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

Game Master Chris Marsh

A little peckish, Ushyle rummages through quietly for a bite to eat.

Ever the skeptic, Raen casts an eye about the storage room. Detect Magic, just in case.

Assuming nothing: Raen recommends that the company proceed to the ovular room to the west, once Ushyle has found something to eat.

After a quick snack of rations, the party moves on. Raen gives a final look, but there doesn't seem to be anything here.

Pig Approaches the door:
checking the door for traps: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (15) + 28 = 43
If not trapped he checks the door for sounds:
checking for sound: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31
WP tries to pick the lock:
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (2) + 25 = 27
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (13) + 25 = 38
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (15) + 25 = 40
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45

The next door isn't locked, but there's a conversation going on in Aklo on the other side....

Raen holds up a hand, gesturing for the party to stop, so that she can listen to the conversation. She relays the translation to the others via message. Going to wait a bit to see if the conversation continues.

The conversation continues, but it turns to an extremely boring discussion on what the prettiest gems are.

Appraise: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32

Raen continues translating for a moment longer, but then stops. "The conversation grows tedious. Shall we?" She motions for the melee fighters to lead the way.

I have no clue where we are

Doxon readies at the door. Once everyone is in position, he opens it.

[ooc]Castle Map: HERE

The party throws the door open. Inside the two conversants are strange creatures indeed, certainly not native to the sky castle. Each creature is a living stalagmite, covered in runes. Long strands of fibrous material whip from their sides.

Round 1:
Raen: Go
Ushyle: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Doxon: Go
???: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Vael: TBD

Enemy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Raen: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Ushyle: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Vael: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Whistle Pig: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Doxon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
Hamilton: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 (Extra +4 Mountains/Hills, +2 Subterranean )

Raen considers her knowledge of such strange creatures.

Knowledge (Planes?): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27 In order of preference: special attacks, senses, resistances/immunities.

A sigil crag roper! Raen doesn't remember what those runes due, but she remembers they're important. The only thing that jumps to mind right now are the fact that those tendrils can sap even a strong man's strength to nothing in seconds.

"Beware the tendrils!" Knowing the extreme danger that each tendril poses, Raen flits into the doorway and conjures a wall of invisible force to isolate half of them.

Wall of Force, situated at the white line and extending to the ceiling (or ~75 feet, whichever is lower). Hardness 30, 280 HP.

Raen immediately cordons off one of the ropers!

Round 1:
Raen: Wall of Force
Ushyle: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Doxon: Go
???: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Vael: TBD

pig takes a step into the doorway and launches several bullets at the creature...

1st attack:
attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34
1d6 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
2nd attack
attack: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
1d6 + 17 ⇒ (3) + 17 = 20
3rd attack
attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
1d6 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
4d attack
attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
1d6 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

Whistle Pig's aim starts strong, but he misses his last two shots by a fair bit. Still, he strikes solidly a couple times, eliciting a somewhat comical "OW!" from the fantastical creature.

Round 1:
Raen: Wall of Force
Ushyle: Go
Whistle Pig: Hit
Doxon: Go
Ropers: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Vael: TBD

Assuming Raen said "aberrations".

Ushyle guides Rosewind in, taking the measure of both foes as he moves in. Study target as a swift action.

Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, studied target, heroism.

hack: 1d20 + 19 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 3 + 2 = 36
slash: 2d6 + 21 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 21 + 3 = 29

Ushyle rushes in, closing before the ropers can bring their tendrils to bear, and scores a solid blow on the aberration!

Round 1:
Raen: Wall of Force
Ushyle: Go
Whistle Pig: Hit
Doxon: Go
Ropers: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Vael: TBD

Doxon charges the phantom steed forward as he calls on Torag's blessing. As the steed pulls up next to Ushyle, Doxon swings the Hammer of Thunderbolts into the aberration.

Swift to Fervor cast Divine Favor

Thunderbolt: 1d20 + 22 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 22 + 4 = 36
Damage: 2d8 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (6, 6) + 12 + 4 = 28

Doxon's follow up is equally puissant.

Unfazed, the roper strikes back, sending tendrils after both brave heroes

v. Doxon:
Touch 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12 MISS
Touch 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22 for STR DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Touch 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19 for STR DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 5

V. Ushyle:
Touch 1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16 for STR DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Touch 2: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30 THREAT
Touch Confirm: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 for STR DMG: 2d6 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
Touch 3: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27 for STR DMG: 1d6 ⇒ 1

It then opts to bite Doxon!
Bite: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (12) + 20 = 32 for DMG: 4d8 + 18 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 6) + 18 = 28

The other roper simply lashes out against the wall.

Round 1:
Raen: Wall of Force
Ushyle: Hit
Whistle Pig: Hit
Doxon: Hit
Ropers: ATK
Hamilton: Go
Vael: Go

Vael flies into the room to get a good view of the roper. He calls upon the Spirits of Heaven, conjuring a heaping of stardust that lands upon the hungry creature!
Stardust on Black. This stardust causes the target to shed light as a candle, and it cannot benefit from concealment or any invisibility effects. The creature takes a –4 penalty on attack rolls and sight-based Perception checks. This lasts 7 rounds, and there is no save.

Lykophos flies in front of Vael, hurling her starknife at the roper!
Returning Starknife +1 vs Black: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20
Damage (P/S): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Hamilton and Sammi make their way into the room. The roughrider can't maneuver in between Doxon and Ushyle, but he can position himself for a charge at the other roper should the wall fall...

Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
Fort: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

Doxon wilts under the thrashing from the roper.

Vael hinders the roper, but Lykophos can't capitalize on it! Meanwhile the tendrils clearly suck the verve out of Doxon.

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

DC 25 Fort (1): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34 Stalwart (Evasion for Fort/Will saves)
DC 25 Fort (2): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33 Stalwart (Evasion for Fort/Will saves)

Ushyle avoids the numbing sensation of the tendrils, but watches aghast as they sap the might from Doxon. Gritting his teeth, he activates bane vs. aberrations and swings Milani's Thorn!

Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, studied target, greater bane, heroism.

primary: 1d20 + 19 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 39
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 4d6 ⇒ (2, 6) + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + (5, 1, 2, 4) = 48

secondary: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 21
dmg: 2d6 + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 4d6 ⇒ (5, 1) + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + (5, 5, 3, 2) = 49

Ushyle's stalwart defense is impressive indeed. He cuts deep into the roper once, but the second swing doesn't cut in.

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

Raen sends a shimmering ray of blinding light at the un-trapped roper, aiming to temporarily blind it.

Touch @ Roper: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

If that hits touch AC, the roper is blinded for 1 round if its HD is 14 or less. Otherwise, it is Dazzled instead.

Raen's ray of light strikes the roper in its over-sized eye! The creature goes blind with a profanity-laced scream!

Round 2:
Raen: Ray
Ushyle: Hit
Whistle Pig: Go
Doxon: Go
Ropers: TBD
Hamilton: TBD
Vael: TBD

Pig tries to add injury to insult and targets the creatures eye!

attack!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35
damage?: 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

attack!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33
damage?: 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

attack!: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (15) + 13 = 28
damage?: 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24

attack!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
damage?: 1d6 + 18 ⇒ (4) + 18 = 22

Whistle Pig's salvo is enough to overwhelm the blind roper! It collapses in a heap which only makes the other one fight all the harder against the wall, but to no avail.

Will take a narrative description of dealing with the other roper if you've got one, otherwise we'll fight it.

After giving everyone a few seconds to catch their breath, Raen dismisses the wall of force. Hamilton seizes the opportunity and hurries Sammie into a charge, slamming Heartspit into the roper's single eye with the full force of cantering hippogriff and man. Ushyle charges in on Rosewind from the side, burying Milani's Thorn deep into rocky hide, while Whistle Pig follows up with a volley of stones. The roper summarily expires.

And with both gone, the party catches their breath once more. and for their efforts, each hero earns 6,400 XP.

Seeing the sapped strength from Doxon, Vael moves to see his fellow dwarf. "Hold, friend. The Spirits of Life can help you. Let them do their work."

Cast Restoration

Immediately Doxon's strength returns. The shaman nods in satisfaction. To no one in particular he says, "Thank you for your gifts."

While Vael attends to Doxon's wounds, Raen investigates the roper's dreary dwelling for valuables and other items of interest, including gems (pretty or otherwise).

T10 Perception: 10 + 14 = 24
T10 Appraise: 10 + 15 = 25

The ropers appeared to be on guard duty, guarding two black chests. The chests bear a symbol of a skull with chained manacles hanging from its eye sockets. The chests are now empty though. Most of the educated party members recognize it as the symbol of the country of Nidal.

"Nidal? What's that about then, I wonder?"

"Perhaps sent as tribute? Or a 'protection' racket?" Raen guesses, arching an eyebrow. She scans both chests for any lingering magic, or any false bottoms. T20 Perception for 34, plus Detect Magic.

Sadly, Raen comes away empty.

Raen is about to turn for the door when she stops and turns back to the dead ropers. "Check their stomachs."

After the grim work is done, Raen is perfectly clean, and the others are gross.... and no treasure was found.

With an apologetic shrug, Raen hastily casts prestidigitation to clean the gore off of her friends.

She looks to Whistle Pig for the next door... map updated.

The next room is another storage closet, and after a through look both magically and with a halfling's trained eye, it's confirmed empty.

The hallway to the north includes a flight of stairs ending in a door. The whoosh of wind means it opens to the outside. Whistle Pig deems the door safe.

Map updated

"I can confirm that those doors access an exterior courtyard, as evinced by prior scouting," Raen interrupts. "I instead advise that we remain at the present storey and proceed to the lower reaches of the northernmost tower, which we have heretofore left untouched."

Moved us to the location on the map where I think we should go next, instead of northwest.

The area just side of the door here... smells excellent. Stomachs growl, Whistle Pig's borborygmus being the loudest. It smells like it's a kitchen on the other side.

Pig Approaches the door:
checking the door for traps: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (8) + 28 = 36
If not trapped he checks the door for sounds:
checking for sound: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (8) + 23 = 31
WP tries to pick the lock:
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (20) + 25 = 45
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (8) + 25 = 33
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (2) + 25 = 27
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (17) + 25 = 42
DD: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (12) + 25 = 37

It seems safe enough, so the party opens the door. This room, featuring a large fireplace in the east wall, is a marvelous giant-sized kitchen, shining with precious objects of porcelain, silver, steel, and polished wood. Unseen servants move about the room, cooking a meal that must be for more civilized giants.

WP's stomach growls and rumbles."Can we stop for a bit? We haven't had elevenses in a long time..."

WP takes a peek at what's on the menu.
perception: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (10) + 28 = 38

He looks around to find it's mostly a hearty ram stew. What's really interesting is that he finds a secret door! It's behind the fireplace, so it takes some skill to get to, but they didn't build this place with halflings in mind. The door leads to a shaft with a giant-sized steel ladder that ascends into darkness.

"This stew isn't bad." WP says between slurps."Hmmm...There's a trapdoor by the fireplace. We should go look at that in a moment." The halfling points in the general direction of the fireplaces but doesn't stop eating.

"Do you know what meat is in that stew, Whistle Pig?"

"Do you know what meat is in that stew, Whistle Pig?"

"Looks and tastes like Mutton." WP says with his head in a bowl much too big for him.

"Are you sure?"

"I must concur with Vael's line of inquiry, and encourage all of us to refrain from venturing beyond the fare of Vael's own table." Raen looks hard at the secret door that Whistle Pig found. "I suggest we remain that this level for the present, though this find is valuable reconnaissance. Perhaps a divination may reveal more, later in the day. Shall we press north presently?"

She nods towards the double doors to the north, and casts extended shield on herself.