While the creatures advance, Eldon decides to take cover behind a house. All of them leave sticky footprints in the snow; as if sap dropped from trees in massive drops, and burrowed into the white powder. All creatures seem to stay clear of the fire in the middle of the clearing.
Round 1 - Bolded can go
Blue
Eldon
Lokaloka / Shield
Green
Thalaasi
Red
Nilaglade
Yellow
Dimitsi
Gympie
Thalaasi focuses on one of the embers in the hearth, and a small red-hot piece of coal is mentally flung from its place in the fire. The ember flies off into the distance as Thalaasi exhales.
In a rather surprising turn of events, the last two creatures move in closer. They snarl as they slowly start to encircle you.
Round 1 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue
Eldon
Lokaloka / Shield
Green
Thalaasi
Red
Yellow
Nilaglade - 2 actions left
Dimitsi
Gympie
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Dimitsi strides forwards twice, his oddly shaped scythe with a violin shaped bulge in it forming from the webs around his body. He gets up to the boar like things and takes a swing at the mint green one. He comments about them, flat voice backed with the sound of a single bell ringing, as if shaming the beasts. "You seem... Unnatural, like a perversion of the order of life and death."
Nilaglade launches an arrow towards the creature just north of him. It scratches the creature, leaving sap and needles falling out of its belly.
Immediately, Gympie does his own attack, this time a more magical one. This causes substantially more damage to the boar, as it squeals when it momentarily catches fire.
Dimitsi, on the other hand, creates their own battlefront as a scythe is raised at one of the southern creatures. The scythe slashes across the creature, and Dimitsi struggles a little to pull the blade away from the creature - as if it was glued to the hide after the strike.
The boar that charged in first reaches the nearest intruder and decides to attempt to impale Deroff with the branch-like hooves protruding from the snout. The wolf is nimble, and -almost- dodges the strike, but the boar reacts to the movement at the last moment and strikes Deroff. As it does, Deroff quickly jumps away with a light yelp, but leaves fur on the sticky branch.
Round 2 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue
Eldon
Lokaloka / Shield
Green -9
Thalaasi
Red
Yellow -12
Nilaglade + Deroff - 2 actions left / Deroff -4
Honzak + Dimitsi
Gympie
Loka's incantation forces a pile of bones to emerge from under the snow in a surprisingly quick manner. They collect themselves into a quadruped shape. It might have been a small horse or a donkey at some point in it's 'life', but at the moment, it's something entirely different. Immediately, the animated corpse attacks the ping brute standing next to Deroff.
It gives the boar a nice slam into the back, but the target doesn't seem overly concerned with it. Must be the fur combined with sap. Speaking of sap, as the bones hit the pine brute, the hooves stick to the branches and the sap they produce. And while the pile of bones does intend to actually grab the boar, which it does, it gets a little something in return. The sticky material prevents fluid motion of the bones, despite the fact that they are not actually connected to each other by tissue, but held together by otherworldly energy.
Meanwhile, on the other front, Dimitsi is assaulted by three separate branches of the creature they struck last round. The eidolon manages to evade two attacks but is hit by a third - a solid slap across the gentle areas, and is also covered in icky ooze.
Round 2 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -3 (grabbed)
Lokaloka / Shield
Minion ( 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1)
Green -9
Thalaasi
Red
Yellow -12
Nilaglade + Deroff - 2 actions left / Deroff -4
Honzak + Dimitsi ( Dimitsi 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1)
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
Round 2 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -3 (grabbed)
Lokaloka / Shield
Minion ( 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1)
Green -9
Thalaasi
Red
Yellow -12
Nilaglade + Deroff ( Deroff -4 hp )
Honzak + Dimitsi ( Dimitsi -10 hp / 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1)
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
Thalaasi speaks a quick incantation, and nocks an arrow as the tip drips acid on the snow-covered ground. He lets loose and strikes the brute in melee with Dimitsi.
Red Stride 2x + strike
Yellow Stride 1x + 2x strike
Two more Boars advance and continue in their attacks. Dimitsi takes a heavy hit (crit from Red), and Loka's summoned minion manages to be on the receiving end of two successful strikes with branches.
Round 2 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -3 (grabbed)
Lokaloka / Shield
Minion ( 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1) -9 HP
Green -18
Thalaasi
Red
Yellow -12
Nilaglade + Deroff ( Deroff -4 hp )
Honzak + Dimitsi ( -18 hp / 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1)
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
Gympie obliterates the boar in one swipe. He cleaves into the creature's back, already causing heavy damage, and then the fire hits. The boar starts burning all over the body while it keeps squealing and grunting in pain. When it stops, it collapses in the snow, leaving only a pile of ashes and a smell of burnt pine needles.
Nilaglade's arrow pierced his target through the neck. It's still fighting the undead minion's grasp, but has a hard time moving at this point.
Round 2 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -12 (grabbed)
Lokaloka / Shield
Minion ( 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1) -9 HP
Green -18
Thalaasi
Red
Nilaglade + Deroff ( Deroff -4 hp )
Honzak + Dimitsi ( -18 hp / 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1) / 2 actions left between the two of you
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
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Dimitsi takes a slash at the red boar, trying to cut it down with his scythe.
He then turns in time with some unheard music that Honzak seems to be conducting to, and gives it life with his violin, but it seems to resonate oddly around the red boar especially.
He then moves back a few paces, hoping to avoid another catastrophe of a hit like that again.
From his hiding spot, Eldon lets loose twice in quick succession, and manages to land both on the boar covered in green moss. One arrow pierces the foot, but the other strikes a neck. The boar lets out a quiet grunt, and collapses into the snow.
When he confirms the two strikes, he moves back behind the building to stay out of sight.
crit x2
Dimitsi takes out his odd-shaped scythe and digs deep into the brute as it squeals, then retreats back towards the rest of the group.
Meanwhile, the boar held by Loka's servant thrashes around in the undead's grip - it manages to break free, and immediately turns at its captor to return the favour.
And proves to be surprisingly good at it. It strikes twice, and the undead creature collapses to the floor, its last eye movement focusing on Loka before expiring entirely and turning into a pile of dust - soon to be scattered by the wind.
Round 3 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -12
Lokaloka / Shield
Minion ( 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1) -24 HP
Thalaasi
Red -11
Nilaglade + Deroff ( Deroff -4 hp )
Honzak + Dimitsi ( -18 hp / 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1)
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
Again, Thalaasi nocks an arrow and aims for the nearest boar. But the boar is too close for an effective hit. It files over, and impales the wooden statue of a bear near the fire.
Lokaloka and Thalaasi continue their assault on the nearest pine brute. Loka lifts branches with her mind, and they impale the creature. It seems to be running on fumes at this point, but still kicking.
Meanwhile, the other remaining creature continues the assault as it charges Dimitsi. Apparently, it has enough of Dimitsi running away, and decides to charge the eidlon's feet to topple Dimitsi over. Dimitsi's feet are swept from under it, and he falls to the floor. After that, the boar attempts to gore the eidolon with the branches growing from its back. But - well, they are growing from the back. The attack is easily dodged before landing.
Round 3 - Bolded can go
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -19
Lokaloka / Shield
Thalaasi
Red -11
Nilaglade + Deroff ( Deroff -4 hp )
Honzak + Dimitsi ( -18 hp / 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1 / Dimitsi prone)
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
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Deciding to leave the closest creatures to the others, Gympie moves to help Dimitsi. He sprints beside the eidolon and then suddenly disappears, reappearing at its back with the blade of his asp coil already coming down upon it.
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Dimensional Assault (Teleport 15 ft. and Strike)
plus 3 fire damage
Gympie disappears into the air, and is suddenly standing mid-attack next to his target. A swift strike imbued with fire cleaves the boar attacking Dimitsi, and the pine brute burns like a dry twig. Accompanied by rather horrid sounds.
The last remaining boar looks at the fallen members of its herd, and is distracted as Eldon finds an opening to lodge an arrowhead into the creature. It doesn't seem to mind, but decides to run for the woods. Nilaglade's two arrows whiz by as it starts retreating.
Round 4 - Everyone can go! [Honzak can go twice, once with Inspire Courage, once without.
Conditions: Inspire Courage until the start of Loka's 4th round
Blue -19 - retreating
Lokaloka / Shield
Thalaasi
Nilaglade + Deroff ( Deroff -4 hp )
Honzak + Dimitsi ( -18 hp / 10 ft speed penalty / clumsy 1 / Dimitsi prone)
Gympie
Eldon
You can remove the 10ft speed penalty and clumsy 1 with a an Athletics check (single action) of a, for now, secret DC. Feel free to roll them, and I will announce the result
Gympies runs up to the boar and snaps with his jaws. He grabs the pig by the leg, and an arrow slashes through the air nearby. And another one. And then ANOTHER ONE.
The third one strikes the boar as it looks at Gympie, and pierces the neck. The boar struggles for a few short moments, then collapse to the floor.
The clearing in the middle of the settlement grows silent, with only the gentle wind whistling through the trees and the fire cracking nearby.
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Feeling the boar creature go limp, Gympie snaps his jaws down hard around the neck of the beast causing it to go up in flames like the others. Its energy spent, the aura of fire dissipates. He tosses the burnt carcass aside and licks the sap off his face.
"Are these the kami we were told about? They don't seem very benevolent."
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"If they are like fey, it's mix. Some are nice, some are not so nice." Nilaglade and Deroff run around town to reclaim his arrows.
"Who's a good boy? That's right Deroff. You are!" Nilaglade climbs off of Deroff who lays still so he can patch up the wolf's wounds.
Finally he shouts. "The coast is clear, everyone- you can come out now!"
The villagers slowly start to open up the windows to peek outside, and when they see the pine brutes dead in the snow, they start to come out hesitantly. After checking that the threat has been dealt with, they bow to you numerous times, speaking mostly Tian, but Chou manages to thank you with his broken common. "Thank you for help. We help you in return."
Chou shouts something at one of his neighbours, and the man rushes back into the interior of his home. You can hear muffled glassware ringing against each other, and the man comes outside with three vials in hand. He stands next to Chou, and offers the vials to whoever wishes to take them.
Chou explains. "Drink makes you more durable, but clouds mind. Chou drink this when the kuma find him. Now kuma hanging on pelt rack.", he laughs for a moment, then looks at your wagon. "But your friends head that way.", he points to the Spirit Road disappearing behind trees towards the east. "Careful on the road. Tricky.", he looks at your wagon.
"And cold. You buy pelt to get warm?", he gives you a merchant's smile, but this time, with a hint of thankfulness.
You start travelling the Spirit Road towards the east. After just a few hours of travel, you notice that smaller paths branch off and back to the main road frequently. Some might lead deeper into the forest, but you won't find out if you don't try...
The seemingly endless rows of conifer trees create a serene yet monotonous backdrop. The patch is choked with snowdrifts, making it too narrow for a wagon to traverse easily and it regularly catches on roots or stalls in the snow. All in all, you feel like you are travelling slower than before. While the snow covers the trail itself, with the obvious absence of trees in your path, you are almost sure you are on the right path.
Several days into the travel, you find an abandoned wheel next to a few broken branches.
In addition, there are shapes in the tree line. As if the snow were clinging to the air itself, forming a floating humanoid shape. The phenomenon approaches you slowly, but does not otherwise interact. If you keep your pace, the phantom is not able to catch up and eventually stops following to disappear behind the last bend.
From what you have heard in old folk tales, or read in dusty tomes, the phenomenon you see reminds you of a spirit that wants to cling to a living creature. Some tales speak of these spirits sharing experiences and memories with hosts, and while they are generally not powerful enough to actually 'possess' the material body, they may influence thinking, and behaviour. To an extent.
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Nilaglade waves goodbye to the villagers. "Your thanks is more than enough." Deroff licks the sprite before they leave.
Best I get out of here before I make a mess. Again.
Nilaglade enjoys his trip through the forest. He tightens his coat to protect against the cold. "Hope you're not too cold, boy."
He looks about and looks at the strange shape. "Uh... anyone knows what that is?" He looks at his team before turning back to the shape. "Uh... hello there?"
The form just keeps hovering, and not responding. At least not verbally. It inches ever closer.
The humanoid form moves past Deroff, and strays further towards the nearest pathfinder. In this case, Nilaglade. It stops just a few inches away, absolutely defiling Nilaglade's personal space.
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Eldon pipes up "From what I've heard in old folk tales this reminds me of a spirit that wants to cling to a living creature. Some tales speak of these spirits sharing experiences and memories with hosts, and while they are generally not powerful enough to actually 'possess' the material body, they may influence thinking, and behaviour. To an extent. It's probably dangerous. But it might be good."