Raket squeezes under Zavier's legs and scrambles up the orc in front of him, to the orc's consternation.
Then he stabs the orc right under his arm.
Katrezra steps up to Grok as he fights, touching him with his off-hand and shouting over the din, May The Inheritor grant insight!
War Mind (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it a tactical advantage for 1 minute. At the start of its turn each round, it can select one of the following bonuses: +10 feet to base land speed, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 insight bonus on attack rolls, or a +1 luck bonus on saving throws. Each bonus selected lasts for 1 round.
Racket shoots through Zavier's legs and uses the orc's momentum to swing up on the creature. With a twist and a lunge, Racket's dagger is buried under the orc's arm. Zavier takes advantage of his ally's attack and catches the creature with a roundhouse that drops the orc like a sack of rocks.
Grok drops the table-shield and swings his sword at one of the orcs, slicing a deep gash into its belly and drawing a scream of rage and pain. The creature remains upright, though it appears it could topple over at any second.
Katrezra calls upon his divine power to bless Grok in battle.
The four orcs surrounding Grok bring their weapons down on the oread, but are unable to land a blow. Their leader, however, hurls a bomb at Grok which hits him in the chest . The explosive force affects everyone around him, and several of the orcs stagger back as they get caught in the blast.
Racket moves up to flank with Grok on <orc #4>. He stabs at the orc with his rapier, which he pulled out on the way over. (Now dual-wielding the rapier and dagger, but only going to attack with the rapier for now).
plus
Grok activates Katrezra's blessing for AC.
HP: 25/31
AC: 23
He then finishes off 'his' orc.
Katreza manages to dodge the brunt of the bomb by leaping out of the way (in his own hobbling, old-man sort of way), seeming to gather the flames that licked him and turning them back on the offending orcs with a bestial roar.
Zavier clambers over the catapult and moves to the cowardly orc standing back from the ones that are bravely attacking.
Standing back like sniveling coward? Let Zavier show you how REAL MAN fights!
Racket leaps over the dead orc and dashes into a flanking position with Grok, stabbing the unsuspecting enemy through the back. The orc gasps and clutches at his chest, falling to the ground.
Grok's sword sails through the air through the space where the orc just fell and crunches into the next one in line, nearly knocking the creature down. It still stands, but it's eyes are beginning to cloud over, and the wound is almost certainly lethal!
Katrezra manages to avoid the explosion and hobbles to the side. Roaring at the orcs attacking them, a sheet of magical flame bursts out from Katrezra's hands, catching one full in the face, but only slightly hitting the ones behind him. But the flames were enough to drop the orc that Grok had just hit!
Zavier leaps over the catapult and charges at the leader of the group. Shouting and flexing, he prepares to attack!
The orc closest to Katrezra attempts to hit him, but his blow sails wide of the half-orc.
The remaining orc attacks Grok, but the blow deflects harmlessly off the oread's armor.
The leader steps back and throws a bomb at Zavier, but the charging, shouting, flexing brawler has the orc rattled, and the explosive flies past and explodes behind him. In somewhat ironic timing, the explosion happens at the exact time Zavier flexes, causing the orc leader to cower before this obviously mythical champion!
Racket tumbles around orc #2 to flank him with Grok, then stabs at him with the rapier.
plus
Zavier follows the orc and tries to engage him in a grapple.
Grok keeps on swinging. This time at the top, singed, orc.
A quick scan tells Katrezra the the tide of the battle is in their favor, so rather than wasting spells he pulls a dagger from his belt and takes a jab at the orc before him.
The orc swings wildly at the cartwheeling wayang, but is only rewarded with the "whoosh" of air as he misses by a foot.
As the orc recovers from his swing, he notices a rapier extending through his chest. He clutches at it, but his strength disappears as his eyes roll back in his head and he falls to the ground.
Grok and Katrezra both strike the remaining orc who loses an arm and falls to the ground suffering from a massive loss of blood.
Zavier quickly catches the leader in a tight hold, and despite the orc's efforts, the brawler maintains his grip.
Grok will tie up the leader then help drag the catapult into the walls so that it can be used against future attackers.
Hah! Grok smart. Zavier would have smashed the catapault! To splinters in less than minute.
"Would you like me to finish him off? There's really no point in leaving him alive. These orcs are fanatics."
Racket says casually, making sure the orc can hear him.
"FIND OUT IF THERE ARE MORE COMING."
We have game in Brevoy, where we take sturdy Carts and see who can smash them to pieces fastest. Also another game where barrels fall and we break them beofre they hit ground.
Your games sound... Interesting, Zavier, Katrezra says, looking at Zavier in an only slightly different light because of this information. Do you think you can get any information from their leader?
Not good with talking. Maybe someone in city?
Zavier turns to the leader
I think they are good with torture in city. Maybe you tell what is happening and we go easy on you, eh?
"Doesn't matter what they do in the city. We work outside the law." Racket grins maliciously, again, in a place where the orc can clearly see him.
Grok leaves the others to whatever methods of questioning they choose, he would rather not join. He continues moving the catapult.
The orc leader blusters for a bit, but seems cowed by two things - Racket and Zavier arguing over where he should be tortured, and seeing Grok dragging the catapult to the walls of the city... by himself.
After a few minutes, he admits in stilted common, "Orcs are arguing, so maybe more attacks, maybe no more. Many want to return home with what little they have got. Too many orcs been killed. Skreed has disappeared and many are upset that the city is defended by more humans that we were told. This was to be an easy attack, but it seems we were tricked by the dirty half-orc. I knew we should have just killed tattoo freak."
"I make deal with you, let me go, I tell orcs that we should leave. Not want to have more killed, and now you have catapult and giant like us to move around. Orcs not like that, will want to leave instead of fighting against town again. I tribe potion man. I wise in tribe, they listen to my words."
Zavier continues carrying the half orc towards the town but slows down a bit.
Coward orc telling truth? Zavier not sure...
Grok continues dragging.
You release your captive and he scurries away toward the rest of the orc forces.
As you arrive back at the gate, you quickly realize that another attack happened while you were dealing with the catapult. The hastily prepared gate lies shattered around the ground, and a number of guards lie dead amidst the rubble.
Stunned faces greet you as Grok drags the catapult through the ruined gate. Kurst rides up as you enter the city. He speaks loudly enough for the guards to hear him, "Friends, you certainly surprise us - this is a fine gift. We were attacked soon after you left. The fighting was brutal, but we were able to beat them back. This time, they had a new surprise for us - a giant! A small group of orcs, along with the giant, headed for the Hopespring, and we've got them trapped there now. Care to help take them down?"
Kurst finishes, and a massive boom echoes throughout the city. All eyes turn toward the Hopespring. Kurst looks back at you while his men are distracted and speaks in hushed tones, "I can't order you to face this monster, but I fear it may be more than we can handle alone. Please, it's slaughtering my men!"
I cannot speak for the others, but I shall assist you and your men, Kurst, Katrezra assures the man while he looks at his companions, hoping that they will join him.
Tell them to remember name of Zavier Vitoly. Giant of Port Ice! the wrestler yells at the fleeing orc.
When Kurst tells the tale of a real Giant Zavier's eyes bug out. A real giant! Zavier will see how it fare against strongest man from Brevoy! Come friends!
Grok drops the catapult wherever it was when the giant is mentioned.
Grok draws his giant-sized blade and mutters quietly to the sword.
"IT IS TIME YOU LEARNED THE HORRORS OUR PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE."
He then heads quickly towards the hopespring.
"I guess we're helping then. Let's go deal with it." Racket says gruffly.
You arrive at the top of the hill that leads down to the Hopespring. It is located in a sort of natural dell on the western side of town.
A spring emerges at the top of a short rise, then tumbles down the rocks to form a large pool of fresh water - literally a spring of hope that allows Trunau to exist in this harsh land. But the image is marred - a large giant wades through the pool of water. Chains run from each of the giant's wrist to an orc. A third chain runs from the giant's iron belt to another orc. All around, dead orcs and Trunau guards lie in the water, their blood turning the pool a murky red-black.
The giant and his handlers are the only living beings in the area.
Watching for a moment, you notice another odd sight. A ragged hole has been gouged into the side of the hill near the waterfall. It appears to lead into an open space inside the hill itself!
Giant is chained! Zavier does not like chains. Kill Slaver Orcs and set giant free! Zavier declares coming to a, possibly inaccurate, conclusion.
"He may be chained, but he also may not WANT our help. But... we'll try, I suppose. No promises!"
Racket jumps up on Grok's shoulder as per usual, not wanting to get his equipment wet if the group decides to wade in.
"I WILL ASK THE GIANT IF HE WANTS HELP."
Grok then heads towards the lake, double move. 40'
Zavier walks just behind Grok. You know how to speak Giant? Can you teach Zavier some phrases?
Grok rumbles out a phrase in a deep guttural tone.
He then waits for the puzzled look on Zavier's face and states:
"THAT MEANS 'PLEASE DON'T HIT ME WITH THAT BIG CLUB'."
Grok smiles and continues forward.
Katrezra looks over the giant, trying to determine exactly what type of giant it might be, and if they tend to be friendly or not. He guesses not though, judging by the dead orcs.
Be careful friend, we don't know how he might feel about you getting close.
I was thinking more of REMEMBER MY NAME. IT IS ZAVIER. But don't hit me with club is good too
Katrezra will mumble words in Zavier's ear that sound an awful lot like the language Grok was speaking, as if in response to Zavier, giving no context to his words.
Here is the map for the Hopespring.
None of the orcs or the giant have taken notice of you yet, so you can act again.
(No real weaknesses or special attacks or abilities. )
Grok double moves to X16.
Racket keeps hanging out on Grok's shoulders, ready to stabbity-stab something.
Zavier moves south to Z20 and shouts out what Karetza mumbled in his ear. Then adding
Get out of the water. It is for drinking and Zavier does not wish to taste your filthy hides in his drink!
Katrezra following close behind Zavier says, This is a cave giant, usually aggressive and strong, but stupid. And usually larger, in a sort of stage whisper to avoid being being heard by the orcs. It looks like this one may have been tortured into a sort domestication, those holding the chain are probably seen as its masters, but that may only extend so far as the chain instead of the individuals.
After giving a brief pause for the information to sink in, he looks between the three companions and asks, what is our plan if negotiations are short?
Hearing Zavier call out, the orcs and the giant take notice of the burly human who has appeared on the far side of the pool. Almost as one, the orcs draw their weapons and begin shouting and tugging at the chains, exhorting the giant to move toward Zavier. The cave giant grins and nods, hurrying toward Zavier, nearly dragging the orcs along with it.
"Oh goodie! A giant to kill!" Racket says with seeming glee.
Racket jumps down from Grok's shoulders, not wishing to keep going at his slow pace.
He easily rolls past the nearest orc.
but isn't able to get a good hold on the giant to climb him just yet.
Grok steps forward and attempts to cut down one of the orcs. While he does so he shouts in giant: "KILL THE MASTERS WE WILL SET YOU FREE, BROTHER."
His usual low growl of a voice unleashes to its full avalanche of noise.
Move to X19 and attack Orc 1
Zavier laughs and says Tell Giant, that we are stronger than puny orcs and if he wants to kill orcs he should come with us
Zavier uses a Move Action to get the Bleeding Attack Feat. Five steps south and then hits the orc to the east of him with an unarmed swing.
Seeing that combat is now inevitable, Katrezra will hobble close enough to be within 30ft of his comrades, launching into a rather loud prayer as he does so:
Great Inheritor! Bless the arms of these men as the fight, for their cause is just and their motives pure! Bless us as they cleanse this evil from this town and protect its citizens!
Racket dodges around and attempts to climb the giant, but he does not manage to get into a solid position.
Grok follows his companion, calling out to the giant before slaughtering one of the orcs, sending its head flying across the pool. The giant does not react to Grok's shout, it either doesn't hear it, or doesn't understand it. It does, however, understand what it means when the orc's body crumples to the ground with blood shooting out of its neck. It roars, grabs the chain, and begins swinging the body of the orc around in the air.
Zavier steps forward and opens a massive gash in the face of another orc. The creature looks stunned for a moment, then slowly recovers. It seems that Zavier has dealt him a near-fatal blow, but the monster still stands!
Katrezra calls upon his powers to bless the efforts of his friends!
The giant brings the flying body of the dead orc down in a tight arc and slams it into Grok.
The orc beside Zavier slashes the brawler with his falchion!
The remaining orc shouts at the giant and tugs at his chain, but it appears the enraged beast is ignoring his handlers' commands!