Auntie Wu's page

Kami was the cat that's been following us around in the mindscapes.

For Heroism, what about giving Heroism to Vekka? Attacks and saving throws (he tends to go down more often) seem like a good bet for him. Thoughts?

Regarding our route, ABC still seems good. I think we may want to rest again before going downstairs. I used up some very useful spells earlier that we'll probably want when we fight that boss.

Trembling at the implications of the questions she's about to ask, Auntie Wu allows them to tumble out of her mouth in a rush. "Is this cycle meant to be broken, or is it beneficial for us to be trapped? What happens if we die, here or in Willowshore? What happens if the Curse is lifted? Are we...are we...already dead?" She immediately takes a large swig from her never-ending alcohol gourd. That last question scares her most of all.

These are the remaining questions from last time that weren't answered. Feel free to ask others.

Possible Questions

1) How does the Wall of Ghosts interact with the Curse? ⭐⭐
2) How does (did) Kugaptee's Dream interact with the Curse? ⭐⭐⭐
3) If we somehow escape the Curse, what happens to our families? ⭐⭐❌
4) Does Willowshore even really exist? ⭐⭐⭐❌
5) Is it possible for Someone to travel To and Fro? How? ⭐⭐
6) Are we Dead? ⭐
7) Is this cycle meant to be broken, or is it beneficial for us to be trapped? ⭐❌
8) What happens if we die, here or in Willowshore? ❌
9) Can the Curse be lifted from our actions in this monestary, or will we have to travel elsewhere? ⭐
10) What happens if the Curse if lifted? ⭐

The party ponder their Existence, and putting their heads together about the Essence of the Multiverse, arrive at the following Summary:

Former Revelation
Prior to today, the party believed that Willowshore was Real, and that the Wall of Ghosts surrounded it, some kind of Boundary from / Portal to Other Worlds. Using a ritual, the Brokey Through into a Mindscape that contains the Pilgrim's Path and Monastery, but not before being Ambushed by an Animate Nightmare (also a Mindscape) of the sleeping fiend, Kugaptee.

New Revelation
Willowshore, it's entirety, including it's peoples and creatures, is no longer Real, although perhaps it once was. Instead, the Entire Realm (that is, both sides of the Wall of Ghosts, inside and out) is a vast and complex Mindscape, ever since the first day of Summer. Worse, on the last day of Spring, the entire Mindscape resets (subjective) Time itself. Those trapped in this "curse" simply forget what experiences that had in the prior year, and start over. The exact number of times this has happened is Unclear, but you suspect the number to be an unsettling amount.

The Wall of Ghosts simply divides this singular Mindscape into two (or more?) sections: Willowshore with it's bounded surrounding Hinterlands, and the Pilgrim's Path leading up to the Monestery. That said, perhaps there is more to it, as well.

What remains true is that Kugaptee's Dream hijacked the party over their transit through the Wall of Ghosts, for Kugaptee, as an Entity, is also somehow entangled in the same Curse, and possibly, had some hand in Creating it.

Q) How does the Wall of Ghosts interact with the Curse?
Answered above
Q) How does (did) Kugaptee's Dream interact with the Curse?
Answered above
Q) Does Willowshore even really exist?
Answered above

Q) If we somehow escape the Curse, what happens to our families?

If you personally somehow escape the Mindscape, your families will remain trapped in the (endless?) Cycle.

Q) Is it possible for Someone to travel To and Fro? How?

A sufficiently powerful being would be able to travel between Mindscapes with sufficiently powerful magic. Definitely in the mid to high teens in terms of level.

Q) Can the Curse be lifted from our actions in this monestary, or will we have to travel elsewhere?

The Mindscape Curse can be broken, yes, but would not only involve learning more about it (for example, in the Monastery), but with also reckoning with it's Creator(s), who may or may not be present in the Monastery or Elsewhere.

I read through the posts from our interactions with Yeri. I saw no mention of an item, though I didn't look in spoilers that weren't mine.

"Yes, Yeri seemed to be looking for an item. We encountered her body earlier--it was possessed by something awful, but we didn't bring any of her items with us." Please don't tell me we have to backtrack to get something! "Do you know if she is bound to this spot, or can she range more freely?"

Auntie Wu wrote:

Do we know if/when we'll be able to try again if we fail? I can't find it in previous posts if we learned that. Would a Recall Knowledge check help figure that out if we don't know already?

Open the spoiler: HERE

Does that make sense?

What I meant was: If we complete the ritual and fail to cleanse the statue, what happens? Can we try again immediately? After an hour?

Pity that Guidance doesn't apply to flat checks.

DC 11 Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 15
DC 11 Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Hero Point reroll DC 11 Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Reeling from the sudden blow that nearly finished her, Auntie Wu casts Lay on Hands on herself. I've gotta stay conscious or the ritual fails!

Lay on Hands heals her for 24 HP.

Then she uses her Staff of Healing on herself as well.

◆◆ Heal on Auntie Wu: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

◆ Lay on Hands, ◆◆ Cast a spell

Crit Fail vs. Frightful Moan = Frightened 3

Crit Fail vs. Ghost Tiger Slashes = 32 damage

Success on DC 11 Flat check = maintaining focus for now.

In a flash, Auntie Wu recognizes Yeri, the terrified woman-turned-monster they had encountered earlier in their journey. This is appallingly creepy and makes her skin crawl, but that seems par for the course here. She calls out to Yeri in an attempt to stall the fighting: "Yeri! What are you looking for? Maybe we can help!"

Aware that attacking Yeri right after offering to help won't accomplish much, Auntie Wu decides instead to cast Guidance on Kazuki, Vekka, and herself.

Hopefully Kazuki can regain/maintain focus and Auntie Wu won't lose hers during this fight.

◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Cast a spell

Do we know if/when we'll be able to try again if we fail? I can't find it in previous posts if we learned that. Would a Recall Knowledge check help figure that out if we don't know already?

Also, is there a particular reason you posted my inventory here?

"Did Auntie

Wu just pee in her britches?"

You'd think all that alcohol would dehydrate her, but clearly not enough.

Upon reaching the final statue, Auntie Wu clucks her tongue. "We don't want to touch that mold, but we gotta clean it off." She tries casting Slashing Gust to see if she can slice off some of the mold. It's a long shot...

Once the statue is clean enough, she begins the ritual. Mogu sways on top of her head, perhaps sensing how close they are to completing this task. She clears her throat and begins.

"Each step we take is made with the intent to break this cycle of false life.
Each choice we make is in service of restoring the cycle of true life and true death.
Each moment we rebel against these evil influences strengthens our resolve.
May the cleansing of this statue bring us closer to our goal.
We fight to break the cycle!"

Religion to Cleanse Statue: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19
Not going to Hero Point that one.

Auntie Wu - Pharasma grants you a choice between her Minor Boon and Moderate Boon for the duration of your stay at the Monastery (for CS to Purify her Statue). She also grants the boon you don't choose to an ally of your choice that succeeded at the check to Aid you (pick between: Sigurd, Lan, or Kazuki) for the same duration.

Wahoo! Thanks! Looks like Sigurd would get the most mileage out of the Moderate Boon, so Auntie Wu will take the Minor Boon.

As the statue is finally cleansed, Auntie Wu gasps as she feels an extra refreshing...*something* splash across her spirit and soak into her flesh. "I feel...Something good has happened here." It nearly drives away the visions she saw, which have become muddled much like dreams do upon waking. "I think...we've been re-living this Cycle a long time. Like, it's nearly double our normal lifespans, though it's hard to recall..." She furrows her brow, stepping forward to place a hand on the statue in reverence.

ABC sounds good to me.

"That was...a good strategy against those guys. Glad it worked." After patching up anyone who needs it (hand-waved like the rest of the fight) Auntie Wu steps up to the statue and stares mournfully at it for several moments to clear her mind. Taking a deep breath, she begins:

"Be clean. Be restored. Be whole. Be clean. Be restored. Be whole. Be clean. Be restored. Be whole..." Her chanting continues until she feels a shift in the energy of the room.

Religion to Cleanse Statue: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Hero Point Religion to Cleanse Statue: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32

"Silver, huh? I've got just the thing!" Taking a deep breath, Auntie Wu casts Moonlight Ray. A shaft of frigid moonlight pierces the ceiling, bathing the farthest monk in its holy light.

Moonlight Ray vs. White: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32
Cold damage: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 2, 5, 4) = 21
Cold damage counts as Silver for weaknesses, resistances, etc.
If target has Unholy trait, add this Spirit damage: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 3, 5, 6) = 22

Then she sustains her Grasping Earth spell.

◆◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Sustain a spell

Thank goodness they rolled low!

Realizing that these three are likely more powerful than the similar-looking monks they've fought already, Auntie Wu takes a moment to study them.

Religion to Recall Knowledge, DC 20: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
Crit Success! I opened the Special Attacks and Special Defenses spoilers, copied here:

She quickly shares what she recalls. Then, in the hopes of preventing them from maneuvering to flank her boys like the others did, she casts Grasping Earth under the feet of the two nearest Sigurd. (Brown shape) Please work! Pleeease...

Black and Grey need a basic Fort save vs. Grasping Earth. DC 25 to Escape.

◆ Recall Knowledge, ◆◆ Cast a spell

(Auntie Wu, your Initiaitive missing from Macros)

Huh. I see it there now. Perception +15, with a note to add +2 from Outskirt Dweller, as the Macros didn't make it clear how I could add that to the formula.

It looks like I should be able to act immediately, but I'll wait until you confirm before posting.

Auntie Wu's eyes go wide as the "monks" make their intentions known. Realizing how vulnerable she is, she backs into the corner to hide behind the big guys.

Token placement is good. In this post, I had Auntie Wu holding her Staff of Healing.

We survived 2025! Fingers crossed for 2026.

Since I said Perception in my last post, here we go:

Perception DC 23: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Whew!

"We were unaware that we weren't *allowed* to come back to this room before going through the rest of the Temple. We just thought we weren't supposed to report to you that we were finished before then." Auntie Wu clarifies, knowing that she's splitting hairs, but a partial truth is still true.

Token placed.

Deeply unsettled in the presence of these three ambiguous and yet threatening figures, Auntie Wu tries to hide her wariness as she explains: "Don't mind us. We're taking a closer look at this statue here. Then we'll continue to the other rooms." Gripping the Staff of Healing in one hand and her shield in the other, she keeps one eye on them as she inspects the statue with more intent than she did last time.

Perception +15: Anything we missed about this statue when we were here last?

@Party: Are we doing the ritual to cleanse this statue here, with these guys staring at us? If so, perhaps one of us could stand watch to warn the rest of us if they make a move to interfere.

Wrapping the scarf around her neck, Auntie Wu's fingers linger over the gauzy fabric. She worries the edge of it, lips pressed together as she fervently hopes that it never billows upward on its own. Shaking her head a little to force her mind back to the matters at hand, she grips her staff of healing and suggests: "Let's clear out the northeast section of the Temple, then work our way south to get the statue there."

Oops. Nevermind. I only looked as far as the spell list (primal, which Auntie Wu can do), but missed the target of "you". Sigurd is correct.

If not, Auntie Wu can use it on him. No problem.

I will be unable to post on the 23rd and the 29th. I will likely be able to post from the 24th through the 28th, but it's not guaranteed. Please bot me as needed. Thank you!

Right! I should do the whole thing, not just the last part.

☑ Character (Alias and Tagline)
☑ Wealth (full L7)
☑ Macros
☑ Daily Preparations
☑ Special Prize (Ghost Scarf)

I'll leave the Resolute Mind Wrap for someone who tends to fail Will saves.

I'd like the Ghost Scarf, please.

I switched out some cantrips because I forgot about the undead. (Vitality Lash takes the place of Needle Darts)

Working on Macros now.

Spell Selections:

Cantrips (level 3): Detect Magic, Gale Blast, Guidance, Light, Needle Darts, Slashing Gust
1st: Chilling Spray, Heal, Horizon Thunder Sphere
2nd: Fungal Infestation, Heal, Splinter Volley
3rd: Moonlight Ray (2), Slow
4th: Bloodspray Curse, Grasping Earth

I went heavy on Fort saves. Moonlight Ray's damage counts as silver.

Right... Spell selection. I assume we get a full night's rest, yes?

Speaking of which: if anyone hasn't asked their question(s) yet, knowing the fiends' resistances would be great.

I have my leveling-up decisions made. All I have to do is update my character sheet. I'll have time during the day tomorrow to do that.

Auntie Wu will be using her feats to boost her skills. She'll become trained in Acrobatics and Stealth (Ancestry feat: Cultural Adaptability (human) -> Natural Skill) and pick up Untrained Improvisation. Medicine will increase to Master.

Wealth by Level chart
I'll take Lump Sum, so she'll have 720 gp before re-buying her current equipment, etc.

Nature DC 28: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Auntie Wu isn't sure what to make of the information about Kugaptee being below. There must be a basement or something. But Xin Yue sounds awful, and the Meokdan neoplyts...well, she's not sure which kind of bad news they are. "What are those creatures capable of (Special attacks)? Do you know how many of them there are? Do they have any weaknesses?"

Lay on Hands:

Lay on Hands

[one-action]
Focus 1
Uncommon Champion Focus Healing Manipulate Vitality
Source Player Core 2 pg. 255 1.1
Range touch; Targets 1 willing living creature or 1 undead creature

Your hands become infused with powerful vitality, capable of healing a living creature or damaging an undead creature with a touch.

Willing Living Creature The target regains 6 Hit Points. If the target is someone other than yourself, it also gains a +2 status bonus to AC for 1 round.

Undead Creature The target takes 1d6 vitality damage with a basic Fortitude save; on a failure, the target also takes a –2 status penalty to AC for 1 round.

Heightened (+1) The amount of healing increases by 6, and the damage to an undead target increases by 1d6.

Upon re-reading this, it looks like I was mistaken about the AC bonus. Auntie Wu's AC is unchanged from what is in her header.

10 slashing damage

Grateful that Sigurd kept track of one of them, Auntie Wu sends another Vitality Lash at the spot he pointed out.

DC 11 Flat Check: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Vitality damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1, 4) = 9
DC 22 basic Fort save

Then she uses Lay on Hands on herself.

◆◆ Cast a spell, ◆ Lay on Hands (AC 23 for 1 round)

No retcon for Auntie Wu

Thanks for clarifying! :)

Auntie Wu can flee next round. She already used all her actions this round.

Not frightened. No damage. Got lucky.

"Kazuki! Come back! We got this!" Hackles up too late to do any good, Auntie Wu whips out the Battle Medic's Baton as she aims a Vitality Lash at the corner where the bluish poltergeist appeared.

Flat check DC 11: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Vitality damage vs. Blue: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 4) = 18
DC 22 basic Fort save

◆ Interact, ◆◆ Cast a spell

I guess Religion +12 would also work to ascertain if the skeleton is undead.

Can someone remind me how we came up with Davenport and Cho? The first instance I can see it appearing is in this post. Was this revealed in a spoiler, or did these two books manifest from Auntie Wu's random words?

I made that up.

A gleam catches the corner of Auntie Wu's eye. Cocking her head, she approaches cautiously.

"Huh. Guys, there's a door here." She pushes it open... (all spoilers open) ...and gasps. "Uh, guys? There are some remains in here." She gives the skeleton a piercing look, trying to discern if it's truly dead or has been tainted with unlife. Once she's ascertained that, she begins searching the room, starting with the open book beneath the skeleton's head.

Perception +14: is the skeleton undead?

Exploration activity: Search (Perception +14)

Sigurd's sound body spell fails to relieve Lan, but Auntie Wu's works. (Lan no longer sickened)

Auntie Wu, you may try once on Sigurd if you like, costing a FP and 10 minutes rest

Assuming the group doesn't mind resting until Auntie Wu is fully refocused:

As the guys pester the horrid readers, Auntie Wu begins searching the room more closely, hoping to find a statue or other sign of Yen Rui. Is that the full name? Her voice was fading out at the end there. In an attempt to deflect attention from what she's really doing, she "casually" calls over her shoulder: "I can bring you another volume, if you like. Maybe in exchange for information on the names they asked you about?"

Perception +14 to Seek for a statue to cleanse and anything that will help us find Yen Rui.

Aid Lan in Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

OH! I totally forgot the feat I just took: Mercy of the Body. Fingers crossed!

"Oh, sorry Lan. Maybe I can help." Auntie Wu lays her hands on Lan. Golden light emanates from them briefly.

Nature to Counteract Pollen sickness: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

"Well. Now we have a clue about why his residence disappeared. ... Why would he have caused all of this?! If this is a case of a small town politician wanting to wield more power, I swear..." Auntie Wu grumbles. "I vote we go back to the library. Zhi Hui seems particularly insistent about it, and while I'm no fan of...that type of being, it seems she's intent on resolving whatever's keeping her here so she can pass on to the Boneyard as she should. I'd like to help her do that, for sure."

I vote to go back to the library. If there's a door along the east side of this room, Auntie Wu will check it to see if it's a shortcut and take that route if it looks promising.

I vote for 8 & 10.

If there's a tie, Auntie Wu is afraid of the potential answer to 6.

No worries. Anyone who's had kids knows the next two months especially will be a fog. Rest/sleep as needed. We'll be here when you're ready. :)

Yay! Extra yay for no major complications! I saw this today and though of you.

Auntie Wu wrote:

Placing one hand on Kazuki's shoulder, Auntie Wu wordlessly offers him her alcohol gourd. After taking a hearty swig of it herself, that is.

Kazuki guzzles almost the entire contents.

She shrugs. "Eh, no worries. It refills on its own." She takes another hearty swig and sets off into the next room, whereupon she almost immediately begins coughing. "Hack! Gak! Kukh! ... Whew! Got something stuck in my throat for a bit there. Lots of spores in here or something." Another swig from the gourd of never ending alcohol washes it down.

Approaching the statue of the stag, she turns thoughtful. "Hmm... Yes, there is a way to cleanse it. Let'sh get the slimy stuff off and then shtand around it." Was that a little slur at the end? Oh, well. She reaches for the diseased vines, stops just before touching them, then grabs her dagger to use so she doesn't get her hands all nasty. Her hands seem a little unsteady. Surely it's not the drink, right?

Once that task is done, she assembles everyone around the statue and instructs them to place a hand on it. Closing her eyes, she sways slightly, then casts Guidance on herself before beginning to pray in a standard call-and-response rhythm.

"To all the gods who value goodness: hear us...
To all the gods who abhor undead: hear us...
To all the gods who honor the natural flow of time: hear us...
Help us take this step to undermine Kugaptee...
Help us cleanse this statue of his influence...
Release the portion of spirit bound within...
To all the gods who hear and help us: Thank you for your aid...
We honor you...
We will continue to fight...
Until we succeed..."

By the end of the prayer, she's standing straighter, taller, all signs of drunkenness sloughed away.

Religion, Base DC 22, Guidance: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 12 + 1 = 22

No pressure or anything. ;P

"An...infinite time loop?" Auntie Wu takes another deep swig from her gourd. She tries to remember if there have been any clues. Maybe inexplicable repetitions of a certain number? No... I don't know how we could get a message to the next time...

She shakes her head to clear it. "Look. Sigurd's right. It's do or repeat at this point. Maybe along the way we can figure out how to get a message to the next time loop in case we don't quite succeed. Give them--us--a running start. For now, let's finish cleansing this Monastery." She cracks her knuckles, then hiccups. Oop. Too much to drink. Welp. Hair of the dog! She chugs from her gourd of liquid courage again.

Placing one hand on Kazuki's shoulder, Auntie Wu wordlessly offers him her alcohol gourd. After taking a hearty swig of it herself, that is.