GM Bigrin's Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

But it's such a Storn thing to do!

Quill led the group by firing a trip of arrows into the closest clay statue. Clay chips flaked off, but it was pretty clear his flying pointy sticks weren't as effective against clay as they normally were against flesh. Still, there was damage, as nicks and cracks appeared on the surface. With the creaking and clattering of ancient pottery, the clay statues closed in on Chwaer and Storn.

I'm here. Ready to start casting.

Uh, would much rather have you post consistently and make the requested knowledge checks so we can know what we’re doing, but casting is fine too.

Round 2

Quill continues to shoot at yellow, making his bow slightly better with the Mighty Elf’s help. [ooc]+2 more.[/ooc\]

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 34 to hit; (-rapid, +DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 15 cold iron damage.
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 15 cold iron damage. (manyshot)

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 24 to hit; (-rapid,+DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 19 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 26 to hit; (-rapid,+DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 17 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 25 to hit; (-rapid, +DF)
2d8 + 28 ⇒ (8, 4) + 28 = 40 additional cold iron damage.
2d8 + 28 ⇒ (6, 7) + 28 = 41 additional cold iron damage. (manyshot)

Storn ditches his spear and lets out an enormous roar as he whips out Gorum's Thorn to start smashing some statue.

"STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORNNN!"

Attack: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30 Damage: 3d6 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (4, 5, 3) + 16 + 1 = 29

Drop the spear, draw the sword, move to W,26 to get smashy smashy. Enlarge person active so -2 to AC.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

"They're clay golems!" Sander calls out I'm assuming... as he pulls out and drinks his mutagen.

Molly moves to AC 21.

Molly moves forward to get a better look at the latest enemy -- and hopefully, to identify them. She shifts into her martial stance as she does.

AC vs. clay statues becomes 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27.
Knowledge (arcana) to identify before I take a standard action: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Molly is pretty certain that these are benaiohs, clay statues containing a slime-like being. Destroying the clay outer shell allows access to the gooey center. They are very resistant to any kind of damage that isn't blunt and adamantite. Sander remembers that they can spew slime that carries a virulent disease, and that when the clay statue is cracked open, it explodes in a violent burst of sharp fragments.

Chwaer growls as the statue pauses just out of reach of her very solid plan. She feels the ground shift as Storn Stoooorns and Storns up next to her, taking the opportunity to slide out of his way and swing her highly ineffective axe.

5' to Y28 and full attack.
+2 dwarven waraxe 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (1) + 19 = 20 for Dmg 1 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 + 9 = 28
+2 dwarven waraxe 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19 for Dmg 2 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 9 = 20

wow - Storn should have thrown me at it.

Molly shouts a warning about the creatures' nature, and then launches into a lengthy chant.

Summon monster IV.

Storn whipped out his sword, and though it wasn't really any better at breaking clay than his spear, he swung it with such force that it shattered the clay soldier. Shards of fragments peppered him and Chwaer, and the benaioh ooze inside the ruined clay soldier flowed out onto the floor just in time to be met with a hail of Quill's arrows. Everyone else repositioned and prepared for combat as the remaining two benaiohs closed on Storn. One got close and sprayed forth a stream of slime into the big man.

Due to her target being destroyed and nothing else in range this round, Chwaer can redo her Round 2 actions.

Updated R2.
Chwaer runs under Storn's sword to greet the other two benaiohs. Move to V28

Acro to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21
Same stellar role above to attack.

Assuming she's not flattened by an AoO, R3
Chwaer steps in close to the golem, maybe if this one explodes, I'll at least have some cover!

5' to U29 and full attack.
+2 dwarven waraxe 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39 for Dmg 1 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 9 = 20
+2 dwarven waraxe 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17 for Dmg 2 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 9 = 19
+2 dwarven waraxe 1 Crit confirm: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (8) + 19 = 27 for Dmg 1 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 9 = 23

Molly concludes her chant, and a medium earth elemental appears (at S 27), flanking one of the benaioh (the blue one) with Storn. The form of earth and stone starts hammering at the enemy with its rock-hard fists!

Flanking earth mastery slam: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5 for 1d8 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12 damage.

Molly moves up and targets Storn with one of her hexes...!

Storn has the benefit of the fortune hex for the next two rounds.

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11
Fortune Favours the Large: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Storn is completely oblivious as to how Molly saved him from some sort of horrific ailment like Taldan Ballrot, and he just continues in his rage, his sword shimmering. Although he has a mace for creatures like this, hitting really hard is his favorite strategy anyways.

Storn!: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 15 + 2 = 26 damage+Fire: 3d6 + 16 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) + 16 + 2 + 1 + (6) = 39
Storn!: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (13) + 10 + 2 - 3 = 22 damage+Fire: 3d6 + 16 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6) + 16 + 2 + 1 + (1) = 34

Swift action to use scared weapon to add +2 enhancement.

Round 3

Quill 5’ steps to AC18 and shoots again, still imbuing his bow with Elf-power. He shoots at any ooze first (for full damage, maybe?) if not, at a statue.

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 33 to hit; (-rapid, +DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 16 cold iron damage.
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 19 cold iron damage. (manyshot)

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 31 to hit; (-rapid,+DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 15 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 11 to hit; (-rapid,+DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 20 cold iron damage.

Sander gets just a little big closer and then throws a bomb at the nearest clay thing, making sure the splash doesn't touch Storn.

Move to AA-21
Bomb (ranged touch), -2 for range: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 - 2 = 30
Damage (fire damage): 5d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 3, 3, 5) + 4 = 25

Crit?: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 = 15
Damage (fire damage): 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Chwaer raced forward, ducking under the swing of the blue-painted benaioh, positioning herself to attack in concer with Storn. The big warpriest smashed one of the benaiohs, sending fragments into himself and Chwaer again., and spilling the benaioh ooze onto the ground. Arrow after arrow punched into the ooze, but the creature held together until Chwaer slashed into it with her axe. Storn worked with Sander to smash open the other clay warrior, revealing the ooze inside of that one as well. The creature lashed out at his, but Storn jumped to the side to avoid the blow.

Roaring the whole while, Storn moves to the last goo-filled statue.

Attackulate!: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30 Damage: 3d6 + 16 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 6) + 16 + 2 + 1 + (3) = 36
Attackulate!: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 - 3 = 13 Damage: 3d6 + 16 + 2 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) + 16 + 2 + 1 + (2) = 29

Round 4

Quill 5’ shoots again, still imbuing his bow with Elf-power.

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 20 to hit; (-rapid, +DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 18 cold iron damage.
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 20 cold iron damage. (manyshot)

1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 21 to hit; (-rapid,+DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 18 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 6 - 2 + 3 + 2 = 16 to hit; (-rapid,+DF)
1d8 + 9 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 3 + 2 = 18 cold iron damage.

Chwaer steps over, blade swinging.

5' to V27
+2 dwarven waraxe 1: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (20) + 19 = 39 for Dmg 1 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 + 9 = 20
+2 dwarven waraxe 2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28 for Dmg 2 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 + 9 = 23
+2 dwarven waraxe 1 Crit Confirm: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (9) + 19 = 28 for Dmg 1 +Precise Strike: 1d10 + 9 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 9 = 22

The ooze did not last long against he multiple attacks of the group's strongest fighters, and was soon a disease-ridden puddle on the ground. With that little thing out of the way, you were free to explore the shrine. It quickly became apparent that the only thing of real interest was the cabinet full of clay bricks. Kipa had looted the blackfire clay and the scroll, but there were dozens of regular clay bricks left in the cabinet. They were dried out, but could probably be rehydrated for use.

Storn has a good roar and then cleans off his sword from all of the goop before snatching up his mega-spear. He heads over to look at the clay.

"Hmph. Doesn't look very sacred but if that's the clay, that's the clay. Gotta line the forge with it right."

He starts scooped clay into the bag of holding.

"Remind me: do we need special water to make this mud squishy again?" Molly asks.

Quill seems pretty disappointed with the clay.

”Is that it, really? What makes it sacred? I mean, is it even magical?” Quill casts Detect Magic and examines the bricks.

”These things look like something a cubic earth elemental might shit.”

"It might be the blessing," Sander muses. "But maybe we should dip it in this water here? Just to be safe?"

It sure would have been nice if Kipa had grabbed all that in the first place. Or not disappeared and never come back to tell us he was OK. I wonder if he's still out there somewhere, or if ... something happened to him.

While the others debate the viscosity of mud vs clay, Chwaer looks around for any other clues that might answer the question.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

Storn is almost certain Kipa has gone to a better place, like the afterlife after getting killed by a giant. He smiles fondly as he think of his friend's certain death and that he's probably stealing stuff in whatever halfling heaven is. Probably a place full of traps to find.

Storn glances at Sander, shrugs, and wets the clay. "Sure, maybe it's holy water or something. Can't tell for sure without a handy zombie to dip in it."

"Unmaker's not real holy, from what I heard. What if it needs to be unholy water?" Molly asks.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 Know (Religion) - clay?

"Unmaker's not real holy, from what I heard. What if it needs to be unholy water?" Molly asks.

Maybe make a roll? You have knowledge skills that can really help the party.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

Storn ponders clay and thinks about how satisfying it is to smash with a huge maul.

1d20+11 Know (Religion) - clay?

Molly Blackfoot wrote:

"Unmaker's not real holy, from what I heard. What if it needs to be unholy water?" Molly asks.

Maybe make a roll? You have knowledge skills that can really help the party.

But not in Knowledge (religion)

But not in Knowledge (religion)

I can’t tell if you’re trolling me or not. You have chances to help the party. How do you know it’s a knowledge religion roll? Why not proactively ask what the knowledge roll is needed? Or roll what you do have and let the GM rule on it?

I am certainly not trolling you. I thought that as this clay and the other items we're looking for are for a religious ceremony, rather than a strictly arcane one, it'd be Knowledge (religion) that is required. On the off chance that Knowledge (arcana) might suffice, then, here's my roll: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (10) + 16 = 26. I seriously doubt my ranks in (dungeoneering), (nature) or (planes) might serve.

Between them, Quill and Molly debate the differences between arcane and religious knowledge on a world where the two overlap significantly. The clay itself turned out to emit a faint magical aura, though the type was not readily apparent. Soaking one of the dried bricks in the fount at the center of the shrine softened it after 10 minutes or so, but it did not seem to change the magical properties as far as you could determine. It looks like you will either need to re-hydrate the clay here, or have some means to do so at the forge.

Satisfied that the brainiacs have solved the great mystery of the stupid clay, Storn pushes everyone out of the temple so they can get back to the cathedral and fire up the forge.

Sander nods, filling a couple extra vials that he usually uses for extracts with water, before getting ready to return to the forge.

”Wait! Are we sure we don’t want to hydrate the clay here? I mean, all the equipment and water is here. And it might be holy or magical or something...I dunno...maybe we do half the clay here?”

But otherwise, Quill is happy to return as well.

"Then let's hydrate the clay and -go-!" calls Storn.

You hydrate at least some of the clay and begin the trek back to the cathedral, using the zeppelstorn to get over the mountain ridges. As you got nearer to the actual camp, though, you can definitely see some changes.

There were about half the number of giants that you remember seeing from your first visit here, but they were roaming in packs. You watched one group of 9 giants assaulting a handful of ogres and trolls. The cathedral itself seemed to be under attack, with a group of giants with a battering ram slamming into the main doors. The barracks exit that you had come through last time had another group of giants around it as well. From the looks of things, some giants were holed up inside and keeping another group, or groups, of giants from entering.

Of course, if the zeppelstorn was invisible, you could always land on the top floor of the spire and work your way down...

+1 for Zeppelstorn. Lots of hot air in that. :)

Quill runs along under the zeppelstorn, wondering how that is any more comfortable than anything else that Storn does.

"Now what?" Quill asks, looking on.

Not sure we're all in the zeppelstorn at this point. Just for maybe some of the higher peaks or over crevasses, but if I'm wrong, put me where I should be.

"If we get that shrine working, we'll need to destroy it right after. I don't fancy any of this lot using the damned thing," Molly says.

Sander sighs, only being able to worry about a couple dozen things at once right now, not 25.

"I think it will be easier to go in from above," Sander suggests. "We cleaned out everything, though new giants might have moved in..."

I think let's assume we're invisible for our approach and go in through the top of the spire, assuming we have the ability to have rested and planned for such. I can provide up to 5 invisibilities, plus a fly if necessary, though that's almost all my extracts.

Chwaer's voice quakes as she looks down at all the giants, "sounds like a plan.

Flying in on the invisible zeppelstorn, you see a few things. One, the top of the spire, nearly 600 feet above the valley floor below, has been broken off long ago, and the upper floor is open to the sky. Another is deep claw marks in the stone of the floor and remaining walls. And a final thing is a small pile of treasure in the sole remaining intact room.

Knowledge (arcana) 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

"... Dragon," Molly says, pointing out the claw marks and the hoard. "That's a dragon's lair you're flying us into! A youngster, but still! Dragon!"

"Turn around, turn around, turn around!" Sander whispers furiously, the pit in his stomach sinking even deeper as he becomes certain that Storn will do no such thing, and will take Molly's words as something to be excited about.

Oh, gods, I'm going to die. I'm sorry, Louly!

That said, Sander's reaction aside, let's go kill a dragon! :)

"Dragon. I did not request going into a dragon's den," Quill worries. "I don't want to get cooked alive or melted by acid or frozen to death today. Please. No."

Do we know what color it was? And what it might breathe?

Chwaer stares at the claw marks, mute.

"A DRAGON?!" Zeepelstorn's eyes light up with absolute delight. A tear the size of Chwaer wells up in one of storn's eyes and plummets to the ground below.

"GORUM BE PRAISED IT'S A MIRACLE! I GET TO FIGHT A DRAGON! I have been praying for so long."

Storn goes -directly- towards the cave. You can feel his massive body quivering with antici...

... Say it! Just say it, you a@+%~~~!

Sander winces as Storn yells loudly enough to alert the entire camp.

Pfft we're 600 feet in the air. WE'RE FINE.

Times like these make me appreciate the fact that I can fly under my own power. :p