Tess is almost too scared to investigate further, but she says to Randall. “perhaps your flame will make the roots let go of… whatever that is. Is that hair from a body?”
Randal lets out an exasperated sigh as they reach the tunnel’s end, his disappointment clear. “That’s it? No magical artifact? No special key?” He shrugs at Tess’ question. “It looks like a few strands of hair. Do you suppose they may be Sier’s? Maybe we can pull them free.” Randal reaches forward and tries to pull the hair free from the roots. Athletics if needed: 3.
Despite Randal's best efforts, the hairs remain fixed in place. But the tree doesn't respond well to that. A heavy vine-like root lashes at you in response, swinging in a wide arc before burrowing back into the earth where it was before.
Both, make a Dexterity save, DC13, or take 3 bludgeoning damage and fall prone.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Tess says, in elvish “Hey! You let go of those hairs or else!” And a white bolt of fire shoots from her hands at the roots, careful not to burn the hairs.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Randal gives the strands of hair a half hearted tug but can’t pull it away from the root’s grasp. In fact the only response was a whip-like strike from another root that he saw from the corner of his eye just in time to duck out of the way. “The tree is not giving up it’s prize easily”Randal hack away at the roots with his rapier, trying to cut the hair free.
Attack: 19 Damage: 3.
.
(Dex save was an 18, then moved to dice rolls not available for this section.)
(In the future, you can edit your post and just add a space at the end, and the message for dice rolls not available will disappear.)
Tess' fire and Randal's stab are both executed as planned, but the tree's roots immediately regenerate all tissue damage caused by either attack, and after a brief moment, the roots look like they haven't been touched at all.
But the tree does not simply wait for you to do an action it could not recover from. The roots violently flail again - aimlessly, all around. Much faster and more powerful than before.
Please make a DC 15 Dexterity save, or take 7 bludgeoning damage.
Tess is completely caught off guard, and is slammed into the wall and bloodied. “This isn’t working.. maybe another approach? Or should we go get sier?” She says.
Desperately she calls out to the tree- “tree- let us be. reveal your secrets! We’ve killed the insects that were damaging you. “ She says, in elvish.
Randal ducks under the roots strike and watches as Tess is slammed forcibly into the wall. He doesn’t understand what she murmurs to the tree, but does understand the need for a new approach. “I agree, this isn’t working. Maybe fire is the way, it got us this far and maybe the hair is the key, not the tree” he replies as he thrusts the torch toward both the hair and the roots holding it.
"Trees don't speak Elvish, Human." Comes a response in Elvish from behind. The last word is emphasized in such a way, laced with revulsion, that even Randal who can't understand the words can be sure whatever was said was meant as an insult.
Turning around, you find Avium standing not far behind you. She holds a detached root in her hand. It is as wide as her arm and almost as long as she is tall, and is mostly straight. It also looks hardened. "And right after killing the bugs the tree managed to contain for many years," she continues in Humanish, "you try to do to the tree what is akin to ripping its heart away. The tree wouldn't survive in these salty lands without the energy it seeps off Sier. What would you do if someone tried to pull your heart out, would you remain still and wait? What you see before you is the tree struggling for its life."
Avium steps closer, the root remains in her hand, its purpose unclear. "And I will not let ye harm my kin."
Avium now stands within arm-reach of Randal. Does he still wish to thrust the torch into the roots and hairs?
Randal’s heart sinks as hears Avium’s voice behind them. He hesitates briefly, then continues to thrust the torch toward both the hair and the roots. “I am sorry, I stood by once before when I could have helped someone and promised myself I would not do so again.” He watches for Avium’s reaction as he hopes the flames take hold. “Be strong Tess, no matter what happens next.”he encourages Tess.
He gives his last bardic inspiration to Tess. 1d6 to one ability check, attack roll or saving throw for next 10 minutes
Please make an attack roll, treating the torch as an improvised weapon. Damage is unnecessary.
Also, Tess still has an active Bardic Inspiration die unused, and can't benefit from more than one at a time. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe she used it since receiving it here.)
Tess does not seem suprised to see Avium. She answers in common. “ I don’t speak whatever trees speak, I didn’t even know it spoke. I thought maybe since the elves placed this maybe it knew Elvish. I don’t know many languages. We didn’t know why the tree held this hair- or that it was connected with Sier. I thought it might be a body, judging by the bones back there. Our mission is to free Sier. I don’t know if that is the right thing to do or not. But we need help- this village needs help. And you seem to only care about this tree. “.
"The consequences of what you're doing are far greater than you imagine!" Avium cries, almost in panic, as Randal tries to set fire to the hairs. But just before the flames reach the hairs, with a swift motion, Avium swings the long staff-like root she holds to bat the torch away.
"Ah! I knew speaking to you wouldn't help! You Humans always act the same, and you draw out the worst of me!" She spins the root, and stands ready to bat the fire away again.
Dividing her attention between Randal and Tess, Avium shifts her eyes from one to another every few moments. "Is killing the right way to do it? Is the price you pay worth what you'll get? Or are you just resorting to the simplest, egoistic solution that ignores all but yourselves?"
Turning fully to Tess for a brief moment, she asks: "Are you too so fixed on violence, or will you help me stop your hot-headed friend?" Rather than trying to incite Tess, however, something in the way Avium speaks compells her to action. Tess feels compassion towards the Dryad - for that is what Avium is - and the tree. Like an old, trusted friend, Tess feels Avium is to be trusted and protected. Except, Tess realises those feelings were magically planted in her heart by Avium. And yet, can she ignore them?
We're now in initiative. Please post in order, Tess first, and then Randal (because Tess didn't take an action in the last post, but also, her actions might affect Randal).
Tess, please make a DC14 Wisdom saving throw, or be magically Charmed by Avium. In addition to the normal effects of the condition, if you fail the save, Tess will regard Avium (and the tree) as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although she isn’t under Avium's control, she will take Avium's requests or actions in the most favorable way she can. I'll give you freedom in playing that out the way you deem fit.
Randal, please make a DC10 Strength check, or lose hold of the torch when Avium bats it away.
Tess is almost too scared to investigate further, but she says to Randall. “perhaps your flame will make the roots let go of… whatever that is. Is that hair from a body?”
Randal lets out an exasperated sigh as they reach the tunnel’s end, his disappointment clear. “That’s it? No magical artifact? No special key?” He shrugs at Tess’ question. “It looks like a few strands of hair. Do you suppose they may be Sier’s? Maybe we can pull them free.” Randal reaches forward and tries to pull the hair free from the roots. Athletics if needed: 3.
.
Despite Randal's best efforts, the hairs remain fixed in place. But the tree doesn't respond well to that. A heavy vine-like root lashes at you in response, swinging in a wide arc before burrowing back into the earth where it was before.
Both, make a Dexterity save, DC13, or take 3 bludgeoning damage and fall prone.
Varielky
22 dex save
Tess says, in elvish “Hey! You let go of those hairs or else!” And a white bolt of fire shoots from her hands at the roots, careful not to burn the hairs.
22 to hit
9 fire damage
Randal Dex Save: 18.
.
Randal gives the strands of hair a half hearted tug but can’t pull it away from the root’s grasp. In fact the only response was a whip-like strike from another root that he saw from the corner of his eye just in time to duck out of the way. “The tree is not giving up it’s prize easily” Randal hack away at the roots with his rapier, trying to cut the hair free.
Attack: 19 Damage: 3.
.
(Dex save was an 18, then moved to dice rolls not available for this section.)
(In the future, you can edit your post and just add a space at the end, and the message for dice rolls not available will disappear.)
Tess' fire and Randal's stab are both executed as planned, but the tree's roots immediately regenerate all tissue damage caused by either attack, and after a brief moment, the roots look like they haven't been touched at all.
But the tree does not simply wait for you to do an action it could not recover from. The roots violently flail again - aimlessly, all around. Much faster and more powerful than before.
Please make a DC 15 Dexterity save, or take 7 bludgeoning damage.
Varielky
8 dex
Tess is completely caught off guard, and is slammed into the wall and bloodied. “This isn’t working.. maybe another approach? Or should we go get sier?” She says.
Desperately she calls out to the tree-
“tree- let us be. reveal your secrets! We’ve killed the insects that were damaging you. “ She says, in elvish.
Randal Dex Save: 5.
.
Randal ducks under the roots strike and watches as Tess is slammed forcibly into the wall. He doesn’t understand what she murmurs to the tree, but does understand the need for a new approach. “I agree, this isn’t working. Maybe fire is the way, it got us this far and maybe the hair is the key, not the tree” he replies as he thrusts the torch toward both the hair and the roots holding it.
"Trees don't speak Elvish, Human." Comes a response in Elvish from behind. The last word is emphasized in such a way, laced with revulsion, that even Randal who can't understand the words can be sure whatever was said was meant as an insult.
Turning around, you find Avium standing not far behind you. She holds a detached root in her hand. It is as wide as her arm and almost as long as she is tall, and is mostly straight. It also looks hardened. "And right after killing the bugs the tree managed to contain for many years," she continues in Humanish, "you try to do to the tree what is akin to ripping its heart away. The tree wouldn't survive in these salty lands without the energy it seeps off Sier. What would you do if someone tried to pull your heart out, would you remain still and wait? What you see before you is the tree struggling for its life."
Avium steps closer, the root remains in her hand, its purpose unclear. "And I will not let ye harm my kin."
Avium now stands within arm-reach of Randal. Does he still wish to thrust the torch into the roots and hairs?
Varielky
Randal’s heart sinks as hears Avium’s voice behind them. He hesitates briefly, then continues to thrust the torch toward both the hair and the roots. “I am sorry, I stood by once before when I could have helped someone and promised myself I would not do so again.” He watches for Avium’s reaction as he hopes the flames take hold. “Be strong Tess, no matter what happens next.” he encourages Tess.
He gives his last bardic inspiration to Tess. 1d6 to one ability check, attack roll or saving throw for next 10 minutes
Please make an attack roll, treating the torch as an improvised weapon. Damage is unnecessary.
Also, Tess still has an active Bardic Inspiration die unused, and can't benefit from more than one at a time. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe she used it since receiving it here.)
Varielky
Randal attack: 7.
. (Sorry, lost track of the time from the last bardic inspiration, I will tuck that one back in the pocket for later.)
Tess does not seem suprised to see Avium. She answers in common. “ I don’t speak whatever trees speak, I didn’t even know it spoke. I thought maybe since the elves placed this maybe it knew Elvish. I don’t know many languages. We didn’t know why the tree held this hair- or that it was connected with Sier. I thought it might be a body, judging by the bones back there. Our mission is to free Sier. I don’t know if that is the right thing to do or not. But we need help- this village needs help. And you seem to only care about this tree. “.
She stands defiantly looking at Avium, hands raised, ready to cast a spell if needed..
"The consequences of what you're doing are far greater than you imagine!" Avium cries, almost in panic, as Randal tries to set fire to the hairs. But just before the flames reach the hairs, with a swift motion, Avium swings the long staff-like root she holds to bat the torch away.
"Ah! I knew speaking to you wouldn't help! You Humans always act the same, and you draw out the worst of me!" She spins the root, and stands ready to bat the fire away again.
Dividing her attention between Randal and Tess, Avium shifts her eyes from one to another every few moments. "Is killing the right way to do it? Is the price you pay worth what you'll get? Or are you just resorting to the simplest, egoistic solution that ignores all but yourselves?"
Turning fully to Tess for a brief moment, she asks: "Are you too so fixed on violence, or will you help me stop your hot-headed friend?" Rather than trying to incite Tess, however, something in the way Avium speaks compells her to action. Tess feels compassion towards the Dryad - for that is what Avium is - and the tree. Like an old, trusted friend, Tess feels Avium is to be trusted and protected. Except, Tess realises those feelings were magically planted in her heart by Avium. And yet, can she ignore them?
We're now in initiative. Please post in order, Tess first, and then Randal (because Tess didn't take an action in the last post, but also, her actions might affect Randal).
Tess, please make a DC14 Wisdom saving throw, or be magically Charmed by Avium. In addition to the normal effects of the condition, if you fail the save, Tess will regard Avium (and the tree) as a trusted friend to be heeded and protected. Although she isn’t under Avium's control, she will take Avium's requests or actions in the most favorable way she can. I'll give you freedom in playing that out the way you deem fit.
Randal, please make a DC10 Strength check, or lose hold of the torch when Avium bats it away.
Varielky
14 wisdom save vs charm (may use ‘favor of the gods’ if needed)