"The insects, bewildered by magic, it seems. I have heard of such things...in swarms...devour an entire cow or person." Suspicious of the activity, he puts his hand to his heart and mumbles something under his breath. A prayer, of sorts.
Fiendish Vigor: You can cast false life (1D4 + 4 Temporary HP's) on yourself at will as a 1st-level spell, without expending a spell slot or material components.
"Tree Ents are ancient and wise creatures. Living trees that protect the forest and forest creatures. The one we seek is a particularly ancient Oak tree."
"Tree creatures....hmmm. I have never heard of anything like these in the jungles of home. I would like to meet such a creature." Oomaq says in somewhat awe of meeting a giant tree creature.
"Tree Ents seldom allow themselves to be noticed by outsiders. Most of know of their existence have either eraned their ire or have proven themselves true friends of the forest. Without the exact location of his grove and a description of the one we seek, I doubt we would even know when we found Okenstalk."
"We aren’t going to get anywhere by just sitting here. We must venture forth to find the Tree Ent. And it would probably be in our best interests not to do anything that could provoke it’s ire."
The movement in the trees becomes apparent to everyone as you move further into the forest. Numerous more trees with similar buzzing noises and movement can be seen. The insects however, seem not to notice your presence as you progress further into the forest. Eventually the movement stops and you find yourself entering a section of trees with no foliage on them. A particularly large tree stands in the middle. Unlike the others, which seem to be gravely ill or dying this tree seems to be in relatively good health. The absence of foliage the only indication it is in trouble.
Meddar finds small bite marks on the wooden branches left behind and small pieces of foliage on the ground. The signs indicate that the plants had been systematically stripped by tiny creatures.
Kneeling down amongst the dead foliage, Meddaar grabs a piece of the destroyed leaf. "Looks like it was eaten. Perhaps it’s the bugs we heard during our walk out here."
"Perhaps, I think maybe we can try and ask our tree ent friend about that, they seem to be similarly aflicted by a lack of leaves?" Thew'Ruk says as he gestures towards the seemingly healthy tree in the middle of the clearing which he assumes to be the being with which they came to treat.
A loud creaking noise can be heard coming from the central tree. the noise is reminiscent of old wood moving and bending out of shape. As the tree moves a face begins to take form within the branches and a mouth begins to move. "I do not recognize you. How do you know of me?"
Turning to the Okenstalk, he speaks. "We come on behalf of the followers of Pelor. The Lady Sol, of the Order of Sol, bids that we retrieve the artifact known as the "Blood Stone" in order to consecrate the new Temple of Pelor in the city of Klaverjassen. We are told that you guard this artifact until it is needed for such an occasion. That time is now."
Total: 24YAHOO!!!
Bonus: 5
Character: Gage
Campaign: Dark Patron
Description: Persuasion Roll
"I am the guardian. However, in my current weakened state I am unable to retrieve the bloodstone. If you wish the artifact you must first assist me in restoring the balance to the forest." The tree ent gestures slowly towards the trees being consumed by the inspects. "These insects are an important part of the forest, but their numbers are increasing without control and they are congregating hear by my grove. The eagles which have kept their population in check were badly injured by hunters. The monks at the monestary in the mountain have taken them to heal. In their absence the populations they kept in check are expanding out of control. You must head tot he slops of the mountain, where the snow begins to settle and retrieve a mated pair of eagles. "
"If the eagles eat these insects we could use them as bait. Or perhaps they would journey here simply at the Ents request? Great Ent is there anything that you have that could convince the eagles to journey with us to your grove?”
The tree ent thinks for a minute. You can take some of the insects as bait to capture the eagles. I am limited in how I can help you capture them, but... the tree ent pulls a small piece of bark off one of its limbs. "This will grant you the ability to understand and speak with animals for a short time." While you are gone, I will be looking for the insect queen. Once the queen has been eaten the bugs will scatter until several of them transform into new queens. That will disperses the swarm from this part of the forest and reduce it to several more manageable sized swarms. If you are unable to capture the eagles then, perhaps you could look for the queen while I capture them?
"Time is of the essence. It looks like we need to split our forces to speed this process along. Who wants to hunt the queen and who wants to trap the eagles?"
"I will go to track the eagles. I have a way with animals and I am not lacking in skill when it comes to tracking them either."
Thew'Ruk looks up at the Ent, "I know you wish to help us and take on one of the tasks entirely on your own, but it would not be right of us to let you do this in your weakened condition. I hope you will agree to let one of our groups accompany you to either track down the queen or to capture the eagles."
"I'm not good with animals, so I will help hunt the queen. Plus insects make up part of our diet back home, I can get dinner at the same time." Oomaq says, trying to add a little humor to the situation.
"I am crateful for your assistance. The eagles perch in the snowy mountains but hunt at the edge of the forest and the snow." turing towards those who remain. "The queen will be brightly colored and located where the animals transport their food. I will reach out to the trees to find out where the insects are at now."
Spoiler:
note each player may make a survivial check if they would like. This represents them searching off by themselves.
The group going to the mountains will take several hours to get there. Once at the snows edge you need to make an average survival check. I also want a perception check to be made. A nature check can be made if desired and someone has a high intelligence. Sucess on that check can help narrow your search area lowering the DC of the survival check. Please remember that you can use the aid action to give someone advantage on their roll.
The group staying to look for the queen will need to roll a survival check as well. I am granting Oomaq inspiration on this quest. As long as he agrees to eat the queen. It is a great story element. inspiration can be used to take advantage on a roll, give disadvantage to an enemy, or give advantage to an ally.
"Well I suppose we had better try to find this queen."
Spoiler:
Total: 15
Bonus: -1
Character: Oomaq
Campaign: Temple of Light
Description: Survival
I'll keep the Inspiration as an assist for someone with me.
[\spoiler]