The vagabond druid plants his hands on his ears, staff still in hand. "No no no! You're lying, you're all liars. I know what you are, what all of you are! Let the wrath of Malar destroy you and your faithless companions!" He kicks out at Glyph, who evades the foot before ramming his staff into the ground. Vala immediately breaks the tree cover and rushes to the forefront but - and you - are too slow to stop the spell from taking effect. Thick roots burst forth from the staff's base in four directions as the altar glows with a sickly green light. The fast plantgrowth immediately begins to take form into that of misshapen animals, recognisable despite being made up of little more than vines, mud and grass, yet clearly 'wrong'. A bear, an eagle, a wolf, and a boar. Tusks and teeth and claws seem to be formed from stone pulled straight from the ground.

The plant-beasts summoned, the mad druid tugs his staff back into his hands and brandishes it once more.

Spoiler: Map
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Dim light while under the trees, but otherwise bright light abounds. 1/2 cover if you're at least two squares 'in' to a tree cover.

Couldn't find decent tokens for "plantbeasts" so they're just normal tokens, sorry about that. They are decidedly plants though, and not normal beasts. Imagine shambling mounds (or Tanglea from pokémon if that's more your thing) except formed into animal shapes.

Difficult terrain trying to climb over rocks or the altar. That's about it I think.

No sign of an ambush or anything for Melian.

Initiative wise the druid rolled low, so everyone gets a turn first. I'll be taking Vala just for this fight to get some narration about her abilities, then let others pilot (if so desired) for future fights.



Spoiler: Malar Religion Check
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Spoiler: DC10
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Malar is a lesser deity, evil, and usually associated with lycanthropes.


Spoiler: DC15
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His titles include the Beastlord and the Blackblooded One. He finds worshippers among druids and barbarians, who often receive blessings or curses similar to or associated with lycanthropy. His dogma involves the spreading of the lycan curse, and a general contempt for civilisation. He is often depicted as a monkey-wolf hybrid, with a head covered in blood-red fur and his symbol is a lcyanthrope's claw dripping with blood.


Spoiler: DC20
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Malar was originally one of the Deities of Fury and lead by Talos. He often sided with Lolth, the spider goddess of the Drow. He was defeated during the Time of Troubles by Nobanion the King of Beasts, an exarch of Silvanus, but as with most/all gods they're never truly gone.

Notably Malarites are forbidden from slaying young or pregnant, in apparent recognition that they are not worthy targets of the Hunt.

High Hunts are their primary form of celebration, occurring 4 times a year on Midwinter, Greengrass, Midsummer and the Feast of the Moon. They involve a sporting event in which a predetermined 'mark' (usually a humanoid male) is equipped with non-magical equipment and set loose in a vast area with a guarded boundary, often woodlands. Participants in the hunt must find and kill the mark before sunrise to earn glory and prestige with their good. Should the mark survive until sunrise, they are allowed their freedom and immunity from all future hunts, along with a boon from the Huntmaster/Huntmistress.