After a few moments of searching the ground, Ouda does spot some older tracks from some kind of humanoid; probably several days old but they do show signs of some traffic leading into and out of the swamp.
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Sturdy manages to help guide you through the forest, still holding a northwesterly direction and using the now more visible, ruins of the white tower as a landmark. As the sun begins to set in the sky, you come to a gradual degradation of the forest; vegetation and trees begin to show signs of death and decay, the presence of animals become fewer and fewer, and soon only a stinking, fog enshrouded swamp reeking of corruption stands before you; all the while the ruins of the white tower loom ominously in the background...
As the centaur begins to leave, Rin's question causes him to turn one last time towards you all. "I gained these wounds through an ambush...the lizard-kin like to strike from hiding spots and use the swamp to their advantage. Keep the direction you are going if you wish to travel to HER lair in the water ruins. Follow the ruins of the white tower and you shall find her." And with that he leaves your company.
The wounded centaur thanks you as you heal his wounds, although not as completely as you would like. All the same he thanks you for your help, saying "My thanks, outsiders, be wary as you travel to HER lands. I wish you only the best of luck." With that he leaves your company, slighly limping as he travels south and east into the woods.
The centaur warily shakes his head in the affirmative and says, "I have been wounded by the lizard-kin that inhabit the swamps. They are her minions."
The centaur gives Ordagg and Rin a very worried look, and begins to back away from the party somewhat. "Not...alive?", questions the centaur in a slightly halting voice.
"I have never seen outsiders this deep into our realm...what brings you here? You say you are the enemies of Karuu?" The centaur looks somewhat frightened, but nods his head slowly at Sturdy. "I was ambushed by some of her minions...I made the foolish mistake of hunting too close to her lands...the swamps. If you wish to seek her out, her lands lie there", says the centaur as he points in a north-westerly direction. From what you all can tell, you seem to be traveling in the right direction. "I would not go there, not if you value your lives."
At first the centaur seems as if he is ready to flee...or attack, but as Ottarr speaks, something seems to change his mind and he slowly, cautiously lowers his spear, but keeps a guarded stance. "I have never seen outsiders this deep into our realm...what brings you here? You say you are the enemies of Karuu?", asks the centaur.
Spoiler: You notice that the poor creature has a manner of wounds about his body, although not life ending, they are bleeding and could be detrimental in the long run.
The centaur raises his head, startled by the sound of Rin's voice, he looks wildly about as he grabs his spear, but does not move. You can't tell if its because of injury or decision.
With Sturdy's help, you all are able to make out what appears to be a centaur, who appears to be wounded and seeking some cover by a fairly larget tree. He doesn't seem to notice you...
Spoiler: As you traverse thru the increasingly thick woods, you spot in the distance (about 20 ft away) what appears to be a Centaur. He seems to be somewhat wounded and is using a large tree to rest under as he nurses his wounds...
You must be mistaken...
Due to the thickness of the trees, Sturdy is unable to see any signs of the ruins of the white tower, but manages to learn some information from the trees, of all things...
Spoiler:
As you wander from tree to tree, you hear what sounds like voices in the wind, although there is no breeze. It sounds like something fleeting, that passes you by, but utters a soft message. "Travel deeper into this realm as you do now; you will find the dead lands; beware their treachery, lest you rest in it till your bones be food for dragon-men." Agni flies up high into the sky, above the treetops, cawing several times as she spies what appears to be a tower of some kind in the distance, northwest of your location, although it is very far away... You continue on deeper into the woods, traveling for several hours...
You set off in a north-westerly direction towards the lair of Karuu, ever watchful of the "ruins of the white tower" that Deimos mentioned. As you travel deeper into the woods, the light of the sun begins to become obscured by the tall trees, cloaking the forest floor around you with shadow...
As you look upon your gifts, Deimos looks at you all questioningly. "Make haste toward the witches lair, my heroes. You will know that you draw near when you see the ruins of a white spire. Use this as your guide and you will find her and her minions."
"Maybe. I did wonder if we are all dead and don't know it. How could we tell if we were?" Deimos chuckles at Rin's comment, giving him a fond smile, as he motions for several animals to come to him. Two black bears, various birds, some wolves, and Rutzgurr make their way to you; while in their hands, strapped to their backs, or clutched in feet are many different items. "Some compensation is in order, my friends. You did well to restore the shrine, although I must say I wasn't quite sure you'd be able to do it. Never-the-less, you are ready to face Karuu. Here are some trinkets that will help you overcome the witch. Treat them well and they in turn will return the favor." Rutzgurr approaches Sturdy with an impressively massive maul and rough-looking Hide armor slung over his shoulder, while in his grasp are some fairly plain looking sandles.
One of the black bears approaches Ouda, with leather armbands with elven runes across them, a strange goblin skulled necklace, and a interesting tribal belt of some kind.
The group of birds fly forth, approaching Rin with a strange gray bag and a cloak, while a wolf carries a sack that contains a beautiful, crystaline orb.
Several of the wolves approach Ottarr, one bearing a beautifully crafted longsword in its maw, while another holds an amulet by its chain. As they approach Ottarr, a bird comes flying forward with a very fragile looking wand clutched carefully with its feet.
Last but certainly not least, one of the black bears steps carefully towards Ordagg, a strange mask placed on top of its head, while it carries a sack containing a pair of rune covered gloves and some soft, black boots.
Just got back, resting up for the day and catching up with the pbps. Will be posting either late night tonight or tomorrow, thanks for your patience, loot will soon follow :)
Just a quick heads up, I'll be out of town from the 25th to the 29th and won't have much internet access and time to post, so if you could sit tight till then, and then I should be able to reward you all with fun and fantabulous trinkets.
No problem, I'll just need a few to pull something together for that.
Did you post a wishlist? I didn't see one on the OOC chat or your character sheet.
Spoiler:
“Sanguine”-Sacrifcial Bastard Sword +3
Level 11 The true severity of this weapon comes at a cost to the wielder’s own vitality. Damage: 1d10+3 Critical: 3d6 Power (Daily): Free Action. Use this power when you hit with the weapon. Spend a healing surge, and instead of regaining hit points, you cause the target to become weakened until the end of your next turn. Writing: On the blade is the phrase “With your blood; wither your foes”. [ooc]The Rope: Rope of Climbing
Sturdy fills his waterskin with purified water from within the cave beneath the Tree of Life.
Deimos takes a moment to ponder the question, although it does seem to appear that he is asleep...but then a moment later he responds saying, "The marks...yes, the marks. Karuu is fond of marking her belongings, and thus she marked you. The marks mean ownership and control, and that means she may have some control over you. She is a manipulative creature, that one. Beware her charms, for the mark allows her easier access into your souls and minds. Now you must kill her or be forever hers." For a moment he remains still, his brow furrowed in thought. "Her weakness...hmmmm that is hard to say. She is a vain, contemptuous creature, but I know of no element that she fears."
You arrive at the home of Deimos to the smell of food drifting through the night air, with Deimos giving you the most laconic of greetings. “You have done well”, is all the old shaman says to you as he motions for you to sit near him on the floor of his hut by his litter. Moments pass as you sit around the fire, hypnotized by the rhythmic dance of light and shadow that plays across the grand chamber, when Deimos finally breaks the silence. “I am glad to see that my judgment was not in error. You have passed many trials. For this you should feel honored, but the final trial is to kill the witch in her lair. Karuu lives within the swamplands, two days travel north west from here. Her lands are cursed by her malignant spirit, and as she grows in power, the lands surrounding her begin to lose their ties to the Great Spirit. Eventually everything will become corrupt and mired in swamp...unless you can stop her.”
“Her lair is guarded by lizard-folk that revere her as a goddess, and they will defend her with their lives, as long as they fear her. Kill her and they will scatter. Time is short however, and with every day she comes closer to freeing herself from the magical binding that I have placed upon her. In her current state, she is considerably weakened, but if she were to regain her old power, she could make matters much worse for those that live in the Great Forest, and even the surrounding human villages and cities. Although I have weakened her, it was not without price, and I fear that I would not be able to counter her and her minions. And so I turn to you, my friends. I will do what I can to aid you, but in the end the fate of these woodlands, the fate of the surrounding lands, and my fate rest in your hands.”
A benevolent feeling fills your hearts as deer, bears, squirrels, birds, and other denizens of the forest gather nearby. They seem to emanate a very palpable feeling of love coming from them, although you are not quite sure why you can feel it. Then as you talk amongst yourselves, you see an impossibly bright light appear out of nothingness. It grows in size till it is the size of an ogre, but its light does not blind you, but instead fills you with hope and love. Whispers swirl into your mind, and what you perceive, is your own thoughts...but strangely enough, these are not yours. "Praise you all. You have healed that which was corrupt, and in your sacrifice, you have gained your lives. This is no payment, but a matter of course, that which would naturally occur. And so you bathe in the water of Life and so you will have life." With that the light grows impossibly bright and you are all consumed by its energy... You wake rather calmly within the massive cavern of the Tree of Life, but what you once remembered as an oppressive, malicious presence, is now replaced with benevolence, love, and compassion. The heart beats steadily before you, although it is now white, with a radiant aura that emanates from within. The heart pumps out the blessed water in strong torrents, leaving you feeling at peace and strong. Nothing remains of the vile presence you once faced and for once, all seems right in the world...
Ordagg quickly binds Ottarrs wounds before rushing off through the water; his form blurring with the movement.
The abomination turns its attention towards the dwarf, its form nearly gone, it makes a last ditch attempt and barrels down upon Ordagg, kicking up the blessed water as it flies across the chamber. The last thing he sees is its black-skinned form smashing into him head-on before everything goes black... ...and then you find yourselves, lying outside in a impossibly green forest. The location seems familiar, although for some reason you cannot place it. Things are hazy as you look around, seeing your companions in various places, but you all were lying on your backs up until this point. Now you sit, surrounded by spring and fall colored tree's, engulfed by an endless gathering of flowers, while tuffs of pollen and leaves float serenely to the forest floor; every now and then an errant tuff of pollen lands of you face or nose or hair. Everywhere around you the call of birds can be heard, singing a lilting tune that can soften even those most hardened heart.
The acidic rain from Ordagg's spell rains down on the abomination, withering its flesh, sending chunks of blackened skin into the blessed water, which disolves it upon impact.
The abomination floats over to Rin, as he hides underneath the blessed water, and continues its relentless assault on the wizard. The creature splashes the water everywhere as it pounds Rin with its barbed tentacles, all the while unconcerned with the damage the water inflicts upon its own body. It howls in pain as it attacks, and its form is nearly destroyed, with only small chunks of flesh on its bones...
Total Damage
The blessed area in the cavern emanates an aura of benevolence. Any evil creatures within the cavern will get a feeling of disorientation and suffer a -1 to attack rolls, and -1 to all defenses until the Tree of Life is corrupted once more.
Round 11
Ordagg...it's up to you...
Rin's missiles impact the creature hard, this time knocking it somewhat off its balance, as its flesh falls off from the aura and the damage it is taking.
The blessed area in the cavern emanates an aura of benevolence. Any evil creatures within the cavern will get a feeling of disorientation and suffer a -1 to attack rolls, and -1 to all defenses until the Tree of Life is corrupted once more.
Round 10
Ordagg is up
Ordagg smashes into the annoying parasite with the full force of his hammer, shattering the creatures face and sending it down into the water for good!
The abomination chases Rin as he swims and dives under water, lashing wildly at him, all the while destroying its own body from the contact with the blessed water, and still missing Rin.
The blessed area in the cavern emanates an aura of benevolence. Any evil creatures within the cavern will get a feeling of disorientation and suffer a -1 to attack rolls, and -1 to all defenses until the Tree of Life is corrupted once more.
Round 10
Rin is up
Rin catches his breath as he dives under the water and swims to a better location. During the swim his sluggishness fades away...
Round 9
Ordagg is up
Ordagg swings his hammer desperately at the annoying parasite, but misses.
The abomination seems to hesitate as it moves closer to Rin and Sturdy's body, until it plunges its tentacles into the water, hitting Rin with its barbs, but also crying out in pain from the purifying liquid.
The parasite continues to slice away at Ordagg, even as its body withers; it seems to be just barely holding together...
Total Damage
The blessed area in the cavern emanates an aura of benevolence. Any evil creatures within the cavern will get a feeling of disorientation and suffer a -1 to attack rolls, and -1 to all defenses until the Tree of Life is corrupted once more.
Round 9
Rin is up
The mixture of swimming and casting spells proves to be somewhat distracting, as Rin's missile flies wide of its target...or perhaps it's bad luck.
Sturdy falls under the relentless attack of the abomination, slipping under the surface of the water...
The blessed area in the cavern emanates an aura of benevolence. Any evil creatures within the cavern will get a feeling of disorientation and suffer a -1 to attack rolls, and -1 to all defenses until the Tree of Life is corrupted once more.
Round 8
Ordagg is up
Sturdy's thorny whip manages to wrap around the abomination, but the creature manages to pull itself free before he is able to pull it into the spikes. Your attack missed. The fast parasite lives up to its name as it defty avoids Ordaggs hammer strike, all the while drooling in anticipation... Your attack missed. The abomination continues to whip its tentacles wildly at Sturdy, slapping and cutting him with its appendages.
Death save was a success (0/3) The parasite moves in on Ordagg and lashes out with its dagger, cutting the dwarf in the shoulder.
Total Damage
The blessed area in the cavern emanates an aura of benevolence. Any evil creatures within the cavern will get a feeling of disorientation and suffer a -1 to attack rolls, and -1 to all defenses until the Tree of Life is corrupted once more.
Round 8
Rin is up
Streaks of magical bolts pepper the abomination, causing it some annoyance. The creature still hangs eerily in the air, lashing and whipping its tentacles all over the place. Your attack hit! Spoiler:
When you submerged under the water, your status ailment was undone. Unfortunately the water is now pretty clear, so you don't get total cover. But you do receive concealment vs Ranged attacks. Until end of Sturdy's turn (RD 7) the space and each square adjacent to it are filled with spikes. Any enemy that enters this spike-filled area or starts its turn there takes 5 damage. (Outer Yellow Box is extent of zone, inner yellow is the originating zone.)
Round 7
Sturdy is up
As Ottarr falls due to the parasites blade, he collapses into the water, unconcious...
Spoiler:
You're plan was sound, Ordagg, you did what you could. Bad luck happens. You have all performed extremely well, as this is a difficult encounter for 5 characters...
The abomination, having seen Ordagg and Rin switch places, floats over to the wizard and lashes out with its barbed tentacles, mercilessly whipping him. A wave of lethargy washes over Rin as the poison sets in...
The parasite skillfully approaches Ottarr, lashing out once with its dagger, before scampering closer to Ordagg, flailing wildly at the dwarf with its blades. Several attacks connect, leaving small pools of blood in the water.
Total Damage
Until end of Sturdy's turn (RD 7) the space and each square adjacent to it are filled with spikes. Any enemy that enters this spike-filled area or starts its turn there takes 5 damage. (Outer Yellow Box is extent of zone, inner yellow is the originating zone.)
Round 7
Rin is up
Rin lets his guard down as he conjures up a cloud of cold upon the parasite, who ducks in quickly under Rin's guard and stabs him viciously with its obsidian dagger. The cloud manages to envelop the creature however, slowing its movements. With a quick flip of his wrist, Rin blasts the creature back ten feet with the power of his orb.
Sturdy stands quickly after shaking off the effects of the poison and sends the tree roots through the stupid brute, skewering it as it makes a vain last attempt to break out, but dies, falling unceremoniously into the purifying water and promptly desolving...
Total Damage
Until end of Sturdy's turn (RD 7) the space and each square adjacent to it are filled with spikes. Any enemy that enters this spike-filled area or starts its turn there takes 5 damage. (Outer Yellow Box is extent of zone, inner yellow is the originating zone.)
Round 6
Ordagg is up |