The Gulthias Tree
Sky creeps south and east and ends up behind what would have been the eastern wall of the sunken structure. The tabaxi stares through a gap in the wall and focuses on the Gulthias Tree. The gargantuan plant easily matches the 20-foot height of the pieces and sections of wall, which is half the height of the ceiling, which is estimated to be roughly 40-feet above you.
The cavern itself is massive. Looking back, Sky can make out the rough, grooved outer wall to the east, which is maybe 30-feet behind her. The outer wall to the west is beyond the 60-foot range of her infravision. Even the sections of the western wall of the sunken structure she's hiding behind aren't in the range of her current view.
As the tabaxi performs her investigation of their surroundings,
Kelben and
Klilxuac continue to dialogue with
Belak.
"What, do the apple's seeds turn into those twig things? Or wouldn't they grow more trees like that one?" Kelben asks, pointing at the grand evil tree, all while trying to buy time for the minds of the collective group to race to put all the pieces together; at least as far as the kids are concerned:
- The twins -- Sharwyn and Talgen -- came down with Sir Braford and friend, Karakas.
- Durnn, the hobgoblin leader, admitted to killing Talgen after the younger man insulted him.
- Talgen's body was burnt.
- Talgen wore a family ring; it's likely Durnn had it, a goblin has it, or it's mixed in with the ashes where the body was incinerated.
- Durnn also shared that "Only the girl and the shiny man go down to the grove," suggesting that the friend either didn't accompany the others down, or was possibly killed earlier?
The above suggests that it is, in fact,
Sharwyn and
Sir Braford that currently accompany
Belak... or, based on the fact their
skin is rough, gray, and bark-like, what's left of them.
"The fruit from the majestic Gulthias Tree do bear seeds -- at least one, but I've seen as many as four. But, alas, these seeds do not produce another tree, for it is one of a kind. Instead, they produce the leafless woody shrubs which, after one year, animate as twig blights, like these here," he says, indicating those continuing to creep up from behind the tree.
"What do you mean, we 'can't save them?'," Klilxuac asks, switching subjects back to the matter of the kids.
"Why do they need saving?" The dragonborn stares at the pair, and something is definitely not right about them.
"Sharwyn, your mother would you like to go back home. She misses you very much." The young "woman" huddles closer to
Belak, and snarls.
"Your friends are no longer," Belak responds.
"They've been elevated!"
"See, once a subject has been bound to the bole of the Gulthias Tree, over the next 24 hours, they are completely absorbed by, and into the tree.
There, they become its thrall, and once they've reached this elevated state -- as your friends here have -- the tree expels them, a process which takes roughly an hour..."
"Then, they are this," he says proudly, indicating
Sharwyn and
Sir Braford in their new, corrupted and obedient state.
"I could suggest you could be next -- but only two of you, as there can only be four thralls."
Any takers?"
- Tree.jpg (225 KiB) Viewed 1438 times
The
twig blights,
Sharwyn, and
Belak form a bit of a semi-circle around the front of the tree, with only
Sir Braford standing in front.
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Unless your action is to attack, initiative is not required.
Actions?
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Date: 15 Flamerule 1489
Time: 09:41 (Sunrise: 05:56, Sunset: 20:07)
Temp: 56°F
Conditions: Cool.
Light Sources:
- Klilxuac's 'Light' spell (see below). Concealed.
Known Conditions/Spells in Effect:
- Klilxuac: 'Light' spell (1st-level) (Ends: 15 Flamerule @ 10:32)
- Klilxuac: 'Mage Armor' spell (1st-level) (Ends: 15 Flamerule @ 14:01)
- Klilxuac: Advantage on Charisma checks for 24 hours (Ends: 16 Flamerule @ 07:48)
Character Status
- GreyWolfVT | Kelben | Rock Gnome | Rogue (3) | NG | HD (1d8): 3, 2, 0 | HP: 24-5 = 19 | AC: 13 | SP: 25' | Initiative: +2 | Perception: 11 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: Yes
- Languages: Common, Gnomish, Thieves’ Cant
Spell Slots: None
Features:
- Monsieur Rose | Sky | Tabaxi | Bard (3) | CN | HD (1d8): 3, 2, 0 | HP: 21 | AC: 14 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +4 | Perception: 13 | Darkvision: Yes | Inspiration: Yes
- Scott308 | Klilxuac | Dragonborn (Red) | Sorcerer (3) | CG | HD (1d6): 3, 2 | HP: 19 | AC: 12 (Mage Armor: 15) | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Perception: 12 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: Yes
- Languages: Common, Draconic, Elvish, Abyssal
Spell Slots: 1st: 4, 3, 2, 2nd: 2
Spells Known: 4
Cantrips Known: 4 (Fire Bolt, Light, Poison Spray, Prestidigitation)
Breath Weapon: 1 (DC: 11 | Damage 2d6; save for half) (Rest: Short)
Features:
- Shaede | Hargrem | Human (Variant) | Cleric (3) | NG | HD (1d8): 3, 1 | HP: 24 | AC: 18 | SP: 30' | Initiative: +2 | Perception: 15 | Darkvision: No | Inspiration: Yes
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Marching Orders
Scout
5-foot
- Hargrem
Kelben
Sky
Klilxuac
10-foot
- Kelben | Hargrem
Klilxuac | Sky
Rolls
