Wardove's Rumble in the Jungle

Game Master Laithoron

Jask nods in understanding. "Lacking the holy symbol of my goddess, and dim as my sight has grown, I will go below. At least I can be one less target needing protection."

As the old priest hurries away to the wall, Gelik spies Lureene perched atop it and his eyes go wide. "Right, that seems the best course of action really. I'll just get out of your way too then..."

Aerys rolls her eyes at the fact that Gelik is more interesting in trying to get an interesting vantage point on Lureene's figure than on climbing the wall. "I'll look after those two, but someone needs to see if they can do anythin' for the dwarf who started bustin' us all loose. Gelik said he got clobbered just now."

Just before heading off, she asks, "Any particular direction we should head in, or are you wantin' us to sit tight and wait?"

"Ooh, so there's more giants down that way? I'll go save him! Uh... as for you guys? There's a nice tree lady living on a hill overlooking the bay north of this camp. The giants are scared of her but she and her royalness are helping each other out. I guess you could try to swim for it if those two can make it..."

Little timewarp...

Priyya's look indicates she doesn't think any more highly of Gelik's actions than Aerys' did. "Dwarf? What dwarf? Where?" As soon as she Aerys gives her the information, and she hears Sasha's response, she nods. "After you get him, bring him in my direction. I'll him as I can... As for 'direction', there is an eel down there that will guide you. Don't ask."

Aerys raises an eyebrow at the comment about the eel but nods certain she'll find out soon enough. "Right. Well, rip 'em a new one for me, Sash', Priyya!"

With that, the two tall beauties each set about their tasks.

Justin: Are you changing actions from firing on Malikadna then, or did you want to launch a frontal assault on them while Sasha sneaks around from the walkway side, or...?

I'll go with the 'OR' option which is I get about 6 actions this round... :)

It really depends on the visibility. I'm not sure which are solid walls and which walls are really cages. If the 'wall' east of Darvesch (touching the main compound) is a cage... so Priyya can get the attention of the guards and see Darv i.e. she can channel blast him - then I'll have her do the frontal assault through the compound while Sasha sneaks around the back. Priyya's amended action would read:

Priyya races out into the compound then around the cage door with the two guards standing over the dwarf. She raps on the cage-door with her bow as a 'friendly knock' getting the giants' attention. She roars "Come on out, you little b#%+!es! Shooting you through the bars is JUST too easy." Then she channels Alita's holy light to heal the dwarf and hopefully distract the giants' even further from Sasha's entrance.

Channel Positive Energy:
30' radius burst; Will Save vs DC:16 for 1/2 DAM
Healing: 3d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) + (6, 5) = 22 Phylactery

The only "cage" walls are the ones between the tan-colored walkway everyone was standing in (P8 - R15), and the yellowish, hash-marked prisoner pen bordering the waste pit (Q8 to U13). Basically those greyish VBL shadows are the major supporting posts for the roof, and the bamboo caging panels are in between them. Otherwise, all the black walls are at least 3-foot thick 20-ft+ high masonry with a roof/ceiling overhead.

N8 - O10 is likewise an actual room. The door in the east wall (O10/11) is open. And the door from the walkway side (O/P8) has been destroyed by a powerful impact. There are no bars on any side of the room, only thick, stone walls. If you move to O11, it looks like your channel will be in range, remember though that Sasha has already acted this round.

Ah, OK. Let's go with the open doorway, O11, channel-blast plan... whether or not Sasha is in position to capitalize on it. Hopefully, I'm not in a spot to receive a charge but 'oh well'. Sucks to be a hero. :)

Sasha's already at full health so no worries. :)

Hoping to make a distraction for Sasha and also to revive an additional ally, Priyya darts out the doorway, her spell allowing her to move up to the lighthouse's guard room.

Within the room, Priyya can make out familiar looking equipment strewn about the floor. She also sees a sturdily-built dwarf with a large, bloody axe still gripped tight, lying on the floor at the opposite end of the room. With a single hand gesture, a bright flash of Alíta's light washes over the area closing Darvesch's wounds, her taunts securing the attention of the two nearby giants.

A hp: 24 = 24/26
D hp: 7 + 22 = 29/58 all non-lethal damage removed
L hp: 41 = 41/41
P hp: 36 = 36/36

Aerys hp: 24 = 24/28
Gelik hp: 26 = 26/26
Jask hp: 12 = 12/12
Sasha hp: 46 = 46/46

Next Up: Malikadna, Giants; Alis, Klorak, Darvesch, Durgon & Vechus, Sasha, Aerys, Lureene, Priyya, Gelik, Jask

With a cry of indignation, Malikadna flies higher and centers herself over the bonfire before finally slipping free of Alis' grasp sending the surprised dancer falling towards the leaping flames!

Looking around, she spies the much shorter archer who injured her previously and attempts call down retribution from on-high.

Feeling the hair rise on her neck, Priyya presses herself up against the stone wall of the guardhouse trying to minimize her contact with the lightning bolt. Between her quick thinking and her celestial heritage, she is scarcely fazed.

With a snort of ire, Malikadna bides her time, high above the bonfire.

A hp: 24 = 24/26
D hp: 29 = 29/58
L hp: 41 = 41/41
P hp: 36 - 10 + 5 = 31/36 ER 5: shock

Aerys hp: 24 = 24/28
Gelik hp: 26 = 26/26
Jask hp: 12 = 12/12
Sasha hp: 46 = 46/46

Sh1t, this is going to hurt no matter what...

"Featherfall!"

Gritting her teeth and shielding her eyes, the enlarged elf-girl slowly falls into the fire trying desperately to keep from catching on fire.

As she falls, the giants near the fire howl in dismay though none dare to defy the witch.

Hot! Hot! HOT!

Not inclined to go easy on her just because she is already falling into the bonfire, Thaltaki fixes his burning gaze upon Alis and scorches her yet further.

A hp: 24 - 10 - 1d6 ⇒ 24 - 10 - (3) = 11/26 burning gaze
D hp: 29 = 29/58
L hp: 41 = 41/41
P hp: 36 = 36/36

Aerys hp: 24 = 24/28
Gelik hp: 26 = 26/26
Jask hp: 12 = 12/12
Sasha hp: 46 = 46/46

One of the giants that just got tried to tackle Klorak seems to reconsider the wisdom of repeating that mistake. He picks up a brand from the fire and steps forward with a mighty swing that sends up a shower of bright embers as he strikes the hulking red-maned savage.

In the corner, the giant tripped by Alis attempts to regain his feet but suffers mightily for it.

Grunting thru the pain, the lookout finishes unsheathing his blade but his attack is clumsy missing Klorak's flesh by a wide berth.

"Klorak kill every last traitor!"

On opposing sides of the chieftain, one of the giants strikes at him with his club. Although the big warrior leans backward to avoid the blow, doing so leaves him open just long enough for the ranger to his east to deliver a vicious abdominal stab that sees Klorak coughing up blood as the ragged, rusted blade is jerked free.

With Klorak bloodied, the remaining three cannibals attempt to pile on and drag him down. The first to do so suffers dearly for it, Klorak's great club crushing several of his ribs. However, the other two manage to latch on while his back is turned, attempting to restrict his movement and bring him down.

Further east, the lone giant picks up a huge stone-headed axe and severs the thick rope securing the skeleton's pen. Immediately, the undead giants push open the gate and rush westward towards the prisoner pens at Malikadna's silent whim.

Next Up: Alis, Klorak, Darvesch, Durgon & Vechus, Sasha, Aerys, Lureene, Priyya, Gelik, Jask, Malikadna, Giants, Skeletons
MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 10)

With a rather unladylike curse, the singed princess leaps out of the fire, her clothes in blackened tatters, her hair frazzled, and temper seething. She is about to beat the everliving hell out of Thaltaki when from around the corner a cavalcade of giant skeletons appear running straight at her.

Things just go from bad to worse...

With a running start that sends Thaltaki scurrying, Alis leaps up grabbing the edge of the roof of the shack to her south-east and swings up onto the roof evading both the monkey and undead. She then turns to her left, running along the roof until she finally hops down behind the unintelligent creatures.

Upon seeing the nearby giant with his giant axe, her eyebrow twitches a bit.

Oh come on!

Her gaze shift northwest to the baldric stashed in the shadow of the giant's lodge calculating her chances.

Unable to wield the massive log he was swinging with two men hanging on him, Klorak none-the-less accomplishes a surprising feat of strength striking everyone around him with crushing bands as he throws his arms wide howling in blood-choked rage!

Nearly like dominoes, he knocks out over half the berserkers, and leaves another barely conscious. The two who tried to impale him from opposite sides are the only ones still in fighting condition, and even in their berserk state there is fear evident in their eyes.

Next Up: Durgon & Vechus, Sasha, Aerys, Lureene, Priyya, Gelik, Jask, Malikadna, Giants, Skeletons

"Come on out, you little b~!@~es! Shooting you ... is JUST too easy."

Vechus turns and looks darkly upon Priyya. He speaks sotto voce, "If shooting is too easy, why grip that bow as though life depends on it?"

Suddenly, Priyya hears a sound outside as if a large metallic object was just thrust into the earth. Vechus' eyes narrow and he says, "You should move."

With a nod to Durgon, his junior rushes at Priyya fast as his wounded leg will allow, seemingly intent upon running her over! However, as he dashes forward, his wounded knee gives out on him and he crashes to the ground right in front of her, teeth bared in pain. Priyya may take an AoO on Durgon if she wishes.

On the ground behind Vechus, Priyya hears the dwarf groan and start to stir as his senses begin to return.

Suddenly, the brooding giant gives a grunt as much of annoyance as it is of pain. Looking behind himself, he sees the slender figure of Sasha standing behind him, rapier dripping with his blood.

"Pests..." Clasping his hands together, he brings them down like a great hammer cracking Sasha across the shoulders. The blow nearly crushes her down but she is fast enough to evade his second strike.

MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 10b)

Outside, Aerys races across the prisoner yard righting thru the nausea-inducing stench of the refuse pit. She gives a toss of her head to Lureene and scoops up Gelik before climbing ably up the wall without so much as a hint of effort. Upon reaching the top, she says, "That witch just dropped Alis in the bonfire, like she was nothing. I'm pretty sure she got out but be careful!"

With that, she climbs down impressed that Jask is doing as well as he is in such complete darkness with his vision failing so.

Next Up: Lureene, Priyya, (Darvesch), Malikadna, Giants, Skeletons; Alis, Klorak, Durgon & Vechus, Sasha, Aerys, Gelik, Jask
MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 10c)

Lureene nods in acknowledgement of Aerys's friendly advice, and looks off towards the courtyard. She notes the presence of the witch Malikadna hovering up in the air, and the mass of giants in the courtyard.

I need to buy time for 'Lis to get away! If that witch saw me as a threat....

The decision made, she reaches into her pouch, and pulls out her components for a spell. She chants quietly before she points to where Klorak is surrounded and a ball of flame erupts around him!

Standard Action, cast Fireball, centered to affect squares K16 to N19
Damage (Reflex Save DC 16 half) 5d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5, 4, 2) = 15 fire

Once she has finished, she points at the witch hovering above her and her voice rings out, "You are next."

An explosive blast of arcane fire sends a plume of smoke rising into the stormy night sky. Even as Klorak and one of his aggressors flich from it, Malikadna recoils in surprise as it finishes off five members of her tribe and severely damages on of her skeletons.

Turning about, she notes the petulant succubus atop the western wall of the cannibal's compound. Thankfully, Aerys and the others are already hidden beneath the cover of foliage and obscured by that same wall.

Eyes narrowing, she shrieks, "I'LL GET YOU, PRETTY, AND YOUR LITTLE EEEEL TOO!"

A hp: 11 = 11/26
D hp: 29 = 29/58
L hp: 41 = 41/41
P hp: 31 = 31/36

Aerys hp: 24 = 24/28
Gelik hp: 26 = 26/26
Jask hp: 12 = 12/12
Sasha hp: 46 - 23 = 23/46

Next Up: Priyya, (Darvesch), Malikadna, Giants, Skeletons; Alis, Klorak, Durgon & Vechus, Sasha, Aerys, Gelik, Jask, Lureene
MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 10d)

Taking the AoO

Priyya gives the downed giant a vicious kick to the skull. "I don't need a bow to beat a cur like your friend here."

Standard Act - Single Hit + Power Attack (Hand crit: 20+):
HIT: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
DAM: 1d6 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Priyya gives Durgon's skull a solid crack as he stumbles to the ground before her.

It's also your turn to act so go ahead with whatever that action is too.

I saw that... just weighing my options. :)

Priyya steps away from the giant and turns on Malikadna, summoning Alita's holy power. Her bow glows as she takes a bead on her flying target.

5' or 10' north - using the wall for total cover. If it is only a 5' move, I'll flurry instead of a single blow.

Swift Act - SMITE

Standard Act - Single shot + SMITE (SHORTBOW crit: 20/3x):
HIT: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 5 = 25 -1 if this is a flurry instead.
DAM: 1d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 = 10

HIT: 1d20 + 8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 5 = 21 -1 if this is a flurry instead.
DAM: 1d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 3 = 14
Rng Inc: 70' | -1/Increment

These guys are heavy so remember to lift with your legs, not your back. ;)

LOL!

Priyya ducks around the corner from Durgon keeping the tall stone wall at her back. Gazing up, she can make out Malikadna hovering about 60-ft in the air, her form cloaked in dimness, smoke, and distortion from the heat of the large bonfire. Not wanting to place all her hopes on a single shot, Priyya fires two arrows hoping that at least one finds its mark.

Even as she fires her first shot Priyya can tell that the witch's concealment has botched the shot. She adjusts for those factors with her second shot, this time finding her mark!

Malikadna shrieks in pain and fear at the stinging barb of the Surya-ka-Vahaak. She points at Priyya and shrieks, "KILL THE ROBED ONE!" as she dives out-of-sight on a beeline for a building on the far side of the trees to the south-east.

The two berserkers still fighting Klorak continue their assault each landing telling attacks. The battered chief stumbles under their assault and those of you who can see him can tell that he's just barely holding on.

Further east, the giant who just freed the skeletons eyes Alis dubiously and calls out, "WOMAN, stand clear!"

With that, he heads north to the immense lizard tied there and releases its bonds, holding its guide rope in one hand while speaking in an even but firm tone, one hand gesturing back towards the village.

The beast raises its head and give a deep resonating call like some great battle horn, then thunders southward heading straight at Alis.

In alarm, the disguised princess hops out of its path pressing herself up against the building behind her. Intent upon looking for non-giants to crush, it passes her by and bowls over one of Malikadna's skeletons as it enters the courtyard, shaking the very ground with its footsteps!

In front of it, one of the skeletons continues running towards Priyya, the movement provoking the massive beast's ire. It pivots swinging its tail like a great club and crushes half the skeleton's ribcage from the tremendous impact. Were it a living creature, the injury would have been fatal. However the skeleton merely staggers before charging straight at Priyya bony hands tearing at her flesh.

From around the corner to the south, another two over-sized skeletons appear still following their creator's commands.

A hp: 11 = 11/26
D hp: 29 = 29/58
L hp: 41 = 41/41
P hp: 31 - 9 = 22/36

Aerys hp: 24 = 24/28
Gelik hp: 26 = 26/26
Jask hp: 12 = 12/12
Sasha hp: 23 = 23/46

Alarmed by the appearance of the thunder lizard, Thaltaki scurries away from it keeping the fire between itself and the beast. It then shifts its gaze to Priyya seeking to burn her with its gaze.

However, the desert-raised warrior priestess is unfazed by the attack, although she does notice the monkey's attempt to get her even more fired-up.

Next Up: Darvesch; Alis, Klorak, Durgon & Vechus, Sasha, Aerys, Gelik, Jask, Lureene, Priyya, Malikadna, Giants, Giant Lizard, Skeletons
MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 11)

Priyya laughs at the fleeing Malikadna and her pet. "RUN, HAG! You're not long for this life!"

With a groan, Darvesch opens his eyes to find a ravishing red head standing over him, blades drawn. Why he wasn't dead or being flayed alive he didn't know but that was surely his axe in his hand and the foot of a giant by his head...

"'scuse the reach, lass...""

Gripping the weapon tightly in both hands, he swings with everything he's got trying not to knock his leggy protector over. Although he's landed surer hits, the grunt of pain he hears from Vechus is still enough to bring a grim smile to his face.

Hearing the combat in the eastern and observing the wall of undead coming in her general direction, Priyya calls out, "Sasha, bring your friend out here when you've finished playing with those lanky half-breeds! I can't help you if I can't see you."

Gritting her teeth, Alis tumbles behind the gargantuan beast, although her effort is less than graceful. Thankfully it doesn't appear to be paying her any mind.

Returning to where she left her pack, she looks around in confusion before noticing that it has returned to its normal size. Her lip curls as she tentatively picks up her rapier and notes that it remains no larger than a dagger.

Oh hell...

Hearing Priyya she calls out, "Be right there, Sarah."

Sasha shows some surprise seeing the sturdy soldier she's straddling. "Usually I know a guy's name before I have him in a position like that, but... Sasha Nevah, giant killer!."

Screaming like the deranged madman he is, Klorak knocks out the man closest to the giant lizard before wheeling about and diving at the berserker behind him.

Priyya and Lureene can hardly believe what they see when the hulking chieftain literally reaches out and rips the man's head clear off!

"NO ONE KILL KLORAK! KLORAK THE RED, KLORAK THE STRONGEST! HAHAHAHAHAHahahahaha..."

Laughing hysterically, he looks around at the ring of bodies around him and gives a howl of bloodlust that makes Mal sound like a kitten. Dropping to his knees, he holds the severed head high and revels in the flow of blood rubbing it into his face and chest as if using some hoary bath sponge.

At last his own injuries catch up with him and he collapses into unconsciousness, severed head still clutched tight.

"So much for Klorak," Vechus comments darkly, growling at the dwarf's assault on his foot.

Behind him, Durgon regains his feet, sees the skeletons and thunder lizard coming. "The watch beast and and bones are released!"

"Then bar the door!" Vechus growls in agitation, raising his fist to strike.

With a grunt of acknowledgment, Durgon shuts the door after Priyya and slams down a heavy bar behind it. "Help friends now," Durgon gloats.

Seeing Vechus' intent, Sasha jumps out of the way, but she soon realizes that the angry giant was trying to hit the dwarf. Darvesch's eyes go wide as the massive fist cracks into his back, crushing him against the floor.

"Clever girl..." the giant comments before backhanding her like a gnat.

"Jask, you need to be takin' it easy old guy. I know you aren't seein' well, I'm givin' you a piggy-back — no complain'." Outside, Aerys leads the way down the rope (much to Gelik's chagrin).

This guy's not a push-over like the others. Gotta regroup...

Glancing at the door, Sasha looks ready to run for it when she instead unleashes a pair of careful strikes against Vechus.

"GET YOUR ASS OUTTA HERE, SHORT STUFF!"

Next Up: Lureene, Priyya, Malikadna, Giants, Giant Lizard, Skeletons; Darvesch, Alis, Klorak, Durgon & Vechus, Aerys, Gelik, Jask, Sasha
MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 11b)

A hp: 11 = 11/26
D hp: 29 - 24 = 5/58
L hp: 41 = 41/41
P hp: 22 = 22/36

Aerys hp: 24 = 24/28
Gelik hp: 26 = 26/26
Jask hp: 12 = 12/12
Sasha hp: 23 - 15 = 8/46

Mike - I'm having issues reading the map. Am I in channel blast range to hit the undead at P13? It looks like I'm not in MY melee range of the undead at O12, is that right?

If needed, Priyya will take a 5' step closer to ensure both of the nearest undead are in range of her channel blast.

Priyya kicks the door lightly with her heel, mocking the giants. "You gutless pu$$ies! No wonder you don't rule this tribe." She aims her palm at the approaching undead and summons both Alita's healing and destructive powers.

Channel Positive Energy:
30' radius burst; Will Save vs DC:16 for 1/2 DAM
Healing: 3d6 + 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) + (4, 3) = 15 Phylactery
Damage: 15 + 5 = 20

• May remove 5 creatures from AoE
  
• Does not draw AoOs
  
• No Channel Resistance on Damage Save

Currently trying to resize the grid to use 5-ft squares, but it's most likely going to be ugly...

Lureene sees where the witch has fled to and proceeds to pursue her, hoping to finish her off!

Swift Action: cast Fly, Swift
Move action: Fly 30' up, angled towards square AL29
Perception 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Standard action (readied): Use Wand of MM on Malikadna should Lureene see her.
Charges 43/50
Damage 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3, 1) + 3 = 8

OK, I've resized the grid, adjusted the token sizes, and moved everyone back into position. Look at the WHITE grid overlay and not the brown one that's printed on the map itself. If you still can't see things clearly then click on the map image and zoom in to full-size. The one that's displayed on the current link is 1/2 size, the one that says the name of the round is full-size, but you might have to click the magnifying glass if your web browser resizes large images automatically.

Justin: The skeleton in front of Priyya attacked with reach. The next closest one is just outside your channel radius unless you step closer (as shown by the spell template). Likewise, you would have to step-up to melee the one in front of you.

MAP: V - Giant Cannibal Village, (Round 11c)

Thanks, Mike. Sorry for the resize hassle. Priyya will 5' step into the giant to ensure her blast hits both of them and so she can smack the undead up close.. BTW, does Priyya know what kind of creature the familiar is - demonic, etc?

Justin: It appears to be...

>:D

Go ahead and make Priyya's rolls, etc. You know... just to make it official and all. ;)

Dammit! Where did that monkey come from?!?!?!! :)

Priyya eyes the flame-throwing monkey wondering if it will appreciate her ability to channel Alita's power against evil outsiders... I suppose it is too much to hope that it is an UNDEAD as well as an evil outsider.

Know: Religion 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Know: Planes 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19