GM Zero/GL's Giantslayer! (Inactive)

Game Master GM_Grandlounge

I would say about an hour with all the negotiating, prepping the ritual, butchering a dragon.

You all sit guarded through the night for the first three hours the cathedral is a light with activity, but it very quickly dies down once the giant realizes their leader is dead.

Throughout the night, the freed captures make quiet conversation. "Are you going to chase the strong against down? There is a training camp up north. That is where they take the human slaves. They work them to the bone in the cold and then eat them or burn them alive to their god. They are much stronger than the ones here. I don't know if even you could beat them."

Ben's ears perk up as he hears this.

"Where exactly is this camp? Are there more of them? This is getting annoying. Every time we dismantle one stronghold, another one comes to our attention. I guess that is inevitable, though. They have some kind of storm giant leader that is probably the root of all this trouble and this won't be over until he is defeated."

"Betrayer!" Ulretha declares as the giants pour into the cathedral, no doubt to slaughter them all. He brandishes the hammer at the giantess, intent on taking her with him if he's going to be slaughtered by hundreds of giants.

Onnikka slinks between them, earning his ire, as well but buying enough time for Ulretha to realize that they are in no danger.

Still, he paces back and forth as he listens to the chaos above. He lets a out a low chuckle when it becomes apparent that the giants have found their dead leader.

As hours pass, he grows calmer but then approaches the priestess of the forge.

"Is it true that you can make weapons larger with this forge. Even divinely empowered weapons?"

"I think you should be perfectly happy with the size your god gave you," Thyste suggests.

She's set herself up on a scrap of a barrel, grooming kit laid over her knee as she plucks between her conical teeth, tweezes at some orange hairs between her eyebrows, and considers her hair.

"Frizzy. I'm not one for noble-style vanity, but I'm starting to feel like something that came up out of the mud."

She frowns, considering.

"Wish it had only been mud."

Where exactly is this camp? Are there more of them?

"If you follow the cart tracks north of here, it should be easy to find. They call it is called Skirgaard. There are many more. They have mine too. That is where they build their weapons. And, I hear them talking about the storm king's fortress in the sky. Giants are dumb though my guess is it is on the top of a mountain."

Is it true that you can make weapons larger with this forge. Even divinely empowered weapons

Yes. The old giantess says. "It has many powers.

See here for a reminder.

Thyste, the young, pretty giant, says, "You look softer and smell like a giant, I don't think it is too bad."

Thyste stares up (way, way up) at the giant and makes a sort of strangled squeaking noise; she clears her throat and tries again.

"Well... I suppose one does need to try a new style now and then," she says. She tries to wink, but forgets how to close her eye. Instead, she just kind of flexes her cheek and eyebrow toward each other.

"Lidia help me I haven't seduced anyone in months"

"Worth a try. I wouldn't mind a few enhancements on my Axe or armor. Anyone able to use a forge? Wait, didn't you say anyone could?"

Are there limitations based on material components? I'd like to add a +1 bane (giants) to my axe and +1 defiant(giants) to my armor, as well as fire resistance, but that has got to cost more money than he has.

Ulretha has a number of improvements in mind but the first and most important will require some coordination.

"Priest of a weak god," he begins, calling for Blix.

"Does your god have the power to restore his true hand to him?" he asks, pointing to Umlo.

Is Umlo here? I'm assuming they've just been trailing us in the background.

"Lidia help me I haven't seduced anyone in months"

Lidia seems confused and just points at herself while regarding Thyste questioningly. Clearly she feels unqualified giving the foxling advice in this department.

She shuffles and squirms deeper into the shadows behind a barrel.

Ulretha has a number of improvements in mind but the first and most important will require some coordination.

"Priest of a weak god," he begins, calling for Blix.

"Does your god have the power to restore his true hand to him?" he asks, pointing to Umlo.

Is Umlo here? I'm assuming they've just been trailing us in the background.

Umlo and Blix walk up, and Blix says, "I'm sorry, but power is still out of my reach."

Umlo says with surprise, "Ulretha, your compassion is appreciated. If Blix's healing powers keep progressings maybe we will all find the healing we need."

"Worth a try. I wouldn't mind a few enhancements on my Axe or armor. Anyone able to use a forge? Wait, didn't you say anyone could?"

Are there limitations based on material components? I'd like to add a +1 bane (giants) to my axe and +1 defiant(giants) to my armor, as well as fire resistance, but that has got to cost more money than he has.

No limitation, if you have the resources. I will let you use the gear you have collected toward the material costs of what you want to be made. There is no time limit here, so if someone in the group can make the check to produce what you want and you have the resources, you can have it.

Everyone can level to ten, make and equip the gear they want and then we are on to book 4.

Feel free to RP and invite anyone else along you want in your ragtag party.

Waking up from her dazed senile silence the old grandmother is eager to help.

“So you want to create magical items!? This is one of my specialties! When I was younger I even enchanted the armor that my husband was wearing!“ she says with a crooked smile.

“Can you imagine me doing all of this!? No! Because my husband was actually creating the armor and the weapons and I was just enchanting them! So please if you can give me what you want to be enchanted then I can enchant it! Oh it was a wonderful time! It was a great time! We loved each other so much! And now everything is gone!“ she says and suddenly starts sobbing.

“And we have had vengeance but it’s not sweet at all. It’s not what I imagined… “

"Vengeance is a dish that's only ever composed of leftovers that you needed to get out of your kitchen because they were stinking up the place otherwise," Thyste says, nodding sagely.

"Well, I've never heard it described quite like that. I say vengeance is alike a cold lump of porridge that settles into your gut for the long run, even after you've expelled everything else."

The old grandmother thinks.

“I just thought we’re finished now. But it is never over it seems!!“ she says.

"Vengeance is a morsel that tastes best when eaten immediately but is most satisfying after it has had time to ferment," Ulretha comments.

Hildy approaches the group, "So after you reequip here, you will be heading up the slave trails, I would like the send Umlo back to Shimmerman Fortune with the others. Though his cooking is nice, he has not recovered as I had hoped from being forced to fight in the bear pits. I think some time away from giants will help. My abilities as a ranger helped in the last fight, and I think they will again. If you would have me with you I would like to continue."

Ferin looking at Thyste says, "If you are looking for a cook, I'm pretty good and cooking for all of you will be easy compared to a hall full of giants. I bet all of you could not even finish a goat."

Thyste can't help but grin. "You haven't spent much time around gnolls and halflings, then," she says, "but I'd be happy for the company."

"...If Lidia doesn't mind, of course."

Ben is a bit confused about Thysts' constant deference to Lidia, but it is not something he cares to pursue. At least not at this time.

"Hildy, we would welcome your presence. I'm a decent tracker, but I'm no ranger or inquisitor. I'm really rather surprised the commotion died down so easily and we did not have move troubles. Not that I'm complaining, of course. Say, what kind of terrain will we be dealing with on those trails?"

"I'll have you," Ulretha replies to Hildy.

"But what about the Hand? It should be in use by someone who is fighting giants, not someone recovering from fighting giants."

Despite the relatively pragmatic words, there is clearly a glint of jealousy and greed in his eyes now that Ulretha has a way to make Gorum's Thorn larger and wield it.

"You underestimate our appetites. I assure you we will put all of your skills to full use if you come with us," he replies to Ferin.

"I'll have you," Ulretha replies to Hildy.

"But what about the Hand? It should be in use by someone who is fighting giants, not someone recovering from fighting giants."

Despite the relatively pragmatic words, there is clearly a glint of jealousy and greed in his eyes now that Ulretha has a way to make Gorum's Thorn larger and wield it.

"You underestimate our appetites. I assure you we will put all of your skills to full use if you come with us," he replies to Ferin.

"I can part with the hand and make do. I believe in that last fight, much of the work on the inquisitor was due to my magic, but only the fates can know for sure. I will give you the hand, but my aid in combat will no longer be of value. I will do what is best for the group. Give me your order, and I will give you the hand."

”But then isn’t Umlo just short a hand for the rest of his life? That hardly seems right. Especially since the hand is a treasure of his clan anyway.” says Lidia as she gives Ulretha the stink-eye. Then she turns to the dwarf. ”Don’t let him bully you.”

"Or get him to pay for a regeneration spell if he wants it so bad. It's only a grand or so, right?"

Lidia considers this then looks at the gnoll. ”Yeah. The least you can do is is offer to pay him for it. It’s not like we’re short of money.”

Ulretha scowls at Ben and Lidia. "That's what I was trying to do! But either Blix's god or his faith in it is too weak to cast that spell.

"If Umlo will take the coin to regain a hand in return for the Steelhand then I will gladly part with it."

"Seems fair enough to me."

Lidia leans back and crosses her arms.

"You know, when Ulmo claimed the Hand, he cut his own hand off. It was pretty impressive and very brave. It seems to me that if anyone else wanted to use the Hand, they would have to do the same thing to really be worthy of it. I think I can guess what Gorum would expect."

She closes her eyes and sags into a restful slouch, like she's about to catch some sleep.

"Not that it really matters to me. I know not everyone is brave and strong enough to cut off their own hand. I wouldn't be."

"I rather like my on hand. Seems like going all cyborg would be against my druidic vows too."

Ulretha glares at Lidia. "Strong words from someone who hides behind me and shoots a bow any time there is trouble."

He places the bag of coins on the altar then removes his vambrace.

Given his zealotry, perhaps the onlookers expect him to hack off his hand with Gorum's Thorn. Or, more reasonably to use one of the axes or smaller swords they've picked up along the way.

They likely were not expecting what he actually does, which is to swoop down on his own wrist as though it were a choice cut of meat. He gnaws and jerks his head and arm back and forth, chewing and ripping his own flesh until his hand falls free.

He staggers a bit but picks the bloody appendage up off the floor and tosses it to the Pack, which then tears it apart in a snapping, snarling mass.

"I'm ready," he says, then, holding out his remaining hand for the Steelhand while licking his own blood off his muzzle.

Ben looks on with a bit of shock, paling a little.

"That boy is serious!"

Lidia smirks a little at Ulretha’s retort, feeling satisfied with getting under his skin a bit.

Her eyes crack open when other sounds begin, and then fly open as she sees the mad gnoll slavering and gnawing at his own hand. She can only watch in horror and disgust.

”Ohh… ohh gross!! Oh Desna’s tits! That is so disgusting!” she manages to choke out.

Thyste opens her mouth to speak, then watches as the pack falls upon it.

"...And here I was hoping they'd save a piece for me," she sighs. "Gnolls are so inconsiderate."

Despite her words, she's definitely gone a little white.

Hildy and Umlo come over and offer a hand. "Take good care of it, and if you feel so inclined when you are done with your journey, please return it so it can be kept with our family. Please find yourselves blessed by your gods."

You have a trip up to the fridge north high up in the mountains. Is there any prep you would like to do?

We will say the Blix and the young giantess come with you. The dwarfs will leave to heal.

Welcome to book 4.

Azardra has craft scroll so if someone wants endure elements they could pay her to craft a butt load of scrolls. Ben will just memorize the spell for himself and Little Buddy.

Azardra is clearly shocked to see the gnoll gnaw his own had off.

“Savages everywhere… “ she says quitely and is very disgusted.

She will focus her time on crafting the items and scrolls that the team needs.

Ulretha is clearly relieved when he presses the base of the hand against the stump of his wrist. It takes a moment but the pain leaves his face.

"Once I have conquered these giants the hand shall be returned to you. And if I fall, I will find a way to bring it to you," Ulretha tells the two dwarves as he flexes his new, metal fingers.

"You have been fine allies. May you find more glory in your future."

He then goes to find the mistress of the forge. "If it pleases you, can you reforge this sacred blade to be of appropriate size for one of your stature?"

Ulretha's deference is rare but then again, she's a large, powerful, mature female so perhaps it's not all deference.

I'd like to get cold weather gear for Ulretha and the Pack and perhaps a tent if it's available. Depending on how long things take, I think magicing our way out of the upcoming challenges will be cost prohibitive.

You have dispersed the Storm Tyrant’s gathering armies in Minderhal’s Valley, but the storm giant warlord remains a serious threat—not least because of the rumour of castle in the cloud that he possesses. But though the location of this fortress remains unknown, you have learned of the existence of a giant training camp in the frost giant village of Skirgaard, where recruits from the Cathedral of Minderhal have been sent for military instruction. Shutting down this training camp, would be a further blow against the Storm Tyrant, and perhaps there are details of his plans there.

Skirgaard, a snow baron mountain mine and basic encampment, sits atop a plateau in the Mindspin Mountains approximately 150 miles south-southwest of the Cathedral of Minderhal. Using the map you found in the cathedral you are able to reach the frost giant village with relative ease. The journey takes about 12 days on foot (assuming a base land speed of 30 feet), unless you have a faster means.
Skirgaard sits on a mountaintop plateau at an elevation of approximately 9,000 feet, high enough at this latitude to lie above a permanent snow line. This elevation falls into the low peak/high pass altitude with a temperature below 0C.

I will need three DC 15, +1 per previous checks against the thin air or you become fatigued.

Though you avoid the patrols on the way up there, they are a consistent presence on the mountain.

Assuming this is a fort save

DC 15 check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20
DC 16 check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
DC 17 check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25

Ben has signature skill in survival, though that does not seem to help against thin air.

Assuming this is a fort save

DC 15 check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
DC 16 check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
DC 17 check: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

Ben would like to start each day with a hunter's blessing giants/cold on the 6 party members, Little Buddy, and 3 of the pack, and an extended longstrider on himself. He will be travelling in troll form.

Ulretha takes the journey with an uncommon good attitude. He often examines his new metal hand, moving the fingers and even pinching and poking himself and it. At one point, you catch him biting it.

But that is not his only new obsession. Though it usually remains strapped to his back, he takes any excuse he can get to draw Gorum's Thorn, which is now immense, easily as long as an average sized human.

Not a few squirrels are threatened with an violently overkilled death when they make noises in the underbrush at the wrong time.

Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (5) + 12 = 17
Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Fort: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

The Pack seems pleased about heading south where it's warmer until the group starts heading up into the mountains and the weather gets cooler.

They are downright surly by the time they reach their destination, snarling and snapping at each other and anyone else who comes too close.

Onnikka Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Onnikka Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Onnikka Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Fazingar Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
Fazingar Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Fazingar Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Crezobill Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Crezobill Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Crezobill Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

The old lady is again dragged along. She definitely will buy mountain horse or donkey so she can ride and does not have to walk.

I made no purchases so I assume to spend 340 gp for a mount and adequate military saddle.

"Ahhh, all this movement is so bad for my bones!!" she says as she is riding her mount.

Fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19
Fort: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

(Lidia)
Fort #1 (DC 15): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Fort #2 (DC 16): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Fort #3 (DC 17): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

(Esmé)
Fort #1 (DC 15): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Fort #2 (DC 16): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Fort #3 (DC 17): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Lidia trudges along stoically as the hills give way to wintry mountains. She bundles herself up tightly and doesn't complain, but eventually is lagging at the back of the group, stopping every 5 minutes or so to catch her breath in the thin air. Moreover, her loyal cat is obviously not made for this terrain, and frequently flops down on her side to pant. Lidia eventually lifts the poor creature to carry it, which only adds to her fatigue.

Ben, Little, Lidia, Esme, and Buddy are all fatigued. You will remain fatigued as long as you are at altitude without magical intervention.

Though exhausted, you see a task ahead of you a whole camp training the best giants to become killing machines. How would you like to proceed?

Little Ben takes the first opportunity to use his 4th level open slot to prepare a life bubble spell and cast it on himself. That should take care of the fatigue, though he will have to suffer for 4 hours a day as it only lasts 20 hours.

"Shall I scout it out in animal or troll form? I could probably waltz right in if I pretend to be interested in being a recruit, though they might ask questions I cannot answer."

"It's certainly too many for us to assault head on." answers Lidia quietly as she looks down into the camp. "I'd recommend we scout around the perimeter first, and gather some information. Let's try and estimate how many giants there are, how many guards they have on duty, and any vulnerabilities the camp might have, who the leaders are, etc.."

"If scouting the perimeter doesn't give us anything useful, then maybe we can try sneaking in or using a troll disguise to try and blend in, but that's a pretty risky step. We should only do it if we have to."

“I could also make some of you invisible so you can scout. What do you think young ones?“ she asks.

Ben snorts in derision, "No sneaking here. Even invisible I'd probably make a racket, particularly if I have to run. No, I think Lidia or Thyste might be able to scout effectively, Unfortunately there are not of high altitude cold weather animals I can change into that I can think of. Perhaps none in fact.

Unless someone can think of a dinosaur or megafauna that can fly and would not look out of place up here.

"Sure, I can look around." says Lidia. She pulls out her water skin and takes a long drink to prepare herself, then glances at Thyste to see if she's coming.