And flank, Scooby does. The heroic hound archon leaps into battle without hesitation, putting the giants' leader between himself and Thordak, and lays into him!
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Ol' Gusty draws himself up to strike back at his enemies -- and his summons ends. The huge air elemental vanishes back to his home realm, but a fresh horror rises to replace him. Lym rises into view and hurls a small bead of flame into the Giants' midst, which expands into a howling inferno!
Kellen arrives just at the tail-end of her spell and follows up on Lym's attack with a shot at one of the giants.
As Praxim attempts to pull up and ready his bow, he nearly falls. He gets off one shot before he has to resume forward momentum.
Shoot at one of the fireballed giants, then flap forward 30 feet.
Battered and bloodied and barely able to keep himself up, the dwarf's fury is the only thing keeping him alive. "That... that all ya... all ya got!" he yells between labored breaths, the deep red spittle flying as he does. The dwarf turns all his rage toward the much bigger giant, bringing about fire upon his blade.
Prayer [2/11 rd] +1 luck bonus on rolls (Thordak, Praxim, Prima, Tomaru)
Bardsong +2 competence bonus on attack and damage for those who can hear her music. (Thordak, Tomaru, Silthanan, Aurora, Lym, Gusty)
Bless +1 morale on attacks and saves v fear
Haste +1 to attack; +1 dodge to AC and Reflex sv; +30' enhancement to all movement (Prima, Silthan, Tomaru, Thordak, Aurora, Lym, Gusty?)
Mirror Image (Silthanan) 2 (Quithparas) 4
Prima, Lillend [0/11 rd]
HP 87| AC 20 T 12 FF 17|Fo +9 Re +10 Wi +10; immune electric, petrify, poison; resist cold 10, fire 10| Move 30', Fly 70' (avg)| augment summon, combat casting, diehard, sacred summon| constrict 2d6+5; bardic performance; spells|
+1 Longsword +14/+9 (2d6+11/19-20), Tail Slap +8 (2d6+3 plus grab)
Silthanan, Bralani [4/11 rd]
HP 80| AC 20 T 14 FF 16| Fo +11 Re +9 Wi +6; DR 10/cold iron or evil; immune electricity, petrification; resist cold 10, fire 10; SR 17| Move 40' Fly 100' (perf)| augment summon, diehard, sacred summon| whirlwind blast; spells|
+1 Scimitar +15/+10 (1d6+11/ 18-20) or Slam +14 (1d6+10)
+1 Composite Longbow +12/+7 (1d8+8/ x3)
Quithparas, Bralani [8/11 rd]
HP 52| AC 20 T 14 FF 16| Fo +11 Re +9 Wi +6; DR 10/cold iron or evil; immune electricity, petrification; resist cold 10, fire 10; SR 17| Move 40' Fly 100' (perf)| augment summon, diehard, sacred summon| whirlwind blast; spells|
+1 Scimitar +15/+10 (1d6+11/ 18-20) or Slam +14 (1d6+10)
+1 Composite Longbow +12/+7 (1d8+8/ x3)
Tomaru casts Heal from a scroll then hurries to touch Thordak for up to 110 hit points of healing.
In her last round of action, Prima full attacks. If she can 5'step and attack the leader, she will, otherwise she'll stay on the one she's already fighting.
Both Silthanan and Quithparas target the leader.
Watching Lym's own fireball, Aurora grimly nods, one hand casting forward as she summons yet another ball of incendiary death and sends it roaring towards the group of giants.
Swiftly turning she beats her wings and moves back towards Thordak's group.
Kellen's arrow takes one in the shoulder, while Praxim's goes wide. Seconds later, Lym and Aurora annihilate the four giants on the road. Even the partial cover of the wall does not save them. The smell of burnt flesh and charred leather wafts through the air.
Teraktinus resists all of the attacks from Tomaru's summoned creatures. Either they miss, or the giant's skin turns the arrows. He is not so lucky against Thordak, however. The dwarf's fury matches the giant's, and with the assistance from his allies, surpasses it. Thordak's axe rains blows on the leader cutting him down in spray of blood and gore. Terkatinus, with a surprised look on his face, falls to his knees and dies face down in the stones of the lane.
This is far too much for the remaining four stone giants. They cast down their clubs and request quarter.
"Secure them! We need information!" a voice barks from overhead -- and in passing.
Lym flies over the others, making a beeline for the manor while chanting under her breath. When she comes to a halt, three spheres of icy cold go rocketing away from her and enter the flames. The Wizard directs these spheres of arctic relief, guiding them from fire to fire while the others deal with the Giants.
Before dropping down, Kellen looks and listens for any further attacks or invaders around the town.
Otherwise, he makes his way down to the others and assists with capturing the giants. If that has already been resolved, he'll do a check of Teraktinus for anything that might explain the assault or give further clues on the giants' plans.
Praxim puffs and pants and heaves as he flaps down next to the giant prisoners. He scans them all for evil auras.
As the giant falls in a massive heap and Tomaru mends the dwarf's many wounds, Thordak slams his axe into the giant a couple of more times for good measure. he yells, spitting on the dead leader. He then turns to the ones left standing and is just about to turn them to paste before they drop their weapons in surrender. Thordak's fury quickly - and quite sadly - subsides.
He looks to the fallen weapons and then back to the giants several times. With a pained expression upon his face, "Awwww c'mon! Ya can't just give up! Keep fightin' ya blasted idiots! It'll only hurt for a moment. Wait! Let me help ya." He moves over and picks up one of their clubs and offers it to any of them that'll accept it. Seeing no takers, he drops the crude weapon with annoyance. "Wimps."
His attention gained by the half-orc's command, he proceeds to detain the stone giant prisoners. He looks to them a moment trying to figure out exactly what to do with the over-sized prisoners before, he yells mightily. "You lot are too blasted big for me ta be tying up easily so yer gonna have ta sit. And I dare ya all ta defy me. That way, if ya do, I can kill ya," he says excitedly, grinning. "So please, defy me. I dare ya. C'mon, don't be shy. Not everyone at once," he says in an odd, kindly tone.
Casting around in the air, Aurora soars in a circuit of the town to ensure there are no other threats lurking in wait. As she heads back towards the assembled party, she starts to fly erratically, gaining and losing height, before almost crashing to the ground in an ungainly heap.
She sits on the flat-baked earth, staring in to space with tears running silently down her face.
Lym's efforts quell the fires, not before most of the manor is ruined, by the conflagration is kept from spreading and causing more damage.
One of the giants who surrendered can't take Thordak's taunts. He snatches the club from the dwarf when offered, and takes a wild swing that is easily dodged. One blow from Thordak splits his skull, and it's over. The rest of the giants are sullen and cast not a few dark looks at Thordak, but they do not dare to cross him. They sit in the lane staring alternately at their leader and the latest casualty.
As you all gather on the lane outside the ruined Scarnetti manor, the alarm bells slowly toll, and then stop, the last echoes rolling over the harbor.
It's bad, but not as bad as it could have been. The manor was lost, and several civilian casualties were taken. Soon, Sandpoint's leadership should be looking for you. How you deal with them will set your legacy in the region.
The word falls from the sky like night; dark, full of potential for menace and terror. And it is aimed directly at the Giants.
Lym floats down but hovers out of reach, cloak flapping behind her like wings, her eyes burning red behind her mask. And they are aimed at the Giants.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Scooby the Hound Archon approaches the others and tugs them on their sleeves as appropriate to get their attention, before delivering magical whispers.
Since Thordak and Lym have the giants well managed, Kellen quietly makes his way to search the fallen leader - trying to remain unnoticed as he can.
Although treasure is always of interest, he's more interested in finding any document, maps, keys that might provide more clues on troop movements or locations.
In response to the summoned creature, Thordak holds up a finger in objection. "Hold on, now, hold on. I didn't just kill 'im for fun ya know. Well... okay maybe it was a little fun BUT it wasn't because it is fun it was because he took a swing at me! You tell her that I was only defending meself... technically," he says with an adamant nod. "Oh and one more...," he trails off as he notices the gnome flying a bit crazy. With a curious look about him, "What in the blazes is she doin'?" he mumbles his thought just before she seems to hit the ground harder than one would expect. His eyes going wide, he takes off in the gnome's direction.
As he makes his way near, "Lass! Lass! What happened?! Are ya alright?!" When he finally makes it to her, he notices the tears. As his heart sinks at the sight of the poor gnome, "Lass? Why are ya so sad?" he asks in a concerned tone, finding a seat upon the ground near her.
One of the injured giants squints, frowns, and then chuckles to itself. “Defeated by nosy little humans,” it says. “Never thought this would happen to the Plateau People. Well, I can tell you this: My lord is mighty Mokmurian, one of the dark giants of old come again. His magic, the things he has made... He has convinced the tribes that they will rule all the lowlands again, down to the sea. He has mastered the ancient arts."
“He will certainly kill you all, run rough over your tiny homes with the army he has called. The fortunate few will become his slaves. You beat us today, but you won’t beat us when there are a thousand of the Plateau People marching together. Lord Mokmurian will make it happen. He’s far more powerful than you are, little one.”
He scratches his nose. “Teraktinus — he was the leader of our scouting party. He convinced us that you’d be easy pickings and we’d all get rich. He obviously underestimated you, and he paid for his mistake. I’ve no interest in paying for that mistake as well — grant me safe passage out of your lands, and I’ll tell you everything you wish to know.”
Kellen sets aside the magic items for review. He examines the rock to see if he can read the runes. If it's in Thassilonian, he's proficient and should be able to read it. Otherwise:
"I am not 'little one'. I am Lym the Black-Handed. I stood tall against Black Magga. Two Llamia Matriarchs have died at my feet like the vermin they were. Ogres and Ogrekin have burned at my word. Barl, ally of your master Mokmurian, lies dead. His Necromancy is mine. Your master's ally, I say, yet one of those Llamia was at his side -- and she toadied for a Runelord risen out of the abyss of time... and now Mokmurian wields the powers of old? Know this for true; even if your Plateau People sweep across these lands, you will not rule. You will be enslaved as surely as our survivors.
I am not going to offer you freedom. You committed crimes here; your freedom is in the hands of the authorities. What I am offering you is an opportunity to save your people from plunging into a battle that will weaken them and end with slave collars around their necks."
He smiles at Lym, but says nothing.
"I see you are content to die," Lym says. "And you die so easily."
The Wizard gestures at the Giant corpses.
"Who wants to live a little longer than this one?"
Kellen steps around the body of Teraktinus as Lym is having her exchange with the giants. Ain't no getting out of here, neighbor," he adds with a drawl. He drops the rune rock to the side with a disdain as if it were simple garbage.
He looks at the giants with a mild smile and casual tone in his voice. He then points towards Thordak (off checking on Aurora from the looks of it). "Now, I tell you something, you've seen how mean that dwarf is - after all he just split your friend's skull and all. Imagine when I tell him you fella's are responsible for making his girlfriend over there cry. I mean...I saw him break an ogre's arms with his fists just for yelling at her...," he opens his hand and leaves the sentence hanging for implication.
"So help us out here; tell us what you know and I'll make sure my dwarf friend doesn't bother you...much. Why, I'm sure we don't even need to tell him about what you did...if you catch my understanding, neighbor. Otherwise, the wizard's going to be the least of your painful worries." Kellen crosses his arms and glances at the giants as if to put a conclusion to his suggestion.
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Aurora stares up miserably at the Hound Archon, not even mustering a reply.
As Thordak hurriedly approaches her, her gaze fixates on him like a drowning man's would on land. Her small hand reach out to grasp his sleeves, the intricate script tattoos encircling her body writhe in agitation like smoke from a greenwood fire.
Master Ironheart, that poor man... I accidentally caught him with my spell... she stares imploringly in to Thordak's eyes
I didn't see him... I just reacted to the giants... she buries her head in her hands and leans against the dwarf, her small body wracked with sobs.
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Placing a comforting arm around the poor gnome, the dwarf finds himself scrounging for the proper words to help ease her pain. Not really finding any, he decides to simply speak from the heart. "I'm sorry, lass. I truly am. I'm not the best dwarf when it comes ta words but there's one thing I can tell ya for sure: I know and you know that if ya knew he was there, you'd have never used your magic against 'em until he was clear. Ya didn't know, lass, ya just didn't know." He looks up toward the others, noticing them still talking to the giants. As he looks upon the giants, he reflects on his past a moment causing a knot of guilt to form within his gut. "The hurt... the pain... it'll fade, lass, it'll fade. It may take a while but it'll fade. I cannot say it'll completely vanish but you'll overcome. You've got to much spunk ta not to, lass," he says with the slightest of grins as he does his best to console her.
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Tomaru puts a consoling hand on Aurora's shoulder. "Not even the gods are perfect. You did the best you could. That is all anyone could do. What happened was tragic and your sorrow speaks volumes about your character." He says. "Don't let your mistakes tear at you don't let them paralyze you. That would be the real wrong here."
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"I agree that your genuine grief here does you credit. Nevertheless, I feel that , as a group, the least we should do now is provide for that man's family, assuming there isn't any other magical means of help we can offer him."
The giants simply stare down at you. Looking back and forth between Kellen, Lym, and Thordak, they keep their stony silence. While it's obvious they don't want to die like their hotheaded companion, they don't have enough respect for the 'little people' to take your threats too seriously.
It's only a few minutes before Sheriff Hemlock and Father Zantus ride up. They are in a hurry, and dismount quickly. They are visibly relieved to see the situation as it stands. They come straight to you.
"Looks like it's over," Balor Hemlock says, "that the leader?" he gestures towards the corpse of Terkatinus.
"Yes," Lym says. "But they are all in on it; raiders, part of a far greater army hiding somwehere in the region -- an army of giants."
The Wizard floats down to the ground, squares her shoulders and faces the Sheriff and the Priest. "By now you will know that people have died of 'friendly' fire, as well as the actions of this scum. More have fallen. It is clear where the fault lies."
The Mage lifts her chin an inch. "I am our group's senior battle-caster and chief arcanist. As such, I accept full responsibility for the people who have died because of us."
Aurora rocks back and forth against Thordak as his arm encircles her and pulls her close. She listens mutely to his words, lips held fiercely in a line to keep from quivering. She looks in to his eyes again
I... I'm not sure I deserve your kind and reassuring words, but I will treasure them nonetheless
she tries to smile, but there are tears as yet unspent in her eyes, and it's all she can do to quiet her mind from endlessly reliving the moment of the man's death.
I sense you speak from experience Master Thordak, and that more than perhaps anything else makes me very much appreciate your intent to console me all the more, that you choose to be reminded of your own pain in order to find the words to salve mine... maintaining her gaze upon him, her violet eyes like alchemical torches intent on burning away all but the truth.
Then she suddenly turns her head fearfully at Tomaru's touch, he can feel a slight release of tension as he speaks of guidance instead of perhaps the rebuke she might have been expecting
Thank you she says simply as she squeezes his hand.
To Praxim she simply nods
Yes, of course you are right.
Beginning to come back to herself and spotting the approach of the sheriff and priest she gets to her feet, her wings folding back and simply fading away, the air around her distorting for a moment like a heatwave. She listens to the exchange as she walks up to the group and her mouth opens in an O of amazement as Lym assumes responsibility for the fallout of the battle.
she interrupts It was not your eyes that failed to see the woodsman being chased, nor your blood that sang with fire to destroy the giants chasing him. On my shoulders alone lies the burden of his death.
What little puff she had summoned seems to go out of her and her shoulders slump.
If the man had family, I will provide for them until I am able to earn enough coin to restore his life
Her eyes remain downcast, though as she glances back in Thordak and Tomaru's direction she straightens a little.
"Are you the newest addition to our group? Yes? Am I your senior in both years and training? Yes? Then I should have put you through preparatory training," Lym says, curtly. "If we were an official army, I would be your commanding officer. If you want to pay weregild, fine; I applaud you. But if anyone is going to take responsibility before the law, it should be me."
"People?" Praxim whispers Tomaru. "Did we kill others besides this woodsman?"
One of the stone giants barely stifles a 'hmmph' at Lym's posturing.
Sheriff Hemlock's brows furrow, and Father Zantus' mouth opens in a surprised 'O'. "Friendly fire? How would we know that?" the Sheriff asks, "and how many?"
It is only now that the priest notices the bags of the slain giants. Charred and torn, the woman's arm still protrudes from one of them.
"The Scarnettis..." he murmurs in shock. He moves over to the slain giants, taking a small knife from his belt. Slowly he cuts open the bag. A body rolls out with a ripping sound, barely recognizable as Titus Scarnetti's wife. Now frantic, Father Zantus begins working on the other bags that obviously have someone in them. One. Two. Three bodies are soon laid side by side on the cobblestones of the lane. Titus, his wife, and their youngest son all perished. Father Zantus drops to a knee, mumbling a prayer.
"That would be the end of the Scarnettis." Sheriff Hemlock says grimly, watching the priest. "Only their eldest son remains. He studies in Magnimar. We'll have to send word as soon as things are settled." He turns to you. "Again, how many casualties are we talking about here?
"To my knowledge, these and one other," Lym says, grimly.
Praxim looks as grim as the Sheriff as the bodies are produced. The fact that a war wages within himself is obvious as he alternately moves to support Lym and to walk off. His mouth opens a dozen times to say something, but he shuts it again.
In the end, he moves up to Thordak and whispers hoarsely, "What would giants want with putting people in sacks? Is it like the ogres?"
Lym quietly explains yo the others - Sheriff and Priest included - what she knows.
"Gentlemen, you represent the ruling body. It's your call whether we take them up on that offer or not."
"See if they are marked." Tomaru tells good Father Zanthus. "I think that is why the giants came here, at least partiallly. The greed of the Scarnettis is well known."
"To my knowledge, these and one other," Lym says, grimly.
Kellen has remained where he stands with arms crossed - giving the giants a cold look as he watches them and the exchange taking place. He says little, though if anyone notices, he arches his brow skeptically at Lym's declarations of seniority but says little else about it.
"The other's a woodsman, far as we could tell - got caught in the crossfire. You'll find him northeast of town - near Tanner's Bridge," the man adds as answer to the Sheriff's question. He pauses and glances at Aurora with a quiet look and then adds: "I'll go get him for the priest once we're settled with this bunch; I know where he fell and there ain't no need for all of us to go." The emphasis is implied to spare Aurora the trouble.
"See if they are marked." Tomaru tells good Father Zanthus.
Without saying much else, Kellen starts to wander near the Manor side - looking to see if he spots any documents or treasure that might have obviously come out of the Scarnetti household - trying to find anything that might hint at why they attacked this family as well.
Staring at Lym as she lists her reasons, Aurora sharply shakes her head, her expression kept deliberately neutral now. Control restored.
I do not wish to quarrel with you, that would be counter-productive to both our intents here, but I am compelled to correct you lest you continue to operate under a false understanding. You do not know my history and cannot claim age or experience over me, nor was it your place to prepare me for combat. As you rightly note, we are not an army, and you are not my superior, we traveled together as companions not sisters-in-arms
She sighs
This was not the teamwork I envisaged that would have assured us both of the other, the outcome is as unwanted as these creatures here she gestures to the sitting giants.
However, the very least I can do is own my own mistakes, both morally and legally, it is not your place to stand as my proxy in either case.
Her face becomes softer
Though I express my gratitude to you that you were willing to step up and protect your companions, that speaks much of you.
As Kellen moves off back to the bridge, Aurora takes one step towards him and almost speaks, but instead simply gives him a subtle nod of thanks and remains.
She turns back to the town leaders
My intent is to continue with this group to protect Sandpoint, however I am at your disposal depending on what the law requires. Sheriff, Father, please let me know what you need of me and I will comply
She appears calm, but those who have traveled with her these last few days can see how tense she is underneath the slim social mask she has managed to summon in order to function at this stressful time.
The stone giants are marked by the Sihedron, the Scarnettis are not.
"The time will come to judge what has happened here." Hemlock says. "For now, we need information. These giants are willing to give it, and we should not miss the opportunity to gather knowledge about our foes."
Father Zantus stands up. "Yes. Let us arrange to get the fallen to the cathedral, where I can take of the necessities." He gestures to a wagon that had not yet been thrown at you.
"Very well, Abstalar. Send for the Mayor when you go back." He turns to you, gesturing you to come closer, away from the prisoners. "I will be granting their request," he begins in a whisper, "so make sure you gain all the information you can. It won't be such a tragedy, letting them go. They will bring word of the battle here, and how they fared. It may bring pause to this Mokmurian."
"Doubtful," Lym mutters back. "They hold any creature of lesser size in contempt. But as I said, the decision is yours; you represent the lawful authorities here."
Kellen gathers up the papers quietly and makes his way back to the others.
Kellen returns from his wandering to hear the conversation about the giants and moving the corpses, etc. "I'll help you, Father, with that if you like. Then we can head over to Tanner's Bridge for the other man. Tomaru, could you give me a hand with these folks..."
As soon as they get out of ear-shot, Kellen hands him a sheaf of papers. "The Scarnetti's may not have been marked, but they were in deep with the local Sczarni thugs: arson, extortion, blackmail. What happened couldn't have happened to a more wretched lot; hopefully it makes these deaths more palatible. You may want to have the Sheriff arrest this Jubral fellow as well."
The papers reveal a series of notes from one Jubrayl Vhiski; detailing the Scarnetti plan to pay Vhiski and his thugs to burn down several of the mills in town to increase business for the Scarnetti mill. It would seem that Jubrayl then began blackmailing Titus Scarnetti; regular payments or Jubrayl would tell the authorities about his little arson plan.
Unless there is another plan, Kellen helps load up the bodies in the wagon and assist where possible. He leaves the parley to Lym and Praxim (he assumes) on information the giants share. He'll pickup the rune-boulder as well and put in the wagon for now.
Thordak simply observes the back and forth between Lym and Aurora and can't help but grin at the gnome's resolve. There's me girl. Told ya. Too much spunk. He chuckles quietly to himself as he moves over to examine the body of the stone giant leader, looking to take anything of value off of him.
Tomaru will go with Father Zanthus, if he'll have him.
He tells Kellen. "I knew it. No one has been able to prove anything before, but we all knew. Show it to the sheriff. He'll know what to do."