Unfortunately for Sam's rage it has nowhere to go, Gewyn's knife sinks into the creatures head and as it dies it's insides pool onto the floor creating a liquid rock plateau under a hollowing shell.
The maul strikes hit the thick outer carapace that is left behind with a vibrational gong. The shell remains, a grim reminder of the horrors from another plane.
With no more hostiles in sight the group catch their breath.
Sam, his fury not quite spent, looks around for another target...
"Can we be sure there are no more of them?" Sam asks in a growl, half hoping there are more on which he can vent his anger... And the tree? Sam turns to wherever the tree and begins to stalk towards it. "And that thing... It needs to come down, yes?"
Muir steps up to the group "We did the right thing here. These creatures were undoubtedly bugs, but from whatever realm the tree came from."Muir pauses and looks at Sam and takes a different tact, the complement sandwich. "Sam, I certainly appreciate what you tried to do for the forest. Growing a tree in the middle of a blight is kind act, but maybe I could have a look at the bag and seeds? Do a little studying on them before you hurl the next one? Who gave it to you would be a helpful beginning. Thank you for trying, a sincere thank you." He turns to address the group once more. "These bugs were not adult sized yet. By the size of their heads compared to their carapace and the way their bodies section off, these bugs were no more than adolescents. If we had left them, Hokum would be faced with an entirely new set of issues and dangers, that would not be able to recover from. They were a far cry from their potential size and power....We did the right thing."
"'Course these things needed killing, ain't no doubt about that," Sam agrees.
Sam pauses for a moment and unties the bag he holds the Golden Acorns in and hands it to Muir before Sam continues heading towards the tree. "But the tree sprouted up just fine. Was a tree. You all saw it. Wood and all. Was still wood when that strange wind was nearby. Not sure it's the acorns that are wrong, could be the land that is somehow turning the trees to stone."
"Jimmy, it was," Sam adds, remembering the question. "Jimmy Connelly, head of the Worker's Faction, gave me the bag and the acorns as he sent me on this trip. He said he never used them, I believe him well enough..."
Sam will pause and study the tree before deciding if violence upon it is neccesary or no... But not for long.
As Sam regards the tree he sees no issue with knocking it down, and begins winding up a swing.
As he strikes down he is filled with instant regret as the solid stone doesn't budge at all, it merely causes a massive vibration to shock up the shaft of his maul, through his arms, into his spine, and shakes his skull causing him to be momentarily stunned, and also leaving a sizable dent in the Splitter's maul he has, which will have to be buffed out later.
"Well I sure hope that's the last of them," Gewyn says, polishing his pipes as he walks up to one of the bodies. He runs a finger along its carapace before grabbing his knife from its eye. "I had that big throw, and that little one-liner, and am feeling pretty hot off that. Boy would it take the wind out of my sails if we weren't done yet. How about you, Elthana? How's it feel to be back in fighting form?"
Elthana looks to Muir, "You say those creatures were adolescent sized? Jesus, can you imagine what they are like full sized? And how can we be sure we got them all or that more won't come through?" She looks around at the ground they are now standing on with the corpses of the two giant bugs and the remaining blight... "Would there be another portal around here or just the tree?"
Right then she sees Sam go to attack it, too quickly for her to stop and she shakes her head as she sees the vibration shake his body. "That... would not be the way. Anyone know though? How to get rid of it?"
She walks over near Gewyn as he checks out the one he through the final blow to, "You have no idea how great it feels to be back. Could have rode that damn bug if it hadn't bitten me so. Speaking of, I might need a bit of a rest before continuing on.. I don't have to, but it would be nice."
"Well I'll be sure to capture all of your stunning prowess in the lyrics of the ballad I write about our adventure, if you'll tell me how those tattoos of yours work. Off the record, of course," Gewyn grins.
"Well damned it all, that didn't work," Sam says loudly to anyone who somehow missed his maul clanging off the tree and doing absolutely nothing at all to hurt the tree. "We going to figure out something to do about this thing, or what?"
Frowning at his dented maul for a moment, Sam wonders just how long it'll take him to fix such a thing. Then again, not much difference whacking someone with a solid square chunk of metal than whacking them with one that is slightly dented. It's the huge ass chunk of metal that does the damage, not the pristinely smooth surface.
"The rock dudes... Back in the caves. The Geonids?" Sam continues as he throws his maul over his shoulder. He'll worry about it's beauty if it seems less effective... "They did say the trees were a portal. I didn't pay that much mind, we had other concerns and I kind of figured they just somehow made that tree stone and used it to travel from... Just where did they come from, I wonder?"
"But if they came through that one, and these bugs came through this one... Are these portals still open? Where are they? How do we close them?"
"Muir?" Sam asks expectantly, turning to look at him in particular. "You determine anything about the Golden Acorns? They at fault or is it something else? If it them, then we have four trees to solve..."
Muir takes the bag of acorns and safely places it away to investigate later "Yes, I believe they are. I will have to study them a bit and check out any records the keepers have. The same thing happened in the cave with your tree and the Geonids that came out. They were a bit more friendlier and less destructive cave dwellers. It is safe to assume that these acorns open a temporary portal to some other world.....You have used them outside of here and the cave?"
"If you do not mind, I'll hold on to them until you are ready to do your investigating," Sam says with his hand out for the bag's return. "They were a gift for the trip and all."
"And what convinces you it's not the Faery influence around here that is doing something to the trees? They were all normal looking trees, at first. Wood, yes? The one in the cave turned to stone right quick, admittedly. Pretty much before our eyes. But this one was wood last we saw it. For all we know the first two grown by the acorns could still be wood..." Sam is a bit defensive about the golden acorns in saying all these but not unreasonably so.
"The Geonids said portal but none of us have seen a portal, have we? And ok, seems likely there is one but what makes you think it is temporary? There was that strange wind here last time... Now bugs. Could be things come through as they wish. Do we really just want to turn our back on the tree if that's the case?"
Muir feels uneasy about the bag and before giving it over says to Sam. "Sam, if I give these back to you, you must promise not to use them again until I am able to study them and cross reference books the keepers have. Do you know this Jimmy fellow well? Where did he get these from? etc? They are dangerous as we don't know what will come out of them. Do I have your word you won't use them again until we know with a shadow of doubt what they are?"
"Muir, we've been through a lot since you have joined us... I like you. I consider you a friend. With that in mind you have my word that if you do not return the bag of acorns back to me, like I asked... You and me? Well, we're going to have a problem." Sam says it matter of factly, his hand still stretched out for the bag.
Muir sighs "No problems wanted Sam....I hope you do the right thing"Muir gives the bag back and turns to the others "Alright then....Shall we move on to Hokum?"
Sam ties the bag back into it's customery place with a bit of a huff. "When you need them to study or whatever, they'll be right here," Sam says to Muir, patting the bag.
"I am still wondering why you think it is not the acorns and not the Fae influence over the land and all that. The closer to the portal we know about, the Faery portal, the quicker the trees turned to stone. Don't even know if first two changed or not... I don't trust those faeries and I am still betting they're involved in this, somehow..." Sam adds. "And if it is the tree itself... Should we just leave it standing? What makes you think the portal was temporary?"
Muir sits on a petrified stump "I am safely assuming based on the observations of 2 trees I have seen you throw that this portal is closed. The cave one petrified as soon as the Geonid creatures came through and here the same has happened. Nothing else is coming out and none of us can get in. I am basing this on observation without testing the acorns. Where are the other 2 that you planted?"
The group discuss and investigate the possibilities presented by these trees and the creatures coming through them. There is some movement in the brush and treeline to the south, poking their head out, the elven guard gives the group a wave, and moments afterward the slow train of Hokum townspeople make their way out of the treeline, heading from west to east.
There are a few gasps of awe and a few claps and hollers of thanks and praise as the towns people see the gargantuan beasts slain. As more people pile in toward the south of this blighted area, the survivors group as a whole begin to sit down, taking a short break for drinking water and rubbing their feet before they continue their trek
"The first two were on our way to Hokum from Trundelsten. The first was before the forest... We had stopped for rest and we spotted a lone, tiny dead faery. We knew not what it was at the time. I was moved by it and used an acorn as a kind of monument to the creature. Seems foolish now, of course, but at the time..." Sam shrugs.
"The second was just into the forest where we were first attacked by the Not-Deer. We found the forest floor littled with the corpses of tiny dead faeries. I gathered them together and again planted a tree as a monument to them, this one right atop their corpses. I thought it was a normal tree. Had no reason to think it was anything but... Barring the growing immediately thing. But magic, go figure..."
"The bag came from my faction leader, Jimmy Connelly. I think I mentioned that... I trust him as much as I trust anyone. He told me he got the pouch from his predecessor. Says he himself never had a use to use them but always thought it nice to have some magic with him. All he knew of where his predecessor got them from was that they originated from the Chattel Coast. And seems that is all he knows..."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As Muir and Sam talk about the tree's and the possibilities of what they are Vin seems to be examining around the tree. Looking at various marks and signs he seems to be picking up on around the tree. he eventually finds himself in front of the tree looking at a very specific spot. He looks around a bit and looks over to Nef who perks their ears up and wonders over to them. Vin seems to point to a specific symbol on the tree and then Neferox seems to smell and and then smell around it like there might be a trail from it. The black hound picking up on something. Vin then looks to Sam and Muir and says "I think what comes from the trees is a reflection of where they came from. They seem similar to the tree Renwell was corrupting. This symbol here its the source of the creatures. I think they came out of here. Nef is smelling around to see if there might be anymore. I might not understand why this happens but... Old Thicket himself said the soil here is different. maybe these are Feywild trees you are summoning and like the tree in the cave they connect somewhere on the otherside. Just a theory but... its a solid pattern if so. It might even mean that the tree in the cave was a seed like what you have Sam. I bet the other trees might be different base on where they grow."
Neferox is searching around for more of the creatures. Making sure nothing is missed.
Perception Check: 22
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Unfortunately for Sam's rage it has nowhere to go, Gewyn's knife sinks into the creatures head and as it dies it's insides pool onto the floor creating a liquid rock plateau under a hollowing shell.
The maul strikes hit the thick outer carapace that is left behind with a vibrational gong. The shell remains, a grim reminder of the horrors from another plane.
With no more hostiles in sight the group catch their breath.
Sam, his fury not quite spent, looks around for another target...
"Can we be sure there are no more of them?" Sam asks in a growl, half hoping there are more on which he can vent his anger... And the tree? Sam turns to wherever the tree and begins to stalk towards it. "And that thing... It needs to come down, yes?"
Muir steps up to the group "We did the right thing here. These creatures were undoubtedly bugs, but from whatever realm the tree came from." Muir pauses and looks at Sam and takes a different tact, the complement sandwich. "Sam, I certainly appreciate what you tried to do for the forest. Growing a tree in the middle of a blight is kind act, but maybe I could have a look at the bag and seeds? Do a little studying on them before you hurl the next one? Who gave it to you would be a helpful beginning. Thank you for trying, a sincere thank you." He turns to address the group once more. "These bugs were not adult sized yet. By the size of their heads compared to their carapace and the way their bodies section off, these bugs were no more than adolescents. If we had left them, Hokum would be faced with an entirely new set of issues and dangers, that would not be able to recover from. They were a far cry from their potential size and power....We did the right thing."
"'Course these things needed killing, ain't no doubt about that," Sam agrees.
Sam pauses for a moment and unties the bag he holds the Golden Acorns in and hands it to Muir before Sam continues heading towards the tree. "But the tree sprouted up just fine. Was a tree. You all saw it. Wood and all. Was still wood when that strange wind was nearby. Not sure it's the acorns that are wrong, could be the land that is somehow turning the trees to stone."
"Jimmy, it was," Sam adds, remembering the question. "Jimmy Connelly, head of the Worker's Faction, gave me the bag and the acorns as he sent me on this trip. He said he never used them, I believe him well enough..."
Sam will pause and study the tree before deciding if violence upon it is neccesary or no... But not for long.
Sam Investigation: Nat 1 for a 0...
As Sam regards the tree he sees no issue with knocking it down, and begins winding up a swing.
As he strikes down he is filled with instant regret as the solid stone doesn't budge at all, it merely causes a massive vibration to shock up the shaft of his maul, through his arms, into his spine, and shakes his skull causing him to be momentarily stunned, and also leaving a sizable dent in the Splitter's maul he has, which will have to be buffed out later.
"Well I sure hope that's the last of them," Gewyn says, polishing his pipes as he walks up to one of the bodies. He runs a finger along its carapace before grabbing his knife from its eye. "I had that big throw, and that little one-liner, and am feeling pretty hot off that. Boy would it take the wind out of my sails if we weren't done yet. How about you, Elthana? How's it feel to be back in fighting form?"
Elthana looks to Muir, "You say those creatures were adolescent sized? Jesus, can you imagine what they are like full sized? And how can we be sure we got them all or that more won't come through?" She looks around at the ground they are now standing on with the corpses of the two giant bugs and the remaining blight... "Would there be another portal around here or just the tree?"
Right then she sees Sam go to attack it, too quickly for her to stop and she shakes her head as she sees the vibration shake his body. "That... would not be the way. Anyone know though? How to get rid of it?"
She walks over near Gewyn as he checks out the one he through the final blow to, "You have no idea how great it feels to be back. Could have rode that damn bug if it hadn't bitten me so. Speaking of, I might need a bit of a rest before continuing on.. I don't have to, but it would be nice."
"Well I'll be sure to capture all of your stunning prowess in the lyrics of the ballad I write about our adventure, if you'll tell me how those tattoos of yours work. Off the record, of course," Gewyn grins.
"Well damned it all, that didn't work," Sam says loudly to anyone who somehow missed his maul clanging off the tree and doing absolutely nothing at all to hurt the tree. "We going to figure out something to do about this thing, or what?"
Frowning at his dented maul for a moment, Sam wonders just how long it'll take him to fix such a thing. Then again, not much difference whacking someone with a solid square chunk of metal than whacking them with one that is slightly dented. It's the huge ass chunk of metal that does the damage, not the pristinely smooth surface.
"The rock dudes... Back in the caves. The Geonids?" Sam continues as he throws his maul over his shoulder. He'll worry about it's beauty if it seems less effective... "They did say the trees were a portal. I didn't pay that much mind, we had other concerns and I kind of figured they just somehow made that tree stone and used it to travel from... Just where did they come from, I wonder?"
"But if they came through that one, and these bugs came through this one... Are these portals still open? Where are they? How do we close them?"
"Muir?" Sam asks expectantly, turning to look at him in particular. "You determine anything about the Golden Acorns? They at fault or is it something else? If it them, then we have four trees to solve..."
Muir takes the bag of acorns and safely places it away to investigate later "Yes, I believe they are. I will have to study them a bit and check out any records the keepers have. The same thing happened in the cave with your tree and the Geonids that came out. They were a bit more friendlier and less destructive cave dwellers. It is safe to assume that these acorns open a temporary portal to some other world.....You have used them outside of here and the cave?"
"If you do not mind, I'll hold on to them until you are ready to do your investigating," Sam says with his hand out for the bag's return. "They were a gift for the trip and all."
"And what convinces you it's not the Faery influence around here that is doing something to the trees? They were all normal looking trees, at first. Wood, yes? The one in the cave turned to stone right quick, admittedly. Pretty much before our eyes. But this one was wood last we saw it. For all we know the first two grown by the acorns could still be wood..." Sam is a bit defensive about the golden acorns in saying all these but not unreasonably so.
"The Geonids said portal but none of us have seen a portal, have we? And ok, seems likely there is one but what makes you think it is temporary? There was that strange wind here last time... Now bugs. Could be things come through as they wish. Do we really just want to turn our back on the tree if that's the case?"
Muir feels uneasy about the bag and before giving it over says to Sam. "Sam, if I give these back to you, you must promise not to use them again until I am able to study them and cross reference books the keepers have. Do you know this Jimmy fellow well? Where did he get these from? etc? They are dangerous as we don't know what will come out of them. Do I have your word you won't use them again until we know with a shadow of doubt what they are?"
"Muir, we've been through a lot since you have joined us... I like you. I consider you a friend. With that in mind you have my word that if you do not return the bag of acorns back to me, like I asked... You and me? Well, we're going to have a problem." Sam says it matter of factly, his hand still stretched out for the bag.
Muir sighs "No problems wanted Sam....I hope you do the right thing" Muir gives the bag back and turns to the others "Alright then....Shall we move on to Hokum?"
Sam ties the bag back into it's customery place with a bit of a huff. "When you need them to study or whatever, they'll be right here," Sam says to Muir, patting the bag.
"I am still wondering why you think it is not the acorns and not the Fae influence over the land and all that. The closer to the portal we know about, the Faery portal, the quicker the trees turned to stone. Don't even know if first two changed or not... I don't trust those faeries and I am still betting they're involved in this, somehow..." Sam adds. "And if it is the tree itself... Should we just leave it standing? What makes you think the portal was temporary?"
Muir sits on a petrified stump "I am safely assuming based on the observations of 2 trees I have seen you throw that this portal is closed. The cave one petrified as soon as the Geonid creatures came through and here the same has happened. Nothing else is coming out and none of us can get in. I am basing this on observation without testing the acorns. Where are the other 2 that you planted?"
The group discuss and investigate the possibilities presented by these trees and the creatures coming through them. There is some movement in the brush and treeline to the south, poking their head out, the elven guard gives the group a wave, and moments afterward the slow train of Hokum townspeople make their way out of the treeline, heading from west to east.
There are a few gasps of awe and a few claps and hollers of thanks and praise as the towns people see the gargantuan beasts slain. As more people pile in toward the south of this blighted area, the survivors group as a whole begin to sit down, taking a short break for drinking water and rubbing their feet before they continue their trek
"The first two were on our way to Hokum from Trundelsten. The first was before the forest... We had stopped for rest and we spotted a lone, tiny dead faery. We knew not what it was at the time. I was moved by it and used an acorn as a kind of monument to the creature. Seems foolish now, of course, but at the time..." Sam shrugs.
"The second was just into the forest where we were first attacked by the Not-Deer. We found the forest floor littled with the corpses of tiny dead faeries. I gathered them together and again planted a tree as a monument to them, this one right atop their corpses. I thought it was a normal tree. Had no reason to think it was anything but... Barring the growing immediately thing. But magic, go figure..."
"The bag came from my faction leader, Jimmy Connelly. I think I mentioned that... I trust him as much as I trust anyone. He told me he got the pouch from his predecessor. Says he himself never had a use to use them but always thought it nice to have some magic with him. All he knew of where his predecessor got them from was that they originated from the Chattel Coast. And seems that is all he knows..."
Muir makes a mental note of where the other trees were and continues to sit allowing the Townfolk to rest
As Muir and Sam talk about the tree's and the possibilities of what they are Vin seems to be examining around the tree. Looking at various marks and signs he seems to be picking up on around the tree. he eventually finds himself in front of the tree looking at a very specific spot. He looks around a bit and looks over to Nef who perks their ears up and wonders over to them. Vin seems to point to a specific symbol on the tree and then Neferox seems to smell and and then smell around it like there might be a trail from it. The black hound picking up on something. Vin then looks to Sam and Muir and says "I think what comes from the trees is a reflection of where they came from. They seem similar to the tree Renwell was corrupting. This symbol here its the source of the creatures. I think they came out of here. Nef is smelling around to see if there might be anymore. I might not understand why this happens but... Old Thicket himself said the soil here is different. maybe these are Feywild trees you are summoning and like the tree in the cave they connect somewhere on the otherside. Just a theory but... its a solid pattern if so. It might even mean that the tree in the cave was a seed like what you have Sam. I bet the other trees might be different base on where they grow."
Neferox is searching around for more of the creatures. Making sure nothing is missed.
Perception Check: 22