There are few lower level incantations as powerful as Identify. It is a complex set of phrases and mental postulations, and Perrin traces sigils and runes of knowledge and inquiry with his other hand during the casting, which takes about sixty heart-beats of time.<br/><br/>The tree is a plant, that much is obvious, and it is magical. The plant is not a creature (that is to say, it is not like a treant). Strangely for a plant, it is Necromantic in nature, although no spells are currently affecting it.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DM Notes</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>DM Notes</strong>: Identify requires a pearl, valued at 100gp or more, which is not consumed by the spell. I'll waive that requirement this time.</div></div><br/><strong>Everyone:</strong><br/><div class="floatright">(https://i.imgur.com/nAVDoN4m.jpg)</div>Perrin has just stepped back from the tree when from all around you a dozen strange figures step out of the undergrowth. Looking like three foot tall bundles of brown and black twigs with thinner bundles forming crooked legs and arms, they are covered in the same cruel black thorns as the black apple trees that impale the bandits. You are all certain they would have been almost invisible moving through the undergrowth around you. Pinpoints of baleful green light burn where their eyes might be. Their twig hands are curled forward into wicked looking claws, extending toward you in threatening gestures as they approach.<br/><br/>The only sound they make is like a rustling of branches in the wind.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">DM Notes: Combat</div><div class="spoiler_body"><strong>DM Notes: Combat</strong><br/>1. The creatures have a <em>Pass Without Trace</em> ability in undergrowth, until they menaced you their stealth was much higher than any of your passive perception scores.<br/><br/>2. For Play by Post I use <em>Initiative by Side</em>. I don't want anyone waiting for one player in order to take their turn, I want you to post your action when you are here and able to do so.<br/><br/>3. We are going to be <em>theater of the mind</em> for this one. Sometimes I will post maps. The creatures are all 20' away from the group. They are surrounding you, about 10' away from each other. <br/><br/>4. In order to assist speed of play, they are AC 13. You can judge whether or not any of your attacks manage to strike one of the creatures.<br/><br/>5. This is our inaugural combat. <span class="bbc_u">Players go first</span>.<br/></div></div>