Giantslayer: Battle of Bloodmarch Hill [IC]

[lostsole31]

R2T21: Aasgar adjusts his stance and heads north, and holds off 10' before a sleeping half-orc that he sees and the remainder of the battle.

R2T14: Imrijka adjusts her position and fires a volley quickly. An arrow hits Red's gut for 17, but the second misses.

R2T12: Abenor, who has both blades out, adjusts his stance for two-weapon combat. He darts to the rock and jumps at it and bounces behind Red and slashes him in the lower back for 20 + staggered + grappled as his sword catches the orc's armor and gear at the back.

R2T6: Bariswort moves up behind Cici, and begins playing on his accordion, filling his allies with a dread of the grave that make them more focused in battle.

R2T5: Green sleeps soundly. Red drops his bow and surprises Abenor by being a capable grappler in escaping from the sword-hold. Blue drops his bow and charges Imrijka with the falchion he unsheathes, though Imrijka handily dodges out of the way.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T23: Cici kneels down and ventilates the sleeping orc in the lung, killing him, then adjusts northeast.

R3T21: Aasgar, what do you do?

Imrijka on deck, Abenor in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar runs straight east and squeezes behind the wheel of the artillery and the rock to come to Abenors aid.

[lostsole31]

R3T21: Aasgar runs straight east and squeezes behind the wheel of the artillery and the rock to come to Abenor's aid.

R3T14: Imrijka steps back from her aggressor and shoots a volley at him. her second attack goes into Blue's stomach so deeply it lodges into his spine for 12 + (1 bleed), dropping him.

R3T12: Abenor cuts down his foe with his sword, adjusts stance and position, and finishes off the one Imrijka dropped as well.

Combat Ends!

Imrijka tries to recover arrows, but none are salvageable.

Bariswort starts looking over the fallen orc's gear, and they had a total of:
(3) hide armor
(3) composite shortbows [+3 STR] w/ a total of (57) arrows
(3) falchion
(6) alchemist's fire
(6) smokesticks
(3) tanglefoot bags

Then, in addition to their gear, the orcs have some useful alchemical items. An alchemist’s lab leans against the catapult, along with (3) bags of flash powder, (6) fuse grenades, (2) pellet grenades (one cold iron, one adamantine), and a tangleburn bag.

Abenor recommends Aasgar use his axe to put the catapult out of commission ... and it is assumed he does so. This catapult will no longer threaten Trunau!

Does Aasgar want anything from the above?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will take one of the composite crossbows in exchange for his short bow and refill his quiver. In addition he will take at least one of the tanglefoot bags.

[lostsole31]

Abenor likewise takes a composite shortbow and a quiver of arrows and a flask of alchemist's fire. Cici takes a smokestick and a tanglefoot bag. Imrijka takes the tangleburn bag.

As the heroes collect some of the spoilers, they are hailed by Trunauan guards atop the town walls, who inform them that lower Trunau is under attack from a new foe: a giant! The soldiers point in the direction of the Hopewell Beacon that you had just lit (out of sight now).

What do you do?

[BuckGodot]

If everyone is ready and willing to go, then Aasgar heads back towards the beacon with an eager grin on his face.

[lostsole31]

The stench of blood and smoke hangs thick in the air. In the darkness, the crackling of fires mingles with the war cries of orc raiders and the screams of townsfolk. The Hopespring beacon burns brightly, illuminating the pool at the bottom of the Hopespring’s waterfall as well as a rough hole gouged into the side of Bloodmarch Hill. Below that hill is a tusked giant of some sort with chains attached to an orc at each leg.

Begin Round One ...

R1T24: Abenor, already in his hunting stance, but having nothing ready in-hand, moves forward down the road while taking out his new bow. He fires it, hitting Blue in the side of the gut for 8.

R1T22: Cici does a flat-out run to the southeast.

R1T21: Bariswort moves west and then hops up onto a rock jutting a little from Hopespring while he takes out his crossbow.

R1T16: Red (orc) pulls on the chain of the giant, urging him forward.

R1T10: Aasgar, what do you do? You are assumed to not have axe in hand, to more quickly respond to a variety of situations.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar moves straight south to the water's edge while drawing his bow. Upon stopping, he lets loose with a battle cry lending his allies confidence in their strikes. He pulls back and looses an arrow at the red orc.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

MA: Move 4 squares south.
SwA: Encouraging Roar [GL1-B, SwA, Allies w/in 30' +2 morale attk/ dmg]
Attack with Risky Strike: (1d20+4)[11]

Hatred (Ex): +1 bonus on attack rolls vs. humanoid creatures of the orc and goblinoid subtypes.

Dmg: (1d6+7)[13]


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

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]

R1T10: Aasgar moves straight south to the water's edge while drawing his bow. Upon stopping, he lets loose with a battle cry lending his allies confidence in their strikes. He pulls back and looses an arrow at the red orc, hitting him in the upper right arm for 16 + staggered!

R1T8: Imrijka moves up next to Aasgar and shoots Red in the groin, dropping him.

R1T6: Blue, the last orc, moves forward and tugs on the chain going to the giant's right leg.

R1T0: The giant begins to very slowly wade through the deeper water, dragging dead orcs along three of its chains (including the one you just felled (Red).

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T24: Abenor doubles back behind Imrijka and shoots the giant's round tummy for 17.

R2T22: Seeing the giant and orcs trudging towards shore, she doubles back in a full run.

R2T21: Bariswort reloads his crossbow and shoots at the giant, the bolt bouncing off of giant hide.

R2T10: Aasgar, you received rising zenith strike. What do you do?

Imrijka on deck, Blue in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar yells, "Take out the other handler!" and fires his bow at the remaining orc.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

Attack with Risky Strike: (1d20+4)[19]

Hatred (Ex): +1 bonus on attack rolls vs. humanoid creatures of the orc and goblinoid subtypes.

Dmg: (1d6+7)[11]


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

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]

R2T10: Aasgar yells, "Take out the other handler!" and fires his bow at the remaining orc, striking it in the upper arm for 12 + staggered.

R2T8: Imrijka sends out a volley. One arrow drops the last orc, who is now dragged under the water with his three other dead kin ... all attached to the giant on chains. Her next arrow hits it in the jowels below one of its tusks for 14.

R2T0: With all of its green play-things dead, the giant howls in anger and sloshes forward. It swings one of the orcs-on-a-chain at Bariswort, hitting the poor halfling with a dead orc's body from 15' away at a full swinging arc for 22. It is forceful enough to rip the orc's body within the chain.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24: Abenor changes his stance, drops his bow, and teleports right out to the giant, slashing with a quick-drawn katana, but not cutting past its hide and reduced profile because of the water.

R3T22: Cici splashes into the shallows, staring at the giant. The giant wobbles, and then topples into the water.

R3T21: Bariswort just barely manages to jump ashore in his wounded state, and stays behind the rock - hurt and terrified.

R3T10: Aasgar, what do you do? The giant's back is visible as it fell forward to snooze in the water.

Imrijka on deck, "Crusher" in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar tries to move to the giants head while stowing his bow and drawing his axe.

[lostsole31]

R3T10: Aasgar sloshes into the water toward the giant while stowing his bow and getting out his axe, finding the shallows difficult terrain.

R3T8: Imrijka delays...

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T24: Abenor performs a CDG on the sleeping giant by putting his katana into the backbone at the base of its skull, slaying it.

Combat Ends ...

Abenor and Cici make their way out of the water. Abenor collects his bow. And Aasgar can make it to shore. Abenor and Cici mention nothing of worth was on the remaining orc bodies or the giant.

"That was a cave giant, if I'm not mistaken," says Abenor, "but modified since birth to act like a living siege engine. Killing him was a kindness."

"Y-you know what else is a kindness?" asks a strained, plaintive basso ... "healing .... please."

Everyone looks at the battered Bariswort, where one hit from a orc on a chain from a giant caused him great injury. Cici goes to him and lays her hand on his forehead, as he takes off his battered top half and reveals a partially balding pate. She gives him 5 healing from the strange, wordless energy she gave each of the other heroes earlier in this very long day. She then takes out her wand and taps him three times so that he is almost fuly healed but for a light bruise.

Aasgar, do you do anything while the five of you catch your breaths? You notice the sounds of battle aren't so much "distant" any more so much as they have all but died out.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will try to recover any arrows he can before sitting for a brief moment.

"That was long and intense. Well done to all. Bariswort, thank you for your assistance. It was greatly valued. I'm a bit unsure as to where to go from here, but I'm sure we are needed somewhere..."

[lostsole31]

Both arrows having hit their mark, Aasgar's two arrows fired are destroyed.

The others echo Aasgar's sentiment in giving props to the little guy.

As Aasgar wonders to the heavens what next might be needed, and as evening is now upon the town, Kurst Grath rides up. "Trunauan guards saw a lone humanoid accompanied by two wolves dash into the tunnel almost immediately after the giant opened it, followed shortly by another humanoid figure. Aasgar Axewielder, if you have strength left in you yet, will you be willing with your band to enter the tunnel, secure whatever's inside, and apprehend or flush out whoever's hiding within? Meanwhile, I will appoint guards outside the tunnel entrance to make sure no one else exits or enters it."

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar turns to Abenor and the others and says, "I'm in. Who'll join me?"

[lostsole31]

"Pleeeeease," says Abenor, "as short as you are, you're just as likely to hit your head on an overhang. I'll protect you from the dangerous rock, my friend."

Cici nods. Imrijka also nods but raises her bow in salute. Bariswort plays a little ditty ... a sad little ditty ... depressing, really ... on his accordion.

[BuckGodot]

Turning back to Kirsty, he says, "There you have it. Lead us to the tunnel."

[lostsole31]

"Forgive my friend, Patrol Captain Grath," says Abenor with a grin. "He has the senses of ... well, a dwarf ... so, please don't hold that against him. It is just an accident of birth. Luckily, he has chosen to confide his sensorial confidence in an elf, who saw that the hole in the hillside is what the giant and its handlers were standing in front of."

Kurst nods to the party, and then heads off to assemble the men he promised.

Abenor looks to Aasgar, "Well? Normally, I would dare to feign deference to a dwarf on their awareness underground. Do you wish to go first? Then, I say myself, Imrijka so she might find a shot, then Cici, then Bariswort in the back."

[BuckGodot]

"A wise choice... As usual... I agree. Let us be off." and he turns and heads for the hole.

[lostsole31]

The heroes get in formation. Aasgar is assumed to have his axe in hand in the front. Abenor has Ileor (his katana) drawn, which casts a blue glow; he is in his hunting stance, sniffing at the air. Imrijka has bow in hand. Cici casts light on her waveblade to give light to her and Bariswort, who in turn has his accordion in hand. The hole is not small, so Aasgar fills in next to Aasgar, Imrijka has the middle rank to herself, and Cici and Bariswort in the rear.

The Hopespring stabs like a knife with its cold. The light blue areas are/were difficult terrain. The dark blue areas are/were very difficult terrain (4 squares worth of movement to move one square). No part of the lower Hopespring is too deep, except for Bariswort who is helped along by Cici.

The party steps out of the Hopespring to stand in the cold air, and now it is an icy hammer that strikes the freezing wet characters. They are lucky to have had protection today from earlier, so they do not come to harm, but it doesn't mean the bite of the cold isn't felt on some level.

Gossamer cobwebs hang from the ceiling of this rough tunnel, and the misty spray from the Hopespring’s waterfall outside glimmers faintly on strands of spider silk. Chunks of rubble lie scattered on the floor amid piles of dirt, and the party enters. The tunnel burrows south beneath Bloodmarch Hill for approximately 150' before opening up into a cavern. The air in this cavern is humid but cool, and a thin sheen of condensation coats its rocky walls. A narrow passage exits the cavern to the west. To the south, the floor drops away into darkness, while a bridge of stone leads to another cavern to the east. The sound of trickling water echoes through the cavern.

What do you do?

[BuckGodot]

”Lets check this room over quickly before we peek into the cavern east of here.” Aasgar suggests.

[lostsole31]

Surprise Round!

The entire group is surprised as a squirming, squeaky mass of of rats with rotting flesh, torn and matted fur, and reddish blazing eyes moves toward them. Their semi-translucent skin shows discolored bones and muscle. Abenor is able to get a sudden strike in for 6 mod among the mass, killing several rats. Meanwhile, the rats swarm over Aasgar (4 mod + 3 STR), Abenor (8 mod + 2 STR), and Imrijka (10 + 3 STR). Not only do they nip and bite mercilessly, but their very bites chill the heroes to the bone, numbing their muscles.

Begin Round One ...

R1T22: "Shadow rat swarm!" calls Imrijka. "Undead rats like we fought under the plague house, but a whole swarm of them now. Spread out, and don't stay in with them." She takes out a flask of alchemist's fire. "Sorry, guys," she says to the dwarf and elf as she backs up to the east, "I'll give a few extra seconds, but this is the best way."

R1T18: Abenor nods his understanding. He also takes out a flask of alchemist's fire and looks to Aasgar with a plaintive shrug before heading south.

R1T13: The unholy terrors continue to nibble on Aasgar to cause 10 mod + 1 STR.

R1T12: Aasgar, what do you do? You are being engulfed and weakened by undead rats.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar does a swift maneuver and then moves south at his maximum speed trying to dodge any attacks.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

SwA: Defending the Pride [GL2-B, SwA, All allies w/in 60', 1 round]Grant all allies w/in 60' a +4 morale bonus to AC for 1 rd.

MA: Full move to the south using acrobatics.

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Aasgar does a swift maneuver with a shout to his allies, and then moves south at his maximum speed trying to dodge any attacks. He finds he is able to just hustle without any special movements, as the rats are really too small and in their own way to threaten. He gets up to Abenor, and his friend's presence reminds Aasgar that he is a not just a defensive protector, but an offensive one as well.

R1T11: Lucette, hearing the commotion, squeaks a warning to Cici before hiding back in the folds of her mantle and hood.

R1T7: Bariswort starts shouting in that bizarre language again. He then does what might be the tactically worst thing possible, and double moves to have Abenor and Aasgar screen him .... so now three heroes are all standing together again.

R1T6: Cici's hand glows with her healing hex and she pushes through a bunch of rats to do 10 PE. She then rushes over by Imrijka so each cell of heroes can see each other.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T22: Imrijka adjusts position to get Cici out from in front of her. She tosses the alchemist's fire, but botches the throw and it falls harmlessly between the girls and the rats.

R2T18: Abenor shrugs as he looks at Aasgar and then heads back towards the rats - closing the distance by half - before throwing his flask. He doesn't miss, though honestly it the initial burst of fire is not impressive as it only does 2 fire across the mass, and doesn't catch fire. Aasgar hears Abenor cursing under his breath, because it's a little known fact that Abenor is terrified of swarms of creatures; mainly bugs, true, but the idea of being overwhelmed by a mass of creatures is one of his great fears.

R2T13: The shadow rat swarm acts as expected, going for the closest threat ... Abenor. They surround him, and so completely frazzled by them as he is Abenor swings wildly and ends up nicking himself with his supremely sharp katana for 2 bleed. Meanwhile, from the rats he takes 7 mod + 1 STR.

R2T12: Aasgar, what do you do?

Bariswort on deck, Cici in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar yells, "Abenor get out of there! More fire everyone!" and he prays to his Goddess to grant him aid for his companions.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

Battle Prayer (Su): FRA, he may grant himself all of his withheld maneuvers, then immediately expend them in a show of divine force.
* As there are no remaining maneuvers to be granted, a new set of maneuvers is granted to him at the end of his turn, as normal.
* Until the start of his next turn, he gains DR x /- = [1/4 # hp in DDP] and a +1 bonus to saving throws for each 5 points in the pool.

[lostsole31]

R2T12: Aasgar yells, "Abenor, get out of there! More fire, everyone!" and he prays to his Goddess to grant him aid for his companions, though in the end it is more aid for himself, and he feels the same inspired maneuver granted as before.

R2T7: Bariswort starts to play his doleful tune on his accordion, before moving closer.

R2T6: Cici likewise moves closer and casts a spell. A pulse of positive energy bursts over Abenor and the rats. Strangely the rats completey ignore this pulse, but at least gives Abenor 7 healing and stops his bleeding.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T22: Imrijka takes out a flask of holy water, steps a little closer, and chucks it. This time she is succesful as she flask breaks open in the middle of the swarm to do 9 PE.

R3T18: Abenor steps out of the swarm, takes out a flask of alchemist's fire, and throws it at the rats, doing 7 fire + burning.

R3T13: The shadow rat swarm in its panic seems to become only partially real, but is still burning (7 fire). It swarms Abenor. It doesn't do anything physical, but its dark nature still inflicts 3 STR.

R3T12: Aasgar, what do you do? You realize now that normal protections against weapons don't quite work the same with a swarm.

Bariswort on deck, Cici in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar draws a flask of Alchemist's Fire from his bandolier and chucks it at the swarm.

Spoiler: Technical Information

Show

Not sure how to do this one. So just in case, I'll roll to hit. I assume it's just aiming for the square.

(1d20)[6]

[lostsole31]

R3T12: Aasgar draws a flask of alchemist's fire from his bandolier and chucks it at the swarm, doing 1 fire splash damage to the swarm and to Abenor.

R3T7: Bariswort continues to play music.

R3T6: Cici moves a few feet closer, takes out a flask, and chucks it at the swarm, hitting it directly for 8 fire, and Abenor for 1 fire.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T22: Imrijka moves a little closer, takes out another flask, and this time this flask does 4 acid to the swarm (and 1 acid to Abenor).

R4T18: Abenor steps back and two-hand swings his katana with as much power as he can muster, and it is Bariswort's music that helps the elf find his target as his blade cuts through so many rats that the entire undead group disappears.

Combat Ends ...

[lostsole31]

"Okay," says Cici, "let's see what we're working with after that."

Bariswort stops his music as everyone gathers to Cici with her arm motions. Abenor assists her and looking over everyone's wounds and taking stock of how enervated Aasgar, Abenor, and Imrijka are.

"I have this wand that might help the rats' sapping effect," says Bariswort. "I can share it for you, since the rest of you have saved my life countlessly now."

Abenor is the worst off and is tapped for 2 STR restored.

"That helps," he says, "but other than being able to carry my gear well, I don't depend on the strength of my muscles unless I use a bow. Give as much as you can to Aasgar and Imrijka."

Bariswort uses his wand twice to fully restore Aasgar, and only one to fully restore Imrijka. Meanwhile, Imrijka uses her healing wand on herself twice for a total of 5 healing ... very weak, but it becomes obvious why as Imrijka snaps and discards her emptied wand.

Cici looks to everyone, "Other than a light wound remaining, I have a feeling that if the shadow rat swarm was any indication, I can't be conservative with my wand, either."

She then proceeds to use her wand liberally, actually healing Imrijka fully and Aasgar and Abenor enough that only light wounds remain. Bariswort uses his wand twice more on Abenor; the elf is almost fully restored in strength, and Abenor assures everyone that other than soreness that can go after a good sleep, Bariswort should protect his precious resource.

As the group looks around (not searching, just staying in place and looking), there are large holes in the floor of the cavern that lead to water about 20' below.

Aasgar (looking at the map on Discord), what do you want to do?