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Leading back to cover down on some rooms before heading upstairs Wren finds a pair of identical rooms. This detention cell, expansive by human standards, is furnished with a giant-sized wooden pallet, stool, and bucket.
These two identical rooms are dungeon cells for prisoners. Their doors are heavily reinforced and closed with giantsized padlocks, but shuttered peepholes 15 feet above the floor allow visible inspection of the cells. The jotund troll Gunginnaar had the only keys to the cells, though Kraygan now carries the keyring as the troll lies dead just a few feet away. Opening them, both cells seem empty, but the air in the southern cell smells strongly of raw meat and blood. The wall above the pallet has the word “Hide” scrawled upon it in Common in blood.
”Well tha’s odd.” Kraygan notes the bloody word, then shrugs and moves on to check the last unopened door on this level.
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Leaving the cell with the blood scrawled on the wall, both Farin and Wren notice the flayed skin of a human man stuffed into the straw.
Closing the door Kraygan moves on. The horrific sight not even bothering him further as he has seen the giants do much worse. Moving down the far eastern hallway he opens one of the remaining doors on this level.
This room, tiled with fine ceramic, contains a large showering area, with an enlarged porcelain shower basin equipped with two silver faucets. The faucets can dispense hot water with a command word in Giant.
Well in need of a shower Kraygan turns this away also and heads back upstairs to the meeting room where the massive glass globe lies on the table. The globe where Farin was able to sense the presence of the Storm Tyrant's position himself.
The window peers out into a large hanging garden. Four fabulous hybrid trees bearing numerous varieties of ripening, delicious-looking fruits grow in this marvelous outdoor garden. On the ground, herbs and flowers are arranged in well-groomed beds among ornamental bushes. A path winds its way through the garden, leading to two plazas encircling a pair of ornate fountains. A fallen tree lies uprooted across the path.
Though from the window it is hard to see much of the garden or what is in it exactly.
Before heading through the door to the north Farin remembers sensing the location of every cloud giant in the castle as the orb linked his mind to their presence as well. He remembers that a group of four cloud giants reside in this room to the north.
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"Hold! The room to the north- I recall it. I sensed four cloud giants in there. Now, I know this is a silly question, but should we try to draw them out rather than storming right in?"
Even as he says it, though, he holds on tighter to his ride, expecting the mount to be charging right through the door.
"Hmmm, four storm giants... sounds like a significant threat. Farin is right, let's try to draw them out. It's going to be hard to charge with this table here, but Kraygan and Jorgan should be able to make short work of them one by one."
Assuming she finishes her speech before the dwarves charge, she'll take position in front of the door and get ready.
Kraygan only half-listens, taking a few moments to scattergun some potions. ”Right.” He nods, tossing a couple bottles over his shoulder and leading Haggis back to the table and readying his lance. ”Someone draw ‘em out.”
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Half listening to Kraygan's ramblings and tactics to take out the quartet of cloud giants in the room beyond Wren looks out into the garden. Something pulls at him. Something not quite right. Something deadly. Looking closer the fallen tree seems very much alive. Wren falters back a few steps as his heart begins to race from the realization of what it is.
The fallen tree, seemingly knocked down during the Storm Tyrant’s attack on the castle, is noticeably different from the other trees in the garden. In fact, the tree is one of the legendary creatures known as the Tane, the sard is an intelligent plant infused with electrical energy.
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Wren quickly pulls back from the opening, sputtering with fear and alarm.
"Uh, if we can, we should avoid the garden. There is something there...something...that even *I* thought was myth and legend. A tree of unspeakable power, and maybe even godly evil. We...we should cautious."
Wren takes a breath before continuing, wondering how to focus his thoughts...
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Wren knows that these highly intelligent Sards are very highly resistant to all forms of weapons unless forged from cold iron and has the slashing property. They are also immune to electricity and very resistant to cold, fire, and spells. Sards also heal incredibly fast, though in death it explodes releasing a large wave of electricity and wooden shrapnel.
A sard can pass for an old dead tree—especially when the creature uses its tree shape spell-like ability. Yet despite its enormous size and ungainly shape, the sard is in fact a swift and agile monster. It can move with unsettling grace and speed, crawling across the ground on long spidery roots like an immense insect. It attacks either with a single slam of its immense trunk or by launching volleys of foot-long thorns that inject the creature’s poisonous, electrified sap.
Sards are nearly as intelligent as most humans, but few actually use this intelligence for productive purposes—the first sards were created as a form of living siege engine, and they quite enjoy this destructive role, often seeking out fortresses or even towns to systematically destroy.
Kraygan snorts at Wren. ”’Bout time ye learned what all Dwarves be taught as wee dwarflings. Tree’s be evil.”
Figuring the conversation is over about dwarves’ fourth favorite enemy - behind giants, and goblins, and water over 4 feet deep - he gestures for Jorgan to open the door.
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Opening the door, Kraygan looks to quickly end the evil cloud giants that went over to the Storm Tyrants service.
Bas-reliefs, carved wood panels, and tapestries, all with the dark themes and colors of sunset, decorate this hall, which is furnished with ornate wooden benches. Four cloud giants await in the room. Two peering through peepholes into the room to the west.
"What are we supposed to be watching for."
"Nalbia said the Storm Tyrant was to be on high guard. Rats are in his castle."
"Why is he so worried about those little folk. They are gnats. Swat them away."
"Nalbia trusts the Storm Tyrant, so I have no problem with him."
"That's cause she wants to be his Queen." The cloud giants laugh, spinning angrily as Kraygan bashes through the door amid Haggis.
+4 if have pair of swords out
Farin (113/113)
Alysendra (122/122)
Jorgan (179/179; -1 str dam)
Wren
Kraygan (184/186; Ash Leprosy; 1 cha drain)(Haggis 129/129)
Farin (113/113)
Alysendra (122/122)
Jorgan (179/179; -1 str dam)
Wren
Kraygan (184/186; Ash Leprosy; 1 cha drain)(Haggis 129/129)
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Cloud Giant
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Kraygan heels Haggis on the flank and charges in at the giant in green pants.
”Th’ weather forecast is cloudy wit a chance o’ cavalry!”
As they crash in he flips his lance up and quickly swaps it for his hammer, then pounds away at giant faces.
The hammer resounds with a thunderous blast!
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Farin vanishes from sight as Wren begins to summon a creature from beyond this realm. Jorganforceshis waay into the room and blocks off one of the cloud giants against the wall.
Thundering into the room Kraygan and Haggis make quick work of two of the giants as lance and hoof breaks numerous bones of these veterans.
Haste
Alysendra (122/122)
Farin (113/113; invisible)
Alysendra (122/122)
Jorgan (179/179; -1 str dam)
Wren
Kraygan (184/186; Ash Leprosy; 1 cha drain)(Haggis 129/129)
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Cloud Giant
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Alysendra moves in after the haste spell goes off, and then hurls her starknife at the remaining giant.
plus acid
plus acid
plus acid
plus acid
plus acid
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Alysendra hurls her starknife into the far corner of the room as it jabs into the cloud giant's shin.
Haste
Farin (113/113; invisible)
Alysendra (122/122)
Jorgan (179/179; -1 str dam)
Wren
Kraygan (184/186; Ash Leprosy; 1 cha drain)(Haggis 129/129)
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Cloud Giant (Pink -49)
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Moving underneath the cover of invisibility Farin quickly dismounts Haggis and slides into place against the wall with Jorgan as he slices and dices at the cloud giant's ankles.
"Little prick." The cloud giant frowns down at Farin as he draws his morningstar, fending off against the pair and kicking the small blade away.
The gargantuan morningstar cleaves right through the trio. Meanwhile the second giant thunders across the room and swats Kraygan off of Haggis' saddle. "This one might be a bit dangerous."
Kraygan is torn free of Haggis' stirrups as his boot is left in place. Flying once again, the giants seem to be using him like a game of ping pong as he falls onto his back.
Haste
Farin (72/113)
Alysendra (122/122)
Jorgan (137/179; -1 str dam)(Spirit 104/144)
Wren
Kraygan (163/186; Ash Leprosy; 1 cha drain; prone)(Haggis 129/129)
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Cloud Giant (Pink -49)
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Alysendra moves to the center of the room, positining herself so all of her allies - and the red frost giant - are within 30' of her.
Desna, please aid your servants in their time of need, and hasten that one's meeting with you!" she calls, pointing at the red giant.
- red giant takes same amount of fire damage (DC 20 for half damage)
”Gaaah!” Kraygan takes another flying lesson. His landings still suck, but he’s getting a little better on bouncing back.
Jumping to his feet he quickly remounts Haggis. ”Get ‘im Hags!” He calls as he tries to shove his foot back in his boot.
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Round 1, Init 14
Wren summons a big angry air elemental and adds it to the melee, creating it where it can punch some face.
to hit;
damage.
to hit;
damage.
N Huge outsider (air, elemental, extraplanar)
Init +14; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +16
DEFENSE
AC 25, touch 19, flat-footed 14 (+10 Dex, +1 dodge, +6 natural, –2 size)
hp 123+26 (augment)= 149 (13d10+52)
Fort +12, Ref +18, Will +6
Defensive Abilities air mastery; DR 10/—; Immune elemental traits
OFFENSE
Speed fly 100 ft. (perfect)
Melee 2 slams +21+2 (augment) (2d8+7+2)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks whirlwind (DC 23, 10-60 ft.)
STATISTICS
Str 24, Dex 31, Con 18, Int 8, Wis 11, Cha 11
Base Atk+13; CMB +22; CMD 43
Feats Blind-Fight, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Flyby Attack, Improved InitiativeB, Iron Will, Mobility, Power Attack, Weapon FinesseB
Skills Acrobatics +25, Escape Artist +23, Fly +27, Knowledge (planes) +12, Perception +16, Stealth +15
Languages Auran
to hit; (Heroism)
magic damage.
[ ooc]Haste (round 3/13): +1 to hit, AC, reflex, attx, yadayadayada. [/ooc]
HP: 91/91
AC: 19 (+4 w/mage armor, if haste then AC 20)
Readied action acid:
[ dice]1d20+12+1[/dice] touch to hit;
[ dice]1d6+7[/dice] acid damage.
Effects: mage armor, overland flight, heroism
Right: Bow
Left:
Glove: Staff of Frost
Iron Ring: 0/1 used
Rod Lsr Extend: 2/3 used
Rod Lsr Quicken: 0/3 used
Firestorm: 0/3 used
Staff of Frost: 2/10 used
Acid 0/10 used: Acid Dart (1d6+6 acid, 10/day) (Sp) As a standard action, ranged touch deals acid dam vs. foe in 30 ft.
Blip: 4 of 90 5' steps used
12th Level: The bow counts as a +2 Adaptive Flaming Composite Longbow. Scorching Ray now only costs 1 charge and replaces the arcane bolt. The fireball spell is now under the effects of the quickened metamagic feat though only for the use of a full attack with the bow itself with the fireball itself counting as one of the attacks.
14th Level: The bow allows the use of summon monster VI for 3 charges to summon fire elementals only. The Fireball spell now only costs 2 charges and is under the effects of the empower metamagic feat. The bows power increases the charges to 5 each day as the rubies themselves begin to grow.
[ dice]1d20+13[/dice] to hit;[/dice]
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Farin carves his name deep into the giant's legs as streaks of fresh blood coat the floor. Kraygan leaps back onto Haggis' back, working his boot and saddle to try and stay in place while Wren's air elemental shows up just behind it. The wind is enough to whip it's hair about and break a few ribs as gusts batter against the giant.
Jorgan heaves his spear into the veteran giant's chest, pinning him to the wall. Alysendra causes the other to burst into righteous flames as its screams can be heard for several more seconds before he eventually dies.
Farin (99/113)
Alysendra (122/122)
Jorgan (164/179; -1 str dam)(Spirit 131/144)
Wren
Kraygan (186/186; Ash Leprosy; 1 cha drain; prone)(Haggis 129/129)
Alysendra shakes her head at the ferocity of the onslaught. "Were these the same giants who fired on us from the balcony?" she muses aloud. "Or are there more of them ahead?" She casts detect magic, almost idly examining the giants and their surroundings for anything useful.
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Alysendra is fairly certain these were not the same giant's firing down from above. In fact those giants should be one floor above.
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Wren flies in, still invisible, holding his air elemental in a defensive posture while he works to identify the gear.
"This cap might be good for one of you lunks," Wren grunts, offering it around. "Other wise there is nothing else we need to take with us now, save to hide it for later. Either we take the castle or we end our lives."
Perception
"Oh, there is a secret door behind us," Wren offers almost as an afterthought.
”Already got a sturdy helm.” Kraygan passes in the magical cap. ”Secret door? Where? Here?” He moves to open it, ready for giant jerks.
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Pocketing the potions, Farin also considers the cap, but assumes it would interfere with his headband. But if no one wants to wear it, he'll stick it in a pocket.
Then he uses a few charges of his want to heal up.
"Anyone else?"
Then he will cast Heightened Awareness from his other wand, and then proceed to check the ladder for traps.
If he doesn't find any, he will sip from his vest to turn invisible, and then climb up to scout the top of the ladder before returning and reporting on the situation.
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Farin climbs the ladder up to the third floor.
This room appears to have no walls or ceiling, just an open space surrounded by sky on five sides. Two cloud-shaped lanterns hang in the middle of the space, casting a soft azure-and-violet light.
West of this room, a long staircase with a landing in the middle ascends even higher.
Alysendra waits for Farin's return. If he doesn't come back quickly, she'll activate her boots and fly up the ladder to check on him.
”Bah! I’m jus’ bored!” Kraygan huffs at Wren. ”Up, down, up, down, up down. This is like a game o’ Flues n’ Scaffolding, n’ we keep rollin 1’s!”
Sticking his head into the ladder chute, Kraygan calls up to Farin. ”Oi! Haggis n’ Spirit say they still ‘aven’t gotten th’ hang o’ ladders.” Haggis gives a snort, and Kraygan calls up again. ”Haggis suggests we try these doors down ‘ere!”
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With Farin's return Kraygan pushes open the double doors to the Terrace. This expansive terrace area lies in front of the castle’s main doors. The castle’s main doors, flanked by two caryatid columns depicting life-sized cloud giant guards, stand in an ornate marble facade to the east. An imposing white marble statue of a dragon overlooks a semicircular balustrade to the west. Gates exit the terrace to the north and south.
Used by the inhabitants of the castle for open-air ceremonies and weapon practices, the terrace is deserted, watched over only by a 20-foot-tall statue of a four-horned dragon mounted on a 20-foot-tall pedestal. The castle’s main doors are equipped with peepholes and heavy knockers.
”Hmph” Kraygan blows out his moustache at the sight before him. ”Looks like a good place fer giants ter take pot shots at us. Let’s try this other door.”
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"Cloud dragon," Wren says, easily identifying the dragon by taxonomical classification. "May or may not be friendly, but probably not, but still we should be careful with it. It's smart, so it might be parlayed with. Or not, you know...dragons."
Wren waits, will follow others, but keeps a careful eye on the columns because sometimes they are caryatid.
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”Well yeah, it’s only a statue, but it’ll come to life, just you watch...” Wren says, figuring everything here was trying to kill them. From the trees to the statues. Everything.
He waits for the others to push on, keeping his distance in the back until the traps are sprung and ambushes are identified.
”You see anything, Yaktender?”