The forest was odd, but it was hard to put a finger on why.  Something about how the trees moved... not very much like how they should, given the wind...

"Anyone else sensing something weird?" Alicia asked as they jogged.

"It is a little creepy in here," said Luisa.  "...something weird about those trees."

Alicia tossed a flower blade at one of the trees.

It stuck in the tree.

Alicia went to retrieve it, staying on guard.

It took more tugging than was really right to retrieve it, and a long strand of greenish liquid followed the blade out of the tree.

"Uh, this is really weird," Alicia said.

"That's really strange-looking sap," said Luisa.  "Is that normal?  I don't think it's normal."

"It's not normal at all," Alicia said. "I have no idea what's causing it."

"Well, for now, let's keep moving," Rosa suggested.  "There's no point in starting a fight with a tree."

"You're right, but let's keep an eye out," Alicia said.

They moved on...

Perception

(OOC: Perception roll - Alicia Green rolled 22 using 1d20+8)

...the way the brush was moving was very much like something was moving behind the plants.  But she could see nothing at all.

"We're not alone. There's something here," Alicia said.

"Sounds like a good reason to get going faster," said Rosa.  "Come on, now!  Double-time!"

Alicia hurried up.

Athletics check

(OOC: Athletics check - Alicia Green rolled 16 using 1d20-1)

Something was definitely moving, and probably following them, but they were able to pull ahead of it and get away.

"I think we should let someone know about what's going on," Alicia said.

"...assuming that they don't know already," said Rosa.  "This might be a feature, not a bug."

"Well, probably should just see. Maybe this has something to do with a monster?" Alicia said.

"Maybe," said Luisa.  "...there's something that I kind of smell here?  It's nasty."

"Do you think we should try killing it? We might get some extra credit," Alicia said.

"It would be good practice," said Rosa.  "I'm game if you are."

"...all right?" Luisa added, nervously.

"You can back us up and go for help if things go wrong," Alicia said to Luisa.

"All right," said Luisa, and her bow appeared.  "I'd normally keep my distance, anyway."

Alicia nodded and got her weapons ready as she headed into the forest.

Something was approaching fast through the woods!

Init

(OOC: Initiative - Alicia Green rolled 27 using 1d20+8)

Go!  There is a target you can close with.

Alicia began to throw her blades at it.

(OOC: Multi Hit attack - Alicia Green rolled 24 using 1d20+11. 5 damage, plus the multi)

The shape inside made a weirdly piercing cry, and then lashed out with tentacles that shot out from it!

Attack 25, Damage 6... but it's Multiattack.  And a Str 6 Grab!

(OOC: Toughness Save - Alicia Green rolled 19 using 1d20+5. Dazed. Alicia Green rolled 3 using 1d20. Reroll - Alicia Green rolled 16 using 1d20)

"I've got you!" said Rosa, and in a blur of motion, she cut Alicia free of the tentacles.  Alicia was now actually being held in one of Rosa's arms, while she slashed at the tentacles with the other; Luisa supported them by firing arrows into the strange creature.  It was hurt, but had not fallen.

You can Move or Act while Dazed, so go!

Alicia took a handful of her blades and began to spin.

(OOC: Using flower storm, focused on the thing. That's 8 damage)

The thing screeched!  Weird, tarry blood spattered, and it began to withdraw...

"You're not getting away, whatever you are," Alicia said as she hurled more blades at it.

(OOC: Multi-Attack again - Alicia Green rolled 12 using 1d20+11...gonna reroll that. Alicia Green rolled 22 using 1d20+11. Betterish)

Combined with the attacks of the others, the creature fell... and melted away into tarry ooze.

"...We never saw it outside of cover," said Luisa.  "I wonder what it was?"

"Are you all right, Alicia?" Rosa asked.  She looked worried.

"Yeah, I'm okay," Alicia said, wincing. "I'm glad you guys were here."

"...that thing was dangerous," said Rosa.  "I don't like that we couldn't even tell what it was."

"Yeah, I guess we should head back and report this now," Alicia said.

"I wonder if they know?" Rosa speculated as they headed back.

But where would they go?

There had to be an office, right?

Investigation...

(OOC: Investigation check - Alicia Green rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Reroll - Alicia Green rolled 22 using 1d20+7.)