A Fistful of Flowers + A Few Flowers More (Inactive)

Game Master Delta Arena

Finding nothing of use on the body, Reaching Rings moves to the northern room and ponders on the use of all the alchemical tools, particularly in association with all the various crystals.

Then they accompany Popcorn to examine the southern room.
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

A lot of the tools in the northern room are used for cutting and polishing the crystals. Others are moulds for candles. Rings also recognizes tools for making mutagens, along with two moderate cognitive mutagens and two moderate quicksilver mutagens.

The southern room is a bedroom decorated with fine furnishings and an imported Qadiran carpet that is marred by soot and wax stains. There is also a ledger sitting on a table that acts as a shipping manifest. Most entries refer to local orders for candles, crystals or alchemical concoctions, but the most recent entry reads "House Plants - lavender" and was delivered to one Lady Constance Meliosa. According to the notes from said entry, the house plants were delivered to her manor in the nearby town of Rosentry. They are to be the centerpiece for an upcoming gala hosted in Lady Constance's garden on Sarenith 25th. That would be Tomorrow!

Bottlespeaker's face contorts into a confused expression. "So they kidnapped our family so they could be decorations in a party? That's so.... So.... Ahhhh...," Bottlespeaker yells out loud.

Pacing around the room he adds,"That would be like if we took their babies and placed on the table. That just doesn't make any sense. You don't just use children as decorations for your party. What a bunch of jerks...."

“A troubling development this is indeed,” Reaching Rings reacts in a significantly calmer demeanor. “Fortunately I conjecture that they must still be alive for this gala to be a success—for some reason humans find decaying vegetable matter unappealing. And if this party is tomorrow, we should still have time to rescue them. The only issue is locating them.”

The fungus displays the four mutagens they found. “Although our physiologies are quite different, I theorize that these should be as effective for us as for humans. To save our friends, I believe that it is imperative that we test this theory.” So saying, Rings ingests one of the cognitive mutagens.

“A most interesting experience. It reminds me of fermented watermelon. I can feel my mind opening to the secrets of the universe …”

Rosentry has a bad reputation with the folk of the forest. It is mostly a vacational-home town filled with high society individuals looking for a picture perfect setup. As such, anything deemed undesireable has been removed from the place, with heavy use of insecticides, pesticides, mole-traps and more. All in the quest for a pristine lawn. It is also a couple of hours due east, with a path direcly connecting it to Petalbrook.

Not much is know about Lady Constance, but there are rumors that a few stray Leshys that have come to the forest were actually created by her. Giving some veracity to the rumours is the fact that Lady Constance is a Primal Sorcerer.

"Arggg the worse type of people. With their lawns and carefully cultivated gardens choking out the natural beauty. Pesticides killing off all the nice bugs and wildlife. Let's go get our revenge!

"Definitely! But we should finish healing up first."

HP: 36/53

natural medicine: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 DC 15 Popcorn
healing: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 7) = 12
refocus
goodberry: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
goodberry: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Ahhh yes sorry. I got a little worked up. Let me help you Popcorn. You are a valuable member of this group and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you," says Bottlespeaker as he starts to tend to her wounds.

After spending ten minutes bandaging up her wounds he then casts goodberry and hands one to her. "Here eat this. This should be able to heal your remaining wounds," he adds.

Popcorn eats the goodberry. ”Thank you, but what about Fluff Fang’s remaining injuries?”

Fluff Fang is at 12/35, or 20/35 if we assume that they take the second goodberry (36+12+6=54 for Popcorn). There is also enough time to get a rest.

natural medicine dc 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
critical: 4d8 ⇒ (1, 5, 8, 6) = 20

"Awww you are right. Time to treat your wounds too. Sorry, I was so eager to rescue our friends. I completely forgot"

Fluff Fang is feeling much better after that, with the verdancy of their leaves much restored after the waxy burns.

Once everyone is fully healed, Reaching Rings adds their voice to second Bottlespeaker’s urgency while also sounding a note of caution. “Haste is paramount, but we must also be prudent. I have heard rumors that this Lady Constance is a primal sorcerer, capable of creating leshies of her own, enslaved to her will. Rosentry is a vile corruption of all we hold dear. Let us go, but be on guard.” With that the fungus leads the way out of the basement and on to Rosentry.

Not sure if a check is needed to get to Rosentry? If so ...
Survival: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

The trip to Rosentry is an easy one, just follow the best cared-for roads surrounded by floral trees.

The town itself is small, but wealthy. Many nobles have build manor houses and the economy is set up pandering to them. The numerous estates have large rolling laws separating one another, but they are still close enough that a trip on horseback or by carriage is easy to make. The Meliosa estate is an average example of what Rosentry has to offer.

On your way there, there is nothing eventful, and not much to look at. The journey is puntuated by a stale sterility. Every insect has been forced away or killed with poisons, and every mole and vole has been exterminated to protect the perfectly even lawns. The few plants in sight are display pieces, rather than an environment. Fewer still are native to the area, and all have been selected for aesthetic values only. The only natural life comes from stray songbirds who ocassionally visit birdbaths, or from the distant sight of a horse in tack porting a cart filled with supplies.

The sound coming grom the gala, makes the Meliosa Estate stand out amongst the curated silence. You can hear the chattering of humans enjoying a tea party coming from her garden, which is surrounded by a 5-foot-tall cast iron fence surrounded by a thick privet hedge. The gate to the garden is locked, and it displays a sign that reads: “By Invitation Only.”

If anyone needs it, you can assume that you took a long rest along the way.

"I assume Fluff Fang prefers to get in with disguises and invitations. But why not just climb over the hedge instead?"

The barren, sterile environment is anathema to the fungus, who much prefers the thick mat of cluttered decay carpeting a forest floor. They are rather glad when they reach the estate’s garden—hopefully soon they’ll be rid of this place.

“An excellent cogitation eschewing complexity for simplicity,” Reaching Rings responds to Popcorn, “but I conjecture that an even more direct approach is possible.” The rogue produces a set of thieves’ tools and begins fiddling with the lock to the garden gate.

Pick a Lock (Thievery): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

You fidget with the lock, trying to open the garden gate. After a few moments you feel like there is a sudden hush from the party voices closest to the gate, but you don't manage to open the lock.

The moment the voices die down, Reaching Rings freezes in place, moving only to raise a solitary finger to their lips to solicit silence as they wait and listen for the conversation to resume.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

It's difficult to tell but it sounds like the conversations inside go back to normal after a few seconds.

"Do we confront the owner directly or shall we try and rescue our friends discretely? I don't want to put them in any more danger than they currently are."

”I still think we should just climb up. I’m strong enough to carry one of you on my back without being encumbered.”

At least, I think I am; I don’t think there’s a specified Bulk for the jar of lemons or bottle of peppercorns.

“I doubt that our actions will endanger our friends beyond the danger they already face,” Reaching Rings whispers in reply to Bottlespeaker. “I believe that Popcorn’s theory is correct, though instead of burdening her on her climb, I conjecture that it would be simpler for her to unlock the gate for us from the other side. Should this prove impossible, you can throw this rope over the gate or the hedge to assist our climb.” The fungus presents the barbarian with her rope, and also a small vial.

“This moderate quicksilver mutagen should make you faster and more stealthy, though it also adversely affects one’s constitution. It might be wise to follow Bottlespeaker’s suggestion, using stealth for as long as we can. At the very least, this would grant an element of surprise before any inevitable confrontation. Perhaps Fluff Fang can improve your chances of remaining undetected?”

With that, the bard casts invisibility upon Popcorn. Meanwhile, Reaching Rings drinks the other quicksilver mutagen in preparation for both stealth and battle.

Popcorn isn’t sure that drinking the mutagen is a good idea but, feeling impatient, drinks it anyway.

HP: 47/53

She then attempts to climb the hedge.

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

It seems like popcorn is still trying to get used to not seeing her own hands, as she fails to grab properly onto the fence to climb over it. Once again there is a sudden hush from the voices inside. This time it lasts a little longer, but before a minute has passed, they are back to their normal conversation inside.

Feeling increasingly irritated, Popcorn tries again.

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

After your failed attempt, you manage to make it all the way to the top of the fence.

The garden is currently playing host to six luxuriously dressed ladies, and two fabulously dressed gentlemen. The guests are enjoying a tea party with two tiny kidnapped leshys serving as centerpieces for the tables, each pair trapped within decorative glass bell jar displays. They are distracted talking to each other and they seem to be having a grand time. Flanking the garden, are carefully constructed displays of foreign-looking flowers that are growing 2ft tall to the east and to west.

I’ve put up the garden map. Popcorn is at the top of the fence, looking in.

Popcorn climbs down the fence into the garden and opens the gate.

That shouldn’t require a roll, since even if she falls it wouldn’t be far enough for fall damage, but just in case…

Athletics: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

As soon as the gate swings open, Reaching Rings quickly whispers to Fluff Fang. “Invisibility.” The bard complies, casting the spell upon the rogue, who then sneaks through the gate and into the garden. There the invisible fungus takes a moment to survey their surroundings and think of a way to secretly vacate the humans.

I’m not sure if Rings would know to do this (hence the knowledge check), but I’m thinking of invisibly spilling teacups onto the guests so that they have to leave to change their clothes.

Popcorn,you do land safely and get to the door to open it. It has bolts securing it in place, but you are able to move them aside, opening the gate for your companions.

All the attendees are too busy talking about politics and gossip that they don't notice the gate opening, much less an invisible leshy coming in and approaching the tables.

That would work to get them away from the tables. But invisible doesn’t mean undetectable, so the question becomes, how are you thinking of reaching the tea without alerting them to your presence? So far you are all Unnoticed.

Fluff Fang creeps along the hedge and, poking their head around the corner, peers through the open gate at the gathering. Using their message spell, the bard communicates quietly with Popcorn and Reaching Rings, asking what they plan to do. When the fungus responds with their idea, Fluff uses a mage hand spell to knock over teacups and teapots, spilling tea onto the guests’ clothes. Meanwhile Rings gets ready to free the kidnapped leshies.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Bottlespeaker careful climbs the fence too trying to remain stealthy while on top of the fence. Peaking over the party he scoffs at how perfectly manicured and cultivated everything is.

Teacups and teapots start flying all over the garden, spilling on four of the guests to the party. Suddenly, everyone is up in outrage and indignation, with high-pitched screams of "My dress, my dress! it was custom made by the finest tailors of Absalom!"

Everyone starts moving away from the tables.

"Oh, my. Please, please, come this way, my staff will-" But lady Meliosa in her yellow dress gets interrupted by a branch breaking at the fence. "You!" She yells and points directly at Bottlespeaker. "I bet you are responsible for this! Guards! Subdue the miscreant!"

Suddenly, four unique-looking plants turn into leshys on the sides of the garden. There is a tall, skinny leshy made of golden Bamboo, a broad-shouldered leshy made of Mint, a fully-flowered leshy made of Wisterias, and a slim and athletic looking leshy made of Minkaian Honeysuckle.

It is clear from their blank eyes that they are fully under Meliosa's influence.

"Come,come, my guards will take care of this. We need to take care of your dresses," says lady Meliosa, guide her guests away from the garden.

Bottlespeaker’s Initiative: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Fluff Fang’s Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Popcorn’s Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Reaching Rings’s Initiative: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Following lady Meliosa's command, they all rush towards Bottlespeaker and the entrance.

Honeysuckle
Rushing it towards bottlespeaker, the honeysuckle leshy throws a punch his way.

And it seems like she is a capable fighter, as her fist connects against the druid.

Action Breakdown: Honeysuckle: Change Shape*, Stride*, Strike*. Other leshys: Change Shape*, Stride*x2.

Bottlespeaker and Fluff fang, you are observed. They see fluff fang as they approach the gate. Popcorn and Reaching Rings, you are undetected. As they move/stand close to you they have a feeling that there might be someone else.

With that, you can all take your turns.

“Courage, friends!” Fluff Fang exclaims, holding their rapier aloft and twirling it in an inspiring display. “And apologies to my fellow leshies, but we do not abide traitors! Have at you!” But instead of striking with their blade, the bard casts a spell with their other hand. Focusing on the nearest glass bell jar, Fluff telekinetically yanks it off the table and sends it hurtling towards the back of the guard in front of them, hoping to both harm the enemy and free the kidnapped leshies at the same time.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 + 1 = 28
Damage (B): 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2, 2) + 1 = 11

Inspire Courage* (+1 attack, damage, saves vs fear to all allies), cast Telekinetic Projectile**

Reaching Rings was just about to free the tiny leshys when Bottlespeaker is discovered and the guards rush to attack. Though the fungus has no desire to harm a fellow leshy, it is clear that they are under the evil lady’s control. With an internal sigh—Rings would much rather battle the now departed humans than his own kind—the rogue rushes to the aid of their friends. They quickly move behind the guard in front of Fluff Fang and, spurred on by the bard’s encouragement and the quicksilver mutagen coursing through their sap—or whatever passes for such in a fungus—attack with their twin blades.

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 20Damage (P + sneak attack): 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 + (2) = 12
Short Sword attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 18Damage (S + sneak attack): 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + (4) = 10

Stride*, Strike*x2 (+1 from Courageous Anthem, +2 from Quicksilver Mutagen, against off-guard opponent)

The fiery aura surrounds Popcorn again, but this time only Popcorn herself can see it at first. Then Popcorn becomes visible again and swings her flail twice! She directs her attacks at the purple enemy to the west of her unless that one is already down, in which case she attacks the green enemy to the northeast instead.

Strike: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 1 = 30
damage (B): 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
damage (fire): 4 = 4

Strike: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12 If the first attack took down purple, this gets an additional +1 due to sweep.
damage (B): 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
damage (fire): 4 = 4

Rage, Strike, Strike

Fluff Fang
The glass bell jar smashes against the back of the Wisteria leshy, fragments of glass cutting the flowers off, leaving thin twigs exposed all over her body. That was a Critical Hit

On the table, two tiny mountain heather leshys, one white and one lilac, look around them. They are clearly shocked by the sudden turn of events. They move to the edge of the table and do their best to hold onto the table cloth to start climbing down.

Reaching Rings
Seeing your opportunity, you strike hard with rapier, piercing through the twigs of the Wisteria and splitting them. Suddenly, the spell making you invisible breaks, and you are exposed to the other leshys. Not losing your momentum, you shift your position and cut through one of the shoulder pads of the Mint leshy. Wisteria goes down with your first strike, so I’m transferring the second one to Mint.

Popcorn
Suddenly surrounded by two new leshys, Mint has no time to react to the flail-swing barbarian. The heads of the flail crush Mint’s head, shoulder and chest, smashing them against the ground. That is another Critical Hit! With enough damage to take it down

I transferred Rings second attack to Mint, so Popcorn would take down Mint on her second Action. However, Popcorn could also take Mint down with both her strikes, saving Rings last action. That is to say, one of you can take one last action this round.

Bottlespeaker still has his turn before the remaining two leshys.

After defeating Mint, Popcorn moves over to Honeysuckle.

Stride

Bottle speaker attempts to climb up the fence again to get towards his allies. "Listen friends we are not your enemies. The humans who kidnapped us. Join us and don't just enable the enemies of nature,"Bottlespeaker calls out to his fellow leshies.

athletics: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
If unsuccessful will hero point.
Upon reaching the top will cast Acid Arrow on the closest enemy
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage: 3d8 ⇒ (6, 6, 5) = 17 1d6 persistent

"We are not your friends, we are nothing like you. You are wild spirits." says honeysuckle. She is then covered by the acid and hear leaves start to dissolve.

Lashing out against those around her, she begins to launch punch after punch.

Unfortunately, the acid is too distracting.

While bamboo bends themself backwards before bouncing back, whiplashing popcorn in the process.

With honeysuckle in the way, it is too difficult for them to reach their target. Then, they bend backwards once again, again ready to strike the first leshy that moves.

you can all take your turns

“The day is ours! Onwards to victory!” Fluff Fang cries out in encouragement. With another florid gesture the bard magically hurls another glass bell jar, this time at the bamboo leshy, while freeing another duo of kidnapped leshies.

Telekinetic Projectile: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 + 1 = 22
Damage (B): 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) + 1 = 12

Inspire Courage* (+1 attack, damage, saves vs fear to all allies), cast Telekinetic Projectile**

With a burst of speed Reaching Rings races over the two fallen guards and dashes between the two other guards to reach a flanking position on the other side of the honeysuckle. Then their twin blades go to work on the acid-drenched plant.

Rapier attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 33 Damage (P+sneak attack): 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + (2) = 10 Deadly damage from crit: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Short Sword attack: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 23 Damage (S+sneak attack): 1d6 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + (3) = 12

Stride*, Strike*x2 (+1 from Courageous Anthem, +2 from Quicksilver Mutagen, against off-guard opponent)

If Honeysuckle is still standing, Popcorn attacks Honeysuckle. If not, or if her one of her attacks takes out Honeysuckle, she moves to north of Bamboo and (if she still has actions remaining) attacks Bamboo. (Note that this means she is flanking with Reaching Rings whichever opponent she attacks.)

Strike: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17
damage (B): 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7
damage (fire): 4 = 4

Strike: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 = 9
damage (B): 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9
damage (fire): 4 = 4

If Honeysuckle is still standing, she attacks a third time:

Strike: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
damage (B): 1d10 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
damage (fire): 4 = 4

ray of frost on closest enemy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage: 4d4 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 3) = 9
Guidance Popcorn

"Well be it then. We will send your souls back to the spirit world and perhaps you can learn about your mistakes," says Bottlespeaker as he sends a bolt of cold out.

fluff fang
You launch the second bell jar through the air, swinging it across the garden and bringing it against the bamboo leshy. It breaks against them and leaves fragments on class encrusted in them.

At the table, two little white, spotted leshys make a run for the edge of the table and beginning climbing downwards. They are two Spotted Safrige leshys.

Rings
As you approach into position, the bamboo leshy snaps back to hit you.

But the mushroom leshy is quick on their feet and avoids the attack. Piercing and slashing through the honeysuckle leshy, you make quick work of her before she can even react.

Popcorn
Moving behind the bamboo leshy, you swing your flail. It impacts and shatters the hard exterior of the bamboo leshy, the would burning in the process.

Bottlespeaker
You aim your ray through one of the cracks in the bamboo leshy. It freezes the interior of the creature, ice crystals forming on the inside until it remains completely unmoving.

All four leshys are down.

After the last of the evil leshies succumbs to their attacks, Reaching Rings surveys the scene with satisfaction. “Well done, my friends! Few things are as satisfying as such a perfect execution of theory into practice. I conjecture that those guards never stood a chance.”

Having taken a moment to bask in their success, the fungus then hurries to the third and final table, releasing the last pair of leshies from their glass jar prison. “Are you all unharmed? What happened? How did that woman kidnap you all?”

”Let’s take them to safety first and talk later.”

"Yes this place is unnatural and very creepy with how well kept it is. Let's get the little ones to safety first and we can then talk to them later."

“Of course, of course,” Reaching Rings replies. “Safety is more important than knowledge,” they concur in an unconvincing voice. “Let us hurry to the safety of the forest,” the fungus ushers the little ones onwards, “and then you can relate your tale.”

The last table holds the two lavender leshys whose trail you were following. They nod vigorously at Ring’s questions and they jump up and down in joy.

The mountain heather leshys, spotted saxifrage yep, I misspelled it last time leshys and lavender leshys all gather together, hugging each other and checking each other for injuries, nodding and jumping when they find none. They are all happy to follow the party outside the garden.

Most leshys can’t actually speak, which lady Meliosa uses to dismiss the notion that leshys are sapient.

"All right everyone. We're going to take you back home. Popcorn even repaired the bridge where we can all play when we get back."