Dungeon Master S's "Giantslayer" AP (Inactive)

Game Master Chris Marsh

Vael's spell is long and complex, but he thinks he's got just the ally in mind...

Round 1:
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: SNAIV
Hamilton: Buff!
Ushyle: Go
Raen: DD
Toads: TBD
Doxon: TBD

Raen's spells of relocation muddle Ushyle's mind, so accustomed to seeing for itself what is and what is not.

He will dwell upon it, and its similarities to the sensation of being pulled back from Pharasma's embrace, at some future time, however. Not now.

Using the mystical energy the haste spell provides, he races toward Blue, but the treacherous terrain makes his way difficult, even with magical alacrity. He takes in the measure if both toads and looks to find weak spots in their defenses.

Single move with haste, study target on both toads, ready to swing if it comes into melee range (I expect it won't).

Ushyle, tossed around magically, finally settles in for a fight.

Round 1:
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: SNAIV
Hamilton: Buff!
Ushyle: Prep
Raen: DD
Toads: TBD
Doxon: TBD

"Frozen frog? What will they think of next?"

Pig has never tried to fight on a broom before. But he floating above the snow, an idea pops into his head,'fire!' He reaches into his backpack and find what he is looking for: a small red vial that is warm to the touch. He pull the stopper off with his teeth while fishing out a hand full of bullets from his ammo pouch. He splashes the contents of the bottle onto the ammo and move the broom closer to the frogs.

Whistle Pig preps some special ammo as the toads close in on their meal:

The toads exude such cold that it freezes flesh: Raen, Doxon, and Ushyle all take Cold DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 3

The toad closest to Ushyle extends to bite Milani's chosen Bite: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 for DMG: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (1, 3) + 11 = 15 AND Cold: 1d6 ⇒ 1 AND Grab with tongue: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21, but Ushyle wriggles free!

Round 1:
Whistle Pig: Prep
Vael: SNAIV
Hamilton: Buff!
Ushyle: Prep
Raen: DD
Toads: ATK
Doxon: Go

Round 2:
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Hamilton: Go
Ushyle: Go
Raen: Go
Toads: TBD
Doxon: TBD

Ham pulls AJ around they close with the toad for combat. (taking the AoO if need be)

Flaming Hammer:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Damage on Hit:1d8 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 9 + (5) = 15

Vael completes his chant, and with a burst of flame a small humanoid creature with leathery wings and small horns appears. It's wings flap, keeping it 20ft above the ice toad. A fire mephit!

"Do yer worst on icy monster," the shaman says to the mephit. It gives him a mischievous smile, then casts a spell. With a gesture, a ray of pure fire lances out at the ice toad!
Scorching Ray on White (Ranged Touch): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Fire damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 4) = 14

He then calls upon the spirits, working to bring more allies to the field of battle. Converting Awaken/Overland Flight for SNAV

WP moves to get a better angle on the frog. The halfling points at Vael as the dwarf starts another incantation and whispers,'guard!'

I need to get Cleo a pog.

Rapid shot
1st attack
attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
1d6 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
2nd attack
attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20
1d6 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
3rd attack
attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
1d6 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Doxon flourishes Agrimmosh, the hammer bursting with flame as it swings around. He closes with the nearest toad and lays into it.

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 31
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 8 + 1 = 19+Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Agrimmosh, Haste: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 33
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (2, 4) + 8 + 1 = 15+Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Agrimmosh, Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 30
Damage: 4d6 + 18 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 6) + 18 = 36
DC 23 Fortitude save or shrink by one size category

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 6 + 1 + 2 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 8 + 1 = 19+Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Pick, TWF: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 10 + 1 + 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10+Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Pick, TWF: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 26
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11+Fire: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Doxon closes the gap, and the toad does its best to stop the dwarf, but Doxon will not be denied. By the time his weapons stop, there's little left of the animal.

Whistle Pig scores a pair of nasty hits that put the toad on the defensive.

Vael follows it up with a scorching ray that seems particularly effective.

Hamilton wheels around and tries to make quick work of the second, and the toad tries to knock him out before he can close AoO: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22, but misses! The roughrider's shot nearly kills the animal!

Round 2:
Whistle Pig: Hit
Vael: Scorching Ray (Redirected)
Hamilton: Hit
Ushyle: Go
Raen: Go
Toads: TBD
Doxon: TBD

Seeing the frog in front of her crushed beneath Agrimmosh, Raen turns and fireballs the other.

Fireball: 9d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 6, 3, 4, 6, 2, 2) = 34 fire damage, DC 21 Reflex half

Raen strikes a resounding end to the toad attack. Her fireball leaves naught but a scorched corpse.

For surviving the avalanche and killing the toads who caused it, each Hero earns 1,600 XP.

The remaining time to the giant settlement is quiet, though bitterly cold. Now twelve days out from Shinnerman's Fortune, Tulia scouts Skirgaard, the Giant Training Settlement.

With a fair bit of scouting, the party gets a feel for the layout of the settlement. The news isn't good.

Like Minderhal valley, the giants here number in the hundreds. These are also not the raw recruits from before. These giants obviously spend their time training. Roving bands of giant and troll guards make the entire plan seem insane...

Raen: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20
Ushyle: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Vael: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16 (Darkvision 60')
--->Tulia: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 (Darkvision)
Whistle Pig: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Doxon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20 (Darkvision 60')
Hamilton: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11 (Extra +2 if Mountains/Hills)

Ushyle catches something red in the snow.

Ushyle nudges Whistle Pig. Wolf, he half-grunts. Over there, he continues, indicating the wolf. It's evil enough, mind you — but I don't think we're its main concern right now. I think it's on our side, at least for now. And I'll take any ally we can get facing that army. The half-elf moves cautiously in that direction, following the wolf but at some distance.

The wolf eventually stops on the other side of a snow drift, awaiting the rest of the party....

"I can have a word with it, if ye want. See how true its connection to nature be."

Volunteering to be face since I have all these skill points in Diplomacy that, as yet, have been useless.

"There is polymorph magic at work," Raen says after a long gaze at the wolf. "There may be no connection at all."

She pauses a moment longer. "We should follow."

Casting False Life (1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15) each morning, and casting extended See Invisibility now.

"Very well."

False Life on Tulia: 1d10 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Over the hill the wolf turns and ....smiles. It speaks in Taldane, but with a distinctly Draconic accent, "My name in, short, is Naximarra. You have the stink of ....destabilization about you." The way the wolf says "destabilization" is almost fetishistic. "You're here to cause ruination I'm assuming. I seek allies to help me oppose the giants, and I is willing to share information as an offer of good faith. If you do the human thing where you rush in, you'll be dead in a day."

Pig nods at Ushyle "Wolves hunt in packs. Let's see if this animal is alone." and with a gesture sends Cleo to the sky to get a better idea of what is around the area.

Draconic name. Draconic speech. Draconic behavior. Dragon.

"Duly noted," Raen says with seriousness. "Tell me, why would a dragon hide in the form of a lowly wolf?"

WP grunts, "Some of us are NOT human." He eyes the animal intently,"We are going to need more from you. Who are you and what is your business here?"

sense motive: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Raen's question angers the wolf enough that a wave undulates outward. For the briefest of moments the wolf is terrifying. Then the wolf calms down, "The self-styled 'Storm Tyrant' possesses an Orb of Red Dragonkind and has dominated dragons under his command. I wish not to be under that yoke.*"

Ham speaks up, as he thinks he has the gist.

Of course. Tell us what you can. Perhaps we can be useful to you.

The wave of fear passes over WP without notice. The halfling's stance softens at the reference to slavery but he is confused,"Why do you stay here then? Just leave and terrorize some other location."

The wolf snorts, "You're astute for a mammal. Like all dragons, I abhor the thought of the enslavement of dragonkind, but for me, it’s even more personal—it’s about family. My ancestor is the dragon-soul held within the orb. I'll see that soul freed."

The wolf turns to Hamilton, "IF we reach accord, I can aid you with my intimate knowledge of Skirgaard. If."

Raen thinks over what she knows of orbs of dragonkind and their relationship with soul-keeping.

Know (Arcana): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (7) + 23 = 30

Pig pokes Vael and whispers,"Did you hear that? A dragon thinks I'm 'Astute.' As a childish grin spreads across his face. It's like he reached a life goal he didn't even know he had.

Raen knows little of the legendary orbs. She does know that legend has that each Orb includes the soul of an ancient dragon that keys it's power to a specific type of dragon....

Whistle Pig gets a smoke-filled snort from the dragon.

"Do we have an accord?"

Raen knows little of the legendary orbs. She does know that legend has that each Orb includes the soul of an ancient dragon that keys it's power to a specific type of dragon....

Whistle Pig gets a smoke-filled snort from the dragon.

"Do we have an accord?"

Apologies. IF we reach an accord. What do you want from us, and what can you offer?

Yes, speak your offer and conditions, Ushyle says, turning his attention back on the wolf-dragon and using discern lies and his own intuition take 10 on Sense Motive for 30.

"I think we're likely to have an accord, but I'd nae move forward before I ken yer terms. We're nae the sort to rush into anything."

"I have no terms beyond a desire to see you succeed in your goal. It is a risk for me to help directly. If the Storm Tyrant learns of me, he'll use the Orb. If you devote yourselves to disrupting this settlement - in body and mind, with as much courage as a mammal is capable of showing, I'll give you a comprehensive list of targets within that will allow you to maximize your effect while minimizing the risk of having the whole army descend upon you."

The wolf's fur alternates between being slicked back like it's on the hunt and horripilation... "Do we have an accord?"

I believe you, Ushyle says simply.

"Then it is done!"

The wolf takes a few steps back from the group. It twists and changes in the span of seconds. The wolf is gone, and in its place, a dragon. A crown of cruel horns surrounds the head of the mighty dragon. Thick scales the color of molten rock cover its long body.

The voice is simultaneously a grumble of flames and the clean delivery of a terrible choir, "Then listen to my words. The camp itself consists of...."

Naximarra explains a variety of locations and obstacles within Skirgaard. Through the dragon's direction, a plan begins to form. It consists of two main parts. Giants are independent, self-reliant creatures. When they do work together, it is usually in racially similar groups or along tribal lines, so the heterogeneous mixture of different giant races in Skirgaard is unusual, and uncomfortable for many training there. As a result, if the giants become sufficiently dismayed or disheartened with the camp’s conditions or leadership, they will quit altogether. Successes in this endeavor are measured in "sabotage points.". Certain actions, however, on your part can also generate "Outrage Points", representing the giants’ perception that they are under direct assault. You accrue Outrage Points through aggressive, blunt-force strategies; conversely, you can avoid gaining Outrage Points with stealth, espionage, planning, and guerrilla tactics. The distinction between Sabotage and Outrage can be subtle, but actions that generate Outrage Points spur the giants to immediately react rather than become discouraged. Outrage causes the giants to alter their routines in order to make a concerted effort to eradicate the threat. Needless to say, one type of point is preferable to the other. I am currently updating the map with highlights.

When the dragon finishes, you feel like you've got your head wrapped around what you need to do: Successfully disrupt the camp before you bring the whole thing down on yourselves. Accrue enough Sabotage to win before you accrue enough Outrage to make a final stand.

Finally, for treating with a terrible and awful dragon for the greater good, each Hero of Traunau earns 6,400 XP.

WP can't believe that he is talking to a real dragon, not the confused one they saw at the top of the tower, but a HUGE dragon that can even change it's shape!! He want's to giggle as the dragon talks about the camp, but something about the look and size of the dragon makes him keep his excitement inside. As the conversation starts to wind down, WP slips up next to Raen and taps her on the shoulder. He quietly whispers in her ear,"That thing I was asking you about in Trunau would come in rather handy right about now..."

Raen nods. "I have some work to do yet, little one. The magic is not strong enough yet."

I will finish in five days.

@ GM: does the dragon have any information to offer on any of the specific locations? In particular, are specific groups of giants responsible for certain facilities?

Yes, but it'll take me a few days to get that up and running. I've got Shattered Star tonight at my place, and tomorrow I'm on a plan to DC. I'll do my best to get something up before I go.

Naximarra explains a few highlights, "The frost giants control everything here. Trolls, hill giants, winter wolves, and even the drakes obey them. The entire encampment is overseen by a reclusive frost giant queen. I have not seen her with my own eyes, but I believe her to be undead. What I've given you is about as much as I know. You'll have to take it from here."

Are Frost Giants especially vulnerable to flame?

Knowledge:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Indeed, Frost Giants are particularly vulnerable to flame.

"I concur that the brewery is an advantageous location to begin our campaign," Raen agrees (per Slack). "I can offer a field of invisibility for the journey in, and again for the journey out, but no more than that. I shall prepare more such spells tomorrow."

Should we plan on slack and post the plan here when we're ready to execute?

So I think this first sortie will be a good learning experience for us. I'm going to abstract your camping habits a bit.

The party takes the time to find a covered area outside of the settlement. It provides protection from both the weather and from scouts. That night, hidden and protected by magic, they make their plan. Security and comfort have their disadvantages though, it's a three hour trek from beyond the reach of Skirgaard to your base. This reduces the time each day you have to take action. Still, a couple of targets per day are feasible.

Naximarra explains that during the day, each and every tower is manned. There are ambulatory patrols too, but they mostly wander and are easily avoided, unless a tower signals an alert.

At night, the towers aren't all manned, but trolls patrol the settlement and are looking for an excuse to eviscerate something.

So long as you're not rushing, drawing attention, or making a massive ruckus (i.e. Skirgaard is on alert) you can simply make it to your destination.

After discussion, the brewery seems to be the consensus. The Heroes of Traunau make the hike into the settlement, and immediately things are scary. There are hundreds of armed and trained giants. Still, the brewery is easy to reach.

From outside, this wooden structure appears to be a barn or warehouse, its pitched roof rising forty feet above the ground. The oversized double doors in the north and south walls are sized for giants, as is an exterior flight of stairs that runs along the north side of the building.

Tactical Map is updated.

Naximarra told you that Rohkinirr is the brewmaster. He's highly respected and a powerful frost giant. The beer is used as both a reward and a meal for giants. There's whiskey distilled here too, but that's only for the elite. I believe he lives within the brewery, so be cautious. If you can eliminate their supply [u]without[/u] him catching you, you'll make good progress.

From outside, this wooden structure appears to be a barn or warehouse, its pitched roof rising forty feet above the ground. The oversized double doors in the north and south walls are sized for giants, as is an exterior flight of stairs that runs along the north side of the building.

Tactical Map is updated.

Ushyle has developed some respect for Naximarra as the conversation continues and the dragon reveals understanding of military tactics. Impressive, the half-elf thinks. This dragon could lead an army to victory without a lick of flame.

He nods in agreement at the plan to sabotage the brewery. An army marches on its stomach, he says.

"We should do more than destroy their stock. We must sow distrust in their sick little minds..." Pig ponders for a moment, then continues" Let us poison the beer but leave with whiskey untouched. This should plan the seed resentment in the foot soldiers that the leaders don't care about them."

is there a common plant or animal that we could harvest locally to do what WP has planned?