"That was almost too easy, check to make sure there are no more of these things."
Perception check:
No other creatures are spotted around the camp, but Gothard does notice a gold medallion around the neck of the corpse.
There appears to be nothing else of value at the camp.
Perception
Gothard carefully takes the medallion and examines it to determine if it seems to familiar to him (ie something the Captain or his girlfriend/temptress wore).
perception check:
"I think we are safe to move on, let us continue South."
Noticing Gothard picking the medal up, Smian moves in closer to inspect it. Borrowing it from Gothard for a moment, he holds the medallion up a few inches in front of his eye, examining all its surfaces carefully, and then gives it back.
Knowledge history check
The medallion is in remarkable condition for all it's exposure to the elements. Smian recognizes the indented crest as the symbol of House Henderthane, a prominent Cheliaxian noble family well known for their strength in the arms market.
Rorie sifts through a pile of rubble within one of the collapsed shelters. He finds the remains of a journal, although exposure has washed out much of the ink. The last pages are the most well preserved.
It details some days that Theonius Henderthane, his wife, and three daughters spent marooned on the island.
"...I moved my family deeper into the brush after the savages came. They took two of our retainers and I couldn't rely on the guards to protect us anymore..."
The rest of the entry is washed out. The next entry is dated three days later.
"...It is the night of the full moon and the entire island is pulsing as they beat their drums deep into the night. There is fire on top of the red mountain. I suspect it is an offering to whatever creature lives on that rock. I'm truly torn to decide whether it is the savages or the beast that I fear more..."
More pages are lost, but the final page is preserved quite well.
"...Went back to see how the others were doing. Found only the remains of a fire, filled with gnarled bones. They were foolish to stay there. Desna weeps, for I believe we've found some piece of ground that the cannibals believe to be haunted, as they will not patrol this area. Their tracks always skirt far and wide around these patchy clearings in the valley. Started building a few shelters. Still hoping for rescue soon..."
That is the final marking in the journal. There is nothing else of note that can be found.
"Found a journal here. "
"We best get a move on lads and lassies, Luther's time draws nigh."
Addam takes the lead again scouting out forward of the group. As Gothard suggested he heads south.
I fall in line with the group.
I address the NPCs "How are ye holding up all?"
The other half of the party lags behind the main group, weighed down with the numerous camp supplies and materials.
You make a straight line for the south eastern bay. In about another quarter mile you reach another clearing in the jungle valley. Rorie spots more of the plant form zombies 60' away, along with a much larger yellow mass towards the center of the clearing.
They don't seem to notice you, and it seems probable that you could simply walk around the clearing or engage as you see fit.
In a low but harsh voice "Hold up folks." I point out the vine creatures to the rest of the group.
Wisdom check: (this is more for myself than anything. It helps me roleplay.)
"Me money is on the large yeller one bein' the hive er somethin' similar. Smian, yah got any of yer fire finger spells with yah? I'd like us to take out this lot so's we don't have to worry about running into them later iffin we needs to make a speedy getaway."
Addam speaks up agreeing with Rorie. "I expect they wont notice us until we get to about 30' from them, maybe 40' since there are so many."
Addam attempts to count out the number of zombies and see if there's anything special about any of them
Perception:
Addam will also attempt to confirm to Rorie that the yellow mass is indeed some sort of hive/brain of the plant.
Knowledge: Nature:
"Agreed. It is unwise to leave any known enemies in our wake; we may need to come back through here in a hurry."
"I think it'd be best to set the archers behind Gothard and meself. They can shoot to their lil' hearts content and when the critters get close- " Rorie smacks his fists together to make his point. "Powie. Gothard and I will hold 'em back. The rest can work on flanking the buggers and smashing them ta bits while they are focused on us."
"My little friend, I'm almost offended that you have to ask," Smian chuckles to Rorie.
He peers into the distance at the zombies, trying to count how many there are.
"Perhaps we should loose some arrows into the hive to see what happens first, if that is successful then we can focus arrows and spells at it while the rest of us mop up the husks."
"That may just bring them all running."
Smian counts four humanoid forms along with the yellow plant mass. While one of the 'zombies' stands as tall a grown adult, the other three are only three and a half to five feet.
5-foot step northeast, Flurry of Blows with Shurikens on #3:
Attack 1:
Damage:
Attack 2:
Damage:
Attack 2 Confirm (probably immune but just in case):
Addam launches into a rapid shot attack at the Yellow Mass at the middle of the group.
Rapid Shot #1:
Dmg:
Rapid Shot #2:
Dmg:
Gothard runs 80' due East positioning himself somewha between zombies 2 and 3. His axe ready to destroy more zombies.
Alyosha readies his Longbow and lets loose an arrow aimed squarely at zombie #2.
Longbow:
Damage:
Smian moves 30' due east and casts ray of frost (range = 30ft) at the closest zombie.
Ranged touch attack:
Rorie Grumbles to Smian: "Tha' point was ta stay behind us lad!"
Bluet moves east 30', and then points toward the closest standing zombie, letting loose a crackle of lightning.
Addam plunks 1 arrow into the Plant creature, and misses with another. Vines begin to move and search for their unseen attacker.
Bleut moves towards battle, but his bolt goes just slightly off target.
Rorie steps and launches two shuriken at #3. The first misses, but the second hits home, slicing into a thick vine.
Gothard advances.
Alyosha aims an arrow and lets it fly, but the flight is off course.
Smian advances and unleashes a ray of frost that narrowly misses.
Addam launches his 2nd attack on the Yellow Creeper.
Rapid Shot #1:
Dmg:
Rapid Shot #2:
Dmg:
I charge #3 ending up on square SW diagonally from it.
Attack:
Damage:
Temporary AC: 15
With a pumping of my short legs, I rush into the battle, propelling my stocky body at full speed towards zombie #3. Upon reaching the zombie I do a jumping roundhouse kick.
Gothard moves 5' East so that zombie #3 is within range. He slashes with his axe, intending on slanting the odds in the part's favor.
power attack, battle axe:
damage:
Bleut breaks off to the right flank, circling counter-clockwise around Smian, and fires another arc of lightning.
LIGHTNING ARC:
ranged touch attack:
damage:
Alyosha readies another arrow and fires at zombie #2.
Longbow:
Damage:
"It might help to aim at the zombies! Not just in their general direction!"
Addam fires two shots that go wide.
Bleut flanks south and this time his lightning bolt singes his target.
Rorie engages #3 and lands a solid kick.
The Musk Creeper advances 10' West.
Gas vapors seep out of the Yellow Musk Creeper. A yellow bulb opens up and fires a cloud of spores at Gothard.
The pollen cloud envelopes Gothard.
Gothard is now entranced!
Musk Zombie #3 slams a root covered appendage at Rorie.
The Dwarf is too quick and avoids the attack.
Musk Zombie #4 advances towards Bleut.
Gothard is entranced, and is compelled to move towards the Yellow Musk Creeper.
Noticing that Gothard has been entranced by the yellow pollen puffed out at him, Bleut yells out, "Quick! Destroy the plant!"
Waking up from an awful dream where he could not hit anything Alyosha readies his bow and fires at the Yellow Musk Creeper...
Longbow:
damage:
5-foot step north. Flurry of Blows on #3, if attack one finishes it off, then attack 2 will be aimed at the big thing.
Attack 1:
Damage 1:
Attack 2:
Damage 2:
Seeing Gothard in danger, I ramp up my attacks and throw in an extra punch this round.
Addam runs 30' closer to the targets.
Once Addam reaches the spot he launches a single arrow at Zombie #4.
Ranged Attack:
Dmg:
Ok hold off. I still need Smians post to complete round 1.
Seeing Gothard enveloped in the yellow cloud and dazedly lumbering towards the giant zombie, Smian dashes forward and unleashes burning hands at the giant vine-covered creature.
Alyosha plucks an arrow into the over-sized daffodil.
Attracted to the thunk of released bow strings, Musk Zombie #2 moves west.
Smian moves forward and unleashed his wave of flames.
The flames consume #3 and the host is destroyed.
Musk Zombie #1 follow #2 towards the archers.
5-Foot step NE and flurry on the giant plant.
Attack:
Damage:
Attack:
Damage:
Knowing stealth is of no use at this point Alyosha grabs another arrow and lets it fly at Zombie #1.
Longbow:
Damage:
Addam sees the two zombies come around the group and continue in their direction. Addam will fire two arrows in rapid shot towards zombie #1, if it goes down he'll change targets to #2.
Rapid Shot #1:
Dmg:
Rapid Shot #2:
Dmg:
"I think it just wants to be our friend guys..."
Bleut follows closely behind Smian towards the main fray, and clasps his holy symbol. "Fire for Ol' Yella, but water for Gothard!"
Addam destroys the adult musk zombie with two clean shots.
Bleut tests the luck of Gozreh and drenches his new found ally in water.
Gothard lurches to an alert state! He breaks free of the chemical entrancement!
Rorie can't seem to land an effective blow.
The Yellow Musk Creeper senses a disturbance in his summons. The creature lashes out a hardened vine tentacle at Gothard.
Gothard's armor protects him from harm.
Yellow Musk Zombie #4 charges Bleut.
Bleut narrowly avoids the brunt of the charge, stepping just out of the way.