DM Carbide's Giantslayer

Game Master John Woodford

sense motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18We really shouldn't be leaving them caged - they are intelligent after all.... Does Seamus think they are lying about helping?

"If they were weak enough to be captured, then they deserve their cages," Kronug comments. "Intelligence does not guarantee freedom. Only strength does.
But if you think they are to be trusted, Seamus, then I will go along with the plan."

"I don't trust beasties." Haftor offers, hiking up his belt. "Still, they should be free, or dead, not imprisoned."

Haftor is fine with letting them out. He has no interest in fighting alongside them, though. He certainly won't be turning his back on them.

I think we are all waiting on the results of Seamus's Sense Motive check.

Seamus gets no particular feel off of the creatures one way or another.

Seamus nods, looking to Trianne and Jarrek for final approval, and assuming no one objects too loudly, he'll set about freeing the creatures. Okay then, we're going to let you go. Seems unfair leaving you in these cages, but I'm not sure where we go from here? What can you tell me about this place while I get you out?

Disable device: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Jarrek shrugs. "I don't know anything about these things. If you think they won't try to eat us, sure let them out. Maybe they'll distract a giant or two."

Kronug thinks that Seamus could have been a little firmer with the beasts, but says nothing.

'You were captured because you were weak, and it is through our strength that you are freed. You are in debt to us and you will tell us everything you can about this fortress.' Something like that. Assert a position of strength. But 'seems unfair leaving you in these cages'? Hmmph. Soft-hearted Caydenite.

I have a couple of Caydenites who would have taken Seamus's stance exactly.

Seamus is a Caydenite lol

Trianne’s eyes widen as Seamus begins working on the manticore cage, and she quickly relocates herself to the other side of the room away from the piles of still-warm giant meat they just created. While she doesn’t think releasing the beasts is the wisest course of action, her inquisitive side cannot wait to see these strange creatures on the move.

It's an interesting enough choice we've been considering, about whether to let the beasties go or not, that I hadn't yet thought about the looting potential here. Does Haftor see anything in the piles of stuff in the room that might be worth carting around? Nothing bulky or fragile.

The cage has no door, but a heavy chain runs from its top through a pulley on the ceiling to where its end is secured near the double doors the party entered through.

Haftor notes that the items outside the cage are valuable but bulky. A gleam from the cloth drapery inside the cage suggests that there may be gems sewn into it, and it looks like silk.

So it has no bottom, and the creatures can be released by using the chain to lift the cage off the floor? Assuming this is the case, it looks like we're faced with some grunt work. How many of us could get hold of the chain in order to haul on it?

Kronug looks at the chain, then at the creatures.

"No, I don't think so. I will keep sword and shield ready."
He will remain on guard against aggression by the beasts if Haftor and anyone else willing works on the chain.

Seamus nods at Kronug, Okay, I’ll work on the chain, you keep an eye on our new friends. Haftor, can you help me? This looks awfully heavy.

Haftor nods to Kronug, acknowledging the wisdom of having a warrior remain on guard. He then tucks his hammer in the loop on his belt, rolls his shoulders, and nods at Seamus, joining him at the chain.

Take 10 on the Strength check, for a 12

Thanks for your patience once again; I've been closing out the last GameDay games, and I was away at a science fiction convention this weekend.

Seamus and Haftor struggle with the chain and manage to slowly lift the cage.

Because it takes them effectively a double heavy load to manage this, neither Haftor nor Seamus have any DEX bonus to AC, and since raising the cage 5' up is essentially a full-round action they can move no more than 5' per round. Haftor and Seamus have to be where they are because of the pulley; everyone else, please situate yourselves.

Honestly, Jarrek has been skeptical of this whole thing so I think him being outside the room makes sense.

Trianne slips backwards to give the creatures a straight, unobstructed path to the fresh giant corpses.

"One at a time wouldn't be undiplomatic," she offers, understanding the mechanics of the release mechanism might make that a challenge.

Kronug moves next to Haftor and waits, on alert, with sword at the ready.

I am fine with Kronug's position.

And the proof that Haftor is Lawful Stupid arrives in 10, 9, 8...

Well, they're Evil Stupid, so there's that.

As Haftor and Seamus struggle to raise the cage, the manticores show fangs. "Did you think we'd pass up human flesh for anything?"

Round 1:

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage
Jarrek
Kronug
Trianne
Manticores
Haftor-holding cage

Everyone but Haftor can act!

Manticores: AC ? T ? FF ? HP taken - Blue: 0 Red: 0

"I had thought you were halfway intelligent. Guess not."

Kronug slashes at the nearest manticore (Blue) with Gorum's Thorn.
Attack, PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 2 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 8 + 6 = 20

Base AC is 26; with 1 ally adjacent that becomes 28 vs evil foes.

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage
Jarrek
Kronug-acted
Trianne
Manticores
Haftor-holding cage

Kronug hits the nearest manticore solidly, causing it to roar in pain. "I'll eat your heart for that!"

Jarrek and Trianne can act normally; if Seamus lets go of the chain, the cage will start to sink.

Manticores: AC 17 T ? FF ? HP taken - Blue: 20 Red: 0

Seamus jumps at the response from the imprisoned manticores, You said you'd help! Terrible jerks you are. I guess you'll just rot in here. as he lets go of the chain, and pulls out a tanglefoot bag.

Note that Kronug is also attacking across where the cage will fall, and may be adversely affected.

I think I want to see what happens with letting go of the chain before Jarrek does anything. Will they just be trapped back in the cage?

Seamus, do you want to let go of the chain? There's a chance that you and Haftor will also get hit as it falls.

“Giving up twice the amount of giant flesh out here?” Trianne says as she advances. “Starvation must have made you stupid too.”

She punches an arm forward and sends a pulse of concussive energy at the far manticore, the energy clanging off the bars of the massive cage.

“Back in your cage then!”

Close back to the door and TK Fist Red.

TK Fist Rng Touch on Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
TK Fist dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Seamus let’s the chain drop a few feet, then realizes that the three of them could all be trapped and yells out, Little help?

Round 1 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage
Jarrek-delaying
Kronug-acted
Trianne-acted
Manticores-acted
Haftor-holding cage

Trianne's force missile misses, while Seamus realizes that the edge of the cage may well hit him if he lets go and keeps hold of the chain. Jarrek watches for an opening.

The wounded manticore tries to return the favor, clawing and biting at Kronug. He catches a claw, but manages to deflect or dodge the other two blows. Take 11 HP, Kronug. The other one cracks its long tail like a whip, sending four needle-sharp quills at Trianne. Three hit the wizard for 22 HP. "Faugh! Giants taste like mud, and ogres are worse."

Haftor can act!

Manticores: AC 17 T 11 FF ? HP taken - Blue: 20 Red: 0

I am beginning to seriously regret this course of action.

Haftor grunts in frustration. "Hammer and tongs! I'll not be stood here like a useless lump. This cage is coming down!" With that, he begins to let the chain out through his hands, as controlled as he can.

He will ensure that Seamus and Kronug have time to adjust their positions and be on the right side of the cage before it comes all the way down, so he won't finish lowering until his next turn.

It's going to be worth it, I hope.

Haftor tries to slowly lower the cage, giving the rest of the party a chance to avoid it.

Round 2:

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage
Jarrek
Kronug
Trianne
Manticores
Haftor-lowering cage

Everyone but Haftor can act!

Ah dammit! what's the plan? he says, ducking out of the cage, and looking for an opening, flings a bomb at the closest manticore.

bomb: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Fire damage: 3d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) + 5 = 17

4/10 bombs

"Drop the cage and kill them with arrows, I suppose?"

Kronug swings at the manticore, landing another mighty blow, and then steps back.

Attack, PA: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 12 - 2 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 5) + 8 + 6 = 22

It looks like a partial square that I stepped into, but more than half a square in width. So 3x5 or so? Big enough for a person to stand?

AC is again 28 vs evil foes with 1 ally adjacent.

The scenario doesn't explain this well; what I envision is that the cage can swing a few feet from side to side, so if it falls quickly (like if Seamus lets go of it this round, instead of helping Haftor to lower it in a controlled way) it'll hit and likely damage anyone adjacent to the line denoting its original position. That is, if Seamus lets go Haftor can't hold it by himself, and it'll drop and possibly hit Seamus, Haftor, and Kronug before they can move.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage/pending
Jarrek
Kronug-acted
Trianne
Manticores
Haftor-lowering cage

Kronug's blade cleaves solidly into the manticore, and it looks like one more sword blow will drop it.

Manticores: AC 17 T 11 FF ? HP taken - Blue: 42 Red: 0

Seamus hangs on for dear life to the cage, Come on, get out! he calls. Can't hold this forever!

There we are!, continue to hold cage. Not sure if that's a full-round action or not.

It's a full-round action, but at Haftor's action the cage will be down safely. Unless something else happens in the meantime....

Jarrek and Trianne to go!

Composite Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Dmg: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Jarrek pulls out his bow and fires but he isn't much of an archer.

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage/pending
Jarrek-acted
Kronug-acted
Trianne
Manticores
Haftor-lowering cage

Jarrek's arrow sails over a manticore's head.

Trianne?

Trianne cries out as the spikes bite into her and reflexively lashes out again at the attacking manticore.

“Mind the tail!” she says to Jarrek and Seamus, gritting her teeth as she stumbles away and pulls the spikes carefully from her flesh.

TK Fist Red and move SE, SE out of LoS.

TK Fist Rng Touch on Red: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
TK Fist dmg: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Round 2 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Seamus-holding cage/pending
Jarrek-acted
Kronug-acted
Trianne-acted
Manticores-acted
Haftor-lowering cage

This time, Trianne's force attack hits the creature. That manticore bounds forward before the cage can come back down, sliding through the gap and biting at Jarrek. It sinks its fangs into the half-orc for 11 HP. The other one follows it and ends up right next to Trianne, but squeezing under the bars slowed it enough that it doesn't have time to attack.

The cage sinks to the ground with a clang.

Haftor can act!

Manticores: AC 17 T 11 FF ? HP taken - Blue: 42 Red: 4

”Seamus, take a step back and I’ll swap with yeh.”

Haftor will delay to see if Seamus is willing and able to take a 5’ step back. If he does, Haftor will move forward into the vacated position and attack with his hammer. Hammer. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12. Damage 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

Aye Haftor, stepping back.....now! Seamus responds and steps back obediently to get the heck away from the monsters.

Round 3 (ongoing):

Initiative order
Haftor-acted
Seamus-
Jarrek
Kronug
Trianne
Manticores

As the cage falls the last few inches with a clang, Haftor switches places with Seamus and tries to bring the hammer down on the nearest manticore. His aim is a little off, though.

Everyone else can act!

Manticores: AC 17 T 11 FF ? HP taken - Blue: 42 Red: 4

Trianne's features are tight with pain as the manticore closes upon her. Her hand is still on the door fixture she had used to stabilize herself while pulling out the spikes with her other hand.

Seeing the precarious nature of her position, she tries to open the door.

Is the door unlocked for her to open? Will post further action depending.

"Let's not do this again, alright?" Jarrek drops his bow and pulls out his oversized sword, the blade kindling with pale violet flames as he strikes.

Falchion PA: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Dmg+AS+whetstone: 2d4 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (1, 1) + 8 + 2 = 12

Round 3 (ongoing):

Trianne finds that the door is unlocked.

Jarrek steps up and takes a piece out of the less-wounded manticore.

Kronug, Seamus, and Trianne can act/finish acting.

Though there isn't much room, Kronug moves up alongside Haftor and strikes with Gorum's Thorn.

Attack vs Red, PA, Squeezing, Flanking: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 2 - 4 + 2 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 4) + 8 + 6 = 21

Confirm?: 1d20 + 12 - 2 - 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 - 2 - 4 + 2 = 18
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 6 ⇒ (2, 5) + 8 + 6 = 21

If it is still up after that, his AC will be 24 against it (base 26, +2 Lastwall Phalanx if it is evil, -4 squeezing).