DrK Slumbering Tsar IC

[DrK]

The two giants are savagery in action as Izzy finds out, her broken and bloodied body smashed to the ground in a pulled bloody mess by the heavy spiked club. The group of Bard’s Gate travellers are angered and redouble their efforts

Skynir advances and focuses on Gorg, the giant looking down at Izzy’s body suddenly slumps to the ground as its mind is out to sleep by the shamans magics! Izzy is saved from death as Constantine’s familiar nips tye blood vessel shut and Roger’s bird swoops down trapping the dropped club which results in a slow flapping away

This leaves only Gorg standing… Abomb from Constantine sails in exploding with mysterious energy that tears at Gurg, another pair of arrows slam into from Roger to a bellow of pain and Hastur and Timoshko surround Gurg jabbing and hacking with glaive and scythe.

The giant is a mass of blood and wounds, spraying blood with each heft of its club but with inhuman constitution it’s battles on swinging more at Hastur and Timoshko


Vs Hastur (1d20+19)[31] dam (2d8+17)[21]
Vs Timoshko (1d20+19)[23] dam (2d8+17)[26]

[u-b]

Jumbo climbs up at the same time turning back to the remaining giant. When it is almost above the giant, the bird then releases the club. Meanwhile Roger shoots two more arrows. The guys seemed too strong and too tough for everyone's good, but Roger was determined to do his part of the job.

Spoiler

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Jumbo the Roc

Dropping the club (1d20+7)[24] touch for some damage (bombarding from 35 feet above; not sure if reflex 15 half applies to that)
Longbow (durable cold iron arrow) (1d20+14)[17] for (1d8+4)[12] and (2d6+2)[9] extra (incl. -2/-0 rapid shot, +2/+0 justice, +2/+2 divine favor, +2/+2d6+2 bane)
Longbow (durable cold iron arrow) (1d20+14)[29] for (1d8+4)[5] and (2d6+2)[12] extra (incl. -2/-0 rapid shot, +2/+0 justice, +2/+2 divine favor, +2/+2d6+2 bane)

Justice in effect for +2/+0 until the end of combat
Divine Favor in effect for +2/+2 for 7/10
Bane in effect for +2/+2d6+2 for 4/6

[SanguinePenguin]

Hit hard? Yes. Had worse? Also, yes. Hastur adjusted his grip to compensate for his injured shoulder, then thrust his guisarme in a brief feint, before drawing the blade back, trying to catch the femoral artery on the return.

Spoiler: Hastur, round 4

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Standard attack (vs giant, FF, flank): (1d20+13)[19] Damage: (2d4+14)[19] (PA and furious strike)
CC: (1d20+13)[19] Damage: (4d4+28)[38]

If giants are evil and large (huge+) AC is 28 (29)

Spoiler: Hastur Status

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Hastur Stonemoor
Male NG Dwarf Cleric / Disciple of the Pike Cavalier, Level 6//2, Init 1, HP 30/51, Speed 20
AC 25, Touch 11, Flat-footed 24, CMD 19, Fort 7, Ref 3, Will 9, CMB +8, Base Attack Bonus 5
Guisarme +1 (reach, trip) +10 (2d4+5, x3)
Flail, heavy (disarm, trip) +8 (1d10+4, 19-20/x2)
Full plate +1, (+10 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 vs evil)
Abilities Str 16, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 10
Condition Prot evil (7/10 rnds remaining) +2 AC/saves vs evil
Ironskin (58/60) +4 enhancement to natural armor
+1 AC vs large, +2 AC vs huge+

Spells:

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0: Detect Magic, Guidance, Create Water, Stabilize
1: Barbed Chains 1/1
Bless 1/1
Murderous Command 1/1
Shield of Faith 1/1
1D: Shield 1/1
2: Ironskin 0/1
Prot Evil, Communal 0/1
Sound burst 1/1
Summon Monster II 1/1
2D: Barkskin 1/1
3: Dispel Magic 1/1
Stone Shape 1/1
Summon Monster III 1/1
3D: Protection from Energy 1/1

Race/Class:

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Dwarf:
Stability: +4 racial to CMD vs bull rush or trip
Deep Tradition: +1 melee attack / +1 AC vs AoO for drow, duergar, aberration, giant, orc
Hardy: +2 saves racial for poison, spells, spell-like abilities
Stonecunning: +2 on Perception checks to notice unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking
Darkvision: 60 feet
Cavalier:
Bigger They Are :+1(2) dodge to AC against large (huge+)
Order of the Hero (+1 know to ID monster)
Challenge 1/day : +2 damage (+3 if larger) -2 AC
Cleric:
Deflection Aura (1/day, lvl rnds, 20-ft, +2 defl AC + CMD)
Ferocious strike +lvl/2 damage 7/day (4/7)

[BelGareth]

"Well that worked....kind of?" he says to himself, slightly annoyed, these giants were tough, turning back to Warrick he nods in satisfaction at the little plants success, he hurries over to Izzy, now the sleeping giant is no longer a threat, he pulls out a potion and moves towards izzy, hoping the damn thing doesn't wake up.

Spoiler

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Move: draws 3rd level potion of cure light wounds
move: move to within 10ft of Izzy

Constantine
HP's: 48/48
AC: 19 (21 vs evil)
T: 13 FF: 16
CMD: 17 FCMD: 14
Init: +3
Fort: +5 (+7 v E) Ref: +8 (+10 v E) Will: +3 (+5 v E)
Effects: Shield (6 minutes), Protection from Evil (8/10)
Bombs: 10/11/day

[Farmerbink]

Timoshko grunts on impact, chuckling like the maniac he most certainly is. "Finally, a real fight!" Continuing to roar, more sounds than words, his scythe flashes in the sun as the blade plunges forward again and again.

Spoiler: Timoshko, round 3

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Timoshko Savarin, First Fang
M Neutral (Evil?) Human - Duskprowler Clan Bloodrager 6 // Inquisitor 2, Level 6//2, Init 2, HP 22/51 34/63, Speed 40
AC 15, BR: -2, -1 size, -1 dex (+2 protection from evil?) Touch 10, Flat-footed 15, CMD 20, Fort 9, Ref 4, Will 10 12, CMB +10/+5, Base Attack Bonus 6/1
+1 Scythe +11/+6 (2d4+6, x4) BR: +13/+8 (2d6+10, x4)
Claws (during BR only) +12/+12 (1d8+6, x2)
Calamitous Mail (+5 Armor, +1 luck bonus to saves )
Abilities Str 19 25, Dex 10 8, Con 14 18, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 11
Condition Dimdweller: +2 intimidate, perception, stealth when in darkness; 60' darkvision
Blood Sanctuary: +2 to saves vs allies' spells
Corpse Cannibal: +2 fortitude saves vs disease
Spell Eating

Bloodrage (claws, demonic bulk): 13/16
Judgement: 1/1
Touch of Darkness: 5/5
Hunger: 1/2

full attack action!
(1d20+13)[31] Scythe (+2 flank, -2 power attack)
[roll]1d20+14[roll] CC (33 threat) (anatomist for +1 to confirm threats)
(2d6+16)[24] damage
(6d6+48)[66] crit bonus

Iterative:
(1d20+8)[24] Scythe (+2 flank, -2 power attack)
[roll]1d20+9[roll] CC (28 threat) (anatomist for +1 to confirm threats)
(2d6+16)[25] damage
(6d6+48)[70] crit bonus

If it survives and provokes another aoo:
(1d20+13)[24] Scythe (+2 flank, -2 power attack)
[roll]1d20+14[roll] CC (33 threat) (anatomist for +1 to confirm threats)
(2d6+16)[25] damage
(6d6+48)[67] crit bonus

[(Un)Inspired]

A look of relief passes across Skynir’s face when the first gargantuan brute collapses face first into an unconscious pile. Way too dangerous to remain conscious. He think to himself. He turns to regard the remaining giant, and observes that despite leaking blood from a dozen wounds like a colander filled with gore, it was still on its feet, swinging away.

He set his gaze on the giant, trying to forcibly send its nervous system on a vacation.

Spoiler: Actions

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Standard Action to Slumber the standing giant DC 18 Will save or unconscious

[DrK]

As the slumbering giant snores and rasps, an arm draped over the woman it had near crushed it’s friend battles on, blood streaming from it as a club bounces off it leaving a gashed shoulder, Roger launches more arrows leaving the beast with a porcupine like appearance and Hastur drives his spear into its belly. But as it hefts it’s club it’s the giant Timoshko wielding his 10ft long scythe that strikes the killing blow as the razor edge drives into the giants chest tearing into its heart in a great welter of blood and gore killing the mighty Gurg….


In the momentary quiet there is just heavy breathing and the sound of the bone white dust blowing along the ground hissing and whispering….


Gurg died
Gorg sleeps on….

[3SecondCultist]

Azvigo looks askance down at his own hands as the second giant tumbles to the ground and the conflict comes to a close. That normally works, the half-orc muses. His family's 'curse' is usually quite consistent in the boons that it offers, yet he was unable to bring down either of the giants despite repeated efforts. His hands still raw from tugging, he re-gathers the whip back in his hands and lets the golden shield dissipate into nothingness.

Then again, he thinks as he stares down at the supine form of Izzy on the ground, he's not the one who was just pounded into the dirt. The good doctor Constantine seems willing to do his part to bring her back to this waking realm, so he does not step in right away. Instead, he traipses back over to Skynir, clapping the half-elf soundly on the back.

"Well done then, eh? You certainly showed them what-for! The body may be powerful, but true strength lies up in the mind, is that it?" Wide-eyed, Azvigo taps one green finger to his temple in what can only be a gesture of true sagacious understanding. With his other hand, he directs a thumb over at Timoshko and Hastur. "Let's leave it to the butchers to conduct the bloody work, and see if we can't help Dr. Constantine get his patient back to the cart."

"After that," he continues, raising his voice just loud enough for the rest of the party to hear, "I've got a bottle of Oldlaw whiskey in my pack I could be persuaded to share."

Spoiler: OOC

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I'm adding a few discretionary purchases to Azvigo's sheet (non-combat, non-magical things like cloth, whiskey, knives, etc). I hope that's okay for the narrative.

[Farmerbink]

Without warning, Timoshko lets out a bellow, "DUSKPROWLERS HUNT! DUSKPROWLERS EAT! AROO!" He plunges his muscled, claw-tipped hand into the cavity carved by his scythe and rips out a glob of flesh that most don't recognize. In a gruesome display of primitive superstition, he takes a bite from the raw heart, and casts the rest aside in the dirt. After chewing just enough to swallow, he finally realizes that the giant's brother isn't slain, but sleeping.

Just a moment after Azvigo and Constantine extract Izzy from the collapsed mountain of a main, Timoshko lets out another howl of animalistic fury. Point first, he drives the blade of his scythe through the giant's torso and a few feet into the dirt beyond. With a savage tug, he tears through flesh and soil alike, ravaging the vitals of the sleeping giant, before summarily performing the same grisly ritual.

Spoiler: OOC

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The CdG will deal: (8d6+64)[87] damage, which +10 forms the fortitude DC else dead. I'm fairly confident that DC is unattainable by non-godly foes.

Only then does he look around and appear to force himself to realize there are no foes remaining. In a curious few moments, the hulking brute seems to deflate. It takes only a few moments for rippling, demonic muscle to reduce to only merely prodigious strength. Still almost freakishly tall and strong, Timoshko takes several ragged, drawn-out breaths. "Their power is mine now," he growls. "They should never have been so foolish to hunt in Duskprowler lands." He scowls thoughtfully for a moment.

"On second thought, it's strange that they would. Something is wrong here. Two humanoids would know better- a raiding party of a half dozen would have torn them apart. Why risk death for... coin?" Perhaps the most disconcerting sight yet, Timoshko seem genuinely contemplative as he considers the last several minutes.

"I will inspect this barrow. Perhaps answers lie within." He stalks towards the hill behind which the giants were hiding, and begins searching for anything out of place that would explain the giant's unlikely behavior- apparently unaware of the blood trickling down his own flank.

Spoiler: Searching

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(1d20+11)[12] perception
He's not going to bother with stealth XD

[BelGareth]

Constantine continues his treatment, opening her mouth and pouring a potion into it, while Warrick continues to suture open wounds, and stall the bleeding that is happening. Annoyingly, it was mostly blunt force trauma, which was much harder to treat, but with a little magic, it would be fine. Once she was awake, he smiled at her "Ms Moreno, I do believe, you are supposed to not be hit by your opponents?" he says glibly, and then pulls out a wand, invoking the command word taps her gently and she instantly feels her wounds knitting and healing.

He turns to watch Timoshko in his ritual, eyes alight with surprise and jubilation, he had never seen an actual cannibal before, this was amazing! he started to commit the scene to memory, and then he did it again! He would have to follow up with some questions, perhaps later. He helped Izzy up to her feet, and walked with her back to the wagons.

Spoiler

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3rd level potion of cure light wounds (1d8+3)[5]
Give how ever many charges of Wand of Infernal healing (most likely 3 or 4), grants fast healing for 1 minute.

Constantine
HP's: 48/48
AC: 19 (21 vs evil)
T: 13 FF: 16
CMD: 17 FCMD: 14
Init: +3
Fort: +5 (+7 v E) Ref: +8 (+10 v E) Will: +3 (+5 v E)
Effects: Shield (6 minutes), Protection from Evil (8/10)
Bombs: 10/11/day

[SanguinePenguin]

After Timoshko executes Gurg (Gorg?), Hastur breathes a sigh of relief. "Strym, your mercy upon us," the dwarf invokes his god to heal the wounded - including himself.

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Channel: (3d6)[12]

"In the Camp, I think I owe you an ale, Timoshko... and Skynir the other one, but some whiskey would be welcome, once back on the road," he nods to Azvigo. His allies displayed more prowess than he had anticipated. It was one of the first lesson he learned at the temple, and one of the easiest to forget: Outside of dwarven lands, capable allies take all forms. Leave your preconceptions behind and let them prove their mettle before you judge their merit. The ones you dismiss can prove the greatest heroes or greatest villians. Watch, listen, and learn. Father Ironjaw's words rang in his head, and he felt some shame, that he quickly bottled up and pushed aside. "an ale on me for you too, Izzy. Surviving that blow was no small feat. It could have been my skull under that club."

Hastur eyes the corpse, pockmarked with acid burns. Allegedly, the giants would guard caravans, although he knew giants were be intelligent, he couldn't imagine hiring one for any reason. These ones seemed animalistic brutes. "Doctor - or anyone - any thoughts on the origins of this acid? It would be good to know what we are getting into. Timoshko, unless you want us to fish your corpse from that barrow in a few minutes... wait - at least until we heal you." At the wild man's flesh consumption, he frowns and adds, "I do hope their madness was not an ailment rooted in the heart."

Spoiler

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acid?
know(nature) - (1d20+4)[17] (huh - putting roll=know(nature) caused this to get wonky, hopefully it is correct)
why they went nuts?
heal - (1d20+13)[14]
danger?
perception - (1d20+19)[33]

[Farmerbink]

Timoshko pauses briefly when he feels the healing energy flow through him. When Hastur comments on the Giant's apparent malady, however, he snorts in derision. "You know nothing, small one." Tapping his own temple, he adds, "Madness comes from the brain," as if explaining a color to an infant.

He places a hand over his heart and turns back towards the barrow. "Power comes from the heart."

Spoiler: Timoshko, post combat

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Timoshko Savarin, First Fang
M Neutral (Evil?) Human - Duskprowler Clan Bloodrager 6 // Inquisitor 2, Level 6//2, Init 2, HP 34/51, Speed 40
AC 15, (+2 protection from evil?) Touch 10, Flat-footed 15, CMD 20, Fort 9, Ref 4, Will 10, CMB +10/+5, Base Attack Bonus 6/1
+1 Scythe +11/+6 (2d4+6, x4)
Claws (during BR only) +12/+12 (1d8+6, x2)
Calamitous Mail (+5 Armor, +1 luck bonus to saves )
Abilities Str 19 , Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 11
Condition Dimdweller: +2 intimidate, perception, stealth when in darkness; 60' darkvision
Blood Sanctuary: +2 to saves vs allies' spells
Corpse Cannibal: +2 fortitude saves vs disease
Spell Eating

Bloodrage (claws, demonic bulk): 13/16
Judgement: 1/1
Touch of Darkness: 5/5
Hunger: 1/2

[(Un)Inspired]

The infectiousness of Azvigo's jollity crashes upon Skynir and he is rapidly caught in the half-orc's emotional eddies. Hehe well, maybe it was just that the true strength didn't lay in HIS mind. He hooks a thumb at the unconscious giant. Walking with Azvigo to check on Izzy the half-elf continues his line of thought, although, if you think about the sage Spinoza's work on arcane metaphysics, Mind is generated by substance, of which the giant's body would be an extension. Rather than there being an individual giant's mind, there would be the subsection of mind that contemplates the aspect of substance that would be the individual's body. In which case the magic to affect the giant's mind would actually be a spiritual redirect of...

Abruptly, Skynir's burgeoning lecture on the spiritual interplay of magic is shattered by Timoshko's bellow and carnivorous ritual. Ah, uh, waste not want not, right? Maybe whiskey for the rest of us though, he says with a wink to Azvigo.

The shaman from Bard's Gate marveled at the Doctor's ability to heal as the color returned to Izzy's face and her various contusions returned to their natural color. Looks of pride and humility clash fiercely across Skynir's face at the Templar's offer of a beer. We all contributed to shutting them down, how about beers for everyone. Maybe Gurg will pick up the tab... He runs a surreptitious eye over the two corpses, trying to evaluate possible causes for the acid burns, but not neglecting to check out any wealth the two are carrying.

Spoiler: OOC

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Trained Knowledge Nature: (1d20+6)[24]
Perception: (1d20+14)[34]

[SanguinePenguin]

Timoshko’s retort leaves Hastur speechless for a moment, he glances to the doctor momentarily hoping futility for some support, then back at Timoshko. Part of him wants to reply, but he instead breathes deeply, use the tools you have on the jobs they perform best; do not use a chisel to be a saw unless that is the best option.

Then he draws a wand, first pressing it to himself and closing the broken skin on his shoulder, “let me patch you up at least.”

Spoiler

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Hastur will *slowly* heal Timoshko, dragging it out as much as reasonable for the others to finish examining the dead. He will heal both of them to within 3HP of full

CLW: (1d8+1)[9] Hastur is full
CLW: (1d8+1)[3]
CLW: (1d8+1)[3]
CLW: (1d8+1)[9] Timoshko at 49
CLW: (1d8+1)[5]
CLW: (1d8+1)[2]
CLW: (1d8+1)[4]
CLW: (1d8+1)[6]
CLW: (1d8+1)[2]
CLW: (1d8+1)[5]

[u-b]

Roger rides to the site of the melee to provide some healing, but as it seems to be taken care of, instead calls Jumbo and dogs to his side and follows Timoshko, also checking the area in general. He tries to spot anything odd and make sense of the giants' hiding place, how long have they stayed there, whence they came, any camp they might have had nearby, any signs or results aof any previous encounters and similar sort of thing.

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Casting Deadeye’s Lore and Bloodhound
Perception 10 + 15 = 25 base, + bird's assist, + dogs' assists, +8 for anything smell-related => 27..35
Survival 10 + 15 = 25 base, +4 sacred, +4 smell-related, + dogs' assists => 33..37

Barry assisting: (1d20+7)[8] perception, (1d20+9)[29] survival (including +4 smell-related)
Cherry assisting: (1d20+7)[27] perception, (1d20+9)[20] survival (including +4 smell-related)
Jumbo assisting: (1d20+1)[3] perception and a general view from above

[Farmerbink]

Timoshko frowns thoughtfully at Hastur's offer, but after a moment accepts. He waits impatiently as the Dwarf heals himself and then Timoshko. A few moments later, he nods gratefully. "Ale sounds good," he growls, accepting the previous offer in his own brusque way. Having delayed the task at hand more than he feels is right already, he returns his attention to the barrow - now prowling alongside Roger and his small menagerie of critters.

He glances at the hound appreciatively, perhaps reverently. "For the strength of his scent, I would offer half my inheritance," he comments, surprisingly thoughtfully.

[DrK]

Roger and Timoshko advance whilst the others heal Izzy and search the dead (and now partially eaten) giants. The two advance towards the barrow through the dusty bone white dust and circle the barrow, on the far side of the barrow they can see a hole in the side of the barrow where the giants have pulled open the stones and dragged what appears to be half a dozen ancient bodies out and partially eaten them. The age of the bodies and the state of the ancient uniforms is hard to discern but you'd guess they were on the side of the Army of light.

More tracks head further north east across the dusty bone plains....

By the bodies Azvigo studies the two dead bodies. He would guess the acid has been done by a beast of sorts the acidic burns overlaid with the deep claw marks and gouges consist with an animal of sorts. As he casts a magical eye over the bodies a few different things light up on the corpses. The massive spiked club held by Gurg glows with magical power (+1 Spiked keen greatclub), the filthy hide armour worn by Gorg, who's chest and upper body seem more or less unmarred is also magical (+1 bitter hide armour).

[RCgothic]

After a few moments Izzy shrinks back down to her usual size, allowing her to be pulled out from under the fallen giant and ministered to. With a potion poured down her throat, her body wracks unnaturally as shattered bones knit themselves back into their proper positions.

"Ah!" She gasps as she comes to.

Blinking, she tries to focus on Dr Constantine, Skynir and Hastur as they help her to her feet, mostly futilely trying to wipe the bone-grey dust from her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Is that what happened?" she replies to the doctor and Hastur's comments. "I don't remember... It feels like I feel off the coach and then got run over by it!"

She lets herself be guided back to the carriage, where she continues to brush herself off, wordlessly accepting any fluids offered in her direction.

[u-b]

"I think we should bury them..." - starts Roger, but then considers whom he is talking to - "...or something. Not sure we should follows the giants' tracks right away, they might lead far enough offroad. But we have been the first "victims" so far, which is good."

If no objections, Roger rides back to the group to report.

[(Un)Inspired]

I'd have rather been hit by the coach than the club they battered you with Izzy. It's got fewer spikes.

When the Investigator is successful back on her feet and able to move of her own volition, Skynir turns to consider Roger's words while regarding the giant's bodies. Normally I'd agree with you Roger, but that's quite a bit of corpse to bury. Unless we want to let those who came before us do the work for us. We could tuck their bodies into the barrow you two found...

[u-b]

Until Skynir's words, it did not occur to Roger that it might be reasonable to bury the giants too. "I mean... well, I mean I'm not sure about the giants, but there are half-eaten remains of the army of light near the hole in the side of the barrow, I'd say they surely deserve more respect..."

[Farmerbink]

Timoshko grunts, unconcerned for issues like burial and instead still deeply interested in the giant's madness. "We should follow the tracks, at least for a distance. They should not have been here, and should not have attacked the caravan. I dislike leaving such questions unanswered." He glowers grimly into the distance, listening to his companion's responses though he doesn't offer them his full attention.

To his companion's surprise, after a moment of brooding, he gently lays his pack on the dusty ground, and retrieves from it a carefully protected map and fine, polished compass. He lays his scythe over an arm, making a makeshift 3-point surface and unrolls the map with his other hand with uncanny gentleness. The brute takes only another few moments to find his bearings before he carefully traces his finger in the direction the tracks lead...

Spoiler: OOC

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Survival to try and figure out where the giants may have come from in the direction the tracks lead? (1d20+9)[16] (plus surely 1 or 2 more, depending on whether this counts as "navigation" (+1), "tracking" (+1), or "not getting lost" (+2).)

[BelGareth]

Constantine nods to Ms Moreno, "I think falling off the wagon would have been a little nicer to you." he says grimly "But no use thinking about it, lets move on!" he declares, and strides off to the barrow to inspect the Giants, and then off to the barrow.

Upon seeing the giants, he remarks on how efficient the scythe wielding lad had been, somewhat surprised he moved onto inspecting the giants fully, he pulls out a small leather tube, unrolls it right onto giants chest, metal instruments glint in the sun as he cuts, nips, and pokes the corpses to try and figure out what happened. Once throughly done, he nods to himself, arms covered in blood and viscera, he rolls up his utensils, and strides off to see what everyone is talking about at the barrow.

When he arrives, he see's the madman looking at a map? He honestly didn't think the man could read, let alone plot a course.

Turning his mouth drops. "These....are....oh my" he is obviously excited, "This is a momentous opportunity for me" he mumbles as he kneels down to one and begins to pull out vials and take several samples.

Spoiler

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To determine acid wounds and brain malady
Heal - (1d20+16)[28]

Constantine
HP's: 48/48
AC: 19 (21 vs evil)
T: 13 FF: 16
CMD: 17 FCMD: 14
Init: +3
Fort: +5 (+7 v E) Ref: +8 (+10 v E) Will: +3 (+5 v E)
Effects: Shield (6 minutes), Protection from Evil (8/10)
Bombs: 10/11/day

[(Un)Inspired]

Skynir closes his eyes and has a slight chuckle at his own expense. Yes, right the bodies of the people. Not the giant bodies. That makes sense, that makes sense. Perhaps cremation would be better for their bodies rather than burial though; last time they were buried around here it was only a matter of time before giants showed up and started chewing on them.


He watches as the good doctor sets about exploring the interior of the corpses with an approving nod. Nothing nobler than the quest for understanding. Good for you, Doctor, he thinks to himself.

When Timoshko suggests following the tracks a look of pensive consternation zigzags across Skynirs face. He casts creat water, wets his new bandana, wipes as much dust off of himself as he can, rings out the bandana, and reaffixes it across his face. I want to know what was going on with these two, he ***** his head towards the gargantuan corpses, as well. But we should head to camp and establish ourselves first. We could prepare a counter for whatever tried to pickle the giants, and we could unload the wagons and gear. If we try to take the wagons off the trail and they get acid washed it'll be a huge problem.

[SanguinePenguin]

Hastur stares at the tracks with concern, looking off into the dusty blur where they eventually fade from sight. He speaks his thoughts aloud, "on the one hand, we are not so far from the Camp, and someone there may have some information about what this beast is; on the other hand, we will likely lose these tracks in the dust if we leave and have to start from scratch to find them again." The dwarf leans onto his guisarme for a long moment, before declaring, "I think Skynir is right. We are in the desolation now, and we are the best escort the caravan has at the moment. We should head to camp and maybe try to pick up this trail later." He then looks to Timoshko, "unless you have cause to think the beast is very close."

[3SecondCultist]

Watching the others converge around the tracks and giant barrow would on any other day arouse Azvigo's curiosity. As it stands now, however, the blood of their group members is not even dry amid the dusty expanse. And the hour grows ever later. He is no expert on the Desolation, but he can imagine that being caught out in these wilds at night is not exactly a great way to keep one's inside on the... well, inside.

"Agreed with this lot," Azvigo chirps into the discussion. "Best we head into some kind of settled area first, get our bearings and the like. If these corpses are still here when we get back, well then we'll sort them out. The barrow isn't going anywhere though, aye?"

There's pressing one's luck, and then there's just being a thrice-damned idiot. Gods know he's been accused of the latter before - and not without cause - but after a fight like that one, he's not too keen to prove Ol' Zerig right.

[DrK]

As Izz is healed to a semblance of mobility the Dr examines the wounds and and can see that the acid was likely and burst or explosion that happened separate to the claws and slashes. Although he can tell the acid was of natural origin he cannot begin to guess the manner of the beast save that it may have been born in the warping magics of the chaos rift (the NE quadrant of the desolation).

After some discussion Gurg and Gorg are left rotting in the white bone dust and the party once more board the carriages and wagons and begin to trundle nothwards up the road once more, the relative safety of the camp only ~3 more hours hence...

The three hours pass peacefully as soon enough you roll over small rise and can see the ramshackle Camp spread out at the base of the slope ahead of you. The road arrives into the wide open "market" square. Really an open expanse of cleared dust with a central gallows, a body dancing in the breeze slightly. The closest buildings flanking the road are a large series of tents that comprise the hopeful name "the Celestial Emporium" on the east side and a ramshackle looking tavern with the ominous name of "The Sip of Blood". On the west side of the road is Izzy's goal, the stout building of well made timber that is recent and is where the Bard's Gate Emissary is housed. Behind that in a large mound of mud and twigs some who have been here know there is the savage hag that is the closest the town has to a wise woman

Spoiler: Ignore me

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(3d100)[75][75][78](228)

[BelGareth]

The Doctor was in a good mood, the samples he had collected would hopefully provide months, if not years of research and tests. As they got back to the cart, he gave Ms Moreno a look over, and not seeing any lingering effects, he nodded, and continued to regale anyone who was within earshot, or who would listen, about a the long history of the Ancient Medicine of Drakmor treatise, and how they thought your soul was literally in your heart, and that it contained your very essence, it shaped the whole society, having a bad heart was considered a terrible curse, ones soul was 'bad' and there was nothing you could do. The truly terrible parts, were the offenders of the law being subjected to amazing and incredible procedures, all centered around the heart. They ended up believing that they could ingest ones power by consuming their hearts....the Dr trails off. "Hey, I wonder if your clan are descendants of these people?" he says to Tom.

As the wagons come to a stop, he finally stops talking long enough to pat down his trousers, and wipe the dust from his face. "Ms Moreno, would you like an escort? I would hate for you to fall down again."

Spoiler

Show

Constantine
HP's: 48/48
AC: 19
T: 13 FF: 16
CMD: 17 FCMD: 14
Init: +3
Fort: +5 Ref: +8 Will: +3
Effects: None
Bombs: 10/11/day

[Farmerbink]

Timoshko frowns deeply as he ultimately fails to put together anything immediately actionable. When the rest of his companions express universal agreement that they should continue to the Camp rather than pursue the tracks, he scoffs openly. "No wonder my father foresaw your failure," he grunts. "No sense for what truly matters." All-but literally throwing his hands up in exasperation, Timoshko delicately rolls his map and replaces it in the intricately-decorated case that protects it.

He returns to the caravan, this time striding purposefully beside Isabella's sturdy carriage. Tall enough that his head is in the window, he waits until the caravan starts moving again before peering at the investigator within with unusually-focused intensity. "We have the same blood," he declares, as if the statement is the most obvious (if surprising) thing in the world. As he speaks, he grows in intensity and focus, though he keeps his voice low enough that the rest of the caravan are unlikely to hear."These fools are fortunate to have two of our ilk among them. I will show you how to stand firm against the blows of the enemy, and we will ravage those who stand against us!"

He turns his attention to Doctor Constantine with a flat expression as the Half-Elf (who would seem tall next to most others) begins to expound on a primitive people with similar beliefs. "If you truly care to hear it, I will recite my lineage for you up to our Chieftain Sendrick Saverin of the Urgathoan priesthood in Tsar, before this land was the Desolation. We prowled these lands before the armies buried their dead in mass barrows. We prowled these lands before the so-called Army of Light scorched the verdant expanse that was fed so many." He raises an eyebrow in obvious irritation- daring the doctor to argue.

[BelGareth]

The doctors eyes light up, “you have such knowledge?? Yes please, I would greatly like to know your heritage, that would be an excellent study of your lineage, oh yes, what a great opportunity!!”

He pulls out a notepad and ink quil, ready to transcribe the mighty warriors words.