28/07/2016 - Evil Tree (11)

Antonio vs Strahd

Ismark shrinks away in terror from Strahd.

Antonio shoots at Strahd with his pistol but the shot either misses or he is not affected by it. Strahd then uses some sort of magic to have the gun fly out of Antonio’s hand and into his. Strahd then breaks the gun with his hands.

Antonio then draws his sword and rushes at Strahd. Strahd draws his own and in a short exchange bests Antonio, cutting him down to the floor.

Strahd then mounts his horse. He tells the remaining party members he is disappointed, they are weak and pathetic opponents. He instructs the Druids to kill the party and departs.

Tree Attacks

The Druids chant some sort of spell and suddenly the enormous tree then animates and moves forward, attacking the party. They can see a magic crystal is glowing in its “chest”.

Horatio concentrates on attacking the two Druids, who he is able to kill. However, the tree continues to attack the party.

Davian and his sons fire flaming arrows into the tree, but its bark is thick and the fire does not catch.

Peter holds back, fearing for his life.

Serious Injuries

Davian is hit with a serious wound, and one of his sons is killed. As it gets injured, the tree goes into a blind rage, and stomps on the unconscious Antonio, injuring him badly.

Ismark looks after Antonio, feeling guilty that he did not help him against Strahd. However, he is powerless to stop the huge tree stomping on Antonio’s body, further wounding him. He then decides to help fight the tree.

Defeating the Evil Tree

Eventually, Horatio’s 2-handed sword slashes off one of the tree’s arms and Ismark cuts the other off. Then they disable its legs and chop it until it stops moving.

One of Davian’s sons cuts out the glowing crystal from the tree’s chest and puts it next to his father, ignoring Peter who tries to get him to listen but can only speak English, which he does not understand.

The fog begins to clear. Ismark calls for the Doctor to come over.

Doctor Van Der Veldt is comforting Rene, who is wailing inconsolably over the death of Pierre. He is relieved to get some peace and leaves Rene to attend the wounded on the mountain.

Meanwhile, Horatio gathers wood to burn the dead tree. He finds a druid cauldron and their living quarters.

End of Episode Eleven