GM Zero/GL's Giantslayer! (Inactive)

Game Master GM_Grandlounge

** spoiler omitted **

"Only 9 feet tall barely taller than a human."

** spoiler omitted **

She blushes again.

Pointing at the forge, Ben opines a bit.

"The forge has been sitting here unused for a looong time. I don't think we need to hurry up and destroy it. And if we CAN activate it, buy that would be an awesome with for the good guys, meaning us in case there was any doubt. I think we should hunker down out of sight until this place clears out, come back, and see if we can get this thing working. Though the coals might be a bit difficult, not to mention a dragon, unless we can revive the one we just KOed..."

Pausing to think a bit, he wonders if some of the work might have been done already.

"Say, were any of the giants trying to get this thing working? Did they know how to do it or collect any of those geodes? That would explain the 'pet' dragon."

The old giant searches deep in her memory, "First, you will need the fire contained in geodes forged in the heart of a volcano. These are your coals. Then you will need the fire of a dragon to light them. And, finally, you must strike the anvil with that hammer, while reciting Blessing of Rosag. This will unlock it power and make you the champion in the eyes of giants." She points at the hammer Agrimmosh.

"Geodes. Hey, you know what, I think we have some of those. We found them in an old abandoned chapel a few days ago back in the valley." She pulls one of the stones out of her pack and lays it on the forge to display it.

"As for the dragon, we literally just killed a fire breathing red dragon upstairs-- is there any way we can still use that? Say by getting its fire glands or blood or something? Otherwise I suppose we have that dragon summoning horn-- we could try calling for another one."

"And I assume you know this Blessing?"

Ulretha sighs loudly as it becomes apparent that they're not going to be going on a giant massacre any time soon.

He's had an idea percolating in his brain since learning about what the forge can do, though so he perks up as it becomes evident that they might be able to light it and use it.

But he shakes his head afterwards. It's not like they could have NOT killed the dragon. It was a dragon. Dragon's were meant for slaying.

"Yes, we should use the horn and summon a new dragon to light the forge and then kill," he says.

"And what exactly do you mean by we would become the champion in the eyes of the giants? If we are going to do this thing right now, I'd like to know what we are getting into."

Thyste giggles and twirls her hair. "'Barely taller than a human,' you're soooooo funny!!"

"Yes, 'champion in the eyes of the giants' sounds good," Ulretha comments.

He looks at Thyste and scowls, wondering why she is acting strangely. Perhaps she has been poisoned or enchanted without them noticing.

"Geodes. Hey, you know what, I think we have some of those. We found them in an old abandoned chapel a few days ago back in the valley." She pulls one of the stones out of her pack and lays it on the forge to display it.

"As for the dragon, we literally just killed a fire breathing red dragon upstairs-- is there any way we can still use that? Say by getting its fire glands or blood or something? Otherwise I suppose we have that dragon summoning horn-- we could try calling for another one."

"And I assume you know this Blessing?"

Lidia seems to have a plausible plan it will take some skill to remove the gland intact and use it. it is also large and fragile, so it may require some teamwork.

"And what exactly do you mean by we would become the champion in the eyes of the giants? If we are going to do this thing right now, I'd like to know what we are getting into."

"You would be seen as powerful. That would gain you some respect, but it would ensure every giant here would try to kill you as soon as they had the chance. Show a hint of weakness, and the thousands outside would decent on you en masse." she says with a shudder.

Thyste giggles and twirls her hair. "'Barely taller than a human,' you're soooooo funny!!"

"Well, I'm not sure what was funny. Did I say something wrong?", the young giant says with some bewilderment furrowing her brow. Something seems lost between foxling humour and giant humour.

"Well, normally I would say slip away and come back when they are gone, but I don't know that the dragons fire stuff will last that long. What do you guys say, come back later and try to summon a dragon, or go for it now? I already know Ulretha's vote."

"Yes! The choice is obvious! We summon a dragon now, force it to immediately light the fire, slay it, then kill any giant who dares to defy our might!" Ulretha says, raising a hand in the air and slowly closing it with each step until he's made a fist that is symbolically crushing any obstacles in their path.

"I mean, we should see who we actually summon before we slay them," says Thyste. "What if they would be happy to help? What if they're interested in foxy halflings?"

"Look, let's go upstairs, cut out the fire gland of the dragon we just killed, and then carry it down here and use it. Why make this complicated?" says Lidia a trifle impatiently.

"Oh! Right. Yeah. Let's try that first."

Thyste moves to try that first.

Ben, who is quite skilled at butchering things, at least the old fashioned way, accompanies her to make sure it is done right.

survival: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16

Well, that will show him. I have a feeling Ben is going to end up with an aura of fire. Lidia, you may want to watch over Ben :(

Azardra wakes up from her old-age driven day dream and nods at her younger companions.

“Lidia, I might be able to identify the anatomical areas that we need to carefully and surgically remove to be able to really conduct the ritual with the gland!!“

When they are at the dragon’s corpse she starts to explain what to do.

kn arcana with heroism and focused trance 3/3 : 1d20 + 18 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 18 + 20 + 2 = 54

"No, no, no, you're going at it all wrong. Not like a lizard, you have to do it like it's a snake," Ulretha says, taking the knife away from Ben and attempting to extract the gland, if it hasn't been ruined.

Survival: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

with the additional information from deep within Grandmother's psyche she provides Ben enough information that despite his clumsy start, he neither makes much progress nor blows himself up. After several minutes Ulretha takes over and has the gland out in 5 minutes.

To bring it down I will need three ref saves from Ben and Ulretha (assuming you are the two that are carrying it). Failures you will take damage really bad failures it will slip and things will get bad. Folks can aid if they like.

Reflex Save #1: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (10) + 14 = 24
Reflex Save #2: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26
Reflex Save #3: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

reflex aid : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
reflex aid : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
reflex aid : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

Do you want the saves from Ben and Ulretha due to size and strength? Because there are those with much better ref saves than us and Ben (or even better Ulretha since he has the lowest ref ST) would gladly give up his position to Lidia or Thyste :(

reflex ST: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
reflex ST: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
reflex ST: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Ben did surprisingly well. Looks like he will get a few burns, but not too bad.

Ulretha looks pretty smug about getting the gland out.

That smugness disappears quickly as he realizes how hard it is to carry the thing safely.

Refl: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Refl: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Refl: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Do you want the saves from Ben and Ulretha due to size and strength? Because there are those with much better ref saves than us and Ben (or even better Ulretha since he has the lowest ref ST) would gladly give up his position to Lidia or Thyste :(

[dice=reflex ST]1d20+6
[dice=reflex ST]1d20+6
[dice=reflex ST]1d20+6

Ben did surprisingly well. Looks like he will get a few burns, but not too bad.

Lets do it this way.

It is big and heavy and requires two strong people to carry safely. Whoever is helping carry it can roll ref. The more people aiding the lower the DC for everyone.

Do you want the two of us carrying it to reroll our saves or just let folks who want to help make rolls?

Ref: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Ref: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Ref: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15

Lidia will gladly step in and take a lead in the carrying. Getting the gland was her idea after all.

”What are you doing? You’re just gonna grab onto a slippery, bloody, fragile bag of fire goo and carry it like a sack of millet? Here, we have dozens of crates lying around here. Let’s find a nice big sturdy one and carry it in that. OK?”

As the team cooperates to bring the flame gland down Thyste, Ulretha and Ben all get burned, and drops of incendiary-fluid splash on their arms and face as the glad leaks and sprays with even the simplest jostle.

Fire damage: 5d10 ⇒ (4, 2, 4, 4, 10) = 24

You successfully bring the finer sac down to the forge where the old giant lady is waiting, "What now, brave giants?" She says with a smirk.

"What now, brave giants?" She says with a smirk.

Lidia had obviously felt so relieved to actually get the flame gland to the anvil that she clearly had not thought any further ahead than that.

"Oh. Well... I guess we put these geodes on the altar, then... I don't know-- kinda, squirt the gland at them? You know, sorta like flint and tinder, but a lot bigger. Then once we get the geodes burning, we use the hammer and say the magic words."

She looks about helplessly at the others, guessing that she probably sounds dangerously naive.

"Sounds about right. We certainly are not the experts. Odd as it may seem, I think we rely on the giants here to get the job right. But, before we go on. we should take care of all these burns."

Indeed, he takes out his wand of CLW and goes to work on himself

CLW: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 6, 5) + 3 = 21, 3 charges plus three goodberries.

"Also I think it would be a good idea to rest a bit first. I, for one, could get a few spells set up."

After levelling up we did not get a chance to prep the new spell slots. I'd like to get the hunter's blessing up and running in case giants come at us.

"ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow"

"Also I think it would be a good idea to rest a bit first. I, for one, could get a few spells set up."

”I don’t think we can afford to wait. This probably can only work while the gland is fresh.” says Lidia, her brows knit pensively as she stares at the altar. After a pause, she sighs lightly and speaks again.

”I’ll do it. Everyone else get to a safe distance. This is probably gonna be messy.”

Ben gives her an odd look.

"I always thought smithing took strength as well as skill. No offence, but don't you think it should be me or Ulretha?"

Shrugging and tilting his head he adds, "But if you have some hidden skills in the area, I've no objection to your giving it a try."

Ben looks around and notices nobody else has healed their injuries, even though it obviously (Thyste made that plain) hurt.

"Once we fire up this forge, there is a good chance the noise will summon company. I really think you all should get some healing before we go on. Meanwhile, I'm going to meditate and see if I can get some more spells. Who knows, this might take a while and we might not see trouble."

Ben will begin his meditative state and see if the peace lasts the hour it needs to gain his spells.

Ben gives her an odd look.

"I always thought smithing took strength as well as skill. No offence, but don't you think it should be me or Ulretha?"
"Once we fire up this forge, there is a good chance the noise will summon company. I really think you all should get some healing before we go on. Meanwhile, I'm going to meditate and see if I can get some more spells. Who knows, this might take a while and we might not see trouble."

Lidia crosses her arms and gives Ben the surly look.

"I don't see why lighting a forge should be noisy or require great strength. But then I suppose druids are experts about blacksmithing." she says sarcastically.

Then she looks around to see if anyone else has thoughts.

Esmé jumps up onto the sacred anvil and flops down on her side for a little rest.

Ben chuckles as he fully expected the surly response.

"True enough."

Turning to the giants he asks

"Well, how about it? Any idea what kind of skills or abilities will be needed to start the forge? Can all of us help or is it a one man job? And what dangers are there, if any?"

"Fine, I'll do it," Ulretha says.

He makes a move to grab the geodes and the fire gland from the people who have them and move toward the forge.

"I said I'd do it." says Lidia as she attempts to shrug off Ulretha's attempt to get at the geode.

GM, what sort of a check are we looking at to do this relighting the forge thing? We can obviously just bicker back and forth in character, but it might be nice for the group to make a tactical choice about how best to succeed.

After levelling up we did not get a chance to prep the new spell slots. I'd like to get the hunter's blessing up and running in case giants come at us.

You can easily take 15 min to prep up to 1/4 of your new spells for unfilled and new slots, but you will have to rest over night to do a full recovery. We can assume you already took the 15 min.

"I said I'd do it." says Lidia as she attempts to shrug off Ulretha's attempt to get at the geode.

GM, what sort of a check are we looking at to do this relighting the forge thing? We can obviously just bicker back and forth in character, but it might be nice for the group to make a tactical choice about how best to succeed.

No check you just need the right stuff.

The old giant woman says, "Before I say the prayer, we should stack the geodes in the forge. Around the gland would be best, I think. I will start the prayer. We should use fire and pricing from a distance, a lit arrow will do, to light the contents of the gland, which should ignite the geodes. Once that is done, the altar (which is essentially the anvil for this forge) needs to be struck with that hammer. And we are good to go." she takes a pause, "Once this is done, the camp will become chaos, the body of the leader will be discovered, and the fighting will begin. You can stay down with me and we will have you out of here by tomorrow."

Ben rests long enough to pick up his hunter's blessing spell and casts it on the group - Humanoid (giant)/urban or whatever this building counts as).

Targets of the spell (all PCs, Little Buddy, and 3 hyenas) gain a +2 sacred bonus on Bluff, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks attempted against giants, and a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls made against giants.

Furthermore, they gain a +2 sacred bonus on initiative checks, Perception, Stealth, and Survival checks while they are in the building.

Also some tracking bonuses that won't come into play.

"We should use fire and pricing from a distance, a lit arrow will do, to light the contents of the gland, which should ignite the geodes."

”There. See? Lit arrow?” says Lidia to Ulretha in her ‘told-you-so’ voice, as she waves an arrow from her quiver.

Without further ado she arranges the geodes around the dragon fire gland, then stands back about 30 feet away and sends a flaming arrow into the gland to spark the combustion.

Ben pitches in to move the stuff around as directed then stands off at a distance while it is ignited.

Ulretha takes the hammer and stands a pace or two ahead of (but not in front of) Lidia. While he waits for his moment to strike, he spins the hammer in his hand, the motion, along with the toothy grin on his face a sign of his eagerness.

Lidia has been carrying Aggrimosh since before Redlake Fort, ever since Ulretha got his cursed Gorum sword. She doesn’t really use it, but she still has it.

I know. I should have said Ulretha TAKES the hammer. Or given you the chance for her to protest. We can do it now, if you like.

As Ulretha snatches the sacred Hammer from her pack, Lidia just looks at him with her jaw dropped, then she settles back against the wall and crosses her arms.

"Don't screw it up." she snarls sulkily.

With every setup, the ritual begins. The priestess's voice, full and bellowing, harmonizes with the stone walls carrying the sound of the party unhead in generations to every corner of the temple. The forge and alter almost imperceptibly vibrate as if waking from 1000 years of magical hibernation. Lidia looses her arrow, and the power of a dragon's breath is released all at once. Then, with a thunders crack, Ulretha brings the hammer down on the altar.

No a second after the smoke reaches the top of the chimney does the cheers of thousands of giants erupt. Drums swell and horns bellow. Then suddenly, the floor starts to vibrate as impassioned and undisciplined giants being to descend on their place of worship and the altar to the God Minderhal.

Lidia takes up a good hiding position in the room with the giant priestess and her hot friend.

"Hey..." she whispers to Ben. "Keep an eye on her. In case this is all a wicked trick, and we just made her the queen of the giants."

Stealth: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22
Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

"I had thought of that. We are putting a lot of trust in her."

Ben makes his way quietly over to where their advisor is.

How long has it been since we entered the cathedral? Need to know what spells expired.