
Geisha of Flower Palace |

Ihtin heads over to the giesha. And frees her, taking her tjne.
In Japanese "I will free you and stay close,Others in the castle may try to harm you.We will protect you"
The poor girl is obviously traumatized, in a state of shock, naked, cold, and afraid, but she reacts to being freed by weeping with relief...

Baykok of Honshu Island |

Acrobatic jump 1d20+50
Cat's Paw 1d20+30 pierces the wounded baykok dealing 1d6+11 plus 1 bleed damage after springing up onto the overlook...
Already nearly finished by its earlier encounter with the heroes on the beach, when it killed Zagathoth, the wounded baykok is destroyed by PusInBoots' formidable thrust!
AAAAIIIEEE!!
One undamaged baykok left...

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Johann continues to follow his nose to find the Fox, moving past all enemies, drawing AoO if necessary, to get into Fox's cell. (double move, 80 ft).

Michael Johnson 66 |

Johann continues to follow his nose to find the Fox, moving past all enemies, drawing AoO if necessary, to get into Fox's cell. (double move, 80 ft).
Following the scent trail to Fox leads Johann through the sliding ricepaper doors on his right at the end of the Hall (I), through a narrow passageway (T), and into an armory (M) where weapons and armor are stored on racks...
Racks on the north wall contain armor:
2 do-maru
4 silken ceremonial armors
2 leather lamellar armors
3 haramaki
2 suits of o-yoroi armor
Racks on the south wall contain weapons:
3 katanas
4 kamas
4 fighting fans
4 nunchaku
2 naginatas
2 nodachis
2 tiger forks
3 hanbos
4 daggers
2 light maces
3 light crossbows
2 heavy crossbows
5 cases holding 10 crossbow bolts each

Ihrin Ardlean Dracul |

"Yes, we did" She says grabbing a robe and placing it on the woman."This is all I have for you now"

Mwikali |

Mwakali continues to follow Johannher body zipping through the corridors after the bear."Lead the way my Ursine Champion!!!"

Ihrin Ardlean Dracul |

"Hello Meiko I am Ihrin, Princess of Wallachia, My friends and I will take you from here and offer you a chance to start over in a new land if you wish?" She says sincerely as she smiles and makes sure the robe will stay relatively secure.
Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
She grits her teeth from the horrendous sound as she looks to Meiko and nods."That does not sound great"

Mwikali |

Will: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Mwikali stops hanging in midair as she looks over her shoulder shuddering from the eerie sound. She slips into the Armory and grabs a Heavy Crossbow and some bolts as she loads one a bit unsure as to what is coming but knows this thing will probably hurt if she shoots it with this thing.

Lord Perpireen McGibel |

will save 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Lord P now looking a little less grey, looks to the sound.
"That is the sound of despair, shame I would have liked to have saved it."

Michael Johnson 66 |

To clarify, Johann, Mwikali and PusInBoots have raced ahead upstairs (D) to the second floor, where they were ambushed by 2 baykoks (I), while Ihrin, Algoral, Lord Perpireen, Habiba and Toshiro remained downstairs to deal with ninja (F and G) and free the captive geisha (H). Ignoring the baykoks, Johann busts through ricepaper walls and doors (T) into an armory (M), and is about to bust on through into an antechamber (N), while Mwikali and PusInBoots deal with the baykoks, and the others begin to move up the stairs to the second level (D to I), to help finish off the remaining baykok...

Poisonous Performer Ninja |

Barreling through the ricepaper doors in the south wall of the armory, Johann enters an antechamber (M) in the northeast corner of the second floor of the Ghost Tower...
Standing in the middle of this antechamber is a woman clad in black, form-fitting ninja garb...
*GASP!* A giant bear!? What is it doing in here!?

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Where is that darn blasted Fox! I will soon have a whole army trailing after me if I don't stop and fight! With the good old kitty here, though, this will be a short battle.
Johann, in a huge enlarged bear form, roars and power attacks the ninja!
Claw Attack 1 & damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 171d10 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 11 + (5) = 22
Free Grab attempt: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful
Claw Attack 2 & damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 171d10 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 11 + (4) = 20
Free Grab attempt: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (15) + 23 = 38 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful
Bite Attack & damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 303d6 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3) + 11 + (1) = 24

Abe no Toshiro |

To clarify, Johann, Mwikali and PusInBoots have raced ahead upstairs (D) to the second floor, where they were ambushed by 2 baykoks (I), while Ihrin, Algoral, Lord Perpireen, Habiba and Toshiro remained downstairs to deal with ninja (F and G) and free the captive geisha (H). Ignoring the baykoks, Johann busts through ricepaper walls and doors (T) into an armory (M), and is about to bust on through into an antechamber (N), while Mwikali and PusInBoots deal with the baykoks, and the others begin to move up the stairs to the second level (D to I), to help finish off the remaining baykok...
Ah, that explains part of my confusion; I THOUGHT we were in the Baykok fight since the Geisha (who we are with) needed to save against their ability. If we are not directly in combat for those two turns:
Toshiro takes a moment to respectfully examine Meiko.
"Miss, is it okay if I perform a quick medical examination on you? To be sure it is safe for you to travel? If you are okay to walk, I can send a companion to lead you out of the palace and somewhere safe."

Mwikali |

Mwikali fires her new found heavy crossbow at one of the baykoks.
Heavy xbow: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2

Ihrin Ardlean Dracul |

"Meiko I will come back here for you, Take this" She hands the woman a dagger."head to the inn, give them these coins tell them you are waiting for the gaijin to return. Can you do that?" She says handing her 5 gold for her to get food and drink, while they finish off those loyal to the Shogun and free Fox.

Abe no Toshiro |

Toshiro reaches into his robes and pulls out a small statuette of a man wearing robes similar to his own.
"Take Shiki with you. He is small, but will protect you from harm." he says with a smile that projects as much comfort as he is able.
"Please take care of her Shiki, she has been through a lot."
Handing off my Familiar, Shiki, to Meiko.

Poisonous Performer Ninja |

Initiative 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
ROUND 1, acting before Johann...
The kunoichi (female ninja) backward-tumbles away from the giant dire bear... Acrobatics 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31 vs Bear's CMD 34 to avoid AoO fails, so Bear can make an AoO if he has Combat Reflexes and 10-ft reach... and swiftly applies some kind of toxin to the star-shaped "cymbals" in her tambourine...
With a flick of the wrist of the hand holding the tambourine, she sends a flurry of "cymbals" flying at Johann!
Flurry of poisoned shuriken 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19 bounces harmlessly off Johann's furry hide...
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 misses and sticks in the ricepaper wall behind him...
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16 is swatted out of its trajectory by Johann's paw!
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 falls short of Johann...
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13 misses...

Michael Johnson 66 |

Where is that darn blasted Fox! I will soon have a whole army trailing after me if I don't stop and fight! With the good old kitty here, though, this will be a short battle.
Johann, in a huge enlarged bear form, roars and power attacks the ninja!
[dice=Claw Attack 1 & damage]d20+13; d10+11+d6
[dice= Free Grab attempt]d20+23 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful
[dice= Claw Attack 2 & damage]d20+13; d10+11+d6
[dice= Free Grab attempt]d20+23 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful
[dice=Bite Attack & damage]d20+13; 3d6+11+d6
Because the poisonous performer kunoichi went before Johann and tumbled out of reach, Johann must move closer and then gets only one attack. Go ahead and reroll one attack (claw or bite)...

Geisha of Flower Palace |

Michael Johnson 66 wrote:To clarify, Johann, Mwikali and PusInBoots have raced ahead upstairs (D) to the second floor, where they were ambushed by 2 baykoks (I), while Ihrin, Algoral, Lord Perpireen, Habiba and Toshiro remained downstairs to deal with ninja (F and G) and free the captive geisha (H). Ignoring the baykoks, Johann busts through ricepaper walls and doors (T) into an armory (M), and is about to bust on through into an antechamber (N), while Mwikali and PusInBoots deal with the baykoks, and the others begin to move up the stairs to the second level (D to I), to help finish off the remaining baykok...Ah, that explains part of my confusion; I THOUGHT we were in the Baykok fight since the Geisha (who we are with) needed to save against their ability. If we are not directly in combat for those two turns:
Toshiro takes a moment to respectfully examine Meiko.
"Miss, is it okay if I perform a quick medical examination on you? To be sure it is safe for you to travel? If you are okay to walk, I can send a companion to lead you out of the palace and somewhere safe."
Bowing to Toshiro, Meiko stands unsteadily... Hai... I think I can walk, young sensei... Apparently, Meiko has heard of Abe no Toshiro...
Presumably, the people of Kyoto City and anyone from Toshiro's home town would know about the powerful young Shinto shaman...
Toshiro briefly but thoroughly examines her, taking her ki pulse, examining her tongue and irises, etc., and determines that her condition is well enough for travel. She could use a good meal and a good night's sleep, but she is otherwise healthy... Fatigued and shaken...

Michael Johnson 66 |

Habiba Al-Sahim wrote:Habiba is sympathetic to the woman's plight, but not skilled in either medicine or showing empathy. She instead climbs the stairs to investigate the sounds from above.Habiba reaches the top of the stairs (D to I) just in time to see Mwikali, hovering ten feet above the top stair with Kiku perched on her left shoulder, fire her heavy crossbow at a baykok perched on the overlook behind the stairway... and missing...
Go ahead and roll initiative, Habiba...

Michael Johnson 66 |

Habiba is sympathetic to the woman's plight, but not skilled in either medicine or showing empathy. She instead climbs the stairs to investigate the sounds from above.
Habiba reaches the top of the stairs (D to I) just in time to see Mwikali, hovering ten feet above the top stair with Kiku perched on her left shoulder, fire her heavy crossbow at a baykok perched on the overlook behind the stairway... and missing...

Baykok of Honshu Island |

Mwikali fires her new found heavy crossbow at one of the baykoks.
[dice=Heavy xbow]1d20+7
[dice=Damage]1d10
The heavy crossbow has a powerful kickback in the witch's slender arms, and she misses the baykok by several inches... *TWANG!**WHIZZZZ!**THUNK!* The bolt sticks in a wooden beam behind the undead hunter!

Geisha of Flower Palace |

"Meiko I will come back here for you, Take this" She hands the woman a dagger."head to the inn, give them these coins tell them you are waiting for the gaijin to return. Can you do that?" She says handing her 5 gold for her to get food and drink, while they finish off those loyal to the Shogun and free Fox.
Meiko accepts the dagger from Ihrin, bows to her rescuer, and then impulsively embraces her tightly for a moment, sobbing, and then pulls herself together, wiping he tears from her eyes and cheeks with the sleeve of her borrowed robe...
I am forever indebted to you, Princess Ihrin... The Jade Dragon Inn, hai? I will do as you say, Princess...

Abe no Toshiro |

Abe no Toshiro wrote:Michael Johnson 66 wrote:To clarify, Johann, Mwikali and PusInBoots have raced ahead upstairs (D) to the second floor, where they were ambushed by 2 baykoks (I), while Ihrin, Algoral, Lord Perpireen, Habiba and Toshiro remained downstairs to deal with ninja (F and G) and free the captive geisha (H). Ignoring the baykoks, Johann busts through ricepaper walls and doors (T) into an armory (M), and is about to bust on through into an antechamber (N), while Mwikali and PusInBoots deal with the baykoks, and the others begin to move up the stairs to the second level (D to I), to help finish off the remaining baykok...Ah, that explains part of my confusion; I THOUGHT we were in the Baykok fight since the Geisha (who we are with) needed to save against their ability. If we are not directly in combat for those two turns:
Toshiro takes a moment to respectfully examine Meiko.
"Miss, is it okay if I perform a quick medical examination on you? To be sure it is safe for you to travel? If you are okay to walk, I can send a companion to lead you out of the palace and somewhere safe."
Bowing to Toshiro, Meiko stands unsteadily... Hai... I think I can walk, young sensei... Apparently, Meiko has heard of Abe no Toshiro...
Presumably, the people of Kyoto City and anyone from Toshiro's home town would know about the powerful young Shinto shaman...
Toshiro briefly but thoroughly examines her, taking her ki pulse, examining her tongue and irises, etc., and determines that her condition is well enough for travel. She could use a good meal and a good night's sleep, but she is otherwise healthy... Fatigued and shaken...
Before Meiko leaves, Toshiro beseeches the minor spirits of fatigue and fear to leave the poor girl alone, she's been through enough.
Auto-succeed the two DC 15 Diplomacy checks to Wrangle condition, and cure her Fatigued and Shaken conditions.

Geisha of Flower Palace |

Toshiro reaches into his robes and pulls out a small statuette of a man wearing robes similar to his own.
"Take Shiki with you. He is small, but will protect you from harm." he says with a smile that projects as much comfort as he is able.
"Please take care of her Shiki, she has been through a lot."
Handing off my Familiar, Shiki, to Meiko.
Her eyes widen in wonder as Toshiro places Skikigami in her arms... She cradles the little kami as if it were her baby, and smiles at Shiki, the horrors she has recently endured momentarily forgotten...
I shall keep Little Shiki safe, Abe no Toshiro Sensei! We shall eagerly await your return... Meiko gazes briefly at the handsome young shaman, blushing... Suddenly, momentarily emboldened by the first-hand knowledge that life in this brutal, beautiful world can be short, and the next moment could always be one's last, she leans toward Toshiro and kisses him on the lips! Blushing a deeper hue, she looks down at Shiki. Come, Little Shiki San. Let us await your master and Princess Ihrin at the inn...
She bows again to her rescuers before departing the castle and running straight to the Jade Dragon Inn...

Michael Johnson 66 |

As the ninjas vanish into the night, and the freed geisha Meiko hurries away from the palace to await the heroes back at the Jade Dragon Inn, Lord Perpireen, Algoral, Princess Ihrin, and Abe no Toshiro make their way up the stairs to join Habiba and Mwikali in battling the baykok still standing on the overlook of the stairwell...
Go ahead and roll initiatives...

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Reroll a claw:
Claw Attack & damage: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 181d10 + 11 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 11 + (3) = 15
Free Grab attempt: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (1) + 23 = 24 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful
keeping myself humble with a 5 and two 1's in a row

Poisonous Performer Ninja |

Reroll a claw:
[dice= Claw Attack & damage]d20+13; d10+11+d6
[dice= Free Grab attempt]d20+23 4 damage Kraken style when grab is successful
keeping myself humble with a 5 and two 1's in a row
Johann rushes the kunoichi and swipes at her with a massive paw, but she nimbly ducks the blow...
How in the name of the Monkey King did this giant bear get in here!? Is the dragon going blind!? Surely, this bear, as massive as he is, did not kill the mighty dragon...

Mwikali |

Mwikali activates her Shield Ring and smiles.
In Japanese"Laugh now fool, for you face Africas' Savior, Now face the wrath of Sweet MOTHER AFRICA'S EMBRACE!!!!"She yells as she ready to cast Burning Hands at this creature

Abe no Toshiro |

Toshiro blushes even deeper, having been sheltered from ideas of romance much of his life. He puts on a brave face and turns, walking up the stairs. Facing the dangers upstairs would take his mind off of his current feelings.
Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
Habiba Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Baykok of Honshu Island |

The baykok snarls a threat at Mwikali in sepulchral Japanese: I will fill you with my arrows, witch, and devour your soul!
It then launches a volley of bone arrows at Mwikali...
First shot 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38 confirm 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24 crits for 3d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) + 12 = 23 piercing damage plus 1d6 ⇒ 4 negative energy damage plus paralysis (Fort DC 19 or paralyzed for 1d3 ⇒ 2 rounds...
Second shot 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24 strikes for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 piercing damage plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 negative energy damage...
Third shot 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 flies wide...
Yikes! 40 total damage to Mwikali, and she must succeed on a DC 19 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 2 rounds...

Mwikali |

fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Meikali shrugs off the arrows effects and gets close enough to unleash a torrent of flame from her outstretched fingers.
Burning Hands Reflex DC 14
Burn: 1d4 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

Ihrin Ardlean Dracul |

Ihrin turns and heads up the stairs after the others, daggers in hand as she feels better about unchaineding the woman. Looking at abe she speaks."Thank you, for healing and for aiding that woman. I hope if we finish here that you might wish to come with us, but first let us slay these beasts and free these people" she winks and continues confident in her skills.

Lord Perpireen McGibel |

The baykok snarls a threat at Mwikali in sepulchral Japanese: I will fill you with my arrows, witch, and devour your soul!
Is sitting on its shoulder,
"Boo!"He then scoots down between its armor and the body.
Move option
Acrobatics 1d20 + 27 ⇒ (9) + 27 = 36
Then fires colour spray at its backside.
will save DC16 or 5 or more HD: The creature is stunned for 1 round.
Light streams out from gaps in its armor.

Abe no Toshiro |

Undead are immune to mind-affecting. Thankfully, via the power of PLANTS Toshiro (not Abe...that's his surname) has something they're decidedly not immune to.
Toshiro, still red faced, attempts to act nonchalant. "It is my duty to aid those in need, and protect them from monsters like the former shogun. And this...creature." he says upon spotting the Baykok.
This spell may be a bit of a waste on a single creature, but who knows how many other undead we'll fight today, and Toshiro has his dander up.
Toshiro clasps his hands together as if in prayer, and closes his eyes for a moment.
"I am sorry, little plants," he says to the decorative vegetation around the palace interior [b]"But I need your help removing this abomination, and laying its spirit to rest. Will you lend me that power?"[b] he asks, and waits a moment for the response.
Apparently, he gets it, because he nods his head sharply, and abruptly unleashes a blast of pure, white energy from between his now-outstretched palms, briefly illuminating the tower in its passing.
Casting Life Blast, a 150 ft. line that kills all vegetation within 45 feet of me and deals 9d6 Positive Energy damage to undead. It does NOT heal the living, but it DOES pass through walls, so if there are any other undead within 150 feet behind the Baykok in another room, they are also blasted.
Damage DC 21 Will for half: 9d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 6, 5, 3, 5, 5, 4) = 35
Any plants within 45 feet of Toshiro wither and die as they willingly give their life energy to fuel the spell.

Habiba Al-Sahim |

Habiba looks on in annoyance.
Can this boy do anything without such theatrics? Subtlety is clearly not his forte.
She nevertheless waits to see the effects, as she's in much the same boat as Lord Perpireen when it comes to facing Undead, unless she uses valuable and hard to replace Phrenic energy.