Curtain Call

Game Master Super Zero

Jayma disables another of the traps.

Only one remains, which raises its hooded head to meet Marine's eye--nd she suddenly realizes she knows exactly who it is: The many who taught her swordplay, Sir Alfred Canningsworth from the Circus of Wayward Wonders. She quickly recognizes that this is quite unlikely and that she only believed it because of a mental illusion, but the vision is still a shock.
Marine Will: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (13) + 19 = 32 Success. Marine takes mental damage: 4d10 ⇒ (7, 9, 3, 3) = 22, but gains a +4 circumstance bonus to all saves against Cruel Welcome traps for 24 hours.

All PCs' turns.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33, 145/162 HP)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 139/140 HP, cursebound 1)
Jayma (AC 29, 107+5/107 HP)
Orange Cruel Welcome

When Marine appears to be injured, Dr. Lazarus raises an eyebrow. Turning to Callistro, he says, "I'll take your word on the illusion magic, my dear boy. Nevertheless, it may behoove us to take the threat seriously." The Doctor moves up to the remaining corpse, and tries making similar occult incantations as before.

Occultism to Disable +lead: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 23 + 2 = 37

◆ Stride, ◆◆ Disable

With the magic defeated, the bodies all lie still. It is easy to confirm that they are all in fact kholos under the hoods, and that they have been dead for a while.

They seem to have died from puncture wounds, but most of the wounds don't look bad enough to have been lethal--though the odd discolorations suggests they were made by something venomous.

For a horrible, long moment, Marine stares into the cold, accusatory eyes of her old mentor. A chill runs down her spine as she momentarily despairs...But she quickly thinks to herself, "Swirly wouldn't be able to beat Master Canningsworth! He would have taken the high ground and then it would have been all over for Swirly."

She takes a second look at the apparition and realises that not only is it just a corpse and not her old mentor, but that Dr. Lazarus had already dispelled the threat. She sighs with relief.

Too shaken by the sight of her mentor in peril to engage in her usual looting, she joins Callistro in refocusing. She spends some time thinking about what kind of creature could live in this area that could inflict poisonous puncture wounds.

After performing a thorough medical examination, Dr. Lazarus, the renowned forensics professor, informs the group, "The discoloration around these puncture wounds indicate poison, likely a venomous creature of some kind."

Would these venomous creatures who killed the kholos still fall under the lead for what's happened at The Choke?
If not, Lazarus will make Swirly his Solid Lead for the day, and Pursue a new Lead: "What happened to these kholos?"

Studying the venomous puncture wounds, Dr. Lazarus tries to determine what type of creature may have caused them. And he'll Clue-In Marine who's doing the same.
Can he do a RK (with a +2 circ bonus due to lead) and same +2 bonus to Marine's check.

Dr. Lazarus recognizes that the wounds are similar to scorpion stings, but much larger. He concludes that the kholos were killed by some kind of giant scorpion.

Marine is able to identify the distinctive marks left by the venom more specifically: Girtablilu. Some humanoids might say that these scorpion-folk resembles centaurs, with upper bodies similar to other humanoids and lower bodies like giant scorpions.

They're known for guarding lost religious sites.

Now that things have calmed down, it's easy enough to read the words painted on the wall behind the lift. The large letters spell out, in Common, "Call out and we'll haul you up!"

"Girtablilu venom...I've heard of those guys, they're literally me! Except they're half scorpion instead of half horse, so they're much less fun to have in a circus. Also, they're too busy guarding lost religious sites to have fun."

She continues looking at the corpses, not to examine them for cause of death but to try and loot them. After all, looting always makes one feel better... especially after the mental shock of seeing your mentor dead

Edit: After looting the corpses, Marine hands the Doctor a Double Coffee Insight Coffee. "Drink your coffee before you go in, Doc." She reminds the Doctor. "And you, Callistro, need to drink your Darkvision elixir." She chides Callistro.

With the threat of the trap removed, Jayma examines the wooden platform, pulleys and ropes leading up to the entrance 50 feet above. A quick read of the posted sign elicits a derisive, though still mellifluous little laugh from Jayma. "I cannot speak for the rest of you, of course, but I shall most certainly not endanger my delicate constitution upon such a preposterous contraption. Particularly not when it is glaringly evident that the dastardly Swirly is fully cognizant of our arrival and has prepared accordingly."

She considers the situation and adds, "I have taken the liberty of preparing an incantation that shall elevate us all to the cave entrance above. Do gather closely about me, and I shall set the spell in motion."

Unless someone has a better idea and calls her off, Jayma will cast Airlift on the party to get us up to the entrance.

Action: Cast a Spell: Airlift

After the feeble illusions are all dealt with Callistro busies himself with practicing various dance routines as the power within him slowly regenerates. Treat some silly illusion seriously my good Doctor, surely not, that hardly seems necessary. Should we quake in fear at the contraptions of some dull giants or even a returned Swirly. I think not!

Looking up from the odd elevator object he glances over to Jayma. I have a few scrolls of Helpful Steps as well but happy for you to get us up there.

The kholos don't seem to have anything other then their clothing. One seems to be a priest, with a pendant bearing the holy symbol of Gozreh. The pendant itself is plain and does not seem valuable, but her gloves are rather nice. They're surprisingly clean and white, considering.

There are ropes attached to the lift. Even if one doesn't trust the device itself, it would be relatively easy to climb.

You're obviously welcome to use a spell if you want (which is much faster, for one thing), but I thought I should let you know there's a viable spell-slot-free option as well.

GM Super Zero, since the Kholos were part of the mystery of what happened at The Choke, would the Girtabilu also be related to that lead? Or do I need to designate a new lead for the scorpion-creatures?

Dr. Lazarus studies the gloves, which look remarkably like his own.
Occultism, DC 26: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43
Crit success, naturally, because he owns a pair.
Unsurprisingly, he knows they're exactly like his own Greater Healers Gloves.

When the group discusses getting to the top. "I'm fairly certain I can make the climb quite easily. But if you'd like to help us with magic, dear Jayma, I'm happy to accept."

It seems likely they're related.

Dr. Lazarus is too busy studying the gloves to hear Marine remind him about the Coffee Elixir. When she mentions it a third time, the old elf finally remembers. "Ah yes, of course, the Double Coffee brew." He waves her off. "Of course I remembered." He didn't.

He takes a sip and notes, "It needs a kick." He retrieves his Jug of Fond Remembrance and spikes the coffee with a shot of fine brandy. After taking another sip, "Now it is palatable." He downs the Double "spiked" Coffee drink and is ready to go.
For 1 hr, Lazarus has +2 to RK religion checks and d8 Strategic Strike dice.

The party decides not to trust the invitation to announce their arrival. Jayma arranges an alternative lift, and they arrive in the cave overhead momentarily.

Cave mouths open to the northwest and northeast of this shaft, which continues upward until it emerges a hundred feet above into the open air and downward forty feet to the mouth of a dry riverbed. A pair of weathered faces carved into the stony walls leer into the shaft from either side of the northeastern cave entrance. Pulleys hung with ropes have been affixed to the walls; these ropes then lead into the northeastern cavern. From further in, a constant howling sound echoes.

There are cranks here to raise and lower the elevator, though the controls are too large for most of the party to easily handle, clearly designed for creatures more Marine's size.

Ahead a short way is a pit with a narrow path around it. On the other side of that is a barricade made of wood and hide. To the north is a more finished room. The party can see several desert giants moving around in there, but they seem to be occupied with some kind of noisy activity and they don't immediately notice the party--the howling probably doesn't help.

And directly behind the party, on the other side of the lift shaft, a large stack of boulders has been loosely heaped to the side of a smaller cave entrance, partially blocking the opening. The cave floor overlooks the shaft to the southwest, resting ten feet higher than the floor leading to the northeastern cavern.
And on that ledge is a single rather surprised looking desert giant.

Lazarus, Callistro, and Marine's turns.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 140/140 HP, cursebound 1)
Marine (AC 33, 162+5/162 HP)
Desert Giant (Pink)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)

Callistro can see the giants ahead of them but not the one around the corner. He strikes a dramatic pose, inspiring his allies, and the flames start licking around the edges of his cloak.

I dont think I can see the lone giant. On that basis I activate Courageous Anthem and Incendiary Aura.

Marine looks over the gap at the terrified giant and waits for the party to make the first move.

From the turn description, it sounds like we can see the giant up on the ledge?

Dr. Lazarus peers at the lone giant. "He was likely the welcoming committee. " He devises an attack strategy.
Devise a Stratagem w/ Known Weakness: 1d20 ⇒ 6 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)
Known Weakness provides a free Recall Knowledge check (with +2 circ bonus due to lead)
For RK, anything different about this one compared to the ones we faced earlier?

Even though it's some distance across the gap, the Doctor tries throwing his hammer up at the giant. (2nd range increment for 20' range)

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA +Range: 1d20 + 22 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 22 + 1 -2 = 27
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 1) + (6, 6, 4) + 6 + 1 = 28
(Note: Insight Coffee enhances strategic strike to d8s.)

After the hammer returns to his hand, the Doctor backs up against the wall to try to get out of the giant's line of sight, and he casts Shield.

◇ Devise, ◆ Strike, ◆ Stride, ◆ Shield

The lurking giant seems to be a typical desert giant warrior, very similar to the ones the party recently fought. They've very quick, but not particularly strong-willed.
Lazarus's hammer only hits the cave wall, though.
Critically successful RK, though I'm not sure what to tell you that you haven't seen... his worst defense is Will, and his best defense is Reflex.
That's a miss, only due to cover and the range increment.

Marine's turn.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 138/140 HP, incendiary aura, cursebound 2)
Marine (AC 33, 162+5/162 HP)
Desert Giant (Pink)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)

Marine is happy that Callistro gave her the ability to Air Walk (per Discord) She runs at the remaining giant, her hooves propelling her off the air and right into the face of the enemy.

She starts off by setting up a Snagging Strike.
+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 24 + 1 = 43
Piercing, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 7) + 8 + (1) + 1 = 21 That's 11 Piercing, and 1 Spirit. If it hit, Pink would be off-guard until the start of my turn.

She then takes on a ready position, preparing to Dueling Parry oncoming attacks.

◆ Stride, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Dueling Parry

The surprised giant cries out as Marine cuts him deeply. "THEY'RE HERE! INTRUDERS! IT'S THEM!"
The wind howls, something clatters loudly in the next room, and several giants whoop and cheer just as loudly. They seem to be playing some kind of bowling game, and it seems unlikely they heard. But if the party hopes to keep that up they'll have to be quick. Their luck can't hold forever, one of the giants just needs to happen to look out the doorway to see them standing there.
He draws his own sword (Marine slashes him again) and swings at her fruitlessly, before backing away from her. He's pretty well cut off from the rest of the party now...
◆ Draw scimitar. Your RS hits.
◆ Strike Scimitar: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (8) + 21 = 29, miss
◆ Step

All PCs' turns.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 139/140 HP, cursebound 1)
Marine (AC 33, 162+5/162 HP, +2 AC until sont)
Desert Giant (Pink) (-70 HP)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)

Callistro continues to inspire his companions to greater heights of valour. Unable to properly see the creature he activates his aura in case the group ends up in a battle with the other giants.

Seeing Marine on the other side of the shaft, Dr. Lazarus calls to her, "Dear lady, if you could make room for an old professor, I'd enjoy the chance to do my part."
Delay for Marine to move forward or up.

Using his Boots of Bounding, the Doctor easily leaps across. (Boots add 5' to a normal 15' leap.) He then studies the looming giant.
Devise a Stratagem: 1d20 ⇒ 20 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)
Seeing a gaping hole in the creature's defenses, the Doctor hurls his hammer twice in succession.

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 22 + 1 = 43
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6, 6) + (4, 1, 6) + 6 + 1 = 30
Double damage due to nat-20!

+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer +CA +map: 1d20 + 21 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 21 + 1 - 4 = 30
Bludgeoning Damage +Ongoing (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 + 6 + 1 = 17

◇ Delay for Marine, ◆ Leap, ◇ Devise, ◆◆ Strike x2

Marine hears the doctors request and complies.

"On it, doc!" She yells back as she steps towards the giant.

Aware of the need to finish things quickly, she Snagging Strikes the giant twice.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (9) + 24 = 33
Slashing, Sneak Attack, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (8, 8) + 8 + (4) + (6) = 34

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, MAP: 1d20 + 24 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 24 - 5 = 30

Slashing, Sneak Attack, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 7) + 8 + (2) + (6) = 29

◆ Step, ◆◆ Snagging Strike x2

This is Jayma's first round turn, so she should go before the others and they can then take advantage of the giant's Frightened condition.

Because of the fiddly nature of her spell, Jayma is caught a little by surprise by the lone giant when the group reaches the top of the lift shaft. "Oh, dear me! That gave me quite the start!"

She quickly looks about for more of them, but except for the ones in the distant room, it seems this giant was alone. Jayma almost feels pity for the poor creature given its now very short life expectancy. She wonders if there is anything she needs to do to help dispatch the lone giant; she's pretty sure that Marine and Thurston can handle the situation without her help.

She sighs when the giant remains standing and screaming for help despite the rest of the group's best efforts. "If the beast is to perish with any expedience, it would appear I must act."

Putting on her scary voice, she calls out to the giant. "You poor, deluded creature. You’ve not a prayer against us. Soon enough, you shall join your dearly departed in the afterworld." Then, with a flick of her wrist, she sends a rock careening towards them.

Action 1 (◆): Demoralize with Guise of the Smirking Devil vs Desert Giant (Pink)

Intimidation (Demoralize): 1d20 + 22 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 22 + 2 = 41 vs Desert Giant (Pink) Will DC

Nice one! A crit if this one is anything like his friends, making him Frightened 2.

Actions 2 & 3 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Telekinetic Projectile [L6] with Courageous Anthem vs Frightened 2 Desert Giant (Pink)

Telekinetic Projectile Attack: 1d20 + 20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 1 = 30 vs Frightened 2
Telekinetic Projectile Damage: 7d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 2, 1, 3, 4) + 1 = 18 bludgeoning damage

If a crit, you deal double damage.

Jayma turns out to be quite correct, as Marine and Lazarus quickly dispatch the giant.

This gives the party a moment to take stock of their surroundings.

The winches for the lift are designed to grip the ropes, so that the elevator won't fall even if the operator lets go. To lower the lift at all, someone would have to hold it open, and again it's designed to snap shut if released.
...unless one opens the quick-release mechanism, which would drop the lift entirely. A defense against intruders who foolishly trust the lift, perhaps.

Lazarus and Marine also note the pile of rocks on the sentry's platform could be pushed into the shaft to rain on anybody on the lift or climbing the shaft.

As the giant falls, Marine tries to get back to the other side without needing to jump. She turns to the doctor and says "Want a lift?"

If he agrees, Marine allows him to mount her and ride her back to the other side.

Marine lacks the religious training to contribute. She tries to perceive the area around her for anything weird...

Perception: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

And doesn't suspect a thing.

Religion: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35
Perception: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (12) + 19 = 31

Callistro looks around the area while keeping a wary eye on the giants. He runs his delicate fingers over the inscriptions. These are of Nethys, in his enraged and destructive aspect.

He cocks his head to the side, listening intently. That noise, that sounds lie an enraged bull elephant, its just the wind blowing through openings in the upper levels of this cave system.

He ducks behind the winches to watch the giants. So, Jayma suggested a diplomatic approach but if these are the same lot as those enslaving the Kholo's it seems unlikely that they will talk or that they could be trusted. What do we think?

Jayma checks her surroundings but the badly eroded visages mean nothing to her.

Perception vs DC 28: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

"Callistro is correct. That far-off howling is merely the wind, altered as it passes through the deeper parts of the cave, blowing over narrow openings and making it sound quite eerie."

After a quick check of the elevator mechanism, she seems quite pleased with herself. "It would seem I was quite correct. The elevator was a trap, just as I suspected."

She frowns and shakes her head when Callistro mentions her suggesting a diplomatic approach with the giants. "I do not recall advocating for diplomacy with the giants. Slavers, after all, are undeserving of mercy, and from what we’ve observed, they are hardly the sort to respond to such niceties."

As they are watching the giant Callistro turns back to Marine, I hope you didnt forget to loot that poor giant dear, my taste are expensive!

Jayma is no Billy: you get to diplo, and YOU get to diplo, everyone gets to diplo!

Dr. Lazarus watches as the giant topples over. He's about to check the body, when Callistro mentions expensive tastes. He chuckles knowingly, "My dear boy, good forensics labs cost a fortune. Rest assured I'll investigate thoroughly." Lazarus collects anything of interest.

Seeing the pile of rocks meant for intruders, Dr. Lazarus gets annoyed. "These are not welcoming." If it's relatively quick to do, he dumps all the rocks through the shaft. If not, he makes a note to do it on the way out.

When Marine offers a lift, the Doctor smiles, "Very kind, dear lady, but I can make this particular leap quite easily." He adds, "Another time, perhaps?"

After joining the group on the other side, he studies the area.
Religion, DC 20: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (9) + 20 = 29
Perception, DC 28: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33
He puts up an long elven finger, clearly preparing a boring lecture about Nethys and wind tunnels, but Callistro beats him to it. "You left out some details, but they're arguably not important." While he seems a tad irked that he wasn't the first to enlighten the group, the group is much better off for it.

Marine realizes that the howls are actually coming from a wounded dragon wailing in pain.

Lazarus finds that this giant is similarly equipped to the others. Notably he has a +1 striking scimitar and a set of doubling rings.
He also tips the rocks into the shaft. They fall with tremendous crashes that would certainly be unpleasant for anyone climbing up, and shatter the lift platform some distance below.

The sounds of crashing rocks and splintering wood also bring an abrupt halt to the clattering and cheering coming from the finished room, as the giants there come rushing to investigate, drawing their weapons...

Lazarus and Callistro's turns.
Initiative:
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Callistro (AC 30/32, 139/140 HP, Cursebound 2)
Yellow Desert Giant
Green Desert Giant
Marine (AC 33, 162+5/167 HP)
Red Desert Giant
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)
Blue Desert Giant
Orange Desert Giant

Well, damn, sorry guys. Throwing the rocks down the shaft was just for flavor. Didn't mean to blow surprise... :( Sigh.

With the giants rather far away and with Marine blocking his view, Dr. Lazarus decides to wait.

Delay till after the first group of giants take their turns (and probably after Marine moves out of the way, but we'll figure that out when it's her turn).

Callistro looks ahead at the gathered giants. Well friends, its time to play the music, and its time to light the lights! Lets light these giants up.

With that a large ball of bright blue energy explodes in the midst of the room.

The giants largely weather the spell. A couple of them seem badly affected though.
Red Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 1 critical failure; 36 damage, Sickened 2, and Slowed 1 while she's Sickened
Orange Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 14 success; 9 damage
Yellow Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 1 critical failure; 36 damage, Sickened 2, and Slowed 1 while he's Sickened
Green Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 19 success; 9 damage
Blue Fort: 1d20 ⇒ 15 success; 9 damage

One of the two overwhelmed by the spell just stays in the corner. He looks weak and takes deep gasping breaths as he tries to steady himself.
◆ Retch Yellow Fort: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4 failure
◆ Retch Yellow Fort: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17 success, Sickened level reduced to 1

One of the others, though, howls a string of insults, threats, and obscenities at Marine that's barely intelligible but would certainly shake most people as the giant bears down on her. It has no effect.
One of the flashing scimitars does cut her though.
◆ Demoralize Marine Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 15 Success... which isn't enough to have an effect
◆◆ Scimitar Blitz Strike Marine Scimitar: 1d20 ⇒ 14 hits for slashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 1) + 12 = 19 and Scimitar: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (5) - 5 = 0 critical failure; she does have 10-foot reach, so she never enters yours

Lazarus and Marine's turns.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 136/140 HP, Cursebound 3)
Yellow Desert Giant (-48 HP, Sickened 1, Slowed 1 as long as he's Sickened)
Green Desert Giant (-21 HP)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33, 153/167 HP)
Red Desert Giant (-36 HP, Sickened 2, Slowed 1 as long as she's Sickened, 12 spirit at start of her turn)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)
Blue Desert Giant (-9 HP, 12 spirit at start of his turn)
Orange Desert Giant (-9 HP, 12 spirit at start of her turn)

As the giant screams and yells at her, Marine remembers her training and puts on a stoney face. Taking the hit for the squishier members in the party, she grimaces a bit as the scimitar cuts into her armour. Luckily for her, the plate takes a little bit of the sting out of the hit.

She sees a very sickly giant in front of her and grins.

"Thanks for softening her up Calistro with...uhm...those bright blue balls you throw around every so often!" She yells as she runs towards the Red Giant.

With a quick blow, she tries to make it easier for the Doctor and Jayma to hit the enemy by setting up a Snagging Strike. She gut checks the giant with her sword, rubbing salt into the proverbial wound where the big lug is feeling queasy.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 24 + 1 = 35
Piercing, Spirit, CA: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (8, 3) + 8 + (6) + 1 = 26 That's 20 Piercing and 6 Spirit. If it hit, Red would be off-guard until the start of my next turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving myself a +1 Status bonus to AC.

Knowing that the giants are likely to come after the biggest target - herself - next, she prepares to block and possibly parry their strikes. She holds the Astral Aldori in a Dueling Parry.

Dr. Lazarus nods his approval as one of the intelligence-impaired creatures moves closer. "Just as I suspected ..."
Devise a Stratagem vs Red: 1d20 ⇒ 11 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

The Doctor moves across the room, takes aim and flings his hammer at the nearest (Red) one.
+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 22 + 1 = 34
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + (5, 7, 3) + 6 + 1 = 30

He then brings up a magical Shield.

◆ Stride, ◇ Devise, ◆ Strike, ◆ Shield

The woozy giant is unable to defend herself properly as Marine and Lazarus lay into her. Marine slows her down, which allows Lazarus to land an attack that's just as brutal.
With the Sickened penalty, that's a crit.
With the Sickened penalty and now also Off-Guard, that's also a crit even with soft cover. That bloodies her.

The injured giant tries to steady herself against the spell's effects, but isn't successful. She wavers as the harm that was foretold befalls her, and lashes out at Marine--who is almost quick enough to parry.
Takes foretold damage.
◆ Retch Fort: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5, failure
◆ Strike Scimitar: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (15) - 2 = 13, misses, due to AC bonuses oh wait, you're flanked. Hits for slashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (3, 1) + 12 = 16, minus 4 resist

Jayma's turn.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 136/140 HP, Cursebound 3)
Yellow Desert Giant (-48 HP, Sickened 1, Slowed 1 as long as he's Sickened)
Green Desert Giant (-21 HP)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33, 145/167 HP, +3 to AC)
Red Desert Giant (-160 HP, Bloodied, Sickened 2, Off-Guard until Marine's turn, Slowed 1 as long as she's Sickened)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)
Blue Desert Giant (-9 HP, 12 spirit at start of his turn)
Orange Desert Giant (-9 HP, 12 spirit at start of her turn)

With the Sickened penalty and now also Off-Guard, that's also a crit even with soft cover. That bloodies her.

If the soft cover is from Marine, ust a reminder that she has aim-aiding armour so she doesnt provide cover to enemies.

Jayma is once again slow off the mark, but eventually manages to pull herself together enough to act. Seeing most of the giants nicely clustered together, she quickly says "blundering baddies burning brightly," then claps her hands. With a thundering boom, a ball of flames spreads out and engulfs four of the giants. A quick snap of her fingers then makes a magical force field appear around her.

Dropped a template to show the 20ft burst.

Action 1 & 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Fireball [L6] with Sorcerous Potency

Fireball Damage: 12d6 + 6 ⇒ (6, 5, 5, 3, 1, 5, 4, 2, 6, 6, 6, 4) + 6 = 59 fire damage vs DC 30 Basic Reflex

Action 3 (◆): Cast a Spell: Shield [L6] - AC 29 (Hardness 15)

Only the injured giant is quick enough to react to the blast--but she's still hit by a jet of flame and collapses.
Red Reflex: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (17) - 2 = 15 success, but 29 damage still takes her down
Orange Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 6 failure, she takes 59 damage
Yellow Reflex: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0 critical failure, he takes 118 damage, which bloodies him
Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 8 failure, he takes 59 damage

One of the giants hurries out of the room, trying to slip past Marine (who slices into him as he does so). The party notes that he only has on scimitar out, and in his other hand he holds one of the balls from their game--it looks like a humanoid skull reinforced with strips of leather and metal bands. He hurls it at the barricade to the east, shouting, "INTRUDERS! THEY'RE HERE!" It strikes with a loud BANG, though there is no sign of a response.
◆ Stride. Marine's RS is a crit, which bloodies him
◆ Hurl ball. Throw: 1d20 ⇒ 10
◆ Strike Marine/Lazarus: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Scimitar: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (14) - 5 = 9, hit for slashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (6, 2) + 12 = 20

The next giant steps towards Marine and whirls, performing a kind of whirling dance move that's rather dangerous while there are blades in your hands. Marine deflects the first scimitar, whose trajectory is frankly laughable. ...and doesn't see the second one coming. Continuing her spin, the giant skips up the stairs and further back from the centaur.
◆ Demoralize Marine Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 4, critical failure
◆◆ Scimitar Blitz. She moves her Speed and Strikes twice during the movement. Marine's the only one within reach, and flanked. Scimitar: 1d20 ⇒ 4, critical failure (though she's not in reach) and Scimitar: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (20) - 5 = 15, critical hit for 2xslashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (5, 5) + 12 = 22

Callistro's turn.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 136/140 HP, Cursebound 3)
Yellow Desert Giant (-166 HP, bloodied, Sickened 1, Slowed 1 as long as he's Sickened)
Green Desert Giant (-21 HP)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 90/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33, 105/167 HP, +3 to AC)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP)
Blue Desert Giant (-119 HP, bloodied, Off-Guard until Marine's turn)
Orange Desert Giant (-80 HP)

Callistro continues to inspire his allies, Lets light a fire under these guys!

Flames erupt from the ground under Green and Blue.

The least-injured giant miraculously remains so.
The other one is now on fire.
None of them were. I did check that.
Green Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 20 critical success
Blue Reflex: 1d20 ⇒ 7 failure, 28 damage

The woozy giant finally seems to recover, but he still hangs back. He lets one of his scimitars fall and throws a large rock from the pouch on his belt instead. It only hits the pillars in front of him.
◆ Retch Fort: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15, success
◇ Drop scimitar
◆ Strike Rock: 1d20 ⇒ 4, critical failure

"Stop doing that!" the uninjured giant bellows at Callistro. He isn't shaken, and as the giant steps up and sweeps his weapons at Callistro and Jayma, Jayma does take the worst of it.
◆ Demoralize Callistro Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 12, failure
◆◆ Scimitar Blitz Callistro/Jayma: 1d2 ⇒ 2 Scimitar: 1d20 ⇒ 19, crits for 2xslashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 3) + 12 = 19 (38 to Jayma, pending Shield Block) and Scimitar (Sweep): 1d20 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 1 - 5 = 14, hit for slashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (4, 4) + 12 = 20 (20 to Callistro)

Lazarus, Marine, and Jayma's turns.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 113/140 HP, Cursebound 3, incendiary aura)
Yellow Desert Giant (-166 HP, bloodied)
Green Desert Giant (-21 HP)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33, 105/167 HP, +3 to AC)
Jayma (AC 28, 92/107 HP, shield)
Blue Desert Giant (-119 HP, bloodied, Off-Guard until Marine's turn, 4d4 persistent fire)
Orange Desert Giant (-80 HP)

Jayma's eyes go wide as the giant bears down on her. "Dear me! Where have my most valiant defenders gone?"

It appears that Jayma's fireball only targeted Red, Orange, Yellow and Blue giants, leaving out Green. That means that technically, she hasn't acted hostile toward Green and her Empathetic Plea reaction should be available to her.

As the giant prepares to strike at her...

Turning her wrath on the giant who just had the temerity to attack her, she gives him a look that could freeze a volcano and with a "squash shrunken scoundrel swiftly" she sends the giant a vision of death by being shrunk down to a small size and stepped on by her.

Action 1 & 2 (◆◆): Cast a Spell: Vision of Death with Sorcerous Potency vs Green Desert Giant

Vision of Death Damage: 8d6 + 4 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 1, 3, 6, 4, 4) + 4 = 34 mental damage vs DC 30 Will

The giant hesitates, and the moment is lost.
That also works. Critical success, the attack is lost.

He recoils from Jayma. "It's just like the dreams!"
Green Will: 1d20 ⇒ 14 Failure

Lazarus and Marine's turns.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 113/140 HP, Cursebound 3, incendiary aura)
Yellow Desert Giant (-166 HP, bloodied)
Green Desert Giant (-55 HP, Frightened 2)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33, 105/167 HP, +3 to AC)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Blue Desert Giant (-119 HP, bloodied, Off-Guard until Marine's turn, 4d4 persistent fire)
Orange Desert Giant (-80 HP)

Surveying the situation, Dr. Lazarus sees an injured enemy in front of him and an injured Marine beside him. "My dear Marine, just a moment. This won't take long." The Doctor slaps a battle dressing on the centaur.
Battle Medicine (master) DC 30: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (11) + 22 = 33
Damage Healed +master +medic +investigator: 2d8 + 30 + 10 + 11 ⇒ (4, 5) + 30 + 10 + 11 = 60

He then looks for an opening on the nearest giant.
Devise a Stratagem vs Blue: 1d20 ⇒ 2 (Roll is used for subsequent attack roll.)

After careful analysis, with the creature still off-guard, the stubborn elf thinks he still has a chance. He flings his hammer, in spite of the low odds.
+2 Striking Returning Cold Iron Grabthar's Hammer (w/ Stratagem) +CA, vs Blue: 1d20 + 22 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 22 + 1 = 25 (vs offguard till Marine's turn, yes?)
Bludgeoning Damage + Enhanced Strategic (precision) +CA: 2d6 + 3d8 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + (1, 4, 8) + 6 + 1 = 30

Finally, he brings up a magical Shield.

◆ Battle Med, ◇ Devise, ◆ Strike, ◆Shield

Dr. Lazarus patches up Marine. He also manages to catch the giant heavily on the shoulder with his hammer. At this point he looks like the fire may be enough to take him down on its own...
That... is a hit while he's Off-Guard, yes.

Marine's turn.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 113/140 HP, Cursebound 3, incendiary aura)
Yellow Desert Giant (-166 HP, bloodied)
Green Desert Giant (-55 HP, Frightened 2)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105+5/105 HP, shield)
Marine (AC 33, 165/167 HP, +3 to AC)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Blue Desert Giant (-177 HP, bloodied, 4d4 persistent fire)
Orange Desert Giant (-80 HP)

Marine snickers as Jayma manages to convince Green to pull his strike. "Wow, did you really fall for her baby doll eyes? Ha! Pathetic." She mocks the Green giant as she Strides towards him.

With her first Strike, she slashes the Giant while hitting it in the head, setting up a Snagging Strike.
+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA: 1d20 + 24 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 24 + 1 = 38
Piercing, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 6) + 8 + (5) + 1 = 21 That's 16 Piercing and 5 Spirit for a total of 21 damage. If it hit, Green would be off-guard until the start of my turn. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

Exploiting Green's fear, she continues to harass him and Shatter Green's Defences by poking him in the eye.

+2 Astral Aldori Dueling Sword, CA, MAP1: 1d20 + 24 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 24 + 1 - 5 = 25
Piercing, Spirit: 2d8 + 8 + 1d6 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 6) + 8 + (3) + (2) + 1 = 25 That's 20 Piercing, 3 Precision and 2 Spirit for a total of 25 damage. If it hit and Green was Off-Guard, Green can't reduce its frightened condition below 1. With my Warding Statuette, giving my +1 Status bonus to AC to myself.

"Aww, does it hurt when I do that? It does, doesn't it?"

◆ Stride, ◆ Snagging Strike, ◆ Shatter Defences. AC 34 now.

It does. It really does.
38 is a crit, which bloodies him. 25 is a hit while Off-Guard.

The burning giant desperately tries to smother the fire. It doesn't work, so he bellows with rage as he swings fruitlessly at Marine and the doctor before succumbing to the flames and collapsing in a heap.
◆ Assisted Recovery Persists?: 1d20 ⇒ 10
◆ Strike Marine/Lazarus: 1d2 ⇒ 1 Scimitar: 1d20 ⇒ 3 critical failure
◆ Strike Lazarus Scimitar (Sweep): 1d20 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (5) + 1 - 5 = 1 Miss
Persistent Fire damage: 4d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 2) = 9 Taken out by persistent damage

The giant standing at the back of the shrine (for that is what it seems to be) hurries forward. She lashes at the Doctor with her scimitars (though he blocks the first) before ducking back behind the wall. "You're as strong as the Slumbering King says, but we have you outnumbered. I'm going to kill you at least."
Something about the way she cowers behind the wall, or perhaps the fact that it is no longer true that the party is outnumbered, makes this declaration less ominous then it might be.
◆◆ Scimitar Blitz Scimitar: 1d20 ⇒ 5 Miss and Scimitar: 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (15) - 5 = 10 Hits for slashing damage: 2d6 + 12 ⇒ (2, 6) + 12 = 20
◆ Demoralize the Doctor Intimidation: 1d20 ⇒ 1 critical failure

Callistro's turn.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 113/140 HP, Cursebound 3, incendiary aura)
Yellow Desert Giant (-166 HP, bloodied)
Green Desert Giant (-122 HP, bloodied, Frightened 2, Off-Guard until not Frightened)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33, 162/162 HP, +1 to AC)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Orange Desert Giant (-80 HP)

What's this, dont you go get all up close and personal you smelly giant. Begone you fool! shouts Callistro.

The giant seems to agree that he should leave.
Will: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5 Critical failure.

The giant in yellow doesn't seem to want to approach so close anymore. He steps up so he can see through the doorway and hurls a rock at Marine.
◆ Stride
◆ Stow scimitar
◆ Strike Rock: 1d20 ⇒ 16, hits for bludgeoning damage: 2d8 + 5 ⇒ (1, 5) + 5 = 11

The other one turns to flee. Marine gouges him pretty good, but he doesn't stop. He moves across the narrow ledge at full speed, nearly falling. He slams into the barricade and tries to push it aside, to no effect.
Then he seems to recover his senses. He stops abruptly and turns to glare at Callistro. "I am not smelly, coward!"
◆ Stride. Marine's RS crits
◆ Balance Acrobatics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (2) - 2 = 0 Success
◆ Open barrier Athletics: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (19) - 2 = 17 Failure

Lazarus, Marine, and Jayma's turn.
Initiative:
Callistro (AC 30/32, 110/140 HP, Cursebound 3, incendiary aura)
Yellow Desert Giant (-166 HP, bloodied)
Green Desert Giant (-170 HP, bloodied, Frightened 1, Off-Guard until not Frightened)
Dr. Lazarus (AC 30, 105/105 HP)
Marine (AC 33, 151/162 HP, +1 to AC)
Jayma (AC 28, 107+5/107 HP, shield)
Orange Desert Giant (-80 HP)