Stat-Blocks and Maps
Part 1- Stat Blocks for Encounter towards the wall
Part 1 – Maps
Random Encounter and Camp Encounter
Part 2 – Stat Blocks for Wrath Wraith
Part 2 – Map of wall
Part 2 – The Afflicted template and the Wrath Wraith
Part 3 – Stat Block – Attack on the wall
Part 3 – Stat Block – Yukri Toshio
Part 3 – Map of wall (Frosted)
Aftermath
As the Yuki-onna fell to the ground and the remnants of ice cold ichor flowed from her wounds the battlefield fell silent. Then with the sound of a great exhale a gust of wind blew with such ferocity that the wisps of the shadowy smoke that hung to the ground and creatures were sucked into a vortex of wind which hurtled back towards one of the large peaks in the Shadowy mountain ranges. Then, bit by bit the clouds above the wall shifted and sunlight shone down upon the warriors, oni and spirit-folk.
With a shambling upheaval the undead fell to the ground, the dark magics that animated their bodies banished. The spirit folk looked around in fear and confusion before cheering as one and running for the hills. Most dropping their weapons.
The Oni however bellowed for a retreat and fled towards the peak in which the shadow-laden wind retreated to. That’s when the first tremor was felt.
Gradually a low murmur turned into a deep sorrowful moan as the ground itself seemed to lament the passing of the Ice queen. Then with a building of pitch the crescendo was reached and an almighty ping was both heard and felt as a monumental portion of the Shadows Mountainous peak sheared clear from the mountain itself. As the rock hit the ground it took a few heartbeats before the shockwave was felt and an colossal boom was heard for miles around. Just after the ringing in peoples ears started to diminish a large wave of dust moved across the land and stopped just a few hundred feet from the party and the wall.
The Shadows Throne. The unholy seat of power from where it commanded its troops and moved its pieces in the grand game lay open. A faint red glow could be seen coming from beyond the cloud of dust in the open wound of the mountain.
“The way is open to the mountains heart, to the Shadows throne.” Kyoko said as she appeared at the parties side. “We have never been able to penetrate the mountains defences. But now it looks like we have a chance to defeat the shadow. Killing it or pushing it from these lands for good.”
As the wall guards rejoiced a horn bellowed from the top “Captain!” Gin Seng called. “Officer Yuon has awakened!” With that Captain Hou, his daughter, Kyoko and the party rushed towards the wall. Officer Yuon was one of the afflicted who had been confined to the infirmary since the parties first encounter with the Wrath Wraith.
As the party stepped on top of the wall, great sheets of rough ice made for an easy way up, Gin ran to meet them.
“Captain! She says she has seen it. A way into the throne room. A way to the Shadow its self.” he said breathlessly. “and…” he paused as he looked at those gathered “she says it is vulnerable.”
Hatoi sat down and held onto the cup of warmed liquor like it was an old friend. After some time and the gathering of people around her sat in silence she looked up and spoke. “I don’t remember much before the madness overtook me but I do remember being bound and lead into the infirmary.” she began staring at the cup. “I don’t remember what I was doing but I do remember flashes of a lit room encased by dark rock. Oni and other minions of The Shadow were walking around the rooms and bowing to me. The strangest thing is that I felt powerful when they bowed. It was something I craved and something that I lived for.”
“The madness gave you visions? Hallucinations?” the guard Gin asked before Captain Hou and several others present glared at him to be silent.
“No. It was more than that. I remember flashes of the battlefield, commanding troops as if I was hovering over the shoulder of a lady in white.” Hatoi blushed at this “to me she was the most beautiful and powerful woman I had ever seen and I helped her… somehow to achieve what she wanted to do.” she continued. “That’s when I realised. I was feeling what the Shadow was feeling and seeing what it was. When you,” she nodded towards the party, “slew the Yuki-onna I felt a great exhaustion. A crippling feeling of powerlessness as the energy I was pouring into the Yuki-onna was ripped away.”
“The same thing happened when we fought the Shadow Blessed Oni…” Kyoko said. “When she was defeated the shadow energy didn’t return. It was destroyed”
As the party absorbed what was being said the sounds of celebration could be heard from the wall outside. The Oni, undead or Spirit folk hadn’t returned. Reports had come from other parts of the wall that spirit folk had been seen celebrating in tribal manners – almost joyous that the Yuki-onna had been defeated.
“Well. I think this much is clear. The Shadow is weakened and its keep lies open and vulnerable. What do we do about it?” Kyoko asked looking around those gathered at the table.
Thoughts
This felt like a massive month not just from a writing perspective but from the milestone we have hit. I am looking forward to November where we wrap up this years content and prepare for the December downtime where I put more of a creative flair onto my weekly dnd content.
