"If you'd like, I can fetch a pail of the healing water to aid in your rest. And whenever, you are ready, tell me so that I may lead you all to the ground for the next challenge."Vono says.
Vono leads the party to a hut at the edge of the village. Inside, he pushes aside the simple bedding, revealing a hatch door. The monk opens it, leading to a dimly lit tunnel, torches sparingly lined onto the walls. As he leads you all through, he speaks,
"This trial is to endure against nature, for your task is to retrieve a certain fruit and to take it to the other end where my sister awaits. It may sound simple but this part of the jungle does not sustain any beasts. Instead the beasts nourish it, the plants are quite ferocious. A few have tried to burn down this part of the jungle, yet it merely spurned nature's wraith. And the fruit that you all are to obtain is the Apple of the Deep. Once you have that, follow the dragonclaws to find the other end."
Axon looked to Vono, "Why are the plants ferocious?" he had remained quiet through the entire first trial, had he been called on to fight he would have, but he was in no hurry to put his life on the line.
"Because they attack all, the plants do not discriminate. Grasping vines, thrashings thorns, sweet smelling acid, it is a dangerous array of weapons at their disposal. But if you're asking for why they are hostile, then it is hard to say. Some elders say it is due to the fallen warriors, others say it was the mix of dragon and demon blood. In any case, they're still a danger." Vono says.
"Well, I wish you all luck then. Prove your indomitable spirit in this trial." Vono says as the tunnel finally leads to the other end. He gives a bow as he stands at the tunnel's exit. Beyond the tunnel you can vastly different trees, with granite like bark and blue leaves. Each one has a different kind of flower or bulb, seemingly its follows the party as they come out the tunnel. The ambiance of birds and creatures is empty, replaced with the sound of a gentle stream. Purple vines drag across the jungle floor, constantly reaching out then pulling back.
"Remember, you have to find the Apple of the Deep before coming out of here. Otherwise the next trial will not be available to you." Vono says as he heads back to the village.
"I can lead if you wish, but I don't even know what we are seeking... Thus how to know which way to go..." Nasaar says with a frown at the moving plants ahead. "Any suggestions?"
(Fully recognising it may not work if it's not actually a plant, or numerous other reasons, but in theory should just need to describe or name a plant...)
After ten minutes or so, seeming to ignore everyone, focused in his own little world, sat on the ground, Kastor suddenly looks up, stands, points to the mountain and says, "This way" with an air of definite certainty. He starts to walk in that direction, letting Sylvester and Rusty go ahead.
"If you'd like, I can fetch a pail of the healing water to aid in your rest. And whenever, you are ready, tell me so that I may lead you all to the ground for the next challenge." Vono says.
That would be appreciated." Nasaar says with a nod. He'll take a short rest. What does the healing water do for him?
(just fully heals your character during the short rest. So I'm guessing you guys are ready to do the next trial.)
After the rest Nasaar looks much better and gives the others a nod. "I am ready to continue." He informs the monk.
(Hari is also ready, this weekend was incredibly busy, sorry)
Stella Diamant, Human Rogue 17 (Swashbuckler), The Exploits of Misfit Company
Kat, Medtech, Cyberpunk: Red
Shi, Changeling Bard 4 (College of Spirits), Tyrant's Grasp
Dani, Human Artificer 9 (Armorer), Skulls and Starships
DM, Project Point (Teams Scimitar and Longsword)
Everything Else!
Vono leads the party to a hut at the edge of the village. Inside, he pushes aside the simple bedding, revealing a hatch door. The monk opens it, leading to a dimly lit tunnel, torches sparingly lined onto the walls. As he leads you all through, he speaks,
"This trial is to endure against nature, for your task is to retrieve a certain fruit and to take it to the other end where my sister awaits. It may sound simple but this part of the jungle does not sustain any beasts. Instead the beasts nourish it, the plants are quite ferocious. A few have tried to burn down this part of the jungle, yet it merely spurned nature's wraith. And the fruit that you all are to obtain is the Apple of the Deep. Once you have that, follow the dragonclaws to find the other end."
Axon looked to Vono, "Why are the plants ferocious?" he had remained quiet through the entire first trial, had he been called on to fight he would have, but he was in no hurry to put his life on the line.
"Because they attack all, the plants do not discriminate. Grasping vines, thrashings thorns, sweet smelling acid, it is a dangerous array of weapons at their disposal. But if you're asking for why they are hostile, then it is hard to say. Some elders say it is due to the fallen warriors, others say it was the mix of dragon and demon blood. In any case, they're still a danger." Vono says.
Sylvester state: “pretty sure we can handle a few plants. Shouldn’t be too much of an issue.”
Sylvester Nimble lv. 3 Rogue (Clifftop Adventure’s Guild)
"Well, I wish you all luck then. Prove your indomitable spirit in this trial." Vono says as the tunnel finally leads to the other end. He gives a bow as he stands at the tunnel's exit. Beyond the tunnel you can vastly different trees, with granite like bark and blue leaves. Each one has a different kind of flower or bulb, seemingly its follows the party as they come out the tunnel. The ambiance of birds and creatures is empty, replaced with the sound of a gentle stream. Purple vines drag across the jungle floor, constantly reaching out then pulling back.
"Remember, you have to find the Apple of the Deep before coming out of here. Otherwise the next trial will not be available to you." Vono says as he heads back to the village.
Just before Vono departs, Kastor asks, "Before you go, what is the Apple of the Deep? What does it look like?"
Mordekai | Tiefling Warlock/Bard (Lv.12) | Pizazz's Beyond
RavenloftAnnihilation"Who will take the lead?" Axon said as he slowly removed his longsword from his sheath and readied his shield on his arm.
"I can lead if you wish, but I don't even know what we are seeking... Thus how to know which way to go..." Nasaar says with a frown at the moving plants ahead. "Any suggestions?"
Rusty draws his dagger and sword and steps up to the group.
I can assume the forward position and report back any concerns that might arise. This is my primary directive.
Pori Gathar - Level 1 Tiefling Life Cleric - GamoRust's Baldur's Gate Descent to Avernus
Rusty - Level 4 Warforged Rogue - Virst's Clifftop Adventurer's Guild/Fiendfall Scouting
"It is a white translucent apple. You can see its seeds inside it and they resemble an opal." Vono answers
(A bit of guidance)
"Give me a minute, or ten..."
Kastor sits and casts Locate Animals or Plants to attempt to search for the Apple of the Deep.
(Fully recognising it may not work if it's not actually a plant, or numerous other reasons, but in theory should just need to describe or name a plant...)
Mordekai | Tiefling Warlock/Bard (Lv.12) | Pizazz's Beyond
RavenloftAnnihilationSylvester takes out his daggers and starts to scout ahead keeping pace with Rusty.
(Trying to give the group a wider birth with both rogues trying to scout.)
Sylvester Nimble lv. 3 Rogue (Clifftop Adventure’s Guild)
(Hard to give distance for it, so I'll point it out to the right direction.)
Kastor communes with nature and it points to the mountain as the fastest route to the apple.
After ten minutes or so, seeming to ignore everyone, focused in his own little world, sat on the ground, Kastor suddenly looks up, stands, points to the mountain and says, "This way" with an air of definite certainty. He starts to walk in that direction, letting Sylvester and Rusty go ahead.
Mordekai | Tiefling Warlock/Bard (Lv.12) | Pizazz's Beyond
RavenloftAnnihilationNasaar pats Caster on his back. "Good job." He tells him. He falls into line, walking behind Caster as they head after their erstwhile scouts.