Guiness' shout echoes across town, and for a few moments you hear only the sounds of burning buildings and wails from the south where the townsfolk were most seriously injured. Then a couple of shouts from the south reply "All clear!". There's no response from the north. Guiness' bird's eye view reveals townsfolk moving about to address the fires that have started up thanks to the dragon's work. He doesn't spot any additional giants.
While Astrid delivers her spell, the giants to the west start moving. Two of them scramble free of the stinking cloud. The blinded giant takes extra time to do so, but the other one has a moment to deliver another hurled stone.
Kellek Reflex:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Kellek dodges the projectile as it tumbles through the air.
There's no sign of the giant leader.
|||| STATUS - ROUND 22 |||||
Guiness (fly) (68 dmg)
Kargas (2 image, holy lance, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement) (74 dmg) x2
Astrid (div fav, overland flight, ironskin)
Colvyn (divine favor, shield of wings, weapon of awe, bear's endurance) (20 dmg)
Kellek (images 4, mage armor, fly)
2 Stone Giants (53 dmg, 36 dmg + blinded) + 1 Giant Leader (47 dmg) @ Yellow E
Group Buffs: Hunter's blessing vs giants and urban, bless, moment of greatness, resist fire 20, haste 5rds
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Kellek shouts "Konphehte!" causing a rain of glitter to descend upon the giants before descending himself to near ground-level amid the cover of some nearby buildings.
Kellek casts glitterdust DC 17, specifically targeting the "tosser", but if he can hit them both in the spell's 20' diameter so much the better.
Guiness starts flying west now that he has enough elevation to see over the buildings and spot his companions over that direction, though he keeps watch especially to the north given the lack of response from the defenders there.
(Double move flying and Perception)
Perception to the north:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
Rounds per Day 12/24 l 112/112hp l F +12 R +8 W +7 l AC18 Touch10 FF16 CMB +16 CMD28 l Atk +18 Dmg 2d4+10
Half-Orc CN Bloodrager10 l 93/93hp, DR2/-- l F +11 R +8 W +5 l AC20 Touch12 FF18 CMB +15 CMD27 l Perc +13 l Darkvision 60ft l Init +4 l Spd30ft l Intimidate +16
Flying over to the now enshrouded ruins of the Old Light, Kargas feels the thunderbird blessing starting to slip. "Drop the cloud, wizard, I can't kill them if I can't see them!"
Double Move for both turns, unfortunately. 3 rounds of rage left for the day!
The burst of blinding glitter engulfs both of the giants. While they take on a bright glow from the dust covering them, neither giant seems particularly more impaired than before.
Guiness sees no large figures to the north. Some of the town's buildings are damaged or collapsed from the boulders that rained down earlier, and there are no people in the streets. It seems there aren't any further attackers coming in from that direction.
Both Guiness and Kargas continue to close with the giants at Old Light.
|||| STATUS - ROUND 22 |||||
Guiness (fly) (68 dmg)
Kargas (2 image, holy lance, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement) (74 dmg)
Astrid (div fav, overland flight, ironskin)
Colvyn (divine favor, shield of wings, weapon of awe, bear's endurance) (20 dmg)
Kellek (images 4, mage armor, fly)
2 Stone Giants (53 dmg, 36 dmg + blinded) + 1 Giant Leader (47 dmg) @ Yellow E
Group Buffs: Hunter's blessing vs giants and urban, bless, moment of greatness, resist fire 20, haste 4rds
With Colvyn flying in, the one still-capable giant at E throws a weighty boulder at Kargas and then takes up his mallet for a final stand. The stone arcs through the air and collides with the bloodrager, sending him into a brief spin as it cracks the bones in his shoulder. (Dealing 31 bludgeoning damage)
Kargas Reflex:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
You see the blinded giant stumbling back and trying to clear his eyes.
Perception DC25; Noticing something:
The giant leader has been absent for a while, but you notice an opening at the back of Old Light - a place where a massive stone has been shoved down into the surf below to provide a passage for someone else to get out that way.
|||| STATUS - ROUND 23 |||||
Guiness (fly) (68 dmg)
Kargas (2 image, holy lance, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement) (105 dmg)
Astrid (div fav, overland flight, ironskin) x2
Colvyn (divine favor, shield of wings, weapon of awe, bear's endurance) (20 dmg)
Kellek (images 4, mage armor, fly)
2 Stone Giants (53 dmg, 36 dmg + blinded) + 1 Giant Leader (47 dmg) @ Yellow E
Group Buffs: Hunter's blessing vs giants and urban, bless, moment of greatness, resist fire 20, haste 3rds
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Kellek flies into the closer to the ruins and unleashes a cone magic that looks like the heat ripple on a cobblestone road in the height of summer at the two remaining giants.
Kellek casts fear Will DC 19. He casts it a max range to hit them (30') elevating himself as he approaches.
While most of the group continues to converge upon the giants, Kellek delivers a spell to try to strike fear into the two towering humanoids. Defying the odds, they both manage to stand firm against the spell. Both giants throw boulders back toward Kellek, the blinded one tossing his well to the right of the wizard.
Kellek Reflex:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
The other massive chunk of masonry clips Kellek as it tumbles end-over-end. (Dealing 21 bludgeoning damage) The blinded giant slowly regains his sight.
As Astrid notes, the hole in the back of Old Light seems newly opened, and the giant leader is nowhere to be seen.
|||| STATUS - ROUND 24 |||||
Guiness (fly) (68 dmg)
Kargas (2 image, holy lance, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement) (105 dmg) x2
Astrid (overland flight, ironskin)
Colvyn (shield of wings, weapon of awe, bear's endurance) (20 dmg)
Kellek (images 4, mage armor, fly) (21 dmg)
2 Stone Giants (53 dmg, 36 dmg) @ Yellow E
1 Giant Leader (47 dmg) ???
Group Buffs: Hunter's blessing vs giants and urban, bless, moment of greatness, resist fire 20, haste 2rds
Rounds per Day 12/24 l 112/112hp l F +12 R +8 W +7 l AC18 Touch10 FF16 CMB +16 CMD28 l Atk +18 Dmg 2d4+10
Half-Orc CN Bloodrager10 l 93/93hp, DR2/-- l F +11 R +8 W +5 l AC20 Touch12 FF18 CMB +15 CMD27 l Perc +13 l Darkvision 60ft l Init +4 l Spd30ft l Intimidate +16
Astride was that CLW from before intended for Kargas or Guiness?
With a roar Kargas plunges down towards the giants, his elongated arms giving him the extra reach needed to strike them down without exposing himself to their retribution--yet.
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
That was for Kargas, since you just got clobbered by another rock. I'll post later tonight but, spoiler: I'm going to fly around and try to see if I can spot the missing leader.
Kargas swoops in and delivers the more injured of the two giants a heavy slash. Heavy, but not enough to take the giant out of the fight. While his allies rush toward the action, the two giants advance into melee with him and swing their mallets. Luck is on his side - the weighty slams crush two images rather than the real Kargas.
Astrid looks over the edge of the cliff and doesn't see any giants. However, she does spot something unusual - a massive stone block, moving of its own volition down among the rocks at the base of the cliff. It seems to be floating a little above the surf.
|||| STATUS - ROUND 25 |||||
Guiness (fly) (68 dmg)
Kargas (holy lance, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement) (86 dmg)
Astrid (overland flight, ironskin)
Colvyn (shield of wings, weapon of awe, bear's endurance) (20 dmg)
Kellek (images 4, mage armor, fly) (21 dmg)
2 Stone Giants (78 dmg, 36 dmg) @ Yellow E
1 Giant Leader (47 dmg) ???
Group Buffs: Hunter's blessing vs giants and urban, bless, moment of greatness, resist fire 20, haste 1rds
After another round spent flying as quickly as possible towards then remaining visible foes, Guiness is finally starting to draw near to them. Seeing only the two of them, he looks for the giant leader as he approaches.
Rounds per Day 12/24 l 112/112hp l F +12 R +8 W +7 l AC18 Touch10 FF16 CMB +16 CMD28 l Atk +18 Dmg 2d4+10
Half-Orc CN Bloodrager10 l 93/93hp, DR2/-- l F +11 R +8 W +5 l AC20 Touch12 FF18 CMB +15 CMD27 l Perc +13 l Darkvision 60ft l Init +4 l Spd30ft l Intimidate +16
"In your next life, try to know when you're beaten!" Kargas cuts at the injured giant's neck, then withdraws from the fight as he feels the last dregs of the thunderbird blessing.
End of next turn Kargas will be out of rage rounds for the day. After attacking this turn he'll fly away to a nearby rooftop so he's not in melee when the power boost runs out.
While Guiness advances to look out for the giant leader, Kellek sends a pair of fiery beams into the more injured giant. The massive brute screams as the flames spread across his armor and flesh, and a few seconds later he's down and unconscious. The last fiery beam strikes the final giant. It's followed by a devastating slash from Kargas before the bloodrager kicks off from the giant's chest and tries to get to safety. On the way out, he's clobbered by a mallet and almost knocked out, but Astrid's spell reaches him in time to align some of his newly broken bones. (Taking 25 dmg, then healing 19)
For a moment it looks like the final injured giant will chase after Kargas, but then Colvyn's arrows come whistling out from the east. They stab into the giant's chest and send it falling back into the ruins of Old Light. It doesn't rise again.
Combat Over! -ish
The giant raid on Sandpoint has been successfully averted, but several sections of the town lie in ruins and the area near the Sandpoint Garrison burns freely where the dragon's fire engulfed it. With the giants gone, Sandpoint's residents are already moving in and forming a bucket brigade to try to control the flames before they can spread further. It's looking like they will be hard pressed.
Meanwhile, Astrid has spied a large stone from Old Light moving on its own among the surf at the bottom of the cliff to the west. The stone looks to be moving north. While it isn't moving at a quick pace, leaving it un-tracked might mean it gets out of sight somehow.
No longer in combat rounds. Up to you how you'd like to handle the loose ends.
|||| STATUS |||||
Guiness (fly) (68 dmg)
Kargas (holy lance, shield of faith, shield, freedom of movement) (92 dmg)
Astrid (overland flight, ironskin)
Colvyn (shield of wings, weapon of awe, bear's endurance) (20 dmg)
Kellek (images 4, mage armor, fly) (21 dmg)
1 Giant Leader (47 dmg) ???
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
"Did anyone see where their leader went?" asks Kellek his voice returning to normal after sounding like chipmunk chatter while he was under the spell granting him superhuman speed.
Guiness continues his flight out over the old light ruins and searches from above to see what evidence there is of the remaining giant. If he finds nothing, he listens to what the others have to report and may fly off to help them investigate (likely Astrid's strange block she has seen should she tell us about it or Guiness sees it himself).
Guiness peers over the edge of the cliff and confirms what Astrid saw earlier. A large block from Old Light seems to be bobbing and shifting among the surf down below.
"Look! What is that below? Could it be the giant leader in disguise or an ooze of some kind?" says Guiness, pointing at the strange object/creature below.
Although it's impossible to rule out a transparent gelatinous ooze with a stone block suspended inside it, the movement at the bottom of the cliff seems too purposeful.
(I'm going to hold off on things transpiring in-town or at the bottom of the cliff until we get some more people acting)
Rounds per Day 12/24 l 112/112hp l F +12 R +8 W +7 l AC18 Touch10 FF16 CMB +16 CMD28 l Atk +18 Dmg 2d4+10
Half-Orc CN Bloodrager10 l 93/93hp, DR2/-- l F +11 R +8 W +5 l AC20 Touch12 FF18 CMB +15 CMD27 l Perc +13 l Darkvision 60ft l Init +4 l Spd30ft l Intimidate +16
Kargas alights on a nearby rooftop mere seconds before his lightning wings dissipate, and the azure glow fades from his scar-sigils. As the pain of his accumulated injures catch up to him, the half-orc sits down heavily.
"You lot have this, yeah?"
Kargas has literally 1hp left after the rage ends, and is fatigued for he next 50 rounds. Plus he can't fly anymore so he'll hang out up here on the roof for a bit.
With still lots of time left on his flying spell, Colvyn goes after the stone that seem to be moving on its own. He make sure to stay fifty feet above the ground at all time.
Above the water, Colvyn watches as the large stone bobs and weaves for a short while. It pauses, then suddenly, the stone goes flying northward, taking a natural arc through the air before smashing into the surface of the water and swiftly sinking beneath the waves. Where the stone used to be, there are a few large splashes, and then an odd depression in the surface of the water for a few moments. A couple of large splashes later a wave comes in and then the depression is gone.
Perception DC20; Looking at the depression:
You notice that the depression looked giant-sized, as if an area of air the size and shape of a giant was pushing the water out.
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Brother_Guiness wrote:
"Look! What is that below? Could it be the giant leader in disguise or an ooze of some kind?" says Guiness, pointing at the strange object/creature below.
"What?" snaps Kellek more than bit perturbed about the invasion of giants.
perception:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
"Oh.... Colvyn, how many arrows do you have left?" Kellek asks as his backpack produces a scroll.
Kellek casts scroll of glitterdust (CL 4, DC 15) if he can get within 140' range, targeting the area of the depression.
Doing his best to keep up, Guiness is quickly outdistanced by Colvyn, but he keeps watching the strange block as he uses his superior altitude to swoop downwards toward the stone. When it makes its dive, he watches helplessly as he is too far away to interact with it yet.
Perception:1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22
”The water displaces in the shape of a giant!” cries Guiness, continuing his dive towards the surf and the depression left by the rock/giant.
Kellek's scroll creates a sparkling burst just above the surface of the water. For a moment, you see the glowing outline of a giant, before the figure dives under the surface of the water and disappears from view.
Guiness arrives at the spot where the giant dived a few moments later, but the glowing, invisible giant does not immediately surface.
Gaining a bit of elevation, Guiness prepares to dive down and attack any sparky giants who might surface or come close enough to the surface of the water to be seen.
"I've kept some special arrows for just this occasion. The real question is, how well can a stone giant swim?" Colvyn tries to close in on the invisible swimming shape.
From above the surface of the waves, you can no longer see the giant, sparkles or no. The morning light glints off the cresting waves.
As Kellek points out, the giant can hold his breath for a long long time, and move quite some distance while doing so. I'm looking to see what your group tactic would be to make sure he doesn't get away. If your approach would benefit from a skill check, go ahead and give it a roll. A clever tactic and good roll might bypass a potential fight entirely. You can also certainly try the direct approach of diving down and fighting underwater, if you think that'd be your best strategy - if you do I'll throw us back in initiative.
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Kellek can with a round's prep cast a CL10 haste spell if we are just waiting for him to pop up again. However the glitterdust will dissipate in about 4 rounds. Those of us who are flying though should be able to out distance him speed-wise regardless and Kellek does have two scrolls of see invisibility the weakest of which lasts for 20 minutes, so instead of casting haste maybe another fly spell? Only issue then is he'll just dive back under after a round of sucking air.
Guiness would dive after the giant, but his own attacks underwater are going to be greatly hindered. Perhaps his best move would be to dip below the surface and try to see where the glittery giant is going, since looking from above water is not proving useful, then pop back up and inform the party what he can see.
Guiness dives after the giant. After getting under the surface of the water, he spots a large glowing patch roughly the size and shape of the giant to the north. It seems to be about 30 feet away from where Guiness just dived. Once back up, he lets the rest of you know the trajectory and current distance.
The giant isn't moving exceptionally fast now that he's under water, but he also won't stay glittering for long.
Colvyn flies down to five feet above the water around the spot that Guiness mentions. "I have nothing to fight underwater. How long you think his invisibility will last?"
"Well, I got another one if need be. You think he would have a second invisibility spell?" Colvyn continues to scan the water, trying to not lose track of the giant and his cargo.
Unsure of how my flight spell would fonction under water...
N Male Human (Keleshite/Ulfen) Wizard (exploiter) 12 | hp 46/62 (max 46)| AC 14 {17}, T 13, FF 12 {15} | CMD 19 | F +6, R +8, W +12 | Spd 30' | Init +2 | KnArc +18, Kn(Dun, His, Loc, Nat, Pla, Rel) +16, Kn(Others) +11, Perc +12, SensM +12, Scrft +20 | arc reservoir 9/15 | magic missile wand 26/38 | -1 penalty to Con (2 damage) | ext mage armor, overland flight, hunter's blessing (mnt, giants)
Kellek's got basically nothing left that would be really helpful aside from 2 scrolls of see invisibility (each of which lasts for 20 and 30 minutes respectively).
Colvyn "Slick" Dashtail wrote:
"Well, I got another one if need be. You think he would have a second invisibility spell?" Colvyn continues to scan the water, trying to not lose track of the giant and his cargo.
Unsure of how my flight spell would fonction under water...
It most probably won't. Fly basically gives you a fly (moving through the air) speed. Spells like monkey fish give you a swim (moving through water) speed. Kellek alas, does not at present have that spell or anything like freedom of movement (which is probably still active on Kargas who is currently at 1 hp). So Colvyn will probably only be able to skim the surface.
"Who needs to be able to see the unseen?" Kellek says drolly, while standing on thin air.
CG Changeling Cleric (Herald Caller) of Pulura 5; Stargazer 7 | 68/68 HP | AC23 T14 FF20 | CMD21 | F +9 R +10 W +16 (+2 vs MA) | SR 18 | Spd 40 | Init +3 | Perc +24 | Bluff +22, Diplomacy +28, Fly +7, Geography +15, Handle Animal +11, Lore (Blood Hags) +12, Perception +25, Planes +9, Sense Motive +25, Survival +12 | Elysium's Call 9/9 | Holy Lance 2/2 | Channel 6/6 | Active Conditions: 1 Con Dmg
I could summon a celestial orca? It probably won't be able to take the giant on by itself, but it would certainly give him away. Also, aren't invisible creatures underwater just partially concealed since it doesn't hide the water they displace?
Rounds per Day 12/24 l 112/112hp l F +12 R +8 W +7 l AC18 Touch10 FF16 CMB +16 CMD28 l Atk +18 Dmg 2d4+10
Half-Orc CN Bloodrager10 l 93/93hp, DR2/-- l F +11 R +8 W +5 l AC20 Touch12 FF18 CMB +15 CMD27 l Perc +13 l Darkvision 60ft l Init +4 l Spd30ft l Intimidate +16
I could summon a celestial orca? It probably won't be able to take the giant on by itself, but it would certainly give him away. Also, aren't invisible creatures underwater just partially concealed since it doesn't hide the water they displace?
Excellent--Do it!
Guiness will keep spotting the glittery giant and updating the party...
The celestial orca dives beneath the waves, speeding far faster than the giant could possibly move. It catches more or less up with the fellow before surfacing to draw your attention to his location. The giant attempts to get away, but your orca-based detector keeps pace as the giant slowly moves northward. When finally the giant swims up to take a breath, you notice that he's no longer invisible! Guiness is there to deliver a sound blow, and Colvyn sends a flurry of arrows in at the target.
The combined attacks overwhelm the already significantly injured giant and he loses consciousness, falling back down beneath the waves. You notice that he almost made it to the location where he threw the block from Old Light earlier...
---------
Meanwhile back in town, while Kargas rests, the townsfolk rally together to put out the fires with the guidance of Rig, Ameiko, Mayor Deverin and Sheriff Hemlock. It takes almost a quarter hour before everything is under control, and the north west section of the town is blackened and still smoking, but nevertheless the town as a whole is safe. A ragged cheer rises from the survivors.
I'll pause a moment here if you'd like to follow up on the giant leader - otherwise, I'll assume you guys will congregate back in town for the next scene.
”Astrid, don’t let the giant’s body be lost…Can your orca bring it to shore? It may hold clues as to the purpose behind this attack,” asks Guiness.
Looking down at the water beneath him, Guiness adds, ”I should probably go to shore as well, given that your flight magic may expire soon. I can follow the orca in if you like—but there must be something important about the stone the giant threw over there..” Pointing over that way, he asks, ”Should we try to retrieve it or just examine it in place?”
