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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Ushyle takes a five-foot step out of the cloud, studies both the King and his hapless Grey servant, then tries with all his might to fell the Tyrant.

Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, studied target/Seething Hatred, bane, hunter's blessing, heroism, haste.

primary: 1d20 + 19 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 41
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 3 + 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1) + 21 + 3 + (5, 6, 3, 4) = 46

secondary: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 28
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 3 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 4) + 21 + 3 + (4, 3, 6, 3) = 48

haste attack: 1d20 + 19 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 44
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 3 + 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 21 + 3 + (4, 5, 6, 3) = 47

Five foot step, study target (swift), full attack. AC is 26 due to haste. Ushyle will use Roll with it trait on the first confirmed crit he faces.

REF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21 Raen's spell ensnares one of the captains!

With one captain out, Ushyle tries with ever fiber of his being to fell the king. Twice he cuts deep, but the King holds strong!

Hamilton: The Cayden Maneuver
Raen: Magic Update Pending
Ushyle: Hits
Vael: Heal
Orange Captain: TBD
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain: TBD

Raen dances her illusory double away from the newly encased giant, alighting in front of the table to stare defiantly up at the incoming captain.

DC 26 Will to disbelieve if/when interacted with.

Raen moves the illusion away, hoping to keep the field divided.

Orange Captain
The captain closest to "Raen" steps in and swings with his blade back and forth, hoping to cut the wizard in half: Since there's nothing to hit, I'm going to say trying to hit is interacting:
Will 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Will 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Will 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
He continues to miss, growing frustrated at his inability to harm the wizard.

White Captain The other captain at distance, rushes in.

King Tytarian
The King, now faced with Ushyle, turns his ire on the hero at his feet, "Make peace with your maker!"
ATK 1: 1d20 + 32 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 32 + 2 = 39 for DMG: 2d8 + 22 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (7, 5) + 22 + 2 + (5, 4) = 45
ATK 2: 1d20 + 27 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 27 + 2 = 32 for DMG: 2d8 + 22 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 5) + 22 + 2 + (6, 5) = 46
ATK 3: 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 22 + 2 = 34 for DMG: 2d8 + 22 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 7) + 22 + 2 + (2, 2) = 41

Ushyle falls in a spray of blood after the third swing. The king refrains from closing for another attack for some reason...

Round 2:
Hamilton: The Cayden Maneuver
Raen: Magic Update Pending
Ushyle: Hits
Vael: Heal
Orange Captain: TBD
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: Go
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Ushyle takes the first two, but the third blow drops him to the throne room floor. -11

Doxon spurs spectral steed forward to stand over his fallen friend.

No more! The fire of the All Father's Forge burns hotter in me than any you can bring to bare. Your reign is ended!

Doxon summons the might of Torag to guide his blows and swings Agrimmosh, the Unmaker, across at the king.

Fervor to swift cast Divine Favor

Agrimmosh: 1d20 + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 44
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 26

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 37
Add'l Crit Damage: 6d6 + 30 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 3) + 30 = 49

DC 23 Fortitude save or shrink by one size category, as by heightened reduce person

1d100 ⇒ 59

Doxon's righteous favor is on full display as he strikes the King with the Hammer of Unmaking FORT: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29. The king shudders from Doxon's blow. He shudders, then falls!

The captains gasp. The queen's eyes go wide.

The remaining captains know that there is dishonor in leaving their king in the Prince of Steel's embrace alone. They fight on.

The two closest captains immediately move to secure the body. Standing over the body of the king as he bleeds out, the closer captain shoves the king's body into the fog while the other rushes in himself.

Round 2:
Hamilton: The Cayden Maneuver
Raen: Magic Update Pending
Ushyle: Hits
Vael: Heal
Orange Captain: TBD
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: Crit kill AoO on Grey
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: Go
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

As the giant(Grey) retreats into the fog, Doxon strikes out at his retreating form with Agrimmosh.

Agrimmosh: 1d20 + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 45
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5, 2, 6) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 28

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 + 4 = 46
Crit Damage: 6d6 + 30 ⇒ (2, 2, 4, 4, 1, 4) + 30 = 47

Unwilling to be denied, Doxon smashes the giant with a jumping hit to the gut! FORT: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29 Teh giant's pain is clear, but it'll take more than that.

Round 2:
Hamilton: The Cayden Maneuver
Raen: Magic Update Pending
Ushyle: Hits
Vael: Heal
Orange Captain: ATK
White Captain: ATK
King Tytarian: ATK
Doxon: Le Roi est mort
Red Captain: Move
Grey Captain: Move
Whistle Pig: Go
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Pig feels the pressure of the giants, but keeps his eye on his target...
"Wait your turn! your time will come..." WP takes a step back and first at the giant on the table.

attack! on orange: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (8) + 24 = 32
damage?: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25

attack! on orange: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (12) + 24 = 36
damage?: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

attack! on orange: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 44
damage?: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

attack! on orange: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (5) + 19 = 24
damage?: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

attack! on orange: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
damage?: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (2) + 21 = 23

crit confirmed?: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (5) + 24 = 29
damage?: 2d6 + 42 ⇒ (3, 5) + 42 = 50

if orange goes down, switch to yellow and add 1 damage for each hit

Whistle Pig hurls his stones. The third one is a kill shot. He's so taken by surprise, that the last one doesn't really go near any enemy. Still, that's one fewer giant.

Prison Break: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 The giant is SO close, but remains trapped.

Round 3:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Determined to hold the back line, Raen weaves another prison of icy into existence around a second captain.

Icy Prison again, this time on White. DC 24 Reflex or be encased and helpless. Gain the entangled condition on a successful save. Regardless of save, take 13 cold damage (and again every round on my turn---yellow takes this damage now). Ice is 13 inches thick, 0 hardness, 39 HP, Break DC 28.

The rest of my actions depend on the save.

REF: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Raen encapsulates a second captain!

Round 3:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Icy Prison II
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

With the giants nearby handled, Vael flies forward and channels his spirit magic to release a cone of cold that washes over the 3 clouded giants.
Cone of Cold (DC 23 Reflex): 13d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 3, 1, 3, 6, 1, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1, 3) = 35

Tulia casts her own healing spell, then flies forward to place a hand on Ushyle.
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Vael sends a cone of cold into the fog, though no one can see what happens...

Round 3:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Icy Prison II
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Cone of Cold
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Pleased that giant reflexes are so slow, and that Whistle Pig is reasonably safe, Raen leaves her double to stand guard where it is. Her real self flies northeast and takes her staff from her back.

Though unseen by anyone, the smallest of grim smiles touches her lips when Vael beats her to the punch.

Using my move action to move and draw my staff.

Hamilton looks into the dense fog and shrugs. This gets better and better. Then he pats Sammi on the flank and asks, Can you guide me, girl?

Sammi uses scent to pinpoint direction of the nearest foe. (I am not going to move my pog because I don't know the right direction) Ham moves the pair in the direction of her urging, 5' and prepares for a surprise attack. After moving 5' towards a foe, Ham thrusts with the lance in the direction of Sammi's urging.

IF he makes contact, that becomes a full attack. Let me know and I'll post more.

Blind Thrust:1d20 + 30 ⇒ (16) + 30 = 46, Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 57
Damage on Hit:1d8 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 16 + (4, 5) = 33

Ushyle stops bleeding and lies motionless, breathing lightly.

Sammi moves just a bit forward, into the cloud. Hamilton thrusts with the Heartspit and feels it sink into giant flesh.

Round 3:
Hamilton: Remaining attacks!
Raen: Icy Prison II
Ushyle: Stable, but KO.
Vael: Cone of Cold
White Captain: TBD
King Tytarian: TBD
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Huzzah! Iomadae be praised!
Haste:1d20 + 31 ⇒ (1) + 31 = 32, Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 82, Damage on Hit:1d8 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 16 + (1, 4) = 25

1d20 + 26 ⇒ (14) + 26 = 40, Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 88, Damage on Hit:1d8 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 16 + (5, 4) = 33

1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34, Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 46, Damage on Hit:1d8 + 16 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 16 + (5, 6) = 35

Hamilton redoubles, and then again. Twice does his weapon land! the roars of rage persist, and Hamilton knows his foe yet lives.

Round 3:
Hamilton: hits!
Raen: Icy Prison II
Ushyle: Stable, but KO.
Vael: Cone of Cold
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: Go
Red Captain: TBD
Grey Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Doxon canters Phanta forward a step and starts assaulting the giant.

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 15 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 27
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 20

Agrimmosh, Haste: 1d20 + 15 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 29
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3, 6) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 29

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 10 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 35
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 1, 6) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 26

Deathdealer, TWF: 1d20 + 16 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 16 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 41
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 17

Deathdealer, TWF: 1d20 + 11 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 + 4 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 33
Damage: 1d10 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 21

Rend: 1d10 + 7 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 4 + 2 = 21

The giant is in the fog, though the consealment is not perfect:
Miss 1: 1d100 ⇒ 31
Miss 2: 1d100 ⇒ 61
Miss 3: 1d100 ⇒ 55
Miss 4: 1d100 ⇒ 73
Miss 5: 1d100 ⇒ 11 MISS

Four times does Doxon strike the giant. The final blow, the killing blow, misses. Then the warpriest rips his weapons back, and the giant falls!

Round 3:
Hamilton: hits!
Raen: Icy Prison II
Ushyle: Stable, but KO.
Vael: Cone of Cold
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: Kill
Red Captain: ???
Whistle Pig: Go
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

WP moves towards the fog ready to dive in and finish off the king.

Round 4:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: ???
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Vael chants, calling upon the Spirits of Life. He flies forward and places a healing hand on Ushyle.
Cure Critical Wounds: 4d8 + 13 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 3) + 13 = 24

It's a weak spell for the power, but it does its job.

Round 4:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go
Vael: CCW
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: ???
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Raen tries to swiftly unbind the fog that Vael had bound to this place, but cannot.

Quickened Dispel Magic, DC 24: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20 FAIL

With an invisible shrug, she lets her staff do the work instead. A vortex of chilling ice and wind blossoms from thin air between Hamilton and Whistle Pig.

Cone of Cold: 13d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 5, 6, 3, 3, 5, 1, 5, 1, 1, 1, 4) = 42 DC 24 Reflex for Half

The fog stays, much to Raen's consternation. She follows up with a blast of cold! The sound of a single grunt rings out.... and then goes silent.

the fog prevents anyone from seeing within. The queen's guards hold their breath...

Round 4:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Cold!
Ushyle: Go
Vael: CCW
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: ???
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Ushyle's eyes snap open with Vael's spell and he grabs his blade as he springs to his feet, rushing into the fog cloud with abandon.

Move to grab Milani's Thorn, stand, five foot step into the fog cloud toward where the King was before his little nap.

Ushyle moves into the edges of the cloud...

Round 4:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Cold!
Ushyle: Grab and go
Vael: CCW
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: TBD
Red Captain: ???
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Ham looks up with wild eyes. Olly Olly! Auch sind frei! and the mounted warrior follows Sammi's nose another 5' forward and he thrusts with the lance, blessed with magical speed. [ooc]5' Step then Full Attack[/dice]

Heartspit: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (8) + 31 = 39, Damage on Hit: 1d8 + 5 + 3 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 3 + 8 + (6, 2) = 31, Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 49

Heartspit: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (18) + 31 = 49, Damage on Hit: 1d8 + 5 + 3 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 + 8 + (1, 5) = 24 Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 31

Heartspit: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (3) + 26 = 29, Damage on Hit: 1d8 + 5 + 3 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 3 + 8 + (4, 2) = 30 Concealment: 1d100 ⇒ 4

Heartspit: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34, Damage on Hit: 1d8 + 5 + 3 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 3 + 8 + (3, 4) = 24 Concealment:1d100 ⇒ 100

Hamilton stabs wildly into the fog, hoping to catch the giant. On his final go he lands a solid blow!

The queen stands resolute, her jaw clenched, and her hands on her unholy symbol.

Round 4:
Hamilton: Hit
Raen: Cold!
Ushyle: Grab and go
Vael: CCW
White Captain: Icy Prison
King Tytarian: ???
Doxon: Go
Red Captain: ???
Whistle Pig: TBD
Yellow Captain (Icy Prison): TBD

Doxon grabs hold of his holy symbol and quickly prays to Torag for aid. At his call, a poised elf-like archer appears, silver-white hair the color of a lightning strike whips about him and his eyes swirl with vibrant colors.

Std Action to use Blessing, Good(Major) to summon a Bralani Azata.

He looks to Doxon for direction.

Doxon smiles. Let's clear the air here so that we may know the true mettle of our foes.

The Azata nods and focuses it's will sending out a blast of air to clear the fog.

Casts Gust of Wind

The azata's long silvery hair begins to whip as the wind blows away the fog!

From within is a powerful scene that pulls at the gut. The King of the Fire giants lies dead, a body ravaged by ice. Atop him is the body of a guard, having fallen in the moment before he could feed his king a potion. The shattered vial now lying next to the king's head.

Within the lone living captain, now faced with the scene gives a berserker's raging shout as he turns and Savages Hamilton before he is finished. Tis better to die in battle than live with the shame of failing his king:

Greatsword Power Attack 1: 1d20 + 30 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 30 - 4 = 35 for DMG: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (5, 1) + 23 = 29
Greatsword Power Attack 2: 1d20 + 25 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 25 - 4 = 32 for DMG: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (2, 2) + 23 = 27
Greatsword Power Attack 3: 1d20 + 20 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 20 - 4 = 35 for DMG: 2d6 + 23 ⇒ (2, 5) + 23 = 30

Upon seeing the destruction the challenage hath wrought, the queen takes a decidely final action.

She turns around and leaves, beckoning the fire giants to join her.

Round 4:
Hamilton: Some
Raen: Serious
Ushyle: Hero
Vael: #!@$#%
Doxon: Right there
Red Captain: ATK
Whistle Pig: Go

Round 5:
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Red Captain: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD

WP is a bit crestfallen that the king is dead. He really wanted to kill the king. But he shrugs,"at least there's one left." a smile crosses his face as he loads his sling...

attack on red: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (4) + 25 = 29
damage?: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (5) + 22 = 27

attack on red: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (18) + 25 = 43
damage?: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (1) + 22 = 23

attack on red: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35
damage?: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (6) + 22 = 28

attack on red: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32
damage?: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

attack on red: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
damage?: 1d6 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

The fog lifts, and Ham brings Heartspit to bear in a two handed grip. The last temple guard assaults Hamilton and exchanges blow for blow with a two handed grip on his lance, seemingly trying to punch through the giant's body and out it's back...

Heartspit, 2H Power Attack:1d20 + 27 ⇒ (7) + 27 = 34, damage on Hit:1d8 + 30 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 30 + (3, 4) = 41

Heartspit, 2H Power Attack:1d20 + 27 ⇒ (18) + 27 = 45, damage on Hit:1d8 + 30 + 2d6 ⇒ (4) + 30 + (4, 6) = 44

Heartspit, 2H Power Attack:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (20) + 22 = 42, Hit--damage:1d8 + 30 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 30 + (2, 4) = 41. Confirm:1d20 + 22 ⇒ (4) + 22 = 26, Additional Damage on Confirm:2d8 + 60 ⇒ (3, 4) + 60 = 67. Grapple Check on Confirm:1d20 + 29 ⇒ (4) + 29 = 33. If successful, Ham rips the lance free causing an additional 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 2) = 9 damage.

Heartspit, 2H Power Attack:1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21, damage on Hit:1d8 + 30 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 30 + (5, 4) = 41

Then we step forward and Sammi bites: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25, Damage on Hit: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7. Claw:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31, Damage on Hit:1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8. Claw:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31, Damage on Hit:1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Whistle Pig unloads on the final giant. As the giant falls, Hamilton sticks him one more time with Heartspit.

The King is dead.

A single sharp inhale breaks the scene. At the main entrance the queen stands once again. Her voice is weakened, but still proud, "Zursvaater has spoken. We will quit the Storm Tyrant's war. I.... ask only this. May I have his crown? You may take the rest, including his affects in the office by this room."

She gives a quick smirk, which quickly melts, "Behind the throne you'll find a secret door, it's the fastest way to get to the citadel. By now they are expecting you."

For defeating King Tytarian of Ashpeak, Firstborn Son of Brandick, Wielder of the Manskutter, possessor of the Ashpeak Crown, and Uniter of the Clans you each earn 42,080 XP. For doing it with minimal bloodshed in the Challenge of Steel you each earn 15,240 XP.

Raen glances at the crown with a quiet, eldritch word. Detect Magic.

Before answering her request, Raen gazes at the queen for a moment, then asks an unexpected query of her own. She points gently at the iron ring on the fire giant's finger. "Would you care to have that removed?"

Raen recognizes the crown. It's a crown of conquest. Indeed, there's a lot of magic here.

She keys into something even as she asks the queen the question. When the queen responds, Raen feels a chill.

"No. It will serve as a reminder. Besides, Zursvaater has spoken. You will defeat the Tyrant."

Raen looks down and sees the same ring on the king's finger. Indeed, Volstus is now expecting you...

"That we shall," Raen nods. "What would you do with the crown?" Raen asks. Her tone makes clear that she is disinclined to grant Quivixia's request, but is offering the giantess an opportunity to change her mind.

A crown of conquest is not to be given to a would-be conquerer lightly.

"Sentiment." Her laconic answer doesn't really give Raen much to go on.

"Sentiment." Her laconic answer doesn't really give Raen much to go on.

Raen gives the queen a long look. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27

Raen feels like it's an honest answer.

"Let it go, Raen. Today these giants suffered a blow. And although its one that was deserved for their transgressions, let the crown link them to this moment," he then turns to look at the queen. "Let it remind them of their folly. Because that crown will be forever stained with that lesson, no matter how hard they might wish to scrub it free."

"No," Raen responds, a hardness in her voice. "I perceive no prudence in appeasing the sentiment of one who has wrought evil and destruction upon these mountains, who serves still a Lieutenant of Hell itself. No. The Knights of Ozem have a much more compelling need for this item of power, or perhaps even Halgra might accept it as a gift towards Trunau's defense."

"Let the ring on your hand be the reminder you seek, Quivixia. Let any dreams of conquest, past or future, die their rightful deaths."

"I cannot defeat you here in combat human, but you set into motion a chain of consequences. I promise you." With that the queen walks away.

You're now alone in the opulent throne room.

"We have one more fight here it seems. Let us finish this."