Giantslayer: Battle of Bloodmarch Hill [IC]

[lostsole31]

R2T23: A moderate enchantment washes over Aasgar, his eyes dulling to heaviness to put him to sleep, but he ignores it. Abenor is immune to such magics. And through similar strength of will, training, or hardiness, Cici and Imrijka both likewise ignore the sleeping spell.

R2T19: Her ill omen still on the drummer, Cici decides to give him a taste of his own medicine and stares at him. It turns out he is not as resistant, and slumps to the ground, his rage and song ending.

Combat Ends...

Now what?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar draws his dagger and approaches the drums and slashes them so that they are unplayable.

Turning to the group he says, "Okay. Back to the original plan... Unless someone has another suggestion or needs further rest or... Oh... Hey... Where's the little guy?"

Looking around, he finds the diminutive musician and bows and says, I'm Aasgar Axewielder. Thank you for your help. What may we call you?"

[lostsole31]

"More troubles below! Call for help!" calls the halfling as he speeds down the stairs.

Abenor looks to Aasgar and shrugs. "We don't have time for interrogation ... we have a job, and that's not it. Shall we follow?"

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar nods to the others and turns and heads down the stairs.

[lostsole31]

The others don't try to outpace you, but merely fall in along/ behind Aasgar while the little buy up ahead leads like a puppy.

The party is uncomfortably close to burning trees when you hear a man begging for his life around the corner between two houses, and the halfling points to the trouble!

You hear the guttural voices of orcs threatening someone down this dark alley. In contrast to the dim light in the rest of the district, the narrow alley is obstructed by debris and shrouded almost in complete darkness. Had you come upon this place without the little hafling in full view pointing everything, you might have gotten the drop on them. Oh, well, a hero's job is never done! Aasgar and Abenor just around the corner, with the halfling leading the way.

Begin Round One ...

R1T25: A tough-looking half-orc male spins around quickly to look at Aasgar and make a decision to itself. "My patron will sup upon your soul, rock-runt!"

He swings his greataxe, but Aasgar just toughs it out on his armor.

R1T24: Seeing an innocent merchant so threateend, Abenor gives in to the Hunter. He moves around the halfling and smoothly draws his katana. It strikes off the half-orc's fine breastplate, but still manages to catch the female half-orc across the face for 19.

R1T14: Cici moves up acrobatically to stab the half-orc woman in the jaw with her waveblade for 8.

R1T12: The halfling steps away from the front line and begins playing a jaunty tune again, filling the heroes with the certaintude of overcoming death, or meeting it honorably.

R1T11: The half-orc woman tries to fake out Cici. She almost succeeds, where it not for Lucette in Cici's hood warning her in time. Cici might not be faked out, but the blow delivered is still nearly perfect as the enemy's warhammer slams into Cici's shoulder for 14.

R1T10: Imrijka never put her axe away, so she steps in to confront the brigand. She had concentrated just before doing so, and tries to touch the man, but fails.

R1T7: Aasgar, you are adjacent to the brigand. What do you do? You have no stances active and your maneuvers are reset.

Brigand on deck, Abenor in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar begins directing his allies again for the best defensive moves as he brings his axe to both hands and swings it overhand and down on the orc.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

SwA: Defending the Pride (Grant all allies w/in 60' a +4 morale bonus to AC for 1 rd.)

Attack with Overhand Chop (When he makes a single attack (w/ the attack action or a charge) w/ a two-handed weapon, double his Strength bonus on damage rolls.) using Risky Strike.

Blooded (+1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls vs. giants, goblins, & orcs.)

Attk: (1d20+10)[23]

Dmg: (1d12+17)[18]

[lostsole31]

R1T7: Aasgar begins directing his allies again for the best defensive moves as he brings his axe to both hands and swings it overhand and down on the orc, "grazing" him in the upper left arm for 21.

Spoiler: Aasgar

Show

Gain rising zenith strike.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T25: The brigand releases a hand from his handaxe and reaches out with black energy surrounding his hand to touch Aasgar. Aasgar takes his own tactical advice and dodges away.

R2T24: Abenor teleports behind the helpless human victim and delivers a vicious, two-handed brow cut to the female, his katana sinking into her skull before he withdraws, dead before she ever hit the ground.

R2T14: Cici just turns to stare at the half-orc male, but he has a stronger mind than expected.

R2T12: The little hafling continues to play the accordion and then casts a spell, a sheen appearing on the half-orc's weaopn, but it keeps a firm grip on the weapon.

R2T10: "Aasgar, look out!" Imrijka says. "He's an antipaladin, so his touch might do a lot worse than simply wound you."

She strikes him in the helm with her handaxe for 10.

R2T7: Aasgar, what do you do?

Brigand on deck, Abenor in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar shifts his footing slightly and swings his axe at the foe attempting to throw him off balance enought to allow an ally to strike.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

SwA: Valient Keeper's Stance

Attack using Risky Strike and Hunting Party manuever (Success = dmg + 1 adj ally may make AOO against target.)

Attack: (1d20+8)[14]

Dmg: (1d12+15)[27]

Blooded: +1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls vs. giants, goblins, & orcs.

[lostsole31]

R2T7: Aasgar shifts his footing slightly and swings his axe at the foe attempting to throw him off balance enough to allow an ally to strike. Cici sees the opening and goes for it, but like Aasgar the armor stops them both.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T25: "Ha!" scoffs the brigand. "You just dropped the spy we had at your smithy, so her secrets die with her."

He then touches Aasgar and the dark energy leaps to Aasgar, doing 6 negative energy (NE) (which goes to Aasgar's DDP). The darkness of the touch is something that Aasgar fights furiously against for there is something terrifying about it.

R3T24: Abenor steps over the fallen half-orc spy and hits the brigand in the neck for 21. He should fall, but doesn't.

R3T14: Cici doesn't even wait to see if the tough half-orc topples from that neck blow. She slices his upper arm for 8, which drops him dead.

Combat Ends ...

"Thank you!" cries the merchant. "My name is Aleril. I'm from Lastwall, a merchant ... but I didn't realize that Trunau was on war footing. Please, take me to safety."

"It would be my genuine pleasure!" says the halfling .... intelligibly. "The rest of you, keep looking around and try to get to that beacon!"

The halfling doesn't stick around to answer questions. Do you let him take the man and then keep searching along this northern portion heading west?

Meanwhile, Abenor comes out of his disposition as the Hunter, and is winded (fatigued), but is willing to push on and catch his breath as you go.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar watches the halfling disappear with curious eyes...

But then turns to look at the others and nods to move on.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar heads to the west, pretty much immediately. And as he goes he whistles a tune...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83bmsluWHZc

[lostsole31]

As Aasgar heads off, Imrijka moves over to a building and opens a door, calling, "Clear in. Interior door to north."

Abenor follows behind Aasgar and opens a door, calling out, "Clear. No back exit or interior door."

Cici follows Imrijka, passes her, and goes into that building.

Does Aasgar keep heading west?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will check the next door but keep an ear out for Cici and Imrijka in the building the entered.

[lostsole31]

Aasgar sees an emptied home with an interior door to the north. Does he say anything?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar looks to Abenor and says ”Clear room. Door inside to the north…” and heads in to check the north door.

[lostsole31]

No sooner does Aasgar call out, then Abenor passes right by him on the way to the door.

Cici comes out of the building she was in and heads past Aasgar, with Imrijka right along with them.

Since Abenor is closer to the door, he opens the door and calls, "Clear back here!"

Aasgar, what do you do?

[BuckGodot]

Makes sense… Aasgar heads to the next door and checks.

[lostsole31]

Aasgar double moves to get to the next door. Cici does the same for the westernmost house, a once-large manse. Imrijka steps up only slightly to try and have lines of fire into both buildings for when doors open. Abenor comes up next to Aasgar.

Aasgar opens the building of the door he's at, calling out what he sees (clear, interior door north). Abenor moves past him and opens the interior door. "Clear!"

At about the same time as that report, Cici opens her door, but Imrijka calls out first, "Contact! Contact!"

Begin Round One ...

R1T22: Imrijka rushes into that building (just south and west of Aasgar). There is a sound of an orc howling in pain.

R1T19: Aasgar, what do you do?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar readies his axe and moves past Imrijka into the room and begins calling out defensive advice. Holding further action until he knows what he sees.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

MA: move west past Imrijka into the room.

SwA: Defending the Pride (Grant all allies w/in 60' a +4 morale bonus to AC for 1 rd.)

Attack: pending...

[lostsole31]

R1T19: Aasgar readies his axe and moves past Imrijka into the room and begins calling out defensive advice as soon as he sees the enemy. None are immediately in reach, and he looks at his surroundings. Splintered rubble is all that remains of the wall that once separated this kitchen from the adjacent living area. The shattered windows in the walls allow an ominous breeze to waft through the eerie, abandoned home. All the shelves and cabinets have been thoroughly looted or partially destroyed, and the foundation and floorboards have caved in where a smoldering boulder landed in the house. He sees nothing hidden or out of the ordinary beyond the five orc looters in here.

R1T17: Blue charges Imrijka, clipping her in the head for 8 with his falchion.

R1T11: Cici stares at Imrijka, but keeps her position.

R1T10: Abenor gets into his hunting stance, darting into the room past Aasgar with his greater speed, and only Aasgar's tactical advice as he goes by saves the elf from getting clipped by Blue. Abenor returns the favor by quick drawing his katana to slash Blue in the upper right arm for 8.

R1T7-3: Purple takes 1 bleed, but charges Abenor, deflected. Red also charges Abenor, his blade striking with hard tinkling of metal against Sisnyn, Abenor's mithral shirt. Green steps up, his blow deflected. Brown steps up and strikes Imrijka's left arm for 12.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22: Imrijka, sensing a shift in her fortunes, steps back and opens up with a volley of arrows. Her first shot hits Brown in the upper right arm with a ragged wound that does 17 (+1d4 bleed), staggering the enemy. Her next arrow hits Blue in the upper right thigh for 10, staggering him as well. "Wow, thanks Cici! That felt great!"

Cici quips proudly, "Don't mention it."

R2T19: Aasgar, your inspiration is strike of the infinite protector. What do you do?

Blue on deck, Cici in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar lets loose with a battle cry, inspiring his allies. Stepping forward he swings his axe in a cleaving motion hoping to connect with orange and then blue (and purple?).

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

SwA: Encouraging Roar (GL1-B, SwA, Allies w/in 30' +2 morale attk/ dmg)

MA: step SW to move towards Orange and Blue

Attack using Risky Strike and Great Cleave:
Orange: (1d20+10)[21]
Dmg: (1d12+15)[16]

If a hit then Blue:(1d20+8)[12]
Dmg: (1d12+15)[20]

If a hit then Purple (if in range): (1d20+8)[26]
Dmg: (1d12+15)[27]

Blooded: +1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls vs. giants, goblins, & orcs.

[lostsole31]

R2T19: Aasgar lets loose with a battle cry, inspiring his allies. Stepping forward he swings his axe in a cleaving motion hoping to connect with the rage of orcs. His axe cuts through Brown's head (killing him instantly). His own battle cry gives him enough of an edge to continue his blow to strike into Blue's left lower arm, chopping it off as he goes down in a death of blood spray. Unfortunately, the blood, bodies, and gore halt Aasgar's terrible progress.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Bodies are difficult terrain, so you can't 5' into the square of a fallen enemy to continue Great Cleave.

R2T11: Cici moves in and casts a spell on Abenor. "For a good stroke."

R2T10: Abenor nods, and for his part gives tactical advice. Not as brilliant as Aasgar's focused advice several seconds ago, but more about a slower, steadier defensive posture. He quick draws his wakizashi while getting into a more defensive posture, his two blades a whirling shield of steel, attacking with the knowledge Aasgar has given him before and now, and with Cici's blessed insight. He cuts Red's upper right arm for 21, and from his previous charge the orc practically runs onto the smaller blade as well for 13, and both blade serve to kill him outright.

R2T9-4: Purple bleeds but recovers his posture from his charge. Purple attacks ferociously, but Abenor's shift to defensive protects him as a falchion scrapes across his elven armor, and he deflects that attack to block Green's attack.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22: Imrijka moves around to flank with Abenor while taking out her handaxe, sinking it into Purple's head with a sickly "thunk," and putting that orc out of his misery.

R3T19: Aasgar, you receive rising zenith strike. One orc remains. Dead bodies are difficult terrain. What do you do?

Cici on deck, Abenor in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar adjusts his footing but seeing how things are faring, he holds any action for now.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

Valiant Keeper's Stance

[lostsole31]

R3T19: Aasgar adjusts his footing but seeing how things are faring, he holds any action for now.

R3T11: Cici steps around Abenor. She does a palm strike to the orc's nose for 8, then slashes him in the chest with her waveknife for 10 + staggered.

R3T10: Abenor finishes him off.

Combat Ends!

What now?

[BuckGodot]

"Okay. Is everybody still good? Let's move on..." and if there are no objections, Aasgar heads back outside to the south and west.

[lostsole31]

When you get out of the building, the little halfling is down by Trunau's barricade, and jumping up and down and pointing animatedly to the west.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar turns and looks at the others before heading towards the wee fellow.

[lostsole31]

Aasgar and the others follow the little halfling bard into a major obstacle area where Aasgar meets a familiar face ... Patrol Sergeant Omast Frum!

Abenor's previous compassion has helped Omast due his duties without being intoxicated, but he alone stands at this last redoubt. Meanwhile, to the west, it appears a large force of orcs are trying to break down the portcullis.

In the time between the closing of the portcullis and the heroes' arrival, Omast has managed to stockpile an arsenal of weapons and supplies at the two barricades facing the gate. The heroes, along with Omast, can utilize these supplies to lay waste to the orc hordes coming through the gate.

Spoiler: Surprises for the Orcs, Gifts for the Heroes

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Barricades: Two barricades have been set up on the hill leading toward the western gate. The barricades are approximately 3 feet high and 5 feet wide. A barricade has an AC of 5, hardness 5, hp 20 per 5-foot square, and a break DC of 20. It costs 2 squares of movement to cross a barricade. A barricade provides cover, but only to creatures within 30 feet of it. An attacker can ignore the cover if he’s closer to the obstacle than his target.

Brace & Reach Weapons: Omast has gathered a glaive (which has the reach special weapon feature), a guisarme (reach and trip), a halberd (brace and trip), two longspears (brace and reach), and a ranseur (disarm and reach). The weapons are standing upright in a barrel near the westernmost barricade.

Fallen Orcs: Omast cleared the inner barricade area of fallen orcs. Remember that fallen orcs create difficult terrain .... for heroes and invaders alike.

Flaming Boulder: A large boulder that came crashing into Trunau not long after the raid began sits in the middle of the hill between the two barricades (area L11a). The boulder is nearly 10 feet across, and the PCs can roll the stone down the hill (toward the gates) at almost any angle. Additionally, the boulder picked up some of the same alchemical reagent that set fire to the trees in area L8, and can be ignited with a torch. Starting the boulder on its journey downhill requires a move action and a successful DC 13 Strength check. The boulder travels in a 10-foot-wide line, attacking all creatures in its path. The boulder has a melee attack bonus of +10; on a successful hit, it deals 3d6 points of bludgeoning damage (plus 1d6 points of fire damage if it’s on fire). In addition, any creature struck by the boulder must succeed at a DC 10 Reflex save or be knocked prone. The boulder crashes through any barricades in its path, but comes to a halt when it hits a sturdy solid object such as the inner quarter’s wall.

Rolling Logs: Two bundles of logs have been lashed to the western side of the westernmost barricade, one on each side of the road (areas L11b). This timber can be cut loose to roll downhill with devastating effect. Releasing the lashings of one of the log bundles requires two full-round actions (thus, releasing a bundle takes one character 2 rounds, and two characters 1 round; four characters could release both bundles in 1 round). Alternatively, a bundle can be released as a standard action by dealing at least 2 points of damage to the lashings with a slashing weapon. When unleashed, a bundle of logs tumbles down the hill in a 20-foot-wide line, attacking all creatures in its path. A bundle of rolling logs has a melee attack bonus of +15; on a successful hit, it deals 3d6 points of bludgeoning damage. In addition, any creature struck by the logs must succeed at a DC 15 Reflex save or be knocked prone. The rolling logs stop when they reach the western curtain wall.

Sharpened Stakes: The easternmost barricade is equipped with sharpened and splintered wooden fences that Omast salvaged from the wreckage of nearby homes. A PC can ready an action to impale an incoming attacker on the fence posts as though readying a brace weapon against a charge. If readied in this way, the fence posts deal 2d8 points of damage to an orc that ends its movement on the barricade in a square threatened by the PC.

It should be noted, that the little halfling is gone after Omast mentions what there is to utilize.

In the meantime, you don't know how much time you have to ready, but you know you don't have but a few rounds before the orcs break through the portcullis.

What do you do?

[BuckGodot]

"Nice work, Sergeant! Okay, here's my suggestion. Arm up with whatever weapon you feel you could work best with. We should let the orcs get almost through the portcullis and as they are about to, roll that lit boulder down on them. As they separate to evade the boulder, loose the logs, killing any that come from the sides, then take down the rest as best we can. Thoughts?" Aasgar says.

[lostsole31]

"Right!" he nods and calls to the others. "You heard the dwarf, volunteers! He and I will position the flaming boulder and send it down once they're through. As soon as they regroup and make their way up, Abenor and Ms. Larosiere will send down the logs. You...."

"Imrijka."

"... Imrijka, keep pressure on them with your bow. Okay, everyone set up your killing field."

Which is what everyone does.

Does Aasgar say or recommend anything else?