GM Euan's Jade Regent

Game Master Euan

Durgan watches calmly as the impatient and short-lived humans mill about aimlessly. He pulls out the Manual of City-Building to read for a while.

As Ameiko begins to play, he puts the book away and joins in with the music for a bit before helping to set out the food.

At Miyaro's caution to remain still, Durgan does so, aside from a small nod in response to Shunkichi's wave. He observes with the renowned keen senses of the Dwarves as the Kami assemble.

Durgan listens to the story-song, and watches the Kami converge on Ameiko.

He has no speech, but simply adds his own "Yes" to hers.

Kisaiya lets herself be swept up in the emotion of the performance, tears coming from her eye. She does not know if there are any words she can add to this moment that are worth enough to risk spoiling the moment, so she sits and feels the moment.

Mukluk tries to avoid adding his voice to the song. He doesn't want to end up murdert for hitting a wrong note or some other impropriety. He will follow Ameiko's example with is own tears.

An audible sigh passes through the kami gathered in the clearing. Clearly pleased with the outcome of their singing but still skittish, they fade back into he forest from which they’ve come.

Except for one.

A tiny ancient warrior with a crooked tree branch growing from the top of his head lingers, shuffling uncomfortably as the others depart. Eventually the little man steps up before the party. He bows and introduces himself, ”I am Akumi, and I humbly ask a favor. My ward, a small bonsai tree, was recently stolen by the hobgoblins that live within the pagoda. I believe they took it back with them into the House of Withered Blossoms. I am bound, as all kami, not to enter that place. But if you could return my bonsai, I would be most happy. I still feel the connection, and I fear, as it’s been centuries, should the little tree die, so shall I.”

”I beg of you please, while you are there, do what you can to recover my precious!” He wrings his hands in supplication, hoping for even more than the other kami.

"I foresee that we can recover your tree!" Unk announces suddenly.

"We will help you out." Snowball explains.
"We'd also be grateful for any assistance you can offer to us." she adds.

Mukluk nods in agreement at the ask, still keeping quiet. He agrees with the Big Fur that this is the thing to do, but has less agreement with his familiar on the probability of success.

"Sure. I'll go explain things to Moose."

"Yes, Akumi, I will do my best to find it."
Durgan is at first not sure if Akumi is being sincere. It seems like such a minor thing, but just as the fey have their own very different sense of the importance of things, so too do the kami. And after a few moments he realizes how important this is to Akumi.
Not everybody is as logical and rational as Dwarves tend to be, thinks Durgan. Then he considers that Mukluk's growing entourage of friends includes a helmet, a ghost, and a mule. Well...
Correction. Not everybody is as logical and rational as a Dwarven priest of Abadar with a background in bookkeeping. Some are... more whimsical.
Admittedly, it would be hard to be less whimsical than Durgan.

Trying to show his respect for the kami, he asks, hesitantly, "Does... does your ward have a name?"

Durgan is sincere about this. He genuinely does want to respect the kami's ways even if he doesn't understand them.

The little warrior just manages to hold back the tears, "You are so kind!"

When Durgan asks about a name, he shrugs, "No, no name, it's a bonsai tree. You can't miss it." He goes on to describe it in detail just in case you don't know what a bonsai looks like, or if there are more than one...

With that he bows and hovers a bit, before eventually rejoining the other kami and leaving you in peace.

It's quite late by the time all is done and the camp turns in, with the usual guards posted just in case of course.

You rise early on the morning of Kuthona 1, a Fireday. Mist rises from the clearing in the cold day. The House of Withered Blossoms is just a short walk away, and the caravan can stay here in safety while you are gone.

Miyaro offers to guide you to the pagoda, though she won't join you within. She will however assist the caravan as she may - and act as a go-between with the kami for any needs the caravan may have. Further, she takes out a beautiful hand-fan. "This may be of some assistance, and you can use it to reach me and deliver any message you care to. It has other abilities as well which may be useful to you."

She hands over her Kikuya's Sensu (link) if someone wants to take it (temporarily).

Otherwise, you can make your morning preparations, and walk the couple of miles to your destination!

Let me know if you have any prep and I'll move us on tomorrow.

In the morning:
Extended Communal Delay Poison (whole party, all day)
Overland Flight (self, all day)
Extended Barkskin (self, all day)
Magic Vestment (armor, all day)
Greater Magic Weapon (waraxe, all day)

Upon reaching the House of Withered Blossoms:
Extended Find Traps (1 dungeon)
Magic Circle Against Evil (1 dungeon)
Extended Shield (1 dungeon)

Rod #1 is used up for the day, Rod #2 has 2 uses left.

With Extended Find Traps, he basically has the Trap Spotter rogue talent at a +22 (spell grants +5 insight bonus). Not quite as good as a real rogue might have at this level, but not too shabby. (Mostly I figure this should help move things along in dungeons with less back-and-forth - it's why I always take it for my rogues. Now that Durgan is 10th level he can get to "1 Full Dungeon" with Extend so seems worth taking for such explorations.)

A) I’m not a big fan of traps, B) Paizo in it’s wisdom left the trap notations on the so-called ‘Map Tags Off’ layer, and C) for the most part the traps are just a curing drain. So for all these reasons, I’ll describe the traps as you come to them but you should be able to avoid them for the most part. Certainly you won’t be surprised by any, and there are a lot depending on where you go.

The walk is brief, though there is no path.

The animal calls soften to a whisper as the forest parts to reveal a vast bowl, the ground sinking from the forest tangle into descending rows of frozen terraces. At the center of the depression stands a towering porcelain pagoda, its walls and eaves smothered in thick, clinging vines and draped with heavy webs, soaring to a golden rooftop.

Stylized representations of forgotten creatures and beasts dance upon the pagoda’s walls, and a band of huge thorny spines juts from its midsection. A decaying garden surrounds the pagoda, a frozen echo of past magnificence. Broken statues litter the garden, and icy clouds of violet blossoms drift through the ruin. The overpowering scent of death and decay hangs in the air.

You are reminded that aranea came to this place some time ago, offered to fight the oni, and may still be inside. Miyaro would have been able to tell you something about them (sorry, forgot), though it was before her time. (N Medium magical beast (shapechanger).)

An aranea is an intelligent, shapechanging spider with sorcerous powers. In its natural form, an aranea resembles a humpbacked spider a little bigger than a human, and weighs about 150 pounds. The hump on its back houses the aranea’s brain. All araneas have a single alternate form as well—this alternate form is that of a Small or Medium humanoid. Although an aranea can assume a spider-hybrid variant of this form, it cannot use its change shape ability to assume multiple humanoid forms - this additional shape is locked into one unique appearance.

You may roll knowledge arcana to know more. DC 14 to start, with an extra question for each five you beat the DC as usual.

She doesn’t know what has become of them, but they are occasionally seen climbing the outside of the structure with their webbing.

Mukluk has his usual preparations, but also feels more weight as he undertakes potential dangerous outings as he is now more aware of those that seem to be linked to him, not just Moose, and not just Hergie, but also a new Tien friend spirit.

Never thought I'd have one friend as good as Moose, but now I have two others so very close.

Heroism on the heroic Kiss'ya, 200 minutes. And on hisself, also for 200 minutes. Mage Armor (20 hours). Overland Flight (10 hours). Magic Circle Prot Evil, Resist Cold, Resist Fire (200 minutes).

"Whatchat think about an aranea, Moose? Huh?"

1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 2 = 36 Know (Arcana) - DRs? Resistances? Special attacks? Auras?

No DR, Resistances, or auras - but they do have webs and a strength affecting poison.

Also, remember we're doing spell durations differently. I doubt any of those spells will expire anytime soon. :)

As you get closer you see the outer walls of the House of Withered Blossoms are choked by the vines of the withered blossom plant. Many of these vines are covered in sticky webs. You see a few entrances - one at the ground level, but four others at the third level - one largish window at each cardinal point. The rest of the levels, and there are nine above ground at least, are closed off in one way or another. Between the vines, the webs, and the age those are the only viable entrances.

From the ground, the roof appears to be intact, but as Snowball is likely to do a fly around, she’ll report there is a hole in the roof and has evidence of aranea traffic around it. The rooftop lies strangled in the grip of withered blossoms but is clearly made of gold. A hole has been punched into one section of the roof, opening into the pagoda’s dark interior. You can see that each level of the pagoda is 20 feet high and the whole structure is made of stone.

How do you make your final approach and by which entrance do you wish to enter?

Durgan depletes the Staff of Journeys, using all 10 charges to apply Freedom of Movement to everyone (1 full dungeon).
"Now we should not have to worry about webs."
He has also cast Extended Communal Delay Poison on everyone (1 full day) so that should handle the venom.

"Shall we go up to the hole in the roof and make our entrance there? With Air Walk and flight?"

Mukluk looks on at the aranae work and despairs.

"That could hold a lot of them. And that's a lot of webbing," Mukluk says, glad for the FoM. "Which way first?" He looks over at Kisaiya, who might be leading the way.

"I foresee that we could easily fly in." Unk says nodding considerately, quieter than usual.
"Oh right that was my sensor, usually Kisaiya would lead the way..." he mutters under his breath.

"I shall foresee the insides of the house, just give me a few minutes."
Unk says, looking around for nods of assent before conjuring an Extended Arcane Eye and flying it in through the roof.

Not sure if we want to count it as 1 full dungeon or just 100'x20min of exploration to look at the walls and ceilings and stuff.
also, for any doubling back, it can go 30'/round instead of 10'/round
Also, if Unk needs dark vision to see inside, then he'll just say "it's dark" before we head in, lol...

"Thanks. I'm not heading in alone. Fly-by recon is always okay, but no solo spelunking." Snowball explains as Unk looks for approval.

Unk sees little, for the creatures have darkvision and no light sources... So you see a little through the ceiling chamber and the windows on level three. However, aside from a few of these creatures scurrying around, and a LOT of webbing, there's not much to see in those areas.

In the uppermost chamber, you think you saw a shadow move without a light source, but as it's largely dark in there, you're not sure...

On level three, the floor is covered in stone spikes. Air walking/flying will be a must on that level at least - or you'll be very limited on where you can step. There are also fewer webs there, they seem to increase as you elevate from what little you can see.

"I foresee that we'll want Snowball's Dancing Lights. It's dark in there." Unk explains.

Does anyone besides Ameiko need flight? XD

Does anyone besides Ameiko need flight? XD

Mukluk has his own overland clomping covered.

Mukluk waits to see what the plan might be.

"Do you think those webs are flammable or inflammable or inflammable, you know? Not sure which one they might be," he notes, thinking about how quickly fire dissipates webs, but also thinking about not doing that lest it threaten the structure itself.

Kisaiya lights her hooded lantern and hooks it on her belt, activates the spell Aura of Greater Courage to provide those near her with protection against fear for a good long while, and asks Suishen for an Air Walk spell.

There is a lot of very old wood in the structure. You imagine it would burn quite well.

Suishen, of course, grants the air walk.

Mukluk waits to see if Kisaiya is going to move in, or lead the way.

"You want *me* to do something?" Mukluk asks, wondering should go in first.

"I'd rather not burn the place down.
Well, let's start going. As we will be flying or Air Walking, they will have to use ranged attacks against us from below, which means there will not be a 'front line' of defense. Unk, Mukluk, I would suggest you take what precautions you feel appropriate. Invisibility, spells of protection, whatever you may have.

I would suggest we first ascend to the height of the pagoda roof, then move laterally from where we are over to the pagoda, then once we are at the hole in the roof we can take and look and see what we see."

You look through the hole and see webs, webs, and more webs some 40' down. Apparently someone removed the flooring of the upper chamber combining two floors.

You don't see anything in the chamber at this time, but a small army could hide in the webbing and not be seen. This is using the light of the day. I'm assuming you're not sending dancing lights down quite yet.

Kisaiya takes a look down as well, following Durgan’s suggestion. ”Let’s get some more light.” She has Suishen suppress its flames for now, not wanting to risk igniting the webs and sending the whole place up.

"Let's give diplomacy a shot before we invade their home." Snowball suggests.
"Hello? We don't wish to intrude. Can we talk?" she shouts down while hovering over the entrance.

I think True Speech means everyone with a language understands regardless?

No map yet?

Mukluk thinks about moving up and trying to see what he can see, but waits to see what happens with Snowball's diplomatic efforts. He will float about 20' up and behind a tree if there is one nearby, or behind Kisaiya if one is not.

He'd prefer if the aranae came out to play, rather than risking fire inside.

Ameiko would like an air walk from Suishen. Easier to manage than fly, if slower. Suishen grants it if Kisaiya agrees.

Snowball calls down into the hole. There’s a rather lengthy pause, and you’re about to enter (maybe) when a woman’s voice answers thickly, as if coming out of a deep sleep. The voice speaks in Tien and is somewhat slurred, ”My lord, is that you? Your voice is rather high…”

There is a map, but I’m waiting to see where you end up for the moment as it’s a bit tricky.

We are not yet in initiative or anything, but keep your actions relatively short.

Oooh- change of plans! Snowball thinks to herself.

Bluff (I'm totally your Lord, yeah like totally for realz. He changes shape sometimes, yeah?): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Snowball clears her voice loudly.
"Yes, I seem to be cat shaped, but it is I." Snowball replies in as deep a voice as she can manage (which is still quite high).

Bluff (We're guests, no cap): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
"I bring guests with me who shall need light. Let the others know so they are not alarmed."

"A... a cat?" there's clear confusion in her voice and further delay. You hear some whispered voices within. You can't quite make out what they're saying, but there are at least two or three of them, and they're all talking like they're drunk or something. Maybe just waking up - though it's not that early...

Eventually they have decided, as a group, that you must be hostile. "Our lord lies below and you come from above. You must be with the enemy!" comes the simple response, though you hear uncertainty in her voice.

A shot has not yet been fired as it were, but we're now in initiative. You may of course continue to talk during your round to try and convince them otherwise. New map up! You're in the bottom right corner hovering over the roof and have not yet seen your feminine voiced 'opponents'.

Note we have a 3D battlefield so be aware of your height and the height of others. You can edit your icons height - please do so as well as noting it in your post.

- Round 1 -
Unk - 25
Mukluk - 20
Good Folk - 10
Kisaiya - 4+
Durgan - 4-

• First up Unk and Mukluk, though no one is flat footed and you may all continue to talk, if briefly.

"Darn. So much for being whoever your lord is. Hey look; unless the 'enemy' is the kami, we don't want to fight. Is this 'Lord' an Oni? We're going to get rid of him for you." Snowball tries.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Unk begins conjuring something, probably sounding mostly menacing.

FRA to start casting Summon Monster II

Mukluk is unsure what is happening, and takes total defense behind Kisaiya.

Unk begins a menacing summons in a strange language while Snowball attempts to mollify them with soft speech. Unfortunately it does not work (you need a bit more diplomacy than that! Hehehe). Mukluk takes total defense, moving behind Kisaiya.

Snowball sees her first, but the rest see her eventually as she scrambles along the webbing like she was born to it. She stumbles a bit, but still manages to get out onto the roof. She’s some manner of geisha (image) from her outfit and her bearing. The more observant of you will recognize that she is an aranea in a hybrid form.

When she sees all of you, she casts mirror image, summoning images: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6. She shouts in Sylvan, no doubt hoping you can’t understand, down to some allies in the webbing. She basically says you’re flying demons come to attack. She describes some of you rather vividly too - though her descriptions are fantastic in their nature. Why good old Durgan has horns, and is breathing fire causing his beard to smoke. It’s very strange, but she seems to utterly believe what she describes (for those of you with high sense motives).

- Round 1 -
Kisaiya - 4+
Durgan - 4-
- Round 2 -
Unk - 25
Mukluk - 20
Ameiko - 19
Good Folk - 10
Aranea Blue - 10 (6 images)

• Everyone is up.

Durgan casts True Seeing on Kisaiya (3 encounters).
This isn't a cheap spell, at 250 GP per casting, but he had the components for 2 castings of it, now down to 1.

Kisaiya can now see through the Mirror Images, as well as through both normal and magical darkness. She also sees the true form of the aranea.

Kisaiya holds her sword sideways in front of her and bows her head as she addresses the figure in Tien. ”Please pardon this intrusion and misunderstanding. We are travelers here on a mission of great honor and import, and we do not wish to shed blood meaninglessly. We have faced many dangers along our way here and were trying to be cautious. We meant no disrespect.” She then carefully, slowly sheathes Suishen.

Diplomacy (heroism): 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 + 2 = 22
Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 = 37

The woman looking up at Kisaiya is clearly affected by her soothing speechifying. Her images twirl around her, giving you multiple views of her softening face. Clearly there’s still some horrifying visage hovering in the air before her, but perhaps not as dangerous as she initially believed.

We might be out of initiative, pending others actions. If so, Durgan, you can save your spell as Kisaiya went first in initiative order.

Still waiting on reactions from Unk and Mukluk - especially whether Unk let's his spell go, or summons something startling on the field...

"Unk, they've been bewitched!" Snowball shouts after hearing the bizarre description of themselves.
"STOP!" she shouts.

Unk freezes suddenly, the magics surrounding him fading like a puff of smoke in a stiff breeze.
He relaxes after a long moment.

Mukluk continues to do this best version of doing nothing and not getting the party murdert.

He takes total defense.

Kisaiya sheaths her weapon and speaks in calming tones, trying to calm the situation. She thinks she’s successful! Durgan may hold his spell for the moment. Unk stops his spell abruptly. Mukluk continues to prevent being murdert. Ameiko too sheathes her weapon and watches to see what happens next.

”What are you… Are you gods?” half-whispers the aranea as she looks up at you. I’d say she’s edging back toward the hole, but she’s already standing right next to it, ready to slip inside at a moment’s notice.

We are out of initiative for now.

”What are you… Are you gods?” [/ooc]

Mukluk wishes Moose were here to answer that question.

Take 10 Know Religion (Unk totally knows the Tian Xia name for Shelyn, right?: 10 + 21 = 31
"I foresee that we should tell her that 'The Lady of Chrysanthemums' sent us." Unk says, stroking his beard and nodding knowingly.

"No we're not gods, but that's close enough. Unk and I, at least, were sent by The Lady of Chrysanthemums." Snowball translates.

"We're here to deal with an oni hiding away here; among other things." She adds as she starts floating away from the hole and towards Kisaiya.

"Oh, and Kisaiya here is a champion of the Empress of Heaven." Snowball explains, indicating the paladin with a tip of her head after floating next to her.

"I serve the God of Walls and Ditches," adds Durgan.

"Uh, I serve the Moose, and the Moose serves me," Mukluk asks if pressed. He's not going to say anything much at all.

She looks confused at all the gods-not gods talk. Apparently you’re not gods, but affiliated with them. She struggles to follow, but one thing does catch her mind.

"We're here to deal with an oni hiding away here; among other things." She adds as she starts floating away from the hole and towards Kisaiya.

She grows wary again, and fiddles with her sai, ”What sort of deal are you here to make with the oni!?”

"Deal with? Ah- terminate or remove would be a better word. The 'deal' is that the oni will be destroyed." Snowball explains quickly.