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Llewewllyn's thoughts on the matter were carefully hidden as he replied in a hoarse whisper, "I'll translate into giant. Gods only know what those on the other side are going to make of all this."
Rather loudly he then called something out in the language of giants in his stage voice, doing a passable impression of the giant they killed.
After some more very convincing bluffs from the party, you hear someone approach the door. it sounds like very heavy hoofbeats.
the bar is pulled off, and the door swings open violently.
Standing just 10 feet from Callix and Llewellyn is a gigantic beast. it looks like a centaur but with too many legs. and much larger. the humanoid torso is a frost giant, and the full creature is 15 feet long.
Behind it you see that the chamber is massive. there is a ring of standing stones where a male centaur is cutting into the flesh of a frost giant hanging from one of the stones.
Spiraling runes etched in white chalk cover the faces of the standing stones, which are painted with fresh blood. The bodies of two frost giants lie on the floor outside the ring. A border of countless skulls, both human and animal, surrounds the pit. A break in the border forms an entrance leading to the edge of the pit. There, a flight of stone steps carved into the perimeter descends into the abyss. The air above the pit seems to waver and ripple as if from heat, though there is no discernible change in temperature.
"What do they want?" the centaur calls out in giant
"They trick us! They have killed the guards!" the giant centaur monster calls back.
Samuel, Ashling, enemies, Letitia, Llewellyn, Callix
I have created a new map doc, this map is too damn big for our little google slide. there is a link in the normal document, or follow this one
Samuel moves forward into touch range, aiming carefully at the huge frost giant centaur. Without waiting for further questions and a swift bold motion, he unleashes a shot over the heads of his comrades "Looks like you're half-iced and half-mad! I guess that makes you a frosty centaur of questionable sanity!"
i'll block their sight, use the door to funnel them!
Driving sleet blocks all sight (even darkvision) within it and causes the ground in the area to be icy. A creature can walk within or through the area of sleet at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can’t move in that round, while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details).
The sleet extinguishes torches and small fires
Samuel shoots the giant centaur thing quickly, doing a good chunk of damage, before Ashling covers the area in a raging sleet storm. the monster is out of sight now.
The giant centaur pulls back into the main room.
You can hear the smaller centaur cast a spell.
The party may act
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 75/75 - AC: 20/14/16 Status: 1 CHA damage
Letitia: HP: 54(+4)/54 - AC: 18/12/15 Status:
Llewellyn HP: 50/59 - AC: 23/21/13 Status:
Samuel HP: 78/78 - AC: 23/18/16 Status:
Ashling HP: 29/61 - AC: (23/19 if cold)21/15/17 Status:NPCs:
Centaur warpriest HP: ?? | AC: ??
Frost Giant Centaur HP: -21 | AC: ??
Letitia grits her teeth as the enemies retreat under the cover that Ashling provided. "It appears we have found the centaur leader described by the witch tree." She thinks about her readings on frost giants and their allies, especially about many-hoofed frost giant centaur creatures. "We'll need to be cautious venturing forth into that large chamber. We would not want to get caught beneath the hooves of that creature."
Llewellyn nodded, "We'll need to be quick to avoid it's hooves!" and with that he snapped his fingers and suddenly you felt a great thrum of adrenaline and everything seemed to slow down!
Callix moves forward, her axe begins blazing in her hand again, waiting for something to emerge that she can strike.
Samuel, taking advantage of the cover provided by the sleet storm, swiftly moves to the edge of the swirling tempest at the door. With practiced ease, he reloads his musket, his movements steady despite the nearby coldness "Looks like our frosty friend couldn't handle the heat! Guess my aim was just too hot to handle!" Samuel chuckles, feeling a sense of satisfaction at having driven the frost centaur into retreat.
As he finishes reloading, he peers through the blizzard, scanning the area for any signs of movement or imminent danger. With the frost giant centaur hidden from view, he remains vigilant, ready to react to whatever emerges from the icy haze.
The sleet storm is effectively keeping the centaurs from attacking you, but they are not sticking around in it to be attacked by the party either.
you know the creature you saw was a Svathurim, a monsterous humanoid said to share a common creation myth with the Frost Giants. They are known to be strong fighters that use their size and speed ot their advantage, trampling over smaller foes or skewring them with a lance or spear.
Like frost giants they are not bothered by cold, and are weak to fire.
Llewellyn buffs the party, and Samuel moves up to the doorway watching for the return of an enemy. None come though.
You hear the centaur cast another spell.
The party may act
One turn will be Ashling fully moving into the storm and due to Snow sight and child of winter being completely unaffected. thankfully Sleet storm blocks all sight, in or out unless you have winter oracles specific Caveats.
Then the Second will be firing her Bow with haste and inspire courage.
Ashling runs inside the Blizzard, drawing her bow I can see through it! And She shoots Arrows from inside the blizzard at the Frost Giant Centaur.
It is a long call, but Samuel apparently sees some centaur legs in between the door frame, the sleet storm and the menhir, and so he tries a far shot "I saw a leg behind that rock!"
Then, quickly reloads the musket.
Llewellyn knew better than to run in alone, chances where the enemy could come to them and he'd be ready. He waited impatiently with his blade in hand and a spell on the tip on his tongue.
Suddenly he shot forwards to attack, leaving a coruscicating series of images!
Callix draws a second axe, switching her hand and readying to throw it the moment something comes out of the cloud.
for
"It's a svarthurim," Letitia informs the others. "Whatever you do, do not get trapped in the open against it! It will charge you with its lance or trample you into the ground!"
Letitia activates her Flight hex and rises into the air.
Letitia continues to fly into the sleet storm, the freezing rain feeling good upon her skin. She rises up towards the ceiling of the cavern, hoping to get a view of the foes
Ashling is able to hit with one arrow, and it deals some damage to the Svathurim. The rest of the group prepares for something to charge into the fog, but at least for now nothing comes in.
Samuel tries a long shot but misses
Letitia flies up, getting a vantage above the storm. the room is massive, with ceilings at about 40 feet up.
The centaur moves to the west a bit and casts a spell at Letitia as she pokes up over the storm cloud.
Letitia immediately loses her sight!
The svathurim can't really make its way into the cloud because it can't tell exactly where the arrows were coming from. it moves to the opposite side of the storm from where it was.
The party may act
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 75/75 - AC: 20/14/16 Status: 1 CHA damage
Letitia: HP: 54(+4)/54 - AC: 18/12/15 Status: blind
Llewellyn HP: 50/59 - AC: 23/21/13 Status:
Samuel HP: 78/78 - AC: 23/18/16 Status:
Ashling HP: 29/61 - AC: (23/19 if cold)21/15/17 Status:NPCs:
Centaur warpriest HP: ?? | AC: ??
Frost Giant Centaur HP: -33 | AC: ??
Letitia swears viciously in Skald as her sight is robbed from her once again. She sinks below the ice storm and unravels the magic binding her sight.
With the centaurs moving out of sight, Samuel goes into the room, maintaining the sleet storm to his right, as he advances, and keeps the coverage of the ice falling, while readies a shot in case one of the centaurs come into sight.
Llewellyn followed Samuel in and he stood ready to try and defend his friend should an enemy come close.
Llewellyn followed Samuel in and he stood ready to try and defend his friend should an enemy come close.
Ashling will keep attacking The frost giant Centaur
Letitia drops down into the sleet storm and uses dispel magic. she still can't see much because of the sleet but her eyes clear up, and it's better than seeing darkness.
Samuel and Llewellyn move up and ready for action.
Ashling peppers the Svathurim with shots, but her aim is just off this time and none of her arrows strike true.
the smaller centaur moves where he can see the party through the sleet. Samuel takes his shot, hitting the centaur. It then casts another spell
Greasy darkness rises from the ground tugging ad Samuel and Llewellyn.
They are both hurt and sickened by the darkness.
the svathurim moves back to where it can see the party.
While moving it pulls out a large bow and shoots it at Samuel
the party may act. Callix 2X
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 75/75 - AC: 20/14/16 Status: 1 CHA damage
Letitia: HP: 54(+4)/54 - AC: 18/12/15 Status:
Llewellyn HP: 27/59 - AC: 23/21/13 Status: sickened (4)
Samuel HP: 36/78 - AC: 23/18/16 Status: sickened (4)
Ashling HP: 29/61 - AC: (23/19 if cold)21/15/17 Status:NPCs:
Centaur warpriest HP: -16| AC: ??
Frost Giant Centaur HP: -33 | AC: ??
Callix mutters, "Storm doesn't seem to be working in our favour," as she continues to look for a viable target.
Seeing the opponents cast a spell, Callix shakes her head, Let's see if we can't stop that.. and casts silence on her masterwork axe.
Her spell completed, Callix moves toward the storm before hurling the axe into it, hoping to blindly strike something in that line -- but knowing, either way, she'll be stopping their spellcasting.
Samuel, feeling the sting of the frosty darkness and the sickness it brings, remains undeterred. As the centaur retaliates with a shot from its bow, Samuel braces himself for the impact, gritting his teeth against the pain.
"Seems like our frosty foes are getting desperate, huh?" Samuel remarks, though his voice carries a hint of strain "But they'll find we're not ones to be easily frozen out of the fight!"
With resolve burning bright despite the darkness closing in, Samuel steps forward through the sleet storm edge and into touch range.
Loading the musket super fast with cartridges, he is able to offer two shots before the caster has the chance to strike on them once more.
Llewellyn feared this was to be a difficult fight, with the centaurs unwilling so far to close to melee range. Also as he discovered to his cost, standing shoulder to shoulder with Mr Samuel was a bad idea...
"Have no fear! We shall pick them off from range!" he cried, his words causing your hearts to soar. He then stepped into the storm briefly, aiming to pop out again shortly.
Letitia hears more fighting and spellcasting, which makes her infuriated that the others didn't learn from her own impatience and instead just let Ashling shoot from the relative safety of the sleet storm.
She pokes her head up above the storm and sees their two foes are close enough that she can catch them both in an area of effect. She casts the spell, hoping that her magic will take hold.
Samuel moves up and hits twice, doing significant damage.
Llewellyn switches to casting buff spells
Letitia moves back to where she can see and tries to confuse her foes.
Unfortunately this time their minds hold strong.
Callix throws her axe, silencing an area.
Ashling does something!
The Svathurim finally has a visible target. it charges Samuel
It is a massive hit with the body of a giant behind it, Samuel is stabbed deep and falls to the ground.
The centaur moves up and casts another spell on Letitia as they continue a magic duel while the others fight with more mundane methods.
So far neither one will bend their will to the other.
The party is up. Samuel is at -5 and bleeding out
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 75/75 - AC: 20/14/16 Status: 1 CHA damage
Letitia: HP: 54(+4)/54 - AC: 18/12/15 Status:
Llewellyn HP: 27/59 - AC: 23/21/13 Status: sickened (4)
Samuel HP: -5/78 - AC: 23/18/16 Status: unconscious/dying
Ashling HP: 29/61 - AC: (23/19 if cold)21/15/17 Status:NPCs:
Centaur warpriest HP: -62| AC: ??
Frost Giant Centaur HP: -33 | AC: ??
Again frustrated that her spells fail to take hold, Letitia decides to just do some damage. She flies over to make sure that her bolt will not catch Samuel, and with an enraged scream unleashes a lance of lightning at them both!
As Samuel lies on the ground, impaled, he struggles to maintain consciousness. Despite the pain coursing through his body, he manages to focus his thoughts enough to mutter a few words "Don't... give up..." Samuel gasps, his voice weak but filled with determination. "Keep fighting... We've come too far to let them win now..."
With those final words of encouragement, Samuel slips into unconsciousness, his fate now in the hands of his companions.
Ashling steps closer, and peppers out more shots from the storms depths. Focusing hard on the frost giant
Llewellyn snarled as he strode out of the sleet storm, "You'll pay for this Svathurim SCUM!"
With a thought he send a trickle of power into his blade, before snapping his fingers leaving a kaleidoscopic trail of images in a straight line towards the frost giant centaur. With the extra force of his magic behind him, Llewellyn's sword flashed out!
Letitia moves to the edge of the storm and unleashes a damaging spell
both of the centaur-things fail to get out of the way and lightning fries skin and fur.
Ashling continues to pepper the bigger target, hitting twice.
Llewellyn zips forward on a ribbon of colors, sliding past the threatening lance and lands a good hit on the flank of the frost giant centaur.
Samuel stabilizes, but is still down.
Callix takes a moment, sizing up her options
Both foes are looking very injured but are fighting through the pain with an almost crazed look in their eyes.
The Svathurim unleases many attacks against Llewellyn. all 5 of him
The mirror images luckily take the brunt of the hits, all shattering. Llewellyn himself takes one lance hit and one hoof hit, bringing him dangerously low on health.
the centaur moves back and drinks a potion, letting the larger ally take your attention for a moment.
The party is up 2X for Callix
Global Condition: |Party Condition:
Callix HP: 75/75 - AC: 20/14/16 Status: 1 CHA damage
Letitia: HP: 54(+4)/54 - AC: 18/12/15 Status:
Llewellyn HP: 2/59 - AC: 23/21/13 Status: sickened (3)
Samuel HP: -5/78 - AC: 23/18/16 Status: unconscious, stable
Ashling HP: 29/61 - AC: (23/19 if cold)21/15/17 Status:NPCs:
Centaur warpriest HP: -73| AC: ??
Frost Giant Centaur HP: -112 | AC: ??
While the party try to give back on the centaurs and survive at the same time, Samuel remains unconscious on the ground, his breathing shallow and ragged. Despite his injuries, his hand clenches tightly around the handle of his musket.
Samuel's mind drifts, memories flickering like distant snow flocks. Yet even in his weakened state, his thoughts are filled with determination, a silent vow echoing through his consciousness: to rise again and fight alongside his companions until the bitter end.
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Badly wounded, Llewellyn knew this was a do or die moment. He simply had to hit the Svathurim and there was a trick he knew that might tip the balance. Grimly he thrust with his sword, aiming for the centre of mass.
Letitia sees the orc withstand a savage beating, surviving only because of his mystical wards. Rather than withdraw or renew his wards, she sees Llewellyn make a final stand!
"Wait until I've hexed him!!" she shouts, flying within range of the svarthurim but outside his reach.
Callix watches, trying to figure out a way to help, knowing there's no way she can heal her companions fast enough to help.
Seeing no choice, she tumbles up to take her place next to Llewellyn, bringing her flaming, glowing axe into play against the giant creature.