Giles cleared his throat and stepped beside Kyrie. He shot her a glare as if to insinuate she should be so rash and quick to jump but none the less he then turned his gaze to the Dryad.

"What my cohort, of course means to say is that we would be more then happy to help you with your concerns. Allow me to make a more formal introduction. My name is Giles, my companions Zeran, Miguel, Frodrick and Kyrie respectively (motioning to each as announced) make up the Barony of Volga. It is to say we did not come here without purpose, we are charting these lands and aside from stopping here on our cartographic journys we are also in search of some lost Elvish ruins or perhaps anything else of intrest. The assistance of yourself or that of your... lover, in these matters would be greatly appreciated."

** The dryad inclined her head in a gesture of recognition. "Well met, Giles. I am Tiressia, and this grove is my home. While I cannot leave my tree, I have eyes and ears all over this area of the forest. I believe I know of such a structure, built many thousands of years ago by Elves. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement. I can see what I can discover through my network while you and your friends destroy the monster that plagues me. Is this acceptable to you? Of course, you will be well rewarded for performing this service for me."***

Giles bowed slightly never removing his gaze from the Dryad

"More then acceptable I feel, Lady Tiressia. Now if there is nothing else (Giles looked back to the party) I believe we shall be off too... do some gardening "

(((** indicating gm provided response)))

4 Lamashan
Dryad's Grove; Hex G2
South Narlmarches
"The monster of which I speak is known as a scythe tree. It makes its lair several miles to the south of here in a dark place where the sun is blocked out by the canopy. Beware, for it will attempt to disguise itself among the forest. You will know it by the terrible scar in its trunk."

There was movement from the treeline to the right.

Tiressia continued. "My lover, Falchos, can guide you for part of the journey."

A tall, muscular, incredibly handsome and shirtless man stepped into the clearing, carrying a short bow in one hand. From his head sprung a pair of ram's horns, and his legs were brown and furry, ending in cloven goat hooves. A satyr.

Falchos carried a dagger in his belt, a quiver of arrows, with a set of panpipes hanging from a cord around his neck. He bore a serious expression as he slung his bow over his shoulder. "Greetings, adventurers. I do not wish to be away from my love for long, but I will guide you as far as I am able."

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 34/34 - Mount
Giles 36/36 - 19 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 45/45 -
Miguel 33/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

Travelling H2
(Same Day)
Falchos went ahead, staying close to the wagon, periodically waiting for the Greenbelt Party to catch up, or appearing out of the forest to walk beside the wagon for a time. As they traveled Miguel tried to remember what he could about the deadly and vicious scythe tree.

At the risk of stating the obvious, he knew they were plant creatures, with all the accompanying immunities to mind-affecting magic. As Tiressia mentioned, scythe trees specialized in ambush tactics, striking out at unwary travelers with the sickle-like branches for which it was named. Lastly, he recalled that despite their appearances, they were actually fairly intelligent and could talk, though their use of this faculty was limited to tormenting their meals after they had been secured.

After just less than an hour, Falchos stopped to address the party. "This is as far as I can go. Continue along this way to the south and you will come to the place where the creature stalks. Be watchful. I bid you good luck. And... thank-you."

The satyr returned north to his lover's side, leaving the party to their business.

4 Lamashan
Blighted Hollow; H2
South Narlmarches
The lords of Volga soon came to a hollow in the trees. As Tiressia described, the knotty trees around the small clearing came together overhead to form a dense canopy of mottled leaves, leaving the area cast in shadow (Dim illumination). The party drew their weapons before going any further.

The stench of decay hung thicker here than in the other parts of the autumn-time forest. Even had the party not known about the monstrous tree, the multitude of bones strewn across the forest floor would have given them indication that this was the den of some predatory creature.

Frodrick scanned the trees all around the clearing.

"There," he said. He pointed to one particular tree at the edge of the hollow. In the darkness the humans could just make out a long, crooked scar on the tree's trunk. Miguel chanted a spell and threw a handful of glowing spell-lights overhead into the canopy.

This particular tree had a thick trunk, maybe three or four feet across, and some six foot tall, with its branches reaching up to just over twenty feet. It branches were mostly bare, save for a sparse assortment of reddish-brown leaves.

Through this scrutiny the tree remained perfectly still. It seemed to possess no external eyes, but then the shamblers they'd fought had none of these either, so that was no guarantee it couldn't see them.

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 34/34 - Mount
Giles 36/36 - 19 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 45/45 -
Miguel 33/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

4 Lamashan
Blighted Hollow; H2
South Narlmarches
Zeran loaded his pistol and pointed it at the tree. He paused. "Err, whenever you're ready." He said.

Giles sheathed his sword. "I've got this." He drew his bow, formerly the Stag Lord's, and nocked and arrow. Kyrie gripped her shovel and braced to charge.

Giles released. The arrow struck the tree with a solid 'thock'. The tree immediately sprung up, heaving off the ground nearly a foot, suspended on its dark, root-like legs. The scar across the trunk split open to reveal a crooked, toothy gap, unleashing an enraged roar.

The arrow itself stuck out of the tree's bark as a mere nuissance (-0dmg Scythe Tree). It didn't seem to be any more effective than shooting a regular tree for archery practice. The tree's branches thrashed violently around it.

Kyrie charged in without hesitation. The tree reacted by slamming one of its many branches down toward her. The garden paladin hopped around the strike as she charged for the base (-10dmg Kyrie). From this close, she could clearly see why they called this weed a 'scythe tree'. The long, bare branches possessed a sickle-like edge.

In a split-second decision, Kyrie thrust with the blade of her shovel into the bark, rather than swing the blunt end. The shovel bit wood (-8dmg Tree). The crescent wound oozed thick, sticky sap.

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 34/34 -
Giles 36/36 - Heroism (3/400), 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 35/45 - Bastion
Miguel 33/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - (loaded), 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

Scythe Tree: Barely Injured, Mimesis Fail

4 Lamashan
Blighted Hollow; H2
South Narlmarches
Giles stowed his bow, calling up within him the divine power of judgement. He formed his will into a protective field around his body as he ran into range of the tree, drawing his sword. Frodrick huffed along after him, ready to put his shield or axe between the tree and either Kyrie or Giles.

Zeran aimed his pistol over the heads of the skirmish line in front of him. It would be awfully awkward if he shot one of them in the back of the head. He steadied his aim and fired. The bullet blew a splinter of bark off the upper trunk (-1dmg Tree).

Seeing the effect of Giles' arrow (and Zeran's bullet), Stefan returned his arrow to the quiver. Guiding Uriel with his knees, he drew his axe—a much more fitting weapon for tree felling.

The monstrous tree bellowed from the opening in its trunk. Kyrie was prepared for the assault—she sidestepped the first scything branch as it was pushed away by the deflecting force of her Bastion, and Frodrick helped to turn away the second.

A third sickle-branch lashed down, but Frodrick could not be everywhere at once. Giles was not fast enough to get out of the way. He was knocked back roughly from a glancing blow to his chainmail (-9dmg Giles 27/36).

Miguel ducked and wove under the thrashing branches, coming up behind Kyrie, safely within her defensive aura. What kind of song would be appropriate for this kind of situation, he wondered. Well, obviously, a logging song. Lumberjack's ballad. Something like that. He raised his voice to song, with the effect of his magic enforcing the distance his voice carried.

Kyrie glanced to her allies surrounding her. She stayed her shovel, and instead focused on the power within herself. This was a new trick she had learned over the last year, and she finally had the opportunity to use it.

The paladin girl's body seemed to glow, throwing light like a campfire around her. All her allies felt the power of Kyrie's simple faith, whether they cared for it or no. The light filled them with confidence and raised their spirits with the simple belief that everything would turn out all right in the end (Power of Faith*).

Jargon raced in. Sometimes you play fetch with twigs, sometimes with thrashing ambulatory trees. One does not question these things in life. The tree lashed at her, conveniently right as she passed Kyrie and Miguel. Kyrie's Bastion saved Jargon from a crushing blow as she manoeuvred into a place to fight (-8dmg Jargon). She rose up and kicked, but her hooves made for ineffectual weapons against the bark.

Frodrick 48/48 - B, C, F,
Jargon 26/34 - C, F
Giles 27/36 - Heroism, B, F, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 35/45 - -1 LoH, Bastion, Power of Faith (1/10), C
Miguel 33/33 - Inspire Courage (1/11), B, F, 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - -1G, C, F, 29 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - B, C, F, 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - B, C, F, Mount

Scythe Tree: Barely Injured, Power Attack

(*Power of Faith - Kyrie's newest ability from her Warrior of the Holy Light archetype. For the next minute, Kyrie will glow with light out to a range of 30'. All allies standing in this light are blessed with a +1 morale bonus to AC, attack, damage, and saves vs. Fear. Since Giles has a morale bonus from Miguel's Heroism spell, the two do not stack, but Giles takes the better of the two in either case. For example, Faith buffs his AC by 1, where Heroism buffs his attack by 2, so he takes the 1 AC and the 2 attack, but not the 1 attack from Faith.)

Spells:
Miguel 0/1
Giles 0/0

4 Lamashan
Blighted Hollow; H2
South Narlmarches
Giles took advantage of the tree's distraction while it attacked Jargon to incant a spell that wreathed his sword with flames.

Despite the tree's lack of eyes, the crackle of the flaming sword seemed to strike a nerve. Frodrick realized he would soon have his hands full with defending the soldier. He turned and leapt up into Jargon's saddle where he would have an altitude advantage blocking branches. "Oi! Look over here, you overgrown weed! I got enough axe for a bit o' lumber as ye!"

The tree was not visibly impressed by Frodrick's taunts. Zeran realized he might need some more traditional tools for this deforestation. He turned and ran for the wagon, still parked at the edge of the clearing. He whispered soothing words to the nervous horses as he passed. Out of the assorted equipment and loot stashed on the vehicle he pulled a small flask of fire oil.

The tree swung at Giles with its sharp branches. He ducked the first and Frodrick threw his shield in front of another. A third branch thrusting down remained dedicated to Kyrie. It was a lucky strike; the paladin only managed to block it at the last moment with her shovel, earning her a shallow nick on the tool's wooden handle (-16dmg Kyrie (19/45).

Miguel took the opening and shifted into position to attack beside Kyrie. He mentally charged his sword with energy and swung a heavy chop at the nearest branch. He managed to score a glancing cut, but with his three-times magically enforced strength, he left a decent mark on the bark (-7dmg Tree).

Kyrie recovered from the blow quickly. She thrust the blade of her shovel down toward the tree's trunk. She struck hard, more like an axe than a tool for digging (-11dmg Tree). With every blow the tree was starting to show its injuries (Injured), but Kyrie was only just getting started (+14hp Kyrie).

Frodrick 48/48 - Challenge, B, C, F,
Jargon 26/34 - C, F, Ch
Giles 27/36 - Protection, Heroism, Flames of the Faithful (1/4), B, F, Ch, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 33/45 - -2 LoH, Bastion, Power of Faith (2/10), C, Ch
Miguel 33/33 - Inspire Courage (2/11), B, F, Ch, 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - -1G, C, F, Ch, 29 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - B, C, F, Ch, 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - B, C, F, Ch, Mount

Scythe Tree: Injured, Power Attack

(Burn, tree, buurrrrn! Already injured. Once everyone starts actually making their attacks I doubt this will last very much longer.)

Spells:
Miguel 0/1
Giles 0/1

4 Lamashan
Blighted Hollow; H2
South Narlmarches
Giles swung his sword for the place where the trunk split into multiple branches. He cut deep enough into the wood to leave a mark, but the real telling blow came from the flames on his sword. He left blackened char marks on the bark and the three shuddered, roaring in pain (-7dmg -9fire Tree Bloodied).

Frodrick bellowed back at the tree and gave it what-for. He swung his axe at the side of the tree's scarred opening, splintering the wood around its mouth (-11dmg Tree). The tree's upper branches were beginning to sway hazardously as it moved.

Zeran strafed along the outside of the clearing. "Yo! Stefan! Give me a little space! I've got something!" He shouted.

Stefan called over his shoulder. "A'ight, boss!" He swung his axe, scoring a shallow mark, then guided Uriel with his knees to make a tactical step back.

As soon as his opening was secure, Zeran lobbed the flask in his hand. He aimed for the back half of the tree, opposite where the rest of the party was standing. The flask struck off a branch and shattered, splashing the fluid inside all over. Upon contact with the air the contents burst into flame, igniting the tree (-7fire Tree Badly Wounded).

The tree trembled and roared. It rocked to the point that the party thought it must be about to come down. It pounded on Giles twice more. The first he avoided through Frodrick's help, but the second forced him back or be skewered (-7dmg Giles).

At the same time the tree was attacking Giles, it leaned violent over in the direction of Zeran. Previously believing he was safely out of the reach of the tree's scythe-like branches, he suddenly found himself all too close for comfort. He ducked the tree's attack be mere inches (-12dmg Zeran), putting the fear of vegetables back in him.

The tree's thick, dark root-like legs creaked and began to carry the monster a step away. Still aflame, the creature didn't seem to appreciate this much of a fight from its victims. Between the fire and the multiple sap-oozing wounds, it had clearly bit off more than it could chew with this group.

Miguel followed without hesitation. He charged his sword and cleaved another scar into the bark (-10dmg Tree Near Death). Kyrie was right behind him. No weed escaped her grasp and she was not about to let that change now just because the weed was three times taller than her and on fire.

Kyrie thrust her shovel into the tree's bark (-12dmg Tree). The tree seemed to stumble. More directly, its dozen root-like feet flailed uselessly, rapidly losing stability. The scythe tree swayed, then leaned, then finally came crashing to the ground (Dying).

The fire oil still clinging to its branches burned up, but by now there was enough dry fuel around to keep the flame going independant of the alchemical mixture that sparked it. The tree continued to burn (-5fire), while lighting fire to the yellowing leaves around the hollow.

Frodrick 48/48 - Challenge, B, C, F,
Jargon 26/34 - C, F, Ch
Giles 20/36 - Protection, Heroism, Flames of the Faithful (2/4), B, F, Ch, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 33/45 - -2 LoH, Bastion, Power of Faith (3/10), C, Ch
Miguel 33/33 - Inspire Courage (3/11), B, F, Ch, 18 arrows
Zeran 24/36 - -1G, C, F, Ch, 29 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - B, C, F, Ch, 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - B, C, F, Ch, Mount

Scythe Tree: Unconscious, Dying, Power Attack, Lunge*

(With Lunge a creature is able to trade off a penalty to AC to increase its reach for a round. Normally this tree monster uses this to reach its prey on the first round from 20' away, but instead we shot it while it was playing dumb, so it went straight into attack mode.)

Frodrick unfastened his cloak and threw it on the felled tree monster. If it weren't a matter of personal safety, he would let the tree burn until there was nothing left but ash, but it so happened there was an entire autumn forest of fuel waiting to be exploited out there.

The tree monster smouldered under the cloak, but the overly dense canopy in this area was not inclined to wait for them. The few embers that had drifted up there were quickly setting another emergency situation in the treetops.

"A'right, everyone get to the wagon! That be a crown fire there. We're gettin' outta here." Frodrick called.

He took his cloak back from the scythe log. It was liable to reignite at this rate, but now was not the time to be sticking around. The trees in this area were dense and sickly. Much of it was kindling waiting to happen.

The party took off north, back to Tiressia's grove.

Spells:
Miguel 0/1
Giles 0/1

Travelling G2
(Evening Same Day)
It was getting late in the day by the time they made it back to the grove of Tiressia the dryad. Urgency to escape the potential wildfire fuelled their flight, but now all that was gone. The party was beginning to grow tired.

At the moment of their arrival at the edge of the small grove, Tiressia stepped out of the oak tree to greet them. The effect was both eerie and strangely fascinating to behold. At the point where the dryad's skin and the tree's bark met, the two seemed to blend seamlessly. Once again Falchos was nowhere to be seen, though no doubt he was not far off.

"My bold adventurers, the forest whispers of your victory in the treetops and along the roots. And the resulting after effects thereof." Tiressia was smiling, but Zeran felt a weight on his mind.

"Yeah, about that," he said. "We found your evil tree and killed it. I set it on fire but, well things got out of hand. If you have the means, it might be prudent to check on it and put out the few embers that we couldn't reach. I'd gladly tag along to help as best I can, given it was my accident that caused it."

Tiressia chuckled. "The 'few embers' you left an hour ago have grown into a sizeable blaze by now—you can see the smoke from the treetops from here. It has gone well beyond my ability to combat, even if I could travel that far from my tree."

Tiressia approached Zeran. From this close he realized that the dryad was actually close to six foot tall. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Fear not, however. While I had hoped to have that monstous creature removed with minimal damage, I think we will find soon enough that a good fire will serve to cleanse the area of the creature's taint, and bring the opportunity for regrowth to that area.

"A blaze of this size should burn itself out within a few days. In the meantime, should it turn north I can call on the spirits to protect this grove with my modest druidry."

Tiressia turned to address the whole party. "Now, I believe I promised you all a reward for your assistance." She crossed the grove back to her tree and scooped up a small bundle tied together with twine.

She gave the bundle to Kyrie—what looked like a roll of parchment, a twig, and a half dozen feathers. "I bestow this magic on your company. Each of these items are invested with beneficial enchantments.

"The potions and the wand can heal your injuries, and the scroll contains a summoning spell. The feather tokens are all capable of growing into a new tree when activated, and these," the dryad made Kyrie hold her hand palm-up to receive a handful of berries, "I have imbued with magic that will provide each of you with a full meal."

"Furthermore, as a fitting service to the heroes who saved my home from destruction, I will do what I am able to protect your home. While I am no warrior, and I may not be able to travel far from my oak, I will ensure that your people are made aware of any threat which crosses my domain."

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 26/34 - Mount
Giles 20/36 - 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 33/45 - -2 LoH
Miguel 33/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 24/36 - -1G, 29 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

Tiressia Loot:
Goodberries (5), Pot of Cure Mod (2), Scroll Summon Nature's Ally II, Wand of Cure Light (26c), Feather Tree Tokens (6), +2 National Stability

(The goodberries don't last for very long, so there's not much reason save them for a special occasion. They also heal exactly 1 hp each, if that tickles your fancy. As indicatecd by the loot-o-meter just above, Tiressia's promise toward the end there actually entails a bonus to our Stability checks, which is handy and practical! Anyway, *ahem* if there is no further matters to deal with here, we should probably pick a new area of the forest to begin exploring next. *cough*)

Spells:
Miguel 0/1
Giles 0/1

4 Lamashan
Dryad's Grove; G2
South Narlmarches
Giles stepped forward, clearing his throat. "We are grateful for these gifts you have bestowed upon us, and we are more than happy to have done this favor for you—and not to have offended you with out 'little fire'," he nudged Zeran at this point, "but I must ask if you came upon any information while we were away."

Tiressia did not betray the slightest waver at Giles' request, but her expression became stiff, almost pained. "I am sorry for this deception, but I must urge you: do not go near the lair of the Dancing Lady."

Giles remained stoic. "My apologies, but I must insist. The chances of us coming upon this lair ourselves in our mapping endeavours is very high, and if you do fear for us going there would it not be better for us to know where it is so we may be prepaired for whatever may be there? If I may inquire what is your concern with us venturing into the 'lair of the dancing lady'?"

Tiressia nodded her understanding sombrely. "The place you seek lies to the southwest, almost at the edge of my influence. It has stood in this forest for longer than anyone can remember. Most recently it has come to be inhabited by a dark fey spoken of only as the Dancing Lady. Mortals who travel the forest have since learned to steer clear of her and her cohort, lest they too disappear."

Zeran threw in his voice. "What manner of fey is this 'Dancing Lady' exactly, and what is her cohort? ...and how much fire do you think we'd need to take her down, since I seem to be so good at that?" The latter he asked with a suggestive eyebrow waggle.

The dryad did not seem amused. "That keep has withstood the test of millenia in this forest. I urge you to take this danger seriously and do not seek to disturb her. Even the wicked fey she has attracted to her service fear her wrath. There is nothing more I am able to discover about her identity."

Zeran tapped his chin with his finger, turning to the others. "Well, your call guys. Let the dancing bitch be, or do we go be stupid?"

Giles sighed and rubbed his head, muttering something about there being 'a time and a place, Zeran'.

The gunslinger chuckled and turned back to the dryad, tipping his hat. "Thank you, and although I am joking and such, I - we, take this threat seriously. If she is preying on people, though we might have to deal with her eventually."

Tiressia inclined her head in kind. "I trust that your companions and you shall do what you think is best. And I trust our cousin to do her best to keep you safe."

Giles thanked Tiressia once more, then the party bid farewell.

As soon as they were well away from the dryad's grove, Giles took out his share of the meal-sized berries and inspected it. After a moment, he flicked it into the air and tried to catch it in his mouth.

He missed the first time, but caught the berry. Zeran immediately laughed and followed suit, tossing his berry into the air. Miguel also joined in, striking himself square in the eye with his berry. By their second tries, both Zeran and Miguel were laughing and actively competing to be the first to succeed.

Frodrick grumbled something affectionate and grandfatherly while taking out his own berry. He decided he wasn't feeling much for it and leaned forward in the saddle and fed it to Jargon (+1hp Hooves 27/34).

At first Kyrie hardly noticed the foolery, lost in her own thoughts. An overly silly miss broke her reverie with Zeran bumping into her while chasing his berry.

It was already getting dark, so the group made camp shortly after leaving Tiressia's grove. Before setting up a watch and turning in for the night, the party held a quick discussion to decide what to do about their current mission. They reached an agreement that, at the very least, now that they were aware of what kind of dangers lay within the keep, they could take a look around.

(+1hp Giles 21/36) (+1hp Zeran 25/36) (+1hp Kyrie 34/45)
(+11hp Hooves 34/34) (+5hp Zeran 30/36) (+6hp Zeran 36/36) (+15hp Kyrie 45/45) (+8hp Giles 29/36) (+7hp Giles 36/36)

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 34/34 - Mount
Giles 36/36 - 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 45/45 - -3 LoH
Miguel 33/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - -1G, 29 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

Spells:
Miguel 3/1
Giles 2/1

Exploration & Mapping
5-7 Lamashan
Hexes: H1 +0XP Each
Directly contravening the dryad's advice to stay far away from the lair of the Dancing Lady, the next morning the party set out to explore the section of the forest where they knew the ancient ruin lay. Making sure to steer clear of any section of the forest that was still on fire to the southeast, they traveled up along the swampy banks of the shallow Murque river.

(5 Lamashan)
Though the silty, algae-covered Murque was only about 100' across on average, it was surrounded on either side by fenland and shallow pools to twice that width. The party navigated this terrain carefully as they went about their mapping duties to avoid becoming mired in the soggy ground.

They kept their eyes alert for any sign of danger from the forest, wary for any sign of the dangerous fey or her lair, but they didn't count on danger from the water.

Despite its shallow depth, the murkiness of the appropriately named Murque river hid its own dangers. Without hardly so much as a ripple along the surface, five massive snake-like heads erupted from the water at once, each some 15' long.

The heads lunged in unison, each large serpentine maw targeting one of the party. Frodrick and Kyrie both nearly avoided the attacks, but not even their strong armour enabled them to escape harm (-6dmg Frodrick) (-7dmg Kyrie). Miguel, Giles, and Zeran, deprived the chance to move, were forced to rely on skin-of-their-teeth reflex to avoid being nearly swallowed whole (-4dmg Miguel) (-5dmg Giles) (-11dmg Zeran).

Stefan flinched as he saw the others being attacked, watching with horror for a sixth head with his name on it... but none ever came.

Frodrick 42/48 -
Jargon 34/34 - Mount
Giles 31/36 - 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 38/45 -
Miguel 29/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 25/36 - 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 17 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

5 Lamashan
Hex H1 - Murque River
South Narlmarches
Giles hopped down out of the wagon, drawing his long sword. "Bring fire! Cut off the heads and cauterize the stump! They'll only grow back if you don't!" He willed up a protective aura around himself as he began chanting his spell. Without giving the hydra an openning to bite him while he was casting, he used his magic to set his sword on fire. Hopefully the wetland terrain would burn less easily than yesterday's mishap.

The hydra, with the overconfidence of a predator who believes it has ambushed easy prey, divided each of its heads among the party, biting off way more than it could chew. Kyrie and Frodrick, despite their unreadiness, took nothing more than glancing blows and a few extra scrapes on their armour. The others however, didn't have such an easy time.

Miguel and Giles dodged by inches, but Zeran came again to such a narrow miss he was ready to fall out of the cart to get away from the serpentine maw chasing him (-4dmg Miguel) (-5dmg Giles) (-11dmg Zeran 14/36).

Frodrick took his axe in hand, bellowing, "Hell or high water!" Jargon reared up on her hind legs and Frodrick swung his axe at one of the hydra's many heads. The head dodged back, then immediately lunged again, biting Frodrick's arm (-4dmg Frodrick), not penetrating his armour.

Kyrie leapt from the wagon, her trusty shovel in hand. Another of the hydra's heads, reacting fast, took advantage of her manoeuvring and lashed out at her even as the other was chewing on Frodrick. Without missing a beat, Kyrie side-stepped the sudden lunge and thrust the blade of her shovel hard down on its neck (-6dmg Head A).

Despite its role as an iconic blunt weapon, the shovel served equally well as any headsman's axe at severing the hydra's head from its body (-5dmg Hydra). The decapitated stalk dropped to the river bank and flopped about for a moment, but quickly stopped. For the part of the stump, it rocked back with a spasm, then simply fell limp beside the head.

Zeran leapt out of the wagon—on the opposite side from the others. The last thing he wanted right now was to be closer to the monster that was so eager to eat him. He drew his pistol and reloaded it, keeping a low profile on the far side of the wagon.

Miguel, heeding Giles' advice, quickly searched the wagon for a torch and some means of lighting it. While he looked, he sucked in his breath and began to sing, hoping the hydra wasn't noticing his distraction.

Stefan drew his bow and kept his distance. He loosed an arrow at the hydra, but the shot bounced off its thick scales.

Frodrick 38/48 - Challenge, C
Jargon 34/34 - Mount, Ch, C
Giles 26/36 - Protection, Flames of the Faithful (1/4), Ch, C, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 38/45 - Ch, C
Miguel 25/33 - Bardic Music (1/13), Ch, C, 18 arrows
Zeran 14/36 - Ch, C, 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - Ch, C, 16 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount, Ch, C,

Hydra: Barely Injured, Four Headed
-Head A: ----
-Head B: Uninjured
-Head C: Uninjured
-Head D: Uninjured
-Head E: Uninjured

(You may be asking, wait, why did the hydra get an attack of opportunity on both Kyrie and Frodrick in the same round? Or maybe you don't actually care, or have assumed there is probably a good reason. Well, there is. Hyrda has the Combat Reflexes feat, which gives it extra AoO equal to its Dex mod. So there.)

Miguel 0/0
Giles 0/1

5 Lamashan
Hex H1 - Murque River
South Narlmarches
Not seconds after Kyrie had lopped off the first head, Giles was already setting his sights on another. He hoped the fires from his sword would be enough to cauterize it with the same attack. The soldier stepped in and brought his sword down on the neck of the head closest to him (-7dmg Head B Severed). The head dropped off, but the stump was merely scorched by the flames (-2fire Head B).

Though the monster was down to only three heads, he knew that at a moment's notice that could easily become seven. "If we can keep the heads off, we might be okay, but fire is best!"

The hydra's three remaining heads hissed in rage. The stumps closed off as the hydra's incredible regenerative powers prepared to sprout replacements for each (+5hp Hydra), while the three lunged. Giles dodged the first, but he only barely avoided the second which had decided to divert after him (-7dmg Giles 19/36). The last struck at Kyrie, though Frodrick rammed the haft of his axe into the side of its head when it tried.

The monster had learned to be wary of this prey, but was not about to back down. The serpentine body beneath the surface of the water coiled back, inviting its prey to chase it into the river.

Frodrick didn't need convincing. He waded into the river on Jargon's back, slipping his left arm into his shield straps as he moved. "Kyrie, aim for the one on the right!" Frodrick swung his axe to distract the head, but it ignored him, focused single-mindedly on Kyrie.

Kyrie splashed into the shallow, murky water, fending off an opportunistic shot as she waded in. She drew back her shovel, aiming for the neck that Frodrick had indicated. A second head diverted at her and shoved her off-balance, snapping at her (-7dmg Kyrie)

Zeran moved around the wagon, keeping enough distance from the hydra that it didn't get any funny ideas about him again. He was pretty sure the head that wanted him specifically hadn't bit the dust yet, but he wasn't keeping track. He moved for the edge of the water and took a shot. The ball struck between two armoured scales and wounded one of the necks (-3dmg Hydra).

While Miguel worked to light his torch from the tinderbox, Stefan drew another arrow and shot again, this time striking home (-3dmg Hydra).

Finally done collecting the torch, Miguel leapt out of the wagon, only to groan as he saw the monster trying to retreat into the river. This was not going to work very well if he couldn't keep the torch lit.

Frodrick 38/48 - Challenge, C
Jargon 34/34 - Mount, Ch, C
Giles 19/36 - Protection, Flames of the Faithful (2/4), Ch, C, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 31/45 - Ch, C
Miguel 25/33 - Bardic Music (2/13), Ch, C, 18 arrows
Zeran 14/36 - Ch, C, 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - Ch, C, 16 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount, Ch, C,

Hydra: Barely Injured, Three Headed
-Head A: ---
-Head B: Scorched -
-Head C: Uninjured
-Head D: Uninjured
-Head E: Uninjured

Miguel: 0/0
Giles: 0/1

5 Lamashan
Hex H1 - Murque River
South Narlmarches
Giles waded into the river and took a second pass at the stump of the neck he had cut off. Instead of slashing, he pressed the flat of his flaming blade up against the exposed interior. This time he was sure to cauterize the tissue, preventing any hint of regrowth (-3fire Head B Cauterized).

The hydra squealed, more in annoyance and anger than pain, retreating deeper into the river (+5hp Hydra). The three remaining heads reared back and fell upon him. He handily avoided the first chomp, but the second came too close for comfort. He only held it at bay with a quick swing of his flaming sword (-5dmg Giles 14/36). The effort was beginning to take its toll on him.

If the hydra was allowed to retreat too deep into the river, they would be force to fight it on its terms on terrain (or lack thereof) that was best suited to its strengths. Frodrick decided it was probably best to avoid this at all costs. He ducked behind his shield and rode Jargon into the silty river. One of the hydra's heads lunged at him, but couldn't get through his defenses. He rode around behind it, until the water was up to Jargon's chest. If he fell in now, he'd have a heck of a time walking back to air and dry land.

Kyrie drew the monster's second attack as she waded deeper into the Murque. The hydra hissed, but that didn't save it from losing a third head (-7dmg Head C). Now down to only two heads, the hydra was quickly running out of options for attacking (-5dmg Hydra).

Zeran, reamining on the river bank, reloaded his pistol and fired into the hydra's body again. The cumulative damage was coming faster than it could regenerate (-6dmg Hydra, Injured).

Miguel drew his sword with his other hand as he waded into the water. Noticing the efforts of Zeran and Stefan, he called out, "what happens if we kill the body without cutting off the heads?" Aiming for the body under the water wasn't easy, but he gave it a shot. He mentally charged his sword and thrust it into the water. He met significant resistance that told him he had struck flesh (-7dmg Hydra Bloodied).

On the hydra's right flank, Stefan was mimicking Frodrick's plan to keep the monster contained. He rode Uriel into the river shallows as he drew another arrow. If the monster wanted to run this way, he wouldn't make it easy. He let loose his arrow, striking just below one of the stumps (-4dmg Hydra).

Frodrick 38/48 - Challenge, C
Jargon 34/34 - Mount, Ch, C
Giles 14/36 - Protection, Flames of the Faithful (3/4), Ch, C, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 31/45 - Ch, C
Miguel 25/33 - Bardic Music (3/13), Ch, C, 18 arrows
Zeran 14/36 - Ch, C, 28 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - Ch, C, 16 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount, Ch, C,

Hydra: Injured, Bloodied, Two-Headed
-Head A: --
-Head B: Cauterized
-Head C: ---
-Head D: Uninjured
-Head E: Uninjured

"I'm not sure, let's find out. Giles waded deeper into the water, spying an excellent chance to use Frodrick's positioning to his advantage. Rather than aim for another head, he aimed his sword lower down the neck and stabbed into the mass of serpent lying just below the surface.

The water hissed as loud as the hydra as it met his flaming sword (-14dmg, -2fire Hydra Badly Wounded). The hydra heaved and screeched. It lunged at Giles with one head while at the same time the other turned to escape down river. Giles had no energy left for dodging, and the hydra's fangs sunk into his torso (-6dmg Giles 8/36 Bloodied).

As it turned to escape (+5hp Hydra), the three standing in the river shallows struck the moment it dropped its guard. Giles slashed with the last seconds of his flames spell, but bounced off the hydra's tough scales. Kyrie turned her shovel into a blunt hammer against the exposed neck while Miguel stabbed into the water (-12dmg, -6dmg Hydra)

The huge monster collasped from the wounds, its two remaining heads falling into the river shallows (Unconscious), two arrows sticking from its necks and half a dozen wounds, some of which were still closing at an accelerated rate.

Despite the rate at which the hydra's wounds were recovering, the party were able to work quickly to put a final end to it (Coup de Grace Hydra Dead). When the regeneration finally slowed and stopped altogether they knew the beast was finally down for the count.

Frodrick 38/48 - Challenge, C
Jargon 34/34 - Mount, Ch, C
Giles 14/36 - Protection, Flames of the Faithful (4/4), Ch, C, 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 31/45 - Ch, C
Miguel 25/33 - Bardic Music (3/13), Ch, C, 18 arrows
Zeran 14/36 - Ch, C, 28 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - Ch, C, 16 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount, Ch, C,

Hydra: Dead, Two-Headed
-Head A: -
-Head B:
-Head C: --
-Head D: Dead
-Head E: Dead

Spells:
Miguel 0/0
Giles 0/1

Exploration & Mapping
5-7 Lamashan (cont'd)
Hexes: H1 +25XP Each
The party traveled around the headwaters of the Murque and came around the south side. The trees in the Greenbelt grew larger and older the further south one went, but the party had never been this far south. While not ever single tree was a grand ancient oak or towering beech, on a wild guess at least some of the ones they passed must have been older even than Frodrick.

On the seventh day of Lamashan they found what they were looking for.

(7 Lamashan)
The white stone of the ancient keep loomed out of the forest, surrounded on all sides by towering trees. The cracked, circular walls of the keep stood 20' tall and were hung thick with vines and moss, with four towers that sprouted out of the walls as if they were the trunks of great, white trees themselves.

Three of the towers rose high into the forest canopy, while the fourth, the southwest tower, was completely collapsed. Only one of the three towers retained its roof, which stretched over 40' tall into the branches and hanging moss of the surrounding trees. A fifth tower, a marble-white spire, rose from the centre of the courtyard, wider than the wall towers and stretching as far as any of the party could see through the overgrowth.

The party circled the keep from a distance, warily taking in the view through the trees, before getting closer. In addition to the southwest tower and heavy adornment of vines and moss, the keep showed its age in its south wall, which had crumbled (or been breached during some long forgotten conflict) into a rubble-choked opening in the side of the tower. The east wall featured an overgrown path leading up to an open, arched gate whose doors had long ago rotted away.

Upon coming closer, the Greenbelt charter party could make out the faded remains of ancient carvings in the white stone of the outer wall. Miguel sucked in a breath upon examining these markings on the stone.

"These carvings are ancient—like actually ancient. These designs are commonly seen in elven architecture from before the Earthfall* exodus. There just isn't much more ancient than that."

From here the ruins seemed completely and utterly abandoned. The party trusted that the dryad's information was probably correct concerning the inhabitants, but there didn't seem to be anybody around.

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 34/34 - Mount
Giles 36/36 - 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 45/45 -
Miguel 33/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 16 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

(*Whether you know it or not, you've probably all heard of the Earthfall, because it's one of my favourite go-to examples of 'ha-ha, elves suck'. The Earthfall was an event close to over 9000 years ago that very nearly destroyed civilized life on the face of Golarion in a hail of meteors summoned by powerful aboleth magics.

Forewarned by their diviners and astronomers, the majority of the elven population fled off-planet back to their homeland, Sovyrian. Those few elves who refused to leave took shelter underground and were transformed by the cataclysmic energy unleashed by the impact into the drow. Elves as a race would not return to the planet for several thousand years, effectively ceding it entirely to the humans.)

7 Lamashan
Ancient Keep; H1
South Narlmarches
The party drew their weapons as they approached the open gate. Inside the keep was no less overgrown than out. The courtyard was filled with bushes and undergrowth, and even a few trees of good size grew within the walls. It was well known that elves favoured natural themes and incorporating nature into their architecture, but this was probably not the result of that aesthetic.

Miguel and Kyrie crossed the threshold first. By the time either of them noticed the vine lying innocuously under the arch, it was too late. A heavy, mechanical 'chunk' was the only warning either of them had.

Kyrie dove free of the archway, but Miguel was just a second too slow. He rolled forward, but the heavy spiked portcullis slammed down on his back, throwing him to the ground in front of the gate (-20dmg Miguel 13/33).

Nothing in the forest could have missed the sound of that ancient portcullis dropping, but in the next few moments, absolutely nothing stirred inside the keep courtyard. Now trapped inside (if one didn't count the breech in the wall to the south), Kyrie and Miguel took a look around.
Besides the trees and undergrowth, they could see the two eastern towers to their left and right. To their right the northeastern tower was missing its roof and door, but to their left, the southeastern tower had a rough-cut door, obviously a recent installment.

Frodrick 48/48 -
Jargon 34/34 - Mount
Giles 36/36 - 18 arrows, 20 bolts
Kyrie 45/45 -
Miguel 13/33 - 18 arrows
Zeran 36/36 - 30 bullets
Stefan 11/11 - 16 arrows
Uriel 13/13 - Mount

(Note that the entire courtyard of the keep is made up of dense undergrowth. This means everyone is going to be dragging along at half-speed (or worse, for larger undergrowth) and nobody is going to be using a 5' step for a while.)

(If the others want to get in (or Miguel and Kyrie change their minds and desperately want to leave) they may choose to attempt to lift the portcullis (Str check), climb the wall (Climb check) or go around to the south side to climb over the rubble.)