Book the Second, Chapter the Eighth: A Brace of Conundrums

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Rolling his eyes in exasperation, Lepus looks about for an axe or other such tools to hack at the tendrils.

Careful inspection of the interior of the shed reveals that there is a large, grim-looking saw, its blades covered with reddish brown stains, which might be wielded in similar fashion to an axe, if one could take hold of it whilst simultaneously avoiding the sinuous writhing of the plant.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Damnation," mutters William. He draws his sword - if Lepus is looking for axe, he can still do some damage to the plant now.

Spoiler:

dex = 12 + 1 for Soldier = 13[dice]0[/dice]damage[dice]1[/dice]

With a mighty swing of the deadly blade, William lops off one of the plant's wriggling vines. Green ichor drips from the wound, hissing and bubbling as it lands on the floor. The severed limb continues to writhe for some time after this dismemberment, but finally grows still.

Spoiler:

number of vines[dice]2[/dice]

The remaining seven vines -- for this initial victory has gained sufficient time to allow for an exact reckoning of their number -- slither towards the adventurers, as if some dim intelligence directs their movement.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Fire is what we need!" says Henry, looking for torches to use to burn the plant. "Fire may be effective against the creature too, if it should regenerate too much."

With eloquent gestures, if not with speech, Miss Ravenscroft directs Doctor North's attention to a curiously wrought tube, composed of thick paper. It is evident that this is one of those pleasant devices, much beloved in the Far East, which are known as fireworks. If one were bold enough to procure this instrument from within the shed, whilst avoiding the wriggling limbs of the plant therein, one might be able to make use of it to ignite the threatening vines.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

In response to William's bold attack, and while his companions are weighing the odds of obtaining the instruments of destruction they desire, the plant launches what must be a blind and mindless assault upon those who threaten it.

Spoiler:

the plant's random movements give it a dex of only 3, but it has (as of now) 7 simultaneous attacks, one from each vine[dice]0[/dice]

Fortunately, lacking such sense as Nature has granted to Fauna, the plant is unable to successfully strike at its attackers.

[jp1885]

Seeing the saw, Lepus attempts to dodge the flailing tendrils and retrieve it. Should any of the things come close, he will slash at them with his dagger.

DEX 15 (to avoid the tendrils or strike out),[dice]0[/dice]

Damage (if required),[dice]1[/dice]

[SunlessNick]

William will also enter the shed, to retrieve the firework.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Seeing the saw, Lepus attempts to dodge the flailing tendrils and retrieve it. Should any of the things come close, he will slash at them with his dagger.

DEX 15 (to avoid the tendrils or strike out),[dice]239160:0[/dice]

Damage (if required),[dice]239160:1[/dice]

Spoiler:

plant attack[dice]0[/dice]

Successfully avoiding the thorny vines, the dagger wielded by Lepus manages to lop off another of the writhing structures, and he is able to obtain the blood-stained saw.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William will also enter the shed, to retrieve the firework.

Spoiler:

dex 12 + 1 soldier/danger = 13[dice]0[/dice]

Unfortunately, in his haste, William slips on one of the many pools of luridly colored liquids covering the floor, and fails in his attempt to seize the firework.

Spoiler:

Plant attack[dice]1[/dice]

One of the five vines still left whole barely touches William's skin, causing a blissfully brief moment of intense pain, sufficient to indicate that the thorns contain some sort of deadly poison. If one such thorn were to strike more accurately, no doubt the result would be deadly.

[jp1885]

Lepus cackles as he grabs the saw, before turning to hack at the plant. Let us hope his medallion will protect him form the poisonous sap.

DEX 15,[dice]0[/dice]

Alas, he swings the unwieldy implement wide.

[Mr. Handy]

Unwilling to risk himself or Ivan closing with the venomous plant, Henry fires his pistol at the thing. Even if the Force Projector had not been out of galvanic fluid, it would not have worked on a plant, which has no brain.

OOC,Ack, I missed this yesterday! :oops: Can this count as my action for last round, so that I can spend this round reloading? Do I still have the -2 to Dexterity? Dexterity roll (11 [-2 = 9?]) shooting at the plant: [dice]0[/dice]

[SunlessNick]

William scrambles to his feet, calling out a warning about the thorns. With his sword, he makes another attack on the nearest of the vines.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Unwilling to risk himself or Ivan closing with the venomous plant, Henry fires his pistol at the thing. Even if the Force Projector had not been out of galvanic fluid, it would not have worked on a plant, which has no brain.

OOC,Ack, I missed this yesterday! :oops: Can this count as my action for last round, so that I can spend this round reloading? Do I still have the -2 to Dexterity? Dexterity roll (11 [-2 = 9?]) shooting at the plant: [dice]239220:0[/dice]

Spoiler:

The positive and negative effects of the meteor's radiation are permanent, unless you can find a cure -- another quest? Sure, go ahead and reload.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William scrambles to his feet, calling out a warning about the thorns. With his sword, he makes another attack on the nearest of the vines.

Spoiler:

dex 13 again[dice]0[/dice]

It would appear that the chaotic situation within the shed has rendered it difficult for the adventures to strike at the strange foliage with much success.

Spoiler:

the plant's five attacks dex = 3[dice]1[/dice]

Once more one of the writhing limbs barley touches the bold soldier, producing a momentary sensation of extreme pain, which, thanks be to Nature, fades away quickly.

Spoiler:

which should serve as a warning that if the plant ever rolls a 1 or 2, the results will be devastating indeed.

[jp1885]

Mindful of the deadly thorns (and still keeping his magic medallion pressed to his grubby chest), Lepus lashes out once again.

DEX 15,[dice]0[/dice]

However his wildness is tempered by his caution, or perhaps his haste to get out of the shed.

[SunlessNick]

William makes another attempt to hack at a vine. At the same time he calls out to Miss Ravenscroft, "How much time before that monster is active again?"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry finishes reloading and fires at the plant again.

OOC,Dexterity roll (11 -2 = 9) shooting at the plant: [dice]0[/dice]

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

William makes another attempt to hack at a vine. At the same time he calls out to Miss Ravenscroft, "How much time before that monster is active again?"

Spoiler:

DEX = 13[dice]0[/dice]

One might fancy that the goddess Flora has bestowed some special charm upon one of her creatures, as the adventurers once again strike at it without effect.

Spoiler:

plant attacks dex = 3[dice]1[/dice]

Indeed, events seem to have come to resemble a battle in which both armies are reluctant to face their foes, as the writhing vines also fail to cause any damage.

"There is but a moment," Miss Ravenscroft makes reply. A quick glance at the temporarily lifeless creature reveals that its limbs buckle and spasm in a manner that puts one in mind of the effect of galvanic fluid upon the severed leg of an amphibian. "Victory belongs to the bold!" With that, she rushes headlong into the shed, disregarding any threat to her person.

Spoiler:

dex = 9[dice]2[/dice]

Alas, being not sure of foot, she slips upon one of the many pools of liquid upon the floor and is reduced to collapsing in a corner. With a trembling hand, she indicates a particular flask of sickly yellow fluid, which has managed to escape the general destruction.

"That is what we need!" It is notable that she now speaks in the tones of one filled with fear, a sharp contrast from her previous mood. "Help me!"

It is a pretty problem as to whether one should assist the lady, attempt to grasp the flask in question, or continue to strike at the unnatural plant.

[jp1885]

Flailing the saw around to keep the plant at bay, Lepus lunges toward the flask, leaving more chivalrous folk to rescue the madwoman.

[SunlessNick]

It seems William has also cast chivalry aside, as he ignores Miss Ravenscroft's plea for aid. He makes as if to lunge for the flask, but upon seeing that Lepus is already about it, changes tack and stands ready to assault any vine that looks to impede the Gypsy's effort.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry still retains his chivalry, and he and Ivan go to the aid of his fellow scientist.