It could be an interesting opening move if you can surprise a baddie. And seeing how big giants are, there probably isn't much danger in hitting friendlies with it.
Oh, and someone really needs to prep Rope Trick. We could use it to take a Short Rest mid-dungeon. That's invaluable.
.
" Elwë fell. Fighting ta the last, a good warrior... " Oskar quickly clears his throat. " For an elf. Luthia too, a good lass. Though maybe she didn't have the stomach for this work, she fought well. We'll have to recover their bodies when we go back. Olden disappeared I thought he might of made it out but he hasn't showed. "
Arial leads the second group into the cave, smiling at the sight of Oskar and Malaki, back in the prime of health. After a quick round of introductions, she speaks quietly.
"The first foray into the steading was more successful than you might think," she says. "Without so much as pausing to catch your breath, you learned much of the place's layout, as well as killing or driving off a dozen hill giants and a cloud giant. Nosnra knows now that he has an enemy, and while Luthia and Elwe were lost, these others have come to lend their strength to the fight."
"Harold's the name and it's a pleasure to meet those willing to test their might against the big folk. Not that their are many creatures that are not bigger than me," he would say with a grin and quick wink.
"However, don't let my size mislead you, I'm handy with a blade and quick on my feet."
A blond man in blue dragon scale armor and carrying a steel shield encrusted with jewels and laced with gold, walked in behind Harold.
He raised his hand and rose-colored light emanated from his gauntlet, illuminating the cave.
"Greetings. I am also at your service. I am Roman, a priest of Lathander. And I bring his light to your cause."
"When do we attack?"
If the initial attack caused a lot of chaos the bad news may be that they are vigilant, the good news may be they are spread out and paranoid, a winning combination!
A tall thin elf with light features and dark clothes idly runs his fingers along a brocaded spell component pouch as he leans against a cave wall.
Eukaeros. Illusionist, theif...spy. The elf offers a light smirk. Shall we wait for dark or do we proceed in the day?
Harold would chirp up at the question, "My eyes serve me better in the light of day and I not only prefer being able to see my enemy, I prefer that they are capable of seeing me as well. It is no test of one's strenght to slay an enemy that can not see you."
"Perhaps a compromise? We could attack at dawn with the rising sun at our backs. I imagine the hour would still leave them unprepared. But regardless of when we attack I can assure you that there will be no shortage of light."
And just to punctuate his point, the soft rose-colored light of his gauntlet flared to the blinding white of a midday sun, and then faded back down again.
Malaki faces the newcomers, stretching out the aches from his wounds as he does so.
Hail and well met. My name is Malaki Davont.
Drawing one blade, he greets each of you with a martial salute before continuing.
The Elven woman speaks true. Though we suffered casualties, we left a grievous blow against Nosra that he shall not soon forget. His greatest ally was cut down, as was many of his kin, and we ran off no small number of his thralls. Though he will be on the alert, but he undoubtedly be paranoid, and frightened even. We can use this to our advantage.
I favor the darkness myself, and would advocate that we strike when the majority of the Giants are most likely to be asleep. The interior of the Hold is dark, with few areas lit it seemed beyond the Great Hall, so I doubt whether we strike during the day will matter much in terms of aiding our eyesight.
I am a warrior, skilled in both blade and bow, with a talent for striking unseen and when my foe least expects it. I can scout ahead, and have a keen eye for whatever cruel devices our foe may have lying in wait for us.
My blades thirst for vengeance, and they shall not be sated into they have drank deep of the Chieftain and his Mate's blood. I am ready to leave as soon as my comrade Oskar is.
"Very well. We attack at midnight then, and hope to catch the giants unawares."
Things are much the same as you return to the giant's hall, until you reach the edge of the woods, about a hundred yards from the giant's compound. Several days have passed, and from the tracks on the road, it would seem they have been busy with comings and goings. A crude pit has been dug in front of the main gait, twenty feet square and too deep to see the bottom of without getting closer.
In the clearing, several bonfires have been built, filling the area with light even at night.
Roman used his finger to sketch a symbol of a sun on his forehead, asking for some guidance from his God.
"I see fires, but no giants," Roman whispered. "But I doubt they'd leave this unguarded."
Harold would squint his eyes and take a moment to look over the encampment.
With his initial glance, he almost missed the giant in the watch tower because of the light given off by the fires, but fortunately it moved while it was still within his peripherial vision.
With a quick poke to his new traveling companion's side, he would nod his head towards the tower.
"We are not alone. There is a giant up above in the tower."
With that being said, Malaki actively scans the area for hidden dangers, as well as cover to approach the compound.
I see him...I can scale the tower easily enough, and it seemed large as they are, these Giants have no defense for a blade in the throat. Last I was here, the courtyard was filled with larger than normal Wolves.
"Those bonfires will expose you. And the giant will likely sound an alarm, if he spots you. A spell of invisibility might be warranted. It could save us a lot of organized resistance."
"Wait. We're missing something. When have you ever heard of just one guard? There's got to be more. Maybe we should try and draw them out? We could rustle some bushes, make a little noise. That's not enough to warrant sounding an alarm, but it should be enough to investigate. Then we'll get a better idea of how many there are and we can setup a proper ambush."
DM, is there enough cover for me to sneak up?
We could also try to douse a fire, that may draw some of them out...I agree though, one guard with all this would be surprising.
"Could it be that they set all of this up to feel secure with only having one guard on duty?"
Questions, questions...
You're 300' from the tower and the gate. The bonfires shed bright light for about 50' (I don't have my playtest docs here, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it) and dim light for another 50' They're about 100' from the compound. There is about 50' of dim lighting around the compound that could be hidden in by someone who can hide in dim light, and there are also several places where the bonfires are too widely spaced, so that there are avenues of dim light that could be utilized, and patches of darkness around the compound's walls, though not near the front gate.
There are also two gates in the rear that open into a courtyard that was previously full of dire wolves. The original assault on the place did kill several, so you don't know yet how many remain.
Roman: No map out here.
Malaki: There's not much cover, but as far as you can tell, there's only one look out. You might make a sprint for it when he's looking the other way.
Higher perception rolls reveal no further giants keeping watch. However, you do notice that the one you can see is fairly erratic. He'll patrol, scanning all directions fairly diligently for a minute or so, and then he's stare in one direction or another for a time, apparently distracted?
Which direction is he staring at?
"One of us could move off in another direction and make a bit of sound or a flash of light to draw the giant's attention to give you a chance to get to him unnoticed," Harold would offer.
I believe I can get to him, though I will not turn away your aid. However, I am curious what he finds so interesting off in that direction. Hold here.
Malaki darts into the shadows, moving around the compound to see what the lone Giant finds so interesting. He uses his Hat of Disguise to take the form of an Orc as he movea.
For any Hidden Enemies or Dangers along the way.
Conscious that Malaki might need aid as he skulks about Eukaeros hold his component pouch and throws out his hand in the darkness as he creates an illusory crow that flies off into the sky cawing loudly.
Behind the giant's compound is a single massive bonfire. After a moment, you realize that it was a pyre, originally. The bodies have long since been burnt away, but the fire remains, illuminating the night, sending embers floating a hundred feet into the air. It seems the giant is watching this fire.
As he takes up his patrol, he sees Malaki, and peers into the darkness at what appears to be a lone orc. A rock the size of your head flies out and falls a little short of you, seemingly intended more to frighten hte orc off than to cause any harm.
Malaki will act frightened, shaking his fist at the Giant before heading away from the compound and looping around to the others.
As he approaches, he takes back his normal form.
The Giant saw me, but fell for my disguise. He appears to be distracted by a pyre, presumably burning what is left of his dead fellows.
"These giants take quite a bit of taking down Max. Even if we all made our shots I'd be doubting the arrows would do enough ta stop him form alerting the others.
Do you think he'd be able to see us if we tried circling around the fort and entering through the courtyard?"
@ Oskar: It looks like the building would provide cover once you reached the bonfires, but the tower is high enough to allow him to see as far as the fires themselves.
Roman stared at Malaki's magical hat. It would make a fine addition to his own treasures.
He shook his head vigorously, trying to quell his shield's compulsion of greed. Still his momentary avarice gave him an idea.
"If I can get closer to the giant, I can cast magical silence on the tower. That could give us the opportunity we need to take him out quietly. Perhaps, Malaki, you can distract him for me in your disguise. Once, I cast my spell, assault him. We'll do our part from a distance. Tell him you have an urgent message."
" Probably the best plan we're going to get. "
Oskar chants praying over his bow, then he takes two arrows from his quiver spearing one into the ground in front of him and notching not to the bow string. He continues to chant for a few seconds more, imbuing himself with Clangeddin's power.
If this is the plan you go ahead with, here's what I'll need:
A charisma/deception check from Malaki (with a +5 from the Hat).
A dexterity/stealth check from Roman. If Malaki makes his check, Roman will have advantage on this.
Attack rolls from everyone attacking. The closest you can get without needing stealth checks is 150' To get closer, I'll need a dex/stealth check for every "move" you make to get closer. You'll have advantage on these if Malaki makes his deception check. Please note your weapon ranges to see if you will have disadvantage on these attacks.
(The DC of all of these checks is 9, incidentally)
Malaki will do so, assuming the form of a wounded orc warrior. He will also be attempting to get close enough to engage the guard, or if that is not possible, at least fire his bow. He is alsokeeping an eye out as he approaches the compound for more dangers.
Malaki is quite convincing in his performance, so much so that those watching for a moment lose track of whether it is him or another orc that has wandered in. He approaches the tower, calling out for aid in Giantish to get the brutes attention away from Roman.
As the group decides on a course of action, Harold will remove his shortbow from his back and prepare himself to move forward with Roman.
"Guide my steps, Morninglord."
He moved forward, and when he was in range he cast a spell of silence.
As Roman moves forward, rather noisily, Harold will burst into a sprint and quickly take the lead.
Once he feels like he is within range, he'll wait for Roman to cast before taking his shots.
The giant seems intent on watching Malaki's limping progress, until Roman finds a rabbit hole and stumbles, his armor rattling noisily enough that the giant's head turns....
Malaki & Roman, you're 120' away at the start of combat.
Anyone who wished to advance stealthily is at 150-your speed'.
Everyone else is 150' away.
TLH: I'm keeping your attack/damage rolls. You start the turn at 115', a move would take you to 80, and your shots would both hit for a total of 15 points of damage.
Everyone else, feel free to post your actions, since you're all going before the giant.
Roman cursed his clumsiness. He moved forward, and finished his spell of silence.
Malaki moves 30 feet closer to the Giant, then grins savagely as he drops his disguise and lets fly 2 arrows towards the brutes vitals! He then uses Cunning Action to move 30 feet behind cover.
Oskar pulls back on his bow when he sees the giant notice Roman, he lets his first arrow fly and without watching its path plucks the second arrow from the ground and sends it the same way. Then he dashes forwards.