Makon swings again at the spider but this time his angle is slightly off and his axe slides across the carapace without causing noticeable harm to the spider.
Round 2
Bold may act
Makon
Khana
Volsung
Red enemy
Covadil
Tofang
Angie
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Seeing Makon madly attack the giant spider head-on in the finest bloodrager tradition, Volsung moves to begin outflanking the creature.
Maintain Hypnotic Stare on the giant spider
Move 30 feet straight ahead, attempting Acrobatics with +10 to the DC because Volsung is moving full speed
Attack with the Rapier of Iridescent Bubbles
As Volsung moves nimbly forward the spider lunges for them but is suddenly facing two identical images and in the sudden confusion misses both. The Aasimar, however, gracefully dances in with bubbles streaming from their rapier to slide the blade between plates in the creatures natural armour, piercing vital organs.
Round 2
Bold may act
Makon
Khana
Volsung
Red enemy
Covadil
Tofang
Angie
Immediately after Volsung successfully skewers the creature, Khana issues a terrifying scream and closes with the arachnid, chopping into it and felling the great beast.
Grimpfkin ambles out from the woods to inspect the fallen Ogre Spider. Nodding with approval, he praises the adventures, "Well done, well done. Perhaps there is hope for the forest after all."
He then uses his magic to mould a set of mugs from a nearby tree and by knocking his own mug against them, he causes each mug to fill with delicious drinks. "Another toast, my friends!" he exclaims as he raises his own drinking vessel.
The intrepid group of Pathfinders eventually continue on their way. After about 30-40 minutes they come within several hundred feet of the heart of the blight. There, Medda is worriedly mustering the few groups that have arrived safely and observing the dangerous creatures that lie beyond.
A few minutes after their arrival, Medda approaches the group and addresses them.
“Something’s not right, Pathfinders. Only a fraction of our combined forces have made it here, and our scouts have found several groups mired by the terrain and beasts. However, there are just as many groups that are completely missing. If you have the strength to spare, please double back and find one or more of these teams. They may have run into more trouble than they can handle and need help. If you need to rest before the final push, there is no shame in that.”
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He then uses his magic to mould a set of mugs from a nearby tree and by knocking his own mug against them, he causes each mug to fill with delicious drinks. "Another toast, my friends!" he exclaims as he raises his own drinking vessel.
"To Life! To Death! To all realms between!" Khāṇa affirms back to the fun-timey black-goat-of-the-woods as she helps herself to a mug in each hand.
*glikglikglikglikglikglikglik....*
"Delicious. What's in them? Poison? AUGHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
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Makon curses in frustration as the female 1/2 Orc Khana gets the killing blow, #$&*!...ArgH!, Good stroke Khana! Of coarse the big bug needed to skitter away from my powerful blow...letting it run into yours...Ha! Shall we call it a shared kill then?! Makon claps is comrade Khana roughly on the back. He's smiling but, something tells Khana he's half serious about the shared kill thing.
Makon takes out a wand of healing and holds it in the air, Does any of you know how to use a healing wand reliably? I could continue with these minor nicks but it might slow my blade... Makon hefts his axe dripping with ichor to demonstrate it's effectiveness.. If anyone else is injured their welcome to some of it's magic as well! Makon then proceeds to hand the wand to the first person who volunteers to use it on him.
All of the Pathfinders toast and drink from the mugs provided by Grimpfkin. Most toss back the fluid quickly though Codavil, in response to Khana's prank pauses with doubt pasted clearly across his face before he feels the familiar beneficial tingle as his first sips are absorbed. That warm feeling of luck and beneficence is even more powerful than last time.
After giving their thanks to the Fey, the Pathfinders make their way on through the Fangwood. On arriving at the rendezvous site they are dismayed to discover that many of their comrades are yet to arrive and are feared missing or worse.
Our valiant group of adventurers, despite the terrors and strangeness they have already faced, accept Medda’s mission. They take a few minutes to ready themselves then trek back in the general direction from whence they came, looking for clues as they take a different path. The thick Fangwood undergrowth is difficult to navigate.
Finding Tracks - As the lost group travelled, its various members left tracks and markings that the would-be rescuers now attempt to discover and follow.
Caustic Spoor – There are occasional patches of acidic goo hidden in the blighted foliage and the occasional corpse of a dead rodent that is almost melted in appearance. The team attempt to study these for more clues and to hasten their way to their missing comrades.
The Plagued Survivor The team find a young male Kitsune, an Estoc lying nearby. His clothes show patches of acid damage revealing a mithril chain shirt below. His body is battered and his fur matted in places with evidence of blood and gore from the challenges he faced to reach this deep into the blighted forest. There is even evidence that some fur was singed or burned away by something. He is alive but fatigued to the point of delirium. It is possible that he has been infected by something during one of his recent encounters.
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Covadil reaches out and accepts Makon's wand. "Of course, friend, now...ah, just roll up your sleeve...or bend over and...no, let's stick with the arm. You've had this before, I take it. It only tickles a little."
As they track down the missing Pathfinders, the half-elf hopes that they'll find them alive and not a pile of half-eaten corpses.
He keeps an eye out for tracks with his keen eyes.
"Acidic goo? That doesn't sound good!"
"Thank goodness that we've found at least one alive. What's that he's saying. He doesn't seem to be fully himself." Covadil steps forward to try and comfort the man by resting a hand on his arm.
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Makon curses in frustration as the female 1/2 Orc Khana gets the killing blow, #$&*!...ArgH!, Good stroke Khana! Of coarse the big bug needed to skitter away from my powerful blow...letting it run into yours...Ha! Shall we call it a shared kill then?! Makon claps is comrade Khana roughly on the back. He's smiling but, something tells Khana he's half serious about the shared kill thing.
Khāṇa shrugs over the massive carcass. "Looks to me like there's enough for both of us - maybe some left over for the others, too if they want it! *I* get first cut, though!" She says as she chops off a pedipalp and uses her kunai to scoop out the meat as though it's no different from a hearty crab leg.
With Angie's assistance and her own various talents, Khāṇa has next to no trouble finding and following the trail.
Studying the spoor is not so easy, but it's nothing if not interesting work, and a fine challenge for one such as she.
Helping those in need, on the other hand, is not something she usually does in the absence of a bit of quid, though she's good at reading people.
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Volsung watches Khana and Covadil's tracking efforts with admiration and realizes that there is not much that can be added to their effort.
However, there appears to be less certainty about the blobs of acidic goo, so Volsung attempts to help with their almost non-existent medical knowledge and a charge of the Wand of Burst of Insight.
Volsung is also curious if there might be an opportunity to try a little Psychometry on this strange caustic substance, so they cast Detect Psychic Significance to see if there is anything within 40 feet upon which Psychometry could be attempted.
Volsung is also curious if there might be an opportunity to try a little Psychometry on this strange caustic substance, so they cast Detect Psychic Significance to see if there is anything within 40 feet upon which Psychometry could be attempted.
Stepping in for Tofang and Makon
Botting Tofang
Pass
Botting Makon
Pass
Tofang's knowledge and skill at tracking plus Covadil and Khana's keen observational abilities make it easy for the group to follow the tracks and markings left by the other Pathfinders they seek.
Along the way, they discover some acidic goo which Tofang is able to identify as likely related to an ooze creature, more often found in dungeons but not unheard of in the wild. Several of the party members have enough knowledge or experience to contribute to the conversation as they continue their rescue mission.
When the team find a young male Kitsune, an Estoc lying nearby, his clothes showing patches of acid damage, body battered and fur matted in places with evidence of blood and gore, they quickly assess the situation. Volsung approaches in a kindly, friendly manner and helps the wounded, delirious Pathfinder drink an antitoxin. The effects show themselves almost immediately and the ongoing efforts of Volsung, Angie, and Codavil allow them to make some sense of the Kitsune's ramblings.
As he recovers, the Kitsune introduces himself as Kohaku.
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"Thank you, fellow Pathfinders. These are challenging times and I am grateful that we are all looking out for one another.
"I can lead you to where I left the rest of my party while I sort help. If you are willing to try to rescue them I would be most grateful. I may not be back to full health for a while but surely I can provide some aid."
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"Looks to me like there's enough for both of us - maybe some left over for the others, too if they want it! *I* get first cut, though.
Makon immediately breaks into a big grin upon hearing the good news. But of coarse! The killing blow has all rights to the first trophy! When he sees his female near kin scoop some of the meat out of the huge vermin and lick her fingers clean he blanches .. crinclkling his face in disgust. Gods this female is in touch with her more savage side! She’ll probably think me weak if I don’t sample this disgusting insect as well! My uncle raised me to eat as all humans do in the river Kingdoms... nothing weak about that?...argh I don’t want to eat spider!
Makon gives into his machismo and takes a large bite out of spider leg... ugh!! Heck! Phhtt..! *hack* *hack*! Makon bends over emptying the remaining contents of his stomach, refusing to make eye contact with Khana... it’s not the spider! The fierce Bloodrager insist, I’ve just had some stomach flu lately! Makon let’s out a few more dry heaves... Maybe that sweet swill we drank before doesn’t sit right in a real warriors stomach?... says Makon desperately trying to cover his shame.
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When he sees his female near kin scoop some of the meat out of the huge vermin and lick her fingers clean he blanches ...
"Well, you DID bite right into the upper chelicera - right where the lesser venom gland is, I think! Don't worry, it can't harm you if it doesn't go directly into your blood...although I have heard that if you just DEVOUR it like that, it can quickly cause...visions. Like those funny Varisian toadstools...."
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Volsung feigns indifference to the half-orcs' dining experience, though a small smile indicates some amusement at Makon's efforts.
While Makon and Khana finish their meal and make use of a metaphorical finger bowl, Volsung speaks to Kohaku.
A rescue from acidic ooze creatures? Yes, I do believe we could manage that.
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Makon just grunts in agreement..not trusting himself not to heave more if he speaks.. later on when the group is exploring some ruins in search of fellow Pathfinder agents apparently needing a 'rescue'.. A little bit bored after a couple hour hike and no action...Makon ask no one in particular... Exactly what do our friends need rescuing from again?
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It is difficult to tell how much time has passed through the smothering canopy as Medda addresses the regrouped Pathfinder and Twinhorn forces. “The ancient battlefield is just beyond those trees. There, Ivvora and her comrades scattered an undead army, but the necromantic taint never left this land. Instead, the plants and animals have gradually absorbed the evil, encouraged by someone calling herself Mother Bloodleaf.
“We must strike as one, simultaneously attacking the corruption’s heart as well as the seedpods spread out around the swamp. Their destruction will unleash harmful energies, so we of the Twinhorn following shall head toward the center to ritually disperse that energy to keep it from festering anew! Each team should follow its Twinhorn mystic to an intended target, and from there, three blasts of a horn shall signal our attack. May Vildeis bless us as she did Ivvora before us!”
Medda, the Twinhorns, and the Pathfinders spread out and make their way through the woods to their striking positions. When all are in position, three blasts of a war-horn echo across the heavily forested battleground. As the Pathfinders rush toward their targets, startled figures with purple glowing eyes hurry toward the seedpods and the enormous dark flower at the heart of the swamp. A shriek carries over the battleground. “What treachery is this? My minions have fallen without so much as warning me? No matter, I shall rip out any trespassers’ souls and feed them to the blight!”
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The ancient battleground has turned into a fetid swamp that fills the air with the scent of death and decay. Rusted weapons jut out from the patches of solid land. Here and there, skeletal remains and grimacing skulls clad in ruined iron peek out from the glowing mire. A seedpod pulsing with purplish energy grows on an islet across the swamp.
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Volsung smiles slightly.
I'm going to try something which is either very clever or very stupid.
Volsung moves up so that he's 30 feet from the Blighted Beast.[/ooc]
Volsung targets the Blighted Beast with Hypnotic Stare.
Volsung readies to cast Color Spray on the first enemy which comes within 30 feet of him.
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Covadil reaches up and touches the broach of a cat pinned above his chest and then in a surprising burst of speed, rushes forward towards the nearest portal that the tree spirits helpfully provided to aid their approach to the pod...and then out the other side, wading his way through the swampy bog and up next to the pod. There he readies himself to strike at the evil blight on the land.
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The half-orc looks at Covadil and his tremendous outpouring of speed, shrugs, and takes a step back. He casts a spell and the plants swamp start grabbing at the Pathfinders!
Then, a horrific vine unfurls itself, moving forward slightly. It reaches out to grab Volsung.
Turn 1, Angie, Tofang, Makon, Khana are up!
x Volsung [-24, grappled]
x Blighted Beast
x Covadil
x Blight Druid
x Vine
=> Angie
=> Tofang
=> Makon
=> Khana