|
"Well, here goes nothing." Nal grimaces in anticipation as she slowly approaches hole number three with the Obsidian finger. If the branches start reacting badly, she'll yank it away quick as a wink so hopefully it won't get all stabby on her again. If that's successful, she'll do the same with the Slate one. Ditto with the Crystal one at the end.
|
As the obsidian finger is placed gently in the 3rd hole, the shaking lattice of woven branches, once more spits out the three fingers to the floor. Then something different happens, instead of shooting out thorns and lashing out with its vines, the woven branches converge and weave revealing a chamber beyond, but as the branches continue they entwine to make two creatures. Nal shouts out a warning, as the two creatures start to attack the half-elf woman......
Perception Incendia - Investigate
Perception Nal - scout
Stealth Rannarix - Search
Perception Redd - search
Creatures Init
Incendia 28 AC17
Nal 28 AC19 -7
Rannarix 16 AC18 -7
Redd 24 AC18 -4
|
|
As the second set of thorns shot out, Rannarix found himself once more the bullseye on the dart board.
Incendia spends a little time wracking her brain, trying to recall something into her mind which might help her, but none of her reading or late night discussions bring any light on the adversary.
Recall Knowledge Nature
Incendia 28 AC17 -15
Nal 28 AC19 -7
Rannarix 16 AC18 -15
Redd 24 AC18 -4
|
|
Rannarix feels the warmth of Incendia's healing as the plant like creatures, look to press home attacks.
Nal's attack crashes into the hard skin of the creature, the sword slashes into it's bark like exterior, it takes damage as a milky sap like substance runs down the body.
One of the creatures moves forward and lets out a piercing scream, that assults the ears of the party, a shriek that speaks of pain, of fire and brimstone. As the sounds enter your brain your brain feels it, squirms under it's dark and fiery agony.
Critical Success - You are unaffected.
Success - Feeling the pain you are sickened 1.
Failure - You mind is assailed and feels burning pain, you are sickened 2.
Critical Failure - You mind is assailed by images of burning forests, you are surrounded by the flames and smoke, you are sickened 2 and slowed 1.
Then a vine covered in sharp and dangerous thorns suddenly lashes out at Redd. The thorns strike and dig deeply into Redd's body, the fiery touch of the spikes, seeps into Redd's body, making her blood boil.
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 1 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 2 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
The other creature moves up to Nal, aiming to bite the young half-elf. The mouth grinds down into Nal, piercing into her shoulder, grabbing the rogue and holding her in place.
Incendia 28 AC17 -15
Nal 28 AC19 -16
Rannarix 16 AC18 -5
Redd 24 AC18 -9
Green
Blue -6
|
|
Despite the pain in his mind, Rannarix gathers himself up, steps up and attacks, but as the strike is about to hit, a flaming pain hits the kobold and he pulls the strike, just avoiding the creatures vital organs as the shortsword slashes into the branches.
Nal, feeling the effects of the creature, waves her shortsword with menace at the branches come to life, before seeking distance to protect herself with her health failing.
Incendia sends a flash of magical pin pricks of deep voltage at the two creatures, only one is able to try and get out of the way.
The nearest wooden creature is caught totally unawares by the magical lightening and takes the full force of the shock, as it scrams a silent woody scream and falls. The other turns and watches his companion fall to the ground, before it too finds electricity travelling up and down it's branches.
Redd gives Rannarix's weapon greater power to dispatch these creatures, but looks like she's struggling to concentrate on the spell.
The remaining creature rushes towards Rannarix, before striking out with it's long tendrils of death.
Rannarix feels the pain of both strikes, as with each strike a welt appears on the kobolds body, as a poison tries to enter his body....
Rannarix falls after the second thorny vine cuts into him,
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 1 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 2 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You are at stage 3 (or 4), will clarify if you need this know.
You take fire damage and are stupefied 1 for a round.
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....You are no longer stupefied
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....You are no longer stupefied
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 2 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 3 - ⇒ 2 fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
Incendia 28 AC17 -15 sickened 2
Nal 28 AC19 -16 sickened 2
Rannarix 16 AC18 -20 sickened 2 - Dying 2
Redd 24 AC18 -9 stupefied 1, sickened 1
Green -20 - dead
Blue -12
|
Redd gags and retches in an attemp to get the poison out of her system.
With tears running down her face from the exertion, she then starts laughing and tells the group a story about when Durvin Gest was poisoned by a giant scorpion. She adds a flourish by belching loudly.
She then takes a shot at the creature with her bow.
|
|
Seeing the danger Rannarix is in, his body in spasms from the poison, lying dying on the ground, Incendia sends her powerful healing his way.
Rannarix, stands swaying slightly as the poison courses through his body, whilst the new found strength from Incendia, lets him pick up his shortsword and apply poison from his tail.
Redd stands, her body bent over retching but still she feels the sickness agitate her stomach, beads of sweat on her forehead. She steels herself and with bravado encourages her companions to greater deeds. Then sends an arrow straight and true at the deadly plant like creature, the arrow sticks into it's body, dangling from it as it moves, however it doesn't seem at all bothered by the new metal headed branch.
Nal, with her head swimming, she is sick on the floor, a nasty combination of bile, water and green foodstuff. Shaking her head and wiping her lips she feels slightly better and in determined fashion enters the fray again. Holding her hand high she brings her sword in a wide arc, the blade acting as a guillotine as it slices the creature in half. The creature falling to the ground, joining it's mate in death.
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....You are no longer stupefied as the poison is beaten
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 2 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 3 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....You are no longer stupefied as the poison is beaten
Your body fights off the poison that burns in your veins....but still your blood burns.
Stage 1 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 3 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
You feel the blood in your veins is piping hot, it boils as though your body is on fire.
Stage 4 - fire damage and stupefied 1 (1 round);
|
|
Both Rannarix and Redd manage to hold off the poison from causing any more damage, the burning sensation in their veins subsides.
With the creatures defeated, the gateway of branches is open, leading to a chamber beyond, a dim red light spills out. In the remains of the lattice, Rannarix notices a a small object stuck in the thorny filigree of branches, a skull, a small skull of a goblin, probably the last creature to try and breach the barrier. Close to the skull, a sparkle draws Rannarix's attention as he finds a set of silver earrings.
Gingerly moving forward the party see ......
Beyond the gate is a dark chamber, dimly illuminated by a red spark. When drawing closer it becomes clear that the spark comes from a fist-sized gemstone, affixed in the forehead of a large figure—a troll—sagging on some kind of throne. An earthy, piney scent pervades the room and tree roots hang down from the ceiling. A thick layer of fine dust makes it clear no one has been inside in quite some time. Tree roots wrap around the figure on the throne, securing him tightly, though the roots expand slightly to expand with his shallow breathing.
........
|
|
"Huhff-huhff... Okay. We're all alive, right? Huhff... Okay. Let's patch ourselves up before we go any farther." Nal eases herself over to Redd and pulls out her healer's tools.
Next she gives Rannarix an ashamed glance and murmurs: "Redd, you'd better help him. Sorry." Her skin flushes hot with humiliation at her inability to heal a kobold. It can't be *that* hard. Why do I always make it worse? Instead, she turns to Aunt Cindy to bind her wounds.
At least I did well on these two. <sigh>
|
|
"Ohh. That feels much better. Thank you, Nal."
"Okay. I'll try patching Ranny up."
----------------------------
Redd moves closer then gasps in surprise at the sight before her.
"A T-t-troll!?! I thought this was a cyclops city. And look... A stone in his forehead. Like a third eye."
She points towards the creature.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Quiet! It's still alive, and we don't want to wake it yet!" Nal digs out her alchemist's fire as well, holding it in her left hand, and draws her shortsword. Then a thought occurs to her. "Aunt Cindy, wait! We'll get more info if we talk to it first. Right?" But I'm way better at stabby diplomacy, honestly.
|
"Thanks, Nal. Thanks Aunt Cindy."
Groaning and stretching himself out, Rannarix studies the troll carefully, then gets out and lights a torch.
"It's alive. Maybe it can talk."
Despite his childish mannerisms, Rannarix is a believer in life. His tribe demon-worshipers all, felt nothing for the lives they took, but Rannarix believes that all life is connected in a gigantic web, each connected to each. As a result, he prefers talking to killing.
|
|
The red stone shines more brightly as you discuss your options, as the troll's body stiffens and tries to sit up straight. Though as you watch, you realise that now that the body has moved the left arm sits at a strange angle, as though it had been left behind inanimate as the trolls body moved. Looking down at the right leg, it stays stuck held by the roots, as though it has been broken, held in a totally unnatural position. The stone continues to shine spasmodically as you hear ....
You seem to hear these words spoken in Draconic, though you could swear there was no echo and no sounds heard.
"I don't know, what or who are you? "
You seem to hear these words spoken in Elven, though you could swear there was no echo and no sounds heard.
"You have entered my chamber, welcome. Why? it is ages since anyone has come to visit me."
You seem to hear these words spoken in Halfling, though you could swear there was no echo and no sounds heard.
"Was it you I heard, speaking in song? What shall I call you?"
You seem to hear these words spoken in Gnomish, though you could swear there was no echo and no sounds heard.
"Welcome, you look old, has it taken you long to bring yourself here? Though you age is less than mine." you hear a laugh.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"No, Nal. It's speaking in the halfling tongue."
Redd says wide-eyed to her friend.
"I don't think he means any harm."
Nervous, she swallows (*gulp*) and takes a step forward with her hand up in greeting.
"Y-y-yes. It was me who sings. You m-m-may call me Redd. My n-n-name's Redd Appleblossom."
She stammers, slightly frightened.
|
|
It's very strange to get a feeling from a red gem, but it hasn't acted evilly.
You all hear the words in your own language, as the red stone shines again. "It's a pleasure to meet you Redd and Rannarix, though your friends remain very silent. In the aeons that have passed since I came, those were the first 'tuneful' words I've heard spoken in song." Sing me again of your world! The red light blinks, before it starts again, "You mean ME no harm, hahahaha! children you haven't all introduced yourselves, tell me a little about yourselves, where did you come from? what do you want here? Then I can introduce us properly. It's been so long since we last had visitors." the red gem luminosity briefly increases. "Are you frightened in our presence or do you come to conquer me and take me as a prize?"
"Ahh little dragon, are we in pain, no though the passage of time has weighed heavy on us, your young mind would not last even a few sort centuries before you would feel its weight. But I thank you for your concern."
All these words sound in your minds, though no sound reverberates in the chamber and the troll's mouth seems to mouth some words as the questions and sentences are registered in your consciousness.
The troll remains impassive, the roots holding him in place, the roots burying themselves in his body, as though they have taken him into their root system.