Lan quickly brings up a glass shield.
Then he begins casting a spell.
vs DC 11
◆ Glass Shield
◆◆ Electric Arc
Kazuki hears Mo Douqiu's yelp of pain, giving away his prey's location. He fires a volley of arrows in the direction of where Mo Douqiu most likely is...
Then takes careful aim and fires another arrow in the direction of Mo Douqiu's possible location...
”Haha! Gotcha!” Kazuki snickers, knowing quite well that he hit his target.
"It's time for the curtain. The final onslaught. No better steel you could have bought!" Sigurd Strides up as Kazuki launches his arrows. "Gimmy, finish off Dookie."
Sigurd waits for the results to see if Mo Douqiu survived...
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"Argh! Hang in there, Vekka!" Growling at herself for succumbing to a wracking dry heave just in time to undo her attempt at healing Vekka, Auntie Wu quickly calculates whether offense or aid is her best course of action. Ugh! Crapshots every way. I need a drink! Still unsure, she decides to set Mo Douqui on fire.
Then she snaps her shield up to cover herself.
Finally satisfied that he was able to catch Sweetie with his blade, Vekka starts to let himself feel his wounds and frantically fishes around in his pack for a healing potion. He notions a concerning amount of blood smudging his spell feathers...
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At the last second, Auntie Wu decides to target the over-sized weasel. Her spell engulfs the mustelid, filling the room with the stench of burning fur and grilled meat. The scents cause her stomach to churn violently. She turns her head and is sick on the floor. When she turns back, Sweety's corpse is slumped motionless on the floor, still smoldering.
Kazuki's carefully aimed arrow flies through the air with lethal precision, striking Mo Douqiu's neck and severing the jugular vein. Mo Douqiu's eyes widen in shock as a crimson spray erupts from the grievous wound. Time seems to slow as he grasps at his neck, the life draining from his body. Within moments, he collapses to the ground with a resounding thud, the finality of Kazuki's fatal shot leaving no doubt—Mo Douqiu is dead.
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Sigurd wastes no time preparing to decapitate Mo Douqiu. "My sister always told me the entertainer's greatest weakness is a heckler." He stands over the fallen fiend. "You are pathetic. May the gods continue to laugh at you from the Boneyard."
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With Mo Douqiu now laying in a pool of his own blood, and as the din of battle fades, Kazuki turns his bow toward Gimmy the Traitor.
"You, jinkin! I should fill you with arrows!" he shouts, an arrow aimed at Gimmy.
Kazuki quickly glances at his teammates, giving a shrug and a puzzled look, silently asking: "What do we do with him?"
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Vekka sighs heavily and sheaths his blade.
It might be satisfying, Kazuki, but I wonder if Gimmy here might help us account for missing villagers so that their loved ones might find closure. Then again, I guess we'll see if his memory is even that good.
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"Gimmy has had to fend for himself throughout his life." Sigurd holds onto his katana but keeps his blade lowered. "If he truly wants to be a hero, and he is willing to aid Willowshore with the reconstruction efforts, he may stay. With my family."
He moves to Gimmy. "Be wary, Gimmy. If you give me or my siblings even the slightest hint of treachery I will let Kazuki finish you off in any way he pleases. Do not betray my mercy. Do you understand?"
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Knowing how cowed Gimmy is of Lan, Auntie Wu adds: "Of course, Lan will be watching you too, even when you think he isn't looking. And he can be impressively inventive with his punishments."
With that, she turns back to Vekka to try again to see to his wounds. It should be easier now that there is no imminent threat.
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Lan will bathe the party in rejuvenating flames, and invite Gimmy to be healed if he wants to be an ally.
"Don't lie to us. If you don't mean it, you'll get burned up by the flames."
Kazuki listens to his teammates and lowers his bow.
"Okay. Like Sigurd said, though, if he betrays us, I'll riddle him with arrows."
He then looks over at Lan.
"Interesting. If he lies, the little bugger will be burnt to a crisp."
Kazuki then starts searching the place for any good loot.
”No trust Gimmy? Then kill Gimmy!”
He hesitates to step into Lan’ flames of predictive morality, perhaps hiding his intended future betrayal, perhaps put out by the simultaneous offers of support and threat of bodily injury, or perhaps simply considering his options…
"Killing in the heat of battle, when it is kill or be killed, I understand. But your response is so polarizing..." Sigurd's face mixes pity and confusion. "Gimmy, listen. Trust is not a switch, not on or off. It can be built up over time, slowly, carefully. If you are willing to be something greater, something stronger, the flames will not hurt you."
"Please, allow Lan to check."
"I trust you, Gimmy!"
"Step into the flames!"
"Okay Okay!" Gimmy smiles at Sigurd and Lan with full trust.
And steps into the flames, which seem to heal him.
"Gimmy not betray you for one week, then Gimmy make new decision after that"
He goes over to kick the corpse of Mo Douqiu, just to make sure he is dead dead. Scratches his head. And proceeds to follow Lan around. Everywhere. Like he wants to be like Lan. Or even be Lan. He offers to open doors. Feed him bites of food. Always says "yes master" and "okay master". Sleeps at his feet. Offers to kill anyone who gets in his way or inconveniences him even slightly.
Gimmy commits fully to his servitude of his new "master" and his faith is unshakeable!
...for the next few days so far...
Sigurd silently prays that Gimmy will enjoy a life of doing something more than just killing. It's probably best Sheela doesn't get her hands on Gimmy, he would spoil her.
Once the danger of Mo Douqiu has passed, Sigurd makes sure to speak to the constable, to tell him the threat is over, and the building needs to be scanned and cleaned.
The team heads towards Old Matsuki. He already feels his shoulders loosen. His adrenaline returning to normal. The day is won. Willowshore can recover.
The good constable, it seems, has already taken credit for his part in freeing the prisoners of Mo Douqiu.
”Bravely did we escort the villagers to safety, and returned them to their homes to reunite with their families. Willowshore is safe at last” he seems immensely pleased with himself. And indeed, when Zheng Peng finds out that the party is headed South of the Bank to confer with Old Matsuki, his ego swells behind his smile ”I will see to it personally that Granny Hu is abridged of the events that happened. Word is she is looking to make a promotion within her ranks…” knowing full well that with the party’s choice of Leader, that suddenly his own chances of receiving said promotion, for whatever it’s worth, are all but assured ”If you need anything, please call on the guard!” he tries to walk away with that being the final word.
And in any case, the party heads South…
…later discovering that some of the prisoners had been Southbankers, and that, unlike those recovered who called Northridge home, they were simply turned loose rather than actually escorted back to their side of the river…
"Thank you, constable. We'll take it from here." Sigurd sighs. Peng's eyes sometimes stray from his duty to his career. Sigurd knows he's lucky that both of his are in alignment.
If there are any Southbankers still wandering, Sigurd will offer to lead them around, or at least bring them to Old Matsuki's home so they can rest.
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Keeping her lips resolutely shut, Auntie Wu reminds herself: Even a fool can be useful, if you aim him right. If the party finds any Southbankers on their way to Matzuki Estate, she invites them to join the group and soothes their fears as much as possible. "We've killed their leaders and many of the attackers, so we're much safer now. I'm so sorry for what you endured. We all are. If you ever need anything, I'm happy to help. Even if it's just to listen."
... later discovering that some of the prisoners had been Southbankers, and that, unlike those recovered who called Northridge home, they were simply turned loose rather than actually escorted back to their side of the river...
Lan's hands feel warm and fiery when he realizes what the Constable has done. He's never liked the Constable before, but to be honest, that had always been as much his fault as the Constable's.
Okay, perhaps, it was a little bit more his fault than the Constable's.
But no more. He'll offer to help people find their homes, completely understanding if any of them reluctant to accept help from a garishly-dressed, obvious Northsider.
The party recalls their prior interactions with "Shou"
They decide whether approaching him immediately, or in a more premeditated manner, would be best appropriate for their aims...
[ dice=Sigurd Kolphan's Crafting (T)]1d20+6[/dice]
[ dice=Kazuki Sato's Crafting (T)]1d20+6[/dice]
[ dice=Vekka Tchakon's Crafting (T)]1d20+8[/dice]
[ dice=Vekka Tchakon's Tea Lore (T)]1d20+10[/dice]
Lan will recall his bachelor pad's unused hearth, and wisely stay away from preparing food.
And so.
The party spends the better of the afternoon preparing a meal to meet up with Old Matsuki. By proxy, he agrees to meet up at a home of the PC's choice.
Arriving timely - neither early nor late - he enters the abode briskly but merrily "Much to do! Yes. But one cannot do without something to sustain upon. That we may act in the service of others, let us first serve ourselves" he brings some of his special wine and sets it upon the surface which most makes sense, and looks for a place to sit, or, failing that, to lean
If there are any children in the home, he pats them on the head, smiling heartily!
The Governor's missing mansion being somewhat lost in the chaos of the Downtown Occupation - verily ended by the PCs with the slaying of Mo Douqiu, leader of the monster insurgency - it begins to slowly become apparent that there is a political power void at the highest level of leadership within Willowshore, with two clear contenders to rise to the mantle: Shou "Old" Matsuki and Ban-niang “Granny” Hu, the respective leaders of the Southbank and Northshore sides of the Ceiba River that bisects the town geographically, as well as culturally and ideologically. And so, each leader begins working to muster their "base" as towards ushering Willowshore into the Autumn months, preparing to rebuild and reprioritize town efforts to weather what might become the longest Winter in the settlement's history. And so. Will the party pick a side?
➤ Level: Four (base DC 19)
➤ Complexity: Multiple rounds (depending on number of courses ((tbd))!)
➤ Timeframe: one hour
➤ Synergies: Cornucopia, Seasoned, Specialty Crafting: Culinary
➤ List of Skills (easiest to hardest): Willowshore Lore (to understand and share stories of the “good old days”), Alcohol Lore (to share opinions about favorite drinks), Diplomacy or Society (as above but more generic, less specific info), Deception (far from a fool of a man, unless he is drunk, he can tell when someone is lying to him), Intimidation (perhaps years of dealing with Granny Hu have hardened his resolve against bullies)
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Sigurd is willing to offer his home. It lies on the Southern side of the river, near the Shrine of Pharasma. He figures it will inspire Sheela to sober up, at least briefly. And he knows Darius is eager to hear of their adventures.
"Welcome, everyone. Honored guests." Sigurd bows as his teammates arrive to prepare food. "Willowshore will recover. But first, a well-fed meal. It's like repairing a wall. I think."
Sigurd is glad he was able to make some repairs on the door. A giant spider tore it down, trying to devour Darius. As always, Darius spins his fear into a tale of Sigurd's bravery, leaping to the rescue because that's what heroes do. He isn't wrong, but it's nothing to brag about.
"Ah, greetings, Honored Matsuki." Another bow. Sigurd knows this meeting may secure power in the South, but reconciling both sides at the same time would be very difficult. One ally at a time. "Please, be seated."
Sheela is already eyeing Matsuki's special wine. Sigurd stifles a frown, but he lets an appreciative smile emerge when Darius reminds her to finish brewing the rest of the tea. In the kitchen. Away from the wine. At least Mother Otis forced some discipline into Sheela as a waitress. Mother Otis was good for something.
"Matsuki, we were exploring the woods around Willowshore. The lanterns had been lit, invaders were staying out of the town. But people were missing. We found Auntie Wu's grandchildren, at knife point by... abominations. We were able to save one, but the other was whisked away, out of sight. There was no way we would abandon them, so we began to follow their tracks."
Realizing Shou Old Matsuki wasn't listening to him, he turned to his companions. "I'm certain they can add more details, like where the trail led us."
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Auntie Wu sighs with relief when Sigurd offers his home for the dinner meeting. Hers probably still has bits of squashed spiders in it. I'll need an extra strong brew of tea to get through all that cleaning. She muses.
Sheela isn't the only one eyeing Old Matsuki's wine, but Auntie Wu has the wisdom borne of age to patiently wait. It will be poured eventually, and she's likely to get a larger portion if she doesn't come across as one who'd guzzle the whole thing in an instant without appreciating it.
She lets Lan do most of the talking, adding a detail here and there when he pauses to give the others a chance to add anything. When he gets to their efforts to return Ugly Cute to life, she speaks of how it felt with such feeling that tears well up in her eyes. "We couldn't lose Ugly Cute. The thought of it..." She takes a deep, steadying breath. "We just couldn't let that happen!"
Kazuki bows to Sigurd and his teammates as he enters. He carries a large, squishy sack slung over his shoulder.
"It was nice to finally visit my family. They're doing well after all that happened. However, my mother is still quite shaken from the ordeal. Father and my brother will not let her pick berries in the woods alone ever again."
He moves to a center table and plops the sack down.
"The nets I set in the river just before the festival -and that I had totally forgotten about- were filled with unagi! I brought plenty for our feast!"
The sack jiggles as the freshwater eels squirm within.
He then bows respectfully to the elder Matsuki...
"Tell me, what was it that took you away from the village for several days? I am sure there must be a story to tell!"
Kazuki looks down in disbelief and shakes his head after hearing such a preposterous question.
"He doesn't know what's been going on?... Oh, thank goodness the others will relate their tales about what happened." he sighs as the others begin to speak.Kazuki lightens up a bit and gets involved in the conversation. He talks about how wonderful and safe Willowshore was in the past...
"Shou 先生," Lan begins as before, "The last time we met, we made requests of you, we asked you for guidance. Please, let us enjoy an evening together."
"If anything has been learned the past few days, it is that the chasm between Southbank and Northshore need not be vast. We fight the same foes, we bleed the same blood. We draw magic from the same fonts. We have common allies, and common foes."
Lan will tell stories of reviving Ugly Cute, of convincing Gimmy to turn against Mo Douqiu. He'll emphasize the common bonds between Northshore and Southbank, and the teamwork that our team has shared.
The Governor's missing mansion being somewhat lost in the chaos of the Downtown Occupation - verily ended by the PCs with the slaying of Mo Douqiu, leader of the monster insurgency - it begins to slowly become apparent that there is a political power void at the highest level of leadership within Willowshore, with two clear contenders to rise to the mantle: Shou "Old" Matsuki and Ban-niang “Granny” Hu, the respective leaders of the Southbank and Northshore sides of the Ceiba River that bisects the town geographically, as well as culturally and ideologically. And so, each leader begins working to muster their "base" as towards ushering Willowshore into the Autumn months, preparing to rebuild and reprioritize town efforts to weather what might become the longest Winter in the settlement's history. And so. Will the party pick a side?
➤ Level: Four (base DC 19)
➤ Complexity: Multiple rounds (depending on number of courses ((tbd))!)
➤ Timeframe: one hour
➤ Synergies: Courtly Graces
➤ List of Skills (easiest to hardest): Willowshore Lore (to understand and share stories of the “good old days”), Alcohol Lore (to share opinions about favorite drinks), Diplomacy or Society (as above but more generic, less specific info), Deception (far from a fool of a man, unless he is drunk, he can tell when someone is lying to him), Intimidation (perhaps years of dealing with Granny Hu have hardened his resolve against bullies)
Progress
R1
Auntie Wu w/ Diplomacy vs DC 19 @ 27+ ♥️♥️
Kazuki w/ Willowshore Lore vs DC 17 @ 21 ♥️
Lan w/ Willowshore Lore vs DC 17 @ 15 17 ♥️
Sigurd w/ Diplomacy vs DC 19 @ 12
Vekka w/ w/ Diplomacy vs DC 19 @ 19 ♥️
Total Progress @ ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
PAUSE!!!
R2
Auntie Wu w/ ?? vs DC ?? @ ??
Kazuki w/ ?? vs DC ?? @ ??
Lan w/ ?? vs DC ?? @ ??
Sigurd w/ ?? vs DC ?? @ ??
Vekka w/ ?? vs DC ?? @ ??
The conversation seems to be going well, and Old Matsuki is about to respond, but first, he takes a bite of his food and a sip of his drink, tasting it's quality on his tongue...
Earlier in the day, at Sigurd's home, fully rested and preparing their magic as well as ingredients, the party gets hard to work making a meal to knock the to-be mayor's (?) sandals off!
Old Matsuki had the respect of the Southbank, not only as Willowshore's eldest member, but also one of it's most generous, lending his own mansion as a site to take in those pushed from their own homes during the time of the Downtown Occupation. But. He is also a man of tastes, and rumor has it, too a bit of a hedonist in his heyday, known to frequent the Cerulean Teahouse when it operated as a brothel in an earlier era of Willowshore. But today? Today he maintains his love of the senses in the form of food and drink: the finer the better. And the party decides, before meeting with him, to cater to his senses, preparing a provincial yet gourmet meal, over which they could share the time honored tradition of where to steer the village next...
➤ Level: Four (base DC 19)
➤ Complexity: Two Rounds
➤ Timeframe: Several hours (retroactively in the past)
➤ Synergies: Enhance Victuals, Seasoned, Specialty Crafting: Culinary
➤ List of Skills: Alcohol Lore (very easy), Crafting (moderate), Cooking Lore (easy), Tea Lore (easy), Survival (hard)
Thresholds:
For every ☆☆☆ the party earns, they add one additional Influence Round to the "Shou for Mayor?" Skill Challenge!
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As the group is busily chopping and stirring, Auntie Wu casually pours a little slosh of her cheap, harsh alcohol into one of the pots. Just before that course is served, she casts Enhance Victuals on the food.
Sniffing another dish, she decides to add a dash of her special tea mix. It has an earthy flavor that will complement the rich spices already in the dish. Again, she casts Enhance Victuals on the food just before this course is served.
"Now, let's see... salt the fish. Stoke the fire, keep just the right amount of fat..." Sigurd prepares the unagi eel for roasting.
"I think that's good. Let's see. The water needs to cook the rice for just long enough to chew, but not so soggy it becomes mush."
"Alright. our guest should be well-fed!"
Auntie Wu pours cheap alcohol into the pot, then sweetens it with magic.
Sigurd tries to cook the eel, but... turns out his real strength lies in fighting and praying...
As the group gathers to begin cooking, Kazuki prepares a mix of hardwood and softwood in the oven, aiming to create a fire that will burn long and hot, needing little attention during the cooking.
With the fire prepped, he opens the sack of freshwater eel, draws his hunting knife, and expertly starts cleaning the slippery creatures, one by one.
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Lan has none of those skills, so he'll wash dishes while others cook.
After all that has happened Vekka is happy to be welcomed into Sigurd's home with his tea kit. This is soured only a little when Auntie Wu sneaks something into his preparation pots.
His subtle frown only lasts a moment until she flashes her innocent "who, me?" look which compels him to smile again and just go with it.
Well, I hope this turns out alright after the meddling! I suppose this will truly be a community-made tea, and our community is finally on the mend!
He focuses at length in his contented mood.
At first he struggles against Aunti Wu's extras...
As always, trust the process.
Old Matsuki is moderately impressed with the food and drink.
He goes for seconds when there is an opportunity ”Haven’t eaten in days” remarking at his grab - an excuse he offers not to the seconds and thirds of drink he indulges in, pouring his own wine out to any who have thus far eyeballed it, and for himself.
”Relax and enjoy”
A couple glasses later, he seems ready to discuss business ”So…”
"Now then. Willowshore has much work to do. Ugly Cute and Zoudou both spoke of a veiled reality, some kind of wall or barrier surrounding us. I do not understand it all- maybe Ugly Cute was woozy from a near death experience. I know I was. Zoudou was mad in her zelotry. But if we bring scholars from the North and South together, we can get to the bottom of this."
"I hope everyone in Willowshore can have a fine feast. Perhaps we can hold a celebration once we finish repairs."
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"But if we bring scholars from the North and South together, we can get to the bottom of this."
Auntie Wu nods her agreement. "Yes. With no word of the mayor's whereabouts, people are going to be looking for a leader. The most successful candidate will be one who can bring together both the North and South. We are stronger together, even if we don't always agree." Personally, Auntie Wu is inclined to think Old Matsuki is a better option than Granny Hu (Patooie!), but she doesn't want to seem too obvious about her favoritism.
Kazuki agrees with uniting both shores as one. He helps to try to convince old matsuki that that would be the best way to go.
Vekka expounds on the ways the North and South of town have interacted over the many months and handful of years since he arrives in Willowshore. He paints these in extreme positives.
"Matsuki, we were exploring the woods around Willowshore. The lanterns had been lit, invaders were staying out of the town. But people were missing. We found Auntie Wu's grandchildren, at knife point by... abominations. We were able to save one, but the other was whisked away, out of sight. There was no way we would abandon them, so we began to follow their tracks."
"Abominations, yes. You speak of the Faceless Ones. Some of my rangers have spotted them. They have been drawn to Willowshore, for some reason. Tell me. Do you know what they want?"
She lets Lan do most of the talking, adding a detail here and there when he pauses to give the others a chance to add anything. When he gets to their efforts to return Ugly Cute to life, she speaks of how it felt with such feeling that tears well up in her eyes. "We couldn't lose Ugly Cute. The thought of it..." She takes a deep, steadying breath. "We just couldn't let that happen!"
"Ugly Cute has been Guardian over Willowshore for a long time. At least a generation and a half have only known him as a statue. His reanimation is an omen! What do you think it foretells?"
When the tale turns to their efforts to rid the town of Mo Douqiu, Vekka recounts how he cut Auntie Wu out of the man-eating toad.
Old Matsuki bows to the tengu "Your sword is gaining some renown among those who call Southbank home" he grins "Especially the youngest among us!" he allows his praise to be felt, then asks "You slew the devil Mo Douqiu - but did you discover whom he served?"
Kazuki lightens up a bit and gets involved in the conversation. He talks about how wonderful and safe Willowshore was in the past...
"Willowshore will be safe again. But first, we must rebuild. Many farmlands were lost, and with winter just around the corner, we have only a single season to prepare for it!" he looks around the table "What do you think would be the best approach?"
Lan will tell stories of reviving Ugly Cute, of convincing Gimmy to turn against Mo Douqiu. He'll emphasize the common bonds between Northshore and Southbank, and the teamwork that our team has shared.
"Using fey tricks against the fey. Clever indeed" he remarks of the first; and of the second "With the Governor Heh Shan-Bou missing, someone must step up to lead. I am the oldest member of the town, and am in good health" he sips at his wine some more "But I am unsure that Northridge will suffer anyone but Ban-niang Hu" using Granny's Hu's full real name out of respect "Do you think that Ban-niang is fit to lead?"
"Now then. Willowshore has much work to do. Ugly Cute and Zoudou both spoke of a veiled reality, some kind of wall or barrier surrounding us. I do not understand it all- maybe Ugly Cute was woozy from a near death experience. I know I was. Zoudou was mad in her zelotry. But if we bring scholars from the North and South together, we can get to the bottom of this."
"Zoudou? Who is Zoudou?" he looks genuinely curious "I know of no Zealot nor anyone by that name"