GM supervillan's 5-05 The Elven Entanglement (Inactive)

Game Master supervillan

“Oooh, jokes! Yes, I know one. And it’s clean.”

Gervase: Knock! Knock!

You: Who’s there?

Gervase: Interrupting Cow.

Kargen is a bit red-faced from the hike through the briar, and he seems to be straining more as he carries his pack. When the satyr appears and seems to speak to Thoriel's chest, a scowl crosses the archer's face. He looks about to say something, when Amy explains the fey's nature. Kargen sighs and rolls his eyes, especially when Thoriel seems to flirt back.

"Now doubt he's well versed in the magic of the briar and cunning enough to avoid the demons."

Diplomacy, aid: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

"And what was the name of this virile traveler who despoiled Tanglebriar's grass?"

"Hmm?" the satyr's gaze leaves Thoriel's bosom just long enough for him to roll his eyes at Amy. "Why his name was A. Joke of course. Hu-ha!"

Gervase gets down on her knees to smell the sweet green grass and the satyr skips over to leer at her behind. "Grew it myself. The patch to your immediate right I am particularly proud of, you should examine it very, very closely." He titters.

"It's rather dull here with only Brouce for company, I am so glad you've come to visit. And you're experienced are you?" he leers at Thoriel again before returning his gaze to Gervase's behind until she gets up and tells her 'cow' joke. "Predictable" the satyr sighs.

"Now you, young elf, I like" he grins at Thoriel's jokes. "I assure you that all of my horns are in working order and I shall be very happy to demonstrate.

What of you two?" the satyr glances briefly at Nina and Quiella. "Are you experienced? Have you ever been experienced? Well, I have" he croons to the gnomes.

Can’t see what’s so special about it.

Gervase obliges the satyr, examining the patch he is proudest of very, very closely, before getting back up on her hind legs.

“And where is Brouce? Is he a Spruce? Or a demon that lives in your mind?”

Knowledge (planes) vs Favored Enemy, to check if our host is possessed by a demon: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (19) + 17 = 36

Ugh, is it too late to go find a demon to tangle with instead? We really don't have time for this but we really don't have time for the fight we might get if we piss him off, either!

"Maaaaybe," Nina replies with an innocent whistle. "You'd be surprised how many tall folks have a thing for short stacks like ourselves. Or maybe not. Maybe you know exactly what I'm talking about. After all, it isn't really the size that matters, is it?"

at 22, Quiella has the highest charisma in the party ;-)

Quiella, having dismounted to take in the scene, steps forward with a smirk, tossing her hair aside with a flick of her head and a hand on her hip. "You'd like to know, wouldn't you? But I don't kiss and tell." she winks at the satyr and turns around to mount back up on Túrin.

"Would you like to meet Brouce? He's a terrible conversationalist. Absolutely terrible." The satyr taps his hide jerkin - which you note has a pattern resembling a bear's face. The pattern swirls and flows off the jerkin, forming a living, breathing bear about the size of Kargen. The creature sniffs the air and growls before nuzzling the satyr. "That's about all you'll get out of him."

"Oh, I know my dears. I've known quite a few gnomes." He leers at Nina and Quiella. When Quiella turns away from him he positively roars "How DARE you turn your back on me?! I've been ever-so-polite when really all I was thinking of was how you look inside-out and I even showed you Brouce and THIS is how you repay me?"

Amestra's naughty side watches the shenanigans unfold thinking she might enjoy a roll in the grass with a satyr since she's never done that before. Though he certainly seems to be focusing on all the prettier and more exotic girls. When he explodes in anger, and threatens to turn them all inside out(!), she steps back in.

"Oh, no, no, no, good satyr, sir," she says with a slightly submissive twist on her 'sir.' She lowers her head and looks up at him. "She just wanted to make sure you got a good view of her backside too, and at how nimble and acrobatic she is."

She continues, "But never mind her, sir. I'd be more than happy to entertain you. At least until we need to resume our important journey."

Diplomacy, 3x Aids, Insp: 1d20 + 23 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 23 + 6 + (5) = 50

"Oh yes, we're not meaning to be rude but there are some folks we'd like to rescue from the demons before it's too late," Nina adds, for additional context. "It's hard to focus on having fun with something like that hanging over our heads, you see. Not to mention if we can clear out some of these demons you might get more visitors in the future..."

"Oh, yeah."

Gervase adds gormlessly in support of Nina. "I'm sure someone as smart and influential as you is aware of a Hezrou named Fihralaz."

"I don't suppose you have any intelligence that would help us defeat it and its posse?"

Sense Motive to see if old mate is under an enchantment: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12

Quiella calmly raises an eyebrow. "You didn't like the view? "

to be fair, she is covered in plate mail

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31

Kargen raises an eyebrow as the satyr seems to get mad at Quiella for turning her back on him.

Kargen notes that the satyr seems to be ignoring him completely. The fey isn't under any compulsions other than those that are natural to him, and his temper is equally natural for his kind.

But Amy seems to placate the cloven-hoofed lecher. He slips an arm around her narrow shoulders. "I like a clever girl" he says, grinning from ear to ear. "The quiet ones are always the filthiest. Why, I knew this halfling witch once, she- WHAT'S THAT ABOUT FIHRALAZ?! That disgusting toad is camped scarcely a mile from here in a festering leech-filled swamp. I'd like to tear his legs off and stuff them down his throat!"

"Now how about a little music? Yes, a song! Sing me a song!"

“I’m sure I can improvise something from an old South Andoran Sea Shanty.”

Profession (sailor) + Orator (faction card): 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 2 = 25

♫ I dropped my pack in Satyrville, was reelin’ from the claw brush thorn
Our host guarded an oasis – springs and luscious lawn
"Hey, mister, can you tell me where a girl might be safe ‘til dawn?"
He just smiled, fondled my hand; said "No" and he was gone.

Take a load off Amy
Take a load for free
Take a load off Nina
And… and… and… he set the Toad Demon on me!
(He set the Toad right on me)

I picked up my quiver, I went lookin' for a Cat to ride
When I saw Thoriel, Quiella and the Demon walkin' side by side.
I said, "Hey, Ladies, come on let's go downtown."
They said, "We gotta go, but our fiend can stick around."

Take a load off Army
Take a load for free
Take a load off Broucey
And… and… and… he set the Toad right on me!
(He set the Toad right on me) ♫

The Band. The Weight. Thank-you American Gods

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Nina can't help but grin and clap her hands in time with Gervase's song. "That's really clever! I wish I could improvise like that!"

Though I guess if he wants more I could sing the one about Lady Godiva...

As Gervase bursts into song and Nina claps along, Thoriel starts to slowly dance to the music. Her arm movements are subtle but captivating, her hips gently sway, as she rocks from side to side and gracefully spins on her toes in time to the tune.

Perform (dance): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

Kargen smiles and stands behind the others, enjoying Gervase's shanty. He had to admit that the sailors had a much better sense of rhythm and rhyme than the army. Maybe it was the rocking of the boats. But seeing as how the satyr didn't seem interested in his anatomy, he decides to let the ladies deal with him.

The satyr leers at Thoriel's dance, and squeezes Amy's behind before releasing her and taking up his pipes to accompany Gervase.

"Ah, stay a while and entertain poor Vinst some more! It's so rare I get visitors these days, and you really are an enticing troupe. Well, except for him." Vinst hooks his thumb to point at Kargen. "Looks like he doesn't know where to put himself, eh ladies? I don't care if he stays or goes."

"Not to bring down the mood, but what was that you said about wanting to stuff Fihralaz's legs down his own throat? Perhaps that's something that could be arranged..."

"You plan on paying the toad a visit then? Ah, but I've not had my fill of you yet!" Vinst slaps Amy on the rump.

"I suppose it was too much to hope that you came to the Tanglebriar just for fun and games. You'll find the demon in the swamps east of here. Don't be tempted to shelter under the great willow tree. It's corrupted and has developed a taste for blood."

Vinst purses his lips and plays with his whiskers, then speaks again. "You, dear" he says to Amy. "You look tired. And you, my sweet" he addresses Thoriel "are infected. You stink of the 'Briar. Now let me sort that out for you."

Whether or not you accept Vinst's help, you take your leave of him and head east.

I need 2 more DC14 Fort saves from everyone please. And let me know if you want to clear Thoriel or Kargen's STR damage yet.

Amestra's cheeks redden at the second slap to her other cheeks. "And I've not had my "fill" of you yet either, sir," she replies coyly. "But my friends are right; we should probably get going."

When she feels her strength return, she brightens even more. "Oh, thank you, sir. Umm, maybe we can swing back this way later," she implicitly asks her teammates. "After we're done. Especially if we need more healing after dealing with the Toad and the rest of this ungodly swamp."

She shyly waves goodbye to Vinst, but puts him out of her mind as soon as they're out of sight. "Satyrs have such a one-track mind. It's not hard to get what you want, as long as you let them think they're in charge," she remarks in her normal academic tone.

Fort Save : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

Feeling refreshed she pulls out her notebook to jot something down about satyrs.

Fort Save : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

But she shouldn't have been trying to write and walk through the swamp at the same time and steps straight down onto an oozing thorny spike.

"Yeahhh...he was helpful and he didn't have to be," Nina admits once they're finally on their way again and out of earshot of Vinst. "If you were actually serious about stopping again on the way back I don't see why not, if we're able. But I think I'll skip out on the, uh, 'experience' portion if we do. Too desperate to suit me," she adds, with a grimace.

Fort #1 (DC 14): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Off-kilter from the group's unexpected encounter with the satyr Nina has a harder time paying attention to where she moves...

Fort #2 (DC 14): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

...and ultimately pays for it when she scrapes her hand on one of the sharp thorns.

Kargen smiles and simply nods sharply to the satyr, as he leads the group away. Much to Erastil's chagrin, however, the hunter doesn't seem as well suited to stalking in the briarwood.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

Wow, dicebot doesn't like me this morning.

“Don’t shelter under the great willow tree. Got it! Thank-you, Mr Vinst.”

Gervase snaps off a formal salute, like she would to a superior officer. “I’m sure you already know, VINS is Galtan for wines, while VINST is skald for profit.”

“May you avail yourself of both until we meet again.”

🍷

Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

Once underway, Gervase bumps shoulders with Amy. "Goodness you're a tart."

"A boy or girl in every port, I suppose?"

The ranger's manner turns serious, as she witnesses some of the trials the others are experiencing.

"Once everyone is through this latest patch of claw brush, let's use the 5 potions of lesser restoration we have in reserve, before we get ambushed."

"If you were actually serious about stopping again on the way back I don't see why not, if we're able. But I think I'll skip out on the, uh, 'experience' portion if we do. Too desperate to suit me," she adds, with a grimace.

Amestra looks up from her notes. "Huh? Oh dear Magdh, no. While the experience would be note-worthy, Vinst is clearly suffering from the effects of the Tanglewood and therefore would be a less than optimal reference subject. His reactions would be difficult - though certainly not impossible - to predict, and his "performance" might be inadequate both in a specific and more general sense."

She pauses to pick yet another thorn from her cloak. "So, no, I wasn't serious. Unless we are in truly dire straights after this, I have no need to return."

Once underway, Gervase bumps shoulders with Amy. "Goodness you're a tart."

"A boy or girl in every port, I suppose?"

"As long as he believed it, and we got the intel and the healing, does it really matter? I'm no Calistrian, nor a prude either."

"Vinst is clearly suffering from the effects of the Tanglewood and therefore would be a less than optimal reference subject."

Kargen snorts. "I think he'd be happy for you to study his 'tanglewood', though he would argue about being quite optimal. But now we know why there seem to be so many half-fey around."

Gervase wrote:

"A boy or girl in every port, I suppose?"

"As long as he believed it, and we got the intel and the healing, does it really matter?"

I'll take that as a 'yes'.

"Oh good...'cause I've worked with people that're the type to try just about anything once," Nina answers with an audible sigh of relief. "Not that there's anything wrong with that most of the time, but, uh, sometimes there's a time and a place, you know? And this really isn't it!"

Thoriel happily lets Amy take the lead in flirting with the satyr, but makes sure she stays in his eyeline to help keep him distracted. Before they leave, she willingly accepts his offer of healing, giving a wink and wave as they head off.

FORT: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
FORT: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Quiellabot Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21
Quiellabot Fort: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (12) + 16 = 28

Amy STR dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 4
Nina STR dmg: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Kargen STR dmg: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Party status

Thoriel, 4STR damage
Kargen, 9STR damage
Amy, 4 STR damage
Nina, 2 STR damage

The Tanglebriar takes its toll as you trudge through increasingly soft ground. The damp yet firm ground gradually descends toward expanses of standing water. Although suspended sediment and matted heaps of decaying plant material obscure the swamp’s bottom, trees and reeds are still numerous here, suggesting the water cannot be terribly deep. In places, concentrations of plants have trapped silt and organic matter to create miniature islands amid the dark expanse of water.

It can't be too far to Fihralaz's lair now. But with the difficulty in traversing the terrain, you can't be sure whether you're five minutes away or another hour.

It's been two hours since you left Vinst behind.

You all see Kargen completely sweating through his shirt as he struggles with his equipment through the briarwood. The Hunter looks very pale. "Uh, I think I might need one of those potions we got," he says as they pause for a rest. "This is tougher going than I expected."

He sounds like he's just run a marathon flat out. Kargen pulls out his metamagic rod again and uses it to cast heroism on himself again. "Ugh, that's a little bit better."

Lesser Restoration Potion: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Sigh. Casting heroism with extended metamagic rod.

Turin, fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Turin, fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Once we've used up the scrolls and potions, Quiella can use some of her spell slots to cast more lesser restorations

"Well hopefully that's the worst of that blasted briar...unless we have to backtrack the whole way to get home? Thoriel groans as she takes a few minutes to straighter her clothes and hair as best as she can.

She then buffs herself with a couple of spells.

Cast Heroism and Stoneskin on self. Duration 110 minutes.

Happy for Kargen (and others who rely more on STR) to take priority with the remaining restoration potions and see if any are left.

“There are four lesser restoration potions left, people. Please don’t let them go to waste.”

Nina, -3hp, Thoriel, -1hp

Gervase ✨taps Nina and Thoriel with her CLW wand.

CLW wand on Nina: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
CLW wand on Thoriel: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

After stowing her wand she ✨casts longstrider on herself (7 hour duration), and paints her armor, clothing and exposed skin with alchemical grease (4 hour duration).

“I have another pot of alchemical grease if anyone wants it.”

Once Quiella has attended to any remaining strength-sapped folks, Gervase drinks one of the Uprooter’s antitoxins, and her own antiplague and soothe syrup.

“Don’t forget to stay away from the Willow Tree Mr Vinst mentioned.”

Longbow out, the ranger carries an oil of align weapon in her right hand, as she surveys the ground for demon tracks.

Survival to track Favored Enemy: 1d20 + 15 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 6 = 35

Amestra puts the back of her hand to her forehead and doesn't like how it feels. She lets her arm drop leadenly and fishes out one of the potions.

"I'm sorry ladies. I think that one I stepped on really got me," she apologizes as she uncorks and downs the soothing liquid.

Lesser Restoration : 1d4 ⇒ 2

She watches in admiration at Gervase's preparations and how well supplied she is, then makes some notes on purchases to make when she gets home.

"Don't forget there is an antitoxin for everyone, (except poor Turin :( courtesy of the Uprooters. It does only last an hour though."

"I also have a pot of alchemical grease if anyone is interested. Going free to a good home."

"Don't forget there is an antitoxin for everyone, (except poor Turin :( courtesy of the Uprooters. It does only last an hour though."

"I'll take anything to help at this point. If no one minds, I'd like to have another of those potions."

Kargen will drink an anti-toxin now. If no one else is taking a lesser restoration potion, he would drink another. Let's not save those and go into the fight with ability damage.

Amestra sighs at the oppressive atmosphere of the swamp. She pulls out the bottle of Uprooter antitoxin and downs it. I bet we just wasted it. It'll be hours until we find Fihralaz in this miasma, she thinks in frustration.

But she takes the pot of alchemical grease from Gervase and looks at it, weighing it in her hand as she peers around at her friends. "Actually, it looks like there's enough here for both Nina and Quiella. Maybe it's better to protect two of us rather than just one, especially since Nina's without Inky and we're relying on Quiella to keep us alive," she muses as she holds it out to the two gnomes.

AoN says that "(e)ach pot of this slick black goo has sufficient contents to cover one Medium creature or two Small ones."

"Anyone need this? If not I'll use it," she asks, offering up her oil of bless weapon. If no one takes it she keeps it in her off hand, ready to pour it onto her rapier as she peers deeper into the swamp hoping to spot something - anything - that says they're getting close.

Perception, Inspiration : 1d20 + 30 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 30 + (1) = 37
Ugh, terrible rolls. +2 vs traps, just in case

"Yeah...yeah, I'll take a potion too, I think," Nina frowns as she takes one of the precious potions and chugs it down, followed by the anti-toxin set aside for her, courtesy of the Uprooters.

Lesser Restoration: 1d4 ⇒ 3

"Ahh...good as new," she smiles. "At least for now. And I think spreading that grease around is a good idea too," the gnome adds as she looks from Quiella back to Gervase.

Nina will be happy to share the other alchemical grease with Quiella.

She also produces her own metamagic rod, using up the last of its power as she reapplies some of her protections from earlier.

Nina casts an extended Heroism on herself, followed by a regular-duration Barkskin.

Party status

Thoriel, 4STR damage, Heroism, Stoneskin (110pts)
Kargen, 8STR damage, Heroism (x), Antitoxin
Amy, 2 STR damage, Antitoxin, Alchemical Grease
Nina, Alchemical Grease, Antitoxin, Heroism (x), Barkskin
Gervase, Longstrider, Alchemical Grease, Antitoxin, Antiplague, Soothe Syrup; oil in hand
Quiella: Alchemical Grease
Tùrin:

Using another Lesser Resto potion on Kargen as per his post above:

LR STR: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Potions of Lesser Restoration remaining: 1
Antitoxins remaining: 2

Let me know when you're all ready to continue.

Quiella accepts the alchemical grease.

Then she insists on Thoriel taking the last potion

Lesser Restoration, Thoriel, potion: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Well, at least you're at an even 10 now

Then she channels the will of the gods to restore Kargen

Lesser Restoration, Kargen, Oracle: 1d4 ⇒ 1
Lesser Restoration, Kargen, Oracle: 1d4 ⇒ 3
Lesser Restoration, Kargen, Oracle: 1d4 ⇒ 3

I have one spell slot left at that level, and I would prefer to save it, but if Amy or Thoriel feel it is essential to have more strength restored, I can spend it on them

Finally she'll feed an antitoxin to Turin and herself and then cast veil of positive energy on herself with her lesser extend rod. She has the rod but only one long-duration spell, haha.

Everyone's had plenty of time to claim an antitoxin by now so I went ahead and took them, but Quiella (and Turin to a lesser extent) has a pretty good fort save already, so I am happy to let someone else take one or both

"Let's go." She says resolutely, looking forward

"Ready."

Thoriel has an antitoxin with her already, so go ahead and take the ones we picked up.

Joining the others in downing some antitoxins, Thoriel chugs back some of the foul-tasting liquid and wipes her lips with the back of her hand.

"Yes, good to go."

"Nothing to do but keep going," Nina nods in agreement.

Feeling a little better, Amestra nevertheless sighs. "Yeah, let's get this over with." She nervously fingers the oil of bless weapon in her off hand as she falls into line with the others.

Amy is actually at her normal Str stat. She is -2 from the thorns, but is +2 from Lanverel's belt. That being said, I really need to do something about her being a 7 STR. 

She gave the grease to the gnomes.

Kargen feels guilty as he watches Queilla expend her magic healing him. "Let's just hope that was worth it. Hopefully we've gotten to Lanverel and the others in time."

"Ah yes, the oil!" Thoriel also retrieves her remaining oil of align weapon in her offhand.

After traveling for a further half hour through the Tanglebriar, you are wading through foot-deep stagnant water. An immense slab of rock covered in algae and lichen protrudes through the suffocating canopy of leaves. The trees that grow near it sway intermittently as if pushed by a strong wind, but the movement is actually caused by the convulsions of a half dozen four-foot-long chrysalises of gooey, gray silk that hang from the tree boughs. Hanging from other branches are pieces of elven armour, broken weapons, and other trophies from battlefields. Several mementoes are still slick with partially congealed blood and buzzing with flies.

Several of you recognise dangerous cnidarlillies, lily-pad-like carnivorous plants that trail stinging filaments in the water beneath them to capture prey. They don't move, but they're venomous and can cause Sicken and Stagger if you enter their squares. Tiny creatures can also get Entangled by them.

Amy spots something large lurking in a deeper section of bog about 50 feet ahead, as well as a swarm of leeches and several giant individual specimens...

Surprise round!

Amy
Big Bad
Kargen
Nina
Thoriel
Quiella + Turin
Giant Leeches
Little Helpers
Swarm
Gervase

The bold may act! A move or standard action

Terrain: The whole map is shallow bog (effectively difficult terrain) with the following exceptions. Any areas outlined in Yellow are deep bog (costs 4 squares to enter if you are Medium or larger, Small creatures must swim, bigger creatures may choose to swim, no acrobatics possible). The rocks at the right hand of the map are solid ground, as are the dark green areas of the map.
Dark: Night has fallen, it is now 9 hours since you teleported into the forest. But I am assuming you already have light sources active. Please tell me if you're using anything stronger than a Wayfinder.

We are on Slide 6

Amestra takes quick stock of the battlefield. "There's something big hiding in the deep bog just ahead of us. Likely our demon foe, but I can't quite make it out to be certain. Be on your guard."

Kn (Nature) Leech Swarm : 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + (4) + 2 = 29

Kn (Nature) Giant Leech : 1d20 + 13 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 + (4) + 2 = 35

Special Attacks & Special Defenses, for both Leech-type critters please. 

She then applies the magical oil to her rapier and drops the bottle into the swamp.

Gonna save the "4" Inspiration result vs the Leech Swarm for now IAW her Leipstadt Hat.

Re Lighting: Amestra still has her uber-ioun torch in orbit.