#TreeStriders

[headphone-the-idjit]

Critters I done been workin on for a hot minute

[dailycharacteroption]

Hybrid Class Review: Hunter part 3

(art by CariadArt on DeviantArt)

Archetypes

The hunter has a decent number of archetypes attached to it, and they do a good job of playing with the concept, playing with what abilities are granted by their special bond with their companions.

Certain hunters draw upon more specialized environments, such as the aquatic beastmaster and pelagic hunter, which draw upon the creatures of the deep both natural and supernatural, as well as the scarab stalker, which draws upon the desert and it’s denizens. Also consider the urban hunter, who master a different sort of jungle in civilization, and the treestrider, who favors the trees and jungle.

Others specialize in unusual types of companions. Plant masters cultivate and bond with a monstrous plant companion, while verminous hunters find kinship with various giant vermin.

Some, however, are defined by how their exact bond with their companion differs. Chameleon adepts are good at transforming their companions to blend in with civilization, while divine hunters bless their companion with divine energies. Meanwhile, packmasters bond with multiple companions at once, while primal companion hunters infuse their companion with transformative power, making them resemble an otherworldly being rather than a mortal beast. Additionally, totem-bonded become more beastlike with their bond, while their companion becomes smarter.

Of course, some are defined by how they work with their companions for a specific job. Colluding scoundrels are cold-hearted sorts that use their own allies and companion as bait to give them the perfect shot, for example. Meanwhile, courtly hunters mix courtly knowledge with their natural arts, while feykillers specialize in fighting against fey influences as one of the dangers of the wilds. Flood flourishers specialize in hunting in deep water, while patient ambushers do the same in most any environment. Back in civilization, roof runners move about the rooftops for noble or ignoble reasons, while the uprooter scouts venture into the blighted Tanglebriar in hopes of one day removing Treerazer from their homeland.

Finally, there is one archetype that actually forgoes having a companion altogether, instead turning the class into a mid-power druidic caster akin to a nature-themed magus, in the form of the shapeshifting and beast-summoning feral hunters,

As you can see, these archetypes cover a lot of themes and variations of the idea of a bonded warrior of nature and their companion, so you’ll not want for anything when it comes to choice with this class.

Tune in tomorrow with some more thoughts about the class!

[scriptmyworld]

so bc there wasn’t that much time between team issylra’s scry and treestride, team uthodurn is gonna sit down and then like ten minutes later their friends are gonna walk through the door

[princessamericachavez]

Dear boss,

I’m still on the hunt for the assassins. There’s a few leads, but nothing conclusive yet. I will report more as I gather further information.

However, there is something I feel like you ought to know about. I have recently come across a person who you might have seen once, many years ago… in Whitestone. Specifically, as a body hanging from a tree. She is, by some miracle, alive and well (as well as she can be, at least, given the circumstances). It pains me that she suffered as a collateral to a conflict she had no part of. I imagined you would like to know she’s alright.

However… she did mention that there’s a Lady Briarwood that keeps speaking inside her head. It’s hard to know whether she was serious about it or if it’s, really, just in her head. It’s a little hard to read her sometimes. Still, I thought I would ask for your advice: is this something we should worry about? I would like to help her, if I can, as I imagine you would too.

Anyway, I might be a little hard to reach for a while, since we will on the road for a few weeks, but I will reach out again when I can.

Thank you for your time.

Kind regards,

Orym

P.S.: Has Dorian arrived alright? Perhaps you should ask him and his brother about the Silken Squall. I think there’s some things about it you should know.

P.P.S.: Please, if it isn’t too much trouble, give Opal and Dariax my regards too. I miss them.

[aspenwitch]

In a recent DnD session Roisin acquired the ability to treestride.  (Not a typical arcane trickster spell, but something very plot relevant and personal to our characters.) On the one hand it's incredibly useful in a pinch and on the other hand it represents her background, all the responsibilities and expectations she thought she could run away from, and the potential of what could be that frightens her. It desperately called for angsty art is what I'm saying. So lay down and treestride right tf into the forest floor as a whole mood.

[timelord-of-tyria]

Been enjoying reaper a lot in wvw lately and decided to give this guy a extra set of horns :D

[lilbitkipsy]

I’m getting D&D married on Saturday y’all c:

[the-whatcherof-89]

Ph1lza aka Zephyrus the crowfather.

CR 17 NG Humanoid (Native Outsider, Air)

XP 102,400 (if used as npc for encounter) Venerable Sylph Druid17 (Nature fang) 

Neutral Good Medium humanoid (native outsider, air) Init +3; Senses darkvision 60 ft., Perception +22

AC 32, touch 33, flat-footed 29 (+3 Dex, +7 armor, +6 shield, +4 deflect, +2 natural) hp 150 (17d8+51)

Fort +17, Ref +12, Will +21

Speed 30 ft. Melee H.B. +18/13/8 1d6+6; Chopza +16/11/6 1d6+4 Ranged Forkza/Bowza/Gunza +16/11/6 1d8+1/1d6+1/1d8+1, Spells. 

Racial Electricity resistance 5, Darkvision 60ft, Breeze kissed, Weather savvy, Mostly human.

Class features Nature’s bond(Wind domain), Studied target, Slayer talents x7, Swift studied target, Sneak attack+1d6, 1000 faces, Timeless body.

Spellcasting CL 17 DC17 Spells typically prepared:

0-Detect magic, Flare, Create water, Read magic, Mending.

I-Goodberry, Entangle, Burning disarm, Mudball, Negate aroma, Cure light wounds.

II-Animal aspect, Barkskin, Climbing beanstalk, Lay of the land, Restoration lesser, Tree shape.

III-Air geyser, Cure moderate wounds, Cloak of winds, Resist energy (communal), Raven’s flight.

IV-Aggressive thundercloud (greater), Cure serious wounds, Flame strike, Reincarnate, Thorn body.

V-Call lighting storm, Cure critical wounds, Hungry earth, Release the hounds, Stoneskin.

VI-Dispel magic greater, Liveoak, Sirocco, Tar pit, Wall of stone.

VII-Changestaff, Heal, Sunbeam, True seeing.

VIII-Earthquake, Whirlwind.

IX-Storm of vengeance.

Str 16, Dex 16, Con 16, Int 16, Wis 24, Cha 12

Base Atk +12; CMB +15; CMD +28

Feats Power attack, Airy steps, Inner breath, Cloud gazer, Wings of air, Craft magic armor and weapons, Craft wondrous items, Brew potions, Cosmopolitan. Slayer feats: Fast stealth, Master of disguise, Trapfinding, Bleed attack, Ranger combat style(Sword & shield), Assassinate, Evasion.

Skills Climb +14, Craft(alchemy) +14, Fly 14, Diplomacy +5, Handle animal +10, Heal +18, Knowledge (Arcana)16, (Dungeon)10, (Geography)10, (Nature)16, Perception +22, Ride +11, Spellcraft +16, Stealth +16, Survival +26, Swim +14

Languages Common, Auran, Ignan, Aquan, Terran, Druidic.

Combat gear Ph1lza H.B.(ghost touch bane of the undead scimitar+3), Chopza(+1 adamantine battleaxe), Forkza(+1 returning trident), Bowza(+1 stalking shortbow), 50+1 arrows, Gunza(+1 negating light crossbow), 50+1 bolts, Arrow deflection Dragonhide lamellar leather+3, Sheildza(arrow catching +4 dark wood heavy shield), Ring of protection+4, Amulet of natural armor+2, Belt of physical might+2 (STR, CON), Headband of wisdom+4, Otherworldly kimono, Boots of friendly terrain, Jingasa od the fortunate soldier(shaped like Kisuke’s hat), Shawl of life keeping, Ever-smoking bottle, Bag of holding type II, Efficient quiver, Drillza/Shoveza/Hoeza (Mattock of the titans), Extend metamagic rod(lesser), Lavender and green ellipsoid ioun stone, Pale lavender ellipsoid ioun stone, Ring of sacred mistletoe, 4 potions of cure critical wounds, 2 Scrolls of Treestride, Druid kit, Staff(contains Shapechange via Spellstaff), Mwk Fishing kit, 120gp.

Background Ph1lza is one of the founding members of the Syndicate and Technoblade’s best friend. Together they did the impossible and the incredible. Explorer, builder extraordinaire, master of flight and the sky. Although he had his bad moments with baby zombies, he is a fearsome combatant and intelligent individual that has an enormous amount of experience on his back and he will use it to fight and protect those he cares about. Known to have a swarm of crows following him close by and a mysterious wife that appears to be the literal goddess of death, Ph1lza is apparently immortal or he just possess a VERY extended lifespan. One day, Techno left his house to search for a method to resurrect his deceased friend/adopted son Ranboo. Phil, unwilling to let his friend into trouble without him decided to follow the blade the next morning only to lose his way in a snowy forest. “If you have a wish, i shall grant it. Find me, complete my challenge and i shall grant you that with only your mind can fathom.” A voice echoed. “Your friend has already accepted.” At that phrase Phil shouted: “Techno! What have you done to him? Techno! Do not listen to him! He….!” However, the phrase could not be concluded as he was transported somewhere else; his aspect slightly transformed and his equipment reconfigured accordingly to the new world he was upon. “Well, now i have to figure how to find and stop him before he does something that he might regret.” And so Ph1lza started his new journey into the unknown.

Image link:  https://avantreoss.tumblr.com/post/653797795290120192/my-entry-for-koinkos-dtiys-on-twitter-check-em/amp

[gorgynei]

THEY CAME OUT OF A TREE. ITS TREESTRIDE 

[utilitycaster]

Message for Veth, Tower for Caleb, Sending for Jester (when your right your right,) Thunderstep for Fjord, Spiritual Guardians for Cad, Teleport for Essek.

Hunter's Mark for Vex, Smite for Vax, Guiding Bolt (up the butt) for Pike, Hex for Percy, Treestride for Keyleth, Bigby's Hand for Scanlan.

All the ones for the Nein have been covered already (all make sense); Hunter's Mark, Guiding Bolt, Hex, and Bigby's Hand make sense as well.

Smite is funny because apparently Vax used it not infrequently and yet I have very little recollection of it. This is also because sometimes it was used on thrown weapons iirc and this is both a choice a DM absolutely can make and also irritated me. I remember him casting heroism, bless, and hunter's mark (and druidcraft for that matter) all far more vividly.

For Keyleth: Tree Stride, or Transport via Plants? She does iirc use tree stride a few times (I think in the Saundor fight?) but that's short-range teleport through trees and not what I think you may mean, Transport via Plants, where you can teleport to any other tree (ie, the one Vilya uses in Campaign 2).

[headphone-the-idjit]

TreeStriders

The TreeStriders (or alternatively known as “Carexi”) are plant-leaning omnivorous beasts that live primarily in vertical oriented environments.

Their strange wrists and large hands assist with clambering through trees and fending off potential danger. The tendons in their forearms act similarly to flexible hydraulics. However, with their wrists being exposed, any injury to them without support of other TreeStriders, may prove fatal.

Their large, jutted, angled teeth (or as some may refer to as ‘tusks’ due to visual placement) are moreso skilled in taking apart plant matter. Though are seen actively hunting other animals. These teeth serve many purposes. Some of which include: mating display, weapons to clear dispute, foraging, grooming, et cetera.

Their ability to travel long distances on flat terrain is sub par in comparison, causing an overt amount of extended strain on the spine and shoulders. Their ability to sprint on such surfaces, despite the well adjusted hind legs, is limited due to the front limbs.

Due to their social nature within their species, they appear to have complex roles and relationships, some of which are not unlike hierarchies. The structure of such groups depends on location, individual species within the genus, symbiotic relationships (concerning other species outside of TreeStriders), or even ‘clans’. They are not outwardly aggressive typically, though of course, this may be situational.

[dailycharacteroption]

Treestrider (Hunter Archetype)

 When one thinks of arboreal species, one cannot help but think of primates. No matter which broad category you look at, they are social creatures that have mastered the treetops or the undergrowth, and it only makes sense that there would be those that recognize and emulate their strengths.

Whether they were raised by a troop or merely venerate them, today’s subject, the treestrider, represents a hunter that bonds with the ways of apes and other primates, gaining some of their mobility and their combat fierceness.

Calling back to the early days of this blog, when we talked about the ape shaman archetype for druids, we can recall that the reason apes are revered in various cultures is their cunning and sense of community, things we see in ourselves. However, at the same time, we can also see our own viciousness reflected back on us from our nearest relatives as well.

 As one might expect, these hunters bond with apes of various species, though I could argue for other primate-type companion stats like megaprimatus or baboon.

Rather than channel the animal foci common to other hunters, treestriders instead use that energy to enhance both their and their companions ability to climb and brachiate through the trees, moving with surprising speed through foliage above the ground.

While not martial artists by any means, These nature warriors learn to master the first, allowing them to fight even when unarmed.

More powerful treestriders can take their travel through trees to supernatural territories, teleporting vast distances through the trees.

A fun archetype for a rainforest-themed character, this might be what you’re looking for if you wish to focus on treetop maneuverability and an animal companion with relatively superior intelligence and tool use, though this is obviously quite limited in the broad scheme of things. The improved unarmed strike feat is neat, but without level-based progression it’s a backup weapon unless you focus heavily on combat maneuvers and flanking with your companion. Overall I’d focus on arboreal ambushing and teamwork with your animal companion.

 Like I said before, there is a case to be made for using other ape and primate-type companions for this archetype, but then, you could also use this as a template for other narrow animal-themed archetypes as well.

As for the treestrider itself, much like the ape shaman I mentioned earlier, you can really play up the full spectrum of what apes represent in culture through how you roleplay this character. The playful fun-loving antics, the cerebral contemplation we love to see in ourselves, and the brutal savagery we wish we could forget.

  Yansad Heights is a rainforest mountain range known for it’s tall trees and taller mountains. There, vanara and their air-influenced sylph kin rule in peace. Those that live near to the treeline bond with the apes, moving through the trees like their air mages soar through the cold skies.

 A derogatory word for humans in the elvish language translates to “ape-folk”, but if the Ruhka people know about this, they don’t seem to care, for their greatest hunters live alongside their fellow primates, and are known for their lighthearted pranks against those who travel through their territory. Heaven help the fool that threatens their people, though.

 Though they are best known for living in deserts, there are also girtablilu living in rainforests as well, watching over overgrown temples just as their desert counterparts do. However, the threats the scorpionfolk face are very different, such as the savage charau-ka ape people and their ape companions, who try to force them on the belief they can use the ruins as a position of mystical power.

[ofdarkestdesires]

Listening to Ep 29, and a thought occurred. That shadow mirror thing they got out of Yu’s pocket…was something like that used to kill the twins and the attack on the Ashari?

That's seeming like the most likely possibility. It is established by now that the army Imogen has been seeing in her dreams--figures clad in dark leather and wearing masks--are likely also the assassins that attacked Zephra. However, it is notable that Otohan was the one leading that army in the vision, and she was the one seen interacting with the Unseelie Court, which is the Court that has access to those pocket-mirrors. Considering the fact that these creatures have been found near trees, it's possible that Otohan or one of her lackies is a druid and was able to Treestride, open a gateway through the large Zephra tree, and snap Keyleth with the mirror.

[moonelf19]

There’s a couple things that could happen but probably won’t that I would be delighted to see

One:

Jester finds out Vilya has a daughter she has been missing for 25 years!! So obviously Jester contacts Keyleth, she has to help Vilya get reunited with her family!

And so the Traveler is fucking around on the island somewhere, eating grapes, and Jester casts sending and he gets delighted because whenever Jester casts sending something chaotic happens

And then it record scratch freeze frames on Artagans face as you hear jester say “hey keyleth, you don’t know me but I found your mom on the island rumblecusp can you come pick her up?”

Artagan has to dutifully pass on this message because Jester cast the spell and that’s how divine powers work, but he’s just sweating bullets

Two:

Vilya uses tree stride to go home, and Keyleth immediately has them treestride back because whatever the fuck was keeping her mom from her has no IDEA the tempest it has angered

So Keyleth greets the M9 and they are gearing up to fight the morkoth and Jester calls upon the traveler, who shows up like “Keyleth, darling, so good to see you, so glad I could help you reunite with-“

And Keyleth just instantly snaps her hand out and grabs artagans throat and Everyone in the M9 instantly fall in love with her and Jester has to watch her god get throttled by a more powerful god while having both an identity and a sexuality crisis

[illusion-of-death]

So Keyleth still has Treestride right

[aspenwitch]

Ayyyy lately I feel like I’m bothering people if I post my art on Instagram and the same handful of people liking every post out of obligation or something so that makes me not wanna post art on Instagram.

Here’s a WIP that that I don’t know if I want to make real crisp lineart for or turn into a painted style piece but either way it’s on the road to looking different than it does now so there it is.