Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[jp1885]

“Release these poor folk, in their natural state, and we will leave!” Lepus yells in reply.

[Mr. Handy]

"We shall be gone," says Henry, "and we shall take these people with us."

[SunlessNick]

"Do not try to prevent us," Eliza adds.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Suffer!"

"Bleed!"

"Die!"

The vipers attack, displaying more strategy than one might expect from a mere beast.

Spoiler:

dex 153d20 all successful so die roll to see who does NOT get attacked. 1 = North, 2 = Ivan, 3 = Lepus, 4 = Eliza1d4damage, in same order, skipping Lepus3d6special die roll for each attack, based on CON = 14, 11, 183d20

Disregarding the hedge wizard, perhaps for no other reason than the fact that they are outnumbered, the creatures strike at the others, inflicting serious wounds on Doctor North and his manservant, and even more so on his ward. In addition to that, both master and servant feel the effects of the insidious venom produced by the fangs of the serpents, falling to the ground and unable to direct the actions of their limbs.

Spoiler:

failure of a CHA roll to resist the venom causes immediate incapacitation and an additional d6 damage2d6

Both are gravely effected indeed, particularly Doctor North.

[jp1885]

Drawing upon the blessing bestowed upon him by the well, Lepus invokes the Protection from Serpents spell.

Then, taking advantage of the fact that he’s no being attacked, he summons his unseen servant and hide him attack the snakes before drawing his dagger and doing likewise.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry struggles to reach his Regenerator, but of course his muscles do not respond.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza lashes out at the nearest of the serpents, seeking to grasp it and tear it apart.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Drawing upon the blessing bestowed upon him by the well, Lepus invokes the Protection from Serpents spell.

Then, taking advantage of the fact that he’s no being attacked, he summons his unseen servant and hide him attack the snakes before drawing his dagger and doing likewise.

It may be a pleasant surprise to discover that the unseen servant is easily able to tear one of the serpents apart with his unseen hands, himself not subject their attack. Indeed, Lepus himself is able to cut another in half with little effort.

It is less pleasant to observe that the creatures thus slain almost immediately regenerate themselves into their previous form, none the worse for their apparent deaths.

"Foolish!"

"Ignorant!"

"Stupid!"

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Eliza lashes out at the nearest of the serpents, seeking to grasp it and tear it apart.

This takes very little effort; even a lady not possessed of Eliza's unusual strength would be able to do so, if she were able to overcome the natural female distaste for such creatures.

As with the other two, the third serpent, although ripped into many pieces, returns to life in less time that it takes to tell.

"Be wise."

"Be fortunate."

"Be ours."

Apparently assured that they are invulnerable to physical attack, the creatures restrained from further action, and merely wait.

[jp1885]

Drawing upon the blessing bestowed upon him by the well, Lepus invokes the Protection from Serpents spell.

Does this have any effect on the serpents?

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Drawing upon the blessing bestowed upon him by the well, Lepus invokes the Protection from Serpents spell.

Does this have any effect on the serpents?

Spoiler:

Perhaps this explains why you were not attacked, but they do not otherwise seem disturbed.

[jp1885]

Lepus edged back from the creatures, taking the opportunity to help Henry grab his healing device.

He watches the serpents warily.

“What do you want?” he asks.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry tries to use the Regenerator first on himself, and if he is successful, then on Ivan.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza waits for answer.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Whilst the healing process takes place upon man and servant, the creatures -- surely they cannot be thought of as natural serpents anymore! -- the trio make reply to the inquiry.

"A taste," says the first, and wriggles its forked tongue out.

"A bite," says the second, and exposes its fangs.

"A meal," finishes the third, and opens its jaw wide.

[Mr. Handy]

"What is it you wish to eat?" asks Henry.

[jp1885]

"I'll wager it be us..." Lepus warns, readying himself to avoid the serpents' next strike.

[SunlessNick]

Eliza interposes herself between the serpents and her father and Ivan, preparing herself to grab and hold one if it strikes at her.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Spoiler:

DEX 18d20

With little difficulty Eliza is able to seize one of the serpents.

"Release!"

"Unhand!"

"Free!"

[SunlessNick]

Eliza tightens her grip, hoping she can hurt the serpent if not actually harm it. "Restore those people, and allow us all to leave, and I will release you."