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

Game Master Chris Marsh

With the fuse severed and blocked, Raen loots the bodies, then asks those with flaming weapons to set fire to the stores and leads the group out. If the fire does not appear to be catching, she will speed it along with a fireball.

Outside, Raen covers the group with a glamer (invisibility sphere) for their next trek.

Head back to camp? Hit somewhere else? Not sure that we have a plan for dealing with the slaves at the Gristmill yet?

WP helps spread the fire as best he can. As they leave, WP sees Raen's gaze move towards the Gristmill. " We need to free them next, but we can't just free them to be put back into bondage or worse. We must have a plan."

The fire catches with little help. The party exits out the back and once they confirm the silo is going to burn, they discuss their next plan...

For burning down the silo, the party earns 1 Sabotage Point. For clearly and obviously sabotaging it without a cover story or reason the party also accrues 1 Outrage Point.

Slight retcon

But what was it a fuse for? the half-elf asks, peering up at the remaining length of rope. They clearly had a contingency plan for the granary for some reason...

"the Fuse is not important. We need to find a way to get the slaves free."WP's voice takes on a sense of urgency that makes the group pause. "Being in chains is no way to live."

Whistle Pig and Ushyle's conversation is interrupted by the answer. As the silo's fire really begins to gain intensity, there's an explosion on the roof. Then there's an ear-piercing whistle sound, and a streak of skyward fire, finally loudly exploding in a burst of light and sound.

Within moments, there is a giant patrol by the silo. It's too late though, the grain is destroyed and the giants are outraged.

The entire area is currently on high alert.

You move heroes.

The party slips away from the fire. In time the giants calm down, though word spreads faster than the invisible party can move; giants grumble the whole way back.

Eventually most everything is back to normal as the party prepares to rest another night.

Conversation over freeing the slaves continues well into the night.

The cold and bright dawn of the 11th of Gorzan comes.

Ushlye has been up since before the sunrise, having had some trouble sleeping overnight. Hamilton finds him seated by the cold campfire from the evening before, coils of rope scattered about him and the half-elf feverishly fashioning a number of rope ladders, knotted together to stretch beyond forty feet or so.

He answers the ranger's raised eyebrow. If we drop this from the cliff face into the slave pen, we can get those poor souls out, he says, then heaves a sigh and puts his work down a moment. I still don't know how we get the slaves stuck in the gristmill out, though. Any ideas on that?

"The gristmill is the easier task. The structure is enclosed, and there are only a dozen slaves. However, I suggest we begin with the larger slave population. Once the main source of labor has absconded, the giants will be reluctant to slay their few remaining slaves. We may then rescue them at the gristmill."

Raen adjusts her spell preparations, and guides the company in.

The party casts their routine morning spells, including Raen's shell of invisibility. Quickly they move to the slave pens they came close to when approaching the Shrine of Thremyr.

Long rows of small wooden shacks huddle together in this fenced in yard. They are unpainted, crude structures, unfit for long-term human survival in the cold environment. A few communal fire pits are scattered among the sheds. The fallen snow is mixed with dirt and frozen mud, trampled down by the milling of countless feet, both large and small. These small, pathetic shacks look like they house three or four dozen human slaves.

The yard is guarded by a pair of frost giants armed with mancatchers. Tou your south is a guard tower which is in view of the slaves.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

"Do we need to deal with the tower first? Or do ye have some illusion that will mask us dealing with the two giants? Can ye program an illusion to hide the battle? Or do we sneak past and let the slaves out by the back?"

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

"One of the guards has a signaling horn too, so we'll need to prevent them from sounding an alarm. Magical silence?"

Ushlye nods. I can do that.

Cast invisibility, then silence and move to dispatch Horatio Hornblower.

"Hold Ushyle. I think we can make this easier. Keep that silence magic ready."

The group approaches the far side of the slave pens while under Raen's sphere of invisibility. The shaman begins a low, quiet chant to the Spirits of Nature and moments later he causes the wood planks of the fence to warp and pop out of place.

Cautiously they proceed in, and to the first slave they find Vael says, "We're here to rescue ye. Get everyone ready to leave, but wait for our signal. You'll know it when you see it." He gives them a few more instructions about exiting so that they can proceed safely.

Once arranged, the group uses the same invisibility to get the drop on the giants. "Focus on the one in blue. He's got the horn."

I think we're ready for initiative, GM. Hopefully the invisibility nets us a surprise round.

Perception Blue: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 = 22
Perception Black: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 1 = 26

Roll a Stealth check for the party. You'll get a surprise round regardless, but this decides how close you get.

The slaves are a bit bewildered by the floating voices, but quickly figure out what's going on. They try to play it calmly, though whimpers of relief escape their mouths. The party then crosses towards the giants....

The party manages to sneak right up to the giant with the horn!

Surprise Round!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Hamilton: Go
Ushyle: Go

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Ushyle keeps to the far side of the hornblower, trying to ensure the rest of the party stays out of the silence effect. He knows that tactically he needs to strike quickly, both because the absence of sound will tip a wily foe off, and because his invisibility spell will be gone as soon as he tries to strike.

So he needs to make that strike count as much as he can.

He silently calls Milani's bane on to Milani's Thorn, then exhales, measuring and making his strike...

Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, bane, attacking from invisible

attack: 1d20 + 15 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 15 + 2 + 2 = 26
dmg w/bane and sneak: 2d6 + 15 + 2d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 15 + (3, 6) + (3, 5, 5, 4) = 50

Studied target is free except costing a swift action. Bane also costs a swift, but does require rounds of tracking. Because studied target lasts until end of encounter or until target is dead, GM's call if it can happen outside of combat. If so, please add +2 to hit and to damage. If not, no worries.

Will say that because you could stalk the giant, you get studied.

Ushyle becomes visible just a moment before the blade swings. Crimson flower petals fall softly to the snow as he strikes. The giant's leg is nearly severed from the swing which would decapitate two horses! He cries out and starts to fumble for the horn!

Surprise Round!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Hamilton: Go

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

He cries out silently and starts to fumble for the horn!

Fixed that for you.

SURPRISE ROUND
Vael chants, hands clapping together as two spheres of crackling lightning appear atop the frost giant in blue!
Ball Lightning, DC 18 Reflex negates: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1) = 9
Ball Lightning, DC 18 Reflex negates: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1) = 6

Crossbow ready, the azaka lets fire a bolt from her angry weapon.
+1 Giant-Bane Light Crossbow w/Hunter's Blessing: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35
Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (3, 6) = 17

Doxon quickly calls on Torag's aid to battle these hated foes.

Surprise Round: Divine Favor

Seeing the wounded giant reach for his horn, Doxon wastes no time bringing Agrimmosh and Fang down on him.

Swift action: Fervor to cast Channel Vigor: Haste

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 28
Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 22

Agrimmosh, Haste: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 26
Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 21

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 35 Threat!
Damage: 3d6 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2, 4) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 25

Agrimmosh, TWF, Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 31
Damage: 6d6 + 28 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 1, 2, 4) + 28 = 40

Pick, TWF: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 16

Pick, TWF: 1d20 + 5 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 4 + 2 = 14

Surprise

Raen instructs her heart to stop pounding. The gravity of this endeavor is immense, but she does not have time to think about that right now. Instead, she weaves the most complex illusion she has ever conjured.

In the distance, on the FAR side of the guard tower from the slave pens, a pair of frost giants come plodding through the snow. Their chain mail is rusty, their helmets dented. One is missing a boot, and has his foot wrapped in what appears to fir branches. The other has his tunic on backwards. Both carry clubs spiked with wicked iron nails.

"Oi!" one of them calls up to the tower in Giantish. "OI!!! You there! Which way to the commander's hut? New recruits, see."

"I'm hungry," the other comments, seemingly to no one in particular.

"You're always hungry," the first one responds, clearly annoyed. He turns back up to the tower. "Point the way, eh? Which way?"

When the giants in the tower respond:

The first giant cups a huge hand to a tattered ear. "What? I can't hear ya, you gotta talk louder. It's windy and I got a bad ear."

"I'm hungry," the other comments, again addressing the wind as much as anyone else.

"Shut up!" the first one snaps, "I'm tryin' to get us where'n we need to go." He turns back to the tower. "So which way did you say?"

When the guards respond again:

"I'm hungry," the hungry fellow says, and sits down in the snow. "Like, really hungry."

"WHAT?" the first giant shouts at the tower over the noise of his comrade, clearly agitated now. "SORRY, BUT THIS IDIOT WON'T SHUT UP!!! WHICH! WAY?!"

"I could eat an ox you know. Maybe a whole dozen, even."

"SHUT UP! I can't hear them!"

This continues in a similar fashion for the next 9 minutes. DC 23 Will save to recognize the illusion.

Round I

Still invisible, Raen grabs ahold of Hamilton and teleports both of them across the battlefield to the other giant. Will grab Doxon too, if Blue is already down. Vael and Whistle Pig become visible as Raen's glamer moves with her, but that cannot be helped.

Vael opens with a quick bit of magic!
REF: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
REF: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

The giant can do little to avoid the balls of lightning! Regardless, he tries, only to twist directly into Tulia's arrow!

Raen immediately expends some arcane power to provide an illusory cover. The illusion covers Doxon's magical preparation.

Surprise Round!
Whistle Pig: Go
Hamilton: Go

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Posted
Doxon: Posted
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Hamilton attacks the giant with quick jabs from Heartspit.

Heartspit:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38 Damage:1d8 + 13 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 13 + (4, 4) = 29

Hamilton jabs the spear deep into the giant's lung. The frost giant guard spits a frothy spray of blood onto the ground, but doesn't fall.

Surprise Round!
Whistle Pig: Go

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Posted
Doxon: Posted
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Ever the one-trick pony with his small sling Whistle Pig launches a stone at the giant. Everyone that watches him is left wondering why he doesn't use a bow already. Maybe intelligence was a dump stat?

Attack w/Useless Sling: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Sub-par Damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
Of course I crit: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26
More Sub-par Damage: 2d6 + 30 ⇒ (3, 3) + 30 = 36

Whistle Pig's sling snaps the bullet clean into the giant's neck.

The giant is dead before he can even react.

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Posted
Doxon: Posted
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Vael gauges the distance, then looks to Doxon. "We've got short legs, but the spirits will get ye there. After that, may Torag bless yer hammer."

He then draws upon his own spirit magic to empower a Heaven's Leap for Doxon (moved Doxon). Finally, he mentally commands the balls of lightning slowly forward.

Tulia, for her part, reloads, aims and fires another bolt at the remaining giant.
+1 Giant-Bane Light Crossbow w/Hunter's Blessing: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (6, 2) = 14

Vael takes the initiative, not waiting for Whistle Pig. Tulia scores a solid shot with the crossbow while Vael delivers Doxon to harm's way. What the giant likely doesn't realize is, the harm is his.

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Shaman fu
Raen: Posted
Doxon: Posted
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Pig give a quick command and points at Tulia. Cleo takes slight and makes a lazy circle 30 ft above here. (defending Tulia)
WP takes a step forward and takes aim at the giant:
attack -2 ranged level 2: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 17 - 2 = 16
damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19
attack -2 ranged level 2: 1d20 + 17 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 17 - 2 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17
attack -2 ranged level 2: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 - 2 = 17
damage: 1d6 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19

Whistle Pig manages to score a hit on the remaining giant. All about you the slaves begin to cheer, and you can see expressions of hope upon their faces. They're not warriors though, the crowd around and jostle you despite the fight not being over. Squares with slaves are difficult terrain, and they provide the giant with cover.

The frost giant thrusts his mancatcher at Hamilton, trying to pin him down! Touch ATK: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32 for DMG: 1d2 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15 and CMB: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32! With Hamilton now grappled, the giant drops the mancatcher and draws his axe!

Round 1: Fight!
Whistle Pig: ATK
Vael: Shaman fu
Raen: Posted
Doxon: Posted
Giants: ATK
Hamilton: Go (Grappled)
Ushyle: Go

Ushyle moves to distract the giant, hoping to give Ham a chance to escape.

Double move, last bit with an Acrobatics check to avoid the AoO.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

This does put the giant, Hamilton, and Doxon in the silence area, but not Raen.

Hamilton is grappled, but the giant didn't finish the job, so while grappled, Ham uses Heartspit to hopefully spit it's heart. Oh, and Power Attack.

Heartspit:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34, Damage on hit:1d8 + 18 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 18 + (2, 5) = 29
Heartspit the 2nd:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27, Damage on hit:1d8 + 18 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 18 + (2, 1) = 29

Ham roars in defiance, and with the spiked metal claw still wrapped around his neck and body--I'm picturing it across his chest, bandolier style--he blinks back pain and thrusts twice at the enormous slave guarding scumbag.

Ushyle barely pulls off the risky maneuver.

Ham's attack is hindered, but not foiled. Twice the mighty lance-turned-spear drives home! The giant is near death's door, and looking to take a hero with him!

Round 2: Fight!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Possible retcon... Add 4 damage to each of Ham's damage rolls for favored enemy. +6 if Hunter's Blessing is a thing.

Corrections per slack.

Hamilton and Whistle Pig combine to overwhelm the frost giant. In the end, there was little hope for the guards against the Heroes of Trunau!

The slaves give muted cheers (indeed, some too close to magic give silent cheers.) A couple of leaders emerge among them giving thanks.

After a brief conversation, it's decided that if someone can just scout a path, they can get out of here and make it down. They've long since acclimated to the altitude and weather.

For defeating the Frost Giant slave guards, each hero earns 2,135 XP. For emptying the slave pens, the party earns 1 Sabotage Point..

What now heroes?

Vael quickly organizes the leaders, who in turn get their people into smaller, quieter groups. He turns to Whistle Pig. "Ye ken best how to hide, and what the guards be looking for. Help time their escapes right, and teach them the best way to safety. Do make sure they move then the giants look elsewhere."

When Whistle Pig gets to business (with his +24 to Perception), the prisoners slip out of the camp and to safety.

Smiling, the shaman pats the halfling on the shoulder. "Great shot with that slingstaff of yours! Ye took advantage of the surprise well. Shame about them other shots though."

If needed: Perception: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 2 = 20

After the last of the freedmen are out of sight, the half-deaf frost giant figment finally says. "THAT way?!" pointing to the north. He grabs his famished companion by the ear, eliciting a "Hey! Ow!" and plods in the pointed direction. "Come on, you loafer. We'll find somethin' to eat in a minute."

* * *

Raen recommends accompanying the freedmen to their camp, both as a precautionary measure and to learn what they know along the way. Looking for any insights on the camp, the giants' dispositions, any overheard conversation about our endeavors so far that we could exploit to sow further tensions, et cetera.

Raen doesn't get much that the party didn't already surmise; there are two major factions, those who are loyal to Thremyr, and those to the Death goddess. Unfortunately, the slaves have little else to offer...

Returning to camp and leveling up. We we start at 0700 on Monday morning, I expect everyone to be level ten and to have a location picked out to start the next day.

With the group back at the camp, Vael discusses their next target. "I dinnae ken how long before the giants get wise, so I think we best target the gristmill next. There be slaves that do need freein', so we should be about it quick. And methinks I'll call upon a different spirit."

The next morning, the shaman communes with a spirit that's new to him: A hungry spirit. An angry spirit. The Spirit of Flame.

"Agreed. Time continues to tick," Tulia says, wings flitting as she hovers near Vael. "Although time operates differently for me, this is something that simply cannot wait."

Raen nods her agreement and packs up her things. She stows the halfling's half-finished ring in a vestment pocket and casts her morning spells.

Vael finds a moment of seclusion, even away from Tulia, before he performs a rite of magical Sending.

Ushyle joins Hamilton on watch considerably earlier than he should be awake. The militiaman raises an eyebrow at the half-elf's appearance, but makes no comment on it.

Ushyle pokes at the reddened coals a while, periodically looking up at the horizon as the night sky begins to lighten to herald the approaching dawn. Finally he speaks aloud: You mentioned a few days ago, at that temple, that your instincts said we shouldn't sack that temple to Thremyr. He shifts uncomfortably, as though not sure how to follow up. ...what did you see to suggest you were doing the right thing? I mean, I have had dreams of Milani, and doing her will always seems like I'm doing the right thing...but I never really hear it, straight from her, that I am, if you get what I mean.

The party makes their way back to the Gristmill. From the outside it doesn't look like the slave freeing strike from yesterday has had any effect...

Map is up to date, though there are no figures on the map as the previous scouting is no longer up to date. The party can approach from any angle, though there is a tower within sight to the right of the mill.

Under cover of her invisibility, Raen guides the group back to the Gristmill and positions the party near their previous location (left of the mill, opposite the guard tower). Once Vael nods his readiness, Raen casts her spells.

First, she casts Extended See Invisibility on herself. Then, though still under the cover of her Invisibility Sphere, Raen casts Invisibility on herself.

Next, she casts Greater Invisibility on Ushyle followed immediately by Quickened Haste for the entire company. Vael immediately sends Ushyle inside via his dimensional magic. As the dwarf does so, Raen is already casting Greater Invisibility on Doxon, who Vael then sends in after Ushyle.

After both are inside, she listens carefully for any cries of alarm. If Ushyle/Doxon do not raise the alarm, the plan calls for them to each cast Silence on themselves and go murder the giants. If there is cause for alarm, further actions are pending whatever they are shouting about (in Dwarven, please).

I'm not going to spoiler the whole thing, we'll assume that if the party survives, they relay all this information. People NOT inside still have initiative counts, but I won't wait for posts from them.

The Heroes of Trunau use a slew of powerful magic to take the Gristmill by surprise

Once inside the strike team sees the same two giants. The slaves here look particularly haggard, much more so than when Whistle Pig reported originally.

Surprise Round
Doxon: Go
Ushyle: Go

Round 1
Vael: Go (Outside)
Doxon: GO
Raen: Go (Outside)
Whistle Pig: Go (Outside)
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD