Thod runs Carrion Crown - Trial of the Beast
Game Master Thod

Galadan continues to move towards the wall with the rope of climbing. He commands it to move and climb the wall so that Wren and Andrea are benefited the most.

Also, heal 2 hp.

Wren awaits at the wall for the rope to climb and attach itself so that she may climb up.

Take Total Defense.

Andrea shifts her ward to Galadan..

Wren - quick check - how long is the pit lasting. Will look it up if I don't get an answer here.

The troll howls in anger and pain as he isn't used to enemies that fight back - or wounds that don't immidiately heal.

He tries to unleash his frustration on Hastur

Bite 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Claw 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Claw 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

The howl takes on a tone of frustation as the claws are deflected like magic. Some sure hits just seem to be blocked by empty air.

5 rounds, I believe, one per level. About another 2 rounds then.

Wren tries to mentally hurry the rope along.

'Aldous' grins at the beast's frustration, and then continues to systematically rend troll flesh...

Claw #1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire damage.

Claw #2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 1 Fire damage.

Claw #3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 4 Fire damage.

Claw #4: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Fire damage.

Hastur rips apart the second troll. The third one still trapped inside the pit.

You have 2 rounds to get up then. Not sure you are needed - but you have a better view up there.

Wren will try to climb up.

1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16 Climb vs DC 10

At top, Wren will make room for others to come up and look around.

Not sure what round we're on... lol. Or when I get to act again.

Galadan - you have two rounds to climb up.

Realising that the remaining troll is safely contained for the moment, 'Aldous' rends the bodies of the two trolls at his feet, to make absolutely *sure* that they are *really* dead.

I really have nothing better to do with the time we have left, so I figured making sure they don't stand back up again is probably a good idea...

When Wren reaches the top, he smiles, and nods appreciatively.

"That was a timely spell, Wren!"

Wren blushes like a redbird, and flops her wing at Mr. Hastur, abashed.

"I'm just protecting my flock, Mr. Hastur. I don't want anything to happen to you again. Now, mind the pit, the spell should be ending soon."

On her next turn, if she can reach and get behind Mr. Hastur she will. She will offer him save advice as he preps his next attacks. "Hit them hard, dearie."

Wren will touch Mr. Hastur again with Diviner's Fortune. (Diviner's Fortune: +2 (9/day) (Sp) Creature touched gains +2 to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1r. 2/9 used today.)

OMG Hastur is unstoppable

Spider damage on goblins if they are still up

1d6 ⇒ 2

Eh. He is *good*, but as soon as we run into more things with DR, he will be less impressive...

'Aldous' winks at Wren.

"Don't worry, I am sure that we will all be ready to give the beast a rather... terminal... greeting when it pops back up out of the pit!"

He then does a half bow when Wren enhances him.

Kevin begins to climb to the wall.

Galadan climbs the rope up the wall.

Climb (10) 10 + 2 = 12

And if that takes two rounds, he heals 4 hp.

The pit suddenly ceases and an angry and surprised troll stands in front of you.

Everyone can do his turn, Wren, please roll for damage from the pit - I think to remember you get one but on the way to work.

Pleased by the sudden return of the troll, 'Aldous' does his best to tear apart the beast!

Claw #1: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 = 14, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire damage.

Claw #2: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 2 Fire damage.

Claw #3: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 = 15, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Fire damage.

Claw #4: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 = 27, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire damage.

Hastur claws into the troll - but he seems not focussed as half his attempts miss the large hapless target in front of him.

Thod:was 7 damage.

Wren watches to see if Mr. Hastur needs any help or if Galadan/Andrea needs help getting up.

From his higher vantage point, Galadan looks around for other combatant enemies not yet engaged as he loads his crossbow once more.

Perception
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

The goblins seem to have disappeared - none are in sight. But you are sure there must be more targets around.

This currently assumes you are on the souther tower with Hastur. The other tower got swarmed. The northern one would give more views but a troll is blocking the way and it needs acrobatics or AoO to get there.

"Good work, Mr. Hastur. Keep fighting."

Wren will touch Mr. Hastur again with Diviner's Fortune. (Diviner's Fortune: +2 (9/day) (Sp) Creature touched gains +2 to attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, and saving throws for 1r. 3/9 used today.)

I guess I meant to ask if there are any non-engaged enemies I can fire my crossbow at. :P

Was waiting for Kevin - but will give the troll his go now.

Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Attack 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

With everyone behind Hastur the troll keeps to try pummelling this elusive target.

But the attempts seem to lack conviction as the troll takes a five foot step back - somehow not understanding what is happening.

'Aldous' grins at the troll's futile attempts to hit him, and, taking advantage of the beast's obvious confusion, attempts to end it.

Claw #1: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Fire damage.

Claw #2: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 = 29, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 6 Fire damage.

Claw #3: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 2 = 26, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 3 Fire damage.

Claw #4: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 2 = 30, for 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 S/B damage, +1d6 ⇒ 5 Fire damage.

Hastur produces another onslaught on the troll. You see surprise and confusion in the eyes of the troll as he stumbles backwards and falls over the crenellations down to the ground in a smouldering heap - still not understanding what has happened to him.

yes - he is dead - just a flavourful end and not to try to get him somewhere to recover.

Wren smiles as the burning troll is tossed over the walls to finish burning away from her sensitive nose.

Smell of burning troll is less annoying than normal troll smell...one of the smells shows what should be happening to all trolls.

"Nice work, Mr. Hastur. I'm sure my words of comfort aided greatly."

My words gave him the strength...my flock would be lost without me.

Wren smiles and looks around again, seeing if the trolls had any possessions of interest, but also trying to figure out if there might be more trolls still inside.

'Aldous' nods to Wren.

"Yes Wren, I am sure that they did. Shall we explore this place, to see if we can work out what these trolls were doing here? They strike me as not being typical gate guards..."

Leastways, I cannot see the locals being particularly tolerant of them if they were...

Still on edge from the fight, Galadan looks around, certain that something more would pop forward to harass them.

"Is that it.... did we get all of them?"

Andrea waits the few seconds until the swarm disperses as suddenly as it appeared.She urges her comrades to avoid the spiders.

Please note once I summon a swarm I have no control over it so it can be a double edged sword.

You hear some voices and screams from downstairs

هل رأيت مسة الناري - ترول ذهب بوم، بوم ... هاهاها

أنت تخدع - لمسة وسوف plob من رأسك مثل البطيخ

LOL@Thod. :)

Wren's head tilts as she hears but does not understand or recognize the language.

"We are not alone. Are we in the right spot? Were we expecting a fortress overrun with trolls and others?"

Wren takes another look for anything of interest before looking for a way down.

"Anyone see a way down? We should try to keep together. I'm sure we're not alone dearies." Wren continues to babble about all the times she was alone...and it's been *lots* of times.

'Aldous' shrugs.

"Well, the trolls (and those Goblins) certainly seemed to get up here fairly easily... there must be stairs, somewhere..."

As the screams echo through the air, he quickly begins looking for a way down...

Galadan assists Aldous and Wren in searching for a staircase or trap door.

Perception (20)
20 + 14 = 34

I guess judgment is over if no more enemies in sight.

He also remembers to gather up the rope of climbing.

Kevin looks around with the others.
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

Andrea swarms up the rope before..or even whilst, Galadan is pulling it up.

"Well at least we control the high ground" she says

Spiral staircases lead down from each of the towers.

No need to search - I thought I had added them to the map.

Map.

Wren will follow the party down what appears to be the left passage down.

"Come along Dearies."

Walking down you see a single room with four spiral stair cases.

Three goblins try to hide - but their squeaking voices as well as their heads bobbing up to see if you are coming / what you are doing followed by quickly bobbing them down behind cover again make them not very well hidden.

'Aldous' stares down his nose archly at the Goblins.

"They don't really appear to be much of a threat, but I would be happy to finish them off if no-one has any compelling reason not to..."

Since they didn't attack, I am going to assume this is not necessarily a combat encounter ;-) I don't speak Goblin. Does anyone else?

This is a broad chamber with a vaulted roof. A large gate to the outside is still barred by a large beam of wood that likely withstands even a ram. Two large fires burn in the room, and spiral stairways climb up in each corner toward the ceiling. The gate on the far side of the room is barricaded with timber and furniture. This side looks crude and makeshift.

The squeaking of the goblins gets louder as they hear Hasturs voice.

Wren moves forward to address the goblins taking out a scroll as she does. Cast Comprehend Languages.

She will try to address them in Celestial, Auran, then Draconic, Elven, Gnome, and finally Sylvan, each time fluffing her wings and trying to act out words.

She will listen to their commentary and attempts at communication in an attempt to ascertain what they know.

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13 Linguistics

"Come my little goblin dearies, talk to the nice bird."

She will try to determine what happened here and who else might be inside.

Galadan shrugs as Wren does her chicken dance.

"If I could, I would spare the goblins from such torment.. err, I mean at not being able to communicate with our lovely feathermage. But alas, I do not speak the language either."

'Aldous' pauses, as a thought occurs to him.

"If you *really* want to talk with them, and what Wren is doing does not work out, Aldous could summon a creature from the Great Beyond to communicate with them... I am reluctant to do so, however, as it will involve my temporary banishment."

Basically, I am proposing to use Aldous' Summon Monster III SLA to summon a Lantern Archon, which has Truespeech.

"Humanwomanbird funny. Goblin big speak human, big, big. Greenhides dead? Goblins not seen greenhides dead. Greenhides grow back and goblin not. Many goblins, not many Greenhides. Now not many goblins.
Goblins greet greenhides slayer. Goblins want go.

Kevin smiles at the goblins, "Finally my friend Wren's communication skills are appreciated."

Kevin smiles at the goblins, "Finally my friend Wren's communication skills are appreciated."

Maybe the trick was that they didn't understand her in all these strange languages ... Giant should have worked as well as somehow the trolls must have communicated with them.