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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Doxon maneuvers around Ushyle and Ham to close with the skald opposite Vael, and brings his pick down on the orc.

Pick: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The orc's laughter blends with Hamilton's, it mocks Doxon's weak attack.

Round 7

Ushyle: Kill
Raen: Go
Vael: Leap
Whistle Pig: Hit
Hamilton: Laughing
Doxon: Miss
Orcs!: TBD

Raen watches the halfling disappear up the ladder with apprehension. The clash of steel-on-steel joins the throbbing war drum overhead mixed with brutal, gnashing laughter and Hamilton's screams. She turns to Vael, a half-formed plan on her tongue, and finds him gone. Only blood and flickering torchlight keeps her company here.

She looks up again. She flinches as a body slumps suddenly against the aperture.

Raen squints against the opening and sees the tusks before she breathes again. Only one way up now.

She takes the nearest rung in hand and climbs slowly upward, trying to discern the lives of her comrades among the sounds of battle above.

The scene that emerges is not what she expected. "Now is not the time, Hamil--oh." Enchantment magic. Raen's brows furrow to an angry glare, with which she affixes the drummer.

Raen moves to enter the fray while the skald tries to use magic to fend off foes. While dwarves are not the best choices of spell targets, they ARE the biggest threat left. The skald reworks the rhthym of the drum into someone incongruous and wrong. Concentration: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7, but the skald can't maintain it!

Round 8

Ushyle: Go
Raen: Go
Vael: Go
Whistle Pig: Go
Hamilton: Laughing
Doxon: Go
Orcs!: TBD

Ushyle charges the skald in a fury. No more spells, now, before you die.
greataxe, bless, charge: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 23
dmg: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

WP let's out a high pitched whistle as he release the knot of his sling <crack!>
bullet with bless: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 1 = 8

Vael swings his warhammer at the remaining orc. Attack w/Warhammer: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
In the unlikely event that hits..
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

For Trunau! Ushyle's greataxe almost cuts the skald in twain. The orc's collar bone snaps and the distal half flies off the tower. The roar is such that combat near the tower stops for a moment. Shockingly this orc has plenty of fight left in him.

Both Vael and Whistle Pig miss, unable to match Ushyle.

Round 8

Ushyle: Hit
Raen: Go
Vael: Miss
Whistle Pig: Miss
Hamilton: Laughing
Doxon: Go
Orcs!: TBD

Doxon swings both picks down on the orc.

Pick: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Pick, offhand: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Round 8 Saving Throw:

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

Hamilton's laughter dies as suddenly as it started, but he too spent to move just yet.

Like Mom taught you... Nakorshor'mond... Witches of Eleder...

Now... I'm mad.

Hamilton regains his senses just as Doxon KILLS the orc. His twin picks both hit the wound caused by Ushyle. Not even the skald can withstand that!

For clearing the tower, and ending the fury of the Rolling Thunder each party member receives 235 XP.

The skald's equipment is some of the best you've ever seen on an orc. Assuming someone casts Read Magic

Looking down on the area you see a few things:

Raen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Ushyle: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 (Darkvision 60')
Vael: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24 (Darkvision 60')
--->Tulia: 9 = 9 (LLV)
Whistle Pig: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Doxon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10 (Darkvision 60')
Hamilton: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

Upon Raen's confirmation that the potion of Blue is a CMW, Ushyle will ask to drink that.
CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 7) + 3 = 16 w00t!

Down the tower the party dashes, looking to do an end around and catch the action in the alley.

Marching order on the map, then you get the description.

Perception: 2d20 ⇒ (15, 4) = 19

A half-orc female is flanking a bloodied farmer. On the far side is a very heavily armored orc. His masterwork breastplate is flickering red from the flames behind him. They hear you coming and turn to see the new arrivals.

When the half-orc woman turns, your heart drops. Uou can see that it's Urnsul.

She speaks in orcish:

Enemy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Raen: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15
Ushyle: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Vael: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Whistle Pig: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Doxon: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Hamilton: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15

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

WP ignores the orc and decides to let his sling do the talking...
bullet: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 add 1 if bless is active
damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

How do you like that?!!!

Whistle Pig lets his sling stone fly an hit the traitor!

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

"Vael, can you--" Raen starts, but she sees the dwarf already intent on the farmer.

She moves for better line of sight and replies in Orcish.

Blinding Ray (Touch) @ Urnsul: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

The sunlight thrown from her palm finds only burnt stone, however.

Vael focuses on the trapped farmer, then channels his spiritual energy. He frames the man in his minds eye, and motes of starlight fill him...

He then reappears beside the shaman. To the rest of the group, Vael says, "Do what ye need ta, boys."

Heaven's Leap on the farmer. Note that this works on allies, so if he sees himself as an enemy... this'll fail.

Hamilton puts his feeling of betrayal aside, as it starts to unravel him. He seeks The Void, and to become one with the blade.

He attacks.

Longsword:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Damage on Hit:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Raen's broken finger misses with the ray again.

Vael's ability works as hoped. The farmer is in shock. He coraks a bit, but no words come out. (No one recognizes him.)

Hamilton closes the gab and cuts the traitor across her face. Blood splatters all over the ranger. The insult though, looks more painful than the blade.

Round 1:
Whistle Pig: Hit
Raen: Miss
Hamilton: Hit
Ushyle: Go
Vael: HL
Doxon: Go
Baddies: TBD

Doxon hustles in and readies to attack Urnsul if she closes

Ushyle moves forward, confident that Ham and Dox can take care of the traitor Urnsul. He instead fixes his steely gaze on the armored orc behind her, studying his frame and his gait, looking for a slight edge.

Move up to spot on map, then Move action to study Tin Can Orc.

As Urnsul closes, Doxon swings in at her with his pick.

Pick: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Ushyle and Doxon get into position. Urnsul steps forward into the line of Doxon's readied weapon, but he can't connect as she moves unexpectedly. (This also draws from Hamilton.)

She then ignores the dwarf and focuses on Ushyle, "*YOU* ARE THE TRAITOR TO YOUR BLOOD!" Power Attack: 1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 6 - 1 = 15 for DMG: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

The other orc bellows a challenge to all and rushes forward (the corner prevents an AoO from Hamilton.) He swings his greataxe at Hamilton ATK: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9, but connects with the corner of the building on the backswing, foiling his aim.

Round 2:
Whistle Pig: Go
Raen: Go
Hamilton: Go and AoO
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Baddies: TBD

Glad to see the front line guys still up this time, he continues to attack the traitor hoping he's the one to take her down.

bullet: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

WP gives satisfied look at the bullet hits the mark.

Whistle Pig hits her in the back of the head! Urnsul is immediately staggered by the hit, and her attention turns to a potion at her belt...

Round 2:
Whistle Pig: Hit
Raen: Go
Hamilton: Go and AoO
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Baddies: TBD

AoO:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Damage on hit:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Hamilton cuts her on the way by, but doesn't drop her. Whistle Pig knocks her even further with his stone, but she's still up.... barely.

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

Vael eyes the heavily-armored orc, considering him the bigger threat. He calls upon the spirits of the heavens in a low chant. With a gesture invisible, intangible magic flows from Vael's spiritual energy, filling the orc's mind with a whirling display of images!

Daze. DC 13 Will save please.

Raen, get her! Magic Bolt her... Or... Something!

Just then, Hamilton ducks to avoid the ax as it cuts a wide swath out of the building. He pauses, and takes in the large form before him and considers this new development.

Longsword:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
On Hit:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

He answers it with a swing and a kiai, dropping to a low stance and chopping at the kneecap of his foe. Did it penetrate the armor???? DUM DUM DUUUUUM!

Ushyle watches Urnsul take several blows, then observes Ham face off against Tin Can Orc. Fewer enemies, he remembers from his military training, means more survivors.

He takes a quick moment, focusing on the betrayer, then attacks with full focus.
Move action to study Urnsul, then Standard to attack.

greataxe: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14
damage: 1d12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

Raen grumbles. "I am not a font." Yet. Still, she does her best to help with another shimmering ray at the armored hulk's eyes.

Blinding Ray (Touch): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Blind for 1 round if 2 HD or less, dazed for 1 round if more.

Raen crack's her dislocated finger back into place and the ray strikes true, blinding the hulking brute!

Hamilton swings true, but Urnsul's armor turns aside Ushyle's swing.

Adding more magic to confound the orc, Vael casts a spell Will: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 and the brute is not only blind but dazed!

Round 2:
Whistle Pig: Hit
Raen: Blinding Ray
Hamilton: Hit
Ushyle: Miss
Vael: Daze
Doxon: Go
Baddies: TBD

Doxon sees Urnsul tottering on her feet. He swings in at her.

Pick: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Urnsul is able to deflect the blow aside.

Pick, offhand: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

But she leaves herself open to Doxon's second pick, which pierces her side.

And indeed, the pick hit is telling. What's left of her blood gushes out and the traitor falls.

Dazed and blind, the heavily armored orc stands there.

Not calling combat, for reasons.

Round 3:
Whistle Pig: Go
Raen: Go
Hamilton: Go
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go[/b]
Baddies: TBD

WP sees no problem hitting a guy that can't fight back. They are invading his home after all.

bullet to the face!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
damage: 1d3 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Hamilton reverses and steps into an upward swing of the longsword!

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Damage on Hit:1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

What's a guy gotta do for a crit around here???

Ham steps aside to set Doxon up with a flank.

Because the orc can't see, the stone takes him by surprise in the head! He spins to the hit, only to be met with Hamilton's blade. The orc is only just now showing signs of damage...

Round 3:
Whistle Pig: Hit
Raen: Go
Hamilton: Hit
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Baddies: TBD

Ushyle's eyes narrow as Urnsul falls. One down, one to go.

He takes a Move action to study the armored orc again, then attacks!

greataxe, studied target: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 5 + 1 = 26
confirm?: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 = 22 YES!
crit dmg: 3d12 + 12 ⇒ (10, 9, 8) + 12 = 39

Ushyle's axe takes the orc's head clean from his shoulders. The heavily armored brute dies instantaneously. The farmer is in shock beyond words.

The pool of blood is the largest any of you have ever seen, and for just a moment, you think you might be able to save Trunau...

For quicky dispatching the traitor and the brigand each party member receives 200 XP.

Though you don't have much time, it's easy to take their stuff Keep in mind that it takes time to remove a breastplate, time you might not have for now.

The farmer regains his wits just enough... "I owe you my life. I am not of your town and you saved me. I was going to gift this to the Trunau government in thanks for a trade deal... but I beg you to take these golden merchant scales."

Raen also recognizes the cloak as a Shield Cloak

On the quick trip back to the triage area the farmer, a man by the name of Aleril, immediately begins recounting his rescue, the shock wearing off. You hear others talking about the fight atop the tower, a many could see and everyone could hear. As the corpse is knocked off Applejack the Trunauans stand slackjawed.

It sounds like your actions are doing a lot of the resolve of the defenders of Trunau.

For escorting and rescuing Aleril, each character receives 74 XP.

___________

Thick plumes of pea green smoke billow into the air here, where three hardy trees that flank the road have been set ablaze with green alchemical fire. The air reeks of sulfur and ashes. The beastmaster seems perfectly comfortable in the acrid smoke, though the dogs don't seem to like it.

I've temporarily removed the zoomed in tactical map, so you can pick your approach. She's at the head of the arrow, in the smoke between fire. The fire obviously burns, but the smoke is REALLY acrid.

Survival:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Ham finds himself a wet cloth and makes himself a makeshift filter for his mouth. He ties it around his mouth and nose.

Using Survival to get a bonus to Fort saves from the smoke

He approaches prone, through the smoke, positioning himself closer to the dogs than to the beast master. He gets within 30' (or closer... with the smoke it's your call), give or take, and uses whistles, clicks, and low sounds to chill the dogs to him. He'll toss out some rations as well.

Stealth:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Bonus for Prone? and Smoke?

Wild Empathy:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

WP will sneak around the back and wait for the charge.
stealth: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Hamilton I love the idea, but let us see where the game takes us... Where is everyone else?

Giving bonuses, and I'm ruling that the smoke negates the Scent ability, so...

The orc is oblivious to Hamilton's approach. One dog in three starts barking at Hamilton in particular. The lone dog is quickly chastised by the beastmaster. She begins looking, but doesn't find the ranger, and Whistle Pig goes unnoticed.

Ruling that The dog goes in the surprise round, as does the party. Whistle Pig and Hamilton are 30' from a foe. Others at least 15' back from them. The map doesn't quite cover that, but place your pogs before I roll initiative. I'm AFK until about 4:30 EST

Vael will approach as quiet as he can, new warhammer in hand. He stays back behind Ushyle. Stealth (if you need it): 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (18) - 5 = 13

Doxon keeps pace with Ushyle.

I need my pog tweaked so it will sit on top of the map. How do I do that?