JD's Giantslayer AP!

Game Master Jack Daniels

Eli takes a 5’ step away and blasts the wisp with her magic missiles yet again.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 4, 1) + 3 = 11

Falric uses 1st use of Adaptable luck
AoO: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 3 = 28
Damage: 1d4 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

The halfling's attack of opportunity kills the wisp, so Elisen does not take any damage from the touch attack and does not waste the magic missile spell. Combat over.

"Great..." Falric grabs the wisp's lifeless body and sticks it into the lantern provided by the Druid and sees what happens.

”Alright...the grisly part is over. Let’s see what wondrous artifacts this lantern will lead us to,” Eli nods as she follows the others.

"The sooner we are done with this swamp, the better!"

reminding myself of the instructions...

"Ye're sure there's no more o' th' things lurkin' aboot?" Morti asks his enchanted companions, peering about the grove suspiciously. "Then, aye, let's git to it! Which way does tha' thing point?"

Apologies for my absence and thank you for your patience!

As soon as the corpse of the dead will-o’-wisp is placed within the lantern, the lamp emits a beam of light that points north. I will assume you follow the beam.. A couple of hours later, after traversing through more of the swamp and vegetation, you reach the end of the beam. A circle of monolithic standing stones, each about 8' tall, surrounds a central menhir covered in a layer of thick, thorny vegetation. In all, eight formations surround the central stone, which is about 12' tall: five intact trilithons and another three that have crumbled and partially sunk into the swamp’s soggy floor. A large pool gently bubbles to the northwest of the standing stones. You are currently at the southern edge of the clearing, some 50' from the central menhir.

What now?

Barundar tightens his grip on the chain of his weapon, looking about suspiciously. "It cannae bae so simply. 'Ere's summat tha's gonna jump out an' swipe at us..."

We’ve had some starts and breaks on this mission. It’s fuzzy to me now. Any way we could get a summary update for what exactly we are searching for here?

"These mus' be the standin' stones tha' Silvermane told us wou' lead t' th' Vault o' Thorns." <- questgiver link

Morti nods at Bar. "Ye're right, i' feels too easy, jus' sittin' 'ere. But, if there's a supply o' weapons waitin' tha' we can use t' fight off the giants, let's get tha' portal open!"

We’ve had some starts and breaks on this mission. It’s fuzzy to me now. Any way we could get a summary update for what exactly we are searching for here?

Completely understandable.

After the party repelled the orc attack on Trunau, Chief Defender Halgra gathered you after learning of a second imminent attack and asked you to take out the leader of the Twisted Nails tribe: Grenseldek, the hill giant chieftain, who lives at abandoned outpost near the River Esk called Redlake Fort. Understanding that this was a possible suicide mission, Halgra introduced you to Silvermane, the elven druid you rescued during the initial siege. He knew where a cache of magic items could be located: the Vault of Thorns, a demiplane created by the druidic Council of Thorns. The entrance to the Vault is located within Ghostlight Marsh. You were instructed to place the husk of a dead will-o’-wisp inside the lantern and the lamp will produce a beacon that points to the circle of standing stones that marks the Vault’s entrance, which is where you are now. Once you reach the druidic circle, you need only wash the supernaturally fueled lantern’s light over the central standing stone to open the portal into the Vault of Thorns. After you retrieve the magic items, it is assumed you will proceed to Redlake Fort and deal with the hill giant chieftain. And you're all caught up.

If his mage armor and mutagen are in effect... Falric looks around, scimitar in one hand, lantern in the other. "Guess we have to shine the light on the central menhir in order to activate the portal. But I agree, this looks to easy. We should all approach carefully and be on the lookout for danger. I can lead." Falric casts Shield on himself and steps out into the clearing heading toward the ring of stones, hoping the 2 dwarves and Elly are behind him.

Perception: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Eli waits for the group to take their normal marching order, and then falls in line. ”Everyone keep on your toes. There’s no idea what we are walking into. I bet this place is guarded,” she whispers.

The party carefully approaches the ring of standing stones, when Falric's keen senses detect danger from behind the tree line to the north. An 11' tall humanoid steps out from behind the trees. Cold, black eyes stare out from the fish-like face of this hideous green-skinned, web-fingered, and obese giant. The giant carries a hooked club called a gaff (wielded in both hands). Even at a distance, you can tell the giant has blood stains around his mouth and chest, as if it had feasted recently. But it sure does look hungry now! It is however very slow and the party acts before it does!

Initiative:
Giant: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Barundar:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Elisen:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Falric: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31
Morti:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Updated Combat Map

"Th' standin' stones -- this mus' be the giant tha' attacked Ingrahild's party! Keep an eye ou' fer th' hags!"

Morti mutters a prayer to Angradd and moves closer to the standing stones to keep the brute from charging him directly.

Standard: cast Wrath: +1 attack / damage for 1 minute
Move: 15 feet north, against the stones

Barundar moves forward while readying his dorn dergar, spinning the weapon above his head while calling out to the giant. "Oy, c'mon ye foul git! Bring yer pretty face to me!" he taunts.

Move action to go 20 ft toward the giant, then ready an action to attack if he gets within 10 ft range.

Readied Dorn Dergar Power Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Readied Dorn Dergar PA Damage: 1d10 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Sorry Bar... Seeing that he acts before the massive fish-like giant, Falric sprints toward him scimitar in hand, trying to stab its knee!
Attack FF AC: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Damage: 1d4 + 8 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + (6, 2) = 19
AC: 26

Eli casts Grease on the gaff, trying to cripple the giant’s ability to hand out damage.

DC 16 Reflex to resist.

Well, with Falric charging in, can I keep that attack roll and change Barundar's action to a charge, also?

Sure, Bar, we will say you charged in!
Giant's Reflex save vs. Grease: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25...success!
The giant has combat reflexes so first, it gets an AoO on Falric as the halfling comes rushing in and then Barundar:
Power attack AoO on Falric (AC 26): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14...miss
Power attack AoO on Bar (AC 21): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25...hit
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (4, 1) + 21 = 26
Giant takes 42 damage!

The giant hooks the dwarf as he rushes in, gashing him across his ribs! He yells in Giant "You will pay for insulting me!" He then brings down the hooked club on his shoulder, nearly felling Barundar, who is standing only through force of will. To everyone's horror, he swings again and brings the hooked club on Barundar's head, the hook nearly perforating the dwarf's skull. Bar collapses unconscious to the marsh, as the bloodied giant pounds his chest in victory!
Round 1: Marsh Giant
The bleeding giant still looks strong and he attacks the dwarf twice!
First Power attack vs. 21 AC: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20...miss
Second Power attack vs. 21 AC: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23...hit
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (1, 2) + 21 = 24
Barundar takes 50 damage....he falls unconscious and starts dying at -3 hps!

Giant, did you take into account the DR 5/evil I get from Uskroth's Armor? I know it's not by-line, but it is in my gear list.
I'll go ahead and add it to my by-line for future reference.

Bar, you get the DR only when you use the armor's Righteous Might ability. Once per day on command, the armor can bestow upon its wearer the effects of righteous might for 5 rounds. The wearer's alignment determines the DR gained from this ability. A good wearer gains DR 5/evil.

well, poop. can I reach Barundar to cast a cure without taking AOO? B/c if the giant could AOO Bar before he got into DD range, I assume it has 15ft reach?

"Bar!" shouts Morti, looking for an opening to reach the dwarf. Not wanting to become another casualty before he can heal his companion, though, he opts to lend his strength to Falric, hoping to speed the monster's demise.

[ooc]Domain power: haste Falric for 1 round. +1 attack, +1 AC, one extra attack during full attack.

Tess casts Hideous Laughter in the giant’s own tonue, trying to distract him.

Will DC 19 to resist.

That's a question as well, Giant. Would the giant have gotten an AOO from my movement? When extended, the dorn dergar is a reach weapon, so unless the giant himself has a 15-ft reach, my charge wouldn't have provoked.

After seeing the might of the giant, Falric, feeling Morti's magic coursing through his veins, full attacks the giant, fighting defensively!
Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14...miss
Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33...threat
Confirmation: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Damage: 2d4 + 16 ⇒ (4, 1) + 16 = 21
AC: 33 vs. the giant due to mage armor, shield, mutagen, and dwarf training.

Barundar, I apologize. I should have been clearer that the giant had 15' reach - I like the idea of a giant with a reach weapon. Perhaps you would not have charged in? Maybe but given you were nearly full health, you may have. I really do not want to rewind, so apologies again.

Will save vs Hideous Laughter: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26...success!
The halfling lands a critical blow on the giant's leg!
63 damage total!

Round 2:
The strong-willed giant ignores the mage and tries to crush the lowly Falric! His first strike barely misses the halfling, but the second strike is perfect and skewers Falric through the stomach...Falric knows another blow like that will kill him!
Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28...threat
Power Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12...no confirmation
Damage: 2d6 + 21 ⇒ (5, 1) + 21 = 27
Falric has 12/39 left.

Party is up!

It's alright; I understand not wanting to ret-con. For future reference, though, if we're obviously against something that would have reach over Barundar, like a large creature with a reach weapon, it would be helpful to have that noted at the beginning of the fight. It really might make a difference in my tactics.

Falric's carefree smile and enjoyment vanish, as he feels the giant's hooked club rip out part of his intestines, as he screams in pain! He manages to remain conscious, as he holds in his guts with his left hand. "This giant is deadly...be careful! I will do my best to distract him!" Have to keep moving...can't let it land another blow or I'm dead!

Standard action - Battle dance (inspire courage +2)
Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d4 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 14
AC: 32

Beginning to seriously worry as the giant slices open the normally untouchable halfling, Morti begins to move toward the giant, pulling a scroll and blasting the giant with a ray of holy light. spear of purity

He finishes the incantation with a taunt in the giant's language, "Angradd bite yer eyes, ye son of a crawfish!" hoping to buy Falric time either by disabling the giant or drawing its focus.

spear of purity, ranged touch, wrath, inspired, into melee: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 1 + 2 - 4 = 16
[dice=damage ("good")]2d8[/dice] and blinded 1 round; DC 15 Will save for half damage and negate blinded

move action: draw scroll, standard: read scroll; five foot step towards giant, should still be about 25 feet away?
swift action: activate protection judgement. AC = 23 (17 + 4 racial dodge + 2 protection)

Eli casts another magic missile at the giant.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) + 3 = 7

Will save vs. Blindness: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Falric slashes the giant again, while Morti's energy spear and Elisen's energy missiles burn its flesh! However, despite the severe damage, it still stands, soaked in blood!
96 damage taken!

Round 3:
The giant brings down its hooked club on the Halfling hoping to end his life in one blow and move on to the mage or dwarf. Unfortunately, the Halfling is too fast and he avoids both blows easily!
Attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Party is up and giant's life appears to be over...

Morti pauses a second to see if the halfling can take down the giant, allowing him to rush in and heal Barundar; if not, he'll hurl a javelin at the giant and take another step closer.

javelin attack, into melee, wrath: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 4 + 1 = 12for: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 + 1 = 11

Falric continues his battle dance, since it saved from dying the previous round!
Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 12 + 2 = 16...ugh
2 rounds used

Eli fires another magic missile, hoping her small damage might be enough to finish him.

Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 4, 3) + 3 = 11

The Marsh Giant raises its hooked club to strike at Falric, but Eli's energy missiles blow out the back its head and it crumbles to the ground dead. Combat over. Barundar lies bleeding, barely alive with a weak pulse at -6 hps. No other threats are apparent.

As the giant topples, Morti rushes in to tend to Barundar's wounds.
cure light wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

"Falric, tell me ye see somewhere safe we cin hole up!?" he calls, hoping the group has a chance to recover a bit. "Don' wan' Ingrahild's hags creepin' up on us!"

”We sure are running into a lot of big creatures, aren’t we? They hit hard. I just hope they are guarding all kinds of awesome long lost magic and artifacts!”

"Urf...thank'ee, Mort...bloody fool giant..." the dwarf says, kicking the corpse of the beast as he stands.

"Aye," Morti agrees with Elisen, "This 'ere Vault 'ad best be worth th' trouble! Ah s'pose th' question is, did th' druids stash their own beasties inside t' cause us more pains, or kin we grab th' goods an' git on our way?"

He murmurs a few more prayers over his companions -

Barundar: cure mod wounds: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 = 8
Falric: cure light wounds: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

...before pulling out the wand to continue knitting their wounds -

Bar: clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Bar: clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Fal: clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Fal: clw: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Thanks for the healing, Morti." Although the dwarf can tell by the look on the halfling's eyes, he has only one thought: How did that thing hit me? Falric brushes away his doubts and looks around. "With that giant as guardian, I imagine the rest of the dangers are through the portal to the druid treasure cache. Are we ready to proceed or should we rest until morning?"

HP check -- Falric is at 37/39, Bar at 24/53 after my last heals?

clw wand @ Barundar: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
clw wand @ Barundar: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
clw wand @ Barundar: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9 puts Bar at 47/53!

"If ye think we're like to meet more hazards w'in, aye, we might ought go in w' a night's rest. Between th' wisps an' the giant, I've not much in me to keep Bar upright in another fight! What say ye, Elisen?"

Morti also gives the giant a once-over for any loot beyond its wicked hook while he talks.

No treasures on the marsh giant. :(

"Aye, I'd be fine wi' callin' it a night fer now. Ain't gonna dae onybody ony good if'n we press on til someone's dead."

The party rests for the night in the creepy swamp, but with the marsh giant dead, no other threats lurk nearby and the night passes without incident. In the morning, after breakfast, you are ready to proceed, correct? Let me know your buffs, if any.

Morti stretches out the aches of the previous day's fights, surveying the grim mists of the marsh. "fine day then, innit? May as well git t' that crypt, then, since there's naught t' miss out 'ere!"

ready to go!

Mage armor via Eli, mutagen, and Shield are the best breakfast meals this halfling can have in the morning prior to entering the portal.

Eli casts Mage Armor on both herself on her halfling friend n

"Aye, new day, new chance tae bash in sum skulls!"