neither Joyce nor Lilac notice anything off about the clearing, in fact the sounds of nature are far more prominent here than anywhere else in the thicket. The pumpkin patch looks like it can be navigated much easier with the use of acrobatics however.
with that we will go into initiative, Jack go ahead and move yourself on the map however you want to start.
As fate would have it, Jack ended up rolling highest for initiative in a tie with lilac, but he has the higher init bonus so he will go first.
The small cat, as cats are wont to do, slides between the pumpkins seemingly unconcerned by the obstacle they present.
Everyone makes their way through the bramble of pumpkins and other fall vegetables, as something begins to stir to the west of Lilac!
A carved pumpkin sits atop a writhing mass of thick ropey vines. Sinister flames dance within its leering, crudely carved face. The sight of the creature and its blaze is terrifying and those closest to it feel fear in their heart!
Lilac and her companion steel themselves but Tannivh and Jack are shaken as it shambles closer before unleasing a cone of fire from its mouth!
catching Jack, Lilac, and her Companion in the blaze!
and the fire engulfs everyone, scorching them all!
Everyone may act, Joyce you are just outside the fear aura so if you move closer you'll need a will save vs DC14, Same goes for you Coregrim, it has a 30ft aura so any closer than Joyce needs a save. Speaking of that, Jack and Tannivh are shaken for minutes.
If you'd like to ID this thing,
This is a Jack-o'-latern, a Neutral Evil Medium Plant
Jack-o’-lanterns are semi-intelligent plant creatures spawned by fell magic and driven to burn and consume living flesh. Though they are mobile, jacko’-lanterns prefer to remain in one spot until their food supplies run out. They typically lair within pumpkin patches, where they lie in wait and use their pumpkin form ability to ambush unsuspecting prey.
Jack-o’-lanterns have been known to grow where the corpse of a powerful evil witch or wicked fey was buried, though this form of reproduction sometimes takes decades.
Jack-o’-lanterns can also reproduce on their own. Immediately after killing and devouring an intelligent being, a jack-o’-lantern excretes its victim’s remains as a smoldering, paste-like slurry that quickly sinks into the ground. One day later, 1d3 fully mature—and ravenous—jacko’-lanterns emerge from the tainted soil.
The little cat bounds in and snaps with its jaws!
Tannivh and Lilac both get 3 questions about the Jack-o-Lantern, The cat chomps down on the vines ripping several right from the base of the evil pumpkin, but does not confirm a crit.
while he is able to approach swiftly, the terrifying sight shakes Corgrim as well!
[ooc]Corgrim is shaken for Minutes
Joyce, it is your turn!
Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.
Joyce is correct, it has Plant traits and all the associated immunities, and no weaknesses; You know that it is very resistant to fire as well.
3 questions will be 3 abilities.
1. it will explode aproximately 6 seconds after it is slain.
2. it has a fear aura, as your companions can attest too.
3. it can shrink its size and dowse its fiery radiance to blend in with normal pumpkins and take 20 on stealth to hide in plain site as a pumpkin.
Jakc makes a valiant swing but is unable to connect while the Jack-o-Latern recoils in anger and pain as the cat rips at its vines and Joyce's acid makes contact, but it is not slain yet!
The Jack-o'-Latern lunges forward to bite at the cat while its vines slam at Jack!
but neither is an accurate attack and the gourd turns it's attention to the smaller meal in Lilac and 5 foot steps in her direction, bringing its fear aura close enough to affect Joyce!
EVERYONE, It is your turn!!!
Jack does indeed cleave it in twain, ending the threat of the Jack-o-Laturn.
A crumbling lumber mill, unremarkable except for the large wooden statue of Ng protruding from the front, stands to the north.
A pile containing six goodberries and three immature jack-o’-lanterns (which function as alchemist’s fire) have been left as offerings at the statue’s base. Carved alongside the statue is an inscription that reads “Like the Lord of Seasons, our hoods illuminate truth, while their masks shelter deceit. Let this be the sign of our covenant. -E”
you infer from the inscription that Eylysia was telling her or whomever discovered her message that raising their hood would stand as a signal of support or alliance. This is almost certainly the clue that you were sent to find.
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Lilac cancels her spell and exhales with relief. "I am glad that is over. I prefer the pumpkins that are only for eating."
She inspects the statue and inscription. "I am unfamiliar with this god. Ng, she called him? I hope he is good. If the statue alone has caused this blight, that would be strong magic indeed."
Joyce remembers also that Ng is known as "the Hooded" and with her 20 int, knows that the inscription:
“Like the Lord of Seasons, our hoods illuminate truth, while their masks shelter deceit. Let this be the sign of our covenant. -E”
Likely means that putting on a hood in the presence of the statue may cause something to happen.
However, As Jack Strides towards the entrance to the old mill, a voice calls out,“Take ye not a step further into Ng’s sacred realm. I am the Crocus Knight, sworn protector of the Thicket of Endless Fall and rightful successor to Ng’s chosen, Zaul Blystone. Are you here to join in the grove’s protection, or defile its splendor? Speak now, lest I add you to the great harvest.” as the owner of the voice steps into the doorway; A striking figure of a Handsome women with a fox tail. Her cascade of red hair catches the light but her face is hidden deep within the cowl she wears. She also carries a silver lance and Crocus emblazoned armor.
she is wearing the Autumn's Cowl
This women appears to be a Huldra, a chaotic neutral fey. Huldras are fey creatures that legend claims were originally created by troll witches to lure humans into their clutches. Every huldra is aware of this tale, finds it insulting, and denies it at length—yet the legend persists. There’s no greater way to inflame a huldra to anger than to speak about this myth (especially while expressing distrust or contempt for the huldra), and the huldras’ hatred of all things trollish is well known among scholars of the fey and those who regularly encounter the less common fey creatures.
From the front, a huldra appears to be a beautiful human woman, yet two distinctive features mark the huldra as something supernatural: her long, foxlike tail, and the fact that she doesn’t have a solid back—merely a hole that reveals her body to be a hollow, bark-lined shell. Most huldras wear their hair long to mask the hole in their backs, and they prefer long gowns to hide their tails when interacting with humanoids. Though huldras are not ashamed of their status as fey, they react rather negatively when someone points out their tails. So long as humanoids are respectful, however, huldras tend to be curious about other races, and may aid those who pass through their territories by telling them the best places for hunting or fishing.
Huldras sometimes become enamored of woodcutters or others who adventure outdoors, and invite these paramours to share their beds, but such romances usually end in disappointment and misunderstanding on both sides. Despite their relatively lithe frames, huldras are deceptively strong, and stories abound of them performing astonishing feats of strength such as straightening horseshoes and tossing aside attackers, and their natural weapons are quite potent.
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"I vaguely remember that Ng is one of the Eldest related to seasons, secrets, and wanderers. He's neither good or evil."
"Oh! That is fortunate, because nature is also neither good or evil. But it makes me think he is not the cause of the blight."
* * * * *
"Oh, we are not in the business of defiling groves and their splendor," Lilac says in what she hopes is a reassuring tone, still looking at the statue. Seasons, secrets, and wanderers, hmmm?
"Oh, we are not in the business of defiling groves and their splendor," Lilac says in what she hopes is a reassuring tone, still looking at the statue.
The Women relaxes but is still vigilant.
Joyce will put on her hood and bows to the Huldra: "Oh Ng's wise chosen, we by no mean want to cause any harm or disrespect. We're Pathfinder, seeking knowledge of the past. Would you kindly bestow upon us the knowledge we seek?"
"You are Pathfinders? like the ones before...what Knowledge is it that you seek?"
"Sorry maam. I am a master wizard. We are chasing a troll that ran ahead of us. Have you seen him? He is very dangerous if you don't have fire or acid, and I don't think he is going to respect your grove as much as we do. Can you help us catch him?"
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Jack skedaddles back to the others. He then bows to the lady.
Beggin your pardon ma'am but I meant no harm. I was actually looking for the source of this erm ... blight so we could fix it. The lady druid outside the thorn bush allowed us in to see what we could do and yes ... what she said pointing to Joyce. We even brought our own druid while indicating Lilac.
He gives Tannivh a look that says Why are you lying to the Lady?
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Corgrim first sheathes his sword, before speaking calmly
We're not here to defile a shrine. We thought that maybe, on the contrary, this holy place could help us to get rid of the local "Blight", as it is called. Maybe you have seen us been attacked by the pumpkin, flame-throwing guy? I just hope it wasn't a guardian of Ng's shrine. I heard you asking if we were here to join the shrine's protection. is there a way we could help you, as a show of good will?
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Lilac finally decides she won't gain anything new from the statue and turns away from it. "Well I do not know much about your patron Ng, but I do know about groves such as this one. I know pumpkins are supposed to remain still," she says in a commanding tone at the now-dead jack-o-lantern, "So we took the liberty of correcting that one for you. I am a druidess in training from Brazia's grove, and you may see the truth of my words through my friend here, who agreed to join me." She indicated the little cat. "It was not our original goal, I admit, but it would bring me joy if the blight on this place were removed so I could see what it ought to be."
Jack skedaddles back to the others. He then bows to the lady.
Beggin your pardon ma'am but I meant no harm. I was actually looking for the source of this erm ... blight so we could fix it. The lady druid outside the thorn bush allowed us in to see what we could do and yes ... what she said pointing to Joyce. We even brought our own druid while indicating Lilac.
He gives Tannivh a look that says Why are you lying to the Lady?
[dice=diplomacy]d20+2⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
"The blight is a warning from Ng, caused by the actions of the evil lumberjacks. Zaul told me as much when he found me here at the mill. He told me the lumber jacks were coming for me and that I must protect the mill while he confronts them. That was so long ago and I fear he was slain by the lumberjacks, In the mean time I have take the mantle of Crocus Knight and will defend this grove to the last breath if need be!"