PBEM - Episode 557. Plants and Solutions

FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY SEVEN

(I/C)

“Dwarfriend,” Wyn asked, pointing next to Lyra, “cen ye slam dat mossy bit before it becomes a thorny bitch?”

“Don’t have to,” the Cleric replied wiping her flail, “Already took care of it.” Indeed the large moss collection was nothing more than a smear on the wall. She looked around, “Something must be summoning these things. Maybe if it’s something in the fountain we can just poison it.”

Arrow nocked and ready, Brendon shrugged, “Or maybe there’s something in the fountain causing the abominations.”

Looking into the room, judging how far it was to get there, Wyn nodded. “Let de rest of us take a step in on de path en make our way to de fountain.” He looked at the Fighter and asked, “Salazar, cen ye lead de way? I be right behind ye. If ye don’t want to, Wyn cen take point.”

"H'okay Señor Wynzzz,” Abraxas smiled Scythe held high, “Tiempo por trimming los hedges."

"We must be missing something,” Lannis mused, looking through his pack as the group entered the Garden again. “Master Elf, what do your elven eyes see? What causes them to explode? It can't be a build up of gas or air, cutting them should have stopped them. Did the ones we fourbilled explode? Maybe burning them might prevent an explosion?" He scowled. “Damn…Darn it, I used my last torch up.” He took out a candle and his tinder box. “Let’s get this sucker lit then.”

(Initiative Party Steel 1 vs Enemy Red/Black 4)

Nodding in agreement, Kovid slowed up to walk with Lannis, taking his own torch out as well as his flint and steel. "I'm not sure my hammer will be effective against shrubbery, perhaps Big Brain has the right idea." (Light fire during combat round 2/6: Yellow 3 – no) “Blast it, light,” he grumbled as sparks fell useless about.

Lannis was also walking along as the group hit the crushed marble path, striking and scoring sparks (Light fire during combat round 2/6: Pink 1 – yes!), getting a few of them to ignite the wick, and coaxing it to full flame. “Alright!”

“Let me light mine off of yours, Big Brain,” Kovid asked, holding the torch out.

“No problem, just don’t let the tips touch.”

“Pardon?”

“What?”

Meanwhile the closest archer bush had gotten within range to swing its sharp branches at Abraxas, the Fighter using his Scythe to block the worst of the blows (<+3 to hit, Red/Black 8) from landing. 2 others had gotten close, but not close enough to attack the group yet. In reply, Abraxas swung his Scythe full around and buried it in the plant monster’s midsection (>+8 to hit, bless+1, Blue 17) ripping deep as he did so (1d8+4 Damage, Blue 2+4=6 Damage!).

“Huzzah! For Aine!” Lyra followed through, her flail also crushing branches and twigs (>+4 to hit, Bless +1, White 13), sending leaves blowing out from her swing (1d6+2 Damage, White 2+2=4 Damage!). Wyn was last, Alha sword stabbing and piercing, hoping to find the heart of the creature (>+6 to hit, Bless +1, Orange 15), and doing so on his 3rd thrust (1d6+2 Damage, Orange 6+2=8 Damage and killed!!), making the bush hiss and wail a moment before it exploded.

(Final Burst @ +3, Lannis <Green 9, Abraxas >Black 20 (critical – Max Damage 4), Lyra <Teal 8, Wyn >White 11 (MImage)) Abraxas took a face full of thorns as it exploded and Wyn’s last image popped from the shredding of missiles. The last 2 continued to stalk closer but they were not going to make it to melee range this round. It was curious, because if the closer one had opted to cross right over the marble path, it would have been able to do so, instead it wandered a bit to the side to an area where the path was practically non existent before doubling back to the group.

(New? 1d6: Blue 6)

We could see one more at the limit of our light range to the south coming closer to us, but it was still safely far enough away for now. However, Lannis and Kovid who were in the back of the group and not engaged in melee at this time, had their eyes drawn about the room with the ghostly flickering of movement somewhere, but nothing directly could be seen in the thick foliage (for now).

(Initiative Party Steel 3 vs Enemy Red/Black 1)

Time now is Day 13, 7:45 AM

(OOC)

Mirror Images (2 for Lannis): 55 Minutes

Bless: 47 Minutes

Fire Resistance (Lannis): 9 Minutes

Shield: 6 minutes

Ok – 2 more in range this round, 1 more coming up from the south no chance this round. Almost at the fountain. Rip though and press on? Divide? What do you want to do?