199 Second Edition

To Bloom
Below the Web
By Liane Merciel
 To Tan Sugi Monastery • Great Willow
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AUTHORS
Liane Merciel

ADDITIONAL WRITING
Jeremy Blum, Joshua Kim, and Michelle Kim

DEVELOPER
James Jacobs

EDITING LEAD
Ianara Natividad

EDITORS
Felix Dritz, Patrick Hurley, TJ Kahn, Priscilla Lagares,
Ianara Natividad, Simone D. Sallé, and Tan Shao Han

COVER ARTIST
Rodrigo Gonzalez Toledo

INTERIOR ARTISTS
Mylene Bertrand, Benton Dinsmore, Chris L. Kimball,
Robert Lazzaretti, Justine Nortjé, and Riley Spalding
ADVENTURE PATH 4 OF 4
ART DIRECTION
Sonja Morris

GRAPHIC DESIGN
Adriana Gasperi To Bloom Below
the Web
PUBLISHER
Erik Mona

To Bloom Below the Web 2

by Liane Merciel
Chapter 1: Willowshore’s Return 4
Chapter 2: The Princess’s Web 22
Chapter 3: A Fiend in Two Worlds 40

Continuing the Campaign 62

by Liane Merciel

Horrors Among Us 66
by Liane Merciel

Adventure Toolbox 72
by Jeremy Blum, Joshua Kim, Michelle Kim, and Liane Merciel
Treasure
Alchemical Items 73
Consumable Magic 73
Armor and Shields 75
Magical Weapons 75
Other Items 76
Feats
Reincarnation Feats 79
Creatures
Algriever 82
Imprecasia 83
Nindoru, Argyrzei 84
Nindoru, Shisagishin 85
Paizo Inc. Path Maiden 86
15902 Woodinville-Redmond Rd
NE, Unit B. NPCs
Woodinville, WA 98072-4572 Heh Shan-Bao 88
paizo.com Ren Mei Li 90
2
 To Bloom

To Bloom Below the

Web

Below the Web

Chapter 1:
Willowshore’s
Return

Chapter 2:
The Princess’s
Web
Chapter 1: Willowshore’s Return ................................4 MAGO KAI’S FATE
The PCs are free of the time-looped mindscape and have returned The lumber baron Mago Kai was Chapter 3:
Willowshore to the living world. However, their troubles don’t end here. the previous adventure’s primary A Fiend in Two
The governor’s manor, previously trapped in its own mindscape, has antagonist, and the PCs confronted Worlds
returned as well—and something evil lurks within. The PCs must explore him during their journey into the
the sinister manor while also protecting Willowshore from a group of living world as transmigrated spirits. Continuing
bandits who have an equally ominous agenda. If he was slain, any remaining
the Campaign
exorcists, shrine maidens, and
Horrors
Chapter 2: The Princess’s Web................................. 22 mercenaries swiftly abandon Among Us
The jorogumo princess Ren Mei Li, intrigued by Willowshore’s sudden Karahai to its villagers, resulting in
reappearance and the PCs’ potential to become powerful instruments— the situation as presented in this Adventure
or even allies—initiates contact with them. Although she’s an unsettling adventure. Toolbox
benefactor, her help and guidance prove key to understanding and defeating It’s possible that the PCs
the evil that has begun spilling the blood of innocents in Willowshore— negotiated a less violent solution
evil that soon manifests as a string of grisly murders. with the lumber baron. In this case,
not only might Mago Kai still be
Chapter 3: A Fiend in Two Worlds ........................... 40 alive, he could even still control
With Ren Mei Li’s help, the PCs learn that the long-dead governor Heh Karahai and seek to use Willowshore
Shan-Bao, whose botched ritual created the cursed mindscape 115 years as a base of operations for his
ago, believes he’s destined to become the reincarnated fiend Kugaptee. logging needs. If Willowshore has
Worse, his efforts threaten to free the actual Kugaptee, who’s poised on the miraculously risen from ruins,
cusp of returning to life. Only by confronting the transformed governor in though, his followers abandon him
a final, horrific mindscape of Willowshore, one that gives a glimpse of what out of fear, and Mago Kai can, at
life might be like should Kugaptee reincarnate, can the PCs save their home. your discretion, become a bitter rival
the PCs will be forced to confront
once more.
If the PCs convinced Mago Kai
of the danger posed by removing
the Tan Sugi or otherwise managed
to negotiate fully for Willowshore’s
safety, he abandons Karahai
Advancement Track willingly. His gift to the PCs is to
“To Bloom Below the Web” is designed for four characters. ignore them and their town, setting
his sights elsewhere in Shenmen.
10 The PCs begin this adventure at 10th level. He isn’t a very good person, so the
promise of noninterference is about

11 The PCs should be 11th level before they begin seeking the
Five-Season Treasures.
the best one can hope for.

12 The PCs should be 12th level before they enter Kugaptee’s realm.

The PCs should reach 13th level by the end of the

adventure.

3
 Chapter 1:
Willowshore’s Return
When Governor Heh Shan-Bao failed to bolster the has caused him to equate himself with Kugaptee,
wards keeping Kugaptee imprisoned in his grave, the reasoning that since he’d been the source of the town’s
botched ritual spelled doom not only for the governor, destruction, wasn’t he, in fact, the very thing he’d
but the entire town and surrounding region. The sought to defeat? Whether the PCs chose to confront
people of Willowshore perished, only to be reborn in him in combat or help him work through his guilt, they
a mindscape of the town in which they were doomed emerge from the governor’s mindscape armed with the
to replay the same awful year again and again for over magic they need to bring themselves and Willowshore
a century. Heh Shan-Bao became trapped in a much back to life.
smaller mindscape limited to the town itself, cursed Yet this ritual doesn’t save Heh Shan-Bao, for he
to spend each repeating year attempting to research remains trapped in his own cage, and it isn’t long
a way to escape, only to have his progress reset time before Kugaptee’s influence takes complete control. As
and time again. the PCs and Willowshore return to life, the mindscape’s
When the heroes of Willowshore make their way architecture becomes absorbed by Kugaptee’s dead
into this mindscape and confront him, they find the dreams and warps into a sort of alternate reality—a
missing governor to be racked with guilt—guilt that version of Willowshore that could have been, if Heh

4
 To Bloom
Shan-Bao never performed the ritual and instead DETERMINING WILLOWSHORE’S FATE Below the
became a deathless ruler in Kugaptee’s thrall. From While the PCs are leveling up and potentially choosing
this final mindscape, Heh Shan-Bao works to create new ancestries or Reincarnation feats, take a moment Web
his own bridge back to the living world, and when to total up all of the Food, Hope, and Security Points
he completes his task, he begins the work of offering Willowshore has remaining at this time to determine Chapter 1:
his body for Kugaptee to rise from death—and Willowshore’s total Preparation Points. The number
Willowshore’s
Return
thus reincarnate the powerful fiend into a nation of townsfolk who are brought back to life, as well as
unprepared for his rebirth. the condition of the town, depends on this total of Chapter 2:
Preparation Points, as detailed below. The Princess’s
Getting Started If the transmigrate ritual was a critical success, Web
During the previous adventure, the PCs discovered the increase this total by 12 points.
full truth of their existence and, at that adventure’s If Willowshore’s population at the time the PCs Chapter 3:
climax, performed a transmigrate ritual to restore performed transmigrate successfully was at 100 or A Fiend in Two
themselves and all of Willowshore to life. This higher, increase their total Preparation Points by 4. Worlds
adventure assumes that the PCs performed that ritual 0 Preparation Points: Only the PCs and the specific
successfully, and they waken in the living world at the NPCs named in this adventure are reincarnated. All Continuing
site where they performed the transmigrate ritual—the other townsfolk remain dead, and their souls move
the Campaign
southern side of Dawnstep Bridge near the newly relit on to the afterlife. Willowshore remains a dilapidated
Horrors
Eternal Lantern. ruin, its buildings uninhabitable without major repair Among Us
Before starting this adventure, give the PCs time and its fields reclaimed by forest. It isn’t possible to
to level up their characters to 10th level. Unlike Earn Income or obtain ordinary items in town, as Adventure
most opportunities to do so, this time, the PCs have everyone who might be traded with is dead. Toolbox
a unique opportunity to completely change their 1 to 4 Preparation Points: The PCs, named NPCs,
ancestry and select entirely new ancestry feats, for and 40% of Willowshore’s population at the time the
they may have chosen to reincarnate in an entirely transmigrate ritual is performed return to the living
new body. A PC who doesn’t wish to take advantage world. The town’s buildings are partially restored
of this opportunity can always return in the same body but need significant work: many roofs and walls have
they’ve occupied for the previous three adventures holes, small animals have made generational homes in
of Season of Ghosts—a unique choice not normally pantries and cellars, wells must be cleared of debris,
afforded to those who reincarnate. A PC who chooses and fields are choked with weeds. The coming year will
to keep their original body can still opt to swap out be grueling, and Willowshore faces an uphill climb to
ancestry feats as they wish, even though their physical survive. Earn Income opportunities and purchasable
form remains unchanged from before. goods are limited to level 3 or lower. Grant the PCs
Regardless of whether the PCs choose a new 10 XP.
ancestry, they should all get to select different ancestry 5 to 12 Preparation Points: The PCs, named NPCs,
feats for 1st, 5th, and 9th level. In addition to being and 80% of Willowshore’s remaining population are
able to choose from feats available to their current returned to life. The town returns in decent repair,
ancestry, each PC can opt to select from the new although there’s still some work to be done; its
Reincarnated ancestry feats presented in this book’s infrastructure appears to have been neglected for a
Adventure Toolbox, beginning on page 79. month or two and shows wear accordingly. Though the
All of Willowshore’s NPCs reincarnate into their coming year won’t be easy, and families grieve the loss
own familiar bodies the PCs have come to recognize of members who didn’t return, Willowshore’s people
during the course of the adventure (although if there’s face their challenges with optimistic determination:
a compelling reason for some of them to reincarnate after all, they’ve endured an incredible ordeal and are
into a different ancestry, feel free to make it so in back among the living. Earn Income opportunities
your game!) and purchasable goods are limited to level 5 or lower.
While the transmigrate ritual allows the PCs to Grant the PCs 60 XP.
return to life, the additional effects on the town and 13 or more Preparation Points: All of Willowshore’s
its other citizens is contingent on how well they’ve people (including others the PCs might have
done up to this point in protecting Willowshore, and encountered in the hinterlands, such as Rin’s ghost)
it depends on how many Preparation Points they are restored to life. The town returns in the same
have remaining when the previous adventure came condition as the PCs are used to from the previous
to an end. three adventures. Fields can be planted immediately.

5
 The people regard their lives as a gift from the gods if they’re indifferent or unfriendly, but do so with a –2
and greet the future with optimism and humor. circumstance penalty.
Earn Income and purchasable goods are limited by “Granny” Hu Ban-niang (LN female Tian-shu guard) retired
Willowshore’s actual level (level 7 at this point). Grant imperial guard captain and potential town elder
the PCs 120 XP. “Old” Matsuki Shou (NG male Tian-shu family patriarch)
retired carpenter and Willowshore’s living history and
WILLOWSHORE potential town elder
Full details on the town of Willowshore are presented *Adjust this figure as needed to match your game’s
in The Summer that Never Was, the first adventure development.
in the Season of Ghosts Adventure Path. A map of
Willowshore and its hinterlands appears on the inside WILLOWSHORE REPUTATION
front cover of this book. While all of the areas in town Two political factions exist in Willowshore—
and the surroundings that have important roles to play Southbank (more rural-minded citizens largely focused
in this adventure are covered extensively in the pages to on self-sufficiency and farming) and Northridge (more
follow as needed, you’ll want to reference the previous urbane citizens largely focused on industry and trade).
adventure for further details—or consult the free Season Rules for building up reputation with the political
of Ghosts Player’s Guide PDF, available at paizo.com, for factions in Willowshore appear in the previous
player-facing, spoiler-free notes on the town and region. adventure as well as on page 164 of the Pathfinder
With winter behind them, the PCs can look forward Gamemastery Guide, but as this adventure begins,
to spring in Willowshore, traditionally the most only one additional opportunity for the PCs to bolster
pleasant of the four seasons, when weather is mild their reputation exists—if the entire town returned to
and often sunny and the days grow long. Rain is rare life as a result of having 13 or more Preparation Points,
during this adventure. the PCs are automatically revered by both factions.
When this Adventure Path began, Willowshore
was a 4th-level settlement, but as the PCs continued WAKING IN WILLOWSHORE
to bolster resources and morale, the town began to On the first day of spring, the PCs awaken near the
rebuild and recover, and that recovery continues as this Eternal Lantern on the south end of Dawnstep Bridge.
adventure begins. The exact state of the town during Read or paraphrase the following, then take some time
this adventure depends on how many Preparation to describe the state of Willowshore, as determined by
Points it had, but this adventure assumes the PCs its Preparation Points.
did well enough with at least 13 Preparation Points.
As a result, Willowshore has returned as a 7th-level The world feels subtly but unmistakably different now, as
settlement, as it was before the Age of Lost Omens though it had become more finely grained. Motes of dust
began. The map on the inside front cover shows the shimmer in the sunlight, the breeze carries vibrant scent on
location of all sites visited in this adventure, but you’ll its wings, and even the ground seems somehow more solid.
want to refer to the Willowshore gazetteer in the first This is no longer a mindscape. This is true, living reality.
adventure for full details.
Give the PCs time to look around town, speak with
WILLOWSHORE SETTLEMENT 7 NPCs of note, and generally take in the results of their
N TOWN actions; this time could be used for either celebration
Isolated town freed from its cyclic mindscape or grim preparation, depending on the situation the
Government Appointed governor (town elder) PCs find themselves in. The town elder approaches
Population* 224 (73% humans, 6% half-elves, 4% halflings, the PCs soon enough to congratulate them and thank
4% kitsune, 3% elves, 3% tengu, 2% nagaji, 5% others) them for restoring the town to life, or to seek their
Languages Common (Tien), Elven, Halfling, Minatan, Nagaji, advice on whether it would be best to abandon the
Tengu, Tian-hwa, Tian-min ruins entirely or do what can be done to rebuild.
Religions Abadar, Daikitsu, Lady Nanbyo, Pharasma, Even if Willowshore came back fully intact, its
Sangpotshi, several others citizens won’t instantly acclimate to the world. Over
Threats bandits, malicious spirits, struggling self- a century has passed, after all. Townsfolk who might
sufficiency, supernatural influences have had friends or family beyond Willowshore’s
Teeth-Clenching Teamwork Willowshore’s residents help borders must come to terms with the fact that they’ve
one another despite differences. You can attempt to outlived them, and the task of reestablishing trade
Request help from another Willowshore resident even with Karahai or other towns and villages will be

6
 To Bloom
complicated by the fact that most of those who learn Central Northern Road: This partially eroded road
the news of Willowshore’s return will initially fear thatwinds through several fields that have gone fallow amid
Below the
the PCs and the other townsfolk are vengeful ghosts. the ruins of a village that was abandoned many years Web
ago, then eventually comes to an end at a large wetland
THE ETERNAL LANTERN known as Moon Marsh for the way the orange, night- Chapter 1:
With Willowshore’s return to the living world, the blooming flowers that grow there shine under the
Willowshore’s
Return
PCs’ spiritual connection to the settlement moonlight. (Today, these ruins are completely
grows stronger. In the first adventure of overgrown unless the PCs reclaimed the Chapter 2:
Season of Ghosts, the PCs relit the town’s farmland during the first adventure, and Moon The Princess’s
Eternal Lantern, a stationary artifact whose Marsh has largely been forgotten by Karahai’s Web
light reputedly keeps evil spirits at bay. Once locals due to its remote location. The PCs visit
the PCs bring Willowshore into the living Moon Marsh in Chapter 2.) Chapter 3:
world, the item bonus to skill checks they gain Eastern Northern Road: This road connects A Fiend in Two
from invoking the Eternal Lantern increases to +2. Willowshore with numerous small villages Worlds
and towns scattered throughout Specterwood,
THE WARDING BELL and eventually finds its way to the Gossamer Continuing
In the previous adventure, the PCs had to Mountains. The next closest settlement down
the Campaign
disable a powerful warding bell that had been this road is Foxhollow, but it’s three days’ travel
Horrors
installed in the fortress of Karahai. If they and even smaller than Willowshore. (The PCs Among Us
managed to avoid destroying the warding might use this road to make a journey to
bell, then upon their first visit to Karahai Eternal Lantern the Gossamer Mountains in Chapter 2; the Adventure
in this adventure, the villagers gift the settlements along this road have all become Toolbox
bell to the PCs in thanks for driving out Mago Kai abandoned ghost towns in the modern era.)
and allowing them to reclaim their homes. If the PCs Northeastern Road: This road leads to a recently
install the warding bell at any shrine in Willowshore, established farmstead on a bluff overlooking the Sea of
their spiritual connection to the town grows even Ghosts, a cattle ranch owned by a notoriously ruthless
stronger, and they gain a +2 item bonus to all skill expatriate politician from the city of Sze. (The farmstead
checks associated with the divine skill of that shrine’s has been abandoned for decades and the politician is
deity. By placing the warding bell at a different shrine long gone; the road leading there is overgrown, while
than the one they use to bless the Eternal Lantern, the the farmstead now serves as the hideout for the Silkwasp
PCs can gain this item bonus to two different skills. Bandits—see The Silkwasp Camp on page 19.)
Eastern Road: This road leads to the trade fortress
BEYOND WILLOWSHORE of Karahai and represents Willowshore’s major
This adventure marks the first time the PCs will be able economic link to the rest of Shenmen. (The route
to travel beyond the borders that once defined their includes a destroyed bridge the PCs must repair to
world when they were trapped in the Willowshore help Willowshore get back on its feet; see Rebuilding
mindscape. Initially, the information the PCs have the Bridge on page 15.)
about the world beyond the Willowshore hinterlands Southern Road: The southern road out of the region
is just over a century outdated. The process of is a long overland route that eventually connects to
learning more about the modern world and securing better maintained roads and more populous villages
Willowshore’s place is covered in Chapter 2 of this and towns several days’ travel to the south, but most
adventure, but in the meantime, you can share the in Willowshore call it the “Apple Road,” as it leads to
following information with the PCs about what lies a grove of wild apple trees that produce particularly
beyond the Willowshore hinterlands. This information delicious fruit every fall. (Today, this road is in ill
is also provided in the Season of Ghosts Player’s Guide, repair and overgrown; the PCs visit the apple grove
but without the updates in parentheses, which indicate during Chapter 2.)
more modern information about what lies down each
of the roads leading out of the Willowshore region. SILVER COLLARS
Northwest Trail: This old overgrown trail leads off Those who the Shenmen jorogumo choose as allies,
into the forest; most folks believe it leads to a long- minions, or even pets are granted the right to wear
abandoned shrine, but few travel this remote path special silver collars. The PCs might have earned some
today. (This trail does indeed lead to a shrine—the collars in the previous adventure—a jorogumo’s silver
Whisperweb Shrine, which the PCs visit in Chapter 2.) collar is a non-magical treasure worth 50 gp. If the

7
 GOVERNOR’S MANOR
A7a A8 A7b

A5c A7c

A5b A6b

A2
A6a

A5a

A1
A3a A4
A3c A3b

1 SQUARE = 5 FEET

PCs didn’t learn about the collars in the previous the strange sensations of being unwelcome that chill
adventure, then the collars should be one of the earliest the soul of anyone who approaches. Regardless of the
things they learn about when speaking with anyone state of the rest of Willowshore, the governor’s manor
from modern Shenmen, such as anyone they talk to returns in a state of ruin, its walls overgrown with
at Karahai, for these collars allow one to travel freely fungi and vines and its roof sagging. No one in town
in Shenmen, grant permission to read and write, and dares approach the manor—even if the PCs didn’t
provide the legal right to engage in trade with those share the governor’s role in Willowshore’s death with
outside of Shenmen. the town, the locals rightfully fear the manor’s eerie
Traditionally, one is expected to visibly wear a silver return and unsettling appearance. If the PCs don’t take
collar since you never know if you’re talking to a it upon themselves to investigate the manor, the town
jorogumo or one of their agents, but quickly displaying elder surely requests they do so before their first day
a collar carried on your person when confronted by a back alive has reached twilight.
jorogumo is usually enough to avoid their wrath if you In fact, there are two versions of the governor’s
get caught traveling, reading, writing, or trading with manor. The one that currently exists in Willowshore is
those beyond Shenmen’s borders. a crumbling ruin, inhabited by monsters drawn from
Kugaptee’s will and avoided by the townspeople. This
The Governor’s Manor version of the manor might present a minor danger
Whether the PCs take note of it on their own or they’re to the town over time if the creatures that now dwell
informed of the development when the town elder first within receive enough time to adjust and emerge from
approaches the PCs, they can’t possibly ignore the the ruins. The second version remains inaccessible and
return of Governor Heh Shan-Bao’s mansion to its likely even unguessed at by the PCs at this time until
spot just northeast of downtown Willowshore—nor it’s unlocked by the Fang and Key (see Chapter 2).

8
 To Bloom
Even without knowing that monsters have viscous ink had been poured repeatedly over their
manifested along with the dilapidated mansion, faces and had dried in overlapping spills.
Below the
Willowshore’s townsfolk believe it’s illegal to break The PCs can approach the manor however they Web
into the place without a proper mandate, not only wish. Approaching the front door with their pass in
under the law of fallen Lung Wa, but that of the view is the safest. While the external walls remain solid Chapter 1:
Heavenly Court. and offer no passage, a character can Climb them with
Willowshore’s
Return
Since the governor didn’t return with the rest of a successful DC 20 Athletics check. PCs with flight can
Willowshore, custom demands that those who wish enter the manor from above into area A2, or they can Chapter 2:
to enter should obtain an authorization pass, or Squeeze through holes in the roof with a successful DC The Princess’s
equivalent, from a government entity of sufficient rank. 25 Acrobatics check to enter areas A3–A7. PCs can Web
If the town elder approaches the PC, the elder grants enter the holes leading into area A4 without needing
this pass to them as part of the request to investigate to Squeeze at all. No holes allow access into area A8. Chapter 3:
the building, but if the PCs decide to investigate on Hazard: Regardless of the route the PCs take on A Fiend in Two
their own, they recall this important step with a their approach, the strange aura that surrounds the Worlds
successful DC 20 Society check to Recall Knowledge. manor seeks to repel them.
Without being issued this pass, the lingering power Continuing
infusing the ruined manor becomes slightly more UNWELCOMING FACADE HAZARD 10 the Campaign
potent against the PCs, increasing the Stealth, Disable, UNIQUE HAUNT
Horrors
and saving throw DCs of all hazards associated with Stealth DC 32 (master) Among Us
the manor by 2. Description An unsettling wave of malice and sinister
energy ripples invisibly out from the manor, causing Adventure
MANOR FEATURES those who view the building to see a leering, evil face Toolbox
The PCs visited an intact version of the governor’s glaring at them from the structure’s architecture.
manor during the previous adventure, so they Disable DC 32 Occultism or Religion to exorcise the haunt,
might already be familiar with some or all of its DC 35 Society to approach the manor in a proper way
architectural layout. Originally built from exquisite that defers to its occupant’s symbolic standing in the
materials, the building now appears to be badly community; displaying an official pass that legally
damaged by time and neglect. Outer walls, support grants permission to enter the building reduces both
beams, and floors are all crafted of fine wood, of these DCs by 5 (provided the PCs approach the front
with tile and painted accents on the exterior, and door and not from another direction).
interior accents in ornately worked silver. Interior
walls were once made of latticed paper, but they’ve
almost entirely been destroyed by vermin and
weather, leaving only the delicate, empty frames.
The surviving decor leans heavily on themes and
designs popular in late Imperial Lung Wa: dragons,
phoenixes, and mythical references to past
emperors and their exploits.
The interior is unlit. During daylight hours,
enough natural light streams in through the
windows and gaps in the roofs that the mansion
can be considered dimly lit. At night, it’s dark.

APPROACHING THE MANOR TRIVIAL 10

Even by daylight, the abandoned governor’s
manor is a foreboding place. The unnatural
chill that lingers in the hallways seems almost
to seep into the surrounding grounds. Tattered
tapestries whisper when no wind is present,
portraits of past governors are faded to an
eerie facelessness while their regalia remains
bright and crisp, and beaten silver mirrors are
Unwelcoming Facade
all tarnished with odd, looping patterns, as if

9
 Horrifying Vision Ǻȓ (emotion, enchantment, fear, mental, room suffer a –4 circumstance penalty if the sneaking
occult) Trigger A Small or larger creature approaches creature is walking on the floor.
within 30 feet of the house’s exterior; Effect
A wave of malice fills the minds of all living A2. COURTYARD LOW 10
creatures outside of the manor within
60 feet with overwhelming fear; each This formerly elegant courtyard once featured
creature must attempt a DC 29 Will save. sparkling pools of water, a rock garden
Critical Success The creature is unaffected fountain, and artfully arranged foliage,
and is temporarily immune to but it has since decayed into a
Horrifying Vision for 24 hours. swampy, overgrown mess. Fungi
In addition to this temporary and mold grow through much
immunity, the creature can of the dilapidated foliage, the
attempt a DC 23 Occultism water is thick with algae to the
or Religion check as a free consistency of pudding, and
action to notice that despite sheets of moist vines hanging
there being only one face in down from the roof obscure all
the facade, several spiritual exits into the surrounding building.
Hungry Ghost
echoes seem to infuse the Even the sky above seems sickly and gray,
building. On a critical success, the deeply overcast like a day from winter rather
creature realizes that only the most powerful force than spring.
infusing the manor is evil and that the other elements
are non-hostile spirits who are overwhelmed and This courtyard should seem vaguely familiar to the
trapped by that singular force. PCs, as they visited a cleaner version of it during the
Success The creature experiences a brief vision of the previous adventure. Today, the place looks like it has
manor’s facade twisting into an immense, horrific face been left to rot and decay for decades. The strange
and becomes frightened 1. The creature can attempt appearance of the sky is all part of the manor’s eerie
the same Occultism or Religion check as above, but supernatural influence—if a flying PC moves above
the DC increases to 33. the manor’s roofline beyond a height of 20 feet, the
Failure As failure, but the creature becomes frightened sky reverts to Willowshore’s actual spring weather.
2 and is fleeing for as long as it remains frightened. Creatures: Kugaptee’s influence has transformed
The creature can attempt the Occultism or Religion two particularly large mounds of fungal matter
check to Recall Knowledge normally (DC 33). in the courtyard into dangerous monsters—a pair
Critical Failure As failure, but the creature can’t reduce of drakauthixes. One of these creatures lies in the
its frightened condition below 1 for 1 minute. In southwestern portion of the courtyard, while the other
addition, the overwhelming fear causes the creature lurks to the northeast. If they hear anyone moving
to become stupefied 1; this condition persists until it’s about in area A1, they’ll Sneak toward the area so that
cured magically or the hazard is disabled. their 30-foot-long tendrils can attack from ambush as
Reset The unwelcoming facade resets immediately if not soon as anyone enters the courtyard from there; the
disabled and can be triggered again the very next round. creatures use Stealth to roll Initiative, but they’ll roll
Perception if intruders approach from above.
A1. MANOR ENTRANCE
DRAKAUTHIXES (2) CREATURE 10
The temperature drops enough to frost breath within this Pathfinder Bestiary 129
ruined entrance. Moldering mats lie on the stained wood Initiative Perception or Stealth +17
floor. The walls are overgrown with patches of fungi and
coiling moist vines. A thick curtain of vines hangs over the A3. SERVANTS’ QUARTERS LOW 8
roof to the north, forming a wall of dripping vegetation that
blocks the view into the courtyard. Moldering fulus once hung from several of the walls in
these servants’ quarters, but now, only fluttering tatters
The floor in this manor is warped and creaks remain amid deep claw marks in the walls. Bunk beds,
when stepped on. Anyone who isn’t trying to be dressers, chairs, and other furnishings lie in crumbling
stealthy automatically makes enough noise to alert heaps on the floor, tangled amid the scattered bones of
the occupants of area A2. Attempts to Sneak in this several human skeletons.

10
 To Bloom
These chambers once housed the governor’s small
staff of servants, but when his ritual went bad, the LOOTING THE MANOR
Below the
four servants who slept here perished in their beds; the A fair amount of treasure awaits discovery Web
bones in this room are their remains. in the governor’s manor, but some PCs might
Close inspection of the ruined fulus shows that have qualms about claiming it for themselves, Chapter 1:
they were torn off the posts by swipes of a large, reasoning that these items belong to the town’s
Willowshore’s
Return
clawed hand that left gouges in the wood beneath, governor and, in his absence, should revert to
and in one spot, a distinctive-looking claw with a bit Willowshore. The town elder has none of it if Chapter 2:
of leathery flesh still attached remains lodged in the they’re asked, noting that the PCs have done so The Princess’s
wood. A PC who examines the gouges and claw can much to save Willowshore without recompense. Web
identify the source as the talon of an akashti nindoru They then give their full blessing for the PCs to
with a successful DC 29 Religion check to Recall keep any found wealth or magic items—even Chapter 3:
Knowledge—the akashti in question now dwells in the going so far as to encourage the PCs to scour A Fiend in Two
master bedroom (area A8). the manor for resources and gear. The town Worlds
Area A3a is a small lounge for the servants that elder also notes that what the PCs can discover
contains nothing of interest. within is likely of greater value than anything Continuing
Creatures: When the servants perished, their souls the villagers of Willowshore can give them as
the Campaign
became trapped in Heh Shan-Bao’s mindscape, yet rewards for their service.
Horrors
it isn’t until the manor returns to the living world Among Us
in this state that those trapped souls, after spending
over a century in limbo, manifest as undead. The four weakened from below by a large swath of dangerous Adventure
exist now as hungry ghosts, and they rise up from mold and fungi that seems to have eaten away at the Toolbox
their bones in the form of shimmering red ghostly support for years.
skeletons that quickly attack anyone who intrudes
upon their lair. They’ll pursue foes relentlessly WEAKENED FLOOR HAZARD 11
through the manor, but not outside; if destroyed, UNIQUE COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL
these hungry ghosts rejuvenate unless the manor is Stealth +23 (master)
cleansed (see Chapter 2). Description The weakened floor gives way with a
tremendous crash, dropping everything in the room into
ELITE HUNGRY GHOSTS (4) CREATURE 7 a muddy morass of toxic mold.
Pathfinder Book of the Dead 100, Pathfinder Bestiary 6 Disable DC 33 Crafting (master) three times to knock
Initiative Perception +15 holes in the floor without triggering the spore cloud
while simultaneously lightening the strain on the floor
Treasure: While all of the fulus on the walls of this so it can be walked upon, DC 36 Stealth (expert) to
room have long since been destroyed, a trio of Taljjae move carefully through the room for the remainder
tassels (page 74) still hang from one of the bunk bed of your turn without triggering the hazard, or DC 36
posts in area A3b, while to the east, a darkwood Nature (expert) twice once the trap is triggered to
batsbreath cane (Pathfinder Treasure Vault 107) lies knock enough holes into the nearby walls to cause the
on the floor of the restroom off of area A3c. spores to disperse
Collapse Floor Ǻȓ Trigger A round begins with a Small or
A4. MEETING AREA LOW 10 larger creature standing on the floor in area A4; Effect
The floor of the entire room collapses in a thunderous
This expansive room formerly hosted two long, elegant crash, dropping all creatures in the room 5 feet into a
meeting tables surrounded by comfortable low chairs, with soupy morass of mud, mold, and toxic fungus while a
sideboards capable of displaying all manner of tea and cloud of spores spews up into the air above. The room
snack services. Today, the furniture within this chamber lies becomes greater difficult terrain. All creatures who were
in ruins. The ceiling above features several large holes that standing on the floor in the room fall prone in the mess
reveal the leaden sky above. An unassuming woodcutter’s below unless they succeed at a DC 34 Reflex save, in
axe with a cold iron blade hangs on the southern wall in a which case they land on their feet. The hazard then rolls
partially collapsed display. initiative.
Routine (1 action) Every round on its turn, the spores that
Hazard: The ceiling isn’t the only part of this room now fill area A4 inflict 8d6 poison damage to all creatures
that’s in terrible repair—the floor is about to give way, in the room (DC 30 basic Fortitude save) as the cloud

11
 burns at exposed flesh; a creature that holds its breath into smoke. These two incorporeal undead function
gains a +4 circumstance bonus to this saving throw. as Medium-sized dread wraiths, but other than
Reset One minute after nothing moves in the room, the having no reach with their melee Strikes (which deal
spores settle down. The floor remains obvious and won’t mental damage rather than negative damage), the two
collapse further, but any creature that moves through function as the typical dread wraith. They lurk inside
the mold causes the spores to plume up again, re- the beds below their bodies before rising up, rolling
triggering the trap. Stealth for initiative as soon as anyone approaches
their remains. They fight until destroyed and pursue
Treasure: The lumber lord’s axe (page 76) on foes throughout the manor.
display was a gift given to the governor soon after his
arrival in town from a lumber consortium (which has VARIANT DREAD WRAITHS (2) CREATURE 9
long since gone out of business) eager to earn his favor. RARE CE MEDIUM INCORPOREAL UNDEAD WRAITH
Pathfinder Bestiary 2 298
A5. GUEST QUARTERS LOW 10 Initiative Stealth +19
This suite of guest quarters all feature decor in a similar Melee Ȱɵ spectral hand +21 (finesse); Damage 2d10+7
state of disarray; you can use the following read-aloud mental plus drain life
text for all three, but adjust each description as needed
to account for the differing size of each chamber (and Treasure: A PC who conducts a 10-minute Search
omitting the final sentence for areas A5b and A5c, of area A5a finds stumps of partially burned Tian-Jing
which lack bodies). incense cones in brass holders beneath the windows,
and a single cracked crystal is clutched in the fist of
This once-elegant bedroom used to feature all the comforts one of the skeletons. A PC who succeeds at a DC 30
a traveling aristocrat expected, but now, the furniture is check to Identify Magic on the held crystal identifies
in disrepair. A musty stink lingers in the air, and a pair of it as a destroyed skyfang crystal, a magical item used
skeletal remains clad in rotting vestments lie sprawled on to ward against fiends and undead; this crystal was
the ruined beds. ruined by a potent force beyond its power to shelter
against and is now merely a curiosity worth 5 gp. The
Areas A5b and A5c were vacant at the time of other skeleton still wears a moonsilver necklace (page
Governor Heh’s botched ritual, but the largest suite 78) around its bony neck.
(area A5a) was occupied at the time by a pair of holy
practitioners who studied at the renowned Senhang A6. DINING AREA
Monastery of Tianjing—a duo the governor had
called upon for aid in the development of his ritual. Mildew and water stains drip down the kitchen’s walls in
The two priests knew Governor Heh was preparing to long, swelling streaks that ruin the plasterwork. The main
go ahead with the ritual despite their concern it wasn’t room features a moldering seating area for eating, while to
quite ready to be performed, but they didn’t expect the north, a pair of ancient stoves rest in a side room.
him to forge ahead without them. They perished in
this chamber when his attempt to bolster the Tan Sugi Treasure: Area A6a has little of interest within it,
tree failed. but the kitchen (area A6b) includes a high shelf on
The skeletons on the beds are the priests’ physical which several valuable bottles of rice wine and liquor
remains; a PC who studies them and succeeds at a DC were stored. There are a dozen bottles in all: 10 of
22 Religion check to Recall Knowledge recognizes them are worth 50 gp each, while the eleventh bottle
the robes as those worn by priests of the Senhang contains a dose of ascendant dragon spirit (page 74)
Monastery of Tianjing, and with a critical success, and the twelfth contains a dose of vengeful demon’s
they also note these particular robes were worn by tears (page 74).
priests who specialized in ritual magic.
Creatures: The spirits of the two priests grew A7. STORAGE ROOMS
corrupted and horrific, both as a result of their deaths
so close to where Governor Heh failed his ritual and Most of the contents of these storage rooms appear to have
their own regrets. They now continue on as hateful crumbled and decayed into ruin. Crates have broken open
undead, appearing as ghostly versions of themselves as wooden slats decayed, spilling moldering contents over
save that their robes constantly appear to drift apart the floor, and empty barrels are surrounded by old stains
in flocks of red butterflies that, in turn, drift away caused by the leakage of their contents over the years.

12
 To Bloom
Treasure: While one of these storage rooms has Willowshore (the town elder) to let them know he’s
nothing of value, the others each contain useful ready to return to his duties.
Below the
treasures. A PC Searching area A7b for 10 minutes Of course, this figure isn’t the real Heh Shan-Bao, Web
turns up a wooden box containing six energizing pills but in fact a nindoru wearing a manifested suit of
(page 73); a PC who conducts a 10-minute Search of flesh that appears to be him. If the PCs agree to the Chapter 1:
area A7c, and who succeeds at a DC 28 Perception false governor’s request, upon being brought before
Willowshore’s
Return
check, reveals a lacquered waist drum (page 77) that the town elder, he says, “Thank you for caring for
fell behind a set of shelves into a hollow space through my town while I was away, but now, your duties are Chapter 2:
a hole in the floor. at an end. Great Kugaptee shall rule where you once The Princess’s
ruled!” He then casts illusory creature to create a Web
A8. PRIMARY SUITE MODERATE 10 shadowy, multi-armed, many-headed incarnation of
The entrances to this room are kept closed—the only the powerful nindoru in an attempt to kill the town Chapter 3:
doors in the manor that still function. Any PC who elder and any PCs present. A Fiend in Two
steps up to either closed door hears the soft sound of a Hopefully, the PCs don’t fall for the ruse. If they see Worlds
man chanting quietly in the room beyond. through his lies (even if they don’t at first, the fact that
this version of Heh Shan-Bao has never met them before Continuing
The manor’s primary bedroom, as with the rest of the
the Campaign
building, is in poor repair, but here at least the ceiling
Horrors
seems to have held up, resulting in a chamber that hasn’t Among Us
been colonized by fungi and creeping vines. Nonetheless,
the furniture lies in rubble, and a musty stink fills the air. Adventure
Dozens of candles and sticks of incense burn in a circle in Toolbox
the middle of the room, as if a ritual were in progress here.

In this room, Heh Shan-Bao attempted the ill-advised

ritual to bolster the Tan Sugi, only for it to backfire and
destroy Willowshore—any PC who studies the room
for a few moments and succeeds at a DC 20 Occultism
or Religion check to Recall Knowledge realizes this
detail, and with a critical success, the rushed nature of
the ritual is apparent.
Creatures: The source of the soft sound of chanting
comes not from the silent human figure kneeling
before the candles and incense, but instead from a
thick clinging mass of red butterflies that cling to the
ceiling above his head. The mass’s chanting can now
be made out as a repetition of a prayer to Kugaptee.

“I offer thee my name, Great Kugaptee! Unbind me from

those whom I called friends.
“I offer thee my blood, Great Kugaptee! Unbind me from
those whom I called family.
“I offer thee my flesh, Great Kugaptee! Unbind me from
the body I called my own.
“I offer thee my soul, Great Kugaptee! Unbind me from
that which was my fate.”

The man kneeling on the floor appears to be none

other than Heh Shan-Bao, alive and healthy. As the
PCs enter, he rises to his feet and turns to greet them,
thanking them for seeking him out and apologizing False Governor
for failing to protect the town. He asks to be escorted
out of his manor so he can meet the new governor of

13
 Soul Shred As argyrzei (page 84), but DC 36.
RETURNING TO KARAHAI Speed 25 feet
The village of Karahai is small, but it serves a Melee Ȱɵ claw +24 (agile, finesse, magical), Damage 3d4+14
vitally important role to Willowshore: it connects slashing plus 1d6 mental
Willowshore to trade routes all along the coast Occult Innate Spells DC 32, attack +24; 6th illusory
of the Sea of Ghosts. Until Karahai Bridge is creature, phantasmal calamity; 5th crushing despair,
repaired, Willowshore’s food and supplies will phantom pain; 4th glibness, talking corpse; 2nd item
remain sparse, and the town won’t be able to facade; Cantrips (6th) daze, ghost sound, message
begin to fully reintegrate into modern Shenmen. Manifest Body (concentrate, conjuration, occult)
Once Shinzo pays his last visit to Willowshore, Frequency once per day; Effect The false governor
trade contacts at Karahai become the new has manifested a hollow humanoid body around
default assumption for the PCs to acquire their slender skeletal frame that looks identical to
new items; while the village is only a level 3 that of Governor Heh Shan-Bao. While wearing this
settlement now, it will grow over time now that manifested body, the false governor loses their claw
Willowshore is back among the living. The PCs Strike, and their voice sounds like that of Heh Shan-
can place orders for items of up to level 11 at Bao’s. The false governor’s manifested body decays
Karahai, but it takes a week for these requested swiftly if they don’t take 10 minutes once per day
items to be shipped in from other locations, such to maintain the manifestation of the false flesh. The
as the city of Sze. body has 10 Hit Points and the same defenses as the
In the previous adventure, lumber lord Mago false governor. When the body is destroyed, the false
Kai ran Karahai, but this adventure assumes he governor emerges unharmed, and the fleshy shell left
was defeated. See the sidebar Mago Kai’s Fate behind scatters into a cloud of red butterflies that
on page 3 if this isn’t the case in your game. swiftly fade into red mist. This emergence is so grisly
and unsettling that all creatures within 30 feet who
witness it must attempt a DC 29 Fortitude save or
and thus has no recollection of anything they spoke of become sickened 2 (sickened 3 on a critical failure);
in the previous adventure should clue them in), refuse this has the mental and visual traits.
to escort him, or simply attack, the false governor hisses Stunning Despair ʚʖ (auditory, enchantment, incapacitation
in anger and says, “You’ll do just as well for Kugaptee’s mental, occult) The false governor unleashes several
inaugural meal!” He then attacks in turn. Once the overwhelming sobs of despair. Creatures within 30 feet
combat begins, the nindoru uses his spells in battle until must attempt a DC 29 Will save to avoid becoming
his body takes enough damage to shed its flesh. At this stunned 1 (stunned 3 on a critical failure). The false
point, he uses Stunning Despair before continuing the governor can’t use Stunning Despair again for 1d4 rounds.
fight with a mix of spells and claw Strikes. He fights
to the death, pursuing foes through the manor or even Treasure: A character who Searches the ruined
beyond into Willowshore proper. rooms for 10 minutes turns up several objects of
If the ghosts in area A3 and the wraiths in area A5 value, including a dented red-and-gold chamber
haven’t yet been defeated, they hear the false governor’s pot worth 150 gp, a gold-rimmed monocle worth
Stunning Despair and swiftly leave those rooms to come 100 gp lying amid a shattered nightstand, a fan of
here and join the nindoru in combat against the PCs. falling words (page 76) stored in a cherry wood
case decorated with images of fish worth 90 gp,
FALSE GOVERNOR CREATURE 12 and a wooden potion holder carved to look like a
RARE CE MEDIUM FIEND NINDORU coiled dragon worth 50 gp that currently holds the
Variant akashti nindoru (Pathfinder #198: No Breath to Cry 82) following: a panaceatic salve (page 74), a potion of
Perception +22; darkvision quickness, and a greater healing potion.
Languages Aklo, Common, Necril Reward: With the death of the false governor,
Skills Deception +25 (+29 Impersonating Governor Heh Kugaptee’s hold over the ruins vanishes instantly. The
Shan-Bao), Diplomacy +23, Occultism +22, Society +22, manor remains in shambles, but the Unwelcoming
Stealth +24 Facade and the undead in areas A3 and A5 vanish
Str +7, Dex +6, Con +4, Int +4, Wis +4, Cha +7 immediately. Grant the PCs XP as if they’d defeated
AC 32; Fort +20, Ref +24, Will +22 these encounters if they haven’t done so already, and
HP 220; Immune death effects; Weaknesses silver 15; then grant them an additional 80 XP for allowing
Resistances negative 15 those trapped souls to move on to the afterlife.

14
 To Bloom
Reporting to the Town Elder decades ago by mudslides. As the PCs learned in
Below the
Once the PCs defeat the nindoru infesting the the previous adventure, Mago Kai patched together
ruined manor, work on repairing and rebuilding a temporary replacement, but his rope-and-board Web
the structure can begin. The PCs don’t need to be construction was never meant to be permanent and
directly involved in these efforts—the town elder won’t withstand heavy loads. Chapter 1:
thanks them for once again coming to Willowshore’s All that currently remains of the original bridge
Willowshore’s
Return
aid and encourages the PCs to keep any treasure that once connected Willowshore to the lumber
they found in the manor (see the sidebar on page markets of Shenmen are six of the eight massive Chapter 2:
11), then asks them to travel east to Karahai at wooden supports that used to hold the bridge aloft The Princess’s
their earliest convenience to make contact with the over the gorge. The two supports that once stood Web
villagers there and begin the process of reintegrating to the southwest were destroyed by the mudslide,
Willowshore back into the living world. which caused the rest of the wooden bridge’s planks Chapter 3:
to tumble into the water and float away to the north, A Fiend in Two
Shinzo’s Farewell downstream and out to sea. Worlds
A few days after the PCs awaken in Willowshore, the A set of five enormous planks has been placed
shinigami merchant Shinzo arrives one last time to bid across the southern pilings, held in place by supports Continuing
them farewell and congratulate them on restoring the and ropes; while the 5-foot-wide temporary bridge
the Campaign
town to the living world. As they’ve now returned to looks treacherous, it’s actually solidly built, as a PC
Horrors
the natural cycle, the time has come for him to move who succeeds at a DC 20 Engineering Lore or Crafting Among Us
on. The shinigami likely doesn’t reveal his true form check to Recall Knowledge can confirm. A PC can
to the PCs, even though he admitted what he was to cross the bridge safely by Striding; the numerous ropes Adventure
them in the previous adventure; instead, he notes, “I give handholds, and the planks are heavy and stable. Toolbox
have come to know you as you know me, and for us, However, any action that includes violent or defensive
this form is what is truth now.” He may reveal his motion (including all actions with the Attack trait) that
true shape to curious PCs for a moment, but never in results in a critical failure causes that PC on the plank
public, knowing full well that his appearance could bridge to fall 30 feet and into the 20-foot-deep water
spark an unintended panic. below (a falling PC can Grab the Edge by succeeding
This meeting is the PCs’ final opportunity to at a DC 20 Reflex save). It’s a DC 30 Athletics check
purchase items from Shinzo’s store. If you wish to to Climb the gorge walls (or a DC 10 Athletics check
introduce any new magic items that the PCs missed the to Climb along the steeply sloped old mudslide), and a
chance to acquire from previous adventures, having DC 15 Athletics check to Swim in the river. The planks
these items (within reason) be available for sale gives are wide enough to lead or even ride a Large mount
the PCs one last chance to gain access to them. across them, as long as the mount treats the planks as
Just before he leaves, Shinzo does have some final difficult terrain and a PC succeeds at a DC 25 Nature
parting gifts—a phoenix fulu holder (page 78), along check to Command the Animal with each Stride their
with four fulus: an anathema fulu (Treasure Vault 76), mount takes.
a needle thousand-pains fulu (Treasure Vault 79), a The PCs can visit Karahai again as soon as they wish
rebound fulu (Pathfinder Secrets of Magic 160), and (see the Returning to Karahai sidebar on page 14), but
a greater spirit-sealing fulu (Secrets of Magic 160). until the bridge is repaired, Willowshore remains cut
Afterward, he and his psychopomp companion fade off from its most important trade partner.
from view, perhaps leaving the PCs curious as to why
he bothered to help them at all. REBUILDING THE BRIDGE
If you’re interested in exploring Shinzo’s story Fully rebuilding Karahai Bridge takes several weeks.
further, additional notes about his motivations and While the work doesn’t require a PC to be on-site
fate are detailed in Continuing the Campaign starting to progress or even to begin, a PC can significantly
on page 62. impact the project by spending 3 days of downtime
to draw up plans, survey the site, and gather up a
Bridges and Bandits group of talented workers to rebuild the bridge. If
Although Willowshore has been restored, the area the PCs don’t get involved, Willowshore’s town elder
beyond the village remains in disrepair. The most takes on the task, and the Rebuild Karahai Bridge
pressing problem is that Karahai Bridge, which activity on page 16 automatically gets a failure result.
connects the Willowshore hinterlands to the coastline Other PCs can Aid the primary PC’s roll to Rebuild
and the fortress village of Karahai, was destroyed Karahai Bridge.

15
 KARAHAI BRIDGE
1 SQUARE = 5 FEET

Once Karahai Bridge is rebuilt, Willowshore can Success The plans are solid and the project proceeds
officially begin the process of trading with Karahai. quickly without any major setbacks. The bridge takes
Doing so has repercussions on some of the events that 2 months to rebuild.
take place later in this adventure, as noted in the text. Failure The plans for rebuilding the bridge take longer
to complete, and the project suffers several minor
REBUILD KARAHAI BRIDGE setbacks and delays. The bridge takes 3 months to
DOWNTIME MANIPULATE complete and is thus unlikely to be finished before this
You create a plan for rebuilding Karahai Bridge and recruit a adventure ends.
team to enact that plan over the course of 3 days. Attempt Critical Failure While the plans seem solid, disaster strikes
a DC 25 Engineering Lore check, a DC 27 Crafting check, several days into the job, resulting in several deaths (roll
or a DC 29 Society check; other PCs can Aid this check 1d8 if you wish to randomly determine how many of
with any of those skills by spending the same amount of Willowshore’s citizens perish in this event). The PCs must
downtime providing that assistance. If a PC has access to start over, taking the Rebuild Karahai Bridge downtime
spells or other magic effects that the GM decides could activity once more to get the project restarted, but the
be of significant aid to the process, and that PC spends roll suffers a –4 penalty to the check as a result of the
their downtime helping, that PC’s magic grants the primary later start.
check a +1 status bonus. This bonus stacks with multiple
different spellcasting PCs, up to a maximum status bonus Reward: Once the bridge is rebuilt, grant the PCs
of +3. Once this check has been attempted, the PCs don’t 120 XP.
need to spend more downtime on the project.
Critical Success The PCs hit upon a brilliant plan for the SILKWASPS AT THE BRIDGE MODERATE 10
project, and the town’s workers prove to be particularly Willowshore is a remote town, but its return to
skilled and exuberant. The bridge takes only 1 month modern Shenmen doesn’t go unnoticed. The villagers
to rebuild and is finished before the events of Chapter of Karahai are likely the first to realize the town is
2 begin. back, with more distant towns and villages learning

16
 To Bloom
the news as the months go by, but one group in of him. When he introduces himself, he does so with
particular takes note of work done at Karahai arms wide and a cheerful, “Welcome to my bridge!
Below the
Bridge—a band of criminals who call themselves the I’m sure you know who I am?” If the PCs reveal they Web
Silkwasp Bandits. have no idea, he expresses shock but recovers quickly,
About a week after work on rebuilding describing himself as a “patron of the people, foe to Chapter 1:
the bridge gets underway, the PCs are those who spin their webs of deceit, and legend
Willowshore’s
Return
approached by a nervous and out-of- to those who have earned his mercy.”
breath messenger who informs them In fact, Lo Kuon’s days of being a Chapter 2:
that “bandits have come to Karahai wilderness-based rebel against jorogumo The Princess’s
Bridge and are claiming they’re in rule ended last summer when he led his Web
charge!” The bridge workers have bandits to the Tan Sugi Monastery to loot it.
retreated from work and need the PCs There, his plans to gain weapons and magic Chapter 3:
to step in to deal with the bandits, to use against the jorogumo ended as he and A Fiend in Two
who are eager to extort the workers. his crew fell into thrall of Hong Meigui, Worlds
The messenger describes the bandits one of the jiang-shi vampire
as “a half dozen rough-looking agents of Kugaptee who now Continuing
men and women wearing dwell in the ruined monastery.
the Campaign
bloodstained bandages The bloodstained kerchiefs the
Horrors
around their necks.” Silkwasp Bandits wear around Among Us
Creatures: The Silkwasp their necks hide the only outward
Bandits are based in a ruined Lo Kuon manifestation of their corruption Adventure
farmstead a few days’ travel northeast and link to Kugaptee—a seeping, partially Toolbox
of Willowshore. While the plot to claim Karahai scabbed-over wound on their throats in the shape of a
Bridge might seem like typical banditry to the PCs, tangled knot of roots, the symbol of Kugaptee. While
this is just the first test of the PCs’ resolve and strength the wound doesn’t impact the bandits’ statistics, it’s
by a canny foe—the first move toward all-out war on an uncomfortable manifestation of their servitude to
Willowshore. Hong Meigui. A PC can recognize the symbol with a
When the PCs arrive at the bridge, they’re greeted successful DC 28 Religion check to Recall Knowledge,
by the worried workers, who have spent their time or automatically if they encountered the symbol and
gathered in their work camp a few hundred feet identified it earlier in this campaign.
southwest of the bridge since the bandits arrived. Lo Kuon’s initial attitude to the PCs seems
Bravely refusing to fully abandon the site, these indifferent, but as long as he’s inveigled by Hong
workers haven’t engaged with the bandits yet other Meigui, he isn’t actually interested in striking a
than to continue to promise that those with the long-lasting deal with Willowshore. Before he gets
authority to pay their fines will be here soon. to his demands, though, he asks the PCs to explain
The bandits have set up camp on the road, pitching themselves and why they’ve decided they’re the
a pair of tents on the west side of the gorge. While ones who get to make the calls for Karahai Bridge.
three bandits indeed await the PCs in the tents, another Lo Kuon listens to their explanation with apparent
four lie in wait on the far side of the gorge, hidden in amusement and tries to learn all he can about how
the dense forest just off the road in two pairs—two the PCs and Willowshore suddenly appeared as if
to the north and two to the south. As soon as the no time had passed for a century. In particular, he
bandits notice the PCs’ approach, one, a man armed appears intrigued by their stance on Kugaptee—he
with a shortsword and sling instead of a greataxe and feigns ignorance here in an attempt to find out what
longbow, steps out of the tent to greet the PCs with a the PCs know of, and plan to do about, the nindoru.
broad smile. If he determines that the PCs think Kugaptee’s threat
This individual is Lo Kuon, the human “face” of has ended, he congratulates them and does nothing to
the Silkwasp Bandits (though not, as the PCs will dissuade them of that conclusion.
soon learn, their current leader). Lo Kuon has a local Lo Kuon relies on Deception to keep up the charade,
reputation of being a daring and charismatic man, and any attempt to pierce his lies or redirect the
now in his late thirties, who became a local legend discussion toward topics he would rather stay silent
for his stance against the jorogumo. Tales of his bold on prompts him to change the subject to what the
escapades are popular (if only told in whispers) in PCs owe the Silkwasp Bandits for use of the bridge.
rural Shenmen, but the PCs aren’t likely to have heard He demands an initial payment of 200 gp per month,

17
 THE SILKWASP CAMP
1 SQUARE = 5 FEET

B2 B4

B6 B7
A7a B5

B8 B9

B10
B3

B1

promising to lower those payments to a mere 50 gp a on the east side focus their attacks on the bridge,
month if the PCs complete the rebuilding project. If each activating one of the two explosive arrows they
the PCs make any attempt to bargain, he’ll cut these carry before firing the arrow at the bridge. From their
asking prices in half regardless of any skill check positions, the load-bearing parts of the bridge they’re
results the PCs attempt—after all, this ruse is mostly targeting have AC 24; each explosive arrow that hits
just to “feel out” the PCs’ convictions. the bridge bursts in a ball of fire that damages the
If the PCs agree to a payment, Lo Kuon seems a structure, while each that misses explodes harmlessly
little surprised but also pleased, and he demands the on the lower west bank of the river or beyond the PCs
payment at once. If they pay, he bows and has his in the forest. Once the bandits hit the bridge twice, the
bandits gather up their tents, then they head back to planks crossing the bridge are blown apart, preventing
their encampment via the roads (although once they easy access to the other side. If the bandits score a total
believe they’re out of sight, they cut through the forest of five hits on the bridge, all the work the PCs have put
in an attempt to throw off anyone following them). into it is destroyed, and they must start from scratch
If the PCs refuse to pay or become hostile, Lo Kuon by taking the Rebuild Karahai Bridge activity once
sighs in apparent disappointment, then says, “I was more at a later date. Once the four bandits run out of
afraid that’d be your response. Well then... no bridge explosive arrows or the bridge is destroyed, they focus
for anyone, I suppose!” He draws his shortsword and on shooting the PCs.
rolls Deception for initiative. The two nearby bandits As long as they remain inveigled, the bandits
roll Perception, and those on the far side of the gorge fight to the death. If the PCs capture them alive
roll Stealth. During combat, Lo Kuon and his two or manage to dispel Hong Meigui’s ritual, the
nearby allies fight in melee, focusing their attacks bandits immediately surrender, and Lo Kuon reveals
on the PC who spoke up the most at this point, but everything, begging the PCs to travel to their
they also work to prevent anyone from engaging their campsite to defeat the monster that has kept them
allies on the far side of the bridge. The four bandits as her pawns for months.

18
 To Bloom
LO KUON CREATURE 7 of the jorogumo activity in the region, model themselves
Below the
CN male gang leader (Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide 249) after the wasps’ fierceness and cunning. Their leader, Lo
Initiative Deception +15 or Perception +14 Kuon, is considered something of a local hero. Web
Critical Failure The Silkwasp Bandits were slain years ago,
SILKWASP BANDITS (6) CREATURE 6 but their ghosts still haunt some of the regional roads, Chapter 1:
CE monster hunters (Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide 227) demanding tribute. Those who pay their demands find
Willowshore’s
Return
Initiative Perception or Stealth +13 themselves cursed with a wasting disease by the next
full moon. Chapter 2:
Treasure: In addition to their standard gear, any The Princess’s
explosive arrows the bandits on the far side of the THE SILKWASP CAMP SEVERE 10 Web
camp haven’t fired yet can be looted from them if If the PCs managed to secure a bandit’s cooperation
they’re defeated. Each of those four bandits starts the by removing the inveigle effect on them, they can Chapter 3:
battle with two explosive arrows in addition to their give the PCs directions to their hideout, but only Lo A Fiend in Two
20 arrows. Kuon agrees to accompany the PCs in an attempt to Worlds
get revenge on Hong Meigui. Likewise, only Lo Kuon
DEALING WITH BANDITS knows that Hong Meigui is a jiang-shi, allowing him to Continuing
The money extorted at the bridge is only the beginning provide more advice on how to fight her. He suggests
the Campaign
of the PCs’ trouble with the Silkwasp Bandits if they the PCs bring handheld mirrors and materials to put
Horrors
agree to pay the price. Over the months to come, her to rest forever once they defeat her (either 1 Bulk Among Us
the bandits continue to be a thorn in Willowshore’s of glutinous rice or hen eggs). Finally, Lo Kuon can
side, with a new complaint rising every few weeks— also tell the PCs that she keeps some sort of item that Adventure
livestock and draft animals stolen from farms, folks she seems both to fear and be obsessed with wrapped Toolbox
being robbed while out in the wild or traveling the in silk in her quarters.
roads, and even rumors of unfamiliar troublemakers Without the aid of a rescued bandit, the PCs will
skulking around the yards of some the buildings need to resort to other methods to discover the
along the northeast section of town. All these events Silkwasp Camp. The camp is in a former farmstead
are the bandits’ continued attempts to test the town’s located on a tall bluff overlooking the Sea of Ghosts a
defenses. If the PCs don’t take action, eventually few hours north of Karahai; the only overland route
Hong Meigui leads all of her remaining bandits on a to the supposedly abandoned farmstead is via an
brazen attack against the PCs in town; such an event overgrown trail leading northeast from Willowshore.
shouldn’t take place until the start of Chapter 3 and The PCs might stumble upon this location on their
should be structured as an Extreme encounter—the own simply by exploring the countryside, but after
PCs would be wise to handle this bandit situation each encounter they or the people of Willowshore
sooner than later! have with the bandits, the PCs can also Track the
If the PCs fought Lo Kuon and defeated the bandits bandits to their camp with a successful DC 20
at the bridge, the bandit activity against Willowshore Survival check. The ruined farmstead is just shy of 3
happens even more swiftly, with the first reports of miles east of the edge of the Willowshore hinterlands
trouble coming in within a few days rather than a map—about a day’s horseback ride from town.
few weeks. Once the PCs approach the camp, read or paraphrase
While no one in Willowshore knows anything of the following.
note about the bandits, the PCs can travel to Karahai
to try to learn more. There, once a character succeeds A humble farmstead sits on a low bluff overlooking the
at a DC 22 check after spending 2 hours to Gather Sea of Ghosts, its western half nestled within rings of
Information, the PCs can learn more about the overgrown, ramshackle fences. Reeds surround a large
Silkwasp Bandits. fishpond at the western end, near the gates that lead up
Critical Success Traditionally, locals have passed messages through the outermost fence. The farmhouse appears to be
to the Silkwasps to beg for aid against the jorogumo in dire repair, and the barn is in even worse shape with a
by hiding notes inside of wasp nests, but no one has partially collapsed roof.
received any response from this method since early last
summer, when the Silkwasps went silent. The swamp and thicket patches are difficult terrain.
Success The Silkwasp Bandits take their name from the The water in the pond is 10 feet deep for most of its
silkwasp, a local species of wasp known to prey upon expanse, and is difficult terrain to wade through up
spiders. The bandits, who have managed to oppose much to 5 feet from any shore. The wooden fences are quite

19
 Creatures: The Silkwasp Bandits are currently led
SILKWASP CAMP LOCATIONS by the jiang-shi Hong Meigui, with Lo Kuon (the
Brief descriptions of the bandit camp locations previous leader) now serving as a sub-commander
follow. over the remaining 11 bandits. They also keep a pair
B1: Front gates. of partially trained emperor cobras as guardians.
B2: Storage shack near a fishpond surrounded Any bandits the PCs defeated earlier at the bridge
by swampy mud. won’t be encountered here, leaving what amounts
B3: Inner gates. to a Severe 10 encounter to defend the camp. If any
B4: Partially collapsed granary. bandits did survive, either give the PCs a chance to
B5: Living/dining room, now used as bandit whittle down the bandits’ numbers by confronting
barracks. them in the wild or on the outskirts of Willowshore,
B6: Kitchen, now used as Lo Kuon’s barracks. or add enough to this encounter to make it an
B7: Pantry. Extreme 10 encounter instead.
B8: Workshop, now used as bandit barracks. Unexpected Visit: If the bandits have no reason to
B9: Back porch. suspect the PCs are here to fight, then Lo Kuon emerges
B10: Bedroom, claimed by Hong Meigui. from the house to meet with the PCs on the path at
one of the gates to find out what they want; he does his
best to get the PCs to leave while the other bandits and
rickety—they’re 8 feet high, and PCs can Climb over Hong Meigui prepare for battle as detailed in Bandits
them with a successful DC 15 Athletics check; on a on the Defensive below. Note that if the PCs fought
critical failure, that 5-foot-section of fence collapses, the bandits at the bridge, they’ll always expect a visit
causing the climber to fall prone and making that from the PCs, even if all of the bandits escaped that
square into difficult terrain. The wooden gates at fight alive.
areas B1 and B3 no longer open, but have enough If the PCs approach stealthily while the bandits
missing boards that a Medium or smaller creature aren’t on the defensive, then two bandits stand watch
(or a sinuous Large snake) can move through them outside: one at the house’s front porch and one sitting
by passing through gaps with a Stride action. The in a chair outside the small shack near the fishpond.
cliffside along the east of the farm drops 50 feet The other bandits are spread out between areas B5,
into the surf below; the water is nowhere near deep B8, and B9, with Lo Kuon (if present) in area B6, and
enough to break a fall. These sea-spray slick cliffs Hong Meigui in area B10. Once an alarm is raised,
can be Climbed by a PC who succeeds at a DC 30 the bandits do their best to enact their defenses, as
Athletics check. detailed below.
Both the shack at area B2 and the farmhouse have Bandits on the Defensive: In most cases, the bandits
several windows, but they’ve been partially boarded expect a fight. The bandits are on high alert for 1
up. These can be used as arrow slits, allowing an week after any violent clash with the PCs or, at your
adjacent creature to fire arrows through them at no discretion, if the PCs have given them other cause in
penalty to targets beyond while gaining greater cover the past week to be wary. When the camp is on alert,
for themselves. a bandit stands watch in the shack at area B2 and
A 40-foot-long rope lies concealed under a layer another patrols the patch of undergrowth southwest
of dirt along the path indicated by the dotted red of the house near area B3. At least three more bandits
line. The rope is attached to the doors leading into stand watch in areas B5 and B8; if there are more than
area B4 and threaded through the window into area five bandits on-site, then additional bandits hide in
B5, allowing anyone to tug on the rope from area B5 the undergrowth as you see fit. After dark, the bandits
(or along its path) as an Interact action to pull open take shifts, with no more than two sleeping at a time.
the doors to area B4. A PC who Searches near this If he’s present, Lo Kuon stands guard in area B5. Hong
area can discover the hidden rope with a successful Meigui stands guard in area B10.
DC 22 Perception check. Spotting the rope from a Bandit Tactics: Once a fight begins, the bandits
greater distance (as determined by the GM) requires use their bows to fire upon the PCs from their
a character to critically succeed at this check. positions of cover. One bandit in area B5 takes an
Although there are numerous locations at the Interact action to tug open the doors to area B4 via
campsite, it’s still treated as one single encounter. See the concealed rope, allowing the two emperor cobras
the Silkwasp Camp Locations sidebar above for a brief within to slither out. These large snakes move to
overview of each location. attack any obvious intruders but also attack adjacent

20
 To Bloom
bandits as well—they obey only Hong Meigui. The Treasure: A PC who Searches in area B10
jiang-shi herself remains in her room at area B10 and automatically notices the large chest at the foot of the
Below the
casts ranged spells or telekinetic projectile at targets bed. The chest is locked with an obvious and solid- Web
through the gaps in her boarded-up windows, but if looking padlock that can be opened either with the
the PCs enter the house, she moves to engage them in key that Hong Meigui carries in a pocket of her robe Chapter 1:
melee at once. or by three DC 30 Thievery checks to Pick the Lock.
Willowshore’s
Return
If the PCs make their way into the house, the Inside the chest are dozens of silk pouches containing
bandits all converge on that area to engage the PCs a total of 3,500 sp and 220 gp—once the Silkwasp Chapter 2:
in melee. As long as Hong Meigui lives, the bandits Bandits’ collected treasure, but now little more than a The Princess’s
fight to the death, but once she’s defeated, her control cover for the true treasure Hong Meigui keeps hidden Web
over them breaks, and any surviving bandits flee for under a false bottom in the chest.
their lives. A PC who Searches inside the chest can spot the Chapter 3:
false bottom with a successful DC 28 Perception A Fiend in Two
HONG MEIGUI CREATURE 10 check. Wrapped tightly in a sheet of fine spidersilk Worlds
UNIQUE CE MEDIUM UNDEAD VAMPIRE (worth 60 gp) is a jiang-shi bell (page 77) that Hong
Female provincial jiang-shi (Pathfinder Book of the Dead Meigui has long been obsessed with yet keeps stashed Continuing
158) here to prevent her enemies from using it against her.
the Campaign
Perception +20; breathsense (precise, as jiang-shi) 60 feet,
Horrors
darkvision Among Us
Languages Common, Necril
Skills Acrobatics +19, Athletics +21, Intimidation +20, Adventure
Nature +22, Religion +20 Toolbox
Str +5, Dex +3, Con +4, Int +3, Wis +6, Cha +4
Items +2 striking flaming shock urumi (Pathfinder Treasure
Vault 25), key to chest
AC 29; Fort +20, Ref +15, Will +22
HP 128, fast healing 10, negative healing, one more breath;
Immunities death effects, disease, paralyzed, poison,
sleep, prone; Resistances physical 10 (except darkwood)
Jiang-Shi Vulnerabilities As jiang-shi.
Warped Fulu As jiang-shi.
Speed 20 feet, rigor mortis (as jiang-shi)
Melee Ȱɵ urumi +23 (deadly d10, magical, sweep), Damage
2d6+11 slashing plus 1d6 electricity and 1d6 fire
Melee claw +21 (agile), Damage 2d10+11 piercing plus
Grab
Occult Innate Spells DC 29, attack +21; 5th
hallucination, subconscious suggestion; 4th
charm, phantasmal killer; 3rd paralyze,
vampiric touch; Cantrips (5th) mage hand,
message, shield, telekinetic projectile
Rituals inveigle
Drain Qi Ȱɵ (divine, necromancy) As
jiang-shi, but when Draining Qi, Hong
Meigui regains 12 Hit Points.

ELITE EMPEROR COBRAS (2) CREATURE 6

Pathfinder Bestiary 2 6, 245
Initiative Perception +15

SILKWASP BANDITS (5) CREATURE 6

CE monster hunters (Pathfinder Gamemastery Guide 227)
Initiative Perception or Stealth +13
Hong Meigui

21
 Chapter 2:
The Princess’s Web
The jorogumo, predatory shapeshifting spider-women and had her servants loot the place of its valuables
led by Lady Lang Loi, are the cruel and capricious as offerings to Lady Lang Loi (while keeping a fair
rulers of Shenmen. Shenmen’s citizens fear them, amount for herself), and for the past century, she has
for their treatment of their subjects is fraught with spared very little thought for the area.
horror and dread. The best many can hope for is to be News of Willowshore’s return reaches her ears
forgotten and left to struggle on their own without any quickly, and as this chapter begins, Ren Mei Li returns
support from their government at all. Lady Ren Mei to Willowshore to find out where it and its people have
Li is a high-ranking member of the jorogumo court, been, and to “welcome” them back in the best way
and among the communities that fall into her web is the jorogumo know how—with cruel demands and
the town of Willowshore. While the PCs encountered economically fraught fines. The PCs can soften these
a version of her in the previous adventure, Ren Mei political blows, though, and can potentially use their
Li has never actually met the PCs—her first visit to encounter with the strange echo of Ren Mei Li they
Willowshore was on the first day of the year after the dealt with in the previous adventure to their advantage.
townsfolk had been slaughtered and whisked away The timing of this section is flexible. While the first
to the mindscape. She found Willowshore abandoned few encounters in this chapter assume the PCs are

22
 To Bloom
11th level, the lack of combat encounters means that A FELINE EMISSARY TRIVIAL 11 Below the
10th level PCs will still be able to navigate them and As before, Ren Mei Li doesn’t arrive at Willowshore
earn enough XP to be 11th level before they begin to unannounced—she sends an emissary to alert the PCs Web
run Ren Mei Li’s missions. of her imminent arrival, but unlike in the previous
adventure, she has learned the value of subtlety and Chapter 1:
Ren Mei Li’s Return patience. She sends her emissary a full week ahead
Willowshore’s
Return
Ren Mei Li’s initial visit to Willowshore is in part to of her scheduled visit rather than a mere eight hours,
welcome the long-lost town back “below the web” which should give Willowshore (and the PCs) more Chapter 2:
(a euphemism for non-arachnid creatures who find than enough time to prepare for her arrival. The Princess’s
themselves under jorogumo rule), but her primary Creatures: Ren Mei Li’s emissary is a dweomercat Web
goal is one of curiosity: she wants to find out how and named Amai, who (unlike most of her kind) is a
why Willowshore returned from ruin. Her focus soon faithful and loyal companion to the jorogumo. Chapter 3:
shifts to the PCs, and as a test of their possible value, She has little interest in spending time in the First A Fiend in Two
Ren Mei Li sets the PCs a series of missions that will World and quite enjoys the deference and admiration Worlds
evaluate their skills and also assess the extent of their afforded her by dint of her association with one
loyalty to Willowshore, since she can potentially use of Shenmen’s aristocrats. When she’s assigned the Continuing
those ties as leverage. If the PCs succeed, Ren Mei Li is task of announcing her mistress’s imminent visit to
the Campaign
impressed and offers them stewardship of Willowshore Willowshore, Amai spends some time watching the
Horrors
in exchange for a promise of fealty. townsfolk and, increasingly, the PCs from hiding. Among Us
Installing the PCs as stewards solves two problems When this encounter begins, allow the PCs to attempt
for Ren Mei Li—it gives Willowshore a reliable set DC 27 Perception checks. Those who succeed Adventure
of leaders to help defend the town and cultivate its notice the strange purple cat peering at them from Toolbox
growth (thus freeing her up from having to handle somewhere nearby in hiding—the undergrowth, a
that work directly), and it provides her a chance to shadowy alley, through an open door into a dark
secretly secure the PCs’ loyalties for herself rather than room, and so on. At your option, if the PCs remain
on behalf of the jorogumo court and Lady Lang Loi. friends with the Cerulean Teahouse’s bakeneko
Accordingly, once the PCs have proven themselves, “mascot” Yami, then she can meet Amai first; she
Ren Mei Li offers unusually generous terms to secure befriends the dweomercat and introduces her new
their help. While the PCs might have qualms about friend to the PCs—the two cats being unusually
striking a bargain with a jorogumo, it should be clear amused at how similar their names are.
that this is their best option to assure Willowshore’s Whether Amai is spotted and confronted from her
safety and prosperity in Shenmen. Further, because hiding spot, or whether she openly approaches the PCs
Ren Mei Li is more interested in advancing her by using dimension door to pop into their presence, the
own ambitions than Lady Lang Loi’s, she’s willing dweomercat does her best to make it apparent she isn’t
to accept an offer that secretly only promises to here to fight—even if her initial appearance startles the
uphold her interests, and she might leave the PCs free PCs. Her sapphire fur is highlighted by violet spirals,
to potentially work against the overall rule of the and the silver and spidersilk collar she wears is much
jorogumo in Shenmen. more elegant than those normally handed out by the
The PCs should also have a significant incentive to jorogumo to their allies and agents.
accept the governorship because it’s only by obtaining Amai is quite faithful to Ren Mei Li, especially for
the jorogumo court’s official mandate, as symbolized a dweomercat, and the fact that an ordinarily fickle
by a ceremonial item called the Fang and Key, that being is so attached to her mistress should be the
they can finally defeat Heh Shan-Bao and prevent PCs’ first clue that this jorogumo is both unusually
Kugaptee’s reincarnation. powerful and able to earn loyalty from unexpected
The Fang and Key is a critical element in this allies. Amai isn’t magically compelled to serve and
adventure. Several encounters and plot developments is insulted by any such suggestion; she views Ren
rely on the PCs having it. While the PCs can possibly Mei Li as a fascinating individual who can pamper
complete this chapter without the Fang and Key, the the dweomercat with all the luxuries she so richly
PCs will miss significant portions of the adventure if deserves and, therefore, as company worth keeping.
they don’t obtain it. Therefore, it’s important that Ren Amai gossips freely about Ren Mei Li but has only
Mei Li not be presented as an enemy, but as someone good things to say other than minor criticisms about
the PCs can work with—even if she might not be their shiny baubles the cat wasn’t given or interesting magic
first choice of allies. the cat wasn’t allowed to play with.

23
 When Amai speaks, she does so in a cultured, PCs attack her, she does her best to flee—in this case,
feminine voice, and when she first meets the PCs, she Lady Ren Mei Li treats the PCs less as potential allies
greets them as follows. and more as criminals who must work off a debt to
avoid execution. This adventure assumes the PCs don’t
“Greetings, Willowshore. I am Amai. I have the honor take this route, but if they do, you should adjust the
of serving Lady Ren Mei Li, the Silversilk Princess, tenor of the encounters to come appropriately.
Resplendent Daughter of Yin-Sichasi. My mistress is
curious about you, and wishes to make your acquaintance. AMAI CREATURE 7
Will you meet with her for tea in seven days’ time?” Female dweomercat (Pathfinder Bestiary 2 103)
Initiative Perception +15
Amai is willing to answer a few follow-up questions
but offers little concrete information about Ren Mei Reward: Grant the PCs 40 XP for taking the time to
Li’s plans. She quickly grows bored and distracted speak with Amai.
under interrogation, and after each question the PCs
ask her, she asks a question of her own, generally Preparing for the Visit
directed at unusual aspects of the PCs’ dress or class- In the previous adventure, the PCs had only 8 hours
specific habits (“What’s that thing in your hair?” or to prepare for Ren Mei Li’s visit. This time, they have
“Why do you hold that bauble when you pray?” and an entire week, and unknown to the PCs, Ren Mei Li
similarly guileless, blunt questions). Once Amai has has had a hundred years to perfect her rule and to curb
talked to the PCs for 5 minutes or so, she leaves. Her her more imperious and impatient personality traits.
answers to likely questions are as follows. Receiving her at the Cerulean Teahouse remains the
Who’s Lady Ren Mei Li? “She’s one of this land’s best option, but the PCs don’t need to worry as much
rulers, of course! My, my! You have been out of it! about hiding tengu and cold iron or being fearful that
She’s a jorogumo, and she’s glorious!” (If the PCs she might decide to take citizens of Willowshore back
indicate they’ve met her already, Amai seems shocked home with her as captives or meals. Of course, the PCs
and confused for a moment, then muses, “I’m sure likely won’t realize it until her arrival!
that’ll be something my mistress will be interested to Since the PCs have a whole week to prepare, you
hear about!” before moving on to the next question.) can simply have them describe to you what they
Why does Ren Mei Li want to meet us? “She’s wish to do to set up for the meeting. There’s no
curious about you. Also, need to attempt any skill checks for success. If they
this town needs an official prepare respectfully, Ren Mei Li is delighted, but
steward. Perhaps you will suit.” if they don’t or if they’re actively disrespectful,
What will we get out of it? “Do that just plays into her expectations, and she
you not wish to continue living proceeds with the visit without being ruffled.
here?” the cat asks with apparently In the meantime, the PCs
genuine puzzlement. “My mistress might ask around for more
can help you in so many ways. Even if information about Ren Mei
only reporting back a favorable visit to Li. No one in Willowshore
prevent punishment.” has enough experience with
Can we trust a jorogumo? modern Shenmen to offer any
The cat laughs at being advice, but a few hours spent
asked such an impertinent asking around at Karahai, or
question and answers even asking one of the Silkwasp
only: “Would you trust Bandits if any of them survived and
my answer? Speak to her are willing to speak to the PCs, allows
directly. Then decide.” the PCs to potentially learn more with
Whether or not the PCs a DC 25 check to Gather Information.
are receptive to Amai’s Critical Success As success, but
message, there isn’t really an the PC also learns that Ren Mei Li is
option for the PCs to deny the considered to be exceptionally adept in
visit; they have 7 days to prepare the arcane arts and will likely react well
themselves once the dweomercat grows to anyone who displays an interest or deep
bored with questions and departs. If the Amai knowledge in arcana.

24
 To Bloom
Success The PC discovers that Ren Mei Li is regarded “In short, I wish to offer you an alliance. I understand that
as one of the “less harrowing” of the jorogumo—still Sze has cast its greedy eyes upon Willowshore’s resources
Below the
frightening, but much easier to work with than others. and wishes to cast its greedy hands upon it as well. I can Web
As such, the locals are quick and eager to please her prevent this. I am even willing to offer Willowshore a
in order to keep her around, knowing full well that the considerable degree of autonomy, provided its stewards Chapter 1:
next jorogumo who would replace her would are people I can trust.
Willowshore’s
Return
likely be much more horrific. In particular, “Do you suppose that some, or all, of
her acceptance of tengu and the fact you might serve as my stewards?” Chapter 2:
that she only very rarely demands The Princess’s
tribute in the form of people If the PCs express interest in Web
are stressed. The PCs are the position of steward (a sort
also told to wear their of ambassador to the jorogumo Chapter 3:
silver collars in her presence if apart from the town’s actual A Fiend in Two
they have them. governor), however tentatively, Worlds
Critical Failure The information the Ren Mei Li seems both pleased
PC learns seems to support that Ren and amused, then waves aside Continuing
Mei Li remains as imperious, arrogant, the particulars of settling on this
the Campaign
and potentially more violent than she accord in deference to tea and a
Horrors
was during her “visit” to the meal. During this interlude, she Among Us
Willowshore mindscape in the asks the PCs about themselves—
previous adventure. in particular, she’s interested to Adventure
Ren Mei Li find out where they’re from and how Toolbox
Reward: Grant the PCs 40 XP if they they’ve managed to bring Willowshore
achieve at least a success in asking around for more back from ruins. Assuming the PCs tell the truth,
information about Ren Mei Li. or at least parts of it, she believes them entirely, as
their explanation perfectly matches her theories. If
Meeting the Princess she learns that a version of herself visited the PCs in
At the appointed hour, a shimmering silver mist fills the the mindscape, she is intrigued and demands exact
Cerulean Teahouse (or whatever location the PCs told details of how she behaved, treating it more as an
Amai they’d be receiving her mistress at). From it steps opportunity to learn juicy gossip about a competitor
a silver-haired woman of extraordinary beauty, clad in than anything else.
pale blue and sea green silk of the finest quality. Silver Ren Mei Li’s initial attitude toward the PCs is
sticks, ornamented with jeweled spiders, bind up her indifferent. If the PCs wear or openly display the
hair. She looks around the teahouse with open interest, silver collars they might have gained during that
examining its furnishings and decor for several minutes encounter, Ren Mei Li makes an obvious visual note
before turning to the PCs. Her voice is gentle and her of appreciation at the display. This doesn’t alter the
smile serene. The only aspects of her appearance that meeting here, but her starting attitude automatically
might be unsettling are the silver sheen over her near- shifts from indifferent to friendly. During this
black eyes and the movements of the spiders in her preliminary meal and conversation, allow the PCs
hair, which are living creatures and not, after all, made to attempt DC 28 Diplomacy, Performance, Society,
of gemstones. or Tea Lore checks, or DC 23 Arcana checks to
Ren Mei Li arrives alone, a display of her assurance impress her. These checks accumulate Victory Points
but also so that, if needed, words spoken with the PCs (Gamemastery Guide 148); if the PCs earn at least 3
in confidence won’t be overheard by others who might Victory Points in this manner, they improve Ren Mei
report back to the court. She also appears without her Li’s attitude to friendly (or if she’s already friendly,
spider legs extended, looking more human in an attempt to helpful).
to be less intimidating to the PCs. She smiles at the party, As the conversation continues, Ren Mei Li asks
waits for them to introduce themselves, then speaks. knowledgeable and incisive questions about the
mindscape phenomenon, their clashes with Kugaptee,
“How nice to meet you. I am Ren Mei Li. I will not draw and how the PCs dealt with it all. If the PCs describe
you away from your duties for long, as I understand any inventive tactics they used, or unusual discoveries
Willowshore demands your attention. I hope you will not they made about the mindscape’s workings, she’s
find my directness too rude. visibly impressed.

25
 Ren Mei Li also listens attentively if the PCs explain “The bright bird of spring is a symbol of joy and renewal
concrete things they’ve done to help Willowshore and breaking through winter’s drear. If a steward is good, then
plans they have to improve its future prospects. If their rule represents a revival of good fortune for the
the PCs recount their significant achievements to aid village. You will put on a performance of whatever type
the town (be it in previous adventures or their recent suits your talents—music, dance, drama—to celebrate the
efforts to build bridges and fight bandits), Ren Mei greatest thing you have done to benefit Willowshore. In
Li congratulates them. If they ask whether she can your case, I should imagine that would be freeing your
help with their future plans for Willowshore, she’s people from the mindscape, no? Whatever you choose,
careful not to promise anything specific but indicates the show should involve multicolored costumes, vivid
that she’ll take their suggestions seriously. She isn’t backdrops, special effects, and dramatic music.
opposed to designating Willowshore as a Silver Seal “Please have your performance ready within the week. I
village, “but, of course, that would depend on having shall return to watch it. I quite look forward to your show.”
a trustworthy steward.”
Eventually, and assuming the PCs are receptive to Without further ado, and without waiting for any
her offer, the jorogumo explains what comes next. additional acknowledgement or indication of what
the remaining four rituals entail, Ren Mei Li stands,
THE PRINCESS’S REQUESTS bows, and leaves the same way she came—vanishing
in a swirl of silver mist.
“It is time to discuss the Five-Season Treasures. Should the PCs seek to learn more about Ren Mei Li
Tradition demands that new stewards complete a ritual or even confront her in combat, additional information
to prove their loyalty, courage, and capacity to serve about Ren Mei Li (including how she comes and goes
as ambassadors. Such people must be acquainted with so effortlessly via that cloud of mist) appears at the
their citizens and concerned with their welfare, don’t you end of this adventure on pages 90–91.
agree? We all know too well what happens when those Reward: Grant the PCs 60 XP if they agree to work
considerations are ignored. with Ren Mei Li and begin to pursue her requests.
“For you, I think a ritual honoring the seasons you’ve
endured to sit here with me shall do, and no better ritual Treasure and Murder
than seeking the Five-Season Treasures comes to mind. The Five-Season Treasures are symbols of a leader’s
Four of these treasures symbolize the four seasons of ability and willingness to rule and protect their
life, to symbolize that a worthy ruler keeps their pact people across all the changing moods and challenges
year round: the bright bird of spring, the fiery flowers of of the year. Originally, the five rites associated with
summer, the sweet fruits of autumn, and the spiced tea these symbols reflected a people’s gratitude for the
of winter. Once gathered, the gifts of the living must then joys of their lives, and some of that aspect remains.
be offered to the honored dead, to gain the blessing of Although these specific variants on the rites primarily
ancestors and guardians—this is the fifth season, a season test the PCs’ competence for Ren Mei Li’s benefit, they
beyond mortal life. If the ancestors accept, and grant their should also serve as an opportunity to deepen their
blessing, then all you need do is swear fealty to me, and the relationships with the NPCs of Willowshore and enjoy
stewardship is yours.” their achievements up to this point.
Each of these five rites gives the PCs a chance to
Canny PCs might note that Ren Mei Li asks for fealty achieve Victory Points (Gamemastery Guide 148), up
to herself, rather than to Lady Lang Loi or the jorogumo to a maximum of 4 Victory Points per rite. Once the
court. If they point this detail out, Ren Mei Li merely final task is done, the total number of Victory Points
smiles again and shrugs: “Oh, was that what I said?” they’ve accumulated will impact Ren Mei Li’s final
If the PCs ask what, specifically, the ritual entails, offer and potential rewards (page 39).
Ren Mei Li tells them the following: As the PCs work to complete their search for the
Five-Season Treasures, another, far more sinister
“We shall address them all in turn, but to begin with, you set of events takes place. Heh Shan-Bao, now fully
must offer me a bright spring bird.” transformed into a horrific monster (a brainchild,
Ren Mei Li draws a pair of silver pins from her hair and known locally as a yohoi), visits Willowshore to murder
stabs them into the mat before her. She touches one of and spread terror. These murders take place while the
the two cloisonne balls dangling from the first pin, which PCs are out of town, but they’ll have opportunities
depicts a white bird with a long, curling tail of many- to investigate the crime scenes and bodies in between
colored feathers, then speaks again. seeking out the Five-Season Treasures.

26
 To Bloom
WHAT’S A YOHOI? provide helpful advice and material support if the PCs
Below the
It’s likely that at some point during this chapter, get stuck, but if the PCs don’t need their help, then
the PCs will discover that a creature from urban they’re happy to assist the PCs’ artistic vision and not Web
legend known as a yohoi might have become get in the way.
active in Willowshore. Once they do so, a character Preparing for the Show: The planning and Chapter 1:
who succeeds at a DC 20 Occultism, Society, or performance of the Bright Spring Bird should
Willowshore’s
Return
Willowshore Lore check to Recall Knowledge, or a reinforce the PCs’ successes on Willowshore’s behalf.
DC 20 check to Gather Information, learns one of This part of the adventure is also an opportunity to Chapter 2:
the following pieces of information, chosen by you develop individual NPCs by having them express their The Princess’s
to reflect the nature of the questions the PCs are gratitude, hopes, and worries to the PCs. For example, Web
seeking answers to. A critical success reveals two if the PCs ask the villagers for their experiences on
different bullet points of information. returning from the mindscape, or what they hope for Chapter 3:
• Yohoi prey upon small rural towns and were initially from the PCs’ governorship, then the lawyer Luo Xi A Fiend in Two
believed to be manifestations of the ghosts of Yang might worry aloud that her expertise in Lung Wa’s Worlds
neglected ancestors who seek vengeance on laws is useless now that the jorogumo have instituted
disrespectful descendants, but today, they’ve their own legal codes. Huo Tian-Zhe, the metalsmith Continuing
become something of a generalized (if rather and inventor, is bemused and slightly annoyed that
the Campaign
obscure) form of the “boogeyman” for Shenmen’s the clockwork gadgets he thought of as innovative are
Horrors
rural settlements. now viewed as charming, old-fashioned curios. Kim Among Us
• Yohoi can be any shape, but you can recognize Gu-won is sad that many of his old trading partners
them by their bulging yellow eyes, crooked hairy have passed on but also excited about the new samples Adventure
necks, and long filthy fingernails. Their weapons that have begun to trickle into the trading house. Toolbox
can kill not so much by physical damage but by Other NPCs will have their own reactions to their
the mental anguish they inflict. abrupt lurch forward in time, and this section of the
• Yohoi fear flute music and can be harmed or adventure is an opportunity to explore those thoughts
even driven away by well-played flute music, as the PCs develop their performance.
particularly when played by a priest or someone Putting on the Show: The show should be a gala
with powerful faith. event. Everyone in town is excited to attend, both
• When a yohoi dies, its body fades away within to see the PCs enact the show (which this adventure
minutes, leaving nothing behind save for any assumes takes place in downtown Willowshore, at
stolen objects they might have been carrying, but the Seven-Colored Songbird theater—you can use
unless they’re slain in a way that society believes this time to give the PCs a moment to interact with
they’re gone forever, they can always return. Kazuma Oono, the theater’s resident director, before
• Scholars believe that yohoi manifest as the result his grisly fate later in the adventure) and to see the
of a person’s thoughts, or even of an entire town’s mysterious and frightening new patron, Ren
community’s fears—in other cultures, they’re Mei Li. As before, the jorogumo princess appears
known by other names, such as “brainchildren.” in a cloud of silver mist minutes before the show
Reward: Once the PCs learn a yohoi is involved, grant begins, and takes pains to keep her spider legs
them 80 XP. hidden from view.
You don’t need to have the players roleplay out
EVENT 1: BRIGHT SPRING BIRD the entire show (although some groups might
The first of the Five-Season Treasures is the Bright enjoy the opportunity). In order to determine how
Spring Bird, which, as Ren Mei Li explained, is to be successful the show is, ask each player what their
a theatrical performance intended to evoke brightness, character does to make sure the show is a success,
joy, and optimism regarding the future governor’s rule. then have them attempt a DC 28 skill check with an
The performance can be sung, danced, acted, or created appropriate skill to earn Victory Points. Performance
by combining all the arts. is the most obvious choice here, for PCs who wish to
This first rite provides an opportunity for the PCs to act, sing, or provide music for the show. Those who
reflect on what their experiences in this campaign have wish to instead work on the sets and costumes can
meant to them, how it has affected their relationships attempt a Crafting check. Those who seek to bolster
with the people of Willowshore, and where it has left the show with magic can roll an Arcana, Nature,
the town’s collective hopes and fears now that they’ve Occult, or Religion check, as appropriate. Acrobatics
returned to the real world. The other townsfolk can and Athletics can be used by PCs who wish to lend

27
 their brawn or agility to the production. Deception, Reward: Grant the PCs 80 XP if they earn at least
Diplomacy, and Intimidation work for those who 1 Victory Point, or 120 XP if they earn the maximum
wish to play host or hostess to Ren Mei Li during of 4 Victory Points.
the show.
After the Show: Following the show, newcomers EVENT 2: FIERY FLOWER FIREWORKS
who aren’t familiar with Willowshore’s story The next task given the PCs involves
(such as Lo Kuon, if he survives and has putting on a fireworks display intended
been welcomed into the community) to celebrate the beauty of summer,
express their admiration of the PCs’ but also one that is traditionally said
achievements. Townsfolk who survived to frighten away malicious ghosts
the events are awed by seeing their own and spirits. While the use of magic,
experiences on stage, which somehow particularly something like illusory scene,
makes them feel both more real and can produce a compelling fireworks display,
more legendary. You can use this chance Ren Mei Li wants this display to be the
to use these NPCs to laud and admire real thing, and that means gathering
the PCs’ incredible achievements. some rare plants to help make sure
At the show’s conclusion, after the fireworks burst in the exact
the performers have taken their precise shade of fiery orange
final bows and the audience that tradition demands.
has dispersed, Ren Mei Li This traditional ingredient
stands and claps her hands one last is fresh petals plucked from Hei
time, appreciatively, then approaches
Hei Feng’s horn Feng’s horn, a rare, bright orange
the PCs. Regardless of how well or poorly the show wetlands flower. While this flower grows sporadically
went, she graciously congratulates the PCs, somehow throughout the region’s wetlands, the largest swath
managing to find a compliment even for those who with the best flowers grows in abundance in Moon
failed their checks miserably. She withdraws a silver Marsh, so named for the soft orange glow that these
pin from her hair, then unthreads the cloisonne ball night-blooming flowers give under the radiance of
depicting the bird with the many-colored tail attached moonlight. Unbeknownst to the PCs, in the intervening
to the pin, offering it to the PC who rolled the highest decades, a lunar naga astrologer named Isori has taken
result. She keeps the next ball attached to the pin—a up residence in this area.
ball that shows overlapping bursts of red, gold, Moon Marsh can be reached by traveling north
and green sparkles against a backdrop of deep blue from town, through the abandoned village and (likely
enamel, presumably representing fireworks against the recultivated) fields through which the seasonal Moon
night sky—before she speaks. Creek flows south into the Duyue River. During the
spring, this creek runs dry, but it remains a more
“The Fiery Flowers of Summer are your next assignment. reliable path to follow than the overgrown road.
Even as one celebrates the season, a competent steward Moon Marsh lies about 6 miles north of the edge of
does not allow their duties to go neglected. Neither do the map, about 18 miles north of Willowshore.
they cause undue fear among the people being protected, Finding the Flowers: Once the PCs reach Moon
however. These fireworks, presented to the people as a Marsh, they can spend 8 hours of daylight searching
celebration of summer’s beauty, also serve to frighten for a serviceable patch of Hei Feng’s horn, or 1 hour
away malicious ghosts and spirits. after dark (since that’s when the plant blooms and
“To fulfill this purpose, the fireworks must be made with softly glows). The flowers aren’t the only adornments
dried blossoms of Hei Feng’s horn. Regrettably, I have no in the area. Bronze and glass sundials, astrolabes,
supplies of these blossoms to give you, but I have no doubt and various lenses and prisms hang from cords tied
you will be able to find more somewhere in the Moon to overhanging tree branches, while strands of large,
Marsh to the north, and will have no difficulty harvesting flat glass beads inscribed with geometric symbols and
enough to put on a fine show. Once again, I’m afraid, time astronomical formulae adorn lengths of cord draped
is rather important. Shall we give it another week? Good; I around the grove.
look forward to seeing what you can do!” These adornments have been placed by a lunar naga
named Isori who has dwelt in this part of the marsh for
With that, the jorogumo once again departs in a decades. He has grown fond of admiring the heavens
waft of silver mist. amid the grove of Hei Feng’s horns, decorating it with

28
 To Bloom
various astrological and astronomical trinkets he from a stash he keeps hidden in an unassuming tree
has gathered over his long life. Isori mostly keeps to hollow. If they make him helpful, he’ll offer them
Below the
himself and isn’t a naturally violent sort, but he’ll take all three of the roots. Otherwise, the PCs can locate Web
swift offense at anyone who enters his observatory, the three thousand-year dragonroots by succeeding
rising up from the waters to quietly regard the PCs at a DC 30 Perception check after spending an hour Chapter 1:
with his luminous, intelligent eyes. His hair is black, Searching his observatory.
Willowshore’s
Return
and his features suggest early middle age. Purple and Harvesting the Flowers: One PC can attempt a secret
blue scales, many of them sparkling with tiny motes of DC 28 Crafting, Herbalism Lore, Nature, or Survival Chapter 2:
light, cover his snakelike body. check to gather the petals, and the other PCs can Aid The Princess’s
If the PCs attack on sight, he hisses in anger and this check with DC 20 checks in one of the above Web
fights back as best he can, but as soon as he takes any skills. On a critical success, the harvested petals are
damage, he flees. If the PCs stay their hand for a few particularly viable for use in fireworks, and the PCs get Chapter 3:
moments, though, Isori greets them and introduces a +2 circumstance bonus to their checks later to craft A Fiend in Two
himself as the “guardian of this glade” before he fireworks and earn Victory Points, but on a failure, Worlds
asks who they are and where they’re from. News of they take a –2 circumstance penalty to these checks (or
Willowshore’s return intrigues him—he has only ever a –4 circumstance penalty on a critical failure). Continuing
known the site as a ruin where he gathered many of If the PCs have made Isori at least friendly, he
the Campaign
his favorite trinkets. provides his own advice on how to harvest the petals,
Horrors
As a scholar of the heavens, Isori has recently reducing all DCs to harvest by 4. Among Us
been troubled by ominous portents captured by his Crafting the Fireworks: When the PCs return to
astronomical and astrological instruments, and he Willowshore, the next step is to craft enough fireworks Adventure
wants to know whether the PCs have any idea what’s Toolbox
happening in the region. He’s also trying to figure out
whether they might be responsible, either intentionally
or unknowingly, for the “creeping chains” that he has
seen reaching for the natural world like hungry vines.
What Isori has detected, as the PCs might surmise,
is Kugaptee’s corrupting influence on the region. The
fiend’s touch has been encroaching upon the wetlands
more rapidly since last spring, and while Isori doesn’t
understand the true extent of the threat, he has certainly
noticed the warnings. If the PCs reveal the truth to him
(or at the very least convince him they’re not the culprits),
he asks them what’s to be done about it. This encounter
is meant to underscore the stakes for the PCs,
particularly any nature-oriented characters in the
group, but if the PCs can make Isori friendly
or helpful (his initial attitude is indifferent)
with a successful DC 27 check to Make an
Impression, he shares with them one of his
hidden treasures to aid them in their fight.
Isori has no objection to letting the PCs
gather petals of Hei Feng’s horn, provided
they do so with respect for the environment,
don’t damage the plants unnecessarily, and
don’t take more than they need.

ISORI CREATURE 6
Male lunar naga (Pathfinder Bestiary 2 178)
Initiative Perception +16

Treasure: If the PCs make Isori friendly, he’ll offer Isori

them a single thousand-year dragonroot (page 74)

29
 but no one has lived here for so long that I fear the grove
OVERGROWN APPLE GROVE
may have become the home of something... particularly
1 SQUARE = 5 FEET disagreeable to those of my persuasion. We are some
months away from apple season, but if you begin the
work of restoring this grove now, come autumn, you’ll be
rewarded with sweet fruits indeed! And if this disagreeable
element can be punished, all the better for it. Again, I give
you a week to accomplish this task, and I wish you luck!”

Ren Mei Li then vanishes into the silver mist without

further warning about what might now dwell in the
apple grove.
Reward: Grant the PCs 60 XP if they earn at least 1
Victory Point, or 80 XP if they earn the maximum of 4
Victory Points. Grant them an additional 40 XP if they
made Isori at least friendly.

EVENT 3: SWEET FRUITS OF AUTUMN MODERATE 11

The apple grove in question lies 20 miles south of
Willowshore and is a place that many townsfolk
know well and have long enjoyed the fruits of. Today,
though, the grove is completely overgrown. Apple
trees still thrive here, and their fruit remains delicious,
but for the past seven years, the area has been the lair
of a group of dangerous monsters.
to put on a proper show. As with the previous event, you Use the Overgrown Apple Grove map presented
don’t need to have the players roleplay out the entire here for this encounter.
display once Ren Mei Li arrives. In order to determine
how successful the display is, ask each player what their Where once stood a beautiful clearing in which grew
character does to make sure the fireworks function, dozens of fine apple trees, now creeps an overgrown
then have them attempt a DC 28 skill check with an tangle of weeds and brambles. Here and there, apple trees
appropriate skill to earn Victory Points. Crafting is the still stand among the undergrowth, but wide animal trails
most obvious choice here for PCs who wish to build left by something the size of an elephant do as well—trails
the fireworks, but those who seek to bolster the display lined with the crunched and chewed remnants of countless
with magic can roll an Arcana, Nature, Occult, or enormous spiders.
Religion check, as appropriate. Performance is a good
check to attempt for those who want to make sure that Creatures: Not every creature that dwells in
the actual display goes off artistically by knowing when Shenmen sees the jorogumo and their spiders as
and how to launch the spectacle. objects of fear. To certain predators, such as the
After the Show: Once the last firework bursts, the hulking khravgodon, spiders make for a particularly
gathered townsfolk disperse back to their homes, and delicious meal, and the sensation of chitin crunching
Ren Mei Li once again approaches the PCs. As before, between teeth is a delight. Not one, but four of these
she eagerly compliments the PCs’ efforts before she oversized opossums have moved into this overgrown
again plucks a silver pin from her hair. This one is apple grove, and they consider the entire region as part
adorned with two cloisonne ornaments on strands of of their territory. Whenever these predators move in,
colored silk that carry the scent of apples. it’s only a matter of time before the jorogumo take
action. In the case of these four, that action manifests
“I congratulate you on a magnificent display, but I know in the form of the PCs.
you are eager to learn of your next task. The Sweet Fruits While the ill-tempered khravgodons prefer the
of Autumn symbolize the steward’s willingness to gather tang of spider meat and their poison glands, the
and wisely stockpile resources for the coming hardships of giant animals won’t hesitate to attack the PCs as
winter. I know, and perhaps you do as well, of a grove of well, lurching from the undergrowth to attack and
particularly delicate apples that grow not far to the south, using Stealth for initiative. A khravgodon reduced

30
 To Bloom
to fewer than 40 Hit Points attempts to flee but will
eventually return to the area to reclaim its territory. THE MURDERS BEGIN
Below the
If the PCs can establish a method of communication When the time comes for a murder to occur, Web
with the animals, they might be able to work out a Heh Shan-Bao uses a portal from the corrupted
deal and convince the creatures to relocate elsewhere, Willowshore mindscape to emerge into the ruins Chapter 1:
but otherwise, before work on restoring the grove can of his manor in Willowshore itself—a portal
Willowshore’s
Return
begin, the four creatures must be slain. the PCs won’t be able to access or even know
about until the end of this chapter. He emerges Chapter 2:
KHRAVGODONS (4) CREATURE 9 at night, then uses dimension door to instantly The Princess’s
Pathfinder Bestiary 3 192 appear at a location he has visited before, timing Web
Initiative Stealth +18 his arrival for when he hopes his chosen target
is alone to ensure he catches them by surprise. Chapter 3:
Treasure: A character who spends 1 hour Searching After his violent work is done, he returns to A Fiend in Two
the grove uncovers the almost entirely overgrown the manor ruins via flight and passes back Worlds
remains of a long-dead adventurer. Little more than through the portal to the corrupted Willowshore
a skeleton now, he still wears his distinctive dragon mindscape, leaving nothing to track in his wake. Continuing
turtle armor (page 74) and carries a heavy steel Three murders are presented in his chapter
the Campaign
cylinder—a dragon turtle artillery (page 76). The PCs for the PCs to investigate; you can add more
Horrors
automatically discover this treasure once they begin if you wish, but it’s likely the PCs will have a Among Us
work on restoring the grove. solution at hand before then. All three of the
Restoring the Grove: The PCs don’t need to complete victims are specific NPCs from Willowshore; if Adventure
the task of restoring the apple grove, nor does it need any of these NPCs have already been slain, or Toolbox
to be done by them, but the preliminary planning for if you feel that their deaths would overly derail
the task Ren Mei Li sets them must be done before your specific Season of Ghosts story, substitute
they can move on to the next rite. To determine how a different NPC in their place.
successful their plans are once the apple season begins Each murder is presented with some clues that
in autumn, ask each player what their character does the PCs can discover. In addition, some general
to help restore the grove, then have them attempt a clues about each body can be discovered. See
DC 28 skill check with an appropriate skill to earn Heh Shan-Bao’s NPC entry on pages 88–89
Victory Points. Nature is the most obvious choice here for more information about how the PCs can
for PCs who wish to use their knowledge of plant investigate the murders and search for clues.
life to help the site recover (with or without primal
magic), but other magic can help as well, in which case
a PC can roll an Arcana, Occult, or Religion check, the governor attempted his ritual, but also because he’s
as appropriate. Diplomacy can be used to recruit afraid Oono might be able to provide useful information
workers from Willowshore. Farming Lore can be used to the PCs. Shan-Bao entered Oono’s room via dimension
to prune and weed and ensure the apple trees have door, killed him as he worked at his writing desk, seized
the best chance to thrive. Survival can be called upon the kitsune’s notebook to prevent the PCs from obtaining
to set traps and protections to keep scavengers from it, and then smashed out of the building before flying
harming the trees. back to the portal in the ruined manor.
Reward: Grant the PCs 60 XP if they earn at least 1 Oono’s body is discovered in his private office at The
Victory Point, or 80 XP if they earn the maximum of Seven-Colored Songbird shortly before the PCs return
4 Victory Points. to Willowshore, so they’ll be greeted with a town still
abuzz and shocked at the event. The door was locked,
EVENT 4: THE FIRST MURDER and the lock is undisturbed. A paper wall has been
Heh Shan-Bao’s first murder occurs while the PCs are smashed outward from within, and the inner surface of
visiting the apple grove and fighting khravgodons, so the splintered framework bears bloodstained smears.
the actual work of restoring the grove will likely take The hole is easily large enough for a human to have
place alongside their investigation of this crime. passed through. There are no signs of struggle. There’s
The first victim is Kazuma Oono (NG male kitsune a lot of blood around the body, which lies on the floor
director 5), whom Heh Shan-Bao targets because he’s next to a writing desk as if he’d simply fallen out of
bitter about how the director handled a performance of his chair without standing or otherwise responding to
The Chronicle of the Water-Weaver a few months before his attacker.

31
 After word spreads of this murder, the people of False Lead This play is one that Oono had lost interest in
Willowshore mourn the loss of the beloved director and took out of his regular rotation; it being missing
and look to the PCs for answers, but they don’t from his collection is thus unremarkable.
significantly alter their day-to-day activities.
INTERVIEWS
SCENE OF THE CRIME Search for Clues Gather Information; DC 22
Search for Clues Investigate; DC 25 Diplomacy
Perception Minor Oono was last seen shortly before dusk
Minor The killer entered the crime on the night he was killed, when he stopped by
scene calmly, without damaging the Happy Kappa bathhouse for a post-dinner
anything, but they exited by simply soak. He spoke briefly to Hua De-ge while he
smashing through the fragile paper was there and seemed to be in good spirits
doorway, leaving no tracks outside of at the time.
the room in the courtyard beyond. Moderate Oono was excited about
Moderate A trunk that rests against a wall writing a new play based on the PCs’
near the smashed open section has bloody performance earlier regarding their
handprints on it; within lies a collection time spent in the mindscape, and he
of folios that contain Oono’s annotated felt that he’d just had a breakthrough
copies of his favorite plays. The books
Endless Shore Manuscript in his inspiration. As soon as he left
appear to have been pawed through by the bathhouse, he said he was going
someone with blood-soaked hands. With a successful DC straight back to the theater to write down his sudden
25 Theater Lore or Willowshore Lore check, a character flash of ideas before they evaporated.
notes that one play from Oono’s regular cycle of offerings Major While Oono didn’t have any obvious enemies, there
is missing: The Chronicle of the Water-Weaver. was that time a few weeks before the last day of spring
Major The PC automatically realizes The Chronicle of the that Governor Heh paid him a visit, and folks reported
Water-Weaver is missing. In addition, the PC discovers hearing a heated argument... after which Oono seemed
a sheaf of pages that fell behind Oono’s writing desk— particularly depressed and frustrated.
costume sketches and a draft script for The Endless Shore, False Lead Oono often reduced bad actors to tears with his
a play about Willowshore’s time in the mindscape inspired cutting remarks—perhaps the murderer was a spurned
by the performances the PCs put on for Event 1: Bright or vengeful actor?
Spring Bird. While this draft manuscript has no relevance
to Oono’s murder, it serves as a significant personal token Reward: Grant the PCs 80 XP the first time they
that can be used to free Oono’s soul in Chapter 3. either find links to Heh Shan-Bao or discover the
False Lead Oono was known to be very allied with significant personal token during their investigation.
Northridge politically and often had snarky remarks
about Southbankers—perhaps the killer was someone INVESTIGATION TROUBLESHOOTING
from Southbank who was insulted by him? Some potential complications in the murder
investigations can be handled as follows.
THE CHRONICLE OF THE WATER-WEAVER Involving Ren Mei Li: If the PCs involve Ren Mei Li
Search for Clues Investigate; DC 22 Willowshore Lore in their investigations, the jorogumo has little interest
Minor This play is about a monk who learned how to in providing aid, noting that if they’re to be reliable
weave cloth from water, then became embroiled in a stewards of Willowshore, dealing with crimes and
complex plot involving bickering silk traders vying for events like these will be part of their duties. Still, she’s
the attentions of a fickle governor. sympathetic to the PCs’ concerns and, at your option,
Moderate Oono traditionally directed a new version of this can be used to help the players connect some dots if
play at every summer solstice, but he didn’t this year—likely they’re struggling with the case. If she gets the idea
due to the events surrounding the Willowshore curse. that the PCs consider her as a suspect, she chides
Major In fact, Oono was ready to go with this production, them for being paranoid and suggests they don’t get
but when rumors spread that he was altering the play to distracted by “faulty leaps of logic.”
make it a blatant critique of Governor Heh Shan-Bao, the Speaking to the Dead: It’s unlikely for a PC in
governor paid Oono a visit a few weeks before the end Season of Ghosts to have access to talking corpse,
of spring, and all discussion of that summer’s production call spirit, or similar magic that lets them speak to
of the play went silent thereafter. the dead, but if they do, these methods should give

32
 To Bloom
the same information that investigations could. ornament, which shows a steaming cauldron glowing
Asked to describe their killer, these corpses focus against a backdrop of white snowflakes, or perhaps
Below the
more on the killer’s rootlike body, the butterflies that spiderwebs. Then, she once again bids the party Web
come from his eyes, and his long broken arms, but farewell and promises to return in one week to
can also identify the killer as a distorted version of sample the teas strained through spidersilk gathered Chapter 1:
Governor Heh Shan-Bao if you wish. from Whisperweb Shrine.
Willowshore’s
Return
Staking Out the Manor: Once the PCs suspect Heh None in Willowshore know the name “Whisperweb
Shan-Bao is somehow involved in the murders, they Shrine,” for in their time a century ago, the site was Chapter 2:
might choose to investigate his manor. Without the without a name at all. Instead, it was known only as The Princess’s
Fang and Key, they won’t be able to enter the restored a strange, forgotten shrine that predated the modern Web
manor, and no new clues of his presence can be found township. If the PCs ask around Karahai or speak to
in the ruined structure. The PCs might decide to a local like Lo Kuon, they can confirm that the old Chapter 3:
stake out the manor. If they do so at night, at your shrine located a few days travel north of Willowshore A Fiend in Two
discretion, the PCs might be able to confront Heh has been known as Whisperweb for as long as they Worlds
Shan-Bao before (or after) a murder, in which case can remember, when, in fact, the site gained that
he fights the PCs. A conflict with Heh Shan-Bao is a name only a few years after Willowshore was pulled Continuing
Moderate 11 encounter; his statistics appear on page into the mindscape.
the Campaign
89. If the PCs slay him, he re-forms in the corrupted Traveling to the Shrine: The journey to the shrine,
Horrors
Willowshore mindscape and must be confronted which lies a dozen miles north of where the trail leads Among Us
again, as detailed in Chapter 3, but he won’t return off the map, is uneventful, though an ominous hush
to Willowshore to murder again. Grant the PCs 80 XP descends upon the land as the PCs draw close. Read Adventure
for each potential murder prevented in this way. or paraphrase the following as the PCs approach the Toolbox
actual location.
EVENT 5: SPICED TEA OF WINTER SEVERE 11 Use the Whisperweb Shrine map on page 34 for
A week after Ren Mei Li sends the PCs to restore this encounter.
the apple grove (and likely a few days after the PCs
investigate the first murder), the jorogumo returns to The winding path opens here into an idyllic-looking
Willowshore. She thanks the PCs for their work but is clearing, at the heart of which shines an achingly beautiful
more delighted at the news that the four khravgodons pond. Ornaments hang from tree branches overhead: paper
are dead than to hear about the restoration work that lanterns, gilt masks, braids of woven silk, and, hung among
has begun on the grove. While her demeanor is as the rest with equal prominence, the mummified corpses of
courteous as ever, there’s an intensity to her manner animals and more than a few people. Their silent screams
that she never showed before. The silvery sheen over are preserved in tight, suffocating layers of silk, as though
her eyes is more pronounced, and the tips of her fangs the keepers of this place found that expression particularly
are visible when she speaks. pleasing or amusing.
The ornamental pool that glimmers in the middle of
“You come to the fourth season, and to the most revealing the clearing is surrounded by old stone shrines built out
task. The ritual of winter requires providing a spiced tea of stacked stones, while a beautiful cascade of water runs
for the people, signifying the steward’s ability to provide softly over the edge of a low ridge to the northwest to fill
warmth, sustenance, and safety throughout the season’s the pool, flowing back out to the south in a narrow creek.
cold and hungry nights. It’s best to use fine tea for such
an occasion, yet even the finest tea can be improved by The pool is 20 feet deep, but the waters are
filtering it through the most delicate of webbing. relatively calm—a character can Swim the pool with
“The caretakers of Whisperweb Shrine to the northwest a successful DC 10 Athletics check. The creek to the
provide such fine silk, the texture and weave are perfect for south is only 2 feet deep and can be waded through
the straining of delicate teas. They may not be what you are as difficult terrain. The creek itself is seasonal—
accustomed to, yet provide them with a taste of the teas you later in the summer, the trickling cascade turns into
seek to present, and you should be able to secure their favor. a proper waterfall and the stream widens, with the
I advise against simply taking from them what you need, but water eventually flowing south into the hollow
your choices, as always, remain your own. known as the Left Eye of Fumeiyoshi before draining
into underground reservoirs.
This time, she offers the cloisonne ball depicting Creatures: The guardians of Whisperweb Shrine are
the fruit platter, while holding back one final a half-dozen spirits known as algrievers—spider-like

33
 WHISPERWEB SHRINE them alive so that they can repent and offer prayers.
Note that while killing the algrievers allows the PCs to
1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
gather the silk they need with ease, they won’t have a
chance to earn Victory Points in this encounter.

ALGRIEVERS (6) CREATURE 9

Page 82
Initiative Perception +21

Honoring the Shrine: Again, you don’t need

to have the players roleplay out the entire tea
ceremony to honor the shrine, although some
groups will enjoy the chance to roleplay the scene
out. If your group prefers such an extended scene,
you should use this as an opportunity to give the
players a chance to build on what they’ve learned so
far about tea culture, and if they do a particularly
memorable job at presenting the ceremony, feel free
to reduce the DCs needed to earn Victory Points in
this encounter by 2.
In order to determine how successful the display is,
ask each player what their character does to properly
honor the shrine, then have them attempt a DC 28
skill check with an appropriate skill to earn Victory
self-appointed custodians of forgotten shrines like this Points. If the PCs chose to perform this service
one. While not evil, the algrievers are quick to defend without being prompted by the algrievers, they
their shrine from intruders, as the large amount of gain a +2 circumstance bonus to these checks, but
web-shrouded bones and bodies that lie about the if the PCs fought the algrievers and were captured
place testify. Still, they don’t attack on sight. and are forced to perform the ceremony, they take
As soon as they notice the PCs, the algrievers emerge a –2 circumstance penalty instead. Religion or Tea
from the surrounding woods and clamber up onto Lore are the most obvious choices here for PCs who
the six rock shrines to the east and west of the pool wish to pray to the shrine or to perform the tea
to address the PCs. The algriever closest to the PCs ceremony correctly. Diplomacy can be used to secure
addresses them in a soft, eloquent voice. the algrievers’ cooperation, Performance can be used
to supplement the tea ceremony, and magic can use
“You intrude upon sacred ground. Your kind abandoned this Arcana, Nature, or Occultism as needed.
shrine to us. By what right do you claim such a return?” The algrievers appreciate a well-performed ceremony
but don’t require it. Even if the PCs completely fail to
The algrievers listen to the PCs’ responses but react earn any Victory Points here, as long as the algrievers
stiffly to any request for them to give over some of believe that they did their best, they’ll allow the PCs
their silk, instead informing the PCs that, now that to harvest the silk they desire and leave in peace. If
they’ve arrived, they can’t be allowed to leave before the PCs earned at least 3 Victory Points, the algrievers
they perform proper rites and prayers to “those you are moved enough by the rite to give up to 6 willing
have forgotten.” This shrine was originally devoted to PCs a Pilgrim’s Ward (page 82). The algrievers won’t
Daikitsu, and while that was many centuries ago now, be giving anyone else this ward for the remainder of
the algrievers still honor the goddess. If the PCs don’t this adventure, so if the PCs earn this reward, they’ll
do so themselves, they’re ordered to perform a tea retain it as long as they obey the edicts and anathemas
ceremony in memory of the goddess of agriculture— of worshipping Daikitsu.
see “Honoring the Shrine” below. Reward: Grant the PCs 60 XP if they earn at least 1
If the PCs refuse, or if they attack or attempt to Victory Point, or 80 XP if they earn the maximum of
harvest silk from the surrounding area, the algrievers 4 Victory Points. Grant them XP as if they’d defeated
hiss in fury and attack. They fight to the death but the algrievers in combat if they resolve this encounter
don’t seek to kill the PCs, instead working to trap without violence.

34
 To Bloom
EVENT 6: THE SECOND MURDER creature called a yohoi, as they’re said to loathe and fear
Below the
Heh Shan-Bao’s second victim is Elizeth Candora the sound of flute music performed by a holy person.
(NG female human cleric of Pharasma 5), caretaker of False Lead The fact that Elizeth spent time at Oono’s grave Web
Willowshore’s temple of Pharasma, Her Fluvial Lady suggests that there might have been some hidden
of Souls. He targets her in part due to her association relationship between the two—perhaps the killer was a Chapter 1:
with Pharasma, a deity whose domain over the souls jealous or jilted lover?
Willowshore’s
Return
of the dead runs counter to what Kugaptee represents,
but also because of his fear and hatred of flute Reward: Grant the PCs 60 XP Chapter 2:
music. He attacks her one night for discovering Elizeth’s broken The Princess’s
as she plays her flute to soothe flute. Web
the spirits in the graveyard just
southwest of Her Fluvial Lady EVENT 7: THE FINAL SEASON Chapter 3:
of Souls, hoping to spread fear in Ren Mei Li returns to A Fiend in Two
Willowshore about the fate for all of Willowshore at the appointed Worlds
the townsfolk’s souls once they die. time, a week after sending the
Her body is discovered in the graveyard,
Broken Flute PCs to Whisperweb Shrine. She Continuing
sprawled over the top of Oono’s fresh doesn’t ask how they managed to
the Campaign
grave, in the same state as the previous victim. The gather the silk needed to strain winter’s spiced tea,
Horrors
PCs learn of the discovery soon after their return to but asks them to escort her to the Cerulean Teahouse Among Us
town from Whisperweb Shrine. After this killing, and then brew her a drink using the gathered silk. She
Willowshore goes on high alert as it becomes obvious enjoys the drink regardless and compliments the PCs Adventure
there’s a monster—be they human or otherwise— on their work so far before proceeding with the final Toolbox
stalking the streets at night. The town elder imposes a rite: Walking the Gossamer Path. As she finishes her
sundown curfew. Children stay indoors or under close tea, Ren Mei Li smiles mercurially, then gives a full
supervision, people become much more reluctant to body stretch, during which her eight spider legs unfurl
forage for food and firewood, and no one ventures from her back to stand on the ground and lift her
out after dark except in cases of emergency. The humanoid form into the air—now that the PCs have
fear infecting the town causes the PCs to suffer a –1 completed the first four tasks, she no longer feels the
circumstance penalty to all checks in Willowshore to need to obscure her true nature.
Earn Income or Gather Information.
“Now that you have satisfied the guardians of the
SCENE OF THE CRIME Whisperweb Shrine and are prepared to pursue the fifth
Search for Clues Investigate; DC 25 Perception and final season treasure, it is time for us to reach a
Minor While Elizeth’s body now lies in state in the church clear understanding, without illusion or pretense, about
itself, her broken flute lies in the grass near Oono’s Willowshore’s future.
grave. If the PCs examine the flute and succeed at a DC “I am prepared to accept you all as stewards. I am also
25 Perception check, they note that it appears to have prepared to offer considerable autonomy to Willowshore
been destroyed by sonic damage rather than a physical with a Silver Seal. The precise terms can be negotiated,
blow; they can identify the cause of the destruction as but I expect you will find them very reasonable—far more
likely coming from a shatter spell with a successful DC reasonable than you would receive from any other court.
20 check to Identify Magic. The broken flute serves as “In exchange, what I want is this: an oath of personal
a significant personal token that can be used to free fealty, superseding any loyalty you may have to Lady Lang
Elizeth’s soul in Chapter 3. Loi or the rest of the jorogumo court. I wish for you to be my
Moderate Elizeth often played her flute over the graves agents, and mine alone. Naturally, this will be kept discreet.
of the recently deceased, believing that music would Outwardly, you must play the part of loyal subjects to the
help guide them to the afterlife. Her flute being broken jorogumo court and never let our private agreement slip.
suggests, perhaps, that someone wanted to further If you find that my kindred make unreasonable demands,
ensure Oono’s soul would become lost and indicates you must ask me to intercede rather than taking matters
an extra layer of cruelty to the crimes. The PC also into your own hands, but I do promise my protection if
automatically realizes the damage to the flute was your village should need it.
caused by a shatter spell. “I make this offer only because I have been impressed
Major The broken flute could suggest a different with your skills so far. I hope you will not betray my trust.
possibility—the murderer might be a supernatural What do you say?”

35
 If the PCs agree, or succeed at a DC 39 Deception or the sanctified beans, but instead gives them a scroll
check Lie to her, the princess continues. of sending and says, “I will not force you, but I expect
you to keep what we spoke of here in confidence. You
“You must now walk the Gossamer Path and seek the favor do not wish me as an enemy. If you change your minds
of the veiled path maidens. They are guardians of secrets, later, use this scroll to inform me, and I shall return
particularly those of the shameful dead, and I believe they to accept your apologies. Until then, I wish you luck
will have information of value to you about the unfortunate against what awaits your town in the coming days.”
cruelties your town has been experiencing of late. Go to With that, she promises to return in a week before
them. Ask of them what you wish to know, and why. Seek she vanishes into the mist once more.
their counsel in solving your murders, and prove you are
willing to take great risks to solve your town’s pains. Walking the Gossamer Path Low 11
“This is the final season, your final test. A steward worthy The Gossamer Path is well known in Shenmen (and thus
of the office is courageous enough to seek assistance for to all who live in Willowshore, the PCs included) as a
their people without being cowed by high office or personal term that applies to all of the winding mountain roads
danger. Go then, and prove your mettle.” and trails that coil their way through the Gossamer
Mountains. While the road leading north from Canary
Before she leaves, she gives the PCs a gossamer sash Inn eventually reaches these mountains, the PCs need
(page 86) and four doses of sanctified beans (page 74). not take this route to walk the Gossamer Path—any
The sash, she explains, will allow them to contact path length of road walked in the mountains gives the PCs
maidens without actually traveling to the Gossamer ample opportunity to encounter path maidens.
Mountains, while the beans will aid them if their The Gossamer Mountains lie nearly 300 miles to the
encounter with the path maidens goes poorly. east of Willowshore, but if the PCs choose to follow the
If the PCs reject Ren Mei Li’s offer, she’s visibly winding road north from town, the journey is closer to
disappointed. She doesn’t give them the gossamer sash 450 miles. Without the gossamer sash granted to them
by Ren Mei Li, the PCs face a long journey if they wish
to seek the advice of path maidens, but with the item,
they can “walk the Gossamer Path” from any road in
Shenmen after midnight. This adventure assumes the
PCs use a gossamer sash to contact path maidens, but
if they choose to journey to the mountains in person,
you can use this opportunity to introduce more
encounters along the way of your own design.
Up to 4 PCs can use a gossamer sash to travel into
an immersive mindscape to meet with a group of path
maidens; if your group has more than four, either have
the players choose which four PCs make the trip, or
simply adjust the length of the gossamer sash to allow
for all your PCs to take part. When the PCs activate the
sash after an hour spent walking a roadway at night,
a thick fog descends upon them, only to swiftly clear
and reveal that they now stand on a narrow mountain
pathway that measures 10 feet wide, with a sheer cliff
rising into the clouds to their right and another dropping
away into a foggy forest far below to their left.
This encounter isn’t intended to result in combat,
but if the PCs do attack the path maiden, you can use
the mountain path map from Pathfinder Adventure
Path #197: Let the Leaves Fall (page 32), or a similar
mountain path map of your own design.
Creatures: When the PCs enter the mindscape, it
won’t be long before a path maiden appears before
them, either stepping into view as they walk around
Strange Mirror
a bend or even rising up out of the road. Clad in

36
 To Bloom
robes of purple and deep sea blue with veils obscuring Willowshore appears, not in its current dilapidated
their features, the path maiden addresses the PCs in state, but as a splendid house, freshly painted and
Below the
a whispering voice while simultaneously speaking colorfully tiled, with imperial banners hanging above Web
telepathically to their minds. the doors and gold tassels streaming from the lantern
posts. The image moves inward, passing through the Chapter 1:
“Warm-bloods, living-bloods, fragile mortal feasts. mansion’s doors and then through
Willowshore’s
Return
Why do you tread the Gossamer Path? Whose dead its courtyard, to finally enter
secrets do you seek, and for whose lives would the manor’s master bedroom Chapter 2:
you use them?” before stopping at a door in the The Princess’s
northern wall that didn’t exist in Web
If the PCs didn’t seek a path maiden that room during either of the PCs’
via the power of the gossamer sash, two previous visits. The door is made Chapter 3:
she barely waits for an answer of fine cypress wood, with an ornate A Fiend in Two
before attacking. The PCs have golden lock worked into a hideous fiend’s Worlds
one chance to swiftly answer— face sitting above the door handle. A crown
each PC can attempt a DC 34 of claws and gouged-out eyeballs encircles Continuing
the Campaign
Diplomacy check to get the path
You So-Jin’s Journal the creature’s brow. The fiend’s face
maiden to stay her attack. As long as at shifts again, now appearing to be that of
Horrors
least one PC scores at least a success at this check and Governor Heh Shan-Bao. He peers out of the mirror Among Us
no PC critically fails it, the path maiden lets the PCs and addresses the PCs directly.
speak further. Otherwise, she fights until destroyed. Adventure
The PCs are allowed one question of the path maiden. “Greed and shame. Such potent tonics to quicken a change. Toolbox
Her knowledge is limited to the dead in Shenmen, but A man becomes a monster. A monster becomes a gateway.
it includes those who have spent time dead only to A village becomes a feast. Greed and shame, shame and
recently return to life. The topics of Kugaptee and the greed. What marvelous chains they weave! What lovely
fate of Governor Heh Shan-Bao are specific topics that tricks, what clever locks! I’ll open your doors and visit
she’s prepared to offer insights on (see below), but if some more, and soon shall man and monster be one. And
the PCs ask about anything else, provide an answer as then Kugaptee has won, for only a rightful ruler shall carry
best you can that will satisfy their curiosity. At your the key to my domain!”
option, if the question is frivolous or disrespectful,
the path maiden answers by attacking. Once the The image then dissipates, and a moment later,
question is asked, the PCs suddenly find themselves the mirror does as well. The mist thickens about
back where they started (if this encounter took place the path, and its presence seems alive and hungry,
in a mindscape created by a gossamer sash), or the creating a claustrophobic closeness that wasn’t
path maiden fades from view, leaving them alone on present before. Yet, the path is emptier, too, as the
the mountain trail (if they physically traveled to the veiled maidens have vanished. It seems their strange
Gossamer Mountains). test is at its end.

PATH MAIDEN CREATURE 12 Reward: Grant the PCs XP as if they’d defeated the
Page 86 path maiden in combat if they avoided battle entirely
Initiative Perception +22 and asked the right question.

Asking the Right Question: If the PCs ask about EVENT 8: THE THIRD MURDER
Kugaptee, Governor Heh Shan-Bao, or the murders that Heh Shan-Bao’s third victim is the grave keeper–
have been plaguing Willowshore, the path maiden moves alchemist You So-Jin, whom Heh Shan-Bao targets
aside wordlessly and indicates the PCs should continue because he can sense her recent work on experimenting
down the road, where an oblong silver mirror manifests with a new type of alchemical bomb that’s intended to
out of nothingness, hovering in the air in the middle of work particularly well against nindorus. This killing
the road. Its reflection shows an empty path, even when occurs after the PCs return from the Gossamer Path
the PCs stand directly before it, as if reflecting only the but before Ren Mei Li’s last visit. The body is unlikely
road as it appears when not traveled at all. to be found until late morning, after the nightly curfew
As soon as anyone approaches within 5 feet of lifts, and a customer visits Graveside Manners only to
the mirror, the image shifts. The governor’s manor in find the shock of their life.

37
 Treasure: If the PCs discover So-Jin’s journal and
ADDITIONAL MURDERS spend an hour reading through it, they’ll discover it
If the PCs dawdle, Heh Shan-Bao might contains a rare formula for an alchemical weapon:
strike again. Any further victims are chosen a silversoul bomb. The formula appears to be one
opportunistically, depending on who the that So-Jin’s mother began researching up until
monstrous governor can find alone and have her death and that So-Jin only recently completed
no particular significance as targets. There are the research for. The notes also indicate how You
no additional clues to be found at these murder So-Jin intended to present the formula and the few
sites. He might even begin to target individual bombs she crafted to the PCs to aid them in their
PCs at points where he thinks he can ambush fight against nindorus once they returned from their
them while they’re alone. “latest errand,” but she was murdered before she
could act on this plan.
The metal case found under the journal contains
So-Jin’s body is found in her shop, sprawled amid three silversoul bombs and 500 gp in powdered silver
a chaos of destroyed stock and ruined alchemical and other alchemical supplies that, if used to craft
supplies. Her corpse is in the same additional silversoul bombs, grants a +2 item bonus to
condition as the others. the Crafting check.
Reward: Grant the PCs 80 XP for discovering the
SCENE OF THE CRIME silversoul bombs and the associated formula. If the
Search for Clues Investigate; DC 27 PCs manage to prevent So-Jin’s murder, she gifts them
Perception the silversoul bombs and formula at the start
Minor Unlike the first two crimes, the of Chapter 3.
murderer spent a significant amount
of time at the crime scene—either The Fang and Key
fighting against the victim or tearing When Ren Mei Li returns to
the place apart in search of something. Willowshore a week after sending the
Moderate The victim appears to have The Fang and Key PCs on their trek along the Gossamer
been slain as quickly and efficiently as Path, she’s eager to find out what they’ve
the previous ones, confirming that the learned from the path maiden and asks
devastation in the shop wasn’t a result of a struggle them to give a full report. If the PCs didn’t ask the
but instead a frenzied search or simply a bout of right question, she is disappointed but still wishes for
enraged destruction after the killing was complete. them to become Willowshore’s stewards.
The alchemical lab at the back of the house appears Once the PCs conclude the report, Ren Mei
to have borne the brunt of this devastation, as it has Li offers a slight bow of respect to the PCs, then
been smashed to splinters and most of the supplies produces from the folds of her robe a large golden
have been ruined. If the PCs spend 10 more minutes key. Four circular hollows punctuate the key’s
Searching the ruined alchemical lab and succeed at a ornate shaft, and spider fangs dangle from silken
DC 27 Perception check, they discover an old journal threads strung through its pierced heads. When the
hidden behind a not-completely-destroyed dresser cloisonne balls of the Five-Season Treasures are
atop a small metal case. This journal has been in You slotted into the key’s shaft, they lock into place, and
So-Jin’s family for generations and contains alchemical a golden glow surrounds the object. After fitting the
and herbalism research notes from her mother, cloisonne balls in place, Ren Mei Li speaks once
grandmother, and great-grandmother. See Treasure more to the PCs: “Swear yourself to the office and to
below for additional details on the journal and the serve as Willowshore’s stewards wisely and well.” As
metal case, but the journal serves as a significant she speaks, she offers the golden key; the PCs need
personal token that can be used to free So-Jin’s soul only accept this key to become official stewards of
in Chapter 3. Shenmen’s jorogumo court.
Major The PCs automatically discover You So-Jin’s journal This key is known as the Fang and Key. With it, the
and silversoul bombs (page 73). PCs are now legally part of modern Willowshore’s
False Lead You So-Jin put up an unexpectedly powerful government and are considered the rightful rulers of
fight against her attacker, resulting in the devastation the town alongside their currently serving governor.
of the building. Perhaps her skill at herbalism afforded The Fang and Key is largely a ceremonial item and
some sort of accidental protection? has no real intrinsic function of its own other than

38
 To Bloom
to serve as an everburning torch. The most important and monstrosities who take note of the strange ripples
thing the Fang and Key unlocks is access to Heh in reality. This encounter is meant to spotlight this,
Below the
Shan-Bao’s domain. Now that the PCs have become and give the PCs an idea of the horrors that await if Web
legally appointed rulers, they can access his manor they should fail.
and use the mindscape door found within to travel Creature: This encounter begins as the PCs are Chapter 1:
to the corrupted Willowshore mindscape, as detailed traveling as a group through Willowshore, when four
Willowshore’s
Return
in Chapter 3. strange creatures suddenly fade into view at the edge
Treasure: Traditionally, no additional gifts are of vision—crouched atop a low roof, perhaps, or Chapter 2:
provided to those who become stewards, but if the lurking in a shadowy alleyway entrance. The Princess’s
PCs did exceptionally well, Ren Mei Li does just These crouching creatures are quintessivores, rare Web
that. If the PCs earned at least 10 Victory Points from and cruel monsters that feed on the shredded remnants
performing the five rites, she produces a type II bag of living souls, which they strip of all identity and Chapter 3:
of holding made of spidersilk that contains an evil- individuality before consuming. The sudden influx A Fiend in Two
reflecting shield (page 75), a fortune cord (page 77), of new life into Willowshore attracted the attention Worlds
a purgatory emissary’s staff (page 78), and a sensei’s of these four quintessivores, who collectively call
parasol (page 76). Ren Mei Li allows the PCs to themselves the “Un-Weavers.” While powerful, the Un- Continuing
choose one of these four items as a reward. For every Weavers are no fools, and they realize that an attack
the Campaign
additional Victory Point above 10 the PCs earned, against an unknown foe could backfire against them.
Horrors
she allows them to choose one additional reward; if Instead, the four manifest near those they suspect are Among Us
the PCs earned 14 or more Victory Points, she gives the town’s “leaders”—the PCs—and attempt to broker
them all four items plus the bag itself. an unsettling deal. Adventure
Reward: When the PCs become stewards of One of the four quintessivores steps forward to Toolbox
Willowshore and gain the Fang and Key, grant them address the party, speaking in a calm voice tinged
80 XP. with curiosity as they ask, “Where did all you fresh
souls hail from?” Assuming the PCs don’t attack, the
Other Encounters quintessivore soon guides the conversation toward
Unlike the previous adventures, “To Bloom Below its proposal—if the PCs offer to the four Un-Weavers
the Web” doesn’t have to end on the last day of the one of the “fresh souls” of Willowshore today, and
season. While this adventure’s encounters and events then again on the first day of every season to follow,
shouldn’t cause your campaign to trail into summer, the Un-Weavers promise to protect the town from
if they do, that’s perfectly fine. Likewise, you may find other supernatural predators. Whether or not the
that your PCs are particularly efficient in completing quintessivores actually intend to honor their side of
the investigation of murder scenes or accomplishing this bargain (they likely won’t), if the PCs do agree
the tasks to which they are sent to recover the Five to this, their reputation in town will swiftly falter as
Season treasures. word spreads, and Ren Mei Li might even confront
In either case (and particularly if your group them about the choice. Even if canny PCs attempt to
is lagging behind in experience points), you may use this as an opportunity to get rid of enemies of the
wish to include additional encounters for the party town, the choice to ally with such monsters is unlikely
to face. Some of these could simply be additional to make them popular in town!
murders performed by the monstrous governor (see It’s more likely that the PCs turn the quintessivores
the “Additional Murders” sidebar on the previous down; if they do so, the monsters grow jittery before
page), but you can also include brand new encounters one of them says, “Then we shall simply take yours as
to represent how the PCs, the townsfolk, and the tribute and feed on your friends as we see fit!” before
settlement of Willowshore itself adjust to the new they attack. Depending on how the conversation was
reality of existing in the modern, living world. going when violence breaks out, the PCs can roll
Presented below is one potential bonus encounter Deception, Diplomacy, or Intimidation for initiative.
for the PCs to navigate before they move on to this You can use any street-level map for this encounter.
Adventure Path’s final chapter. The map of downtown Willowshore from this
campaign’s first adventure makes an excellent choice.
THE UN-WEAVERS SEVERE 11
While the greatest threat Willowshore faces is that QUINTESSIVORES (4) CREATURE 10
presented by the fiend Kugaptee, the town’s strange Pathfinder Bestiary 3 209
return to reality attracts the attention of other fiends Initiative Perception +17

39
 Chapter 3:
A Fiend in Two Worlds
If the PCs asked the right question of the path maiden suggest the possibility. If the PCs tell her of the vision
during Event 7: The Final Season, they should realize in the mirror granted by the path maiden, Ren Mei Li
that the perpetrator of the murders is Heh Shan- can make the following observation: “Now that I’ve
Bao—or some creature wearing his face, at the very made you rightful rulers, perhaps it’s time to revisit
least. Furthermore, the vision’s reference that “only a your ex-governor’s manor?”
rightful ruler shall carry the key to my domain!” is As soon as any of the PCs, now stewards of
meant to reveal that once the PCs become stewards Willowshore, approach within 30 feet of the
(and thus are officially among the “rightful rulers” of dilapidated ruins that are the governor’s manor,
modern Willowshore), they can return to Heh Shan- those PCs in range witness something astounding. To
Bao’s manor and use the Fang and Key to confront them, and as long as they remain within 30 feet of
him directly. the manor’s walls, the structure appears fully restored.
The PCs might have come to the conclusion Lanterns lit by an unsettling red light hang from the
that Heh Shan-Bao is the murderer through other eaves, and additional red light glows from within its
investigations, of course, but if they’re struggling to windows. The manor seems to be restored, but the
figure out his involvement, you can have Ren Mei Li longer a PC looks, the more unsettled they feel.

40
 To Bloom
The Restored Manor In its restored condition, the manor was clearly built
Below the
Once the PCs are made stewards of Willowshore, from hearty woods and is beautifully adorned with
they can enter a supernaturally restored version of paint and tiles, but all of the ornately worked silver Web
the governor’s manor. The only other person in town accents have been stripped away, leaving bare wood or
capable of seeing this change is the town elder whom stone in their place. The latticed paper walls within the Chapter 1:
the PCs helped install as Willowshore’s leader back in manor are decorated with beautiful images of nature,
Willowshore’s
Return
the spring, but even then, that town elder won’t see hunts, and social gatherings. Numerous lanterns keep
the restored manor until the PCs are made stewards the interiors brightly lit with eerie red light—anyone Chapter 2:
since, until that point, their appointment to the role who peers within any of these lanterns sees that the The Princess’s
of governor wasn’t official in the modern era. You can source of light is a writhing sphere of glowing nindoru Web
use the town elder to spur the PCs to investigate the butterflies.
restored manor if they don’t pursue an investigation While the restored manor’s interior walls and Chapter 3:
on their own by having the elder approach them with windows can be forced open normally, the exterior A Fiend in Two
questions about how the manor got rebuilt. ones can’t. Any attempt to do so only allows the PCs Worlds
All of this is part of Heh Shan-Bao’s plan to prevent to enter the ruined real-world manor. Likewise, any
intruders from making their way back into the now- attempt to enter the restored manor’s courtyard from Continuing
corrupted Willowshore mindscape where he rules. By above results in the character simply entering the
the Campaign
restricting passage between these realities, he hoped to ruined manor. Only by using the manor’s front doors
Horrors
limit access to himself, not anticipating a jorogumo’s at area C1 can a PC come or go from the restored Among Us
eagerness to elevate the PCs to positions of legal manor to the real world.
leadership in modern Shenmen’s government. Adventure
While the Fang and Key remains little more than C1. MANOR ENTRANCE Toolbox
a glowing badge of office, within the restored manor,
it functions as a metaphorical key that can unlock A pair of stone lions flanks the manor’s entrance, their eyes
further secrets—and eventually help the PCs discover shimmering with crimson light. To the north, sliding paper
that the Willowshore mindscape they once dwelt in walls block the view into the manor’s inner courtyard.
still exists, albeit in a much changed and much more
horrific manner. Completely missing from the ruined manor, the two
stone lions appear to animate as the PCs enter the
MANOR FEATURES room, raising their forepaws in salute before returning
Unlike at the start of this adventure, the PCs can to their original positions. The lions’ manner suggests
approach the restored manor without fear. While relief, as if whatever spirit animates them is glad to
having the Fang and Key will help unlock some of the have the mansion in trustworthy hands after a long
restored manor’s mysteries, possession isn’t required history of neglect—they aren’t dangerous in and of
for a PC to enter the manor. A PC who concentrates themselves.
for a round while outside of the manor automatically When the PCs enter the manor, unless they’re
finds that they can shift their “focus” to observe the holding their breath or attempting to be stealthy, the
manor as it actually exists in the modern world (as a jiang-shi servants in area C3a will automatically notice
ruin) or as it exists fully restored, but once a PC enters their entrance. The jiang-shi set aside their tasks to go
the restored manor, they can’t change between these “greet” the PCs as detailed in area C3.
realities. With a successful DC 25 Arcana or Occultism
check to Recall Knowledge, a PC confirms that this C2. COURTYARD
restored manor is a form of mindscape, one that can
be entered or exited at will by those who rightfully A sparkling pool, a rock garden fountain, and artfully
rule Willowshore. arranged foliage turn the manor’s heart into an elegant
If the PCs experiment, they’ll find that any creature courtyard. Koi swim lazily in the pool, while songbirds sing
they’re in contact with when they come or go from in the shrubbery. Numerous glowing red lanterns hang along
the restored manor can travel between the real world the edges of the courtyard from the eaves of the surrounding
and the restored manor’s mindscape, but without this Lung Wa-style colonnade, while the moonless night sky
contact, such creatures can’t enter the manor or, if above is filled with stars. Elegant, framed scrolls depicting
abandoned within the manor, can’t leave. It was via dragons, phoenixes, and dignitaries adorn the inner walls of
this method that Heh Shan-Bao installed the restored the colonnade, but one of them on the central northern wall
manor’s guardians. has been torn apart.

41
 GOVERNOR’S MANOR
C7b C8 C7c

C5b C7a

C5b

C2

C6
C5a

C1
C3a
C3c C3b C4

1 SQUARE = 5 FEET

It’s always a clear, moonless night in this courtyard. Shan-Bao could claim as a young scholar, and both
A PC who flies up out of the courtyard finds themselves of them knew that their relationship was impossible.
hitting an impassible barrier at a height of 15 feet, After their studies came to an end, the princess
preventing a good view of the surrounding terrain. returned to Hwanggot. In parting, she gave Shan-
An investigation reveals that the scroll once showed Bao the camellia and gold ribbon that he still keeps
a lovely young woman with dark hair and solemn as prized possessions in his bedroom (area C8)—that
eyes wearing the ceremonial dress of a princess camellia and ribbon are fully visible in the portrait
of Hwanggot. The frame of this portrait has been that remains here.
smashed to flinders, and claw swipes have torn the When he was governor, Shan-Bao commissioned this
edges of the scroll, but the woman’s likeness remains portrait to honor a visiting dignitary from Hwanggot,
pristine. Whatever damaged the frame doesn’t seem to but in reality, because he still considered her the great
have dared to touch her face. If a PC carrying the Fang love of his life. Now that he has become a monster and is
and Key approaches within 10 feet of this damaged wracked with guilt for what he did to Willowshore, Shan-
scroll, they’ll feel the key quiver and vibrate slightly. Bao can hardly bear to look at the princess’s likeness.
With a successful DC 30 Society check to Recall His efforts to tear apart her portrait are rooted in such
Knowledge, a PC identifies the woman in the portrait powerful emotion that they withstood the mansion’s
as Princess Ok Jinju of Hwanggot, a minor aristocrat restorative magic, but even in the worst of his rages,
who, in the modern era, is long dead. Princess Ok Shan-Bao couldn’t bear to damage the portrait’s face.
Jinju was a fellow student at the university where Heh Treasure: The portrait can be easily removed from its
Shan-Bao studied before he got into politics. Although ruined frame. It’s one of the key objects that can be used
she was only a minor princess, far from the throne, to free Shan-Bao from his fate; however, it has no power,
she still belonged to a vastly higher social station than and in its damaged state, it isn’t worth more than 5 gp.

42
 To Bloom
C3. SERVANTS’ QUARTERS LOW 12 WITHERWEIRD RUNES HAZARD 13 Below the
RARE MAGICAL TRAP
Although they’re plainly decorated, these servants’ Stealth DC 37 (master) Web
quarters look comfortable and inviting, even without Description Necromantic magic stored in runes painted in
any sort of decor to give them personalities powdered bone and banshees’ tears lash out at anyone Chapter 1:
of their own. other than Heh Shan-Bao who opens the secondary
Willowshore’s
Return
compartment.
Creatures: A pair of provincial Disable DC 37 Disable Device to scratch Chapter 2:
jiang-shi vampires now dwell in out the runes and dissipate their The Princess’s
this part of the manor. Each has magic harmlessly, DC 40 Arcana Web
claimed one of the two quarters to sabotage the spell and cause
(areas C3b and C3c) as their own, the runes to dry up and blow away Chapter 3:
but they’re in area C3a when as inert powder, or dispel magic (7th A Fiend in Two
the PCs enter the manor, sifting level; counteract DC 31) to counteract Worlds
through stacks of documents and the runes
ledgers on the table in an attempt Withering Wail Ǻȓ (arcane, curse, Continuing
to organize them—a task they’ll necromancy) Trigger Someone other
the Campaign
never complete, as they keep changing Portrait Scrap than Heh Shan-Bao opens the secondary
Horrors
their minds as to whether to sort the compartment; Effect A howling, spectral Among Us
documents by date, by topic, by author, or by some face manifests out of the chest and screeches, causing
other categorization. all within area C4 to attempt a DC 33 Fortitude save; the Adventure
If they notice the PCs, the two jiang-shi move to sound also alerts the jiang-shi in areas C3a and C6, who Toolbox
greet the PCs in area C1 and ask how the PCs found quickly come to investigate the sound.
a way into the lord’s home before demanding the PCs Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
leave at once. The vampires have very little patience, Success The creature takes 7d6 negative damage.
and anything other than swiftly leaving the manor Failure The creature takes 15d6 negative damage. In
prompts them to attack; they fight to the death. addition, their flesh withers and weakens, leaving
them to appear old and decrepit—the creature becomes
PROVINCIAL JIANG-SHI (2) CREATURE 11 clumsy 1 and enfeebled 1 until the curse is removed.
Pathfinder Book of the Dead 158 Critical Failure The creature takes 30d6 negative
Initiative Perception +22 damage and becomes cursed as failure, but becomes
clumsy 2 and enfeebled 2.
C4. MEETING AREA
Treasure: Apart from a staggering amount of
Elaborate lanterns generously illuminate this room. A outdated and mundane bureaucratic documents,
pair of long, low meeting tables fills most of the room, the shelves here contained some of Shan-Bao’s most
with shelves along the walls packed with regimented prized personal possessions from when he was
compartments for the organization of bureaucratic scrolls human, but now, these once-adored belongings are
and missives. A stout bronze safe with a formidable- ignored. A character who Searches the shelves for
looking lock recessed inside a stern golden lion’s maw 10 minutes comes across The Wisdom of the Seven
sits under the shelves in the southwest corner. An empty Sages, a famous classical treatise of Lung Wa. Shan-
weapon display hangs on the southern wall. Bao’s father gave him the scroll when he passed
his final university examinations. Folded into the
The weapon display on the wall held a lumber lord’s scroll is a letter from Shan-Bao’s parents expressing
axe in the real world, but here, it remains empty. The their pride in their son and their conviction that
lion safe is locked (four DC 30 Thievery checks to he’ll prove to be a wise, fair servant of the Dragon
Pick the Lock), but a touch from the Fang and Key as Throne, worthy of all the ideals they taught him.
an Interact action unlocks it immediately—a PC who These items draw a shiver of recognition from the
carries the key and approaches within 10 feet of the Fang and Key, and they can be used to help free Heh
safe feels the key shake and vibrate as if in anticipation. Shan-Bao’s spirit later.
Hazard: A secret compartment inside the safe hides The safe contains 10 silk pouches, each containing
additional treasures, but this compartment is also 100 gp, along with dozens of long-expired and now
protected by a potent supernatural trap. worthless vouchers and bonds. A PC who succeeds at

43
 a DC 30 Perception check while looting notices the carelessly discarded atop one of the beds in area C5a.
hidden (and trapped) compartment built into the safe’s While its one-time carrier kept it for protection, its
back wall. power to seek spirits will come in handy once the PCs
The hidden compartment contains a second set of enter the corrupted Willowshore mindscape.
ledgers that prove that Heh Shan-Bao was illegally Stuffed under the sheets in a different bed in area
selling lumber to enrich himself personally and was C5a is a meditation mandala recovered from the
concealing this income from his superiors in Imperial Tan Sugi Monastery, which one of the
Lung Wa. These ledgers establish that he’d grown Tianjing priests had been studying.
accustomed to a lifestyle that he wouldn’t be able to It is obviously of local make, having
sustain without the extra income stream. A few of been carved from cypress wood in a
the final entries suggest that he was trying to find traditional Shenmen village design, and
a way to maintain his luxury expenditures isn’t a Tianjing artifact. Unbeknownst to
without the lumber money but failed to the Tianjing priests, the mandala belonged to
do so. Near the end of the ledgers, an one of the monks who followed their leader into
entry reveals that Shan-Bao diverted disaster. The mandala can be worn as a necklace
a large amount of this money to or bracelet but otherwise functions
purchase an occult living rune from as a pink rhomboid aeon stone
an unscrupulous Lung Wa occultist Wisdom of the Seven Sages that lacks a resonant power. It can
to serve as a guardian for his “most also be used to free the corrupted
recent wartime collectibles.” The notes indicate that he monks in this chapter.
placed the living rune (and the weapons it guards) into
the northwest storage room for the time being and that C6. DINING AREA MODERATE 12
he plans to acquire more “once this matter with the
evil spirit in the ruins to the northwest” is behind him. The fine plasterwork of this room’s walls has been molded
Of most immediate note to the PCs is an unfortunately into the shapes of birds roosting in the branches of willow
smudged note containing the “deactivation mantra” trees in a forest. Three wooden tables with padded benches
for the living rune, to be used whenever Shan-Bao sit in the main dining area, and the appetizing scent of
wished to enter the chamber. While smudged, the a cooking feast wafts through the open doors from the
PCs can use this partial information to potentially kitchen to the north.
incapacitate the living rune (see area C7c for details).
When Heh Shan-Bao attempted his ritual on the
C5. GUEST QUARTERS last day of spring, the manor kitchens were in full use,
This suite of guest quarters all feature decor in a similar preparing a feast he intended to throw the next day to
state of disarray; you can use the following read-aloud celebrate the successful ritual. Now, in the mindscape
text for all three, but adjust each description as needed that is the restored manor, this feast is perpetually
to account for the differing size of each guest quarter. cooking but never quite completed, filling the area
with the tantalizing but frustrating scents of a meal
This finely appointed bedroom features all the comforts a that will never be.
traveling aristocrat would’ve expected, including amenities Creatures: Another three provincial jiang-shi lurk in
such as private baths and lockable personal chests. A the dining area. Ostensibly serving as manor guards,
key, likely for the guest’s use of the chest, sits atop the these three vampires have become overwhelmed with
container’s closed lid. melancholia at the scent of the cooking food and the
tables set for an imminent feast that will never arrive.
At the time of the botched ritual, important guests The sound of the wail from the trap in area C4 rouses
from the Senhang Monastery of Tianjing were staying them, but otherwise, when the PCs enter the room,
in area C5a, but they aren’t present here today—their they find the three undead slowly milling about,
bodies and souls were encountered in the ruined manor aimlessly, in this room. They ignore any attempt to
earlier in the adventure. Still, this guest room appears converse, but if they’re attacked, the vampires fight
to have been recently used, with a lingering fragrance back. When combat begins, they are stupefied 2 for
of incense and beds that have slightly rumpled sheets. 1 minute (note that this imparts a –2 penalty to their
Treasure: While it existed in the real-world ruins as Perception bonus for initiative) but are temporarily
a destroyed item, the skyfang crystal (page 78) brought immune to Bitter Epiphany for 1 minute thereafter.
here by the guests remains in place, sitting almost as if They fight until destroyed.

44
 To Bloom
PROVINCIAL JIANG-SHI (3) CREATURE 11 cakes, and candied nuts lie on a platter atop the canopied
Below the
Pathfinder Book of the Dead 158 bed. A nearby writing stand holds an unfinished calligraphy
Initiative Perception +22 scroll, and dry inkwells sit on the side shelf. The wall to Web
the right side of the bed features a large door made of
C7. STORAGE ROOMS LOW 12 fine cypress wood. An ornate golden lock worked into a Chapter 1:
hideous fiend’s face is clasped around the door’s handle.
Willowshore’s
Return
This room is filled with barrels, crates, and other containers.
As the PCs enter this room, anyone carrying the Chapter 2:
Two of these storage rooms (areas C7a and C7b) Fang and Key feels the item tug violently toward the The Princess’s
contain little of value, but the third (area C7c) is a lock in the northern door. This door didn’t exist in any Web
significant exception, as Heh Shan-Bao used it as previous visit the PCs made to the manor, and the more
storage for certain valuables. one observes it, the more it seems to flicker and shift Chapter 3:
Creatures: An occult living rune watches over the A Fiend in Two
northwestern storage room (area C7c), lying in wait Worlds
on a large wall scroll that hangs from a bamboo frame
to the north. This scroll depicts a female swordfighter Continuing
clad in armor that identifies her as serving Imperial
the Campaign
Lung Wa; the sun above her head contains a single
Horrors
character in Common: “Protection.” This is the Among Us
occult living rune, and it attacks on the first round
after anyone enters the room without performing its Adventure
deactivation mantra. Toolbox
If the PCs discovered the smudged deactivation
mantra in area C4, they can perform it as a 2-action
activity with the auditory and concentrate traits and
then attempt a DC 37 Occultism check. On a success,
the occult living rune returns to its position on the
scroll and remains inactive until it’s attacked or
until the room is empty for 1 minute and then
reentered. On a critical success, the deactivation
mantra destroys the occult living rune, but on a critical
failure, the occult living rune becomes immune to
future attempts to deactivate it using the mantra. At
your option, if the PCs used extraordinary means to
examine or restore the smudged instructions from area
C4, the DC for this check can be reduced by up to 10.

OCCULT LIVING RUNE CREATURE 13

Pathfinder Bestiary 3 163
Initiative Stealth +31

Treasure: Most of the valuables once kept here were

expended during Heh Shan-Bao’s preparation for his
doomed ritual, but three potent weapons he’d recently
acquired remain in storage here—they’re automatically
discovered if the PCs take 10 minutes to Search here: a
dragonfire halfbow (page 75), a four-tiger blade (page
75), and a thundering fury dadao (page 76).

C8. MASTER BEDROOM TRIVIAL 12

Provincial Jiang-Shi
This lavishly furnished bedroom reeks of decadent
trappings. Remnants of half-eaten oranges, sweet rice

45
 as if the door weren’t wholly part of this reality. It’s a PCs come to a peaceful conclusion in this encounter,
mindscape door that provides access to the corrupted Ithiniak lets the PCs know he’ll wait here. He also asks
Willowshore mindscape—it’s through this door that that if they find any more curses beyond the door to
Heh Shan-Bao comes and goes, and with the Fang and please bring them back to him to eat, once the PCs
Key, the PCs can do so as well. conclude their business in the area beyond.
Creatures: Before the PCs can move
forward to examine the door, ITHINIAK CREATURE 11
they’ll need to contend with this Male imprecasia (page 83)
room’s current occupant, who Initiative Perception +23
crouches before the door and
appears to be sniffing the lock. Treasure: The nook beneath the writing
This creature is an imprecasia, stand holds Heh Shan-Bao’s private
an insectile fey that feeds on diary, containing his reflections on
curses. This particular imprecasia the dilemma he faced, his fears
is named Ithiniak and dwelled in about risking his own life in the
the ruined Willowshore for many magical ritual, and his ultimate
years and enjoyed the lingering Camellia Flower and Ribbon decision to modify the ritual
curse that infused the area. He with the self-justifying excuse
avoided contact with Mago Kai’s exorcists, but when that, if things go bad, “all pay some, and none pays all.”
the PCs transmigrated back to the living world and the In the back of Shan-Bao’s wardrobe is a withered
governor’s manor returned in its ruined form, Ithiniak camellia flower carefully preserved in a cushioned box.
found himself trapped within this small mindscape The flower’s stem is wrapped in a gold, calligraphed
version of the manor. Ithiniak has no idea how he ribbon, upon which a delicate hand has written:
came to be trapped here but is obsessed with the scent “Summer’s virtues never fade.” With a successful DC
of a “gloriously potent curse” that wafts through the 30 Society or Academia Lore check, a PC identifies the
northern door’s locked keyhole. quotation as being from Princess Adavisha’s Lament, a
The imprecasia straightens up quickly to regard the classical romance about an outlander princess who fell
PCs once he notices them; if the PCs attack, Ithiniak in love with an impoverished Tian student. Knowing
knows he has nowhere to flee to and fights to the death. that their social positions made it impossible for them
As such, the imprecasia is more willing to speak to the to marry, the lovers shared a single summer and then
PCs than fight, first asking them if they know what’s parted, with the princess exhorting her scholar to
causing “this delectable smell” wafting through the embody the traditional virtues of Lung Wa as a way of
keyhole, then asking them how he can escape this place. honoring the memory of their love.
The PCs can simply escort the fey out of the manor, in
which case he quickly flees into the surrounding woods Through the Mindscape Door
without so much as a thank you. The door in the northern wall is a permanent mindscape
Wise or canny PCs might take the time to learn door that allows anyone to travel from the restored
from the fey. He can confirm Heh Shan-Bao’s comings manor to the cursed Willowshore mindscape, but only
and goings, noting that he’s always hidden from the if they’re rightful rulers. Heh Shan-Bao can come and
frightening figure, and that each time the former go as he pleases, but the PCs must touch the Fang and
governor arrived or left through the lovely-smelling Key to the door’s lock to open it. Doing so unlocks
door in this room, the glimpse beyond both chilled and the door for 1 minute, after which it locks again—
excited him. He can offer little more than mentioning if the PCs step through, they find themselves back
a glimpse of red skies, an oppressed city, and a claw where Season of Ghosts began, in the Willowshore
reaching from atop a hill into the clouds above, but he mindscape... but the mindscape has changed much
also notes that “as bad as the place looks, it smells... since their time spent therein!
so... delicious!”
Ithiniak’s initial attitude is indifferent. He’ll agree to Into the Corruption
try to remove any curses the PCs might be suffering in Over the past 115 years, while the Willowshore
return for being led out of the manor; however, unless mindscape kept the PCs trapped, Kugaptee’s
he’s been made at least friendly, when he does so, he’ll presence in the living world slowly poisoned and
use Devour Curse to “get the full flavor” from the PC’s corrupted the sugi tree that grew over his grave.
curse, potentially draining them in the process. If the When Mago Kai threw the mindscape into chaos

46
 To Bloom
last year, the upset balance allowed Kugaptee’s unable to distinguish his blurred memories from the
corruption to spread more quickly. Had the PCs impulses that Kugaptee sends through him. So little of
Below the
not defeated his high priest Xin Yue near the end his identity remains that he has adopted the townsfolk’s Web
of fall during this campaign’s second adventure, this fears and imaginings in place of his missing sense of self.
corruption would’ve allowed him to reincarnate The nindoru wants him to remain in such a state, for if Chapter 1:
fully into the living world. Heh Shan-Bao were to regain too much of his forgotten
Willowshore’s
Return
But defeating Xin Yue didn’t put an end to humanity and remember the hopes, aspirations, and
Kugaptee’s corrupting influence—it merely redirected ideals that he once held, he might realize what he has Chapter 2:
it. When the PCs transmigrated themselves and the lost and rebel against the fiend’s grasp. The Princess’s
town of Willowshore out into the living world, the For somewhere deep inside this monstrous facade, the Web
spiritual vacuum they left behind in the mindscape real Heh Shan-Bao remains—trapped, lost, and desperate
became flooded with that influence. Thereafter, Heh for help. If the PCs can reach him, and if they bring the Chapter 3:
Shan-Bao was drawn into this realm, pulled in by his right tools, they can guide their ex-governor back to A Fiend in Two
own shame and guilt. reality and, in so doing, consign Kugaptee to another age Worlds
The mindscape shrank in size, focusing on the of dormancy below the roots of the Tan Sugi.
town and the cyclic nature of the mindscape ended. While Heh Shan-Bao is close to completing his plan Continuing
For Heh Shan-Bao, the next 115 years played out (the three victims he murdered in the previous chapter
the Campaign
with him in the role of an immortal ruler over a representing the minimum amount of souls he needs
Horrors
town that grew into a city, populated not by mortals to finish), this final chapter isn’t strictly on a timer. Among Us
but by undead, fiends, and monsters formed—like If the PCs dawdle, Heh Shan-Bao murders more and
Heh Shan-Bao’s new incarnation as a yohoi—from quickens the process, but assuming the PCs don’t take Adventure
Kugaptee’s dead dreams. What the PCs will soon find more than a month to complete this final portion of Toolbox
is a sort of “what if” version of Willowshore as it Season of Ghosts, they should have plenty of time to
could’ve existed if it had grown over the course of defeat and rescue Heh Shan-Bao.
115 years into a sprawling city of monsters ruled by
a tyrant destined to become the new incarnation of Kugaptee’s Grasp
a fiendish god. In the corrupted mindscape, nothing beyond the
borders of Willowshore exists. Here, Kugaptee’s
HEH SHAN-BAO’S PLAN influence grows not in a mindscape version of the Tan
In his new incarnation as the deathless ruler of the Sugi Monastery, but below and up into the towering
corrupted Willowshore mindscape—now known as willow tree that stands sentinel above the northern
Kugaptee’s Grasp (or just the Grasp)—Heh Shan- reaches of real-world Willowshore. In this mindscape,
Bao has worked to gather enough power to afford that tree has vanished, replaced by a towering arm
Kugaptee a new body to reincarnate into, but to and claw reaching up to the sky as if to grasp at the
complete this task, he had to wait for his domain to firmament and tear it apart. This looming landmark
“catch up” to the living world into which the PCs is the source of the mindscape’s name and why those
have entered. In effect, while the PCs were able to who dwell within—all manifestations of Kugaptee’s
“jump” 115 years into the future when they escaped thoughts and dreams—call the place Kugaptee’s Grasp.
the mindscape, Heh Shan-Bao had to wait that out in The PCs get their first view of this strange and
(as perceived by him) real time. During that period, horrifying reality as soon as they step through the
his growing power as Kugaptee’s vessel manifested mindscape door in area C8. They emerge into what
all around him, transforming the Grasp from a town seems like downtown Willowshore, as if they’d
into a city. Now, all he needs to complete his goal is stepped out of the front door of the governor’s manor,
to gather enough souls from the living world, let them yet when they look around, all they see is the same
ripen in his lair, and when they’re ready, they’ll be the empty plaza that existed in their mindscape—with
catalyst he needs to fully give himself over to Kugaptee one exception. The same mindscape door stands in the
to be reincarnated, allowing the nindoru to topple the middle of the plaza and can be used by the PCs to
Tan Sugi and rise from the grave. return to the restored manor and back to the living
In his current form, Heh Shan-Bao is a creature at world—once unlocked by the Fang and Key, this
once both mighty and wretched. Kugaptee has imbued mindscape door remains unlocked for the PCs from
him with terrible strength and unholy power but has this point onward.
stripped away much of the governor’s personality. Shan- Read or paraphrase the following upon the PCs’
Bao has become a creature of angry, confused instincts, first sight of Kugaptee’s Grasp.

47
 There are two ways to escape these shackles.
SEEKING HEH SHAN-BAO By defeating Heh Shan-Bao, the shackles fade
While some of the encounters in Kugaptee’s immediately. A much more available method, though,
Grasp will reveal to the PCs where Heh Shan- is to carry a link to Heh Shan-Bao’s previous life. A
Bao is hiding, they can also use the skyfang PC who carries one of these items (the ruined portrait
crystal, if they recovered it from area C5, to of Ok Jinju from area C2, The Wisdom of the Seven
Track Heh Shan-Bao. Doing so leads them to the Sages from area C4, the letter found within that scroll,
entrance to Kugaptee’s Grave in the north part or the withered flower and ribbon from area C8) feels
of the mindscape. a warm, protective sensation rising through their
body from that item, and a moment later, the spectral
shackles fade and they’re no longer doomed. The
Beyond the door sprawls a nightmarish landscape under shackles reappear immediately if the PC is no longer
a sky that looks like boiled blood. The clouds are churning carrying one of these items on their person; the item
masses of bruised violet and red, devoid of a sun. Instead need not be held in hand, but must be either worn or
of stars, the sky is spangled with enormous, glowing eyes. located in a container the PC carries or wears.
Some seem to shift their gaze to follow those that move
about the landscape below, while others stare blankly at KUGAPTEE’S GRASP FEATURES
seemingly nothing. The largest of these eyes looks down Use the map of Kugaptee’s Grasp on the inside cover
like a moon. as the PCs explore the mindscape. The following pages
Beneath that alien sky lies the landscape of Willowshore, present several encounters that can take place in the
yet only the topography remains the same. This sprawling eerie city, several of which can help inform the PCs what
Willowshore appears as the town might have after a they need to do to defeat Heh Shan-Bao. Whether the
century of growth, now a massive city that spreads out PCs are simply exploring Kugaptee’s Grasp or they’re
across the land, leaving little of the natural world in its focused on traveling to a specific location, you can use
wake. The river and lake are lifeless black voids, and the these encounters as you see fit—each has a recommended
water has neither waves nor currents; it sits motionless “trigger” to set them in motion, but any of them can
in its bed. The buildings’ wooden walls leak a tarry, foul- work at any time if your game calls for them.
smelling sap that seeps down their sides like black tears. The primary “inhabitants” of Kugaptee’s Grasp are
All of Willowshore’s natural vegetation, farm crops, and faceless phantomlike men and women who appear to
garden plants have been replaced by stunted, tortured go about their day normally, although with postures
replicas that, surely, can’t still be alive. that imply exhaustion and depression. They don’t
In the distance to the north, where once stood Great speak, and none approach the PCs or react to their
Willow atop a forested hill, rises a massive urban sprawl presence. These phantoms are little more than illusions
over which looms an immense, disfigured arm, its twisted maintained by the mindscape, and any attempt to
talons reaching up as if to rip at the glaring sky above. focus concentration on them reveals the fact that
they’re merely figments.
As soon as the PCs arrive in the mindscape, each finds The interiors of buildings are curiously vacant and
their wrists encircled by spectral chains with dim, illegible two-dimensional, as if they’d been hastily slapped into
runes glowing on them—runes and shapes very similar place by a disinterested stage designer. They contain no
to those they found burned onto the wrists of the murder real furniture, only carelessly painted suggestions on
victims. With a successful DC 30 check to Identify the walls. Decorative screens and floral arrangements
Magic, a PC understands that as long as the PCs remain are reduced to vague smudges of color. Books, scrolls,
in Kugaptee’s Grasp, their very souls are in danger and and letters contain illegible scribbles, and pantries
they become doomed 1, and as long as the PC remains hold only rice husks and stale water, for this world
in Kugaptee’s Grasp, their doomed condition value can’t is of Heh Shan-Bao’s imagination, and he never had
go lower than 1. With a critical success, that PC reveals much interest in the lives of commoners.
that if a character does die while within this mindscape, Willowshore’s shops are slapdash and sparse. If they
Kugaptee will claim their soul. In much the same way a might have held luxuries of interest to the governor,
creature killed by a nindoru is subjected to Soul Shred, then those sections of the shops are empty, except for
any attempt that seeks to return a shackled PC to life or placards saying, “ALL GOODS TO BE SENT TO THE
to animate them as undead causes Kugaptee’s Grasp to MOST GLORIOUS GOVERNOR’S GRASP.”
try to counteract the attempt (counteract modifier +23, None of the phantasmal figments that mill about
counteract level 7th. the streets of Kugaptee’s Grasp ever enter these

48
 To Bloom
homes and shops, leaving them devoid of people of its body reveals only a handful of dead butterflies with
and containing only wicker figures with round withered red wings rattling against one another. Upon being
Below the
straw-stuffed baskets for heads. The wicker figures approached by any living creature, the wicker figure turns Web
have been dressed in the villagers’ characteristic, toward that person and stretches its wicker arms wide, as
recognizable clothing—and, indeed, the PCs might though reciting an official proclamation. The rattle of its Chapter 1:
even find effigies of themselves if they visit the butterfly husks vaguely resembles a repeated chant: “All hail
Willowshore’s
Return
Cerulean Teahouse. There, they’ll find “themselves” the most glorious of governors, in all his glory! Glorious he
dressed in worthless imitations of their own clothes is! Glorious he was! Glorious he will be again!” Chapter 2:
and gear with sacks pulled over their basket heads, With a successful DC 25 Society check to Recall The Princess’s
onto which their faces have been painted as simple, Knowledge, a PC knows that a herald of Imperial Lung Wa Web
childish likenesses of Heh Shan-Bao. wouldn’t ordinarily celebrate a governor for “glory,” which
This is the mindscape to which Heh Shan-Bao was never considered a quality worth touting. A truly Chapter 3:
retreated. Here, he rules over a warped mockery that worthy governor would be celebrated for virtue, wisdom, A Fiend in Two
Kugaptee promises to enact in reality – and, with the or honorable obedience to the law. The fact that this herald Worlds
governor’s help, might soon come to realize. speaks only of “glory,” and does so mindlessly, to an empty
village would be considered a fool’s tragedy by the sages Continuing
CURIOSITIES AND NIGHTMARES of Lung Wa.
the Campaign
Kugaptee’s Grasp is rife with hallucinatory fragments.
Horrors
Some of them manifest akin to the effects of an illusory Among Us
scene that triggers automatically as the PCs approach.
Three examples are detailed below. Adventure
Toolbox
THE LUMBER SCALES
Trigger The PCs approach an industrial area.
Description A lumberyard scale built of warped, blackened
beams and rusting chains stands nearby. On its crosspiece
perches a carrion crow the size of a small pony. The crow
vomits an unending stream of human bones onto the high
side of the scale. The dish on that side is pierced through
with a large hole so that all of the bones fall straight
through, and the dish never lowers. Just as the bones
would strike the ground, they disappear. On the other side,
low to the ground, is a heap of lumber and silver.
A flickering image of a wicker figure stands beside the
lower dish, digging frantically through the silver ingots
and piled lumber with such determination that its fingers
are frayed to ruins. The figure’s round wooden face has
been crudely painted to resemble Heh Shan-Bao. Dead
butterflies with red wings are heaped up inside its chest,
and they rattle against one another to create a plaintive
susurration that unendingly repeats: “Where are you? My
precious ones, where are you? You must be here. All that is
precious to me is here.”

THE PEDDLER OF GLORIES

Trigger The PCs enter a marketplace or mercantile area.
Description On a street corner stands a wicker figure with
a childishly painted wooden ball for a head. Although it’s
clumsily rendered, the face appears to be Heh Shan-Bao’s.
The figure is clad in the rags of an imperial herald’s finery
and carries a yellow-sealed scroll covered with meaningless
scribbles. It clicks and clatters as though it had clockwork Peddler of Glories
gears ticking in its chest, but peering in through the shell

49
 THE PUPPET MOTHER Each of the three spirits in this section was murdered
Trigger The PCs move through a residential area. by Heh Shan-Bao because he feared the possibility
Description A wicker figure stands at the side of the road, that the person, in life, might be able to hurt him.
craning its head up toward the windows and clasping its Ironically, by betraying his fears and murdering them,
hands admiringly. It wears the shabby wrap and moth- he gave each spirit a potential weapon that the PCs
eaten shawl of a peasant woman, but the smiling, clumsily can use against him. However, the PCs can obtain
painted face on its round wooden head is Heh Shan-Bao’s. these weapons only by releasing the spirits.
Dead red-winged butterflies rattle in its hollow chest, and At each of these sites, the PCs can free the chained
the sound of their corpses ticking against one another spirit by interacting with it and using a personal item
sounds like a repetitive chant: “My son. My wonderful son. that restores some of the spirit’s memories of who they
How proud I am of my wonderful son!” were in life, thereby breaking Shan-Bao’s spell. Doing
so permits the spirit to flee the mindscape for the true
THE CHAINED SPIRITS afterworld and causes their stolen eyes to vanish from
Wicker effigies do not occupy all of Willowshore’s Shan-Bao’s altar to Kugaptee, with repercussions
buildings. The souls of those who Heh Shan-Bao described at the end of this chapter (page 58).
murdered have been pulled into the mindscape with Additionally, each freed soul has a benefit to grant the
him, where they’re bound as weeping shades near the PCs in exchange for its release.
sites of their deaths. Note that while these three trapped souls aren’t
The PCs might not think about visiting these sites, creatures and don’t have stat blocks, they do count as
but the first of them, Songbird Theater, is close to spirits, so the PCs can use the skyfang crystal to track
where the PCs emerge into Kugaptee’s Grasp. As the any of them to their locations if needed. If Heh Shan-
PCs acclimate to the strange new reality, have them Bao murdered more than three victims, the PCs can
each attempt a DC 30 Perception check (a PC carrying find those chained spirits near where their bodies were
the Fang and Key gains a +4 item bonus to the check). discovered in Chapter 2—use the following encounters
On a success, a PC hears the muffled sounds of a as guidelines for creating additional ones as needed.
familiar voice—Kazuma Oono’s—talking aloud from In each case, to free a shackled soul, the PCs must
Songbird Theater, not quite 200 feet to the southwest perform the following activity.
of where they emerge into Kugaptee’s Grasp.
FREE SHACKLED SOUL
AUDITORY CONCENTRATE EXPLORATION LINGUISTIC MENTAL
You speak to a shackled soul for 10 minutes and help them
to cast off their bonds by reminding them of what they
loved in life. Each attempt requires a DC 28 skill check
that’s specific to the soul in question (and mentioned in
each of the following encounters), or a DC 32 Diplomacy
or Intimidation check. If you carry and display a significant
token taken from the soul’s murder scene, you gain a +3
item bonus to this check.
Critical Success You convince the soul to cast off its
shackles; it rewards you as detailed in the following
encounters before it fades away from Kugaptee’s
Grasp. Your words have been so compelling that
rather than moving on to the afterlife, you allow
the soul to return to life, as if from the effects of
a resurrect ritual that had been heightened to 7th
level.
Success As critical success, but the soul doesn’t
resurrect; instead, it moves on to the Boneyard for its
afterlife and remains dead in the living world.
Failure You fail to convince the soul to cast off its
shackles but can attempt to do so again.
Chained Spirit
Critical Failure The soul spirals even deeper into
its bondage to Kugaptee. It can’t be freed until Heh

50
 To Bloom
Shan-Bao is defeated (upon which the shackled soul is
freed automatically); no further attempts to Free this MURDERS AVOIDED
Below the
Shackled Soul can be attempted. If the PCs managed to prevent any of the three Web
murders from taking place during Chapter 2,
The Silenced Songbird they’ll automatically receive the benefit of Chapter 1:
Kazuma Oono’s shackled spirit is chained to his writing that soul’s absence from Kugaptee’s Grasp,
Willowshore’s
Return
desk, where the blinded kitsune endlessly revises a gaining the associated +2 status bonus to one
playbook for The Chronicle of the Water-Weaver—the of their saving throw categories and earning the Chapter 2:
copy he works on is, in fact, the one stolen from his advantages detailed at this adventure’s climax. The Princess’s
home. As he works, he mutters to himself about being Grant the PCs the rewards they would’ve earned Web
frustrated that all of his hard work is being tampered for releasing these souls as well as once they
with, bitterly complaining under his breath about enter Kugaptee’s Grasp. Chapter 3:
“meddling egos” and “thin-skinned politicians.” He A Fiend in Two
doesn’t react to the PCs’ arrival; anyone who looks Worlds
over his shoulder can watch as he revises previous the chains leave a furrow in the ground behind her,
handwritten notes to the play that cast the play’s main further defiling the soil even as she continues her Continuing
villain as an obvious caricature of Heh Shan-Bao, only hopeless journey. Now and then, she pauses at a
the Campaign
for his adjustments to fade away so that he must start defiled grave to lift the flute she carries, but when
Horrors
all over again. she tries to play it, the flute falls apart. She cobbles Among Us
If the PCs speak to Oono, he impatiently waves the fractured flute back together as best she can, then
them off and says, “I only have a few hours to get these moves on to a different defiled grave to repeat the Adventure
changes made, so unless you’ve got some bright ideas, process over and over. Toolbox
please keep quiet!” In order to release him, the PCs If the PCs speak to Elizeth Candor, she bemoans
must Free his Shackled Soul via a discussion about how the fact that without her flute, she can’t bring peace
to move forward with the play to his satisfaction. A DC to the defiled dead of this graveyard. She holds up
28 Deception check to help him make his satire more her shattered flute, its repairs obviously tenuous
subtle will work, as will the standard DC 32 Diplomacy and faulty, and says, “If only my flute were not so
or Intimidation checks. broken, I could bring a moment of peace to these
Reward: If the PCs free him, the kitsune makes tormented souls!” In order to release her, the PCs
one final editorial change to the play, which suddenly can Free her Shackled Soul by helping her perform
transforms into a complete work. His eyes return to his with a DC 28 Performance check, or via the standard
skull, and the shackles on his wrists fade as he vanishes DC 32 Diplomacy or Intimidation checks to help
with a sigh of relief. His work remains behind, and if her escape.
any PC touches it, The Chronicle of the Water-Weaver Reward: If the PCs free her, the priest raises her
vanishes as it returns to its shelf in the real-world flute and plays out one final mournful dirge. Her eyes
version of Oono’s office; when it does, it bolsters the return to her skull, and the shackles on her wrists fade
PCs’ minds—for the remainder of this adventure, they as she vanishes with a sigh of relief. Lingering notes of
gain a +2 status bonus to Will saves. her music persist, filling the PCs with energy and a love
Reward: Grant the PCs 80 XP for releasing of life—for the remainder of this adventure, they gain
Oono’s soul. a +2 status bonus to Reflex saves.
Reward: Grant the PCs 80 XP for releasing
The Wandering Grave Keeper Elizeth’s soul.
Once the PCs encounter Oono, they should realize
that other murder victims might need rescuing as The Herbalist’s Final Creation
well. The soul of Elizeth Candor, the second murder The third shackled soul, that of You So-Jin, is chained
victim, is chained in the graveyard behind Her Fluvial to her alchemy workstation at her shop, where she
Lady of Souls—but the Pharasmin cathedral is little continues to try and fail at crafting a more powerful
more than a crumbled ruin covered with blasphemous silversoul bomb. The concoction sputters and flashes,
graffiti in Kugaptee’s Grasp. The graveyard has been often exploding dramatically to cause You So-Jin great
similarly defaced, with every marker smashed and pain, only for everything to “reset” and force her to
every grave dug up and empty. Elizeth wanders the start over from scratch. When her work explodes,
graveyard at a snail’s pace; her shackle chains appear it causes no harm to the PCs but is nevertheless
to be buried in the earth, and as she pushes forward, harrowing to witness.

51
 through him, Kugaptee—seeks a swift confrontation
BATTLING MEMORIES with the PCs. Rather than avoid them, the nindoru
The four encounter areas within Kugaptee’s hopes to finish them off by drawing them into a
Grave are meant to challenge the PCs in twisting realm—a sort of cavern made from the city
combat, but also to evoke their memories of the of Willowshore, an unnerving and uncanny region
previous seasons. If a different part of previous known as Kugaptee’s Grave.
adventures played a more memorable role in
your game, consider replacing encounters here ENTERING KUGAPTEE’S GRAVE
with maps taken from prior adventures and As the PCs navigate the twisting streets of Kugaptee’s
featuring different foes. Grasp on their approach to the claw, or as they wander
the streets after releasing the third of the shackled souls,
a strange thing takes place. The surrounding buildings
If the PCs speak to You So-Jin, she tells them, “I’ve seem to grow taller, the streets grow narrower, and
almost perfected my latest invention, and it will aid the sky above seems to lower. The transformation
you in defeating your enemies... but this last bit always increases the more quickly the PCs move, but even if
spirals out of control, no matter what I do!” In order they stand still, it won’t be long before even the widest
to release her, the PCs can Free her Shackled Soul by street feels like a narrow alleyway, and the view of the
helping her finish her work with a DC 28 Crafting sky above is reduced to a narrow strip visible between
check, or via the standard DC 32 Diplomacy or looming, towering buildings packed so closely together
Intimidation checks to help her escape. that they feel more like the walls of a cavern than a
Reward: If the PCs free her, You So-Jin caps the final street-side facade.
bomb with a sigh of relief. Her eyes return to her skull, Once the PCs step into this cave-like construct,
and the shackles on her wrists fade as she vanishes they can leave by traveling south along the road
with a sigh of relief. As she does, vapors smelling of they entered by for 1 minute, but any other attempt
fresh spring woodlands fill the chamber, bolstering to approach the claw sends them right back into this
each PC’s vitality—for the remainder of this adventure, strange maze. This area consists of a series of “alleys”
they gain a +2 status bonus to Fortitude saves. that function more like cavern tunnels. The ground in
Reward: Grant the PCs 80 XP for releasing You these areas resembles packed earth, while the walls
So-Jin’s soul. are building facades, periodically adorned with locked
doors or closed windows. Above, the blood-red sky
Kugaptee’s Grave looms, leaving the area dimly lit. Attempts to smash
While the visuals of Kugaptee’s Grasp are unsettling, through these walls or dig below are fruitless, as
there’s little in the strangely empty “could have been” nothing exists beyond them—here, the mindscape of
city to directly endanger the PCs, but that changes the Kugaptee’s Grasp has been reduced to a single path. A
closer they come to the most disturbing landmark in character can Climb the walls with a successful DC 20
the mindscape—the nightmare arm that reaches for Athletics check, but at a height of 30 feet, the climber
the heavens where once the Great Willow grew. This finds that the roofline remains impassable, as if a wall
arm is a physical manifestation of Kugaptee himself, of impenetrable glass bars their way to the last few feet
and if events go his way, an apocalyptic animation needed to clamber up to a roof. In the four chambers,
of his arm presages his reincarnation into the living this “ceiling” reaches a height of 100 feet.
world as it rips the skies above apart and brings this The only doors that function along these streets are
mindscape to an end. those that open into interior locations—fortunately for
The claw is the most noteworthy feature of the PCs, these doors aren’t hidden among those that
Kugaptee’s Grasp, and it alone might be enough to line the sides of each street, but instead mark the end of
draw the PCs toward it. If they use the skyfang crystal a winding alleyway. Within these rooms, illumination
to try to Track Heh Shan-Bao, the results of those varies, as does the appearance—what might look like
efforts lead them toward the claw. At your discretion, a building from the outside might be a large cavern, an
any of the shackled souls the PCs speak to can tell the outdoor path, or anything else beyond its door.
PCs that the one who did this to them lies to the north,
“below the Grasp itself.” D1. SUMMERTIME GUARD MODERATE 12
But even if the PCs don’t eventually approach this
site, in time, it comes to them. Once all three of the The door opens not into the expected building, but instead
shackled souls have been freed, Heh Shan-Bao—and onto a familiar, wide stone bridge—Dawnstep Bridge.

52
 To Bloom
The panorama of Willowshore as it existed last spring have a chance to adjust the buso’s attitude in such a
lies beyond the bridge’s rails, including the eerie fog short time period; as this isn’t a casual encounter, a
Below the
that plagued the town. To the north and south, wooden feat like Glad Hand doesn’t apply). Magic (such as Web
barricades set with double doors prevent sight beyond charm) will work as well, but only if the four onidoshi
the bridge, while above, a moon in the shape of a red eye are all placated at the same time or don’t realize that Chapter 1:
looms in the night sky. In the middle of the northern end magic was used to manipulate their leader.
Willowshore’s
Return
of the bridge, an immense golden throne has been built to If the PCs forestall a fight, Gurglegut admits he
resemble a seated demon, fitted with deep purple cushions, isn’t eager for a rematch—while he’s more powerful Chapter 2:
and draped with furs and swaths of embroidered silks. now, he knows the PCs are as well, and he agrees to The Princess’s
let them pass if they offer him a gift. Any treasure or Web
While the borders of this room are constrained magic item worth at least 2,000 gp (or 1,000 gp if the
to the bridge, the PCs can look out over its edges to gift has something to do with food or drink) suffices Chapter 3:
behold a version of Willowshore as it existed during to buy passage, but PCs can also attempt to Lie to A Fiend in Two
the start of the first adventure—wreathed in fog and Gurglegut to convince him to let them pass as well. Worlds
under the light of a crimson moon. Diplomacy has little use here, but on a critical success
Creatures: At the start of this campaign, Dawnstep at a Coercion attempt, a PC cows the buso, who lets Continuing
Bridge was protected by a drunken buso named the PCs pass without conflict.
the Campaign
Gurglegut and his jinkin toadies. When the PCs enter
Horrors
this area, they face a version of Gurglegut forged Among Us
from the same buso’s soul but greatly enhanced over
his previous incarnation. The throne he’s seated upon Adventure
is much larger and more ornate than the one he Toolbox
used before—and Gurglegut towers at twice his
previous height, standing at 13 feet tall
once he rises from his throne to
address the PCs. The immense
buso is attended not by
gremlins, but by a group of
four onidoshi who stand
two abreast between the
throne and the southern
entrance, where the PCs
emerge onto the bridge. One
pair of onidoshi stands near
the throne, while the others stand
a mere 20 feet away from the southern entrance.
Upon spotting the PCs, Gurglegut roars in laughter
and raises a large jug of rice wine in salute to them.
Read or paraphrase the following.

“And here we are again, heroes of Willowshore, only this

time you shall not catch me at a disadvantage. This time,
my guardians are competent. This time, I am not drunk
and distracted. This time, I will be eating your flesh and
crunching your bones when all is said and done!”

Gurglegut is quick to order the attack, but if the

PCs respond to him quickly, they have a round to
engage with the buso. His initial attitude is hostile—if
they’re able to adjust his attitude to at least indifferent Gurglegut
in less than a round (note that Make an Impression
and Coerce normally take a minute to perform, so
a character must have a feat like Quick Coercion to

53
 If combat begins, the two southernmost onidoshi step to a single onidoshi in area D1. That onidoshi can use a
forward to engage the PCs in melee, while those further reaction to attempt a melee Strike against an adjacent foe.
back take a defensive stance before Gurglegut’s throne Spit Fire ʚʖ (fire, manipulate) Frequency once per day;
and use their shortbows to attack, switching to magic Effect Gurglegut drinks the contents of his jug of rice
as the chance to do so without catching allies in areas wine (consuming one of the gulps contained in his jug),
of effect presents itself. Gurglegut stands up from his then spews it out across the flaming tip of a bolt in his
throne as the battle begins, harrying the PCs with his crossbow, filling a 20-foot-cone with a blast of fire that
crossbow. If Gurglegut is reduced to 40 Hit Points or inflicts 10d8 fire damage (DC 32 basic Reflex save) to all
less, he retreats to the far end of the bridge and lets his creatures in the area.
onidoshi continue the fight, but if cornered here, or if
all four onidoshi are slain, he begs for mercy. Any still- ONIDOSHI (4) CREATURE 8
living onidoshi at this point roar in rage at Gurglegut’s Pathfinder Bestiary 2 (188)
cowardice and redirect their attacks to him. Initiative Perception +17
If the PCs grant Gurglegut mercy (and protect
him from being slain by enraged onidoshi), the buso D2. A FALLEN TREE MODERATE 12
shrinks down in size, returning to a more standard,
level 3 version of a buso (as presented in page 39 of The door opens through a crumbling, vine-covered stone
Bestiary 3). Through tears and sobs, he explains that wall into an overgrown monastery courtyard. Thick tangles
he’s been held captive here by “Great and Glorious of brambles and weeds grow on the ground, while to the
Kugaptee” but now wants only to be left in peace. left and right, a wall of densely packed trees blocks the way.
He absolutely won’t accompany the PCs further into A wall on the opposite side of the overgrown courtyard has
Kugaptee’s Grave, but he does offer them his magical another old stone door, while in the middle rises a single
gear along with a warning to “be aware of dead bodies, towering tree, its trunk diseased and its branches bare. The
for the playthings of Kugaptee enjoy using the dead as upper half looks more like a twisted claw reaching up into
disguises!” Unfortunately for Gurglegut, he’s still deep the overcast sky above than anything else.
within Kugaptee’s domain, so before he can give much
more advice to the PCs, he suddenly grows horrified, as The PCs should automatically recognize this place
if he just noticed something rising up beyond the PCs. as being similar to the courtyard of the Tan Sugi
A PC who glances in that direction sees nothing, but a Monastery, save that the sugi tree that grows in the
few moments later, Gurglegut shrieks in terror before middle of the area is obviously dead.
his head bursts into a plume of crimson butterflies that Creatures: As the PCs enter this area, allow them to
swirls through the air then fades to smoke, leaving the attempt a DC 36 Perception check; on a success, they
buso finally and forever dead. spot what appear to be the vague shapes of dozens of
human faces growing from the dead tree’s moldy bark,
GURGLEGUT CREATURE 12 each mouth open in a silent scream. This detail might
UNIQUE NE LARGE HUMANOID let the PCs realize that a powerful undead presence—a
Variant male buso (Pathfinder Bestiary 3 39) corpseroot—has formed from a portion of the tree’s
Perception +23; low-light vision trunk. On a critical success, they spot a few eyes in
Languages Common, Goblin, Sylvan those faces that twitch to follow the PCs’ approach
Skills Alcohol Lore +22, Arcana +20, Athletics +25, with a baleful glare.
Intimidation +22, Nature +23 If the PCs don’t realize the danger, the corpseroot
Str +7, Dex +4, Con +5, Int +4, Wis +5, Cha +4 lurches to unlife and rips free from the dead sugi tree,
Items +1 striking flaming crossbow (10 bolts), jug of rice taking with it much of the dead tree’s material as it
wine, +1 striking kukri, +1 resilient studded leather armor lumbers forward. As it does so, two other things occur.
AC 32; Fort +23, Ref +20, Will +23 First, the faces embedded in the bark rip free as well,
HP 216 dragging plantlike bodies along with them—these
Speed 25 feet waldgeists who, like the corpseroot, are animated
Melee Ȱɵ kukri +26 (agile, magical, reach 10 feet, trip), from the collective blasphemies and cruelties visited
Damage 2d6+13 slashing upon the world by the corrupted monks from the Tan
Ranged Ȱɵ crossbow +23 (magical, range 120 feet), Damage Sugi Monastery. All of these creatures roll for initiative
2d8+6 piercing plus 1d6 fire using Stealth. At the same time, the towering sugi tree
Command Onidoshi Ȱɵ (auditory, linguistic) Frequency topples over, its trunk splitting apart around the gap
once per round; Effect Gurglegut barks out a command left by the corpseroot’s emergence. The corpseroot can

54
 To Bloom
control the direction of the tree’s fall, and does so to atop which sits a tea set with four silver cups, and a large
catch as many of the PCs as possible in a 40-foot cone chair with a golden cushion.
Below the
shooting out from the center of the room. Characters Web
in this area take 8d6 bludgeoning damage (DC 27 The PCs should immediately recognize this area
basic Reflex save), and anyone who critically fails this as being similar to the central courtyard of Karahai, Chapter 1:
save becomes immobilized by the fallen tree (Escape although less organized. The wet muddy ground here
Willowshore’s
Return
DC 27). is difficult terrain, and the driving rain is freezing cold
If the PCs recognize the danger and attack first, and carries within it a supernatural infusion of the Chapter 2:
the corpseroot and waldgeists roll for initiative using worst parts of winter. A character who ends their turn The Princess’s
Perception. When the dead sugi falls, the corpseroot exposed to the rain must succeed at a DC 27 Fortitude Web
can’t direct its fall, and the tree topples over in a save to resist becoming enfeebled 1 (enfeebled 2 on a
randomly determined direction (and any PCs caught critical failure) until the end of their next turn, as the Chapter 3:
in the area gain a +4 circumstance bonus to their rain makes them feel like they’ve spent hours trudging A Fiend in Two
Reflex save against the tree’s fall). through a terrible winter storm. Worlds
Regardless of who starts the fight, the waldgeists
shriek out, “Interlopers! Unbelievers! Slay them!” as Continuing
they fly forward to attack. There are no trees in the
the Campaign
area for them to possess, and they treat all of area D2
Horrors
as their woodland and can’t move beyond this area Among Us
without being destroyed. Some use wall of thorns
to block off exits from the room while others use Adventure
entangle to try to hold the PCs in place before they all Toolbox
swoop in to attack in melee.
As the corpseroot attacks, a face grows from its
trunk—the hate-filled visage of Xin Yue,
whom the PCs defeated back in winter
in the chamber deep below the Tan Sugi
Monastery. Indeed, the corrupted monk’s
soul helps to animate this undead tree,
and as it fights, it issues curses and angry
promises of torment to the PCs. All of
these undead fight until destroyed.

CORPSEROOT CREATURE 11
Pathfinder Book of the Dead 81
Initiative Perception or Stealth +18

WALDGEISTS (5] CREATURE 8

Pathfinder Book of the Dead 164
Initiative Perception or Stealth +18

D3. LORD OF WINTER LOW 12

This overgrown garden is surrounded by a circular stone

wall. Trees grow around the perimeter, while in the center
sits an open stone well that’s nearly full to the brim with
water. Above, storm clouds fill the sky, pelting the
area with driving rain and turning the ground
into a morass of weeds and mud, while to
the south stands a large canopy erected
on poles that offers some shelter from the
downpour. Below the brightly colored tent
Corpseroot
rest several colorful blankets, a small table

55
 Standing under the southern canopy provides total When the nindoru is slain, its body melts into a pile of
protection from this downpour, but standing under one gore that quickly flows together and transforms into a
of the trees only provides partial protection, affording gleaming silver weapon—a result of this strange realm’s
a +2 circumstance bonus to the Fortitude save. association with Kugaptee more than any real inborn
Creatures: A single occupant awaits the PCs in this ability possessed by the nindoru. This silver weapon
room—a familiar figure the PCs should immediately should be a slashing weapon of a type favored by one
recognize as Mago Kai. He sits on the chair under of the PCs and is a +2 greater striking silver weapon
the canopy, sipping tea and relaxing, but unlike their that bears the infected silver curse (DC 33 Will save).
previous encounter in the previous adventure, he seems
to be completely unarmed. Mago Kai stands as he D4. SPRING’S PATH MODERATE 12
spots the PCs, inviting them over to take shelter under
his tent and offering them cups of tea served in silver Cliff walls stretch in both directions, up to a cloudless
cups. A PC who’s master at Tea Lore automatically night sky above and down into a cloudy depth below. A
notes how unusual it is to have a silver teacup (as ten-foot-wide ledge winds along the cliffs, crossing twice
silver conducts heat much more than more traditional via five-foot-wide natural stone bridges as it winds its way
material), perhaps indicating to them that something north to a set of wooden doors built into the stone wall.
strange is afoot. Eerie whispers and distant, mournful cries echo up from
In truth, this figure isn’t Mago Kai, but a powerful the mists below, which obscure any sight of the ground.
argyrzei nindoru who has used illusory disguise to
appear as the PCs’ old nemesis. If the PCs don’t attack The PCs should quickly recognize this narrow rift
at once, “Mago Kai” hopes each of them accepts a cup in a mountain as being similar to the Gossamer Path
of tea from him, then congratulates them on making it they walked earlier in this adventure. While the door
this far into Kugaptee’s dead dreams. He steps aside, behind them leading back to area D3 is a plain stone
inviting the PCs to keep the silver teacups as gifts and door, the one to the north is made of wood and is
to proceed through the southern door on to area D4. immediately recognizable as being the entrance door
The four silver teacups are all cursed with the to Heh Shan-Bao’s manor.
argyrzei’s infected silver (page 84); the nindoru hopes A PC who falls off the ledge plummets 100 feet
the PCs take the “gifts” and move on to area D4, down to a barren rocky floor below, shrouded in
during which he observes anyone who carries one of thick fog; a character must succeed at a DC 25 Reflex
the cursed teacups and follows along behind them. save to Grab the Edge of a ledge to stop such a fall.
The argyrzei speeds up to reach the PCs if he ever Characters can Climb the cliff walls with a successful
feels there’s a particularly advantageous time for him DC 30 Athletics check.
to strike against them—at the very least, he’ll join the Creatures: The resemblance of this ledge to the
final fight at Heh Shan-Bao’s side if not defeated first. Gossamer Path only grows as the PCs begin to move
If all of the PCs refuse to accept the silver teacups, through the area, as a pair of path maidens emerge
or if they attack him, the argyrzei roars in anger and from the rock walls to take up position at either end of
attacks, rolling Deception for initiative. When his first the stone bridge that crosses the ledges at the midpoint
turn begins, the illusory disguise in effect makes it of the room. Unlike the one they spoke with on the
appear that his human body is melting away to reveal Gossamer Path, these path maidens are creations
his true form: a headless monster that swiftly pulls a drawn from Kugaptee’s dead dreams, as the fluttering
gleaming silver sword from the stump of its neck to clouds of red nindoru butterflies that swarm around
attack. Once battle begins, the argyrzei fights to the each one implies.
death. Since the rain can potentially affect him as Unlike the path maiden the PCs spoke to earlier, these
much as the PCs, he prefers to fight from under the minions of Kugaptee aren’t interested in discussion
shelter of his canopy if possible. other than to order the PCs to “turn back—what lies
beyond this path is not for you!” If the PCs don’t
ARGYRZEI CREATURE 13 immediately return to area D3 (or if they do, only to
Page 84 return here later), the two path maidens attack at once.
Initiative Deception +24 While the path maiden encountered earlier has the
Scorn Fate and Vengeful Frenzy abilities, these path
Treasure: Each of the elegant silver teacups is a maidens instead have the Blasphemous Aura (visually
work of art worth 50 gp, but again, each bears the represented by clouds of swarming nindoru butterflies)
argyrzei’s infected silver curse. and Corrupting Doubt abilities.

56
 To Bloom
PATH MAIDENS (2) CREATURE 12 The burl of wood to the north is a physical
Below the
Page 86 manifestation of Kugaptee’s fiendish heart. If the PCs
Initiative Perception +22 have released all of the murdered victims from their Web
shackles (see The Chained Spirits on page 50), then
The Governor’s Den the upward reaching roots of the burl are merely Chapter 1:
When the doors at the northern end of area D4 are bloodstained. For each soul that remains shackled,
Willowshore’s
Return
opened, a shimmering haze obscures what lies beyond. a pair of eyes are impaled upon two different roots,
Regardless of the PCs’ positions in Kugaptee’s Grave, staring mournfully out into the courtyard. Chapter 2:
as soon as these doors open, that haze billows out to The corpses sprawled across the courtyard appear The Princess’s
fill the entire complex, fading a moment later to reveal familiar, for they seem to be the bodies of NPCs Web
the PCs now standing in a very familiar location—area the PCs have grown fond of over the course of this
C1 of the restored governor’s manor. As before, sliding Adventure Path. These bodies aren’t real, but they Chapter 3:
paper walls block the view into the manor’s inner appear as if they are. Most of them serve as little more A Fiend in Two
courtyard, but this time, things are more unsettling, than psychological warfare elements placed here by Worlds
for the PCs now find themselves at the very heart of Kugaptee, but some of them are more than that.
Kugaptee’s influence. Creatures: A number of the corpses here are actually Continuing
The manor walls here are covered with hundreds of shisagishin nindorus disguised as the dead. The number
the Campaign
baleful, sinister-looking red eyes that glance randomly of shisagishin present among the corpses depends on
Horrors
back and forth between all visible PCs. These eyes have how many of the chained spirits the PCs released. If Among Us
a Perception bonus of +26; if they spot any intruders, they released none of them, then four of the bodies
Heh Shan-Bao, who awaits the PCs just north in the here are shisagishins (an Extreme 12 encounter). If the Adventure
manor courtyard, becomes aware of them. PCs released at least one of the chained spirits, then Toolbox
The PCs have a choice to make now: they can step only three shisagishins are among the dead (a Severe
back through the door to the south and return to 12 encounter). If the PCs released all three chained
Kugaptee’s Grasp (emerging into that mindscape from spirits, they’ll face only two shisagishins (a Moderate
the ruins of the governor’s manor, just as they did 12 encounter).
when they first arrived—they’ll need to make a return Once any of the shisagishin Corpse Shells are
journey through Kugaptee’s Grave to reach this point touched, that shisagishin uses its Burst From Death
again), or they can move further into the manor. reaction to attempt a Strike on the PC who touched
The rooms surrounding the courtyard appear as it—all of the nindorus then roll Stealth for initiative. If
described in areas C3–C8 at the start of this chapter, no one touches a disguised shisagishin after a minute
except that they’re empty of creatures, hazards, and or when the last person in the courtyard leaves the
treasures. As soon as the PCs open any door into the area (whichever comes first), the nindorus roll Stealth
courtyard, they trigger the final encounter of Season of for initiative and rise up from their Corpse Shells to
Ghosts. Proceed with Below Kugaptee’s Claw below. attack without taking advantage of Burst From Death.
The nindorus fight to the death.
BELOW KUGAPTEE’S CLAW VARIES 12
SHISAGISHINS (2 TO 4) CREATURE 12
A glistening pool of blood, a bone garden fountain, and Page 85
clusters of diseased foliage turn the heart of the manor Initiative Stealth +25
into a nightmare. Barely glimpsed creatures splash in the
bloody pond, while red-winged butterflies gather in the HEH SHAN-BAO ARRIVES SEVERE 12
foliage. Here and there, familiar looking bodies lie strewn As soon as the last shisagishin is slain, the towering
on the ground. Grisly yet well-made lanterns crafted claw looming over the courtyard gives a thunderous
with skinned human faces hang along the edges of the twitch, its fingers flexing as if attempting to pluck
courtyard from the eaves of the surrounding colonnade. the moon from the sky. That flex translates down the
The night sky above shines with the light of an immense limb’s length to rock the courtyard with a tremor—
red eye-shaped moon. From the hilltop north of the strange not violent enough to knock the PCs prone, but
city, the towering claw rises, looming over the courtyard as frightening nonetheless.
it appears almost to cradle the moon in its grasp. A moment later, one of the doors into the courtyard
At the courtyard’s northern end, a wood burl sits on the opens, and in steps Heh Shan-Bao, accompanied by
ground between two reed mats. The roots of the burl twist two horrific parodies of his appearance—twisted,
upward like grasping tendrils, and each glistens with blood. mewling wreckages that stagger and crawl on their

57
 hands and knees, their bodies bearing gruesome Heh Shan-Bao doesn’t start combat unless the PCs
wounds and limbs bending in awkward, unnatural attempt to leave. Otherwise, he fights only if the PCs
angles. They move more like spiders than humans, yet start a battle, or as a result of failed negotiations.
each one’s face is unmistakably that of Heh Shan-Bao.
These two creatures are unrisen, each representing a Fighting with Heh Shan-Bao
failed life that Heh Shan-Bao lived. The one to his left Heh Shan-Bao sends the two unrisen to clash with the
wears fine robes and elegant accoutrements one might PCs. As combat begins, they lurch forward with an
expect of a successful governor—this broken creature Awful Approach, splitting up to each focus their melee
symbolizes the life Heh Shan-Bao could’ve lived attacks against a different PC. (While Heh Shan-Bao
had he not attempted the fateful ritual that doomed can be harmed by an unrisen’s Agonized Howl, he’s
Willowshore. The unrisen to his right wears plain but unaffected by the sight of their Awful Approach.)
comfortable scholar’s robes—this one symbolizes the Heh Shan-Bao hangs back at the start of a fight,
life he could’ve lived had he avoided politics entirely using his innate spells against the PCs for the first few
and remained a scholar. Both of these unrisen are rounds before switching to his claws. If a PC becomes
completely and mindlessly loyal to the yohoi version a viable target for death knell (and thus Steal Soul),
of Heh Shan-Bao who stands between them. he quickly moves ..to take advantage of that situation
If the PCs haven’t released any of the chained spirits, (if the target is above 10th level, the attempt fails and
Heh Shan-Bao lovingly reaches out to caress the eyes frustrates Heh Shan-Bao; he won’t make that mistake
impaled on the wooden burl, and when he initially again and no longer uses this tactic against the PCs).
speaks to the PCs, his voice is calm and condescending. Released Souls: For each of the three souls the PCs
On the other hand, if some or all of these eyes are released, reduce an unrisen’s Hit Points when they Rise
missing, Heh Shan-Bao regards the missing spots with Again by 20; if all three souls are released, an unrisen
fury and addresses the PCs with a voice that barely has only 40 Hit Points upon Rising Again. In addition,
restrains his outrage. for each of the three souls the PCs released, Heh Shan-
Bao’s legend falters. If one soul has been released, he
“And so, you finally stand before me, in the shadow of my loses his frightful presence. If two souls are released,
lord above. His time of return has come, and there is nothing he loses frightful presence and the slashing damage
you can do to stop it, yet still... here you are. By what right from his Strikes. If all three souls are released, he
do you dare meddle in the affairs of rulers and gods?” loses frightful presence, the slashing damage from his
Strikes, and his resistance to physical damage.
At this juncture, the PCs have an opportunity to Defeating Heh Shan-Bao: Once he’s reduced to 0
free Heh Shan-Bao from Kugaptee’s influence. Their Hit Points, Heh Shan-Bao collapses to the ground,
success depends on how many items they recovered apparently dead. As long as the unlived lives remain,
from the restored manor and on their own skill in combat continues until they too are fully defeated. At
using these items against him. If they fail to free him, this point, Heh Shan-Bao’s body lurches back to life
a fight against the governor and his failed past lives long enough for him to shriek in pain an instant before
(manifested by the presence of the two unrisen) can he bursts into a cloud of crimson nindoru butterflies
still prevent Kugaptee’s return. that swiftly fades—his soul has been consumed by
Kugaptee. Proceed with Kugaptee’s Final Wrath.

HEH SHAN-BAO CREATURE 13

Page 88
Initiative Perception +23

UNLIVED LIVES (2) CREATURE 11

Unrisen (Pathfinder Book of the Dead 153)
Initiative Perception +21

Speaking with Heh Shan-Bao

If the PCs speak to Heh Shan-
Bao, they can reply to his challenge
Unlived Life as they see fit. The conversation should play
out naturally, with Heh Shan-Bao reacting to the

58
 To Bloom
PCs with an air of superiority and condescension. As Influence 7: Heh Shan-Bao breaks down in tears, his anger
long as the PCs continue to speak to him, they’ll wear replaced by grief. His soul is still consigned to Kugaptee,
Below the
away at Kugaptee’s influence and remind Heh Shan- and when he’s freed, his soul is consumed by the fiend— Web
Bao that he was once human. he can’t be restored to life and has no afterlife.
Each round of this influence encounter plays out over Influence 10: Heh Shan-Bao stanches his tears and grows Chapter 1:
the course of 1 minute. PCs start with 1 minute fiercely determined; the influence encounter ends.
Willowshore’s
Return
and gain additional rounds depending on how Proceed with Heh Shan-Bao Freed below.
many links to the governor’s previous life the Resistances Heh Shan-Bao bristles against any Chapter 2:
party carries. There are four potential links implication that he acted for his own self-interest The Princess’s
they could’ve discovered: the ruined portrait and not, in some way, to save Willowshore. Web
of Ok Jinju from area C2, The Wisdom of the Any time a PC implies or states that his actions
Seven Sages from area C4, the letter found have brought harm to the town, the DC for that Chapter 3:
within that scroll, and the withered flower Influence check is increased by 2. A Fiend in Two
and ribbon from area C8. Each one of these Weaknesses If a PC visibly carries one of the Worlds
items that someone in the group carries four items that link to Heh Shan-
grants the party 1 additional minute Bao’s past life, the DCs for that Continuing
to influence Heh Shan-Bao—if they PC to Influence Heh Shan-Bao
the Campaign
all four links with them, they’ll have are reduced by 2. If a PC gives
Horrors
the maximum possible of 5 influence Heh Shan-Bao Heh Shan-Bao the Fang and Key Among Us
rounds to reach the tormented governor. (thereby implying that they view him
If the PCs fail to reach at least Influence 7 by the as their ruler even now), all DCs to Influence him are Adventure
final round of this encounter, Heh Shan-Bao’s patience reduced by an additional 2. Toolbox
snaps. “Die, pretenders,” he roars, “die, and be chained Penalty Heh Shan-Bao arrogantly views himself as
outside the cycle of souls forevermore.” At this point, Willowshore’s only true ruler. If a PC visibly carries the
he attacks—proceed with Fighting with Heh Shan- Fang and Key, the implied challenge to his rule makes
Bao, see previous page. If the PCs reach Influence 7 but him grow even more stubborn. The DCs for that PC to
fail to reach Influence 10 by the end of the encounter, Influence Heh Shan-Bao are increased by 2, even if that
they convince him to abandon Kugaptee, but the two PC later hides or relinquishes the Fang and Key—unless
Unlived Lives remain—the two unrisen attack at once the PC gives the Fang and Key to Heh Shan-Bao, in which
and must be defeated before the PCs can proceed with case the DCs to Influence him are instead reduced by 2
Heh Shan-Bao Freed. If the PCs reach Influence 10 at for all PCs; this reduction stacks with the DC reduction
any point, the influence encounter ends immediately. granted for the other Weaknesses above.
Both unrisen cry out in anguish before vanishing, and
Heh Shan-Bao casts Kugaptee aside—proceed with HEH SHAN-BAO FREED
Heh Shan-Bao Freed. If the PCs reach at least Influence 7 with Heh Shan-
Bao, they get through to him and convince him to cast
HEH SHAN-BAO aside Kugaptee, although they’ll still have to defeat the
UNIQUE CE MEDIUM FIEND ILLUSION MENTAL two unrisen—only if they reach Influence 10 do they
Nascent vessel for Kugaptee banish the unrisen and free Heh Shan-Bao.
Perception +23 As he is freed, he sighs in relief and claps his
Will +21 hands over the upper half of his face, rubbing at his
Discovery DC 29 Willowshore Lore, DC 30 Society, DC 32 restored eyes with astonishment. His warped form
Perception slowly dissolves, restoring him to his original human
Influence Skills DC 28 Nindoru Lore (to warn him about the appearance, clad in rags unless the PCs reached
true nature of nindorus and Kugaptee), DC 30 Religion Influence 10, in which case he wears resplendent attire.
(to speak about how his association with Kugaptee is
self-destructive), DC 32 Society (to remind him of what “I thank you,” he whispers. His form, slight to begin with,
it was like to be a productive part of a larger society), begins to fade into insubstantiality as he continues, “I thank
DC 30 Diplomacy, DC 31 Intimidation, DC 33 Deception you for my freedom. I thank you, too, for righting the wrong
Influence 4: The PCs manage to reach Heh Shan-Bao’s I was too weak to prevent and for leading Willowshore in
living memories. At this point onward, the penalty for the way that I once believed I could. I failed, and it is my
visibly carrying the Fang and Key is negated, but the greatest shame. I can only hope the gods decree that I have
PCs can still gain a bonus by giving him the key. suffered enough for it, for I go to their judgment now.”

59
 If the PCs reached Influence 7 through 9, his 2: THE FLESH TEARS
expression suddenly turns to horror, and he cries Rents open along the length of Kugaptee’s arm and clouds
out, “Kugaptee! He’s here!” A moment later, he of razor-winged nindoru butterflies swoop down to engulf
wails in anguish as his fading body bursts into an the world, their wings, legs, and teeth scouring any
explosion of crimson nindoru butterflies that swiftly exposed flesh. Each PC takes 5d6 slashing damage (DC
fades away. The PCs have prevented Kugaptee from 30 basic Fortitude save). If a PC carries the ruined portrait
returning to life, but at the cost of Heh Shan-Bao’s of Princess Ok Jinju, they’re bathed in the sensation of
eternal soul. being sheltered in a lover’s arms, causing the butterflies
If the PCs reached Influence 10, his expression to ignore them completely. The portrait vanishes, and the
becomes one of serene peace. “I see Kugaptee,” he PCs are unaffected by this stage of Kugaptee’s death.
whispers, “But I know now he cannot touch my
eternal soul. Thank you... thank you...” A moment 3: THE MIND RECOILS
later, he fades away entirely, his soul traveling to The swarms of nindoru butterflies are drawn back into
the Boneyard to be judged—be it reincarnation, Kugaptee’s flesh as his arm is pulled down into the
ascension, or punishment, only Pharasma (and you ground, and with it, the mind-numbing telepathic roar
as GM) can say. of his anguish and fear at being drawn back into death
blasts even thought itself to shreds. Each PC takes 5d6
KUGAPTEE’S FINAL DEATH mental damage (DC 30 basic Will save). If a PC carries
Once the PCs have defeated the foes here and Heh The Wisdom of the Seven Sages, the truths carried in the
Shan-Bao’s fate has been determined, Kugaptee scroll bolster their minds and ground them in reality. The
finally and directly reacts. If the PCs fail to defeat the scroll vanishes, and the PCs are unaffected by this stage
foes and perish, his claw slams downward to destroy of Kugaptee’s death.
the manor and the PCs’ remains within before he’s
reborn into the living world, resulting in a horrific 4: THE FINAL DEATH
new reality for all of Shenmen. As Kugaptee’s talons slide back into the ground, his roar
Otherwise, his claw thrashes and flails, grasping is cut off, and the PCs gain a momentary glimpse into the
at the world around ineffectually as it begins to very nature of death. Each PC takes 5d6 negative damage
be drawn back into the ground. As this process (DC 30 basic save; a PC can choose to endure this damage
continues, the world around the PCs is wracked by with a Fortitude save, avoid it with a Reflex save, or shield
tremors, storms of flesh-scouring nindoru butterflies, their souls with a Will save). If a PC carries the withered
a wave of psychic anguish, and a soul-wrenching pull camellia flower and ribbon, the flower blooms with life, and
from death itself before Kugaptee once again settles a feeling of belonging to the world of the living protects
back into true and silent death. the PCs. The flower and ribbon vanish, and the PCs are
This catastrophe plays out over the course of four unaffected by this final stage of Kugaptee’s death.
rounds, during which the PCs can’t escape back to
reality while the mindscape around them is torn A HEROINE PASSES HER BURDEN
apart. They must endure and witness the end of this As long as at least one PC survives Kugaptee’s Final
world if they’re to escape back home, but if they’ve Death, those survivors huddle in silence within a ruined
recovered the four links to Heh Shan-Bao’s life, version of Willowshore. Mist rolls in all around them,
they’ll be afforded some protection. and the sound of a softly playing flute winds through
the smoky silence. It’s a deceptively simple song, but
1: THE WORLD TREMBLES with a rhythm that the PCs recognize from somewhere
As Kugaptee’s arm shakes the world, it causes a violent deep in their bones. With the song comes a soundless
earthquake. The manor surrounding the PCs collapses as but powerful pulse of mingled emotions: hope, fear,
they’re thrown to the ground and battered with rubble, pride, and defiance in the face of pain. A shared
while glimpses of Kugaptee’s arm flexing in the sky above sense of purpose and self-sacrifice lifts weariness and
are visible through holes tearing through the manor’s bolsters the spirit.
roof. Each PC takes 5d6 bludgeoning damage (DC 30 Students of old music can recognize the song as “The
basic Reflex save). If a PC carries the letter found in The Dusklight Torch” with a successful DC 25 Arts Lore
Wisdom of the Seven Sages, they’re bathed in a sensation or Performance check to Recall Knowledge—a once
of protection, as if their parents were shielding them much-more-famous song from an old heroic opera by
from the tremors. The letter vanishes, and the PCs are the same title. The theme of the piece concerns a new
unaffected by this stage of Kugaptee’s death. generation of heroes preserving the light of hope by

60
 To Bloom
claiming it from a fallen predecessor, symbolized by the If the PCs finished the campaign on good terms
lighting of a torch in front of the setting sun to preserve with the bandit leader Lo Kuon or the lunar naga
Below the
some fraction of its light in the darkness. Isori, those individuals visit in the next few Web
As the song ends, each PC (including any who are days to describe the beneficial changes they’ve
dead) receives a flashed vision of a moment when observed in their respective territories outside Chapter 1:
they displayed bravery or compassion in Willowshore. Lo Kuon reports that he hopes
Willowshore’s
Return
Willowshore’s defense, followed by the to rebuild the Silkwasps—he
image of a swordswoman in ancient offers the group’s services to Chapter 2:
dress; her face unseen as it’s silhouetted Willowshore as road agents The Princess’s
against the sunset. The warrior drops who’ll help defend travelers Web
her sword, and each PC sees their own through the surrounding lands,
hand reach out to grasp it. Any PC and he could possibly grow the Chapter 3:
who succeeds at a DC 20 Perception group into a valuable resource A Fiend in Two
check recognizes the figure should the PCs seek to oppose Worlds
as that of Tan Sui-Jing, the jorogumo in the future. Meanwhile, the
the heroine who defeated subtle disturbances that Isori saw in the Continuing
Kugaptee and reincarnated natural world, and the ominous portents
the Campaign
as the sugi that grows still captured in his astrological instruments
Horrors
over his grave. and celestial charts, have vanished— Among Us
At the conclusion of the vision, Tan Sui-Jing although the lunar naga notes that there
each PC feels refreshed and restored. Any are still some minor, disquieting omens in the Adventure
Hit Point damage is healed, all lingering conditions outer reaches of his divinations. Toolbox
are removed, and even PCs who perished during The next few months pass uneventfully and
Kugaptee’s Final Death are restored to life. As Tan Sui- pleasantly in Willowshore. The weather is good,
Jing shares her strength to restore the PCs, she also and the crops thrive. Rebuilding proceeds apace,
draws from them their own experiences, convictions, with only ordinary problems arising, like acquiring
and spiritual power—this doesn’t diminish or harm the labor and materials. Ren Mei Li keeps her word, and
PCs, but it does restore the sugi tree over Kugaptee’s Willowshore becomes known, via discreet whispers,
grave, bolstering the tree for generations to come in as something of a sanctuary from the depredations of
the same way Heh Shan-Bao had hoped to do so with the jorogumo.
his failed ritual. What happens with Willowshore beyond these
All the PCs feel a wave of weariness, terrible fear, and months depends entirely on the PCs’ actions and plans
an exhaustion that can no longer be resisted. A moment for the future. They might choose to take a more active
later, they all awaken in the real world, rising from the role in the schemes of the jorogumo court, perhaps
same positions they occupied in the mindscape’s version advancing Ren Mei Li as a rival to Lady Lang Loi or
of the governor’s manor—which has finally returned in working to undermine the jorogumo altogether. They
its restored form to the living world. might establish Willowshore as a small island of safety
in Shenmen, although it’s always possible that a high-
Concluding the Adventure profile escapee or political refugee might try to hide
With Heh Shan-Bao’s defeat or rescue, Kugaptee’s there, putting the PCs in an uncomfortable predicament.
final death, and the restoration of the Tan Sugi, The most significant loose end, of course, is the
Willowshore’s place in modern Shenmen is assured. nindoru Kugaptee. Once again quiet and dead below
Future dangers will face the town (see “Continuing the the roots of the Tan Sugi, as with all nindorus, there
Campaign”), but for now, the people of Willowshore remains the chance of his potential reincarnation.
can rest, recover, and thrive. Removing Kugaptee entirely from the cycle of souls is
Should the PCs return to the ruins of the Tan Sugi the type of legendary quest only the most powerful of
Monastery, they’ll find the sugi tree to be healthier heroes should attempt. This endeavor would require
than it has ever been before, and after dark, its leaves a lengthy mission not into a mindscape corrupted
shimmer with a faint silvery light. An aura of peace by his dead dreams, but one found entirely within
and sanctity now pervades the ruins, and news of this the nindoru’s evil mind—a reality that would put
astonishing transformation soon begins to draw a new the horrors the PCs braved during Season of Ghosts
generation of pilgrims who, in time, shall restore the to shame and that would challenge them more than
monastery to its original cause. anything they’ve yet faced!

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 To Bloom

Continuing the Below the

Web
Chapter 1:

Campaign Willowshore’s
Return

Chapter 2:
The Princess’s
Web

With Willowshore returned to the living world, Heh If the PCs seek him out in the Boneyard, whether or Chapter 3:
Shan-Bao’s soul set free, and Kugaptee once more not Pharasma has accepted his work as payment for A Fiend in Two
quiet in his grave, the PCs’ hometown is safe, but their his infraction is left to you to decide, as is the nature Worlds
adventures don’t have to come to an end. of the infraction in the first place. Perhaps Shinzo
This section outlines some options for extending took it upon himself to execute mortals he judged as Continuing
the party’s adventures in Tian Xia. These suggestions being unworthy of life, and in so doing stepped out
the Campaign
should be taken as a starting point to continue with a of his role as an impartial arbiter of death. Maybe
Horrors
campaign that suits your PCs’ interests and priorities, his greed pushed him to accept payments from those Among Us
not as a railroad map etched in stone. who should’ve died so they could eke out a few
Because the PCs should have ample opportunity to more years of life. Or perhaps he fell in love with a Adventure
rest, relax, and celebrate their victories in Willowshore mortal and took steps to ensure his lover’s lasting life Toolbox
before moving on, this outline leaves it up to them to rather than risk their transformation after death into
decide when and if they want to continue their quest. something new.
If they’re content with the result they’ve achieved, the If you decide that Shinzo hasn’t yet paid his debt,
story can end there. then when the PCs seek him out, they should learn
However, should they decide to press on... Pharasma has sent him on a particularly dangerous
mission to complete his penance. This dangerous task
Shinzo’s Legacy should match the nature of his infraction. If Shinzo was
The mysterious Shinzo reveals to the PCs the truth of a judgmental executioner, he might be assigned the task
his nature—that he’s a powerful agent of Pharasma of overseeing the end of a remote world destined for
known as a shinigami—before he pays his final visit destruction while its inhabitants scramble to prevent
to Willowshore. With the town’s return to the living their doom. An avaricious Shinzo could be assigned
world, his personal stake in setting things right has to stand vigil over a hidden vault somewhere in the
concluded, and without further action on the PCs’ Boneyard that has become besieged by evil spirits. If
behalf, his story no longer intersects with their own. Shinzo loved and lost a mortal, he might be sent to a
Yet the PCs might have formed a bond of friendship world where his one-time lover has reincarnated and
with the mysterious merchant, and now that they’ve must comply with orders to observe their life without
secured Willowshore and become powerful enough influencing it, so that he can finally witness how his
to begin traveling the planes, they might seek out love’s story was supposed to end. When the PCs finally
their old friend to see if they can return the favor he catch up with Shinzo, they should find the shinigami
extended to them during Season of Ghosts. at odds and about to fail. Their decision to bolster,
Part of Shinzo’s interest in Willowshore ties back to protect, or advise him should mean the difference in
an old infraction against Pharasma he made decades whether he’s ever allowed to serve Pharasma without
before the town became mired in its mindscape. With restriction again or if he shall be transformed into raw
the psychopomp Yix assigned to him as a minder of quintessence.
sorts, Shinzo was barred from directly intervening
in the fate of mortal lives, but those trapped in The Ghostly Governor
Willowshore were neither living nor dead. Trapped Kugaptee wasn’t the only menace threatening
in between, he hoped that by providing what aid he Willowshore. Now that the town has returned to the
could (and only indirectly assisting so he would not modern era, Chou Mingxia, the ghostly governor of the
further aggravate Pharasma), Shinzo hoped to earn nearby cursed city of Sze, soon takes note. She has long
back the goddess’s trust. coveted the precious lumber that grows in Willowshore’s

63
 hinterlands, particularly the sugi trees in its mountains; this town, the PCs find that the ancestral Uparo estate
the lumber lord Mago Kai’s failure to deliver this product has been abandoned. The nobles and servants have
to her stockyards the previous year may well result in vanished, leaving only their teeth behind. It’s a strange
more direct action. If so, Chou Mingxia attempts to sight to find teeth lying on pillows, fallen on kitchen
assert a claim against Willowshore at some point during countertops, and so forth.
the first summer the PCs spend in the living world. By talking to the villagers of Yamu and studying
Chou Mingxia’s scheme is based on a little-known clues left in the house, the PCs can ascertain that the
provision in the old laws of Lung Wa, which state family vanished on a moonless night approximately
that if a governor is illegitimately appointed or one year ago, and that the villagers were too afraid
neglects their fiefdom for a year and a day, then in of the jorogumo to bring this occurrence to their
the interest of protecting the citizenry and ensuring attention. To find and rescue the Uparo family, the PCs
stable governance, another duly appointed governor must have their entire bodies painted with holy sutras
can lay claim to that territory. With the strange return by a priest of Tsukiyo during a full solar eclipse. Doing
of Willowshore to the world after 115 years, Mingxia so will enable them to pass into the spirit world and
claims that the provision has been violated more find out what happened to the Uparo family—namely,
than a hundred times and takes the stance that she that Uparo Ka fell victim to a sahkil posing as a
should be entitled to govern the town (and its regional mortal advisor and inadvertently permitted the sahkil
resources) as her own. to drag his entire household into Xibalba, the sahkils’
Because Chou Mingxia is a deluded ghost, the actual realm on the Ethereal Plane. Now, the entire Uparo
merits of her claim aren’t important. She needs only the household is imprisoned in torment, and the PCs must
thinnest of pretexts to send her undead minions into find and rescue them to secure his vote.
Willowshore, which she does as soon as she’s satisfied Lady Ichi Susarru, the ruler of Nightingales’ Hollow,
in her own mind that her claim is legitimate. The PCs is the final governor to whom the PCs must appeal.
should have just enough time to be warned of Mingxia’s Lady Ichi is an elegant but embittered woman, now
plans before she sends an army of undead to annex in her late sixties, who will sign the scroll only if the
Willowshore, and their first task is defeating this army. PCs recover and resurrect the bones of her son, Oboru,
If the PCs defeat this invading force, Chou Mingxia who was seized by the jorogumo years before.
takes some time to consider her next actions. At this To accomplish this task, the PCs must find
point, local lawyer Luo Xi Yang hits upon a stratagem his remains amid the charnel heaps beneath the
that might permanently defeat the ghost. For once, subterranean palaces of Yin-Sichasi. Oboru was taken
the lawyer’s deep familiarity with the now-outdated 30 years ago, and it’s unlikely that he survived more
laws of Lung Wa pays off: she cites a legal mechanism than a year with the jorogumo. Only a small, silver
for stripping Mingxia of her governorship, and she nightingale necklace might identify his bones, if his
believes that the ghost’s internal logic will force her captors didn’t take it. Although the task of identifying,
to bow to this decision, which will permanently dispel retrieving, and restoring Oboru is nigh impossible,
her and free Sze from her awful grip. Lady Ichi is immovable: if the PCs want her help, then
To remove Mingxia from power, the PCs must secure they must fulfill this demand. Such powerful people,
a unanimous vote of no confidence from every governor she reasons, should be able to do it.
around Sze, then gather their signatures into an official Once the PCs have secured all three signatures, they
scroll of condemnation. When faced with this scroll, can march on Sze, defeat its undead guardians and
Chou Mingxia will have no choice but to abdicate in necromantic wards, and confront Governor Chou
shame, for it’s written in the laws of Lung Wa. Mingxia. Faced with the scroll and the dictates of
Securing the signatures, however, won’t be easy. In Lung Wa’s laws, Mingxia must concede the loss of her
addition to the PCs, there are three governors whose authority, and her spirit finally moves on to the afterlife.
seals and signatures must be obtained. Thereafter, Sze is free—and will need a new governor.
Lady Mudan Bai is a jorogumo who claims White
Fragrance Mountain as her domain. Vain and fond of Into Kugaptee’s Mind
luxury, she’s a typical jorogumo and deeply immersed Finally, the PCs must decide whether to leave Kugaptee’s
in the schemes of their court. Winning her seal is likely grave alone for future generations to handle or risk a
to require either a significant bribe or playing courtly final, direct confrontation with the nindoru. Should
games of intrigue against Lady Mudan’s rivals. they choose the latter, they must visit the Senhang
Governor Uparo Ka, the elderly patriarch of House Monastery in Tianjing, home of the Fellowship of
Uparo, rules over the town of Yamu. Upon visiting Sankuei, whom Heh Shan-Bao attempted to enlist.

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 To Bloom
In Tianjing, the PCs find themselves embroiled twisting, nonsensical corridors, they must also defeat
in local intrigues. In particular, the bulakho, a class the various monstrosities that Kugaptee has willed into
Below the
of wandering holy people serving 10-year terms as existence and animated with fragments of devoured Web
defenders of the faith, try to enlist the PCs to add souls. Without the tools gained from the Fellowship of
gravity to their reports of dangers arising across the Sankuei, they’ll surely be lost. Chapter 1:
countryside. The remote borders of Tianjing have At the end of it all, the PCs come face-to-face with the
Willowshore’s
Return
faced continuous attacks from qlippoth trying to break nindoru himself: a near-godlike entity consumed with
through the nation’s many holy seals, but the ruling hatred for the heroes who have denied him so much. Chapter 2:
Nyenreng Conclave in the capital has consistently The climactic fight should be one for the ages, but at The Princess’s
discounted the threat. the end of it, the PCs can rest confident that they have Web
Whether or not the PCs aid the bulakho, they’ll eliminated a grave threat to Tian Xia... or else have
eventually travel to the remote, mountainous Senhang consigned themselves to an eternity imprisoned as a Chapter 3:
Monastery and discover that it, too, has succumbed to fiend-god’s playthings. A Fiend in Two
qlippoth infiltration. The monastery has been entirely Worlds
consumed by qlippoth, with just a few human-faced
conspirators discouraging scrutiny from outsiders. Continuing
If the PCs have made allies among the bulakho, they
the Campaign
might gain valuable insights and tools in defeating
Horrors
the qlippoth. Otherwise, the PCs are on their own Among Us
in fighting their way through the corrupted ruins,
where they can find relics that the last survivors of the Adventure
Fellowship of Sankuei managed to Toolbox
safeguard before perishing. Some
of these guardians are protective
spirits or clockwork automatons
smeared with holy unguents
to protect them from qlippoth
corrosion, and they might assist the
PCs if they believe the interlopers to
be worthy.
In the monastery’s ruins, the PCs
can retrieve the Sacred Gong of
Temyo, bottles of luminous skyfire ink,
and blessed items that will aid them against
Kugaptee. The skyfire ink can be used to cover
themselves with prayers before entering the
nindoru’s dead but dreaming mind, as well as to paint
holy sigils onto silken bands they can bind about their
brows to protect themselves from Kugaptee’s mindscape
constructs. The Sacred Gong of Temyo must be sounded
when the nindoru is defeated, to ensure that the
Heavenly Court hears of his demise and seizes his
soul for the afterworld at once.
The method by which the PCs enter
Kugaptee’s death-shrouded mindscape should
require them to build upon the many rituals they
already learned during Season of Ghosts. When
they finally enter the nindoru’s internalized
mindscape, the PCs find themselves in a torturous
labyrinth. Gravity and logic are meaningless; surreal
objects and grotesque faces float in an infinite void;
the living and unliving are indistinguishable from one Kugaptee
another. Not only must the PCs navigate through the

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 To Bloom
Below the
Web
Horrors Among Us Chapter 1:
Willowshore’s
Return

Chapter 2:
The Princess’s
Web
Jorogumo and imperial ghosts aren’t the only She avoided physical harm until the day that a
monsters that hunt in Shenmen’s rainy gloom and local warlord passed through her village. This Chapter 3:
inspire enduring rumors. Similar sources of lasting warlord had been invited by the governor to A Fiend in Two
urban legends are the kuchisake-onna (Pathfinder bring his army to deal with bandits plaguing the Worlds
Bestiary 3 156) and yohoi (a regional name for countryside, and he’d been promised any price in
the brainchild; Bestiary 3 38). Examples of each exchange for restoring the region’s peace. When the Continuing
are explored on the following pages as terrors that warlord saw the girl, he promptly claimed her as
the Campaign
dwell within the societies that spawn them. part of his payment, and none dared deny one who
Horrors
commanded so many fierce soldiers. Among Us
The Scissored Souls The warlord ordered that the girl be brought
The mutilated women known as kuchisake-onna to his pavilion at sunset. Despairing, she tucked a Adventure
are among the most feared creatures who torment pair of silver scissors into the sash of her robe. She Toolbox
Shenmen’s towns. Rare and mysterious, they vanish knew that her family would be brutally executed if
and reappear at whim, materializing out of the she attacked the warlord, so instead she turned the
mist and disappearing after each deadly encounter. scissors’ blades on her own face, slashing herself so
Although they aren’t undead, they bear some viciously that the warlord would be terrified and
similarities to vengeful shades. Each is believed disgusted when he unveiled her.
to be the manifestation of a specific grievance or Some say the girl killed herself that day, and a
mistreatment, and they can’t be pacified without kuchisake-onna rose from malice that was left
addressing whatever wrong led to their creation. bodiless after her death. Others say that her hatred
While some heroes might be able to defeat a and determination were so powerful that she
slit-mouthed woman in open combat, such feats are transformed herself into an immortal monstrosity.
far beyond ordinary villagers, who must rely on their Either way, all agree that the warlord was her first
wits and local knowledge to find some other way victim, and that his honor guard was unable to stand
to survive. The stories of these clever, lucky souls against the terror he unleashed. The soldiers fled,
have been preserved through generations and have sparing no thought to punishing the girl’s family, for
inspired their descendants to find similar solutions it was inconceivable to them that such a creature
when they’ve been so unfortunate as to end up in a could have ordinary mortal kin.
similar plight. But the woman’s revenge didn’t end there. The
newly risen kuchisake-onna hunted down every
THE CURSED BEAUTY man who had ever threatened her, insulted her, or
A young woman in Shinri Village was born with tried to prey upon her beauty. After murdering all
such beauty that, from the time she was 12 years her worst offenders, she then killed those whose
old, it turned her life into a misery. Men who were comments had been trivial. Once that was done,
much older would proposition her and say lewd she hid her slashed face behind painted fans and
things, then laugh and tell her she was pretty when courtesans’ veils and began to bate other men into
she blushed or tell her not to “be a tease” if she complimenting her looks so she could kill them too.
ran away. Family friends, whom she had grown No one escaped her until a young man from Shinri
up thinking she could trust, became predatory; village, who had grown up with stories warning
strangers in town stared as if she were some rare him of the chauvinistic cruelties that created this
beast to be hunted. The girl learned to be distrustful kuchisake-onna, encountered her on a misty night
of everyone outside her own family and became as he was returning from the forest where he’d been
disgusted by any compliment about her beauty. cutting wood. It rainy, and he was alone, for the

67
 omens were bad and the other villagers had wisely The undisputed queen of Governor Ho’s concubines
stayed home. Only this boy had gone out because was Huin Mae, a woman whose fierce intellect and
his parents were sick and needed firewood to boil astonishing beauty could’ve made her an empress in
their medicinal tea. another life. As she had been born to poor fisherfolk,
He knew he was doomed when he saw the however, her ambitions could carry her only so far,
kuchisake-onna appear with her lotus fans and and she found herself unable to rise above Governor
sweet perfumes, for no ordinary woman would be Ho’s silken fetters. She took out her frustrations on the
abroad on such a night, and he was familiar with other concubines, treating them viciously and deriving
the legend. However, for his parents’ sake, he was her only pleasure in life from crushing rivals for the
determined to return home. governor’s attentions.
Thus, when she came forward with her tiny, graceful Huin Mae knew that her power was rooted in
steps and asked, “Do you think I’m pretty?” he didn’t her beauty. She bound her waist and plastered her
dare answer her directly. Instead, he replied: “I think face with silk masks soaked in rare oils and milks
you’re very brave to have killed a warlord and his to preserve her youth. She bore no children, fearing
soldiers. They were wrong to have assumed a young pregnancy might ruin her figure, and abstained from
girl with scissors was just a pretty toy who couldn’t all the sweets that she loved for the same reason.
hurt them. I know you can hurt me, if you want to, Despite her iron self-discipline, however, Huin
but I hope you’ll let me pass. My parents are sick, and Mae couldn’t deny the march of years forever.
I must bring them this firewood. Please forgive me for She found herself increasingly neglected as the
not answering what you asked. I don’t wish to reduce governor’s attentions turned to younger women,
you to mere beauty.” and she grew enraged that she had wasted her life
This was the answer that the kuchisake-onna had and denied herself true happiness in pursuit of such
longed to hear for so many years. It pleased her so a worthless prize. Finally, as her hair grayed and her
well that she allowed the boy to go unharmed. He face grew lined, Huin Mae snapped. She seized a
carried his firewood home to his parents, who were pair of silver shears from a visiting dressmaker and
able to prepare their tea and eventually recover. The slashed the smile off her most hated rival, a younger
next day, he went back to the forest to offer her a concubine who had taken her place as Ho Gyun’s
new painted fan in thanks. But the kuchisake-onna favorite and who had taunted Huin Mae viciously
never took the fan, for she had forgiven the entire about her change in fortune. Then she rampaged
village after the boy spoke to her, and she was never through the Garden of Beauties, mutilating everyone
seen there again. she could find.
The governor’s guards stopped her, and after a
AVOIDING THE ANSWER quick mockery of a trial, Huin Mae was condemned
If a PC attempts to answer a kuchisake-onna’s to suffer the same disfigurement she’d inflicted on
questions in a confusing or noncommittal manner, her rivals. Her face was slashed from ear to ear, and
you can judge the effectiveness of this tactic she was banished to wander in the desolate, rainy
by calling for the PC to attempt a Deception or winter, with every expectation that she would die.
Diplomacy check against the kuchisake-onna’s Will Perhaps she did. Perhaps she didn’t. Either
DC. On a success, the kuchisake-onna becomes way, she returned as a kuchisake-onna, or else a
flat-footed as described in her Am I Pretty? ability, kuchisake-onna returned wearing her clothes and
but on a failure, the monster is enraged by the displaying her manner. What’s known for certain
dodged question. She can’t use Even Now? without is that this kuchisake-onna, who was called Huin
an answer of “yes,” so in this case, she’ll certainly Mae by those who survived her attack, murdered
target the source of her frustration with scissors Ho Gyun, finished off her wounded rival, and then
attacks made as normal Strikes. vanished again into the cold gray woods.
In the centuries since then, Huin Mae has
THE BITTER CONCUBINE resurfaced occasionally, striking at vain young
One of Shenmen’s many rulers during the long people and lechers who use wealth and power to
years of Lung Wa’s reign was Governor Ho Gyun, buy such beauties as concubines. Strangely, it seems
who was infamous for the number and beauty of she hasn’t attacked the jorogumo, although the
his concubines. He kept his “Garden of Beauties” spider-women would seem to fit her usual criteria for
confined in the governor’s palace, where they had enemies. She does, however, have a notable enmity
nothing to do but vie for his attention. for the ghosts of fallen Lung Wa, and somehow they

68
 To Bloom
seem to fear her, as if something about her presence Shenmen. As a young man, he traveled to the distant
reminds them of old sins. ports of Taldor and Cheliax, where he obtained a
Below the
As a mortal, Huin Mae hoarded the secrets lens of focused fear: an unholy device crafted by Web
that passed through the Garden of Beauties, and dedicants of Zon-Kuthon that solidified victims’
she learned a great deal about Ho Gyun’s friends, terrors into physical forms. In short, it created Chapter 1:
competitors, and enemies. The peculiar nature of brainchildren, and Yohoi used it to launch his career.
Willowshore’s
Return
Shenmen’s hauntings, which pulled several of these Upon selecting a likely-looking village, one
notables from the afterworld and returned them prosperous enough to be worth sucking dry but Chapter 2:
to their ruined glory, has resulted in Huin Mae’s unprotected by inconveniently educated or powerful The Princess’s
ancient secrets still being quite useful to bandits and citizens, Yohoi would set up camp with his lens trained Web
adventurers today. However, prying them from the on the village. Then, disguised as a traveling storyteller,
vengeful kuchisake-onna is no easy task. he would play his drums and sing chants about the Chapter 3:
Most who encounter Huin Mae don’t think about ghosts of neglected ancestors who visited vengeance A Fiend in Two
learning her secrets and hope only to escape alive. on disrespectful descendants. Worlds
The few who have succeeded did so by exploiting Yohoi’s tales always emphasized the yellow,
the kuchisake-onna’s love for sweets, which she was bulging eyes of these ghosts, as well as their long Continuing
seldom able to indulge in while living in the Garden
the Campaign
of Beauties. Now, when faced with a scattered
Horrors
handful of honey floss or rice candy, Huin Mae is Among Us
unable to resist the impulse to snatch up and gobble
the confections. This response sometimes buys her Adventure
victims enough time to flee, and to this day, villages Toolbox
near her known haunts sell small bags of specially
stamped “scissor-catching hangwa” to travelers
seeking protection from the kuchisake-onna.

EARNING SECRETS
A kuchisake-onna who possesses secret knowledge
can sometimes be persuaded to reveal the
information. To do so, you must avoid answering
when she asks, “Am I Pretty?” If you do so with
a successful Diplomacy check, you can offer her
something she desires (such as sweets, in Huin Mae’s
case) and then attempt a second Diplomacy check,
all as a three-round action with the linguistic trait,
against her Will DC. On a success, the kuchisake-onna
accepts the gift and reveals the secret you seek.
Whether or not she’ll let you go without attacking
isn’t guaranteed.

Fears Made Flesh

So plagued by terror are Shenmen’s people that,
more than once, their fears have taken lives of their
own. Such creatures, known as “brainchildren”
among scholars and arcanists, are more commonly
called yohoi by villagers in Shenmen, for the sham
exorcist Yohoi is widely blamed for bringing them
to the region. Some still believe he lurks among
them as his own most frightening creation.

THE EXORCIST’S EXTORTION

Yohoi of the Yellow Reed was a sham exorcist and Huin Mae
con artist who once plied his trade widely across

69
 dirty fingernails and hairy, humped necks, because he believe that his “ghosts” were really vulnerable to
wanted to be certain that the lens created recognizable the yellow reed flute. Assuming that Yohoi’s “ghosts”
apparitions for him to dispel. He was also careful to were mere illusions—for the monk had never heard
stress that the ghosts couldn’t withstand the holy songs of “brainchildren,” which had never been known
played on flutes by the priests of Tianjing, who carried to exist in Shenmen—she reported her suspicions
sacred yellow flutes that dispelled the uneasy spirits. to the village headman. When she was informed
Once he was satisfied that he’d seeded the right that ghosts really had been murdering villagers, the
fears, Yohoi retreated to his camp and bided his monk was astonished but still suspicious.
time. Occasionally, if the village proved resistant, Her information broke the safeguard upon which
he would desecrate a few graves, plant eviscerated Yohoi relied. Because neither the monk, the headman,
animals in the local temple, or poison trees and nor any of the other villagers who’d been brought
flowers into ghastly-looking gray remnants. These into their confidence believed that Yohoi’s yellow
disturbing sights usually sufficed to ignite villagers’ reed had any actual power over the brainchild, the
fears in Shenmen, especially since there were almost brainchild broke free of that constraint.
always a handful of families who felt they hadn’t At the first opportunity, the brainchild killed its
sufficiently revered their ancestors or a local lineage creator, seized the lens of focused fear, and fled Blind
that had died out and whose graves now remained Crow Village. It stalked frightened travelers, feeding
untended. Minor as such sins were, Yohoi knew they on their terrors and spurring them to new hunting
could provide adequate tinder for his flames. grounds. Over time, it spawned more of its kind,
Within a few nights, the lens would create a sometimes banding together to take down more
brainchild. Yohoi let it torment the villagers for dangerous foes or to hunt more populated areas
weeks before he appeared in his second guise, now than the original brainchild could handle alone.
pretending to be a shaman trained in the traditions Few scholars believe that Yohoi’s lens is
of Tianjing. By playing his yellow reed flute, he could single-handedly responsible for brainchildren in
banish the “ghost,” and since he’d convinced the Shenmen, but none doubt that these creatures would
villagers that the spirit was vulnerable to its powers, have a far lesser presence in the region if not for the
the brainchild also possessed this vulnerability. sham exorcist and his foolish greed.
Then Yohoi claimed his pay, basked in the villagers’
adulation, and moved on to the next town. YOHOI’S LEGACY
He practiced this trade successfully for years. Even today, when a brainchild manifests in
Then, he came to Blind Crow Village. Shenmen, Yohoi’s stories of their shared features
An aged monk who’d trained in Tianjing lived and weaknesses to the music of a flute played by a
in Blind Crow Village, where she meditated daily priest persist. Bulging yellow eyes, crooked necks,
beneath the statue that gave the village its name. and filthy talons are thus quite common features
Knowing that the old woman could barely hear among yohois in the region. Furthermore, they
or see anymore, and that she confined herself to almost always possess some form of weakness to
meditating motionlessly beneath the statue from flute music—or at the very least, to sonic damage.
sunrise till dark, Yohoi broke his usual rule about
avoiding troublesome citizens and decided to make ECHOES AND PREMONITIONS
his play in Blind Crow Village. Although the lens of focused fear didn’t create every
This was a mistake. The old monk could still yohoi in Shenmen, it cast a long shadow over their
hear well enough to make out Yohoi’s stories, and subsequent history. Even now, many brainchildren
as she’d studied in Tianjing, she knew both that his originate around specific objects that villagers
ghost stories described creatures that didn’t exist in perceive as threatening. Yellow reeds that appear on
the annals of recorded undead and that his claims of the graves of murder victims or executed criminals,
a Tianjing education were false. Worse yet, the old broken ceramic yokai figurines found at the bottom
monk’s senses were keen enough for her to identify of water vessels, and mysterious books with water
Yohoi as both the storyteller and the shaman; she stains on their covers that seem to depict smiling,
was more attuned to the basic rhythms of speech eyeless faces are among the objects associated with
than the nuances of accent and intonation that infamous brainchild attacks.
Yohoi used to disguise his voice, and her vision was In all such instances, the object appears with no
too poor to be tricked by his changed appearance. obvious explanation in a place where it shouldn’t be,
She knew that he was a fraud, and she didn’t and shortly before or after, disaster strikes in a way

70
 To Bloom
that seems related. This phenomenon isn’t always ago, the central well’s water turned blood red. Those
accidental. Lady Nanbyo’s cultists swiftly noted that who drank from it found themselves craving raw
Below the
an ominous sign followed by a calamity could spur meat and eventually turning to cannibalism. The Web
enough fears and rumors to spawn a brainchild. curse was attributed to the Greenbriar Hunter, and
Using this discovery, they began intentionally seeding a new brainchild was born. Chapter 1:
yohois where great calamities were expected to strike With the village destroyed, Lady Daiseu viewed it
Willowshore’s
Return
or had already hit. Nanbyoans view such activities as unnecessary to devote any further attention to the
as sacred rituals, and if their efforts are rewarded tainted well since no one was left to drink from it, Chapter 2:
with the birth of a brainchild, it’s considered a sign and its curse didn’t seem to spread beyond the ruins. The Princess’s
of Lady Nanbyo’s favor. The jorogumo princess turned her thoughts to other Web
things, and the well was abandoned with the rest of
DISASTER-SPAWN the Village of Broken Sticks. Chapter 3:
Yohois spawned from the fears created by a disaster It stands there still, surrounded by weeds and ashes, A Fiend in Two
can be particularly dangerous to those who endured a grisly monument to how the horrors of Shenmen can Worlds
that disaster’s effects. These brainchildren often stack and spiral into new forms.
have the following additional occult innate spells: Continuing
phantasmal calamity and illusory scene at 6th level. BRAINCHILD REMNANTS the Campaign
In rare cases where an attempt is made to eradicate a
Horrors
THE VILLAGE OF BROKEN STICKS brainchild with methods like those pursued by Lady Among Us
Defeating yohois is no straightforward matter, for Daiseu, an unusual undead brainchild can result.
these creatures are beings woven of magic and These remnants have the same basic abilities as all Adventure
terror. Not only do their abilities and appearances brainchildren but have the undead trait as well as Toolbox
shift unpredictably depending on their believers’ the negative healing defensive ability, and instead of
expectations, but even when a yohoi is slain, weakness to mental damage, they possess an equal
another just like it can return if anyone still believes weakness to positive damage.
in it. As superstitions are understandably difficult
to eradicate in Shenmen, it’s nearly impossible to
permanently destroy a yohoi tradition that has
developed a sufficiently broad base of belief.
Faced with one such yohoi, the jorogumo Lady
Daiseu decided to solve her problem by massacring
the entire village that was sustaining the creature.
She had Greenbriar razed and all its inhabitants
questioned under magical compulsion to see if they
believed in the Greenbriar Hunter. If they did, they
were killed; if not, they were forcibly resettled to
another village in Lady Daiseu’s fiefdom.
While this horrid atrocity
may have eradicated the
Greenbriar Hunter, it left a
blackened ruin at the fringe
of Lady Daiseu’s territory. The
scar where Greenbriar once stood became known as
the Village of Broken Sticks. It’s said to be haunted
not only by the restless shades of the villagers who
once lived there, but by a spectral semblance of the
Greenbriar Hunter. Rumor claims that the brainchild,
or possibly a new one claiming the Hunter’s mantle,
sustains itself through the deathless fear and misery of
the ghosts who were murdered for its sake.
Worse yet, the phenomenon that initially gave rise
to the Greenbriar Hunter remains unexplored and Greenbriar Hunter
unresolved at the heart of the dead village. Decades

71
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 To Bloom
Below the

Adventure Toolbox Web

Chapter 1:
Willowshore’s
Return

Chapter 2:
The Princess’s
Web
In this adventure, the PCs have the chance to discover powdered silver stored within the bomb. This energy glows
a wide range of rare and unusual items. Some will be with a soft, silver radiance and, if contained in a clear Chapter 3:
found as treasure during the course of the adventure, container, allows a silversoul bomb to be used as a torch A Fiend in Two
while others will be given to the PCs as rewards. to illuminate an area. Worlds
Whether or not you wish to have any of these items A silversoul bomb grants an item bonus
available for purchase from Shinzo or other markets to attack rolls and deals mental damage Continuing
is up to you, but it’s recommended to wait until the plus additional effects, according to the
the Campaign
point in the adventure at which that item would bomb’s type. Nindorus are particularly
Horrors
normally have been gained to have it start appearing harmed by silversoul bombs and take the Among Us
for sale and to not have a unique item appear for listed persistent mental damage, according
sale at all. to the bomb’s type. Against nindorus, the Adventure
bomb’s item bonus also applies to its save DC Toolbox
Alchemical Items to resist being dazzled or blinded. Creatures
These two alchemical items can be that have weakness to silver (including
encountered in this adventure. Full details most nindorus) have an equal amount of
on the lozenge trait appear on page 46 of weakness to the mental damage caused by
Pathfinder Treasure Vault.
Silversoul Bomb a silversoul bomb, due to the silver infused
into the energy within.
ENERGIZING PILL ITEM 10 Type silversoul bomb; Level 3; Price 10 gp
UNCOMMON ALCHEMICAL CONSUMABLE LOZENGE You gain a +1 item bonus to attack rolls, and the bomb
Price 180 gp deals 2d4 mental damage, 1d6 persistent mental damage
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk — to nindorus, and 2 mental splash damage. A creature
This special blend of potent herbs comes in the form of that takes splash damage from the bomb and fails a DC
a compact ball that allows it to be held in the mouth, 17 Fortitude save is dazzled for 1 round as glowing silver
where it remains for 1 hour. An energizing pill has a particles cling to its face.
bitter taste at first, but the longer one lets it soak, the Type greater silversoul bomb; Level 11; Price 250 gp
more complex and sweet its flavor grows. It heightens You gain a +2 item bonus to attack rolls, and the bomb
your reactions, granting you a +2 item bonus to initiative deals 3d4 mental damage, 2d6 persistent mental damage
rolls with Perception. to nindorus, and 3 mental splash damage. A creature that
Secondary Effect Ǻȓ Trigger You would become clumsy, takes splash damage from the bomb and fails a DC 28
drained, enfeebled, frightened, sickened, slowed, or Fortitude save is blinded for 1 round and then dazzled for
stupefied; Effect Reduce the value of the condition you 1 round thereafter.
just gained by 1; if this reduces the value to 0, you don’t Type major silversoul bomb; Level 17; Price 2,500 gp
gain the triggering condition. You gain a +3 item bonus to attack rolls, and the bomb
deals 4d4 mental damage, 3d6 persistent mental damage
SILVERSOUL BOMB ITEM 3+ to nindorus, and 4 mental splash damage. A creature that
RARE ALCHEMICAL BOMB CONSUMABLE MENTAL SPLASH takes splash damage from the bomb is dazzled for 1 round
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L unless it fails a DC 37 Fortitude save, in which case it’s
Activate ʚʖ Interact permanently blinded.
This rare alchemical bomb gathers and concentrates the
emotions that linger in a burial ground where generations Consumable Magic
of beloved ancestors have been interred, infusing that The consumable items on the following page can be
powerful emotional energy into the alchemically prepared discovered during this volume’s adventure.

73
 ASCENDANT DRAGON SPIRIT ITEM 11 Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
UNCOMMON CONSUMABLE MAGICAL POTION TRANSMUTATION Success The creature becomes flat-footed until the start
Price 250 gp of your next turn.
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L Failure The creature becomes slowed 1 for 1 round.
Activate Ȱɵ Interact Critical Failure The creature becomes stunned 1 and is
This masterfully crafted spirit is mixed into a potent magical then slowed 1 for 1 round.
cocktail and packaged in a gourd with an engraving of
a forest dragon coiling around it. Drinking it imparts an TALJJAE TASSEL ITEM 10
intriguing balance of woodsmoke, honey, and bright floral UNCOMMON CONSUMABLE MAGICAL TALISMAN TRANSMUTATION
notes on the back end. When consumed, your arms become Price 160 gp
infused with the deadly power of a forest dragon. For 1 Usage affixed to a weapon; Bulk –
minute, your unarmed Strikes deal an additional 1d6 poison Activate Ȳ˓ envision; Trigger Your Strike with the affixed
damage and an additional 1d6 negative damage. weapon was a critical success.
The bright red tassels of the creature known as Taljjae are
PANACEATIC SALVE ITEM 10 a ubiquitous motif in Hwanggot and are used as charms
UNCOMMON ABJURATION CONSUMABLE ENCHANTMENT MAGICAL MENTAL OIL to pray for good fortune and reward for great effort. They
Price 155 gp adorn clothing, weapons, and even drinking
Usage held in 2 hands; Bulk L gourds. These particular tassels carry within
Activate Ȱɵ Interact them a potent fraction of the mysterious
This pungent herbal ointment was originally fey’s power. When you activate a Taljjae
only intended for use as an analgesic. That tassel, your weapon gains the properties
being said, popular folklore around this salve of the grievous rune for the duration of the
claims it can do anything from curing fevers triggering attack.
to repelling vampires, a reputation that, if
nothing else, is easy to get swept up in. THOUSAND-YEAR DRAGONROOT ITEM 10
When you activate a dose of panaceatic RARE CONSUMABLE MAGICAL TRANSMUTATION
salve by rubbing it on your skin, you Price 180 gp
gain 4d8+10 temporary Hit Points for Thousand-Year Dragonroot Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L
10 minutes. At the end of this duration, Activate Ȱɵ Interact
if you still retain at least 1 of these temporary Hit Points, Dragonroots are pale, golden-rooted plants that grow
you can attempt a new saving throw against an ongoing throughout Tian Xia. Just as mandrake roots or ginseng
disease or poison affliction you’re afflicted with; if you fail roots are sometimes regarded to have almost humanoid
or critically fail this saving throw, you don’t increase the shapes, these roots appear as if they were dragons. They’re
affliction’s stage. commonly used in the formulation of healing potions, but
the most sought-after have grown for centuries, for they’re
SANCTIFIED BEANS ITEM 11 viable for enchantment into thousand-year dragonroots.
UNCOMMON CONSUMABLE DIVINE MAGICAL POSITIVE When you activate a thousand-year dragonroot, your
Price 250 gp body shimmers with golden light, providing illumination as
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L a torch. You gain a fly Speed of 40 feet and fire resistance
Activate ʚʖ Interact 5 for 1 minute.
These roasted soybeans are blessed by a priest to ward
against all various forms of otherworldly influence but are VENGEFUL DEMON’S TEARS ITEM 10
most effective against incorporeal evils, such as specters UNCOMMON CONSUMABLE MAGICAL POTION TRANSMUTATION
or path maidens. They can be safely eaten by living Price 160 gp
creatures and taste delicious when paired with rice wine. Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L
When you activate this item, choose an adjacent square to Activate Ȱɵ Interact
exhale into. You fill that square with soothing vapors that Vengeful demon’s tears is an infamously noxious spirit
harm any fiend, fey, ghost, spirit, or undead creature that mixed into a potent magical cocktail and traditionally
ends their turn in that square for the next minute, causing packaged in a gourd adorned with an engraving of a
them to take 4d8+4 good damage (DC 28 basic Will save). terrifying demonic face. Drinking it feels akin to lighting
An incorporeal creature that takes this damage must also your throat on fire and putting it out with an herbal tonic.
attempt a DC 28 Fortitude save to resist being affected as When you activate this potion, you gain the quickened
follows. condition for 3 rounds and can use the extra action each

74
 To Bloom
round to Strike, Stride, or to take the following action. significant draw strength. This design is commonly seen in
Release the Demon Ȱɵ (concentrate, healing) You focus on Hongal, as the shorter limbs allow for easier maneuvering
Below the
the sensation of life burning within your flesh and gain on horseback. While the wielder of this +2 striking Web
2d8 temporary Hit Points for 1 round. composite shortbow is mounted, they apply the bow’s item
bonus to Nature checks to Command your mount. Chapter 1:
Armor and Shields Activate ʚʖ Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect You
Willowshore’s
Return
This magical suit of armor and magical shield can be draw the bow back to its maximum draw length without
discovered during this volume’s adventure nocking an arrow, and as you release the string, the Chapter 2:
dragonfire halfbow casts fireball (heightened to 5th- The Princess’s
DRAGON TURTLE ARMOR ITEM 12 level; DC 29 Reflex save), targeted at a point of your Web
UNCOMMON ABJURATION INVESTED MAGICAL choosing within the spell’s range. You and your mount
Price 2,000 gp are immune to the effects of this fireball. Chapter 3:
Usage worn armor; Bulk 4 A Fiend in Two
This +1 resilient full plate is crafted from the most colorful FOUR-TIGER BLADE ITEM 12 Worlds
fragments chipped from scales of a dragon turtle’s shell, RARE ABJURATION DIVINE
traditionally incorporating that motif in the form of a Price 2,000 gp Continuing
thicker, sturdier backplate. While wearing this armor, Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk 1
the Campaign
you aren’t flat-footed from creatures that flank you, When a once-in-a-lifetime alignment of the stars shone
Horrors
and you ignore the armor’s speed penalty when through the roof of a secluded blacksmith’s Among Us
you Swim and its check penalty to Athletics
Four-Tiger Blade forge, the smith took advantage to craft their
checks to Swim. masterpiece. For two hours, they hammered a lump of Adventure
ordinary steel into a divine blade, etching constellations Toolbox
EVIL-REFLECTING SHIELD ITEM 11 and wards down its length, then shared their creation’s
UNCOMMON ABJURATION MAGICAL formula with a small group of close associates before
Price 1,250 gp passing away.
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk 1 These weapons are the four-tiger blades, and currently,
A bright, octagonal frame surrounds this circular mithral only a dozen are known to exist—one associated with each
shield, which itself is polished to a mirrorlike sheen that month of the year. Each weapon is a +2 striking ghost touch
reflects clear and true. While you have this standard-grade longsword that leaves a noticeable trail of light originating
mithral shield (Hardness 5, HP 20, BT 10) raised, you gain from the engraved stars when it’s swung. Those who pay
its circumstance bonus to saving throws against spells close attention to the pattern of stars that shine on the
with the evil or negative trait. blade might note that the depicted constellations change
Activate Ǻȓ command (fortune); Frequency once per day; according to those currently in the night sky above.
Trigger You attempt a saving throw against an effect Activate ʚʖ envision, Interact (abjuration, divine,
with the evil or negative traits; Effect Your saving incapacitation); Frequency once per day; Effect Attempt
throw result is considered one degree better than the a Strike against a creature you believe to be possessed.
actual result. If this effect turns a success into a critical This attack deals no damage on the creature, but if
success, you can reflect some of the effect’s power as the target is possessed, the possessing creature must
a wave of magical backlash back to the source of the attempt a DC 29 Will save.
triggering effect, as long as the source is within 30 feet. Critical Success The possessing creature is unaffected,
When you do so, the target must succeed at a DC 28 and you remain unaware of if the target is actually
Fortitude save or become stunned 1. possessed or not.
Success The possessing creature is unaffected, but
Magical Weapons you sense that creature’s control over the target and
These magical weapons can be discovered during this confirm that the target is possessed.
volume’s adventure. Failure You confirm that the target is possessed. The
possessing creature can’t control the target for 1 minute.
DRAGONFIRE HALFBOW ITEM 12 Critical Failure You confirm the target is possessed an
UNCOMMON EVOCATION FIRE MAGICAL instant before you counteract the possession, causing
Price 1800 gp the possessing creature to vacate the target’s body.
Usage held in one hand; Bulk 1 Activate Ǻȓ command; Trigger You attempt a Strike with
Crafted by layering bamboo with strips of sliced scales the four-tiger-blade; Effect Until the start of your next
harvested from a fire-breathing dragon, this bow has a turn, you gain resistance 10 to negative damage.

75
 LUMBER LORD’S AXE ITEM 11 THUNDERING FURY DADAO ITEM 12
UNCOMMON TRANSMUTATION MAGICAL RARE EVOCATION MAGICAL SONIC
Price 900 gp Price 2,000 gp
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk 1 Usage held in 2 hands; Bulk 2
This unassuming tool wouldn’t look out of place on the belt This massive, curved blade roars when it crashes down
of an industrious laborer. Grooves worn into the wooden on opponents, seemingly intent on subduing them with
handle over years of use and an irregularly sharpened sheer force. It’s said materials for the first thundering fury
blade give it the distinct impression of being cherished, dadaos came from the hide of Yorak, the Horned Thunder,
and the potent scent of freshly chopped wood always a legendary kaiju that roams the Shanguang desert. The
clings to the axe’s blade despite any attempt to clean it lack of embellishments on this +2 striking thundering
or remove the odor. A creature that holds or carries this greatsword belies a weapon of deadly efficacy.
+2 striking cold iron fungus and plant bane battle axe feels Activation Ȱɵ envision; Frequency once per day; Effect
an obligation to tell the truth and receives a –4 status You infuse the thundering fury dadao with the speed of
penalty to its attempts to Lie. lightning and the force of thunder. The weapon gains the
Activate 1 minute (Interact); Frequency once per day; agile and forceful traits for one round. You can Sustain
Effect You polish and sharpen the axe, after which this activation for up to 1 minute.
its scent grows even more powerful and the axe’s
blade transforms into your choice of standard-grade Other Items
adamantine or standard-grade mithral for 1 hour; then These magical items can be discovered during this
after this duration, the woodcutter’s axe reverts to volume’s adventure.
cold iron.
DRAGON TURTLE ARTILLERY ITEM 10
SENSEI’S PARASOL ITEM 11 UNCOMMON EVOCATION MAGICAL
RARE ABJURATION MAGICAL Price 1,000 gp
Price 1,400 gp Usage held in 2 hands; Bulk 3
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk 1 One end of this heavy cylinder of steel has been forged in
A master once said to his pupil that, in the hands of a the likeness of a dragon turtle’s head, the mouth gaping
skilled practitioner, even a parasol can become a deadly wide. Grips at the opposite end allow one to hold and aim
weapon. Returning the next day, the pupil excitedly turned this heavy cannon-like barrel with both hands. As long as
over a parasol forged out of metal slats, explaining that it you’re carrying dragon turtle artillery while you’re on a
lowered the amount of skill one would need to exert deadly boat or ship, the DC for any effect to capsize that vehicle
force. The master sighed, seeing that his pupil had failed to increases by 4.
see the point, but accepted the gift nonetheless. Ingenuity Activate ʚʖ command, Interact; Frequency once per day;
was, after all, a virtue. Effect A 50-foot cone of steam blasts from the mouth
Since then, additional sensei’s parasols have been of the cannon, dealing 10d6 fire damage to creatures in
crafted, and they’re very sought after. This weapon its area of effect (DC 27 basic Reflex save). This blast
functions as a +2 striking bo staff. ignores the fire resistance normally granted to creatures
Activate Ȱɵ Interact; Frequency once per day; Effect by being underwater.
You cause the metal slats of the parasol to open up,
transforming it into a moderate sturdy shield (Hardness FAN OF FALLING WORDS ITEM 10
13, HP 104 [BT 51]). You can sustain this activation for up UNCOMMON ILLUSION MAGICAL
to 10 minutes, after which the sensei’s parasol reverts Price 900 gp
back to bo-staff form. If it’s broken as a shield, it reverts Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L
to its undamaged bo-staff form. If it’s destroyed as a This folding handheld paper fan appears blank when first
shield, it reverts to bo-staff form and becomes broken. found, but if the wielder unfolds its leaves as an Interact
Activate Ǻȓ envision; Requirement The sensei’s parasol action, they display an ink-brush painting of the wielder’s
is in bo-staff form and isn’t broken; Frequency once choice. The fan must be closed and opened again to display
per day; Trigger A creature misses you with a melee a different painting. While held, the fan of falling words
Strike; Effect You redirect the missed Strike to target grants you a +2 item bonus to Performance checks to act
a creature or object within the triggering creature’s or perform comedy, orate, or sing.
reach. The triggering creature rolls a new Strike Activate ̂ˬ command, Interact; Frequency once per
against the new target to determine the results of the day; Effect You manifest the tapestry of your words,
redirected attack. causing the image you depict on the fan to leap off

76
 To Bloom
its leaves. The fan casts hallucinatory terrain to your You can interact with a jiang-shi bell to brandish it against a
specifications (DC 27 Will save to disbelieve). While this jiang-shi vampire. If a jiang-shi gains the fleeing condition
Below the
only takes three actions to perform (as opposed to the as a result of a jiang-shi bell being brandished, they must Web
spell’s normal 10 minutes of casting), the effect has no run until they’re at least 20 feet away. They take a -2
range, and the 50-foot burst it creates penalty to the Will save to any attempt to overcome their Chapter 1:
is centered on you. revulsion toward this object.
Willowshore’s
Return
Activate ʚʖ envision, Interact (olfactory, visual);
FORTUNE CORD ITEM 11 Frequency once per day; Effect You ring the bell Chapter 2:
UNCOMMON MAGICAL TRANSMUTATION and create an illusory image of a delicious-looking The Princess’s
Price 1,300 gp banquet of food laid out on an altar in a Web
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L 5-foot-square at any point within 30 feet
In many parts of Tian Xia, it’s tradition to mint of you that you can see. Any creature Chapter 3:
coins with holes in the centers for the that must eat food to survive that’s A Fiend in Two
purpose of being able to thread a cord within 30 feet of the appearance of Worlds
through them and tie them off for the illusory food must succeed at a DC
security and ease of transaction. This Jiang-Shi Bell 28 Will save or be so distracted by the food’s Continuing
immaculately braided red cord is made in this sight and smell that they become fascinated by
the Campaign
tradition and can hold up to 100 coins at any it for 10 minutes.
Horrors
given time. As long as you carry a fortune cord, you gain a This food’s appearance can trigger any jiang-shi’s Among Us
+2 item bonus to skill checks to Earn Income. Bitter Epiphany weakness; if the food does so, the
If you load up to 100 coins onto a fortune cord as part jiang-shi takes a –2 item penalty to its Will save to Adventure
of your daily preparations, you can Activate the magic item resist the effects of this weakness. Toolbox
in two different ways until the next time you make your
daily preparations, provided all the loaded coins are of the LACQUERED WAIST DRUM ITEM 11
same type. UNCOMMON MAGICAL
Activate Ȱɵ Interact; Frequency once per day; Requirement Price 1,300 gp
you have at least 50 coins loaded onto the fortune cord; Usage held in 2 hands; Bulk 1
Effect You transform the fortune cord into a +2 striking This hourglass-shaped drum has two heads, each of which
nunchaku for 1 minute. The type of coin loaded onto the produces a different sound when struck. When played
cord determines the additional weapon property rune together, the resonance of the two sounds is effective
that manifests on this +2 striking nunchaku, as follows. in repelling evil spirits. This drum can be played as an
Copper: corrosive weapon instrument, granting a +2 item bonus to Performance.
Silver: shock weapon Activate ʚʖ Interact; Frequency once per hour; Effect
Gold: flaming weapon You play both heads of the drums, generating a pulse
Platinum: frost weapon of positive energy that targets one creature within 30
Activate ʚʖ manipulate, Interact; Effect You whip the feet that has the undead trait. This deals 5d8 positive
fortune cord, causing 10 coins loaded onto it to detach damage (DC 28 Fortitude save) to that creature; if the
and fire at a creature within 100 feet that you can see. undead also has the ghost trait, the ghost becomes
That creature takes 4d6 damage (DC 28 basic Reflex sickened 1 if it fails the save.
save); the damage type depends on the type of coins Activate ̂ˬ Interact; Frequency once per hour; Effect You
you’ve loaded. Copper coins deal acid damage, silver raucously play both heads of the drums, accompanied
coins deal electricity damage, gold coins deal fire with shouting and dancing. This display generates a
damage, and platinum coins deal cold damage. pulse of positive energy in a 30-foot emanation from
you. All undead creatures within this area must attempt
JIANG-SHI BELL ITEM 11 a DC 28 Fortitude save.
UNCOMMON ILLUSION MAGICAL Critical Success The creature takes no damage.
Price 1,200 gp Success The creature takes 2d8 positive damage.
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L Failure The creature takes 5d8 positive damage; if the
This ornate handbell creates a sonorous low-pitched tone creature has the ghost trait, it becomes stupefied 1
when rung, as if sounding from a much larger bell than for 1 minute.
one carried in the hand. The bell is crafted of silver and Critical Failure The creature takes 10d8 positive
polished to a reflective sheen, while the bell’s wooden damage; if the creature has the ghost trait, it becomes
handle is carved with detailed images of various foodstuffs. stupefied 2 for 1 minute.

77
 MOONSILVER NECKLACE ITEM 10 Psychopomps and spirits tend to regard you with a
UNCOMMON INVESTED MAGICAL TRANSMUTATION level of respect while you carry a purgatory emissary’s
Price 1,000 gp staff. While you wield this staff, you receive a +2 item
Usage worn; Bulk — bonus to all skill checks made to adjust a psychopomp’s
Those who are in tune with nature understand well or spirit’s attitude.
the transience of life and the migration of souls. Just When used as a weapon, a purgatory emissary’s staff is
as the moon waxes and wanes, so too are the candles a +2 striking ghost touch staff.
of life lit and extinguished. The Activate Cast a Spell; Effect You expend a number of
ritual for creating this item charges from the staff to cast a spell from its list.
requires an animal sacrifice in • Cantrip disrupt undead
direct moonlight, the belief being that • 1st command, sanctuary
creatures sacrificed in this way are • 2nd remove fear, see invisibility
blessed to reincarnate into better • 3rd searing light, zone of truth
lives. While wearing this silver, • 4th dispel magic, talking corpse
crescent-shaped necklace, your • 5th banishment, tongues
unarmed melee Strikes are silver
weapons with the properties of the ghost SKYFANG CRYSTAL ITEM 12
touch rune. RARE DIVINATION INVESTED MAGICAL
Price 2,000 gp
PHOENIX FULU HOLDER ITEM 12 Usage worn; Bulk —
RARE MAGICAL TRANSMUTATION Skyfang Crystal A skyfang crystal appears as a softly
Price 2,000 gp glowing length of blue crystal shaped
This elegant wooden frame is decorated with numerous like a gently curved fang; it’s typically
downy red feathers that feel almost uncomfortably hot to affixed to a short length of chain, allowing it to be worn
the touch. A phoenix fulu holder grants a sort of second as a necklace or wrapped around a forearm. The light it
“life” to any fulu placed for a time within its frame, but also sheds is equal in strength to that of a candle; it can’t be
gives the fulu wielder a stylish and eye-catching way of extinguished but can be blocked simply by wrapping the
displaying such a treasure. You can place any fulu into a crystal in cloth, wearing it under clothing, or keeping it in a
phoenix fulu holder as an Interact action. container. The first of these magical crystals was believed
Activate Ȱɵ Interact; Frequency once per day; Requirement to have been created by a dying sky dragon who’d spent
An 11th- or lower-level fulu is stored in the phoenix fulu her life fighting against evil spirits. She plucked a dozen
holder; Effect You take the fulu from the phoenix fulu of her smallest teeth from her jaw and offered them to
holder, and an instant later, a glowing image of the fulu her 12 most trusted allies so that they could continue to
you removed manifests in the frame. If the previously track down evil spirits and remain protected as they did
stored fulu is consumed within the next 24 hours, the so, even after she was gone. A skyfang crystal provides
flickering image within the phoenix fulu holder becomes illumination as a candle that can’t be extinguished, and as
a solid and fully functional duplicate of that fulu. This long as you have it invested, you gain mental resistance
duplicated fulu functions identically to the original fulu, 10. If you’re evil, you’re enfeebled 2 while you have a
but if not affixed within 24 hours of its formation, it skyfang crystal invested.
fades away and vanishes. Activate ʚʖ command, Interact; Frequency once per
day; Effect You touch the skyfang crystal to your
PURGATORY EMISSARY’S STAFF ITEM 12 brow and utter the name of a specific fiend or spirit
RARE MAGICAL NECROMANCY STAFF you seek. If the target is on the same plane as you,
Price 1,820 gp the skyfang crystal pulses stronger with light when
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk 1 you face in the approximate direction of the named
This ash wood staff is topped by a long tassel of creature, allowing you to Track that creature. The
bleached-white horsehair. Historically carried by the DC for this check is equal to the creature’s Will DC,
most important of court officials throughout various and you can use Occultism, Religion, or Survival to
regions and periods of Tian Xia’s history, purgatory attempt the check. As long as you’re tracking this
emissary’s staves are also strongly associated with fiend or spirit, you gain a +2 item bonus to saving
psychopomps serving punitive sentences. It’s thought throws against effects that creature generates. This
this connection is a comical nod to the bureaucratic effect persists until you activate the skyfang crystal
nature of the afterlife. again to track a different target.

78
 To Bloom
Reincarnation Feats ANIMAL SOUL SIBLINGS FEAT 5 Below the
While few remember their previous lives, save for RARE REINCARNATED
those who have been reincarnated via ritual, any who Your eyes have been opened to the spiritual essence Web
have lived lives before their current one carry within suffusing the world. You gain speak with animals as a
their soul the weight of previous existences. When one primal innate spell that you can cast once per day. You get Chapter 1:
does recall those previous lives, one can draw upon a +1 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy checks to Gather
Willowshore’s
Return
memory and experience in a way most ancestries Information from animals.
can’t. Whatever the circumstances, your new lease on Chapter 2:
life has expanded your mind thanks to the bits and EMPATHY INCARNATE FEAT 5 The Princess’s
pieces you recall of your soul’s past adventures. RARE REINCARNATED Web
The following rare ancestry feats are available to any Reincarnation has given you a compassionate perspective
character who has reincarnated at least once, either as and enabled you to relate to almost everyone you speak Chapter 3:
part of their backstory or because of a reincarnation with, putting them at ease and quickly generating trust. A Fiend in Two
that took place during play—which includes all PCs in Whenever you attempt a Diplomacy check to Make An Worlds
Season of Ghosts once they begin the Adventure Path’s Impression or Request something, the DC is reduced by
final installment. 2, and if the creature you’re speaking with is lower level Continuing
than you, any success is a critical success. Whenever you
the Campaign
LET’S TRY THAT AGAIN Ǻȓ FEAT 1 attempt a Diplomacy check to Gather Information, you
Horrors
RARE FORTUNE REINCARNATED can’t critically fail. Among Us
Frequency once per day
Trigger You fail a skill check. I’VE HAD MANY JOBS FEAT 5 Adventure
You feel a sense of deja vu when you’ve made a mistake, RARE DOWNTIME REINCARNATED Toolbox
almost as if you weren’t so careless in a past life and could Finding and excelling at odd jobs is child’s play to one
certainly do better if given another chance. Reroll the who has worked many occupations during many lives.
triggering skill check and use the new result, even if it’s When you attempt to Earn Income, you function as if
worse than your first roll. you were trained in the skill used. If you are at least
expert in the skill used, the DC for your skill check is
LIKE A ROACH FEAT 1 reduced by 2.
RARE DOWNTIME REINCARNATED
Living with the bare necessities isn’t terribly hard for
someone who has defied death, and like a cockroach, you
always know how to survive. When you Subsist during
downtime, the DC for your skill check is reduced by 2.
You don’t need a minimum proficiency rank to Subsist in
unusual environments, nor do you take a –5 penalty if you
Subsist after 8 hours or less of exploration.

WEIGHT OF EXPERIENCE FEAT 1

RARE REINCARNATED
The experience you’ve accumulated over multiple lifetimes
envelops you like a weighted blanket, providing comfort
and bestowing confidence under pressure. You gain the
trained proficiency rank in one skill of your choice and the
Assurance skill feat in that skill as a bonus feat.

WISDOM FROM ANOTHER LIFE FEAT 1

RARE REINCARNATED
You absorbed a wide variety of facts before
you died, and your soul still remembers
slivers of this precious knowledge. You
gain the trained proficiency rank in one
skill of your choice and the Additional
Lore skill feat as a bonus feat. Animal Soul Siblings

79
 REINCARNATED RIDICULER FEAT 5 You fought hundreds of foes in your various past lives,
RARE REINCARNATED and now and then, something about a new opponent
You’ve practiced the art of taunting an enemy, ensuring they tugs at your memory, almost as if you defeated their
know death will only make you stronger. When you Demoralize grandparent long ago. You get a +2 circumstance bonus
an opponent, the target doesn’t become temporarily immune to your next attack roll, damage roll, or saving throw
to your attempts to Demoralize it unless you critically fail against this creature. You only receive this bonus once
the check. If the target critically hit you with a Strike on its per creature.
previous turn, the DC for this check is reduced by 4.
CLINGING TO LIFE Ȳ˓ FEAT 13
SLEEP OF THE REBORN FEAT 5 RARE NECROMANCY REINCARNATED
RARE REINCARNATED Frequency once per day
Philosophers compare the cycle of life, death, and rebirth to Trigger You’re reduced to 0 hit points and don’t immediately
sleeping, dreaming, and waking. You take it to another level by die.
reliving previous lives in dreams, always waking invigorated This life still holds much for you, and you aren’t ready
and thankful for a new chance at life. Whenever you rest for to fall back into the River of Souls just yet. When you’re
8 hours, you gain the effects of a long-term rest. If you’re an reduced to 0 Hit Points and not immediately killed, you go
ancestry that neither sleeps nor dreams, you still receive this to 1 Hit Point instead, fall prone, and are unconscious, and
benefit by entering a reflective, meditative state during rest. you don’t gain the wounded condition.

LINGERING ECHOES FEAT 9 I SENSE MALEVOLENCE FEAT 13

RARE REINCARNATED RARE REINCARNATED
Not everyone is reincarnated, and you feel a strong connection Your time in the River of Souls has given you deep insight
with the spiritual echoes of those who didn’t receive the same into the machinations of those who refuse to move on. You
opportunity as you. You gain talking corpse as an occult innate gain spirit sense (Advanced Player’s Guide 225) as a 6th-level
spell that you can cast once per day. You can ask a fourth occult innate spell, which you can cast once per day.
question of a corpse when you cast this spell. The corpse
attempts its Will save against your spell DC or your class DC, LINGUISTIC REVIVAL FEAT 13
whichever is higher. RARE REINCARNATED
You achieved fluency in different languages with each
PLANT SOUL SIBLINGS FEAT 9 reincarnation, and your brain remembers much of the
RARE REINCARNATED grammar, idioms, and obscenities that you spouted in old
Prerequisite Animal Soul Siblings lives. You gain tongues as a 5th-level occult innate spell that
You’re now able to connect with the spirits present in the you can cast once a day on yourself only. While the spell
greenery of the natural world. You gain speak with plants is active, you get a +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy
as a primal innate spell that you can cast once per day. You checks while speaking to a creature in a language other
get a +2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy checks to Gather than Common.
Information from animals or plants.
PAIN IS TEMPORARY ʚʖ FEAT 13
RAPID RETRAINING FEAT 9 RARE CONCENTRATE REINCARNATED
RARE DOWNTIME REINCARNATED Frequency once per 10 minutes
Some feel trapped by their choices and have a tough time Sangpotshi practitioners know that suffering is a fleeting
reinventing themselves. To you, this dilemma is just a natural sensation that ultimately strengthens the soul and prepares
part of reincarnation. Retraining other feats or skill increases it for a new reincarnation. Bolstered by this understanding,
during downtime only takes 4 days instead of a week, and you’ve learned to temporarily steel yourself against all
class features that require a choice can be retrained in a week forms of pain. You gain resistance 10 to all damage until
instead of a month. You also never need to find a teacher to the end of your next turn.
retrain, as the memories of abilities you possessed in past
lives are superior to any instructor. STONE SOUL SIBLINGS FEAT 13
RARE REINCARNATED
YOU SEEM SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR Ǻȓ FEAT 9 Prerequisite Plant Soul Siblings
RARE REINCARNATED Your connection with nature’s spirits has progressed to
Trigger You succeed or critically succeed at a Recall the point where you can even have casual conversation
Knowledge check about a creature. with pebbles and boulders. You gain stone tell as a primal

80
 To Bloom
innate spell that you can cast once per day. You get a Critical Failure The creature is blinded for 2 rounds and
+2 circumstance bonus to Diplomacy checks to Gather dazzled for 1 minute.
Below the
Information from stones. Web
SEE YOU IN HELL Ǻȓ FEAT 17
UNBREAKABLE RESOLVE Ǻȓ FEAT 13 RARE NECROMANCY REINCARNATED
Chapter 1:
Frequency once per day
Willowshore’s
RARE FORTUNE REINCARNATED
Return
Frequency once per 10 minutes Trigger You are reduced to 0 Hit points by a creature but
Trigger You fail a Will save. not immediately killed. Chapter 2:
The experience of coming back after death has granted You aren’t sure if you’ll be reincarnated again, so you The Princess’s
you a strong sense of resolve; devilish words, slick spells, might as well take this foe with you. A blast of spiritual Web
and conniving trickery can’t easily catch you off guard. energy lashes out from the depths of your soul, targeting
Reroll the triggering save, using the second result only if the creature who attacked you. The creature takes mental Chapter 3:
it’s better. damage equal to the amount that reduced you to 0 Hit A Fiend in Two
Points (basic Will save with a DC equal to your class DC or Worlds
BONEYARD ACQUAINTANCE FEAT 17 spell DC, whichever is higher).
RARE ABJURATION FORCE REINCARNATED
Continuing
Before your soul returned to the Material Plane, you THIS TIME, BRING THE BODY FEAT 17 the Campaign
interacted with a host of other souls on their way to the RARE REINCARNATED
Horrors
Boneyard. One of these acquaintances owes you a favor. Death sends a soul into the River of Souls. Since your soul Among Us
You can temporarily summon it to come to your aid, and it has experienced not only death but also rebirth, you can
appears as a swirling mass of ectoplasm with indiscernible shift your physical body into the Ethereal Plane for brief Adventure
features and a translucent dagger, the favored weapon of intervals. You gain ethereal jaunt as a 9th-level occult Toolbox
Pharasma. This functions as spiritual guardian, which you innate spell that you can cast once per day. Thanks to your
can cast once per day as a divine innate spell, but you don’t soul’s intimate connection with the Ethereal Plane, you can
need to worship a deity to do so. move at your normal speed while this spell is in effect.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT Ȱɵ FEAT 17

RARE CONCENTRATE EVOCATION REINCARNATED
Frequency once per day
Your soul has accumulated countless particles of
quintessence over myriad deaths and rebirths, and for one
moment, this raw material from the Great Beyond envelops
you and your comrades. Until the end of your next turn,
you and any allies adjacent to you get a +4 circumstance
bonus to AC and are quickened. The additional action can
be used to Strike or Stride.

RELEASE THE LIGHT ʚʖ FEAT 17

RARE LIGHT REINCARNATED VISUAL
Frequency once per day
Requirements You’re below 20 Hit Points.
Many people report seeing a bright light before their death.
You’re one of these people, and at rare intervals when hope
seems dim, the light exudes outward from your soul. You
shed bright light in a 30-foot radius (and dim light for
another 30 feet beyond that) until the end of your next
turn. Enemy creatures in the area who rely on sight must
attempt a Fortitude save equal to your class DC or spell DC,
whichever is higher.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature is dazzled for 1 round.
Failure The creature is blinded for 1 round and dazzled Release the Light
for 1 minute.

81
 Algriever
Some mistake these spiderlike spirits as scavengers looking to loot
abandoned shrines, but they’re actually the opposite: self-appointed
REACTIVE PUNISHMENT guardians of forgotten places of worship, defending the sanctity of
An algriever follows the edicts and discarded faiths and tending sites that have no caretakers. Sometimes, an
anathemas of the deity or faith of algriever’s duties are tinged with sadness and grief, as they mourn the loss
the shrine to which they’re bonded, of those who once attended their chosen shrine. Others are filled with
although they remain neutral in frustration and rage, viewing any who stumble upon their shrine as lapsed
alignment. Regardless of how large faithful at best or blasphemers at worse—sinners who deserve punishment.
the shrine is, an algriever chooses Algrievers have little interest in living creatures until they wander into
three Medium or smaller objects their territory. Once an algriever’s shrine has been breached, they block
in the shrine as their own focus passage until the interlopers pay their respects. Aggressive algrievers steal
for defense, and can use Acolyte’s from travelers or take hostages until their demands for an offering are
Defense against any creature that satisfied. When algrievers suspect someone of committing blasphemy, no
touches or disturbs those objects. gifts can slake their thirst for vengeance.

ALGRIEVER CREATURE 9
UNCOMMON N MEDIUM BEAST SPIRIT
Perception +21; darkvision
Languages Common
Skills Intimidation +17, Religion +17, Stealth +19, Survival +19
Str +4, Dex +4, Con +4, Int +0, Wis +6, Cha +2
AC 27; Fort +15, Ref +17, Will +21
HP 155
Shrine Bond The algriever bonds with a shrine after they spend 24 hours at the
site. While bonded, the algriever gains a +2 circumstance bonus to Perception
checks and skill checks.
Acolyte’s Defense Ǻȓ (attack, move) Requirement The algriever is bonded with a
shrine; Trigger A creature within sight of the algriever damages, desecrates,
or defiles their bonded shrine; Effect The algriever Strides toward the creature;
this movement doesn’t trigger reactions. The algriever marks the creature as
its enemy and gains a +2 status bonus to attack
rolls against that enemy until they select a
new enemy with Acolyte’s Defense.
Speed 30 feet, climb 30 feet
Melee Ȱɵ fangs +19 (agile, magical), Damage 2d12+7
piercing plus algriever venom
Melee Ȱɵ web +19 (range increment 30 feet), Effect web trap
Divine Innate Spells DC 25, attack +20; 5th crisis of faith,
dispel magic; 4th anathematic reprisal (×3)
Algriever Venom (enchantment, mental, poison); Saving
Throw Will DC 28; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1
2d6 mental; Stage 2 2d6 mental and stupefied 1; Stage 3
2d6 mental and stupefied 2
Pilgrim’s Ward ʚʖ (abjuration, divine) Frequency once
per month; Effect The algriever touches a willing
creature and fills it with reverence for their bonded
shrine. As long as the target creature obeys the edicts
and anathemas of the algriever’s bonded shrine, or until that algriever grants
Pilgrim’s Ward to a different creature, that creature gains a +1 status bonus to
all Religion checks and Will saves.
Web Trap A creature hit by an algriever’s web Strike is immobilized and stuck to
the nearest surface until it Escapes (DC 28).

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 To Bloom
Imprecasia Below the
An imprecasia, commonly known as a curse eater, is a solitary fey drawn
to the energy emanating from curses. They appear as emaciated humanoid Web
creatures with shadowy wings, long thin hands with sharp claws, and TARGETING ITEMS
insectile heads with feathery antenna. An imprecasia can cast remove curse Chapter 1:
An imprecasia’s appearance in a region signifies the land is troubled, on a cursed item rather than on a
Willowshore’s
Return
but they’re not unpopular creatures. On the contrary, an imprecasia’s creature, but they can’t use Devour
whereabouts are coveted information, as they have the ability to fully Curse on it. They can only do so Chapter 2:
consume curses on objects and creatures. Many carrying the weight of on an item that’s of a level equal The Princess’s
a curse seek out curse eaters, most of whom will gladly accept doomed to or less than their own level; on Web
objects or charitably destroy an individual’s curse. a success, the item is uncursed for
An imprecasia will never accept the idea of healing a cursed land or 24 hours if it’s of a level equal to or Chapter 3:
blighted region. One might even seek to strengthen the afflictions on a higher than the imprecasia’s level –4, A Fiend in Two
region simply to ensure a regular supply of food. A bolder imprecasia or uncursed permanently if it’s lower Worlds
tracks cursed families over generations, feeding off their misfortune until level than that.
the curse ends or the bloodline dies off. Any who attempt to destroy such Continuing
curses may find themselves the enemy of an imprecasia defending their
the Campaign
source of sustenance.
Horrors
Among Us
IMPRECASIA CREATURE 11
UNCOMMON CN MEDIUM FEY Adventure
Perception +23; darkvision, scent curse Toolbox
Languages Aklo, Common, Sylvan
Skills Acrobatics +21, Nature +23, Survival +23
Str +3, Dex +6, Con +5, Int +3, Wis +6, Cha +5
Scent Curse The imprecasia can smell the presence of curses of a level equal to
or lower than their own level within 30 feet; this is an imprecise sense.
AC 31; Fort +18, Ref +23, Will +21
HP 180; Immunities cursed; Weaknesses cold iron 10; Resistances negative 10
Drink Death Ǻȓ (necromancy, primal) Trigger A creature within 30 feet of the
imprecasia is dying; Effect The imprecasia inhales, drawing a thin blue
streak of vapor out of the dying creature’s body into their mouth. The
dying creature’s dying condition is reduced by 1, and the imprecasia
regains 2d10+9 Hit Points.
Speed 25 feet, fly 25 feet
Melee Ȱɵ claws +23 (agile, finesse, magical), Damage 2d12+9
slashing plus homeland’s hostility
Primal Innate Spells DC 32, attack +22; 5th blindness,
deafness, hallucinatory terrain, remove curse; 3rd
earthbind; Cantrips (5th) tanglefoot
Devour Curse ʚʖ (abjuration, primal) The imprecasia
casts remove curse against a curse afflicting a
creature, but with a cast of two actions rather than
10 minutes. If they succeed in removing the curse,
they also drains vitality from the creature, causing it
to become drained 1 unless it succeeds at a DC 30
Fortitude save (drained 2 on a critical failure). If the
curse is removed, the imprecasia doesn’t expend that
use of remove curse as a primal innate spell.
Homeland’s Hostility (curse, enchantment, primal) A creature
that takes damage from the imprecasia’s claws must
attempt a DC 30 Will save. On a failure, it treats all terrain
within 60 feet of an imprecasia as difficult terrain.

83
 Argyrzei (Headless Nindoru)
Most nindorus are harmed by silver, but not the argyrzei. Instead,
argyrzeis use silver as a method of spreading sickness and pain, and to
CURSED SILVER help them manipulate the minds of those who unwittingly fall under the
curse of their infected gifts. They delight in disguising themselves and then
INFECTED SILVER CURSE 13 selling or giving infected silver to victims. Other nindorus particularly fear
RARE CURSED MAGICAL NECROMANCY argyrzeis for their mastery over silver, knowing that they’re capable of
Usage curses silver item causing painful wounds with their silver blades.
After 1 minute of carrying infected Argyrzeis appear humanoid, but their feet point backwards and they
silver, it fuses to you. You become have no heads. Their glowing red neck stumps are stuffed with a wide
clumsy 1 and remain so as long as the assortment of knives, blades, and shards of metal. These nindorus represent
curse persists. As long as you remain the cycle of art being created, destroyed, and recycled into new art.
cursed, you take a –2 status penalties
to all saving throws against mental ARGYRZEI CREATURE 13
effects created by nindorus. RARE CE MEDIUM FIEND NINDORU
Perception +23; cursesense, darkvision
Languages Aklo, Common, Necril
Skills Athletics +27, Crafting +25, Deception +24, Occultism +25, Stealth +24
Str +8, Dex +5, Con +4, Int +6, Wis +4, Cha +5
Cursesense The argyrzei can see and hear through any silver object it cursed, as
long as the object is within 1 mile.
AC 34; Fort +23, Ref +24, Will +21
HP 240; Immune death effects; Resistances negative 10, silver 10
Headless An argyrzei is headless but can still hear, speak, see, and smell as if
it had a head. The argyrzei is immune to decapitation effects, such as those
caused by vorpal weapons.
Soul Shred Creatures killed by an argyrzei are difficult to bring back to life
or to animate as undead. The argyrzei automatically attempts to counteract
any attempt to resurrect or animate as undead any creature that it has killed
(counteract modifier +23, counteract level 7th). If the argyrzei who slew the
creature is itself slain, the creature can be brought back from death or become
undead normally.
Speed 25 feet
Melee Ȱɵ silver blade +28 (magical, silver, two-hand d12), Damage
2d8+11 slashing plus 1d6 persistent bleed and 1d6 mental
Occult Innate Spells DC 33, +25 attack; 7th phantom pain; 6th
dominate, illusory scene; 5th subconscious suggestion; 3rd illusory
disguise (at will), item facade; Cantrips (7th) daze, mage hand,
telekinetic projectile
Infect Silver ̂ˬ (concentrate, curse, necromancy, occult) Frequency
once per day; Effect The argyrzei concentrates on an adjacent silver
object that’s no larger than Bulk 2. That object becomes cursed; if the
object is being carried, the object’s carrier can resist the object
becoming cursed with a DC 33 Will save. The argyrzei
can maintain up to five curses simultaneously; if
it infects a sixth silver item, the oldest cursed
item becomes uncursed.
Manifest Silver Blade Ȱɵ (concentrate,
conjuration, occult) Requirement The argyrzei isn’t
carrying a silver blade; Effect The argyrzei pulls one of the broken
silver weapons from the stump of its neck, transforming it into a +1 striking
wounding silver bastard sword. This weapon crumbles into sand if it leaves the
argyrzei’s possession.

84
 To Bloom
Shisagishin (Crooked Nindoru) Below the
The shisagishin takes delight in infiltrating a community and then
disguising itself as the horribly decayed or mutilated remains of a loved Web
one or adored public figure, only to spring to life in its true form during HANDMADE HABITATS
funeral services. A shisagishin epitomizes the cycle of decay giving rise to A shisagishin prefers to roam Chapter 1:
new life. areas already rife with conflict
Willowshore’s
Return
and potential accidents, but it will
SHISAGISHIN CREATURE 12 happily create such a location if Chapter 2:
RARE CE MEDIUM FIEND NINDORU needed. They might poison wells, The Princess’s
Perception +22; darkvision introduce disease to healthy Web
Languages Aklo, Common, Necril livestock, or even collaborate with
Skills Acrobatics +25 (+27 to Escape), Deception +24, Intimidation +22, corrupt humans if it means the Chapter 3:
Occultism +21, Stealth +25 freedom to kill. Cursed towns or A Fiend in Two
Str +4, Dex +7, Con +4, Int +3, Wis +4, Cha +6 haunted roads are sometimes the Worlds
AC 33; Fort +22, Ref +25, Will +20 playground of such a shisagishin.
HP 214; Immune death effects; Weaknesses silver 10; Resistances negative 10 Continuing
Attack of Opportunity Ǻȓ
the Campaign
Burst From Death Ǻȓ (attack) Requirement Initiative hasn’t yet been rolled, and
Horrors
the shisagishin is disguised as a corpse with Manifest Corpse Shell; Trigger A Among Us
creature touches the disguised shisagishin or a coffin or other container the
shisagishin has been placed into; Effect The shisagishin violently unfolds into Adventure
its true form, shredding its decaying corpse shell, and attempts a claw Strike Toolbox
on an adjacent target before it rolls initiative.
Soul Shred As argyrzei, but counteract modifier +21 and counteract level 6th.
Speed 40 feet
Melee Ȱɵ claw +25 (agile, deadly d6, finesse, magical), Damage 3d8+7 slashing
plus 1d6 mental and Grab
Occult Innate Spells DC 32, attack +24; 6th vampiric exsanguination; 5th
hallucination, phantasmal killer; 2nd death knell (at will), item facade; Cantrips
(6th) daze, ghost sound, message
Spread Decay Ȱɵ The shisagishin causes the flesh of any number of creatures
grabbed or restrained by it to swiftly begin to decay. Each of those creatures
must attempt a DC 32 Fortitude save.
Critical Success The creature is unaffected.
Success The creature takes 2d8 negative damage.
Failure The creature takes 4d8 negative damage and is enfeebled 1.
Critical Failure The creature takes 6d8 negative damage and is
enfeebled 2
Manifest Corpse Shell (concentrate, conjuration, occult)
The shisagishin tucks its arms and legs into its
body, drops prone, and manifests a decaying and/
or mutilated humanoid corpse around itself over
the course of 10 minutes of concentration. The
shisagishin can cause this corpse to appear
to be the remains of a specific creature it
has seen before by Impersonating that
creature with Deception. Once its
corpse shell has manifested, until
the next time the shisagishin acts,
it appears to be a corpse. It has
an automatic result of 44 on
Deception checks and DCs to
pass as a corpse.

85
 Path Maiden
Worshippers in Shenmen who devote their every breath to Pharasma only
to defy the goddess with their last sometimes transform, upon death, into
GOSSAMER SASH path maidens. The garments all path maidens wear are the last vestiges of
The jorogumo of Shenmen their former faith, a permanent reminder of their disgrace.
sometimes grant these white and
violet sashes to those who ask them CREATING A PATH MAIDEN
for aid in contacting path maidens It’s best to create custom path maidens to fill an adventure’s specific
for advice. needs.

GOSSAMER SASH ITEM 11 Path Maiden Abilities

RARE CONSUMABLE ILLUSION MAGICAL A path maiden has the incorporeal, spirit, and undead traits and is evil. All
Price 250 gp path maidens gain the following abilities.
Usage held in 1 hand; Bulk L Darkvision
Activate 1 hour (envision, Interact, Telepathy 100 feet
move) Saving Throws +1 status to all saves vs. positive
This lightweight sash of spidersilk Negative Healing
measures 20 feet long when fully Immunities death effects, disease, paralyzed, poison, precision, unconscious
unfurled. White at one end and Resistances All damage 5 (except force, ghost touch, or positive; double
shading to violet at the other, occult resistance to non-magical). This resistance increases to 10 at 9th level and 15
markings in silver thread are stitched at 16th level.
along the sash’s length. When a Imprisoning Grave (aura, divine, necromancy) 30 feet. The soul of a creature
gossamer sash is held by up to 4 that dies within the path maiden’s aura is trapped within its corpse until its
people and they spend 1 hour walking body spends 1 minute outside the aura. While trapped, the soul can’t move
along any road in Shenmen between on to the afterlife but can still be brought back to life or transformed into an
midnight and sunrise, they step into undead creature.
an immersive mindscape (Pathfinder Limited Flight A path maiden has a fly Speed equal to her Speed but can’t fly
Dark Archive 199) that appears to be higher than 10 feet above the ground, and if she ends her turn above a nonsolid
a lonely mountainside road inhabited surface, she vanishes and rematerializes on the last space she occupied over
by path maidens who are (at least solid ground and becomes stunned 1.
initially) favorably disposed toward Apostate’s Shroud All path maidens have an apostate’s shroud unarmed attack
answering questions the travelers that deals mental damage. This attack, which manifests as a whipping lash
might have. Once the path maidens from the path maiden’s sleeves or hem, has the agile, finesse, and magical
have answered their questions or traits. A creature damaged by this attack must succeed at a Fortitude save
are slain (whichever comes first), against the path maiden’s spell DC. On a failure, the creature becomes cursed
the mindscape ends, and those who for 1 hour; if the creature dies while cursed, it immediately rises from death
traveled it are returned to the point as a ghost. If the creature is a lower level than the path maiden that cursed
on the road where they first activated it, it treats that path maiden as an ally and loyally obeys her; otherwise, it
the gossamer sash. manifests as a free-willed ghost. In either case, it becomes site bound to the
site of their death.
Occult Innate Spells All path maidens have a limited selection of occult innate
spells. A typical path maiden has six innate spells—two of a spell level equal to
their actual level divided by 2 (rounded down), and then two more for the next
two spell levels below that. In addition, all path maidens have the following
cantrips (cast at a level equal to their highest-level innate spell): dancing lights,
ghost sound, know direction, mage hand, and telekinetic projectile. The path
maiden’s spell DC and spell attack use high values, as defined on page 66 of
the Gamemastery Guide.

Special Abilities
Select two of the following abilities, or potentially three if the path maiden
is 16th level or higher. For DCs, use the high DC value as defined on page
66 of the Gamemastery Guide.

86
 To Bloom
Blasphemous Aura (abjuration, aura, evil, occult) 30 feet. When a creature in the
aura uses a spell or ability with the healing trait, it must succeed at a Will save
Below the
against the path maiden’s spell DC – 3. On a failure, the amount of Hit Points Web
restored by the spell or ability is halved. On a critical failure, the positive PATH NOMADS
energy becomes negative energy, harming a living target instead of healing it. Path maidens almost always Chapter 1:
Corrupting Doubt (emotion, enchantment, mental, occult) A creature damaged by manifest in feminine forms. Those
Willowshore’s
Return
the path maiden’s hand Strike must succeed at a Will save to avoid becoming who manifest in masculine forms
slowed 1 for 1 round (slowed 2 on a critical failure). are instead known as path nomads. Chapter 2:
Scorn Fate ʚʖ (curse, divination, misfortune, occult) The path maiden targets These undead have the same abilities The Princess’s
a creature she can see. The creature must attempt a Will save against the but tend to travel more widely; they Web
path maiden’s spell DC. On a failure, the creature’s next roll is cursed. If the represent turning one’s back on
result of the roll is a critical success, it becomes a regular success. A success Pharasma’s role as a prophet and Chapter 3:
becomes a failure, and a failure becomes a critical failure. That creature is then manipulator of destiny than of her A Fiend in Two
temporarily immune to Scorn Fate for 24 hours. roles over birth and death. Worlds
Sour Victory ʚʖ (curse, divination, misfortune, occult) Trigger A creature scores
a critical hit against the path maiden; Effect The creature must attempt a Will Continuing
save against the path maiden’s spell DC. On a failure, its next roll to attack the
the Campaign
path maiden must be rolled twice, and it takes the worse result. That creature
Horrors
is then temporarily immune to Sour Victory for 24 hours. Among Us
Vengeful Frenzy ʚʖ (emotion, enchantment, mental, occult) The
path maiden targets a creature within 60 feet that she can see. Adventure
The target must attempt a Will save against the path maiden’s Toolbox
spell DC. On a failure, the target is confused until the end of its
next turn, but it can’t attack path maidens or itself as the result of
this confusion.

PATH MAIDEN
Presented below is a typical path maiden.

PATH MAIDEN CREATURE 12

RARE CE MEDIUM INCORPOREAL SPIRIT UNDEAD
Perception +22; darkvision
Languages Celestial, Common, Necril; telepathy 100 feet
Skills Deception +22, Intimidation +24, Occultism +22,
Pharasma Lore +24, Religion +22
Str –5, Dex +5, Con +0, Int +4, Wis +4,
Cha +6
AC 31; Fort +18, Ref +22, Will +24;
+1 status to all saves vs. positive
HP 160, negative healing; Immunities death effects, disease,
paralyzed, poison, precision, unconscious; Resistances All damage 10
(except force, ghost touch, or positive; double resistance to non-magical)
Imprisoning Grave (aura, divine, necromancy) 30 feet.
Speed limited flight 25 feet
Melee Ȱɵ apostate’s shroud +21 (agile, finesse, magical), Damage 3d10+8
mental
Occult Innate Spells DC 32, attack +24; 6th phantasmal calamity, spirit
blast; 5th crushing despair, illusory scene; 4th dimension door, outcast’s
curse; Cantrips (6th) dancing lights, ghost sound, know direction, mage
hand, telekinetic projectile
Ritual create undead
Scorn Fate ʚʖ Will DC 32.
Vengeful Frenzy ʚʖ Will DC 32.

87
 Heh Shan-Bao
Murderous Fiendish Vessel

Once the governor of Willowshore, Heh Shan-Bao check or DC 29 Society check to Recall Knowledge, a
now exists as a unique brainchild or “yohoi.” PC notes the old stories of “filthy-fingered yohois” that
suggests that the killer was a yohoi.
CAMPAIGN USE False Lead The victim died of fright.
Heh Shan-Bao’s statistics, history, and personality
as a human man are presented in the previous EMACIATED REMAINS
adventure, but in this adventure, he’s a monstrous, Search for Clues Investigate; DC 25 Religion or Occultism
horrific fiend and devious murderer. Full details Minor The body is weirdly withered and emaciated, the
for the three murders he commits are presented in flesh dried like jerky. As a result, it’s almost completely
Chapter 2 of this volume’s adventure, each of which unrecognizable except by its hair, clothing, and context
gives the PCs opportunities to search for clues. These derived from where the body was found.
investigations play out in Exploration mode with the Moderate The cause of the body’s strange appearance is
following activity. due to all of the body’s fat having been supernaturally
drained away.
SEARCH FOR CLUES Major The missing body fat reminds the PC of various
CONCENTRATE EXPLORATION SECRET folktales of cruel and greedy governors who stole so
You spend 10 minutes Investigating a body, object, or much of the people’s wealth that their subjects went
location, or 2 hours Gathering Information from potential hungry and starved—those legends go on to claim that in
witnesses; you then attempt one of the checks listed for death, these governors rose as evil spirits who continued
the examination. An investigator can use Pursue a Lead to plague their people in a much more direct and horrific
when they do so to gain that ability’s bonus to their check manner by draining the fat directly from their victims’
and can use Clue In to aid others in Searching for Clues. bodies, slaying them much more quickly than starvation
Critical Success You discover minor, moderate, and ever could.
major clues. False Lead The body’s strange appearance is likely the
Success You learn the minor and moderate clues. result of some sort of alchemical procedure—perhaps the
Failure You learn the minor clues. murderer was an alchemist or someone with access to
Critical Failure You learn the false lead and believe it to preservative chemicals?
be a minor clue.
MISSING EYES
CAUSE OF DEATH Search for Clues Investigate; DC 22 Religion or Occultism
Search for Clues Investigate; DC 22 Medicine Minor The body’s eyelids are intact, but the eyes themselves
Minor The victim’s body bears gouges to the torso, as if are missing, leaving the bone of the victim’s skull plainly
they sustained a few glancing blows from a claw. in view in the empty holes.
Moderate The cause of death is a potent supernatural Moderate The lack of blood or any sort of incidental
attack that caused the three horrific desecrations to the damage done to the eye sockets suggests a supernatural
body—the missing eyes, the drained fat, and the branded necromantic effect harvested them after death occurred.
wrists. It’s very likely that the claws used to create the Major The PC recalls legends of souls that were bound
minor wounds inflicted greater damage that wouldn’t beyond death by a necromancer who blinded the corpses
leave physical evidence, most likely mental damage. so that their spirits would be unable to find their way
Major The PC discovers and extracts a long, dirty fingernail back to the world of the living, and the practice is thus
from one of the body’s wounds that seemed to have often seen in rites intended to trap the soul of the victim.
come off during the attack. A few moments after the False Lead The missing eyes were likely gouged out by
fingernail is pulled from the victim’s body, it fades away some sort of artisan’s tool—perhaps the murderer was a
in waft of smoke. With a successful DC 25 Occultism crafter of some sort?

88
 To Bloom
WRIST RUNES butterflies); 6th death knell, phantasmal killer (×3,
Below the
Search for Clues Investigate; DC 27 Religion or Occultism image resembles Kugaptee); 5th dimension door (×2),
Minor The knot-like wrist markings appear to be branded shatter (×3); Cantrips (7th) ghost sound, message Web
onto the flesh from red-hot manacles. Steal Soul Ǻȓ (death, necromancy, occult) Trigger Heh
Moderate The knot-like design of the markings evokes the Shan-Bao casts death knell on a 10th- or lower-level Chapter 1:
tangled shape of the unholy symbol of Kugaptee. creature Effect If the death knell kills the target,
Willowshore’s
Return
Major Metaphorically, the wrist runes imply that the the target’s eyes vanish, all fat drains from its
victim’s soul has been claimed and given to Kugaptee body, and burnt brands manifest around the wrists Chapter 2:
as a sacrifice; they’re likely the result of a supernatural as the target’s soul is siphoned into the corrupted The Princess’s
effect that manifested just as the victim died. Willowshore mindscape. The target can’t be returned Web
False Lead The wrist markings are distorted brands applied to life through any means, even powerful magic like
by red-hot manacles, likely applied before death and wish, until the corrupted Willowshore mindscape is Chapter 3:
then partially healed. Perhaps the murderer is a farmer destroyed. A Fiend in Two
or stabler—someone who has experience with branding Worlds
flesh and who used some sort of healing magic to “set”
the brands quickly? Continuing
the Campaign
HEH SHAN-BAO CREATURE 13 Horrors
UNIQUE CE MEDIUM FIEND ILLUSION MENTAL Among Us
Male variant brainchild (Pathfinder Bestiary 3 38)
Perception +23; darkvision Adventure
Languages telepathy 100 feet, universal language Toolbox
Skills Arcana + 24, Deception +27, Intimidation +27, Religion
+23, Society +24, Stealth +25, Willowshore Lore +24
Str +7, Dex +6, Con +5, Int +5, Wis +4, Cha +8
Universal Language As brainchild.
Urban Legend As brainchild. Abilities that can be
disbelieved include his resistance to physical damage,
his frightful presence, the slashing damage from his
Strikes, and his 7th-level innate spells.
AC 35; Fort +24, Ref +25, Will +21
HP 180; Immunities death effects, detection, diseased,
doomed, necromancy, scrying; Weaknesses sonic 15,
mental 15; Resistances physical 15 (except silver)
Fear of Flutes The first time in any round when someone
plays a flute within 30 feet of Heh Shan-Bao, he must
attempt a Will save against the flute player’s Performance
DC. This DC increases by 4 if the flute player is someone
(at the GM’s discretion) who’s strongly religious.
Critical Success Heh Shan-Bao is unaffected.
Success Heh Shan-Bao becomes frightened 1.
Failure Heh Shan-Bao becomes frightened 2.
Critical Failure Heh Shan-Bao becomes frightened 3 and
is fleeing until the end of his next turn.
Frightful Presence (aura, emotion, fear, mental) 100 feet,
DC 30
Persistence of Memory (illusion, mental, occult) As
brainchild.
Speed 20 feet, fly 20 feet
Melee illusory claws +26 (illusion, mental, occult, reach 10
feet), Damage 4d8+10 mental plus 1d6 slashing
Occult Innate Spells DC 33, attack +25; 7th phantasmal
calamity (creates a flesh-eating swarm of red nindoru

89
 Ren Mei Li
Jorogumo Princess of Willowshore

A patient and cunning schemer, Ren Mei Li is to Ren Mei Li personally. This arrangement would
determined to increase her sphere of influence in both bolster her loyalists’ allegiances and ensure they
Shenmen. She cultivates unorthodox agents and distrusted her rivals.
approaches with an eye, ultimately, toward claiming If she governed prudently, invested in basic
the throne of Yin-Sichasi. improvements, and refrained from excessive cruelty
Born in the palace-city of Yin-Sichasi, Ren Mei to her subjects, then her fiefdom would become more
Li was immersed in the whispering intrigues of the productive and profitable, enabling her to spend even
jorogumo from the time she opened her eyes. Soon more lavishly on the luxuries she loved. Gratitude
after reaching her majority, however, she became would strengthen her people’s loyalty, making it more
disillusioned with her sisters’ ways, chiefly because difficult for her rivals to undermine her and reducing
it impeded her ability to indulge her preferred tastes. problems, such as banditry, that stemmed from
When the jorogumo court seized control of Shenmen hunger and disorder. And in time, perhaps performers
at the onset of the Age of Lost Omens, Ren Mei Li wouldn’t be so hesitant toward invitations to share
was as cruel and manipulative as her sisters, but time their art in Shenmen.
would see these traits change. After decades of intensive work, Ren Mei Li has
While securing obeisance from terrified subjects developed a trusted network of agents and delegates.
and building her courtly influence did have a certain Her representatives are chosen for ability above all, a
appeal, Ren Mei Li’s true love was performances. rarity in Shenmen, and for the most part, they serve
Be they Hei Fengan fireworks, shadow puppet faithfully. This loyalty runs both ways: Ren Mei Li is
plays, sword-and-silk dance operas, or any of the quick to protect her assets, knowing that the strength
theatrical arts displayed across Tian Xia, they all of her entire network depends on her agents believing
delighted her. Disguised as a human woman, she she’ll exert similar efforts on their behalf.
traveled beyond Shenmen and across the continent While some of her servants are idealists, Ren Mei
to attend the finest shows, but more often than not, Li herself isn’t. The jorogumo is a self-interested
when she tried to coax her favorite performers to pragmatist who pursues good governance because
visit Shenmen and perform for her sisters, they it benefits her, not because she particularly cares
refused. No price in silver was worth risking their about her people. She has no interest in improving
lives in that haunted land, they told her, and they the lot of any subject outside her own domain since
couldn’t trust the country’s jorogumo rulers to keep she considers the contrast between her seeming
them safe, never realizing the woman who they benevolence and the capricious cruelty of the other
spoke to was a jorogumo herself. jorogumo elsewhere in Shenmen to be one of her
Rather than respond defensively, Ren Mei Li key advantages.
considered the problem from their point of view and However, she has found it useful to pretend
soon concluded that the performers’ qualms were otherwise. Ren Mei Li’s ultimate, deeply hidden goal
justified. Shenmen was dangerous, and so many is to seize the silken throne of Yin-Sichasi from Lady
jorogumo were unreliable. In her willingness to Lang Loi. Publicly, she denies any such ambition,
understand this perspective, she realized there was a but it has secretly been her endgame for years. To
great opportunity to strengthen her base of power. achieve this end, she has laid groundwork among local
Ren Mei Li’s new philosophy was simple: if she peasants, ambitious traders, and foreign envoys to
honored all her promises, then people would learn that view the prospect of her ascension as likely to usher in
she could be relied on. If she refrained from promising a golden age of enlightened rule in Shenmen. Should
anything on behalf of other jorogumo, and indeed her faction rise to ascendance, it’s possible that these
made it clear that she didn’t speak for the rest of her starry dreams might even come true, at least to the
kind, then the trust she would earn would be limited extent that Ren Mei Li finds them useful.

90
 To Bloom
CAMPAIGN ROLE Silver Mistwalk ̂ˬ (concentrate, conjuration, occult,
Below the
Ren Mei Li is a key ally for the PCs in this chapter, and teleportation) Requirements Ren Mei Li is currently
potentially for their longer-term ambitions in Shenmen. located within the boundaries of her domain in Shenmen; Web
Although her motivations are selfish, her actions tend Frequency once per hour; Effect A swirling vortex of
to benefit her people. This dichotomy between Ren silver mist rises up from Ren Mei Li’s feet to wrap around Chapter 1:
Mei Li’s nature and the actual effect of her rule might her body like a slowly-rotating tornado, then instantly
Willowshore’s
Return
present interesting questions and dilemmas for some transports her and any items she’s wearing and holding
groups. However, it should be clear that whatever her from her current space to a clear space anywhere within Chapter 2:
reasons for adopting them, her policies do create a her domain in Shenmen that she has visited before, The Princess’s
comparative safe haven for ordinary people trapped in provided she knows its relative location and distance Web
a treacherous land. from her. Since Ren Mei Li has visited Willowshore’s ruins
In this adventure, Ren Mei Li doesn’t fight alongside in the past, she can appear anywhere in the town using Chapter 3:
the PCs in battle—likewise, if they foolishly challenge this ability, but she generally avoids directly appearing A Fiend in Two
her to combat, she’ll do her best to avoid doing lasting inside a structure if she isn’t expected. Worlds
harm, instead using her magic to try to defuse the Spider Legs Ȱɵ (concentrate, occult, polymorph, transmutation)
hostilities using charm and suggestion. If these fail, As jorogumo. Continuing
she’ll use dimension door to retreat and give the PCs Web Trap As jorogumo, but DC 37.
the Campaign
time to calm down, after which she’ll attempt to
Horrors
engage with them again via intermediaries or while Among Us
disguised as a different person entirely.
Adventure
REN MEI LI CREATURE 16 Toolbox
UNIQUE CN MEDIUM HUMANOID
Female jorogumo (Pathfinder Bestiary 3 141)
Perception +29; darkvision
Languages Aklo, Common, Sylvan; tongues
Skills Acrobatics +29, Athletics +28, Crafting +28,
Deception +33, Diplomacy +31, Intimidation +31,
Performance +31, Society +30, Stealth +29, Survival
+27
Str +8, Dex +7, Con +6, Int +6, Wis +5, Cha +9
AC 39; Fort +28, Ref +31, Will +25
HP 295; Weaknesses cold iron 15; Resistances poison 20
Darting Legs Ǻȓ As jorogumo.
Speed 30 feet, swim 30 feet
Melee jaws +27, Damage 3d12+14 piercing plus jorogumo
venom
Melee claw +27 (agile), Damage 3d8+14 slashing
Ranged web +23 (range increment 60 feet), Effect Web
Trap
Occult Innate Spells DC 37, attack +29; 8th charm,
suggestion, summon animal (spiders only); 7th outcast’s
curse (×3), suggestion (×3); 6th dimension door, mind
probe, mind reading (at will); Constant (8th) speak with
animals (spiders only), tongues
Change Shape Ȱɵ (concentrate, occult, polymorph,
transmutation) As jorogumo.
Jorogumo Venom (incapacitation, poison) Saving Throw
DC 37 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 4 hours; Stage 1
3d6 poison damage and stupefied 1 (1 round); Stage 2
3d6 poison damage and stupefied 2 (1 round); Stage 3
4d6 poison damage and stupefied 2 (1 round); Stage 4
paralyzed for 2d4 hours

91
 Next Month
SEVEN DOOMS FOR SANDPOINT A DOOMED TOWN
by James Jacobs by James Jacobs
Return to where it all began! This special double-sized Opportunities for adventure and employment alike are
volume presents a full Adventure Path in a single massive explored in the doomed town of Sandpoint.
200-page book to celebrate the 200th volume of the
Pathfinder Adventure Path. The town of Sandpoint has ADVENTURE TOOLBOX AND MORE!
faced many dangers before, from goblins to giants, demons A wealth of magical treasures, Thassilonian secrets, and
to dragons, and ghouls to ghosts, but what happens when dangerous new monsters await in this volume’s Adventure
seven dooms descend at once? This stand-alone Adventure Toolbox! Don’t miss out on a single Adventure Path
Path is for characters of 4th- to 11th-level. volume—visit paizo.com/pathfinder and subscribe today!

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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE
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System Reference Document © 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors: Jonathan Tweet, Monte product are Open Game Content, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(d). No portion of
this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without
Cook, and Skip Williams, based on material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. written permission.
Pathfinder Core Rulebook (Second Edition) © 2019, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Logan Bonner,
Jason Bulmahn, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, and Mark Seifter. Pathfinder Adventure Path #199: To Bloom Below the Web © 2024, Paizo Inc. Paizo, the Paizo golem, Pathfinder,
Starfinder, and other trademarks owned by Paizo are property of Paizo Inc. All rights reserved.
Pathfinder Adventure Path #199: To Bloom Below the Web © 2024, Paizo Inc.; Authors: Liane
Merciel, with Jeremy Blum, Joshua Kim, and Michelle Kim. Printed in China. No matter how terrifying, I want the truth.

92
 Second Edition

LOST OMENS

Tian Xia
World Guide

paizo.com
© 2024, Paizo Inc. Paizo, the Paizo golem, Pathfinder, Starfinder, and other trademarks owned by Paizo are property of Paizo Inc. All rights reserved.
 Second Edition

Venture
into the
Vault

Give your
character
the perfect tool for
the job with signature
weapons, customizable
relics, and wondrous
items to fit your every
need while preparing for
any eventuality with potions,
elixirs, wands, and more!

paizo.com
© 2024, Paizo Inc. Paizo, the Paizo golem logo, Pathfinder, and the Pathfinder logo are registered
trademarks of Paizo Inc.; the Pathfinder P logo, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game, and Pathfinder Lost Omens are trademarks of Paizo Inc.
 Second Edition

Embrace
ce the
Unnatural Explore a world where cities are built on foundations of genies and
wishes, where undead legions clash against titanic war engines forged
from flesh. Travel a region where magic still writhes and roils from the
wounds inflicted on it, from the cavern depths where all spells lie dead
to the scarred desert where the slightest arcane spark can erupt into a
maelstrom. Can your heroes make their mark on a land ruled by the cruel
egos of so many others, in the heart of the Impossible Lands?

LOST OMENS

Impossible Lands

paizo.com
© 2024, Paizo Inc. Paizo, the Paizo golem logo, Pathfinder, and the Pathfinder logo are registered
trademarks of Paizo Inc.; the Pathfinder P logo, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game, and Pathfinder Lost Omens are trademarks of Paizo Inc.
 Second Edition

Brave the
Elements!

age of Elements introduces the kineticist class,

R with an unending command over the elements.
New elemental spells and items share elemental magic
with all kinds of characters. Explore the majestic
Elemental Planes, including two new ones: the decaying
Plane of Metal, and the vast and orderly forests of the
Plane of Wood. On top of all this come a horde of new
elemental creatures of all six elements, ready to battle
adventurers or be summoned by them. Step through a
portal to adventure with Rage of Elements!

© 2024, Paizo Inc. Paizo, the Paizo golem logo, Pathfinder, and the Pathfinder logo are registered trade-
paizo.com marks of Paizo Inc.; the Pathfinder P logo, Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, and
Pathfinder Lost Omens are trademarks of Paizo Inc.
KUGAPTEE’S GRAVE
1 SQUARE = 5 FEET
D2

D1 D3

D4
 Adventure

New life and fresh death

he eerie curse that afflicted the town of Willowshore might have been defeated,

t but the dangers facing the rural settlement are far from over. As the first days of
spring arrive, conflicts with bandits and political perils threaten the town even as
a greater supernatural peril begins to prey upon its citizens. Can Willowshore’s heroes
save their hometown from its greatest threat to date? The Season of Ghosts Adventure
Path comes to a shocking conclusion with “To Bloom Below the Web,” a complete
adventure for 10th- to 12th-level characters.

paizo.com/pathfinder Printed in China.