Barrakas 5 998 YK

After pouring over maps at the Eldeen Reaches embassy, the Falcon's Falchions determine the likely target of the strange plant like monsters fleeing Argat--a cairn of burial mounds 35 miles away.

Summoning magical steeds the party moves to the area, battling a trio of strange chaos beasts along the way. They enter the burial mound, defeating a pair of plant monsters, walling up a locust swarm with a stone shape spell and bashing a demonic woman's head in the catacombs below a rotating statue stairway.

Summarizing several gaming sessions here. This log has been neglected, unfortunately

The party discovered the huge bloated creature wallowing in its own secretions, the apparent source of the green poison that had been transforming Argat's townsfolk. Battling their way to the bottom of the worm-weakened caves, they defeat the tentacled bloated creature and the wysts guarding the extra-planar source of the madness. The party emerges from the caves only to be ambushed by several tough ogres, apparently hired to destroy them. Finding clues among their effects to the location of the strange pagoda in the Icehorn Mountains that was the apparent destination of some vials of the green welcome, the party decides that they must back off and hire some more backup from the Blademark Mercenaries, since their last archer also met his death in the caves below.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 3 = 11

Test

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

3d8 + 4 ⇒ (7, 3, 3) + 4 = 17

This campaign is moving from real life to PBP and Vic Wertz kindly moved the campaign log to the PBP boards from the campaign log area. Thanks, Vic

The Falcon's Falchions retreat back to Argat. The natives and Mother Thrissek remain very hostile and the Falchions retreat to the 'safety' of the Eldeen Reaches embassy south of the ancient city. Word was sent for additional back up from the Church of the Silver Flame for Panzadeya and for additional mercenaries from House Deneith.

It is estimated it will take about a month for your henchmen to get here. What do you want to do in the meantime?

Dispel DM amnesia phase

After returning from the lair of the Source of Sehan, the Falcon's Falchions are attacked by quori on the path, killing two and harvesting some spell ingredients from them. Upon return to Argat, the locals have not forgotten Mirrim's offenses and try to attack the party. Frustrated, Mirrim fireballs random parts of town trying to take down the town's mother. The lab gnomes under the City had also been attacked by the townsfolk and the party has them set up shop at the embassy before they ask if they can go home.

By Barrakas 25, the party's henchmen have arrived and the Falcon's Falchions set out for the Dread Pagoda.

I need some general traveling instructions, watch list, basic standard precautions, etc. from the players.

READY NOW!!!

As the Falcon’s Falchions move up the trail to the Pagoda of Evil, Helix looks over his companions. The lovely yet temperamental Lady Mirrim d’ Deneith is typically scowling about the dirt and cold conditions of the trail, while her “meat shield” Hmm, I wonder how that phrase came about Renzor Karn scans the trail ahead, to the sides and the rear. Impressive bow Renzor has. I hope he fares better than the last hireling she had.
Switching to the equally, but more mellow Lady Panzadeya Helix observes that the armor he created for her fits her new Paladin companion Elbon Vlacknor well, considering how he had to readjust it to fit his wider shoulders and chest. It is a good thing that I keep spare material at hand for such occasions. The new Paladin seems to be in a bit awe of his Paladin sponsor. Hope Lady Panzadeya doesn’t let it inflate her ego.
Taking his gaze off of the two Paladins of the Silver Flame, Helix looks for the last companion, his side kick, Stormblade. Stormblade?, Hmm need to ask if that was his given name or did someone place it upon him, or did he just take it up on his own. Maybe it is due to that monstrous sword he has strapped to his back, the thing is bigger that he is tall. He isn’t hairy enough to come from dwarf stock, but he is short for a human. Ah well, I need to start thinking about transferring some magic energy from some of these useless items into something else. Maybe when we finish with this Pagoda I can make a wand or a rod of some practical use.
“Ladies, I would like to set up camp an hour before the setting of the sun, if you don’t mind” Helix addresses his fellow Falchions. “I would like to set up some proper alarms to prevent any night attacks by those Yakmen or their minions. Also I thought that Lady Mirrim could have the first watch, while you Lady Panzadeya would take the last. Of course I will be up for all the watches and figure that good Ranger Renzor would take the last three with me as I understand it he only requires two hours of rest.” Helix, pauses then lays his red and green eyes at the Lady Mirrim, “Lady Mirrim, by chance is that due to a curse? As I recall our previous Hobgoblin companions needed as much rest as the rest of you. Well never mind”, Helix taps his granite left hand on his mithril chin causing a strange pinging noise. “I would also like to place Elbon on the Midnight to two bells watch and Stormblade on the two to four bells watch. Does this agree with you ladies?”
After hearing their responses, Helix Looks up “Lady Mirrim, has your familiar located anything ahead? He has been invaluable in keeping us appraised of any dangers". Helix scans about the area looking for enemies 1d20=1 cannot tell if anything is out there

Well I believe we should continue, and Stormblade please stop staring at the Ladies, and shut your mouth or a Stirge will fly in and choke you!”

Honestly I don’t understand softskins, with all of their hormones and overwhelming obsession with fornication

I am impatient to get to the Pagoda. A fight for Good is better than a long trail ride. It is great to have a couple of new people to talk to. I have tried to talk to Mirrim and Helix about the church but that is like talking to a stirge. I cannot believe I am thinking, “I miss the hobogoblins”, but they were good fighters and sure didn’t complain like… Not a thought a paladin should be having about a companion. Stormblade seems very proud of his sword and keeps looking at me weird. Elbon is VERY confident in his abilities. The church may need to teach him humility. Helix is a great companion. Has saved me many times, but he does not understand the human heart and being passionate. The conversations about good and evil, about love and hate, right and wrong, have been …exhausting to say the least. I need to get my mind back on the trail. I need to stay alert. We have battled together but Stormblade, Renzor, and Elbon are still new to the party. We may need every advantage. I like Helix’s military thinking. He assigned duties for the trail and camp, arranged watch, and set up camp protections. He is a very logical and steady companion, great healer, and good friend. Yeah, I need a good fight, I am about to start singing church hymns.

Curse, Helix? I rather think it's a blessing. It suits me anyhow. Mirrim is quiet. She thinks more than she talks. She admires Stormblade's backside.....only his backside. 'Renzor is quite the good replacement for Nilbog. Poor Nilbog. I'd known him since we were children. He died a warrior, though. Oh how the people at home know me. Lovely of them to send me a warrior with good hands.....too bad he's not human. Those hands do send chills down me. Well at least a nightly massage will make this "adventure" more pleasant! And his cooking skills! I'll send a missile at a rabbit just to have Renzor cook it for me. Hopefully when this is over I'll be considered as the head of an enclave. I've certainly earned it and have no dreams of walking the land looking for things to kill!! Ah well......good things come to those who wait!' Excuse me, Helix? What has Calla seen? I shall ask.....

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11 Two spot rolls for Calla...

She shall let us know shortly....'I wonder if there are any good herbs in this area...1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 (Mirrim's profession herbalist roll) Mmmmmmm...the new paladin looks very fine in that armor Helix made....very fine indeed! Maybe I've just found something more to keep me interested on this journey! Elbon, I think his name is....with a family name of Vlacknor....1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19(Mirrims intelligence check since she doesn't have Knowledge local).....I wonder if I know them....'

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 Tracking rolls for Renzor
1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28 Spot rolls for Renzor
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 Listen checks for Renzor
Please add 4 to the above results for humans or +2 for giants

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Mirrim's listen 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Mirrim's spot

Sorry! I created an alias and asked to to be the default and it didn't click, I guess. When I started typing the new picture was there and then when I posted it was Silver. I'll try to fix it.

Fixed!

Month of Rhaan, 18th day....

Fall comes early to the Icehorn Mountains. As the Falchions trudge up towards the reported location of the pagoda, snow flurries and a biting wind accompanies them.

The pass narrows towards the entrance of a canyon. According to your maps this is the last part of the mountains before you arrive at the entrance to the Pagoda. It is marked on your maps as "Crafter's Canyon" and will probably take you 5 days to traverse on foot before you arrive at the Pagoda. Snow begins to fall in earnest. At this altitude and as far North as you are, it feels worse than any winter your characters have ever endured in the Five Nations further south.

Renzor returns. He spotted giant tracks for sure, about a half mile into the canyon and fairly fresh. The city residents of Argat warned that Crafter's Canyon was a route for giants and ogres and other raiders from the Demon Wastes to try to reach the Eldeen Reaches.

Continuing into the canyon, the party spots a pair of frost giants about 200 yards ahead, about the time they spot you. It's a male and female, and they have two winter wolves with them too.

Initiative....there is lots of cover from debris, fallen stone slabs and other detrius. I'll post a map as soon as I get your initiative and first declaration of actions.

Initiative for Helix n Stormblade (1d20+2=18, 1d20+2=10)

As Helix rounds a tree he sees the approaching behemoths. He pulls out from his component pouch the finger joint of a war machine and he presses it to his forehead while uttering strange mystical tones, almost musical in their inflection. A slight shimmer encases his body. His coloring darkens as if he has transformed from Mithril to Iron. The sound of scrunching snow is the result of him sinking in the ground as if gravity has increased, and the others note that he sinks a little more in the ground. “Stand fast friends they may mean us no harm” Helix calmly states in his typical monotone.
He cast Iron Construct using a full round to do so. This will last 10 minutes, gives him DR 15/Adamantine, +4 to strength, has 20 strength now, -4 to Dex giving him an 11 Dex. Fire and Acid cause half damage electricity slows for 3 rounds. Oh he now weighs 1,530 lbs

Stormblade pulls and strings his longbow. Pulling a arrow from his hip quiver he readies an arrow, “Looks like I will be eating wolf tonight!” Although his pallid skin belies his bravado.

Panzadeya Initiative = 1d20+3 → [1,3] = (4)
Elbon Initiative = 1d20+1 → [17,1] = (18)

Panzadeya eyes two frost giants and two wolves. She and Elbon prepare their bows and notch an arrow, since they are many yards away and look for a defendable position in front of the group. Elbon replies to Stormblade, “ I understand it tastes like chicken.”

Mirrim - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Renzor - 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Calla - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22 - She moves at 40 flying

"If you think they mean us no harm, Helix, then you do the talking. I'll not waste my words on parlay. My words will be better served by roasting them in their boots should they attack!"

Calla follows us whenever we're traveling. A mental image from Mirrim sends her off to see what's behind/around the giants. She'll fly a wide berth around the giants since there are no trees and because she can see very far.

Mirrim will take cover behind something with a line of sight at the giants and their wolves and wait to see what happens. If they attack her first action will be to enact her dragonmark for Mage Armor. Renzor will take up a position between the "enemies" and Mirrim and watch as well. He'll ready his bow and notch an arrow if they start to attack.

Knowledge Nature/Renzor - 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 for info on Frost Giants
Intel check/Mirrim - 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 for info on Frost Giants (she doesn't have knowledge nature)

Calla's action will go whether they attack or not. Her spot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Her hide: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14 Her MS: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Initiative Order: Calla, Renzor, Elbon, Frost Giants and Wolves, Helix and Stormblade,Mirrim, Panzadeya.

Calla starts to fly her circle. She spots no other enemies. Her flight is made more difficult by the gusty cold wind and snow flurries. Any fancy maneuevers will require a balance check.

Renzor takes cover behind a fallen slab of stone, obviously once part of something made by man or another creature. He knows that frost giants are immune to cold, can run faster than normal humans, are fearsome in melee combat but are particularly vulnerable to fire. They can throw rocks as missile weapons and are very good at jumping and overrunning their opponents.

Elbon takes cover and readies his bow.

Both frost giants take cover behind some huge slabs and boulders but throw rocks at Renzor (miss) and Helix (miss). They appear to be taking pot shots, as the 600 foot + range is probably at the edge of their effectiveness. The winter wolves nuzzle up to frost giant each, also seeking some cover from arrow fire or spells. One of the frost giants yells "Retreat from these mountains, you are not welcome here!"

Helix casts his prep spell and Stormblade readies his bow as stated.

Mirrim activates her dragon mark, since the thrown rocks appear to her to be an attack.

Panzadeya readies her bow and seeks cover.

End of round 1. Ill try to have a map up in email later today.

Knowing that any hit by these creatures will be very deadly, Helix steps up to Stormblade "Stay still while I make you harder to hit"

Helix cast Spell Storing Item into himself; Blink DC=35 on Magic Device Check 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (3) + 22 = 25 spending an action point to speed the process up from one minute to one round. Having failed by 10 GM must determine Mishap to Helix

"Aaagghh, that did not feel so good" Helix staggers from his misfired infusion, "Just fire your bow at them"

Stormblade takes worried glance at his boss, takes aim and fires two rapid shots at the left most giant 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

1d20 - 2 ⇒ (14) - 2 = 12 [ooc] in case any hits 1d8 ⇒ 3

1d8 ⇒ 3

Two frost giants and two wolves, even with our new companions this might be a fun fight. “Elbon prepare yourself for some fun tonight. This might get messy.” Since our bows cannot reach them, we stay behind cover and prepare for a fight. Panzadeya will cast “Bull’s Strength” on herself and Elbon will cast “Bless” on the party. Panzadeya is not sure about her new companion and gives friendly advice. “Once they come into range, shoot them like pincushions. If they get too close, drop your bow and go defensive. Good luck, kid.

At that last remark, Elbon is incensed. I will show you who is "the kid.”

Renzor will take a potion of cat's grace adding 2 to his dex bonus. He is now +6. That makes his AC 22. He only gets an additional 1 point of dex to AC because his armor only allows 5. The giants are too far away to shoot arrows at. If they stay 600+ feet away he won't waste his arrows.

Mirrim enacts her mark and her AC is now 20 plus whatever cover she gets from the stone she is behind. If she must, she'll cast fireball next round which has along enough range to "roast them in their boots". Or, depending on how close everyone is to her and from each other, she may cast Fire Shield, Mass.

Calla continues to fly her wide circle, eventually ending up behind the party, all the while flashing images to Mirrim of what she sees.

Correction to my previous post: Renzor's AC is now 23 since the MW allows an extra point of dex and the whole bonus will get through.

Calla spots the frost giants giving their winter wolves potions, which they drink like they've done it before!

The rest of you complete your actions as indicated. The attacks miss. I'll have the map up tomorrow, but right now the terrain is still as indicated, a broken canyon ground with lots of cover.

Apparently that didn’t work out so well Helix raises his voice “WE ARE JUST PASSING THROUGH, IF YOU DON’T WISH TO SUFFER GREAT PAIN AND LOSS I SUGGEST YOU ALLOW US BY” In a quieter tone, “let us move over to those boulders there Stormblade. I suggest we get a little closer before we fire any more missiles”

Stormblade nods in response and moves with Helix as stealthily as he can trying to avoid being seen by the giants.

Helix hide roll to avoid being seen moving his position (1d20=6)Stormblade's attempt to do as Helix (1d20=19)

Stormblade takes note of Helix's attempt at stealth leaves much to be desired.

Helix n Stormblade move toward the nearest cover towards the giants

Since stealth is out, Panzadeya will yell in her most intimidating but pious voice, “The Church of the Silver Flame wishes to pass. Our fight is not with you….YET.” That should draw their attention from Mr. Metal Man. He is good for many things but not necessarily for his ability with a sword. We will take cover here and see what the next move will be. Panazdeya instructs the pup, “Take cover and search for a good defendable spot.”

Elbon spot 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Panzadeya spot 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Mirrim will cast Fire Shield, Mass upon the party. They must be within thirty feet of her and each other to get the benefit of the spell. They will now only take half damage on cold attacks or, if the attack allows for a Reflex save and the save is successful, they will take no cold damage. Also, upon a successful attack against them, they will now deal 1d6+11 point of fire damage to their attacker. If the attacker has spell resistance, it applies to this damage. Mirrims spell penetration roll to get passed their spell resistance if they have it is: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18

Renzor will hold steady until the giants or a wolf is within range. He will make a blurb to leave one or both wolves alive if possible. If not, he has a good recipe for a wolf stew.

Calla continues to fly and scout until she is behind the party. Mirrim sends a mental blurb for an image of the potions the giants are giving the wolves. Calla's spot: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12