☠ Season of Ghosts w/ DM rainzax ☠

Game Master rainzax

"Thank the gods that's over. I was about to throw myself over the cliff I was so frustrated."

Kazuki wanders about picking up any arrows of his that didn't break.

"I'm going to need to make several more arrows. I'm almost out. Let's rest for the night, shall we?"

Quorum of three for moving along

Leaping immediately out of a bush from hiding, Yami approaches the tiny corpse (pieces), and starts playing with one, trapping it like a mouse, only for the grass to flink it along, and POUNCE!

...when he thinks nobody is looking (busy healing Sigurd or Refocusing?), he himself focuses upon it with concentrated intent, and little dark purple magic energies start flowing from his claws...

"Yami! Stop that! It's given us enough trouble already. We want it to stay dead. All the way!" Auntie Wu scolds, turning to Sigurd to dress his wounds. As she works, she muses: "How you handled all that zapping, I don't know. It must've felt awful. ... Hmm... Considering the challenges we have ahead of us, it would be dangerous to continue with you so fatigued, Sigurd. Let's stop here, or close to here, so you can rest. I can take the first watch."

With Assurance in Medicine and Continual Recovery, Auntie Wu can surely heal Sigurd and Lan with ease.

Leaping immediately out of a bush from hiding, Yami approaches the tiny corpse (pieces), and starts playing with one, trapping it like a mouse, only for the grass to flink it along, and POUNCE!

...when he thinks nobody is looking (busy healing Sigurd or Refocusing?), he himself focuses upon it with concentrated intent, and little dark purple magic energies start flowing from his claws...

"Yami! Stop that! It's given us enough trouble already. We want it to stay dead. All the way!" Auntie Wu scolds, turning to Sigurd to dress his wounds. As she works, she muses: "All that shocking must've really hurt. Thanks, Sigurd. Holding that thing can't have been fun. ... Hmm... Considering all the challenges we've been facing on this road, I think it's unwise to continue with you so fatigued. How about we rest for the night? I can take the first watch."

With Assurance in Medicine and Continual Recovery, Auntie Wu can heal Sigurd and Lan easily.

Vekka stares at the ground in disbelief. After so many misses he can't believe his sword delivered the fatal cleave. He quickly realizes others might notice and straightens up his expression.

He chuckles at Kazuki's remark, having to admit I was not far from that myself.

Then he turns to Sigurd and Auntie Wu.

Sigurd, I think she's right. I can still smell the singed flesh and fabric from all of that shocking. Maybe we should give ourselves a little longer downtime. I can take a watch after Auntie Wu too.

Yami backs off at Auntie Wu's scolding, hiding himself behind Lan for the short rest and resuming hike.

Let's say 20-30 minutes to Treat Wounds / Refocus and everyone is at full HP / FP

The rain picks up once more, slowly, as the party continues along the Pilgrim's Path on their way to the Mountain Shrine. But suddenly, up ahead, a grisly sight! Hanging by their hair to two trees along the path (a warning?...) are several human and humanoid heads severed at the neck and with a full onset of rigor mortis. An 11th head - this one floating in air! - speaks "You are not welcome here: For you lack the true insight to be with the Great Kugaptee!"

As it speaks, a few of the other attached heads animate spontaneously and agree - several heads add "You will join us soon" and "We welcome you to our family" and "There is no escape, only eternity" and other cryptic agreements.

Seeing as they block the only path forward, the only option is to fight!

Left Tree
Red Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Orange Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Yellow Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Pink Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Crimson Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Right Tree
Light Blue Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Medium Blue Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Dark Blue Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Purple Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Black Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Center Path
White Boss Skull to Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

A WHISPER IN THE WOODS

ID: Religion (DC 13) and (DC 20) for the "boss"
All the skulls are tiny and so share spaces

Weather
Fog imposes -1 to physical ranged attacks (Unless adjacent to target)

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Roll Initiative! Anyone who beats all of them in initiative (29+) may immediately act!

Auntie Wu's mundane methods of recovery are a welcome sight. He wonders if Shizuru is tired from healing the lightning burns he received. Silly Sigurd, gods do not tire. Well, not in a mundane manner...

Initiative, Fatigued: 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 1 = 25

It's moments like these he wishes he could summon the strength to raise his shield quickly. But no, they are too quick for him.

Perception, Inc. Init, Season Boon: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 24

"What!? More little skulls? Unbelievable." Kazuki shakes his head in dismay.

He looks for a very high cliff to leap from.

Oh look, a whole peanut gallery. Now, just stay where we can see you.

Avoid notice (Stealth): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

ID: Religion (DC 13) and (DC 20) for the "boss"

@GM: Are the Religion checks a separate roll for each DC?

Initiative (Perception): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

"'You're not welcome here.' 'You will join us soon.' Make up your minds." Auntie Wu's had it up to here and then some with all these shenanigans, and has absolutely no patience for this garbage.

White Boss Skull
◇) Delay

"Kill them and bring them into servitude, my children!"

At their master's (mother's? father's?) words, several of the skulls wriggle free of the tree, tearing their hair off and pieces of their scalp in doing so to advance forward and descend upon poor Sigurd!

Yellow Skull
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2

Light Blue
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2

Red Skull
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2

Black Skull
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2

Swarming him, just out of reach to grasp! (Reach 0 feet)

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Anyone with Initiative 25 may act now!

Surrounded by skulls, Sigurd takes a moment to identify them.

Religion to Recall Knoweldge DC 13: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 1 = 12 Every -1 matters!

Religion to Recall Knoweldge DC 20: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 1 = 24
The rain has worn down his concentration. But the leader annoys him so much. Is it undead? Is it vulnerable to Vitality? What are its weaknesses?

With so many targets nearby, Sigurd swings once.

+1 Striking Silver (low grade) Short Sword vs Red Skull: 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 - 1 = 20
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 5) + 3 = 14

Sigurd carves Red Skull in half!

Fatigued is only -1 to defenses, not skills / attacks...

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Anyone with Initiative 25 may act now!

"The main one is undead and weak to Vitality." Sigurd smiles. "Be wary of its taunts, it likes to react and bite those who strike it in melee."

But they aren't immune to spells... Vekka thinks.

This, I can work with.

Tightening his grip on his katana, he slashes into Sigurds space in hopes of cleaving a pest.

◆◆ Spellstrike BLACK
Cast a spell Viality Lash
Strike: +1 striking katana attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
slashing damage (two-handed): 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (3, 4) + 4 = 11
deadly IFF crit: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Vitality damage (DC20 basic fortitude): 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 3) = 15
If the creature critically fails the save, it is also enfeebled 1 until the start of your next turn.

◆ Enter stance: Arcane Cascade

NOTE Need to recharge spellstrike next turn.

Initiative (Scouting): 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28

Lan Recalls about the small skulls.

Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 vs DC 13

"The small ones are weak to vitality as well, and carry disease!"

In an effort to stamp out as many as possible, Lan unleashes a large fireball, engulfing everyone in the back.

Fireball (3rd): 6d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 3, 4, 1) = 22
DC 21 basic Reflex save from everyone inside the pink circle.

Vekka obliterates black skull!

A burst of fire rolls out...

Boss Skull Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 @ 22 damage
Red Skill Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 @ dead
Pink Skill Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 @ 11 damage
Orange Skill Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15 @ dead
Purple Skill Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 @ 11 damage
Dark Blue Skill Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 @ 0 damage
Medium Blue Skill Basic Reflex (DC 21) vs 22 fire: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23 @ 11 damage

...causing significant damage, and taking two right out.

Black Fortitude vs Vekka's 15 vitality (DC 20) w/ Weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 @ 20 damage spellstrike total

...and Boss Skull comes out of hesitation, zeroing in on "the problem" of Lan "Hey You - My Lost Son - Listen to me!" and the "other problem" "And You - Little Bird - Listen to Me!"

It then flies over and above Sigurd, just within everyone (except Kazuki's) reach.

Boss Skull
◆) Incessant Goading
◆) Incessant Goading
◆) Fly

Lan and Vekka - please make a DC 22 Will save vs a Level 5 (auditory, emotion, incapacitation, mental) effect!

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Kazuki and Auntie Wu are Up!

"Shut up, fiend!"

Kazuki marks the taunting skull as his prey, then fires shots from his bow...
+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 14 - 2 = 252d8 ⇒ (5, 8) = 131d10 ⇒ 10
+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) w/ MAP (-3) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 3 - 2 = 272d8 ⇒ (6, 6) = 121d10 ⇒ 7

+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) w/ MAP (-6) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 14 - 6 - 2 = 92d8 ⇒ (1, 8) = 91d10 ⇒ 9

◆ hunt prey
◆ hunted shot
◆ strike

Two out of three of Kazuki's arrows land true! (@ -25 damage)

"Mind your manners - Soon you will call me Master!" it retorts to him.

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

A WHISPER IN THE WOODS

R2
Yellow Skull
Light Blue
Sigurd
Vekka @ Pending Save
Lan @ Pending Save
Boss Skull @ -47
Kazuki
R1
Auntie Wu
Pink @ -11
Dark Blue
Medium Blue @ -11
Purple @ -11

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Lan and Vekka pending saves!

Auntie Wu!

Gah! I wish I'd prepared Vitality Lash today! Auntie Wu rues, grabbing her Staff of Healing and shooting a healing spell at the ringleader.

◆◆ 1st rank Heal vs. White: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
White needs to make a DC 21 basic Fort save.

◆ Interact, ◆◆ Cast a spell

"Did I mention that the brain rot will stupefy, and eventually cause death?"

Spoiler open for details.

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 vs DC 22
Well, that's not good.

"TRALALERO TRALALA! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"

Will, Hero Point Reroll: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 vs DC 22
lol

"Oh, wait, I can. Yes, father?"

Auntie Wu uses her wand - it rips a chunk out of the White Boss Skull.

White Boss Skull Basic Fortitude vs 6 vitality (DC 21) w/ weakness 5: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 @ 8 damage

"OW! You shall be punished in return!" it promises.

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Then: Lan loses his mind!

"Kill yourself for the Family!" it demands of him "That you May Return into a more Enlightened Form!" it continues "Only then will Kugaptee be There" even more "And you may Gaze Upon him Worthily!"

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

The remaining attached skulls disattach and swarm Vekka and Lan!

Pink Skull
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2 towards Vekka

Dark Blue
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2 towards Lan

Medium Blue Skull
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2 towards Lan

Purple Skull
◆) Interact to tear hair free from tree
◆◆) Fly x2 towards Lan

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

The two skulls surrounding Sigurd bite ravenously!

Yellow
◆◆◆) Strike x3

Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 171d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) w/ MAP (-4) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 4 = 81d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) w/ MAP (-8) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 8 = 101d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Light Blue
◆◆◆) Strike x3

Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 281d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) w/ MAP (-4) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 - 4 = 91d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) w/ MAP (-8) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (7) + 9 - 8 = 81d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Sigurd fends most of them off...

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

A WHISPER IN THE WOODS

R2
Yellow Skull
Light Blue
Sigurd @ -5 @ Pending Save
Lan @ Incessantly Goaded
Vekka @ Pending Save
Boss Skull @ -55
Kazuki
Auntie Wu
Pink @ -11
Dark Blue
Medium Blue @ -11
Purple @ -11

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Vekka pending save!

Sigurd and Lan are Up!

Fort Save, Fatigued: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 1 = 20

"Lan, ignore the skull-" But Sigurd sees Lan's willpower faltering. If only Sigurd's magic was strong enough.

So he goes for plan B. "Shizuru! Shine your light upon us, and banish these undead fiends to the Boneyard! Let their souls find eternal rest!"

Heal from Divine Font: 3d8 ⇒ (2, 1, 7) = 10 The sun shines on Sigurd and his allies. The sun blazes against the scourge of undeath surrounding them.

Fort Save DC 20 on the Undead creatures who are within 30 feet of Sigurd.

Sigurd throws off the Brain Rot.

White Boss Skull Basic Fortitude vs 10 vitality (DC 20) w/ weakness 5: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25 @ -10 more
Pink Basic Fortitude (DC 20) vs 10 vitality w/ weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 @ dead
Purple Basic Fortitude (DC 20) vs 10 vitality w/ weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 @ dead
Dark Blue Basic Fortitude (DC 20) vs 10 vitality w/ weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8 @ dead
Medium Blue Basic Fortitude (DC 20) vs 10 vitality w/ weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 @ dead
Light Blue Basic Fortitude (DC 20) vs 10 vitality w/ weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 @ dead
Yellow Basic Fortitude (DC 20) vs 10 vitality w/ weakness 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 @ -12 HPs

And wipes out the entire swarm of skulls. Except Yellow. Who boasts ”Join me brother - you can still be Forgiven!”

DC 22 Will save vs a Level 5 (auditory, emotion, incapacitation, mental) effect: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Lan immediately punches himself.

◇ Fist: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24 vs AC 21
Nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 4

It's a good, solid hit, and he chips a tooth, but doesn't even wince at the pain.

Then, he begins pummeling the boss skull.

◆ Fist, agile: 1d20 + 11 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 4 = 22
Nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 1

◆ Fist, agile: 1d20 + 11 - 8 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 8 = 18
Nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 4

◆ Fist, agile: 1d20 + 11 - 8 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 8 = 9
Nonlethal: 1d4 ⇒ 1

Lan punches himself squarely in the jaw. Then punches the Taunting Skull "Ha ha HA!" it takes pleasure in the act. Lan -4, Skull -1

Then turns it's attention to Vekka, and repeats it's mantra:

"Kill yourself for the Family!" it demands of him "That you May Return into a more Enlightened Form!" it continues "Only then will Kugaptee be There" even more "And you may Gaze Upon him Worthily!"

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Yellow Skull
Sigurd @ -5
Lan @ -4
Vekka
Boss Skull @ -56
Kazuki
Auntie Wu

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Vekka is Up!

The boss skull has come to him, and so Vekka turns his attention that way.

No! I will do no such thing.

He concentrates on his blade.

◆ Recharge Spellstrike

Invokes an incantation and slashes down at it.

◆◆ Spellstrike WHITE
Cast a spell Vitality Lash
Strike WHITE: +1 striking katana attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
slashing damage (two-handed): 2d10 + 4 ⇒ (10, 2) + 4 = 16
deadly IFF crit: 1d8 ⇒ 4
Vitality damage (DC20 basic fortitude): 4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 5, 2) = 15
If the creature critically fails the save, it is also enfeebled 1 until the start of your next turn.

What might have been a killing blow is entirely averted. Either way, the Taunting Skull is aggravated that his tricks didn't work on Vekka - he focuses his attention instead on Auntie Wu:

"Hey You - My Lost Daughter - Listen to me!" as well as "And My Lost Son - Listen to Me some More!"

It remains hovering above Sigurd, just within everyone (except Kazuki's) reach.

Boss Skull
◆) Incessant Goading
◆) Incessant Goading
◆) Hover

Lan and Auntie Wu - please make a DC 22 Will save vs a Level 5 (auditory, emotion, incapacitation, mental) effect!

Will: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 vs DC 22

"TUNG TUNG TUNG TUNG TUNG SAHUR!!!"

"You want to know what it's like to have a son? Imagine me yelling this 15 times a day!"

I'm not bitter or anything.

Will Save: 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 12 - 1 = 15

Sigurd's mind freezes. Something seems off, but who is that? Is that Father's voice calling to him? What does he want?

DC 22 Will: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
No Hero Point or Halfling Luck available.

Auntie Wu's face goes slack. She cocks her head, glassy-eyed and listening.

The incessant mantra continues:

"Kill yourself for the Family!" it demands of them "That you May Return into a more Enlightened Form!" it continues "Only then will Kugaptee be There" even more "And you may Gaze Upon him Worthily!"

Yellow skull - the only remaining Festering Gnasher - joins in the revelry "Yes, Father. I can see us closing in on One of them! Which One will it Be!" he begins slathering for Sigurd (whose space he already shares), opening his mouth wide!

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Yellow Skull
Sigurd @ -5
Lan @ -4
Vekka
Boss Skull @ -56
Kazuki
Auntie Wu @ Incessantly Goaded

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Kazuki and Auntie Wu are Up!

Kazuki keeps shooting at the taunting skull...
+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 - 2 = 222d8 ⇒ (4, 8) = 121d10 ⇒ 5
+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) w/ MAP (-3) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 3 - 2 = 282d8 ⇒ (7, 2) = 91d10 ⇒ 8

+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) w/ MAP (-6) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 6 - 2 = 262d8 ⇒ (1, 6) = 71d10 ⇒ 8

+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) w/ MAP (-6) vs Target: 1d20 + 14 - 6 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 6 - 2 = 102d8 ⇒ (3, 3) = 61d10 ⇒ 4

"I said shut up."

◆ hunted shot
◆ strike
◆ strike

Three arrows slam into Taunty, destroying him, and releasing Auntie Wu from her compulsion instantly!

He shuts up permanently.

Kazuki you have ◆ to spare - Auntie Wu you may freely act

Send that last ◆ action at yellow skull.

Auntie Wu shakes her head, blinking furiously. "Wha--?" Why would it want me to attack *itself*? Foreboding wells in the pit of her stomach, but there isn't time yet to delve into those possibilities. She quickly casts Guidance on Sigurd, then casts Electric Arc on the remaining skull.

Electric damage: 4d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 4) = 13
DC 21 basic reflex

◆ Cast a spell, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Basic Reflex vs 13 electricity (DC 21): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Nearly shocking it to death, Yellow Skull makes one final bid to bite Sigurd and infect him with Brain Rot!

Yellow
◆◆◆) Strike x3

Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 161d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) w/ MAP (-4) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 4 = 241d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Jaws (P, 0-ft reach; agile) w/ Brain Rot (Fortitude Save per Hit) w/ MAP (-8) vs Sigurd (AC 21 / fatigued): 1d20 + 9 - 8 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 8 = 31d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

One slathering jaw penetrates the cleric's flesh - and even though soon the party easily dispatches it (Calling it @ 1 HP left) - whether or not Sigurd overcomes the slow-moving terminal affliction remains to be seen!

Encounter Over - but - Sigurd, please make a DC 14 Fortitude save!

And with the final skull destroyed, the party takes a breather...

To Do:
1) Take stock (resources spent)
2) Quick Rest or Long Rest?
3) Exploration Activity when moving forward!

I think we voted for a long rest after this encounter just as this encounter started.

Lan will Scout when we begin moving again.

Vekka certainly won't argue against the group resting.

He will avoid notice when they continue.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 12 - 1 = 13 Fatigue! Every -1 matters!
Hero Point: 1d20 + 12 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 12 - 1 = 29

Sigurd crushes the final head out of frustration with the pommel of the short sword. "I can't wait to return to Willowshore and transfer this rune to my katana."

He sighs. "All of this rain has tired me. I for one am tired of floating skulls trying to kill us. Let us make camp for the evening and get some rest."

Sigurd votes for a long rest. With his fatigue he is in no condition to investigate the shrine- who knows what is out there?

In the morning, Sigurd feels fully refreshed. He practices his morning katas and then gets his shield ready to Defend against any threats.

Kazuki is happy the group chooses to camp overnight. He spends a couple hours making arrows with sticks, feathers, and knapped stone.
-----------------

Kazuki sticks to the shadows of the trees as the group makes their way to the mountain.
Avoid notice.

After patching eachother's wounds (20-30 min tops), the party make themselves comfortable in the woods near the road, and set to sleep, rotating watches...

What kind of Map should I get to represent your Campsite? How far off the road?

Wandering Monster (25%, high traffic area) 1st Watch Sigurd: 1d100 ⇒ 58
Wandering Monster (25%, high traffic area) 2nd Watch Vekka: 1d100 ⇒ 7

...they are disturbed by the rustling sounds of something creeping in the bushes, stalking them!

Vekka - please roll a Perception check!

Vekka wades just into the woods off of the path to look for an opening that wouldn't be trampled by passerby.

Wait, would anyone else even appear on this road?

He looks for a flat spot so that they don't have to sleep on inclines.

--------------------

Perc: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

To Do:

1) Take stock (resources spent)
2) Quick Rest or Long Rest?
3) Exploration Activity when moving forward!

---

Burrowing under her blanket, Auntie Wu snuggles Mogu like a teddy bear. Mogu's filaments wrap around her, returning the hug. "Zzzzz."

Wandering Monster is Beast (25), Corpse (50), Critter (75), or Ghost (00)?: 1d100 ⇒ 77

Vekka fails to see the pair of ghosts that sneak up on the party in their campsite beside a small pond half-a-mile from the main trail...

Blue Ghost to Avoid Notice (Stealth) Initiative: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Purple Ghost to Avoid Notice (Stealth) Initiative: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
vs
Auntie Wu's Perception (E) w/ Asleep (-4): 1d20 + 13 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 - 4 = 10
Ho Lan's Perception (T) w/ Asleep (-4): 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 4 = 8
Sigurd Kolphan's Perception (E) w/ Asleep (-4): 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 4 = 18
Kazuki Sato's Perception (E) w/ Asleep (-4): 1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 12 - 4 = 27
Vekka Perception: 14 = 14

Two creeping spirits crawl slowly forth from the water, and arrive just before Lan and Auntie Wu - reaching out with ghostly hands while they sleep.

Both Ghosts
◆) Swim
◆◆) Stride x2 (very slow)

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

SPIRITS FROM THE DEPTHS

Monster ID: Occultism (20) or Religion (20)
Rest?: Full HP / FP, but not Full Rested since bedding down

Wake Up Ally (◆) You can kick your adjacent ally who gets a Pereption vs DC 20 to wake up - and may immediately act if their initiaitve has already passed (to speed it up, you may roll for them)
Round Two (◇) If you are still asleep at the start of your round two turn, you may attempt to wake up as a free action at the start of your turn (DC 20, same)

Kazuki @ Asleep, prone, unarmored, unarmed
Blue Ghost
Purple Ghost
Sigurd @ Asleep, prone, unarmored, unarmed
Vekka
Auntie Wu @ Asleep, prone, unarmored, unarmed
Lan @ Asleep, prone, unarmored, unarmed

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠

Vekka is Up!

I presume because they've creeped up Lan and Auntie Wu that Vekka has spotted them by now.

We've got company!

Vekka begins shaking his friends awake.

◆ Wake Up Ally: Lan
◆ Wake Up Ally: Auntie Wu
◆ Wake Up Ally: Kazuki

Thank goodness for the macros.

Auntie Wu's DC20 Perception (E): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Ho Lan's DC20 Perception (T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Kazuki Sato's DC20 Perception (E): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

I guess 2/3 isn't bad.

"Wha?" Auntie Wu mumbles groggily, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

But with a 10 on initiative, she can't act yet.

My initiative already passed (27), right?

We've got company!

Kazuki is abrubtly awoken with a kick to his rear.

He suddenly notices movement out of the corner of his eye.
"Gah!!! Gh-gh-gh-... SPIRITS!!!"

In a flash, he grabs his bow and leaps to his feet. He then fires one of his recently crafted arrows at the ghost shimmering with blue ectoplasmic light...
+1 Striking ghost-touch Longbow (P, 100-ft, ignore 2nd increment, deadly d10, Volley 30'/-2) vs Blue: 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 2 = 292d8 ⇒ (5, 1) = 61d10 ⇒ 6

◆ interact to grab weapon
◆ stand up
◆ strike