IndyPendant's Sunless Citadel

[IndyPendant]

Since no further twig things are forthcoming, Jair heals both Jerek and Terrek of their wounds. Since none of you have healing knowledge, Jerek is forced to wait nervously to see what the venomous sap will do to his body, but as the minutes pass he realizes he must already have fought off the worst of its effects.

None of you have seen creatures like these before. And creatures they definitely are, not golems or outsiders. While the piles closely resemble bundles of loose twigs, in actuality they are linked via strong cord-like twists of moist wood. They also leak sap from their puncture wounds, although their actual bodies can be broken like bird's bones. They have tiny roots trailing from the bottoms of their 'feet', but other than their general shape and vestigial eyes, they have no discernable internal or external anatomy.

((He has to use both his 1st-level spells, but Jair heals both the wounded completely.))

 

[JimAde]

Jerek takes a deep, relieved breath and says, "Thank you my friend." Then he holds up the ragged remains of his bloodstained sleeve and says, "Would you look at this? I just bought this shirt." He shakes his head in disgust.

 

[Voadam]

Jair grins then laughs at Jerek's comment good naturedly. Then he inspects the twigling remains again.

"They are definitely a plant creature, notice that they have no vitals or organs like a beast of the woods would have, no heart, no mouth, no organs. Aye plants, but unnatural, and like none I have ever seen or heard of before. Quite different from the great treants."

 

[JimAde]

Jerek considers for a moment, then gathers up one of the fallen creatures. "Maybe we can learn more about them in town. The people here may have run into them before. If not, it might be worth warning them about."

[sblock]I'm not clear on how big and heavy these things are. If bringing a whole one is incovenient, I'll lop off a "head" and "hand." Maybe we can sell 'em for spell components. [/sblock]

 

[Mithran]

Heirmund smiles "Thank you Jerek, I was hoping to be able to study one of the creatures when we camped tonight and I can't very well carry one my self" Heirmund looks around a bit "Well I suppose we should keep pushing on for a bit before setting up camp"

 

[jayaint]

I wonder what other surprises lay in wait for us on this trip?

Ydyr looks happily down the trail as the group sets off once again.

 

[Voadam]

"That is it for all but the most minor stopgap healing magic until the dawn refreshes me."

 

[IndyPendant]

Jerek finds the creatures surprisingly heavy, considering they seem to be made of twigs and sap. Since the whole body weighs at least forty pounds, he decides to hack off the head and clawed part of one of the things. Even that proves taxing, as without a proper axe, he ends up having to resort to labourious sawing to remove the sections. After nearly twenty minutes, however, he's rewarded with the parts he wanted, still oozing a bit of their vile sap.

Finding nothing further available to do here, you continue on along the Old Road. You were delayed slightly in leaving Oakhurst, but even so it is currently only early afternoon. And after only another two hours or so of travel, putting you in mid-to-late afternoon, you encounter what must be the remains of the Sunless Citadel. At the Old Road's closest approach to the ravine to the west, several broken pillars jut from the earth where the ravine widens and opens into something more akin to a deep, but narrow, canyon. Two of the pillars stand straight, but most of them lean against the sloped earth. Others are broken, and several have apparently fallen into the darkness-shrouded depths. A few similar pillars are visible on the opposite side of the ravine.

 

[Voadam]

"I suggest we set up a concealed shelter out here a ways from the entrance so that if we enter the underground and come out without enough time (or carrying wounded) to make it all the way back to town that we have a ready and secure place to rest and recuperate. And a concealed place that is not obvious to any pursuers we might encounter would be prudent."

ooc Jair has survival skills to set up such a natural shelter.

 

[JimAde]

Jerek looks at Jair for a moment in stunned silence then says, "All right. I vote the guy with the pointy stick is in charge." He moves to help Jair set up the shelter.

[sblock] Survival +2 for Aid Another if it's relevant.[/sblock]