GM Jhaeman's Dawn of Flame, Chapter Five: "Solar Strike"

Game Master Jhaeman

Thank you, that should be fine. We will wait here.

Xylian was working on the resonator without touching it, so Zharis looked over at him to see if he was making any progress. The jig would be up as soon as they found the commissar's body... well, unless everyone was gullible enough to think it was some other group. :)

She wonders how much time they have. The giant might not get past Gorchak, but would they investigate, or come back up immediately? Would they message ahead, or just come? She gets her comm out and messages Amhesha

>Sorry about the Pahtra thing. I was just trying to extend the bluff. Anyway, if I can distract the giant, see if you can keep the elevator occupied. We don't want to disable it permanently, but if you could call it to this level and then keep it here, that might prevent us having to fight a larger battle.<

She also messages Theo to be ready to take down the giant if anything negative happens.

...I'll sing something while we wait.

She then starts singing the theme song from As the Black Hole Turns ... the 6 minute intro version that they put on the platinum album. She punctuates the exciting parts with a token spell, minor starbursts, trying to entertain/distract the remaining giant. She stays well away from the resonator, unless the giant gets ancy. If they giant does anything negative, she punctuates with an invisibility spell instead, so that she can approach the resonator unscathed.

Profession Actor: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29

...and just in case I need another bluff, because the whole performance is meant to deceive (but I mean, acting is friendly deception by its very nature anyway):

Bluff: 1d20 + 20 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 20 + (3) + 2 = 31

She doesn't know how much time Xylian needs to complete his examination, but she is attempting to get him as much time as she can before things go sideways.

The giant stares at Zharis with a mixture of disdain, curiosity, and growing interest.

@Amhesha, Theodore, and Xylian: Okay, Zharis has bought you a little time. What would you like to do with it?

By saying that the literal linguist won't understand Ignan. They can see my reaction. Agreed on preventing us a larger battle as much as the chaos is fun. Gets to stale if you just fight and fight and fight.

What kind of recall knowledge would we use on these guys for the attacks? Amhesha is probably going to change her energy shield to that type. How many times can Xylian f@#% with the energy of a weapon?

"The views here are extraordinary" Theo says, to no one in particular including the giantess, to be clear and begins to move away from the resonator toward the transparent walls, but in a direction that takes him within reach of the giantess. "Say when." he sends, this time including everyone *except* their enemy.

Not sure which direction she's looking, but if he can pass behind her, all the better.

Theodore begins subtly moving to a better position in the room . . .

@Amhesha: It's Life Sciences to ID these giants.

@Theodore: We can assume the giant is looking in Zharis' direction. The giant isn't concerned with where you move in the room.

Ok folks, I'll wait a bit longer for anything else and then we'll see whether the male fire giant was able to find Commissar Yushiev :)

Xylian continues his subtle work. The giants will no doubt need dealt with sooner rather than later, but he may as well get a head start on the resonator.

Life Science: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

FIRE giant. Thank the gods. Sun giants are a pain in the ass with my setup because I stubbornly thought "Plane of Fire = spam cold"

By wirelessly interfacing with the Spire's computer systems, Xylian begins the the difficult and lengthy task of undoing the efreeti tampering with the psychic resonator. Meanwhile, Amhesha studies her next likely foe carefully.

@Xylian: We'll say you can get your first check in during this period: I need an Engineering or Mysticism roll.

Can someone block the elevator doors open?

At the end of the six minute song, Zharis will go invisible whether or not the giant has reacted to anything negatively. (She does so sooner if something happens though.)

Xylian continues his work virtually dissecting the emitter.

Engi: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (6) + 21 = 27

Amhesha tries to do the same with her exocortex, somewhat noticeably ignoring the song. (In case they catch on, she's the most un-Pahtra pahtra).

Engineering: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (10) + 22 = 32

Okay, I guess we're going with functional elevators.

After a minute or so of waiting, the female fire giant, Schlega, gets a message on her comm. She reads it, her brow furrowed, and then reaches for her blade to attack!

The jig is up! We will move to Initiative.

Initiative (Round 1)

Schlega
Theodore
Zharis
Xylian
Amhesha

Bold should go!

With one swift motion, the fire giant draws an andesite magma blade and tries to slice Theodore open with it!

The giant does a move action to draw a weapon and then one attack against Theodore. Result: Miss!

Initiative (Round 1)

Schlega
Theodore (cursed)
Zharis
Xylian
Amhesha

Bold should go!

With a swifter non-motion, Xylian softens the giant up for for Theo.

Ice Cannon vs KAC (Ignores up to 4 AC from Cover: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
P + C Damage: 4d8 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (7, 7, 3, 6) + (4, 5) + 10 = 42

Zharis stops singing, letting it fade out rather than ending too abruptly for the audience, keeping in mind those that would witness this in the film version.

She triggers her jump jets to stand on top of the elevator housing in order to get a better shot, choosing to draw her Zero pistol. Even though it did less damage overall than some of her other pistols, she hoped that it would work more effectively here. Once she is in position for an unobstructed shot, she shoots at the giant.

Attack (Frostbite Class Zero Pistol): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
Damage (Cold): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

... it was a feeble attempt, but that was okay. She could edit it out in post in favor of Xylian's shot.

Weaving aside from the Fire Giant's slash, Theodore strikes back with both claws!
Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (16) + 16 - 4 = 28
Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (1, 6) + 27 = 34

Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (1) + 16 - 4 = 13
Damage: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 2) + 27 = 31

ICE (KAC): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

Amhesha misses as her magically-hidden symbols flare to life. She wants to facepaw as she sees the bullet go wide and burst into a ball of ice. "Oh for the SPEAKERS' SAKE."

The fire giant screams in pain from Xylian's blast as she experiences something she never has before: frostbite! She staggers back, shivering, throwing off the pahtras' shots but making her vulnerable to Theodore's claws!

Xylian's attack hits. The half that's P is reduced slightly by DR, but the half that's C is increased by 50%.

Zharis' attack misses.

Theodore's attack hits. (Theodore, I don't think you have reach, so I'm going to assume you took a guarded step to get within range and just did one attack this round; your second attack would have missed anyway).

Amhesha's attack misses.

A good round for the good guys, as you've already taken this giant to 1/3 hp!

"Spies! Assassins! Traitors!" roars the fire giant. "Sortar is on the way, and we will crush you!" Her blade glows with magic as she swings it down towards Theodore! But the uplifted bear knows the stakes are high and leaps out of the way just in time!

Schlega is doing a special ability full action to make one attack with her enchanted weapon; if it hits, she can trigger something else. Result: Miss!

Initiative (Round 2)

Schlega
Theodore (cursed)
Zharis
Xylian
Amhesha

Bold should go!

Xylian finishes off the fire giant with another blast of supercool ice, clearing the way for Theo.

Ice Cannon vs KAC (Ignores up to 4 AC from Cover: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 28
P + C Damage: 4d8 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 8, 8, 7) + (4, 1) + 10 = 42

If the Giant is still up, Zharis shoots

Attack (Frostbite Class Zero Pistol): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Damage (Cold): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

If the Giant is not still up, Zharis casts invisibility.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
Damage (P+C): 3d4 + 9 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) + 9 = 19

I do not have reach, that's correct. thanks for the reminder. Easy to forget since I'm large.

Theo continues his attempt to rip the giantess limb from limb!

Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 16 - 4 = 30
Damage, Magical/Slashing: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (1, 1) + 27 = 29

Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 16 - 4 = 23
Damage, Magical/Slashing: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (6, 4) + 27 = 37

If those both hit, she takes an extra 4 damage, plus the following:

Bleed: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Xylian hits the giant square in chest with another super-frozen blast, and then Zharis gets the perfect shot--both militarily and cinematically--to send the occupation soldier crashing hard to the ground!

Xylian's attack hits. After adjustments, Schlega is down to single digit hp.

Zharis' attack hits and drops the giant!

We are going to stay on Initiative as I'm tracking movement of reinforcements. Amhesha & Theodore, you can choose different actions since the giant was dropped before your turns.

Attack the other giant, since she didn't roll a 1 it's the same rolls.

The other giant hasn't arrived yet :) You could ready an action?

Yes. Readied an action.

Likewise. I’ll position myself by the door he’ll have to come through and ready an attack. Or a full attack if he doesn’t arrive this round.

Amhesha and Theodore take up overwatch positions, and a good thing too, as seconds later, Commander Gorchak slithers up the stairs from the level below on his serpentine belly!

Amhesha's readied action triggers. Result: Miss (due to cover from the psychic resonator.

Theodore's readied action won't trigger, as the stairs are out of melee range.

I'll roll Initiative for Gorchak and we'll start Round 3.

Initiative (Round 3)

Theodore (cursed)
Zharis
Commander Gorchak
Xylian
Amhesha

Bold should go!

Likely unwisely, Zharis shoots Gorchak instead of going invisible because she is angry enough not to consider the wisest action.

Attack (Frostbite Class Zero Pistol): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Damage (Cold): 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Gorchak slithers with surprising speed out of the way of Zharis' attack. "You must have thought yourselves clever," he snaps. "But now you're trapped with nowhere to go!"

Zharis' attack misses.

Theodore is up.

Zharis laughs at Gorchak. A light, lilting, confident laugh that hints at all the things that he doesn't know, and all the reasons that he hasn't caught them, and all the hilarity at them just talking their way past him the first time. She doesn't believe they are trapped, and *anyone* listening can tell the entire audience is on her side. She grins at the camera with a wink.

Theodore moves up and attacks Gorchak.

Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Damage, Magical/Slashing: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (2, 6) + 27 = 35

Amhesha scoffs. "We may not have been clever. But I am devoted." she says with a shrug. "But as for clever, we'll have to see how you fare. The judgement can't be passed until one party falls."

Theodore's enchanted claws slash deep into Gorchak's scaled abdomen. The salamander snarls. Suddenly, his body is enveloped in fiery plasma and a spear made of pure solar energy is in his hands. He smiles wickedly at Theodore. "Now you'll realise the true depths of your folly!"

Theodore's attack hits, and all the damage goes through.

Gorchack uses a standard action to activate his Corona power (giving him cold resistance 10 and inflicting 2d6 F on anyone who hits him with a melee attack) and uses his move action to manifest his solar weapon.

Initiative (Round 3)

Theodore (cursed)
Zharis
Commander Gorchak
Xylian
Amhesha

Bold should go!

Xylian shoots at the man trapped in a room with a bear.

Overcharge and shoot the guy.
Ice Cannon VS KAC (Ignores up to 4 AC from Cover): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
P + C Damage: 4d8 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (4, 6, 3, 5) + (2, 5) + 10 = 35

Amhesha locks on and fires. And missed. Horribly.

Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

The smug smile on Commander Gorchak's face is temporarily wiped away when Xylian's powerful ice cannon hits him! But the smile returns as an audible DING! can be heard and the lift doors open to reveal Sortar, the fire giant brother of the slain Schlega!

Xylian's attack hits. The half of the damage that is P is reduced significantly, but the half that is C is increased significantly, so in the end it pretty much balances out.

Amhesha's attack misses.

Sortar returns in Round 4, so I'll roll Initiative to see when he can act.

Initiative (Round 4)

Theodore (cursed)
Zharis
Commander Gorchak
Xylian
Sortar
Amhesha

Bold should go!

If my shot is obstructed or blocked in any way, I will stand on the wall or ceiling instead, using my jump jets to get there, but I am hoping my position on top of the elevator housing is adequate, so not writing it in. Just not sure of relative heights.

Zharis pulls out a bigger, hopefully luckier gun and shoots again at Gorchak.

Attack (Screamer Decoupler): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage (Acid): 1d10 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Gorchak's scaly skin sizzles as Zharis' acid blast strikes home!

Zharis' attack hits.

Theodore is up.

Seeing the expression on the salamander's face, Theodore redoubles his efforts.

Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 16 - 4 = 21
Damage, Magical/Slashing: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (4, 6) + 27 = 37

Attack, Claw: 1d20 + 16 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 16 - 4 = 23
Damage, Magical/Slashing: 2d6 + 27 ⇒ (4, 3) + 27 = 34

Weaving back and forth like a deadly snake, Commander Gorchak evades Theodore's blows and then stabs back with his spear of pure light before slithering away!

Both of Theodore's attacks missed.

Gorchak does one attack on Theodore. Result: Hit. Theodore, you take 38 P. Gorchak then does a move action away, provoking an AoO from Theodore.

Initiative (Round 4)

Theodore (cursed) AoO vs Gorchak
Zharis
Commander Gorchak
Xylian
Sortar
Amhesha

Bold should go!