Ferg and Arc were holding attacks until Effulgyn gave the word to proceed. Having led into the moment with, “One. Two…,” in a prior post. Effulgyn now says, “Three!,” and attacks with his dagger, which I rolled above (17 to hit, 2 damage); and I believe the others already rolled their held attacks too, all attacks intended to hit simultaneously against creature C.

(for Arc) that is correct

Effulgyn stares intently down at the pile of vines closest to him, gripping his dagger tightly. Finally, he decides on a spot he thinks might be its neck, or something very neck-like, anyway, and plunges his dagger down. 

Ever wonder if a plant makes a sound as it grows? Like, if you recorded it somehow and watched it in high speed? The four of you now know that they actually might because as this creature's dozens of long, thick vines and roots awake all at once, and as it rises to its full height once again, the sound is almost deafening. It's unlike anything you've ever heard before--like a wet, leathery crackling and snapping sound. And it's deeply unsettling. But it's not something that registers in this moment. In this moment, you are all at different places in this sunny glen, and now that the creature is waking your readied attacks start. 

It starts with Arc firing a crossbow bolt across the glen.

(OOC Arc, can you please roll your attack and damage? Now that technically the creature is waking , I will rule that you no longer have advantage but I will rule that if you hit, damage will be an automatic crit.)

(Also OOC :once Arc rolls, and if Creature B is still alive, I'll resolve Ferg's readied action. Fin will be next--I don't believe you have a readied an action so if the creature is still alive it will be your turn in the order.)

((Sounds good. So now we have tree-hemoth to contend with?))

Quote from Barlow >>

((Sounds good. So now we have tree-hemoth to contend with?))

 Nah, same ones. The ones Fin was dealing with were smaller with fewer hit points. These are a little bigger and sturdier.

((Gotcha. Since there's no combat rolls involved will, my move will be as such: Approach as close as possible, but just out of melee, then cast Bless on myself and up to 2 allies within range))

Attack: 19 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.

Quote from Barlow >>

((Gotcha. Since there's no combat rolls involved will, my move will be as such: Approach as close as possible, but just out of melee, then cast Bless on myself and up to 2 allies within range))

 Fin to clarify, that's going to be your next move? 

((Not sure if the map changed, but I was planning to move across the ruins to the others and get as close as possible to the new threats. I'd stop short outside melee range to cast Bless on myself and 2 others.))

Quote from Barlow >>

((Not sure if the map changed, but I was planning to move across the ruins to the others and get as close as possible to the new threats. I'd stop short outside melee range to cast Bless on myself and 2 others.))

 Sorry I wasn't very clear--what I meant to ask is if this is how you intend to spend your next move, and not something you partly intended to do in your last move. 

((OH, I see. I thought about it in retrospect that I should have moved, but decided against it as others had taken their turn. Similar to a live table, retconning on others' turns makes things more confusing.))

Arc is distracted at the sound of the creature and its 15 foot radius of vines waking up all at once and his crossbow bolt goes slightly wide, missing the creature altogether.

Ferg had readied a spell for any signs of movement from this creature, and as soon as he sees movement, attempts to hurl a flame at the creature from across the glen.

(OOC Ferg you already rolled damage but not attack--can I please get your attack roll? Once done, the creature will still be alive which means regular initiative order will resume. Since Effulgyn was the last PC to take an action in initiative, we will start the next round with Arc at the top of the order. )

(OOC since we haven't heard from Ferg in a while, I rolled for him and it was a hit so he levies 4 points of fire damage on Creature B. Fire does not seem to administer any more damage to it, and it is now fully awake.

We would now be at the top of the initiative order but we will pause here to introduce a new player to the game. Stay tuned! )

Meanwhile, one hundred feet or so from where vines are growing and writhing from under Creature B's wakening frame, two unlikely companions walk in alert silence.  

One is a half-orc teen named Avra. She has greenish skin, high cheekbones, and gleaming white incisors that protrude from her lower lips like tusks. She is lean and muscular, wearing well-fitting but obviously hand made garments made of various natural items like pelts and different leathers sewn together with obvious practicality. She is missing one finger, her right index finger. It is still bandaged with dark green cloth. She seems to be watching the trees and the road ahead suspiciously, her eyes scanning always. 

Next to her is a humanoid woman, but very different. Her name is Yasrora. (OOC Beartooth, please describe what others would see if they observed her on this road?) 

Fin stands several paces away from the behemoth thicket and instinctively calls a prayer to Kord.

Kord, Master of War, grant us clarity and strength against this monstrosity. 

While fin had not expected a tangible response, he had not expected a clear voice in his mind.

Strike. I am here. 

:O

On the way to Beres, Yesora passes the time scanning the surroundings, watching for any trouble.

Here new travel companion, an Orc…Avra, that’s here name; doesn’t say much but is welcome company on this parlous road.

We avoided be hindered, so far and with Beres only an hour away, we may arrive early. I’ve only been there a few times and am about to ask Avra about it….

When I hear a commotion in a clearing up ahead.

Avra is also on alert.

We approach with caution. Me with my cross bow, trying to hide in the brush and trees and Avra….(DM running NPC)

On the way to Beres, Yesora passes the time scanning the surroundings, watching for any trouble.

Here new travel companion, an Orc…Avra, that’s here name; doesn’t say much but is welcome company on this parlous road.

We avoided any trouble, so far and with Beres only an hour away, we may arrive early. I’ve only been there a few times and am about to ask Avra about it….

When I hear a commotion in a clearing up ahead.

Avra is also on alert.

We approach with caution. Me with my cross bow, trying to hide in the brush and trees and Avra….(DM running NPC)

Avra and Yesrora peek into the clearing, Yesrora's crossbow ready, Avra's daggers in hand. What they see is a creature made of vines towering over Effulgyn's barely-three-foot form as a mass of vines crawl underfoot. 

"Foul vines" Avra says, "strangling and choking maybe. In forest near farm, and now here." she stands up straight and walks into the clearing. She does not seem to be trying to hide herself from Creature B's periphery as she does so.

Just as she steps into the clearing, she hears a loud, powerful voice appear from seemingly nowhere--and yet, at the same time, it seems to come from everywhere. 

Strike. I am here. 

it says. 

The voice startles her and she stumbles, but remains upright. 

(OOC Yasrora, Fin, Effulgyn how do you react to the voice? Please roll Wisdom saving throws please and thanks.) 

(OOC: Effulgyn WIS save: 18)

Avra and Desrora see before them a youngish halfling dressed in earthen hues with a broad, clay-brown face splashed with charcoal freckles, dimples in chubby cheeks, and big puppy eyes under a mass of tightly curled bronze locks.

“Fin!,” the halfling’s tenor rings out, “Fin!, did you do that, mate?! What were that voice??!,” then, seeing newcomers approach, he shouts to them, waving his arms in warning, “Nay!, Stop where y’are! It’s dangerous here, these vine monsters come from nowhere to attack us! Stay back!”