OGGM's Hook Mountain Massacre (Inactive)

Game Master Jeff Przybylo

The passage leads to another stair that climbs sixty feet or so to yet another 15' foot ledge. This ledge clearly leads to the outside and the top of the dam. The sounds of hammering on stone can be clearly heard from here. And another noise as well: the storms have rekindled, rain hammers the area around Skull's Crossing.

As before, Kellen climbs the ledge and prepares a rope for the others. He also checks where the hammering is coming from to see if it poses a threat to getting everyone up on the ledge.

Climb: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Before Kellen starts his reconnaissance, Rhianni touches him on the shoulder as she recites an arcane spell, "Here, this will help you spy on those above."

Cast invisibility on Kellen, for 8 minutes.

Kellen reaches the top of the ledge without mishap. There is nothing waiting for the group at the top. The sounds are clearly coming from outside, but until you go around the slight turn in the passage, you can't see what is causing it.

Praxis will quickly climb the rope as soon as Kellen lowers it.

Tomaru gets to the top with the rest of the group.

Lym follows behind the others after muttering a brief, but highly useful spell which cloaks her in a shell of protective force.

Mage armour.

"Thanks, Rhi," replies to Rhianni as he lowers the rope.
If there's still time left on the invisibility, Kellen will take advantage of the spell to make a reconnaissance of what's around the corner.
"Stand by on the ledge while I take a look ahead,"a disembodied voice utters to the others as they are in the process of climbing up.

"Bah! More hammerin' and now more storms. We're gonna find out who's doing this and...," he stops his rambling in mid-sentence, noticing the others are moving on. "Hey! Wait up!" He looks to the dangling rope, "I don't need no stinkin' rope."

Climb: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Kellen's voice speaks out to the others: "Walkway over the dam ahead; soaked with water. Ten ogres are chopping away at the damn's wall; explains where the flood surge came from. Looks like they are whipped into working by a larger ogre. They all look exhausted, as far as I can tell; we might be able to take them out at range." This last piece he gives a suggested glance at Lym and Praxim (if he can be seen yet).

"I've got one fireball and a couple of other nasties left," Lym says, nodding. "I'll do my part."

"Perhaps," Rhianni pipes up, "if we take down the one with the whip, the others might depart without a fight, thankful we removed their oppressor."

"That's what we don't want, a band of frustrated and humiliated ogres wandering the countryside, ready to take out their problems on the backwater populace. If we send arrows into the chattel, they'll cause confusion and keep them from uniting or fleeing."

"Or I can just walk up there and kill 'em all. Look, if I go up there by meself, they'll think: 'Oh look, it's a stupid dwarf. Let's eat 'im'. I don't care if the weapon he has can take me head right off, let's eat 'im.' And when they all move in on me - and I kill five or six of 'em before they even know they're dead - then you launch yer arrows and throw yer fire at the rest," he concludes, quite proud of his idea until a part of it registers a bit off. "Oh wait," he strokes his beard in thought, "I'm thinkin' the fire might not be so good."

I am away from Friday for an extended weekend, MotoGP at Silverstone. Bot Rhianni as required. She offers to cast haste before the battle commences. If you think it would need to be extended, then cast as 1 level higher using extend spell meta magic feat.

Be careful Thordak, it might be better to draw them closer to us than for you to just strole over, but then you guys know far more about this fighting stuff than me.

"These ogres are probably associated with the ones that took over the fort. I think we should make sure that they can't hurt anyone else ever."

"Thordak, if you can manage it, instead of charging at them, walk out, let them see you, then give a little shriek and run back that way past us along the dam. It's a classic ploy, but I don't think exhausted ogres are too bright."

Listening to the elf's plan, he ponders it a moment before eventually nodding in agreement. "Well, alright. Not nearly as fun as me killin' the lot of 'em initially, but, it does avoid me gettin' burned to death. Alright, off I go." Cracking his knuckles, he begins to make his way over toward the ogres. As he finds himself at a fairly good distance, he clears his throat. "OH NO! I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MANY BUNCH OF STUPID DUNG EATERS! I BETTER RUN FOR ME LIFE!" He looks to see if he's been noticed. If not, "I said: 'I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY BUNCH OF STUPID DUNG EATERS!!! Ya canno' catch me ya fat, stupid, goblin lovin', troll dung smellin', bunch o' gits!" He waves if they catch sight of him and then he turns and runs back to the others as soon as they look as if they intend to give chase.

Praxis rolls his eyes at the dwarf's terrible acting. "Hopefully, they're really stupid even for ogres," he comments as he knocks an arrow.

"Remind me to study item-crafting," Lym says, shaking her head. "Someone needs to make a headband of enhanced intellect for that Dwarf, too..."

Watching Thordak's "acting", Kellen places his hand over his face, and merely mutters "Oh Lordie," before preparing his crossbow.

Rhianni digs Kellen in the ribs with her elbow, "Is Thordak ill, he's behaving very strangely, even for a dwarf!!" She readies her arcane energy to give her friends an advantage in the forthcoming fight.

"No, I'm afraid that's what passes for "deception" for him. So...he's acting normally?...Thordak just really hates ogres,I suspect." He gives this response with a shrug of "I guess."

The ogre crew, ten of them, stand up wearily as they observe the dwarf. They look at each in confusion as Thordak stands there and gesticulates. Even the 'foreman', with his whip, looks on in disbelief. There is an uncomfortable silence as both dwarf and ogres watch each other in the rain.

So no running back, Thordak. They aren't moving towards you as yet. No one else can see the ogres at this time as they are around the corner.

"For goodness' sakes!" Lym grumbles. "They can't understand him!"

The Wizard walks out of hiding, goes to stand in view of the Ogres, hips on hands, and harangues them in their own language:

Praxim, unable to speak Giant, simply steps out with Lym, sneers at them, and grabs his crotch in a rude fashion.

Yes ladies, he's a paladin. Don't all swoon at once.

Tomaru follows Praxim and Lym out. Once out there, he turns around and starts smacking his own rear end at them.

Watching the display going on, Kellen merely shakes his head at Rhianni. "So much for a surprise attack," he mutters before following the rest outside and keeping his crossbow at the ready.

As Lym yells in a language not understood by the dwarf, Thordak turns and notices the others. A mighty proud grin then forms at the antics from his fellow party members. Turning back toward the ogres, "You see?! I told ya you were a bunch o' gits! I'm pretty certain that's what the lass said!" He crosses his arms and nods, his victory smile unfading.

The ogres, confused at first, go into a flying rage at Lym's insult. The leader behind them urges them on with a yell. "CALL US OBSCURE GIANT SWEARWORDS, WILL YA? AT 'EM LADS! MALAGUS IS WITH YA!"

You didn't really give a tactical sitrep like, 'I stand in front of Lym', so I am going with you all in a line so you can have your taunts clearly seen. Should be entertaining.

The ogres charge you in a line, each one intent on maiming one of you. One of the ogres slips on the wet stone of dam's top and begins sliding towards the southern edge. Frantically scrambling to get a grip, his arms and legs flail for a purchase, to no avail. With a shriek, he goes over the edge, plummeting 200' to a messy end.

The others do not even slow down, their massive legs pounding the standing water into a spray as they charge.

Tacticals: the ogre slipping and going over is an important safety hint. There is one ogre per PC (not Rhi didn't step out but who cast Haste), with the exception of Lym (2) and Thordak(2 and the leader).

You can act like a surprise round as they charge in. Remember the Haste. If you decide for whatever reason and despite my warning to charge out into them, you must make a DC 12 Dex or DC 10 Acrobatics check to stay on your feet. Failure means you fall and are sliding towards the edge of the dam and what will surely be a ignominious death.

Who needs to balance when you have Overland Flight? :p

"Come one, burn all!" Lym shouts as she rises up into the air, well out of Ogreish reach - and sweeps an arm forward. A bead of fire hurtles towards the charging behemoths and erupts into a sphere of dlames, engulfing the lot.

Lym flies up and casts Fireball to engulf as many Ogres as possible without hitting the team. Reflex save DC 18 to halve 9d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2, 2, 5, 1, 1, 5, 2, 2) + 2 = 28

Tomaru casts protection from evil in preparation of the assault.

Kellen fires his crossbow, for what little good it does.

Crossbow: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
1d10 ⇒ 1

Arrow: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + (4, 6) = 26

[
As Praxim sends an arrow into an ogre's chest, he says to Rhianni, "I think this would be a great time for one of those grease spells, this time under the ogres."

Orrrrr, Boots of the Cat. Quite the handy when one doesn't possess a ring of featherfall. :)

Thordak spits on his hands and grabs his ogre hook. "C'mon ya filthy buggers! I'm gonna kill ya with yer own weapon!"

Draw +1 human bane ogre hook

AC 27; Hp's 112/112

Rhianni looks to the heavens as Kellen goes forward, hearing the insults fly and the rhythmic beat of footsteps charging forward, calling on the arcane magic that flows within her, she seems to fade out of existence, into nothingness.

As Rhianni did not come out, I assume she does not have sight to the ogres or the walkway, so cannot cast grease... and as its only a surprise round, she will cast invisibility on herself.

Important Note: I said act as in a surprise round, so one action Lym. No flying and casting. We'll assume you just cast.

The fireball bursts on the charging ogres, scorching them badly, but still they come on.

Praxim drops one with an arrow in the chest, and still they come on.

Their line hits you like a tidal wave of crazed rage. Two attack Lym. She ducks under one attack but the second cuts a deep gouge in her side. -16 hp, Lym Praxim dodges another two attacks, as does Kellen. The last two engage the dwarf, hooks hacking and slashing. The ogres scream in frustration as they fail to connect the on the shifty barbarian. Then the whip cracks. The barbed leather thong curls about Thordak's knees, tugging him to the ground.

ROUND ONE: Thordak, Praxim; ogres; Lym, Rhi, Tomaru, and Kellen; leader.

Praxim takes a 5-foot step back, maybe getting out of reach of some of the ogres and ignoring the rest, and lets arrows fly at their leader.

Arrow 1: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 16

Arrow 2: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + (5, 6) = 25

Arrow 3: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 11

Arrow 4: 1d20 + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 - 2 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 1 + 2 + 2 + (2, 1) = 23

Boo! Two arrows ricochet off flailing ogre weapons and disappear over the side of the dam.

Tripped? For reals? Dang.

His anger rising at an extremely fast rate, "I'll kill ya all for that!" he yells, standing back up, unconcerned with the consequences as he swings at the nearest one.

Rage 1/25

+1 Ogre hook Raging w/PA: 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 4 = 34
Damage: 2d8 + 19 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 7) + 19 + 3 + (1) = 32

AC 27; Hp's 139/139; Elemental Rage: Acid(the extra 1d6)

The invisible Rhianni joins her comrades on the walkway and tries her new knowledge to distract the leader with the whip.

Castes Mad Monkeys, summoning spell so it should not make Rhianni come out of invisibility. Casting lasts 1 round

Mad Monkeys? That's an interesting spell I hadn't seen before. Also, just confirming - we are hasted right?

You are under the effects of Haste, yes.

Tripped? For reals? Dang.

For reals. I was as surprised as you. This one actually has class levels in fighter as well. He's not Jaargrath, but still no joke. And I rolled a 20 on the CMB check.

EDIT: Let me clarify. I rolled a 20 on the die, more than enough with his CMB.

I was kind of waiting for the ogres' attack to see if there's better chance of flanking, but do you want us to go ahead with attack rolls?

Lym curses at the wounds dealt to her by the Ogres -- and jumps off the bridge.

Fly 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (6) + 13 = 19

You can all see the Half-Orc plummet down into the depths. And then you can see her rise up again, floating well out of Ogreish reach.

"Let's see, now," the Wizard says as she fixes a cold glare on the Ogres who attacked her. "What shall I do to you two?"

[ooc]Can I still take a standard action, or is that it for me this round?

Go ahead and post attack actions now. Lym, you have a Move and a Standard action as normal now. Unless you wish your leap to be a Withdrawal action, otherwise they get AoOs. But the round so far...

Praxim's two arrows hit the leader solidly, (He has AC 18.) making him stagger backward a step. In the meantime Thordak ducks under the attacks of the ogres in front him, hacking one down in return.

Lym can act unless she Withdrew, Rhi is casting, Kellen can attack, then end of round.

Tomaru will step up to help Thordak hold the line and bash one of the ogres.

Morningstar +1:
to hit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Kellen also attacks to hold the line.

Falcata: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
S. Sword: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Falcata (hasted): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

I withdrew.