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Entropy finds he likes the flavor of this creature! So refreshing!
He bounds up and tries to get another bite of Mint!
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◇ Lingering Performance
◈ Inspire Courage
Jackpot once again Inspires Courage, but fails to get it to linger. These nobles are a tough crowd!
He stabs honeysuckle, and then dances away.
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Fluff Fang struggles to escape the hold of Mint. In the back of their mind they have been able to push away the crushing fear as they hold their breath and continue trying to punch a hole through the prevalent perennial.
However, as they hear the calls and cries of battle and the back and forth between the fighting flora, at the forefront and drive at Fluff Fang's swings is that they are missing all the plot development on this story!
They stab forward with the rapier and attempt to push their way through in the wake of their attack.
Scary Gourd gives both Mint and Bamboo a thorough tongue-lashing, chastising them for forgetting their origins in favor of serving a wicked human. The pair shrink back from the angry gourd's words, especially Bamboo. Scary Gourd then urges Entropy to continue his assault against Mint while he figures out how to free the leshy from the glass jar.
Entropy is happy to oblige Scary Gourd as he finds he rather enjoys the crisp, tingly feeling of mint in his jaws. Unfortunately the leshy sees the leopard coming and manages to evade the bite, though only just.
Jackpot continues his own performance, but struggles to get it to really linger like he wants. Still, he bravely fights on and manages to stab Honeysuckle with his rapier before nimbly moving away.
From within the mass of Mint, Fluff Fang fights on as well. They give their attacker another sound slash with their rapier and then with a mighty burst of effort they wrench themselves forward and free of Mint's smothering grasp!
<"Y-you don't know anything!"> Bamboo stammers in Sylvan, clearly shaken by Scary Gourd's words. <"You're supposed to have gratitude for your Maker! Without them, we'd all still be formless spirits!">
*SPROING!*
Bamboo's form suddenly whips forward as he relaxes his posture in an attempt to smack Scary Gourd...but it's a miss! The leshy shrieks with frustration as he steps forward and tries again to punch the angry pumpkin, only to miss yet again.
Wisteria, who still has Popcorn firmly held, gives the snapdragon leshy another painful squeeze before releasing her. She then throws another punch that slams into the side of Popcorn's head before deftly stepping out from between the snapdragon and the newly-freed Fluff Fang.
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Mint Orange
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Fluff Fang
Scary Gourd
>Entropy
Jackpot
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Bamboo Yellow
Wisteria Blue
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Chef Popcorn
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Honeysuckle Red
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions:
Popcorn may act!
OW!!
Chef attacks the Wisteria!
+ 4 Fire
+ 4 Fire
Then she steps back to avoid another full onslaught.
Chef Popcorn retaliates against the grasping Wisteria, striking the leshy with her flail and knocking her out! Wisteria collapses to the ground, accompanied by an outraged shriek from Lady Constance. Popcorn then...
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Mint Orange
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Fluff Fang
Scary Gourd
>Entropy
Jackpot
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Bamboo Yellow
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Chef Popcorn
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Honeysuckle Red
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions:
Popcorn may act!
Chef would move into a flank with Entropy and likely whiff against Mint Orange.
With Wisteria down, Popcorn quickly rethinks her plan and moves into flanking position with Entropy. She tries taking a swing at Mint, but misses the mark.
<"They got Wisteria! Mint, get out of there!"> cries Honeysuckle as they dart around Scary Gourd and move to aid their allies. They advance on Popcorn and throw a pair of punches, the first of which connects and adds to Popcorn's rather bruised, pulpy appearance.
<"Th-thanks!"> Mint gasps as Honeysuckle comes to his rescue. Though still clearly unnerved, the rather sizable leshy also throws a pair of punches at Popcorn before falling back to stand near Bamboo. Once again, the first punch connects and connects painfully, but like Honeysuckle, Mint isn't very capable when it comes to the follow-up.
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Mint Orange
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Fluff Fang
Scary Gourd
>Entropy
Jackpot
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Bamboo Yellow
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Chef Popcorn
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Honeysuckle Red
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions:
Fluff Fang, Scary Gourd, Jackpot may act!
Entropy bounces after the tasty Mint for another bite.
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Once more free, Fluff Fang gives a quick blessing to heal the injured Chef Popcorn with a poem about perseverance.
The short interlude over, Fluff Fang steps into the conversation with Bamboo as they declare, "gratitude? Certainly have gratitude, but that doesn't mean you need to follow their commands. We are all free spirits and can see for ourselves how we can support out kin, the land around us, and country!"
Fluff Fang goes forward toward the table and the other trapped leshy while trying to straighten the cloak. "We can achieve more learning from those before us, but not if we live with our heads bowed to the ground!"
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◇ Lingering Performance
◈ Inspire Courage
Jackpot finally gets his lingering performance, inspires courage, and throws a rock solidly at Mint.
Scary Gourd encourages Entropy to keep on keeping on with Mint while they channel magic to heal the worst of Popcorn's wounds. Entropy bounds after the retreating Mint and takes another hearty chomp - causing the fragrant leshy to collapse!
Fluff Fang offers some food for thought for Bamboo (and Honeysuckle) as they...
Meanwhile, Jackpot finally hits the right notes to get his performance to really linger, yeah! He then uses his magic to scoop up a nearby rock and fling at M-no wait, Entropy took care of Mint. So...Honeysuckle! Honeysuckle eats a rock to the FACE, which looks like it does a surprising amount of damage...though now that Jackpot looks, the Honeysuckle seems to have weathered a bit of it.
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Fluff Fang
Scary Gourd
>Entropy
Jackpot
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Bamboo Yellow
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Chef Popcorn
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Honeysuckle Red
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions:
Fluff Fang may act!
Rushing to the table looking to rescue the leshy, Fluff Fang calls out to the freedom of all. With a surge of magic they launch one of the plates at Honeysuckle.
Fluff Fang advances towards the other trapped lavender leshy and then use the same trick as Jackpot to fling one of the plates at Honeysuckle!
*KRSSSH!*
It shatters against the leshy and sends shards of porcelain flying in all directions. Honeysuckle is looking pretty rough, but still stands with grim determination.
Bamboo's form slumps under the weight of Fluff Fang's words. <"This is all we know..."> he sighs, even as he throws another punch at Scary Gourd that bruises the gourd leshy's melon. Apparently grimly determined to fight on as well, he then takes a step back and bends his long body waaaay back once more.
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Fluff Fang
Scary Gourd
>Entropy
Jackpot
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Bamboo Yellow
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Chef Popcorn
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Honeysuckle Red
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1 (Lingering)
Environmental Conditions:
Chef Popcorn may act!
Seeing red Chef swings at Honeysuckle Red!
+ 4 Fire
+ 4 Fire
Chef tries to intimidate red!
You better run before you're burnt to a cinder!
Chef Popcorn winds up and swings her flail at Honeysuckle...it connects! Even with what seems to be some small innate resistance to being pummeled, Honeysuckle goes down! Chef then hustles to flank against the sole remaining leshy foe, Bamboo Yellow. As she moves, she has some mixed feelings because she had a great line ready to go if Honeysuckle had proved more resilient.
*SPROING* *CRUNCH*
Those feelings go away as Bamboo suddenly releases himself from the limbo position and gives her a painful thwack on the head as she maneuvers around him!
______________
Fluff Fang
Scary Gourd
>Entropy
Jackpot
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Bamboo Yellow
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Chef Popcorn
Active Conditions: Inspire Courage +1
Environmental Conditions:
Fluff Fang, Scary Gourd, Jackpot may act!
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Scary Gourd looks at the multiple unconscious Leshy and frowns. They cast Stabilize on the one that looks to be in the worst shape. “I don’t want to kill you, I just want to free the ones that were kidnapped.”
They then opens the jar they have been holding, allowing the tiny violet leshy to get free. In Sylvan they assures it that things will be alright.
Entropy sits down and starts licking his lips. He is well enough trained to not attack unless directed to or there is fresh cream involved.
"Then you can learn more! If there is one thing that even humans know about leshies is that their plants and they can grow."
Fluff Fang takes the bottle with the captured leshy and withdraws to the end of the garden. Working at the seal they then open to button to free their friend.
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Bamboo yelps in pain as Jackpot sends a barrage of dishes and tea cups crashing into him, though he manages to avoid some of them. Between that, Jackpot's sudden and intimidating rage, and the fact that his three allies are all down, Bamboo crumples. He drops down on his hands and knees with a cry of, <"Stop, stop, I don't want to die!">
Meanwhile, Scary Gourd uses a bit of their magic to stabilize Mint before popping the lid off the small jar they hold. The lavender leshy Willow Shade cautiously pokes his head out of the jar before quickly scrambling out and onto Scary Gourd's shoulders. Fluff Fang moves to retrieve the other bottle, freeing Summer Shade in the same manner. Summer Shade seems a little less fearful than her friend; she also clambers out of the jar and onto Fluff Fang's shoulders but not before making an obscene gesture towards Lady Constance.
As for the Lady herself, she takes a single, trembling step back from the ruins of her tea party, face almost purple with rage. "Well, I hope you're happy," she hisses, practically spitting the words at you. "You've ruined everything! What's next? My home!? Or will you burn me, as well??"
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Scary Gourd ignores the lady at first, concentrating on saving the lives of the other leshys they had to fight. They do order Entropy to come over to them so he isn’t tempted to take another nip from Mint.
They do make sure that Willow Shade stays safely on their shoulder.
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Entropy looks at Scary Gourd and then Mint.
After about half a second, he turns up his nose at Mint and meanders over to Scary Gourd. He then sits and starts grooming himself.
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Jackpot beams at Lady Constance. "What? We have no desire for your home! Nor do we want anything to do with you. Show off your own creations at your Garden Parties if you like."
He casts Soothe on the next most injured of her leshies.
"Just don't steal our friends and claim them as your own creations. That's not right and you know it." Then he looks at the broken dishes. "We did break your dishes, but you kidnapped our friends and set your leshies upon us. We're probably even there, right?"
Then he looks around at the noble guests, and says, "Though even now, your party is far from ruined. Think about it... This is the party that every noble will talk about for years to come! People will claim that they were here, even if they weren't, because this was the most exciting party ever!"
He turns to the crowd, "Shout out if this was exciting and fun to watch!"
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"That is most definitely not a heroic gesture Summer. Still I can't chastise you hard given the tribulations you had been dealt." Fluff Fang checks on the safety of Summer before turning to other matters.
Fluff Fang joins with Jackpot in casting a healing spell to tend the damage dealt to leshies they were battling a minute ago.
Being more careful of tossing their cape recklessly with Summer, "as my friend said, we don't come for you or you home, just to rescue our friends. You were always free to tell and share your stories, but not to take those of others."
"If you want entertainers, then there are plenty to take on that role, but your manor is already among the most exemplary of the land, especially those I've seen. However, leshies are free to choose their own roles in life; we can take upon any role and more. It is a sad spectacle to see other cast to roles as mere servants or decorations."
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Here. I brought some burnt garlic from my test kitchen. It can be your new centerpiece! Leshies love interesting smells!
Chef reaches into her bag an pulls out mashed-up garlicc. She extends her arms and shoves the pungent masses into the jars where the leshies once were. She breathes deep the horrible stink and grins.
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While Scary Gourd and Jackpot see to the injured enemy leshys, the small crowd of nobles slowly come out of hiding from behind nearby hedges and the far corners of the garden. One that had managed to flee out of the gate carefully peers around the corner.
"My my, how exciting that was! And here I had been dreading this engagement for the past week," one woman remarks as she picks a few twigs out of her hair.
A portly man nods in agreement as he smooths a few wrinkles out of his clothing. "Indeed! A moment straight out of a fairy tale, wasn't it?"
The rest of them nod and send up a loud, in response to Jackpot's encouragement. Even better, several of them are now shooting dark looks at their apoplectic hostess.
"Kidnapping living, thinking creatures? Shame on you! Even my great-grandfather would never have stooped so low!"
"That's right! And you have the nerve to dictate what the rest of us do with our gardens? What a laugh!"
"I think I'll let my garden grow wild from now on! Maybe we will actually start seeing some bees around here again. And I like the 'untamed wilderness' look better anyway!"
"Down with horticultural tyrants!"
Clearly the crowd isn't on Lady Constance's side, either. She splutters, momentarily lost for words, before finally shrieking, "ENOUGH! Out! Out, out, out! All of you, get out! Get out of my garden! I NEVER WANT TO SEE ANOTHER LESHY AGAIN FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE!"
The party crowd are eager enough to leave and begin filing out through the gate. Lady Constance's four leshys look around, dazed from their battle with you and more than a little lost now that they're being evicted from what is likely the only home they've ever known. They huddle together, whispering and shooting the rest of you nervous looks, before Honeysuckle approaches.
<"Um...could...could we travel with you, at least for a little bit? We don't have anywhere else to go and we've never been beyond the garden before...">
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Jackpot offers his hands to the leshies. "Come join us. We could use some strong leshies to be defenders of the forest! You'll love it! We'll introduce you to Glimmer!"
♫ We can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, leshies, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
We can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
Where leaf leshies glide
A whole new world
No Lady to tell you what to do
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming ♫
This isn't the first elegant party Fluff Fang has been ejected from, but is still surprised how quickly the affair had crumbled.
Fluff Fang gives a deep bow while using one of their hands supporting Summer and avoid them falling. "It would be our pleasure. There are a vast number of places within the world and I'm certain there is a space for you. But, know that we will always welcome you within our home."
"Now, I will admit though, even limited to this garden, I'm ecstatic to hear the stories you can tell." Fluff Fang offers a leaf and a smile as they continue, "and I am just as happy to share some of the tales of both Taldor and the world beyond."
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Scary Gourd tells the other leshies “Jackpot and I are from Iobaria. Plants are a lot different there. If you are going to travel, I would suggest doing it with a group of friends.”
——
Once Willow Shade is feeling safe, Scary Gourd will spend some time going around to the various people who were at the party and thank them for their support in freeing the captive leshies.
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Though there's clearly some awkwardness on the part of the four 'exotic' leshys - considering they did just try to kill you only minutes earlier - Honeysuckle takes Jackpot's hand and the four of them follow you out of the garden. The iron gate slams shut behind you, a last farewell from Lady Constance Meliosa.
As you take a few moments to speak with some of the party guests and thank them for their assistance (or even just staying out of the way), you realize that word of Lady Constance's misdeeds will spread and spread quickly throughout Rosentry and the surrounding area. Whatever other qualities they may have, it appears that the rest of the nobility aren't inclined to truck with someone who willfully kidnaps and imprisons sapient creatures - and neither are ordinary citizens. You depart Rosentry content in the knowledge that Lady Constance will be made to answer for her crimes.
The return trip to the Verduran forest is a triumphant one, filled with hope and optimism for the future. While humans and other two-legged folk can be quick to encroach upon the wilds, your journey to rescue the missing leshys also proved that there are still plenty of humans with good hearts, willing to help those who need it. You also forged new connections with your fellow leshys, creating a bond between those of the forest and those who travel with the Pathfinder Society. And while Lady Constance's four leshys still hold some uncertainty about their futures, you can rest easy knowing that they'll be heading down a much better path.
When you finally return to the forest where your adventure began, you're welcomed back as heroes - not just by your fellow leshys but by the other creatures who call the forest home. Though you know that some degree of vigilance will always need to be maintained - after all, the safety of the woods now lies on your shoulders - for now you're content to relax and enjoy a well-earned rest and celebration. In fact, Glimmer already seems to have the whole thing planned out and ready to go, which she begins to explain in thorough and exhausting detail...
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Back within the forest Fluff Fang does their best to support and share with the others leshies, both new and old. They do all they can to allow others to turn over a new leaf and find new fertile ground for their futures.
Fluff Fang is immensely grateful for such a wonderful end to a story because of how many new stories are just beginning.