Giantslayer: The Hill Giant's Pledge [IC]

[lostsole31]

The heavy deed is done, followed by collecting the saboteurs belongings. Galakhar informs the captain who comes down, and then hears the report from Aasgar.

Captain Bloodtusk nods solemnly. "That will mean dark things for your mission, won't it? Without a cleric? Will you be aborting your mission?"

[BuckGodot]

”No. We set out without one and were fortuitous to find this lady, but we shall continue and work something out.”Aasgar replies with a shake of his head.

[lostsole31]

The word is passed along, and now Cici and Kurst have been given the bad news (they are on shore guiding horses to pull the keelboat upriver).

The captain cannot and will not stop the day's progress, but he does ask of the three that are onboard with him today. "Will you take her ashore to bury her, or will you sink her in the river?"

Galakhar answers, "She was an Abadaran cleric. She is to be buried like the secrets in the Golden Lord's vault."

Does anyone have anything for the remainder of the day, or shall we move to the evening?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will do what he can for himself using his healing skills… unless there is someone better or who will aid him.

[lostsole31]

Cici is technically the better healer, especially in helping others than herself, than is Galakhar (but only barely), but she is busy ashore right now guiding horses to pull the keelboat upriver.

So Galakhar it is, who prefers medicine as science rather than intuition and folk remedies and herbs, anyway. He looks over Galakhar's wounds, fretting. "This would've gone so much better if I actually had a healer's kit with me, but oh, well," and with that he attempts to treat Aasgar's wounds the best he can with an hour of ministration to his wounds. By the end of that time, Aasgar hasn't regained anything, but is still expertly patched up.

Given the severity of Aasgar's wounds, Galakhar appeals to Captain Bloodtusk to give Aasgar complete bed rest, with the minor switching around necessary when the keelboat makes landfall in the evening. The captain agrees as much for Aasgar's health as for recognition of his deed in killing the saboteur.

Aasgar, do you play proud and stubborn dwarf or smart dwarf? Do you take the bed rest?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will not argue but will grumble on the way to the rack.

[lostsole31]

Of course, there is no rack (because sleeping "quarters" are on the ground of wherever you land for the evening), but Galakhar has Aasgar sleep in the moderately-stinky stables as the horses are out and about, the partial walls help screen a little bit of sun and noise, and Aasgar's dwarven frame (shape of boulder) isn't in the way.

Aasgar gets awoken in the evening with a meal from Galakhar. "Working party finished digging Gharmez' grave. We''re going to bury her in her armor with her crossbow and earth breaker, and two gold coins - one on each eye - but the rest of her gear will be absorbed by the party, especially that Agrimmosh artifact-hammer. I'm not a priest - in truth we no longer have any - but as her closest ally for a few years, I know the Abadaran secular words that must be said, and the lay prayers for when a Banker is not present. Walk with your bowl of stew and bread. Cici and Kurst await us on shore. You'll notice Cici already took the liberty of putting a healing hex on you to help make you more comfortable."

Galakhar walks a groggy dwarf down the gangplank to the other two heroes of Trunau (Cici and Kurst). A little ways way is Gharmez' grave, and some rope for lowering her carefully down.

[BuckGodot]

When appropriate, Aasgar will approach the grave and observe the ceremony but will remain silent.

[lostsole31]

Kurst, technically as a representative of Trunau, the town that bestowed honors among the deceased, do you have anything to say?

[lostsole31]

Kurst, not really knowing Gharmez, and having fought in a different section of Trunau, doesn't have anything to add.

Abenor is not a big talker, especially in front of a crowd, and he is given to quiet observances at times of death, anyway.

Cici likewise feels awkward. Gharmez only joined at the end of the battle in the hill giant's tomb. They were connected in some outlook but otherwise weren't really friends.

So, it is Galakhar who takes the role of eulogist, and speaks at length about Gharmez's story and what brought them from their home in Qadira.

Spoiler: OOC - Wow!

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Galakhar spent inspiration, but he still got a 26 on his oratory ... as an untrained orator.

Galakhar finishes the lay Abadaran rites, and Gharmez is placed in the earth with what was mentioned and some other accoutrements.

At that, the funeral is over.

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will then limp away to return to resting.

[lostsole31]

When Cici comes to check on bandages, she talks to him softly (she says it aids in the healing process), though Aasgar is half-awake. She'll remind Aasgar on the morrow, but she says those two odd sticks were wands (as expected). One a wand of invisibility, the other a wand of cat's grace - neither of which Aasgar can use. Aasgar is groggy, and more like a puppet to be manipulated as Galakhar helps and he goes back to sleep.

---

TOILDAY, 16 PHARAST 4715 AR (WANING CRESCENT)
Weather: 75/ 55 F. Light rain (1/2"). Dry.

The next day, Aasgar awakens. He will find out that while his hardy dwarven body and Cici's medicine did fine, he was helped a long by a few charges of various healing wands as well. This was to make sure he would at least be operable today.

Also, as the keelboat was going through the swamps of the River Esk, Galakhar estimates that the expedition should be able to spot the stone on the riverbank carved with a circle of thorns today - the marker Silvermane described that will lead them to the entrance to the Vault of Thorns.

Aasgar, do you keep yourself wide open to new places that akashic discovery takes you, or do you favor anything current or from the past (and/or a mix)?

Meanwhile, as before, Kurst will be on the swampy riverbank, helping guide horses pulling the keelboat.

[BuckGodot]

If they are about to venture into a "vault" (cave?) Aasgar will keep Bangles of Roving light to help the others but will see what other veils he can form elsewhere.

[lostsole31]

Aasgar keeps his focus on his wrists to maintain the bangles for the sake of the party, if needed. While he's at it, his explorations with his hands find a new variation. Where he had unlocked cold and fire, now he finds he can modulate his gloves to instead deliver a static charge of electricity.

Spoiler: Unlocked

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Gloves of the Lashing Elements - Unlocked Electricity damage.

His desire for light for the bangles affects his thoughts during his exploration. Before long, a brilliant sash of white silk is wrapped about his waist, filling him with a light that spills out from his eyes and mouth with every blink and spoken word. Not only could this provide incredibly bright light, but is disconcerting to those who don't know what to think of Aasgar. Of course, for courtesy's sake at this time, he suppresses the light for now.

Spoiler: Unlocked

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Head: White Rider's Sash.

Finally, the akasha of the greater geography and the culture that has inhabited it for centuries finds Aasgar, and a ring is formed on his hand that channels the destructive power of the orcs themselves, giving Aasgar a tremendous ability to break or destroy objects and the weapons of his enemies.

Spoiler: Unlocked

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Ring: Band of Destruction.

Cici checks in on him in the morning after meditations, administering her healing hex for Aasgar for the day (13 healing).

Again, Kurst (and Cici) will be helping guide the horses upriver through the swamp as they tow the keelboat up the River Esk.

Aasgar, what task do you seek to aid with today?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will take on the depth finder position again.

[lostsole31]

Because you both know what to look for, and because Kurst is ashore (well, as ashore in a swamp can be ) leading horses, both of you (Aasgar and Kurst) is easily spot the stone on the riverbank carved with a circle of thorns - the marker that the druid Silvermane described to the group as leading to the Vault of Thorns. Once the marker is sighted, the PCs can prepare to disembark and head into the swamp in search of the Vault of Thorns. The horses are all brought aboard, being swum over from Cici's side (the far side, or south bank) as needed to get them aboard.

Kurst, because there is a swamp, do you intend to take Hope with you (your mount), or will you leave her in the captain's care on the deck stables? In addition, is there anything you wish to leave behind, or are you taking all equipment?

Aasgar, same question ... are you leaving anything behind, or taking all equipment?

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar will take everything.

[Admyral]

"The way looks to be treacherous for horses; I think, Hope, you should enjoy the Captain's hospitality a little longer", Kurst says to his steed. He will pick up all of his gear and ready himself for the trip, looking briefly at Aasgar's loadout. "Are you sure you don't want to take the ship's anchor as well? We might need it."

[lostsole31]

A primal war cry is heard, and several deep, throaty voices join in. Half a dozen orc warriors surge forward from hidden positions behind thick swamp foliage towards the gangplank that the heroes have just started moving down. As the orcs move forward, it is obvious they are digging deep with their boots in the thick mud, being slowed by the land itself (i.e., difficult terrain).

Begin Round One ...

R1T29: "For Gharmez!" cries Galakhar as he draws and lifts his rapier high and moves down the gangplank, landing just past with a thick *pluck* sound in the mud. Despite his brave advance, Galakhar is no fool, and facing off against six orcs he chooses more defensive pointwork. His blade zips into the chest of Blue, the lead orc, for 11 + disabled/staggered.

R1T24: Cici makes that first difficult step up onto the gangplank, and then zooms down to stand beside the older man. Her waveblade slashes out to catch Blue with a long, bloody gash from his elbow up along his brachial artery for 8 (+ 2 bleed). She is also in her crane stance and fighting carefully.

R1T19-17: Brown tosses its javelin at Abenor and then moves up to Galakhar while drawing its falchion. Pink does the same with a toss at Aasgar before moving up to Cici. Another javelin has little chance of hitting Aasgar as Purple adjusts around the side while drawing his sword.

R1T14: The slow, undulating movement of the keelboat in the movement comes to a sudden halt, as if the keelboat were sitting on steady blocks in a drydock. Another orc appears, this time on the waterborne side. Part of his body appears to have been badly burned at some point in the distant past, but that it might still give him discomfort even today. He is demonstrably larger and stronger-looking then the rank-and-file orcs below.

R1T13: Abenor looks to Aasgar and Kurst. "Go get that big guy that just came aboard. I'll help protect the others ashore."

He moves down the gangplank while drawing both swords and getting into fighting form, leaping off the end of the gangplank, and diving his blade into Purple's gut for 18 + disabled/ staggered. He also calls out defensive advice for his allies.

Meanwhile, the Captain calls for all of his sailors and the coxswain to clear the main deck and let the heroes handle this, but to standby in case they need to repel boarders.

R1T12: Kurst, that first step off the lifted edge of the gangplank is difficult terrain if you move back on the ship to engage the bigger guy (Yellow). You weren't expecting battle, so your shield is not readied and weapons are sheathed. What do you do?

[Admyral]

Kurst bellows "Nasty creatures! Put them down like the diseased beasts they are!" He moves towards the other side of the boat, taking his time raising his shield and drawing his sword. In Orcish, he rasps towards the orc on the opposite gunwale, "You picked the wrong day, my friend."

Spoiler: Tech info

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Move Action: Invoke Hunter's Bond
Replace SA with another Move Action: Move 5' north (difficult), 5' NE, 5'N
Free Actions while moving: Draw Longsword and ready Shield

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar shifts into a stance and moves up the gangplank drawing his axe. Assessing the enemy, he begins calling out defensive instructions to Kurst.

Spoiler: Technical Information

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SwA: Golden Commander Stance: Grants allies w/in 30' that understand his shouts: Gain flanking with all adj. allies that are fighting the same foe.

MA: Move up gangplank 2 squares (difficult terrain?)

SA: Defending the Pride: Grant all allies w/in 60' a +4 morale bonus to AC for 1 rd.

FA: Draw axe


Reminders:
Blooded [Region]: +1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls vs. giants, goblins, & orcs.
Mystic Attunement: All allies w/in 60' of him gain a +5' enhancement bonus to their base land speed.

[lostsole31]

R1T12: Kurst bellows from the top of the gangplank, visible to those above and below, "Nasty creatures! Put them down like the diseased beasts they are!" He moves towards the other side of the boat, taking his time raising his shield and drawing his sword. In Orcish, he rasps towards the orc on the opposite gunwale, *,"You picked the wrong day, my friend.">*

R1T11: Red drops his javelin, takes out a falchion and clumsily attacks the dancing, deflecting elf.

R1T6: Aasgar shifts into a stance and moves up the gangplank drawing his axe. Assessing the enemy, he begins calling out defensive instructions to Kurst, while having replaced where Kurst was standing and just as heroically spurring heroes to greater defense!

Spoiler: Inspiration

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Scything Strike.

R1T5: Green drops his javelin and draws his falchion, but Cici's crane style keeps him at bay.

R1T4: Lucette, hidden in the folds of Cici's cowl, delays...

R1T1: Blue takes a total of 3 bleed, swings at Galakhar, and then drops dead as the effort had him bleed out more.

End Round One, Begin Round 2 ...

R2T29: Even with increased difficulty from the swampy ground, Galakhar effortlessly dances around the orcs to physically flank with Cici (despite Aasgar's tactics making that redundant). Face it, Gal just can't help trying to look cool when he can. His rapier just nips back of Pink's right shoulder for 8, Kurst's advice having helped.

R2T24: Cici does a spinning back elbow to Pink's abdomen, liquefying his liver and killing him instantly, followed by a rising punch to Green's shoulder for 13 + disabled.

R2T19-17: Brown swings at Abenor, which is a critical mistake as the elf does a back and forth deflection-and-guiding that drops the orc's own blade right down into its knee for 12 + disabled! As this happens, Abenor's blades are never lacking in response to bat away Purple's blade as well.

R2T14: *<"I am Tark Singeskin, and I am your doooom!">* rages the orc in his natural language to Kurst's challenge while entering a primal defense. He steps up to Kurst and swings. Using Aasgar's tactical advice, Kurst desperately tries to move out of the way of the massive blade. The blade still lands a terrible gash against the left side of Kurst's hip and rump, but it could have been worse, as this critical strike "only" does 27. But then to Kurst's terror ... Tark follows up with another critical strike at the same spot for 22!

R2T13: Below, Abenor chides Galakhar as he quickly darts to Cici's side. "Old man, you need to stay within 10' of me so I can protect you!" Both blades dart low against Brown to finish him off.

R2T12: Kurst, in two swift, powerful strokes, even with Aasgar's advice, this beast you face has critically wounded you. What do you do?

Red on deck, Aasgar in the hole ...

[Admyral]

*<"Tork Sang-scum,">* Kurst snarls in Orcish, *<"it will take more than lucky shots to win this day.">*

Kurst bashes the orc with his shield before delivering a blow with his longsword.

Spoiler: Tech info

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Swift Action: Challenge: Tark Singeskin
ATK: Shield Bash (favored enemy): (1d20+10)[21] DAM:(favored enemy)(challenge)(1d3+11)[12]
ATK: Longsword (favored enemy): (1d20+9)[22] DAM:(favored enemy)(challenge)(1d8+11)[12]

[lostsole31]

R2T12: *<"Tork Sang-scum,">* Kurst snarls in Orcish, *<"it will take more than lucky shots to win this day.">*

Kurst lifts his shield upwards and hits the massive orc with the top rim in the orc's neck for 12, then cuts past armor to graze his neck for 12.

R211: Red sloshes across muddy and now bloody ground to engage Galakhar. The sword swings and Galakhar fails to deflect but dodges back to the blade seems to strike Galakhar in the foot, and yet it doesn't strike hard enough to actually break the man's skin. This odd development gets questioning glances from Abenor and Cici.

R2T6: Aasgar, what do you do?

Green on deck, Galakhar in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar moves straight north past the mast to take up a position next to the orc and lashes out with his axe and preparing to defend his ally.

Spoiler: Technical Information

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MA: Move north 4 squares if able to be on the left of the orc.

Attack using Risky Strike and Dazing Attack: (1d20+13)[19]

Dazing Attack: Dmg + 3d6. Fort save or be dazed 1 round.

Dmg: (1d12+16)[19]

Dazing Attack Dmg: (3d6)[10]

If Kurst is attacked use King's Castle (Su): IA, when a foe makes a melee attack vs. ally w/ this feat who is no > from him than half his land speed, he can move up to half his speed directly towards the ally. This movement provokes AOOs.
* As long as he ends this movement adjacent to the targeted ally, he may take the attack in their place.
** The attack is resolved as though he were the original target of the attack, comparing the attack roll to his defenses and dealing damage as appropriate.
* He may invest E into this feat, increasing his land speed by +5'/ E invested.
* He gains 1 point of essence.


Reminders:
Get Behind Me (Ex): When he readies his maneuvers, he may treat 3 [INT] creatures as though they had the King's Castle feat. Designees: Kurst, Abenor, Cici
Blooded [Region]: +1 trait bonus on weapon damage rolls vs. giants, goblins, & orcs.
Mystic Attunement: All allies w/in 60' of him gain a +5' enhancement bonus to their base land speed.

[lostsole31]

R2T6: Aasgar moves straight north past the mast to take up a position next to the orc and lashes out with his axe at Tark's hand, right at the nerves as they come together at the web at the base of the thumb and index finger for 32 + dazed as Tark howls in pain so raw as to make him temporarily insensate. Aware that it might be a ruse, Aasgar prepares to defend his ally.

Spoiler: Inspiration

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Red Zephyr's Strike.

R2T5: Green attacks Cici, but the blood loss he's suffering includes blood on his face to affect his vision, and his swing is wild.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T29: Galakhar ducks and dives to the east along the swamp mud to come up and strike Green dead with a perfect thrust to the heart from the back.

R3T24: Cici dances over dead orcs to slash the back of Red's knee with her waveknife for 9.

R3T17: Purple staggers forth to engage Abenor. It is a valiant effort, but Abenor completely dodges with a counter step.

R3T14: Back on deck, it seems it was not a ruse as Tark stumbles around dazed, trying to protect himself while vulnerable.

R3T13: His enemy having been kind enough to come to him, Abenor's blue-glowing katana glows a little brighter as the elf dispatches Purple with a special maneuver.

R3T12: Kurst, what do you do?

Red on deck, Aasgar in the hole ...

[Admyral]

In Orcish, Kurst says through a mirthless grin, <*"It's going to take us an hour to wash your blood from the deck..."*>.

He again bashes the Orc with his shield, and strikes out with his sword.

Spoiler: Tech Info

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ATK:Shield: (1d20+6)[7] DAM: (1d3+2)[5]
ATK:Longsword: (1d20+5)[25] DAM: (1d8+2)[5]

Reminders:
Challenge (Ex): His attacks do +5 [CL] damage vs. target of challenge, but this takes his concentration, and he suffers -2 AC from any other target than that of his challenged foe.
Favored Enemy (Ex): +4 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against Orcs.

[Admyral]

Spoiler: Critical Fail/Hit

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Shield: Fumble Save: (1d20)[18]
Longsword: Critical Hit: (1d20)[13] Bonus DAM: (2d6)[5]

[lostsole31]

R3T12: In Orcish, Kurst says through a mirthless grin, <*"It's going to take us an hour to wash your blood from the deck..."*>. He misses wildly on a bash attempt with his shield, but when he strikes out with his longsword, he cuts Tark in the neck for 24 (+1d4 bleed)!

R3T11: Below, only Cici's crane style saves her from getting cut in half by Red.

R3T6: Aasgar, what do you do?

Galakhar on deck, Cici in the hole ...

[BuckGodot]

Aasgar lets loose a bellow, gabs his ake with both hands, and swings his axe around again at the creature.

Spoiler: Technical Information

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SwA: Encouraging Roar

Attack using Risky Strike and Overhand Chop

Overhand Chop (Ex): When he makes a single attack (w/ the attack action or a charge) w/ a two-handed weapon, STR * 2 bonus on damage rolls.

Attack: (1d20+11)[24]

Damage: (1d12+18)[22]

If Kurst is attacked use King's Castle (Su): IA, when a foe makes a melee attack vs. ally w/ this feat who is no > from him than half his land speed, he can move up to half his speed directly towards the ally. This movement provokes AOOs.
* As long as he ends this movement adjacent to the targeted ally, he may take the attack in their place.
** The attack is resolved as though he were the original target of the attack, comparing the attack roll to his defenses and dealing damage as appropriate.
* He may invest E into this feat, increasing his land speed by +5'/ E invested.
* He gains 1 point of essence.


Reminders:
Get Behind Me (Ex): When he readies his maneuvers, he may treat 3 [INT] creatures as though they had the King's Castle feat. Designees: Kurst, Abenor, Cici

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

Mystic Attunement: All allies w/in 60' of him gain a +5' enhancement bonus to their base land speed.

Patient Counterpoint (Ex): During his turn, he gains a +4 [WIS] insight bonus to damage rolls whenever his DDP has points in it.

Golden Commander stance active (bonus from flanking)