The strange sounding hissing coming from the Nagaji may be easily interpreted as laughter!
The Alchemist's blue serpentine eyes look over the slime-covered frog before grabbing a javelin and throwing it at it!
Li Jie then takes out another.
Tai launches forward to rescue Hooli only to find himself blinking in surprise when she wriggles her own way out of the toad's maw.
With a nod of respect he lines up across from her and swings away.
Kasem looks surprised as his dagger hits the mark as he had never really thought himself as a knife thrower. He had none left anyway, so he reach for a rock instead.
Lie Jie's javelin falls short of his target. Kwan Tai barely manages to land a solid blow on the toad as he flanks with Hooli, injuring the beast. Hooli misses, but Lek hits again with his projectile! The toad releases Hooli from its jaws as it falls over and croaks!
"Settle down," the voice mumbles again before falling silent.
The Nagaji rolls his eyes...twice.
You fall back from the teahouse to tend to your wounds. Lek murmurs an apology about needing to be there for his daughter before retreating from downtown Willowshore.
Fortunately, it is only a short time later when another resident begins to approach cautiously. Some of you might recognize the young man as a local artist named Xiung-Lau...
The human boy with medium-length dark hair notices the group and nods. He awkwardly shifts his bulging backpack, and you notice the handle of a frying pan sticking out of the top, and some paintbrushes jutting from one of the pockets. He carries a staff, little more than a walking stick really. On the boy's shoulder sits a spider. A small thing, though rather large as far as spiders go.
"Oh, hello there." Xiung-Lau notices the bandages. "Ah, you are injured. Can I provide any assistance at all?" He looks around nervously, clutching his staff with both hands. "Are there monsters about, then?" As he takes in the group, he says, "You are the ones who were in the Reenactment Festival, were you not?"
Xiung-Lau gulps. "I meant ... in the immediate vicinity. Yes, I know they've been about. I've fought some of the ... I think they were gremlins. And then the fog cleared. That was you, too, correct? I would like to help you ... fix things. Protect the village."
The Nagaji simply hisses in laughter at the mention of monsters. The Alchemist quickly roams his blue serpentine eyes at the newcomer.
Xiung-Lau, yesss? I have watched your Medic knowledge. You would be welcomed.
The Alchemist's finishes up replacing his own medical supplies away with a wink.
We have just retreated from investigating another lead as to what is happening, but we were a bit flummoxed in our initial attempt. We are returning to complete our investigation.
Li Jie glances about.
Are we ready?
"Can you pull your weight, boy?" With a jog of his head, Tai indicated Hooli. "I already have my hands full dragging this one out of tight spots."
The grizzled hobgoblin hefts his long-hafted hammer and signals the advance.
"Keep to the back; stay out of trouble."
Xiung-Lau nods. "What is the lead that we are investigating?" The spider on his shoulder scurries across his back from one shoulder to the other.
The Nagaji grins.
Cerulean Teahouse is where some boss of these creatures has set up shop. We were greeted by an enormous toad and a voice behind the door it seemed to be guarding. We retreated back out here to regroup.
Xiung-Lau looks between the nagaji and the hobgoblin. "And which of you is Lek?"
"Neither. Kasem Buakham-" Tai sighs "-'Lek' is a good man, but his duties to his family hold him back from aiding us. I though am Kwan Tai."
The Nagaji hisses, bowing his serpentine head.
Li Jie Qiang, resident Alchemist.
"Ah," Xiung-Lau says, glancing off into the distance for a moment. "Yes, family duties can be ... complicated." His attention seems to return to the moment.
"I would like to help. I have some modest spellworking skills. I am no alchemist, but have some skill at brewing useful potions. I am eager to learn more in both areas, so am happy to join with you. Off to the Teahouse, then?"
As you set out, he says to Hooli, "And what is your name?"
He nods to "Lek" and says, "Yes, the spider is called Crawler of the Night, or just Crawler. I am Xiung-Lau. A pleasure to meet you, um, Lek ..." He glances between the two, uncertain with a sense that someone is messing with him, though he's uncertain who.
Kwan Tai's brow knits in exasperation. "What is the objective of such foolishness? She is Hooli Jinowarui, though you should not thank me for that knowledge."
Li Jie Qiang laughs.
With Xiung-Lau in tow, you return to the Cerulean Teahouse. The giant toad still lies where you left it, and you can hear clattering noises coming from behind the sliding door across the way. You make your way there and open the door.
This once-elaborate banquet room has become a den of filth, littered with unwashed dishes, food stains, and what looks to be the aftermath of many grisly slaughters. Bodies flayed or partially digested to the point of being unrecognizable lie heaped in corners or sway from ropes tied to wooden beams above. A pile of filthy, soiled cushions and blankets lie in a nest-like heap in the middle of the room.
A slovenly man reclines on the heap. When he sees you, he lets out a heavy sigh ans shifts into a more upright position on the filthy cushions. His neck stretches to an impossible length. This has to be Mo Douqiu.
"Eh? I didn’t call for performers, but I will accept the new entertainment. Go on, then. Start your performance." He begins to chug from a large jug of alcohol.
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"Ew, they really need a new cleaning person in here," Hooli starts to joke before recognizing the bodies for what they are and failing to find anymore humor in the situation.
"We'd be happy to, but we perform for our audience. Can you tell us about yourself so we can put on the best show?" she asks.
Kwan Tai's gaze lingers on the flayed, partially eaten corpses for a beat, until Hooli's words register, and then he surges forward. "This is no time for your jokes!"
The Nagaji just stares longingly at the beautiful bountiful boutique of neck displayed before them.
Color me green.
The Alchemist sighs.
Mo Doquiu waves his hand. "You don't need to know about me. Dance! Sing! Fight! Whatever is entertaining! It’s what living is all about, so LIVE! Otherwise, make use of yourself and go feed Warty. As in, leave your treasure here and let that hungry critter just gobble you down. Most people are better as toad food anyway."
As Kwan Tai rushes forward, the rokurokubi grins wickedly.
Tai's eyes flash over the whirl of his hammer as he drives forward, promising doom on the long-necked butcher before him.
Xiung-Lau says, "Do not throw bombs at this creature ... he can neutralize them."
He holds out his hand, and Crawler of the Night runs down it onto a table and begins scurrying across the room, positioning itself near the creature, but hiding underneath a nearby table.
With Crawler in position, Xiung-Lau casts a hex at the creature, shadows growing around it menacingly.
Still, considering the better part of valor, Xiung-Lau crouches behind a table, to try to avoid being bitten by the pitiful, but terrifying, creature.
The Alchemist frowns at the Frost Vials at his belt. Instead, he Commands Blue to fetch him a Juggernaut Elixir and pour it down his throat!
Grinning, the Nagaji Strides into Flank with Tai before taking a bite out of Long Rubber Neck!
Xiung-Lau tries to hex Mo Douqiu, but the creature resists the spell. Kwan Tai and Lie Jie move in, both the hobgoblin and nagaji scoring good hits. Despite his injuries and the fear in his eyes, Mo Douqiu laughs. "Yes, yes! Isn't this so much more fun than just talking? STINGY! GET DOWN HERE!"
Something moves in the rafters. A large scorpion, the size of a pony, leaps down! It lands in a crouch near Lie Jie, its stinger whipping out at him.
Meanwhile, the rokurokubi rapidly extends his neck, his face coming withing inches of Kwan Tai's. He leers at the hobgoblin before biting at him!
With Kwan Tai's blood dripping down his chin, Mo Doqiu laughs again. "NOW! FLUFFY WHISKERS!" A tiny weasel clambers out from his sleeves and launches off his shoulders towards Kwan Tai!
Frowning, Xiung-Lau tries to draw the shadows toward the scorpion instead.
He then twirls his staff a bit in front of him, and a nearby knife goes flying toward Mo Douqiu.
Badly bleeding from his face where the Rokurobi had savaged him, Kwan Tai is already falling back a pace when the weasel attacks!
He swats it from the air, twisting with the momentum of his strike to lever his hammer into the butcher's torso, trying to muscle the fiend back before withdrawing himself.
Li Jie winces at the sting of the scorpion!
Who the f%#$ keepsss a ssscorpion inssside!
The Nagaji hisses at the Long Neck Foo!
The Alchemist takes the pain and focuses his attention on Long John Neck!
He then Raises his Shield.
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HP 26/26
AC 19
Fort +5, Ref +10, Will +7
Hero points: 2
Seasonal Boon: summer []; fall []; winter []; spring []
Effects:
Hooli darts forward with her daggers out, slashing wildly. The first is almost too obvious a feint, not coming anywhere close to the target, but the second draws blood.
Kwan Tai smashes poor Fluffy Whiskers to a pulp before the weasel can latch onto his face!
As Hooli darts forward, Mo Douqiu takes an opportunistic attack against her, his teeth tearing at her flesh.
Despite the pain of the wound, Hooli attacks, scoring a hit with her second strike. Lie Jie greatly demoralizes Mo Douqiu but narrowly misses with his own attack. However, that gives Kwan Tai an opening to bash the rokurokubi with his hammer before brutally shoving him away! The final blow proves too much for Mo Douqiu, who sprawls out on the floor as blood pours from his wounds. But he laughs even as he dies, ending with an unhinged rictus grin on his face as his body goes limp.
However, Stingy the scorpion still stands. Xiung-Lau engulfs the arachnid in shadows and hurls his dagger into its body. The scorpion recoils, but then lashes out at Lie Jie again! It pinches the nagaji!
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HP 17/26 (3 temp)
AC 19
Fort +5, Ref +10, Will +7
Hero points: 2
Seasonal Boon: summer []; fall []; winter []; spring []
Effects:
"Ouch!" Hooli says, then relaxes slightly as she realizes they've quickly dealt with the apparent main threat. "Always leave them laughing..."
She quickly casts a spell, sending shards of metal toward the scorpion ... then puts a little more distance between herself and it.
Xiung-Lau continues to draw shadows around the scorpion, hurling another knife toward it.
The Nagaji hisses in excitement at the excellent exchange between the scorpion and himself.
The Alchemist Commands Blue to fetch an Elixir of Life and pour it down his throat.
Li Jie then takes a sponge from his belt, pressing it to his fresh wound.
Smiling at the scorpion, he takes a bite out of it!
Blood still seeping from his ravaged face, Kwan Tai heavily stomps over to Li Jie's aid, catching the scorpion a glancing blow with his long-hafted hammer.
"Medic! Your help is needed with other matters," he bellows, trying not to show that he's beginning to weaken.
The scorpion doesn't last long. Pierced by needles, impaled by a knife, and smashed with a hammer, it crumples to the floor.
There is nothing of value on Mo Douqiu's grotesque body save for a ring of keys. While he has ruined most of the objects of value in the teahouse, one item has escaped his notice--a flask of fellowship.
The keys unlock the door by the stoves in the previous room. Inside the pantry are twelve terrified villagers, bound hand and foot with coils of rope. They sob with relief when they realize you have come to rescue them.
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"No, no, it was our pleasure," Hooli says. "Hopefully all the monsters will flee now and we can go back to not hiding in closets."
Xiung-Lau begins untying them and cutting through their bonds. "Yes, we hope that this foul creature was the source of the problem in town." His glances around questioningly at the others. "That is what we were hoping, correct?"
Casually taing a clean handkerchief from his coat picket, the Nagaji dabs at his lips.
Why Tai. You look like a wagon filled with polearms on viagra ran you over. Probably should have someone take a look at that.
The Alchemist points at a particularly brutal tear across his face.
Makes you a bit more Intimidating. Particularly with that scowl you are wearing at the moment.
If one never heard a snake laugh, it most likely sounds like the sounds emanating from Li Jie at this moment....
He takes out his Crafting....err...Medical kit and begins threading a needle.
Xiung-Lau raises an eyebrow. "What is ... viagra?" he asks as he continues freeing the prisoners.
"I don't know. I like it better when he just hisses to himself., but he has his skills."
The Alchemist smiles at both his companions.
Humor isss a sssign of a good doctor. Who wantsss a cranky doctor when one isss getting ssstiched.
Li Jie continues his mending.