[PBP GAMEDAY XIV] Hmm's 6-05 Silver Bark, Golden Blades (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Vermithor watches the bouncy squirrel-rabbits with intense interest. At several points, you think he's about to take off after one, but he remains just watching.

Boris licks his lips and sways his tail slowly. He extends his claws and retracts them again and again. His pupils form thin slits. Then he shakes his head and says "Sorry they just remind me of..."he trails off, "seagulls yes seagulls."

Rations waves a taloned hand at Boris in a pacifying gesture. "Peace. Peace. I'll cook something special when we camp for the night. That will keep your mind off of it."

The folk song that Rations sings soothes the squirrels a bit. They perk up, and more and more of them gather, following your party in both the tree branches and on the ground. There are about forty of them now, stopping when you stop, moving when you move.

A light mist gathers, swirling around the trees. A risuchō hops in front of you, waits for half a minute, and then starts hopping slowly away, stopping every few seconds to look behind and check if anyone follows. The squirrel-rabbit skitters to a halt as an antlered figure arises out of the mist to the mixed scents of cherry blossoms, sea spray and cloying blood. As the mists clear, her form becomes fully visible. With bright green fur and cherry blossoms sprouting out of her antlers, her face is that of a furious macaque monkey. “Strangers,” says she, “do you feel it? An unholy miasma resides in what was once a sacred wood. The village harbors it and it festers in my domain like a weeping sore.”

There is a picture of the creature on Slide 3.

HT gapes at the creature before catching himself, bowing to her, remembering the Venture-Captain's instructions to honor the kami.

"Greetings divine creature. Do you know what's causing this fog? We are trying to resolve this problem."

"Mistress of blossoms,what is this village your talking about called and how do we get there?"he says.

Vermithor gives a shout and rushes in front of Huang Tong to block the spirit from him. "Are you one of the Kami? Can you guide us to this village?"

HT only gapes in surprise. He regains his voice and tries to move his friend out of the way.

"Easy, there, Vermithor." he says soothingly, "I was asking just that."

He whispers in Vermithor's ear.

Vermithor suddenly, and very awkwardly, bows to the spirit. "I, uh. We are honored by your presence. We want to help clear the mists."

HT bows again to the antlered figure. "Apologies for my over-enthusiastic friend. He is young and not yet well versed in the way of the world."

Rations takes his time climbing down from the wagon. He removes his straw hat, bows, and then replaces the hat when he straightens.

"My name is Leiting Zhi Ge," he says. "Now, if you would tell me your name, we would not be strangers. We would be acquaintances, at least, or friends. I do not feel the unholy wound, but that is probably because I am not very experienced in my calling. It is, however, our duty to deal with the source of this mist."

Make an Impression: Diplomacy (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Greetings to you. I am Sakura, the Guardian spirit of Silvertree." The spirit blinks slowly and stares down at the Pathfinders. “I have laid this fog in to separate Silvertree from the rest of the Forest of Spirits.” Sakura admits that it is not just for punishment, but also to protect the rest of the forest from infection. "I will not remove the fog until the villagers rid themselves of this... this... horrid thing!"

She raises her head high, eyes filled with a challenge. “Perhaps if you can find a way to navigate this fog, you can also find a way to free the village and remove the filthy source of miasma.”

Perhaps you have questions for Sakura?

Vermithor looks confused. "Wait, you made the fog on purpose? But the village inside, there are people there? Do they know what they did?

"Ohhh! Yes, Sakura. We will try our hardest to free the village." In spite of the Venture-Captain's admonishment not to antagonize the kami, HT can't help himself. "The horrid thing in the village is not aware that it faces two Dragons!"

"Of course I made the fog! I needed to contain the unholy filth lest it taint the entire forest!" Sakura twitches with discomfort. “I do not know exactly what the source of the foulness is, only that I sense it within the village and its presence is enraging, not just to me but to the other forest spirits. Some of them have been maddened by it, losing all sense and reason. I'm losing all sense and reason! Dig until you find it, and then destroy it!”

At Vermithor's question about the villagers, Sakura pauses to scratch at her antlers, her face deep in thought.

"I was so enraged by the foul presence in my woods that I could barely speak of it… Do you think they could be unaware of its presence? Surely you can feel it. You can feel it, can you not?”

Alas, your mortal senses cannot detect the unholiness that is so enraging to Sakura.

The white squirrel-rabbits chitter at Sakura, and then hop hopefully to the edge of the solid fog barrier. Sakura’s eyes narrow as she studies the Pathfinders before her. “Very well. I will allow you within the fog, and we will see how you manage the challenge. Perhaps you can find your way.” Then Sakura pauses. “Should you meet enraged kami, defend yourselves, but try not to kill them. They know not what they do.”

Sakura raises an arm, and the fog thins for a moment, allowing both you and the chittering squirrel-rabbits following you within. Then the fog closes around them, dense and forbidding, blocking nearly all vision but for adjacent creatures. The squirrel-rabbits accompany you, patiently waiting to see what you might do.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Navigating the Fog

It's time to see if you can navigate the fog! For each obstacle, we'll need multiple successes to move on to the next challenge.

SCOUTING HIGHER GROUND
Massive trunks from old growth trees rise out of the fog, suggesting there might be viewpoints higher up.

You can use Athletics checks to climb the highest trees, Acrobatics to balance and swing on branches, or an appropriate Lore to scout the forest.

Vermithor gets ready to rush into the fog, but then stops, remembering Huang Tong's instructions. He turns and bows to the Guardian spirit of Silvertree. "We shall overcome this evil so you can lift the fog!"

Later, Vermithor tries to climb the trees to help them get their bearings.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Boris scales the tree leaving claw marks in the bark as he goes.

Athletics (T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

HT tries to climb the tree, though he stares at it for a long time before trying...

Acrobatics(U): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

I hope that's enough!

The group scales the trees successfully, enough to get a view over the fog!

PLEASE FEED THE SQUIRRELS
A scurry of intelligent squirrel-like messengers called the Risuchō gather to watch you struggling with the fog, their long rabbit-ears flicking warily.

You can use Nature or Diplomacy to appeal to the messengers for help, Deception to trick them into revealing information, or Performance to make them forget their wariness.

Diplomacy (T): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"Come my little friends," Rations coos to the skittering nature spirits. "We mean you no harm and come at the behest of Sakura to deal with the taint that drove them to create this fog."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Vermithor waves and smiles at the little creatures. "Do you know how to get to the village?" He's not sure they can understand him, but showing them his sharp dragon teeth must be reassuring, yes?

HT performs a little dance to try to get the the risuchō to relax

Performance(T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

HT winces as he sees Vermithor try to convince them using his sharp teeth...

With HT's dance and Ration's calming words, the squirrels start leading you more confidently through the mist.

FEELING ONE'S WAY
The fog is thick and disorienting, but everywhere you can find signs in the natural world that offer clues to orient yourself.

Survival checks to Sense Direction in the fog, Nature to examine local flora for clues, or Perception to notice sounds, smells, or other sensations in the fog.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Vermithor sniffs around and his draconic senses perk up as they travel.

Vermithor leads the way on scent alone!

MAWS IN THE MIST
A swarm of oversized insects attacks the party

Stealth to slip away in the fog, Intimidate to scare the creatures away, or an Attack roll to swat the creatures.

Let's have all of you do this one!

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Vermithor tries to swat at the insects, but he accidently breathes one in and ends up in a fit of coughing instead.

Rations pulls his flail from under his embroidered robe and snaps it at an insectile creature that gets too close for comfort.

◆ Strike: Flail (T): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Stealth (T): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Boris slips in to the fog and as bug wander to the other he jumps out and yells "boo"

HT waves his arms and yells at the bugs, trying to drive them away.

Intimidation(T): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Vermithor and Boris are put off by the bugs, but Rations and HT are able to drive them away. The insects buzz off into the distance.

After you navigate through the fog, Boris trips over an abandoned backpack! It's filled with:

★ an aerial cloak;
★ a floating four-person tent;
★ and a polished pebble aeon stone.

It's clearly something that one of the merchant caravans have left behind.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

After you come out of the swirling fog, but before you reach the village proper, you find yourselves at the banks of the Bunkatsu river. Before you, you see some nature spirits, maddened by the unholy miasma and snarling at you. They are a young kirin (a minkai unicorn) and a sprite, and both are growling at you, ready to attack!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Initiative Round One
Map on Slide Four

Boris
HT Dragonkin
Kirin
Rations
Sprite

I realize that I missed putting Vermithor in the initiative!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Initiative Round One
Map on Slide Four

Boris
HT Dragonkin
Kirin
Rations
Sprite
Vermithor

Boris lets out a loud roar. His eyes light up. He charges up half the log and puts up his shield.

◇ Quick Tempered: Rage (gain 4 temporary HP)
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Raise a Shield

HT moves up to get a clearer look at the hostiles. He sees Boris charge across and yells "Careful, Boris!" Sighing at the impulsiveness of the youngsters, he focuses on the kirin and tries to cover its body with frost.

Frostbite, 120' range; Cold Damage; DC 18 Basic Fort Save: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
Crit Fail: Weakness 1 vs Bludgeoning until start of next turn

He looks back and sees Vermithor go glassy-eyed as well. He sighs, knowing his friend will also most likely charge across the log...

◆ Stride
◆◆ Frostbite

Boris runs out on the log bridge and raises his shield, while HT hits our Kirin buddy with an amped Frostbite!

Kirin Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

The Kirin yelps as the cold hits it, but manages to dart out of the way of some of the cold damage.

◈ Stride

◈ Kirin horn (holy, magical): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Piercing damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Spirit and ghost touch damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

◈ Kirin horn (holy, magical) 2nd Attack: 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (3) + 10 - 5 = 8
Piercing damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Spirit and ghost touch damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

The Kirin hits Boris hard with the first hit, but fails to crit the catfolk because Boris had raised his shield! Good job!

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Initiative Round One
Map on Slide Four

Boris (-12)
HT Dragonkin
Kirin (-2)
Rations
Sprite
Vermithor

It's not amped. Frostbite for a psychic is really 120'.
Save is a Fort save but the base roll beats the DC so it's kinda superfluous at this point! :)

Oscillating Wave

”Don’t be impuls—oh, good,” Rations says, mostly to himself, as Boris runs toward the fey. He draws his flail from under his robe and tries to follow as fast as he can. ”Fall back a bit to where I can ward you.”

◆ Interact
◆ Stride
◆ Stride

The Sprite moves forward towards Boris, and then unleashes a swirling multitude of colors on him.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Initiative Round One / Two
Map on Slide Four

Boris (-12, DC 16 Will Save)
HT Dragonkin
Kirin (-2)
Rations
Sprite
Vermithor

Boris, HT and Vermithor are up!

HT gets on the bridge and stares at the Sprite. "That cat is under the protection of this Dragon! You keep your colors away from him!" HT yells. He concentrates and spits three metal needles at the sprite.

Needle Darts: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 for Piercing: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) = 8
Crit: Double Damage, 1 persistent bleed
Regular metal needles

◆ Stride
◆◆ Needle Darts

The little sprite collapses and falls in the water with a tiny splash, and all of you hear Sakura's voice roar over the woods:

"WHAT PART OF TRY NOT TO KILL THE ENRAGED FOREST KAMI DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?!"

Sakura is not here, but she is definitely watching.

At Sakura's voice, Vermithor just points to Huang Tong. Then the small dragon gets caught up in the energy and rushes onto the log yelling and twirling his flail in the air. He charges down the log and swings at the Kirin's legs.

Trip: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

◇ Rage (+4 temp hp)
◆ Move
◆ Move
◆ Trip

Will (E): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Hero Point Will (E): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

Eyes blazing, Boris tries to bonk the kirin on the head and then poke it in the chest! Then he puts up his shield.

◆ Strike: Morningstar (T), Non-lethal: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 2 = 18
Non-lethal, Bludgeoning + Fire: 1d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10
◆ Strike: Morningstar (T), Non-lethal: 1d20 + 7 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 7 - 2 - 5 = 5
Non-lethal, Bludgeoning + Fire: 1d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10
◆ Raise a Shield

Don't forget Boris had 4 temporary HP from rage. :)

"Everyone is so far away," Rations mutters to himself.

"EEEK! I'M SORRY! REALLY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO!" HT screams and covers his face with his hands.

He stares into the water, searching for the sprite to try to fish him out.

Needle Darts with blunted tips, NL, HP, Vestments: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 + 1 = 9

He deserves that miss... Thanks GM! :)

The GM will allow HT to use a Hero Point to reroll his attack as non-lethal on the sprite.

At Sakura's voice, Vermithor just points to Huang Tong.

Gee thanks! :)

HT learns to clap and say, "I believe in FAIRIES!"

...and time rewinds to allow the sprite to still be with us!

Sakura yells, "I'M STILL WATCHING YOU!!!"

Meanwhile, Bot Buddy makes popcorn as he watches this.

Vermithor moves in an attempts to trip the Kirin, but the Kirin dances its legs out of the way. Boris manages to strike at the Kirin non-lethally with his first strike, and then misses! Boris also raises a shield.

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

The Kirin snarls and strikes out at Vermithor in a flurry of misses!

◈ Kirin horn (holy, magical): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Piercing damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Spirit and ghost touch damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

◈ Kirin horn (holy, magical): 1d20 + 10 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 10 - 5 = 16
Piercing damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Spirit and ghost touch damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

◈ Kirin horn (holy, magical): 1d20 + 10 - 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 - 10 = 9
Piercing damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Spirit and ghost touch damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

★ --- ★ --- ★ --- ★

Initiative Round Two
Map on Slide Four

Boris (-12)
HT Dragonkin
Kirin (-12)
Rations
Sprite
Vermithor