Arkhan's form begins to change.
Magaraptor plus Bull's Str:
Large; reach 5'; Str 20 Dex 12; +4 NA; LLV, scent; Speed 60'; Attack melee 2 talons +9 (2d6+5), bite +9 (1d8+5), foreclaws +7 (1d6+2); all with Frostbite 1d6+6 nonlethal cold plus Fatigue; AC 18 (+8 NA, +1 Dex, -1 size)
The druid's form distorts into a fiendish Magaraptor!
The large creature from nightmares moves into a charge lane to the big ugly beastie!
Choot launches force missiles at the bow wielding soon to be dead female.
Magic Missile
"Our chief is injured! Focus on the ugly bi&*h!"
Kern and Grell charge at the Giant queen, hoping to take her out quickly before she eviscerates their chieftan.
Arkhan Silvinesti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Ozak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Grenseldek: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Orc Guards: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Kern and his beast charge across the room, bringing the fight close to the hill giant brute. Her orc slaves bring their axes down, swinging wildly as the two rush past. But, the Blood God shows them his favor, and all he hears are the clangs of their steel clanging against the stones. But, the giant dodges past both Grell and Keen-Eye's strikes. It is not for nothing, though, as they are too close for the giant to safely use her bow. If she is to fight, she must switch weapons.
From the rear of the room, Choot opens himself to Selzarian's smokes. Green fire like skull-faced maggots writhe about his upraised fist for a moment, and then disappear. Moments later, they burst form Grenseldek's stomach, in a great spray of blood and chewed meat!
Thoku's flesh ripples as the giant's tree shatters his ribs. He flexes, unleashing a mighty roar. The blood staining the stones, both from the Fist, and from the orcs, runs like rivers into his clawed feet. The blood enters his flesh, making it whole, once more. The orc guards, and even Grenseldek herself, stares at the display in open shock. Such is the might of the dread chief of the Bleeding Storm!
Arkhan Storm-Brother makes a great Rull-noise, and he crouches down to the floor, his body melting as feathers erupt from his flesh. His tusks turn inward, his muzzle elongates into a beak. His legs bend, and fierce talons burst from his feet.
"Protect your Chieftain!" Genseldek howls as she drops her bow and pulls to massive handaxes from her belt.
The guards thump their chests and grunt, withdrawing closer to their chief, to protect her with their strength. Such is the weakness and cowardice of the Twisted Nail!
Grenseldek, cornered, and flanked by her guards, pulls her axes from her belt and swings at Keen Eye. He dances well, but he gasps as the giant's bone beak slices deep into his belly, threatening to spill his innards upon the stones. But, he is made of strong metal, and he keeps himself together!!
Ok, those rolls were less than the orcs' CMD so.. AoOs...
no dice.
miss.
Now, does he hit her? Neither of the attacks hit.
Ozak: Studied target (orc on the left) and then move north to set up a flank next round
and.. he doesn't incur an AoO because paizo is going bonkers on rolling it.
and... life-link is a free action... so intimidation!!!!!!!
Gren: intimidated by 10 more than needed. that's 3 full rounds of shaken!!!
Orc Guards are intimidated by 15 more than needed. that's 4 full rounds of shaken!!
Round 2
Orc Guards aid another to boost Grenseldek's AC. That gives her a net +4
Grenseldek attacks Kern
hit
Grenseldek: -2 to all d20 rolls for 3 rounds! +4 AC (aid another from guards)
Orc guards: -2 to all d20 rolls for 4 rounds!
Ozak: Studied target on left guard.
Choot launches another Magic Missile at her:
MM
Ozak steps to one side and twirls his axe.
"Skullbiter's been lookin' forward to this!" he shouts.
Kern and Grell rip into the giantess, hoping to take her to the ground before she can rend them with her two axes.
Arkhan Silvinesti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Ozak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Grenseldek: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Orc Guards: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Ozak stalks forward, using the distraction to slip beside Grenseldek. He lifts his double-headed orc-metal. The blow is devastating, and aimed to take the giant's head. But, she grabs her guard. "Defend me!" She pulls the brute in front of her, using the warrior as a living shield. Ozak's axe clefts the brute in twain, clear down the middle in a giant spray of blood.
Behind him, Kern's dread bone-beak sings through the air as the hunter brings Aggrimosh down in a wicked overhand chop. It cuts through the hill giant's defenses easily, and her life stains the stones at her feet. She howls in rage, cursing the Fist as yet more kmaggots erupt from her chest form Choot's dread smokes.
[spoiler=effects]
Grenseldek: -2 to all d20 rolls for 2 rounds! +4 AC (aid another from guards)
Orc guards: -2 to all d20 rolls for 3 rounds!
Ozak: Studied target on left guard.
[/spoil]
Thoku roars as the blood is drawn to him "you wish to brake The Bloddied one ahahah" the chief charges forward like a mad wolf pouncing on weak pray "you've not the strength to end Thoku."
Large; reach 5'; Pounce; Str 20 Dex 12; +4 NA; LLV, scent; Speed 60'; Attack melee 2 talons +9 (2d6+5), bite +9 (1d8+5), foreclaws +7 (1d6+2); all with Frostbite 1d6+6 nonlethal cold plus Fatigue; AC 18 (+8 NA, +1 Dex, -1 size)
Arkhan the Magaraptor screams as he charges Grenseldek!
Arkhan Silvinesti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Ozak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Grenseldek: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Orc Guards: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
Thoku rushes forward, eager to taste the blood of giants on his tongue. He brings his jaws crashing down on Grenseldek's leg. But, mighty though his jaws are, his tusks cannot break through the metal of the brute's war-skin!
Behidn him, Arkhanlaunches his own attack on Grenseldek, but even in beast-flesh, Storm-Brother cannot strike!
The giant laughs at the Slave of Rull's greatest of blows as her guard moves forward to strike from the rear. "Chief! Save yourself! Shoon Kill your enemies!" The orc slams her greataxe down with savage strength, but it clangs uselessly against the stones at Kern's feet.
Grenseldek swings both of her warfangs in twin arcs, but both can only scrape against the might of Ker's warskin!
Bodyguard attacking Kern
Grenseldek attacks Kern
Choot once more pours Arcane Magic into the Giantess. "Fall creature fall before the might of the Bleeding Storm!"
MM -
Kern five-foots steps to gain flanking with Ozak, then he and Grell continue to hound the giantess, hoping to finish her off as quickly as possible.
Ozak shuffles to one side as he gets a better position on the hill giant witch. He looks her up and down.
"You don't look so tough now that your guard is gone!"
He swings...
Thoku continues his joint assault on the pretender chief
Arkhan Silvinesti: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Choot Othul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Kern Dead-Eye: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Ozak: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Thoku Blood Drinker: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Grenseldek: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (17) + 0 = 17
Orc Guards: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19
The Fist descends on Grenseldek with all their might! Kern swings his mighty bone-beak in a great underhanded arc that catches the giant in the gut. Blood sprays forth in a terrific torrent. Her life water catches Grell in the face, momentarily blinding the beast so that her claws cut only air. The blood spills on the floor, throwing off Ozak and Thoku as they slip on the red waters streaming beneath their feet.
More smoke yet spills from Choot's mouth as even more maggots erupt from the giant's wounds!
Large; reach 5'; Pounce; Str 20 Dex 12; +4 NA; LLV, scent; Speed 60'; Attack melee 2 talons +9 (2d6+5), bite +9 (1d8+5), foreclaws +7 (1d6+2); all with Frostbite 1d6+6 nonlethal cold plus Fatigue; AC 18 (+8 NA, +1 Dex, -1 size)
The Storm Druid reminds her that The Bleeding Storm is favored of Rull!
Arkhan Storm-Brother savages the giant, fang and claw rips into the brute's belly. Innards catch in his talons as they splay open her gut. Rope after rope spills out, snapped up by his razor-sharp fangs. Grenseldek howls in agony, and collapses to the floor, bleeding.
As she dies, the giant orc throws her axe to the floor, bearing her neck to Thoku. "Mighty Chief! I no fight! No fight!"
Thoku stands strait up looking down on the orc, he quickly come down ferociously growling. He inspects her like a wolf checking cowering prey. "hmm, i dont blame you young one for following what you think is strength. You wish to follow the bloodied one with in the bleeding storm. Then i will give you the chance but a sacrifice will have to be made what gave you pride in this pretend tribe..." The chief ask he leans over her to view the giant.
Thoku turns to Arkhan in his animal form "well done! Arkhan, drop that form and take a token of your victory. Now lets get that artifact"
Thoku stands strait up looking down on the orc, he quickly come down ferociously growling. He inspects her like a wolf checking cowering prey. "hmm, i dont blame you young one for following what you think is strength. You wish to follow the bloodied one with in the bleeding storm. Then i will give you the chance but a sacrifice will have to be made what gave you pride in this pretend tribe..." The chief ask he leans over her to view the giant.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
Thoku turns to Arkhan in his animal form "well done! Arkhan, drop that form and take a token of your victory. Now lets get that artifact"
The giant orc warrior grovels. "Mighty chief! Shemu serve! Shemu tricked by Grenseldek! She promise great power! She weak! Enslave tribe to ogres! She enslave all orc to giants!"
Arkhan tears the heart out of the giantess. The Magaraptor then begins to transform back into the 1/2 Orc. The Storm druid holds the bleeding heart up above his head.
Rull! Your Servant offers this token to Chief Thoku of the Bleeding Storm, in Your name!
Arkhan then proudly presents the blessed token of the Tribe's victory.
" you've heard my orders spread the word and tell all who wish to be part of real strength will be given a chance to earn it.."
Arkhan tears the heart out of the giantess. The Magaraptor then begins to transform back into the 1/2 Orc. The Storm druid holds the bleeding heart up above his head.
Rull! Your Servant offers this token to Chief Thoku of the Bleeding Storm, in Your name!Arkhan then proudly presents the blessed token of the Tribe's victory.
Thoku nods at the offer "this the fist will equally partake in as this victory was taken with the combined steel of the fist"
Choot howls with glee, "Victory is the Bleeding Storm's once more! Mighty Thoku, we must sacrifice at least seven of our new slaves to the Destroyer to remain in his favor, there was not enough death dealt here for his taste..."
Choot grins as he begins to envision the horrific sacrifices he will make to his Lord.
"Huzzah! Hail the bleeding storm!"
Ozak says, cheering with the others.
"But I better look around and check the vantage points. Make sure there are no more ogres wandering around. There's a lot of the castle we haven't explored."
Ozak trots off, planning to make a cicuit of the battlements and check on the situation as he can see from there.
As mighty Thoku and his Fist leave Grenseldek's bedchamber, they see the Burning Angel spilling her life-water once more across the Blue Cavern, staining the the great vault a deep red. The corpses of the ogre guards, slain by the Fist in their assault into the fort, roast on large stakes turned by struggling slaves. Several giants and ogres lay bound to the earth in stout chains held fast by the twenty largest orcs in the fort. Cords of steel stand taught in their mighty thews, such is the fierceness of the giants' struggles.
Karrguk himself stands astride a massive ogre with odd glowing runs burning along his skin. The ogre is unconscious, and the warrior himself smokes a bit from beneath his armor. When he sees mighty Thoku, he slams his fist to his chest and bares his neck towards his chief. "Thoku Horde-Forger!"
The call is taken up by all in Red Lake Fort.
200 orc warriors of varying ability. This includes Karrguk (barbarian/fighter)
1 Witch (Droja-7th level scarred witch-doctor)
7 hill giants
5 ogres
1 ogre sorcerer
1 dwarf "pet"
[spoiler=the Horde from tacking Trunau
The tribe is about 500 strong.
200 warriors of varying ability (including about 10 commanders, one of which is Garrekk--he's the guy who's training the kids)
300 noncombatant females, whelps, and infirm/old (who are treated like slaves, but aren’t, technically, slaves)
10 shamans (witches, actual shamans, warpriests)
10 siege slaves (2 cave giants, 8 ogres that are enslaved and trained as living siege weapons)
Roughly a town (so… 600 or so) of slaves. A few of these are divine or arcane casters and well-trained warriors (level fighters, paladins, rangers, etc) who all had positions of prominence and respect within the human community. These may prove.. Problematic--i don't think you did anything with these.
also, did you guys leave anyone behind in Trunau?
[/spoiler]
Anywho, i'm back.. um... if you guys want to make crazy fun speeches and other such things.. you can. otherwise, 'll move plot along.
Arkhan pokes around the grounds. The druid sniffing out any cowards and dragging them back to his Chief to deal with.
The druid also cast Detect Magic searching out any possible toys...
Gathering the humans together, the druid proceeds to determine any worth. He brings these choice few to his Chief.
Chief Thoku! Rull has found these to have useful traits that would further aid the Horde!
After the battle The great chief commands for all who wish to become part of the tribe to complete the same binding ceremony that was held in the forging of the tribe. Thoku only nods at the sacrifices made to the gods that day. His sits upon his throne of orc bones, pondering what path to take forward the great hoard should take. Arkhan brings a some meat claiming it to be of some worth. "hmm, what should be done with this lot..." Thoku thinks to himself but only grunts to Arkhan motioning for them to be chained to a close by pillar.
The bloodied one stands and calls Axe Hand forward "Show me the progress the stone children have made and choose two to receive my gift"
Choot revels in the sacrifices given to his Lord to appease Him. The Cleric is awash in Blood and shares it in a chalice specifically intended for each member of the Bleeding Storm so that each may be blessed by Zagresh. Or just cause he's a sadistic f!@~er, it's hard t tell which is which with Choot pretty much all the time.
It is night. The Burning Angel has long since been torn from the sky by Nulgreth’s might, and her life-waters dried and hardening, staining the Blue Cavern to the inky black of the Great Dark Below. Sezelrian has set his torches ablaze in the cavern, and the Axe looms high above the Kneeling Slave. It is a good time. The omens speak of strength and power for those with the might to take it. What Thoku does this day is favored by the Chiefs in Fire and Blood.
During the day, the Giant Who Called Herself Chief was flensed. Her hide was carefully pulled from her corpse in one single piece and given to the leatherworkers. Her flesh was cleaned from her bones, and set before Thoku in a great cauldron. Her meat is his meat, by right of conquest, to be given to the tribe as he sees fit. She fell to his might and the blades of his Fist, proving he was the stronger, but she had strength enough to command a tribe, and the Chiefs of Fire and Blood demand that such strength be taken. Her massive heart and organs are given to slaves to hold beside Thoku as he sits in bone chair, flanked by burning torches. Their fear is sweet in the air as they weep bitter tears covered in the giant’s blood. Her bloodied bones, scraped clean of flesh and sinew, are given to the leatherworkers as well.
The fallen orcs are drained of their life-waters and then stripped of their flesh, their meat given to the horde to eat. The warriors devour their fallen comrades, returning their strength to the Horde. Garrek’s Stone Children drool and savagely beat each other for the few lumps the Axe-Hand throws their way.
In a practice ritual seen time and again, six warriors, each with the roaring visage of the dire bear of the Destroyer flayed from the flesh of their skulls and faces, march forward. Their metal warskins are covered in spikes and razors, sealed completely, without clasp or buckle, and they bare double-headed bone-beaks on their backs. They hold banners of human skin, each proudly proclaiming the sign of the Bleeding Storm, lashed to poles made of bound bones. Between them, six slaves struggle to carry Mighty Thoku's Seat of Bones above them. They bow down, nearly double as though the chair is of an impossible weight, even for six brawny slaves as these. They carry the chair upon pallet of swords and axes, the weapons of fallen warriors. Stout chains connect the pallet to collars about their necks. The warriors stop in a line behind the throne, planting the standards deep into the earth, as the the slaves gingerly set the pallet on the earth. The warriors draw their axes and stand guard behind the throne while the slaves cower in fear in a rough circle about the throne, curled into balls, so nothing but their heavily-scarred muscled backs are visible to the horde.
The orc skeletons are placed before Thoku’s fearsome throne of bones, and their collected blood poured over the chief and his dread chair. The chair grows larger, and the warriors roar in triumph.
It is night. The Burning Angel has long since been torn from the sky by Nulgreth’s might, and her life-waters dried and hardening, staining the Blue Cavern to the inky black of the Great Dark Below. Sezelrian has set his torches ablaze in the cavern, and the Axe looms high above the Kneeling Slave. It is a good time. The omens speak of strength and power for those with the might to take it. What Thoku does this day is favored by the Chiefs in Fire and Blood.
During the day, the Giant Who Called Herself Chief was flensed. Her hide was carefully pulled from her corpse in one single piece and given to the leatherworkers. Her flesh was cleaned from her bones, and set before Thoku in a great cauldron. Her meat is his meat, by right of conquest, to be given to the tribe as he sees fit. She fell to his might and the blades of his Fist, proving he was the stronger, but she had strength enough to command a tribe, and the Chiefs of Fire and Blood demand that such strength be taken. Her massive heart and organs are given to slaves to hold beside Thoku as he sits in bone chair, flanked by burning torches. Their fear is sweet in the air as they weep bitter tears covered in the giant’s blood. Her bloodied bones, scraped clean of flesh and sinew, are given to the leatherworkers as well.
The fallen orcs are drained of their life-waters and then stripped of their flesh, their meat given to the horde to eat. The warriors devour their fallen comrades, returning their strength to the Horde. Garrek’s Stone Children drool and savagely beat each other for the few lumps the Axe-Hand throws their way.
In a practice ritual seen time and again, six warriors, each with the roaring visage of the dire bear of the Destroyer flayed from the flesh of their skulls and faces, march forward. Their metal warskins are covered in spikes and razors, sealed completely, without clasp or buckle, and they bare double-headed bone-beaks on their backs. They hold banners of human skin, each proudly proclaiming the sign of the Bleeding Storm, lashed to poles made of bound bones. Between them, six slaves struggle to carry Mighty Thoku's Seat of Bones above them. They bow down, nearly double as though the chair is of an impossible weight, even for six brawny slaves as these. They carry the chair upon pallet of swords and axes, the weapons of fallen warriors. Stout chains connect the pallet to collars about their necks. The warriors stop in a line behind the throne, planting the standards deep into the earth, as the the slaves gingerly set the pallet on the earth. The warriors draw their axes and stand guard behind the throne while the slaves cower in fear in a rough circle about the throne, curled into balls, so nothing but their heavily-scarred muscled backs are visible to the horde.
The orc skeletons are placed before Thoku’s fearsome throne of bones, and their collected blood poured over the chief and his dread chair. The chair grows larger, and the warriors roar in triumph.
Kern participates only as much as is absolutely required, not relishing the cannibalistic rituals in any fashion. He nibbles a small chunk of the meat that is offered to him, nearly gagging knowing from whence it came, but he allows Grell and Razorbeak to finish his portion, granting them strength.
The next morning, he goes to the leatherworkers, knowing that the skins of the giantess is being crafted into something. He is curious what that might be.
Choot revels in the rituals and eagerly awaits the next challenge that will enable him to find an excuse to send more sacrifices to the Destroyer.
Arkhan participates pleasurably with Rull honoring platitudes.
The tribe of the Bleeding Storm has grown mighty indeed! Its banner flies high over a great fort, and has raged over the pathetic human town of Trunau--the only dwelling of the tuskless in the Hold. It has bound and broken giants, molding them through the Pain Lord's gifts into tamed slaves as living siege weapons and mighty wardogs. The Crone, Droja, and Ewigga have all been at work with the humans of Trunau who could breath Selzerian's smokes. Those who could not be broken, have been maimed, and the wyrdsisters have found other uses for them. The others have seen the true might of the Horde, and are their slaves. They have even bound Grenseldek's sorcerer. It lumbers beside Ewigga, a drooling behemoth that belches smokes on command from the crone, whimpering and moaning at even the touch of her shadow. Yet, there is not even a spark of intelligence in its glazed eyes and slack jaw. It truly but a beast of burden.
Karrguk, in an effort to prove himself worthy to Thoku, has taken the human warriors of Trunau to task. Many gave their strength to him willingly, and train with the other warriors as orcs. The ones who foolishly followed the weak godlings of the tuskless, though, have yet to fall. These Karrguk has not slain as others might. He keeps them alive and trains them every day, honing their skills, even as he breaks them of their lies and weakness. He has spoken to Thoku and tells his great chief that he hopes to turn them into a perfect fighting force that could enter a human town with the Rat God's own skill, and like Verex himself, slay the town from within, conquering more lands for Belkzen and the Tribe of the Bleeding Storm.
Truly, the Bloodied One has grown mighty. His horde has swollen in number, and every orc who has seen him sit up on the Seat of Bones has bent their necks to his might. For three months, the tribe feasts and trains. The slaves repair the fort, and the warriors train and breed. The whelps Kern and Ozak getted in Trunau are spawned, the strongest of their get are trained as warriors, the rest will be slaves.
When Sezelrian's Eye has been blinded thrice, the Crone appears. She breathes smoke from a burning slave, and fans it over his steaming entrails. "The Storm gathers in the mountains. War Rain rages, waiting to fall, drowning the tribes in a flood. Only the dead steel has the strength break the Storm! Seek the dead!!"
She tosses the geode halves from Trunau and the Fort. It glows in the night.
"What would you have us do, woman? Speak plainly, not in riddles. Our chief has not the time for your wordplay."