Looks like an ambush! Though, OOC, I wish we could find out more information. "As at the Winter Lodge, shall our aim be to fell the Ettin, and leave the servants for interrogation?"
Azara takes up her Scimitar and Scarf.
"By the unholy flames of Asmodeus' domain, how does it keep getting dirty?"
Female halfling pal 2/sor 3/dd 3┃hp 57/57┃AC 34 · T 16 · FF 31 (+2 vs AoO)┃CMD 20; +2 vs bull rush, grp, rep, trip┃F+12 · R+10 · W+11 (+2 v fear, –2 v disease)┃Resist cold 5 · neg engy 10 ┃Init +3┃Per +4┃speed 30 ft┃Diplomacy +14 · Kn (arcana) +9 · Spellcraft +10┃Spells 2nd—4/4, 1st—6/8┃Lay Hands (1d6) 6/6 ┃Bast. Good 0/1┃Lucky Halfling 1/1┃Adptble Luck 3/3┃Breath 1/1┃Conditions: mage armor, haste
It looks like everyone is ready. I better give these giants a chance to avoid bloodshed.
Juniper steps out of the bushes and walks toward the giants. "Hello. I am Juniper Berrythwaite, of the Westcrown Berrythwaites. I am a paladin of Apsu, and I would like to extend to you the opportunity to surrender yourselves to me."
She then uses her Bastion of Good against the ettin. Attacks made by the ettin against allies within 10 ft. of her deal only half damage. Attacks against Juniper deal full damage, but she gains a deflection bonus to AC.
Juniper's AC vs. the ettin is currently 39; her CMD against him is 25.
One ogre scratches his head. "Waa maxay cuto gaaban leeyahay?"
Giant:
"What short food say?"
The other ogre shrugs.
The ettin, Pahg-Vahr, blinks. "Du!" shouts the head on the left. "Maxaad halkan etmek için mi geldin?"
The head on the right replies, “Du grave eller du dør, yoksa ölürsün."
The head on the left counters with, "Waxay macnaheedu betød ikke, at. Men, meget bedre. Ama yardım ederseniz çok daha iyi. Way leh in ay maalintii oo dhan ku qodo, bütün gün kazmak söyleyip duruyor. Dag og nat, intet men grave. Bir şey Pahg ile yanlış."
Pahg snarls, "Hvorfor du taler med sølle mennesker, Vahr? Jeg siger vi knuse dem."
Pahg-Vahr Pidgin:
"You!” shouts the head on the left. “Why are you here? Are you here to help?”
The head on the right replies, “You dig or you die, tiny scum.”
The head on the left counters with, “She didn't mean that. Actually, she did mean that. But, much better if you help. She keeps saying to dig all day, telling other giants they must dig too. Day and night, nothing but dig. Something is wrong with Pahg.”
Pahg snarls, “Why you talk to puny humans, Vahr? I say we crush her."
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
"One head wants to talk to us and see if we can help it. The other head wants to eat us. Doesn't make sense to me. I say we take them all out."
AC 19 T 13 FF 16 | HP 84(87)/84(87)| F +13 R +10 W +17 (+4 to all vs. undead, +1 vs death effects) | Init +3| Perc +9 Human (Half Varisian, Half Tian-Min)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
3-4/5 2-5/6 1-6/7
Spells Active:
Haste
Kiku has a wand of Feather Step if you would like to save your potion, Azara. Anyone else can take a charge if they want, too.
Kiku's brow furrows as she considers the ettin's difference in opinion, then the curse rune on Pahg's head.
"Maybe the curse only affected one of the heads?"
She suddenly places her open hand on her mouth, as though she could make the idea untrue by covering up the words.
"Oh, no."
Her eyes moisten with the beginnings of tears, though she maintains composure.
"That would mean Vahr has been free-willed this whole time, just watching Pahg be controlled. Imagine spending years and years with your twin who was dominated."
EDIT: Forgot to roll stealth. Stealth:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20
AC 19 T 13 FF 16 | HP 84(87)/84(87)| F +13 R +10 W +17 (+4 to all vs. undead, +1 vs death effects) | Init +3| Perc +9 Human (Half Varisian, Half Tian-Min)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
3-4/5 2-5/6 1-6/7
Spells Active:
Haste
Oops. I didnt realize there's no translation. If so, I guess my last post wouldnt have happened then >_<
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
"The one head wants an answer from us. Are we willing to help him?"
Female halfling pal 2/sor 3/dd 3┃hp 57/57┃AC 34 · T 16 · FF 31 (+2 vs AoO)┃CMD 20; +2 vs bull rush, grp, rep, trip┃F+12 · R+10 · W+11 (+2 v fear, –2 v disease)┃Resist cold 5 · neg engy 10 ┃Init +3┃Per +4┃speed 30 ft┃Diplomacy +14 · Kn (arcana) +9 · Spellcraft +10┃Spells 2nd—4/4, 1st—6/8┃Lay Hands (1d6) 6/6 ┃Bast. Good 0/1┃Lucky Halfling 1/1┃Adptble Luck 3/3┃Breath 1/1┃Conditions: mage armor, haste
Juniper takes a step forward and tries again in goblin, "Moni. Ine ndine mlombwa Berrythwaite, a Westcrown Berrythwaites. Ndine paladin wa Apsu, ndi Ndikufuna kuti athandize inu mwayi kudzipereka nokha kwa ine."
AC 19 T 13 FF 16 | HP 84(87)/84(87)| F +13 R +10 W +17 (+4 to all vs. undead, +1 vs death effects) | Init +3| Perc +9 Human (Half Varisian, Half Tian-Min)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
3-4/5 2-5/6 1-6/7
Spells Active:
Haste
Wanting to make sure that this situation can be resolved peacefully so that they have an opportunity to help fix Pahg, Kiku draws and reads her scroll of Tongues then moves out into the open air, Yojimbo at her side.
"I am sorry that we were hiding. You are very impressive, and we were not sure how to approach you. You are large and strong and we would not wish to anger you. Um...we would like to help you in some way, if only we knew what the purpose of your digging was."
Azara steps out into the open with the rest of the group, putting away her Scimitar before coming into view. She is still holding her scarf, using it to fan herself in the midday sun.
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
Harsk translates what the party said verbatim back to the ettin and orges.
Vahr slumps. "Biz kazıyorlar neden bilmiyorum. Ben biz kazıyorlar bilmiyorum. Eski şeyler?Pahg işaretlenmiş var, ve şimdi biz kazmak bir şey yapmak gerekir..."
Pahg screams. "Onlar bizim sırlarını istiyorum! Neden başka kazma hakkında sormak!?"
Vahr looks at Kiku, a desperate look in her eyes. "Bizi özgür olabilir?" Her dark eyes pierce Kiku to her soul. "Şimdi dürüst ol."
Pahg-Vahr pidgin:
"I don't know why we're digging. I don't know what we're digging for. Old stuff? Pahg got marked, and now we must do nothing but dig..."
"They want our secrets! Why else ask about the digging?"
"Bir kez Pahg eğlenceliydi. Bir kez biz konuşmak ve keşfetmek ve dünya bizimdi olabilir."
AC 19 T 13 FF 16 | HP 84(87)/84(87)| F +13 R +10 W +17 (+4 to all vs. undead, +1 vs death effects) | Init +3| Perc +9 Human (Half Varisian, Half Tian-Min)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
3-4/5 2-5/6 1-6/7
Spells Active:
Haste
Kiku clutches a hand to her chest as she looks away, ashamed.
She tightens her hand. She has resolved to help this creature, a creature bound by the very Sin magic that she wants nothing more than to purge from this world. She takes a deep breath, then stares back at the ettin.
"We know what is needed to free you. The Sin magic that binds you is powerful, and we need even more powerful magic to counter it, more powerful than any of us are capable of mastering now. I swear upon all of my mother's gods, my father's gods, and mine that I will free you. It will take time, but it will happen."
I looked through all my chronicles, and I've got nothing that would help. I had to look it up to double check, but the lowest level of the spells that would cure the curse, Limited Wish, is level 7, and we can't purchase scrolls or spellcasting services of that level until hitting 12.
That said, it would be possible eventually, and Kiku knows it would be, so she would do anything she could to free the ettin from such a terrible curse, especially since it's a Runelord curse, and she has dedicated her life to fighting Sin magic. She would happily pay the 2410 gp as soon as she hit 12, or even have it deducted now as it's earmarked for later.
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
Harsk moves forward.
Giant:
"Like the woman said we'll try to free you of the curse. We'll do what we can to help"
Vahr looks hopeful for a moment, then looks down on the scars on her body. They appear to be rune-shaped, echoes of the ones on Pahg's forehead. The hope fades from her face. "Bu iyi olacak. Jeg har set, hvordan det ender for mig, waana aan soo jiidasho leh."
"Haddii aadan qodin, dhiman!" Pahg shouts.
"Hver uge er det værre. Sihirli daha bizi alır." Vahr slumps again. ”Marka waxaan nahay kooxda ... hadda waxaan nahay wuxuush.” She indicates the rubble behind her. ”Bu şey gibi biz oraya duvarlı. Geleceğimiz, Pahg ve I.”
”Ingen fremtid men døden.” Pahg’s impatience, growing stronger every moment, bursts to the fore. She turns to the ogres. ”Gør dem smage døden!”
The ogres, not always understanding Pahg-Vahr’s more flowery turns of phrase, exchange confused glances with one another.
”Ingen fremtid men døden.” Vahr nods sadly, repeating her twin’s phrase but somehow imbuing a different meaning to it. ”Spar jer selv, vil jeg give det, hjælper jeg kan!”
Finally, Pahg shouts an order the ogres know. ”WEERAKII!”
Pahg-Vahr pidgin:
"It'll do no good. I've seen how this ends for me, and it's not pretty."
"If you don't dig, die!"
"Every week it's worse. The magic takes us more and more." Vahr slumps again. ”Once we were giants... soon we’ll be just monsters.” She indicates the rubble behind her. ”Like that thing we walled off back there. Our future, Pahg and I.”
”No future but death. Make them taste death!”
”No future but death.” Vahr nods sadly, repeating her twin’s phrase but somehow imbuing a different meaning to it. ”Save yourselves, I'll give what help I can!”
Finally, Pahg shouts an order the ogres know. ”ATTACK!”
I will let Azara or Yojimbo flank with Shel. I'm trying to get into a position where a number of characters can be within 10 ft. of me while attacking Pahg. Those who do so take only half damage from him.
Ranger 2/Rogue 10 | HP 85/99| AC 29/ 22(23) touch/23(24)flatfooted | Sneak Attack +5d6 | Resiliency 1/day F+16,R+22,W+13 ((1/day can reroll Will save)| Init. +10(+12)| Perc +19/24*(+21/26)| Evasion | Trap Sense +4 | Improved Uncanny Dodge
Shel delays until Azara or another melee warrior approaches not wanting to be left alone with all the biguns. When presented the opportunity she takes three swings at the large monster, hoping to slice him a good bit.
Azara charges forward, drawing her scimitar as she does so. Unfortunately because she doesn't see Shel, she doesn't know where to maneuver into the flank, but at least Shel can 5ft step to get hers.
Free action, activate scarf for increased reach.
Swift action, double Precise Strike damage if I hit. Panache now at 3/5.
Azara, a goddess with the scimitar, hit and crits on the ettin.
Pahg-Vahr's Fort Save, DC 13:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Unfortunately, Pahg-Vahr cannot fail to make her save against Azara's clever swordplay. Meanwhile Shel steps into a perfect flank position. Even with the flank, one of Shel's attack misses, but the others hit and the critical confirms.
Between the two, the ettin takes 79 damage. Pahg-Vahr holds two bastard swords, one brandished high. The other sword, Vahr's, drops to the ground.
"Napıyon?!" Pahg snarls at her twin, raising her sword against the greater threat, Azara.
AC 19 T 13 FF 16 | HP 84(87)/84(87)| F +13 R +10 W +17 (+4 to all vs. undead, +1 vs death effects) | Init +3| Perc +9 Human (Half Varisian, Half Tian-Min)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
3-4/5 2-5/6 1-6/7
Spells Active:
Haste
Everyone is way too spread out for a Haste right now. The most she could get is her, Yojimbo, and either Grigorii and Harsk or Azara and Juniper (no two targets can be more than 30 ft from each other). That being the case, she will hold off on it until next round once everyone has a chance to move closer together.
Kiku's tears match the ettin's as Vahr expresses her suicidal resolve.
"If...that is what you wish. I will ensure your soul's safe passing."
Kiku draws a shield in the air with her staff then taps Yojimbo with it.
"Arqueros, grant this spirit the protection of your bulwark. Protect!"
Standard action to cast Shield on Yojimbo, Move action to move up 30 ft.
Female halfling pal 2/sor 3/dd 3┃hp 57/57┃AC 34 · T 16 · FF 31 (+2 vs AoO)┃CMD 20; +2 vs bull rush, grp, rep, trip┃F+12 · R+10 · W+11 (+2 v fear, –2 v disease)┃Resist cold 5 · neg engy 10 ┃Init +3┃Per +4┃speed 30 ft┃Diplomacy +14 · Kn (arcana) +9 · Spellcraft +10┃Spells 2nd—4/4, 1st—6/8┃Lay Hands (1d6) 6/6 ┃Bast. Good 0/1┃Lucky Halfling 1/1┃Adptble Luck 3/3┃Breath 1/1┃Conditions: mage armor, haste
Juniper looks toward the piled rubble then back to her friends. "Uh. Guys? Do you hear that? I don't like the sound of that. Kiku, can you cast haste on us soon? I'll go over and try to hold off whatever the ogres buried behind that rubble."
Grigorii moves toward the Ettin and begins singing.
Inspired Rage:
Inspired rage gives allies that accept the song +2 morale Str/Con, +2 morale Will, -1 AC, 20% concealment vs. reach and ranged attacks, and free attack against an adjacent foe +9 slam 1d4+4
Flank Space:
(Blank Space - Taylor Swift)
"Nice to meet you, where you been?
I can show you incredible things
Magic, madness, bloody sin
Saw you there and I thought
Oh my God, look at that space
You look like my next big flank
War’s a game, wanna play?
New money, armor, swords
I can read you like a magic scroll
Ain't it funny, rumors, words
And I know you heard how I roll
So hey, let’s go in
I'm dying to see how this one fends
Grab your weapons and a friend
I can make the small guys strong til the fight ends
So give into your anger
They’re gonna go down in flames
You can tell me when it's over
If the strength was worth the pain
Got a waraxe and big allies
They'll tell you I'm insane
'Cause you know I love dead bad guys
And you love the rage"
Male dwarf Ranger 14 | HP 1118 | AC 30 (34 vs giants); Touch 18; FF 24 | F +12; R +16; W +11 | CMB+16; CMD 34| Speed 20 ft | Init +5 | Perc +24 | Stealth: +15 Ranger 14
Giant:
" You're right this ends here! We tried to talk to you idgits! Attack us first will you! Now take this!"
5' and attack the ettin. If the ettin drops, I'd like to target the blue ogre if possible
AC 19 T 13 FF 16 | HP 84(87)/84(87)| F +13 R +10 W +17 (+4 to all vs. undead, +1 vs death effects) | Init +3| Perc +9 Human (Half Varisian, Half Tian-Min)
Spells Per Day Remaining:
3-4/5 2-5/6 1-6/7
Spells Active:
Haste
Kiku nods to Juniper.
"Yes. Just all stay close together for a moment."
Shel, Juniper, and Azara are all within 20 feet of Yojimbo, so they have a +2 competence bonus to attack rolls and saving throws.
Grigorii begins his rage song. Juniper and Kiku exchange battle tactics on the field, concerned about the crashing noises from behind the rubble. Harsk lets off a volley of arrows. One misses, none crit. Pahg-Vahr looks scuffed, but is still standing...
Ranger 2/Rogue 10 | HP 85/99| AC 29/ 22(23) touch/23(24)flatfooted | Sneak Attack +5d6 | Resiliency 1/day F+16,R+22,W+13 ((1/day can reroll Will save)| Init. +10(+12)| Perc +19/24*(+21/26)| Evasion | Trap Sense +4 | Improved Uncanny Dodge
Shel moves 5' to the left (moved myself on the map), and swings away three times at the ettin. Before doing so, she accepts the rage song, and also feels bolstered by Yojimbo's spirit.
Flanking Attack with Rage song and Yojimbo bonus 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 12 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 25
