Pumpkin Day Parade
Log Info
- Title: Pumpkin Day Parade
- GM: Thurid
- Characters: Thoth, Crik, Reithak, Ulthan
- Location: Alexandros - Happy Valley
- Summary: The Gnomish Pumpkin Day has appeared, and with it, it brings some dangerous gourds!
Happy Valley, an Alexandrian icon of gnomish ingenuity grit and, to be quite honest, grift. Laying a ways outside of the city, in the environs of the greater Alexandros area, the settlement has in living memory gone from a remote and optimistically named village to a bustling township. While their main trade these days is in silver procured from nearby mines, the valley hasn't forgotten its agricultural roots- transforming a once fairly desolate valley into swathes of arable land through irrigation, fertilization and toil.
And so they gather to celebrate the harvest once more- their town open to visitors willing to spend their time and perhaps even their coin at fanciful stalls, sampling autumnal specialities from colourful marquees erected between the eccentric and at times structurally complexing homes and businesses that line the main thoroughfare of the town's outer agricultural district. All leading up to the main event- the procession of ornately hand-carved pumpkin carriages, some a story tall, through the market square.
Though the festivities start ostensibly at noon, they don't really begin to pick up until later in the evening. Tallow candles lit one by one line the streets, and banners of black and orange paper shapes depicting bats and spiders and, of course, pumpkins hang between lamp posts. And so it is, the festivities are in full swing now in the waning sunlight, a chill touching the air- though one dispelled well enough with warm spiced cider and pumpkin pie.
GAME: Thoth casts Dancing Lights. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Crik rolls disguise: (2)+11: 13
Much has been lost to Thoth. Time. Memories. Body.
In that lost time, many things have changed. And to learn of current day events and that kinds of things that the culture indulges in these days, it must travel. It must learn. As such, the robotic creature has traveled all the ways to Happy Valley. To see how a small town has managed to reinvent itself while keeping to its roots.
It has come without costume or armor or... well... much of anything. The metalic thing no doubt is easily confused to wearing the 'best costume' however, depending on how familiar these people here with War Golems. It has joined into the district and is looking at the hand-crafted carriages and various unique designs everywhere.
On its shoulder, Ra is along for the Ride, and a group of dancing lights that look like little 'spirits with haunting faces' float with it after a few children asked it if it could adjust the shape of the lights to be more 'themely'. Ra is even wearing a little witch-hat and thinks all of this is, 'a hoot'.
Caw. Caw. The corvids cry as the festivities go on; giving an appropriate background to the deathly proceedings. Indeed, the corvid letting out those sounds seemed to be having a time of his life.
Dressed as a pumpkin lantern. By having literal carved pumpkin over his head. The relatively short egalrin draped in robes was not going to win the best diguise in the world; but at a quick glance he might pass as one of those carved faces.
Occasionally, the lantern moves with a black tail bopping, enjoying the sights and potential treats in the festival.
Reithak was always game for a new festival to explore, and this one sounded quite interesting, even if pumpkins didn't sound particularly appetizing.
They still wore the bright whites of their inquisitor attire, but instead of meticulously maintained fabric were tattered and voluminous robes, coupled with white dusted feathers dyed at the tips with oranges and purples giving them a strange, ghostly appearance.
"Well, someone is in gourd spirits." Reithak teases the nearby corvid as she takes a wander through the area. "Hey, great metal egalrin costume, there!"
Walking carefully amongst the mostly gnomish populace of the Happy Valley, Ulthan is perusing the stalls, stopping occasionally to admire some clever little toy, and even more occasionally, making a purchase of something especially eyecatching, carefully putting the gift in his backpack for safekeeping.
If it were not for this having been a repeated claim, Thoth might not even have realized it were spoken to. But as Reithak points out it has a great egalrin costume, it answers by turning its head towards Reithak and makes for a metalic chirp in answer. A hoot from Ra. "This one is not in costume." It then remarks. "This one is what it is." It remarks, as it approaches.
"Is this the Other's first time here as well?"
Thoth attracts no small amount of attention from children and adults alike- one particular elderly gnomish gent who looks like he's trying very hard to dress like a farmer, complete with corduroy trousers, wellington boots, a tartan jacket with patched elbows and a flat cap, can't hide his curiosity, bombarding Thoth with a series of questions on his articulation and gearing architecture- sometimes forgetting even his thick country accent.
Reithak and Crik seem to have become the subject of a children's game, scampering gnomish younglings running past and tapping their tail feathers while trying not to get caught.
Ultan manages to find a few interesting trinkets, wooden toys with spring-wound articulated parts seem a speciality, with horseless carriages that zoom off when wound with a key, or figurines which twirl or wave their arms around.
Crik doesn't seem to understand the joke as it was too gourd, so he tilts his head up towards Reithak. He attempts to look like a pumpkin - but he cannot help but let out another caw. It was just so _fitting_.
The children spoil the rest of his disguise though, and soon he is hopping off on his feet, bouncing around the fountain as his tail feathers are tapped at. "I don't understand! The tail is first thing hidden!" He says by himself, utterly confused. "I always won at the snatch the feather game!"
Thoth is glad to explain its Kulthian heritage. Proud of its master, it thus wishes to show the wonders he created in the Kulthian age. Opening hatches from time to time. It has picked up on the shift in accent, but isn't 'aware' enough yet that this might be source for suspicion or concern. There are people from all walks and life here! And this man could simply be costuming!
And being only four feet tall, it is a lot more accessible than larger War Golems. Of course, the broken wings are sure to bring some concern to some who are familiar with War Golems. After all, those things are delicate, and clearly beyond simple repair of any sorts. Not a costume piece.
It goes deeper into conversation with the Gnome in question, asking if they too are an Artificer, or are perhaps also part of the Artificer's guild.
"Oh, it's not a golem wearing an egalrin outfit, it's a golem that looks like an egalrin! That's so cool!" The ghost enthuses. "Hey, it's okay Crik, you gotta let the little ones win sometimes." She adds with a bright laugh as they shake their tail feathers around, hopping away to keep up with Crik.
Ulthan gets on with gentle haggling for his finds, not too cut-throat, obviously, but it would just not do to buy something at asking price, especially at a festival market. But he is careful to not haggle too hard, because that would be impolite. And he does not besmirch the workmanship of the toys he has put his eye on.
"Artificer? Oh, no no, not at all my boy." he says then. "I'm a toymaker." he insists, and nods his head over towards where Ulthan is making his purchases. "That's my youngest over there selling them." he offers. He seems about to continue, when he's interrupted by haphazard, slightly discordant but oddly jolly music coming from beyond the windmill to the east. "Oh! It's time for the parade already?" he says, and then ushers Thoth over towards the edge of the thoroughfare.
The odd music grows nearer, accompanied by steady clip-clopping of hooves and tick-tocking of clockwork and the grinding of hard wooden wheels against cobbles. The first of the floats slowly makes its way into view- as does the source of the music. A gnomish one-man-band, with an intricate array of drums and cymbals affixed to various locations that thump and clash as he stomps and shimmies, a harmonica held between his lips by a frame resting on his shoulders and an accordion held between his hands. He stands in the gaping mouth of a truly enormous pumpkin- carved with a menacing, sharp toothed wail of a face, candles burning in its eye sockets.
"It is not about winning! It is about keeping the tail feathers!" Crik's beak is open as he hops from one foot to another, before suddenly they are left alone as the float starts to approach. He lets his cloaks settle around him and he stares at the approaching parade. "Interesting parade." He states, looking towards the others - before leaving his pumpkin head behind and hopping onto the fountain to get a better look.
Ulthan has turned around at the sound of the approaching parade, and he eyes the one-gnome band with appreciation of someone who has lived through long winters in isolated cabins of the Dranei hill folk.
"Oh come on, you've got more than enough tailfeathers, just let them have their fun." Reithak laughs loudly to the corvid as she balances beside the fountain to watch. "Toy makers, huh? I wonder what kind of toys I could bring back with me."
Further musings are stopped by the start of the parade and the ghost perks up, clapping loudly.
"To make toys requireth knowledge of artifice, and an understanding of the young mind. This one believes, it bears its own wonderful skills." Thoth answers the toymaker respectfully, before stepping over as he's urged on by the older man. Listening to the odd music and ticking of clockwork. Watching the wheels approach.
It tilts its hands behind its head and watches with interest as the enormous pumpkin approaches with the one-man band.
It's quite impressive.
Following this initial carriage is another large pumpkin, this one adorned with a crown of braided white flowers, and it wheels seem to turn themselves- until the large brass key in the rear of the pumpkin can be seen, slowly turning as the mainspring it wound unwinds to power its movement.
Following this one are a train of smaller pumpkins, each carved with wicked grins and howling faces, bobbing along through the air impelled by some form of magic. Following them is another one, horse-sized, a dim glow behind its eyes. There's a younger gnomish fellow playing a flute which seems to somehow be directing the enchanted pumpkins to bob their way along the path.
GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (5)+13: 18
GAME: Crik rolls perception: (17)+11: 28
GAME: Ulthan rolls perception: (10)+6: 16
GAME: Thoth rolls Perception+3: (19)+5+3: 27
GAME: Thoth rolls 10+3: (14)+10+3: 27
Thoth watches the beautiful display, until Ra lets out a bit of a hoot and points its wings to the once in the back that are still approaching. Thoth chirps and remarks; "The boy must have enchanted them. Some kind of monstrous pumpkins perhaps?" It remarks to Ra, though it had not spoken to it. It seems to believe this boy may have it perfectly well in hand. Though he does also notice the larger one behind the boy.
Crik tilts his head sideways as he watches the pumpkins trundle along; a notepad is pulled out and he is idly sketching the sight. Key? Hole in the carriage? Question marks, question marks?
The mystery distracting the corvid egalrin for a moment, he then pauses, and looks towards the taller egalrin. "... do those pumpkins look strange to you?" He asks, pointing his pen at the floating balls of gourd. "Like they were hungry?"
GAME: Thoth refreshes spells.
GAME: Thoth casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
GAME: Thoth casts Shield. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16
Ulthan has let several of the younger and smaller gnomes get in front of him, and just loooks over them, his view obviously unimpeded, unlike anyone who'd make the mistake of standing behind him. He might not have the understanding of the ways these parade floats work, but he still appreciates the spectacle.
GAME: Reithak rolls sense motive: (18)+10: 28
Reithak glances over to Thoth, and their gaze narrows, and back up to Crik, before she glances at the parade again, this time taking a closer look. "No, I don't think that the flutist is involved, or behind it, at least." Reithak notes. "But, those pumpkins, those things have something evil to them. We need to get people away from them, soon as we can."
A sudden discordant note and the flute stops abruptly- its player having stubbed his toe. "Bugger." he says, and then clears his throat and attempts to resume the song, but misses his timing as he tries to find his fingering once more. "Bugger me." he complains again. The Pumpkins floating in the air come to a stop, the stubs of their severed vines twitching.
Crik looks at Reithak, then towards the pumpkins. "On it." He pulls up his cloaks, takes an action pause, leaning forward to take flight...
... and with a sudden caw and panic, taps around his chest. "I didn't stock up on my bombs!" He looks around himself in agitation, making sure he didn't drop them. Nope, completely gone.
The corvid then points at taller egalrin. "Let us do the scarecrow tactic." He hops up and down, looking to climb up the other.
GAME: Thoth rolls Diplomacy: (10)+0: 10
Oh no! Pumpkins may be doing an evil!
When the music player fails a note, Thoth begins to move forward, a shimmering light coming off of some of the accessories it wears. "This one will seek to urge people to take care." It remarks, approaching the area with the troubling pumpkins, and then raises its hands.
"Please, step back. These pumpkins may misbehave." It tries to alarm them with an utterly monotone voice that conveys absolutely no urgency to the request.
Ulthan looks over to where his Egalrin friends are busy getting into an alarm, then calmly lets his backpack down into the care of the stallkeeper as he pulls his flail from its loops on the pack. It pays to have the copurier's mindset of never trusting a route to be safe enough to go unarmed.
GAME: Reithak refreshes spells.
GAME: Reithak rolls knowledge/nature: (14)+6: 20
GAME: Reithak casts Flames of the Faithful. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
Reithak squints as the procession stops abruptly, and the large egalring tenses up, drawing their rapier which they had the foresight to keep with their costume. "EVERYONE, THOSE ARE NOT PUMPKINS, PLEASE GET AS FAR AWAY FROM THEM AS POSSIBLE!" She shouts suddenly, offering a brief prayer that causes their rapier to ignite. "Hope they aren't fireproof in addition to breathing fire, they're jack-o-lanterns! They'll try to pin you with their vines, and explode when you break them, too. But we need to get rid of them, now!"
As the gnome continues to struggle to find his place in the tune, becoming more and more flustered, the floating gourds become more agitated themselves. Toothy carved grins opening wide, embers burning inside their eyes growing brighter. The crowd don't pay much heed to Thoth's warning, but Reithak gains a bit more attention.
"Not pumpkins?"
"Explode?"
"But the fireworks festival isn't until next month!"
Various voices ring out. And then whatever tenuous spell held the gourds in thrall before seems to finally fail, as the large one at the front of the procession suddenly bellows an otherworldly laugh, and barrels towards the crowd.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ATTENTION -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Thurid has dropped a TIMESTOP!
Please +init, then cease all roleplay and actions immediately and wait for Thurid to instruct you further. You may earn RPP by logging a scene for a GM.
For in-combat commands, type: +thelp.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 24.
It is now Crik's turn! Reithak is next!
GAME: Crik rolls weapon2: (17)+7: 24
GAME: Crik rolls damage2: aliased to 1d4+0: (2)+0: 2
GAME: Crik rolls stealth: (4)+12: 16
GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (12)+11: 23
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 12.
It is now Reithak's turn! Ulthan is next!
Scarecrow tactic failed, Crik instead turns his head towards the big jack-o-baddies. "Explosive pumpkins? Here? Of all places?" He asks, genuinely astounded. Warning called out, he flicks his tail feather and hops off the fountain - a tiny worn crossbow is pulled from his robes, and a bolt is fired at the big pumpkin-not.
Then, like any good corvid rogue would, he hides under the nearby stall in plain sight, letting out a caw.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 10.
It is now Ulthan's turn! Small Gourd 1 is next!
GAME: Reithak casts Weapon of Awe. Caster Level: 4 DC: 14
"Careful, I don't know how bad the explosions are, but I don't have much of a choice but to find out." She calls over. "Guide my hand like the spark of creativity to a struggling poet." They pray, causing the flames on their rapier to grow brighter, and the blade within flickering itself as she strides to meet the creatures, not able to reach all the way but trying to make sure Crik wasn't entirely exposed.
<Auran>
GAME: Ulthan rolls attack3: (11)+attack3: 11
GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon3+2: (7)+6+2: 15
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 9.
It is now Small Gourd 1's turn! Thoth is next!
Ulthan pulls his flail feree from his backpack's loops, then makes for a swift rush towards the big flaming gourd, winding his flail up to a big swing... that misses the huge gourd and slams on the ground in front of it.
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (1)+2: 3
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 5.
It is now Thoth's turn! Small Gourd 4 is next!
With the enchanting music put to a thorough end by the fumbling of the flautist, the nearest floating pumpkin barrels towards him and leaps up, biting into his forearm with jagged teeth, drawing blood from the youth and causing him to drop his flute. The sudden outset of violence causes a panic in the crowd, who finally heed Reithak and Thoth's warnings and begin to scatter away from the animated flora.
GAME: Thoth casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
GAME: Thoth rolls 2d4+2+2: (6)+2+2: 10
"This one will assist in your discovery of its explosive capabilities." Thoth remarks, "However, this one will prioritize the defenseless life first. Perhaps the Flautist can bring them back under its control." It notes, as it click-clacks towards the north-west to help the flautist while it chirps at Ra.
The Familiar is quick to fly off of its shoulder and rushes for the Pumpkin, squawking and positioning itself to try and strike it with its small little talons!
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 5.
It is now Small Gourd 4's turn! Big Gourd is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (14)+3: 17
GAME: Thurid rolls 6: (11)+6: 17
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (5)+2: 7
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 1.
It is now Big Gourd's turn! Small Gourd 2 is next!
GAME: Ulthan rolls will: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (7): 7
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init 1.
It is now Small Gourd 2's turn! Small Gourd 3 is next!
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round One - Init -1.
It is now Small Gourd 3's turn! Crik is next!
GAME: Thoth rolls Wisdom+4: (18)+1+4: 23
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d10: (3): 3
GAME: Thoth rolls Reflex: (17)+4: 21
GAME: Thoth rolls 5: (14)+5: 19
The gourds continue to move up towards the adventurers posing the clear threat- while the fleeing gnomes and tourists look delicious, better to handle the ones with pointy sticks and dangerous magic first. One of the grouds opens its mouth emitting a bone-chilling scream which gives Ulthan the willies, while the larger one turns and bites down hard on the Dranei's outstretched arm. A third of the gourds bobs along on an expanding bed of writhing vines and opens its mouth, expelling a cloud of grey-green spores which envelops Thoth and his familiar- as well as two of its own. It snaps its mouth shut with a spark that ignites the fine mist of spores in a sudden conflagration. The flames wash harmlessly over the other gourds, but singe Thoth's metallic plumage.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 24.
It is now Crik's turn! Reithak is next!
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 12.
It is now Reithak's turn! Ulthan is next!
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 10.
It is now Ulthan's turn! Small Gourd 1 is next!
The evil gourds were swarming the middle of the street - and seeing the flames light up, the rogue cowered a bit more. "I don't think we can crush them all!" He calls out. "Protect the flute!" Then the cloaked corvid is dashing forward as deep as he can towards the flautist.
GAME: Ulthan RAGES!, gaining +2 to melee attack/damage/Will saves and 4 temporary HP
GAME: Ulthan rolls weapon3: (9)+8: 17
GAME: Ulthan rolls damage3: aliased to 1d10+6: (10)+6: 16
"Good idea, if that flute was keeping them in line, then it's worth a shot!" Reithak agrees, taking a wide line around the plants as she breaks into a sprint, coming to a stop just behind the plants and near to the musician. "Keep it up , we'll get through this!"
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 9.
It is now Small Gourd 1's turn! Thoth is next!
Ulthan shakes from the fear, but that only makes him fall back to his atavistic reaction to fear, unleashing his rage. With a roar he swings his flail back upward, smashing a solid hit into the underside of the big gourd, this time breaking bits off and spraying them over himself. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be fatal strike.
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d10: (9): 9
GAME: Thoth rolls Reflex: (11)+4: 15
Chunks of its pulpy flesh are blasted away by Thoth's barrage of magical darts, which serves its purpose. It turns, its skull-like carved visage now missing the top left quarter including one of its carved eye sockets, revealing a mass of spongy, spore-filled pale green flesh beneath. It rushes towards the caster, and belches forth a cloud of spores from within- once more igniting it with a clacking of its teeth, more flames washing over the war golem causing his metal carapace to creak and tick as the intense heat strains its metal.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 5.
It is now Thoth's turn! Small Gourd 4 is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (16)+3: 19
GAME: Thoth casts Burning Hands. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
GAME: Thoth rolls 4d4+2: (8)+2: 10
GAME: Thoth rolls 7: (7)+7: 14
GAME: Thoth rolls 7+2: (6)+7+2: 15
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4-2: (2)+-2: 0
GAME: Ulthan rolls reflex: (9)+2: 11
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (7): 7
GAME: Thoth rolls 5: (11)+5: 16
Thoth looks almost disinterest as the screams start to writhe out and the spores ignite, melting its feathers. However, when another gourd focuses it, Thoth soon is starting to look far worse for wear. Seeing the others getting into position to protect the flutist, it instead sees an opportunity. Moving away from its vines and then pointing its hands forward. Their tips opening like flutes, and flames spill out in return...
But as it had observed with the previous spew of flames from one of the gourds, the others are unaffected. "This one believes Flames are not going to function against these foes. This will make this one's operational efficiency lacking."
At the same time, Ra is dive-bombing the larger pumpkin, trying to 'pop' its body open with its claws opposite to where Ulthan had struck, until it literally /dives through/ the pumpkin and comes out on the other side! 'Flying away' from the explosion is how cool birds do it.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 5.
It is now Small Gourd 4's turn! Big Gourd is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (4)+3: 7
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (20)+3: 23
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (19)+3: 22
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+4: (11)+4: 15
GAME: Thurid rolls 4: (16)+4: 20
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init 1.
It is now Small Gourd 2's turn! Small Gourd 3 is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3+2: (10)+3+2: 15
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Two - Init -1.
It is now Small Gourd 3's turn! Crik is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3+2: (19)+3+2: 24
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6
The grouds continue their assault even as the largest of them explodes in a shower of smoking chunks of pumpkin flesh- it smells quite nice, actually, but the shockwave and heat that wash over Ulthan distract him from enjoying it and leave his ears ringing and his hair smouldering.
The gourd Thoth attempted to set ablaze returns the favor with a vicious attack, jagged teeth clamping down hard and buckling metal, while its thorny vines thrash out and wrap around the War Golem, crushing joints with the sound of creaking, twisting, tearing metal.
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 24.
It is now Crik's turn! Reithak is next!
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1: (6)+8: 14
GAME: Crik rolls damage1: aliased to 1d4+1: (4)+1: 5
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 12.
It is now Reithak's turn! Ulthan is next!
Crik gets charged at by one of the badmpkins, letting out a loud shrill caw as he gets slammed on pretty hard. "Rei! Save the fluuute-!" He calls out, as he swipes a blade at the nearby pumpkins, trying to block it from trying to get to the gnome player.
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+3+2+1: (4)+4+3+2+1: 14
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+3+2: (1)+3+2: 6
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6: (2): 2
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 10.
It is now Ulthan's turn! Small Gourd 1 is next!
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 9.
It is now Small Gourd 1's turn! Thoth is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (4)+3: 7
Ulthan , dazed by the blast froim the demolished big gourd, lets his flail slip from his hands as he is struggling to remain standing.
"Just, ah, crap." The egalrin curses as their immediate target takes off elsewhere. Instead, she charges towards the pumpkin threatening the golem, landing a lunging thrust, but less badly than may have been hoped. Still, it was better than it exploding right next to Thoth, with how badly they were damaged.
The Jack-o-lantern Reithak passed by on their way to assist Toth turns and lashes out at them, but neither pumpkin teeth not lashing vines manage to find purchase on the agile Elgarin, who ducks and weaves around the blows.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 5.
It is now Thoth's turn! Small Gourd 4 is next!
GAME: Thoth casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 17
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4+2+2: (3)+2+2: 7
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4+1: (3)+1: 4
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (3): 3
GAME: Thoth rolls 7+2: (1)+7+2: 10 (EPIC FAIL)
GAME: Reithak rolls reflex: (14)+5: 19
"This one may be in trouble." Thoth indicates almost monotonely, as vines wrap around it and the pumpkin gourd attempts to grip hold of its extremities. Thoth struggles. "This one is not permitted to let further permanent damage come to its Master's property!" It then declares firmly, and uses its talons to rip off the vines on it and slips free, but it's clearly damaged. There's parts of its arms and legs that look bent in ways that nothing should ever bend!
It finally manages to stumble back, motioning for Ra to assist Crik and starts getting into the Gourd's face while Thoth itself spreads adjusts its shoulder positions and sends a twosome of arcane missiles rushing out, one impacting the one near it with intense strength, and the second aiding Ulthan by impacting on the one he's too stunned to retaliate against.
"Come to this one, garish Cucurbita! Pick on a creature your own size..." That is, smaller than a human.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init 1.
It is now Small Gourd 2's turn! Small Gourd 3 is next!
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (15)+3: 18
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (11)+3: 14
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4
GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (10)+3: 13
GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (2)+3: 5
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Three - Init -1.
It is now Small Gourd 3's turn! Crik is next!
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 24.
It is now Crik's turn! Reithak is next!
GAME: Crik rolls weapon1+2: (7)+8+2: 17
GAME: Crik rolls damage1+2d6: aliased to 1d4+1+2d6: (2)+1+(5): 8
GAME: Crik rolls reflex: (15)+8: 23
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (7): 7
GAME: Thoth rolls 5: (13)+5: 18
Even as their numbers thin in successive explosions, rocking the parade grounds and sending those paper streamers drifting in floating embers the remaining gourds continue their relentless assault. One of them has managed to latch onto the dazed Ulthan, bringing him down and biting off chunks of his flesh as his consciousness fades.
The other has less luck, finding no purchase on the wily Elgarin- it seems that as usual, birds are the natural enemy of crops, even if those crops breathe fire and explode.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 12.
It is now Reithak's turn! Ulthan is next!
Crik bops his head towards Ra as it flows on by - then slices his dagger out as the gourd gets harried. His blade sinks in just the opportune moment, blowing up the bad-lantern. And the splinters didn't even hit him or the familiar! With a flutter of his cloak, he rushes towards the downed Ulthan.
GAME: Reithak rolls sense motive: (8)+10: 18
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+1+3: (8)+4+1+3: 16
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d20+4+1+3-2: (10)+4+1+3+-2: 16
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d6+3+2: (3)+3+2: 8
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (7): 7
GAME: Reithak rolls reflex: (7)+5: 12
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 10.
It is now Ulthan's turn! Thoth is next!
"Just, hang on a moment!" Reithak shouts back to Ulthan and Thoth, caught between two equally concerning targets. Sensing that Ulthan would not likely be immediately devoured, the inquisitor focuses instead on stabbing through the pumpkin in front of them, earning a pained squawk as they're pelted by the explosion.
GAME: Ulthan rolls fort: (18)+6: 24
GAME: Ulthan rolls con-5: (20)+con+-5: 15
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 5.
It is now Thoth's turn! Small Gourd 2 is next!
GAME: Thoth rolls 7: (20)+7: 27
GAME: Thoth rolls 7: (14)+7: 21
GAME: Thoth rolls 2d4-2: (4)+-2: 2
GAME: Thoth rolls 1d4+2: (3)+2: 5
GAME: Thoth rolls 5: (19)+5: 24
"This one is okay. Their numbers are dwindling." It indicates as it makes a sweeping motion for Ra to go after the Pumpkin threatening Ulthan, and in that same motion, its finger opens and fires another arcane shot that strikes the pumpin right through one eye. Ra then flies through the other one, coring the creature, and flies up as it explodes.
"This one is concerned with the well-being of the Other." Pause. "This one did not get their name." Ulthan. "This one is unable to assist in healing functions."
GAME: Ulthan rolls reflex-5: (17)+2+-5: 14
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6: (8): 8
With the combined assault from Thoth and his familiar, the last remaining animated gourd explodes in a burst of highly flammable spores- Ra is quick enough to evade the blast, but the already singed and bloodied Ulthan is not so lucky, and the flames scorch his supine form, blistering skin and blackening the blood that oozes from his wounds.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Four - Init 1.
It is now Small Gourd 2's turn! Crik is next!
GAME: NEW ROUND!
Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 24.
It is now Crik's turn! Reithak is next!
GAME: Crik used a Potion of Cure Light Wounds.
GAME: Thurid advances the initiative order.
Round Five - Init 12.
It is now Reithak's turn! Ulthan is next!
Crik continues running across the street as more not-pumpkins explode around him, hands rapidly digging around his cloak as he nears Ulthan. The corvid pulls out a small vial - before interrupted by a chirp. Ra. A meaningful hoot. A caw.
The corvid looks at the vial, the bleeding barbarian, the owl - and flips the vial over.
GAME: Reithak casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 4 DC: 13
GAME: Reithak rolls 1d8+4: (7)+4: 11
GAME: Crik rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: Crik rolls 1d8+1: (2)+1: 3
GAME: Ulthan ends his rage.
GAME: Thurid removes the timestop.
"It's not going after him!" The inquisitor warns, but too late, as the last one is battered and blows up right next to Ulthan. Reithak is right next to them afterwards, and the large egalrin crouches down, placing one hand on Ulthan and channeling healing energy through their wounds, at least enough to stop them bleeding to death internally or externally. "That's the last of them, right?"
Ulthan slowly comes around after the administrations of his teammates return him from the jaws of dying.
"This one sees no further of these creatures." The Avian War Golem answers Reithak as tey speak. The War Golem gets closer to Ulthan while Ra and Crik work on feeding him a potion... only for Ulthan to heal him right before that. Ra hoots at Reithak, and then just kind of 'lands' on Ulthan's chest and spreads its wings. Almost like it is telling peopel to step back and make space!
Crik looks at the nearly dead corpse of Ulthan - and then lets out a caw. Caw. caw. There's a pause, and then he raises his shoulders. "... seemed appropriate."
With the last of the gruesome gourds dispatched, and only the regular kind left scattered around, one of the tents smouldering and the banners in tatters, the locals slowly make their way back. Someone moves to help the flautist who... gets three cheers for his excellent display!
THe adventurers are afforded time to lick their wounds and eventually an announcement is made by the mayor- The winner of the parade was the youth with his bewitched Jack-o-lanterns, even after losing points for not properly controlling his entrant into the competition.
The adventurers are compensated for their assistance in the whole affair, the fires are put out, and the food and drink begins to flow again as the night progresses to a bonfire in an fallow field nearby.