"I can check for magic. But given what we have learned about the Azlanti while here I am guessing something man made or more aberrations."
Brannart replies to Nymbleth, "I'd be happy to help, but it would be best if I had samples to bring with me for comparison, or at least some very detailed sketches. My knowledge of herbs and alchemy is extremely limited."
Fenna pauses carrying buckets of water over for her bush to listen to Nymbleth's request.
"Oh, I'm sure we could Nymbleth."
Vexas brings up a point she pursues, although she's less sure Nymbleth means industrial production amounts of the plants.
"About how much do you need? Is it stuff that grows in abundance?"
Nymbleth smiles at Vexas’s question, ”That all depends on if you want a job or if you continue with your heroics.” Nymbleth then turns to Brannart, ”Alba and I can provide some sketches of what we are looking for, and I am sure that Malakar and Sho would also be very helpful with this aspect of the task.” Nymbleth pauses to look around, ”Where are our two nature-loving companions anyway?”
Nymbleth smiles again as he grabs his swishing tail in his right hand, ”That is the beauty of plants Fenna,” he says looking down at the just planted rose bush. He kneels down and takes a deep breath, enjoying the fragrance. Looking up at the Bard at an angle, he smiles, ”They can be quite potent in small doses and by the time most alchemy is ready, the plants have regrown.” Nymbleth then stands back up and explains, ” Alba and I are also working with the glassblower Sanch Celan with plans to build a greenhouse. We plan to use the seeds from the initial harvest to grow more plants right here in the colony and to avoid depletion of the islands’ natural resources. A few ounces of each plant is all that we will need, but our harvest and your reward will continue in perpetuity.”
Examining the path, Sho is certain that nothing natural created this.
Druid and Ranger follow the path for a time. It eventually leads towards a beach where the trail disappears into the bay. Both Malakar and Sho come to the same conclusion that whatever created this path either entered the bay or moved along the beach at low tide. When the tide returned, it washed the trail away.
Looking toward the West, Malakar and Sho notice that the sun is closing in on the horizon and realize that the day is waning.
Ah, yes! That makes sense. So you simply need sufficient samples to get a cycle of seeds going. Very efficient. Very well then, we'll collect your specimens.
"I agree lets get back and report in, there is more happening here than we can figure out on our own."
Sho and Malakar’s return is uneventful and they make it back to the colony after nightfall, using moonlight to guide them home.
The next day, everyone feels well rested and refreshed. There is a new layer of scars on some, but the wounds have healed.
After listening to Sho and Malakar’s description of events from the previous day, it is decided to view the trail with fresh eyes. Looking at the maps that Nymbleth provided, the requested flora can be searched for along the way by adding only a small detour.
Not too far outside the colony, there is a plea for help coming from deeper within the jungle. It is a female’s voice spoken in common.
Vexas halts when he hears the cry for help and, listening to where it is coming from, switches to more stealth movement as he heads that direction .
Brannart hears the cry for help.
"Let's move!"
Then he sees Vexas slipping off slowly and quietly... while Brannart's instinct is to rush to the danger to help the colonist, he is at least aware that it could be a trap... he is torn and looks to the others for guidance.
Vexas finds his way through thick bush and brambles and finally reaches a more open area.
Vexas eyes widen like they never have... at least since getting on that boat in the mainland. He immediately yells out to them.
Stop struggling! It only makes it worse!
He turns back to his party, pleading Who has rope? I'm going to need it pretty soon.
The halfling begins inching forward, looking for solid ground that puts him in reach of Lyra and the colonist.
Malakar will follow the sound of screams.
Malakar doesn't have any rope but he does have some spears he holds out the shaft to a colonist to grab.
Brannart likewise does not have rope, but he does have his polearm.
He will get as close as he can, lay flat, and hold the ranseur at the top of the haft (just below the blades) and reaching the bottom of the haft out to the colonists.
GM input?
Malakar ponders the workings of his magic.
"My spell won't free them but it will stop them from sinking and may provide a sort of net for the to craw on or us to pull them up on. Anyone whi wants to be close to the pit do so now because it will be harder to do so once my magic has taken hold."
Malakar will wait for everyone to be in position before casting his spell.
Fenna is sitting outside by her newly planted roe bush, admiring it with a last cup of tea before their hike when she hears the call. She's slightly slower to respond due to having to put her cup down and grab her pack, but not by much. It's just as well, everyone else but her seems to understand what they're seeing when they get there.
She fumbles through her pack for the rope, asking "What is that?"
She hands the rope over to Vexas.
Brannart drinks his potion of Enlarge Person. He now has 20' reach with his Ranseur.
He now takes up A9, A10, B9, and B10.
If he gets caught in the quicksand, his Swim is +9 when Enlarged and he can always Take 10.
He reaches the haft of the polearm out to Lyra.
Brannart drinks his potion of Enlarge Person. He now has 20' reach with his Ranseur.
He now takes up A9, A10, B9, and B10.
If he gets caught in the quicksand, his Swim is +9 when Enlarged and he
can always Take 10.
He reaches the haft of the polearm out to Lyra.
Brannart drinks his potion and starts to grow, his head now closer to the tree tops. He still feels solid ground underneath him and extends his polearm toward the struggling strawberry-blond haired Half-Elf. Her hands reach out and grasp hold of the ranseur and she starts to rise out of the quicksand. Then she loses her grip and her momentum takes her under the liquified sand and dirt. Her hand is the last thing seen before she disappears.
As Milo, the other colonist, struggles several feet away, he screams, "No, Lyra! Please save her."
Vexas tests the next patch of Earth in front of him for quicksand. . If it's safe he moves forward...
Vexas watches Lyra sink below the earth as he inches forward, testing each step.
Fenna shrieks when Lyra goes under.
"There's no more time! Do something!" she screams to everyone.
Fenna grabs an end of the rope back from Vexas and ties it around her waist.
"Just hold on to the rope Vexas, and don't let go no matter what!"
Fenna starts walking toward Lyra's position, letting the rope spool out behind her as she moves forward.
Vexas' eyes widen as Fenna boldly strides forward. He looks down at the rope she handed him and grips it as tightly as his halfling hands can.
Brannart, I might need help with this!
Brannart grabs the rope.
"Shouldn't I just go in?"
Fenna moves forward, her first few steps finding solid ground. She can feel her chest pound with each step. Then the ground gives way.
Fenna finds herself chest-deep in the saturated ground, but she believes that she is near where Lyra went under.
When she loses solid ground Fenna switches to a breaststroke to keep moving forward. When she reaches the place where she believes Lyra went under, Fenna switches to a dog paddle and starts feeling around under the quicksand for her.
Malakar doesn't like the stress of the situation and in a panic he decides to jump in with Fenna. He doesn't know if he can save them but he can swim and breathe for a long time submerged so the best he can do is try.
Fenna slowly treads with one arm while reaching down with the other. She feels something. It is a hand, and it grasps hers.
Moments later, Lyra's head bursts from the ground gasping for breath. At the same time, Sho and Malakar make it to Fenna to aid her.
Giant Brannart pulls who onto dry ground whoever wishes to get out - knowing that some will dive back in to get Milo.
Fenna is quite happy to get out with Lyra and stay out. Malakar is much better able to rescue Milo.
Lyra makes it to shore on her hands and knees, coughing and spewing up sand. She wipes some earth from her face as she looks to all of you with big, wide eyes, "Thank you. Please save Milo."
Looking across the area, Milo still has his head above ground.
Hey wow, that was amazing. Do you all think you could do that again for poor Milo?
The halfing continues to trudge forward if he finds solid ground.
Brannart stays where he is and throws the rope towards Milo.
Fenna intervenes to help.
"The rope needs to be weighted."
She ties her waterskin to the end of the rope.
"Now throw it aiming well over him so the line of rope falls on him."
Vexas picks his way along the tree line staying relatively dry while Sho runs towards Milo, and Brannart and Fenna work on a throw-rope.
Sho nears her target, but then the ground gives way. She sinks to her waist and slides through the earth toward the surveyor. The Ranger reaches out her arm, but misses. She can only watch as Milo disappears under the surface. The throw-rope, just tossed, splats on the saturated ground where he just was. Vexas, a few feet away, can only watch in horror.
Lyra's eyes widen as she screams.
She drops to her knees and extends her arms, sobbing.
Sho! Reach down and feel around fast!
The halfing keeps attempting to inch forward , not really believing he can be of much help.
|
Even with her elfic ancestry and the keen sight it comes with, Sho barely manages to locate the sinking man. She catches his arm, but can't muster enough strenght to get him back to the surface.
He even slips her grasp.
She doesn't panic-yet-and tries again, this time catching the man right under his shoulders and pushing back with her legs
Fenna remains with Lyra, trying to keep her calm and preventing her from doing anything unwise.
Malakar will aid in the rescue anyway he can.
Sho pulls on the colonist, but he is dead weight in her arms. Malakar joins to assist. Working together, Ranger and Druid are able to pull Milo to more solid ground.