#elsewhere

Guarded by the Troll, Thistle manages to send another gout of flame up, that sizzles along a vine and makes it rear up once again!

She can do this. She can do this. Oh man she hates this.

The mighty jaws of the Mato-Grizzly have clamped down on it's head, and mighty jaws clack uselessly, rather than savaging Art who dances just within reach, or Gwen, who hovers with her spear outstretched.

Gouts of beetles pour over his flesh, leaving raw patches behind, bereft of fur, flesh bared.

When it caught, Gwen takes a moment to stab the midsection if she can "Threw me, Thunderbird! If this abomination you would cleanse"

He does not loose.

Well, it doesn't like the fire. Thistle takes the next chance she sees.

Fire sizzles up the vines, she's hurting it, and every time she does, the vines withdraw, revealing the juicy midsection.

Power flows through her spear, and then buries itself into the core of the midsection "Today I am a talon of Thunderbird, know pain then be cleansed!"

Gwen steadies her stance, raising her spear high. She calls upon Thunderbird, whose mighty presence fills the air.

The sky darkens, and a brilliant surge of lightning crackles down the spear, charging it with raw, electrifying power. With her cry, mighty Troll Knight Dame Gladiola plunges the weapon deep into the beast's exposed midsection.

The creature convulses violently as the spear connects, electricity coursing through its rotting form. The vines recoiling in the wake of the fire burn brighter, and the swarm of insects writhes in agony. With a final, gut-wrenching screech, the creature collapses, its form disintegrating into a mass of decayed wood and writhing beetles, leaving behind only the stench of rot and charred earth.

Thistle allows the cantrip to defuse, and thinks sitting down would be a really good idea.

Gwen spits to the side, then looks at the Pine "You okay?"

Mato is flung back by the force of the creature's collapse, his immense bear form crashing into the ground. As he rolls, his form shrinks back into that of the rock giant. His rock skin is marred, great patches of it eaten away by the acidic swarming beetles.

His eyes narrow in pain, as he rises slowly. The Rock Giant glares at the sizzling mass on the ground. “It is done."

She scoots closer to Art.

"Sorry, Mato. My crew plays a little rough"

Art hasn't lowered his sword, his chest heaving with exertion.

She puts a hand on his knee, still warm from the fire.

Gwen feels... whole. This is what she is, who she is. A knight, a warrior, a brave, call it what you will, who works in tandem with her dog to lay down the unclean threats. There's no risk of her words being twisted against her in a fight like that. No sense that no matter what she says she can't win or even break even. It's simple. It's clean. Well... Maybe not clean Noting the mess.

In answer to Gwen's question, the Mighty Pine tree's deep voice rustles through the air, like a gust of wind among the branches.

"I am... for now," the pine says. "You have saved me from the Rot-Spreader, child of the land. I thank you. The forest's breath will now return to its full strength, and the balance is restored."

The pine's voice softens, a deep sorrow threading through its words. "The Rot-Spreader has fallen, but the invading beetles still plague the Middle World. Their swarms are endless, a shadow over the land. Yet, for this day, we are safe. You have given us a reprieve."

A nod "I am sorry I cannot do more here. Perhaps in the middle realm we will yet do more by the side of you there. I can make no promises I fear. I must find the arrows we seek so I can earn passage and find the great gift that will heal my mother"