DM Wellards Hook Mountain Massacre

Game Master Wellard

If Inikai does not mind barfing up the remains of a dead god, why would he complain about holding up a severed head? By the way, I think he is the only one without a magic belt of some kind. Does anyone else want the belt of strength from the ogre?

Summoning Elder Gods!!!...if this was CoC then it would be SAN rolls all-round

Plans please people

First level map (latest?)

Romon is still hesitant about revealing themselves. "I don't know. Up here we have no bolthole if things get wormy. And we never finished exploring the first floor. If we're going to woodpile king with that broad broken gate, we need to be sure they can't come at us from behind. We should stay quiet-like until we've cleaned house."

His piece spoken he waits for the others to answer while he considers the joys of firing arrows on the ogre crowd from the parapet or slinking invisibly through the crowd, or even invisibly firing arrows from the parapet.

How high is the keep wall above the courtyard again? How high is the outer wall?

Romon's best 'to hit' is with the bow, but he needs sneak attack if he's going to produce any sort of damage. Skirt-hiding-behind kind of guy that he is, staying high and invisible would probably be his first choice, especially if Wellard rules he's close enough to sneak attack from up there.

The Keep Walls are about 25' high. The outer wall 20'.

Esteriande considers Romon's words, and nods thoughtfully.

"Wise words, my friend. Let's find ze steps down and ensure we 'ave cleared ze lower floor and ze lower floor is secure before we take furzer steps."

Muchorak nods his thanks as the healing energies pass through him. "I think the display of the head would indeed demoralize them, and if not drive them into a rage where with what little brain matter they have they will refuse to use."

definitely think it best to clear out the 'inner' keep first before launching this assault.

One more thing about that map ... I think we looked in the room to the right of the door, not the left. I imagine there's another stairwell down in the tower to the left of the door. We won't even need to cross the open gate. Wellard can confirm?

Romon can't help, but smile. Wise words. She's learning.

All the towers have stairs that are intact..all the stairs are too flimsy for Ogres to use. There is also a larger tower to the rear off the keep only accessible from the upper floor.A quick check shows it to be a bell tower and that it is empty.

Then how did the ogres get up here? Are there any doors we have not explored?

There was a sest of stairs off the long hall on the first floor I do believe.

"Very well my friends - let us clear zis keep," Esteriande leads the way down the steps on cat-like feet.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31

Why can't I roll like this in combat?

Because sneaking is a natural behavior. Think about it. In a world with super-predators like dragons, etc , keeping out of sight is at a premium. Standing up in a straight fight is usually suicide. Stealth -- becomes the prime survival mechanism.

The ranger looks at Ursus, gives the bear a gentle nudge, then the two follow ready continue this bloody work...

...as do DireAliWolf and Lunas

Inikai follows along. As he walks, the young man takes a bit of his trail rations and eats in a quick and unrefined manner.

Naria follows still peppering Inikai with the odd question.

Inikai does his best to answer Naria's inquiries in those moments that silence is not essential. However, it is apparent that his knowledge of magic is well below hers and that many of her questions are beyond his understanding.

The keep is ..empty..you seem to have drawn out the majority of the occupants and they don't seem to have returned yet. A quick check from the battle ments shows that some of the ogres are gathered in small groups scattered throughoput the courtyard and taking cover as best they can from the arrows that continue to drop ocassionally into that area. Others seem to have returned to the barracks.

Firebomb da barracks Icky!!

"I still have these fire-globes" Inikai says as he holds the necklace that they hang from. "The roof of the barracks might offer some protection to the ogres inside. I would rather burn them while they are outdoors. That way we could also see how many there are for each globe."

"This might the time to attack them at range, while they are
gathered in the yard."

"Non, I zink the barracks is ze place to destroy zem," Exteriande disagrees. "We were told eet is a fire trap. I zink we 'ave oil, and thrown missiles could reach it safely from ze battlements of ze keep." If some of us go to ze gates below to fight when zey try and gain access, ze rest can strike from above."

"Muchorak, Ursas, Alli and I can bar entry to ze keep. Romon and Naria are better suited to attack from above. Inikai, take whatever position you feel is best for your abilities."

"Once we begin the attack I will present them with this" Inikai says, holding the head of the ogre giant. "I will join you on the ground after making my...presentation. When I get to the courtyard I will need a 'field of fire' so to speak, every now and then, to spew out something unpleasant at our foes."

[ooc]Inikai wants to find a place high enough to be seen with the ogre head but that will allow him to make it down to the others quickly. Who is going to throw the fire-globes? They would be more effective than arrows, so they should be used up before other missile attacks begin. Inikai will have his hands full with the severed head. They he can make 2-3 ranged attacks before he moves to join the melee.[ooc]

Romon shakes his head. "Better to burn them from the inside out. All it will take is a soft foot and steady nerve."

Rather than torch the barracks from the outside, we should try to deliver the fireballs inside the barracks. Setting fire to them from the outside will give the ogres time to get out.

Excellent plan! A greater invisd Romon sneaks to the barracks, lobs in a couple bombs, they all panic and block the door, and fighting each other to get out, and that'll be our signal to attack!

I like the idea of Romon sneaking in, at least to the door way then lobbing in some fireballs while they are trapped so to speak within.

Muchorak nods his approval of the plan, "My blades still thirst for Ogre blood."

Inikai nods at the plan. "Just make sure you don't get caught in there with them, Romon."

Then he idly turns the severed ogre-head to face him and says "I suppose it is too late to ask what your name was. Oh well, I am sure your companions will recognize you."

"All right, let us do this."

Esteriande looks grim, troubled but resolute.

"Zere is zat ozzer tower east of ze keep zat was unsafe, ze Black Arrows told us about. Naria, 'ave you a spell left zat may collapse it?"

"I could try and cast a few acid spells on the supposts see if that does the trick?"

"Alisebett and I might be able to call up some earth elementals to undermine the tower and bring it down..." Marak offers.

Inikai nods at the plan. "Just make sure you don't get caught in there with them, Romon."

"What? Do I look stupid? You don't mix with the goons. You let them chase you where they don't want to go."

Then he idly turns the severed ogre-head to face him and says "I suppose it is too late to ask what your name was. Oh well, I am sure your companions will recognize you."

"Biff. His name was Biff." Romon smiles broadly. "SO how do I work this fireball thing?"

***

"All right, let us do this."

Esteriande looks grim, troubled but resolute.

"Don't worry about me. They won't know what hit them. I'll be just a little firefly."

"Just throw it, when it hits something solid it will explode."

Inikai has 1 8-die fireball-globe and four 2-die globes.

"I could try and cast a few acid spells on the supposts see if that does the trick?"

"Alisebett and I might be able to call up some earth elementals to undermine the tower and bring it down..."

"Eizzer would be 'elpful, and could give Romon time to get in position," Esteriande muses. "If ze elementals can attack ze ogres in ze courtyard after, zey will sow more confusion. Naria, we will need you 'ere to cast ze invisibility spell on Romon. We may as well forget fighting from ze parapet, save for ze summoning maybe - I do not know 'ow you would achieve it, I leave it to you."

She claps Romon on the shoulder.

"I trust you, mon amor, but take care."

"Are we agreed on ze plan, zen?"

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Sounds good. Just don't spook them before I torch the barracks. I don't want to try a silent waltz through a wild mob with more brawn than a dragon and the cuddly personality of a badger."

So, just to make sure I've got the sequence right. Romon gets to the barracks while Inikai tries to cow the crowd. My boy tosses in the fireballs and away we go?

Naria, where do you want to cast from? After getting invisible Romon can leave from the gate or jump off the wall with acceptable risk. Personally I think jumping is more in his idiom. And he can start well away from the gate. Hopefully close to the barracks.

Fort Map

Wellard, How many ogres on the outer wall? How tall is the smokehouse and what is it's construction?

"Agreed"

"Oui. We will go on your signal. Zere should be lampoil around, if you want to spread some around the barracks entrance, zat should prevent zeir exiting. When we 'ere and see ze fire, Marrak and maybe Alli will begin zeir work on ze old tower. Inikai can show zem zeir leader's 'ead. I expect at least some will attempt to attack ze keep at zis stage, if zey do not, we will 'ave to sally forth and deal wiz any stragglers."

Ali can't summon elementals at present. She can summon some more wolves or other animals though. Do we have an approximate idea how many ogres we'll be dealing with in the courtyard?

Ready and eager for the finale to the the battle, DireAliWolf and Lunads head downstairs with the others once they're ready.

There are perhaps 30 ogres on the outer walls..the smokehouse is a single story building containing half a dozen badly damaged smakers now being used for Ogre barbeques

30; do we know how many we hope to get caught in the barracks?

Maybe 20 or so in the barracks and 8-10 in the old tower.

Looks like Marak is making elementals on his own, while Alli adds wolves and confusion to any ogres in the courtyard/on the walls.

Esteriande readies some spells to cast and abilities to call upon. She will cast weapon of awe on her sword when Romon embarks, then call her bonded spirit into it (adding the holy property), and lastly drink a potion of enlarge person when we hear Romon's attack go off.

Earth elemental thing won't work. Just looked up earth glide, and it forbids earth elementals from leaving tunnels while moving through earth, so no undermining anything.

It can still bash the foundations though.

Naria ready to cast greater invisability on Romon the moment he prepares to head out.

I suppose that the central tower of the inner keep would be the ideal place for Inikai to stand when he makes his campaign speech.

Sorry, guys. I've started this post three times since Thursday, but have never been able to complete it.

From the wall, since Naria expressed no preference. It's more in Romon's idiom.

Romon takes the three fireball beads in hand and sits on the edge of the wall. He glancs down to make sure there are no ogres underneath and the path to the barracks door is clear. "I'm ready." He winks at Naria.

As soon as she casts the spell he kicks backward off the wall and goes into a tight tuck, so that he spins over to his feet as he falls. He pulls out of it just as the featherfall kicks in and lands lightly on his feet. Too bad no one could see that. This invisibility does have its drawbacks. Still, he's satisfied that the performance has reaffirmed his cool.

Dodging well away from any ogres, he hustles over to the barracks door, he pauses to shift three of the smaller beads to his right hand. Then he quickly opens the door and hurls the large and a small bead into the barracks, aiming for the far wall or a convenient solid object a good distance from the door.

Take 10 for a DC 26 acrobatics check on the flip during the fall. It was just one revolution. Fast stealth to get me to the door of the barracks. Not going for stealth on opening the door. Speed between opening it and tossing beads is Romon's plan.

Fireball damage 8d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1, 6, 1, 6, 1, 1) = 26 + 2d6 ⇒ (2, 1) = 3

There are five fireball globes: one 8d6 and four 2d6.

Frugality is a virtue.

Just in case:

Initiative 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Edit: %^&()(&^$^$#@#$!#@#$#%$@@!!!