Sabrina
*Kalisha rushes over to her weapon and helmet, quickly collecting the headgear and slipping it on, but not yet tying it up. There was no time to secure it, so she instead picked up Ire and rushed after the two assassin vines.
Kalisha takes a swing at the shield-bearer to splatter it under her heavy Kanabo, and if it would not die, then to keep it spiked as she swings out with the end of her weapon that has the spikes on it. Being struck by just the end of the weapon could do more damage in a smaller surface area than a full-body crush, but we'll see how it turns out.
Now Kalisha picks her weapon back up, whether the vine was still stuck on the spikes or not, and went for the other vine. Having already attacked this then though, can't really attack again, so...*
Viola
*Kalisha was able to get her helmet and weapon, and was able to use that weapon to mush up the shield guy, who had lost it's protection. The slinger slings a rock at Kalisha, again at 80fps*
Sabrina
*Kalisha step-dodges sideways to throw off the slinger's aim and dodge pre-emptively, then lunges forward with the Kanabo overhead to slam down on the assassin vine with the full surface of her weapon. Unlike on the last one where the end of the weapon slams down in a fine point, this strike was full bat to ground and affected a larger surface area.
And that is four kills... Unless it survives, but it probably won't last long afterwards anyway.*
Viola
*The slinger swiftly avoids the Kanabo and goes in for a swing in a exposed spot on the elbows and shoulders. 3 attacks in total, 2 to the elbows and 1 to the right shoulder. This vine certainly seems experienced, compared to the other vines, it seems as if vines that last longer in combat get more 'wise'. Better kill it soon, or else it'll be a real hassle if this newfound tactic spreads.*
Sabrina
*Kalisha picks her weapon back up and attempts to block some of the attacks with it, and holds her other arm up to block her upper body - her helmet is still untied and a lucky shot could send it flying off and leaving her head and neck vulnerable, which is most worrisome when it comes to grappler monsters.
In spite of the slinger attacking, Kalisha continued to power through and get closer to it. She'd try to watch and follow the vines and wait for a perfect opportunity to grab one straight out of the air, but it's probably gonna hurt...*
Viola
*Unfortuanately, while Kalisha is both fast and strong, they weren't fast enough to both pick up a weapon and defend. Such unfortunate fate, the vine hits both attacks against the elbows, grappling them and cutting. The vine however misses the shoulder, a silver lining at least. Kalish has her weapon prepared to attack again next turn.*
Sabrina
*Kalisha swings out with her Kanabo to catch the vines as the slinger continues swinging, and kind of 'twirls' it around with sweeping spins to tie the vines further and trap the slinger vine in its own appendages. And then, pretty much the same thing as the first vine, she yanks her weapon back to pull it towards her and batter-ups it while it flies.
~~yeet~~*
Viola
*The vine was unable to evade this, and had been yeeted and mushed to death. You hath defeated a strong vine, clearly a menace to society. Will you continue on with the crusade against these heathans?*
Sabrina
*Not yet. Kalisha's top priority was to get back to the girl and make sure she's safe. She'd lift Ire up and set it on her back again so her hands were free, and removes her helmet again as she makes her way back to the tree she told the girl to hide behind.*
"Hey, are you okay?" *Kalisha asks as he approaches.*
Viola
*The girl has injuries all over her body but she says* "My... Family is over that way!" *She points in a direction* "Please save them!"
Sabrina
"Not gonna risk leaving you alone here," *Kalisha says.* "Hop on my back and hold on, I'll carry you while we search for them."
*Kalisha removes Ire from her back and shifts over so the girl can climb onto her back easily. There are spots on Kalisha's armour that the girl can hang onto for grip, like overlaps in the wooden or metal plate segments and some rope loops that are generally intended for carrying weapons and gear. Kalisha's bag was also attached on her lower hip, which would give the girl a steady foothold if she needs it.
While waiting for the girl to climb up, Kalisha puts her helmet back on again and begins tying it up to secure it.*
"I will protect you," *Kalisha reassures the girl.* "I promise."
Viola
*The girl leads you to a seemingly empty circulur clearing with 3 people in the middle of it. Strange that there are no vines here, at least you think so. There is a man, presumably the father who says to Kalisha* "Oh thank goodness someone came to find use!"
Sabrina
*Kalisha passes through the forest and keeps her eyes open for the vines. Eventually she and the girl did make their way to the clearing, with three people here.
How strange... Why is there a completely circular clearing, why did these people stay here instead of leaving? Something was up, but Kalisha didn't know for sure. She did wave out to the people here to acknowledge they were present and show she meant no harm.*
"Were there any traps or vines here, kiddo?" *Kalisha asks the girl over her shoulder, approaching warily with her weapon in hand and ready.*
Viola
"I... I'm not sure, they were here, but then they left! I do not know where they are." *The father pleads to the adventurer to escort them to the village.*
Sabrina
"Girl, you got the 'high ground' on my back, keep watch for us please," *Kalisha said to the kid as she approached the villagers.* "Everyone come with me, I'll lead you back!"
*How to manage formation though? Have them all follow behind her, all of them walk in front of her, stay clustered... Or just go? Kalisha didn't want to risk too much because all of those options came with downsides and dangers.*
"Anybody here able-bodied enough to fight if need be?" *She asks. Perhaps if they had one more person who was able to fight, the choice of formations would be safer and easier to make.*
Viola
"I wish we were of much use to you, but I'm sure you won't face no great battle" *The thinks to the past* "They always weren't a big trouble" *Oh no, this guy is reminisiing about things that are no longer true.* "Though, I do think we should scamper along before we see any, I think we can get away with just sneaking."
Sabrina
*'Oh, let's hope not,' Kalisha thought.* "Alright let's get moving, everybody. Stay close to each other and I will lead. If you need to stop or if you see or hear something that could be dangerous, warn me right away."
*Kalisha then gestures them to approach and starts guiding them back the way she came out of the forest. Might take a while though. Whether the family wanted to carry the girl themselves or let Kalisha keep carrying her, she didn't mind.*
Viola
*You sneak away undetected, bringing along the civillians and loot that you had gathered from the vines you have killed. When you get back to town the mayor thanks you very much and gives you a pouch of 2300 silver, for all your services. You have also been able to comission the local crafter for the Bongo's of summoning vine*
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Sabrina
*Thank goodness they got back without being attacked again. Kalisha takes her reward and checks out the craftsman's place to commission and receive the magical item, then eventually said her goodbyes and took her leave.*