over him, biting and scratching.
Jack raked his sword all over his body, trying to swipe the gruesome things off!
Treggor swatted at the things with the flat of his blades, "Hold still and keep yer jaw shut!" He commanded Mad Jack.
,
,
Swarm AC 12, HP 9/22
Dieredon fires at the swarm.
The swarm is nearly dispersed from all the waving around of weapons. Dieredon even fires an arrow through the swarm that comes alarmingly close to Mad Jack's head.
Still some of the bot flies continue to try and bite Mad Jack. But the champion of the Sacred Sting will not be taken down by lesser insects.
Treggor: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Dieredon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Mad Jack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17
Corpse: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Swarm (shares initiative with Corpse)
Shikyomaru: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Grizzle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Swarm AC 12, HP 5/22
<--
Grizzle waves his sword through the swarm, dispersing more of the deadly insects.
Swarm AC 12, HP 2/22
Jack can't help but yelp from the itching and stings of the swarm and the assortment of sharp objects swung in close proximity!
Shikyo assists in the swatting of flies
Shikyomaru takes a deep breath, focuses his energy and then brings his hands crashing together twice. His hands sound like twin thunderclaps. And with the force of the blows, the last of the flies suddenly fall down to the ground--most of them having simply imploded from the force.
Treggor slowly relaxed his blades, then sheathed one to take inventory of the damage to his face. His hand came away bloody and the flesh felt rough and jagged. "Well, it seems are hangin' man had the last laugh." He then looked around him, for the first time taking in the scene of the house in peace.
The Pressganged take a look around the lodge and find the following:
• suit of leather armor
• spears (x6)
• finely-tailored Chelish courtier's outfits (x8)
• silver ring engraved with a mermaid motif
• spice cabinet with 5 pounds of pepper
• silver tankard
• silver locket depicting a beautiful, buxom, young blonde woman
You notice a weathered spyglass fixed onto the stockade wall.
As the last insect died, Jack laughed manically, it was either that or cry and he wasn't the crying type. "T'were a close shave 'n' no mistake me hearties!" he cried, "Now, was dis ole' boy guardin' anyting?"
Nevermind the stench, Jack has a good look around, still laughing like a loon as he does so.
Treggor takes the ring and slips it on his finger. He eyes it with avarice when suddenly his gaze drifts beyond it. There, on the wall, he spots a genuine spyglass. He walks towards it and attempts to unmount it from the wall. "Now, if this ain't a beauty..."
Treggor realizes that the spyglass has been affixed to a particular position.
Treggor looks through the spyglass.
One of them is weaing a tricorne hat that Treggor knows belongs to Sandara Quinn--one of the missing crew from the Man's Promise.
•finely-tailored Chelish courtier's outfits (x8)
• silver ring engraved with a mermaid motif
• spice cabinet with 5 pounds of pepper
• silver tankard
• silver locket depicting a beautiful, buxom, young blonde woman
Shikyo looks over the items and indicates what he thinks might be worth the most, and the least.