Four Flavors of Heaven (Inactive)

Game Master Timespiraled

Prepairing for a counter attack Taicho's muscle memory brings his blade up into a quick defensive position. 'Feet light, bend the knees, keep the blade parallel ... is it laughing?' Gapping his beak slightly, Taicho realizes the creature seemed fascinated with Lung. Just staring at the man. Then Piello reaches out and touches it causing it to laugh hysterically. 'Did she just tickle the thing.' Confused for the briefest of seconds, Taicho see's Piella smile and give a chuckle then jump back and shoot at the thing with her crossbow.

'It was an attack, she has an attack that causes one to laugh.' Impressed with his companions abilities, Taicho is drawn back to the fight when Katla, who is now chuckling as well, thrusts his spear at the creature.

'I need to get back in this fight.' Not trusting himself with anything too fancy Taicho flows into 'Heron over the lake' one of the Katas he practices every morning. Lifting the nodachi as he steps, he slices at the creature again.

Attack: MW coldiron Nodachi, PA, Suofang Yi,
attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 23 for damage: 1d10 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 3 = 17

Lung smacks at the creature with his Scroll.

Iron Scroll: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 = 16
for: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Though the rest of the party struggles to land a hit, Heron Over the Lake is enough to send the creature's head soaring from its shoulders. It collapses with a loud thump to the stone floor.

End of Combat

A cursory check of the body reveals some tantalizing gear.

"Whew..." she sighs with relief and helps search the body. What the others won't take to equip to themselves, she will carry. High above, the entrance sits and she wonders about the potions of spider climb.

"Do we have rope? We need to secure a way to get people down if they are in there, and we need a way to get us all up. Someone can drink one of these and climb up."

The passage also continues ahead, if ever.

I was under the impression that the creature was in a cubby overhead keeping watch, and that the tunnel continued on, is that correct?

As the Suofang Yi falls, Taicho continues the second motion for a brief second, realizing the enemy was down, he stops the kata. In one fluid motion he begins the noto. Releasing the tsuka with his left talon, he snaps his right wrist, flinging the monsters blood from his blade as he draws the saya with his left talon. Sheathing the blade in one fluid motions, returning it to the sash on his waist.

After they strip the body of it's valuables Taicho drags it to the side so it doesn't block the tunnel. He points to the space above. "A good place for an ambush." Turning back to Piella, "Give me a moment and I will check it's hiding place, if the way continues there, I will lower a rope for you all to climb."

His claws now empty, Taicho climbs the cave wall, peaking his beak over the hiding place to see how deep it is.

I'm assuming the cave wall fits the definition of a 15 "Any surface with adequate handholds and footholds (natural or artificial), such as a very rough natural rock surface" and will take 10 (17) on climbing up and looking in taking 10 (20) on perception

Correct. The Suofang Yi was in a small alcove, but it did crawl down from a small crevasse that I will assume you explore.

Taicho easily clambers up to the creature's alcove. Finding nothing, he peers into the crevasse at the roof of the cave. The interior is cool and damp, but the passage seems to taper off at both ends. In the gloom, you can spy some softly glowing fungus, clumps of which have been torn from the ground. Some of these clumps seem partially eaten, judging by the bite marks.

It's an easy enough task to absail down once done.

Taking a few moments to inspect the crevasse, Taicho pauses lookin at the fungus, but quickly returns to the group. Gesturing, "It seems to be only the creatures hiding place." Picking up his bow he gestures the direction they had been proceeding. "Shall we continue?" He then takes point again and continues methodically up the passageway.

Knowledge check on the moss, Taking 10 (20) on perception moving forward
knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"Yes," she replies, just loud enough. "Can you see anything up there that lies ahead of us? Any sign of people or other alcoves like this one ahead?" she asks before he hops down.

As they head forward, she reloads and readies herself for more spells and fight!

Lung partakes of the crossbow and after a short inspection, loads a bolt in, locking the mechanism to be ready to fire.

He does a sweep of the way ahead as well with Detect Evil, and scans up the walls, to see if the Suofang Yi left any 'footprints' behind of their passing.

With the enemy down Katala glances at everyone for wounds, then at the enemy. "I'll take one of the flasks of Alchemist's fire. I don't have any but I hear they are very useful against swarms of bugs or such things."

Was anyone hurt?

Taicho took a 4hp hit, I believe

"That's fine, Katala. Just make sure you don't end up getting burned yourself. I'd hate to see you without your nice Vanara hair."

Taicho took a 4hp hit, I believe

Thank you Piella, That is correct, I had forgotten to record it on his sheet.

"A wise idea, Katala." Lung nods in agreement. "Bugs could be right around the corner." He looks quite serious, then grins a little.

Katala grins at Piella's kind words. "Hair, or fur, grows back. But burning it off would hurt! I'll be careful!"

Seeing the slight wound on Taicho he pulls a small wand from his belt pouch. "No need to rush ahead and face unknown enemies already wounded. There's a good reason curing wands were created!"

CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Good enough?"

Moving his shoulder, testing the wound as Katala uses the wand, Taicho nods. "Good enough."

Turning, keeping in mind the reminder about possible threats, Taicho continues moving forward. Keeping a keen eye out and his bow at the ready.

Taking 10(20) on perception

Taicho, you unfortunately don't recognize the fungal clumps, but you reckon it's likely edible.

Moving forward, you continue down the winding natural stone corridors until you reach an impasse; a preternaturally yawning abyss. The far end, if there even is one, is lost in the mists of the Spirit Realm, while the crumbling edge of the precipice seems to descend without end. Even the occasional scree that dislodges itself from the cliff produces no sound as it tumbles out into the darkness. The cliff is slick with moisture and has very little handholds.

'Seems we're at an impasse.' Holding up a taloned fist, "We have found ourselves at the edge of a precipice, permit me a moment to look for tracks."

Working his way back, Taicho begins to carefully and slowly look for any signs of someone or something else having passed this way.

Taking 20 (30) on perception, looking for tracks.

"Time is of the essence. They didn't fly did they?" She looks up the walls around them as they backtrack. Perhaps there is an indication of a secret door used?

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Lung continues to scan for Eeeevil.

Seeing the dangerous, slick cliff ahead Katala considers putting a light orison on a bit of loose rock and throwing it. But maybe the group had missed something.

"Maybe we missed something? A hidden door or another ledge above us as we came in? If they had to go ahead anytime they entered or departed they'd lose too many of their number. Unless they somehow all can fly?"

Piella wonders if this is all an illusion and takes some rocks, tossing them down in suite with Katala's action. She had known spells could create a hallucinatory terrain. Who knew on the spirit realm?

"I'm not sure," she whispers back.

"Good idea with the rocks...as long as we don't hit a prisoner or alert those Suofang Yi..."

You scour the passageway forward and back, but sadly find no alternative passage. What you do find is flecks of blood and scrapes at the crevasse's edge, but nothing more.

Returning to the chasm, Piella launches a few rocks into the deep abyss. You watch them vanish from sight but no sound ever echoes back up.

No evil can be detected.

Katala looks around the area, discouraged. "We've got to be missing something. Maybe there's a cave or something over the edge. If Shal were a bit more intelligent I'd ask him to fly down and look. But my communication with him isn't to that level yet. I've got some rope. I'll shrink to my small size and we can tie the rope around me. Then you can lower me over the edge and I'll search around. If I call out danger please pull me back up quickly!"

Unless anyone has a better idea? I'll leave my spear and pack here so I should only weight about 20 pounds.

I've got no other ideas. The spider climb potion would come in hand, but probably more on the way back up.

"Oh...! I don't like this!" she hops nervously somewhat near to the ledge. They will notice that she barely seeks to peer over the edge of the chasm. "Why would there be no sound?" She then pleads with Katala. "Don't go too far down okay. If you don't see anything, come right back up."

'blood and scrapes.' Pointing at the few signs at the edge of the crevasse, Taicho nods, "perchance they went over the edge." Nodding at Katala's idea, "Katala I will lower you down."

Taking off his pack, Taicho removes his rope handing one end to Katala to tie around himself. As he unwinds the rope, testing it's strength, "If we do not find anything will we search in the natural world for another entrance?

Katala grins at Piella's concerned statement. "The rope is only 50' long. I can't go down past that unless whoever is holding it let's go...."

Little by little, Katala is lowered into the chasm. As he approaches the mist below, he feels colder and colder until the chill starts to become painful to the touch. Frost begins to form on your clothing, your fingers, and the rope.

"That's far enough. Pull him up!" she comments. There is clearly nervousness in her voice. "Why would there be blood here? Did they push them off? If so, where did they go? Were they the ones we fought? Perhaps they are on the other side of the gate? If so, we need to hurry." "Climb, Katala."

She will help them with the rope, and once he is up on top, the little gnome will give the smol monkey a hug before pushing herself away from him.

"You are freezing!"

Katala had been about to call to be pulled back up, if he could get words past his chattering teeth.... Fortunately Piella did it for him.

"So cold! This spirit realm must border on some frozen place! I don't think we're in the right place.... But, the creatures did enter here and that one was guarding. We still must be missing something."

As Piella commanded Taicho pulled Katala back up to the precipice. Nodding as Katala pointed out that they may be missing something. As he rolls up the rope he gestures towards the entrance. "Maybe we will find a clue in the natural world?"

He pauses for a moment, "On the way out we will check the cave again to see where ALL the tracks lead."

Lung rubs his chin. "A sacrifice to some cold spirit?"

Kn Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30
Kn Planes: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

"Katala, it's a good thing Shal didn't fly down." The monk frowns in double vexation.

"No..." Piella gasps, hoping such isn't true. "Don't say that." "If I ever prayed anything to you, let that not be the case..." She hurries as fast as her little gnome feed can limp. Funnily enough, Taicho will be able to scout all the areas of the path they took before she even gets to the archway due to her slow speed.

Katala still shivers slightly, more from memory than really being cold. "True. But I wouldn't have let Shal fly out of my sight. I can use Heaven's Leap to move anyone up to 30', if they let me. So I could 'Leap' Shal out of danger, if he's close enough...."

"..."

"...There is an old tale...something about twisting passages in the deep. Things live down there, things that enslave other creatures. The tales were always vague."

Lung gulps.

"I don't even know what that means," she replies to Katala, "but you can leap me out of danger anytime!"

At Lung giving them vague tales, she hums.

"Well...we tried climbing down, and that's not a way to go...I hope nothing is down there or it will know we are here from throwing a rock with light on it down."

She hurries and steps through the archway and then loops around it to come down the path. Hopefully, there is a sign that these people are still here.

Most of his attention on the trail, pointlessly searching for any other signs, Taicho pauses at Lungs veiled comment. "Yes, 'the creatures in the dark' the Tengu elders tell stories to bad hatchlings to remind them of what can happen." Stopping he looks at the monk. "So the Soufang Yi bring the live captives here for them. Curious. If the Dark ones are enslaving humans in their catacombs they must be able to live with the cold. I thought that maybe the Soufang Yi were bringing the humans to them as food. But pushing them over the edge would kill them. Which would make keeping them alive to this point, well pointless." Shaking his beak, "confusing, very confusing."

As they continue walking slowly towards the entrance. Taicho's ears perk up when Piella speaks of 'climbing down' turning to Katala he asks, "The frost, was it bearable for a period of time?" Looking at the others, "Do we have any magics to help prevent the cold?"

As they step through the archway back into the natural realm, he points the way they had come from. "We should see if there is a ravine that direction, and possibly another entrance into the spirit realm. Shrugging, "I was hoping there would be another cave entrance in the cliff face below us that we could reach with relative ease."

Timespiraled did Taicho see any marks on the edge of the ravine indicating that any ropes had been used to lower folks down?"

Katala considers the question. "It was very cold, but I wasn't harmed from the exposure. Deeper though.... I don't know."

"I don't have Endure Elements prepared. It would provide protection from a reasonable level of cold. (-50 degrees) Beyond that would be a higher level spell, Resist Energy. If I prepare it I can cast that twice. However, I din't think we were going to wait to change out magic?"

Try as you might, you cannot find any more signs of the Suofang Yi and their captives. No rope can be seen at the edge of the ravine.

Just to interject as a GM here, this is a sort of dead end for you all. You've followed the lead as far as you can and learned something vital; Taicho even landed upon it without my help. In this instance, you may be too late to catch up with the captors but this isn't defeat.

Frantically they get to the end only to find nothing.

"We are too late? Is that what this means? There really is nothing?"

Despite her lack of skill, she scours the area, unable to accept this outcome. The more she searches, the more tears form in her eyes, and the more they will realize her searching is becoming a frantic plea.

"How could...how could they?"

Such hopelessness and fear take hold of the little gnome as they begin to see it unreasonable to search any longer. Coupled with the effort and pain her leg put her through in this adventure, she finds it all to easy to cry to herself each time she thinks of that poor family being pushed over the edge of a cliff for no reason other than evil. It's too dark for her and she is not well.

Well, if that's the case, Piella is channeling some ultra strong "Aragorn" vibes after they found out the hobbits were dead...except, this time, they are.

Well, you don't know that they're dead for sure, but your PC may believe that.

Katala considers what little they know. Maybe the enemy has some other way down, or across the chasm? But they weren't going to find it here....

"They may be holding the prisoners. Otherwise, why would they transport them here to kill them? For now, we can't find whatever method they used to pass. I think maybe we should go back to that guard post and wait. We can post a watch and get some rest, and wait for whoever comes to relieve the guard that we killed. Or, until another group passes by. Either way, we might be able to find out how to get by this dead end."

That's not a bad idea, have we rested since we stopped at the shrine?

Pausing, Taicho stands on one foot, cocking his head. Eventually shaking his beak, "I don't think we are too late, I think we are missing something."

Nodding in agreement with Katala Taicho points out. "We have not rested for a while. Why not wait in the climbers cubby and see if anyone else comes along?"

Everyone was so cool-minded that it gives her a strength she doesn't have. Wiping her eyes she listens intently to their words. "I'm sorry, guys. I just got to thinking of that evil being's words before we killed him...just how despicable he was. I only assumed the worst. You're right. They may yet still live." She tries to motivate herself to stop shedding tears and it seems to work. "What realm do we sit in the cubby? The spirit realm?" She then offers an alternative. "Or...do you think that maybe they bring them to this spot to drop blood over the edge and then carry them away to a different spot nearby? Sort of like a sacrificial thing? Do you think we can scout the general area before settling down?"

Just let me know if we're resting, scouting, etc.

Was sort of waiting to see if anyone else had an opinion

Nodding in agreement, "Let us hope they still live.' Moving back towards the cubby. 'I had not thought of that.' Hearing Piella's Idea, he shrugs, "I am happy to continue scouting in the Natural world." He shrugs, lulling his tongue in a tengu smile. "I too will eventually require rest, but not yet."

So what do you folks want to do?

If we are scouting, we know they came to the spiritual realm, so we should scout there along the edges of the ravine back and forth. So we really see no other sign of where they could have gone? Just to the ledge and then nothing? As a player, I'm stumped and probably about to abandon this. I've got nothing...

"Maybe we can look along the ledges to see if we see more signs of their movements in the area? I don't know...I'm not a tracker..." she frowns. There is a sense of urgency growing within her. Could she save a life or were they doomed to the fate of these evil beings? She is not okay but is trying to put on a good face.

I didn't think there was any "ledge" that we hadn't already searched?

"How long would the magic last for the potions of spider climbing? The ledge is slippery and obviously dangerous and there are signs on the edge like someone possibly slipping and falling. Using such potions seems expensive, but maybe they have an easy source of them?"

"I'm thinking that using a potion someone could climb along the wall in either direction and possibly find some clue. But they would have to come back before the magic ended."