Rybal positions himself centrally, trying to draw the attention of the vines before swinging his weapon at one, his blade gleaming cold despite the fire of their surroundings.
Malthu, let's chop down a few more vines! I can stand the heat if you can.
The warlock stands to one side and toasts the vine with burning hands.
5d4 Save DC15 for half (I really really need to get that stat increased)
If the orb wasn't the precious object, prehaps it was the pedistal itself?
In the few seconds that he has he will touch the pedistal, hoping to get some sort of connection that Snow mentioned.
Variel identifies the creature as a monstrous vine, a large relatively immobile creature that wraps itself onto walls or pillars. The seeds are the only mobile part of the creature, they move like small bugs trying to find an ideal place to grow. It often plants itself near something valuable to other creatures such as other plants that feed bigger animals or possibly in a dragon's lair around gold, attacking humanoids that would want to take the gold.
Its tendrils while thin are strong, its main tactics involve constricting its would-be victims then absorb it through small pores on the rest of its viny body.
Rikaku fires off a few more missiles at the creature.
The two half orcs fight side by side slicing bits of the vines off and Variel burns off bits of the creature with magical fire.
Two of the vines dart out and attack Rybal, one of which misses. The other two attack Malthu and both hit.
Despite only one of the vines grabbing hold of Rybal it manages to grasp him, while malthu shakes off the other two vines.
After thinking about the reaction Tama just had he realises that he does have at least the magical part of the special thing that Tama cherishes. Tama previously did not notice the lava or the heat outside his little bubble, presumably an illusion. Though when Drak took the orb suddenly Tama realised where he was and dashed outside to save his garden.
Outside Drak hears spells being cast as well as Tama shouts. "Where are my neighbours?! Did they float off into the ether? Where is the rest of the land." He wails out.
Well, it's time to go. Lets hope I didn't make too much of a mess of things.
Drak will run to the cliff edge then digging inside himself for energy to enchance his jump - he makes a leap to get to the shore line of the lava.
This is going to hurt a little
Drak lands near the edge of the lava prone in a mostly controlled roll, breathing a little heavilly, but hopefully not being chased by an enraged lizardman.
I don't think I can do that..., says Variel in wonder.
Malthu's attacks with his main hand cut through the vines however they don't relinquish their grasp from Rybal that easily.
Drak makes it to the cliff unhindered but he can hear Tama getting wilder, he thinks Tama's teeth were gnashing the last he heard. No doubt that'll be a bad thing. He lands relatively safely taking a bit of damage from the fall.
Rybal presses the attack, cursing the persistent vine.
Rybal slashes at the vines again cutting them up some more, they have not relinquished the hold. The group hears a roar coming from above them, and the sound of something large coming their way. Snow shouts from across the lava "Guys hurry up if you got things to do still!" she says in a panicked tone.
The vine holding rybal constricts him trying to squeeze the life out of him.
The other 3 vines try to subdue the other half orc.
Only one manages to and it again tries to grasp a hold of Malthu.
Though yet again Malthu eludes their grasp.
Rybal tries to throw off the vine's grip.
Drak stands and circles the lake of lava a bit. Searching for the shortest path so he can make another walk across.
Is it too much to hope that Tama is stuck on top of the cliff and will calm down eventually? No? *sigh*
Variel panic somewhat - his offensive magic is either insufficient to fighting plants or dramatically over powered for it.
He pulls one of his alchemist fires and tosses it into the thickest cluster of vines.
Alchemist fire damage
Rybal manages to free himself from the grasp of the vines as his enlarge person effect takes hold.
Malthu finds it hard to begin climbing, slipping on the first few grasps he makes at the rock.
Variel throws a burst of alchemist fire. The vines take minimal damage from it but for some reason they recoil and pull away from the group momentarily.
The heat is slowly starting to rise, or at least the group is starting to feel very worn from the lava.
Drak will run over the lava to the pair of half-orcs.
So, you guys. You might want to hurry. If you are wondering how I made it down the cliff so fast, well I jumped. If that should tell you anything.
Rybal growls, frustrated by the vines as perspiration beads on his bald, scarred head.
He's right, Drak. We have the vine's attention--can you reach the cure?
[b]Yeah![b]
Probably
Drak moves at full speed dodging what he can to reach the plant. Tapping into his power again that he just used to jump off a cliff which is just on the verge of fading.
Round 2 alchem fire burn
Variel, seeing the response, throws another - his last - alchemist fire.
Malthu and Rybal fend off the vines some more while guarding Variel as he throws his final alchemist's fire. The creature stays recoiling after it is hit again by the flames.
Drak in the commotion runs up the cliff and runs along the plants until he finds himself at the vines. He thinks he can quickly grab the plant and run for it. With the plant still reeling he can do this with relative ease.
As he does so the group notices that Snow has resumed full dragon form and is doing some repeated wing beats trying to keep something at bay a the top of island. The magically inclined also notices she is attempting to cast calm emotions.
With plant and orb safe in hand Drak returns down to the group where they all begin to make haste across the makeshift bridge. The heat slowly licking at their feet as they run across. The group finds themselves back on the safe side of the lava as the bridge collapses beneath the lava. The group can now see a semi-formed mistfiend on top of the island that Snow is trying to stop from transforming.
The group then hears a slow clap from someone nearby. Out from nearby one of the dilapidated houses walks out a familiar face. One of dubious nature, the half-elf half-orc Elrohir. He approaches the group with open arms. Diaz has drawn out his claw weapons from his bracers already unsure what to make of the man. As Elrohir draws near he says to the group "Ah thank you again for doing a lot of the dirty work, I'll be taking that orb now if you please. You may keep that paltry plant I have no want for it." He holds out his hand expectantly.
Diaz whispers to the group I didn't notice him around here before.. invisibility perhaps? I don't know. Teleportation?"
Tell you what, why don't you run across the lava a couple times, and long jump off a 40' tall cliff where if you miss you die. Cause let me tell you, that's exhausting. Drak responds with a smirk, a part of him hoping that this doesn't devolve into a fight. His energy running dangerously low from the stunts preformed.
You must think me mad, I much prefer the safer option of someone else doing the work He replies to Drak, he still holds out his hand as if you will acquiesce to his demands.
Ah humility? Does that make you successful or rich? Nay, those on top have none. Why should I? Elrohir smiles as Malthu
I am afraid not - either for the manners or the Orb, says Variel.
I'd shuffle on elsewhere for easier targets to exploit if I were you.
Elrohir shrugs "It was easy enough to follow you, after all it seems you don't look a gift horse in the mouth much do you? Though look I want to defeat the Man in White just the same as you.. but I don't want to share the money here. It would set me up for life, it would do the same for you wouldn't it but only one of us will get the reward no?"
Elrohir retracts his arm and begins pacing around the group. "Though I fear you are being difficult, taking it with force here would be too much effort. Though I could just follow you again but this time, not have the courtesy of telling you I am present. Do you really want to do this the hard way?" He asks as a final question.
Rybal smiles a tusked grin at the final question.
I'll always choose the hard way, he says, leveling his blade at Elrohir's chest.
Let's settle this now, with steel. Oh, one thing--that dragon up there is with us. Ready?
Drak smiles, his hands not going to his weapons yet and instead patting the orb that is tucked away. We already did it the hard way.... Might as well continue with it. It seems to me that it is you who are looking for the easy way.
And with that Variel makes some mental calculations, picturing this... Creature (what else could that abomination of elf an Orc be?), putting him on one edge of an area and the group outside it... And fireballs him, and any that may be lurking invisibly behind him.
Fireball DC17
Elrohir takes the full brunt of the fireball thrown by Variel. He quickly draws his weapon, you see it light up with a blue hue and several runes at its base. He blasts infront of the group not trying to hit any of them but a wall of large scales 60ft across appears in front of the group. They can hear the wounded Elrohir making a break for it.
Party
5ft: Wall
10ft-25ft: Empty
30ft: Elrohir
Variel isn't able to discern the exact spell but by the looks of things it wasn't Elrohir that cast the spell directly. It was only enabled due to his blade.
The scale seems sturdy but it doesn't look unbreakable. Maybe a little tougher than wood. It appears to be something to slow you down and not a downright impedement.
Drak sighs.
He might be able to catch up with Elrohir, but it would likely use the last of his reserves, his heavilly armored friends wouldn't be able to keep up and Drak doesn't want to be caught alone as tired as he is.
Variel, if you can do something to stop him now would be the time, else I think it would be best to let him go. We still have the orb and victory is ours this day.
Drak will get to the edge of the wall and around it, just in case Variel can stop the freaky half orc.