A Gnoment in Time, Part 8
Log Info
- Title: A Gnoment in Time, Part 8
- Emitter: Whirlpool
- Characters: Skielstregar, Paenitia, Ravenstongue, Vaera, Lyme
- Place: Alexandros Wilderness, the Felwood
- Time: Thursday, November 03, 2022, 10:00 PM
- Summary: Cor'lana and Farland make geomancy adjustments to the area, while Paenitia, Vaera, Skielstregar and Lyme stand guard. Something forces vile corruption into a nearby treant, and it awakens. As Cor'lana taps into her Fey heritage to speak with the tree, Paenitia charges with her lance, and Vaera blows it apart. The battle is over before it started. Farland is in shock, staring at the ground, saying it is a dead zone. A flash of light blinds Paenitia and Lyme with horrific visions. Ramirez must be led away. As they attempt to escape, they are beset by Ravens.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Appearing in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ravenstongue 5'0" 99 Lb Half-Elf Female Short half-elf girl with violet eyes and black hair. Lyme 7'2" 435 Lb Orc Butch Black-skinned oruch of suitable stature Vaera 7'0" 262 Lb Sith-Makar Female A tall, dark red Makari with a metallic leg. Skielstregar 7'2" 330 Lb Sith-Makar Male A brilliantly silver scale with fangs and empty eyes. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= On Far Patrol -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dirk 4'11" 295 Lb Mountain Dwarf Male A rugged old dwarf, dressed for the outdoors. Zyla 7'5" 310 Lb Giantborn Female Massive woman in simple clothing and robes. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= NPCs of Note =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Farland Gnome Male Associate of Griva, Resurrectionist, Wizard -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= As the GM -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Whirlpool Otyugh I am stinky! -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--
Previously
Deep in the Felwood, a safe distance away from the battle with the moss dragon, Cor'lana and Farland discuss the issues with the ley-lines and the Magus Point. Farland believes the landscape itself is corrupted and will need to be fixed. The moss dragon was a consequence, so this is something the expedition will have to do.
They return to the location, Vaera and Paenitia fortify it while Cor'lana and Farland enact some hedgewizard horticulture.
"The ancient dwarves used to practice a kind of sacred geomancy," Farland explains. "It's a lost art today, but some of the principles were absorbed by Rune. This geomancy can be used to help ease the way mana flows through a particular ley-line. Think of it as beavers and a dam. We're supporting healthy magical ecology in an area where that's been disrupted somehow."
Indeed, as the work continues over several hours, all is going well..
It's so quiet, every little sound is enhanced.
Even the trees ... which makes the rasping creaking sounds.
Rasp, creak. Rasp, creak. Rasp, creak.
Farland lets out a breath, nodding to Cor'lana. "I think we've done what we can. I'm going to tap the magus point here now, try to draw off some of the excess magical energy. We'll infuse it into ourselves, and maybe we can see what happens."
Then he tree next to him opens its eyes...
Now
"Hola!" Paenitia calls out cheerfully, "Are you the friendly wooden man?"
She readies her lance, in case he isn't. Ramirez seems confused.
Cor'lana's eyes go wide just as the tree-entity's eyes open. "I can speak," she says, her hand going to the curuchuil mark on her chest. She takes a step forward, takes a breath...
And speaks.
"Tree spirit, we are travelers in your woods who seek to heal the wound here in your land. We are not here to harm." <Sylvan>
Pothy, meanwhile, looks uneasy on Cor'lana's shoulders. He doesn't like this. He doesn't like any of this.
Skiel's doesn't exactly get what Farland is talking about, him scratching his head as he watches things get corrected and inscribed.
He looks over to the tree, him blinking. "... isss thisss... erm... part of the sacred geo... mee tree?"
Vaera doesn't raise her thunderbelcher any, but she doesn't stay completely relaxed either as she takes a step back to regard the tree that was looking at them.
"If they're friendly, then all the better, it may be able to explain what is going on here." The red makari chuffs. "I will not count on it however, but the others putting their best foot forward has a much better chance of success, I would think."
".... nope this is bad," is what Farland says, cautiously, "... probably bad," he corrects.
The tree's face has 'eyes' and those eyes are leaking a steady stream of foul black sap.
It is staring st you. Things creak as roots tear from the misty earth.
"He is crying the black sap of despair. These are the wounded eyes that will look on none with love." The Red Knight says, digging her heels in and urging Ramirez to backup. Enough room for a short charge, she lowers her lance.
"Wooden tree-man, I am Sister Paenitia. I have not charge the windmills, but you will do." She lowers her lance, "You will do."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "well that was a swift to challenge, so then charge if I can unless someone tells me to stop." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Does anyone want to stop Paenitia?" <OOC> Ravenstongue was going to activate Blood Pact T5 - Ethereal Tongues and deal 1 nonlethal damage to myself to try and talk to the tree, but Pae can get her charge off! <OOC> Skielstregar doesnt stop her since things are breaking out of the ground GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon31+4: (8)+14+4: 26 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage31+10: aliased to 1d6+3+10: (5)+3+10: 18 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage31+10: aliased to 1d6+3+10: (3)+3+10: 16 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage31+10: aliased to 1d6+3+10: (6)+3+10: 19, "total 53, magic"
Glancing at her companions, seeking either approval or a reason to delay, and finding none with her trusty steed growing increasingly squirmy as he plays footsy with things emerging from the ground, Paenitia chooses to attack. The little lucht digs in her heels, Ramirez caws, and the pair surge forward as she braces her lance.
She seeks a burl, or a gall, a possible concentration of the contagion within the tree. That might be one! The lance point stabs into bark, plunging deep as they veer off to the side.
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Heeeey speaking of time... Gonna cast haste on the gang and hope for the best." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (1)+14: 15 (EPIC FAIL) <OOC> Ravenstongue says, "REROLLING." GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (13)+14: 27 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "AWWWW, Fffffffffffine, Haste works for now ;)" GAME: Ravenstongue casts Haste. Caster Level: 12 DC: 19
With Paenitia's charge into the tree, any time for diplomacy is gone. Cor'lana hisses a little under her breath. "Suppose talking wouldn't have helped, anyway," she mutters. "I mean, we're in the Felwood..."
Time for diplomacy? No. Time for magic. Cor'lana's strangely getting accustomed to dealing with the unstable nature of magic here, and so with the weave of spellwork around her fingers and the incantations falling from her lips, she manages to successfully quicken her allies.
<OOC> Vaera says, "I'm going to spice it up, and try shooting the tree" GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+12-3: (5)+12+-3: 14 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+12-3: (20)+12+-3: 29 (THREAT) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+12-3: (6)+12+-3: 15 (Confirmed) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+12-3: (6)+12+-3: 15 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+12-3: (20)+12+-3: 29 (THREAT) GAME: Vaera rolls 1d20+7+1-3: (12)+7+1+-3: 17 (Confirmed) <OOC> Skielstregar says, "versus touch too, since gun" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "And forgot it 3was a gun yeah. All of it hits due to touch AC! ...yep, all confirmed." <OOC> Whirlpool says, "I mean, even though treants have dr 10/slashing, you're garaunteed some significant damage because gun." GAME: Vaera rolls 4d12+32+4+4: (24)+32+4+4: 64 GAME: Vaera rolls 4d12+32+4+4: (38)+32+4+4: 78 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+8+1+1: (11)+8+1+1: 21 GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+8+1+1: (5)+8+1+1: 15 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "178 damage. xD" <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Vaera blows apart the tree trunk XD"
Well, it did not seem intent on talking. Paenitia seemed to have determined some manner of sickneess in the tree, and the lucht seemed set on combatting the foe.
Vaera was not going to waste any further time, as they take aim at the spot Dame Paenitia spotted. Perhaps it was the ambient magical disturbances in the air, but the thunderbelcher let loose with a crackling noise as it bored straight through the holes made by the lucht's lance, followed by a trio of shots hastened by Ravenstongue's magic, each causing further splintering around the hole until it was as wide as the trunk was, sending it toppling backwards.
"No time to worry now, so Farland, please finish what you came here to do." The red makari chuffs.
Violet eyes and sky-blue raven eyes blink. Sloooowly, Cor'lana turns to look at Pothy, and then back at Vaera and the very dead treant.
"Umm. Well," Cor'lana says in the silence that follows, "should we... proceed, sir Farland? Err. Mister Farland? Magister Farland? I don't think I ever got a proper form of address."
"Snack feeder," Pothy helpfully suggests in Cor'lana's voice.
"Everyone's a snack feeder to you, Pothy," Cor'lana says with a groan.
Skielstregar is about to burst into action, but his Chiuaa and Paentia make short work of the building problem. "Uhh..." He lowers his weapon, the blade of the polearm clouding in its gleam. Seems like it was confused too. "... that... thisss one isss impressed by both."
The halberd leans over and closes his hanging maw with a >clack<.
"... yesss, we can continue...?"
"That is the good shot, Friend Dragon!" Paenitia nods, tipping the brim of her wide helm. "I have know him only as Farland, though I am sure there is the title somewhere."
Titles are thick as flies sometimes.
Ramirez meanwhile appears confused, staring at the shattered treant. There was a thing there before.
Lyme just stands and stares, his mouth open. He'd been reaching for the hilt of his sword when it was all over.
Farland blinks his eyes, slowly.
"...did ... did that tree explode?" he asks after a moment.
"It certainly exploded," Cor'lana says, looking at Farland. "So, what now? Where do we go from here? Are you and I doing more magic things, or..."
"Sna--" Pothy gets shushed. He hangs his head. No snacks.
"Watch the ground, watch the trees, for more of the strange awakenings." Paenitia advises the mage-guards, as she and Ramirez patrol the perimeter. "Let us know when the time is to go, Farland, when the geology corrections are work fully."
Skielstregar shakes his head, giving Vaera another approving and happy look before stepping back to guad.
"No, the tree did not explode. It's right there, behind the stump where it was." Vaera chuffs. "And there is no guarantee that it will be so easy a second time, nor a guarantee that was the last of them. So please, focus on the task at hand, let us do our jobs, but also do yours."
Farland stares a moment longer before he lets out a breath.
... and then he blinks his eyes and yells, "EVERYBODY DOWN!"
See, thre's this speck of light in the tree trunk, and it jkust suddenly expands and explodes *upwards* in a gigantic pillar of light.
GAME: Vaera rolls reflex: (7)+10: 17 GAME: Skielstregar rolls reflex: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Reflex: (14)+8: 22 GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex: (2)+7: 9 GAME: Lyme rolls ref: (11)+3: 14 <OOC> Whirlpool says, "Only PAen and Lyme have failed so far! Would either of you like a reroll?" <OOC> Lyme says, "Naw ;) Let the chips fall" <OOC> Paenitia says, "No reroll" GAME: Whirlpool rolls 1d6: (5): 5 GAME: Whirlpool damaged your wisdom for 5 points. 5 total damage.
There are shapes in the light, horrific ones. Horrible demonic faces and visages, things beyond words and sanity. Unbelievable sights so strong as to strike one blind by the intensighty of it.
The stream of light continues for a moment and then, when it ends, there is silence.
The mist around your feet seems to have dissipated, at least.
Lyme doubles over, fingers pressing into his eyes, shrieking wordlessly for as long as his breath allows.
Paenitia squeaks, an unexpected high pitched cry of alarm. She goes still in the saddle. Her expression completely hidden by her Smiling Man visor.
Beneath her, Ramirez shifts uncomfortably, his tail fanned, as he gouges the ground and stares at nothing.
Skielstregar shields his eyes and ducks as instructed, him flinching from the explosion of light. Just as he's about to recover, the others are screaming. "Paenitia! Lyme!" he yells in surprise, waffling a bit on what to do.
Vaera, rather put off by everything else that had happened recently, dives for the dirt, shielding her eyes and nose from whatever might be present. The hunter snorts and stands back up after a moment, turning around to see those that got the brunt of whatever had just happened. "You are alright Skielstregar? And you, Paenitia and Lyme?" She asks, before turning to Farland. "If you can still do your work, let us know. I am not risking the lives of everyone here if we linger overlong."
GAME: Ravenstongue rolls Spellcraft: (12)+14: 26
"Oh! Oh no!" Cor'lana exclaims, looking rapidly between Lyme and Paenitia as she uncovers her eyes now that the light is gone. She looks between the two and goes up to Paenitia first, with Pothy going over to Lyme. "Madame Paenitia, if you can understand me, do you need magical aid? That was a magic light..."
"What she said," Pothy says in a mimic of Cor'lana's voice as he lands by Lyme's feet.
Lyme has trailed off into sobs and mutters, instead of screaming, as his fingers start to explore his eyes. Poke poke, no, they're still intact. "I... I can't see."
"There the horrific shapes in the light. Demonic faces, beyond the words and sanity." Paenitia finally says. "That sneak into the mind, and unwind it from within."
She laughs, too long, "The good news, I no longer have the working eyes. Ramirez too, you are blind?"
"Heehee, he is blind also." She slams her lance back into the sheath. "Now is the time to fly into the windows."
"Finish your work. I do not come out here and go blind for this task to be done a second time." She adds.
Skielstregar blinks. And reaches out, "This one can he-"
The habit is die hard. His hand falls to the way side as he sighs. "This one is sorry you three have had this happen. Both at what your have seen and are enduring. Thisss one can guide you three while we finish here."
Vaera looks to the two, to Skielstregar, and the red makari runs one hand down their face. "Stay close to us then, until this work is done. Attach an additional lead to Ramirez's harness, so he may be guided out of here if necessary. Perhaps Lyme should ride, as well."
"If there is anything we can do to help finish this, please speak up now."
Farland is staring at the ground.
There's a sense that the air is less ... oppressive here, now, for whatever reason. It's interesting.
Farland is just staring at the ground still, though. Quietly.
Cor'lana frowns deeply, and she looks around at the group. "Is anyone able to treat Paenitia and Lyme's eyes while Farland and I finish what's to be done here?" she asks. "I wish I could heal the both of you, but I don't have that talent." There's a real pain in her voice as she admits it. She /wants/ to help her allies, her friends--but she can't. For all of her magic, she can't.
"Here are the reins. Take." The little knight flips them over her hippogryphs head, letting them dangle down. "Ramirez. You will follow. Let Friend Dragon guide."
She twists around on her seat, pulling a small buckler off her saddle, holding it in place of her lance. She has two shields now, and bangs them together, "Haha! The opportunity for the two shields is now!"
Skielstregar looks back to Vaera and shrugs before seeing Farland. He steps over, draws a line to where Farland is staring, then claws at the dirt with his large taloned foot to dig a bit as the reins are passed off to him.
Lyme's breathing is starting to slow, but his fingers still press at his face. Shoulders rise and fall, as he tries to control his breathing, his panic. "If you want me to ride, you'll have to bring me to the mount."
"Listen. It's quiet now," says Farland, gesturing around. "Somethins is wrong. The Felwood's curse is ancient magic, powerful magic and it's ... gone, I think, in this spot. For now. Probably not for long. We need to go," he adds, "The forces of the dark magics that it gives life to are probably already on our way."
Flight, yes, but while multiple members of the party are blind. Not gonna be fun.
"Ramirez has the wide, strong back. He can carry Lyme." The Red Knight leans forward, patting the neck of her Ivory Steed, "You are the most brave. The best, the most handsome. Friend Dragon will pull, you follow."
She nuzzles him, rubbing her helmet against his feathers, "Keep the wings in, the tail down, or you will sweep the forest of twigs and leaves."
Skielstregar huffs at hearing that, him leading Rameriez over to Lyme and assisting them up to mount. "Then we go," he rumbles cautiously.
Cor'lana's brows furrow at Farland's explanation for what's just happened. "The curse is... gone?"
It takes a few moments to register, and then she just nods. "For a time," she adds. Her body language relaxes as she sighs. "Let's go before we attract any attention from... other forces."
She moves forward with the group, keeping a cautious eye out. Who knows what twisted and malevolent fey might think her and Pothy to be... well... snacks.
Lyme climbs on to... whatever is presented, "ah, Ramirez." He carefully alights, as best he can, still shivering as he does so.
"Do not worry Lyme, we can clank the tin cups on the Temple steps." Paenitia says cheerfully, too cheerfully. Encased in adamantine armour, full plate, with a helm that'd down and fixed with a crazy expression, her real emotions remain well hidden. "The worry of clean clothes is gone."
"So, we do not do what we came here to do?" Vaera asks with another snort. "Sorry Paenitia, you may need to return, but we will prepare for any potential blindness next time. Farland is right, I could see how bright it was even turned away, it will be a beacon to anything dangerous in the area to investigate."
"I will tell Sir Faranmidahn to come, the next time. She has the magic eyes, the magic skill to be useful. My mount eat all the food and is sick on the trail. I run about in my underclothes, having to be save from the Invisible Stalker. These not the tales of the valiant knight." The little lucht says.
"I know you need the laugh, and Tarien have the great time too, but when you come again, I will not bring the giggles. I spend my gold to get the goggles for the dark, not the blindness. Next it will be not having the protection for the ears from songs of madness. Or smells."
She laughs suddenly, "Ha, we already have that one too, the smells, with the pollen."
Skielstregar gives a small sigh, glancing at the two shield welding knight. He's quiet, collecting his thoughts on the matter as they start to vacate the area. Then.
"The tales of the Knight are not always valiant. There are many, many things between the peaks and valleys. Such stories fail to capture the small moments like these. And these small moments teach us what to prepare for next time. It's how we grow and learn. While you say you are the little joke, we know you are not a joke. The joke is the lesson. And the lesson keeps us alive."
He pats her armored leg.
...out you go. It's not easy, what, trying to get out of a twisty and dark misty forest when you've got two members of your party and their steed blinded by a horrible light.
Farland doesn't dare try to use more magic to expedite it, himself. Teleport would be lovely about now, but it's not worth the risk, is it?
Still, nothing seems to be happening and then ... fluttering. Soft fluttering in the distance. Birds watching you from the trees, now, dozens of them. Showing up. Stalking you. Black birds, opposed to Pothy's whiteness. But their eyes are blacker than their feathers.
Perhaps they think of you as snacks -- because as as a one, the flock descends on you.
OOC & Combatty
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
19 Ravenstongue 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Vaera 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 Skielstregar 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Paenitia 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
Not Quite here
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "As a heads up: i am not quite all here yet."
<OOC> Skielstregar hug
<OOC> Vaera pat
<OOC> Vaera says, "Hope you're feeling better since yesterday"
<OOC> Paenitia hugs
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Better, yes, but stilk stressed out xD"
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "<3"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "I apologize for slowness, guys. Some of you don't know that my dad's caregiving company decided to withdraw care from him because he's .. a lot of work, really."
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Argh. I'm sorry, Whirl. :("
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "(They tried to claim other things but they were barely a fig leaf.)"
<OOC> Skielstregar :c the heck
<OOC> Skielstregar hug
<OOC> Paenitia hugs tight, "I know, so sympathetic.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "so sorry, I don't want it to feel like I'm rushing you, take the time you need."
<OOC> Ravenstongue nodnods. Same here.
<OOC> Skielstregar nod nod! "please take whatever time you needs, yes."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "No one is rushing, but ya'll need to know. I was up until noon becasue I -- oh no"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "ANyway, I had to take my mom to her iron infusion this morning, and then after that I had to go meet a dude from another care company who already knew dad and they want him as a client."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "(Dad is supposed to get 336 hours a month of care, which makes him a very profitable client to have.)"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "oh good, oh good! Oh I hope that comes through"
<OOC> Ravenstongue says, "Very much hoping for that, too."
Why there is no Gunslingers on TB
GAME: Vaera rolls 4d12+32+4+4: (24)+32+4+4: 64
GAME: Vaera rolls 4d12+32+4+4: (38)+32+4+4: 78
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+8+1+1: (11)+8+1+1: 21
GAME: Vaera rolls 1d12+8+1+1: (5)+8+1+1: 15
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Good grief."
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Guns R Bad."
<OOC> Paenitia has had plenty of plots one-shotted by the gun goblin. :)
GAME: Whirlpool removes the timestop.
Timestop by Whirlpool has left.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Vaera blows apart the tree trunk XD"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Yeah, one of the reasons we never put Gunslinger in the game is because it takes this spikeyness and makes it a core features./"
<OOC> Paenitia nods, can see that.
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "And for a MUSH, that wasn't good."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Combat either came down to the 'gunslinger alpha strike' or 'gunslinegr is sad'."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Alpha strike *generally* wasn't fun for anyone else."
<OOC> Lyme waves tiredly
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Hi, Lyme!"
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "The treant fight is already over."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "Because Vaera got double gun crit."
<OOC> Whirlpool says, "178 damage. xD"
<OOC> Lyme says, "Daamn"