Torgan, finally in a place to get a few attacks off, decides that the purple-pimpled ogre has breathed for the last time. "Any last words, ye ugly beast?" he says as he points Agrimmosh at the creature.
Not waiting for a response, Torgan launches into the giant with a quick double swing from the hammer while simultaneously drawing out Brinya's Love for a quick, underhanded strike.
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Manticore Cage is currently down as no one is holding the chain. It can be raised again with a full round action to re-raise it. Letting go of the chain drops it instantly. Anyone within 5 feet of the cage's edges have to make a reflex save or fall prone and take 3d6 damage
Flipping Aggrimosh in his hands Torgan flies into a flurry of hammer and blade at the ogre. The dazed and wounded giant clumsily swats away the first two blows but is too slow on avoiding Aggrimosh a second time as the hammer smashes into it's eye, knocking the ogre to the ground unconscious and bleeding.
Bless-All except Torgan and include Manticores
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
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Hill-Ogres (Yellow-cursed; blind)
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Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
Kraygan (R)(51/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Vanderhoff (G)
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Manticores (Red -43; cursed)-Bless
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With a roar of anger, Van steps northeast and swings his hammer at the ogre.
Jorgan puts his grief and anger over the death of his beloved yak into his swing as he tries his best to hamstring the jaundiced giant before him.
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Vanderhoff steps forward, and swings his massive hammer, though the loose stones underneath his feet shift causing him to lose his balance momentarily as his hammer misses by a large margin.
The saddened manticore face begins to contort into anger as it looks at it's deceased mate. The manticore turns back to the Ogre and leaps at it's chest. The beast wildly claws and bites at the giant's neck as it's claws scrape and tear at the ogre's exposed flesh. Grabbing the creature by it's broken wing the piss stained ogre hurls the manticore to the ground as several long lines of blood begin to form all over it's arms and neck.
Jorgan takes advantage of the manticore 's attack on the blinded giant and slashes a deep wound on it's legs with his flaming scimitar. The flames lick at the giant's loincloth but it is too damp to do anything but smolder the urine, releasing a horrible odor about the room.
The ogre in the red robes strides forward, breaking more brick and clay from the ceiling, focusing it's eyes on Vanderhoff as he swings his greatsword in a mighty arc in the confined space.
The giant's greatsword slashes right through the majority of Vanderhoff's chest, splitting him wide open. The dwarf's eyes don't even have time to register shock as he falls to the rubble, unconscious and bleeding. The Ogre smiles wickedly through ill fitted teeth as the dwarf falls.
The blinded giant swings about trying to smash the wounded manticore.
Though it misses as the club smashes into the wall nearby, cracking the beams. It begins to rub it's eyes once again trying to get the fairy dust out.
Though it just seems to rub it in further.
Bless-All except Torgan and include Manticores
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
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Hill-Ogres (Yellow -30; cursed; blind)
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Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
Kraygan (R)(51/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Vanderhoff (G)(-6/45)
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Manticores (Red -43; cursed)-Bless
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"Ye think this'll make ye king now that we've killed yer giantess?" Torgan scoffs. "Ye should 'ave let us take what we wanted and ye could rule with impunity, but now ye die fer that assault on me kin!"
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Round 4, Init 11
Wren grumbles as the big momma starts to slaughter the dwarves. Wren ponders how to slow her down. He shrugs, trying things that can't possibly work.
HP: 37/37
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor,heroism
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 3/6 used
[ dice]1d20+8[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
Van's brain registers surprise and shock for the span of a breath then registers no more.
The giant's attack sprays Vanderhoff's blood across Kraygan. Looking down at his cousin, he is reminded of Hops. With a wordless howl of rage, he steps forward to engage the giant giant with every ounce of strength he has left.
"AHAHGHGHAAGHGGHH!"
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The ogre stares in shock as he places a hand on his chest. You think me be king?!?! He looks confused as he stares off into space with all of the wonder of being a king and doesn't see Torgan's warhammer until it smashes into the bridge of his nose.
Hopping in Kraygan returns the giant's damage to Vanderhoff in spades as he splt's the Ogre's chest wide open with Gorum's thorn. The giant falls to it's knees with rage and confusion in it's eyes. Planting his feet firmly in the rubble Kraygan slits it's throat without remorse.
Seeing the robed giant fall, Wren turns his spell to the blind giant covering it's club in grease.
The club falls to the ground as Vanderhoff continues to bleed out in the rubble. The remainder of the dwarves and Manticore easily begin to circle and descend on the poor blind giant, as it calls out for it's Uggluk, ending it's life.
The manticore slowly moves over to it's mate and slumps down, tears flow freely over it's blood-stained fur.
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
Kraygan (R)(51/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Vanderhoff (G)(-7/45)
Manticore (Red -43; cursed)
I see a light....I'm tired.....The light looks comforting, like a forge fire.....Maybe I should go to the light.....Just lay down and sleep forever.....
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Jorgan goes over to smack some sense into Van.
"Wake up! There might be more comin'!"
Jorgan then cautiously approaches the manticore. "I'm sorry. We didn't intend fer that. I just lost my friend as well. This is an awful place and we'll all be better once we're outta here."
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Unlike with Jorgan's loss, Wren is slow to lower his bow, wondering whether they needed to end the manticore or let him wail in peace. He doesn't come too close to the pathetic mourning beast (the manticore, not Jorgan), and tiptoes closer to the giant wizardress.
He peeks outside, wondering if more foes were approaching...or gathering to approach.
Perception
If no one else comes, he will cast Detect Magic and explore the possessions of the giant kins, looking for magic.
Van's eyelids flutter and he coughs loudly before screaming and raising his arms to deflect the blow that took him nearly to the Boneyard. When the blow doesn't fall, Van opens one eye and looks around, sheepishly.
Sitting up slowly, he rubs his chest, pausing to look at the blood covering his hand and armor. "Giant b&+#@...." He mutters, then wrinkles his nose as he sees Wren copping a feel on the dead ogress.
Are all elves that morbidly dememted....?
Shaking his head and slowly standing, he grabs his hammer, then grabs the wand from his pack, using it liberally on himself.
Glancing at his cousins' wounds, (he knows the elf never risks himself enough to get wounded), Van tries to assess if they need healing. "We shouldn't tarry. Let's find that dwarf." He says, then looks to Wren. "What did you find with the switches?" He asks.
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"What did you find with the switches?" He asks.
Wren lowers the wizardress's robe where he was looking for bling, looking a little suprised at the interruption.
"The switches?" Wren answers absently, then remembers. "Oh, I was interrupted. I'll need to begin again. Just a moment here..."
Wren continues his magical examination that is totally necessary and appropriate.
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The manticore turns sharply to Jorgan, baring sharp rows of teeth, but quickly begins to settle back down. It's shoulders slump in defeat.
Who am I kidding.... we never would have made it out. We couldn't even fly anymore. I will easily be captured or killed by some bloodthirsty Pathfinder. Maybe it is all over for me..... The manticore says as it's ears fall back and he nudges his mate's shoulder. The shoulder rises against his nose and falls limply back to the ground.
Meanwhile Wren continues to flip open the Ogre's robes looking for pockets. At first he just finds it's filthy naughty bits but after a moment Wren finds the robes inner compartments.
- Large Mwk Breastplate
- Large Mwk Greatsword
- Unholy Symbol
- 155 gp (31 gp ea)
- Potion of CLW
- Potion that when you wave your hand behind the vial it vanishes.
DC 18 Spellcraft:Potion of Invisibility
- Metal Amulet with a bear carved into the front.
DC 20 Spellcraft:Amulet of Natural Armor +1
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
Kraygan (R)(51/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Vanderhoff (G)(45/45)
Manticore (Red -43; cursed)
Fatigued from all the fighting, Kraygan's beard blows out as he huffs and puffs with the effort of catching his breath. He grabs one of his potions to help Vamderhoff, but his cousins get their first with their magic wands. Once it's clear that Vanderhoff is going to pull through he gives a sigh of relief and drinks the potion himself.
"That's the curse talkin." He says to the manticore. "You want revenge against these giants and a real chance to escape, then work with us. Ye promise no more "accidents" with those spikes and maybe we could heal some o' yer wounds too."
Letting the manticore think it over he makes his way to the main door and peeks out to see if any other trouble is headed their way.
"That should be the advance guard." muses Torgan as his brother aids the fallen Hoff.
Torgan looks over the amulet but quickly tosses it to Wren. "Oi! Check fer more of em. If no one else comes, then we can find th' dwarf." Torgan almost commands the elf.
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The manticore's eyes dart to Kraygan and then fall into shame. We were just defending ourselves. I didn't know who was our prey at that point.
As the manticore finishes speaking it begins to lick it's wounds. Kraygan peeks his head out the front door. He does not see anymore Giant's coming their way but the ceaseless bell continues to chime to the north.
The manticore limps on a wounded paw beside Jorgan. I will help in what way I can, though escaping could just as well mean my death.
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Spellcraft vs. DC 18
Spellcraft vs. DC 20
"Here you go, VanderWaff(le)," Wren says, tossing the dwarf the amulet.
Wren grabs the loot that he can, tossing the amulet to Vanderhoff to sort out. He pockets the invisibility and the potion of CLW.
While the dwarves talk with new MantiHops, Wren scurries down the corridor to futz with the switches again.
Kraygan glances at the still-large Torgan. "Think we gotta wait fer Torg to get back to normal size if we're gonna go that way. Would prefer to use his size to our advantage. Maybe we put a couple arrows in that hill giant across the courtyard and draw him in here? That, or we see what's down those stairs."
"Here, ya can't go limpin' around like that." Jorgan heals up the manticore with the wand.
"Aye, do we know where this secret passage might lead? Somewhere else in the fort? If we mean to save that dwarf, we'd better hope so. I say we try it."
Van catches the amulet, shrugs, and puts it on, then nods in agreement with Jorgan. "Agreed. Torgan, that big head 'o your's gonna shrink back ta normal anytime soon?"
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The group assumes a defensive position as they wait roughly ten minutes for Torgan's body to shrink back to it's normal size. Wren takes the opportunity to study the magical items he found on the ogres.
As Torgan shrinks the group quickly makes their way back to the rung ladder, one by one so as not to collapse the cracked floor.
Wren pulls the levers one by one, listening for the audible click as he disables the traps below.
Descending into the small cramped room the Manticore looks down the hole as it cocks it's head. I will not be able to make it down there safely due to my size and well, lack of climbing. I can try to find another way around or I can go wait with your yaks? Your choice. The manticore says hungrily.
While Wren lets the dwarves deal with the manticore's decision he looks about the small chamber and notices three separate cracks in the walls revealing secret doors to the east, west and south.
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
Kraygan (R)(51/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Vanderhoff (G)(45/45)
Manticore (Red -43; cursed)
"Stay up there for a minute." Kraygan says to the Manticore, gesturing to the all-you-can-eat-buffet in the main entrance. "Eat them if you want."
Down in the secret passage. "West could lead to the bottom of that stairway. Let's check that first."
Torgan shrinks and is immediately overcome with sadness. "I wanna be that big forever..." he mutters as he blithely follows the group.
When the secret doors are pointed out, the dwarf will mope his way towards them and see if he can hammer one open, but his heart just isn't in it.
Van sighs as he realizes the party may have acquired a manticore mascot. Agreeing with Kraygan. "We will return shortly." He says, not really knowing what to do with the creature.
Descending the makeshift ladder, Van peers at the doors. "No traps, I assume?" He asks Wren. Reaching for the eastern door, he says. "I think we should go this way. The voice we heard came from this direction didn't it?"
To Vanderhoff, "If the west leads to those stairs then we can keep that manticore with us, and away from the yaks."
"Yes, eat them," Jorgan says pointedly to the manticore, indicating the dead giants. "But if you touch our yaks-even my dead one-I swear I will come back and haunt you for a thousand lives. Now come here for a minute."
"And if you get a hankering for some orc, feel free to take a few of them out too."
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Of course... The manticore says with a wry smile as Jorgan tends to it's wounds. The wounds slowly begin to stitch themselves back together as the broken bones fuse back together.
Down below Kraygan opens the western door revealing a circular chamber that contains the fort's water supply, a well connected to the river via an underground stream.
The dwarves explain to the manticore on how to circle around down the stairs, quietly, to rejoin them. Nodding his head in acknowledgement the manitcore lumbers off.
The manticore barrals down the stairs, nearly tripping over its own legs as it races for the open doors of the well room. Once inside Kraygan shuts the doors as Vanderhoff opens the doors to the east. Inside is a sparsely furnished, two story guard tower, equipped with arrow slits overlooking the dry moat and surrounding area outside of the Fort's walls.
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Wren takes a quick look around the guard tower, then moves to take a quick, stealthy peek out the doors. He wonders if there is any alarm or concern from the other denizens...and what it might be.
Perception - guard room
Stealth - door
Perception - courtyard for danger/alarm/baddies
Wren shuts the door.
Van waits impatiently for Wren to check the courtyard. "Well, let get this over with. Looks like we need to risk the courtyard to keep moving east." He says, completely turned around and wondering if he is correct.
Curious, he moves to the southeast and peers out the crumbling wall.
I can see for miles....
Kraygan peers through the arrow slits. "We're along the southern wall. Is this where that big orc come up, Wren? Let's check that southern door in the passage first. Could lead outside. I'll take a peek upstairs."
Kraygan lets someone else deal with the southern door as he ascends the stairs to the upper level of the guard tower.
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Peeking out the doors as quietly as he can Wren sees a few more things from this angle. (Besides the ripped apart orc lying in the courtyard) Across the courtyard Wren sees, to the northwest, a pair of oaken double doors that seem to be barricaded from the outside. Painted in blood are broken letters. Taking a few moments Wren is able to make out a few of the words, Keep Out! Vengeful Spirit inside!
Looking further up to the second level, Wren is able to peer into the bell tower where he sees a pair of giants. Their bodies seem twisted and deformed as jagged teeth jut from their mouth in painful directions. One of the grotesquely deformed giants continues to ring the bell as the second scans the courtyard for any sign of movement with a bow in it's hands.
Vanderhoff peers through a large crack within the wall as he looks out into the river beyond. His mind wanders as his vision leads him back towards Calrianne Blix, his knight in shining armor. The dwarf lets out an audible sigh.
Kraygan mentions opening the southern door as he decides to go "check" upstairs. After a short flight of stairs Kraygan finds what is a guards room with a splendid vantage of the surrounding countryside beyond.
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Know (Local)
"Ogrekin. At least two of them. Ringing the piddlespottin' bell," Wren grumps as he closes the doors. "Also, across the way, a room with vengeful spirits. That might be fun. Might even be interesting...I wonder what's inside there that would scare the giants?"
"Well...what now? We could back track back by the loo area and take out the other corner...Oh...I dunno," Wren says, without any idea.
Kraygan cracks open the two doors leading the parapets from the upper level to see if they are clear, then heads down to report.
"Oi! What if we just freed th' 'vengeful spirits'?" asks Torgan.
"Can let em ravish th' ogres an' orcs until their fury has subsided, then we can find th' missing dwarf." he reasons aloud.
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Wren ponders, looking both directions.
"If I had my way, we'd go across the top to check out them spirits. We go back by the loo entry, and across that walkway to the north. That should lead us atop where the spirits are," Wren suggests. "The downside is that we'll be seen, likely by the something or someone. But that happens no matter where we go from here."
Wren waits for a dwarf to either point their own direction or follow his.
Thinking hard, Kraygan crosses his stubby arms over his beard and makes a strong suggestion. "First things first. That dwarf is in trouble, and I think we're close enough to try somethin. Wren, can ye make me fly like ye did to yerself? If so, I'll drink that potion of invis'bility and make a run, er.. fly, whatever.. fer him. Pretty sure I'm strong enough to carry him outta that fenced off area and bring him back inta the Fort with us. We heal him up and we nearly got ourselves an army here."
"We could go back out the sewer and circle south along the wall. Maybe give us a bit of cover as we make for where we heard the dwarf." Van offers.
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Is that hill giant still hanging out on the center structure?
Also, did we look out the secret door to the south? Is that what Vanderhoff saw? There is a blacked out area there still.
You did not look in the secret door to the south yet. Vanderhoff was looking out an arrow slit in the adjacent room to the east.
At the top of the parapet Kraygan opens the two doors to walkways above the courtyard. O short one to a dead end to the west and a longer walkway leading east to another door.
Heading back down with the others the group tries to formulate another plan to get by semi-undetected when suddenly another scream rises in the air from the east. This time a scream of pain.
Kraygan looks at the potion and modifies his plan. "On second thought, I'll probably need this fer that dwarf. Hit me with that wand of invis'bility and I'll go get him. And what 'bout that flying magic? Or climbin? I can't walk through the damned pal'sade walls!"
Not waiting for someone else to check it, Kraygan moves to open the southern door in the secret passage.