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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Ushyle feels the familiar pull of Vael's rainbow transport, then he is inside. He takes a heartbeat to study both giants before heading off toward the one to the south in silence.

Surprise round: studied target, move w/haste.

The suspense builds...

Surprise Round
Doxon: Go

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

Eager to prove his mettle and confirm his friends' confidence in him, as soon as Vael's magic transports him inside, Doxon rushes to engage the nearby giant.

Surprise round: move w/haste

Agrimmosh and Fang ready, Doxon calls on Torag's guidance to unleash a silent flurry of strikes on his unsuspecting foe.

Fervor to swift cast Divine Favor

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 42
Damage: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 25

Agrimmosh, Haste: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 41
Damage: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4, 3, 6) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 27

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 7 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 28
Damage: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (7, 6, 4) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 31

Pick, TWF: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 24
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 21

Pick, TWF: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 = 27
Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 18

Agrimmosh, TWF, Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 = 32
Damage: 6d8 + 28 ⇒ (6, 3, 1, 1, 1, 8) + 28 = 48

Agrimmosh, Haste, Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 4 + 4 = 39
Damage: 6d8 + 28 ⇒ (3, 4, 1, 5, 6, 8) + 28 = 55

Doxon's attacks are nothing short of shocking. The slaves see their master erupt blood and hear their master's bones break.... all without a source.

In a span of just a few seconds, Doxon utterly destroys the barbarian giantess. Her body falls to the ground. There's no time for the Hammer of Unmaking to shrink its foe. It doesn't work on the dead after all.

The other giant, not knowing WHAT is going on, immediately starts swinging his weapon: 2d32 ⇒ (10, 24) = 34 both times it's a miss, though the first swing fo the axe comes close to Ushyle...

Round 1
Vael: Go (Outside)
Doxon: MURDER DEATH KILL
Raen: Go (Outside)
Whistle Pig: Go (Outside)
Giants: Not much
Hamilton: Go (Outside)
Ushyle: Go

Is there anyone hanging around the front of the building? Is the front visible to any sentries?

Ham moves toward the front of the building and looks for sentries or lookouts.

Hamilton casts a spell and moves to the edge of the building, peering out over the exposed side.

Round 1
Vael: Go (Outside)
Doxon: MURDER DEATH KILL
Raen: Go (Outside)
Whistle Pig: Go (Outside)
Giants: Not much
Hamilton: Scout
Ushyle: Go

Stealth:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19 and concealment.

Despite Hamilton's spell, the guard tower giant catches sight of him! The giant grabs hold of his horn and....Init: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19 prepares to sound an alarm!

The tower is 180 linear feet from the SW corner of the map. It's 20' up to the lower platform, and another 20' (for 40' feet) to the sentry position. The base of the tower has a hit with a door blocking the stairs.

Round 1
Vael: Go
Doxon: MURDER DEATH KILL
Raen: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Giants: Not much
Hamilton: Scout
Ushyle: Go

Round 2:
Vael: Go
Tower giant: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Raen: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Perception:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

Nice, DM S.

Ushyle dodges both swings with aplomb and raises Milani's Thorn theatrically...although no one here can see it. AS he swings, he calls on down the bane of giants into the sword.

Activate bane as swift action. Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, haste, studied target w/Seething Hatred, bane, attacking from invisible.

primary: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 32
dmg: 2d6 + 7 + 4 + 2d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (6, 3) + 7 + 4 + (2, 5) + (4, 2, 6, 4) = 43

secondary: 1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 23
dmg: 2d6 + 7 + 4 + 2d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 7 + 4 + (3, 3) + (6, 5, 6, 2) = 42

haste attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 37
dmg: 2d6 + 7 + 4 + 2d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5) + 7 + 4 + (2, 4) + (6, 3, 6, 6) = 44

Vael, who had been holding to see whether Ushyle or Doxon would need help, frowns as he watches Hamilton slink off. The clinking of armor gives the militiaman away, so the shaman follows. I don't think I like what he's about to do...

Surprise Round: move action to follow Ham

When Hamilton peeks around the corner Vael looks up at the nearest guard tower and curses. We're spotted!

He hustles forward, reaching just behind the "scout", quickly murmurs a chant while stamping his feet rhythmically in the snow. He pushes to the maximum extent of his magic (200ft, with a 20ft radius on the spell) and, by his calculates, is just able to catch the giants in a fascinating, glowing rainbow-hued pattern.

Rainbow Pattern, DC 18 Will save.

Ushyle's work is also the thing of legend. The reincarnated hero cuts viciously. Somehow though, the giant stands! A single hit would undoubtedly finish the job.

Vael thinks quickly on his feet and Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19, but the spell doesn't grab the giant.

Round 1
Vael: Move
Doxon: MURDER DEATH KILL
Raen: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Giants: Not much
Hamilton: Scout
Ushyle: ATK!

Round 2:
Vael: Magic
Tower giant: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Raen: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Giants: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Ushyle: TBD

Officially, while waiting to hear any sort of alarm from inside, Raen delays. She comes off delay as soon as Hamilton... yeah, let me not finish that sentence.

First Hamilton runs out of her invisibility cover, then Vael of all people follows the militiaman. "Where are you going?!?!" Raen exclaims in Dwarven, which she then follows with a string of curses in each of her 21 known languages.

"Whistle Pig," she address the one person who has somehow NOT gotten himself into trouble, "Stay close to me."

Botting Whistle Pig because Matt seems busy still:

Unclear on what is happening, WP follows Raen.

With the halfling close behind, Raen flies back to Hamilton and Vael (still cursing). "Stay where you are!" she instructs, her tone lacerating like a librarian berating the returner of late library book. She casts a SECOND invisibility sphere over the four of them.

"Maybe that guard will dismiss you as a figment of his imagining, now that I have made you invisible again. But we cannot count on it. We are going inside through the double doors. Vael, you have Sylvan Hideaway prepared today, yes? We will hide in the Gristmill with the rescued slaves and make an escape tonight."

Raen expends more magic to maintain cover as Whistle Pig stays with her.

The giant in the tower knows that something is up since rainbows don't simply appear out of thin air and attack. The giant lights the warning firework and tries to find where the unshackled human went. Perception: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 = 12 But sees nothing.

[Firework in 3 rounds.]

Round 2:
Vael: Magic
Tower giant: Light it up
Doxon: Go
Raen: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Giants: Go
Hamilton: Go
Ushyle: Go

"Aye, I still have it. Thought the same to be honest."

"Everyone stay calm," Raen quietly advises in Dwarven, just loud enough to be heard over the wind, "These giants belong to me."

What she means becomes clear a moment later. First, a loud "GOTCHA!!!" can be heard in Giantish from somewhere north. Then two frost giants, armored and clothed like the others in the camp, come lumbering around the corner from whence the Varisian had just come. Between them, though, is the exact likeness of one Hamilton Renaud, held by the arms and struggling with all his might to break free. The giants effortlessly muscle him onward, silent and careless of his feeble struggles, and drag him inside the Gristmill. "BACK TO THE GRIND!!!" one bellows.

Illusion, DC 23 Will save if interacted with (somehow?). Hopefully that calms down the guard in the tower.

Hamilton seems... Drunk? No one can really understand it.

Aw come off it, Raen, come on! Let's just... TAKE 'EM! Me and AJ will just charge right in there and...

Ham tries to stand and stumbles a little before finding his footing. He giggles, then turns toward the guard tower and starts to stretch and looks like he's gonna charge right off any second.

Fine, ya bunch of babies. I can take them... Hic... Hey, they got a prisoner! And he's really handsome... Let's help him.

Raen's quick illusion work does its job as the tower giant seems to chuckle a bit and go back to simply watching. WIS: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10, and even looks like he's going to snuff out the fuse!

Round 2:
Vael: Magic
Tower giant: Light it up
Doxon: Go
Raen: Magic
Whistle Pig: Go
Giants: Go
Hamilton: Go
Ushyle: Go

Doxon mentally thanks Raen for his current celerity and charges the remaining giant.

Agrimmosh: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 14 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 41
Damage: 3d8 + 8 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1) + 8 + 2 + 4 = 19

Doxon makes quick work of the second giant! The final blow sinking the giant's chest in.

A few seconds later, the giant extinguishes the firework, and gets back to watching.

For defeating the two guards, each Hero of Trunau earns 3,200 XP.

Currently there are some REALLY scared slaves who don't know what horrors just obliterated the two guards.

"Hello? Is someone in here? Hello?"

Raen grabs the trio near her and steps through a dimensional door inside the mill. She is pleased to find two dead giants and a dozen bewildered slaves (who still cannot see anyone since she has invis'd everyone, lol). "Well done," she announces in Dwarven, "are either of you injured?"

She moves to the doors and cracks one slightly to allow Tulia and Cleo to fly inside. She shuts it quietly afterwards, then dismisses her invisibility sphere to reveal Vael, Hamilton, and Whistle Pig.

Raen is still under her own, separate invisibility spell. Someone else can/should take the lead with the slaves.

Vael steps in. "Good work. Bloody work, but good all the same."

He then turns to the freed slaves. "We be from Trunau, with a mission to stop the giants as best we can. And we're hear free ye. Are ye well enough to follow? We need to be quick about leaving."

With a glance to Doxon he adds, "Might be that Torag's blessing would help with any wounds. Aye?"

Finally, to the invisible illusionist he says, "I ken we've demanded much of yer magic, wizard. Ye've done yer part. Whistle Pig will spot the best route out for us."

Hearing his name, the halfling does his part. Perception take 10 for 34

Meanwhile, Raen analyzes the grist mill for the best way to destroy it.

Know Engineering: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Raen sees right away that the gristmill is solidly built, but it can be sabotaged. With a Disable Device check you can uncouple the heavy stones and knock them out of alignment, effectively putting the mill out of commission.

Meanwhile Vael and Whistle Pig prep the maltreated slaves for a dash. They give them directions to where the rest were headed, and when the coast is clear, release them!

Pig knows these sort of gristmills well. They are very similar to the designs he worked before Trunau. He his sling staff and his dagger and get to work. Has he pulls on a gear tooth here and a gear tooth there. He tug and pulls, then curses. "uhhh, Doxon, could you give me a hand with this? we just need to move it this much." The halfling shows the amount with is thumb and fore finger. After a minute and with Doxon's help. The job is done

DD take 10: 10 + 21 = 31

Seeing Raen's and Vael's questioning looks,"the bevel gears have to be spaced just right. IF they are off just a bit, they will destroy themselves in the first few rotations." WP smiles "I wish I could see their faces when it eats itself alive."

ask me how I knows this later. Right now it's too fresh to be funny :-)

Whistle Pig knows exactly what to do. Currently the mill doesn't look ruined, but the next giant will obviously get the impression that it broke on their watch!

For ruining the Gristmill, the party earns 1 Sabotage Point.

To the drake roost? Anything else here before going?

Per Slack

The party makes their way to the back of the settlement. Four large cave entrances gape here, set high upon a cliff ledge that overlooks the village, nearly 100 feet above. Their shadowed depths lead directly into the side of the mountain. The ledge in front of the caves is roughly 20' wide and a solid sheet of ice.

No 5' square map yet. You're at the bottom of the ramp currently, and you do know that there should be frost drakes, so you can recall knowledge with a Knowledge (Arcana) check. Feel free to post a marching order and approach.

Raen, are drakes a kind of dragon?

From Slack:

Ham wants to get a look at the Dragon Nest before we enter the caves.

Perception:1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

WP knows that getting the drop on dragon will take some scouting.

Looking at the men on heavy armor,"Give me a moment to take a look around. I think I can do this without being noticed." He smiles at Raen and adds,"and If I can't and get eaten, I'll come back as a Orc!"

stealth take 10: 19 + 10 = 29

perception: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42

"Yes," Raen replies tersely to Hamilton.

Know Arcana: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40

"Yes," Raen replies tersely to Hamilton.

[dice=Know Arcana]d20+26

The chill is not lost on Ham, and he bites back a choice word or two then takes a couple of deep breaths. Then he comes back at Raen.

I'm sorry. I thought I had a handle on a new bit of green magic, and I didn't. It was my fault. Ah... Yeah. Thank you. For saving our tails back there. That was amazing.

Given the ice, Raen assumes these are going to be frost drakes. She expects the horn to work, though drakes are likely powerful enough to be attracted to the horn, not scared of it. She also knows that frost drakes can spit a ball of ice that magically freezes everything close by think "frostball". Raen also knows that these drakes are immune to cold, sleep, and paralysis.

Whistle Pig extrapolates on Hamilton's scouting of the dragon's roost. This watchtower is of identical construction to the other watchtowers in Skirgaard, but it is currently uninhabited. The roof of the hut atop the tower has been removed, and no skyrocket is present. Bones litter the ground around the tower, and large gouges mar much of the woodwork, as if from large claws.

Ah, they can't guard the next because the dragons eat the guards. Nice.

The chill is not lost on Ham, and he bites back a choice word or two then takes a couple of deep breaths. Then he comes back at Raen. I'm sorry. I thought I had a handle on a new bit of green magic, and I didn't. It was my fault. Ah... Yeah. Thank you. For saving our tails back there. That was amazing.

Raen returns a steely glare for a moment, then softens. "I understand. We all fret about casualties, you wanted to be certain no giant reinforcements were en route. Just... be careful. Whistle Pig is usually the one I have to worry about, and I cannot attend to both of you concurrently."

@GM: Just in case it is relevant, Raen does have See Invisibility up at the moment.

Raen informs the others of the frost drake's spitball capabilities and immunities, and asks Vael whether he prepared any element-defensive magic.

Regardless of answer, Raen raises an eyebrow. "Shall we get this over with?"

"Aye, but not fer everyone."

He quickly chants, then places a hand on Raen's shoulder. She is imbued with some elemental protection from extreme cold. Resist Energy, 100 min duration

"Ye look after us. May the heavens look after ye."

Map is updated. Put yourselves anywhere on the bottom. You may have to scroll.

Ham smirks at Raen and says, "Get this over with? I'm going to enjoy this. It's not every day we get to hunt dragons."

Ham looks at the caves and makes a show of choosing an entrance.

"Eeeny, meeny, miney... Moe" and settles on the second cave on the left. He kneels down and methodically traces an old druidic symbol in the snow to focus his thoughts while he opens his senses and looks all around.

Tracking (Survival):1d20 + 19 ⇒ (7) + 19 = 26

After he collects the information, Ham smooths out the symbol with his gloved hand, stands and takes ahold of his cloak, snapping it out until it hardens like a shield. He pulls his warhammer and activates its flaming ability.

Hamilton easily discerns which paths in the network of tunnels are actually used. After a few twists and turns he finds a frozen stream with a manufactured stone bridge over it.

Raen: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Ushyle: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Vael: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 (Darkvision 60')
--->Tulia: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 (Darkvision)
Whistle Pig: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Doxon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 (Darkvision 60')
Hamilton: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Ushyle stops the party. In the darkness ahead, he hears the scrapping of claw on ice.... the drakes are nearby. Suddenly the scraping stops, they've heard you as you've heard them.

Place the party in a marching order within the red box! If anyone wants to be apart from the party, make a stealth check and place yourselves where you want to be.

Ushyle and Whistle Pig both auto-assist on tracking, so that roll is actually 4 higher.

Ham's perception is 15 FYI. We should update the procedures.

Raen expresses her appreciation to Vael, though she wonders if the spell would be better suited to Hamilton or Ushyle. In any case, she deploys her own defenses.

Mirror Images: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Inside, Raen navigates near the ceiling (flying 20' up), but stops when Ushyle raises a hand.

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.

Thremyr didn't speak to me if that's what you're asking. I had a sort of vision and felt his emotions. More like... Instincts, really. I saw these Wolf Spirits and got the feeling I was being given a warning not to desecrate the temple. So I... Felt... Back at him to make sure he knew I wasn't afraid. You know... So, he wouldn't see me as food like a predator. Then I tried thinking a message to him, hoping he'd get it. Made it clear that I was going to free his folk from the undead goddess and he should either help or stay out of my way. Then the wolves vanished.

Ham's perception is 15 FYI. We should update the procedures.

And Ushyle's is +16, so that's a 36 there. :-P

Neither the heroes, nor the drakes manage to sneak up on the other. Hamilton spots one! No two! Wait, there are two more!

Without advancing all four drakes spit a ball of freezing water which explodes in a burst about 40' across!

The bursts capture EVERYONE, even Raen. REF DC is 20 for half damage. Each hero needs to make 4 saving throws of the dice.

White: 7d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1, 4, 1, 2, 3, 2) + 2 = 20
Black: 7d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 3, 5, 2, 3) + 2 = 22
Blue: 7d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 5, 4, 6, 4) + 2 = 31
Purple: 7d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 6, 6, 3, 5) + 2 = 29

The drakes continue to hang back!

The area under their breath weapon is now DIFFICULT TERRAIN.

Enemy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Raen: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Ushyle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Vael: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Whistle Pig: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Doxon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11
Hamilton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Round 1:
Drakes: ATK!
Hamilton: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go

DC 20 Refl: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
DC 20 Refl: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
DC 20 Refl: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
DC 20 Refl: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

That's a lot of cold damage.

Ushyle takes 87 and is unconscious.

White:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Black:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Blue:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Purple:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

The magic of Ham's amulet shields him from two of the blasts, and he moves forward across the ice, making it to the edge and hooking into the right chamber.

I'm going right!!!!

Ham swings wide, and closes with the drake (Blue) and threatens it.

Double move

Reflex 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
Reflex 2: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Reflex 3: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Reflex 4: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Vael does his best to avoid the worst of the cold. He's mostly successful, but still suffers a serious chill. Ice crystals glisten in his beard, but he powers through the chattering teeth to unleash his own elemental spirit magic.

From a pouch at his waist he withdraws a bit of bat guano, and begins a clipped, staccato chant. He completes the mystical work with an angry popping sound, and a bead of fire launches from his finger before exploding! The flames engulf two of the drakes.

Fireball (DC 17 Reflex): 10d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3, 3, 1, 3, 1, 1, 3, 3) = 29