GM Bigrin's Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Quill looks confused.

"But that's MY point! I'm the one resetting the traps and trying to be nice to the fey!" Quill sets his jaw and argues back. "I just don't need to make up stories to play a joke on me. And if you don't have mushrooms or don't want to share them, that's fine. But you don't need to make things up. I'm trying to do the right thing like the Elf Who Hugs The World would want."

"I am NOT making things up," Molly says.

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"She's right, Quill," Sander says, distractedly. "Redcaps are evil fey, that don't care what we do ... except die, I guess. I've heard stories of Irrisen too, trying to spread its winter all over. They'd even destroy something as insignificant as a village in Taldor if they could."

He scratches his head, some thought he can't quite place tickling his brain.

The discussion on fey and redcaps got a little loud, and gripped the attention of everyone in the party. Quill was adamant that they fey would leave them be if they did the same. Molly was just as adamant that, in this at least, Quill was being an idiot.

While they were engaging in verbal battle, a submerged log gently rose to the surface and drifted closer. Suddenly, an enormous lizard-like creature covered in spikes, scales, and knobby skin burst from the water and slammed into Mariana. Mariana folded over the creature, which tossed its head and threw her to the side. Mariana landed with a splt and groaned as her blood mixed with the mud below her.

"She's right, Quill. Redcaps are evil fey, that don't care what we do ... except die, I guess. I've heard stories of Irrisen too, trying to spread its winter all over."

Quill looks at Sander, then at Molly. He casts a glance at Storn and Mawj as if either one might have a clue. He even glances quickly at Mariana, but doesn't expect any support.

"Yeah...maybe, but it still doesn't make sense. Fey can't all bad, and maybe..." Quill's voice trails off as Mariana goes flying.

"Mariana!" Quill says, spooked and raising his bow.

Round 1, Init 20

Quill 5' steps to Z30, tying to get some shots in before the beef gets in the way.

1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 25 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 2 + 1 = 11 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8 cold iron damage.

"Look out!" Sander cries, hastily grabbing one of his ever-present vials and throwing it toward the creature excluding anyone if they've moved in close.

Instead of flame, the thing seems to burst in a cloud of blue-white smoke, frost settling over the lizard thing. 14 points of frost damage, plus it needs a DC 14 Fort save or is staggered next round.

He rushes to Molly, putting himself between the creature and the fallen woman.

bomb (ranged touch), point blank range: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 8 + 1 = 22
Damage (cold damage): 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 3 + 1 = 14
Splash damage: 6 (DC 14 for half)
Miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Move to Y-25

Storn tunes out as Quill and Molly bicker over fey, and is completely surprised when a giant thing decides to send Mariana flying. He beams with delight as he sees the monstrosity.

"Haha! My prayers have been answered, something that could kill us all! STOOOOORN!"

Storn then rushes in, bringing down Agrimmosh!

Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 = 24 Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 = 8

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

Molly falls back and runs around the others, making a beeline for Mariana and placing her hand on the wounded woman's shoulder.

"Up and at 'em, soldier," she says. "We only just started fighting, this ain't the time for a nap!"

Witch to Y26. Healing Hex 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Standing up slowly, she stares at the creature, trying to figure out what it is.

1d20 ⇒ 13 (Between +7 and +11 on Knowledge depending on which)

Giving a nod of thanks to Molly, she flicks her wrist and the Wand of Bless is in her hand and she looks about, checking that everyone is close enough and she activates the wand, calling out anything she might know about the beast to help the party.

A well-placed arrow fired by Quill caught the creature behind its foreleg. It was followed closely by an explosion of frost covered the creature as Sander ran in and threw his bomb. Even as Mariana was being healed and helped to her feet by Molly, she was wracking her brain trying to figure out what kind of creature this was. As Storn charged, hammer held high, a spiked tail rose out of the water and slammed into the giant man, ripping furrows into clothing and armor. His blow rang on the hard leather hide, and the creature whuffed as the air was driven from its barrel-like chest.

That tail, plus the toss she'd been given helped Mariana to identify the thing as a hodag. These reptilian beasts were amazing ambush predators, and could be found in almost any environment. They were expert swimmers, burrowers, and even climbers. Their spiked tails were deadly weapons, and they often charged their victims from ambush, tossing them high into the air, like it had done to her. They were known to be ferocious fighters, carrying on long after lesser creatures would have died.

All this came into her mind, even as she blessed the party to bolster their efforts. It wasn't a moment too soon. With a shudder, the thing shook off the frost still lining its back and then attacked. Teeth and claws flashed out, taking Sander and Molly by surprise. The halfling managed to duck the bite, but Molly was caught by both raking claws. The spiked tail whipped around again, blindingly fast, and caught Storn another blow. Several of the spikes on his armor bent under the force.

Mawj just stood there, watching it all unfold.

Molly uses Brawler's Cunning to enter Snake Style as a move action. If the Hodag attacks her again, Molly uses an immediate action to boost her AC to 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 2 = 24.

Molly staggers back, blood trickling from her wounds -- and abruptly, her stance shifts. The Witch breathes in deep, then vomits up a gout of black bodies. The by now familiar carpet of spiders rushes up to the Hodag, biting away at any sensitive flesh it can find.

Molly casts Vomit Swarm as a standard action. The spiders auto-hit for 1d6 ⇒ 1, plus distraction and poison. Fort. save DC 11 or take 1d2 ⇒ 1 Str. damage.

Round 2, Init 20

Quill 5' steps to Z29, and fires again, this time with the blessing of Mariana.

1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 24 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,Bless)
1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 24 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6 cold iron damage.

Quill's aim doesn't seem too off despite the mass of disgusting bugs attacking the hodag.

Storn roars with rage as his precious armour spikes are bent by the sheer force of the hodag's attacks. It also becomes clear to him this thing has some decent reach. His wounds close up from a quick prayer to his gods before he attacks again.

Fervor, Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14

Power Attack+Bless: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 1 + 1 = 17 Damage: 1d10 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 2 = 9

Swift action to fervor, standard to... probably miss.

Uh, I know where Sander is (he mentioned he'd be spotty in the OOC), but where are Mariana & Mawj? It's been 36 or so hours. This game works better when we all participate.

Quill hopes his arrows hit.

Dunno, but we're moving on in the morning. Was going to be tonight, but I have a headache. Probably from reading the new AP.Lovecraft + Pathfinder = YUM!

I posted an hour before da boss did!

Grunting as she sees Molly take a vicious hit and flicks her other wrist and pops the healing wand, now holding a wand in each hand, she activate the healer and touches Molly with it. "This is already looking...poorly."

1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sander steps back and tosses another vial toward the back of the hodag. 6 points of frost damage if it hits, plus it needs a DC 14 Fort save or is staggered next round.

Toss vial, step to X-24
bomb (ranged touch), point blank range: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 = 16
Damage (cold damage): 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 + 1 = 6
Splash damage: 6 (DC 14 for half)
Miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 7

"Honor and victory! REEEEEEE!

Mawj transforms into his boar-man form and circles around for a flanking position on the giant reptile.

Move to V24. Transform.

Mariana healed Molly as the witch moved back and vomited up a mass of spiders, which immediately rushed the hodag. The enraged reptile ignored the swarm, focusing instead on defending against Storn's assault. Another frosty bomb exploded on its back, killing off some of the spiders as well, but the monster continued its assault on Storn. As the man healed himself, then struck, it blocked his blow, with a flashing tail, then grabbed the big man in its maw. Holding the man still, it raked him with one set of claws, making huge rents in Storn's armor, side, and thigh. Blood flowed and mingled with swamp water as the thing thrashed its head back and forth, swinging Storn through the air.

Molly focuses her mismatched eyes on Storn and starts to chant under her breath, the magic reaching out to touch the rambunctious priest...

Molly starts casting Enlarge person on Storn. She maintains her Snake Style-focus on the hodag. If it attacks her, she boosts her AC to 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13. BLEAH =_=

Just a note, Enlarge Person is a 1 round spell, which means it takes effect immediately before Molly's next round (round 4)

I know, but thanks for the reminder. ^_^
Once the spell goes into effect, it should make Storn harder to grapple while allowing him to pound this scaly creep into mush.
... Can hodag hide be used in crafting?

Was more for Storn's benefit than yours. Didn't want him upping his stats for this round. As for crafting, boots maybe?

That would be deeply amusing, after what this creep did. :D

Storn roars, beating feebly at the side of the hodag's head as it thrashes him from side to side. He collapses to the ground once let go, quickly healing himself and then simply hiding behind his shield while he waits for Molly's spell to finish so he can crush this damn thing.

Fervor, Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Total defense for Storn.

Round 4, Init 20

Quill fires again and again.

1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 22 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS,Bless)
1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7 cold iron damage.

1d20 + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 9 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 11 to hit; (-rapid,+PBS)
1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10 cold iron damage.

Sander throws another frost bomb, this time aiming at the back of the hodag V28; though I think it will still catch the swarm in the splash.

bomb (ranged touch), point blank range: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21
Damage (cold damage): 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 + 1 = 9 plus DC 14 Fort save or be staggered 1 round
Splash damage: 6 (DC 14 for half)
Miss direction: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Undeterred, the swarm keeps biting.

Auto-hit 1d6 ⇒ 3, distraction & poison Fort. DC 11

The hodag, badly injured already, shuddered as Quill's arrows hit home. It was on its last legs when Sander's thirds bomb erupted on its back. The shock of the explosion, on top of everything else it had endured, was enough to kill the creature. Molly, in the midst of chanting her spell, tried to halt the process, but the spellcasting had taken effect. Even as she stumbled to a halt, she could feel the magic leaving her and taking hold of Storn. The already enormous man grew to nearly double his original size. His head brushed the top branches of the scrubby tree, and he nearly toppled over as his platter-sized feet sank into the mud of the hummock.

"Well," Molly says while looking at the result of her spell, "at least we get a chuckle out of the whole thing."

The Witch casually snaps her fingers, ending the spell.

"Oh..."

Mawj transforms back into a normal appearing humanoid. He furrows his eyebrows and examines the creature.

Safe to eat? 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Quill whoops happily as the Hodag goes under with many of his arrows protruding from it. He tries to recover the arrows that missed or did not have the strength to pierce the creature's hide.

1d2 ⇒ 1 recovery, high is good
1d2 ⇒ 1 recovery, high is good

"So was that a fey? Or just a normal beast?" Quill asks Molly as if she might know.

Quill is ready to move on.

I imagine you can eat anything if you try hard enough, and use enough ketchup.

What skill were you rolling?

Storn loud out a moan of disappointment as he shrunk back to his normal, merely hulking, size. As Molly and Mawj looked over the creature, trying to decide if it would provide any use as clothing or edibles, Quill went back to trying to figure out what direction they had been travelling in. He had been sighting along two trees, one almost perfectly straight, and the other looking somewhat like a dancer.

You trudged northward, or as close as Quill could discern, until the dropping sun cast long shadows on the march. There was little safe place to camp, so you continued onward. Finally, Quill's sharp eyes spied the flickering glow of a campfire, not too far away. It appeared to be on a fairly large spit of land.

The fire is about 300 feet away. How do you proceed?

"Oh! Is that faerie fire?" Quill asks, keeping himself still and far away from the fire.

"Does someone want to go scout that? I guess I could, I suppose."

Quill is not a scout.

"RAAAAHHHHAAAHahhhhh...aw."

Storn grumbles.

"Well, it's the thought that counts. Save some of that for me, Mawj."

CLW Wand: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (4, 5, 5) + 3 = 17

Storn stalks off into the swamp, trusting Quill's navigation while loudly talking about how he doesn't trust Quill's navigation. He shuts up as the bonfire is spotted.

"Okay, Quill and Sander flank left. The rest of us keep tight. Sander if you throw a bomb to flush them out they'll rush right into Mawj and me. Molly and Mariana can provide backup..."

"Oh, hush up," Molly says, rolling her eyes. "I'll sneak up and have a look. Anyone good at stealth feel free to join me."

Molly casts and maintains Detect magic before stealthing over: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Molly left the others behind, sneaking in close to the campfire to see what it signified. She waded as quietly as she could through hip-deep water, using the low underbrush as cover. She got close enough to see that on the far side of the fire was a ratty tent. Crouched beside the fire was a ragged-looking dwarf, hair matted into a rats nest, and clothes muddy and torn. About the time she managed to make it close enough to see the dwarf clearly, her left boot came off in the thick mud. Molly swore softly, and nearly lost her balance, the water around her splashing softly as she tried to recover both balance and boot.

The dwarf's head snapped up, and her - that face could only belong to a female - eyes peered into the darkening swamp, trying to focus on whatever was creeping up on her. "Who's out there? My brother'n I can take care of anything less than a dragon, and maybe even a young one of those! Don't you be trying to sneak up on us! Show yourself, now!"

Despite her words, Molly could see no signs of another inhabitant of the tiny island.

Molly slowly rises up -- and raises one fist over her head, signalling the others to move in calmly.

"No need to get excited," she tells the Dwarf. "Din't mean no harm, but there was a hodag a ways back and I spotted Fey-tracks. Ye won't hold it 'gainst me I wanted to see who and what ye were 'fore moving in an' saying howdy, I hope? Now... can I come in and put me boots by yer fire so's they can dry out? Hate for them to rot."

Perception 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Kronug croaks once, from his hiding-place inside Molly's clothes, then falls silent again.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Quill turns his elven ears to hear more.

"Can you hear what's going on?"

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27 Perception

As things had progressed, Mariana resituated her wands and then drew her bow, preparing herself for more trouble, not quite ready to do anything, but getting nervous.

"Storn, just be careful...I don't wish to miss...Remember, I am not the archer Quill is..."

Hearing the conversation begin, she practically freezes in place, holding her breath.

Sander waits nervously, wondering if he'll need to rush in to help Molly, but pleased that it's apparently not a will-o'-wisp as he'd been expecting.

"Can anyone hear what she's saying? I hope she's OK. Louly wouldn't be happy that we let her rush in there herself," he whispers.

"Filthy green skin! How dare she talk to me? Right, brother? They killed you and now she talks? But you aren't dead, just lost, isn't that right? Still let's kill the Greenspan and then go find you."

The muttered words were barely discernible for Molly, and no one else heard them, but the charge was easy enough to understand. The dwarf staggered forward, axe raised as she lurched towards Molly.

Round 1, Init 16

Quill double runs up, moving 120'. 180' to go.

It was Knowledge (nature). Sorry for not labeling.

"Try not to kill her! Mawj thinks she is traumatized!"

Double move forward.

I can't let her kill the former Chairman of the Federal Reserve!

Storn roars, and starts to charge after Quill, before quickly realizing how far out he is and how difficult it will be for him to get there. Grumbling, Storn tosses his hammer and shield to the ground, grabbing his crossbow.

Dropping my gear, grabbing crossbow.

I'm here, but waiting for results of Quill, Storn and Mariana's actions, as they're up.

I'm here, but waiting for results of Quill, Storn and Mariana's actions, as they're up.

Quill posted before Sander with some confuzzlement about who we were waiting for. I deleted it, but Sander's post hangs. Doy. My bad.

Quill rushes to help Molly.