Like Aurus Lukian also misidentifies the flora and gets stuck as a result.
"That's a big fail for such a small guy!"
Botting Mao
Mao draws his masterwork cold iron kama and hacks his way through the vines.
"That's one way to do it."
A ruined two-story building rises out of the forest, hugged by dense, thorny thickets on both sides. The front wall, ceiling, and floors have long since collapsed. Several support columns rise from the cellar, and the remains of a staircase up to the second floor look far too weak to support weight. The back door leads to clearer terrain, where the trail continues.
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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!”
Fast forwarding so we can move to the next section
Likely strategies for this challenge include identifying stable columns to use as stepping stones (Acrobatics or Knowledge [engineering]), pushing over a column to serve as an improvised bridge (DC 18 Strength), or climbing the inside walls toward the back door (Climb).
With those rolls you actually manage to mess up so bad that the whole temple comes falling down. You do manage to get out from under the rubble unhurt and you move further.
"That's not what people mean with 'bring the house down'" Grimpfkin says as he is reclining against a tree stump where the ale-bird has alighted.
"But all in all you didn't disappoint. Well done and congratulations!" he says heartily.
He uses his fey magic to shape part of the stump into a set of mugs, and when he knocks his own mug against the stump, the bird splits into equal parts, turning back into ale that fills each mug.
"Have a drink to your good fortune!"
"I am a bit thirsty after all that dust from that building; I would appreciate a drink."
After which Cloudia take a huge pull from the offering.
As you drink the liquid you not only appreciate the taste, you also feel the fey magic flow through your veins and you feel lucky.
"That's a story you can tell your grandchildren. Once upon a time you met a very studly and handsome fey in the woods and you got lucky!"
The old fey turns to Ny'a.
"Your boldness may be a burden in the upcoming fight and might even get you killed. I wouldn't want to see that happen, so I'll give you a little boost –just to make things fair– if you'll allow me."
Assuming Ny'a doesn't object, the satyr-like man gives her a wink.
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!”
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.
Initiative
Party is up!
BTW, we're on page 5!
The forest spirits accompanying the PCs open two connected portals that allow instantaneous movement between two trees. These trees cannot be more than 60 feet apart. When a creature enters the area of the portal tree, they can appear in a space adjacent to the other portal tree. The portals work both ways and remain open for 1 minute. The PCs can choose which trees form the portals and only the PCs and their allies can use the portals.
Spells and effects do not travel through these portals. When the encounter begins, one PC can attempt a Hard Knowledge (nature) or Spellcraft check to increase the distance between the trees to 120 feet.
Bouyed by the strange fey's spell, N'ya jumps to action, urging her dog directly towards the portal. "The seedpod is the goal; quickly, through the portal!" She draws her longsword as they ride, and they begin picking their way towards the seedpod at the other end of the swamp.
Ny'a sword strikes true, but the pod's hard shell prevents any damage to go through!
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As Aurus rushes to engage the seedpod, Cloudia gently puts her arm out to delay him.
"If you wait a sec, I can use a spell to strengthen you!"
To her surprise, the typically overconfident (in her mind) paladin of Apsu pauses and calls upon a miracle within easy spell casting reach.
Mao and Lukian are still up!
Mao channels his ki energy and moves with incredible speed. He follows Nya up towards the pod and attacks the pod with his ki-infused strikes.
With his Strength boosted Mao hits, but fails to get part the hardness. He has the feeling that he was close to harming it though!
Botting Lukian
Lukian casts glitterdust on the three enemies and then jumps through the portal to join the others.
The wolf slowly double moves trying not to walk into trees.
The vine sleakily crawls forward, not aware that it is sparkling.
The half-orc casts a spell and slowly moves forward.
All the plants around the pod start to wrap around the partymembers and changing the ground into difficult terrain.
Succes
Succes
Succes
Fail
Succes
Succes
Botting Cloudia as she already posted her action
Cloudia tries to escape from the vines as a move action
Succes!
and casts Bull's Strength on Aurus.
Failure!
and she's entangled by the plants again.
Aurus, Mao, Lukian and Ny'a are up
Aurus goes to give a thankful nod to Cloudia before the vines begin trying to entangle them. He curses loudly plows his way through the vines, bolstered by his expeditious retreat and Cloudia's bull's strength and takes a mighty swing at the plant with his adamantine greatsword.
[dice=Attack]1d20+10+1+-1
[dice=Damage]2d6+9+3
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[dice=Acrobatics DC 20?]1d20+12+2
Aurus gives a leap and might even be able to clear the boggy water.
1d20+9 know nature to see how acid might impact the seedling .
Lukian thinks that damage of any energy attack will be reduced by the hardness.
Aurus goes to give a thankful nod to Cloudia before the vines begin trying to entangle them. He curses loudly plows his way through the vines, bolstered by his expeditious retreat and Cloudia's bull's strength and takes a mighty swing at the plant with his adamantine greatsword.
Aurus hits the pod with his sword and hits the pod hard. Another blow of this caliber might destroy it!
Failure
Aurus gets entangled!
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Ny'a guides her dog to back away from the seedpod... the last attack did nothing, and there was little more she could do! Besides, she was blocking the end of the log, and others needed to cross. Taking advantage of her dog's speed, she circles around and flanks with Aurus.
I'll come in from another angle, maybe have a better chance!
"My strikes seem to have no effect on the pod. Let me help you there, Aurus." Mao moves and tries to help Aurus escape the entanglement.
Mao fails to break Aurus free from the entangle
and gets entangled himself!