Clattering Skeletal Tree

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Encounter Conditions

Etheric

Initial Text

Deep in the garage, you hear a groaning like a massive tree and… a bit of clattering that could be sticks rubbing together.

Soon enough, however, you find the source of the noises. It is a tree, at least. Rather than wood, however, it's constructed of countless bones fused together or joined with scraps of flesh. The limbs slowly move and clatter against each other as though there's a breeze down here.

Summary of Choices

1. Strike it - gain 3 XP Strength, or with a sledge hammer or axe gain bone flakes, or with a bone club weapon, gain toothed blossom
2. Climb it - gain 3 XP Reflexes
3. Behold it - gain 3 XP Perception
4. Ponder it - gain 3 XP Will, or with staring blossom learn Blooming Obsession, or with toothed blossom learn Blossoming Hunger
5. Leave it - walk away

Choice Text and Results

Strike it

You strike the tree, but it's far harder than it looks, standing firm in the face of your assault.

You've earned 3 XP in Strength

Or, with a sledge hammer equipped (no effect with just hammer):

You smash into the tree with your sledge. It's far harder than you expected, with only a few flakes of bone falling free.

You found: bone flakes

Or, with an axe equipped:

You attempt to chop down the tree with your axe. It's far harder than you expected, with only a few flakes of bone falling free.

You found: bone flakes

Or, with a bone club weapon equipped:

You strike the tree with your bone club, finding it's stuck faster than glue. When you finally manage to yank it free, a strange blossom has grown on the end of your club.

You found: toothed blossom

Or, with a bone edged chain equipped:

You lash the tree with your chain, finding it's stuck faster than glue. When you finally manage to yank it free, a strange blossom has grown amid the links.

You found: toothed blossom

Or, with artificial bone knuckles or bone spiked knuckles equipped:

You punch the tree with your bone knuckles, finding they're stuck faster than glue. When you finally manage to yank them free, a strange blossom has grown on the jagged surface.

You found: toothed blossom

Climb it

You try to climb the tree, but the trunk is surprisingly slick and difficult to find a grip on. Despite your best efforts, you aren't able to find a way to get up to the branches.

You've earned 3 XP in Reflexes

Or, with a skeletal cyberarm (maybe skeletal cyberleg?):

Your limbs stick fast to the surface of the tree, making the most difficult part of climbing yanking them back free. In the darkness of the tree's crown, you pick a strange flower.

You found: toothed blossom

Behold it

You gaze up at the tree, seeing hints of blossoms in the darkness of its crown.

You've earned 3 XP in Perception

Or, with Focused Gaze or Withering Gaze in your deck:

You gaze up at the tree and find a flower gazing back. It seems to grow larger and larger in your vision, until it's close enough to touch.

You found: unblinking blossom

Or, with Biting Gaze in your deck (and no Focused/Withering Gaze):

You gaze up at the tree and find a peculiar blossom that seems to match your hunger. It seems to grow larger and larger in your vision, until it's close enough to touch.

You found: toothed blossom

Ponder it

You meditate at the base of the tree. It feels more like a test of courage than a calming emptiness. At least if it was a test of courage, you pass.

You've earned 3 XP in Will

Or, with a toothed blossom equipped:

You meditate at the base of the tree, contemplating the strange blossom that quivers in your hands like a desperate predator.

You learned a new Technique: Blossoming Hunger

Or, with a staring blossom or unblinking blossom equipped:

You meditate at the base of the tree, contemplating the strange blossom as it stares back into your eyes.

You learned a new Technique: Blossoming Obsession

Leave it

Yeah, at least if you stay away from it, it shouldn't be able to reach you… hopefully.

(Walk Away)