With everybody healed up the party departs the pleasant village for the dangers of the Forest of Spirits.
Along the journey, the road branches off several times, typically only for a short distance before rejoining the main road or reaching a dead end. The seemingly endless rows of conifer trees create a serene yet monotonous backdrop.
The path iteslf is choked with snowdrifts, making it too narrow for a wagon to traverse easily. The wagon regularly catches on roots or stalls in the snow.
It's slow going, but it's going at least.
While weather has obscured the trail, you soon see obvious signs that the caravan before them ran into similar difficulties, including an abandoned wheel along the side of the path and damaged branches.
A ghostly flurry of snow that seems almost humanoid shaped emerges from the forest, stares at the lot of you briefly and then slowly meanders towards you as if blown be a gentle breeze.
Nature/Religion DC 10:
That's almost certainty one of the Kami that was spoken. It needs to possess one of you in order to share its experiences. It's almost certainty not strong enough to take control but still has ways of exerting itself.
The Kami merges with Obad'of who's eyes briefly swirl before returning to normal.
Obad'of:
You see flashes of memory, a caravan beset by undead, defended by a murky pair who could be your missing Pathfinders. Unseen by the wagon's defenders a fox headed humanoid sneaks in amid the chaos and sneaks away with a burlap sack full of relics...
You feel a vague urge to go further east along with the feeling of being inside a hot cabin during the snows of winter.
For the remainder of the scenario you can reroll a saving throw once per encounter but you get a -2 penalty to perception checks.
You can also roll society and Religion to know more about the creatures in your vision
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
Kashkura looks at Obad'of curiously. "What is it like?"
Male, TN, Wetlander Lizardfolk, Initiate of the First Circle | HP 52/52 AC: 19, Shield: +2 Hardness: 3, BT: 6, HP: 12/12| F: +10 (+1 v. Poison), R: +7, W: +12 | Resist Poison 2 | Perc: +12 (E)
Class Abilities:
Focus Pool: 2/2
Default Exploration: Defense
"It's... oh the visions.... gah! The Pathfinders... I think..." Obad'of winces as he experiences and retells the vision. "The Pathfinders are swarmed by undead. There's some kind of lupine headed creature horking their relics! Oh no!"
He calms down and looks at the party, his eyes are a bit glazed, like he's having a hard time focusing. "I saw what I believe to be our missing Pathfinders, beset by undead, with a third actor among them, taking the relics."Supposed to be secret. My religion is +7
Obad'of recognizes the largest undead despite the fog of the vision. A terrifying skeletal giant that alternates between taking broad swipes at pairs of adjacent foes or lowering its head and making a powerful charge that leaves its victim shaken.
NG Male Iruxi Fighter 3 | HP 37/47 | 1 Hero Point(s) | Perc +9 | Speed 20 ft. (Swim 10ft) | AC 21 (23 w/Shield Raised) | Fort +10 ; Ref +8 ; Will +9 | Default Exploration: Defend | Active conditions: None
Uthkosh listens carefully to what is said about how the skeleton fights, but otherwise says nothing.
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
"Is this a vision of the past or the present? If they are still alive, we must find them quickly. Could you see any landmarks?"
Eventually continuing on you continue to find signs that the caravan you are looking for came this way. Obad'of's hunhes and guesses as to which way to check at ambiguous forks seem eerily accurate.
Eventually another spirit slowly approaches you, it's arms open as well.
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
No! Don't hug the oni! Tamo says, aghast. We were told they were the sworn enemies of the kami! Oh, gods, am I the only one who listened to the briefing...?
Despite Tamo's warning Kashkura and the spirit merge
Kashkura:
You see flashes of memory, short man with vulpine ears and a tail, the sound of battle drifting away behind him. Suddenly he enters a clearing and dumps out a bag. Sifting though the contents he retrieves a green paper lantern.
Stroking a blue and yellow spiral of power around his neck the creature meditates over the lantern.
You feel the spirit's presence among your thoughts. It is quite knowledgeable and provides a +2 bonus to Lore checks and checks to Recall Knowledge. You also occasionally catches glimpses to its demise from the wolves of the forest and gain Weakness 2 against natural attacks.
You can also roll society and Religion to know more about your vision (including the above bonus).
CG male iruxi witch 3 | hp: 29/29, hero points: 1 0/3 | AC 18 (17 w/o mage armor), Fort +6 (+7 vs inhaled & crit instead of success), Ref +7, Will +8 | Speed 25ft. | Perception +6 | focus points: 2/2 | Prepared 1st level: fear, ill omen, magic missile; Prepared 2nd level: dispel magic, faerie fire | Current conditions: | ◆
Isikhulu looks on in interest as his sister merges with the spirit. "What do you see, sister? What do you remember? What do the stars say of this spirit?"
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
"I see...a short man. He has fox ears and a tail. He is leaving a battle. He is looking through a bag. He is interested in a green paper lantern. Thank you, knowledgeable spirit!"
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
With that you're able to continue following wagon tracks, snagged fabrics and other signs of the missing caravan until you come across the missing caravan!
All 3 wagons are present and a pair of Tian humans guard the caravan with crossbows drawn as others work to repair a broken wheel spoke.
They shout at you as you turn the corner "Who goes there?!"
Male, TN, Wetlander Lizardfolk, Initiate of the First Circle | HP 52/52 AC: 19, Shield: +2 Hardness: 3, BT: 6, HP: 12/12| F: +10 (+1 v. Poison), R: +7, W: +12 | Resist Poison 2 | Perc: +12 (E)
Class Abilities:
Focus Pool: 2/2
Default Exploration: Defense
"Friends! There is no need for weapons. We are Pathfinders sent to aid and recover!" Obad'of holds his hands in as non-threatening a way as he can, seeing as his claws are deadly...
NG Male Iruxi Fighter 3 | HP 37/47 | 1 Hero Point(s) | Perc +9 | Speed 20 ft. (Swim 10ft) | AC 21 (23 w/Shield Raised) | Fort +10 ; Ref +8 ; Will +9 | Default Exploration: Defend | Active conditions: None
Uthkosh keeps his shield raised and steps in front of the others. His weapon remains sheathed, but his role as protector is important to him. He does not say anything, but he does not relax until the guards do.
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
"You are Lin Po and Ti Lan, yes? The stars and the spirits have guided us to you!"
"By Sun Wukong's Tail it's a recovery mission!" shouts the short round one.
The tall and skinny one lowers their crossbow, lifts up a wayfinder and responds "Yes indeed, I am Lin Po, and this is Ti Lan. We've been stuck for what feels like months in this forest. Trying to escape just leads to broken wheels and misery. The first seems much more accommodating of our chasing the tracks of the thief who raided our caravan but we seem too slow to catch up. At least we keep finding good sources of food and water but until you showed up we were afraid we might be on this chase forever!"
Ti Lan jumps in "There are many undead in these woods though, are you well armed, we have more weapons than fighting hands." pointing back at the rest of the travelers, none of whom look like warriors.
The following are available: a composite shortbow with 10 arrows, a greataxe, and a greatclub. Feel free to have weapons drawn for this next encounter as you're busy going over armaments with your fellow Pathfinders.
Just then dark spirits appear from the either, it's hard to make out individual creatures but there are yellow eyes, horns and tusks plenty.
tamo will:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
One of spirits attempts to place a horned mask on Tamo's face but the Iruxi's will is too strong and the mask shatters!
Initiative
Spooky Ghosts
Tamo
Kashkura
Uthkosh
Tian Allies
Obad'of
Isikhulu
Tamo, Kashkura and Uthkosh are up. These do indeed appear to be the Oni you were warned about. You can attempt to exorcise the spirits with a 2 action (trained only) Occultism or Religion check. (Requires multiple success)
You can also make things easier (1 action) by saying calming things (diplomacy), using Kami specific wards (Nature), Occultism or Religion for general haunt techniques. (Deal 4 damage or reduce the Disable checks DC by 1, your choice. DC 20 for all skills)
There's not currently a way to otherwise target the haunt.[/ooc]
One last note, the Haunt generates will saves on its turn, that need to be resolved before it can continue it's turn. If you'd be kind enough to add a note at the end of your upcoming turn what your reroll plans are (On a fail, only a crit fail etc) that'll make things smoother.
NG Male Iruxi Fighter 3 | HP 37/47 | 1 Hero Point(s) | Perc +9 | Speed 20 ft. (Swim 10ft) | AC 21 (23 w/Shield Raised) | Fort +10 ; Ref +8 ; Will +9 | Default Exploration: Defend | Active conditions: None
Uthkosh thinks long and hard about the Kami words he had been taught.
Nature:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 Nature:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Nature:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
(I'm riding with whatever hits Uthkosh. No rerolls)
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
Male, TN, Wetlander Lizardfolk, Initiate of the First Circle | HP 52/52 AC: 19, Shield: +2 Hardness: 3, BT: 6, HP: 12/12| F: +10 (+1 v. Poison), R: +7, W: +12 | Resist Poison 2 | Perc: +12 (E)
Class Abilities:
Focus Pool: 2/2
Default Exploration: Defense
"Easy there. Easy there. See? We all just want to help.." Obad'of cdisplays some kami specific wards as he tries to overcome the oni.
Nature:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Then he tries to exorcise the haunt:
Religion:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
To the GM:
I'll use my Kami-granted save reroll on the first fail. I'll use a Hero point on a crit fail.
NG Male Iruxi Fighter 3 | HP 37/47 | 1 Hero Point(s) | Perc +9 | Speed 20 ft. (Swim 10ft) | AC 21 (23 w/Shield Raised) | Fort +10 ; Ref +8 ; Will +9 | Default Exploration: Defend | Active conditions: None
Uthkosh nods in deference to Obad'of and Kashkura. "Well done. It's clear to me that the tribe benefits from your cleverness and wisdom."
He once more takes up a defensive position, shield ready.
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
"I have never seen spirits so restless! Lin Po, Ti Lan, do you know what's happening?"
Lin Po responds "We were worried we were going to be trapped here forever. Lets sit and share tea while we talk though, surprised to see Amara Li round up a group of Iruxi to come rescue us."
Sitting with some tea they share the story of how things came to be Ti Lan starts "Once in the Forest of Spirit we began to hear whispers from the green paper lantern that was among Amara Li's artifacts. After some investigation we learned there was a Kami trapped inside. While its message was vague we learned that its ward was close by. We convinced the caravan to take a small detour to help a spirit in need. Before we could return it we were beset by undead. During the chaos a kitsune snuck in and stole the bag that contained the lantern."
Lin Po continues "The more pleasant spirits have kept us on the chase, we catch signs and glimpses of the thief but despite the weeks starting to become months we've found no other path or feel like we've made progress. Attempts to travel elsewhere have proven fruitless. We've considered trying to chase the thief on our own, but that would leave the caravan vulnerable and it's taken all of our strength to keep them safe."
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
"The kamis have shared visions of this thief. PErhaps they will help us find him."
You have already proven adept at guarding the wagon, Tamo says amiably, and so perhaps it is best that you continue to do so. We shall commune with the kami to try and find the kitsune thief.
Kashkura's vision told of the kitsune, while Obad'of had a more sinister one. Are the descriptions familiar to Ti Lan and Lin Po?
I know it's been a day IRL, so just going to push us forward here.
1d20 ⇒ 19
Leaving your allies to guard the caravan chasing down the thief takes about an hour or so during which you see many pawprints that strangely come with a bipedal gait. Reaching a clearing you see the Kitsune, standing before the paper lantern on a stump.
Art on slides
He speaks "Come no closer for the forces of undeath come in many guises, and I will destroy you if needed."
A strange curved blade is strapped sideways on his back, but is not drawn.
Assuming you don't want to try and murder him diplomacy along with some conversation or Pharasma Lore / Religion with an appropriate mention due to your successes earlier in identifying the prayer beads.
N female iruxi (cliffscaler) oracle 3 | HP 35/35 | AC 19 | F +6 R +7 W +8 | Perc +6 | Stealth +2 | Focus 0/2 | Spells 1st: 3/3 2nd: 2/2 | Speed: 25 ft | Active Conditions: ---
"We are not part of the undead, noble Pharasman. We are here for the living trapped in this forest because of your actions. That lantern you took has a kami trapped inside. Please, let us work together."
