You venture into what seems to be lush, wild, vegetation. Brambles grow wild throughout the edge of the wood where a thick canopy of trees begins to filter out sunlight, turning day into night. The overgrown plant life forbids easy access deeper into the forest and fills the air with the sickly-sweet smell of decay. To say it would be a challenge to navigate your way through the dense greenery would be an understatement. The Pathfinder's will be put to the test if they're to make it through unscathed!
Each of you, without exception, must make a skill check as you attempt to navigate the area. Your choices are Acrobatics, Climb, Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature), Survival or Wild empathy. Any PC with the woodland stride class feature (or a similar ability) receives a +4 bonus on any of these checks.
Human M Human Alchemist 8 |Current AC: 23 AC Base: 21 T 14 FF 20 | HP 58/58 | F +9 R +12 W +5| CMD 13 | Init +8 (12wHA)| Perc +19 | Spells: Level 1 5/6 Level 2 3/5 Level 3 2/3| Bombs 19/19 | Active Buffs: SeeInvis, Heroism, DrkVsn, BrkSkn, Cog
Ridley is happy to point out which plants are poisonous, which are ok to eat, and which ones will be the easiest to hack through as the group navigates their way through the brambles.
Having sought some of his ingredients from the forest herself, Heorn is sure that he could navigate properly through this forest. Even though he knows that their situation is urgent, he can't help but pick at some of the plants for his brews.
[Init +9, Per +19, Spd 40'] M Tengu Unchained Rogue (Swordmaster/Scout) 12th [HP 63/63, AC 30(34) |ff 19 |t 21, Fort +9, Ref +21, Will +9,] CMD 28
Boo! I didn't get the notices for this thread so I missed the end of the fight. I'm glad I didn't miss too much else, though and you guys didn't have to wait for me. Kahwen will congratulate Sangkip on his awesome roguery along the trail.
Kahwen studies the dense vegetation for a time, rubbing the underside of his beak. Then, he darts forward, leaping over, slipping under and twisting around the thick and dangerous vegetation. He moves quickly but has to move so far to make any forward progress that said progress is no faster than those walking.
Getting through the thick shrubbery proves to be a challenge that most Pathfinders find beyond them. Ridley and Heorn with their vast knowledge of plant-life lead the group attempting to find the right path. While Heorn manages to stay safe, Ridley doesn't realise of some of the small nettles under his feet that latch onto him. Sangkip decides to be smart and stay out of the plants by keeping up high in the shrubbery The animal humanoids. On the other hand, Kahwen, Lolly, Sir T, and Malvic, really don't understand what the front pair are trying to say and truly struggle to get through! Vines cut them, and little bits of poison attempt to enter their blood.
Ridley, Kahwen, Lolly, Sir T, and Malvic will need to make a Fortitude Save. Failure means you gain the "Sickened" condition for the next part.
The forest floor beyond is blanketed with eerie dark flowers that paint the otherwise lightless woods with their purple incandescence. Disorienting paths cut through the trees, forward-facing paths seem to lead back to where they started, and retracing one’s steps leads to unfamiliar terrain.
Before I move us to mapped exploration, I'll like to just explain the terrain rules moving forward:
The local plant life seems to have a mind of its own and responses to intruders with displeasure. Any creature that ends its turn within 5 feet of the thickets must succeed at an DC13 Reflex save or become entangled. Entangled creatures can attempt to break free as a move action, succeeding with an Average Escape Artist check or DC 13 Strength check. Alternatively, you can free yourself by dealing 6 slashing, fire, negative energy damage, or damage that specifically disables plants. If you have a continuous effect like fire shield, you automatically burn or wither them from effecting you.
The denser parts of the forest are very difficult to navigate. Entering a square costs 4 squares of movement, and each such diagonal movement costs 6 squares. The thick growth also provides cover against any attacks that pass through at least 10 feet of a thicket, and anything protected by at least 20 feet gains full cover. Any creature that ignores natural undergrowth (such as with the woodland stride class feature) can move at normal speed but does not ignore the cover.
Additionally, with this in mind, or just in general, does anybody have any prep they would like to do before the start exploring?
Heron looks at his struggling companions and sighs as he realises that with his semi drunken ramblings, they didn't understand his directions.
"Come on! Listen to my voice...Step there...Right and move a little to your left and push through. That's it." he encourages though it may not help much.
I overread, for those who are supposed to make saves, you can choose either a fortitude or reflex. However for those that previously rolled, it seems the roll is against you regardless :(
Sangkip, I'd assume it would vary throughout, but it need not matter as in the next moment, you will find a slight clearing in the forest that allows you to travel relatively easier before the next part kicks in.
[Init +9, Per +19, Spd 40'] M Tengu Unchained Rogue (Swordmaster/Scout) 12th [HP 63/63, AC 30(34) |ff 19 |t 21, Fort +9, Ref +21, Will +9,] CMD 28
Kahwen finds out the hard way that he's not nearly as acrobatic as he thinks he is. He scrapes through some thorns that leave faint trails of blood under his feathers and an itchy, burning sensation.
Reflex:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
He manages to avoid the worst of it though and feels like himself.
Ridley fumbles a little but manages to avoid the dangerous plants thanks to Heorn's last minute warning.
Venturing deeper into the forest, the overgrowth from the trees seem to block out much of the light. But pockets come through giving you some form of illumination in the creepy forest. Dim light conditions, bring out any light source as you see fit.
To your surprise, there are what seems to be pockets of clearing from the thickets allowing to move relatively easier. And you do your best to keep your distance away from the thickets which attempt to ensnare you. But soon, glowing eyes glare hungrily from within the impenetrable thickets where the vines slowly curl around anyone who gets too close. As the light faintly outlines the creatures, you realise it to be something akin to a wolf, but the size of a horse! and its fangs is as large and sharp as knives.
Knowledge (Nature) with Inspiration 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 8 + (3) = 30
I have no Light Cantrip.
Heorn curses as he realises that they were surrounded! Rapier in hand he readies himself for the attacks to come.
Using Wand of Shield.
With his free hand he draws out a piece of rune carved wood and activates its protection spell on himself.
That thicket looks impenetrable Sir T...let that beast come to you!
Lolly draws her Wand of Cause Fear points it at one of the wolf like creatures and activates it (red).
Cause Fear - DC11 Will, The affected creature becomes frightened. If the subject succeeds on a Will save, it is shaken for 1 round. Creatures with 6 or more HD are immune to this effect.
Malvic sees Sangkip move forward to attack and calls upon his weapon to assist him and waves his free hand across the whip. As he does the whip begins writhing in the air and once again becomes covered in rime before lashing out at the wolf creature near the edge of the tangle. (Blue)
"I would rather they stay in there...away from us." he adds.
Malvic, I've moved you 5 ft to get you within range for your whip, but that's still adjacent to the thicket, so you would need to make a reflex save DC13 or start your next turn being entangled.[ooc]
Heorn knows these type of wolves, commonly called dire wolves. Wolves in it's most primal form, and extremely aggressive. [ooc]Nothing magical or extraordinary, just really large wolves!
Sangkip and Malvic immediately jump into action and deliver a world of hurt to the blue eyed wolf. It snarls and attempts to bite back at Sangkip. But it's tiredness from Malvic's magical blade seems to have thrown him off balance, thus unable to make a killing strike! The unnatural vines from the thicket reach out and attempt to entwine the pair. Sangkip immediately jumps to avoid it.
Lolly pulls out a wand, and attempts to put the fear into the heart of the second wolf! And like a charm it works, as the creature turns around whimpering off into the shrubbery, but not for long as it immediately turns and growls.
Heorn (Shield), Lolly (Sickened), Sangkip, Malvic (Sickened)(DC 13 Reflex or Entangled) Dire Wolves R B -22 -2NL (fatigued)
Ridley, Kahwen, Sir T (Sickened)
Male Vanara Unchained Rogue (Knifemaster, Scout) 6 | HP 45/45 | AC 25, T 18, FF 19 | F +5, R +13, W +6 | Init +7 | Perc +11 | Vanish 0/3
Hoping that the weary wolf is on its last legs, Sangkip continues his assault before stepping back, hoping to draw it out of the thicket where the Pathfinders' greater numbers can come into play.
[Init +9, Per +19, Spd 40'] M Tengu Unchained Rogue (Swordmaster/Scout) 12th [HP 63/63, AC 30(34) |ff 19 |t 21, Fort +9, Ref +21, Will +9,] CMD 28
Did the red wolf die, or just get moved off the map accidentally?
Much like the rest of his pack of Pathfinders, Kahwen does not want to tangle with the wolves where he can get...um...tangled. He keeps back, hoping to lure the beasts into the open and begins performing the kata that will heighten his defensive abilities.
With one hand on his holy symbol, the other pointing with his rapier, Heorn sends out a small orb of acid against the wolf.
Acid Splash, touch, target blue 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d3 ⇒ 2
With all the movment and shrubbery though, he is unable to get it to hit his target.
Did the red wolf die, or just get moved off the map accidentally?
It was intentional this time. He moved out of map range due to the cause fear, about 80ft out of the map. He will return to map next turn as the condition wears off.
Human M Human Alchemist 8 |Current AC: 23 AC Base: 21 T 14 FF 20 | HP 58/58 | F +9 R +12 W +5| CMD 13 | Init +8 (12wHA)| Perc +19 | Spells: Level 1 5/6 Level 2 3/5 Level 3 2/3| Bombs 19/19 | Active Buffs: SeeInvis, Heroism, DrkVsn, BrkSkn, Cog
I don't think I stated this earlier, but from Dragon encounter to this new part, it has been several weeks as the overseer post would have noted, so be sure to refresh whatever resources you need to.
Sangkip continues dancing around the wolf using quick steps and manages to cut the creature slightly, merely a flesh wound. But the little manoeuvre was enough to serve as a useful distraction for Ridley to throw another one of those potent bombs towards the beast. The blow knocks the creature off his feet, rendering him unconscious from it.
3 damage was the difference between conscious and unconscious!
The Red eyed wolf shuffles through the shrubbery and comes back into view, presumably chasing down the pathfinders from before the spell had taken hold of him.
Combat Round 2/3 Conditions: Dim light
Heorn (Shield), Lolly (Sickened), Sangkip, Malvic (Sickened) Dire Wolves R B (unconcious)
Ridley, Kahwen, Sir T (Shield, Sickened)
Lolly stows her wand of shield and then casts a spell on Sir Trystas, speaking incoherent words and gesturing with her hand in a strange claw like motion.
Miserable Strike (Su): If the phantom hits a creature with a slam attack, that creature must succeed at a Will saving throw DC = 13 or take a –2 penalty on attack and damage rolls for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting fear and emotion effect. Penalties from multiple hits don’t stack with themselves.
Human M Human Alchemist 8 |Current AC: 23 AC Base: 21 T 14 FF 20 | HP 58/58 | F +9 R +12 W +5| CMD 13 | Init +8 (12wHA)| Perc +19 | Spells: Level 1 5/6 Level 2 3/5 Level 3 2/3| Bombs 19/19 | Active Buffs: SeeInvis, Heroism, DrkVsn, BrkSkn, Cog
Ridley and Heorn throw the elements at the creature from a distance. The creature feels the burns but runs through the foliage (It negates the terrain rules, and can thus charge.) heading straight for the phantom! Sir Trystas stands ready and delivers a punch to the dire wolf's gut as it approaches, but that doesn't stop the ferocious beast from biting at the phantom's leg, then pulling him hard to the ground with a yank!
Heorn (Shield), Lolly (Sickened), Sangkip, Malvic (Sickened)(2 rounds of action) Dire Wolves R -18 B (unconcious)
Ridley, Kahwen, Sir T (Shield, Sickened,proned)
Then just as Sir T is about to strike, Lolly gives him a Burst of Adrenaline!
She then moves back 10 feet.
When you are about to make a d20 roll based on Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution, you can cast this spell to gain a +8 enhancement bonus to Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution for that roll, but you are fatigued for 1 round afterward.
Std - cast Telekinetic Projectile, Immediate Action - cast Burst of Adrenaline, move to move
[Init +9, Per +19, Spd 40'] M Tengu Unchained Rogue (Swordmaster/Scout) 12th [HP 63/63, AC 30(34) |ff 19 |t 21, Fort +9, Ref +21, Will +9,] CMD 28
Kahwen is both very annoyed and impressed by the way the wolf is using the foliage that it is immune to but can hinder the pathfinders so much. He briefly contemplates taking his chances to set himself up for a better shot, but doesn't want to take the chance of getting entangled.
Instead, he simply steps up, and keeping his guard up, strikes!
Form: Ecto HP 37/37 | DR 5/Slashing & Magic | AC 23 19 FF 20 16 Touch 13 CMD 19 | Init +3| Saves (Fort +5, Reflex +4, Will +4)| Per +0, | Spd 30' Effects: Magic Fang, Mage Amor
Forgot to subtract the sickened condition to Sir T last round, probably still hits, but -2 damage
The phantom knight rises to his feet, ectoplasmic shield pointed toward the blighted wolf. Then then tries to slam into the creature, as he is about to strike Lolly give him a burst of adrenaline.
Human M Human Alchemist 8 |Current AC: 23 AC Base: 21 T 14 FF 20 | HP 58/58 | F +9 R +12 W +5| CMD 13 | Init +8 (12wHA)| Perc +19 | Spells: Level 1 5/6 Level 2 3/5 Level 3 2/3| Bombs 19/19 | Active Buffs: SeeInvis, Heroism, DrkVsn, BrkSkn, Cog
Heorn attempts to guide his own magic towards the wolf.....
Acid Splash 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 111d3 ⇒ 2 With too many penalties lol
only to fluff it as he sends that bolt down a tree.....
I'm not sure I follow Sangkip's actions, he's not adjacent to wolf on the map. Per terrain rules, each thicket is a 20 feet movement, and 30 feet if moving diagonal, so to get into flanking, you would have to double move. The sneak damage would be the difference if the bomb was needed or not to take down the wolf, but regardless let's move on to the next area while we clear that. I suspect the bomb would be needed.
With only one threat remaining, the group pounces on it at every possible angle. A rock hits his head, whip lashes it's leg, blade slashes it's side, a low punch from a phantom, stab of a dagger into it's neck! The wolf clearly demonstrates and proves to still be formidable as an enemy, moving around quickly to avoid a single potentially deadly blow from the Pathfinders. Fighting with all it's might, it even delivers a deadly injury to Sir Trystas in the process. However, as you wear it down, the creature tires itself out, and passes out from the exhaustion.
You are no longer sickened, Sir T -20
With the hostiles eliminated, you continue to persevere into the dark unknown, lit by the small light from Lolly's wayfinder. Those who felt nauseated by the poison of the plants and flowers soon begin to feel it's effect wear off. Deeper into the blighted forest, you walk through more blankets of eerie fluorescent purple flowers, till eventually an opening to a small clearing that is free of the dark flowers that seem to permeate the rest of the landscape. A ring of tall grey trees circles the clearing, their branches reaching toward each other to form a ceiling of black leaves. A chorus of whispering voices echoes within the clearing as countless faces form out of tree bark only to meld back in, flowing from tree to tree. Three of the faces remain in place and speak out in unison. “Who wanders these forlorn paths? Do you seek to join us? Join us!”
Picture in handouts.
This is a social encounter, as a start you may make small talk/introductions to the Grove of Faces, and perhaps try to understand their intentions... Each character may choose one of the 3 faces to interact towards followed with a sense motive check.
"Join you? We will require much more information before a decision like that is made. I am Malvic and elf from lands far away. Who and what are you?" Malvic asks of the more serious face alongside Sangkip. (#2)
