Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Vermin pounces onto the remaining green ogre. Its not pretty.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Vermin moves to stand over the wolf hissing protectively and looking at the dwarf. If any giants or ogres got away Sparky pursues.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
If you treat him as a friend and not property I will help you train him. Vermin offers. Agree?
Bauble says, "Yep. Bauble lordly lord of castle in River Kingdoms and can feed Wolfy. And when pathfinders kill, Wolfy can eat. Maybe eat ogre? Bauble like Wolfy, be very nice to Wolfy."
Bauble experimentally plops himself on the comatose wolf.
"Comfy!"
I can't see this working out, but a goblin's gotta try.
Male LG Halfling 10 (Paladin 6/Fighter 2/Monk 2) | HP 83/83 | AC 23 T 14 FF 20 (if Charge -2, if Smite +6) | CMB +11, CMD 23 (28 vs grapple) | F: +21 23 R: +16 19 (evasion) W: +15 17 | Init: +5 (always act in surprise round) | Perc: +5, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft (Mounted Fly 40ft) | Active: | Constant: +6 Aura of Courage 30'
Proudefeets first tends to the wounds of the griffon and his friends, channeling the power of Chaldira to heal them, standing off from the fallen wolf far enough to ensure that it is not also healed, at least not until its friendship is assured!
channel positive:3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) = 14
and then drawing out a well-used wand to finish healing the griffon:
Once everyone is fully healed, the halfling and the griffon turn their amused attention to Bauble's efforts to befriend Frakas. "My friend, I hope your affairs are in order in case the worst should come to pass. But we will be happy to help you. Let me give you a few tips about handling great beasts - though no doubt our friend Vermin knows more than I - as well as - if he should allow it - how you might hope to ride the Frakas."
Large Male N Griffon | HP 76/76 | AC 30 T 13 FF 26 (if Charge -2) | CMB +14, CMD 27 | F: +16 18 R: +16 19 (evasion) W: +11 13 (+6 vs fear, +4 vs enchantments) | Init: +4 | Perc: +2, SM: +2 | Speed 40ft Fly 80ft (Average) Mounted Fly 40ft | Active conditions:
While this is all going on, the griffon looks through the remains of the giants and ogres to see if they have anything that might interest his distracted master.
Bauble waits until everyone is either ready or safely at a distance, then taps the great beast with his wand of infernal healing and himself with his wand of shield when it looks like it is regaining consciousness.
At some point in this before we get to the next location, Bauble will prepare Keen Edge in his open spell slot.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Before any healing is applied the the great dire wolf Vermin drags the food he thinks will be the most appropriate for the animal and lays it out as an offering.
Bauble waits until everyone is either ready or safely at a distance, then taps the great beast with his wand of infernal healing and himself with his wand of shield when it looks like it is regaining consciousness. ...
That means Infernal Healing now and shield when the infernal healing causes it to start waking up.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Vermin will ply it with his wand until it wakes but no more than that until he knows how the large pup will respond. but recall that healing heals both lethal and non-lethal at the same time -so double healing in effect. If still down...
Dwarf Fighter 10 | HP 94/94 | AC 30; Tch 15; FF 27 | F +9; R +6; W +4 | CMB+14; CMD 27 | Speed 30 ft | Init +3 | +2 Warhammer (adamantine): +19 (1d8+10/x3) | Perc +12
Clandelve watches with disapproval as Vermin tries to revive the wolf.
"That's nae a guid idea," the dwarf says dourly. "An' fur th' record, defendin' myself against somethin' tryin' tae bite mah heed aff disnae make me a cold-blooded killer. Eh'd do th' same again if yer new friend isnae as friendly as ye think it will be."
Sorry Bauble, missed that. And the DC for the wild empathy check was..... 22! He is now indifferent.
The great wolf slowly stands and shakes it's huge muzzle a few times before seeing the food below him. He looks at Vermin and Bauble with confusion, but hey, food! He starts ravenously digging into said food, wolfing (Heh) down huge bites. The healing from Vermin closes some of it's uncomfortable wounds, and the great beast relaxes a little... but not entirely.
Gonna need some more wild empathy and handle animals here.
Male LG Halfling 10 (Paladin 6/Fighter 2/Monk 2) | HP 83/83 | AC 23 T 14 FF 20 (if Charge -2, if Smite +6) | CMB +11, CMD 23 (28 vs grapple) | F: +21 23 R: +16 19 (evasion) W: +15 17 | Init: +5 (always act in surprise round) | Perc: +5, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft (Mounted Fly 40ft) | Active: | Constant: +6 Aura of Courage 30'
Proudefeets is thoroughly entertained by these goings-on and, Mr. P having no small amount of animal handling experience himself, decides to lend a hand.
Using some rations, he attempts to teach Frakas to "Sit!"
Frakas looks at Mr. Proudfeet with annoyance... apparently, the noble creature is not about to be taught how to "Sit" in just one go. He does enjoy the ogre pieces Bauble feeds him though.
Okay, so studied up on how this works. With Vermin's Wild Empathy, you can have Frakas actively enjoying your company with 1 or 2 more checks from him. However, it takes a week to teach a animal a trick. You can however, use handle animal to "Push" an animal to preform a trick it hasn't learned yet with a high enough check. So, Mr. Proudefeets, in a week Frakas will know how to Sit on command if you keep it up.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
To push things along, I think that a wild empathy that fails should not spoil the chances of eventually befriending the animal, unless its a bad failure. But with the time required to teach tricks I am not sure it matters in the timeframe of this adventure. So mostly this is just for fun. I am happy to say Vermin heals up and releases the other wolves and does whatever he can to discourage their future teaming up with giants. I will ask what you think of the Wartrain Mount spell, which a druid can cast, and which Vermin "might" cast for Bauble if he treats the wolf well.
Wild Empathy+Guidance for another attempt:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 1 = 23
With some more love and coaxing from Vermin, Frakas gives him a big lick, and is downright friendly. Though, have you ever been licked by a gigantic wolf? It is a LOT of tongue and a LOT of slobber.
The other wolves happily scatter at Vermin's persuasion, happy to get away from the giants, and Frakas.
That mount spell will do perfectly well for Bauble's purposes I think! Congratulations guys, you now have a Gigantic Advanced Dire Wolf. Have fun!
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Bauble, I present to you a new member of your family. Treat him well, and feed him better and he will become your companion. Tomorrow I will help you ride him and later you must find a worker or leather and commission a saddle.
Evidently his name is Frakas, but I am not sure we will ever know that. I guess Vermin could cast Speak with Animals in the morning to find out... Now, back to the regularly scheduled game that should be going on here. Thanks for the indulgence. :)
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Would have been lots more practical to tame one of the smaller (only large) dire wolves, but a lot less fun too. :) Bauble now has a wolf that can trip a giant.
Bauble looks for a way to stock up on ogre parts, but he has no bag or anything useful. Nor does he have tack other than what is attached to his phantom steed which cannot be removed. He will attempt to ride barebacked if allowed by Wolfie. Or he will just play with it if not allowed and feed it ogre parts until it is satisfied.
He is quite good to the wolf, provided the wolf is into eating ogres and being pet and called Wolfie.
Bauble will expend three charges total from his wand of infernal healing on it. Combined with Vermin's healing, that makes 45 HP regained.
You can ride bareback, but will take penalties to your ride check.
Walking up the mountain path through the cloud is like entering the densest fog ever encountered. The cliché about being barely able to see our hand in front of your face is quite accurate here. Even two people ascending at the same time could only see each other if they huddled together. Still, the path itself, although little used, suggests a safe and relatively smooth passage.
After about a half hour of traveling through this blinding cloud, Standing at the pinnacle of the mountain, a truly remarkable sight rises overhead. A round castle of brass and glistening white stone floats amid and atop swirling clouds, rising like a massive pillar. Only a winding brass pathway, about 10 feet across, which starts at the mountaintop and swoops steadily upward, connects the castle with the ground.
The wolf looks at Bauble, and his intent is clear.
Yeah. Right.
He curls up at the edge of the path from the mountain, nibbling on a giant's thigh.
Frakas will await your return... you keep feeding him after all. But he's not about to try that path.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Those giants were headed this way I believe. Have we already killed allies of the giant we must ask for help? Vermin ponders. Noting the width of the stairs and his wider girth he says I will cast Air walk on myself to go up. Were we to wait a day I could cast it communally.
As if in response, the entire castle let's out a soft "BOOM!" and seems to shake, some rocks falling to crash into the ground. The team's eyes are drawn the the bodies of several giants who now lie dead, some smoking as if burnt to a crisp.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Hmm. Something up there is killing giants. An unsettling smile settles on the huge raptor's features. Lets go help. Can anyone fly up and scout?
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Path, not stairs. And I cannot tell who you are talking to Lucija.
|AC 19, T 12, FF 18|HP: 78/78|F +5, R +5, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +4 vs fear, +2 vs despair/confusion/insanity/death)|Init +1, Perc 0|CMB +9 CMD 20|11/11 Summon Monster VI, 2/2 Maker's Call, 1/1 Pride, 1/1 Mysteries, 1/1 Davian
Sounds a bit like a "stairway to heaven" either way.
She was talking to you, since you were last to speak. Lucija's a bombastic egomaniac whose power over the fabric of the planes themselves has gone directly to her head, you see (or is it that her transcendent egomania is what gives her power over the fabric of the planes in the first place...?).
Did that last ray of sickening even matter, or can I keep the spell slot?
Go ahead and keep the spell slot. Also, are you following the path or going straight up to the castle? The castle is about 150 feet in the air, but the path circumnavigates the whole place a couple of times to curl up to it. Painting picture example has been added to slide 4.
Dwarf Fighter 10 | HP 94/94 | AC 30; Tch 15; FF 27 | F +9; R +6; W +4 | CMB+14; CMD 27 | Speed 30 ft | Init +3 | +2 Warhammer (adamantine): +19 (1d8+10/x3) | Perc +12
Clandelve mutters incessantly about the fog, the narrow paths, and the unwise decision to try to train a ferocious animal during this already-dangerous mission.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Vermin has in no way acted a coward so I am not sure he even understands you referred to him. He simply does not fit on the ramp in his huge size and so will Air Walk. As stated he is quite excited about going up and killing giants. How is that cowardly? I just don't get your point.
Unsure who Lucija is talking to Vermin asks Are you going to fly that strange mount of yours up and scout what is going on, or do you wish us to advance without information? Vermin says as he casts his Airwalk spell and starts up into the air adjacent to the ramp. Sparky, large in size follows, taking up the entire cross section of the ramp. Almost as an afterthought Vermin recalls Frostbite with a pearl of power and recasts it on Sparky as they move up the ramp. They are about twice as fast as the people walking so should be no issue to buff as they move forward.
Spells Up:
Sparky: Greater Magic Fang +2 (9 hours) and Frostbite (allday)
Vermin: Extended Barkskin(180 minutes) and Airwalk (90 minutes)
Current Form: Planar Allosaurus, Raptor
Male LG Halfling 10 (Paladin 6/Fighter 2/Monk 2) | HP 83/83 | AC 23 T 14 FF 20 (if Charge -2, if Smite +6) | CMB +11, CMD 23 (28 vs grapple) | F: +21 23 R: +16 19 (evasion) W: +15 17 | Init: +5 (always act in surprise round) | Perc: +5, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft (Mounted Fly 40ft) | Active: | Constant: +6 Aura of Courage 30'
Still chuckling about the befriending of Frakas, Proudefeets rides Griff, who can easily fly the entire way so they have no need of the stairs. However, not being the stealthy scout types, they simply accompany their fellow pathfinders, flying alongside them as they march up the path. When they near the top, Proudefeets will attempt to activate his wand of Heightened Awareness.
UMD DC 20, can retry until rolling a 1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 UMD DC 20, can retry until rolling a 1:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
... and manages to activate it on his second try. 10 minutes duration
After traveling along, beside, or near the path for a minute or two, the team reaches about 80 feet up, the castle rumbles unexpectedly, and the whole path shakes under their feet!
Acrobatics 15DC for everyone walking on the path... but I assume the flyers will catch anyone who falls, so if you fail, simply include description for dramatic effect.
At 150 feet up, the team can see a hole has been punched in the side of the castle! Coming down the path from said hole is a giant in black leather armor haphazardly studded with bolts and bits of metal. His face is swollen and misshapen as if he has been battered and bruised regularly and often and his features have never truly had time to heal. Scars cover his face and bald head, and his narrow eyes glare darkly. His hands appear to be giant metal hammer heads and he clangs them together as he moves forward.
Male LG Halfling 10 (Paladin 6/Fighter 2/Monk 2) | HP 83/83 | AC 23 T 14 FF 20 (if Charge -2, if Smite +6) | CMB +11, CMD 23 (28 vs grapple) | F: +21 23 R: +16 19 (evasion) W: +15 17 | Init: +5 (always act in surprise round) | Perc: +5, SM: -1 | Speed 20ft (Mounted Fly 40ft) | Active: | Constant: +6 Aura of Courage 30'
Is the Giant clearly approaching us with hostile intent? From your description I can't tell if he is attacking us or simply coming down the path the other way. Since we are coming on a diplomatic mission to the owner of this castle, I'm hesitant to attack if he's simply a guard on duty... If we are heading in to combat, Proudefeets will dismiss Heightened Awareness for an additional +4 to his initiative (not that it appears to matter).
Bauble follows along with the group but gets impatient about half way up. He then casts Invisibility on himself, then Monstrous Physique II and turns into an Thriae Seer and flies up.
Male Half Orc Druid (Saurian Shaman) 10HP: 83/83 ||AC: 25(30): t12, ff: 24(28), CMD 26/28 vs overrun || Fort: +13 (15), Ref: +10(12), Will: +14(16),+4 vs. SL and SN Fey abilities/effects that work on plants. Init: +3 Perception: +23/25 vs traps and secret doors
Acrobatics for Sparky:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Sparky is unshaken by the tremor and continues up the ramp, smelling at the path now and again as if tracking something.
When Jonas teeters on the path Vermin reaches his huge head over and grabs the man in his mouth in a quite gentle grab. Jonas is set back on the platform little worse off for the experience except the raptor slobber. There seems to be lots of raptor slobber. Big stringy lines of it. Gallons. Where does it all come from?
Bite and grab for a grapple:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34Vermin has the ability to grapple without provoking through a boon though he does not actually have improved Grapple
|AC 19, T 12, FF 18|HP: 78/78|F +5, R +5, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +4 vs fear, +2 vs despair/confusion/insanity/death)|Init +1, Perc 0|CMB +9 CMD 20|11/11 Summon Monster VI, 2/2 Maker's Call, 1/1 Pride, 1/1 Mysteries, 1/1 Davian
Naghamadi floats a short distance alongside the walkway (double-move), and Lucija points a small, slender, yet somehow vicious finger, laden with baleful will, at the giant.
