[Table Shieldwall] Realm of the Fellnight Queen (Inactive)

Game Master Nathan Hartshorn

"We are grateful for your willingness to aid us!" he exclaims, turning to the mist. "I don’t know what this is either, but it’s really scaring the townsfolk. If Tenzekil’s threats prove true, this could be the beginning of something much worse."

"There is a druid named Devarre who may know more... He lives somewhere west of town in the woods, but no one knows exactly where. He usually finds travelers before they find him."

There is no rush - you can do whatever you wish prior to heading out
When you head out, we'll need survival checks to avoid getting lost in the mist
All can roll it - I will take the highest and use the others as aids (if required)

Berato Survival, Scion, Guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 1 = 17

"The fog is on the heavy side today, hopefully we can still spot a landmark or two through this pea soup..."

Setting out into the fog, Berato somehow navigates the useable terrain with ease. As if a diving light guides him. After a full day of travel, the group finds a suitable place to setup camp.

As the group begins to settle in and rest, a strange female stumbles out of a particularly large oak tree. Vibrant hair resembling leaves and blossoms stand out against her wooden skin. Collapsing in a heap near the group, she gasps in pain. "PLease...you...you must help us!"

The small voice continues to plead "They came...from the shadows...inside...the mist! My sisters are DYING! They are...burning our trees! We've nowhere else to turn...HELP!"

The stranger's words end in a strange wail as she begins to sob uncontrollably.

What do you do?

Berato kneels beside her, offering water. "There child. Eaaaaaasy... calm down and tell us what happened. But first: are you injured? I am well-versed in the healing arts."

Heal check to diagnose her condition, scion: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 19 + 2 = 26

Anthys does not recognize what sort of being this woman is, but he has his suspicions.
Marcus was our Knowledge guy.

He waits for someone else to let him know what is going on here.

Marcus was our Knowledge guy.

Well, not any more!!!

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22 Magical powers?

"'Child', you say? That is a dryad! At a minimum, she is probably older than your grandparents - but if something is burning down her tree, then she and her sisters have little time left indeed!"

Xasay turns from Berato to the dryad. "Spirit, we shall be happy to help you; please, lead the way, and tell us all that you know about these mistborne assailants!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

@DM: Did we already rest during our full day's travel, or will this be our first rest?

"Yes! Hurry up child!" says Kimo.

"Let's go," Vindler says, nodding along with the others. "If there's someone in trouble, we should lend our aid. Lead the way, Spirit. Tell us, what is your name?"

@Xasay: This is the same day as the wedding fight. You've not rested yet

Berato thoroughly inspects the creature to find it barely clinging to life. Sadly, his ministrations reveal the damage is of a kind he's unable to cure.

"I fear I am...beyond your help. I searched...searched for the Druid but was without luck. I'm called Breena. I was born of the Second World."

“They are Spriggans! Horrid little gnomes...Half-plant and fully malicious, they grow like weeds..."

"...Legends tell of such creatures once locked away in a place called the Fellnight Realm. But that was... thousands of years ago.”

“Our grove lies in a clearing of paueliel trees just south of here. Follow the gully like a trail and it will take you there. Hurry!”

"My sister Fira said...Mist comes from...higher ground...somewhere with...with water!"

"I....NO!" shrieks the dryad...her eyes suddenly going wide with pain and anguish...then nothing. The fey is no more.

(Rest? Hurry to try and aid?)

"Let us go to this grove and find her sister Fira. We may be able to save some of them as we could not save this Dryad."

Anthys votes for hurry and try to aid - as a Fighter, he has not much in the way of daily resources (other than Barroom Brawler, which he has used, and Tactician, which he has not).

"Interesting." Xasay says calmly as he watches the dryad die. "They must've gotten to her tree."

He begins heading south.

"I agree with Anthys. The sooner the better."

Despite the hour, the group hustles onward in hopes of saving the woman's sisters from their fate. Pushing through the dense fog they follow the gully through the forest. After a few minutes, it rises into a small clearing of silver-barked paueliel trees, many of which lie fallen and hewn into large piles. A bonfire bathes the fog hovering at the forest’s edge with an orange glow, its flames burning away some of the mist, and replacing it with the heavy tang of woodsmoke instead. A woman’s screams punctuate the muted laughter of small figures capering about the fire. An elf-like female and a badly wounded unicorn lie bound upon he ground near a stack of man-sized, hand-cut logs that have been crudely carved into humanoid forms.

Slide 1 on the map link in my header

They don't see you yet. The fire has burned away some of the fog here so there's no miss chance/concealment to worry about in the clearing.

The big 'X' is the bonfire. The cylinders around it are trees crudely carved into the semblance of dryads.

You can see the spriggans are currently tying the female to one of these 'statues'

Xasay does what Wayang do best...

Stealth: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

...before inquiring as to the others' thoughts about how to go about this.

I have at least a couple of ideas, but what about the rest of you?

@DM: Does there appear to be any imminent danger to the dryad and unicorn other than the spriggans? Also, any skill checks I could make (Spellcraft, Knowledge, whatever) to possibly figure out what they might be up to here?

Vindler whispers to the others, "We should try to free the dryad and the unicorn. If we can save them still, that should be our first priority. Xasay? Ach! Where'd ya go..ah there you are. Do you have any way to go in invisibly? Might be good if we can start out with the unicorn gettin' free."

"Vindlér's idea sounds good. Xasay, you want me to stand up tall, extol the virtues of the Inheritor, and provide a distraction? Or just stay quiet?"

"Wait here; I will try to lead them astray!"

With that, Xasay vanishes.

Using the Stealth roll above, 'cuz if they can beat it, I deserve to be spotted, he creeps among the trees using my pass without trace racial SLA (DC 16), then suddenly, from nearly the dead-opposite side of the clearing...

"AAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH, OOOHH NOOO, somebody help me, I am weak and wounded and alone and now I am stuck in a BEAR TRAP! OHHH NOOOOO!!!"

Ventriloquism racial SLA, DC 16 (origin point indicated on map)!

Xasay: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Xasay: you are able to reason they are about to toss her in the fire...once they finish tying her the to log

"No! Run! Save...Save yourself!" shrieks the dryad as the other beasts turn towards the sound. The Unicorn fails to react in any way.

The spriggans grunt to each other, smiling maliciously. "Iwọ, ṣayẹwo. Ti o ba jẹ dryad miiran, mu wa nibi."

"Eyi le wo arabinrin miiran ku!"

One of the pale creatures grows in size and moves towards the noise as the other three finish binding the sobbing woman to the pole.

Xasay instantly regrets making the bait sound like easy enough prey that the spriggans would think it sufficient to send only one of their number after it.

Straining his tiny, hunched chest and short, narrow larynx to do his best approximation of a deep, resonant Human-Knight-Barbarian-hero-type voice, Xasay throws his voice again, this time from a bit farther away (indicated once again):

"LITTLE KNELL, MY DARLING??? IS THAT YOU? AVAUNT AND GALLAVANT, FOR I WILL RESCUE THEE, AND ATTACK THE DARKNESS WITH MY MAGIC MUSCLES!!!"

Perform (Acting), if it helps any: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

"Friends, stay close to me when we approach. I will cast a fire protection spell on the dryad and unto anyone close enough so that I could touch them. Immediately after the fire-protection spell, my next move will be to channel Torag's power to heal everyone. I can exclude only two creatures from this healing power, so Anthys, Vindler and Kimo: focus all your attacks on the same one or two targets so that we can thin out their numbers without healing them back. But first, follow me, and let's stick together!"

Berato runs into the clearing to get close to the female as soon as possible.

Full run action

Anthys moves up with Berato, drawing Requiem.
Double move - Anthys has 30' move and so can make it there without running.

Kimo also moves closer to Berato.

Vindler draws his cold iron axe and charges ahead with the others.

I think I can make it there with a full action run

The creature nearest the sound stops, cocks it's head and slowly shambles deeper into the woods. Just as it's about to shout back to the others, the remaining pathfinders burst out of the woods!

With a shriek, one of the spriggans toss the bound dryad into the fire as they turn to the newcomers. "O ni ibùba! Gba wọn!"

Save the Trees! Round 1

Kimo
Berato
Anthys
Vindler
Spriggans
Xasay

~~Unconscious Unicorn (you can see it's hobbled and bound); Dryad conscious in the fire tied to a wooden statue

Kimo/Berato/Anthys/Vindler up

Anthys takes a step and swings hard at the nearest foe.
Using Scion of the Lost Empire on the iterative attack.

Attack, PA: 1d20 + 16 - 3 ⇒ (10) + 16 - 3 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 6 = 23

Iterative, PA, Scion: 1d20 + 11 - 3 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 3 + 3 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 6 = 19

Kimo steps back5ft and starts shooting nearest one.

+3 pistol- rapid shot, Clustered Shots, Point Blank Shot, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 = 28
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 4 = 18

+3 pistol - rapid shot, Clustered Shots, Point Blank Shot, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 + 4 = 17

+3 pistol- rapid shot, Clustered Shots, Point Blank Shot, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 + 1 - 2 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 + 4 = 15

Berato casts communal protection from fire, then touches both Anthys and the bound dryad. He then takes a step backwards and also touches Vindler, Kimo and himself.

Protection from energy (fire) on the following characters, providing 96 pts. of fire immunity each, with duration assigned in bracket: Anthys (10 min), the dryad (40 min), Vindler (10 min), Kimo (10 min) and Berato (10 min)

Vindler moves toward the fire and grabs onto the ropes binding the dryad and attempts to move her out of the fire.

Move action to get to the fire; standard to attempt to move the dryad out of the fire. In case you need a Reposition maneuver check...

Reposition: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

...and the plan goes to Hell in round 1! this is a record I think, even for Vindler! :) :P

Yes, well, you could've WAITED a round to at least see if my ruse could've divided them more....

Xasay buries his face in his hands* as he hears the real Lawful Stupid Brigade making their entrance before the illusory one can finish fulfilling its purpose.

_____

* = That is to say, he does so to the extent that it is physically possible, the strange dimensions of Wayang faces and hands being what they are (Xasay's being especially so even by their standards!).

Anthys leaps into action ahead of the blaster and drops the nearest foe.

Stepping back, Kimo peppers the foes...dropping one almost instantly and blasting off another's thumb!

Thinking fast, Berato wards all in reach against the flickering flames as Vindler reaches into the inferno and yanks the dryad out of the blaze.

The spriggan near the fire enlarges and tries to snatch the dryad back
Steal from Vindler: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

The one investigating the sounds from the forest glances back to his falling foes and takes off into the trees. (Fleeing)

Save the Trees! Round 1

Spriggans (green, -15)(Red, Fleeing)
Xasay

Save the Trees! Round 2
Kimo
Berato
Anthys
Vindler

Party Up

Anthys will step up and attack Green.
Because it was damaged by an ally within the past round, Blood for the Empire applies (boosted by the Ring of Tactical Precision to a +3).

Attack, PA, Blood!: 1d20 + 16 - 3 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 16 - 3 + 3 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 6 + 3 = 22

Iterative, Scion: 1d20 + 11 - 3 + 3 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 3 + 3 + 3 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 6 + 3 = 24

As the Spriggan tries to grab hold of the dryad, Anthys chops one arm clean off before slicing it in half!

The villain drops...into the flames and quickly ignites.

Xasay

Kimo
Berato
Anthys
Vindler

The only one remaining is Red who is fleeing into the woods - do you give chase or let it leave?

Vindler lets the spriggan flee, recognizing that, without magical intervention, he won't be nearly fast enough to catch the fleeing fey. Instead, he turns his attention to the dryad, checking to see if she is conscious and offering healing from the wand he pulls from his back.

Will draw my wand of cure light wounds and ready an action to cast it on her if she needs healing.

Pleasantly surprised to notice that the 'Lawful Stupid Brigade' may in fact have known just what they were doing, Xasay keeps up the ruse until he is satisfied the runner is well and truly gone (and truth be told, just for the fun of it):

"VIEW HALLOOOO, MY DARLING! BEHOLD, FOR I HAVE BROUGHT THE BRIGADIERS OF LIGHT A-CHARGIN' FORT!"

"A...charging fort, my darling???"

"VERILY, THE SAME! A FINE GIFT TO ALL GOOD-HEARTED FOLK FROM BABA YAGA'S THRICE-ESTRANGED JISTKAN COUSIN!!!"

I cast ghost sound to emulate a distant heavy thundering noise, like REALLY BIG footfalls.

I may have to give these characters names soon, Xasay muses inwardly. It ought be something Avistani: 'Isolde and Tristan?' 'Emilye and Arcite'? 'Olivia and Burst-Eye'...?

Rollz for the Lolz: Perform (Acting): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19

Berato channels the power of Torag to heal both the dryad and the unicorn, including his friends but none of the fallen foes.

Channel Energy 30-ft radius to Heal Living Creature: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 5) = 13

He then steps to the east to inspect the fire and the area to find anything that might be hidden.

Assuming out of combat at this point; will take 20 on Perception and throw in guidance and detect magic for good measure.

Perception, Taking 20, Guidance, Scion: 20 + 23 + 1 + 2 = 46

Kimo shoots the green one.

+3 pistol- rapid shot, Clustered Shots, Point Blank Shot, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 = 32
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 4 = 21

+3 pistol - rapid shot, Clustered Shots, Point Blank Shot, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 16 - 2 + 1 - 2 = 26
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 + 4 = 18

+3 pistol- rapid shot, Clustered Shots, Point Blank Shot, Deadly aim: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 11 - 2 + 1 - 2 = 21
damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 + 4 = 20

Sorry Kimo, I forgot to delete the green one. Anthys dropped him.

The harrowing banter created by Xasay echoes through the forest as Berato channels holy happiness to the surrounding forest.

The dryad woman smiles. "You, you saved me! Thank you. Thank you all."

"My name is Fira and I'll happily reward you once you untie me." she announces. (Assuming no one has an issue untieing her...)

She moves over to where a tree once stood and retrieves a pouch before handing it off to her saviors. "You'll notice several items inside of significance and our...well what we had saved over the years."

Pausing, she takes in the clearing fully for what seems like the first time. A great loss shows in her eyes, though she says nothing about it. "The yellow flower in there has enough pollen to make hidden thing visible three times before it runs out." (As Dust of Appearance)

"You are searching out The Druid, right? Use this when you reach the fey-mound in the hills and it will allow you to find him." she advises. "The rest of the contents are yours as well. I owe you..."

The unicorn speaks up from it's bound position. "Excuse me? But WE owe you our lives. I'd offer to cure you of what ails you...but it seems you have all faired quite well. If you would please untie me as well, I would certainly appreciate it."

Looking over the wayang, Fira adds "You are quite skilled. I would love to see you perform again."

"It was our pleasure, gracious dryad and noble unicorn," says Berato, accepting the dust of dryness and dust of appearance thankfully. "We are indeed searching The Druid, as one gnome named Tenzekil Braybittle has unfortunately gone mad with sorrow over losing his beloved to the affections of another gentleman in town. The gnome has cast the town of Bellis into a horrible fog. Such are the fickle ways of love. Like a wild animal, love cannot survive being caged and does not often fare well while leashed to the same tree for eternity. Love must be able to move, flow and run its course freely."

Vindler's eyebrow rises as Beratoa waxes eloquent on the nature of love. "I must say you surprise me with your deep thoughts and your beautiful words, Berato," the dwarf says with a chuckle. "Nonetheless, you're right. We're hoping to find Braybittle. Could you point us in the direction of the fey-mound, Fira? Or should it be fairly easy to find once we reach the hills?"

Gesturing towards the forest outside the firelight, the dryad responds "As you can see the fog is not limited to just the town. It seeps out through all of the realm...stretch further with each moment it continues."

"As to the fey mound, I'll tell you this. You'll wish to go due west of here. Head that direction for about a day. Beyond that would be improper to share. If you're intention is pure, that will be all the direction you need."

Glancing towards the Unicorn, she nods. "I am luckier than my sisters. My tree has survived this...barbarism. However, I am not unscathed by the incident."

"Palombier is what you may know me as." announces the unicorn, struggling to it's feet. "Fira and I must attend to some issues this situation is causing. Again, we owe our lives to you and shall remember this. If it's the last thing I do, I will repay the favor! This I vow before the woods themselves!"

"If there's nothing further, we must depart."

If no one stops them, they Dryad and Unicorn leave the clearing.
This is still the same day as the wedding. You could theoretically travel another 2 hours and have enough time to rest to avoid fatigue. You could rest here. What do you wish to do?

Berato votes to travel for another 2 hours and then rest immediately after that, proposing to pray for a spell of 'Marching Chant' and 'Nap Stack' the next morning. He explains that Marching Chant will make them all travel one day's worth of travel in 4 hours, and that if we need to rest further, Nap Stack will allow them to benefit from a full night's sleep in a mere two hours.

@Everyone: feel free to propose / suggest other spells to Berato's list the next morning, based on our current situation.

"I agree with Berato! Let's travel for another 2 hours."

"Farewell," says Anthys to the unicorn and dryad. He is somewhat leery of fey in general, given their reputation for trickery, but these seem like good sorts.

"I am ready to move on for another couple of hours."

Making your way westward as instructed, the forest becomes denser with each step it seems. The mist having returned immediately after leaving the fire in the clearing makes matters even more troubling. Thankfully, you feel quite confident you are managing to head in the right direction more or less.

Suddenly, Massive footsteps shake the forest floor, and then a loud thud rattles the nearby trees. One of them suddenly crashes to the ground in a cloud of dust and debris. With a groan, it rolls over and starts to right itself. Two large, bleary eyes blink open. “More visssh… vish-uh... visitors ta the forest?” it slurs in a deeply drunken, booming voice. Then, its eyes narrow in anger. “Why, I’ll drive yuh right inta the earth for what yuh done!” It stands upright and takes an errant, off-balance swing with a giant, gnarled fist, shattering a nearby treetop in a spray of bark and twigs. “Yuh won’t be foolin’ me again! Now stand still!”

Picture of this creature is on 'Slide 1'

The Trees Want Revenge! Round 1
Anthys
Berato
Vindler
Kimo
Xasay
Tree

With the way this part is, you pretty much have no choice but to go into initiative immediately. You all get to act first. There is no map for this currently - if we find we need one, I'll put one up.

What do you do? This massive tree has swung at the group

Suspecting this noble creature has been influenced somewhat, Berato casts 'suppress charms and compulsions' on the treant, and also includes his two nearest friends, just in case anyone tries something on them.

He then pulls out a scroll of protection from evil and takes a step towards the treant, announcing, "WE ARE HERE TO HELP! WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE DRUID NAMED DEVARRE!!!"

As long as you continue to concentrate, the spell suppresses all existing charm and compulsion effects affecting the targets, regardless of whether the effect is beneficial or harmful. New charm or compulsion effects that successfully target such a protected creature are automatically suppressed as long as you continue concentrating.

"He seems to be drunk."
At least, we were told it was a drunken booming voice.

Anthys does not know what this creature is, nor does he know it to be a "noble creature," but he can tell it is accusing the party of something they didn't do.

"What did we do that made you angry? Tell us what vexes you."

He uses Total Defense.
That makes his base AC 31, with a +1 dodge if adjacent to 2 or more allies, and an increase of +3 to his shield bonus if adjacent to an ally with a heavy shield (like Vindlér). Not even counting Lastwall Phalanx (as I am pretty sure this is not an evil foe), that is AC 35.

Hoping to just tank for a few rounds while the casters figure out the problem.

Kimo waits to see what will happen.

As the magic takes affect, the massive tree looks at the small human. Grumbling, he takes out a hollow gourd and takes a massive swig.

(no effect)

Knowledge (nature), monster lore: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 4 = 23

Vindler pulls his shield and stands firm next to Anthys, letting the others do the casting and figuring while he tries to get a read on what might be influencing this creature.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33

Total Defense for me too. Think that puts me at AC27