Bael is able to read the aggressive spirit like a book. He determines that although its behavior is outwardly aggressive, the spirit is doing this to hide that it's actually afraid of what Mother Bloodleaf might do to the spirits if they provide assistance to the Pathfinders.
Based on this he thinks that emotional and reassuring tactics that convince the spirit that the party will do all that they can to help and protect the spirits, would likely elicit a positive reaction and help persuade the spirit to assist them. While aggressive methods that try to intimidate the spirit or demonstrate the might of the Pathfinder would likely go down badly with this individual.
Rogarch and RawkNRole also see if they can aid Altavan with the face that he is trying to get a read on ...
Rogarch isn't able to decern much, but RawkNRole picks up on a few bits of useful information that along with Seltyiel's assistance is enough for Altavan to get some understanding of the jovial faces motivations. From what he can discern the jovial spirit acts as though it doesn’t care what happens and thinks everything is a joke, but it is actually worried about the other spirits and any other victims the blight might entrap. He is able to ascertain that methods that appeal to emotions or garner empathy will not work well with this spirit.
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Look. We are Pathfinders, explains Seltyel.
We work for all. So, if you can tell us a bit about how this Mother Bloodleaf is endangering other creatures of this forest, even spiritus, we will make sure that we help them. But we just need the information so that we know all that is going on. Anything may help.
The jovial spirit seems to like Seltyel's line of argument.
The Pathfinders work together to persuade the remaining spirits, with Bael and To-to taking the lead. The aggressive face seems reassured Bael's words concerning the party's ability to deal with problems and hardships. While the calm face is impressed by To-to's mention of their mission to defeat a great evil being.
Having won all three of the faces around to helping the party the spirits explain that Mother Bloodleaf is a powerful orc witch who is responsible for spreading the blight which afflicts this area of the Fangwood and which is what traps the spirits here. The blight had existed before Mother Bloodleaf arrived - The lingering result of an undead incursion centuries ago, which had been driven off in a great battle. But since Mother Bloodleaf's arrival the area had bloomed into a hungry and corrupted wilderness under her malign stewardship.
With the spirits now won over to the Pathfinder's cause the party push on further into the forest. As they do they are followed by an entourage of faces who manifest in the trunks of the trees around them, each flitting from tree to tree as the party move. The spirits do their best to be helpful, providing guidance on the best route to take, or potential dangers up ahead, although sometimes this guidance proves to be imperfect or just straight up strange.
After roughly another half hour of travel the group seem to be making good progress, when all of a sudden the spirits with whom they had been traveling with suddenly halt as if spooked by some unseen danger.
From the foliage around the party a booming voice rings out "Who dares enter my realm? Have the servants of Mother Bloodleaf become so bold that they presume that they can enter my wood and not expect to face my wrath?"
"Ha! That's just what one of her minions would say!" booms the voice in an ominous tone. "You cannot fool me with your trickery! Show me your true forms or I will turn you all into slugs!".
The booming voice breaks into a jovial chuckle. Moments later spirits who had been guiding the party suddenly freeze in place as a burly middle-aged man with the ears and legs of a goat steps out from behind a tree. He grins and waves his hand. “Ho there, adventurers! I got bored waiting, so I think we should have some fun! Don’t worry, this won’t take long. I wouldn’t want you to miss the main event, and I plan to have a front-row seat. Oh, where are my manners? The name’s Grimpfkin. So, what do you say? Do you choose to test your speed or might?”
Even though much of the forest withers from some evil curse, eager faces flow from tree to tree as the friendly, whispering spirits encourage their would-be saviors onward.
Altavan doesn't know what sort of creature Grimpfkin is .
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The spirits played along nicely, it was not somethung he expected, although it appeared that he reacted well even with the fear the creature had in the deep of their soul, if those were still with a soul, now.... this new challenge, and the readiness of his companions put him in good spiritss A challenge was not that unexepcted after all
A jest, good lord, followed by a test, of speed or migth, i was hoping for a test of the mind, but I'll be a sport, I believe a test of might would be more fitting to me.
Upon hearing the Pathfinder's decision Grimpfkin nods approvingly and salutes the party with his mug. "A fine choice and I'm glad you are such good sports!" he chuckles, before turning and leading everyone deeper into the woods.
After about 5 minutes of travel, the group reach a clearing surrounded by both towering trees and 8-foot-tall mushrooms. Toward the centre of the clearing looms a menacing shape. Grimpfkin nods in the direction of the shape and whispers to the party “Go ahead, I’m sure that great heroes like you will be fine.”, before finding himself somewhere comfortable to sit from where he can watch the action.
-- ROUND 1 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Creature
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As soon as the the group reaches the clearing and the menacing shape can be seen, the Sarenite Paladin speaks up.
"I think it would be good to reduce the size difference a bit. Would you use this on me, please?"
Kurik hands Rogarch a wand.
"The command word is 'embiggen' - so I've been told. You can also use it on yourself, if you want to be bigger for a minute."
While Seltyel moves forward Altavan racks his brain to see if he knows that this creature is, but draws a blank and isn't sure what it is.
Whatever the creature is, it is immediately clear that it has been tainted in both body and mind by the corruption that afflicts much of the surrounding woodland.
-- ROUND 1 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Creature
To-to and Altavan both summon divine weapons of force which strike out at the foe. To-to's weapon fails to gain perchance on the creatures tough wooden hide, while Altavan's has more success and lands a solid blow, but one which does not appear to leave any lasting damage.
-- ROUND 1 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Creature
Actually now you look more closely Altavan's weapon did leave damage, it just wasn't that obvious.
-- ROUND 1 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Creature -5
Rogarch uses Kurik's wand to enlarge herself and takes a step forward after dropping the wand. Meanwhile RawkNRole move forward and takes a defensive stance.
Bael recognises the foe as a treant, although one which has been corrupted by the blight . He advises the party that treants have a couple of dangerous slam attacks, can throw rocks and are also able to trample over groups of foes.
The treant then lumbers forward, an awful cracking groan issuing from within it as it moves. It plants itself a little distance from the party and appears to readying itself to strike the first Pathfinder to come within its reach.
-- ROUND 2 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Treant -5
To-to's divine sword just manages to catch the treant, doing it some more damage. While Altavan has less success with his spiritual weapon, but follows it up by trying to blind the sentient tree ...
...However, the party's arboreal foe manages to shake off the shaman's magic .
-- ROUND 2 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Treant -8
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"It's evil? Then I will smite it!"
Kurik draws another wand and activates it, then drops it, grabs his Nodachi again and steps forward-left.
Class Feature description:Once per day, a paladin can call out to the powers of good to aid her in her struggle against evil. As a swift action, the paladin chooses one target within sight to smite. If this target is evil, the paladin adds her Cha bonus (if any) to her attack rolls and adds her paladin level to all damage rolls made against the target of her smite. If the target of smite evil is an outsider with the evil subtype, an evil-aligned dragon, or an undead creature, the bonus to damage on the first successful attack increases to 2 points of damage per level the paladin possesses. Regardless of the target, smite evil attacks automatically bypass any DR the creature might possess. In addition, while smite evil is in effect, the paladin gains a deflection bonus equal to her Charisma modifier (if any) to her AC against attacks made by the target of the smite. If the paladin targets a creature that is not evil, the smite is wasted with no effect.
The smite evil effect remains until the target of the smite is dead or the next time the paladin rests and regains her uses of this ability. At 4th level, and at every three levels thereafter, the paladin may smite evil one additional time per day, as indicated on Table: Paladin, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.
TL, DR: +3 (Cha) to attack rolls, +4 (Paladin level) to damage rolls and bypass any DR, +3 (Cha) deflection to AC
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The treant is smitten by Kurik as he uses another wand.
-- ROUND 2 --
Rogarch
Seltyiel
Kurik
A. Kegdrainer
To-to
Bael
Treant -8
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You still have all your actions, because - after you cast the spell - you do not need to spend any for the weapon to attack:
(...) Each round after the first, you can use a move action to redirect the weapon to a new target. If you do not, the weapon continues to attack the previous round's target. (...) (Source)
"Kurik you have to be tougher so you'll survive!" To-to says while casting bear's endurance on Kurik
RawkNRole moves his way to the back of the party.
Double Move.