Greetings, valiant warriors...
Spellcasters -- be sure to remain aware of exactly how many spells you still have left at the end of the day, decide what if any spells you wish to cast that evening, such as more extended buffs to use up spell slots if any, or before-bed divinations or scrying, etc. in case you want to get rolling that evening.
Then the next day, presumably will have some spells still intact (48 hour enhdurances), will have to figure out what spells might be prepared and scribed as scrolls, what amount of time will be spent on scrying, etc.
NOKU -- I believe that a day spent scribing scrolls or engaged in other magic item creation doesn't allow other magical activities on that day:
"The character can do nothing else while working. During rest periods, the character can engage in light activity such as talking or walking but cannot fight, cast spells, use magic items, conduct research, or perform any other physically or mentally demanding task."
So if Noku wishes to spend 1000 gold making 2000 gp worth of spell scrolls, that will be two days worth of no other spellcasting, including no 'night before' prep spells, no 'early morning' prep spells before starting to scribe, etc. I'm not saying he cannot do it -- but do not assume ANY other spell-casting or suchlike on days where scrolls are being scribed. SO take that into account when planning how many days will be spent preparing for the next foray... As for private Crystal Ball scrying, Noku might be allowed to do that the same evening that you met Magoun -- to set his mind at ease before beginning to prepare for what might be the scariest, most valiant magical endeavor of his life to date...
Noku, having both a fine Knowledge Spirits roll with respect to the hebi-no-onna and also being somewhat interested in what can be made Permanent thanks to having recently acquired that scroll of same (and that getting him thinking about when he can learn the spell himself), had a thought -- what if one reason the hebi-no-onna settled here and has stayed for so long is if she has the Permanency spell herself, and has invested much of her experience in making various spells permanent on herself, her minions, and her lair, so to speak? If she has a special feat allowing her to manipulate magic in the way that those walls of force have been shaped and angled to make a rough dome, then she could, if she had the Permanency spell...
And given that any primary spellcaster's greatest limitation is the one (or two if one is quickened) spells per round, and the insufficent duration of many spells, Permanency may well make a great deal of sense for one of the hebi-no-onna's 5th level spells. She might even have spent time, wealth and energy researching other spells that it might be useful to have permanently in place...such as, for example, minor globe or globe. As she herself can afford to cast many of her spells as higher level spells to make sure they work within such a globe, that would seem to be a useful investment.
It may even be that the witch has forgone going up a level, figuring that a battery of permanent spells on herself, as well as perhaps some lesser ones on her minions, would be worth the experience points needed to do so, even though the cost is significant. Even just a few permanent spells, things like Alarm and See Invisible, would explain why (a) several of the spellcasters seemed to notice Magoun on his earlier visit and (b) even those that didn't appear to see him were apparently alert and ready for action. Although she could not cast Permanency on someone else's See Invisible spell, she might be able to prepare scroll of it, as needed, to allow her naga minions at least the option to permanent a few spells of their own on themselves...
Just another possible factor to take into account -- especially since anything permanent on herself (from that first list, or possibly similar spells she might have researched as appropriate) would be impossible for your casters to dispell. (Although if minor globe or globe was made permanent thanks to special research, because it doesn't move with the caster but instead stays in an area, those would be spells in the third category, able to be dispelled, just not at a great chance.)
HATORI -- I would appreciate preliminary Divination and Scrying decisions, starting possibly with that very evening -- I'm not sure how many higher level spells you may actually have available at that point, whether or not you need to get some sleep first or whatever. Anyways, what do you do first, for Divination, what is your first question, for Scrying, what is your first target, and so on. Multiple attempts of either or both would be even better, although obviously the results of the earliest attempts would quite probably influence what you attempt to divine/scry later.
You might also make sure to decide just what regular or extended prep spells you might cast each night/morning (whichever) as 'insurance' in case things happen at camp. Not that they will, necessarily -- but with your party encroaching upon the middle courtyards, it might be possible for the hebi-no-onna's powers to extend that far, and for her to take an interest in events -- and with the snowfall, even her non-serpentfolk minions might be capable of some kind of scouting...or she herself might be capable of scrying -- you never know with those high-level sorcerers just what paths they may take.
The wording of say two or three divinations might be appropriate, as you can certainly arrange that many on the day after the last foray, and still have a little power left over... Fire up that oracular power and let it rip! :)
ZENAKO -- The Mirumoto Clan have evidently been speaking with Rokuri Buko, the Iaijutsu Master Swordswoman working for the Vanara Shaman. It seems that she is willing to work with them in terms of assisting in the purification of the inner regions -- she actually assisted in their earlier foray into the outer courtyard region and did her part in fighting the tougher breed of gaki in that area, and would apparently be willing to assist further in such efforts. So if you offer the Mirumoto and their new ally the honor of clearing the middle courtyard region of foul undead, all would be pleased to accept that responsibility.
Also, you may wish to discuss with Hatori and Noku just how much time they should plan on spending in preparation. Perhaps even suggest a divination or two to determine whether waiting a few extra days for scroll scribing is worthwhile, perhaps another to determine if asking the Mirumoto and their ally to assist is appropriate, etc.
Also, defining the goals of the party at this point might be appropriate as well.
First, the Incense that is the last major item on Noku's get-it-for-the-temple list is located in the two Meditation Halls just inside the fron corners of the inner courtyard. So that is one goal, which may or may not be easily achieved, either before or after invading the hebi-no-onna's pit of serpents and other minions.
Second, someone mentioned a desire to search the Library -- which is in the middle courtyard region. Magoun did say he didn't see much of value there, but he was moving through it at a decent rate of speed, avoiding minions at the time. If the Mirumoto clear the middle courtyard, they would rightly expect to get what they can find from the Library, as their reward, and they would hope that, like many other locations in this place apparently, there are a few things of value hidden here or there.
Third, which is the primary goal, the retrieval of the Jade Yari or the defeat of the hebi-no-onna?
Clearly, Magoun's desire is the liberation of the four rokuro-kubi sisters including his beloved. That may be achievable without needing to totally vanquish the witch herself. But it almost certainly won't be achievable by Magoun alone...
The Jade Yari, on the other hand, clearly is not within the hebi-no-onna's grasp, and apparently Magoun knows nothing of it in any case. What would be the party's desire if it happened that the Jade Yari could be retrieved without needing to face the hebi-no-onna at all? Would they leave her to her whims and games? Or would they feel honor bound to attempt to defeat her, disperse her entourage, and so on?
It is said that hebi-no-onna do have a definite eye for jewelry (double normal treasure), so it might be a pretty rich haul all by itself. Also, if there is more than one way to get to the Jade Yari, it might be that the Mirumoto would find their way to it first...
These are just some things that occur to some of you at some point, as issues worth resolving. Defining one's goals is the first step to realizing them! And once goals are defined, it would be easier to figure out divination questions, make plans based on the answers, and so on.
-- Ernie III / DrakaraGM
P.S. -- Whew, this IS complicated...no wonder I usually stick with melee machines and the occasional spellcaster as the main boss -- high level spellcasters have WAY too many options for becoming gross and powerful!