Jarrek Everstand's page

DM, just so I'm clear: there are 2 things? One between us and the village and one toward the pass?

If we can double people up on watch and everybody gets their sleep for spells then lets do that. 3 watches.

Jarrek has darkvision so he can take the late night watch when the fire might be getting low.

Jarrek gestures into the trees. "That body will draw scavengers. We should clear out before we bed down for the night."

Jarrek carefully puts the tanglefoot bag back in his pack once it becomes clear the drake isn't coming back. "We drove it off, that's a win as far as I'm concerned." He looks over at the dead ettin. "Do you think that was its pet, like the bear?"

Jarrek was at 33 then 13 from Haftor and 10 from Kronug would put him back at full.

Are you going to camp here or return to the village?

I'd vote to just go into those trees and camp there. If this is the route the giants have to take to get to the village it's better for us to be in their way than let them get to town. Of course that risks the drake coming back, but them's the breaks.

Also let's not forget to loot the dead ettin. And we didn't kill the bear, so it might come back too.

Still hefting the stick bag in one hand, Jarrek murmurs a minor protective charm against acid over himself.

Cast Resistance on self.

Eliciting suggestions from the group. Keep holding this bag or do something else? It seems like the drake might be smart enough to not come within range. Thoughts?

Ref save, DC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"We'll get it on the ground and finish it off!" Jarrek hefts the sticky bag in his hand and waits for the right moment to throw.

Maintain Inspire Courage, otherwise hold action to throw.

Sorry DM, thought I responded! Apologies for the brain fart.

I was thinking 'damn I wish I had a tanglefoot bag' and it turns out I do! Free action drop bow/continue IC, move action pull out bag, ready a standard action to throw it once it's close enough.

"Wait, I think I can bring it down!" Jarrek drops his bow and starts digging around in his backpack. "Here! Now you're gonna get it!" He waits until the drake gets closer then throws the sticky bag at the flying creature (given the range increment he'd probably throw at 30').

Readied touch attack+IC-2 range increments: 1d20 + 4 + 2 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 + 2 - 4 = 15 On hit, –2 to attack rolls and –4 penalty to Dexterity and must make a DC 15 Reflex save or be unable to fly.

Jarrek raises his bow and fires off another shaft. "We'll get it eventually! Come on, everyone!" Free action, continue Inspire Courage, standard attack, move action move 20' to the right so they're not all bunched up but is within range for channeling.

Comp shortbow at 200 feet, IC, Bless: 1d20 + 4 - 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 - 4 + 2 + 1 = 17
Dmg if hits: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

IC 3 of 15

"She'll be okay, she's tough! We'll take this thing down and get her set straight in a minute!" Jarrek drew back his arrow and loosed, the arrowhead kindling with that same strange pale violet fire his blade sometimes did.

Jarrek doesn't have any cure spells or potions, unfortunately. Free to maintain Inspire Courage, swift Arcane Strike, standard to attack.

Shortbow attack+IC+Bless: 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 2 + 1 = 26
Dmg+IC+Arcane Strike: 1d6 + 3 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 + 2 = 11

Ref save, DC 20: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28 Wooo!

Jarrek jumps out of the way. "Rift drake? These guys are bad news!" He hisses as his leg gets burned by the acid. "It's tough but we can take it! They're murderous, sadistic bastards, we have to kill it." He pulls the bow off his back and prepares to fire up into the sky.

Standard to start Inspire Courage 1/15, +2 to attack and damage for everybody, Move action to draw bow.

Jarrek squints up at the creature. "A drake, maybe? Could be a wyvern. Not a dragon, praise Cayden's flagon."

Knowledge to ID monster?: 1d20 ⇒ 12 That's 17 to ID it with Arcana, Dungeoneering, Nature, or Religion or (probably not) 23 with Local.

Jarrek looks at Kronug, who had gotten tagged by the bear. "You alright?"

Jarrek moves up behind Kronug and stabs Heartspit at the giant bear.

Heartspit PA: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28
Dmg if hits: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (4, 5) + 14 = 23

Jarrek spins Heartspit in an impressive figure-eight pattern as he yells in Giant "Make peace with your god! You will be seeing him soon!"

Dazzling Display Demoralize check to all opponents within 30 feet: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (17) + 23 = 40

Damn, I should have started up Inspire Courage before. I thought we'd have another round before they got into melee range. My mistake.

Full round action Dazzling Display Intimidates/Demoralizes both targets within 30'. DC is 10+HD+Wis mod. Success imparts Shaken condition (-2 to attack, damage, saves, other checks) for 1 round +1 rd/5 over the DC.

Looks good.

Jarrek nods at Haftor. "Well we're not gonna sneak up on them. Ettins are really hard to surprise. Charge in to pin them in place while Bronwyn moves around to shoot them from behind makes sense to me. I'd only worry about the bear breaking away and charging you if you're off by yourself, Bronwyn. They're nasty fighters."

Heroism and Mirror Image have long durations so he'll cast them now. Divine Favor is only 1 minute, though, and if they're a couple hundreds yards away it will mostly be gone by the time we get to the fight.

What's the terrain near the ettin like? Wide open, a copse of trees, with a few boulders around? That's what I got from the description earlier.

Also, can we roll Kn checks on ettins and cave bears?

Kn:Local for giants: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Kn:Nature for animals: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

Jarrek looked around for a good place to set up a battle line.

I'm ok on resources. 3/4 2nd level spells left, 12/15 bardic performance. That's probably good enough to go on.

Oof, looks like no one has updated the loot table since 2020. I hope somebody's been keeping notes. I can try to go through old posts and update it later this week.

Kn:Local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Kn:Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Jarrek laughs off Kronug downplaying their efforts and claps the one-man shield wall on the shoulder. "Yeah but we wouldn't let it get to that, would we, Haftor?" He glances at the frightened villagers, projecting confidence and strength. "Giants aren't gonna be a problem anymore now that we're here."

He nods his head at the villager who had said 'Tinder Hall'. "They might have said Minderhal. That's a giant god. There are stories of a massive cathedral built by ancient giants in a remote valley somewhere in the Mindspin Mountains. We might be tracking them to there. Definitely sounds like the kind of place someone calling themselves the Storm Tyrant would want to hole up."

Hell yeah! Gallant Inspiration!

Jarrek stabs at the cyclops again, trying to distract it so his friends can finish the monster. "Finish it, Kronug!"

Immediate Action to cast Gallant Inspiration, +2d4 retroactively to Kronug's confirm check (hopefully).

If that doesn't finish the thing, here's Jarrek's attack rolls:

Longspear+1, GH, IC, Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 20
Piercing dmg, PA, GH, IC, WoA: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 26

Jarrek charges forward with Heartspit out like a lance, screaming like a raging orc as he comes.

Longspear+1, GH, IC, Power Attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 + 2 + 2 - 2 = 31
Piercing dmg, PA, GH, IC, WoA: 1d8 + 8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 6 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 21

Move to 15' from cyclops, attack with reach, continue Inspire Courage 3/15.

Sorry, I thought I counted it as 6 squares. My mistake.

Oh sorry I wasn't looking at the map. I moved his token now.

Jarrek advances with Kronug, staying behind the front line warrior (and Haftor, I assume). In Giant, he yells "Hey ugly, we killed your girlfriend back at the fort but you'll be able to see her again in a minute."

Intimidate/Demoralize check+Good Hope, no penalty against larger creatures: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 23 + 2 = 45 Hell yeah! Success is 1 round of Shaken +1 for every 5 over 10+HD+target's Wis mod.

Continue Inspire Courage, 2/15

Also armor triggers a DC 16 Will save or take a –4 penalty on attack rolls and saving throws for 1d4 rounds once we get within 30 feet.

Ref save + Shake it Off, DC 20: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 10 + 3 = 28

Taking a hint from Kronug, Jarrek manages to partially dodge out of the way. The big half-orc laughs as he dusts himself off. "That's nothing! Come on, guys, we've killed bigger giants than this one!"

Start Inspire Courage: party +2 to attacks and damage. Round 1/15

Jarrek's spot is good.

Jarrek forms up a few feet behind Haftor but making sure any giant coming out of those trees can see him clearly.

Cast Heroism on self.

Coordinated Charge and Escape Route both look pretty good. We could advance as a 3 man team with Jarrek behind Haftor and Kronug and hitting with Heartspit. And letting us move around without taking AoOs from giants would be really useful.

Yeah, if there are living hostages Jarrek would want to follow as fast as possible.

Yeah I can see Jarrek taunting and retreating, classic draw aggro tactic to let the party swarm the bad guy. With 15' Reach Jarrek could even try to kite so nobody ever gets a full attack.

But him backing up and hitting with the spear over Haftor/Kronug's heads is going be tough on the front-liners when we fight multiple party-level CR opponents.

Like you said, I don't think we can count on giants always getting sickened by the armor effect but Jarrek has a really good chance to be successful on his Demoralize checks. Between him insulting/threatening them and him wearing toenail armor I think we can count on him getting charged just out of RP. What's going to really be bad is when the giants can see him but not close to melee and start throwing rocks- Jarrek is pretty squishy against a boulder thrower with a high BAB.

We saw in the troll fight that giants are going to come for Jarrek due to the fingernail armor. Should we try to plan around that, if they're going to come charging in and leave themselves open to AoOs and flanks from Kronug and Haftor?

Jarrek snorts, smiling. "Killing giants is its own reward, Alder. We'll take care of them for you."

'One eyed giant' is pretty specific. Though I guess it could be a regular giant that's just missing an eye.

Jarrek makes faces at the baby and tickles it.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 18

He's really good with the baby and keeps it entertained while they travel, which keeps his own spirits up as they pass through the destroyed countryside.

***
"Is this Abria, sir?" Jarrek holds up his little friend. "Unfortunately we didn't find any survivors near her." He glances at the other party members before adding quietly "There was a troll." The big half-orc leaves the implied thought that the baby's family was probably eaten unsaid.

Power Attack AoO: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Dmg: 1d8 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

"Acid! Acid or fire, fast!" Jarrek yelled as the monster went down.

I can open the map, DM. Thanks for checking. Does Jarrk also get an AoO since he has 15' reach?

"A troll! You all know how to kill a troll, right?" The half-orc laughs.

Jarrek steps forward, whirling Heartspit menacingly. He roars in Giant "I am Jarrek Steelhand, Heartspit's wielder, giantkiller, Grenseldek's slayer, who turned back the tide at Trunau and dispersed the Twisted Hearts tribe! Know that your fate was sealed the moment you saw me!"

Intimidate/Demoralize+Heroism: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 23 + 2 = 44

Move 20' toward the troll, use Intimidate/Demoralize vs troll's 10+HD+Wis mod for 1+1 for every 5 he beats the DC by. Shaken gives -2 to attack/save/skill/ability checks.

Then when the troll gets within 30' it has to make a DC 16 Will save or take -4 on attacks/saves for 1d4 rounds. Penalty does not stack with Shaken from Demoralize, so they overlap and the higher -4 penalty applies until the 1d4 rounds runs out.

Jarrek spins Heartspit around his head. He's been practicing with it whenever there has been enough room, trying to get a feel for the extra-long weapon and his new steel hand. "I don't see any giants but somebody in there needs help!"

Jarrek will start with casting Heroism on self.

DM C, with respect to the Steel Hand's compulsion to attack giants, it says "as the Suggestion spell." Does that mean if attacking a giant would be obviously harmful (like the giant would obviously kill him or he has to leap over a hundred foot chasm or something) he can automatically resist the compulsion?

That would seem to make the curse just make him hate giants rather than goad him into unwinnable fights.

Jarrek grunts and growls as Kronug takes off his hand, unsuccessfully trying to choke down the scream in his throat. He barely manages not to jerk his arm away so that Haftor can apply the Hand to his stump. As the pain fades, a look of wonder comes over his face and he wiggles his new steel fingers. "Amazing," he breathes.

The big half-orc stands up and salutes Umlo and Ingrahild with a smile on his face. "With Nargrym's artifacts we can't lose!"

The art for Lokmorr has the Hand replacing his hand and most of his forearm, so since it's just fluff I'm going to describe it that way. Johnny Silverhand, watch out!

Totally forgot he's wearing a breastplate instead of chain shirt! I guess Jarrek is just going to be Nargrym Junior. It goes with his Intimidate concept, too. Unless somebody else wants it?

Nargrym's armor

That's a nice effect. Too bad our heavies are already wearing heavier armor and I don't think our other 2 can wear medium armor.

Jarrek gestures at the gauntlet and nods at the dwarves. "We were preparing to use Steelhand's gauntlet when you came in. As long as you approve, I'd like to dedicate myself to using it to defeat these monsters. As far as we can tell it requires a... sacrifice." The big half-orc picks up the Steelhand and nods at Kronug. "I'm ready."

He lays his left arm out over a flat piece of stone and puts the Steelhand nearby to slap it onto the stump. The big man looks determined but worried. "Let's just hope we don't run into any friendly giants after this," Jarrek jokes weakly.

"Well met," Bronwyn offered when the group arrived. "I am Bronwyn Orcrender, and I hunt giants."

Jarrek looked up from the steel hand, expression determined. His tone was somber as he nodded in Kronug's direction. "Same here. Ever since we fought one off while a bunch of orcs tried to burn Trunau to the ground, at least." The big half-orc didn't acknowledge that he, himself, was partially an orc. Granted, he was a very good looking half-orc by human standards, with his broad shoulders, strong jaw, and impressive muscles.

"Jarrek Everstand," he said by way of introduction. "About to be called Jarrek One-hand, I think, once we take up this giant-killing arm. Seems like 'Steelhand' has a bad connotation to it now." Some of his usual good humor seemed to be coming back while he talked and had time to stop brooding on losing his natural limb.

"If that is the process, then I offer my services, Jarrek. I am sure that Gorum's Thorn can do the job in one blow. We'd have Haftor and Roshelle here to heal you if that is needed."

Jarrek flexed his left hand. Grimacing, he said "Yeah, okay. Let's do it. Thanks."

Now let's find Jarrek some mirrorshades!

Jarrek grimaces and flexes his left hand. "Thanks," the big half-orc says doubtfully. He looks at Seamus. "We really have to cut off my hand?"

Just trying to emphasize that this isn't cyberpunk; lopping off perfectly healthy limbs to put in an implant isn't normal around here. ;)

I'll put the full description in the Discussion thread, but the short answer is that you're not using your hands--setting the barbs on the spear in the target is treated as a grapple attempt, and if you do the target takes 4d6 if it tears itself free.

ETA: or, about what Kronug said in the Discussion thread.

Oh, well if he can get an extra 4d6 every time he hits a giant then that seems worth it. So against giants it's a +3 spear that does 2d6 Bane damage then you get a free grapple attempt and when they break the grapple they take another 4d6. That seems pretty good.

What's the reach on a Large weapon wielded by a Medium sized character? 15'?

DM, if Jarrek takes the magic spear can he retrain his Weapon Focus?

Also, any chance we can recoup the money he spent on enchanting his cold iron falchion? Seems like a waste now.