I heard two voices, but didn't get near enough to see anything. So, at least two, but maybe more than that." He shrugs as he readies Ruby.
At least we have some time to prepare!
Sapphire's outline becomes indistinct as she casts a familiar spell.
There is no movement from the room, nothing comes out into the corner to meet you. There is however further chanting from within, likely spellcasting.
"Ok. I'm going in! RAAAAA!"
Corum unleashes his rage and charges into the chamber he dives as he passes the corner and rolls on one shoulder, coming to his feet in a crouch with his axe ready.
Hewn from the surrounding basalt, the walls of this large chamber have been chiseled into an incredibly intricate display of thousands of wildflowers. In the middle of each of the carvings, a wreath of pinecones encircles a life-sized carving of a young nude woman.
On the north wall, the figure washes her hair. On the east wall, the figure sits staring upward at a crescent moon. On the south wall, the figure picks a bouquet of flowers, while to the west, the figure points to a triangular, knot-shaped symbol. To the north, a curving stone staircase climbs up and disappears into the western wall, while an open archway beckons in the southwest corner.
As Corum rounds the corner he sees that there are not in fact multiple figures in the room, just one - a hulking female giant with two heads that whilst they argue among themselves, both grimace at the warrior.
Grayston downs one more potion as he running after Corum.
Sapphire rises from the ground and soars around the corner.
As Corum and Greyston barrel around the corner and into the room, the twin heads fix on them with an evil stare!
Success
Success
Following Sapphire Elleross makes his way into the room, Corum as ever had already rushed headlong into danger. Not even the thought of facing an unknown number of foes in the pitch black of this place daunted the warrior and he could not quite decide if it was bravery or insanity.
Moving alongside Greyston his light illuminates the chamber and he sees the two headed giant before them .
Nasrin moves down the stairs close to Greyston and casts a Barkskin
Jadrenka does not wish to be disturbed! one of the heads roars.
The Ettin's powerful legs drive it forward toward Corum and Greyston, it's huge feet slapping against the worked stone floor. In both hands it raises deadly curved sickles like a pair of crescent moons and swings towards the heroes with deadly intent.
Hit
Hit
The wicked blade slices into both of them in a bloody arc.
The giant's attack opens a deep cut in Corum's arm. Though it bleeds freely, it is not serious. The barbarian responds in kind. Diving forward under the giant's reach he swings his axe into it's thigh and then reversing the momentum, sweeps it across the massive chest of the Ettin.
Pa rage
Dam
Confirm
Extra dam
Dam
"'Jadrenka!' That's the boss person she- they-" Del's words stall suddenly as he brings one hand to his chin in contemplation. Looking at the two-headed giant, his tone is slightly intrigued. "I have no idea what sort of pronoun to use for you! Are you a she? A they? Should I come up with something new? Huh!" Shrugging, he brings Ruby up to his shoulder, and after a steadying breath, sends a bolt careening into one of the ettin's kneecaps.
HP: 48/48
AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 21
F/R/W: +8/+10/+6
Grit remaining: 1/2
Healing Amulet charges remaining: 3/3
Regular bolts remaining: 50/80
Cold Iron bolts: 40/40
tangle bolts: 3
tracer bolts: 4
Ongoing Effects
Vigilant Loading
Gunslinger Initiative
Favored Terrain (cold): +2 bonus on initiative, Knowledge (geo), Perception, Stealth, & Survival
Greyston takes a step back and lobs his bomb over Corum to hit the giant in the face.
Nasrin growls and summons some of the very sky itself to stun the behemoth in front of her pack. With a massive flash, the thing is surrounded by brilliant light.
Seeing the lumbering giant advancing Elleross backs out of harms way and let's the Warriors do what they do best.
Sapphire flies around the corner, leading with her blade.
Fail
The sudden flash of light is dazzlingly bright in the dark confines of Artrosa and the twin heads of the Ettin roar in surprise and pain as they are strike blind!
Miss
Hit
Miss
Hit
Hit
Hit
The Ettin howls in fury and begins whirling with it's twin sickles. Though blind it is no less deadly and whilst Corum turns an attack aside, Sapphire is badly slashed by two clumsy but powerful strikes.
"I don't suppose it'll make a difference to you or this Jadrenka that we're here on behalf of Baba Yaga? We're hunting some centaurs if you've seen any of late!" Del peppers his words with bolts from Ruby, silently pleased with his use of 'you' in this particular instance.
HP: 48/48
AC: 19 (15 T / 14 FF)
CMD: 21
F/R/W: +8/+10/+6
Grit remaining: 2/2
Healing Amulet charges remaining: 3/3
Regular bolts remaining: 50/80
Cold Iron bolts: 40/40
tangle bolts: 3
tracer bolts: 4
Ongoing Effects
Vigilant Loading
Gunslinger Initiative
Favored Terrain (cold): +2 bonus on initiative, Knowledge (geo), Perception, Stealth, & Survival
Deadly Aim: -2/+4
Point Blank Shot: +1/+1
As the giant continues to burn Grayston shakes up another bomb and lobs it over the others to hit it in the face.
Now behind the Ettin, Nasrin stabs her. Though the first blow bites deeply, but the second strike doesn't penetrate the things tough-as-leather hide. Nasrin growls deep in her throat and shifts her position, still behind the creature.
for
for
Corum's companions continue their relentless assault and even in the haze of his fury the warrior can see their foe is hard pressed. He roars a challenge and leaps high in the air and hacks into one of the necks, then as he lands he thrusts the point of his axe up into the Ettin's stomach like a spear. He twists the bald and tears it free in a fountain of blood.
Pa
Dam
Attack 2
Dam
Hissing in pain at the blows as they rock her body, Sapphire maintains a fierce two handed grip on her sword and lashes out again.
Taking full advantage of the Ettin's blindness, Greyston, Corum, Nasrin and Sapphire all pounce on the stricken giant. Flame and blade flash and in moments the massive creature is cut down.
Large masterwork sickles x2
Wand of levitate (19 charges)
Potion of reduce person
120gp
Ancient wall carvings on both sides of the passage depict wide fields filled with wildflowers and springing deer. After a final turn, the stairs end 500 feet below in a large, rectangular chamber.
Hewn from the surrounding basalt, the walls of this large chamber have been chiseled into an incredibly intricate display of thousands of wildflowers. In the middle of each of the carvings, a wreath of pinecones encircles a life-sized carving of a young nude woman.
On the north wall, the figure washes her hair. On the east wall, the figure sits staring upward at a crescent moon. On the south wall, the figure picks a bouquet of flowers, while to the west, the figure points to a triangular, knot-shaped symbol. To the north, a curving stone staircase climbs up and disappears into the western wall, while an open archway beckons in the southwest corner.
The moon's phase on the east wall as the waxing crescent.
The triangular knot on the west wall is a triquetra, a symbol used by Iobarian witches to represent the journey through the three stages of a woman's life - mother, maiden, and crone.
Nasrin looks to Old Wolf for his idea. Pointing at the knot, she asks, "What do you see?"
Elleross watches his companions deal with the giant with brutal efficiency and as it falls to the floor with a loud crash he moves further into the extraordinary room.
well done, I hope none of you are injured. I wonder who this Jadrenka is? he says as He studies the carvings for several moments admiring the detail of the multiple designs.
This is another Iobarion symbol, it means Mother, Maiden and Crone. It represents the journey through the three stages of a woman's life. he says in reply to Nasrins question
the other wall represents the waxing moon. I wonder if this Giant and this Jadrenka are the ones who gave the unfortunate centaur as an offering to the tree. his thought is interrupted momentarily as Sapphire hands him a slender wand she recovered from the Giants body.
ah what have you got there? A wand of levitate. I wonder why it would have such a thing? This could prove useful to us. Thank you he says as he tucks away the wand.
Now then Nasrin, what do you see? can you tell if anyone has passed through here recently?
Del admires the depictions upon the various walls then shudders. He offers drily, "I can't wait until we find the sculptures depicting the crone stage."
Corum wanders over to the archway. "To dark in there. Could use some light here."
A narrow stairway leads down into darkness for as far as you can see. As you follow down the crude stone stairs twisting through this winding passage, the temperature drops sharply and a rime of hoarfrost settles upon the walls.
Before long you come to a door in the southwest wall whilst the stairway continues ever deeper.
Graytston looks over the walls as Elleross explains it all. "Good knowledge Elleross, I'm always glad to have someone of your skill around. I never paid much attention to my studies."
"I'll stay close to you my Ioun stone will light the way." He says moving behind Corum.
As they descend the ever colder stair Corum chances upon a door. While the stair continues to wind, he stops and tries the handle. "Best make sure there's nothing here that'll attack us once we're past."
Nasrin sharpens her sense of smell, hoping to catch wind of any unseen threats...
The old Wizard drapes his arm around the young alchemists shoulders and says
i have a few years head start on you in that department Greyston, I spent many long years absorbing as much knowledge as I could but knowledge is tempered by wisdom, I don't know if I have games much of that but what I do know is I am glad to have you youngsters around me, that giant was not something I would face without your abilities and your strengths. he says, as they follow Corum deeper into the fortress.
He liked the young alchemist, but he wished he had more confidence in himself. His abilities were a great asset to the group and if he saw that more clearly he would grow.
As they descend the stairs they come to the doorway and he agrees with Corums suggestion, they had no idea what was down here and they needed to be careful.
Seeing the warrior try the door he rummages in his pack for the lock picks Sapphire had given him and he makes his way forward.
let me try these out, I am aware of the theory behind lock picking but have never put it into practice.
Go using his mind he casts a simple cantrip and feels for any magical auras upon the door before Drawing out a pair of thin metal strips he guides the hooked ends into the lock and gently feels around.
Del, it's a wand so its magic doesn't last long, we don't want anyone losing their enchantment halfway down!
muses the magus
What we could do though is tie everyone together with rope, use the wand on everyone, then I can fly between mountaintops pulling you along as you'd all be weightless!
As the group descends the stairs, Sapphire keeps her blade out, eyes flicking to the corners of the rooms and corridors whenever the light of the ioun stone illuminates a new area.
She stands guard over Elleross as he attempts thievery on the locked door.
Grayston smiles as Elleross speaks so passionately "I really like your enthusiasm, i've learnt so much from you so far. Really can't wait to see what else I can pick up from you." He smiles at the older elf, happy to have someone to look up to.
He looks over the old mans shoulder as he begins to put theory into use."Never done it before? You're a natural, seems all the studying really does pay off. It's all about the feel of the lock and getting a keen ear to pick out the tumblers." He says attempting to aid the old man.
The lock on the door is old, but complex, and it takes a few minutes before Elleros, with the aid of Greyston, is able to pick it.
When he does the lock offers a satisfying click and the door swings open.
Beyon is another narrow corridor, this time rising up quite sharply. The heavy smell of dewy foliage wafts from further along.
Greenery in here? Surely that bears investigating?
If there is no dissent, Sapphire leads on up the newly opened corridor with Corum and Nasrin at her side.