Once Upon a Time in Golarion

Game Master vayelan

As you discuss, in cautiously hushed voices, how to handle Hargulka, Pelipe scans the troll king's throneroom. She sees no obvious religious symbols, icons, or totems on display - not even any primitive approximations of recognizable motifs.

What she DOES see, however, is a large map, written on some kind of animal hide, tacked up on the western wall of the room. A few sites are marked in red, and there are notes written in the runic Giant language, but from this distance it is hard to discern what is written.

Pelipe also notices that the wagon, heaped with furs, seems to serve as Hargulka's bed. What's more, a large, sturdy chest also sits atop the driver's seat of the wagon.

"That looks like a staging map to me, but I'm not sure. At least from my father's works with picking mining sites. Perhaps a tactical map for their attacks on the region?" She then looks to Ahto, "I say we just go in blasting..." Her hands wriggle, indicating she means to cast some spells that harm.

While normally the peaceful one, it's possible she is considering this because of what they've seen and her own physical state. It's possible she doesn't feel she can handle the combat if there are many more trolls to deal with.

If she needs to recast Bull's Strength at this point, she'd do so. If not, and we are still in rounds under the 7-minute mark, she will hold off.

Stayven shrugs and nods, **"I understand. You all make good points. Let us go in, ready to fight. If he wishes to parley, though, I would ask that we at least try."[/b]

Ahto nods in acknowledgement.

"Let us prepare ourselves, and enter. Our plan is to attack until he is defeated. If he surrenders, we will allow him to speak, but we will make no promises of clemency."

Katrine fits an arrow to her bow, but doesn't draw it. Yet. "You're the boss."

Staff in hand and a spell on her lips, Faerin's wooden visage gives a grim nod of assent.

I've rolled up the initiative order and updated the encounter map. The first person around the corner will get a surprise round on Hargulka.
After that, Ahto is at the top of the initiative, followed by Hargulka, then the rest of the party.

Ahto sheathes Burden, then cocks and loads his crossbow. He raises it into a ready position and nods to the rest of the group, signaling his intention to round the corner and loose the bolt at the giant as soon as he has clear line of sight.

He waits a moment, then moves, firing as soon as he has the opportunity.

Crossbow shot: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

I am just going to roll my actions now. I am moving here soon and may/may not have internet for a time until they get us set up in the new place. Here are some dice sets of what she'd essentially do. You can choose the target(s).

Ahto, I'm pretty sure you get your regular first-round action now since you're top of the initiative. That was your surprise round action.

Round One Action:

Ahto drops his crossbow, draws Burden, and moves forward to face the Giant.

Ahto's opening crossbow bolt clatters off the shoulder of King Hargulka's hide armor - or perhaps the troll's own leathery hide.

Seeing Lord Ahto then stride into his throne room, King Hargulka howls in rage - bellowing barely intelligible curses in Giant - before drawing a stout darkwood mace from beside his throne. He swings the weapon at Ahto, using all his monstrous strength in the attack

Hargulka power attack vs Ahto: 1d20 + 16 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 16 - 2 = 18

Ahto manages to parry the powerful strike with Burden, barely able to turn aside the troll's strength.

The rest of the party can act. Pelipe's Enlarge Person spell will trigger after Katrine and Stayven's turns, so Ahto shouldn't obstruct their line of sight yet.

Stayven moves in, darting around the mighty troll king to get a good vantage point on the brutal monarch.

Double moving to get to Hargulka.

Katrine sprints forward and around the corner, Storm at her side. She holds off on commanding him to attack; hopefully Pelipe or Faerin can pull off another blinding spell that will make it safer for her companion to circle around and attack from behind. Instead she fires off an arrow to test the enemy's defenses.

Move and attack with Deadly Aim. No Rapid Shot just yet. Hargulka should be just within range of Point-Blank Shot.

Katrine attack + Point-Blank Shot - Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 10 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 - 2 = 27

Katrine damage + Point-Blank Shot + Deadly Aim: 1d8 + 3 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + 4 = 14

Katrine's arrow sinks into Hargulka's thick thigh.

Stayven slides into position flanking the troll king moments before Pelipe works her magic, turning Ahto into an opponent to match Hargulka's size.

Faerin can still act, then Ahto can take his next turn.

Faerin advances, moving to where she can see in to the unfolding battle as she utters a druidic chant, flame erupting into the palm of her hand.

Cast Produce flame (6 mins)

Ahto engages the giant, swinging Burden with an intent to fell the beast like a tree.

Attack, Enlarged: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 1 = 18 (+2 flanking?)

Damage: 3d6 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4, 3) + 5 + 1 = 15

Ahto and Stayven don't quite have the troll king pincered between them, so Hargulka still has barely enough space to maneuver and evade Ahto's latest swing of Burden.

King Hargulka lays into Lord Ahto with not just his morningstar but also his bare teeth and claws.
The Lord of Tamlyn is able to fend off all but one of the troll king's strikes.

Ahto takes 18 damage from the one attack that hits. There were a couple close calls, though.
The rest of the party can act next.

Taking a step to get a better line of sight, Faerin hurls a ball of pure elemental fire at the troll king, another immediately flaring to life in her hand.

Produce Flame (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Fire: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Stayven takes a step to the side, getting closer to flanking the troll king. As he does so, he takes a moment to study the movements and combat methods of said troll king, looking for opportunities to strike.

[ooc]5 foot step, then move action to activate studied combat.[/ooc[

Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 13 + 3 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 3 = 10s

Finding an opening, Stayven makes a swift and deadly strike with his trusty hatchet. He grins, "So much for talking! Big bastard doesn't seem like the conversational sort."