Bey walks with the rest of the party but his weariness is beginning to show as he fall towards the back of the group.
I feel better after the rest but still could do with more. I will just hang in there. He thinks as he trudges along.
At Mauro's suggestion, Asher leads the way, directing the party as the tracks continue. Abeowin lags behind a little, his stamina not quite as strong as the others.
Rows of small cottages line the crossroads of two streets formed by months of regular foot traffic. The scene is silent and still. The houses are recently built, but there is no sign of life or activity. Many of these simple homes have no proper shutters, and in some cases even lack doors. Nearby, once-cut grass has begun to regrow undisturbed. Gardens and plots of farmland behind some houses have begun to grow wild as weeds threaten to choke out the vegetables and herbs.
The colonist’s houses all tell a similar story: the occupants are missing and show no sign that they packed their belongings. In your search, the party finds a few useful mundane items, including a compass and a sewing kit. A few non-dangerous pests occupy some homes, but the buildings look like they can easily be cleaned out and repurposed.
The party takes a small detour from following the tracks to examine the vegetable patches.
In addition to the small garden plots near the constructed houses, Talmandor’s Bounty has five large vegetable patches. Larger sections of farmland have already been surveyed and marked off just east of the settlement with plans for expansion. The crops have gone wild and need weeding and other attention.
The party approaches one of the vegetable patches. It looks as if the plots were overrun with massive moles. Asher puts up his arm to stop the others from proceeding. He realizes you've seen this before. Ankheg nymphs made these holes!
Right as Asher alerts the party, two ankheg nymphs appear from their burrows and begin to scuttle towards you!
Round 1
Bold may act.
"Oh great, more bugs. Well, they squished fine last time, but watch out, they can spit lines of acid for 15 feet"
Mauro moves forward and to the side to break up the formation, so as not to present a fine target for acid spit. He raises his horsechopper high, waiting for them to come to him...
+4 str
+4 str *1.5
Also, they are likely to draw an AoO attempting to attack Mauro, as his horsechopper has reach:
Crispin takes a 5' step diagonally back and shoots his crossbow at Blue.
Blinking in some shock as he actually hits his target. "What worries me is that the presence of the children means the mother is around?" He says in a nervous voice.
Bey takes a step back and off to the side, then proceeds to draw his sling and load.
Taking quick aim at the blue one, Bey lets loose. Then reloads.
Brodigan moves forward while muttering some arcane words and the flicks his hand towards on the the creatures and a blast of acid flies from his hand.
Seeing her master rush forward, JeVeAnne rushes to get in front of him to shield him from attacks.
Asher runs forward to intercept any attack on Bey and JeVeAnne.
Abeowin loads his sling but he fires short. Anne moves to protect her beloved teacher. Mauro moves forward and prepares to swing at anything that dares approach him. Asher draws his longbow and shoots at the blue ankheg nymph. An unearthly screech comes out of its acid-dripping mandibles – a direct hit! Brodigan attempts a ranged touch attack, but his acid doesn’t hit it’s mark.
The blue ankheg nymph scuttles towards what it conceives to be an easy target. It clacks its mouth pincers towards Anne but misses!
After Becky acts, the red ankheg nymph scuttles as fast as its little limbs will carry it. It ends up 10 feet in front of Mauro who's prepared with an attack! Mauro, wielding his horsechopper with both hands, expertly slashes the creature! It looks very injured.
Round 1
Round 2
(-6 damage)
(-13 damage)
"Great job, Anne! Hold it there," Brodigan says as he moves off to the side to get a clear shot at the little bugger.
Anne embraces her role as distraction and turns her full attention to defending herself.
Mauro takes another swing and then steps backward, to allow himself the full defensive benefit of his weapon's length...
+4 str
+4 str *1.5
Also, it is likely to draw an AoO attempting to attack Mauro, as his horsechopper has reach:
minimum 1 damage
Bey launches another stone this time targeting the other "bug." The stone hits it in the head but minimal damage.
Asher moves out and around to take advantage of red being out of melee.
He takes a bead and shoots at his chosen target.
Bey, Annie, step back so I can have a clear shot!
"Loyalty is one thing, but please don't throw yourself away." Crispin mutters as Anne blocks his next shot at blue. He holds out one hand and casts Magic missile.
In Round 1, Crispin shoots his crossbow at the blue ankheg nymph, adding another arrow near Asher's!
In Round 2, Abeowin fires his slingshot again, this time at other "bug" (red), and the pellet flies directly into the creature's right eye. The red bug sways like the slightest jab of a spear could knock it over for good!
Anne embraces her role as defender and is wholeheartedly prepared to defend off any attack! Mauro swings his horsechopper at the red ankheg nymph, catching the creature in the gash of his previous swing. The momentum of his weapon slices the creature down the middle. The left and right sides fall open like a book.
With another well-placed arrow, Asher brings the blue ankheg nymph down.
Round 1
Round 2
(-15 damage, dead)
(-26 damage, very dead)
The party gives the vegetable patch a thorough examination and there don't seem to be any more ankheg nymphs in this particular patch. The ankhegs' burrowing has stirred up the soil in some places, but overall, the field looks salvageable for this season's budding crop. Anyone with knowledge nature knows with a bit of care, the sprouts just beginning to peek up from the soil could do well.
The surrounding area is quiet once again. The party hears a bird chirp from a nearby tree (area 17.) From a distance, the tree appears to have some kind of fruit growing on it.
Bey examines several of the entrances to the holes.
He figures that if they ran into the nymphs maybe someone else did and that might give an idea as to how long the ankheng nymphs have been in the settlement..
With the pests eliminated, Abeowin examines the area. Judging by the size of the holes, the ankheg nymphs probably hatched a week ago, however, the fields look as if they haven't been tended to for about a month.
Standing near an evergreen tree is a fruit-bearing tree with spiny branches and reddish-purple, apple-shaped plums. A few plums have fallen to the ground to spoil in the heat and birds have pecked at others. Nevertheless, there are still many fruits still fit to pick and eat.
vs dc 17
1 rank+ 3 trained +1 wis +2 racial +3 skill focus
Asher searched the area around the tree thoroughly since they had a clue about a plum tree.
"The fruit should be safe to eat," Becky informs the others. "Good job squashing those bugs," she adds.
As Asher searches the area around the tree, he absentmindedly bites at a plum.
Hey, what’s this?
He gets down on his knees and digs by the signs of turned earth and and digs a bit with his hands after discarding the plum. It was sour anyway,
He holds a leather pouch aloft and says that this is what that wizard’s mark was guiding them to. Pulling out the note, he quickly scans it before handing it to the first of the others who asks for it.
Looks like this was a drop for exchanging messages. There must have been some strife in the colony for there to be clandestine machinations like this. Maybe a leadership dispute or coup.
"'Some of us plan on taking the canoe?'" Crispin mutters thoughtfully. "The very same canoe that was sunk near the docks? It seems that there was division among the colonists."
He looks around, "But there would be some traces if it came to conflict. And bodies for that matter. It seems we still have many more pieces of the puzzle to find."
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"Ok, the note tells us there was some sort of a faction in the colony that was planning on leaving, to wait for the Peregrine to arrive. That doesn't explain where the other faction, everyone else, went..."
"But to pick a bit further at this, 'Rayland' (presumably the governor, Rayland Arkley) and maybe 'Dulin' were on one side, and on the other there was 'Una' (presumaby Una Hendrake, who's spellbook we found in Harkley's house. We also found a wand of colorspray with the initials UH carved on it), 'Barnabus' and 'Eliza'. Una and compatriots were planning on leaving, and given they were intending to use the canoe, there weren't that many of them..."
"We still don't know enough as to why the colony has been abandoned. But we've got a few more areas to look for clues..."
Becky identifies the fruit on the tree as safe and edible. Asher bites into a plum. Its juices run down Asher's fingers; the fruit is ripe and delicious.
Asher finds the hidden drop for secret messages and digs up the note. Crispin identifies the sunken canoe as the one referenced in the note. Mauro puts all the pieces together: there was some sort of division amongst the first wave of colonists, some of the first wave were hoping to meet up with the second wave arriving by the Peregrine, and Una Hendrake, the owner of the spellbook in Rayland's home and the wand of color spray, was working with Eliza and Barnabus to "hole up" somewhere until the Peregrine arrived.
Referencing the charter, there is only one Eliza and her name is Eliza Haniver, labeled as being hired as a scout. Barnabus Braeton is on the charter as well, labeled as a fisherman and carpenter.
they head to the surrounding fields (area 16.)
Initiative
The party walks through the field, examining the state of the plants. These particular vegetable patches suffer no ravages from ankheg nymphs. Other than simple neglect, they appear undisturbed.
Anne and Mauro both have a grim realization, but not soon enough! A cornstalk lifts up, blood dripping from its razor-sharp leaves. It strikes out at Mauro but misses!
Surprise Round
Round 1
Bold may act.
Remembering the tactics she'd been encouraged to use in the last combat, JeVeAnne calls out to Mauro, "Attack it and step back," and she adopts a completely defensive posture.
"Hey!" Mauro hops backwards to avoid the plant's attack, and then counterattacks with his horsechopper.
+4 str
+4 str *1.5
Bey, being very tired at this point, decides to disengage and begin calling Posh. (move 20 ft)
Anne adopts a defensive posture. After avoiding the plant's surprise attack, Mauro retaliates, slashing the plant! Abeowin retreats 20 feet with the intention of summoning his eidolon!
The vicious plant gives itself a hardy shake. A cloud of pollen erupts from its body, filling up the surrounding area!
Round 1
(-10 damage)
Round 2
Bold may act.
[dice=Fort Save]1d20+2+2+1
2 occultist +2 con +1 trait
"I'm blind...Back off everyone, we will have trouble fighting in this mist, and if it's rooted, we can shoot it to death with missile weapons when this cloud clears..."
2 occultist +2 con +1 trait
"Blood maize! Its leaves are like razors!" Becky warns, initiating her naturalist ability. Blinded by the spores, she carefully backs away from the dangerous plant.
Good call Mauro! Heading East to use my bow!
Mauro moves off to the side, snuffing as he goes to make sure his direction is correct in the mists.
"Oh dear." Crispin sighs and steps back.
Bey stands as erect as his tired little body can and begins to talk quietly, I need you here Posh. I am exhausted and nearing my end point. I could use your support, I know you are unsure and shy around these others but you have had time to observe them as we traveled on the Peregrine. Trust me, I am comfortable with them.Come help me.
Almost in answer to his pleading, a blue-green mist begins to form nearby.
Brodigan reacts quickly and and closes and covers his eyes as the pollen burst erupts. Even as he shields his eyes, he shifts to the side to get a clear shot, and trying to focus through the pollen still hanging in the air, he extends his hand, mutters some arcane words, and unleashes a burst of acid at the creature.
"AHH!!!" JeVeAnne screams as the pollen hits her eyes. However, she quickly follows that with, "Just stay behind me everyone," and digs in to do her best to defend herself.
Asher moves out of the pollen. Anne is blinded, remaining in her current defensive position. Becky, Crispin, and Mauro are also blinded, but they retreat out of the pollen. Brodigan resists being blinded, but there is too much pollen to get a clear shot. Abeowin begins to summon his eidolon.
The pollen disappates and the plant is visible again! It strikes out at Anne but it can't seem to get through her defenses!
Round 2
(-10 damage)
Round 3
Bold may act.
As her sight is just returning, the plant monster attacks, but her defensive stance keeps her safe. "Fire!" JeVeAnne calls out as she steps back to give the ranged attackers an easier shot at the beast and then she resumes her defensive stance.
In response to his apprentice's call of "fire," Brodigan says, "How about acid instead?" and mutter some arcane words and sends forth another burst of acid at the creature.
The mist by Bey continues to darken and become more cohesive. Bey continues his calling.
As her sight returns, Becky adds that the plant has no unusual defenses--beyond what one might expect from a plantlike monster. She scoots off to one side, lines up a shot, and fires an arrow at the monster. Turns out the teen may have lied when she mentioned being a good shot....
for