[3.5E] Heretic's Bane - Beyond the Dale

[mshady]

Round 6:

Close to Magnum now, Tyronious seems that he had finally struck these troublesome dwarf with flail. Magnum can hear him curse when one of the chains become tangled around the other on his flail. Rather than sorting that problem out, Tyronious presses his attack and slams his flail in Magnum’s direction, pummeling the poor dwarf once again. The heads that don’t strike Magnum’s upraised shield slam into the ground with a *thump* and kick up dust.

Attack:

Flail Head 1: (1d20+22)[39]
Flail Head 2: (1d20+8)[22] Tangled
Flail Head 3: (1d20+8)[19] Tangled
Flail Head 4: (1d20+1)[2]

Damage:

Flail Head 1: (4d6+20)[38]
Flail Head 2: (3d6+9)[18] Tangled
Flail Head 3: (2d6+9)[17] Tangled
Flail Head 4: (1d6+4)[6]

Magnum's strong stance and perfect shield work entirely fend off the rain of flail heads the giant keeps raining down on him with its ridiculous weapon. The flaming head bangs off his shield with another thump, scorching the paint on the shield. The other three flail heads bracket him and slam into the ground again. One of the flail heads almost get tangled up, but the giant gets lucky this time.

Having tried to crush Magnum using his dangerous flail, the giant backs off once again a full 50 feet to open the range up again. It was surprising to see that the giant backed off from the melee, but this was a smart giant too and he still had that nasty stone to accompany this flail. He seemed to be daring Magnum to come at him again! He also seemed quite willing to switch up tactics, which might explain why he was wearing a whip too...

[Gryndel]

Magnum Rd 6

Grunting from the wound, the Sum Alaghor tried hard to continue his Ehontar.

Concentration (DC10 + ½ damage = 22)
(1d20+10)[25]

[mshady]

The Walk Home

Sabine, Wyatt and their prisoner walk across the bridge into the abandoned docks and the out buildings. They were all on guard as they crossed the bridge and into the area, for nothing ever seemed to truly be abandoned out in the woods like this. It was almost a cliché, really. So they move through it as quickly as they could and came out on the other side of the river, closer to the hills but with a clearer path. Night would be upon them in two hours and it would take them at least that long to get back to the marshes they had just tried to avoid earlier.

It was important they made good time, so they press on until it is too dark. All three of them could see well enough in the dark, but it still limited their distance vision greatly. It was also the time that other predators came out. When they get to the marshes, it is pitch black out with the exception of a camp fire burning in the ruins of a fallen watch tower.

Sabine ties up the prison to a tree and leaves Wyatt and a threatening kukri to deal with their unruly ward and advances to check out the fire. She sees a blue looking ogre with horns squatting down in front of the fire eats what looks like a stag with both hands. Eating it whole actually, and spitting out the bones when done. The slow, crunching sound is a bit stomach churning. A second ogre stands guard, a bulky double axe resting across his shoulder. This ogre wears some primitive tribal paints and chain mail. Sabine quickly gets the drift of the scene here. It was an ogre mage and his guard taking a rest for the moment. There is also a trunk covered in furs sitting near the ogre mage. Their camp was 200 feet from the marsh edge that they would have to cross, but they could detour deeper into the hills to avoid them or simply wait them out.
What does Sabine do?

[Gryndel]

Magnum Rd 6 cont’d

Somewhat disappointed that this giant would not stand and fight, he did not let it discourage him. As the giant retreated he swung with all his might in an overhead stroke.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Attack of Opportunity (+10 BaB, +6 Str, +4 Axe, +1 Wpn Focus, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +3 Smite Giant, +2 Ehontar, +1 Bless)
(1d20+28)[43] Oh, and +1 more for Haste!
Damage (+6 Str, +4 Axe, +2 Wielding Axe, +5 Holy Warrior, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +10 Smite Giant, +2 Ehontar)
(1d10+30)[39]
+Giant Bane Axe (2d6)[5]
+Fell Greatest Foe (2d6)[9]
+Acid (2d6)[5]
+Fire (1d6)[4]
+Cold (1d6)[2]

Magnum clicked his heels and launched himself into the air, swinging his axe and singing as he charged. This time he stayed in the air as he approached, hoping this would negate any chance of being overrun again and getting a better shot at more critical areas of the giant’s body.

“Not often so torn by enemies’ fright, we’ve worn with courageous might,
The foe stammers, showing fears, ye Gods yammer with divine cheers!”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Full round action: Charge!
Attack (+10 BaB, +6 Str, +4 Axe, +1 Wpn Focus, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +3 Smite Giant, +2 Ehontar, +1 Bless, +2 Charge)
(1d20+30)[36] +1 Haste!
Damage (+6 Str, +4 Axe, +2 Wielding Axe, +5 Holy Warrior, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +10 Smite Giant, +2 Ehontar)
(1d10+30)[36]
+Giant Bane Axe (2d6)[10]
+Fell Greatest Foe (2d6)[5]
+Acid (2d6)[10]
+Fire (1d6)[2]
+Cold (1d6)[1]


For Rd 7:
Initiative 8
AC 46
HP 93/105

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Weapon of Energy (Acid 9/20 rds) [237]
Fell the Greatest Foe 8/10 rds [90]
Divine Power 7/11 rds
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 80/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)

Battle Intuition (+7 AC) 6/7
Ehontar 5/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)
Haste 3/10 rds
Smite Giant 2/4

[mshady]

Tyronious Attack of Opportunity - Round 6

The massive giant reels from the powerful chop and terrible magic contained in Magnum's axe. Blood runs in a river from the snarling giants leg, but he falls back anyways as smoke rolls from his torn armor. Yet the wounded dwarf presses his own attack, sprinting towards the giant with unexpected speed. Tyronious draws back his flail and sweeps it in front of him just as Magnum closes

Attack:

Flail Head 1: (1d20+22)[38]
Flail Head 2: (1d20+8)[13] Tangled
Flail Head 3: (1d20+8)[23] Tangled
Flail Head 4: (1d20+1)[17]

Damage:

Flail Head 1: (4d6+20)[36]
Flail Head 2: (3d6+9)[19] Tangled
Flail Head 3: (2d6+9)[18] Tangled
Flail Head 4: (1d6+4)[6]

The flails bite into the ground again, sending up a cloud of sod and smoke. The giant curses, but this time his armor turns away the blow.

[Gorgon_Heap]

Disquieted by the dangerous figures before her, Sabine leans back on her heels and considers her options for long moments before returning to Wyatt.

After some very quiet discussion, they come to a simple plan and she leaves her halfling friend to do what he does best, trusting in his wilderness knowledge to get their captive away.

With no small trepidation but the hope of gleaning some additional intelligence from these very dangerous foes, she approaches the tiny glade in which the ogres have set their camp. She removes a potion of gaseous form from her pack and places it within easy reach in her bandoleer, along with other backups to potions she used earlier.

As she nears the glade, she considers her options, and with some small abandon snatches up a rock and throws it off to her right - just enough noise to sound like more than an animal. Hopefully just to keep the guard on his toes but not ready to fly into some combat frenzy. Nearing the camp, she takes a deep breath and says loudly, "Hail!"

She walks unhurriedly into the dimmest firelight, her palms open and empty at her sides, intricate and almost certainly magical armor and weapons openly displayed but non-threatening. She keeps her tone strong and steady, but respectful. She knows these ogres are prideful and smart, and speaks in common, but when needed levels a threatening eye toward the bodyguard. She does her best to ignore the grotesquery of his meal. "Fair winds, warrior. I mean you no violence. I beg permission to share your fire.

Perhaps we can trade information and be on our ways. We can both benefit ... without complications."

[mshady]

The Ogre Camp

The two ogres are startled about the noise from the rock that Sabine threw and are on alert, but as Sabine expected, they were not suddenly ready to fly into a fight. While they were ogres, at least they did not appear so aggressive that they were ready to attack anything at the slightest hint of something around them. Sabine looks at the camp and sees a gleaming greatsword, much like the kind that Magnum took off an ogre mage he killed up north and gave to Kerik Many-Skulls. The ogre swords had a distinctive crudeness to them, and were as much cleaver as sword. It is resting against a tree and the ogre mage does not immediately grab for it. The blue ogre, clearly the mage, was dressed in chain armor and an exotic collection of clothing tied into a sash while the most brightly colored fabrics of red and yellow are weaved together into a kind of long turban covering his head. A horn is worn on his side, and various gold necklaces hang from his neck, as well as several arm bands of different kinds of metal, mostly gold. His guardian is much more brutish, wearing a battered breast plate and hefting a double axe. It had been awhile since Sabine had encountered someone wielding a double weapon. She takes a deep breath and hails the ogres, not sure what to expect out of the interaction. She felt crazy for even trying, instead of either fleeing or just trying to kill the pair.

The mage looks up from his meal and sets it aside to stare in surprise at Sabine. His guardian immediately breaks into a full throated growl, rumbling loud enough that she thought he meant immediate attack but instead the furious eyed ogre held his ground.

"Vano, you hold" the mage advises his guardian before standing up. The blue skinned ogre stands up to his full height, but not before setting the roasted deer carcass on some stones carefully to not get dirt in his meal. The ogres and Sabine look at each other for a long moment, for the ogres are surprised not just by the sudden company but the offer.

"In the middle of orc territory, it is a lone human woman we encounter?" the mage muses aloud. "Surprising offer you have. Not many would ask to join an ogres fire for fear of being cooked on it, yet you cry pardon to do so knowing you as likely end as meal instead of guest? Conversation with Vano are short matters. Perhaps you can intrigue me?" the mage says, contemplating the surprising situation.

"Come closer, and we shall have words by fire side" the mage invites, amused but not threatening. His common is very articulate and while it is very bass, it is clear he has command of the language despite his grotesque nature. Maybe it was the horns and tusk like teeth though, but Sabine had little doubt this creature was as evil as anything else she was likely to encounter out here. However her first career had been spent in the company dangerous, evil minded people. The form might be new to her, but the situation was not.

So now that she had engaged the ogre, what did she want to get out of it?

[Gorgon_Heap]

With his orders given Sabine ignores the bodyguard altogether and walks calmly but alertly into the camp. She never takes her eyes from her towering host, and pools some of her cloak atop a felled tree for cushioning as she sits.

“I’d say I’m as surprised by your presence as you are mine, master ogre.” She watches him guardedly for a moment. “So. Let’s start with the obvious, I guess. As you said, I don’t belong here,” she gestures vaguely at trees and open sky and nature and ravening hordes of green-skinned murderers. “And I mean to be away as soon as I can. You,” she indicates with a tiny tap of a finger in the air, “seem the lordly sort with fine taste, but you have only a single guard … through orc territory. If your experience in this region has been anything like mine, you’ll agree this encounter is probably the most civil one you’re going to have.

“So I offer a fair trade that costs neither of us in the off chance we can assist each other. I’m willing to share what you can expect to find north of here if you tell me what’s south of here.”

[mshady]

Round 7:

Tyronious: With the massive giant finally figuring out that this dwarf had more bite than he expected him to have, he decided to really test the dwarf’s defenses and see if he was made of glass or steel. Rather than take a step back or flee, he tries to see if he can batter Magnum into submission or not with his ferocious flail. The giant roars loud enough to make everyone but Magnum’s heart stop for a moment as he unleashed a furious barrage of blows with his massive flail! Magnum raises his shield and sets his feet, knowing what was about to come and ready to survive it and retaliate if he could.


Attack 1:

Flail Head 1: (1d20+27)[41]
Flail Head 2: (1d20+22)[41]
Flail Head 3: (1d20+17)[35]
Flail Head 4: (1d20+12)[13]

Damage 1:

Flail Head 1: (4d6+24)[39]
Flail Head 2: (3d6+18)[30]
Flail Head 3: (2d6+12)[16]
Flail Head 4: (1d6+6)[10]
************************

Attack 2:

Flail Head 1: (1d20+22)[41]
Flail Head 2: (1d20+17)[24]
Flail Head 3: (1d20+12)[22]
Flail Head 4: (1d20+7)[27]

Damage 2:

Flail Head 1: (4d6+24)[40]
Flail Head 2: (3d6+18)[30]
Flail Head 3: (2d6+12)[15]
Flail Head 4: (1d6+6)[12]
*************************

Attack 3:

Flail Head 1: (1d20+19)[34]
Flail Head 2: (1d20+14)[23]
Flail Head 3: (1d20+9)[20]
Flail Head 4: (1d20+4)[12]

Damage 3:

Flail Head 1: (4d6+24)[34]
Flail Head 2: (3d6+18)[29]
Flail Head 3: (2d6+12)[15]
Flail Head 4: (1d6+6)[11]

**************************

Attack 4:

Flail Head 1: (1d20+14)[24]
Flail Head 2: (1d20+9)[16]
Flail Head 3: (1d20+4)[11]
Flail Head 4: (1d20+1)[9]

Damage 4:

Flail Head 1: (4d6+24)[42]
Flail Head 2: (3d6+18)[32]
Flail Head 3: (2d6+12)[20]
Flail Head 4: (1d6+6)[11]

OOC: The giant manages to land 1 hit (Flail Head 4) and does 14 HP damage, including the sonic damage. However, -2 Ehontar, -1 Earthsilk and -10 for stoneskin means 1 HP actual damage. Magnum's armor could have also been damaged by the hit. It is 70 HP and 16 hardness, so the armor refuses to yield!


Despite the absolutely furious assault, Magnum's deft shield work, good footwork and stout armor allow him to block, side step or simply shrug off the single most violent attack he had probably faced in his life. His head rang and blood ran down from his forehead while his shield arm was once again numb. The massive flail had connected with his shield enough that it was nearly wrecked and his armor was taking damage as well, but Magnum himself was battered but nearly unharmed from the furious attack.

He knew how incredibly lucky he had just been. Had he been just a little bit slower, had even slightly inferior armor, that giant would probably have killed him right than and there. In fact, it would have killed any one of his companions in all likelihood. But not Magnum Ruriksonn, Sum Alaghor of Clangeddin and Captain of the Patriarchate of Moradin.

When the dust cleared enough for the giant to see Magnum raising the battered shield with Clangeddin's sigil staring right back at him, the giant curses furiously in frustration.

Payback was going to be bitch.

[Gryndel]

Magnum Rd 7

Even through all the dust and chaos of so many flail strikes, the Sum Alaghor continued to intone his Ehontar loudly and proudly. Since this was his last chance to use it today, he split up the intuition gained from wise observation and knowledge of battle to increase his chances of hitting, the damage done, and a bit left over for protection. He also enacted his boots again to gain an extra boost of speed.

“Now you stand and fight, which is only right,
You had your flail fling, while I stand and sing.
Mighty is your flail, many your attacks,
Your fury did fail, now you face my axe!”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Full Attack:
Attack (+10 BaB, +6 Str, +4 Axe, +1 Wpn Focus, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +3 Smite Giant [1st & Haste Attack only], +2 Ehontar, +1 Bless, +1 Haste, +3 Battle Intuition)
Damage (+6 Str, +4 Axe, +2 Wielding Axe, +5 Holy Warrior, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +10 Smite Giant [1st & Haste Attack only], +2 Ehontar, +2 Battle Intuition) +Giant Bane Axe 2d6 +Fell Greatest Foe 2d6 +Acid 2d6

Attack 1: (1d20+2)[5] Should be +32 not +2, oh well miss anyway!
Damage 1: (1d10+32)[40] + (6d6)[19]
Haste Attack: (1d20+32)[51]
Haste Damage: (1d10+32)[39] + (6d6)[24]
Attack 2: (1d20+27)[36] -3 NO SMITE GIANT
Damage 2: (1d10+32)[37] -10 NO SMITE GIANT + (6d6)[22]

For Rd 8:
Initiative 8
AC 42
HP 89/105
Shield 14/21 HP (-1 AC, included above)

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Weapon of Energy (Acid 10/20 rds) [237]
Fell the Greatest Foe 9/10 rds [90]
Divine Power 8/11 rds
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 70/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)

Battle Intuition (+3 Attack, +2 Damage, +2 AC) 7/7
Ehontar 6/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)
Haste 4/10 rds
Smite Giant 4/4

[mshady]

Confirm Crit Roll:

Flail Head 4/Attack 2: (1d20+7)[15]

Damage 2:

Flail Head 4/Attack 2: (1d6+6)[12]

Sonic Elemental Damage

(1d6)[5]

Item Damage Location
1-3 Armor
4-5 Shield
6 Magical Protection (No effect)

Magnum takes 17 damage - 10 for stoneskin-1 earthsilk-2 ehontar = 4 HP damage (please reduce HP and stoneskin).

Armor rolled, but hardness 16 shrugs off damage.

Armor:

Hit Points: 70/70 HP
Hardness: 16 (+4 hardness for +2 enhancement, +2 hardness dwarfcraft)

Shield:

Hit Points: 14/21 HP (from round 5)
Hardness: 14

Effect: -1 AC

[mshady]

Round 8

Tyronious: Magnum’s first blow “wangs” off the giant’s armor, but his second blow cuts through the thick armor around the giant’s hip as it stoops to swing at him. The blow catches flesh and the magical effects blast flesh and bone leaving the giant yowling from the unexpected blow through what should have been the toughest part of his mithril armor. The ragged cut in the armor streams with blood and the giant reels from the wound.

He recovers his composure a moment later and snarls at Magnum before snatching a potion off his own bandolier and downing it. Magnum swings at the giant, taking advantage of the opportunity.

Attack:

(1d20+32)[35]

Damage:

(1d10+19)[28] + (6d6)[26]

Surviving the blow without suffering a wound, the giant grunts but still downs the potion and suddenly disappears! It now seems that the giant is invisible!

"Tricky dwarf" Magnum hears the giant say as it moves away from him. "See your tricks when your magic fades and mine grows stronger"

[Gryndel]

Magnum Rd 8

The Sum Alaghor continued to intone his Ehontar loudly and proudly, using an ad hoc verse to reply to the giant.

“I have yet begun to use my magic,
Fret not, your end shall be tragic!”

While he could deal with an unseen foe in melee due to his extensive training in blind fighting, one at range was another story. Since one of his best spells was about to expire he decided to try a charge attack at where he thought the giant went while that spell remained active. Using all his senses and training to hone in on the invisible giant, he also utilized his Boots of Speed once more. With the giant bleeding and leaving giant footprints in the field’s dirt, it should not be too hard to figure out where he went. Sending a mental prayer up to Clangeddin, the dwarf charged!

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Charge Attack:
Spot (or survival = same modifier) footprints or blood trail (1d20+7)[9]

I know its a long shot at best, but gotta stick with the best chance while it lasts.

Attack (+10 BaB, +6 Str, +4 Axe, +1 Wpn Focus, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +2 Ehontar, +1 Bless, +1 Haste, +2 Charge)
Damage (+6 Str, +4 Axe, +2 Wielding Axe, +5 Holy Warrior, +1 Giant Bane Ability, +2 Ehontar)
+Giant Bane Axe 2d6 +Fell Greatest Foe 2d6 +Acid 2d6

Attack: (1d20+29)[35] Oops, should be +28!
Damage: (1d10+20)[26] + (6d6)[8]


For Rd 9:
Initiative 8
AC 38
HP 89/105
Shield 14/21 HP (-1 AC, included above)

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Weapon of Energy (Acid 11/20 rds) [237]
Fell the Greatest Foe 10/10 rds [90]
Divine Power 9/11 rds
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 70/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)

Ehontar 7/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)
Haste 5/10 rds

[mshady]

Round 9

Magnum tries to make his best guess at where the giant had rumbled off to, but while he had the big brute bleeding, he had no idea where it was off to. At least not yet. With the giant invisible, a surprising development in and of itself, Magnum could only keep his guard up and wait in frustration as his spells wore off.

The dwarf heard a relieved gulp and heard nothing for the moment after that. Suddenly he saw a potion vial as big as his arm go flying and land in the dirt. It was a big potion certainly, but the giant was big too so he assumed it was no more effective than what Magnum could brew. Probably less, but who knew?
The giant has stepped away from the fight for the moment, and Magnum did not know where he was now.

DM Note: Please roll a Survival and a Listen check five times and we will see if you can find the giant at all during the next 5 rounds.

[mshady]

With his orders given Sabine ignores the bodyguard altogether and walks calmly but alertly into the camp. She never takes her eyes from her towering host, and pools some of her cloak atop a felled tree for cushioning as she sits.

“I’d say I’m as surprised by your presence as you are mine, master ogre.” She watches him guardedly for a moment. “So. Let’s start with the obvious, I guess. As you said, I don’t belong here,” she gestures vaguely at trees and open sky and nature and ravening hordes of green-skinned murderers. “And I mean to be away as soon as I can. You,” she indicates with a tiny tap of a finger in the air, “seem the lordly sort with fine taste, but you have only a single guard … through orc territory. If your experience in this region has been anything like mine, you’ll agree this encounter is probably the most civil one you’re going to have.

“So I offer a fair trade that costs neither of us in the off chance we can assist each other. I’m willing to share what you can expect to find north of here if you tell me what’s south of here.”

The Ogre Camp

"That is stating the obvious" the blue skinned ogre says and tears a leg off the stag with a sickening crunch. He sets the rest of the stag down on the ground and glances at his guard. The ogre is so tense he is bulging with anticipation, but stays obediently at the ready.

"You only see one guard. That does not mean he is the only one" the ogre smirks at her with yellowed tusks. "You offer exchange of wisdom for me on these lands. I know these lands well enough to not have need of knowledge in any direction though. You are small but have a dangerous look about you though. This encounter has been civil to this point, but for it to continue to be so, you must have use to me and in exchange I must have use for you. Seeing as you have come to my fire, did ye seek something of me or just wish to announce yourself to allow for safe passage?" the ogre says.

Out of the darkness, two more ogres of a slimmer stature wearing dark cloaks snarl and push Wyatt and the orc prisoner forward towards the fire. Neither is restrained nor bears signs of wounds and they seem to have come grudgingly, but willingly. Sabine judges the situation quickly enough and realizes that Wyatt could have easily evaded if not actually killed his captors, but did not want to be separated from their prisoner.

"I think we are beyond that now, human" the ogre smiles against wickedly, barring his yellow tusks.
He chomps on the leg again, pulling off the meat in stripes and even chewing on the bone, sucking the marrow out before he continues.

"Lets still keep this civil though. I will release your prisoner and the child warrior if you agree to do a thing for me. We are not far from it, but it is not without danger. What do ye say?" he asks, his yellow eyes focused directly on Sabine. His gaze is intense, but he does not seem coiled for action.

[Gryndel]

Magnum Rd 9

Realizing that he was currently no match for the dwarf and smarting from his wounds, the now invisible giant retreated. The potion bottle, Magnum guessed, was likely some curative. This one was not only tough and dangerous, but smart. So the Sum Alaghor, even in his slight frustration, decided to heal himself as well. He sacrificed a lower level spell to cure his wounds, hoping the one would do it without further aid. He also tried to maintain his Ehontar while casting, more to show his ability that any real need at this point.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Cast while singing: DC15+2 (Spell Level)
Failure = Ehontar disrupted, fail by 5+ means spell fails too!
Perform (1d20+13)[18]
Convert Status spell to Cast Cure Moderate Wounds (2d8+10)[25]
Listen (1d20+7)[17]
Survival (1d20+7)[21]

Weapon of Energy (Acid 11/20 rds) [237]
Fell the Greatest Foe 10/10 rds [90]
Divine Power 9/11 rds
Ehontar 7/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)
All others listed at bottom

Rd 10
Not having any clue as to how long it might take to either find the giant again or for it to reveal itself, Magnum readied Spiritual Axe to cast as soon as the giant was detected.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Listen (1d20+7)[20]
Survival (1d20+7)[18]

For Rd 10:
Initiative 8
AC 39
HP 105/105
Shield 14/21 HP (-1 AC, included above)

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Weapon of Energy (Acid 12/20 rds) [237]
Divine Power 10/11 rds
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 70/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)

Ehontar 8/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)

[Gryndel]

Magnum
Continuing his search, he moved 20' in a seemingly random direction each round, trying to cover a larger area with his search, while keeping his Spiritual Axe spell ready to cast.

After a few rounds, with his first Ehontar expired, he called out (on Rd 13), "Well, does hiding like a halfling or mage mean you have yielded? While not part of the initial agreement, I'll accept your defeat on such terms!"

For Rd 11:
Listen (1d20+7)[19]
Survival (1d20+7)[25]

Weapon of Energy (Acid 13/20 rds) [237]
Divine Power 11/11 rds
Ehontar 9/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)

For Rd 12:
Listen (1d20+7)[18]
Survival (1d20+7)[12]

Weapon of Energy (Acid 14/20 rds) [237]
Ehontar 10/10 rds (giant is -2 Atk/Dmg/Save)

For Rd 13:
Listen (1d20+7)[14]
Survival (1d20+7)[19]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Initiative 8 (ready action will change this per rules)
AC 39
HP 105/105
Shield 14/21 HP (-1 AC, included above)

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Weapon of Energy (Acid 12/20 rds) [237]
Divine Power 10/11 rds
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 70/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)
Weapon of Energy (Acid 15/20 rds) [237]

[Grodech]

"Leave it ta a giant ta fight unfair." Grathalmor grumbles as he watches.

[thorgrim29]

Thordrek

Thordrek had been watching the fight with great intensity, examining the fighting style of the giant for weaknesses should things degenerate into an all out battle with his sons. He offered silent prayers of thanks to the gods when Magnum started getting the upper hand, and grunted in frustration when the giant became invisible and broke contact. He figured the warrior was probably using his innate levitation abilities to re position, but saying so might be construed as interfering by the giantess. So he addressed her directly instead, loudly and mockingly.

Is that the best the "mighty" Tyronius can do then? Throw a rock a few times, miss a lot with that ridiculous flail and fly away? He could have at least forfeited before fleeing.

[Gorgon_Heap]

The Ogre camp


Sabine takes in this new development with a confident aloofness, but inwardly she sighs deeply. Her simple hope of avoiding an unnecessary and dangerous fight has twisted around on her. This “doing the right thing” is tricky business.

The orge hardly holds all the cards here, but it’s been an awfully long day and her resources are thin. Her and Wyatt escaping unharmed could be done in heartbeats, and fighting would surely cost the ogres in lives. But either option would likely lose their prisoner.

She was gaining a newfound respect for the professional kidnappers she’d known in Waterdeep.

She meets the mage's intense gaze with an unimpressed thoughtfulness. “Tell me, and if I agree and succeed, you release those two and direct us to the safest route south.”

[Strangie]

Wyatt

Child Warrior? Wyatt thought to himself. He very much wanted to speak his mind about this ogre and that phrase, but he bit his tongue. He didn't want to ruin Sabine's negotiation. He looked at the orc prisoner and shrugged. Somehow, now they're both in the same boat, but Wyatt's chances of getting away were likely much better.

He shook his head, wondering how he even gets into these situations. "Sorry. I dunno how 'dis even happened," he says to Sabine, regarding their situation. "Good luck in whatever 'dis fella wants, 'cause I sure ain't got any," he remarks glumly.

[mshady]

The Ogre Camp

"Release them? You presume" the ogre chuckles with laughter. "They've merely been brought before me. You and..." the ogre squints for a moment in Wyatt's direction, "...that's a Halfling, isn't it? I would offer to detain your orc while you do a thing for me" he says and looks between the two.

"I require someone to do a task for me. There is a cave not far from here with the bones of an ancestor of mine. I need someone to go in there and retrieve his bones and a runic necklace I need. For reasons.

Why don't I do this thing? We can, but there is a basilisk inside that cave. Before I risk myself or these escort to this dangerous vermin, ask it of you first I would. You two seem more like the type to burgal something, like your are burgaling this orc. I have already eaten, so he is safe with me and I have need of something you can get. Mutual need is the best guarantee, yes?" the ogre nods at them seriously and sits upright, the bulging muscles flexing underneath his colorful robe of rags.

"What you get in return is up to what you wish. Tell Garza truly. You do not wish him for meat and such a vermin has no value as hostage, but his wounds are tended and he has not been beaten more. He has value and you go to great trouble. Garza has strong magic that will split open mind and reveal all if you wish to know things of it. I can give you what you want to know and relieve you of the burden of his companionship" the ogre mage says.

As he is speaking, one of the ogres takes a club and strikes the orc on the back of his head, dropping him to the ground with a pathetic moan. The ogre next places a foot on the orc's chest, almost lightly, and waits there for a command from his mage.

"Apologies. If he ran at those words, it would be a nuisance. As we are being... civil, is this a deal you wish, or shall we go our ways?" he asks, genuinely curious at the response.

This ogre seemed much smarter and more articulate than one would expect, even for a vaunted ogre magi. He was every bit the fearsome foe, but he had intelligence and well. Was it a cunning intelligence though?

[Gryndel]

OOC: Keep his ready action in mind...

It dawned on Magnum that the giant may well be above the ground too, so he also started looking up on occasion. He could think of no way to spot the foe if he was in the air, but realized its possible for him to be there.

Rd 14:
Listen (1d20+7)[21]
Survival (1d20+7)[18]
Weapon of Energy (Acid 16/20 rds) [237]
Divine Power 11/11 rds

Rd 15:
Listen (1d20+7)[16]
Survival (1d20+7)[11]
Weapon of Energy (Acid 17/20 rds) [237]

Rd 16:
Listen (1d20+7)[16]
Survival (1d20+7)[9]
Weapon of Energy (Acid 18/20 rds) [237]

Rd 17:
Listen (1d20+7)[11]
Survival (1d20+7)[19]
Weapon of Energy (Acid 19/20 rds) [237]

Rd 18:
Listen (1d20+7)[17]
Survival (1d20+7)[22]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Initiative 8 (ready action will change this per rules)
AC 39
HP 105/105
Shield 14/21 HP (-1 AC, included above)

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 70/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)
Weapon of Energy (Acid 20/20 rds) [237]

[Strangie]

Wyatt

Wyatt nods quickly to the Halfling remark. "Yeah! I'm a halfling. And not some stupid kid. ... not a burglar, either, but 'dat's kinda besides the point."

He raises an eyebrow at what this ogre needs, frowning a bit at the mention of a basilisk. He'd heard vaguely about those things. They were not good news. "No wonder you don't wanna go 'dere." He looks at Sabine. "Well... we can handle 'dat, right? Sounds like a pretty straightforward stab-and-grab so long as we don't look at the thing, and I gotta pretty good sense on where someone is when I ain't lookin' at 'em. I'm-a leave it up to you, 'dough."

Note

Spoiler

Show

Suck on my Blindsense.

[mshady]

Sabine and The Ogre Camp

Posted from PM from Gorgon-Heap

Listening to the ogre mage prattle on about his own vaunted abilities and a basilisk, Sabine begins to realize the lout is full of bluster because for all his prowess and magic, he's afraid. And even if he were to fare well against a creature such as that, she's certain his thick-headed guardians wouldn't.

She looks at the unconscious orc and hopes his important memories aren't seeping into the ground. She considers a number of options and casts them aside, deciding finally to use the opportunity to spread word of her own prowess.

With a knowing smirk, she tilts her head just a bit. “Well, much as I’d like to rid myself of him, I promised his secrets to others, so I’m afraid I’ll have to take him along in one piece. But,” she adds, standing and stretching, “you can still 'relieve me of the burden.’ As it were.

“I’ll go free what you need and one of your soldiers can help carry that to safety for me,” she says, indicating the orc. She gets directions and turns back and speaks to Wyatt, but points at the ogre towering over the orc. “I’ll be right back. If he harms the prisoner any more, kill him.” She leaves at an easy pace.

[mshady]

Sabine walks out of the ogre camp as soon as Wyatt acknowledges her request and the ogre does not move to stop or debate her. While she was no tracker, it was easy enough to see the ogre tracks leading to the cave so she just followed the trail. She walked purposely with a scowl on her face. Sabine was vastly irritated by the request, as it was well below her abilities for the most part. Still, one does not simply… walk into a basilisk cave.

That would mean an additional expense from a potion and the loss of one of her few remaining spells to do this. That part annoyed her enough she kicked at a stone as she walked by, sending it skipping ahead of her. As it was getting dark anyways, she donned her goggle of night seeing, crafted what seemed like an age ago by that enigmatic Sembian mage that accompanied Black’s Company. The one that was her only friend, and the one that, in The Hall of Mirrors, was seen putting her body into a magical chest he could bring into and out of existence. Because that wasn’t creepy…

When she arrived at the mouth of the cave, she quaffed the two potions and became both invisible and gaseous. It allowed her to float to the top of the cave and move ahead without being spotted or even really sensed. She moved deeper into the cave and saw the broken remains of several petrified creatures, including one of Garza’s ogres. He wore that look of astonishment well. She floated deeper into the tunnel and around a bend to find not just one basilisk but two of them. One was sleeping, while the other was crunching the stone of some animal into appropriate sized chunks.

Cursing her luck, she silently floated over the scene. It was a mated pair, in all likelihood. The active one appeared sluggish, as well. A plan quickly developed in her mind, one she had used a few times in the past. Death was going to come quickly here, and it would come quietly. The creature had 8 legs, with bony spikes and thick looking scales but Sabine had a very sharp rapier that was good with finding gaps in armor and hides. Well, at least her last rapier was really good at this.

Sabine settles the gaseous cloud about the active basilisk and tries to find where to place that rapier. When she was ready, she dropped out of the air from above the basilisk and used her own strength and her own weight during the fall to drive the rapier through the back of the basilisk’s skull. The blade skewers the brain, and creature all but stiffens and hisses involuntarily. Sabine lands on its back and hopes that the creature would just have the politeness to die quickly, but that’s not the case. It was still in momentary shock, but she withdrew the blade from its bloody sheathe and rammed it home one more time. This time, she twisted it and hit something vital and the creature collapsed to the floor in spasm. The first kill had taken just a few seconds.

The second basilisk was still asleep. Sabine turned and walked over to it through its’ closed eye lid. This time, the creature did not even struggle. When she withdrew the sword, blood and fluids poured out of the eye hole and that was it. Two basilisks dead in less than a minute.

Sabine wipes the blood off her sword and puts it back into her sheath. The next part was going to be the harder part. She walks towards the back of the cave, ready for anything else that might be a problem. The only annoyance was an occasional bat. In the back of the cave, she finds a large stone cairn and she figures that was the objective. Half an hour later, the stones have been cleared enough to reveal the bones of a surprisingly small looking ogre. It is buried in very rusty chainmail that she quickly hacks off and she indignantly removes the rest of the ogres burial garb. She packs away its bones in a bag of holding, including a heavy runic necklace. There was no clear indication of what it did, but she knew what the two blue sapphires in the eye slits of the skeleton could do for her. She pocketed them both, and unless she was asked about it, she wasn’t going to volunteer them. Gems that size were probably worth 500 gp each, or so.

With the skeleton packed away, she walked back out of the cave less than 30 minutes after she entered it and returned to Garza’s camp. She stood before him holding the sack full of bones. Garza seems surprised to see Sabine back so quickly. He has just finished off his stag and the orc prisoner is sitting tied up against a tree.

“You’re back” Garza observes. “That was quick. You have the bones of my ancestor and his amulet, yes? ”

[mshady]

Round 19 – The Duel

Magnum does his best to try and determine where the giant has gone off it, but there is no sound he can pick up. The calls from his comrades hearten him a little, but he is very focused on the fight. He had a spell prepared and ready to go for when the giant appeared again. The giant’s presence was announced again by the appearance another thrown stone coming down from the sky. The giant himself appear as well, levitating 50 feet in the air from quite a distance away. Still, he was close enough for Magnum to summon a spiritual warhammer before the boulder even hit.

Tyronious:

Magnum raised his shield and gets ready for the next boulder, and he was frankly getting impatient with these. The boulder comes flying down towards him..

(1d20+20)[31]

He raises his shield and blocks the powerful throw once again. The blow strikes his shield and Magnum groans from the blow as the boulder drops to the ground again. He had repeatedly been battered but he was holding up well enough.

Even from the distance, Magnum can hear the reinvigorated giant's snarl.

[Gryndel]

Magnum Rd 19

Upon finally spotting the giant, Magnum spoke the last syllable of the spell that he had been readying since the giant vanished. A glowing battle axe appeared and slashed at the giant.

While keeping his eyes on the giant, Magnum actually bowed slightly to him and spoke derisively, “Well I was beginning to think maybe you decided not to return! But I welcome you back to battle, such as it is.”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

It’s not too clear on whether I can finish the other actions in my round, or when. But he would fly 40’ toward the giant (to M7), staying just above the ground for now. Since a ready action changes your initiative, I believe it would be before the giant throws. Either way, I see no reason why he could not move sometime during the round.

Spiritual Axe (I believe it gets none of my fancy bonuses in battle or vs. giants)
Attack (1d20+15)[16]
Damage (1d8+3)[9]

Rd 20
As the Spiritual Weapon continued the assault, Magnum chuckled slightly. Now that he acted before the giant, he retrieved a potion from his magical pack, flipped off the top and drank it down, then took another step closer to his foe.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Move Action: Get potion from Handy Haversack (No AoO)
Standard Action: Drink potion of Divine Power (BaB 10, +6 Str, +10 temp HP)
5’ step toward giant (L8)

Attack (1d20+15)[21]
Damage (1d8+3)[11]
Attack (1d20+10)[21]
Damage (1d8+3)[4]


For Rd 20:
Initiative (just before Tyronius)
AC 38
HP 115/105
Shield 14/21 HP (-1 AC, included above)

Stalwart Pact Permanent until ½ HP or lower [204]
Magical Vestment 11 hours
Silverbeard +2 AC 10 minutes [190]
Mass Resist Energy – Lightning 20, 100 minutes [174]
Freedom of Movement 100 minutes
Spell Resistance 22 10 minutes
Shield of Faith +3 AC 10 minutes
Blur 9 minutes (20% miss chance)
Stoneskin (DR 10/adamantine, 70/90)
Fly
Luminous Armor (-4 Opponent Melee Attack)
Spiritual Weapon 2/11 rds
Divine Power 1/10 rds

[Gorgon_Heap]

Spoiler: Camp?

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I'm actually not sure if we were staying the night and ready to move at first light or if Garza just wanted us gone. I wrote my post thinking the latter, though whatever. [shrug]

Sabine glares at the orge leader, her fatigue finally overcoming her desire to remain polite. She steps closer and opens the bag, showing him what he wants to see. "Take it. Did you know there were two creatures in that cave? I suppose you didn't get that close a look, though one of your soldiers apparently did. Lucky you had more than one after all."

She opens a small canteen from her pack and swigs some tepid water while checking on Wyatt. She then points at the prisoner and says, "All right, then. Somebody pick that up." Ready to move the moment her new porter is designated, she says to the chief, "Well, Garza, this worked out well enough, though much better for you, I think. I hope you'll remember that, because I know I will." She trusts he's savvy enough to get the implied imbalance of debt. She also trusts that for all his bravado he realized someone who so quickly and easily did what he couldn't was a threat not to be taken lightly.

"And by the way, my name is Sabine Terremeir." She smiles warmly, tips her head to the side in an easy nod and leaves him to his almost-certainly nefarious plans.

[mshady]

Garza nods at Sabine and looks at his three remaining guards. The big bruiser with murder in his eyes would not have been ideal, but the other two black and brown clad guards that had apprehended Wyatt and their prisoner would have to do. With a casual gesture, he points to one of those two. The ogre, or perhaps half ogre, nods in compliance and gets a sack from the camp site and returns to the prisoner. When the orc gets the idea what was going on, he yells loudly in protest before a vicious back hand from the ogre silences him. The orc spits out a tooth and a wad of blood and protests no more as the ogre ties a gag around his mouth and shoves him feet first into the bag. A moment later, the prisoner bag is hanging off a strap and is hanging off the ogre's back like some enormous duffel bag.

"You will find he is capable and quiet" Garza informs them. "I expect his return to me as soon as you cross out of orc territory. He will know where to go after that. We are about to break camp now that our task is done. Stay the night here if you wish. My guard will not harm you for fear of his own life and we killed the three things that haunt this area. I remember favors owed, but it is your burden to find me if you wish to collect, Terremir"

With that, the ogre mages snaps his finger to get the attention of the other ogres and informs them they are leaving. They scurry about gathering things quickly, almost like breaking camp quickly was some sort of drill or game Garza liked to play with them as he waits impatiently. The ogre grabs his sword and large looking staff with a ram's skull atop it with glowing blue eyes and gathers his own things. The ogres form up quickly and escort the mage as they leave. It occurs to Sabine and Wyatt not much was said amongst the group, but a lot still seem directed. Perhaps like some sort of telepathic link?

Five minutes later, the ogres have walked off, leaving the two and their new companion at an empty camp site with a still burning fire and a small bag of human sized iron rations the ogres apparently didn't bother or couldn't open. While the outside of the rations is covered in oil, they are a bit rusty and there was no telling the age, but some things were timeless.