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Lawrius moves over, and starts stomping out fires.
Samar does the same, but is not quite as successful.
Makaila pulls out a potion and drinks it, but fails to put out any more fire.
Gullo manages to put out a section of fire.
Gimble does his best, but is unable to put out any fire.
Trillin picks up his lance, moves forward, and puts out a section of fire.
Meanwhile, the fire continues to spread.
Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires, Round 8/9:
Lawrius (-10)
Samar (-13)
Makaila (-4)
Gullo (-4)
Gimble (-13)
Trillin (-14; Wounded 1)
Horse (-11; Wounded 1)
SFF
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Samar stomps forward, and puts out a square.
Makaila tries her best, but only succeeds in putting out one square.
Gullo puts out both squares in front of him.
Gimble pulls and drinks a potion, but fails to put out any fire.
Trillin steps forward, and puts out two squares.
Lawrius (-10)
Samar (-13)
Makaila (-4)
Gullo (-4)
Gimble (-13)
Trillin (-14; Wounded 1)
Horse (-11; Wounded 1)
SFF
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The party handily extinguishes the fire, and keeps the forest essentially undamaged. Jaldan is absolutely ecstatic, hugging any PC who comes within reach!
After the encounter with the leshys, Jaldan sets a hard pace for the camp, determined to get home before anything else goes wrong. The party shambles into the encampment just as the Redpines are setting up for the night.
The Redpine camp is located at a bend in a small forest stream. Hides stretch from branch to branch, making for a cluster of oddly shaped but surprisingly large dwellings. A few trenches have been dug to reroute part of the stream and form a kind of moat or firebreak around the camp, and several decorated banners hang from spears driven into the ground. The smell of roasting meat wafts over the camp, and the party see several rabbits cooking over a fire. Jaldan hails a sentry as the party arrives. The party is promptly welcomed into the camp, allotted a patch of ground, and given roast rabbit and wild greens. Jaldan steals a rabbit leg from the party, then trots off to report to the camp’s leaders.
About an hour later, the party is approached by a golden-eyed lizardfolk with coppery scales.
“Stars move more easily than minds.” The lizardfolk observes to no one in particular, sitting down on a log. “I am Urwal.”
“Jaldan spoke to us. You have seen Finadar’s problem in flower and flesh. Tell me what you have seen.”
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Soot stained and with burnt feet, Samar doesn't seem impressed.
"Creepy little corpse plants attacking people!" Samar remarks. "No idea what's up with that. Care to tell us why they sent for us when they already had you?"
"But first, are there any healers around here? Most of us are a stiff wind shy of keeling over."
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Urwal listens gravely, then interjects.
“Let me tell you a story.” Urwal says, changing the subject abruptly. “North of here, there is a valley. Dragons died there, and their bones linger. For centuries, goblins dwelled among the bones. They made rituals of fire and worship. Such a life is not for me, but the goblins were happy.”
“Beneath the dragons’ graves lay a monolith. I have heard tale of it. Carven rock, six handspans tall, covered in the markings of the one-eyed shapers. For years past number, the stone slumbered, until even the stars changed above it.
Then, as the Sun blessed the Newlyweds, the goblins’ rituals awoke the stone. It remembered its shapers. It remembered its purpose. And it remembered its powers. It called living fire into the dragons’ bones. Finadar burned. Pathfinders came to help. The stone was found, broken. All seemed well.
But now the spirits grow strange and furious. Cenenviel and Kaana seek to guard their peoples’ lives. This is well. But I think it wise that someone seek out that stone. The stars agree.”
Urwal is quiet for a long moment, and then nods briskly. “This is an auspicious night. The Dreamer is bright. Walk the camp, see where you may be of aid. Brighten the name of the Pathfinders.
You will leave in the morning. For the valley. For the stone.”
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Gullo and Makaila go to Cenenviel.
You find the elven druid Cenenviel in one of the tents, poring over a motley and rather fire-damaged collection of old books, scouts’ reports, and scribbled notes.
Cenenviel explains that he is trying to see if the spirits’ current anger has any historical precedent, which would be simpler if his own records hadn’t been damaged in the fire. A large wolverine enthusiastically plays with a leather cord in a corner of the tent and presents the cord to you, hopeful for a rousing game of tug-the-cord.
Cenenviel tells you that her name is Berry-Eater, and warns them that she will follow them all around camp if they play with her.
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Gimble finds Jaldan with a small group of young centaurs. The apprentice shaman is cheerfully telling her friends about her trip with the party, embellishing the leshy attack a bit. When Gimble arrives, she includes him in the story, lauding his valour and inviting him
to participate in the storytelling.
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Lawrius finds Kaana Korag overseeing the return of a patrol.
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Gullo will get down on one knee, brace himself and give Berry-Eater a good tug-of-war. After several rounds he will peruse the damaged materials and wrack his brain. He was never a good study at the monastery. Afterwards he will call to Berry-Eater and grab the cord again for a bit more sport with the wolverine. He will dig into his pack for some dried meat to give to Berry-Eater.
(For the record, the Latin name for wolverine is Gulo gulo.)
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Between them, Trillin and Makaila make good progress on the records.
They find references to some ancient cyclopean ruins in the area, including the stone in the valley, and an old cyclops grave surrounded by standing cairns. Cenenviel theorizes that the cyclopean relics were meant to gather evil energies and might be the cause of all the trouble. If so, the druid theorizes, then disabling or destroying the relics might cause the leshys to return to normal.
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"And there we were..." Gimble remarks, "being bombarded by angry spirits! A raging inferno at our backs, threatening to engulf the entire forest! Ah, but we were sprightly and quick witted... "
Gimble further embellishes Jaldan's tale and tries to make friends with the centaur youths. As he recounts their heroic deeds, he casts a few cantrips, using light, shield, and sigil for emphasis.
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Lawrius doesn't make a good impression, but Samar manages to meet with the war-leaders approval.
"Good, at least the Pathfinders have sent someone who is competent."
Gimble manages to embellish the story quite well, putting on a solid display, which leaves the young centaurs suitably impressed.
When it is over, Jaldan gives him a hug, then dashes into her tent and brings back a Holly Bush Feather Token which she made herself and which she now gives to Gimble in thanks for a great adventure together.
With everyone refreshed (and fully recovered), Urwal comes to see you off.
“I have cast horoscopes for your mission.” Urwal says without preamble, setting a pair of satchels full of traveling supplies by your campsite. “The omens are favourable enough, although the stars carry warning.
The spirits of Finadar Forest are sick. Perhaps this is an abscess in nature, and must be lanced with sword and flame. But such a cure is to be mourned, not celebrated,” the lizardfolk says, emphasizing each word. “Better for all if a safer salve is found. Yes?”
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Berry Eater gives the party a mournful look as you leave...
As you travel over the course of the next day, the party finds the forest becoming gradually quieter. There are more burnt areas here, both old scars from earlier fires and the remnants of more recent blazes sparked by the corrupted leshys. There are fewer animals as well...
Eventually, the party come across a small mountain stream, which matches Urwal’s directions — you’re on the right path.
As you are crossing the stream, you spot movement up ahead. An enormous scarecrow is busily clearing the collected growth of eons past from an ancient set of cyclopean menhirs that surround what looks to be an altar or grave of some kind, decorated with a sinuous, flowing script. Several small animals have been freshly sacrificed atop the altar, their blood sliding into the grooves of the letters carved into the stone. As you approach further, you realize the true size of the scarecrow, with eyes like bubbling black pools in its sackcloth face and hands twisted into wooden talons!
Lawrius (-)
Gullo (-)
Samar (-)
Gimble (-)
Farmer Drystan's Scarecrow (-)
Trillin (-)
Makaila (-)
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Gimble thanks Jandal and gives her a big hug, tucking the token into his pocket. "Thank you! It's beautiful."
In the morning Gimble casts mage amor on himself. He thanks Urwal and bids everyone farewell.
At the sight of the scarecrow he tenses at the grizzly sight. "Hey! What's going on here?! What's the meaning of this?!"
Gimble hustles forward a bit as sharp talons extend from his hands and copper scales grow along his flesh. With a gesture, he raises a magical shield.
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Lawrius draws and throws a javelin, which sticks into the scarecrow.
Gullo moves forward, and draws a spear.
Samar draws her hatchets, and designates the scarecrow as her Prey.
Gimble moves forward, then enhances his offensive and defensive capabilities.
The Scarecrow lurches forward, and then lashes out with hands made from sickle-blades...
...landing a single hit, which shakes Lawrius' confidence a little.
Trillin (-)
Makaila (-)
Lawrius (-8; Frightened 1)
Gullo (-)
Samar (-)
Gimble (-)
Farmer Drystan's Scarecrow (-6)
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Trillin charges forward, and his horse hoofs the scarecrow.
Makaila summons a dog, which bites it, scattering straw across the ground through a tear in it pants.
Lawrius moves around to a flank, and draws a weapon.
Gullo strikes with his spear, but hits only air.
Samar hacks with her hatchets, but misses.
Gimble moves up, and claws at the scarecrow, acid hissing where it meets hay.
The scarecrow responds by attacking Gimble...
...hitting twice, and leaving him thoroughly intimidated, as he is overwhelmed by cloying Evil.
Trillin (-)
Makaila (-)
Lawrius (-8)
Gullo (-)
Samar (-)
Gimble (-15; Frightened 1)
Farmer Drystan's Scarecrow (-22)
Goose follows Makaila, looking really unhappy she summoned a dog of all things.