"It is a fight over the tree," Rixton says with unearned assurance. He looks to all the players: The Tree Ghosts, the barbarians, the dead bodies, the Grandfather tree, Dendros, his own comrades...
"Hmm..." Rixton says in the way that usually precedes a lunatic idea. "I think we need to consult the tree. Dendros, will the Grandfather Tree understand us and we him? Or will we need you to help us translate?"
Rixtonbegins eyeing the terrain for a path to the tree that best avoids the eyes of the Tree Ghosts and the barbarians.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Seems likely it's about the tree, but they could be fighting for another reason, maybe having to do with the yikaria. So we should probably stay away, unless we actually see a yikaria with the Tree Ghosts. More likely this is a good distraction for us to get to the tree. Didn't someone say there was a hall of some kind that the tree protected? Maybe underneath? Dendros, if you could talk to the tree and help us find out what's going on and how we can help fix things, we'd be grateful."
He peers into the trees. "If we need, I cancall lightningand shift to a smaller creature, get close, and target whoever we want. But more likely, we're going to want topass without trace in our approach to the tree, so we'll keep the lightning as a backup."
Let's just assume that Mola will cast guidance before any one person's skill check, going forward, if we can. So unless we're occupied by something pressing, add a d4 to any skill check, because I'm likely to miss or forget.
Mola's good to approach. He'd like to take a look up into the boughs of the Grandfather Tree for anything notable. Perception: 20 plus guidance 3
"It is strange to think of men fighting on a tree's behalf, is it not?" muses Dendros aloud. "Speak with the Grandfather Tree? Possibly."
Mola studies the massive crown of the tree above him but finds nothing of note. The party begins to consider their options, but before any course of action can be agreed upon, the scene around the Grandfather Tree suddenly becomes more urgent. Fierce war cries fill the forest air, and the attacking barbarians, in three different locations, mount a charge over the outer ring in an attempt to overwhelm the Tree Ghosts. To the southeast--and closest to the party--at least four Uthgardts sprint to the top of the outer ring. Wielding greataxes and greatclubs, they are in full sprint toward four Tree Ghosts who stand ready on the inner ring. Another group of attacking Uthgardts appear a bit farther to the north (on the east side of the outer ring); their shortbows are drawn, indicating their intent to cover the battlefield with range attacks.
On the northwestern side of the Grandfather Tree, the third group of attackers appears. It seems as if they'll meet little resistance. Upon reaching the stop of the outer ring, one of the barbarians--a shaman from the looks of his apparel--shatters the gloom of the High Forest with a lightning bolt that strikes the Grandfather Tree, causing a large scar in the trunk.
The lightning strike sends Dendros into action. After uttering an enormous NO!, he strides forward, making a line toward the shaman...
This map is huge, and the scope of this situation is equally so; therefore, to speed things along, in your next post declare actions for three rounds, being very specific about direction and distance covered. You're welcome to make if/then posts if you'd like. Also, please specify if your character is on foot or horseback. (Yes, Rawley, has a horse!) You can assume that Dendros will cover 180' of terrain, heading due north toward the shaman. His intent is clear: anyone who harms the Grandfather Tree will be hulk smashed. I'm ruling that the barbarians on both sides will focused on each other for three rounds, unless, of course, one of the party members can somehow reach the skirmish areas that lie between the Tree Ghosts and their attackers. Keep in mind that the members of the party see only some of the barbarian combatants; there are others not yet marked on the map.
Updated map (with Tree Ghosts denoted in black; attacking barbarian horde in red, and attacking shaman in yellow):
Rixton effortlessly sprints north over the first rise and then up the second rise (Move + Cunning Action + Dash = 150' per round!!) passing Dendros in a flash. He arrives at the base of the western tree where he nocks an arrow and takes aim at the shaman, letting it fly without taking time to spy for any weaknesses.
Shortbow Attack: 15 Damage: 6
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size!" he yells in an odd turn of the phrase. "And your own mobility, for that matter!"
(Per Rixton'smusings while traveling the last couple of days: "Whether tree is contaminated or not, destroying an ancient, revered monument does not seem like the right answer to resolving the issues with the yikaria.")
Completely forgot we had the horses. Mola rides Tarnie at top speed (40 ft move plus dash) which would be 80 feet a round, directly north. Should get about halfway there, 240 ft. If there's a way to get Rixton's horse to move along with Tarnie, he'll do that too. Before he darts off, he says, "Rixton's quiet and fast, we're less so. Stay close, draw no unwanted attention."
If it seems like we're getting close to any Tree Ghost or barbarians, Mola will cast pass without trace on the party, including the horses.
Before Rixton, Mola, and Rawley break due north, Gwin sprinkles holy water on each of them (and herself), mutters an incantation, and casts *Bless. Tyr be with us all.
Then, in a movement far swifter than you'd expect from a hill dwarf, Gwin is astride Steveaustin galloping after the others (2 dashes = 240 + 60 movement = 300 ft.)
Wasting not a moment, the four adventurers charge into the fray, not knowing how either barbarian horde will respond to their presence.
Dendros, realizing that the lightning-wielding shaman will soon be facing Rixton and the others, alters his course, veering slightly eastward as if he intends to stand guard at the base of the enormous tree that is under siege.
The melee between the Tree Ghosts and their foes continues in force, with nearly all combatants closing ground on each other and hacking and slashing away. The barbarians to the east of the Grandfather Tree are wholly unaware of what is taking place to the west.. The shaman, however, and at least one of his allies sees the approach of the party members. Nontheless, Rixton's arrow catches the shaman in the leg. Two attackers have their full focus on Rixton: the shaman and a spear-wielding barbarian (1). The shaman utters a few words and makes a quick, jerky motion with his left arm as he casts some sort of spell. A moment later, a half dozen spectral fiends flit around him, ready to defend the barbarian spell caster from any who dare to approach.
All players may act in any order. Nearly all Uthgardts are focused on the battle between each other. The shaman (in yellow) and attacking barbarian 1 are clear exceptions; they have their eyes on the party. So, too, do attacking barbarians 4 and 5.
Rixtonstudies the shaman for a weakness. His arrow to the thigh is the best he can determine and so presses to try and strike near the same place
Bonus action - Insightful Fighting: 16 vs. the shaman's deception.
Shortbow Attack: 19 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll. + 3 on a successful insight check above.
"So, do you just hate trees?" Rixton calls toward the shaman. "Or maybe you are mad at the Tree Ghosts?"
The rogue slings his bow over his back and draws his shortsword in anticipation of the approaching barbarian. "Perhaps you have been possessed by a foreign evil?"
Mola will keep moving as fast as he can on muleback to the north. When he gets close enough, 120 foot range, either next turn or the turn after, he'll cast call lightning centered on a point where he can get most of the barbarians with a 60 foot radius circle. Looking at the center of the circle defined by 1, shaman, 4, 5, 3, 2, 2, 1, and thinking that might just get all of them in a 60 foot circle. Then he'll dismount and wildshape into a giant constrictor snake.
The shaman's reliance upon other-worldly protectors does nothing to help him against Rixton, whose arrow, for a second time, sorely wounds the Uthgardt spell caster.
A fraction of a second later, Mola's lightning storm momentarily blinds everyone on the battlefield. Multiple barbarians find themselves in the midst of the electrical barrage...
DEX saving throws:
Barbarian 1: 19
Barbarian 2: 6
Barbarian 3: 18
Barbarian 4: 16
Barbarian 5: 8
Shaman: 8
...and each of the barbarians, fully focused on the Tree Ghosts in front of them, absorb the full force of Mola's spell (16 electrical damage). Only the shaman is alert enough to avoid some of the druid's lightning storm.
Rawley and Gwin draw closer to the main battle, but the shaman's next action suddenly changes the tone of the scene beneath the Grandfather Tree. Yelling first in Bothii, the shaman seems to command his fellow barbarians to retreat. Each of his tribe members begins to disengage after hearing the shaman's shrill voice. The shaman then yells in Common, "It is enough! The great tree has summoned strange help for the Tree Ghosts! We withdraw!"
The sincerity of his statements seems genuine, for he and his tribe members show no indication of continuing the fight. The Tree Ghosts have also stayed their hands from attacking, but confusion and skepticism shows on their faces. Everyone on the battlefield waits tensely, wondering what will happen next, or who will speak next.
Dendros breaks the silence, "Flee this place, you who attack the great tree. May your feet never touch this ground again. My limbs shall remove yours if you dare to do otherwise."
Rixtonlowers his sword but does not sheath it as he watches the barbarians retreat. The Tree Ghosts are not free of suspicion yet, even as the barbarians sound their retreat.
"Dendros, see what the Grandfather Tree has to say.Mola, you can try as well. We haven't sorted this out yet, so keep your guard up," the rogue says.
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"It is a fight over the tree," Rixton says with unearned assurance. He looks to all the players: The Tree Ghosts, the barbarians, the dead bodies, the Grandfather tree, Dendros, his own comrades...
"Hmm..." Rixton says in the way that usually precedes a lunatic idea. "I think we need to consult the tree. Dendros, will the Grandfather Tree understand us and we him? Or will we need you to help us translate?"
Rixton begins eyeing the terrain for a path to the tree that best avoids the eyes of the Tree Ghosts and the barbarians.
Correct. The party stands just outside the tree's crown, which is 150-200' above.
"Seems likely it's about the tree, but they could be fighting for another reason, maybe having to do with the yikaria. So we should probably stay away, unless we actually see a yikaria with the Tree Ghosts. More likely this is a good distraction for us to get to the tree. Didn't someone say there was a hall of some kind that the tree protected? Maybe underneath? Dendros, if you could talk to the tree and help us find out what's going on and how we can help fix things, we'd be grateful."
He peers into the trees. "If we need, I can call lightning and shift to a smaller creature, get close, and target whoever we want. But more likely, we're going to want to pass without trace in our approach to the tree, so we'll keep the lightning as a backup."
Let's just assume that Mola will cast guidance before any one person's skill check, going forward, if we can. So unless we're occupied by something pressing, add a d4 to any skill check, because I'm likely to miss or forget.
Mola's good to approach. He'd like to take a look up into the boughs of the Grandfather Tree for anything notable. Perception: 20 plus guidance 3
"It is strange to think of men fighting on a tree's behalf, is it not?" muses Dendros aloud. "Speak with the Grandfather Tree? Possibly."
Mola studies the massive crown of the tree above him but finds nothing of note. The party begins to consider their options, but before any course of action can be agreed upon, the scene around the Grandfather Tree suddenly becomes more urgent. Fierce war cries fill the forest air, and the attacking barbarians, in three different locations, mount a charge over the outer ring in an attempt to overwhelm the Tree Ghosts. To the southeast--and closest to the party--at least four Uthgardts sprint to the top of the outer ring. Wielding greataxes and greatclubs, they are in full sprint toward four Tree Ghosts who stand ready on the inner ring. Another group of attacking Uthgardts appear a bit farther to the north (on the east side of the outer ring); their shortbows are drawn, indicating their intent to cover the battlefield with range attacks.
On the northwestern side of the Grandfather Tree, the third group of attackers appears. It seems as if they'll meet little resistance. Upon reaching the stop of the outer ring, one of the barbarians--a shaman from the looks of his apparel--shatters the gloom of the High Forest with a lightning bolt that strikes the Grandfather Tree, causing a large scar in the trunk.
The lightning strike sends Dendros into action. After uttering an enormous NO!, he strides forward, making a line toward the shaman...
This map is huge, and the scope of this situation is equally so; therefore, to speed things along, in your next post declare actions for three rounds, being very specific about direction and distance covered. You're welcome to make if/then posts if you'd like. Also, please specify if your character is on foot or horseback. (Yes, Rawley, has a horse!) You can assume that Dendros will cover 180' of terrain, heading due north toward the shaman. His intent is clear: anyone who harms the Grandfather Tree will be hulk smashed. I'm ruling that the barbarians on both sides will focused on each other for three rounds, unless, of course, one of the party members can somehow reach the skirmish areas that lie between the Tree Ghosts and their attackers. Keep in mind that the members of the party see only some of the barbarian combatants; there are others not yet marked on the map.
Updated map (with Tree Ghosts denoted in black; attacking barbarian horde in red, and attacking shaman in yellow):
"That is just rude," the rogue says.
Rixton effortlessly sprints north over the first rise and then up the second rise (Move + Cunning Action + Dash = 150' per round!!) passing Dendros in a flash. He arrives at the base of the western tree where he nocks an arrow and takes aim at the shaman, letting it fly without taking time to spy for any weaknesses.
Shortbow Attack: 15 Damage: 6
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size!" he yells in an odd turn of the phrase. "And your own mobility, for that matter!"
So the Grandfather Tree didn’t look.... sick? Or obviously contaminated/possessed, to Mola?
(Per Rixton's musings while traveling the last couple of days: "Whether tree is contaminated or not, destroying an ancient, revered monument does not seem like the right answer to resolving the issues with the yikaria.")
Not at all. The tree seems completely whole and healthy.
Completely forgot we had the horses. Mola rides Tarnie at top speed (40 ft move plus dash) which would be 80 feet a round, directly north. Should get about halfway there, 240 ft. If there's a way to get Rixton's horse to move along with Tarnie, he'll do that too. Before he darts off, he says, "Rixton's quiet and fast, we're less so. Stay close, draw no unwanted attention."
If it seems like we're getting close to any Tree Ghost or barbarians, Mola will cast pass without trace on the party, including the horses.
Rawley rides alongside Mola.
Before Rixton, Mola, and Rawley break due north, Gwin sprinkles holy water on each of them (and herself), mutters an incantation, and casts *Bless. Tyr be with us all.
Then, in a movement far swifter than you'd expect from a hill dwarf, Gwin is astride Steveaustin galloping after the others (2 dashes = 240 + 60 movement = 300 ft.)
*Retroactively apply to Rixton's short bow attack
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Bless bonus: 1
Wasting not a moment, the four adventurers charge into the fray, not knowing how either barbarian horde will respond to their presence.
Dendros, realizing that the lightning-wielding shaman will soon be facing Rixton and the others, alters his course, veering slightly eastward as if he intends to stand guard at the base of the enormous tree that is under siege.
The melee between the Tree Ghosts and their foes continues in force, with nearly all combatants closing ground on each other and hacking and slashing away. The barbarians to the east of the Grandfather Tree are wholly unaware of what is taking place to the west.. The shaman, however, and at least one of his allies sees the approach of the party members. Nontheless, Rixton's arrow catches the shaman in the leg. Two attackers have their full focus on Rixton: the shaman and a spear-wielding barbarian (1). The shaman utters a few words and makes a quick, jerky motion with his left arm as he casts some sort of spell. A moment later, a half dozen spectral fiends flit around him, ready to defend the barbarian spell caster from any who dare to approach.
All players may act in any order. Nearly all Uthgardts are focused on the battle between each other. The shaman (in yellow) and attacking barbarian 1 are clear exceptions; they have their eyes on the party. So, too, do attacking barbarians 4 and 5.
Updated map:
Rixton studies the shaman for a weakness. His arrow to the thigh is the best he can determine and so presses to try and strike near the same place
Bonus action - Insightful Fighting: 16 vs. the shaman's deception.
Shortbow Attack: 19 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll. + 3 on a successful insight check above.
"So, do you just hate trees?" Rixton calls toward the shaman. "Or maybe you are mad at the Tree Ghosts?"
The rogue slings his bow over his back and draws his shortsword in anticipation of the approaching barbarian. "Perhaps you have been possessed by a foreign evil?"
Mola will keep moving as fast as he can on muleback to the north. When he gets close enough, 120 foot range, either next turn or the turn after, he'll cast call lightning centered on a point where he can get most of the barbarians with a 60 foot radius circle. Looking at the center of the circle defined by 1, shaman, 4, 5, 3, 2, 2, 1, and thinking that might just get all of them in a 60 foot circle. Then he'll dismount and wildshape into a giant constrictor snake.
Rawley just rides directly forward another 80 feet.
Gwin continues to ride Steveaustin toward the shaman (dash action north = 120 feet).
(Bless is still in effect on Rixton, Mola, and Rawley).
‘The hardest thing in this world is to live in it.’ - Buffy Summers
Bless roll for Rixton's attack: 1
Deception for shaman: 5
The shaman's reliance upon other-worldly protectors does nothing to help him against Rixton, whose arrow, for a second time, sorely wounds the Uthgardt spell caster.
A fraction of a second later, Mola's lightning storm momentarily blinds everyone on the battlefield. Multiple barbarians find themselves in the midst of the electrical barrage...
DEX saving throws:
...and each of the barbarians, fully focused on the Tree Ghosts in front of them, absorb the full force of Mola's spell (16 electrical damage). Only the shaman is alert enough to avoid some of the druid's lightning storm.
Rawley and Gwin draw closer to the main battle, but the shaman's next action suddenly changes the tone of the scene beneath the Grandfather Tree. Yelling first in Bothii, the shaman seems to command his fellow barbarians to retreat. Each of his tribe members begins to disengage after hearing the shaman's shrill voice. The shaman then yells in Common, "It is enough! The great tree has summoned strange help for the Tree Ghosts! We withdraw!"
The sincerity of his statements seems genuine, for he and his tribe members show no indication of continuing the fight. The Tree Ghosts have also stayed their hands from attacking, but confusion and skepticism shows on their faces. Everyone on the battlefield waits tensely, wondering what will happen next, or who will speak next.
Dendros breaks the silence, "Flee this place, you who attack the great tree. May your feet never touch this ground again. My limbs shall remove yours if you dare to do otherwise."
Rixton lowers his sword but does not sheath it as he watches the barbarians retreat. The Tree Ghosts are not free of suspicion yet, even as the barbarians sound their retreat.
"Dendros, see what the Grandfather Tree has to say. Mola, you can try as well. We haven't sorted this out yet, so keep your guard up," the rogue says.