cut self out sprint away from danger deeper into the woods if I'm free...attempt to parry away any blows that come at me in the mean time.
The dice really like you this encounter. I thought Arileth would be dead like four turns ago. You cut free of the entanglement and run, straight up toward Clunkers and Terrance, Vinerockbeast in hot pursuit.
oh dear. Try to gently sever the connection between the metronome and the vinebeast.
If severing succesful, try again.
If severing unsuccesful, attempt to establish a link with the humanoid doll to root vinebeast in place. Since it has a humanoid form at least, if I recall correctly. If it doesn't, don't use the doll.
You sever the link pretty easily, simply by reaching out and grabbing the metronome and dislodging it from it's hover. The vinebeast does not have a humanoid shape - it is a tangle of vines and rocks, which move into a shape that is suitable for whatever purpose it has. But it does have enough moving parts that you can use the various limbs, head and torso for analogues. You pull the doll out, set it in your hand, place the metronome in your other hand, and begin to will a link between them both and the vinethingy. It won't complete this turn, but you can act next turn with the double link. The vinebeast is heading your way, so it will be close, and could conceivably attack you before you make the action, but probably won't since it is focused on Arileth, though when it notices you it might instantly assume (correctly) that you are hostile.
In order:
Actually, you have said Jack needs someone else to activate the gems:
"We can send a couple of gems, say, three, with certain properties. they will have to be carried by one of your teammates, and be activated by them for you, since you are incorporeal and all. What, specifically, do you want each gem to be attuned toward?"
As to Jack's capability... well, it's kinda too late to back out, IMO. It's taking a risk, but I kinda feel that if Egan were averse to risk he wouldn't have suggested the plan, and probably wouldn't have said Jack could MC people. So unless Comrade vetoes the plan, let's just go through with it.
As for Arileth, I guess I misinterpreted the situation. You said he was out of reach of the vinemonster, which I assumed meant he was out of reach of the vines. Also, his action had said to cut himself free, so I figured he was out of reach because that worked. Regardless, I don't think my action was bad; I was having Arileth retreat from danger, but not completely disengage, so if Spazy wanted to fight when he came back, he had the option. Seems like I was right. *shrug*
As to controlling five characters, two of them had control given to me by the players because they couldn't submit actions. It had nothing to do with the knife, despite Egan's method of stating that control was handed over. The third was Mordred, which I do kinda feel bad about, but I figured giving him a "hide" action would be better than suggesting it and then risking Mordred being seen if Comrade didn't post--it wasn't meant to be an action of the knife possessing Mordred. If you dislike me doing that, say so and I'll stop.
As for an actual action, let's just use the plan in the below spoiler. Obviously, if either Comrade or Egan vetoes it, don't do any of it.
Jack magically suggests to the sentry that something in the forest is super interesting, and that the sentry should go look himself, without calling in backup. Once he's wandered into the woods, Jack returns to Mordred and has him activate the immobilization gem. Then Jack immobilizes the sentry.
Once the sentry's immobilized, Mordred heads over to him and stabs him. The knife MC's the sentry, preferably with Jack's help, and reads their mind. Also, the knife allows Mordred to tie the sentry up so that he can be drug off for zombification.
If we're caught at some point during this plan, just run away. Assuming this can be done without causing danger to Jack, Jack uses the immobilization gem if any foes get close to Mordred. Jack also stays invisible for the entire time.
Edit:
Spaz, why are you trying to stab an elemental partially made of rock, anyway? I significantly doubt you can really hurt it, while it can probably one-shot you if you fail a dodge.
Yeah, okay, my mistake on the gems. As for Arileth, the vine monster itself wasn't holding him, it was the vegetation around him is all. And as for making actions for people -I was aware of why, and was not upset. Especially with spazyak's character, as he was ill and made a point to let us know and give permission. Egan and Comrade, on the other hand, both seemed to me to have left you in "autopilot" mode, so you are in effect running four characters. The three of you have in effect willingly created a Cthunkan creature of bone, blade and ... uh ... evil.
Anyway, on to the actions: Well, Jack focuses on the sentry and sends his will that way. the sentry - a human wearing leather and carrying a longsword - stops and peers into the woods, scanning intently, hand going to his blade. He does not move off the ridge, however.
Cho Ja
Steal the following:
Flint and steel, or another firestarting tool.
a bottle, then filled with oil.
a coil of rope.
some daggers.
once the stealing has been accomplished, use my newfound sorcery magics to poison the food supply.
afterwards try to spy on the leaders tent.
does it sound occupied? could I possibly sneak into it undetected?
All the thefts go off without a hitch. You have two serviceable daggers - plain, sturdy, and militarily functional. You turn your attention to the food supply, crouch down and concentrate. After a time, you can feel things change within some of the barrels - your venom mixes with cheese and meat, ruining it and making it unfit for normal consumption. Of course, some of the mercs might not be normal, but hey, we'll deal with them while the others are puking and rolling on the ground covered in their own diarrhea, as the gods intend.