A small crowd of nagaji children listen intently to Darkwater's stories, along with many adults. These are obviously ones they have not heard. At the funny parts, it is admittedly strange to hear their hissing laughter.

The rest of the Seekers seem to enjoy that night, but not to excess.

The presentation of gifts the next morning doesn't put Darkwater off his poise: his return gift is accepted graciously. Irezagab's thanks are received positively, as well.

Hunters gather around the group after the ceremony and begin to give advice on the directions of travel. West, along along a minor stream, leads to foothills, the furthest of which are claimed by the "Stout Ones." In the area preceding that, the "Huge Ones" hunt creatures sometimes as large as they. The indication is that these "Huge Ones" stand twelve feet or more tall.

To the north along the tributary, some of the trees are said to be alive... and malicious. Further on into the depths live the "Short Ones", who also have a fondness for poison.

Oh bother.  A gift.  Not just a gift, but a gift on top of a large meal.  Grumbling Bear was already struggling to find the words to thank them for the food, and now he also needed to properly thank them for the gift of a magic item.  True they had some manner of significant prophecy which made it make sense for them to give gifts, but they'd also just met the Seekers and really had no reason to feed them and give them magic items.

When presented with his gift he mumbles a quick "Thanks," before fleeing and letting someone else take the lead in saying something more meaningful and appropriate.  Perhaps he would have felt more comfortable if instead of resembling snakes the Nagaji resembled bears.  Who could know.  He glances at Baloo, unbothered as always except by his constant appetite, and tries to emulate the same outward calm.

--

Grumbling Bear was restless.  That much was plain to Baloo.  He socialized well with others, but didn't like doing it for long periods of time.  It was as good of a time for them to go for a walk as any, but how to get Grumbling Bear's friends to come with them?  They weren't nearly as clever as Grumbling Bear and didn't seem to understand anything that Baloo said.  Granted, Grumbling Bear wasn't particularly bright, either, but as far as humans went he was pretty smart.  Baloo would figure something out to help his poor human.

--

Baloo was restless.  That much was plain to Grumbling Bear.  He was patient enough to sit through all the things he didn't understand, but he kept looking to the trees outside the village and was shuffling around Grumbling Bear's feet more than normal.  The others, Irezagab, Darkwater, and Ikshanahatya, seem to have the farewells well in hand, so Grumbling Bear wanders to the treeline with Baloo trailing behind before taking a seat against a large tree.  Baloo settles down next to him before resting his head in Grumbling Bear's lap.  Seems Baloo was just tired of being around strangers.

That was fine with Grumbling Bear.  By focusing and paying close enough attention he was still able to hear the discussion on their possible routes going forward.  He would give his input later once Baloo had a chance to rest and recharge.  Of course, Grumbling Bear was also enjoying the semi-solitude offered by a little distance.  He watches the other Seekers carefully for any sign that they needed his input, but unless they signaled him he would remain leaning against the tree and listening.

When Darkwater offers the nagaji leader a gift, Irezagab realizes that he should also have made such an offer.  He was so delighting in being a positive center of attention as a Seeker that he had started to feel that he deserved the bounty heaped upon him.

He adopts a more appropriate air of humility and makes an effort to rectify the situation.  "Matuprishakanash Otpikru Ssa, I hope I can give some small repayment for these generous gifts with information.  Perhaps you will find this tale as fascinating as we did, or perhaps you already know more than we were able to learn."  He continues with all the details of the strange cylinder and crystal that the group encountered, including the results of spells he cast.  He describes the giant bees and then the creatures the group encountered later, with their mind-controlling magic.  The only bit he leaves out is to say who was mind-controlled and whom he attacked, in order to spare Ixotl any shame.  However, it is clear from her glance towards the lizardman that the wise leader is able to infer the missing detail, and that she knows exactly why the shaman did not state it.

As the group departs the nagaji city, Irezagab is happy to join back up with Grumbling Bear and Baloo, checking to make sure that they are feeling well.  "I was a little concerned when you left without us, but I figured you were just feeling a little too much people and needed a bit of solitude.  I am glad you are well."  He clasps the shoulders of each of the bears in genuine delight.

Once the group is together, the shaman offers his opinion on where to head next.  "As always, Darkwater, I am happy to follow your lead in this.  I am quite interested in talking with these trees that the nagiji say are 'malicious.'  Of course, all trees are alive, and they all think in their own way, but I have never met one that is malicious.  Perhaps they are just misunderstood.  However, if you think that meeting the 'stout ones' is more in line with our mission, then I have to acknowledge the soundness of this judgement."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

Ikshanahatya locked eyes with her father. Neither spoke for a while

---

Spoiler for language Nagaji: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"A loan. I will return it in victorious reunion."

---

she spoke to deny objection. He smiled warily and wished her safe return. They thumped their chests at each other in the friendly way of warriors.

---

In the morning she is quiet withdrawn. She follows in sullen contemplative thought. "You wish to, talk to the malicious trees?" She asked baffled.

Irezagab smiles.  "I have a particular connection to plant spirits, and I talk to living plants all the time.  I especially like talking to ancient trees -- they are so serene, so accepting.  But ivy can be fun, as well -- it is like talking to a rambunctious, fun-loving child who likes to play pranks.  I have never known any plant to be malicious, but perhaps these will be different."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Sat 17 Apr 2021.

 Sibilant laughter seems natural enough to Darkwater, and while there are more children listening he slants his stories towards broad humour - usually with lessons ensconced inside them, since that is what stories are for in his opinion... The purpose of such things is to convey ideas and morals more so than it ever has to transmit 'facts', which are rarely any such thing.

 Come the gifting though? Well... He will miss Summersun. Her laughter as she whispered medicine into his head and her generosity with the healers arts were as much valued by him as any magic in the pouch... But a gift was given and it had to be reciprocated, or what value he and his?

 His only moment of heart-stopping discomfort comes when Irezagab speaks up, and he's lightning-fast to law a clawed hand on the shamans shoulder and interject in fluent - if oddly accented Nagashi...

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"My companion has spent too much time with we Dawnshore. It is no trade, of course... Only a gift received and a gift offered, in mutual respect."

---

 ...and then removing his hand and nodding for Irezagab to continue.

 Come the choice of their way however? Well, Irezagab has voiced a preference and he has none himself, and so "These trees interest you and we have no strong need to go in one direction or another. Why not to the lands of these short ones then, and see what may be learned in their company?"

Darkwater leads the way north, the sun-metal sword slicing through the tall, riverside grasses with ease. Along the way, the Seekers have some success in hunting: two tapirs, with their strange-shaped noses, are brought down.

Over the course of four days, the river tributary on the left narrows before finally turning west. The "Small Ones" dwell, apparently, further to the north.

Travel even in daylight becomes darker as the canopy grows thicker. Kapok trees begin to show more often, and up to seven feet in thickness, towering up to beyond a hundred feet. Illumined by occasional shafts of sunlight, the ornate blossoms of blue and purple bursting-star flowers (passion flowers) drape in vines along the edges of the huge trees. Their sweet-and-salty scent pervades the air. The rustle of flights of sun parakeets provide a backdrop to the carrying calls of other birds.

Near sunset on the Seekers' second day of travel from the river's turning, the bronze long-knife in Darkwater's hand begins to vibrate. Looking around, the only unusual thing of note is a singular tree, shorter and squatter than the kapoks, of a kind even Irezagab can't identify. Vines as thick as the human's wrist hang all down the trunk. A couple of steps toward the strange tree, and the sun-metal sword starts to vibrate faster. Darkwater can barely feel it move, but the entire group starts to hear a high-pitched tone.

As all eyes are focused on this mystery, fallen branches snap off somewhere to the right.

Everyone make Perception checks. 12 or higher makes it, and you can act in the surprise round. 11 or lower and you'll be flat-footed, instead. Also roll Initiative. If you act, go ahead and post your (standard or move) action and do any rolls for your action.

Those who are able to turn in time see a brown lizard roughly thirty feet long bearing down on them, from perhaps fifty feet away. At first, it rushes forward on all fours, but as it closes it rears up on two feet. Cruel-looking spikes just from each of its forelegs.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:40, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

14:27, Today: Irezagab rolled 11 using 1d20+1.  Initiative
I have +11 Perception so I automatically succeed.

Though fascinated by the strange plant, Irezagab has enough focus to spare to listen for dangers.  He hears something coming off the right and turns to see the giant lizard heading straight for the group.  He briefly considers an Entangle spell to slow it down, but it is so huge that the spell will probably not hinder it but might hinder the Seekers trying to get to it.  Instead, he casts Barkskin, and tells Skrou to deliver it to _____.  [_____ is whichever of the other four (counting Baloo) is closest to the lizard]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Mon 19 Apr 2021.

Irezagab is a friendly sort, understanding of his ursine companions' need for solitude.  While they both blame the other for stepping away from the village, only one can speak in a manner understandable to Irezagab.  "Baloo was feeling restless so I thought it best to get him some space," was much easier to understand than Baloo's exasperated chuffing.  Both of them, however, were in undeniably brighter moods as the village fell behind them as the seekers move into the forest.

When the unusual tree comes into view and the sun-metal sword begins to produce a high pitched whine, both Grumbling Bear and Baloo shy away from it, circling a short distance around the tree until the snapping of branches stops them in their tracks.

The appearance of the creature was startling, but entirely understandable.  The high pitched whine the sword was producing was likely disturbing all manner of creatures nearby and so Grumbling Bear's first step was to determine if the creature was actually hostile or simply startled and acting aggressive towards what it may perceive as a threat.

Baloo was bristling as the creature bore down on them but Grumbling Bear didn't yet command him to attack.  If he couldn't figure out the creature's intentions, or they were hostile, then he would summon his Bear Totem to prepare for battle.  Otherwise he would attempt to calm the beast before anyone got hurt.

04:50, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Grumbling Bear Perception.
04:50, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Grumbling Bear Initiative.
04:50, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 13 using 1d20+8.  Grumbling Bear Knowledge Nature.
04:55, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 22 using 1d20+4.  Grumbling Bear Wild Empathy.

The huge dinosaur hustles toward Grumbling Bear, the nearest Seeker, but does not quite make it close enough to attack. The bear druid is unsure of the dinosaur's exact breed. What he does sense is that it is enraged quite beyond what a humming piece of metal would enable. There would be no calming it. Grumbling Bear has time to quickly summon his Bear Totem.

Skrou swoops near to Grumbling Bear, brushing him as it passes.

Grumbling Bear now has barkskin

So ends the surprise round. Skipping the other two players because it's been 48 hours, and this is the second weekday.

Both GB and Rez get to act before the dinosaur in this round, so go ahead. Be aware the creature has 15-foot reach and is now 20 feet away from GB.

Irezagab gulps when he realizes how huge the creature is -- when he had first glanced at it, he had thought it was closer than it was, since his mind struggled to accept a lizard of such size.  He swallows the fear that makes him want to run and backs away slowly, keeping a tactical distance, as he summons a hyena directly behind the monster.  Once it arrives, it should be able to help the warriors by distracting the beast.

5 foot step away.
Summon Nature's Ally II (full round action) in a position that it will give flanking bonuses to the bears (and get one itself).

Ikshanahatya opens her jaw horrifically wide as if her jaw had broken steps through her movement using the momentum to whip her upper-body forward spitting and obscene quantity of preadolescent white acrid smelling fluid. True to name she aimed right at the things eyes. But aim hardly seemed to matter since she managed to coat everything within five feet of the creatures eyes. Locking it all together in a clotted mass.


OOC:
Sorry meant to post a I failed the check post yesterday.

16:11, Yesterday: Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha rolled 3 using 1d20.  Perception.
16:12, Yesterday: Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha rolled 20 using 1d20+1.  Initiative.

Today:
Move action to move forward.
Standard Full Action to spit venom (messed up the range in a previous OOC post it's 30ft effectively 35ft because of area of effect most of her feats modify this ability)

Unclear where she is she will take a 5ft step closer to the lizard if it's more than 20ft away (ie closer to her allies) if it's more than 40ft away let me know I'll have to do something else. 5-ft step + 30 ft range + 5ft radius makes that he maximum range.

The dinosaur and anyone entering the envenomed circle around it's face in the before Ikshanahatya's next turn:

• 4 acid damage (no save)
• are entangled (immobile; -2 attacks; -4 dex) (no save)
  The entanglement can be removed by either dealing 15 slashing damage to the spittle, or spending a full round action and passing a DC 15 strength or escape artist check.
• must make a DC 14 Fortitude save or be blinded for 1d6 rounds.

Technically these effects occur at the start of the dinosaur's turn.

10:33, Today: Ikshanahatya Putri'Mahakosha rolled 4 using 2d6.  Acid Damage (Virulent Venom).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Thu 22 Apr 2021.

OOC
OK, Ikshana

• Spit Venom is a full-round action
• and it's a ranged touch attack
• You can use Spit Venom, Virulent Venom and Viscous Venom at once, targeting the dino, but...
• Toxic Spray affects an area (like the grease spell), not a creature (and therefore would not require a touch attack)

So you have to pick: targeted or AoE.

Ikshana, I'll look over it again after the combat, but my ruling stands for now.

Ok, I know all that, and this is not a discussion. pick one:

1. AoE centered on a point at the outside of the 15' square the dino takes up (you don't have line of effect to its center, obviously).
   
2. ranged touch attack at the dinosaur

This message was last edited by the GM at 03:39, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

OOC: I was waiting for someone other than me and Irezegab to post, since I'd been the last one before the DM and then boom, everything happened at once!

 ---

 On the journey, Darkwater uses the dawnstone blade sparingly, despite its unquestioned power to hack through the undergrowth - a lifetime of experience instead causes him to move around living things rather than attempt to force them aside and the route he chooses is thus a winding one, for all that it rarely strays far from his chosen course...

 ...so it's something of a surprise to him when the weapons starts to hum in its scabbard, resonating with something in the vicinity and he's in the process of starting to draw it to investigate the phenomenon when his head snaps up and around and he shouts "Ware!"

 More or less automatically, he starts to move into the lee of a tree in the path of the creature, where he can hope to flank it as it charges.

 ---

It's not terribly relevant anyway. Darkwater will/will have moved instead of attacked (you don't get a full action in a surprise round anyway) and he'll be using a tree in the things general path as cover. His intention is for it to move past where he is (shielding himself from it with said tree for total cover) and then hitting it when it moves into his reach instead of taking multiple AoO getting close.

02:02, Today: Darkwater rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Initiative.
01:58, Today: Darkwater rolled 15 using 1d20+9.  Perception (versus animals).
This message was last edited by the player at 00:21, Thu 22 Apr 2021.

Killian?

The beast cannot be soothed.  Grumbling Bear can't imagine what is causing it to feel such rage.  For a moment he considers using magic to be able to speak with it but enraged as it was he didn't think being able to speak with it would change anything.  Instead, he glanced at his companions.  Some wore armor, but none had the thick protective hide of a bear.  And none had the thick protective hide of a bear enhanced by a Barkskin spell.  Someone had to give the others an opening to close with the beast.  Seems that was his burden to bear.

With a bellowing roar echoed by Ballo, Grumbling Bear closes the gap between him and the dinosaur.  He watches carefully for attacks even as he knows he is courting them.  But with the beast focused on him the others should have time to get into position.  Plus, Baloo was following right behind him to back him up.

Baring their fangs, both Grumbling Bear and Baloo seek to hamstring their larger opponent.

20:46, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 22 using 1d20+6.  Grumbling Bear Bite.
20:46, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Grumbling Bear Bite Damage.
20:46, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 11 using 1d20+6.  Baloo Bite.
20:47, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 9 using 1d8+4.  Baloo Bite Damage.

The chaos of combat ensues.

Ikshana, seeing that the dinosaur is too far away for her to wield her longspear (and the beast's reach is further than that weapon) spits a globule of sticky, acidic venom at the foot of the towering creature.

Grumbling Bear pauses an instant to appraise the situation then charges in, trying to duck beneath one of the huge dinosaur's prominent thumb-talons. Though the sharp spike makes contact, it is unable to penetrate his now bark-like skin.

Baloo fails to successfully bit the surprisingly dextrous beast, but Grumbling Bear clamps his teeth down on the dinosaur's extended arm.

Irezagab takes a short step back and begins his summoning spell.

Before it can even act, the dinosaur finds itself contending with the venom. The acid sizzles into its hide. It manages to move its head away from the splash, and then claws at the tendrils sticking to it with both thumb-spiked hands, freeing itself. It retreats a few feet, removing it from the area of the venom.

Yes, I did indeed skip Darkwater for the first round of combat.
DW, go ahead and roll hit/damage for a single attack as you close in, flanking, with no AoO coming your way.
You can also post for the second round's actions, in which you can get a full attack.

The creature is flanked by DW and GB (and Baloo).

The dino is now 25 feet away from Rez and Ikshana. It takes up a 15 by 15 square, with 15-foot reach.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:39, Thu 29 Apr 2021.

Irezagab completes summoning a hyena.  He knows that the small animal is not likely to be able to pierce the hide of the huge reptile, but he hopes it will distract the monster enough to improve the chances of his warrior companions.  The hyena appears and immediately attacks with a ferocious bits, but the sorcerer can not tell whether or not his summoned warrior was able to cause any injury.

Irez planned to use some healing magic, assuming the creature's horrible teeth would have slashed one of his companions.  Seeing that they have escaped any danger so far, thanks to Ikshana's acidic spit, the would-be healer instead takes another step back and casts Thorn Javelin.

22:28, Today: Irezagab rolled 16,9 using d20+5,d6+3.  Hyena Attack
I wasn't sure if this was enough to hit, but I suspect not.  Everyone meleeing, however, should now be at +2 for flanking.

 As the beast rushes in, Darkwater has a chance to take up a position on one flank of it and - with it powering past him - lashes out, aiming to try and wound the muscles of one of its great legs and lame the beast... Regardless of any success this may have, once it's 'caught' between himself and Grumbling Bear (for a given value of 'caught' that's rather akin to a piranha hanging off the end of a crocodiles tail) he hisses loudly and leaps, hurling himself up onto its thigh with the obvious intention of furthering whatever damage he managed to inflict before.

 ---

Working on the assumption that it's an animal (and I get my favoured enemy bonuses):

The AoO when it rushed past Darkwater was 24 to hit for 7 damage.
The full-round attack is three hits for 27, 19 & 29 doing 8, 6 & 7 damage respectively.

01:21, Today: Darkwater rolled 23,6,15,4,25,5 using 1d20+6,1d3+3,1d20+6,1d4+3,1d20+6,1d4+3.  Grr, snap, etc.
01:19, Today: Darkwater rolled 20,5 using 1d20+6,1d4+3.  Rarr, slash.

Grumbling Bear couldn't be sure if the spike failed to impale him because the dinosaur hadn't expected to be attacked by something so much smaller than him, because of the spell protecting him, or because of luck.  What he did know was that his rush had held the dinosaur's attention long enough for Baloo and Darkwater to get close enough to attack as well.  Now he had to ensure that the dinosaur's focus wouldn't stray from him so the others could fight to the best of their abilities.

He teeth had sunk satisfyingly into the beasts arm and though there was a significant size difference between them Grumbling Bear decides to bite down harder, bracing himself for the inevitable flailing of the appendage to dislodge him.  Seeking to join in on the fun, Baloo lunges for the arm as well to add his not insignificant weight to it as well.


06:09, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 23,20,19 using d20+6,d20+6,d20+6.  Grumbling Bear Full Attack.
06:10, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 9,7,5 using d6+3,d4+3,d4+3.  Grumbling Bear Full Attack Damage.
06:11, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 13,9,8 using d20+6,d20+6,d20+6.  Baloo Full Attack.
06:11, Today: Grumbling Bear rolled 11,8,9 using d8+4,d6+4,d6+4.  Baloo Full Attack Damage.

Although Baloo's own attacks are ineffectual, he manages to bring the creature's arm down enough that Grumbling Bear can tear into it, ripping off pieces of tough-hided flesh.

Truly enraged now, the dinosaur can't quite pull up its arm, but does brings its other arm around, spiked-thumb first, at Grumbling Bear. The sharp point scrapes deep along the druid's chest.

OOC: 14 hp of damage

Irezagab's summoned hyena appears and darts forward, harrying the beast without actually getting a bite in. The shaman completes his second spell and stands ready with his mystical, thorn-like javelin.

Darkwater dives at the dinosaur's leg, causing substantial damage with his teeth and claws.

The creature is noticeably injured now but no less eager to fight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:56, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

Irezagab sees the giant lizard hit Grumbling Bear with a spike and prepares to send Skrou in with a cure spell, but he decides that it is not a terrible wound and there might be another, worse one before the battle is over.  I hope Bear at least is able to avoid the monster's ire, and let someone else take the next hit.  Instead, the shaman fires his spear, with such accuracy that it surprises even himself!  It penetrates the thick-skinned neck of the beast, and he can only hope that the poison it carries will have an effect.

Meanwhile, he looks beyond the dinosaur to see his summoned hyena take a bite at the beast, but the creature's huge tail has alarmed the hyena so muck that it tries for the tail and just misses completely.

18:27, Today: Irezagab rolled 21,5 using d20+3,d6-1.  Javelin.  BOOM!  Look at the shaman throw!
Any creature struck by the javelin must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC 15, I think) or be sickened for 1 round.

22:05, Today: Irezagab rolled 7,8 using d20+5,d6+3.  Hyena attack
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Sat 01 May 2021.

 Digging his talons into the thing's thigh, Darkwater stretches his head up and sinks his jaws in again, hauling himself higher as he bites and tears into the creatures limb, looking to cripple it forcefully before it can turn its attention to sweeping him off.

 ---

 If it's an animal, that's 21, 17 & 26 to hit for 8, 8 & 7 respectively.

 05:15, Today: Darkwater rolled 19,6,15,6,24,5 using 1d20+6,1d3+3,1d20+6,1d4+3,1d20+6,1d4+3.  More grrring and snapping.