Four Flavors of Heaven (Inactive)

Game Master Timespiraled

You silently move up to the door and peer into the other room. Through the splintered wood you can make out that you're looking into a second cellar space. At the far end of the room, the unmistakable shape of a Meizha-Lang lies slumped against the far wall. A trail of blood leads from the edge of the door you're peering in all the way to its body.

Squinting, you notice the creature's body occasionally twitches. It might not be dead.

"How big is this cellar? My goodness. They could have fed an army," she whispers. Of course, to her, everything is a bit bigger than for the big-footed humanoids.

She waits for the others to rush or sneak into the room.

So the 'trail' leads from the door were looking in, towards the Meizha-Lang? Is there any 'trail' on this side of the door? Does Ting see any doorways into the other room?

Seeing the wounded Meizha-Lang, Taicho turns and points towards the splintered door. "A severely wounded, Meizha-Lang." He turns and looks at the viscous fluid pouring through the ceiling. Then carefully checks the ruined door for traps and locks. Once he's sure the door is clear, Nodachi in hand he opens the door.

Taking 10(20/21) on perception and or 10 (21/22) on disable device. The knowledge check is for the 'viscous' fluid dripping from the ceiling
knowledge: naure: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Seeing how everyone is trying to be quiet Katala shrinks to his smaller size. It seems strange for the place to be deserted with no record, but maybe if they continue searching they will find.... something?

"Alive? Maybe it could answer questions? Can you tell from the wounds what hurt it?" He goes silent before the door opens. Maybe seeing it will answer some?

Know-Nature also examining the liquid dripping?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Sorry for my lack of posting. On vacation and don't have much access to computer time. Will be back home Sunday night and should be better.

Lung nudges Taicho. "We should track what tried to kill it. Piella, can you heal it a little?"

CLW if need be: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Absolutely not!" she whispers to Lung. "Those things tried to kill you. What is it even doing here in the physical realm? And could I even heal a spiritual being with my magic? I don't think so..."

"...But what did this?"

@Taicho: No trail on your side of the door, no traps as far as you can tell, and you have no clue what's dripping from the ceiling but it isn't blood or water. Katala also is unable identify it.

Taicho slowly opens the door. The creature shifts ever so slightly but does not leap forward or make any attacks of any kind. It is visibly in dire condition.

Piella wonders if perhaps the creature they met in the spiritual realm was hostile for a different reason, and if perhaps they are not all the same. She thinks on this and holds her crossbow at the ready, just in case there is more bite than bark.

"I wonder...can you understand us?" she asks with intensity, which is quite humorous coming from a lamed tiny morsel like herself. She almost doesn't feel threatening while saying it.

The creature only growls menacingly.

With the door open, you also notice that there's a ladder going up to a trapdoor on your side of the room, a little to your left.

To clarify, you couldn't see said ladder before the door opened. The trapdoor is rather large, easily big enough for the creature to have come down from it. The ladder's marred with blood and more of that strange ichor in uneven patches. Claw marks mar the wood of the ladder.

You surmise the creature must have made its way down from above, but would have been unable to climb back up.

Have we rolled a high enough knowledge check to know if the Meizha-Lang speaks or knows common? Would Taicho know that? What knowledge check to identify the goo dripping from the ceiling?

Moving into the new room, Taicho notes the trapdoor. "We've found the door to the upper floor and the method the Meizha-Lang arrived here." Nearing the creature, Taicho prepares to put it out of it's misery.

Just waiting to learn if the thing can talk or not, or if the team wants to speak to it.

Meizha-Lang are beasts. If they speak a language, it's not one anyone or anything but other Meizha-Lang would speak.

As for the drippings, Knowledge (nature) would work but it eludes your knowledge for now.

As you approach, the beast bares its fangs and attempts to lift itself upon its front legs before collapsing back down, snarling and spitting out blood as it does so.

Shaking his beak in pity, Taicho approached the beast. This was wrong, whoever had done this should have finished the beast off. Even an abomination from the spirit world should not be forced to suffer. Looking back at the closed trapdoor, whoever had fought the beast had shut it down here and closed the door not concerned if it would suffer.

Flipping the handle of his nodachi in his talons, so the blade pointed down, Taicho plunged the blade through the creature's chest towards its heart.

Wiping the creatures blood off of his blade onto the hide, Taicho proceeded to the trapdoor. inspecting it carefully and listening for any signs of movement.

Taking 10(20/21) on perception at the trapdoor, for traps and sounds
cdg: 2d10 + 8 + 4 ⇒ (8, 3) + 8 + 4 = 23

Your blade strikes true and kills the Meizha-Lang in one straight strike.

You move to the top of the ladder gracefully and silently. Pressing your head to the heavy timbers, you can hear the faint sounds of raspy breathing, the occasional shifting of weight against the floor, and snippets of a language you recognize as the one the Suofang Yi speak.

Piella is glad she didn't have to finish the beast off, but was prepared to do so. She will go up last on the ladder. The mysterious host of foes in this building are yet unknown, and perhaps at the top, they will find out what this ichor is.

Hearing the voices above, Taicho puts a talon to his beak and points above. Nodding he looks to each of his companions, once they all nod that they are ready he quickly attempts to lift the trapdoor planning on moving up the ladder into the room above.

Katala watches and shakes his head. Even a beast such as that thing shouldn't be left to suffer. What Taicho did was mercy. When Taicho Signals about the details of danger above he wonders if this creature escaped battle above. But wouldn't whatever was above have followed and finished the fight?

He nods to Taicho, indicating ready.

Until they are all in the room above, she, and hopefully the others will climb silently to surprise these talking foes.

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

Taicho surges into the room above, sending the Suofang Yi that was besides the trapdoor tumbling to the floor.

Katala quickly follows from behind and Piella follows as well, albeit quietly.

You're in the town hall's main room at last. A wooden staircase goes around the edges of the building to the second floor. A long wooden table in the shape of a U would have likely served as the main seating place for when important matters needed to be discussed. Tapestries, wall hangings, and decorations are marred by battle.

Half a dozen Meizha-Lang and Suofang Yi corpses lie semi-scattered around the room, the bulk in front of the main door. Coupled with piles of heavy timber furniture barricading it, it definitely explains why it wouldn't budge.

Beyond the Suofang Yi you sent flying (they are now prone), there's three others, and although each of them appears wounded, they bare their fangs and draw weapons at the sight of you.

Piella Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
Lung Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Taicho Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Katala Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Suofang Yi: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

I'll have the battle map asap. Might need to be tomorrow morning.

Battle map is up!

Initiative Order
Katala
Taicho
Piella
Suofang Yi
Lung

Firing bolts at "D"

Piella sees the threat before them, and especially before her and steps back. Able to find some safety behind Taicho, she raises her crossbow and fires at the villain who likely killed all of these people, the one by the bodies.

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

She will then pull out her small dagger, as she suspects the creature will want retribution, and with Taicho already busy, it will charge her.

Moveing towards the prone Suofang Yi, Taicho shifts his nodachi and stabs at the creature.

move, close enough to attack but will try and stay near to the others, so that if anyone charges anyone other than him he will get an AOO, Attack: MW coldiron Nodachi FC PA
attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 26 for damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 13
confirm crit: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 28 for damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 17

"That answers that," says Lung with finality.

Lung stares pure venom at the Suofang Yi across from him C.

Venomous Stare: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
DC 19 Will save or take the damage and be fascinated. I just realized that Hero Lab never takes into account that Living Grimoire abilities are keyed off Int, not Wis, so the DC should be higher!

He then makes his way near it, preparing to engage in melee. 5' away.

Just gonna wait on Katala before moving on.

Sorry.... Traveling again.

Katala steps across from Taicho and adds his spear attack on the prone enemy creature.

Attack on prone, flanked enemy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Bonus for prone?
Damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Yup, +4, unless the GM dictates otherwise.

You get the bonuses. I'll update in a smidge, currently away from the house.

Katala spears the foe for some slight damage, with Taicho absolutely eviscerating them to finish them off. Piella's hit lands cleanly, but not critically.

Two of the enemies close in and attempt to strike Katala and Taicho, with the third (C) shooting bolts at Taicho at a distance.

At Katala
B Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
B Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

At Taicho
D Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
D Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
C Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
C Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Lung, since you were acting after them, I'll let you either keep your current action or change it up based on their new positioning. Don't forget to put yourself on the actual map.

Initiative Order Round 2
*Lung

Katala
Taicho
Piella
Suofang Yi (X/0/0/7)
Lung

Piella takes aim at the foe far away and unharmed by her companions. It is also an easier shot. With the Suofang Yi dodging to the left and right, she takes a moment to predict his movement and fires!

Ranged Attack vs (C): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

'Need to deal with these beasts quickly.' Jerking the nadachi from the dead Soufang Yi, Taicho pivots as the other Soufang Yi attacks. Slapping away the first attack Taicho dodges the other as he raises his blade. Stepping to the side, he slashes at he neck of the creature.

Attack: MW coldiron Nodachi FC PA
attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 13 for damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 10

Anyone heard from Lung or Katala?

Nope. I imagine we can bot them if it takes too much longer.

Sorry. Just having trouble finding time for posting while away from home visiting family. I'll try to keep up and will be home Saturday.

Katala takes the hit from the enemy and tries to pay it back for the pain. Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

After his stab attempt he steps to the side hoping someone can join the fight, or possibly shoot the creature. He knows he isn't a strong warrior!

Changing the stare to Suofang Yi B.

The Suofang Yi attempts to shrug off Lung's stare.

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 9

It is entirely fascinated. Is the damage lethal or nonlethal?

Katala responds by striking out at the now fascinated fiend, dealing a solid blow. The fascination effect wears off as it snaps back to reality.

Taicho's hit strikes only armor unfortunately.

Piella's shot also just barely misses its target.

The Suofang Yi maintain positions and strike.

Enemy B At Katala
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Enemy C At Lung
Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Enemy D At Taicho
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Initiative Order Round 3
Lung

Katala
Taicho
Piella
Suofang Yi (X/9/0/7)

To save me some time, in future rounds can you make it clear which enemy you're attacking (A, B, etc.) It saves me a little bit of time from tabbing back and forth from the battle map to here.

Piella quickly reloads after seeing her bolt go over the head of her target. It was far faster than she anticipated!

"I'm not sure I can hit him!" she thinks to herself and prays that the Council aid her and her friends in dealing with this threat.

Ranged Attack vs C: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Not with that attitude!

"Squawk!" unable to dodge the creatures claws, Taicho, now bleeding from a wound on his shoulder, resets his feet. Slowing his breathing down, in through his nostrils, out through his beak. clearing his brain of the pain and the flying crossbow bolts and focuses on the nodachi in his talons.

Lifting the weapon above his beak, his right talon gripped tight near the tsuba, his left talon sliding down the sharkskin-wrapped tsuka. At the last moment as he chops, he grasps the Kashiri tightly with thumb and foreclaw, turning his right claw into a fulcrum as the blade slashes downward at the 'D' Suofang Yi.

Attacking D: MW coldiron Nodachi FC PA
attack: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 1 + 2 - 1 = 12 for damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 10
apparently as the narration gets better the rolls get worse

Regretting releasing the monster from the magical fascination Katala is slightly gratified that his spear had bit fairly deep. He jabs at the creature again.

Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
damage if that hits?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Minimal effect from narration.... But I'm fairly certain that is also a miss!

Back among the living. I had to stop typing for a bit; I was getting tendinitis from typing while laying down. :0

That is indeed non lethal damage.

"pardon me," murmurs Lung to the fascinated Suofang Yi. He slips past the entranced thing and sallies toward Suofang C.

With a glower of barely contained rage, he swirls his Iron Scroll at his target.

Bludgeoner, Iron Scroll: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
NL Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

As the Scroll connects, he utters a harsh growl intended to frighten the Suofang Yi.

Enforcer Intimidate: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19