Sander Thistlewight's page

I replied in another game, but, yes, hope this all passes sooner rather than much later.

I think linear is almost always better in PBP. If that'll help people, I'm all for that.

"I think we can only work with what we have, Molly. Maybe there are more and we can free them, but if the ogres and trolls have to do other work, then that's keeping them busy," Sander says.

He looks over the map that Naximarra provided them. "Maybe we could try to enter from the northeast?" he suggests. "It looks like there's some space there, though I don't know how much we can really do at the target range? But at least we could get in. Or I could probably make most of us invisible again, but that just gets us in and takes most of my extracts. The north of the camp definitely seems like there are fewer giants, though. We could try to disrupt the brewery and smithy? If we sabotage the smithy, they couldn't make weapons, and then. Naximarra said the brewery has their most powerful spellcaster, so that's scary, but if we can kill him -- and stop them from having anything to drink -- that might really hurt their morale?"

He looks around to see what others think.

We're at full resources; I could make four of us invisible, though obviously that's only enough to really get us INTO the camp. We'll have to get ourselves out after the inevitable fight. That said, despite my thoughts above where I suggested smithy first, thinking about it, maybe we hit the brewery. They know there's some threat outside, but if we can take out their most powerful spellcaster before they realize the threat is also *in* the camp, that makes sense to me. Then depending how things are looking, we go try to hit the smithy, or we come back and do that the next day. Future missions IMO can take care of the gristmill, mammoths, and svathurim before we move on the farther south areas of the camp.

Oh, definitely. I was more thinking of ruining their food so they would be less placid and more eager to leave, with our encouragement. Other than that (until we get more info), I'm not sure our best bet beyond trying to pick off any patrols that are out looking for us/our slaves.

Map will get filled in tonight. I got sidetracked

Huh. Can't imagine what might be going on.

"I more meant, if we get rid of their food, they might be more willing to leave. Molly said they seemed to not be too bothered about being in camp before," Sander replies. At least that's the way I remember their interaction.

"I have a little poison," Sander admits, "but giants are so hardy that I don't know if it would even affect them."

Reminder to others the camp map is linked in the campaign tab, since I'd forgotten and had to go back to find it. Can Naxi fill in the remaining buildings for us?

"I still think if we could disrupt the mammoths, that might help. Maybe if we knew where their food was, that would be easier to get rid of? We could also try setting some buildings on fire..."

Hope you feel better soon!

Sander looks around to make sure the others are willing to take the bargain. A dragon's bargain certainly seems better than a devil's bargain, at least.

If no one objects, he answers and agrees to help, then asks for the dragon to tell them as much as it can about the current fortress they're facing.

Sander thinks.

"Would you promise to stay away from our home forever, and not direct any other dragons there?" Sander says, hoping they can get a little more out of what seems like a good deal. After all, they already have to deal with this Storm Tyrant before he can go back home to his wife.

Sander nods at Chwaer's questions, wondering the same things himself.

"Dragon!" Sander cries out in alarm, diving behind Storn.

Once he realizes he hasn't been incinerated, he peeks out from behind the Gorumite. "Wait, an alliance? Why?"

Yeah, I think heading back to do more recon. In the meantime, if we see giant patrols out looking for us or the former slaves, we'll try to ambush them with some hit-run tactics.

I'm fine with that. I think it was heading back to do more recon, and if we saw patrols outside looking for the slaves/us to do some hit-run attacks.

Sander waves goodbye to the freed slaves, telling them they may be back if they need a safe place to rest or to let them know the giants had all been dealt with.

"I guess we should do see if there are any patrols," he suggests. "Maybe we can get a few more at a time. But you have to be more careful, Molly! If there aren't, I guess we can figure out what to do next when we get closer."

I think we need to go investigate again to see what our best options are, if we don't find any patrols that we can ambush.

"Short? Our legs are normal size! It's everyone else whose legs are too long!"

Sander continues trudging along, looking nervously over his shoulder. Ready to move on.

Just to Xander's cave, as far as Sander is concerned.

It might be worth staying there that evening -- or if it's still early (since I think it was still pretty much first thing in the morning when we attacked), we could go out hunting in case any giant patrols come along that we could ambush, but then spending the evening with the refugees before heading back to continue disrupting things.

"I think she disappeared when she brought you back," Sander says sadly. "She said it was the cost of casting the spell..."

Even as he talks, he tries to shepherd the freed people into motion, looking back to see if anymore giants are coming.

"But maybe spread out a little bit everyone, so we don't leave a very obvious trail!"

"This isn't funny, Storn! She died!" Sanders says, looking back and forth between the two. "It could be worse, Molly, you could have come back as a badger or something. But we can't stay here! Come on, everyone, we need to move in case any more giants are on the way! Xander, you said you know a place?"

Sander's mouth drops open.

"M- Molly? Or are you the old lady? Or someone else?"

Obviously I'm fine doing what Molly wants, but considering the circumstances, I don't think our characters would really suddenly leave here to get her resurrected and then come back (unless I misunderstand how close the nearest civilization is; I suppose we could say we're going to escort the slaves back, in a change of plans).

Sorry, didn't check my games after yesterday morning.

Sander breathes a sigh of relief as the last giant falls, and then rushes to Molly's side. He checks to make sure there's nothing he can do, then turns tear-filled eyes to the others.

"We can't leave her here! We have to take her with us, and everyone get out of here! If you have some time to pray, is there anything Gorum can do, Storn?"

Yes, still firing at blue.

Sander heals himself again, the many herbs he's ingested over the years doing their work, and opens fire on the last giant with his crossbow, thrilled that he picked it up. It's not as powerful as his bombs, but he only has so many of those.

+1 giant-bane light crossbow (Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 26
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4, 6) + 2 = 18
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (Rapid Shot): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 24
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (6, 4) + 2 = 20
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (iterative): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 29
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (4, 2) + 2 = 14

+1 giant-bane light crossbow (haste attack): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 21
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (6, 1) + 2 = 16

Might be worth looking at Gang Up instead. As long as there's a third person in melee with Chwaer and Storn, that would allow flanking.

Did I take any damage? I'm assuming 18? If so, I'll fast heal myself for 5.

Seeing the thing get close, Sander changes tactics, throwing a couple bombs in its direction before switching back to his crossbow I think that's allowed with a full attack; it's basically two weapons and I've got Rapid Reload..

Bomb (ranged touch), point blank range, Rapid Shot, -2 for range: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 2 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 1 - 2 + 3 - 2 = 21
Damage (fire damage): 5d6 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 6, 6) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 36

Bomb (ranged touch), point blank range, Rapid Shot, -2 for range: 1d20 + 14 + 1 - 2 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 14 + 1 - 2 + 3 - 2 = 28
Damage (fire damage): 5d6 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 3, 3) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 28

+1 giant-bane light crossbow (iterative): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 25
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (2, 4) + 2 = 15

+1 giant-bane light crossbow (haste attack): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 34
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (5, 3) + 2 = 14

I'll fire at blue instead.

"We need to kill all of these ones quickly, so we can get the people moving, and get Molly's body!" Sander calls to the others -- hoping his voice won't carry too far, to the giants.

Sander calls out, "More of them are coming!" as he fires at the giant attacking Chwaer. These are coming from elsewhere in the field, right? Can we see how many of them there are? Are the slaves starting to run?

+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+1 vs. giants): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 23
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (6, 4) + 2 = 20
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+1 vs. giants): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 18
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+1 vs. giants): 1d20 + 9 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 24
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (1, 2) + 2 = 12

Haste attack: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 30
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (3, 5) + 2 = 18

Sander pulls up his crossbow again, opening fire with it. If 32 hits, first shot did 28; if that's enough to kill the yellow giant, I'll fly 90 feet to the northwest, to H-13, instead of using the other shots.

+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+2 vs. giants): 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 36
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (3, 4) + 2 = 16
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+1 vs. giants): 1d20 + 14 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 2 = 32
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 + (6, 4) + 2 = 17
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+1 vs. giants): 1d20 + 9 - 2 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 2 = 19
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + (1, 1) + 2 = 10

Crit 1?: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 32
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 + (1, 2) + 2 = 12

Crit 2?: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 33
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + (1, 6) + 2 = 13

Haste attack: 1d20 + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 14 - 2 + 2 + 3 = 35
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 + (3, 2) + 2 = 15

"Molly!" Sander cries in horror. He flies a bit closer to the other giant, putting it between him and the one in the rear, and throws a fire bomb.

Move to T-25
Bomb (ranged touch): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
Damage (fire damage): 5d6 + 5 ⇒ (5, 1, 6, 3, 1) + 5 = 21

Whoops, forgot about haste. Storn will move closer, so he can get to the giant next round; he's standing between the giant and Sander, which is very nice of him.

Botting Storn

Storn moves to his left, hoping to cut off the approaching giant, then calls on Gorum's power, sending a spectral sword to hack at the leader the giant at F-4.

Move to AB-13; cast spiritual weapon
1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

With the nearest giant already down, Sander pulls his new crossbow from his back and fires a bolt toward the one in yellow clothing.

Move: Draw crossbow; Standard: Shoot!
+1 giant-bane light crossbow (+2 vs. giants): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 14 + 2 = 20
Damage (+2d6+2 vs. giants): 1d6 + 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + (3, 1) + 2 = 11

Boo, to new bomb not working its first time out!

Will have activated displacement for this round, which is marked off in the above stats

I've got barkskin and mutagen and shield extracts that I'll drink right before we get started, plus will use my displacement extract in my coat when I'm close. I'll also take an extract of flight. Then I'll start at N-10. I'll plan to fire a confusion bomb at the one to the northwest, then fly back to AC-18 area, and use damaging bomb after that. (If the northeast one gets closer to us but no one is engaging him in combat, I'll use a confusion bomb on him too.)

FYI, I'll be out of town, and probably not posting Tuesday-Saturday (I will have my cellphone, so I might check occasionally, but I find it far too cumbersome to do a full post on mobile).

I added some details about my combat plans to make it hopefully easier to bot me. Macros are in my character sheet.

"I think we need to know more about the camp if we're going to disrupt it. Maybe we go try to scout again tomorrow?"

I think we just don't know enough to come up with a plan to disrupt. I think using some hit and run tactics against the giants outside with the slaves makes the most sense based on what we know at this point. If we don't want to do that, we should scout again -- perhaps Chwaer and I handle that? Invisibility for Molly here doesn't seem like the best use, since it'll end as soon as she casts the spell for the first time. Also, I don't think ghost sound would be loud enough.

Sander looks at the others. He thinks they should wait so he can prepare his proper extracts, but otherwise do this as quickly as possible.

"We're not very good at this, but maybe we can try to take them while they're spread out? Just kill one at a time? That seems easier, right?"

Sander immediately starts doubting his plan the moment Storn says it's smart.

I assume they're a specific mechanics for this adventure. I think if we screw things up for the giants, we get sabotage points, and that's probably all we need to know at this point.

"You didn't learn anything more about the camp while you were there, Molly?" Sander asks, disappointed.

That could have been useful.

He turns his attention back to Pyrrhus at the dwarf's comments, though.

"Maybe. They're horrible to the slaves. I think that's a good idea, and if a bunch of giants come again, we can join them and maybe ambush anyone who comes hunting for them for a few days? Or ... if they seem safe enough, we could try to infiltrate their camp again while the giants are out looking for the escapees!" he suggests.

I like that plan.

"We're still trying to figure them out!" Sander shoots back. "We'll let you know as soon as we can. In the meantime, if you think it's safe, let the others know to be ready!"

With that said, unless she objects, he uses his remaining invisibility extract with his alchemical allocation extract to turn him and Chwaer invisible again.

"We're from Trunau (or, at least, I am)," Sander explains. "We've been trying to stop the giants, so they don't kill everyone we know and love. We just arrived here outside camp, and discovered you. We want to free everyone, but we need someone who can take care of everyone if we do!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Sander waits, hoping Molly can come through and will draw the giant's attention away.

If that succeeds:
He makes a beeline for Xander.

"Psst!" he calls as quietly as he can while hopefully still attracting his attention. "Are you Xander? It sounds like you're the leader of these prisoners?"

Sander nods, and will continue dissembling for a bit until they see what happens with Molly's mammoths. Also, I LOL'd at their initial response to her attempt.

Sander looks at Chwaer to see what she thinks.

"I still have the one invisibility extract," he suggests, "but then we might not have a way out."

Maybe also try a Knowledge check to see if you know what that is?

Sander nods to the woman.

"We are, but you need to hold on a little longer! If everyone escapes now, the giants will know something's wrong and come looking for you, and we don't have anywhere yet to keep you safe!" he says, trying to look like he's actually working instead.

"Who's Xander?" he asks.

Bluff: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Sander looks at Chwaer like she's grown a second head.

"Run, of course!" he yelps.

"Let's try to stay close," he suggests, "so I can sure my invisibility extract when we try to get out."

Once their preparations are set, he heaves another heavy sigh and heads out to sneak into the camp, staying even lower to the ground than his usual stature.

Stealth: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Sander looks nervous, and then realizes Chwaer is pretty small too. I think we have Chwaer drag Sander along, while Storn and Pyrrhus wait in case of trouble.

As the giants approach, Sander drinks his barkskin extract, giving him just a little extra protection.

"I could also use invisibility and sneak in to try to talk to them," he suggests. "Though that could scare them. Maybe we should just try sneaking in and then pretending to help work? I can use invisibility to sneak out."

He tries to see how closely the giants are watching.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21

I'm fine doing both at once. What could go wrong with splitting the party?