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

Game Master Chris Marsh

Doxon joins Ushyle in a ready stance!

Round 5:
Lurkers in Light: Atk
Whistle Pig: Hit
Ushyle: Readied
Vael: Fortune
Doxon: Readied
Hamilton: Hit
Raen: Go

Raen watches her underling perform her bidding like a proper wizard.

Slam @ Lurker: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26 <-- higher of the two
Slam @ Lurker: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

One more round of elemental.

Unfortunately the fey resists the slam's contact, none the worse for wear.

Figuring that the elemental isn't a threat it flies towards you looking to slam Whistle Pig! Ushyle drops his blade, making definitive contact with the fey. This time it feels it. Claw the halfling: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17 for DMG: 2d3 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8!

Round 6:
Lurkers in Light: Atk
Whistle Pig: Go
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Go

The elemental swipes as the fey zooms away.

AoO @ Lurker: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

And then zooms after it. Raen retreats from the melee, but remains within easy reach of her companions.

Slam @ Lurker: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

WP takes a quick move to give him some space to operate. As he moves he loads his slings and puts it into motion, targeting the fey's mini head.

attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16
damage?: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

The elemental gets a light hit in, but Whistle Pig misses.

Round 6:
Lurkers in Light: Atk
Whistle Pig: Miss
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Go
Doxon: Go
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Move

Sweat pours off Vael's brow as he calls upon the Spirits of Fortune one more time... this time for Hamilton. Fortune on Hamilton.

the battle grinds on as Vael continues to try and bend fortune to the party's favor.

Round 6:
Lurkers in Light: Atk
Whistle Pig: Miss
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Fortune
Doxon: Go
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Move

Doxon steps in next to the Lurker and attacks!

Agrimmosh: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (2, 6) + 5 = 13

Pick: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Looks like all your luck went to Ferox.

Doxon misses with both his weapons!

Round 6:
Lurkers in Light: Atk
Whistle Pig: Miss
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Fortune
Doxon: Miss
Hamilton: Go
Raen: Move

I think Hamilton can just drop the bow, draw his blade, step in and attack. I'm big, so I can reach him.

Longsword:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Longsword (Fortune!):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Damage On Hit:2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 = 9

Fortune favors the brave! Hamilton drops the bow and swings hard for the fey, hurting it a bit more. This one is really tenacious though.

Round 6:
Lurkers in Light: Atk
Whistle Pig: Miss
Ushyle: Go
Vael: Fortune
Doxon: Miss
Hamilton: Hit
Raen: Move

Ushyle's eyes widen as the fey closes in!
greataxe, studied target: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 = 22
1d12 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15

With a resounding THWAK Ushyle finally drops the fey!

Now, after the din of combat is gone, you can hear hundreds of animals of all types hooting, whistling, and more below.

The bridge continues on to the far side of this massive chamber.

For defeating the pesky fey pains-in-the-neck each character receives 534 XP

Vael takes deep breaths, winded from the strain of his meddling with change. The cuts from the creatures leak dwarven blood onto the floor. He pulls out the recently used wand, and works to stem the flow.
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

He then moves over the the halfling slinger and works more magic from the wand.
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

And lastly does the same for Hamilton
Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Stowing the wand away, Vael looks over the group. "Seems tha druids make a number of nasty allies, all ta protect their treasure. But they made retrievin' it difficult. Still, I'm ready ta move on. Through tha next door?"

Raen runs a toned hand through sweaty, matted hair. She counts off the spells she studied this morning, then thumbs through her scroll collection. "Monkey fish, no... liberating command, no... silent image? Ugh. Scroll of summon swarm? Against fey?"

"I think I might be down to scrolls at this point," she announces. She bites her lip. "This place seems less inviting that Silvermane made it sound. Perhaps we should recover our strength before continuing?"

WP gives a silent nod of thanks to Vael for the assistance.
"These creatures are evil. I don't think they were placed here by the druids, Vael."

Pig walks over to the edge of the bridge." If we have time, would you mind if I got a closer look at those fairies? I need to know why my bullets didn't affect them"

"Some druids have nae thought for good or evil. For them it's all about tha balance. Never truly understood it, but it's why they'll take up with any of tha First World," Vael grimaces. "Like these fey."

"Some druids have nae thought for good or evil. For them it's all about tha balance. Never truly understood it, but it's why they'll take up with any of tha First World," Vael grimaces. "Like these fey."

I don't agree, Vael. Unless you have some knowledge that I do not, these here were wicked fey. They're summoned into being by a blood sacrifice and a ritual. This place has been corrupted and is now out of balance. We should set it right.

The shaman shrugs. "I won't disagree with ye thar. They're wicked fey, and dinna belong. But if these be tha guardians they put in place, I will have questions for Silvermane."

He then looks over to Raen. "I'm with our magician here. I cou' use some rest. If these spirits be implants, from someone bent on corruptin' this place... then they're a powerful threat, and we shou' take tha time ta ready ourselves."

"if we are staying, let's get out if this room. It's hot and the dwarf is starting to sweat." WP starts to head back the way we came. "We need to find a defensible location to camp for the night."

So what's the plan?

I think we've got four votes for camping, so let's camp.

Raen catches each of the others with an inquisitive look. Little is said, but the toll of the day is clear. "Agreed with the halfling. Outside the Vault would be best, but let's not leave the portal. We don't need another marsh giant wandering upon us in the middle of the night."

Returned to the wooded glade beyond the Vault's doors, the Varisian lays out her bedroll in a mossy thicket.

The party debates on watch order for some time, eventually settling on a plan. Thankfully, nothing outside the vault seems to care about your presence. Nothing in the plane but outside interacts with you at all. It's a bit off putting really, though the lack of mosquitoes is nice.

When you walk up Raen notes that it's currently New Year's Eve...

"I agree. Let's move back in tha other room, close both doors, and secure that space. We ken rest thar. If we're quiet, nothin' will disturb us. If more fey come, they come from one direction. And we ken be ready."

Inside the plane, determining the notion of "morning" proves more difficult than usual. Raen rubs her eyes and squints at the portal, but it doesn't help. She reaches for her spellbook.

Changing up my spells for less travel, more combat.

A brisk hour passes, and the spellbook snaps shut. Raen immediately summons her ephemeral armor -- this time shaped as a cloudy, swirling cuirass almost riven down the front with a long and defined v-neck. "Let us go find Trunau some weapons."

The doors to the Vault stand before you, as uncaring of time now as when you arrived. You enter the room beyond, and find it as you left it. The oppressive heat and jungle fauna noises from below are still present...

You can see doors at the jungle floor below, but there's no easy way to make the 80' drop. The far end of the bridge ends at another set of double doors.

WP takes the points and approaches the door. He will look for traps on the floor on the last 20' and on the door itself.

checking the floor: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
checking the door: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

IF clear, he will listen at the door to see if he hears anything that sounds dangerous.

checking the door for sounds: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

Whistle Pig concludes that the door is safe. When he listens, he hears something ...unexpected.

WP whispers to the group,"can anyone understand Elven?"

Vael gestures at Raen. "We've but one cunning linguist."

Whistle Pig rolls his eyes and gestures to Raen to join him at listening to the door. " I think the dwarf has some pent up frustrations..." WP mutters under his breath.

When Raen approaches, he too hears the words. He translates, "If ye be friend, by all means enter. You need not stand by the door like thieves in the night. If ye be foe, The Vault will see you undone."

WP smiles at Raen and says," we don't want to be rude do we?" and opens the door

A series of detailed woodcarvings depicting druidic worship decorates the walls of this room. To the southeast, a short flight of stairs leads to a dais, upon which sits a throne crafted of dead, overgrown brambles and thorns. Doors to the north, west, and northwest offer exits from the chamber.

Upon the throne sits an old elven woman who smiles as if very tired, speaking unaccented common "Greetings heroes. I am Ewigga, guardian of the Vault of Thorns. Curator more than guardian of late. I fear that vermin and evil fey have taken over the Vault outside of this room.”

Vael gives a small bow. "Well met, Ewigga. I ken agree regardin' yer fey problem." Remembering his manners, the dwarf adds, "I be Vael Oakfist. With me be Hamilton Renaud, Doxon Greyforge, Raen Varkath, Ushyle, and Whistle Pig. We're from Trunau, and were sent by Silvermane. Tha town needs help, as it was recently attacked by orcs allied with a giant. Somethin' ya ken about maybe?"

"I think that I might. Unfortunately the Fey here have tangled the magic of the Vault. I don't have the energy of my youth to help. I propose an exchange. Help me rid the Vault of Fey and I'll see what secrets the Vault contains that may help you."

"Seems we've already started, so I see nae harm in finishin' riddin' this place of Fey."

"I can lend some aid though not much. I will accompany you."

Raen winces ever so slightly when she hears her surname. "We are grateful for your help." She looks at each of the double doors leading out of the room. "One is as good as any, I suppose," she says, moving to the northern set of doors and looking at the halfling expectantly.

Vael has a momentary doubt... Sense Motive on Ewigga: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

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The door seems safe, and the elderly elf nods to confirm. Beyond is more First World oddity.

An ornate staircase descends to a small platform. Several giant lily pads sway gently in the chamber’s air currents, each floating at a different height. Below the lily pads, a sheer drop fades into darkness, where a droning buzz reverberates off the chamber’s walls. At the other end of the chamber, a second platform and staircase lead out of the room, though that platform is 20' lower than yours.

"Each pad can hold a single one of you at a time."

Both maps updated.

Vael looks at the pads, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of them holding his weight. He turns back to the elf. "Ye dinna explain why or how tha fey turned on ye. Or why they dinna simply come through tha door ta git ye. Now that I think about it, ye seem pretty comfortable... What's tha story?"

"My magic wanes. The throne room is still strong. The fey are new to the Vault. It used to simply be hidden."

"Really? How did that happen? You're in luck, as Raen and I are both a bit savvy regarding magic, both spiritual and arcane. Tell me more."

Ushyle has remained silent during the exchange with the elven woman. Raen has noticed more than once his furrowed brow, as though trying to remember something...

Ewigga, he repeats to himself over and over. I know that name. Why do I know that name...?

Almost subconsciously, he turns his gaze to the elven woman.