GM Tyranius Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Wren shakes his head, declining the drink.

I already shoot and miss too often without my stomach roiling.

Wren waits to see which way the beardbrigade roils.

Wren will follow whichever dwarf leads in any direction.

Wren moves back to the northern door and peers down the hallway. The western wall has collapsed in a heap of rubble. A staircase to the northeast leads to a wooden loft upstairs; The area beneath the loft is filled with fallen beams, jumbled bricks and other debris.

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To the South Torgan stands in front of a large steel lockbox sitting in front of a steep stone staircase winding down into darkness.

Obsessed with his resupply run, Kraygan didn't notice the lockbox behind Torgan. Peering past Wren into the northern hallway, he frowns and looks to Jorgan. "Where are the others?"

Stepping to the intersection he calls down to Vanderhoff. "What're you doin down there? Thought we were goin this way?"

"I'll get 'em." Jorgan tells Kraygan. Jorgan saunters off to find the others contemplating the loft. "Hey! Torgan found a great big lockbox over here. Come take a look. Any of you know how to pick a lock? Might be somethin' good-err, useful-in there."

Torgan flexes his muscles as he stares at the lockbox. "You an' me, box."

Strength check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Torgan tries to brute force his way into the lockbox to no avail... "Oi! Anyone good wi' locks?"

"Ok, stand back." Kraygan puts down his axe and shield, stretches his arms, then checks the lid to see if it is locked.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
If it is, here is a strength check. Any aid another checks would be welcome.
Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Wren stands back as yet another obvious use for the dwarves is made evident: smashing non-animate things. Wren adds a note to his ever-growing mental list.

Alternatively, maybe we can put the lockbox on Hops and have it opened in town?

Wren keeps an arrow knocked while the brutesquad brutes, looking for spider or rat or anything else.

I imagined it as like a giant metal cabinet, since it's big enough to see on the map. So maybe too big for Hops. But I'm not sure.

Vanderhoff quiely watches his cousins attempt to wrench open the chest. "Perhaps we will find a key somewhere with the ruin...." He says, thoughtfully.

By the way, if that 18 doesn't do it, Kraygan will take 20 on a strength check to give it his best go.

Wren and the rest of the dwarves watch as Kraygan and Torgan pull on the lid to the steel box. Their muscles bulge as a vein prominently stands out on Kraygan's neck but the lid doesn't seem to move at all.

Not going to lie this thing has an insane DC to open even with you taking 20 you still fail.

Wren raises an eyebrow as the dwarves can't open the impossibly strong box, nor, apparently, will Hops be able to carry it.

"Well, it's not going anyplace...and we're not opening it. Don't suppose we might finish investigating this place? Like one of you said," Wren looks from face to face, trying to remember which one was the smart one,"...there might be a key someplace."

Wren looks around, waiting to move on.

Wren will follow the next dwarf that leads someplace.

"GGGRRRAAAAHHH!" Kraygan pulls with all his might, but can't get the lid to budge. Eventually, he gives up and kicks it. "BAH! Stupid box!"

Hefting his waraxe, he considers another method, then considers Vanderhoff's idea, then Vanderhoff's Lucerne hammer. "Can I borrow that for a minute?"

Out of Character - I'd like to move on, but I just don't see Kraygan allowing himself to be defeated by a box. Assuming Vanderhoff doesn't mind me using his two-handed lockpick - Kraygan can do a possible 16 points of damage with it.

Vanderhoff hesitates a moment, taken aback, then nods, handing over the hammer. "Of course, cousin."

*spit* *spit*

Kragan adds a little moisturizer to his hands, takes the hammer, and gives the lockbox a few good whacks.

Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d12 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16 If this solid hit doesn't seem to be inflicting damage, then I think we'll move on.

Kraygan grasps the hammer with a solid grip as he slams it into the chest. His first strike places a tiny dent into the corner of the box as his next few strikes seem to bounce right off. Finally he lands a solid strike dealing a decent dent into the crate.

Smiling to the others with a toothy smile he continues to bash at the box. After a few more lucky strikes Kraygan splits a nice hole in the box where a liquid begins to leak out. Peering inside it looks as if the hammer seems to have smashed a potion of some sort, which then soaked and ruined a scroll laying inside the case. Off to the side of the crate, away from Kraygan's destruction lie:

• A scroll with runes written all about it
  
• A hand crossbow of masterwork quality
  
• A case containing 10 normal bolts, 10 cold iron bolts and 10 silver bolts

Jorgan gives Wren a look and rolls his eyes, as if embarrassed by this display and the destruction that came about because of it. Visibly frustrated, he grabs ahold of the remaining scroll before it too gets ruined and wipes off the few drops of liquid. With a quick spell he discerns its contents.

Cast read magic.

Vanderhoff mutters a small prayer to Angradd and takes his hammer back from Kraygan. "What does it say, cousin Jorgan?"

Jorgan unravels the scroll as he says a quick incantation. The words on the scroll soon become abundantly clear to him. The words on the scroll lead him to believe that it is a scroll of ghostbane dirge.

"Yes!" Kraygan celebrates the defeat of the lockbox with a fistpump. "I need to get me one of these." He grins, handing back the hammer to Vanderhoff. He seems unconcerned with broken potions and soggy scrolls, and unimpressed with the loot within.

"Bah. Almost not worth the effort. Let's move on..."

Gathering what remains of the chest the group descends into the dark basement below. The stone stairs end in a stark subterranean chamber. Doorways to the northwest and southwest offer egress from the room. Around the corner to the south a lone statue has been relegated to a dusty corner behind the stairs.

Knowledge Relgion (untrained): 1d20 ⇒ 12

"I'medae." Kraygan grunts, mispronouncing the goddess' name. "Looks kinda drunk though. Sword's all off." Sticking out his mustache (a side effect of pursing his lips in thought) he moves to adjust the sword, setting it straight.

New map.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 Know (Religion)

Wren pauses as he notes the statue.

"Careful now. That sword doesn't look right to me..." Wren points out as Kraygan mentions the same thing.

Well good...he can see straight.

"Can any of us use this? Helpful again ghosts and the like but I'm not an expert in the spell."

Jorgan observes the statue with some interest but doesn't really see the relevance of the crooked sword. If nothing happens when Kraygan straightens it, Jorgan suggests following the hall to the right.

Shifting the sword back makes a scraping sound against the stone. Once it reaches position the scabbard comes loose in Kraygan's hands.

Upon further inspection Kraygan realizes that he is able to pull the sword loose from it's sheath and that it is a longsword of masterwork quality.

"Will ye look at that!" Kraygan says, holding up the weapon. "Anyone want a fancy sword? I prefer axes."

Was almost sure that was a trap. Lucky me!

Once someone takes the sword (or not), Kraygan moves to look down the corridor to the north, then heads back east at Jorgan's direction.

Kraygan peers down the northern hallway and finds a closed wooden Portcullis blocking his way.

Kraygan moves further down the northeastern passage and nearly walks right into a trap. Glancing down he notices that sharp jaws that look as if they could spring shut are interlinked all along the hallway leading west. The spiked traps look tobe interlinked with wire rigging. Marked on the map and think of it as Interlinked bear traps

GM: are those perception rolls? If so, it doesn't look like they are updated to current skill levels.

"Woah. Nasty trap here." Kraygan steps carefully closer to the trap, then peeks around the corner to see what it's protecting.

"Hoff, I might need that hammer again..." heh heh

Wren follows Kraygan, nodding as he notices the trap even before the elf does.

"Good eyes, dwarf. This place seems deadly," Wren notes. "Maybe we should let the yak go first."

Wren looks back at the other dwarves.

"Which way now?"

"Good eyes, dwarf. This place seems deadly," Wren notes. "Maybe we should let the yak go first."

Jorgan gives Wren a nasty look, the contempt not concealed at all. "And here I was just starting to like you, Pointy-Ears. I thought you had more sense than the rest."

Jorgan moves to the back of the group with Hops and folds his arms sullenly, either waiting for someone to bypass the trap or for Wren to apologize, you're not sure which.

Oh no! You've done it now! Lol.

Got it corrected now Kraygan. :)

As Wren and Jorgan debate on how to set the trap off Kraygan peers around the corner to see where the traps lay.

Embedded into the floor of the chamber beyond is a 10 foot diameter granite emblem of a faded gold and white longsword. Four passages lead out of the chamber in different directions. A portcullis blocks the southern exit and a sturdy wooden door leads west. A ladder in the southwest corner of the room leads upward, and a small chest and decrepit bookshelf face one another from opposite walls.

From inside the room Kraygan is able to hear a pair of faint voices speaking. The voice is extremely gruff and deep. and he is only able to catch very small bits and pieces.

Vanderhoff follows the group, taking the scroll from Jorgan. "Do anyone understand that language?" Van whispers.

Jorgan gives Wren a nasty look, the contempt not concealed at all. "And here I was just starting to like you, Pointy-Ears. I thought you had more sense than the rest."

Wren looks at Kraygan.

"Crickey. Looks like I just got disinvited to their wedding."

* * *
1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 Know (Religion)

Wren mouths the words "Iomedae" and points to the symbols. After listening at the door, it's clear he doesn't understand what is being said. Even though he doesn't understand, he listens for a bit hoping to pick up one or two words that he might understand.

Wren eventually steps back, knocks an arrow, and is ready to storm the room.

Wren's perception is +6...so he can see pretty well. It's not like he's a freakin' dwarf who only has moon eyes for his yak...

There is no door. The voice is coming from the room west of the traps. :) Yup I got you at +6.

A big smile spreads across Kraygan's face as he listens to the conversation in the other room. He then gestures for everyone to withdraw a little before revealing what he heard.

"That's giant," He says, checking the straps on his shield. "and I'm thinkin it's a giant speakin it." His mustache looks thoughtful for a moment. "It was talkin about a plan to raid Trunau. Mentioned a tribe already in the town. They're lookin for somethin first."

"Let's bust in an' take em down! No one's takin' m' brewery. " Torgan days quietly but a bit angrily. He draws both of his axes, ready for combat.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Where to then? Busting into the room?

"They said they was waitin for someone named Skreed to tell em when it was time."

Knowledge Local for Skreed?: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Looking around at the close quarters, Kraygan makes a tactical suggestion. "Very close in here. Might work to our advantage, but would keep us bottled up.. that makes me thirsty.. I'm thinkin we try to lure em outside, ride em down on yaks."

Kraygan does not recognize the name Skreed from anywhere around Trunau.

Wren grumbles at the lack of a useful trapsyak and realizes that the dwarves don't have a plan here...so he formulates one in his head.

Wren gracefully leaps over the entrapped area...

1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27 Acrobatics

...clearing it with majestic, elven, & aged grace.

From the other side, he calls into the giantsroom.

"You in there! This is the Trunau militia! We have you surrounded! Lay down your giants and your weapons and come out now!"

Trapsyak. Hahaha!

I'm guessing the little red box to the left with the dots in it is some sort of gate or portcullis? I guess we didn't really look that way.

Liking Kraygan's idea, Jorgan orders Hops to retreat up the stairs. He keeps his axe out but readies to retreat up the stairs if quarters are too tight.

Wren leaps over the first set of beartraps with little to no noise as he gracefully lands on the other side.

After Wren's speech the room grows silent for a moment as hushed whispers cease. Soon a rapid order is given.

Wren hears movement in the room beyond and the sound of a door slamming shut within the room

As Wren peers down the hallway his sight is quickly blocked by a behemoth of a shape as a tall gangly giant with a thick hide of mottled blue; protruding yellow canines; narrow slits for eyes and large powerful hands stands in the entry to the room.

The creatures lets loose the most horrific and loud cacophony throughout the tunnel as long lines of spit fly from it's mouth.

The hulking 7.5 foot tall creature slams a balled up fist into the wall causing all of the bear traps to shift about. The creature rushes forward taking a small leap over the majority of the traps

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

The brute lands near Wren and Kraygan as it reaches around the corner for Wren with long sharp limbs. The traps it lands on do not seem to go off for some reason, though it does look to hinder the creatures movement momentarily. Difficult terrain

Claw vs Wren AC 17: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

The sharp talons dig deep into Wren's soft flesh.

Round 1
Giant
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Wren (6/13 HP)
Vanderhoff
Torgan
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Voice
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Kraygan
Jorgan (18/19 hp) (Hops 20/21 HP; -1 str)

Yes that was the portcullis that Kraygan found earlier.

Added the upper level map since you sent Hops back up top. You can place the yak where you sent him.

Plague House Basement
Plague House Upper Level

Round 1, Init 16

Oh man that's ugly...makes the yak look appealing And I think it's female.

Wren grimaces as the creature's fist punches him good.

There is fresh dwarf right there!

Wren jumps back over the traps, twisting his body to avoid a second punch.

1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 Acrobatics - Jump
1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 Acrobatics - Tumble vs. CMD

Landing spryly on his elven legs, he moves back.

"We got company coming, boys. I hope you like giant."

AC 13, hp 6/13

"Fall back and draw it in here, Kraygan!" Vanderhoff calls, then moves further in, readying his hammer.

Move to the west of Wren and ready an attack

Knowledge Local +1 for giants: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 1 = 12

"Flood troll!" Kraygan exclaims, a little surprised to actually see one, despite the rumors. He takes a swing, then withdraws back to Wren with a glare. "What in the depths was that elf? Gonna get yerself killed jumpin around like that!"

Waraxe: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 I think I've got a -4 penalty for the corner, right? Didn't subtract for it
Damage: 1d10 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Can Wren move any further back?

Wren has posted and can't move more. Such is life. Don't worry...that troll only hits like the backside of she-yak. You'll be fine.

Wren grunts.

"C'mon, you dwarves. I bring you a big gift and you wan to retreat?"

Wren takes the pound of flesh in stride as he is still able to manage to leap back over the traps avoiding the troll's left claws.

Vanderhoff and Torgan move closer to the opening awaiting the storming giant as Torgan draws both of his axes.

@ Torgan-I know you are on vacation so let me know if you wish to do anything different before the next round otherwise I will just keep it as is :).

Kraygan swings his axe at the creature but only manages to clip the corner of the wall as he stumbles backwards as far away from it as he can.

Round 1
Giant
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Wren (6/13 HP)
Vanderhoff (Readied attack)
Torgan
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Mystery Voice
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Kraygan
Jorgan (18/19 hp) (Hops 20/21 HP; -1 str)

@GM: Works for me! Back in Bloomington!

Torgan draws his weapons and moves forward to the bottom of the staircase, ensuring their escape route isn't blocked.

"Ye might want t'take the high ground on th' stairs, Wren. After ye 'ave finished with th' fisticuffs, o' course." Torgan comments.

Jorgan casts a spell (lead blades) and moves back down into the room, leaving enough room for the others to back up so the troll can be surrounded.

Hops stays put upstairs and guards against intruders from that direction.

Jorgan pulls forth a small it of power as the edge of his blade seems to become sturdier.

The flood Troll lumbers forth and swipes a clawed hand at Kraygan.

Claw vs Kraygan AC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

The dwarf ducks right under the troll's swing as he regains his position.

As the Flood Troll descends on Kraygan Vanderhoff swings his blade at the creature but is unable to get a good angle past his breathren and slams the hammer into the wall, breaking off a large chunk of stone.

Round 2

Flood Troll
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Wren (6/13 HP)
Vanderhoff
Torgan
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Mystery Voice
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Kraygan
Jorgan (18/19 hp) (Hops 20/21 HP; -1 str)