Kwan Tai gulps in a likely spore laden lungful of air as he tries to recover, snatching up his sword and burying it in the mushroom menace's neck!
Hooli's defiance puts the myceloid off-guard. However, neither she nor Xiung-Lau are able to take advantage of it, both missing the foe. Lie Jie gets Kwan Tai back on his feet, and the hobgoblin delivers a critical hit with his sword!
In response, the injured myceloid pummels Kwan Tai back into unconsciousness!
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HP 26/26
AC 19
Fort +5, Ref +10, Will +7
Hero points: 1
Seasonal Boon: summer []; fall []; winter []; spring []
Effects:
Seeing Kwan Tai dying horribly, Hooli's mirth flees and she concentrates on slashing this mushroom man to pieces as quickly as possible, before it can do the same to the rest of them. She retreats 15 feet, not sure if she just wants to get away or draw it away so Li Jie can get Kwan Tai back on his feet -- again! -- and they can all retreat.
The frown on the Nagaji 's serpent face would be comical if it was for his patient protruding piles of personal parts all over him!
May need to rework some of our initial strategies.
The Alchemist Commands Blue to Quick Brew a Smoke stick and crack it open like a starving squirrel does that nut!
Li Jie then attempts to Battle Medicine the Hobgoblin...again!
The Nagaji decides to go big or he knows they are going home!
The sting of Li Jie's smoke is a welcome balm to Kwan Tai's eyes, and as he stirs, for a moment it seems he thinks he's somewhere else.
"Xuande? Where are you, my- Oh. You."
Kwan Tai hauls himself to his feat, swigging down a potion as he looks out at the continuing fray.
"Curse you," Xiung-Lau mutters as he tries again to her the myceloid.
Both Hooli and Xiung-Lau slice the vulnerable myceloid. With the last strike, the creature groans and collapses to the ground, lying still. With its death, the fungus infestation in the grove immediately begins to recede, with mushrooms and mold shrinking, melting, and evaporating.
Xiung-Lau pulls out a small flask from his belt. "I know you are the expert healer, Li Jie, but it appears that Kwan Tai is in dire straights. If you need it, you may also use this to help bolster his healing."
"Susumu's followers don't have the grit to do what needs doing." Kwan Tai says, through gritted teeth of his own.
The Alchemist smiles at the offered assistance. He pats Xiung-Lau on the shoulder.
Just keep it handy where you can pull it out whenever you see me lying on the ground during a fight. Thanksss!
The Medic then applies some smelly stinky ointment on the Hobgoblin.
Who's next?
The Barber of Seville smiles.
"I am not injured." Xiung-Lau picks up Crawler of the Night, and begins looking to see if the myceloid had any equipment of note on it. He then glances around to see if he can locate the missing kami.
A search of the grove uncovers no signs of kami presence here. If there were other kodama in the area, they have apparently vanished.
You return to Willowshore and ascend the hill, where you find the Great Willow in a much more pleasant mood. The fungus on their tree has cleared up. The news that no kodama were present in the grove disappoints Great Willow, but they take the fact that there were no bodies or evidence that the kodama were harmed as a reason for hope.
In return for the aid you provided, Great Willow confirms that the region surrounding Willowshore appears to be cursed. They can sense no other kodama in the vicinity, and they have already started to meditate upon the curse’s boundaries.
They can give you a rough estimate of the size of the region you're trapped in, describing it as a region about 10 to 16 miles or so in every direction from Willowshore. More importantly, Great Willow mentions that something even more potent seems to lie to the west. One thing Great Willow can confirm, though—there seems to be no way to go beyond the mists, so for the time being, goals to become more self-sufficient as a settlement should be prioritized.
"I will be here. As always. Should you need anything, I will do my best to lend you my aid," the little spirit says with a bow.
You feel stronger from your recent experiences...
Kwan Tai tries not to scratch at the myceloid's spores and Li Jie's ointment, keeping his hands fixed to his hips as he returns Great Willow's bow.
Hearing that the mists have fully encircled the town though troubles him. "Then the pedlar's arrival is even more mysterious."
Li Jie smiles.
Yesss. Curiousss that Pedlar proceeded through, although perhaps the barrier erected after.
"Yes, his arrival is less mysterious than his disappearance. It has been enough time, at this point, that he would have encountered the mists and returned in confusion and frustration."
Asking around town, you learn that Shinzo did indeed depart Willowshore the morning after you met him. He headed off to the west and hasn't been seen or heard from since then. The town elders agree that this does seem quite mysterious, indeed. Perhaps you may discover what has become of him when you are ready to venture to the lumber camp west of town.
Part 4: The Wall of Ghosts
You rest overnight as you prepare to venture to the lumber camp. The next morning, the townsfolk of Willowshore are abuzz with worry and fear! Word quickly spreads of an attack on Willowshore Stables that happened in the middle of the night. Many locals in the southwest part of town confirm that a group of masked bandits raided the stables and marched everyone there off to the west! The attack sounds suspiciously similar to your own abduction attempt that Ugly Cute interrupted.
West is where you are heading anyway, but now the stakes are higher than before. Just are you are leaving town via the western road, you see the merchant Shinzo approaching with his cart. He waves to you, and his raven Yix lets out a loud "caw!"
"Hello! You seem to be leaving in a hurry. I am glad that I caught you before you left," Shinzo says. "If you are heading west, then you should be careful. There are strange monsters who have been masquerading as bandits that way. Be sure you are well supplied before venturing forth! Perhaps some of my wares might benefit you?”
”They look like humans, but Yix saw one of them change its face until it was just a blank, featureless mask. Fortunately, my friend here alerted me to the danger before we got too close to them,” Shinzo says.
Hooli finds it difficult to get a read on the enigmatic man.
The Nagaji hiss as he flicks his tongue in the mysterious merchant's direction.
The Alchemist seems to be in need of a tutor....
"Merchant," Kwan Tai begins, "How is it that you last departed these lands. A misty curse has encircled them, and so far as we know you are the only one proof against this mischief."
Shinzo scratches his chin. "A curse, you say? We did not encounter anything out of the ordinary, did we, Yix?" The raven caws and hops back and forth, as if to say "no."
"Very curious. But, in the vein of curiosity, let me ask you a question. You are on your way to confront those faceless monsters, unless I miss my guess. How do you intend to approach these enemies who invade your town and take your people? Do you intend to bring furious ruin to them in battle, or do you think you can fool them into believing that you are one of them to effect a rescue without resorting to violence?"
Li Jie laughs.
Xiung-Lau raises an eyebrow at Shinzo. "You mean nothing out of the ordinary except for the faceless monsters posing as bandits, I presume. Your question contains wisdom, though. If there is a way to stop them with wit and guile instead of violence, I would prefer that option, personally." He glances over at Kwan Tai and smiles faintly, "However, my new companions have shown great skill at bringing down furious ruin upon them as a viable alternative."
"I leave trickery to Hooli, and Xiung-Lau's shadows."
Shinzo nods knowingly. "Of course. Perhaps this item will help you in that regard. Take it! A gift from me!" The merchant reaches into his cart and pulls out an unpleasant looking hood, holding it out for you to take.
Kwan Tai glowers. "What are these creatures to you that you would bear such an item, and then so willingly give it away?"
Yesss. It would ssseem that you are not merely a merchant. We will gladly accept your advice and gift with that knowledge.
The Alchemist readies to venture forth....
Shinzo gives you an enigmatic smile. "Deal with those monsters first. Perhaps we will talk further the next time we meet," he says cryptically. He refuses to say anything more on the matter.
***
After you have finished your business with Shinzo, you continue along the road. The lumber camp is located just over 8 miles west of Willowshore, at the end of a poorly maintained road that follows the northern bank of the Ceiba River. As you approach, the sound of rowdy celebration comes from within, along with the smells of smoke and roasting meat. In addition, the sounds of cackling and taunting voices come from a small island in the river to the west, while periodic cheers and curses accompanied by the sound of a crossbow firing come from a dormitory to the east.
The heart of the lumber camp is surrounded by a 15-foot-tall log fence. Each of the logs has been sharpened to a stake, making it impossible to stand atop them. The heavy double doors to the fence are shut tight. Two men and a feral-looking dog stand guard outside of them.
Xiung-Lau scans the area. "Our best chance for cover appears to be along those lumber piles to the north, if we need to sneak close for a surprise assault."
"I also have a spell that I can use to disguise myself. I cannot impersonate anyone specific, but it will make me look like one of them. It will not confuse the dog, though."
The Nagaji just takes out two vials, drinks them and shrugs.
We are not great at sssubtlefudge...
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"Speak for yourself!" Hooli says, with a laugh. "I can try to lure the dog away as a fox..."
She thinks for a moment.
"Or do we want to try to impersonate one of these faceless creatures? We would need a good story, but we know they've been trying to abduct people. Perhaps Xiung-Lau and I could pretend to have abducted Kwan Tai and Li Jie Qiang?"
"I would recommend investigating the full perimeter before trying to gain entry. There may be useful information, perhaps in that building to the south."
A simple, wooden guard tower near the outbuilding supports a single, open-air platform, fifteen feet off the ground. A ladder leaning against the west side provides access to the platform above. Fortunately, the tower is unmanned at this time.
Stables are attached to the southern side of the building. The stables are conspicuously empty. Old hay is scattered across the floor and crunches underfoot. A sweet smell drifts from the rotting feed in the hay boxes. Searching the stables uncovers a bottle of lesser bravo's brew in one of the hay boxes.
Inside the dormitory itself, you see blood splatters and weapon marks covering the walls. Pools of dried blood stain the floor and bedding of the bunk beds. On the southeastern wall, several humanoid silhouettes have been painted using blood.
A total of four humanoids are inside the dormitory, three of whom are engaging in a shooting contest with a hand crossbow, firing at the targets on the wall. The fourth creature is working lazily to clean the room. The creatures look like regular humans, save for the fact that their faces are completely smooth and featureless. They glance over at you briefly before turning back to their game.
"Ah," comments Xiung-Lau upon identifying the bravo's brew. "We have found some liquid courage."
He glances up to see if the tower would give a view over the wall.
Li Jie peers suspiciously at the stables being conspicuously empty.
We may be lucky. Perhapsss, sssome are out hunting.
The Alchemist nods at the found Elixir.
Opening the door to the dormitory and viewing the residents inside playing at normalcy, the Nagaji grins.
Hello boys! What's the action?
Xiung-Lau realizes the creatures cannot see them, and likely assumes that they are just others of their companions .. until Li Jie speaks. The witch winces, anticipating a violent reaction.
Kwan Tai hefts his hammer. "Hells below, Li Jie"
One of the noppera-bos turns its faceless head toward Lie Jie. You hear a buzzing voice in your heads. [i]"Just passing some time with this weapon we found. Nice faces you've got there. Who'd you take them from?"
The Nagaji actually begins preening himself at the enduring comment about their faces.
Thanksss. Betcha sssay that ta all the... Nagaji...from town...
The noppera-bo obliges Hooli, handing her the hand crossbow to allow her to inspect it.
"Hopefully not much longer. The Prayers have nabbed a few captives from the human town. They are planning on sacrificing them to try to open the Wall of Ghosts and reveal the paradise they say lies beyond. But we Rovers know better! Once we raid the town and slaughter all of the humans, the pain and suffering will make the wall expand and bring paradise to us! Hopefully Mugirou will order the glorious attack soon. We are growing impatient here..."