Giantslayer: Battle of Bloodmarch Hill [IC]

[lostsole31]

R14T14: Aasgar lets out with a bellow of challenge and swings his axe, cleaving from left to right. His axe cuts through the leg of Blue (killing him instantly) and upwards into the side of Red's chest to kill him instantly as well. He gains rising zenith strike for inspiration.

R14T13: Omast steps over to the barricade and tosses something at the orc's woman belly that erupts in a tight explosion of flame that does 8 fire to her. The woman's pet lizard and the remaining shieldbreaker also take 5 fire.

R14T12-9: Cici maintains healing efforts on Imrijka. As does Imrijka for herself. "Alright, that'll do for now," she says after using her own wand on herself and putting it away.

R14T6: The halfling puts his wand away, and with accordion in hand moves up to the barricade to better view the battle.

R14T5-5.9: The beast-tamer takes out a potion and drinks it for 4 healing. Her lizard pet clambers over a dead orc and bites at Aasgar, chomping on his face for 11 mod (DDP).

R14T2: Abenor calls out, "Healing to Aasgar, now!" as he teleports from his spot to then appear behind the lizard. He slices with his sword to cut the thing for 12, but it is tough and can take a lot more.

End Round 14, Begin Round 15 ...

R15T15: Green steps over the fallen and attacks Aasgar, but a circular defense protects the dwarf.

R15T14: Aasgar, you don't feel the pain yet from the lizard's bite. You are flanking it with Abenor (hard to see on the map because of all the bodies). What do you do?

Omast on deck, Cici in the hole ....

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar takes advantage of the flanking and attacks the lizard, swinging his axe and creating an opening for Abenor to strike as well.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

Attack using Risky Strike and Hunting Party(Success = dmg + 1 adj ally may make AOO against target.) (1d20+8)[12]
Dmg:(1d12+15)[20]

[lostsole31]

R15T14: Aasgar takes advantage of the flanking and attacks the lizard, swinging his axe to create an opening for Abenor to strike as well, but as Aasgar's axe cuts against (but not into) the lizard's wrinkly hide, it throws him off and foils the overall teamwork attempt. The bite to Aasgar's face registers as he takes 11.

R15T13: Omast clambers over the barricade to come around from the north to flank the orc shieldbreaker and hews him down.

R15T12-9: Cici gets on the barricade and touches her wand to Aasgar for 9 healing to the dwarf. Imrijka gets over the barricade to stand next to Aasgar and touches him with her wand for 4 healing.

R15T6: The halfling begins playing a somber tune ... a tune that reminds the heroes of those they've lost in the path on their individual life travels, but that sadness reminding them to take advantage of every moment of life they have, and putting a bit more zing in their combat step.

R15T5: The beast-tamer takes another potion for 6 healing.

R15T4.9: The lizard bites hard against Aasgar's armor, but doesn't penetrate.

R15T2: Abenor was already working himself into a rage, despite Aasgar's recent healing, and allows the Hunter to take over him, diving into the lizard with both swords for a total of 38, dropping it.

End Round 15, Begin Round 16 ...

R16T14: Aasgar, what do you do?

Heroes on deck and in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar attempts to close the distance to the beast handler to attack and as he does so, calls out defensive recommendations to his allies.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

SwA: Defending the Pride (Grant all allies w/in 60' a +4 morale bonus to AC for 1 rd.)
MA: Move north and west to the beast dude.

Attack with Risky Strike and Overhand Chop if he's able: (1d20+8)[24]

Dmg: (1d12+17)[28]

[lostsole31]

R16T14: Aasgar attempts to close the distance to the beast handler to attack and as he does so, calls out defensive recommendations to his allies. He makes an overhand chop that comes down on her left lower leg for 29 + staggered, invoking her ferocity.

R16T13-2: Omast hooks to a flank against the beast-tamer with Abenor, but gives such a wild swing that it leaves him wide open! Cici leaves the barricade and then does an axe-kick to the fallen lizard's head. Imrijka drops her bow and clambers over the fallen lizard while taking out her axe and attacks, but the dying orc blocks the attack. The halfling continues to play his tune. Abenor in his rage tears the orc beast-tamer apart with his two swords, and then releases the Hunter, which fatigues him.

End Round 16 and Denoument: Once the heroes defeat the fourth wave of orc raides, Trunauan guards manage to retake the western gate towers. They fix the second portcullis and drop it into place, effectively quarantining the inner quarter.

Combat Ends, and the heroes get a minute to catch their breath and recuperate (especially Abenor, who fatigues himself every time he taps into the Hunter) before its time to move on to light the final beacon at the Hopespring (M). In order to get into lower Trunau, the PCs will have to look for another means of getting past the western gates.

As post-battle is happening, and Abenor is taking his breather, do you say/ do anything?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar sits to take a breather and turns to Abenor... "Thank you, my friend. I have a maneuver I'd like to teach you some time to help in flanking combat."

[lostsole31]

It takes several seconds for Abenor's breath to return. The Hunter is a powerful force that overtakes Abenor, making him the most ferocious thing Aasgar has ever seen on two legs. It doesn't manifest commonly, but when it does, Aasgar is right to worry. The Hunter - the part of Aasgar's psyche that comes from his trauma and upbringing - practically makes him a juggernaut for several seconds. In that time, his wrath is terrible to behold. But once that fleeting Hunter-energy is expected, or Abenor controls himself and releases it, it takes nearly as much out of him. There are also a lot of wounded in this heroic party right now.

Abenor nods a little wearily. "We cannot wait, but we cannot keep going at our pace. Orcs fail to have the good sense to know when to fall down and die. And we now have to find a way around the portcullis to make it to the Hopespring Beacon to light it."

"Why should it matter now," asks Imrijka. "Isn't it obvious that the town is under attack?"

Cici shakes her head. "No. Right now, the distant farms will see smoke, and figure there is a fire in town, and might come to fight a fire, not fight orcs. If we can get to the Hopespring, we can make sure everyone knows this is an attack so they can either fall back and flee or arm up and assist, as their talents and training suggest."

During this time, Cici and Imrijka have been using their wands to heal what they can, with Aasgar being fully healed by Imrijka's wand.

"Adventurers," comes a surprisingly DEEP voice from a SMALL frame ... the halfling. "I'm sorry I have not spoken with you before now, but when I am in the midst of death and chaos, I go into a trance where I speak a primordial language known only by the eldest fey and scholars of the weird and strange. I have much more to give you to aid your strength in battle, but my own healing has been expended. I managed to save a druid named Silvermane to the south and escort him back to the triage. What are your names, but question not til after our grim task and we have drinks. For myself, I am Bariwort Littlefox, threnodist and elegist."

[BuckGodot]

"Well met, Sir. I am Aasgar Axewielder and these are my associates, Abenor Quentrias, Cici, Imrijka and you probably know Omast here from the guard. Thank you for your aid. We dare not tarry much longer as each second is precious to the town. Let us move on. We would be very much indebted to you if you came with us. Thank you." Aasgar says, gesturing to each member as he gives their names.

[lostsole31]

Okay, so you don't want to tarry, but what is your plan/ intention/ idea, specific enough to note how you're going to do it, rather than a generalized objective.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar shrugs his shoulders... "I am not familiar enough with Trunau to know of a way around the portcullis... But mayhaps one of you might?" he looks at the others. "The only other thing I can think of is trying to be stealthy and forming smaller groups... Although I am against us separating, that might be our best chance. 3 groups of 2? What say you?"

[lostsole31]

"Without a known objective and a path to go with it, stealth complicates things," says Abenor. "Not everyone hear is necessarily stealthy, anyway. So, we want an unseen direction if possible for as long as possible, but then we want all hands on deck once we inevitably get into trouble. Numbers are against us."

"We could attempt to climb the walls?" offers Omast.

That prospect seems a poor one to Imrijka, Cici, and Bariswort. Even Abenor, a slightly better climber than Aasgar, isn't hopeful about that.

"While you were fighting here," says Bariwort, "and I was to the south helping out Silvermane, I noticed that the wall was crumbled down. We might be able to get over that and get a better sense of things if we went that way?"

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar responds, "Excellent, Bariswort. To the south we go then." When all are ready, he stands and asks Bariswort to lead the way to the fallen section of wall.

[lostsole31]

"Good luck, adventurers!" says Patrol Sergeant Omast, "But I must stay behind and when other Trunaun soldiers get here, we have to set up this point of defense should they make it through the barricade."

The party heads off to the south. This impressive tower (L13) once connected Trunau’s western inner wall to the side of Bloodmarch Hill, but smoldering wreckage is all that remains of the fallen tower. There is a mountain of rubble, but looks like it would still be an easier climb than vertically up the solid and unbroken walls to the north.

What do you do?

[BuckGodot]

Proceed carefully but begin to climb over the rubble.

[lostsole31]

Aasgar, roll a Climb check to safely navigate the rubble going up, and then again to safely get down the other side. It will be assumed that your greataxe is stowed.

[BuckGodot]

Climb up: (1d20+7)[24]

Climb down: (1d20+7)[12]

[lostsole31]

Aasgar scales the rocks very handily, but on the downslope he is having some problems.

Roll a set of four Climb checks, just to see what happens, though you only need one success.

[BuckGodot]

Climb checks:

(1d20+7)[18]

(1d20+7)[27]

(1d20+7)[18]

(1d20+7)[18]

[lostsole31]

Aasgar is quickly able to descend to the other side after only one stall-out.

Abenor blinks in disbelief as his friend goes up and over, not thinking that as one of the best climbers, he and his rope could've helped the non-climbers. He shrugs, and asks everyone to wait for him. He easily and deftly scrambles to the top, and then throws his rope down for others. Cici, it turns out, is quite a climber, actually. Bariswort makes it, and Imrijka's light armor is heavy enough for a complete non-climber to have trouble but finally make it.

With everyone (sans Aasgar), Abenor pays his silk rope out to the bottom. As Aasgar seems the others scramble down ... Imrijka is strong but not a climber, and Bariswort has some training ambling along a rope but not strong. Cici is solid.

Everyone gets down to the bottom and Abenor just glares at Aasgar while he coils his rope and puts it away, before he interrupts his glare with a slight smile and soft chuckle.

Once the PCs exit the inner quarter, the final beacon at the Hopespring is finally within reach. Trunau’s lower quarter is surprisingly peaceful for now, as most attackers have already passed through, though the sounds of battle still rage throughout the town.

The wood pile for the beacon is still intact and ready to be set alight. When the PCs get to the location, everyone (except Abenor) notices a yellow-white powder coating the logs and stones of the firepit. Cici identifies the mysterious alchemical substance and the danger it poses should it be lit .... that it would explode! And if you try to--

--and then the powder is gone after Bariswort simply casts a prestidigitation spell upon it.

Aasgar, what do you do now that the explosive powder is gone?

[BuckGodot]

Light that beacon, Alex!

[lostsole31]

It is lit! Congratulations, you have lit the Hopespring Beacon! After the PCs light the beacon, Trunauan guards arrive, but they are still threatened by flaming boulders launched from orc artillery behind the Barterstones outside the town (area N). The PCs must eliminate the orc bombardiers and their siege engine if the heroes are to save Trunau.

What do you do?

[BuckGodot]

"Well done to you all. Let's head out after that artillery. Let's quickly scout out the situation and decide on a course of attack!" Aasgar says before turning and heading in the direction of the Barterstones.

[lostsole31]

Aasgar & Co. get to the area of the Barterstones, and the catapult that just loosed another rock is behind some massive stones. Aasgar, which way will you attempt to get to the catapult that is obviously behind the huge boulders?

[BuckGodot]

"Okay... It seems the obvious way to go would be around to the west. I'd suggest we split up and come from both sides but we don't know what we're going to encounter and we don't have enough time to reconnoiter. So... Unless someone has a suggestion, I say split up and hit both sides. The western approach is closest, so Abenor and I can come at it from that direction. We'll delay slightly but not too long. That way we create a kind of diversion for the rest to sneak up and around the other side. Maybe you can disable the machine while we distract the foe. Agreed?"

[lostsole31]

Abenor shakes his head. "You and I are the strongest in melee. We should be in separate groups. I will go with Imrijka, you take Cici and Bariswort. Sound good?"

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar nods his assent looking his friend in the eyes…

”Keep yourselves well…”

[lostsole31]

The two groups split off, Aasgar to the west and Abenor to the east. Aasgar & Co. reach a barrier they have to climb. Abenor's voice is heard somewhere distantly shouting, "Contact!"

Begin Round One ...

R1T23: Cici hops off of the obstacle she was in the middle of climbing and calls out, "Contact west!"

She looks northwards intently.

R1T21: Aasgar, you just hopped off of the obstacle, but nothing is in hand yet. Because of a spur of rock, you don't see what Cici standing next to you sees. What do you do?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar draws his axe and asks Cici, "What do you see? My view is blocked."

Spoiler: Have we been using...

Show

Mystic Attunement [Path of the Seer] (Su): All allies w/in 60' of him gain a +5' enhancement bonus to their base land speed.

[lostsole31]

R1T21: Aasgar draws his axe and asks Cici, "What do you see? My view is blocked."

"I just put ..." begins Cici...

R1T14-12: Sounds of battle somewhere north and to the east where Aasgar cannot see.

"... a half-orc bombardier to sleep."

R1T6: Bariswort hops down off the obstacle and close to the rock, and casts a spell on Aasgar.

R1T4-3: More sounds of battle.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T23: Cici heads north. "Catapult here! Two orcs. Eyes on allies."

R2T21: Aasgar, what do you do?

Spoiler: Guidance

Show

You've been given guidance, so you get a +1 to any attack roll, saving throw, or skill check as long as you mention that you are using it for that roll before the roll.

Unseen combatants on deck and in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will adjust his stance and head north around the obstacle, attacking any foes he encounters.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

MA: Move west 1 square and north 4 squares.

Enter Valiant Keeper's Stance (EG1; Allies don't provoke AOOs when moving through threatened areas Aasgar himself threatens)

If he encounters anyone, attack using Risky Strike:(1d20+10)[13]

Dmg: (1d12+15)[16]