DM Brainiac's Season of Ghosts Table 1

Game Master Brainiac

fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

alchemist fire: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
alchemist fire: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Pagma covers her ears but the pain still rocks her, causing her to cry out in pain. Releasing one ear she rummaged in her satchel, grabbing her last two fire bombs and tosses them at the twig people.

She hopes to either destroy the red hooded one or leave it open for one of the others to kill it.

if Pagma damaged it, Sakura will have +1 damage per die rolled.

Lastly she grabs a healing potion to force down her friend's throat.

interact to draw healing potion, hitpoints 17/24

Sakura's HP are wrong. She's 13/32, not 6/32. She saved on the scream but I pull full damage.

Fort vs 18: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
8/22 after the sonic damage.

Jing-De releases Tsukiyo's wrath on their foes and then tends to some of his wounds.

Actions 1+2) Ray of Frost | Action 3) Combat Medicine on Self
Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Cold Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Medicine vs DC 15: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Healing: 2d8 ⇒ (3, 8) = 11
19/22

Pagma's bomb incinerates the red-hooded thatchling, reducing it to a burning heap! She splashes a second one, the flames still proving quite damaging to the dry bodies of the undead!

Jing De's ray goes wide, but Sakura and Kamo are able to swiftly finish off the remaining enemies!

A search of the area reveals irregularities in the charred soil that you recognize as shallow graves. Exhuming them reveals two skeletons, as well as a red cloak that looks like the one the thatchling wore in its illusory disguise...

Happy as a lark her fire took down the evil weeds, she turns a little disgruntled as she looks through her pack "I'm out of fire now, so I hope we don't run into any more of these twigs. Still plenty of other tricks though." finding what she wanted, she took the pink healing potion over to Sakura "For you"

elixer of life, lesser: 1d6 ⇒ 2 ugh, not worth the taste, sorry

Disgruntled turns even more sour as she sees the bodies. "Skeletons, so that means they have been here a long time." her mind drifts back to stories about red cloaks and those that wore them.

recall knowledge: Willowshore Lore +8

Sakura moves methodically alongside Kamo, administering aid to all companions with the practiced precision of a seasoned warrior. They clean and bind the wounds, their hands moving with care to avoid inflicting further pain. The siblings work in tandem, their efficiency born from a bond strengthened through numerous trials.

We'll probably spend some time healing up and resting here before pushing on. That battle hurt.

Once the last bandage is secured, Sakura’s gaze shifts from her companions to the surroundings. She lifts the cloak, fingers tracing the edges as she folds it. Each crease she makes is a silent homage to the departed, her respect for the fallen palpable in the quiet reverence of her actions. It’s a warrior’s gentleness, a subtle strength that recognizes the value of remembrance and the importance of closure, even for souls they never knew.

I believe the only remaining building of the inn is to our north; if so, we'll head that way once everyone is ready.

"Do you think destroying those thatchlings was enough to put the spirits to rest?" Kamo questions.

Sakura pauses in her contemplations, considering Kamo's question. "It's a start," Sakura might respond thoughtfully, her voice steady. "But spirits tied to such turmoil often need more to find peace. We should perform the proper rites for these souls, give them the respect and acknowledgment they lacked in death."

Religion: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Sakura looks to her companions, her expression one of solemn inquiry. "I'm not versed in the rites that these souls may need," she admits. "Does anyone know the proper customs to lay restless spirits to peace?"

"I don't." Pagma was never one for ritual and churches seemed full of them. Despite that she seems sad that she doesn't, because helping on rest seems like something wonderful to know.

She looks to Jing, who has always seemed the most spiritual of the group, her gaze hopeful.

Fortunately, the funerary customs of Willowshore aren't too complicated. You bury the skeletons in proper graves this time and say a few prayers over the sites to consecrate the remains. Once you have completed the task, Sakura feels a sudden sense of gratitude. She looks down at the folded cloak in her hands and realizes that the spirits of the dead want her to take it as thanks for your kindness.

The cloak is a unique magical item called Hongrui's Gratitude. You will no longer encounter any thatchlings out in the hinterlands, and the region feels slightly less haunted overall. You gain 1 Reputation point with both factions.

A thorough search of the surrounding buildings turns up nothing of interest. It seems that this line of investigation has come to a dead end. It would be a good idea to rest here before either heading back to Willowshore in the morning or exploring more of the hinterlands.

As the peace seems to settle over the area, Pagma gives her friend a shoulder squeeze, and a whispered 'good job'. Pagma's own mind never runs to things like this, which she is starting to think is a flaw.

The alchemist chews on this when the idea of camping is brought up, bringing up a series of minor complaints since she does not like camping. "Civilization was formed for people could have roofs and beds." she knows that isn't exactly true, but at the moment that doesn't matter.

She does know sense though, and their little band is beaten and battered a bit, so she helps set up, makes tea, and scents the firewood with a clove mix that soothes the mind.

The discovery that the cloak is imbued with magic catches Sakura off guard. It's a tangible link to the spirits they've just laid to rest, a sign of a world beyond her keen blade and the battlefields she knows so well. She examines the cloak, feeling the texture of the fabric between her fingers, contemplating the duality of her existence where violence and compassion often intertwine.

Sakura drapes the cloak around her shoulders, feeling the weight of the gratitude it represents. Turning to Pagma, she offers a small, silent, proud smile in return for her shoulder squeeze.

When she sees Pagma start to prepare refreshments, she nods and says "Good idea, Pagma-chan. We need to rest. Let me make sure the grounds are clear. Kamo, help Jing-De get the camp set up. I'll take the first watch. "

She sets off on a quick patrol around the immediate area to secure the perimeter.

After a quiet night, Kamo says "Ah, a much brighter morning. Should we see if putting those folks to rest cleared up the problems with the mist? I don't think we have another lead on the governor's disappearance, though we can keep our eyes open as we travel. Maybe we'll stumble onto his mansion out here, somewhere!"

Random Encounter: 1d20 ⇒ 3

You rest without incident, but unfortunately, the strange mists persist, rising up to prevent you from proceeding any further to the east. With no other options presenting themselves, you ride back home to Willowshore the next day. When you make it back to town, you report what happened to the elders. They encourage you to pursue the other two leads in hopes that they might ultimately help solve the mystery of the vanished governor.

Granny Hu speaks to you further about the strange mists preventing you from traveling too far away from Willowshore. "Our town is relatively self-sufficient, but without trade, the coming winter will be difficult. I'd like you to determine the extent of the effect that surrounds Willowshore. Do these strange mists merely prevent travel to the coast and to Karahai? Or do they completely encircle the region—and if so, to what extent?

"Following the mist in a circuit all around the region would be a long, potentially dangerous slog through trackless wilderness. Instead, I suggest you pay a visit to the Great Willow that stands on the hilltop just north of town. There dwells a local spirit whose connection to the hinterland wilderness should allow them to provide valuable insight into what’s going on."

***

Old Matsuki speaks to you more about Ugly Cute. "The guardian spider has stood vigil for many years at the edge of town. Its disappearance is concerning. You said you found tracks that suggested the statue got up and walked away toward the river. I have sent trackers from the Silvermist Lodges to look for clues, but so far, no trace of Ugly Cute has been found. Still, perhaps meeting with the hunters would be a good first step if you want to start tracking down the missing guardian yourselves."

***

In addition, as your reputation as the town's heroes spreads, several other citizens approach you with concerns of their own:

FIXING THE RANCH: Kum Soon-chong, the proprietor of Willowshore Stables, requests help in repairing the building, which was heavily damaged in the monster invasion.

MOVING DESNA'S SHRINE: Choe Chung-hu of the Milling Houses asks you to help him find a new home for the Desna shrine currently languishing in the Abandoned Estates part of town.

INVESTIGATE THE OLD EXPANSION: Old Matsuki has already started to worry that if the people of Willowshore are trapped by some sort of curse, they won’t have enough food to last the winter. He asks you to head north to an abandoned village and determine if it can still be reached—and if so, to explore it and gather enough information so that villagers can plant emergency crops there.

"Friends, I won't pretend that the thought of a giant spider on the loose doesn't unsettle me — it does. Yet, Ugly Cute is more than just a spider; it's a guardian, a symbol of safety for Willowshore, and it's our responsibility to ensure that safety is restored. We must meet with the hunters and track down where it has wandered off to. It's not just about a missing statue; it's about the peace of mind for our people."

She takes a breath, steeling herself for the task ahead.

Pagma gives a soft smile at her friend's bravery. "It is just a statue. Even if it moving, it is just stone. If we had a carver make at statue of that uncle of yours, then it became enchanted, it would not be your uncle"

'Thankfully' Pagma adds mentally.

"The hunters might have seen edges of the mist as well, so we can gather more information about where the edges are." she says before asking for a moment before they leave "Got to check on Papa, then I'll be ready."

"Very sensible, Pagma. It might look like a spider, but I doubt it's spinning granite webs or eating flies." Kamo agrees. "Hopefully the hunters have found plenty of clues. How hard can it be to find a giant statue?"

You meet with the rangers of the Silvermist Lodges, but they tell you their attempts to track Ugly Cute have yielded no leads; the rainstorms and the amount of time that passed while the hunters were recovering from the monster invasion did them no favors. Even the old hunter’s trick of “returning to the quarry’s home” to try to pick up the trail anew hasn’t worked. Despite several visits back to Spider Gate , no fresh clues have manifested.

Nature vs 18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Jing-De mulls over where Ugly Cute could be and then it hits him! The Spider Gate isn't so much her home as it is her posting, so perhaps she went back to ... wait, where did she go back to? "Say, if the Spider Gate is Ugly Cute's place of work, where then would be her home?"

The ranger mulls it over for a few moments before positing a theory: Ugly Cute was “born” from locally quarried stone, so wouldn’t the creature’s “home” be akin to the source from which its components were originally harvested?

Willowshore Lore Success!: Both Pagma and Kamo remember that Ugly Cute’s materials were originally quarried from the Gorge of Fangs and Teeth to the south.

"That's brilliant, Jing-De! It makes perfect sense it would return to the place where it was created. Let us the gorge."

Sakura's words conjure a big bright smile on Jing-De's face. "Lets. Maybe we should compose a poem or song to Ugly Cute, so that when we find her, if we find her, we have something to placate her with. She must have left her station for a reason, right?"

Pagma thinks to all the reasons she enjoys going home after work (the fact she hasn't been to her job in several days now does tickle her sense of duty a little). "Maybe its Sore feet? Mine are always near breaking after a long shift at the inn. They have stone ones and all but still its been standing for a Long time."

She does like the poem idea though and says it, but has no skill in composing something like that.

Random Encounter: 1d20 ⇒ 11

You head south from Willowshore, the road turning into a rough and rocky trail about halfway through the day. You head west along Dragonfly Creek until you reach the Gorge of Fangs and Teeth. Located a few miles from the edge of the forest, this escarpment of stone was where most of the materials used to pave Willowshore’s roads and build its foundations and stone structures was quarried.

Soon after entering the gorge, you hear the sound of shifting and grinding stone. Ahead, you can see two slithering carpets of animated stones and mobile grit rasping and scouring over a large shape crumpled in a narrow cleft in the stone. As you draw near, you see that the shape is, in fact, Ugly Cute!

The two swarms of stones grind off of the statue as they move to attack you! You can see that each one has a tiny mouth made of split geodes!

Kamo and Pagma may act!

acid vial: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
damage, persistent acid: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
acid vial: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
damage, persistent acid: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Pagma quickly decides fire is less than ideal against rocks, so grabs two of her acid flasks and lobs them at the approaching attackers. "They came off of the statue? Should we put them back one later?"

"No, I think they were attacking Ugly Cute! We came just in time."

Kamo looks for a place to strike the swarming boulders, but he can't find a good angle. He decides to attack the other swarm instead.

Devise, Stride, Strike

Devise Strategem: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Recall Knowledge: 1d20 ⇒ 14 Nature +5, Arcana +10, Occultism +8

whipstaff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 for bludgeoning: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Kamo recognizes the swarming aberrations as cobble mites. Tiny, unassuming, and typically harmless, they reside in mountains and cavernous regions, subsisting on scraps of food and gravel. When dozens of cobble mites congregate, they use their collective might to overwhelm and consume small creatures, much like a school of hungry piranhas attacking and devouring unfortunate animals. They resist slashing and piercing damage.

Pagma hurls two acid flasks, hitting one of the swarms and splashing the other one. The splash weapons seem quite effective against the swarms.

Kamo misses with his staff, and now he presents a prime target for the swarms. The move all over Kamo, grabbing him and dragging him to the ground before biting him all over! The acid runs its course.

Grasping Bites vs Fort DC 14: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Pummeling Assault: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 32d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 42d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
Persistent Damage: 1d20 ⇒ 171d20 ⇒ 20

Kamo takes 1 bludgeoning damage, falls prone, and is Grabbed (Escape DC 18). He then must attempt 3 DC 17 basic Reflex saves (3, 4, and 6 bludgeoning damage respectively).

Sakura charges in to attack, but is so distracted by the assault on Kamo that she mistimes her initial strike. Her second swing isn't much better, but she manages to pull it just enough at the last second.

◈◈Sudden Charge: 2H Katana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13 Damage P/S: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
◈Attack: 2H Katana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 Damage P/S: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Jing-De keeps his distance for now and bombards the hungry monsters with frost.

Actions 1+2) cast Ray of Frost on the most damaged swarm | Action 3) cast Shield
Ray: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"Oh, my backside!"

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

9 damage total

"Oof, get them off me."

Escape: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Escape: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 7 - 5 = 14
Escape: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 7 - 10 = 0

He struggles under the pile of rocks.

Pagma lobs her last acid bomb at the remaining swarm.

acid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7

But her attempt to throw is way off since she doesn't want to bath Kamo in acid.

Drawing her dagger she moves up to help.

One swarm falls to Jing De’s spell, but the other one moves to encompass Sakura as well as Kamo, pummeling both siblings.

Pummeling Assault: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 1) = 32d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Kamo and Sakura must both attempt 2 DC 17 basic Reflex saves (3 and 4 bludgeoning damage respectively).

Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
3 damage

Kamo stands up, moves away from Sakura and swats at the swarm.

Stand, Stride to the opposite side of the swarm form Sakura, Strike

whipstaff: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21 for bludgeoning: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Jing-De moves to the side to get a clear line of sight at the remaining swarm.

Ray: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Kamo and Jing De finish off the remaining monsters. Once they are defeated, Ugly Cute rises up on their eight legs, a bit wobbly and bearing plenty of chips and cracks, but still very much alive.

”Thanks, friends!” the spider statue says. ”I thought I was a goner! Jing De, Pagma, Kamo and Sakura, I am in your debt. How fare things in Willowshore?”

R DC17: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Sakura, concealing her surprise at Ugly Cute's newfound animation and speech, responds with the composure of a seasoned warrior who has seen many unusual things in her travels. She chooses her words to be both welcoming and direct, aware of the creature's importance to the community:

"Ugly Cute, Willowshore has faced its share of troubles in your absence, but we've held strong. We could certainly use your watchful presence on the town's edge again. Your vigil is a beacon of safety and a symbol of our resilience. We'd be honored to escort you back and see you reinstated to your rightful place."

You're talking to a gigantic spider statue. Everything is fine.

She respectfully nods to the creature, hoping to reassure it of its value and encourage cooperation in returning to its post. Sakura also carefully avoids expressing discomfort about the spider's form, understanding the importance of its role over her fears.

”So, you are the town’s new protectors? That is wonderful!” Ugly Cute declares. ”Willowshore is in good hands. I must apologize for abandoning my post. I had visions of an abandoned Willowshore left to crumble into ruins reclaimed by the forest after some sort of monstrous invasion. That is what caused me to awaken and head off into the forest. And that is where I found you! A group of faceless monsters had dragged you away while you were sleeping, no doubt for some nefarious purpose! I drove them away.”

The stone spider chuckles. ”So I saved you first, I suppose, and now you have returned the favor! I kept going, chasing those faceless things. But I ended up lost in the woods and badly damaged. I had to return to this place to recover.”

Sakura maintains her composure despite the spider's imposing form and its recount of events, recognizing the significance of Ugly Cute's actions.

"Your foresight and bravery are as sturdy as the stone from which you are carved, Ugly Cute. It seems we are more deeply in your debt than we realized. We would do well to remain vigilant. Your return to Willowshore is not just desired; it is needed."

She gestures to the town in the distance, reinforcing the invitation with a note of urgency.

"Are you, uhm, recovered? I'm not sure what to say. Can we help? We would like to guide you back to Willowshore, so you may recover fully and stand guard again."

"You are very kind. Let me rest here tonight to finish healing, the tomorrow you can escort me back to resume my watch.

"There is something else you should know. The mists surrounding Willowshore are the beginning of the town’s doom, a curse brought upon the region by an unknown force—one that I sense is tied to the faceless monsters who abducted you. These faceless monsters have claimed an old lumber camp to the west of town, near Ceiba River’s source. Perhaps clues about the curse can be found there?"

Pagma goes pale at the telling of the faceless monsters, and very very very much wants a bath. "Do you what these monsters are called?" and then adds quickly "I AM sorry about painting your purple that time, it was a miscalculation!" the rocket was supposed to explode in the sky, then raining down on the tree tops to making the leaves speckled in violet dots. But instead Ugly Cute got it exploded right over it. "And I didn't know you could hear us either." she was worried about what she might have said around it through the years.

"Do you need any rocks or anything that would help?" she considered that it might eat them for some reason.

"Huh! Well, thank you for saving us. No wonder we woke up in a strange place."[b] Kamo stares intently at the animated statue. "Do you think you could tell us anything else about the faceless monsters?"[/b]

When the giant spider says he needs to rest here and heal, Sakura nods. "We will stay here tonight then. I favor spiders such as yourself, and it would be my honor to protect you this night while you recover."

When it starts talking about the faceless monsters, her jaw hardens "We have encountered a strange fog. I wonder if it is related to this doom or the curse we heard of earlier."

"After we take you back, we will look into the lumber camp."

All Ugly Cute can tell you about the monsters are that they resemble humans but with smooth, blank skin where their faces should be. The stone spider thanks Pagma for offering to gather stones but says it is not necessary.

"Of course, I could hear you!" Ugly Cute tells Pagma. "I have grown quite fond of the people of Willowshore over the years. Even when they accidentally paint me purple!"

As thanks for your help and as a apology for abandoning you in the woods, Ugly Cute breaks off a small piece of their enchanted carapace and gifts it to you.

The next day, you journey back to Willowshore. The townsfolk cheer at their guardian's return, and Ugly Cute climbs back onto their post at Spider Gate on the eastern edge of town. There, the guardian spirit will settle in to watch and observe, leaving the active defense of the town to you. If Ugly Cute has any revelations during their time of introspective guardianship, they’ll waken again to alert you.

You have gained 2 Reputation Points with both factions. Everybody gains 1 Hero Point!

Ugly Cute's Gift

That's a very nice gauntlet!

Jing-De bows and expresses his gratitude to Ugly Cute when it gifts them a powerful magic gauntlet. "Thank you, guardian of Willowshore. Rest now, you deserve it."

With Ugly Cute back where they belong, Jing-De knows the group still has plenty of problems left to resolve. "We should visit the Great Willow and see what the spirit can tell us about the mist."

"Agreed," Sakura affirms. "The mists may well hide more than just the physical paths; they could obscure the roots of deeper troubles. The Great Willow could shed light upon what our eyes cannot see. Great suggestion, Jing-De."

Willowshore’s Great Willow sits atop a hill overlooking town, a visible landmark and a source of pride among many locals. Said to be the first place Master Zhi Hui visited on her search for the Tan Sugi, the tree has endured through the years as one of the town’s symbols, yet no road or trail has ever been laid to the hill’s summit. Everyone knows that a spirit dwells within the tree, a kami who calls themself Great Willow and who watches over the town, yet few feel it’s wise to disturb or potentially annoy the spirit. As such, visits to Great Willow tend to happen rarely, and only at times when Willowshore needs advice from the spirit world—times such as those now facing the settlement.

In addition to seeking wisdom from Great Willow, the elders suggest that you organize an offering from the townsfolk to bring to the tree, in hopes of currying the spirit’s favor in protecting Willowshore. At the very least, bringing an offering should help make conversing with the spirit easier. The elders suggest an offering of wine or sake.

It takes you about twenty minutes to climb up the hill. The forest thins around the hilltop, leaving an eighty-foot-diameter clearing at its summit. Atop the hill in the center of the clearing grows the Great Willow—the only willow tree present in much of the forest. Looming at a height of nearly ninety feet, the Great Willow is also quite large for its kind. Yet the reason the Great Willow has held such a place of reverence in Willowshore’s history has more to do with the spirit said to dwell within it. At least a few years have passed since anyone has visited the Great Willow, but even from the clearing’s edge, it’s apparent that something seems amiss with the tree, for some sort of gray fungal growth has seemingly infested its lower roots.

As you approach, a spirit emerges from the tree. The little green humanoid figure stands only three feet tall. Their head is faceless save for two hollow pits for eyes and a third for a mouth. They adopt a defensive pose among the tree's roots, little fists upraised. "You there! Why do you dare approach the Great Willow?" the spirit demands in a hollow, echoing voice.

Jing-De inclines his head and then presents the jug filled with sake to the spirit. He steps forward and kneels down to put the jug on the ground. "We approach with a gift of sake, Great Willow. Please, accept our offer. In return, we ask you for counsel as a supernatural mist surrounds Willowshore and this mist keeps us trapped inside the town and its immediate surroundings."

Diplomacy vs DC??: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10
Hero Point: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 8 + 1 = 24

The Great Willow lowers their fists. They cautiously approach the jug to inspect it, then they pick it up and take a long sip. "Ah. Good sake. Thank you," the kami says, their voice now tiny and childlike.

They pause before answering Jing De's question about the mist. They speak slowly and methodically, as if choosing their words carefully. "The mist. Yes. “Yes. I sense it too. It is a curse. A powerful one. I can feel its edges all around. We are in a cage now. When it happened on the first day of summer, I was confused. I was alone. I could not hear my friends’ voices. I jumped to visit my closest friend and they were not there, but a foul-tempered mushroom was, and I had to run away all the way back to here. Alone. I don’t know what to do. I dare not leave this tree again when this curse is all around, but I can look for its edges from here. I will tell you more, but before I do, I need to know my friend is safe. You will go to save her from the angry mushroom, and then I will help."

Sakura is happy that Jing-De can calm the Great Willow. "Consider it done. We will search out this angry mushroom and save your friend. Can you tell us what we should be looking for?"

After receiving the information, Sakura leads them on. While they search, she asks Pagma-chan, do you have any bombs for mushrooms? Or Jing-De, any anti-mushroom magic?"

She looks to Kamo and the only thing she can come up with is "Perhaps you can put them in your stew tonight?"

”Go to the willow grove south of town. On the western bank of the creek. You will see the mushroom. You will remove the fungus. Take this before you leave. A parting gift for the kind offering.”

The Great Willow presents you with a lesser rope of climbing made of supernaturally supple woven willow branches.

Welcome! I've opened the discussion thread a bit early to help coordinate character creation with Oceanshieldwolf. Here is what has been proposed so far:

Shadowlord: Sakura Yuzuki, human fighter
Matt Morris: investigator
Solicitor: divine sorcerer
JohnG: alchemist
Oceanshieldwolf: monk, thaumaturge multiclass

Hello everyone! And thank you, Brainiac, for having us!

I'm planning on playing a divine sorcerer who worships Tsukiyo, and who consults the various Psychopomp Ushers for advice. The Psychopomp bloodline provides my character with the Heal spell at level 1 and, as we gain levels, the ability to do very respectable damage to undead and fiends.

I can dip into Medicine and pick up some feats from the Medic archetype, but sorcerers tend to be rather limited in their skill increase and skill feat selection. I'd also need to invest in wisdom, which is fine, but it does tie down my ability scores to CHA-WIS-CON-DEX, and in that order.

If someone else feels like specializing in Medicine, go for it. Both the Familiar Master archetype and an Oracle multiclass are on my list of build options, and I have no qualms with adapting my build to what the group needs (or, doesn't need).

As for their background and fluff, right now I'm thinking of playing a 'regular' Tian human who is either an Outskirt Dweller or a Folklore Enthusiast. Whichever I end up picking, they only came into their powers recently and have tried to keep it a secret because for now, all of it is simply *too* much. Hearing whispers from beyond?! Seeing an incomprehensible glimpse of what is, was, and will be when shaking someone's hand?! It's a nightmare, not a blessing!

Good Morning!

So far she is a plain Iian human as well, with their background being Close Ties altered with foundling: outgoing. Almost certain she'll be an alchemist bomber. Working at the Thrice Blessed Inn as a server, her close tie is with Mother Otis.

She gets a lot of skills being an intelligence based. Though I believe from reading (since this is my first edition 2 alchemist) that I need both intelligence and dex, so wisdom will just be okay.

Thanks for putting this all together Brainiac.

I’m looking to play a Tian Human monk with the Outskirt Dweller background, and the Foundling (Mysterious) background adjustment.

Toying with taking a tiefling versatile heritage just for the extra mystery.

I’m fairly new to PF2e (have played a Hobgoblin Druid partway through Fall of Plaguestone and am currently playing a human Fighter in Menace Under Otari) and have a lot of unlearning of PF1 to work through, so apologies ahead of time if the Discussion thread occasionally gets peppered with the odd rules question.

Going to roll gender here:

1-3 Male, 4-6 Female: 1d6 ⇒ 3

It’s late here in Oz, so I’ll be putting the character together tomorrow.

Gooooooood morning!

I am playing a Tian fighter, who I modeled after a Ronin warrior. She fights with a katana and wakizashi, but I'm not sure if she'll be dual-wielding or two-handing the katana quite yet. She's strength-focused and will eventually get into some heavy armor. She plans on rushing headlong in danger, so I'm glad someone has healing to pick her back up when she gets knocked down! :D

For skills, she's got athletics locked down, obviously, but she's going to have a smattering of intimidation, diplomacy, nature and religion. Fighters aren't the best at skills, but I did take Skilled Human to try and get intimidation a little more. With only a WIS of 12 she won't be the best healer, but she's not the worst either? Maybe?

For background, she's a Willowshore urchin with the bitter foundling adjustment. She is not from Willowshore her parents were killed when they were visiting, and she was orphaned and taken in by our Investigator's (Matt's character) family. She and him tend to bicker a lot, having differing opinions on most matters.

I wrote up her full background with traits, flaws, quirks and a description at the bottom of the profile.

Being as the town is only 225 people, 75% of which are human, there is a good chance we might know of each other or met each other in passing.

Okay here is my alchemist. At least her start.

Tieflings are great in second edition, Oceanshieldwolf. My favorite is that they can be applied to more races than just human. Demon blooded halfings are cool.

Hope you slept well!

We have four humans so far in the group correct?

Here's my character! I'm Sakura's older brother, who definitely knows better than her, but sometimes forgets to brush my teeth or watch where I'm walking. My friends calle Kamo.

I'll cover Medicine and be pretty decent at Recalling Knowledge about our opponents. (I'm starting with Known Weaknesses and Forensic Medicine methodology.)

I'm still working on my backstory, but I'm definitely convinced that most weird things that happen in town are caused by spirits.

In combat, I'll rush in to help out in melee, as long as I can figure out a good strategy.

No idea what I'm doing for my archetype yet, but hopefully something that gives me options when I don't roll a good strategy.

This is my monk’s alias, haven’t gotten a start on anything yet. Still checking out the tiefling stuff and figuring out if it fits the coalescing image I have for him.

@Sakura (and all): I would imagine we would definitely know each other - clearly Sakura and Kamo are related. Pagma and Cloud and Solicitor’s Sorcerer would likely be aware of each other. Cloud is a slightly odd fellow who, while friendlly enough, wears an outlandish helmet (outlandish given he isn’t per se a soldier) and tends to strut around meaningfully…while shopping for fruit or haggling over root vegetables. I would imagine he shares Kamo’s thoughts on spirit activity in Willowshore so they might have a common interest there.

No-one knows exactly where Cloud goes at night, and he doesn’t seem to be related to anyone in the village. He just appeared some years back, seems to be able to take care of himself, and has assisted numerous villagers with odd jobs of a manual labor variety.

Very nice!

I got most of my sorcerer's crunch done so all I need now is to put the dots on the i's of my background, and then I can set up Jing-De's paizo profile.

Like Yuzuki, Jing-De is a healer of sorts, but his focus lies on the spirit and the soul. This, apparently, involves a lot of talking and reflecting on life while enjoying a cup of tea. He also tends to a Tsukiyoan moonlight garden in which he grows special herbs and roots. Some are medicinal, others are for the soul, and a few offer doorways to enlightenment.

Ever since his awakening, Jing-De actively seeks out Elizeth Candorra, the town's priestess of Pharasma, for advice on how to cope with his 'condition'. She suggested that he ought to try to not just see the horror in death, and find a way to (re)normalize his relationship with death.

In an effort to achieve that, Jing-De has started offering therapy services to the bereaved. Rumors say that Jing-De has the ability to hear words from loved ones who have passed to the great beyond. Nonsense, of course, but Jing-De hasn't openly denied the rumor, knowing that this hope - false it might be - could lower the threshold for people to go out and seek help. The Gods Above know they can use some.

I've put up the gameplay thread so you can dot and delete to start tracking things. Please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until everybody has finished creating their characters and potential starting bonds have been established. Thanks!

Ok, Cloud is finished. Cloud has no idea where he came from, no parents and few ties to Willowshore, but given all of that gravitates toward the town out of necessity and a strange compulsion. He has some strange ability to emulate tigers and wolves, and can come across as somewhat odd and feral, but also comical with his mannerisms, fondness for his fine helmet and mysterious background, or general lack thereof.

Although he looks like he can take care of himself, Cloud is not exactly a forest savant, more a rugged survivor (Mysterious Foundling background adjustment removes the Terrain Expertise (Forest) and replaces it with Streetwise) plus took rank in Survival to represent…surviving. And the reason he looks like he can take care of himself is because he has Society (from Streetwise) to watch and understand Willowshore folk….and…..helps himself to other people’s belongings (Thievery). He is lonely, and immensely conflicted about both the deception and the petty thefts he engages in to survive. He tells himself that he helps people out, which he does, and is a hard worker, if not as effective as people think he might be (no ranks in Athletics, but still strong).

Cloud does have a Healer’s Kit, if not a lot of understanding about the best way to use it. Medicine +2 from Wisdom only.

On a rules level, I’m still not exactly understanding how Flurry of Blows works. Do I make both attacks without MAP, and then apply MAP to any subsequent attack with either of my remaining two actions? Or do I apply MAP to the second attack of the Flurry? And if so, what is the point given more attack aren’t exactly going to be very successful. And Flourish means I can only Flurry once in a round, I get that.

Make two unarmed Strikes. If both hit the same creature, combine their damage for the purpose of resistances and weaknesses. Apply your multiple attack penalty to the Strikes normally. As it has the flourish trait, you can use Flurry of Blows only once per turn.

So you spend one action to make two attacks with MAP. Besides being able to make two attacks with one action, you can also combine the damage to overcome resistance, which is useful.

It is true that any further attacks in the same round will be unlikely to hit, but unlikely doesn't mean impossible! And if you prefer to use those other actions to do other things, you can do so.

A typical opening round of combat for you might be to assume one of your Stances, Stride to an opponent, and make two attacks with Flurry. Without Flurry, you'd only be able to make one attack in the opening round.

For Flurry of Blows, you apply MAP to the second attack of the flurry. The big benefit is attacking twice for 1 action, so you can be very mobile or do things like Demoralize. If you are using agile weapons or agile unarmed attacks, there are also times when that MAP of -8 isn't going to be too bad, like if we get attacked by a crowd of lower level people or the enemy has been debuffed pretty well, like frightened and flat-footed.

After playing a monk, the best part about flurry is that it pretty much guarantees two attack per round. Even if you have to draw your weapon and stride, you get your attacks in. If you are multiclassing thuamaturge, it's also extremely good, since that eats up some of your typical actions in a turn.

Thanks for the answers and advice folks. I had an inkling it was about mobility, and had realised stances were a cost to enact/switch between but that all makes sense. Should be fun to play around with.

Sadly, my Thaumaturge aspirations are likely dust - the Thaumaturge Dedication has a Cha 14 prereq - my Background didn’t offer any boosts to Charisma, and even if I switched my free boost from Wisdom (thus cruelling the already poor Streetwise skill feat) to Charisma, it would still be only 12 and rejigging any other way would make what is already pretty MAD even worse. I guess I just don’t see why a Multiclass Dedication needs a prereq, kinda feels like oldskool Ability requirements.

I mean, a Monk/Thaumaturge *is* pretty silly, but it was exciting to me…I’m just not the sort of player who picks ancestries and backgrounds to make the optimised class, and pay the ultimate price…

I played a monk/thaumaturge in a one-shot and it was a lot of fun. I'm willing to waive the Cha requirement for you as it is rather arbritary. :D

Thanking you DM! Let’s see if Cloud can live long enough to get to level 2!!!

Okay, gameplay thread is officially open! You may post at your leisure.

Happy we're starting!

For those that are new to playing with me, I am a visual person. I have a propensity to create the characters in my games to help me bring them to life and influence how I play my character in our shared story.

I've created my first picture of Sakura a few days ago.

Today I finished her brother, Kamo sitting on the bridge.

Both of the siblings are by the bridge, Sakura down below and Kamo up above. I'm assuming this is the bridge that exists between W16/W17 on the map which is relatively close to where they live (around W18/W19).

Over the coming weeks, I will reach out to each of you to help me create your characters as well so I can form a full party portrait eventually! :D

Woohoo! I look forward to seeing a monk/thamumaturge in action. How old is Cloud?

I’d say 18-19? It’s Saturday morning here, so doing….family type stuff..will post as I can.

DM, do you mean the stuff we were wrapped in is the same stuff, now degraded, or is different stuff entirely, but of less quality? If Cloud could notice by looking at it…

It is the same stuff but degraded.

@Kamo: can you explain what you did on your turn? It looks like you use Devise Strategem to generate an attack number. Is the Recall Knowledge part of it?

Sure!

I used Devise Strategem to get an attack just number, as you said. I have the Known Weaknesses class feat, so I get to make a Recall Knowledge check as part of using Devise Strategem.

So Stride, Devise Strategem (free Recall Knowledge), Strike.

I usually put my actions explicitly in my post, but I was sleepy and forgot.

Did people pick heirlooms, from the Player's Guide?

I was thinking that "Supplies for an alarm snare, 10 sp, and two lesser ghost charges (Advanced Player’s Guide 253)." make sense for me, but I'm willing to do whatever.

For Pagma, probably "Two minor healing potions and one piece of common adventuring gear worth 2 gp or less of the PC’s choice."

Good to keep healing supplies around, just in case she blows up the shack.
We get to have one overlap since there are 5 of us. correct?

No preference for me.I’ll wait to see what the other want and take what’s left or choose if need be.

Yes there is one overlap on heirlooms.

I was thinking of the lump of cold iron…

Sure!

I used Devise Strategem to get an attack just number, as you said. I have the Known Weaknesses class feat, so I get to make a Recall Knowledge check as part of using Devise Strategem.

So Stride, Devise Strategem (free Recall Knowledge), Strike.

I usually put my actions explicitly in my post, but I was sleepy and forgot.

Ok. But how did you arrive at your strike number? You rolled a 19. Added your Int modifier of +4. That gets 23. How did you get 25, and what part does the RK play?

Yuzuki Kamo wrote:

Sure!

I used Devise Strategem to get an attack just number, as you said. I have the Known Weaknesses class feat, so I get to make a Recall Knowledge check as part of using Devise Strategem.

So Stride, Devise Strategem (free Recall Knowledge), Strike.

I usually put my actions explicitly in my post, but I was sleepy and forgot.

Ok. But how did you arrive at your strike number? You rolled a 19. Added your Int modifier of +4. That gets 23. How did you get 25, and what part does the RK play?

Ah, now that you say it, I did mess up a little. (It should have been 1 higher!)

Roll: 19
Int: 4
Weapon Proficiency: 3
Total: 26

(I think you left out the weapon proficiency.)

The Recall Knowledge roll is separate. I just get to make the check as a part of Devise a Strategy because I have this class feat:
Known Weaknesses Feat 1
Investigator
Source Advanced Player's Guide pg. 60 2.0
Whenever you Devise a Stratagem, you can also attempt a check to Recall Knowledge as part of that action. If you critically succeed at the Recall Knowledge check, you notice a weakness and gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your attack roll from Devise a Stratagem. If you immediately convey this information to your allies as part of the check, each ally gains a +1 circumstance bonus to their next attack roll against the subject, as long as their attack is made before the beginning of your next turn.

So, if I get a critical success, I do get a +1 bonus, as does everyone else.

(Technically, the Recall Knowledge is a secret roll, but it's just easier if I roll it and don't metagame.)

Yep, I figured out I forgot proficiency a little later, but it still didn’t make sense!

Ok, thanks for the explanation.

Another question: the Recall Knowledge - my understanding was that the DM tells you whether RK is successful (or the level of which). How can you know if you get a critical success? Or will Brainiac determine that and alert you/us?

Yep, I’ll alert when there is a critical success. RAW, Recall Knowledge rolls are supposed to be secret, but it’s easier on PbP to have the players roll them.

Yep, I’ll alert when there is a critical success. RAW, Recall Knowledge rolls are supposed to be secret, but it’s easier on PbP to have the players roll them.

Do you mean “secret” as in the DM rolls behind the screen and doesn’t tell anyone what the result was?

That's correct.

Sometimes you won’t know whether you succeed at a skill check. If an action has the secret trait, the GM rolls the check for you and informs you of the effect without revealing the result of the roll or the degree of success. The GM rolls secret checks when your knowledge about the outcome is imperfect, like when you’re searching for a hidden creature or object, attempting to deceive someone, translating a tricky bit of ancient text, or remembering some piece of lore. This way, you as the player don’t know things that your character wouldn’t. This rule is the default for actions with the secret trait, but the GM can choose not to use secret checks if they would rather some or all rolls be public.

I'll upload an interactive town map tomorrow so you can track your location in town. In the meantime, please indicate which Exploration Activity you are taking.

Exploration Activities

Sakura will scout.

Cloud will Investigate, using Society generally in the town, or Thievery if looking at a specific building, structure, object, dead body for traps/snares etc.

Cloud, where is your home on the map?

Cloud’s “home” is a collapsable lean-to tucked into the bole of a tree a little to the east of the Great Willow (W29) at the base of the low rise that sits above the letters “ui” as part of the word “guide” in “Players Guide” on the map on page 16. According to the guide, there might be foraged foods and non-metallic raw materials in the vicinity. ;)

I've added a link to the town map at the top of the campaign page. Battle maps will also be added to that presentation when needed.

You guys! Stop doing so much damage! Let Cloud take some combat actions next time! :P

Uh, sorry Cloud. I will try to be less effective next time.

Hard to beat fighter with magic weapon at level 1. Not all fights will be over so quickly, I’m sure.

Heh, I’m not really fussed about missing combats. I think it is a matter of different time zones as I am in Oz…

@DM - another clarification please - is the Governor’s House completely disappeared, without a trace, or razed to the ground? Just trying to work out if it has been attack and destroyed, or magically…bamf’ed.

The governor's house has vanished without a trace. Disappeared, not destroyed.

***

I've added red lightning bolt icons to the map for quest locations, and gold suns for shrine locations.

KINDLING AN EXPLOSIVE FRIENDSHIP
How Sakura and Pagma became friends

Years ago, when Sakura and Pagma first met as children in Willowshore, it was an encounter neither would forget.

Pagma had just moved into town and was already eager to delve into her alchemical experiments. On this particular day, she was testing a new kind of firework potion she'd read about. In a secluded part of a meadow, she mixed together various elements, holding her breath in anticipation.

Meanwhile, Sakura was not too far away, in another part of the same meadow, rigorously practicing her katana strikes. Her blade sliced through the air, her face focused and determined. She paused every now and then to do a few push-ups and sit-ups, committed to maintaining her physical fitness. Barefoot as she often preferred, Sakura felt connected to the ground beneath her, as if drawing energy from the earth itself.

Just as Sakura finished a complex sword routine and was transitioning into a set of lunges, she heard a loud pop followed by a colorful explosion in the sky. Startled, she looked around and saw Pagma, who was standing amidst a cloud of colorful smoke, looking both thrilled and a bit shocked.

Intrigued but cautious, Sakura sheathed her katana and walked over, her grip tight on the hilt, almost as if ready for another form of training. "Hey, what was that? You didn't start a fire, did you?!"

Pagma looked up, noticing Sakura for the first time. "Oh, hi! No fire, I promise. Just some alchemical fireworks. I—uh—I was experimenting! But don't worry, it was supposed to be a smoke bomb, not a real bomb."

Sakura glanced at the residue that stained the nearby tree a plethora of colors. "But it EXPLODED!"

Pagma grinned. "Just a little tiny explosion, no one will ever be able to tell. My name's Pagma, by the way. I love mixing things together to see what happens!"

"I'm Sakura," she replied, her eyes scanning the setup. "And you do this often? Make trees colors and whatnot?"

"Whenever I can! Are you training for something?" Pagma asked, her eyes following the katana at Sakura's side.

"Yeah, I train every day. You have to be prepared for whatever comes your way," Sakura said, taking a deep breath as if to center herself.

Sakura hesitated before taking another step closer to Pagma's experiments. "Uh, do those things explode too?" she inquired, pointing at the array of potions and vials.

Pagma chuckled. "Only if I want them to. Usually."

From that day on, despite their differing interests—one devoted to the way of the sword and physical discipline, the other to the unpredictability and excitement of alchemy—they became fast friends. They respected each other's passions and even found ways to integrate them, like the time Sakura used her katana to finely chop ingredients for one of Pagma's experiments.

As they grew older, their friendship continued to be tested and strengthened by various challenges, including the infamous "Blastberry" incident—a colorful explosion caused by one of Pagma's experiments that stained them both and left them walking around town like vivid specters for days. But rather than driving them apart, such incidents only solidified their complex, enduring friendship.

Hiya folx, I’m finding I’m not a good fit for this game so I will exeunt. Thanks to Brainiac for inviting me and you all for being welcoming and taking the time to explain various minutiae of 2e. I’m sure Willowshore is in good hands.

We'll miss you OSW. Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything.

I am very sorry to hear that Ocean, and apologize if anything I posted made you think you are not a good fit. I hope you continue trying to explode 2e, and have a hundred thousand awesome games of every kind.