Ayane continues to sing and inspire her friends.
She then casts Telekinetic projectile once again hoping to injure the creature.
Yuranosuke maintains his focus and strikes at the mushroom monster!
[ooc]◆ Strike x3[ooc]
She takes a few more steps back before trying to zap the plant again
Running low on divine blessing from Shizuru, Kwan hopes that brute strength and perseverance will turn the tide. "Surround the thing, but back away if you aren't using weapons."
◆ Raise Shield
◆ Strike
◆ Strike
It looks around, taking Ning's word in, starting to look a little afraid as your group closes in around it. Ning heals Kwan, keeping him in the fight a little longer.
Ayane finds her voice, and an inspiring melody haunts the mushroom grove, her drums continuing even after she has stopped, though it doesn't help her hit the creature.
Yuranosuke, Shandari and Kwan all find their targets, delivering a multitude of blows, with Kwan and Yuranosuke's weapons being particularly effect at slashing through the fungi flesh.
Xundu speaks, "this is my grove, I've lived here for years, you will not take it from me!"
It then punches Yuranosuke
It then reaches out a hand to Kwan. Kwan feels a massive headache, and you all can see the veins in his head bulge with a purple color between the skin.
Round 4 - Clearing the Grove
Shandari ☘️ -
Ning ☘️☘️ - 6 damage
Xundu(Myceloid) - 42 damage,
round 3
Kwan ☘️ - 17 damage | Stage 1 onset in 8 rounds
Yuranosuke ☘️- 11 damage | Needs a DC20 Fort Save
Ayane ☘️ - Inspire Courage 2 round
Ning holds his staff out, and three small strips of wood rip off and fling toward the mycoid, and then puts up a shield between him and the threat.
** Needle Darts
* Shield
Ayane, once again tries to telekinetically throw a large rock at the mushroom creature.
Ayane, seeing how bad the mushrooms creature is affecting Kwan, puts both hands on his arm and they start to glow with a healing light.
Seeing her friends close in, she calls up the wind to aid them, a wind blowing away from them, to hopefully blow any spore clouds away from any intended target of the group
Whatever disease is affecting Kwan takes hold of his mind. "Why are we fighting? We could help each other."
Despite the cloudiness of his mind, Kwan remembers the potion from You So-Jin. "May as well drink this now. There wasn't time before."
◆ Interact to Stow katana
◆ Interact to retrieve potion
◆ Drink
Yuranosuke coughs and wheezes, but tries to keep the pressure up.
Ning goes on the offensive, firing off a bunch of sharp needles that slam into the Myceloid hurting it.
Ayane tries to attack it but misses again pretty badly, though she does manage to heal Kwan who seems confused, sheathing his sword, his eyes have gone purple.
Shandari whips up a wind, pushing any stray spores out of the area and maintaining a fresh breeze.
Yuranosuke's Shuan Ji catches a spot he sliced once already and finds its even easier to continue, driving his blade through the creature, bi-secting it. His slashing damage causes the Myceloid to burst, but Shandari's wind kinesis helps avoid your group from being further exposed.
With Xungu’s death, the fungus infestation in the grove immediately begins to recede, with mushrooms and mold shrinking, melting, and evaporating. Within an hour, the grove is restored full, with out any hint that there was a mushroom infestation.
Kwan's mind quickly returns to normal, and all sign of infection fades as the mushroom and mold fade.
Searching the area, you find a Silver (Low-grade) Katana, a shimmering liquid vial, and A thumb-sized feline carved of rare stone.
Níng watches the grove restore itself, his ears lifting slowly as the gray recedes from the bark.
It is already breathing easier.
He turns to Kwan first, one hand settling briefly on the champion's shoulder, checking his eyes before anything else. The purple is gone. He nods to himself, satisfied.
Warmth gathers in both palms and he rests them lightly- first on Kwan, then on Yuranosuke- the familiar light passing quietly between them.
◆ Lay on Hands (Kwan): 6 HP
◆ Lay on Hands (Yuranosuke): 6 HP
He crouches beside Kwan afterward, opening his kit with practiced hands.
"Hold still," he says. "The fungus is gone but I want to look at you properly."
"Thank you, Níng," Yuraonosuke says as he lets him examine him. As he does so, Yuranosuke watches as the rot recedes almost immediately following the creature's slaying.
"That the grove is recovering so swiftly is a good sign. Even in the face of such strange evils, the powers of light and life remain resilient."
Shandari plops down on the ground, though she has a smile on her face
"Well, im happy thats done, now the trees can bloom again. I like spring. Autumn too, thats when the wind and breeze really picks up"
Kwan rubs a hand across his face as his clouded mind recovers. "I'm glad to be done with this creature. It had some means to take over my mind and make me question who I should be fighting."
After several moments to catch his breath, Kwan looks over the katana. "I don't truly need a second katana, but this one is made of silver. It could be useful against certain types of enemies. But, someone else can claim it first."
Kwan glances briefly at the other items that group discovered but doesn't inspect them since they are likely beyond his understanding.
Níng finishes with Kwan and straightens, closing his kit. He crosses to where the items were found and crouches, picking up the jade carving of the cat first. He turns it over in his fingers, studying the stone.
Someone made this carefully.
"The katana should go to whoever can use it best," he says, still looking at the carving. "Silver has its uses against certain things we are likely to meet again."
He sets the carving down gently and picks up the vial, holding it to the light filtering through the recovering canopy.
He glances at Yuranosuke. "You are right. The grove is resilient." His ears tip slightly. "So are we, it seems."
Spending so much time in this grove, you inevitably look around, seeing if there is any sign of the missing Kodama and friend of Great Willow. Unfortunately, there is no indication of a Kodama living in this grove, nor any remains as if one had been recently killed.
This area has returned to peaceful, serene but empty willow grove.
Ayane looks at the vial of liquid and the cat figurine and is baffled by both. "hmm, uhh, well friends, i dont know what these are. BUT maybe i can look at them again later and see if i can figure it out."
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Ning looks across the grove, and tries to recall how a Kodama might come to inhabit a grove, or return to a grove that has no Kodama.
Ning knows that Kodama's are a type of lesser Kami. And that every kami is bound to a ward: a specific animal, plant, object, or location. Any of the locals can tell that the Kami that lived in this grove was much more reclusive and tolerant of visitors, rarely showing it self but also extend a sense of protection to this grove. It was a safe space that was often used for dates with young adults courting one another.
Still, it is strange that despite defeating the mushroom infestation, it hasn't emerged. If it was here or still alive, surely it would have come out by now.
Kwan nods to Ning. "In that case, I carry the katana but gladly offer it if any of you would put it to use."
Kwan then looks at the healing grove that is still missing its kodama protector. "I fear that that Great Willow's friend was killed by the myceloid. We should look around the area, hoping for the best."
Kwan searches the grove for any sign of the kodama and then suggests that they report back to Great Willow and the elders.
"The wind and air are my allies, i dont need crafted materials that much" she smiles
After recovering, the Sun has finally started to set, though the mostly 3 hour journey back to Willowshore should be safe enough, sticking to the roads your group sets out to return home.
But the trip passes quickly and without threat, though its around 10pm when you arrive back to town, Old Matsuki and Granny Hu would both likely be asleep and without better news not happy to be woken at this hour.
After they leave the grove with no clues regarding the fate of its kodama, Ren suggests what is probably the obvious.
"We shouldn't lose hope just yet. The Great Willow is a friend to the kodama. We may not know enough about its particular personality or habits to find it. The Great Willow might have the knowledge of it we need to find it and bring it back. Assuming it wants to to return."
Contrary to her words, Ren seems quite downcast.
"Yes. At least we can grant it peace of mind that the interloper has been dealt with," Yuranosuke adds. He appears as downcast as Ren. "Even the spirits seem to be experiencing tragedy beneath this strange curse Willowshore has fallen under."
Níng walks in silence for a while, staff finding its rhythm on the road. The carved cat is tucked into his sash.
"The grove is clean," he says eventually. "The Great Willow will feel it by morning."
He glances at Ren, then Yuranosuke.
"And you are right, Ren. It will know more about its friend than we do. We bring it good news first, then ask our questions."
He looks up at the road ahead, the lights of Willowshore just beginning to show through the trees.
"Rest tonight. The elders can wait until morning."
Your group goes their separate ways for the night,
Come morning though you all reunite at the tavern, the Thrice-Blessed Inn to decide where you're going first, the Elder with the news about the task from Great Willow or to Great Wilow first with an update about his friends grove.
Ren arrives home tired and bit footsore. A bath and some dinner come first. During the time those take, Ren contemplates the question of telling Luo Xi Yang about the now apparently empty little willow grove.
She doesn't make a final decision about it until Lou and she are spending a short time relaxing after their meal and before retiring for the night. During this time Ren recounts the day's events to her partner, and when the time comes she leaves out any mention of the willow grove.
Ren knows it would deeply sadden Luo. She hopes maybe there will be a better version of the story to tell her later instead, when she knows more with greater certainty.
"We need to tell our tree friend about the loss of her friend. Even sad news is better delivered by the ones who found out, especially since she asked us very nicely"
Ayane joins her friends at the tavern and even though she had breakfast at home before leaving, she asks for a sweet bread to munch on while going over the days plans.
"Good morning friends! another day a another mystery we need to solve! Should we head to the Great Willow and then go to the Elders and let them know what happened?"
Electing to alert Great Willow, your group gathers and walks the brisk, early morning 30 minute walk up the hill to Great willow. The Kodama, Great Willow, quickly emerges from his tree, "Well, what news have you brought me, is the grove cleansed? Is my friend safe?" their little hands are on their hips, looking at your group with a pleading look.
Níng steps forward and crouches down to eye level, the same way he did the first time.
"The grove is clean," he says. "The myceloid is gone. The willows are already recovering- we could see it happening as we left."
He holds Great Willow's gaze, his ears forward, his voice staying even.
"Your friend was not there. We found no sign of where they went, though we expect the myceloid may have harmed them." He lets that settle before continuing. "The grove itself is safe now. But we could not bring your friend home."
He waits, giving the spirit room to respond before asking anything else.
Ayane bows to the Great Willow and nods her head when Ning tells their find. "Im sorry we didnt have better news for you"
They rest a hand against the great tree and close their eyes. "This is what I feared. Still, with no body found, I will hold out hope. While you were away, I continued studying the curse. The afflicted region extends perhaps ten to sixteen miles around Willowshore. Everything within feels trapped." The kodama then turns toward the west. "More troubling still, I sense something vast beyond the mists. A powerful presence. Ancient. Wrong. I cannot discern its nature, only its direction."
After a moment, they offer a faint smile. "You have done this town and me a great service. Return to me whenever you seek guidance. I will aid you however I can."
Níng listens without moving, his eyes going briefly west at the mention of direction.
Ancient. Wrong. Vast.
He looks back to Great Willow, and dips his head in a low, unhurried bow.
"No body found means hope is not misplaced," he says. "We will keep looking."
He straightens, tucking the information away with the rest of what he carries.
"Thank you for studying the curse while we were away. That boundary- ten to sixteen miles- is something the elders will need to know."
He glances back once at the tree as the party turns to go.
Ren bows to the small wooden creature and states her thanks for its offer of assistance in the future. She then follows on what Níng said.
"We will continue to look for your friend, but we know nothing of its habits or ways of thinking. If it fled from the corruption or went into hiding, can you think of any places it might have chosen to seek safety?"
Yuranosuke follows the group silently and as Great Willow thanks them, he bows once again.
"Thank you again, Great Willow. Your wisdom is greatly appreciated, both now and in the days to come. We will do whatever we can to keep both your home and that of your friend safe, hopefully until they return."
Once they're finished, he nods.
"Yes, knowing the "boundary" around Willowshore will help us better identify what landmarks we should keep eyes on or pacify to protect the town."
Frustrated and worried, Great Willow paces in front of his tree, "We can travel pretty far with our tree stride, I'll try to search around for other Kodama's, though I worry I may be trapped by the curse as well. It is a small area relatively speaking though,"
"I can ask my kin, the Silvermist hunters, to scout for you, if you wish. They taught me everything I know about tracking, and as elves they are in tune with the land," Yuranosuke offers.
Níng watches Great Willow pace, his expression settling into something quiet and certain.
"Then we will search from our end while you search from yours," he says. "Between the two, something will turn up."
He glances at Yuranosuke, approving of the offer without saying so directly.
"We will report to the elders now and share what you have told us about the boundary and the presence to the west. They should know."
Another small bow, and he turns toward the path down the hill.
Níng watches Great Willow pace, his expression settling into something quiet and certain.
"Then we will search from our end while you search from yours," he says. "Between the two, something will turn up."
He glances at Yuranosuke, approving of the offer without saying so directly.
"We will report to the elders now and share what you have told us about the boundary and the presence to the west. They should know."
Another small bow, as he backs out of the grove.
"More sets of eyes for searching, always good. Dad always said help those who can't help themselves. And someone who is lost and afraid could well be someone who can't help themselves. So even if our paths gets scattered by the winds, we may experience the same breeze. So we will help where we can" she smiles at the great Willow
While the group speaks with Great Willow, Kwan stays in the background, listening.
When the conversation comes to an end, Kwan approaches Great Willow and bows respectfully. "I am sorry we weren't able to bring better news. Thank you for your efforts in understanding the curse. We'll return to you if we find signs of your friend or other kodama."
Once the whole group has finished their conversation with Great Willow, Kwan heads down the hill to find the elders.
Níng falls into step beside Kwan as the path descends, the morning light coming through the canopy in long angles.
"We have enough to bring them," he says. "The grove is clean. The curse has a boundary. Something large sits to the west." He watches the road ahead, his staff finding its rhythm. "That is more than we had yesterday."
Yuranosuke follows.
"And there are threats in the areas we can roam that could cause harm to the town if left unchecked. This curse, this blight...whatever you want to call it. We cannot simply hope to wait it out. We must be proactive in confronting it if we want Willowshore to survive."
As you descend the hill from Great Willow's grove, the sounds of Willowshore gradually return. The whispering leaves and birdsong of the forest give way to the distant clatter of tools, the barking of dogs, and the familiar murmur of villagers trying their best to carry on despite the curse hanging over their home.
The morning sun has climbed higher now, burning away the last remnants of mist that cling stubbornly to the rice paddies beyond town.
Granny Hu is exactly where you'd expect her to be.
The elderly woman sits on a stool outside her home, sorting vegetables into woven baskets. She looks up before any of you speak, her sharp eyes immediately taking stock of your expressions.
"Hmph." She sets aside a radish. "You're all wearing the faces of people who found answers they didn't much care for."
Ayane comes forward and bows to Granny Hu.
"Granny Hu, you are right, as always, but we do not have good news for you. Not at all." Ayane shakes her head. "We visited the Great Willow and unfortunately they said that the mists extend anywhere from 10 to 15 miles around Willshore. This is not what we had hopped."
"The evil mist does cover quite the area. But if I can help, I will bring the good wind again. And make the most go away, and help remove what ever brought the bad mist here in the first place"
Kwan nods along with Ayane and Shandari and then adds additional details about their progress. "We also investigated the burnt ruins of the Canary Inn, but didn't find additional clues nor any evidence that suggests the initial fire was related to the curse the town is under."
Níng steps up beside Kwan and dips his head toward Granny Hu.
"There is one thing more," he says. "Great Willow sensed something beyond the mist to the west. Ancient, it said. Wrong. It could not tell us what- only the direction."
He lets that sit for a moment, watching her face.
"What lays to the west that might concern the Great Willow?"