GM Bigrin's Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Round 1, Init 23

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17 Reflex

"No! These things are shooting wooden stakes at us! NO FAIR!" Quill says as he moves to H11, drawing an arrow into his bow. It begins to crackle with electricity.

The twigs ignore the pleas for a diplomatic end and the one by Storn flings out a another spray of wooden shards, hitting the big man and Sander as well. Then, it disappeared, reappearing behind Molly. Turning to keep it in sight, the witch missed the other one moving behind her, and she flinched as it jabbed its tiny spear into her backside.

Fort. 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 ... So. What happens?

Reflex save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"Ow, stop that!" Sander yells as he's again pelted with splinters.

Pulling his morningstar, he circles around the twig thing behind Molly, and swings wildly.

Move to F-7
Morningstar: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Also, any clue what these are?
Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

I really hate how dice always seem to conspire against me.

@Molly - you have no idea

@Sander - you are pretty sure they are twig-things

"Oy! No touching the merchandise until the seventh date!" Molly bellows as she shifts into a martial stance and aims a kick at the twig-thing that just stabbed her rump.

Move action: enter Snake Style stance. Sense motive to determine AC vs. twiggen: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Standard action: axe kick. Attack roll 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 for 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 damage.

Knowledge (nature) to identify these little jerks: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"BWWARRGHHH THAT'S IT! I DON'T COME IN PEACE AT ALL!" shouts Storn as the flying toothpicks finally hit him as well. Storn clanks his way over to a little twig thing and makes with the smashing.

Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 Damage: 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Move to H7 and attack.

Round 2, Init 23

Quill fires a pair of arrows at the twig attacking Molly.

1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 10 - 2 = 14 to hit; (-rapid)
1d8 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (1) = 7 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 - 2 = 9 to hit; (-rapid)
1d8 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (2) = 11 cold iron damage.

"Twigjacks!" Molly shouts. "They 'port 'tween underbrush and plants, and they're vulnerable to fire!"

"Now you tell me," Sander mutters.

Storn stomped over and swatted at one of the twigjacks, smashing quite a few of its larger branches. Mariana, bow in hand, pierced the other through with a well-aimed shot. Unfortunately, the rest of the companions did not fare so well, and the twigjacks continued their assault. The spears didn't manage to penetrate anyone's armor.

Enthused, Storn keeps swinging.

Power Attack: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 - 1 = 27 Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 2 = 15

Bobbing and weaving like a snake, eyes seeking out the little cues that will determine the twigjack's attack, Molly flashes her opponent a humourless smile -- and then suddenly the hand holding her crossbow jabs forward, the attached bayonet glinting.

Snake Style - Sense motive to determine AC vs. twigjack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20. Standard action: masterwork bayonet stab. Attack roll 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 damage.

Sander steps back and waits a moment as he readies a fire bomb for the nearest twigjack. 5-ft. step to F-8. Delay action until after Storn goes; if he doesn't kill it, throw the bomb; if he does kill it, Sander will hold on to the bomb and back up a little further (to F-10).

bomb (ranged touch), point blank range: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22
Damage (fire damage): 3d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 4) + 3 + 1 = 11
Splash damage: 7 (DC 14 for half), exclude Molly and Storn
Miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Round 3, Init 23

Quill fires a pair of arrows at the G6 twigjack.

1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 = 18 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
1d8 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (2) = 10 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 - 2 = 10 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
1d8 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (1) = 7 cold iron damage.

Sorry for the delays. Some unexpected RL situations made me forget that I wasn't actually waiting for a post on this thread.

Storn's blow shattered the little twigjack in front of him, sending shards and fragments flying. Mariana shot another arrow into the small bundle of twigs jabbing Molly, the arrow tearing free a few of the creature's vine bindings. Another arrow slammed into the tiny creature from Quill's shot, though his second arrow went wide. Sander backed away even as Molly slashed with her bayonet. The remaining creature stepped to the side and flung another spray of splinters out, covering Molly, Storn, and Mariana in small dots of blood as the bits of sharp wood hit.Mariana flinched away from the sprays, her arrow missing the mark.

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

That made Storn mad.

"BLALARRRGHHH!!!" As Storn is absolutely covered in shards of wood, the gigantic warrior completely loses his temper. Swinging around Aggrimosh wildly, the hammer actually bursts into flame as he makes for the twigjack!

Attack+Power Attack+Sacred Weapon: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 1 = 25 Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 = 17 Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Move to G5, burn a round from sacred weapon to add the flaming property.

Reflex save 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Molly hisses with pain -- but again manages to duck the worst of the damage. The Witch bobs and weaves while eyeing her enemy for cues to its next attack -- and then lashes out again with her bayonet!

Move: Snake Style - Sense motive to determine AC vs. twiggy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Standard action: Bayonet attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 damage.

Round 4, Init 23

Quill fires a pair of arrows at the remaining twigjack...who is covered by many enemies. But Quill fires anyway, trusting his friends to avoid the arrows (or any anger after the electric bolts find their backsides).

1d20 + 10 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 - 4 = 21 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS-cover)
1d8 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (5) + 5 + (3) = 13 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 10 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 - 4 = 14 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS-cover)
1d8 + 5 + 1d4 ⇒ (7) + 5 + (3) = 15 cold iron damage.

Sander waits and watches, not wanting to catch one of his friends in his bomb blast.

He looks around for any more of the creatures or other threats.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

The last of the twigjacks was torn apart as the group converged on it. Once the limp bundle of twigs lay on the ground, there were no more threats to be seen.

"Who needs a healing hex? Besides me?" Molly asks, wincing at her injuries.

Healing hex on me: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Storn grumbles and starts yanking little twigs out of his armour, which is bloody-red after the initial attack. He pulls out his wand and starts jamming it in his wounds.

"Irritating little bastards... made me blaspheme..."

CLW: 6d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 2, 1, 1, 7, 5) + 6 = 29

Healed up, Storn offers his wand to anyone who wants it before he approaches to - cautiously - check out the doors.

"Uh, Marrowbone, you should probably take a look at these doors before I kick them open."

Storn's CLW wand is avialable for us. 29 charges remaining.

Put me down for 16 hp, please.

I could use one, please, Molly. 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Sander will also drink his extract of CLW 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Sander gets ready for Storn's kicking.

"Maybe we can just try to open them normally, so we don't further destroy this beautiful place?" he asks, without much hope of a positive response from the Gorumite.

Quill pulls out the wooden stakes that were shot at him, but declines any healing. He's trying Storn's approach of using a bit of pain to build character....even though the character might be loud, brash, and probably unstable.

Feeling brave, Quill offers to open the doors in case those twig men were the only evil within this demi-place.

"Let's go."

Open door from the side, looking inside.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15 Perception w/low light If it's dark inside, Quill will cast light on a stone and toss it inside.

Quill offers to open the door, in deference to Sander's desire not to simply smash and burn their way through the beautiful place. And it was beautiful, at least by most standards. As Quill opened the door, the pervasive twilight revealed a broad wooden bridge stretching across a wide, high chamber. From the door, it is difficult to see, but the bridge appears to overlook an exotic garden below. The air pouring out of the door is warm and humid, redolent with the smells of vegetation and hummus. The ceiling overhead was a massive, complex series of star-patterned glass that magnified the rays of the setting sun from across the chamber.

Knowledge (nature) to identify the plants: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26. Perception to look for threats: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15. Detect magic active, Spellcraft if necessary: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Molly sniffs, testing the various scents, and eyes the next room critically.

"With our luck, there's an angry forest nymph or something keeping watch inside," she says. "That or flower faeries. Whatever it is, I hope it's a bit more reasonable than the twigboys..."

Sander whistles quietly at the beauty, hoping the last of the evil might be gone from this place and it can just be serene beauty for a moment.

"I think this place trumps all the hatred and evil outside," he whispers, as much to himself. "All the horrible people who want to do nothing more than kill anyone who's different than them."

He looks around, figuring it's likely too good to be true.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

"With our luck, there's an angry forest nymph or something keeping watch inside,"

"Nymphs, huh?" Quill says with heightened interest and thoughts of Marigold momentarily pushed aside. "You think there might be nymphs in there, do you?" Quill peers around with gusto as he steps in.

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16 Perception

Quill sniffs. He cocks his head.

"Does that smell like hummus to you? Is someone making hummus in here? Ooh...if it's nymphs, I hope one of them is also making pita bread."

Quill steps in further, waiting for others to show up.

Storn looks offended at Sander's remarks.

"I'll have you know I'm very happy killing people the same as me. Gorum isn't choosy."

The big man falls silent, clearly uncomfortable at actually being in a really nice place.

"This a Vault to hold treasure, and those places are dangerous."

"Does that smell like hummus to you? Is someone making hummus in here? Ooh...if it's nymphs, I hope one of them is also making pita bread."

Ducking autocorrect!

The bridge spanned the gardens below in solid majesty. Even when Storn jumped onto it, the structure barely shivered. The air was warm and maybe too much so, with pockets of even warmer air where the ceiling concentrated the last rays of the sun into bright spots. As you walk to the apex of the bridge, you can see the forms of the nymphs that Quill so interested in. Three of them lay on the floor of the bridge, their beautiful bodies scarred and split. They look to have died while guarding the doorway beyond the bridge, an interwoven structure of branches that were now twisted and blackened.

Here's the map

Storn grumbles as he sees the dead nymphs.

"Someone was here before us... how long ago?"

Heal: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

How long ago did they die, and from what?

...redolent with the smells of vegetation and hummus.

%}^##}^*Autocorrect.

I'm trying to parse out what word it was supposed to be and failing. Best guesses, anyone?

Quill holds up a hand, first in the air to stop everyone's movement, then to wipe away a tear for the nymphs.

"Ah man, who would do *this*? This is awful?" Quill says, still holding up his hands to keep the party back. "This is terrible, just terrible. Also, I hope their hummus didn't spoil."

Still keeping the party back, Quill inches up to check on the nymphs and for tracks.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 Heal - how did they die?
1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24 Perception - anything interesting?
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 Survival - tracks

"Got me an uncomfortable thought, just now," Molly says. "Mossmoon. He mentioned Witches being among the enemy. Now, I'm not an enemy, but I'm thinking... Hags. Hags know the ways of the wild and the worst of them practice the dark side of my craft. Also, they like killing pretty creatures... like nymphs."

Detect magic active.

Looking over the forms, it was unclear what exactly had killed them. Magic, most likely, but there was also damage from some kind of blade or claw. As for how long ago, it was difficult to tell. These weren't creatures of flesh and wood, but of wood and sap. None of you were familiar enough with dryad anatomy to really give a good guess, other than "not today".

"This is terrible," Sander agrees, waiting where he is for whatever Quill might find. "I hope it's not hags..."

Once Quill's satisfied that the way is safe, he'll walk forward, shoulders slumped as the fact the pristine area truly has been despoiled sinks in.

"I guess we should go through the doorway? It seems like they're using fire, but I don't really have anything to help against that..."

Quill steps back from the bodies, confused.

"Wait. Are nymphs made of wood? These things are made...of wood. Does that make sense to you? Maybe there is a deadly 'woodusa' that turns things to wood around here! We should be careful!" Quill warns, readying his bow.

"It's horrible...and whomever killed them took the hummus. Let's be careful."

Quill is ready to follow Storn onward, going back to his rear guard of the party.

Storn nods once and heads forwards, pushing Mariana in front of him.

"You! Find traps. I'll point you at things and you tell me if they're going to kill me or if I'm going to kill them."

Storn is barging ahead and relying on Mariana's perception checks to prevent him from being crushed into an intimidating goo.

As soon as Mariana indicated that the doors were safe, Storn pushed them open to reveal a large chamber with a raised dias at one end. On the dias was a throne of thorns. On the throne sat a hideously ugly woman with green skin and horns. To one side sat a bedraggled man, tied up and looking thoroughly miserable.

Here's the map

Knowledge (planes) to identify: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Knowledge (nature) to identify: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

"See?" Molly says, pointing at the horned woman without even a hint of embarrassment. "I told you guys: Hag."

To the ugly creature, she says: "What's the good word, grandma? You gonna let this gonna go easy or hard?"

I swear I never read the AP text. I just figured it out from Mossmoon's ramblings. Now someone shoot it while I keep its attention!

"Who are you?" Sander asks, surprised that there is some other person in here.

Quill remains towards the back, waiting to see if this is the nymph/dryad slayer or something else, Molly's warning about hags echoing in his mind.

"Man, that guy is ugly, bedraggled. Looks miserable."

The man's eyes go wide at the sight of the newcomers stepping into the hall. His mouth is gagged, preventing him from saying anything, but his face is pleading.

P.S.: Molly is now entering Snake Style stance. Sense motive to determine AC vs. Hag: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17

Storn looks to his companions, looks at the hag, and then back to his companions.

"I'll distract her."

As Molly starts talking, Storn starts stalking and he moves purposefully towards the hag with his Aggrimosh held up hdrawn. His voice booms ominously from beneath his helmet.

Storn will go as far as he can until she reacts offensively or threatens the prisoner or so forth. Double move will take him to AG31.

"How did you come to be in this place?" called the crone to you as you walked into the room.

"It took me and my sisters almost three whole weeks and a whole troupe of dwarves to penetrate the defenses. Must've weakened them for you. Very well, I need some more fools to power the spells I need to overcome the defenses of the rest of the place, now that this fool is almost used up. Come, let us get this over with."

With a smooth motion that belied her apparent age, the woman leaped from the throne to stand ready for battle, the words of a spell already on her lips. The plants in the greenhouse below suddenly grew with alarming speed, viny tendrils closing over the bridge and spilling into the room. They wrapped about your legs, trying to hold you in place, and generally making it difficult to move.

The bound human struggles against his fetters.

Strength: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Round 1, Init 12

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Reflex vs. DC15

Quill dances out of the way of the vines and immediately goes a stotic charge in retreat, moving to V22.

He crackles his bow with electricity.