Hearing Dysis warning, Arthanos lowered his outstretched hand and raised his shield slightly, centering himself to face the Caliban in front, trusting Petracles to have his back and flank.

"Friends, we really would prefer not to fight. Our issue is with the boarmen who have raided Thena lands. If they continue to raid, then more and more people will come tramping through your forest and with greater numbers in an effort to get rid of them. If we deal with them now, then the threat to our people is gone, and you will be left in peace."

10:54, Today: Arthanos rolled 4 using 1d20+3. Personal Charisma. - I'm interpreting that to mean me moving into a combat stance completely undermined my words.

Aleta looks at the Cailban "Look, we are not just some people to be messed with, we have been sent on an important mission of vengeance, now do you want to not hinder us or not? We have been directed by the gods to do this and we are not stopping just for you, maybe you could aid us and please the gods" She slips her hand close to a throwing dagger. She is hoping to scare them a little bit.

Petracles nods.
"She has certainly grown into a beautiful woman.  Even more beautiful than I remember..."

---

Petracles hefts his shield ready, turning towards the unseen opponents pointed out by Dysis.  His hand was on his sword hilt,
but the weapon was still sheathed.  He turns his head to look at the Caliban and speaks to it in Gaian;
[Language unknown: "Ev io Dinvorich poit Nceundvir fist Esacom, iv ine itel illorehoutio usil antionine witlesard utwhi ain stun Stpama.
Ivch th ar ma omhiom, os set trck laulnt onei ch ch Ouhiee."]
23:51, Today: Petracles rolled 6 using 2d2+3. Personal Charisma. 

Then to the others, "We will pay for our passage in Silver, and pass in peace."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Tue 12 June 2012.

The other two Calibans step out from the bushes, javelins in hand as well.

The first one responds, first to Petracles

"A friend of a centaur is no friend of ours." he snarls in Minean, not bothering to respond in the tongue that Petracles spoke to him in. "Your silver doesn't impress us either, human."

He then looks at the others, taking them in by measure.  It seems that their words did have some effect as they consider the individuals that they face. The Caliban gaves a look to the other two present who nod back at him. "But we will let you go past. For now." he says. "I warn you, beware of Euryskos, humans. He is our enemy. He is not to be trusted."

He nods to his fellows and starts head back into the bush from whence he came when he halts and turns back, looking at the group "Perhaps you'll keep an eye out for him for us. Euryskos, that is. It could be that if you let us know where we can find him, we might be able to help you with your boarmen problem..."

He pauses, awaiting the group's answer.

Petracles replies to the Caliban in its own tongue.

[Language unknown: "No waant estsettio loainc ho ceaten peou ca.  M us sonartthe evel Oerughmenons iv wasafo o ereintame."]

"Very well, lets go Arthanus."

Aleta follows along, keeping an eye out behind them for anything. She slowly walks along, walking lightly.

Arthanos listens to the Caliban's offer of help before replying.

"Can you describe this Euryskos for us, so we will be able to identify him when we see him? And you offer of help is much appreciated."

Dysis was curious to hear the identity of this "Euryskos."   If they could in fact use the caliban against the boarmen, it was the sort of resolution she preferred. There was little glory in combat to be had for herself.

Of course, such allies might easily prove treacherous.  Quite possible they were merely bluffing, in order to have help locating their enemy.

For now, though, no one had taken a spear in the gut.  She was satisfied with that.

The Caliban's smile smacks of maliciousness as he answers Arthanos' question. "He is a Satyr, and will look similar to us, though he is much, much older then we are. He is the only one you will find in this forest, though he continues to evade us. He is a friend of the nymphs." he says. "If you tell us where to find him, we will help you against the boarmen. Just come back to this spot." With that, the Caliban moves into the bushes and out of sight.

OOC: For successfully avoiding a hostile encounter, everybody please put in 25 points to your Glory, Wisdom or Experience (whichever is applicable to your character)

Aleta smiles at the Satyr "Good travels be with you" she just wants to continue to the caves and see what is there. They will have enough trouble there.

Having resolved to keep an eye out for the Euryskos, the Satyr that the Calibans are seeking, the party continues on their way towards the caves where the boarmen are said to frequent.  The next hours pass without further incident, though eventually the sun begins to set, and fatigue begins to set in. After doing some scouting, a defensible area is found to set up camp for the evening. The guide goes with Agmund to gather wood for a campfire (as both men carry axes) while the others prepare their dinners.  While normally such a gathering would be pleasant, and indeed almost cheery - tonight something just seems different. There is a kind of heaviness in the air as the group sits around the campfire eating their dinners.

This disquiet continues as the branches from the trees sway in the wind, and almost seem to gather closer towards where the group is huddled around the campfire. As you listen, it almost sounds like a song, or somebody talking in a deep, earthy voice.

OOC: Everybody, please make a Danger Evasion roll.

As Arthonos eats his food, he lets his eyes wander, staring around the clearing. As the wind blows and the noise begins to wind through the trees, he sits a little straighter listening.

14:03, Today: Arthanos rolled 24 using 1d20+7. danger evasion.

It has been a long day.  Petracles eyes are heavy and he struggles to stay alert.

09:22, Today: Petracles rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Danger Evasion.

It had been a long day.   But, Dysis wasn't so tired, yet.  She was a bit wired, actually.  On edge, from that close-call encounter with the dark-satyrs.

She just had this strange feeling something was going to happen:  12:34, Today: Dysis rolled 25 using 1d20+5. DE

Her ears pricked up at what sounded to be singing...

Aleta leans back agianst a tree, very tired form the trip. She sits there with her eyes closed as she sips some water. "Oh, I am so tired. " she nibbles on some food.

(00c - 16:26, Today: Aleta rolled 8 using 1d20+7. DE. OK, the boarmen could be sitting on me)

Aleta and Petraceles are not quite as alert as the others, and they are quite alarmed to find that at one minute they were relaxing around the campfire, and the next, they were being picked up off the ground by tree branches.



Wood Titans! Legend had said that such creatures were the creations of Dryads through their magic gifts, but others were said to exist independent of dryads as well. They are known to peasants as Watchers of the Woods. Although most people considered them to be fairy tales, the fact that they were here now attacking the group was conclusive proof of their existence.

There were four of them in total. Dysis and Arthanos, as well as Agmund and the group's guide were alert enough to avoid being caught in the Wood Titan's crushing embrace, but the same was not true for Aleta and Petracles as they are drawn closer to the Wood Titans, who use their heavy branches to squeeze the life of the two, crushing them against their own wooden frames.

OOC:
17:09, Today: Maze Master rolled 5 using 2d6. Damage to Petracles.
17:08, Today: Maze Master rolled 2 using 2d6. Damage to Aleta.

Aleta and Petracles failed the Danger Evasion rolls, and are now considered 'grappled' and are immobilized by the Wood Titans.  You may attempt escape, but no other action can be taken while you are immobilized.

Grappling Rules:

A grappled character is immobilized and can only try to break free from his opponent’s hold. To break free, the victim must roll higher than the grappler’s Might score on 1D20 + Melee mod. Only one such attempt may be made per battle round.

Your target number against the Wood Titans is 24. If you get that, you are able to either use your strength to break free or you squeeze out of their grasps and roll to safety.

Everybody - roll for Initiative and state your actions.

Petracles grunts in pain and tries to wriggle free... and fails!

23:46, Today: Petracles rolled 7 using 1d20+6. Break Grapple.

"AHHHH, GET OFF" she screams as she tries to break out of the trees grip.

(ooc-Aleta rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Break Grapple.)

As the creatures crash into the clearing, Arthanos leaps to his feet and looks on in surprise. His training though kicks in and his hands go to his weapons and he draws his sword and dagger. As the trees grab Aleta and Petracles, he freezes for a second.

Damsel or friend...damsel or friend...he thinks for a few seconds before lunging to help Aleta. Petracles was a trained soldier and should be able to hold long enough. Closing with the tree, Arthanos calls out "For THENA!" as he swings his sword trying to distract it enough to allow Aleta to get free.


OOC - weapon of choice and two weapon attack style.

Initiative: 16

16:00, Today: Arthanos rolled 21 using 2d20+7, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 9,14. attack, best of two 20's.

16:03, Today: Arthanos rolled 3 using 1d6 with rolls of 3. damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:07, Sat 16 June 2012.

Dysis cursed under her breath.    Mindless constructs of dryadic nature magic, if she understood right.    A brawl with four such things was messy suicide, as far as she was concerned.   Most especially for herself.

Petracles and Aleta were already caught...with Arthanos rushing bravely to Aleta's aid.  Hacking these things to kindling would be slow going, if they weren't all 'hugged' to death, first.

She called out in the Gaian tongue: In case their creators were about, and thought the party allies of the caliban.

Then, she hazarded near instantly over what to do.   Only one magic really suggested itself.  She raised her left hand, focused her will.  The wind began to whisper and stir in response to her...

Initiative 13 -  Talons of the Winds -  on the four titans -
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Sat 16 June 2012.

Battle Order
Wood Titans - 18
Arthanos - 16
Petracles - 14
Dysis - 13
Aleta - 12
Agmund, Guide

---

The two Wood Titans grappling Petracles and Aleta continue to crush them, doing some more damage to the nobleman and the young thief. While it isn't too serious just yet, it is still painful. The other two giant trees reach in with their branches. With one swoop, one of them knocks its branches into the group's guide, practically knocking the young man off his feet, while the other one forms a fist with its branches and punches Agmund squarely in the face.  The barbarian looks a bit taken aback by that blow.

Arthanos rushes the tree grappling onto Aleta and hacks at it with his sword, which cuts off a few of the branches. While its hard to tell if the Wood Titan is damaged by this, it at least seems annoyed, as the holes where its "eyes" would be turn to gaze upon its attacker. Still, it does not drop Aleta yet.

Petracles and Aleta both struggled against the branches, but they were being held too tightly.   That was, until Dysis cast her spell Talons of the WInd.   For a few seconds, its just as if a light breeze is going through the air, but this changes a moment later as a whirlwind of air descends, seemingly targeting the four Wood Titans, while leaving those on the ground, such as Dysis, Agmund and Arthanos alone, who just feel a strong breeze.

The whirlwind stops the Wood Titans in their tracks, who dig their "feet", as it were into the ground to hold themselves steady. Additionally, they are so focused on this those holding onto Petracles and Aleta loosen their grip enough for the two to drop to the ground, and roll (or crawl) towards where the others are.

While this happens, the guide gets off his feet and reaches into the campfire and draws out a long piece of wood, which was still burning brightly. He looks over towards one of the Wood Titans are and rushes to 'stab' the Wood Titan with the burning piece of wood. This appears to do some damage.  Meanwhile, Agmund rushes with his axe against the tree that was holding Aleta as well, and chops into the tree's midsection, which also appears to damage the creature.

OOC: Petracles and Aleta lost one HP each this round from the crushing damage, but they are now free to act the next round. The Wood Titans are immobilized until they can make a saving DE roll, or Dysis' spell runs out.

HP Tally

Arthanos: 12/12
Petracles: 7/13
Dysis: 8/8
Aleta: 7/10

Guide (lost 5 HP)
Agmund (lost 5 HP)

Aleta falls to the ground and rolls away from the thing as fat as she can. She gets behind the fire. She had never seen anything like this in her travels.

Her spell cast and lingering, Dysis was now free to turn her attention to other efforts.

Charging in with her dagger was a last resort in these situations.  Especially when she was more skilled with another weapon -- one that kept her out of immediate reach of those wooden goliaths.

She loaded a stone into her sling, whirled it, then released the shot -- at one of the titans.

Her aim was true -- but it resulted only in a glancing shot, anyway.

Sling attack = 22 using 1d20+5
Damage = 1 using 1d6
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Tue 26 June 2012.

Seeing the hunter's idea, Arthanos feels like hitting himself.

"Why didn't I think of that." he mutters as he turns and runs back over to the fire. Sheathing his dagger, he looks for an appropriate branch and grabs that before turning back to look at the trees. He then raises his sword protectively in front of himself as he looks at the tree he just attacked, trying to think of the best place to hit.

OOC - grabbing the stick, then using Weapon Parry.

Petracles rolls free of the Treeman and regains his footing.  He hefts his shield, draws his sword and attacks!

00:53, Today: Petracles rolled 22 using 1d20+6. Sword. Not sure if I get Favoured Weapon bonus, or what the damage is?