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About 20 minutes after your escape from the manor, you find yourselves working your way through the maze with Javon giving directions from above, when you are suddenly set upon by the bushes themselves! Or at least bushy representations of animals come to life.
Initiative
BOLD may act.
Reznor
Therin
Grax & Javon
Angela
Topiaries
Ela
Apalah
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Angela recalls that plants in general are immune to all mind-affecting effects, as well as paralysis, poison, polymorph, sleep effects, and stunning. She also recently read a report filed by a Pathfinder that was so full of typos and errors that it took her days to fix it, but in which he reported fighting similar animated plants. She had to rewrite that particular paragraph six times, so she clearly recalls that he reported they were resistant to any kind of weapon that did not deal slashing damage and fire was extra effective against them.
As if to illustrate her point, Grax's greatsword and Therin's fire seem to be particularly effective as Reznor's sermon motivates the combatants.
But the topiary guardians don't like strangers wandering through their maze, and they certainly don't like being burned and slashed. The elephant with the Blue cornflower eyes tries to slam Therin with its woody tusks...
...but neither attack connects with the cleric.
The tiger-plant made of Red Rose bushes, however looks to have taken a sizable gash from Grax's blade. Rather than retaliate, though, it begins to consume the nearby vegetation and some of its damaged branches and vines regrow in front of Grax's eyes. On a positive note, it managed to destroy some of the hedge maze next to Grax.
BOLD may act.
Ela
Apalah
Reznor
Therin
Grax & Javon
Angela
Blue Elephant
Red Tiger
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Angela, gives a shudder as she recalls that report, the one the author thought deserved to be in the next Chronicle. She decides to block the incendiary memory by piling back into the fight, but not able to do too much else here, insteads sticks to waiting for someone to move in either direction. "Keep hacking at them with cutting motions, or fire. Fire works brilliantly as well.... Also Grax, if you step into that newly opened area, all of use can move forward and help. "
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Grax slashes huge chunks of the topiary tiger away while Apalah snaps its branches. It quickly succumbs to the combined assault and crumbles into a pile of twigs and leaves.
Meanwhile, Therin blasts the elephant with fire and ducks just in time for Ela's enchanted pistol to disgorge a gout of flame past his ear. Both attacks hit and the fire singes the leaves. This topiary also inexplicably opts not to retaliate. Its branches stretch into the hedges, and they begin to slowly regrow just like the tiger did.
BOLD may act.
Ela
Apalah
Reznor
Therin
Grax & Javon
Angela
Blue Elephant
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As the second topiary guardian crumbles to singed leaves and twigs Emilio finds his voice. ”Wow, youse guys are amazin’! Torch sure does hire the best, don’t he?” he asks Angela as he puts his hand out for a high five.
Javon flies back up and easily locates a thin area of the hedge close to the outer wall. Soon thereafter the team of rescuers and their Varisian courier find themselves safely on the road to Kerse. Back at the Silver Spoon Inn and Tavern, over a round of Azer’s Tears and chai teas, final arrangements are made with Emilio.
”I don’ know why Torch didn’t give youse these earlier, but this here is a safe-passage token that’ll let you bypass the magical wards around the stronghold,” he says as he hands over small coin-sized tokens imprinted with the image of a flaming torch. ”I’ll get these papers to al-Jakri, don’t you worry. But speakin’ of papers,” he pauses as he looks at the team secretary. ”Would you be willin’ to make a copy of Irel’s journal for me? You know, just for my's own edifications”
Emilio’s rescue garners you good will from Kristoff, and he gives you room and board on the house. (In truth, Venture-Captain Valsin is footing the bill, and he’ll file a claim for reimbursement later. ) As an added bonus, he can now collect the rent that Emilio owes him.
After Emilio departs, Kristoff informs you that Amynta Irel was very displeased to discover that her prisoner and personal research went missing. She’s filed a formal complaint with Kerse officials and has mobilized a force of Blackjackets to find those responsible for the theft. Her search, however, is hampered by the fact that she can’t readily admit that her staff was duped into believing that her constructs needed a tune-up. Kristoff assures you that since you escaped cleanly, the Society can shield you from Irel’s vengeance.
Feel free to roleplay if you like, I’ll make a housekeeping post over in Discussion to clean up paperwork. I fully expect a lot of help from Angela on that :)
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Nothing like dancing with danger and getting away with it." Apalah toasts the rest.
"Her pride is our aid since who'll admit that she was duped." he grins as he begins a dance of victory.
"It has being a pleasure to work with all of you. Till next we meet should our dance in life cross paths again. Let this victory dance be for all of you."
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Angela gives a smile to hear that their escapades went off without a hitch. She does frown some at Ela's insight. "Not much we could have done to prevent that, I guess. Hopefully they weren't a great person in the first place. Anyways let's celebrate! To a flawless efficient plan!" She raises her glass of Aldoran red in toast.
She watches Apalah do his victory dance, laughing some, before she eyes Emilio and leans over. "You should probably rest up some. I have some sleeping herbs if that will help." After ensuring that the actual agent for that master who once may have been grand has left, Angela relaxes slightly and pulls out her pack, an evil grin splashing onto her face. " While everyone is here, and relaxed, let's finish up that paperwork! So here's your travel expense forms, your personal report forms and the proper forms for submitting an article for next year's chronicle, if you want."
She points to each form in order. Then continues, " For the travel expenses, luckily you traveled with me. I have receipts for all of the modes we took together from Absalom, so if that's where you started from just sign it and copy my form. If you started somewhere else you'll have to add that in first."
"Next, remember the personal report form is your way to tell the venture captains what went down and how. They're anonymous and private so you can voice grievances. This goes without saying, you should give as much information as you feel is relevant and shouldn't fudge this. But this time I'd emphasize that especially as it will be compared to my reports, as at the end of the day I'm here as a chronicle auditor."
She pauses and then looks at everyone in turn, " Don't worry, though, I have nothing but glowing reviews for each and every one of you. Ela, I have yet to see a wizard who channels their spells into guns but I can't help but feeling like I'm seeing the future of magic there. Also you did an excellent impression of a master craftsman. Reznor, you do the name of the Redeemer Queen justice with your actions words and intentions. We could not have done this without you."
" Therin, your religious knowledge, holy fire, and heavy armor saved us all a world of hurt. May you stay as stalwart for decades to come. Apalah, your unique perspective was a great way to see things from another angle, and your dances were elegant and truly a thing of beauty. Also if you ever need a side job, I haven't had as skilled a copist in years."
She finally turns to the last two people int he group. "Javon, I have never met nor will liable ever meet a bird as eloquent or knowledgable as you. My you recover your memories or reverse what ever made you into a bird. And Grax, good grief you have the skills of a proper bodyguard and I never want to be on the wrong end of your weapons."
She finally points to the last form. "Oh and a reccomendation with your chronicle forms, if you want to write one, make sure you change names places and dates a bit so if wrod ever gets to Irel she can't trace it to us." She gives everyone a smile and helps them with their forms if they need or want it. As they get near finishing, she stands up streches and says, Good work everyone the next round is on me, what is your poison?"
Drink orders in hand, she heads to the bar and hands the list, and a form for requesting recompensation frok the Society for rooms to Kristoff. "... and I think I'll try that special you had earlier. Thanks."
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This was a welcome change from the usual missions I undertake. Mind you, it's not exactly in my area of expertise, but that is where the group dynamic comes in. The collective breadth of our knowledge overcame our individual shortcomings. I salute all your abilities. Next up for me is a trip back to the abbey...I have some training to do. Cheers! Therin says as he raises his mug of ale.
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Angela, having seen most of the tricks in the books, pulls out another copy of the forms (ALWAYS carry extras) and holds them up. "If you were wanting to front your parts the costs for the boat, hired coach, taverns we stayed at, AND the travel forms all the way out here, you don't have to fill these out. Just realize you won't be getting recompensed for those gold pieces."
She slides a copy of her form, showing the same route and expenses as everyone else, "And seriously, you only need to copy mine and sign yours. I have the receipts already. Simple"
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Ela smiles and beams proudly as Angela complements her arcane gun-craft. Thank you, I've always liked to tinker with devices. These are the useful ones on missions. She pats the pistol at her side.
Then the paperwork starts to come out... more and more pages and forms and her smile transitions to more of a gritting of her teeth.
Once the secretary looks away she flips the sheets over to their blank sides, and begins to take her pistol apart, placing the parts on the paper and arranging them for a good cleaning.
Hmm, yes these are useful.