On Abadar's Secret Service (Inactive)

Game Master James Martin

Over 1,000 posts! Woo!

Songan's first order of business when he gets back to the colony is to inform the other members of the group about his conversation with Leralt, specifically with regard to the regular contact they should expect from the silver riven given to the group by the Archcanon when they first traveled to Abadaria.

Second order of business is to re-introduce himself to all the colonists, as a year and a half is a very long time to have no contact with any member of the group save for Dr. Krupt. Over the course of the two weeks, he does his best to meet with each of the 39 colonists who are still present, seeing if they had any specific needs that he could possibly help them meet. He also takes special care to go visit with the baby Hope and see if he can check out her birthmark and see if his own knowledge may reveal any further meaning behind the strange sign. After meeting with all the people, he then tries to meet with the People, particularly Tarquin, both to greet his old friend and see if there is any event worth reporting that the good doctor may've overlooked. He really wants to find out how the colonists feel about their sudden re-appearance beyond a generic sense of celebration. Any colonist who approaches him will have their questions answered as honestly as he possibly can; for that two-week period he seems enormously patient and understanding with anyone who has an inquiry. He keeps his eyes and ears open for any oddities among the colonists, anyone who maybe has a different vibe or seems less-than-enthuastic about their return...or overly so.

Next, Songan will spend a day or two exploring the colony as thoroughly as he can, trying to find all the different nooks and crannies, being as thorough as he possibly can. This includes again looking into the secret chamber they found that is apparently Uriah Parker's old digs, re-examining the fresco they discovered the first time and in general trying to find out whether or not the new things they have learned bring anything they discovered there the first time into new light. He makes no attempt to hide his explorations, wishing to be as visible a presence in the colony as he can as he moves from place to place, hoping that by doing so it will be a little more reassurance of the fact that the other protectors of the colony really are back. He does his best to be more than a presence, though; he tries to strike up a genuine friendship with any colonists who seem particularly interested in him personally, hoping that it will help re-integrate him a little more quickly and make it feel more like home.

He begins training with his arms more, trying to put in at least a little time learning the sword and bow a bit better than he currently knows them, as well as expanding his repertoire of songs, ballads, and epics.

All the while, he is making sure he stays in touch with Leralt; each visit of the raven, he has made sure to prepare a small note to tie to its leg to be sure all is well with him and ask if he or the Collective have uncovered any further information about where exactly in the great big multiverse they are and the tidbits of information dropped during their meeting with Uriah.

If I can think of anything else I'd like Songan to do, I'll post that, too, but I assume you'll have a fair amount to report back to me on, OMB! Hope you don't mind the thoroughness!

Leralt found his time among the collective to be productive to say the least. He absorbed their knowledge and ways at nearly a constent rate. He sent the silver raven to Songan from time to time, with little more then a message that he was fine and learning much. But doing as he requested in the return messages. Among his noteable work with the collective he was granted a new understanding of the arcane and crafting. His latest and impressive creation was a familiar of clockwork gears he named Tulos. Still he felt it was time to return in person, if only to check on the colony and bring forth a proposal of his own.

Let me know if any rolls are needed for anything.

Lena spends the two weeks quite productively.

None of the above is secret (other than the first point) so the others are welcome to join if they wish.

Songan will also try to put some time into learning how to draw maps and properly "do" cartography. While exploring the colony, he searches for some basic cartography tools, something he could take with him on their explorations and use to help map out the parts of the island they currently know of.

DM OMB, I shifted one of my level 5 skill points from Survival to Craft (Cartography). Wanted to make sure that was alright with you.

Sounds good to me. I'll be restarting the game later today.

I hope that I speak for the group when I emphatically say: Yay!

Over the intervening days, Dr. Krupt manages to find time to shave and get his hair trimmed once again. The return of the others allows him to once again seclude himself in the lab, except when called out for assistance in one matter or another. He seems rather pleased to go back to simply offering his help only when requested.

GM: Given the unusual circumstances of the campaign, I'm not sure how you want to facilitate the crafting of alchemical items, since we don't have any "treasure" to spend. If there are colony supplies or natural resources to tap into, Gellius will take the two weeks to craft a stockpile of items for use by the colony: antitoxins, alchemist's fire, antiplague...whatever might be most useful.

Two weeks pass faster than anyone would expect. The new colony is a functioning whole, but there's always work to be done and help sought. The People are around more than not, with otters bringing in fish for the pot, foxes watching over the chickens and even one particularly slow-footed and slow-speaking black bear, who calls himself Jasper, bringing in honeycomb and berries. The colonists, many of whom hunted in the old lands, seem to react well to this, and no one seems to miss venison or other wild meats. The cattle, brought from Absalom and tended by two disgustingly filthy minded mountain goats, are thriving and provide milk and the occasional side of beef. All in all, the new colony seems to have found its legs, and a sense of routine has settled in.

Communication with Leralt is regular, if brief. He seems busy and is learning much of the art of construct crafting with the Collective. He also reports that Gordon seems to be content with his new life.

Songan spends time getting to know the colonists again. The party's reappearance following their presumed deaths seems to inspire both awe and fear in the colonists and they treat the party with a mix of respect and a little trepidation, as if they fear they will turn out to be doppelgangers. Still, his personal touch does seem to thaw some of the fears and he finds that the colonists are a close-knit bunch, slow to trust but quick to defend their own. The People, on the other hand, seem somewhat amused by the whole group, and mingle freely. Tarquin is not to be found, and after some asking, Songan discovers him in the tunnels beneath the colony, complaining of all the noise. He also complains, rather curiously, of the smell. He tells Songan that he's noticed some of the two-legs smell rather old, and that he doesn't like the smell at all. Songan's further explorations cover the remainder of the colony, researching the fresco and finding no new clues to their predicament, although..

Songan also discovers that he is not alone in training in arms. Most mornings a cadre of former guardsmen (and women), colonists and People gather to drill each morning as the sun rises. Lena notices as well and soon the practice is attended by most of the colonists, with the People watching with the children. It seems that everyone has developed a basic weapons skill, be it spear or mace or club.

Lena similarly explores, watching the colony and its inhabitants and noting any irregularities she sees. A few times she believes she sees something strange, but it turns out to be a fluke or a misunderstanding. Still, something seems amiss to her, though she does not know exactly what and cannot quite put her finger on it. Midway through the two weeks she visits the Collective. Leralt is his usual self, businesslike and busy with some sort of a collection of gears and metal that he is putting together as delicately as a clockmaker. Gordon is gladdened to see her, however, and seems genuinely happy in his new life, confessing that he has discovered a knack for mechanical things that he never knew he possessed. When Lena brings up the possibility of a trip to the Pale Guardians' lair, Leralt asks her to wait as he would like to attend and is in the middle of a delicate task. She agrees and after a day spent with the Collective, returns home to the Colony. She spends time with Mara, cleaning the small altar to Abadar they keep and getting to know the child, Hope. Hope is small and bright eyed and never without one of the Dire Wolves, who seem to communicate with her without speaking. When she does speak, she speaks in single words, her favorites being 'Wolf, Bear and Hungry.' All in all, she seems a normal, unremarkable child. Except for the glowing star birthmark.

Dr. Krupt spends much of his time in the underground laboratory, concocting sometimes foul-smelling liquids and powders. Still, he usually emerges well after dark with a stock of useful potions and powders and his blood-stopping powders have been very useful with the craftspeople. Also, a helpful family of beavers, proud members of the People and excellent loggers, seem to have developed a taste for some sort of rock candy he has developed, claiming it as spoils for their work in felling logs for the colony.

All in all, it is a busy two weeks and toward the end of it, a feast is announced, to celebrate the Homecoming, as the colonists call it. Leralt arrives on midday of the feast to find the colony in full party mode, with food cooking and cakes baking and a strange series of tubs and tubes bubbling with a thick, gloopy liquid that smells of maple syrup and makes the eyes burn, that one colonist claims 'will serve as good whiskey, oh yes!' As the day ends and evening settles, a long table is set up in the courtyard, with chairs for all and even shorter tables for the People along side.

Josiah stands and holds his hands up, and a silence falls over the crowd gathered. "Friends, we have much to give thanks for and many fallen friends and family to remember. Our lot is not always to live in peace and happiness. Our lord Abadar takes the scales as his symbol: one side represents our treasures, the other our travails. But we live and while we live, we have hope that our treasures will outweigh our troubles, so long as we keep to His ways and laws and lookout for one another. Let us break bread together and remember that we are one people, be we two legged or more, and let us watch out for each other. Let us.."

Josiah's speech is interrupted by a great cracking boom! from the front gate. With a sound of timber cracking, the crossbar on the gate breaks and the doors fly wide open, revealing two hideously ugly giants! Their skin is a pale green, fat and obese, their eyes black like a fish's eye and their fingers, which clutch pieces of driftwood as clubs, are webbed. They reek of salt water and dead fish and from their pendulous breasts it is clear they're female. They let out a shriek of anger that curdles in the air and surge forward, laying about them with their clubs!

Round 1:
23 Leralt
22 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giants

Oh my eyes the post is huge!

Leralt takes in the scene, his mind a whirl with thought as he cast a spell at the enemies. A pea sized orange light races from his hand between the two beast, exploding in flames. Spying something strange.

"Whats that on its head?"

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Knowledge (Nature) vs Giant: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18
Fireball (Ref DC 19 half) vs Giants: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 5, 3, 4) = 17
Knowledge (Nature)? vs Crab Spider: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Edited for perception spoiler.

Oh gawds yes. I saved it repeatedly to avoid losing anything!

Btw you ever get my PM, DM?

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

"Nothing good, we can be certain of that!" the Catfolk answers, dashing forward until he is within 30 feet or so of the giants (if he isn't already), then swiftly drawing his shortbow and taking a knee before nocking an arrow and taking careful aim with the weapon, attempting to hit the small, crab-like thing burrowed into the giant's head, willing a portion of his magical ability into the arrowhead just before he lets it fly.

Swift action to use Arcane Strike for +2 damage and weapon treated as magic for overcoming DR

Ranged Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 1 = 27
Dang it! So close! Man that would've been an epic time for a crit...

Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 1 = 9

perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

"Here we go again"

Lena leaps to her feet, oblivious to whatever clue the others have noiced (unless Catila's song is acive?) and steps up onto the table while swinging her crossbow around into her hands

"By the key, you beasts will not harm this colony!"

aiming over the heads of her allies, Lena focusses her divine energies on the destruction of these foes

Activate judgement to increase +2 weapon damage

Crossbow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 for damage: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Crit confirmation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13 for double damage

aww man could have been a double whammy!

Edit: oops almost forgot Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Here we go again"

Krupt gives Lena a wicked grin. "Yes, we were almost overdue for our annual catastrophe."

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Hmm...giants. Hello, they seem to have picked up some sort of unusual parasite. How interesting."

Krupt pulls a vial from his apron and swiftly downs it. Ingesting a shield extract.

Leralt's fireball explodes among the giants, Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 and Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 , catching the first full force and wounding the second lightly.

Songan's arrow strikes the crab-thing and the giant stops, letting out a pained scream as blood gushes from her ears!

Lena likewise fires his crossbow at the lead giant and is rewarded with a solid THUNK as the bolt hits home, sticking out of the giant's shoulder.

Dr Krupt downs a vial as a shimmering pale force gathers around him.

I sent a PM to Catila. We'll allow her to catch up when she arrives.

The lead giantess, scorched and riddled with arrows and bolts, howls an animal cry and charges forward, swinging her club at Lena! Attack vs Lena: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 Her attack catches Lena as she reloads, doing 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 1) + 12 = 15 damage! The trailing giantess reaches down and grabs a worked stone that was stacked, waiting for a worthy project, and hurls it at Songan! Thrown Rock: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Fortunately, Songan is able to nimbly dive to the side, as the stone hits the table behind him and explodes the wood into a spray of splinters!

The other colonists spring for weapons, while the People either flee or form a guarding line between the giants and the colonists, depending on their natures.

ROUND 2:
23 Leralt
22 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giants

Unless the giants are over 40 ft. tall, those things on their heads dont escape the fireball damage etheir. Btw no info on the gaints?

Leralt cast another spell noticing the reaction when the strange crabs were attacked. A pair of glowing darts fly from his hand to strike each of the crabs. He backs away making sure to keep his distance, he did not want to test his luck with the boulders.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Magic Missile vs Crab 1 & 2: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 41d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Ah man so close

Sorry, the giants are Marsh Giant, usually known to be inbred, stupid and vicious creatures who worship dark undersea deities. And the crabs get cover from their hosts.

Knowledge (Dungeoneering): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Oh, I didn't spot the crab so ill ignore that info for now. Also: OUCH that hurt!

Lena reels from the force of the giant's blow and staggers to her feet, drawing her falcata as she does.

Draw falcata (crossbow now in off hand).
Take 5-foot step to allow for ally to flank.
Change judgement to healing (+2 hp/round).
Enter full defence (AC 22)

"Songan, NOW!" Lena calls out, hoping her ally is able to dart in to the combat

Round 2, Initiative 13

"Right, time to maneuver for best advantage..." says the Doctor, drinking down a flask of foamy red liquid. His skin seems to writhe as ropy muscle builds on his frame, his face distending as his mouth fills with sharp teeth and his fingers thicken and sprout vicious claws. Then he lopes toward the giant attacking Lena, moving just within reach of its club.

Downing a feral mutagen (+2 natural armor bringing total AC to 19, +4 Str, -2 Int, 2 claws +6 (1d6+3) and bite +6 (1d8+3)) and then moving into the giant's reach, trying to maneuver to where he can move into flanking with a 5 foot step next round.

Well...suppose it's no big if I delay until Lena goes, since she's right after Songan in the initiative order.

Songan darts forward, maneuvering so that he is in a flanking position with Lena, drawing his sword as he does so to slash at the marsh giant once he is in range. Just before he swings, he again wills a small portion of his magic into this sword.

Move to flank, then activate Arcane Strike and...
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10

Threat Confirm:1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19
Damage (if Confirmed): 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 = 8

Leralt's missiles hit the things imbedded in the giants' heads and cause the giants to once again let out shrieks of pain.

Songan waits a moment for Lena to move into position, then darts in to flank the first giant! His sword flashes and the giant howls with pain!

Dr Gellius downs a foul looking potion and immediately grows more feral, sprouting fur in strange places as well as claws and pronounced canines. He moves up to just out the giant's reach, ready to spring!

The first giant, seeing she is flanked, howls loudly and launches a quick swing at Songan the lumbers toward Krupt to avoid its situation: Attack 1 vs Songan: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (15) + 16 = 31 Songan is pummeled for 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 2) + 12 = 15 damage!

The second giant suddenly stiffens, seeming oddly controlled, then makes straight at the table, where the little girl, Hope, is cowering behind the dire wolves. The giant's club falls hard upon the smaller dire wolf CLUB: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36 crit confirm 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33, dealing 4d6 + 24 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 3) + 24 = 39 damage to the poor creature.

Your turns!

ROUND 3:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giants

Krupt's voice, harsh and growling, carries over the battlefield. "Hope, climb on Bear's back! Bear! Get her out of here, now!"
Then he steps smoothly into combat range of the giant facing him, clawing and biting, aiming for arteries.

Assuming Lena and/or Songan press the attack, Gellius will step into a flanking position and take a full attack, using his bleeding attack ability. If unable to flank, then he'll still take the attacks (-2 on the attack rolls and no sneak attack damage in that instance).

Claw attacks: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 221d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Damage: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 4) + 3 = 214d6 + 3 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 4) + 3 = 15 Bite attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 Damage: 1d8 + 3d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + (6, 2, 1) + 3 = 13 plus 3 bleed.

Leralt narrows his eyes. Casting a spell as he takes out a small item.

"I think their after the girl. Aim for the crab things if you can. I dare say that something living in their head means they wont survive its death."

Acid Arrow vs Crab 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 212d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 42d4 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

The second damage happens on the next round if it hits.

Round 3

Surprised at Dr. Krupt's transformation, Lena wastes no time in masking best use of the flanking position offered, but made a mental note to ask Krupt about it later.

enter combat expertise (-1/+1)

Flanking attack vs wounded giant: 1d20 + 5 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 - 1 + 2 = 12 for damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8

Lena growls in frustration as her attack fails to find purchase

also heal 2hp from judgement

Sorry again for my absence folks! Ok, battle first, catch up post next. And yes she does use her song

Leaping into readiness along with the others, Catila quickly formulates her plan of attack once the crab-creatures are pointed out to her. Calling upon her new found arcane skills, she calls out to the very elements themselves, impressing upon them her need of their aid.

Slowly a disturbance begins to coalesce in the air, taking on vaguely humanoid shape. Finally two glowing eyes stare back it her in head of a body comprised entirely of air! Make her commands clear, the small air elemental jets off at amazing speed, heading straight for the small crab creature atop the lead giantess' head. Once there the elemental slams it's fists together on the crab's carapace, seeking to crack it open.

Meanwhile Catila spins back to look towards Hope. If one of the other, closer colonists has been able to follow Karput's commands to get Hope on to Bear's back, she then uses her magic to turn the child invisible. If no one else has yet managed to do so, she places the child on Bear's back herself.

Air Elemental attack on crab thing: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Round 1: Cast Summon Monster II
Round 2: Place Hope on Bear OR Cast Vanish on Hope (4 rounds)

ROUND 3:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giants

Leralt casts a spell, creating an arrow composed of acid and arcing it at the second giant's head. The arrow hits and burns into the thing, eliciting another scream from the giant!

Songan NPCing attacks again! 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 6 + 2 = 20, but his assault is knocked aside by the beastly giant!

Lena also attempts to attack, but to no avail!

Catila, suddenly springing into action, spins around as her elemental coalesces. She helps Hope onto the back of Wolf, the larger female, while Bear, the smaller male, growls at the giant and attempts to ward them off with one leg mangled.

Dr. Krupt, his form bestial and hunched, springs at the giant, tearing into it with tooth and nail! One claw and a bite penetrates, nearly driving the giant to the ground!

The first giant, once more surrounded by smaller foes, lashes one swing at Dr. Krupt 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25, then another at Lena 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27 Dr Krupt is hit for 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 4) + 12 = 21 damage, while Lena is hit for 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 3) + 12 = 16 damage!

The second giant, seeing her quarry placed upon the back of the larger wolf, lets out a frustrated howl and swings, first at Catila, then at Bear! Attack vs Catila: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26 and Attack vs Bear: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 Bear is able to duck the swing, though he yelps with pain as he does, but Catila is hit for 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 4) + 12 = 21 damage!

ROUND 4:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giants

The heroes are up!

Leralt aims at the weakened giant. Wondering what would happen when the host was killed.

Magic Missile vs Gaint 1: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) + 3 = 13

Dont forget my acid does more damage this round. ;)

Edit-

Gaah! Sorry! I've been checking the thread for days wondering whose turn it was and hadn't even noticed your summary of Round 2, OMB. Sorry again!

HP Remaining = 13

Yowling in pain from the heavy hit of the giant's club, Songan further presses the attack, again willing a fraction of his magical ability into his sword as he brings it to bear on the giant.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

But unfortunately, the heavy blow has weakened the swing of his arm more than he imagined, and at the last moment his wrist fails him, the sword failing to penetrate the giant's thick skin.

You didn't mention the elemental's attack on the crab thing. Was it a hit?

These things are tough!

Lena maintains combat expertise (AC 19), trying to dodge the giant's attacks while still presenting a threat for Gellius to use for his sneak attack.

Cast flames of the faithful concentration: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 granting my falcata the flaming burst property.

Heal 2hp from judgement

"Abadar deliver us" Lena grunts through gritted teeth

I keep forgetting Wolf is the bigger one. I know she's the alpha, but Bear just sounds like he should be the bigger of the two...

The strike from the giant nearly knocks Krupt full circle, but when he turns back, battered and bloody, there's a gleam in his eye and he retaliates with a lustful snarl, as if he's enjoying this, tearing again with tooth and claw.

Claw attacks: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 151d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Critical confirm: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Claw critical damage: 5d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 4, 4) + 6 = 26
2nd claw damage: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 3) + 3 = 22
Bite attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 Bite damage: 4d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 2) + 3 = 19

Catila, it did hit. I'll note it in the next update post.

The air elemental continues to wail on it's target
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Meanwhile Catila, almost killed by a single massive blow, cries out in pain and surprise. Using her magic to disappear from sight she then quickly scampers away from the deadly foes.
Casts: Vanish (4 rounds)
Move: 20' away from the Giants

ROUND 4:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giants

Leralt casts a quick spell and glowing bolts of force once again strike the first giant. It staggers, lets out a loud sigh and falls face-first onto the ground. Atop its head can clearly be seen some sort of crab-thing, about the size of a dog, which begins to shake itself free of the giant, revealing a hole in the top of the giant's skull and a very absent brain!

Songan's attack is off slightly, possibly due to the ringing in his ears and his attack fails to penetrate the thick skin of the giant.

Lena calls upon the mercy of Abadar and her falcata bursts into flame.

Catila's summoned air elemental hits the marsh giant atop its head, causing the whole creature to shudder. Meanwhile, Catila disappears!

Dr Krupt, enjoying his new bestial form, lays into the giant! His bite and one claw fail to penetrate, but his second claw rips into the thing's leg, ripping out blood and viscera.

The remaining giant, seeing the child it seeks riding away on the back of the wolf, lets out a bellow of frustration and surges back toward the beach, leaving itself open to attack! Everyone can get an attack of opportunity. I assumed if the first giant went down, you moved to the second as well!

The remaining crab spends this round removing itself from the dead giant!

Round 5:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giant and Brain Crab

Your turn!

Seemed his thoughts were on the mark, the parasite can survive without the host. But it is not true the other way around.

"Aim for the crabs, the giants wont survive their deaths. They seem to be puppets for them."

Not about to let the thing go he cast a spell at it.

Magic Missile vs Free Brain Crab: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) + 3 = 11

Hearing Leralt's words and seeing the death of the first brain crab, Lena lets out a loud cry and surges forward in an attempt to finish the last Giant as it turns its back on her.

GM: is there any way I can target the brain crab? Like run and climb up the giant' back etc? Let me know what extra rolls I need to make (or make 'em yourself) on top of the attack. If not it will be a regular attack as below

attack of opportunity: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 7 for damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 plus fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3 plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6

On my turn:

Switch judgement to +2 damage

Disengage combat expertise

Flanking attack vs giant (if I can't target brain crab) falcata: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8 for damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 plus fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5 plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8

Instead, Lena fumbles her sword in a magnificent manner..

2 nat 1s!!!!!? Oh dear....

Attack of opportunity (claw): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Damage: 4d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 6) + 6 = 24 hp

(Assuming we don't drop it with AoOs...)

As the giant moves off, Krupt gives a feral snarl and moves in pursuit. He fumbles a flask from his apron, pops the lid, throws in a couple of additives and quickly downs it as it begins to bubble violently. Then he opens his fanged maw and spits a cone of flame up at the giant's head.

Move within 15 ft, then enacting the flame breath extract. Ref save DC 16, Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 5) = 19 hp.

Attack of Opportunity (I'm assuming still flanking; if not, take the extra 2 off of the attack roll:
Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7

Knowing that his sword has little chance of penetrating the giant's thick skin, considering his previous failure, he takes a quick step backward from the creature and launches into a story about an ancient hero remembered only as Jack and his adventures as a giant-slayer.

Five-foot step back, then activate Inspire Courage. +2 Atk/Dmg for the group.

Just to be clear guys, the first crab's not dead, just it's giant host is. Also OMB, the elemental as been attacking the Crab this whole time, not the giant.

Following it's target down to the ground, the air elemental pounds it's fists into the crab now trying to free itself.
Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Catila, still invisible, places herself in the path between the crab thing on the ground and the direction Wolf took the child. Taking out her hook hammer, she readies an attack against the thing should it try to follow after Wolf.

Damage to the crab is shared by the host. Damage to the host is not shared by the crab. The meat shield dies first.

Round 5:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giant and Brain Crab

Leralt sends three bolts of force at the free crab, striking its carapace and causing it to twitch. Songan's sword flashes in opportunity, but the pale rubbery skin of the giant deflects it. Instead Songan launches into an inspiring tale of giant killing. Likewise, Lena fails to reach the giant, not once but twice! Catila's air elemental finds the crab a much easier target now that it's outside of its host and cracks a series of spidery cracks in its shell. Catila is nowhere to be seen... Gellius' claw lashes out and tears a chunk out of the rubbery giant as it tries to flee. He then downs a hastily concocted potion and breathes flames at the fleeing giant! Reflex: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 The giant, stumbling from the claw's ferocity, takes the blast full on and its skin blackens and bubbles under the heat.

The burnt giant turns and howls at the feral alchemist, then charges back to swing its club at Gellius! Charge!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 It hits, doing 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (1, 4) + 12 = 17 damage to the alchemically changed Doctor!

The brain crab, reeling from the air elemental and arcane assault of Leralt, waves its claws and disappears from sight!

Round 6:
23 Leralt
21 Songan
21 Lena
19 Catila
13 Gellius
10 Giant and Brain Crab

Go go Power Rangers!

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Leralt can tell what spell/effect the crab thing used depending on its DC. Will post actions depending on the result. >;)

Edit-Woot even if it was a 9th level spell he can tell. mwhahaha

Leralt was no stranger to that spell, he cast one of his own to trap it. Not about to let it get away. Shooting out of his hand a massive web lands in the area where the creature had been.

"Seems they can turn invisible."

Cast Web (Reflex DC 18)

Round 5

Lena moves to flank the remaining Giant with Gellius/Songan and attacks with her falcata

Switch judgement to +2 attack

Falcata: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 2 = 10 for damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 plus sneak attack: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3 plus fire damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

WHY DOES THE DICEBOT HATE ME?!

Perhaps you need to sacrifice a virtual lamb to its bloodlust?