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Rogzul soars through the cavern to back up Jorgan as the Vanguard stomps through the mushrooms, grabbing his shield and warhammer from his back.
"I know you are in here somewhere!" The Fire Giant screams as he stomps down on several mushrooms. "Show yourself..."
With each yell his warhammer ignites with fresh flames as he steps towards Jorgan.
Wren
Rogzul
Farin
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Vanguard (-17)
Red steam 3 rounds
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Jorgan
Kraygan
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Fire giants (Blue -37)
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Kraygan and Haggis leap off the end of the plateau, trampling mushrooms as they close with the vanguard. Crouching low, Kraygan studies the giant, ready to dodge its hammer as he thrusts out with his lance.
"We've got this one!" Jorgan shouts as he and Spirit turn against the giant in the corner.
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As the giant attempts to complete its orders Jorgan spears him in the back several times while Spirit rends his horns underneath the giant's arms and through his armpits.
Kraygan moves in with his lance, though with all of the mushrooms he can't line up a clear shot.
The blue Fire Giant continues to charge onwards, ignoring Jorgan and runs face first into Wren's invisible wall, leaving behind a fresh smear of blood that seems to hang in the air, slowly dripping down.
Angered the giant heaves his greatsword into the wall.
The blade arcs across the wall to little effect and the giant spins around.
[spoiler=Giant]"They have the way in blocked with Magic. Going to have to destroy them and everything they own. The Captain will find them soon enough."
The green Fire giant stomps through the mushrooms to meet Rogzul, drawing his greatsword in the process.
The blade swings low and catches Rogzul's ankle, nearly severing his foot from his body as it hands on by a few strands on tendon and flesh.
The orc slaves look on at the battle with their masters feebly as the peer out from behind the mushrooms, weak and unable to help with their fists alone.
Wren
Rogzul (73/106)
Farin
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Vanguard (-17)
Red steam 2 rounds
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Jorgan
Kraygan
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Fire giants (Blue -118)
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Round 3, Init 28
Wren laughs as the giant bangs into the wall. "Don't you know that wall is more unbreakable than a dwarf's love for his yak? You'll never break it."
Wren fires his bow at blue.
to hit;
magic damage.
to hit;
magic damage.
[ dice]1d20+12+2+1[/dice] to hit; (Haste, Heroism)
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] magic damage.
[ ooc]Haste (round 3/13): +1 to hit, AC, reflex, attx, yadayadayada. [/ooc]
HP: 79/79
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor) +1 haste
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d6+6[/dice] acid damage.
Effects: mage armor, overland flight
Right: bow
Left:
Iron Ring 0/1 used
Rod Lsr Extend 0/3 used
Rod Lsr Quicken 2/3 used
Firestorm 0/3 used
Staff of Ice: 0/10 used
Acid 0/10 used
Blip: 0 of 72 5' steps
12th Level: The bow counts as a +2 Adaptive Flaming Composite Longbow. Scorching Ray now only costs 1 charge and replaces the arcane bolt. The fireball spell is now under the effects of the quickened metamagic feat though only for the use of a full attack with the bow itself with the fireball itself counting as one of the attacks.
[ dice]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] magic damage.
The half-orc roars as the giant nearly slices his foot clean off, and casts an angry look at the orc slaves peaking at the battle.
"Are you even true orcs? Whimpering behind giants instead of earning your name with blood and battle!?"
He eyes the giant hungrily and mumbles another spell beneath his breathe.
Once he matches the giants size he stabs forward with his spear, bolstered as it is with the anger of his spirits.
Enemies’ Bane (Su): As a swift action, the shaman imbues a single weapon she’s wielding with the bane weapon special ability, choosing the type of creature affected each time she does . The effect lasts for 1 minute. If the weapon already has the bane weapon special ability of the type chosen, the additional damage dealt by bane increases to 4d6
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Wren sticks a single arrow into the giant's back shoulder. Streams of blood flow steadily down it's body as the Fire giant looks near to collapsing.
Though Rogzul looks down and berates the orcish slaves they look as if the fight and battle has been starved and beaten from them. Even the most battle hardened warrior can become susceptible to many forms of torture, including starvation, given enough time.
Rogzul meets the Green fire giant in solo combat as he thrusts his spear at the giant. One of the thrusts manages to catch a major artery as a spray of fire hot blood spurts onto the mushroom below.
Farin sees no time like the present and hops out behind the Vanguard from underneath the mushroom and slashes at the giant's Achilles tendon.
The Vanguard hobbles a moment as he spins around towards Farin, looking at his blade. "I make and I will unmake your little thorn"
Farin's shortsword cracks under the pressure of the assaults, though Farin is able to dive to the ground to avoid the final blow.
Wren
Rogzul (73/106)
Farin
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Vanguard (-51; -2 Str; Disoriented (-2 att + -4 att vs Farin)
Red steam 1 rounds
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Jorgan
Kraygan
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Fire giants (Blue -127)(Green -90)
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"Looks like he thinks yer tiny knife's a big threat!" Kraygan shouts between the giants legs at Farin.
Unable to maneuver Haggis closer through the mushrooms without leaving them both open to attack, Kraygan uses the reach of his lance to stab the Vanguard repeatedly.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Jorgan asks as he kicks Spirit to chase after the giant.
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From the safety of the mushrooms Kraygan juts his lands into the Vanguard's back several times as he pokes neat, clean holes in the giant's armor.
Jorgan gives chase on the giant as Heartspit punctures through the back of the giant's neck, severing its spine.
The Fire Giant squaring of against Rogzul tries to cleave Rogzul's spear in half.
The blow from the greatsword cracks the haft of Rogzul's spear, though it is still usuable for now.
Rogzul is surprised by the sheer strength as the spear is no longer able to defend him and takes two powerful blows from the fire giant.
Wren
Rogzul (8/106)
Farin
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Vanguard (-144; -2 Str; Disoriented (-2 att + -4 att vs Farin)
Red steam 1 rounds
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Jorgan
Kraygan
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Fire giants (Green -90)
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Round 5, Init 28
Wren moves up to get into position to help Rogzul. He casts Grease to hamper the unjolly green giant.
[ dice]1d20+13+2+1[/dice] to hit; (Haste, Heroism)
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] magic damage.
[ ooc]Haste (round 3/13): +1 to hit, AC, reflex, attx, yadayadayada. [/ooc]
HP: 79/79
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor) +1 haste
[ dice]1d20+11+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d6+6[/dice] acid damage.
Effects: mage armor, overland flight
Right: bow
Left:
Iron Ring 0/1 used
Rod Lsr Extend 0/3 used
Rod Lsr Quicken 2/3 used
Firestorm 0/3 used
Staff of Ice: 0/10 used
Acid 0/10 used
Blip: 0 of 72 5' steps
12th Level: The bow counts as a +2 Adaptive Flaming Composite Longbow. Scorching Ray now only costs 1 charge and replaces the arcane bolt. The fireball spell is now under the effects of the quickened metamagic feat though only for the use of a full attack with the bow itself with the fireball itself counting as one of the attacks.
[ dice]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+3[/dice] magic damage.
Rogzul growls as the giant breaks his weapon, angry that he has put so much time into strengthening it, at the risk of losing it now before the final battle with the storm lord.
Hoping the Elfs spell does it's job, Rog takes another couple stabs at the giant, hoping the strain won't completely break the spear.
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Wren plops a good section of grease down on the field of mushrooms.
The giant's legs fly into the air as he twists, falling on his shoulder, allowing Rogzul to spear the fire giant through his ribs. The fire giant spins over, grabbing Rogzul's spear with his hands, narrowly stopping the second strike that would have ended its life.
Even with all of Farin's strikes he is only able to land a single clean slice on the giant's inner thigh hampering the Vanguard further.
Sneering the Vanguard moves to break Farin's other sword and Kraygan's lance.
The Vanguard's massive hammer whirls about dented and cracking both of the metal weapons as it bends Kraygan's lance inward and sends a shard of Farin's magical blade hurtling like shrapnel into a nearby mushroom.
The cloud of steam dissipates as the heat rushes and mixes into the stagnant air.
Wren
Rogzul (8/106)
Farin
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Vanguard (-186; -4 Str; Disoriented (-2 att + -4 att vs Farin)
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Jorgan
Kraygan
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Fire giants (Green -131; prone)
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Kraygan feels the shock from the strike on his lance through his arms and shoulders, rattling his teeth in his skull.
"Oi! Don't mess with me lance!!"
Spirit easily navigates the mushrooms so that Jorgan can come up behind Rog and slap the warrior back into health.
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Jorgan moves in behind Rogzul and resets his ankle so it doesn't flop about on loose skin anymore.
Kraygan's lance punctures the Vanguard's lung. The fire giant drops to a knee as he gasps for his breath for several seconds as his lung collapses in on itself. Eyes growing wide they eventually roll back into his head.
Remaining defensive the remaining fire giant kicks at Rogzul.
The fire giant was hoping to drop the orc in a single kick before standing but only ends up doing all that he can to survive as Rogzul spears him through the gut.
As the last of the giants fall the orc slaves seem to perk up a bit. All throughout the short battle their faces shown a look a defeat. One as if a quick death would have been a sweet release from this miserable existence.
One orc approaches and speaks in a raspy voice, that has not had water in a long time. Underneath his tattered loin cloth is skin and bones. he grunts as he starts with a small lisp as several teeth are missing from malnutrition.
The orcs behind give very weak cheer as the giants in this chamber are removed.
"What is it you wish to do with us?" The orc holds his hands out wide, palms facing outward.
Wren
Rogzul (1/106)
Farin
Jorgan
Kraygan
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Wren circles high, unwilling to land until the fates of the orcs is decided. When they are handled, Wren will come down to examine the magics and look around. With Detect Magic, Wren will scout the two rooms as well, hoping for maps/plans or things to help with the assualt, but will also take magic and loot if it is around.
Perception
When finished, he comes out to check to see how the yakkenhorde is doing (now including the yaktender in the yakkenhorde grouping).
"You fought well, yaktender," Wren says to Fain. "Just remember, my ability to protect you decreases as you get further away from me."
Rogzul looks disgusted at the enslaved orcs and ignores the pain emmenating from his entire body. Kashag flies around him stressed and anxious while his spirits whisper in his ears.
...heal...do not die here...there are more giants to kill...
He shrinks back to his normal size and, after pulling a few items from his downed foe, flies toward the rest of the group, leaving a trail of blood behind him. He takes one of the potions he discovered before handing the other two to the group and heals himself as much as he can without using up all of his resources for the day.
"Thats what I get for not using the dwarves as a shield." He grunts as his wounds close and the flesh knits. He inspects the shaft of his spear and frowns.
"I will not be able to mend this until morning. Unless one of you can. It is a powerful weapon, I do not want to lose it in the coming battles."
He turns to the Orcs with a glare. "What can you tell us of the remaining forces?"
Jorgan shakes his head at Rog. "I'm good eith animals, not weapons. You'll need your own magic or the elf's for that kind of thing."
Jorgan doesn't wait for an answer from the orcs before adding, "Don't worry, your days as slaves and servants are at an end. We just need more information about this place and about your captors so we can go kill them all."
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"Thanks, elf! I'll try to remember that."
Farin eyes the fuse grenades, and says "These could be fun! Not sure what you are going to do with all that oversized stuff, but I am guessing it is worth some coin. Maybe we can hire these orcs to carry it for us?"
"Now, what do we do to repair these weapons?" he says sadly, looking at his swords.
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"What can you tell us of the remaining forces?"
"Don't worry, your days as slaves and servants are at an end. We just need more information about this place and about your captors so we can go kill them all."
The orcs grunt and strain as they speak in hoarse whispers, their eyes dart between the passages. "The clans have united and they are strong. We were taken in raids as tribute to the Storm Tyrant. Most of us were criminals or undesirables even among our own kind, and during our months of captivity we have seen our most aggressive comrades worked to death or torn apart by the bored, cruel fire giants." The orc drops to his knees as another shifts in to help their comrade.
"We tried to revolt against the Overseers recently" Another explains. "They quickly cut us down and took the dead east through that tunnel. " The orc weakly points to the tunnel to the east. "They scattered us at that point to work the mushroom fields." His shoulders slump in defeat. "There is no sense in trying to escape. The tunnels go on for miles and miles as they climb to the surface of the volcano, with several tunnels leading to dead ends."
Not sure what you are going to do with all that oversized stuff, but I am guessing it is worth some coin.
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Wren shakes his head.
"I can repair mundane and mostly useless items, like broken straps and Kraygan's brain, but I can do nothing for your weapons today...or tomorrow, unless I go back to someplace that sells scrolls," Wren says, looking over at his fading Wall of Force.
"Might be we hole up here for the night then? We're in and have done some nice work, but maybe this place will take a few days to conquer, concur?"
"I agree with the el- Wren." Rogzul says.
"These Orcs were unwanted by their own clans, some of them may be cowards or boot lickers. We should keep watch so they do not run to the giants looking for reward."
He growls as he sits on the ground, still in some pain, and closes his eyes as he speaks the strange language only Kashag understands, and he begins making preparations for the spells he'll need after the rest.
Jorgan offers, "Well, if you guys want to rest already that's fine. But we're really just getting going and it'll take us a year to conquer the volcano at this rate."
"Why don't one of you take my spare scimitar and I've even got a waraxe and a greatclub if'n you want those. Take whatever one you want and let's keep going. We can fix your other weapons tomorrow after Rog prays or meditates or whatever over that type of magic. Deal?"
"I havenae got so much as a splinter m'self." Kraygan chuckles. "How 'bout ye let me take the lead. Rog kin stay behind me with his spear. Farin, ye got any spare weapons? Wren, are ye able to make him invisible or somethin? Keep any other Fire giants off him?"
Rogzul looks at the weapons Jorgan is offering and frowns.
"These have half the reach of my spear, and neither has been made to kill giants." He grunts and turns his head as he puts his giantsbane spear away for safekeeping.
"I'll just heal then, and use what spells I've prepared that might hurt the giants." He relents and stands up, waiting for the dwarves to lead onward.
Jorgan says, "Right, let's leaves these orcs here and continue on down the tunnel. We can escort them out later if they can't make it out on their own. They said it's quite a trip to the rest of the giants so you can ride with me if you want, Farin."
Jorgan then leads Spirit down the northeast tunnel heading deeper into the giants' cave complex!
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The orcs are left to their own devices as they cower and huddle in the corner underneath the giant mushrooms as the group stows their broken weapons and continues north through the tunnel complex.
The floor of this wide chamber is covered in recently harvested mushroom stalks. Two tunnels exit the eastern side of the room and two tunnels exit the western side. Two doorways are carved in the north wall of the room, and a low rise stretches across most of the southern wall.
As in the previous chamber, the low rise against the southern wall is 3 feet high and can be bypassed by either jumping over it (Acrobatics DC 12) or spending 2 squares of movement to ascend the steep slope.
The words the orcs in the prior chamber spoke seem to be true. This room serves as yet another of the fire giants’ mushroom farms, but no actual farm labor is currently taking place in this room. A few hours ago, slaves harvested most of the last crop of mushrooms and brought piles of dung and volcanic soil to this room to spread out across the ground to enrich the soil. During the harvest, however, a group of slaves tried to revolt against their overseers and were swiftly cut down. All in all, 13 orcs lie dead throughout the chamber.
Two fire giant soldiers are cleaning up after the recent conflict. The giants are using pitchforks to skewer dead orcs and toss them onto a cart. The soldiers are accompanied by a half-dozen hounds, which roam the room sniffing out any slaves that might be hiding. These hounds resembles a thin, lanky wolf with reddish-brown fur, white claws, and burning, fiery red eyes.
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Farin recognizes the hounds as Hellhounds, though these creatures seem to be much larger and far more advanced. Farin knows they are able to exhale fire into a 10 foot cone as well as being immune to fire.
A typical hell hound stands 4–5 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs 120 pounds. Efficient hunters, a favorite pack tactic is to surround prey quietly, then attack with one or two hounds, driving prey toward the rest of the pack with their fiery breath. If the prey doesn’t run, the pack closes in. Hell hounds track fleeing creatures relentlessly.
Hell hounds are particularly favored by fire giants, as the creatures are immune to fire and share the fire giant’s sense of cruelty when it comes to handling intruders. Only when a fire giant goes too far toward treating a relatively intelligent hell hound like a pet do such alliances begin to falter.
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Farin dismounts, and uses his wand of Heightened Awareness on himself.
He checks to see if the others are prepares, and whispers "Should I check ahead?"
When everyone is ready (and agrees), Farin draws both daggers and sneaks forward to check if there any traps or alarm wires to entering the area.
[
Assuming he isn't found out, he returns back to report.
"Lots o' exits from this cave." Kraygan mutters. "Wren, kin ye do anythin to prevent 'em from running fer reinforcements? If not, maybe I kin go out solo and lure 'em closer before the rest o' ye charge in."
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Farin rushes forward, sticking to the shadows as he ducks behind one of the larger chopped down mushrooms and peeks over.
The Halfling sees six of the Hellhounds sniffing all over the cavern for any stray orcs that may be trying to hide. Farin makes sure to give the Hellhounds a wide berth as he knows they can easily track scents and pick up any that are unfamiliar.
Scanning the area he returns to the others reporting on no visual traps being present in the area.
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Know (Planes)
"Nah, I cannot easily block every avenue and egress, Krayhoff," Wren replies, still unable to truly comprehend how the party is still alive, let alone the magnitude of this place.
He draws the staff of frost from his haversack.
"Them's big hounds of hell, but I think this staff will greet them well," Wren points out coldly. "I'll need to draw the hounds close to get full effect of my spells any can begin my icy assault when you all are ready."
Wren waits for Fain to return and plans to be made.
Rog listens as the halfling gives his report and shrugs.
"If Kraygan is willing to act as bait to group the hounds, then lets do it, I have a few spells that might assist Wren as well."
...oh, your group has plans now...we don't rush headlong into battle anymore?...my haven't we grown... His spirits jest in his ear.
He pulls his smaller, less impressive spear from his back and nods to the group to indicate that he is ready when they are.
Kraygan grins and hefts his lance. "I'll round 'em up, but jus' in case I get cornered, I'd like Wren to blast away without hesitation. So, any of ye able to protect me from cold?"
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Wren looks around for Fain and seem stumped by the yaktender hasn't made himself known or seen.
"Shouldn't he have come back by now?" Wren asks, just itching to use his frosty staff. He turns his attention to Kraygan. "With the fires those hounds breathe, I'd be more worried about that than my ice. At least I'll try to avoid you, they won't."
"I added a little extra to me armor at th' forge tha should help with th' fire." Kraygan taps his adamantine plate. "Didnae consider cold."