Revival of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

GM, does the interior of the cave still count as Mountain terrain for purposes of hunter's blessing?

Astrid stops at the top of the stairs, leaning on her spear as she waits for the others to catch up. As they approach, she turns and puts a finger to her lips in a shushing motion.

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38

Unfortunately, it looks pretty clear cut Astrid. A cave is one of the examples for "Underground" on the ranger terrains table, so you aren't in Mountain terrain any more.

Like Colvyn, Astrid hears the sounds of ogres bullying each other somewhere beyond the bottom of the stairs. Their voices echo off the stone walls up to you, garbled somewhat in the passage. It sounds like three distinct voices. They don't sound like they've noticed anything going on above, distracted as they are.

Guiness stays mostly still, walking slowly as quietly as possible. His face lit up by the flaming hammer, he whispers, "Just point me towards the next ogre."

Points toward the voices.

No worries! Figured I'd ask, since some of the terrains do have bits of overlap.

Guiness nods and moves down the steps towards the voices, though he stops if Colvyn wishes to scout first.

Haven't heard from Colvyn in a bit, so I'll go with Guiness' approach.

Colvyn and Guiness lead the way down the western steps deeper into the cavern and the source of the voices. The stairs level out and open into a wide cavern, unlit beyond whatever light sources the party might be carrying (Colvyn and Guiness of course not having any). The cavern sports branching tunnels to the north, northwest and south, but its only other remarkable feature are its occupants. A pair of ogres in hide armor have surrounded a cowering giant at the cavern's western end. The giant, rather rotund and with a scraggle of greasy hair atop a misshapen head, is currently sobbing as the two ogres make fun of his many supposed shortcomings.

"And yer never even eaten a dog whole! HEH HEH HEH"

"Ye run away from a rabbit if it jumps toward ya! HEH HEH HEH"

Distracted as they are, none of the three notice Colvyn and Guiness approaching.

His mother was a hamster and his father smelled of elderberries!

Guiness pauses a moment for the others to find their preferred ambush spots, Then he prepares to charge!

While the others move into position, Astrid hangs back where she won't give them away.

Stealth: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Alright, Colvyn, your surprise round action will be to move into position. Feel free to do so prior to taking your round 1.

|||| INIT ||||
Kargas (18 dmg, 2 images)
Yellow ogre
Red giant
Blue ogre
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn

Rolling his eyes at Guiness' back, Kargas flares out his lightning wings and takes flight up the stairs and into the ogre being menaced by the dwarf.

"Don't tell them about it, just kill them!"

Rage, A rcane Strike, Power Attack, Furious Focus, and the Hunter's spell thingy vs Giants
Attack vs Yellow: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 2 = 23 Damage: 2d4 + 24 ⇒ (2, 3) + 24 = 29

Stairs all lead down in this complex, heading deeper into the mountain.

The injured yellow ogre draws his own club and takes a horizontal swipe at Kargas, shattering one image. The giant is stunned by this turn of events and doesn't immediately act.

You hear the warning shout quickly gets a response from the southern tunnel, or rather... a chorus of responses "Intruders? Where? Save one for me! And me! Don't smush 'em too fast!"

|||| INIT ||||
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
Yellow ogre (51 dmg)
Red giant
Blue ogre

”You really should be more respectful of the true giants,” says Guiness, chiding the blue ogre as he steps forward and locks down into his defensive stance. Smiling at Kargas, he says ”Oh, alright!” with an exaggerated sigh as he launches into his attack routine.

5 foot step to set up potential flanking with Kargas on yellow, Defensive Stance (AC 31, Hp: 130, +4 Strength and Constitution) Round 1/10.

(Hunter’s Blessing, Defensive Stance, Blooded Trait, Bless in effect)

Dragonfist Primary Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 28
Dragonfist Damage: 1d8 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 = 18

Dragonfist Secondary Attack: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 28
Dragonfist Damage: 1d8 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 2 = 22

Steel Headbutt Attack: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 30
Steel Headbutt Damage: 1d4 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 1 = 7

Shield Smash Attack: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 18
Shield Smash Damage: 1d4 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Kellek moves slowly down the steps and shouts "Bola de fuego!"
Fire erupts in the cave engulfing the giants.

fireball (DC 21 with arcane res.): 9d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 6, 6, 3, 3, 2, 2) = 36

|||| INIT ||||
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
Red giant (18 dmg)
Blue ogre (36 dmg)

The banter between Kargas and Guiness draws a smile from Astrid, but the sound of more voices to the south wipes it away almost immediately. She quickly begins to chant a spell, praying for aid from Pulura's domain.

The two of them are strong, but there's only the two of them.

Swapping out dimensional anchor to cast summon monster iv. You'll all find out what I'm summoning in a minute. ;)

Colvyn increases his fighting abilities with divine magic and the unleashes on the target. Kill those quickly and move in deeper. We still have the surprise here.

Longbow1 vs Red: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 34
Longbow1 vs Red, crit?: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 28
Longbow2 vs Red: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 32
Longbow3 vs Red: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 28

Damage1: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 17
Damage1: 2d6 + 8 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 8 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 + 4 + 4 + 4 + 8 = 35
Damage2: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 17
Damage3: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 20

Buff: Divine Favor

Wow! 99 dmg!

A trio of arrows embed themselves in the giant's throat and chest. He gasps in surprise, reaches for the arrows, then collapses face first.

|||| INIT ||||
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
Blue ogre (36 dmg)

Kargas, feel free to double up on actions next round.

To the south, a chorus of shouts grows louder, and you start to see several unarmored ogres rushing up the stairs toward the intersection.

|||| INIT ||||
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images) x2
Blue ogre (36 dmg)
6x Ogres

Kellek hops down the broad stairs, shouting magic as he does, and a wall of fire (CL 11 with arcane res.) erupts at the entrance to the southern cave.

The wall rests on the top of the hopefully 'difficult' stairs the hot side facing southward.

With a snap of his electrical 'wings' Kargas flies in a wide loop around the remaining ogre before driving in behind it.

Turn 1: Move 12 squares and Attack (provoking AoO)
Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 41 Damage: 2d4 + 23 ⇒ (3, 4) + 23 = 30
Confirm?: 1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 17 + 2 + 2 = 25 Crit?: 2d4 + 23 ⇒ (3, 1) + 23 = 27

Turn 2: Full Attack if the ogre is still alive, flank bonus not included in the roll below. Otherwise he'll Ready to strike an ogre walking through the Wall of Fire.
Readied(?) Power Attack: 1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 17 + 2 = 28 Damage: 2d4 + 23 ⇒ (2, 3) + 23 = 28

2nd Attack if needed: 1d20 + 12 + 2 - 3 ⇒ (15) + 12 + 2 - 3 = 26 Damage: 2d4 + 23 ⇒ (2, 3) + 23 = 28

Cellion, here's a link to the stat block for these guys: Celestial Wolverine

How many wolverines?: 1d3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

As Astrid finally completes her spell, a quartet of brown-furred wolverines are summoned into existence just in front of the remaining ogre. As one, they look to Astrid, who nods, and then throw themselves at the ogre in a mass of snarling teeth and claws.

If Kargas killed this guy first then instead I would just have them rearrange themselves to go nuts on the first ogre to try and step through the fire.

While the summoned wolverines go about their work, Astrid moves to stand by Colvyn and Kellek, granting the ratfolk archer another blessing of guidance.

Guiness drops out of his defensive stance, momentarily becoming fatigued. Moving towards the wall of fire to support Kargas, he wills Dragonfist to burst into flames, the color matching the fury of Kellek's fiery wall.

Fatigue round 1 of 2, Move and standard to ignite flaming weapon.

Colvyn, go ahead and double up on actions next round.

Astrid's wall of wolverines (TM) spring into existence next to Kellek's fiery barrier, as she provides guidance to Colvyn.

Despite the wall of fire, the surge of attacking ogres can't be stopped... though from the screams of the one up front, it may be more that he's simply being pushed forward. He makes it through the wall burned but mostly intact, only for the wolverines to claw him to death. Two more ogres follow, getting badly charred in the process. The others - based on their shouts of alarms - seem to have managed to slow their charge.

The red and yellow ogres swing clubs at wolverines chosen at random. One of them connects with the red wolverine (dealing 20 dmg), while the other just hits the wall with his club.

|||| INIT ||||
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn x2
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
Red ogre (23 dmg)
Yellow ogre (23 dmg)
3x Ogres

Guiness moves over to a bare spot in the defensive wall and swings at the Red ogre with his flaming hammer.

Fatigue Round 2/2, Hunters Blessing, Blooded, Blessed

Flaming Dragonfist: 1d20 + 13 - 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 13 - 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 1d6 + 15 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + (4) + 15 - 1 + 2 = 24

Colvyn tries to help kill the new ogre that went through the wall of fire, but the flames make it hard for him to focus.

Longbow1 vs Red: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 23
Longbow2 vs Red: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 20
Longbow3 vs Red: 1d20 + 9 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 12

Damage1: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 17
Damage2: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 19
Damage3: 1d6 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 15

Buff: Divine Favor

Guiness' blow lays low the burning red ogre, while a pair of Colvyn's arrows in the yellow ogre's chest are enough to kill it too. The remaining ogres are hidden behind the opaque curtain of fire, but their pained groans betray their general location.

|||| INIT ||||
Guiness
Kellek
Astrid
Colvyn
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
3x Ogres

Considering that there's a wall of fire in between Astrid's wolverine army and the remaining ogres, I'll hold off on suiciding them through it unless one of you would like to do so.
Otherwise, going to hold off to allow Kellek and Kargas to act.

"Hey Kellek, how long will that fire last?" Kargas touches down, turning to survey the unblocked tunnels in case more giant-kin were closing in around them.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (15) + 12 = 27

Attempting to see/hear any other groups converging, or spreading the alarm elsewhere in the cave complex. Otherwise delaying.

I'm going to push us forwards a bit due to folks being absent.

With Kellek's wall of flame lasting for another full minute, you spend the time warily waiting and listening in for any approaching ogres... or other creatures. Kargas steps towards the other exits from this crossroads and hears a low chanting coming from the west (in a language he doesn't recognize) and intermittent dripping and splashing coming from the north.

To the south, the sounds of ogre voices fade the longer you wait. It seems the fiery barrier and the speed with which you dispatched their friends and family broke their spirits and sent them fleeing!

Combat Over

"Hey Kellek, how long will that fire last?" Kargas touches down, turning to survey the unblocked tunnels in case more giant-kin were closing in around them.

"About a minute if I stop concentrating."

You've got some ogres running away to the south behind Kellek's fire wall. What next?

Thanks for the bump, Cellion!

"More down that way. Doesn't seem like this lot is going to brave the flames--or maybe they're looping around. Either way, better to not be where they expect us." Kargas points in the direction of the chanting. "Spellcasters, thataway. Gotta kill 'em before they make trouble."

Did the chanting voices sound giant-y? Masculine/feminine/neither/both? Just digging for clues as to our next adversary :)

The voices don't sound deep and giant-ish, but do sound rather harsh and reedy.

Shrugging, Guiness says, ”Good enough for me. Let’s go,” as he starts moving towards the sound of the chanting, though he will hang back a bit if stealthier ones wish to go first.

"Agreed," Astrid says, after sending the wolverines on their way. "Right behind you."

Shrugging, Guiness says, ”Good enough for me. Let’s go,” as he starts moving towards the sound of the chanting, though he will hang back a bit if stealthier ones wish to go first.

"He means us." Kellek says to Colvyn frankly.

Brother_Guiness wrote:

Shrugging, Guiness says, ”Good enough for me. Let’s go,” as he starts moving towards the sound of the chanting, though he will hang back a bit if stealthier ones wish to go first.

"He means us." Kellek says to Colvyn frankly.

"Right" Colvyn heads down the corridor that Guiness was about to walk into. While he is using stealth, he moves slightly faster then normal.

Stealth, faster move: 1d20 + 19 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 19 - 5 = 27

This foul-smelling cave is littered with an appalling number of dried out body parts, twisted fetishes, and general filth. Mounds of candles and candle wax cover much of the remaining floor and walls. A huge cauldron lies bubbling with sludge over a sputtering fire in a nook to the north. However, the most horrible aspect of the room are its three occupants.

Three grotesque women float near the center of this room. One (green) is a large, hump-backed brute covered in pustules and with oversized talons sprouting from stubby arms. The second (blue) is short and small, with a cloud of wild gray hair and lightning sparking from her eyes and hands. The last (purple) has a gaunt frame, long demonic horns, and milky white eyes. The two smaller hags immediately notice Colvyn.

They speak in common, each one right after the previous, their voices a painful screech.

"You come."
"They come"
"We will be beautiful once more."
"One... one is mine."
"No, she isn't. You'll not change the terms now. We agreed."
"You wretched thief, you know I called her."
"We ALL-"

While they argue, Colvyn has been forgotten, at least for a few moments!

"Well?" Kellek hisses a loud whisper to Colvyn.

Colvyn slowly steps away from the three crazy women and rejoin the group.

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22

"Three very ugly women... Like very ugly..." Colvyn shudder at the though of those three. "Most likely hags, you since there are three of them, but I don't know for sure. They do know we are coming, so no point of trying to sneak in there. Kargas and Guiness can just charge in there."

”Are we sure they are in league with the ogres? Are they in need of a good killing?” he asks Colvyn.

The hags loudly continue their argument about who gets which victim when all is said and done.

Balls in your court :)

Kellek casts a cantrip and moves quietly over to get a better view. Casts detect magic

"Colvyn, get out of the way." As he moves down the steps Kellek gives Guiness the look he usually reserves for Kargas.

They might have a hag's eye....

stealth: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

When and if he can see them he focuses his spell on them and the area around them, and IDs them by taking 10 on whatever knowledge skill check is required (see above for modifiers).

”Are we sure they are in league with the ogres? Are they in need of a good killing?” he asks Colvyn.

"You are joking right? Everything we faced so far as been evil. We let that water troll lived, and I still wonder why. Those thing down there are living with a bunch of ogres and talking about which of our corpse they are going to keep as trophy. They definitely need killing!"

Colvyn waits for Kellek to be done with his magic thing.

"Just making sure, Colvyn--you heard them talk, I didn't. If they are talking which of us they wish to kill and keep as a trophy, that's good enough for me," responds Guiness.

Gripping his hammer and ensuring its fire is burning bright, he says, "No time like the present, eh? Let's go," although he notices Kellek is doing something and waits for him to finish first.

Moving into the room and getting a clear charging lane once Kellek is done, then running up on the nearest had and swinging! Will wait to roll until I see if he gets an attack the first round...

The brutish hag chortles, saliva sloshing from her mouth. The sparking hag shies away, nodding to the demonic hag before calling out "Astrid dearie, come, come let me see you."

Guiness, I've moved you up as you would have had a moment while they were talking still. Colvyn, same for you if you want it.

|||| INIT ||||
Kellek
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
Brutish Hag
Crackling Hag
Demonic Hag
Astrid
Colvyn
Guiness

As previously mentioned, all three hags are floating in the air. They're 10 feet off the ground.

"Did I hear that right? Someone called me 'little'? I haven't been 'little' since I was..." Kargas rounds the corner and pauses when he sees the brutish hag towering over the others. "Well that's cheating." Kargas' lightning wings flare out and the half-orc launches himself up at her!

Rage-flying right up to Brutish Hag and giving her the ol' what-for! Rage, Power Attack & Furious Focus, Arcane Strike
PwrAtk: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37 Damage: 2d4 + 21 ⇒ (2, 1) + 21 = 24
Confirm?!: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22 Crit?!: 2d4 + 21 ⇒ (1, 2) + 21 = 24

Kargas catches the brutish hag completely by surprise with both his flight and his ferocity! His blow carves deep into her torso, leaving her screaming and howling with agony. "YOU YOU! YOU HURT ME! I'LL TEAR YOUR LITTLE ARMS OFF!"

Giving Kellek a bit more time because this first round is likely to be key

|||| INIT ||||
Kellek
Kargas (18 dmg, 1 images)
Brutish Green Hag (48 dmg)
Crackling Blue Hag
Demonic Purple Hag
Astrid
Colvyn
Guiness