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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Vael pushes through the fog, his vision unperturbed thanks to the goz mask he wears. When he spots the red dragon, he first speaks to Lykophos. "Get clear, my friend. Find safety."

He then calls out to the dragon. "Dragon! We do not need to fight! If you know Naximarra, then know that they aided us in reaching this place. Three months ago we met, and they told us of Volstus' possession of the orb. We would be happy to see it destroyed!"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 28 ⇒ (3) + 28 = 31
Making a request to sue for a pause so that we can talk.

Lykophos heeds Vael's advice, weaving a spell to teleport back into the main chamber.
Greater Teleport

Raen speaks quickly and forcefully to the dwarf in his ancestors' heavy tongue.

Vael sighs, and responds in Dwarven.

DRAGON!

With a quick prayer to Torag Swift to cast Grace, Doxon rides his phantom steed, Phantom, right up to the dragon and swings the Hammer of Thunderbolts will all his might into its scaly hide.

Thunderbolt: 1d20 + 23 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 23 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 31
Damage: 3d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) + 12 + 4 + 2 = 30

Doxon unfortunately rides too quickly forward and the abrupt stop in front of the dragon prevents him from bringing his full strength to bear and the Hammer bounces harmlessly off of its scales.

Doxon approaches with unwavering determination, but fumbles the attack at the worst possible time.

Vael tries to entreat with the mad dragon, but his words might as well be written in water.

Akazerath backs up a bit to try and wiggle out of the tight corridor. It puts him next to the elementals, but his focus on on Doxon. The dragon's style changes as it faces down Doxon Greyforge. The attacks come brutally, but with precision. This provokes from Doxon and the elementals

It makes a singular bite against him:
ATK: 1d20 + 29 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 29 - 4 = 33 but misses.

Akazerath is no longer squeezing.

ROUND XI:

Now is the time! Ushyle calls in Dwarven. It will take all of our might together to vanquish this foul foe!

Ushyle moves in, knowing the dragon's jaws will snap down at first opportunity but hoping to clear a path for Hamilton and his steed. Move, not charge. Provokes. Ushyle has displacement up.

Milani's Thorn, Power Attack/Furious Focus, studied target, divine favor, good hope/heroism, attacking from invisible, greater bane, haste. Blade is good-aligned, if applicable.

hack: 1d20 + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 48 crit threat
confirm?: 1d20 + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 21 + 3 + 2 + 2 + 1 = 49 YAAS
slash: 4d6 + 42 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 4, 1, 2) + 42 + 6 + 4 = 64

Raen knows two things: red dragons cannot usually see invisible creatures or sensors, and she prepared greater dispel magic twice today.

A second wave of disjunctive magic washes over the dragon...

Targeted Greater Dispel Magic @ Akazerath, Dispel Check: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18 @$%##$@&$!!!

...but this time, the weave only shudders, then resettles. This time, Raen must simply trust her companions to perform their task. This dispels up to 3 spells of CL 7 or below, starting with higher levels spells first. I doubt this affects anything, but if Akazerath used a scroll for something, then maybe.

On the other side, the elementals beat against the dragon's rearward advance...

Blue AoO @ Akazerath: 1d20 + 23 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 23 - 4 - 2 = 18 AUTOMISS
Damage: 2d8 + 9 + 8 ⇒ (4, 3) + 9 + 8 = 24

Fire AoO @ Akazerath: 1d20 + 25 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 25 - 2 = 36
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 7) + 10 = 25 plus Burn: 2d10 ⇒ (7, 1) = 8 (immune)

...and keep up the barrage.

Blue Slam @ Akazerath: 1d20 + 23 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 23 - 4 - 2 = 35
Damage: 2d8 + 9 + 8 ⇒ (6, 6) + 9 + 8 = 29
Blue Slam @ Akazerath: 1d20 + 23 - 4 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 23 - 4 - 2 = 26
Damage: 2d8 + 9 + 8 ⇒ (5, 2) + 9 + 8 = 24

Fire Slam @ Akazerath: 1d20 + 25 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 25 - 2 = 36
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (4, 5) + 10 = 19 plus Burn: 2d10 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11 (immune)
Fire Slam @ Akazerath: 1d20 + 25 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 25 - 2 = 41
Damage: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (7, 1) + 10 = 18 plus Burn: 2d10 ⇒ (4, 5) = 9 (immune)

Wall of Fire: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6

As the dragon squidges down closer, Doxon swings his hammer up into its hide.

Thunderbolt, AoO: 1d20 + 23 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 23 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 40
Damage: 3d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) + 12 + 4 + 2 = 24

Hamilton and Sammi charge directly through the hallway, attacking the dragon on the way by.

Charge, Power Attack, 2Handed:1d20 + 23 ⇒ (11) + 23 = 34, Damage on Hit:2d6 + 22 ⇒ (4, 5) + 22 = 31

The elementals struggle to make a difference, though one gets a light hit in. Doxon, on the other hand lands a telling blow.

Raen tries to bring down another round of protective magic, but she fails to lock on to the dweomers encasing the dragon.

Ushyle's invisible blade slashes Akazerath's hide. The shocking thing is the smell of rose petals that accompanies the arc of the blade. For a moment Ushyle nearly loses his concentration, trying to parse out what it could mean.

He's snapped back as Hamilton streaks in, though his attack is batted aside by a quick wing.

ROUND XI:

with the dead orc at his feet there are no more things to throw stones at. WP moves at fast as the magic will allow towards the dragon.
double move

Whistle Pig, proud of his work, moves as quickly as he can to the final confrontation.

Meanwhile

Vael flies forward to get nearer to the dragon. He reaches into his body, drawing Tulia forth. To the azata he says, "My love, I need to ask you to do something brave. Will you do that?"

With a look of steel determination, Tulia does not hesitate. "Anything. What is it?"

"Get the diadem from Volstus' crown. I think we will need it, perhaps soon."

Tulia flies forward, tumbling through the air in a hopeless attempt to avoid an attack from the dragon.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

She then plucks the diadem from Volstus' head.

Even a fight high above Golarion, with a dragon hellbent on violent revenge, there are touching moments...

Tulia closes in on Volstus's bleeding corpse. Akazerath holds his bite for the moment, keeping his eyes peeled for bigger prey.

ROUND XI:

The diadem, in Tulia's lithe hands, shrinks down to her size...

Doxon hammers away at the dragon as if he were working tough steel at the forge.

Thunderbolt, TWF: 1d20 + 22 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 22 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 35
Damage: 3d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 12 + 4 + 2 = 26

Thunderbolt, Haste: 1d20 + 22 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 22 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 40
Damage: 3d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) + 12 + 4 + 2 = 26

Thunderbolt, TWF: 1d20 + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 17 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 41
Damage: 3d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) + 12 + 4 + 2 = 32

Thunderbolt, TWF: 1d20 + 12 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage: 3d6 + 12 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 5, 2) + 12 + 4 + 2 = 29

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 19 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 42
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2, 5) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 25

Agrimmosh, TWF: 1d20 + 14 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 35
Damage: 3d6 + 9 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4, 4) + 9 + 4 + 2 = 29

Rend: 1d10 + 7 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 4 + 2 = 14

Doxon's twin weapons hone in on Akazerath. He strikes time and again, doubling up on existing wounds, and essentially rending his way to the dragon's heart.

He pulls his bloody weapons away as the dragon falls. The heretofore terrifying dragon lies dead on the floor, his massive head lolling ingloriously outside the gallery's siege damage.

It is done. The tyrant and the dragon are dead. The Heroes of Trunau have triumphed. And for victory in this combat, each hero earns 124,114 XP.

ROUND XI:

Tulia flies over to Vael, the diadem from Volstus in hand.

Normally he would take a moment to study it, speaking a simple spell that allows him to detect the presence of magic.

Caution has been a cornerstone to how Vael has worked over the last eight months with these heroes.

Vael removes the goz mask and places the diadem on his head.

Ushyle watches Doxon fell Akazerath in utter awe. Torag would be proud of that hammerwork, he muses.

Wordlessly he looks about, trying to ensure no more threats are imminent.

Finally: ...have we won the day?

Vael puts on The Cloud Diadem!

Vael issues a mental command. Stop

"There was a golem coming here to kill us. I have stopped it."

He then turns his mind to the keep, mentally commanding it to hover in place if it can.
"I seem to have control of the keep with this diadem. Thank you, Renfal."

As the mighty dragon collapses in front of him, Doxon hazards a pause. Breathing heavily through the exertion of battle, he looks around to see he and his friends are all that remain standing. Whistle Pig is there too. I kid!!

Knowing how fierce their foes were, Doxon summons his friends and the aid of Torag again to restore some vitality to all.

Fervor to Channel Energy for 5d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 2, 5, 2) = 19 hps

He then takes a step back, raising both hammers into the air.

Hells, yeah!

Ham and Sammi fly to stand with their companions, the smoldering and fresh dragon corpse behind them.

We... We win? It's done?

Indeed. As the party catches their breath, there's motion outside of the windows, and the gaping hole in the wall. There are a few creatures escaping. But it doesn't look like there are many.

The party is currently standing on a veritable mountain of the dead.

Ham looks around at the Cloud Fortress around them.

Can we keep it?

While grand to consider, I don't think I could handle having to walk half a mile every time I wanted to hit the water closet.

The several Raens in the hallway stand still for a moment. Before long, a second larger set comes slowly out of the fog to stand near its fellows. All take in the sight of tyrant and dragon, united in death more completely than they were in life.

Rising once more into the air, all fourteen Varisians float over to the waiting elementals. She thanks them for their service, each in their native tongue, and bids them go.

A few seconds later, there are but nine wizards, and Whistle Pig and Ushyle return to view. Raen stands at the edge of the breach and watches as the Tyrant's lesser horrors make their escape. Raen will attempt to identify each as they go; please let me know if you want Knowledge rolls. "Our task is done, yes," she says heavily. "As is Renfal's." She leaves unsaid her conviction that the castle is not yet emptied of dangers, and glances only once towards the stairs in the southeast. She leaves unsaid too, for now, Renfal's final message.

She turns back to the carnage, and to her companions. A small, tired smile rests on her face. "I am overjoyed to see each of you still living, at the end."

Raen recognizes some kind of naga using a spell, and a a couple more of the flying creatures that had been outside the castle. Finally there is a single roc.

The party goes about taking stock in their immediate vicinity:

"Aye, it's good that we live. This has been... quite a journey these last few months."

Pih hurries from the thing fog to see the dragons fall to the ground...
"You didn't even leave me one shot?"
There is a look of mild sadness on his face. he shrugs.
"at least we are all alive! that's better than getting to face a dragon, but not by much."

"At the end," Raen says again after a while, "and yet not quite. Much remains to be done. I fear that the castle is not yet emptied of dangers: something still lurks in the fountain a level below. There may yet be traps and wards meant to do us harm. We ought to remain careful, and thorough."

"As for what becomes of Zephyr Hall... there remain tribes of cloud giants in the world, who might wish to restore its prior purpose of peace." Raen glances at Whistle Pig for a moment. "Peaceful giants, never under the Tyrant's yoke. Or the Knights of Ozem might find it a gainful asset in their Long Watch. But the Hall's inner workings are intricate and delicate, and as yet even I do not yet understanding the minutiae of its engineering. With time, bereft of maintenance and care from skillful hands, its power may fade."

She turns back to gaze at the horizon, beyond the edge of the breach. "I could spend years learning the engine's rhythms, to know its moods and changes. And... there is one, still, who might remember the old trade-skills. But the journey is far."

"Very far."

I want to go home, Ham says, his voice hard. I've had enough. I want to walk the paths and range the ways. I want to smell spice-rubbed game on the fire, and drink deep from a kiln-fired tankard and be thankful that I'm alive. I want a family. I've done naught but kill and die in the last... 9... Months? Nay, eight I think. We all have.

He ambles to Nalbia's body. He looks back at Akazerath. He walks over to the body of Volstus. For a moment there's silence, and then Hamilton exhales and starts kicking the enormous corpse over and over again, and yelling.

WE COULD HAVE HAD IT, WE COULD HAVE HAD IT ALL WHY'D YOU HAVE TO DO IT EH? YOU LIVE IN A GODS-DAMMED CASTLE IN THE CLOUDS YOU HAVE MORE AND MORE AND YOU NEEDED MORE AND MORE AND WHY?!?!

Ushyle is taken a bit aback by Hamilton's display, but he can't argue with the question. Why, indeed? he thinks.

He is silent a moment, then recalls something Katrezra told him once. He moves to Ham's side and quietly says, Some would reduce the world to rubble so that they might lord over the ruin left in their wake. There may be no other motivation than that. Which is unsatisfying as an answer, I know. Nor does it bring back all we have lost.

Ham sniffs, and gives one more half-hearted kick.

Raen watches Hamilton dispassionately as he kicks at the giant's fallen corpse. In the silence that hangs after, she floats over to him, landing by his side. Putting a hand on each of his shoulders, she touches her forehead to his. "You deserve to walk where you will, Hamilton Renaud. To have a family. I harbor no doubts that you will make it so. Be at peace."

She steps away after a moment. "And have a drink with Tyari," she adds with a wink.

"As for me... I do not think I shall be returning to Trunau. I am willing to transport each of you where you wish to go, of course, including Bloodmarch Hill if that is your desire. But the more I consider the matter... I wish to take Zephyr Hall over the sea. West."

"I do not expect, or ask, any of you to undertake such a journey with me. You have each earned your rest, a hundred times over. And Trunau is as safe now as it will ever be."

Ushyle turns to Raen in surprise.

Not surprise that she is not returning to Trunau -- he has known since they met that the village was too small for the likes of one such as she -- but going over the sea, to the—

West? What lies to the West? he asks, puzzled.

"A teacher," Raen says simply. She shrugs. "Or perhaps a caretaker. Zephyr Hall was not built for the likes of you and me."

"It may not have been, but built it has been, and here it has found itself," Vael is also puzzled. "Who would you suggest we entrust with this monument of magical might?"

You are all smarter and prettier than me. I leave the future disposition of Zephyr Hall in your capable hands. For my part, I want to return to Minderhal's Forge. There is much that I can do there. Maybe sanctify the Forge in Torag's Name. Make the place suitable to dwarfs.

WP doesn't look phased when Raen says she may not come back to Raen. She is not the same woman that walked the dirt roads of Trunau
"If you think that i'm going to let you take this castle across the sea on your own..." WP face starts to turn red and his eye start to tear up, he sniffs and wipes his nose, "You don't know me as well as you should after all this time Ms. Raen Varkath!" WP plants his feet and stares straight into the spellcasters eyes all but daring her to tell him no.

He continues, " if your magic can work here, it can work across the sea and you can send me home back to Trunau when we are done."

Raen looks at Whistle Pig's defiant tears for a long while. "I cannot forbid you from accompanying me," she replies at last. Her expression softens. "And I suppose that I would find your company a comfort." She glances at each of the others in turn, as if to pass the same message to each.

She turns to Ushyle and Vael, understanding that her cryptic answer would not satisfy them. "Renfal had a mentor long ago, who still knows the old ways. I believe he yet lives. He and his people have made their home across the waves, far beyond the noisome conflicts of the Inner Sea. I intend to find him, at the western edge of the Arcadian Ocean. I have neither the skill nor the knowledge to keep Zephyr Hall in working order for long, nor could I -- or we -- inhabit and defend it alone. Volstus and his ilk once stole this home; Tytarian and his captains had such designs, too. I believe that rightful task is to return the Hall to those who made it, and who can again make it whole."

"In time, Zephyr Hall may once more travel the winds as a sanctuary, and may fulfill a dream held dearly by all of cloud giant-kind. For if this castle remains in Avistan, it will ever be viewed as a weapon. It is too beautiful and wondrous for that."

"kind giants... that will be something to see." WP shakes his head in slight disbelief.

"How long will it take to get there? Will there be winged beasts? I still need to replace that Roc. I should have tied it up before we left..." WP's voice trails off as he goes to inspect the body of the dragon. He quickly sizes up the sizes of the teeth and claws to see what would make an appropriate trophy to add to his collection. He mutters something about skinning the beast and the value of it's hide.

Barring issue, Raen estimates that it will take between six and ten weeks to get there.