GM TOP #10-14: Debt to the Quah (Standard, Foxes) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Hiiragi looks... less like she’s been insulted and more like she’s scrambling. ”D... Daikitsu is plenty fun! Eating is fun! I... I mean, for the patron goddess of kitsune she could stand to have a little more of a trickster vibe but...”

She clears her throat and glances at Ikari and thinks of the clan he fell in with before his time with the elves. ”I mean, it’s important to set limits on, um...”

She bites her lip. ”Play is important but not so important that, um...”

”Y-you guys know what I’m saying, right?”

The excellent banter continues, not even the horrid destruction of such a sacred place can dull the spirits of these brave pathfinders!

Ikari channels again and the two front-runners dart inside the room and down the short passageway to take a look at the room. At the center of this room is a pit of flame, suffusing the area with a faint glow.

Glancing into the room, no immediate dangers present themselves.

Perception Checks for anyone that wishes to investigate the room.

perception, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8

Ikari is too busy ribbing his colleagues to pay attention.

"Harvest is fun, too. Rolling around in the bushels with curious elf-maidens. Very fun. Daikitsu-approved fun as long as you actually harvest the crops as well."

Hiiragi’s blush deepens further still.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

She’s too flustered to get a good look around.

"Elf maidens, huh?" She eyes Hiiragi, and a wicked smile passes over her lips. I could do that.

"Look, food and ...'harvesting' are fine, life giving even. But what about LIVING? Where is the beauty? The music? Dancing? I'm just saying there's more to life than growing."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Hiiragi’s eyes light up as she finds an “in.”

”Why, holidays and feast days, of course! And after the sun goes down, and in winter.”

[smaller]”Of course, I’m running ceremonies on a few of those...”

Itami sighs as the teasing turns into flirting and morphs yet again into whatever that look Onna just gave Hiiragi is. I've never felt so old. These aren't the sort of things my colleagues and I said to each other when we were young... Were they?

His brooding keeps him from being as perceptive as he could be.
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Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Y'all are hilarious XD Also, there's definitely a surprise round against us or something... I feel it in my jellies!

Y'all are hilarious XD Also, there's definitely a surprise round against us or something... I feel it in my jellies!

And so soon after we all spent our money and PP on revives, too!

Toshiko Bot Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

No one notices the weakening flicker from the center pit. Suddenly, the room is plunged in TOTAL DARKNESS! So dark you can't even see your paw in front of your eyes.

Will Save for all please (fear effect).

But in the darkness, everyone begins to feel something. Wind blowing on their faces and is that... rustling leaves and the sound of running water?

Initiative
Ikari: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18
Onna: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Hiiragi: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Toshiko: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Itami: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Enemy 1: 10 = 10

Round 1
Ikari
Itami
Toshiko
Enemy 1
Onna
Hiiragi

Bold may act, though you may wish to just roll the save and wait to see if Onna and Hiiragi can learn anything about what is happening.

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
I’ve rolled worse!

Hiiragi is Shaken for the duration of this challenge (-2 to all d20 rolls).

But the K: Religion was just enough, even with the penalty. Eat that negative int mod making int based checks!

Hiiragi quickly identifies this as another Haunt. Haunts being wildly variable things, this one has a few peculiarities. Like the other one you all recently faced, it cannot be harmed by positive energy. Secondly, this isn't an 'evil' haunt, but it can still hurt the group. And lastly, she expects they will be dragged along towards the conclusion, maybe even forced to participate to help said conclusion.

Round 1
Ikari (will vs. fear effect)
Itami (will vs. fear effect)
Toshiko (will vs. fear effect)
HAUNT
Onna (Shaken)
Hiiragi (Shaken)

Bold may act.

Will vs Fear: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11 Poop!
Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Double poop!

Will: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"Spirit! We are here to help! We have your wolf token, where does it belong? We came here to give it back to you."

Ikari listens for some sort of 'wolf sign', and makes a prayer to Daikitsu. Cast Guidance

Itami reflexively recoils as the room drops into darkness. Raising his staff in the air, he wills it to glow! "Where is the exit? Out, I say!" his voice is strong, but the trembling of the light suggests he is unnerved by the situation. It is just a haunt, this will be over soon. My family is here too, it will be ok.
________
Will Save (Naga Resistances): 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 = 14
Don't usually pack anything beyond the Light Cantrip until I get 3rd level spells, so let's hope this works! Cast light on his quarterstaff. Assuming this is mind-effecting, otherwise -2 to the result!

Will: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Toshi steadies her nerves and waits.

About half the group feels an unease settle in their bones, throwing them off their game just a bit.

Itami's light does nothing to dispel the darkness, simply being swallowed up in it completely. But very shortly the smells, sounds and feeling of wind blowing shifts to something else.

A bark of warning echoes around the foxes and everyone sees themselves suddenly inside a large cavern. In front of them is a chasm, jumpable but only just. You are urged to try to leap it, either to flee a pursuer or chase something ahead.

Acrobatics (to jump) Skill Check, all should roll.

First Obstacle
HAUNT
Onna (Shaken)
Hiiragi (Shaken)
Ikari
Itami (shaken)
Toshiko

Bold may act.

Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Hiiragi takes a deep breath, runs forward, and LEAPS!

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 - 2 = 12

She does okay!

Acro: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Onna freeze in the darkness. Have to move. But I can't. There's just oblivion. She spins, trying to get her bearings. Its simply too much.

"Hello? ...Ragi? ...anyone?"

Maybe I never made it back. What if this is all some kind of torture by the demon. I mean, how did the team really get away? The creature just killed me and left? Now that I think about it, that sounds unlikely.

Her breathing begins to race as she finds herself on the edge of a panic attack.

Stupid dicebot. Now Onna might need therapy.

"MOVE!" Itami shouts in the direction of Onna as she begins to doubt herself. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to take his own advice fast enough.
________
Acrobatics (Shaken): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

acrobatics, guidance: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 1 = 26

Ikari gets wind of something - a scent on the wind. Wind? Here? A way out! And what is that I smell? Prey? Carrion?

Some animalistic instinct - surely an urge from the celestial goddess - guides Ikari's steps as he vaults the chasm.

"Come! This way!"

Ikari easily vaults across the chasm as his allies can only look on in wonder. The rush of wind on each foxes face brings a good scent with it as the group rushes forward on all fours.

Another bark rings through the air and suddenly the scene changes. A fast flowing river blocks their way! To the side is a fallen log, it may provide a way across!

K: Engineering to get the log in position or just pure Strength to muscle it where it is needed to get across, all should roll one of those.

Second Obstacle
HAUNT
Onna (Shaken)
Hiiragi (Shaken)
Ikari
Itami (shaken)
Toshiko

Bold may act.

Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Still not certain that everything is what is seems, the bard tries to maneuver the log like a bridge.

Engineering: 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 2 = 17

Still agitated, Itami is arguably worse than useless when it comes to maneuvering the log efficiently. What is happening? How do we get out? Can we just risk crossing the river? Or let the river take us down?
________
Engineering (Untrained?, Shaken): 1d20 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 2 = 1
Ha! If failure by a certain amount matters and if he can't do an untrained Engineering check, that'd be a result of -2 on the Strength check.

Hiiragi quickly moves to help Onna. ”I am here!”

Str: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14

Hiiragi provides the muscle and Onna the proper use of simple tools to put that muscle to work. Quickly levering the log with the excellent use of a properly placed pivot point, the log pops into place and the foxes dash across.

Finally, another bark echoes from above you and the group sees a tall stone wall blocking their path forward. Possibly the only way is to go up.

Climbing to climb the wall with climbing skills and climbing motions so use your climbing expertise to climb through this climbing challenge.

Third Obstacle
HAUNT
Onna (Shaken)
Hiiragi (Shaken)
Ikari
Itami (shaken)
Toshiko

Bold may act.

Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. Shaken is a less severe state of fear than frightened or panicked.

Hiiragi rushes forward and sees the wall, and groans. Only one gray fox among us, and that one's likely from age!

Why does it have to be dogs?

Climb: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

She leaves the ground like an arrow leaves the string.

climb: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

"Grrrr. What is that? Who's there?"

Ikari growls and sneers as he scrambles up the wall.

Still struggling, Onna gropes around for a purchase to start climbing.

Climb (Shaken...not stirred): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6

Try as he might, Itami makes no progress. They are coming! THEY ARE COMING! "GO! Go without me!" he shouts. Let them not waste their youth attempting to save me, but themselves!
________
Climb (Stirred. Stirred a lot.): 1d20 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 - 2 = 3

Toshi begins to scale the wall.

Climb: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Three of the foxes easily vault up the wall as though they were experienced climbers. Up top they all feel a sense of relief and companionship as the scene fades.

Suddenly back in the original room, the burning fire from the pit and Itami's glowing light easily provide enough light to see a small ghostly image of a wolf sitting calmly beside the pit. It's as though it is waiting for something.

Thank the Divine! It takes everything Itami has in him to keep from collapsing. "That was some-" he starts before his highs snap to the wolf. "Do you... speak?" he asks it cautiously, lowering his staff closer enough for his other hand to take hold and place it between them.

Hiiragi is about to tell Itami she’s going back for him when the scene changes again. She shivers, though; wolves have always given her the heebiest of jeebies.

room with flame pit: found wolf figure, magical

Is there a figurine of a wolf in our bag of stolen loot, or was he referring to the wolf that is now staring at us expectantly?

Now that the ordeal with the haunt has passed, Onna begins to come back to her senses. Seeing Hiiragi tense up, the bard interposes herself between the two. She speaks in a soft, soothing voice. "Hiya big guy. How are you doing? Been here a while, huh? That's a good buy. No need to worry."

Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Earlier, Ikari was looking for a place to put the Wolf Figurine from the bag. It seems there might be a pretty obvious spot now.

Onna slides the wolf figurine out of the pack and gently slides it into place. "It's okay big guy. Just gonna put this back. Riiiiiight here."

"Toshiko. Give the wolf the figurine that was stolen." Ikari asks Toshi in a soft voice. ninja'd by a bard!

"There. It's okay. We are here to restore what was taken." He squats down on his haunches, looking at the wolf-ghost.

Hiiragi grits her teeth and lets out a high-pitched whine as Onna approaches the EXTRA-Large Murder Dog, and readies herself to lunge forward at giant size and smash the hell out of it.

But, like, she also doesn’t want to look like she’s scared. But it’s really not working.

As Onna moves up to the QUITE-Small Tail Wagging Wolf with the statue and places it next to the fire pit. The friendly animal bounds over and puts its paws on her shoulders, giving her a big lick to the face before fading into the ether.

Everyone gets the clear vision of a young Shoanti hunter sitting atop a cliff overlooking a sprawling forest. A massive wolf lies next to him, head on her paws. The hunter and the wolf get up and turn to walk away as the sun rises, bathing the forest in its orange glow.

The vision fades and you can all feel the haunt is destroyed.

Where to next?

Onna rubs the side of the wolf's face and belly as it puts his paws up. "Are you a good dancer? Are you gonna dance with me? What a good boy you are! Yes you are."

before fading into the ether.

"Aw...so soon?" She continues speaking to the haunt the way people talk to at babies and puppies (but not kittens or reptiles). "Bye Tango. I'm gonna miss you. Yes I am!"

Where to Next?

Hiiragi shudders, and as Onna waves farewell to the ghost puppo, Hiiragi’s arms wrap around her from behind. Her grip is tight, and her fingers dig in. She whispers something into the bard’s shoulder.

Onna reassuringly holds the crusader's arms. She turns her head, resting her chin on her own shoulder and whispers back to her.

Oof! Ragi doesn't realize how strong she is. Feels like she nearly cracked my ribs. What is it with her and dogs? I heard about what happened on the docks back in Riddleport. There is definitely something going on there.

Itami uses his staff to lean on, steadying himself. Exhaling deeply when the wolf dissipates, he prods Hiiragi in the back. "Kuh-noodling time's over, we've got work to do, remember?" he grumbles. "Isn't that what your Lady is all about?"

He shuffles off to check the room for magic and anything else of interest, muttering to himself.
________
Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Detect Magic! I say we hit the room North of the circular chamber next!

Hiiragi looks sheepish. ”There is work to do, yes,” She separates from Onna—no crowbar needed— and takes her flail in hand. ”After you, Grandfather.”

"Our predecessor's notes suggest empty rooms to the north, but he also says he broke coffins. At the least, that damage should be repaired."

Plenty of work, Grandfather!

Ikari will cast Guidance before the next unexplored room is accessed. He'll listen at the door before it's opened.

perception, guidance: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 = 16

The group of foxes backtracks a bit, some of them happy in the success they achieved reuniting two lost souls.

Taking a northward path, they carefully check the next room for dangers, locate none and push their way inside.

This large, mostly empty room features two statues and an incomplete staircase to the north. A door exits south.

Frankly, the room seems mostly undisturbed. Definitely some footprints and it looks like marks near two large statues, but probably just too heavy to move for the prior tomb raider. You would guess accurately that the two statues are of ancient boneslayers.

Where to next? Looks like really there is only one path that remains. Anything else done prior to heading there?

I have nothing to do prior.

I'm good to move on!