Chapter 4: Under the Tree

[mb.]

Bürd settles on the floor, relaxing, leaning against a wall facing down the side tunnel. He looks around at Gizzy and Simon, and jerks a thumb at Marcus' body, "Ha' we got any more a them berries lads? Might do 'im some good, aye?"

Pulpatooner says: Hold yer horses, y'dang ol' dwarf. Jonas hasn't made it that far, yet, himself. Until he does, I'm not sure what you'll find when you head down the tunnel.

[zebediah]

Everyone, bear with me for a moment while I figure out what's going on with Jonah, before you guys pass through the tunnels.

Jonas:

You emerge from the narrow tunnel, taking extra care to expose yourself to as little of the paralytic slime as possible. You walk quickly through the curving tunnel, past the chamber with the puffballs, and begin to round the next curve of tunnel, to the spot where Marcus lies, when suddenly a a brilliant flash of light fills the darkness.

Your eyes capture the high contrast shadows of roots growing and diminishing as the source of the light speeds towards you.

[1d6] = 5+1=6 points of damage.

You are struck in the chest. Your clothes part, your skin sears, and ribs break. You are knocked back onto the ground, and out of breath. Your eyes are awash in the after-glare from the bright light, and you are still deafened by the ringing in your ears, but you receive the impression—perhaps vibrations running through the roots under your cheek?—that someone is running away down the tunnel.

You are hurt badly, but you're a tough sort, and after you catch your breath, you feel ready to get up.

What aboutthe Dex rolls and fortune point I tried to spend, was that not applicable (since apparently I didn't have to make that roll)?

If Jonas still had that fortune point could I spend it here to avoid this damage?

[mb.]

Oops, aha, okay. I was thinking he was already out & herb plucking already. I'll be patient.

[Pulpatoon]

What aboutthe Dex rolls and fortune point I tried to spend, was that not applicable (since apparently I didn't have to make that roll)?

If Jonas still had that fortune point could I spend it here to avoid this damage?

Jonas:

Right. The DEX check was not necessary, because you guys had already made a path through the room. So, no Fortune point needed to be spent, either.

And... I should have asked you for a spell save. Roll Save vs. Spell. If you fail it, you are welcome to spend a Fortune point on either re-rolling it, or adding +5 to what you did roll.

[zebediah]

[1d20] = 17

[Pulpatoon]

Jonas:

Okay, exactly as I reported before, but you feel something swell within you—you have an impression of your father and think you smell his almost-forgotten scent—and, although the the burst of light strikes you and it hurts, you know it could have been much worse.

You are still knocked to your feet, and sense footsteps running down the tunnel.

Everyone:
As you emerge from the narrow tunnel, taking every precaution to avoid exposure to the slime, you emerge into the circling tunnel just in time to see a flash of light flare from around the bend, coming from the direction of the puffball chamber. You hear a deep grunt.

[mb.]

Bürd glances quickly at his friends, settles his grip on his axe, and sets off at a jog in that direction, "onward lads!"

[PyroArrow]

Tokioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [AC: 12 HP: 2/5]:

Gizzy follows Bürd's lead, with hand axe at the ready.

[KingOfCowards]

Simon's follows after the other two trying to shake the numbness from his hands.

Not sure how much help I'll be without the use of my hands. Simon could even carry a vase, so weilding a weapon is out of true question.

[zebediah]

Jonas:

Okay, exactly as I reported before, but you feel something swell within you—you have an impression of your father and think you smell his almost-forgotten scent—and, although the the burst of light strikes you and it hurts, you know it could have been much worse.

You are still knocked to your feet, and sense footsteps running down the tunnel.

Exactly as before - including the damage? If

Jonas looks around as he stands, and will raise his shield and try to move towards the unseen presence.

[Pulpatoon]

Exactly as before - including the damage? If

Jonas looks around as he stands, and will raise his shield and try to move towards the unseen presence.

Jonas:

Right, sorry. I've been dropping details, lately. Few too many plates spinning. Half the damage from before. 3 points damage.

You begin to pursue the presence, but almost immediately come upon Marcus' body. He has been rolled over on his back, and his hauberk removed. The front of his tunic is torn open.

If you continue after the presence, please roll DEX.

Everyone Else: Please roll WIS.

[PyroArrow]

Tokioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [AC: 12 HP: 2/5]:

Wisdom (15) check roll: [1d20] = 12

[MonkeyWrench]

I take it I'm excluded from the wisdom roll? Being still knocked out and all...

[mb.]

Bürd's WIS check (15) [1d20] = 1

[KingOfCowards]

Wisdom Check (16): [1d20] = 10

[Pulpatoon]

Everyone but Jonas and Marcus:
You rush through the dark and smoky tunnel as fast as you can without tripping over roots. You turn the corner to the puffball chamber, and see that your pathway across it is still clear. You also see that the clay slab behind the hearthstone has been shifted somewhat. You're not sure exactly how, but all three of you immediately recognize that it is in a different position than when you last saw it.

[PyroArrow]

Tokioso 'Gizzy' Gizmoebius [AC: 12 HP: 2/5]:

"Let's have a closer look at that slab if the way to it is clear, there could be something there."

[zebediah]

PbP Forum code: [1d20] = 2

[mb.]

Just to be clear: we cleared a path to the hearthstone so we can walk to it easily, but where is the clay slab in relation to it? Is it just as easy to reach without triggering puffball madness?

Bürd leads into the room, warily shifting his axe from hand to hand. "Stay on your toes lads, somethin's off here..."

[Pulpatoon]

Just to be clear: we cleared a path to the hearthstone so we can walk to it easily, but where is the clay slab in relation to it? Is it just as easy to reach without triggering puffball madness?

You have cleared a path past the hearthstone, not to it. At present, the hearth is about five feet to your right, so it's not a huge or difficult distance to cover, and you probably wouldn't have much trouble picking your way through it. The clay slab, which Bürd briefly inspected earlier, is about ten feet further to the right, past the hearth and set against/into the wall.

Jonas:

You spring after the retreating presence, your long strides eating the distance, your feet miraculously finding solid purchase among the muck and roots of the tunnel floor. You feel you must be gaining on your quarry, when you come to a split in the tunnel: the main tunnel continues to curve to the right, towards the exit; a smaller tunnel splits off to the left. Which way do you go?