[Game Thread] That which flows from fated springs...

[Lord of the Hamsters]

Briain has a moment to consider the philosophical implications of knighting with the blade of a sword as a geas to kill, versus what healing with a hilt may imply before he is no longer able to consider anything. He winces visibly as visions flow unbidden through his mind, each more confusing than the last -- and each less seperable from the awful fever or flying elf girl induced visions he's been privy to all afternoon.

"Thank you," he says simply to Liria, surprised but not shocked by the sword's apparent healing powers. "I feel much better." He appears much better too: when not seeming half dead he is actually quite good looking. But Briain's thoughts are far elsewhere. We can't leave here, he thinks as he straightens the edges on his carved letters obsessively.

[Nimlos]

Liria reverses the blade once more, then slides it back into its sheath. Her eyes are distant for a moment, her brow pinched in concentration as she stares past the trees and the rain at nothing. Abruptly, with a snapped snort of annoyance, she kicks a tiny chunk of dead branch across the small clearing. She glances at the other two, then turns her gaze upward toward the rain-drenched forest canopy above, holding one hand at arm's length above her face to block the majority of the drops from falling into her eyes.

"Heironeous," she mumbles. "Finally a moment to think and there's no good road to take."

She drops her gaze again and shakes her head. "I don't know for certain how much the sword helped either of you - in fact, you probably know better than me. But apparently any help it gave is likely temporary, which means you both need a priest. Still, as I said, I think there's more happening here than an evil plant, considering how I was brought here. What of you both? If you don't mind the question, how did you come here? Briain, you said you just came to see this pond?" Her question is barely out of her mouth when she finally notices the looks both of them are giving the sword. "What did you show them?" she asks it.

[Lord of the Hamsters]

Briain nods. "Yes, I'm afraid it's no more interesting than that," he tells Liria, shrugging apologetically. "I was wandering this direction for no reason in particular and had heard a song about this spring once, so I thought I'd stop by. I can sing it for you if you'd like, but it's not very good and really doesn't say much about the spring or the area. All I know is that this is supposed to be a blessed spring and it would take something very strong indeed to counteract the druids' purifying blessing."

Frustrated by how little he knows of the situation in general, Briain changes the subject. "And what of you? You say you were brought here? Do you know by whom or what?" Brought here to fix things, or dumped in the spring to be infected too? he wonders cynically. Or perhaps deeply involved in a different way? Briain didn't want to consider the last possibility just yet; he hadn't seen the woman's arrival and thus far she had provided nothing but help. Still, it was quite obvious that something else was involved; the elf hadn't flown in a trajectory for the fun of it.

Despite his grim thoughts, Briain swings his legs on his perch like a little boy on a gate, enjoying his renewed energy. "Anyway, how long is your sword's healing supposed to last? While Rin and myself may need further assistance, I'm afraid that we may be carrying the taint from this water and could spread it to anyone we seek help from." He shudders at the memory, hoping that his vision was just that, and looks down at his message. "It occurs to me that we can't keep animals from drinking and spreading this taint. And if all it takes is contact with the water, for I certainly didn't drink it, you may be carrying it too by now, milady."

[Whispers]

The color quickly returns to Rin’s complexion as he converses with the two strangers, the effects of the swords healing powers have fully set in. He listens carefully to the exchange between the handsome man and the armored lady, his eye brows shoot upwards at the man’s last statement. His visions must have been similar to mine…

"What is it you saw when you grasped the blade, friend?" the ranger asks, "Is it possible we may spread this sickness to the land around us and those we speak with if we are not cured? Perhaps it best we seek out a healer rather than warn those nearby"

[Nimlos]

Liria frowns slightly as Briain finishes speaking, shaking her head marginally, the wet mop of her hair dragging on her shoulders. She pushes back another sodden lock.

"I don't think so," she says after a moment, in a voice that sounds just a little distracted. "I ... well, I don't feel any differently than I did before." She pauses a moment, seemingly lost in thought, before continuing. "As for how long this healing will last, I honestly don't know. Which is the most vexing of the problems we're looking at, I think. I believe the two of you need more help than I can give, but at the same time, I'm nervous about just leaving this place. Like I said, there's more here than an evil stump."

Though by now it's likely too late to matter, she removes the longbow strapped to her back and expertly unstrings the stave of the bow. Coiling the string into a small bundle, she slips it into a pouch at her belt, out of the rain. "As for what brought me here," she continues after a moment, her voice hesitant. "I've never seen anything like it before, but I believe it was a baelnorn, concerned about something happening in this forest."

[Codger]

Conflicting currents can be confusing, especially for those with minimal experience. Liria again expresses her desire to stay at the fouled springs, fearing yet a greater threat than the inoffensive stump the three so easily dispatched. The time is by no means wasted though, as information is exchanged, and insights into each other's comportment are gained. It is knowledge that can only aid them in the trials to come, sure to take varied forms, and require equally varied responses.

The unrelenting rain splattering into the deep springs remains a steady din in the ears of all present, but is not quite sufficient to drown out the sound of a branch snapped by Slade on the far side of the pond. His efforts to remain concealed are more than enough under the circumstances, but he has inadvertently drawn the attention of the three speakers. Whether by pure chance of some benign fate, it is at that very moment that rocks are first noisily displaced near the heart of the springs, a sound far more troubling than the mere snapping pf any branch.

Already looking in that direction due to the snap and their own heightened wariness, Liria, Briain, and Rin all hear the rock's movement, and see the leading edges of two purplish forms emerging from under the span of water-smoothed stones. Flexing their muscular bodies, the heads of the giant slugs emerge from the rocks a moment later, still under waist-deep water, but quickly forcing their way upwards. Nearby a cat hisses angrily, which only Slade witnesses, and that only partially, as she vents her displeasure towards something in the water.

OoC Only Tasha is currently on the map (far left hand side [west], nearly dead center). Liria, Briain, and Rin are scattered to the northeast (upper right corner), within 10' of the map's edge, and able to see the far slug (southern of the 2) over the ferns and under the tall tree up there (obviously not the spruce ). They cannot see Tasha. Slade needs to roll against a DC12 (with Dex bonus) to determine the level of mucking his bow took during his concealing roll. He is just west of the map (left side, lower corner), yet south of Tasha, within 5' of the map's edge, but cannot see much of anything besides Tasha since he's crouched down for concealment. Since the slugs can take no action besides movement this round, Liria, Briain, and Rin are considered to have a Surprise round, and can act accordingly. Good Luck! Liria receives no verbal response from the blade, instead getting the impression of virulent sickness from her limited mental contact with it.

[Nimlos]

Liria's first thought is of revulsion at the sight of the foul and unnatural things worming their way to the surface. Her second thought is of her bow, and she starts to reach for it before remembering that, only a few moments earlier, she'd unstrung it and stowed the string in her belt pouch. She gives out a tiny hiss of vexation.

"These are what you saw before?" she asks, steeling herself for combat. If these beasts are so dangerous as to put fear in the heart of a sword, there's no time to waste trying to equip a bow with a sodden string. Swallowing the terror that wells up in her throat at the mere sight of the unwholesome slugs, she breaks into a run. The sword is whipped from its scabbard as she plunges into the water, surging toward the nearest slug. The blade falls onto the creature's bloated, purple body - a solid hit.

[Lord of the Hamsters]

Baelnor? Despite all the stories Briain had heard about them, they still disturbed him a lot and were probably not something he wanted to get involved in if he had a choice. He opens his mouth to question Liria further, but just then she bolts away, crashing through the greenery and into the pool. Eyes quickly shifting to her target, Briain spies the shiny purple mass of something else unnatural squelch-squelch-squelching along.

"Damn!" he whispers sharply, although something like this was not entirely unexpected. Luckily his pack, bow, and lute are nearby where he is sitting, leaning up against a tree. He'd covered his precious lute out of habit when he'd arrived, but the shortbow is damp. Not so damp as to be unusable though; he snatches it in one hand and a handful of arrows in the other and vaults the log to follow Liria.

Briain skids to a halt when he can see the creatures clearly; the sight causes him to make a face despite himself. I used to yell at other kids for dumping salt on those things. Now that I see how big they can get, I wonder.... why did I do a silly thing like that? He sticks three of his arrows between his teeth and draws a bead on the closer creature with the remaining one, squinting down its length at the slug's offensive eye. The shot flies true through the rain, skewering the stalked organ and no doubt causing considerable discomfort. Black ichor shoots out for a second before slowing to a steady weep.

OOC Briain will move as little distance as possible to whatever hex gives him a clear shot to the slugs, maybe the one between the two big trees with the green thingy in it? Didn't know how initiative would play out, so I'll take the penalties for shooting into melee if that's the case. Codger, what might Briain know or be able to guess about these things as far as their being susceptible to mind-altering effects? I didn't know what kind of check that would be if it even applies, would you roll for me if possible?

[Greaven]

Hearing the sudden shift off attentions and seemingly harried actions of the others quickly switch from what obviously had to be him, he deftly made his move. His bow had remained usable and so he kept it ready at his side as he slipped up through the muddy treeline heading cautiously up to quickly discern his course of action. But in dangerous situations, it is wisest to remain aloof, and unnoticed until it was one's opportunity to strike. He made not much of a sound at all, which was almost redeeming (and all the more insulting) for his failure moments ago. He would not see anything until the battle had begun, but caution had a splendid part in every conflict. It seemed these people were at odds with those foul purple creatures, and a gut feeling told him that he should be too. He marveled at these people, that of which he saw, a partial glimpse at a woodsman, bow at hand, a sword wielding maiden, in almost comically misfit armor, but those foul things, they churned his stomach. I've seen prettier disease ridden rodents back home.

Hissing inwardly, he prepared himself for the upcoming fight, readying himself for combat with these hellspawn, narrow eyes burning cold as hellfire into these terrible THINGS, knowing soon, he would have the satisfaction of riddling them with holes, and that they would be no more harm to anyone once, they too, were nothing but a puddle of ooze like that poor turtle, only difference was, these slugs would be ground beneath his boot heel. Thank the stars in heaven and the light of dawn that I do not have to face these hell ridden creatures alone. He prayed to no one in particular that it hurt terribly when these creatures got what they deserved.

OoC Slade will move cautiously all the way to tree line, taking what cover he can as he prepares to fire upon them Rolls

[Whispers]

Rin watches Liria and Briain spring into action upon seeing the sudden appearance of the slithering mass. Not entirely convinced thata the slug is truely a threat the ranger seems to hesitate a brief moment before following the duo's lead. In one swift motion the ranger reaches behind his head with both hands simultaneously and pulls both his trusted longbow and a single green feather tipped arrow. He takes a few steps to the right while drawing his weapon to achieve a better angle for his shot. Assuming the pair posses knowledge about these creatures that he does not, Rin lets his arrow fly.

[Codger]

Reactions are quick among the sodden observers, as the pair of purplish slugs work to fully emerge from the wide bed of erosion-rounded rocks around the heart of the springs. Not least among them is the little cat, precariously perched on the branch of a large fern, hissing and futilely swiping at the giant slugs from a seemingly safe distance. The downpour that has deluged the area finally lets up a bit, lessening to a mere drizzle. As with most things in life, it is a mixed blessing. While this means less dilutive water adding to the springs', it also improves the survivability of the bow strings in use. The final determination of which will be more important in the long run, yet hangs in the balance...

Repositioning is the first order for all of the hapless springs' defenders. Briain moves south towards the water's edge, and a bit west, to his right, in order to get a clear shot. Only then does he see the second giant slug, much nearer to him than the other, and heading his way. Nearly fully clear of the entombing rocks, it raises its head within the water as it spies him, offering an easy target. As their eyes lock, nausea churns his gut as something inside him knows these things are beyond vile. The bard's arrow zings accurately at his submerged target, damaging one of its baleful black eyes. Instinctively it jerks back, away from Briain and the water's surface.

Splashing through ever deeper water, Liria reaches the mildly wounded slug a moment later, on its temporarily blinded side as luck would have it. The slug tries to swerve its head around to face her, but fails to match her speed. Despite its slimy head still being more than a foot underwater, she delivers an accurate blow from alongside the slug, but only barely penetrates its rubbery exterior. The wound does not bleed, as far as she can tell, but in the surging water, it is difficult to say. Lacking words or even images, she senses from the sickened, ancient longsword that these giant slugs are somehow significantly different from their predecessors.

Nature instinctually quiets when a predator nears, and Rin strongly senses something of that fear from all of the nearby nature here, and its dread of these repulsive slugs. He needs move only a couple of steps closer to the water through the grasses and ferns to get a clear shot under the intervening tree, hampered only slightly by Liria's presence and the spray from her strike. His shot is also true though, hitting the thing's raised but still submerged head, but the arrow's effect is unnoticeable.

The zip of arrows striking water is unmistakable, as is the churned water around running legs, and the high splash of a weapon strike. It is all more than enough for Slade to know that the fight is on, and nobody's attention remains on him. Even Tasha seems preoccupied. Moving up towards the tree line, he finds himself moving through deepening water, but even as he prepares himself behind the final spruce, it is only knee deep. From his new position, he can make out where the lady warrior fights in the pond. He also sees another of the purplish, giant slugs swimming towards the southern shore, passing within twenty feet of where he lurks...

Ignoring Liria at its side, the northern slug veers around her, and rippling its wide foot underwater, it swims towards the near shore, through progressively shallower water. The southern slug does much the same, except it heads towards the southern shore, so far unimpeded, and further from its intended destination.

OoC Briain's natural 20 did max damage (first time it came up, so now everyone knows, sorry I forgot to mention it somewhere along the way). He knows nothing of these things, but he can already surmise that they have at least Animal Intelligence, if not more... Btw, which longsword is Liria attacking with? Any bow attack of less than 8 (before modification) results in a snapped bowstring (besides a miss). No need for further initiative, we'll keep the current order (of course you can post in any order and I'll sort it out). Only the northern slug has been wounded, and that only lightly. Attacking underwater is acting as a -1/damage reduction. Everybody enjoys the benefits of a Prayer Spell for the next 5 rounds... (and no, it's not from the longsword )

[Nimlos]

OOC Well, another natural 20. Yay! Is it just max normal weapon damage, or max crit damage? Also, Liria would be attacking with the ancient longsword, unless it voiced strenuous objections when she put her hand on its hilt to draw it.

The mere proximity of the creature is nearly enough to make Liria gag, at once from the loathsome unnaturalness of the thing and from the slight tickle of familiarity she feels looking at it. Ascribing the latter to the sword's tales of what it saw once before in this place - despite what it might be saying now about these slugs being different somehow - she forces down the urge to retch and concentrates on the task at hand.

The slug she just struck seems unconcerned with her, sliding around her on its way to shore. She pivots in place, turning to follow, her sword already flashing in a lethal sweep only an inch or two above the water's surface. The slug's undulating gliding lifts its head above the surface as the moment her sword passes, leaving a deep wound in the creature's bulbous head.

Encouraged by her success, she gives chase, splashing through the shallow pool to bring her sword down once more on the beast's body.

[Lord of the Hamsters]

Oh no you don't! Briain spots the second slug to the south, no doubt spreading some wretchedness while safely away from the powerful sweeps of Liria's sword. As the gelatinous thing reaches the shore, he looses an arrow at it, hoping to distract it from wherever it thinks it's going. The shot does better than just that though, sliding through the creature's erstwhile neck and breaking the skin on the other side with a sickening pop! Briain isn't sure whether this wound is quite as deadly to a slug as it would be to a human, but it certainly can't be comfortable.

OOC Forgot to add in the prayer bonus, whoops. If slugs had asses, we'd be kicking them! Although after asking, I realize none of Briain's spells apply to slugs. Oh well.

[Whispers]

Sensing the vileness about the slugs, Rin sets his jaw with renewed determination. Seeing the woman seemingly handling the slug closest to him Rin rushes towards the spring and comes to a halt, a tree flanking him on either side. With the second slug clearly in view the ranger pulls back on his bow string and carefully takes aim. With the creature in his sights he lets an arrow loose. The twang of the bow string fills the air as his arrow flies true, albeit a glancing blow.

[Greaven]

A wolf on the prowl could not have such a garish grin as he, as he forces his stomach down and observes the others in combat. It seemed strange that the damned things were ignoring them completely, but then, who was he to say, He knew nothing about these things. Drawing back his string, he draws back his string to fire on the nearest one, but it snaps and with a silent oath he ducks back for cover, dropping the useless piece of wood for a more reliable weapon, loosing his chain and preparing to emerge swinging. He took no pains to be silent, they would all see him in a few seconds so he had little to worry about them discovering his hiding place.