Yuranosuke and Xu Jiang come to a similar conclusion that the mist is only a threat IF there are animals or large enough insects around to play host to whatever malevolent force is in the mist.
”lets carefully move in…the longer we wait the worse something could happen! Oh I have an idea , I’ll turn into a ball and roll in and see if the mist takes up the entire place.
Ayane poofs into a ball and rolls into the building.
With at least some assurance that the mist requires a beast or large insect as a host, Kwan walks into the building with shield raised and sword drawn. "Yong, it's me Kwan. I'm entering the building with the group that was taken to the forest last night. Let's get you out of there."
Kwan walks to the center of the first room and then pauses to scan the area. "Yong, where are you?"
With his own shuan ji readied, Yuranosuke stays at Kwan's side as they enter, staying quiet.
Yelling from the nearby room, "I'm in the kitchen, help, its the next room past the forge!"
Moving into the next room, it is indeed a small kitchen with a table for eating at, though some of the furniture has been toppled over and high up on a shelf is a small red fox. "Careful of the mist!"
As you guys stand there, within moments the mist begins to suck into the room you are, coalescing into some sort of green phantom wolf that howls and barks at you, two more quickly form, one more in this room and another in the forge.
One of the wolf looks at you Kwan and says in an eerie voice, "Kwan, kwan can't just leave things alone,"
This a phantom, which isn't an uncommon type of ghost to experience during the Summer though incredibly rare to see one in the day let alone inside a home. Normally the boundaries of a home are sacred and prevent entry to such weak phantoms. Phantoms are incredibly susceptible to kindness, though resistant to normal weapons. You can use 2 actions to make a diplomacy check to interact with kindness toward the phantom in an attempt to dispel it.
Round 1 - Phantoms of the Forge
Yuranosuke -
Kwan -
Ghost Wolf 2 -
Ghost Wolf 3 -
Ghost Wolf 1 -
Shandari -
Xu Jiang -
Ayane -
"Doggies!" she first claps he rhands then frown and jiggles a finger "Bad doggies!"
"Yong, anyone else here with you?" Unsure of how to fight these ghostly wolves, Kwan warily advances into the room to protect Yong and strikes at the closest wolf.
Knowing that ghosts usually have a religious significance, Kwan quickly prays to Shizuru for answers. "Shizuru, guide me in my duties and help us deal with these ghostly wolves."
◆◆ Defensive Advance
◆ Recall Knowledge w/ Religion
Yuranosuke rushes to the corner to flank one of the ghost wolves.
He gazes at it, watching its flickering movements.
Then he tries to recall what he knows about these things.
Phang Kwan moves up and attempts to fight the wolves, his sword is just barely turned away by the semi-solid wolf phantom.
Yuranosuke hunts one of the wolves and attempts to recall anything about wolves.
Both Phang and Yuranosuke are so caught off by the phantom wolves presence they are momentarily at a loss.
Yong, the small fox on a high shelf, "I don't know, they shouldn't even be in here! My house like all houses is warded against such phantoms!"
The wolves waste no time, operating as their living brethren and move into flanking and attempt to bite at Kwan.
Ghost wolf 1 then taunts Kwan, "All your houses belong to me now!" it then casts a spell, fearing Kwan.
The second Ghost Wolf, tears into the off guard Kwan as it moves into a flanking position and bites twice.
The last ghost wolf that materialized in the forge attacks Ayane, stepping up and chomping her.
This a phantom, which isn't an uncommon type of ghost to experience during the Summer though incredibly rare to see one in the day let alone inside a home. Normally the boundaries of a home are sacred and prevent entry to such weak phantoms. Phantoms are incredibly susceptible to kindness, though resistant to normal weapons. You can use 2 actions to make a diplomacy check to interact with kindness toward the phantom in an attempt to dispel it.
Round 1 / 2 - Phantoms of the Forge
Yuranosuke ☘️ -
Kwan ☘️ - 8 + 10 damage pending a shield block
Ghost Wolf 2 -
Ghost Wolf 3 -
Ghost Wolf 1 -
Shandari ☘️ -
Xu Jiang ☘️ -
Ayane ☘️ - 12 damage
"Lady save me," Xu Jiang mutters as he strides up to one of the wolves.
"The Lady of Graves grants you power over your enemies, Yuranosuke! Conquer!"
With that, he casts Runic Weapon on the ranger.
Ayane, still in the form of a ball rolls away from the ghost wolf. "Ouch! bad dog! BAD!
Ayane then shifted back into her regular tanuki self, and began to sing an inspiring song. woah, oh dont be scared, woah oh, i've declared! woah oh lets not be scared!"
Kwan shifts his shield to take the brunt of the first attack.
Knowing more about living wolves than ghost ones, Yuranosuke strikes at the phantom.
Kwan lashes out at the remaining ghostly wolf in this room, stabbing down at the beast with his katana. Then he raises his shield for protection at the biting jaws and healing himself through Shizuru's blessing.
◆ Strike
◆ Lay on Hands
◆ Raise Shield
Seeing the chaos these ethereal wolves are causing, she works up another blast of electricity, sending it to the closest one, but instead it harmlessly discharges in her hands
"That's horrible!" she seems to chastise the very air
Xu Jiang strides into the room and magically empowers Yuranosuke's weapon to great effect!
Ayane pops back into her tanuki humanoid form and begins inspiring the rest of you.
Yuranosuke, unfazed by the phantoms, takes a swing, catching the phantom wolf unaware and dissipating its essence before stepping and striking the second wolf as well, with the timely aid of Ayane's inspiring song.
Phang shaken by the fear cast by the phantom still manages to muster his courage and strike true, harming the wolf and with Yuranosuke's help, permanently dispelling the wolf phantom.
Shandari tries to zap the remaining lone wolf, but can't find her mark!
It lunges and attacks her though back.
Whispering cruelly to her as it barks and bites, "Shaaandari, you're going to swim with the fishes, like your parents are!"
Yuranosuke ☘️ -
Kwan ☘️ - 9 damage
Ghost Wolf 3 -
Shandari ☘️ - 4 damage
Xu Jiang ☘️ -
Ayane ☘️ - 12 damage
Xu is worried about Ayane, but knows he can heal everyone when combat is over. He hustles to interpose himself between Shandari, Ayane and the wolf, knowing that Yuranosuke and Kwan will kill it if he doesn't.
"Demon, leave this poor wolf's body and begone! This village is protected by the gods!"
She winced in pain, her normal sparkling eyes narrow in a very rare occasion of anger
"That hurt and you have no right to speak of them" she sneers almost as she steps back to try and send another blast its way
Ayane continues her song and looks around the room for an object to throw at the wolf.
Yuranosuke turns and darts to the other room, spotting the other wolf and focusing his ire towards it as his weapon flashes out.
Seeing all his friends rally to Ayane, Kwan raises his shield, charges back into the other room, and strikes at the remaining wolf. He follows with another slashing attack across the wolf's torso.
◆◆ Defensive Advance
◆ Strike
With a flurry of motion, you guys quickly dispatch the last remaining Phantom wolf, the green mist fades to nothingness, leaving the house quiet.
From atop the shelf, the small fox leaps down, transforming into the Kitsune blacksmith, Yong Wu-Xiu.
She wipes her hands on her apron, "Phew, that was close, I knew that green mist wasn't too be trusted. Phang I'm glad to see you survived, thanks for the rescue,"
Kwan sheathes his sword and rushes over his Kitsune friend. "You're safe now, Yong. Have you been stuck in the Ironworks long? Are you hurt?"
Kwan scans the room for other signs of the mist or predatory creatures.
Nodding, "Since last night, That mist crept in from under the door until it filled the house, that's when it started talking to me, whispering, I was lucky enough to get off the ground in time, thank Daikitsu for my fox form,"
"Glad pretty fox lady is safe, town would be in trouble if no smith makes all the iron things better" she nods
Wu Jiang immediately starts bandaging Kwan, Shandari and Ayane's wounds.
After verifying that Yong is safe and healthy, Kwan first asks her for assistance. "My shield has saved me from severe wounds, and could use some repair. Are you well enough to do that now?
After that, Kwan turns his attention to helping with the healing needed by praying to Shizuru for continued guidance and using that divine magic to heal Shandari and his wounds.
Once everyone is healed and ready to move on, Kwan considers their path. "Yong, we know that Old Matsuki's estate is a gathering place for villagers on Southbank. We could escort you there first, and then continue ensuring Southbank is safe. And then make our way to Northridge."
She gives Kwan a tight hug as thanks as the cuts and bruises fade away under his care
Spending some 30 minutes or so to recuperate, you all catch Yong quickly up to speed on what's happening, though the why is still a mystery. Nodding, "Its tough, all my resources are here. I can't just roll the forge down the road. if Old Matsuki could send a few guards I could get the forge up and running again, bang out a few more swords and shields," Taking Phang's shield in her hands, "What'd you do to this thing? Sheesh, yeah let me bang out the dents for you real quick,"
Yong is able to repair your shield quickly enough, returning it to you.
Spending some 30 minutes or so to recuperate, you all catch Yong quickly up to speed on what's happening, though the why is still a mystery. Nodding, "Its tough, all my resources are here. I can't just roll the forge down the road. if Old Matsuki could send a few guards I could get the forge up and running again, bang out a few more swords and shields," Taking Phang's shield in her hands, "What'd you do to this thing? Sheesh, yeah let me bang out the dents for you real quick,"
Yong is able to repair your shield quickly enough, returning it to you.
"Thanks Kwan! im feeling much better now!" Pulling out a snack she munches quietly while everyone is healed up and Yong fixes his shield.
After the group comes to a consensus on heading to the lodge next, Kwan nods in farewell to Yong. "See you soon, friend. After we explore the closest lodge, we will tell Matsuki that you are here and ask him to send a spare guard or two here. Maybe they will have weapons or armor that need repair, like mine!"
With parting words spoken, Kwan leads the group south and then east through the more sparse part of the forest towards the Silvermist Lodge.
Heading out from the ironworks, satisfied that Yong will be safe enough, your group sets out for the nearby Silvermist Lodges. Not more than 1/3 of mile from you guys.
As you guys near the Lodge, you hear a commotion up ahead in a clearing near the lodge. A small dirt path leads to what looks like an outbuilding or outhouse structure. Outside of it are a number of gremlin/goblin like creatures you guys earlier identified as Jinkins. The two jinkin's are accompanied by a sparrow and a weasel too and they seem to be harassing someone trapped in the structure.
It doesn't seem like the Jinkins are alerted to your presence yet.
"Thanks Kwan! im feeling much better now!" Pulling out a snack she munches quietly while everyone is healed up and Yong fixes his shield.
Kwan whispers to the group. "Someone is trapped in that building. Before I go running across the open field, does anyone have a better idea? Maybe some trickery, Ayane? Or attacks from range?"
While the others consider their options, Kwan scans the area and listens closely, hoping to figure out who is trapped.
Shandari nods "I can easily give people a bit of a wind at their backs if needed. But other than that, I'm more adept at giving support from range"
Its hard for Phang to tell, there is definitely someone, likely female, trapped in the building, the Jinkin Gremlins can be heard laughing and taunting and banging on the door.
They likely lack the strength to break in but can wait outside long enough causing distress.
"Thanks Kwan! im feeling much better now!" Pulling out a snack she munches quietly while everyone is healed up and Yong fixes his shield.
Yuranosuke bows politely to Yong and keeps silent as the others speak to them, then leads the way to the Silvermist Lodge. Seeing that someone is hiding in the outbuilding, obviously under attack he raises his hand to the group for silence. Then he begins creeping forwards to get a better look.
Ayane will move stealthily forward while staying somewhat close to the trees, to see if she can get a better idea of what's over there with the Jinkins.
Yuranosuke and Ayane attempt to sneak up to the outbuilding to get a better view of the surroundings, unfortunately Yuranosuke stepped on a loud, dry, dead branch causing the Gremlins to react. Yuranosuke can see through a tall back window, a female head pop up, he recognizes a fellow Silvermist Lodge Ranger, Sumika, she mouths Help me, distract them
The two gremlins jump up to confront Yuranosuke and Ayane saying, "
Blue like the dawn! Purple and miraculous! Swift like a fawn! Together, we are the Abacus Sisters!”
As their nonsense rhyme concludes and they fall into a fit of cackling, Noodles(the weasel) elaborates, “That means we’re here to steal all your cattle!” Sparrow(the raven) remains perched on top of the outbuilding, clacking out, "Tell us where your cows are or eat bark!"
Xu Jiang waits silently, the words of divine lance upon his lips, and waits for the warriors to make a move.
Shandari bobs her head while listening to their silly rhyme. Almost clapping along, but luckily this time remembers she's suppose to non intrusive
Yuranosuke starts a bit as he recognizes his cousin, Sumika, but he doesn't say anything as he reads her lips. Then he focuses on the so-called Abacus Sisters and gives them a stern gaze.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken," he says. "We are hunters, not farmers. We have no cattle you could rustle. But we can direct you to where you might find some. Tell them, Ayane!"
”yeah! Those cows are over yonder uh, that way!” she says pointing the opposite direction from where they came from.
the strange group cackles in delight. Midori gives the party a mock salute, and Murasaki says, “Oh! So you’re a chatty bunch then? Think you’ve got the wits to win out against the Abacus Sisters?”
Sparrow(the raven) chirps out a snarky, “I doubt it! I do! I doubt it! Don’t you?”
Midori then continues, “An abacus is the mightiest of thieves! We count your cows, then we take your cows! One! Two! All of them!”
Murasaki, the slightly smaller Gremlin, which is saying something since they are both tiny creatures, “We once abacus’d a whole barn clean in under a minute!
She stifles a laugh as she hears the words and looks at her other companions close to her
"They're silly, Abacus is counting, abactor is stealing"