"The Timberblight of Dead Man's Table" (RTx12) is the twelfth episode of The Re-Slayer's Take. Tired of being pursued, the Re-Slayers take the fight to Dead Man's Table for a final showdown with the Avatar of Rot.
Synopsis[]
As it starts raining in the base of the Utesspire Mountains, the Re-Slayers prepare to leave with the miniature horses provided by Freedom and his people, who thank them and encourage them, telling them that they are welcome to come back. Farah confirms with Timpani that Dead Man's Table is their next stop, and that he knows how to arrive there, after which she chooses to ride the most nervous horse to force Frog to choose a beast more willing to let a metallic person ride it. The Aeormaton speaks with Idrin and they exchange praises for their good performance in their last fight and their current well-being. The group rides for an hour until they reach the tree that brought them to this area, and Timpani informs them that due to the corrupt nature of the plateau they are about to visit, he can only bring them to its base; he thanks them all for their help, and mentions they will likely encounter Putridius Festerkin himself next, but Heera assures the group they have all they need to defeat the rot revenant.
With the Transport via Plants spell they appear in a very rainy Vesper Timberland, next to the Dead Man's Table, whose top is barren. Thanks to Heera they successfully climb the plateau, and as they do, they hear the Timberblight's voice talking about the Slayer's Take, its rejection, and his resentment towards their leader, the reason why he used their trophies against them. They finally find the place where the druid's ghostly body stands; after learning they must be in the Table itself with him to be able to attack him, the Re-Slayers prepare, Poogs takes his old stabbing knife (which he promised not to use ever again, but this enemy deserves it), Idrin uses his beads to give his friends some additional health, and then they attack: Frog and Farah attack first, but Putridius projects a shield to protect himself; Heera observes him and informs the group that the ghostly enemy has a physical core connected to the spores that surround him, after which she casts Darkness. The Timberblight turns Invisible, and Timpani casts Barkskin on Idrin. The enemy reappears outside the darkened area and psychically attacks Heera, who immediately uses Hellish Rebuke in response, although the druid resists some of the damage. Idrin uses the wand taken from the mind flayer to cast Confusion, but Putridius resists; then he responds with a psychic blast that the wizard resists in turn. Poogs is damaged by the Aura of Poison of the Timberblight, but uses his Second Wind to restore some of his health, and Frog attacks the revenant to extract information about him, although receiving a Mind Sliver in retaliation. Farah throws the golden potion she took from Josgren's Hollow, and it breaks at the Timberblight's feet, apparently without any effect, causing Putridius to mock her.
Heera, poisoned by the enemy's aura, walks away after missing an attack, but he follows her and knocks her unconscious, being immediately healed by Timpani, who is also attacked. Idrin positions himself strategically and successfully Confuses Putridius, resisting his Mind Sliver twice, as Poogs runs towards the enemy and stabs him. Frog, Farah, and Heera attack him one after the other, and the latter teleports away producing a wave of flames, although the Timberblight protects himself from the fire; he then produces a staff made of pure necrotic energy, and hits Frog with it, knocking her unconscious. It is then that a stampede of elk (attracted by the golden potion) appear and hit Putridius. Timpani uses Healing Spirit to wake up Frog, while the enemy, no longer Confused, is hit by Idrin's Burning Hands. Wanting to take something from the Re-Slayers, the Timberblight knocks Poogs unconscious with Mind Sliver, and Frog immediately takes the goblin fighter with her to move him away from danger, at the same time she activates all the motes of light she has produced by punching the enemy: an explosion of radiant light hits the undead druid, disintegrating his body.
Timpani hugs Poogs and uses Mass Cure Wounds to heal the entire party. They celebrate, and when Poogs tells the firbolg that their victory could be used to help him join the Slayer's Take, he tells him that he now has his own team. Shortly after they decide to go to Himblewood to rest there, but on their way there, they are stopped, as Farah, Heera, and Frog and frozen in place and a group led by Heldwell surrounds them. He complains about their constant interference and wants to kill them, pausing for a moment to tell some well-dressed adventurers that they will be paid for their collaboration in due time (even though they seem to have an interest in the Re-Slayers' weapons, not in harming them). When Heldwell tells his allies to kill the adventurers, a gnome, Sweeny, intervenes, and before anyone can stop him, he teleports the Re-Slayer's Take to a bakery. There, they are greeted by Kashaw Vesh, who after introducing himself tells them that Osysa wants to speak with them.
Epilogue[]
On a cold, misty morning, a hooded figure with a golden metallic face watches Vasselheim in the distance. After a while, they set off towards the city.
Featured characters[]
"Re-Slayers"[]
Returning[]
- Freedom Windsong
- Grimm Heldwell, a member of the Slayer's Take
- Kashaw Vesh
- Putridius Festerkin
- The actual warriors sent by the Spectral Hand
- Devexian
New[]
- Sweeny, a gnome and member of the Slayer's Take
Mentioned[]
- Duderonomous
- Janet
- Osysa
- Dr. Fitzwaggle, a potionmaker from Josfren's Hollow
Quotations[]
Trivia[]
References[]
Art:
- ↑ Re-Slayer's Take promotional art, by Elaine Tipping (source). Used with permission.
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