| Sandru Vhiski *DM* |
| Male Human Rogue (Swashbuckler) 7 |
|
Sandru rubs his chin, thinking. "I'd rather not leave or wreck any of our wagons unless we desperately need to. Never know when that extra space may come in handy. And we're generally more secure with larger numbers... wish we had more, honestly." He gives a wistful smile.
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"Both of these estimates are dead wrong, and putting too much faith in either assumption could be a fatal error later." [/
[spoiler=Definitions]Making sure that that pronouncement has gotten everyone's attention, Maeve continues. "Let's start with an actual definition of what an oni is. For the sake of those who haven't been trying to develop enough of a foundation in arcane and extra-planar theory to fake teaching at a magical college (and you're probably thankful for someone else doing that job), I'll try to skip over details you don't care about. We're all familiar with the kami by now - at least on a practical level. There's one working within the Amatatsu Seal, serving as its' guardian and the source of its' magic. Suishen, you'll need to confirm, but you're a different sort of kami as well, I believe. In short, kami are a sort of guardian spirit, not a ghost or any sort of undead, and not quite an angel in type. It might be easiest to consider them almost as the least of the gods, with a portfolio narrowed down to a particular object or area and little power beyond that."
"As the least of the gods, kami are bound by a very specific set of rules governing their actions in this realm," Maeve continues her lesson. "These rules are essentially beyond mortal understanding, but as binding on kami as the rules that pull you towards the ground, or the rules that prevent Desna from locking herself in a prison capable of holding her and swallowing the key,"
"Sorry about the segue there, but there was a point. Because you see, an oni is nothing more, and just as importantly, nothing less than a kami who deserted its' post in favor of posessing a mortal,"
Pausing again to catch her breath, Maeve's lecture goes on. "The first is that every oni is a creature of elemental chaos and evil. It is forevermore a part of their nature. The second is that the transformation is irreversible. So far as I am aware, there has never been a successful effort to remove an oni from its' host, because on some level the host has to invite it in. If it is possible, it's beyond our means."
"The second is that, when it's born, every oni is inflicted with a thirst for mortal experiences. Especially the ones that hurt mortals and kami. They also desire power, and to subjugate any other beings they come across."
"The third thing is that the combined entity is still bound by the same rules it had to obey as a kami. That means there are actions it can't take, under any circumstances."
"Four, the oni becomes mortal. If you kill its' body, it dies, and may not even go to Pharasma's judgement. This is more difficult than it sounds, because the oni's presence in the physical world sustains and repairs its' body, like a troll. You've all seen this, and in most cases fire or acid should suffice to overcome it. Well, I hope, legends aren't wholly clear on that point."
"The last, and perhaps most important to our immediate topic, is that they become even more tightly bound to this world than the kami are. This is a place where I'm skipping over a lot of the theory involved, but demons and devils, and their ilk, can be anywhere and everywhere in part because they are not of this world. Thus, even the meanest devil can potentially have a shortcut between two points on Golarion through his real home. I believe oni lack this, and to travel instantly between places they have to use powerful mortal magics, just like we do."
"As proof, look to Kalsgard. If the Five Storms had easy access to teleportation magics, they would have had more reinforcements there waiting for us after the events at Brinewall. In fact, they should have gone to Brinewall itself after we left, since the Seal is everything to them. Just to make sure we didn't leave it behind. I asked Koya to perform some divinations to confirm all this."
A quick shake of her head. "No, the Five Storms are bound to this world, and therefore its' rules. That's going to be our biggest strength in combating them. They have to follow the same restrictions of movement, need to eat and drink, and basically everything else you can think of."
"As to their mindset..." Maeve goes on "What do we have, and what can we extrapolate from that? Well, in short, the Five Storms are almost guaranteed to be a bunch of greedy, self-centered, egocentric maniacs who are only working together because the most powerful of them is strong enough to bully the ones under him, who have their own victims to bully in return. None of them is really going to want to come up north, and they'll fight over who has to do it."
"In all cases, regardless of what we do, when we open that box at least one Oni will be sent to respond. Because of the morozko that response will probably be delayed at least until early spring, but they will come."
"If we just open the box once, that will likely be it - there will be one oni who comes to the village to ask what happened. It will hear about our explots, and its' mission will be done, and it'll be in a remote village with a bunch of mortals to play with."
"While it may seem counterintuitive, I think forcing a bigger response is better for both us and the village. The Five Storms are still forced to act in secret. Anything they do requiring the numbers of people needed to search the snows will have to pass through Ordu-Aganhei, which will require them to both take pains to disguise their origin and probably strain relations with whoever rules that place."
”All of this will take time, and more importantly, the bigger the response we can provoke, the longer it will take. If we do this right, they'll have sent a small army out that we can slip behind, and reach Minkai before that army can actually cause any damage at either end. At worst, they see through it and we're no worse off than just opening the box to begin with – they'll set the response at Ordu-Aganhei or even just fortify in Minkai. At best....”
Heng
|
| M Half-Orc Ki Mystic Holy Monk |
|
Heng has a strained look on his face as he listens to Maeve and he isn't certain he has caught all the finer points between demons, kami, and oni, but he's appreciative of the information. "That sounds reasonable, Maeve," he offers. He once again rubs his tattooed scalp. "I sometimes have flashes of insight into such matter, but here I am afraid that I have nothing to offer."
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
Maeve cocks her head at Heng. "What is it you're confused on?"
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
Harlan listens to Maeve as she outlines her thoughts on a plan. Wiping the remains of comfort brownies from his mouth, he nods along.
"Well, so if I understand you, you're saying we should head out into the ice and make as much noise as possible?"
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"Well, yes. Carefully planned noise would be best. Think like you're telling a story you want the oni to believe, that they'll want to believe, then manufacture the evidence that points to that story."
|
Heng
|
| M Half-Orc Ki Mystic Holy Monk |
|
Maeve cocks her head at Heng. "What is it you're confused on?"
"Bound spirits, kami laws... you explained everything very thoroughly, but I have no experience with these things. I will take your word on such matters, but could you be specific about what you think we should do?"
| Parity |
| Male Human Vanguard 9 |
|
"Huh, so they have rules ... nice. Let's go beat this storm. I'll leave the story telling to you all. Let me know when you need an actor, and when we can raise Mal."
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"My point is really that we want them looking in the wrong direction as much as possible," Maeve says, closing her eyes to think about it some more. "The destroyed wagon is a nice touch if we take much longer than the turning of the seasons, but probably not strictly necessary." Another pause, this one much longer. "The more important things are timing and veracity. It we do it over the high ice, they'll know we didn't go into the morozko which is what we really want them to believe..." She closes her eyes again...."...but they can probably actually view what happens when we open the box, if they think about it. So here's how I want to play this. First, we bring Mal back on our way north, along the road. Then, a few days later, we open it again, further on the way and with Ulf taking us on a "shortcut" that he knows better than to actually guide anyone down...Ulf, I assume you know something like that?"
"The second time....we'll need to fake some kind of deathly winter disease. Ameiko, I think it will have to be your job to be sick. Can the Seal heal sick people, or do we have any reason to believe it can?"
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
"Well, yes... it has other less powerful healing powers, though still fairly limited. The only problem with using the resurrection power is that it drains the Seal for a month. I'm sure we can work around that, however."
| Parity |
| Male Human Vanguard 9 |
|
Catching on, Parity says, "I think she just wants to use the lesser power as a reason to open the box vice ressurection. Am I right?
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
"Sure, but that's what I'm trying to say. Resurrecting Malnival will completely drain the Seal's power for a month. It won't be able to do any of the lesser cures."
"Really, though, that shouldn't matter. Its the Warding Box that keeps the Seal itself from being detected. Activating it has nothing to do with it."
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"As Parity said, for our purposes that's perfect anyway. You lay in bed, cough a little, maybe a bit of makeup to make you a bit paler, a couple of us curse about how it brought back the dead but it can't cure a little cough, close the box back up, and it's in the bag."
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
Ameiko chuckles, "I'm sure my act won't be far from the truth. This cold... just can't escape it. What I wouldn't do for a hot, steamy bath right now!" She gazes into the distance wistfully, then sighs in mockery of her own vanity. "Is there anything else, or are we ready to move out?"
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"Do you want to use my boots?".maeve frowns, looking down at her magical footwear.
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
She waves you off. "Oh no, they're yours. And it's not that I can't get warm, it's that the cold won't go away. I think that sashimono the elders gave us will be a welcome addition up on the glacier."
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
|
Heng
|
| M Half-Orc Ki Mystic Holy Monk |
|
Heng listens carefully to the conversation. "So we need only to open the box to send a signal to the oni? It sounds like they cannot observe what occurs or even what power the seal employs. Perhaps the play acting is overdoing it. So let us make our way then and raise Malnival when we near our destination."
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"I'm assuming the absolute worst case we can possibly deal with. That case is that they'll have access to remote viewing magic, as well as the ability to determine the location of the box," Maeve explains patiently. "I think that that's within Koya's own abilities, if she knows the place she wishes to see ahead of time, so it's definitely something we should assume they have access to."
|
Heng
|
| M Half-Orc Ki Mystic Holy Monk |
|
Knowing little of magic, Heng takes Maeve's word for it and helps ready the caravan for departure.
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
"Ok, let's do it. Let me see to the caravan first and make sure everything is good to go."
| DM NomadSage |
| Jade Regent | Crimson Throne |
|
Dates: 1 - 7 Kuthona 4711
Route: The High Ice (Iqaliat -> ??)
Distance: 154 miles (Total: ~1577 miles)
Weather: Extreme Cold
Special Events: Altitude Sickness
When the storm passes the next day, which somebody realizes is the first of the last month of the year, you drive the caravan up along the ramps outside Iqaliat and start across the High Ice. The entire population of the village comes out to see you depart, many waving and cheering you on despite the grim trek ahead. Sonavut and Qalvanaq are at the top of the climb, and are the last to see you off.
The first couple days from Iqaliat go steadily, and the wide expanse of the High Ice remains as featureless as it did on the way to Vegsundvaag's lair. On subsequent days, however, Ulf has trouble finding the right track. Even when you seem to get moving, an obstacle of some kind forces Ulf to retrace the path. You are making progress, but it is slow and tedious.
Your troubles are compounded by three things: the polar night, the altitude, and the extreme cold. The sun does not even break the horizon, and the sky remains in perpetual night throughout the day. Bright stars, the aurora and reflective white of the glacier surface make it easy to see, but you have nothing to mark the passage of time. This, compounded with the trackless terrain and Ulf's struggles, give rise to anxious feelings of being lost.
The temperatures continue to drop, and without the reprieve of a little sun's warmth, the temperature regularly lies below -40 degrees. The sashimono helps curb the worst, but anyone moving outside of its protective zone is exposed to the full brunt of the frigid air.
Lastly, in the latter days of the week, the thin air of your elevation take their toll. Unlike the relatively short time in the mountain pass, now you have no descent in sight. The sickness fatigues the entire caravan; you continue steadily forward, but each step is a struggle.
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
Barely able to control her shivering, and too fatigued to care, Ameiko huddles close to the campfire, more hungry for the faint warmth than the food.
"Is it-t-t-time to raise M-m-malnival?"
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
"I think a week without Mal is enough break for everybody, and if any oni come at us in this cold they'll freeze before they get to us."
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
Thanks to all the magic she's wearing Maeve has been weathering the terrible conditions better than most, although she didn't think to do anything about the thin air or the lack of time measurement. So she's been getting a little . . . twitchier. . . than usual, hopping from place to place looking for signs of anything interesting. One gets the sense that another dragon or three would be a welcome change of pace for the girl already.
...and it's only been a week.
...we're all doomed.
Seeing Ameiko's condition, she quickly comes over and wraps her cloak around the older woman as well. "...are you sure you don't want to spend at least some time borrowing my boots?" she asks again, really sounding concerned this time.
|
Heng
|
| M Half-Orc Ki Mystic Holy Monk |
|
Heng feels guilty that his companions suffer so while his amulet inures him from the cold. He dresses in full cold weather gear though he doesn't need it and volunteers for any duties that are beyond the range of the cold ameliorating standard. He continues to think of Koya's predictions and their journey so far.
"And now, what lies ahead." Koya flips the last three cards over. "The Keep, Heng's role, followed by the Avalanche and the Desert." She sighs, pondering the spread a moment. "To me, the cards reveal that the path forward is bleak, perhaps hopeless, and will tax us dearly to prevail. The Avalanche fortells a disaster, but it can be avoided... it will test our hopes and willpower. The way out is through, finding the balance between the positive and negative aspects. The Desert is paired against the Keep, meaning that quiet, unrelenting perseverence may bring us victory."
Koya inhales deeply, closing her eyes for a long moment. "The future is invariably cryptic, and what we see today may change by a decision made tomorrow. We already knew peril lie before us, but it seems a trial is nigh, larger than any we have yet faced."
"That is all I can see for now."...
He checks on Koya frequently to make sure she is well and brings up the harrowing one day. "Tatya, do you remember your harrowing? It seems to have been fulfilled so far. There was a great avalanche and now we cross a frozen desert. Do you see anything more about the obstacles before us?"
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
| Koya Mvashti *DM* |
| Female Human Cleric 5 of Desna / Harrower 2 |
|
"Tatya, do you remember your harrowing? It seems to have been fulfilled so far. There was a great avalanche and now we cross a frozen desert. Do you see anything more about the obstacles before us?"
Koya nods solemnly to Heng's question. "I do remember, and I believe we have faced some of the trials that Desna revealed. But the Harrowing is not so literal. The Avalanche card may foretell a disaster, but it may not be an actual avalanche, nor just a singular event either."
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
Seeing Ameiko's condition, she quickly comes over and wraps her cloak around the older woman as well. "...are you sure you don't want to spend at least some time borrowing my boots?" she asks again, really sounding concerned this time.
"Well, m-m-maybe f-for a few m-minutes," Ameiko relents.
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
With a small chuckle, Maeve quickly swaps footwear with Ame. While it doesn't take long for the shivering to set in, the girl does so with a rather large smile on her face.
| Ameiko Kaijitsu *DM* |
| Female Human Aristocrat 1 / Bard 5 / Rogue (Rake) 2 |
|
As Ameiko pulls on Maeve's boots, her constant shivering quickly subsides, and she lets out a contented sigh. "Nice to... just release the tension for a nonce." She grins and stretches out.
"Now, for the business at hand. Kelda, Shalelu, please bring Malnival to me." The two move silently together, bringing Malnival over from the wagon and setting him by the fire. Ameiko retrieves the Warding Box from her kit, and sets it down on the ground beside him.
"Here we go," she says, voice tight with anticipation. Steadily, she opens the first layer of the box, revealing the Amatatsu Seal within. Instantly upon seeing the artifact, you feel a calming presence wash over you, pushing aside the ails and aches of the journey. Ameiko raises the seal with both hands, holding it over Malnival and mentally activating its power.
A warm glow rises from the Seal, starting a deep, dark green and brightening steadily to a jade light and into a brilliant white. As it peaks, the aura pours from the Seal over Malnival. A flash of light blinds you momentarily, and you hear the elf inhale a breath. When your vision returns, Malnival is alive and breathing, his wounds completely healed.
The calming presence is gone, retreated completely into the Seal. Almost hesitantly, Ameiko returns it to the Warding Box.
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
"W-We-welcome ba-ack Mal! Maeve manages through the slight chattering of her own teeth.
| Harlan Starshine |
| || Per +11 | Fort +7 Ref +8 Will +8 | BAB +6 | CMB +4 | CMD 17 || Halfling Oracle of Life/9 |
|
***************************
"Mal, you're alive! Again!"
Harlan rushes up and hugs the quiet man.
|
Heng
|
| M Half-Orc Ki Mystic Holy Monk |
|
Heng watches with wonder having never seen such powerful magic. "Malnival, how do you feel?"
| Malnival Selintin |
| Level 9 Magus, INIT:6, AC:24, HP::61, F:6 R:10 W: 6, Perception 12 (15 Sight) |
|
Malnival sits up strait a surprised look on his face as his hands pat his chest and stomach. Slowly a look of disgust creeps as if he smells something horrible and he begins to undo the buckles on his armor. "If I die again, please take off my armor. It will take me weeks to get that smell out." The elf stands and drops his breastplate into the snow before giving a half grin to the others. "I really shouldn't have pissed her off. I take it we won?"
| Maeve Haela |
| Female Human Bard/Monk (Martial Artist) 8/1 || Per +14 | Fort +7 Ref +11 Will +9 | BAB +6 | CMB +10 | CMD 24 || |
|
Malnival sits up strait a surprised look on his face as his hands pat his chest and stomach. Slowly a look of disgust creeps as if he smells something horrible and he begins to undo the buckles on his armor. "If I die again, please take off my armor. It will take me weeks to get that smell out."
"Noted," Maeve says with a small grin.
The elf stands and drops his breastplate into the snow before giving a half grin to the others. "I really shouldn't have pissed her off. I take it we won?"
With that, the dancer looks away. "I'm thinking of it as more of a draw. Everyone got something they wanted, and something they didn't. But she won't be back if that's what you mean."
| Malnival Selintin |
| Level 9 Magus, INIT:6, AC:24, HP::61, F:6 R:10 W: 6, Perception 12 (15 Sight) |
|
Malnival tilts his head as he looks at Maeve, then glances over at the others. His gaze stop on Shalelu, his grin disapers as he looks at his mentor and the elf slightly nods his head.
| Shalelu Andosana *DM* |
| Female Elf Fighter 2 / Ranger 6 |
|
Shalelu just nods, remaining silent, but her smile and glistening eyes say all the important words. She moves over towards Malnival...
| Kelda Oxgutter *DM* |
| Female Human Barbarian 6 |
|
... but Kelda cuts her off, rushing in to embrace Malnival in a crushing but heartfelt bearhug. After a few moments, she releases him, pushing away with a playful shove.
"You should be more careful who you pick a fight vith! Obwiously, a dragon is a deadly foe. You vill need more svord vork before you try and face another."