Arf, Arf! - Dm Ian Thursday March 11th, 2004 7:39:07 PM
As Gareth circles in from above, slow and cautious, he finally makes out the speaker. The being is an animate, almost humanoid tree of the same thin-bored, vine-shrouded variety as occur all over this jungle. It is limned with a fading, faint electric blue aura, and is backing away from the concealed beast on the ground with its hands upraised.
It speaks again, its voice shaking with emotion, "Fine, fine, but when the madness comes, don't say I didn't warn you. I can see it all so clearly now!"
Abruptly, the roiling underbrush ceases movement, and Gareth hears a deep whuffing sound, as whatever the beast is seeks a scent on the stagnant jungle air. Then, the thing surges into motion, crashing through the jungle eastward at an astonishing speed, directly towards Jus and Addenein.
As it travels, Gareth gets a few glimpses of the thing from above. It is massive, perhaps twenty feet long, almost as wide as it is long, and low to the ground. Its form combines the worst of an overgrown rose hedge with the forms of a bulldog and a grossly fat toad. As it throws itself along with a rapid series of hops, it pulls several flailing tentacles closer to its body to make better time.
Jus and Addenein, a short distance ahead of the group begin to hear a grotesque crashing coming directly at them. It sounds as if the very jungle is being shredded by something. From above, Gareth can see that the group has a few moments before the beast assaults the party.
Jandar Friday March 12th, 2004 1:13:07 AM
Hearing the crashing through the forest, Jandar casts 'Repulsion' on himself and moves toward the others.
He yells out,"I have cast a spell on myself that should keep whatever is coming from being able to attack, if that is it's intent! If it's Will is strong enough, it could possibly withstand my spell, but it would be difficult for it. I suppose we could fight it if necessary, but, we don't know it's intent yet. If you choose to stand within my protected area, be prepared to fight if it isn't stopped by my spell. We should have plenty of notice, as my spell has a large area of effect."
(Repulsion, 160' radius, centered on Jandar. Will save DC24 for the creature to enter)
Nonam (neutralize poison) Friday March 12th, 2004 3:15:21 PM
Judging by Jandar's response and the noise, Nonam quips, "Here's your excitement for the day, Jus."
Cautious of the comment about using too much magic, Nonam doesn't cast a spell of us own and instead aks Gareth via the ring, "What did you do?"
SteveH Friday March 12th, 2004 3:19:07 PM
(Sorry, I misread that post, assuming the noise was great enough for all to hear) (Thats the assumption I was hoping to communicate. Sorry if I was unclear. - Dm Ian)
Onrad Friday March 12th, 2004 3:55:22 PM
Onrad, by this time near Gareth, (headed there last post at the same time that Ian was posting) hears the last words of the tree. [at least I assume so. Change my post if I'm misunderstanding Ian.]
Supremely confident in the abilities of the group to deal with this animal without hurting him for a moment, he approaches the tree and says, "Greetings nature-friend. Is there someway we can help? We intend only goodness here. I am Onrad."
Gareth (Fly, Invisible) Friday March 12th, 2004 5:37:17 PM
Seeing how nobody is interested in the art of surprise, the INVISIBLE warrior lowers himself down into the brush to have a look at the creature making all the grunting sounds. He murmurs to Nonam via the ring rather dryly "Nothing actually...".
Jus (Stoneskin: 150hp; AC: 32; HP: 85) Friday March 12th, 2004 7:11:35 PM
Jus draws his bowstring, ready for whatever is crashing towards them. He holds any attack, though, wanting to make sure he doesn't attack anything that can't get to them -- no sense killing innocent creatures.
Scattered - Dm Ian d20+18=20 d20+18=36 d20+18=23 Friday March 12th, 2004 7:12:13 PM
Onrad is almost to the point of conversation when he hears something massive rush past him in the woods. Then, the underbrush behind him explodes as a massive dog-toad-thing leaps from the vegetation to land before the warrior. Its huge, with a gaping maw set under the head across the length of the belly. Even as it lands, vine-tentacles unfurl from its back and lash at Onrad.
Slipping into position from above, the unseen Gareth sees the combat begin. The creature whips three of its six tentacles at Onrad, the others reaching out in other directions, as if feeling at the trees and plants around it.
(Entangle checks against AC: 20, 36, and 23. Remember, these are touch attacks. If hit, Onrad may immediately make a DC: 17 strength check to avoid being grabbed.)
As this ferocious struggle ensues, Jus and Addenein step out of the underbrush and find themselves within about twenty feet of the beast and Onrad.
At this point, Jandar and Nonam are within an repulsion field about three hundred feet away. Directly easy in a straight line three hundred feet away is a smashed, impromptu clearing forty feet wide, formed by the reckless plant-beast. Jus and Addenein are at the western edge, behind the creature. The creature is in the center, and Onrad is on the easterm edge of the clearing. Gareth is on the north side of the clearing, above and apparently concealed from everyones vision.
Everyone in the clearing hears the masculine voice of the treant somewhere further off to the east. It yells out, "Run, strangers! The tendriculous is very hungry, and not at all reasonable!"
Gareth Saturday March 13th, 2004 11:49:43 AM
The warrior sighs as he moves to engage the creature lashing out at Onrad. He asks the treant as he releases his invisibility and lands "So is there any negotiating with it or do we have to kill it? Sorry to pop in like that...".
Addinein d20+9=15 d20+9=25 Monday March 15th, 2004 2:44:58 PM
Hearing the party hesitate on the killing of the creature. Addinein tries to fade into the background and wait to see what the first round of blows brings. He's hoping that the Giant tree thing can give the group some kind of hope. (MS=15 HS=25)
Jandar Monday March 15th, 2004 2:45:10 PM
Jandar takes off at a full sprint to get as close to the creature as possible, and, more importantly, to put himself in range of some of his spells.
Two replies of a kind - Dm Ian d20+3=18 d20+18=19 d20+18=27 d20+18=37 Monday March 15th, 2004 7:16:24 PM
The humanoid tree jumps, if such a thing is possible, when Gareth materializes.
"Oh, the tendriculous is quite mad I'm afraid. They've fed it so much blood! Defend yourselves, or run, strangers!"
Onrad avoids being grappled by the tentacles of the tendriculos, which lowers its shoulders and begins to circle Onrad like a massive cat stalking prey. As it circles to Onrad's right, its tentacles lash out again, attempting once again to grapple Onrad.
(Touch attacks vs Ac: 27 and 37. The strength checks this time are against DC: 25).
It doesn't look good for the finely dressed warrior.
Jandar sprints through the underbrush, ducking tree limbs and covering a bit more than half the intervening distance.
Gareth (Fly) d20+31=47 d10+19=20 Monday March 15th, 2004 10:05:21 PM
The warrior draws Max (Quick Draw) and closes on the "tendriculous". He attacks it with his trademark two-handed attack from behind (51 To Hit, 20 DMG).
Nonam (neutralize poison) 17d8(6+2+5+8+1+5+5+7+1+8+7+5+6+5+8+6+5)=90 Tuesday March 16th, 2004 10:36:04 AM
Nonam shakes his head in frustration, more because the party is spread out than because the forest is attacking them again.
He cuts loose with his long range plant killing spell and hopes the treant won't be too offended. (horrid wilting 90 points dmg, fort DC 26 for 1/2)
Jus (Stoneskin: 150hp; AC: 32; HP: 85) d20+21=27 d20+16=23 d20+21=32 3d8(4+7+5)=16 3d10(6+3+7)=16 6d6(4+3+1+4+5+2)=19 Tuesday March 16th, 2004 5:29:33 PM
Jus, reluctantly, starts firing his Finlin's Best at the creature. By his expression, it is obvious that he dislikes shooting an animal, but he will in no way let it keep attacking Onrad without retribution. It also helps that it looks closer to an abomination than any animal Jus has known.
Firing steadly, Jus's arrows launch straight and true. Let's just hope the can get through the creature's defenses.
[Hit AC 27/23/32 (-1 to hit if > 30' away): Damage 20/20/22 (-1 damage if > 30' away): Additional damage if Evil: +7/+5/+7]
Jandar 15d6(3+6+6+4+4+6+5+3+2+1+2+2+4+1+3)=52 Wednesday March 17th, 2004 12:12:24 AM
Finally in range for some of his more useful spells, Jandar stops running and casts Blade Barrier between Onrad and the creature, attempting to sever any tendrils the creature is grabbing Onrad with. Being so large, he figures its chances to come out on the same side as Onrad are smaller than normal.
With Gareth able to fly, he's not too concerned about his ability to escape from the other side.
Warming up - Dm Ian d20+17=22 d20+17=25 Wednesday March 17th, 2004 2:09:58 AM
Onrad is grappled heavily, but before he can be reeled in to the waiting maw, Jandar's blade barrier severs the tentacles, and a wave of magical power, arrows, and a sword blow descend onto the beast, forcing it to keen in pain, and leap aside.
Wounded and breathing heavily, the beast turns, and begins to leap off into the forest. It is obviously bleeding heavily, and only makes it about thirty more feet away in the first jump.
The dazed Onrad is about thirty feet from the beast. Gareth is about fifty. Jandar, Jus and Addenein are about eighty feet away now, with the tendriculous fleeing away from the group in a straight line.
Gareth Wednesday March 17th, 2004 6:46:58 AM
The warrior leaps away from the blade barrier and lets the thing go watching it retreat. No need to chase it as it will probably die of its wounds. And if not, maybe it will regain its "sanity" as the treant said. He waits to make sure it flees before turning to the treant.
Addinein Wednesday March 17th, 2004 9:35:29 AM
Not really wanting to hurt the creature any further, and seeing the reluctance in some of the group, Addinein lets the creature go. As the creature gets away, Addinein listens to it's hasty departure, and wait for the jungle to quiet again, to see if there are any other usual surprises.
Using his ring to communicate, shall we greet this being, and see what he knows .
Jandar Wednesday March 17th, 2004 10:25:11 AM
Jandar cancels his barrier and runs towards Onrad to see if he's hurt badly.
Nonam (neutralize poison) Wednesday March 17th, 2004 11:20:59 AM
Nonam calmly walks up to the rest of the group. When he gets close enough to speak and not shout, he looks at Onrad, Jus, and Gareth and asks in a dry voice, "Do I need to tie you all together so you don't all go running off through the jungle on your own?"
Jus (Stoneskin: 150hp; AC: 32; HP: 85) Wednesday March 17th, 2004 6:34:22 PM
Jus keeps his bow ready, but doubts the beast will return. Bowing his head with a sad shake, he says, "This forest is quite different than we've seen before. I hope not all of its inhabitants try to kill us."
Jus nods to Addinein when he suggests parlay with the Tree. With a gesture, Jus encourages Addinein to start talking.
A meeting of the minds - Dm Ian Wednesday March 17th, 2004 8:29:36 PM
As the group watches the wounded tendriculous flee, they also see a faintly glowing blue humanoid tree peek through the vegetation to the north of the clearing.
"I say, is all that violence over or do I need to run?"
Onrad appears to be unhurt, although his clothing bears what appears to be a set of grass stains where the beast attempted to grapple him.
(Anyone who would like, spot check please)
(Can anyone take over Onrad for a few days?)
Gareth d20=2 Wednesday March 17th, 2004 9:16:39 PM
Not noticing anything of import other than the fleeing creature and the timid treant, the warrior calls out "It's over, the - tentriculous? - is gone. I wonder if we might have a word with you? Are you OK?". He murmurs and smiles to Nonam, "I didn't go running through the forest - I was flying...".
Nonam Wednesday March 17th, 2004 11:39:26 PM
The wizard looks at Gareth.
::sigh::
Jandar Thursday March 18th, 2004 2:01:48 PM
Jandar catches up and is happy to see no physical damage to Onrad. He raises an eyebrow as Nonam and Gareth banter a bit, having listened to this several times before...just different people.
He pipes in,"Is anyone hurt? And, if not, should we not move off so that the forest doesn't become angry with our presence?"
Jus (Stoneskin: 150hp; AC: 32; HP: 85) d20+14=29 d20+5=6 Thursday March 18th, 2004 2:19:27 PM
With Jandar's comments echoing his own thoughts, Jus looks at the forest around them, seeing if it is making any visible changes due to their presence.
"Yes, please do come out," Jus answers the talking tree. "As my friend here says," Jus gestures towards Gareth, "perhaps we could make a few inquiries of each other." JD goes to assist Onrad, making sure he hasn't suffered unduly from the creatures administrations.
[Spot: 29; Knowledge (nature): 6]
Addinein d20=1 Thursday March 18th, 2004 5:26:35 PM
Not even able to see the shoelaces on his feet! ( ;) ) Addinein calls out to the tree being, "The worst is over. We only defend ourselves when we have to. What did you mean that someone had done wrong by this... tentriculous?"
The Wounded Land - Dm Ian Thursday March 18th, 2004 7:09:57 PM
The treant cautiously sidles into the clearing, looking this way and that. Seeing everyone relaxed and gathered, it exhales audibly, and says, "Thank you, strangers. This has been a most confusing day."
Looking around, there is no sign of movement, threat, or activity in the nearby jungle. Even the nearby sounds of predators have gone silent. Perhaps the tendriculous drove them off, or the sound of combat.
The treant then bows to each of the party in turn, the human gesture oddly too flexible on the form of the thin-bored plant-creature.
"I am Yrthak. Two days ago I left the Temple grounds to seek for more guardians, sent by my superior, Ash. Everything was clear to me, up until a short time ago, and then everything changed in a sudden blue flash."
As the treant rambles on, Jus recognizes the bluish aura around the creature as the exact shade as the shard from the broken prismatic sphere that flew off somewhere in this direction.
"I know now Ash is mad. Mad, I tell you! I can't quite remember why we started summoning the Woldsblood to feed to the jungle, but its wrong, terribly wrong!"
Yrthak then stops suddenly, and his mein changes. When he speaks again, his voice is softer, less elegant, somehow reminiscent of a terrified child.
"The voices in the Temple, they call every dark night. Ash went first... hes the oldest you know. He always makes it all better."
The treant then leans in to Gareth conspiratorally and almost-whispers, "His name wasn't always Ash you know... only after he started feeding the jungle Woldsblood did he change it... but all of us changed too. Just like the voices told us."
Gareth Thursday March 18th, 2004 11:10:46 PM
The warrior listens intently to the creature of wood and offers. So where is the temple? Perhaps we can help you make it right agian?".
DEH Thursday March 18th, 2004 11:11:42 PM
OOC: I'm out until next Friday or Saturday. I need someone to play Gareth. Any takers?
Nonam Friday March 19th, 2004 12:56:26 AM
"Woldsblood. Voices in the dark. Strange temples. Liches. Drow. Mad treants and raging tendriculi. Magic swords and Black Dragon treachery. It all sounds like a bad play doesn't it?"
Despite the joke, Nonam looks disturbed about what the treant is saying.
Jandar d20+20=28 d20+20=29 Friday March 19th, 2004 1:37:41 AM
Jandar tries to recall any knowledge he has of the term Wormsblood, and listens carefully.
When the trant has finished, he says,"I am Jandar, a cleric of Domi. What kind of Temple do you speak of and whom does it serve?"
Addinein Friday March 19th, 2004 11:07:15 AM
Addinein blinks at the realization of what may have happened in the local area. He's currently dumbfounded at what he can say or do with the tree creature.
Using the ring Addinein asks, "It sounds like we should summon another one of Gargul's servants. Since I remember that we were told that we are not in any condition to withstand the Woldsblood."
A conversation with the broken - Dm Ian Friday March 19th, 2004 7:06:25 PM
The treant hunches a little, and when it replies to Gareth, its voice has changed again. Now, it sounds elderly and frail, yet tinged with a surety of its knowledge.
"Due east of here... little more than a day's walk,... a very old place. Older than some of us trees,... used to be quiet, and empty. Quiet like water gone stagnant,... no life, and still."
It turns partially when Jandar introduces himself.
"Yes... Domi.. courage you all have in abundance,... only one of us who has gone in is Ash, and hes mad now. Hes called a meeting at the Temple, you know, night after this one coming. Takes a full circle of nine to call the Blood from... the dying place. Now that I think... the ritual has only been done... at the temple.
"The Temple itself... we trees have forgotten who built it... who used it... who smashed it. Its old... maybe as old as that city that was transported...but the voices... only one of them is old. The rest are hungry, young,... predators. Shadows with fangs hungry for life..."
The treant shakes a little at this pronouncement, and turns back to Gareth. When it speaks, it straightens, its voice that of a young child, eager and bright as the sun.
"You will help me?! Really! I can show you the easy way, but Ash won't be happy, oh no. Are you ready to go now?"
As the treant rambles madly, there is a quiet little pop by Jus' feet, and a cylindrical parcel appears, wrapped and sealed in Catacombs imprinted wax. Jus recognizes it as his order.
Jandar Sunday March 21st, 2004 11:35:38 PM
Jandar absently scratches his chin at the Treant's apparent multiple personality problem, along with his description of the shodow people with fangs.
Jandar says,"Well, sounds like blood suckers to me, and if they are, then they need to be destroyed...but so do the liches. Liches tend to stay put, so they aren't probably going anywhere anytime soon. I do enjoy re-killing undead. It's the only thing I really enjoy fighting."
He's smiling, as if actually looking forward to a fight with undead.
Nonam Monday March 22nd, 2004 2:53:19 PM
"The last time we were around any woldsblood there were liches. Could be a connection. In any case, woldsblood and liches seem to go hand in hand. Stopping the ceremony should just require preventing one of these nine from taking part. Of course, I did hear him say "guardians." That's never good."
Addinein Monday March 22nd, 2004 4:22:39 PM
"If it's stopping the nine, are you one of the nine, or are there others?"
There definitely seems like there's a mess here. Let's notify the Temple of Gargul and go investigate
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