GM Ladile's League of Kick-Ass Dudes: A Pathfinder Society Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Lady Ladile

Frankie ducks just in time as a few golden hairs drift down into his lap. The evil Elf woman spinning around like a dangerous (but fun) carnival ride gone wrong. "Hey, you're going to hurt someone really bad like that!" Frankie says as he sees Serge slide to the floor wounded.

"Serge! Hold on, we're comin'!" The pint sized explorer steps back out of the fray and draws out one of his newly purchased, super sized holy waters and tosses it at the Elf.

"Eat some of this you dirty ****!" Frankie calls upon some of the nastiest words his mom used to throw around at other women that would get too cozy with her man friends.

Enhanced Holy Water, Melee, Bless, Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 8 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 4 + 1 = 242d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6
So +50%. Splash of 1, or 2? to the blue wraith.

The blade bites his thigh, and blood begins to dribble down his leg into his boot. As the paladin slumps to the ground, he summons from his quiver one of his three special arrows. Then noting Meredith's success, he switches to silver for the remainder of his Flurry of Bow.

Attack, Flurry, PBS, Bless, BANE: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 33
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, BANE: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 6 + 1 + 1 + 2 + (6, 1) = 26

Attack, Flurry, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 22
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Silver: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 16

Attack, Flurry, ki point, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 16
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Silver: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 13

Attack, Flurry, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 12
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Silver: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6, 2) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 16

As the last arrow leaves his bow, he asks the woman in a calm and even tone, "Who are you?"

Jan moves forward to help his fallen comrade (provoking from the Green wraith) and to help protect Meredith and Frankie.

"You shall not have this one... not today!"

Swift action (use of Fervor) to cast Cure Light Wounds (will not provoke) on the 'fallen' Paladin.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Standard Action- attack the undead elven woman.

Attack with sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 7 + (4, 5) = 24

"By the Spirits of my ANCESTORS you shall be destroyed!"

"Death or Valhalla!!!"

As Serge slumps to the ground, unconscious, the rest of you realize that the danger here is very, very real. Relying on observation and his own intuition, Quang Chi pulls out one of his very limited and special arrows and sends it Red's way before following up with three more silver arrows.

The first arrow is a direct hit, striking the elf high in the shoulder. Her eyes widen and she shrieks with pain, finding this arrow to have an especially vicious bite. She very narrowly avoids the second arrow but easily manages to dodge the third and fourth, glaring back at Quang Chi with a look of hatred.

"Once, I was in command of this place and lived my life in service to the light," she sneers. "And when the time came, I foolishly volunteered that life to seal away the Whispering Tyrant. But now, I walk this land again with a clarity I didn't posses in life. Now, I serve no one but myself and Lady Despair!"

At this point, Frankie's vial of specially-enhanced holy water shatters against her back and splashes all over her, burning into her skin and eliciting another shriek of pain and surprise. A few drops even manage to splash the Blue Wraith, leaving wispy trails of smoke behind!

Angered by Red's audacity to strike his companion down, Jan rushes forth to his aid and past the section of wall where Green is lurking...

AoO vs. Jan (Total Concealment 50%; Low is Bad for Me): 1d100 ⇒ 38

...but this time, the wraith's swipe thankfully catches nothing! Jan steps up to face the woman, sparing a quick moment to lay a healing hand on Serge before delivering a mighty strike to the Red Lady with his new sword. Though the blade does seem to encounter some strange sort of resistance, the blow is still quite powerful - so powerful, in fact, that Red utters a bloodcurdling scream as her form seems to melt and twist into nothing more than gaseous vapor!

Perhaps even more satisfying is the fact that Serge's eyes flutter open just in time to see this.

Serge, since Jan technically would've healed you before your turn came up in the initiative order, you may take a regular round of actions now if you wish. Remember that you're still prone, of course.
______________

Round 4

Jan (Protection from Evil)
Serge (-21, 9 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon)
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Blue Wraith (-2)
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Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
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Green Wraith (-39; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Meredith (-23; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
==============
Red Woman/Gaseous Cloud
==============
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Serge is UP!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

That CLW will heal an extra +2 due to Fey Foundling (don't you know Serge was a wild fey child? ◔_◔)

Serge's eyes roll around in his head, his vision still a field of stars. With whatever strength remains in him, he lays a glowing palm on himself.

LoH: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10
"She's gone like the coward she was, I see. Disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Yet her apparitions remain, inside the walls," the paladin chokes. "You.. bastard ghost. None are beyond my reach. None are above my wrath." He grabs his greatsword, and gazing up at the wraith's shadowy form, attempts to strike it while prone, fire in his eyes.

Greatsword, Prone, PA, FF, Bless, MoG, Smite Evil: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 + 1 = 182d6 + 22 ⇒ (4, 2) + 22 = 28

I realized after I'd rolled that I'm likely over action eco here (two swifts), in which case, I'll save the roll and smite for next round.

Frankie looks thoroughly confused when the woman turns into a puff of smoke, even going so far as to cover his mouth with his hand "She's not going to go down into me is she?" He looks around for confirmation.

"Once, I was in command of this place..." The words rip through Quang Chi's mind with the same impact as the blade ripping through his thigh.

"Yohanatotsu-sama? Nǐ biàn chéngle shénme?" he whispers as much to himself as to the cloud of red smoke that lingers menacingly.

Knowledge (religion) DC15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
"Lady Despair, another name for Urgathoa." Lazarus also shares whatever other information he recalls about the goddess.

"Tell us your name, Lady," the samsaran requests. "If once you served the light, you might choose to do so again. Let us help you find your way back."

Meredith frowns as people start talking to piles of ash. "Maybe we can negotiate with dust after we obliterate these soul-sucking ghosts?"

As the Red Lady turns into nothing more than a cloud of wispy mist, Serge opens his eyes and calls on Ragathiel's power to mend his wounds so that he may fight on! Though still terribly weakened by the wraith's touch, his wounds now look much less grievous than before.

"F̸lee̷,́ ͟mi҉str͠ess͢.̴...wè ̨w̛ill͜ st͜o̢p̧ the͝m!" Blue hisses, clearly ready to lay down its (un)life in defense of the elven woman. And given its nature and what it can do and its options...it reaches out for Serge once more.

Incorporeal Touch vs. Serge: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Negative Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Serge, please make a DC 17 Fort or take 1d6 ⇒ 4 Con Drain. Don't forget about Lazarus' Moment of Greatness spell that's running.

Then the creature 'steps' back into the wall again.
______________

Round 4

Jan (Protection from Evil)
Serge (-11, 9 Con Drain; Bless Weapon, Pending Fort)
==============
Blue Wraith (-2; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Green Wraith (-39; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Meredith (-23; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
==============
Red Woman/Gaseous Cloud
==============
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Lazarus is UP!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

Fort: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Don't worry about healing Serge. I don't feel he'd be able to contribute to combat after this much stat drain either way.
Not much of Serge is left at this point, just a withered, unmoving mass inside of what now looks like armor that's way too big for him.

Concerned for the wraith's constant draining of Serge's life essence, Lazarus steps forward. "Serge Foxmourn, receive the blessing of the faithful."

Facing the paladin and sketching the sign of the butterfly in the air with his slender blue hand, the ecclesitheurge also expends some of his divine energy to extend the blessing's duration.

Blessing of the Faithful (Su): A blessed ally gains a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, or saving throws or to AC until the ecclesitheurge’s next turn. Lazarus expended 1 use of channel energy when activating this ability to increase the duration to a number of rounds equal to the number of dice of his channel energy. (So, 2 rounds total.)

"Everyone backup from the wall! We need these things in the open." Meredith gives an order.

"Denair, grab Serge and protect him with everything you have."

As the circumstances turn dire for Serge, time blips again, just slightly, rewinding enough that he remembers to take a swing at the wraith from his position on the floor. But the wraith seems to be expecting just such a thing and has the presence of mind to twist out of the way of the blade.

Then time snaps back to the present, leaving Serge incredibly drained - drained almost to the point of death.

Hoping to do something, anything, to help his friend and companion out, Lazarus calls upon Desna to wrap the paladin in her blessing and protect him from harm. Maybe it'll be enough to protect him until the rest of the group can get him away from the wall.

And speaking of the wall, Green Wraith seems reluctant to leave it when there are still living hearts beating just on the other side. Wispy fingers snake out again, reaching for a victim...

Clockwise
1d2 ⇒ 1
Total Concealment (50% Miss; Low is Bad for Me): 1d100 ⇒ 20

...Quang Chi, this time. But it's harder than it looks trying to attack from within a wall and the wraith wails with frustration as he misses the mark!

*shff*

*shff*

*shff*

*shff*

Everyone - excepting Serge - suddenly becomes aware of the sound of footsteps approaching from the east. Whoever or whatever it is moves with a slow, inexorable gait...

______________

Round 4

Jan (Protection from Evil)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful)
==============
Blue Wraith (-2; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Green Wraith (-39; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Meredith (-23; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
==============
Red Woman/Gaseous Cloud
==============
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Meredith & Denair are UP!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

Denair, as instructed, goes to grab Serge with her long limbs and tries to drag him close to her. "Heavy metal... kind of cold!"

Unable to see any targets, Meredith casts Invisibility and runs up to Serge, tapping his body. He disappears from view.

Just then she looks up. From the ghosts hiding in walls and the elf who turned to red mist, "Now what?" She clutches onto her mace.

Working in tandem, Denair and Meredith race to rescue Serge before either of the wraiths have a chance to finish him off. Using her long arms Denair reaches out and slips her hands underneath one of the paladin's arms and begins to pull him straight back and away from the wall.

Denair Drag (DC 0; Willing Ally): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

It's easy to do since Serge doesn't fight or resist being moved and Denair is able to pull him away from the wall, through/underneath the swirling mist, and further, leaving him out of immediate reach of the walls. And though Serge gets gooseflesh as he's dragged through the mist, he doesn't suffer any ill effects.

Once Serge is safely out of immediate danger, Meredith steps up and places a spell of invisibility on him, hoping to further hide from the terrible ghosts in the walls.

The Lady-in-the-Mist does not answer either Quang Chi's horrified whisper or Lazarus' questions - perhaps she's unable to, in her current state. But as the group becomes aware of the approaching footsteps, a low, feminine chuckle is heard as the mist wafts away from the group, traveling out through the chamber's southern entrance and disappearing around the corner!

Red is now effectively out of combat; tracker adjusted accordingly.
______________

Round 4/Round 5

Jan (Protection from Evil)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful, Invisibility)
==============
Blue Wraith (-2; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Green Wraith (-39; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Meredith (-23; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Quang Chi & Frankie are UP at the bottom of Round 4 and Jan & Serge are UP at the top of Round 5!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

"She has fled but is not destroyed. And Hiromasa approaches in his 'new form.' That cannot be good."

Quang Chi takes a flask of holy water from his bandoleer and smears the contents across the tips of several arrows. Backing away from the wraiths, he prepares to fire at the first one to poke its wispy fingers out.

"Thank you.. Denair.." Serge manages to choke, overcome with weakness. If he could be seen, his drooping ashen skin would make him nearly unrecognizable. The whites of his bones peeked from his joints, brittle and ready to give at any moment. Even just raising his hand to his chest for what he intended to do next caused him to groan in agony.

Sulianna, in my time of need, p-please lend your blessings upon me, he mouths, but no words come out. The undead overwhelm us, and I must get back to my feet.

Just as the wraiths reach from within the walls, so does the hand of a beautiful elven woman, who grabs Serge's shoulder playfully with a giggle. "A̤h̟̗̜̫͙, i̹ṋͅ ̲̖re̦͙̥̲p̩͉a̦̱y̜͓̫̥̻m̜e͙̭̺nṱ͕͎͓̹̱ ̠̜̮̳f̗̪̩͖͙o̹̖̗r b̳̻̼̺̳̥a͓n͕i̗̳̺̪̘̬sh͈̦i̗̗̹̳̮ngͅ t̬͚̹ha̱̖̙̰t̥̗̮͎̰͕̺ ͓͚̺̘̖͚͈big bad dem̝̦̭̼͚͓͔on͓͖̳̳?̹̣͖̱̯̘͕ O̟̹f c̳̖̣̠̘̼o͎̳͉̬ͅu͕͈̳͓̹̼̞r͕̣se I'll help you.͍̗͓̙̜" Her palm begins to glow brightly, slowly restoring the paladin's constitution.

This will take three rounds.

Jan quickly retrieves the small ceramic flask marked with Ulfen runes and hands it to Frankie.

"Put this on one of your ranged weapons... like your sling. It will allow you to attack whatever is coming from a safe distance!"

*Holy Weapon Balm to Frankie. 10 pieces of ammo.

Having been granted a reprieve by the Red Elf's departure the group quickly begins pulling away from the walls and imbuing their ammo with holy power; Quang Chi covers some of his arrows with holy water and then gets ready to shoot while Jan offers holy weapon balm for Frankie's sling stones.

Serge, desperate to not only save himself but reenter the battle to help his friends, calls in a favor for services once rendered on a moonlight stroll. A beautiful elven woman, her form made of pure light, appears from out of the nearby wall and gently places her hand on the paladin's shoulder as she begins to channel a spell of Restoration.
______________

Round 4/Round 5

Jan (Protection from Evil)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful 2rds, Invisibility; Restoration-in-Progress)
==============
Blue Wraith (-2; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Green Wraith (-39; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Meredith (-23; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor; Readied Attack)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Frankie is UP!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

Jan quickly retrieves the small ceramic flask marked with Ulfen runes and hands it to Frankie.

"Put this on one of your ranged weapons... like your sling. It will allow you to attack whatever is coming from a safe distance!"

*Holy Weapon Balm to Frankie. 10 pieces of ammo.

Frankie looks at his sling shot then at Jan and shakes his head "Nah, that thing isn't strong enough against these things. I gotta help faster than that!" He moves ahead and flashes his dagger, waiting for the wraiths to come for one of his friends in reach. "They won't get to you Serge, not with THE FLASH and his bestie Denny guarding you!"

Having a general idea of where Serge is now hanging out, Frankie declines Jan's offer of holy weapon balm in favor of getting ready to strike with his magical mithril dagger when - or if - the wraiths come for the paladin again.

None of you have to wait long, either. Blue emerges once more from within the wall only to be greeted by the sting of Quang Chi's arrow as it passes through the wraith's body! The ghostly form hisses angrily and glides forward, putting him within reach of Frankie's magical dagger. Quick as a flash the little child reacts, pricking the wraith and dissipating a little of its essence. As before, it seems as though it's possible to 'strike' the wraiths but even enchanted weapons seem to only be partially effective.

"Y̧ou̸͞ ̷̸d͢e̷l̸á̛͏y͞ ͢t̷͟h̷̀e̕͝͝ ͘i̷͞n͜҉ev̸͢i̶̧͡t͜͏a̶b͘ļ҉̀é̡͢.̷҉.̸̡.̨͢" Blue whispers, as it reaches for...

Clockwise from the top~
1d3 ⇒ 2
Incorporeal Touch vs. Meredith: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Negative Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 4

...Meredith, its fingers pushing past the magical shield she has in place and brushing against her cheek.

Meredith, please make a DC 17 Fort or take 1d6 ⇒ 6 Con Drain.
______________

Round 5

Jan (Protection from Evil)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful 2rds, Invisibility; Restoration-in-Progress)
==============
Blue Wraith (-10)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Green Wraith (-39; Inside Wall w/Total Cover)
==============
Meredith (-27; Shield, Pending Fort) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Lazarus is UP!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

Fort Save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Meredith spits in the ghost's general direction. "That's the second time you failed. Give it up."

Back to the north wall, Lazarus moves into the crypt. He points his wand of magic missile in the direction of the east wall, where the green wraith disappeared, prepared to fire as soon as it shows itself.

Readied Attack, Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (14 charges remaining)

Meredith easily resists Blue's draining touch and Lazarus hustles into the crypt to join the rest of his friends, readying his wand should Green decide to come out and play again...which it does! It promptly eats a blast of force damage for its trouble, leaving its form even more insubstantial than before and seemingly on the verge of dissipating entirely.

"N̵̨o͢.̢.̧.̴p̷͘̕r̨o͟t̸̢͘e̢c̕͘t ̡͠th͢e͟ ̶̡͘m̧i͟s͠t̶r̨̀͞es͝ś̡͜.̷̛͟.͟.̨̛" Green whispers, directing its attention at...

1=Quang Chi, 2=Jan
1d2 ⇒ 2
Incorporeal Touch vs. Jan: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Negative Energy: 1d6 ⇒ 3

...Jan, apparently drawn to the man's vigor and vitality. Though it manages to brush his arm with wispy fingers, it quickly jerks them back with an angry hiss as it senses the protection surrounding him.

Jan, please make a DC 17 Fort or take 1d6 ⇒ 3 Con Drain.

The shuffling footsteps continue to grow louder as whatever it is draws closer and closer until finally, a figure shuffles into view at the top of the southern stairs. The flesh of this emaciated creature appears charred or dried, and its empty eye sockets seep trails of smoke as it stares into the room below.

"Suǒyǐ tā líkāile wǒ, zàicì qīnglǐ tā de làntānzi," it rasps, more as though talking to itself than addressing the group. The tone sounds...resigned. Weary. "Suí tā ba."

"You...should not have come. Only death...awaits. Run away...or die here and join us," the creature intones, now addressing the group directly.

Round 5/Round 6

Jan (-3; Protection from Evil, Pending Fort)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful 2rds, Invisibility; Restoration-in-Progress)
==============
Blue Wraith (-10)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Hiromasa
Green Wraith (-43)
==============
Meredith (-27; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Meredith & Denair, Quang Chi, Frankie are UP at the bottom of Round 5 and Jan & Serge are UP at the top of Round 6!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

Quang Chi takes a slight step away from the Greenish tinged wraith and opens fire on them both, though starting with the Blue hued one.

Attack, Flurry, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 22
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Holy H2O: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 + 1 + 1 + (2) = 13

Attack, Flurry, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 23
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Holy H2O: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 6 + 1 + 1 + (3) = 14

Attack, Flurry, ki point, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 1 + 1 = 23
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Holy H2O: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (5, 6) + 6 + 1 + 1 + (5) = 24

Attack, Flurry, PBS, Bless: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 + 1 = 28
damage, Gravity Bow, Aspect, PBS, Holy H2O: 2d6 + 6 + 1 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 6 + 1 + 1 + (2) = 17

5 holy-water arrows used, 5 remaining

"We are not a mess to be cleaned up," Quang Chi grumbles under his breath, albeit loud enough for the new opponent to hear. "Who is it that steps and fetches for Yohanatotsu-sama? Is that you, Hiromasa-san? Or one of her sisters-in-arms, perhaps?"

Knowledge (religion) DC18: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"It's a bodak, an extraplanar undead creature, stripped of its soul and possessing only fragmented memories of its former existence, driven by profound emptiness, sorrowful longing, and vengeful hatred of all life," Lazarus informs the team. "And a bodak has special attacks, including __________."

Ready for the onslaught, Quang Chi takes a step back and unleashes another flurry of arrows against the Blue Wraith. Each and every one pierces through its' incorporeal form, leaving the creature barely held together by wispy threads by the time he's done! In fact, it looks like both wraiths are now on the verge of dissipating...

The strange, withered form pauses as Quang Chi calls out.

"My name...no one speaks that name now...except her..."

"Nǐ shuō wǒ de yǔyán? Nǐ shì shéi?"

Round 5/Round 6

Jan (-3; Protection from Evil, Pending Fort)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful 2rds, Invisibility; Restoration-in-Progress)
==============
Blue Wraith (-44)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Hiromasa
Green Wraith (-43)
==============
Meredith (-27; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Meredith & Denair, Frankie are UP at the bottom of Round 5 and Jan & Serge are UP at the top of Round 6!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

Lazarus helpfully informs the group that bodaks have a rather deadly special attack - their very gaze can sap away not just one's vitality but their very living essence! But this particular bodak also seems to be a bit weaker than the usual variety, which is probably a good thing.

"Desna have mercy, friends! Avert your gaze or don your smoked goggles," Lazarus warns the team. "Don't make eye contact with the creature."

Not only is this once-fortress a hive of undead scum and villany but it also seems to be positioned at a junction in the timestream. Once again, things seem to rewind slightly and Quang Chi is back with his bow raised and ready to fire on the wraiths. But this time he shoots first at Green, sending it home to Pharasma before turning the rest of the shots on Blue - still leaving it pretty seriously wounded.

And then time snaps back into its proper place.
______________

Round 5/Round 6

Jan (-3; Protection from Evil, Pending Fort)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful 2rds, Invisibility; Restoration-in-Progress)
==============
Blue Wraith (-38)
==============
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Hiromasa
==============
Meredith (-27; Shield) + Denair (-8; Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Meredith & Denair, Frankie are UP at the bottom of Round 5 and Jan & Serge are UP at the top of Round 6!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

"Hiromasa-san, Wǒ shì guǎng lín de érzi guǎng zhì. Wǒ láizì lóngwáng zhī dì," Quang Chi answers the former Samurai.

"Nǐ gěi tā de lǐwù shì shénme? Zài chá hé lǐ?" he asks hoping for insight into the two warriors. Insight that maybe he can use when they meet the red lady again.

Néng zàicì shuō yīkǒu zhèngquè de yǔyán zhēnshi lìng rén yúkuài. Chànggē de rén, ér bùshì zhè zhǒng píngdàn de yěmán de gū gr shēng.

Jan summons his inner strength and attempts to ward off the evil embrace of the wraith. Then side-steps to flank with Meredith. Dropping his quick-draw shield (which is stowed not actually dropped) Jan uses both hands during his attack.

Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 9 + 1 = 18

"Praise be to Gozreh! The Lord of Storms has spoken!"

Jan slashes at the creature with the enchanted blade.

Sword Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 9 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + (6, 1) = 24

"Frankie, don't look at that thing." Meredith calls out. She watches Jan run up and swing at the wraith, gladly trying to flank it with him. If Jan has Precise Strike he gets an extra 1d6 damage.

Hold still, this is going to take a while! The azata pleads.

Serge remains where he is, Sulianna's hand radiating bright light that disappears into his flesh. Already, his skin has regained its moisture and suppleness, and the bags under his eyes have filled in. Maybe he's born with it, maybe it's magic unseen.

Oh man... I'm not sure Frankie could resist the urge to not look!

Frankie the Flash continues to carve up the wraith that keeps trying to kill his bestest friends. "I've got something for you buddy, take this! And that! And this!"

Melee +1 Mithril Dagger, Defensively (+5AC), Bless: 1d20 + 9 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 9 - 4 + 1 = 171d3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Though terribly curious about the strange creature standing before the group Frankie manages to keep his focus on the remaining wraith that threatens the group. He slashes at Blue again but this time the wraith manages to juuuuuust slip out of reach of his dagger.

Too bad it can't do the same against Jan and his borrowed sword.

The Ulfen resists the wraith's draining touch and retaliates with a mighty chop of Due Diligence, slicing clean through the wraith and sending it to join its friend in Pharasma's Boneyard!

With the wraith taken care of and only the bodak left, Meredith uses her magic to grant Denair the ability to sense the faintest vibrations through the ground.

And through all this, Hiromasa observes, seemingly unperturbed.

"Wǒ de lǐwù...Nǐ cuòle, guǎng lín zhīzǐ. Tā bǎ lǐwù gěile wǒ," he rasps again in reply to Quang Chi. "Nín líkāi lóng zhī wáng de jìngjiè yǐjīng hěnjiǔle, yǐzhì nín wàngjìle zhè zhǒng xísú ma?" Hiromasa inquires, a hint of derision creeping into his voice.

Round 5/Round 6

Jan (-3; Protection from Evil, Pending Fort)
Serge (-9, 13 Con Drain, Prone; Bless Weapon, Blessing of the Faithful 2rds, Invisibility; Restoration-in-Progress)
Lazarus (Mage Armor, Shield of Faith)
==============
Hiromasa
==============
Meredith (-27; Shield) + Denair (-8; Evolution Surge, Lesser, Mage Armor)
Quang Chi (-29; Animal Aspect: Mouse, Animal Aspect: Bull, Gravity Bow, Mage Armor)
Frankie (1 Str Damage; Fighting Defensively)

Active Conditions: Bless, Moment of Greatness
Environmental Conditions: None

Denair is UP at the bottom of Round 5 and Lazarus is UP in Round 6!

Below the Mountains

Optional Battle Music

”Hóngzhèng xiānshēng dàoqiàn, zài zhàndòu de yālì xià, wǒ jì cuòle shì shéi gěi de.”

”Minkian de chuántǒng? Kǒngpà wǒ duì tāmen hái bùgòu shúxī. Yěxǔ shì nín de wèihūnfū?”

”Rúguǒ wǒmen jiāng qí tuìhuán gěi nín, jìnxíngle qīngjié hé xiūfù, nín shìfǒu huì kǎolǜ líkāi wǒmen?”

”Apologies, my friends, for not including you in the conversation. I am … chatting with Hiromasa-san about the tea box we found,” Quang Chi says clearly embarrassed at how trivial that sounds. ”I had hoped to gain insight into our foes, or even obtain safe passage,” he concludes as he averts his eyes from the bodak as Lazarus directed.

"Say, Quang Chi, perhaps you could translate your conversation with the bodak for the rest of us," Lazarus suggests.

The wizard priest moves to the south wall and points at the undead creature, directing a ray of positive energy at it.

Eyes Averted Penalty? Ranged Touch Attack; Positive Energy Damage; No Save, SR Yes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d6 ⇒ 1

Miss Chance, High is Good: 1d100 ⇒ 46

Meredith breathes a sigh of relief and runs back to Denair. "Tea boxes?" She decides to focus on helping Denair.

Denair, meanwhile, closes her eyes and digs her roots into the stone floor. The land speaks to her and gives her a view she fondly remembers. There's the Boss, standing in front of her. Serge is clear as day, with someone... something? touching him. But he seems calm. She moves ahead, listening to the land speak to her until it screams "Danger!" She stands still, ready to slam into the thing if it approaches and turns hostile.

Denair scuttles forward, using her newly-granted connection with the earth and stone to guide her. As this connection calls out to her, she stops near Hiromasa and readies to attack should the bodak come any closer.

As Lazarus looks away and zaps the nearby wall with a small beam of positive energy, the bodak's smoking eyes narrow.

"Bound...to Her...in life, then in death..."

Hiromasa shudders violently, hands clenching and unclenching as though desiring to tear out your throats.

"Why should I...spare you? Will not save Her...will not save Us!"

Yet the bodak doesn't attack, nor does he attempt to meet your gaze. But the tension in his shriveled form is plain for all to see, as he grapples between what remains of his human reason, his devotion to Her, and the innately vile nature of what he has become.

Still, the fact that he hasn't attacked is itself a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Hiromasa can be dissuaded from attacking...but it won't be easy, nor will there be any second chances should your words fail to resonate with him.
______________

Think of this as a dramatic cutscene pause. You *do* have a chance to convince Hiromasa to leave you be but as I said, it won't be easy. I will need a DC 38 Intimidate *or* Kn. Religion check. That said, you guys also get some stacking bonuses on this check for things you've done: +5 for praying at the shrines earlier, +5 for finding and bringing the holy symbol of Shizuru with you, and +5 for restoring the Yohanatotsu shrine. And because I like the RP/thought, +2 for offering to return the empty tea box. So a total bonus of +18 to this check. Of course if you have particularly strong feelings about leaving undead to continue getting down with their bad selves, you certainly don't have to attempt the check if you don't wish to.

Guidance, Circumstance Bonuses, Knowledge (religion) DC38: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 + 18 = 34
T-shirt Re-Roll, 5 GM-stars: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 5 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 + 5 + 18 = 42

"Hiromasa, set aside your anger and your hate," Lazarus says, appealing to the undead creature. "Permit us to continue our mission in peace."

Reverting to the guttural, unpleasant, and harsh Taldane for the sake of his barbarian companions, Quang Chi makes an offer to the undead Samurai warrior.

"Hiromasa-san, I too follow the code of ichimeiyo. On my Honor as a Warrior, I will place the tea box where you can retrieve it. Take it to Her, She who is your Master. There is Honor and Service, too, in that."

The warrior monk returns to the anteroom and sets the tea box gently and reverently on the floor. Keeping his eyes averted, he gives a deep bow to what remains of the Minkaian samurai before returning to the hallway and his comrades.

"Ummm ya... place nice or don't play at all..." Frankie regurgitates from far too many parental interactions from opponents on the kickball field. He looks at the ground and kicks at the dust, really.... REALLY wanting to look up at the creature that speaks so weird.

Hiromasa hesitates...and then sighs heavily as his arms fall to his sides and the tension leaves his body.

"Your words...bring clarity, cut through the red mist like the rays of the sun. If She fled, then...she has returned to her resting place."

The bodak closes his eyes.

"And if you follow, you can...put an end to Her. Before the flesh mends, before She rises again. Please, if you...follow the code of ichimeiyo, then...do this for me. For Us. It is what She, the living She, would have...wanted."

His voice drops to a whisper.

"This was...was not the fate She deserved, my...my Xīn'ài."

Jan remains quite during the exchange. Not out of fear... but out of anger.

This creature should be destroyed... instead we will bargain with this creature because he retains some sliver of his own spirit.

Jan finally speaks in a very measured tone, "I know nothing of this I-C-H-M-N-Y-O... but if you are bound by HONOR... that IS something I understand. We will destroy the evil that dwells in this place and put the souls of the tormented to rest. You have my SACRED OATH upon it!"

Jan nods towards the creature in acknowledgement of seriousness of the obligation he has accepted.

"Victory or Valhalla!"

"Did... wait, we didn't beat her?" Meredith is quite confused over this entire exchange. But Jan gets to the point and Meredith nods in agreement. "Sure. Let's finish her off. You've been awake for too long, yeah?"

Frankie looks around, in the direction opposite of the Bodak, for where the misty woman could have floated off to. "So.. where'd she go?" He pokes through the crypts, holy water in hand.

"So how do we kill something that's a cloud?"

"An astute question, Francis," Lazarus says, not quite certain himself.

"Hiromasa, how can we put your Xīn'ài to rest?" the samsaran asks, following the bodak.