Staff IC III -A Skele-Ton of Second Chances

[Emmerlaus]

" Im not worried. " Sugar say, flying and following the group.

[igordragonian]

"You should be.' Deepwood muttered.
"Things still can get worse- and so they will.'

[DaOldeWolf]

As the group fly, they start to see the terrain become covered in a yellow substance. Charcoal once again warns the others to avoid getting into contact with the sap. Everything from the trees to the rocks to the floor appeared to be covered in the substance. The smell is overwhelmingly sweet.

"I don't see any creatures." Night Shift points out as he looks around.

"Don't be tricked into a false sense of security. The creatures are everywhere. They are just waiting for something to get stuck in this place."

As you all move through the forest, you manage to see the bubble stuck in some of strange formation of sap. The manticore is looking uncomfortable inside the small bubble.

[igordragonian]

"Charocal gotten this right ' Deepwood muttered, and when they have found the manticore he flew toward it, avoiding the sap.
"Well. I'v heard that you can talk. So you better start talking- and convince me to help you, instead of pushing you deeper into the sap.' Deepwood said witb a frown

[Emmerlaus]

" Ok, THAT cannot be a natural occurency. How such phenomenon happened?! Think of all the sweets I could make with that sap! " Sugar is more amazed by the world around her then by the manticore.

[Emperor Ing]

Auuuahuuuauuughh.... Tailwind drooled as the smell lulled her into sweet bliss. So delicious...

[DaOldeWolf]

The manticore is white on his fur except for the mane which is black. The manticore thinks for a second about what to say. "Umm.. I am a bit surprised. You lot arrived a bit later than I expected. I wonder why you are here. No, I actually don't. I actually know exactly why you are here. You are here because your friend lost his memory. You also came here because you are looking for the other staff member. You also want your firend´s memories back. The ones that currently reside in me. Am I right about everything so far?" The manticore keeps its eyes closed the whole time. "The one I am speaking to.... are you Deepwood or are you Charcoal Knight?"

[Emmerlaus]

The manticore is white on his fur except for the mane which is black. The manticore thinks for a second about what to say. "Umm.. I am a bit surprised. You lot arrived a bit later than I expected. I wonder why you are here. No, I actually don't. I actually know exactly why you are here. You are here because your friend lost his memory. You also came here because you are looking for the other staff member. You also want your firend´s memories back. The ones that currently reside in me. Am I right about everything so far?" The manticore keeps its eyes closed the whole time. "The one I am speaking to.... are you Deepwood or are you Charcoal Knight?"

Sugar take attention to the Manticore: " Less mindreading, more answers! Or Im pushing your bubbles in the sap and you'll be a goner! Why did you attack Bubbles and the new comer, you D'Magic poser of a Manticore? "

[Emperor Ing]

Hold your horses! Tailwind says, suddenly becoming serious. She floats towards the bubble. Blow-ugh! Pardon me, Blowhard Joe I presume?

[DaOldeWolf]

"Please, remain calm, as the girl pegasus said, I am Blowhard Joe. Is it Tailwind or is it Sugar Rush? The least we need is that you have a harder time getting me out later assuming that is where future takes us. I got involved in a battle with BubbleGuard. A D'Magic contracted me to get into combat with BubbleGuard as a test of some sort. The idea sounded exciting. BubbleGuard is one of the best magic duelist I have heard of. He doesn't harm its opponents but still manages to beat them." It is a bit hard to see the true nature of the manticore due to its eyes remaining close.

Spoiler: Mind Roll DC: 9 to find out

Show

The manticore is actually pretty relaxed. Its facial muscles reveal it is pretty calm and doesnt seem to have any bad intent.

"I am not sure how to feel about this." BubbleGuard proclaims.

"I believe being trapped here makes BubbleGuard the winner of the encounter so may I be released from this prison? " the manticore declares.

[Emperor Ing]

Behold! For I am Tailwind!! The Pegasus emphasizes this point by raising both forelegs into the sky.

If you have Lord Bubbles' memories, then I do declare that you must already know: I cannot allow a speck of dirt or grime to befall you! Towards this end, I shall recommend in the strongest of terms! Recommend against your...immediate release, for if you are released now, you will SURELY probably fall upon a terrible, sticky, sugary, sweet-smelling fate!

Probably!

But hope is not lost! We simply must push the bubble outside this pit!

[igordragonian]

Deepwood frowned all the time thinking.

"Wait.' He grunted
'How do we know you weren't hired to make more troubles to Bubble Guard? And what exactly happened to the memories?!"

[DaOldeWolf]

Behold! For I am Tailwind!! The Pegasus emphasizes this point by raising both forelegs into the sky.

If you have Lord Bubbles' memories, then I do declare that you must already know: I cannot allow a speck of dirt or grime to befall you! Towards this end, I shall recommend in the strongest of terms! Recommend against your...immediate release, for if you are released now, you will SURELY probably fall upon a terrible, sticky, sugary, sweet-smelling fate!

Probably!

But hope is not lost! We simply must push the bubble outside this pit!

"Thanks for answering my question. The only memories I have come from the voices. I never forget a voice." Joe replies trying to point out a few facts. "I don't have any memories of seeing anything before. Still, I don't have memories of any of you. Well, besides memories of Charcoal Knight. I know your names from a few visions. You see, I am an oracle of sorts."

Deepwood frowned all the time thinking.

"Wait.' He grunted
'How do we know you weren't hired to make more troubles to Bubble Guard? And what exactly happened to the memories?!"

"Lady Tea Agony picked me for the job. She is very careful when picking somepony for a job. I cant look you into your eyes and tell you I am telling the truth. If you don't trust me, at least trust her." Joe makes the request to Deepwood.

[Emperor Ing]

Indeed! For Starswirl informed us of sorts! Alas, he failed to mention that one of you two would not be ponies! As Tailwind says this, she carefully maneuvers behind the bubble, raising her forelegs up to it as she begins to push it out. It would do Equestria a great service to clear up all the confusion! And we shall show no mercy to such confusion! All I would ask is that you kindly could elaborate on your involvement with the D'magic!

Flying to push the bubble
(2d6+2)[6][1](7) 9

Persuasion
(3d6+7)[4][4][3](11) 15

[DaOldeWolf]

The bubble remains in place despite Tailwind´s best effort. It bounces a little bit but remains completely ensnared by the web. "I have accepted a few duels as parts of their tests to the family members. I want to become a great caster myself so I need to practice my skills. The D'Magic are a bit eccentric but they produce many great casters. Why waste a good chance, right?"

[igordragonian]

Deepwood stared at the Manticore. "Well, Tea Agony trust me for some reason. I guess, it would be fair to do the same mistake with you."
Deepwood sighed. "Let's try something else, Tailwind." he gruntted, and pulled a rope, and tied it around the bubble.

"Now... help me... if you want to get over with it."

"Manticores..." he grunted.
"oracles."
"Shmagic."
"ArgH!"


Dragging the bubble

(2d6)[6]+3

[Emmerlaus]

Sugat help with the pulling...

" Humm, you are not really a manticore, right? Manticore don't talk... "

Aid another to deepwood.

[Emperor Ing]

Tailwind pulled along with the others.

Aid Another for Deepwood.

[DaOldeWolf]

Deepwood stared at the Manticore. "Well, Tea Agony trust me for some reason. I guess, it would be fair to do the same mistake with you."
Deepwood sighed. "Let's try something else, Tailwind." he gruntted, and pulled a rope, and tied it around the bubble.

"Now... help me... if you want to get over with it."

"Manticores..." he grunted.
"oracles."
"Shmagic."
"ArgH!"

Dragging the bubble

[roll0]+3

Sugat help with the pulling...

" Humm, you are not really a manticore, right? Manticore don't talk... "

Aid another to deepwood.

Tailwind pulled along with the others.

Aid Another for Deepwood.

"Only if our mother speaks. You see manticores are a male only species. We get involved with other species to create life. We usually inherit some skills from her. My magical talent was also given to me from her." the manticore replies as its finally freed from the sap. The jelly starts to tremble from the effect of losing grip of the bubble. A creature roar could be heard from afar.

Spoiler: For Deepwood´s eyes only

Show

The sound is familiar to you. It had to be the gigantic BubbleWood Sap Spider. A spider named by BubbleGuard for their cooperative discovery. The creature kept them in that forest for three days. It was completely unbeatable not to mention vicious. Capable of throwing sap to capture anything it could see with its dozen pair of eyes.

It could jump pretty far and was twice as big as a manticore. It wasn't poisonous but its bite was quite painful as Deepwood experienced first hand. The creature is really stubborn when chasing its prey but doesn't get out of the sap part of the forest.

"I don't like that sound." BubbleGuard replies worried.

"I think its time to run or fly or whatever." adds Charcoal even more worried.

[igordragonian]

Deepwood face hoofed.
"I knew it. Something with too many limbs, and spitting sap coming at us. We should go- and fast!' Deepwood dragged the manticore

[Emmerlaus]

" Then what are we waiting for!? Lets scram! "

Sugar help dragging the bubble and fly at top speed away from this region.

[Emperor Ing]

Let us rally! CHAAAARGE!!

In the direction opposite of the enemy! Tailwind says as she pulls on the rope with the others, attempting to retreat.

Flying
(2d6)[2][2](4) 6

[DaOldeWolf]

Deepwood face hoofed.
"I knew it. Something with too many limbs, and spitting sap coming at us. We should go- and fast!' Deepwood dragged the manticore

"Why are we running?! Aren't we the army of the castle?! We should be fighting that monster face to face." Night Shift complains as he follows flies away with the group.

" Then what are we waiting for!? Lets scram! "

Sugar help dragging the bubble and fly at top speed away from this region.

"I could use some assistance myself" BubbleGuard replies trying to make the bubble move faster.

Let us rally! CHAAAARGE!!

In the direction opposite of the enemy! Tailwind says as she pulls on the rope with the others, attempting to retreat.

Flying
(2d6+2)[12] 6

"I am thankful to all of you for the assistance. Being blind, even if I was outside this bubble, I would require the help to get out this place." He replies being thankful for the assistance.

If anypony looks behind, they can see a giant black spider leaping from tree to tree and getting closer by the minute. The spider then starts spitting some balls of sap at every pony. The first shots miss but as he gets closer, his accuracy seems to be improving.

Spoiler: Challenge time

Show

To avoid the sap web shots, you must pass a body roll DC of 7.
Anypony that decides to keep assisting the manticore or assist Bubbleguard or anypony under the sap effect, then you have to accept a penalty of -2 when making a body roll.
If you fail the save, you get a -1 penalty to your body rolls.

For the next three rounds, you will have to make a body roll. Time for the team to escape the BubbleWood spider. Both BubbleGuard and the manticore have a penalty of -2 due to flying in the bubbles.

Rolling for the other characters
BubbleGuard: [roll]2d+1[/roll]
Night Shift: (2d6+2)[12]
The unnamed manticore: (2d6+1)[5]
Charcoal Knight: (2d6+2)[9]

P.D. There are 4 possible solutions I though to this issue (+ any other you might think that I haven't though of). One that would make this challenge really easily done. The other three involve some outside thinking but would help you avoid to endure this challenge for three rounds. Of course, you could also take this challenge straight ahead if you are feeling lucky. Good luck, guys.

[Emperor Ing]

And assistance thou shalt receive! Tailwind flies over to Bubbles' bubble to help push, trying to avoid the sap all the while, though the Spider's accuracy is improving and Tailwind feels some sap strike her in the side.

Flying (-2 due to assisting others)
(2d6)[3][4](7)

[igordragonian]

"Fang it!" Deepwood flapped more with his wings, dragging the Manticore.
"What can you do then?!" he muttered while groaning.

Spoiler: roll

Show

+3-2

(2d6)[6]+1

[DaOldeWolf]

"Not much in this bubble. " the manticore replies.

"I am thankful for the assistance here. Flying should be left to pegasus and bat ponies." BubbleGuard replies.

The spider keeps its next round of attacks.

[igordragonian]

'Bubble Guard, can you release the manticore? We won't go far like that' Deepwood groaned.

[Emperor Ing]

Must...Press....ONWARDS!! To victory! Tailwind continues trying to push Bubbles' bubble, despite the exertion of being weighed down by the spider's goop.

(2d6)[1][2](3) -1 = 2

[Emmerlaus]

" Bubbles, undo the Manticore bubble NOW! "

Body (helping Bubbles, leaving the others to drag the Manticore, seing that Tailwind is in trouble)

(3d6)[4][6][4](14) + 3

Firebreath (Toward a tree or at least big tree branch to block the spider path or fall on it)
(3d6)[5][2][1](8)

Expense of a heart point for the Speedster bonus, getting two actions.

[DaOldeWolf]

"If I do that, the manticore would fall to the sap." BubbleGuard replies his concern. The manticore was inside a small bubble.

"I am blind. Even if I could fly, I wouldn't see where I am going." the manticore admits.

"We should be fighting that thing. I don't understand why we keep running away. Lets turn back and teach that thing a lesson." Night Shift insists.