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"I'm done! I'M DONE WALKING!" Wren announces, looking down at his swollen left knee, as his morning watch shift ends. He lets the slamming of his dilletante's book be the walk up call. He pushes some of the internal knee fluid around nursing a finger, a result of too many hard miles on old knees. "I'm not walking anymore unless I have to. It's...it's not good."
Wren slams his book down and stands, putting most of the weight on his slightly better right leg. He chants some words of arcane power, and floats off the ground. He looks down at his dangly legs and smiles.
He flies back and forth to make sure the magics hold. He does not fly fast, but flies well.
"Come now, this might get me to the Cathedral if we are quick enough," Wren says, gathering his stuff and striking camp. About time my magics actually started to be useful.
* * *
Wren takes the giant stairs with little more than flight and will, his feet never struggling with the high of the stairs, and needing no stile to ascend.
In the cavern, he lets the dwarfhorde go first, following in the back. He does not sail too high in the caves, lest he find his face hitting bat. No, he doesn't do that.
Rogzul catches the gorget thrown at him and looks at is with a raised eyebrow.
"A collar? I am not your pet, elf." He growls angrily before tossing the item at Jorgan to be packed up with the rest of the haul. "Maybe one of your beasts can wear it."
When morning comes, Rog finds himself feeling stronger, his sickness seems to hinder him a little less. ...the spirit of your foe makes you stronger... His guides whisper, praising him for his part in slaying the chimera.
Even as he revels in his own strength, he frowns at Wrens frail floating frame. Turning to Kraygan he shrugs. "Maybe he's right, maybe we should let him die. Then we will never hear about his swollen legs again."
When they reach the cave, Rog enters eagerly, eyes adjusting quickly to the darkness. His orcish nature is eager to see what lies within, hopeful that another worthy foe might make itself known.
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At the end of the Chimera fight...
Kraygan comes crashing out of the trees, twigs and leaves in his beard, looking like a mad scarecrow. The battlecry on his lips dies and resurrects as a crestfallen groan.
"Balls..."
Though disappointed in the fight, he is cheered by the monster's treasure horde and claims the magic longsword when no one seems particularly interested in anything from it. "This would be useful against any more trolls we come across."
In the morning...
Kraygan casts a skeptical gaze at Wren when he displays his new magical powers of flight. At first he finds the "trick" amusing, but after circling him, and passing his lance under the elf, then over, then under and over, he backs away and shakes his head. Rogzul's comment about it makes him chuckle, nervously.
On the path...
As the group presses further into the mountains, Kraygan entertains himself by testing the corrosive edge of the sword, leaving a trail of "K"s acid-etched into rocks and trees.
In the cave...
Kraygan takes the lead with Torgan, but holds up the group for a question. "Do we ride with lights, and make ourselves obvious to anythin lurkin about, or lead the yaks in the dark?"
Jorgan looks up at the flying elf. "Elf! If yer knees are so full of pus it must be affecting yer brain too, cause we've all got great big yaks and a ram in case you hadn't noticed."
To Kraygan he says, "Right. We dwarves can see the steps well enough but the animals can't. Unless Wren's magic can help them see better, I don't know if there's anything to be done except put up some lights. Are we sure this is leading to the Cathedral?"
Kraygan snorts. "I'm not sure of anythin..."
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Feeling the darkness of the cave, Wren casts Darkvision so that he might pretend like he enjoys living in stinking caves, underground, or any other dark place where life sucks.
"Can your yaks see in the dark?" Wren asks, floating 5' above the ground as the party moves along. He keeps his eyes out for running into bats and his bow out.
"Dim light, yes. No light? Nope. But as long as the way is mostly level I think they can be led."
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The dwarves guide the large yaks and ram through the winding tunnel with a series of loud clicks and nudges. Wren and Rogzul pick up on the sound of grating rock.
Peering past the dwarves the pairs eyes go wide as they catch a glimpse of a pair of bulky creatures with rocky skin studded with small crystals perched behind the two pillars. The creatures almost seem to blend in with the stone and seem difficult to tell where the stone pillar ends and the creatures begin.
Rock trolls are fond of humanoid flesh, but eat whatever food they can get their claws on. Most underground creatures go out of their way to avoid rock trolls, as the ravenous creatures will eat anything that passes through their territory, as long as it is at least marginally edible. Rock trolls also occasionally eat rocks and minerals, though such fare seems to do little to soothe their voracious hungers. Instead, these minerals supplement the trolls' diet, strengthening their skin, teeth, and claws. Deposits of certain crystals seem especially tasty to rock trolls, and a rock troll who finds such a collection will often gorge himself on the crystalline delicacies.
Even worse, in between the pillars and the group of dwarves seems to be a set of deep pits lined with great spikes of jagged stone set up to catch any intruders, or as the giants like to call them. Snacks!
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"I hear the sound of something making 'great' rock," Wren says, hesitating. "Must be a Trumphant rally of some sort nearby." He spits the words from his mouth with obvious distaste.
Know (local)
"Rock trolls ahead. Ayep, the only kind of trolls that would attend Trumphant rallies," Wren says accurately. "They are known for their low intelligence and their fear of light (which is often a metaphor for facts or reason)."
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"[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FJyMwYB2yw]Do they sing?" Jorgan asks. "Wait... afraid of light? Then light this place up, elf!"
Jorgan keeps his spear ready but waits for Wren to take the initiative.
"Rock trolls? Heard they be racist against dwarves." Kraygan mutters, squinting ahead. "I don't see em... They build a wall down there t' hide behind?
As the chimaera falls, Torgan leads Malt over to the treasure and glances over it. The longsword coated in acid is appealing but he feels that Agrimmosh is stronger and is afraid that the bigger sword would be unwieldy in his offhand. "Aye, it might be best t' break down th' magicks t' enhance our weapons an' armor." he recommends to the group. "Perhaps th' giant forge might prove useful with this." he adds.
---
As Torgan and Malt comes down hard with the lingering disease, the blonde dwarf moves to speak with Rozgul. "Can we speak in private, Squats?" he asks of the orc shaman.
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The sickly dwarf and his yak follow the group wordlessly through the cave. "ACHOOO!" he sneezes, accidentally letting some yellow snot smack into the back of Kray's head.
At the elf's whispering, Torgan draws out his hammer and dagger. "Aye... I'm *sniff* ready fer them." he remarks.
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Are the pits obvious to all or do only Rogzul and Wren know about them?
The pair of Rock Trolls keep trying to loudly shush each other as they peek around the rocks.
Jorgan
Wren
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Surprise
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Rogzul
Kraygan
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Rock Trolls
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Torgan
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Jorgan & Wren
Round 1, Init 18&17
"Jorgan, why did the rock troll take his girlfriend into the cave?" asks Wren, wisely.
"I'm not smart enough to know that," answers Jorgan.
"He wanted to get a little boulder." says Wren, cracking a smile.
"Ha! Good one! I think I get that one! Or maybe Torgan will explain it to me later," chortles Jorgan, awed at the wisdom of the floating elf.
"But you shouldn't let the rock trolls drive your yak, though," Wren says, not sure if Jorgan rides yak or goat.
"Why not?" Jorgan asks, worried that maybe he should be letting rock trolls ride his yak, if he has one.
"Because rock trolls are known to be stoned and hammered all the time," Wren answers sagely.
Jorgan's jaw drops at the wisdom of the elf, shaking his spear, Heartspit with hearty laughter.
"With wit like that, we cannot lose to these trolls. In fact, I shall just watch as you and the rest kill them without me," Jorgan says, not wishing to waste spells on so silly of foes. Maybe I'll get in there next round.
Wren, his wits running dry, offers a Wall of Fire, circular around the stalagmite, burning both trolls and highlighting the pits.
fire damage
fire on their turn
Wren immediately stops concentrating on the wall of fire...it will burn itself out shortly.
HP: 55/55
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 0/8 used
Blip: 0 of 480
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
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Wren illuminates the chamber in a fiery blaze as a burning ring of fire. The rock trolls shield their eyes as they scream in pain from the inferno. Their grating yells echo through the vast chambers as the group hears the vast number of bats that you passed begins to flutter all around some distance behind the party.
Jorgan (84/84)
Wren (55/55; wall of fire 1 round)
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Surprise
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Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
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Rock Trolls (Red -16)(Green -16)
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Torgan (71/71; Wormrot; sickened; 3 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)
"I'm not smart enough to know that."
Torgan, unbeknownst to the group, is laying flat on his back, staring at the rocky ceiling. He is silently heaving as he feels vomit about to rise up in his throat. "Unh...." he groans.
Rogzul rushes passed Wren and Jorgan, eyeing them suspiciously, wondering if they've been possessed by strange spirits. He shakes his head and shrugs as he draws his weapon, but it's all he can do to move closer to battle. He stands, weapon ready, for the beasts to emerge from the wall of fire.
Kraygan laughs as the trolls are immolated. Tossing his lance aside, he takes out his new sword of troll-butt-kicking and waits atop Haggis for things to develop.
"Anyone bring marshmallows? Heh."
As Rogzul moves up, he calls to him. "Stay close t' me and I'll try t' their claws off ye."
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Kraygan and Rogzul shift around as the two trolls move out of the burning wall of fire patting at themselves furiously.
The wicked flames gleam off of the crystalline rocks jutting off of the two trolls as they back away. Their regenerative blood quickly kicks in as heir burns quickly mend themselves. It seems fire doe not affect these trolls as it does most others.
The flames put out one last bit of heat as they begin to extinguish themselves. The trolls smile as the flames die out.
Jorgan (84/84)
Wren (55/55)
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Surprise
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Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
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Rock Trolls (Red -15)(Green -15)
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Torgan (80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)
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Jorgan nods in approval as he watches Wren's inferno light up the cave ahead. "Yup, looks like you have this one handled... Wait.." He notices the trolls back out of that fire. "May have spoken too soon. Was that part of your clever plan?"
At the front of the group Kraygan flails about. "Clever plan? Since when has the elf ever had a plan that didnae end with us all dead?" Pointing at the fire, Kraygan shouts to Wren. "What is that, some sort o' fire illusion? Doesn't seem to have done much to 'em. Is it safe for us t' jump through?"
Even Haggis seems unimpressed, and has turned his yak head to stare accusingly at Wren with one big dark eye.
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Wren, Kraygan and Trolls alike wait for the magical fires to die out, silently staring at each other from the short distance. The trolls continue to use the pillars as cover, pretending that they are still not seen. Jorgan stares at the ground, thinking on Wren's joke as he still doesn't get it.
Jorgan (84/84)
Wren (55/55)
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Surprise
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Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
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Rock Trolls (Red -15)(Green -15)
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Torgan (80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)
Torgan edges Malt a few yards closer, staying near Kraygan and Rogzul. "Aye, the elf's magicks are weird an' unpredictable. Mayhaps he needs a tutor in th' arcane arts. Do we know any elves 'sides this 'un?" he asks around while the fires give off a nice heat.
Kraygan snorts. "Nope. Think he's the only one in Trunau... Might be the only one in the entire Hold o' Belkzen."
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Round 2, Init 17
Wren returns Haggis' stinkeye with some of his own as he flies over the yak and up a bit higher.
"Clever plan? Since when has the elf ever had a plan that didnae end with us all dead? What is that, some sort o' fire illusion? Doesn't seem to have done much to 'em. Is it safe for us t' jump through?"
"My plans aren't good? You were the ones that wanted to put us in both the ass and head of a giant wooden yak then invite the giants to drunkenly copulate, not me," Wren retorts as he flies overhead.
"The flames are real enough, much like their pits."
HP: 55/55
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 0/8 used
Blip: 0 of 480
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
Seeing the rock trolls hesitate, Rog moves to the right, walking along the far wall to avoid the pits and the raging fire. Knowing he's vulnerable without the aid of the dwarves behind him he stops halfway through and calls upon his strongest connection, the mammoth spirit to harden his skin and protect him from harm.
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Wren hovers next to his circle of flames as Rogzul and Torgan move around to encircle the trolls. Rogzul's skin hardens with his spirit's guidance.
The trolls and Kraygan eagerly await the flames to die out as they slowly extinguish themselves.The trolls wounds continue to mend themselves closed
Kraygan kicks Haggis into gear as he leaps the small pit, where the green troll was ready for him.
The troll misses as the change in his vision blurs it for a moment. It's massive claw swipes through the air well above Kraygan's head.
Jorgan (84/84)
Wren (55/55)
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Surprise
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Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
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Rock Trolls (Red -10)(Green -10)
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Torgan (80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)
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Round 3, Init 17
Wren moves up more (still 25' up) and tags green troll with some acid, hoping his aim is better with the touch attack.
touch to hit; (+PBS)
acid damage.
HP: 55/55
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 1/8 used
Blip: 0 of 480
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
Torgan has Malt dash forward, but the thoughts of yak shishkabob disturbs him, so he steers the narrow mount around the edge of the northern pit, sticking to the wall with Malt's Narrow Frame.
"Err... I'll be there shortly, Kray!" he yells to his kin.
Kraygan takes his new sword in two hands and brings it down at the closest rock troll, then gives Haggis reign to thrust his horns. Guiding with his knees, Kraygan urges Haggis to shift sideways a few feet to make room for Jorgan to ride forth and leap the pits.
Jorgan follows, urging Spirit to make the jump and join the melee.
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Round 3, Init 17
Wren moves up more (still 25' up) and tags green troll with some acid, hoping his aim is better with the touch attack.
Round 3, Init 17, reinterpreted
"Oh dear me!" the dainty elfling exclaims in a high-pitched aristocratic accent. "Why, these trolls are absolutely filthy! I just must get away from them but, oh!, my poor knees!" He places the back of his hand on his forehead, as if swooning while floating in midair. Flying up, the elf delicately picks out a small vial from his belt-pouch between two thin effeminate fingers and flings it at the troll.
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Torgan begins to squeeze malt around the pit as best as he can. Jorgan holds backa bit as he awaits an opening to leap over the pit. Wren is able to splash a small bolt of acid at the green troll. It clips the troll's shoulder and much to its surprise seems to turn off its regenerative abilities.
Kraygan shifts Haggis to the side to make room for Jorgan and spirit. He opens himself up moving a bit faster as he glances back and sees the pair bearing down on him. Jorgan seems to be doing some very erratic movements and looks as if he is about to faint at some point.
The green troll takes advantage of the opening and swipes a massive claw at Kraygan
The claw rakes against Kraygan's shoulder but not before Haggis is able to get in a solid blow of his own as his horn gores into the troll's thick stomach.
Wren (55/55)
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Surprise
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Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (78/91)(Haggis 66/66)
Jorgan (84/84)
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Rock Trolls (Red -10)(Green -41)
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Torgan (80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)
Having under estimated when the dwarves would act, Rog finds himself in a poor position to attack the trolls and rushes up behind Kraygan to provide back up.
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Rogzul swings around the pillar as the Red troll does something unexpected and bull rushes Spirit.
Jorgan and Spirit are pushed back 5 feet near the edge of the pit. Seeing he isn't quite in yet the green troll rushes forward to help out.
Spirit and Jorgan are pushed back as they fall into the 30 foot pit below.
Jorgan and Spirit are fortunate enough to avoid any of the stone spikes on the way down into the pit.
The green troll smiles to itself.
As if on cue a hairless, hunchbacked giant with cruel tusks and two enormous, blunt clawed fists that look strong enough to shatter stone seems to meld out of the stone wall right next to Jorgan, 30 feet down into the pit. The giant attempts to gore the dwarf with it's enormous tusks.
Dull-witted and savage, bugganes disdain the use of even the most primitive weapons and tools. They rely on their tusks and claws, all of which are capable of shredding flesh, bone, and solid rock with equal ease. Their useless, mole-like eyes react painfully to bright light. A typical buggane stands between 8 and 9 feet tall and weighs 900 pounds.
Still merged with the stone the hairless giant misses Jorgan in the confined space.
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (78/91)(Haggis 66/66)
Jorgan (75/84)(Spirit 66/75)
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Rock Trolls (Red -5)(Green -41)
Grumchug
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Torgan (80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)
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Spirit is able to drag it's horns across the troll's undercarriage as it pushes against the large ram. The red troll is able to grab firmly ahold of the rams horns and push it back 5 feet towards the pit, teetering on the edge.
The green troll tries the same maneuver but isn't able to quite get in there enough as Spirit begins to frantically push back so as not to fall into the pit.
The giants still call out to the Buggane regardless as they truly believe that they were going to shove the yak into the pit. The buggane appears near the top of the pit standing on the ground and tries to gore the exposed dwarf from the opposite side of the pit.
Wren knows more about Bugganes than he has ever cared to. He knows that they do not have any damage reduction or even any regeneration like their troll counterparts. Though due to their immense time underground they are very good at stealth and even able to distort the earth and stone itself to move through it with ease.
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 74/74)
Jorgan (84/84)(Spirit 75/75)
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Rock Trolls (Red -25)(Green -41)
Grumchug
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Torgan (80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)
"Oy! Don't you know rams got the best balance in the world! C'mon, Spirit, give 'em a push back." As Spirit rears up and pushes the troll back, Jorgan drives his spear into the troll.
"Try'd t' trick us?! Well the trick's on you ugly b@sterds!" Kraygan and Haggis continue attacking the green troll.
Unused to His new corrosive weapon Kraygan swings it gingerly, then sizzles some of Haggis' hair with it, causing the yak to buck and throw it off target as well.
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Round 4, Init 17
Wren shoots the green beast with more acid, totally not using any effeminate mannerisms at all.
touch to hit; (+PBS)
acid damage.
HP: 55/55
AC: 18 (+4 w/mage armor)
Effects: mage armor
Right: bow
Left:
Acid 2/8 used
Blip: 0 of 480
[ dice]1d20+9[/dice] to hit;
[ dice]1d8+1[/dice] damage.
Torgan sees the weird creature rise out of the pit and unceremoniously yanks hard on Malt's reins. "Aye, Malt! Back t' th'back!" he bellows as the smallish yak scrabbles on the rocky ledge.
A few rocks tumble into the pit next to Malt, but the yak moves quickly around the corner to get up against the creature that is trying to molest his brother. "Aye! Why don't ye try that over 'ere, ye pit-iful beast." he says with a grin, satisfied with his own wit. He keeps Agrimmosh at the ready to deflect any attacks.
Staying where he is beside Kraygan, Rogzul jabs twice with his spear, hoping to retaliate while the trolls are distracted by trying to toss yaks into the pits.
"I didn't think they were smart enough to try something like that." He mutters, almost respectfully as the giants berate each other over their failed plan.
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That goes for my armor as well. Unless you roll another double 20, then you can assume I'm fighting naked.
Torgan shifts back around the pit to try and draw Grumchug's attention from his brother. As Malt shifts precariously on the edge of the pit Grumchug claws at Torgan.
Luckily Torgan had Aggrimosh ready and smacks the Buggane's claw out of the way just before it reaches him.
Wren continues to pelt the green troll with small bolts of acid, much to it's own horror and disappointment. The giants shake in rage at Rogzul's armor but are unsure about an orc that looks to collect the nails of their kin. Using the distraction to his advantage Rogzul stabs his spear deep into the green giant's ribs, swirling around a few internal organs while he is in there.
Kraygan is not able to land a single blow with his new weapon and Haggis has to show him how it is done as the yak's horn eviscerates the troll up its chest, cracking it open. The troll falls to the ground, breathing laboriously and near death.
Jorgan's barbed spear finds it's way into the troll's softer flesh and seems to be well-suited to fighting against those of the larger race. Rearing back Spirit pushes back against the troll and is able to barely push it back 5 feet, pushing the troll off of Jorgan's spear.
The red troll continues to regenerate as it rushes Jorgan biting and clawing at Jorgan.
Grumchug twists his body around at the new threat and Torgan comes face to face with the ugliest, most hairless giant he has ever seen.
The two dwarves hold their own against the might of the hairless rock giants.
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 74/74)
Jorgan (84/84)(Spirit 75/75)
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Rock Trolls (Red -41)
Grumchug
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Torgan (Total defense; 80/80; Wormrot; sickened; 1 con dam)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened)