stonegod's Expedition to Castle Ravenloft: Ch. I [IC]

[DEFCON 1]

Jarrith returns to the group as Janis makes her way down the ladder, and says quietly to them all. "Northern passage ends in a cliff face. Unless we're all expert mountaineers... we probably should hold off on going that way for now. The southern passage slopes downward, but is walkable."

He takes the sunrod back from the large boy and slides it back into the top of his pack. He then nods to them all and looks to be making his way to the southern passage. "Let's line 'em up. What order shall we take? With Daellin up above, I'm probably best to take point. Maybe then Lady Ashlyn, then Janis, then Perriwimple and Tessa? How does that sound?"

He begins walking towards the southern passage unless anyone voices a question or concern.

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn simply nods at Jarrith's words as he returns from his scouting. As he steps forward into the lead, she takes a position a few meters behind him.

She then stops a moment and turns to face the others, and speaks quietly "From here on, speak only if there is need."

Then she continues after Jarrith

 

[James Heard]

Janis raises an eyebrow, then looks at Perriiwimple.

Well, I suppose some might have needed reminded

 

[stonegod]

Under the Tower - Surprise Round

No objections to his plan, Jarrith begins to leads the others down the tricky slope. It is quite steep, requiring sure footing to climb down. [Difficult terrain]

As the sunrod illuminates the cavern, the unusual growth becomes even wilder. Large, tree-like plants cling to the walls and high ceilings. The sickly-sweet smell is even stronger here. While the others are absorbed in the strangeness, only Janis and Jarrith notice one of the large trees begin to move! [Spot checks: Janis and Jarrith succeed]

Under the Tower: Surprise Round

J: 21
J: 20
P: 15
d: 14
A: 13
T: 11

Map Key: A: Ashlyn, d: Hungry Tree, J: Jarrith, J: Janis, P: Perriwimple, T: Tessa.
Conditions: Moving through steep region (lines) cost 2 movement and may require Balance checks.

[Surprise round actions for J&J; Round 1 actions for all please]

 

[DEFCON 1]

"Tree! Up right! I'll try and flank!" Jarrith announces to the group, then immediately springs around to the left hoping to get in behind the walking tree. (Move action to H14)

 

[James Heard]

Janis mutters an arcane command and wipes away her knowledge of one of her third order spells (OOC: Call Lightning) and pulls the breath of the dragons themselves from the soil with her command of the Wintering, soon coalescing into (1d3) (a) crocodile(s) that seem to form in their greenish fury from the vapors of the ground to flank the malevolent-looking tree.

 

[stonegod]

Under the Tower: Surprise Round
Janis begins the call to nature, a complex incantation that takes time.

Jarrith rushes ahead to flank, leaving shadows trailing behind him. However, as he rounds the corner of the split cavern, he almost runs into an unexpected second tree-horror directly in front of him!

At the same time, the treelike horror's wave their star-shaped tendrils. Out of their pulpy mouths comes a yellow seed. One hits the wall near Jarrith's head, the other lands at Ashlyn's feet. Both explode in a yellow-green cloud that clings and burns! Thorny extrusions start worming their way out of the party's faces where the gas makes contact, burrowing painfully through the skin! The Pale Lady grits her teeth and continues to chant the summoning through the pain. [Spore attack; Various damage to all party; Janis succeeds on Concentration check (19 vs DC 16); Thorns cling]

Under the Tower: Round 1

J: 21 40/42 [Thorny]
J: 20 28/31 [Thorny]
P: 15 50/55 [Thorny]
d: 14
A: 13 46/49 [Thorny]
T: 11 30/35 [Thorny]

Map Key: A: Ashlyn, d: Hungry Tree, J: Jarrith, J: Janis, P: Perriwimple, T: Tessa.
Conditions: YellowGreen: Thorny. Moving through steep region (lines) cost 2 movement and may require Balance checks.

[Round 1 actions for all please]

 

[James Heard]

OOC: Janis summons the crocodile(s) appear opposite the group behind the tree to the right.

Finishing her summoning, Janis acts to counteract the burning thorns.

OOC: Casting Mass Lesser Vigor on herself, Ashlyn, and Perriwimple. Fast Healing 1 for 16 rounds.

 

[Stormwind]

Ashlyn moves forward to engage the closest creature drawing her sword as she moves. Unsure of what it is or what it is capable of, Ashlyn uses her expertise in combat to attempt to avoid any retalitary strikes as she attacks.
While she attacks, Ashlyn calls out to the rest of the group, "What are these things? ... "

[Move to K13; Combat expertise (+5AC, -5 attack); Attack +4, Damage 1d8+3; AC27]

 

[pathfinderq1]

Tessa had said hardly a word since they left the safety of the village, and even when she had spoken, her voice had been quiet and subdued- not sullen, more like sad. Perhaps it was the thought that they were hunting "witches", when she knew that those who bore marks like hers had been hunted in similar fashion for so many years- or maybe the unholy aura of the hill, which reminded her far too much of her glimpses of the Mournland...

Now, though, with a clear threat revealed, she felt her confidence and the strength of her faith reassert themselves. Even as her skin prickled and burned from the clinging thorns, she focused her mental energies, and drew upon the power of the Sovereign Host, calling forth an incantation of divine energy to empower her allies and weaken the odd creatures which opposed them...

OOC: Casting Prayer, lasts 5 rounds; Concentration (if needed) is +10