OK, here's the situation as it now stands. There are three separate encounters going on. I will set up three separate threads with attendant visibility. Please respond within each thread. Please give me a single post with all questions, intentions, tactics and contingency plans and I will resolve combat for a bit. When things change (i.e. an opponent is downed or someone flees or somesuch), I will post for reactions.

[EDITED on Mon November 11, 2002 @2:34 PM (PST)]

Beka and Nuyok, you are in deadly peril. The forest has just delivered four killer trees to your doorstep. They are currently out of range but appear to be converging slowly. There is a medium sized one to the right and three others, including a giant twelve-footer to your left. The animals are barely restrainable.
Jareek is doing his best to help Beka keep them under control. Kent has drawn a battered but serviceable sword.
What do you do?

"Kent, take the animals, let me fight!"
.oO(Did I say that out loud?)
I draw my sword and advance past the oxen.
"Nuyok, we probably need to hit them together, let's get this one first!"
indicating the one closest
I wait for Nuyok so we can strike together. However, I am anxious and will not wait long.
"Have at you, you evil tree creature! Take that, and that, and that!"

"I agree, take the closest first," and Nuyok moves to engage the first tree-beast, switching his pool to Detect Weakness and Anticipate Movement. At first opportunity, he'll use the extra half phase to Detect, and use the CSL from Anticipate on defense if they appear fast on attack, otherwise use it offensively. Nuyok will continue to battle the closest tree-beast with his broadsword, then move to the next if this one is felled, and so on, though he may call for help from Rath's group if the creatures approach at such a rate as to threaten the animals (and may alter plans if he loses half BODY).

Beka has leaped over to the nearest tree-thing and her sword is out of its sheath, flashing like a lightning bolt. With creditable skill, she hits the trunk like a guillotine, nearly severing the head.

Before the creature can react, Nuyok is at her side and finishes the thing off with his own blade. The sword severs the remaining strands and the head topples of into the darkness. The trunk sways for a second and then topples like a stunned deezel.

Jareek grabs the reins of Wagon at shifts his paunchy body onto the seat board. Kent does likewise for the cart. Together the two of them give the oxen and horse the minimal encouragement to follow their instincts and RUN!

The other two small trees advance upon Beka and Nuyok. With a high-pitched sigh the head of one strikes at Beka and snaps upon thin air. Nuyok is not so lucky. Though he fights with grace and power that belies his slight frame, and although he seems to almost react to an attack before it occurs, his leg is snapped up by the other creature. Nuyok is swept off his feet and dangles upside down.

----

Beka attempts to move around to aid Nuyok, but her own adversary presses her too closely. She swings again, but the sword that did so well a moment ago skips harmlessly off the tough "hide".

Nuyok concentrates, as if trying to discern the weakest part to strike, but the oddness of the creature baffles him. Nevertheless, though he hangs by one leg, he brings his sword for a chop that makes the tree shudder.

----

The Cart and Wagon disappear into the gloom. The hoof beats are quickly masked by the driving rain. The only light comes from Nuyok's Lumina. Either Beka's lantern was hanging on the wagon or it has dropped and is broken and obscured.

Again, Beka's opponent strikes and drives its head into nothing but dirt.

Nuyok feels the teeth of this thing grinding at his leg. It occurs to him now that the teeth are more designed to hold and to pull that to rend and shred, or he would have lost his limb by now. In any case, the leather of his boot seems to be affording small protection, though the boot itself is shredding.

----

Nuyok's sword slices across the trunk, but seems to leave only a minuscule scratch.

----

Beka likewise feels her blade rebound harmlessly. Beyond them, crossing the space now vacated by the carts, she can see the shadowy form of the large tree approaching. It must be over a dozen feet tall and weigh more than three oxen.

----

Nuyok's sword takes a shallow bite once again. Things are looking grim, and he redoubles his effort to find a weak point.

Beka's tree does not seem to be able to touch the young merchant, as it again cracks its teeth together like the cracking of timber.

Nuyok can feel the last of his boot giving way. The skin of his leg feel like it is on fire as the teeth begin to grind into his skin.

----

Beka hits her target again, with the same frustrating results. What is this thing made of?

----

Nuyok scores a hit upon the jaws that are holding his tortured foot, but it is not enough to free him. Nevertheless the thing looks a little less vigorous than a moment ago

----

Beka hits upon an idea. She decides to use the things strength against it. Grimly setting her sword, she awaits the next strike.

Meanwhile, Nuyok scores another telling blow upon his opponent. Though others might panic as their foot is ground in the jaws of a monster plant, the thin adept has an icy calm as his blade rips a gash across the jaws. The creature begins to topple. Unfortunately, the jaws do not release their implacable grip. With a great thud the massive body lands upon the adept. The air is cruelly punched from his lungs and consciousness flees.

Simultaneously, Beka's tree gives the tell-tale sigh that indicates a strike. At the same moment, she positions her sword upward and lets the point take the attack. The blade pierces the tree to the hilts and a spray of sap covers the area. Her exultation is short-lived as the fourth and largest trees closes the remaining distance. Her scream cannot even be heard as jaws as large as herself close upon her. Beka's senses flee as the last light of Nuyok's lumina dies...

Handle has been engaged in combat a couple of rounds. He looks to still be moving quickly and has no visible wounds. He is crouching atop the tree with his dagger in hand. He looks very relieved to see you.
The tree thing which has his cloak is monstrous, over ten feet in height. You can see that its roots and tendrils are stretched out towards Handle, and it is these which have engaged most of his efforts.
Vagrant, I have assumed you are setting and bracing your crossbow, but if each of you could post your intentions, I will resolve combat

OOC: I'm going to assume that these creatures can move around and aren't rooted in place. If they are rooted, I will tell Handle and the rest to back up and retreat. We will see how Ricco and the rest are doing, get them free, and just go around the things.Rath seeing a party member in trouble holds his knife and charges warcry on his lips.OOC: I'm going to try to dive through the roots to get at the stem and start hacking on that. I will cut away roots and leaves until I can grab the stem with three arms and hack with the fouth.

Realizing I have no chance of holding the thing or wrestlling my cloak from it, I twist out of the cloak and roll down the trunk putting some of the outgrowing branches between me and the monster.

Break fall 14-
3d6: 6, 2, 2 (STUN: 10, BODY: 4) Mon November 11, 2002 @6:57 PM (PST)

I make a slash at the out reaching tendril coming towards me.
levels +1 to hit, 2 to add DC for 1d6+1 dam.

3d6: 3, 4, 1 (STUN: 8, BODY: 2) Mon November 11, 2002 @6:57 PM (PST)
to hit
1d6: 1 (STUN: 1, BODY: 0) Mon November 11, 2002 @6:57 PM (PST)
+1 damage
1d6: 1 (STUN: 1, BODY: 0) Mon November 11, 2002 @6:57 PM (PST)
stun mod

Bracing and setting Vagrant will try to fire his crossbow bolt into the monster's mouth.

Handle feels unutterable relief as his traveling companions come storming up the tree like some bizarre cavalry. He cannot relax a moment though, and fends the advances of the creature with a skillful swipe of his carefully-sharpened dagger.

Vagrant drops below a protecting branch. Though he would like to brace and set as before, there is no time. Handle is obviously in immediate danger. The readied crossbow twangs and speeds a shaft which disappears entirely into the creature. It has no visible effect. Vagrant has a brief memory of tree-spikers from day long long past. They would save trees by driving iron spikes into them. Saws would break on the spikes, but a piercing weapon wouldn't bother the tree at all...

Rath comes roaring up like the fury of Demon-Kings. As he crouches to leap full at the thing, his foot slides across the slick moss of the dead tree. With a crashing thud that snaps dozens of small branches, Rath plows face-first into the bole of the fallen giant, landing at the roots of the tree-monster.

The tree strikes at him. With a whistling sigh its head rears back and snaps suddenly forward. Its jaws, with the shreds of Handles oilcloak hanging from them close upon the valiant riven, ragging him upward.

----

Vagrant considers his options and decides to reload the crossbow. Perhaps some kind of blade might be a good idea. In any case, the footing is too precarious to go digging in his soaked robes for other weapons that may or may not be more effective...

----

Handle sees the riven who had promised to watch his back being dragged up into the broken branches and rain overhead and strikes again with his dagger. Now that the tree has prey, it seems an easy target, almost oblivious to the other attackers. The small blade bites deep and Handle rips it free, the wound erupting in an almost arterial spray of sap.

Over their heads, they hear a frightening roar. Rath has summoned up every ounce of his riven strength. All six limbs knotted like rope, his muscles bulging like sacks full of cannonballs, he straightens his body and forces apart the mighty jaws! Blood streaming from dozens of tiny punctures and his face contorted with furious effort, he is somehow more frightening than the tree-thing!

The monster drops Rath onto the fallen tree where he lands with a weary thud.

----

Vagrant's second crossbow bolt flies at the creature. The head has drooped low after releasing Rath and the bolt is loosed at nearly point blank range. It seems a little more effective, erupting from the far side trailing sticky green sap.

----

Again Handle's dagger bites into the tree. It seems to draw the creature's attention long enough so that Rath can unfold himself and drive his knife deep into the monster. using all four arms he draws the dagger upward, opening a long ragged gash in the side.

With a final sigh, the plant-monster goes limp and crashes off the side of the tree, cracking thick branches in its ruin.

"Well that was fun," Rath says, with the rest not sure if he was being sarcastic or he actually thought fighting the plant creature was fun. "If eveyone is all right we should check on the others, I thought I heard Ricco, and he didn't sound happy." Rath starts walking back towards the caravan, wincing every so often at the woundes in his side.

"I am so happy I decided to make yor aquaintance the other night. I may just owe youmy life, Rath. I willhave to make a better effort to actually become your freind. But I think that I can hear others yelling I just can figure from where."

perception roll 14-
3d6: 6, 1, 1 (STUN: 8, BODY: 2) Mon November 18, 2002 @12:49 AM (PST)

Your situation is unchanged.
Faliol, I will assume your intial broadsword attack was still your intent and let you know that you indeed bit your blade deep into the monster. I will take that into account when I resolve combat.
Riccoco, you have struggled to get free, but are held fast. You will continue to take (hopefully minor) damage until you are freed. Struggling is one option; trying to use your trident while held would be difficult but also possible.
Cas, you are just behind Faliol, who was tracking.
Celeste, you will run up just after the others complete their first action.

Everybody let me know your intentions.

[EDITED on Mon November 11, 2002 @2:35 PM (PST)]

This is difficult to explain visually so bare with me.

My intention of this action is to knock the plant that has Riccoco over onto its side. I will be doing this with a half-move followed by a strike with my claws. If the head of this thing is facing me, my claws will target its neck like region. If the head of this thing is facing away from me, my arms will wrap around the thing and dig into the front of its neck with my claws. Now if the neck is too wide to do this, I will just claw away at the back of its stalk.

RE: Complications
This plant is the priority as long as it has Riccoco. Otherwise my focus is always that which Faliol is attacking.

The attack itself:
I will spend 5 Casual STR on my KA claws and keep the other 5 STR for holding on if the thing starts to try and shake me off.

If I find that my claws are not having much effect or I take wounds, I will begin pushing my attacks and use full STR on the KA. I will not disengage from the plant on Riccoco until he is free and the targetting changes as mentioned above.

Future targets will not get this level of rage. I will strike carefully, trying to keep on the side of the target or the rear. I will cover Faliol and Riccoco as it is needed.

If these things are tissue paper as far as my claws go, I will use 5 casual STR to hold on and not waste my END on the extra damage.

Oh, and my initial attack I will shout, "Keep away from my Kin!"

Priority One - Save Ricco!

Faliol will hack at the roots until Cas bear-hugs the rabid bag of chlorophyll gobbling our buddy! Once she grabs it, Faliol will sheath his sword. He will attempt to grab one jaw in each hand. Then he will hold his action till Ricco's next burst of strength, hoping to add our strengths together in forcing the jaws apart.

Priority Two - Keep us from getting chomped by another Plant. Where possible, Faliol will try to keep a lookout for other attacking plants.

Initial yell will be - "Killer plant heading your way!"

Moving through the underbrush as quickly as possible, Celeste will head in the direction of Ricocco's lantern. Upon arrival she will attempt to locate the positions of the scouts.
Questions
1. Does this thing have Ricocco in its ? hand? tendril?
2. Is it in the process of putting him into its maw...
3. Does this thing move quickly or slowly
If 2, then Celeste will move to chop the tendril holding Ricocco. Push strength and plusses to hit.
6d6: 4, 2, 4, 5, 5, 1 (STUN: 21, BODY: 5) Tue November 12, 2002 @2:56 AM (PST)
Celeste will continue along this line of attack, unless it proves really futile,
Her second method of attack will be to empty the contents of her oil flask onto the creature and use Ricoccos lantern to ignite the oil.

OOC: See what happens when you post late at night, uh....early in the morning....I saw my stun this morning and thought 'how did I manage to get a 21 for a critical failure?' Well, it should have been 3D6, not 6D6....so if you please Mr. GM Sir (no, no, he's definitely NOT evil, oh, no, not Mr. Keith,no,no,no....not him, definitely not him..... : )

Ricco will continue his struggles. If he can use his trident as a fulcrum to open the jaws of the plant he'll do that. If it doesn't look like that will work, he'll attempt to draw his long knife and do some dental work on the bea... thing-a-majig!

BTW, Ricco still holds his trident... does he still have a hold of the lantern, too? If so, his third option would be knocking the plant with the lantern!

"Ah! Even the trees plague this journey! Don't worry about their ears... it's the teeth that will kill you!"

"Ah! Giant Raccoon headed plant! No wait, that's just Riccoco!"

.oO( Hmm, Raccoon headed plants... now that would make a great story! )

The foxes watch Riccoco struggle with little effect. He seems to be trying to stab the plan with his trident but his arms are restricted by the plant's massive jaws, making movement difficult.

Faliol whirls his broadsword with fury delivering a deep hack into the things "neck". Greenish sap sprays across his russet fur. The plant quivers slightly but does not relax its grip.

Cas leaps forward, seeming more animal-like than ever, her muzzle bared and claws flashing in the driving rain. Like a furry buzz saw, she lights upon the plant. Her voice is barely intelligible but she can be plainly heard shouting, "Keep away from my Kin!"

Unbelievably, she rips out great hunks of the lower jaw, freeing Riccoco. The tree falls over, writhing and helpless.

Celeste runs up out of the rain, her sword drawn and a battle cry on her lips. Taking in the scene in an instant, her trained reflexes take over. She is on the second and much larger tree like a flash. The tree shudders slightly as her sword hits it like a woodsman's axe.

The tree swivels its great jaws toward the barbarian. If it has eyes, they are unseen. The head rears back and then springs forward with an eerie sigh and a snap like timber cracking. The teeth snap on empty air as Celeste barely avoids the attack.

----

Riccoco recovers from being dropped by the plant, gains his feet and runs to Celeste's side, bracing his sturdy trident to help defend her.

Faliol spring to Celeste's aid as well. Though his flashing blade swings in a mighty arc, the tree seems not even to notice the blow. This monster is huge, nearly twelve feet tall and three times the weight of its cousin.

Celeste, with strong companions to back her up, brings her sword down in a desperate overhead attack. It thunks into the trunk. Again the tree seems barely to notice, though a fountain of sap sprays all three.

----

Cas joins against the monster now, but her claws which seemed so devastating to the lesser plant scrape harmlessly off the thick hide of the creature.

With a whistling sigh, the massive head strikes again. Only there is no snap at the end, just a strangled cry of pain as the jaws close upon Celeste. The barbarian is lifted as easily as a dog might lift a chew toy, throwing its head back and up, high into the night.

----

Riccoco struggles back a cry of horror and plunges his trident deep into the tree, his whole weight behind it. The tines are buried to their full length, but the monster makes no reaction.

Faliol tries the maneuver he so recently performed by accident and actually runs up the side of the thing. Before he can realize the enormity of his actions, he has stabbed his sword into the side and, holding onto the hilts, drops downward. The sword leaves a hideous six-foot gash, opening it like a pea-pod. It topples with a great crash into the underbrush, releasing Celeste who hits the ground hard.

----

At this moment, the voices of Jareek and Kent can be heard over the growing pounding of hoof-beats upon the tangled ground. Kent cries, "The others are pinned!" Jareek adds, "They held the things off, but there must be a fair dozen of 'em!" They are not slowing, but seem intent on getting the wagons out of the area.

Depending on what kind of damage/stun Celeste has taken from playing "chew toy" to a CarnoBroc, and where she has fallen in relation to the tree thing, she will do one of two things:

If conscious and not badly damaged by the tree things teeth, Celeste will attempt to move out of the way before it falls on her, or remove herself from its mouth if she was still held as it fell. She stands,breathing heavily and wiping tree sap from her face, she looks at her three valiant companions,"My thanks my friends, there are none braver than you. " Looking at the tree thing corpse, "and none so dead as this creature. I am now blood-bound to each of you for my life. You are now my brothers and my sister." Looking at Cas and Ricco, Celeste smiles, "I am no story teller, but I do believe this one has the mark of a good one."

At that moment,shouts from the area of the wagon and cart will demand her attention.

OOC: Waiting for the others to respond before moving to next action

Or/if unconscious or stunned, Celeste will remain on the ground and recover, unsure of what damage she sustained from the tree thing. Maybe hearing the shouts from Jareek and Kent, or not.

Cas smiles as she begins to move... fast towards the others. "You will learn to tell a story but for now, we help the others. If the others are truly pinned, I want attack in pairs. Riccoco and Celeste, free Rath first if youc an. Faliol, you are will follow my lead and work on the one I pick."

OOC: Cas is not a leader type, her actual motivation her is her established plan (kill the plants) with her only known fighting style (work in pairs). It probably isn't the best choice of action but it is what she cognatively thinks as the best.

Cas's attack choice is the plant next to the one that Celeste and Riccoco would be pickings unless it is near an end. Otherwise, she will pick on on Nuyok or the middle of the arc.

She is going into a kind of battle high and will resort to her earlier tactic of jumping up onto the things.

I smile at my friend Celeste and offer her a helping hand to regain her footing. "You ran alone into a night full of danger to help us, big sister. A surer sign of family, I know not. Enough mushiness, there is vegetation that needs pruning and badly!"

Celeste accepts Faliol's assistance to regain footing in the wet vegetation. With a nod to Cas' plan and a wry smile on her lips (in spite of the 'billions and billions'of tiny cuts inflicted on her body by the CarnoBroc, Celeste turns to head back to the fallen tree, "Let's go chop some firewood."

Celeste you feel a little woozy and will eventually need medical attention, but adrenaline is high. The teeth that grabbed you have inflicted dozens of cuts but no deep piercing wounds. They seemed to be designed more to entrap than to rend.

I watch Jareek and Kent rumble past.

.oO(They left the others to die...)

"Pops and Mr. Kent, we are going to free the others. You will be by yourselves until the fight is over. Be safe."

.oO(Damn those two cowards for making me have to choose...)

I start growling. It starts low and deep in my chest. The plants are just creatures, without conscious thought. Jareek and Kent, know what they do is wrong.

I look over to Ricco, "Sorry, I was too intent on tracking and didn't pay enough attention to the immediate dangers. Are you ok? Can you run?"

Turning towards Cas, Ricco, and Celeste, I state, "Ready. I say we use Cas' plan, but once we free the others, then we fight a running retreat to the wagons. We can outrun them."

Faliol sticks to Cas' heels like glue. If she looks right, he looks left, etc. He hopes that she will only use her claws on the little ones and leave the big plants to those with weapons...

Perception 12-
3d6: 8 Sat November 16, 2002 @7:59 AM (CST)

Pounding through the wall of rain, you four navigate by memory until you can see the dim violet glow of Nuyok's lumina. The lanterns have either gone with the wagons or the remaining lantern was smashed.
As you draw nearer you hear a cry that sounds like Beka. At the same time the light of the lumina is extinguished. There are three dead plant-creatures back at the fallen tree. The remaining living one is absolutely huge, even bigger than the one you just fought. You can dimly see that it has someone in its jaws high above you. No other people are visible.

OOC: I personally have a brilliant idea but Cas is new to battle. So I will go with her (hehe) green attack plan.

Assessing the giant tree situation, Cas screams, "All lumberjacks sound off!" She will use all of her STR and dig in with her claws. If the tree has any branches she will try and climb up to get to the neck area. If the branches act as limbs, however, she will make THEM the target of her strikes. Otherwise she will go for the base.

Keith, I am posting limited on this, I want to make a perception roll, but want your response first....I am thinking that the 'fallen tree' is the now towering giant with someone in its clutches. However, if it really is, just a tree and is still blocking the path then I will continue with Cas' plan to attack, although modified since there is ony one creature left to fightl

Here's my perception roll, to notice whether or not thise are one and the same trees.

3d6: 1, 1, 6 (STUN: 8, BODY: 2) Sat November 16, 2002 @11:10 AM (PST)

[EDITED on Sat November 16, 2002 @11:10 AM (PST)]

The fallen tree is still lying there.

.oO(By the Stones!!!)

I do what worked last time, I climb the big'un to a point just below the jaws, insert the sword (being careful not to hit the person inside) and use my weight (and push my str for extra 5) to drag the sword downwards.

.oO(I hope we are not too late....)

OOC: He sleeps all night and he works all day,he chops the tree, he stacks the wood, he likes to press wild flowers,

On Sunday he goes shopping
and hangs around in bars

: D

Riccoco rushes forward, the quickest to react. Charging with his trident, he stabs at the massive trunk in futility. The hide resists his tines.

Faliol tries running up the trunk again, but this tree stands too tall and straight, foiling his attempts to scale it with his on inertia. Nevertheless, his broadsword leaves a long, shallow cut in the side.

Celeste runs up to the thing, ignoring her pain. Her massive falchion swings and connects with the tree, causing sap to flow rapidly from the side.

Cas, leaping forward with vulpine ferocity, rakes at the thing with her claws. They have less effect than Riccoco's trident. This thing is truly an armored monstrosity.

As she feared, the tree has more dangers than just it's maw. Cas shouts, Look out for its roots!" Sure enough, they are mobile and some are quite thin and snakey. One lashes out in the darkness and grabs for Faliol, clutching him about the thighs. The strength is enormous, and the young fox is held as securely as if he were chained.

---
Riccoco, sensing the battle going badly, leaps upon the base of the tree, body wrapped around his trident. The metal fork is buried by the weight of the plucky raccoon. The tree actually shudders a moment, but does not release its grip upon Faliol or the hapless victim in it's uplifted maw.

Faliol hacks in vain at the tendrils wrapping his thighs. It is difficult to hit them without striking himself. Also, he is torn by the thought of who might be up in those gigantic jaws.

At this point, Celeste remembers what Faliol was attempting to do and leaps upward burying her falchion a foot deep, letting her own weight carry the sword down in a long opening cut. Sap spills out by the gallon and the tree gives a mighty shake, releasing Faliol and dropping a limp form from its now slack jaw.

The body of Beka hits the ground in a tangled heap. It is impossible to tell if she is dead or alive.

---

Cas takes this opportunity to tray and sink her claws into the tree before it recovers. Again, her nails cannot penetrate deeply enough to do damage.

The killer plant makes a rustling sound as it seems almost to collect itself like an animal. Tendrils that were limp begin to writhe once again.

---

Riccoco, realizing that his trident is not as effective as the slashing blades, runs to the unmoving Beka. Lacking any medical training, he cannot tell in the dark and rain whether they have arrived in time. Nevertheless, he begins to pull her body away, lest it be trampled by the monster.

Covering their retreat, Faliol slashes at the trunk, his blade failing to penetrate.

Celeste again tries her leap-and-drag maneuver. To her immense satisfaction, sap again gushes forth (though not with as much force as before). The tree sways, seems almost to collapse upon itself and then topples, cracking and splitting several normal, smaller trees in its path.

The heroes look around for other enemies, panting with exertion, drenched to the marrow and covered with sticky sap. No other trees menace them immediately, yet all are alert at a noise from the fallen tree. To their relief, it is Handle, Vagrant and Rath, the latter's body is slick with rain or blood.

Nuyok is nowhere to be seen.

Note visibility and respond in the sub-thread "Almost Reunited"

OOC: Shades of the Original Audry Jr.! What happened to Keith this weekend....he's been podded, I told him not to go to sleep! We're goners man. We're dead, We're dogmeat. Oh, sorry, wrong movie..........

I can just see it now...Keith sitting down to dinner, and there on the table, a bowl of broccoli, covered in cheese. Evil idea forms in that gnome-like noggin and Viola! The party is beset by Death Broccoli!!!

OOC: Does sauerkraut taste good when it goes bad?

I heard of this food-based nastiness called Kimchee(sp?). Evidently, in Korea they bury cabbage in the ground till it rots, then they dig it up and eat it!!!

(O_O)

A career Sgt. in the Air Force told me that this results in one of the most foul smells known to man. I just hope Osama doesn't learn of the dreaded Kimchee trucks of Korea!!!

Thankfully, I have never confirmed this story in person....

OOC: Speaking as the son of a career Air Force Chief Masterseargent who was indeed stationed in Korea and experienced Kimchee, I can confirm it by second hand experience. And yes, the smell was bad enough that my father added "Kimchee" to his list of swear words.

OOC: As the husband of a four year Air Force Airman, I have no idea what you all are talking about.

OOC: "Husband of an Airman" may be technically correct, but sounds just plain wrong. Please use the politically correct term, "wingnut".

OOC: Would this be the Koreans I hear stealthily breathing earlier? As for the Kimchee, I understand it is buried in clay pots...with stuff like that in the ground, who needs landmines? Much preferable is the Chinese Thousand Year Old Egg....duck eggs packed in clay and buried for a time (not a thousand years) they are ready when the insides of the egg are black and slimey...a delicacy, yum.

OOC: 'till it ferments, it's just Korean Sauerkraut....

OOC: I'll probably be fine as far as checking the net. But I still want to give you my contingency plan.

Cas will fight until dead but isn't stupid. While she will take more risks at first, once it becomes clear that things aren't going well she will become more crafty. Should Cas take more than 25% of her BODY or 50% of her STUN she will rely on her 20 INT to develop a new plan. It might be a feign and strike or something else, but she will find a way to increase her survival rate without taking her out of the battle.

For how she will act. Start from the list and work down.

1. Kill the Big Tree(it might be controlling the others)
2. Nuyok is top priority (he can heal and adept like things)
3. Save anyone currently with us that gets into a mess.
4. Rath is a strong fighter.
5. Beka is our caravan leader.
6. Handle and Vagrant (and DNPCs) are the same. I know nothing about them.
7. Protect the caravans from harm.
8. Fight a tree someone else is working on
9. Attack damaged trees.
10. Attack unharmed trees.
11. Attack retreating trees.
12. Dress wounds of others.

Handle, Vagrant and the wounded Rath make their way carefully along the slippery tree back to the wagons. Or rather back to where the wagons were. They are gone!

In the small clearing stand Celeste, Cas and Faliol, along with four dead tree-things, one of them a thirteen foot monster.

Riccoco is bent over a prostrate form obscured by rain and darkness.

The only light comes from Riccoco's lantern, which lies upon the ground nearby, miraculously still burning.

"Alright Celeste! Nicely done! Someone help me open this thing's mouth! Nuyok may have been swallowed whole by this big plant!"

Scooping up Ricco's lantern, I race towards the mouth of the downed monster. I try to look inside its gullet if possible. If not, I wait until one or two of the others can aid me.

.oO(Hope Beka is ok.)

Hearing the sound of something moving behind the tree, Celeste whirls to face it. (Adrenaline is still high) Sighting, Handle, Vagrant and Rath,she is visably relieved. Celeste turns back to the tree. In response to her brother's request, she inserts the great falchion into the wound that felled the tree thing and begins to press deeper into the heartwood of the thing. She pauses periodically and attempts to pry the layers apart, searching for some type of stomach cavity.

OOC: Notice any telltale lumps along the lenghth of the tree? Sort of like a snake after it has eaten?
Perception 12-
3d6: 5, 6, 2 (STUN: 13, BODY: 4) Sun November 17, 2002 @11:53 AM (PST)

Celeste will work her way towards the things head, checking as she goes. Celeste realizes Beka needs help, but at this point, she also realizes only Nuyok might be able to help her, and Nuyok is unaccounted for. Her mercenary code says leave no man behind, the possibility that he may be inside this tree thing must first be eliminated before a general search can begin. Time is of the essence, for Beka and Nuyok.

"Rath, Handle...help us open this thing up! Nuyok may be inside!"

.oO(Curse it! This thing is tougher than one of Old Kerrig's roasted bovoids!!!!)

The tree does have a long hollow cavity. It is tough to open, but after a few minutes and a LOT of sappy gore, you are convinced that there are no people inside. You do pull out a few bones, but they are obviously not humanoid.

As I help Celeste pry the tree apart "Where are Beka and the others?"

Staring at the empty gullet of the giant plant, I am momentarily at a loss. I was almost certain we would find Nuyok inside...

"Rath, we passed Jareek and Kent driving the wagons back up the path."

I unwind the 25 foot rope from around my waist and hand it to Celeste. "I will try to help Beka. Let me appraise her condition using Ricco's lantern for a moment. Then I suggest you take the lantern plus the rope and look for Nuyok. I will join you when I have done all I can for Beka."

Working quickly, the party soon discovers Nuyok sticking out from beneath one of the smaller tree-things. His boot is shredded and his foot is bloody but seemingly whole. He is unconscious.
Beka is alive, but you are completely unable to assess the extent of her injuries.
At this point two things happen:
1) Five more killer trees come into view along the sides of the path near the tree. From the jungle more can be heard, as if drwn by all the yelling and commotion.
2) A dim light approaches from back along the path. A voice calls out from the rain, "Don't hang about back there young'uns! Pound paws this way! Hurry!"

On the far side of the pile of dead trees, Celeste sees a foot sticking out from under the dead tree thing,(knowing Rath to be to overcome with emotion to leave Beka's side, she calls to Handle and Vagrant, "Handle! Vagrant! Help me move this thing off Nuyok!" Together we will carry him into the light of the lantern and place him near Beka and Faliol. Celeste will be attempting to do paramedics on Nuyok at the time the next herd of saplings enters the clearing and the voice calls out.

.oO(The injured must be tended to, the enemy approaches, there is little time. May the Gods of the Deep protect us on this land far from their realm.)

At the sound of the voice from the darkness, Celeste's head snaps up to see who speaks. As the trees draw nearer, she is ready to again draw the falchion and defend the fallen.

While roaring at the crowd in general, you see that Faliol is kneeling over Beka's body. He has arranged her carefully, but you cannot tell at first if she is alive. Rushing over heedless of those in your way, you kneel before her. Her hand is warm.

Trees are closing in. Fast.

"Rath, go and help Celeste get Nuyok out from under that thing, I'll help with Beka, Ihave had training as a healer, I think we can move her. "

Hearing the person calling out and seeing more of the toothy plants,

"Prones, we got more company!. Eh?"

I look around towards the voice that called out to 'the youngin's"

Perceptin Roll, 14-
3d6: 1, 6, 1 (STUN: 8, BODY: 2) Mon November 18, 2002 @1:01 AM (PST)

"WHO IS THAT, THERE?"

I don't wait for an answer though I move to check and help Beka, moving her if it seems posible without doing her nay more harm.
Healing roll, 12-
3d6: 2, 6, 1 (STUN: 9, BODY: 3) Mon November 18, 2002 @1:01 AM (PST)

Taking the rope from Faliol, and leaving him to minister to Beka's unconscious form, Celeste will begin the search into the darkness for Nuyok. At Rath's outburst, she will gently place a hand on his shoulder and turn him in the direction where Beka lies. She looks at his face, unable to tell through the pouring rain if he is crying, but the pain he is feeling is all too plain to see.

"The voice is Jareek's, I believe. With the wagons and our way out. No time to argue, we perform a running retreat. Rath carry Beka. Two people grab Nuyok. Get the wounded to the wagons. The rest are rear guards with me."

Faliol will help lift Beka onto Rath's shoulders or into his arms, whichever he wishes.

"Rear guard will provide a screen for those carrying the wounded. We do NOT stand and fight unless one of us gets grabbed. They will overrun us if we stop."

I suggest the rear guard moving as fast as possible without overtaking those carrying the wounded. If trees get close, half-move up the trail with a dodge. If some of the plants are faster than others, we can seperate them, giving us brief opportunities to gang up on the Speedy Gonzalez plants before the slow pokes catch up. If someone gets grabbed, we dogpile the offending plant quickly, get our friend back and resume the running retreat. Ideas?"

BTW Faliol has paramedic, but I forgot to mention it when examining Beka! Doh!!

"Riccoco'll be doin' what 'e can. We be needin' to get away from these walkin' stalks!" The soaked 'coon grips and ungrips his ahnds along his trident, a cautious glance pulling his focus from Beka's fallen form every moment or two.