GREYHAWK CY963 GOLDEN ERA CAMPAIGN: HEROES OF DYVERS: CHAPTER 4

As the Troll charges by, Dewydd recovers his footing and steps sideways, sweeping the blade of his sword across the Troll’s abdomen, disemboweling him. The Troll does a faceplant, sliding to a muddy, squishy halt at Lathir’s feet.

VALE: IT’S YOUR TURN. WHAT DO YOU DO?

Sylvar's Song :

Facing us, carnage

In your heart decide

Allies! have courage!

Loose your feet and stride


Wade into bedlam

Do not choose to flee

Rise above mayhem

Courage, all to see


Death comes for us all

Today it is near

None know when they fall

Do not bend to fear


Fear benefits none

Valor all should know

We may carve to one

Courage, it must flow


Allies! Hear my songs

Deimos and Phobos

They are paired wrongs


Fight with dignity

Fight with mighty strength

Vale vs. The Orcs, Trolls, Giants, and Ogres

~ Val, if you have anything you want to say...~

For a moment that seems like many more minutes, Vale assesses the battlefield. The movements of his comrades as they charge, parry, riposte, and engage. The movements of their enemies as they react to Sylvar's tunes. The druid's bait and attack and the simultaneous melee helps make their opponents' numbers more even. He grits his teeth and smiles, eager to weigh in himself.

Dewydd and Thallok seem as if they have known each other for years, almost preternaturally moving into melee. Kleborn's movements are smooth and true. Vale's own Prayer, cast immediately before they engaged the orcs, gives a modest lift to the party and presses their foes. He sees Sylvar exposed, and eager to give their newfound Halfling friend the freedom to use his size and stealth, Vale summons the protective power of Silverbeard again, moving quickly past Sylvar and in front of Tam-Tam, tapping Sylvar on the shoulder as he passes him.



Addressing the giant in his native language, Vale curses him vociferously, "You will meet your brother soon, you blustering oaf. Your mother dressed you and him funny. "

Val communicates telepathically with Vale.
[sblock=What the axe told his master.]
Orcs and similar cave-dwelling beasties are dazzled in bright sunlight, because their eyes are so sensitive. The gloom from the rainy conditions has abated that disadvantage. I could rectify that, but the drawback is that our new buddy Thallok will be affected as well. But I’ll do it if ya want. Just say the word.
[/sblock]

The Battle RAGES On!

Vale slogs through the sucking mud, not quite getting as far as he'd hoped.



Vale casts Sanctuary on Sylvar as he passes by.





Vale says, "Light 'em up, Val! Hey, Thallok! Eyes front, brother!"

At this point, the axe activates its Daylight power.



Thallok, despite the fact that the light source is coming from behind you, and you are not looking directly at it, you still have trouble seeing in the bright light. The glare from the light washes everything out, making everything beyond about 10 feet distant into one, big, yellow blur.





Without moving, the first Ogre, who towers over the Orcs in front of him, uses his reach to attack Kleborn with his club. This Ogre is apparently the leader among the Ogres, because (now that you've gotten a closer look at him) he's wearing better-looking hides, as well as a golden ring on his left hand which bears some sort of insignia. His Greatclub also looks to be of higher quality, actually being wrapped with iron bands.



The Ogre roars in defiance, and attacks in a rage, but his anger works against him, as Kleborn deftly sidesteps the first massive blow, and uses his shield to knock the Ogre's second blow out of position.

DEWYDD: IT'S YOUR TURN. WHAT DO YOU DO?

Dewydd Strikes A Telling Blow!







Dewydd uses the remaining momentum from his charge to drive his Greatsword into the Hill Giant's legs; he manages to slice open the Giant's calf, spewing blood everywhere. The Giant screams in agony, as he tries to re-balance himself; but Dewydd is not finished; he stabs the Greatsword deep into the instep of the Giant's remaining, unblemished foot. The sound of the big blade punching through the flesh of the Giant's foot, and snapping the bones, is sickening. The wound bleeds profusely; the fact that the Giant is still standing is a miracle. One good blow will likely finish him.

THALLOK: IT'S YOUR TURN. WHAT DO YOU DO?

Thallok Steps Up And Faces His Past!

Thallok engages his former countryman, showing him no mercy. He brings the big Falchion down twice on his less-skilled opponent, who simply isn't a good enough swordsman to deflect Thallok's blade.



Thallok's first swing catches the Orc is his mid-section; as the Orc doubles over to protect his profusely bleeding abdomen, Thallok's second swing beheads him.





Tam-Tam: It's Your Turn. WHAT DO YOU DO?

From the corner of his eye, Tam-Tam has seen the blow Dewydd took from the second giant. He quickly spins to change his target from the Ogre (#1) to the remaining giant.

Taking his two shots at the giant with:
Weapon Finesse (+4)
Range bonus, within 30' or less: (+1)
Inspired (+2)
Prayer (+1)
for a total of +8 to hit.

Tam-Tam fires:
Once --- 16+8=24
Twice --- 10+8 = 18

First strike causes, with Inspire (+2 dam) and Prayer (+1 dam): 7 points of damage
IF, second arrow strikes: 6 more points of damage.

Thus, 7 (or 13) points of damage to the second giant.

Tam’s Two Arrows: Little Stings, Big Consequences.



Tam-Tam knocks an arrow, and takes aim at the Giant; the big brute is in the process of trying to fight through the pain, and steady himself for a counter-attack on Dewydd. But he is destined to never have that chance.

Tam’s first arrow hits the Giant square in his left eye. The effect is akin to a normal-sized man being struck by a flying needle. The blow itself is not fatal; but it causes the Giant intense pain. The big oaf clutches at his eye, loses his balance, and falls to the ground, twisting his neck in the process, with a sickening crunch.







Tam follows up with a second shot, for good measure. The arrow strikes the giant in the head, striking perfectly into his earhole, burrowing deep, making it all the way to the Giant’s brain. The Giant shudders violently for a moment, and then goes still, forever.

LATHIR: It’s your turn. What do you do?

Lathir moves back and left 5' away from the fallen Troll at his feet. He scans the scene, assessing the progress, then gestures toward the the standing troll with his left hand calling forth another bolt of lightning.