When the group steps out of the guildhall doors, they feel their feet get wet. The doors vanish behind them, and they see all around them a swamp. The smell hits them before anyone's eyes adjust, and its clear they are outside. That being said, the various trees and plantlife all around them seems to be almost like the stone corridors they left.

The sounds of life, now very clear as compared to the silence of the underground, come from all directions. While most of the noise is small animals, birds, and moving water-there are other noises. Roars of larger beasts, trees falling in the distance, and the sounds of almost human-like moans. The location of any of these noises seem very hard to place due to the environment, but one thing is clear.

The water flows in one direction, and the various trees and plants are on ether side of this very shallow river. The vegetation all around them cuts off the sky from view, but it is clearly daytime.

While the others are adjusting to the new environment, Moya speaks to the plants around them asking them what threats are around them and how far the swamp extends.  She adds her own observations to the information she may gain from the plants around her.  Only then does she speak to her fellow motile beings.

Chalei'nh had to blink a few times for her eyes to get adjusted to the change in brightness, but when she noticed the scenery, seeing trees and nature where she expected another dank set of caverns, she couldn't help but grin. Seeing her companions transported with her -- making a silent and quick headcount to check whether the AI had screwed them over again -- she began singing out loud.

"Pick up your sword, it's time to do business,
Strap on your cloak, about to roll with this,
When you're this swag the world just bows at your knees..."

Connor blinked a few times as his eyes adjusted to the sudden shift in light and scenery. Cabochon was silently orbiting around the wizard in various ellipses and orbital paths, although he was vigilantly watching their surroundings as much as the player-characters were.

"Team! I believe our first objective should be trying to make our way to the nearest safe house or even Guild Hall. It worked well last level, but locating safe spots where we can shelter on a need-to basis will allow us to do sweeps of areas as we search for the Apex and/or the exit to the next level." Connor said.

"And unless anyone else has any ideas...I'm thinking we should follow the water."

In reply to Connor (msg # 4):

"I hope these boots can keep my feet dry" Nathan mumbles as takes in his new environment. He was grateful to be able to craft 10 more bullets for a total of 36. He hoped they would run of enemies before he ran out of bullets.

"I suppose following the creek in as good of a direction as any. I wonder if we could even go through the trees if we wanted to or are they just another type of wall."

He will take a careful look around the immediate area in case their "sponsors" decided to put a surprise at the beginning of this level.

[Private to GM: I taking a careful look around  using the scope. If you need to make a secret roll remember along with a +1 for trap finding   I get an additional +1 for seeking.]

Chalei'nh paused her singing when the strategizing started, and nodded in agreement.

- "Also, listen to the small critters. When there's something dangerous nearby they tend to shut up and hide, so that could be an early warning radar for the Apex."

She took a deep breath, motioning at the creek.

- "And yeah, i agree that the first thing we need to do is to secure a safe house, and then sweep for enemies from there. The less there are, the less will be getting in our way when we take on the Apex... Also, mind the high grass, there may be snakes in there."

"That makes sense," says Mo, wrinkling his snout at the pervasive stench, "shall I take the lead?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:01, Wed 17 Aug 2022.

Moya gets down in the mud and asks the grass. "Are there any snakes in you?  While we're at it, are you the kind of grass that enjoys being walked upon or would you prefer we avoid you."

She looks up at the others with a broad smile and says, "We should always tak into account the wishes ae the grass, ken?"

"Doesn't look like I can get above the foliage for an aerial view." He then quickly checks his HUD to see if there is any indication of what direction they should be heading.

"You talk to plants!?" says Mo in surprise, "Like Prince Charles, only they talk back?"

Moya grinned, "Aye.  Well I usetae in Embra as well but now they talk back an aw."

"You know Chalei'nh the small creature may well remain quiet even while we're here, as we're dangerous ourselves." Tsuki mused as she moved forward a bit. "Those with good scouting abilities should lead." She said in thought. "Nathan did well in scouting for us the last time, tell me Mo, what are your skills in that department?" She seemed to have an idea already, based on what she could see, but she seemed like the type that would rather hear it from the source than to make an assumption.

Connor was getting concerned, and decided preparation could make or break a battle.

Chanting a moment, he cast Mage Armor On Himself! He was soon covered in an invisible layer of abjurative force.

"Well I done it for my... friends, back in the day, if that's what you mean. I ain't just a pretty face.." Mo shrus.

"But I should probly be near the front of my crew, not too far ahead like.".

- "Hey, you're hearing birds and critters around us, right? They'll stay away from us, sure, but if we don't bother them they won't see us as a threat either. Even snakes will leave you alone if you don't accidentally step on them, we're too big for the venomous ones to consider us prey anyway."

Chalei'nh looked in the direction the door they had walked through had been in.

- "To be fair, i'd be more concerned about what sounded like several trees falling when we stepped into this place. I'm guessing that was the Apex so we'd probably be looking at something big, strong and heavy, like a bear or something."

She then turned to Mo and Moya.

- "I'm pretty decent at it, though i'm no expert myself. I could lend a hand with scouting if you want? Moya, what did the grass say?"

Moya listens for a reponse from the grass.  "Nothing useful as yet", she says.  "I kin speak to plants ken, but so far, 'M jest introducing us."

She continues adding her perceptions to those of the others although she is looking for useful herbs as much as anything else.

The plants stay...quiet...for some time. However, Moya does get a message from her HUD.

[Private to Moya: "Greenspeaker, beware.

Beware of the weed that takes root in the mind.

It needs no water, or sun, or earth.

Only hatred, fear, and cruelty.

They spread everywhere, seeking to replace all life with itself.

You will know them by their red cap..."]

Nathan looks about the treeline with his scope. While they are mostly thin branches, the trees are so clumped together its difficult to see anything. The trees form almost a wooden corridor of branches around the river.

[Private to Nathan: 11:03, Today: Secret Roll: Dr Feck, on behalf of Nathan, rolled 17 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 6.  Seeking.

You do see figures, moving slowly towards the river. However, because of all the natural cover, it's hard to make out details. One you do notice is they all seem to be wearing hats of some kind, like a wizard maybe?]

The others notice something much easier to spot. Running in the middle of shallow river, coming straight at them! At first the group would go for weapons, but the sight of the figure is not very threaten. It looks like its fleeing in a panic from something chasing it.

Once it gets closer, its seems very different than what some might be expecting. For one, its a humanoid frog. Wearing cargo shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. It seems like very 21 century clothing for a frog person nearly 5 feet tall. Upon seeing the group-the being speeds up, running right for them...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Thu 18 Aug 2022.

"RUN!!!" Croaked the frog being, making very good time. In fact, before he even gets close to the entire group, he jumps. Those legs seem very powerful, as it carries the creature over the group and lands behind them. "FLEE, YOU IDIOTS!!!" He croaks out, and keeps running away from the party-now having bypassed them.

The group can now see he is holding a sling bag of some kind. Gripping it to his chest tightly so it does not slip as he is moving with impressive speed.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Thu 18 Aug 2022.

- "Form up folks, we got incoming."

Chalei'nh took on a combat stance as she squinted in the direction the frogman was coming from. Not at it, but behind it to see if she could catch a glimpse of what it was running from. She noticed the sling bag, and assumed it to be a ranged attacker, which meant it likely had -- or had had -- one or two members in its group that could keep an enemy off of them. Members that were now more than likely dead if the creature's haste was anything to go by. She turned to the others.

- "Chase or stand?"

17:32, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 13 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 5.  Perception.

"My vote is to stand", says Moya.  "Or make way to the entrance to the next level if we know where it is.  From something I've heard from the plants, we need to avoid redcap mushrooms and any sources of fear, hatred or cruelty.  So as the Sassenach's say, 'Keep Calm and Carry on.'"

She checks her HUD to see whether it does indeed tell her the way to go.

Connor nodded his head in agreement.

"I also think it's a bit weird this guy came out of nowhere at us just as we entered the level. I'm fine with standing as well. If it's that bas, we should take it down, turn it to our own side or use if possible, or run if we have to but if the plants sat avoid fear then the frog man is more of a source of fear to me than anything...in that he's trying to inspire fear." Connor said.

- "Okay, so since 'stand' is currently in the lead... What ways do we have to get away if it comes down to it?"

Chalei'nh looked in the distance again, trying to detect movement or hear something that would give them a clue on what they were about to deal with.

- "Pretty confident i'm the fastest of our group, and i can try to trip up whatever it is at range, but if that fails the slowest of us is going to have a problem. So what's the backup plan here?"

Moya says, "It all depends whit's comin fae us, 'f anything.  We stand up an fecht or we run away or we try an' hide."

"We ain´t got nowhere to run," Mo says, "And that frog was clever enough to bring whatever it is this way, save himself."

He heads a few feet towards where the frog-man came from and plants his feet in the muck. "Our best chance is to stand here. Together."

He pulls the haft of his flail out and lets the spiked ball rest to his right on a tuft of grass. "I´m ready", he says, his eyes burning more fiercely than ever.

Connor considered.

"The treeline, near the river's edge. Let's all make a dash for the tree line and we can at least get some cover and possibly hiding spaces if we need them, or strategic cover to use if we attack what's coming instead." he said.

He looked around for the nearest edge of the river.

"Let's get moving guys. Any advantage is better than nothing at all." Connor said as he headed for the nearest cluster of trees on the edge of the river. He made sure to watch his footing to avoid snakes and such in the grass.

"Conner is right. Make for the treeline. At least there we have cover." She say as she pointed to the trees.

In reply to Tsuki (msg # 26):

"Hold" says Nathan as he continues scanning "We have some visitors incoming."

He lower his musket and put his left index finger to his nose "imagine a clock around me and imagine my nose as twelve o'clock" He then use clock facing to indicate to the location and number of the intruders without pointing to them and possibly alerting them. "they are either wearing pointy hats like pop-culture fantasy wizards or maybe just pointy head humanoids"

"I think we net to set up our tactical network and get ready for our pointy visitors."

- "Not necessarily. We got possible enemies coming in from one side, putting our backs against a literal wall limits our own movement if we need to get away from them."

Chalei'nh looked at Nathan when he gave more details of who was heading for them. For some reason she was reminded of David the Gnome listening to the description, though she was expecting something a little bit more monstrous with the half-spiders from the previous dungeon in mind. She would move if the others did as well though.

- "I'll be at your 'two' then, wouldn't want to get in your firing line."

Moya nodded to Nathan and Chalei'nh and moves over to her own position, saying to Chalei'nh "Ah'll be at yuir four, Chalei'nh, ye dinnae want tae be in mah firing line either but I need tae be able tae heal ye should it prove needed."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:14, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

He strides forward to a 10 o'clock position. "Conner should be at six. And if we have incoming now would be a good time to start building up respectable sized shield." He states as he brings a wing into a defensive position.

Sure enough, Nathan's prediction comes true.

From the treeline, figures could be seen to moving. A lot of them. The overgrowth provides the humanoid shapes cover, until they burst through and are fully visible. Then you see they are in fact, not wearing pointy hats.

The...people...if they could be called that, seem to be a random arrangement of what used to be normal 21st century beachgoers. They have bathing suits, shorts, flip-flops, and t-shirts with such pithy phrases 'Proud to be an American', and 'Fuck your feelings'. That is not what stands out.

They all seem to be very pale, much paler than is healthy. Worse, every bit of exposed skin shows various red mushrooms growing out of their bodies. The biggest mushroom looks like it has burst forth from the top of their skulls. Thus forming a large 'hat' of a red mushroom. Its redness seeming extra bright due to the fresh blood coating the plant.

Their eyes, milky white due to some form of cataract, grow wide upon seeing the group. Their faces twist with rage, and they all hiss at once. In perfect unison. They at once begin breaking through the treeline on ether side of the river, and start moving towards the group.

The AI's description appears on everyone's HUD.

"Florida man Redcap!

The Redcap mushroom from planet Conserve is a parasite that grows into the host's bloodstream and eventually takes over. It may be intelligent, it may not. It can be prevented by basic medical techniques that many planets have used to stop this spore which hitches a ride on asteroids to other worlds. However, a large selection of Florida population objected to even the most normal of such procedures. Thus resulting in the creatures you see before you.

Before you say anything, yes I know some of them where in fact, Florida women.

Good luck! Those Mushrooms love to spread the love, if you know what I mean..."

OOC-Roll Initiative!

Once combat begins,  anyone can spend an action to try and ask the AI through their HUD about the mushrooms. Your answers will depend on your roll and the skill being used. Remember you all have 1 hero point at the moment. Once Initiative is determined, we will do combat actions.

16:25, Today: Moya rolled 20 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 12.  Initiative.


"Well here goes my fan base" says Moya.  With that, she rubs her tree of life tattoo, bringing her hand there to make a pair of cupped hands which she blows through, pressing her cupped hands forward  and releasing a ray of glowing energy in the direction of the thickest part of the crowd of redcaps.

[Private to GM: Inner Radiance Torrent given plant form and passed through her tattoo to give +2 to Hit and +1 die damage to the 4d4 IRT already does to every creature standing in the 60' line that the beam follows.

20:03, Today: Secret Roll: Moya rolled 22 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 12.  To hit with plant based Inner Radiance Torrent  .
20:04, Today: Secret Roll: Moya rolled 17 using 5d4 with rolls of 3,4,4,4,2.  Damage to each creature hit.]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:05, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

19:43, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 24 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 16.  Initiative.

[Private to GM: Not sure how i got to have a +8 to Initiative, according to Pathbuilder it should be +0. Did i miss something in the House Rules?]

[Private to Chalei'nh: Unless you are using a certain skill, your Initiative is always your perception. If you are using stealth, or sometimes a social skill, the default is perception.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:18, Fri 19 Aug 2022.

10:35, Today: Nathan rolled 20 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 11.  Initiative .

OCC: If he had a minute to do select one of the mushroom guy he will 'pursue a lead' in order to get a free action with 'devise a strategy' on that target

10:46, Today: Nathan rolled 17 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 7.  Persue a lead.

Nathan raises his scope to his eye again he will sarcastically comment. "Next on real bad movie remakes: we have the classic Japanese movie 'Attack of the Mushroom People' redone by the creator of 'Girls Gone Wild'. Changing the setting from Japanese tourists menaced on a topical isle by ambulatory mutating mushrooms to retired Florida residents and idiot students on spring break partaking of really bad magic mushrooms."

Edit: Having gotten 'impressive performance' this level let's see if he will get a favorable response from the audience

11:30, Today: Nathan rolled 17 using
 1d20+6 ((11)). Impressive performance feat


This message was last edited by the player at 23:55, Wed 31 Aug 2022.

16:17, Today: Connor rolled 25 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 19.  Initiative.

Spending a hero action to allow me to roll nature to try and identify weaknesses these things may have, or other useful info.

16:17, Today: Connor rolled 14 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 8.  Nature. NOTE: If a 14 fails he has dubious knowledge and can learn stuff anyway. I'm hoping a 14 can work though lol.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:08, Tue 23 Aug 2022.

04:12, Today: Mo rolled 20 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 13.  Initiative (Perception).

"...Florida people? They did this to people from our world?" She growled low, electricity playing along her fur. "Let's put the spirits of our people to rest.

[OOC:21:21, Today: Tsuki rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  Initiative.
Initiative: 20

21:22, Today: Tsuki rolled 12 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 4.  Nature.
Recall Knowledge: 12

Good initiative, but recall what?]

"These are nae mushroom people, they're zombies. Jus like Whirl War Zed - the buik, no the shutty fillum version - an the zombie version feeds on hate, fear an cruelty.  Like Tsuki says, less kill the hosts frae a distance so they're out of their misery."

- "Yup. According to the description this mushroom is not native to Earth, and i'm pretty sure no one has ever seen it outside of Evenicle 2, so it's safe to assume these are corpses of contestants. Physical spores can't infect digitized people after all. I agree there's nothing of the original people left, no Floridans i know could pull of that level of coordination in their actions."

Chalei'nh took off her sash, wrapping it around her face instead. As long as she wore it she believed she would still be able to get the bonuses, so whether she wore it as a sash or a balaclava shouldn't matter as far as the system was concerned. Just in case though, she did keep an eye on her HUD to check if this was actually the case. She turned to the group.

- "That said, if it is spore based, it'll probably try and spread the infection. Try to wrap something around your face to keep you from breathing in spores, and i agree with Moya that taking them out from a distance is the way to go."

Moya checks her HUD[Private to GM: for information on FunguyFungi: the Mushroom Corporation].

He shakes his head and lets out a small disgusted laugh. "This is the worst 'Last of Us' Cosplay ever." He scoffs as he brings his wings up into a battle position.


OOC: 16:28, Today: Malcom rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Init (Perception).He will start flinging feathers as soon as they are within range.

Despite the group's readiness, the creatures from the treeline burst forth in a sudden frenzied charge! Despite the slow, lurching gait...they seem to have an unexpected advantage. They shoot mushroom covered vines from their mouths, slamming into the group and trying to wrap them up!

Most of the party manages to avoid the incoming tendrils. However Tsuki, Moya, and Chalei'nh get struck. Tsuki manages to dodge the first attack, only to be hit by the second. Moya and
Chalei'nh get struck twice!

Initiative:

Party total divided by 7=21

07:24, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 22 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 20.  FMR initiative .

FMR's manage to squeak out initiative.

They all spend 1 action moving, getting free from the treeline on ether side of the river. They are still not in melee range of any player, however, that does not matter.

Closing the distance to one of the creatures requires a single move action.

The vines easily have reach for anyone in the current range.

Given the distance involved, you are still considered unengaged if you where missed.

If you where struck however, you are grabbed in addition to the damage you took.

Grab
You're held in place by another creature, giving you the flat-footed and immobilized conditions. If you attempt a manipulate action while grabbed, you must succeed at a DC 5 flat check or it is lost; roll the check after spending the action, but before any effects are applied. Escape DC=17 by athletics or acrobatics.

Moya and Chalei'nh must make escapes at DC 18 because they where struck by two tendrils each.

However, its obvious the things are very slow. They only get 2 actions each round, and cannot make reactions.

Anyone using recall knowledge action has to spend one of their 3 actions using the ability. I will inform you of the creatures' info if you made the roll. Keep whatever roll you made early.

Using your impressive performance feat will also require an action. However, you keep whatever roll you made early, and will have results based on that roll.

Pursue a lead will also require an action.

Your actions!

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 2|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 3|Active|Unengaged, Grabbing Tsuki|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 4|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 5|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 6|Active|Unengaged, Grabbing Chalei'nh|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 7|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 8|Active|Unengaged, Grabbing Chalei'nh|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 9|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 10|Active|Unengaged, Grabbing Moya|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 11|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 12|Active|Unengaged, Grabbing Moya|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 13|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 14|Active|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4

Conner|32/32|UnEngaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Malcom|41/41|Unengaged|20(22)|F+8,R+8,W+7

Nathan|26/26|Unengaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/31|Grabbed|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/20|Grabbed|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/47|Unengaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/24|Grabbed|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10


This message was last edited by the player at 12:57, Tue 23 Aug 2022.

Chalei'nh held her arms in front of her face by reflex when she noticed the tendrils being shot at her, wincing as they attempted to wrap up her arms in the process. Great, this was going to be the spiders all over again, it seemed. She quickly ripped the vines off and begun her counterattack. If these things liked fighting at range, she would let them know what they had signed up for!

With her arms at her sides from having ripped the vines off, she spun around in what looked like something out of a Kung Fu movie, ending in a lopw crouch that seemed to offer good defense. It was a shame she did not have the time to attack, but she would be ready for their opponents' next move.

OOC:
Action 1: Escape from DC 18 grab - Acrobatics, rolled 19
Action 2: Stance: Wolf Stance
Action 3: Parry, AC 21 --> 24
This message was last edited by the player at 13:01, Tue 23 Aug 2022.

Action 1:  Moya struggles to escape from the tendrils, succeeding in yanking herself away.
15:17, Today: Moya rolled 24 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 19.  Escape (DC=18).

Action 2:  Moya rubs her fingers against her Tree of Life tattoo.  She sends her energy through it sending a spiky green lance of her own toward the person who dared to strike her [divine lance v FMR10] with its tendril. "The nerve!" she said.

Ranged spell attack (Divine Lance) with +1 to hit for a total of +9 -5 for double attack = +4 against target's AC.  Damage if successful 2d4+8
15:46, Today: Moya rolled 21 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 17.  Ranged spell attack against.
15:46, Today: Moya rolled 12 using 2d4+8 with rolls of 1,3.  damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Wed 24 Aug 2022.

His eyes ablaze, Mo strides forwards to where he can reach two of the creatures. The ball of his flail flies burning and smoking around his head and crunches hard into one of them.

Mo reverses the direction of the ball's flight and turns his body too in an effort to get enough speed on it and stroke a second of the monstrosities. The swamp water impedes him though and he cannot get enough speed, finding himself trying to keep the flail in the air instead.

Axn 1 Stride
Axn 2 02:33, Today: Mo rolled 25,12 using D20+12,2d10+4 with rolls of 13,5,3.  Strike 1.
Axn 3 02:42, Today: Mo rolled 10,14 using D20+7,2d10+4 with rolls of 3,9,1.  Strike 2.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:47, Wed 24 Aug 2022.

Connor was grateful he had darted for the tree line on the opposite side of the way the mushroom men were coming from. He decided clustering and aura-ing up was not the best strategy this time. No...instead, he decided to take his PR manager's advice and try something more flashy. In this case, one of his new level 2 spells. It was time to bring out the big guns!

Connor considered his enemies, while spinning his hands together and chanting. Wisps of flame trailed in the air from his fingers as he wove a quick swirling arcane motion with his hands before a large blazing ball of fire suddenly appeared on on the ground amidst the mushroom men! Connor placed the flaming orb strategically, taking advantage of the fact that the mushrooms were clustered together as a mob. Cabochon, meanwhile, sparkled a bit brighter than usual as he empowered connor's magic!

Spend 1 action to to a knowledge check as before on the mushrooms to identify their traits and other weaknesses.

Spend 2 action points to cast Flaming Sphere! He drops it about 30 feet away amidst the mob of mushroom men! It's area is a 5-foot square, but he is placing that "square" in the exact middle of a cluster of mushroom men which should allow him to hit 4 of them at once (one for each "side" of the "square" area!

The Sphere does 3d6 fire damage base if a target fails a dc 19 reflect save. However, with cabochon orbiting him he gets +1 hit and +1 dice magic damage do it's 4d6 fire damage DC 20.

DM if possible Connor drops the orb so at least 1 mushroom currently grabbing a pc is hit if possible, otherwise you choose which enemies are hit but he's dropping the orb among them so it hits 3 targets. Reflect save dc 20 or a target takes 4d6 fire damage.

EDIT: DM said 3 can be hit. So rolled...

23:08, Today: Connor rolled 4,13,3 using 1d20+2,1d20+2,1d20+2 with rolls of 2,11,1.  Save.

All 3 fail. Hard.

23:10, Today: Connor rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 2,2,1,5.  Damage.

23:10, Today: Connor rolled 13 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,5,3,2.  Damage.

23:09, Today: Connor rolled 10 using 4d6 with rolls of 5,1,1,3.  Damage.

So they needed a minimum of 10 on their checks to basic fail, under that I believe is a critical fail! That means both of the ones who took 10 damage actually fumble and take 20 fire damage while the middle one takes 13.

This message was last edited by the player at 04:19, Wed 24 Aug 2022.

"I may be from Japan, but I am not into tentacles!" She growled out lowly as she struggled to break free from the vines! Once free she continued to growl. "Now to put you to rest." It was time to put her new spell and item to the test, and test them she would. She looks for the largest concentration of FMR that she can get then casts the new spell that placed within her Amulet!

[OOC: Action 1: Recall Knowledge
22:40, Today: Tsuki rolled 22 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 18.  Athletics to Break Free (DC 17).
If I translate this roll from Athletics to Nature for my Recall Knowledge it's a 26. Is that okay instead of rerolling?

Action 2: Cast Blazing Dive. Aim for largest grouping of FMR that will fit in a 10' emanation from where she lands. Use Ring of Bolt Charging to change the Fire Damage to Electricity Damage.

22:54, Today: Tsuki rolled 9,12 using 3d4,3d6+3 with rolls of 4,1,4,5,2,2.  Blazing Dive damage.
DAMAGE: 9 Bludg 12 Elect in a 10' emanation
SAVE: Basic Reflex

My Oracle Curse is now at Minor, and I have 2 of 3 Focus points left.

Minor Curse: An aura of a whirling storm whips up in a 5-foot emanation around you and in your space. The aura puts out small non-magical fires 1 round after they're lit or brought into your aura.

Electrical energy builds up within your storm, turning you into a lightning rod; you gain weakness 2 to electricity, and electricity spells or effects that have additional effects for a creature wearing or holding metal treat you as though you were wearing metal.

Enemy Saves:
23:23, Today: Tsuki rolled 21,6 using 1d20+2,1d20+2 with rolls of 19,4.  2x Enemy Reflex Saves.

DC 19 BASIC REF SAVE:
Enemy 1: Saves So will take 5 Bludg 6 Elect damage
Enemy 2: Critically Fails so will take 18 Bludg 24 Elect damage]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Thu 25 Aug 2022.

OCC: If I understood the DM right using Ricochet require two action in addition to the actual attack roll. which will take all three of my actions

"Snap" Nathan was amazed that the FMR were able to get the get their attack off before the group was able to act. He quickly took a look at the closest to find a place to hit it for best effect. After taking his shot we will look for cover or a hiding place to reload. otherwise he will move to
He will reload and hope for the best

Action 1 plot strategy
Action 2 & 3: Shot Critical if Mushrooms have AC 17 or less.
Action 3: Covered reload if possible otherwise reload.


22:27, Today: Nathan rolled 27 using 1d20+9 ((18)). Plan a Strategy
.
23:08, Today: Nathan rolled 15 using 1d8+3d6+4 with rolls of 8,1,1,1.  shot (not critical).

23:06, Today: Nathan rolled 30 using 2D12+3d6+4 with rolls of 12,11,1,1,1.  Shot (if Critical Hit).

22:46, Today: Nathan rolled 15 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 8.  Hide if possible.

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:25, Tue 30 Aug 2022.

Malcom will leap into the air, and sends forth his deadly sharp metal feathers at one of the FMR.

OOC:
1-Leaps into the air.
2-Starts Gliding.
3-Shoots metal feathers from wings.

11:03, Today: Secret Roll: Dr Feck, on behalf of Malcom, rolled 11 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 1,6.  Damage.

11:17, Today: Dr Feck, on behalf of Malcom, rolled 6 using 1d6. Disruption effect.

11:02, Today: Secret Roll: Dr Feck, on behalf of Malcom, rolled 27 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 18.  Thrown metal feather at FMR. Critical hit.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:18, Tue 30 Aug 2022.

Chalei'nh slips smoothly free of the tendrils grabbing her, and takes a defensive stance and prepares for the next set of attacks. The AI contacts her through the HUD in her field of view. "New Boon! Someone is thinking ahead! You gain a sliver smarty box!"

Moya burst free form her own bindings. She then blasts one of the creatures who had been rude enough to grab without asking. There is another AI contact. "New Boon! Mushroom on Mushroom combat! You gain a sliver gardener box!"

Mo strides to two of the creatures. As he whirls his weapon, he recalls the name his fans have given him...the burning arc of death! Sure enough, his weapon gives him a free shot at one other creature whenever he strikes with it! The AI contacts him via his HUD. "New Boon! Burning Arc of death! You gain a sliver melee box!"

Connor rolls his own burning death among three of the mushroom things. Two of them burst into  flames so hot they leave nothing but ashes. The AI blinks to life on his HUD:
"New Boon! Burn em' all and let ME sort them out! You gain a sliver pryo loot box!"

Tsuki blasts free from her captor, and lands like a bolt of lighting from above. Sending one FMR to charred electrized re-death. The other manages to stumble away in time to only get partly zapped. The AI chirps a comment at her, in addition to some info in her hud. "New Boon! Bolt from above! You gain a sliver zzzap loot box!"

Nathan burst the large red mushroom head of one creature with his rifle. The bullet then bounces between all of the remaining FMR's. Killing quite a few of them that where already wounded. The AI seems very impressed. "New Boon! One shot, one kill...part 2! You gain a sliver marksman box!"

Malcom takes to the air, and hurls one of his feathers. It pierces the 'brain' of the large red mushroom, just as Nathan did. However, this feather glows, and causes the mushroom to burst in a white energy, causing the body to stiffen and topple.

After all that massive carnage, only four of the creatures are left standing...and given their slow swaying its barley that given the damage they have suffered. They move towards the group, engaging Mo, Chalei'nh, Tsuki, and Connor.

However, rather than attacking, the Red Mushroom that makes up the tops of their heads begins to shoot out spores! They seem to effect anyone with melee range of the thing!

Status
Mo, Tsuki, Connor, and Chalei'nh must make fort saves before taking their actions. The effects will not come into play until the end of their turn. Chalei'nh gets +2 to her fort save!

Your actions!

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Badly Hurt|Engaged Mo|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: 15 damage]
FMR 2|Badly Hurt|Engaged Tsuki|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: 15 damage]
FMR 3|re-Dead|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 4|re-dead|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: 11 damage]
FMR 5|Re-dead|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 6|re-Dead|Unengaged, Orb victim|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 7|re-Dead|Unengaged, Orb Victim|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 8|Re-dead|Unengaged, Orb Victim|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: 13 damage taken]
FMR 9|Re-Dead|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4
FMR 10|Re-Dead|Unengaged|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: (12 damage taken)]
FMR 11|Badly Hurt|Engaged Chalei'nh|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: 15 damage]
FMR 12|Badly hurt|Engaged Conner|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: 15 damage]
FMR 13|Re-Dead|Engaged with Mo|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: (12 damage)]
FMR 14|Re-Dead|Engaged with Mo|16|F+8,R+2,W+4 [Private to GM: (12 damage)]

Conner|32/32|Engaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Malcom|41/41|Unengaged|20(22)|F+8,R+8,W+7

Nathan|26/26|Unengaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/31|Engaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/20|Unegaged|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/47|Engaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/24|Engaged|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10


This message was last edited by the player at 21:41, Tue 30 Aug 2022.

As the mushroom zombies released their spores, Chalei'nh filed the information away in her brain for the next time they would be facing them. All in all they seemed rather quick to defeat, though she had a feeling the spores didn't much care for their hosts -- rather, it was seen as a method of infecting more hosts. They would need to keep a close eye on not having their exposure levels stack up too much over the next couple of days, if these were the kind of opponents they would be facing more often. And there was a fair chance of that happening: From experience, she knew there was no shortage of smartasses in humankind.

She did get a Boon out of it though, so there was that.

Given the mushroom had made the effort to close the distance, she supposed she would be civil enough to do it the favor of ending its existence. She lashed out with her fists, taking care to land her hits with the wind effect rather than touch the opponents directly. With a little luck, it would blow the spore cloud away in the process.

Once she would have dispatched her direct opponent, she aimed a third hit in the general direction of her allies. She doubted it would hit anything with how much time she had to properly aim the attack, but the wind effect just might help protect them against the spores by blowing the cloud away from them. She did keep her guard up though, just in case they were being watched, or there would be more of these things incoming.

OOC: Rolls:
Action 1: Flurry of Blows vs. FMR 11
- 20 to hit, 10 damage
- 11 to hit, 9 damage
Action 2: Attempt to blow the cloud away (5 to hit, didn't roll damage)
Action 3: Parry (AC stays on 24)

Fort save: 20.

Connor gets caught in a cloud of spores, and attempts to shrug them off.

22:10, Today: Connor rolled 18 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 12.  Fortitude Save.

Turning to face the Floridian that had gotten into his space and spored him, he willed his magic to fluctuate a bit, causing the flaming sphere to snap back towards him! The large fiery orb launched through the air and landed right on top of the Mushroom man that was engaged with him, burning it badly!

Spending 1 action point to sustain and Sending flaming sphere to the foe engaging him.

22:16, Today: Connor rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3.  Enemy Reflex Save.
22:18, Today: Connor rolled 13 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,4,5,1.  Damage.

The Save DC is 19+1 for Cabochon = 20. 15<20 fails. It takes 13 fire damage...except it rolled a 5 and thus critically failed so actually takes double damage for 23 fire damage!

And Connor wasn't done yet either. He held his hands out and made a swirling motion with them, while one of cabochon's jewels circled around it and glowed a moment while arcs of electricity arced between his hands!

"Well audience! You want flashy effects so here ya go!" he said aloud as he launched a bolt of electricity at the closest mushroom man, and from there a secondary bolt jolted and leaped from that target to a second mushroom man hitting both!

Spends 2 action points to cast electric arc at the nearest mushroom (its his attacker unless the fire orb of death incinerated it first then it's the next closest one within 30 feet).

22:16, Today: Connor rolled 15 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 13.  Enemy Reflex Save.
22:24, Today: Connor rolled 20 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 18.  Enemy Reflex Save.
22:30, Today: Connor rolled 9 using 3d4+4 with rolls of 3,1,1.  Electric Arc Damage.

DC 20 with Cabochon, and 2d4+1d4 Cabochon+4 damage = 3d4+4 - 9 electric damage.

Mushroom 1 fails the save and takes 9 electric. Mushroom 2 saves and takes half damage so 4 electric damage.

Nathan was impressed with the results of his upgraded scope as he quickly reloaded his musket.
With the odds improving in their favor he decided to access the battlefield to look for any other surprises trying to sneak up on them. If he spot a new enemy about to attack he will shout out a warning as he fires a quick shot. otherwise if any of his teammates are having problems dispatching their foe he will say "Mind if I cut in " as will attempt to take their dance partner out of the competition.





Action 1 Reload.
Action 2 Seek for any Threats
Action 3 Shoot any new attackers otherwise shoot a mushroom not taken out by team member's attack

12:49, Today: Nathan rolled 25 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 17.  shoot either new enemy or mushroom attacking ally.

12:48, Today: Nathan rolled 22 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 13.  Perception Vs threats.
Today: Nathan rolled 13 using 1d8+1d6+4 with rolls of 8,1. Damage (if applicable).

This message was last edited by the player at 23:53, Wed 31 Aug 2022.

Moya noticed the spores but rather than shoot one of the remaining Floridians, and risking hitting one of her comrades, she decided the best thing to do was to summon the weapon of her green-leaved spirit and send it in the defence of those comrades still fighting.

As she rubbed her hand against her tattoo, thorns and leaves seemed to sprout from her skin, growing quickly to form the shape of a sickle and as it grows its connection to her skin grows thinner and thinner, a tenuous green wire that suddenly breaks and in the blink of an eye, the sickle is no longer attached to her but is in the air beside the Floridian fighting Tsuki and just as suddenly it strikes, fast as a triffid's sting.

Action 1-2 Cast Spiritual weapon.
Action 3 Use it to strike agaisnt the Floridian in melee with Tsuki (FMR2)
21:13, Today: Moya rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Strike with spiritual weapon.
21:14, Today: Moya rolled 18 using 2d8+3 with rolls of 8,7.  Damage.

Watching as her comrades began taking care of the remaining Floridian's Tsuki would take aim at one of the likely one to survive the onslaught and cast a spell at it!

17:52, Today: Tsuki rolled 9 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 2.  Fort Save.

Action 1 and 2: Cast Purifying Icicle at one of the Floridian's, use the ring to turn the cold damage to electricity. (Gotta make it look like a storm in her small storm)
Action 3: Cast a 1 Action Heal on Self.

18:13, Today: Tsuki rolled 25,6,6 using 1d20+9,2d6,1d6 with rolls of 16,4,2,6.  Purifying Icycle.
18:15, Today: Tsuki rolled 2 using 1d4 with rolls of 2.  Forgot this die.
Hit AC: 25
DAMAGE 1: 6 Piercing
DAMAGE 2: 6 Electricity
DAMAGE 3: 2 Positive (Only if they count as Undead)

18:17, Today: Tsuki rolled 7 using 1d8 with rolls of 7.  Heal.
Heal Self: 7 HP Healed on self

Chalei'nh Smashes in the head-plant of one of the creatures, and her mask plus swift wind disperses the spores released harmlessly.

Connor manages to harness enough of his familiar's unliving nature to have the spores ignore him and float on by. He then burns one of the creatures to death, and zaps another one.

Moya's spiritual plant weapon cuts one of the wounded creatures in half, thus insuring it is no longer a problem.

Mo manages to cough a bit, but is otherwise unaffected by the spores.
[Private to Mo: 11:08, Today: Secret Roll: Dr Feck, on behalf of Mo, rolled 24 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 14.  Mo Fort Save.]

Tsuki blasts the last creature with her own electrical powers. She also heals herself from of the pervious damage. However, even as she does so, she sees the veins under her skin turning a bit...green. She also feels something awful in her lungs, and is coughing nonstop.

Nathan on the other hand, sees something very troubling in his scope as he scans the area. Downstream, where the frog man had come from.

[Private to Nathan: OOC-You see a horde of these things heading your way. It's slow moving, but there might be hundred, maybe more. They all seem to be aware which direction you are, and slowly lunch towards you. While slow, they move with an untiring pace that will bring them to you sooner than later.]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Wed 07 Sept 2022.

Moya keeps her spiritual weapon going for the time being and looks around to see whether all of the threat is gone.

Once she had confirmed that the last of their (immediate) enemies had fallen, Chalei'nh turned to the group.

- "Alright, hol' up a sec. Not to be a neat freak, but let me clear the spores off of everyone's clothes before we do anything else."

She would then proceed to cast Prestidigitation on everyone, sustaining it until she had cleaned everyone's exposed skin and clothing if time would allow her to of course.

The quickness his team finished off the remaining mushroom people allowed Nathan to search for other lurking threats. He scanned the area with his scope he stopped and cursed under his breath.

"Heads up. The fungus beach party continues." He Quickly pointing in the direction of the oncoming shambling hoard "We have a group of around 100 more coming our way. This group is no faster than the other group so we have time to get out of their way. The question is which way?"

He will take a look at his immediate surrounding in hope of a clue to this situation.

11:34, Today: Nathan rolled 21 using 1d20+10 ((11)) Pursue a Lead

In reply to Nathan (msg # 59):

Nathan's HUD provides info...

[Private to Nathan: OOC-Your HUD lists the best way to go would be to follow the frogman. You can spot other mushroom people roaming the forest. They are not close enough to attack, but they are slowly making their way to your group. Worse, all the Redcaps have a lot of cover from the trees, but have some way of detecting all of you.

Given what you already know about the Frogman, he is most likely headed to some sort of fortified area, given the fact he told you all to run.]

"I dinnae ken", says Moya.  "Any ideas which direction's best?  Cuid the wee frog have known something?"

While working to sustain her spell, Chalei'nh clicked her tongue.

- "Nearest safe house that won't take us in the path of that horde would be best i'd say. Once we set base there we can start taking out the stragglers from that group to whittle it down, there's no way they're not going to be a problem if left unchecked with those numbers."

In reply to Moya (msg # 61):

"I suspect so" replied Nathan  "As a local he probably  headed to a safer location, perhaps we should follow him"

He will look through his scope back towards the fungi from Florida. "The woods are full of these mycoid menaces. They seem to know we are here but moving slow enough that we can escape  by walking away"

Connor nodded.

"I agree that we should follow after the guy who was running away. I think we're strong enough as a group to take these but their vast numbers give them an advantage of swarming us if we're not careful. Plus, Tsuki doesn't look too good." he said with concern.

He considered, and spoke aloud.

"HUD? Can you please display negative status affects that are affecting the party right now?" Connor asked and mentally thought at the same time.

"...guys, I'm not feeling to well..." She said as she continued coughing. "I got a feeling some of those spores got in me." She says, indicating her veins.

Moya moved over to examine Tsuki. She checks her HUD in search of a cure and any information on the progress of this infection and for the simple medical procedures the Floridians ignored

In reply to Moya (msg # 66):

OOC-make a medicine roll...

OOC
15:03, Today: Moya rolled 10 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 2.  Medicine.

In reply to Moya (msg # 68):

Moya's HUD cannot seem to ID what is wrong with with Tsuki. The closest it comes is stating she has some sort of 'Fungal infection'. Which is obvious when she rolls up Tsuki's sleeve and sees a mushroom growing out of her elbow. Not to mention the green veins that are visible under the skin.

"Thus is no Athlete's foot", growls Moya.  "I've no idea whit ut is but uf it wiz athlete's foot, I'd try s'ing like tea tree or garlic.  We need a safe place but we also need to find something like that, or maybe a library which could tell us.  For now, I think this could be the apex already." 

"Let me try," says Mo, flicking at the mushroom with a nail then examining the woman.

12:45, Today: Mo rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  Medicine.

In reply to Mo (msg # 71):

Needless to say, touching the Mushroom hurt. It was connected to her nerve endings, and that was bad. Mo's HUD shows the parasite was spreading throughout Tsuki's system. Its current rate of growth was fast, too fast. There was no doubt sooner or later it would reach her heart, or brain. The possibilities after that was clear given the former people you just fought.

However, how to stop the infection was not clear. Chopping off Tsuki's limbs would not help, as the infection started inside her lungs. There may be a medical solution, involving other plants to slow the parasite's growth. However, Mo was unsure how to cure her just yet.

"I reckon we head for this base," Mo suggests, having briefly related his findings, "And see if we can see any plants like, on the way. Or hope we meet someone who knows what to do."

"Okay guys", says Moya.  "Tsuki bundle up as best as you can to prevent the spores getting out and somebody lead the way.  I'll see what plants I can see on the way that may be helpful."

Chalei'nh wanted to step up and take the lead, but one look at the terrain reminded her that, even in her new form, she didn't know the first thing about finding a path through the bush. Not surprising given she had lived in cities all her life, but still..

OOC: Survival to find a path: 11

Moya is too busy to find a path.  Right now, she's looking for an appropriate plant to make a potion to cure Tsuki's affliction.

OOC 28 Lore (Herbalism) to know what to look for
18 Nature to find it.

Nathan was concerned about Tsuki and wanted to find a safe, or at least safer, place where they would have tend to her ailment and regroup. While he had some training in survival he never had to use those skills in this type on environment. He hoped that 'game' enhancements to his particular set of skill can be of use here.

"Let's see if we can find a quicker and easier path to safety. Just as long as we remember that those are the ones that an enemy will put traps on."

He will pull his HUD to help him locate any useful information before he steps on it and get killed


2:03, Today: Nathan rolled 24 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 14.  Perception to aid search. +1 if seek applicable

12:01, Today: Nathan rolled 14 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 7.  Survival  find a path.

Chalei'nh and Nathan do not find a useful path other than the shallow stream they are on now. The woods seem packed with the creatures, although the trees are so close together its difficult to spot them. On the plus side, anyone in the woods has there movement restricted enough to make for slow going. Which explains why more of them are not attacking. However, they are making progress towards the party's location...including the large group coming from downstream.

Moya knows that certain natural fungus can be used to disable parasite fungi. However, this thing infecting Tsuki is an alien plant, and it seems able to survive in places where no plant should be able. Furthermore, any medicinal fungus growing naturally in the area seems to have been gathered. To the point she finds traces of the useful plant, but clearly someone has already had Moya's idea and took most of them.

From the south, where Nathan informed the others the horde was coming, voices can be heard. It sounded like an enraged crowd. All speaking at once, but no recognizable words. Just sounds of human anger without any thought to them. A quick peek with his scope, and Nathan sees the Horde is making good time to their location. Time that is now starting to run out...

Tsuki did indeed bundle herself up as best as she could. "...well, that's not good." She said softly. "Are there tracks?" She asked, pointing to the lack of medicinal fungus. "If there is, maybe we can follow them to the one that took them, and trade for some."

In reply to System AI (msg # 78):

"We have people coming in from the south. They seem to angry but I don't know who they are angry at. We best get ready just in case.

Nathan will look through his scope calling on his HUMINT skills from his old life and any of his new life enhancements to determine if these were new enemies or someone that they could talk to.

[Private to GM: Need a secret Perception + 10 for Expeditious Inspection to quickly determine if the angry mob may be hostile the us]

In reply to Nathan (msg # 80):

Nathan checks his HUD.

[Private to Nathan: 13:49, Today: Secret Roll: Dr Feck, on behalf of Nathan, rolled 15 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 5.  Secret Perception test.

Not sure what you are looking for. The mob is the horde coming from the south, via downstream. Thier sounds are carrying forward as they get close to you.

Also, don't you have the option to make secret rolls on the die roller? I can still see it, but no one else can.]

Moya sighed and looked to see whether there were any paths into the bush.

OOC Survival to find a route, rolled 13

That wouldn't help any.  She checked her HUD to see precisely how her wand worked and whether it would be of any use against the fungus people.

In reply to System AI (msg # 81):

The mob are still to far and had to much cover for to determine the mob's intention. During his time in the military he often had only seconds to determine which of the locals were hostile or just going about their day. He had made at least one mistake that cost two goat herder their lives. It was one of the reasons spent nearly a year on the street until one of his friends helped him get help and get on with his life.

So He waited until he could make a very quick threat assessment as to prevent his team from getting ambushed or causing unnecessary harm.

[Private to GM: Sorry I failed notice the secret roll box in the lower right corner]

The only trail, if it could be called that, that Moya could find lead up stream where the frogman had headed off to. Surrounding ether side of the stream was the dense swampy woods, which Nathan had already spotted more of the FMR where heading for them. All along with the massive horde from the south, downstream, moving lurchingly forward. Now every member of the group could hear the noises even more clearly as the Horde closed in. All sounds of incoherent rage so intense no words could be found.

Connor recalled that his HUD told him two pieces of information before, and he knew one was real and one was false but not which. Either these things were a sort of infectious space fungus, or there were herbs that could help treat the spores somewhere in the swamps. And it was dangerous to send the group on a wild goose chase without being for sure, and so he considered.

He mentally thought to Cabochon.

"Hey buddy. Try and do an assessment of your um...knowledge stores or whatever you use to know stuff and see if you know of any herbs in an environment like this that can treat fungal infections, and I'll do the same." he thought mentally to the familiar.

22:00, Today: Cabochon rolled 13 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 7.  Nature.

22:00, Today: Connor rolled 25 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 19.  Nature.

Ok so rolling nature on both cabby and Connor to see if they can recall any information about if there are plants and herbs that can be gathered from a swampy environment like this one that can be used as a potent anti-fugal treatment or cure.

Frowning for a moment, Chalei'nh wondered about something for a moment.

- "Nathan, is anyone from the hoard walking through the stream, or trying to cross it? It's possible the mushrooms are afraid the current will wash their spores away, and it would be a relatively easy way of getting them off our trail."

Moya checks her HUD to find out whether the magical fungal infection produced from her wand was of a kind that might work against the fungus infesting the state of Florida.

"Whoever these are screaming it doesn't sound friendly. I would recommend preparing to defend thy selves,"  He looked down his scope hoping to determine if they were hostile, if they were he wanted to get a  first shot off as soon as possible so he could he a better chance at getting a second shot before having to go into melee.

Nathan saw the horde heading their way. Granted it was slow, but the idea of fighting all of them seemed daunting. Travelling upstream, slowly, but approaching their position step by step. They where indeed travelling up stream towards the group, but ignored the water at their feet.

Moya's results did find many fungal possibilities, but nothing about alien plants from other worlds. At least, nothing she did not already know about the subject.

Connor's research did find some interesting tidbits. [Private to Connor: "Any nearby medical fungi has clearly been harvested already. Most likely from one of the other lifeforms you have already run into." ]

"...we need to find whoever has been harvesting all the fungal stuff from the area." She finally said as she looked around. "Whoever they are, they likely figured out the same thing we did. Find them, we find the cure, we fix me."

Chalei'nh sighed, and chin-motioned in the direction the horde had been spotted in.

- "Well, either way that horde's coming in, and i'd rather not face them without a supply of meds to fix that damn infection they're carrying, so we need to get going. I just hope the ones that monopolized the cure don't try and charge others for it."

Connor's eyes lit up (figuratively) as he perked up very suddenly and obviously to the party.

"Guys! I think there may be some plants and such in the area that can be used to treat the spores, but they are all gone. The HUD revealed a useful tidbit after a really good assessment of the area, and while I am not totally sure I have a sneaking suspicion that the dude who ran off the other way probably has herbs and stuff we can use for Tsuki!" he said.

"We need to go, and NOW, and go after him and either convince or force him to give us enough to treat our Storm-Fox." he said.

"Let's go guys. No use in wearing ourselves down on more hordes. Let's go after frog dude." Connor said as he turned and began to head in the direction the frog-man ran off in, with Cabochon following overhead stoically.

In reply to Connor (msg # 92):

OCC: little confused there. I thought the new group was blocking the path that the frog went.

"Sounds like a good plan. It sounds like this new group wouldn't be interested in talking  anyway." He will follow in Connor's direction.

"Frog dude it is", says Moya.  "And if the Angries beat the Floridians, we may have a smaller horde to contend with afterward." she smiles a grim and determined smile.  "If it goes the other way, perhaps Frog Dude will have enough to innoculate us all against the alien spores so we can take on the bigger Floridian horde.".

She falls in behind Connor, letting him lead the way.

Seeing how most people of their group were starting to follow Connor, Chalei'nh began walking as well, keeping an eye on what was going on behind them to keep anything from sneaking up to them unnoticed.

The group decides the best course of action was to follow the fleeing frogman. Even as they gather and start moving, the moans and cries of rage from the forest and downstream seem to get louder. As if the FMRs could tell their prey is outpacing them.

Once they get going, the lower growls of anger could still be heard-although distantly. What happened next is wholly unexpected. A digital sign appears over Malcom's head, which says in words everyone can see.

"RECALLED FOR MARKETING!"

He proceeds to vanish, as he had before. Everyone's HUD gives them no clue as to why Malcolm vanished. However, he still appears on the party's roster. Any messages to him does not produce any replies.

Eventually the group still hears the FMRs downstream, and Tsuki is not getting any better. So the only choice is to go forward. After just over two hours of walking, the party arrives at a massive wooden gate. It seems to be a wall wooden circle around a small town, but you can't see inside. Those among you more natured oriented can tell most of the fungi plant life has been stripped bear in this area.

"What do you want!?" Came a voice from the top of the massive gate, a slight croak to it.

"Are you the one that has been picking the area clean of the fungal supplies?" Tsuki asked politely to the person up above that has addressed them. "If so, we would like to trade for some."

Two odd eyes attached to a froggy head poke over the top of the gate, looking down at the group. The frog person croaks down at them.

"Are one of you infected?" It croaks, sounding worried. The frog then turns to others standing with it, but are out of view. "Get him! Get him now! Yes, I don't care if he said not to be bothered by anyone! Just do it!"

"Looks like someobody figured this level out before we even got here." muttered Moya.  "And somebody's cornering the market." She's scowling to herself but at least she hasn't started talking about the negative utility theory of micro and macro economics.

"Yes, one of us is infected." She said, from under her bundles. She listened closely to whats going on from behind the gate.

Connor nodded.

"We are hoping you guys can help us treat one of our afflicted. We stopped a large group of the mushroom men from coming this way though. Hopefully, you all can return the favor."

Chalei'nh walked closer to the others, lowering her voice to make sure only they would be able to hear it.

- "Look, we might point out that we just kiled a group of twelve of those things. Now, these guys are all holed up in the base hiding from that horde, so i propose we suggest that we handle that horde for them by continuously taking out stragglers, in return for supplies and cures. In order for this show to keep having entertainment value the dungeons we get thrown into will most likely get progressively harder and i would rather we use the opportunity to get ahead of the curve as early as possible. May even get some more of those lootboxes out of it in the process... What do you say?"

Those of the group with good eyesight see a familiar appearance leaning over the top of the gate. One of the frog people, but the tell-tale yellow stripe running from his forehead down his back. You assume, as you can't really see his back due to the fact he was wearing a shirt.

"Shut up! Shut up! I need to hear them!" He shouts at some one nearby him, not visible from the base of the gate.

"You...you are the nitwits who did not run when I told you to run!? And...you are still alive!? ALL of you!?" The froggy face seems to do a count of everyone below. "Well, one of you missing, but most of you, right?" He does not seem to wait for an answer. "Let them in. You head me!" He croaked at the unseen listener. "We need them! LET THEM IN!"

Sure enough, as if by magic, the massive gates open. Inside where maybe a few hundred froggy faces staring at the party. Some of them where very small froggy kids, hiding behind what you assume are the parents. All of them looked very, very, scared. All but one, coming down a ladder.

"Which one of you is infected? I need to see them! What is the growth rate?" The same being which they had been talking to from the top of the gate, and briefly as he hopped/ran by them outside now spoke to them. He did not seem scared, not of the party anyways. He seemed more aggravated at life in general.

He gestured for them all to get inside. "Move! There are still a lot of them wandering around our village, and they are being drawn by all this noise! Not to mention the horde headed this way." He paused, as if remembering something. "Oh, I'm Yellowstripe." The obvious nature of his name to his appearance does not seem to conflict him any.

In reply to Yellowstripe (msg # 103):

"I am Nathan.We appreciated any aid you can render. Hopefully we can also be of help to you." Nathan will say to Yellowspripe "For right now if you like I can help with watching for the walking mushrooms and for that screaming mob."

Connor nodded.

"None of our party died. The one guy had to go do some marketing for D'Monix so isn't here right now. And we defeated the horde that was chasing you earlier. We did pretty good to only have 1 infected person." the wizard said. "Individually they aren't all that strong. The danger is in their spore clouds and their mob tactics. If we had a reliable way to vaccinate ourselves against the spores, we could probably take out a horde twice the size the the previous one without losing anyone." he said, trying to win the fog peoples' admiration but also gratitude and approval.

He considered.

"I know you have an herbal way to treat this. If you help us, and allow us to use your village as a base of operations for now until we figure out where the floor exit is, we would gladly ally with you against the horde and fight off any who tried invading. And if some are in your village already we can defeat those ones too."

In reply to Connor (msg # 105):

OOC-who wants to roll Diplomacy?

18:32, Today: Moya rolled 22 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 15.  Diplomacy.

Moya stepped forward and said, "Fra my experience, vaccinations dinnae work for fungal infections, but other forms ae prophylaxis are possible.  Any help yez may hae on that score, or on treatment, wid be well welcome and we can aid you as the others said against the mindless hordes ae the infected."

The gates close behind the party, and from the woods shouts of incoherent rage can be heard. It seems to be coming from the area surrounding the village. Almost in response to that noise, a large, somewhat distant angry crowd could be heard downstream. While the party has no doubt about the source of that noise, the frog people look about with terror and gather up their young. Heading for the various wooden tents they had constructed that seem to make up most of the village.

Yellowstripe escorts the group to the one building in the village. Its a rough wooden box-like structure, designed to be taken down quickly if need be. It has no door, but a tarp covering which is pulled aside for the party to be ushered inside. "Vaccinations don't work with normal fungal infections, but this thing has the properties of a virus. Using the same method of dealing with viruses, I have managed to come up with a temporary treatment." He gestures for Tsuki to come forth and show her arm.

Assuming she allows the examination, he reaches into the alchemy lab like set up he has within the structure. He takes out a small salve, and proceeds to have Tsuki rub the cream into the infected areas. Once she does so, the mushrooms growing from her skin wither and fall off. Leaving only slightly bruised flesh behind and no pain.

"Good news and bad news. We got to the infection in time. The spread is halted. Bad news...its not gone. It will come back eventually, and if your friends get exposed enough they will also feel the effects. You are a carrier now. On the plus side, if you don't provide the fungus with sufficient levels of aggression and fear, you won't turn into one of those things. Instead it will just kill you trying to convert your body into one of its hosts." He said with a croak.

"Now, its not all doom and gloom. I am on the verge of creating a fungal spore cloud that can repel the creatures. It will only work for a short time, but long enough for us to leave. Because my people are more resistant to the fungus, we can use it to escape. However, I need more time to make it viable, but it won't be done when the main horde gets here."

He rubs the yellowstripe of his name sake, and sighs. "This won't help most of you, but I will be able to give you all a booster as it where. It will give you temporary resistance to the spore, but not immunity. To do that, you need to end the source of the infection. We call it the Orange Bloat. Until that thing is put down, the infection will never truly end.

The deal I am willing to make with you is if you defend this village until the spore cloud is ready, I will give you the directions to the Bloat so you can kill it. We all have to destroy the incoming horde first."

"My...flail is yours," says Mo, holding said weapon up, "Where should we make our defence?"

In reply to Moya (msg # 107):

OCC: orange bloat baad

Nathan will look towards the others "We can certainly lend you our assistance "e

Tsuki did as instructed, showing him her arm and allowing him to work. Then as he spoke, she listened to him considering for a moment. Finally she nodded. "If killing this being will end this then I will help defend this place. You helped me after all." She said softly. Then she frowned a bit. "So...what happens if I provide it aggression?"

"Is the Orange bloat vulnerable tae fungal infections itself?" asks Moya then adds, "Either way sounds a guid deal. Am up far it."

Chalei'nh nodded in agreement with the others.

- "We may be able to lead the horde away from the village by chipping away at it from the side and get it to divert course trying to come after us. From what i've seen we're faster than them -- Yellowstripe, do you have maps of the area we could use to keep from getting stuck in a dead end?"

Connor considered.

"I wonder if this orange bloat is the Apex?" he mused aloud.

"Either way, I think allying with the frog people is a good idea. And With our magic and such we can take them out from a distance and thin them out over time." he added.

"Well, if you provide it with enough aggression, and mind you I don't know the precise amount, the thing will grow into your brain and remove the higher functions. If you don't, it will still grow into your brain, slower, and then fail to convert you while killing you in the process." Yellowstripe croaks while shaking his head. "If we pull this off successfully, it won't be an issue."



"No idea, I have only seen it from a distance. A far, far distance for safety reasons." The frogman croaks out.



"No, that would be a terrible idea. I have no doubt you lot are the best fighters in this whole village. If what you are suggesting does not work, we will be overrun without having you lot here to defend us. You might distract some of them, but there is a certain cunning to the creatures and their actions, most likely directed from the Bloat itself. We can't risk its dumb enough to send its forces only after you." Yellowstripe points out.



Yellowstripe looks oddly at Connor, as if he was speaking a unknown language. Then Connor gets a message flashing in his HUD. Along with a big red 'X'. The system AI quickly chimes in.

"Warning! You have attempted to give in game info to a NPC! This is a violation of the rules! You have been marked down as attempting a genre violation!"

After this stern warning, another message comes through. Bizarrely its instead of the scolding official voice Connor just heard, this voice returns to the AI's normal cheesy game show host tone.

"New Boon! Awww...how cute! They think they matter!

You have gotten the 'NPCS are people' boon! You have gotten a bronze 'Can't we just think of the children' loot box!"

Yellowstripe shakes his head as if he had just gotten some sort of migraine. Then he turns to the rest of the party. "So, it will take several hours for the horde to get here. I want you all fully rested before they arrive. We will take care of readying the defenses. I will be working on the fungal cloud, but that might take a lot more time than we have. The defenses must hold!" Assuming there are no more questions, he heads back to his lab to get the work started.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:15, Mon 03 Oct 2022.

"Just one thing," Mo says, "we got any fire, other than this?" He holds his smoking flail up.

"I reckon they won' like that much."

Moya doesn't wave around her weapon but she answers Mo's question with a quiet and simple, "Aye."

Chalei'nh nodded in response to Yellowstripe.

- "Well, we'd find out whether the Bloat is smart or not soon enough -- If it throws the horde against the wall to overrun us with numbers from the start we can assume its ability to order its forces around gets... diluted when spread out over that many as opposed to focusing on a small-to-medium group. If it sends a small group in first to probe the defenses, then would be the time to start worrying since we'll need to expect an actual strategy. I suppose it depends on how autonomous it keeps its drones."

She then turned to Mo.

- "No fire here, sorry. Got negative energy though, could fire it off every twenty seconds or so though its range is fairly short, but it's effective against anything living. Like mushrooms."

Frowning for a moment, she turned to Yellowstripe again.

- "...You know, this may just be me making a crazy suggestion, but what do you think would happen if we were to feed the Bloat one of those antidotes to itself?"

Tsuki's tails waver and swish. "I have fire, via my tails." Tsuki said from under her wraps. "I can also use it in an area." She said with a small nod.

"Och wait, yez meant actual fire?  I thought yez meant 'fire power'." Moya actually blushes.  She's never blushed before.

"I also have some fire. With my flaming orb being my big gun so to speak. Especially from up on a wall I can make the thing bounce around and start taking out those mushroom men if need be." he said.

"Then I'll try and hold 'em up, bunch 'em up, and you lot blast 'em," mo says, the choice of words perhaps showing more certainty than his voice.

- "I'll help Mo hold the line then, no sense in having him get swarmed. My punches have more range than my breath anyway."

Chalei'nh then turned to look at the villagers and the rest of her party, tapping the sash she had wrapped around her face.

- "Oh, by the way, covering your face helps in not breathing in any spores -- noticed that in the last fight. You can still get infected of course, but the odds are much lower when it can only get in through open wounds."

OOC-Should I assume everyone begins to ready for the attack? Nathan, do you do anything special?

Remember, the village is surrounded by a circular wall which the infected will try and break through or get over. Are you making any special preparations of your own, or are you just resting to be at full HP/Spells?

Is there anything flmmable we can gather.

Once we're rested and restored we ready for the attack, first checking over Tsuki to see whether Yellow Stripe's treatment has worked.

OOC: No special preparations for me, i don't (yet) have anything that has longer setup times. I'd join Moya on checking whether the treatment is working on Tsuki too though.

Tsuki has no preparations that she will try, other then trying to remain calm which for ehr is a difficult thing.

OOC: If we only have a few hours, Connor is going to use blood magic to bleed his way into regaining his spent 2nd level spell slot, which would normally do 16 damage to him except with Cabochon it is mitigated by his regeneration from being orbited. So he'll be topped off hit point wise and spell wise.

If someone else needs a first or 2nd level spell slot recovered I think we have time for Connor to pull it off using this combo as he can heal 8 hp / 40 minutes with Cabochon (and 8 hp = 1 slot from blood magic).

If this is considered a long rest, then nvm. :P

Nathan will ask if they have components for either black powder or alchemist's fire. He will also try to take at least a short rest if possible.

The frog people, still very shy, begin to bring the group food and other things they request. Mo gets some tar, but is told the walls are made of reinforced wood. He needed to be very careful when using it.

Moya is given soothing cream from a small frog person in a child's jumper. The frog kid then hops away and hides behind a bucket, peeking out and watching the group with great interest.

When Tsuki puts the cream on her former growths on her arm, she feels somewhat better. However, she does notice other growths appearing on other sections of her body. However, it is not spreading fast, and it is considerable less painful. More so with the cream.

Connor and the others are given pillows, food, and drink. The food is some sort of weird bean dip, but with the flat bread provided its actually pretty good. It is served with some sort of hot tea and honey. After resting, Connor feels his blood magic plan may not be needed to restore his power.

Nathan is taken aside by Yellowstripe and given enough powder to load his weapons, but told the village mostly uses arrows. Any additional ammo will be in short supply.

Night comes on soon enough. Then with darkness, the enraged howls of the infected are easily heard. Those who go on the walls can see the horde from the south stream quite visible now. Like Nathan saw in his scope, there are hundreds of them. People in bathing suits, t-shirts, flip flops, and other beachwear. All with the massive red mushroom head coming out of their skulls. Their dull, lifeless eyes screaming in incoherent fury.

Then Nathan sees something worse with his scope. At first he thinks they are giant people. Then he realizes what they are with a closer look. They are six people, merged together in a mushroom like growth. Forming a humanoid fungus Voltron, one for each limb, two for the torso, and a massive mushroom head.

If that was not bad enough, in the back behind rows of the screamers, there where others carrying what looked like Mushrooms the size of cows. What they planned to do with the immobile fungus is unclear.

"Oh crap..." Yellowstripe says, looking at the horde with his own telescope. "...yeah, I think they have a plan."

Before night falls, Mo places the tar with some brush outside the walls, at the approach to the gate but a little way away.

"Well we have a bit of a plan too," he says, holding a burning torch.

Moya waits patiently for a target to get within range of her wand, ready to cast her baleful magic as soon as they reach 45 feet away. [Private to GM: Her tattoo gives fungal infestation a range of 30 feet instead of touch and the spell produces a fifteen foot cone of infestation stretching from a single point 30 feet away from her and stretching away from her.]

"When one of them big ones gets close to the tar..." Mo says to Moya, nodding at her wand.

Chalei'nh tsk'ed as she noticed the combination of extra large zombies and the ones with musrooms so big it rendered the victim immobile.

- "If i was a betting person, i'd say that's what they plan to use as artillery. Lobbing diseased cows into a city actually used to be a medieval siege tactic to spread plagues and weaken the defenders before an assault."

She checked again whether her sash was wrapped around her face properly. It may not have been the way it had been intended, but fortunately equipment didn't seem to be picky about where it was worn with regards to the effects it had. It was good to keep in mind for future reference.

OOC: If this rest is considered a long rest, Connor will of course re-cast mage armor. If not, then never mind. :P

"Unfortunately my magic cannot make walls and barriers really. Not yet, anyway. That may be something I need to invest in down the line when and if we make it through this." he said to the others.

"I also am guessing those large mushrooms are either some sort if diseased cows, or perhaps some sort of mushroom cover or battering ram or something." he continued. "I've given Cabochon 2 alchemist fires I made and I have 4 minor life elixers as well. He has 3 of them and I'm holding one for an emergency." he said as the others noticed several little vials orbiting around Cabochon along with his gems and orbs.

"I'm thinking of having him fly high in the air - far beyond the reach of their tendrils - and maybe dropping an alchemist fire on two of those immobile mushrooms. With some luck, the mob near by might catch fire a bit too."

He then flexes his hands, and wisps of flame flicker from them before quickly fading.

"I have some fire magic prepared as well as electric arc, and when it's time for the big guns I create that flaming orb from last time twice before I'm spent. But I am not able to attack much beyond 30 feet so will be hiding behind the walls and slinging spells and maybe using flaming orbs to block choke points. If I can manage it, I'll try to use a defensive aura to help protect people atop and behind the walls a bit too." he said.

Nathan will scan the encroaching forces accessing the potential targets and best ranges to engage. "At maximum range my best shots would be against the largest targets.  if the big mushrooms are going to be used for artillery should I engage in some counter-battery fire before they start fling the damn things?  Gazing through his scope his will sii if his HUD could provide some insights on the really big mushroom.

02:21, Today: Nathan rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Nature roll Vs big Mushrooms.

Moya covers her face in a cloth and then wets it and makes sure she can keep wetting it.

Chalei'nh nodded in agreement with what was being said.

- "Yeah. Those large ones and the giant mushroom things are going to be the biggest threats to the walls, it's important to take them out ASAP. After that all they'll have are numbers, and we'd be holding them off from the top of an intact wall. My own range isn't as big as some of yours, fifty feet at most, but it'll be enough to swat zombies off the wall as they try to climb up it."

Moya steps away from everybody, saying, "Nobody come near me, this could be dangerous"

Wit that she squats on the ground, searching for plant material she can use to power the spell she is planning.  She grabs a piece of bracken letting it and her blood from the thorns touch her tattoo as she begins working on a spell.  She is in a trance and thorns growfrom her body, they grow brighter and brighter.[Private to GM: [Inner Radiance Torrent using material somatic and verbal components over two rounds.  This will allow her to fire out a line of light 120ft long (beginning 30 ft from her because of the tattoo) causing 4d4 damage to any creature along that line).  She will be in a shining state (but not a trance) for 1 minute, causing 1 force damage to anyone ending a turn adjacent to her in that time]]

Connor nodded.

"It seems everyone is in agreement that the large mushroom things present a danger of some sort and should be mitigated if possible. I will send cabochon up into the air to drop a flask of alchemist fire onto two of the giant mushrooms. Beyond that, I won't be able to hurt them until they come within thirty feet of the wall. But it's a mob, so I'll use my flame orbs at choke points and so on."

Sure enough, despite their appearance, there is a plan for the siege. The smaller, human sized Florida Men Redcaps charge forth first. Waves of the creatures, still dressed like beach goers who have come down with a mushroom-headed infection, attack the wooden wall from all directions. Upon hitting the solid barrier, they look at the top. Proceeding to shoot forth the strange vines from their mouths', they lock on to the upper part of the wall and pull themselves up. While they don't make it all the way to the top in one go, they cling to the wood and shoot out the vines again, clearly planning to get over the top and inside.

Even as they begin their strange form of climbing and reeling themselves in, the Frog people begin to shoot their arrows down at the horrible threat crawling towards their people. That leaves the group to try and do some real damage before its too late.

Even as all of this is happening, the larger FMRs seem to be holding back for some reason. Standing in front of the horse sized Mushrooms, as if shielding them from harm.

OOC:

Initiative:

Party gets initiative.

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde Intact|UnEngaged|20|F+12,R+6,W+8

Special Ability: Horde status.

Given the amount of FMRs, the horde takes damage as a single entity. As a result it is resistant to damage that effects one target, and vulnerable to area effects. Furthermore
its abilities are reduced as it takes damage, but how much damage it must take before it breaks down is unknown to you.

Conner|32/32|UnEngaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|Unengaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|UnEngaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/35|Unegaged|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/47|UnEngaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/39|unEngaged|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the horde and roll for them.


This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Tue 25 Oct 2022.

When she saw the Florida Zombies begin shooting strands from their mouths again, Chalei'nh decided two could play at that game. And that those things could use a taste of their own medicine for once. Taking a deep breath, she lowered the sash she had wrapped around her face and let out an energy blast of her own from her mouth and into the densely packed horde.

First time using this, could you check the numbers?
02:43, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 24 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 16.  Dragon Breath: Negative energy cone.
02:45, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 6 using 2d4 with rolls of 3,3.  Damage on horde, Reflex DC 17.

Edit: Action 3: Parry (+3 AC)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

In reply to Chalei'nh (msg # 143):

OOC-with area effect you dont roll to hit. instead roll hordes reflex save vs your dc. if they get 10+ over=no damage. if they get 0-9, half damage. if they fail=normal damage. if they fail by 10+, double damage.

Connor decided he needed to get their defenses up first. The flaming orbs would come after but he had to get that aura going so it could protect as many of his party members and their froggy allies as possible.

So standing behind the walls, Connor gestured with his hands in a strange arcane pattern as he gathered abjurative energy, and he began to sparkle and shimmer softly as his familiar protection field began emanating from him. He clapped his hands together loudly once, as he focused more energy into the effect, and the field suddenly expanded once again!

As he was doing this, Cabochon was flying far overhead - out of tentacle range of course - over the mob and above the battle as he prepared to maneuver into position to try and take out a couple large mushrooms. He would act against them soon, but for now the focus was on moving to a safe distance above the battle.

Spend 1 action to use his Protective Ward Abjuration Class focus ability.

Spend 1 action to use Widen Spell to fatten his protection Ward Aura.

The Ward currently is a 10 foot radius emanation from Connor. All party members and Froggy allies within gain +1 AC.

Spend 1 Action to activate Cabochon.
---Cabochon spends 2 actions to double-move and flies high above the battlefield, out over the horde. Where he is going is more narrative but he can fly, and first priority is staying out of combat range and then second is getting above or close to the large mushrooms in the back, albeit high in the air.

In reply to Dr Feck (msg # 144):

12:45, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1.  Horde reflex vs. me (DC 17).

Best time to roll a Nat 1 to be honest :P

Moya stood still watching the horse sized fungii as she grow glowier and growier and thornier and thornier and until she seemed almost to be a shiny giant cactus, which might have looked dull for the audience but soon they will know what is happening.  [Private to GM: [Taking a further full round to increase the power of Inner Radiance Torrent to maximum]]

Nathan will first check to see if he has a shot against the giant mushrooms in the back, given the efforts the mushroom hoard were making to protect them may indicate a possible vulnerability. Perhaps they could be made to explode or something before they could be used against them and the townsfolk. If the were out of range or to well covered he will then will play pinball with the mob.

OCC: If he can Nathan can attack the giant mushrooms he will spend one action to plan strategy then spend two actions to set up ricochet attack. If attack on the giant mushroom then he will prepare ricochet attack to horde


23:31, Today: Nathan rolled 15 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 6.  Devise Strategy.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

"Ah sod this for a game of soldiers," says Mo. Eyeing up the brush he collected earlier and used to cover the tar, he takes aim and lobs his torch right into it.

The torch disappears and nothing happens for a few moments...

14:38, Today: Mo rolled 20 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 12.  Throw torch (+11-3).
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:58, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

In reply to Nathan (msg # 148):

OOC-Did you include your +5 Devise a Strategy bonus from your magic item?

In reply to Dr Feck (msg # 150):

I hope I didn't get this bass akward. I rolled 6 and was suppose to add +5 from the scope for a total of 11. When Nathan shoots next round instead of rolling a D20 he would substitute the 11 from the his 'Devise a strategy' the previous turn.  Add 5+3(int)+1(scope)=20 next round.

I read the rules and I think that how it's work. The mighty GM can correct me if I am wrong.

In reply to Nathan (msg # 151):

OOC-You also add your class mod to the effect.

So its 3(trained)+2(level 3)+3(int)+5(Magic item)+1(Scope). Total=+14

With a roll of 6=20.

However, their AC is 20, so if you recall each additional creature hit is-1 to the roll, so you wont be able to get the area effect nature of the ricochet.

In reply to Dr Feck (msg # 152):

Well back to the books for me <put on dunce cap and sits in corner>

So I can shoot this round as well? I wasn't sure if the Ricochet options included the actually shooting. Silly me

In reply to Nathan (msg # 153):

Ooc-yes, although when you do a ricochet, it takes two actions. So one for plan a strategy, and two more to do the attack.

Also, dont forget your hero points when you roll crap.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:14, Mon 24 Oct 2022.

Tsuki looked at the coming horde for a moment considering her actions. "Keyla, I need you to stay here at my side for now." She said softly to her Dire Fox companion, who whined to her.

"I know we said Fire would be the best thing against them, but I have other things just as effective." She said with a simple nod. "It is time that these creature feel the storm, and radiance, of my very spirit!" Then with that she cupped her hands together in front of her, letting her spiritual energy build, and build, and build within her cupped hands before finally letting it lose in a 120' long line in front of her! "Inner Radiance Torrent!" A storm of bolts and beams then fly forth in a 120' line from her!

[OOC: All three actions are spent to cast Inner Radiance Torrent.

22:48, Today: Tsuki rolled 12 using 4d4 with rolls of 4,3,4,1.  Inner Force Torrent damage.
Damage: 12 Force
Save: DC 19 basic Reflex
22:50, Today: Tsuki rolled 10 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 4.  Horde Reflex Save.
Horde Save: 10 Failed]

Nathan nails one of the climbing Mushroom men in the forehead, and he falls and takes some more with him crashing to the base of the wall.

Conner readies the defenses with his magics.

At another section of wall, Mo tosses the torch at the barrels of oil prepared for burning. The bodies of the FMRs make good shielding for the wooden wall itself from the fire. However, most of them seem to not notice the flames. That does not stop more than a few from dropping to the ground and ceasing to move.

Moya readies her blast, and Tsuki delivers a quicker but less powerful version of the spell. Still causing a wide swath of destruction among the creatures.

Chalei'nh joins along the carnage with her own wide breath weapon, waiting until the climbers where about to go over the table and turning them to ash.

Of course, the various frog folk shoot arrows down at the climbers. None of them seem to be marksmen, but they hit more often than they miss.

However, the Horde is like a wave. Even if a few sections get beaten back, others surge forward. The vine coated tongue projection shoot up, giving them a climbing like implement to reel themselves higher along the wall. Some even hit the frog people defenders...and some party members. Once struck, the vine construct tries to wrap around whatever body part it struck, and reel the victim to the ground below...

OOC:

FMRs proceed to climb and attack with their vine tongues!

The party, due to their good positioning get the benefits of full cover(+4 AC, Reflex saves, and hide checks). However, because the party must be spread out along the wall, as the horde is climbing from every side, only Connor and the Frog people near him get his ward bonus.

14:50, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 7 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 1.  Damage.

14:49, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 21 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 12.  Attack Nathan.

14:49, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 24 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 15.  Attack Conner.

14:48, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 23 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 14.  Attack Mo.

14:47, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 10 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 1.  Attack Chalei'nh.

14:47, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 25 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 16.  Attack Moya.

14:46, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 16 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 7.  Attack on Tsuki.

Factoring in the AC cover bonus plus a ward bonus for Connor, this is the result of the attack.

Connor-Hit.

Nathan-miss

Mo-Miss

Chalei'nh-Miss

Moya-hit

Tsuki-Miss.

Anyone who was hit takes 7 damage and is now considered grappled. Next round they may try and pull you off the wall and you will fall 40 feet if you don't break free before that. Other players can assist you if they spend one action moving to you and another to aid your escape action. Or they can try to attack the tendril holding you, but there is no guarantee that will cut the vine.

Remember, Escape actions count as an attack for multi-attack plenty. If a player has a very good athletics skill, they can try and pull the vine off its victim.

To escape from a grapple, you can roll acrobatics or athletics as your escape action.

FMRs are 1 move away from the top of the wall at this point.

OOC:

Initiative:

Party gets initiative.

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde Slightly dispersed|UnEngaged|20|F+12,R+6,W+8 [Private to GM: 27+ damage]

Special Ability: Horde status.

Given the amount of FMRs, the horde takes damage as a single entity. As a result it is resistant to damage that effects one target, and vulnerable to area effects. Furthermore
its abilities are reduced as it takes damage, but how much damage it must take before it breaks down is unknown to you.

Conner|32/25|Grappled|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|Unengaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|UnEngaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/28|Grappled|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/47|UnEngaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/39|unEngaged|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the horde and roll for them.


This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Tue 25 Oct 2022.

Faced with a choice to assist her companions and keep attacking the Horde, Chalei'nh opted for the former. Relying on the magic of her bracers, she struck at the vines that had latched onto Connor and Moya, using her natural reach to avoid wasting valuable time repositioning, or pay less attention to her own protection.

Action 1: Assume Wolf stance
Action 2: Flurry of Blows vs. vines holding Connor and Moya
- 21 to hit, 8 damage
- 9 to hit, 6 damage
Action 3: Parry (+3 AC)

Rolls:
21:36, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 21,9 using d20+9,d20+5 with rolls of 12,4.  Flurry of Blows (vines holding Connor and Moya).
21:38, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 8,6 using 2d8+2,2d8+2 with rolls of 2,4,2,2.  Damage (Wolf stance).

The vines prevented Moya from using her tattoo to start the line thirty feet away but that didn't matter much so she just let it go in a line from her, 120 feet into the centre of the horde.  A bolt of energy, filled with thorns like tiny knives scorched their way along the line causing untold damage.

If it was still necessary, she would attempt to escape otherwise she would draw her wand preparing it for next round.  Moya was still glowing with energy and covered in thorns.

Action 1 blast away
4d4 force damage to all creatures in a 120 foot line
Creatures in the area must attempt a basic Reflex save. On a critical failure, they're also blinded for 1 round. The number of actions you spend when Casting this Spell determines the area. If the line passes through an area of magical darkness or targets a creature affected by magical darkness, inner radiance torrent attempts to counteract the darkness.
22:32, Today: Moya rolled 20 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 14.  Reflex save (Horde).
22:33, Today: Moya rolled 7 using 4d4 with rolls of 3,1,1,2.  Damage.

Action 2 (conditional)  escape attempt.
21:14, Today: Moya rolled 13 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 8.  Acrobatics to break free.

Action 3  draw wand

As her blast freed her from the monstrous horde, Moya reached for her wand and, passing the spell through her tattoo to increase its range, she gave the horde a taste of its own medicine, sending the fungal infection spell to a point ten feet from the ground and spreading downward affecting any of the creatures in a fifteen foot half cone and stretching awa from her for maximum volume affected.

Action 2 Aim Wand
Action 3 Fire

Area 15-foot cone
Saving Throw Fortitude
Toxic spores swarm over creatures in the area, causing them to erupt in grotesque fungal growths. These noxious growths deal 2d6 persistent poison damage, and each creature must attempt a Fortitude save.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The target takes half the persistent poison damage.
Failure The target takes the full persistent poison damage.
While it is taking this persistent poison damage, it has weakness 1 to fire and weakness 1 to slashing.
Critical Failure As failure, but double the persistent poison damage. While it is taking this persistent poison damage, it has weakness 2 to fire and weakness 2 to slashing.
23:47, Today: Moya rolled 25 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 13.  Fortitude save (Horde).
23:48, Today: Moya rolled 12 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,6.  Damage.
(Half damage for save?)

Tsuki considered for a moment, then once more asked her Dire Fox to remain still. Finally she looked at the oncoming horde and once more looked down upon the creature's coming up the wall. "Now to show you a true storm." And once more she cupped her hands together in front of her, letting her spiritual energy build, and build, and build within her cupped hands before finally letting it lose in a 120' long line in front of her! "ELECTROFIED INNER RADIANCE TORRENT!" The ring on her finger glowing at the same time, causing the storm of bolts and beams to electrify and then fly forth in a 120' line from her!

[OOC: All three actions are spent to cast Inner Radiance Torrent. Using Ring of Bolt Charging on it.

20:52, Today: Tsuki rolled 13 using 4d4+3 with rolls of 4,2,1,3.  Electrofied Inner Force Torrent damage.
Damage: 13 Electricity
Save: DC 19 basic Reflex
20:53, Today: Tsuki rolled 9 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 3.  Horde Reflex Save.
Horde Save: 9 Failed]

Connor grunts in pain as he is lashed by one of the FMRs and entangled in its vines. Still, he remains resolute. And in this moment of resolution, his protective aura expands further.

At the same time, Connor's eyes flare with power as he channels his magic. A crackling burst of electricity emits from his body and arcs over to the spot where Chalei had tried to break the vine grappling him, before it arcs once again into the FMR itself that had dared to attack him, giving both a shocking surprise.

"Suck on this, bastard!"

Spend 2 actions to cast Electric Arc.

22:02, Today: Connor rolled 9,8 using 2d4+4,2d4+4 with rolls of 3,2,2,2.  Damage.

22:02, Today: Connor rolled 15,9 using 1d20+6,1d20+6 with rolls of 9,3.  Reflex Save.

So His DC is 19, so the horde fails their reflex Save. The First one is of course against his closest target, the vine that is entangling him. He's jolting the same spot Chal attacked to try and break it at a weakened point. This causes 9 Electricity damage as a base to the vine grappling Connor.

It then arcs to attack the FMR that is attacking Connor and climbing up the wall. This one jolts the CRAP out of it as the thing rolled a 9 which is 10 less than 19 to save which means it critically fails, so Connor deals double damage! So the FMR itself takes 16 electric damage!

Connor then spends his 3rd action to sustain his ward. It now expands to a 15 foot radius.

Figuring the most useful thing he can do is help the others, Mo rushes to Moya and grabs the vine, ripping it off quickly. That done, he readies his flail.

1. Ungrapple Moya
2. Interact with flail
3. Ready action Atk 08:24, Today: Mo rolled 25 using 1d20+12 with rolls of 13.
08:25, Today: Mo rolled 17 using 2d10+4 with rolls of 8,5.

This message was last edited by the player at 11:25, Sun 30 Oct 2022.

As he quickly reloaded his musket he once again wishing he still had bullet  for his Glock pistol. He snorted at the notion and thought "Hell, while I am at it why not wish for a assault rifle and a box of infinite ammo for both? '
He brings up his weapon up aiming at the hoard climbing up the wall. Realizing  he may not have time for a well placed shot so he opted  for a quick ricochet shot in quantity of hits would make up for the lesser quality of the damage.

"Flaming Fun Guy corner pocket. " remarks  Nathan  as he pulls the trigger.

Action 1: Reload  musket
Action 2 and 3:Ricochet  attack



13:49, Today: Nathan rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 5,2. Damage .
13:07, Today: Nathan rolled 25 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 17. Shoot.

Chalei'nh twin blasts shoot forth, but fail to release ether victim of the vines.

Fortunately both Moya and Conner are able to free themselves. Moya releases a line of stored energy, and then whips out her wand to blast another row of the mushroom undead. Conner blasts himself free, and damages another FMR about to climb over the wall.

Tsuki also releases a line of electric death, this one going straight down the wall to its base. Knocking foes free of their climbing tongue grapples and causing them to fall.

Nathan manages to hit six of the foe, his single shot bouncing from redcap to redcap. Those whose mushroom brains are not exploded, are knocked off balance enough so they fall.

However, even with all that, and a few frog arrows hitting the climbers, some do make it to the top. That is when Mo proves his fan name-the burning arc of death. His wide swing of burning metal smashes some of the climbers back.

Some...but not all.

The horde climbs over the top, and those wielding bows and ranged weapons find themselves in close quaters with the fungal fiends. Beach goers in t-shirts, swim suits, shorts, and otherwise dressed wholly improperly for a war. Of course, now that you can see them close up, the look of unbridled rage and yet somehow empty eyes of milky white scream forth in the party's faces. Then they blast forth with their tongues made into a vine delivery system. Shooting forth in order to wrap up their victim.


OOC:

Initiative:

Party gets initiative.

11:26, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 17 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 8.  Attack Nathan.
-Miss

11:25, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 11 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 2.  Attack Conner.
-Miss

11:25, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 22 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 13.  Attack Mo.
-Hit, grappled

11:25, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 29 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 20.  Attack Chalei'nh.
-Hit. Minions like this do not crit on nat 20's. They only do so if they get 10 over your AC. Grappled.

11:24, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 11 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 2.  Attack Moya.

11:24, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 18 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 9.  Attack on Tsuki.
-Miss, barley due to the Connor's Ward.

11:27, Today: Secret Roll: System AI rolled 9 using 1d6+6 with rolls of 3.  Damage.

Please note-using area effect in these close quaters may hit friends and allies.

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde moderately dispersed|Engaged|18|F+10,R+4,W+6

Special Ability: Horde status.

Given the amount of FMRs, the horde takes damage as a single entity. As a result it is resistant to damage that effects one target, and vulnerable to area effects. Furthermore
its abilities are reduced as it takes damage, but how much damage it must take before it breaks down is unknown to you.

Conner|32/25|Enagaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|Engaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|Engaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|Engaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/28|Engaged|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/38|Engaged, grappled|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/30|Engaged, Grappled|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the horde and roll for them.


This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Tue 01 Nov 2022.

With her attention divided as it was, Chalei'nh was caught slightly off guard when the first of the horde made it on to the wall. Though in her case she had stepped in between a frog archer and the zombie that was about to attack it, leading to her being latched on.

Of course, unlike the archer, with her specializing in fighting unarmed it just so happened she had her hands free to fight off the attacker, and the knowledge on how to use said hands effectively. Which was then swiftly followed by a blast of negative energy following along the top edge of the wall, aimed at the climbers that had almost made it to the top and a few that were actually standing on said wall if she could hit them without getting an ally caught up in it.

17:52, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 23 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 15.  Escape.
17:54, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 2 using 1d4 with rolls of 2.  Rounds until Breath Weapon.
17:57, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Dragon Breath (-4 from Multiattack).
17:58, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 5 using 2d4 with rolls of 4,1.  Damage on horde, Reflex DC 18.
17:58, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 12 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 6.  Horde Reflex save vs. 18.
17:59, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 3 using 1d4 with rolls of 3.  Rounds until Breath Weapon.

Lots of rolls, but summarized: Rolled a 23 to Escape, using my Breath Weapon again (2nd round since the last time) for 5 damage as the Horde failed their Reflex save by less than 10 and the next two posts can't have me use my Breath Weapon, correct?

In reply to Chalei'nh (msg # 165):

Ooc-correct

Mo flexes his mighty biceps and the vines pop off him. His eyes burning coals, he sweeps his flail in a massive arc, crunching several more of the creatures before him. Grabbing the burning chain in his hand he then twists and unleashes another lethal strike.

OOC:
Axn 1: 15:03, Today: Mo rolled 29 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 18.  Athletics to free self.
Axn 2: 15:10, Today: Mo rolled 21,18 using 1d20+12,2d10+4 with rolls of 9,4,10.  Strike.
Axn 3: 15:20, Today: Mo rolled 26,15 using 1d20+7,2d10+4 with rolls of 19,4,7.  Strike 2. Almost a crit.

In reply to Mo (msg # 167):

Ooc-as you got a crit success on your escape, and we are not using maps, you get another action Mo.

Moya struggled with all of her might and all of her skill to try to escape from the grip of the vine that had hold of her but this time, nothing seemed to work.

21:02, Today: Moya rolled 17 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 12.  Escape.
21:02, Today: Moya rolled 10 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 5.  Escape.
21:02, Today: Moya rolled 12 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 7.  Escape.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Tue 01 Nov 2022.

In reply to Moya (msg # 169):

OOC-They missed you Moya.

Nathan went to help Moya break free. He recalled his own difficulty dealing with the spider webs as he figured out how to help.

"Is this mushroom giving you problems?"  he says as he stabs the FMP in such a way to encourage it to let go. If not initially successful he will prod the mushroom to follow the dictates of gravity and fall off the wall.



Action one   plot a strategy vs Moya's dance partner.
Action two   stab Moya's dance partner.
Action three Aid Moya vs Grapple If Moya freed than will aid any frog being grappled

12:46, Today: Nathan rolled 17 using 2D6+1d4+4 with rolls of 3,6,4.  Damage.

12:45, Today: Nathan rolled 19 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 8.  Plot a strategy.

Oops

Moya drew the weapon from deepwithin her, a sickle made of pure force.  Her first attempt to strike though, was a failure...

21:34, Today: Moya rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19.  Cast spiritual weapon.
21:35, Today: Moya rolled 7 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 1.  Strike with spiritual weapon.
21:35, Today: Moya rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  strike with spiritual weapon.
Questions:
a) is it possible to fumble with a spiritual weapon?
b) do I get two strikes?

In reply to Moya (msg # 172):

OOC-spirtiual weapon requires two actions to cast. You get one attack with it.

You can do a second attack this round with your third action at -5 to hit.

Your base to hit with the spiritual weapon is wisdom mod + 5 + 1 for your magic item. It will do 2d8+4 mod in force damage.

1st attack should be at +9, second at +4.


This message was last edited by the GM at 21:00, Tue 01 Nov 2022.

Connor, now free for the moment of the ensnaring vines, decided that now was as good a time as any to bring out the heavy guns.

He chanted a quick word of power, while making a mudra with his hands. And shortly after he did, a large flaming sphere of searing flame appeared in the air before him! It suddenly plummeted down from the wall, dropping to the ground at the base of the wall, although its flames didn't approach the wood of the wall as it instead rolled toward the mob.

Connor uses 2 actions and casts Flaming Sphere, and plops it into the mob near the base of the wall! This is an area attack, so should trigger their vulnerability! It also should give Connor some breathing room as it mows down any of them that move to the front part of the wall where he is, so has strategic value too!

22:03, Today: Connor rolled 25 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 19.  Reflex Save.

Unfortunately, they made their save this time and it does no damage as a special part of the spell, but the spell can still hurt them next turn. I'm just gonna flavor it and say him dropping it down the wall took away its accuracy till it hit the ground and stabilized. :P

At the same time, his aura expanded a bit more as he sustained his protection aura!

Spending his last action to sustain Protection Ward, so it now has a 20 foot radius and is now protecting a 40 foot diameter of the battlefield.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:10, Fri 04 Nov 2022.

"It is time for my storm to rage." She then clasps the amulet around her neck and her existing tails seems to grow more powerful, electricity playing along them. A small storm begins to whip up in a 5' emanation around her, then she goes from having three tails to having nine in an instant! "It is time I show you the tempest and storm in my soul that cannot ever be calmed!" And with that, and a whip of her tails, she lets lose a arc of electricity into the ground coming up the wall!

[OOC: Action 1: Use Magic Fang Focus Spell on self. (Curse increases to Minor)
Action 2 and 3: Use 9 Tails arc ability into group still coming up wall.

23:57, Today: Tsuki rolled 12 using 3d4+3 with rolls of 2,4,3.  9 Tails Electricity Damage.
DAMAGE: 12 Electricity

23:58, Today: Tsuki rolled 13 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 9.  Horde DC19 Basic Reflex Save.]

Chalei'nh Escapes from her vine bonds and proceeds to unleash another cone of negative energy onto the horde. Causing the Mushroom infected to fall back slightly, only to surge forth again.

As the Horde makes it over the wall, Mo is there swinging and whirling the burning flail. All around the gnoll burning mushroom bodies can be seen.

Nathan stabs one of the FMR, but is quickly overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and is forced back.

Moya calls forth her Sickle made of pure energy, but it fails to make an impact against the all those foes.

Conner sets loose with his burning orb, but had to send the sphere down the wall in order for it to not burn his allies.

Tsuki's storm tails rips through the incoming mass against her and her friends. However...they keep coming.

The frog people upon the wall are forced to end the use of bows and draw spears to fight the FMRs hand to hand.

Most of the group fights off the horde, but not disperses it. They avoid the grasping hands the shooting tongue vines. All expect Moya and Chalei'nh. Both of them get hit with multiple vines, causing serious damage while pulling them into to be infected in a short amount of time. Unless they escape...

Even as all this chaos unfolds, those with sharp eyes can see the large Mushroom beings made whose bodies are made up of normal sized FMRs doing something. They are grabbing the horse sized Mushroom and it looks like they are readying a throw from the base of the wall. There are at least five groups of the creatures doing so.

OOC:

Initiative:

Party gets initiative.

All party members missed expect for Moya and Chalei'nh. They take 12 damage each.

Please note-using area effect in these close quaters may hit friends and allies. Now more true than ever.

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde STILL moderately dispersed|Engaged|18|F+10,R+4,W+6

Special Ability: Horde status.

Given the amount of FMRs, the horde takes damage as a single entity. As a result it is resistant to damage that effects one target, and vulnerable to area effects. Furthermore
its abilities are reduced as it takes damage, but how much damage it must take before it breaks down is unknown to you.

Conner|32/25|Enagaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|Engaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|Engaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|Engaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/16|Engaged, grappled|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/38|Engaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/18|Engaged, grappled|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the horde and roll for them.


This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Thu 10 Nov 2022.

Chalei'nh struggled with the vines. On one side, she was doing great in trying to keep the frogs from getting hit, but on the other hand it also meant she was getting targeted more often. While fighting to escape the vines, she launched a couple of attacks at the zombies that had ensnared her, opting for a more aggressive approach in getting them to let go of her.

OOC: And back to punching stuff.

Action 1: Escape (roll 14)
Action 2: Flurry vs. the two that are grappling me:
- 10 to hit, 8 damage
- 16 to hit, 9 damage
Action 3: Parry (+3 AC to 24)

Rolls:
13:53, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 14 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 6.  Escape from Grapple.
13:53, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 10,16 using d20+4,d20 with rolls of 6,16.  Flurry of Blows.
13:54, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 8,9 using 2d8+2,2d8+2 with rolls of 3,3,6,1.  Flurry of Blows damage (with Wolf stance).

With the mushroom people beginning to overwhelm the defenders Nathan was looking for something to use against them. He thought using something flammable could be useful especially in enhancing the flame powers of his teammates.

Another possibility would be copper salts. He thought he noticed that one or more of the frog people had blue face paint. Copper salts serve as a anti fungal agent. In addition copper was highly conduction to electricity and could enhance Tsuki's magic.

If Nathan can find something to throw at the FMP he will grab it and use it aid in the battle. Otherwise he will fall back. reload his musket, and prepare to shoot again.

Option 1 action 1 Seek usable item to use against the FMP
         action 2 and 3: obtain and use item against enemy

Option 2 action 1 move back
         action 2 reload musket
         action 3 plot strategy

11:41, Today: Nathan rolled 29 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 20.  plot strategy.

11:00, Today: Nathan rolled 28 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 18.  Perception Seekiing something to use against mushrooms. (would this be considered looking for a clue?)

"It's sushi time", growled Moya as she flipped over to escape from the grip of the thing's tentacle.  She slashed at it again and again with her sickle

20:58, Today: Moya rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Acrobatics to get free.
17:08, Today: Moya rolled 18 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 13.  Trying again to escape at the cost of one hero point.
21:00, Today: Moya rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  Strike with sickle.
21:01, Today: Moya rolled 4 using 1d4 with rolls of 4.  sickle damage.
21:02, Today: Moya rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  Second Strike with sickle.
21:03, Today: Moya rolled 1 using 1d4 with rolls of 1.  Second strike damage.


This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Tue 15 Nov 2022.

OOC-Both escape rolls are failures. You can alter your actions to try again, but you are working off your muli-attack minus for escape rolls past the 1st. Or you can keep your actions as is.

Connor recalls Cabochon to himself, as a stream of gems fall from the sky and begin orbiting around Connor.

At the same time, his eyes flicker a bit as his protection aura once again expands in size. It now covers a large section of the ramparts.

Finally, the orb of flame that had rolled to the ground rolls along the base of the wall into the mob, but the flames putter during their movement and prove ineffectual!

Spend 1 action on activating Cabochon to recall him back into orbiting connor.

Spend 1 action to sustain Protection Ward, so it now has a 25 foot radius and is now protecting a 50 foot diameter of the battlefield! All allies and allied npcs within gain +1 AC.

Spend 1 action to sustain Flaming Sphere. Sadly, they save again! Damn dice!


23:19, Today: Connor rolled 24 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 18.  Reflex Save.

Spent 1 hero point but they still sadly save. DC is 20 with cabochon and they got 21. :(

16:34, Today: Connor rolled 21 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 15.  Reflex Save.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Wed 16 Nov 2022.

With a roar, Mo turns himself into a whirling dervish, metal and fire spiralling about him. The ball of his flail crashes through body after body.

Then he grabs the burning ball of his flail. Holding the chain up, with a roar, he drives at a group of the enemy, driving them towards the edge of the wall.

Panting, he strikes his enemy again, his flail leaving a trail of acrid smoke behnd it.

Axn 1: Strike - 18:25, Today: Mo rolled 28,23 using 1d20+12,2d10+4 with rolls of 16,9,10. If that's a critical (?), 46 damage!
Axn 2: Brutish Shove - https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=365 Maybe carry over effects of critical.
Axn 3: Strike 2 - 18:26, Today: Mo rolled 26,16 using 1d20+7,2d10+4 with rolls of 19,5,7.

This message was last edited by the player at 11:14, Fri 18 Nov 2022.

In a flash of light Malcom appears with his wings folded back for an aggressive dive. He lands dramatically with his knees bent and one hand touching the ground while the other hand is held behind him for balance and in preparation for a leaping takeoff. His wings snap out and a series of arrows flash out at all of the attackers near him. "I need to talk to you about your Morels." With the attack, and pun, made he springs back into the air.

OOC: AC1, AC2 Burst Attack
18:09, Today: Malcom rolled 23 using 1d20+9 with rolls of 14.  Attack.
18:09, Today: Malcom rolled 10 using 2d6+4 with rolls of 1,5.  Damage.

AC3 Leap back into the air.

Chalei'nh punches and kicks, but fails to get loose from the vine slowly wrapping her up and dragging her into the main mass of the horde. As a result, the blows fall on random FMR, rather than affect many at once.

Nathan retreats, trying to figure out something that will help against the relentless horde, all while reloading. He then spots something he did not expect down below...[Private to Nathan: (OOC-The giant Mushroom men plan to lob the horse sized immobile mushrooms over the wall. The AI informs you via your HUD that hitting such Mushrooms in the main spore sack area will cause premature detonation and render them harmless. You can use your next round to target many of these with you ricochet ability.) ]

Moya manages to barely break free of her restraint, and slashes at the horde with little effect.

Connor is now shielding everyone on top of the wall against the enemy. However, his flame orb seems to be having little effect as the Mushroom undead shrug off the burning.

While things are looking grim, Mo comes to the rescue! The 'burning arc of death' lives up to his name! Not only crushing and burning many of the foes around him, but knocking any survivors of his attack off the wall and too their doom! Chalei'nh, about to be dragged down and infected by the close range spores is liberated and back on her feet and in the fight!

Granted a few manage to move away from Mo's burning swings, only the have Malcom rematerialize from nowhere! Flaring out with both his wings, sharpened metal feathers go everywhere. Managing to cut into many Redcap heads and vines! Then finally taking to the air to begin flying over the battlefield.

However, using an area effect ranged attack given how many of the Mushroom undead are in melee with the rest of the group is very risky! Thanks to Connor's ward and Mo's amazing strike, most of the accidental shots manage to only hit the foe, and not the group or the frog defenders. This time...

The party has breathing room as the horde has been momentarily delayed in any counterattack. However, more are still headed up the wall and any benefit will be short lived!

However, those with scopes and overhead views can notice the giant mushroom men are about to start lobbing the horse sized mushrooms over the wall...

[Private to Mo: The AI contacts your HUD: "New Boon! MVP! You managed to save the party from certain doom due to sheer luck! You have earned a Gold lucky jackass box!"]

[Private to Malcom: The AI contacts your HUD: "New Boon! Back in the game! Your sponsors have come through to get you out of shelling out cheap products for infomercials! Instead, you are back in life threatening danger. So...its bad to worse. Lucky you! You get a sliver corporate sponsor box!"]

[Private to Tsuki: Tsuki, you will have assumed you retreated from the main fight for this round. You could be back in the next.]

OOC:

Initiative:

Please note-using area effect in these close quaters may hit friends and allies. Now more true than ever.

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde Badly dispersed|Engaged|17|F+9,R+3,W+5

Special Ability: Horde status.

Given the amount of FMRs, the horde takes damage as a single entity. As a result it is resistant to damage that effects one target, and vulnerable to area effects. Furthermore
its abilities are reduced as it takes damage, but how much damage it must take before it breaks down is unknown to you.

Conner|32/25|UnEnagaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|UnEngaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/16|UnEngaged|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/38|UnEngaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/18|UnEngaged|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

Malcom|41/41|AC:20(22)|Unenaged|F+8,R+8,W+7

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the horde and roll for them.


This message was last edited by the player at 19:27, Fri 25 Nov 2022.

With Mo's help, Chalei'nh managed to pull herself from the vines and regain her footing 0on the wall. Not wanting to waste a moment, she then unleashed another barrage of blows at the Floridians, not wanting to let up for a second -- the less of the enemy remained, the less dangerous their vines would be for all of them.

Action 1: Flurry of Blows on Horde
- Attack 1: 13 to hit, miss
- Attack 2: 23 to hit, 12 damage
Action 2: Attack Horde, 3 to hit, miss
Action 3: Parry (+3 AC, 21 -> 24)

13:45, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 13,23,3 using d20+8,d20+4,d20+0 with rolls of 5,19,3.  FoB + regular unarmed on Horde.
14:03, Today: Chalei'nh rolled 12 using 2d8+2 with rolls of 4,6.  Damage on horde.

Moya trusts her colleagues to protect her while she casts a spell to heal them, passing the spell through her tattoo and roaring semicoherently, "'skuss'awbe'rrr"

She takes all three actions this round to cast heal.  She receives 2 points of healing herself while any and all of her allies within sixty feet receive up to 1d8+8 hitpoints worth of healing.

Nathan while unsuccessful in finding anything useful to throw at the attackers he realized what the Giant Mushroom People were about to do with the immobile mushrooms 'The AI informs you via your HUD that hitting such Mushrooms in the main spore sack area will cause premature detonation and render them harmless.

 Armed with this information he plotted the best way to take out the fungal siege cows. Moving to better firing position he carefully lined up his shot. "Return to Sender B#tches"

Action 1 move
Action 2 and 3 use plot strategy from last round to aid ricochet attack on the immobile Mushroom to disable the spore sacks

OCC: Forgot about the damage
EDIT Damage: 11:37, Today: Nathan rolled 12 using 1d8+2d6+4 with rolls of 1,5,2.  Non critical hit.

11:36, Today: Nathan rolled 26 using 2d12+2d6+4 with rolls of 9,4,3,6.  Critical hit


[Private to GM: I rolled twenty on dice  20 +14= 34 hopefully this will set up a really big bang away from us and the villagers]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Right now, Connor couldn't do much about the giant mushrooms. They were like 300 feet or something out and he just didn't have the range to deal with it while ALSO maintaining the ward over the wall. So he'd have to rely on the others but for now he had become an important bulwark for the party and their froggy allies.

so he focused intently - he really needed that orb to start working and focused all his energy into it. Even one of Cabochon's jewels glowed suddenly - the orb of focus - as Connor gave it his all to amplify his flaming sphere.

The flaming orb rolled on the ground beyond the wall, and this time slammed into the horde with a fiery searing burst!

Spend 1 action to sustain Protection Ward, so it now has a 30 foot radius and is now protecting a 60 foot diameter of the battlefield! All allies and allied npcs within gain +1 AC.

Spend 1 action to sustain Flaming Sphere. Sadly, they save again! Damn dice!

Spend 1 action on activating the orb of focus, granting his spell +1 to its normal DC.

10:39, Today: Connor rolled 17 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 13.  Reflex Save.

DC is 19+2 for orb of focus +1 for having cabochon orbiting (from stone of life and death) = 22. So they fail their save and the thing finally works lol!!!


10:48, Today: Connor rolled 9 using 4d6 with rolls of 3,1,2,3.  Damage.

It is 3d6+1d6 from cabochon=4d6 damage. The horde takes 9 fire damage. NOTE: This is technically an area attack so should trigger their mob vulnerability on top of any issues they may have with fire damage!

His blood up, Mo keeps up his furious attacks, one moment crushing his enemies with his flail, the next tossing them off the wall.


Axn 1: 13:50, Today: Mo rolled 21,20 using 1d20+12,2d10+4 with rolls of 9,8,8.
Axn 2: Brutish Shove
Axn 3: 13:50, Today: Mo rolled 25,16 using 1d20+7,2d10+4 with rolls of 18,5,7.
[I forgot to label the rolls in the roller. I'll try not to do that next time]

13:53, Today: Mo rolled 13 using 1d8+8 with rolls of 5.  Healing if I'm injured.

Tsuki moves up again to the edge of the wall so she can strike as many of the enemies as possible, then she once more lashes out with her tails letting lightning arc out across a wide arc in front of her!

[OOC: Action 1: Move up.
Action 2 and 3: Use 9 Tails arc ability into group still coming up wall.

23:11, Today: Tsuki rolled 15 using 3d4+3 with rolls of 4,4,4.  9 Tails Electricity Damage.
DAMAGE: 15 Electricity (Max'd that roll! Nice!)

23:13, Today: Tsuki rolled 20 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 17.  Horde DC19 Basic Reflex Save.

Curse = Minor]
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Tue 29 Nov 2022.

Seeing the artillery about to launch Malcom turns and begins soaring overhead to attempt to disable their war machines.

(OOC: I'm guessing that I cannot make it in one round but Malcom will do all out movement at best aerial speed to get there.)

Chalei'nh keeps hammering at what remaining Horde is still on the walls.
OOC-11:11, Today: Dr Feck, on behalf of Chalei'nh, rolled 14 using 1d8+8 with rolls of 6.  Healing from Moya.

Green magic flows from Moya, spreading out to both her friends and frog allies alike.
[Private to Moya: An AI ping to your HUD goes off. "New Boon! You never think about yourself! You gain extra healing, just to you, because you are so nice! Awww...sweet! Don't expect that every time!"
OOC-11:08, Today: Dr Feck, on behalf of Moya, rolled 4 using 1d8 with rolls of 4.  Extra healing.]

Mo proceeds to knock down another wave of the FMRs, and they fall directly into Connor's burning Orb! Only to be followed up by a area effect lighting tails strike by Tsuki!
[Private to Connor: 11:34, Today: Dr Feck, on behalf of Connor, rolled 15 using 1d8+8 with rolls of 7.  Moya's healing.]

Even as the Horde seems to disperse from that devastating series of attacks, the next wave begins! This time it is giant mushrooms, hurled by the huge Mushroom Men made of the combined flesh of many normal sized FMRs! These spore bombs look close to bursting as they speed on to sail over the walls and into the village beyond, where the noncombatants dwell in their huts. All seems lost...

...That is, until Nathan takes his shot.



Before they can even make it to the walls themselves, Nathan's single bullet ricochets from spore bomb to spore bomb. Exploding each one with not only a cloud of infectious plant matter, but a spray of sharpened needle-like spines! Fortunately, no frog person or wanderer is close enough to endure that damage. [Private to Nathan: The AI contacts you-"New Boon! Catchphrase! You have a pity new saying that all your fans love! I really hope its not something as silly as 'Return to sender, Bitches!' Oh wait...it is. You gain a gold fan box!"]

But the creatures laying siege to the village are.

The second wave, intent on climbing the walls and taking the town takes enormous damage. The spine bursts are enough to clear out the remaining horde, and the enemy army is broken of its rank and file attackers!

However, the giant mushroom men seem unharmed by both spore burst and needle bomb. Malcom, flying high enough to avoid the damage, sees the spores quickly settle or be dispersed by the wind. However, he has an excellent view of the giant Mushroom Men charging the walls.

"Everybody hold on! We are not out of the woods yet!" Screams the lead Frog man.

Sure enough, the large attackers are focusing on one part of the wall. Using their enormous strength to try and bash a hole through it. If not stopped, or given alternate targets, they will succeed...

OOC:

Initiative:

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde dispersed|Engaged|17|F+9,R+3,W+5

Giant Mushroom man-1|Unharmed|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-2|Unharmed|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-3|Unharmed|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-4|Unharmed|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-5|Unharmed|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-6|Unharmed|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8

Conner|32/32|UnEnagaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|UnEngaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/22|UnEngaged|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/47|UnEngaged|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/32|UnEngaged|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

Malcom|41/41|AC:20(22)|Unenaged|F+8,R+8,W+7

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the horde and roll for them.

Chalei'nh took a sigh of relief as she felt the healing magic wash over her, and failed to suppress a grin at seeing the horde get devastated. When the second course showed up she raised her voice to ensure the others would be able to hear it.

- "What's the plan, countercharge?"

"The plan is to give them some food for thought?" Connor says as he gestures wildly toward the part of the wall where the giant mushroom men are trying to gather up and focus fire.

Connor liked it when they mobbed up like that. Because that meant more for his Flaming Sphere to fry.

"How about a serving of fried mushrooms?!" he said as the Flaming Sphere suddenly leapt into motion! It sprang among the ground, bouncing like it were made of rubber, toward the Giant Mushroom men before suddenly slamming into them in a fiery burst!

As the Orb massacres the enemy, the aura pulses as Connor sustains its effect while a translucent plane of force appears in front of him acting as a shield.

Spends 1 action to sustain the ward. It's at max size now as of last round so doesn't expand further but it's covering the entire wall area so it's accomplishing its purpose.

Spend 1 action to sustain Flaming Sphere, and launch it into the clustered giant mushrooms.

Spend 1 action to cast the shield cantrip to boost his AC by another +1 for the round. (So his AC is currently 21 (18+1mage armor+1aura+1shield).

21:42, Today: Connor rolled 9 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 4.  Reflex Save.

So the DC is 19+1 for Cabochon = 20. That's over 10 difference so The orb critally hits! It also has a small area of effect so is going to hit 2-3 of them maybe even 4 of them if I'm lucky based ont heir positioning but I figure they are clustered around that one part of wall so Connor is taking full advantage of this to hit as many as he can at once!

21:51, Today: Connor rolled 17 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,5,4,4.  Damage.

Oh yeah! And with the crit that doubles! So 34 fire damage!

EDIT:
16:17, Today: Connor rolled 11 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 6.  Reflex Save.

16:16, Today: Connor rolled 18 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 13.  Reflex Save.

So all 3 are hit! Target 1 critically fails the save and takes 34 fire damage! Target 2 & 3 fail normally so each takes 17 fire damage. Still overall an amazing nova round!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:19, Thu 01 Dec 2022.

Chalei'nh cleared her throat, feeling like she had gathered enough of... whatever she had been blasting out of her mouth to unleash it upon the giant mushroom men attempting to breach the wall. With the horde gone, she did not have as many concerns of being attacked, though it didn't hurt to remain careful. And so, leaning slightly over the edge of the wall, she took a deep breath and unloaded her negative energy breath at the group of four enemies at the wall below.

Action 1: Dragon Breath: 13 to hit, Mushrooms succeed save (22), 3 damage (half of 6) if hit.
Action 2: Flurry of Blows
- Attack 1: 18 to hit, 14 damage
- Attack 2: 1 to hit, no damage (miss)
Action 3: Parry (+3 AC, 22 --> 25 due to Connor's ward)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Thu 01 Dec 2022.

As the chain reaction takes out his intended targets Malcom loops around in the air and starts searching for a target of opportunity.

Moya moves along the wall to fit the ideal spot and from there casts Divine Lance via her tattoo to give her a long enough range that she can hit the giant mushroom man in the middle with a lance of green chaotic energy.

Action 1 - Move
Action 2 - Verbal
Action 3 - Somatic

20:55, Today: Moya rolled 21 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 13.  Ranged spell attack.
20:56, Today: Moya rolled 7 using 1d4+3 with rolls of 4.  Damage.
20:59, Today: Moya rolled 16 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 11.  Mushrooom Man #3 dodge.

This message was last edited by the player at 20:11, Thu 01 Dec 2022.

In reply to Moya (msg # 197):

OOC-Divine lance does not require a save, just a to hit roll.

Malcom comes from the side of one of the giant mushrooms and flicks a steel feather deep into the fleshy tissue of its back. "Hey Hymenium, over here." He shouts trying to pull their attention away from the wall.

10:27, Today: Malcom rolled 19,14 using d20+9,2d6+4 with rolls of 10,4,6.  Ranged Strike.

With the Mushroom Mob and the Spore bombs out of the way It was time to deal with giant mushroom men. After reloading his musket. He will then figure a way to line up his shot in order to help further the damage already done by his teammates. If he need to move for the best shot he will do so, otherwise he shoot for a snarky line for the benefit of the audience before firing.


Action 1: Reload
Action 2: plot strategy
Action 3: move if necessary, if not make performance roll to make use of impressive performance feat


OCC: 01:29, Today: Nathan rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  Performance catchy phrase for audience (time permitting).
Edit: 'I prefer my mushroom fried'

01:28, Today: Nathan rolled 29 using 1d20+14 with rolls of 15.  Plot Strategy.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:38, Sun 11 Dec 2022.

Mo jumps off the wall, landing atop one of the giant mushrooms and bouncing gracefully off and to the ground in a crouch, almost as if he had full control of everything around him.

He twirls, swinging his flaming flail in a wide arc and sending it crashing into the giant, then trying to trip it with his flail but not doing quite so well.

17:27, Today: Mo rolled 19 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 13.  Acrobatics (jump off wall).
17:31, Today: Mo rolled 21,14 using 1d20+12,2d10+4 with rolls of 9,3,7.  Atk.
17:34, Today: Mo rolled 14 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 3.  Trip (Titan Wrestler).

OOC-As trip are considered attacks, they take the multi attack penalty when making a second or third attack action.

This message was last edited by the GM at 20:00, Mon 12 Dec 2022.

Tsuki looked between the Giant Mushroom-men then moved to get within 20' of them, then let's lose with her tail a couple of times at the closest one, lighting arching from her tail towards it both times! "Stop fucking with the Kami of Storms!"

[OOC: Action 1: Stride to get within 20' of them.
Action 2: Range Strike nearest with Lightning Foxfire.
Action 3: Range Strike Nearest with Lightning Foxfire.

00:07, Today: Tsuki rolled 20,14 using 1d20+6,3d4+3 with rolls of 14,3,4,4.  Foxfire Strike 1.
Hit AC: 20
Damage: 14 Electricity

00:08, Today: Tsuki rolled 7,11 using 1d20+1,3d4+3 with rolls of 6,1,3,4.  Foxfire Strike 2.
Hit AC: 7
Damage: 11 Electricity]

Connor burns three mushroom men, causing the various smaller Florida Men Recaps that make up their massive frame scream from the flames.

Nathan above, agrees with Connor's words. "I prefer my mushroom fried." He can almost feel the viewers take notice, but its hard to tell without the HUDs help.

Chalei'nh proceeds to blast columns of air down at the giant foes.

Moya blasts down at the one of the large humanoids at ground level, still trying to break through the wall.

Malcom shoots forth steel feather after steel feather.

Mo crashes into one of the foes, and the flail comes down hard on the mushroom cap of the giant. His fall more or less bounces off the massive being-but his burning weapon has much more success. (OOC-Mo takes 3 damage from fall.)

Tsuki makes a very reasonable suggestion, climbs down slightly, followed up by a cone blast of energy.

The Mushroom men keep hammering at the wall. Trying to break through to the uninfected frog folk within. There is a dangerous sounding crack-and every member of the group sees part of the wood structure groan.

If these things are not dealt with, soon, there would be a large hole made in said wall...


OOC:

PCs are up!

Initiative:

Stats of Horde.

Character|Visible Status|Conditions|AC|SAVES|
Current Statuses in effect:

FMR 1|Horde dispersed|Engaged|17|F+9,R+3,W+5

Giant Mushroom man-1|Badly burned|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-2|Burned|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-3|Burned|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-4|Damaged|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-5|Damaged|Unengaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8
Giant Mushroom man-6|Badly Damaged|Engaged|17|F+12,R+5,W+8

Conner|32/32|UnEnagaged|18(19)|F+6,R+10,W+8

Nathan|26/26|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+9,W+9

Tsuki|38/38|UnEngaged|18|F+7,R+6,W+8

Kelya|24/24|UnEngaged|18|F+6,R+8,W+7

Moya|35/22|UnEngaged|15|F+9,R+5,W+10

Mo|47/44|Engaged & Prone|20|F+10,R+8,W+7

Chalei'nh|39/32|UnEngaged|21(24)|F+8,R+10,W+10

Malcom|41/41|AC:20(22)|Unenaged|F+8,R+8,W+7

If you are casting spells or doing effects requiring saves, please use the above stats for the enemy and roll for them.


This message was last edited by the player at 16:57, Tue 20 Dec 2022.

Mo gets up then tries to wrap his flail chain and arms around the thallus of one of the mushroom men again, this time getting more purchase.

That done, he quickly shakes the chain of his flail out then brings it in an ouverhead arc to crash into the thing's spongy flesh. (Flesh?)


Axn 1 - Stand
Axn 2 - 18:44, Today: Mo rolled 18 using 1d20+11 with rolls of 7.  Trip a mushroom man. I think that's a success.
Axn 3 -
14:31, Today: Mo rolled 22,15 using 1d20+7,2d10+4 with rolls of 15,1,10.  Second atk.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:34, Thu 22 Dec 2022.

Connor looks on satisfied at the results of his flaming sphere's devastation of the horde. It took a few rounds to wind up, but it was worth it.

He looked on from beyond the wall, up above. It seemed that for the moment, they were safe. But the village itself wasn't. If they succeeded in breaching the wall, all hell would break loose. So Connor decided to take more...decisive action.

"Fleshy master and bulwark between my nemesis, that wretched fox! Don't you think it's time you show them your real power and stop holding back?" Cabochon asked suddenly aloud, swirling around Conor in an orbit as he did.

Connor raised an eyebrow. He was already maintaining a level 2 spell - his highest level - while maintaining his max-size abjuration aura which has helped substantially several times already. What else could he do? It was like squeezing milk from a rock - impossible.

"...the fuck you talking about, Cabby? I'm already using my best spell dammit!" Connor asked as he concentrated on sustaining his flaming sphere.

The swirling gems, potions, and baubles slowed down and began to hum, almost haughtily. No...defily haughtily.

"Oh ho ho ho. Your addled, fleshy brain isn't thinking clearly. Yet another argument for your eventual petrification, by the way. But you just said it: you're using you're greatest spell. But what about the other one? Why go easy on these lesser fleshy beings?"

Connor's eyes lit up with recognition then.

"Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!" he said as suddenly the shimmering protection aura collapsed in a sudden and unnatural *poof* before quickly dissipating. "Fried mushrooms coming up!" he shouted.

And then suddenly, his first Flaming Sphere hopped up into the air before slamming back down into the same three mushroom men he had incinerated last round, causing an small explosion of flame to erupt amongst them once again. But then...seconds later, another Flaming Sphere appears in the air above the wall and tumbled down onto the field. It doesn't get into a good position yet, but it is now on the field!

Connor stops sustaining his aura!

Spend 1 action to sustain Flaming Sphere #1. It attacks the same three giant mushrooms it attacked last round! They roll a 23 vs DC 20 but I spend my 2nd hero point to reroll and they get a 7. That is over 10 under which means they critically fail and take double damage! 15x2=30 fire damage as the sphere literally explodes on them!

Spend 2 actions to cast Flaming Sphere! Yes, he memorized it twice! They roll a 20 against DC 20 so sadly the 2nd damage roll doesn't apply as they luck out. But I'll gladly take my crit!

22:10, Today: Connor rolled 15 using 4d6 with rolls of 1,5,4,5.  Damage.

22:10, Today: Connor rolled 8 using 4d6 with rolls of 4,1,1,2.  Damage.

22:08, Today: Connor rolled 23 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 18.  Reflex Save.

22:08, Today: Connor rolled 20 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 15.  Reflex Save.

22:16, Today: Connor rolled 7 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 2.  Reflex Save.

This message was last updated by the GM at 20:23, Thu 22 Dec 2022.

Chalei'nh was still trying to catch her breath from breathing a cone of literal death upon the mushrooms a moment ago, but fortunately it seemed that Connor had had the same, if admittedly more successful, idea. While getting close would present a problem now with all the fire going on, her weapon of choice's main advantage was that she didn't need to be. Even if said weapons were her fists. Unfortunately, it turned out that when things were thrashing on the floor while being on fire, they were pretty hard to actually land a hit on.

Action 1: Flurry of Blows
- Attack 1: 11 to hit, 12 damage
- Attack 2: 17 to hit, 7 damage
Action 2: Attack: 9 to hit, 11 damage
Action 3: Parry (+3 AC, 21 --> 24)

Moya is already in place to repeat her attack and so she does - twice.  This time it's just as pretty and green but somewahat less effective.

21:12, Today: Moya rolled 9 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 1.  Ranged Spell Attack.
21:12, Today: Moya rolled 13 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 5.  Ranged spell attack 2.

In reply to Moya (msg # 207):

OOC-your spells take two actions each. So you cannot repeat them as such.

After finding a shot trajectory lining up the most target without Mo or any other friendly Nathan will fire

Action 1 and 2: fire ricochet round
Action 3: reload

OCC: initial attack 29

  1:55, Yesterday: Nathan rolled 18 using 2d12+2d6+4 with rolls of 7,3,3,1. Critical hit
        damage

21:52, Yesterday: Nathan rolled 13 using 1d8+2d6+4 with rolls of 1,3,5. Non critical damage.

Malcom banked hard as he came at the group and snapped off two feather shots at the most burnt looking mushroom giant.
The second shot goes wide but the first one sinks into the charred fungus flesh and sizzles around the wound.



OOC:
A1: flight movement
A2: Cloak shot with disruption Hit AC 19 doing 14 damage
A2: Second Cloak shot
12:00, Today: Malcom rolled 19,8,6 using d20+9,2d6+4,1d6 with rolls of 10,3,1,6.  Cloak Ranged Strike.
12:02, Today: Malcom rolled 11,10,4 using d20+5,2d6+4,1d6 with rolls of 6,1,5,4.  Cloak Ranged Strike 2.

Mo, after crashing down on top of one of the large mushroom men, gets up and knocks one of them off its feet. He brings down the burning flail on it downed form, ending it.

Connor blasts forth two of his rolling balls of fire, causing two more of the creatures to meet a fiery end. [Private to Connor: The AI contacts your HUD. "New Boon! Great balls of fire! Jerry Lee has nothing on you! Even though he married his under age cousin! Yuck! You get a gold pyro box!"]

Chalei'nh blasts down with her columns of forceful air, striking one of the creatures. [Private to Chalei'nh: The AI contacts you. "New Boon! You take a licking and...well, you know. You came back from a nearly deadly condition! You get a gold survivors box!"
]

Moya's magic fails to make contact. However, she is feeling much betty due to her healing of herself and group.

Nathan and Malcom proceeds to finish off the remainders. A combination of a ricochet bullet and numerous steel feathers.

At first there is a still quiet, and then people notice. The mushroom men seem to be gone. Other than seemingly hundreds of the fungi-infected corpses, now fully dead by various means. All still and some burning.

Then there is a croak. Followed by another and another. What the group quickly relizes is the frog folk are doing their verison of cheering! Many on the wall run up the warriors still there, croaking and jumping up and down with joy. Which are very high jumps.

Mo and the others on the ground see the gate open, and the croaking, cheering throngs celebrate their victory as well.

"Everybody! Get inside! They will come back." Yellowstripe shouts at his cheering people, but for the most part is ignored. There are no signs of attack from the forest, and the people of the village seem to just want to enjoy the victory of the moment.

OOC:

Combat over! Wanderers defeated the horde!

Chalei'nh does a little fist pump in the air, more at the prospect of having scored another lootbox than actually winning the fight, though the latter certainly helped pick up her mood as well.

- "Man, haven't gotten licked this much since..."

She glanced at some of the younger frog people that were edging out of their homes now that the fight was over.

- "...Nevermind. Anyone got a torch for me? We need to burn these zombies to get rid of whatever spores are left, especially when they're this close to the village."

Nathan breathes a sigh of relief. He will take a careful look around to confirm they are not in immediate danger. "Hey Mo" he will quip "If we can find a way to decontaminate them could the mushroom heads be useful as mattresses?"


OCC:13:13, Today: Nathan rolled 28 using 1d20+11 ((17)) Careful search

With a thought, Connor recalled the two Flaming Spheres to his side! They bounced from the ground up to where he was, and sort of hovered in the air near him a moment before flickering and sputtering out as he relinquished the spells, seeing the horde had finally been beaten.

"Whew! That was...intense to say the least! I'm pooped!" Connor said to the others. "Although I did discover a pretty strong combination with my magic. Sustaining two of those spheres is pretty nuts, even if it does drain a lot of my magic. But the audience wanted special effects so there you go." he added with a snicker.

He then looked at his HUD a moment. He seemed to be acquiring pyro loot boxes, which seemed to be possibly different than normal ones. He'd open them later and see, but was curious if the AI was giving out themed boxes or something.

"I'd say it's best not to tempt fate and lay on those soft, fluffy mattresses that risk turning you into a walking vegetable." Connor chuckled.

"At least...not before we kill the floor boss and destabilize the hivemind. Then they'll (probably) be harmless." he added, somewhat unsure.

Moya asks, "Does anyone still need healing?"

Chalei'nh gave Connor a thumbs up after he showed off his dual flaming orbs, before adding her two cents on the mattresses.

- "Even then i'd still be wary of them. After the hivemind dies it could very well happen that the larger hive clusters turn into potential hiveminds as a survival tactic and then fight for dominance in the new hierarchy, kind of like bees do when their queen dies. And if those nerve clusters have strong individuals sleeping on them... Yeah, not something i'd take a chance with."

She then turned to Moya.

- "Eh, couple of minor scrapes and bruises, nothing a bit of rest won't cure. I'll step in range if you plan to throw down some healing over a wider area to heal the injured frogs, but it's not worth bothering for one on one. If you've got a spare healing kit, i could help out though?"

"Burning 'em'd be good," says Mo in reply to Nathan, "but we'd probly breathe in loads of spores. Maybe we should just do as the villagers suggest and get behind the wall. Let the wind blow the spores away."

Chalei'nh let out a brief chuckle.

- "Yeah, and if the wind turns it's going to send all those spores right over the wall. We'd be breathing in spores regardless."

She chin motioned in the direction of the village.

- "They got cures, right? Between that and keeping the corpses downwind it should be relatively safe, so better just get it over with. I'm guessing they'll give everyone that fought today an antidote, just to be safe,  so a few more spores won't make much of a difference."

"We need tae find & k'll th' big bad" says Moya, "So whit's our st'egy fi gettin' there?"

There is an informal celebration lead by the frog folk. Due to the extremely small number of deaths thanks to the heroes excellent defense, it is a time of joy for the village. Everyone can see the preparations to leave begin at once. Many of the frog folk bring their small children forward and ask for the party's blessings before they go back to packing up.

Yellowstripe never leaves his hut during all this time. He seems to be working non-stop, and tells anyone who interrupts him to go away. Finally, after a full nights rest, he comes out.

Of course there are still guards on the walls while waiting for the frog folk leader. Even with the FMRs in defeat, there is still a chance they could gather enough forces to stage another attack. Despite this, Yellowstripe seems confident as he comes out of his workshop.

He holds a smoking pot of some sort of green mist seeping out of it. He instructs several villagers to gather more from inside his workshop, and they begin to place them within the walls of the village. The mist smells a bit like pinewood, but is not its not a particular strong scent.

Finally, Yellowstripe gestures to the party to gather round. "As you can see, the spore cloud is ready. My people will be leaving this place, to safer lands. When carrying the cloud with us, we can avoid attacks from any of those creatures. However, that wont work for you. The spore cloud is designed to protect my people, but not yours. Sorry...it could not be helped. Humanity is very vulnerable to the thing that makes the infection possible in the first place. Even if some of you are no longer human-your basic nature is." He sighed.

"What I can do is give you this." He hands each party member a signal mushroom. "If any of you get infected, or re-infected, this will slow down the progression. However, you wont be truly cured unless the Orange Bloat is destroyed. Hopefully the forces under its control are diminished, but I am sure it kept the best of its fighters close to itself. Here is the map of its location." Yellowstripe than shows you a map of the forest/swamp. "At the edge of this wilderness, you will find a ruined civilization. There is where the Bloat is. It must be destroyed to end this plague upon us all. Its is the only way to truly save yourselves as well. I wish I could send my people to assist you, but the spore cloud is only temporary. We need to go while we can."


Of course, at that point in all the parties HUDs comes an AI message.

"New Boon! Official quest taker! You have received your first official quest! If you successfully accomplish this quest, you will gain a platinum Questor loot box!"

Connor considers.

"I definitely think taking the Orange Bloat down should be a priority of ours. It's too dangerous to leave be while we're trying to find our way down there. Plus...this is a quest of sorts yes? It's only fitting we rise to the challenge." he said.

He turned to Yellowstripe.

"I think we stand the greatest chance of beating it out of everyone in this swamp as far as I can tell, and as you can see we're allies of the frog people now. So with that said I was wondering if you had anything that could help me help you, if that makes sense?" Connor asked.

"Like in particular, do you have any spell scrolls I could potentially add to my repertoire of magic? he asked curiously.

In reply to Connor (msg # 221):

Yellowstripe shakes his head, and gestures with his arms out spread. In a sort of a 'gimme a break' gesture. "Dude, I'm an alchemist, not a wizard, ok?" This phrase was very odd. Mostly because it was not the pattern of speech that the party was used to hearing from the Frogman.

In reply to Yellowstripe (msg # 222):

Connor gets some sort of message in his HUD. While the others dont know what it is, they can see his reaction to it...

[Private to Connor: Ooc-What Yellowstripe just said to you is a direct quote of something your friend Rick Tavio said during one of your MMO sessions. Worse, you start to link Yellowstripes behaviors to Rick's various quirks. Including the gesture he just made was pure Rick when he is annoyed. These memories are being played on the AI in front of your face even as you remember them, with full sound.]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:39, Wed 04 Jan 2023.

Moya smiled at Yellowstripe and said, "I'm a Herbalist, nae a magician so maybe ye kin help me, aye 'Dude'."

In reply to Moya (msg # 224):

"I gave you everything I had for your kind of people. Every other root, tuber, mushroom, herb, and plant I could find has been made to work for our folk. It would not do you any good. Bummer, I know." He seems to look at Connor when he said that last part.

[Private to Connor: OOC-Rick often said Bummer as well. That appears in your AI HUD.]
This message was last edited by the player at 16:41, Wed 04 Jan 2023.

"Aye wull, et is whit et is, y'ken Yellowstripe.  Be blessed aye?"

Malcom has spent the evening with a young one who seems to have lost his parents in the battle or perhaps before, Malcom wasn't really sure. He flew him around taking the little frog higher than he'd ever been able to jump. This seemed to bring a rubbery smile to the boy's face.
As they are gathered to go, he stands stoically with the others, holding the child on one shoulder.

In reply to Malcom (msg # 227):

Needless to say, Malcom is quickly...swamped(?)...by flight requests from the young frog folk.

He does he level best to give everyone a turn but he pays special attention to any of the newly orphaned.

Connor suddenly looked bothered by something. He didn't know if the AI was playing tricks on him, or if it was just the opposite and trying to actually help him? He knew the AI was simply more than "good or bad." It was inscrutable.

He looked at Ywllowstripe a moment, and asked the frogman quietly.

"Ye...Yellowstrip? Are you actually Rick? Do you have any memories from before? Like from before meeting us in the swamp running from mushroom men?" he asked cautiously.

In reply to Connor (msg # 230):

Yellowstripe seems like his froggy lips are moving, as in thought. However, he shakes his head as if hearing a loud noise only he can hear.

Another AI message blares out. This time, it can be heard by all Wanderers, but no one else.

"Warning! You have attempted to give in game info to a NPC! This is a violation of the rules!

Again!

You have been marked down as attempting a second genre violation!"

Chalei'nh had spent some time at the party that night to show the children some 'magic tricks' by making random items disappear and reappear. There was no sleight of hand involved in these tricks, but any Wanderer would be able to easily see that she was placing items in her ingame inventory and taking them out again, abusing the fact that the AI was hiding these actions from the NPCs sight without actually breaking any rules by telling them what it was that she was doing. It may have been skirting the rules by abusing a technicality, and she'd stop if admonished, but if not the kids got a night of entertainment and wonder out of it so no harm done in her book.

The next day, as they gathered to leave, she nodded in agreement with Yellowstripe.

- "I understand, unlike us you have children and the elderly to protect. Stay safe, Yellowstripe, and may we meet again once that spore cloud is dealt with."

She winced as the AI suddenly blared out its warning to Connor, taken off guard by the unexpected sound. She turned to Connor, giving him a worried look.

- "Not to be rude or anything, but you may want to leave talking with people to others for a while. It sounds like you're walking on eggshells right now, and it'd no doubt be a really shitty way to see you go."

Moya nodded in agreement with Chalei'nh and said.  "Connor, if ut helps, assume that all the NPCs are peepl'.  Maybe it'll help more if ye remember 'Why this is hell, nor am I out of it. Think'st thou that I who saw the face of God And tasted the eternal joys of heaven Am not tormented with ten thousand hells In being deprived of everlasting bliss? O Faustus, leave these frivolous demands Which strikes a terror to my fainting soul!'  In other wrrds, it doesn't matter whether NPCs speak Valley-girl or Doric, it's the AI tryin tae mess wi our heids."  She smiles a thorny smile and looks at her HUD to see if there are any clues about the direction they need to travel in order to fulfil their quest.

"Orange Bloat BAAD" Nathan sarcastically mumbled to himself. It was bad enough that they destroyed their world, they used cultural caricatures for punchlines for their death match.

After making sure not to be within the hear of the NPCs he will quietly remark "It a damn shame you destroyed our world, the memes your writers could have mined from our world culture  could have kept your audience rolling in their seats and would attracted a continued revenue stream from your sponsors." While he kept his tone civil there could be a bit of anger underling his comment to the show runners.

Connor sighed softly and shook his head, and remained silent. In reality, he was thinking a response to the AI.

AI. Please confirm if Yellowstripe was really my friend, Rick Tavio, from pre-invasion Earth.

And if so, why is he being classified as an NPC and not a wanderer?

Tsuki remained quit for a moment as the others spoke, and finally walked over and placed a hand on Conner's shoulder and whispered softly in his ear. "He's not your friend because they are using his 'resources' to make this NPC, so he likely does not have your friends memories anymore. This is more proof that we need to see this through and win this."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Fri 06 Jan 2023.

In reply to Connor (msg # 235):

The AI offers no repsonse to Connor's request. However, it does make an announcement every Wanderer can hear.

"New Boon! They get it! Wanderers Tsuki and Moya gets a sliver 'No duh!' Loot box!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:15, Fri 06 Jan 2023.

Connor sighed softly.

He then turned to Tsuki and Moya, and nodded stoically.

"Thanks guys. I kind of already knew. Honestly...more than kind of. I just didn't want to acknowledge it. That they were using their resources like that. I know I'm the smartest one in the group and am supposed to have this awesome intelligence rating and blah blah blah, but I guess what's in my mind and my heart are different." he says.

"I guess I had to just ask the AI and system once, to give it the benefit of the doubt. I suppose now, it's more apt to say to our benefit to have doubt." he said, trying to force a quick grin.

Chalei'nh patted Connor on the back.

- "Well yeah, it's a computer. To it, everything stored on it is just a bunch of convenient ones and zeroes it can repurpose whenever it needs to."

She moved in front of him, looking him in the eyes.

- "I will say though, even if they get reborn as a hundred different creatures, or die a thousand times, i agree with the others: In the end, winning this is the fastest way to get everyone restored to their old selves, and i'm not just talking about us Wanderers. That's how you'll save your friends. Yeah?"

"I don't plan to just save our friends. Or just save our world." She said matter of factly as she walked past them a few feet and then paused. Finally turned around and looked at them. "I plan to bring it all down. Save everyone. Restore everyone that was ever taken. Bring a storm of righteous fury to the entire thing until I do." She nodded once. "That's my goal."

"Let's go. We have a target to go kill."

Keyla the large Dire Fox moved up alongside her companion, rubbing her large head against Tsuki as if showing her agreeance to what she had just said.

Connor mentally "typed" a message to his party, via HUD. This way, the NPCs wouldn't hear anything and thus wouldn't react or have a genre violation or whatever.

Guys...I'm sorry for that. I just suspect that Yellowstripe was made from resources from a real life friend of mine named Rick. Which means everyone else who got atomized during the invasion could potentially be save-able if we win this thing.

Also...I don't know what to make of the AI. It was showing me images of Rick when I started piecing things together, but it wasn't saying its usual mocking words. It was actually silent...stoically so, actually. I just can't figure out if this AI is secretly rooting for us, secretly hates us, or really is just some jumbled tangles mess and instead has some sort of love-hate thing going on with us. I guess I'm just wondering if the AI is actually bad or just an emotionless machine, or if it is a sort of victim too?

Best not to dwell on it anymore, and I'm sorry to be a downer. I'll um...burn stuff or something later to make it up to you all. :) (^_^) :P  (>'o')> 

Chalei'nh shook her head.

- "No worries, mate. But yeah, the AI is best viewed as something whose prime goal is to increase entertainment value, and personal drama always ranks pretty high in reality shows. Take the bait and it'll just try to get you to bite more often."

She smirked, giving a small shrug.

- "On the bright side, you'd know he's in here so he'd be one of the people we're able to save by winning this."

Sure enough, the map given by Yellowstipe quickly converts from physical object to a digital map that appears in all the wanderer's HUDs. However, unlike the other maps, this one seems to have something called 'FOW blocking'. This shows a route to where the Orange bloat is. Outside the swamp and into a ruined city. Some sort of stadium at the center of this city is the location of the Bloat.

The 'FOW blocking' seems to cover everything but the route to the stadium. It even seems to be a foggy disturbance that cannot seen through. [Private to Tsuki: OOC-You can see through this, but only in brief spurts. Your digital map shows red dots-the enemy-moving and converging on your position. However, they don't move very fast.]

"Um, FOW? Fear of Winning? Fog of War? What the heck does that mean?" He asks his companions after looking at the map for a moment.

Chalei'nh shrugged in response.

- "I'd say Fog of War, pretty common thing in MMOs. It'll clear up once we get close enough and those areas become 'known' to us."

Moya shrugs, "So let's follow the route suggested by the map... until we get a better idea."

Connor nodded in agreement.

"We need to move quickly. We have enemies converging on our position." She said, finally speaking up as she looked at her map.

Chalei'nh took a deep breath before letting it go.

- "Nothing new there... Tsuki, do you think they'll intercept the frog people leaving their village or are they in the clear?"

She began checking her own copy of the map to see if enemies appeared on it, or if this was an ability of Tsuki's related to the class she was playing.

In reply to Chalei'nh (msg # 250):

Tsuki looks at her map...

[Private to Tsuki: OOC-The enemy seems to be avoiding the frog folk caravan. Most likely due to the spore cloud that Yellowstripe is using. They are trying to get to all of you however...]

"They are avoiding the Frogmen caverns. So I wager they will avoid them." Then she looks at her map again for the moment. "Yes...it seems it is because of the spore cloud that Yellowstripe deployed." Another short pause, then she adds in more. "They are trying to get to us however."

Chalei'nh nodded in response, both from Tsuki's answer as well as confirmation of her own mental assumption that this was something specific to Tsuki's abilities.

- "Good, it means we won't have to worry about them. This group, is it big enough to give us trouble or could we use the opportunity to thin out the horde a bit more? We could use the fortifications from the village to give us an edge if needed..."

"Aim fi the blouted Orangeman.  If any ae the horde g't en our way, we kin deal wi' em, if not, we avoid em?" Moya ends on a question mark because she's hoping someone with better strategic skills to consider the suggestion.

OOC-Remember, you have 2 days, 3 mins to finish this level. You still don't know where the staircase to the next level is-having to defeat the Apex of this level. You might suspect that is the Orange Bloat, however you don't know for sure. Plus, there is some travel time needed to get to the Bloat's stadium. You are not sure, as the map does not list numbers in miles. It seems like a long trip.

- "That's one option, but we don't know how tough this thing is, and i'd like to not have enemies cut off our escape path if things turn hairy. Since it commands them, the less reinforcements it has available to summon to it the better for us, right?"

Similar to Moya, Chalei'nh also looked at the others for their opinions on the matter.

"We should concentrate on the Bloat. Head straight for it. The longer we fight a horde, the higher a chance more of the horde has of getting to us and infecting us. Remember, if we beat the bloat the Froggie's said these guys should stop." She reminded them. "We are small in number, let's avoid, make a beeline to the Bloat and take him down." She says, then looks at her map again, looking for a hole or clearer path towards their destination.

"Cut the head off," Mo says, "Makes all kinds of sense to me."

Chalei'nh shrugged.

- "Hey, as long as we all agree, i'm fine with the plan. Said what i wanted to say anyway. Still..."

She looked at the others.

- "...Would we ultimately benefit taking out more zombies first, since it means more of those experience points for us, which in turn means leveling up earlier making future dungeons a bit less tricky? Just wondering out loud here about possible long term strategies."