GM Tyranius Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Kraygan opens the secret doorway as it grinds stone against stone, leading to the outside to the largest tent in the encampment. Kraygan pushes aside a large tapestry to enter the room. The tent seems to jut out from the palisade walls much like an awning. The tent sits above the dry moat, assessed by a set of stairs cut into the rocky plateau.

Inside the tent sits a pockmarked orc, wielding half-pate armor and a massive greatsword. It's twisted helm contains horns that curl all about his head. A holy symbol of Gorum hangs loosely from his neck. Beside the orc lies a sealed chest.

The orc does not look surprised to see you in the slightest as his gruff voice is heard over the sound of the muffled alarm.

So you must be the ones causing all this trouble? Give me one reason not to kill you where you stand?

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.

Wren begins to sort through his 'sack for the wand, pulling it out. As he looks to bap Kraygan with it, the mercurial dwarf is gone, already chasing the next butterfly.

Wren shrugs, puts the wand away, and follows.

* * *

"Give me one reason not to kill you where you stand?"

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Know (Religion)

Wren tries to come up with a reason. Instead, he begins to try to come up with reason he shouldn't slay the orc where he stands sits.

"Well, I'm probably not worth your time. I'd barely last a few slashes of your sword," Wren says. "That's just me, though. I'll let the beards speak for themselves. That's one thing that they can do...is talk."

Normally Kraygan wouldn't waste words on an orc, but as he begins to raise Gorum's Thorn he notices the symbol worn by this one. Looking from the orc , then to his sword, then back to the orc again, he holds it up for display.

"We kilt Grenseldek with this. If yer wearin the symbol of Gorum as a trophy we'll do the same to ye. That enough of a reason?"

The orc bares his teeth at Wren. That you aren't elf He says with contempt in his gruff voice.

Trophy? The orc looks incredulously at Kraygan. He throws his head back in a quick laugh. Ha! Fool Dwarf The large orc stands from his chair. I am General Karrguk! I have no need of trophy's! He says smashing a large heavy fist against his armor.

Walking right up to Kraygan's face the orc stoops down close enough for Kraygan to smell it's horrid breath. You say you killed the Giant huh? You may have just helped me keep my tribe from tearing itself apart. He says with a toothy smile.[/b]

"Oh yeah?! Well I'm Kraygan Steelkeg, slayer of Giants!" Kraygan stands his ground against the fury of orcish tooth decay and gingivitis and attacks with potent dwarven bear breath and stink eye. "Wait... What 'bout yer tribe?"

My tribe is ready to take this fort. They have been clawing at the walls to end these giantkin fools. The only thing in our way was the weeping whelp up in her tower. The large orc sneers. Her human blood was making her too kind to the dwarf in the pits, or we woulda ended him long ago.

General Karrguk draws his greatsword. Them Ogrekin bastards will take potshots at us no longer! One by One they take my tribe, killing them on their hooks, eating their flesh and drinking from their skulls.

Wren has a sharp uptake of breath as the orc says what he says.

He looks to the Gorumites to explain.

Kraygan stands firm in the doorway, his own holy greatsword already drawn. "Release that dwarf to us and we'll let you have your fun stormin the castle. Harm him further and we'll side with the giants, and you'll long for the days when Grenseldek was up here cryin her big ugly face off."

Jorgan is about to open his mouth and spout back at the orc but Kraygan says exactly what he is thinking. "We killed the Grendelb*$&* but that doesn't mean we're your buddies. Hand over the dwarf prisoner and help us get rid of the giants and we'll get outta here." Wait. . . are we really siding with ORCS?

Torgan, taking in this new predicament, decides to say a few things to his brethren before speaking. "I nie, nie jest ochrona lub dając mu orka ten zamek." he starts. "I powiedzieć, że go zakończyć tu i teraz. Jeden krasnolud życie zabić wodza orków? Łatwy wybór."

In Taldan, the blonde dwarf eyes the orc warily, deciding to return his words to him. "Give us one good reason not to kill you right where you stand, orc." he says with vitriol. "Kraygan here wields Gorum's Thorn, but you only have a rock on a chain. I wonder who Gorum might favor in this match-up, whelp." the dwarf retorts.

The orc smiles razor sharp teeth. Seems your clan set you up for a challenge Whelp! Let us find out who Gorum Favors as it seems he smile on me this day.

Muttering a quick prayer the orc's body begins to double in size. As it grows the green orc's head tears the awning free. Once again he slams a free hand against his half plate armor with a deafening clang as he brings both hands onto his massive greatsword and roars a bestial cry at the dwarf causing a small cluster of birds to spring forth from the trees nearby. I WILL TEAR THAT BLADE FROM YOUR COLD HANDS WHELP!

Not a lot of room to maneuver here :)

Round 1
Kraygan
Wren
Jorgan
Torgan
----------------------------------
General Karrguk
----------------------------------
Vanderhoff

Nearly all dwarves spend years learning how to fight orcs. Kraygan, however, comes from a branch in his clan that dedicated all their time to the fighting of Giants. General Karrguk, while the size of a giant, doesn't move like one. This makes Kraygan a little wary, but does not deter his resolve.

"The only smile Gorum is gonna give you is the new one this sword is gonna carve inta yer arse!!"

Stepping to his right to give his cousins room to join the fight, he takes Gorum's Thorn in a sturdy grip and swings it hard and fast.

Move action for Martial Flexibility (2/4 day) to pick up Furious Focus for 1 minute.
Gorum's Thorn PA - Buckler: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 - 1 = 18
Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 5) + 13 = 21

Is that a standard/free/swift enlarge person? Or spellcraft to see if it's Righteous Might?

Round 1, Init 20

Wren moves over to take a shot at the orc.

1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 7 to hit; (+PBS-cover)
1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9 damage.

Torgan was in a weird place if he was talking to the orc, so I moved him to a place that makes more sense, then moved from there.

Torgan scoffs as the orc decides to take on the undefeated dwarfhorde. "Yer funeral." he mutters as he leaps under a swing of the orc's blade and tumbles down the stairs, catching his feet and drawing two of his maulaxes in the process, ready to throw them back up at the large orc.

Withdraw Action + Quick Draw to draw weapons.

@Wren- Standard Enlarge Person

Kraygan swings Gorum's Thorn with all of his might. His muscles heave as the sword slams against the General's half-plate armor with a loud CLANG! Gorum's Thorn reverberates sending vibrations all throughout this arms.

@Wren- Sorry for misunderstanding. That alcove is just a room where there are large gaps in the wall to see outside. The door is the green square. Not that the arrow hit anyways, but that may change what you want to do.

Seeing as Torgan initiated Kraygan's challenge, he quickly stumbles down the stairs drawing both of his axes in the process.

Round 1
Kraygan
Wren
Jorgan
Torgan
----------------------------------
General Karrguk
----------------------------------
Vanderhoff

Wren fires his arrow through the door and misses badly.

"Yer supposed t' hit th' biggun!" Torgan yells up to Wren as he sees the arrow clatter around the ledge.

Would his casting enlarge provoke an AoO? Kraygan has combat reflexes, so he would be able to take one even during a surprise action.

Would his casting enlarge provoke an AoO? Kraygan has combat reflexes, so he would be able to take one even during a surprise action.

Yes, since you were close enough and have combat reflexes.

"Can't say I know everythin 'bout Gorum, but I'm pretty sure he favors steel over party tricks!"

AoO - Buckler: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 - 1 = 22
Damage: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (1, 5) + 7 = 13

@Torgan: there is a chance that Kraygan disrupted that enlarge spell, meaning there might be more room up top for melee combat.

@GM: how far up is this ledge where the general's tent is from the moat below?

Hmm, sure is a tight squeeze. Could use some air support maybe... Jorgan starts whistling, his tune carrying itself off on the wind to attract a natural ally to the fight.

Start Summon Nature's Ally I

Just wanted to remind everyone that we have a lot of resources in our Loot List (potions, oils, scrolls, the victor's belt, and even an arrow of orc slaying) that we might consider tapping into now that we are low on spells and limited use abilities.

@Kraygan- The ledge is 20 feet up from the dry moat.

Concentration DC 24: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Saved yourself from a nasty crit :)

As the orc begins to grow Kraygan lashes out once again with Gorum's Thorn, this time landing a decent wound on the large orc's side. The orc cringes as it drops a hand from it's hilt to pinch the wound shut.

Stepping into the doorway Wren fires an arrow from around the corner. The falling awning from the enlarged orc momentarily blocks his view as the arrow smashes against the back ledge. Small splinters fly off in all directions, chipping a small bit off of the red wall.

Jorgan begins a prayer himself as a cool breeze wafts through the open door causing his red mustache to twitch majestically in the breeze.

Taking a small step back General Karrguk grasps the hilt of his sword in both hands as he brings it up similar to a spear. Planting his feet he lunges forward at Kraygan, with unnatural reach.

Lunge feat

Greatsword vs Kraygan AC 21: 1d20 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 18 - 2 = 21
Damage: 2d6 + 15 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 2) + 15 + 4 + 1 = 24

The greatsword pierces right through Kraygan's armor, tearing a large jagged gash through the side that quickly fills with blood.

Active Reminders
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.

Round 2
Kraygan (R)(27/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
----------------------------------
General Karrguk (-13)
----------------------------------
Round 1
Vanderhoff (G)(45/45)
Manticore (Red -3; cursed)

Kraygan leans over his wound and gasps at the pain. "I ain't going down that easy!"

Letting the blood flow, he steps forward and whirls Gorum's Thorn at the orc. His first swing misses clean, but the sword gains a lot of momentum on the second orbit around the dwarf's head.

Gorum's Thorn Furious Focus - Buckler: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 - 1 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 3) + 13 = 19
Iterative - PA - Buckler: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 2 - 1 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (2, 5) + 13 = 20
Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 11 - 2 - 1 ⇒ (20) + 11 - 2 - 1 = 28
Crit Damage: 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (4, 2) + 13 = 19

Don't forget that Kraygan still has the cursed Skull. General Karrguk might need to save too, right?

Yup. Forgot all about that skull. Thanks for the reminder. I got a bit preoccupied with closing up the Gameday Special.

Will save DC 16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Kraygan returns the blow with an even bigger one of his own as Kraygan's greatsword finds a gap in the lower abdomen of General Karrguk's armor, splitting him open down below. The general lets out an gurgle in pain. GUURK! as he doubles over. The only thing that seems to be holding his insides from falling out seems to be his armor.

Active Reminders
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.

Round 2
Kraygan (R)(27/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
----------------------------------
General Karrguk (-52)
----------------------------------
Round 1
Vanderhoff (G)(45/45)
Manticore (Red -3; cursed)

@Kray-Kray: Nice hit!

Round 2, Init 20

Wren fires once at the big orc, then draws a goblin firebomb.

1d20 + 8 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 - 4 = 11 to hit; (+PBS-cover)
1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 = 9 damage.

Van swears loudly as everything begins happening while he is still gazing out the crumbling wall. "Who let Kraygan do the talking?!"

Turning, he darts toward the door, elbowing past Wren and moving up next to Kraygan.

Can't edit map atm, and not 100% positive of the map and whether or not Van can get there in a double move.

Yea this room is a little weird on the map. I half debated just running the combat without the map for it. Van can indeed double move.

Vanderhoff barges into the room, nudging Wren as he bursts through the doorway just as Wren fires his bow. As Wren bumps into the wall his bow arcs downward firing into the floor, causing the arrow to bounce back slightly and almost strike the elf.

Active Reminders
Curse of Melancholy- Wren and Torgan -2 to att; weapon damage; saves; skill checks; ability checks.

Round 2
Kraygan (R)(27/56)
Wren (Cursed)
Jorgan (B)(56/57)
Torgan (Y) (56/58; cursed)
----------------------------------
General Karrguk (-52)
----------------------------------
Round 1
Vanderhoff (G)(45/45)
Manticore (Red -3; cursed)

Jorgan's mustache finally stops twitching as he finishes his whistled tune and an eagle appears behind the General!

talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 3 + 2 = 17
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

bite: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Confirm! Lol, go eagle!
talon: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 2 = 24
damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Jorgan calls out, "Oy, Kray, get back here!"

A bit confused by the map as well. Jorgan will cast his spell and move up so that Kray can 5' step over and receive the heal. Or Jorgan will just move to Kray if he can get there without provoking.

clw: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Torgan, using his expert ranged capabilities, flings the maulaxes and Brinya's Love up through the middle of the pack of dwarves into the orc, hoping that something will pierce his flesh to drop him before Kraygan takes another nasty hit like that.

"I'll save ye, Kraygan!" bellows Torgan as the weapons fly.

Imp. Precise Shot negates all soft cover and regular cover; Quick Draw to get Main+Iterative; TWF to get off hand throw.

Maulaxe-Favored @ Karrguk: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 2 + 4 = 27
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 = 10

Maulaxe-Favored @ Karrguk: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 9 - 2 + 4 = 31
Damage: 1d6 + 1 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 4 = 8

Brinya's Love-Favored @ Karrguk: 1d20 + 5 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 - 2 + 4 = 8 Critical Miss

Confirmation: 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 9 - 2 + 4 = 17
Damage: 2d6 + 2 + 8 ⇒ (4, 6) + 2 + 8 = 20

Kraygan already used his 5' step this round to stay in melee. It looks like Jorgan could get close enough to touch Kraygan, but I think he would provoke an AoO in the process.

Basically the orange colored area is the awning which has no effect whatsoever. The gray colored area is the stone plateau that the General had his tent set up on with stairs leading down to the dry moat, which Torgan is in. The green mark is the secret door leading in. Basically pretend the awning is not even there.

@Jorgan- The only way you can get in there is with provoking an AoO. Do you want to do it or stay where you are.

Jorgan's spell completes as a celestial eagle appears right above the General. His horned helmet is enough to stop the eagles' sharp beak from getting to him. Hearing a shriek and something battering at his helmet Karrguk spins around to see what is happening and ends up with the sharp end of a talon in his right eye.

Jorgan moves in behind Vanderhoff as the large orc is preoccupied with his eagle.. Looking for a way around the cramped quarters he sees that there is little way to heal Kraygan without drawing the attention of the orc.

Down below Torgan hurls his handaxes at the immense orc. Brinya's Love clatters off of the orc's armor and falls back to the ground. The two axes though find their mark as they crash into the weak point Kraygan made in Karrguk's armor, causing him to cringe again holding his stomach.

Torgan's blades seem to have caused him immense pain as Karrguk falls to his knees in extreme pain. Tipping to the side he falls 20 feet into the drymoat, snapping his neck as his body strikes the ground next to Torgan

The manticore begins to squeeze into the narrow hallway as it flops about next to Wren. It lets loose an audible sigh as it's fur bristles.

Hmm no way in there? Is it always like this? I call first dwarf that falls. The manticore says with a hungry smile.

Hmm no way in there? Is it always like this? I call first dwarf that falls. The manticore says with a hungry smile.

"Are you hungry? Why not eat the orc if you are hungry?" Wren asks suspiciously. "Not sure why you'd want dwarf when there is plenty of other meat that might be cleaner around."

Wren moves down to see if the orc general had any nice magic upon him. Cast Detect Magic and Spellcraft as necessary.

As the orc falls...

"Tell Gorum thanks fer the sword!"

With a groan Kraygan inspects his wound and ignores the smart@ss manticore. As Wren goes to search the body he calls down from the ledge. "See if he has any potions, eh? I think he may 'ave nicked me liver."

Checking his own supplies and grabs a couple potions from his belt pouches and drinks them down.

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
HP 40/56

Kraygan then moves to search the campsite, pulling away the awning to look for the chest he noticed earlier. "Let's be quick. Gotta dwarf still needs savin."

Torgan pulls his two maulaxes from the body of the orc general. "Well, now we've killed th' two leaders. Rest should be easy..." he surmises as he looks over the armor and weapons on the man, specifically looking for potions to help Kraygan's wound.

"Next time, don't let 'im hit ye, Kray!" he yells up as he rummages around.

"Heh. Won't be a next time fer that ugly orc." Kraygan calls back down. "Thanks to yer axes. Gettin good with 'em I see."

Wren flits down the stone stairs and himself and Torgan sift through the Orc's belongings.

Wren finds that a large collection of items radiate magical properties on the Orc's body.

• Potion of CSW (1)
  
• Potion with a crossed out arrow on the bottle
  
  DC 18 Spellcraft:

  Potion of Protection from Arrows
  
  
• +1 Half-Plate Armor
  
• +1 Greatsword
  
• Mwk Javelins (2)
  
• Platinum Holy Symbol of Gorum (100 gp)
  
• 150 gp (30 gp ea)

Kraygan lifts the awning just enough for him to crawl under to inspect the chest. Grabbing the lid he pulls at it and realizes that the chest is locked.

"Bah!" Kraygan grumps at the locked chest. Dragging it out from under the awning he leaves it for Wren to deal with. "Strip the general, quick, it's time fer a rescue mission and he'll make a good distraction."

Once everyone is back on the ledge, Kraygan turns to his cousins. "Torgan, Jorgan, give me a couple more taps from those wands, then go get the yaks 'n bring em up here."

He then gets out two fuse grenades he's been carrying around since the Battle of Trunau. "Hoff, ye wanted to mess with the dam, right? Think ye can blow the hatches with these? If I can get that dwarf out I'll give a battlecry fer Angraad as we come back. That's when ye light 'em and run fer the this ledge."

To Wren, "Ok, make Hoff and me invis'ble, and if ye got that fly spell now's the time fer it. After that, I need ye ta throw this cursed skull in the courtyard o' the fort and see 'bout openin the front gate somehow."

Wren nods to Kraygan as he finishes his magical examination of the general's loot.

1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 2 = 24 Spellcraft (potion)

"A chest, huh? Don't we have a lockpicker about?" Wren looks at the dwarves, waiting.

And waiting...
And waiting...
And waiting...

"Oh! That's me!!" Wren jumps, remembering things like his basic abilities. "I bet I can unlock it. Oh yeah...I got these picks...and this wand..."

1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24 Perception - traps
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17 Disable Device
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 Disable Device
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20 Disable Device
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Disable Device

Wren cusses, pulls out his wand of Cat's Grace and tries again.

"QUUU-aaaar!" - Cat's Grace.

1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 2 = 32 Disable Device

"That should do it...it's weird we didn't find a key for the chest around here."

Will respond to Kray in a bit.

Torgan scoffs at the orders from Kray. "Go find them? " he says with a wink before he places two fingers in his mouth and produces a shrill shriek, calling for the yaks.

"Figure we got some time if th' elf'll spend th' next ten minutes opening this chest." Torgan remarks.

He moves up the ledge and grabs his gifted dagger, sheathing it upon his waist.

-Posted with Wayfinder

@Wren- Hehe Battle cry to the elven gods :)

Torgan mills about gathering all of the axes he threw about. Having a hard time finding Brinya's Love he lifts up the tattered awning and finds it lying underneath.

Inspecting the chest's lock, Wren determines that he should be able to open it with a bit of work. Torgan gives a sharp whistle for the yaks, who are unable to hear it from that distance causing Wren to snap a few tools on the first few attempts. It seems that Wren's practice has paid off as he hears an audible click, releasing the mechanism.

Grabbing the lid he opens the chest. Wren finds

• +2 Breastplate
  
• +1 warhammer
  
• Light hammer (2)
  
• Potion of Barkskin
  
• Flask of Alchemist Fire (2)
  
• Set of Thieves Tools

"Ok, make Hoff and me invis'ble, and if ye got that fly spell now's the time fer it. After that, I need ye ta throw this cursed skull in the courtyard o' the fort and see 'bout openin the front gate somehow."

"There is no fly for you today. Today, I planned on fighting," Wren grumbles.

1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13 Bluff

Wren explains what the magics from the chest do, and loads up whatever yak has room for loot.

Sense BS: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Kraygan paces for a few moments, trying, and failing, to be patient. When no yaks appear, the chest proves difficult to open, and Wren apologizes for lying, he throws up his hands in exasperation.

"Balls!"

"Ok, fine. Invisibility then!"

Sorry for the delay! Holidays, of course.

"Oy, I don't know about messing with that dam right now. Which way did we hear the dwarf yell? I'm thinking we need to fight our way there as quick as possible before the orcs do something nasty to him."

Wren finishes packing up the loot while the dwarves stand around and watch. He turns to Jorgan and shrugs.

"Fine, let's go. If someone is worried about arrows, drink that potion. Let's get moving." Wren gets his orc bane and slaying arrows ready.

Wren moves up the stairs and to the door. Going to Map 2. About 12 squares below the red ogre thing on the map. Moved Wren.

Wren apologizes for lying, he throws up his hands in exasperation.

Lol. Not sure Wren apologized for anything that you know of.

Van lets his hammer fall to the ground as the orc goes down before he has a chnace to act.

Nodding to Kraygan, he takes the grenades...gingerly, and stows them in his pack. "Aye, I think we could blast it, or, you know, just open the hatches and flood the moat...."

Lol. Not sure Wren apologized for anything that you know of.

Player meta-joke. Kraygan is, of course, oblivious. :)

Kraygan grabs Wren and points east. "The orcs 'r outside the fort. Fastest way to that dwarf is down the steps here. Make me invisible and I'll find him. When I do, I'll give him this potion and we'll escape back here." To Torgan, he adds. "I doubt we'll make it totally unnoticed. If Hoff breaches the dam at the right time we only gotta hold 'em at the steps here and let the river sink any orcs givin chase. I'd like the yaks up here wth us when that happens!"

Wren will cast invisiblity from the wand on Kraygan (2 charges left), then he will race to the top (map 2), and use it again to make himself invisible (1 charge left) so he can watch what happens with the dwarf and orc response.