Kyrie slips out of the webbing thanks to Humble’s spell and raises her shield, advancing on the spider on the ground while trying to not stray too far from her allies.
From the safety of the bushes, Kioko eyes up her target. She then springs into action, sending her katana over an impossibly long distance!
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
She then repositions her blades in a defensive stance.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Humble calls upon Abadar, and the Master of the First Vault answers.
Kyrie feels her arms strengthen and when she strains against the entrapping webbing, she tears the titan spider's silk like it was a mere cobweb. Advancing, she raises her shield and prepares.
Kioko springs out of hiding and launches two swift slashes with her katana, which extends to improbable length and cuts through the spider's chitinous exoskeleton. Brown ichor oozes from the wounds.
Unfortunately, while effective, it has the secondary consequence of drawing the giant spider's ire. The creature climbs down from the roof, bending branches and the trunks of smaller trees with a cacophony of snaps and pops. Maw as wide as a tower shield crashes through the foliage and overwhelms Kioko's defenses. Spear-sized fangs drive into her shoulders and inject a burning venom.
”House” Spiders. Round 2.
Yellow Spider (-58 hp)
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Red Spider (-37 hp; slowed 1)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (173/173 hp) (shield raised)
Kioko (136/160 hp) (Fortitude DC 30 vs. poison: stage 1 = + slowed 1, stage 2 = same damage + slowed 2)
"Kioko!" Seeing his friend in trouble, Rakka takes a moment to refocus his mystical energy into his bow, then fires another arrow into the beast attacking her. Instead of icy-cold energy, this time his arrow is shrouded in an ethereal claw that seems to slash at the spider as it approaches.
Rakka's arrow punches into the enormous spider, and a spectral claw tears savagely at its exoskeleton to expose pulpy flesh. The arachnid does not seem dissuaded from eating his companion, however.
The other spider continues to lumber towards Kyrie. It lurches forward and bites the knight with its massive, fanged maw. She moves her shield to block, but it can only deflect one of the fangs. The other punches through her backplate and injecting her with stinging venom.
”House” Spiders. Round 2/3.
Yellow Spider (-90 hp)
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Red Spider (-37 hp; slowed 1)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (160/173 hp) (shield: -13 hp) (Fortitude DC 30 vs. poison: stage 1 = + slowed 1, stage 2 = same damage + slowed 2)
Kioko (136/160 hp) (Fortitude DC 30 vs. poison: stage 1 = + slowed 1, stage 2 = same damage + slowed 2)
Judge of Gods, may her blood be as pure as the gold in your vault!
Humble once again takes his time praying, extending the reach of his spell t neutralize the poison affecting his ally.
Humble creates an illusory creature of an accountant holding a scale behind the spider, so Kioko has a flank.
Then he tries to ID the creatures
"Don't fear, Rakka, I've seen worse poisons than that."
Kioko starts lashing out at the spider in front of her
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She returns her blades to their normal defensive position.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
An accountant wielding a scale in one hand manifests behind the goliath spider menacing Kioko, providing a distraction for the moment. Capitalizing on that distraction, the tengo ranger is able to land a string of strikes against the spider's legs. The first strike is especially deep .
Kyrie steps forward and slams her shield into her spider's leg. The arachnid is able to move its leg out of the way of the next slam since it is not distracted like the other spider. The knight raises her shield in defense.
The first of the goliath spiders seems to be fully awake now but still moves ponderously slow and clumsily. The illusory accountant and Kioko both easily move out of the way of the spider's fangs as it strikes at them. Kioko takes advantage of the opening to deliver a savage strike to the spider's head. The chitin cracks and spills brown ichor. While not enough to kill the mammoth creature, it seems to have had enough of this fight and strides over Kioko and Humble on its way deeper into the jungle.
”House” Spiders. Round 3/4.
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Red Spider (-54 hp)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (160/173 hp) (shield raised; shield -13 hp)
Kioko (136/160 hp)
Rakka tracks the fleeing spider for a moment as it departs, considering trying to take it down so it can't threaten anyone else. Not much of a competition if we do their work for them, though, right?
Instead, he swings his bow back around to the remaining spider, drawing magical power into the arrowhead before loosing it at the creature. This time, rocks, chunks of wood, and other heavy objects seem to fly up from the ground and join the arrow in flight on its way to the spider.
This time, fortune is not with the tengu archer. The arrow skips off of the goliath spider's hard exoskeleton, and the trail of stone and broken branches follow after it.
Probably tired of its intended meal hurting it, the spider rears back on its four back legs and entangles Kyrie with powerful silk strands. Despite her inability to properly defend herself, the goliath spider's fangs are not able to penetrate her armor. Yet.
”House” Spiders. Round 3/4.
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Red Spider (-54 hp)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (160/173 hp) (shield -13 hp) (immobilized: Escape DC 30)
Kioko (136/160 hp)
Humble Sustains his Abdaran accountant, sending it towards the spider.
Humble then casts a Kalistocrat's Lay on Hands on Kioko.
May the Two-Headed Eagle shield you!
CANTRIPS
Bullhorn
Prestidigitation
Read Aura
Detect Magic
Stabilize
Message
LEVEL 1
Illusory object (1/1)
Ray of Enfeeblement (1/1)
Thoughtful Gift (1/1)
LEVEL 2
Comprehend Language (1/1)
Faerie Fire (1/1)
Illusory Creature (0/1)
LEVEL 3
Crisis of Faith (0/1)
Neutralize Poison (1/1)
Show the Way (0/1)
LEVEL 4
Freedom of Movement (0/1)
Soothing Spring (1/1)
Resist Energy (1/1)
LEVEL 5
Breath of Life (1/1)
Death Ward (1/1)
See Invisibility (0/1)
LEVEL 6
True Seeing (1/1)
Dispel magic (0/1)
Healing Font 5/5
Focus 2/3
Humble remotely lays divine hands upon Kioko and leaves her as whole as she was when the day started.
Kyrie tears herself out of the titan silk with divinely induced ease. The knight then turns her shield upon the spider, cracking it hard in the leg. The exoskeleton on the leg crumples inwards with a massive dent.
”House” Spiders. Round 4.
Red Spider (-74 hp)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (160/173 hp) (shield -13 hp)
Kioko (160/160 hp) (+2 AC)
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Kioko eyes the other spider. She darts up next to it, and quickly slashes at it.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Rakka grumbles as his magically-charged arrow skips off the spider's hide. "Nice work, Kioko!" he shouts, seeing his fellow tengu bury her sword into the creature. He slowly draws another arrow, once again focusing his magical energy into it, and lets loose. This one is once again shrouded in an ethereal claw, which slashes as the beast as it approaches.
Kioko moves in and severs the lower portion of one of the goliath spider's front legs. She nearly misses with her second strike, but her first blow left it too unsteady to move its leg fast enough.
Raka sends another arrow into the house-sized arachnid, which erupts into a massive ethereal claw that peels chunks of moss covered chitin from its thorax.
Frustrated with the teeth its prey is displaying, it rears back and envelops Kioko in strand upon strand of iron-strong silk. It then lunges down to bite her, Abadar's protection just not enough prevent the fangs from piercing her armor and injecting its burning venom into her body. Her body fought off the poison before, can it do it once again?
Growing wary, the goliath spider backs away from its prey's immediate reach.
”House” Spiders. Round 4/5.
Red Spider (-158 hp; <50%)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (160/173 hp) (shield -13 hp)
[b]Kioko (128/160 hp) (+2 AC) (Fortitude DC 30 vs. poison: Stage 1 + Slowed 1) (Immobilized: Escape DC 30)
Rakka (127/127 hp)
"That's right, get out of here ya' varmint! Shoo!" Rakka focuses once more, sending another arrow wreathed with an ethereal claw at the creature.
He mutters at himself for getting cocky as his arrow flies wide, clattering into the trees behind the spider.
Humble will once again neutralize poison if Kioko fails her save:
If she makes the save, Hunble will Sustain his illusion, sending it around to provide a flank for Kioko. , then raise his shield.
Kioko proves rather resistant to goliath spider venom.
Humble moves his divine accountant under the spider's legs. He raises his shield and stays wary for assault.
One of the goliath spider's eight eyes watches the arrow sail over itself.
”House” Spiders. Round 4/5.
Red Spider (-158 hp; <50%)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Kyrie (160/173 hp) (shield -13 hp)
Kioko (128/160 hp) (+2 AC) (Immobilized: Escape DC 30)
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Kioko tries to get out of the webbing.
She bursts out, webbing cling to her feathers!
She moves forward and stabs twice.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
Kyrie advances upon the goliath spider and smashes her shield into a tree-like leg to little noticeable effect. Meanwhile, Kioko rips herself free of the spider silk cocoon. She advances and cuts into one of the other legs with her katana.
Finally having had enough resistance from its potential meal, the goliath spider strides away into the jungle. The sound of snapping branches and falling trees can be heard for some time afterwards.
"Well done. Goliath spiders are not easily driven from their nests," Ingdani says as she joins you outside the southern stairs. "However, I do not expect them to be the only creatures you will face in or around the temple."
Humble is able to make short work of Kioko's injuries while Kyrie repairs her shield. Once the knight has finished her swift repair, Iomedae heals her wounds. The two aasimar then spend some time in reflection while they focus their energies.
While the rest of you wait, Ingdani comments, "It did not seem like the goliath spider venom affected you at all, Kioko. Such fortitude will likely serve you well on Bonmu. Many things are venomous."
Once everyone is prepared, you climb the stairs and investigate the door. The door is unlocked and with some resistance due to the neglected hinges. Rotted hay mattresses and small wooden chests fill most of the floor space in this large shared dormitory. Wide doorways to the north and south lead out of the room.
You can easily see that the open doorway on the north leads into a large open air courtyard with a dirt floor littered with debris. In the center is a tall statue of a pagoda. Before you move on, however, you make a thorough search of this room.
Hidden under rotting hay, within chests, or discarded in the corners you manage to collect a number of potentially valuable items: a runestone bearing an artistically stylized gold rune resembling a suit of karuta arrmor , a small iron medallion shaped like a shield , an arrow with mystical patterns carved along the shaft , a golden ring with claw like projections , a wand carved from a bullette tooth , a hide pouch full of opals, a large number of assorted coins, and dozens of lacquered wooden holy symbols to Irori on rotting hemp cords.
"Visitors to the temple used to leave donations in these chests, my grandmother said," Ingdani informs you as you search. "The monks--before the schism--would only make use of the donations when the temple was in a desperate financial situation."
By the time you finish investigating these ancient treasures, the sun is nearly at its zenith.
Humble makes note of Ingdani's comments and plans on prepping a second neutralize poison in the coming days. He ticks the wand of remove curse next to the wand of death ward. It is only hours into their project, and already so much profit!
Rakka examines the arrow with a critical eye. [b]"Hmph. Much more effective to channel the energy yourself. Perhaps we can trade this for something more useful.
After gathering what you like of the valuables, there does not appear to be anything left of interest. However, you do make note that this room might be reasonable place to rest. Your bedrolls will serve you better than the rotted hay mattresses, but the southern door can be bolted leaving only one open entrance.
Approaching that entrance, you can better appreciate the wide, open air courtyard. Rusted weapons and old bone shards speckle the dirt floor. In the center stands a thirty-foot-tall sculpture of a pagoda, with hundreds of names carved all over its miniature tiers. Open doorways stand in the northern, southern, western, and eastern walls. Pairs of staircases lead up to each doorway.
As Kyrie and Kioko pass through the doorway, one name after another flares briefly with unnatural light and ectoplasm bleeds from those carved characters. Then ghostly mist escapes from the names and forms into four Tian-Sing warriors standing ready for battle. Their ghostly forms bear the echoes of the wounds they suffered before they died.
Restless Defenders! Round 1.
Kioko (160/160 hp)
Ghost (black)
Humble (118/118 hp)
Ghost (blue)
Rakka (127/127 hp)
Ghost (red)
Kyrie (173/173 hp) (shield -13 hp)
Ghost (yellow)
Kioko eyes the one in front. "You're mine," she whispers under her breath.
She descends the stairs and raises her blades in a defensive position.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
<"We shall guard this temple against all intruders!"> one of the ghosts declares in an archaic Minantan as it walks toward Kioko across the sand, though it leaves no foot prints nor disturbs the debris in its passage. [b]<"The Broken Rebus shall not succeed!">
As the ghostly martial artist nears Kiolo, it opens its mouth and its eyes become empty holes as it fills the courtyard with an unearthly moan of suffering. Kioko weathers the sound staunchly, but she cannot block the two rapid punches the ghost throws at her.
Kioko feels a painful chill in her heart that grows stronger with each touch of the ghost's fist.
Restless Defenders! Round 1.
Kioko (123/160 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (black)
Humble (118/118 hp) (Will DC 25 vs. frightened 2; CF = 3; immune on S)
Ghost (blue) (prey)
Rakka (127/127 hp) (Will DC 25 vs. frightened 2; CF = 3; immune on S)
Ghost (red)
Kyrie (173/173 hp) (Will DC 25 vs. frightened 2; CF = 3; immune on S)
Ghost (yellow)
Humble is unfazed by the wail.
He tries to recell knowledge about the creatures and the Broken Rebus
Humble recognizes the spirits as restless ghosts, trapped by unresolved issues at the time of their death and unable to pass on to the Boneyard until their torment is resolved. They are difficult to harm except with specially enchanted weapons, living energy, or raw magical force.
The Kalistocrat makes necessary to channel healing energy into Kioko, nearly completely replacing the life force that was stolen.
A second ghost breaks away and charges forward and up the air as if climbing a hill and throws a pair of punches and a roundhouse kick at Kyrie, but the knight deftly avoids each part of the rapid assaults.
Restless Defenders! Round 1.
Kioko (159/160 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (black)
Humble (118/118 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (blue) (prey)
Rakka (127/127 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (red)
Kyrie (173/173 hp) (Will DC 25 vs. frightened 2; CF = 3; immune on S)
Ghost (yellow)
"Your wail holds no terror for one from the Forest of Spirits, ghost, and we are not this Broken Rebus." Not expecting his words to matter much, Rakka takes aim at the reddish ghost on the far side of the room, firing an arrow wreathed in a spectral claw. He then draws his bow once more without nocking another arrow, instead turning and firing a spectral mouth that flies toward the creature attacking Kioko and bites into it!
Rakka's arrow rips through a ghost . The magical claw manifests as the arrow strikes, tearing away more of the ghost's ephemeral form.
The spectral fangs that Rakka summons take a bite out of the ghost fighting with Kioko.
His words do not seem to matter indeed, for the ghost damaged by his arrow strides over the sand and addresses Kyrie--by chance or intentionally--in Minantan, <"You fail to see the irony in your name, traitors. Your philosophy will spell your doooOOOM!>"
The bones and broken, rusted bits of metal on the sand floor begin to shake and rattle more and more as the ghost's cry grows louder until dozens of them rise together in a whirlwind around it. The cry becomes a shriek, and the debris explodes indiscriminately across the courtyard. Most of the ghosts are unaffected, but Kioko's prey loses a bit of cohesion.
Restless Defenders! Round 1.
Kioko (159/160 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 16 bludgeoning)
Ghost (black) (-8 hp)
Humble (118/118 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 16 bludgeoning)
Ghost (blue) (prey) (-6 hp)
Rakka (127/127 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 16 bludgeoning)
Ghost (red) (-48 hp)
Kyrie (173/173 hp) (Will DC 25 vs. frightened 2; CF = 3; immune on S) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 16 bludgeoning)
Ghost (yellow)
Kyrie has dealt with the fearful wails and auras and whatnot of undead many times before. She keeps her head well enough to dodge effectively, too.
She enters her battle stance, smacks at the closest ghost with her shield and its ghost touch enhancement, and follows up with an everstand strike.
A few random bits of ancient weaponry strikes the living, leaving a cut or bruise here or there but otherwise it does not prove overly dangerous. Kioko manages to agilely dodge every bit of debris.
Kyrie's arm swings just too short of the ghost with her opening strike. However, her second assault tears through the ghost. Strands of ectoplasm cling to the corners of her shield.
The last of the ghosts charges through the air to stand in front of Rakka. However, it turns to direct its fists and a front kick against the more heavily armored knight. None of its blows land against the knight.
Restless Defenders! Round 2.
Kioko (159/160 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (black) (-8 hp)
Humble (110/118 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (blue) (prey) (-21 hp)
Rakka (119/127 hp) (immune to wail: black)
Ghost (red) (-48 hp)
Kyrie (165/173 hp) (shield raised)
Ghost (yellow)
Kioko darts around to her chosen target.
She lashes out twice.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Slashing, Agile, Deadly d8, Finesse, Uncommon, Versatile P
She flails into the air.
Slashing, Deadly d8, Two-Hand d10, versatile P
Kioko breaks away from the corner and makes to strike at the legs of the ghost hovering before the landing. Her timing is off. The ghost monk shifts its position a moment before each strike.
The ghost follows her from the corner, running silently across the sand. There it performs a sweeping, circular motion with its arms and one leg, almost like a ballet dancer. However, unlike a ballet dancer, the debris upon the floor rises and swirls with the motion and clatters into everything. The debris rips several holes in the spirit essence of the other ghosts.
Restless Defenders! Round 2.
Kioko (159/160 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 25 bludgeoning)
Ghost (black) (-8 hp)
Humble (110/118 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 25 bludgeoning)
Ghost (blue) (prey) (-36 hp)
Rakka (119/127 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 25 bludgeoning)
Ghost (red) (-63 hp)
Kyrie (165/173 hp) (shield raised) (Basic Reflex DC 25 vs. 25 bludgeoning)
Ghost (yellow) (-2 hp)
Humble decides to wait. There is little need to act as his team seems to have the situation well in hand.
Kyrie proves Humble’s reserve even more correct.
Humble uses the edge of the doorway to his advantage and is completely shielded from the swirling debris. Kyrie's armor and shield protect her from the harm, and Kioko weaves and dodges the projectiles. Rakka is able to get part of the way behind the edge of the doorway but still earns a few scrapes and bruises.
The floating ghost moves around Kyrie to stand over the stairs. <"What?"> the ghost asks with a horrified expression though not truly looking at Kyrie. <"You may kill us all, but we will make sure you do not spread your corrupted teachings any further!"> It throws a rapid pair of punches at Kyrie, but the knight's defenses are solid, and then it wails that threatens to pierce your hearts with fear.
Restless Defenders! Round 2.
Kioko (159/160 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Will DC 25 vs. Frightened 2, CF = 3)
Ghost (black) (-8 hp)
Ghost (blue) (prey) (-36 hp)
Rakka (107/127 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Will DC 25 vs. Frightened 2, CF = 3)
Humble (110/118 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Will DC 25 vs. Frightened 2, CF = 3)
Ghost (red) (-63 hp)
Kyrie (165/173 hp) (shield raised) (Will DC 25 vs. Frightened 2, CF = 3)
Ghost (yellow) (-2 hp)
Humble shrugs, and continues to observe.
Rakka ignores the ghost's useless wail as he darts past Kyrie and into the room, taking up a position to draw the attention of the reddish ghost, trying to give Kioko an advantage against it. He lowers his bow as he weaves a spell, the spectral energy surrounding his head as he pecks at the ghost instead.
Rakka darts past Kyrie and leaps off of the landing to come to Kioko's aid. His feet kick up the sand and old bones as he runs. Lowering his bow, he invokes his arcane magic before driving his beak through the spectral monk. The magical claw that tears at the ghostly ectoplasm rips the monk to swiftly fading shreds.
Restless Defenders! Round 2.
Kioko (159/160 hp) (immune to wail: black) (Will DC 25 vs. Frightened 2, CF = 3)
Ghost (black) (-8 hp)
Ghost (blue) (prey) (-36 hp)
Rakka (107/127 hp) (immune to wail: black, blue)
Kyrie (165/173 hp) (Will DC 25 vs. Frightened 2, CF = 3)
Humble (110/118 hp) (immune to wail: black, blue)
Ghost (yellow) (-2 hp)
Kyrie remains stoic and unfazed in the face of undead. She pounds away at the blue-tinged spirit. Her blows are perfunctory, as she is in no rush yet.