The small village of Falcon’s Hollow is a wild place. Nestled in the shadow of Droskar’s Crag, the people of Falcon’s Hollow are hearty and stern. Theirs is a life of hardships, broken only occasionally by a handful of festivals and the infrequent merchant caravan. They face constant adversity from both the wilderness and the wiles of man. Wolves nip at their heels and cut purses ply at their pockets. It is a testament to their strength that they even manage to survive at all.
In the past week, numerous residents of Falcon’s Hollow have fallen ill, each suffering from the same hacking affliction. Local remedies prove as useless as prayers at the Church of Iomedae, goddess of valor, justice, and honor, and already at least one town elder has been claimed by the wheezing death.
Fortunately for Falcon’s Hollow, a canny local herbalist named Laurel has traced the source of the malady to Brookman’s well, a small spring on the edge of town, and a rare fungus called blackscour. By banning the use of the spring, the town constabulary hopes to prevent further infection, but such measures offer little respite to those already afflicted.
Dug is about his normal routine- dropping off small bundles of firewood to paying customers (and some who can't afford to pay, but see to it he always has a hot bowl of soup or crust of bread). He greets those he knows with a shy grin and quiet words, but avoids the harsh gazes of those who cannot see past his sallow flesh. It's a pretty normal day, until a frantic and disheveled gnome rushes by, crashing headlong into Dug and dropping most of the items he was carrying. Quickly apologizing in a soft mumble, Jonas quickly picks up his possessions which consist mostly of parchment, ink, quills, and a few completed drawings or ... scribbles that look like the night sky. Without making eye contact with anyone the gnome rushes off to the outskirts of town and into his small unkempt shack.
The gnome settles into his home and admires his walls filled (literally) with similar drawings and sketchings of the night sky, pondering where to hang his newest addition, when a tall figure approaches a small booth carrying stacks of leather and and hand carved branches of yew. He places the goods on the small counter space, and goes about setting up his shop when hears a crashing sound behind him. He turns to see Dug and the gnome disentangling themselves, and the scattered remnants of their collision strewn about the street. Layf heads over to the other two, keeping the hood of his cloak low over his face, trying to cover the violent scar that hides there. When he reaches the two the gnome goes bustling off papers and pens clutched in his arms. Layf bends down to help Dug gather his firewood, and sees a forgotten paper lying on the ground. Once the wood is gathered Layf quietly excuses himself and heads for the Jonas' home. Once there he knocks on the door proffering the forgotten drawing to whom ever may answer when sitting in a secluded spot working on some hide armor Edward sees Jonas run into his home in a frantic manner, when he notices a tall man following Jonas walk up to his house. He puts down the armor he is working on and slowly walks over to the door as the tall man knocks at the door. He then crosses his large arms while looking at the man, and waits for Jonas to answer the door. The deaf gnome doesn't react to the knocking at his front door. He continues about his business, completely absorbed in his scribbles.
Ham heads over to Roots and Remedies. He is taking some salves for easing weary muscles while checking rumors that Laurel is looking for some people to venture into the forest for some herbs. She is hoping that her new recipe will help with the sick in town. He shakes his head wearily when he notices the ruckus. 'All the sick people in this town and I have to contend with this?' He ducks his head into the shop.
Dug finishes gathering up his scattered belongings, and as he trudges by Layf (wih whom e has hunted before) casually mentions "djoo know, djonash don't hear so good."
Layf looks up as Dug walks by and says "Oh yeah, I always forget. Oh well, Edward will know what to do." Layf carefully slides the paper under the door. Business is slow, with everyone being sick so Layf heads to Laurel's to see if she is any closer to finding a cure.
The call goes out for anyone willing to venture into the Darkmoon Forest to gather the ingredients for a possible cure for the illness in Falcon's Hollow. You should gather at the Roots and shop and ask for Laurel.
'Laurel, I hear you may have a cure. If you tell me the herbs I should be able to locate them for you. If they exist too far into the forest I may need some protection and perhaps a guide. Are you organizing this expedition or do I need to find them on my own?'
Creeping ivy and full window boxes cover the facade of the rugged-looking, two-story shop bearing the faded sign “Roots and Remedies.” A line of twenty-some somber townsfolk—some with pale, wheezing children, others seeming to be precipitously near tears—stretches from the open door. Inside the hut the smell of burnt earth and spicy incense chokes the air of the cramped, mud-tracked shop. Bunches of dried herbs hang from the ceiling, along with dangling pots, presses, alchemical apparatuses, and glassware of more arcane purposes. Pouches of rare plants, jars of colored glass, and all manner of dried, preserved, and jellied animal parts fill high shelves and tables doing double duty as displays and work spaces. In the shop’s rear, a rail-thin woman with severe-looking spectacles and hair pulled back tightly busies herself between an over packed rack of herbs, a table covered in stray powders and measuring equipment, and a pot loudly bubbling over with thick gray froth. Over the din of her work and without looking up, the woman impatiently says, “What i need is some rare roots and concentrations, most of which I have here, but there’s three I don’t. Elderwood moss, which I’ve never heard of, but granny says the stuff only grows on the oldest tree in a forest. A specially pickled root called rat’s tail, again, sounds like hoojoo to me. And seven ironbloom mushrooms, stunty little things that only grow in dark places thick with metal, a favorite among dwarves, or so I hear.”
'Laurel, we will do what needs to be done. We have several trackers that are willing to help. Perhaps a couple more may be in order? Gentlemen, do you know any others?' says Ham
Dug swings by the shop after completing his deliveries. "I would be happy to sherve azsh a guide, if you will jusht exshplain the plantsh we sheek."
"Well Dug and me should be sufficient for most of the tracking, but I think having Edward along would be a pretty good idea. That means Jonas will pro . . ." Layf breaks off as the crowd around him begins to stir.
Jonas rushes through the crowd gathering outside Laurel's shop. He carries with him a backpack filled to the brim with various supplies as if he
is preparing for a long journey. The gnome nervously picks his way through the last few groups of people, being careful to not be too blatant about his avoidance of the wheezing humans. He stumbles, breathlessly, into the discussion occurring inside.
He holds up the paper Layf left under his door for everyone to see. He jabs at it intently with his short stubby finger and looks at everyone curiously for a few moments as they attempt in vain to comprehend his convoluted sketching of stars and mathematical formulas.
Slowly catching his breath he finally mumbles the words with a slight lisp. “See,… SEE!... you … need us. Id says so… wight there!” He pants again to catch his breath.
Jonas takes a quick drink from a flask tucked away in his pack, sits upon the ground and begins to study his drawing even further as if this is all quite normal to him.
Edward following Jonas' wild run slowly walks through the crowd giving many of the people gathered a somewhat wary look. Upon reaching where Jonas' is sitting he hands him a couple things that he dropped, "What's this about a remedy?
Dug thinks for a second about where he may have seen these ingredients
Friends, there is a witch out in the forest that may have the root we need. I'm not sure how friendly she will be to outsiders, but we should go see her. Maybe she will tell us how to find our own.
Laurel responds to Hamma, "The old witch Ulizmila? Yeah I bet she has some, she is a crafty, mean old thing that knows all sorts of strangeness. I don't know what she would want for it but I doubt it would come cheap. My grandmother traded her sight to the old crone for a few pages of what she knew, and that was years back, and I don't think a soul who has got any nicer as they grow older."
"I've never heard of any of those herbs, but I'll go with you to the witch's place. Probably wouldn't be bad to have a couple others along, the forest around here can be little unruly."
We who are going should gather our things and meet back here. Should we leave at first light or do we go immediately? says Ham
"I think we should gather our things and get started today. No sense in wasting half a day.", replies Layf
'Fair enough. Gentlemen, prepare your traveling gear.'
With nothing more than a curt nod, Layf heads out of the crowded shop. Once he gets to the street he picks up a brisk jog making for his small home and tannery on the outskirts of town.
After hearing your discussions about where to find everything, Laurel says, "You can go to the Eastern Logging camp and ask Milon Rhodam, if he doesn't know where those places are then no one will."
"Sounds Good" Edward helps Jonas get some of his things together and says into his face "We're going to the Eastern Logging Camp if you didn't catch that." Edward turns to the group, "Let's meet up on the road near Jonas' house and head out from there."
I will grab a couple things from my home and meet you there, says Ham
Dug pretty much carries all of his worldly goods, so he just trudges over to Jonas' and waits, napping in the cool air.
Layf puts on his worn leather armor, straps his father's old zweihander to his back, and fills his backpack full of rations and other survival gear. Once he has all his stuff packed he heads back into town. Layf drops his bag near Dug and asks "You ever been through forest near where the witch lives?"
Jonas carefully rolls up his drawing and places it into a scroll case. Nodding to Edward in agreement, he rises and secures his pack. When it seems everyone is ready, he begins to lead them to his hut to prepare for their journey.
You set out from Falcon's Hollow toward the east to the Lumber Camp a days journey away. The road leads through mostly clear terrain with random copses of trees and undergrowth scattered around. About half way to the camp Layf spots a set of deep, goat-like tracks.
Edward takes a look at the tracks a little closer.
Whatever made the tracks walked upright. they are pretty easy to follow but disappear for only about 50 feet.
Dug takes a good look at the tracks
Staring up at the sky, Jonas wanders aimlessly towards the group and bumps right into Dug and Layf as they study the tracks. He breaks his gaze away from the clouds and treetops for an instant to consider the tracks that are attracting so much attention.
Layf searches the area around where the tracks disappear to see if the trail resumes.
While he is searching Layf racks his brain trying to think of what left those tracks.
Layf knocks an arrow and proceeds down the trail senses straining to detect anything out of place.
"Perhaps we should ask about these tracks at the Lumber Camp?" suggests Edward
Jonas shrugs his shoulders, completely uninterested in the tracks.... and promptly begins to stare off into space again.
'Yes, we should proceed to the camp. May make more sense to them.', says Ham
Dug takes the lead and scans the trail ahead
After a few more hours you arrive at the Lumber Consortium camp. The camp cuts an ugly scar of stumps into a dense stand of proud darkwood trees. Five sturdy-looking log buildings-- seemingly a bunkhouse, meal hall, office, barn, and smithy—stand with numerous wide carts and sleds amid the sawdust-covered clearing. Several surly loggers saunter about the camp casting a weary eye your direction.
Layf:
"I'd like to have a look around the camp to see if there are any more of those tracks. We should probably check in with the foreman first, just to let him know we're here and what we're after. No sense poking around in someone else’s house uninvited.”
"I was thinking the same thing." says Ham
Jonas nervously looks about this new location. He eyes the loggers carefully to make sure they are not aggressive to him or the party.
Edward not particularly interested in interacting with the Loggers, takes a stance next to Jonas and gives Charcoal a treat, while surveying his surroundings
Dug heads over to the meal hall, to check up on the cook, who is a friend of his.
The loggers are not too interested in having a bunch of outsiders in their camp, and are not too friendly about answering questions.
Ham says, 'Someone talk with the foreman? I'm not good with all the interpersonal crap. People don't like me right away. Probably because they are idiots.'
Jonas catches the party discussion briefly, "WHAT?" he exclaims slightly louder than is appropriate.
Hammu mutters under breath and grabs Jonas' face so that he can see Hammu's mouth. Slowly for emphasis and to make sure he can read his lips, 'I said that someone with a little more tact should speak with the foreman. I am not good with people. GET THAT?'
Jonas pinches his nose and waves his hand in front of his face while still in Hammu's grasp. "Oh, ok. ...... stinky." He grins goofily.
Dug asks his friend where to find Milon, if he is around.
The cook says that Milon should be by the mess hall in the next little bit. He also suggests that maybe the rest of your group should not be so obviously misplaced that some lumberjacks start a fight or something.
"Yesh, I can shee where that could be a problem..."
"I'll wait outside with Charcoal, a mess hall isn't the best place for a bear.
"Waiting is always made better if there is food involved" Layf says as he heads toward the mess hall.
After about thirty minutes a man enters that can only be Milon. He gets a drink and sits at a table to let his day settle a bit before eating.
Hammu gets Jonas' attention, 'Jonas, that is the guy we need to talk to. I hear you are better with people than most of us. See if he knows anything.'
:
Jonas composes himself and wanders over to the table where Milon sits. He hops up in the seat opposite the foreman and clears his throat. Attempting to keep his voice a normal tone to not let on his disability he continues.
"H-hullo! Sowy to disturb you. We were sent to see you,... Miwon right? We are wooking for things, if you could assist us. Have you seen anything out of the ordinary lately? We noticed these tracks outside of the mill. Like a two legged goat? I dunno, I wasn't really paying attention."
Jonas looks about at the other lumberjacks nervously.
He rambles, "Ummmmm..... OH! And we are looking for a witch.... and... dwarves! Have you seen them? There was somfing else..... oh! The Oldest Tree! You guys know abou trees! Have you seen a really REALLY old one?!"
Hello , little man. Slow down. Why are you looking for those things. Don't worry about the other 'jacks as long as you are with me.
Tank you. We are wooking for ingwedients for a cure. We are going to save Fowcon's Howo!
What? There is a cure for the sickness? My brother lives there and has the sickness. I will draw you a map to get to the tree, the witch's house and the dwarven ruins. Please hurry and save my brother.
"Thank you Miwon! We will do our best!"
Jonas hops off the bench after thanking Milon and receiving the map. He promptly places the map in one of his scroll cases and returns to the party.
"Here you go! Where to next?" Jonas holds the scroll case out to whoever would like it. "I better not hold onto this, I might draw on it..."
'Alright. Let's get to it then.' says Ham
"Might I have a look at the map?" Layf says and then lays it out on the table, making room for Dug to look as well.
Which of the three locations is closest to the forester's camp?
Dug pores over the map, and compares it to his own knowledge of the forest.
"What do you know about this section of the forest Dug? If it isn't too rough an area I vote we travel an hour in that direction and camp for the night." asks Layf
"I know where the trhee issh, we can at leasht shtart there" replies Dug
'Should we leave now or stay the night?' ask ham
"I shink we should shtay the night here, if dhere are accomodashuns" replies Dug
'First light, then.'
Milon shows you to a few empty bunks in the corner of an under populated bunkhouse. The evening is uneventful save for some jeering by a few drunken lumberjacks. The next morning you prepare to leave and head out along the game trail toward the eldest tree.
After a bit of travel you see a forest shrouded lake come into view.
to edward:
"Hold up, I think I hear a wounded animal over here." says Edward
Not far from the edge of the forest-shrouded lake, a fox with large ears and bright orange fur lies bleeding, its hindquarters caught fully in the jaws of a crude iron trap.
Edward grumbles something about trappers under his breath, kneels down near the Fox, and carefully tries to remove the trap.
The pitiful fox puts up no resistance as you pry apart the trap. It looks at you and licks it's slashed hind quarter, as an arrow slams into Edward's side.
Two black crows swoop down and attack Edward also one of which strikes you on the back of the neck.
Hammu turns and scans the trees for the source of the arrows and sees a gray skinned hobgoblin with a prodigious cleft palate lurking in the treeline nearby.
The hobgoblin fires his bow on Dug hitting him . The crows turn and attack Edward again though again only one hits.
Layf moves to protect Hammu from the birds and fires his own arrow but misses wide.
Jonas slips into the treeline for cover and readies his sling.
Edward covers the fox with his body and spots the hobgoblin in the tree.
Charcoal charges one of the birds but it flutters around his attack harmlessly.
Dug also fires an arrow at one of the birds but misses.
Hammu yells, 'Hobgoblin is over there.' moves next to charcoal and cast gives the second crow the evil eye.
The hobgoblin, seeing a little gnome run into the open, fires and arrow but misses. One crow defends itself against charcoal hitting him with a claw . the other attacks Edward but misses.
Layf scans the area where Hammu is pointing. Seeing the Hobgoblin Layf takes a little more time to aim, and fires but misses.
Jonas seeing Dug take a sound hit from an arrow, rushes over towards the opposite treeline to offer assistance.
Edward stands over the fox and draws his club and shield.
Charcoal attacks the crow in front of him and connects with his claw.
Dug moves into the treeline and disappears.
Hammu yells, Is everyone alright?.' moves and gives the other crow the evil eye.
The hobgoblin fires again on the Gnome and arrow striking him. One crow defends itself against charcoal missing with a claw. The other again attacks Edward but misses.
Seeing his second arrow in a row fly wide Layf grits his teeth in frustration, and looses another arrow at the hobgoblin striking him in the chest.
Jonas continues to skitter across the clearing, oblivious to the arrows flying in his general direction. Seeing Dug wave him away, Jonas makes a dash to take cover behind the tree nearest the lake and waves for anyone to come near if they need healing. In the meantime, he begins to prepare his sling again, taking aim at one of the crows.
Edward grumbles and swings his club at the first razorcrow missing him.
Charcoal attacks the crow in front of him and again connects with his claw ending the crow's life.
Dug waves Jonas off, realizing that his good intentions will just give away Dugs position and moves closer the sniper to take a shot but gets fouled up in the branches and misses.
Hammu runs behind everyone near to the lake, but gets hit by the crow as he runs by
The hobgoblin fires in Layf missing him widely, then jumps from the tree and starts to flee. The remaining crow claws Edward then also flees.
Layf has to grudgingly admire the hobgoblin being able to stay up after taking an arrow to the chest. Admiration or not Layf trys to put a second arrow right next to the first, striking the hobgoblin as he runs away.
Jonas summons healing energies to mend his wounds and takes cover behind the tree.
Edward and Charcoal seeing the crow flee look around for new dangers.
Dug moves and hides.
Hammu runs to intercept the hobgoblin.
The hobgoblin continues to flee as does the remaining crow.
Jonas holds position, ready to tend to any wounded.
"Jonas, can you help this fox at all? I could try, but when it comes to dressing a wound I am all thumbs." asks Edward
Jonas moves to stand next to the fox and examine its wounds.
Jonas moves 40 feet, ending directly east and adjacent to the fox.
'Are we going after him?' Hammu yells.
"Nah, he is likely more useful to us running. He may leave a blood trail we can use to track him and he may lead us to more answers than just an ambush."
We all gather in the area that we found the fox. 'Everyone alright? Does only know how to track that thing if its blood loss isn't too bad?'
Dug limps over to Jonas "Think you can get dhish arrow out?" He then says to Hammu "We can track him, no problem, but do we want to keep preshing on to the tree?"
Jonas tries to follow the conversation, darting his eyes around quickly. He looks down at the fox and then at Dug. He attempts to remove the arrow as quickly and painlessly as possible. He then waves his hand over the wound attempting to heal it. After patching up Dug, he leans over to examine and tend to the fox. As he does so, he pipes up "What does fox taste wike? Anyone else hungwy?"
Edward smacks Jonas on the back of the head and tells him to his face, "Well, I had plans to train him to help you, you know with you're problem. He could get you when someone comes to call, or something suspicious is about. But if you don't care enough to take care of him proper, I'll just let him go." "As for your hunger, I can look about for something else that may wet your appetite." Edward tries to sooth the fox and see how responsive it may be to any training.
"Oh I was just kiddin fwiend!" Jonas smiles broadly. "So can I name him if we keep him?"
"Yes, of course" Edward says cheerfully, "If I can train him." "I hope you're not going to name him after a star or constellation." Edward winks.
"What's another word for snack? .... Ok, still kidding fwiend!"
Layf goes over near the group keeping his eyes on the tree line to make sure the hobgoblin doesn't decide to come back and finish the job. "I think we should follow the tracks a short distance, just to make sure the hobgoblin isn't going the same direction we are. If the tracks start heading in a different direction then the tree I think we should press on to the tree. We are, after all, a little pressed for time. People really need this medicine."
"Good point, it seems a shame to let him get away though." After Jonas mends the fox Edward picks him up, "Jonas, would you like to carry him or would you like me to. It may take a while for his wounds to heal. He seems to have taken to you a bit ;)."
As soon as everyone is ready to go Layf starts heading toward the Eldest tree skirting around the edge of the river. Keeping his eyes open for any signs of the strange tracks and any further hindrances.
'Ok, fine. I still think we will need to watch for further hobgoblin interaction.' adds Hammu.
As you head out toward the eldest tree the fox follows sheepishly behind Jonas, unsure whether to trust a humanoid or to run away.
A few hours before night fall you notice that the forest is absolutely quiet. As you senses go on alert you notice a dead tree streaked with multicolored blood. On the other side of the tree are three sprite-like creatures pinned to the trunk, their exsanguinated bodies turned to gnarled wood.
Jonas walks closer and closely examines the wooden corpses and blood.
'Great. These things were drained of their life force. If we stay here we'd better keep a good watch. Personally I'd like to move on a bit. says Hammu
"Guysh? I remember hearing a shtory about ushing fairy blood to tunr lead into gold. Not shure if that applish here or not. " syas Dug
'What do you think? Should we stay in this accursed site or travel on for a better location? asks Hammu
"We should rest here before approaching and investigating the tree further." Edward interrupts Jonas' star gazing to ask "Mind patching me up a bit?"
"Sure!" Jonas pulls himself away from the gruesome scene. He concentrates hard on summoning some healing energy, yet a frown crosses his wrinkled face. "I am sowwy my fwiend. I have no more energy today. I will need to rest faiwy soon. Are you alwight until the morning?"
"I'll be fine friend. I'll see if I can't patch myself up some. In the mean time perhaps we should find somewhere to camp a bit more hospitable?"
Alright, let's find a place to rest. Darkness will fall soon and I don't want to be unprotected in these parts.
'Alright, if there are no better ideas than I think we should travel a little further and camp for the night. Perhaps another hour or so,' repeats Hammu
Another hour of travel brings you upon a perfect camp area. The night passes uneventfully save for a sound that wakes you all from your sleep. The howl of a wolf and the whimpering of a child seemingly intertwined into one sound. The sound chills you to the spine as the sounds at once seem to come from the same throat. Dawn breaks on a new day in the woods and all looks normal again
Jonas however, sleeps quite soundly and is well rested... as he didn't hear a thing. In the morning he rises and prepares himself to join the party, checking briefly on the status of his new fox friend. He takes his normal position towards the rear of the group, ahead of Edward.
We head for the tree. 'Keep an eye out. Crying wolf children makes me a little nervous.' says Hammu
After a few hours of walking the dense trees and thick brush of the forest give way, parting seemingly in respect for the titanic darkwood tree that dominates this clearing. Several times taller than a temple minaret, in one direction the obviously ancient tree reaches into the sky with branches like a giant’s arms, while in the other it plumbs the earth with roots thicker than a man’s waist. Its limbs broad and strong, its bark thick and so richly colored as to almost be black, and its leaves the size of bucklers, the giant thing is less a tree and more a cathedral of boughs and branches. The clearing is roughly ovular, 180 feet from north to south and 110 feet from west to east. The elder darkwood has a trunk 30 feet in diameter, with low, easy to climb branches that extend 35 feet from the trunk in every direction.
'Alright, we need to find this moss.' says Hammu
After overcoming his Awe of the tree, Edward joins Hammu in searching for the moss.
You see three bodies hanging high up in the tree
"Wow that is a huge tree! I didn't give enough credence when she said 'Oldest tree in the forest', but now I can see what she means!" Layf starts searching for the moss as well, but keeps a wary eye toward the tree line.
Jonas walks right up to the tree, holds his ear up to it as if listening for something, then stares vacantly straight up into the air in awe of the trees height.
As the party starts looking for the moss, Jonas walks through the group as if on a mission. He walks up to the tree as a creature with the head of a dragon, the body of a large snake with a pair of clawed arms with comes charging down the tree with sickly green mist wafting from its open mouth. It leaps onto it's prey, the small odd looking creature with it's ear against it's tree.
Dug moves over tot he monster, drawing his axe as he approaches
Layf charges the draconian creature drawing his great sword and aiming a swing at the creatures head in one swift motion.
Attack:
Damage:
Edward cries "JONAS!!!" and directs Charcoal to attack. He then casts shillelagh on his club and moves in towards the dragon-headed monster.
Handle Animal: (DC10)
Charcoal's Attack:
Charcoal's Damage:
Jonas lets out an unintelligible scream!
gives the wyrm the evil eye.
Layf charges the draconian creature drawing his great sword and aiming a swing at the creatures head in one swift motion landing a blow.
Edward cries "JONAS!!!" and directs Charcoal to attack. He then casts shillelagh on his club and moves in towards the dragon-headed monster.
Hammu gives the wyrm the evil eye.
Dug moves over to the monster, drawing his axe as he approaches.
Jonas lets out an unintelligible scream and attempts to break free unsuccessfully.
The wyrm, continues its grapple on Jonas and begins to withdraw into the tree, climbing 15' up the trunk. It breathes its sickly green mist onto Jonas' face.
Jonas cringes at the green mist!
Jonas struggles fruitlessly against the reptilian beast! With a glint of madness in his eyes he attempts to bite it!
Layf seeing the wyrm trying to draw Jonas further up the tree drops his sword, draws his bow and fires an arrow at the creature.
Edward curses under his breath, drops his shield and grabs his club in two hands and hurls it at the beast.
Charcoal attempts to climb the tree and attack the Monster:
Dug drops his axe, and stands ready to catch the gnome if he is dropped.
Hammu casts grease on Jonas.
Layf seeing the wyrm trying to draw Jonas further up the tree drops his sword, draws his bow and fires an arrow at the creature sending an arrow into it's side.
Edward curses under his breath, drops his shield and grabs his club in two hands and hurls it at the beast, the club bouncing off the trunk of the tree with a thud.
Charcoal attempts to climb the tree and attack the monster but his speed gets the best of him as he slides down to the ground.
Hammu casts grease on Jonas sending him slipping out of the wyrm's clutches.
Dug drops his axe, and stands ready to catch the gnome as he falls.
Jonas feels himself get slippery and start to fall into the arms of the large half-orc who fumbles and almost drops him.
The Wyrm turns, hisses, and charges Layf missing him with it's bite and claws.
Swearing as the wyrm takes a swipe at him Layf drops his bow and picks up his discarded sword. As he straightens up he aims a massive blow at the wyrm's neck.
Dug grips the gnome tightly and backs 15' away form the base of the tree. He sets Jonas down, and draws his shortbow.
"All my time in theshe woodsh, and I have neber sheen anyshing like dish!!!"
Or has he? [JKnow:Local
Edward retrieves his club and if possible strikes the dragon-headed beast.
Charcoal attacks the dragon headed beast.
[ooc]
Bite: ()
Claw: ()
Claw: ()
Swearing as the wyrm takes a swipe at him Layf drops his bow and picks up his discarded sword. As he straightens up he aims a massive blow at the wyrm's neck hitting him solidly.
Edward retrieves his club.
Charcoal attacks the wyrm and connects with one of his claws, dropping the wyrm to the ground.
Hammu checks the lifeless corpse, and notices the moss growing on the tree trunk.
Dug grips the gnome tightly and backs 15' away form the base of the tree. He sets Jonas down, and draws his shortbow. "All my time in theshe woodsh, and I have neber sheen anyshing like dish!!!"
"JOnash, you alright?"
"JOnash, you alright?"
Jonas wearily stands up, obviously shaken and confused.
"Not weally.... Thanks for the catch though!"
Jonas shakes his head a bit, and begins to channel healing energies through his own body, mending his wounds.
Layf retrieves his discarded bow, and peers cautiously up the tree wary of additional wyrms. "Hey Dug, do you know if these things are solitary creatures, or can we look forward to the pleasure of having the rest of the hive over for dinner?" Keeping an arrow knocked Layf returns to his search for the herbs.
Dug retrieves his axe form where it was dropped, and also hunts for the moss
Perception
The moss is on the tree trunk where Hammu spotted it. It is easily collected.
"Anyone else hurt?" asks Jonas.
"I think the wyrm was pretty focused on you, my little friend" Layf says with a smile. "I say we press on and see how much ground we can cover today. This tree is truly a marvel, but I'm not sure we'll get much rest here anyway. Has anyone had dealings with this witch we are going to see? I like to avoid irritating people who can turn me into a newt."
"Do you need anymore healing Jonas?" Edward asks. Gathering his things Edward says, "Since we have the moss and this tree is large enough to support a whole colony of those wyrms, I think it best we be moving on."
Jonas, still taking inventory of his possessions and ensuring he didn't drop anything, nods his head.
"Yes, I'm still bweeding quite a bit."
'sh'pose we should keep going, need to reach the witch shoon."
Dug casts his gaze about, trying to get his bearings
Survival to get bearings
Know:Local to know where we can find her
after reorienting himself to the surroundings dug points the direction to the witch's hut.
Layf takes up second position behind Dug keeping an arrow knocked in his bow. "I'll keep my eyes on the flanks, just in case something else out there thinks we look like a mobile buffet."
Dug also keeps his bow ready, and sets off at a slow pace so every one can keep up
Perception
Did we want to check the bodies hanging form the tree before we leave?
Did we want to check the bodies hanging form the tree before we leave?
Jonas nods in agreement and begins inspecting the bodies.
"I must have missed dees when da' fing was nomming on my head!"
Perception
Heal to determine cause of death or anything interesting.
"Let me help you out there, friend", Edward walks over to help Jonas "You're head may still be spinning from being inside that monsters gullet."
After a few hours of walking the dense trees and thick brush of the forest give way, parting seemingly in respect for the titanic darkwood tree that dominates this clearing. Several times taller than a temple minaret, in one direction the obviously ancient tree reaches into the sky with branches like a giant’s arms, while in the other it plumbs the earth with roots thicker than a man’s waist. Its limbs broad and strong, its bark thick and so richly colored as to almost be black, and its leaves the size of bucklers, the giant thing is less a tree and more a cathedral of boughs and branches. The clearing is roughly ovular, 180 feet from north to south and 110 feet from west to east. The elder darkwood has a trunk 30 feet in diameter, with low, easy to climb branches that extend 35 feet from the trunk in every direction.
'Alright, we need to find this moss.' says Hammu
After overcoming his Awe of the tree, Edward joins Hammu in searching for the moss.
You see three bodies hanging high up in the tree
"Wow that is a huge tree! I didn't give enough credence when she said 'Oldest tree in the forest', but now I can see what she means!" Layf starts searching for the moss as well, but keeps a wary eye toward the tree line.
Jonas walks right up to the tree, holds his ear up to it as if listening for something, then stares vacantly straight up into the air in awe of the trees height.
As the party starts looking for the moss, Jonas walks through the group as if on a mission. He walks up to the tree as a creature with the head of a dragon, the body of a large snake with a pair of clawed arms with comes charging down the tree with sickly green mist wafting from its open mouth. It leaps onto it's prey, the small odd looking creature with it's ear against it's tree.
Dug begins to scale the giant tree, tying himself in at appropriate intervals.
Climb
Dug begins to scale the giant tree, tying himself in at appropriate intervals.
Climb 1d20+6
When you reach the bodies you find that some of their gear is still in useful condition .
Dug stows the gear in his back pack, then gazes at the dead intently. Does he know them? He would like to tell their families if he does.
Know:local
He then tries to gently lower the remains to the forest floor.