Slei fires again.
The giant splashes through the water towards the signal fire, ignoring Giles.
Eldan finally launches his spell as the giant approaches
Zigil also casts a spell as the giant closes, but it seems to have no effect.
As it was approaching and the group attacked it, the giant veered away from its path to Slei, first towards Zigil, then towards Eldan.
"This one's not smart. Will chase after whoever hits it last. I should hit it last to lead it away for now."
Giles holds his action until after Eldan.
Grodar reloads and fires at the giant.
Ditto.
Zigil will move beside Giles, and cast shield of faith .
"Grodar, if you come this way, I have a bull's strength spell with your name on it!"
Everyone: 28 more rounds of bless, +1 (morale) to saves and attacks
Giles: 30 rounds of shield of faith, +2 (deflection) to AC
Slei's stone smacks the giant with a satisfying thump, and it collapses into the pond.
As the heroes are catching their breath, Kurst arrives on horseback.
"Well done! I believe we've stemmed the worst of the invasion, though we should light this beacon to make sure all of the patrols return."
"I came here because I heard reports of a giant, but it seems you have taken care of that problem. I also heard it opened a tunnel into the hill, and that a single humanoid accompanied by wolves entered, followed shortly by another single humanoid."
"Do you feel up to investigating?"
"Welcome back, Kurst. Your timing is perfect. You can take over here while we investigate this tunnel you speak of, however, lighting this beacon may be a bad idea. It seems to be trapped and may explode with dire consequences."
"I think this tunnel may be where the white cross was painted before. I think they had spotters in the field and the white crosses where the signal to begin their action against us. I want to find them and crush them beneath the heel of my boot."
"Hope there's more of these big uglies inside. Let's go."
"I am with Eldan and Giles. I'm ready. I'll save my spells for the next battle."
"Kurst, the beacon will shine like daylight for another fifty minutes. It is covered with some kind of powder, and Giles thinks it might explode if set afire. You may wish to have your men build a new beacon some distance away unless you can clean off this one and make it safe."
Everyone: 28 more rounds of bless, +1 (morale) to saves and attacks
Kurst asks, "Do any of you have a ranged fire spell we could use to ignite the beacon? The spell is unlikely to be seen beyond the walls."
"Could you not use a flaming arrow?"
Kurst replies, "I'm sure we can come up with something."
The group of adventurers manage to cross to the far side of the pool and gather in front of the darkened tunnel.
The tunnel is festooned with gossamer spiderwebs, glittering from the spray of the Hopespring waterfall. Chunks of rubble are scattered about the floor, and the bodies of four battered orcs lie strewn about. It appears they were previously chained to the giant.
The tunnel is unlit, and the sun is not at the proper angle to reveal much within.
"Looks like there's a cave up ahead, maybe 60 feet."
Quietly to Grodar, "I see it. We should approach quietly and see if it's clear before we search these bodies."
"And by 'we', I mean either Slei or you."
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And by Slei or me you mean Slei.
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The orcs have not been wearing uniforms, but these are full orcs, not half-orcs.
Slei moves forward very quietly, until she can no longer see in the darkness.
She realizes that she could bring a light, but that would hamper her ability to hide.
Eldan touches Ziggy's sword saying, "Perhaps this will help," as a bright light begins to eminate from the blade. He then gives the Orcs a once over.
Perception = 9 + 6 = 15
Knowledge Local = 11 + 11 = 22
The orcs have been battered to death against the walls. There are some broken vials about, and two double-axes in familiar-looking scabbards.
Slei is able to see a bit better now. A narrow passage leads out of the passage to the west, while the floor drops away to the south. A bridge of stone leads away to the east.
The air in the cavern is humid, condensation glistens on the walls, and the trickle of water is audible everywhere in the cavern.
If Zigil does not see anything, she will move up to row AJ behind Slei.
Perception = 18 + 6 = 24
Zigil moves forward into the cave, bringing the light with her. Slei manages to slip to the side in the shadows. Both of them can see that the bridge leads to another cavern, and that there is a lower cave below a drop to the south.
As Zigil looks around, the shadows swirl around him and form into dozens of rats with gleaming eyes! The swarm looks like the same shadow rats which the heroes fought in the granary and in the abandoned chapel.
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"Shadow rats! Watch out, Master-iss Ziggy!" Eldan shouts as he moves up to Ak68 and casts burning hands, narrowly missing Ziggy.
Burning Hands = 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 8
Zigil flinches at the flame. "Watch out for them or for you?"
Fire wreaths the rats and seems to hurt them, but their incorporeal nature prevents much of the possible damage.
The rats remain incorporeal and pass in and out of the priest in a dizzying mass, sapping Zigil's strength.
(unless it's a death effect, energy drain, negative energy or a necromancy spell or spell-like ability; then it's 13)
The way the rats scurry around and through Zigil elicits vertigo in the cleric, and he is nauseated.
Zigil moves to AH68. And vomits.
Grodar lights a torch using his flint and steel.
Giles safely discharges his blunderbuss and reloads it with shot.
Slei will fire a sling bullet into the swarm.
Also oops, damage:
Unfortunately, Slei's stone passes right through the incorporeal rats without harming them.
Zigil pukes her agreement.
Grodar swings his improvised weapon at the swarm.
Or, at least, that's what he tried to do.
"My spells are not set to deal with a swarm like this. Master-iss Ziggy, I know you are under the weather, but perhaps you can fight through it and unleash the power of your god."
The swarm surges forward over and through Eldan.
Zigil finds her nausea has passed.
Zigil's attempt to harm the rats is less effective than hoped for.
Grodar advances and flails at the rats with his torch.
Giles also gets out and lights a torch. "Meant to get some oil in town. Anyone have oil?"
Slei will light a torch as well.
On her turn, if the swarm is not within 30', Zigil will move until it is, and then
(Will DC 15)