GM Knight's Giantslayer

Game Master Deevor

Cromwin smiles in surprise and happiness as the raven flies to Norrik's shoulder. "Oh! Is he trained? What is his name?" Cromwin studies the bird closely. "My family trained hunting falcons. I've always been impressed with how smart they are. Ravens don't domesticate as well usually, but they are, if anything, even smarter." Anyone who likes animals can't be too bad. Now to make sure we both make it out of here...and find Zove.

Cromwin steps over towards the door as Grok yells up in orcish. "We need to finish this quickly. Zove has been gone too long, and we need to search for her, but we can't leave this tower held by the enemy." Cromwin will wait a few seconds to see if the orcs come down, before heading up. "Let's go!"

"Her name is Ferria," Norrik says. "And she isn't really trained... she's much smarter than even a usual raven."

Ferria cocks her head and looks at Norrik.

"And I'm not sure she's domesticated. She and I share an arcane bond. Wizards often attract familiars, companions who travel with them and even sometimes study with them. I have heard of other arcane casters, witches, who directly draw some of their power from their familiars, but I don't believe I've ever met a witch, and I don't really claim to understand how their power works."

When Grok starts shouting in Orcish, Norrik's eyes grow wide, and he even flinches a bit. Quietly, he says (in common), "After that, they might just run away! But, yes, I know, to actual orcs, you just more or less invited them to come out and play...."

Grok's eyes soften slightly as he turns to Norrik.

Grok looks off into the distance, seeming to forget where he is once again.

There were so few of us, and so weak. No one knew what to do, we were in danger, had to stir them up. Wasn't good...never good to stop thinking. I'm not going to be getting into deadly fights over scraps of bread with this one... Grok shakes his head softly to himself, looking down at the floor. He doesn't know. He was born here, not a captive, not a slave, not nothing. Grok grips his sword now with his right hand, fingers bent oddly round the handle to remind him where he came from.

Grok's head swivels up to look at the door, but the flames in them are dead. Raven's are smart, but magic I suppose can make them even smarter. Grok extends a hand out to the bird, then withdraws it. Cromwin's right, no time to waste. If they don't come and play, we're going to have to be the aggressors.

Really enjoyed reading your posts to catch up ... :-)
Groks insults have the desired effect, inflaming the natural emnity for inferior half-orcs. Despite his orders, one of the orcs lifts up the trapdoor, roaring "Naggak gratk ow truttunak!"

Seeing the orc tower above in the darkness, a shadowy figure above the door that opens into the nightime sky. Cromwin momentarily stops in his slow climb upto the opening, looking up at the evil grin under the grotesque tusks. In his hand a bloodied and gory falchion, still slowly dripping down the blade from it's last victim..

I put you in an order to go up the stairs, Cromwin (shield), Maurie(quick and deadly), Brin (cos he's angry now), Norrick(half-orc with falchion), Davian(being more restrained), Grok (provoking and has archery skills).. If you want to change the order please do

Cromwin has two 5ft squares to get upto the top level, double move up stairs... Cromwin and Maurie are up .....

Maurie looks up at the towering orc. "Well, there is one... at least two more if Norrik was correct."

"Hm. I wonder which will send a louder message to your barbarous companions: hanging your broken body off the tower for the crows to make sport of or placing your head on a spike at the town's gates?"

The words are spoken calmly, almost in the same tone that one would discuss whether or not rain was going to be sustained enough for crops to grow this season.

Readying her blade, the Halfling grins at the snarling blooded orc. "Well, you going to come down and dance?"

Readying action: Full flurry attack with the temple sword if the orc gets close enough to strike. Rolling behind the spoiler for if it becomes relevant.

Grok looks up at the orc, deciding if the angle of the stairs and his allies will give it cover and if moving to any side will improve the situation.

"Everyone be careful; this one looks like a handful. I'll hold him here, shoot any of them you get a shot at!" Cromwin edges cautiously up the stairs, shield up and warhammer cocked back, lashing out with it to probe his opponent's defenses and parry any counterattack.

Move Action: Move 10 feet through difficult terrain
Attack, Fight Defensively, Combat Expertise: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 = 21
Critical Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 5 - 4 = 14
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Critical Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 2) + 6 = 15

Cromwin's AC is 23

Norrik looks grimly determined, but inside his mind he's thinking oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!

With one sweep of his warhammer, Cromwin smashes the orcs knees into boney pieces. Then as the orc collapses, his warhead crushes into the creature's skull covering it with the little brain matter and shards of bone. The orc collapses dead. Cromwin has made a beachead to the top of the tower.

Maurie your action isn't relevant, so please decide what you want to do ... you are 5ft behind Cromwin, before he moved ... the rest of the orcs are only seen by Cromwin so far....

Entry onto the tower roof is through the 5ft trapdoor, one creature single file... each of you is 5ft beind the charcter in front, down the stairs...

Maurie shrugs a bit as the orc collapses beneath the blows of Cromwin's warhammer. "Somehow I expected more..."

Careful not to slip on the now ex-orc's blood, Maurie follows Cromwin up the ramp, taking position a little past the man and next to the body.

"Next defendant! Keep the line moving people, the judge does not have all day to hear your cases!" Setting into a guard stance, Maurie prepares to cut the hamstrings out of whatever orc comes to attack Cromwin.

Brin sees the bloody mess from up ahead and moves up to support Cromwin. He holds his sword tight to his body, ready to jump through or attack what comes down from the opening.

Brin, only Cromwin and Maurie went before the orcs....
Without Low-Light Vision or Darkvision please roll miss chance, luckily I forgot for Cromwin's big hit before....

Cromwin AoO Warhammer 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 5 - 4 = 19 damage 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 Dim Light Miss 1d100 ⇒ 19
Maurie AoO using Maurie's crunch above.

As Cromwin and Maurie get to the top of the tower, they find themselves the target of a javelin and bolas which fly at them from a couple of orcs. Maurie easily ducks the sharp point of the javelin, whilst the bolas just crashes against Cromwin's shiney armour. In their anger two orcs rush at Cromwin and Maurie, both combatants try to defend themselves by attacking, but only Maurie is able to deal damage as the the orcs rush in. Yet this does little to deter the green skinned fighters. First Cromwin is pushed back Bullrush into the trapdoor, and despite his best efforts is unable to get a foothold on the steps that fall away and tumbles back down. Ref Save DC=12 Maurie is also pushed back down into the hole vacated by Cromwin, but her nimble feet are able to find the step and she stops her fall.

The drum's beat changes it seems to get louder and more rythmic, its sound is that of war.

Brin can try and stop Brin tumbling off the stairs to the floor with a DC=15 Strength check, Std Action. Otherwise Cromwin takes falling damage, in both cases Cromwn is prone.
You are all up until the orcs next go, Crowin and Maurie will be the top of the next round.

Cromwin's reflex save against falling down the trapdoor 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 falling damage 2d6 ⇒ (5, 6) = 11
Maurie's reflex save against falling down the trapdoor1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Grok walks forward, climbing the stairs steadily and looking for a shot on the orc, he keeps his arrow nocked, ready to draw at any time. Damn, can't let Cromwin fall, he's gotta keep us alive.

Just a small help with describing what I'm seeing, inside the wall is a 3ft wide stair winding round the inside of the wall

Behind you Grok says, urging the rest of the party forward, up the stairs whose tops are now slick with blood. Good defensive position, better take our time.

Cursing at himself for not thinking to do this earlier, Norrik casts Mage Armor on himself and moves to the top so as to get out of the way of the others. He tries to find a position where he won't be under direct attack from the orcs up there, and surveys the situation to figure out what might help best.

GM: Norrik is looking to see if there's an area of floor that he could cast Grease on so as to inconvenience the orcs without inconveniencing the PCs.

GM: Norrik is looking to see if there's an area of floor that he could cast Grease on so as to inconvenience the orcs without inconveniencing the PCs.

As the battle map (each square is 10ft, so split into 4 5ft squaresyou have glimpses of 2 orcs either side of the door. I'll let you decide if grease would inconvenience your companions, but in getting both orcs, you might not get the effect you want. In a simple case, the grease would take up one square... If you're confused now my job is done ...;-)

Brin: Do you want to have a go at catching Cromwin, doing your intimidate or daze spell this round? I wouldn't normally make a fuss, but this is a bit of a difficult map, the party basically under the floor, walking up to have at the orcs ... I will permit the intimidate, you have strong magical words being a bard.

Brin drops his sword just in time to miss cutting into Cromwin's side. He braces himself under his shield as the man tumbles...

Str: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

But his arm gives out under Cromwin's weight and slides off Brin's shield with a loud crunch as metal meets wood.

Not sure if Brin tumbles too.

Brin's strength isn't enough to stop the tumbling metal killing machine that is Cromwin, from falling to the ground, but Brin manages to steady himself and take a step forward to get nearer the foes above. GM moves Brin, team discussion to give Grok the look above.

Cromwin you take the falling damage above which was ... 11pts

"Cromwin, no!" Maurie shouts as the taller man falls backwards down entrance. Glaring up at the leering orc who sent him sprawling, Maurie snarls. "So, you like sending folks flying eh? Well let us see how you like a free trip of your own."

Using her low center of gravity, the Halfling kicks the legs out from under the surprised larger creature, watching with no small sense of glee as it waves its arms around desperately trying to regain its balance.

Davian flourishes Ihys with ease as he watches Cromwin fall and Maurie trip one of the orcs "Let's see if my luck has changed yet today....."

He hurls Ihys after the orc not targeted by Maurie and watches it soar after the beast before snapping back into his hand.

Hand of the Apprentice: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

"Grok! Cromwin is falling! I believe we need your assistance..."

"AAAAAHHHH!" Cromwin swings, falling off balance as the orc shoves him out into empty space. He plummets to the ground, trying to reach out to grap ahold of Brin but missing and falling to land heavily on his back, his scream cut off abruptly by a bone crunching impact as the breath is blasted from his body.

Ow...

Cromwin struggles to his feet, working to draw breath back into his body as he staggers over near to the foot of the stairs.

Move Action: Stand up
Move Action: Move towards stairs

The tripped Orc gets up, roars and attacks Maurie, as does the other orc. These are roared on with encouraging shouts by the more orcs on the roof. In the process of getting up the orc and trying to protect himself from Maurie, the orc misses with a wild swing of his falchion. The other orc however steps across and is able to penetrate the monk's defences and strikes a heavy blow. Then Maurie is assaulted by a scream that resonates in her head.

The drum beats continue loudly

There isn't a 5ft step away from the other orc, the trapdoor is a pinch point, and the orc can just follow you with his 5ft step..
Maurie gets an Attack of Opportunity as the orc gets up.
Maurie takes 14HPs damage from the orc's falchion
Maurie takes 1d6 ⇒ 6 sonic damage and needs to make a fort save DC=12 or be dazed for 1 round.

Your goes, there are some readied actions waiting for you too.
Brin, Grok and Norrick can get on the roof with a move action.

... wow, 1 hp left...
AoO: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Well, I pricked him... and now I am going to die.

Well, I pricked him... and now I am going to die.

The cavalry is on the way, don't despair. There is more room for them to come up now you distracted those two orcs...

Grok watches as Cromwin falls, Brin failing to grab him before he smashes into the ground. Hope he's alright, gotta help Maurie first Grok hastens forward, noticing as he nears the top of the stairs that Cromwin is still moving.

A scream pierces through the air, Grok looking on sees Maurie falter. Watch out, the orcs are right there, he cries, trying to get a reaction. Now only a few feet away, Grok sets his bow to one side of the door and swings at the orc Maurie knocked over, drawing his shield and stepping back as he prepares for a response.

As Grok emerges from the trapdoor, the nearest orc takes his chance to decapitate the new combatant. However he is surprised by Grok's size and his blow fall on Grok's solid armor. Grok has now such worries, his mind and will focused on the orc that bars the way towards Maurie. With a powerful blow of his fachion, Grok drops the injured orc with a brutal slash, severing its backbone.

P.S. This orc had previously been damaged by Cromwin .... :-)

Cromwin pushes up the stairs, laboring to breath through his cracked and bruised ribs as he struggles to make his way back into action. He is silent, saving what breath he has in grim determination as he makes he way up step by step, pushing past Davian and Norrik to interpose himself.

Double move, Not entirely certain about the layout on the map due to the 3-dness, but I think I put myself about where I should be.

Brin looks down to Cromwin who rolls to one side with a groan and then gets up.

I'm sorry my friend! I'll see you back in the mess we've made!

Brin then turns to the opening, his sword held over his shield like a phalanx soldier. He charges forward into the unknown. Not a charge, just storytellin' - 20ft move

As he enters the room above he moves to get to Maurie's side and swipe the orc moving in on her.

I'll make ink from your black blood!
Brin drives his sword toward the orc's head.

Ferria takes off from Norrik's shoulder and finds a perch up in the rafters where she will be safe. After that Norrik moves up to the top, hopefully not provoking an attack of opportunity while so doing.... Once he's up there, he attempts to cast a spell defensively...

Concentration: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

...but fails to do so, as he is distracted by making sure that he doesn't leave himself open to an attack.

Grease lost. :(

Despite the near blackness of the night on the roof, Brin's sword cuts deeply into the neck of the orc up against Maurie. It's hot blood spurts over the gnome, but still the creature stands threatening the company of defenders.

Just Davian left this round ...

The halfling woman, barely clinging on to consciousness, barely seems to register the literal blood bath she has received.

Dazed this round. Can't check rules right now, but if memory serves that pretty much forfeits my round this go, correct?

The halfling woman, barely clinging on to consciousness, barely seems to register the literal blood bath she has received.

Dazed this round. Can't check rules right now, but if memory serves that pretty much forfeits my round this go, correct?

Pretty much ....

Ah, I read the situation wrong. I thought we were still able to at least see the orcs due to the trap etc. and cromwin falling down. Sorry, had to get a bit better handle on what's going on here

Davian will do what he can to climb up, and if he is able to see Maurie in her state, will immediately attempt to heal her.

IF Davian cannot heal her with the amount of actions this requires, he will instead stand before her, and if able to, cast copy cat on himself.

I apologize for the if / or's, but the slides really throw me off sometimes lol

Davian ducks under the swinging falchion as he moves towards the severely injured Maurie, where with quick flick of his wrist the magic of the wand pulses life into the bleeding gnome. Maurie healed 6HPs.

With a scream of fury the orc next to Grok, sends his falchion in a wide and powerful arc, dislodging Grok's grip on his shield allowing the wicked blade to slice deeply into Grok's chest. Grok takes 8HPs damage.

The orc with the bleeding neck, takes his focus from the small weak gnome that is unable to attack and focus his anger on Brin. He shifts his weight and turns to send his falchion at Brin, but his aim is off and the blade bounces off Brin's shoulder, protected by his armor.

The last orc to enter the fray, comes across to the newly arrived combatant, Davian and strikes at the cleric, it's blade cutting deep into his side. Davian takes 9HPs damage.

The orc with the drum continues with the heavy beat of war casting a spell at the magic master that tried to send a spell at his troops. Norrick will save DC=13 please....

The darkness on the roof lightens as the moon makes an appearance from behind the black clouds slowly moving across the sky.

Sweet, up to 7 hp... more than enough to play with these guys a bit.

The warmth of the wand's magic seems to bring Maurie back to her senses. "Thanks, that hurt a lot."

Maurie, clearly frustrated with herself, sheaths her sword and pulls her rope dart off of her belt. "Perhaps I shouldn't be trying to use my body as a shield as much." Taking a small step back, the monk begins to spin the dart, bringing it up to the speeds required to properly utilize the weapon.

Taking a small step back ** spoiler omitted **

You can't take a 5ft step to be out of range for an AoO for using a ranged weapon. You can make a 5ft step get ready for next round though.

Maurie Wyssal wrote:

Taking a small step back ** spoiler omitted **

You can't take a 5ft step to be out of range for an AoO for using a ranged weapon. You can make a 5ft step get ready for next round though.

That is my intention, given it is taking my standard and move actions this round to swap from melee weapons to ranged weapons. Figure it is probably a good idea to at least get out of immediate melee range via a five foot step.

Grok, sensing his allies behind him, goes on the offensive, trying to minimize the negative impact of his inability to retreat, he pushes forward towards and to the right, gripping the blade which struck him and holding it against his armor, he swings rather wildly with his free hand, the bulky two handed sword too cumbersome to deal real damage with. As the orc steps away, however, Grok flicks his shield back and gives a two handed cut at its leg, forcing it to step back even further, and giving Grok time to ready his shield once again.

Attack, Combat Expertise: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Confirm Critical: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Critical Damage: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (3, 8) + 6 = 17

Cromwin pushes his way up the stairs to Norrik, swinging his hammer at the nearest orc.

Cromwin's AC is 21, CMD 17

Okay, everyone. Brin is going to start his raging song this round. 7/9 rounds left. You must now accept or refuse the rage.

With Cromwin's lit shield bringing shapes to the darkness Brin sees a victory to reach for.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Brin reaches his sword into the air, stretching towards the heavens. His voices booms across the dark sky.

"Orcs, curs, cowards of the night. We see through you mock bravery! To arms my friends! To arms my ancestors! Cut their stories short!"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24
Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Norrik busts out laughing, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the history of funny jokes. He falls on to the ground, clutching his gut as he continue laughing uproariously. It's clear he's not going to be able to do anything useful. However, a look at his eyes sees an alarmed and dismayed look that belies his behavior.

And that, boys and girls, is what happens when you dump wisdom. Well... I guess it wouldn't have mattered, having rolled 7 on the die.

Will be moving this battle on soon ....

OK, then, with no Davian post I bot and he pumps healing into himself from his wand CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2... Davian please remove 1 charge of CLW from your wand.

Cromwin pushes past the laughing half-orc and finds himself in the midst of the battle, striking out at the orc, smashing bone and flesh into a bruised mess. As he moves past the orc engaged with Grok, the orc sees an opportunity to inflict further damage and sends his falchion at Cormwin's head. The blade cuts deeply into Cromwin's neck, and he falls.

Grok continues to battle against the orcs, his blade brings more orcish blood from his adversary. Maurie and Brin use their wits to improve their chances in the battle. Whilst Norrick burst into fits of laughter, Has he brought you up here into a trap?

The orcs continue their onslaught, Brin is hit in midsong, his voices wavers as the blow cuts and draws blood. Meanwhile two orcs gang up on Grok, he is able to miss the path of one blade, but the next cuts into his belly. In retribution the spirits

The drum continues to beat, but the sound that is heard by Cromwin, Grok, Brin and Norrick seems soporific, calling to their brains that this is all futile and only sleep will satisfy their condition.

Brin takes 8HPs damage
Grok takes 11HPs damage
Cromwin takes 10HPs damage from AoO.

Will saves from Cromwin, Grok, Brin and Norrick, DC=13

Grok's Raging Spirit attack 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 damage 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

At home, so was able to better see the map. Mini representation was very useful too btw, thanks.

"Feel the fury of my foot of justice, fiend!" Maurie yells at the close orc as she lashes out with a vicious kick. Feeling the impact on the creature's intestines, she lets out a sharp laugh.

"Solar plexus. Enjoy!"

Looking toward the drumbeat, Maurie snarls and sets off toward it to end it.

Even the spirits need not help Maurie bring the orc to its knees, Maurie's kick to the nether regions is enough to down the orc for good.

Grok feels anger flooding through him, causing him to move somewhat more erratically and aggressively. Parrying a blow and narrowly missing his riposte, Grok struggles to move his blade back to guard, the pain of his wounds suddenly reaching him. No...need to finish killing first. But outwardly, Grok only lowers his stance, glad of the magical aid to his strength.

Grrrrrrrr.

I-- Cromwin doesn't have time to think as the blade takes him, a white hot flash of pain shooting through his mind before unconsciousness.

Will Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 1 = 14
Stabilize: 1d20 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 2 - 1 = 20

I was kind of confused about how, exactly, the terrain from the fight is laid out, which is why I think I might have tried to have Cromwin walk through a wall. Where is the entrance to this level, again?

2nd round of Raging Song

Will Save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

You cannot whisk us to bed so easily! Fight on, through the magic! Spread this mage across the roof of this tower!

Brin points to the orc that's shown itself to be a user of magic with his sword in a sudden flourish.

Your story here will end slowly! Drip by drip.

Casting Cause Fear on the "mage". Will save, DC 13

Brin's words cut through the air, almost sizzling as it meets the ears of those on the roof. He reverts back to his fighting stance and stands above the fallen Cromwin.

5-ft step into Cromwin's space

I was kind of confused about how, exactly, the terrain from the fight is laid out, which is why I think I might have tried to have Cromwin walk through a wall. Where is the entrance to this level, again?

Norrick's square contains the trapdoor.

Still need will save from Grok please...