Karlan casts his spell, triggering a strike...
Attack
Damage
After a few clean strikes, the creature looks visibly terrified of its impending doom at the hands of the implacable paladin and screams for mercy before the final blow falls!
Kabal simply riddles the other giant with arrows as it has little chance of survival now.
Swift action spells do not provoke AoO's
Soooo if that first blow does not kill him Karlan will take the -4 to attack and make the last blow non-lethal. Should knock him out.
The giant is knocked right out.
The combat ends!
Ailetha moves forward hesitantly, invisibility still encompassing her.
Anyone have some way to bind this . . . giant?
She looks around to see whether the giant had any equipment that might be useful for binding a giant.
She will also cast Detect Magic to see whether the giant, or the chamber, have any magic of note.
Perception: <-- searching the area
Celestra calls to the others, "are you alright, my friends? Are any of you hurt? I cannot imagine being able to withstand more than a few hits from those colossal creeps!"
"I've had worse," Bree says looking over what remains of the injury she sustained.
"Where's my bloody knife?" She says to herself looking around for the knife she threw at the giant. Finding it she looks it over for damage. She slides the one she used as a replacement back home in it's sheath.
Moving to stand next to Kabal she says to the big man, "What the bloody hell was the point of telling me to back it up if you're just going to rush right in yourself?" He called me babe. I don't think anyone's ever called me that before. Do I like being called babe? Huh, I'm not sure about that one. That's better than sweetie, though, I didn't like it when Copper called me sweetie, he got kicked int he leg for that. Then again, when he said it it meant something entirely different, didn't it?
Celestra tends to her companions wounds and draws upon Cayden Cailean's strength to channel his healing energy.
"You were all very brave, rushing in like that. Let's hope that was the last of them! So, Ailetha, have you found anything of interest? I cannot imagine these giants have much."
The party has captured Barl Breakbones, leader of the giants and ogres of Hook Mountain! Surprisingly, it is easy to convince the mean spirited but ultimately craven giant to talk...
"Mokmurian! He's the boss and he is gathering an army of giants to march on Sandpoint from the hidden citadel of Jorgenfist! They stir above the Storval Stairs and march as we speak! Console yourselves that it is too late to save that town"
"Promise you'll spare me and I can tell you what I know of the place!"
There is also a large haul of loose items and trade goods, hundreds of pounds of them, as well as captured Ranger gear and other wealth. Quite a good haul to trade in!
A sudden dread overcomes Celestra as she hears about the approaching army of giants. Letting go of fearful thoughts, she puts her hands on her hips she steps up to the giant and addresses him firmly.
"What do you mean too late to save the town? When do you expect them to arrive at Sandpoint?"
"They've already left the Storval Plateau... could have already been"
"Great" Karlan says as he kicks a nearby loose stone in frustration. "And we still have to deal with that ghost before we go." Then he turns to the party spellcasters.
"Do we have anything that can hasten our trip? Or warn the town so they can escape to the sea before that happens?"
Ailetha shakes her head:
I unfortunately do not have the ability to communicate of such a great distance. As I doubt that a few minutes will make a difference, I think we should make sure that no more evil remains in this place, then quickly return to the Turtleback Ferry to assure that the ghost is appeased and does not destroy the town. Then, we can make all haste back to Sandpoint. Perhaps we can beat the giants somehow.
Ailetha looks over to Celestra:
Does Cayden gift you the ability to teleport over great distances? I understand that it is possible, but have never seen it done.
"Ailetha, my dear. It is a gift given to only the most faithful. I have never done it before, but I'm willing to try."
"If I teleport back to Sandpoint, it will take a full day before I can return. However, the risk is greater because I do not know this place nearly as well as the Rusty Dragon. Where could we meet up again where it is familiar?"
Ailetha looks to Celestra:
Lets finish making sure that everything here is cleared of its evil taint. Then you can go to Sandpoint to warn them of the pending assault.
The rest of us can take the corpse to the ghost, and then wait for you near Turtleback Ferry.
Can you take more than just one person? Perhaps you should travel with us to the ghost, and then go to Sandpoint. It will take us the better part of a day to get to Turtleback ferry from there. If you can take us all, once we finish with the ghost, we could all travel with you to Sandpoint to help defend the town.
Bree shifts around uneasily, "Well, if we're going to finish up in this place before going anywhere else there isn't any sense in standing around talking about it..."
Ailetha looks to Celestra:
Lets finish making sure that everything here is cleared of its evil taint. Then you can go to Sandpoint to warn them of the pending assault.The rest of us can take the corpse to the ghost, and then wait for you near Turtleback Ferry.
Can you take more than just one person? Perhaps you should travel with us to the ghost, and then go to Sandpoint. It will take us the better part of a day to get to Turtleback ferry from there. If you can take us all, once we finish with the ghost, we could all travel with you to Sandpoint to help defend the town.
"Ailetha darling, you are always thinking big! These are things I have not even considered. Perhaps Cayden Cailean would count me and some friends as worthy. I certainly would prefer the company than to do it alone. I would be happy to try."
"Bree, your suggestion is a good one. We should do what needs to be done first and worry about teleporting when we are ready to take that step."
After defeating the giant boss, and taking time to gather up the dead Ranger, the party explores the rest of the cave network.
Moving towards the sound of fire reveals the main chamber where the Ogres had been slaving and toiling away forging crude but effective weapons - half finished blades and axeheads are left at the forges and anvils.
Towards the reek and stench, the sounds of chanting and cackling reaches you, warning you something wicked lies ahead. This foul-smelling cave is cluttered with an appalling amount of body parts, dead animals, spoiled food, and filth, but most hideous is what bubbles and cooks in a huge cauldron over a sputtering fire in a nook to the north.
Three hags stand around the cauldron - a hulking, humpbacked hag with oversized talons sprouting from her stumpy arms, another tall and thin, like a skeleton wrapped in ugly purple flesh and a sagging white robe. The last has a face that is a mas s of pustules , warts the size of gold pieces, and craters that weep ooze. She is squat and fat with bulbous breasts that hang almost to her knees.
The three stop and look at Sir Karlan.
"It appears a handsome knight has come to choose one of us beautiful sisters!" They smile and give smoky eyed come hither looks...
"Perhaps the other hag has already claimed him?" the pustular one ventures to her sisters, almost disappointed.
"Well, with so much concentrated evil so close how could my blade resist?" Karlan says almost coyly before his face turns serious. "Your leader has been subdued and most of the rest have been killed or routed. I'm in a hurry so I'm granting the option to surrender and face justice at the hands of those you've harmed or face it now at the end our blades."
Bree sticks to the shadows the best she can, watching and listening. Waiting for the right opportunity to strike.
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Ailetha, who does sense a tie to these horrid creatures and knows that her true mother was a hag, simply crosses her arms and waits for the hags to respond to Karlan's request.
"Well..." the first sounds a little deflated "Once upon a time it was expected that when a fair knight came to rescue a bunch of damsels in distress he came with a fairer tongue and a more romantic gesture" it almost sounds dismissive. "Grolki was a decent giant, he lived peacefully and we had a place not to be disturbed and could enjoy our beauty sleep - but then Barl took over. He's a fool and a coward - his reach exceeded his grasp, changed everything."
The other hags look a little perplexed and aside to each other
"Not like the stories that's for sure - the fables lie, who knew!?"
"Hmm do you think he might mean it?"
"No, no, I think it's just part of the story, he's probably trying to choose one of us and this is a test. Look he already has one of us with him, he's fine with us"
"Well he's the pick of the bunch, the brute looks interesting but such rough is to be had for mere coppers in a portside tavern, the elf is a bit undernourished, but would probably write nice poems - and he has a pet bird"
"His travelling companions, not sure, our distant sister there doesn't seem to have claimed him - she's very pretty we should ask her to join us - the skinny one looks a bit mousy and plain, pleasant girl, and the other one has sold her heart to the drunkard, so unless Princess Myriana shows up again outdoing us I think we have this cornered!"
"I'm claiming him then ladies!"
"If you miss his heart, then mine is the second arrow of Shelyn!"
One of the hags speaks up, the hump back "Brave knight, I will surrender myself to your might so you may save me from wickedness..." her tone salacious and wanton, "But I must be your ONLY...captive...what is your name?"
Celestra moves up to Ailetha's side and watches with skepticism. She wonders why everything seems so civil. In her heart, she really believes that these hags really should not be trusted.
Turning to Ailetha she quietly whispers, "I speak Abyssal and Draconic, but I cannot make out this language at all. Can you understand what they saying?"
Ailetha glances over at Celestra and whispers back.
Strange. They do not seem deceptive and recognize my heritage. They seem to think Karlan is cute.
Sense Motive: <-- trying to read their intentions
Ailetha glances over at Celestra and whispers back.
Strange. They do not seem deceptive and recognize my heritage. They seem to think Karlan is cute.
"Now I really don't trust them."
Gut feel is that they seem to be of the honest belief they are a bunch of outstanding beauties being liberated by a brave knight. They seem to be looking to devour the good Sir Karlan, but 'in a good way' and are 'playing along' with him acting out the usual romantic fairytale. They are a little wary of the party, but don't look to be setting up anything offensive - they are just going on with business as usual and entertaining the new guests. For what Ailetha can make of it, this is (disturbingly) on the level.
Ailetha looks back to Celestra:
I think they truly believe what they believe. Although I do not think that it would end well for Karlan were he to play along.
"I take it they want him to be their guardian of sorts? I imagine they want a serious commitment in their relationship. They seem friendly enough, and I hope you don't take offense at this comment, but I've never heard a of a kind hag. I suspect this will not end well for either them or us.
Ailetha chuckles at Celestra's naive misunderstanding:
We shall see. I assume they are everything you have heard about hags.
With that, Ailetha steps forward next to Karlan and addresses the "ladies" in Giant:
I must apologize, however, I do believe that your noble knight is both a noble warrior in the service of Iomedae and already betrothed.
However, he does believe in redemption, but if you are allow to seek redemption, we must have information. What do you know of Bari and his plans? And, what do you know of Bari's masters and their plans? And, why would you expect the Princess to return?
Answer quickly for I doubt all my companions have the patience to grant second chances.
Diplomacy: <-- apparently Ailetha knows how to talk to hags
'Hahaha....oh you got yourself in a pickle this time Karlan.'
Kabal kept chuckling at the paladin's predicament and wondered if the nasty old hags would change their tune and lash out... most likely if he doesnt plant a kiss on one of them....oh hells, then the other two will just get jealous!...then all hell will break lose...
The Hags maintain their more casual (but not unguarded) demeanour.
They mumble at each other in a tone of disappointed acceptance
The Knight is taken?
Yet still he courts us? That seems a little...'modern'
The Elf then?
Well he has a bird, but I think he's blind, he's not even looking at us straight
What is this cousin of ours talking about second chances? Did she bring some extra suitors we haven't seen yet?
"We've been here for years, many many years, working on our beauty to eclipse that of the Princess and look at what we have achieved" the humpbacked crone boasts with pride. "It was good here, until the new 'Chief' took over the Giants and started running things - enslaving the Ogres and generally throwing his weight around, but we kept the same deal with him as we did his predecessor - we didn't bother him, he didn't bother us, and we could stay here working magics to enhance our beauty in peace, so that we could all be the equal, or better, than our estranged sister Princess Myriana, everyone loves her, and we were always thrust in her shadow - but look at what we have now! Pure beauty!"
"We don't need rescuing, but I wonder if your tone...." The hags start paying a bit more attention ...your tone is that you might be a bit serious and you want us to actually surrender? To what end? That you'd send us to Turtleback Ferry to face justice for crimes we have not committed? We have no guilt, does one punish a tenant for the crimes of the landlord? If that is your claim then we have no case to answer - a bunch of ladies working their magics in peace is of no concern to anyone, we cook, we heal, we trade - and we get peace and protection in exchange... why would your group challenge us for who we are, and yet let you walk freely among them unchecked?"
Ailetha's eyes narrow at the hags response as she attempts to discern the true meaning behind the words.
Deciding to cease the giant tongue so that her companions can understand, she continues:
You claim to not have committed any crimes? What crimes would the folk of Turtleback Ferry levy against you? You claim that it was your landlord who committed the crimes. Did you participate in these crimes? You do realize that being a conspirator to a crime, or an accessory, in this land carries the same punishment as committing the crime.
Finally, you reference that you simply wish to stay here to cook, heal and trade. What is it that you cook? Who do you heal and how? And, what is it that you would trade?
Sense Motive:
Feeling frustrated by all the chatter, and confused by the lack of action, Bree leans in to quietly whisper to the more friendly of the groups two moral compasses. "Celestra, so um, ah are we not suppose to be killing them or what?"
"Suppose you could go back and ask the folk of Turtleback Ferry, they'd have no claim to make against us - but no doubt that's where you'd be trying to turn us over to - for what? What crime do you suggest we have carried out? Pah we trade with these Giants for peace and protection, that we may have safety anda quiet place to live - but that is gone now, the Ogres slain and Barl no more - now how do we stay here unmolested or hunted by Rangers? He pushed his luck, so we are not surprised, but to us he was no more than a landlord collecting his rent, but one who didn't have the sense to leave the region be... not like Grolki, he was as calm as the stone he came from and content to just leave things be..."
"What do we trade? The very same things you do - your friends don't keep you there for your face, depsite how pretty it is. Our magics when needed, our skills, the ability to heal - and yes, the Ogres are like underdeveloped children who can barely boil an egg, especially with Breakbones forcing to work the forges all day as slaves - who is to care for the slaves he keeps? Better they had a warm opinion of us, lest we be seen as food..."
Ailetha continues with the questions, generally ignoring their inquiries:
You did not answer the question. I did not ask for whom you cooked. I asked what it was that you cooked. Was it deer and bear, or food of a more sentient nature.
Also, tell me more of the Princess. Why do you hate her so? What is it that she has that you do not? You are alive, she is a ghost of her former self. Even if she was far more beautiful than you, her beauty has now faded, never to return.
The sheer absurdity of the situation somewhat kills the fire that Karlan was riding on during the fight with their leader. Taking off his helmet and briefly running a hand through the matted, dirty and sweaty red hair he replaces it and turns to Ailetha.
"They're evil, no doubt about it. Even if they're not fully aware of the crimes they've committed. The Rangers are dead and gone, and something will simply move in to take the ogre's place. Like the trolls or the manticores. I'm wondering if we can't turn this toward a long term benefit for the town?"
"We cooked whatever dead thing they threw in the pot, meat is meat"
"Hate her? No, we are only angry that she gets all the attention with her looks - we tried so many things, so so many, but nothing made us as beautiful as her!" the Humpback quietly seethes, jealousy, "She has perished? So soon? Finally done in by the spreading mankind, the woodcutters journeying fromTurtleback felling forests and slaying the wild beasts. Sad. Her beauty was legendary, like a goddess made flesh, it burned just to look at"
The hags look to one another, clearly now understanding this is no rescue by a fair prince, but seeing the situation for what it is "We can leave, we have no love of this place, and with the Princess dead... no ties"
"Speak, fair knight, what are you suggesting?"
"Slaying you here would would would accomplish what we set out to do but it would not truly benefit the town, revive the rangers, or bring back the lives lost. Banishing you would only set you free to perpetuate your evil."
"And yes, evil has been done. Your magic, your food, your skills, went to fuel an engine of horror and death."
Leaning slightly against his bardiche he adds. "So you understand my dilemma yes?"
"So, rather than taking either option which would admittedly be faster and easier. We'll take the time to talk it out with the town and the remaining rangers. You will be asked to serve them in a similar manner you served your kin. For once, your skills and abilities will turn towards their benefit rather than their bane. Understood?"
"Maybe they can somehow stop the attack the other spoke about?"
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'Well aint this all a load of malarkey?'
Kabal shoudlve known their group would disparage over morals and lean towards hypocracy at many a turn. It hadnt been that long ago that some were harumphing about their deal with the demon and now here they were entreating with a bunch of hags...the bloody nerve...damn near every religious zealot picks and chooses whats 'right and wrong' and damn you if you think any different... except Winter...now there was a straight up fellow... The warrior had half a mind to stride right up and start swinging his axe at the hags' nappy heads but right now he couldnt care less what they did with the vile things.
He gently took Bree by the elbow and lead her away.
'Look, back there with the giants....I didnt mean to bark at you like that...I just uh...heat of the battle and all...' Kabal fumbled with his words as bad as a squire with his first blade and had no idea how to say that what he fealt. So he elected to show how. The big man pulled Bree close and wrapped his arms around her small frame and just held her.
Bree allows herself to be pulled away, confusion clearly writ upon her face. She thinks at first that there must be another threat to contend with, so does not complain and readies herself for battle. When instead she realizes that Kabal had pulled her aside for something more personal - and with potential danger so near by - she can't help but to be a little delighted - and concerned with her own reaction.
"What, no, I'm OK with you telling me what to do in battle. I'm use to following your lead. You and Winter are the only ones I pay any mind to in that regard..." Her words break off as he draws her into his embrace. Well trained instincts die hard, if ever at all. There is a brief moment of resistance as she gasps and her body goes rigid, but the man's heady scent soon has her body melting into his; hesitantly she wraps her arms around his waist and gently rests her head against his chest. Feeling awkward and unsure of herself she tries to shut her mind up and just find comfort in the moment.
After a few quiet seconds, she mumbles into his chest, "Kabal? Why aren't we killing the hags? Aren't we suppose to be killing them? I don't understand... and it's not just me, they are hideous looking, right?"