On a recent foray into Kwanlai, the Pathfinder Society learned that a conniving being from the Abyss has been targeting righteous communities on the border between the tengu nation and Tianjing to the south.
Honored Pathfinders and treasured colleagues,
I received an urgent request from an old friend of our Society, the samurai Shiyo Takarak of the Way of the Kirin. To my surprise, she has been working with another, more recently acquired friend of the Society: an archon of Heaven named Zepha. The two, it seems, have been pursuing leads discovered by one of our Society’s previous expeditions into the Kimu Mountains. Clearly impressed with their previous interactions with our colleagues, the two have asked for skilled Pathfinders to lead an expedition into Tianjing to follow the trail of evidence further. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our ties with both the Way of the Kirin and the archon. It also provides an opportunity to explore some of Tianjing and perhaps some of its ancient celestial-inspired architecture, arts, and philosophies. Zepha and Shiyo are in Kwanlai’s capital, Hisuikarasu, planning the expedition. Meet them there in the private room of the Gilded Lotus Teahouse.
With Regards,
Venture-Captain Amara Li
Tokens:
Tai Dan - Gained, Unused
Toko - Gained, Unused
Naki - Not gained
Aasimar Tokens - 2x earned, none used
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Tarragon looks relieved to have a reason not to kill the creature and nods. Very well. he says as he throws more food to the cubs.
Tai Dan, Shyio and Scout Yuto come to your position on horseback. The aasimar and tengu warriors are already in formation and ready to move forward.
"We should press on. It's only a few hours in such a formation, but who knows what else can delay us on the way.", Yuto speaks up.
Tai Dan and Shyio collectively nod in agreement. "I'd hate to fight during the night. It complicates things...", Tai Dan notes while stroking his horse's mane. "If you're all ready and agree, we should move."
Once Tai Dan finishes, he raises one of his colour-coded signal flags and starts moving. The Twenty-Four Masks move out, and so do the North Winds Watch unit.
If anyone needs further healing, etc, you can do so on the way pre-encounter
Several hours pass by as you move through the forest. The occasional twisted flora seems to get more and more frequent until not much else remains, and the light of flames appears as you keep focused on the road ahead. Trees still obfuscate the fires, but it is clear that you are approaching a burning section of the woods.
A wall of pale orange flame marks the edge of the blight. The flames do not radiate heat, but instead drain the warmth from the surroundings. Thankfully, the flames themselves seem contained or, at least, to spread at only an imperceptibly slow rate. Plants caught within the flame do not seem charred or burnt, but instead appear twisted and warped, sporting unnatural growths that slowly bubble and boil at the low temperatures until they burst in spray of dark, viscous sap, filling the air with the stench of rotting vegetation.
Between the burning trees, you see several warriors walking among the fire, not caring about the effects of the blight. Not anymore at least. Their faces are scarred with mutations, but it doesn't seem to interfere with their ability to move or fight. They are cutting down burning branches and throwing them on healthy trees to help the blight spread.
"That's Lieutenant Riko,", Scout Yuto informs everyone around as he points towards a woman with white eyes and recently scarred face. "the former second-in-command at North Winds. And her honour guard."
Boon use available to you:
If you have tokens available, you may use them in this encounter. You may ask for the help of your allies to inflict damage to Riko, or ask the Masks or the North Winds unit to help you in other ways, depending on what you ask of them.
See slide 5 on the map. Rocks are difficult terrain, thought you get some high ground advantage when you are standing on them
Sorry, what are tokens and should we have some of them?
Stugbu looks at the white eyed woman with a worried look on his face. ”She used to be good, but now bad? To help confirm this, the big paladin uses his Shining Wayfinder to cast Detect Evil on the woman.
My bad. Too many tokens on the field. You are against Riko and two members of her Honour Guard. For now, at least. I removed the tokens from the field.
Stugbu:
There is darkness in Riko's heart. Pinged as evil.
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Tarragon casts Frostbite and advances, growing to large size.
Please explain boon use here. I think Tarragon was the one who had played a mod that granted a boon. Can you remind us about which mods?
Li Shuo sends a single arrow slicing through the air to embed in a tree not far from Riko.
"Lieutenant Riko," he says. "You must stop this evil work at once. Talk to us. We do not wish to fight you. There is a blight in your heart as in those trees. Use your mind to know what your heart will not tell you. All is not right here."
PCs who earned both Prestige Points in #9–12: Shrine of the Sacred Tempest may use the boon Zepha’s Blessing from that Chronicle sheet once during this scenario without crossing it off their Chronicle sheet. Once during this scenario, those PCs can grant an ally that they can see a +2 sacred bonus on any d20 roll before she rolls it.
If that's what you were curious about, that is. If it's something else, be more specific.
Aid tokens you have earned during this scenario (both tengu and aasimar) may be used to call upon favours from the groups. These favours may vary based on what you ask of them
A frown crosses Stugbu's face as uses his detect evil upon figure of Riko. "Yeah, she bad now! Maybe was good once, maybe she can be good again. Me hope so!"
He steps up next to the rest and listens to the words of Li Shou, nodding in approval at what he hears, also calling out across the flames. "Yeah, stop being bad. Being good much better. What happened to you? How we can help?"
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
I do not wish to fight you, but am ready to do so if I must. Consider the option of a peaceful resolution please.
Riko stops cutting burning branches and turns towards the voices. She tilts her head to the side, but shakes the confusion off and reaches for her blade. Her honour guard does the same.
If AC<19, then 53 points of nonlethal damage. If 18<AC<22, then 40 points of nonlethal damage. If 21<AC<24, then 23 points of nonlethal damage. If 23<AC, then 11 points of nonlethal damage.
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Tarragon activates his wand of shield and advances 30'. As a swift action he activates Arcane Strike.
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Stugbu starts rushing up towards the distant figure of Riko and the Blight, drawing his weapon as he tries to keep up with the rest of the group. "Me not think we should try and kill her! Maybe we just put her to sleep and then help make her be good again?"
Riko tilts her head to the side when you speak at her, as if attempting to understand the words. Suddenly, Li Shuo strikes the Lieutenant with several bows. She grunts in pain and points her finger at you, to indicate the next moves for the honour guard.
With her other hand, she unbelts a potion and quickly quaffs it. Immediately, her body appears to shift and blur.
The honour guard move in a formation with Riko, shielding her from your attacks with their own bodies.
Turn 1 - Go if bolded
Status: -
Li-Shuo
Chak Chak
Stugbu
Tarragon
Riko and her honor guards
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Tarragon double moves into a position he might attack from next round.
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Li-Shuo
Chak Chak
Stugbu
Tarragon
Riko and her honor guards
Holding their formation, the corrupted aasimar all step into the fire. Their blades and spear are drawn, as if they were waiting to see your next move.
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Tarragon moves as indicated, trying to avoid the fire and attacks Riko with a reach weapon.
mwk cold iron lucern hammer with Arcane Strike, making it magic and 2 damage:1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 2 = 182d6 + 11 ⇒ (4, 1) + 11 = 16
From the trees, more aasimar, this time winged ones, appear - they throw burning logs at your position. The blight-fire under your feet is an odd sensation. It should burn, but is instead freezing. Either way, it hurts like hell. At Chak Chak and Li Shuo
Blight fire, reflex 15 for half:2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
Turn 3 - Go if bolded
Status: -
Li-Shuo
Chak Chak
Stugbu
Tarragon
Riko and her honor guards
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Only one AOO. Its not really his thing. But I planned for it as one is better than none. :). Will focus on the one that hit me until he is down and the on the other mook. And current AC taking into account size and rage and the Shield spell is 22 so still hit.
AOO, mwk cold iron lucern hammer with Arcane Strike, making it magic and 2 damage:1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 13 + 2 = 252d6 + 11 ⇒ (4, 2) + 11 = 17
Tarragon drops the reach weapon and begins to attack with tooth and claw.
If AC<25, then three hits for a total of 48 points of non-lethal damage. If 24<AC<29, then two hits for a total of 32 points of non-lethal damage.
IF AC=29, then one hit for 21 points of non-lethal damage.[/ooc]
Else, miss.
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
Chak Chak moves out of the fire. double move towards red towards one of the aasimar farther away from the party.
As quickly as the skirmish started, it's over. Immediately after Yuto notices former Lieutenant Riko and her Honor Guard face-down, he orders his men to only defend themselves. The remainder of the aasimar deserters notice the situation, and pause briefly.
"Riko has fallen, her cause was leading nowhere. Come return to your duty as guardians as guardians against evil, and stop fueling it! There is still chance for you in court."
The deserters look over each other hesitantly, but still hold their weapons drawn.
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
"Yes consider returning to your duty as guardians against the evil with plagues this land. Your honor can be restored if you fulfill your duty to your lord!"
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Stugbu checks out the bodies of Rito and her fallen aasimars to see if they are dead or just unconscious. "Me not like when good guys go bad...much better when other way round!"
He then helps convince the deserters to get back to their jobs. "Yeah, you can still do good, don't be scared of bad things. Bad things always lose. See?" He points down to the fallen figures at his feet.
The deserters' responds vary, but they all bear the same general idea - they all believe their actions were what would be best for Tianjing in the long run - to end with a well trained and relatively sizable military regimen being wasted by 'standing guard' in the Kaimuko Wood all year, and instead join an eventual war with the nation's main force.
Heal or Sense Motive 16:
It seems that aprt for some of the minor mutations caused by the blight, these deserted soldiers seem to suffer from some mental ailment
Male Half Orc Bloodrager 5/dragon disciple 3 | hp 76/76, Rage hp 92/92 | AC 22 T 12 FF 20 | CMD 27 | F +12 R +9 W +5 (+2 v spells cast by himself or party) | Spd 30' | Init +2 | Perc +9, Intimidate +12
Male Tengu Or 2/Mnk 3| HP 38 | AC 20/16; Touch 16; FF 12| F +5; R +6; W +6 | CMB+5; CMD 21 | Speed 40 ft | Init +2 | Perc +11 | Stealth: +10 Oracle 2/Monk 3 (Unchained)
"Yes perhaps a chance to heal will clear their minds. I agree. They should head to the fort"
