Lost Livestock, part 2
Log Info
- Title: Lost Livestock, part 2
- Emitter: Thurid
- Characters: Paenitia, Pasithea, Mercy, Katsuro
- Place:
- Time: Monday, March 01, 2021, 1:21 PM
- Summary:
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--<* H03: Eldwyn Road *>--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
The Eldwyn Road meanders continuously around hills, wilderness, and farmland, though it is occasionally broken by fingerlets from the great Tornmawr. At one point, the road crosses the Tornmawr itself, which takes place by use of a ferry.
Further east and past the ferry are the great Redridge Mountains. These mountains, which run mostly north and south, charge through the landscape, and even through the eastern end of the Lord's City of Alexandria.
Towards the south is the city, with its flags rising far above the walls. The fiery Rising Phoenix almost glows in the sunlight and airships may be seen both in flight and in dock, as they make use of a carefully sculpted section of the Redridge.
Towards the north, the landscape of rolling hills and farmland breaks into denser forest.
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-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Appearing, in Order =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Katsuro 5'4" 160 Lb Human Male A small but sturdy Xian man, young and keen-looking. Paenitia 3'0" 34 Lb Halfling Female A Lucht knight, dark skinned in bold feathery finery. Pasithea 3'2" 38 Lb Halfling Female Tall female lucht, willowy, Hair dark as night -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--= -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- As the GM =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Thurid 7'1" 249 Lb Giantborn Female Bright-eyed, muscular, blond Giantborn woman. -=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=
The party, investigating stories of sheep wandering off and never coming home, have ventured into the woods at the behest of Dratir- a de-facto leader for a loose-knit group of homesteaders and farmers in the region north of Alexandria proper.
After stumbling into a leafy ambush, Mercy suffered serious wounds- though her life was saved by Paenitia's swift medical expertise. Nevertheless, she hangs back for now along with Carver, until she is ready to move again. Thankfully, Pasithea has arrived to reinforce the adventurers- arriving late, after drifting off during the cart ride and ending up at the wroong farm, but here nevertheless and caught up to Paenitia and Katsuro who are preparing to press forwards- and investigate the source of these carnivorous plants.
The Red Knight has repacked her kit and placed it back on Ramirez, mounting up immediately after. She smiles in Pasithea's direction as the other Lucht approaches. Her mask does, it's always smiling, a wide grin presenting a singular emotion. Paenitia sounds cheery.
"Hola my friend! It is good to see you again. We do a mission that will be close to your heart. We are saving the sheep!"
She pauses, dipping forward in her saddle, "But this you would know from the tales of Dratir. I shall add, Ramirez and I, we should be the lead. These plants, they are crazy."
Katsuro cleans his shortsword off after his adventures in gardening, and says, "So, these things might have eaten any sheep that wandered by, but it begs the question, what attracted the sheep?" He sheaths his sword, looks around carefully for any more moving bushes, or possibly other clues. He nods at what Paenitia says about the plants, though he adds, "Or at least carnovorous. I don't know that they think, per se."
Pasithea lifts a hand in greeting, falls asleep and then waves said hand after waking. "Sheep? Plants?" She snoozes and then wakes. "I see. The plants...are attacking sheep. I would... think that the plants ...are offering things the... sheep want. Or using.. magic of some type." She leans on her staff and falls asleep again This time for longer then normal.
The scent of blood carries through the woods from time to time and while off the trodden path they walk there are a number of bramble patches, none of them seem animated like the ones they have faced off so far. Anyone familiar with nature might notice that the soil is extremely dark and rich, and as they head deeper into the woods, the mundane plantlife grows more vigorous- large ferns furling beneath the bows of trees, creeping brambles and dense shrubs call the forest their home.
"Hmm... Ramirez, the bush, does he have the sweet berries?" The dark Lucht shifts her leaning to lie close to her peacock-anadalusian's neck. Her hippogryph snorts, shaking his head in a very horse-like way, making his red crown bob.
Paenitia points her lance-tip at the dark earth. "These bush, they pull Mercy into the ground. The sheep, we might find if we dig. Isobar does not have many trees. I do not know how the woods can conspire to trap others. I start to doubt that it is the chupacabra."
Katsuro will fade into the background as much as he can while the tracking people do the tracking thing and lead us to places of interest. A few bushes certainly can't account for the number of missing sheep. At least, not the few they've encountered so far. He will creep along quietly, keeping his eyes peeled. "Dig?" he wonders. It doesn't enthuse him.
GAME: Paenitia rolls perception: (9)+4: 13 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+5: (15)+5: 20 (Ramirez Perception) GAME: Katsuro rolls perception: (20)+6: 26 GAME: Pasithea rolls perception: (20)+6: 26
Ramirez smells blood to the north. Also the berries on the bushes are very edible and plentiful.
Perhaps asking a bird about berries was a bad idea. Ramirez takes a moment to stop near a bush and eat some. He carefully pecks them off one at a time with his beak. Paenitia is happy at first, then sounds a little impatient. "Ramirez! It is not the time to eat. Unless you say, they are sweet by eating."
As she ponders this, her mount turns and sniffs in a northerly direction. This is followed by a deep base, 'Ruaaaahhh!'
"Ole! Ramirez smells the blood. Be ready my friends." She spurs him forward.
Pasi wakens quickly enough to start moving along with the other two. She tries to stay quiet and small as well as towards the back. Sleepy lucht get in folks way after all.
She startles awake with a bit of wool in hand, pulled from a low bramble. "Animals normally... do not like the smell.. of blood. But the sheep ...are heading towards it."
Katsuro will follow along north. He plucks the occasional bit of wool from a low branch or bramble, but he's mostly looking around for signs of danger to us.
Mercy follows along looking pale and slightly disoriented.
As the group draw around a wind in the path they spot it- nestled in a clearing up ahead, still partially concealed by trees and undergrowth, but fairly obvious nonetheless. A rose hip. But, not any normal rose hip. This particular rose hip is around ten feet across at the base, and rises nearly fifteen up into the air- rivalling some of the younger trees in height. It is nestled at the center of a thick bed of brambles. Amongst the brambles are a handful of sheep carcasses, in various states of decay. They all look to be thoroughly exanguinated, to judge by their withered appearance. Which might go a long way to explain the rich, dark soil and abundance of plantlife- much of which is edible and in fact delicious to herbivorous animals. The giant plant does not react to the adventurers presence, yet, though it is still a good seventy feet distant.
Katsuro is no horticulturalist, and is initially confused at the giant plant thing we find. "What in the world...?" he murmurs, pausing there and watching. "If that's mobile, like the other vines, might that have eaten all the sheep?"
Mercy says, "Indeed Sir, It seems most likely to be our culprit. and so. It will face JUSTICE."
Mercy tries to look stern and steadfast.
The Red Knight halts her steed when the rose hip can be seen properly. Its colour matches her armour and Ramirez's markings. She clicks the reins, turning him to the side and stowing her lance in its holster. Her shield is attached to the saddle also, and she takes up a bow.
"This is not the honourable enemy, my friends. Discretion may be the mother of valor. It may be the sheep-eater. I do not think it moves so fast it will reach us if I shoot."
Paenitia pulls out an arrow and knocks it. "Shall I put the point to it?" She peers along the sides of the path, "her friend bushes that grab, do you see them closer?"
Pasi takes in the drained bodies of sheep by sight. She seems to curl in a tad bit, perhaps relating to the animals led to the slaughter in some way, her face sad. "Plants do not.. think? They are like... ants and bugs. They react to the world.. around them. Slowly..normally."
Pasithea takes this time to cast her protective spell.
GAME: Pasithea casts Mage Armor. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15
Mercy Glares at the giant rose hip and manifests her inquisitorial power. She glows with magic and her stern gaze matches her voice as she enounciates. "You have been JUDGED and shall be destroyed". She then draws her now briefly glowing repeat cross bow and prepares a shot.
GAME: Mercy rolls perception: (1)+3: 4 (EPIC FAIL)
Pasithea keeps eyes ope and around the group's location, rather then just on the rose hip. Well.. open as much as she can. Her mind readying her newest spell in case seomthing moves that should not or the plants attack them.
From where she sits on Ramirez, Paenitia can see a few bushes between her and the Rose Hip. These 'friend bushes' as she named them, might be violent like the others or regular bushes. Hopefully an arrow will sort that out.
She draws and fires at the closest. No reaction. She pulls, raising the arrow point a little higher, and looses at the second. No reaction.
"It may be just the big one, my friends." The Red Knight says, making a clicking noise at her steed. Ramirez siddles along on the path, not approaching any closer, but giving her a sight-line on the fruit that doesn't have a tree in the way. "Be ready, when he feels my kiss, the struggle will start."
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon2: (16)+7: 23 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage2: aliased to 1d6+0: (4)+0: 4
Paenita draws back on her bow a third time, sighting along the arrow. Ramirez knows when his mistress is up to archery, and stays still. This is something they will practice in the future. The little Lucht looses the arrow, her mighty masterwork composite bow, a weapon of which she is most proud, snaps it forward.
The arrow flies straight, true, piercing the tip of the Rose Hip.
As the arrow strikes the fleshy red globe of the giant rose hip. Nothing seems to happen, for a moment, but for a milky translucent sap seeping slowly from the wound. And then suddenly the sprawled bed of brambles beneath the globe contract beneath it, lifting it away from the ground with the snapping of roods and upheaval of soil. The creature seems to lack a discernable mouth, and this makes no sound, but the noises of its violent self uprooting and the thick, woody, thorned vines writhing furiously to lift it away from the ground and blindly towards where harm struck from.
Katsuro gahs as the plant rises up. This is going to be diffiuclt, isn't it? He dashes forward to get up on it, though he probably shouldn't. He draws his blade as part of movement, though there's no telling what his little sword is going to do against the goant plant monster. It's pretty frightening. But ninjas know no fear.
GAME: Pasithea casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Pasithea rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7
Pasithea shuffles forward alost quickly for her sleepy self. She mutters and murmurs, more to herself then to anyone else. "I hate this part.. I hate this part.. poor sheep." A hand raises and spell is brought forth with will and word. Two darts of magic are sent outward and strike the plant-thing.
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon2: (15)+7: 22 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+1: (1)+1: 2
"Ha-ha! Yes! Come to me my love." Paenitia laughs loudly, knocking another arrow. Ramirez snorts in frustration. He is her loyal steed! The lucht laughs again, "Ah the jealousy! She is a dress you do not wear well, Ramirez. It is a taunt. I do not love that flower."
And just to prove it, she looses her arrow. It flies straight, and less true, nicking the side of the Rose hip. Drawing sap, but perhaps... proving a lie!
GAME: Mercy rolls weapon1: (3)+4: 7
Mercy fires a quick snapshot at the unmoving Rose hip and is a little suprised when she misses. "Curse you" the black and platinum clad inquisitor intones.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Rosebeast takes a 5' diagonal, and then full attacks Katsuro with reach." GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (15)+9: 24 GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (5)+9: 14 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (2)+2: 4 <OOC> Thurid says, "And it also attempts to start a Grapple automatically as it has Grab" GAME: Thurid rolls 11+4-20: (18)+11+4+-20: 13
Though it had begun its motion in the direction that the attacks came from, the ambulatory mass of brambles anmd bulbous red bulb's attention is quickly drawn by approaching footsteps- such is the life of mindless plants. It lurches towards Katsuro, and a pair of woody, whip-like brambles flash out from the mass that supports it- attempting to grab him by the leg and throat respectively- and though one of the vines manages to lash across his flesh, neither manage to grab hold.
GAME: Katsuro rolls acrobatics: (8)+9: 17 <OOC> Thurid says, "When you fail while tumbling, you lose the move action and provoke." GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (7)+9: 16 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+5: (12)+5: 17 GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d2+3: (1)+3: 4
Katsuro will try to slide forward past the plant monster's guard, but he mistimes it, or maybe he doesn't understand what the plant can sense, and is halted by a vine smascking into his chest. He can't get close enough to stab it, but he can flick a shuriken at it. It's small and doesn't do so much damage, but he tried. He doesn't quite realize how badly injured he is yet. When he realizes it, he'll probably freak.
GAME: Pasithea casts Burning Gaze. Caster Level: 4 DC: 16 GAME: Pasithea rolls 1d6: (3): 3 GAME: Thurid rolls 8: (12)+8: 20 (Rose Hip Fort Save) <OOC> Thurid says, "It does not seem harmed, pose away."
Pasithea moves forward in a dream-like manor. Her eyes drift closed as she casts another spell. She falls alseep for a brief second and then her eyes pop open, glowing like flames of hell. A disturbing smile forms on her face and she giggles.. "Burn.. Burn burn burn..." The dreamer lives a nightmare and she tries to burn the plant but it seems unaffective.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Okay, well that explains why I wasn't getting the +1 damage.
Weapon2 is my Lucht staff,
Weapon1 is my Composite longbow, so I'll shoot again and roll that now."
GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon1: (17)+8-4: 21
GAME: Paenitia rolls damage1: aliased to 1d6+1: (2)+1: 3
"No, no, come to me. Follow the arrows of love!" Paenitia sings at the Rose Hip bushbeast. She draws back her bow and sends it more love.
The arrow kisses it lightly, just a little deeper than before.
GAME: Mercy rolls weapon1: (7)+4: 11
Mercy growls as she misses again. with the repeat crossbow.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Flipping a coin, 1 it stays on Katsuro, 2 it changes target" GAME: Thurid rolls 1d2: (1): 1 <OOC> Thurid says, "Full attacks Katsuro with 2 vines." GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (18)+9: 27 GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (8)+9: 17 <OOC> Thurid says, "Two hits" GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (3)+2: 5 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (6)+2: 8 <OOC> Katsuro ded
The giant plant beast ignores its brand new thorns and the glistening rivulets of milky sap leaking from its shiny red epithelium as it continues to lash violently at Katsuro with those thick, heavy vines. They bludgen the man into submission, and then begin to drag him into the nest of brambles at the base of the creature once he stops his struggling- clearly intending to add him to its collection of fertilizing cadavers.
Katsuro lies unconscious and is slowly dragged into it. This doesn't look good.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Pasi will continue trying to ignite the plant." GAME: Thurid rolls 8: (3)+8: 11 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6: (2): 2 <OOC> Thurid says, "The plant doesn't seem fazed by heat vision."
Pasithea sways on her feet, eyes closed and murmuring something under her breath. Her eyes snap open so quickly she surprises herself, a burning gaze fixed on the Rose Hip Beast. This look can kill, and it should, but it doesn't seem to faze the flower fruit.
<OOC> Paenitia nods, "Okay, so roll Ramirez single charge beak attack +2, and my spirited lance +4? GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4+2: (1)+4+2: 7 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8+4: (17)+5+4: 26 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage8+3: aliased to 1d6+1+3: (3)+1+3: 7 GAME: Paenitia rolls damage8: aliased to 1d6+1: (4)+1: 5
"Oh no! The tentacles! They are not appropriate on the first date." Paenitia cries, tossing her bow down. The Red Knight grabbing at her lance haft, "You! You will fight me!"
The point is drawn, and pointed, "Ramirez! Attack!"
The peacock-andalusian surges forward, racing down the path towards the Rose Hip. Paenitia settles herself, setting her lance in against her underarm. Its point unwavering.
The pair thunder down, Ramirez snapping with his beak, and nearly entangling himself on the brambles. Paenitia is more succesful, her lance piercing deep as the flower comes in range.
<OOC> Thurid says, "if you run, you can just about get adjacent to Katsuro this turn, but won't be able to cast until next turn." <OOC> Mercy says, "right. doing that."
Mercy Charges forward. Crashing through the underbrush along the trail and shouting "Worry Not Comrade! you are a champion of JUSTICE and I will aid you!" she sprints up to the stricken ninja and pauses catching her breath.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Rosebeast use a Supernatural ability. Reflex saves, all." GAME: Paenitia rolls reflex: (19)+5: 24 GAME: Thurid rolls 3: (16)+3: 19 (Mercy reflex)
The bramble recoils- finally noticing the attack as the lance cuts deeply into its side, and it's flailing, whip-like vines fly into the air before slamming back down, bringing down leaves and branches from nearby trees. The mass of brambles that make it mobile suddenly burst out from underneath it once more- and the hip crashes into the ground, anchoring them in face, as thorny vines reach for exposed limbs to snag and claw and bind. Mercy and Paenitia- along with her mount- are deft enough to avoid the grabbing brambles for now.
On the bright side, the animated plant doesn't seem ambulatory anymore- the vines are too weak to drag its mass around when they aren't tightly bunched beneath it.
Mercy brushes and dodges and generally avoids the brambles.
Brambles entangle Katsuro.
GAME: Pasithea casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Pasithea rolls 2d4+2: (5)+2: 7
The maniacal lughter and look fade from Pasithea's face as does the glowing eyes. She sleeps and then her hand raises again as two more mystic bolts fly and strike the plant, thudding into it's writhing form.
<OOC> Paenitia says, "Cool. Say stuff, and rolling attacks, Ramirez Beak, claw, claw, mine is weapon8" GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4: (16)+4: 20 (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4: (7)+4: 11 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4: (1)+4: 5 (EPIC FAIL) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon8: (8)+5: 13 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (5)+3: 8 (Beak Damage) GAME: Paenitia rolls damage8+3: aliased to 1d6+1+3: (5)+1+3: 9
"Ha! She has split her dress. Quick Ramirez, while she scoots the dancefloor!" Paenitia laughs, pulling her shield up from her saddle and into position. She won't be caught unawares.
Ramirez, panicking a little, as the hippogryph does not like vines in his feathers or flanks, snaps at the foliage the swipes with his talons. Only his beak lands, but it rips free one of the vines.
Paenitia, eyes glittering behind her mask, seeks a soft spot and an opening, and thrusts! She strikes a deep blow that leaves the flower fruit flagging.
GAME: Mercy casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14 GAME: Mercy rolls 1d8+2: (6)+2: 8
Mercy says, "hang tight sir Katsuro!""
The Inquistor's hands glow with the blessing of Deus and she lays them on Katsuro. letting the flow of magic bind his wounds, stop his bleeding and bring him to some semblance of conciousness. She holds out her hand "Let me help you up."
<OOC> Thurid says, "Rosebeast will full attack Paenitia"
GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (19)+9: 28
GAME: Thurid rolls 9: (19)+9: 28
GAME: Thurid rolls 2d6+4: (7)+4: 11
GAME: Rosebeast damaged you for 9 points. 23 HP remaining.
GAME: Thurid damaged you for 2 points of nonlethal. You have 2 total.
<OOC> Thurid says, "It will also attempt to grab."
GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (3)+11: 14
GAME: Thurid rolls 11: (9)+11: 20
<OOC> Thurid says, "Second attempt does not. Paenitia and the plant are now both considered grappled.
Paenitia, make a ride check to avoid being pulled out of your saddle. DC15"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "+6 to counter ACP"
GAME: Paenitia rolls ride+6: (2)+3+6: 11
The plant shudders and its vines droop for a few moments as more of its sticky, milky sap leeks from a profusion of nasty wounds- along with fist-sized, half-formed seeds its bulbous opper potion seemed to contain. But then it finds a new surge of strength, and its vines whip around to lash out at Paenitia- heavy, thick, woody stalks slam into her and buffet her- almost driving her from her saddle. Before they wrap around her throat and middle, and lift her the rest of the way out of it. And begin to squeeze.
<OOC> Katsuro says, "I will get my weapon back as a move, and attack from prone. SInce standing would draw an AoO" GAME: Katsuro rolls 1d20+1: (8)+1: 9
Katsuro regains consciousness when the cure spell's effect comes over him, eyes snapping open. He takes stock of his situation and grabs for his fallen shortsword first thing. He moves to stand, but the creature moves in a way he doesn't like and he gives up on that, attempting to attack it from prone, stabbing at it as best he can. But from his position, he can't reach anything vital.
GAME: Pasithea casts Magic Missile. Caster Level: 4 DC: 15 GAME: Pasithea rolls 2d4+2: (2)+2: 4
Somehow the sorceress Pasithea keeps falling asleep. Over and over right in the middle of combat. She's even got a frightened look apon her features but the micro naps still occur as the others are attacked and dragged in toward the creature. Her hand lifts once more to shoot two more bolts of energy which strike the creature but in out of the way places to little effect. "Hurry! Break... Free!"
<OOC> Paenitia says, "generally I've found it's better to kill things than grapple with them, as the grappling takes forever" <OOC> Paenitia says, "drop the lance, draw traveller's knife as move-equiv and use that?" <OOC> Paenitia says, "Okay. I still get a +1 attack since it attacked Ramirez, per my Cav order, and the -2 because grappeled" GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4-2: (14)+4+-2: 16 (Ramirez Beak) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4-2: (8)+4+-2: 10 (Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d20+4-2: (14)+4+-2: 16 (Claw) GAME: Paenitia rolls weapon5-2+1: (5)+5+-2+1: 9 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d6+3: (1)+3: 4 GAME: Paenitia rolls 1d4+3: (3)+3: 6 <OOC> Thurid says, "It is Staggered, pose it."
"Clrkr, glrrk!" Paenitia says, as the vines rip her from the saddle, encircle her throat and start to >squeeeze<.
Fortunately, Ramirez is fluent in frantic flailings. The peacock-andalusian is a flurry of talons and snapping beaks, ripping into the vines and the flesh of the Rose Hip. Two deeps wounds are opened, letting more sap leak out.
Paenitia drops her lance, drawing her traveller's knife from her leg and slashing. She's held too high, the blade is too short, she misses.
Yet, the flurry from the hippogryph seems to have staggered the plant beast.
GAME: Mercy casts Cure Light Wounds. Caster Level: 2 DC: 14 <OOC> Thurid says, "I take it from the premature cast you're casting cure light wounds? On Katsuro again?" GAME: Mercy rolls 1d8+2: (5)+2: 7
Mercy lays hands on Katsuro once more hoping to reinforce him against the Plant's attacks.
<OOC> Thurid says, "Alright, the rosebeasts takes a single standard action to attempt to maintain the grapple and deal Constrict damage to Paenitia." GAME: Thurid rolls 11+5: (10)+11+5: 26 GAME: Thurid rolls 1d6+2: (4)+2: 6 GAME: Thurid damaged you for 5 points. 18 HP remaining. GAME: Thurid damaged you for 1 points of nonlethal. You have 3 total. <OOC> Thurid says, "And then takes 1 automatic damage and is dieing."
The rose hip looks like a gory mess, now- despite the milky sap, its innards are blood red- no doubt because of its diet, and the relentless attacks of the adventurers have been shredding its waxy outer surface to reveal the clusters of seeds and fruit-flesh within which is leaking out of the various holes in large clumps. Regardless, it's tendrills, wrapped tightly about Paenitia, continue to squeeze about her throat and belly, driving the wind out of her and keeping it out with the tight grip on her throat.
A violent shudder runs through the creature, then, as something collapses inside of it, and the rose hip crumples in on itself. The vines loosen, and it slowly begins to collapse into a mass of iron-scented fruit pulp. Paenitia is released from its grip as it collapses, though the vines continue to writhe weakly, trying to grab ahold of her once more.
The Red Knight lands on her feet, just barely, feeling the ropey vines coiling beneath her toes. She rubs at her throat, ensures her hat and mask are properly aligned. No one must see her face. This done, taking only moment really, she stabs with her knife to severe the Rose Hip from its roots and ensure it's dead, and their feeble efforts to grab her don't resume.
"It is..." Paenitia coughs, "It is finished, my friends. We all stand? Great Success. The smell and the blood, and the bones. This is what we seek."
Mercy dusts herself off. "Well at least I wasn't knocked out before the fight was over this time. Lady Paenitia! are you alright over there? it was choking you mightily. And sir katsuro I have a healers kit if your wounds still need binding.
Katsuro picks himself up once the creature collapses, and he stabs the dead plant thing, just to be sure. Who knows if these things regenerate? He looks over to Paenitia, nods, brushes off some of the dirt that accumulated from when the thing was dragging him into it. He says to Mercy, "I'm fine now, or good enough."
Pasithea makes her way slowly to join the others. Once there she leans hard apon her staff and sleeps for a goodly moment and startles back awake. "You are all well... enough to travel?" She looks over each one with half hooded eyes. "We must.. collect all the seeds so that... another is not grown. No one need ..face another of these." She nods sagely and then snoozes.
Even as the vines are sliced off, they continue writhing- for a time. Eventually, far longer than is perhaps comforting, though, the writhing ceases and the plant is well and truly dead. The seeds- of which there are dozens, if not hundreds, are pale yellow, fist sized, and covered in a multitude of hair-like spines that cause no real damage, but terrible itching if handled bare handed. There are no half digested sheep corpses amongst the pulpy mass that remains, so like as not it fed soley on their blood- given the carcasses still bound up in its now dead bramble nest.
"Does anyone have the means for starting a fire?" Mercy muses. "It's hard to regenerate from ashes."
"Yes." Paenitia says, checking over her hippogryph now. Ramirez seems unscathed although there are many little curly vines stuck in his feathers which she'll have to groom out. He doesn't wait, and starts preening immediately. So vain.
"Yes," The Red Knight says again, elaborating, "I am need the salve, and the seeds, we must get them all. The Sorceress Pasithea is right. The medicine can wait if we will be swift to go back."
"The fire, did not hurt her before."
Mercy says, "But now it's dead and it's vegetation. I'm sure burning it up will help prevent it's return. It would be JUSTICE for this foul creature,... plant... thing."
Pasi speaks with her eyes closed, as if more tired then normal from the fight despite her having moved but a few steps. "I can start the fire...if the seeds are... collected. Yet the thing ..seemed to resist the.. flames of my spell ..before." She props one eye open and gestures with a hand and speaks a word. A seed lifts and moves to be set atop a second, starting the pile.
Mercy says, "I think it worth a try but yes. let's get all the seeds."
Nothing seems to indicate that the Rose Hip is inedible or poisonous, and it could almost certainly be fermented into some sort of alcohol. It seems to just kill things and let them rot into the soil to feed, and seems to be indiscriminate. The sheep were nearby, and attracted to the various plant life in the area, which all benefitted from the plants method of feeding. It might make a good scarecrow or deterrent for rustlers, but whether there is any hope to train it in any way is not clear. A druid could do it, perhaps no one else.
Paenitia ventures back up the trail to retrieve her bow, then returns, setting all her weapons and shield onto her hippogryph's saddle. "She could be made into drink, or the scarecrow against rustlers, but it would be a tricky training."
The more she thinks it over, the more she concludes it's a bad idea. Taking one of the pole arms from her saddle, the dark Lucht wanders around and chops some wood so they can set a fire.
Gathering the remaining seeds of the plant together is easy. Getting it burning is harder task- the flesh becomes leathery and the sap bubbles and simmers, but doesn't want to catch as heat is applied. Eventually, though, it is possible to get the fire burning. It is extremely smokey, and cracks and pops a lot as it burns away- and often threatens to go out as fresh pockets of sap boil to the surface and smother the flames. But burn it does.
Mercy patiently tends the fire. drawing satisfaction in watching the evil plant burn to nothing.
The Red Knight watches the fire, the difficulty in getting the plant to burn, the way the seeds pop. She moves her mount away, and picks the larger foliage out of his feathers and coat. Ramirez stands their proudly, also watching the flame. As the bonfire is burning down, the little Lucht speculates.
"Her friend bushes, smaller ones or the far grasping roots? There are no roses like this in Isobar. I do not know. I think, it is safe to tell the farmers we find their Sheep-Eater. It is destroyed. They should look for the roses where they are not expected? They know the plants, they will be safe?"
Paenitia exhales, "Yes. We tell them. They will be safe."
With the task of burning away the man (and sheep)-eating foliage, all that remains is to return to Dratir. The path back is easier traced, having been traveled once, and nothing assails the party on their return. It's late in the evening by the time they meet with the portly half-oruch farmer, who greets them fondly- offers honey mead and roasted pork from his own farm, while they recount their experience. Though its a shame the sheep were already gone, he is grateful that they were able to destroy the plant and he assures them the farmers will have the brambles description incase it begins to crop up anywhere else.
Combatty Stuff
===================== Current Initiative Order - Round 1 =====================
---Init--Name------------AOO-Notes--------------------------------------------
19 Katsuro 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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18 Paenitia 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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14 Mercy 1 Flat-footed (0 rnds active)
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3 Rosebeast
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https://www.mipui.net/app/index.html?mid=mb9zjnhv6rb
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_hip#/media/File:Rose_hips.jpg
<OOC> Thurid says, "Heya" <OOC> Paenitia says, "Hi" <OOC> Paenitia says, "If you feel like cancelling today I'm OK with that." <OOC> Paenitia says, "it's not like excluding the class of my main chair was meant to be a personal attack, but it's a fucking demotivating gut-punch" <OOC> Paenitia says, "Because who knows if Carver will show up on his own, or Mercy and Katsuro without me pestering them on Discord, and I ask myself why I'm pouring energy into this when no one gives a fuck" <OOC> Paenitia says, "I felt it would be unfair to juts ghost on you, so I connectd, but, mood is terrible." <OOC> Thurid says, ""PF2 news? I hadn't seen it yet." <OOC> Paenitia says, "well, you care obviously, that's not fair." <OOC> Paenitia says, "announcement 13 or 14 in bb 1" <OOC> Thurid says, "Ah, the reasoning is dumb." <OOC> Thurid says, "If it was for balance reasons, that's fair enough, but this place has always been a bit obsessed with no one ever hurting anyone's feelings." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Strange, they're hurting mine all the fucking time. It's like a passive aggressive free for all." <OOC> Paenitia says, "And, agreed." <OOC> Paenitia says, "GM is already fiating a bunch of things" <OOC> Paenitia says, "already pulling DCs out of their ass. How is it going to be different 'yeah, that's good enough panache move' or just say 'it's gotta be a Nat20' like it currently is." <OOC> Paenitia says, "No, they don't like confrontation. They don't want to say 'No'. They just ignore whatever would get a 'No', and if you keep pushing eventually someone says it, but it's hard to tell the neglect from the deliberate silence." <OOC> Thurid says, "I've been on an Exalted MUSH, which uses stunt dice, and I've seen them used in player-versus-player, without any need for DM arbitration. So the idea that something subjective can't work because some people might get upset about it is balls." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Agreed." You paged Thurid with 'My name on Discord is Sasta#0400' <OOC> Paenitia says, "Yes, well decent players should be able to handle PvP without a GM" <OOC> Thurid says, "Anyway, as for tonights scene, don't force yourself if you're not in the mood. When the hour hits, I'll ping all involved, if they don't show I'll either replace them or cancel." <OOC> Paenitia says, "I'm trying to enjoy myself. I'm trying not to punish the uninvolved, and bitching at you right now kind of is. I was certainly looking forward to this, right up until I got the news. I feel, having a continued presence implies consent and approval, and I don't. I feel hanging around is preventing this place from crashing and burning, when based on the decisions being made - perhaps it should." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Maybe that's narcisistic to think I matter that much" <OOC> Paenitia says, "since the message seems to be I don't at all" <OOC> Thurid says, "I don't know what to say to that. You're certainly responsible for the majority of the activity in my timezone, people have been enjoying your plot, I certainly have. But I think the decision is born of the staffs fear of conflict, not any form of attack or dismissal. Cavalier, Artificer and Bloodrager aren't making it either and there are quite a lot of folks for whom those are their main classes. Hell, Artificer was why I started playing here in the first place way back." <OOC> Paenitia says, "like I had a experiment idea for using a Legwork to do more stuff on Deva, and now I feel like 'fuckit guys, arcs done, forget about it'" <OOC> Paenitia nods, "Bloodrager is half of Braelnoir's classes, and Artificer is popular, yes." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Thanks. I appreciate hearing that." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Well, it's 2. Would you like me to try and find Katsuro and Mercy?" EVENTS: Lost Livestock Part 2 is scheduled to start RIGHT NOW! <OOC> Thurid says, "If you feel that staying is implicit agreement, and that leaving is implicit objection then perhaps you fear conflict a bit as well. If you object to something, object to it. I'll probably mention how I feel about it to Whirl at some point- like I say. If they don't want to include a class for mechanics and theme reasons, that's fine. If it's because they don't trust us to be adults and play the game, that's bull. Basically- although I might word it a bit more diplomatically." <OOC> Thurid says, "Up to you, if you're not feeling it don't stress. I'll give it a bit, if they show they show, if not I'll figure something out. I'm done being frustrated about late folks and no-shows." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Well. Yes. I am easily emotionally manipulated so I fear that sort of conflict. Whirl accused me of hiding behind her skirts at one point, because a wizz raised something with me, I asked Whirl about it, I got an answer, I told the other wizz it was dealt with, but that wasn't how it was supposed to be done." <OOC> Thurid says, "It happens, it's all office/schoolyard politics. I've never found a MUSH that is any different." <OOC> Thurid says, "Not if you have a chance to look under the hood, at any rate." <OOC> Paenitia says, "However regarding physical conflict. Hmm. well the safest example is I had a home invasion in 2006, and I charged the door from a dead sleep and chased them out, and if I'd had a knife or gun near someone would have been stabbed or shot. So that's my preferred response to surprise attacks. Which, not surprisingly, has to be suppressed." <OOC> Paenitia says, "So, since we both have to survive the conflict, I'd rather not have it." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Oh yes, High School never ends and I've seen this all before and it's clearly transparent. There's largely no reason, I see, to raise an objection because they don't reverse their decisions as far as I've seen despite claiming to value input." <OOC> Paenitia says, ""I'm really not happy about this?" "Well whatchyagonnado? Leave?" "I might" "Well leave then." is about what I expect" <OOC> Thurid says, "Unfortunately, that too is often the way of things." <OOC> Paenitia says, "Yes." Katsuro has connected. <OOC> Paenitia says, "Hi Katsuro. Just bitching about the staff again. I'll stop now." <OOC> Katsuro complains about staves all the time. Unreliable. <OOC> Paenitia says, "This is true" <OOC> Thurid Was hoping to get started with plot when/if folks show up. <OOC> Paenitia says, "Mercy is active on Discord and I sent her a message" <OOC> Paenitia says, "So, chances are good."