☠ Season of Ghosts w/ DM rainzax ☠

Game Master rainzax

As Sigurd watches the wealth of tomes, he realizes this will take some time. He turns to Vekka, as he doesn't want to be impolite...

Earlier

1) What unusual things have you noticed since the Festival ended?

4) Did you hear or notice anything off in the direction of the governor's missing manor? If so, when? (Trying to pin down when it disappeared and how.)
5) Where are you going to go now? What will you do?
6) Did Constable Zheng or any of his officers try to make any deals with you? Or talk to you at all (aside from bare minimum orders and standard insults)?
7) How loyal are the officers to Zheng Peng?

The Bamboo Boys had been locked up prior to the festival, and what at first was thought to be simple revelers in costume, ended up being a hostile takeover of the Imperial Guard, with Jinkins riding in on barely-tamed Giant Hummingbirds. They themselves speculate that they were left alone out of some kind of strange respect the Jinkins have for trapping and torture; like it would be "unfair" for them to effectively "poach" the prisoners of another captor - thus, they were left to languish in their bamboo cell.

(It's also not the first time any of them have been posted in here - hence their chosen moniker)

According to them (who were right there to witness it first hand!), there was an "electrical storm" that essentially "swallowed" the Governor's Mansion, foundation and all. Anyone trained in magic can infer that the entire structure perhaps was whisked away to another realm, maybe even fully intact. The Governor was in his manor when it disappeared. This would explain why there are no structural pieces of it left behind. It simply ceased to exist (in Willowshore). And in it's wake, the trees that grew nearby started to wriggle and move.

As for their relationship with Zheng Peng, who yes, owes his current position to his aunt Granny Hu, it appears that his primary "crime" is that he possesses a below average intelligence. Indeed, the Bamboo Boys enjoy infuriating him (he gets angry very easily) and consider, given their rap sheets, the punishments he assigns them to be "worth" doing. Unable to obtain gainful employment, sometimes they commit obvious crimes just so that they don't have to worry about lodging for a time, especially during winter. You glean that if Granny Hu is using him to turn out more minions, that he is more of a useful idiot than a mindful predator. For what it's worth, he does his best to work "within" the law, and besides his own promotion ahead of other more-qualified recruits to Captain, doesn't seem to be especially crooked, instead, most likely to make a mistake out of ignorance and/or incompetence. And since he's "protected", he doesn't get the chance to learn from his mistakes (he doesn't "need to").

His officers see the situation pretty much as it is. You get the sense that they are aware of how Granny Hu uses him (partially or fully is unclear), but that she seems above their reproach. She is, after all, Granny Hu: both adored and feared! Perhaps she "has something" on one or more of them. In any case, they listen to him as towards being compliant in their duty, but they certainly don't respect him. And the pay is decently good.

Let me know if I have satisfactorily answered the 4 questions!?

Good enough for me. :)

Auntie Wu was assuming to stay for no more than an hour. She's getting antsy.

Wow. That's a lot of information.
Kazuki lets it all sink in. He wonders if any of his teammates could take over the position of being Captain. They all seem quite capable enough to be captain. Well, Auntie Wu doesn't have the muscle to be a captain, but she sure is wise! Or maybe she could be Granny Hu's successor!

"Yeahhh. Then I could be the town's forest ranger!"
Kazuki's eyes go wide in shock as he suddenly realizes he spoke out loud while day-dreaming.
"Heh. Nevermind," he says with a sheepish smile.

Responses go all the back to freeing the Bamboo Boys.

Lan is rather reticent when it comes to interviewing the Bamboo Boys. As the other party members ask their questions, Lan hangs back, despite them being clearly friendly towards him. As they leave, they exchange pleasantries with each of the party members - "Nice to meet you, nice to meet you" - but they have a more personal, "Stay cool, bro," for Lan, as if Lan has interacted with them before.

---

At the wood pile, Lan follows the experts, unwilling to act rashly. He does interact with the children, however.

Diplomacy (Make an Impression): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Come on kids, this is no place for you to be."

---

At the shrine to Shizuru, Lan outwardly plays along with invoking the blessing, but in reality, he's faking the motions.

Deception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 vs party Perception DCs

This beats everyone, so as far as they know, Lan is a real worshipper of Shizuru, but Lan will not get any of the benefits.

Lan prefers to stay back, taking an ancillary role to Sigurd's actions. After all, Lan has no reason to antagonize the goddess - just also no reason to help her out, either.

---

Lan will advocate limiting their visit to a very short one - they can't afford a week here while the town is under attack, they can't even afford to sleep!

Ho Lan's humility sets an example for Sigurd. He doesn't want the goddess's blessings. Or maybe he's decided Sigurd would be better with it than him.

"Thank you, Lan. I will use the blessing to the best of our ability. Shizuru will remember your actions today." He smiles. It's nice to have a fellow devotee.

"Ah, Jubei. Perhaps when the immediate crisis is solved we can return? My brother Darius enjoys researching these kind of... occult matters. Besides, the crimson mist is here now."

Perhaps marking the Mother's Coil for later, the party heads to the South - specifically, to Cathedral of the Lady of Souls (W10) in search of the Shrine to Pharasma, and coincidentally, the childhood home of Sigurd Kolphan ("near Temple of Pharasma on the south side")!

Auntie Wu leads the way!

Go ahead and roll the Party check to Sense Direction (largest bonus is Lead) vs DC 16!

Publicly Known Shrines
Abadar @ Abadar Shrine (W3)
Daikitsu @ Nine Ear Shrine (W9)
Kofusachi @ Trade Office (W21)
Pharasma @ Lady of Souls (W10)

Discoverable Shrines
Shelyn
Qi Zhong
Ketephys
Nalinivati
Shizuru @ Mother’s Coil (area W20)
Tsukiyo
Desna
Lao Shu Po
Yaezhing
Calistria
Lady Nanbyo
Others

Discover Shrine
[exploration] [secret]
As a 1 hour activity, a PC may attempt to locate the whereabouts a particular deity's shrine using the Diplomacy, Religion, or Society skill. This is a secret check with the following outcomes:
Critical Success ➤ As success, but you do so in a fraction of the time!
Success ➤ You locate the whereabouts of the shrine, or, confirm that none exists (if looking for an "other")
Failure ➤ You are unable to locate the whereabouts of the shrine, or, unable to confirm that none exists (if looking for an "other")
Critical Failure ➤ As failure, and GM may give you false information.

Survival to Sense Direction DC 16: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

As they walk, Auntie Wu's hands start trembling, and she walks slower than usual. Those walking beside her can hear her mumbling in a shaky voice."Ugh. Don't feel so good. Gah! I need a smoke and some tea."

For what it's worth, he does his best to work "within" the law, and besides his own promotion ahead of other more-qualified recruits to Captain, doesn't seem to be especially crooked, instead, most likely to make a mistake out of ignorance and/or incompetence. And since he's "protected", he doesn't get the chance to learn from his mistakes (he doesn't "need to").

So basically, he's Frank Burns. :)

--------------------
Back at the Mother's Coil

Vekka grimaces a bit as he realizes how big this effort will be. He humors Jubei for ten minutes or so while starting to explain...

Oh... you really meant a project. Given the chaos around town I cannot sit tight for a week. Unfortunately this is very much needed right now.

He holds up his sheathed katana for emphasis.

Can I come back each day and help for an hour or so? Or maybe I can pick up where you left off in the evenings?

He wants to be helpful to his friend but knows he's needed in more places than this.

Auntie Wu's exhaustion takes it's toll upon her sense of direction - luckily though, the tardiness isn't further delayed by the night threats still wandering Willowshore, and the party arrives at the Lady of Souls (W10) without incident.

A couple doors down lies Kolphan's childhood home - signs of breaking and entering are present on the door!

If choosing this path, go ahead and roll Initiative!

And within the Cathedral lies the Shrine to Pharasma!

If choosing this path, one player at a time may attempt to Invoke Blessing as a 10-minute activity (a reminder it is a single check, not two)!

Lan would defer to Sigurd as to which path we take.

Sigurd reads the sign. "We shouldn't be too surprised. Candora must have sought refuge. I hope it isn't too vandalized."

"While we are here, perhaps we can visit my home? It is so close, right down the... street..."

Sigurd readies his shield and unsheathes his katana. "No. Sister. Brother."

Sigurd would like to check his home, as it's been ransacked. Also if the perpetrators are still here, they will notice us at the shrine.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

He moves towards his home.

Noticing the signs of breaking and entering, Kazuki readies his bow as he follows the group to Sigurd's home.
"Keep an eye out for any danger."
He moves to keep a good distance from the front door as he keeps his sight and his bow aimed toward the building.

Perception, Inc. Init., Season Boon: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 + 1 = 20
If Kazuki can communicate a warning to other PCs, they gain +1 bonus to their initiative as well.

Add a sinking feeling in the stomach to Auntie Wu's ailments, for now that she sees the state of Sigurd's home, she fears even more for her son and his family. "H-hopefully they weren't home when that happened." She murmurs as she follows Sigurd to investigate.

Initiative (Perception, Season Boon): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Cockroach Ate my Brother!

Racing to his childhood home, with his party following suit, Kolphan can see little Darius cornered by what looks to be a giant cockroach, it's mandibles slithering and slobbering, and muttering:

"Eyes, toes, bones, meat!"

He let's out a scream! But, just before it lunges for the boy, some in the party are quick to react!

And what is that creepy and unnaturally still doll in the corner standing on it's own two feet and staring at Darius!?...

The Crimson Moon menaces the party once more!
Failure to Sense Direction, took awhile to get here... DC 15

Auntie Wu's Will Save (E): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Ho Lan's Will Save (E): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Sigurd Kolphan's Will Save (E): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Kazuki Sato's Will Save (T): 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 - 2 = 5 @ Frightened 4
Vekka Tchakon's Will Save (E): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 @ Frightened 1
Hero Point?

Sato's very soul is crushed beneath the moon's judgement of him - Vekka watches his comrade's insides shrivel to nothing, and is himself chilled to the bone vicariously!

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

COCKROACH ATE MY BROTHER!

Building: Door is busted open
Cockroach ID: Nature (DC 15) or Hunting Lore (DC 13) or Occultism / Religion for it's Corruption (DC 15)
Creepy Doll ID: Crafting / Occultism / Religion (DC ??)

Kolphan @ Fatigued plus Bolstered vs Crimson Moon @ 26

Cockroach @ 25

Auntie Wu @ Fatigued @ 22
Sato @ Fatigued + Frightened 4 @ 18
Darius @ 14

Creepy Doll @ ??
Lan @ Fatigued @ ??
Vekka @ Fatigued + Frightened 1 @ ??

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Initiative 26 or higher may Act first!

"Aaahhh!!! G-g-giant c-c-cockroach! C-c-creepy d-d-doll!!!" Kazuki stammers, frightened to the core. A wet spot appears on the front of his trousers.
"I wanna go home!"

His eyes dart about in fear, possibly looking for the best direction to flee. Is he going to run away!?!

This may be a good time for a hero point, Sato. Can't do worse!

"Brother, be brave!" Darius wastes little time raising his shield, getting close and slashing at the cockroach.

Katana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
If that crit, add Deadly damage: 1d8 ⇒ 1

◆ Raise Shield
◆ Stride
◆ Strike

Ho Lan's Initiative using : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Vekka Tchakon's Initiative using Avoid Notice: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Sato's blade nearly severs the roach in two in one fell swing!

It responds by whirling on him, lashing out twice with it's mandibles, and unwrapping it's tiny wings, weakly flying up to the ceiling to menace from above!

◆◆) Strike x2
◆) Fly (elevation +5 feet, may target from adjacent ground square)

Mandibles (piercing; agile, finesse) vs Kolphan (AC 20 / shield / fatigued): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Mandibles (piercing; agile, finesse) w/ MAP (-4) vs Kolphan (AC 20 / shield / fatigued): 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 4 = 111d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

COCKROACH ATE MY BROTHER!

Building: Door is busted open
Cockroach ID: Nature (DC 15) or Hunting Lore (DC 13) or Occultism / Religion for it's Corruption (DC 15)
Creepy Doll ID: Crafting / Occultism / Religion (DC ??)

Kolphan @ Fatigued plus Bolstered vs Crimson Moon @ 26

Cockroach @ 25

Auntie Wu @ Fatigued @ 22
Sato @ Fatigued + Frightened 4 @ 18
Vekka @ Fatigued + Frightened 1 @ 14
Darius @ 14
Lan @ Fatigued @ 8

Creepy Doll @ ??

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

Auntie Wu, Sato, and Vekka are Up!

Sato's blade nearly severs the roach in two in one fell swing!

Sato is too busy peeing his pants. I'm sure you meant Sigurd.

With a big, embarrassing wet spot on the front of his pants, Kazuki suddenly flees around the southern building towards the woods!

But wait!!!

Steeling his resolve, he turns around and fires a shaky shot at the giant cockroach.
Longbow & frightened: 1d20 + 8 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 - 2 = 7
piercing: 1d8 ⇒ 4
And the arrow flies straight upward, almost hitting Kazuki on the way down.

◆ flee!
◆ flee...?
◆ Strike!

Hai-Er Hua to Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Guarding the rear of the troupe, Hai-Er Hua prepares to bring her Arbalest to bear!

Anyone who Commands ◆ her grants her two actions ◆◆ on her turn, usually from Stride, Strike, and Reload - if you don't specify, I will just choose two from there that make sense, and shoot at the closest enemy or the "most flanked" (backstabber trait)

Sato's panic sends him into a frenzy - after a moment, he gathers half of his wits back, but his aim suffers greatly!

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

COCKROACH ATE MY BROTHER!

Building: Door is busted open
Cockroach ID: Nature (DC 15) or Hunting Lore (DC 13) or Occultism / Religion for it's Corruption (DC 15)
Creepy Doll ID: Crafting / Occultism / Religion (DC ??)

Kolphan @ Fatigued plus Bolstered vs Crimson Moon @ 26

Cockroach @ 25

Auntie Wu @ Fatigued @ 22
Sato @ Fatigued + Frightened 2 @ 18
Vekka @ Fatigued + Frightened 1 @ 14
Darius @ 14
Lan @ Fatigued @ 8
Hai-Er Hua @ 7

Creepy Doll @ ??

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

Auntie Wu and Vekka are Up!

Seeing as the door was clearly busted open, Lan would have been Scouting, and everyone should have a +1 from Scouting. Although Fatigued prevents using Exploration activities while traveling, I assume they can still be used in situations like this. It actually changes nothing for anyone except for Lan - Lan-bot rolled a nat 8, or 13 total, 14 with Scouting.

---

If Lan is up, Lan will Stride 1SE-4E and cast Electric Arc against the cockroach and the doll.

Electricity: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5
DC 18 basic Reflex

Scuttling forward, Auntie Wu peers between Sigurd's legs. She can't see the cockroach from here (his butt's in the way), but she spots the creepy doll. "Hang in there, Darius, honey. Sigurd's going to save you, and we're going to help him." She vaguely recognizes Darius; she might have seen him playing with her granddaughters at some point.

Recall knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Is the doll corrupted? If so, what is the nature of the corruption, and what is it capable of doing?

◆ Stride, ◆ Stride, ◆ Recall Knowledge

Hero Point DC15 Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Just as the fright creeps in, Vekka centers himself.

It's not real...

Okay, lets get this situation under control! It's a little crowded near the door...

Vekka draws his blade and passes Aunti Wu, getting a good look at the creature through the door.

◆ Interact: draw weapon (2-handed grip)
◆ Stride 25ft

Uttering an incantation as he stares it down, his form seems to shift out of existence next to Auntie Wu. The Tengu appears inside of the build next to the cockroach and slashes at it!

◆ Cast a spell: Dimensional Assault
katana, S damage (two-hand), deadly damage IFF crit: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 141d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d8 ⇒ 2

Cockroach Basic Reflex vs 5 electricity: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"POP"

Lan's bolt explodes the cockroach - black and orange guts spray everywhere...

...until, from the pile of entrails emerges another, slightly smaller cockroach, clawing forth from the ground slimy and disgusting, flapping feebly to fly back to it's hovering height, babbling with bloodlust unslaked!

"gums, guts, gizzards..."

Cockroach
↺) Ferocity

Vekka draws his (ancestral?) blade and leaping through an invisible portal makes a quick slash - but the cagey cockroach dodges sideways!

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦ ❦❦❦❦

COCKROACH ATE MY BROTHER!

Building: Door is busted open
Cockroach ID: Nature (DC 15) or Hunting Lore (DC 13) or Occultism / Religion for it's Corruption (DC 15)
Creepy Doll ID: Crafting / Occultism / Religion (DC 16)
Creepy Doll Disable: Thievery (trained) vs DC ?? to handle the toy without disturbing it or Occultism (trained) vs DC ?? to suppress the memories suffusing the toy

Kolphan @ Fatigued plus Bolstered vs Crimson Moon @ 26

Cockroach (AC 16, 01/20 HPs) @ reaction spent

Auntie Wu @ Fatigued
Sato @ Fatigued + Frightened 2
Vekka @ Fatigued
Lan @ Fatigued
Hai-Er Hua

Darius @ Delay
Creepy Doll @ ??

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Weapons presumed to be already out Vekka - and yes, Lan, no Scout bc Fatigued!

Vekka (w/ ◆) is Up!

"Brother, I'm s-s-s-scared!"

"Be strong, be brave! I told you I'd be back." Sigurd sees another cockroach and sighs.

I imagined he continued using his "work katana" and not "soil" his heirloom. At least for now.

And since weapons were out and he just cast a focus spell...

Vekka infuses his body with reserves of arcana energy....

◆ Stance: Arcane Cascade

"Play with ME!"

The evil doll calls out to young Darius, beckoning him for physical attention.

"PLAY WITH ME!!" it grows with insistence!

Darius - clearly torn between a great terror and a playful impulse - reaches out to touch his favorite "constable" toy...

Hai-Er Hua approaches behind the party, awaiting their command!

As the cockroach menaces from above, Kolphan decides what to do!

...and is Up!

"Darius, come, I will keep you safe!"

Katana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Slashing: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

He quickly slashes into the cockroach and hopes another one does not emerge.

Darius watches as his older brother slays the cockroach - it falls to the ground from the ceiling, and this time, remains still.

With the coast clear, he runs to the door as instructed, standing next to Vekka, who he is able to identify as a "safe" person.

The Party (except Kolphan) is Up!

"Uhh... Guys? That doll is... Uh..." She can't say the word; that would give it more power. "We...should try to take care of its unfinished business so it can permanently be at rest." Really, what she wants to do is blast it to kingdom come, but it would only come back and hurt Darius later. Instead, she addresses the doll with a respectful bow. "Uh, h-hello? To whom do we have the honor of speaking?" Sweat pours from her, a combination of fear and withdrawal that threatens to make her physically sick.

Open Auntie Wu's spoiler in this post.

Sigurd sighs as Auntie Wu dances around the word. But the danger is evident.

The doll rolls it's head sideways 45 degrees as Darius leaves it's side.

It pays no heed to Kolphan.

When Auntie Wu addresses it, it rolls it's head another 45 degrees, causing it's eyes to be below it's lips.

And remains still.

You want answers? Gotta roll a check (see this Alias)!

Darius - out of some reflex and without looking - hugs Vekka's knee.

Well, with the haunt already ID'd, Vekka has neither of the remaining two skills needed.

Thankful that Darius trusts him, Vekka offers the boy his hand and then quickly ushers him out of the house.

We need to let those who can disable that thing...

◆ Interact: take hand or pick him up
◆ Stride with Darius in tow
◆ Interact: change grip 1-hand on katana

Otherwise completely still, the doll eyes rotate to perfectly track the movements of Darius as he is escorted from the house!

Auntie Wu, Lan and Sato are Up!

Since she's not trained in the relevant skills...

Knowing she's in over her head with this _____ (haunt), Auntie Wu grabs her shield with trembling hands, raises it to protect herself, and shakily speaks to Hai-Er Hua (while keeping her eyes trained on the creepy toy): "Hai-Er Hua, protect Darius."

◆ Interact, ◆ Raise Shield, ◆ Command "Minion"

Hai-Er Hua moves towards the boy, keeping her arbalest trained on the doll.

Only shaking minorly...

Lan and Sato are Up!

Kazuki runs back towards the group and can see the creepy doll inside the building at the far end. He marks the creepy doll as his prey. Noticing Hai-Er Hua with her arbalest aimed at the doll he tells her to shoot.
"Shoot the thing! Shoot it now!!!"

◆ stride
◆ hunt prey
◆ command

Hai-Er Hua lets her arbalest plunk, scoring a direct hit upon the doll, which seems completely unfazed!

Animating force using Haunt mechanics!

Lan is Up!

"There's no need to destroy it. It's just a creepy doll, suffused with occult energy. There, there, doll. Everything will be okay."

Lan moves into the room ◆, and tries to calm the doll ◆◆.

Occultism: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

Lan's a little creepy himself and does well with creepy dolls.

Sigurd simply nods at Lan. Shizuru has blessed him with an... unnaturally calming presence.

Lan goes over to play with the doll.

"You are Under Arrest!" it waves it's club at Lan.

The doll "reads him his rights", then "arrests" him, then "locks him in a cell".

"Thank you for playing with me!"

The animating force suffusing the doll dissipates - it drops limp to the ground.

Success - Disabled