Strongjaw is seen covering himself in dirt. The White Rabbit and Tanngrisnir are seen rolling in mud. All three are heard mumbling
Not gonna call us Shiny One by mistake!
"Ha! This will be child's play!" Valda says. She leaps five feet straight into the air, then grabs the handholds and makes her way up the shaft as adroitly as a goat climbing a mountain!
Valda carefully pulls herself up the last few feet of the shaft, emerging into a hidden shrine. The compact space is vibrant with color from the paintings high above, capturing scenes of Sutaki gods and their devout callers. She notes the glass prism at the center of the room, intricate and precise, casting rainbow hues from the small shafts of light that penetrate this secluded space.
In this peaceful enclave, she encounters three individuals. The first has striking features that mirror the image Valda saw upon entering, the second resembles the first with a similar bearing, the third a child cradled in one of their protective arms.
As Valda steps forward, the crunch of her foot on the rocky ground draws their gaze. Their eyes, wide and welcoming, regard Valda with an inquisitive tilt of the head, a pause in the air as two strangers measure each other's intent.
Valda raises her hand in greeting. "Hello. I am Radiant Valda of the Broken Tusk following. I come in peace."
Eokoe's gaze softens with curiosity, their eyes reflecting a measured warmth. "Greetings, Radiant Valda. You have a beautiful name. I am Eokoe, and this is Tedanu and little Dini. We are but humble dwellers in these caverns, seeking solace from those who would oppress our spirits. And who might you be, coming from the shadows into our light?"
Eokoe hesitates, weighing the sincerity of the armored stranger before them. "Perhaps you are the omen we have been expecting. We hide from a tyrant who has stifled our people's voices and crushed our traditions underfoot. The dragon Venexus looms over our valley, and its puppet, Ashen Swale, ensures no dissent goes unpunished. Our existence here is a silent protest, a whisper of hope for a future where we can once again roam free under the open radiant sky."
”A dragon! At last, a worthy foe to overcome,” Valda says with a grin. ”We are here to bring our following to safety across the vale, but we would be happy to free you from the yoke of tyranny along the way. I will send word to my companions.”
Valda returns to the shaft to inform the rest of the party. She’ll lower a rope if one is provided to help them climb up.
Kadosh moans at the thought of fighting a dragon.
"We're doomed," he whispers. "We should move quickly, so the Following isn't all slain!"
"If the dragon rules over the vale, we may not have a choice but to face it. Sister Cinder, protect us," Hakata mutters.
Intently listening for the vicious vivisecting of various vulnerable and valuable parts of Valda being caught in claws, torn by teeth or even chewed on like Tanngrisnir chews on a delicious tuff of foliage.
Big goblin ears straining to hear just the tiniest bit of murderous intent, Strongjaw suddenly makes his own screeching and screaming sounds when Tanngrisnir Helps the Witch Climb up the ledge!
The White Rabbit is seen wearing a cow bunny outfit, complete with twirling a lasso!
Once reluctantly at the top, all three wave and smile.
Accepting that he's likely to die, Kadosh sadly climbs up and hands Valda a rope so they can help anyone else that needs it.
"Killing a dragon might not be an on-the-way deed, O Radiant One. Even for you."
"We are in need of your assistance." they begin, their gaze shifting between the scouts. "Two of our hunters have not returned from their task to secure a path to our fellows. We fear for their safety and that of Dini and Tedanu."
As he says this, you notice Tedanu has a six-star constellation tattooed on his right hand. He catches your gaze and explains "These constellations are sacred among our people. They are the embodiment of our connections to each other and to the stars. They are signs of loyalty, kinship, and devotion. Among Sutaki, it’s customary to tattoo matching constellations on the hand as a sign of unbreakable bonds, such as friendship, love, or partnership. My wife and I share this pattern, and it is this bond that I believe still holds us together, even though she is captured."
Eokoe explains Dini’s mother, Nukiak, was an outspoken opponent of Ashen Swale and refused to go into hiding. She was captured 3 weeks ago. Tedanu believes Nukiak lives, but Eokoe suspects she’s been executed. "The dragon Venexus reigns over us with iron wings, and Ashen Swale, his necromantic puppet, enforces a reign of terror. They've stifled our voices and desecrated the sacred—destroying shrines and silencing the whispers of past god callers."
Eokoe's eyes hold a depth of sorrow as they recount the vision of Dini's potential and the stark realities of Nukiak's likely fate. Eokoe has seen visions of the future in which Dini becomes a god caller. Ashen Swale allows no other god callers to live, fearing they will usurp his power. Thus, Eokoe helped Dini and her father Tedanu escape the village. Dini has protectors and will be safe for a time, but can’t live in Calamity Caves forever."
"We've taken great risks to protect Dini from Ashen Swale's clutches, as any god caller but he is seen as a threat to his tyrannical rule." Eokoe adds with a hint of bitterness.
"Venexus does not share her domain, and in her eyes, we are but pawns on her board, not pieces to be given away." Eokoe concludes, a resolve hardening in their eyes. "But we will not be cowed. We seek change—a rebirth for our people."
Strongjaw winces at every mentioning of dragon. The Witch frowns at the mentioning of a necromancer though. The White Rabbit is seen wearing Salem attire, but quickly changes into holy clerical garb at the glaring look from the goblin Witch.
Tanngrisnir is seen chewing on...something.
And how far are this dragon, necromancer and friends?
Kadosh, despite his terror, knows they can't let this go on, just as they couldn't allow the Burning Mammoths to kill them. They are, in the end, one and the same.
"And can you tell us about the other missing hunter?" he asks, though a sinking feeling in his gut tells him that unfortunate soul may not be as lucky as Nukiak.
"Venexus and Ashen Swale dwell at the heart of the valley, within Lyuba, the village under the dragon's icy perch. The necromancers of Ashen's court are trained within the shadow of Ashen Tower, from where they surveil the valley, ensuring none can leave unnoticed."
"As for the missing hunters, they were the guardians entrusted with Dini's safety. They are led by Onak and I fear something has gone wrong." He hesitates, "If you can offer protection, we can show you the way they were headed."
Strongjaw smiles.
Anyway to get the the dragon's cave without the village being aware? Kill the minotaur....dragon first!
Returning back to the stream, you pick a direction that you haven't explored yet - southwest - and head that way. A few moments later you come to a rough limestone stairs along the southern wall that lead up to a natural bridge that connects two tunnels at opposite sides of the large cavern. The bridge is narrow and will require decent balance to cross.
"Here, let me scout ahead," Hakata scrambles across the bridge.
Strongjaw looks a bit warily at the bridge. The White Rabbit is seen wearing a Spiderman outfit. Tanngrisnir is enjoying the view while chewing on some forgotten fungus.
Hakata's balance is sure and steady as he navigates the narrow bridge with the poise of a practiced acrobat. As he makes his way across, he can see a wolf den twenty feet below, with six wolves currently asleep.
He reaches the other side unscathed, and his eyes are immediately drawn to the striking image. A painting is of a white dragon adorned with a hide and bone necklace, radiating a tiny flame. The stark contrast between the ice and fire emanating from the dragon's claws captivates him, but it's the tiny flame within the necklace that seizes his attention—it's unmistakably the Primordial Flame.
Standing before the grand depiction, Hakata takes in the area's sights and sees an ash-filled bowl and the various offerings scattered around it. He knows the spiritual significance of the bison skulls surrounding the offering and that dormant threats are waiting to unleash their fury if the offerings are disturbed. He carefully notes their placement, avoiding any contact that might awaken them.
With a practiced eye, Hakata spots the scroll of false life amongst the offerings, as well as an incense stick and an uncut diamond.
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"Great spirits, let him return safely, and not fall, where he'll be horribly torn apart by wolves even if he survives the landing..." Kadosh murmurs, watching anxiously for Hakata's return.
Wary of the spirits, Hakata returns to the group.
He steps softly over the sleeping wolves and reports back, "There is a drawing of a great white dragon on the wall. The creature seems to have been worshiped by then artists, and the dragon is hung with many ornaments--including the Frozen Flame!"
Giving that information a moment to sink it, he continues, "If that is the dragon that those scouts mentioned, our fate is doubly entwined with his. We can't let such a creature keep the artifact. It's our following's duty to retrieve it."
Catamoch chuffs quietly to himself, his amusement only worsening Veshka's mood. "You look way too damned pleased at the idea of facing a dragon."
Strongjaw throws up!
"Ease your stomach, little one," Valda says, patting Strongjaw on the back. "This dragon will be no match for us! For we are mightier than you realize! I welcome the challenge!"
Regrouping, the party moves off the ramped bridge and heads south where they enter a tainted grove.
As the Broken Tusk scouts step into the sheltered grove, they are met with an unnerving stillness. The trees, dark and contorted, stretch upwards like tormented souls, their branches clawing at the sky.
Your gaze catches the dreadful sight of a man, caught in the clutches of the grotesque tree. His feet dangle above the earth-strewn floor as he struggles weakly against his captor. You recognize that time is of the essence—the man's life hangs by a literal thread. If not freed soon, he will die.
As you move to enter the grove to free the man, two creatures resembling the twisted trees but animated with a cruel sentience emerge to bar your path.
"To battle!" Valda cries, leaping at the nearest tree and slicing with her gleaming sword! The glow moves from her blade to her tattoo.
Catamoch surges forward, sneaking around Valda's enemy to hack away at it with his tusks!.
Veshka withdraws from the frontlines and focuses on both of the hideous trees, sapping away their wrath and drawing it all to herself.
As the White Rabbit dabs the Goblin's chin, Strongjaw glances up at Valda.
Tis nots da dragon. It's bees dem fungi on dose walls.
Tanngrisnir just grins.
Seeing the strangers straining in suspense, the Witch points to Valda!
The Witch then sends a Splash of Love to Valda.
Tanngrisnir decides to Stride to a spot between any Angry Trees and Valda about 10' behind the Exemplar.
Valda lays her attacks into one of the evil tree creatures, cutting a chunk out of one of them. Veshka's spell is somewhat affective, causing the creatures to be slightly distracted and unfocused.
The Both creatures lay into Valda with their stone swords, one critically striking her and the other landing another solid hit. Both trees raise wooden shields in defense after their attacks.
Veshka snarls, continuing to leech away the trees' wrath for Catamoch and replace it with fear!
Catamoch continues to hack away at the evil tree, his glee in its destruction not lessened in the least by it being a kindred spirit
Badly wounded, Valda lays hands on herself twice in succession. She grits her teeth as she slashes at the tree again.
HP 48/48
AC 20
Fort +10, Ref +9, Will +8
Hero points: 3
Effects:
Kadosh sizes up the tree thing and heads in to help Radiant Valda
"Spirits of earth protect us...because this is going to make those trees angry." A swirl of spirits rises around Hakata and he cracks the cave floor beneath the trees, calling up a spurt of lava.
and + 1 persistent fire
[ooc]Earth's Bile: Your apparition is the conduit for the earth's molten blood, unleashing a devastating burst of lava at your command. When you Cast this Spell, and the first time you Sustain it each round thereafter, choose an area within range. Each creature in the area takes 1d4 fire damage, 1d4 bludgeoning damage, and 1 persistent fire damage (the persistent fire damage is negated on a successful save).
Veshka successfully intimidates the creature that the party has been fighting!
Kadosh recalls that these creatures, Arboreal, are extremely weak to fire (fire 10), and he exploits that to his benefit! He attacks but falls slightly short due to the high defenses the creature has with its shield.
Valda and Catamoch land a single strike each, further damaging one of the Arboreals.
Strongjaw helps Valda recover from her wounds and Hakata calls molten lava to explode underneath the wooden trees!
The creature standing in the lava that everyone has been attacking gets even angrier! It's bark cracks and groans as fire rips through it, burning it badly. In retaliation, it smacks Valda twice more, successfully overcoming Kadosh's attempt to distract it with his bell.
The second demonic, arboreal creature is also burned very badly by the lava, worse than the one you have been attacking in fact! It's on fire and in retaliation, it also buries its stone longsword into Valda! It tries to shake off the fire, put fails, it's body quickly burning away.
71
31PF
Strongjaw just frowns at all the work he just did getting used some soon.
Mees bees dones sees folks like dodge a bit on da occasions. Might wanna tries dat.
The Witch then Hexes the almost deadest tree!
And he waves a hand in Valda 's direction.
Protector Tree(1) AC 10 HP 10
A scared and leaf shaking Tree sprouts next to Valda.
Will it hurt much?
Tanngrisnir decides to back their arses up another 10' (20' from Valda).
Hakata grunts at Strong Jaw's communion with the elements, "Tell your tree that it is in no danger--at least from us."
Fire magic dances from the animist's fingers and lave spurts from the ground.
and
and 1 persistent fire
for
Veshka shrieks a wordless roar as Valda falls, and lightning answers.
Catamoch carves away at the burning tree, but is having a hard time getting through the thick bark...
Valda is bruised, bloodied, but unbowed. Crying defiance, she shifts her immanence to her blade and strikes again!
HP 48/48
AC 20
Fort +10, Ref +9, Will +8
Hero points: 3
Effects:
Quickly grabbing a coin taken from one of the Burning Mammoth they had to kill as they fled, Kadosh holds it to his ax, seeing his blade absorb the fiery anger of the coin's former possessor until the edge almost glows. Falling into his marshal stance, he swings at the tree.
The first tree is sufficiently chipped and burned enough that it groans and cracks, falling to the ground. The second tree is quickly erased thanks to the consistent use of fire, reducing its formidable defenses to ash.
With the immediate threat on the way, the party quickly tries to make their way to the man, gasping for air and seconds away from death. Unfortunately, it would appear this fiendish forest isn't finished with you.
The fiendish trees swing their branches and shift their roots to bludgeon and trip you as you try to make your way through the tainted grove. These other trees do not appear capable of locomotion; they turn the ground into difficult terrain to slow you down and make it generally painful to advance.
The Abyss-warped trees use their roots to lash at the party's feet!
Afterwards, they reach out and strike three times. They miss Hakata, but land a solid hit on Stronjaw and a critical hit on Kadosh! The tree loops its branches around Kadosh, grabbing it!
Veshka chants and snarls, trying to hurl the spirits out of the trees.
Catamoch chuffs along, but unsurprisingly, the demon-boar isn't exactly skilled at exorcism.
Strongjaw wiggles a bit at the tainted grove's attempts to derail their mission!
The Witch slides off of Tanngrisnir with a thud!
Mees backs!
Lying amongst the violence of violets, Strongjaw just glares.
The goblin gets up, climbs back onto of a grinning Tanngrisnir and casts Guidance on himself!
They then Strides closer to the injured dude!
Valda grunts as she hits the ground. She quickly gets back to her feet and leaps to a safe spot!
Hakata, guided by the spirits, steps aside from the roots and orders out the dark energy from the trees.
With Hakata and Catamoch's knowledge combined, the exorcism of the corrupted grove is performed flawlessly. Valda finds a safe place among the grove for everyone to stand while the rites are performed. A shortwhile later, the grove falls into a precarious silence as the last of the arboreals succumb.
Before she can even speak about it, Veshka's vision goes white, and she collapses.
The vision fades.
Blinking, Veshka's eyes slowly open and find her back in the grove, but a residual vigilance lingers, sharpening her senses and honing her reflexes.
As she collapses, the scouts see the man wrapped up in the tree, now unconscious, life fading, with mere seconds left to live before he passes on. He cannot wait for Veshka to free him, you have to act now.