Woodsmoke's Reign of Winter

Game Master Woodsmoke

Realized a round and a post late that if Enii hit something: Demoralize... If that's cool:

Seeing the giant withstand the initial assault, and another burst from the trees, Mithas casts vanish on himself and moves 15 feet to the south.

Vanish 4/5

Round 2

Enii continues her ferocious assault on the giant, leaping up again to lash out with fang and claw. The bite fails to penetrate the frost giant’s armor, but the claws sink deep, ripping more wounds into the foe. Blood flows free as the giant staggers and collapses, still alive, but unable to keep conscious between the lacerating strikes and Mithas’s well-placed debilitating blow. Alive but unconscious due to Mithas’s nonlethal damage.

Byakko turns to the second giant, readying his unsheathed katana to meet the newcomer as Geedra continues to bestow fortune on the group, beseeching her strange patron to bless the party with fateful manipulation. Meanwhile, Mithas uses his knack for arcane trickery to ripple into invisibility, and Skäne stands shoulder to shoulder with Byakko, his heavy, furious breathing sending a constant stream of mist into the air, readying to meet the next giant head on.

The giant that hurled the rock unslings her vicious looking scythe and moves forward, in three strides already have broken into a mad charge. She yells out a warcry as he heavy footfalls kick up clouds of snow. She puts her weapon into a position to make a sweeping arc, stopping ten feet away from the frontline of the group to slash hard at Byakko. The wicked blade comes in quick, carving a grievous wound through the half-elf. 28 points of damage from the scythe power attack!

In retaliation, though reeling in pain, Byakko makes a fluid step forward and with a flash of his katana delivers an equally gruesome wound to the giant, opening a sanguine line in her belly. A mirrored 28 points of damage to the giant - as I will address in the Discussion thread, I was good with using your attack against the downed enemy as a readied one against the next. The giant had reach, but you can take a 5 ft step as part of a readied action to get into striking range.

Skäne steps up next to his fellow warrior and thrusts forward with his spear, sending the head of the magical weapon into the same gash that Byakko opened, causing the giant to roar out in unholy pain as bits of organs exit the wound with the retraction of the spear. Skäne scores a critical hit as well! And with a x3 modifier weapon and a power attack deals 53 points of damage.

A third giant appears in the clearing, hurling another boulder at Enii - the closest target. This giant has better aim, and the heavy stone strikes the tiger’s side. 15 points of damage to Enii

Krosh does as Krosh does, fiddling with his trinkets to cause a shower of silver motes to weave their way into the groups wounds, bringing balm and relief. Channels energy, healing for 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 3) = 12

You hear more crashing sounds in the woods around, and suddenly four more stones come flying out of the trees, though far enough in that you can’t see the throwers. Most land harmlessly, but one does strike the hut, jostling some straw loose from the roof and making the whole building shudder for a moment - not due to sustained damage, but the hut itself reacting to the blow…

Map
Byakko
Skäne
Mithas
Geedra
Giants
Krosh

Geedra wasn’t planning to see this many giants in one place at one time, so she began using more of her jinxes to aid the group. She adds her fortune hex to Byakko along with Skane and cackles in nervousness to keep the effect active of both of the warriors.

Please remember fortune hex on both of you along with Prayer bonuses to everyone. Thanks!

Byakko down 16, Enii down 3 with Krosh's Heals. Pretty sure Ws you meant to use the readied giving us a full turn, but disregard the Byakko bit if incorrect, thanks for ruling per cool!

The wicked slash Byakko received urges him forward again, the benefits of his companion's magic flowing into his next cut. He growls to Enii his tongue fully bestial, <Bring it down quickly Enii, more in woods>

Power Katana: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 26
Power Katana Fortune: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 14
Crit Confirm?: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 16
Dmg, assuming not confirmed: 1d8 + 5 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 4 + 1 = 14

Almost by Reflex he lashes out to bite the giant as well, a feline maw full of fangs suddenly elongating from his typically half-elvish features. Gift of Claw and Horn Revelation as a swift.

Power +1Bite: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 10 - 2 + 1 = 24
Dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 4 + 1 = 15

Enii does her part as well, barely having time to lick her lips of claw sprayed gore before switching to their next target. She responds to Byakko, <Yes, throwing big rocks, hurry!> 5ft, full attack, Divine Favor rnd 3.

Power Bite: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 13
Power Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 23
Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19
Power Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 1 = 28
Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 16

ROUND 3 HP: 62/85 | Buffs: Prayer, Fortune Hex, Raging 3/19

Waiting to see if Byakko brings down the second Jotunn before I act ;)

Just going to delay until another giant moves within 30 feet, or the party can't drop the on currently in melee.

Vanish round 2/5

Byakko and Enii work in feral concert, raining down on the giantess with blade, claw, and fang. In a vicious dance they open wound after wound on the frost giant, Enii leaping onto her back and sinking her claws deep as Byakko slashes and bites as well, his own mouth now filled with fangs. It proves to be too much for the already-wounded enemy, and she is brought low with a heavy thud, covered in blood.

Byakko does indeed fell the giant on his turn, so if anyone wants to change their course of action, feel free. I've been a bit under the weather, but I'll get a map up next post with everyone's actions.

Hopefully you're feeling weal soon Woodsmoke

As the next Jotunn falls, Skäne sets his grim gaze upon the next of its kin; readying himself for the battle to come...

He grabs a vial from his belt and downs its contents;

Cure Mod Wounds Potion: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (2, 5) + 2 = 9

ROUND 3 HP: 71/85 | Buffs: Prayer, Fortune Hex, Raging 3/19

You shorted yourself one HP, Skane. CMW is 2d8+3, not +2.

”Geedra am not want fight army of giants. Should group run back in cabin? Or keep fighting,” she asks as she keep cackling.

Thanks, I am doing better. I also think that I was unclear in the previous post in my medicated state, haha. With the felling of the adjacent frost giant by Byakko, I wanted to give Mithas and Geedra an opportunity to retcon their actions for that round in case you guys wanted to dip back into the hut as there has been talk about. And Skäne you also have a move action for this round. Were you all looking to continue fighting? If so I will move ahead with the posted actions.

Am happy to back off if the odds go massively against us.

Ya I don't know what the course of action is here. I'm fine with falling back, I don't even know if this is where we are supposed to be right now.

”am leaving then. Forget dumb giants. Group am may have to kill 500 dumb giants,” she says as she moves toward the door and away from the onslaught of giant opponents.

"Grrrrrrrlllaaghrrrraaaaawwwwghhh..." Byakko's snarl rasps from between clenched fangs completely out of the realm of humanoid tongues now that his maw has transformed along with his tongue. Byakko does however gesture to the goblin to lead the way alternating between watching the tree line and his companions.

Enii does hear Byakko however, <Too many, we back away...>.

Round 3

Byakko and Enii down the nearest giant, a cloud of rime and frost erupting as the titan falls. But the tide has not turned yet. Already another giant has broken through the treeline, and volleys of huge stones come sailing over the canopy, some crashing down into the snow, others pounding the roof and sides of the hut. You look to one another and come to the consensus that there may well be too many of these enemies on the way to deal with them all. One by one, you retreat back onto the porch and through the front door as more giants come thundering out of the woods, moving closer to the hut, readying weapons and stones. Krosh moves after you, his hand still wreathed in spiritfire.

Round 4

Byakko is the last to make it up to the porch, Enii on his heels. You close the door.

As you reenter the chamber and pass by Ratibor, he reflexively reaches for his axe and strike, but stops himself, looking puzzled once more.

A few moments later, Zorka comes stomping into this room, the kikimora carrying a freshly-used broom, though she is obviously in a foul mood.

"What's going on!? Who is knocking on my house with hammers and rocks!? You new Riders, explain! Zorka is going to have a big mess to clean up if this keeps going....oh, oh oh oh. Look, it's Ratibor!" the strange spirit moves her attention to the gruff man, doing a little dance and pointing her broom at him. "Ha ha, hahaha, all these years and still you stand. Haven't withered away yet? It's been so long, I forgot where you were!"

Ratibor starts to respond and Zorka gives a sour look. "No no, don't like wyrmtongue. You too dumb to know more? Bah." She snaps her fingers and the next of Ratibor's words come out intelligibly to the rest of you.

"You insufferable mule-bird. I thought I was rid of having to see your ugly excuse for a face. Insulting me? You? Didn't the fey folk kick you out of their realm for being so hideous? Hells below, get out of here, your voice makes me want to peel my skin off." Ratibor turns his axe on himself and mimes shaving his arm with the blade.

"Maybe Zorka should talk and talk and talk and talk and talk then!" she cackles. "Zorka would like to see that!. You Riders, pay no mind to the Dog. He thought to cross The Great Queen many ages ago and learned his lesson...but it seems like he forgot some parts of it! Sit, Dog. Quiet, Dog! Now, who is knocking on MY HUT?!"

”Big bunch of dumb giants am outside. Group killed two or three and other giants am mad about it,” Geedra laughs as she sits down cross legged in the floor. ”Can giants hurt this magic chicken house?”

Seeing the goblin relax Enni flops to the floor to begin cleaning her paws and maw of giants blood.

The sudden relaxation of his companion seems to trigger his human tongue, that and his maw retreating to his typical jaw line allows Byakko to rasp, "Aye, giants, and many of them! Seemingly awaiting us on your stoop. Where are we that they would be awaiting any departures from the hut?"

Byakko turns after he responds to Zorka, and bows again to Ratibor. Sympathy in his eyes.

Sry realized I wanted to offer the sentinel somethingand since there were no other posts...

Zorka stamps her foot and throttles her broom as if it had a throat. "Giants! Bah! Rotten giants always hated the Great Mistress. Oh no no, no filthy giants will get one up on Baba Yaga on Zorka's watch!" She throws down the broom and starts marching towards the table in the center of the room, where lies the cracked bowl and brown-speckled hen's egg. Over her shoulder she brays "One of you riders! Follow me! We show these nasties what happens when you trouble Baba Yaga's Dancing Hut!" She grins, a most horrifying display.

"Rest of you! Open windows. Shoot giants, or go out and keep fighting, if you are brave enough! Haha, don't worry! Hut will help you. Oh, and you, Old Dog," she says, pointing at Ratibor, "If any giants try to come in, do your job. Good Dog!"

Krosh slowly looks left and right, eyes passing over you all from beneath his helm. "Does...she mean what I think she means?" he intones ominously.

Ratibor spits on the ground. "I don't take orders from hideous mule-birds! I've seen more pleasant infections!" he shakes his head. "Enduring this pest's relentless squawking is the true torture..." he mutters.

Out of the windows, you can see more giants have now emerged from the woods, and they seem to be converging at the Hut, lumbering forward with weapons and stones at the ready.

Zorka is of a mind to show one of you how to control the Hut in combat, now that it has been attacked itself. You'll have to decide who wants to helm that venture, and how the rest of you would like to proceed. As Zorka suggested, you could fling spells or missiles from within, or exit to do battle once more."

"Geedra have ya ever wanted know what having long legs felt like?" Byakko's wry grin turns to grim facsimile of his tigers maw as he turns to Skäne. He draws his sword and offers the Ulfen a salute, sword vertical, hilt to chest, "I think I know where we belong friend, the only decision to make now afore my tongue turns," he turns and salutes Mithas as well, single eyebrow raised questioningly, "is whether we deal death on the left or the right?" His last few words cleave from his lips, harsh and guttural.

Enii senses the change in Byakkos speech and is swiftly at his side, legs gathered and hackles raised.

I'm counting Enii's Divine Favor as a minute dead and gone now. If this is "prep time" I'll drop a Bull's Strength on Enii, and may as well pull down some of Tsukiyo's Divine Favor on Byakko.

Geedra cackles at the idea. ”Geedra am want learn about chicken hut! Show dumb giants that riders am not be messed with!”. She hops to her feet and scurries after Zorka, interested enough to not even insult anyone!

Drained from his battle rage, Skäne nods in agreement;

"Let the Puka learn the fróðleikr (lore/magic) to vald (control/power) the

Hut. I will stand with Ratibor the Garpr (Bold) and welcommen any Jotunn visitors..."

Jaw set the burly Northman stands aside the equally burly Northman...

Ain't nei party like a shield wall party :)

You do indeed have some prep time. For whatever reason, the giants don't seem keen at the moment on raiding the hut directly. They are keeping a small bit of distance , more cautiously watching and preparing themselves than anything. Every so often a thrown stone will thud against the roof or walls of the structure, but overall their behavior suggests they are more cornering the hut, perhaps waiting to engage you once more, so things are set to your terms.. at least for the moment. So if you would like to take the opportunity to cast any spells or down any potions or use any items, now is a good time. Geedra, I'll give you the perinent stats for the Hut below.

”Group get ready. Geedra am going to hand out chicken house Justice to giants,” she yells from the controls to the hut!

I'm good with the above 'prep'

<Goblin will move hut, brace for it!> Byakko growls to Enii as he moves to the door bracing against the frame.

<Goblin controls hut?! Will buck like a deer in our jaws!> Enii follows Byakko, taking a noticeably wider stance.

You gather yourselves in preparation for what is surely to be a grueling fight, curious as to how much Geedra's controlling of the Hut will turn the tide of battle. Ratibor is near foaming at the mouth in anticipation, clenching his axe with fervor, though he voices his dismay that he cannot leave this chamber to join the battle, as his curse binds him here.

You take up your positions, and after a few moments, commence the battle.

Round 1

You all get to act before the giants, so everyone can go ahead and post. You can actually stay inside and launch ranged attacks if you wish, or fight from the porch where you could strike giants adjacent to the front of the hut in melee, or drive back out into the clearing.

Map Map is kind of wonky on this one. You are all just inside the entry/exit chamber, and the one-hex area surrounding you is the porch. Geedra is a little off screen further back with Zorka at the hut's controls.

Init:

Byakko
Krosh
Skäne
Geedra
Ratibor
Mithas
Giants

The giants appeared to be close enough to the hut for Geedra to full attack the closest one!

Claw 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (8) + 38 = 46
Damage 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (6, 6) + 13 = 25

Claw 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (15) + 38 = 53
Damage 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (4, 4) + 13 = 21

Bite 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (14) + 38 = 52
Damage 2d8 + 13 ⇒ (7, 4) + 13 = 24

Im not sure how Grab works, or the swallow whole, so I’ll let the GM figure that out!

<Hold here Enii, safe maybe, goblin will bring hut to Claw range.>

Ahh the ole split action, Enii will save her action for the hut 'results' if that's cool WS, otherwise she'll just chill, Byakko as below.

As the strange hut lashes out at the nearest giant, Byakko uses one of his offensive spells to do the same. Cast Barbed Chains on next closest Joe Tonne (I never knew Jotun was actually 'giant' so have my head Canon translation), and the two northern ones. DC 15 Will, or Shaken for: 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds, no dmg change.

Close Chain: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 3

Northernmost Chain: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Dmg: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Middle Back Chain: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

Mithas take up position at a window, and launches a blunted shaft:

Twang: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 10 + 1 = 25 Damage(nonlethal): 1d8 + 1 + 8d6 ⇒ (3) + 1 + (6, 5, 4, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6) = 41 Ignore the sneak attack dice, if this isn't the start of a new combat.

"Maybe we should try to lure them in to the hut one at a time.'

Sorry guys. Was on vacation this week, just got back today. Took my laptop with me intending to post but internet sucked and my laptop's charging cord shorted out so it was a double whammy there.

Round 1

Byakko begins the battle by letting loose with cruel barbed chains that he conjures, bringing them forth from the ground in a shower of rime and frost. The giant nearest to the hut is struck, the spiked lash tearing a wound across his thigh. The second two targets are able to twist away and put their armor in between themselves and the strikes. Closest giant is hit for 3 damage, but passes the will save

Enii coils her muscles, leaning down on her haunches and ready to strike.

From the room behind you, Geedra cackles as she uses the egg and bowl to control the hut for the first time. You are all forced to quickly find your footing as the entire structure lurches, raising up slightly as the legs extend, raising up one at a time to claw, and then forward as it lunges out with a heavy and suddenly-expedient strike against the closest giant. He roars out in pain as the huge feet crumple his armor and split flesh apart beneath, and finally from the loud crack as the front of the building collides with him. Upon the strike, the doors fling open and the hut scoops the battered giant up onto the porch with an arcing motion, and "swallows" him by dumping him in the interior chamber..right at your feet.

Ratibor's face lights up with the most exuberant, gleeful mask of carnage you have ever seen. "Finally!" he yells. "My axe shall feed once more!"

Krosh leaves no time to ponder this new development and releases a charge of his held produce flame spell, reaching down to grab the giant's form, sending the spectral fire into the enemy, who howls upon feeling the spell surge across his flesh.

Ratibor lets out a shrill howl of fury, not unlike a wolf's, as a heightened strength washes over him, not at all unlike the one you have seen take hold of Skäne in a battle. The warlord raises his axe and chops down into the giant twice, hewing through flesh and bone as he laughs in maniacal glee. The giant roars out in pain, but still holds together despite the continued assault of your party.

Mithas, seeing that the giant deposited within the structure is prone and surrounded by the rest of you, takes up a position at the window and launches an arrow at another giant who, distracted by the odd sight of his ally being scooped into the chicken hut, doesn't see it coming. The blunted arrow cracks hard into the side of his temple, staggering him on his feet. Successful sneak attack.

Enii's held action and Skäne both get to act here. I doubt this giant will last til the end of the round, so I will just do the other four.

The giants, apparently unprepared for you all to remain inside and for the hut to attack them, suddenly spring into a somewhat improvised action, surrounding the hut and lashing out at it with their weapons. Most of their strikes seem to fail to do visible damage to the hut, but a few nick some wood and stone off of the exterior...only for such damage to repair moments later.

I'll try and get the map updated soon, but really there is one giant inside with you and the rest are within striking distance of the hut itself.

Enii will try for the pounce/charge? or just full attack... or just bite? Rolls below, -2 if no charge.

Enii springs into action as the giant appears in the hut.

Power Chomp: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 31
Chomp Dmg: 1d8 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 18
Power Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 19
Slash Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 13
Power Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 27
Slash Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 16
Power Rake: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 16
Slash Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 16
Power Rake: 1d20 + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 17
Slash Dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 + 2 = 13

Grab: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 11 + 2 = 32

Skäne too sets about the uninvited jotunn, skewering it repeatedly with his spear...

Melee Power Attack - Spear +1: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Melee Power Attack - Spear +1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

+1 Spear P/S Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
+1 Spear P/S Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

”Kill dumb giant,” Geedra calls to the party as she whoops aloud, turning the hut around to take another attack at the closest giant.

Claw 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (5) + 38 = 43
Damage 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (3, 6) + 13 = 22

Claw 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (15) + 38 = 53
Damage 2d6 + 13 ⇒ (5, 3) + 13 = 21

Bite 1d20 + 38 ⇒ (8) + 38 = 46
Damage 2d8 + 13 ⇒ (3, 7) + 13 = 23

Mithas fires an arrow at the giant in the house, or out the window at another, if his allies have already dispatched that one.

Pew: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 10 + 1 = 13 Damage?: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Round 1 Continued

Enii leaps onto the prone giant in a maelstrom of fur, tooth, and claw, letting out a roar of her own as she savages the writhing hulk. Skäne joins the warbeast, driving his spear down into the enemy as well, the magical tip burrowing deep. The combined blows are too much for him, and he stops thrashing a moment later. Remember you get a +4 bonus when melee attacking prone foes. That helped some of those rolls hit :)

Round 2

As the hut lurches under the command of Geedra, it seems to sense that the giant is deceased and the front doors suddenly fling open and the structure pitches forward, sending the body of the frost jotun flying out to land with a hard, bloody thud back in the clearing.

The giants exchange worried glances, but have little time to collect themselves as Geedra howls and cackles from the control room, sending the Hut after another of the raiders. The chicken talons once again latch out, battering and slashing the next quarry. Upon another battering, the doors open once more and scoop this next giant up, depositing him at your feet. The sudden movements of the hut throw Mithas a touch off balance, causing his next shot from the window perch to go wide.

Over to Byakko, Enii, and Skäne, another giant prone at your feet..

Skäne continues his red-handed ways, stabbing at the downed Jotun;

Melee Power Attack - Spear +1 vs Prone Jotun: 1d20 + 10 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 4 = 29
Melee Power Attack - Spear +1 vs Prone Jotun: 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 = 28

+1 Spear P/S PA Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
+1 Spear P/S PA Damage: 1d8 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14

Dang thought I posted, guess I just went down a 'deadly rabbit hole. Has anyone actually pulled off a coup de grace with a deadly weapon? Very corner case attribute... Not sure how continued pounces would work given theatre of the mind so I'll put the rakes below spoilered, otherwise full attack(?) from Enii and Byakko.

Enii the cat is somewhat perturbed at the appearance of fresh prostrate prey but has no compunction about attacking a downed foe, Byakko on the other hand hesitates; the second giant facing a near helpless situation triggers his sense of honour, but the blow he received in the snow reminds him these are incredibly dangerous beings. Best even the odds before attempting parley, unlikely they speak Tiger anyways... He joins the cat and Ulfen in dispatching another foe, once again a rictus maw of teeth sprout from his features.

Power Katana: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 = 25
dmg: 1d8 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 17
Power +1Chomp: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 = 30
dmg: 1d6 + 5 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 5 + 2 + 4 = 12

Another +2 to hit if charge/pouncing.
Power Chomp: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 = 25
dmg: 1d8 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 20
Power Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 = 17
dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 18
Power Slash: 1d20 + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 - 2 + 4 = 15
dmg: 1d6 + 6 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 + 4 = 15

Round 2 Continued

The giant who was scooped into the hut has no time to prepare what happens to him. A typhoon of blade, spear, claw, fang, and axe descend down upon him with relentless fury. His roars of defiance slowly fade to breathless gasps as he is butchered then and there.

The giants slow their movements outside, looking more hesitant, and when the hut coughs up your newest victim and sends the bloody, mangled corpse of the frost giant rolling across the snow, the others have had enough. In great bounds with their massive legs they retreat into the surrounding woods.

The Hut seems to realize that the imminent danger is no more and shifts back over to the exact spot it had transported to and nestles neatly down into a dormant state once more.

"Bah!" Ratibor grunts, coming off of his bloodlust. "That's all? We haven't even begun."

Zorka snorts from the other room. "That will teach no good grubby-handed giants to come poking around, making a mess of things."

Krosh, however, muses differently. "Why were there here, and how did they know?"

Geedra cackled as she watched the giants run away. ”Geesra am love chicken legged hut! Am best gift ever! Geedra love go fight more baddies. Zorka know more baddies need butt kicking?!”

"Strange that the baddies seemed to know where the hut was to appear and yet... We do not know where we are. Could you shed some light on that Zorka?"

"Why wouldn't they be waiting in ambush? It's not like anything else has made any sense since we got in here. I guess the hut's been here before, or always arrives here when it shows up?"

"Can't imagine why giants would be so foolhardy tempt the wrath of Baba Yaga though."

I guess Geedra could just pilot the hut wherever we want to go, though I'm not sure which direction that is supposed to be."

As the remaining giants disappear into the forested lands surrounding the Hut, you take stock of yet another strange occurrence.

Zorka laughs and cackles along with Geedra, even slipping into a very bizarre hopping dance. "Oh there are many who would seek to claim the Hut for their own. Let them come, ha ha ha!"

The strange spirit looks to Byakko when he questions her and shrugs. "Hut responds to coded keys. The keys you used were coded to here. Elf is right, Hut will usually always travel to the same spot whenever keys to a certain place are used." She hops up on a crate to look out the window, eyeing the dead giants. "Many have been foolish enough to stand against the Witch Queen over the centuries. Most are made dead -" she gestures to the corpses outside - "some are made to serve -" she points at Ratibor and gives him a fiendish grin -" others might escape to plot revenge. And then the first two happen anyway. As Zorka said - fools."

She sighs and hops down and Ratibor scoffs, spitting on the floor into a puddle of giant blood. "Old Warlord still sour! Ha. Hut will stay here, it seems. Controls are dormant now, as Baba Yaga wills. If you are the new Riders, you must follow the path she left you. Don't worry, Zorka will look after Hut and await your return. Much giant blood to clean, but Zorka will forgive your mess this time."

As the spirit scampers off to do her work, Krosh sighs, shaking his head.

"...Right. Remember the Ravens' riddles. We seek Artrosa, and within, more clues for this trail. Perhaps it is best to venture forth and get our bearings. The giants have proven to be no friends to us, but if there are truly centaur in this land, they may be more inclined to aid us."

If you want to parse through the giant corpses, you find their mundane armor and weapons, a small collection of trophies - mammoth tusks, a half dozen skulls, pelts of bears and elk, a very large hunting horn, a finely-carved comb of bone that is a bit too big for any of you to use comfortably, and random bits of food. They aren't carrying any coin, but you do find that the scythe wielded by the female giant is a Large +1 Frost Scythe. A second slain giant has a bundle of hay in his pack, in which is nestled a magical fist-sized glass ball - a Globe of Blizzards.

that globe is pretty neat. Never seen it before. Now, more pressing. How are we going to get to Artrosa? Can the hut take us? I forgot exactly how far that was from us…

Skäne prods with distain at the Jotun corpses;

"Nei much for us. The hrafn (ravens) will veizla (feast)..."

He then eyes the globe recovered with a frown;

"What is it Puka? Augury? Hœttr (dangerous)?"

"Hate to run into another group o' giants without the aide of these giant chicken legs but I guess there's nothing for it. At least the terrain is familiar enough, eh girl." Byakko scratches Enii's massive head and surveys the forest from the porch.

Any sign of non-giants out there?

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

@Geedra: The hut is dormant now, we are off on foot.

That globe seems like a pretty sweet way of masking a retreat if we ever need to make a run for it.

Once the despoiling of the dead is done, Mithas surveys the scenery beyond the hut. "Well, our goal is out there, somewhere. Anybody, have an idea of which way to go?"

Anyone have survival or Know(geography)? We need to find out bearings and plot a path.

Know. Geography 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

any idea about how long it will take to get there, GM?

Geedra, combining thinking upon her repertoire of strangely accumulated knowledge, working with Krosh with his more vague collection of information, and thinking on the clues from the raven oracles, is able to place the Hut as definitely in Iobaria..and a single fleeting memory of a place read or heard about, where the centaurs Krosh spoke of roam. Hoofwood. With further knowledge that Artrosa lies somewhere in the Northeast of Iobaria, that direction seems to be the best plan.

As you take stock of your supplies from the fallen giants and anything else you might need, Ratibor stands at the doorway to the porch and breathes deep.

"Ah, home. If I only I could cross this damned threshold and rally my banners once more..." he clenches his fist and curses to the wind. "I don't know what you are all on about, and I know you all serve this blighted hag for whatever reason, but if you could find it in your hearts to drive a blade into her heart for me, I'd name you kin for it." He grumbles and hefts his axe, resting it back on his shoulder before turning to take his eternal post up once more.

Feel free to use this time to stock up and do anything you need. Remember if anyone needs healing they can roll a 2d8+7 from Krosh's Hex of Healing, which each one of you can benefit from once per day.

Later...

You strike out into the surrounding Hoofwood; a thick, primal forest of snow-dusted conifers that somehow seems even more ominous than the magical forest you had to brave to get to the Hut in the first place. It is eerily quiet, without even the sounds of birds and woodland animals. If there are any giants around, they are the stealthiest giants in the realm, for you hear nor see any sign of them.

After about a mile of travel, the stillness and silence is broken. A large, heavy arrow suddenly embeds itself into the frost-capped ground about teen feet ahead of you - an obvious warning shot. After a moment, you see a figure emerge from the trees about one hundred paces out. The toned upper body of a man with pale flesh, dark hair woven in braids with feathers and beads adorning it, wearing a chain shirt over thick leather. The lower body is that of a handsome sienna equine, blue and red paint etched in swirling pattern down his sides. The large recurve bow he carries is set with another arrow, though it is pointed at the ground - prepared, but not aggressive. His tail swishes cautiously as he casts a long gaze. He speaks, but it is not intelligible to you, sounding rather like Ratibor's language before Zorka allowed him to speak in a way you could understand.

He notices your expressions and looks at Mithas, switching to Elven.

The only thing Gesdra knew about elves was that they looked tasty. She didn’t understand their tongue, so she looks at Mithas and shrugged as he was going to have to do the heavy lifting here.