The last of the plant-creatures--at least, the last one with any obvious capacity for independent movement--shrivels to a blackened husk in the magical fire. Looking around, it is difficult not to suspect that this tree or that vine will suddenly spring into animated fury: every little rustle now seems suspicious.
As Kane is walking past the plant with the large, nasty-smelling flowers, it shudders, and one of its tendrils inches purposefully toward him. Kane instantly whips out his sword and drives it straight down the middle of the plant. The plant quivers briefly before becoming still, and Kane has a fleeting sensation of warmth, as though some grateful spirit has been released. A small amount of glowing liquid creeps up onto his sword while it is embedded in the plant. The liquid winds around and branches, spreading spidery veins over the surface of the blade. When Kane removes the weapon, the liquid seems to have dried and formed an indelible pattern.
The sword that one of the zombies was carrying is a large, Kingdom of Jade-style weapon, finely made.
After taking a well-earned rest--Dartmoor in particular seems to have only narrowly escaped death--the adventurers continue their search for viper nettles. Heading further north, into wetter ground that seems favored by these plants, they find an enormous patch of them, with many ripe berries. These are slowly but safely harvested by Kane, who uses his telekinetic hand to avoid touching the leaves directly.
Not far from this spot, two streams come together to make the one that the adventurers have been following. One branch flows from the north; this is the same stream that flows past the party’s camp, and they can plainly see the hill at the top of which they built their shelters rising before them. The other branch flows from the southwest.
[sblock=Treasure!]Sorry about taking control of Kane there, but he seems to like his existing sword so I wanted to upgrade it rather than replace it =)
Kane’s longsword becomes a dislocation longsword +1 (L4 item)
The zombie’s sword is a frost bastard sword (no-dachi) +1 (L3 item; for Takahaan)
jbear--If you use the compendium, note that the entry for the dislocation weapon is a bit borked (the printed PHB3 version is the right one, I think). The target doesn’t grant CA unless you augment the power (which you can’t, of course). Hope you don’t mind the psionic item--I thought the unaugmented power was really nice. It just screamed “swordmage” to me.
The viper nettle berries fulfill Aerys’s quest, of course. They also constitute an excuse to “buy” healing potions with virtual gold, if anyone wants to do that.[/sblock]
[sblock=time and ooc stuff]Status at the end of the fight:
Castile HP 20/39; surges 11/13, AP used
Dartmoor HP -2/33; surges 8/10
Hú Lí HP 11/29; surges 8/8, AP used
Kane HP 10/28; surges 9/10, AP used
Noriaki HP 21/33; surges 7/9, AP used
Takahaan HP 6/29; surges 6/8
Ishirou HP 17/24; surges 6/7
I calculate the current time to be about 12:20 pm. Lunchtime!
The first page has been updated with a new map, additions to the plot summary, etc.
The intention is still to keep following Ieana and Kovack, correct?[/sblock]