nysalogs | [semi-closed] every devil I meet becomes a friend of mine.

[This all feels very familiar and yet not at the same time. They're the "mighty drei" right now, and it feels like they're operating with a handicap. Ideally, they would have found a few more people before setting out to make some silver, but this seemed simple enough and in their wheelhouse that they could handle it.

They need the money and they need it quickly, after all. More than that, they need things to occupy their time. This is a strange new world and they have to start doing something in it, one way or another.

Nott is scouting ahead of them in the Undergrowth, while Molly and Caleb cautiously pick their way over crawling vines and exposed roots.]

At least it's not a swamp. Probably just as dangerous, though. Just please, god, no more fucking poison trolls. That was a once in a lifetime experience that I didn't need to have, but I had it, and I don't want it again.

Edited 2018-09-24 16:44 (UTC)

[Caleb is definitely a little twitchy about all of this. Nott is scouting ahead, but he'd much rather have Frumpkin as a bird. Not that he doesn't trust Nott. It's just easier to cover more distance. And less people pay attention to animals. (Mostly. Except cat-kickers.)

And there's only three of them. They don't have their cleric, they don't have their women with lots of muscles. They don't even have Fjord. It's an under-balanced party. To put it mildly.

But well: yes. Money.]

Oh, I'm sure there's something equally dangerous out there. But agreed.

[Why did they go after it the second time?? Because they're dumbasses, that's why.]

[Just be certain, he yells:] D'you hear that, Nott? If you find a troll or anything that looks to be made of poison, do not engage.

[He hears no response, but he shrugs anyway.] She probably heard that. [Technically, a lot of things probably heard that, but Molly's not concerned with them at this moment.]

Aren't you suffocating in that coat? [He'd only glanced over for a second, but seeing Caleb in that bulky coat in the jungle is both hilarious and, to be honest, kind of cringe-worthy. It's hard not to take notice.

Then again, Molly isn't one to talk. He never got warmer clothes in Nadril. They're both committed to the #aesthetic.]

...She probably did.

[Caleb is absolutely giving Molly a little bit of side-eye at the moment. So much for any sort of element of surprise. If possible, the wizard looks even more uncomfortable.

...Just to ease his own mind a bit - at least about Nott's safety - he pulls out his bit of copper wire, does the appropriate gestures, and then speaks into his cupped hands.]

If you didn't hear Mollymauk, don't engage anything trollish. Or anything that appears to be poisonous. Or very large.

[On some level, he knows Molly was just being a shit. But still.

Then Molly is commenting on his clothes, and Caleb shoots him another sidelong glance.]

I'm fine. I didn't take it off in the swamp either, if you'll recall.

[....No, it's pretty hot. He's just more emotionally comfortable in it.]

Yeah, that was weird then too, but I was sort of justifying it by maybe having a layer of protection against the swamp sludge. [At least he knows that Caleb won't cast a fire spell, raise his core body temperature, and then pass out. If it didn't happen before, it probably won't happen now.]

You know what you should do? You should find someone to line the interior a bit with leather or something so it actually works as proper armor. Make you a little less squishy.

[It's becoming clear that Molly is talking right now because he doesn't like the silence. He's still a bit gunshy about that time he and Nott discovered Lucien out here, and even if it destroys the element of surprise, it keeps his mind off hunting the shadows. That was a month ago and it was probably something related to the dragon, but Molly's cautious when he has to be.

Even when it means being the opposite of cautious right now. He'd rather something hungry and awful came at them then that fucking dark specter that shouldn't exist.]

[No, if Caleb passes out because of a fire spell it'll have nothing to do with overheating.]

That would be very heavy. [And if it were actual armor, then he wouldn't be able to cast spells because??? Wizards, man. They're weird.

But the thing is, Caleb is actually pretty perceptive for all that his outward social skills are terrible. He does seem to understand that Molly is talking for the sake of talking. And while he's not sure why that is, he's...willing to indulge him. To keep their very small group cohesive.]

Besides I have-- [He's about to say "all of you" but there's not many of them to serve as a shield for him, are there? Really just Molly, since Nott isn't much of a shield either. There's a pause, and then he redirects.] spells for that.

How likely do you think this is to go off without a hitch?

[His voice is pretty dry because. It won't. But it's a conversation that isn't his coat.]

A limited amount of spells, but... Essentially. Yeah, that's fair. [There are people here who seem to do limitless magic without ever seeming like they're running low and those people have to be cheating. Jester is going to be so pissed if she ever wakes up.

But moving on... Gods, if there was ever a time to suddenly remember there is no plan because they don't have enough information, it's now, at least. Molly cringes.]

I think it's less of a problem of not finding the bloody thing and more of a problem of what might be protecting it. But I haven't seen any sign of anything awful yet.

[In fact, the only things he's seen thus far are small bugs and the occasional small dog-like creature that turned tail and ran when they saw them coming. Overhead, a large-eared, bengal-furred cat like creature with horns scurries through the trees and hisses loudly at them, but doesn't attack. It just seems to be warning them to stay away from its tree.] Yeah, see, that we can handle.

I suppose if it were an easy task, then there would be no need to hire anyone.

[So, logically, it's all going to go to shit. You're welcome for pointing out that they don't have a plan. Maybe they should make one.]

Of course it will be a problem of what will be protecting it. [Caleb tracks the movement of the hissing creature as he speaks. Oh, that coat pattern absolutely makes him miss Frumpkin and it's entirely possible that the longing shows up on his face. For just a few moments, before he turns his attention back to Molly.]

Still. We might get lucky. That was almost cute.

[He's...not serious.]

[Now doesn't this seem like an easy job? The remainder of the Mighty Nein were warned this part of the Undergrowth was dangerous, but so far it seems like a walk in the park.

Until Nott's voice comes through another harried Message, to Caleb.]

No trolls but the tree is angry you can reply to this message!!

[Apparently there's an issue with the local flora/fauna.]

It sort of looks like Frumpkin had little Frumpkins with one of Jester's unicorn hamsters. Maybe you should make friends with it.

[Molly knows he's not serious, but he also knows the man misses his cat and the idea of Caleb trying to scarf that thing is enough to bring a smile to his face and let him maybe chill a bit.

Once they get a visual, then there'll be a plan. They just need to...

...Dammit. Molly knows that Caleb face, and it stops him in his tracks. That's his "Nott just sent an unhappy message" face.] ...What.

[This is definitely Caleb's "Nott just sent an unhappy message" face. Caleb stops dead in his tracks, looking around like he might be able to spot the danger.]

She says the tree is angry...

[Then he takes out his wire again to send a message back:]

What do you mean, the tree is angry? Can you retreat?]

[Gods help them. They're going to die.]

[Nott responds quickly.]

It doesn't like my jokes!!

[In the distance, it's possible they may overhear Nott's distant cries as she desperately tries to run away from an angry Mandrine.]

[Molly's already raking Summer's Dance across the back of his neck to activate Rite of the Frozen, ice coating the entirety of the golden blade. He follows suit with his other scimitar. If they're going to be doing a little gardening, best to bring out all of the tools.]

See, I wouldn't have put money on the trees. That's why I don't bet on these things. I'd never get anywhere. [And then to Nott, because even if he can't hear what she's saying to Caleb, those screams are distinctive. Whether she can hear him yelling is another thing entirely, but more voices might distract the thing and realize there are other targets... Or something.] We're coming, Nott!

[Caleb's going to stay at a distance anyway, so Molly doesn't have that much issue taking the lead and letting him follow.]

[Caleb can't prepare spells this far in advance of the actual combat, so he doesn't. He just follows as Molly rushes off in the direction that Nott's distressed yelling is coming from.

He does complete the spell for Message another time.]

We are on our way, don't worry.

SORRY, STILL WORRYING!

[When they come upon the area Nott is ostensibly at, they find two mandrines, treelike creatures with many vinelegs. They are crowded around one another, not noticing their company yet, and Nott is between them, struggling and wrapped in the vines, arm holding the copper wire tied tightly and uselessly to her chest. Parts of her face appear to be turning yellow in angry rashes caused by contact with the beasts.

She's utterly helpless.]

...Well, I can see why.

[Is Molly's succinct response when he comes upon this scene. He doesn't linger long, going completely into battle mode as he dodges to the left and stabs at one of the two treelike beasts with one sword, yanks that one free and dives in for the other. He manages to sever part of a vine holding Nott, but it's not exactly a victory when there's two and their spindly bits are quite aggressive.

Molly hisses something in Infernal, but it's nearly impossible to tell if it actually did anything because it is a plant-ish thing. It doesn't have any orifices or blood to boil. Or it succeeded its saving throw.]

[...Oh this really is like the troll, isn't it? Caleb comes upon the scuffle on Molly's heels - well not exactly on his heels because he's not that close, why would he be that close - and stops to assess the situation.

Molly is already engaging and Caleb quickly sorts through his options. His spells aren't focused enough to hit the manderines and not Nott...she needs to be clear of them before he can do anything. Alright.

He moves just close enough to the fray to be effective, and then reaches into a pocket to pull out powdered iron. Casting it out in front of him, he says the appropriate words and--

Well. Molly gets a lot bigger. It's only right, he's fighting trees.]

Mollymauk, get her clear!

[Molly cuts enough of the vine free that Nott's arm can move again, and she quickly tucks the copper wire into a finger so she can smack her hand onto the bark-like body of the mandrine that is trying to yank her away from the other one like the world's worst game of Hot Potato. It's like these two plant guys don't even know the rules.

When her hand connects, a charge of electricity surges through her hand into its body and it convulses, loosening its grip on her.

Some of the vines wrapped around her fall away and Nott yelps as she's yanked closer to the other mandrine.]

[Molly's seen this happen to Beau and Yasha, but that doesn't really prepare you for it happening to yourself. Molly's head brushes against the beginning of the canopy and he has to kind of duck to make certain he doesn't get smacked by low hanging branches or caught in any vines. Luckily, he's graceful... and too focused on protecting his people to really delight in it or show off.

He stomps hard on the mandrine that Nott just loosened, keeping it from extending its vines again to try and grab her once it shakes off the effects of her spell. He drops one of his swords to the side and the rite fades from it and he goes in for the second mandrine barehanded. The poison prickles against his palm, but he bites away through it until the vines around Nott start to slacken and he can release the plant and yank her free and step back with Nott resting in his palm. The same rash on her face seems to be spreading across his enlarged fingertips, but Nott is free and the mandrine is looking pretty fucking rough.]

[Thank the gods that Enlarge only works for a minute so Molly probably won't get the time to show off with it.

For a moment, Caleb very seriously considers Fireball but...well, it is a forest and he'd be setting fire to tree beings and that does seem....unwise.

Fire Bolt, on the other hand, is less effective as an offensive spell but also less likely to set the entire area on fire the same way that Fireball would.

Which is to say, he holds out his hand and incants the proper words and then there's a streak of fire headed towards the already badly damaged mandrine. The flames lick up its trunk as it writhes. It also seems to be be burning even more speedily because of all those cuts Molly has given it. Fire feeding on sap.

Caleb skirts around the edge of the clearing, trying to make it closer to Molly and Nott without getting much closer to the second mandrine.]

[When Nott is pried free of the vines' grasp, she shrieks in automatic fear, finally able to pull up her crossbow, but... that's Molly she's pointing it at. Just big Molly. Caleb's showed off this bit of magic before, and that's enough for Nott to heave a noisily exhausted sigh of relief, lowering her crossbow.

She should help fend off the second mandrine, but she's really gotta take a minute. She only fires once at it and then kind of curls up in Molly's hand like she's trying to bonus action hide in his arms as she catches her breath.

The mandrine doesn't look that bothered by the crossbow bolt sticking out of its bark. But it does turn its attention on the fire-wielding wizard that it can sense is going to be a huge problem for it.]

Oh for the love of- [Molly's voice booms a bit, surprising him, and that gives him an idea, because while he could wield his second sword and keep Nott tucked against his chest with his free hand... Why would a person resist the urge to mock something in stereo?

He hisses infernal at it, and indeed it sounds like the booming voice of Asmodeus himself reaching from the hells, but that fucking plant saves against it, because I rolled for it, and it got a natural 17. IT DOES NOT FEAR SATAN.]

Really? [Indignant squawking does not have the same effect in stereo as infernal, but it has about the same effect on the mandrine. Which is nothing.]

[And thus it continues to be unclear if sap counts as blood or if these are some hardy trees. Tough luck, Molly.

...Caleb is very seriously rethinking not using Fireball. Considering that the mandrine is clearly turned in his direction and Molly hasn't managed to stop it. But. Fire and the jungle. Still not his best idea even if fire is easiest for him to use.

Different plan. He reaches into his satchel again, curls his fingers around the little carved cat paw that resides there, traces the other through the air. The earth beneath the creature shifts and turns into a similar cat's paw which grasps the Mandrine firmly (because it rolled a 5 on its strength saving throw so HA). The creature wriggles and struggles as the force causes its body to splinter slightly.]

[Nott finally wiggles around to look at the remaining mandrine, only to see that it's been restrained by Caleb. That's her magical boy.

She points her crossbow at it while the cat paw has it held in place and hits it once in its side, and again right in the center of the tree rings where its face would be. The second bolt splinters the bark and disappears deep into the body of the creature, because Nott rolled a natural 20. It just sort of stops and collapses onto the ground, its vines curling up and almost seeming to wither.

She sighs a breath of relief and then rubs the fuck out of her face where all the rashes are.]

My face feels like it's burning!!!

[Molly's hand where he had to scrape past the vines to grab Nott is starting to burn itself, but he grits his teeth through it, if only because he wants to appreciate this moment now that they're not in immediate danger.]

Beau and Yasha really do not give this the credit it deserves. This is amazing. [Except for the part where he turns to face Caleb, his horn jewelry snags on some branches and basically ruins how cool he is in this moment. Okay, so maybe there's a reason why this happens to Beau and Yasha, even if Beau isn't as cool as she thinks she is.

By the time, Molly finally manages to drop his sword so he can disentangle himself, the spell wears off and he sinks back to his normal size, instinctively grabbing for Nott so she doesn't hit the ground when his hand stops being large enough for her to perch in.

And then... he ends up having to drop her, anyway, because now the itchy rash on his hand and arm is really hitting him, and nothing can stand between him and scratching at it. Sorry Nott... He tried for a moment.]

That fucker. How does something get even more irritating after it's dead.

[semi-closed] every devil I meet becomes a friend of mine.

CALEB & NOTT (LULLABY FOR A DRAGON)

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)