Good Strikes Back (IC)

[Auranghzeb]

Atalanta remained invisible and hidden behind the trees, as far inside as would allow her to still have clear view of the giants.


She was trying to assess which one was the leader of this particular group to take them down first.

Spoiler: Sense motive to gauge level

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Sense Motive (1d20+17)[33]

I have them on sight, as soon as you want to move in I can start pelting them with arrows. May be luring them closer to us while those of you who can, bar the mine entrance.

[Cavir]

"The elementals have the enemy rear covered. It would be unwise to have all our warriors attack from the rear as well, since the giants will be trying to get to the spellcasters here. Report where you are and I'll start the show. Hurry, we don't need the giants detecting us somehow beforehand."

Spoiler: OOC

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Mulcri didn't respond to the question about the mass invisibility not lasting long. Did she cast it and we are all invisible?

[Debatra]

"I have spells to cast too. Mulcri thank you for the spells. you may want to wait on Mass Invisibility. If there are guards at the entrance the spell will not last long. Your choice of course."

"You're right. I'll save that one for after." Mulcri will cast the rest of her spells before they move back into position.

[MikelaC1]

No one giant appears to be the leader over the others, and the rest of the spells are cast.

Spoiler: Invisibility

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Please detail who is invisible, how they are invisible and what breaks/penetrates that invisibility

[Debatra]

Spoiler: Re: Invisibility

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Only Raodan and Mulcri are invisible, both with Superior Invisibility (Spell Compendium 125).

This powerful glamer functions like invisibility (PH 245), except that it masks image, scent, and sound alike, concealing the subject from all senses except touch. As with greater invisibility, this spell doesn’t end if the subject attacks. While invisible, the subject exudes no scent and is undetectable by scent, blindsense, tremorsense, and blindsight.

Superior invisibility renders the recipient immune to detection by see invisibility, faerie fire, glitterdust, invisibility purge, and dust of appearance, although creatures under the effect of the spell can be detected by true seeing. Certain mundane conditions (such as leaving footprints) can also render a subject detectable.

So footprints in the snow could give him away, though falling snow hitting him might be considered close enough to Glitterdust/Dust of Appearance. That'd be your call, though I'd argue it would be fine for an 8th-level spell to cover it.

Apologies for the mix-up.

[Toliudar]

Otrera

The now-shadowy form of Otrera nods. She lifts her long-handled axe in farewell.

*If the giants try to overwhelm your position, we can move quickly to assist. But some of our attacks work best up close. I'll signal when we're in position at the entrance.*

She and Hillock vanish into the earth. Once they're in position under the cave entrance, they signal their readiness.

Spoiler: OOC

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Otrera and Hillock are not invisible, but are in Greater Shadow form and travelling a foot under the ground. If they hit a barrier, trap or alarm of any kind, they'll immediate report it back to the others via the link.

They're using Blindsight to navigate into position.

[Debatra]

Now confident the Giants won't see her either, Mulcri will order her Eyes to stay where they are before flying up and forward. "I'm ready when you are."

When the signal comes, the Elf will let loose.

Spoiler

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Initiative: (1d20+14)[26]

Free Action: Assign all five four points of her Defending weapon's enhancement bonus to her AC, just in case. (Already noted in sheet. "Misc" section of AC has both Amazon Grace and this bonus, for 10 9 total.)

Swift Action: Shock and Awe (SpC 189), giving the Giants a -10 to their Initiative checks. No save, but won't work on targets that can't be flat-footed, such as those with Uncanny Dodge. It's also an Enchantment, so Once a Fool will apply to any Illusions cast by any of us for 18 rounds.
SoH: (1d20+35)[42]

Standard Action: Net of Shadows (SpC 147), giving the Giants concealment but making them unable to see beyond 5'. And creatures within that range will have concealment against them as well. Can be penetrated by whatever can see through magical darkness (like our people with True Seeing and Blindsight). (1d6)[5] x2 rounds. Will 24 negates, Once a Fool for Enchantments for 18 rounds.
SoH: (1d20+35)[37]

[Cavir]

Sora

"Raodan, I don't know where you are. You have ten seconds to be more than forty feet from the entrance. After the initial blast, have at them."

The warmage gives the allotted time, then with two arcane words and a pointing of her finger, a green glowing, pea sized bead streaks from her finger, flies past the giants, and explodes into a massive burst of acid dowsing the guards and any inside the beginning of the mine.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative (1d20+7)[24] (somewhat redundant I guess since I'm the trigger)

Fireball detonated at the mine entrance or as close to it as possible to also cover the giants.
Boosts:
- Widen: 40' radius
- Energy Substitution: Acid instead of fire.
- Warmage Edge (bonus static damage)
- Improved Warmage Edge (increased max dice)

Damage: (19d6+44)[115] Acid. Reflex DC22 for half.

[Auranghzeb]

Atalanta

Atalanta uses the warmage's warning 10 seconds to cast Hunter's Mercy, and methodically waits for the blast. As the acid explodes she quickly pulls the string of her bow and three arrows of pure energy materialize and fly towards the closest giant. The first one is particularly viscious and aimed at the creature's neck.

Spoiler: OoC

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Standard: Many Shot 3 arrows at closest giant. If the attack hits, the first arrow is an auto critical. (1d20+28)[34]
(6d6+24)[40]
(2d6+8)[13]
(2d6+8)[16]
(2d6+8)[13]

Movement: Sniping Attack (1d20+14)[23] + distance penalties, next round I can move and hide with no penalty.

[Aracor]

Tessa uses the 10 second warning to cast Shield (duration 36 minutes) on herself, and then prepares to charge.

Spoiler: OoC

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Because of her Ring of Anticipation, she rolls twice for initiative and takes the highest result.
(1d20+21)[22]
(1d20+21)[31]

At the beginning of the surprise round, she'll swift cast Haste, hitting everyone in range, followed by charging the nearest cloud giant and attacking.
Attack roll: (1d20+43)[49]
Damage roll: (2d6)[4] + 16 + (2d6)[6] Skirmish + (1d6)[5] cold damage
Last action will be a Defensively cast Night's Caress
Touch attack: (1d20+43)[49]
Damage: (15d6)[53] damage, plus it needs to make a Fortitude save DC 25 or take (1d6+2)[5] constitution damage.

Because of her defenses, she has a 50% miss chance for all attacks and targeted spells.

Tessa Paledane
HP: 154/124 (temporary hit points)
AC: 44, +4 vs attacks of opportunity due to movement
Saves: Fort +16, Ref +24, Will +21

edit...Attacks are at +35.
So modified hit rolls hit AC 41 for the first attack, and touch 37 for the second. Damage rolls should still be accurate.

[MikelaC1]

(We have 4 attacks in, waiting on the rest)

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Otrera and Hillock wait patiently just under the surface for the blast that is the signal to begin. As soon as Sora's blast rolls through, the pair rise up out of the earth and change. Each becomes a purplish multi-headed snake-creature which, side by side, seek to hold the entrance from any of the giants re-entering it.

Otrera's first task is to confirm with her blindsight that there are no creatures within 60 feet inside the cave that they hadn't already accounted for. If she senses anything hidden there, she immediately reports it over the link, and that/those things become the target of their attack rather than the giants outside.

Failing that, Otrera and Hillock each let loose with a series of small bursts of intense cold at the giant guardians.

Spoiler: OOC

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Initiative: (1d20+7)[16]

Identical actions for Otrera and Hillock:
Free action: 5' step up to get out of the ground
Free action: shapechange from greater shadow to 12-headed cryohydras
Standard action: breathing 30' cones of cold from each of the heads. The preferred target is anything previously undetected inside the cave. Failing that, a spread intended to take in as many of the giants as they can outside the cave.

Damage from all of Otrera's blasts (the first twelve) are reflex DC 24 for half. All of Hillock's blasts are reflex DC 23 for half damage:
(3d6)[8]
(3d6)[9]
(3d6)[8]
(3d6)[4]
(3d6)[12]
(3d6)[13]
(3d6)[12]
(3d6)[12]
(3d6)[16]
(3d6)[13]
(3d6)[13]
(3d6)[9]

(3d6)[6]
(3d6)[8]
(3d6)[10]
(3d6)[12]
(3d6)[15]
(3d6)[9]
(3d6)[9]
(3d6)[12]
(3d6)[10]
(3d6)[9]
(3d6)[8]
(3d6)[13]

[ngilop]

Tinac watches and waits for the big explosion of spells to burst forth, then he runs up to be close enough to heal his compatriots in case any of them become injured. He draws his mace as he advances, knowing that it might have to get used.



Initiative: (1d20+5)[16]
Tinac has a Ring of invisibility (plus a cloak of minor displacement) It is if I make an attack, see invisibility as well as true seeing counters it.

[BelGareth]

Raodan silently nods at the directions, and moves to the side of the Giants, 40 feet away. Ready to pounce on the closest one. He then informs them where exactly he is to the side.

Spoiler

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Superior invisibility
Superior invisibility renders the recipient immune to detection by see invisibility, faerie fire, glitterdust, invisibility purge, and dust of appearance, although creatures under the effect of the spell can be detected by true seeing. Certain mundane conditions (such as leaving footprints) can also render a subject detectable.

Actions after Acidball hits:
Move to closest Giant (im flying 5'ft off the ground)
Standard: Attack

Initiative - (1d20+14)[30]

Sudden strike vs flat footed AC from Superior Invisibility
Attack - (1d20+26)[28] +4 if target is denied Dex
Damage - (1d6+6)[9] +4 if target is denied Dex & Sudden Strike - (11d6)[31]
Staggering Strike fort DC Damage done or be staggered for 1 round

Raodan
HP's: 117/101
AC: 37
T: 29 FF: 29
Saves- F: +12 R: +24 W: +20
Effects: Heroe's Feast (16 temp HP, immunity to poison/fear for 12 hours & +1 morale to attack and will saves), Extended Superior Invisibility (54 minutes), True Seeing (180 minutes), Telepathic Bond (180 minutes), Mass Resist Energy, Fire 30 (190 minutes)

[MikelaC1]

Spoiler: Initiative order

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Atalanta, Tessa, Raordan, Mulcri, Giants, Sora, Otrera, Tinac

Im going to list the results in initiative order, but this round, everything is pretty much at the same time, except for the blast which is first.

With a booming blast, the party springs into attacks on the giants. The blast from Sora catches all 4 giants, dealing a varying amount of damage. Atalanta's arrows connect on one giant, dealing him even more damage. Tessa strikes a giant, making his day go from bad to worse, but Raordan is not so lucky, his strike does not connect with giant flesh. Mulcri's spell envelopes all in a Net of Shadows, and then Otrera and Hillock rise out of the ground, Otrera's breath catches two of the giants while Hillock's catches the other two. Tinac moves into position to provide healing when needed.

Round two
Tactical: All giants severely damaged, but none are down
Tessa engaged on a giant, Raordan on another, but presumably Raordan cannot be seen, Tessa can be. You are not sure if the giants can see anyone else due to the Net of Shadows. (i.e. did they save or not?)

[Auranghzeb]

Atalanta

Pushing their advantage, Atalanta lets go a deadly volley of force arrows, firing alternatively to the giant she hit before and the closest one. The net of shadows does not obscure her vision as the arrows fly towards the target.

Spoiler: OoC

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Improve precise shot ignores concealment

Fullround action: full-attack with rapid shot 5 arrows (I don't know if Atalanta was on the range of Haste, it she was then is 6 arrows) using Power shot -2. Because of woodland archer, if an attack misses, the next attack against the same target has a +4 to attack. If Atalanta is Hasted, add +1 to all attacks.

1st attack 1st giant (1d20+29)[35]

Damage (2d6+10)[16]


2nd attack 1st giant (1d20+24)[33][/SPOILER] Damage (2d6+10)[18]


1st attack 2nd giant (1d20+29)[39][/SPOILER] Damage (2d6+10)[19]

2nd attack 2nd giant (1d20+19)[37][/SPOILER] Damage (2d6+10)[22]

3rd attack 2nd giant (1d20+14)[23][/SPOILER] Damage (2d6+10)[19]


IF Hasted

1ST attack 3rd giant (1d20+29)[40][/SPOILER] Damage (2d6+10)[18][/SPOILER]

[BelGareth]

Grimacing as his blade manages to miss his target, he realigns, and focuses, sending 3 separate slashes at the giants achilles, groin, and knee.

Spoiler

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Superior invisibility
Superior invisibility renders the recipient immune to detection by see invisibility, faerie fire, glitterdust, invisibility purge, and dust of appearance, although creatures under the effect of the spell can be detected by true seeing. Certain mundane conditions (such as leaving footprints) can also render a subject detectable.

Full attack vs giant I missed

Sudden strike vs flat footed AC from Superior Invisibility
Attack 1 - (1d20+27)[42] +4 if target is denied Dex
Damage - (1d6+6)[11] +4 if target is denied Dex & Sudden Strike - (11d6)[39]
Staggering Strike fort DC Damage done or be staggered for 1 round

Attack 2 - (1d20+22)[33] +4 if target is denied Dex
Damage - (1d6+6)[11] +4 if target is denied Dex & Sudden Strike - (11d6)[45]
Staggering Strike fort DC Damage done or be staggered for 1 round

Attack 3 - (1d20+17)[32] +4 if target is denied Dex
Damage - (1d6+6)[10] +4 if target is denied Dex & Sudden Strike - (11d6)[43]
Staggering Strike fort DC Damage done or be staggered for 1 round

Raodan
HP's: 117/101
AC: 37
T: 29 FF: 29
Saves- F: +12 R: +24 W: +20
Effects: Heroe's Feast (16 temp HP, immunity to poison/fear for 12 hours & +1 morale to attack and will saves), Extended Superior Invisibility (54 minutes), True Seeing (180 minutes), Telepathic Bond (180 minutes), Mass Resist Energy Fire 30 (190 minutes)

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Not sure where Raordan was on the battlefield, Otrera decided that risking a second volley of area attacks was only asking for trouble. Instead, she nodded to Hillock. Her dozen heads abruptly collapse into a single gleaming reptilian head and neck. Wings and four legs sprouted from the hydra body, and the entire form took on a metallic sheen.

Hillock looks at his companion and mimics her, becoming an even larger dragon. Both rear up onto their hind legs for a moment, unleashing a blast of electricity at giants still in the fray.

Spoiler: OOC

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Otrera becomes a young adult bronze dragon. Size large, AC 52. Hillock becomes a Mature Adult bronze dragon. Size huge, AC 37.

Both of them pick a still-living giant, and fire a line of electricity at them. Firing from a height of 10' to as to avoid any invisible medium-sized colleagues on the ground.

Otrera: (10d6)[29] electricity damage, Reflex save DC 26 for half
Hillock: (14d6)[43] electricity damage, Reflex save DC 29 for half

[Aracor]

Tessa darts in close to the giant that she's fighting, and slashes at her foe several times in quick succession.

Spoiler: OoC

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Move action: Tessa moves 40 feet in, trying to place herself in a position to hit two of them. If this provokes an attack of opportunity, her AC vs these attacks will be 48 due to her feats (Expeditious Dodge and Mobility). If she moves before the giants, this shouldn't matter because they should still be flat-footed.
Swift action: Cast Bladeweave
Free action: Sacrifice a 4th level spell slot for her Arcane Strike feat
Full-round action: Full Attack action on as many of the giants as she can reach.
Attack 1: (1d20+38)[56]
Critical confirmation if roll is 53 or higher: (1d20+38)[47]
Damage: (2d6)[3] + 16 + (1d6)[4] Skirmish + (1d6)[1] Cold + (4d4)[15] Arcane Strike
Attack 2: (1d20+33)[50]
Critical confirmation if roll is 48 or higher: (1d20+33)[37]
Damage: (2d6)[11] + 16 + (1d6)[2] Skirmish + (1d6)[1] Cold + (4d4)[12] Arcane Strike
Attack 3: (1d20+28)[48]
Critical confirmation if roll is 43 or higher: (1d20+28)[47]
Damage: (2d6)[6] + 16 + (1d6)[6] Skirmish + (1d6)[3] Cold + (4d4)[8] Arcane Strike

Bladeweave: If any giant is still alive at the end and has been hit once, it needs to make a Will save DC 22 or be dazed for one round.

Tessa Paledane
HP: 154/124 (temporary hit points)
AC: 46, +4 vs attacks of opportunity due to movement
Saves: Fort +16, Ref +24, Will +21

edit...Total damage for each attack to save Mikela some work:
Attack #1: 38 + 1 cold, 58 + 1 cold if it's a critical hit
Attack #2: 41 + 1 cold, 66 + 1 cold if it's a critical hit
Attack #3: 36 + 3 cold, 64 + 3 cold if it's a critical hit

[Cavir]

Sora

With the ambush devastating the giants, Sora begins walking forward. Her longsword is in her right hand. She raises her left hand in a fist. "Arr-Mis". The warmage flicks her fingers towards the melee as a magical dart erupts from each finger. The darts space themselves out in a circular fashion as they fly towards the giants then close and impact at a singular point on the giant seeming to be dealing an attacker it can't see.

The earth elementals emerge from the walls of the tunnel and keep watch from within while blocking the path of any reenforcements.

Spoiler: OOC

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Move 20' (40' speed) towards the fight (staying out of melee range)
Magic Missile at Raodan's target.
Damage: (5d4+49)[63]

[Debatra]

Three jets of shadowy fire spring forth from seemingly nowhere towards one of the Giants.

Spoiler

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Non-Action: Continue to look at the Giants with Greater Arcane Sight. Even if it's not visually apparent, Mulcri should be able to tell that way which ones were affected by her last spell and relay that information to the others.

Standard: Lose Dispel Magic to spontaneously cast Major Image using Shadow Illusion to turn it into Scorching Ray. All three rays targeting one of the giants that neither Tessa nor Raodan are engaging.

Will Disbelief 26, take only 50% damage per ray on a successful save.
(1d20+16)[22]
(4d6)[17]

(1d20+16)[36]
(4d6)[20]

(1d20+16)[23]
(4d6)[13]

Move: Fly about 30' to the right, roughly parallel to the mine entrance and trying to stay out of Atalanta's line of fire.

[Debatra]

Critical confirmation for the second ray:
(1d20+16)[22]
(4d6)[16]

[MikelaC1]

Atalanta unleashes a volley of arrows at the giants, one of them drops and the other one takes even more damage. Tessa moves in and finishes off that giant. Raordan takes three successful shots at his giant which finishes him as well. Mulcri deals the remaining damage more damage, and even though the giant is being pounded from all sides, he manages to stay alive long enough to take three parting shots at Tessa. Due to her speed defense, two of them fail to connect, but one gets through for 25 points. At that point, Sora's missiles connect and the last giant falls.

[Toliudar]

Otrera and Hillock

The dragons pause in the midst of their great inhalation, all of their targets already taken care of. Otrera sent to her comrades through the mental link.

*A bold first strike. Well done. We should press the advantage. Would some of you be able to search the giants? Hillock and I will keep watch in the cave.*

She turns to her fellow dragon and smiles.

"Hell on Earth, Hillock."

The other dragon smiles and nods. Its body melts and flows as it transforms into a great horned demon, wreathed continuously in dancing flames. Otrera nods encouragingly, and she also morphs and flows, settling into a squat three-legged composition with three blinking eyes.

The pair step into the cave and take up guard positions inside.

Spoiler: OOC

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Otrera turns into an Elder Xorn, gaining 60' tremorsense on top of her existing 60' blindsight. Spot: (1d20+45)[61]

Hillock turns into a Balor, gaining true seeing 120' range in addition to his 60' blindsight. Spot: (1d20+29)[44]

The pair are looking around the cave, but not advancing until the rest of the group is ready.

[MikelaC1]

From where they are standing, Otrera and Hillock can see that the opening leads into a large cave, but unless they have sight powers that can pierce the gloom and cover the distance, they cannot see the back of the cave. However, nothing is rushing forward to attack them so it is possible this part of the mine is currently unoccupied.

[Cavir]

Sora continues her confident walk to and into the cave entrance. She orders the earth elementals to drag the corpses into the cave. Informed by the glowing eyes, Sora turns to Mulcri . "Does your sight show them having anything magical beyond their weapon and armor? The spoils of war are ours, though cloud giant sized arms and armor are not easily manageable. I'm used to having troops to handle cleanup. I'll have to pick up a large bag of holding or the like once we get back."

[Toliudar]

Otrera

Checking to see how far the back of the cave goes, Otrera shifts into a strange eyeless quadrupedal form and scans ahead. She sends back through the link.

*The cave is clear out to more than a hundred feet. If any of those giants' weapons are showing as magic, would you mind lending us one? Sometimes, it's useful for Hillock to hit things WITH things.*

She quickly returns to her previous three-eyed stone form.

Spoiler: OOC

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Otera shifts to an Yrthak, so she's scanning ahead with 120' blindsight, and Hillock has 120' True Seeing.

[MikelaC1]

The morning stars and chain mail are all magical although giant sized and not easily transported by the party. Each giant also has a magical amulet.
As Otrera walks deeper into the cave, she can see that there are no other occupants inside and at the far end of the cave, there are three exits out of it, all leading deeper into the mountain

[Debatra]

Mulcri will collect the amulets to identify as the group walks through the tunnels. She will also give their pockets a once-over, though not an especially thorough search. "I don't suppose anyone has some kind of extra-dimensional storage large enough to fit these items? Mine might be able to fit one of these things, but I doubt it."

"At any rate, now would probably be the best time for us to become invisible."

After any looting that can be done is done and everyone is ready to move on, Mulcri will cast Mass Invisibility on anyone who wants it, excluding herself and Raodan. (36 minutes, and if we just so happen to meet another group of Giants after only a few minutes of walking and break the spell, then so be it. I'm not taking back the casting this time unless something interrupts us before she casts it.)

She will summon her Prying Eyes and have them follow a bit behind the group, though she will send four of them ahead with instructions to stay hidden and wait where they are if they see any creatures or a fork in the tunnel. One of the four will also be instructed to return to her if it sees any creatures.

As the group walks, Mulcri will identify the amulets with her Artificer's Monocle.

[MikelaC1]

Amulets of Health +4
(There are 3 tunnels, are you sending one down each tunnel and if so, where is the last one going)