Olegaro secures to himself the end of the rope while the other end is held by Otani and Zepth. He then swims into the calm water with ease to retrieve the rucksack. Opening it reveals a minor sturdy shield.
Moving on, they arrive at the path that looks scorched. Due to the proximity of the planes, the area leading up to the currently inactive portals of the Planes of Earth and Fire have merged into one stony and fiery path whose rocks give off considerable heat. Runes pulsing with light litter the surfaces of the stones. Occasionally, flames flicker from the carved symbols.
Close to these portals are the portals to the Planes of Air and Water. Before stepping into it, they notice that the portals actively pull elemental power from the Maze. This creates a strange waterfall—or water-rise, rather—that is approximately 5 feet tall. The water here is seemingly never-ending.
"Strange. The water rises instead of falling. How about we take a look into it?" Taiwalei asks the Pathfinders, and they can see he is ready to enter into it.
Just as Moist steps into the water, a strong gale threatens to push them all to look down or up.
You also become aware that looking at the water pulls you in.
Taiwalei lets himself be dragged by the gust of wind and looks up. He holds onto something before he is brought up too high.
"That was amazing!" he exclaims with excitement. "Though it is dangerous I can say." he adds before leaving with the group to find more portals.
Close to where they are, they easily notice another portals. With their recent return, the Planes of Metal and Wood ended up exerting their forces in the same spatial niche, resulting in fractal trees in a state of decay manifesting near the fused and unstable portals to the planes.
When they arrive they see two figures, one resembling a carved wood statue, and a humanoid in leather armor with metallic veins, interrogating something on the torso of the wooden figure that looks like a cage, with the trapped wisps Selan was looking for.
"Tell us, where are we?" the humanoid in leather armor interrogates the wisps.
Upon seeing the two, Taiwalei decides to go fetch Selan, but tells the Pathfinders to proceed as they wish. "I will find Selan and you handle both of them."
|
"Hello, there, are you lost? Perhaps we can help you." says Zepth while waving at the strangers, though his gaze quickly moves towards the whisps.
Hero Point
"You found the missing whisps! Selan will be delighted! Would you mind keeping those in place until she can arrive? I've heard they are quite mischevious."
Rybar recalls that the one resembling a carved wood statue is a kizidhar. Kizidhars look like walking trees, averaging 10 to 12 feet tall with branches twisting to form their arms, faces, and other features. A kizidhar can reshape their body to create any wooden object. On the other hand, the humanoid with metallic veins is a talos. Taloses, geniekin gifted with magic from the Plane of Metal, resonate with the unlimited potential of raw ore, the treasured shine of polished gold, or the forgiving ring of a hammer reforging a broken blade.
Zepth and Otani approach the duo. The kizidhar moves to confront the nearest Pathfinder, pointing their wooden spear hand as a warning. The talos is quite alarmed by their partner’s reaction.
“Wow! Hold your hostility, my friend. We’ve only just met these folks! No need to come to blows just because we’ve found each other, right?” The humanoid in leather armor with metallic veins shows their empty hands. Their voice has the timbre of fine metal particles rubbing against a singing wind chime. “As you can see, I’m quite unarmed here. My good friend... well, that is their hand, so do pardon us. I’m sure from their face you can tell they’re actually extending a friendly handshake. Right, budding? That was totally what you wanted to do?”
The figure, resembling a carved wood statue, turns to stare at their companion, articulate joints fluid as they transition between poses. “Not if you call me that in front of strangers again.” The spear point retracts as the elemental’s arm rotates at the elbow. Their expression remains unchanged.
“Gedun and Yeyacha, a pleasure to meet you all! I’m a scout and my partner here’s a collector. We mostly collect valuables from the hands of the undeserving and gift them to those in need. What about you all?”
"You found the missing whisps! Selan will be delighted! Would you mind keeping those in place until she can arrive? I've heard they are quite mischevious."
“Well, my friend would not mind, but they were very impolite! Positively the rudest clumps of essences I’ve ever met in my life. One of them—the fire one—even called me something very insulting! Who raised these rascals? I have a word or two to say on their discipline and manners!”
"Don't worry, we will release them to you, we don't want these essences with bad attitude." they wink.
The Samurai bows to the two individuals as they approach their position.
Hello. We are Pathfinders, so perhaps we can find your path. Where were you headed?
The talos puffs out their chest in pride. "We don't have a destination actually. We are on vacation." they airquotes the word vacation. "Speaking of, what is this place? Where are we? Can you show us around instead?”
|
Otani winces at the attempted humor from his friend. The Tengu claps Moist on the back.
Perhaps, some humor doesn't translate as well as others?
He smiles at him.
Turning his attention back to the pair of Robin Hoods, the Samurai says
Otani Yoshitsugu. Please to make your acquaintances, Gedun and Yeyacha. It is as Moist states. This is The Maze of the Open Road. This allows travel to most any destination to explore, meet folks and collect souvenirs.
|
|
"A pleasure to meet you both." responds Zepth before continuing.
"This is the maze of the open roads, a sort of passageway that connects place far apart and that's used by the pathfinder society to travel quickly between lodges. I didn't know that you could get into it from other places besides the lodges, so how did you guys get in here?" he asks.
"Maze of the Open Road? Sounds familiar. Neat to know that the roads here can lead us anywhere connected to it." Gedun muses.
"This is the maze of the open roads, a sort of passageway that connects place far apart and that's used by the pathfinder society to travel quickly between lodges. I didn't know that you could get into it from other places besides the lodges, so how did you guys get in here?" he asks.
The talos puffs out their chest again in pride. “We became big names back home after a job. I’m talking wanted posters and bounties big. We’re not exactly celebrity material though, so after hearing the Material Plane is quite nice around this season, we decided to take a vacation. Might even make it a staycation if things get interesting." they explain.
"Since you are nice people, I have something for you." the talos offers them a pair of doubling rings.
Soon enough, Taiwalei shows up with Selan. Together, the kizidhar, talos, and ardande enter a perplexing conversation in a mix of Muan and Talican (the elemental language of metal), which Taiwalei looks on in awe.
Selan finally gets her hands on the naughty wisps after her conversation with the duo. The Pathfinders then bring them, together with Taiwalei and Selan to give them a tour of the elemental portals they have reached. Once finished, they gather around an intersection leading to different lodges.
However, as they arrive at a t-intersection, the planar fabric rips and elemental energy begins to pour in. While the sun is much lower in the sky now, the area is still under bright light conditions. From the Pathfinders’ previous travel through the area, they know the path to the right leads to the portals to the lodges, the path right leads to the elemental portals, and the path south leads back to the Grand Lodge.
Three things happen at once. From the sky, water begins to pour down into the intersection, creating an ankle-deep pool in its center. Though clear enough to see, the currents push Taiwalei back and away and separate him from the rest of the group. As Selan turns back with the intention to help, a wall of swirling red flame erupts, stopping her in her tracks. As the fire burn away a patch of foliage it touched, the bark peels away to expose a metal core, as if someone used the wood of the tree as a mold for a metal sculpture.
Shadows dart in the water below. A back fin breaches the surface, then goes under again. “That’s definitely a shark!” Taiwalei calls out. “I don’t think it’s one I’ve seen before though, so be careful!”
"But this I know: big sharks grab prey with their bites and drag them underwater. The young sharks would be too small to drag you around. However, their movements seem hypnotic, so it could be dangerously distracting to watch them too closely." Taiwalei shouts through the waterfall.
Terrain Feature(s): The pool of water is ankle-deep. The patch of ash-covered and barren trees with spiky metallic branches is Diffucult Terrain. The strong force of the walls of water and fire prevents anyone from easily passing through. Taiwalei can hear and see well enough through the waterfall. Selan can only hear through the wall of fire
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
Note(s): OG means Off-Guard.
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT! STRIKETHROUGH NAMES ARE ELIMINATED.
➤ Rybar Ganon | |
➤ Zepth | |
Red Sharky |
Yellow Salty |
Otani | |
Olegaro | |
Blue Briny |
Black Flower (Tiny) |
White Flower (Tiny) |
Moist Definitely | |
Hanu, Friend of the Wood | |
Zepth inspires allies to fight but not for long. He draws weapon and finds that Red Sharky, White Flower, and Blue Flower are swimming together under 20 ft after falling into the water 5 ft.
Meanwhile, Rybar finds that Salty and Briny are also 20 ft underwater after falling into the water 5 ft, before drawing his weapon. He recalls the sharks have no weaknesses but are fire-resistant.
Red Sharky swims to the surface to reveal its dance moves of spinning quickly in place to disorient the Pathfinders.
rounds
It then swims on the surface, closely watching the Pathfinders.
Yellow Salty swims up to the surface and bites Rybar.
P damage
The first bites nothing, but the second one punctures deep his leg.
Party Condition(s): +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects
Terrain Feature(s): DC 10 Athletics to Swim. The pool of water is ankle-deep. The patch of ash-covered and barren trees with spiky metallic branches is Diffucult Terrain. The strong force of the walls of water and fire prevents anyone from easily passing through. Taiwalei can hear and see well enough through the waterfall. Selan can only hear through the wall of fire
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
Note(s): OG means Off-Guard.
🚩 BEFORE YOUR TURN 🚩
❗ Zepth: DC 17 Will save vs Disorienting Dance ❗
❗ Otani: DC 17 Will save vs Disorienting Dance ❗
❗ Olegaro: DC 17 Will save vs Disorienting Dance ❗
❗ Hanu, Friend of the Wood: DC 17 Will save vs Disorienting Dance ❗
❗ Moist Definitely: DC 17 Will save vs Disorienting Dance ❗
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT! STRIKETHROUGH NAMES ARE ELIMINATED.
Rybar Ganon | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Zepth | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Red Sharky |
Yellow Salty |
➤ Otani | Cursebound 1 | |
➤ Olegaro | |
Blue Briny |
Black Flower (Tiny) |
White Flower (Tiny) |
Hanu, Friend of the Wood | |
Moist Definitely | |
|
Olegaro manages to pull his gaze away from the shark before getting too entranced!
"Thanks for the warning Zepth!" he calls out and then returns his gaze on the red sharky on the surface.
He draws his longsword, sloshes over to the red sharky and strikes.
--
◆ Draw longsword
◆ Stride
◆ Strike with his longsword for piercing damage
◆ Strike with his longsword for piercing damage
--
Olegaro handles himself well in front of the dancing shark. He draws weapon and slashes Red Sharky after getting close to it.
Moist, Otani, and Hanu are not affected by the dance, unlike Zepth who has lost his focus.
Red Sharky: vs EA
Yellow Salty: vs EA
Otani zaps the sharks close to the surface and raises shield. Red Sharky easily dodges it while Yellow is zapped underwater.
Blue Briny closes into Olegaro and bites him.
P damage
It bites his foot once.
Black Flower swims toward Olegaro, and when it enters his space, he pokes it in the center so that it wilts!
White Flower follows and bites Olegaro!
Both miss.
Terrain Feature(s): DC 10 Athletics to Swim. The pool of water is ankle-deep. The patch of ash-covered and barren trees with spiky metallic branches is Diffucult Terrain. The strong force of the walls of water and fire prevents anyone from easily passing through. Taiwalei can hear and see well enough through the waterfall. Selan can only hear through the wall of fire
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
Note(s): OG means Off-Guard.
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT! STRIKETHROUGH NAMES ARE ELIMINATED.
Rybar Ganon | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Zepth | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim); OG (1 rd) | |
Red Sharky |
Yellow Salty |
Otani | Cursebound 1 | |
Olegaro | |
Blue Briny |
Black Flower (Tiny) |
White Flower (Tiny) |
➤ Hanu, Friend of the Wood | |
➤ Moist Definitely | |
Salty: vs Kinetic Ram
Salty is too sturdy to be pushed by Moist. Moist then raises shield.
Hanu blasts seaweed but it gently falls into Red Sharky's head like a crown. He then plants a tree of protection.
They can hear Selan across the wall of fire. They are brine sharks, which are water elementals that are slow on land and fast in the water."
White Flower: vs EA
Red Sharky: vs EA
White Flower wilts because the current is too much for it, while Red Sharky remains standing, or rather swimming. Zepth raises his shield too.
Party Condition(s): +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects
Terrain Feature(s): DC 10 Athletics to Swim. The pool of water is ankle-deep. The patch of ash-covered and barren trees with spiky metallic branches is Diffucult Terrain. The strong force of the walls of water and fire prevents anyone from easily passing through. Taiwalei can hear and see well enough through the waterfall. Selan can only hear through the wall of fire
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
Note(s): OG means Off-Guard.
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT! STRIKETHROUGH NAMES ARE ELIMINATED.
➤ Rybar Ganon | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Zepth | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Red Sharky |
Yellow Salty |
Otani | Cursebound 1 | |
Olegaro | |
Blue Briny |
Black Flower (Tiny) |
White Flower (Tiny) |
Hanu, Friend of the Wood | |
Moist Definitely | |
|
Reaction (poison, tripkee) Frequency once per hour; Trigger A creature touches you, such as by Grappling you, successfully hitting you with an unarmed attack, or using a touch-range spell against you; Effect You exude a deadly toxin. The triggering creature takes 1d4 poison damage (basic Fortitude save using your class DC or spell DC, whichever is higher). At 3rd level and every 2 levels thereafter, the damage increases by 1d4.
Rybar gives his all, stabbing the Yellow Salty making it bloodied.
Instead of fighting back Olegaro, the Red Sharky moves and begins munching the spiky metallic branches of the trees there.
Feeling close to death, Yellow Salty swims to the surface toward the patch of metallic trees and begins attacking the spiky metallic branches of the trees and eats them too!
"Most sharks bite out of curiosity or hunger. Letting them realize you’re not tasty or an easy meal might work out in the long run." Taiwalei shouts through the wall of water blocking him from the rest.
Party Condition(s): +1 status bonus to attack rolls, damage rolls, and saves against fear effects
Terrain Feature(s): DC 10 Athletics to Swim. The pool of water is ankle-deep. The patch of ash-covered and barren trees with spiky metallic branches is Diffucult Terrain. The strong force of the walls of water and fire prevents anyone from easily passing through. Taiwalei can hear and see well enough through the waterfall. Selan can only hear through the wall of fire
Map Link: ENCOUNTER MAP
Note(s): OG means Off-Guard.
CHARACTER IN ➤ BOLD TYPEFACE CAN ACT! STRIKETHROUGH NAMES ARE ELIMINATED.
Rybar Ganon | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Zepth | -5 ft (DC 10 Athletics to Swim) | |
Red Sharky |
Yellow Salty |
➤ Otani | Cursebound 1 | |
➤ Olegaro | |
Blue Briny |
Black Flower (Tiny) |
White Flower (Tiny) |
Hanu, Friend of the Wood | |
Moist Definitely | |
|
|
Olegaro's eyes will fix on the injured yellow salty surfacing nearby him. He'll stride to it, activate his potency crystal and swing at it.
Then he'll look around with an expression of concern and confusion "Rybar and Zepth are they ... under the water?"
--
◆ Stride
◇ Activate potency crystal
◆ Strike yellow with his (+1 striking) longsword for piercing damage
◆ Strike yellow with his (+1 striking) longsword for piercing damage
--