The Phandalin Chronicles

After a short rest, the party heads out from the manse in the direction of the Circle of Thunder.

After walking through the trees for about an hour you come upon a sixty-foot-wide forest clearing, in the middle of which is a black, needle-like spire — a forty-foot-tall pine tree ravaged by fire long ago, its limbs burned off. Tied to the dead tree near its base are several ghastly dolls made of twigs bound with black hair.

"More corruptions of these woods. I just don't understand what could drive a people to such foul practices." Rhogar comments hotly underbreathe beside a hovering and nodding Ghorar. Afterwards, one simply glance in her direction from the bronze prompts the psuedodragon to take off higher into the air, and begin circling the clearing from among the treetops; searching for any signs of either boar or Orcs in the area.

Ghorar's Perception:  14.
(If it helps, she also has 10ft Blindsight and 60ft Darkvision, as well as Keen Senses granting adv. on the above check)

Ghorar's Steatlh: 18.

Kazri readies her shield and flail. She looks around and uses her Divine Sense to detect the tree for evil. A chill runs down her spine.

Rekuberk readies his sword as the rest of the party get ready in their own ways. "We should be ready for anything..."

"Moradin's Flame preserve us." says Krom as the group enters the clearing. The dwarf examines for afar the dolls trying to recall if they are used in some warding rituals (Religion 25 plus Guidance 2 ), he will then ready his blessed warhammer and shield ready to advance with the group.

As Ghorar flies into the air she sends images back to Rhogar but they are of empty woods, no animals, no enemies.  The woods around the clearing are empty.

Krom knows that some sort of ritual has taken place here, but he cannot determine exactly what is going on.  Looking though you determine there are probably ten twig dolls bound to the charred tree, all within easy reach.

Kazri divine sense does not register any fiends, undead or celestial or anything from the hallow spell.

Chip would strum a bit on his lute, pausing when the charred tree comes into view. "Well... " He would say before pausing and looking closley at twig dolls. "Do you think these will scratch me like the other ones did back at the old house?" The dragonborn would ask as he glances to his companions. 

Rhogar is frowning by the time Ghorar relays her findings. As soon as she returns to his shoulder, she relays the same images to Kazri as Rhogar began uttering words of power in Draconic. From the hand gripping the Ivory staff to the rest of his being, frost coats every visibly part of the dragonborn. He then looked to Krom, having seen some hints of an epiphany perhaps form on his face, and seemed hopeful in turn.

"Chip raises a good point. Because IF so, then... Shall we all approach? Or just you thee?" He gestures to Kazri, Rekuberk, and Krom.

Casting (2nd level)Armor of Agathys, giving Rhogar 10 Temp HP.

"Please allow me gentlemen. I do not sense evil around this structure." Kazri motions for the party to wait, as she approaches the burned tree and examines closely one of the twig dolls. She tries to determine the purpose of such objects. (Roll: 16 (Perception +2, Investigation +0))

"Some ritual has taken place here, but I am afraid that I do not know what actually happened. Nothing good for sure." says Krom, "Let's proceed all together. Be on your guard."

Rekuberk nods to Kazri as he stays back to wait for any sign of hostility from the the strange ritual site. "If anything moves then it would perhaps be able use to skewer it quickly..."

"You may proceed ahead but I do not like the look of this tree.  I will hide in the tree line and offer you my support from there."

Chill moves East and tries to hide in the trees.

Stealth 11

A close examination by Kazri of a twig doll reveals something wrapped inside it.  The twig seems to pulsate, like a beating heart.

Kazri raises and holds her hand in a fist, signaling for everyone to halt. "Gentlemen, please step back." She tries to hide the fact that she is very uncomfortable with the situation, but her pendant betrays her. The pendant has been glowing since she saw the burnt tree, and now it glows quite bright on her chest for her to be so close to the dolls. She raises her shield in front of her, she pulls one of the dolls by the hair that is attached to the tree, and tosses it to the side (not far from her). She takes a couple of steps back.

(OMFG!!! I am freaking out for real guys!!! I had a bad feeling since the first post above...)

Rhogar raises a brow ridge, but had refused to be more than a step behind Kazri. As much as the pedant seemed to portend something ominous to come, the Bronze brushed it aside and just stared at the doll. Then if after a half a minute nothing comes of it, he snorts and says, "I do not know why you are so worried, Kazri. BUT, unless you care to explain and give reason -- I see none to keep from chopping this blighted thing down. Ritual or no. Because I CERTAINLY won't be sitting here staring at it all day."

"What is going on lass?" Krom walks near Rhogar, "We should press on, those half-orcs may be near." If nothing happens for a minute or two, the dwarf says "Let's proceed with caution."

"That stick figure looks gross..." Chip would say as he casts vicious mockery one one of the figures NOT being held by Kazri...

Wis 16 or take 7

Kazri closely inspects one of the dolls.  She can tell something is wrapped inside of it and it pulsates lightly in her hand after she carefully removes one of the twig dolls from the tree.  She then tosses it a few feet away and it lands softly on the ground. 

Nothing happens.

"Nothing happened lass." says Krom to Kazri. The dwarf takes another look at the spire and says to Rhogar "Since it seems that the half-orcs are not here, and this place has been used for some evil rituals, we could use your fire to burn that cursed tree." Krom then walks near the twig doll that Karzi tossed away and smashes it with his blessed warhammer.

As Krom slams his hammer down on the twig doll the ground shakes as the dead tree’s roots magically animate and erupt from the ground.

When the constricting roots erupt, each of you standing in the clearing must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 2 bludgeoning damage and be restrained.

All must roll a Dex save except Chill who isn't in the clearing.