The Dark Forest, pt II
One tree has retreated from the outskirts of the battle, and begins to walk away. Slowly, as the trees only move at 10' per round. The party follows the tree form a safe distance, expecting it to lead them to its creator. For once they demonstrate true patience, as the journey lasts for five days.
On the last day of travel the Ranger realizes the tree is no longer moving in a straight line. Obviously is it maneuvering the party into a trap, a fact that the party absorbs with equanimity. Perhaps due to misplaced confidence, as an ambush by a master assassin vine almost kills the Ranger in a single round, and now the party is surrounded by hostile vegetable matter.
The Cleric casts Blade Barrier: the lawnmower version, blocking most of the other assassin vines from entering the fray. As the party beats the remaining assassin vines into shrubbery, trees begin showing up in increasingly large numbers. The Bard casts Fire Shield and begins darting through the woods, setting everything that attacks him on fire.This is a devestatingly effective tactic until a voice booms out, ordering the trees to stop being so dumb. Two treants have arrived and taken control of the battle.
Their first move is to cast Sleet Storm over the battlefield, which turns out be just as annoying for them as it was for the party every time they tried to use it. Seriously, what is the purpose of this spell? Fortunately the Druid dispels the effect, allowing the battle to resume. Then the Bard and Druid do the invisible-bear-from-above trick again. This time the Druid-Bear lands between two angry treants, but thanks to Invisibility and bad luck they can't land a single blow. After the Bard and Barbarian rush over to help, the end comes quickly. The Ranger and Cleric finish off the assassin vines and it's all over.
Until a stunningly attractive dryad strolls on the field and asks what the party is doing to their trees.
Obviously this gets the Bard's attention. Conversation ensues, in which the dryad confesses they aren't actually her trees, just something she was looking after, and also that she's not a dryad but a Storm Giant shapeshifting into one. She turns back into a male giant (still stunning, however) and asks the party for help in doing a little light regime change. Turns out the King of the Storm Giants has banned shapeshifting in his kingdom, and is otherwise a hide-bound traditionalist incapable of adapting to the modern age.
Fegr explains the plan: the annual renewal of vows is about to occur at a 12-hour feast. If the party can tell a story so long and exciting that the King loses track of time, the loyalty oaths will expire. This will allow the rebels, led by Fegr, to stand by and do nothing while the party eliminates the King. Then Fegr will assume the throne, allow the party to claim the rewards for slaying the King and his loyal court, and promise to help them against the dragon someday.
The party is dubious - Fegr is clearly shifty as - but agree to come meet the giants and determine for themselves whether the situation warrants regicide. But only after Fegr throws a Hammer of Thunderbolts into the mix as a potential reward.
