Panicked, you fight against the vines, trying to extricate yourself. Only the more you struggle, the tighter they constrict around your body, making it hard to breathe. 

It had all happened so fast. At first, the plants had caught your legs, snaring them with thin tendrils that seemed almost harmless. But before you could react, the tendrils thickened and multiplied, winding their way up your bodies with alarming speed. They spiraled around your legs, immobilizing them, then coiled up your torsos, wrapping your arms against your sides or pinning them straight up. Once a particularly thick vine had secured a grip, it lifted you off the ground, rendering your legs useless in the struggle. The vines began to squeeze, their grip tightening with each passing second.

"Try to ... stay calm," Talik says, though she sounds winded too. "Anyone have … ideas?"

"None that involve immediate freedom," Haden grunts, her voice strained. "Can you burn them, Talik?"

"Not with my arms like this," Talik replies, frustration in her voice. "Haden isn't looking so good either. We need to do something fast."

With the shield down and everyone separated, there's now also the danger of the corruption affecting you. You glance at Haden, who looks pale and barely conscious. The situation is dire.

"Would you look at the strength and speed of these vines. They must have an incredible root system to draw in so much energy. Hold on," Alster says, a strange glint of curiosity in his eyes. "I think I can …"

"Alster, this isn't the time for your fascination with plants," Talik snaps, struggling against the vines. "We're in real danger here!"

"I know, but just look at how they move," Alster murmurs, almost to himself. "It's like they have a purpose, a mind of their own."

"Alster, focus!" you shout, your voice a mixture of fear and exasperation. "We need to get out of here!"

Alert now to the danger Alster slowly moves his fingers toward his pocket and pulls out a potion. You recognize the liquid — it's the same serum he made from the poison frog's slime in the Bordrad Marshes.

"Here goes nothing," Alster mutters. Carefully, he loosens the cap and tips the bottle downward. The greenish purple mixture pours onto the vine, sizzling upon contact. The concoction might have cured Haden before, but it's like acid to the corrupted plant.

The vine loosens its hold on Alster, withdrawing hastily. The concoction might have cured Haden before, but it's like acid to the corrupted plant. He quickly runs to each tendril that holds us in the air and drips a drop of the serum on the vines, the mixture pours onto the vine with the same rapid response following.  You all gasp in relief as our bindings slacken.

"Nice one, Alster!" Talik exclaims, her arms now free.

"We need to move, now!" You urge. Carrying Haden, you run for it, the sound of sizzling vines and the scent of their decay trailing behind you.

The recipe and method for the potion Alster made from the frog's slim is kept in the Library of Arcanum, Which book is it found in? Enter the name of the book in Thy Quests to move forward. 

Next: E6Q1 Hasty Retreat