Moira goes into fighting defensively.
Moira's rapier prick the creature as though it was a toothpick.
You hack away at the plant creature, but it does not fall. It tries to pull Justified into the pit.
Immature vine horrors lash out at anyone nearby,
Always N(any)Huge plant (aquatic)
Init- 2; Senses cl.1.around vision,' low-light
vision.; Listen +13, Spot +17
Aura babbling young
languages Aquan,Common; limited telepathy
AC 16, touch 6, flat-footed 16 (- 2 Oex,-2
size, +10 natural)
hp 15/105; DR5/cold iron
Resist cold 10 j
Immune electricity, plant traits
Fort +15, Ref+1, Will +5
5pd 30 fl., swim 30 ft.: transport via sargasso
Melee bite +15 (2d6+10) and
2 claws +13 (ld6+5)
Space 15 ft. Reach 15 ft.
Base Atk+7; Grp +25
Attack Options carried progeny
Krila channels, excluding the Mother of All, and up to 4 damaged whatevers if there are any whatevers.
Graythan grimaces as Justified gets tangled and dragged toward the edge. Shaking his head at his own inability to help the man, he glowers at the churning beast the center of the ruined vessel and unloads another pair of bolts.
HP: 42/42
AC: 23 (13 T / 20 FF)
CMD: 16
F/R/W: +6/+5/+10 (+1 vs Illusion, +2 vs disease, +2/roll 2x vs mind affecting)
Judgements used: 2/2
Bane rounds used: 2/6
Discern lies rounds used: 0/6
Relentless footing used: 0/6
inflict wand charges used: 2/50
cure wand charges used: 0/50
Spell Slots used:
Level 1 (4+1) - 4/5 | DC 15
Level 2 (2+1) - 0/3 | DC 16
Ongoing Effects
shield of faith (Justified, 3/6 minutes): +3 AC (deflection)
shield of faith (Moira, 2/6 minutes): +3 AC (deflection)
shield of faith (Bron, 2/6 minutes): +3 AC (deflection)
Judgement (MoA): justice (+2 to hit)
Bane (plant): +2/+2 and an extra +2d6 damage
point blank shot: +1/+1
The monstrosity wails, as Grathan's bolt pierces its black veggie heart and it begins to fall to pieces. The writhing mass of rotting vegetation howls and shrieks until finally it lies still. A moment later, the sargasso itself wakens with a piercing cry, as the countless vine horrors that still live within feel the death of their Mother. Without her to hold their forms, they rapidly fall apart into sludge.
You barely have a moment to congratulate yourself before the ground beneath your feet shifts. Bereft of the Mother's vile will holding it together, the vast Sargasso is coming apart. Water begins to pour into the vast pit and if you stand still, you begin to slowly sink into the greenery.
"Well then everyone, let us off now, before we join her."
Krila then makes her way up to the top of the ship, and looks around for any dinghies that might be still around and water tight.
|
Justified manages to cling to the creature as it tries to throw him into the pit. As it collapses he lands near enough to the pit to give him a scare but manages to not fall despite the changing surface conditions. Yes, lets get out of here. I hope we can get back to the ship. Maybe it will even come for us.
Graythan slings his crossbow over his shoulder and waves the others past, ensuring everyone is in full retreat of the crumbling ship and sargasso before he takes up a spot in the rear. He doesn't glance back, but keeps waving at the others in front, "Go! Go! Go!" as the group charges through the crumbling mess as it tears apart.
At one point Krila slips and vanishes beneath a pod of loose sargasso, but Graythan and Bron are both quick to respond, the pair diving forward, sending their hands darting into the murk after her. Catching her outstretched arms, the two haul her back out of the water with strained grunts. Several yards later, the same happens to Graythan, but it's Justified, with Moira tugging on his waist from behind, who catch him.
By the time they're free of the derelict heart of the sargasso, they'd all saved one another multiple times. Seeing the whole island-like mass breaking apart now, Graythan curses as he takes a cue from Krila and starts scrambling to find something that will float, be it a small vessel or even a large plank of driftwood.
Moira's eyes goes to Justified in shock as the creature grapples her large friend then she is relieved as large bolts hits the creature and it being to fall apart.
"Let's get the hell outa here." Moira begins to move as she notices that the vegetation is disappearing. She looks for anything that can be used as a flotation device.
Escaping from the ship, you reach topside in time to watch the dissolution of the match of vegetation. The great seaweed trees topple with wet splashes and disappear. The ship beneath you creaks and groans, as the supportive greenery falls away. Years from being seaworthy, it quickly begins to sink and slips beneath the waves.
With nothing left to stand on you all soon find yourselves floundering in the water. Fortunately, numerous bits of flotsam rise from the sunken ship, leaving you with plenty of things to cling to. The foul mists that clung to this sargasso disperse, but you find yourselves in the ocean, in the dark, miles from you ship.
You face a wet and uncertain future, but the fates shine on you and as dawn lightens the sky, you see the approaching outline of the Sea Wyvern moving in your direction. Shouting and waving, you draw the ship to your position and soon find yourselves out of the water and surrounded by happy, familiar faces. Urol beams, "See, I told you that this was the way to the center. I've got a nose for directions."
Freed from the grips of the deadly sargasso, you are free to resume your voyage and the next several days provide fine sailing, though the skies do remain overcast. Five days later, as the sun dawns, the day is overcast and grim. A cry comes from a colonist and soon you are all crowded on the starboard side to confirm what they've seen; land. The ragged, jungle-choked peaks of the Isle ofDread loom on the horizon. The sight ofl and brings a cheer from the crew and passengers, and consultation with the sea charts confirms it, the Sea Wyvern has nearly reached her goal. All that remains is to sail down the eastern coast to Farshore.
Alas, by the time morning becomes noon, it should becomes obvious that fate has something else in store for the ship. The rain begins shortly thereafter, and by 2:00pm a second storm is in full force.This one is much more powerful than the first. Not quite a hurricane, but close. Captain Venkalie strains at the wheel to keep the ship on course, as waves batter the ship from all sides. All non-essential persons are sent below for their own safety.
The Captain works heroically to keep the ship afloat, as the ship is battered over and over. As the sun sets, there is a horrific sound of splintering wood and the ship gives a violent lurch, as the ship collides with a reef. The next wave frees the ship, but that only makes matters worse. Striking the reef has holed the ship in several places, and only by putting the entire crew to work at bailing an she stay afloat. You work the bucket lines, as if your life depended on it. As the night grows darker, the Sea Wyvern is in poor shape indeed.
The storm continues through the night. Although the winds abate somewhat, it's still strong enough that the tattered ship seems in danger of sinking at any second. Caught by the storm and the tide, the badly listing Sea Wyvern is driven toward the northern shore of the Isle of Dread. The primeval vista looms larger before the you through the driving rain, periodically lit by flashes of lightning. Suddenly,the ship lurches again, throwing everyone to the deck.The ship tilts crazily to the side, lurches one last time,and rolls. The cold dark sea rushes up to meet you and in a cacophonous roar of wave and ruin, all goes dark...
You awake to the cries of birds and the crash of waves. Opening your salt and sand crusted eyes, you blearily take in your surrounding in the bright morning light. You find yourself on a long stretch of sandy beach. Thick jungle looms to one side of you, while the bright blue waters of the sea sparkle on the other. It would be beautiful if not for the wreckage. The Sea Wyvem lies holed, impaled on a reef a few hundred feet from shore, her insides spilled out and spread along the shore. While you have escaped the fate of you ship, others were not so lucky. You can see a body rolling in the surf and others dot the shoreline. You see a couple of bodies staggering around, but they are in the minority.
A quick search of the beach reveals that besides yourselves, only Captain Venkalie, Urol Forol, (the gnomish geographer), Tavey Nask (the cabin boy) and Avner Meravanchi (the arrogant noble) are accounted for. The others are all either dead or missing.
Krila gets up. "Bring all the bodies near, if there's even a spark of life, we might get lucky." She begins pulling bodies up out of the surf, using stabilize on them as she touches them.
Once the bodies are all within 30 ft of each other, including the others, she channels energy to them all, healing everyone.
Once they are sure they are the only survivors, she sighs. "Ok, well, we need to bury the dead, and salvage what we can." She looks out at the ship. "Is it safe enough to swim out? We might be able to salvage more from the ship, it doesn't look like it will sail again. The dinghy's might be useful if they didn't get thrown off the deck and get smashed up. Food..." She looks up and down the beach for things to salvage.
|
|
Parched, wet, and battered Justified wakes on the sand. He raises to his hands and knees and seems to take inventory of parts and functions before standing. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he looks about and reality begins to sink in. There is much that needs to be done. He hears Krila's call for action so pragmaticly he begins to do those things. Captain Venkalie, organize what men you have left. Let us save any that can still be saved and salvage what supplies we can before they float off or are destroyed. Then we need to turn our attention to building a safe temporary camp. The wood from the ship might be useful for that if we can get some of it.
Once the obviously dead have been separated from the wounded Justified will scout briefly looking for tracks or signs that either people walked away or something happened to them.
Graythan begins to stir as the others, and like Justified he moves stiffly and cautiously at first, stopping at one point with a wince as he glances down at his calf. The jagged piece of flotsam jutting from the back of his leg like an over large splinter brings a grimace to his face as he gingerly rights himself. After a quick breath, he pulls the offending wood free of the wound and casts it aside as his blackened blood begins to stain the sand beneath him. He mends it easily enough with some of Tyr's grace, then rises, brushing wet sand from his already soaked clothes.
He helps how he can with the recovery of bodies, though he makes sure to keep his distance as Krila begins to draw upon her own stores of curative magics. Even though it didn't hurt him when she applied it so, it still stung.
"Well. If we were going to wreck, better that it happened here than at Journey's End with all that sargasso." Though it was clear he was trying to be brighter and more positive than he usually was, the tone of his voice was still grim and frustrated. It was obvious the fate of the Nixie weighed heavily on him, even now.
Before you can set any plans in motion, a tremendous roar tears through the heavy morning air. A hungry tyrannosaurus has come to the beach in search of an easy meal. The dinosaur emerges from the jungle 60 feet from you and immediately bellows a roar as it notices your group.
XP 6,400
N Gargantuan animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +37
DEFENSE
AC 21, touch 7, flat-footed 20 (+1 Dex, +14 natural, –4 size)
hp 153 (18d8+72)
Fort +15, Ref +12, Will +10
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +20 (4d6+22/19–20 plus grab)
Space 20 ft.; Reach 20 ft.
Special Attacks swallow whole (2d8+11, AC 17, hp 15)
STATISTICS
Str 32, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 10
Base Atk +13; CMB +28 (+32 grapple); CMD 39
Feats Bleeding Critical, Critical Focus, Diehard, Endurance, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +37; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception
SQ powerful bite
"Fall back and let it have the bodies, we can't do anything for them now, and it is nature's way. Until we know what is going on, and how dangerous things are here, a fight now is foolish."
Moira nods in agreement with Krila and begins to fall back. "Have a good meal big guy."
|
|
Agreeing wiht the shaman, Justified calls out Into the water and spread out. No way we can get close to that thing without it eating at least one of us. Justified retreats into the water, pulling his bow as he moves. He will single move and ready to shoot if the creature moves to attack one of the living.
Graythan has his back to the tree line when the roar splits the air. He looks up blankly, shoulders slightly drooped, and glowers out over the ocean waves, wondering what new and horrible trouble will be waiting when he turns around.
When he does finally turn, just as Krila is suggesting the group retreat, the normally stoic man's jaw drops. He mutters darkly, "You have got to be kidding me," as he slowly begins to backpeddle toward the waterline, reaching for his crossbow as he moves. "We may not have a choice in the matter. What if this thing prefers his meat fresh and warm?" In case the giant beast decides to make things more difficult, Graythan begins to prepare by calling upon Tyr's favor once again.
HP: 48/48
AC: 23 (13 T / 20 FF)
CMD: 17
F/R/W: +8/+7/+12 (+2 vs Illusion, +1 vs Enchantment, +2 vs disease, +2/roll 2x vs mind affecting)
Judgements used: 1/3
Bane rounds used: 0/7
Discern lies rounds used: 0/7
Relentless footing used: 0/7
Inner strength used: 0/1
inflict wand charges used: 3/50
cure wand charges used: 8/50
Spell Slots used:
Level 1 (4+1) - 0/5 | DC 15
Level 2 (3+1) - 0/4 | DC 16
Level 3 (1+1) - 1/2 | DC 17
Ongoing Effects
Deadly Aim: -2/+4
heroism: +2 to hit, +2 to saves, +2 to skill checks
judgment (t-rex): destruction, +3 damage
"It's a predator, that means it picks the easy meat over the moving meat. But if it does go after us..." She shrugs. "Then it's violating the most basic tenates of life, and should be removed from the gene pool as an abberation."
You flee from the mighty predator and it bellows in your wake. It thunders along after you. A puffing Urol gasps, "Head for the trees. It won't follow with so much easy meat close at hand."
Graythan fires a couple of bolts to dissuade the beast, as your desperate band of survivors scatters, fleeing for the cover of the jungle. The dinosaur does not follow. A tense hour crouched in the dense foliaged follows, before you hear the crash of the monster leaving the beach. Shortly afterwards, you leave cover and return to the water's edge. Thankfully only a few grisly reminders remain of the creature's feasting.
Tavey, Urol and Amella creep out from the dense cover, but there is no immediate sign of Avner. Before your hopes get too high, there is a high pitched whinny and with a crash, Avner bursts from the jungle riding bareback atop his mighty warhorse, Thunderstrike. Apparently, the horse also managed to swim to shore.
He rides up to the party, "A fine mess you've made of things. Ship destroyed. My servants dead. Couldn't even be bothered to drive off the local wildlife, so the dead could have a proper burial. Some heros you are."
He sneers, "Best get about salvaging food and feed from the wreckage, before he starve. Thunderstrike is hungry."
Urol speaks up, "Oh we hardly need to bother with all that. The jungle is full of edibles. We should have little need for trying to salvage foodstuffs."
Avner looks at Urol with disgust, "I'm sure gnomes have little trouble surviving on berries and bugs, but men need proper food. Besides, I'm sure whatever wildlife around here that isn't disgusting, is poisonous."
If the gnome is offended, he doesn't show it. "The jungle is full of delicious delicacies that would cost a small fortune on the docks of Sassarine." He bends down and plucks a bright green soft-shelled crab from a nearby tidepool. "See? There's delicious food all over this island!" As Urol pops the crab into his mouth, his eyes bulge and he immediately spits the thing out. Running to the side, he is noisily ill.
Krila ignores the nobleman. "Alright then folks, we do need to salvage what we can. We also need lookouts for the local creatures. That dino will be sated for a day or two, and it's unlikely there are any other large predators in his territory, but we'll need to deal with him eventually, and smaller predators can be dangerous too. We need to find food, water, and most importantly, shelter against dangers until we know more about this place. Quite obviously, Urol is not on scavenging duty. I am well versed in surviving in the wild, is anyone else? Who is good at swimming? Also, we need to all realize that this is a group survival situation, anyone who doesn't pull their own weight is a drain and will be left to their own devices. And any pets they can't feed, will be food for everyone else. Unless they have other uses, such as carrying heavy equipment. Such pets will need to eat off the land, as nature intended." She eyes Avner as she speaks, and the nearly ton of meat he is riding.
Moira unleashes an response to Justified's remark. "Ohhhh! You just got served not once but twice. Best you take your horse away. I have been know to eat anything we kill. It may not be a giant crab but horse meat is so tender and lean." The rogue begins to rub her hands together as drool starts to fall from her mouth.
Graythan looks up from the blooded waters at the group, his typical grumpiness rising to full form. "Quit bickering and biting at one another, all of you. We needn't worry for food. Between Krila and myself, we'll be more than capable of finding enough to survive off of as we travel, provided Urol cares to cook it first."
He takes a steadying breath, his shining eyes meeting everyone else's, "There's not much else we can do here. And I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd like to find the Nixie. Or would you rather stand around a bloodied, gore-filled beach and argue?"
Avner sneers, "I paid for half this expedition and you've all made a dog's breakfast of it. I can't force any of you to listen to me, but my family is one of the wealthiest in Sassarine. See me safely to Farshore and I will see that you are suitably rewarded. Also, Thunderstrike is not to be touched. You'll have to kill me first. As for there to be nothing to be gained here, that ship out there carried tons of food and supplies for the colony. No doubt most have been lost or ruined, but doubtless some have washed ashore and others might be found still aboard it."
He looks to Urol, "You've been here before. Farshore is located on a smaller island just off the south-east coast of this place. Can you draw up some sort of map or plot us a course?"
Urol thinks for a moment, "I think so. If you find me something to write on, a piece of canvas perhaps, I could sketch out a rough map. Based on the heading we were on when the storm hit, I think we're far to the north of our destination. If we head south, sticking close to the coast, we should eventually reach our destination."
Avner grunts, "Good. Captain, you and the boy see what you can find down the beach. Thunderstrike and I will survey up the beach. I'm sure our 'heroes' will look after themselves."
With that he rides up the beach. Amella and Tavey, spare you a glance, before they start investigating some of the flotsam that has washed up. Urol finds a twig and starts drawing the sand, muttering to himself.
Krila shrugs. "I see no reason to go out of my way to save him. We need to find shelter first. Salvage can wait."
Graythan and Krilla auto success
13 total
You spend a couple of hours seeing what can be salvaged from the wreck. Those that are able, swim out to the ship to strip it of anything useful and portable. In the end you are able to find 50 lbs of dry goods and 80 lbs of animal feed. You recover any missing gear that might have been left aboard ship plus a pair of saddlebags, 1 tent, 1 mwk heavy crossbow, 4 pints of lamp oil and has much rope and canvas as you desire.
During this time Urol plans the trip. And once provided with a bit of canvas and charcoal, begins to draw out a rough map. After a while he presents his plan, which he assures you that while scenic, is both quick and safe. His plan is to lead the group down through the small mountains that lie to the south and along a bay towards the village of Tanaroa, the first of a number of native settlements that surround Farshore. The journey to Tanaroa is ~130 miles and Urol estimates that it will take approximately 10 days to reach it. He suggests that you wait until the next morning to set out so that you can reach the southern mountains by nightfall. He reminds you that most jungle predators are nocturnal and travelling by night poses some serious risks.
"If we are to wait until tomorrow, we will need to find a safe shelter tonight."
"While we have food, if we are not moving today, I suggest we do a little foraging nearby for today, so we can save our rations for the road."
"Krila has a good idea. I'm game if you need any assistance in gathering food."
Moira says jokingly, "Hey guys, how about we starve ourselves so we can look emaciated. Predators will completely bypass us and go for fattier prey."