GM Zero/GL's Giantslayer! (Inactive)

Game Master GM_Grandlounge

Thyste grins. "That's why I stay small!" she says as the chains swing beneath her feet, landing nimbly upon them a moment later.

One more buff. I forgot about Ben's ability to spontaneously cast enlarge person, which he will do before arriving.

"That's why I stay small!"

"Well I don't have that option so I decided bigger is better, and I'll probably pay for it."

Ben gives his companion to attack and the little dinosaur does, nipping at the giant's feet. Ben is much slower and just manages to make it there bu the time the attacks begin. Before moving he casts bless from the scales.

to hit talon, bull's strength, bless: 1d20 + 5 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 + 1 = 23
damage, bull's strength: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

Two arrows embed themselves in the giants muscles from Lidia's bow, although they don't faze the massive giant much.

Little Buddy sinks a talon in as well, but it only causes minor bleeding.
1d3 ⇒ 2

The giant turns on the little dinosaur clawing his leg and swings both chains at it.

chains: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23 damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
chains: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

One of the chains whacks Buddy hard, leaving nasty bruises and cuts from the hit.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map slide
Thyste
Giant, -15hp
Little Ben
Little Buddy -13hp
Lidia
Giant
Ulretha

Thyste moves forward quickly, slipping beside one of the giant's feet, doru in-hand.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (18) + 20 = 38
Doru Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Doru Damage + Precise Aim: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

If attacked, I'll use Dodging Panache for +3AC.

The Pack knows to get out of Ulretha's way when they see the giant. Their tales and heads lower as they skitter to the side to clear a path for him before rushing in themselves.

They stay close together knowing teamwork will be needed to take down a predator this big.

Onnikka Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage plus Bone Fist: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 2 = 7 plus Trip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Fazingar Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage plus Bone Fist: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5 plus Trip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Crezobill Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage plus Bone Fist: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 2 = 10 plus Trip: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

None of them prove very effective.

Then he was running and running and running, three hyenas ranging out ahead yet never abandoning him, no matter how many times he managed to pull together enough breath to yell at them to flee. A third, no more than a puppy was in his arms, squirming and yipping and whining.

The screams of his tribesmen slowly receded, or perhaps just faded. Giants were known for their cruelty but not their patience or skill. Perhaps it was a mercy knowing the other gnolls' deaths would be brutal and fast rather than slow, though painful in both cases.

His heart was pounding so hard, his gasping breath so loud in his ears that he didn't hear the footsteps at first. But as they got closer they became unmistakable. thud, Thud, THUD. Something big was following him and it was getting closer.

He mustered up what little strength he had left, his throat raw from gulping in air, his muscles burning and weak in protest, his vision dim around the edges and put on what might have been a little more speed.

But the footsteps only got closer.

Soon, he knew the inevitable and he turned, weaponless to face his fate, ready to make a stand. Two enormous flat snouts, their faces even uglier than a humans were jogging toward him, not even particularly straining themselves. One laughed while the other just smirked. The lead one pulled up his weapon, ready to strike and Ulretha's desperate courage broke.

An opening in the cliff face nearby caught his eye and he dove in, having to wiggle and squirm to make it. The hyenas crowded in around him, though as the last one was coming in, the giants caught up. There was a yelp of fear and pain then a crunch then the booming giggles of oversized lungs and mouths.

The giants taunted him and made a game of throwing the most disgusting things they could find in his hole, but after an hour or so, when it became apparent they couldn't get him out, they grew bored and left.

It was hours later before Ulretha's terror faded enough for him to crawl out of his hole and walk back toward the wreck of his village.

Ulretha roared in return to the giant, anger, hate and fear lending power to his voice so that it was almost as strong as the massive humanoid's.

He charges at the giant.

Longsword plus Charge: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 2 = 17
Damage plus sheath plus orphaned by giants plus Challenge: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 12

Because of his challenge, everyone gets a +1 to hit the giant as long as he's threatening it.

Will the challenge bonus stack with the bless that is active? What kind of bonus is it?

It should stack. According to Ulretha's character sheet, the Challenge is a circumstance bonus and Bless is a morale bonus.

It should stack. According to Ulretha's character sheet, the Challenge is a circumstance bonus and Bless is a morale bonus.

Yup. What Lidia said. I almost wish it was an unnamed bonus so the Pack and Ulretha could double up on it, but it won't be cancelled out by bless.

Damn, +20 to tumble? Thats some serious swashbuckling.

Thyste easily rolls around the giant to get a better position as she swings her weapon at it.

The hyenas move in, but they approach extremely cautiously, testing the waters before they really move in to strike.

Ulretha, on the other hand, charges headlong into the giants reach!
AoO: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
AoO, CONFIRMATION: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Ulretha gets extremely lucky as a chain lashes out at his head, but it only deals him a glancing blow instead of a mortal one. Enraged by the blow, Ulretha deals a might one back to the giant as well!

1d6 ⇒ 2 I really wish he had whirlwind attack right about now!

chain vs heyna: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
chain vs heyna: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25 damage: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

The giant roars in pain and confusion as it lashes out at a heyna (north middle between Ulretha and Little Buddy)! One of the blows connects, drawing blood.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map slide
Thyste
Giant, -33hp
Little Ben
Little Buddy -13hp
Lidia
Giant, -33hp
Ulretha, -8hp, Heyna -7hp

It’s usually a +11, but I get +9 in situations like this one ;) and when that’s not enough, I can Derring-Do... those buckles don’t know what swashed ‘em!

Little Ben activates the scales to give Lidia the weapon of awe ability, then both Ben and Little Buddy circle around the giant to get into flanking position (Ben will draw an AoO). Ben lashes out clumsily at the giant with his enormous axe.

to hit great axe, bless, challenge, flank: 1d20 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 12
damage, enlarged, whetstone: 5d6 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4, 6, 4, 3) + 6 + 1 = 27

Little Buddy is able to get his full attack and rips into him with tooth and claw. Or at least tries.
to hit talon, bless, challenge, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 19
damage, bull str: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

to hit talon, bless, challenge, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 12
damage, bull str: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7

to hit bite, bless, challenge, flank: 1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 5 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 16
damage, bull str: 1d4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 2 = 5

Not sure if the challenge helps Little Buddy as he cannot understand Urethra. Is the challenge language dependent? if so, -1 to all those attacks.

Lidia fires twice at the giant.

Ranged Attack #1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Ranged Attack #2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Challenge is not language dependent, neither in targets nor in beneficiaries. I could challenge an earthworm and my earthworm allies would get the bonus. It doesn't make a ton of logical sense but I assume its to keep from nerfing one of the Cavalier's primary abilities.

I tend to think of it in terms of: a brilliant knight astride his mount looks over the battlefield and sees an orc commander! He levels his sword at him and bellows a few words; even without language, the intent is clear and obvious, and the way he carries himself afterwards produces the various bonuses and penalties as he focuses his energy on his target.

The already weakened giant collapses under the weight of Little Buddy's talons and Lidia's awe-inducing arrows! His rage finally comes to an end, causing his heart to immediately stop.

As the remaining orcs realize their greatest weapon has been defeated, they turn tail and abandon the town as quickly as they can.

With the immediate threat of the orc raid past, the tunnel opened by Crusher in the side of Bloodmarch Hill is the next most pressing matter.

Kurst Grath rides up after you've had a few moments of rest, "Trunauan guards saw a single person accompanied by wolves dash into the tunnel almost immediately after the giant opened it. Another person followed them shortly after. I need you heroes to enter the tunnel, secure whatever’s inside, and apprehend or flush out whoever’s hiding within." He then orders guards to stand outside the tunnel entrance to make sure no one else enters or exits it.

"Tunnel?" says Lidia in surprise. She looks toward the opening in the hillside, noticing it for the first time, then she heaves out a heavy exhale.

"This is it. This is what they were looking for!"

Thyste says something wildly inappropriate and mildly disgusting about tunnels at her size.

”...Which means I’m definitely down to explore this one,” she finishes.

"Well, best not to delay. Hopefully it is a short cave and at least some of our spells will still be active. Let's get moving."

Giving Little Buddy the command to guard (himself) he races off to the tunnel without even bothering to loot the giant or it's handlers.

Lidia follows Ben into the tunnel.

When I played giantslayer, I actually missed most of the invasion and this section because I had to leave a session early. Interested to see what story elements I missed here.

Gossamer cobwebs hang from the ceiling of this rough tunnel, and the misty spray from the Hopespring’s waterfall outside glimmers faintly on strands of spider silk. Chunks of rubble lie scattered on the floor amid piles of dirt.

Map Updated!

Ben taps Little Buddy with his wand of CLW a couple of times and then activates the scales to give Little Buddy Infernal healing as they enter the cave.

CLW: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 4) + 2 = 13
Anyone want an infernal healing or CLW from the scales before we go any further?

"Spiders? Hmmm... I must look a tasty treat."

Lidia moves to the front of the group and attempts to find tracks from the people and wolves that were just seen entering.

Survival: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Ulretha continues to stab and chop the corpse of the giant, snarling, his teeth bared even as Kurst begins talking. Crezobill tears at the corpse's leg until Onnikka nips him and all three hyenas sit or lay, alert for trouble but relaxed.

When Kurst gives his request, Ulretha looks around for the "heroes" he's talking to.

He still looks confused as everyone hurries into the tunnel but he and his Pack follow, taking to the lead as they get organized. He re sheathes his sword in it's magic sheath.

Briefly, he laments being so engrossed in mutilating the giant that he didn't make a joke about exploring tighter tunnels in response to Thyste's quip.

I'll take a hit of infernal healing and so will one of my hyenas.

Lidia definitely finds fresh tracks here. The tracks lead from your current location at the mouth of the cave towards the back. There are tracks from two humanoids and two quadruped animals that you can easily tell are wolf prints.

Loot sheet updated. Heal away. Note that we shot right into the cave so I expect that three rounds of scales have occurred, starting with your two spells and ending with the infernal healing on Little Buddy - so he's just starting to heal. Unless the GM has a different mental clock than me.

Lidia had knelt down for only about 5 or 10 seconds before popping back up.

"Two humanoids, two wolves, just like the guards said." she says. "They went that way."

She begins moving south into the cave, following the tracks.

With Kurst giving you orders, I think you can add two rounds onto that, but you're welcome to take longer if you want.

The air in this cavern is humid but cool, and a thin sheen of condensation coats its rocky walls. A narrow passage exits the cavern to the west. To the south, the floor drops away into darkness, while a bridge of stone leads to another cavern to the east. The sound of trickling water echoes through the cavern.

Ben and LB continue following Lidia and the tracks, alert to trouble.

Anyone else want a 1st level cleric spell cast on them in the two extra rounds? Protection from Evil? Shield of Faith?

Hmm, these scales are getting a lot more mileage than I was expecting. Never underestimate intelligent players I guess! On the other hand, its not like its that much crazier than wands of cure light wounds or infernal healing everywhere (in fact, it costs more than that).

It costs a little less. A 1st level spell costs 10 gp, whereas a charge off a wand costs 15 - a price I always thought to be too cheap to begin with. We could limit the spells to whatever a caster of the same level as the user could cast per day, and use the same level for all level based effects. That would make it more in line with the intended purpose. Or you could just recruit a player with some healing ability. Perhaps one of the other players knows of a reliable player.

Lidia pushes on to the south, bow at the ready. "What is this place?" she murmurs warily.

Little Ben: 2d20 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (14, 15) + 1 + 3 = 33
Ulretha: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Lidia: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Thyste: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
enemy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

A squirming and squeaky mass of rats with rotting flesh, torn and matted fur, and reddish blazing eyes moves toward you. Their semi-translucent skin shows discolored bones and muscle.

You recognize the creature as the ghostly rats that attacked you in the plague house!

The enemy swarm is currently incorporeal
Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Lidia
Little Ben
Ulretha
Enemy
Thyste

"Where are they getting these things?" Ulretha snarls when he sees the spooky rats that they've already run into once. "It's like they're breeding them, or something."

Nonetheless, he moves forward and pulls out an alchemist's fire from his pouch. (I think...I've been a bad player and haven't been keeping track of the ammo I've taken but there are four Alchemist Fires on the loot sheet.)

an incorporeal swarm? I think this AP just gave us the middle finger

Lidia seems transfixed for a moment, then feels back around into her pack... but her hand comes out empty.

"I already used it..." she stammers to herself. She dashes away from the group.

Oh right, the version you fought before wasn't a swarm, just individual rats of the same type. Yeah, that is kind of a jerk monster ain't it?

How did we deal with the previous one? Are the rats Tiny or are they smaller?

Tiny. A swarm made up of Tiny creatures takes half damage from slashing and piercing weapons. The other ones weren't a swarm so you had the scales cast magic weapon I believe, then eventually took them down and I think one retreated.

That’s why I was asking ;) So we gotta Magic Weapon somebody! I’m happy to take it myself, but I know a guy with a big slashing weapon who could do some damage if he hits...

Thyste has 1 acid, Ben has 1 alchemist fire, and Lidia has one of each, In addition there are 2 of each unclaimed floating out in the ether.

Ben cycles up the scales and activates magic weapon on Lidia's bow since it still has the weapon of awe going on it. Ben moves up a bit so that the swarm will not have such a target rich grouping and has Little Buddy keep a little distance. If the rats approach, he and Little Buddy will attack. not sure if they will get an AoO or not so I will include two rolls for each (though I don't think it will matter with the whole incorporeal thing going on).

Ben attack and AoO:
to hit great axe, bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 3 + 1 = 18
damage: 5d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 1, 3) + 6 = 23
to hit great axe, bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 3 + 1 = 15
damage: 5d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3, 3, 3) + 6 = 22

Buddy attack and AoO:
to hit talon, bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 1 = 10
damage, giant strength: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6
to hit talon, bless: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 = 17
damage, giant strength: 1d6 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 2 = 6

In spite of the impressive damage Ben does, he misses more often than not against a nimble opponent. I'd rather a reliable attacker like Lidia has the enhancement.

Lidia used her alchemist fire to light the exploding bonfire

When Lidia sees Ben wade out into the open inviting the attack of the ghost rats, she stops in her tracks.

"No..." she says in horror to herself.

And then her bow lights up with a magical glow, courtesy of the strange divine scales. She turns back to the fight and plants herself.

"Ok... I can do this..."

"Yes you can, girl. I'll hold them back as long as I can, but it they start overwhelming me, I will probably run for it and someone else will have to take over."

The dinosaur looks tasty to the ghost rat swarm thing. It slides across the floor like undulating mist as it envelops Little Buddy in a swarm of bites!

strength damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2 plus two DC 15 fort saves

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Lidia
Little Ben
Little Buddy, 2 fort saves, -2 strength
Ulretha
Enemy
Thyste

Mind if I take the next Magic Weapon?

Lidia fires into the undead rats.

Ranged Attack#1: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 22
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9
Ranged Attack#2: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 7 + 1 - 2 = 24
Damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

I leave it to the GM to make adjustments to damage totals for incorporeal/swarm

fort ST: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
fort ST: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

Ben activates the scales again and provides Thyste with a magic weapon this time. Little Buddy whimpers as his talons swish right through the rats without harming them. Ben, seeing the writing on the wall goes into full defense (new AC 18) and waits for it, commanding Little buddy to stay. The tiny dinosaur does not like it, but it obeys.

I may change this into a run for your life command depending on the results of the fort saves. I'm not going to bother with any attack rolls since they do not matter.

Little Buddy is distracted by the swarm of ghostly rats!

Can only take a move action.

Both of Lidia's arrows hit the swarm due to their magic, but they seem to have little effect currently.

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Lidia
Little Ben
Little Buddy, distracted, -2 strength
Ulretha
Enemy
Thyste

Thyste grins as her weapon is blessed by the god of cash, and quickly charges in, buckler level as she pushes her doru over it and into the mass of ghost-rats, hoping to skewer as many as possible:

Doru Charge Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Doru Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

AC will be 17 for this turn, but I'm not sure how much AC is a thing at present.

Also, if attacked:

Lidia's arrows did do damage, I just forgot to add them to the creature.

Thyste hits the swarm with her Doru, just barely managing to affect the ghostly rats.

The rats swarm over Little Buddy and Thyste.

strength damage: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Ouch!
plus two fort saves (first one is disease, second one is distraction. DC 15)

Initiative Order, Bold May Go!
Map Slide
Lidia
Little Ben
Little Buddy, -6 strength, 2 fort saves
Ulretha
Enemy, -13hp
Thyste, -4 strength, 2 fort saves

fort ST: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
fort ST: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Ben watches with alarm as his buddy starts almost deflating under the withering swarm of ghostly rats and gives him a new command to "guard" Lidia. The dinosaur hurries off as fast as he can go, leaving Thyste alone to deal with the vicious pack.

Ben activates the scales once more on Ulretha's longbow.

"Ulretha, your bow should work on it now!"