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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Ham and Sammi fly alongside Doxon and Ushyle. Seeing Doxon swoon in the saddle, Ham reaches out with his hand and casts Neutralize Poison to clear the Scorpion Venom from his friends veins.

Caster Level Vs. Poison's DC 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Regardless of outcome, Ham then stays in formation with his friends, preparing for a counter attack. Shield Cloak is ready.

The giant hears the scorpion freeze, so it takes a swing with the club: Miss: 1d100 ⇒ 76 ATK: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (15) + 20 = 35 for DMG: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 2) + 11 = 18 It luckily smashes the prison! The scorpion shakes off the ice Will give the benefit and say it doesn't get THIS turn.

A moment after the party forget about it, another ballista bolt comes treaking out of the clouds towards Raen ATK: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Image: 1d5 ⇒ 5 for DMG: 4d8 ⇒ (3, 4, 2, 6) = 15 and ELEC: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Tactical Round 5:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Ushyle: Go
Scorpion Pen: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Vael: TBD 40'
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

Raen shouts hurriedly down to the arriving Hamilton. "Hamilton! The scorpion must not break free! Put Samantha's icy breath upon it!"

Ham knows when to not argue with Raen. Always really. She's scary.

Sammi breathes, fortifying the prison:7d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 6, 4, 5, 2) = 29

By my math, the wall is up with 21 HP.

Agreed. Prison is still up!

Reflex: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Doxon escapes the brunt of the explosion.

He directs the phantom steed up and over the scorpion to land on the opposite side next to the remaining giant. He swings Thunderbolt down on it as he lands.

Thunderbolt: 1d20 + 21 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 21 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 36
Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 2d6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 4 + (3, 4) = 34

Save v. Glitterdust from end of turn Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Doxon lands ready for a fight, and brings the Hammer down! The giant stumbles but doesn't fall. Doxon knows that another blow from the hammer would be an assured death blow.

Tactical Round 5:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Go
Doxon: Hit
Ushyle: Go
Scorpion Pen: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Vael: TBD 40'
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

"The ice will not hold forever!" Raen calls from above. "Be ready to slay the scorpion with alacrity when it breaks!"

As a delaying action, Raen conjures a wall of ice, 30 feet high and over a foot thick, to occlude the siege tower's view of the scorpion and the chain's nearest environs. If I understand the position of the tower correctly, this should block view of the scorpion, as well as Hamilton/Ushyle. WP and Raen remain visible targets.

BOT USHYLE

Ever ready to do his duty, Ushyle spurs his spectral steed into a flanking position opposite Doxon from the frozen monstrosity, ready to strike the moment it is freed.

Readied action to stab if the ice breaks.

It's not perfect, the tower is much higher than 30', but it'll provide a fair bit of cover.

Raen throws up a wall to protect the party as Ushyle preps for the worst. Meanwhile from the southeast another scorpion continues to approach.

Tactical Round 5:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Magic
Doxon: Hit
Ushyle: Ready
Scorpion Pen: Close
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go 40' from map, Tulia Lykophos on map
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

WP continues to attack the giants in his sight, but he really wants a trophy from that scorpion. that stinger would look wonderful over his mantle...

attack on giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (10) + 25 = 35
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

attack on giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (19) + 25 = 44
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

attack on giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

attack on giant: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

attack on giant: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

Looks like Ush needs a Reflex save...?

DC 14 Refl: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 ring of evasion FTW

Whistle Pig's first stone slays the goliath! He turns in the air to spy two more ash giants coming from the tower. They're a long distance but... he gets a quartet of solid shots! He grievously wounds one of them!

Tactical Round 5:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Magic
Doxon: Hit
Ushyle: Ready
Scorpion Pen: Close
Whistle Pig: Kill + Hits
Vael: Go 40' from map, Tulia Lykophos on map
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

"Suck on that, LEGOLAS!!"

Raen arches an eyebrow. "Friend of yours?"

Vael picks up on what Raen is doing, though he sees the wall is still a bit low. Flying forward, he conjures a cloud of obscuring vapour that rests atop the wall.
Move 40ft. Cast Fog Cloud, placing it atop the wall. It has a 20ft radius. Probably adding another 30ft of relevant height to block visibility from the tower

Knowing that the scorpion is soon to be free, he calls to Lykophos. "Be ready!"
Suggesting a readied action to knock out the scorpion

"Yeah, I've got his eyes in the palm of my hand..." Lykophos's calm tone is disconcerting, but she seems ready. Meanwhile Vael lowers a fog on the field, trying to obscure the tower.

An explosion rocks the far side of the wall of ice! Flames lick around the edges, giving the whole thing a glow Fire: 7d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 6, 3, 6, 4) = 32

Tactical Round 5:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Magic
Doxon: Hit
Ushyle: Ready
Scorpion Pen: Close
Whistle Pig: Kill + Hits
Vael: Magic
???: ???
Defense Tower Team: Fireball #4
Hamilton: Go
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

With the scorpion still trapped, Ham and Sammi hover in place and prepare the rip through the scorpion when it escapes.

Hover:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18 Success.

Ready a CHARGE if the scorpion escapes the Icy Prison

Hamilton and Sammi rear back, death ready at the tip of the lance. No help comes to free the giant scorpion as the prison continues to freeze it to death!

Strategic/Tactical Round 6:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Ushyle: Go
Scorpion Pen: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Vael: TBD
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

Raen calls down to Doxon. "Doxon, I do believe everyone is present and ready. Break the ice now, if you please, so that we might bring about its permanent end."

The Varisian flies towards the chain, drawing a scroll on the way and healing some of her wounds.

UMD Emulate Wis, DC 28: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33 SUCCESS
UMD Use Scroll, DC 25: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29 SUCCESS

Cure Serious Wounds: 3d8 + 5 ⇒ (8, 4, 6) + 5 = 23

And another 13 cold damage to the scorpion. I believe this is its 4th round in ice.

Done, and done, Raen.

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 16 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 16 + 1 + 4 = 29
Damage: 2d8 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (8, 6) + 9 + 4 = 27

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 1 + 4 = 32
Damage: 2d8 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (8, 2) + 9 + 4 = 23

Thunderbolt, TWF: 1d20 + 19 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 19 + 1 + 4 = 39
Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (5, 6) + 12 + 4 = 27

Thunderbolt, TWF: 1d20 + 14 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 1 + 4 = 29
Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (5, 1) + 12 + 4 = 22

Rend: 1d10 + 7 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 4 = 19

Raen works the magic of the wand, and with a word, Doxon shatters the ice, and continues to strike with all his heart! He finds the scorpion's shell immensely strong. The final strike of the hammer simply slides off.

Strategic/Tactical Round 6:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Cure
Doxon: Destroy!
Ushyle: Readied goes
Hamilton: Charge goes!
Scorpion Pen: TBD
Whistle Pig: TBD
Vael: TBD
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

CHARGE!

Heartspit +1:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (18) + 23 = 41, Damage On Hit:3d8 + 18 ⇒ (1, 6, 6) + 18 = 31

readied action: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (2) + 19 = 21
damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (5, 6) + 21 = 32

Hamilton flies in and drives Heartspit into the carapace! Ushyle isn't so lucky...

Strategic/Tactical Round 6:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Cure
Doxon: Destroy!
Ushyle: Miss
Hamilton: Hit
Scorpion Pen: 620' from map!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

Per Slack discussion: Ushyle will forgo his readied action.

Ushyle sets his bane to vermin (or whatever Raen tells him the scorpion is...maybe rock band? I dunno...) and full attacks the now-free creature.

Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, bane, flanking, haste.

First attack: 21+2+2+1 for 26 vs. flat-footed, which I believe still misses.

secondary: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 32
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 4d6 + 6d6 ⇒ (2, 3) + 21 + (5, 3, 6, 5) + (3, 2, 2, 3, 3, 3) = 61

haste attack: 1d20 + 21 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 41
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 4d6 + 6d6 ⇒ (4, 5) + 21 + (2, 6, 1, 3) + (3, 4, 6, 1, 6, 2) = 64

Ushyle steps up to the spot at the top of the thorax and goes to town. His blade snicker snacks through the carapace, and the massive scorpion falls with a thud intense enough to make the ground shake!

The party isn't safe yet though. The war cries of back up are growing ever louder, and some of the foes still have you in their sights.

There are 2 ash giants only a couple hundred feet from you. One of them is severely wounded.

Lykophos seems a bit disappointed, she wasn't paying attention until after the scorpion died. "Oops, Okay, I've got that healthy giant when he gets just a biiiit closer."

Strategic/Tactical Round 6:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Cure
Doxon: Destroy!
Ushyle: Miss
Hamilton: Hit
Scorpion Pen: 620' from map!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

The unfortunate straggler, Vael flies in towards the chain. "We're going up next, aye? Can we climb the chain before they arrive? Should I call in some help to keep them occupied?"
Double move to finally be on the map proper

Tulia loads he crossbow and takes aim. "Just a little closer, silly giant."
Ready action to shoot the injured giant once it's within 80ft

Vael finally joins the party as Tulia and Lykophos flit about, ready as the giants approach.

Strategic/Tactical Round 6:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Cure
Doxon: Destroy!
Ushyle: Miss
Hamilton: Hit
Scorpion Pen: 620' from map!
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Move & Ready
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Chain Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

WP, heartened by his success at hitting the giant at range, focuses his attention at the injured giant move any excess damage to the other giant if needed.
range has not been factored in
attack on injured giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (16) + 25 = 41
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

attack on injured giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (14) + 25 = 39
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

attack on injured giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (3) + 25 = 28
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

attack on injured giant: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (11) + 25 = 36
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (6) + 23 = 29

attack on injured giant: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (4) + 23 = 27

attack on injured giant: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28
damage?: 1d6 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

Whistle Pig continues to hurl stone after stone. He kills one giant after two of them. The halfling gets hit with a sudden cough for a moment, but it doesn't stop him from nailing the other giant twice.

From the tower a ballista bolt fires, heading straight for Raen ATK: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (15) + 21 = 36 Images: 1d5 ⇒ 2 but only destroys one of her invisible images. A moment later another fireball follows, catching only poor Whistle Pig! FIRE: 7d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 5, 6, 6, 3, 4) = 32 REF DC 14 for half.

A second ballista bolt bursts from the the clouds surrounding the castle: ATK: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (14) + 21 = 35 Images: 1d4 ⇒ 4 and drills her for DMG: 4d8 ⇒ (7, 1, 2, 8) = 18 and Elec: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Strategic/Tactical Round 7:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Go
Doxon: Go
Ushyle: Go
Hamilton: Go
Scorpion reinforcements: 620' from map!
Whistle Pig: TBD
Vael: TBD
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

"Gather at the base of the chain, then we climb! Doxon, does Torag have a salve for us?" My suggestion is that we group at the base of the chain, Doxon channels once, then we climb. Uninjured folks (aka Vael and company) can get a head start.

Raen follows her own advice and descends to the chain's anchoring. She touches the rock beneath, pulling waves of it over the damaged chain as added insurance.

Stone Shape, with the aim of enveloping as much of the chain in stone as possible -- but particularly the damaged portions that the scorpion attacked. My goal is essentially to make it such that they either must get through the stone first or start on a new section of chain to sever it. Hopefully that will give enough time for us to reach the castle before they can break it.

Per Slack: Knowledge (Engineering): 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Raen holds the chain in place with a crude but effective spell. Her disembodied voice moves to the chain for the naked ascent.

Strategic/Tactical Round 7:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Raen: Magic
Doxon: Go
Ushyle: Go
Hamilton: Go
Scorpion reinforcements: 620' from map!
Whistle Pig: TBD
Vael: TBD
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

Doxon waits for those who require the Torag's aid are close. He then prays and a wave of warmth washes over everyone.

Channel Good: 5d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 6, 5, 6) = 26 hit points healed.

Moving the order around for ease. Eveyone is closed in, within range of Doxon's magic. Heal your 26 points, and let's take it from the top of the round. Raen calls the party over, and Doxon channels energy to heal their wounds before the ascent.

Before anyone can get up there, the catapult from the tower cracks a shot off! Target: 1d5 ⇒ 3 subtarget: 1d2 ⇒ 1 as the boulder comes in at Hamilton! ATK: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (4) + 21 = 25 and only by the grace of Raen's Haste spell does he dodge it!

The party looks up. It's a 200' ascent to the base of the cloud. It's not a sure thing by any stretch as the giants and scorpions continue to close distance. Indeed, I can't call this as there is some heavy weaponry which can reach you.

Strategic/Tactical Round 8:
Party Hasted until Round 28
Scorpion reinforcements: 500' from map!
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go
Hamilton: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
???: TBD
Defense Tower Team: TBD
Ironcloud Keep: TBD

"Up and at em, I say. Get up there, but don't get ahead of Hamilton, Ushyle, or Doxon. They'll need your magicks I think, Lykophos."

Vael then flies up the chain.
Assuming a 45 degree incline would mean that he's constantly going diagonal. Going up a square counts as 10ft of movement, but you don't count the diagonals then (meaning he moves 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, etc. and not 10, 30, 40, 60, etc. With Haste he has 110ft of movement, so he advances half that (50ft). If the incline is greater than 45 degrees it'll require a Fly check, but Vael auto-succeeds

"Our priority upon reaching the castle is to secure a defensible foothold. I anticipate we will encounter immediate resistance."

Raen leads the way, but is soon outpaced by her summoned steeds.

WP is the slowest on his broom (40 ft/rnd), and will reach the top of the chain in 5 rounds. Raen and Hamilton will reach the top in 3 rounds (70 ft/rnd), and Ushyle and Doxon will reach it in 2 (130 ft/rnd).

Doxon is happy to spearhead the charge up the chain with Ushyle. He continues his charge up the chain.

Doxon leads the charge as the party hustles up to the the top of the chain. It's a harrowing trip as massive siege weapons constantly harry the party.

A trio of ballista bolts, seemingly able to ignore Raen's invisibility come for her:
Tower 1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (12) + 21 = 33 Image: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Image gone
Keep 1: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27 Image: 1d3 ⇒ 2 Image gone
Tower 2: 1d20 + 21 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 21 - 2 = 30 Image: 1d2 ⇒ 1 Mirror Images expended
Keep 2: No angle

Once on the way up the catapult makes a Hail-Arazni shot at Doxon:
Catapult: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (13) + 21 = 34 Dodged!

Whistle Pig continues to dodge boulders hurled by Ash giants:
ATK 1: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16 MISS
ATK 2: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 MISS
ATK 3: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 = 28 for DMG: 1d6 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 and FORT
ATK 4: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 13 - 2 = 16 MISS

Only one more fireball explodes from the tower, but it's enough to get everyone! FIRE: 5d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 2, 5) = 16 REF DC 14 for half.

Within a few seconds the reinforcements arrive. At the base of the chain are living crystal oozes which seem to have come out of nowhere.
A second scorpion arrives and, directed by shouts from incoming giants, begin to chip away at Raen's stone.

Once in the cloud, the urgency is gone, but disaster strikes. Ushyle begins to cough blood for some reason: CON Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1 and CHA DRAIN: 1d2 ⇒ 2. Avoid with a DC 23 FORT

A moment later, Whistle Pig suffers the same fate: CON Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1 and CHA DRAIN: 1d2 ⇒ 2. Avoid with a DC 23 FORT

To make matters worse, the ballista on the ground still seems to be able to target you. One final bolt comes out before they stop for some reason:
ATK v. Raen: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32 for DMG: 4d8 ⇒ (2, 8, 2, 8) = 20

There is still a fair bit of climbing to do, but let's pause for some saves:

Raen: REF DC 14 v. Fireball
Ushyle: REF DC 14 v. Fireball, FORT v. Disease
Hamilton: REF DC 14 v. Fireball
Whistle Pig: REF DC 14 v. Fireball, FORT v. Unknown, FORT v. Disease
Vael: REF DC 14 v. Fireball
Doxon: REF DC 14 v. Fireball

DC 14 Refl: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26 ring of evasion FTW
DC ?? Fort: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23 If that succeeds, Stalwart means there is no effect at all.

Reflex Save (Vael): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 +2 vs Spells
Reflex Save (Lykophos): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Lykophos has SR 23, and Resist Fire 10. Either way, she takes no damage from the Fireball

SR: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Reflex save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
No damage because of Improved Evasion

Reflex: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Raen ducks much of the fire, and her spell handles the rest. The ballista bolts continue to whittle her, however.

Hamilton: REF DC 14 v. Fireball
Whistle Pig: REF DC 14 v. Fireball, FORT v. Unknown, FORT v. Disease

Reflex Ham:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26, Reflex Sammi:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18

No damage. We each have Evasion.