Avernus glances around as Zamu brings the hunt to a halt. "This ash... are we in the lands of the yomi now? I've never ventured into that blackened land during all my travels."
"Oh, is that ash?" Ling gives a sarcastic smile as she shuffles her boots through the stuff, then sticks out her tongue in disgust. "This place sure is charming. Are we sure this is the right direction...?"
Having had it pointed out to her, Kimiko notices the ash under her feet.
As Zamu looks around the blasted landscape, he notices what looks like an artificial structure in the distance, built into the side of a mountain. It looks crude...
Yanyeeku emerges from another bout if quiet introspection, "As we get closer should we all approach together or send a scout?"
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The skald nods at Zamu, Agreed but be safe. Run outright if it is the difference of living
Naravash nods in assent as his gaze remains fixed on the structure. "Is this where these mysterious melting oni come from, I wonder?" He then shakes his head, emerging from his reverie as he looks at Yanyeeku. He nods again, "Again, there is wisdom in the words of our large-hatted friend here. Do not be too proud to run."
Zamu sneaks through the ashes, from one blasted tree to another, leaving a trail of disturbed ashes (no way to avoid it), but keeping to the shadows and trying not to be seen.
Finally, a few hundred feet away from the structure, he finds himself looking at a crude stone fort built by piling up stones in series and using what looks like an ash and water and mud mixture to hold them in place. He see's several of the oni from the village, both the males and the females, all covered with mud and ash stacking stones on top of one another in a fairly crude way.
"Have we found your strange oni at last then?" Naravash scratches at his chin, his finger finding a spot between several bony spurs. "What are they building though, I wonder. This is most curious."
It would seem we have found them...Now what? I know that some would claim the honorable course would be to announce ourselves and demand answers of some sort? I could also try to infiltrate the camp more directly but I would have to use magic to understand them...I cannot speak the language...but I am willing to risk it if we think we need more information.
Avernus shrugs. "I could likely approach given what blood I share in common with them. Though, I have few gifts for the arts of deception and subterfuge."
"That might work, but... you should be very careful. We don't want you to end up facing a whole horde of these things alone." She grabs the wand of magic missile out of her sash and turns it over in her hands, hoping it does not look overly threatening. "Besides, you might need my help negotiating if they get angry. I'll go with you, if you want." She tips her hat back and grins. "I've got something of a silver tongue, after all. Or so I'm told."
Well then I suppose we should arrive in force and ready to talk. No reason for me to go the deception route if we need Lingfeng to offer her...ah...tongue... The kitsune as human widens his eyes comically as he speaks and the suddenly narrows them closed with a slight laugh as his cheeks flush.
"Any chance these aren't the oni-kun that attacked the village and that words will win the day instead of blades?"
Yanyeeku offers up a shrug as though to say "who knows"? , The only way to know would be to ask...
Avernus nods at Yanyeeku's wisdom and, unless otherwise halted by one of his other companions, begins tromping up toward the settlement and the simplistic construction that's underway.
Kimiko follows along with Zamu - from a distance.
Yanyeeku will approach in the open with Naravash so will opt to not be stealthy...
Kimiko makes no attempt at stealth, not having much ability in that area.
When the group comes up, the heavily muscled male oni react by grabbing up cudgels and lining up. The female oni fall back behind the barricades, and begin picking up bola's.
Avernus keeps his shield up but calls out slowly, "Are you the ones responsible for the raids of late? If not, then we have no quarrel!" He keeps his hand on the hilt of his sword as he advances, but doesn't draw it yet for fear of a similar reception as he had with the winged tart from the previous village.
HP: 31/31
AC: 28 (18 T / 24 FF)
CMD: 18
F/R/W: +6/+5/+2
Resist: cold (5), electricity (5), fire (5)
Ongoing Effects
Total Defense: +4 AC
Zamu panics and ducks behind some rocks.
The female oni hold their actions.
Kimiko defensively stays behind Avernus, peering around him to see how the oni respond to his statement.
Xu stands next to their resident oni calmly waiting to see if there is a response...
The male oni with their cudgels all charge forward, raising their cudgels over their heads!
Ling tries to put her charisma to good work- hopefully, it's not too late.
"Wait! Stand down! We mean no harm!"
Would it work? She sure hopes so. Otherwise, this will get ugly real quick.
Avernus' face falls with disappointment as the oni rush down the slope with clubs raised. "We're but simple travelers! Why do you attack us so?!" He strikes out as several oni press in around him, though he's careful to keep his shield up and positioned well.
HP: 31/31
AC: 24 (14 T / 20 FF)
CMD: 18
F/R/W: +6/+5/+2
Resist: cold (5), electricity (5), fire (5)
Ongoing Effects
Kimiko casts sleep to get as many oni as she can without targeting naravash...
Two of the oni stop moving, the third shrugs off Kimiko's spell.
Naravash cuts and bites one in front of him, wounding it.
Then the three raise their cudguls and bring them down!
The two blows that connect make thick meaty thuds as the wood clubs hit Naravash and Zamu!