Roenthelm confirms the plant creature is dead as the party takes in the nasty smell of burning plant monster. You look at the mess around here and thank the gods that everyone survived. But, you all begin to think that this is a very strange group of creatures to band together to go wandering around for a fight. A strange Treant, another Shambling mound, at least a dozen little bush monsters and a giant sized carnivorous plant monster. Strange, indeed.

Nolan's horse has been consumed, so now you're missing 2 horses as Twiggy's is still missing. The rest of the horses are very upset and probably pulled neck muscles trying to get away.

Do you dare to go up in the sky to see if the big creature is still approaching?

Twiggy is getting worried he hasn't found Lorrick yet and chances calling out "Lorrick, where are you. You will sure enough get yourself killed away from the group."  Twiggy then stands still trying to listen to where the boy is

08:56, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 14 using 1d20+9.  listen.

Aliana flew.to the cover of the trees, joining the others

Kira, still in her cat form, stalked back and forth, looking at the fire, hatred in her eyes for the beast and herself. She looked at the group, and lingered her gaze on Byron....her green eyes mirrored the anger and pain she felt.

But she remained in her cat form, wether on purpose or willingly is unknown

Byron looks at Charger then back at the cats.  His sense of loyalty to his trusted horse conflicting with his sense of friendship and maybe love for Kali and her big cat protector.  Seeing the hatred and something else in Kali's eyes when there gazes meet, Byron moves toward Kali slowly and cautiously and speaks softly, calmly, and for him with as much compassion and intelligence as he can.

Easy Kali.  Sometimes things have to happen to help nature return to the way it should be.  I see and sense your anger at what has happened tonight.  I can tell you are angry with me for taking away your chance to finish off that unnatural plant creature.  Right now, you need to let go of that hatred and anger.  The others need your help and knowledge about the ways of nature just as much as I do.

When Byron is close enough to touch Kali, he doesn't touch her, but holds out his hand in a friendly non-threatening way.  Hoping that both Kali and her big protector won't take it off.

She has learned new abilities granted by her deity that she needs to learn to cope with and to control. It's pretty difficult at the beginning, but she'll get used to it. Whatever creature was controlling these plants made them into abominations and it's not their fault or hers. We need to stop whatever or whomever is doing this, but right now we need to take cover just in case that big shape is a hostile dragon. We can deal with our personal issues later.

"Gather by me," Amara said, moving toward the horses. "I can cast an image to make all appear normal."

Aliana moved to be near her drow friend, but looked around for the human they'd found along the way.

Kali's eyes fall onto byron as he speaks, and holds out his hand. She looked at Raieylan (Who sat and licked his paw, almost as if ignoring the interaction totally), then loooked back at byron....the look of anger and fear leaving her eyes. The panther dropped to her haunches and sat with head bowed.

...then the form of teh panther began to shift again. The black hair began to moly and drop to the ground, showing milky white skin, the head changed shape and where black fur once was, a mop of orange hair covered the face of the now humanoid druid. She sat on her knees, her shoulders shaking as her hair draped over her face as it looked to the ground. All signs of the panther wee now gone, the little druid now fully back, her revealing leather armor and weapons still intact and where they were when she changed. She let out a sob and looked up at byron

...Her eyes red with tears and grief

She looked at Byron, tears running down her face. "I failed them....I couldn't save them."

She bowed her head and cried silently, oblivious to the danger that was to come, the urgency of the others. She only saw herself, Her trusted companion, and the man who reached out to her.

Byron understands Kali's tears and emotions more than she will know for now.  Reaching out and pulling her close to him then leading her towards Amara.  His voice calm and soft as he speaks to her.

"You can tell me all about it when you are ready too.  In the meantime we need to keep ourselves safe from a more immediate danger headed our way."

As Byron with Kali in tow reach the area Amara indicated he looks back at Raielyn.

She still needs you to be her protector my friend.

Kali allows herself to be pulled into the arms of Byron, her sobs silently on the mans chest. As Byron speaks to Raieylan, all conflict of teh man and panther are gone...the two seem to understand, and Raieylan silently walks beside Byron with Kali in turn, no glares at him touching or holding Kali.

Kali, however, stops her sobbing, and wipes her eyes, looking up at the man. "We will have that talk, but not now." She looks at the group, almost embarrassed by teh tears and all that has happened as they walked to the horses. It was clear in her grief she had missed something...some unknown enemy coming, and she looked at Byron and whispered. "Danger....what is coming?"

Byron whispers back to Kali as he starts to let go of her.

Aliana saw something big flying this way from the direction of the Forest.  It is Nolan's and Aliana's opinions that a dragon is headed this way to investigate the flashes of lightning and fireballs.

"I'm not sure that will work against a dragon," Myarra tells Amara as she moves in to the spot the drow indicated.  "But I suppose it's better than just standing in the open waiting to get 'et."

She's ignoring the whole drama between Byron and Kalli.  First she assumes it would be embarrassing to be observed in the state they're in.  Second, she has no idea how one deals with emotions like that.  Her method has always been to kill whatever is troubling her.  And if she can't for some reason, you take all the emotion and shove it down deep inside, where it festers and turns into an ulcer, which you then hire a cleric to heal.  Repression has worked just fine for her all these years, and she doesn't see any reason to change now.  Still, she has to hand it to Byron.  He's a brave man for taking the bullet on this one.

"Any idea where Lorrik and Twiggy are?  I'm no tracker, and I think flying right now would be a bad idea.  But I hate knowing they're out there on their own."

Lennox stabbed at the dead plant monster a few more times, just to make sure it was dead before collecting up his gear and loading it upon his horse,

"I honestly think we should just get the heck out of here. If that is a dragon, it will see this mess and fly around to find anything. But, I doubt it will go around searching for the unknown if we're gone from here."

Twiggy hears the rustle of vegetation after he called out to Lorrik. Looking that way, the little Halfling spots the teenager and waves to him to get his attention. Lorrik moves over to Twiggy,

"Is everyone OK? I feel so ashamed for running away."

You're about 1/4 mile from the camp.

Spot Check

Twiggy is relieved to see Lorrick alive Everyone is fine but we need to get back to camp.  They had something in the distance.  It is safer to stay close and running away will only get you into more trouble. Stay close and let us move quickly."  Twiggy looks to the sky to but is unable to see around the dense vegitation.

 Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 13 using 1d20+7.  Spot

Twiggy and Lorrik travel back to camp, but Flica makes it there long before they show up and lands on Amara's shoulder and informs her of Lorrik's situation. While that is happening, everyone at the camp is quickly packing up their stuff, just in case the large flying creature comes this way.

It doesn't.

Lorrik and Twiggy make it to camp with no problems.

OK, the possessed Treant, or what ever you want to call it, came from the North. I noted that there was brief moments were the being seemed to be its own self again, then it was lost with those red, evil eyes, as if something was controlling it. Do we want to continue? That's very powerful. I can't even do such a thing and wonder what we'd be facing with something that could.

Kali, standing close to Byron still, having tear stained face and red eyes, all of a sudden lost her grief, replaced by anger. "Something that controls nature is a perversion. To cause such pain..." She pauses and bows her head for a moment, a slight catch in her throat, then continues

"We need to find out what caused this. If they are in league with the cult this is bad, but if they are something else, that is worse...two enemies closing in can be bad. Plus....i don't want that to happen to a tree spirit again."

Byron looks over at Raieylan.  Seeing the I'm going with her look in the big cat's eyes Byron's words to him are left unspoken.

Looking at Nolan, Byron says what is on his mind.

"I'm not the smartest or the wisest among us.  However I feel that we are going to have face what ever it is sooner or later.  I really don't want to leave now and then have to fight everything again just to get back to where we are now at a later date.  So I'm going to side with Kali on this one."

Sister Aliana nodded, if reluctantly
"I don't often seek trouble, but I agree.  We need to deal with this sooner rather than later"

Myarra is sitting on a large bit of fallen tree, carefully sharpening her sword, not that it really requires it, not after the work the dwarf ghosts did on it.  But still, it helps her relax.

"It's attacked us twice now. And it's gotten me eaten. Mystra knows I'm not perfect. I'm not all powerful, and I'm far from invulnerable.  I'm rude, and crude, and generally socially undesirable.  But I am very very good at making things die.  I really think Mazmular needs to die.  And I'm certainly willing to give it a go."

Maybe we will get lucky and find the stone of balance and restore it before we run into any more trouble here too.  That could help us in a number of ways as well.

Byron looks over at Myarra and teases her to lighten up the mood.

Myarra, your being rude, crude, and socially undesirable is what makes hanging out with you a lot of fun.

Kali had a serious look, one that you had not seen on the usually happy druid. "I don't willingly seek out death and destruction, but whatever is causing a peaceful treeant to attack and behave as it did must be stopped. This is more than balance....this being has perverted nature itself and must be paid."

The look in her eyes was simular to that when she was a panther....a burning hatred and anger. "...and when i find out what did this, I'll call nature herself to tear their still beating hearts from their chest."

<OOC: Just in case you haven't noticed....Kali is pissed.>

Roen just stood silent with his hands behind his back listening to what everyone was saying. His knowledge was limited in this circumstance and really didn't have anything to add to the conversation. He agreed with Nolan on the amount of power somebody would have to have to be able to control these plants and wasn't sure if he wanted to go looking for it.

Amara glanced around at the others as she gave her hummingbird some honey. "If we don't think we're going to get more rest tonight," Kalliyan and Lorrik, at a minimum, certainly weren't likely to. And the rush of adrenaline likely would make it take some time before any of the others could either, "Then let us be on our way. We can rest sometime in the day."

Lennox had his horse packed and was ready to go. He wanted to be away from this place before more danger arrived. The sheer power of that creature surprised the hell out of Lennox and it was his transport power that saved him from being killed. That scared him. He watched Kali and knew she was upset, with her being a druid and all, but there wasn't anything Lennox could do about it except reassure her that she was doing the right thing.

"OK then. I agree that we should head north where the Treant came from. It probably left a nice trail for us to follow."

Well I'm certainly up for the day already.  No since in staying here.  I guess we should continue on.

Byron packs up his belongings and prepares Charger for the day ahead.  While he does he talks to Lorrik about his running away during the fight.  Making an effort to stress the importance of staying with the group.

OOC:  Is it beginning to get light outside?

Kali can't help but feel relieved that the group, as a consensus, want to help in finding out what had happened to the treant, even though she was sure it wasn't for the same reasons she did.

She simply nodded at the decision to get moving, and mused for the first time at the change she had occur through the night. She summoned a storm of lightning as well as change into an animal...something she had yet to been able to achieve. The talking to the nature spirits had given her a suspicion of what had happened, but the storm and the panther form confirmed it.

...she had obtained a new level of power.

She considered the situation that caused it...when nature was desperate for help...the treant and shambling mound, and thought it fitting that nature chose that moment to bless her with this insight.

Kali stayed close to Byron as they packed up (the druid having few items, was ready quickly, and thus overheard some of the conversations to lorik. She, however, did not add to the conversation...what Byron was telling him was true for his safety.

She looked at Raieylan, who looked at the druid with an odd look, a mixture of curiosity and questioning.

Kali shook her head. "What....it's been a bad night."

The panther snorted at the response and sat down by her side.

Byron smiles at the big cat when he hears him snort.

She is right about it being a bad night.

Byron looks at Charger and whispers something to him then looks at Nolan.

Nolan, you can ride on Charger with Twiggy.  He can easily carry both of you if I walk.

"You're flattery is appreciated, Byron." Myarra replies with a laugh.

Myarra doesn't have that many possessions either, and it only takes a minute to get ready to go.  "Lorrik, ride with me." she tells the young man, given the decreasing number of horses available.  "I'm not sure it will be safe to do so anymore, but if I have to fly off to scout, you can keep him under control until I get back."

She doesn't mention him running off.  First, it was totally understandable given what had attacked them.  Second, Byron had already spoken with him, and she knew she wouldn't have appreciated having a mistake harped on.

Twiggy agrres, tracking down the source is the right plan of action "I wonder if the closer to the source we get the more "perverted" nature becomes.   . The halfling is packed and ready to go in minutes.

I have a feeling that's what's going to happen, Twiggy. Mazmular isn't a name I've heard before and when you hear something you haven't heard before it's definitely foreign to your ears. And that usually means trouble.

"On the other hand, guards are often kept around the perimeter. I would not be surprised if there was an area of less threat before we reach another area of threat. And that would be where we should try to take our rest." Amara chimed in.

So, the group decides to follow the path that the plant monsters came from, which does make traveling a bit easier. The vegetation is still quite thick, but passable. There are still some areas where you get off your horse to guide it though thick brush, or over a felled tree...

You have this feeling that you are being watched. You look around, but don't see anything...

Several hours of hard traveling later, you come out into a small clearing and see a massively large vine wall. It's level with the tree tops 50 feet above. It goes into the surrounding forest....

All of you can feel that this area feels really strange. Knowledge: Nature or Survival Rolls, please.

It's about 7am-ish...

Kali looks at the vine wall with a furrow of her brow. With the shambling mound, treant and now this vine wall, someone was manipulating the forces of nature.

...it had to be stopped.

She looked at Byron, her tired eyes from the night battling and the emotions she felt had taken its toll on her and she looked tired, but her eyes burnt with a fire so intense that she showed no signs of it.

<OOC: Kali Rolled 15 using 1d20+6. Survival Roll>

Aliana worked to get her friends safely through the forest.  At the sight of the vine wall, she stared in wonder and apprehension.


OOC:01:00, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 19 using 1d20+12.  survival.

01:00, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 22 using 1d20+5.  knowledge nature.

Amara had been about to suggest that they stop and make camp at the next area that seemed to have enough dry area for them all, so that everyone could complete their rest. Nothing like a few hours of trekking to wear adrenaline out of the body.

Then they arrived at the strange wall. She frowned at it thoughtfully. Now was probably not the time, then, to suggest camping for a remaining few hours...

Byron thoughts are preoccupied with his feelings and concern for Kali, and his concern for Lorrik.  He doesn't say much to anyone as they follow the path.  Before starting out from their former camp Byron gives Aliana the long sword to carry and use today if the need arises.

As much as he wants to talk with Kali, he knows that now is not the time or place for any serious discussions about what has transpired overnight.  He finds himself looking at her more than he should.

04:49, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 9 using 1d20+4.  Survival.

When Byron realizes why they have stopped traveling he starts to look closer at the structure for doors or openings.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:11, Sat 12 May 2018.

Nox looked at the vine wall from atop his horse and wondered how it could grow to such a height and looked over at Kali.

"Can Druids make plants grow to this height? Seems kind of strange that we've been attacked by plant creatures, our traveling has been downright miserable and now we run into this vine wall that's..." Nox looks up into the air, disappears in a wisp of smoke, appearing on a tall limb from a tree above "...at least 50 feet tall."

Twiggy knows little of nature and what the wilds are supposed to look like.  For all Twiggy knows this is normal except for the looks of concern on the others faces.

Byron looks up to where Nox is.

Hey Nox, how far does the wall extend to the left and right?

Byron turns towards Nolan.

Didn't this Myth place have a maze somewhere or is that just some ancient rumor I either heard or misremembered or both.

Kali looks at Lennox, then to the wall. "In theory, it is possible, though they'd have to be a powerful druid. But i think it unlikely....the perversion of nature is unlike druids in general. They favor nature above all else. To cause pain to a nature spirit like the treant is...."

She snaps from her solemn thoughts and focused on the task at hand. "Druids don't cast spells liek wizards, or get them from gods like priests....we ask nature to bless us, or help us, and it see's fit what it gifts us with. The more in tune with nature, the more likely they will get help. But i digress....There are talets we use that can enlarge plants beyond their normal scope, and we can call the aide of animals and even nature spirits....but to do this would be someone powerful."

You can tell that the topic of conversation is hard for her, though she had a furrowed brow as she thought. "I have heard of instances of former druids turning from nature....becoming more a plague than anything else. It is rare, but to do something like this..." She let the thought hang

Myarra hangs back while the party discusses things.  She's not a wizard (no she is not!) nor cleric nor druid, and has no point of view on these discussion.  She doesn't even have much affection for green growing nature, much preferring nature grey and sandy.

So while the others discuss what to do, she hangs back and just keeps watch.

"It looks like it comes around to form a circle, but inside, the air looks weird. It reminds me of when we were in Lyran's Hold. I think I see some structures..."

Aliana shook her head.
"I'll admit that I'm no expert, I believe that this has going on for a very long time.   It has the look of magic gone wrong, like a river diverted. "

Twiggy looks up and calls out "Nox, do you see an opening or do we need to climb?"

Roen looked around to see if he could identify/find any rare herbs while everyone investigated the area. If this vine wall enclosed a structure like Lennox said, then an entrance should be looked for. If one couldn't be found, then chopping through the vegetation might be required, which might upset Kalliyan.

Turning to Byron,

Yes, I do recall there being mazes, but not in the gardens. The Mazes were probably located at the mansions of the wealthy. I'm sure we'll encounter one in the future  while  exploring the forest.

Aliana was peering at the vines, looking a bit alarmed.
"Hey...did one of those vines just move???  Or am I just being paranoid about killer plants?"

Kali listened to the group talking, and had a narrowing look at the plant, not knowing to expect of nature (Which unsettled her a little.)

The woman looked at the group. "I could try and communicate with the wall, but i need rest and time to consider how i done it last time....when i spoke to the treant last time it was almost instinct. With some time to think on it i can again."

She looks again at the wall. "...or i can try and change into a bird and fly around it and see what we have."

Upon hearing that the vines might be moving, Nolan stepped back and told everyone to do the same,

Everyone move away from this Vine wall. Aliana thought she saw something moving.

Spot check: 12

Byron draws his sword and takes a closer look at the wall.

16:14, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 18 using 1d20+5.  Spot Check.

I'm getting worried about this now.

Twiggy raises his eyebrows and looks skeptically at the wall as he backs away.

"I'm not just a sabled-haired beauty, adored by the entire civilized world, you know," Myarra puts into the conversation, sarcastically.  "I can also fly.  Would you like me to take a look?  And, if you'd like, I can also carry us all over the wall.  Not the horses, of course, and only one at at time, but it would mean we could just leave the wall alone entirely."

Sister Aliana smiled at her winged friend and nodded.
"Some scouting woudl be lovely, thank you, my friend."

Kali looked at Myarra and smiled. "Let's try this" she said, and looked at Raieylan. "Keep an eye on byron Raie....make sure he doesn't do anything stupid." The panther looks at the himan and looks back, snorting.

Kali then closes her eyes and breathes slowly. Her mind going back to a day not long before she met the group, where she was watching a group of birds flying gracefully through the sky. Her mind settled on the one that originally caught her eye, a Kite, and let the image set in her mind. She focused her thoughts, her emotions on that one thought, seeing her form melting and filling the form of the Kite.

While her eyes were closed, her form shifted, shrinking and growing feathers, until where Kali was, a kite stood on the ground, dark brown with a bank of red on the wings and tail. The birds eyes were the same colour as Kali's as she opened her eyes.

The druid shifted her form as she looked at Myarra, chirping loudly, and looked to the sky. She then opened her wings and took off, circling the group, waiting for Myarra to take flight

Byron just shakes his head at Kali's comment about not doing anything stupid.  The he looks at both Kali and Myarra seriously.

Both of you be careful.

Aliana got her bow ready, to cover both women as best she could

Surprise Round----------

As soon as Kalliyan turns into a bird and takes flight, several vines lash out from the vine wall and attack the group. Vine 1 grabs Aliana around the neck and starts choking her. Vine 3 tries to grab Kalliyan, but missed as she turned into the kite bird and flew up in the sky, but Vine 2 latched onto Twiggy with no problems and lifted him up off his feet! The ground shifts with the movement of plants and all of you have seen an Entangle spell before....

Everyone BUT Kalliyan and Twiggy, Reflex Save DC 13 or be Entangled

Twiggy and Aliana, Grapple checks to break free

Please roll Initiatives and state your actions!

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Vine 1           19        ??/??
Vine 3           17        ??/??
Vine 2           13        ??/??
Nolan            ??        55/76
Byron            ??        60/64
Lorrik           ??        05/05
Myarra           ??        60/78
Lennox           ??        21/37
Roenthelm        ??        33/52
Amara            ??        37/37
Aliana           ??        42/42     Constricted
Kalliyan         ??        30/30     Bird form 10 feet high
Panther          ??        ??/??
Twiggy           ??        30/30     Constricted 5 feet high

Main Game Map has been updated.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Tue 22 May 2018.

Having already drawn my sword I move to try and free Aliana as I see a vine grab her and start to choke her.  Damned plants.  So much for not doing anything stupid, right Raie

05:53, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 15 using 1d20.  DC Check avoid entangle.  Roll should be +5 for a total of 20.
05:52, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Tue 22 May 2018.

Nolan got stuck in the vines. He tried to free himself but it was difficult for him with his robes, so he decided to cast a Magic Missile spell to free Twiggy from the vines that were choking him.

Magic Missile damage: 15

Amara had been taught first help yourself and then help others - well, if you're going to help them at all, that is. Often in the Underdark, it was survival of the fittest...

She stepped away and made a motion, activating her natural levitation, lifting 20 feet into the air, and looking around for what had caused the plants to grasp at them.

Sister Aliana tried to escape
OOC:. 19:32, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 13 using 1d20+1.  Grapple resist.
19:30, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 21 using 1d20+5.  Reflex

Glad that she'd stayed back away from the wall, Myarra leapt into the air as the first vine reached out for her and the ground begins to move of its own free will.  She'd had more than enough of hostile vegetation to last her a life-time.

Once she's a good 30' in the air, and likewise away from the accursed wall, she begins circling, taking stock of the situation.

"What in the..." was all that came out of Twiggy's mouth before he was jerkid into the air.  Try as he may the little halfling didn't look like he could pry the vine from around him using his strength.

57, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 9 using 1d20.  Grapple.

"There is something wrong with this place. It doesn't feel right." Roen said before the plants began to entangle him

18:14, Today: Roenthelm rolled 9 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
18:14, Today: Roenthelm rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Reflex save.

When the plants began to entangle Roen, he tried as best as he could to free himself.

The Kite that was Kali circled the area, calling out as she did.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Raieylan (Standing back luckily), had his fur on his back bristle like a cat as the vines moved, growling and moving backwards. His movements purposeful, he watched on as several members were entangled in the vines.

The Kite soared down from the sky, out of range of the vines, and pulled up at the last second, landing on the ground. The kite's form began to again melt and shift as the form grew to the druid that took off moments ago.

When she looked up, there was an odd look in her eyes....one of pain and anger.

Someone was controlling the elements of nature.



....and she did not like that

Round 1 results----------

Myarra is quick on her feet as she takes flight to stay away from the grabby vegetation. She flies 30 feet above the ground and looks around, seeing Lennox up above her. Vine 1 constricts Aliana and starts pulling her towards the wall. Vine 3 lashes out at the panther, but the feline is too quick for that. Avoiding being grappled, Byron spots Aliana being dragged towards the vine wall and moves to go help her out, but Vine 3 is in the way, so he slashes it with his sword, but it is strong. Amara avoids being entangled and Levitates into the air and looks around to see what the vines were connected to, but it appears they are their own entity. Vine 2 constricts Twiggy and pulls him closer to the vine wall, as Lorrik avoids being tangled and leads the horses away from the area, as Lennox disappears in a puff of smoke from above and appears near Byron to hack at the vine with his Greatsword. Roenthelm gets entangled in the vegetation and spend time trying to get out as Nolan too is entangled but decides to cast a Magic Missile spell to help out Twiggy. The vine is damaged, but keeps on moving. Kalliyan flew around and landed, turning back to human form and wasn't too happy that nature was being messed with while her panther stayed away from the grappling vines. There wasn't much Twiggy and Aliana could do at the moment by try and free themselves from the constricting vines, but so far, they were losing.

Everyone on the ground NOT entangled/grappled, Reflex safe again DC 13.

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Myarra           22        60/78
Vine 1           19        ??/??
Vine 3           17        ??/22
Byron            16        60/64
Amara            13        37/37     Levitated 20 feet
Vine 2           13        ??/15
Lorrik           12        05/05
Lennox           11        21/37
Roenthelm        09        33/52     Entangled!
Nolan            06        55/76     Entangled!
Kalliyan         05        30/30
Panther          05        ??/??
Twiggy           05        21/30     Constricted 5 feet high
Aliana           05        34/42     Constricted

! Entangled: Cannot move unless DC 20 Strength or Reflex save is made.

Main Game Map has been updated.

Aliana struggled,  but was at a bad place

ooc:
18:01, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  Grapple resist

Byron moves easily to avoid being entangled and gets a good swing in against Vine 3.

This stuff is really annoying me now.  Hang on Aliana I'm going to help you get free.

19:08, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 23 using 1d20+5.  Reflex Save for Entangle DC13.
19:09, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 17 using 1d20+4.  To Hit Vine 3.
19:10, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 5 using 1d10+4.  Damage to Vine 3.

Twiggy knows he can not use brute strength to escape so he starts twisting and turning trying to wiggle free.

:31, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Escape artist.

Seeing no one controlling the vines at this time, Amara lashed out at the vines themselves. She pulled out another of Nolan's fireball spells and sent a blast of flame into the vines in an area where she would not hit any of her friends.

Seeing that Byron had this vine taken care of, Lennox disappeared in a puff of smoke again and appeared in between Twiggy and Aliana and swung his greatsword on the one holding Twiggy off of his feet. Unfortunately, the vines were pretty tough...

Nolan repeated his spell, but on the one Byron was fighting. He wanted to make sure Byron could move to assist Lennox.

Magic missile: 15 damage

Kali knew that the vines were being manipulated, but were still a part of nature...no matter how perverted. Drawing her scimitar, she walked forward, almost like stalking prey, her eyes unflinching at the target ahead. His target, the vines holding the Halfling Twiggy.

Aproaching the vine, she swung the blade, still new in her hand, and missed the vine

<OOC: Kalliyan rolled 10 using 1d20+7 (Hit)

Typical!>

Myarra wheels around and dives towards Aliana and the vine that's holding her.  As she reaches the bottom of her swoop, she slashes at the vine holding her friend and then soars back up, hopefully to safety.

Round 2 results----------

Myarra gets the heebie-jeebies flying near the vine wall, but that doesn't affect her ability to fight as she slashes at the vine choking Aliana. Now that she's really close to the wall, she gets dizzy, but quickly shakes it off. Vine 1 and 3 continue their attack, with Aliana continuing to get choked out, while Vine 3 lashed out and bounced off Byron's armor. Byron slashed back with his greatsword on vine 3, hacking it in half, sending greenish "blood" spraying all over and a screeching sound could be heard "North" through the vine wall. Amara pulled out the scroll Nolan gave her and cast a spell from it as the area near Twiggy, Aliana and Myarra erupts into a Fireball. The hostile vines burn up in the flames and the vine wall catches on fire as more screeching could be heard "North" through the vine wall. All the entangling/constricting ceases and Twiggy drops to the ground. Lennox looks around, especially when he hears the screeching from within the vine wall. Roenthelm frees himself from the vines and stands guard, looking around as Nolan cancels the spell he was about to cast. Kalliyan doesn't like the sounds coming from the vine wall when she missed the dead plant with her sword as the Panther hisses something furious and backs away even further. Twiggy and Aliana recover from being constricted.

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Myarra           22        60/78     10 feet up
Byron            16        60/64
Amara            13        37/37     Levitated 20 feet
Lorrik           12        05/05
Lennox           11        21/37
Roenthelm        09        33/52
Nolan            06        55/76
Kalliyan         05        30/30
Panther          05        ??/??
Twiggy           05        21/30
Aliana           05        25/42

Main Battle Map has been updated

Amara looks toward where she heard the screams, trying to pinpoint the screamer. Somehow it was connected to these vines, likely was controlling them, and almost certainly needed to be dealt with, one way or another.

Aliana tried to begin healing herself.
"Who else needs healing?"

OOC:


03:48, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 12 using 1d8+5.  CLW.

 

"I don't like this place at all. Those screeches weren't human." Lorrik said from the back with the horses "What are we supposed to be doing here again?"

"Finding the Stone of Balance and to see if it is functioning properly so the Waystones can be used safely." Lennox told the boy "But, I agree with you, lad. There is something wrong with this place. I already told you all that over this vine wall there is a mist that reminds me of Lyran's Hold. There is something wrong with that place too, if it used to be a tower."

Roen finally got the last of the plants untangled from his already ragged robes and just shook his head. He didn't like the sound of the screeching and agreed with what Lennox said.

"I agree, Lennox. The screeching doesn't sound natural. I remember the uneasy feeling we all had when we were in Lyran's Hold and I feel the same way now. We encountered undead. Think we'll encounter an undead that controls plants?"

Byron pulls out a rag to wipe the blood and stuff off of his armor as he speaks to Lorrik.

That's the part of being an adventurer that most don't warn you about.  There are a lot of unnatural and very bad things that will kill you if you give them half a chance.

"But that's also much of the benefit. You know you are defeating things that are unnatural and/or evil." Amara added.

Twiggy falls to the ground with bruises and casts a healing spell on himself.  Rubbing the now lighter bruised area. Chuckling at the adventuring comments  "Glad to know these are not natural, otherwise I am going back to the comfort of the city slums.  I wonder if we can be flown in over the top and avoid the wall."

Byron chuckles as he replies to Twiggy.

Sure.  I can throw you over the top of the wall right here.

Byron looks thoughtful for a couple of minutes as he stares at the remains of the vines.

I wonder if this Mazmular is taking damage from us when we hurt and destroy the plants he's controlling at the time.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:28, Mon 04 June 2018.

Myarra swoops around once more and lands near Aliana, anxious to make sure her friend is alright.

"A couple of time when I got too close to the wall, I started feeling dizzy.  That's also not normal.  And certainly not safe when you're flying," she tells the group in general.

She pulls some leaves out of Aliana's hair.  "Take care of yourself first."

To Byron and Twiggy she adds, "At this point, I'd rather we just burn a great big hole in it and walk through.  This Mazmular needs to learn that we're coming to kick his ass and that running as far and as fast as he can is his only alternative to my отрезая ему голову и член и заставляя его сосать себя на следующую тысячу лет."

Byron chuckles at Myarra's choice of words.

Myarra, I think you left out a few words in your description of what we are going to do to Mazmular.

Big thorns starts appearing on the vines of the wall and right off the bat, Kalliyan can tell they are poisonous....

Then you all start to hear the vegetation move from the N-W and N-E as something(s) appear to be approaching.

Looking at the thorns and hearing vegitation moving he asks "Ummm, is now a good time to retreat and come back with a plan."

"Kalliyan, I know you are a druid, and I know that in general druids want to protect even plant life. But I've also heard that after fire, a forest renews. How would you be with setting this whole area on fire?"

Lennox heard the rustling coming from the bushes and backed up to Aliana when she offered healing,

"That will attract all sorts of attention, so we better have a good plan if we're going to do this because a fire isn't going to stop with just this wall and won't wait for us when we need to rest."

"A fire will catch this whole place up." Lorrik said to the group. "I remember a couple summers ago, Farmer Oswald's corn crop caught fire from a lightning strike and destroyed his whole crop for the season. It ruined him. Those explosive fire spells that you all use will start a firestorm with all this dry brush to ignite everything. We could die just from the smoke and many animals will perish. I think that's a bad idea."

The area where Amara cast the fireball is still smouldering, but a direct hit from several spells will definitely start a fire.

Lorrik, you are both right and wrong.  My dad and I used a controlled burn onpart of our farm before.  If this stuff is really dry it can get out of hand very quickly.  Given what we have encountered I would say the area isn't overly dry.

"On the other hand, we won't be thanked if we start a blaze that levels the forest.

Let's retreat, find a safe place for Lorrik to watch the horses, and then I'll fly everyone over the wall, or at least all those that can't manage it themselves."

Twiggy keeps looking to the NE and NW then back at the fighter "Ummmm, yea great conversation. I love hearing about the latest farming tactics but for now can you get your heavily armored flesh sheild over here.  You see this vegotation is moving and wanting to kill us soooo, how about them fireballs?"  Twiggy keeps jerking his head at the noisy vegitation hoping Byron will be a good barrier.

If Myarra suggests we retreat, then we should do so and make a good plan. I'm up in the air about lighting a forest on fire, but we'll discuss that once we're safe and healed. So, let's get out of here before anything arrives.

Nolan starts walking back the way the party came.

Kali...silenced and looking at the thorns that appeared on the vines, she all but glared at the wall.

....it was protecting itself.

She then heard the movement approaching, guessing all too well that was coming was another perversion of nature. She takes a step forward, but the most unlikely source stops her.

Raieylan steps in front of her, and lets out a low sound that sounds like a mixture of a growl and a purr. Kali looks at him, his eyes full of honesty, and the hard edge to her eyes melt away.

She closes her eyes and shakes her head. "I know, but this is wrong!" She again looks at the panther, who looks at her impassivly. their gazes locked, Kali sighs a moment later. "Ok, Ok.....i get it." She turns to the others and nods. "Lets get back and think of what we can do about this."

She looks back at the wall with a look of pain and loathing. She knew that the wall had to come down, and that meant that she would have to fight nature.
She looks at the others.

"Fire is unpredictable, and if it got out of control it could kill us and leave whatever is out there. Fire is an option, but we need to keep it controled. We need some other ideas.....i need to think on this a bit." She bites her lip as she walks up to Byron, and sighing, rests her head on the mans shoulder. "This bastard is rubbing me the wrong way byron....we have to stop him."

She then realised how close to the human she was, and with a slight blush, took her head off the man and stepped back, looking a little uncomfortable and embarressed
This message was last edited by the player at 00:22, Fri 08 June 2018.

When Kali comes up to Byron and puts her head on his shoulder he puts his arm around her protectively.

Why did Raieylan move between you and the wall?  I've never seen any animal except a dog do anything like that, and then only when the dog did that to a small child once.

Byron moves his arm when Kali starts to take a step back.

I have to agree with you about fire.  I don't think there would be anyway we could control it to burn this entire wall down.

Kali looked back at Raieylan, who was padding back and forward, clearly unnerved by something. "He knows me well. He knew i would rush in and...." She paused, closing her eyes. then she looked at Byron. "My mother's blood is strong, and when it comes to nature i am very passionate. Sometimes a little impulsive, again like my mother and her kind. He knew i would try to solve this, even if it meant my death. He is a wild animal, but protective of me. Sometimes i think that he see's me as his own cub."\

She looks at the wall. "Let's go...the more i look at it the more i want to tear it down with my own hands." she turned her back on the wall and breathed deeply

Twiggy starts looking which way to go then trusts the cats instincts "Raieylan, be a good kitty and get us out of here safely."

Roen looked at the wall with some sadness, knowing now that something was inside and that something was controlling plants in a perverse way. A Druid gone bad? Roen didn't think so because the druid's power was granted by his or hers deity. He had a friend from long ago who fell from grace and his powers were stripped. He followed the group in silence, looking over his shoulder to see if anything was following them and smiled when Byron wrapped his arm around Kalliyan.

Amara frowned, glaring at the vines, and hovering for a long moment as the others began to turn away. They had the power to take this on now. They were relatively fresh for the day. There was no reason that she could think of that they were going to get some sudden insight into how to handle this. Therefore, she was of the opinion that they should push forward.

Remembering that Amara was levitating gave Byron an idea.

Amara, do you see anything moving towards us from the Northeast and Northwest.  If so what is it?

While waiting for her reply, he continues to think thoughtfully.  A very serious look of concentration on his face, which is in sharp contrast to his usual easy going and confident smile.

All Amara sees is the vegetation moving from both directions. She can't make anything out which tells her it might be covered in vegetation for camouflage, invisible or? Since you've been dealing with plants that have been manipulated by someone/something, Amara might guess more of what the party has encountered the past few days.....

Myarra moves away from the wall, and any grasping vegetation it might be interested in sending her way.

"Let's just get the horses stashed away with Lorrik to guard them. We shouldn't need to go far. Then we can come back, fly over the wall, find what's controlling it on the other side, and kill it without necessarily having to burn down the forest."

Surprise Round----------

The party decided that they wanted to move away some distance to regroup and make plans, mainly to keep Lorrik safe. Amara wanted to stay and fight, but was outvoted, so she got in her traveling position. The party doesn't even make it out of the area when Byron was struck by a vine "arm", which scared Charger to make him rear up. The second arm hit the horse and instead of a grapple by the Shambling Mound, Byron is pulled off his horse. Luckily, he lands on his feet. He didn't even see the creature as it blended so well in the area. Amara was correct in her assumption as three more Shamblers come out of the vegetation from the "North".

Everyone please roll initiatives now and state your actions.

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Shambler 3       19        ??/??
Shambler 1       15        ??/??
Shambler 4       14        ??/??
Shambler 2       11        ??/??
Myarra           ??        60/78     10 feet up
Byron            ??        49/64
Amara            ??        37/37
Lorrik           ??        05/05
Lennox           ??        21/37
Roenthelm        ??        33/52
Nolan            ??        55/76
Kalliyan         ??        30/30
Panther          ??        ??/??
Twiggy           ??        21/30
Aliana           ??        25/42

Main Battle Map has been updated
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:04, Sat 16 June 2018.

I'm getting really sick of being attacked by a bunch of plants.

Byron says as he quickly recovers his footing and swings at the Shambler that knocked him off of Charger.  Irritation is evident in his voice but Kali can tell it is frustration directed at the thing responsible for trying to make a mess of this area.

21:57, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 20 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
21:58, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  To Hit Shambler #1.
21:59, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 8 using 2d6+4.  Damage to Shambler #1.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:04, Wed 13 June 2018.

Kali, acting more on insctint, draws her scimitar and swings, missing easily.

Raieylan,  still on guard, has his fur bristled as he growls at the nearest shamble.

<OOC: Kalliyan rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  init.
      Kalliyan rolled 8 using 1d20+7.  Hit - Scimitar.


What is with this scimitar? Second critical miss!>

Nolan was still on foot since his horse was eaten by the plant monster previously. When he saw the three shamblers from the north, he turned around and cast a fireball spell at them.

Initiative: 14
Fireball: 41 (reflex DC 17 for half)

Myarra's a bit slow off the mark, but recovers quickly, trying to head off one of the scorched shamblers.

Hoping to finish it quickly before the accursed wall can disgorge more plant monsters, she lands back on the ground and approaches the shambler with intent to prune.  She picked the one on the end so that Nolan would still have two shamblers to torch if he so chose.

"If you kill the one back there, we should probably just withdraw," she calls to the others.  "This damn wall seems to have an inexhaustible supply of these things."

Aliana moved closer to Lorrik to protect him

"I tend to agree, but will they continue to follow us?" Lennox asked as he pulled out his sword and charge attacked Shambler 2

"It will be harder to follow us if they need to start from here and we're somewhere else.  We can come back when we're ready and take it by surprise rather than having to constantly defend ourselves while we're figuring it out."

Twiggy runs by Byron and stabs at the creature but trips on a clump of grass, nearly sprawling himself on the ground

09:17, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 10,5 using 1d20+9,1d4+1.  Attack, damage.

09:15, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Initive.

Amara chanted, slowing the creature that Myarra had indicated. Killing would require her to use another of Nolan's scrolls, but if they were planning to just retreat, slowing it should be just as effective.

Round 1 results----------

Twiggy is quick to react, pulling out his rapier and charging in to help out his friend, but he trips on the grass and doesn't quite make it there. Byron pulled out his sword and slashed at the Shambler, pieces of vegetation falling to the ground. Shambler 3 moves in as Lennox charged in and attacked Shambler 2, slashing the plant creature across the chest. Shambler 1 attacks Byron back and a limb hits the warrior on the side before the area to the North erupts into a Fireball that Nolan cast, damaging Shambler 2 and 4 and setting the dried vegetation in the area on fire. Shambler 4 moves in on Lennox and swings vine arms around, but with it being on fire, Lennox is able to dodge the blows. But, Shambler 2 hits its mark on Lennox, hitting him on the side and barely missing with the other one for a grapple. Lennox can't take much more of this. Myarra flew over and landed near Shambler 2, sword slashing off bit of vegetation as she protects Lennox. Kalliyan moves in to help Byron, slashing away with her Scimitar, but fumbles around with it instead while her Panther friend hisses at the Shambler. Amara wanted to stay and fight the Shamblers, so she walked up a bit and cast a Slow spell on the Shamblers' Lennox and Myarra were facing. Their actions have decreased significantly. Lorrik stays put and fires off an arrow at Shambler 3, but misses as Roenthelm charges in on Shambler 1 and kicks the plant in the side. It could have been a bad day for Aliana if the Shambler hit her when she moved away from the fight to go and protect Lorrik. The limb slammed down on the spot she was just at, but She's now next to Nolan, who's busy preparing what he's going to do next.

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Twiggy           23        21/30
Byron            20        40/64
Shambler 3       19        ??/??
Lennox           15        12/37
Shambler 1       15        ??/14
Nolan            14        55/76
Shambler 4       14        ??/31     Slowed
Shambler 2       11        ??/59     Slowed
Myarra           08        60/78
Kalliyan         06        30/30
Panther          06        ??/??
Amara            05        37/37
Lorrik           04        05/05
Roenthelm        04        33/52
Aliana           04        25/42

!Slow:: Move OR single action only @ -1 attack rolls, AC and Reflex saves. 1/2 Movement rate.

Main Battle Map has been updated

Roen used his training to stay away from the plant's limbs that could grab at him, remembering being trapped with ropes while fighting one of his fellow students during training. Fighting the shambler reminded him of this and Roen wondered if any of his friends or even his sensei were even alive anymore. He ducked and weaved while punching and kicking the monster.

Byron swings his sword again.  Hoping to kill this one quicckly so we can move away from this wall to get some rest and knowing his friends need to replenish their spells.

I am really annoyed by these moving bushes.  Mazmular when I finish with your pet plants I'm going to chop you up.

Byron says loudly but in a cold calm voice at the same he swings his sword and misses as he almost loses his footing.

06:06, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 6 using 1d20+4.  To Hit Shambler #1.

Amara pivoted to repeat her spell, this time on shambler 3.

Fighting the shamblers wasn't going to get them anywhere. They needed to take the fight to the source, not keep fighting minions.

Twiggy is quick to recover and rolls into the fray slasking at the shambler near Byron.  He uses his rapier to help keep the arms from his human companion.

12, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 27,3 using 1d20+9,1d4+1.  Attack, damage.

When Aliana was hurrying by, Nolan put out his hand to stop her,

Lorrik is fine where he is. Let him shoot his bow. If you have any damaging spells, cast it at the Shambler coming to us. Amara, use the scroll I gave you on the same one. I'm going to assist Myarra and Lennox.

Nolan moves near Amara at T-30 and casts Magic Missile on Shambler 2: 17 damage

Kali, fumbling beside and a step behind Byron, manages to get herself straight, and with a breath, walks beside Byron. "You'll have to wait until i'm finished with him first Byron...I'm going to constrict him with vines and grow spikes into them."

With that said, she skips forward and swipes with her scimitar


Kalliyan rolled 14 using 1d20+7.  Attack - scimitar.
Kalliyan rolled 8 using 1d6+7. Damage - Scimitar

Nox, quickly taking note that the plant creatures are moving very slowly, disappears in a puff of smoke and appears behind Lorrik and heals himself with his magical belt.

"Move and stand next to Amara. You're too close for your bow." Nox said to Lorrik

Myarra holds her ground against the shambler, seemingly much calmer than before, striking quickly and firmly to put the creature down as soon as possible.

Round 2 results----------

Twiggy charged in with rapier ready and slashed at the shambler, parts of the plant falling to the ground as Byron yells to the sky and almost falls over missing the shambler in front of him. Shambler 3 moves in and swings its vine arms, one of them hitting Nolan in the side. Nox, quickly taking note that the plant creatures are moving very slowly, disappears in a puff of smoke and appears behind Lorrik and heals himself with his magical belt. Shambler 1 goes after Byron, swinging vine arms around and hitting the warrior on the shoulder. Nolan moves away from Shambler 3, taking a nasty hit to the side for his troubles, and casts a Magic Missile on Shambler 2, which crumples to the ground in a stinking pile of vegetation. Shambler 4, moving slowly, moves in on Lennox as Myarra moves in on it from behind to flank as she hacks the walking garden apart. Kalliyan swipes her scimitar at the shambler in front of her, but the creature blocks her blow. Amara casts another Slow spell, this time on Shambler 3, and smiles when the thing barely moves. Lorrik does what he is told and moves over next to Amara as Roenthelm hits the Shambler with a flurry of feet and fists that sound like iron upon impact, breaking vine appendages. Aliana decides to follow Nolan to get away from the Shambler that hit him.

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Twiggy           23        21/30
Byron            20        30/64
Shambler 3       19        ??/??     Slow!
Lennox           15        24/37
Shambler 1       15        ??/31
Nolan            14        34/76
Myarra           08        60/78
Kalliyan         06        30/30
Panther          06        ??/??
Amara            05        37/37
Lorrik           04        05/05
Roenthelm        04        33/52
Aliana           04        25/42

!Slow:: Move OR single action only @ -1 attack rolls, AC and Reflex saves. 1/2 Movement rate.


Main Battle Map has been updated

Sister Aliana tried to heal their wizard, touching Nolan with a curing spell.


OOC:


21:04, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 15 using 2d8+7.  CSW

Byron quickly recovers his balance and footing.  Swinging his sword in the manner that Amos taught him by drilling it into his body through long hours of practice he hits true again.

Take that you overgrown weed.

05:39, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  To Hit Shambler #1.
05:40, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 13 using 2d6+4.  Damage to Shambler #1.

Noting that Nolan was hurt by Shambler 3, Lennox moves to S-31 to protect the party's spell casters until Myarra and him could gang up on the Shambler to take it down quickly.

Kira again swings at the monster, but with her anger aimed towards the person peversing nature, she misses with her swipe

<OOC: Kalliyan rolled 11 using 1d20+7.  To Hit - Scimitar.

I think this new weapon hates me!>

The hits that Nolan took hurt the wizard, but he was a tough cookie, and just grunted from the blows. He saw the shambler coming towards him but knew the thing was moving slowly. He also noted that Byron was having difficulty with his shambler, so Nolan cast a Magic Missile on that shambler to help them out.

Magic Missile damage: 16

Amara took out her wand, aiming it at the shambler heading toward them. "Fearnus," she chanted, causing a small, blue missile to fly from it and strike the very slowly advancing mound.

Twiggy circles the creature to come around its backside and tries to find a weak spot to sneak attack, if it has a weak spot.

move to zz 36 in a u move to avoid AOA
17:22, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 23,5,9 using 1d20+11,1d4+1,3d6.  Attack, damage, sneak attack.

Roen continued his assault on the dreaded plant monster, ducking and weaving and delivering more flurries of kicks and punches that delivered solid, iron-like blows.

While waiting for the others to take down the leading Shambler (#1), Myarra moves over to the trailing monster (#3), and slashes as soon as she's in range.  The sooner these plants go down, the better for everyone.

Round 3 results----------

Twiggy ducks and weaves to get behind the shambler to flank it, slashing the plant with his rapier. It was a solid hit for him, but not for what Rogues usually aim for. Byron uses his flank advantage to hack a big chunk off the plant as he slashes the shambler with his Greatsword. Shambler 3, under the affects of a Slow spell, slowly moves in on the spell casters as Lennox moves in to protect them, slashing, but missing the Shambler. Shambler 1, on the other root, nails Twiggy twice, grabs him and stuffs him inside its vegetative body as Nolan blasts the plant with a Magic Missile spell. Myarra hops into the air and charges in on Shambler 3, nailing it with her Greatsword as a chunk of root fell to the ground. Kalliyan swings her scimitar, but can't hit the broad-side of a barn, her panther staying out of the way of her and the over-grown weed. Amara pulls out a wand and shoots a Magic Missile at Shambler 3 while Lorrik continues to protect her. Roenthelm continues his martial arts moves and hits the plant with feet and hands and Shambler 1 crumples to the ground in a heap of yucky, rotted vegetation. Twiggy cries for help in there somewhere. Aliana pulls out a wand and touches Nolan with it as his wounds heal up. He feels much better.

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Byron            20        30/64
Shambler 3       19        ??/26     Slow!
Lennox           15        24/37
Nolan            14        49/76
Myarra           08        60/78
Kalliyan         06        30/30
Panther          06        ??/??
Amara            05        37/37
Lorrik           04        05/05
Roenthelm        04        33/52
Aliana           04        25/42

!Slow:: Move OR single action only @ -1 attack rolls, AC and Reflex saves. 1/2 Movement rate.


Main Battle Map has been updated

Byron moves to work on the remaining shambler.

I'm really beginning to dislike these overgrown weeds.  Lorric please dig Twiggy out of the remains of that overgrown weed.

17:42, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  To Hit Shambler #3.
17:42, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 12 using 2d6+4.  Damage to Shambler #3.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Wed 04 July 2018.

Amara took a step back, allowing her allies room to move if they needed it, and cast another magic missile at the beast.

Sister Aliana moved close to Byron to cast another cure, this time on him

OOC:
20:54, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 19 using 2d8+5.  CSW

Twiggy is suprised when he is grabbed and fights to get a breath before he is totally engulfed.

Kali, irritated by the perversion and frequency of attacks, seemingly had trouble focusing, but, with her last swing missing greatly, the graceful druid sent the scimitarin a curving arc, hitting the shambler a solid hit

<OOC: sorry for the absence guys.....internet in Europe has been spotty at best.


Kalliyan rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  To hit - scimitar.
Kalliyan rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Critical hit confirmation
Kalliyan rolled 7 using 1d6+3.  Damage - scimitar.


About bloody time she hit something! >

Roen decided to stay out of the way of all the whirling blades that descended upon the last Shambler to locate and dig Twiggy out of the rotted vegetation of the Shambler body they just defeated.

Come on, you walking compost pile.  Just give it up and let us be on our merry.  Believe me, we'll be back in a few minutes so your brothers and sisters can all try to kill us some more.  I promise."

Myarra doesn't even sound slightly winded as she chops at the shambler as if it were an overgrown rose bush.

Nolan got Aliana's attention and pointed to the south,

Let the warriors handle the last Shambling Mound. After you're done healing Byron, follow me.

Nolan moves over to where Roenthelm is, to look for Twiggy.

Aliana blinked in surprise, and nodded to the wizard, her eyes wide.
"Lead on, my friend.  How can I help you?"
She prepared to follow Nolan

Lennox swung his Greatsword with deadly accuracy, hitting the Shambler twice.

Round 4 results----------

After telling Lorrik to find Twiggy in the rotted body of the Shambler that just fell, Byron turned his attention to the last Shambler and charged in, slashing the last giant weed with his greatsword, pieces of plant falling to the ground. Shambler 3 slowly lashes out at Myarra and hits her in the side, rocking the warrior woman, as Lennox slashes at the over-grown weed with his greatsword, hitting it twice, sending pieces of plant flying in random directions. Nolan decides to let the warriors deal with the last Shambling mound as he moves to help locate Twiggy. Myarra takes the blow like it was nothing and counter attacks with a devastating blow that kills the plant. Kalliyan was on her way to help with the last Shambler, but it died before she could get there, but that didn't stop her from hitting the weed with her scimitar to get some frustration out. Amara was about to use her wand again, but decided that she'd save her charges and let the warriors continue to hack away. Lorrik did what he was told and moved over to where Twiggy was located to try and find him as Roenthelm spotted something and grabbed for it. He found a leg and pulled out Twiggy. Aliana moved over to where Byron was and used her wand on the warrior to heal some of his wounds. Twiggy feels like crap as he was pulled out of the rotted mass that used to be a Shambler, sucking in much needed air....

Battle is over.

After confirming the plants are indeed "dead", the party can hear chanting coming from the North behind the vine wall.

Spell Craft Checks

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Byron            20        49/64
Lennox           15        24/37
Nolan            14        49/76
Myarra           08        58/78
Kalliyan         06        30/30
Panther          06        ??/??
Amara            05        37/37
Lorrik           04        05/05
Roenthelm        04        33/52
Aliana           04        25/42
Twiggy           --        5/30

Main Battle Map has been updated

Twiggy stays there on his hands and knees gasping for air and trying not to throw up "This must be payback for me eating all of my vegtables."

Myarra kicks the fallen plant just for good measure, then turns and starts heading to the south, holding her side which does ache from the shambler's abuse.

"Okay, let's get out of here before whatever it is can summon more crap on us.  We'll get the horses settled safely with Lorrik to guard them, then we'll come back and finish this bastard once and for all."

Byron smiles at Myarra.

Myarra, for once you are right.  Lets get away from here.  Malzumar we will be back to kick your backside soon enough.

Turning to leave with the others, Byron smiles at Alianna.

Thank you for healing my most serious wound.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:07, Fri 13 July 2018.

In reply to Byron Rockhead (msg # 151):

Aliana grinned back at Byron as she walked
"I was hoping that I'd chosen the right one.   And you're most welcome, my friend "

Pointing to Twiggy, Lennox informs Aliana that Twiggy doesn't look too good,

"Twiggy looks bad. Please heal him, so we can be on our way. I can hear the chanting and it doesn't sound good."

Like a worried mother hen, Aliana rushed over to heal Twiggy

OOC:
18:41, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 15 using 2d8+7.  CSW

Amara also hurries over to Twiggy, but for a different reason. "Are you well enough to use or sling? Or can I borrow it and a slingshot?"

"What do you mean, for once, tin man?" Myarra asks (but with a smile) as she passes Byron.  "When have I ever been wrong?"

Twiggy stands up off of his hands and knees and stretches after being healed "Thank you Aliana, sorry about the smell.  Although it is no worse than the tin man on a regular day.  Unhooking his side pouch he hands Amara his slung stones and sling Here you go.  I have another bag of bullets in my backpack if you need them.  I will just use the returning dagger for now. It has unlimited ammo."  Twiggy then asks for the dagger from Lorrik as he has been using the bow "Lead on, we need to find a safe camp to plan."

Amara nods, takes the sling and bullets, chants briefly over a bullet, causing darkness to spring up around everyone, emanating from the bullet. Then she fits it to the sling by touch, beginning to swirl the sling.

Byron chuckles at the tin man comments.

You guys can make jokes about my armor all day long, but I'm not the one who got swallowed by an overgrown weed.

Nolan is ready to leave again, once Twiggy has recovered enough. The all too serious wizard speaks up,

Amara, go ahead with what you want to do. I don't like the sound of that chanting. Definitely not human. Okay folks let's hurry up and get out of here.

"That's pretty funny, but I don't think that's the case." Roen chuckled "Every farmer from North to South would have problems."


After Twiggy is healed up by Aliana, Roen follows Nolan away from the area. He listens to the chanting, but it appears that he doesn't understand it.

"Okay," Myarra replies to Byron.  "What do you call a candle in a suit of armor?   A Knight Light!"

"Or how about: What do you call a pedestal big enough for a single armored warrior?  A one Knight stand."

"I'm here all day folks!"

Byron chuckles at Myarra's jokes as he moves with away from the wall with the others.  Even as he enjoys the jokes he talks with Kali in a serious demeanor.

Kali, we seem to have encountered an abnormally large number of those Shambler things.  Do you have any thoughts on the largest number that have been encountered in an area before?

Twiggy chuckles at the puuns but is more concerned with the shamblers as he was almost digested by one. He quickly follows the others when they leave.

While Sister Aliana was busy healing wounded party members, Amara borrowed Twiggy's sling and cast a spell on a rock which produced Darkness. She aimed for the area where she thought the Chanting was coming from and slung the stone in that direction. A wide spread darkness flew through the air and landed over the vine wall, but the chanting continues. There are no more giant weed monsters coming after you as you travel away from the area to hopefully gather your strength again.

It's been a couple minutes now and the chanting can still be heard....

Once Amara has flung the bullet, she is ready to leave the area with the others.

Once Kali heard the chanting, her brow furrowed and she looked at the wall, in the direction of the chanting. Her look was one of anger and perplexity. "I know not what is being said, but I know two things. One is that whatever is chanting isn't human, or elven in nature. And two, they are using Druidic magic. I know the tone, the essence of nature magic, but how he has worded it, sing it, it is dark, perverse."

She looks at the others, both anger and concern in her eyes. "I have no doubt that whoever is chanting is causing all this."

She looks again in the direction, and Raieylan, at her side, growls with his haunches up, ill at ease at the chanting himself.

Five minutes of traveling and you can't see the vine wall anymore, but the chanting can be faintly heard off in the distance as rain clouds start to form in the sky.....

Twiggy looks back where the chanting is and thinks out loud "Can you cast silence on a stone and sling it in there?"

"Yes, but as with the darkness, the bullet it would need to land within a certain distance, about 20 feet. After several minutes of traveling, we are far enough that we should not be able to hear the chanting, and given the clouds, I'd say we likely don't have time to head back to do so before the spell is completed."

I have a very bad feeling that what ever it is, it is going to be a bad storm and sure to bring more of those overgrown weeds.

Byron looks over at Kali as he speaks.  One of the very few times anyone has seen him with a truly worried look on his face.

"Undoubtedly," Myarra agrees.

"So let's get healed up as best we can and then go face whatever crap is waiting for us.

Do we want to attack the plant wall, or should we try to go over it?  I'm not sure how long either route would take.  I can carry one person at a time, including Byron, just barely, if he didn't have a big breakfast.  But that's going to leave us separated for quite a while.  I don't know what spells Nolan and Amara have, if any, that would help out there.

Maybe just hacking a hole in the wall would be faster."

I don't like the look of those clouds forming. If it starts to rain, the chances of burning down this section of the swampy Forest will be nil. Also, attacking the wall will be ill-advised because of the poison that looked to be coming off those long thorns. I really hate to say this, but I think we should leave.

Twiggy looks at Nolan and agrees with him but doesnt want to give up yet. Unfortionatly, he doesnt know the best way to proceed so he stays quiet.

Somewhat low on spells, Aliana doesn't argue with the wise wizard

"If you think we're in over our heads, then I agree that we should leave. I can heal wounds, but removing poison is beyond my powers."

"Without the Stone of Balance, we will have failed. Is there a reason to believe this will become easier? I know not of one. I suggest we fall back, strategize, and return again, perhaps tomorrow."

"I suppose it makes sense to let whoever is there waste their spells and power preparing for an attack that we don't give it.

I agree, let's fall back for the day and return tomorrow.  We could also approach a couple hundred feet to one side or the other and see if we can't just get around behind it all."

Byron turns to Amara, the worried look still on his face.

Amara, we know the Stone of Balance is here, somewhere.  Our supposition is that the Stone of Balance is somewhere near the center.  For the time being it might be better to leave and rethink our strategy of dealing with the creatures in the area of this stone, to include gathering more information on Malzumar.  That information could help us defeat them more easily and at less risk.  I'm pretty sure most of us could some more healing and I'd bet that our spell casters could use some good studytime before we try again.

"In my experience there is always a door or window open. We can just wait and watch to see if anything comes out."

"There's always a way in, or else nothing would be coming out." Lennox added "I think it would be a good idea to find a safe place to rest and gather up our strength and approach the center from another angle like Myarra suggested. There is a lot of resistance here, so that tells me something is here. Perhaps the ones who can fly will scout about to see what's around?"

As the group moves further away from the area to look for a good place to rest, the clouds keep getting darker and rain drops start to fall down upon you. As you look in the sky, all of you, even Lorrik, can see that the "storm" is centrally located right where you are and is definitely being manipulated by magics.

You find several good places to camp for the night, but how far away do you all want to be from the "center"?

Thunder....

Sister Aliana looked up at the sky.
"Would a spell to dispel magic help here?"

We're too far away now, Aliana. Even if we were near the vine wall, no way we could tell where the caster was located. I regret trading off my Levitation Boots now.



I agree with you, Lennox. Who here, besides Myarra, can fly? Aliana? Can you still do that today? We need to see if we can get some information. Possibly see who the enemy is? A possible entrance through the vine wall? We need to know what we're dealing with here. Obviously someone quite powerful if it can control the weather.

"I can only levitate, not fly," Amara replied. "I could conjure a bridge that we could use as a ramp to get over the wall, but not knowing what is on the other side... I did not know how useful that would be. And we had more immediate issues."

Kali looked up at the storm, not knowing the spell being cast...but with the storm above increasing she had her suspicions. "Whoever is casting the spells on the other side is of greater skill than myself. But their spells are somehow.....wrong. Druids usually fight to protect nature and the balance. This druid seems to use his skills to strengthen and use it for his own reasons."

She looked at the others, a little concern on her face. "Now that we know it is using Druidic magic means we can prepare better. I know the skills of a druid, and their limitations. We can use that to our advantage." She looks at te storm. "But as much as I want to finish this now, preparation is needed."

In reply to Nolan (msg # 184):

Aliana shook her head
"I have no more flying spells today,  i'm afraid "

Twiggy lats them talk as he starts unwinding twine and making a perimeter line where he holds his bells.  He hangs a single bell on the center of each fifty foot of twine about four inches off the ground.  The square makes a 50'x50' coveted area. He mutters to himself "I am tired of these shamblers."

Twiggy if one of those overgrown weeds steps directly on that bell your not going to hear it.

Twiggy frowned and then thought "They only walk when attacked, I thought they slivered on the ground.  This will help a lite at least. Hmmm, I will place the bells by the trees so it holefully goes around them." Twiggy then moves the bells closer to the corners.

Amara was less concerned about the shamblers at the moment than the weather. "Kalliyan, what should we expect from this spell?" she gestured toward the clouds.

Thunder....

Byron looks up at the clouds.

I think that's going to be heavy rainstorm and it is going to make this stuff that much harder to work our way through.  The rain won't bother me that much.  I'm used to being out in it.

"That may be true, my friend, but when spell users need rest, they will get none with the rain pouring upon them." Roen said as he too looked to the sky

I'll just cast a Rope Trick spell and anyone who wishes to climb in it to sleep may do so. I'll be in it so my spell book doesn't get soaked.

In reply to Nolan (msg # 195):

Aliana nodded
"I'll join you, please. " 

Twiggy is curios what a rope trick spell is but know he will be better on the ground "I will stay on watch with Byron and oil his armor in case the tin man rusts up."

Byron chuckles at Twiggy's jokes then gives him a taste of his own medicine.

The only thing that is going to rust is your mouth if you keep leaving it open all the time.

Myarra looks to the sky with concern.

"Rain is fine.  I'm not afraid of getting wet.  It's the lightning that I'm concerned with.  Any chance this is one of those spells where you zap your enemies?"

"And doesn't lightning actually help some of these plant monsters?" Lennox asked "With the rain soaking them down, the lightning helping them, catching them on fire will be difficult."

"So, should we take a chance and hunker down here, or should we keep moving and try to get out of range?"

Aliana looked around
"Would hunkering put us in danger of more attacks in the night?"

"I'm more worried about getting hit by lightning if some evil druid kind of thing is controlling this storm."

"I'd have to agree. The storm can zap us with Lightning and the plants will come in and finish us off. I think we should move out of range and away from tall trees, in case they come alive like before."

Roen shakes his hand at the memory of punching the trees and how much it hurt.

"Do we know what the range is?

I think Nolan's pocket dimension is sufficient. The only issue with it is that we can't bring other pocket dimensions in - like bags of holding or handy haversacks."

Kali, preoccupied with the storm, listens to the group. "My recent insight has allowed me to cast a spell that summons lightning. This is not it....not something I know. Perhaps they are controlling weather, or something else, but I suggest that if we are not ready to face this, we move far from here. They will need to stay still to keep the spell going and it will be centred around the caster. If we regroup and maybe use stealth to determine this foe, we may have a chance of getting them off guard"

She looks at byron with a disaproving look. "....and don't let twiggy get you riled. Keep your focus."

Byron smiles at Kali.

He's not getting me riled up yet.  I do agree with your idea of trying to find a different way, but how long can they keep that brewing storm going and are we going to end up back in it once we do find a different way in?

Kali smiles at the warrior. "We know what we face. If we prepare, he will have little time to rest. He may be strong, but he is but one."

Twiggy looks at the storm "So we move farther out and wait until they are tired. Sounds easy enough, even for Byron.  How far out us a safe distance?"

With you around there is no safe distance.

Byron says in a teasing tone as he gives Twiggy a very serious look.

It begins to rain...rain that farmers love. The sky is dark and the thunder booms as Lightning brightens up the sky....

The party talks about tactics and where to sleep and within a couple minutes they are soaked from the rain. The horses love it.

"I think it would be best to move a bit further away.  We might be safe in Nolan's spell, but we're not going to get the horse up there.  The quicker we decide, the less mud we'll have to wade through."

Amara shrugs. She doesn't feel the need to move, but neither is she going to strongly argue against it, as she does not know enough about druids or druidic magic to make a logical argument. "Whatever we do, let us do it quickly. It is miserable marching in a thunderstorm."

OK, let's move out and find a wide enough clearing for the horses to huddle against each other and give us some room to fight if necessary.

Aliana joined the group move

Twiggy puts his head down and starts following the others. The heavy rain is makung it difficult to see or hear anything.

Myarra ponders the fact that slogging through mud is curiously similar to slogging through sand.  The thought cheers her up as the party marches to what they hope is a safer place to camp.

So, you all eventually come out of the area of effect of this "magical storm" and find a suitable place to rest among the trees and bushes that has enough space that Nolan requested. The storm rages on and it looks very strange to be out of the storm bone dry, and 20 feet away, the whole area is getting poured on.

Nolan casts his "Rope Trick" spell and shows it to everyone so they will know what to do when their guard shift is over, to wake up the next watch.

One end of his rope floats straights up in the sky and stops perhaps 10 feet up. He demonstrates the function and how you can see through the invisible window to see what's outside. To those of you who haven't been in one before, it's very strange to be in a space "not of this earth". It's complete blackness all around you, except for the window that leads "back".

So, if you wish to use this space, that's up to you.

Beginning watch: Nolan, Amara, Kalliyan: They watch the storm and their surroundings, but their watch is uneventful.

Middle watch: Lennox, Twiggy, Roenthelm: They hear the storm and attempt to listen to their surroundings, but it's difficult. Their watch is uneventful, though.

Last watch: Byron, Myarra, Lorrik and Aliana: The storm ends about an hour into their shift and another hour later (5amish) they spot a giant flying creature fly way above the tree line, heading "East". The dawn is starting to rise, but not enough yet to determine the color of the creature they suspect it to be. Their shift ends and the party starts to wake to prepare for another day.

Sister Aliana did her morning prayer and preparation before getting ready to head out
" Does anyone still need healing?"

Kali watches the storm pensively, knowing all too well what the cause of it was, as well the task ahead. She absently stroked Raieylan, who snoozed at her feet.

When her shift ends, she opts to sleep outside the unnatural space, feeling uncomfortable about the dimential area, and sleeps near the others who take watch. Any who watch her, can see the little she sleeps, that her movements are restless, like her dreams were disturbing. Raieylan sleeps at her side, occasionally opening up his green eye and snorting at the druids movements.

Nolan didn't have any problems sleeping because it was pretty rare that he actually did sleep. He still needed to rest, but after that was over, he prepared his spells for the day, focusing on combat, for he knew that there will be plenty of it today. He was still in the mind of burning the forest down on the outside of the wet storm radius and brought it up for the party to hear while they were preparing to leave.

I doubt any of the forest we'll be traveling into will burn, but I'm still thinking about burning out here. If something happens to us, I'd like for this area to be discovered by others.

The storm's unnatural nature bothers Byron almost as much as it bothers Kali as he watches it during his part of the watch.  As the group awakens for the day Byron attends to the horses to make sure they are fed and have had enough to drink to keep them healthy.

Roen helps Byron, even though the warrior probably doesn't need it. It was a chance to get to know the man a little bit more.

"So, what do you think of burning down the forest in this area? Even though your girl friend Kalliyan would probably disapprove of it, even she would have to admit that the evil it's hiding needs to be brought out to the light for everyone to see and know about. The forest will grow back, but what we're after will continue to fester if we don't. That's just my opinion."

Sister Aliana shrugged, almost apologetically.
"Well, some of the scholars at my temple say that a controlled burn of a forest can actually be good for it, with the ash providing food for future plants.  I mean, the natural forest will quickly recover from the burn, and the unnatural parts will be the ones to suffer, right?"

Twiggy doesn't have much to add about the ecology of the forest and watches the wall of rain. He rests outside of Nolan's hideyhole as his magic backpack will cause trouble.  Taking his watch he quickly returns to sleep.  Waking he waits to see what the group wants to do.

Easy Charger.  Byron says as he rubs his horse's neck.  Roen, I have no idea what Kali thinks about deliberately burning the area.  Yes Aliana, fire can help the area recover into something better.  However, even controlled burns can get out of hand and have disastrous consequences for those try it even with the best of intentions.  Given how rough the going has been to get this far, I believe a deliberate controlled burn would not be in our best interests at the moment.  I do understand Nolan's logic for wanting to do it.

Byron moves to take care of Aliana's horse.  I helped my father with a controlled burn on part of the farm when I was 13.  That same year, a family on the other side of Soubar lost control of their burn and it killed them and almost killed some of their neighbors who came to help get it back under control.  Fire, just like your fists, or Nolan's magic, or my sword is a tool.  Used correctly it is a good tool, but a mistake with it can get you hurt at best, and killed at worst.

Byron moves to Nox's horse.

But remember, I also have a Water Elemental that can Aid us, just in case the Fire gets out of control.

"I've got this terrible pain in all the sinews down my left side, Myarra tells Aliana after the offer of healing.  "I mean I've asked for them to be healed, but no one ever listens."   OOC: Even after sleeping, she's still down about 12hp.

She sits down on a handy log, intent on having her trail rations for a quick breakfast while the others are discussing the pros and cons of industrial scale arson.  It was always best to let the smart people get all the planning and scheming out of the way early.  That way there was more time for killing evil creatures in the late morning and afternoon.  Because it didn't matter what the final plan was going to be.  They'd get there, the plan would fall apart, and they'd fight for their lives. But smart people like to have their smarts admired, and Myarra was perfectly happy to oblige.  Despite their smarts, most of the group were pretty nice folks.

The only problem was that she'd forgotten the waxed package containing her meal, still balancing on her saddlebags next to her horse.  She'd gotten it out with her cloth and soap for washing up and left it behind.  She sighed and started to get up to fetch it when a strange feeling (she was getting used to them by now) came over her and words rose in her mind.  Pointing her finger at the package she uttered the phrase: έλα σε μένα, the words feeling like silk on her tongue.  Her breakfast rose into the air and floated into her hand.

"Mystra's сиськи!  This magic stuff is the дерьмо!"

She seems happier than you've become accustomed to her in the mornings.

Even though Myarra had been doing some magic for a time, this was thr first time Nolan really noticed and/or cared and spoke up about it.

Where did you learn that from?

Also curious about her winged friends magic, Aliana also cast an curing spell to help Myarra.

OOC:
16:56, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 16 using 2d8+8.  CSW

"I really have no idea, other than "Mystra" which doesn't really say much," Myarra explains.

"A while ago, I started talking to Amara about the magic I was born with, the darkness, fear, etc.  It's weaker than crap, but I thought maybe there was a way of strengthening it, making it less useless.

We hadn't gotten much of a chance to do anything other than just discuss the possibility when we went to Soubar and visited the Temple of Lathander.  I was trying to be on my best behavior which, in this case, meant sleeping in the back without snoring.

In my dreams a voice spoke to me. It was all terribly confusing, but my best guess is Mystra decided to grant my wish, being the trickster goddess we both know and love.

Since then, every now and again, this urge just overtakes me to move my hands and say some words and something happens that I need to have happen.  It's like she's giving me a tutorial on what magic she's loaded me up with.   I can mend things, make things float, and make myself big.  Maybe there's more, maybe there isn't.  I'm just taking it as it comes.

The only really hard, painful, soul crushing horror is that I'm going to need to apologize to you about all the nasty things I said about magic.  But not right now, I'm going to need a couple of really stiff drinks first."

The blonde elf maid smiled impishly
"No need to apologize,  my friend.    Magic is indeed a strange thing, especially divine magic, to an outsider.  Now that you're 'one of the family', so to speak,  all is forgiven."

Nolan jokes with Myarra, which is a rare thing for him,

Awww, does this mean we can't hold hands anymore while in the tower? Anyways,Care to fly around the top of the vine wall and look for an entrance we can hack our way through?

kali, silently looking in the direction of the wall, looked at Nolan.

"I can help with that....now i have figured out how to change forme i can fly around and look myself. two eyes are better than one."

there was a hint of her usual joyful self, though her eyes still mirrored concern of the new enemy being a druid

Sister Aliana nodded.
"If you need a third set, I can cast a spell to help me fly."

Myarra smiles back at Nolan, but doesn't answer.  He jokes so seldom that she's actually confused with how to respond.  Speechlessness is not something she has to deal with often.  Instead she weighs in on his suggestion for their current mission.

Unlike Byron the weighty and ponderous, I can easily carry you," Myarra tells Aliana.  "Or Kalli, or Twiggy, for that matter.  That way we get two sets of eyes, but you don't need to waste magic.  My intention is to fly high enough up that I hope we're out of range and just see what we can see."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:27, Thu 13 Sept 2018.

The cleric smiled with excitement.
"That would be lovely!!!"

Byron chuckles at Myarra's joke about his weight as he looks over at Nolan in surprise.

Nolan, I'm shocked.  I didn't know you had such a sense of humor about your profession.

Twiggy just raised hos eyebrows at Nolan joking and was suprised.  He did chuckle at Myarra's joke at Byrons expence.  The halfling did perk up at the idea of flying "That sounds like fun. Can i go flying?"

"Sigh," Myarra says, literally saying sigh, rather than actually sighing.  "Everybody wants me.  It's my curse.

Twiggy, you've got the sharpest eyes, so why don't I take you.  Aliana, I'll be happy to take you up later.   I'm not saying you or Kalli can't use you magic as well, but why don't we see what Twiggy and I can see first."

Moving around behind the rogue, she lifts him up so that her arms cross over his waist and chest.   "You'll be most comfortable if you wrap your legs backwards around mine.  That will keep you from dangling.  Remember, while we're up there, keep a look out for incoming dragons as well as the plant wall.  Dragons like to snack on the wing."

Then spreading her wings, she takes to the air, spiraling up over the party until she reaches about 500 feet, then banks over and heads towards the plant wall.

Kali smiled at the sight of the Halfling on Myarra, and couldn't help but giggle...the first joyful sound from her in a while.  As they took off, she looked at the others. "I might join them...another pair of eyes and all."

She stood with her eyes shut, and spread her wings as she changed size and emmited a white light.  Within moments, a Kite with red feathers sat on the ground, and with a sweep of wings, the bird took off.

Raieylann looked as the bird left, and snorted, turned and nudged Byron as he lie down on the ground

Byron smiles nervously at the big cat.  Having a good idea what the big cat is thinking and feeling.

I know Raieylann.  It makes me nervous too.  She is in good company with Myarra though.

I still think that we should burn the forest around here. It's common knowledge that  you smoke your enemy out  with fire if they're hiding in rough vegetation like this. To get rid of the enemy you take away his hiding spot. I know some wild animals will be displaced, but they'll live and go on with their life like nothing happened and the forest will eventually grow back. But the evil that's hiding in this will be gone.

Twiggy was almost giddy as Myrra took off. As they were asending he looks up to her and says "You would do anything to get some alone time with me wont you." Twiggy giggled but kept a sharp eye on the ground and to the sky. It is to much for him to look around and spot anything but he is able to concentrait on certain areas with clarity.

15:03, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 10 using 1d20+7.  Reroll spot check, halfling luck domain.
15:02, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 31,15 using 1d20+14,1d20+7.  Search, spot.

Sister Aliana was disappointed,  but she couldn't deny the halfling the pleasure of flight

So, Kalliyan transforms into a small red Kite bird and follows Myarra, who's carrying Twiggy. From the height of 500 feet, all 3 of you can see for miles in every direction. So far, nothing big is in the air with you. Then you fly down towards the tall vine wall to see if you could spot anything out of the ordinary on the other side. It's looks like a tangled mess like you've been traveling through so far and the weird shimmering fog?? totally reminds you of walking through Lyran's Hold. Then Kalliyan spots an opening and sees some ruins? down there. Myarra flies back with Twiggy and all 3 of you look at the ruins...


Message 2 has been updated

link to a message in this game

"Looks like we've found our stone." Myarra says to Twiggy.  "But I don't like the look of that mist.  You weren't with us when we met Hanns the ghost librarian, but somewhere around here is a tear in the weave.  It's supposed to look like that mist there.  If we go through, we end up in the past.  Hanns strongly suggested we don't.

Problem is, he only knew us because we DID go through it and met him long ago.  So I'm not sure how much choice we're going to get.

Let's head back to the others," she finishes, banking around again to head back to camp.  They know where the stone is, and what the other side of the wall looks like.   Now all they have to do it go there, break through, and deal with the inevitable bad guys.

Kali, circling above the others sees them defending and swoops down to the ground, opening her wings at the last moment and touching down softly. Within moments, the telltale glow appears and where the kite was, Kali again stands, with an exilirated look on her face. "Damn, that's so much fun." She says with a smile on her face.

She shakes her head, her red hair cascading around her shoulders. She looks at the others. "The others are almost back, but we found the stone I think.....but there's a problem." He looks up and watches the other two return

In reply to Kalliyan (msg # 248):

Aliana grinned wryly
"Isn't there always? I'd almost be disappointed if there wasn't "

Twiggy stares st the area and takes mental notes of hiding places. He also didn't like the mist and was intrigued with time travel as now his whole family is old or gone from his time in the mirror.  "How much time in the past are you saying. Two weeks, years, centuries, millinium?" As they landed Twiggy gave Myrra's hand a small squeeze before unwinding from her, "Thank you, that was amazing.  Although I think Alania was disappointed she couldn't go."  Twiggy could only chuckle at Alania's comment as nothing is ever easy.

Nox waited patiently for the scouts to return. He wanted to go and look about himself, but wanted to save his special power in case he really needed it. When they finally came back, he was anxious to hear what they had to say.

"What did you find?"

Byron smiles at the big cat.

I told you so.

Byron turns to look at Kali with concern on his face.

What kind of problem, sweetheart?

Kali looks at both the panther and Byron. She raises her eyebrow at Byron. "Sweetheart" She says in an accusation tone (though there was some mocking in her voice....something again unheard from the woman in a few days).

She placed her hands on her hips and looked at Raieylan. "And since when did you side with him?"

The panther looked at Byron, yawned and lied down, closing his eyes.

Kali narrowed her eyes at the panther. "Traitror" She muttered. The panther opened and eye and snorted at the woman.

She then stepped forward poking a finger in his chest. "People have to earn those kind of names buddy, and i don't know if your there...."

She turned away, hiding a smile.

"....yet."

She took a few steps, then turned around and stepped up to him, and kissed him on the cheek. "But it's nice you were worried....there was no need though."

Then, moving her attention to others, she looked at Lennox. There was the stone, but there was some strange mist....the kind i have yet to see in my life. It seemed....ageless, old, natural, yet not. It's hard to explain. Maybe the others can explain more."

Byron chuckles lightly.

We were both concerned about you.  I told him you would be safe in Myarra's company while you were flying.

Looking at Myarra he asks his next question.

I don't suppose there's any way around this mist to get to the stone?

Twiggy stepped closer to Raieylan and yawned fighting the urge to lay down and close his eyes too.  Saying quietly to the panther "I agree with you buddy. Byron bores me too."

Twiggy stands there sleepy looking for a moment until the mist is mentioned "Tell us more how the mist makes you travel back in time.  It was everywhere with not any real way to avoid it."

Myarra swoops in and drops Twiggy lightly on his feet before doing a final circle and landing herself.  Trying to land with someone blocking your legs tends to cause a face-plant that is injurious to more than just yourself.

Moving over, she squats briefly to let Raieylan sniff her hand and to gain permission before lightly scritching the panther behind the ears.   He was so totally different from her beloved Sule, but seeing him and Kali together still gave her a pang of loss.

Moving over to Kali, she kisses the druid lightly on the cheek.  "Impressive flying, sweetheart.  Very nicely done." she tells her with a wink.

"Oh, Byron, sorry, didn't see you there.  In all that iron, I must have mistaken you for one of Nolan's golems."

So, yes, we seem to have found the stone.  It's on the other side of the plant wall, and the terrain over there is just as overgrown as here.  We didn't see anyone, and nobody tried to attack us, so maybe, just maybe whatever that thing was they flew away last night was our attacker.  Probably a dragon, and that's never a good thing.  No idea how much time we have before it returns, and what it will bring with it.

But our real problem is the mist.  About two ten-days ago, we were re-homing a tribe of lizardmen because of a deal we made with another dragon.  And in the process we met the ghost of a librarian.  And this is where it gets weird.

Hanns knew us because he'd met us in the distant past, after we'd passed through a tear in the Weave, which is a event that is still sometime in our future.  He also said that it was a bad idea, and that when the time came, we should not do it.

And the mist that surrounds the stone looks an awful lot like what he was talking about, and this is, roughly, the area he said the tear was in.  And, as Twiggy said, the mist is everywhere.  There is no way around it.

So, what do we do now?  Go after the stone, knowing that we might be thrown into the distant past, which an ancient ghost advised us not to do?  Or not go after the stone, which means the stones of balance would remain out of balance, and bad things will continue to happen?"

Byron chuckles at Myarra's comment about Nolan's golems, then he turns as serious as he's ever been.

I remember some of what Hans said about that.  I wasn't paying the best of attention to his comments though.  I'm pretty sure that we will have to risk going through this fog and "tear" at some point in time.  As bad of an idea as it might be I don't see that we have much choice in the matter.  If we even have a choice at all.

Kira smiles at Myarra's return, and has a slight blush at her compliment. "Nothing on your effort Myarra....and carrying trigger as well, very impressive."

She giggles at Myarra's comments to Byron, looking at the man, then speaking to Myarra again. "The sweet golem was worried about me....can you imagine?" Her tone was obviously stirring byron.

She then listened to the tale about the ghost and the mist. She shook her head, a thought coming to her.  "Wait...you said this ghost warned you because he had met you already. Wouldn't you NOT going change him warning you, and thus you go through without warning and.....oh, dear. I think it's so confusing."

Twiggy starts thinking about it an begins laughing at the c9nfusing possibilities "Kali is right, we are going through the time mist.  No matter what we do the great web of our lives has already been spun and we are just acting out a predetermined path. So much for us determing our own destiny.

That or we all know we will do what is right to put the stones back in place n9 matter the cost, or time. Twiggy was still chuckling as he shrugged his shoulders and slowly shook his head.

"I can only tell you what Hanns told me.  If you want philosophy, you'll have to check with Nolan or Amara.  Hanns said that we would still have a choice, and we should choose not to.

But if things turn out like they always do, I'm sure Twiggy is right, we'll end up doing it anyway."

Nolan stood there listening to everyone talk about the mist and the old librarian Hanns.

I liked that old man. He helped me a lot in my younger years with my studies. He's pretty protective, but for us to skip going through the mist will mean that he won't be able to tell us not to go through it in the past, thus preventing us from determining if we should go through it now. We are technically stuck in Limbo unless we find the tear and possibly mend it with magics. The mist you see is from the tear itself.

Nolan, at a guess, is the mist around the stone of balance here, the same as the mist in Lyran's Hold?

Roenthelm listened to the conversation, remembering the mist from the dungeons he was freed from, but it really amazed him that it could be a tear in the weave with the magics leaking out and an unknown being manipulating plants to keep the party away.

"I wouldn't even guess as to how this weave thing works or if we should be stepping through this or that. But, I do have a question. How are we getting in there if the vine wall is most likely encompassing that whole location?"

Other than Lyran's Hold, I have never encountered the Mist before, so I would say it's the same thing. We can walk within the mist, just avoid the tear.

Byron continues to look at Nolan.  A look of deep thought on the warrior's normally easy going face.

Assuming we can see the tear once we are in the mist(s).  Somehow I have a strange feeling we aren't going to be able to see this tear until after we've walked through it.

Anyone looking at Byron can see the shiver that hits his body as he talks.

Nolan has a serious look to his face, like he was teaching a student in class,

I have a feeling we'll be able to see it because Hanns told us not to go through it. The mist plays tricks with your mind, but so far it's been harmless. But, that was in Lyran's Hold. I have no clue what it will do here.

Byron looks at Nolan as he replies.

I hope you are right Nolan.

Turning to look at Aliana.

Aliana, do you want to carry the Flame Tongue today?

Aliana  nodded and smiled
"I'll never turn down the chance to carry a magic sword "

Twiggy thinks of the geiser bottle he is carrying then of magic.  Looking to Nolan Would you have a spell that could blow the mist away?  Where ever it is coming from would be the direction of the tear."

"The only one I'm aware of would be a Gust of Wind spell, but I don't think that will be enough to blow the mist around effectively, if at all." Nox replied "When a ghost advises you to stay out of the tear, the mist coming from it will be something special. And now that we are talking about this tear, where does it lead to, and what's coming out of it?"

"All Hanns told us was that the tear leads back in time.

But he did say we should choose not to go into it.  So Hanns certainly believed that it wasn't inevitable."

That would be very interesting to go back into the past. But, very dangerous. The smallest action could change the course of history for the good or bad. And you'll never know if it is good or bad until you come back to the future and see if you're still alive.

So, I suggest that we stay away from the tear completely. So if we can't find a way in because of the vegetation covering all of the structure around the area I think we need to fly over and take care of business once we're on the ground again.

Byron listens carefully to Nolan's comments before taking a couple of minutes to reply.

The more I think about what you are saying Nolan.  The more I think that you are right about seeing the tear.  At the same time the more I think about it, the more I think we won't even be able to fly over it.   I think we are going to go through it no matter what we try to do to avoid it.

The party has a big decision to make. They know something is on the other side of the poisonous vine wall, something that is manipulating the local plant creatures of nature. And so far, they haven't seen a way to get inside because it's most likely covered up by the vine wall to prevent anything from getting inside. You all know that you have found one of the Way-Stones, so the Stone of Balance for the South has to be really near. The information Myarra remembers Hanns telling the party doesn't fully explain what they're currently seeing, so entering the area in the mist could be dangerous, or it could be not.

What do you all wish to do?

Sister Aliana shrugged.
"I forget....did we suggest flying everyone over the misty wall?"

Kali,  how are you going to get Raieylan over the wall?  As strong as Myarra is, she is going to struggle getting me over the wall.

I'm sure there is a way through it but, I have no clue where that entrance is . If anyone has any suggestions on how to get through, I'm all ears. But if we come up with nothing we're going to have to fly over it if we're going to get in there.

Kali looked at the wall, hesitation on her face thinking of her feline friend. "I don't know if he could get through on his own. I know i could use my powers to help guide him through but still, it is unnatural and may see through anything i do. I can't carry him while i am in bird form, and i doubt Myarra could either....he's a heavy cat."

Raieylan glares at Kali and snorts with a low growl.  Kali furrows her brow and looks at the panther. "...No, i'm not calling you fat. Grumpy, yes, moody, definatly, but never fat."

The panther snorts again and lays down, allowing Kali to smile.

She thinks and then smiles, looking at the panther. "There may be a way, but i know he won't like it much."

In reply to Kalliyan (msg # 278):

Byron teases Kali a little more trying to put her in better frame of mind.

Sweetheart, what do you mean by a way that he won't like much?

Byron reaches down and gently rubs the big cat between his ears.

Easy my friend, I know she needs your help as much as you need her's.  Besides, the truth is we all need your help too.

Twiggy giggles "You are going to put him in a bag of holding arnt you?"

"I've already seen the other side, so I'll use my ability to travel through the shadows. Unfortunately, it's a one person deal so I'll have to meet up with you where ever you land. We also have to talk about who is going to stay behind and take care of the horses along with Lorrik."

Roen added his 2 coppers to the conversation,

"I don't weigh all that much and my gear is minimal. I'm sure even Twiggy could lift me, if he needed to."

Lorrik seemed a bit insulted by Lennox's comment and it showed on his face,

"I can take care of horses while you're all away over the wall. If any plant monsters come in, I'll flee with them. But, I seriously doubt I'll get any attention. You guys will get it all."

Kali looked at the panther, a wicked smile on his face, then spoke to Myarra

"If he was smaller, do you think you could carry him swiftly enough over the wall? He won't like it but will behave "

She then looked at Twiggy. "You try put him in a bag and he'll usen you as a chew toy....and i'll let him. Remember, he's a wild animal."

She points at Byron again. "And if you keep calling me that, i may ask you to back the claim up....If you can handle it?"

Myarra gives Raieylan a critical look.   "I can lift the human iron golem here, although just barely, and I'm slower than an Earl paying his taxes while doing so.  As long as you can reduce him to the same weight or hopefully less,  I should be able to manage it.  I'm frankly more worried about him disassembling me from panic.  And I wouldn't blame him. Climbing trees are one thing, free flying can be terrifying."

Byron chuckles and smiles at Myarra and Kali.  It is obvious to the girls that he's comfortable enough around them to not only take their teasing in stride but enjoy the humor of the moment even when discussing a serious topic.

Myarra, just because my armor makes me look like one Nolan's Golems doesn't mean I don't have a good heart and a good brain to go with them.  Kali, once we get out of this accursed garden I might actually take you up on that offer.

"Why Byron, I don't believe I ever suggested any thing otherwise.  I'm simply amused by your desire clad yourself in large iron barrel.  But in a stand-up, toe-to-toe, slugfest, there is no one I'd rather have at my back."

Making a comment about the fighting capabilities of the group, Nolan comments

I'd rather have my golems, but anyways, I can travel using a Dimension door spell to bypass the wall and I can take 3 people with me. I suggest Byron, since he's heavy in that armor of his and I'll let the rest of you decide the other two.

"As much as I love to fly, I can cast my flight spell on someone stronger than I, if that helps "

Byron turns to look at Nolan and asks a serious question.  No hint of his usual easygoing nature in his tone.

Nolan, will that door cause issues with my backpack?  I'd hate for something bad to happen between the two things.

My spell is a minor form of teleportation. Your backpack will not affect it in any way and I don't see any adverse effects that the spell will do to your item, so I think everything will be safe.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:09, Fri 19 Oct 2018.

As long as you are confident there won't be an issue then I'll go for that.  The other option was to pack my armor in it and have Myarra drop me over the other side of the wall.

So, who's going to go with Nolan through his Dimension Door spell?

Aliana will wait to see if her flying spell is needed or if she can go with Nolan

"I can levitate, so it should be easy for someone to help me get across," Amara said. "Perhaps if we believe that this is going to take us back in time, however, it would be better to first obtain the others Stones of Balance and then return? Doing so, we could also let others know what danger we may be facing. Or am I missing some urgency?"

Twiggy looks at the panther and doesnt want to be a chew toy.  "We can send him through the door with Nolan, I am light so I can be carried or tossed over."

Kali can't help but smile as she addresses the panther. "So...you like my idea of flying with Myarra, or you want to go with byron?"?

The panther snorts as he looks at Kali with the best 'are you stupid' look, and pads over to Byron.

Kali giggles and looks at byron, all humor dropping. "He gets hurt and you'll have more than him to worry about."

Byron smiles at Kali.

I won't let him get hurt.  I'm sure he'd be just as happy to use me as a chew toy as he would Twiggy if something did happen.  Just take care of yourself too.

Byron looks at Twiggy and chuckles.

I'll be happy to toss you over the wall now if you want.

Twiggy grins "Give it a try, hopefully your arms are as stong as your stench."

"I have a spell that can build a bridge by solidifying illusions. I could try to make it into a ramp from the bottom to the top of the wall that we can all climb over. If that works, I should also be able to make a ramp down. It would likely be faster and easier than flying, and we would be less split up." Amara offered.

"Will it be close to the wall? Just asking because the wall also attacked us with vines that were strangling Twiggy and Aliana. And if the vines are also barbed with poison, can anyone here cure us of that? Also, if this happens and we're 40 or 50 feet in the air, only people flying will be able to help them. I will be using my power to transport me to the other side."

I'd have to agree with you Lennox, but let's hear the details on her spell. It might work.

Turning to Amara,

OK, what are the details on your spell making this bridge? You just heard Lennox's concerns. Can you make it where we can stay away from the dangerous vine wall?

"It is a short-lived path made of solid illusions, wide enough for one person at a time, which must be supported at the beginning and end by a solid surface - but which can stand at any angle. So it will have to be anchored to the top of the wall to work. It can support all of the humanoids and the panther at the same time, but we'd have to leave the horses behind. We'd have to move relatively quick - it won't last long enough for us to battle much while on it - but it should be sufficient for everyone to get over.

As for the dangers of the plants, that would need to be dealt with separately."

Twiggy nodded and looked at Nolan "Any chance you can make us all invisible while you are at it.  Sneak in undetected."

Your spell won't work for us then, Amara. We want to avoid contact with that wall at all costs. If the wall wasn't attacking us and had poison barbs, I'd be fine with it. Thanks for your input.

Turning to Twiggy,

Mystra has granted me the power to cast it upon myself once for today. Sorry.

Turning back to the party,

Anyone else have any suggestions to bypass the wall?

"I can cast invisibility sphere or several individual invisibilities" Amara noted.

I would suggest saving the spells for when combat is going to be more likely.  They are like the bolts for my crossbow.  Once they are used, they have to be replaced.

"Invisibility Sphere would be very nice. We know we're going to be facing somebody on the other side, so I'd go with that to get the element of surprise. Just wait for me after I reappear with the group again."

Twiggy shrugs then looks at Nolan "You are definately the smartest of the group Nolan, tell us how to proceed?  If we should."

"One plan is the same as any other for me.  As long as the plan puts me within chopping distance of our enemies, that's all I ask."

OK, here we go...

After leaving Lorrik and the horses behind in their "safe" camp, The party travels back through to where they fought the Shambling Mounds. The whole area is wet from the strange thunder storm in the middle of what's supposed to be summer. You arrive near the vine wall, but be sure to stay away from it, in case it attacked again.

Amara levitates into the air until she is above the height of the vine wall, then Myarra, carrying Roenthelm, fly into the sky and push Amara so she'll be clear to Levitate down again. Sister Aliana, carrying Twiggy, follow Myarra.

Nolan casts a Dimension Door spell and he, along with Byron, Kalliyan and her Panther, walk through the magical door while Lennox disappears into a wisp of smoke.

You arrive on the other side of the vine wall and into what appears to be an over-run garden with various types of plants...several which Roenthelm know are highly sought after for healing. Now that the party is below the height of the vine wall and on the ground, the whole area is in a misty fog that reminds you of being in Lyran's Hold. It's very creepy and very unsettling. Visibility is tricky with the various shapes that the mist produces to trick the mind, but to the North, the Waystone can be clearly seen, along with a glowing floating "tear" in the air that starts near the Waystone and goes along through the brush and trees (A-34 thru R-55+). That must be the tear that Hanns warned you all about. Going through that will have dire consequences. The Mist is coming from this tear, which makes you wonder....

You all hear some "evil" chanting again, but you all get mixed signals on where it is coming from. Some of you say to the "North", some say "East" and a couple of you thought it was right next to you.

"Komdu til mín, komdu til mín ..."

Main Map has been updated
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:52, Wed 07 Nov 2018.

Nolan immediately went on guard because he didn't know exactly where the chanting was coming from. It didn't take him long to recognize the Abyssal language and that the speaker was trying to summon something.

Stay on guard everyone. Expect company. Let's move to the Waystone.

Amara returns to the ground, and begins to head toward the Waystone with the party.

Roen follows, listening to the chanting, but not knowing what it means,

"Does anyone know what that chanting is saying?"

He looks around for possible enemies, expecting more plant monsters to appear like last time.

Once we are through to the other side Byron immediately draws his sword and looks around for danger.  Moving away from Nolan, Kali, and the big cat, but just far enough so he can swing his sword without putting them in danger.

19:55, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Spot Check.

Well, at least we can see the tear.  That's something good, right?

Twiggy smiles at Sister Aliana as she flys him over the wall. He is about to make a joking comment when they touch down but he keeps looking up for whatever is chanting. Hearing the warning he moves off to the side and tries hiding under som foliage to wait for a prime time to attack. He then readies his sling and casts magic stone on three bullets.

, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 20 using 1d20+15.  Hi

Sister Aliana caught her breath after carrying the Halfling, and tried to perk up her elven ears to catch what was happening.
OOC:17:51, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  knowledge religion.

17:50, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 17 using 1d20+7.  knowledge arcana.

17:50, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  listen.

Lennox appears in a wisp of smoke with his sword already drawn, ready to fight. He looks around to make sure everyone was OK, but he too couldn't find the location of the chanting. When Nolan suggested they start moving to the Waystone, he followed.

"Whatever it's saying, it's not good."

The chanting is summoning something. It's telling it to come here. Let's just keep moving. I'm sure we'll see or hear something approaching as we're all confused on it's location.

Nolan continues moving.

The party gets into marching order and moves nearer to the portal, looking and listening for anything to locate where the chanting is coming from, while whoever is chanting continues to do so...

Nobody sees or spots anything out of the ordinary except the tear in the weave. You're knowledgeable and experienced enough that you would guess the summoner might be near the "Tear".

Will Saves

Map Updated

Aliana felt the tug of magic,  but used her clerical meditation techniques,  learned at the Great Library, to try to resist

OOC: 19:24, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Will save

OOC: 21:48, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 7 using 1d20+5.  Will Save.


For some unknown reason Byron feels himself being drawn towards the tear and begins to move in that direction.

Roen continues to move forward with the party, but he has concerns with the strange tear that seems to be floating in the air across the area. He just hoped it didn't move if the party approached too closely.

Twiggy keeps on his toes looking all around as he skirts from shadow to shadow.  He feels odd but is trying to shake the feeling.

05:06, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 26 using 1d20+8.  Will save.

Myarra brings up the rear, sword ready.  She still doesn't know what to think about the tear, or whether or not they should go through it.  Frankly, she figures that whatever is meant to happen is what's going to happen, and she should just not worry about.  Not, of course, that she can stop worrying about it.

If only the summoner would show himself so she could just kill him.  That would make her a lot happier.

12:29, Today: Myarra rolled 19 using 1d20+5.  Will Save.

Nolan continues on, looking for the summoner and hopefully, the stone of balance.

19:27, Today: Nolan rolled 16 using 1d20+8.  will save .

Amara could feel the magic soak into her, frowning slightly as she looked around for either the caster or the Balance Stone.

Surprise Round----------

The party kept creeping along, looking for the chanting summoner and not finding "it". Then they all felt some magics wash over them, but before they could feel the affects of it, Amara glows for a good 5 seconds and then you all hear a deep roar of a monster to the North-East. Byron and Aliana see the creature as 3 dirt shapes the size of ogres rise out of the ground...

The creature looks like a demonic looking tree with many "eyes" and a mouth full of sharp "teeth". There are at least 6 limbs moving around that look like they could skewer an ogre. The mist clears away from the "monster" to reveal dozens of dead bodies that ventured here and died. The tear in the weave goes straight through the trunk of the monster. So, you could guess that it's here and "there". Where ever "there" might be. It tries to move, but something is keeping it at bay...

You all think this might be a really bad mistake coming here...

Initiatives from everyone. The fight has started!

Name         Initiative    Health    Misc.
Tree Demon       14        ??/??
Elemental        11        ??/??
Elemental        10        ??/??
Elemental        08        ??/??
Myarra           ??        78/78
Byron            ??        69/69
Amara            ??        37/37
Lennox           ??        37/37
Roenthelm        ??        52/52
Nolan            ??        76/76
Kalliyan         ??        30/30
Panther          ??        ??/??
Twiggy           ??        30/30
Aliana           ??        42/42

Main Battle Map has been updated
Game Map 1 shows Tree Monster
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:47, Sat 24 Nov 2018.

So much for good intentions. I guess it is back to work and kicking butt.  If anyone has a good idea on how we should fight these things, now would be a good time to speak up.

Byron begins to move to the closest creature readying his sword.

OOC: 22:26, Today: Byron Rockhead rolled 16 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.  BB, note the PM I sent about my hit point total.

Sister Aliana got ready to defend herself.
OOC:


21:41, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 13 using 1d20+3.  initiative.

"Magic is targeting us - beware," Amara stated simply, her eyes appearing to still glow slightly.

She was slow to react, perhaps still looking for the caster instead of the creations.

Twiggy is quick on his feet and quicker with his wit "Do we still have enough time to retreat? Aliana, do you have any protection from evil spells, summoned creatures cant touch you when protected.  he then sends one of his magic stones from his sling at the tree creature.

10:25, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 21 using 1d20+4.  Init

05:41, Today: Twiggy Flinch rolled 17,4 using 1d20+10,1d6+1.  Attack.


This message was last edited by the player at 11:43, Mon 26 Nov 2018.

Without a word, Nolan moves to X-33 and prepares a spell as several magic missiles hits the elemental nearest Byron.

10:31, Today: Nolan rolled 21 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missile.
10:30, Today: Nolan rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

Without a word, Kali and raieylan look at each other and know each other's place in the coming battle. Raieylan crouches, clearly protecting the woman while she draws her new scimitar and looks at the beasts. She lays a hand on raieylan and mutters a spell <Casts Magic Fang on Raieylan>

She then begins chanting in a clear melodic voice, the sound almost echoing in the area as she looks at the tree with cold even eyes, her arms out wide as she speaks the unusual language you all recognize as her calling to nature to help her <Casts Summon Natures Ally II>

<OOC: Kalliyan rolled 18 using 1d20+2 (Iniative)>

Roen quickly moved in to protect Aliana from the dirt monsters, so she could step back and cast her needed spells.

Move to W-37 Fight defensively