JD's Against the Giants PbP

Game Master Jack Daniels

Sivi purses her lips, thinking. "I was planning to sing while we flew, but... you have a point." She shrugs. "Oh well, I'll figure it out when we get there! I'm not going to waste the Vindictive Aria on these giants, though. Judging from how Pierre tore through them, we won't need that kind of firepower until the dragon joins the fight. Plus it's really obvious and I can't move the storm once I've summoned it."

"Then we have a plan. To the northeast entrance! We fight the giants there first. And to keep us safe as we go, a warding from lizards spewing acid from above..." The half-orc says, and is about to begin casting an elemental ward...

Does Pierre object heading for the closest group of giants, in the most direct fashion, to instead get his mount first? If we pass by the Rusty dragon first, Aradesh will hold casting communal resist energy: acid until we collect his mount, too.

According to the map, the fastest way to the Tanner's bridge is through town so we have to pass by the Rusty Dragon and the stables, right GM? The mount has the banner and that provides bonuses vs. fear and such.

Apologies for the delay. The week before holidays get busy at work. Moving on with the game...I have included a link to a clearer map of Sandpoint under my GM image. The party is currently by the Lost Coast Road, SE section of the map. There is a set of giants a little past #14 on the map who crossed through the bridge there. Giants are coming in through the entrance at #3. Oh and there's a dragon at the garrison #10.

Responses to your questions:
1. I would rule that Aradesh could carry only one person at medium size with your prehensile hair. If you were large, then I would allow two.
2. Your fastest option to Area #14 would be to go back over the bridge and either take River Street east and loop over by the river's edge or take Market Street to Festival Street and head NE.
3. Pierre's horse is at the stables #38. The Rusty Dragon is #37.

So what's everyone doing?

Hanna moves as fast as she can down River Street....making for the giants crossing the bridge by the Temple. She will use all her movement on her turns until she is within 30' of the Giants...then she will hurl her hammer at the nearest giant.

Sivi will wait to be picked up by Aradesh and go flying!

Looking at the new map, with the Rusty Dragon virtually along the path of heading to area 14 as fast as possible if we take the town road, I'd suggest we pass by there as it doesn't cost much time and allows Pierre full use of his class' abilities for the remainder of this siege. Shall we assume we do do, to save a bit of time? Oh, and before I forget!:

"With your agreement, Sivi." Aradesh says, as her hair begins extending and slowly reaches towards the gnome. One end seems to animate to make a 'come here' motions and points roughly towards the center in between. Should Sivi move there, the different ends gently wrap around her like a harnass of sorts as the shaman begins flying with her carried underneath. "Let's give them some punishment from the sky, shall we?" Her small tusks form a mischieveous grin.

Aradesh casts communal energy resistance: acid on the group to match the dragon's breath weapon, either right now, or if the plan to get Pierre's mount is done, when they get the mount. If so, she includes the mount so everyone has resist acid 20 for 20 minutes, but Hanna and the mount have 10 minutes because I have to divide 100 minutes in ten minute increments amongst six. I'll carry Sivi in the air flying around 60 feet above the party as we move.

"Hurray!" Sivi runs over toward Aradesh's animated hair, beaming as if this is the best treat ever. She raises her arms to let the hair wrap around her torso. "Death from above!"

Pierre rushes across the bridge toward the stables. "Going to get Francois!" When he reaches the stables, he rushes inside, greets the owner, who is probably hiding for his life, during the siege, and looks for his friend and rides him through the doors and into the streets of Sandpoint, following the party and the flying gnome. :)

Dolgrym says "Stables it is and then see what is up with the dragon, it may have moved on."

Is everything all right on your end, DM? Anything we can do to help?

My bad, I was out of town for Labor Day weekend here in USA. I am back now, will update tomorrow.

The cavalier rushes into the stables and sees the stable owner and his son cowering in the corner. They point out his horse and Francois neighs at its owner's appearance. The cavalier rushes outside riding his mount and joins the party's run through town to stem the giant attack. Aradesh buffs the party with resist energy spells and together you head off NE. You weave through Festival Street, dodging the oncoming crowds of panicked villagers running for their lives. They impede your progress, but you muster through.

You hear the screams of townspeople as you turn the corner and through some trees, you see 4 hill giants smashing running people with their rocks and enjoying themselves. Various corpses of guardsmen and townsfolk alike litter the square. These 4 giants also look much more muscular, as if they had been buffed by spells. They see you and you see them, although you both have partial cover from the ornamental trees.

Combat Map

I assumed since you are now a team since you fought together, you traveled together. Otherwise, I would have to run combat for Aradesh and Sivi alone, while the rest of the party took many rounds to catch up. Hope that's ok. You can add buffs and other actions you would have wanted to cast before you reached combat distance. Let me know before we start with initiative.

Oh, I was already assuming we stuck together to 14 on the map to fight the giants at northeast Sandpoint. Aradesh and Sivvi are just flying above the rest of the party, scouting around for them but not moving far away.

On the way there:

After casting her elemental protection ward on everyone, following a swift drop from the sky back to ground level, Aradesh turns to the newly mounted Cavalier. "All right, Pierre. I admit you exceeded my expectations."

"Not that they were that high to begin with."

"And as you're probably charging in ahead of us, you should benefit the most from this extra protection."

She reaches up to touch his arm, and, should he allow it, she cast two spells that both harden his skin to the point of armor and form an additional holy ward of sorts around him!

"Now go and impress me some more."

She waits a moment to see if anyone comments on anything, then flies back into the sky. "Are all knights like him?" she asks Sivvi below her. "I can't say I've ever met someone so... 'flamboyant', I believe the word is, while actually having some skill to go along with it."

When they reach the new giants:

Aradesh takes note of the gruesome scene and bares her small tusks. But then she notes something off about the assailants. "Be careful! Something is wrong. They feel... magical. Since when do giant make extensive use of magic and dragons?" She calls out to those below, and begins flying closer. "Now... how to best make them wish they'd never crawled out of their holes today?" she mutters aloud, both to herself and Sivvi.

Barkskin for 100 minutes, +4 natural armor. Shield of faith for 10 minutes, +3 deflection bonus to armor, both on Pierre as the fastest melee character. I'm ready to go on, don't need any more buffs than those already active. I'm assuming it takes roughly two minutes to get to this location from the last one? Remember everyone has +2 init from hunter's blessing and +2 sacred on attack and damage vs giants.

She waits a moment to see if anyone comments on anything, then flies back into the sky. "Are all knights like him?" she asks Sivi below her. "I can't say I've ever met someone so... 'flamboyant', I believe the word is, while actually having some skill to go along with it."

"I've met a few Hellknights in Korvosa and Magnimar, but they tend to be more of the strong and silent type. Or the mean and nasty type." Sivi shrugs, gazing down at the town below. "Pierre is by far the most boastful knight I've met. He would probably get along well with the Ulfen, they like to fight and boast too!"

Once the giants are within charging range, Sivi sings her song of haste again. To the group, it seems as if the world around them is slowing down. Next she begins her song of courage.

Between verses, the gnome pauses briefly. "Hey, Aradesh. Do you have any spells that can erode the giants' strength of will? I have some useful illusion spells, but they work better on a demoralized opponent. I can't sing a Dirge of Doom and Inspire Courage at the same time."

Casting haste and starting Inspire Courage +2 just prior to combat. I'm assuming it took more than 10 rounds to get here.

Spells left- 1st level: 6/7, 2nd level: 5/6, 3rd level: 2/4, 4th level: 2/2

Between verses, the gnome pauses briefly. "Hey, Aradesh. Do you have any spells that can erode the giants' strength of will? I have some useful illusion spells, but they work better on a demoralized opponent. I can't sing a Dirge of Doom and Inspire Courage at the same time."

The shaman smirks. "Yes, I can break their minds - one at a time. It is a slow process, but it sounds like you have a plan. And speaking of slow..."

I'll slow them down in round 1 with slow, no pun intended, then get to lowering their will saves. Sound good to you?

Sivi returns Aradesh's smirk. "Excellent! Point out which giants you're affecting and I'll focus on them."

Oh, I was already assuming we stuck together to 14 on the map to fight the giants at northeast Sandpoint. Aradesh and Sivvi are just flying above the rest of the party, scouting around for them but not moving far away.

On the way there:

After casting her elemental protection ward on everyone, following a swift drop from the sky back to ground level, Aradesh turns to the newly mounted Cavalier. "All right, Pierre. I admit you exceeded my expectations."

"Not that they were that high to begin with."

"And as you're probably charging in ahead of us, you should benefit the most from this extra protection."

She reaches up to touch his arm, and, should he allow it, she cast two spells that both harden his skin to the point of armor and form an additional holy ward of sorts around him!

"Now go and impress me some more."

She waits a moment to see if anyone comments on anything, then flies back into the sky. "Are all knights like him?" she asks Sivvi below her. "I can't say I've ever met someone so... 'flamboyant', I believe the word is, while actually having some skill to go along with it."

When they reach the new giants:

Aradesh takes note of the gruesome scene and bares her small tusks. But then she notes something off about the assailants. "Be careful! Something is wrong. They feel... magical. Since when do giant make extensive use of magic and dragons?" She calls out to those below, and begins flying closer. "Now... how to best make them wish they'd never crawled out of their holes today?" she mutters aloud, both to herself and Sivvi.

Barkskin for 100 minutes, +4 natural armor. Shield of faith for 10 minutes, +3 deflection bonus to armor, both on Pierre as the fastest melee character. I'm ready to go on, don't need any more buffs than those already active. I'm assuming it takes roughly two minutes to get to this location from the last one? Remember everyone has +2 init from...

Pierre smiles once he is mounted on his black mare. He trots through town at the dwarves' pace. When a flying Aradesh approaches, he raises an eyebrow. "Kind words, but don't be shocked, my dear. You just don't know what you don't know. My skill is clear, you will continue to be impressed." He flashes you a 16 Charisma megawatt grin. "Your magic is potent and much appreciated. I will definitely be rushing in."

When we get close, Pierre dismounts and approaches on foot with the team, but keeping Francois close. When he sees the sadistic giants harming the townsfolk, he grips his sword tightly. "Time to disembowel these bastards!"

Dolgrym runs through the town faster than he should be able to. He keeps his comments to himself as they progress. On seeing the destruction and glee of the giants he gets mad and says something in dwarven best left untranslated. Then to the others he says "OK, let's take care of this and keep a watch out for the dragon."

"Why...are...they...so...far...away!", Hana gasps as she tries to keep up with the rest of the band.

"We dwarves...are much better...at sprinting than...long-distance running...Very deadly...over short...distances!"

Down below, Aradesh sees the dwarf who insulted her hometown struggle to keep up and snorts. "I wonder if these dwarves live up to their race's reputation of giantslayers. At least Dolgryms seems like he can keep up with the rest of us."

Seems like everyone's ready, then? Let's go fight some enhanced giants!

Initiative rolls:
Giants: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (10) - 1 = 9
Aradesh: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Dolgrym: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Hanna: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Pierre: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Sivi: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Whole Party is up first!

Dolgrym moves forward and engages one of the giants.

I should have enough movement to end up NE of blue.

+1 Giant Bane Dwarven Maulaxe PA: 1d20 + 18 - 3 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 3 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 3 + 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + 3 + (2, 5) + 6 = 25

AC 26 vs Giants

Aradesh flies forward, carrying Sivi below her, and stops about 40ft above the most eastern giant Yellow . She then casts a blast of magic that makes the giants more sluggish!

Give up blessing of fervor, casts Persistant Slow, DC 19 willsave roll twice take lower or slow effect for 10 rounds. Should target all giants as it's a 40 ft spread, even if every square on the map is 10 feet, and they all seem within 30 ft of eachother. She will use a tanglefoot bag as a spell component to treat one of the giants that failed its save, prioritising the one next to Dolgrym, the tanglefoot bag effect.

"Ooh, nice. Let's see if I can make their day even worse." Sivi grins and briefly switches songs, conjuring a thick layer of grease under one of the giants' feet. Once her spell is cast, the bard resumes her song of courage.

I assume these giants are also Large and take up a 10' square? At any rate, she's targeting the blue giant with a grease spell, Reflex save DC 17 to avoid falling prone. Acrobatics DC 10 in order to move at half speed, if it fails it has to make another Reflex save, if it fails by more than 5 it falls.

Spells left- 1st level: 5/7, 2nd level: 5/6, 3rd level: 2/4, 4th level: 2/2

Moving forward the last few feet, Hanna flings her hammer at the nearest giant (Blue?).

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 15
1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 19

Damage: 2d10 + 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (9, 5) + (6) + 7 = 27

Round 1:

With 30' movement, Pierre moves diagonally SE then, S, then SW diagonal, and then S, and S for his 30' of movement. This should put in within 30'

Pierre looks down at the blood-stained blade of his sword, smiles deviously, and looks back up at the giants, as he swings it around his back in a display of martial prowess, ”Time to join your brothers, whom I left lying in their own guts at the SE bridge…I personally disemboweled the lot of them! I must say I am going to enjoy killing you all!” The determination in the cavalier’s eyes is grim, serious, and quite scary!

Intimidating Prowess: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (15) + 22 = 37

Apologies as I was not clear, as I thought I had posted it but now I see I did not, but the trip through town to reach your current destination took about 5-6 minutes, so any round per level buffs, i.e. haste, ran out a long time ago. But Sivi stated that she cast Haste right before fight so we are good.

Sivi, you are absolutely right that they are large. Again, my bad. Map has been amended.
Reflex save vs. Grease: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16...falls down!
Dolgrym moves in and strikes the prone blue hill giant, inflicting 23 damage.
Hanna moves in and throws her hammer at standing giant, since the prone giant is more difficult to hit, but misses.
Aradesh can catch 3 giants with her Slow spell, all except purple.
Blue giant: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 or 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Yellow giant: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23 or 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Green giant: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14 or 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
All 3 giants are slowed!
Slow: Creatures affected by this spell are staggered and can take only a single move action or standard action each turn, but not both (nor may it take full-round actions). Additionally, it takes a -1 penalty on attack rolls, AC, and Reflex saves. A slowed creature moves at half its normal speed (round down to the next 5-foot increment), which affects the creature’s jumping distance as normal for decreased speed.
The very scary Pierre then demoralizes all 4 giants (DC 20) for 4 rounds!
Shaken: A shaken character takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks.

Round 1: Giants' turn

The prone blue giant stands up as his action, provoking AoO from Dolgrym.

The yellow and green giants take a 5' step and attack Hanna, as they are afraid of Pierre. "Disgusting dwarf!"

Green giant: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 + 2 - 3 - 2 = 31 - hit
Damage: 2d8 + 16 ⇒ (6, 5) + 16 = 27
Green giant: 1d20 + 14 + 2 - 3 - 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 - 3 - 2 = 21 - miss

The unslowed purple giant throws a rock at Aradesh!
Ranged rock: 1d20 + 6 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 6 - 2 = 21
I believe that hits your 21 AC with haste, Aradesh, unless I am missing something.
Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Party is up! Dolgrym gets AoO on blue at +4 bonus.

I will upload amended map when I get home.

Yeah, that would hit. However, Aradesh still had 6 mirror images, as did Sivi. I'll roll the image roll below. Also, if it took us five minutes to get here that probably means I'll have to stop flying and carrying Sivi after this fight until we actually engage the dragon... flight hex is 10 minutes max per day.

Mirror Image: 1d7 ⇒ 3 Hits an image, 5 images remain.

Aradesh evades sideways as the giant rock barely misses her and Sivi, though it does dispel one the illusionary images protecting her. "I say we get him first. Shall we?"

She flies lower and stops roughly 30 feet above purple, then a shadowy eye appears before the giant, who suddenly cries out in pain!

Evil eye on Purple, -4 on all saving throws for 1 round. DC 21 willwave or it lasts 10 rounds instead. Go get them, Sivi!

"Haha! Got 'im!" Sivi cheers for her new friend. Now it's time to show off a little. She sings a new song, this one more complicated, her free hand making what looks almost like weaving or braiding motions as she pulls the substance of the Shadow Plane into the world and shapes it to her will. Suddenly, a deep pit lined with wicked-looking spikes opens up under the giant!

Maintain Inspire Courage and cast shadow conjuration for spiked pit under the purple giant. Will DC 22 to take 20% damage, Reflex DC 20 to avoid falling 50 ft down and taking 2d6 piercing damage from the spikes. Climb DC 20 and he takes 1d6 damage every round he tries to climb. Duration 11 rounds.

Spike Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

Spells left- 1st level: 5/7, 2nd level: 5/6, 3rd level: 2/4, 4th level: 1/2

Dolgrym tries to hit the giant as he stands but is caught off guard. He then tears into him.

+1 Giant Bane Dwarven Maulaxe FE PA 1 Pr Ha IC: 1d20 + 18 + 6 - 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 18 + 6 - 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 = 29 Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 + 6 + (6, 5) + 6 + 2 = 35

+1 Giant Bane Dwarven Maulaxe FE PA TWF 1: 1d20 + 16 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 = 23 Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 5 + 3 + 6 + (3, 1) + 6 + 2 = 29
+1 Giant Bane Dwarven Maulaxe FE PA TWF 2: 1d20 + 16 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 16 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 = 31 Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 3 + 6 + (6, 5) + 6 + 2 = 32
+1 Giant Bane Dwarven Maulaxe FE PA TWF 1: 1d20 + 11 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 = 28 Damage: 1d6 + 5 + 3 + 6 + 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 3 + 6 + (3, 3) + 6 + 2 = 30
+1 Giant Bane Dwarven Maulaxe FE PA TWF 2: 1d20 + 11 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 6 - 3 + 1 + 2 = 19 Damage: 1d6 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 2d6 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 3 + 6 + (6, 3) + 6 + 2 = 33

Haste, inspire courage and Favored Enemy were not accounted for in first attack but are here.

Apologies all for delaying the thread, was away for the weekend.

If Pierre can full attack any of the giants, he will do so.

"Fear me giants, for I am your destruction!"

Adding +1 for haste and +2 from inspire courage +2 from braggart since they are demoralized:
Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 20 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 2 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 2 + 10 = 22
Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 20 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 36
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 2 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 + 10 = 24
Attack: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 39 --- threat
Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 2 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 + 10 = 26
Confirmation: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 15 + 1 + 2 + 2 = 39
Extra Damage: 1d8 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 2 = 14

Okay in order:
Purple Giant Will save against Aradesh's Evil Eye: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 2 = 10 fails!
Purple Giant Will save: 1d20 + 3 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 3 - 2 - 4 = 12 fails
Purple Giant Reflex save: 1d20 + 2 - 2 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 2 - 4 - 1 = 2 fails
Damage: 7d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 6, 6, 3, 4, 3) = 25 and down a 50' pit.\
Dolgrym misses the AoO but his next 2 swings drops the blue giant. He steps 5' and wounds the yellow giant.
Pierre takes a 5' step and sprays the poor green giant's guts all over the plaza as it dies with a terrified look on its face.
Hanna is up!

Map

Hanna again throws her hammer at the giants (Blue) in hope of dropping the creature.

Attack: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 32
1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 23

Damage: 2d10 + 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (2, 8) + (3) + 7 = 20

The hammer wobbles slightly before it seems to straighten and flies right at the giant.

Made a slight mistake, thought it was my turn after Hanna in initiative but Giants seemingly still have to take their second round. Cut my post here out for later use on round 3.

Poke! It's the giant's turn now, correct?