I guess in theory you might be able to come up with a stealthy way or distraction or something, but any obvious strategies will involve fighting the vine.
Male NG Sylph Investigator 4 (Malice Binder) | HP 31/31| AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +4 | Init: +3 | Perc: +7+1d6, SM: +7+1d6 | Speed 35ft || Inspiration 4/4 || || Active conditions:
Aldar thinks about how to handle this. With no response, there can be no official way to request the colors back, so he might as well knock the vine out, but not kill it. That might get Ng's attention.
Aldar begins heading to the vine, "Well, I guess I'm ready to fight this thing."
Going to be dealing non-lethal damage, as per usual with this PC. As far as I can tell, the plant type isn't naturally resistant or immune to non-lethal, which is kind of weird now that I'm thinking about it.
”Cortland” | Male LN Medium Human Investigator (Empiricist) 3 | HP 27/27 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 14 | F +4 R +6 W +4 | Init +2 | Perc +10 (+11 vs. traps) SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 8/8 | Active Conditions: None
Cortland makes a sigh of resignation and draws his rapier. If we are doing this let us get it done quickly and with minimal damage.
Yeah, the surprise round wouldn't start till something triggers the vine to be aggressive (something attacking it or coming within it's reach). The action that brings the attention of the fine is the action of your surprise round. Everyone else will get a move or standard action then we will go into initiative. Sound good?
The vine is not intelligent and will not act until someone trigger it. Casting a summon as the surprise round will not cause the vine to become aggressive and as such, you would get a surprise round again. Once someone has triggered the combat, we move from surprise rounds to initiative. You can take as many rounds to buff as you want until some triggers the monster. The alternative would be treating this like a normal round and just having my monster delay but I figured that letting you do all your prep rounds at once would speed this up. Though I understand if I am being confusing. Let me know and I will switch to running this to round by round. This is one of the situations that being at a table would be ideal haha
As Aldar attacks, Gorak approaches with his sword drawn and ready.
"Right-o. I'll be right here with me plant killer, whenever you decide yours fists aren't cutting it." as he raises the great sword in front of him, to make a point.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
As the others attack the vine, Vinnie activates his Battle Spirit ability. Everyone (should include the celestial eagle) has a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and damage.
Standard action to activate Battle Spirit, 5' step. (Since I only have Battle Spirit for a total of 4 rounds, Vinnie will not activate it until everyone is actually in position to attack).
I am going to take a guess where you want to be on the map. Please update it if I did it in a way you disagree with.
With the trigger being a surprise round, I will only take the first attack actions.
Vinnie summons his battle spirit to help you all!
Aldar finally gets into position to punch the fine but his attack is unable to penetrate it's natural armor.
Luckily the eagle has some better luck as it's talon cuts into the violent vine. 3 damage to red
Gorak moves up but does not engage in combat yet.
Since you all won initiative, you can post while we wait for Courtland's surprise round. Courtland, you can do your surprise round actions and first round actions together.
As violence begins here, the seasons seem to take offense as their changes begin happening faster and faster and the changes are more striking. Spring is hitting in full swing! Clouds of pollen clog noses and mouths imposing a 20% spell failure chance on all spells with verbal components. This begins at the start of the first real round of combat
”Cortland” | Male LN Medium Human Investigator (Empiricist) 3 | HP 27/27 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 14 | F +4 R +6 W +4 | Init +2 | Perc +10 (+11 vs. traps) SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 8/8 | Active Conditions: None
Surprise round
Cortland will throw a flask at the vine Alchemist's fire
Aldar: You are looking for the "Monk's Spade", with a silvered b/s end, and Cold Iron S/P end. Total cost, 130 gp
Gorak moves up to the left of the eagle- his giant sword menacingly waving about in front of him. He strikes out at the vine hoping to dislodge some of the threat.
”Cortland” | Male LN Medium Human Investigator (Empiricist) 3 | HP 27/27 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 14 | F +4 R +6 W +4 | Init +2 | Perc +10 (+11 vs. traps) SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 8/8 | Active Conditions: None
My monk bought one of those exactly. I think I have used it once.
Jang finishes his spell and a celestial eagle appears!
Jang started casting in the surprise round to cast another summoning spell. Two standard actions are needed so he finishes in round 1 and another celestial eagle attacks.
Aldar punches again before the plant is able to respond and deals a huge blow! 14 damage to red
Courtland, I am going to assume you were going for a direct hit, but you missed so I will be rolling where it missed to, though I think it will miss by enough that it hit anyone else. Miss location:1d8 ⇒ 8 I take that back.[/b] Courtland quickly chucks a flask going for a long distance throw but instead has it land right next to Vinnie, causing flames to touch him. [ooc] 1 damage to Vinnie
Courtland then moves up to the enemy with a weapon drawn.
Gorak moves right up to the enemy as well and swings at the creature, chopping at it like a tree. The blow lands with a solid hit causing sap to leak out as the vine looks to be rough condition.
Luckily, the eagle that is present is able to finish it off with another attack from it's talons! The vine falls over, dead. [ooc]Impressive work. Those creatures can be very dangerous.
With that, there seems to be no obstetrical between you and the bags.
Twelve variably colored bindle bags, secured by silvery drawstrings, hang 10 feet up in the trees. Most of the bags appear as intangible colorless blobs. One of the bags drips with bright, multicolored liquid reminiscent of Azure’s tears. One of the bags looks like the others but seems to be considerably larger than the others. Finally, one bag is covered with reddish grey fur and makes faint growling sounds.
It would take a climb check to get them but between Vinnie and the eagles, you shouldn't have a problem, I just need someone to describe how you proceed.
Male NG Sylph Investigator 4 (Malice Binder) | HP 31/31| AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +4 | Init: +3 | Perc: +7+1d6, SM: +7+1d6 | Speed 35ft || Inspiration 4/4 || || Active conditions:
"We only take what we need. Looks like one matches Azure's tears, so I imagine it's that one, but I can't tell for sure." Aldar says as he gazes up at the pouches.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Vinnie scampers up into the tree (Climb take 10 for 20) and retrieves the bag that appears to be Azure's. He looks curiously, however, at the other bags, especially the one that is growling. "I don't know - what about this one? It seems interesting. Could be dangerous. But then, if I were trapped in a bag I'd probably growl too. Might be something that wants to be let out."
Male NG Sylph Investigator 4 (Malice Binder) | HP 31/31| AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +4 | Init: +3 | Perc: +7+1d6, SM: +7+1d6 | Speed 35ft || Inspiration 4/4 || || Active conditions:
"We don't know why that bag is there. For all we know, it could have committed a serious crime and this is the justice of the First World. I think we shouldn't interfere more than we have." Aldar says in response to Jangafzaar's statement
Male NG Dwarf from Qadira | Cleric of Erastil (formerly Shelyn) 7 | DR5/bludgeoning 35/35 | HP 63/71 | AC 20 T 12 FF 18 | CMB +3, CMD 18 | F: +14, R: +9, W: +17 | Init: +2 | Perc: +19 | SM: +13 | Dipl.: +21 | Rooted Vitality 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 | Darkvision | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: resist electricity 20, defending bone.
Jang is reluctantly speaking up.
”Maybe we should take everything with us as we cannot be sure that this is not something important that might be of interest to the rest of the society or to those Pathfinders that are accompanying us! What do you think?“
Male NG Sylph Investigator 4 (Malice Binder) | HP 31/31| AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +4 | Init: +3 | Perc: +7+1d6, SM: +7+1d6 | Speed 35ft || Inspiration 4/4 || || Active conditions:
"These...things, do not belong to us. Honestly, I don't even feel comfortable taking the Gnome's colors back without permission, but if Ng doesn't want to have a conversation, there's nothing to be done. That still doesn't mean we should take more than we came for." Aldar replies to Jangafzaar.
Gorak would guess that all the bags here are for a similar reason as Azure's bag is. It is impossible to tell if it is just Ng who places bags on this tree or if other Eldests do too.It is hard to be certain, but each bag is likely a part of someone and placed in each bag. Probably a form of punishment but once again, hard to say if the punishments are just or not since fey tend to be pretty chaotic.
I think that is all the info that that check can give.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Vinnie sits on a branch of the tree while the discussion plays out. "In my opinion, we are pathfinders and it is our job to investigate mysterious things. Further, if something is imprisoned in this bag - " he gestures at the growling one - "I feel I should free it. If it is rightfully imprisoned then we can put it back, but if it is unjustly held captive we should free it. That is my opinion."
Vinnie is for taking all the bags and for opening the growling one, but he will not do so if the group doesn't agree.
”Cortland” | Male LN Medium Human Investigator (Empiricist) 3 | HP 27/27 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 14 | F +4 R +6 W +4 | Init +2 | Perc +10 (+11 vs. traps) SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 8/8 | Active Conditions: None
Gorak reaches out and touches on the bags. Sorry GM, I should have done this sooner... The images and emotions of the last thing to touch the bag come flooding into his mind. Occultist Object reading
"As a reminder, Mates, we are in the 1st world. Things here don't have the same rationality as back home, you see. The Eldest have a funny sense of things- ain't no garentee of justice here. Just as likely as the amusement of the others, if ye asking me."
Vote to take them, unless my object reading shows something really weird. Either way, I agree we should progress the story
Gorak places a hand and takers a moment to read each bag. Each of the normal looking bags (9) show strong transmutation auras. Each reading gives you a sense of some aspect of someone or something. For example you will read a bag and get a short feeling of sorrow of a lost loved one. Another is creativity and when you read it, you mind floods with all sorts of oddity artworks. These nine bags do not give you a clue on who they once belonged to or how to return them.
The red growling bag is identified as a a growling gray bag of tricks This a variant of the normal grey bag of tricks. s. A growling bag of tricks can be used once per day, to a maximum of 3 times per week, and the creatures it summons last for 5 minutes. The animals it summons come from the First World. They have unusual physical features, such as bizarre coloration or abnormally long fur. Compared to typical animals of their type, they gain resistance 5 to both cold and electricity and a +4 bonus on saving throws against mindaffecting effects. Their creature type counts as both animal and fey.. This seems to be the wild aspect of some creature in the First World.
The bag of color is indeed revealed to be Azure’s bag. It confirms the story that Azure had given about how it was taken and why. Gorak is pretty sure that this color might be usable by others as well. It should make you more noticeable, but also more likable, if his reading is correct.
Lastly, the larger bag is the sense of camaraderie! The reason for it's size is that it is the camaraderie of 5 people. This one appears to be taken by the Lantern King. You recognize one of the people this belongs to is the fey woman you defeated out by the lake.
That is all the info that is given from Gorak's readings.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
Vinnie is delighted with Gorak's discoveries. "I say we take them all! I mean, we are pathfinders so we are supposed to 'explore, cooperate, and loot... I mean report', right?!?"
"A soul is attached to each of these. Each sacred in its own right, though the return to those who are missing these experiences... that. That is a worthy task."
Gorak grabs the other bags, hooking the bag of tricks to his own belt.
Male NG Sylph Investigator 4 (Malice Binder) | HP 31/31| AC 20 T 14 FF 16 | CMB +3, CMD 16 | F: +4, R: +8, W: +4 | Init: +3 | Perc: +7+1d6, SM: +7+1d6 | Speed 35ft || Inspiration 4/4 || || Active conditions:
Aldar still seems uncomfortable about interfering in matters that don't involve them, especially without the full details or being able to speak with the Eldest that placed the bags here, but he goes along with it and keeps watch for the rest of the party.
Once you pack up and getting ready to head out, you hear the thunderous drone of a hunter’s horn.
Outlanders and thieves! declares a muscular man with goats’
legs and glowing green eyes. Casting back his cloak to reveal curling horns atop his head, he continues, We of the Whirlwood wild hunt do hereby doom you unto death!
From another quadrant of the grove, a furry scout pipes up. Clortho, please. For all we know, they have been sent here by Ng, or another one of the Eldest.
Ssstuff it, Ronronne, hisses a third hunter, Why can’t we just agree to have a good old fashioned hunt, yess?
Because, Xox, says the wolflike fourth, we cannot hunt
without our full complement. Where is Daisag?
At this point, you are free to step in or let them continue. Please let me know what you would like to do. With any attempts to be social-able with them, attach an appropriate check. I will continue with how this scene plays out if no one wants to interrupt.
”Cortland” | Male LN Medium Human Investigator (Empiricist) 3 | HP 27/27 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 14 | F +4 R +6 W +4 | Init +2 | Perc +10 (+11 vs. traps) SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 8/8 | Active Conditions: None
I bid you a good day. How is the hunting?
Just generally trying to make myself more well liked.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
I also would like to study them and see what I know.
Small Male LG Vanara Unchained Monk 1 Shaman 4 | HP 42/42 (+10 temp) | AC 21 T 21 FF 16 (with Mage Armor & Barkskin 27, 22, 21) | CMB 1, CMD 21 | F +6, R +8, W +10 | Init +4 | Perc +13 SM +9 | Speed 30' (Climb 20') |Battle Spirit 4/4 | GM Reroll 1/1 | Active Conditions: Mage Armor, Barkskin, False Life | Acrobatics +8, Climb +10, Swim +2
"A hunt!?! How exciting. What are you hunting? Can we join in? I used to hunt tree voles in the upper reaches of the forest in my youth - ah that was a time - but that was far from here - I don't suppose you have tree voles here?" Vinnie inquires hopefully. "Be that as it may, I promise you that I LOVE to hunt. And I'm so quiet too, no one can even hear me when I'm on the hunt, which, I'm sure you know, is the very essence of the hunter's craft - to be unknown until the very moment that you strike! Oh ho! Now that is a fun time! Why, the tree voles of my homeland used to quiver in fear just to hear my name. Oh my, how rude. I haven't even introduced myself. Vinnie. Vinnie Bandar's the name and these here are my fine companions and we would be most honored to join you on your hunt!"
Male NG Dwarf from Qadira | Cleric of Erastil (formerly Shelyn) 7 | DR5/bludgeoning 35/35 | HP 63/71 | AC 20 T 12 FF 18 | CMB +3, CMD 18 | F: +14, R: +9, W: +17 | Init: +2 | Perc: +19 | SM: +13 | Dipl.: +21 | Rooted Vitality 1/1 | Reroll 1/1 | Darkvision | Speed 20ft | Active conditions: resist electricity 20, defending bone.
Jang steps forward and opens his arms.
"Oh I hope that you will find your companion ... it ... it is always hard to loose someone ... to feel the pain ... to know that you will never ... ever ... be complete! I very much hope that you will be reunited ... really ... " Jang says and tears are visible in his eyes.
Gorak smiles at the Vanara's stories and quietly I must hear more about these tree voles!
He quickly refocuses on his surroundings, using this moment to prepare for the worst case scenario. Activate legacy blade (+1) and 30ft movement bump. Each lasts one minute. 3 points Abjuration remaining
Courtland knows these creatures to be members of a Wild Hunt, the same thing that the fey woman from the lake was. Individually, the first and aggressive sounding one is a variant of a faun. The only special knowledge of them that you have is that they are known for their powerful enchantment magic. They also are defensive against most things besides cold iron. DR/cold iron, SR, and Resist cold and electricity
The other three variant skinwalkers. The only special thing about them is they are also defensive of most magic and elements. SR and resist cold, electricity, and fire.
The aggressive faun looks at the rambling Vanara, You, you fool! You are the prey.
The bickering begins all over again. Finally the third speaker, a serpent like skinwalker, says I like you! He throws an arm around Vinnie and goes on You are the finest kind of pppprey. Letssss make thisssss like a traditional hunt! With everyone finally calming down, it seems like they agree with the serpent. They would like to make this into a fun hunt for all. This means that they want to give you a head start to get away. They win if they defeat you and you win you defeat them or get away.
Does this proposition make sense? If you agree, I will give you a run down of the mechanics.
”Cortland” | Male LN Medium Human Investigator (Empiricist) 3 | HP 27/27 | AC 16, T 12, FF 14 | CMD 14 | F +4 R +6 W +4 | Init +2 | Perc +10 (+11 vs. traps) SM +10 | Speed 30ft | Inspiration 8/8 | Active Conditions: None
