Revival of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

"Here are a few more magical giant clubs with spikes driven through them." Kellek says layering on another few 20-pound logs onto Kargas's load.

Sounds like a plan! If you haven't already, go ahead and refresh your HP and other resources, as well as prep spells. We'll pick up with the following day once we get going.

The following morning, you load yourselves up with all your spoils of this campaign against the ogres, then make a circle around Kellek. With a single cast of his new teleportation magic, you're whisked away across Varisia.

~~~~~

The old boards of Sandpoint's docks creak under the sudden weight of the five heroes that abruptly find themselves upon them. The sun hangs low in the sky and you feel a slight chill in the air. It's a brisk morning here in Sandpoint. As you gain your bearings you quickly recognize that nothing seems to have happened to the town, at least nothing like the raid promised in the missive Barl Breakbones received, or at least... not yet. Down the street from the docks, you can see the reassuring sign of the Rusty Dragon, swaying in the breeze. It seems that everything is as you left it back when you left for Magnimar several weeks ago.

See slide 39 of Handouts for a refresher on the layout of Sandpoint

Quite a few people are out and about this morning, starting their regular routine. Your sudden appearance here earns more than one double take or rub of the eyeballs. Then shock turns to confusion among the members of the public, until a familiar face starts hobbling his way toward you.

Brodert Quink adjusts his glasses and squints "Hmm! I've only ready about it, but that just had all the hallmarks of some sort of ancient Thassilonian teleportation magic." He looks at you more carefully "Ah, Kargas and Colvyn, and your associates. Welcome back, welcome back. I heard you went down for a quick jaunt to Magnimar. A fine city, that is." He nods to himself, totally at ease.

Turning to Kargas, Guiness says, ”Looks like we made it in time, thanks to Kellek’s powerful magic. Where should we go first? I’m not sure what call there is for giant arms and armor in Sandpoint, but I expect someone will have an idea.”

”Well done, Kellek,” says the dwarf, not all that comfortable with magical transport but happy for the powerful mage’s skill in its weaving.

"Well, Kargas will most likely go for the inn. Kellek will do what he always do, drink some awful tea. I will head to the sheriff. I suggest the rest of you head to the temple to gather the priest and we all rejoin at the mayor office?" With that said, Colvyn heads out to the Garrison.

"So this is Sandpoint, huh? I've never been this far west," Astrid says, turning this way and that to get a look at the town around her.

Brodert's appellation of "associate" earns a smile from her, and she turns to Muninn.

"Hear that, Muninn? We've been promoted."

The bird tilts his head at her quizzically before turning to Brodert and croaking out a single word.

"Raise! Raise! Raise!"

Fun bit of trivia: in Golarion a group of ravens is called a "union"

"Take it up with your boss, bird!" Proving Colvyn right, Kargas barely manages an acknowledging grunt and not for Brodert Quink before striding past the old scholar toward the Rusty Dragon Inn.

With Brodert largely ignored, he mutters something about the lack of politeness in the younger generation and continues on his way down the dock. Following Colvyn's suggestion, you split up in search of the town's leadership.

Kargas heads straight for the Rusty Dragon. The building is quiet, as it usually is in the morning. He swings open the doors and sees Ameiko sitting at one of the tables in the common area together with another woman he recognizes as one of the servers. The two of them are hard at work peeling vegetables - at least until Ameiko looks up and spots Kargas entering. She positively glows as she delivers a broad smile to the Rusty Dragon's latest guest. Rather than set her work down, she kicks out a chair and points her head toward it. "Come and take the load off. We wouldn't mind some help either, if you can settle for peeling in place of taking out heads of cults over in Magnimar!"

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Meanwhile, the rest of the team splits up and locates Sheriff Hemlock, Father Zantus and Mayor Deverin. As heroes of the town, it doesn't take Colvyn and Guiness more than a few words to convince each to drop what they're currently doing in order to discuss something with the group. You gather them all at the mayor's office. Once there, Father Zantus opens with "I'd welcome you back from your journey, but from the looks in your eyes, you've something that can't wait. Something dangerous, I'd hazard."

Guiness meets Father Zantus’ gaze, and a melancholy mood washes over him. He says, quietly, ”There is urgent news of an immanent attack on Sandpoint, Father Zantus, as well as other sad news.”

He continues solemnly, ”Floredana sacrificed herself to save us and the people of Turtleback Ferry from the Terror of Storval Deep, giving herself over to Desna to rise as the Night Monarch. She was lost to the depths, locked in a titanic struggle with the monstrosity, and never returned”

"Floredana..." Zantus' face clouds as Guiness explains. As the story continues, the priest visibly forces himself together "To combat an evil as ancient and powerful as Black Magga... you've all been through so much. Desna's protection and guidance allowed you to face such a beast and prevail, but the power of the Night Monarch was never meant for us mortals to channel." He closes his eyes, sighing. "She was a noble girl. I thought one day she would come back and take over from me."

A long moment of silence washes over the group before Mayor Deverin speaks up "Floredana will be missed. By all of us." She looks to Guiness "But it sounds as though we will have to leave mourning her for later. Tell us about this imminent attack. What is coming?"

”It seems the giants are setting attack plans in motion,” responds Guiness. Assuming the blood ranger has joined the gathering by this point, he calls over to his friend, asking, ”Kargas, do you still have those hide scrolls?”

"Giants!" Eyes go wide across the town's leaders. It's clear enough that they weren't expecting something of that caliber.

Turning to Kargas, Guiness says, ”Looks like we made it in time, thanks to Kellek’s powerful magic. Where should we go first? I’m not sure what call there is for giant arms and armor in Sandpoint, but I expect someone will have an idea.”

”Well done, Kellek,” says the dwarf, not all that comfortable with magical transport but happy for the powerful mage’s skill in its weaving.

"Why thank you, Guiness...." Kellek says to Guiness through clenched teeth.

bluff (pass secret message to the party, DC 15-ish): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

He forces a smile through his expression at Quink before leaving.

"Well, Kargas will most likely go for the inn. Kellek will do what he always do, drink some awful tea...." With that said, Colvyn heads out to the Garrison.

"It's called 'coffee.'" says the wizard. "Now I must go to find some special magical crystals. I will be along shortly."

If the town is large enough, Kellek finds someplace to sell his spare headband. With any luck after the trade the trader will be killed by giants, the party will find it again, and then trade it again in some other town. ;)

Grinning like a fool, Kargas takes the offered seat and picks up a peeler. "Yeah, I missed you too," he doesn't quite meet her eyes when he says it, instead starting in on the stack of unpeeled vegetables.

Astrid raises her hands in a placating gesture. "Giants are a serious issue, to be sure, but we've defeated more than our fair share over the last few days."

Since it looks like Kargas might be a bit occupied in the separate scene, lets assume he passed on the scrolls ahead of time.
@Kellek: You'll be able to sell your headband, as the purchase limit is 7.5k gp
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With the leaders:
You spread out the scrolls and the town's leaders take a while to inspect the most pressing ones. Sheriff Hemlock knows enough giant to read it out loud to the group. After the reading is done, they exchange glances and them look to your group. Mayor Deverin comments "They may not be a dire threat to yourselves, but the town's guards have tested themselves against bandits, goblins, or the occasional troll." Hemlock takes over "But a fight against giants is going to be quite different. I'll need to start training them right away - if only to make sure any such attack doesn't immediately break their will to fight."

The Mayor speaks up again. "Do you know when this attack is coming? We'll need to send word to Shalelu and Rig - they've been out investigating reports of bugbear sightings to the southeast."

------

With Ameiko:
Ameiko settles back to peel. She casts glances every so often at Kargas, a friendly smirk on her lips as she watches him work. She otherwise stays silent for a couple of minutes while working through most of pile on the table. The serving woman looks awkwardly between the two of you and then excuses herself to continue other prep in the kitchen.

Ameiko spins the knife in her hand for a moment and then points it at Kargas "So it went well then? Problems all solved?" She narrows her eyes "I hope you're not about to say you're stopping in town for only a day and then heading off against some other danger." She quiets as she continues to speak.

With the leaders:
You spread out the scrolls and the town's leaders take a while to inspect the most pressing ones. Sheriff Hemlock knows enough giant to read it out loud to the group. After the reading is done, they exchange glances and them look to your group. Mayor Deverin comments "They may not be a dire threat to yourselves, but the town's guards have tested themselves against bandits, goblins, or the occasional troll." Hemlock takes over "But a fight against giants is going to be quite different. I'll need to start training them right away - if only to make sure any such attack doesn't immediately break their will to fight."

The Mayor speaks up again. "Do you know when this attack is coming? We'll need to send word to Shalelu and Rig - they've been out investigating reports of bugbear sightings to the southeast."

Colvyn nods at the words of the sheriff. "Giant are tougher than goblins, that's for sure. But it isn't the part that is worrying me. This does." He points at the word Dragon on the scroll. Giants are still earthbound and can fall in pit traps and be slowed down with walls and spikes. That one can just fly in town and kill from behind the line."

He looks around the table. "That's why I would suggest we evacuate the town. Anyone not able to help in a fight should get away from here. Maybe have a small escort to make sure they stay safe from the usual small problems like the goblins and such."

He look at the table, moving some stuff around to make a quick map of the region. "We don't know their numbers and what weapon they have. But the terrain is ours. We can make some traps at the bridges. The forest at the northern wall needs to be cut back. The wood gained from that will need to be used in three way. One, make some braces against the wall. Two, make some spiked barricades to be place in open area. Three, place some spikes in the water near the edge. Making sure that they can't be seen so that the giants will walk right into them."

"Lastly, aside from us, no one is to face a giant directly. The tactic here should be hit and run. If ever the fight do turn into a melee, it should probably be here." He points at the old light. "This way, we can still evacuate to chopper's island and then run out into the sea with boat that will be hidden there. We can afford to loose some buildings, but not the people. They are what make Sandpoint what it is."

"As for Shalelu and Rig, I can try to track them down. I will just have to make another stop in town before I go." Colvyn looks determined but somewhat a bit confused at his long speech.

Astrid has the good grace to look chagrined by the Mayor's comments. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to trivialize the threat you face. I was trying to be reassuring, since you'll have us fighting alongside you. Do you have any particularly promising warriors among you? I could lay an enchantment on about half a dozen of them that would make them more effective fighters against giants, at least."

Rig!

Kargas' elation drops as the reason for his return comes up. "Well...I'll be in Sandpoint for a while, but some bad news followed us back. The cult in Magnimar is handled, but it turns out there were more--one was in a backwater called Turtleback Ferry and they had giant muscle to back them up. It was a bloody mess but we took care of it...and we found a letter from the giant's leader saying they sent a band here, to Sandpoint. I'd hoped Turtle Ferry would be the end of it, but it seems whoever's calling the shots for the cult is still out there."

He sighs, finally meeting her eyes. "I'll be here to defend Sandpoint, but this will be twice now that the town's been threatened by this a*&*@$#'s schemes. Someone will need to find them and put an end to this--to make you all safe again."

With the leaders:

The Mayor speaks up again. "Do you know when this attack is coming? We'll need to send word to Shalelu and Rig - they've been out investigating reports of bugbear sightings to the southeast."

"Interesting that you would sight them before the giants." Kellek muses. "Do you have anyone watching northward?"

"SURE! We have Squinty the Morlock keeping a lookout up there!"

The Mayor frowns in concentration as Colvyn explains his plan "Yes, with a dragon, we'd be best off with the townsfolk somewhere safe. We could relay an evacuation plan, make sure the retreat is orderly. Of course, people won't want to evacuate and live out in the wilderness until word comes that this raiding party is approaching. Otherwise, who knows how long they'd need to be out living off the land." She steps back to think through the logistics and Hemlock picks up the thread. "Hmm, you're suggesting a major fortification. Assuming we have time, quite doable, but we'll need everyone in the guard working." He nods to Colvyn "Everyone in the guard is trained with a bow, and I dare say no one is too eager to try to face a giant up close anyway. And with this young miss' enchantment, they might be able to land some shots as well." He gestures to Astrid.

Father Zantus comments "A good plan. Desna preserve us 'til the time we can put it into practice."

At Kellek's question, Hemlock answers "The walls are manned, as they have been since the goblin raid and ghoul outbreak. But the view from there is somewhat limited. We've often relied of our rangers to get advance notice."
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At the Rusty Dragon, Ameiko grows serious as Kargas explains the situation. She sets her work down and leans back in her chair. Once he finishes, she silent for a long while.

"Of course there's more trouble." Her voice is soft. "If its coming to Sandpoint, then I'll be defending it with you."

"Guards? I was more thinking every man and woman able to swing an axe. The first step would be the trees. Once that is done, we can prioritize the next construction we need. Hopefully, by then, we will have an idea of how long we have." He thinks for a second or two. "How safe is the ruins of the old light. Would someone be able to stand up there to observe the region? I can't think that an army of giant can be all that stealthy."

Father Zantus's invocation draws a broad smile across Astrid's face. "'Be ready for challenges and unexpected friends.' The North Star must surely be with us here."

"I'll be more useful in combating the giants on the ground. If you have anyone who wants to train as heavy infantry, I'm your dwarf," contributes Guiness, adding, "In the meantime, I can help out with any metal weapons or armor you may need crafted."

Once we have some cash distributed, Guiness would like to refill his flask of CLW (16 potions worth) and his cask of dwarven ale. He may look for other items of use, too, but I have very little coin on his character sheet right now.

The Mayor nods "Maybe in less dire circumstances, we'd keep this secret from the townsfolk to prevent panic. But what we need now is everyone's help. Maybe once people have axes in their hands, they won't have time to think about the giants on the way." Hemlock hesitates, but eventually nods.

"As for the Old Light, that ruin doesn't make the safest of lookout locations. For someone adept at magic or a virtuosic and stout hearted climber, its tip could likely afford good views. But we'll have to settle for the height of the walls."

The top of the ruins of the old light is 50ft up - a pretty good lookout spot but precarious and likely to collapse further.
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Sounds like we're building up some ideas. How I'm thinking of running this is - each person decides what they want to lead (ie. clearing forest, looking for Rig and Shalelu, improving armaments for the town, etc). Then once we have roles, I'll ask for rolls based on those. And then we'll find out how much time you have :)

"Too bad about the tower, might be something you want to repair in the future." He starts to gather his things and turns to the mayor before stepping out. "After my short stop in town, I will head out to find Rig and Shalelu. While she might be a bit harder to find, I should be able to track Rig well enough."

More to come about his stop later.

Tracking Rig: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

”Send any who want to form up an infantry to me, and I will have them ready to take on whatever comes by land while the others deal with airborne threats,” volunteers Guiness.

”Let me look over the equipment and make any repairs needed as well—to defend well, one must be equipped well,” he adds.

(Possibly some kind of fighting or Profession/Soldier roll, then his Craft/Metalworking?)

Exiting the meeting, Colvyn heads toward the docks. Once there, he walks into the Fatman's Feedbag. He looks around until he locates the man he was looking for. Jubrayl Vhiski, he only encountered the man once, but from what he remembers, the man might be an asset if properly motivated. Colvyn approached the man. "We would need to talk in private." If the man agrees, Colvyn follows him, then once they are in private, he exposes his idea to the man.

"Listen, we both know you are more than you appears to be." If the man start to object, Colvyn raises his hand to quiet him in a reassuring way. "I don't care what you do here. What I do care is that you might have ressources that others don't have, and right now, we might need that. Soon you will hear that there is an army of giant heading here. Preparation will be made and my group will face them. What we need right now, however, is eyes and ears. We know they are coming, we just don't know went. I am hoping that you would be willing to use some of your ressource to fill in that gap. At the same time, if you could slow them down by disrupting their supply chain, it would be even better. I remember what I saw in that room downstairs and never told anyone, not even my colleagues. So I ask you, will you help Sandpoint, even if it is from the shadow?"

@GM. I know that NPC was introduced by a different GM, but I keep that in memory in case Colvyn ever needed a connection to what he assume is the underground society of Sandpoint. If you don't want to go that way, then ignore this and just assume that Colvyn headed straight out of town to find Rig.

"Of course there's more trouble." Her voice is soft. "If its coming to Sandpoint, then I'll be defending it with you."

"I know," Kargas has also gone quiet. "I...I really like this town, and you." He hesitates, then thinks Ah Hells with it then and plunges ahead. "I don't have a lot of experience with people who support and trust and l...love each other. Except for Ma and Uncle Kerchak there wasn't much of that to be seen. I think I've gotten a taste for it. Lately the town's in danger, and I'm a good fighter so I can protect it. But after...after all this, I'd like there to still be a place for me here, even when a fighter isn't needed." He exhales slowly, and meets Ameiko's eyes. "I dunno if you feel the same way I do, Ameiko. Even if you do, I dunno if it'd work. But I'd sure like to find out."

Well, still waiting on two people's actions, but I think it's been more than long enough. I'll update for you three first.

Colvyn, I don't have the whole history with Jubrayl, so please excuse any inconsistencies. Otherwise, love the idea! I'll keep a hold of your action to track down Rig for after we wrap this up.
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Sheriff Hemlock agrees to Guiness' suggestion, saying "I know the guards will be honored to have your aid, with equipment and otherwise. Once we tell everyone about the incoming giant raid, they'd also probably benefit from some moral support. Knowing they'll be fighting alongside a hero of Sandpoint will help keep them calm and focused."

Both Profession (soldier) and Craft (metalworking) sounds like fine skills to roll. You can pick one. A good result will give the town guard a bit of an edge in the incoming battle.
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Colvyn finds his way back to the Fatman's Feedbag. The place seems different from the few months ago that he'd last visited - somehow dingier and with a more on-edge clientele. But that may just be thanks to the new perspective gained over the party's adventures. In any case, locating Jubrayl is easy - the man looks up from a seat in the corner of the common room. He gives Colvyn a slick smile upon being asked for, and acquiesces to a private talk with one of the 'heroes of Sandpoint'.

Once in the back, he listens to the combination threat and request while chewing on a wood splinter. "I heard about that giant raid. Seems people are getting serious about it. And with the heroes of Sandpoint back, I don't think we've got much to worry about, huh. Still, considering your ongoing discretion regarding things here, I suppose I could pull a couple of favors in..." He starts picking at his nails. "The kind of things you're asking for are expensive though. A few donations for some hardworking sailors and dockhands would go a long way, if you get me."

In addition to providing some funds for the effort, you can roll a social skill to help convince him.
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Kargas' uneven confession is met with increasingly wide eyes from Ameiko before she looks away. She glances back at him several times as he speaks, and is quiet for a while after he stops. When she does speak, she stumbles over her words rather uncharacteristically "That, that'd be good, I think. I mean, well... I don't know if I love you, but I- you're-." She meets Kargas' gaze "I think you're someone special. To me, that is. You're always welcome back here."

A clatter from the kitchen causes her to half jump out of her chair, then say more loudly "We've still got a lot to prepare for the midday rush, so I'll leave you to it. Though, come back for dinner. Alright?" You hear a chuckle from the kitchen as she speaks, earning a scowl from Ameiko.

Kargas sits at the table for a long moment after Ameiko leaves for the kitchen, losing the battle to contain his grin. He does manage to restrain himself to a small whoop even once he's outside.

"Alright, what's the plan? Trees? You want me to chop trees? Ha, watch this!" Armed with an adamantine sword and an indestructible boost to his mood, the half-orc tirelessly drives the treeline back.

Craft-Metalworking: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (5) - 2 = 3
Great, instead of convincing him to help us, he's just going to slice my throat and dump me in the river.

"See, I'm not even going to ask how you got wind of the attack, but I believe that the survival of this town is good for both our future. Now, here's five hundred golds to help get things moving. Maybe after this is over, we will be able to help out each other again. Now, I have to head out of town. We have two allies in the field that needs to be back here to help with the defense. So, unless there is anything else, I'll be going." He drops a purse of gold on the table, waits a second to see if the man has more to say, then walks out.

Certainly with a few days and an adamantine sword at your disposal Kargas, you can clear quite a lot of woodland! Please jot down the area you're clearing on our Sandpoint map on slide 2. Also, what would you want to do after several days of clearing the woods to the north-east edge of town?
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Over the course of a few days, Guiness is delivered several waves of weapons and tools belonging to the guard and a few locals that volunteer to act as a second (or third) line of defense if something goes wrong. The equipment is in a sorry state by his standards, but some work in the forge manages to restore a good portion to a reasonable shape and function. If fighting breaks out up close and personal for the townsfolks, they'll at least have a fighting chance. Hopefully.

(Feel free to pursue another action Guiness)
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Jubrayl's eyes follow the hefty pursue of gold, then go back up to Colvyn's face. It seems like whatever Colvyn just said barely registered for the man. Still, he says "Gold like this can get you some good service. I'll make sure you feel like it was worth your while. Come back in a week and I'll fill you in on what we've learned, alright?" and pockets to gold.

With Jubrayl bought, Colvyn's able to head out of town in pursuit of Rig and Shalelu. The southern farmlands, where the group first investigated the spread of ghoul fever threatening Sandpoint, are far more peaceful than the last time you were there. A few brief inquiries with the local farmers gives you a direction to search for Rig and Shalelu - the eastern reach - after which, it doesn't take you more than a few days to pick up signs of Rig and Shalelu's campsites.

From there tracking Rig's passage is relatively easy. By evening you arrive at their camp, where Shalelu and Rig, as well as a large hound, are eating around a fire. You draw the hound's attention as you approach, but when Rig recognizes you, he stands up with a grin. "Colvyn! Talk about a pleasant surprise. What brings you all the way out to the moors? And to tracking us down."

Astrid, after spending much of the day familiarizing herself with the town, begins work on her own project to improve the town's passive defenses. Beginning with the town's side of the bridges across the river, she conjures crude stone battlements into place, further refining them with another spell to place handholds for defenders to climb and arrow slits for them to attack through.

I'm using wall of stone to build the walls, then stone shape to add defensive features. I'd like to also shape gates into them if possible so I'm not accidentally cutting the town off from the far side. If I have anything left over I'd like to extend the town's existing walls the remaining distance to the river. I hope I've explained myself properly, but let me know if I didn't! Thanks for your patience!

Having finished with repairing the town’s metal weapons and gear, Guiness gets the infantry together and begins drills—nothing fancy, just the basics (take 10 for a 15 Profession/Soldier).

Once he feels they are ready, Guiness petitions Kellek or another spellcaster in town to make illusory giants for his squads to fight. He works on tactics—both defensive and offensive—”They are big and strong, but slow. You have to dodge or deflect their blows at a very shallow angle, then rush in and attack their knees or hamstrings. Once they fall down, they lose much of their leverage and we can swarm over them and kill them with many blows.”

(Demonstrating attack and defense against the illusion for his squad, then guiding them along the same methods)

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Jubrayl's eyes follow the hefty pursue of gold, then go back up to Colvyn's face. It seems like whatever Colvyn just said barely registered for the man. Still, he says "Gold like this can get you some good service. I'll make sure you feel like it was worth your while. Come back in a week and I'll fill you in on what we've learned, alright?" and pockets to gold.

With Jubrayl bought, Colvyn's able to head out of town in pursuit of Rig and Shalelu. The southern farmlands, where the group first investigated the spread of ghoul fever threatening Sandpoint, are far more peaceful than the last time you were there. A few brief inquiries with the local farmers gives you a direction to search for Rig and Shalelu - the eastern reach - after which, it doesn't take you more than a few days to pick up signs of Rig and Shalelu's campsites.

From there tracking Rig's passage is relatively easy. By evening you arrive at their camp, where Shalelu and Rig, as well as a large hound, are eating around a fire. You draw the hound's attention as you approach, but when Rig recognizes you, he stands up with a grin. "Colvyn! Talk about a pleasant surprise. What brings you all the way out to the moors? And to tracking us down."

Finally catching up with Rig, Colvyn waves as he gets closer to the camp. "Sadly, I'm not for a friendly visit. We need the both of you back to town asap. Whatever you were investigating down here can wait. Bugbear or other nuisance doesn't compare to what is on its way to Sandpoint as we speak. Our investigation in Magnimar got us all the way to Hook mountain. There we learned that an army of giants were on their way here. We don't know how far they are, but we need to get the town ready, and that means having the two of you with us." He let's them digest this bad news for a minute. Then he looks sad as his eyes look at the ground. "Also, we lost Floredana. She sacrificed herself to save a small village from a monster like no other. Her plan worked, but now she is with Desna."

Go ahead and draw in your fortifications on the map Astrid! And also give me a skill check you think would be appropriate for designing good defensible walls/battlements. It could be craft related or knowledge related, or anything else you think might work.
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A few days of drilling with Guiness doesn't turn the town guard into blademasters, but it certainly imbues them with a stronger self-confidence. With luck, that confidence will result in remembering some of Guiness' advice on taking down giants in the middle of combat.
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Rig and Shalelu are taken aback by Colvyn's frank and urgent warnings, and Rig in particular is caught by surprise by the mention of Floredana's sacrifice. He stares out into the night for a while before saying "Seems like I missed out on a lot. But we can catch up on the way back. If there's an army marching on Sandpoint, we've got no time to waste."

After packing up their camp, they join Colvyn in trekking back to Sandpoint.

Totally spaced on that. Would it be okay to have cast tears to wine first? I'd share! :P

Craft (Stonemasonry?), Guidance+Tears to Wine: 1d20 + 1 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 1 + 5 = 20

All good Astrid.

I'll wait another day to see what Kargas is clearing, as well as any other actions he's planning to take. Kellek, you can assume you have 1 week to scribe scrolls and complete work. Let us know if you have any other actions you want to take to reinforce the town.

Hacking each tree off a foot and a half (or so) from the ground, Kargas cut down several dozen trees that had grown close to the town wall to the north. For several hours he labors, leaving a tangled logjam of fallen trees behind him. Once that is done, the half-orc collects several dozen reasonably straight branches and quickly sharpens them into crude stakes that he hands off to a work crew to plant around the town.

He repeats this process for the next several days, even dragging several fallen trees into more useful places--though that takes considerably longer.

OK, I think its time to move us forward.
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Over the course of several days, the town's new defensive fortifications and other preparations take shape. Along with them, a sense of trepidation settles over the town. The new walls blocking easy entrance and exit from the town for merchant wagons become a constant reminder that an attack could come at any time and with little warning. The assurances that the town guard will keep vigilant watch do little to dispel the growing concern.

Colvyn, Rig and Shalelu return back the fourth day, and its not long after they're back that Shalelu starts making day-long forays into the wilderness near Sandpoint to search for any signs of advance giant scouts or hunters. Each day, she returns for the evening meal without any news. She assures the town leadership that if the giants are close, she'll stand a good chance to finding them.

It's on the sixth day back in town that you're woken up just before dawn by a panicked guard who asks you to come urgently to the Cathedral.

Once there, you see Father Zantus, Sheriff Hemlock and a pale-faced youth dressed in mottled browns and greys and sporting an arm broken and mangled from the shoulder down, with his forearm and lower all but missing. Colvyn vaguely recognizes the youth as one he saw several days ago at the Fatman's Feedbag. The youth's eyes crack open as he hears you all coming and he croaks "Saw them. Buggers nailed... my arm... with an effin' boulder. Chased me... I lost 'em but... they're close. Real close. Dozens. Giants, huge bears, something... flyin'." He grits his teeth, trying not to pass out, as Zantus utters a healing spell to try to keep the boy alive.

Hemlock looks up at you all. He murmurs "It's time then. I'll rouse the town, get people away from danger as much as possible. The guards will hold where they can, but we'll need you!"

The Cathedral's bell begins to toll.

So, you have 10 minutes before the first event begins and we drop into combat rounds. That's 10 minutes to prepare however you like. If you have spells, you should have whatever you would have prepared the previous day - there wasn't enough time between being woken up and the raid arriving to spend 1 hour preparing.

I've moved your tokens to the map page. Please move yourselves to wherever you want to be once the 10 minutes have elapsed. Let me know if you have any questions about this prep period.

Guiness checks to ensure his holy symbol flask is topped off with CLW, then says to his gathered infantry, "Alright, time to put our training into effect. After the prayer, move out to your assigned positions--Alpha Company with me to the best known approach of the enemy ground units, Bravo and Charlie companies reinforce the guards but be ready to move rapidly to address any ground-based threats along the walls, and Delta company--you're my rapid response force--keep watch around the cathedral and race to address any ground-based enemies that may unexpectedly arrive within the town."

Do we have a feel for the direction from which the main force is approaching? I expect to move Guiness to that location, just inside whichever gate is closest.

"Father Zantus, I would appreciate any prayer you could offer for the infantry before we depart," says Guiness, looking also to his allies for their preparations and where his might fit in with theirs. He adds darkly, "The only way they could have gotten so close with no warning from our scouts is by powerful magic. We must beware of enemy spellcasters."

"And don't bunch up!" Kargas barks at the assembled militia as he strides up, mithral armor gleaming and and falchion unsheathed, resting on his shoulder. "If you see more'n two or three giants in a group just try to delay them, don't get yourselves killed before we can come handle it."

"The only way they could have gotten so close with no warning from our scouts is by powerful magic. We must beware of enemy spellcasters."

"Maybe, but I don't think so. Giants aren't quick, but that doesn't mean they aren't fast. They can cover a lot of ground--if they forced a march overnight they could have come nearly forty miles. Still, never hurts to keep an eye out for a gods-damned evil wizard."

Guiness, you'd know that the hired scout came from the north-east, though that isn't a guarantee that the majority of the enemy force will come from that direction. The giants are not currently visible from the town.

Father Zantus offers prayers to the few gathered guards and the townsfolk who emerged upon word that the attack was imminent. In total, its little more than two dozen - certainly not enough for several companies. Nevertheless, they look buoyed to be referred to as such by Guiness, and they split up to gather their weapons and armor in advance of the assault.

For the incoming raid, any militia or town guard serve mostly to slow the attack. Thanks to Guiness' work with them, they may hold for a bit longer than they would otherwise. But ultimately they're not much of a match for giants, no matter their tactics.
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Holding to give the rest of the party a chance to place themselves and prepare. We'll continue once we have at least 4/5 ready.

Astrid spends a few moments in whispered prayer before setting about her part of the plan. "The North Star is with you, Kargas," she tells the half-orc, as she lays a protective enchantment upon him. Next, she turns to Guiness. "And with you, Guinness." And so she goes, laying all manner of divine boons upon herself and her allies. Finally, once the battle is imminent, she ascends to the top of the western fortifications, ready to move to where she is needed.

I'll start with hunter's blessing on everyone, vs humanoid (giants) and Urban terrain (I think that fits best here? IDK). Next, overland flight on myself. Then freedom of movement on Kargas. Finally, once it's clear that the battle will begin any minute, I'll cast bless, moment of greatness, and communal resist energy (fire 20) on everyone. Ironskin for myself, then shield of faith on Kargas and fly for Guinness. I think that covers everything I can reasonably cast before the fight breaks out.

"Oh! And, uh, also with you?"

Kargas will cast Mirror Image and Shield, in that order, the moment hostiles are seen. Once we're in the fight he's going to cast Brow Gasher and go dragon hunting.

Two dozen means we have 6 in “Alpha” company to hold the northeastern gate where the bulk of the Giants are expected, 12 to man the walls in “Bravo” and “Charlie” company, and 6 to act as a rapid response team (read messengers, really) in the “Delta” team if anything pops up inside the town. Warning us and slowing down the giant advance is fine, as that will hopefully give us time to get there and kick butt. Despite their training as infantry, Guiness has trained them to at least start with archery from the town walls until a breach occurs.

With preparations done, Guiness moves to the northeast gate and has Alpha company man the walls around and above the gate, their newly repaired weaponry ready to go. “Take what shots you can while the giants are in range, using the cover of the walls while they stand. When the first wall collapses, scatter and reform as a unit inside the walls, ready to help us defend the town in close combat,” he advises.

The Raid Begins - Round 1

While the militia and town guard trot to get into position following Guiness' orders, your team all come together and head for the northern gate. Astrid ascends to stand atop the wall and casts her long-duration preparatory spells, as does Kargas next to her. (Kargas don't forget to roll your images)

There's no sign of giants for several more minutes... until you suddenly see a flock of birds rising in a panic from the woods 300 feet away. (This is the far top left corner of the map) Astrid seizes upon the sign to cast shorter duration buffs. A few seconds later, the first of the boulders start flying out of the distant woods toward the town's walls! Most fall short or strike and glance off the northern wall, but several sail past and smash the roofs of houses inside town. The giants that threw them are nowhere in sight - the woods are providing them complete cover.

|||| STATUS |||||
Guiness (fly)
Kargas (mirror image, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement)
Astrid (overland flight, ironskin)
Colvyn
Kellek
4+ Giants @ Yellow A

Group Buffs: Hunter's blessing vs giants and urban, bless, moment of greatness, resist fire 20)

”Hold the walls,” says Guiness to the troops, ”Our strike team will flush them out into the open so you get some good shots,” he adds.

(Thinking this is just a probe of our defenses, so we shouldn’t all abandon the wall, but we can’t just let them take pot shots from cover…)

”Who’s with me?” calls Guiness with a fierce smile directed at Kargas, then he takes flight and skims across the surface of the cleared stumps (well below tree level), headed as straight as an arrow towards the source of the stone throwing.

(Fly double move of 120 feet, looking for giants or any other foes)

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26