DM NomadSage's Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master nomadicc

I assume you didn't want to attack the charmed demon, right?

Heng torpedoes into the water, slamming the demon hard. It doesn't appear to take any damage from the cold, but the strike is otherwise effective.

Omox Fort save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (9) + 15 = 24

*

Initiative Order: (Round Five)
[25] Heng
[22] Ameiko
[17] Malnival <<<
[16] Omox
[12] Kiyomi
[04] Parity
[04] Harlan

Malnival is up again (if able to post)

Ameiko continues her degrading tirade against the demons, working another spell into the mix. A blast of sound erupts in the water beneath Parity, damaging the demon, but it appears to be immune to the stun.

Sound burst sonic damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Malnival flies around to flank Parity's opponent, slashing his scimitar into it but again barely making a mark.

Malnival scimitar vs Omox (+2 enhance/haste/flank): 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 5 = 32; Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

The demon continues to swing psuedopods at Parity, hitting him once with a solid punch.

Omox slam vs Parity: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 21 - 3 = 26; Damage: 1d8 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 3 = 7 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 5) = 15
Omox slam vs Parity: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 21 - 3 = 38; Damage: 1d8 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 3 = 10 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3) = 11

Below the water, the charmed omox finally pulls Kiyomi free of the other's grapple. It pushes her away, then spins around to face Heng.

Charmed Omox counter-grapple: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35

Without Kiyomi to strange, the third demon attacks Heng with its formless fists.

Omox slam vs Heng: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 21 - 3 = 20; Damage: 1d8 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 3 = 11 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3) = 13
Omox slam vs Heng: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (19) + 21 - 3 = 37; Damage: 1d8 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 3 = 11 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 4) = 11

Actions? Note, Kiyomi is currently 10 feet below the surface.
DC 15 Swim check or be pulled with the current north! (Heng is in the water now, so the same would apply for him)

Kiyomi shifts back to human and tries to swim! Swim!: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

Parity thinks to himself, Enough of this! and swift casts force punch before unloading on the demon again.

To hit: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (20) + 15 = 35 (Forgot bulls strength earlier)
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 20 + 10d4 ⇒ (1) + (4) + 20 + (1, 4, 4, 1, 4, 2, 1, 4, 1, 4) = 51

Haste: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (6) + (5) + 20 = 31

Iterative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 20 ⇒ (5) + (2) + 20 = 27

Round 5
AC:30, hp:68/130, Ki 9/11, Stun 10/13, Fire 10/10

Heng gives a draconic roar against the pair of demons and then swims behind Kiyomi to provide her cover to escape.

Roar damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (5, 8) + 6 + 2 + 2 = 23 will save DC 19 or shaken: 1d4 ⇒ 3 rounds

swim: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Kiyomi swims up to the surface, gasping in air.

Parity slashes his foe twice, empowering the first attack with a powerful force punch. The magic seems to damage the demon effectively, but fails to move the creature.

Omox Fort save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (10) + 15 = 25

Harlan continues firing his crossbow as quickly as he can, targetting the closest demon. Sadly, both shots skim harmlessly past the oozy demon.

Harlan vs Omox: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23; Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 plus Good Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
Harlan vs Omox: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25; Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 plus Good Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Heng roars, harming both omoxes. Although it shatters Ameiko's charm, the demon seems shaken by the roar.

Omox Will save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16
Omox Will save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Unable to do anything much more effective, Ameiko keeps her ridiculing litany against the demons going.

*

Initiative Order: (Round Six)
[25] Heng
[22] Ameiko
[17] Malnival <<<
[16] Omox
[12] Kiyomi
[04] Parity
[04] Harlan

Malnival's turn. I'll give him a day, in case he can post.

Malnival attackss

Attack 11d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 19 + 5 = 32
Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Haste attack: 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 19 + 5 = 30
Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

2nd attack: 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 5 = 35
Confirm crit:1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 5 = 35
Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Crit damage:Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Malnival carves into the demon with three decent slashes, but the fiend's unnatural resistance absorbs a good amount from each hit.

The demons continue to fight from the water, attacking Heng and Parity respectively. Parity's foe latches on to him, its form oozing over his face to block his ability to breathe!

The third, free of its charm, swims back and gestures at Ameiko. She struggles for a second against some force trying to pull her into the water, but manages to resist.

Omox vs Heng: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 21 - 3 = 31; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 3 = 10 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1) = 8
Omox vs Heng: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 21 - 3 = 22; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 3 = 7 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5) = 12
Grab vs CMD: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (12) + 21 - 3 = 30

Omox vs Parity: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 21 - 3 = 29; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 3 = 9 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6) = 14
Omox vs Parity: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 21 - 3 = 29; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 3 = 9 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 6) = 8
Grab vs CMD: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (16) + 21 - 3 = 34
Grab vs CMD: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 21 - 3 = 19

Ameiko Will save: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

Actions from everyone!

Attack 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 5 = 34
Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Haste attack: 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 19 + 5 = 35
Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
2nd attack: 1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 5 = 38
Confirm crit:1d20 + 14 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 5 = 36
Damage 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Crit damage:1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Round 6
AC:30, hp:50/130, Ki 9/11, Stun 10/13, Fire 10/10

If possible, I'll grab Kiyomi and fly her to safety over by Amieko.

As a kind of modified withdraw, sure.

Kiyomi allows herself to be flown to safety, then begins to sing, inspiring courage +3!

Does that mean Parity is grappled? I'll assume so in the numbers below. (-2 to hit, -4 to Dex (thus a -2 to AC)

Never one to panic at certain death, Parity continues to struggle swinging Suishen with deadly might infusing his blade with arcane magic.

To hit: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 15 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

Haste to hit: 1d20 + 15 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 15 - 2 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31

Iterative to hit: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27

Seeing that Heng is badly injured Harlan takes the opportunity to Heal him.

Heal.

Once free of the danger, Kiyomi begins to sing a heroic and inspiring song. Heng withdraws a few moments later, flying out of the water and grabbing her on the way. He deposits her safely on the shoreline. Harlan uses the opportunity to completely heal Heng's injuries.

Parity and Malnival team up on their flanked omox. Bolstered by Kiyomi's song, they manage more telling blows against the demon. One of Parity's attacks is guided home by an arcane-empowered inspiring word from Ameiko.

Ameiko gallant inspiration to Parity: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

The barrage is too much for the omox. As it dies, the ooze demon's putrid goo melts into the water, flowing away towards the north.

The remaining two omoxes slip through the water, one sliding up beside Heng and Harlan on the shore, and the other in the water below Ameiko. The first lashes at Harlan, grappling onto him again, acid burning painfully. Once more, it covers his face in slime, blocking off his air passages.

Omox vs Harlan: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 21 - 3 = 33; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 3 = 6 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 6) = 16
Grab vs CMD: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 21 - 3 = 33 ... grappled!

The second gurgles a magic spell, conjuring a stinking cloud of nauseating gasses on the shore.

Stinking cloud... Harlan, Heng and Kiyomi DC 17 Fort save or become nauseated.

*

Initiative Order: (Round Seven)
[25] Heng
[22] Ameiko
[17] Malnival
[16] Omox
[12] Kiyomi <<<
[04] Parity
[04] Harlan

Actions from everone?

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Kiyomi avoids the worst of the stink, then murmurs a spell into her song!

Concentration check to cast Freedom of Movement on Harlan, DC 23: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

Fort DC 17: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Harlan avoids the gas and slips free!

Quickened Channel, avoid the demons.

Channel: 7d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 5, 3, 4, 5) = 23

Holy Smite on my ex grappler, avoid Parity.

Holy Smite Evil Outsider: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 3, 5, 3, 1, 5, 5, 1) = 31
Holy Smite Evil notOutsider: 5d8 ⇒ (7, 2, 6, 1, 8) = 24
Blind for 1 round, DC 19 Will to avoid blind and half damage.

"Stop grabbing me you icky smelly demon!"

Round 7
AC:30, hp:130/130, Ki 9/11, Stun 9/13, Fire 10/10; dragon form, inspired

Heng is fully revived by Harlan's healing spell; acid burns and bruises fade away.

fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

He snorts away the demonic miasma and lays into the slimy thing.

+2 frost fist: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 3 = 38 + fort DC 19 or staggered + stun: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1, 8) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 22+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2
flurry 2: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 3 = 21
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8, 7) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 26+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2
flurry 3: 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 3 = 31
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7, 4) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 22+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5
flurry 4: 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 3 = 32
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 18+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 3
flurry 5: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 3 = 24
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 18+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2
ki bonus: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 3 = 38
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7, 7) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 27+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 2

crit threat: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 15 + 3 = 32
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7, 4) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 24+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4

crit threat: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 3 = 25
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7, 7) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 27+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 3

first crit should read shaken 5 rnds;
@8/11 ki

Parity moves to engage Ameiko, enraged that she is in danger. (+1 from the trait!)

To hit: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 1 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29
To hit: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 = 24
To hit: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12

Kiyomi keeps singing while she casts a boon upon Harlan, allowing him to easily pull free of the omox's grasp.

Parity flies over and slashes the second omox once, managing to damage it slightly.

Harlan channels a healing blast, affecting all of the group except for Ameiko. He then smites both demons with a blast of holy energy. The nearest slips into the water momentarily, avoiding much of the spell, but the second omox takes the full brunt.

Omox Will save vs Harlan's holy smite: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Omox Will save vs Harlan's holy smite: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 2 = 16

Heng lays into the near demon with a flurry of fists. Its oozy form absorbs much of the blows' impact, but Heng still damages it significantly.

Omox Fort save vs Heng's shaken effect: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

Ameiko keeps up her mocking oration against the demons.

Malnival flies around the noxious cloud to flank with Parity and attack the blinded omox.

Malnival vs Omox: 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 5 = 31; Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

The blinded omox slides into the depths, trying to escape. (AoOs from Parity and Malnival!)

Its face a hideous mask of hatred, the other omox slides up onto the shore to chase Harlan, clubbing at him with acid-tinged fists.

Omox vs Harlan: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 21 - 3 = 38; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 3 = 8 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 5) = 11
Omox vs Harlan: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (2) + 21 - 3 = 20; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (5) + 8 - 3 = 10 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 5) = 12
... Fortification?: 1d100 ⇒ 26 ... Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 21 - 3 = 26; Crit Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 3 = 8

NOTE: Heng, Harlan and Kiyomi failed to exit the stinking cloud, so you all will have to make saves again!

Actions?

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Kiyomi steps five feet back and keeps singing, unslinging her bow and firing at the ooze!

Bow!: 1d20 + 15 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 3 + 1 = 32 for 1d8 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 + 3 = 12 damage!

Round 8
AC:30, hp:130/130, Ki 8/11, Stun 8/13, Fire 10/10; dragon form, inspired

fort: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Heng gags slightly at the stink, but keeps on the demon, pounding it relentlessly. If Harlan is allowing me to flank, add +2 to all attacks.

+2 frost fist: 1d20 + 15 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 3 = 28 + fort DC 19 or staggered
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 24+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4
flurry 2: 1d20 + 16 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 3 = 27
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8, 3) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 22+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 6
flurry 3: 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 3 = 23
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 7) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 20+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 3
flurry 4: 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 3 = 30
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (2, 5) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 18+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 4
flurry 5: 1d20 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 3 = 25
damage: 2d8 + 6 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2) + 6 + 2 + 3 = 18+ cold: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Despite not throwing up, Heng seems to lose his focus slightly due to the stink.

Parity continues to fight with Suishen, frustrated at the length of this battle, he shoots a blast of force missiles from Suishen before moving to provide a better flank for Heng (I think Harlan uses a crossbow so can't threaten).

Vanguard Blast: 6d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 4, 3, 2) = 16AoO: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Damage: 1 + 1d8 + 22 ⇒ 1 + (1) + 22 = 24

Fort DC 17: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24

"Youch!"

Harlan resists the gas while being battered, then moves out of the cloud and heals himself.

My Cure spells don't provoke.

CCW: 48 + 14 = 62

Spirit Boost (13 HP, 13 rounds) (Su) Healing beyond maximum becomes temporary HP.

AoO: 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 5 = 36
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Seeing the ooze monster slide into the water Malnival flies to his friends aid and slashes at the remaining foe.

Attack 1d20 + 19 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 5 = 37
Damage: 1d6 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Parity and Malnival cut the retreating omox, but it survives the hits and disappears, teleporting to safety.

Kiyomi backs up along the shore, firing her bow at the remaining demon for minimal effect. Parity fires a missle of force then charges into the noxious cloud to attack the demon.

Harlan moves away from the demon, leaving an opening in his defenses, and then heals himself once clear of the cloud.

Omox AoO vs Harlan: 1d20 + 21 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 21 - 3 = 38; Damage: 1d6 + 8 - 3 ⇒ (6) + 8 - 3 = 11 plus Acid Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 11
Fortification?: 1d100 ⇒ 24 = no crit!

Heng pummels the omox, with one of his strikes getting a boost from Ameiko to ensure a hit.

Ameiko gallant inspiration to Heng: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Omox Fort save vs stagger: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23

Malnival Fort save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Malnival flies into the cloud, keeping down his stomach as he slashes the demon hard. It finally succumbs, dissolving into a puddle of putrescent goo.

As the omox dies, so too does the stinking cloud quickly dissipate.

End of Combat!

Heng takes a deep breath of the cleared air and nods. "It is good to have chased these fiends from the world."

Harlan, does that tunnel lead downward? It appears that the water drains that way. Let me carry Amieko over and we can go that direction."

"Those were the welcome guards? We need to be careful throughout here," Parity states as his mist wears off.

Parity airwalks over along with Heng, not comfortable being away from Ameiko for long.

You gather on the stony eastern shore. The noise of the waterfall requires you to shout to be heard, but it also effectively masked the sounds of your battle with the omox. Heng collects Ameiko and flies her down to the group. Using her light, you can see the eastern tunnel in fact slopes up slightly, before it curves out of line of sight. The waters flow towards a gaping hole to the north, much like the one on the surface above. Twenty feet above this pit, an arched opening looks over the underground lake.

Map view on Roll20 expanded.

Heng moves forward (perhaps with Parity) to the edge of the light and stretches his senses forward to see ahead.

darkvision: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (8) + 20 = 28

Heng moves carefully forward into the dark tunnel, which turns a corner into a larger cavern. The passageway continues between high rock shelves, marred by a forest of stalactites and stalagmites that resemble nothing less than the narrow bars of a cage in the ebbing glow of the luminescent lichen growing upon them.

Perched along the shelves are a half-dozen masked women. They stand still as statues, silent, dark eyes watching. They wear white kimonos, and their faces are covered with blank, white masks. Each bears an ornate naginata. Finally, they have oily black crane wings sprouting from their backs.

The Empress welcomes you, a voice rings in your minds. Continue to her boudoir.

Kiyomi bows to each of the masked women. "Thank you for your hospitality." She intones.

"The Boudoir is no place to greet honored guests. Who is your mistress? We have heard of no Empress here, only Teikoku Sokai, Sugimatu Nobinoru, and Shojinawa Ito."

At least I don't recall any ladies in the well. Might we get the above characters on the Campaign Info page as well, please.

The Empress Amatatsu Maemi, the voice in your head replies. She is awaiting the presence of her royal descendant, Amatatsu Ameiko. Please continue to her boudoir.

Maemi was mentioned a few times in the past, here by Jiro, and here by Amatatsu Onoko.

I'll add the imperial spirits in the NPC list. Some were already mentioned in the quest notes, but not all.

I'll add the imperial spirits in the NPC list. Some were already mentioned in the quest notes, but not all.

nice. much thanks. we really got some good ancestor, bad ancestor going on with that list ; )

Heng glances at Amieko as his memory is jogged my the name. "Oh, Onoko mentioned her."

"I remember. She sold her soul to extend her life unnaturally," Ameiko nods. "Well, this lot is more welcoming than the last, but, you know... devils. Shall we?" she asks.

"Demons and Devils? This is indeed a terrible place. Be careful. Remeber that Onoko said that your ancestor would do anything to escape."

Heng leads the way forward again.

Malnival frowns and follows the others.

Knowledge planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Or take 10+10

Ameiko nods to Heng's warning and you begin forward as a group. The crane-winged guardians watch from their perches, silent and unmoving. As you round the corner of the passage, a figure appears before you. She, like the others, wears a blank porcelain mask and kimono, but there the similarities end. Long, twisting horns rise from behind the mask, and her hands are long and tipped with black talons. A rat-like tail emerges from the bottom of her kimono.

Follow me, welcome guests, the voice speaks again in your minds. The handmaiden turns and walks ahead of you.

The passage opens up, turning abruptly from rough cavern into finished architecture. Huge basalt columns hold up the ceiling of a mammoth courtyard. A balcony to the southwest and two elevated platforms to the east look down upon the room’s ivory-tiled floor. Imperial tapestries of green and gold hang from their edges. To the south, a decorative overlook provides a breathtaking view of the waterfall as it pours into the misty depths.

The handmaiden leads you to a side chamber, where an ornate railing lines a marble balcony. Delicate silk curtains hang from the ceiling, and plush carpets cover the floor. A huge bed draped in satin sheets and a multitude of pillows occupies the rear of the chamber, behind a regal throne of carved jade. The stirring scent of jasmine and lotus blossoms fills the air.

Flanked by a pair of masked guards, Amatatsu Maemi sits in her throne. A beautiful, ageless Tian-Min woman dressed in Minkai imperial regalia, her true nature is exposed by two tentacles extending from her head, writhing about her elaborate coiffure.

"Please step forward. Let me get a close look at my descendant Empress-to-be," Maemi waves Ameiko forward with a gracious smile.

Added pics of Amatatsu Maemi and her handmaiden to Roll20.

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Kiyomi bows deeply to the former Empress, but keeps her bow close to hand.

Heng doesn't know anything about fiends other than they cannot be trusted. He balances his stance, ready to spring to his Empress' defense.

creepy. where are we on the map?

Ameiko steps forward hesitantly, bowing formally to Maemi. "Honored ancestor. My name is Amatatsu Ameiko. I have traveled, with my companions and defenders here, from distant Avistan, to reclaim the Jade Throne from the usurper who currently holds it. We came to the Imperial Shrine for the required blessings. For two of those, we need to locate Emperor Higashiyama Shigure's body, which he says is somewhere in the Well of Demons. And we also need to find Emperor Teikoku Sokai, who his brother said was here as well." She stops talking, unsure how to continue.

Empress Maemi smiles wide, a warm look that is belied by her fiendish features. "The Amatatsu will once again rule the empire, and we will usher in another glorious dynasty for Minkai. Please, let me help you. I can tell you where to find Higashiyama and Teikoku."

Harlan watches as Ameiko greats her ancestor's spirit.

Is there a chance Harlan could have cast Protection from Evil on Ameiko before going on to the boudoir? Friends don't let friends get possessed by their evil ancestors after all.

Heng remains cautious, but allows, "That would be helpful. Where can we find them?"

Parity moves in front of Ameiko, off to her side and grasps Suishen.

This demon ghost is legit? Did you know her? What should we be cautious of?

Apologize for my absence. Been spending time with family since I have been geographically separated for a while

Sorry about the huge delay. Perfect storm of the boards acting up, feeling sick, and an odd conversation point. Let's get things moving again!

@ Harlan: sure, you can cast the spell.

Maemi gives Heng a glance and a charming smile. "Certainly. Teikoku, the fat pig, lairs with his filthy swine in the caves to the south of here. We maintain a kind of territorial stand off."

"As for Higashiyama, his body will be more difficult to find. When his traitorous friends tossed it down here, it fell into the lower well. Shojinawa Ito collected it, but I cannot say what the man plans to do with it. He is a necromancer..."

"Ito resides in the northern part of the lower caves. Directly below us, in fact."

Heng rubs his head. "I suppose that we should 'pay our respects' to the Teikoku clan before we go lower to recover the previous Emperor's body."