GL's Shattered Star.

Game Master Grandlounge

Zeltyieli looks curiously, "Are we sure that giant isn't... a guardian?"

"Is it even alive? It has to have been down here a long time. "

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11 to observe signs of life.

Of course in a world full of undead, it's really not a terribly helpful thing to check.

The giant is alive but seems to have features even more primitive than contemporary cave giants.

Von knows this is a Cave giant but an ancestral one. Like its kin, it has light sensitivity and can throw rocks. They are not particularly sophisticated creatures.

"Anyone speak giant? I bet we'll have to fight it, but maybe we can talk instead. "

Zeltyieli shakes his head, "I don't, sorry."

"I speak several languages, but Giant is not one of them. This ancestral cave giant is quite fearsome - although it does not appear to have a pile of rocks to throw at us."

"When he beats me like a rented mule with his fists, I will surely appreciate the lack of rocks. But, anyway I guess we better get closer and see what it does. "

And he will move up.

Zeltyieli says, "Don't have any magic that would stop a rock. Or a fist, for that matter."

What is the plan? Von knows that some giants speak common. Others learn the language of their masters.

Zeltyieli says, "I don't think we could sneak up on it, and even if we did... do we even know if it's hostile or evil? It might know where the others are."

Marcus will move up some more and then speak in Thasselonian

"Greetings are you a guardian? We seek knowledge. "

If that doesn't get any response he'll try again in Azlanti.

The giant responds, "Guardian, Ha! I am SORHEN. Kneel, little mortals, before SORSHEN if you want my wisdom!”

You can clearly see many giant-sized treasure chests surrounding the giant's throne.

"But Sorshen is not here. I do not even see her image."

Zeltyieli shakes his head, "If you're Sorshen, I'll eat my scarf."

Von-Dai frowns as the giant speaks, and casts a spell to search for magical auras about the giant, particularly of the enchantment variety.

Cast detect magic.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Von, you find an ongoing enchantment on the giant. Tells in his behaviour suggest charm person, but that spell does not normally make you think you are someone you are not.

"The giant is charmed in some way, but it appears their memory is modified as well. There may be an item on the giant causing this. I'll try to find out more."

Continue concentration on Detect Magic for number and strength of auras.

Zeltyieli nods, then adds, "That might not be magical in nature. If the giant is as weak-willed as you suggested, it could probably have been made to think a lot of things, entombed in here for the Wind only knows how long."

"I am Sorshen only with my permission can you explore any further. Give me some news that will fulfill my lust and you may consider yourselves my guests." As the giant speaks two monitor lizards crawl out from behind the throne.

"Umm, what exactly do you lust for?"

Zeltyieli whispers, "Thankfully it's only news he -- she -- the giant is seeking."

"Tell me salacious tales from outside."

You do have to actually write a story just give a general description and a bluff if your charter is making it up and diplomacy if it is a real story they know.

No face skills here. Though if I did, I'd probably rip off part of the Canterbury Tales. Miller's tale seems salacious enough.

One person try any roll they like, everyone else roll to aid. If it fails we will see what happens.

roll to aid: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Taking a deep breath, Von-Dai sets about trying to tell the story of a bartender he once knew in Korvosa who had simultaneously promised three different women he loved each of them, and when they found out, had to fake his own death and find another job in order to escape their wrath.

I've got a 25 so far with Marcus's Aid.

Zeltyieli adds in a bit of flavour where he can.

Diplomacy (Aid): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24

"I give you permission to explore as you like. Leave out the back of the chamber and continue down the river. Past the lake, there is a beach where you may explore there. Take this and my servants will let you pass." The giant gives you one of its earrings.

"Thank you. "

Zeltyieli nods, then asks, "Many thanks. But one small question, great one. Did a larger group of armoured folk pass by here earlier?"

"If they did they did not stop in here and show respect as you did, which makes them trespassers. You have my blessing to kill them."

Zeltyieli nods, "Indeed, thank you."

"Yeah, some people just don't learn manners. " then he will head out to the indicated area for exploration.

Once outside, Von-Dai says, "That went surprisingly well. I did not expect that encounter to go so smoothly."

Zeltyieli chuckles, "Wonder if we could lure the others back here?"

You get back in the boat and set off the west. The cave narrows and you notice human-sized holes in the walls.

Perception and Knowledge religion rolls, please.

perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 +4 if to spot statue-like creatures

No Knowledge (religion) ranks - I intentionally left it empty to not stop on Zeltyieli's toes.

Perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (3) + 14 = 17
Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 With his int and skill points, feel free to 'step'

3 and a 4. Wow. That's ugly. Dicebot must be counting in a jazz band?

You all notice at least two large undead bat-like creates hiding in the recesses of the caves.

"OK, at least I don't have to negotiate. " and he readies himself striding forward.

Don't see which map we're on.

New map on Slide one.

Zeltyieli offers, "I could get their attention with a blast of holy energy, or would we rather try to sneak past?"

"go ahead, wake them up. I can't sneak. "

I don't see them marked - so I guess I'll hold that until we're within 30'? I assume, since we're rowing that we're not making that much noise at the moment - allowing even loud-noise-walkers like Marcus to maybe pass without incident?

Also, is our Water Walk still in effect?

Water walk is still in effect. As you paddle the creatures let you get right below them before they release their grip on the rock and dive at you.

Zeltyieli you can have one action as you were prepared for this then initiative.

init: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Readied

Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) = 11 Will DC 15 for half

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The bats dive face first into a sphere of radiant energy.
Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Will: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The bold may act:
Von
Bats -4/-4
Zelti
Marcus

Von-Dai casts a spell throwing a blast of glitterdust over the two undead bat-things.

[ooc]Cast Glitterdust (DC 19 Will save), hitting both of them, but missing any of our people.