"H-hello wolf... dog... plant... thing." Jiron mutters as the gigantic thorn beast burst out of the jungle beside him, seeing that Skritch seems to have some recognition of these creatures, the hobgoblin thinks it best to not shoot them, at least until Skritch tries to communicate, if possible. So, instead, he turns his weapon back to the tree. //I really hope lead in this thing doesn't mess with whatever magic Baba Aga has planned or it!// Jiron thinks as he pulls the trigger once more

Attack: 18 Damage: 8

Bonus-Reload

Health- 15/15

Bullets- 34/40

(First: 7 for 9. Second: 23 for 7.)

Brand shoves a branch aside with his cutlass and drives his dagger into the trunk where the tree's maw had appeared before.

(At work, but allow me to update Skritch on his knowledge! I should be able to move the battle ahead later today when I get home. :) 

Skritch, you know that thorn wolves are typically beholden to someone or something in the forest. Whatever has the greatest power is what they will obey and follow. You feel confident that you could try to speak with them. They are wolves that have been affected by natural magic, evolved in a sense. If I could combine their monster classes, they would be plant/beasts.)

Seeing the Thorn Wolves, Skritch pulls the first dagger he threw free of the plant matter growing in the nearby downed Twig Blight and stares directly into the glassy deep eyes of the nearest canine creeper. Ruffling his feathers, and willing up the power of his mistress, the avian adventurer attempts to cow the beast. "Scavenger leave! Skritch kill! Skritch keep!"

Fey Presence vs. Thorn Wolf Wisdom Save (DC12): 17 (+Wis Mod), frightened on failure until the end of Skritch's next turn.

((EDIT: Well shit.))

Skabb chops at the tree again, a huge notch forming at its base. The tree was not thick to begin with, so it seems that it's liable to be cut in twine at any moment.

Jiron, feeling confident that Skritch will protect them from the thorny wolves, turns his attention to the red sapling. He concentrates and lodges a shot deep where Skabb and Brand have made headway against the overgrown plant.

Brand, in all his fury and rage, slashes at the tree first but then drives his dagger deep into the shivering tree. As he does this, the Gultias Sapling lets out an ear piercing scream that lasts until the minotaur pulls his blade, now slick with white liquid, from its base. All of the leaves on all of its branches flutter down to the ground around Skabb and Brand. The wood goes from a bright color to dark red. 

Skritch looks into the nearby hounds' eyes as he, in essence, shoos them away. At first, he worries the spell didn't take hold - that perhaps his mistress' power has waned - but then he sees the wolves tuck tail and run back into the woods!

--- Unless you would like to chase the doggos, it would appear this battle is over! ---

Jiron watches as the wolves sprint back into the woods. "Goodbye..." Afterwords, Jiron gathers the splintered remains of the Twig Blights for study, before continuing over to the corpse of the Gulthias Tree to help gather some of the red wood that Baba Aga needs. Dipping his fingering into the white, blood-like substance, a spark of intrigue flashes in the hobgoblin's eye. "Does anyone have a bottle or something I can use?" he asks as he fails to find a vial in his pack.

"So sorry, don't have anything" Skabbs ears pop back up after lying flat through the combat. He rubs his thumb over the edge of his axe, washing off the tree sap and wiping it on the grass on the ground. "That was. Exciting.. What tree did you say it was again Skritch?"

"Baba Aga want red wood." Skritch caws, pointing to the fallen sapling. Opening his beak again, the perfect replication of fragments of his conversation with the witch flow forth. "North of Dorborden, you seek wood, but not from any tree. This material must come from the red sapling that lies about two hours north from here.....Bring me the red wood and any remains of these blights." Bundling up a pile of the Twig Blight remains, Skritch pauses and looks thoughtfully off to the edge of the forest where the Thorn Wolves retreated. "Thorn Wolf pelt good too....not required."

Brand cleaves into the trunk and severs branches in his fury. No one ever said what condition is wood was needed.

Each cleave from Brand's fury splats a bit of that white sap onto Brand's face. It doesn't seem to do anything to him, but he hears a distant whisper...

i know you. you will be mine eventually.

Brand's chopping has given Skritch what seems like enough wood (and then some) for Baba Aga's needs. 

(Is there anything else you all might like to do while out here in the woods?)

((Skritch is pretty satisfied, though he'll gladly help his friends with any side ventures on the way back to town.))

Skabb follows up with another question. "Those wolfs, what were they? And are their pelts worth anything. To be honest some more money is always welcome."

(Skritch can make a nature check to know more.)

Nature: 13

((Boo!))

Skritch knows about what he knows. 

Thinking over Skabb's question, Skritch hefts a bundle of Blight twigs onto his shoulders. "Thorn wolves guard Shadowbraid....used to. Served Mistress. Skritch usually avoid." Skritch considers briefly what plans Baba Aga has for all of these materials and imagines his mistress comprised of wood and vines, sharp brambles accentuating her features, all cloaked in a Thorn Wolf pelt, before discounting the image. "Thorn wolves here more value alive when Mistress return."

"Well.. Then i don't have any reason to stay in this strange forest. Right now at least."  Skabb looks to the rest of the party. "I don't know about you, but i'd like to be in town when Baba Aga calls in to her meeting"  , Skabb says, using air quotes on the word meeting.

Seeing as no one seems to have a vial for him to use, Jiron gathers up a bundle of branches and rejoins the others, ready to go. He was also eager for the meeting with Baba Aga. Upon hearing Skritch's comment about the wolves being better alive, Jiron jumps. "Wait, when the Mistress returns? You think this Gulthias lumber is going to be used in some sort of resurrection ritual?" he asks, looking to the Kenku as they walk.

Assuming he isn't distracted by a conversation about resurrection magic with his avian friend, Jiron shall also keep an eye out for some pixie dust on the way back, for use in the creation of his magic satchel.

Which ever is applicable:

Investigation-10

Perception-8

Survival-11

As you all begin to make your long trek home, Jiron notices the telltale sign of pixies. He barely sees it, but he sees a pinch of pixie dust on a shrub. He catches a glimpse of its luminescence only because of a stray ray of light that touches the shrub. Given what he can tell, he sees little traces of it before it disappears. This isn't enough pixie dust for his purposes, but Jiron is quite certain he could potentially hit a motherload of sorts...

"Mistress not dead!" Skritch replies rather adamantly to Jiron's question. "Mistress...sleeping?......Dormant." The aven nods at the last word, as if he found an acceptable explanation. "Baba Aga need red wood and sticks for help Mistress return."